What if there was a quick way to boost our teens' wellbeing.
Techniques they could learn over time, a bit like a new life skill, and use whenever they needed them. Well, I am certainly no believer in quick fixes and magical/ mystical cures, but I do believe in science and evidence-based approaches, and this new book takes some of those and makes them suitable and understandable for teens.
What’s it all about?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is not new. It has been around a long time and thoroughly researched, tested in trials, and it works really well for multiple psychological issues. Dr Lee David is a brilliant GP who has taken CBT and made it useable in everyday GP practice.
Many years ago my whole team and I did her 10 minute CBT course for general practice, and have used what we learned then ever since, with our patients and in our day to day work, supporting people to live better with their mental health. Lee has now taken her vast experience of CBT and, along with Debbie Brewin, another CBT therapist, she has written this brilliant book for teens.
How does it work?
'10 Minutes to Better Mental Health - a step by step guide for teens using CBT and Mindfulness' by Lee David and Debbie Brewin has just been published, and is full of short, chatty sections describing emotional wellbeing and how to improve it. None of the practical, easy exercises take more than 10 minutes, and some are only 3-5 minutes. The book speaks directly to the reader (teen) and asks them to take 10 minutes a day for themselves, to grow their wellbeing. It actually uses a framework called '10 Minute GROW' (the GROW is a 4 step way of approaching and making decisions which they will be able to try out and then use their whole lives). CBT and mindfulness are woven together in accessible exercises, teaching them to look after themselves but also skills for life.
Will it involve much effort?
The book uses reflection activities, whilst encouraging the teen reader to write in the book and make notes, and to think about what they want to feel and achieve. It develops analytical and critical thinking skills without making it feel overwhelming, though there will be challenging moments as the young person ponders their reactions and emotions. The book guides them through exercises and reflections gently and thoughtfully, and as a parent you could also be alongside them if your young person needs additional support.
Interestingly the book is interactive with QR codes that link to videos, so that even the most reluctant reader might be intrigued enough to try it!
I recommend it!
So if you are living with a teen who has anxiety, low mood, confidence and self-esteem issues, or one who just worries and stresses about certain things, then I really recommend taking a look at this book and encouraging them to give it a go. They will need to ‘buy into’ the process and have a certain level of engagement to get the benefit of it, but it is a genuinely new and exciting way to help teens to learn wellbeing skills for life and I highly recommend it.
You can buy it here (I have no financial interest)