Your mental health and well-being matter at every stage of your life. Many of the basics of good mental health will remain largely the same over the years, like getting enough sleep, finding healthy ways to manage stress and express emotions, and relying on a good support system. However, some of your needs will likely change over time due to the different challenges and obstacles you’ll face. Let’s discuss how your mental health needs can change through the years, and how to effectively address them at every stage.

• Childhood/adolescence: It’s never too early to start taking care of your mental health, especially since more than half of mental health problems can start showing in childhood and adolescence [1]. Help your children manage their mental well-being by providing a safe and supportive environment where they can learn to express their emotions and cope.
• Early adulthood: You go through so many changes as you transition out of your childhood and into your adulthood, so taking care of your mental health is incredibly important as you navigate this stage. This is a great time to evaluate what you need to thrive, and how you can best manage your stress levels in a healthy way. Early adulthood is also a good time to reach out to a therapist or other mental health professional so that you can learn more about yourself and how you can best navigate through the obstacles to come. Finally, this stage is also a good time to start evaluating what your physical needs are to support your mental health, from a healthy diet and exercise to supportive supplements like 5-HTP.

• Middle adulthood: At this point in your life, you’ll probably have collected your fair share of responsibilities. It’s important to stay grounded during these busy years and to make sure to find time to honor your own needs, even if it feels like most of your energy is being spent on your family, career, and other responsibilities that are dependent on you. Make sure to dedicate plenty of attention to your physical and your mental health needs at this stage.  

• Senior years: Finally, you should also be nurturing your mental health long into your golden years, especially since older adults are at an increased risk for developing cognitive and mood disorders [2]. It’s especially important to make time and effort to socialize with your family, friends, and local groups to establish a support system. In addition, make sure to get plenty of exercise as well to keep your mind and your body strong.

Your needs may change throughout the years, but it will always remain equally important to honor your well-being, mental health, and happiness no matter what stage of life you are in. Learn what you need to manage stress and maintain your well-being at each of these unique points so that you can thrive from childhood to the golden years.

Research / Support Links:

• [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6491840/
• [2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5315032/