In May, I discussed the five components of self-care in the child and adolescent population. This month's focus is social wellness, defined as the ability to form positive social connections with others, instilling a sense of belonging, and building healthy relationships. Social wellness is an essential part of healthy development in this population.

Children and adolescents don’t often understand the term self-care and families often me, “What can I do?” Self-care is the active role in maintaining one’s mental, physical, and emotional well-being, often through healthy eating, meditation, exercise, and other activities (APA, 2020). In this blog, I will explore the importance of self-care in children and adolescents and describe the key components and why these are important. In children and adolescents, self-care is essential since it helps enhance their overall well- being. It helps build resilience, crucial for managing stress and overall mood. This process should start early to help prepare them to transition into healthy adults.