From the COVID-19 pandemic to climate change to political and economic instability, it’s been a time when the mental health of children and teens has been particularly affected by major world trauma like o other time in our memory, according to Healthline.

It’s more important than ever to prioritize mental wellbeing. Sometimes it is hardest to be nice to yourself. Keeping that in mind, here are five simple things you can do to be kinder to yourself:

1. Try not to ignore negative thoughts. Avoiding these feelings, ironically, make them even louder. According to Sheppard Pratt, neglecting negative thoughts actually gives them more weight. Confronting these feelings head on can actually decrease anxious feelings.
2. Let yourself make mistakes and do not beat yourself up about them. Remember that everyone messes up! 
3. Having positive people around you can actually improve your outlook on life. A huge part of how you feel can be influenced by the environment and the people around you.
4. Taking care of your physical health is a sure way to improve how you’re feeling mentally, too. According to Frederick Health, physical health and mental health are closely related. You can’t have one without the other. 
5. Be kind to others! How you treat everyone else often reflects how you treat yourself.