By Kisembo Immaculate | Mental and Physical Health | December 04, 2025
Young people, you are vital to our nation’s future. Pope Francis, in Laudato Si’, said, “our bodies are gifts from God, and caring for them is an essential part of caring for creation.” This message matters even more during the holidays, when you may have more free time, fewer restrictions, and a different form of supervision, which can make it easier to fall into temptations. I would like to share some ideas on how you can look after your mental and physical health as a way of caring for God’s creation, starting with yourself.
1. Your Body Is God’s Creation: Protect It
Our bodies are not accidents; they are masterpieces made by God. St. Paul teaches, “Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor 6:19). Looking after your physical health is not just a personal choice; it is a responsibility.
Healthy Choices Youth Should Prioritise During Holidays
• Eat balanced meals instead of relying on junk food.
• Engage in sports, exercise, or community work to stay active.
• Ensure sufficient sleep and rest for proper physical development.
• Stay hydrated, especially in the upcoming hot tropical climate.
• Avoid drugs, alcohol, and smoking. These destroy the body, weaken mental health, and can harm your future.
Uganda is seeing more cases of alcohol and substance abuse among young people, especially during long holidays. When you protect your body, you protect your future and honour God.
2. Mental Health Matters: Care for Your Inner Self Too
Many young people silently struggle with depression, anxiety, pressure from peers and family expectations, environmental factors and sometimes trauma. Mental health challenges affect schooling, relationships, and self-esteem.
Taking care of your mental health is important because your mind is also part of God’s creation.
Practical ways you can protect your Mental Health as a youth
• Surround yourself with positive, supportive friends.
• Limit social media consumption, which often brings comparison and pressure.
• Talk to a trusted adult, counsellor, religious leader, or mentor when stressed.
• Practise prayer, meditation, journaling, and mindfulness.
• Participate in youth groups like Laudato Youth, church programs where peer support builds resilience.
• Avoid toxic relationships and harmful peer influence.
Ignoring your mental health can lead to risky behaviours such as substance abuse, early pregnancy, violence, skipping school, and crime.
3. Avoid Harmful Behaviour: It Hurts You and Those Around You
The holidays can expose young people to activities that harm themselves and the wider community:
• Drug and alcohol abuse
• Early sexual activity and teenage pregnancies
• Gambling and betting addictions
• Violence, crime, theft, and vandalism
• Excessive partying or night outings
These actions harm your body and mind, and they also hurt families, damage communities, and weaken the values of society.
Young people are meant to bring hope, not fall into harmful influences.
4. Caring for Yourself Is Part of Caring for Creation
When the Church talks about care for creation, it does not mean only rivers, forests, and animals. Human beings, created in the image and likeness of God, are the most precious part of creation.
A youth who is physically healthy, mentally balanced, and spiritually grounded can contribute meaningfully to society and protect the environment.
How Personal Health Connects to Environmental Care
• A healthy mind makes responsible choices about waste, resources, and nature.
• Strong youth are more likely to participate in community cleanups, tree planting, and eco-projects.
• Discipline at a personal level promotes discipline toward God’s creation.
You cannot care for the Earth if you ignore the health of your own body and mind.
5. Use Holidays for Growth, Not Harm
The holiday period should be a time for:
• Learning new skills (farming, ICT, innovation, crafts).
• Reading books and broadening knowledge.
• Volunteering in church, parish groups, or community projects.
• Helping parents with chores and responsibilities.
• Strengthening spiritual life by attending Mass, retreats, and prayer gatherings.
• Participating in youth programs like Laudato Youth Initiative, Youth Alive, or Scouts, etc
Every good choice helps build a better future.
Choose God, Choose Life, Choose Health
To all young people reading this, you have the power to change your world and our country, but it starts with taking responsibility for yourself. Looking after your physical and mental health is not just smart; it is a holy duty and a way to protect God’s creation, beginning with you.
As the holidays start, choose God instead of skipping your faith, choose health instead of harm, choose purpose instead of just pleasure, and choose discipline instead of destruction. Your life is a gift. Protect it, care for it, and use it to honour God and help others.
