The author of The Mindful Teen: A Guide to Navigating Life with Awareness and Emotional Intelligence is a dedicated mental health advocate and educator with a deep passion for adolescent well-being. Drawing from experience in psychology, mindfulness training, and youth counselling, the author combines scientific insight with a compassionate voice to support teens in managing emotional challenges, building healthy relationships, and finding balance in a fast-paced digital world. Through relatable guidance and practical tools, their work empowers young people to thrive with greater self-awareness, resilience, and emotional intelligence.
The Literature Times: What inspired you to write The Mindful Teen, and why do you believe mindfulness is especially important for today’s teenagers?
Sathyamoorthy Buma Sridhar: I was inspired to write “The Mindful Teen” to share the transformative power of mindfulness and emotional intelligence, which he discovered as a path to well-being and resilience in a chaotic world. He believes mindfulness is crucial for today’s teenagers because it offers powerful tools to manage stress, build stronger relationships, and create a fulfilling life amidst challenges like digital distractions and societal pressures.
The Literature Times: How did your personal or professional background shape the content and tone of the book?
Sathyamoorthy Buma Sridhar: My personal journey of finding well-being through mindfulness and emotional intelligence, coupled with his 16 years in the IT industry and his certification as a Mental Health Coach and author, shaped the book’s content. This blend of corporate experience, mental health expertise, and a passion for guiding individuals towards inner peace likely influenced the practical, relatable, and empathetic tone of “The Mindful Teen”.
The Literature Times: Many teens struggle with screen addiction and social media pressure—what practical strategies do you suggest for digital well-being?
Sathyamoorthy Buma Sridhar: For digital well-being, I suggest practical strategies like setting limits on screen time, creating tech-free zones (e.g., during meals or before sleep), practicing regular digital detoxes, and using technology mindfully by being present and intentional. To combat social media pressure, I advise being mindful of emotions when using social media, curating one’s feed to follow uplifting accounts, remembering that social media often presents an idealized “highlight reel,” and prioritizing real-life connections.
The Literature Times: How did you approach sensitive topics like body image, sexuality, and mental health to ensure they were both respectful and informative?
Sathyamoorthy Buma Sridhar: I approached sensitive topics by emphasizing mindfulness and emotional intelligence as tools for self-awareness, acceptance, and healthy coping. For body image, the focus is on challenging unrealistic beauty standards and cultivating self-compassion. Sexuality is addressed through the importance of respect, trust, open communication, and consent. Mental health is woven throughout, with explicit sections on recognizing signs for seeking help, overcoming stigma, and utilizing available resources.
The Literature Times: What are some early signs of emotional distress in teens that parents and educators should be more aware of?
Sathyamoorthy Buma Sridhar: I suggest that Parents and educators should be aware of early signs of emotional distress in teens such as persistent sadness or hopelessness, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, difficulty concentrating, irritability or anger, withdrawing from friends and family, and thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
The Literature Times: What do you think is the biggest misconception teens have about mindfulness or emotional intelligence?
Sathyamoorthy Buma Sridhar: The biggest misconception teens might have about mindfulness or emotional intelligence is that they are about suppressing or ignoring difficult emotions, rather than acknowledging and understanding them without judgment. They might also view it as something that makes them “soft” or less competitive, instead of a strength that enhances resilience and performance.
The Literature Times: How can schools integrate mindfulness and emotional literacy into their regular curriculum effectively?
Sathyamoorthy Buma Sridhar: Schools can effectively integrate mindfulness and emotional literacy into their curriculum by teaching mindfulness practices like meditation and deep breathing to improve focus and reduce stress. They can also incorporate emotional intelligence skills to help students manage emotions, set realistic goals, and build resilience. This can be done through dedicated lessons or by weaving these concepts into existing subjects.
The Literature Times: If a teen reader could take away just one message from your book, what would you want that to be?
Sathyamoorthy Buma Sridhar: If a teen reader could take away just one message, it would be to embrace their inner power by cultivating mindfulness and emotional intelligence to navigate challenges, build a fulfilling life, and be their authentic self.
