Teenagers have a lot on their plates. From juggling their school workload with their social lives to dealing with major body changes, let’s just say being a teenager isn’t easy. They’re young people on the brink of adulthood, getting ready to take on the world. Jumping into their adult lives may be the most challenging thing they need to do, and the best way to kick off their journey to this new chapter of life is to enter it with optimal health.
You might find teens prioritizing other areas of their lives far more than their health, like their social circle, entertainment, and maybe some dangerous habits. But with the incorporation of some healthy choices, teens can start life the right way: with strong bones and muscles, more energy, better focus, and high confidence. Here are some ways for teens to improve their health and, ultimately, their lives right away and well into the future.
Preventive Measures
Life can be full of ups and downs, but it’s always a good idea to be prepared for what may come. Here are some preventive measures to take that’ll greatly improve your health.
- Medical and Dental Checkups: As you grow up, your body goes through changes. While this is normal, you should still get regular health checkups to ensure everything is in order. You can use the opportunity to address concerns, such as cracked and chipped teeth too, which may make you feel conscious of your smile. Just search for family-friendly cosmetic dentistry near me and get your problems sorted before they escalate.
- Wear Sunscreen: Teenagers spend a considerable amount of time outdoors in the sun, whether it’s playing in the schoolyard, participating in sports, or any other outdoor activity. This puts them at risk for sun damage caused by UV rays. Although younger people aren’t too afraid of the sun, building the habit of wearing sunscreen and other sun protective measures while exposed can reduce the chances of sun-related health issues like premature aging, sunburn, and certain skin cancers.
- Hygiene: Maintaining good hygiene is an important way to prevent diseases from spreading to yourself and to those around you. Teens should shower every day and thoroughly wash their hands regularly, especially in public places.
Nutrition and Physical Exercise
Another way to keep yourself healthy as a teen is to take care of your physical health. Your bodies are growing and changing, and here’s how you can support these changes:
- Balanced Diet: Junk food might taste good, but it’s not helping you grow strong. Fill your plate with enough protein-packed foods like meat, legumes, and fish for your muscles. You’ll need some wholegrain foods like brown rice and whole-wheat bread for more energy. And get plenty of fruits and veggies in your system for vitamins and minerals for your immune system and overall health. Keep your bones strong by getting enough calcium from dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt.
- Exercise: Exercise isn’t just for losing weight. It helps with a lot of things, like releasing stress, supporting healthy muscle and bone growth, and even increasing your confidence. Find an activity you enjoy, such as swimming, running, or another sport, and engage in it regularly. Joining a team may help form your habits.
- Adequate Sleep: Getting enough sleep is important for teens because that’s when most of the growing happens. Getting 8 to 10 hours is vital to support optimal growth, reduce levels of stress, and increase focus. Teens find it hard to concentrate at school and make rational decisions due to lack of sleep.
Mental and Emotional Well-being
Teenagers may be facing a lot of stress and anxiety due to their surging hormone levels and all the other life changes they go through daily. Here’s how to keep their mental health in check.
- Stress Management: Teens may feel frustrated and agitated easily, and having an outlet can help manage this stress. Start practicing stress management techniques daily, like yoga, meditation, listening to music, or reading a book. Anything that helps clear your head is great.
- Stay Socially Connected: Teens need a strong emotional support system for their mental and emotional well-being. It helps to take part in school and after-school activities and make new friends. Having friends and family to talk to when things get tough is pivotal at this age.
- Positive Self-Image: Many teens may struggle to feel good about themselves, which can damage their self-esteem and confidence. Focus on your strengths and the unique things that make you. Try talking to yourself like a friend, avoid being overly critical, and avoid making comparisons.
Avoid Harmful Habits
As a teen, peer pressure is a real thing that can land you in some dangerous situations. However, forming harmful habits can ruin your life in the long term, so they must be avoided.
- Avoid Smoking and Drugs: You might see your friends doing it and feel the urge to, but don’t. Here’s the truth: smoking and doing drugs were never cool, and they never will be. These habits, once formed, are difficult to give up later in life and can cause serious health problems. This includes smoking cigarettes and e-cigarettes and consuming alcohol and other drugs.
- Drive Safe: Driving is one of the most exciting grown-up things you can do as a teen, but it’s important to be safe. You might think you can get away with speeding, not wearing your seatbelt, or even driving under the influence, but one tiny mistake can ruin your life, and someone else’s too.
- Limit Screen Time: These days, it’s hard to move your eyes off your devices, but too much screen time can be bad for you. It has the power to affect your mood, ruin your sleep schedule, and affect your school work. Plus, the more time you spend on your phones, the more real-world adventures you miss out on. Online predators often target younger minds to groom, so it’s also important to be safe while you surf the web.
Conclusion
To sum it up, health might not be too important for you as a teen because you’re just starting your prime years and feel like nothing can go wrong. You might not notice or even care about the negative effects of your unhealthy choices now, but little by little, they add up and emerge when you least expect them to.
By adopting a few healthy habits, not only will your tough teenage years go by more smoothly, but you’ll also equip yourselves with the tools you need to thrive in your adult lives when you’re not so young and invincible anymore. A little goes a long way, and if you follow these health tips now, your future self will be proud and grateful.