Being a teenager is probably one of the most stressful periods in any person’s life.
Your body is undergoing immense internal and external changes; and there an enormous pressure to do well in school, while also trying to balance a social life. All of this is very overwhelming for pretty much all adolescents, and consequently their overall wellbeing usually suffers. As a parent, you won’t be able to fix everything, but we have some tips to ensure the wellness and mindfulness of your teenager during this time.
Health and Fitness
Adolescence is a period where the body undergoes a huge amount of growth, and much of the development undertaken during this period is irreversible. Therefore it is essential that we properly prepare our bodies for these adult years, as this mistreatment can lead to numerous negative health consequences later on in life.
Childhood obesity has been identified as one of the most serious public health issues of the 21st century, as it has been predicted that this generation will be the first to have a lower life expectancy than that of their parents. Currently, 21–25% of children and adolescents are overweight, with 5–8% of that being obese. Obesity can lead to a range of health disorders later in life:
Sleep apnea
Breathlessness
Reduced exercise tolerance
Hypertension
Type 2 diabetes
Increased risk of chronic disease
Early mortality
As well as this, obesity during adolescents can also lead to the development of a negative body image, which can result in various eating disorders. In addition to this, it has also been linked to social discrimination, which is linked to numerous mental health issues such as poor self-esteem and depression.
Obesity during adolescents can also lead to the development of a negative body image
On the other end of the spectrum, 2–5% of adolescents are classified as being underweight, which can have just as many negative health consequences as being obese. Teenagers are prone to undertaking inappropriate dietary restrictions, with a fear of having unhealthy dietary habits. With the recent social media saturation of health and fitness guru’s, there is a miscommunication of what health is, creating distorted body images and lifestyles that are unattainable. Especially during this time, dietary restrictions can sufficiently impact the bodies’ growth and development.
That is why it is important that you assist your teenager in consuming a sufficient and varied amount of nutritious foods, in conjunction with encouraging daily physical activity. Both of these aspects will assist in building and maintaining healthy bones and muscles, while improving self-esteem, personal image an overall quality of life.
Acne
Teenagers also get to undergo the joys of acne — another great experience. Acne presents itself in all shapes and sizes, affecting everyone differently. Some people have little to no pimples during their teenage years, while others aren’t so lucky. There is a myth that dietary patterns heavily impact acne. However there is a minimal correlation between these two factors, and diet may only simply influence or aggravate it. More significant factors that should be considered are skin type, genetics, hormones, and exposure to environmental pollutants.
Acne for most people is seen as a form of social isolation, and being unable to fit in with the other kids often leading to mental health issues such as depression. However nowadays, acne is very treatable by doctors and dermatologists — it should not be a factor that influences a teenager’s wellbeing. Just make sure to listen to your teenager when they express their concerns. If it is something that is heavily impacting their confidence and happiness, try your best to reverse this.
School
I can honestly say that grade 11 and 12 were and probably will be the two most stressful years that I will ever experience. There are such large expectations placed on teenagers by their school, teachers and of course themselves. Even though it is tricky to accomplish, a balanced life is the only way they are going to make it through without completely losing their minds and burning out.
Adolescents need a chance to let off some steam and actually act their age. It’s important that you encourage this behaviour, as they will definitely thank you for it. Sleep is also a massive must! Teenagers can’t expect to function at an optimal level is their body is exhausted and extremely sleep deprived. Sleep is a time for the body to rest from the days stresses, while allowing the brain to stores memories and processes information.
Adolescents need a chance to let off some steam and actually act their age
