3 Tips on How to Instill Healthy Habits into Your Teen
Most young people cannot wait to enter their teenage years. It comes with more independence, trust, and responsibility. However, as a parent, you might worry about your child making the wrong choices. You might be thinking about them struggling with various health issues.
Do you want to ensure they remain fit, happy, and healthy as they transition into an adult? You should find out how to instill healthy habits into your teens.
1. Embark on Physical Activity as a Family
Does your teen spends more time on the sofa than on their feet? Encourage them to get their body moving by embracing physical activity as a family.
For example, you could:
- Play tennis with your son or daughter
- Go for a nightly jog together
- Enjoy a fun bike ride through a local park
- Play a video game that gets their body moving. This may be Just Dance or Ring Fit Adventure
The exercise will help them remain fit and healthy. They could develop habits that will serve them well into adulthood. Plus, physical activity and fresh air will lift their mood and support good mental health.
2. Discuss Body Image Issues
Teens often compare themselves to people they see online or in the media, such as Instagram influencers and A-list celebrities.
As a result, they might struggle with body confidence issues, as they might find it impossible to compete with society’s standards of beauty.
It is for this reason why you must sit down with your child to discuss body image issues, and encourage them to share their insecurities or worries with you.
Talk to your teen about how influencers, celebrities, and even their friends will use filters, airbrushing, or FaceTune to create a perfect appearance.
It will ensure they don’t spend their time feeling embarrassed about a scar, stretch mark, or cellulite, which are all normal.
However, if your teen struggles with serious body image issues, you must take action to prevent the problem from spiraling, as it can lead to:
- Depression
- An eating disorder
- Self-harm
- Anxiety
- Alcohol or drug dependency
A teen rehab center can help your child to address and overcome a mental health battle and/or dependency, which could prevent the issues from destroying their life.
3. Encourage Good Sleeping Habits
Your teen will face various challenges and pressures each day, from fluctuating hormones to academic expectations.
Help them manage their rollercoaster emotions and school demands by encouraging them to adopt good sleeping habits.
According to the CDC, children between 13 to 18 years old need between 8 to 10 hours of sleep per 24 hours.
Help your kids fall asleep on schedule each night by introducing a media curfew, creating a strict bedtime schedule, and developing a relaxing environment for your teen.
By doing so, you might notice a reduction in moodiness, better grades, improved sports performance, and good behavior in school and at home.
If you encourage physical activity, discuss body image worries, and ensure your child enjoys a good night’s sleep, you could help your son or daughter navigate the various challenges of teenage life with ease.
