How To Keep Your Teens Healthy This Year
As your children grow older, it's essential to help them navigate through life as a whole. After all, it's not always easy to be a teen. These young adults have to deal with school, friends and other experiences that take a toll on their physical, emotional and mental wellness. It's a lot harder when they have to deal with a pandemic.Here's how to help your teens thrive this year.
1. Cook Nutritious Meals Together
You should help your teens learn how to make healthy food choices. They may prefer sugary and salty snacks whenever possible. It's best to steer them away from those foods so they can instead opt for fruits, vegetables, proteins and grains. It's also necessary to emphasize proper portion sizes for all meals. It's common for teens to eat more or less food than recommended.
When teens have a healthy relationship with food, they're more likely to lead happier, active lives. You can also cook with your teens to help them learn how to make a few nutritious meals. A little effort on your part can ensure they're ready for future adulthood.
2. Spend More Time Outside
Your teens won't always want to spend time with each other or your family. However, when there's an opportunity to catch up for an afternoon, it's essential to choose beneficial activities. You should strive to explore nature when you have a chance. Encourage your teens to take a walk or play some soccer with you at a nearby park. As a result, they'll enjoy a little fresh air and healthy vitamin D levels.
Your teens' time outside doesn't necessarily need to involve physical fitness, either. It's equally as helpful when they sit outside to read a book. You could even choose to eat lunch or dinner on your back deck together. No one should stay cooped up inside every day. It's still completely safe to navigate outdoor spaces despite COVID-19, so long as you wear a mask and avoid popular spots.
3. Encourage Daily Physical Activity
You should also push them to stay active. A healthy teen should exercise for around an hour every day. It's not always possible to meet those standards, but it's important to try. If your teens play sports, it's likely they already exercise enough.
You should also watch for too much physical activity. A teen who trains or plays for hours each day can experience adverse physical and mental effects. Always strive for a balance.
There are several ways to stay fit. Your teens can dance, swim, run and bike. An intense workout doesn't have to be the answer. Teens are more inclined to choose fun activities over cardio exercise, anyway. Work with them to achieve an agreement on when they should use electronics and when they should be active. A little compromise makes most situations easier.
4. Allow Them to Decompress
It's no secret that teens want privacy. They may need time and space away from you and others — and you shouldn't impose. Let them hole up inside their rooms when they like. They can use this opportunity to relax from a long day. They may also want to have some creative or music time. These moments are beneficial for your teens' emotional and mental health.
A teen who spends too much time by themselves may be cause for concern, but it's generally OK to let them hang out by themselves. Even the most bubbly social butterflies need to decompress every so often. The current COVID-19 pandemic has also made it harder for teens to visit their friends. They may need this privacy to Skype or FaceTime with their peers.
5. Double-Check About Mental Health
It's common for some parents to overlook their teens' mental health. For many people, it's not a standard topic. Most mental health issues have a stigma attached to them. However, 1.9 million children have depression, so it's a good idea to talk to your teens about mental health. You shouldn't bombard them with questions. Instead, have a monthly check-in where you have an open discussion.
You can also keep an eye out for indicators. Does your teen sleep more often than not? When was the last time they hung out with friends? Have they barely eaten over the past week? It's important to stay alert for sudden behavioral changes. Let them know you're always there to talk without judgment. It's certainly not easy to deal with adolescent problems as well as a global health crisis.
Use These Tips to Help Your Teens Thrive
It's not always easy to be a teen, especially when you incorporate a global pandemic. Use this time at home together to implement healthy habits so they grow up to be well-rounded, happy adults. This opportunity could be transformative for you and your family.