The teenage years are so important for a variety of reasons. It’s a time in life when you start to get a little more independence and begin making choices that will affect the future. This applies to health also. The habits and choices that our teens make will shape their health in the future. There are various diseases and health complications that can be prevented with good habits and choices in younger years. Here are some ways that we can help our teens make better choices and have a healthier life.

1. Exercise

Finding the type of physical activity that a teen prefers can help them stay active throughout their lives. Encourage kids to try different physical activities that interest them. This could be sports, going to the gym, yoga classes, or any type of physical recreational activity.

2. Diet

Encourage healthy foods. Education is key for teens to learn why eating whole foods is good for their health. Lead by example and display healthy eating habits. Of course, every teen will have their days when they just want to binge junk food but by being a good role model you can show them that what they eat is important.

3. Maintain A Healthy Weight

Encouraging exercise and diet will help with maintaining a healthy weight. This is critical when it comes to health. There are many preventable diseases that are related to being overweight or obese. Instilling good habits in teenagers will help teach them to maintain a healthy weight.

4. Good Sleeping Habits

Many teens have erratic sleeping habits. This is another good habit to teach kids by leading by example. Display to them your good sleeping habits. Sleep is a time for our bodies to recover and rejuvenate. It also helps maintain a healthy weight and manage stress.

5. Keep Up with Dentist and Doctor Appointments

Make sure to keep up with regular dentist and doctor appointments for yourself and your teen. Attending regularly scheduled check-up appointments is a good habit to get into because they allow any possible issues to be identified and taken care of early.

6. Wear Sunscreen

Promote the regular use of sunscreen. Using sunscreen will help prevent sunburn and skin cancer. This is especially important for teens that spend a lot of time outside.

7. Promote the Importance of Mental Health

Mental health is just as important as physical health. Make sure the teens in your life know that it is okay to talk about mental health and be open about their emotions. Teens experience a lot of stress in their lives and it is easy for them to become overwhelmed. Balancing school and extracurricular activities can be tough. Let your teens know that if they need help all they have to do is ask. Having open communication is key.

8. Making Good Decisions

Promote making good decisions such as avoiding smoking, drinking alcohol, and unprotected sex. These conversions may be uncomfortable for you but your teen will appreciate you for being straight forward with them and showing that you care about their well-being.