5 REASONS FOR YOUR TEEN TO DEVELOP HEALTHY LIFESTYLE HABITS

In between facing the all-consuming challenges of adolescence, it’s no surprise teens seldom consider their overall health. And yet, this is the perfect time – developing good habits translates into a healthier adulthood for years to come.

If life for previous generations of teenagers was difficult, today’s cohort faces even more serious challenges. Dr David Walsh, a family physician practising at Mediclinic Bloemfontein, says he sees many adolescents battling with the usual trials of the teen years, complicated further by portrayals of what life “should” look like on social media platforms.

“I’m passionate about teaching teens healthy lifestyle habits because I believe the habits you develop now will have an impact well into the future,” he says. “In fact, habits can become so ingrained that they become part of your lifestyle, affecting everything from your outlook, to your fitness levels, and even career success.”

Describing people’s approach to challenges, Dr Walsh uses the example of athletes: Just like an athlete, you may fail to overcome a hurdle either because of an “effort error”, or because of a “skills error”. “The difference is that you control your own effort errors; you can choose to up your game or acquire the skills needed to do better. A skills error is different, because this is where you may need outside help – in the case of teens, from parents, teachers or a counsellor. Knowing where the error lies is the first step to correcting it. Plus, once you understand where your gifts and passions lie, you can start thinking about how you’d like to apply them and direct your drive.”

Why the teen years make a difference

Dr Walsh identifies the main reasons for teens to start thinking about their unhealthy habits – and for parents, teachers, and medical professionals to help replace these with habits that will benefit them as an adult.

1. Physical wellbeing. Most teenagers are concerned about their appearance – made worse by today’s social media messaging. But they don’t realise that any negative practices they adopt now, such as dieting, can affect them later. Girls, for instance, may put their fertility at risk by embracing fad diets. “Every action adds up. Taking several small, positive steps every day can have a huge impact on building a healthy body,” Dr Walsh says. He recommends a teen eat three meals a day, including breakfast. “Around 80-90% of people who battle with their weight skip meals,” he warns. A good diet contains at least five servings of fruit and veg, as well as healthy snacks like yoghurt or nuts.

2. Exercise. Dr Walsh maintains that one of the most important disciplines to develop at this stage is a love of exercise. “That doesn’t come naturally to everyone, but it’s worth pursuing. Exercise is an effective way to deal with stress, especially if you choose a sociable pastime like tennis, hiking, group classes at the gym, or team sports.” It also helps lower blood pressure, boosts the health of your heart, and may guard against some cancers.

3. Hard work to achieve success. No matter how bright an idea, it’s impossible to achieve anything without hard work. Dr Walsh insists it’s critical to learn this during your teenage years, so that working hard becomes a discipline. “It’s about developing a particular mindset,” he explains.

4. Good personal relationships. Dr Walsh counsels his teen patients to strive for honesty in all their relationships. “A lack of honesty can affect all areas of your life, from your career to your marriage,” he says. Linked to this is respect. “Respect for parents is especially important, but you need to extend this to everyone you meet. Respect is the basis of compassion, which paves the way for healthy relationships.”

5. Mental wellness. Dr Walsh recommends spending 10 minutes every day for quiet time. This means putting your phone on mute and closing your laptop. “A timeout helps your teen recharge, gives them a chance to think about their goals and generally helps build a positive mindset. If they start doing this now, it’ll become part of their daily routine in adulthood.” 

Of course, as a parent, it’s important that you model the healthy lifestyle behaviours you want for your teen. So, if you’ve fallen into some less than optimal habits yourself, remember that by resetting, you’ll be setting a good example for them to follow.

To help your teenage child face the challenges of adolescence, visit mediclinic.co.za to find a physician (family medicine specialist) or mental health professional in your area.