Emotional Health And Your Teenager

Your Teenager's Health Series : Emotional Health and Your Teenager

Teenagers are facing a time of transition from childhood to adulthood. There are many pitfalls along the path, and they often over overwhelmed with the emotional and physical changes their bodies are going through. They are struggling with being dependent on their parents but have a strong need for independence. This alone causes parents and teenagers alike to suffer emotionally.

Teenagers also have the added pressure from friends to pick up bad habits or to fit into a certain group. Add that to the pressure from parents for excellence in schoolwork, sports activities, and often hold down a part-time job. These years are when teenagers begin to find their own individuality.

There are some signs that you should look for that your teenager might be involved in inappropriate or destructive behavior. Some of the signs to look for are:

A change in sleep patterns
Sudden weight loss or gain
Trouble concentrating and therefore lower grades
Angry, agitated, or restless behavior
Long periods of sadness
Lack of motivation
Loss of interest in usual enjoyable events
Apathy or extreme fatigue
Low self-esteem
Lack of caring about people or possessions
Contact with law enforcement
Change in eating habits

These are obvious signs that your teenager may be struggling. It is a worry for parents when their teenager shows signs of rebellion or displays signs of destructive behavior.

What can you as a parent do to help your teenager? There are several ways to help them but one of the most important ways is to keep the lines of communication open. Provide a safe and loving home environment, accepting them for the person they are becoming, and develop a relationship where your teenager feels they can talk with you.

It’s important for you to be open, honest, and direct with your children so they can learn to be that way with you. You should be teaching your teenager responsibility for their belongings and respect for your possessions. Make them take responsibility for household chores. Both young men and young women need to know the basics of housekeeping, laundry, and cooking. They will soon be away from home either at college or living in their own separate household and they need preparation for that.
Allow them to make decisions that are age appropriate to them. They need to develop assertiveness and independence. The only way they have the ability to do that is to allow them to make some of their own decisions.

Also, teach them the importance of accepting limits. All through their lives, they are going to have someone setting limits on them, from marriage responsibilities, work, and the legal system.

It’s important to help your teen develop a positive body image especially as they relate to food. A positive body image helps give your teen a higher level of self-esteem, and they become more confident in their daily life. Part of a positive body image is the issue of weight. Many young women have problems with their weight and their image because of what the media displays as what “ideal” bodies should look like.

Be careful about what your teen is watching on television or seeing in the magazines, they bring home. They are often overwhelmed with how good someone looks because they are so thin. This can happen not only with young women, but also teenage boys can have problems with negative self body image as well.

Encourage them by complimenting their actions by telling them what they do are more important than how they look. Encourage healthy eating by limiting snack foods and providing healthy snack foods for them to nibble on. Make dinner time a fun time and encourage your teenager to choose healthy snacks while grocery shopping. Smoothie recipes are a great way to encourage your teen to be in the kitchen and eating something healthy.

Encouragement, love, and open communication are all vitally important to your teenager’s mental and emotional health. Be open and let them know you are willing to talk about whatever is on their mind. Your attitude is important to your teenager’s emotional state. Love, even if it means tough love, and be sensitive to the changes that your teen is going through at this time of their development.