All a parent wants in life is for their child to grow healthy and strong. While you may not be able to control your child’s actions, you can set them on a better path by teaching them how to lead a healthy lifestyle. By demonstrating positive physical, mental, and emotional habits for your child, they will learn how to keep themselves safe and healthy for the rest of their lives.
7 Ways to Keep Your Teenager Healthy
On average, only 6.8% of the U.S. population engages in healthy lifestyle habits on a regular basis. However, practicing each of the following seven tips can help put your child into the category of people who are leading a healthier life:
Ensure they get enough sleep on a nightly basis
Sleep is another extremely important part of development for children, both physically and mentally. The younger a child is, the more sleep they need on a nightly basis. Teenagers in particular need at least eight to ten hours, whereas those aged six to twelve need nine to twelve hours a night.
Encourage your child to get enough exercise
As you get older, it’s acceptable to work out at a lesser pace, however teenagers need to actually exercise more. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all children aged six through seventeen should do at least sixty minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on a daily basis. While a physical education class in school may accomplish this, some classes can be lacking and extra exercise may be needed.
Foster a healthy mental environment
During the teenage years, a child will be going through many changes that seem scary or frustrating. Showing your child how to have a healthy outlook and mental state during all of this is incredibly important. Teach your child healthy mental practices such as journaling which can help them organize their thoughts and encourage them to speak with you if anything bothers them.
Give them their daily dose of vitamins
Vitamins are an incredibly important part of development for children. Even as adults, there are certain vitamins which should be taken on a regular basis to ensure a deficit is not entered. The most prominent vitamins a parent should ensure their child receives include Vitamins A, B, C, D, along with Calcium, Zinc, Iron, and Folic Acid. Most of these vitamins can be purchased from accredited online vitamin stores for a low price.
Teach your child how to manage their stress effectively
With school, sports, and other matters piling up, a teenager can quickly feel stressed out by their life. Show your teenager that this is perfectly alright but demonstrate effective strategies for reducing stress. Whether it be physical activity such as Yoga or even speaking to someone such as a therapist, finding ways to reduce stress is important for a person’s overall health.
Show your child the basics of a well-balanced diet
The old saying of “you are what you eat” still holds true to this day, and there is evidence that shows a healthy diet leads to a healthier outlook on life. In addition to this, healthier eating undoubtedly leads to a longer lifespan. Ensure that your child receives all the nutrition they need on a daily basis. During the teenage years, it is recommended that boys consume around 2,800 calories per day whereas girls consume 2,200 calories per day.
Make your child drink plenty of water daily
Finally, the last tip for healthy living on this list is perhaps the most overlooked. Water is crucial to the human body yet so many people choose to neglect it. At a bare minimum, teenagers should be drinking at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water on a daily basis. However, depending on their physical activity and overall lifestyle, they may need as much as 40 ounces more of water per day. Look at your child’s life and determine whether or not they are getting enough water to stay healthy.
The Bottom Line
While some health factors may not be in our control, focusing on what is can help any parent teach their child excellent habits. After all, as a parent it is your duty to show your child the way of the world, including how to keep themselves physically, emotionally, and mentally healthy. Use all of the above tips to ensure both you and your child are practicing positive habits which lead to a healthier lifestyle.
