Adolescence is the age of change. It is a vulnerable time when kids can develop unhealthy habits that grow into problems in their adult life. Behaviour issues of adolescence, which are quite common, also arise during this period, making it a difficult task for parents to connect and handle their teenagers.
The only way to deal with needs and problems at this age is to know about them and be ready to face them.
Let us list few issues with possible solutions:
- Physical changes happen due to change in the teenager’s hormone levels.
- Development of full breasts in girls can be awkward in the beginning. Girls may start to feel conscious about their figure.
- Change of voice and appearance of facial hair in boys is perhaps the most prominent change that takes place during adolescence.
- Acne is one of the major problems.
- Muscle gain sometimes leads to excessive body weight in teens.
- The growth of pubic hair in girls and boys.
- Body odour becomes evident.
- Girls start their periods.
Solution:
The best way you can do to help your teenager get through the stage is to make them aware of these changes.
- Explain that it is normal for the body to change as every teenager goes through it!
- Help them adapt to these changes – acknowledge the change and help them accept it.
2. Emotional changes and problems
Hormones affect teenager emotionally too.
- Teenagers are often confused about their role responsibilities as growing adults and their desires as children.
- They tend to feel overly emotional. Anything and everything can make them happy, excited, mad or angry.
- Mood swings are common among teenage boys and girls.
- Feelings of inferiority or superiority may arise at this time.
- Adolescence is the age when sexual feelings arise in youngsters and can trigger a sense of guilt.
Solution:
- Assist your kid to take care of themselves. Tell your teenagers that it is okay to feel the way they are feeling.
- Let them talk. Listen to them without judging and avoid giving them advice when they are not ready for it.
- Share your experiences of puberty or let them talk to an older sibling who has gone through the same. Indulging in a creative activity can help them channelize their emotions.
3. Behavioural changes
Splurging emotions can lead to impulsive behaviour, which can be harmful to the teen as well as others.
- Adolescence is the time when kids develop their sense of rebel & independence. This can result into questioning the parents’ rules and standing up for what they believe is right.
- Adolescents may also want to try new things and take risks, resulting in careless behaviour.
- Your teen’s dressing, hairstyle, and sense of fashion also change, mostly to something that you may not approve of.
- Lying is one of the common teen behavioural issues. Teens may lie to avoid confrontation with parents or out of fear.
Solution:
- Behavioural problems in adolescence can make life difficult for parents. But remember that it is a transit phase, and is entirely normal.
- Talk to them and listen to what they have to say so as to gain their trust. Do not judge or criticize them, whatsoever.
- Let them know that you love them just as they are. Encourage them to be true to themselves.
- You can intervene if you see them falling into bad company but in a calm manner making them understand ground facts.
4. Attracted to vices and wrong habits
Teenagers are vulnerable and can be easily attracted to the wrong habits.
- Peer pressure is one of the significant factors that drive adolescents to take up smoking and drinking or to do drugs.
- The tendency to take risk encourages most teens to try smoking or drinking even before they are of legal age.
- Easy access to substances like cigarettes, alcohol and drugs may increase the temptation to try them.
Solution:
- Keep an eye on your child’s behaviour. Look for change in his or her appetite, sleep patterns, and moods.
- Do not spy on them or accuse them directly. Encourage them to talk and be honest. Tell them what your concerns are and discuss the problem with them.
- Educational challenges
Kids also have a lot of educational activities on their plate with some peer pressure or lot pressure from within.
- Pressure to perform academically and obtain college admission can be stressful and make your teenager moody.
- Juggling school work, extra-curricular activities can be tiring.
- Distractions at school can result in poor academic performance, which further adds to the pressure.
Solution:
- Support your kid’s aspirations in academics as what they need is the encouragement to do well.
6. Health problems
Teenagers have a hectic schedule as they keep busy with little time to eat or rest properly. Unhealthy eating habits prevent them from getting the nutrition they need.
- Adolescent girls who worry about their weight and appearance can develop disorders like anorexia or bulimia.
- Stress can also lead to loss of appetite and sleeplessness in young children.
- Unhealthy eating habits and a less active lifestyle could also lead to obesity – this is often the case when your child consumes a lot of calories through fast food and sodas.
Solution:
Parental guidance can help combat health problems in adolescence to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Lead by example and encourage your children to eat healthy food, exercise right and sleep on time.
- Ensure they get nutrition through their meals. Give them a balanced diet.
7. Psychological problems
Research has revealed that around 50% of mental health disorders that adults have, begin at the age of 14.
- Poor performance in academics can demotivate them.
- The feelings of inferiority or superiority often arise from their appearance, and acceptance of their body – skin colour, beauty, and figure
- Eating disorders are also psychosomatic as they start with the adolescent having a poor self-image and the need to change the way they look by any means.
Solution:
- Most of the time, talking about the problems and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can prevent the onset of depression.
- Sometimes, your teenage girl or boy may be unhappy only at home, and doing fine outside. Talk to the child’s teachers and friends to know if they are moody and disoriented at school as well. If they are, then it is a cause for concern.
- Do not ignore or mock their feelings.
8. Social problems – dating and relationships
- This is the time they start dating and might get into trouble if landed with wrong person.
- Their social circle expands during this time as they seem occupied interacting with friends on social media sites, through their phone and outside.
Solution:
- Don’t make it more awkward for your child. Be confident and rational when discussing the subject.
- Sharing your dating and social life experiences in school can put them at ease sometimes.
10. Addiction to mobile, social media and technology
- Your teen may seem to spend hours on phone.
- Addiction to cyberspace also cuts short their physical activities, resulting in an unhealthy and sedentary lifestyle.
- Internet addiction adversely impacts academic performance.
Solution:
- Do not say ‘no’ to the Internet. That will make them adamant. Instead, talk about your concerns and help them work on other things that do not require a computer.
- Remember that they are not kids anymore. So guide them as a parent, but never decide for them.
Yoga is known to help adolescents on various levels, right by addressing the root issues while making it easier for them to consume this transition phase.
Let us have a brief look at some advantages:
1. Physical
The physical benefits of yoga for teens are quite similar to the benefits of yoga for adults.
Yoga builds strength, increases flexibility, lengthens the muscles, increases coordination and balance, builds core stability, and can help students’ posture.
Yoga improves their overall health and makes their growing phase easy.
2. Educational
Yoga can help teens mentally focus and refocus on more important things like academics amidst all distractions.
Yoga teaches them to focus on present, stay in the moment thus helping them to take one day at a time. This develops a habit of focusing on efforts than on immediate results, which in turn brings better results.
3. Emotional
Yoga will enable them to connect with their deeper layers and understand more fully what they are feeling. By developing a better understanding of their emotions, teens can then more appropriately process them.
Regular exercise has also been shown to increase enthusiasm and positivity.
Yoga induces and encourages self-love and self-acceptance. It teaches teens to focus on substance before form. It’s a beautiful way to learn to love yourself and appreciate the body for what it is and what it can do, rather than what it looks like.
4. Mental
Yoga’s mental benefits are that teens show more positive moods, less anxiety and depression, and greatly enjoy asana practice.
With the stress and anxiety of exams, placement tests, extra-curricular activities and constant peer & external pressure to keep up with the pace of ever changing world that stress high school kids today, yoga proves to be the best stress buster.
5. Social
Yoga is all about connection as it stems from the Sanskrit root Yuj i.e., to connect or unite. By understanding that each and every single person is one, teens learn to accept one another more fully, no matter their clique, social interests or popularity ranking.
Yoga is non-judgemental, and the more we practice, the more acceptance and less judgement we will become. Yoga will help teenagers become more compassionate for one another.
- A complete lifestyle:
Last but not the least Yoga is a complete lifestyle which not only focuses on external exercises but on internal healing, eating right food, thinking good things, nurturing gratitude and everything that is positive.
Folks, Speak to your teens, understand them and lead your kids by an example for following the right path.
Reach out to me on WhatsApp on 8928458479 if you need more answers about your wellness & your daily dose of health regimes.
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