From the ages of ten to nineteen, adolescence is the transitional period between childhood and maturity. It is a unique stage of human development and a critical period for setting the groundwork for optimal health. Adolescents proliferate in terms of health, intellectual, and psychological development. This impacts how individuals feel, think, make decisions, and interact with others. Despite its reputation as a healthy period of life, adolescence is marked by significant death, disease, and damage. Much of this can be avoided or treated. Adolescents form patterns of behavior throughout this phase, such as those linked to diet, physical exercise, substance use, and sexual activity, that can either safeguard their health and the health of others around them or put their health in danger now and in the future.
Emotional health
Emotional intelligence
Adolescence is a critical period in your children’s intellectual, emotional growth. Her family and teachers must provide her with unconditional support to develop into a well-balanced individual. Always be accessible to her as an available source of support, regardless of the scenario. Parents and instructors must never pass judgment on their children. Respect her decisions while also correcting her errors. Criticism and harshness will cause a child to become emotionally estranged from her family and peers, and she will be less likely to share her difficulties. A child’s individuality and self-respect, no matter how young, must be respected in any attempt to repair her wrongdoings.
Puberty awareness is important
Your adolescent must be informed about the biological underpinnings of puberty well before menstruation begins. As a parent, you should speak to your daughter rationally and encouragingly to prepare to embrace the change in herself. She shouldn’t be worried or perplexed about it. Menstruation must be acknowledged as a normal and healthy part of her life, and any modern myths and taboos surrounding it must be taken out of her thoughts.
For the growth surge, a nutritious diet is important
Convenience should not take precedence over nutrients when it comes to your daughter’s food. Parents and teenagers alike are prone to neglecting their diet due to a hectic schedule. Incorporate high-protein, low-fat, low-carbohydrate foods into your teen’s diet, as well as foods that are high in vitamins and minerals. Make your child’s meals a day ahead of time and prepare her lunchbox with nutritious foods. Her growth spurt will be hampered by a nutrient shortage, leaving her tired.
Hydration is the fuel for smooth life
It is impossible to overestimate the importance of staying hydrated. Teach your child to drink enough water on a daily basis. Ensure that your teen has access to clean drinking water at school, close to the classroom, and encourage her to drink at least 12 glasses of water every day. Fruit juices with no additional sugar can be a delicious substitute for water. However, keep your child away from excessive tea, coffee, carbonated beverages, and flavoured and sweetened artificial drinks as much as possible.
Acne, hair growth, and physical changes
These are inevitable teenage annoyances that must be addressed systematically. Acne is normal to some extent, and all that is required is good hygiene practice. Don’t touch the pimples to prevent infection, and don’t squeeze them to avoid damaging the skin. Prevent oily face lotions and use a pH-balanced face wash twice a day. Honey and aloe vera are natural medicines that might help you relax. Consult a doctor if your child’s acne is severe and impacting their emotional well-being. Hair growth can be managed according to the child’s preferences. Excessive hair in the underarms and private areas can cause sweat to be retained, leading to infection. Hair removal treatments that are hygienic, such as shaving and waxing, can be used.
Physical workout
A healthy existence is incomplete without a daily dosage of beneficial workouts and fresh air. Encourage your kid to spend at least 30-45 minutes each day outside doing something she enjoys. Not only will the exercise give her the power and energy she needs for the day, but it will also establish the groundwork for a healthy habit that she may carry into adulthood and protect her from illnesses. Running and walking are examples of aerobic workouts and sports such as tennis, volleyball, and swimming.
Cognitive health
Relaxation and rest time
Your child’s schedule should include at least 30-45 minutes of quiet time to help her relax and re-energize. Allow her to find comfort in this peaceful time to have a pleasant attitude at all times. Meditation, yoga, reading storybooks, drawing, painting, and creative craftwork, among other things, can be done at this time. This part of her day can teach her how to find serenity within herself amid the craziness of ordinary life, which will help her maintain her equilibrium.
A good night’s sleep
Your daughter should get at least seven hours of restful sleep each night. Going to bed and waking up simultaneously every day, keeping sleep hygiene by wearing fresh and comfortable sleep attire, using fresh bed linen, avoiding beverages and coffee right before bedtime, and preventing all-night reading prior examinations are also examples of healthful sleep patterns. Educate your children on how to efficiently implement their academics at a fixed time and avoid sacrificing sleep time for studying. When sleeping, prevent disruptions and occasional alarms. The old adage, ‘Early to bed, early to wake, makes a man healthy, rich, and intelligent, still accurate today.
Psychological health
Education on sex
Your adolescent daughter needs to learn about typical biological processes scientifically. Sex is not really a sensitive topic, and so as a parent, you must educate your teenage daughter on the fundamentals of sex and sexuality. In reality, this stops the child from getting incorrect information from shady sources. It also protects your youngster from being abused by a stranger. Discuss with your child how much bodily contact is socially appropriate. Have them report to you if anyone breaches that limit, whether a family member or another respected member of the community. Your child should always feel comfortable approaching you with such a problem. And she will never have this confidence unless the matter has been discussed with her previously.
Final words
Adolescents require information, including age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education, the opportunity to build life skills, acceptable, equitable, appropriate, and effective health services, and safe and supportive environments to grow and develop in good health. They certainly require chances to take an active role in developing and implementing programmes that will help them improve and maintain their health. Providing such possibilities is critical to meeting teenagers’ unique needs and rights.