5 Healthy Behaviors to Encourage in Teens

Being a teen is hard, and navigating the teenage years can be challenging for parents and mentors. Think back to the struggles you had as a teen. What good or bad habits did you develop? What good or bad choices did you make?  

For today’s teens, societal pressure to indulge in negative habits is difficult to avoid, and it’s only amplified by social media. On the other hand, encouraging your teenager to develop healthy behaviors can help set them up for success. In addition, steering them away from bad habits like underage drinking or drug use can help them thrive in safer environments and grow into happy adults. 

Healthy Behaviors Are Important 

In adolescence, the brain is still forming. The prefrontal cortex (the decision-making portion of the brain) will not be fully developed until they’re around 25 years old. Encouraging teenagers to begin embracing healthy habits can help them lay a solid foundation for the rest of their lives. These healthy behaviors can help teens manage stress, maintain physical health, and develop positive social connections. They are crucial for mental health and can significantly deter the likelihood of substance misuse. 

The Dangers of Unhealthy Behaviors 

Conversely, unhealthy behaviors can have long-term detrimental effects on adolescent development. Misusing alcohol and other substances at a young age increases chances of developing a substance misuse problem later in life.  

Since the brain is still developing during the teen years, introducing dangerous substances like alcohol or drugs can alter its growth, potentially leading to lifelong challenges in learning, memory, and emotional regulation. The good news is that it’s never too early or too late to start developing healthy habits and eliminate unwanted and unhealthy behaviors. 

Examples of Healthy Behaviors: 

1. Regular Physical Activity: Exercise releases endorphins and helps boost mood, lower cholesterol, and create a strong and healthy body. A regular exercise routine can help teens regulate emotions and avoid certain illnesses. Exercise can also help reduce anxiety and depression. It’s one of the best habits to instill in teens! 

1. Reducing Screen Time: Thanks to social media, teens today have more access to information and peer networks than ever before, and some of what is online can be harmful to their mental health. In fact, our State of Underage Drinking in North Carolina research shows a majority of North Carolina students have seen or know someone who has posted about alcohol on social media. Encouraging your teen to develop a healthy relationship with screen time can help them avoid some of the peer pressures to consume alcohol and pursue other negative habits. It may be easier than you think. Research shows that 72% of teens say they feel peaceful without their smartphones. Start creating healthy habits around screen time by putting the phones away as a family during dinnertime, locking phones up after 9 p.m., or scheduling phone-free days. 

1. Talking it Out: Creating a safe space for teens to talk about emotions, struggles, triumphs, and feelings can help prevent unhealthy behaviors like substance misuse and underage drinking. Even a simple habit like sharing everyone’s highs and lows for the day at dinner time can help create a bond and encourage teens to open up about what they are going through. Having regular, open-ended conversations with teens is another example of a healthy behavior you can help create. We at Talk it Out NC have resources to help you Start the Conversation. 

1. Stress Management Techniques: Pressures and stressors for today’s teens are high, with a constant connection to the outside world and phones in everyone’s pockets. Recent research shows high stress is leading teens to misuse alcohol and other substances. Teaching teens effective ways to manage stress through mindfulness, meditation, or talking about their problems with a trusted adult or professional are important healthy behaviors for teens to develop early in life.  

1. Alcohol Refusal Skills: While it’s important to encourage teens to partake in the above healthy habits, it’s equally important to teach them how to say ‘no’ when they find themselves in sticky situations. The ability to refuse alcohol can save your teen from dangerous trends that involve binge drinking or other substance misuse. Encourage teens to practice saying ‘no’ with role-playing scenarios and discuss what they may do when faced with peer pressure. This kind of preparation can help build confidence in teens, so they feel comfortable being in their own skin. Alcohol refusal skills are healthy skills to develop. 

Talk it Out NC Helps You Create Healthy Habits 

Encouraging and supporting teens in developing these (and other) healthy behaviors helps them navigate challenges in life. With stress and peer pressure higher than ever, it’s important that today’s teens have a support system to show them healthy habits and talk them through the consequences of unhealthy choices.  

Talk it Out NC provides resources and support for parents and mentors aiming to foster these healthy habits in teens. With open communication, educational resources, and encouraging community engagement, together we can create a healthy future for the next generation. Ready to get started? Start the Conversation today.