Teenagers: How to Stay Healthy

The general health of a person is more than the absence of disease. It is a state of physical, mental and social well-being. Ultimately, it is the key to living a productive and satisfying life.

Physical health: taking care of your body

Get regular exercise. Teens need to be physically active for at least 60 minutes every day.
Eat healthy diet foods, high-protein foods, and low-fat dairy products.
Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity is more likely to become obese in adulthood. They are also more prone to other chronic illnesses, depression, and bullying.
Get enough sleep. Most teens need 9 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Many average only 7 hours. Sleep has a powerful effect on your ability to focus and do well in school.
Stay up-to-date on vaccinations. Ask your parents and your doctor. It can prevent you from getting HPV and some types of cancer, including cervical cancer.
Brush your teeth and floss. Make it a habit now and avoid dental and gum problems in later life.
Use sunscreen. Heatstroke in childhood or adolescence increases the risk of developing skin cancer in adulthood.
Don't listen to loud music. This could damage your hearing for the rest of your life.

Mental health: take care of your mind

Learn ways to manage stress. You cannot avoid stress, so you must learn to deal with it. This will help you stay calm and able to work in stressful situations.
Study and do your best in school. There is a strong correlation between health and academic success.
Try to maintain a good relationship with your parents. Remember, they want the best for you. Try to see where they come from when they set the rules.
Develop a good balance between school, work and social life.
Don't try to drink too much. Limit your activities to the ones that matter most to you and give them 100%. Excessive exhaustion can lead to stress, frustration, or burnout.

Emotional health: take care of your feelings

Know the signs of mental illness. These include:

Anxiety
depression
Excessive fatigue
Loss of self esteem
Loss of interest in the things you used to love.
Anorexy
Weight gain or loss
Personal changes beyond personality

Pay attention to your moods and feelings. Don't assume that your negative thoughts or feelings are just part of adolescence. If you are worried about something, ask for help.
Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it. If you can't talk to your parents, talk to a preferred teacher or counselor at the school. Find an adult you can trust. If you really feel sad or think about hurting yourself, get help right away.
Accept yourself. If you feel like you have low self-esteem or a bad body image, talk to someone about it. Even talking to a friend can help.
Don't intimidate others. If you are being bullied, tell your parents, teachers, or another adult. This includes being harassed online or on your phone.

Behavioral Health: Taking Care of Your Safety Through Your Behaviors

Avoid drug abuse or abuse. This includes alcohol, illegal drugs, other people, prescription drugs, and any type of tobacco product.
Drive safely. Car accidents are the leading cause of death for American teens. Always wear a seat belt. Avoid riding in a car full of other teens. This can distract the driver and increase the likelihood of an accident. Do not get into a car with a driver who drinks alcohol.
Wear a protective helmet. Wear a helmet when riding a bike or participating in sports to prevent a concussion. A concussion at a young age can have lifelong negative effects on your health.
Avoid violence. Stay away from situations where violence or fighting can physically hurt you.
Practice abstinence (not have sex) or practice safe sex. If you have sex, always use condoms to help avoid sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If you are a sexually active girl, talk to your doctor about contraception. If you cannot use birth control, use condoms for birth control. Even if you can use birth control, it doesn't prevent an STI; Use a condom in addition to other forms of birth control.