Young People and Exercise: Easier Than You Think!

Do you or your teen know how to exercise? Do you know how to set up an effective teen fitness plan? Many teens and parents don’t. Even so, it is very easy for teens to exercise on a regular basis, even in a tight schedule and without the help of a fitness specialist. Of course, enrolling teens in a school sports team or gym fitness program can be effective, but for some teens it isn’t possible. Starting a simple teen fitness plan can improve a teen’s current health and even help later on in life by preventing injuries and diseases.

Tips for making Teenage Fitness Plans for Life

• Start with a warm-up. A warm-up will help get you going no matter what exercise you are doing. Always schedule a thorough warm-up in any fitness plan – stretches, walking, and light calisthenics should all be performed. This will loosen the muscles and make exercising less painful and more fun. At the end of exercise, also schedule a cool down. This allows the body to loosen up again, and will prevent injuries and pain later on.
• Exercise at home. Many teens don’t know where to start when they begin a fitness plan. There’s nothing wrong with starting out slow. All teens who have the space in their house or backyard can try exercising at home. Home exercises include pushups, sit-ups, jumping jacks, step ups, and jogging. Exercising at home makes it easy to plan a fitness plan smoothly – schedule home exercises around daily activities. You can also focus on all parts of the body by performing a range of exercises.
• Aerobic exercise. Many aerobic exercises can be fun, and they don’t require a team or coach to do. Skating, running, jogging, dancing, basketball, jump rope, and racquetball can all be played independently on your own time. When possible, aerobic exercise can also be linked with the fitness plan of a friend. Working with someone else will help you engage in your fitness plan and will make it more enjoyable.

Lifetime benefits of a good fitness plan for teens

Thinking about the future benefits of a good fitness plan can be difficult for teens. It’s easy for teens to make excuses and say that they will start a fitness plan later, taking advantage of these benefits then. As adults, parents should convince and urge their teens to start a fitness plan so they can secure their health both now and later in life. Teen fitness plans improve academic performance, physical appearance, mental health, self-esteem, motivation, and overall safety, as well as increasing metabolism and preventing disease and injury.

Eat Healthy to Stay Healthy

Maintaining a proper diet is the most important thing a teenager can do in order to stay fit.   Young people, however, are bombarded every day with unhealthy eating options.  Whether it is fast food restaurants, or even the menu options served at school, a teen must know what is good and what is not for them if they are to stay fit.  To help, parents should educate their children about the importance of good eating.  Setting a good example is also key.  Even when time is tight, preparing healthy meals at the dinner table goes a long way towards helping your child maintain good health.

Engage in More Fitness and Exercise Activities

Videogames, television and the Internet are all favorite pastimes of the American teen.  Unfortunately, all are passive exercises that require little movement to enjoy (unless of course, we’re talking about the Nintendo Wii).  Encourage your teenager to get up and move around before and after school.  Take family walks and engage in more outdoor activities during the weekend.  It makes for stronger families and fitter teenagers.

Get Involved in Sports

Sports build teamwork and instill discipline in young people.  More importantly, they are a great way to stay in shape.  Kids who take part in organized activities at school tend to be the healthiest of their classmates.   Nobody is expecting every child to receive a Division I athletics scholarship, but the health habits acquired during practice and in games can last a lifetime.

Join a Gym for Ultimate Youth Fitness

More and more young people are signing up to join their local fitness center as a way of getting fit and staying healthy.  When a peer group is all interested in fitness, these clubs can be both a social hub and a means to engage in regular exercise.

A Healthy Teen is a Drug-Free Teen

Those teenagers who do not do drugs or engage in underage alcohol consumption are going to be more healthy that their peers who do.  The same is also true for smoking cigarettes – an unhealthy activity that carries dire consequences on into adulthood.   By teaching your children about the dangers of substance abuse and smoking you will be doing their bodies a great service.  The substance abusing teen will never be at their peak physically, and are at constant risk for illness and even death in some cases.

Understanding the teenage mind can be a very hard task, both for parents and teens. Nonetheless, there are many things about the teen mind that should be broadly understood by parents and teens. The mind encompasses some of the most sensitive matters of teenage life – namely emotions, relationships, and love. Below are overviews of some of these basic matters of the teen mind.

How Does the Mind Change During the Teen Years?

During the teenage years, new thoughts and feelings emerge in every single teen. Puberty marks the onset of the road to adulthood, so teens become more open to new thoughts, including ones of a sexual nature. Teens also begin to develop their own morals, values, and beliefs, which at times can be different from those of their parents. Teens also begin to experience new feelings, both about themselves and about others.

Why do Some Teenagers Feel Sad and Angry?

Feeling sad and angry sometimes is common among teens. Sorry parents, it comes with the territory. Many teens experience what are known as mood swings, meaning they can switch moods almost spontaneously. If you are a teen, you should try to control your sadness or anger so that it doesn’t negatively affect others around you. If there is something specific causing your mood, or if you are feeling depressed, talk to a specialist for help.

How can Young People Overcome Self-Esteem Issues?

Teens become more aware of themselves at this stage of their life, and sometimes they become less confident about the person they are. Teens’ bodies are undergoing so many changes, and so quickly, that it can be hard for teens not to compare themselves to everyone else around them. For teens that are having self-esteem issues, it is important that you learn to be comfortable with who you are, regardless of how others look or what they say. If you need help handling self-esteem, speak with a counselor or therapist along with your parents.

Falling in Love and the Brain

During the teen years is when the ability the love “romantically” really develops. So yes, teens do fall in love, no question about it.  Some teens will experience feelings of love without actively trying to – others will get into a relationship and fall in love with their partner. In any case, it is important for teens to remember that that they are still young, and that love is a tricky subject, as  many teens often mistake infatuation for love. Teens should keep parents involved in their love life and should talk to their parents before making any decisions about relationships.

Keep Sharp by Avoiding Stress

Is your entire day filled with stress?  Stress when you wake up in the morning and stress when you go to sleep at night? Although a little stress can actually be good for you, too much stress can kill off your brain cells. Try to avoid as much stress as possible. When you feel stress coming on, take a deep breath, exhale and relax.

Daily Physical Exercise Helps the Brain

This doesn’t mean that you have to head to the gym every day. Taking a nice walk around your block or a walk in the park with a friend is considered exercise as well. If you’re in front of a computer all day, take a 5 minute break every 60 minutes to stretch your arms and legs. Physical activity will help you feel more refreshed and it will help keep your creative juices flowing at a steady pace. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water to keep hydrated throughout the course of your day.

Exercise Your Brain

There are several brain exercises that you can do to improve your memory such as crossword puzzles and board games. If you’re not into puzzles and board games you can download an iPhone brain teaser app to help keep your mind sharp.

Improve Your Nutrition

You are what you eat is not a cliché.  It’s a fact. If you consume unhealthy foods (including cigarettes and alcohol) on a daily basis, it can kill off your brain cells and increase your chances of dementia and Alzheimer’s. So, the next time you crave for junk food, choose healthy brain food to help keep your memory in tune. Avoid foods that are high in sugar and fat. Swap the greasy deluxe burgers and fries for healthy snacks such as: cranberries, strawberries, sweet potatoes, kidney beans and spinach. Fruits and vegetables are considered the perfect brain food.

Think More

You will be surprised that some people do not ‘think’ enough. Stop what you’re doing and take 15-20 minutes out of your busy schedule to think.  Step away from your computer and take a walk outside to think and meditate on positive things. Many successful CEOs take ‘think breaks’ throughout the day to meditate on new ideas and ways to improve their business.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Everyone does all-nighters once in a while whether it’s to meet a deadline on a project or even to hang out with friends. Make sure you don’t overdo it. Not getting enough sleep can also reduce your brain cells. You should be getting at least 7-8 hours of sleep tops. When you get plenty of rest, you will feel more alert and your brain will be in tip-top shape and well programed for the day.

How to Fight Back Against Cyber-Bullying

Cyber-bullying takes place when one individual (or a group of people) attempts to harass and embarrass a friend or classmate via the Internet.   This can take place in a number of different ways, including posting harmful messages to the individual’s social networking accounts (MySpace, Facebook, etc.) or by sending anonymous emails to the target with threats or misinformation.   Rumors can also be spread in a lightning fast manner around the web – so it doesn’t take long for someone to plant misinformation and have the entire school or community know about it.

In order to combat these types of problems, the individual is urged NOT to engage in online arguments, or rumor spreading.  And if they do find themselves the victim of cyber bullying, report the incident to parents or school administrators immediately.  A growing number of states now have laws to help prosecute those who take part in bullying online.

What NOT to Post Online About Yourself

If you really want to stay safe against Internet predators, the best way to stay safe is not to post highly personal information about yourself online – or enter into chats or conversations with people that you don’t know.   People on the Internet are not always who they claim to be, so it is best to stay in communication with people you know.   And NEVER agree to see a stranger who you meet on the Internet.  Even adults have fallen prey to this activity, with sometimes-deadly results.

Tips for Parents of Kids on the Internet

If you have younger children who want to get online, it is important to monitor their Internet time closely.    The plan should go something like this:

• Limit the amount of time the child spends online – an hour per day is sufficient for anything outside the realm of schoolwork.
• Supervise your child’s Internet time – be there when they surf the net to get a better understanding of the sites they visit.
• Install web blocking software – the industry has made great strides in “Net Nanny” software that allows you to block out unwanted sites.  It is still not a substitute for being present, but it helps busy parents do their job more effectively.
• Talk to you kids about web safety – the more kids know from an early age about the dangers that exist online, the better equipped they will be to avoid problems as they get older and use the Internet more freely.

The Origins of Problems with the Internet

The rise of the Internet has certainly been most influential on teens of this generation. According to recent statistics, most teens spend an average of 31 hours on the Internet every single week, nearly 4.5 hours each day. These high amounts of Internet use are now very predictable among teens, but in some unfortunate cases, high Internet use can actually turn into Internet addiction – a very dangerous and growing form of addiction. Internet addiction is a condition where a person finds that they must be on the Internet constantly, to the point that it actually harms them physically and/or impedes other areas of their life.

If you or your teen is worried about having an Internet addiction, the most important thing is for you to confirm that you do. Keep an eye out for the following signs and symptoms of an Internet addiction, and then speak with a behavioral specialist or therapist to get diagnosis and get the help you need.

Signs and Symptoms of Teen Internet Addiction

• Overuse of the Internet. Using the Internet excessively is the first warning sign of an Internet addiction. Teens with an Internet addiction feel like they have to be on the Internet – they will get on their computers every chance they get. Measuring overuse can be difficult, especially because many teens need the Internet for homework and school. As a general rule, more than 5 or 6 hours a day on the Internet is a sign of a potential problem.
• Social estrangement. Teens who become addicted to the Internet will slowly push themselves away from family and friends in order to spend more time on the Internet. Teens may develop new “friends” online, which they use to compensate for not socializing with friends or family. Teens will also stop participating in other activities they previously enjoyed, such as sports or schoolwork, in favor of spending time on the Internet.
• Risky Internet behavior. Teens can become so addicted to the Internet that they neglect safety guidelines while using the Internet. Some teens will make friends that they don’t really know, and will begin to form alternate lives on the Internet. Other similar behaviors that can fuel an Internet addiction include cybersex addiction and excessive pornography use.
• Guilt about using the Internet. Teens that begin to become addicted to the Internet usually have trouble admitting it. In many cases, they will lie to parents about their activities on the Internet or will use the Internet when they have been told not to. When asked about their Internet use, addicted teens will say they use it much less than they actually do. For parents, it is important to actually monitor your teen’s Internet use to observe how much they really are using the Internet. If you find that they are indeed Internet addicts, it is essential that you do something to help them overcome it.

Using Drugs and Alcohol is Harmful

There are few activities more harmful to the young body than abusing drugs and alcohol.  In addition to the obvious health hazards associated with these substances, they also stunt the development of several key internal functions.  Drug abuse and drug addiction can lead to problems with physical health, emotional well-being and in the worst case, even death.  Teen alcohol abuse remains one of the biggest problems facing our youth, as more and more die every year from alcohol poisoning or drunk driving incidents.

Eating Unhealthy Foods

It is so hard for parents to get their kids to eat right.  When they aren’t at home, they usually indulge in fast food or sugary snacks, both of which can lead to weight gain and other problems related to their physiology.  Even those kids who don’t eat at chain restaurants during the day may still be at risk if their parents are too busy to prepare well-balanced meals each evening.

A Lack of Good Exercise

When a teen sits down to play videogames or surf the Internet they aren’t moving much of anything besides their fingers and their wrists.  Hours add up and this inactive activity – especially when mixed with snacking – can lead to very unhealthy habits that are hard to break in college and beyond.

Teen Smoking and an Unhealthy Future

Few activities cheat young people out of a healthy future quite as seriously as smoking.  Teens who smoke are likely to carry on the habit into their adulthood – at which point heart and lung disease become more likely.  Thousands of people die every day as a result of smoking – many of which began when they were in their teens.

Help Kids do RIGHT by Their Bodies

Parents are in a position to help their children avoid these pitfalls.   By educating them from a young age about the potential dangers of all these activities (including drugs, drinking alcohol, lack of exercise and smoking) parents are able to instill good habits.   Setting a good example is also incredibly important.  Put simply, healthy parents tend to raise healthy kids.  And when these things are taught in the home, the chances are much greater that the child will make good decisions when they enter into a tempting situation with their peers.

The Development of the Adolescent Body

Teenagers are at a time in their life where they experience more changes than they could ever imagine. School gets harder. Growth happens without warning. Physical changes take place. But throughout these changes, good health is still a possibility. The most important things for any teen to do is to be informed about their health, make good healthy decisions, and establish healthy habits.

Four Elements of a Healthy Teenager

• Nutrition and Diet. Safe and proper nutrition is key to being a healthy teen. The first thing all teens seeking to be healthy should know is that eating is extremely important to your health. Trying to lose weight by not eating leads to worse health problems than before. Never listen to anyone who says you should stop eating to lose weight. Eating healthily means you should eat how much you need to and what you need to. Pay attention to the food pyramid and make sure you are eating foods that are delicious but still nutritious. Get the nutrients you need by eating right.

• Fitness. In staying healthy, it is important to consider the fitness needs of your body. Exercising on a regular basis (but not excessively) ensures your body gets the chemicals it needs, stays physically fit, and will also prevent diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Exercise can also be fun – basketball, football, running, and other sports all count as exercise. If you are looking to lose weight, exercising regularly is also a great route to go.

• Hygiene. Practicing good hygiene is extremely important to a teens health, especially as all these bodily changes take place. During the teen years, sweat, acne, and new hair appear. All teens should make sure they take action to take care of new and old hygiene concerns. Brushing teeth, taking regular showers, and washing hair can prevent disease and infection, as well as skin problems.

• Doctors. Going to your doctor may not always be fun, but it is always important. No matter what, teens should make sure they stay up to date with regular doctor’s appointments, including physicals, eye exams, and dental checkups. Also stay up to date with immunizations and other preventative tests. Whenever you have any questions or concerns about problems with you or your teen’s health, speak to your doctor to make sure your good health is not in jeopardy.

Questions to Ask About Your Teen’s Style of Clothing

There are a few questions that every parent has a right to ask about the style of clothing their teen is wearing at school or when hanging out with their friends.

• Is the outfit setting a bad example? Ask yourself this:  would other parents be upset if they saw your child wearing this outfit?  Is your child being a “trendsetter” for all the wrong reasons?  If you believe the answer is “yes”, it may be time to reconsider the look your teen has chosen.
• Is the outfit too revealing? It’s hard for parents to keep up with what kids are wearing these days, but the idea of what is too revealing is timeless.   Parents are urged to “go with their gut” if they believe the child is wearing an outfit that shows too much skin, or is inappropriate for school.

Practical Issues About Teenager Clothing

Fashion sense isn’t the only thing that comes into play when your teenager builds their wardrobe.  In these tough times, practicality must also play a role.    When you buy an outfit for your child (or give them the money to do so) ask yourself if the garment will be difficult to clean.  Kids can be tough on their clothes, so you don’t want to pay a lot of money for something and then have it ruined by a single drop of soda.  Teenagers are also prone to growth spurts.  If you are buying staples such as boys’ jeans, consider whether or not they are likely to grow out of them quickly.

Give Your Child Credit for Good Fashion Sense

While it is easy to look at your teenager’s choice of clothing and think they made the choice simply for shock value (or to make you lose your mind), you should give your child more credit than that.   A new outfit is a way to express one’s self – and for a teenage boy or girl there are few things more important.

Give your teen a chance to explain why he or she made the fashion decision.  It will not only make the child feel more empowered, but may also provide a window into who she really is, and how she views herself.   As a parent, you may want to guide all of your child’s decisions, including those that involve what they wear.   Resist the urge and be there to help provide advice along the way.

Money Tips for Teens Who Shop

If you allow a teenager to run loose in a shopping mall with your credit card, you pretty much deserve whatever happens as a result.   Before you even allow your son or daughter to set foot in a store, it is important to teach them the value of a dollar.

• Explain the family finances. Helping your child understand where are all money goes each month will help them put their own purchases into better perspective.
• Have them present when you balance the checkbook and pay the bills.  See reasoning above.   The more exposure the teen has to the finances, the more responsible they will be in their own future.
• Give them an allowance or help them get a part time job. Kids enjoy the satisfaction of earning the money that funds their clothing and entertainment purchases.

Finding the Best Deals on the Latest Clothes for Teens

Now that the financial education is underway, you can explore the numerous ways available to save money on designer clothes.  The key thing to remember is that buying hot clothes right off the rack on day one is NOT the way to save money.  In order to do that a little patience, and effort is required.

Consider:

• Shopping online.  The Internet may be the best thing to happen to finding bargains since the invention of the garage sale.   But the clothing you’ll find online are not used hand-me-downs.  We’re talking about top designers and the best stores all putting last season’s items up for sale at tremendous discounts.
• Sample sales.  If you live in or near a decent-sized city, there are probably designers there who have their own boutique.   When these shops need to make room for new inventory, they put recent lines up for sale at a discount.  The sample sales usually only last for a single day or weekend.   Online searches for sample sales in the area usually get the best results since most are not heavily advertised in newspapers or on TV.
• Outlet malls.   What was once a long drive out into the country is now something almost everyone in the country can experience with relative ease.  Outlet malls are big business – and why not?  They offer a chance to buy from the best stores and hippest designers at a fraction of the cost of retail shops.   Just be sure what you’re getting is actually a good deal – some chains are now creating lower end clothing specifically for outlet mall sales.  The mark down and quality of these items should also be closely examined.

Warning Signs of an Unhealthy Teen Relationship

The first thing for teens to know about a bad relationship is how to know they are in one. Many teens are quick not to judge the other person in a relationship, precisely because they care about each other. The ability to know and anticipate that a bad relationship is oncoming is a very important one for teens.

• Anger issues. In a relationship, things can flare up without warning, but that happens. However, teens in a relationship should not be expressing anger for each other all the time. Once teens in a relationship begin to be mad at each other on a daily basis, a bad relationship is imminent. In a dating relationship, a bad relationship can sometimes turn into an abusive one if not properly taken care of.
• Criticism and Put-downs.  One of the most common signs of a bad relationship is constant criticism. Is the other teen putting you down constantly? Do they call you names or bully you into doing things you clearly do not want to do?  Then you could be headed into a bad relationship.
• Violence. Violence should never be a part of a healthy teen relationship. Harming another person is never right, whether it is you or them doing the violence. In a good relationship, teens should be able to handle their problems by communicating, and not by striking, pushing, punching, or kicking one another. Forcing someone to engage in sexual activity is also violence, and it should never happen in a relationship.

Steps to take in a Dysfunctional Adolescent Relationship

• Talk about the problem. Unless you are being harmed or abused, always try to deal with a bad relationship by talking to the other person. A bad relationship can be stopped in its tracks with good communication. Always tell the other teen when you think they are doing something wrong, and be open to hear about what you are doing wrong.
• Get help from a parent or professional. Parents are crucial during a bad relationship. If you are a parent of a teen, you should never hesitate to become involved when you see your child embroiled in a bad relationship. When a parent cannot be of adequate help, a therapist or a counselor should be contacted. Having a professional involved will make sure that the situation does not get out of hand, but still makes it possible for a bad relationship to be amended.
• Consider leaving the relationship. If you are in a situation with a teen who is abusing you or is not willing to change, it is very important that you leave the relationship quickly. Never put your emotional or physical health at risk to save a relationship. Simply tell the other person that the relationship is not working out and it’s time to end it. Don’t be swayed into staying in an unhealthy relationship. If it’s alright with you, it would be great to also seek relationship advice from loved ones who are more experienced to help you cope with something like this.

For teens, the greatest concerns when it comes to relationships are about relationships with friends and relationships with dating. These relationships between their peers are the most shaping and the most important in everyday life. Whether dealing with a boyfriend or girlfriend, or dealing with a best friend that you have known since kindergarten, relationships can be tough to maintain. As a teen, if you want to make and keep good relationships, setting a solid foundation is key. The following relationship tips will help you to maintain a good relationship and spot a deteriorating one.

5 Teen Dating Tips That Really Work

Show respect. Respect goes both ways in any peer relationship. In a healthy relationship, both teens should show respect for each other. Respect in a relationship simply means showing the other person that you care about who they are and that you value their relationship. A friend, boyfriend, or girlfriend who is showing respect should never genuinely utter put downs or try to belittle the other teen in a relationship.

Communicate. Like in all other relationships, communication goes a long, long way. Communication is important both in the little things and the big things – telling a boyfriend his pencil-tapping annoys you or telling a friend you don’t want to partake in drugs. In a healthy relationship, communication is a two-way street: speak your mind, but also have an open one.

Be yourself and allow them to be themselves. Never stray from the person you are in a relationship. There is such a thing as compromise, but compromise should never change the person you are. A good friend, boyfriend, or girlfriend will understand that there are differences between you and them. Likewise, you should understand that you won’t always agree with another teen you are in a relationship with.

Be Honest and Loyal. Honesty and loyalty, two very similar qualities, are both crucial to having a healthy relationship. Friends and dating partners should be able to trust each other when they are not together. That means not being the latest gossip subject among your friends or having to worry about your boyfriend or girlfriend lying to you about where they are or what they’re doing. In the same manner, be honest and loyal in return. Without trust, no relationship can withstand the ups and downs of the teenage lifestyle.

Be Safe. Be safe in your relationships. Recognize that peer pressure is real, as are dangers. Do not allow yourself to be coerced into taking part in risky behaviors, such as drug abuse or unprotected sex. When you find that a relationship is becoming unsafe, either end it or ask someone for help before it gets out of hand.

Stay Away From Fast Food Super-Sized Meals

Although many of the major chain restaurants have recently dropped all “super sized” meals from their menus, there are still plenty of pitfalls in terms of portion size.   When you are going through a drive-thru, and the attendant pressures you to “make your combo” a large one, don’t be tempted – even if the price seems to be minimal.   The extra calories contained in the larger size can be enough to turn a reasonable meal into a highly unhealthy one.

Watch What You Drink at a Chain Restaurant

Far too many people think that what they eat is all they need to worry about when they head out to McDonald’s or Burger King.   The fact is, ordering a jumbo Coke or other high-sugar soda can be just as bad for you as a Big Mac or a Whopper.   Of course, the best thing to do is simply to order water when you eat out – thus eliminating all concerns about sugar and calories in your choice of beverage.

Watch Out for Fast Food Salads

Salads.  They seem like the healthy alternative in the face of all those deep fried and fatty foods.   But as many people are shocked to learn, the caloric content inside many fast food restaurant salads are as high, or higher, than many burgers.  Nutrition experts advise that you stay away from those salads that use heavy, creamy dressings and lots of cheese.  Stick to simple salads with lighter dressing to keep things light.

Read the Nutritional Information

By law, all fast food restaurants are now required to post nutritional information about all their menu items.  Take the time to read these materials before you order.   Watch out for those items that have high calorie counts, too much sugar or a large percentage of calories that come from fat.

There ARE healthy alternatives at fast food chains – you just have to know where to look for them.

Get Up and Move Around During the Day

If you eat out at a fast food restaurant during the day or in the evening, make sure you find the time to get some exercise.  Even a brief 30-minute walk taken briskly every day is enough to counter-balance many of the effects of a big meal.  The more you get up and move around, the easier it will become and the healthier you will get.

Being More Energetic: Thanks to Your Diet

Since so many teens are on the quest for more energy, there are a lot of options being presented – some are effective, others are not. Teens should make wise decisions about how they get the extra energy they need. Although getting energy can be important, never get it at the risk of dangers to health. Teens should know that many drugs and some supplements, including some energy drinks when taken in excess, can be damaging – or sometimes even deadly. So short of getting more sleep, the smartest way of getting that extra energy you need is probably by eating properly and nutritiously.

Tips for Eating Smart and Gaining Strength

Heed the following food and diet plans for extra energy:

• Eat foods that contain high amounts of antioxidants. Foods high in antioxidants will go a long way in terms of getting you the energy you need.  Antioxidants are important in the human body, but they often are in short supply. When you have enough antioxidants, your system will be more equipped to fight all those negative chemicals that are slowing you down. Finding foods high in antioxidants isn’t as hard as it sounds – fruits and vegetables contain them, as well as cereals and some other healthy foods.
• Eat foods with lots of nutrients. The average teen body doesn’t get nearly as many nutrients as it wants. There are six nutrients – they are the things you see listed at the back of food and beverage labels. When you choose foods to eat, try to find those that have appropriate amounts of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to get you through the day.
• Eat breakfast and Snack healthy when you need it. Yes, eating too often is a bad idea. Not eating enough, on the other hand, is also a bad idea. Get breakfast everyday before the school day begins. Without those important nutrients, teens are sluggish throughout the day – lunch alone simply doesn’t get the job done. As long as you are active, having a healthy snack between activities will also be tremendously helpful in the energy department.
• Water – lots of it, but not too much! Drinking more water than your body needs can be dangerous, but always try to stay hydrated by drinking small amounts throughout the day. On average, teens should try to drink around 8 cups of water or day – ask your doctor exactly how much. Drinking water can be hard, especially with all the other drinks out there. Water is responsible for distributing nutrients to all the cells in your body.

When is the appropriate age to start teaching kids about money? As soon as your child is able to count to 10 is the perfect time to start educating them about the value of money.  From the time your child is able to count until they are in high school, you should be training them on the importance of saving their money.  In addition to saving money, children should also learn the importance of growing money and how to spend money wisely. When you prepare your children on money management, they will be more likely to make wise business decisions during their adult years. Here are a few tips to follow when teaching your child about money and finances.

Start Giving Your Child an Allowance

Give your child an allowance that will help encourage them to save money. For example, you can give them $6 in the form of singles. Teach them how to set aside 1 or 2 dollars for savings and the remainder for anything they want (toys, gum, etc.). If you give your child $6 per week and they save $2 a week for 7 years, that’s a total of $728. As your child grows older, give them a raise, and this will also encourage them to save money. Depending on your bank’s policy, you can even open up a bank account for your child and teach them how to check their balance and interest earned on their account.

You will also want to teach your child a little accounting. Teach them how to keep good records of how much they spend and save on a weekly or monthly basis. By the time they turn 18 they will have the necessary skills on how to balance a checkbook. Plus, they will have a healthy nest-egg for when they go to college.

Educating Teens About Money and Credit Cards

The next time your family goes out to dinner, teach your child about how credit cards work. Carefully explain to them that credit cards should only be used once in a while and for emergencies. By the time your child is in college, they will be well prepared financially and be less likely to splurge when they receive their first credit card in the mail.

In conclusion, although many public schools and private schools have added money management to their school curriculum, it is still important for parents to start training their children about money at an early age. When you teach your children about managing their finances, you’re preparing them to be good stewards of their money in the future.