You probably don’t always think about your health or the effects certain factors can have on your body. You tend to live life, dealing with day-to-day problems and enjoying life as much as you can. But if you’re not careful, you can end up facing health consequences that could have been prevented. To prevent this, avoid these top four health mistakes teens make.
1. Most teens stay up late studying or hanging out with friends and don’t get enough sleep. By not having a regular sleep pattern, you could be harming your body. You may think you are getting enough sleep, but your body may not be getting enough rest. Teenagers need eight to ten hours of sleep a night to function best.
2. When you eat a lot of junk food while studying, hanging out with friends, watching TV and watching movies, you are causing serious harm to your health. Eating too much junk food can cause serious weight problems, heart disease, diabetes, and other major medical problems. To avoid them, eat some healthy snacks throughout the day, instead of just potato chips and candy. Try carrot sticks, crackers, pretzels, cheese, and nuts. You can still chew, but chew healthier foods.
3. Many teens tend to skip breakfast, especially if they are late in the morning. “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day” is not just a slogan. It prepares your body to face the day ahead, allows you to think clearly and keeps you awake. If you don’t have time or an appetite for a big breakfast, try a small bowl of cereal, breakfast drink, granola bar, or muffin. You can take most of these with you and eat them on the way to school.
4. You may be enrolled in a gym class, but that doesn’t mean you’re getting enough exercise. If you tend to sit around playing during your free time, you’re not doing your body any favors. Get up and go for a walk or bike ride. Take part in one of your school’s sports teams. If you’re a heavy gamer, try games that get you moving, not just sitting on the couch with a remote in hand.
These top four health mistakes teens make can and should be avoided. To make sure you are taking proper care of yourself, watch how you live and make any necessary changes. You will feel better and be glad you did.
