TALLAHASSEE, FL -- The new year can be seen as a clean slate. With such a tough year now the year past, many parents are searching for ways to help themselves and their teens kick start the year off bright. Family Therapist Jane Marks shares these tips for you teens:
1. LET START WITH ONE OF PROBABLY THE BIGGEST FACTORS IN THEIR LIFE AND THAT IS TECHNOLOGY. If you can get your teen to commit to a maximum of two hours a day on the internet or social media, that would be phenomenal. Most teens at this point are spending anywhere from four to five hours so limiting social media time would make a big difference in how they can begin to view their world.
2. RESOLVE TO BE HEALTHY AND OF COURSE WE TALK ABOUT THAT. BUT ONE INTERESTING EXAMPLE THAT THE FAMILY CAN DO AS A GROUP PRIOR TO THE BEGINNING OF NEXT YEAR IS TO HAVE A PANTRY RAID. This is where everyone gets together, reads the label s, removing foods that don't fit in a healthy eating plan. These would include those high in sugar, Trans fats, high fructose, shopping together may make a new direction for the new year as far as eating in a much more healthy fashion.
3. INCREASE IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AS WE ALWAYS MENTION, BUT A NEW TAKE ON THAT WOULD BE TO FIND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY TO BE PHYSICALLY INVOLVED IN AN EXPERIENCE WHETHER IT IS SOCCER, GOLF OR TENNIS. Or establishing a run/walk goal of a 5K where you can each work together toward a common goal.
4. CREATE HAPPIER. AND BY THAT I MEAN SEE IF YOU AND YOUR TEENS CAN FIND WAYS TO BOOST YOUR SELF-ESTEEM OR ESTABLISHING POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS IN TERMS OF BUILDING YOURSELF. This is a perfect time for you to develop lifelong habits of encouraging yourself, setting goals and execution as we mentioned before. This develops pride and self-respect.
