A Healthy Lifestyle for Teens

Your teenage years come with a lot of pressures, including the pressures to fit in and do well in school. With school, sports, activities and maybe even a part-time job, finding the time to lead a healthy lifestyle can be difficult. As a teen, it is important to remember that the healthy habits you adopt now will carry with you throughout the rest of your life. Taking care of your body is important in maintaining good health long-term.

Exercise

To remain healthy as a teen, maintain a healthy weight 1. Regular exercise and good eating habits are crucial to your health and well-being. Teens should get 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Exercise can include aerobics, flexibility exercises and strength training. It is important to find an activity or multiple activities you enjoy. Consider sports, weight lifting, aerobics class, swimming, walking or running. If 60 minutes seems like a lot of exercise to commit to at one time, it's okay to break up your exercise sessions throughout the day.

Healthy Eating

Good eating habits are also important in maintaining a healthy weight. Eat a variety of foods, and remember that it is okay to have an occasional treat. Consider eliminating soda pop from your diet, eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day, eating foods from all the different food groups, choosing healthy snacks, always eating breakfast and avoiding eating just because you are bored.

Bad Habits

Avoid bad habits -- including tobacco, drug and alcohol use. These products can have long-term affects on your health. Tobacco not only smells bad and affected the people around you, but can lead to serious conditions including lung and heart disease.

Another concern for teenagers is the pressure to try alcohol. KidsHealth.org indicates that 80 percent of teenagers have given alcohol a try 2. Alcohol impairs your judgment, adds calories to your diet, can destroy relationships and can lead to liver problems.

Drugs are another temptation. Drugs problems can come in the form of inhalants, marijuana use or the abuse of prescription drugs. Drugs abuse is dangerous for your mind and body, and overdosing on drugs can cause long-term health effects or even death. If you think you have a substance or alcohol abuse problem, talk to a trusted adult, parent or counselor.

Sexual Health

If you have made the decision to have sex as a teenager, make wise decisions regarding your health. To avoid pregnancy and getting a sexually transmitted disease, use protection in the form of condoms, birth control pills, shots, rings and patches, IUDs, diaphragms, spermicide or cervical caps. Remember that prescription birth control methods do not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases. Talk to your doctor about the birth control methods that are right for you. When you become sexually active, make a yearly trip to your doctor for a checkup.