Habits are regular practices or routines which are consistently performed. They can be physical, like regularly brushing teeth, or mental, like discovering ways to handle emotions.

Here are some habits to teach your teen so they can lead healthy lives.

1. Healthy Communication

It’s important to talk to your teens and encourage them to talk to you as well. The last thing you want is for them to hold in all their emotions to themselves. If they have something they’re struggling with, you want to provide a safe space for them to speak with you.

This can be particularly important when your teens hit puberty and their hormones are in full force. It can be important to talk to them about potentially uncomfortable subjects like safe sex and contraceptives. Like how some forms of contraception are safer than others. For example, birth controls like Depo-Provera have been linked with brain tumors and other nasty side effects.

Ultimately, you just want your teen to feel safe to come to you for advice or a shoulder to lean on.

2. Digital Detoxes

It’s vital that teens take breaks from phones and computers in today’s world. Make sure specific times are set aside for digital detoxes. These times will allow your teen to appreciate things around them, connect face-to-face with friends, and keep them healthy and happy this holiday season..

3. Drink Plenty of Water

Most teenagers do not drink an adequate amount of water. When teens don’t drink enough water, their bodies and brains will not work as well as they should. They could also have difficulty maintaining healthy weights, or have low energy. It is key to drink enough water in order to achieve good overall health.

4. Exercise Regularly

Physical activity isn’t just vital for physical health. It’s also vital for one’s well-being, mentally. Teens should be encouraged to find forms of exercise which they enjoy. This could mean going for runs, dancing or playing sports.

Teaching your kids how to push themselves in sports can also teach them leadership skills and resilience.

5. Get Enough Sleep

While eight hours of sleep per day is generally recommended for adults, teens actually need around nine hours each night. Getting nine hours of sleep per day will help with performance in sports and school. It will also make a huge impact upon emotional and physical health.

6. Eat a Balanced Diet

The foundation of good health for any teen is a balanced diet. This means three meals which are wholesome per day. This means nutritious snacks as well. Make sure your kitchen is filled with washed vegetables and fruits, nuts, yogurt and cheese sticks. Making sure that healthy options are easily reached will guide your teen towards a healthier lifestyle.

Ideally, you want your kids to understand what is healthy and what is dangerous to consume. For example, there are situations where they could eat foods that cause food poisoning or E. Coli. Educating your children about what is healthy and encouraging mindful eating practices can ensure they maintain regular energy levels and a peaceful state of mind.

7. Manage Time Effectively

Teens should be taught valuable skills in terms of time management. This will help them to balance personal time, extracurricular activities and school. Learning to effectively manage time and prioritize tasks can improve productivity and reduce stress.

8. Avoid Risky Behaviors

Teens face risky temptations and need to make important decisions every day. Risky behaviors can include smoking cigarettes, drinking while driving, taking drugs which aren’t prescribed, and more. Should teens practice skills involving saying no in order to avoid situations which are risky, they’ll end up more likely to possess skills in order to say no once they grow older. It’s important for teens to have role models, too. So be sure to practice safe decision making yourself as well.

9. Build Social Connections

It is vital for one’s emotional well-being to build healthy relationships. Teens should be encouraged to make sure they’re surrounded by friends who are supportive, engage in social activities which are positive, and openly communicate with adults who are trusted. The easiest way to set your teen up for success is to teach them the skills they need to build lasting social connections.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.