It's Complicated
Life is complicated, especially as a teen. There is pressure to find the right friends, pressure to do well in sports, pressure to study and get homework done. It seems like a lot but it’s also important to remember that there are many upsides too.
Your next few years will really be all about learning balance. Balancing good times with stressful times, and having healthy ways to deal with the inevitable stress will take you a long way toward being fit and feeling good.
As a pediatrician, I hear about a lot of stuff that teens go through. Check this out:
Molly planned to go to a friend’s pool party on Saturday night. She knew that Nick, who she really liked, would be there. She had talked to him in history class and thought that he might like her. She got a great new swimsuit and headed over there. A bunch of kids were already in the pool. She didn’t see Nick for a while, but then saw him behind the trees… With her best friend! Molly felt totally betrayed and took off. At home, she pulled out an ice cream carton from the fridge.
Here’s another one:
Mike had been at football practice for 3 hours a day, almost every day, during the past week. He really wants to play well, and his dad, who played football in college, has been pressuring him lately. After his team won Saturday’s game, he decided to hang out with the guys. Before he knew it, he was out way past his curfew. His mom and dad were angry with him Sunday morning, and he got into an argument with them. Mike was in a foul mood and was totally exhausted. He slept all day. He forgot all about his assignment until Monday morning when he walked into English class.
Have you ever been in a bad mood and slept all day? Have you ever felt like you couldn’t trust your friends? Have you ever been overwhelmed with all the stuff you need to deal with?
Believe it or not, these kinds of situations happen to all of us. I’ve heard these stories, and I know this sounds cliché, but I’ve been there. Even though it seems awful at the time, we all learn to handle it. And learning how to balance your mood, homework, friends, school, and health will only make you stronger.