Help Your Teen Replace Bad Habits with Good Habits
Help your teen replace bad habits with good habits. Often times we take for granted the habits we have, whether good or bad. Many times, people don’t even know they have developed a habit at all. Attitudes, thoughts, and actions lead towards the development of any habit. Teenagers are especially susceptible to developing bad habits based on the actions of their peers and surroundings. They need to be equipped with the knowledge to develop positive habits that will serve their greater good for the rest of their lives.
As teenagers build relationships in and out of school, balance school with social life, and take on additional responsibilities they develop habits that can stick around for years or even a lifetime. The foundation of habits is significantly built during this point in their lives. The habits built greatly influence whether their future will be successful or not. Carl E. Pickhardt, who has a PhD and is an author, “Adolescents become bound by the habits they create.”
Have you been noticing some bad habits from your teenage years? What words are coming out of your teen’s mouth? Does your teen have a routine they stick to? Does your teen work towards accomplishing goals?
Students were asked nationwide in a Stage of Life survey about their extracurricular activities and they said that “Family/Parents” and “Hobbies/Activities” are the two most important components in the shaping of their individual identities. While it seems surprising to parents everywhere, nearly all the teenagers ranked family time well above friends, church, school, and even girlfriends / boyfriends.
Help Your Teen Replace Bad Habits with Good Habits
With this information in mind, you already know one way to start working towards helping your teenager to replace their bad habits is by picking up a hobby to get them and the rest of the family involved in. If you are not able to help your teenager alone, don’t panic. There is help available for your teenager and your family to get them in a healthy mindset. The use of mental health counseling can be very beneficial.
There are a number of programs for teenagers, including residential settings and the ever-growing popularity of the therapy wilderness setting. Other programs include individual therapy sessions, group therapy, sports activities, teamwork building, team exercises, and medication if the medical need is present.
According to a national student poll by Stage of Life in 2012, 76.7 percent of teens said they would prefer to spend time in nature on a hike or bike ride rather than checking out Instagram or Facebook to see what their friends are posting for an hour.
Help Your Teen Replace Bad Habits with Good Habits
The first step to breaking a bad habit is recognizing and acknowledging the bad habit exists. The second step is the want to change the way things are. Now is the time to show your teenager that bad habits can be changed. They can be replaced with positive, good habits. This helps them for the remainder of their lives. Call High Expectations Counseling today at 407-967-1327 and get your teen the help they need to create good habit s.
