Adolescent needs and interests: physical, social, and personal

Adolescents are in a period of increased psychosocial development, which is due to biological and social factors.

Adolescents experience many changes, both physically and psychologically.

They need more sleep than adults, they have higher levels of stress hormones than children or adults, and developmental changes happen at an accelerated pace.

Along with these physical manifestations, adolescents also experience psychological changes. Although adolescence brings new challenges for all the senses, adolescents are especially sensitive to sound and touch.

Here are some ways to keep up with an a

Sleep

Adolescents need about 10-12 hours of sleep a day. Most teens do not get enough sleep and report waking up every day more than 5 times during the night.

Try to set an alarm to wake up and encourage your child to stay in bed and be rested. Keep a few things on hand like a teddy bear, hot water bottle, or soothing music.

Read the signs. Your teen may be irritable or tired during the day. Check in to see if they feel the need for caffeine to stay awake.

Avoid letting caffeine give them energy before bedtime. Bedrooms should be quiet, comfortable and dark, in order to promote a sleep environment.

Plan a warm, relaxing bath or shower before bedtime, and use essential oils to help relax and soothe their senses. Limit electronics, especially TV, and keep devices out of the bedroom.

Anxiety

Chronic anxiety is part of adolescent development and is not limited to adolescents with learning disabilities.

Many kids suffer from anxiety, and it can have negative effects on school, social life, and their overall well-being.

Here are a few ways to minimize anxiety: Look into teen anxiety support groups online. These groups provide the necessary support and encouragement for those who are facing the challenges of the emotional rollercoaster.

If anxiety is interfering with your child’s quality of life, consider speaking to a doctor or therapist about a medication like Xanax or Celexa.

If the anxiety persists despite these treatments, it may be a good idea to talk to a psychiatrist about a more severe type of medication.

Learning

. All learning is new; what you learn as a child isn’t as relevant as it is for adults and students with developmental disabilities.

However, what’s most important is the sense of growth and accomplishment during a learning experience. The end goal of any learning experience is the successful completion of that learning experience. Although not every learning experience will end successfully, when it does, it should be a goal-oriented endeavor.

Teachers and parents should encourage a growth mindset during these times of life. Being aware of how we grow as learners and having a growth mindset helps us learn what we need to learn and how we need to learn it.

In short, we need to know we are more than just our limitations.

Health

Diet The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005 suggests consuming a variety of different fruits and vegetables every day. You don’t have to eliminate these foods completely to lose weight but include healthy fruits and vegetables in your daily diet.

Avoid highly refined and processed foods and whole grains as much as possible. Limit processed meats such as hot dogs and bacon.

This is because of processed meats’ high-fat content. You may choose to swap these meats with leaner meats, such as chicken and turkey.

Avoid caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and sweets. However, if you’re an avid coffee or tea drinker, consider decaffeinated options. Caffeine may increase appetite.

Eliminate or reduce drinking water, sodas, and juice. Drink plenty of water every day.

Conclusion

Does your teenager run off on you and refuse to talk? Is he avoiding school? If so, maybe you are looking for ways to speed up the process of becoming independent.

But when you get that phone call that he or she has run away, the first thing you think is “You’re kidding, right?” Adolescents make impulsive decisions, but knowing that they have psychological needs and interests helps you better communicate with them.

A few moments of listening to a teenager explain what is on his or her mind can prevent misunderstandings and make them less likely to run away.

Once you know what a teenager is really thinking,