Welcome to Maternal & Child Health’s
Adolescent Health website.
While adolescents are generally healthy, substance abuse and other risky
behaviors can be common problems. These health issues can have long-term
effects. Follow these links to learn more:
What’s New
Important
Numbers
Positive Youth
Development
For Health Care
Providers
Related Sites
Parents
Resources
Teens
Texas Healthy
Adolescent Initiative
Sexual Violence
Prevention
Only 8% of people keep their New Year’s resolutions. Every
January, over half of us make goals for the new year ahead.
Reasons we don’t
succeed:
- Our goals are often
unrealistic (impossible to meet)
- We set too many goals for
ourselves all at once (instead of focusing on one at a time)
- We attempt to go “cold
turkey” on our old habits
- Often, we fail to realize
that new habits take time to develop (at least 66 consecutive days to be
exact)
- We view January 1st as our
only start date instead of realizing that every single day offers us a new
beginning
Here are some thoughtful New Year’s resolution ideas for
2020 that you might keep.
FOR
YOUTH:
Eat healthier:
Proper nutrition is important. It’s VERY important for young people that are
growing and maturing. Switch out the candy bar for a granola bar.
Do some type of exercise daily: Many teens spend more time on phones or
tablets then on physical activity. Try walking with a friend.
Get enough sleep: Youth need 9-10 hours of sleep. Between school and activities, that’s
hard to do. Look at small time changes to get a better night’s sleep.
Find your passion: Find a hobby or interest that inspires you. It could be writing or
drawing. Having a passion helps with stress and provides a positive outlook on
life.
FOR
ADULTS:
Be a Role Model: “Do as I say, not as I do” doesn’t work. Make good choices in your own
life to show youth how it can be done.
Be open and listen: Adolescents can be moody. Most want, and need, a connection to a caring adult.
Show that you care and are available if youth want to talk.
Be supportive:
Youth are going to stumble as they figure out who they are and what they want
to do. Let them know that you’re there to help them.
Steps to succeed:
- Start small (like really, REALLY small)
- Forgive yourself for set-backs
- Be Consistent
- Celebrate small wins
- Remember why you made the resolution
For more
information, please contact us at:
Texas Department of State Health Services
Maternal & Child Health
PO Box 149347, Mail Code 1922
Austin, TX 78714-9347
(512) 776-7373: Phone
(512) 458-7658: Fax
TitleV@dshs.texas.gov
External links
to other sites are intended to be informational and do not have the endorsement
of the Texas Department of State Health Services. These external links may not
be accessible to persons with disabilities. For more information about Maternal
and Child Health or information regarding adolescent health in Texas, please
email TitleV@dshs.texas.gov or call (512) 776-7373.