Teens Under Pressure

“Just try it, everyone does it, it’s not even that bad.”
“Hurry up and just take it, no one is looking.”
“She’s such a prude, don’t even try getting to know her.”
“That new kid is a loser, no one likes him.”

The pressure to fit in, to be liked and respected, and to be accepted by peers is a very normal human experience.  While much of the pressure our children and teens face is explicit (like the examples above), they can also feel pressure by just watching or knowing that peers are engaging in behaviors that they are not. For example, knowing that all their friends have snapchat and they are not yet allowed to download that app can feel like pressure to a teen.

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The Mental Health Benefits of Exercise

Exercise is defined as any body movement that makes your muscles work and requires your body to use calories. There are a variety of different types of physical exercise including running, walking, swimming, lifting weights, dancing and many others. You are likely aware of the physical health benefits that come with regular exercise such as weight control, lower blood pressure, reduced risk of diabetes, and increased energy. But did you also know that there are important mental health benefits from exercise? Regardless of age or fitness level, research shows that making time for exercise provides some serious mental health benefits.

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