Why the ‘good vibes only’ culture is making our teenagers life miserable. It is Okay to be sad sometimes. It is absolutely okay to not chase happiness all the time. It is not the toxic negativity but toxic positivity, which is one of the leading causes of depression in our youth.

Let’s not fool ourselves any longer

Positive thinking is sold as a path to freedom. Teenagers are often forced to asked to “change their perception to change their mind” when things go wrong. There is a constant hammering of “look on the bright side”; “smile and you will be happy”. These hollow chestnuts shame anyone who can’t muster positivity in times of distress.

We can’t have ‘good vibes’ all the time

During the pandemic, we have noticed a resurgence of the “good vibes only” culture: the one where if you express anything other than positivity, you’re negative, emitting bad vibes and dragging everyone else down. Everyone was forcing it – government, religion, influencers – and our teenagers got trapped in toxic positivity

It is counterproductive

Toxic positivity has much deeper and darker roots. At its core, toxic positivity is a form of gaslighting. It tells people that what they’re feeling isn’t real, they’re making it up and that they’re the only ones who feel this way.

While neither extreme – chronic positivity nor chronic negativity – is helpful,

It forces us to suppress emotions, which can be destructive for our physical and mental health.  It also impacts our relationships. Despite good intentions, and instead of simply listening and showing empathy, we often just make the person feel silenced and ashamed.

Do not look the other way

Our teenagers need our support and they also need to be told that life is a mixed bag of different feelings – negative and positive. Keeping ourselves in dark doesn’t help. We have to stand up and recognise some hard realities of life.

We should not perpetuate the “happy housewife” myth, instead recognise gender inequality and work towards a more balanced society. We should encourage healthy eating and a healthier lifestyle instead of telling everyone they should just love the skin they’re in.

Pandemic has left us with a lot of challenges to deal with – toxic positivity is one of them that needs to be dealt with smartly. Our teenagers shouldn’t become a victim of this privileged attitude.

Republic Day parade is an event that has inspired many youths to take up armed forced as a career choice. It is organised every year on January 26 to commemorate the coming into effect of our Constitution, which is the governing document of our country.

It is also more than the grand parade and tableaux that showcase the military strength. It is also the time to honour remarkable feats of individuals with awards such as Gallantry awards.

Here are 5 interesting facts that will inspire all teenagers to become army officers representing India on Rajpath –

Fact #1 : The glorious Rajpath

The first republic day parade didn’t happen at Rajpath, which was known by Kingsway at that time. Irwin Stadium (now National Stadium) hosted the first parade in 1950. Rajpath became the permanent venue for the parade from 1955 onwards.

Fact #2 : The 21-gun salute

The cavalier bodyguards of the President salute the National Flag, with a 21 guns salute. It is interesting to know that firing is not done with 21 canons? Instead, 7- cannons of the Indian army, which are known as “25- Ponders” are used for the firing in 3 rounds.

Fact #3 : A special army camp

Armed forces are allocated a special camp near the premises of the India Gate where all the Tanks, Armoured Vehicles are kept for investigation and beautification. Whitewash is performed in 10 stages mostly but this time maybe it will be different.

Fact #4 : Safety and investigation

Each army personnel who participates in the event of the parade has to pass through 4 levels of investigation. Besides this, their arms are thoroughly checked to ensure that their arms are not loaded with live bullets.

Fact #5 : Flypast

The most fascinating part of the event is “flypast”. Responsibility for “flypast” lies on the Western Airforce Command, which involves the participation of around 41 Aircraft. The Aircrafts involved in the parade take off from different centers of the Airforce and reach the Rajpath at a fixed time. A lot of co-ordination and precise execution is required to ensure everything happens as per the schedule.

Young girls in particular are increasingly dealing with early and unwanted pregnancies, which is further exacerbating poverty and inequality. There are signs that teenage pregnancies are on the rise in several African countries — due to pandemic induced lockdowns and closure of school which provided a safety net to girl children.

According to UNICEF, difficulties during pregnancy and childbirth are among the leading causes of death among young women between 15 and 19 in Africa.

Health experts and teen behaviour observers say that there is cause for concern and are warning of the long-term consequences early pregnancies have on young girls.

1. Safety structure is a must

Girls are much more vulnerable to sexual abuse without such safety structures, which help to educate them about sexual and reproductive health. Even if the schools are closed, there has to be a social safety structure which acts like a safe haven just like a school where girls can stand up for themselves and fend off unwanted sexual advances.

2. Fighting poverty should be the priority

Growing poverty as one reason for rising teen pregnancy rates. Poor people marry off their teenage girls much like a business deal, which only exacerbates the situation According to the Ugandan government, prior to the pandemic the teen pregnancy rate was one in four teenagers. Now, it’s nearly one in three girls in every village.

3. Greater emphasis on sex education

One reason for the high rate of teenage pregnancy is that girls have very limited access to contraceptives or the option of safe abortion. There is a need for a comprehensive sex education, which should be offered to young people at appropriate ages in and out of school.

4. Invest in primary healthcare

A robust primary healthcare infrastructure has to be in place where teenagers can go and ask for help. There is a need to encourage them to attend primary health care clinics in their communities. This will boost their confidence and make them aware of the long term health risks involved with teenage pregnancy.

5. Transparent communication is key

Aa parents, we have to be honest and open. We need to listen carefully to find out the pain points in a teenager’s life. Make your conversations back and forth—two ways. Talking with your children about sex will not encourage them to become sexually active instead it will give them confidence to share their problems and issues with you and not with someone who may try to take the advantage of their vulnerabilities.

6. Supervise and monitor without being snoopy

There is no harm in having a complete knowledge about your teenage kids’ whereabouts. Give them the independence they need but ensure that they are safe. We should also ensure that they are involved in useful activities.

7. Ensure early intervention if necessary

Watch out for warning signals. Intervene early if your teenage daughter’s grade start falling for no apparent reason. School failure is one of the key risk factors for teen parenthood. Keep track of your children’s grades and meet with teachers.

Every year lakhs of kids globally are treated in the emergency departments for sports and recreation-related injuries. There is a possibility of getting injured in any sport either from the trauma of collision with the other players or from overuse or misuse of a body part. But contact sports such as football or basketball can be expected to result in a higher number of injuries.

Here are top 10 tips to ensure that playing a sport doesn’t turn into a nightmare –

1. Communication is key

Create a transparent environment in which a young athlete understands that he or she should talk with you and seek help if experiencing pain or something that just doesn’t feel right. It is fact that a few kids just try to push through pain. This should be prevented.

2. Go for trials

It is a good idea to first go for trials before taking up any sport. It is a great way to determine if your young athlete is fit to play. It also keeps them from further injuring themselves.

3. Cross-training

It is essential for athletes to keep changing the sports or activities they are doing so that continuous stress on the same muscles and joints is prevented.

4. Warming up

Stretching is an important prevention technique that should become a habit in young athletes. There should be a mix of static and dynamic stretching. Toe touches and stretches are considered static, while jumping jacks are considered dynamic.

5. Adequate rest

Athletes of all ages need to rest between practices, games and events. The most common injuries seen in young athletes are overuse injuries — too many sports and not enough rest. You should ideally plan an offseason for their athlete to recuperate better.

6. A well-balanced diet

A well-balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables and lean proteins, and to maintain a regular eating schedule is essential. You should ensure that your young athlete gets breakfast, lunch and dinner around the same time each day.

7. Hydration

Athletes should have adequate water before, during and after play. You should immediately consult a doctor if there is any sign of a heat-related illness such as fatigue, nausea, vomiting or fainting.

8. Protective gears

No athlete should be allowed to take the field without proper equipment such as helmets, pads and shoes. They are essential for injury prevention.

9. Adherence to technique and guidelines

There should be no deviation from the standard practices. There should be a proper way to tackle an opponent to avoid a concussion. Safety is top priority. 

10. Seek help

Despite all the precautions, even if the injury happens, that should not be ignored and treated immediately. Watch out for warning signals like change in athlete’s technique, such as a limp when running, throwing differently or rubbing a leg during activity.

It’s the season of examinations and many teenage kids are not eating right. Its important that they are not eating junk food for sure. Eating and staying healthy are the key factors to ensure a stellar academic performance and help them reach their educational goals.

Teenage health experts suggest that certain foods may be especially important for brain health and promoting mental performance.

Here are the top 5 brain foods that have been linked to improved brain health –

1. Berries

Berries are rich in a variety of compounds that protect the health of your brain. Studies have shown that blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries are loaded with high amount of flavonoid compounds called anthocyanins, which is believed to improve mental performance by increasing blood flow to your brain.

2. Citrus fruits

Citrus fruits are highly nutritious, and in flavonoids, including hesperidin, naringin and quercetin, among others. These compounds promote learning and memory, as well as protect nerve cells from injury, therefore warding off mental decline. Studies show that drinking citrus fruit juice may help promote mental performance.

3. Red, green, and orange vegetables

Vegetable intake is critical for a better brain function and the promotion of overall health. A regular intake of red, orange, and green vegetables such as peppers, carrots, and broccoli, have carotenoid pigments, that benefit mental performance. You can also dress the salad with a dash of oil and vinegar and small handful of chopped pistachios for extra protein and healthy fats.

4. Fish

Omega-3s are essential fats that play important roles in brain health. They’re concentrated in fatty fish, which are also excellent sources of other brain-health-promoting nutrients like vitamin B12 and selenium. It’s no surprise that a number of studies have linked fish intake to enhanced brain function.

5. Eggs

Eggs contain a variety of nutrients necessary for brain function, including vitamin B12, choline, and selenium. Selenium is involved in coordination, memory, cognition, and motor performance, while choline is needed for brain development. Vitamin B12 also plays important roles in neurological health. Eggs also contain lutein, a carotenoid pigment that has been associated with improved visual and mental function.

The ongoing Covid pandemic has destroyed some of the most precious years of teenagers all over the world. Not only they were deprived of their natural habitat for too long, they also have to now struggle with growing obesity which has always been a major concern for teenagers.

Data confirms why teenage obesity should be a worldwide health concern?

Childhood obesity rates have increased substantially over the past year in across the globe. The problem is no longer restricted only to high-income countries and societies.

 Low-income and middle-income countries are also staring at frightening levels of teenage obesity. In 2018, almost half the world’s children younger than 5 years with overweight lived in Asia and a quarter in Africa, with the number in Africa rising by just under 45% between 2000 and 2018.

It is indeed a worldwide health issue now with the effects of the pandemic and national lockdowns seemingly adding to the issue. There have been frequent school closures, travel restrictions and limitations on meeting with people have resulted in a more sedentary lifestyle since the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic.

The CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report says that the rate of BMI increase almost doubled in US children and adolescents aged 2–19 years during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic.

Data published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology revealed a positive association between increasing BMI and admission to ICU due to COVID-19.

Long-term effects can destroy a whole generation

Children with overweight and obesity are more likely to become adults with obesity and to develop non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease at a younger age than children considered to have a healthy weight.

There is also an increased risk of cancer, premature death, and disability later in life.

Why teenage obesity should worry India?

The National Family Health Survey observes the continuous rise in obesity among children under five years of age.

The number of overweight children increased from 2.1 per cent in NFHS-4 to 3.4 per cent in NFHS-5.

Another worrying finding is the fact that 33 states and union territories registered a spike in the number of overweight children. This has largely happened because of the lack of physical activity and unhealthy food habits.

According to the NFHS-5, several states and union territories, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Mizoram, Tripura, Lakshadweep, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and Ladakh, have registered increase in the percentage of obesity among children below five years of age in comparison to NFHS-4 conducted between 2015 and 2016.

A guide to fight teenage obesity

Health experts believe that cost-effective interventions such as WHO’s ‘best buys’ can help fight teenage obesity effectively.

In addition to this, there is a need for effective programmes and policies in multiple sectors to address overnutrition, undernutrition, mobility and physical activity.

A teenager in Hyderabad recently committed suicide after being chided by his parents. This should be a wake up all for every parent raising a teenage kid. They may be severely ill and we not even know about that.

It’s normal for teenagers to be moody, its very natural for them to behave differently when they have to deal with a lot of issues both mentally and physically. But, you have to be watchful and read the signals carefully before it is too late.

Mental illness is more common in teens than you think and it needs timely diagnosis and treatment instead of ignorance.

Warning Signals

Keep an eye on your teenage kid if there is sudden drop in their grades, a disinterest in friends, or out-of-character irritability. If at least one of those symptoms is present, you have to be watchful.

In addition to this, if your kid has experienced few of the following symptoms nearly every day, for at least two weeks, he or she might be diagnosed with major depressive disorder –

• Irregular sleep pattern
• Constant feeling of guilt for no apparent reason
• Drop in energy level
• Lack in concentration
• Sudden drop or uptick in appetite
• Lack of motivation
• Suicidal tendencies

Types of teen mental issues

A report by World Health Organisation says that globally, one in seven 10-19-year-olds experiences a mental disorder, accounting for 13% of the global burden of disease in this age group.

Depression, anxiety and behavioural disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-19 year-olds.

Here are some of the most common mental issues that the teens are fighting across the globe –

1. Generalized anxiety—Excessive worry about everyday matters
2. Social phobias—Severe feelings of self-consciousness and insecurity in social settings
3. Depression—Persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, and/or emptiness

You should see your child’s pediatrician or family physician first. Their familiarity with your child’s medical history can make it faster and easier to reach a diagnosis.

Early detection and treatment

The consequences of ignoring adolescent mental health conditions extend to adulthood therefore it becomes crucial to address the needs of adolescents with mental health conditions. The key to address this is to prioritise non-pharmacological approaches, and respecting the rights of children in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and other human rights instruments are key for adolescents’ mental health.

Ask an expert

If you suspect your teen may have a mental health issue, seek professional help without further delay. It is also a good idea to consult your child’s physician about your concerns or have a detailed conversation with a trained mental health professional.