Most of America’s young generation are partaking in bad habits. These include but are not limited to binge drinking, maintaining a poor diet, digital addiction and even abusing various drugs.
This guide will go over some of the habits that are considered negative and what could be done in its place. For example, our younger generations (millennials in particular) are adopting poor eating habits that might come back to haunt them later on in life in the form of obesity.
Substance abuse has also been an issue. If you or someone else is dealing with abuse with drugs or alcohol, you can continue here to the Ocean Recovery website. Let’s take a look now at some of the following points about America’s young people and the bad habits they may partake in.
Unhealthy eating
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The obesity epidemic has been running for a long time. It’s gotten to the point where it has extended to the new generations as they become adults. They tend to eat unhealthy foods since they tend to be cheaper than their more healthier options.
In other words, they may reach for the fast foods. Regular consumption of this along with other foods that are high in sugar and fats can spell trouble healthwise. The risks of obesity will run high.
Obesity itself is connected to health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer among others. One way to ward off obesity is to adjust your diet and exercise regularly. A good way to lose weight is intermittent fasting.
Intermittent fasting allows you to go without eating for a specific amount of time, while allowing you a time window designated for eating. For example, the 16/8 model is as follows:
- For 16 hours, you eat nothing. You can have coffee, tea, or water and it won’t count against you.
- For 8 hours, you can use that time window to eat. For instance, if your last meal is at 7pm, you won’t be able to eat anything again until 11am the following morning.
There are different variations of intermittent fasting. For beginners, you’ll want to start with the 16/8 model since it’s easy and friendly for first-timers.
Drug and alcohol abuse
There are those in our young generation that have already experimented with drugs or alcohol. They may have now abused it on a regular basis. The earlier they start, the worse it gets as they get older.
Most teens from ages 14 to 17 have either used tobacco, alcohol, or marijuana. By their senior year in high school, nearly two-thirds of students have experimented with alcohol. Even scarier is that two out of ten have used prescription medications without a doctor’s consent.
These medications contain opioids, which can be fatal if overdosed. Even scarier is this happens in the midst of an opioid epidemic that has killed hundreds of thousands from the previous decade to the present. Substance abuse can also lead to negative affects of a teen’s development.
Not only that, alcohol abuse can lead to adverse health effects. They can die from alcohol-related diseases such as hepatitis or even cirrhosis at a young age. That’s why it’s important to talk to your teens about the dangers of substance abuse.
Binge drinking, which includes having five or more drinks in a given day can be dangerous. Teens and young people who are at parties will be in a situation where this can be done easily. If enough alcohol is consumed, it can lead to alcohol poisoning (which is also fatal).
In fact, 1 in 10 teenagers have admitted to binge drinking. Teens find drugs or alcohol as something of a tool to fit in. While others use it to self-medicate due to stress or depression.
It’s important that young people get the help they need as soon as possible. With the number of overdoses rising, someone’s next hit can be their last. It can even lead to dangerous, if not, fatal consequences because of someone’s lowered inhibitions.
A digital addiction?
We live in a world where technology is accessible. Young people have smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Furthermore, they may be on social media regularly.
Some may develop a digital addiction to the point where they are on their devices constantly. They may be playing various games with friends and others around the world. Others may also be using social media in an effort to ‘fit in’ or even seek validation for their own self-image.
Some may be obsessed with the amount of engagement and attention they receive. It could get to the point where it may also influence their mood. They might get a dozen likes on one post and feel happy.
But if they don’t achieve the same result in the next post, they may feel like no one likes them. The issue here is that social media should not be used as a tool to measure self-worth. Just because people are doing that, doesn’t mean a teen or young adult should have to either.
To that end, social media can be used for contacting friends and family. This includes messaging apps as well. Social media is fine when you want to keep in touch and also stay in the know about your interests such as sports, arts and crafts, or something that a teen or young person may be passionate about.
Final Thoughts
America’s young generation may be engaging in bad habits. They can be unhealthy both physically and mentally. It’s important that parents talk to their teens about the dangers.
Remind them that there are better ways to have fun. Let them know that alcohol and drug use isn’t a cool thing. It may also be a good idea to inform them about the healthier ways to use their digital devices.
Parents can set an example for the younger generations in hopes that tomorrow’s adults live happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives. This can be done without substance abuse or overindulging in digital devices.
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