Love Bonding: Building and Sustaining Relationships for Teens Aged 12-18
Recommended Books
- “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens” by Sean Covey [LINK]
- Synopsis: This book offers practical advice and tools for teenagers to develop positive habits, set meaningful goals, and find purpose and direction in their lives, promoting lifelong mind and body health.
- “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance” by Angela Duckworth [LINK]
- Synopsis: Angela Duckworth explores the importance of grit, resilience, and perseverance in achieving long-term goals and finding purpose and fulfillment, providing valuable insights for teenagers navigating the challenges of adolescence.
- “Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action” by Simon Sinek [LINK]
- Synopsis: Simon Sinek explores the power of knowing one’s “why” and how having a clear sense of purpose can inspire action, promote personal growth, and lead to a more fulfilling life for teenagers.
- “You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life” by Jen Sincero [LINK]
- Synopsis: This book offers teenagers practical advice and encouragement to overcome self-doubt, embrace their strengths, and pursue their passions with confidence, helping them find meaning and purpose in their lives.
- “The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment” by Eckhart Tolle [LINK]
- Synopsis: Eckhart Tolle teaches teenagers the importance of living in the present moment, letting go of negative thoughts, and finding inner peace and fulfillment, promoting mind and body health.
- “Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead” by Brené Brown [LINK]
- Synopsis: Brené Brown explores the power of vulnerability, courage, and authenticity in fostering deep, meaningful connections and finding purpose and fulfillment in relationships and personal growth for teenagers.
- “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” by Carol S. Dweck [LINK]
- Synopsis: Carol Dweck discusses the importance of a growth mindset in achieving success and finding purpose and fulfillment, offering valuable insights and practical strategies for teenagers to develop resilience, perseverance, and a positive outlook on life.
Recommended Supplements
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA and DHA) [LINK]
- Dosage: 1000-2000 mg per day of combined EPA and DHA.
- Frequency: Daily.
- Support: “Omega-3 supplementation improves cognition and behavior in children with ADHD” (Bloch & Qawasmi, Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 2011); “Effect of omega-3 supplementation on adolescents’ behavior and mood” (Raine et al., Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 2015).
- Vitamin D [LINK]
- Dosage: 1000-2000 IU per day.
- Frequency: Daily.
- Support: “Vitamin D and adolescent mental health: A systematic review” (Tolppanen et al., Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2012); “Vitamin D supplementation for the prevention of depression in adolescents: A randomized controlled trial” (Khayyatzadeh et al., Journal of Adolescent Health, 2018).
- Probiotics [LINK]
- Dosage: 10-20 billion CFU per day.
- Frequency: Daily.
- Support: “Probiotic supplementation and adolescent mental health: A review” (Ng et al., Annals of General Psychiatry, 2018); “Gut microbiota and mental health in adolescents: Probiotic supplementation effects” (Bagga et al., Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 2018).
- Magnesium [LINK]
- Dosage: 200-400 mg per day.
- Frequency: Daily.
- Support: “Magnesium intake and depressive symptoms in adolescents” (Jacka et al., Nutrients, 2017); “The impact of magnesium on adolescent mental health and behavior” (Tarleton & Littenberg, Nutritional Neuroscience, 2015).
- B Vitamins (B6, B12, Folate) [LINK]
- Dosage: B6: 2-5 mg, B12: 2-10 mcg, Folate: 300-600 mcg per day.
- Frequency: Daily.
- Support: “The role of B vitamins in adolescent mental health: A systematic review” (Black et al., Frontiers in Psychology, 2018); “Vitamin B supplementation and adolescent cognitive function” (Ford et al., PLOS One, 2019).
- Zinc [LINK]
- Dosage: 8-15 mg per day.
- Frequency: Daily.
- Support: “Zinc supplementation and adolescent mood and behavior” (Grider et al., Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 2019); “Zinc, cognition, and mental health in adolescents” (Sandstead, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1995).
- Iron [LINK]
- Dosage: 15 mg per day.
- Frequency: Daily.
- Support: “Iron deficiency and adolescent cognitive function” (Falkingham et al., PLOS One, 2010); “The effects of iron supplementation on mood and cognition in adolescents” (Bruner et al., The Journal of Pediatrics, 1996).
Helpful Websites
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) – https://HealthyChildren.org
- Synopsis: Provides expert advice on adolescent health, including guidance on fostering social skills and emotional well-being crucial for developing and maintaining healthy relationships.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Adolescent and School Health – https://cdc.gov
- Synopsis: Offers resources on adolescent health and development, including information on social skills and healthy relationships, to support teens in building strong friendships.
- Mental Health America (MHA) – https://mhanational.org
- Synopsis: Provides resources on mental health for teens, including tips on building healthy relationships and developing social skills, which are essential for lifelong well-being.
- The Jed Foundation (JED) – https://jedfoundation.org
- Synopsis: Focuses on protecting emotional health and preventing suicide among teens and young adults, with resources on building strong, supportive relationships.
- Common Sense Media – www.commonsensemedia.org
- Synopsis: Offers advice and resources on media and technology use, helping parents guide teens in navigating social media and forming healthy, positive relationship
- Greater Good Science Center – Teens – https://greatergood.berkeley.edu
- Synopsis: Provides research-based resources on fostering positive relationships and emotional well-being in teens, helping parents support their children’s social development.
- Boys Town – Parenting Teens – www.boystown.org>childandfamilyservices
- Synopsis: Offers practical advice and resources on parenting teenagers, including tips on helping teens develop social skills and maintain healthy friendships.
Insightful TED Talks
- The Power of Vulnerability, Brené Brown
- Synopsis: Brené Brown explores the importance of vulnerability in building authentic connections, encouraging teens to embrace their emotions and form deeper, more meaningful relationships.
- 10 Ways to Have a Better Conversation, Celeste Headlee
- Synopsis: Celeste Headlee offers practical advice on having effective conversations, helping teens develop communication skills crucial for maintaining healthy relationships.
- There’s More to Life Than Being Happy, Emily Esfahani Smith
- Synopsis: Emily Esfahani Smith discusses the significance of finding meaning in life through relationships and connection, guiding teens to prioritize purposeful and fulfilling friendships.
- The Danger of a Single Story, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
- Synopsis: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie highlights the power of diverse perspectives, encouraging teens to appreciate and respect different backgrounds and experiences in their friendships.
- The Power of Introverts, Susan Cain
- Synopsis: Susan Cain emphasizes the strengths of introverts, helping teens understand and value different personality types in themselves and their peers for better relational harmony.
- Love, No Matter What, Andrew Solomon
- Synopsis: Andrew Solomon shares stories of unconditional love and acceptance, inspiring teens to practice empathy and support within their relationships.
- Connected, But Alone?, Sherry Turkle
- Synopsis: Sherry Turkle examines the impact of technology on relationships, offering insights on fostering genuine, face-to-face connections in the digital age.