Embrace Fleeing from Toxins: Avoiding Harmful Substances and Behaviors for Teens Aged 12-18
Recommended Books
- “The Teenage Brain: A Neuroscientist’s Survival Guide to Raising Adolescents and Young Adults” by Frances E. Jensen
- Synopsis: Offers insights into adolescent brain development and behavior, empowering parents, grandparents, or guardians with knowledge to support teens in making informed decisions and resisting peer pressure to engage in toxic behaviors. [LINK to Audiobook/Hardcopy]
- “Clean: Overcoming Addiction and Ending America’s Greatest Tragedy” by David Sheff
- Synopsis: Provides a comprehensive look at addiction and recovery, offering practical strategies and hope for teenagers seeking to break free from substance abuse and other harmful behaviors, fostering resilience and well-being. [LINK to Audiobook/Hardcopy]
- “Beautiful Boy: A Father’s Journey Through His Son’s Addiction” by David Sheff
- Synopsis: Chronicles a father’s struggle to help his son overcome addiction, offering a raw and honest portrayal of the impact of substance abuse on families and inspiring empathy and understanding among parents, grandparents, or guardians. [LINK to Audiobook/Hardcopy]
- “Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood” by Lisa Damour
- Synopsis: Explores the challenges faced by teenage girls as they navigate adolescence, providing insights and strategies for parents, grandparents, or guardians to support their daughters in making healthy choices and avoiding toxic behaviors. [LINK to Audiobook/Hardcopy]
- “Glow Kids: How Screen Addiction Is Hijacking Our Kids-and How to Break the Trance” by Nicholas Kardaras
- Synopsis: Examines the effects of screen time and technology on adolescent brain development and behavior, empowering parents, grandparents, or guardians to set limits and promote healthy digital habits among teenagers. [LINK to Audiobook/Hardcopy]
- “The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed” by Jessica Lahey
Synopsis: Encourages parents, grandparents, or guardians to embrace failure as a natural part of the learning process, fostering resilience and independence in teenagers and helping them navigate challenges without turning to harmful coping mechanisms. [LINK to Audiobook/Hardcopy] - “The Power of Showing Up: How Parental Presence Shapes Who Our Kids Become and How Their Brains Get Wired” by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson
- Synopsis: Highlights the importance of parental presence and connection in supporting teenagers’ emotional and mental well-being, providing a foundation of love and support to help them resist toxic influences and thrive. [LINK to Audiobook/Hardcopy]
Beneficial Supplements
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Dosage: 500-1000 mg EPA+DHA per day. Omega-3s support brain health and mood regulation, potentially reducing the risk of engaging in substance abuse or unhealthy behaviors. [LINK]
- Vitamin D: Dosage: 1000-2000 IU per day. Vitamin D plays a role in mood regulation and may help reduce the risk of depression and substance abuse among teenagers. [LINK]
- Probiotics: Dosage: As directed by a healthcare provider. Probiotics support gut health, which is linked to mood regulation and stress management, potentially reducing the likelihood of turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms. [LINK]
- Magnesium: Dosage: 200-400 mg per day. Magnesium plays a role in stress management and relaxation, potentially reducing the risk of engaging in unhealthy behaviors as coping mechanisms. [LINK]
- Multivitamin/mineral supplement: Dosage: Follow the recommended dosage on the product label. A well-balanced multivitamin/mineral supplement can help fill nutritional gaps and support overall health and well-being, reducing the likelihood of nutrient deficiencies that may contribute to unhealthy behaviors. [LINK]
- L-Theanine: Dosage: 100-200 mg per day. L-Theanine promotes relaxation and reduces stress and anxiety, potentially mitigating the risk of turning to substances like tobacco or alcohol for stress relief. [LINK]
- Zinc: Dosage: 10-20 mg per day. Zinc plays a role in mood regulation and may help support healthy brain function, reducing the risk of engaging in behaviors related to substance abuse or unhealthy coping mechanisms. [LINK]
Informative Websites
- Teen Health – https://teenhealth.org
- Synopsis: This website offers a range of articles and resources specifically tailored to teenagers, covering topics such as nutrition, exercise, mental health, and substance abuse prevention, providing valuable information and support for teenagers looking to make healthy lifestyle choices and avoid harmful toxins.
- 2. Drug Free – https://drugfree.org
- Synopsis: Created by the Partnership to End Addiction, this website offers resources and tools for teenagers and their families to prevent substance abuse and addiction, including information on the dangers of drugs and alcohol, guidance on how to talk to teens about substance use, and support for those struggling with addiction.
- 3. Healthy Children – https://healthychildre.org
- Synopsis: Developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, this site provides evidence-based information and guidance for parents and caregivers on promoting teenagers’ physical, emotional, and social well-being, including resources on substance abuse prevention and healthy lifestyle habits.
- 4. Teen Health – https://cdc.org>teenhealth
- Synopsis: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers resources and information on various aspects of teen health, including substance abuse prevention, physical activity, nutrition, and mental health, providing valuable support for teenagers and their families in making informed decisions about their health.
- 5. NIDA for Teens – https://nida.org>teens
- Synopsis: This website, managed by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, offers educational resources and interactive tools specifically designed for teenagers, helping them understand the risks associated with substance abuse and make informed decisions to avoid harmful behaviors.
- 6. Let’s Move! – https://www.ahealthieramerica.org
- Synopsis: Led by former First Lady Michelle Obama, this initiative aims to promote healthy eating and physical activity among children and families, offering tips, recipes, and resources to encourage an active and healthy lifestyle and support teenagers in avoiding excessive inactivity and making healthier choices.
- 7. Reach Out – https://reachout.com
- Synopsis: This website provides support and resources for teenagers struggling with mental health issues, including stress, anxiety, and depression, offering strategies for coping with difficult emotions and avoiding unhealthy coping mechanisms like substance abuse or isolation.
Inspiring TED Talks
- “The brain-changing benefits of exercise” by Wendy Suzuki
- Synopsis: Suzuki discusses how physical activity positively impacts brain health and cognitive function, motivating teenagers to stay active and avoid excessive inactivity, which can contribute to overall well-being and help in avoiding substance abuse.
- “How childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime” by Nadine Burke Harris
- Synopsis: Harris explores the long-term effects of childhood trauma on physical and mental health, highlighting the importance of providing support and resources to teenagers to cope with stressors and avoid harmful behaviors like substance abuse.
- “The power of vulnerability” by Brené Brown
- Synopsis: Brown discusses the importance of embracing vulnerability and building resilience, encouraging teenagers to seek support and connection rather than turning to harmful coping mechanisms like substance abuse or excessive isolation.
- “The puzzle of motivation” by Dan Pink
- Synopsis: Pink explores the factors that truly motivate individuals and how traditional reward systems may not always be effective, offering insights for teenagers on finding intrinsic motivation to make healthy choices and avoid harmful behaviors like excessive eating or substance abuse.
- “The danger of hiding who you are” by Morgana Bailey
- Synopsis: Bailey shares her personal journey of coming out as gay and the importance of authenticity and self-acceptance, inspiring teenagers to embrace their identities and seek support when facing challenges, thus reducing the risk of turning to harmful coping mechanisms like substance abuse or excessive isolation.
- “How to make stress your friend” by Kelly McGonigal
- Synopsis: McGonigal explores how changing our mindset about stress can lead to healthier responses and better overall well-being, providing valuable strategies for teenagers to manage stress and avoid harmful coping mechanisms like substance abuse.
- “What is so special about the human brain?” by Suzana Herculano-Houzel
- Synopsis: Herculano-Houzel discusses the unique features of the human brain and its role in decision-making and behavior, empowering teenagers to make informed choices about their health and well-being, including avoiding harmful substances and behaviors.