According to recommendations, a teenager should get at least an hour of physical activity every day. The activity does not have to be organized or team-based, nor does it need to involve sports – enough exercise can also come from everyday activities such as cycling, spending time outdoors, or playing games with friends.
Ways to encourage physical activity
If your teenager hardly exercises at all, the hurdle to changing their daily habits may be quite high at this stage. You can approach the topic in a positive way, by listening to the teenager and taking their needs into account.
You do not necessarily need to encourage them to take up a sport. Any kind of physical activity is beneficial. Cycling to school, taking the stairs or raking the backyard all contribute to the teenager’s health.
You can also discuss the effects of physical activity with your teenager. Exercise
- relieves neck and back pain caused by sitting and screen time
- has been proven to improve concentration and learning
- prevents anxiety and relieves stress
- supports overall mental wellbeing and, consequently, relationships as well.
Ask your teenager what kind of physical activity they enjoy. It is often easier to increase the amount of activity that they enjoy and may already be engaging in to some extent.
Trying something new and interesting can be easier with someone you know. You can suggest that your teenager take up a sport that a family member is familiar with.
Alternatively, the teenager can bring a friend along to try out a sport. An afternoon spent with a friend doing things like archery, indoor climbing or kayaking can be fun even for a first timer.
You can explore the recreational opportunities in your neighbourhood together or browse the offerings of The Finnish Model for Leisure Activities.
When there is too much exercise
Sometimes a teenager may also get too much exercise. This may be due to reasons such as competitive pressure or body image. As a parent, you should keep an eye on how much your teenager is exercising and have a talk if you have any concerns.
Pressures of a team sport may influence a teenager, even if they themselves would prefer to have more time for friends and rest.
Remind them that exercise does not have to be about competition or perfect performance, if needed. The most important reason to exercise is their health. If the sport team’s expectations do not align with the teenager’s life ideals, consider switching to a lower division or a more laid-back team.
If your teenager’s exercise habits become compulsive or are linked to losing weight or self-punishment, we recommend seeking help from a healthcare professional.