Physical activity is immensely beneficial for anyone suffering from a mental health condition or substance addiction. For instance, exercise is especially vital for troubled teens. Discover why physical activity is so beneficial, and if your teen is struggling, reach out to Venture Academy today.
Physical Activity and Mental Health
Exercise has many physical benefits and almost as many mental ones. For instance, regular exercise has been clinically proven to alleviate symptoms of depression. Some of the psychological benefits of activity for troubled teens include:
- Increased alertness and improved concentration
- Helps manage anxiety
- Increased self-esteem
- Improves the mood and can help with depression
- Facilitates better sleep
- Helps with stress
Many clinical studies have investigated how physical activity affects mental health, such as a study on stress and exercise. The study found that highly active people had much lower stress levels.
Exercise can even improve self-esteem levels and help facilitate healthy friendships. For instance, a team sport is an excellent activity for troubled teens because they get all the physical and mental benefits of the exercise, but they will also forge lasting relationships.
Troubled teens can improve their futures by learning healthy habits and good well-being practices, such as regular exercise. Finding a physical activity they love will also give them a new, positive thing to focus on instead of destructive habits and difficult emotions.
Activities for Troubled Teens
With so many physical activities to choose from, there is bound to be something your teen will enjoy. Giving your teen a choice of activity gives them some freedom and independence, which in turn, boosts their self-esteem and can help them become responsible adults. It may also offer them some control over their life. For instance, control can be a factor in many teen mental health conditions and addiction, so providing a healthy way to feel in control can be beneficial.
Another benefit of physical activity is physical health. It may seem obvious, but for a troubled teen going through mental health issues or recovering from substance abuse, a healthy body will help them immensely. In other words, improving their physical health can help them concentrate, sleep better, and manage withdrawal symptoms.
Adopting a new activity such as sport or dance will help your teen grow and boost their confidence. They will also learn to overcome barriers, such as nerves, and discover healthy ways of tackling anxiety and depression. On the other hand, they’ll make new friends and gain accolades or achievements which will help them choose colleges and jobs.
If your teen struggles with electronic addiction, physical exercise keeps them away from their computer or phone and can give them a new way to spend time.
Nevertheless, physical exercise is only one factor in your troubled teen’s recovery. For instance, therapy and medication may still be needed in conjunction with the activity to help your teen recover fully and build a new life.
Troubled Teens and Venture Academy
At Venture Academy, we offer several treatment programs, including:
- 30-day assessment and intervention
- Behavioural treatment program
- School and educational program
- Drug and alcohol program
- Electronic addiction treatment program
We have three campuses located in Alberta and Ontario. Our programs incorporate your teen’s academics, experiential learning, peer support, traditional medicine, and holistic therapies.
Venture Academy believes in treating every troubled teen as an individual, and we customize all our treatment programs to suit your teen. We have a 99% program completion rate, so you can rest assured that your teen is in the right place and that they will make a full recovery.
If you’d like to discuss troubled teens or anything else that concerns you about your teen, call Venture Academy at 866.762.2211.