Why are we (teenagers) such extreme risk takers?

Scientist have researched the teenage mind and have come a conclusion on why teenagers are risk takers. Their studies showed that the emotional region of our brain develops to maturity much faster than the part of the brain that controls rational thinking. What does this mean? It means that we have well developed emotions, but we haven't matured enough to think everything through. Our impulsively and tendency to do dangerous things adults would avoid, might be linked to our brain's late development. And our mood swings can be attributed to our emotional region of the brain maturing at a fast speed. This does not excuse you to do stupid or dangerous activities just because your brain hasn't fully developed. But if you ever wonder why you did something you shouldn't have, your brain's development might be a contributing factor.

GET EXCITED!

JUST FILMED TEENSANITY'S FIRST WORKOUT ROUTINE!

Soon you will have access to view and start working out TeenSanity style! Our first workout will help tone your glutes and abs! This is the first of many to come!

Thank you so much to Warrior Dynamic Productions for filming and editing! And thank you so much Holly Guimares for a doing the best makeup possible!

I can't wait to share it with everyone:)

Whole Grain Goodness!

Sometimes my parents wonder why I can't just eat regular wheat pasta. It's because it does not contain the entire grain, like whole grain pasta does. I can't eat white bread because it's not good for me and it honestly doesn't make me feel good, instead I feel lethargic. That's why I choose to eat foods loaded with whole grains. "Whole grains or foods made from them contain all the essential parts and naturally-occuring nutrients of the entire grain seed." (The Whole Grain Council) In 2005, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggested adults should eat at least 3-5 servings of whole grains a day. Some whole grains are corn, oats, quinoa, rice (brown and colored), rye, wheat and much more! Medical studies have shown that eating foods rich in whole grains reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and obesity! It's now easier to find whole grain foods with the whole grain stamp. When you are food shopping, keep an eye out for a stamp that looks like this:

Why should you read TeenSanity?

Some people may believe TeenSanity is just a blog, but it's not. It's a seed to help teenagers grow and develop into their true selves. Most parents dread the teenager years. But why should they? Well because our reputation isn't very good. We are known to cause trouble, experiment with things we shouldn't, and become something we are not. TeenSanity is a glimpse of the true potential teenagers have! We have the power to be unique individuals during these teenage years. I often see glimpses of the true teenager; unique, filled with energy, and wanting to make a difference in the world. I believe all teenagers have the power to become a true teenager. TeenSanity is a little guide map to help teenagers find their true potential through exploring food, exercise, and life. I try to offer teenagers my advice through my own struggles and triumphs during the years of adolescence. Giving teenagers recipes, exercises, and life tips, TeenSanity  attempts to "make being healthy cool." TeenSanity is planting the seed to establish a community of teenagers who want to better themselves and the world! Join me on my journey to find some sanity during these "insane" years!

Today's Quote

Today, I was in search of a quote to have seeded in your brains' for Monday! I often notice teenagers in high school don't really challenge themselves' in anyway. They just do what is comfortable. Not all teenagers find the confidence to go out and accomplish something new or challenging. I picked this particular quote to hopefully inspire teenagers to try to do something amazing; whether it's little or large. Here is the quote:

'There are many wonderful things that will never be done if you do not do them.'  ~Charles D. Gill

February Blues

Personally, I am suffering with the February blues and I think everyone is. I feel more irritable, anxious, and stressed. I am having a hard time dealing with people and find myself wanting to be alone- secluded (which no one should do). I feel everyone is fighting with each other and no one is getting along! When I feel really anxious during these winter months I seek out new techniques to help myself reach a state of content. I just recently learned a breathing technique to help myself relax. First thing to do is lay on your bed and put your hands on your stomach. Take a deep breath and inflate your stomach to look like a giant balloon. Count how many seconds it takes you to inhale, then on your exhale make sure to exhale two seconds longer than your inhale. So if my inhale was three seconds, my exhale would be five seconds. Don't get caught up in "Wow, this is lame I have to lay on bed and take deep breaths to relax." It's not lame and I know from experience that the longer you let stress and anxiety build up the harder it is to recover and relax. So if you are feeling those February blues, try this breathing technique.

Teenage Drinking-This is why it's stupid...

Teenage drinking is serious. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that teens that begin drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to develop an alcohol addiction than those who begin drinking at the age of 21. Drinking is bad, but driving and drinking is so much worse. Forty percent of all alcohol-related car accidents were when teenagers were at the wheel. Alcohol impairs your judgment which can lead to engaging in many dangerous activities and behaviors. Health problems related to alcohol abuse include stomach ulcers, liver problems, heart problems, and malnutrition. If this hasn't encouraged you to stop drinking, then maybe this fact will-The most serious and common effect of teenager drinking is that it leads to adult dependence. Please don't drink! Not only are you harming yourself, but you are hurting others, too.

Why is exercise important?

Get off your couch and get moving! Exercise is a major component in living a healthy and well balanced lifestyle. Before when I didn't exercise on a regular basis, I had trouble sleeping, lots of unnecessary anxiety, I didn't like the way I looked, and I felt tired all of the time. These are common problems of teenagers, but if you choose to make a change, you will feel better. It is recommended that teenagers get 60 minutes of physical activity a day. When you start exercising, start slowly, don't push your body to do things it doesn't have the strength or stamina for. Even taking your dog on a long walk is a start. If this hasn't convinced you to exercise maybe these facts will. Exercise can help you change your body in a positive way. People exercise have a body that is more toned than those who don't. Exercise helps lower your risk for certain diseases such as high blood pressure and type two diabetes. Exercise not only helps tone your body, but also calm your mind and help you to sleep. I will be coming out with fitness videos! I am looking forward to creating workout routines for teenagers!

Quote of the Day!

"The greatest mistake you can make in life is to continually be afraid you will make one."
Elbert Hubbard


I have learned that being afraid of making mistakes, is the biggest mistake of all. Having the inner confidence to take a risk will make life so much more enjoyable. What I am trying to say is slowly take the steps to take little risks, and not be afraid of a mistake. Everyone makes mistakes it's how you learn from them which is important. GO MAKE MISTAKES IT'S OKAY! 

Current Favorite Quote

Starting today I am going to post quotes that I feel relate to TeenSanity. Today's quote I found in a book, Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. This quote explains how to achieve happiness within yourself. I thought teenagers would like this because we often lose ourself in our lives and don't focus on the little things that make us happy. For me, just reading this quote makes me happy. Often we focus on everything we do wrong and what is wrong with us, but here Verghese tells us how to make ourselves happy by accepting who we are. Here is the quote:

"The key to happiness is to own your slippers, own who you are, own how you look, own your family, own the talents you have, and own the ones you don't. If you keep saying your slippers aren't yours, then you'll die bitter, always feeling you were promised more." -Abraham Verghese, Cutting for Stone