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By Lauren DISCLAIMER: This is not advice from a registered dietitian. This is not meant to be medical advice. Please consult your physician before making any changes in your diet.
Everyone is telling you how to eat. The media, your mom, your grandma, magazines, the government, etc. They tell you to eat this, but don’t eat that. With all these sources throwing information at you, how do you know what to eat? What is actually good for your body? How do you stay healthy? My experience with food has been a long one. Food has always been an outlet for my emotions and thoughts about myself. Before you can really decide what is best for you, you must realize that food is food. It is not a reward, punishment, or competition. Your body needs the food to convert it to ATP which is your body’s major source of energy. It takes energy for you to just breathe. It takes energy for you to exist. The best advice I’ve ever gotten is “I have no advice for you.” Everyone may not look all that different and we all generally have the same organs and tissues, but biochemically, we are extremely different and unique. Therefore, someone who does not know you medically, cannot know what is healthy for you or not. Of course, there are generalizations based on studies, but everyone’s ranges, limits, and needs are different. The person who knows your body best is you. So how do you know what to eat and how to eat? Should I do intermittent fasting? Should I eat less sugar? Should I take supplements? The answer is: maybe. Not an exciting answer, yes, but a true one. Only a doctor or someone who knows your body’s biochemistry and you uniquely as a person can tell you what’s best for YOU. The best way to gauge what’s good for you and what’s not good for you is what makes you feel physically vibrant. Dairy products may make you feel bloated and blah. So don’t eat dairy products. Beans may give you abdominal cramps. So don’t eat beans. You may feel energized eating a big breakfast rich in healthy fats, such as avocado toast. So continue eating your avocado toast. Experiment with what makes you feel good. So where do you start? Start experimenting. Try new foods that you know nourish your body. Fried foods and candy may make you feel emotionally good, but too much can make you feel physically exhausted, groggy, bloated, and achy. The only way to find what's best for you is to know yourself and try all the options you have. Eating should be enjoyable, but eating is necessary. You must get all your nutrients. Food is inevitable and a battle we must face everyday. Meal time does not have to be a battle if we shut out all the external voices telling you what they think is best for you. Listen to what your body is telling you. Once you tune into your body and listen to what it needs, eating will no longer be a daily war but just a daily occurrence that helps you be the best version of you.
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By Indie Disclaimer: In no way am I pressuring you to become vegan. You do what feels right to you as other people do the same. If you are considering becoming a vegan then I recommend you check with a physician and/or dietician if you have a medical condition or are feeding young children before you begin. And if you are someone that isn’t keen on adopting this diet then I still recommend you read this as you don’t have to be a vegan to enjoy what this diet has to offer. :)
The idea of transforming into a vegan diet can be a little daunting. Your mind has many questions such as; Do vegans only eat fruits and vegetables? Is veganism too expensive? How will I get my nutrients? If these questions or something similar have entered your mind before, then continue to read this article. I will introduce you into the sceptic world and will show you what it’ll take to have a happy, healthy and delicious vegan lifestyle as well as share my journey into veganism. Let’s begin by asking ourselves - What is veganism? Veganism is the exclusion of all animal products such as meats, dairy and eggs. A lot of people would choose this specific diet whether it’s for health, ethics and/or environmental reasons. Whatever it may be, the transition can be tough. However, if you follow the following points, it can lessen the stress.
I’ve been vegan for nearly a year due to both health and environmental reasons. Growing up, the only meat I ate was chicken because other meats tended to harm me and, at a young age, I became aware of the endangered ocean lives hence my decision to not eat seafood. As I got older, animal-related products such as eggs and cheese became nauseating to eat. The idea of becoming vegan entered my mind then and after I started doing research into the health benefits, environmental effects and animal cruelty I first became a vegetarian and after a few months became vegan. My advice for anyone thinking of venturing into the world of veganism, start by becoming a vegetarian. If you succeed in that, then feel free to take it a step further. Do not get me wrong, from time to time I did slip up. Whether it was eating a piece of chicken or consuming greek yoghurt but I took my own advice and decided to not feel guilty and to continue on. By taking on the tips provided above, hopefully, you will come to terms with the idea of veganism. However, everyone has their path. Some people, including myself, find that becoming vegan leads them to be much healthier vegans whilst some people don’t. So don’t be too harsh on yourself. Just be ready to explore and appreciate what this diet has to offer. If you still have questions about veganism then check out this link: https://www.brownble.com/blog/2017/7/29/frequently-asked-questions-about-veganism By Jade For many people, using soft contact lenses are a great alternative to wearing glasses. Comfortable and almost unnoticeable, soft contact lenses are becoming a popular choice among those who are both short-sighted and far-sighted.
Recently, after many long school days, I noticed that my eyes were feeling dry. This had never happened to me before and I was a bit worried. I noticed that I had to blink a lot or my vision would get gradually blurry over time, when wearing my contact lenses. The excessive blinking made my eyes moist, but it wasn’t very convenient or fun. During my yearly visit to the optometrist, I asked her about my dry eyes. She explained that dry eyes are caused by long-time uses of electronic devices (like your phone, tablet, etc.). She also explained that some people might have drier eyes than others. She gave me a few suggestions on how to decrease the probability of getting dry eyes. Decrease the amount of time spent on electronic devices. Although it's difficult to tear yourself away from a long afternoon of browsing social media, it's important for the health of your eyes. Instead, opt for some exercise and go outdoors instead. When I spend more time outdoors, doing exercise, I notice that the condition of dry eyes disappears. If you’re not sure of what activities to do, going on a walk or biking is always a great start. If you’re up to it, you can also go on a hike with friends, who also might be experiencing the issue of dry eyes. Especially with remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, hiking is a great way to hang out with friends, while social-distancing. Change the brand of your contact lenses. Certain contact lenses can cause dry eyes more frequently than others. Talk to your optometrist about the brands offered and if they can help decrease the possibility of dry eyes. Don’t be afraid to ask; I can assure you that everyone is dealing with these problems due to the pandemic. If you can’t do either of those, try using eye drops. Eye drops are available at your local drugstore. If you’re unsure of which brand to use, talk to your optometrist. When using eye drops, be sure to take off your contact lenses before using eye drops. Dry eyes aren’t exactly the most fun condition and I definitely didn’t expect dry eyes to come as a setback of wearing soft contact lenses. However, wearing soft contact lenses are definitely worth it. By following the steps above, I’m able to wear my contact lenses more comfortably without excessive blinking or itching. By Cody As a teenager, I could never keep my room tidy. I had no motivation to organise and sort my belongings, and it became very tedious. But it is important to keep your room clean and tidy (and not just because it looks nice!). Our parents constantly ask us to tidy our rooms, which, for some, is the only ‘chore’ they’re required to do around the house. So, I’ve provided some ways to help you enjoy tidying ,how it will benefit you and will keep your parents happy.
I can’t stress enough the need to make cleaning a DAILY task - you don’t need to do it all at once! Cleaning it all at once can become overwhelming, especially when you have to tidy a big mess, which leaves you wondering‘Where do I even start?’. Do sections at a time, whether those are sections of your room or even ‘under the bed’ or another area being ‘drawers and wardrobe’ - whatever works best for you. To stay on top of which areas need to be done, assign one area 5 times a week (allow yourself light cleaning and tidying on the other two days, such as the weekend or whichever days you’d like to have some rest). I suggest getting a whiteboard or a weekly planner to jot them down on, which you can refer to throughout the week. Keep it somewhere visible, maybe, stick it to your wall or on top of your drawers, so you can refer to it daily without needing to search for it. If you’re like me, you will need reminders without the extra task of referring to a notepad for everyday tasks. When tidying up your wardrobe or drawers, it is a good idea to empty them of all the clothes and start fresh. Fold the clothes neatly and assign specific drawers to different types of clothing. Such as the first one for underwear and socks, and the second for tops (and so on). This allows you to ensure they’re all neat and makes it easier to find what you need. Tidying under your bed can be a big issue, too, so I suggest making sections under your bed based on how you need items throughout the week. Place items you don’t need often at the back, while things you use frequently should go at the front in storage boxes. That way, you can slide these out easily and place them back neatly, which in turn keeps your belongings organised without the need to sort them out regularly. Here are a few quick tips to help you tidy:
Making the bed is the one task that makes my room look tidier. It takes about 30 seconds to make your bed in the morning, and it’s also more comfortable to come back to when you’re ready for bed (for me, it makes it seem more comfy). If you go and make your bed right now, you’ll notice your room will look tidier. Another good reason to make your bed BEFORE tidying the rest of the room is motivation (stay with me on this one). Take everything from the floor and anything untidy on top of my drawers and place it on my bed. If you don’t organise everything you’ve put on your bed, you can’t go to bed later, and there is no opportunity to lounge on the bed while tidying. Don’t just throw it all back onto the floor when you want to sleep because you will be in the same situation as before attempting to tidy. I only say this because I have been guilty of doing so, and you’ll only have to do the tidying the next day. Daily cleaning shouldn’t take any more than 5 minutes. Make sure you tidy before cleaning, this will make cleaning your desk, windowsill and other surfaces easier. Use a microfibre cloth and some multipurpose spray to wipe down the surfaces, but be sure to ask or do some research on which spray is best for different surfaces in your room (if you have wooden furniture, you shouldn’t use multipurpose spray as it can damage the wood and clean ineffectively). Hoovering your floor is good to do every few days, but doing it daily is preferable to keep your floor in good condition. If you have a wood floor, you may also want to mop and disinfect to keep your room free of bacteria and germs. By Jazz Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) affects, on average, 1 in 10 people.
That’s an insanely high number when you think about it and yet, there isn’t a lot of awareness or support for people that have the illness. It’s extremely difficult to get a diagnosis (on average, about a year) and once you have the diagnosis, getting treatment is a whole other battle in itself. PCOS throws all kinds of challenges at everyday life; constant pain, excess body hair, problems with weight and infertility. That’s only the physical side of things too - studies have found that people who suffer from it are also more likely to be diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety and depression. Having a brief understanding of it is quite literally the tip of the iceberg and as someone who was diagnosed with it a little under three years ago, I’m still learning about it everyday through my own research, but especially my own experiences. Understanding the symptoms was the first step for me. Some of them seem very random, and completely unrelated to each other, but it’s important to be aware of them. Of course, these differ from person to person - some might show all of these, and some people might show none at all - but on a general level, these are the most common ones:
I first went to the doctors for irregular periods. I’d always had painful ones - missing a lot of school, uni and work because of them, and struggling to even move from bed some days - but I wrote this off as normal. That’s the one thing I suggest not doing. I cannot stress that it is literally not normal to have periods so painful that they incapacitate you. That’s something people don’t talk about enough! I learnt that the hard way, and the doctor was surprised that I’d waited so long to get help. My periods became more irregular when I was around 18, although they hadn’t been very reliable before that. I was a little confused about some of the questions they were asking me - especially regarding excess weight in my lower stomach and extra body hair. I just remember thinking how do they know? Retrospectively, if I had just Googled all these things then I probably could have been diagnosed a few years earlier but maybe I can blame that on the lack of awareness. This was in early 2021, still at the height of the pandemic, so a lot of my appointments were video calls and over the phone. It was a strange process but I went through almost all the usual stages that someone would have done in “normal” times:
I didn’t have an ultrasound in my case, because my blood/hormone tests and presence of physical symptoms were enough criteria for a diagnosis. On the whole, it took about 14 months for all this, though the estimate for diagnosis will have gone down since the pandemic is over. Because I’m so young, no major courses of treatment were recommended. In fact, they could not have given me more general advice: eat healthy, do exercise and drink less. Basically the three things that are recommended by every health magazine, doctor and lifestyle influencer ever. I learnt my own ways of coping over the last three years. I’m lucky that in my case, my symptoms are usually only really bad when I’m on my period but there is stuff I do 24/7 to alleviate them too. One of the best things I’ve done is go on the mini pill (A.K.A the progesterone only pill); this doesn’t necessarily change my periods, but it does regulate them. This means I can plan ahead for when I know my period is due and can at least be prepared for the pain. I also got prescription painkillers that are a little stronger than over the counter medicine; my doctor specifically gave me mefenamic acid and it’s been the only thing that’s done a little more than just taking the edge off my pains. I do try to exercise and eat well, but I’m only human. I get lazy and I like takeaways and annoyingly, these especially apply when I’m on my period, but I would rather give into my cravings than force myself to the gym or to eat greens when I don’t want to. I’m still learning how to manage the symptoms and I’m seeking treatment that’s a little longer term, like having my cysts taken out via medical procedure and hopefully getting new medication. Long story short, you can live a normal life with PCOS. It is occasionally a little painful and annoying, but the main thing is to speak to someone about it. Suffering in silence because you think your horribly painful periods are normal will only make them worse in the long run. By Tabitha I always find myself wanting to do more. I never think it's enough. Everyone around me is doing so well, why aren't I? I challenge myself with new activities, jobs and subjects to learn every day so I can be experienced in as many things as possible but then I start to compare myself against those who are doing so well at everything that they are versatile at. What is it that I need to do to get to their level?
Hustle culture is the idea of overworking to the point it becomes a lifestyle. They romanticise no breaks, always finding a way to be productive and make money. Each day you’re exerting yourself and having no time for personal breaks. This is often seen on a lot of “motivational” reels or TikToks that you must always find yourself having to do something productive or you’re not progressing at all. It makes those who decide to have a break or time for themselves look bad, and those who are constantly reading, finding another way to make money or working as the ideal person. I live through hustle culture on a regular basis. At my age, I've seen so many successful people and businesses that ultimately encourage me but sometimes I overdo it. Currently, I work three different jobs, do an internship, volunteer, self-study, and have my own business. As much as it sounds amazing that I am able to do these many things, the truth is, I am struggling to keep up with everything that I’m doing. In my gap year, I wanted to maximise my potential and improve myself as much as possible with as many experiences as I could. Therefore, I outlined what was important to me and where to focus my time. I told myself that I wanted to get an internship to keep me focused on finishing my degree, experience within production design as that was the career path I wanted to follow, and continue to self-study so I could keep my skills and knowledge up for when I return back to university, have a sustainable source of income and focus on my business. I saw that it was a lot but I was confident that I could achieve all these things in my gap year. However, I got so obsessed with getting all these opportunities that I was afraid I would never get them again, so I just continued to add more to my plate to the point I would have constant breakdowns or struggle to get things done in time. Hustle culture never looks at the struggles you face while getting to where you want to be. Only the benefits you reap. This lifestyle isn't for everyone. It leads to breakdowns, encourages the quantity over quality mindset and makes young people believe that just hard work will equal success. There's nothing wrong with wanting to take on multiple roles, activities or even hobbies. However, if you do, you must remember to take time for yourself, focusing on your mental and physical health. Make sure you always incorporate some type of wind downtime so you don't get caught up in the chaos of overloading yourself. If work or school is demanding a lot from you, try to prioritise each task and let them know that you may not be able to complete it to your best quality or you may need more time. If you're struggling, ask for help. There is nothing wrong with asking for help when you need it. Don't suffer on your own. Here are my three tips for surviving hustle culture:
Although I am still caught up in the hustle culture mindset, I'm working on better organising my time and prioritising my jobs so that I can have time to rest and focus on my mental health. I’ve actually managed to do everything that I sought to do in my gap year and I’m learning how to balance it. Some people thrive in high-stress situations where they are put under a lot of pressure from all the work they undertake, and others find it difficult to juggle. Find the perfect work/life balance for you. You don't need social media to validate whether what you're doing is enough. Just take it at your own pace and challenge yourself when you feel ready. By Lauren C The standard way of thinking about fitness is that being classified as “fit” means you work out regularly and most likely look a certain way. Although I should know better by now, I cannot help thinking that fitness has a certain image to it. I dread saying I’m into fitness in fear of someone scanning their eyes up and down my body and doubting my statement. However, after gradual realizations, I’ve come to the terms with the word “fitness.”
I have always been a deep thinker and I continually question core beliefs I have about anything and everything. Why do I have this image of what fitness is? What does the word “fitness” even mean? Google says: “the condition of being physically fit and healthy.” What is considered physically fit? What factors determine if someone is healthy? There are no universal standards or qualifications to make someone “fit.” The term is an abstract idea that is relative. Google also says fitness is “the quality of being suitable to fulfill a particular role or task.” A marathon runner is fit; they have mastered how to run a marathon and can perform that task. An Olympic weightlifter is not fit at running marathons--does this mean they are not fit? Of course not. If you have a job, you were chosen for that position because your employer believed you were the right person to take on those tasks. You are fit in regards to your job requirements. Fitness applies to everyone. Hopefully I have demystified the term “fitness” and made it less intimidating. Now that I have established the concept as subjective and not a universal condition, let’s talk about physical fitness. Physical fitness is just as relative as the term fitness. There are no requirements or standards for what makes someone fit. Someone who runs 2 miles a week or someone who does yoga every day or someone who is an Olympian are all physically fit. It all depends on the person and their circumstances; fitness is unique to everyone. Going to the gym may seem like the only way to “get fit.” This is a belief that many people hold--I used to be one of them as well. There are so many options to be physical and move your body that it is unfair to squeeze fitness into one small box. There is weightlifting, tai chi, martial arts, running, cycling, walking, stretching, HIIT, strength training, yoga, balance training, plyometrics, gymnastics, dance, etc. The limits are endless and there is something for everyone. Do not force yourself to do something you do not like, there are so many options that you are bound to find something you’ll love. The goal is movement. Any kind of movement can be medicine for the body and the mind if done correctly. You should look forward to your fitness. It should be a break from your day and allow you to focus on you, and just you. Whether you are big, small, able, disabled, light, dark, tall, short, old, young, or anything in between, fitness is for you. Fitness is for everyone. |
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Teenagers With Experience is an online organisation created to provide teenagers worldwide with an online platform to share their own experiences to be able to help, inform and educate others on a variety of different topics. We aim to provide a safe space to all young people.
Please note that the content on this website is created by teenagers. While we strive to provide accurate and helpful information, it is important to remember that we are not professional experts. If you are experiencing a crisis or need professional advice, please reach out to a qualified mental health professional or a helpline. |