Building healthy habits

NEW EXPERIENCES: EXPERT ADVICE FOR YOUR TEENAGER TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE IN 2025

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» 'This is a time for growth and wonderful learning.'

The teenage years can be challenging as young people navigate new experiences, an increased workload, and hormonal changes in a short space of time.

This is also an impressionable time where bad habits can be picked up, or good habits enforced with the right guidance.

Mbali Mapholi, Laager Rooibos partner dietitian, has shared insight into helping teens build healthy habits in 2025.

"After spending a full year as a mom to a teenage boy, I've come to realise raising a teen is a mix of challenges, growth, and wonderful learning moments," says Mapholi.

"The start of a new year brings fresh opportunities, and it's the perfect time to help your teen adopt healthy habits. As parents, we play a crucial role in guiding them towards routines that not only improve their well-being in the moment, but set the stage for a healthy future."

Mbali's top tips for building healthy habits with Teens:

Start with achievable goals

Teens thrive when they feel a sense of control and accomplishment. They need to understand it's about progress not perfection. Rather than overwhelming them with big, abstract resolutions, work with your teen to set realistic, actionable goals. These could include: