Adolescence is a critical time for developing behaviors important for mental well-being, especially because of how vulnerable this period is for teenagers.
Activity is proven to be a great and easy outlet for stress, especially because there are many ways to incorporate movement into everyday life. One of the easiest and cheapest ways to incorporate physical activity is through Planet Fitness’s free summer program.
Planet Fitness offers a free summer membership for high school students ages 14 to 19, starting June 1 and ending August 31. The incentive aims to promote teen mental and physical wellbeing cheaply, as summer especially brings a fitness slump for students.
The U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines recommend that youth ages six to 17 spend at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity per day to improve both physical and mental health. Some mental health benefits include prevention of depression and anxiety, as well as ADHD and substance use disorders.
Several studies prove exercise improves internalizing and externalizing symptoms in teens already diagnosed with depression and anxiety. Physical activity acts as both a preventative measure and an antidote for mental health issues.
Research shows only about one-in-four High School students get the daily recommended amount of exercise. Because teenagers’ bodies are still growing, exercise helps them “build strong bones, improve sleep, increase muscle strength, maintain a healthy weight and much more,” says Dr. Gourdin of Permanente Sports Medicine.
Planet Fitness’s program is more than just fitness; it’s an opportunity for high schoolers to get help with the emotional ups and downs of being a teenager. To register, go to the Planet Fitness website and fill out the form.
