Teen Brain
Don't blame it all on the hormones!
Scientists have discovered that we, as teens, go through a crucial stage of brain development in our teens. But during this time, it's a bit like we're all accelerator and no brake, and in a world full of temptations, fast cars and gangs, this can sometimes get us into trouble. Believe me, its easier to be slightly cautious than to have to mend a broken life. Looking after ourselves during these years therefore becomes crucial. The focus during this time, needs to be on growing up, not trying to be grown up. If we look at each problem that comes our way, and see it as an opportunity for growth, and deal with it as best we can, we develop skills that are realy awesome later in life. Sometimes we won't have all the answers, and that's OK, because being able to ask for help when we need it is part of our growth. Remember, asking for help does not mean you're weak. If we protect ourselves, and our brain, we might get an opportunity to use it for something really exciting later...
"In proportion to our body mass, our brain is three times as large as that of our nearest relatives. This huge organ is dangerous and painful to give birth to, expensive to build and, in a resting human, uses about 20 per cent of the body's energy even though it is just 2 per cent of the body's weight. There must be some reason for all this evolutionary expense." Susan Blakemore (from "Meme, Myself, I", New Scientist, March 13, 1999)