Inspired Kids, Healthy Choices

Bob Berry, founder of Youth Life Excellence Virtual Academy and developer of the Life Skills Program, says teens with vision, purpose, skills, resources and support will overcome many obstacles and open many doors. More importantly, they will pause their natural inclination to follow their impulses and instead consider longer-term alternatives.

“By learning how to operate from core values, young people build the confidence to say no to the wrong temptations and say yes to the ‘better angels of [their] nature.’ ” he explains. “And they build the wisdom to know the difference. With that core foundation, they’ll better resist peer pressure, harmful social influences, and their own teenage impulses.”

In addition, having purpose not only helps teens make better decisions and healthy choices, studies have suggested it helps people live a longer and healthier life.

A 2014 study published in “Psychological Science” explored whether the positive health effects of having a purpose in life affected young adults. While participants in the study ranged in age from 20 to 75, researchers found that maintaining a strong purpose can be as important to young adults as it is to older people.

“These findings suggest the importance of establishing a direction for life as early as possible,” researchers Patrick Hill and Nicholas Turiano wrote. “Likewise, research has demonstrated that increasing goal commitment during college can have effects on well-being into middle adulthood.”

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