Your Amazing Brain

FACT! “The adolescent brain is very, very sensitive to feedback and input from other people, especially peers,” says Jennifer Silk, Ph.D. She’s a professor who studies brain development. That’s why it’s really important to notice if friends are making you feel bad about yourself or encouraging you to do things that are harmful or dangerous. But peer pressure isn’t always negative. There’s actually such a thing as positive peer pressure. If you surround yourself with friends and role models who share your goals, you can get a ton of motivation and support from their positive influence. 

Brain Boost Tip: To make peer pressure work for you, buddy up with a friend who inspires you when you’re working on a project or goal. 

MYTH! The truth is, there’s no one age or moment when your brain is suddenly an “adult” brain. Research does suggest that your prefrontal cortex matures a lot between your teens and sometime in your 20s, so a 30-year-old might have better planning skills and emotional control than a 14-year-old. But there’s not one specific age when the brain finishes developing. 

Brain Boost Tip: Instead of wishing you were older, appreciate your brain for what it can do right now. You might keep a journal to see how your interests and concerns change over time. 

FACT! You can set yourself up for success as an adult by teaching your brain good habits now. And if you take advantage of your capacity for positive risk-taking by trying new things, you'll reap the benefits for the rest of your life. “The adolescent brain can be changed by new experiences,” says Silk. “So teens really can strengthen their brains in a way that adults can’t.” 

Brain Boost Tip: Right now is a great time to pick up new hobbies—and also to start brain-friendly habits like eating well and getting plenty of sleep.

FACT! Studies suggest that the teenage brain is more likely to make you take risks and act before thinking through all the possible consequences. The upside of this is that you’re open to new experiences that can broaden your horizons. For example, you might be up for trying a new sport or talking to someone who has different political beliefs from you. The downside is that you might make bad choices because you haven’t thought them through, so consider the consequences of your decisions before taking a risk. 

Brain Boost Tip: Hit the “pause” button before making a decision. Is it safe? Will you feel good about it in the future? If not, it’s probably a bad choice. 

MYTH! It’s true that teens tend to feel things deeply—and that sometimes these feelings can be bigger than you might like. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything about them. The key is to learn to recognize when you’re feeling out of control and understand what those big feelings are trying to tell you. Are you angry? Scared? Sad? A combination of all three? Once you’ve figured out what you’re feeling, take a minute to calm down before you act on your emotions. 

Brain Boost Tip: Taking a few deep breaths, counting slowly to 10, or going for a walk around the block can give your brain a chance to cool down from big feelings. It will also give you time to make a good decision about how to handle whatever's bothering you.