Fatigue, lack of momentum, low motivation… Among adolescents, this cocktail is common and often misinterpreted. Doctor Jimmy Mohamed offers a concrete approach to reverse the trend.
The subject comes up regularly in families and in medical offices: why do so many adolescents seem to hang around, put off, drop out? Behind what we quickly call “laziness”, there are very real biological mechanisms, but also lifestyle habits which play a determining role. Guest on RTL, Jimmy Mohamed took the time to dissect these factors and propose accessible levers.
He first emphasizes a point that is often underestimated: the functioning of the brain at this age. “We understand that an adolescent’s brain is a little out of sync. In fact, they have their biological clock that shifts. When we ask them to wake up at 7 a.m., they are not at all refreshed, you have to leave them alone. It’s as if you, at 3 a.m., I said to you: come on, wake up. You have to accept that in the morning, they struggle to emerge. They need 8 to 10 hours of sleep.”
Beyond sleep, the environment and daily habits also influence energy and motivation. Physical activity, for example, acts as a powerful lever, provided it is not presented as an isolated constraint. “We need to make them do physical activity, 30 minutes to 60 minutes every day”recommends the expert. “It increases dopamine, it increases serotonin, it improves concentration and it reduces stress.” However, he specifies: “You have to do it with him or offer to play with friends. As soon as there is interaction, they manage to motivate themselves. If we tell them, go play outside, no, it’s up to us, parents, to play with the children as well.” The idea is not only to move, but to recreate connections and pleasure around this activity.
Finally, diet comes into play. Nutritional needs during adolescence are specific, and imbalances can quickly result in fatigue or a drop in concentration. “They need protein, so we need to offer them eggs. They need fiber to have stable energy and a sugar level that does not vary. And then good fat, good lipids with omega-3. We also need to offer them fatty fish.” he advises. Thus, by rebalancing sleep, reintroducing movement in a social setting and adapting diet, Jimmy Mohamed describes a dynamic capable of gradually reviving desire and energy in adolescents. He insists: “I promise you that all of a sudden, the motivation of teenagers will start again.”
Note that there are some tips to encourage teenagers to respect this healthy lifestyle, without it turning into conflict. For example, move bedtime forward in 15-minute increments and set a cut-off time for screens. For physical activity, suggest a specific time slot during the week with a friend or family and let them choose the activity. As for food, prepare quick options like eggs, fruit or yogurt in advance and finally, keep meal times fairly stable.
