Girls show many changes in their bodies, emotions, friendships and the way they relate to the world during their pre-adolescence period, from nine to 13 years old. Develop a good daily routine to deal with the changes and keep yourself happy and healthy.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Starting the day
Step 1. Rest well at night
In pre-adolescence, you need 10 to 12 hours of sleep every day. The exact amount varies from person to person; to know if you've had enough sleep, you should wake up feeling rested. If someone needs to wake you up or you're still sleepy, you probably haven't gotten enough sleep.
- If you need to wake up at 6:00 to go to school, sleep no later than 20:00 the day before. As much as your friends stay up late, sleep is important for brain growth and development. Sleep well!
- As tempting as it is to get more sleep on weekends, keep to a consistent sleep routine!
Step 2. Go to the bathroom
As obvious as it is, it's important to empty your bladder when you wake up. Holding urine for too long can cause a very painful infection.
Clean yourself well, from front to back. Cleaning yourself from the back to the front can bring germs from the anus into the vagina and cause an infection
Step 3. Wash your face
In childhood this is not necessary, but when approaching adolescence a good facial cleansing helps to control excess oil on the skin. The sebum formed by the body can make the face shiny and increase the development of acne. This is a normal part of puberty, mainly due to hormonal changes, but it's important to incorporate facial care into your daily routine.
- Use a neutral facial cleanser. Get rid of acne and pimples using a product that contains benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.
- Apply a 30 sunscreen moisturizer to protect your skin from the sun and replenish lost moisture during face cleansing.
Step 4. Apply deodorant
As we grow older, hormonal changes increase sweating and the odor that comes from it. If the smell bothers you, apply a deodorant to disguise it or an antiperspirant to control underarm perspiration.
Start with a neutral, natural deodorant designed for teenagers. If the product does not provide the necessary protection, try an antiperspirant
Step 5. Get dressed
Follow the school's dress code to the letter. If there is no code, just wear clean clothes that reflect your personality.
- During preteen years, there's a pressure to dress like your friends or older girls: wear what makes you happy and makes you comfortable, without worrying too much about others.
- If a friend pressures you to dress or act in a certain way, she is not a good friend. Peer pressure is not at all helpful. Real friends will love you just the way you are.
Step 6. Comb your hair however you like
Use it smooth, curly, curly, etc. The important thing is to feel good and confident with your chosen hairstyle. Well-being will radiate from you and everyone will feel it.
Step 7. Decide whether or not to apply makeup
It's common to start experimenting with makeup at this age, but don't feel obligated to do it if you don't want to or don't have time. Wear makeup only when you want.
- Talk to your parents before using makeup. Many prefer that their daughters reach a certain age before using makeup, with some parents banning their use to school.
- If you're allowed to wear makeup, go slowly. Learn how to apply makeup to make it look natural, but be aware that it takes time. Start small, for example: using just a lip gloss. After a few weeks, use an eye shadow to tone your skin and with a little shine.
- It is not necessary to fill the face with makeup, because the excess of foundation and concealer will clog the pores and can cause wounds.
Step 8. Have a healthy breakfast
Get your day off to a good start by eating properly to improve concentration at school and stay energized until lunchtime.
A healthy breakfast should have protein, whole grains and fruits. Try a yogurt with granola and fresh fruit or a whole grain cereal with milk
Step 9. Brush your teeth
Food leftovers and plaque will stay in your mouth and can cause bad breath if you don't brush your teeth well. In addition, brushing reduces the risk of cavities and keeps teeth fresh and shiny.
Even though you still have some baby teeth, most of your teeth should already be permanent. Take good care of them to avoid cavities and other worse problems. Use a fluoride paste and a soft bristle brush. Brush your teeth for about three minutes, reaching all surfaces
Step 10. Go to school
Don't forget your lunch and your backpack! Wake up early to have time to get ready without having to run. Start the day with positive thoughts.
Having a positive outlook and expecting good things during the day can increase the chances that you will have a really good day
Part 2 of 4: Keeping a Good School Routine
Step 1. Be on time
Get used to being a good student while you're still young. Maintain good study habits and participate in classes.
Arriving on time and well equipped (not to mention books, school supplies, homework, etc.) requires discipline. Teachers recognize students who strive to be present and participate
Step 2. Eat something healthy
Some schools have several options for the break while others only have one. If you have to bring food from home, choose something that will keep you energized for the rest of the day.
Include the five food groups: fruits, vegetables, proteins, whole grains and dairy products. Don't forget about the water
Step 3. Go to the bathroom
As much as you don't have much time for the bathroom during school hours, empty your bladder (and bowel, if you need to) every four hours.
Remember that not going to the bathroom often can cause infections or "accidents." Plan a visit to the restroom at least once during class
Step 4. Make good friends
Fights between friends are very common during pre-teens, but it's important to filter and strengthen friendships with people who don't bully or pressure you to do things you don't want to.
Growth causes changes, including changes in personality and interests. It's common for early childhood friendships to no longer last. Instead of fighting or gossiping, find new friends that are more compatible with you
Part 3 of 4: Ending the day
Step 1. Do your homework
It's common for lessons to start getting harder and longer as time goes on. You may need to ask for help, whether from a parent or older brother.
- Find a quiet environment to do your homework after school. Go to your bedroom, a home office, or even a public library if your home is too noisy and it interferes with concentration.
- Use a calendar to schedule lessons and deadlines. Start developing organizational skills now and it will be easier to study in the future as the lessons will only get more complex.
Step 2. Practice physical activities
Set aside an hour of the day to get moving, as exercise is good for your health and stress. This is even more important if you don't have physical education hands-on classes.
Practice at least an hour of physical activity a day, choosing what's best for you: swimming, dancing, cycling, running or playing tag in the backyard
Step 3. Dine
Nourish your body with a variety of foods at every meal. Dinner is usually the biggest meal of the day, so fill it up with healthy foods.
- The world's nutritionists have reached a consensus on what a healthy meal is. Half of the dish should consist of fruits and vegetables; the other half, for grains and proteins. As a complement, have a glass of milk or a portion of cheese or yogurt.
- Avoid sodas and other sugary drinks. Milk and water are more than sufficient for nutrition and contain no additives and sugars. Keep an eye out for salt, too! Many people consume it to excess, which is not good for the heart.
- There's no need to stress out with calories at such a young age, but remember that eating too much (or too little) won't give the body the necessary amount of energy.
- Help prepare dinner. You are old enough to learn the basics of cooking, which is an important life skill. In addition to learning, you will spend more time with your parents! If your family usually dines on the same dishes during the week, choose a few and offer to help with the preparation.
Step 4. Take a shower
As we grow older, our bodies start to produce more oils and sweat, which causes a strong odor. Bacteria love perspiration and oiliness; you need to shower daily to get rid of them! Also, after physical activities, take a shower as soon as possible.
Wash your face, especially if you have oily skin or after an activity with a high level of sweating. Don't forget to always remove your makeup before bed
Step 5. Go to bed at an appropriate time
The next morning, wake up at the same time as usual and repeat the routine.
As you get used to the routine, some areas will need to be reorganized according to family life. There's no problem with that, as long as you can keep yourself healthy, clean, and happy
Part 4 of 4: Dealing with menstruation
Step 1. Learn more about menstruation
It is a natural part of the female body that begins in pre-adolescence. Although natural, it can take a while for you to get used to incorporating menstrual hygiene into your daily routine.
- Menstruation usually starts at age 12, but it can come sooner or later. Don't worry if you're the first - or the last - of your friends to menstruate. Some signs that your period is approaching include: breast enlargement (when you start to need bras), appearance of pubic and underarm hair. Menstruation usually appears after a few months of the first signs.
- Menstruation usually occurs once a month and lasts between three and seven days. In the beginning, it should be quite irregular, disappearing for a few months or appearing more than once in the same month. The situation will regularize over time.
Step 2. Plan Yourself
When menstruation occurs, you will need to use an absorbent pad so as not to stain underwear, pants and places where you sit. Change the pad frequently to prevent leakage and keep it fresh. Some girls prefer tampons, inserted into the vagina.
- The first day of menstruation is usually heavier, followed by "lighter" days. You can menstruate a lot or a little; in some cases there is only an "escape", small drops of blood. The amount of menstrual blood is usually known by the term "flow".
- The frequency of changing the absorbent is highly dependent on the flow. Some people feel more comfortable replacing the pad every two hours. Start like this and make changes as needed (according to your flow).
- You may not be ready for your first period. If it happens at school and you don't have a pad, talk to a nurse or teacher. If you prefer prevention, talk to your mother now to have a tampon close at all times.
Step 3. Maintain hygiene
Take good care of your cleanliness during menstruation. Menstrual blood does not have a recognizable odor, but if it is not clean it can dry out on the skin and give off a putrid odor.
- In addition to changing the pad from time to time, take daily showers.
- Use a mild soap to clean the vulva. There is no need to clean the inside of the vagina (in fact, doing so can cause infections! Rinse the area thoroughly!).
Step 4. Prepare for emotional and physical side effects
Menstruation usually has a variety of symptoms, even in very young girls. Don't be surprised to feel:
- Emotional changes, including mood swings and the urge to cry.
- Tiredness.
- Cramps, nausea and headaches.
- Talk to a doctor if any of the symptoms bother you too much. It may be possible to control the problem with some medication.