Hi, Sam here. Welcome to Radio Headspace and to Tuesday.

So let's start with a question. What comes to mind when you think about your own adolescence?

Did you enjoy your time in high school or is there not enough money in the whole world

that would make you relive it? What's your relationship to teenagers now?

I can say that as I get older, I often find it harder to relate to the teens in my life.

In my early 20s, I enjoyed working with teens and I could connect easily, but it's harder

to connect now because I just wish they would enjoy life outside their phones more often.

In the midst of this frustration and confusion surrounding some teen behavior, I find it

helpful to reconnect with some of the pleasant, albeit intense experiences of being an adolescent.

This can help us to explore some of the opportunities that this period offers to us as adults.

Thinking about those moments can teach us a lot about ourselves and the teens in our lives.

Dr. Dan Siegel has written many books on human development, one of which focuses on the

adolescent brain. In his book BrainStorm, he outlines the major neurological, behavioral,

and emotional changes at play during adolescence, and he offers ways in which we can relate to

this period more positively. So how can we turn toward and embrace the changes of adolescence?

How can we be more available for and attune to our teen friends and family members?

First, a little background on what's going on within this turbulent adolescent brain.

Adolescence is a time when the brain is under construction, specifically the prefrontal cortex,

which is responsible for executive functioning. Executive functioning includes our ability

to control our impulses, make thoughtful decisions, plan, manage our time effectively,

and organize. So they're pretty important adulting skills.

The adolescent brain is also more sensitive to dopamine, making the highs and lows of life

...