As summer holidays begin and school schedules wind down, a growing body of research underscores a critical link between regular exercise and the mental well-being of teenagers. A new nationwide survey conducted by Planet Fitness in the United States, highlighted by Parents.com, reveals that an overwhelming 90% of teens say exercise makes them feel happy—yet half also admit their physical activity drops sharply during the summer break. For Thai families, where rising concerns about youth mental health mirror global patterns, these findings renew urgent questions about how to maintain teenagers’ motivation for healthy movement year-round.
This story matters deeply in Thailand, where lifestyle shifts and technological trends are shaping teen habits in unprecedented ways. Data from the Ministry of Public Health and UNICEF Thailand have previously tracked increases in sedentary behavior and screen time, while a recent ASICS State of Mind Study notes adolescents active at 15–17 reported significantly higher well-being as adults. As the pressures of academic performance meet the distractions of digital life, parents and educators are grappling with how to motivate youth to move—especially when school-based sport programs pause over the holidays.
In the Planet Fitness survey of 1,000 parents and their children aged 14-19, 66% of parents expressed concern about their teens’ well-being and stress, with 72% believing regular exercise can improve mental wellness. Most striking: while 90% of teens connected exercise with feeling happy, and over 93% said regular activity helps them cope with challenges, three in five admitted their stress and anxiety have worsened with age, and over half said their fitness levels fall during summer vacation. Complicating matters, 81% of teens reported spending significant portions of their day on screens and social media—despite an awareness that less screen time would be healthier.
Medical experts emphasize why these trends are so consequential. “Adolescents face rapid physiological and psychological changes, irregular sleep, junk food temptations, and, increasingly, negative online influences,” explains a family medicine specialist interviewed for the article. “Exercise is a powerful tool to counter these pressures, helping with mood regulation and reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.” A Thai psychiatrist from Chulalongkorn University further notes that regular physical activity boosts not just happiness, but also sleep quality and cognitive function, echoing the findings of international meta-analyses published in reputable journals like the Journal of Affective Disorders.
Thai teens are hardly exempt from these dynamics. The 2022 Thailand National Report Card on Physical Activity found that among 6.6 million children aged 6–17, participation in regular physical activity has declined, especially since the Covid-19 pandemic – a trend summarized by researchers at PMC. Social and environmental barriers persist in many communities. Some teenagers lose access to sport facilities during school breaks, while families face financial or logistical hurdles. As an adolescent medicine physician from a local hospital observes, “Even in Bangkok or Chiang Mai, not every child can reach a gym or afford extra classes during the summer. Safe, accessible spaces for physical activity remain uneven across the country.”
Cultural attitudes also play a role. While traditional games like sepak takraw or Muay Thai sparring sessions drew children outdoors before smartphones rose to prominence, digital entertainment now increasingly dominates. At the same time, many Thai families place high value on formal education, sometimes prioritizing academic tutoring over extracurricular sport during breaks. “Physical activity can mistakenly be seen as a distraction from studies, rather than a support for brain development and emotional resilience,” notes an educational psychologist from Mahidol University.
International scientific research widely supports the mental health benefits of exercise for adolescents. According to a 2025 meta-analysis in PubMed, aerobic exercise not only relieves depressive symptoms in youth but does so with an optimal “dose”—for example, three to five sessions per week of 30–40 minutes (see: “Optimal dose of aerobic exercise for reducing depressive symptoms in children and adolescents”). Another 2025 study found exercise frequency moderates depression risk, especially for children facing family or migration-related stressors (“The influence of left-behind experiences on depression in single-parent adolescents”). Wikipedia’s entry on “Physical exercise and mental health in adolescents” explains how regular movement boosts neuroplasticity, cognitive control, memory, and stress resilience—not only for children but across the lifespan.
Yet motivation remains a summer casualty. Fewer structured activities, disrupted routines, and a natural urge to rest after an intense school year draw even active teens towards late nights on YouTube, sleeping until midday, and socializing online. “When after-school sports pause, the structure vanishes,” confirms a Bangkok-based adolescent health specialist. “Without routines, exercise feels like a chore.”
What can Thai families do? Experts from both the Parents.com article and PubMed’s latest evidence agree: parental role modeling and family engagement are crucial. “When parents are visibly active, their children are more likely to value and pursue exercise,” a psychiatrist at Chulalongkorn University stresses. “If you walk, cycle, or play team games as a family, you create shared positive experiences.”
Practical strategies for keeping teens motivated include:
- Connecting physical activity to your teen’s personal interests. Whether it’s dance, badminton, TikTok exercise challenges, or skateboarding at the local park, let teens choose what they enjoy.
- Leveraging community resources. Free or low-cost programs—like the countrywide High School Summer Pass in the U.S., or municipal sports days in Thai provinces—lower barriers.
- Making activity part of daily life. Encourage teens to walk or cycle short errands, help with household chores, or organize spontaneous football matches with neighbors.
- Harnessing technology for good. Fitness apps, tracking devices, and even YouTube workout channels tailored for Thai youth can make exercise social and fun.
- Reinforcing open communication. Discussing the mental and emotional benefits of exercise, rather than just its physical rewards, empowers youth to take the lead on their well-being.
“In Thai culture, family cohesiveness is strong. When parents or relatives join in, or when neighborhood children organize impromptu games, teens are much more likely to participate,” a Bangkok sports science lecturer explains. At the same time, cultural expectations around gender and physical exertion may limit some girls’ willingness to engage in certain activities, underlining the need for inclusive, positive messaging.
Looking ahead, experts warn that inaction risks further declines in youth fitness and mental health. According to the Thai Ministry of Public Health, rates of adolescent depression and anxiety have crept upward in recent years, with inactivity and social isolation highlighted as significant risk factors (Statista). This trend aligns with global patterns—and with the findings of both the Planet Fitness survey and a Powerlifting Technique article that recognize the gym’s pivotal role in supporting teen wellbeing, especially where access exists. The World Health Organization recommends teenagers engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily. Data indicate most Thai teens fall short, with recent studies suggesting only one in four meets these benchmarks (PMC).
Experts urge practical, community-based solutions. Local governments can expand free or low-cost summer sports programs, particularly in urban areas where access to safe green spaces is limited. Schools might provide holiday “activity challenges,” encouraging friendly competition and team spirit beyond academic boundaries. Digital platforms—so central to Thai teens’ lives—could promote movement through creative campaigns, blending K-pop dance, e-sport tournaments with physical components, or online “move and win” contests.
In conclusion, the clear message from research and real-world experience—in Thailand and abroad—is that exercise offers teenagers profound psychological as well as physical benefits. Keeping youth motivated to move during the school holidays is not a luxury: it is a public health and social-emotional necessity. Parents, educators, policymakers, and community leaders have an active role to play. By modeling enthusiasm for movement, removing barriers, and linking activity to the passions of young Thais, we can support the next generation in building lifelong habits for happiness and resilience.
Practical recommendations for Thai parents this summer include: participating in daily movement with your teens, seeking out community sports days or temple fairs that encourage physical activity, limiting recreational screen time after dark, and listening closely to what types of exercise your children enjoy most. For families with limited resources, remember that running, skipping rope, and neighborhood games require little more than time and encouragement. Above all, keep lines of communication open about mental health—and remind your teens that moving their bodies is not just good for their hearts, but a source of joy and strength in navigating the challenges of adolescence.
Sources: Parents.com – 90% of Teens Say Exercise Makes Them Feel Happy | ASICS State of Mind Study Thailand | PMC – Thailand 2022 report card on physical activity | PubMed Meta-analysis: Exercise and Adolescent Depression | Wikipedia – Physical exercise and mental health in adolescents | Statista – Sporty people in Thailand by age 2021