Category: Youth

Pets: Children’s Saving Grace Both During & After COVID-19

“The researchers found that parents in dog-owning families were 30 percent less likely to report conduct and peer problems with their toddlers in comparison to families that don’t own dogs.”~ Concerned About Your Kid’s Social Development? Getting a Dog Can Help

“Researchers evaluated 643 children for signs of anxiety. They found that only 12 percent of kids who have dogs met the clinical criteria that would prompt health care professionals to further screen for anxiety… Being with dogs can lower levels of cortisol (which is associated with stress), decrease blood pressure and heart rate, and increase levels of oxytocin (which is associated with social bonding).”~ Kids, Dogs and Mental Health: Do dogs prevent anxiety?

“Whether your friend is feathered, furry or scaled, pets can have a significant impact on our lives and our mental health. Studies have shown that having pets leads to a number of mental health benefits, such as decreased anxiety and depression, improved self-esteem and creating a sense of purpose.”~ Pets and Mental Health: How Furry Friends Can Impact Your Child’s Life

The Therapeutic Connection Between Pets, People, & COVID-19

Why do I begin with articles preaching the connection between pets and children’s mental and emotional well-being,

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5 natural ways to sleep better

Researchers recently published an article in International Journal of Science and Research that recommended these 5 natural ways for dealing with sleep disorders.

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Screen Time: A Child’s Teacher or Nemesis?

Is screen time, which is the time spent in front of a digital screen such as TV, video game players, handheld digital devices and computers, a babysitter for your children or the occasional entertainment or educational tool? Answer this question honestly because if your answer is the former, babysitter, your children are at risk of becoming obese, experiencing sleep issues, and of developing depression, anxiety, and attention problems.

Video Game Screen Time

According to The Center for Parenting Education,

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Negative Body Images: We are Failing Our Youth

Allure asked girls, ages 6 to 18, to talk about body image. Here are a few of their disheartening reflections:

“Honestly, I just don’t really feel comfortable in my own skin sometimes.” She goes on to mention her height and facial structure upsets her and since she can’t change those things, she avoids mirrors. ~ Mia, 11

“I know a term nowadays is slim-thick. So even if some parts of you are slim, other parts of you have to be full.” She shares that the perfectly balanced body,

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Gummy Vitamins: Less Yabba Dabba Doo, More Yabba Dabba Don’t

“I do not recommend gummy vitamins.”

The moment my children’s dentist said this my mind raced to the container of Flintstones gummy vitamins sitting in my kitchen cabinet, now feeling more like contraband than an amazing start to my children’s day. Although it occurred to me over the years that the gummy vitamins clearly resembled sugary fruit snacks, I gave them to my children diligently every morning because I believe in the power of vitamins and didn’t question the mighty moneymaking machine that is the gummy vitamin train.

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Teens, Stress, & Anxiety – Turning a Mess into a Masterpiece

Their cries are silent but visible.

According to a 2017 National Institute of Mental Health report, an anxiety disorder is present in 38% of female teens and 26.1% of male teens. Experienced infrequently, anxiety is a normal response to stress. The concern arises when feelings of anxiety occur more often than not throughout a six-month period. Psychologists refer to this as chronic stress. The constant presence of anxiety in teens alters the emotional and physical framework in which they previously thrived. Anxiety affects teens emotionally (irritability,

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Lifestyle Strategies to Help Youth with Anxiety

Being a teenager means experiencing a wide range of physical, emotional and social changes, which can often make them vulnerable to anxiety. If you have a teen in your life who has experienced anxiety, you know how hard it can be to help them.

It is useful to acknowledge that anxiety is a perfectly normal reaction to stress. 

Anxiety lets us know when we’re in danger, or when something important is happening so we can perform at our best. It can help youth deal with overwhelming situations like exams,

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Helping Teens Be Kind to Themselves

Shame is seen as a dark emotion, much like grief and anger. It makes you feel inferior, unworthy and not good enough. The society we live in is a pressure cooker for breeding shame in our youth.

Brené Brown’s work shows shame is highly correlated with addiction, depression, eating disorders, violence, suicide, bullying and aggression. It shows itself when we close off from others and distance ourselves through a sense of not belonging.

Have you ever taken the time to think about the definition of shame?

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