Posts

Almost every day there are reports of cyberbullying in the news. Combine this with the fact that victims of cyberbullying often suffer significant consequences, and it is not surprising that most parents equate social media with something that is bad for kids. And while it is important for parents to instill healthy habits surrounding social media use—including limiting and monitoring time online—it is also important to recognize that social media is not a bad thing....

Melting ice caps. Dying polar bears. Rising sea levels. When it comes to conversations about climate change, these phrases are frightening for young kids to hear. And, while statements about the destructive consequences of climate change are true, recent advice from scientists and child psychologists challenges you as a parent to focus less on harrowing facts and more on what your child can do to help. Ket Takeaways Many kids today are experiencing eco-anxiety about the effects of climate change....

When tweens get their period, they may ask questions about menstrual products and whether or not they should use tampons. While many preteens opt for menstrual pads when they first get their periods, some may prefer to use tampons instead. Some tweens are afraid of using tampons, and if your child is one of them, try not to push the subject. They’ll decide if and when they want to use them....

Don’t let a little rain dampen your outdoor workout. Suit up with a raincoat that works hard to keep you comfortably dry, warm, and ready to move. “Aside from keeping you warm and dry, waterproof outerwear can also keep your performance from suffering,” Michele Canon, NASM, CPT and STRIDE GO XPRO in Pasadena, CA, says. “Soaked clothing, hair, and shoes can certainly be uncomfortable and slow you down during a high-energy workout,” Cannon adds....

Whether you’re on a scheduled tour, using a personal itinerary, or on a stroll in search of the best stores and cafes, walking around a city can bring it to life. However, in order to walk around comfortably, you need to find the right pair of shoes. The best walking shoes for travel are properly fitted, offer ample support, and provide excellent traction and durability. When shopping for walking shoes, you’ll also want to consider their weight and style....

In her memoir “Skywriting,” television journalist Jane Pauley disclosed that she has bipolar disorder. The illness appeared when she was given steroids for a case of hives, she says. The revelation refocused public attention on the relationship between steroids and manic depression. In the portion of her book excerpted in the August 20, 2004 issue of People, Pauley writes that she experienced hypomania following the first administration of steroids for her hives and depression with the second....

What Is Topamax? Topamax (topiramate) is an anticonvulsant medication used to treat epilepsy and migraine headaches. It’s also used off-label to treat a wide range of mood and eating disorders and to aid in substance abuse therapy. Topamax’s mechanism of action is unclear. We do know that the drug blocks sodium channels that deliver electrical impulses to nerve, muscle, brain, and other excitable cells. By doing so, Topamax appears to enhance the activity of a chemical messenger (neurotransmitter) known as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)....

Nursing pads, also called breast pads, are a very useful breastfeeding accessory. Placed into a regular or a nursing bra, they can absorb breast milk from leaking breasts to help prevent embarrassment, and protect your clothing from stains. Leaking Breasts Leaking is more common in the early days of breastfeeding, while the supply of breast milk adjusts to your baby’s needs. You might not experience leaking at all. You might leak for a few weeks, or you might deal with leaking for as long as you breastfeed your baby....

Nervous breakdown is a term that is sometimes used to describe symptoms of intense mental and emotional distress. These feelings make it difficult or even impossible to carry on normal functioning and complete daily tasks. Many misconceptions surround the term “nervous breakdown.” While it is often used to describe periods when normal functioning is disrupted by extreme stress, the term is not considered an actual psychiatric condition or medical diagnosis....

The term “psychopath” is used to describe someone who is callous, unemotional, and morally depraved. Although not an official mental health diagnosis, it is often used in clinical and legal settings. Many psychopathy characteristics overlap with symptoms of antisocial personality disorder, a broader mental health condition used to describe people who chronically act out and break rules. But only a small number of individuals with antisocial personality disorder are considered to be a psychopath....

It’s tough to know how to help during this coronavirus pandemic. You may find that you have more time on your hands right now than ever. You might even be out of work with nothing to do and nowhere to go. Key Takeaways The coronavirus pandemic is leaving millions of people sick, unemployed, and struggling to make ends meet.Thankfully, there are many things you can do to help make a difference in your community from the safety of your home....

Baby-naming themes run the gamut, and one of the popular methods families use is to give everyone in the family a name that starts with the same first letter. If the whole family already has names that start with “R,” why not continue the trend? Or perhaps you’re just starting your family, and like how “R” names roll off the tongue. Whatever your reason, we’ve rounded up over 30 names that begin with “R” to consider giving your little one....

Drinking juice is a great way to up your daily intake of fruits and veggies whether you’re on the go or just want an extra serving. The best juices are made with a minimal ingredient list and without artificial additives. From raw and cold-pressed juices to the endless containers in the juice aisle, there are many different options. However, no matter what juice you’re looking for, it’s important to be mindful of the amount of sugar in one serving; juices naturally have sugar from the fruits and vegetables they’re made of, but there can also be added sugars....

There are a number of barriers Latinx individuals may face when considering mental health resources. For one thing, LatinX families often have a sense of cultural pride that can stigmatize mental health conditions, leading them to encourage struggling family members to toughen up and just “get over” the difficult emotions they may be feeling. Additionally, LatinX communities often face socio-economic barriers, such as poverty and a lack of access to health insurance coverage....

The 12 Traditions are the principles that keep 12-step support groups, like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Al-Anon, focused on their primary task of fellowship. The Twelve Traditions serve as the framework by which the internal operations of all 12-step programs operate. Tradition 1 is the first of these guiding principles. It serves to create a sense of unity and fellowship within the group. The Twelve Tradition philosophy started in 1939 with the publication of the “Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous....

When you ask parents which age was the most difficult when raising their kids, it is often whatever age their kids are right now. While that may seem like a simple way to look at the demands of parenting, when you look at parenting more objectively, you usually do find that each age does have its own challenges. Many of these difficult times revolve around transitions, such as when your baby weans from the breast, moves from a crib to a bed, gives up his naps, and starts kindergarten, etc....

When you’re pregnant, staying as healthy as possible is top of mind. Perhaps you’re considering ways to best boost your immunity, particularly during cold and flu season. Previously, you might not have thought twice before reaching for a packet of Emergen-C (ascorbic acid-multivitamin-minerals), a supplement that claims to support the immune system. Now, however, you’re quite naturally suspicious of everything you put in your body. That packet, which once looked perfectly innocent, is making you raise an eyebrow....

CBT coping skills help you deal with uncomfortable emotions (anxiety, depression, etc.) so you can feel better physically, make better decisions, and more. These cognitive strategies are especially beneficial for individuals with certain mental health conditions, such as by helping reduce symptoms in people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Before discussing specific cognitive coping strategies, it’s important to first understand how CBT works. This gives some insight into how the various CBT coping skills can help relieve anxiety, sadness, and other distressing emotions....

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is a prenatal test that checks for chromosome disorders or inherited diseases in a fetus, such as Down syndrome and cystic fibrosis. The test involves examining a sample of tissue from the placenta called chorionic villi, which share the same genetic make-up as the developing baby. The sample can be taken via the cervix or by inserting a needle through the abdominal wall. Both versions are done between weeks 10 and 13 of pregnancy....

Chiclephobia, or the fear of chewing gum, is a rare specific phobia that manifests in a variety of ways. If you’re a chiclephobic, you’re likely to have a fear of: Actually chewing gum yourselfComing close to a person chewing gumThe sight of previously chewed gum Diagnosis Chiclephobia is a diagnosable anxiety disorder. As part of their initial assessment, your therapist will compare your symptoms against the criteria for an official specific phobia diagnosis as outlined in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association....