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Countless benefits are associated with spending time outdoors, and there’s plenty of scientific research to back that claim up. Multiple studies have found that spending time outside can help reduce cortisol levels (aka stress). Other research has linked outdoor activities to improved cognitive abilities, and still more studies have shown that time outdoors can help prevent short-sightedness in children. Spending time as a family outdoors opens up a whole other world of benefits — namely the benefits of bonding and creating lifelong memories....

Managing your ADHD symptoms can be hard even on your best days. On days when you’re tired, not feeling well, or just generally drained, those symptoms can get even worse, creating an experience that’s popularly known as “brain fog.” ADHD Symptom Spotlight is a series that dives deep into a hallmark or overlooked symptom of ADHD each week. This series is written by experts who also share their tips on managing these symptoms based on firsthand experience and research-backed insights....

What Is Amotivational Syndrome? Amotivational syndrome is a psychiatric condition characterized by changes in a person’s personality, emotions, and cognitive function. A person with this condition will experience a lack of concentration and activeness, apathy, and poor memory. The condition was first observed in the 1960s amongst people who had a long history of cannabis use. It has since been linked to the use of other psychoactive drugs such as methamphetamines and some over-the-counter cough syrups....

Many people who hope to become pregnant or who have just conceived wonder how pregnancy changes breasts. For instance, what do breasts feel like during pregnancy? And what part of the breast hurts in early pregnancy? While each person’s experience is unique, most pregnant people say that their breasts feel heavy and sensitive while they are pregnant, particularly early on. Breast pain tends to be felt most in the areolas and nipples but can impact the whole breast....

According to Sigmund Freud, the ego is part of personality that mediates the demands of the id, the superego, and reality. Freud described the id as the most basic part of personality that urges people to fulfill their most primal needs. The superego, on the other hand, is the moralistic part of personality that forms later in childhood as a result of upbringing and social influences. It is the ego’s job to strike a balance between these two often competing for forces and to make sure that fulfilling the needs of the id and superego conforms to the demands of reality....

Article update: On October 12, 2022, the Food and Drug Administration confirmed suspicions by declaring a nationwide shortage of instant-release amphetamine mixed salts, or Adderall. The shortage is being monitored on the drug shortages page of their website. Key Takeaways Patients and pharmacists are reporting a shortage of Adderall, a medication commonly used to treat ADHD.The drug’s main supplier blames “supply disruptions” as well as an increase in diagnoses and prescriptions....

Parents often wonder how long it should take to potty train their toddlers, but there’s no hard-and-fast rule. Some children learn in a matter of days, while other children need weeks, months or longer to master the practice. My Story It took my son no time at all to learn to pee on the potty. He started doing this when he was 2 years old, but it wasn’t until he was almost 4 that he would consistently go poop in the potty....

A child’s life is mired in change—whether it’s a new daycare, school or babysitter, a friend moving away, or new responsibilities at home, kids of all ages face change on a daily basis. Yet, a child thrives when he knows what to expect—even if he doesn’t always like it. By creating a structured environment for your child, you can help him feel safe and secure, which is an essential component in preventing behavior problems....

Most Americans, regardless of their respective background, are likely familiar with the terms “Hispanic” and “Latino/Latina” to describe people of Latin American descent. Most recently, another term, “Latinx” has popped up in mainstream media and other official documentation as a substitute to these more common and recognizable terms. But what exactly does Latinx mean, and who does it describe? More importantly, is it on its way to being the preferred term to describe people within this demographic?...

Practicing mindfulness meditation can be an effective way to manage feelings of stress and anxiety, and can even be used as a relaxation technique for panic disorder. This meditation technique can help you slow down racing thoughts, decrease negativity, and calm both your mind and body. Research across age groups, gender, and geographical borders has shown how powerful a practice it can be. A 2015 study, for example, demonstrated a significant drop in anxiety and stress among nursing students practicing mindfulness meditation techniques....

Allergies are common in children and adults. In fact, studies show that between 36% and 44% of children may have at least one allergy. A variety of triggers, such as foods, pollen, pet dander, mold, or insects, can cause allergy symptoms. Luckily, in addition to avoiding specific triggers, there are a number of effective remedies that can alleviate allergy symptoms. Understanding more about allergies can help parents get their kids some much-needed relief....

What happens to your baby if you test positive for COVID-19 while pregnant? For much of the pandemic, the answer remained unknown—leaving parents-to-be worried about what the diagnosis meant for their pregnancy. Key Takeaways A study has found that babies born to moms who had COVID-19 late in their pregnancy were healthy and well by 6 to 8 weeks of age.This early study had some limitations, including lack of diversity in participants, so more research is needed....

An ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency in which a fertilized egg implants itself outside the uterus. Usually, an ectopic pregnancy is implanted in one of the fallopian tubes. As it grows, if it is not diagnosed in time, it can cause the tube to tear or burst. This is called a ruptured ectopic pregnancy and results in dangerous internal bleeding. An ectopic pregnancy occurs in roughly one in 100 pregnancies....

The old adage “never wake a sleeping baby” can actually be poor advice if you are a breastfeeding mom of a new baby. While letting sleeping babies lie can be a workable strategy for older babies, spacing out feedings too far apart in those early weeks may decrease your milk supply and can keep your baby from packing on much-needed pounds. Surely, these are the consequences you want to avoid....

It’s common for kids of all ages to experience school-related stress. This is often most apparent at the end of summer when school is about to start again, but it can occur year-round. Where do the stress and anxiety come from? Social, academic, and scheduling factors play a major role, as do hidden environmental stressors. Social Stressors Many kids experience some level of stress or anxiety in social situations they encounter in school....

Literacy researchers have identified a number of phonological and phonemic awareness skills and the stages in which they typically develop. Phonological awareness refers to the recognition that words are comprised of sound units, or phonemes, and can be broken down into syllables. Categories of Phonological Awareness Skills While the specific skills and their names differ in the literature, phonological awareness skills generally fall within a set group of categories. Learn more about them with this roundup....

The bandwagon effect refers to the tendency people have to adopt a certain behavior, style, or attitude simply because everyone else is doing it. The more people that adopt a particular trend, the more likely it becomes that other people will also hop on the bandwagon. Overview The bandwagon effect is part of a larger group of cognitive biases or errors in thinking that influence the judgments and decisions that people make....

If your child keeps scratching their bottom, there are a few different causes to explore. Check to make sure they are thoroughly wiping. This is one of the most common reasons for anal itching in young children, especially those who are just learning to use the potty. Causes of Itching and Irritation Toddlers and young children may complain of an itchy anus or you may see redness or irritation in the area....

If a babysitter called to cancel two hours before an important appointment or event, most parents would be hard-pressed to find another sitter on such short notice. Thankfully, drop-in child care is available for just this type of situation. More facilities than ever are offering parents a safe and affordable place for their children to be watched on short notice. In addition, they provide plenty of kid-centered fun for all ages....

Throughout pregnancy, the umbilical cord is your baby’s lifeline. Connecting them to your placenta, the umbilical cord allows for the transfer of oxygen and nutrients to your baby while simultaneously removing waste products. So naturally when you hear that this lifeline could become knotted, it may cause you to feel apprehensive. “Most of the time, a knot in the umbilical cord is a benign thing,” says Pietro Bortoletto, MD, MSc, a reproductive endocrinologist and director of reproductive surgery at Boston IVF....