Turns out, it’s less about “teaching” creativity to children — and more about creating a fertile environment in which their creativity will take root, grow and flourish. Researcher Mitch Resnick, director of the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at MIT, explains how we can do this.
10 tips for cultivating creativity in your kids — ideas.ted.com
Spiced Citrus Room Spray
YOU WILL NEED
2 oz. witch hazel
Glass spray bottle: 4 oz
14 drops orange essential oil
6 drops cinnamon essential oil
6 drops clove essential oil
4 drops ginger essential oil
2 oz. filter water
TO MAKE
Add the witch hazel to the spray bottle. Add the essential oils. Top it with the filtered water. Shake before each use.
You can tie a ribbon around, this would make a perfect inexpensive holiday gift.
Recipe from Willow and Sage by Stampington
Making your own essential oil is easier than you think. Gather dried herbs and oil of choice. Dried herbs are better than fresh to prevent mold.
Here are some single oils you can infuse along with their healing benefits.
Calendula Oil–Use for any skin remedies, like in lotion or facial oil.
Peppermint Oil–Wonderful for relieving aches and pains. It can be used as a massage oil or added to bath water. If you have a headache, rub a bit on your wrist and breath in the healing aroma.
Rosemary Oil–If you have hair troubles, such as poor growth, lice, or dandruff, rosemary is a great option. Add the infused oil to shampoo or use as a hair mask.
Lemon Balm Oil–Lemon balm is a natural astringent and has antibacterial properties, which are amazing for healing cold sores and other skin irritations.
To Make
Place the dried herbs in a clean 1 quart mason jar. Cover the herbs with the oil of your choice with a 1-to-2 ratio. Add enough that the herbs are completely covered by at least an inch oil. Seal the jar with an airtight lid, add either place outside or in a sunny window. Let infuse for at least four weeks. When the oil is ready, strain it through cheesecloth, making sure to strain as much oil as possible. Store the oil in same mason jar.
Although it may be difficult to sleep well with all that is going on around the world at the moment, good sleep is still possible. This article goes into one of the three things that you really need to sleep well on a regular basis.
Is Your Sleep Pressure High Enough Each Night When You Go to Bed for Sleep? — Damon Ashworth Psychology
I appreciate you stopping by today! Please keep your distance and wash, wash, wash your hands. We’ll get thru this together. Have a great weekend! Melinda
Have a great weekend. Be Safe. M
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share; the place where everyone can share their favourite music.
Feel free to use the ‘Weekend Music Share‘ banner in your post, and don’t forget to use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
Thank you for stopping by today, times may be a bit crazy but we can pull thru anything together. We are one community and we can help others who need a hug. I’m sending my hugs to you.
Melinda
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “beside you.” Write about whatever is beside you when you read this prompt. Not when you sit down to write, but whatever is beside you right now. Take note of it if you think you might forget. Enjoy!
The world is standing beside you.
The fire departments around the world are beside you.
The police and jail workers are beside you keeping the peace.
The government’s around the world are united beside you in helping each other thru these unprecedented times.
I’m beside you, right here ready to take any and all comments and requests for what you need. I can offer prayers and hugs all day long.
The television stations and media are beside you and keeping us up to date on how to best protect ourselves and loved ones.
I hope you have loved ones beside you, even the wet noise kind is a great relief.
Melinda.
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!
Here are the rules for SoCS:
Thank you for stopping by today, times may be a bit crazy but we can pull thru anything together. We are one community and we can help others who need a hug. I’m sending my hugs to you.
Melinda
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “beside you.” Write about whatever is beside you when you read this prompt. Not when you sit down to write, but whatever is beside you right now. Take note of it if you think you might forget. Enjoy!
The world is standing beside you.
The fire departments around the world are beside you.
The police and jail workers are beside you keeping the peace.
The government’s around the world are united beside you in helping each other thru these unprecedented times.
I’m beside you, right here ready to take any and all comments and requests for what you need. I can offer prayers and hugs all day long.
The television stations and media are beside you and keeping us up to date on how to best protect ourselves and loved ones.
I hope you have loved ones beside you, even the wet noise kind is a great relief.
Melinda.
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!
Here are the rules for SoCS:
“…We hope to share the stories that show kindness, compassion, hope, overcoming challenges and in general, the impressive resilience of the human spirit. For every dark, negative story out there, there is a positive, heartwarming story that will add some light and lift the human spirit.”
Belinda Witzenhausen
Goodnewsnetwork.org
By Andy Corbley – Mar 24, 2020
In a national emergency, some people’s initial thoughts are to fight over toilet paper. Others, like Good News Network reader Trina Branella, immediately want to leap to the aid of those in the front lines of the crisis.
Trina began constructing and sewing cloth masks for a project in Indiana to help teenage cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Then, wanted to donate more masks to workers at four local chemo centers in New Jersey, spurred on by a friend of hers whose mother has cancer “and right now she’s using a bandana.”
Cloth masks are useful because they keep your hands from touching your nose and mouth (especially out in public where you don’t know if surfaces are clean). They also can contain sneezes and coughs, protecting those around you who may have vulnerable immune systems.
As Trina was running low on fabric and unable to purchase more, she asked around to see if there was anyone willing to donate to a good cause, but had no luck.
She then reached out to Good News Network on Friday, the very same dayGNN received a press release from JOANN fabric Stores announcing that the U.S. company would begin donating materials to anyone looking to sew together masks, gowns, or other essential medical equipment for healthcare workers.
After learning the JOANN Stores were launching the program on March 23, we submitted Trina’s order to the company and they said the supplies would be mailed immediately to her in Somerdale, New Jersey.
Branella was thrilled to hear about the donation program and ordered 5 yards of flannel, and a couple packets of 1/8 inch elastic.
“I just have this warm, little fuzzy going on right now,” she told GNN by phone. “I’m so happy they’re doing something. I love JOANN’s.”
RELATED: Crates of Masks Shipped to Italy Are Covered in Italian Poetry: ‘Leaves of the Same Tree’
Beyond just donated materials, JOANN is offering “Ship-to-Home” or “Curbside Pickup” options, so customers won’t need to come into the stores.
The chain includes 865 stores across 49 states (find your local store here)—but not all shops may be participating, so telephone the store first.
“The amazing thing about the crafting community is that, especially in difficult times, they are always looking for ways to help,” said Wade Miquelon, President & CEO of JOANN.
RELATED: People Are Knitting Mittens for Burnt Koalas After Australian Bushfires
All open JOANN locations will serve as collection points, too, so that people sewing in their homes can drop off any items created, which will then be distributed to medical centers to help extend their dwindling supplies.
“We are seeing hospital workers, organizations and individuals coming into our stores for supplies to make these essential items, and our customers are asking us how they can help,” Miquelon added. “So many are spending their time and money to help in this tragic situation, and we want to step in to do our part to protect the amazing people who are helping the communities we serve.”
According to a press release on JOANN’s website, entities in need of supplies should contact joannplus@joann.com.
They say they will also open their classrooms—while adhering to social distancing guidelines—to any who want to help make these essential items. Participating locations will offer sewing machines, materials and guidance to help customers safely make face masks and covers, gowns and other items to donate to America’s hospitals. They have some How-to guides here.
POPULAR: Ten More Positive Updates on the COVID Outbreaks From Around the World
“We have a generous community who can make a big difference as our healthcare system faces this crisis,” Miquelon said. “We’re here to support them, and all who make to give year round. We are all in this together.”
SHARE the Opportunity to Get Free Supplies With Your Friends on Social Media…FacebookTwitterEmailRedditMore
Want A Morning Jolt of Good News?
“We are the World” Blogfest” aims to spread the message of light, hope and love in today’s world. We are challenging all participants to share the positive side of humanity. This month’s co-hosts, Sylvia McGrath, Lizbeth Hartz, Shilpa Garg, Mary Giese, and Belinda Witzenhausen welcome participants and encourage all to join in during future months. #WATWB comes on the last Friday of every month. Click HERE for more information. You are always welcome to join in!You can find more stories of hope, light, and love on the WATWB Facebook Page. Click HERE to be part of the Light.
Willow and Sage by Stampington
This combination smells lovely and helps to soothe anxious feelings. You can keep one in your purse to have on hand throughout the day.
YOU WILL NEED
Carrier oil: fractionated coconut oil/grapeseed oil/jojoba oil
Glass roller bottle 10-ml.
6 drops lavender essential oil
6 drops orange essential oil
6 drops patchouli essential oil
4 drops frankincense essential oil
TO MAKE
Add the carrier oil to the glass roller bottle. Add essential oils to the bottle, and shake to combine.
Willow and Sage by Stampington
Great for people who suffer from chronic pain. For an additional benefit add apple cider vinegar to water when running the bath.
You Will Need
4 cups Epsom salt
1/2 cup sea salt (optional)
25-30 drops of essential oils
3/4 cup baking soda
Large Bowl
Airtight containers
To Make
Mix the Epsom salt, sea salt, essential oils, and baking soda in a large bowl. Transfer mixture to airtight containers, such as a small glass jar for gifting. You can use any desired scent in your bath salts, but first, make sure to research the type of scent of essential oil that you’ll be using to ensure it’s safe for the bath.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, we are now being told that the most helpful thing we can do is stay at home and remain physically distant from others. Unless you are in an essential profession, this could be a time to slow down. To check in with those that you care most about. To chat for longer and to connect emotionally. To reflect on your life and rediscover what really matters to you. To hope and dream and plan for a better future. And to try things that you otherwise may not have had the chance or the time to do.
Things You Can Do to Stay Mentally Healthy During Self-Isolation — Damon Ashworth Psychology
The course, taught by psychology professor Laurie Santos, focuses on understanding happiness in life
By Eric Todisco March 24, 2020 10:55 AM
Yale University has the perfect solution to keeping happiness alive amid the trying times of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Connecticut-based Ivy League college is making its widely-popular “happiness” course available online for free via Coursera.
According to Yale’s news site, the online course, titled “The Science of Well Being,” is taught by psychology professor Laurie Santos. The class features lectures from Santos on discovering what makes humans truly happy.
The course was initially started in 2018 as an in-person lecture by Santos titled “Psychology and the Good Life.” Before launching the happiness course, Santos said that she would eat daily with students and was “shocked at the kind of mental health issues” she was witnessing.
Since beginning the class, it grew in popularity, drawing in 1,000 students for enrollment and becoming one of the most popular courses at the university.
After its high demand — with nearly a quarter of Yale University students enrolling a year — it was transitioned into an online class.
RELATED: Best Apps to Stay Social and See Friends While Isolated Over Coronavirus
Now, both students and non-students can enroll in the class online and complete assignments, submit them for a grade and earn a certificate of completion. (Sign up here)
“We’re in a particularly challenging time not just for this health crisis, this physical health crisis, but also a potential mental health crisis as well,” Santos told CNN.
She also shared with the outlet that while many believe that happiness derives from things like finding a more attractive partner or buying a bigger house, it actually comes from the simpler things in life.
“What plays a much bigger role are our simple practices, simple acts like making a social connection, or taking time for gratitude, or taking time to be in the present moment,” Santos explained.
Catie Henderson, a 29-year-old from Atlanta that had studied philosophy in college, took the course last year, wanting to continue her “learning and development.”
After completing the course, Henderson said she learned a lot about the misconceptions surrounding happiness in life.
“Getting your dream job or dream spouse won’t create happiness. You have to build habits,” Henderson said. “And connecting with others is important, but getting right with yourself is equally important.”
The course, taught by psychology professor Laurie Santos, focuses on understanding happiness in life
By Eric Todisco March 24, 2020 10:55 AM
Yale University has the perfect solution to keeping happiness alive amid the trying times of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Connecticut-based Ivy League college is making its widely-popular “happiness” course available online for free via Coursera.
According to Yale’s news site, the online course, titled “The Science of Well Being,” is taught by psychology professor Laurie Santos. The class features lectures from Santos on discovering what makes humans truly happy.
The course was initially started in 2018 as an in-person lecture by Santos titled “Psychology and the Good Life.” Before launching the happiness course, Santos said that she would eat daily with students and was “shocked at the kind of mental health issues” she was witnessing.
Since beginning the class, it grew in popularity, drawing in 1,000 students for enrollment and becoming one of the most popular courses at the university.
After its high demand — with nearly a quarter of Yale University students enrolling a year — it was transitioned into an online class.
RELATED: Best Apps to Stay Social and See Friends While Isolated Over Coronavirus
Now, both students and non-students can enroll in the class online and complete assignments, submit them for a grade and earn a certificate of completion. (Sign up here)
“We’re in a particularly challenging time not just for this health crisis, this physical health crisis, but also a potential mental health crisis as well,” Santos told CNN.
She also shared with the outlet that while many believe that happiness derives from things like finding a more attractive partner or buying a bigger house, it actually comes from the simpler things in life.
“What plays a much bigger role are our simple practices, simple acts like making a social connection, or taking time for gratitude, or taking time to be in the present moment,” Santos explained.
Catie Henderson, a 29-year-old from Atlanta that had studied philosophy in college, took the course last year, wanting to continue her “learning and development.”
After completing the course, Henderson said she learned a lot about the misconceptions surrounding happiness in life.
“Getting your dream job or dream spouse won’t create happiness. You have to build habits,” Henderson said. “And connecting with others is important, but getting right with yourself is equally important.”
You will need:
YIELDS 12 oz.
1 cup fine sea salt
1/2 cup grapeseed oil
Bowl
15-20 drops citrus essential oils
Jar
To Make:
Mix together the sea salt and the grapeseed oil in a bowl or jar. Add essential oils, and mix well. Transfer to a jar for storing or gifting. As you use the scrub, the oil and salt may separate: give a quick stir before using it. To use, gently massage a bit of the salt scrub onto wet skin using a circular motion. Rinse with warm water.
Notes:
Citrus essential oils can cause possible skin sensitivity, particularly in sunlight.
If you’re pregnant or taking prescription medications, please consult your physician before using essential oils.
Earlier in the month I was diagnosed with persistent Hypocalcemia. The lack of calcium can cause many problems but the most troubling to me at this time is more Osteoporosis which I already have in my hip and heart complications, which I already have several heart issues.
Like everyone my appointment was pushed out and we wait out the social distancing to get back to normal. I’m lucky that I don’t have the worst symptoms yet.
Hypocalcemia (Calcium Deficiency Disease)
Calcium is a vital mineral. Your body uses it to build strong bones and teeth. Calcium is also needed for your heart and other muscles to function properly. When you don’t get enough calcium, you increase your risk of developing disorders like:
Children who don’t get enough calcium may not grow to their full potential height as adults.
You should consume the recommended amount of calcium per day through the food you eat, supplements, or vitamins.
Many people are at an increased risk for calcium deficiency as they age. This deficiency may be due to a variety of factors, including:
It’s important to ensure proper calcium intake at all ages.
For children and teenagers, the recommended daily allowances for calcium are the same for both sexes. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the daily allowances are:
According to the U.S. government’s dietary guidelinesTrusted Source, calcium requirements for adults are:
Women need to increase their calcium intake earlier in life than men, starting in middle age. Meeting the necessary calcium requirement is particularly important as a woman approaches menopause.
The hormone disorder hypoparathyroidism may also cause calcium deficiency disease. People with this condition don’t produce enough parathyroid hormone, which controls calcium levels in the blood.
During menopause, women should also increase their calcium intake to reduce the risk of osteoporosis and calcium deficiency disease. The decline in the hormone estrogen during menopause causes a woman’s bones to thin faster.
Other causes of hypocalcemia include malnutrition and malabsorption. Malnutrition is when you’re not getting enough nutrients, while malabsorption is when your body can’t absorb the vitamins and minerals you need from the food you eat. Additional causes include:
If you miss your daily dose of calcium, you won’t become calcium deficient overnight. But it’s still important to make an effort to get enough calcium every day, since the body uses it quickly. Vegans are more likely to become calcium deficient quickly because they don’t eat calcium-rich dairy products.
Calcium deficiency won’t produce short-term symptoms because the body maintains calcium levels by taking it directly from the bones. But long-term low levels of calcium can have serious effects.
Early stage calcium deficiency may not cause any symptoms. However, symptoms will develop as the condition progresses.
Severe symptoms of hypocalcemia include:
Calcium deficiencies can affect all parts of the body, resulting in weak nails, slower hair growth, and fragile, thin skin.
Calcium also plays an important role in both neurotransmitter release and muscle contractions. So, calcium deficiencies can bring on seizures in otherwise healthy people.
If you start experiencing neurological symptoms like memory loss, numbness and tingling, hallucinations, or seizures, make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as possible.
Contact your doctor if you have symptoms of calcium deficiency disease. They’ll review your medical history and ask you about family history of calcium deficiency and osteoporosis.
If your doctor suspects calcium deficiency, they’ll take a blood sample to check your blood calcium level. Your doctor will measure your total calcium level, your albumin level, and your ionized or “free” calcium level. Albumin is a protein that binds to calcium and transports it through the blood. Sustained low calcium levels in your blood may confirm a diagnosis of calcium deficiency disease.
Normal calcium levels for adults can range from 8.8 to 10.4 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), according to the Merck Manual. You may be at risk for calcium deficiency disease if your calcium level is below 8.8 mg/dL. Children and teens typically have higher blood calcium levels than adults.
Calcium deficiency is usually easy to treat. It typically involves adding more calcium to your diet.
Do not self-treat by taking a lot of calcium supplements. Taking more than the recommended dose without your doctor’s approval can lead to serious issues like kidney stones.
Commonly recommended calcium supplements include:
Calcium supplements are available in liquid, tablet, and chewable forms.
It’s important to note that some medications could interact negatively with calcium supplements. These medications include:
Sometimes diet changes and supplements aren’t enough to treat a calcium deficiency. In this case, your doctor may want to regulate your calcium levels by giving you regular calcium injections.
You can expect to see results within the first few weeks of treatment. Severe cases of calcium deficiency disease will be monitored at one- to three-month intervals.
Complications from calcium deficiency disease include eye damage, an abnormal heartbeat, and osteoporosis.
Complications from osteoporosis include:
If left untreated, calcium deficiency disease could eventually be fatal.
You can prevent calcium deficiency disease by including calcium in your diet every day.
Be aware that foods high in calcium, such as dairy products, can also be high in saturated fat and trans fat. Choose low-fat or fat-free options to reduce your risk of developing high cholesterol and heart disease.
You can get 1/4 to 1/3 of your RDA of calcium in a single serving of some milks and yogurts. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)Trusted Source, other calcium-rich foods include:
While meeting your calcium requirement is very important, you also want to make sure you’re not getting too much. According to the Mayo Clinic, upper limits of calcium intake in milligrams (mg) for adults are:
You might want to supplement your diet by taking a multivitamin. Or your doctor may recommend supplements if you’re at high risk for developing a calcium deficiency.
Multivitamins may not contain all of the calcium you need, so be sure to eat a well-rounded diet. If you’re pregnant, take a prenatal vitamin.
Vitamin D is important because it increases the rate calcium is absorbed into your blood. Ask your doctor how much vitamin D you need.
To increase your calcium intake, you can add food rich in vitamin D to your diet. These include:
As with calcium-rich dairy products, some vitamin D-rich dairy products can also be high in saturated fat.
Sunlight triggers your body to make vitamin D, so getting regular exposure to the sun can also help boost your vitamin D levels.
Melinda
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “welcome.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!
I welcome the wet noise of my two loving dogs on this gloomy Saturday.
I welcome the rain for making the ground so moist and easy to pull weeds this morning.
Welcome are the bulbs planted that are popping their heads up in the dirt.
Welcome is the day, I’m alive, well physically and mentally.
Welcome is the love of my husband who always knows what I need before I do.
Welcome is you stopping by today and reading this post. I hope your day is filled with sunshine, even if it’s self-made.
Melinda
Here are the rules for SoCS:
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “welcome.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!
I welcome the wet noise of my two loving dogs on this gloomy Saturday.
I welcome the rain for making the ground so moist and easy to pull weeds this morning.
Welcome are the bulbs planted that are popping their heads up in the dirt.
Welcome is the day, I’m alive, well physically and mentally.
Welcome is the love of my husband who always knows what I need before I do.
Welcome is you stopping by today and reading this post. I hope your day is filled with sunshine, even if it’s self-made.
Melinda
Here are the rules for SoCS:
Kenny Rogers brought so many great songs which created many good memories for me. He will be missed. M
I appreciate you and so glad to be a part of your day. Melinda
I appreciate you stopping by today! I never take you for granted. Please keep your distance and wash, wash, wash your hands. We’ll get thru this together. Have a great weekend! Melinda
Free, Simple Sensory Home Learning Activities There are many options for home learning packs and ideas for children who can access worksheets and online teaching resources. Sensory learners need sensory learning ideas. Preferably simple and free ones. This list of 150 (ish) ideas should give you some ideas to try at home, EYFS settings and […]
150 Sensory Learning Ideas — Special Education and Inclusive Learning
I set up my FaceBook account yesterday and my skills are at the most basic level. I went to the FAQ’s on WordPress and could not get connected. I have no doubt it’s user error.
Since we’re social distancing, maybe some of you more advanced people can provide a more basic way for my to publish my blog on the FaceBook page.
I appreciate you, please keep your distance, see about neighbor, stay aware of your mental health by getting outdoors for fresh are and speaking to family and friends. For me not much has changed, I don’t get out much anyway. The extra measures are with my husband as he buys groceries, making sure he uses Clorox wipes in the truck and we wash our hands after touching the groceries. Yesterday I wiped down my Starbucks cup with a Clorox wipe, that felt strange but I had to get out of the house.
Take care of yourself, this too shall pass. Not soon enough but we want as few deaths as possible. Be sure to check on your elderly neighbors and family, you can always wear a mask, gloves and leave groceries at door. I saw my neighbors daughter bringing him groceries this morning.
Sending big hugs to each of you now more than ever!!!!!!!
Melinda
Join the WordPress community on April 2 for talks on the block editor, block development, and design in a world of blocks.
WPBlockTalk: A Free Online Event Focused on the Block Editor — The WordPress.com Blog
Symptoms of Chronic Lyme may include:
Musculoskeletal: joint pain or swelling or stiffness, muscle pain, shin splints, neck or back stiffness, migrating muscle pain or cramps, TMJ, neck creaks & cracks, tender soles.
Reproductive: testicular pain/pelvic pain, menstrual irregularity, unexplained milk production (lactation), sexual dysfunction or loss of libido.
Cardiac/Pulmonary: chest pain or rib soreness, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, pulse skips, slow pulse, heart block, heart murmur, valve prolapse.
Neurological: muscle twitching, headache, tingling, numbness, burning or stabbing sensations, facial paralysis (that looks like Bell’s palsy), dizziness, poor balance, increased motion sickness, light-headedness, wooziness, difficulty walking, tremor, confusion, difficulty thinking/concentrating/ reading, forgetfulness, poor short term memory, disorientation (getting lost, going to wrong place), difficulty with speech, double or blurry vision, eye pain, blindness, increased floaters, increased sensitivity to light or sound or smell, buzzing or ringing in ears, ear pain, decreased hearing or deafness, difficulty swallowing, seizure activity, white matter lesions, low blood pressure.
Neuropsychiatric: mood swings, irritability, depression, disturbed sleep (too much, too little, early awakening), personality changes, obsessive – compulsive disorder (OCD), violent outbursts, paranoia, panic/anxiety attacks, hallucinations.
Gastrointestinal: nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite, GERD, change in bowel function (constipation, diarrhea), gastritis, abdominal cramping, cystitis, irritable bladder or bladder dysfunction, newly diagnosed irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Other: fever, sweats, or chills, weight change (loss or gain), fatigue, tiredness, hair loss, swollen glands, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, swelling around the eyes, & swelling in feet.
Source: Lyme Disease Association, 2017
7 Feb 2020Military.com | By Dorothy Mills-Gregg
A decade-long effort to have the Department of Veterans Affairs provide service dogs to veterans with mental health issues passed a major hurdle with House passage Wednesday.
The Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers, or PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act, would have the VA create a 5-year pilot to give grants to one or more organizations to train and provide service dogs to veterans with post-traumatic stress and other post-deployment mental health issues.
3M Lawsuit FirmIf you are a military member and have experienced hearing loss, impairment or tinnitus after using 3M earplugs, contact Alexander Law Group, PLC.
While the VA has been studying the use of service dogs for mental health treatment, it currently only covers service dogs for use in mobility issues.
The bipartisan bill was introduced by Rep. Steve Stivers, R-Ohio, who has served in Iraq in the Ohio Army National Guard.
“A soldier under my command during Operation Iraqi Freedom recently told me what his service dog means to him: he was able to fly on a plane for the first time in 10 years and he took his fiancée to dinner,” Stivers said in a statementwhen H.R. 4305 was introduced. “That is the impact this bill can have on the lives of our veterans.”
Related: Bill Would Cover Cost of Service Dogs for Veterans with PTSD
Lawmakers have long been exploring different ways to combat veterans’ mental health issues . Statistics show about 20 veterans die by suicide every day.
“The process of obtaining a service dog is lengthy and costly, a cost that is out of reach for many veterans,” Dr. Robin Ganzert, American Humane president, said in a news release. “This is long overdue.”
Congress previously mandated that VA study the use of service dogs for PTSDand other mental health problems in 2010. But the pilot was suspended twice when two service dogs bit children and some dogs experienced health issues.
The VA has since restarted the study, and the first report on whether service dogs or emotional support dogs help veterans with PTSD will be released this summer. Six months later, the second part will show if the kind of dog factored into “health economics savings” such as reduced hospital stays or reliance on medication.
The bill now goes to the Senate, which has several of its own related bills.
— Dorothy Mills-Gregg can be reached at dorothy.mills-gregg@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @DMillsGregg.
Read More: Pentagon Lethality Task Force Is ‘Dead’ if Army Put in Charge, Top Adviser Says
Military HeadlinesVeteran BenefitsPost Traumatic Stress Disorder – PTSDCongress© Copyright 2020 Military.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Raychelle Cassada Lohmann, ContributorFeb. 10, 2020
TEENS ARE GETTING TOO little sleep, not enough exercise and spending far too much time online. Research tells us so (if you need proof), and it’s also clear that when teens don’t take care of themselves, it can affect their mental health.
(FUSE/GETTY IMAGES)
That’s all the more reason parents should teach their kids about the fundamentals of good self-care. And that means getting back to the basics, such as eating well, getting plenty of sleep and exercising more. That may be easier said than done, as adults know. But if you want your teen to live a healthier life, it’s important to pay attention to these three pillars of health.
Here’s what you should know about the benefits of these forms of self-care for kids – and what happens if they’re ignored.
Establishing Healthy Eating Habits
Most have heard the saying, “You are what you eat” – and nothing could be more accurate when it comes to food and mental fitness. Food choice really does have an impact on how we feel and look. For example, it’s not uncommon to hear people say that when they eat better, they feel better. The food we put in our mouths is the fuel that we run on. And when we opt for premium nutrients, we simply run better.
The same is true for our teens. Yet, too many of our young people run on junk food. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than a third of our nation’s youth eat fast food daily.
Research indicates that fuel choice may be hurting their bodies and mental health. In one study published in Physiological Reports, researchers followed 84 middle school students. They monitored sodium and potassium excretion and depressive symptoms for a year and a half. The findings suggested that for adolescents, consuming foods that are high in sodium, a mineral frequently found at high levels in junk food, and those that are low in potassium was related to an increase in depressive symptoms. The researchers concluded that poor diet was, in fact, a risk factor for depression.
What we eat impacts how we think, feel and act. That’s why it’s essential to help your teen establish healthy eating habits. Many teens gravitate toward junk food because it’s convenient and fits into their busy lifestyles, but that doesn’t have to be the case. It’s just as easy to opt for an apple as it is for a bag of chips. There is just no way around it – a healthy body helps support a healthy mind.
Sleeping More
The National Sleep Foundation recommends that children ages 14 to 18 sleep eight to 10 hours a night, but the vast majority of youth aren’t even coming close to that recommendation. On average, most teens get about 7.5 hours of sleep a night. It comes as no surprise that sleep deprivation takes a toll on their mood.
As reported by the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh found that when teens experience sleep loss, even for short periods, it increased their risk for mood disorders. In this particular study, 35 participants, aged 11 1/2 to 15 years, were monitored in a sleep lab for two nights, with half of them sleeping for 10 hours and the remaining sleeping for four hours.
A week later, they returned to the lab and switched sleep schedules from their initial visit. During their time at the lab, they underwent brain scans monitoring the reward center of their brain while playing a game and also completed emotional functioning and depressive symptoms assessments. The data indicated that sleep deprivation affected the putamen, an area of the brain that is responsible for goal-based movements and learning from rewards.
Consequently, there was a link between sleep deprivation and their reported depressive symptoms, too. Participants who did not get enough sleep reported feeling more depressed than their well-rested peers.
Overall, the results suggested that inadequate sleep during adolescence may affect how the brain processes reward and increase the likelihood of depression and risk-taking behavior. When teens were sleep-deprived, they didn’t make the best choices. According to this study, sleep not only helps kids feel better, it also helps them make better choices.
Make sure that your teen is getting enough sleep by limiting screen time before bed and establishing a good bedtime routine, particularly on school nights when they are more apt to sleep less. It’s also important for kids to keep their phones away from their beds at night. Just a few simple tweaks in their bedtime routine can make all the difference, because a well-rested teen is a happier and healthier teen.[
READ: The Science of Sleep: Teen Circadian Rhythms Explained. ]
Exercising More
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that teens get at least an hour of moderate or vigorous physical activity each day. Still, according to a study in Preventive Medicine, young people are getting about as much exercise as a 60-year-old.
In Latin, there’s a saying: “mens sana in corpore sano.” When translated, it means: “a healthy mind in a healthy body.” And researchers have shown that a healthy body does indeed contribute to a healthy mind, especially when it comes to anxiety and depression.
A study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry reported that exercise could reduce the risk of developing depression. In this study, researchers monitored the physical activity of 266,939 participants from around the world for more than seven years. Their findings showed that when people were more active, their risk of developing depression decreased regardless of how old they were and where they lived.
These findings support a large body of literature that has linked physical activity with improved mood. In fact, there’s some evidence to suggest that exercise is as effective in treating depression as antidepressants. Now, that’s something to consider.
Establishing healthy habits begins early. It’s important to get our kids moving because an hour a day can go a long way toward promoting physical and mental well-being.[
SEE: 10 Things Pediatricians Advise That Parents Ignore – and Really Shouldn’t. ]
All things considered, it’s incredible how some of life’s most basic tasks, such as eating well, getting a good night’s sleep and exercising, can positively impact our children’s well-being. There’s just no way around it: A healthy body and a healthy mind really begin with the basics of self-care.
12 Questions You Should Ask Your Kids at DinnerView All 14 Slides
Raychelle Cassada Lohmann, Contributor
Raychelle Cassada Lohmann, Ph.D., NCC, LPCS, GCDF, is a professional counselor and … READ MORE
Tags: parenting, family, family health, children’s health, mental health
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I turn on the salt lamp, get the diffuser going with some soothing essential oils, and roll an essential oil blend on my shoulders, and chest. I also use a relaxing Lavender scent hand cream and a Lavender essential oil stick to use under my nose for extra relaxing benefits.
All lights out, no computers, no reading, no television, nothing but the soft glow of the salt lamp.
Part of the new routine also includes sleeping 10 hours a night or as close as I can. It has made a huge difference in my mental health. Physically I feel rested and much less fatigued. I also allow myself naps if Fibromyalgia is ruling my day.
If you can’t sleep the extra hours or take naps, you can still incorporate most of the self-care tips into your daily routine. Self-care is so important whether you have a chronic illness or not. Make sure to put your health first as often as possible to have your best life.
Melinda
lookingforthelight.blog 