10 Fun, Free places to Visit
1. Local Parks Visit your nearby parks with playgrounds, open spaces, and nature trails. Let your children run, play, and explore the outdoors. Fresh air and natural surroundings does wonders for our well-being as children and as adults, and it’s also a great way to take pressure off of your wallet! 2. Public Libraries Public libraries often have dedicated sections for children with books, interactive activities, and storytelling sessions. It’s a great place to encourage reading and engage in educational programs. I personally spent a lot of time in libraries as a child (and still do) and it is truly a wonderful, free place to spend some time. 3. Beaches or Lakes If you live near a beach or lake, take your kids for a day of swimming, sandcastle building, and beach games. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy nature and have fun together. There’s also something great about large bodies of water that make for a calming, reflective experience (at least for me, anyway), and most times they’re free to visit so it’s a win-win! 4. Community Events Check out local community calendars for free events such as festivals, fairs, parades, or concerts that are family-friendly. These events often provide entertainment and activities for children. You0 also get an opportunity to learn more about your community and the people that live in it, and you may even make a few new friends. 5. Museum or Art Gallery Free Days Many museums and art galleries offer free admission on specific days or times. You can take advantage of these opportunities to expose your kids to art, history, science, or cultural exhibits. I have many fond memories visiting museums as a young kid and I’m sure our chaperons didn’t mind that those visits were free. 6. Local Farms or Farmers Markets Visit nearby farms or farmers markets to explore fresh produce, learn about farming, and enjoy the atmosphere. Some places even offer free activities like petting zoos or hayrides. At least getting your hands dirty is still free (for now). 7. Nature Reserves or Wildlife Sanctuaries Explore local nature reserves or wildlife sanctuaries, which often have walking trails, observation points, and educational signs for learning. It’s yet another chance to observe and appreciate nature’s beauty for the lowski. 8. Community Centers Check out community centers in your area for free activities and programs for children. They may offer workshops, sports activities, or arts and crafts sessions. Sometimes you don’t have to go very far for a free good time. 9. Outdoor Concerts or Movie Screenings When it’s warmer out, many communities host free outdoor concerts or movie screenings in parks or public spaces. Pack a picnic and enjoy the novelty of indoor stuff outdoors with your children. 10. Local Fire or Police Stations Contact your local fire or police stations to see if they offer free tours or community outreach programs. It can be an educational and exciting experience for children to learn about emergency services outside of an actual emergency. And what kid doesn’t love sirens?! Keeping young people entertained is a challenge in itself. Keeping young people entertained on a budget is even trickier. Luckily for us there is a myriad of places to visit that are mostly if not all free to visit and lots of fun! Here’s a list of 10 fun places to visit that are completely free so that you can have an exciting, frugal experience:
6 Ways to Nurture Emotional Intelligence in Children
Parents all (hopefully) want their children to grow up to be happy, well-adjusted, and successful adults. Making the “right” decisions is tricky; I sometimes have trouble deciding what to have for breakfast! Parenting is no different when it comes to making the “right” choices. With so many different opinions and approaches, it is hard to know what to focus on when it comes to parenting. One area that’s gained a lot of attention in recent years is emotional intelligence (EI), which is the ability to understand and manage emotions, both our own and others. Research has shown that emotional intelligence is a crucial predictor of success in many areas of life, including academic achievement, job performance, and even mental and physical health. Emotionally intelligent children will likely be more resilient, have better relationships with others, and can better cope with stress and setbacks. In addition, emotional intelligence is essential in preventing behavioral and emotional problems in children. Children who struggle with emotional intelligence may have trouble regulating their emotions, leading to tantrums, aggression, and other disruptive behaviors. They may also work with social skills, such as empathy, which can lead to difficulties forming and maintaining relationships with others. Fortunately, there are many simple things that parents and adults can do to help nurture emotional intelligence in children: 1. Label emotions Help your child learn to identify and label different emotions by name. For example, when your child is upset, you might say, “It looks like you’re feeling angry. Is that right?” This can help your child become more aware of their emotions and better communicate. 2. Validate emotions When a child is upset, it’s essential to validate their feelings by letting them know their emotions are real and understandable. For example, “I can see that you’re really upset right now. It’s okay to feel that way” is an excellent way to let a child know that they are allowed to experience their emotions. 3. Encourage problem-solving Help your child learn to problem-solve by encouraging them to devise solutions to problems. For example, if your child is upset because they can’t find a toy, you could try saying, “Are you upset because you can’t find your toy? What do you think we could do to find it?” 4. Be a great emotional role model Children learn a lot by watching their parents and the adults around them, so it’s important to model healthy emotional regulation ourselves. Take a few deep breaths, go for a walk when you’re feeling stressed, or talk about how you’re feeling when you’re upset. The Little ones around us will learn to do the same when faced with emotional stress. 5. Practice empathy Help your child develop empathy by encouraging them to think about how others might be feeling. For instance, if your child sees another child crying, you could try, “I wonder why that child is crying. How do you think they might be feeling?” It’s always a good idea (even for us adults) to get in the habit of considering the emotional state of others. 6. Use books and media Many books, movies, and TV shows can help children learn about emotions and develop emotional intelligence. No matter the age, there are plenty of resources that can help children (and adults) learn to deal with emotions healthily. We all sometimes get angry, frustrated, overwhelmed, and sometimes happy, excited, anxious, etc. Of course, children are no different. Emotional intelligence is a crucial factor in children’s success and well-being, and there are many simple things that parents and close adults can do to help nurture emotional intelligence in their children. By labeling emotions, encouraging problem-solving, modeling emotional regulation, practicing empathy, etc., we can help our young people develop the skills they need to understand and manage their emotions healthily.
10 Fun Activities to Do With Your Kids This Spring
Spring may not be here yet but it never hurts to think of all the fun stuff there is to do when it warms up! With spring comes the perfect opportunity to spend time outdoors with your young children. As the weather warms up, there are plenty of fun activities that you and your little ones can enjoy together. Here are a few ideas to get you started: Go an a picnic! Have a picnic in the park. Pack a basket with sandwiches, fruits, and juice, grab a blanket and head to your local park for a picnic. Have a picnic under a tree, play catch or tag, and enjoy the sunshine! Check out some Nature! Go on a nature walk. Take a walk through a nearby nature trail and explore the sights and sounds of spring. Look for flowers blooming, listen to the birds singing and enjoy the fresh air. There’s so much to experience when we take a moment to experience nature. Plant a garden! Plant a garden. Spring is the perfect time to start a garden. You can plant flowers, herbs, or vegetables with your kids. Not only is it a fun activity, but it will also teach them about responsibility and the natural world. And what kid doesn’t like getting a little dirty sometimes? Fly kites! Try flying kites. There’s nothing quite like flying a kite on a warm spring day. I remember having a hard time getting mine off the ground when I was a kid but I still had a blast! Head to an open field and let your kids run around while their kites soar high. Have a water balloon fight! Have a water balloon fight. Fill up water balloons and have a fun water balloon fight with your kids. It’s a great way to cool off on a hot spring day and it’s a fun activity for all ages. Homemade ice-cream, anyone? Have a homemade ice cream party: Make homemade ice cream with your kids. You can use a simple recipe or try different, interesting flavors. Once it’s ready, grab a couple of cones and enjoy your hard work! Go see some farm animals! Visit a farm: Spring is the perfect time to visit a local farm and see all the new baby animals. You and your kids can pet the animals, feed them, and learn about where our food comes from. You’ll get used to the smell eventually. Have a scavenger hunt! Have a scavenger hunt: Create a scavenger hunt for your kids to go on in your backyard or local park. You can hide items like flowers, bugs, or small toys and let them find them. Have an outdoor movie night! Have a picnic and movie night: Have a picnic dinner in your backyard or living room and watch a movie together. It’s a fun way to spend an evening and it’s a great way to bond with your kids. Head to a playground! Go to a playground: Take your kids to a playground and let them run around, climb, and play. It’s a great way to get some exercise and have some fun together. Spring is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather with your kids. These are just a few ideas to get you started, but the possibilities are endless. Once you get your creative juices going, I’m sure you’ll be able to come up with tons more fun stuff to do with your children to take advantage of spring.
The effects of technology and social media on children’s stress levels
Technology and social media are a big part of many kids’ and teens’ lives today. From smartphones and laptops to social networking apps and online gaming, these devices and platforms offer a world of fun and connection. But, as kids and teens spend more time online, some grown-ups are starting to worry about how it’s affecting their mental health and well-being. There are several areas of concern with extensive social media use in children and teens. One of the concerns is that too much time spent on social media can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and even depression. Kids and teens constantly feel pressured to update and share their lives online. In most cases, they continue to compare themselves to their peers on social media platforms. “Technology offers a world of fun and connection.” Furthermore, social media can make kids and teens feel like they’re missing out on all the fun stuff their friends are doing. As they scroll through their feeds, they might see their peers hanging out, having fun, and going on incredible adventures without them. This information can make kids feel left out and lonely, contributing to stress and anxiety. “This information can make kids feel left out and lonely, contributing to stress and anxiety.” Technology and social media can be super distracting and interrupting. Kids might get pulled away from their homework, studying, or other essential tasks by notifications and alerts from their devices. The distraction can lead to unfinished tasks and, later, more stress and frustration. Moreover, the constant stimulation and over-exposure to technology can also mess with kids’ and teens’ sleep patterns, making it harder for them to get a good night’s rest. And we all know how fun we can be (or not) when we’re tired! But it’s not all bad news! Technology and social media can also have some pretty cool benefits for kids’ and teens’ mental health. For example, social media can be an excellent way for kids and teens to connect with others with similar interests and experiences, which is helpful for their emotional well-being. Some apps and games can help kids and teens learn and develop essential skills like problem-solving and teamwork. The key is finding a balance between technology and social media’s good and bad parts. Parents can help by setting clear rules and guidelines for how kids and teens use technology and social media at home. Parents can set screen time limits and specific times of day for homework and other essential tasks and monitor what kids and teens are doing online. “… social media can be an excellent way for kids and teens to connect with others with similar interests and experiences.” Another critical step is to teach kids and teens how to use technology and social media healthily and responsibly. This includes teaching them how to manage their online presence, be kind and respectful online, and recognize and address cyberbullying and other negative behaviors. Technology and social media can significantly impact kids’ and teens’ stress levels. But, by finding a balance and teaching kids and teens how to use technology and social media healthily and responsibly, we can help reduce the negative effects and promote the positive ones.
It’s Halloween Again!
Halloween is around the corner again, and that means it’s time for Trick-or-Treating! It looks like even though the Covid pandemic isn’t quite over, Americans are generally getting back to pre-pandemic Halloween trends. It’s been reported that roughly 69% of Americans plan to participate in Halloween this year, comparable to the percentage of would-be participants from before the pandemic. It’s nice to see things getting back to the way they were, and I’m sure it’s very nice for all of the children who have not been able to fully participate during this unprecedented period. I remember going out to trick-or-treat when I was younger. We grew up Seventh-Day Adventist so we definitely didn’t indulge in the activity very much, but I can remember a few times when when we were allowed to go out with neighbors/ friends and it was always a blast. Halloween is no-doubt a very fun time, but it can also be a worrisome for some parents. Now that I think about it, it’s funny how so many children are afraid of the dark, yet I’ve NEVER heard of any children who chose not to go trick-or-treating because it was dark outside! I guess sugar is the great motivator! Halloween is no-doubt a very fun time, but it can also be a worrisome for some parents. A child’s safety is always a parent’s highest concern, and ensuring that your child can have a safe, enjoyable Halloween experience is at the top of most parents’ list this season. Did you know that Americans purchase upwards of $2.5 BILLION worth of candy in the weeks leading up to Halloween? That a lot of candy! It’s estimated that about half of American will purchase candy either for themselves or to distribute on Halloween. Be sure to monitor your child’s candy intake! It’s estimated that the average trick-or-treat haul is around 3,000 calories and up! That’s a TON of calories and a child would need to engage in a considerable amount of physical activity to burn off the amount of candy collected on Halloween. And that’s just one statistic! How about the fact that about 35 million pounds of candy corn is produced a year?! Sounds like 35 million pounds TOO MUCH if you ask me… It’s safe to say that we love us some Halloween! It’s estimated that the average trick-or-treat haul is around 3,000 calories and up! And now the important stuff… SAFETY. We’ve all heard about kids receiving poisoned candy on Halloween. Even though this scenario is very scary, it turns out that this fear isn’t entirely based in fact. Most poisoned candy stories are hoaxes or exaggerations, although there is one infamous case (Ronald O’Bryan, 1974) where Halloween candy was indeed poisoned and distributed to children. Although our fears of this may be overblown, it’s still a very real possibility and it’s up to parents to keep vigilant. It’s considered excellent practice to go through your child’s candy first to make sure there’s no funny business taking place. Checking that the candy packages haven’t been tampered with and that there isn’t anything dangerous mixed it (non-food/non-candy items that are not specifically intended for children) is always a good idea, no matter how friendly your neighbors are or how well you know them. Also, make sure that your little ones are supervised! Having a parent or older sibling or chaperon is just as important as checking your child’s candy haul, and will give both you and your child peace of mind as you enjoy the holiday. Halloween can be a lot of fun and a great experience for your child. When else can your kids stay out late, wear funky costumes (out in public, anyway), and eat all kinds of fun candy?! Halloween for a child may just be up there with birthdays and Christmas’ as far as holidays are concerned. And it doesn’t just have to be fun for your child! Halloween can be just as fun for parent as it is for their children. Go on; grab a scary costume and join in the fun! I’m sure your kid will get a kick out of seeing you in something fun as well!
Okay; Okra isn’t that bad…
I hate Brussell sprouts. They’re mushy, they smell weird, and they leave this horrible aftertaste that just makes me think more about how much I dislike them. Or, at least I thought I did. One day I was offered fire-roasted brussell sprouts, and it changed my life. Dramatic, yes I know, but the difference really was like night and day. Turns out that it’s not that I hate brussell sprouts, it’s that the first few times I had it it was boiled and probably overcooked. I hated Brussel sprouts almost as much as I hated okra. Slimy; that’s literally all I can think about when I think about okra. Slimy and bitter. Slimy and bitter and weird, that’s it. Okra was one of those things that I wouldn’t eat no matter who brought them to the cookout. ‘Yes, I know your mom’s okra is different, but I don’t want any,’ that pretty much explains my positioning. But once again, I was wrong. In this case, it was a serving of roasted okra that changed my mind (roasting might be that ‘secret sauce’). But in any case, it was another example of something that I was sure wasn’t for me that turned out was just never presented to me in a way that I could appreciate it. ‘Yes, I know your mom’s okra is different, but I don’t want any.’ There are a few other things that I initially thought that I didn’t care for but either through time or having it presented to me in another way, I found that I very much did care for them. Things like onions, Coronas, and Seinfeld (see what I did there?) were all a little off-putting at first, but either briefly (I mean, Seinfeld wasn’t THAT good) or more permanently (fried onions ain’t goin’ nowhere) these things found their place in my life. …if this same thing is presented to us a different way […] then that same thing can be a lot easier to chew. I think sometimes when we find ourselves having to deal with something we don’t like it’s easy to assume that the reaction is valid and that the reason that we don’t like this thing is because it is indeed ‘bad’. Taxes come to mind, haha. But if this same thing is presented to us a different way (ie. taxes are an opportunity to give back to and support the system that allows us to live and pursue our goals), then that same thing can be a lot easier to chew. Going to the gym to work out never really seemed appealing but enthusiastically competing against myself to get better and stronger tastes way better. We can use this idea to re-evaluate some things in our lives to see if we are missing out on value right underneath our noses. And to bring this all home, it can help us to navigate certain situations with the people we live with and care for, especially children. Green peas may very well be THAT disgusting for a child. It might be worth looking into whether there’s another way to present this thing (green peas in this case) in a way that will be more appealing. Maybe it’s worth being a little patient the next time your child says they don’t want to do something. Depending on what that activity is, it may be possible to re-frame it or present it in a way that is more palatable for the child, and will help them understand the value what it is they are being asked to do. Who know, they may even enjoy it.
Monkeypox Is No Money-Business
If you’ve been paying even the least amount of attention to the news lately, you are aware that even though the Covid-19 scare has gotten under control, we now have a new public health emergency; a recent outbreak of monkeypox. As the case-count increases worldwide, it’s important to stay informed and to take the necessary precautions to ensure that both you and your family remain safe. Those with children should be especially careful in making sure that we follow best practices to limit potential exposure to the monkeypox virus and to properly handle an infection if someone in the household has contracted the disease. As of the time of this writing there have been more than 28k reported cases of moneypox around the world. About 7.5k of those cases are in the United States. Only about 2 cases have been reported as children, but as some experts expect the number of cases to rise, it’s best to be proactive in our preventive measures. Monkeypox is spread through physical contact with the rash of an infected person or contact with materials/ items that have been in contact with a monkeypox rash, especially fabrics. It can also be spread through large respiratory droplets from an infected person but it is much less likely to be contracted in this way. Luckily, it’s much more difficult to contract and transmit monkeypox than Covid, but it is still very much a contagious disease and precautions must be taken if someone in the home has contracted the disease. If someone has contracted or potentially contracted monkeypox, it’s important to avoid any skin-to-skin contact If someone has contracted or potentially contracted monkeypox, it’s important to avoid any skin-to-skin contact with the rashes or bodily fluids of the infected person. It’s also important to avoid contact with any items/ clothing/ bedding/ etc. that may have been exposed to a monkeypox rash. Sharing eating utensils with an infected person is a big no-no. And with most health-related issues, it’s highly advised that we practice good hygiene as far as washing our hands frequently with soap, and to use hand-sanitizer when necessary. Isolation of the infected person is recommended, and it is also suggested that only one person attend to the infected individual to restrict unnecessary exposure. … it’s highly advised that we practice good hygiene… The symptoms of moneypox are said to be similar to those of the flu, as well as the more common chickenpox. Fever, rashes/ blisters, swollen lymph nodes, headache, and body-aches are all known symptoms of the disease. It’s common for many pimple-like bumps to appear that later fill with fluid and rupture, leaving blisters that scab over and heal. These bumps can be itchy and/ or painful to the touch. Children under 8 years old, those with severe skin conditions like eczema or auto-immune conditions, and pregnant women are considered to be at increased risk. Reports indicate that it usually takes around 2-4 weeks for an infected person to recover. An infected person is considered to no longer be contagious if their rashes/ blisters have completely healed, with all scabs that formed having fallen off as well. It seems we are living in strange times. Not only have we had one serious, worldwide health scare recently, but we’ve had two! And both within the span of a few years! It can be overwhelming to think about when all we want is the health and safety of our loved ones including our children. Although this particular situation is not over yet, we can all do our part to stay informed and to do what we can to prevent further spread of this disease.
We all love Nature, naturally
I was recently watching Earth on Netflix and it reminded me of how much I liked watching that type of stuff when I was younger. I actually wanted to be a wildlife photographer when I was younger (specifically birds), and now that I think about it I used to spend a fair bit of time outdoors. I remember looking at books about birds of prey and thinking it would be so cool to check them out in person and see and take photos of them in the wild. I eventually found music and spent more time diving into that, but I do wonder sometimes how things would have gone if I had pursued the wildlife stuff instead. It’s really interesting to watch nature shows like the programming from The Discovery Channel. I get the same feeling I would get as a kid when I watched similar shows. It’s a distinct, nostalgic feeling; like ‘this is really cool! I didn’t know that!’, but in a completely causal, nonthreatening way. That was probably confusing; I’ll try again. It’s like when you’re a kid and you find out something cool about nature, it’s just something cool to know about your environment and the world that we all share. Uncovering rollie-pollies and seeing fireflies and learning about polar bears and platypus’ was fun and cool because we got to see first-hand how varied and special nature is. It never really felt like a means to an end. Math was boring, but necessary, as was social studies, grammar, etc. Don’t get me wrong; that stuff can be fun, too. But seeing and learning about all of the plants and animals in the world just piqued my curiosity in a different way. Still does. [It]… was fun and cool because we got to see first-hand how varied and special nature is. It’s even more fulfilling to watch kids get excited over nature. Children love learning about nature and animals and the beautiful world that we all get to share. It’s easy for children to gravitate towards one animal or another, and they can see very clearly that even though they’re all different, they’re also all equally important. Learning from nature is almost intuitive; for a child, finding out more about nature is as fun and entertaining as it is informative. And of course, there’s how peaceful and stress-relieving being in nature can be. We have all heard about how helpful it can be to pet an animal when you’re stressed. Or how taking a walk through a park on a nice day is a pleasure that we should all indulge in from time to time. For most of us from the time we are kids until we leave this place being in nature can take our minds away from everything else that may be going on in our lives and allow us to be fully present, even for just a few moments. In a quiet, reassuring way, nature can remind us that there’s amazing things all around us and that we are truly part of something special. In any case, I probably need to go for a walk now.
Have A Little More Fun This Summer!
It’s just past the Fourth of July. With that in mind I’m reminded that I spend way too much time indoors on this here typing machine. But a glance at my phone also reminds me that it’s almost 90 degrees outside and this ac is feeling like a best friend right now. I’m reminded that I once went in for a check-up where the cro… er, doc said I was lacking in Vitamin D and how I couldn’t possibly have an issue like that if I spent as much time outside in summer as I did when I was younger. And now I’m thinking that it’s absolutely nuts how much time I spend indoors when there was a point in my childhood that there seemed like NOTHING to do indoors if it was summer. Summertime is a joy, and I for one think that it’s a shame we generally take less and less opportunities to enjoy it as we get older. I haven’t been out for ice-cream in a while, and even though I have it all the time (maybe more than I should), going out for ice-cream is a treat that reminds me of summertime as a child. I remember a time when I thought cookie dough ice-cream was bad for you but not caring one bit if it was when I got my spoon in some. I also remember the magical music of… the ice-cream truck! Every neighborhood’s ice-cream truck man has to be their first celebrity, right? Like a friendly pied piper (horrible reference btw but I have a complicated sense of humor) he’d show up, and by some stroke of heavenly genius he would have EVERY ice-cream/ popsicle/ candy a child could dream of. After running around in the sun all day, hearing that jingle and getting your favorite treat from the truck was really a taste of the good life. As I write this I’m sure there are few other things in life as wonderfully convenient as the ice-cream truck that shows up on your block at just the right moment on a hot summer afternoon. God bless the little things. Remember how amazing firework shows were as a child? It was THE BEST when you could catch a really big fireworks shows with the loud bangs and howls and pops, and every color you could imagine lighting up the evening sky. But even small neighborhood and backyard events were cool too! Firecrackers and poppers and sparklers and Roman candles, squeals and oohs and aahs and smiles. No matter how long they lasted, they were always over too soon. And no matter how many times you’d seen them, the awe was always there. I’m much less likely to make a big deal out of going to see fireworks nowadays, but I’ve gotta say that they’re still pretty darned cool when I do catch them. No matter how long they lasted, they were always over too soon. As a child in summertime, the pool is life. I’m a less than stellar swimmer to put it lightly but I definitely remember enjoying many summer afternoons at the pool. A cannonball as soon as you get there; there’s no other way to get in the pool, period. The shock of the cool, refreshing water all around your body after being in the sometimes unforgiving sun (which I appreciate very much; thank you, Sun… don’t stop shining) is one of those fleeting life pleasures that don’t get enough shine. Chicken fights, hand squirts, diving for sinkers and water up the nose. A lot f water up the nose. But you take the bad with the good, right? And the pool was a great deal of good. I also remember spending A TON of time at the water park at our local Six Flags while growing up. My sister and I would make sure to pack our swimwear so that we could spend as long as we could in the water. We’d go to the slides, then to the wave-pool, then to the Lazy River (or some variation of that combo), mixing in the splash rides and getting good and pruned before calling it quits and heading for the drier half of the park. That summer sun of youth could be pretty tough, but it also made those water adventures that much more satisfying. I’m sure if I chose to engage in those adventures more moving forward, I would experience much of the same joy that I did all those years ago. Summertime meant exploring I remember going out on trails, and riding my bike with friends all day. I couldn’t tell you when the last time I rode a bike that wasn’t stationary was, but I can tell you that when I did, I DID. I remember taking my bike out and riding as far out as I could. If I had been somewhere on my bike before then it wasn’t long an option; I was out to go where I hadn’t been before. Finding a new path to ride or a new shortcut was just like finding treasure. And it didn’t matter if I wasn’t riding because there was just so much to DO outside during summer! Trees to climb, rocks to throw and skip, woods to explore. Creeks, caves and caverns, fields, anthills, dead logs, jungle-gyms. Summertime meant freedom. Summertime meant exploring. The world was mine and everyday was just another opportunity to check out as much of it as I could. On consideration only a few things have changed, and though I’d like to make a bunch of excuses for not still being that way now, essentially I can always choose to get out more and relive the moments in nature that I enjoyed back then. I remember going to summer school once. I don’t wanna say that I must be getting old now but the fact that I’m not sure of exactly what year that was or how old I was probably says more
Make Sure You’re Getting Enough SLEEP!
I need a nap. Well, not really. But if you’re like me, you feel like you could always use a good rest. Gimme a quick 15-minute power nap or an hour to pass out; I’m happy either way. Granted, I’m usually at least a little upset afterward because, let’s face it, there’s always something that needs to get done, and nodding off doesn’t exactly give us more time to get things done. But sheesh, few things feel as good as taking it down for a few (or many) moments of sweet slumber after you’ve been hustling, running errands, and just life-ing in general. Kids… to keep it simple, let’s just say they’re the opposite. Kinda an understatement if you ask me. Sometimes just seeing children playing together and immersed in their activity makes me want to nap! It sometimes feels like they’re absolutely bursting with energy. Each one has too much for one person if you ask me. In fact, if we could find a way to bottle all that extra energy, maybe we, older folks, wouldn’t be so tired all the time! Jokes aside, sleep is super important for everyone, and studies are continuously being released showing just how important it is. According to an article released by sleepfoundation.org earlier this year, about 35.2% of adults get less than the recommended 7 hours of sleep per night. Also of interest is that a whopping 42.6% of single parents report receiving less than 7 hours of sleep per night (compared to 32.7% for two-parent homes and 31% of adults without children). Regarding sleep statistics for children, the amounts of time vary depending on the child’s age group (younger age groups need more sleep). Children are recommended to get 9-13 hours of sleep per night. Babies need even more sleep, up to 17 hours per night. … about 35.2% of adults get less than the recommended 7 hours of sleep per night. It’s usually easier to ensure children get the sleep they need by making them stick to bedtimes. Still, as adults, we often assume that whatever we have on our to-do list for the day is more important than getting an additional hour or two of rest. It can be hard to argue that this is not the case; we all know there are work and/ or family pressures and responsibilities that are priorities and need to be addressed promptly. Some things can’t be put off until later, and unfortunately, our rest-time takes the hit a lot of the time. However, the fact remains that sleep is vitally essential for us all, and whether you are an adult or a child, rest is significant to some pretty big life processes. We should all pay special attention to getting the proper amount of quality sleep every night. 1. Growth, repair, and maintenance We always tell our kids that it’s essential to get enough sleep to grow up big and strong, and even in 2022, this is still the case. But children are not the only ones to benefit from this. Muscle growth hormones are released by the body during deep sleep, and adults (especially athletes) can also take advantage of this by ensuring they get enough sleep each night. We put our bodies through a lot during any given day, and our sleep time every night is also the time that our bodies use to repair the damage of day-to-day living. People that work out or have physically demanding work can benefit immensely from getting adequate sleep, as their bodies will have the necessary time to repair the damage to their muscle fibers. Sleep is also crucial in helping us stay healthy and prevent certain illnesses. Getting enough sleep has been shown to decrease the chances of developing severe health conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, etc. Diet and exercise are additional factors that influence whether we develop these conditions, but sleep is one thing that can’t be ignored when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. 2. Learning In athletes, getting the proper amount of quality sleep is shown to increase reaction time and accuracy It’s fairly common knowledge that we are at our best cognitively when we get enough rest each night because sleep is an integral part of ensuring our minds are optimized to learn and form memories. Sleep deprivation over a long period of time has also been shown to lead to cognitive decline. There are also conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease that are exacerbated by inconsistent or inadequate sleep. The symptoms of these conditions are generally relieved when sleep habits are optimized. In athletes, getting the proper amount of quality sleep is shown to increase reaction time and accuracy, and not getting enough rest has a correlated adverse effect. Sleep may not feel like it, but it’s one of the most important contributors to a healthy mind, and we can drastically improve our cognitive health just by ensuring we get enough good sleep. 3. Balance Sleep is a big part of maintaining a healthy biological rhythm. There are a ton of pattern processes that take place in the body that are severely disrupted when we don’t get the right amount of sleep or when we don’t get a good quality of rest. It’s important that we get the suggested amount of rest on a consistent basis because it helps our bodies keep our internal clocks and rhythms in check. Naps are great and can be very helpful. But getting the right amount of continuous sleep is vital for getting into the deeper sleep cycles that are only reached once we’ve slept for a certain amount of time. (for example, the REM sleep cycle or Rapid Eye Movement cycle is essential, but it’s a later cycle that is only reached after multiple hours of sleeping). We can become irritable and emotionally off-center if we do not regularly receive adequate rest from deep, consistent sleep. … getting the right amount