Study Shows Link Between Sleep, Obesity, and Learning Problems

A study finds that there is a connection between lack of sleep, learning difficulties, and childhood obesity. The existence of one of these three factors increases the risk that a child will also experience the other two factors. It could mean that reducing one factor can decrease the risk of developing the other two. A study was done at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. It included 351 elementary school kids. The average age of the children in this study was eight years old. There were some variables that were the same with all of the children in … Continue reading

Special Needs Podcast Roundup – Week of September 27, 2011

Every week, the Special Needs Podcast Roundup gives parents of children that have special needs some excellent suggestions of podcasts that are relevant to your life. Instead of searching all over the internet, hoping to stumble across these types of podcasts, you could simply start with this weekly list. It will save you a lot of precious time. The Parent’s Journal has a short episode that was released on September 26, 2011. This episode is about play-group ideas for toddlers and preschoolers who have physical disabilities. Kristi Sayers Menear, who is a Certified Adapted Physical Educator, shares her expertise in … Continue reading

Amy Winehouse Joins the 27 Club

This past weekend, singer Amy Winehouse was found dead in her house in London. While I was not surprised to hear this news, I was certainly saddened. Winehouse, for all her demons, was truly a talented singer. She released her debut album Frank in 2003 when she was just 20 years old. Her style was influence by jazz, Sinatra, and girl groups of the ‘50s and ‘60s. She would only have one more studio album before her death, but it blew up the charts. Back to Black was released in late 2006 and hit number one on every chart except … Continue reading

Before You Opt for Sleeping Pills

When we talk about having trouble sleeping, there are many things that you can try before turning towards medication. Prescription medication for sleep disorders are not like taking a Tylenol PM. They are highly addictive and can have massive side effects. If you’re having trouble sleeping, play close attention to what you are eating and drinking in the evenings. Avoid snacking two hours before bed, that way your body has your food digested and it’s not just sitting in your stomach. Of course you should avoid caffeinated beverages, such as soda, tea, and coffee. You should try and avoid these … Continue reading

Having Trouble Sleeping? (3)

So far we have addressed poor sleeping habits such as not waking at the same time each day, using the bedroom for activities other than sleeping, the trouble with lights in the bedroom, and the emotional effects of a messy bedroom. You can find the links to the first two articles in this series below. Today we look at the issues of anxiety and stress in sleep disorders. 5. Worry and anxiety and their effect on sleep We all intuitively know that anxiety and worry are professional sleep killers. Yet we can’t always avoid worry and anxiety in our lives, … Continue reading

Anxiety and sleeping problems

If you’re an anxious person, chances are you also experience sleeping problems from time to time. Depending on individual anxiety levels and environmental stressors in your life, the natural sleep process can be easily disturbed by stressful events which, in turn, lead to further stress and fatigue. Where stress is chronic, sleep disorders may occur. Problems with the wake-sleep cycle are common both among anxious people and those undergoing long periods of periods of stress or depression. When we are stressed, serotonin, a neurotransmitter which performs important roles in the processing of messages in the brain, can affect melatonin levels. … Continue reading

Is Your Baby Mentally Stable?

Given that there is a growing body of research focused solely on the early development of the brain, more and more experts are starting to say that health care workers should begin focusing on their youngest patients for mental health services. Whereas it was once thought that baby’s development was on cue with his/her speech, we now know that babies are capable of being significantly influenced by events in the early weeks, months and years of life. (Think about the big “to do” of Tomcat’s “silent birth”.) Long before they can speak, their little minds are at work assimilating information … Continue reading

Choosing better sleep habits

Getting a sound night’s sleep is crucial to mental and physical health. Studies show that even one night of broken or poor sleep lowers our IQ by up to 5 points. If you think that you “just can’t think straight” after a restless night in bed, you are right! Lack of sleep also exacerbates pre-existed emotional problems such as anxiety, mood disorders, and depression. So it’s important to regularly get those eight hours of regenerative peace in. Here are some tips on inviting Mr. Sandman to call on you. 1. Heavy meals encourage poor digestion as the body is called … Continue reading

The Birth of Attachment Disorders.

A baby starts to learn how to attach within hours following birth. A newborn infant sleeps in comfort and then becomes upset because of being hungry, too hot or too cold, or a wet diaper. The baby’s caregiver feeds the baby, adjusts the clothing, and changes the baby’s diaper all the while stroking, talking to, and making eye contact with the baby. Within a few repetitions of this routine the baby very quickly learns that he or she will be taken care of. Trust is established and the baby soon recognizes the caregiver and responds with smiles and coos causing … Continue reading

What is Eggshell Parenting?

There is a wide variety parenting styles that parents can choose from. Many of these are healthy choices, and parents can pick and choose which style works for them. Eggshell parenting, however, is not a healthy choice for parents or their children. PopSugar reported that eggshell parenting is the latest parenting topic of conversation on TikTok. The term was coined by licensed clinical psychologist Kim Sage, Psy.D to describe a parent whose unpredictable behavior and emotional instability leave their child feeling unsettled and like they’re “walking on eggshells.” While its more than normal to get frustrated or upset sometimes as … Continue reading