Depression Hurts Everyone! Types of Depression.

Defining Depression.

Have you, or anyone you know, ever been in the same position as the person in the video above?

Did you think that depression was just a trivial mood swing, or maybe the person is a wimp or even a loser?

If you, or someone you know, has been exhibiting the symptoms that you have seen in the video, persistently, throughout the day for two weeks or more and has been accompanied with unexplained pains or aches, this person has been suffering in silence and need help, they need to see a doctor!

Depression is a major depressive disorder that is different from the "Blues". When we experience Depression we are grappling with feelings of severe despair that can affect almost every aspect of our life, it is, as if we are existing in a long dark tunnel for which there is no end.

Studies have shown that 79% of people who have been diagnosed with Depression, say that they have been Discriminated against because of their Depression, although, it has, also, been thought that Discrimination leads to Depression.

Please, don't discount it as someone changing into a different person or having low self confidence or laziness,( these traits are trivial compared to Depression).

Take a look at the picture (above) of PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan for Depression in a human brain.

Note the difference between the two.

A decrease in the white and yellow areas shows decreased brain activity due to depression, as opposed to the brain activity of a person without depression.

Depression is a genuinely, serious medical condition with real symptoms that are mental, physical, emotional and behavioral.

The table below should give you an idea what to look for.

Some Symptoms of Depression to look for :-

(click column header to sort results)

Mental	Physical	Emotional	Behavioral
Unable to focus.	Feeling unexplained aches and pains in the body.	Feeling sad throughout the day, everyday.	Taking part in fewer social activities.
Feeling drained mentally.	Feeling as if there are knots in the gut or sick to your stomach.	Feeling worthless.	Avoiding contact with friends.
Taking three hours to get something done that usually takes one hour.	Increase or decrease in weight.	Feeling hopeless.	Neglecting hobbies.
Difficulty making decisions.	Moving and speaking slowly.	Feeling unecessarily guilty.	Not doing well at work.
Difficulty remembering things.	Loss of libido and interest in sex.	Irritable.	Avoiding interests.
Losing interest in something that was once pleasurable.	Disturbed sleep (can't go to sleep, waking up too early) or sleeping too much.	Restless.	Apologizing for everything.
Thoughts of suicide.	Constipation.	Fatigued.	Becoming absent from work.
Not paying attention to their surroundings	Digestive problems that are resistant to treatment.	Feeling empty.	Having difficulties with family members
	Weak immune system.	Anxious.	Having difficulty with other relationships
	Constant colds and flu.	Helpless.	Not doing well at school
	Become inactive, ( sit and stare blankly)	Hurt.

Clinical Depression is linked to Neurotransmitters in the Brain

Depression and the Brain

Depression is a brain disorder that leads to emotional problems. It is considered a chronic medical condition because it disrupts the balance of the brain. People of all ages experience symptoms of depression stemming from a variety of conditions.

It could be triggered by an external condition, i.e. a traumatic event. Or

It could be caused by an internal condition, sneaking up on you from the inside, i.e., a chronic illness.

Neurotransmitters are chemicals that neurons make and secrete so they can communicate with other neurons throughout the brain.

Researchers have discovered three major neurotransmitters that are produced in the brain, they carry electrical impulses and chemical signals that carry messages across the brain to different parts of the body, through the central nervous system. These are :-

1. Serotonin - a chemical that helps to relay messages from one area of the brain to another and to other parts of the body. It is found in the blood platelets, the digestive tract and in the central nervous system. It contributes to feelings of well being and happiness. A low brain cell production of Serotonin, or lack of receptor cells to receive it and other biochemical glitches can lead to depression symptoms such as anxiety, panic and even an excess of anger.
2. Norepinephrine - a chemical that is a neurotransmitter and a stress hormone. It is secreted by an inner region of the adrenal organ and is also, produced by the nerve endings. As a hormone, it works hand in hand with adrenaline in responding to stressful situations, and is responsible for keeping the heart rate, blood pressure and blood sugar levels normal, which is significant to the body's fight or flee response. As a neurotransmitter, it's plays an important role in our learning,sleeping, dreaming, attentiveness and emotional capabilities. A low level of norepinephrine will lead to depression symptoms such as low energy, memory retention, loss of interest, low mood and low self esteem.
3. Dopamine - is a chemical compound that acts as a neurotransmitter. It is produced in several areas of the brain and is essential for the healthy functioning of the central nervous system, it is also responsible for our motivation-driven learning process. This is associated with feelings of pleasure and happiness, it also, involves controlling movement and aiding in the flow of information to the front of the brain. Depression is linked to an imbalance in the dopamine system. A low release of dopamine from the brain and the poor ability of the brain cells to transmit dopamine throughout the central nervous system can lead to depression.

Types of Depression

There are a various types of Depression. I have listed a few of the popular ones :-

1. Major Depression a.k.a, Major depressive disorder or clinical disorder, this is, that constant feeling of hopelessness and despair that interferes with your ability to eat , sleep, work, study or enjoy friends and family or any of your previous interests and hobbies. Persons with this type of depression entertain thoughts of death and may become suicidal. Chronic major depression may require treatment for an indefinite amount of time.
2. Dysthymic Disorder a.k.a Mild Chronic Depression or Dysthymia, is characterized as changes in the levels of chemicals in the brain. Medications, problems at work or relationships may play a role in someone becoming mildly depressed. It has the same symptoms as chronic depression but is not as serious, although it does interfere with your daily well being. It is a milder form of major depression and requires similar treatment.
3. Bipolar disorder or Manic Depressive Disorder, this is a very unstable state of depression. One experiences severe highs and lows with period of normal moods that can switch rapidly or gradually. In a low depressive state, a person can have all the symptoms of depression and in a high manic state, one can be overactive, high energy, making unwise decision and become very harmful to oneself or other people around them. In that, they can go from being suicidal to murderous. If left untreated, a person with this type of depression can become psychotic.
4. Postpartum Depression, describes the range of physical and emotional changes that new mother experience. It is common among women who had recently given birth. Postpartum Depression affects nearly 10 - 15% of women about three to four months after labor, it is linked to the rapid drop of hormones after delivery, change in social life and other psychological and life changes that comes with having a baby. what is known, is that levels of the female reproductive hormones increase ten times more during pregnancy, then drop after delivery. The chemical imbalance is a symptom of depression. A small percentage of women can develop postpartum psychosis. Usually counseling and support are a part of the treatment that can help mothers through this.
5. Seasonal Depression or (SAD) Seasonal Affective Disorder, a.k.a Winter depression this is a mood disorder that affects a person at the same time every year, e.g. winter getting you down more than usual, starting with Fall. A change in ones attitude is automatically triggered each year at the same time, this is caused by hormones that are manufactured deep in the brain. Light therapy is one of the treatments used for this type of disorder.
6. Psychotic Depression, this is a type of Major Depression, which is so severe that it is characterized as a person's thoughts and emotions losing touch with reality, (becoming psychotic). People with psychotic depression may think that they are hearing voices or think that other people around them can hear their thoughts or everyone wants to harm them.They have strange illogical ideas, get angry for no reason. People with psychosis might be ashamed or humiliated by their thoughts and try to hide them, this makes it difficult to diagnose. It is, also known to have a genetic component and can run in families. A person with a depression this severe, needs to be hospitalized and be in the care of mental health professionals, it is a treatable disorder which can lead to suicide if it is not successfully treated.

A few symptoms of psychotic depression are :-

1. Delusions.
2. Agitation.
3. Be abnormally concerned about ones health.
4. Constipation.
5. Anxiety.
6. Intellectual impairment.
7. Hallucinations.

Who can get Depression?

The answer is :- ALL OF US.

Anyone can become Depressed. Whether you are a man, woman, teenager or child. Young person or old person, even your pets can get depressed.

We all get health problems, experience life changes and stressors, and some of us deal with disability in one form or another. One can also feel depressed, when we are not getting enough folate, ( vitamin Bc that is needed for cell growth and reproduction), or omega-3 fatty acids (protect against heart disease,inflammation, etc.).

Depression in Men

Men who become Depressed

Men of all ages go through life changes that can trigger depression. Changes such as :-

• Retiring.
• Losing a job.
• Finding out that you have a health problem.
• Military service/combat experience.
• Sudden money problems.
• Divorce.
• Death of a loved one.
• Questions about one's sexuality.

These are just some of life's events that can cause depression in men.Too many men ignore their signs of depression, cover it up or even deny that they have it. This is due to the fact that Depression may be thought of as :-

• A sign of weakness.
• Losing the respect of those around them.
• A case of mistaken identity, i.e. men might feel that these are related to their manhood, when it is Depression.
• Sexual problems, again, the "manhood thing". Men are often unwilling to admit that they have sexual problems.
• A woman's problem.

Depression does affect more women than men (10 - 20% of women and 5 - 10% of men). But it has no gender classification, it is nothing to be. ashamed about and there is no reason to be ashamed of it. You can recognize for what it is and face it as a challenge, so you can work on it and start getting out of it. Start by talking to your family doctor about your about what you are going through mentally and physically. The point is, do not suffer in silence

Depression in Women.

Women who are depressed.

Depression in women manifests itself as :-

• Decreased energy, fatigued, feeling slowed down.
• Lack of interest in anything at all, eating, drinking, sex, friends, hobbies, etc.
• Physical symptoms that doesn't respond to treatment, i.e. stomach ache, headache, indigestion and other bodily pains.
• Restlessness.
• Sleeping too much or not enough sleep.
• Difficulty concentrating, forgetful.
• Suicidal.
• Excessive crying.
• Weight loss.

Depression is more common in women than in men, before adolescence the rate of depression in boys and girls is about the same. With beginning of the pubescent stage in a girls life, the risk of becoming depressed increase two folds.

This is attributed to the fact that there are changes in the hormone levels in a female body more than men. Women's bodies goes through several changes throughout their lifetime:-

• Start of the menstrual cycle during puberty.
• Hormonal fluctuations each month in the menstrual cycle.
• During pregnancy.
• After giving birth.
• Experiencing a miscarriage.
• Experiencing menopause.

Some factors that would contribute to depression in women:-

• Physical and sexual abuse as a child.
• Loss or threat of social support.
• Being a single parent, i.e. divorce or separation.
• After Child birth.
• Use of contraceptive.
• Family history of mood disorder.
• Ongoing psychological stress of juggling work and family.
• Premenopausal syndrome (PMS).
• Loss of a parent or sibling.

Depression in teenagers.

Teenage who become Depressed

Did you ever wonder if it depression is the cause of your teenage kids' irritability and unhappy state, instead of just plain old teen hormones?

Studies show that one in every eight adolescents have teen depression, or for about 100 student in high school, 20 will suffer from depression. Teens can develop feelings of worthlessness caused by school performance, social status, peer pressure, etc. Kids with teen depression may :-

• Sleep excessively.
• Exhibit criminal tendencies, such as shoplifting.
• Turn to drugs.
• Change their eating habits.
• Spend long hours in their room, behind closed doors, without any apparent cause.
• Complain of pain in the stomach, head or lower back.
• Fatigue, trouble concentrating.
• Sudden drop in grades.
• Be rebellious.
• Withdrawal from friends.

Teen depression can be diagnosed through interviews conducted by health professional, this is to determine the severity of depression experienced by a teen. There are certain signs to look for in observing a depressed teenager :-

• Starting to use or abuse drug.
• Starting to use or abuse alcohol.
• Talking about how hopeless the future is.
• Preparing for death, giving away favourite possessions, writing goodbye letters
• Talking as if no one cares.
• Threatening to kill oneself.

Depression in Children

Young children who become depressed.

Depression does not only affect adults. Young children who are depressed display low mood or sadness, just like adults. It should not be discounted as just emotional or psychological growing up or maturing.Here are some signs to look for in a depressed child:-

• Change in feelings - child may start feeling guilty, angry, fearful, rejected, etc.
• Changes in behaviour - child may cry easily, overreact, have sudden bursts of anger or tears over small incidents.
• Feeling worthless. A child might think that they don't matter.
• Feeling fatigued, low energy.
• Low self-esteem, blame self for everything, dislike self.
• Impaired thinking. Would be able to see self as smart or able to do what the other child did.
• Difficulty in concentrating. Can't focus on a task at hand.
• Change in appearance. Dress in such a way that would indicate that he or she don't care anymore.

If you notice some or most of these symptoms in a your child talk to them and talk to your family doctor about it.

There is Hope for Depression Sufferers.

You can work with your doctor to cope with, and get out of depression by seeking to understand the symptoms and how it is affecting you personally. There are support groups that focus on you and depression and along with the general medical symptoms of depression, there are a few more symptoms that you, personally, can check yourself for, and face and conquer in order to get yourself out of depression. Here are a few personality traits that you can look at yourself for :-

1. Are you a person who is pleasant and charming with everyone outside of your home but you are the complete opposite in your own home? This would create stress for you, start by being pleasant and charming at home too.
2. Do you just talk and think about yourself only? That would eventually isolate you from everyone, become genuinely interested in the other people around you.
3. Do you criticize everyone around you? Learn to "hold" your tongue or praise people every time a criticism comes to the tip of your tongue.
4. Do you "put down" other people all the time?Think about it, if you are better than everyone else, why are they all happier and more accepted than you. Look at the person's good points and be a genuine friend.
5. Are you a person who is constantly envious of other people? Think of the reason that you are envious, make it your personal mission to change that feeling to happiness for your own mental health.

I could go on and on about all the personality traits that can send us into depression (the ones that the doctor don't know about), but you get the idea, although it can be tough to do. Always Look on the Positive side of Life, makes for a Healthier Mental State and Body!

Continue reading Depression Hurts Everyone! Types of Depression.

Should we keep our infant's environment totally sterile?

Babies and germs, a good mix?

When I was a kid, my mother used to say “well, you have to eat a bucket of dirt and a barrel of bugs before you die so I guess you’ll live if you get dirty” . What she meant was a child will inevitably get dirty, be exposed to germs, and be around others who are sick. You can’t protect them from everything, and you probably shouldn’t.

I already hear everyone all around the internet screaming about this one; however, take a moment to hear me out. When a child is born, they are leaving a relatively sterile environment and entering a world filled with bacteria, viruses, and germs of every form. Their immune system has to be strong enough to quickly build and fight such exposure within their first few hours of life. In fact, an infant’s system has billions of immunological cells within their body so they can fight the different microorganisms that they are so suddenly exposed to in our less than sterile world. (In fact their immune systems are capable of fighting 10,000 germs at one time when they are born and as they develop. Infants currently receive five with each immunization.)

Then, before they even have their first drink of milk (from whatever source) they have already received vaccines from the nurses who attend the newborn babies. Then the milk (breast milk, is of course the best source) will provide another means of fighting the microorganisms that always seem to be floating around no matter how hard we try.

Should it be sterile?

"Hi, I like to invade adults, but young kids terrify me because they can fight me better than adults."

Now, with all of this in mind, should we keep them in as sterile an environment as we can until they are older? I don’t believe so. We should keep them in a clean environment, of course, but I think that today’s society goes too far. For instance: I have seen commercials showing parents of toddlers how to bleach their child’s toys daily to keep them germ free. Cleaners are now available to 'clean the germs away from' the child’s high chair, the refrigerator, the stove, the sink, the floors and even the dishes that the child uses.

I have seen parents panic if their child gets near someone who is coughing or sneezing, even if that person is taking precautions. I have seen doctor’s offices, vet's offices, vision specialists, etc. remove the toys and books from their waiting rooms. I have seen people panic if their child touches a table in a fast food restaurant; and you wouldn’t believe the panic if they fall, sit, or touch the floor in any way! Keep things clean, yes, but is there a point when we have gone overboard? Before you start sending me death threats or something, let me explain why I ask that question. Who knows, you might actually begin to agree with me.

To start with, let's try to break things down a bit.

The child has been born with an immense immune system capable of taking on 10,000 different types of germs at one sitting. The child needs these germs to help build their immune system so they can fight illness. Once the child begins receiving nourishment, their immune system can begin to build its own vaccines to normal everyday bacteria, viruses, and germs so their body can fight against them. Does this mean the child might get sick? Of course there is always the possibility; in fact it is most likely, and preferable. Mild illness is normal and natural for an infant and toddler. In fact it is necessary if the child is going to grow up strong and healthy.

Imagine the child who has been in a sterile environment all of their life. They turn 18 and go out into the world. Their immune system hasn’t developed any antibodies since infancy because they have been protected from all of the normal germs to which young children are exposed. Their immune system as an adult is possibly capable of fighting germs one by one; but they will be infected by several different types of germs all at once. In fact, the immune system of an adult has about 1/8th of the fighting capability of an infant or toddler. What do you think is going to happen to that new adult? I’d hate to find out, but I’m sure it will be BAD.

To germ or not to germ (sorry, just joking)

	Germ	Possible Result
Child	slightly ill	child-stronger
Adult	very ill	adult-still very ill

Now that I have broken it down a bit, what is next?

Now I am not saying let the child play in the toilet (NO WAY!) and I’m not saying let the child crawl around in stagnant water (UGH!). I’m not saying the child should play with raw chicken (DISGUSTING) and I’m not saying the child should be allowed to eat rotten food (UMPH).

Common sense tells us that we need to keep our children away from the worst of the germs. These are things that even adults can't fight. But to sterilize their beds, their toys, their clothes, their seats, the door knobs they touch, the rugs they walk on, the table where they draw and color, even their food is a bit far out. Let the kid be a kid. Let them get dirty once in awhile, they are washable. Let them be exposed to the small germs that populate the house. It won’t hurt them; in fact it will PROBABLY make them healthier in the process. (And yes, children are usually sicker than adults because they haven't been exposed to as many viruses and germs as an adult has been and so they do not yet have any immunity to them.)

HOW will it make them healthier? Well, when a child is exposed to mild germs and bacteria their body immediately begins producing antibodies to fight them. In the process, just like when they receive a vaccine, they become immune to the germs and bacteria to which they are exposed. Since their immune system is so much stronger than an adult or even a young teenager, they should be exposed to the mild germs as an infant and/or toddler to allow their body to build a defense against them before their immune system slows down its fighting abilities. I don't mean that you should purposely allow your child to play in the trash, I mean don't sanitize every little thing your child might possibly touch!

Children can fight the battle with germs better than adults can! They have a stronger immune system!

The mommy instinct!

I hear that dreaded sentence coming from so many mommy lips: “But then they’ll get sick!” Your child might get sick to some extent, (and probably will since they don't yet have the antibodies to fight the bacteria) but that just means the bacteria, virus, or germ was a strong one and it is taking a bit longer for your child to build up an immunity to it. Will they become deathly ill from mild exposure? NO-NO-NO! Most infants and toddlers are healthy enough to fight off the usual cold, sniffles, ear infections and such that are so common when children are young. There is always the exception, but we all know when our children are generally healthy and when they are not.

In between---the battle ground.

Keeping them in a bubble to prevent them from ever getting ill will prevent them from developing an immune system that can fight illnesses when they become adults.

There needs to be a happy medium when it comes to our children. We don’t want to shove them into every situation that exposes them to a bacteria, but we don’t want to over-protect them from it either. What we need to do is find that middle point, the one that says “OK, that isn't too much ,” or “That’s not too bad ”. I know it’s hard, but we all have to find that point, for our children’s sake. We want them to be strong, healthy and ready for any challenge, including the challenge of illness.

We really can’t protect our children for their entire lives. We can’t keep them in a bubble inside a well-guarded safe until they die of old age (as mommies all over the world would like to be able to do). We can, however, do our very best for them. One way is to keep them as healthy as possible. Another is to allow their natural defenses to come to the forefront and fight the battles that will need to be fought at one time or another during their lifetime. Why not allow the battle to be fought when your child’s immune system is strong enough to easily win!

The conclusion...........

If you keep your child clean, well fed, and safe from any dangerous environments, but don't carry it too far, your child will grow up to be strong and healthy. A cold now and then is no big deal. A sneeze or three doesn't mean they are to be bedridden for weeks. An ear-infection doesn't mean you have been a neglectful parent. It is not bad to let them make a mud pie or splash in the mud puddle out-back (unless you know there is something harmful like a dead animal in it). So let them get out and get a bit dirty. Let them play. Let them be exposed to a minor germ now and then. Allow your child to be a child so that their natural disease fighting abilities can create those all important antibodies that will keep them illness-free in their later years. Keep the disinfectant for when it is really needed.

Continue reading Should we keep our infant's environment totally sterile?

Ten unique things we can do to keep our kids healthy.

We hear it all the time, to keep your kids healthy they should eat right, exercise, and have shots up to date.

Yes, we all know the drill. But kids, ya gotta love them, are not just a cute face that follows you around and listens to your every word. No, sadly, kids are curious. They want to know why that thing on the stove turns red or orange. They want to know why you smell good after spraying that bottle on yourself. They want to know what that awful smell is and why it smells bad. There is so much more, that I could fill a whole hub with just the list. However, I will end here. I do, however, wish to note that kids are also extremely intelligent. They mimic an adults every move, and they throw our own words back at us. Rotten brats, oops, I mean, silly kids.

Children get distracted.

Children tend to forget what they are, and are not, supposed to do because they are so interested in what is going on around them. For instance, that tiny little sparkly thing under the couch looks real interesting………. So when that little youngster of yours begins to go quiet (warning, warning, red flag, red flag), you might want to check and see what the little angel has gotten into. No matter how much we clean and “child proof” our homes, they always manage to find the one thing we missed. I wonder how they do that.

Children learn what they see, not what we tell them.

Spend time with them while showing them how good we are at keeping safe and healthy. Our children learn more from our examples than from our words. No matter how much we say “no, no, no”, if we do, do, do, that is what the child will see, and inevitably, do. We can't believe that they won't see us do things because they have big ears and big eyes. Take the time to clean up your act (if you need to) so that you can teach your child the things you want your child to learn. Remember that the saying "do as I say not as I do" doesn't work.

Eating well is hard to teach unless you begin early.

Introduce the child to fruits and vegetables at an early age. (I always use the idea of “if you try a little and don’t like it, you don’t have to eat the rest.” They generally eat it, especially if it is a vegetable that I like.) This will help them develop a healthy eating habit. Also, limit how many sugary treats and snacks are in the house. This helps teach the child that a little goes a long way. (And no fair hiding and munching when the child can’t see you, remember the do as I do rule.)

Also, when throwing a party for the child, try asking everyone to bring a dish. That will mean they will be taking home the left-overs and there will be less for your child (and you) to snack on later.

Brushing their teeth

Teach the child to brush their teeth early. Early childhood tooth decay can cause a variety of health and mental issues later on in life. Children with poor tooth health often suffer pain, tooth loss, infections which can cause developmental problems and/or illness, and eating disorders. Their organs may not develop correctly due to bacteria or incorrect eating habits because their teeth hurt. They may have trouble concentrating in school and may have trouble socializing because of their teeth. When baby teeth develop decay and have to be removed, adult teeth may not come in correctly as a result.

You could give them fun brushes to use and a timer set for 2 minutes. Note: avoid giving a child a sugary bottle at bedtime because the sugar stays in their mouths for the majority of the night and can, and will, affect their first teeth.

Keep them to a schedule

Sounds like the army, right? But, this actually helps them develop a balance of work and play time. A set schedule also helps to get the child to sleep on time giving them the necessary amount of sleep required for their development (and making it much easier for you at night). It also helps the child to eat better and snack less if meals are at a set time. There will be less trouble with getting them off to school, getting homework done, and getting their rooms clean (OK, I was exaggerating with that last one, but we can hope.) Children on a schedule get better grades, adjust faster to new situations, and handle adult stress better. I am not suggesting that you use a schedule so tight that nothing ever changes, but a regular schedule does make a difference.

While you are keeping them on that schedule, try to be consistent in your discipline techniques. If you give them a time-out each time they they argue back, rather than yell several times and then things get real rough, your child will understand that they will get a time-out if they argue back. This will prevent them from doing so except in extreme cases--at which time you might want to listen to them rather than punish them.

Peer pressure can be tough on kids

Your child may be convinced by their peers to wear certain things that show their position in life. For instance, if yellow sneakers with flashing lights are the newest thing, your child might be bullied into asking for a pair. Then, they might be wary when those sneakers become tight because they know you won't buy them a new yellow flashing set.

Check clothes and shoes often for tightness or wear and tear

Children often seem to grow overnight and their clothes get tight causing irritation, bruises, and sores. Tight clothes can also cause infections if not addressed. Often children get so caught up in their playing, that they forget to say something about their shoes hurting their toes or their pants rubbing their legs. Also, they might not tell you about it because it is the latest thing to have or it is their favorite item. Try to get the clothes slightly loose so the child has a bit of ‘breathing’ room (it’s a chance, but, well, if you are a parent, you know how quick they grow).

Strange animals

Teach your children not to approach strange animals. Strange animals may have health issues, parasites that may affect children if they touch them, or they may bite or scratch the child causing serious injury. Animals, especially sick or injured ones, will attack in order to protect themselves. It is instinct. Just like sniffing the air for an enemy or knowing how to get home. Just like a stranger, if children don’t know an animal, they shouldn’t approach it. And make sure they know to ask before approaching an animal that is attended by someone. Even animals with their owners might bite if approached without warning. Especially since children are fast and loud. This will frighten the animal even more. Wild animals should be avoided at all costs!

Lunch trading

When you pack a lunch for your child, you know the food is good and safe for your child to eat. If they trade their food, they could get something they are allergic to, for instance, or they might get a sugary treat that could make them sick. Children should never trade their lunches. A good way to keep your child from trading their lunch, is to let them choose what goes into their lunch each day. Have a variety of fruits, healthy snack items, and flavored milks as well as their favorite sandwich fixings.

Sometimes it makes them feel more grown up if you give them things like mayo packets so they can put on their own mayo at lunch. Be sure to include a spoon (knives are dangerous even if they aren’t sharp) to spread the mayo and a bag to seal the spoon in so they don’t get mayo all over their lunch box when they bring the spoon home. Or, you can give them a plastic spoon that they can throw away. Getting their lunch together the night before means they will have a healthy lunch rather than something thrown together as they are racing out the door to catch the bus.

Avoid the germ war

Teach your child to wash their hands often and properly to avoid germs that may be present. All children get sick because their immune system is still trying to build itself up. The younger the child, the weaker the immune system. The fighting of the germs children are exposed to might make them a bit sick. No big deal, right? We don’t really want to avoid the common germs because they do help our children’s immune systems to develop.

But what about other cases like when the child falls on the ground (imagine what could be there for them to put their hands into) or empties the trash into a dirty trash bin? Those germs are stronger than the common ones and they can cause your child to become seriously ill. If your child regularly washes their hands (especially after these events), there will be less of a chance the child will become seriously ill. They may get a bit sick, but their bodies can fight that. They can’t fight the serious bacteria that grows and mutates into something stronger and stronger as we try to fight it. By teaching our children to properly wash their hands, and to wash them often, we teach them to wash away those dangerous germs causing less exposure and less of a chance of them getting seriously ill.

Gaming systems are not babysitters

Restrict the use of your child's gaming systems. Involve them more in the things to be done with the family. Gaming systems are great for teaching children dexterity, hand/eye coordination, and brain strength, but too much can be dangerous and/or addictive. By involving them in doing things for/or with the family, you get them their much needed exercise but you also give them a sense of accomplishment. Assign them each a simple chore to be done each day, or have them help with dinner.

You would be surprised how much little hands can help out when you get creative. I have put my young ones to work setting the table, stirring items on low heat, mixing eggs into a batter, or even drying the plastic items when I did dishes. It gives them a sense of involvement, a sense of accomplishment and a sense of being grown-up. (Oh yes, make sure everyone in the house compliments them on a task well done when they brag about their endeavors.) The best part is: once they get used to helping out when young, it is easier to get them to help when they are older. And don't let the boys off the hook if you believe that some tasks are for girls only. Teaching a boy to cook, do dishes and wash clothes will be excellent for when he is on his own and needs to do these things for himself.

Love, love, love

As children grow, of course, you will have to get creative with your teachings; however, I think the majority of these will be lessons learned for a life-time of healthy choices and observations. Oh yes, one last thing. Love your kids unconditionally. No matter what they do, say, or break, they are still your kids and they love you more than you will ever know. Show them that love back, as often as you can, and training, teaching, guiding, and helping will be much easier. Besides, it is so much fun to wrap that cute little angel in your arms and hug and kiss them, isn’t it (especially when they are ‘all grown up’ and don’t do that mushy stuff anymore, right moms?)

I know a lot of what I have here is common sense, but sometimes it’s easier to keep up with such things if they are written down for us to see. I hope I have given at least one person a helping hand in keeping their children healthy.

Continue reading Ten unique things we can do to keep our kids healthy.