Understanding Technology Guidelines for Youth

 As there are more opportunities for the use of technology, there is an increased need to understand the benefits and risks associated with children and adolescents interacting with the variety of programs they have access to. These include, but are not limited to smart phones, social media, video content, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems. In my role as a psychologist and as a mom, I strongly encourage parents to be fully informed about what their children are engaging with.  

Previously, guidelines were more focused on limiting the amount of screen time. Now with the very quickly advancing developments of AI systems, there is a need to re-address guidelines so parents, teachers, and professional practitioners can help keep kids and teens healthy and flourishing. 

This is an article from the American Academy of Pediatrics to help understand the new guidance for media recommendations. Please review, share, and utilize the helpful resources provided.  

Helping Kids Thrive in a Digital World: AAP Policy Explained

Self-Care or Distraction?

Ever wonder if your nightly ice cream, time with streaming services, exercise, or book reading is serving you well and nourishing you or distracting you from living a full life? In our culture, there are many behaviors that we engage in that may be categorized as self-care. I challenge you to consider your time spent with certain activities and how that experience serves you.  

This article explains more of the science behind self-care, distraction, and how to know the difference between the two. 

Are We Getting Self-Care Wrong?

Connection with Others

 Connection is an important aspect of living a full and meaningful life. Experiencing shared emotional states with others is a healthy way of connecting with others. Consider the friendships and bonds you have created over time with shared experiences. Shared memories can remind us of our relationships, protecting us from a feeling of loneliness.  

I am sharing a review of a recent study that explored the benefits of sharing emotions with others.

The Surprising Health Boost of Feeling Happy With Someone Else

Enjoy! 

Holiday Thriving

Happy Holiday Season!

While the month of December can be merry and bright for some people, we recognize that this is not true for everyone. There are a variety of reasons why we may have difficulties over the holidays, and each can be impactful to varying degrees. These reasons can include financial stressors, difficult personalities, strained relationships, health issues, anxiety, mental health problems, weather delays, or travel difficulties. This non-exhaustive list can contribute to our experience of the holiday season. 

 

When we understand the relationship between our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and how these dynamics influence our experience of the world and ourselves, stressors can impact differently.   

I am sharing this resource to help you thrive during the holidays:

Greater Good Resources for Thriving Over the Holidays 

Best wishes for a healthy and loving holiday season! 

Coping with Uncertainty

 When there are unexpected changes in our lives, it can be difficult to adjust. People may experience heightened fear and worry, have difficulty sleeping or concentrating, and may feel more irritable. Embracing uncertainty can help face challenges and build resilience. We grow from our discomfort! 

I am sharing an article from the American Psychological Association with specific strategies to help manage and accept uncertainty. 

Happy growing! 

Cell Phones and Schools

 Happy Fall! 

Now that school has been in session for several weeks, I wanted to touch on the recent changes with the use of cell phones in schools. From a psychological perspective, the use of cell phones during class time has been problematic across multiple domains, including students and parents reporting difficulty with focus, less social interaction, reduction in grades, and reduced ability to handle discomfort. 

I am sharing an article from the American Academy of Pediatrics detailing some helpful strategies to help adjust to the change in cell phone access and use during the school day. I am eager to see how successful students will be at the end of this academic year! 

If your child is having difficulty adjusting, reach out to a mental health professional for treatment and guidance. 

The Sun is Still There

 On a bright sunny day, it may feel easy to appreciate the blue sky, sunshine, and fresh air.  There are times, however, when we struggle to see or notice the nice sky. The day may be described by some as “pleasant” or “beautiful,” while others may be moving so quickly or experiencing symptoms of stress, anxiety or depression and feel unable to embrace the day. On those cloudy and gray days, an optimistic outlook will show that the sun is still there and in fact still providing all of the wonderful daylight we experience. A more pessimistic, sad, anxious, or depressed outlook will find it difficult to recall that light is still there. Hopefully, if you or your child identifies with the latter, a search for help and support is underway. Meeting with a mental health professional, sharing concerns with friends and family, as well as accepting difficulty and using it as a motivation to change can be tricky but healthy. 

 These considerations were my motivation for writing the story: The Summer it Rained: How Boppy the Beagle Learned to See the Sun Behind the Clouds 

In this online book, you will meet Boppy and his friends, his family, and helpers along the way and discover how to change your or your child’s outlook. You will learn how to build resilience and engage in effective problem solving. This book is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or on my website .  

 

Happy reading and growing!