Another great, related book by Michael Breus, Ph.D. a recent guest on Lifestyle Magazine: lifestyle.org/shows/eyes-wide-open is
"The Power of When"
amzn.to/2AeK0CE
Michael Breus, Ph.D. was a recent guest on Lifestyle Magazine.
Watch his episode: lifestyle.org/shows/eyes-wide-open
Get his Book:
Good Night: The Sleep Doctor’s 4-week Program to Better Sleep and Better Health: amzn.to/2Ty0pgP
For your free copy of Sleep, Schedules, and Sanity
Visit: lifestyle.org/shows/eyes-wide-open
Enter Free Offer Code: SSS-M-F-401
LifestyleMatters Balance is an information-packed, 16-page full-color magazine written by experts in their field.
This special issue features Sleep, Schedules, and Sanity: Finding balance in your busy world.
It also includes easy recipes: Triple Treat Pepper Soup and Berry Blast Salad.
8 hours of sleep is recommended - but for up to 50% of us, 8 hours would be a luxury.
The Sleep Doctor, Dr. Michael Breus, clinical psychologist and diplomat of the American Board of Sleep Medicine and author of "Good Night - The Sleep Doctor's 4-Week Program to Better Sleep and Better Health," explores insomnia with us alongside Tammy, who shares her experiences with insomnia since childhood.
lifestyle.org/shows/eyes-wide-open
Are you looking for information, help or support on health issues?
Search Lifestyle Magazine's archives for a wealth of resources!
lifestyle.org/shows
The Noses Have It!
The sense of smell is our most sensitive sense. It is the first to develop and it influences our emotions, mood, memory and behavior. This is where aromatherapy comes in.
Aromatherapy, derived from the French word “aromatherapie,” is the use of fragrant essential oils extracted from plants to promote physical and psychological health and wellness.
The most commonly used oils are lavender, lemon, peppermint and tea tree but there are about 150 essential oils in total.
The healing properties of essential oils have been studied since the 11th century. Science has shown over and over again that aromatic essential oils can relieve stress, improve memory, sleep and energy levels.
STRESS RELIEF
When you inhale air that is infused with essential oils, your nose sends a message through your nervous system to the part of your brain where emotions are processed. This triggers the release of “feel good” chemicals like serotonin in your brain. These chemicals help you feel more relaxed.
Some experts also believe that putting essential oils in your bath, or massaging them into your skin, relaxes your muscles and joints. Some of the best oils for stress relief are basil, lavender, frankincense, rose and chamomile oil.
BETTER SLEEP
If you are suffering from insomnia and looking for something to help you sleep like a baby, aromatherapy might just be the thing for you. Essential oils like lavender, bergamot and chamomile calm your nervous system so that you can sleep better.
If stress and sleep deprivation are taking their toll, maybe it's time to pull out some of the essentials...oils that is.
Teach Your Teens Good Social Media Habits
The internet can be a dangerous place for adults, let alone teenagers. Parents should take an active role in teaching their kids how to use social media safely. Otherwise, kids learn from friends, older siblings and other influencers, whose priority is not necessarily safety.
Set Some Ground Rules
Setting ground rules and time limits for social media is one of the best ways of teaching teens good social media habits. However, teens should be part of this process as they’re the ones who must abide by the rules: it helps if they feel a sense of ownership.
Practice What You Preach
Kids and teens are sponges who learn best through observation. Leading by example is the best way to teach kids good social media habits. If parents spend a lot of time on social media, no number of rules or time limits can keep their kids from their phones and laptop screens.
Keep Them Busy
Enrolling teens in sports and other activities that keep them busy can reduce the amount of time they spend on social media. Moreover, physical activities can alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and depression and keep mental illness at bay.
Raising happy and healthy teens in the digital age is all about promoting healthy habits. Create some rules, and enroll your kids in enough activities that they’re so involved with life that they barely have time to check their social media!
lifestyle.org/teen-mental-health-social-media
Social media is a big part of the lives of teens today. It provides them with a sense of community and enables them to connect with people worldwide.
However, social media is not all sunshine and roses. Studies suggest that heavy social media usage is likelier to develop body image, low self-esteem and unhealthy habits.
Studies also show a link between common mental disorders like depression and anxiety and heavy use of social media. While it isn’t clear whether it's social media use that leads to mental illness or mental illness that leads to heavy social media use, experts generally agree that there’s a connection between the two.
Many theories attempt to explain this connection. One suggests that the social pressure of being online and available all day causes FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), which in turn leads to anxiety, a concern for any parent raising teens.
Raising Teens in the Digital Age
Every parent dreams of raising happy and responsible adults but social media has made this a lot harder. Nonetheless, it is still doable.
For help, read: lifestyle.org/teen-mental-health-social-media
It's All In The Bones!
Calcium is a tricky mineral.
It’s the most abundant mineral in the human body. It is present in many different foods. However, people still suffer from calcium deficiency, low bone mass and osteoporosis.
Insufficient calcium intake doesn’t produce symptoms in the short term, making it really difficult to know when you’re not getting enough.
Also, only 1% of the calcium in the body is needed for important physiological functions including nerve, muscle, vascular and hormonal function. The rest is stored in the bones and teeth.
When your body doesn’t get enough dietary calcium, it simply draws from the reserves in your bones and teeth. This weakens your teeth and bones, putting you at greater risk for fractures and cavities.
ARE YOU HAVING ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS?
• Muscle cramps
• Numbness and tingling in the face, hands and feet
• Joint pain
• Brittle nails
• Depression, confusion and memory loss
• Brittle and easily fractured bones
These are all symptoms of calcium deficiency or hypocalcemia.
If you think you have a calcium deficiency, talk to your health care provider to get a proper diagnosis. Your doctor will take a blood sample and check for low calcium levels.
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