Video games can be entertaining, but could they also help improve mental health?…
“A lot of them look exactly the same as games that someone could play just for fun. So they may have cartoon characters, they could have missions, but embedded in that game are treatment mechanisms,” said Tracy Dennis, Professor of Psychology at Hunter College.
Dennis designed one such game called Personal Zen. She says preliminary findings show after playing the game for 20 minutes the brain starts processing negative information differently.
Month: July 2014
10 Activities To Relax Your Child
Getting your child with special needs to relax and focus can be a difficult job. There are many situations in which our children need some help to settle down. Whether your child is excited by something fun and enjoyable or something scary and unfamiliar, a calming exercise may be needed to move on to the next routine or activity.
Each child responds differently to calming activities so it is helpful to come up with a range of activities and strategies that could be calming for your child.
Here are 10 activities to build into your child’s routine and environment, which can be calming and soothing.
1. Play quiet music
Choose music that is steady and generally mellow. Music has a natural ability to filter out noises and set the mood for the environment. If your child is out in a busy environment, try noise-cancelling headphones.
2. Create a small, quiet area for your child
Sometimes children need their own personal space where they can block out the extra noise and visual distractions. This could especially work if your child tries to escape his/her current environment if overwhelmed. Try something like a small tent or create a small book area in your home that your child can easily retreat to when it is time for them to have a break.
3. Deep breathing exercises
Practice slow breathing with your child. Model slow, deep breaths for your child to imitate. If need be, teach your child to trace his/her finger in the shape of a square or figure-8 to help pace their breather.
4. Try a little yoga
The combination of slow breathing, stretching, tensing of muscles and concentration to hold a position can be centering and calming. Introduce this to your child in a fun way, such as a children’s yoga program or a DVD.
5. Go for a walk with your child
Taking a walk can help to release some of the extra energy that has been building up in your child, especially if he/she needs a break from an activity. A change in scenery and fresh air is helpful.
6. Turn out the lights
There are times that a child could be sensitive to light. In some cases, if a child is stressed or overwhelmed, turning out the lights or going into a darkened space can help bring a sense of calm and security. If you are trying to settle your child in the evening, turn down the lights as the evening routine winds down.
7. Give a bear hug, squeeze or back rub
Be careful when approaching your children to give any type of pressure, especially if he/she is sensitive to touch or startles easily.
8. Sit in a rocking chair or swing
The slow, rhythmic movement can be soothing for your child. If your child is unsure about this, you can have him/her sit on your lap while you rock to settle them in.
9. Offer your child something to drink
A drink of water or juice can be cool your child down if he/she is overheated. In some cases, drinking from a straw is also helpful because of the sucking motion, which provides some sensory input through the mouth.
10. Look for clues from the past
Think back to activities that worked to soothe your child when he/she was an infant. Often you will find clues about new activities that could be a great calming activity for your child.
When Using These Activities
Keep in mind, there may not be one activity that always works for your child. Some activities will not come naturally to your child.
Introduce and practice these activities when your child before suggesting them in a tense moment. When possible, give your child some choice in what he/she would like to do as a calming activity. Choices could be given verbally but also through visuals, like a choice board.
If your child has sensory processing challenges, a more prescribed and guided approach may be helpful. Consult with an Occupational Therapist for a more thorough assessment and program suited for your child’s needs
Who Sigyn Is To Me
Seeing as I have used her in my blog name, I feel I should also add some thoughts on Sigyn to this vein.
Sigyn came to me, you could say. I included her in my worship of Loki as a personal note not to ignore the Norse Goddesses due to long-term association of Goddesses with the many parts of Goddess worship I cannot relate to (motherhood and marriage) but I didn’t intend to become her devotee and yet so I have.
To me, on a personal level, Sigyn is patience. She’s calm, caring, gentle and interested in her devotees. I know many of her devotees view her as being sad, as being the Goddess of self-sacrifice and grief, but I suspect due to my own struggles and personal inclinations, I don’t experience that from her even though I know it’s part of her.
There is very little about Sigyn mentioned in the lore. She is known to be Loki’s wife, and to have stayed with him after his binding to protect him, but that’s basically all that’s mentioned of her. From common UPG I somewhat share, she’s known to grieve both her own children and Loki’s. But that’s not all she does: she’s not just the sad Mother, although if you wish that would be a correct interpretation of her.
The Sigyn I know gives me calm. She listens and she cares. She adores her husband and is always close by when he’s home. She adores her children and gives the all the attention they ask for. And she adores her devotees and is always there when they reach out. She’s quiet, but steadfast. She holds the bowl, yes, but she doesn’t break, she doesn’t consider it a burden and it will never consume her. Sigyn is greater than that.
As a Goddess, Sigyn is a companion. She’s not Loki’s other half – Loki does not need another half, Loki is a whole. Sigyn is company. She’s a friend who is sometimes in his bed; she’s a woman who has carried his children; she’s someone he laughs with and relaxes with and comes home to. If I reach out to one, the other is never far away.
I know I haven’t touched on more than a fraction of who Sigyn is to people, but to me, this is what she is. I don’t think I’ve even managed to put enough of it into words. The last paragraph is so powerful to me and yet I can’t add any more words to it without losing the meaning.
Give Sigyn her due. You won’t be disappointed to know her.
beautiful
The famous astronaut who defied odds – and gravity – by landing on the moon alongside Neil Armstrong in 1969struggled with depression and alcoholism after his inspiring feat. “I can’t recall ever sharing my pain with another male friend or confiding in anyone that I was struggling to hold life together,”he wrote in his bookMagnificent Desolation.“At first the alcohol soothed the depression, making it at least somewhat bearable. But the situation progressed into depressive-alcoholic binges in which I would withdraw like a hermit into my apartment.”
After treating his depression and alcoholism, Aldrin went on to serve as thechairman of the National Association of Mental Health.
Read More… These 12 Incredibly Successful People Will Change The Way You Think About Depression
Loki & Sigyn – Gosforth Cross
In the circular design Loki lies bound while his wife Sigyn holds up a bowl to catch the poison of the serpents that torment him.
NAN envisions a world where every mother with cancer receives the care she needs for her children – so she has the time to take care of herself. By volunteering their time, Nanny Angels help mothers feel assured that their children are in safe, caring hands while they go to treatment sessions, doctor’s appointments, or simply get some much needed rest.
Providing free nanny care to young mothers with cancer – so far they are only around the Toronto area. But sill a very cool idea, and greatly appreciated I’m sure.
Tips to be your child’s health advocate
Being engaged and informed in your child’s health is one of the most important roles that a parent can fill, but dealing with a health issue can be anxiety-inducing for most parents. Here are some practical tips to help you navigate health concerns for your child.
BE INFORMED: If you have been referred to a specialist, make a list of questions prior to the visit. Keep a journal with dates and notes of each episode that your child has had and any medications the child has taken. For instance, if your child is seeing an allergist, bring a list of all known allergies, foods that triggered a reaction, severity and type of reaction, time to reaction, and any medications taken.
FIND SUPPORT: Join a support group with parents who have children coping with similar health issues. You can connect with parents in a local support group or online – and these connections can help you with everything from finding the right doctor to dealing with the emotional stress of a new diagnosis. Kinsights.com hosts online support communities to connect parents who are dealing with similar conditions and concerns. The site is also a secure resource to store your child’s medical history so you can keep track of your child’s health.
ASK QUESTIONS: Knowledge is power. Spend time doing research and get familiar with the medical terminology associated with your child’s condition. You’ll be a more informed parent, and you’ll be empowered to ask better questions during your child’s appointments.
BE PROACTIVE: Keep a copy of your child’s medical records with you when seeing a new specialist. Keep accurate records of dates and treatments for each doctor you’ve seen so that you aren’t piecing together your child’s medical history each time you see a new physician.
Whether you are managing an ongoing health issue or are in the process of finding a diagnosis, connecting with parents who have been in your shoes before can provide a crucial support network. And access to health information is better than ever before – just make sure you’re looking at reliable sources for research, medical information and insights on your child’s condition.
Holding the Bowl 