effects are ultimately hurting their ability
to fully function during the day.
The National Sleep Foundation
recommends that children between
the ages of 6 and 10 get 10-11 hours of
sleep per night, while 11 to 17-year-olds
should get 8.5 to 9.5 hours. A poll done
by the foundation last year revealed that
children were falling short and losing out
on the benefits of a good night’s sleep.
Research shows that less sleep leads to
learning and behavior problems, directly
affecting cognitive ability, concentration,
and problem-solving skills. Many families
have seen the negative effects and often
assume they are symptoms of ADHD,
when these distracting behaviors could
likely be reduced or even eliminated by
an earlier bedtime.
Make Sleep Matter
• Set bedtimes and wake times. You
can start to make sleep a higher priority
for your kids by setting a good example
and getting enough sleep yourself.
Start by setting bedtimes and wake-up
times that you can adhere to on both
weekdays and weekends. Creating a
pattern will help your body understand
its sleep cycle, allowing for more restful
nights.
• Create wind-down activities before
bed. The half-hour before bed should
be free of high-energy activities. Start a
bedtime routine that includes calming
activities like bathtime or reading.
• Make a bed sanctuary. As adults,
nothing is better than a comfortable
place to sleep at night. Make your
children’s beds the same for them. Add
extra pillows for comfort and a favorite
stuffed animal to keep them company
at night. Keep lights down to a dim
lamp or nightlight to make the room
dark enough for sleeping.
• Keep electronics out or off.
Electronics produce a blue light that
sends a signal to your brain to stop the
release of melatonin, making it harder
to fall asleep. On top of wanting to text
with friends or check social media,
children and teens will give any excuse
to stay awake. Electronic devices are
best left in the dark at bedtime.
BAD HAIR DAYS?
If you seem to be having a stint of
bad hair days, maybe your body is
trying to tell you something. Poor hair
condition could be a sign of physical or
psychological issues.
Keeping an Eye on Your Hair
• Increase water intake. Dehydration
becomes evident in many forms, but
one lesser known form is brittle hair.
Increasing water consumption has
many benefits, including improving
the look and feel of your hair.
• Hair loss may be a sign of bigger
issues. It is normal to lose 80-100
hairs per day. Feel like you are losing
more than that? Stress and anxiety
could be the cause. If you can’t
identify specific stressors, talk to your
doctor. Excessive hair loss could be a
sign of other health problems.
• Eat well for luscious locks. Think
your diet has nothing to do with the
way your hair looks? Think again.
Hair quality can change over time
with continual consumption of
processed foods. Keep a healthy diet
full of nutrient-rich foods including
healthy fats, dark leafy greens, and
fish and you’ll be on your way to
radiant hair.
HEAR ALL ABOUT IT
Although hearing loss is most
commonly associated with aging, it
could happen at any time and can be
caused by environmental conditions
like working in a noisy environment,
earwax buildup, or inner ear damage.
According to the National Center for
Health Statistics, the average person
waits six years after the first signs of
hearing loss to get checked by a doctor.
Hearing problems are considered an
undertreated issue for reasons including
patient denial, vanity, and less awareness
of issues associated with hearing
loss. With the oldest Baby Boomers
entering their 70s, an age at which
many individuals only start seeking
medical attention for hearing ailments,
it is important to take charge at the first
signs of trouble.
A study on the psychological
effects of hearing loss was done for
the American Psychology Association
and focused on mental health in
patients who suffer from hearing
loss. The National Council on Aging
study found that 2,304 people who
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CANON-MAC
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WINTER 2019
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