The Safety and Importance of Childhood Vaccines

Anxiety is the most common mental health concern among teenagers, affecting approximately one third of all US adolescents to some degree. Anxiety symptoms have significantly increased after the COVID pandemic with disruptions in schooling and daily routines, some people are still struggling to get back into a healthy mental state. Some degree of anxiety is not a concern, and may actually be beneficial to keep you safe in high-risk situations, but if anxiety starts taking control and affecting you physically or interrupting your ability to function in a range of environments, then it's time to take action. Anxiety can cause various symptoms. These symptoms include: Feeling "on edge" Feeling restless or nervous Having frequent worries or fears Irritability Difficulty concentrating Avoiding social activities Avoiding new or stressful situations Worsening school performance Chronic physical complaints such as muscle tension, headaches, stomach aches Difficulty sleeping It is ALWAYS important to remember that your mind and body are intimately related, and a first step to help with anxiety is to be sure you are taking care of your body. That means getting good nutrition (EAT THOSE FRUITS and VEGGIES), getting proper amounts of sleep (8-9 hours/night), and exercising. Exercise is a great way to reduce stress and produce the "happy chemicals" in your brain that make you feel better. Multiple studies have shown the benefit of spending time outside to lessen anxiety. Enjoying the beautiful sights and sounds of nature is very calming, and listening to nature, specifically listening to birds, has also been shown to decrease stress. Unfortunately, spending time on electrics, especially social media, has been shown to INCREASE anxiety among teenagers. So, put down your phone, get off your computer your gaming device, get up, get outside and do some outside activities! (Don't forget your sunscreen when you're outside!) There are also great self-calming techniques you can learn to help with stress levels. A great place to start is googling "Cognitive Behavioral therapy" exercises. These techniques should be practiced when you're calm at home so you are easily able to use them in times of stress. There are multiple breathing techniques, mental imaging exercises, physical muscle exercises, and mindfulness techniques. choose which you like that works best for you and practice them when needed. You can learn ways to control your anxiety so you are in charge of the anxiety rather than the anxiety being in control of you! Counselors can also be beneficial to help with self-calming techniques and with assisting you in decreasing your level of anxiety. Counseling is always a great starting point for anxiety treatment. BUT if your anxiety level is high and significantly affecting your ability to function normally, studies have shown that BOTH counseling and medication together work better than either one alone. So, if you've tried counseling and are still having significant anxiety, or if your anxiety is severe, please contact us for further evaluation and discussion of treatment options. So, put down your phones and other electronics, limit your time on social media, eat nutritious meals, get proper sleep, and get outside and enjoy the beauty of nature! Learn some self-calming techniques and practice them. BUT get help and notify us if your anxiety is affecting your daily life or keeping you from doing things you need or want to do. Don't let anxiety rule your life. YOU ARE IN CHARGE, NOT your anxiety.

As parents it is crucial that we keep our kids well hydrated during a heatwave. As pediatricians it is our goal to guide you in ways to do that. Here are effective ways to do that: 1. Prioritize Water Make water readily available: Ensure children have access to water at all times, especially during physical activities. Carry water bottles when going out. Encourage frequent drinking: Prompt children to drink water often, even if they don't feel thirsty, as thirst may not happen until dehydration has already started. Make them hydrate prior to sports events: Again, waiting until they are thirsty is too late. 2. Hydrating Foods: Offer water-rich fruits and vegetables: Include options like watermelon, cucumbers, celery, strawberries, oranges, and more. Consider popsicles and smoothies: Homemade popsicles made with natural fruit juices or smoothies can be a fun way to help kids stay cool and hydrated. Choose ingredients that are naturally high in water content. 3. Manage Activity Levels: Limit outdoor activities during peak heat: Schedule outdoor activities for cooler parts of the day, such as early mornings or late afternoons Plan for frequent rest breaks: Heat can be tiring, so ensure children get enough rest and encourage them to come inside to cool orr regularly. Cool off with water: Encourage cool baths, water misting, or supervised water play like swimming or sprinklers. 4. Special considerations: Infants: Breastfeed / give bottles of formula more often. Water is not recommended for infants younger than 6 months. Toddlers: Prioritize water and milk, limiting fruit juice intake to no more than 4 ounces per day (diluted if given). Physical Activity: If children are engaged in strenuous activities lasting over 60 minutes, sports drinks may be used sparingly to replace electrolytes. However, water should remain the primary source of hydration. Avoid sugary and caffeinated drinks: Soda, energy drinks, and excessive juice can contribute to dehydration and should be limited or avoided. 5. Recognize the signs of Dehydration: Early signs: Thirst, dry lips and tongue, fatigue, and feeling overheated. More serious signs: Decreased urination, dry mouth, lack of tears when crying, sunken eyes, headache, dizziness, irritability. 6. Seek Medical attention if Needed: If your child shows signs of heatstroke or severe dehydration, seek medical attention immediately.