It's time. Let's make T1D screening a regular part of kids well-checkups.
Understanding Type 1 Diabetes: Why Early Screening Matters and Our Petition's Purpose
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune condition affecting millions of people worldwide, including many children. Unlike Type 2 diabetes, Type 1 diabetes isn’t preventable, as it arises when the immune system mistakenly attacks insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Without insulin, blood sugar levels become unmanageable, leading to serious health risks.
For children, early detection of T1D can be life-saving. Currently, many children with T1D are only diagnosed after they begin showing severe symptoms, such as extreme thirst, frequent urination, weight loss, and fatigue. Unfortunately, without regular screenings, the diagnosis often comes too late, leaving many children and families to confront the disease during a medical emergency, sometimes even with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a dangerous complication of T1D.
Why Early Screening for Type 1 Diabetes is Crucial
Screening for Type 1 diabetes can make an incredible difference by identifying the disease early, even before symptoms arise. By detecting T1D sooner, parents and healthcare providers can take necessary steps to manage the condition and avoid life-threatening emergencies. Studies show that early T1D detection can lead to better long-term health outcomes and fewer hospitalizations, particularly in young children.
Regular screenings would mean that families could be informed and prepared, rather than blindsided by a late diagnosis. It’s about giving children a healthier start and families more control over the management of this condition from day one.
Our Petition: Making T1D Screening Part of Routine Wellness Checkups
We believe it’s time to make Type 1 diabetes screening a routine part of children’s wellness checkups. This petition calls on healthcare providers, pediatric associations, and policymakers to establish regular T1D screening guidelines for children. With an increase in T1D incidence worldwide, proactive screening is a necessary response to help families take control of diabetes before it becomes a crisis.
Our petition advocates for:
1. Routine screening for T1D autoantibodies during children’s wellness checkups – Identifying autoantibodies associated with T1D could be the first line of defense for early detection.
2. Clear guidelines and funding for pediatric healthcare providers – Ensuring that healthcare providers have the resources and support they need to incorporate T1D screenings into checkups.
3. Increased awareness among parents and healthcare providers – Educating parents about T1D and the importance of early screening, so they understand the value and impact of preventive care.
Why Your Support Matters
By signing this petition, you’re helping to protect children from the dangers of undiagnosed T1D and advocating for a proactive approach to health management. With enough signatures, we can work together to make early screening for T1D a routine part of children’s wellness checkups, giving families the resources they need for early intervention and a healthier future.
A.I
AI Generated Image
Artificial Intelligence
(AI) - it's a term that's been thrown around a lot lately, with promises of revolutionizing everything from healthcare to entertainment. But before you jump on the AI bandwagon, let's take a closer look at why this technology might not be as groundbreaking as it seems.
First and foremost, let's talk about the so-called "intelligence" of AI. Sure, it can perform tasks like image recognition and natural language processing, but does that really equate to intelligence? Not quite. AI lacks the ability to truly understand context, emotions, and abstract concepts in the same way humans do. So while it may seem impressive on the surface, AI falls short when it comes to genuine understanding.
Vulnerability
As AI becomes more prevalent in our daily lives, so does the amount of personal data being collected and analyzed. From facial recognition to predictive analytics, AI has the potential to infringe on our privacy in ways we may not even realize. And with data breaches and security vulnerabilities becoming increasingly common, the thought of entrusting our personal information to AI systems is cause for concern and can be used for nefarious purposes as well. From spreading misinformation and propaganda to creating highly convincing deepfake videos.
In the wrong hands, AI has the potential to sow discord, manipulate public opinion, and even cause harm. I have even heard songs being made by AI that twist the lyrics around and make the listener believe what they are hearing is real. My approach in this century has always been to never believe what you see or hear online and if you want to know if something you may have seen is real always fact check first.
Inequalities
Then there's the issue of bias. AI systems are only as good as the data they're trained on, and unfortunately, that data is often biased. Whether it's biased against certain demographics, genders, or socioeconomic groups, AI has a tendency to perpetuate and even exacerbate existing inequalities. So much for progress.
AI algorithms are often incredibly complex, making it difficult, if not impossible, to understand how they arrive at their conclusions. This lack of transparency is not only frustrating but also dangerous, especially when AI is making decisions that have real-world consequences, like in healthcare or criminal justice.
But perhaps the biggest issue with AI is its potential to replace human jobs. Yes, automation has been happening for centuries, but AI takes it to a whole new level. With advancements in machine learning and robotics, more and more jobs are at risk of being automated away. And while some may argue that AI will create new jobs, there's no guarantee that those jobs will be accessible to everyone or provide the same level of stability and security as the ones being lost.
Here's a short list of jobs that could potentially be replaced
Data entry clerks
Customer service representatives
Telemarketers
Assembly line workers
Cashiers
Postal workers (clerical and warehouse)
Stock traders
Receptionists (data entry)
Accountants
Attorneys
Toll booth operators
Drivers (autonomous vehicles)
Security guards
Fast food workers
Bookkeepers
The environmental impact of AI will be worrisome in the future. Training AI models requires massive amounts of computing power, which in turn requires vast amounts of energy. This not only contributes to climate change but also adds existing energy inequalities around the world.
Conclusion
Before you buy into the hype surrounding AI, take a step back and consider the implications. From its lack of genuine intelligence to its perpetuation of bias, opacity, job displacement, and environmental impact, AI may not be the game-changer it's made out to be. It's time to separate fact from fiction and approach AI with a healthy dose of skepticism.
Wanderlust
Our Story: Our family's journey began with a shared passion for adventure and a desire to instill a love for nature in our children. We believe that spending time outdoors not only strengthens our bond as a family but also nurtures a sense of curiosity and appreciation for the world around us. The Pacific Northwest is home to many breathtaking landscapes but it's also important to prioritize safety, especially when exploring with children. Here are a few tips to help keep kids safe in the Pacific Northwest:
Windmill at Marymoor Park
Fun Fact About Windmills
Did you know that the oldest existing windmill dates back to the 9th century in Iran? Windmills have been used for centuries across different cultures to harness the power of wind for various purposes, such as grinding grain, pumping water, and generating electricity. These iconic structures have evolved over time, with modern wind turbines standing as a testament to the enduring ingenuity of using wind energy for sustainable practices.
1. **Stay Together**: Always emphasize the importance of staying together as a group, especially in crowded or unfamiliar areas. Set clear boundaries and guidelines for your children, and designate a meeting spot in case anyone gets separated.
2. **Pack Essentials**: Make sure to pack essentials like water, snacks, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a first aid kit. Dress appropriately for the weather and bring extra layers, as conditions in the Pacific Northwest can change quickly.
3. **Plan Ahead**: Before heading out on any outdoor adventures, research your destination and familiarize yourself with trail maps, park rules, and any potential hazards. Let someone know your itinerary and expected return time if you're going on a longer hike or excursion. Also, there are several online apps that use GPS trackers and are trail based.
Snoqualmie Pass
Fun Fact about the Cascade Mountains
The Cascade Mountains, stretching over 700 miles from British Columbia in Canada to Northern California in the United States, are a geologic wonder filled with fascinating features that capture the imagination of nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. Did you know that these majestic mountains are home to an impressive 57 active volcanoes? These volcanoes, including iconic peaks like Mount Rainier and Mount Hood, contribute to the stunning landscape of the Cascades and remind us of the powerful forces shaping our planet. Whether you're hiking through ancient forests, skiing down snowy slopes, or simply admiring the breathtaking views, the Cascade Mountains offer a truly unforgettable experience for all who visit.
4. **Stay on Designated Trails**: Stick to designated trails and paths, and avoid venturing off-trail, especially in areas with dense vegetation or rugged terrain. Keep a close eye on children near cliffs, waterfalls, or other hazardous areas.
5. **Teach Safety Skills**: Take the time to teach children basic safety skills, such as how to identify poisonous plants, how to recognize and respond to wildlife encounters, and how to use basic navigation tools like a map and compass.
Moab Utah
Fun Fact about Moab, Utah:
Moab, a hidden gem in the desert of Utah, is famous for its stunning red rock formations and breathtaking natural beauty. Did you know that the name "Moab" actually comes from the biblical name for a mountainous strip of land? This unique town is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, offering world-class hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing opportunities. Visitors flock to Moab to explore the iconic Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, where they can marvel at the intricate rock arches and towering canyon walls.
6. **Use Safety Gear**: If engaging in activities like hiking, biking, or boating, make sure everyone is wearing appropriate safety gear, such as helmets, life jackets, and reflective clothing.
7. **Stay Informed**: Stay informed about local weather conditions, trail closures, and any wildlife sightings or potential hazards in the area. Be prepared to adjust your plans accordingly to ensure everyone's safety.
By following these tips and staying vigilant, you can help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for the whole family while exploring the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Happy Spring!
7 magic Mountain, Mojave Desert
Fun Fact about the Mojave Desert:
The Mojave Desert, covering parts of California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona, is home to the mysterious "sailing stones" on the Racetrack Playa in Death Valley National Park. These rocks, some as heavy as 700 pounds, seem to move across the dry lake bed, leaving long trails behind them. Scientists have discovered that under specific conditions, a combination of rain and wind allows the rocks to glide smoothly, defying gravity without human or animal intervention. This phenomenon has fascinated visitors for decades, adding to the allure and enigmatic nature of the Mojave Desert.
JDRF
November is a special time in the type 1 diabetes (T1D) community: it’s National Diabetes Awareness Month in the US, and World Diabetes Day is on November 14th. Type 1 diabetes, also known as ‘juvenile diabetes’, results from a self-destructive immune response against the insulin producing pancreatic beta cells. As a result of this ‘autoimmune’ disease, patients with type 1 diabetes develop a life long dependence on insulin. Unfortunately, this form of treatment is often insufficient for preventing a number of complications including heart disease, blindness, and kidney disease, among others.
As a result, The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is committed to finding a method for preventing or permanently reversing this disease. As mentioned in one of our previous blogs here, our 5 year old son was diagnosed last year. That being said we are very grateful and passionate about the work JDRF is committed to.
One Walk
Last month our family took a trip to Portland Oregon to participate in the JDRF One Walk fundraiser. The 5k walk featured about a dozen booths, ranging from diabetes information to new technology helping to delay the onset of T1D. Several guest speakers were in attendance such as Rhonda Shelby, a local television meteorologist with KATU News. Her husband has been living with diabetes for over 20 years and she has been a strong advocate in the local T1D community. Other guest were Miss Oregon, Amanda Garcia, who has published a children's activity book called “Rising above T1D with Pretzel”. As a Connections Ambassador with JDRF, she plans to give the books away to the newly diagnosed T1D families. The last speaker was a motorcycle organization called Kindred Spirits. They are local to the Oregon community and have been doing motorcycle rides to help advocate and raise awareness. They also hold many camps around the Pacific Northwest for kids with T1D.
Screening
JDRF teamed up with Benaroya Research Institute and created TrailNet which has discovered that the presence of two or more specific autoantibodies in a person indicates they are almost 100% sure to get T1D in their lifetime. They also know that if they screen more people for these autoantibodies, they can tell them what to look out for, preventing DKA at diagnosis. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a phrase no person with T1D ever wants to hear. It’s a serious complication that can occur in people with T1D, and it can result in life-threatening complications and death.
People with T1D know what to do to avoid it—but people who have yet to be diagnosed do not. That’s why, unfortunately, a significant percentage of people experience DKA at diagnosis. Thanks to JDRF-funded research, they have a solution to prevent this: Global, universal screening. They had a TrailNet booth located near the entrance of the One Walk. We decided before we left to have our oldest son Elijah screened. It was a simple and quick process. Blood draw lasted just a few seconds and then it is sealed and sent out for testing. We have received his screening result today, approximately 1 month later and he tested negative and has a very low chance to developing T1D later on.
Conclusion
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 88 million adult Americans have prediabetes, and more than 84 percent go undiagnosed. Unfortunately, without screening many go unnoticed before it's to late. Mandatory screenings need to be considered because kids lives could be in danger. As seen here, here and here and many many more, are dying from ketoacidosis and not being properly diagnosed with T1D. Even if you don't suspect that your child could have it, it would be smart to routinely have blood glucose checked during your child's well appointments. The doctor won't check blood sugar levels unless you request to have it done. Lastly, be alert of the warning signs, which includes extreme thirst, frequently going to the bathroom and lethargy. Fortunately for us, our nurse on duty the day we found out Ethan had T1D checked his blood sugar and diagnosed him before any ketones could develop.
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529
Do you want to teach your kids how to invest but you’re not quite sure how to get started? Whether you have children still crawling around on the living room floor or teenagers filling out college applications, we’ve assembled some great resources to help you and your kids learn about investing together.
Traditional Child Savings Account
Stocks, Bonds or Mutual Funds
529
Child Savings Account
Many banks and credit unions offer special kids' savings accounts that enable your young child or teen to “level up” from a piggy bank in their bedroom and begin learning how to save and use a bank account. To choose the best savings accounts for kids, pay attention to the interest rate, any fees or minimum balance requirements, the way you and your child can access the funds, and how the account can grow with them as they mature.
My Top Choice
BECU- The Early Saver Account
With 6.17 %apy from the 4th largest credit union in the United States, BECU offers the best rates with fair money management for both you and your child. To learn more or to sign up Click Here
Stocks, Bonds, Mutual Funds
As opposed to saving money, investing has the potential to make a much bigger profit. There are a few ways to invest for kids, but they all have one thing in common – the goal of kickstarting a young one’s future goals.
Participating in the stock market from a young age prepares kids for financial independence as adults. They also get to enjoy the benefits of building interest. You don’t need a lot of money to start investing. Many brokerages offer low or no fee trading and fractional share trading offers flexibility in choosing how to invest especially when you start with a smaller amount.
Picking kid stocks like Disney, Hasbro or McDonald’s will help kids relate to investing more. Kids will understand what it means to own a piece of a company they know and love. You can find apps on the Apple Store or Google Play that support fractional shares and youth accounts. Robinhood offers fractional shares and ETFs.
529
The Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) program, is Washington's 529 prepaid college tuition plan. There are two types of 529 plans: Prepaid tuition plans, where you buy college credits for the future at today’s prices, and education savings accounts where you build a balance and invest your money in the market. Withdrawals are tax-free as long as they’re used for qualified education expenses. Depending on the state where you live, contributions may be tax deductible, or you may be eligible for a tax credit on your state income tax return.
Conclusion
Investing for kids is a great way to teach them the basics of investing, establish a solid nest egg and limit the need for education debt. However, make sure you carefully consider the different account options and their impact on your tax bill and your child’s future financial aid applications. But overall, starting early is an essential step in preparing your child for their future.
P.T.S.D
May is Mental Health Awareness. As we wrap up the month I want to take a few minutes to give an update on my very own mental state.
The Short Story
In April, 2022 I was involved in a motor vehicle collision after I left my office and was on a route I take on a regular basis downtown. Halfway to my destination, a young female riding a Moped Scooter struck the side of my work truck in my blind spot. I didn't see the actual collision, but I definitely heard it and shortly after I slowed down to pull over, It felt that I had driven over a speed bump. Once I stopped and checked out the situation and heard from witnesses, the impact cause her to slide underneath my work truck and that was the speed bump that I had felt. She would eventually succumb to her injuries.
The aftermath
Initially that whole day I seemed to have alot of adrenaline. I was still trying to process what had just happened, or even figure out how it happened. A few hours later after they finished up the police investigation, I returned back to my office to fill out some statements and went home for the rest of the day. I stopped going to work. It wasn't until a few days after the accident I realized that I had a problem. I didn't feel like my normal self. I was starting to have mood swings, nightmares and flashbacks. I couldn't sleep. I couldn't drive, nor did I want to drive anymore. During the next month I started to see the effects that the accident also had on my family. They were very much affected by this as I was. Certain things that didn't bother me before were being harder for me to deal with. I could no longer enjoy being around crowds or gatherings without developing anxiety or stress.
Getting Help
Around June I started looking around for mental health providers. Being off from work I thought it would be able to find one immediately, but it was no easy task. As a federal government employee many couldn't see me because of certain conditions. But I kept trying, and by the end of July I eventually found a psychiatrist willing to take me in even though he was booked out for several months. We made it work. He would see me every week on his lunch break until a open spot became available. There were even times I would see him on holidays. He believes in me and has been more of a friend than a doctor. I was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder. Over the next several months he taught me ways to better understand my condition and gave me tools to help me get back on the right track. The ultimate goal is getting back to work and to be able to drive again. He has made himself available to me 24/7. It's currently a work in progress. Whereas some days I have are good and some days are down right bad. But we're getting there. Things are getting better.
Conclusion
Mental health can happen to anyone of us regardless of age, gender or race. It can happen just out of nowhere. I would be lying if said I wasn't a little hesitant to get help early on proceeding the accident. I didn't want anyone to think I was a weirdo seeing a shrink. But I found out that it's the complete opposite. I wasn't myself anyway. So I gave it a shot and I'm really glad that I did. I was finally able to return back to work last February in limited capacity and will be full capacity very soon. I am driving again and trying my best to be a better person than I was before. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental illness, reach out to someone willing to listen. Someone willing to understand the feelings you have. Unfortunately not everyone will be considerate or understand unless it has happened to them personally. I'm an example of that, simply because I'm a big guy with tattoos, there might have been some that had a hard time believing I was truly suffering inside. It would be more concerning if i didn't feel any emotion at all. The truth is I would be a total piece of shit if I didn't have any care in the world after that day.
Helpful Links
findtreatment.gov/: The confidential and anonymous resource for people seeking treatment for mental and substance use disorders in the U.S. and its territories.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, as well as best practices for professionals in the US.
National Alliance on Mental Illness: A national organization that provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.
The Trevor Project: 24/7 crisis support services to LGBTQ+ young people. Text, chat or call anytime to reach a trained counselor.
Budgie
Budgies also known as Parakeets are extremely playful and social. The little budgie bird is one of the most popular pets in the world, ranking just behind dogs and cats, and it's no wonder. This affectionate, cute bird is tiny, and if trained properly a budgie can mimic human speech, we'll get to that later. The origin of its formal name―budgerigar―is a mystery, but by any name, this little bird is a charming companion for most pet owners, whether housed in a cage or free-flying.
Why Birds?
In my early 20's I developed allergies to dogs and possibly cats. Mostly from their dander. But I wanted our boys to have a pet to come home to after school. Budgies are much smaller than their parakeet counterparts and easy to tame and train. Having been a budgie owner for a few months now, I have watched our budgies act similar to puppies. They walk, play and cuddle just as a little doggie would. But they do other things that dogs and cats can't don't do and that is to fly and talk. They can mimic human speech that they hear regularly. Currently trying to teach our male budgies, who can speak more clearly than our solo female budgie a few simple words, such as, (good morning, all done, and still strong)
Our Flock
Mocha- Our first and only girl. The big eater. She is a sky blue budgie. She's the oldest and probably the most tame of them all. She can also fly very well. Loves to just perch on your fingers or hand especially if you have any treats to give.
Buddy- Our oldest boy! A grey Budgie. He's the scaredy-cat of the flock. He's always curious about everything going on around him but has a special bond with Mocha. Although he's not tamed he will come to us occasionally and loves to chirp.
Lemon- A yellow budgie. He's very playful and has a funny personality. He's also the least afraid and is very calm. While still a baby, he hasn't quite learned the skill of flying yet.
Lime- Our youngest budgie, he's a traditional light green budgie as you would see them in their native land of Australia. He is very shy and hasn't learned to fly just yet either, but is trying hard to learn. He loves his brother Lemon, who looks after him and helps him along the way.
Conclusion
If you are thinking about getting a parakeet…how exciting! If you are wanting a budgie who wants to be near you, consider a hand raised baby. They are used to being handled and are not quite as skittish. But this doesn’t mean that a colony raised bird won’t be friendly – as with any species, it depends on the individual. But even if they don’t end up to be a cuddle bird, you will get endless hours of enjoyment watching their antics and interactions. Also do research, birds can get sick very easily and will hardly show any symptoms until they can't hide it anymore. They are also prone to illnesses from inhaling fumes from common household items such as Teflon and perfumes. If you frequently get extreme flatulence they can even get sick from the farts. Taming your bird is a slippery slope. There are some birds that, from day one, step on your finger, respond to your voice and are delights. Last but not least, enjoy your new feathered friend.
Unity
I've been a sports fan since I could remember. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, I've enjoyed watching legends such as Ken Griffey Jr, Shaun Alexander, Clyde Drexler, and Gary Payton to name a few. Basketball and football are my absolute favorite. I recently got my 9-year-old into a basketball program and he loves it, just as I did when I was his age. Parents put their kids into sports for many reasons. I'm going to go over their reasons and cover many of the great benefits that sports and athletes bring to our children.
The Children
Physical Benefits
One of the main benefits of children playing sports is its physical benefits. There are many physical benefits, including promoting healthy growth and development, strengthening bones and muscles, boosting the immune system, and decreasing the risk of developing certain diseases and illnesses.
Mental Benefits
Being physically active, and playing team sports especially, have been shown to help improve mental health by decreasing stress, anxiety, and depression, while also improving self-esteem. Additionally, playing sports can help children perform better academically by helping them focus, giving them breaks, and boosting their energy.
Social Benefits
There are also social benefits that kids experience when they play sports. Playing sports, especially when it’s on a team, allows them to meet other kids, bond with others, create new friendships, and actively develop social skills through those interactions.
Lessons
Sports also benefit children by teaching them important life lessons. Playing sports teaches the importance of hard work, and that no matter who you are, you work hard to be the very best you can be. It also teaches you to respect and accept others, including your teammates, your opponents, the officials, your coaches, and everyone involved in the sport. One of the key lessons sports teach is teamwork, which is an invaluable life skill.
The Fans
Community Unity
People around the world of all ages and backgrounds enjoy sports. From cheering on teams in the World Cup to celebrating our favorite athletic heroes in the Olympics, sports create an atmosphere of pride, an appreciation for athleticism, and a togetherness that’s hard to top. Sports bring schools and workplaces together, building a sense of community between strangers.
Sports are a way for people to unite. Whether you’re cheering on a team from a stadium or at home, joined together via social media, there’s one ultimate goal — winning.
Differences are set aside. Race, religion, sexual orientation, and political views are all a non-factor, while fans and athletes prepare for battle with their brothers and sisters.
The Athletes
Charity
Most teams and leagues have community-relations departments or charitable arms. This means that professional and collegiate athletes often spend time performing service in their communities. Charity work can happen in the form of donations to specific organizations. Many top athletes start their non-profit charity to help fundraise a cause that has meaning to them or their hometown.
Service
This is one of my personal favorites. Especially during the cold winter months and the holiday season, many athletes or coaches volunteer their time to help people in need. Food and toy drives are popular athletic community services. Others would give out turkeys and help serve dinner for those less fortunate. Other ways of providing services include children hospital visits to our very ill children. They play board games with them, talk, and sign autographs.
Conclusion
If life was more like a locker room, or if everyone was able to experience what it’s like to be joined together with people from different backgrounds to fight towards the same goal, the world would be a better place right now.
In life and in sports, we should all be pushing each other to be the best person we can be.
Teammates, like friends, practice together, sweat together, learn together, bleed together, and cry together. After spending time with these folks, your outlooks on things can change. You gain more of an understanding from a different perspective, and learn how different situations make others feel.
S.A.D
As daylight diminishes and the weather causes many of us to spend more time indoors, many people are affected by a type of depression known as Seasonal Affective Disorder. The holiday blues are real. Despite the general atmosphere of joyousness and celebration, many people experience the holidays as a time to “get through” rather than a time to enjoy. Family dynamics, full event calendars, decorating and the pressure to “be merry” can make the holiday season particularly stressful. Sadness often creeps in. But with some practical tips, you can minimize the stress that accompanies the holidays. You may even end up enjoying the holidays more than you thought you would.
My 5 tips to stay calm during the holidays.
1. FIND YOUR FOCUS
The quickest way for me to go bonkers is to get off track with my routine. To avoid chaos, try to stick to a schedule so that your focus is only on one task at a time. Plan time for work, rest, exercising, creative activities, and family time. Sticking to a schedule can help manage the stress in your life by giving yourself a time and place to handle certain things.
Each morning, plan out your day so you know exactly what you need to get done, places you need to go, things you need to buy, and family that you want to spend time with. During the holiday season, it can be extremely easy to lose focus on the true meaning of the holiday season with all the parties, family gatherings, and gift-giving. But remember the things that truly matter are your friends, family, food, kindness, and love.
By taking part in these few simple steps, you can end this year and begin the new year on a strong note – feeling calm, happy and healthy.
2. POWER DOWN
It’s tough to do, and I know I have said this before but disconnecting from social media, even for a little bit, can not only help minimize thoughts of comparison but can also free up real-life time for the ones you love.
When you do find yourself going down a dark tunnel, otherwise known as your Instagram feed, it can be useful to remember that most people’s feeds are merely highlights of their lives, sometimes filled with fake smiles and photo editing, rather than documentaries of what’s really going on behind the scenes.
Try turning off your phone and keeping it out of sight when spending time with family, it will do wonders. It can help you stay present at holiday parties and get-togethers. Powering down your devices an hour or more before bedtime may also help you sleep better.
3. TAKE A WALK
Fingers crossed that we'll see some sunshine this December. A winter walk is not only an easy source of exercise when your schedule seems packed, but sunlight offers a feel-good burst of serotonin and can help fight seasonal affective disorder. Also the rhythm and repetition of walking has a tranquilizing effect, decreasing anxiety and improving sleep.
4. EXPECTATIONS
Sometimes, the stress hits just after the holidays come to a close. You looked forward to spending time with family; you fantasized about impressing your in-laws with a perfect turkey; you romanticized about sitting next to your soul mate on the flight home. Whatever the fantasy or expectation, it doesn’t come true. The reality was the complete opposite. Television commercials pluck at our heartstrings and trigger nostalgia. This is deliberate, and most of us fall for it. Even if we’re careful not to make emotional purchases, we may subconsciously buy into the idea of what the holidays “should” look like. We see the happy families sharing buttered rolls and buying each other lavish gifts. And when our real-life families bring their usual dysfunctions to dinner, or our children fight on Christmas morning, we may experience it as a personal failure. Unrealistic expectations of others and of ourselves increase holiday stress and can lead to symptoms of anxiety and depression.
5. YOU'RE NOT ALONE
Even though it might feel like yours is the only family on Earth who goes off the deep end during the holidays, it may help to remember that that’s definitely not true. Everyone feels the overwhelming feeling of the holiday season. As long as you make time for yourself, stick to the same routine as usual and remember that being "merry" doesn't have to be 24/7. If someone didn't feel even a little stress in December, I would think that they weren't human.
6. WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS. HIDE!
Conviction
Eventually there will be a point in your life where enough will be enough. A time when things that may have seemed important is no longer a priority but rather a hinder. After my boys became ill, my time became increasingly more focused on them. My youngest requires alot more attention and help with his diabetes, while his older brother currently has sports and after school activities.
Having the same 24 hours as everyone else, I needed to cut some time out of my life and make more room for these new changes. The first step was to get off of social media. When I first joined Facebook back in the early days of it getting started, I primarily used it to keep my family and friends updated and to see how they were all doing. After my wife and I had kids it was a great platform to share pictures of our growing boys.
But all of that seemed to have changed over the years. It has become more of a distraction than anything. My timeline that was once filled with pleasant photos of family and friends, became filled with false and misleading information. The stuff being shared is never fact checked. I was doing that myself, after already having mistrust in social media with the way they handle our data, private information, pictures, content, etc.
We live in a society now that gets information and alerts almost in real time. Growing up in the 80's and 90's, we had to rely on the newspaper delivered to the front door the next morning. By that time everything in it was considered history by then. Personally I'm someone who perfers to read newspapers and get information from direct and authentic sources. Same for knowledge and entertainment.
Last year, Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri mentioned here that Instagram is no longer a photo sharing website but rather a video site focusing more on reels. Now this might be subjective to some, but I find the algorithm used for reels to be off.. For example, I am not too fond of cats, but if I stopped at a reel featuring a kitten for a certain amount of seconds, Instagram thinks that interaction is positive and believes I want to see more kittens, which is not the case. Often it's an overload, scrolling down the feed where just about every other reel is a kitten.. This cannot be turned off. There is currently no way to disable reels.
I like the movement towards "digital responsibility" where we master our technology rather than have it master us. I've been away from social media for almost a month now and I feel great. I feel like I have a strong sense of conviction. I don't need validation from the world. In a sense, I'm free. When I go out or on vacation, I am not tied to my phone or feel the need to post pictures or comments on social media like “here look how much better my life is than yours.” I'm just not that kind of person. Sadly so many people are glued to their phone that they actually miss the point of truly enjoying themselves when they go out.
I’m not trying to convince anyone they should leave social media and your life will be perfect afterwards. I'm just stating that as of right now it doesn't work for me. I don’t see the value. I still have an IG though but I don't know for how long or if i’ll ever go back. Until then, stay tuned.
T1D
#t1d…. That's the hashtag used over 4.7 million times across social media platforms. Until about a month ago I didn’t know what it was or what it meant. It’s used by people that have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. They use that hashtag to tell the world that they are strong, that they are fighters and embrace the challenges they face everyday. I was quite fascinated by the support that they show one an another. Type 1 diabetes is a autoimmune disease where the pancreas produces little to no insulin and affects 8.7 million people around the world, roughly just 2% of the world population. In the United States approximately 1.84 million people have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and about 200,000 under the age of 20 have been diagnosed. The youngest of them, under the age of 10 are referred to as warriors. This is where I come in…
As a father of a recently diagnosed type 1 diabetic, my son found out in the hospital on his 4th birthday. It was devastating news. I didn't understand how a healthy, energetic and happy 3 year old could end up having diabetes. I remember staying up that night reading everything I could to better understand. I dedicated myself to any resource I could find. I'm not a big social media guy anymore but reading everyone else's experiences has helped me process his disease. Thank you! Furthermore just 2 weeks prior to his diagnosis, his older brother had a severe allergic reaction to something currently unknown. His face was swollen so bad he was unrecognizable and our minds haven't yet process that nor did we get a chance to.
So to my little warrior, stay strong. My promise to you is that you will never be a burden. I will be there every step of the way for as long as you need me..
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is the leading global organization funding innovative research to cure, prevent, and treat type 1 diabetes and its complications. If you want to make a difference and support a loved one, a friend, or yourself, you can simply donate to their cause.