health-and-diet - PA Requirements Blog

PA Requirements - Blog

Category - health-and-diet

Staying Strong and Resilient in High-Stress Professions

Posted by Mary Thompson

Working as a mandated reporter–whether in education, healthcare, social work, or law enforcement–demands a unique combination of resilience, compassion, and strength. These professionals often find themselves at the intersection of helping those in crisis and shouldering the weight of critical, life-altering decisions. The emotional toll of this responsibility, coupled with the high-stress nature of the job, can lead to burnout if not managed effectively. This blog will explore strategies to maintain resilience and mental well-being in these demanding roles, providing practical insights for those tasked with such significant duties. Understanding What Defines a High-Stress Job What makes a job “high stress”? For mandated reporters, it's the combination of several emotionally intense factors. Dealing with traumatic cases, such as child abuse, neglect, or mistreatment of vulnerable adults, is one of the most significant contributors to stress. The ...

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Setting the Stage: Creating a Positive and Productive Classroom Environment

Posted by Dr. Julia Tortorice

A well-thought-out classroom environment is pivotal for fostering student engagement, motivation, and academic success. As educators, the atmosphere we create can set the tone for the entire school year, influencing how students interact, learn, and grow. A positive start can pave the way for a productive and harmonious classroom where both students and teachers thrive. This guide explores essential strategies for designing a conducive physical space, establishing effective routines, building a supportive classroom culture, and integrating technology and resources. Designing the Physical Space Arranging Desks and Seating: The arrangement of desks and seating in a classroom significantly impacts student interaction, participation, and learning outcomes. Here are some tips for different seating arrangements: Group Work: Arrange desks in clusters or small groups to facilitate collaboration and discussion. This setup encourages peer learning and fosters a sense of community. I...

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Healthy Summer Foods for On-the-Go Professionals

Posted by Mary Thompson

As the summer months roll in and our schedules become increasingly packed, maintaining a healthy diet can often seem daunting. For on-the-go professionals, the challenge of finding nutritious and convenient foods that fit into a busy lifestyle is almost impossible. However, with some planning and the right choices, staying energized and nourished while navigating a hectic summer schedule is entirely possible. The importance of eating healthy snacks cannot be overstated, for they are an essential component of a balanced diet, especially for on-the-go professionals. Nutrient-dense snacks provide the body with essential vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients necessary for optimal function. When we choose snacks high in protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates, we sustain our energy levels and avoid the afternoon slump that often accompanies sugar-laden or highly processed snacks. This sustained energy helps maintain focus and productivity throughout the day, making it easier to...

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Unlocking The Secrets of Growing Minds: Navigating Children's Psychosocial Development

Posted by Mary Thompson

Understanding the complicated process of psychosocial development in children is crucial for new parents, educators, and caregivers alike. This journey will cover quite a bit of information about the emotional, social, and cognitive milestones that help shape a kid's personality, behavior, and interactions with the world around them. In this blog, we will be looking into the fascinating realm of children's psychosocial development, so let's have a moment to look more into the fascinating stages exploring the psychosocial development of children and talk about key theories, and practical implications for being able to foster strength and healthy growth into this new generation of young minds. First, let's talk about who was responsible for the groundbreaking work on psychosocial development: the famous psychoanalyst Erik Erikson. Born in Frankfurt, Germany, in 1902, he would be best known for his theory of the psychosocial stages of development, which expanded...

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Why Hobbies Are Important for Working Professionals

Posted by Dr. Julia Tortorice

A hard-working professional begins their day before dawn, mentally preparing for the long hours ahead. Their life revolves around work, with little time for personal activities or relaxation. Every day, they struggle to balance their demanding work schedules with their personal fulfillment needs. Despite the constant pressure and limited free time, finding moments to engage in hobbies and interests outside work is crucial. Personal activities are not just a break from work but also enrich one's life, boost mental health, and improve overall happiness. For this hardworking individual, dedicating even a small portion of their scarce free time to hobbies can be a significant step towards a more balanced and rewarding life. In today’s fast-paced work environment, maintaining a work-life balance has never been more challenging—or more crucial. Amidst the hustle of professional commitments, hobbies emerge not just as leisure activities but as essential components of our we...

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Managing Children's Allergies During Pollen Seasons

Posted by Dr. Julia Tortorice

As it gets closer to springtime, the flowers begin to bloom, and the trees regain their leaves – causing the pollen levels in the air to increase significantly. This time of the year can be particularly challenging for children with allergies, as outdoor activities can trigger allergy symptoms. Therefore, parents and guardians must have the proper knowledge and tools to effectively manage their children's allergies, enabling kids to enjoy the outdoors without experiencing discomfort. Outdoor activities are beneficial for physical health and well-being. However, they can become a source of discomfort for kids with allergies. Therefore, this guide aims to provide parents with the necessary knowledge and tools to effectively manage their children's allergies. This way, outdoor activities can be enjoyable for children without triggering allergy symptoms. Recognizing Symptoms When a child wakes up with a runny nose and sneezing, it's a common concern for parents o...

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Play and Growth: Essentials in Child Development

Posted by Dr. Julia Tortorice

When you see a group of children or young students out on the playground, while it looks like fun and games, it's more important than that – it's a vital part of how they grow, develop, and learn at an early age. From running around in the park to building with blocks, every playful moment is a step in their development. Playtime can help children in different ways, including their thinking, physical health, emotions, and getting along with others. It's a journey into the critical role of play in shaping a child's life, helping them become well-rounded individuals as they grow up. Remember when you were growing up and the different games you played? Whether it was a game of hide and seek, building imaginary worlds, or simply drawing with crayons, each game was more than a way to pass the time. These activities were instrumental in shaping your understanding of the world, honing your social skills, and sparking your creativity. From learning to work in teams to ...

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The Ripple Effect of Kindness: Benefits of Volunteering

Posted by Dr. Julia Tortorice

The holidays can often leave us with a warm, fuzzy sensation in the pit of our stomachs, associated with the feeling of being fulfilled. Whether you are reflecting on a year's worth of accomplishments, feeling thankful for your friends and family that surround you, or even grateful for your health – there can be much to be optimistic about. Yet, not everyone feels this same way. While you might feel unconditionally loved and blessed, others aren't so lucky. One of the ways to extend a helping hand is by volunteering and giving back. You can create ripples that spread altruistic efforts and affect individuals and families worldwide. The power of giving back holds a special place in our hearts. It's more than just helping others – it's a journey of self-discovery, growth, and fostering a more compassionate society. In fact, it turns out that there are surprisingly positive benefits to volunteering that affect your health, your mentality, and, of course, the...

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Creative Arts in Child Development

Posted by Julia Tortorice

Childhood is a vibrant period of growth and discovery, where every experience contributes to the developmental tapestry of a young individual. Among the myriad enriching experiences, creative arts are a powerful catalyst for cognitive, social, and emotional development. Whether you are in the childcare industry or a caregiver, learning how art can expand the horizons of child development is essential. The brush, the crayon, the clay, and even the simple pencil are tools that unlock the doors to a child's imagination, allowing them to explore new worlds and possibilities. Through creative arts, children learn to interpret and shape their environment, laying down the neural pathways that will become the superhighways of thought and innovation in their future. In this blog post, we'll explore how engaging with creative arts can foster growth in children and how caregivers can effectively integrate these activities into daily routines. Going Beyond the Brushstrokes F...

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Building Healthy Eating Habits Early On

Posted by Julia Tortorice

It's no secret that getting children to eat healthy foods can sometimes be a challenging and complex task, requiring patience, creativity, and collaboration between parents, caregivers, and often, teachers and childcare providers. However, these challenges can be overcome by making mealtime a positive experience, introducing new foods gradually, and involving children in food preparation. Creating an encouraging environment that fosters curiosity and appreciation for nutritious foods is essential, setting the stage for lifelong healthy eating habits. As we all know – healthy eating habits are integral to our well-being. Establishing these habits early on can set the groundwork for lifelong health and decrease the chances of chronic diseases in the future. In fact, nutrition during infancy and childhood profoundly impacts growth, development, immune system function, and long-term health. Let's take a minute to 'dish out' these areas a little deeper, serving up a...

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The Weight of the World

Posted by Julia Tortorice

The current and future nursing shortage has been a hot topic within the medical industry; it has even begun being featured in major publications and news outlets. Attrition within the field is growing steadily, as those committed long-term ages out of their careers, there simply aren’t expected to be enough people to replace them. Nurses are asked every single day to do more with less. But in addition, the condition and volume of patients are expected to increase and require more complex management in the future. Why? There are two forces driving that, an aging “Boomer” generation and, well, the weight of the world. Weight gain isn’t a U.S. phenomenon; in fact, according to the World Health Organization, worldwide obesity has increased three-fold since 1975. Looking deeper into the numbers, weight gain by decade is on a steady incline based on a study by the CDC, looking at the average American weight by decade: 1960’s-70’s – 167 lbs ...

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Probiotics and Your Health

Posted by Julia Tortorice

A recent Podcast by Vox’s Unexplainable ventured into the hot topic of gut health and its impact on both physical and mental well-being. A full transcript of the Podcast “Your Gut’s Feelings” can be found on Vox’s website here. From Tiktok influencers to big pharma, gut health is one of the premier talking points in a world of people looking to feel better, look better and be in better health. But what impact does gut bacteria actually have on your emotional health, on your physical health? Let’s take a deeper look at gut bacteria, probiotics, and the latest fads obsessing the health-conscious. What do IBS, stress, mood disorders, and anxiety have in common? Poor gut health? But what does the actual scientific evidence say? According to Dr. Katerina Johnson, a University of Oxford biologist and gut microbiome researcher, there is mounting evidence that gut bacteria directly impacts personality traits (at least in our rodent friends). During the...

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Ways to Keep Kids Busy in the Summer

Posted by Emily Pazel

When you think back to your favorite childhood memories, do many of them take place in the summertime? The days start to get longer, the weather begins to warm up and there’s more free time available after school gets out. Maybe some of your fondest memories involve the time you spent at summer camp, hanging out with grandma and grandpa, or maybe even taking swim lessons at your local community pool. Whatever the case may be, the summertime is a great opportunity for children to spend time with friends and family or maybe even learn a new skill here and there. For working parents that don’t have the summers off, it might be harder to take long vacations or spend as much time with your children as you’d like. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t take a week to vacation here and there or sign your child up for events and camps that keep them occupied during their time off during the summer. Summer Camps From overnight wilderness camps to youth sport...

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Teaching Children the Importance of Hygiene

Posted by Emily Pazel

As young children move from the infant stage to the toddler stage and beyond, it’s important to teach them life lessons that are important for early childhood development, which not only applies to excelling in the classroom but also for fundamental things at home, such as proper hygiene. As parents and guardians, we end up doing a lot for our children, and they are constantly watching and soaking up our every move. That’s why it’s important to set good examples of proper hygiene that becomes important as they age through life. However, as many of us know, teaching a moody toddler how to brush their teeth isn’t always a walk in the park. And bath time isn’t always the bubbly experience we see on TV commercials. While some days are just better than others when it comes to your child’s behavior, there are ways to make personal hygiene more fun and less like a chore to do around the house. Why is Hygiene Important? Good personal hygiene, accord...

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Fire Safety, Inside and Outside the Home

Posted by Emily Pazel

If you are a parent or work in an environment with children, it’s most likely that you have some sort of emergency plan of action in place or have thought about putting a plan in place that has to do with fire safety. Although no one ever wants to go through something so tragic like a fire accident, it’s always good to have a plan in place just in case the unthinkable happens. Once a fire starts in a home, all it takes is around two minutes for the fire to become very life-threatening. In fact, a home or residence can become engulfed in flames within around five minutes, and all it takes is minutes for thick black smoke to fill a house. And if you think the actual fire itself is dangerous, according to ready.gov, the heat can oftentimes be even more threatening than flames. A fire can be 100 degrees at floor level and rise to 600 degrees at eye level, which can burn your lungs when you inhale and it can even melt your clothes to your skin. Although we all have busy li...

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Safe Teen Dating Tips

Posted by Emily Pazel

It may seem like your little one was just learning their first words and taking their first steps yesterday, but in reality – they have grown into thriving, free-minded teenagers who are ready to explore the world. And with that, come a lot of challenges and emotions that begin when children start to have interests in dating. Especially in today’s world, dating and using online technology seem to go hand-in-hand, so there are added stressors and challenges for parents to look out for. When your child is handed a phone, tablet or anything that has access to the Internet, you are unlocking a whole new world to them that may need to be monitored at times. And when it’s your first child, you may find it helpful to look up resources and articles that educate you on the subject. While there’s plenty of online chat forums or social media groups where you can seek advice, it’s also good to read articles from reputable sources that might offer helpful advice....

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How Weather Affects our Moods

Posted by Emily Pazel

Have you ever noticed that when the weather turns from sunny to cloudy and it casts a blanket of grayness over the area, your mood also tends to fluctuate along with it? On a cold or rainy day when the sun just can’t seem to pop out from behind the clouds, you might notice that you aren’t feeling your best. You might be feeling more depressed, less energetic, and maybe even just not like yourself. However, it’s not just dark, dreary days that can affect our mood – there has even been scientific research that shows that the sun and humidity can also play a factor in it. If you grew up in a warm, sunny environment, but then moved to an area that experiences a harsher winter with less sun throughout the year, you might start to notice that your moods fluctuate along with the seasons. If you start to feel down or maybe even depressed, there are ways to help with this. But before we get to that part of the situation, let’s first take a look at the scie...

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Teaching Thankfulness

Posted by Emily Pazel

No matter who you are or where you come from, at the end of the day, it’s important to stay thankful and appreciate the things around you. Just like many things you must teach children as they grow, you must also teach them how to be thankful and appreciate the world around them. It’s easy to get caught up in receiving gifts around the holidays or birthdays, having endless food at family get-togethers and not stopping to think about how good we actually have it. Especially in today’s generation, where things or food can come to your door after a simple click of a button, it’s easy to forget or not realize how hard people are working to get you the things you need. So, how do we teach children the importance of being thankful? It’s simple, really. It all begins with you. It all begins with an adult showing and teaching children different ways they can be thankful. Good Ways to Teach Thankfulness Just like teaching your children to brush their te...

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How Much Sugar is Too Much Sugar?

Posted by Emily Pazel

Have you started finding empty candy wrappers in your car where your child sits or around your children’s bedrooms? Around this time of the year, you might have noticed a big pile of delicious, colorful candy lying around your home. With trick-or-treating around the neighborhood or attending local fall festivals, the candy might be starting to add up and overflow around the house. And while you might think it’s harmless to indulge every now and again on sugar, high amounts of it can have present-day consequences along with long-term effects on your body. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), their guidelines call for less than 25 grams – or six teaspoons – of “added sugars” per day for children ages 2 to 18 years old. So, when you find yourself eating one too many candy bars, it might be a good idea to double check the packaging for details and then limit your intake. With the holidays right around the corner, it’s also impor...

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Getting Ready for Back to School: Students & Teachers

Posted by Emily Pazel

As summer comes close to an end, students around the country will be getting ready to start a new school year again. Whether your child is trying out a new school this year or heading back to the same school for the third year in a row, it’s always a time of mixed emotions. Some children are anxious about meeting new classmates while others might be excited to get back to seeing their old friends again. As a parent or guardian, it’s up to you to figure out when your children need your support and encouragement to make their transition back to class as smooth as possible. And, students aren’t the only ones getting close to returning to school again. Teachers, school administrators and other school employees will soon be back to the old grind, working to make sure students have the best possible learning experience at their school. Come this August, school campuses will be bustling with people again and children will be back on track to furthering their education. So...

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Time to Schedule a Visit to the Dentist

Posted by Emily Pazel

As with many things the pandemic put on hold, many routine office visits to your doctor or dentist were rescheduled or put on hold until further notice. And if you’re like the millions of Americans that take little time out for themselves during their busy schedules, this might be the reminder you need to go ahead and schedule that routine checkup with your dentist. Even if you’re an avid tooth-brusher and regularly floss like you should, you still need to visit your dentist on a regular basis. Although there tends to be a negative stigma behind going to the dentist, it doesn’t have to be a bad experience. Finding the right dental health provider for you and your family could be right around the corner. And in today’s world, many times you’ll probably find that dental insurance can cover a large portion of the visit and make it less painful for your wallet as well. So, let’s start with the basics. Just like going to the doctor for a regular, ro...

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ADHD in Children

Posted by Mary Thompson

Many parents mistake their children’s ADHD for laziness or lack of motivation. The truth is that sometimes ADHD is easy to recognize or very easy to overlook. Treatments and medications are still evolving today as researchers achieve better understandings of this complex disorder. However, if you have any doubts or questions about your child’s behavior, it is recommended to consult your pediatrician or a health professional first to determine whether or not your child has ADHD or if they are just being kids. What is ADHD? ADHD stands for Attention-Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, a common neurodevelopmental disorder that mostly children are diagnosed with. It‘s characteristics are inattention, or excessive activity and impulsivity that are not appropriate for someone's age. Another common trait that people with this disorder have is the difficulty to control their emotions and/or have problems with executive function. Executive function is the system that ma...

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Clean Teeth & Happy Smiles with Children at the Dentist

Posted by Emily Pazel

Even as an adult, going to the dentist can sometimes be a nerve-racking experience. So just imagine what it’s like as a young child going for the first time. The chair, the lights, the sound of buzzing tools – it’s a lot of stimulation and can be a lot to take in all at once. However, it’s a very necessary part of life to make sure young children see a dentist as part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. So, it’s up to parents to get your children ready for their first visit to the pediatric dentist to provide a friendly, calming environment for children. With that being said, how can parents get their children ready to see a dentist? Simple, you can follow a few different steps to start that transition, like teaching them to brush their teeth for the first time from an early age. But just how early can you start? When should children start brushing teeth? Interestingly enough, babies are born with all 20 of their primary teeth below their gum l...

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Keeping Your Relationship Healthy & Happy

Posted by Emily Pazel

As the New Year begins, people start planning ahead for that one special day to celebrate the love and affection they have towards their significant other. Unfortunately, thanks to the pandemic, going out and having a normal day has become difficult for anyone whether it is people being afraid to leave their homes or due to several places closing down. Either way, it has resulted in couples spending a lot of time under the same roof. So maybe now is a good time to re-evaluate or work on your relationship. Although it’s easy to get caught up in the frenzy of divorce rates, studies have shown that, actually, divorce rates have seen a recent decline in the past few years. A recent survey from the American Family Survey found that 34 percent of married men and women ages 18 to 55 have seen increased stress in their marriage due to the pandemic. However, the same survey corporation also found that most married people said their marriages have gotten stronger, and that people report...

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Caring for a loved one? You’re not alone

Posted by Emily Pazel

If you have ever been in the position where you have had to take care of a family member, friend or neighbor – whether it’s due to a disability or age-related – then you know the responsibility and hardships that often come with it. It’s relatively common for everyone to experience being a caregiver at some point in his or her life. Often, we end up taking care of a parent or family member that falls ill or has a disability and can no longer provide for him or herself. Over 60 million people living in the United States are unpaid caregivers, devoting their attention to someone else in need. And in the month of November, those millions are recognized during National Family Caregivers Month for all their hard work and dedication. Maybe you haven’t had the opportunity to be a caregiver yet, but you know it will eventually come. Or, maybe you have already been down this road before and you can help others from your experiences. Whatever the case mi...

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National Suicide Prevention Month

Posted by Emily Pazel

Suicide is a tough topic to discuss with anyone, but at times, completely necessary and may save a life. Each year, several mental health organizations and individuals across the country raise awareness of suicide prevention during the month of September. Although there are several ways to try to help someone in a time of need, if you or someone that you know is in a crisis, call the toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) where you can speak to a professional. Every call is confidential and is available for anyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It’s also important to point out that although you can always be a caring friend, a trusted coworker or a loving family member, suicidal thoughts can sometimes be more than what the average person can take on, and the assistance of a professional is required. By talking with a licensed professional early on, you can have better success with treatment and helping that person heal. But, ...

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