Simple Tips To Avoid Stress

Individuals with no family history of disease still contact illness. Many times this is from unfavorable stress levels. Although a little stress pushes a person to perform well at work and play, today's fast paced, urban jungle lifestyle oftentimes causes too much.

Stress increases the body's levels of the hormone cortisol, which increases glucose and blood pressure levels. Though increased cortisol is physiologic and i necessary for dealing with acute stress situations like speaking before an audience, or driving through rush hour traffic, prolonged and frequent elevated levels can lead to illness. Stress also causes decreased functioning of the immune system, making individuals prone to acute infections.

Fight stress by:

• Engage in regular physical activity
• Get enough sleep
• Cultivate relationships with family and friends
• Set aside time for prayers and meditation
• Take up hobbies
• Say no to people or events that clutter your schedule
• Read a book or watch a movie
• Cut down on caffeine, smoking and alcohol
• Take regular vacations
• Laugh a lot

How Can a Parent Manage Stress

Coping with the demands of work, school and other activities can put a great deal of stress on family members. But there are ways that parents can manage their own stress and also minimize the negative effects of stress on the entire family.

Parents should learn to manage their own stress by making time for relaxation, exercise, meditation and fun activities. By reducing your stress, you can help lessen your children's stress.

Schedule quiet family time with activities like reading, doing puzzles or art projects or just talking. Set limits on your children's use of television and high tech toys, and be sure you and your children get plenty of sleep.

Perks and Drawbacks Of An Only Child

Me and my wife as far as today have no plans to have another baby, maybe its because our salary cant compensate for having another child for now. Raising only-child toddlers is becoming the most viable and practical option for parents in many parts of the globe, here is a nice article about the pros and cons of raising an only child.

PERKS

1. All the love in the world. With no one else to shower parental love on, an only-child toddler benefits from this setup because he is pampered, with "more lap time" or more attention, states Dr. Oliver. Parents are able to focus on the child's needs. The child is then given the best of everything in terms of education, housing, health care, etc.

2. No rival. According to Dr. Dimantala, an only child "is also free from sibling rivalry and comparison." An only-child toddler is expected to grow up feeling loved and feeling special.

3. Me time. In this setup, these children may learn to be more secure with themselves. "An only child learns to depend on himself, enjoys being alone, and can readily entertain himself," says Dr. Dimantala.

4. Stress free. Dr. Oliver states that parents also enjoy the perks of this setup. "Balancing the child's needs with your needs plus your spouse's needs is much less stressful physically, emotionally, and mentally," she says. There are fewer demands to meet compared to the demands of a multiple-child setup, and this should help parents enjoy more moments with their child.

DRAWBACKS

1. Too much attention. There may come a time when the little one becomes a little too much. One disadvantages is that the child get's spoiled and bratty at times because she is used to getting all the attention. Dr. Dimantala mentions how parents tend to shower their kid with fancy things. "When they get onto that habit, the child will begin to expect those things to satisfy his needs."

2. First time parents. Dr. Oliver notes that another disadvantages is that an only child has parents who are still feeling their way through parenting. "First time parents do not have the experience of parenting a previous child. Skills and the art of parenting can only be honed through practice."

3. Lack of socialization. Aside from having no playmates to interact with, there are also no other older children to learn from. An only child will also prefer playing with adults more. According to Dr. Dimantala, there is a possibility that the child may turn out to be a poor sport, as he will always want to win: "Because the child only plays with his parents, he is not used to adjusting his play with others.