As our teens enter their middle high school high school years it couldn’t be a better time to shower them with positive affirmations ! Hearing is believing ! Let them hear and use these positive words in their everyday life!! Praise pays off!
Moving further into this year of politics blanketed by violence. Help teens to remember that “change” comes from within your dialogue’s as parents and within them, as your teen!
Congratulate your kid(s) on the year and the journey they are about to start…
Stick with your teen though the changes they will endure, encourage them to see what is going on the world 🌎 no matter how difficult. They shouldn’t fear it – they should desire to be part of the solution.
Each generation has new and unique opportunities to make change.Our teens of today should recognize their opportunities are not only wide open but important. Coming out of high school within years of Covid, the greatest international unrest ( as a parent I have been alive for) and the most charged presidential election of our times. It is not only the issues that are causing a great divide within our country but the actual candidates. Now, with social media and celebrity backing there is a different political landscape. Celebrities used to inform the public of their right to vote. Today they are choosing candidates.
The world seems to have come undone. However, history seems to always repeat itself. Hopefully, certain milestone changes in history ( in the US) will stick!
Implore your teen to think about what changes in history they are happy with and what more they’d like to see.
Challenge them on how to be a part of the “active leaders”and “change agents” of our society. Teach them that daily change comes over time without hate, or violence. Help them to understand how they can take small steps to begin progress within school, their job, sport, music, or hobby? Let them see that change can start at any time, any age by anyone!
As we encounter birthdays, engagements, weddings, graduations, holidays and many other milestones; gatherings can bring both joy and anxiety.
Some people find excitement, enjoyment and a sense of community in large celebrations. There are other people that can feel overwhelmed, anxious or even “frozen” by the prospect of socializing. This can be a lifelong issue or due to a recent change in their life.
What people don’t realize is that the greatest hurdles are the anticipatory and initial anxieties. These occur weeks, days, hours before the event and during the first 10,20, to 60 minutes of your arrival.
The advantage of recognizing the above is that through understanding this, planning and the Nike “Just Do It“ method, jumping in can work! Anxiety can subside just by being in the environment and becoming more familiar with speaking to smaller groups of people at a time. People are surprised at just how much better they feel.
Celebrations Elevate Your Mood
Steps to Celebrating
and
Decreasing Anxiety
To really feel confident attending events
1. See or visualize yourself there (positively)
2. Visualize yourself with whoever you will be going with and share your concerns with them.
3. Think about the positive : get to know neighbor or acquaintance better … think about speaking with people on a smaller scale at the party is not public speaking.
4. Don’t consume alcohol or engage in use of other substances as they can cause depression, anxiety, and lead to different feelings or reactions than you may normally have.. or your ability to manage your anxiety differently.
5. The same is true of food and non alcoholic drinks. Try to enjoy but eat as healthy as possible. Eating too much sugar or consuming too much caffeine can lead to a change in how you feel. Try not to sabotage a good mood by ingesting food or drink that makes you jittery. Everyone’s body metabolizes sugar, caffeine, and alcohol differently and many people find that these impact their mood.
6. ENJOY…when engaging with people. We start to relax and see that we can be a part of this new type of setting with friends and family.
7. ALLOW the experience to foster a more positive mood.
The Success A positive experience leads to MORE opportunities which makes people become pro ‘s at socializing and celebrating!
It is only a matter of time before people see that celebrations can lighten their mood and lead to a happier life ! –M. Abramsky, LCSW
Pros and Cons Specific Apps and Platforms at the Bottom
Whether you are an adult or a teen, social media is now and forever haunting your existence! Used for both good and evil, it can propel our education, our international and nationwide communication, advances in physical health and even in emotional health…. with a twist! The “evils” of social media for some people and in some cases have outweighed the good. I’m not sure how many years it will take to know or acknowledge this. Many different kinds of technology are useful but, some are a pure detriment to society. Just some of the issues that come out of this addictive behavior related to social media are listed below.
•Self-limiting beliefs
• Overthinking
•Time Consuming Misunderstandings
• Spending time to fit In
• Exhaustion
•Isolation
• Loneliness
•Loss of concentration
•Anxiety
•Sleeplessness
•Addiction to games, chat rooms, online attention
•Moodiness
If you or your child struggle with this ASK for more info & assistance!
Protecting your Pre/Teen from The Internet (It is Never Too Late)
My Quick Take: Snapchat (bullying with pictures, video and comments) and Discord (more for getting information stolen and bots and privacy issues than humans getting access to your info) to the list.
Twitter My QuickTake:My kids don’t want it! It hasn’t fallen at the top of the list for me. Twitter is a social media popular among all over the world. In 2022, Twitter’s audience counted approximately 329 million monthly active users worldwide. In this site, users can see news and events from various countries. Also, they can speak freely in this platform. Although Twitter gives warning about some inappropriate content, the effect is not obvious.Twitter has more adult, violent and other harmful content than other social media sites.Twitter prohibits users under 13, but in fact, kids can create the Twitter account by entering a fake date of birth or sign in parents’ account. It’s better to block this site for kids directly.
Yik Yak The App Taken Down After 911 calls and it’s back! My Quick Take: Yik Yak was created by two guys in college, and it became so detrimental to mental health in our society due to bullying leading to 911 calls, that it was shut down in 2017. The anonymous platform made its way back in 2021.Check your kids’ phones for this one!Yik Yak is an anonymous (these are the absolute worst) and started years ago) social media platform popular among young teenagers. Users can make anonymous post within 200 words in chat room and view anonymous post published within 2.5 kilometers. Without registration and real name required, everyone can share everything freely. However, some people will maliciously post some negative content in this platform. It also caused a large number of cyber bully incidents. In fact, this platform is not suitable for children.
My Quick Take: Reddit & Whisper...give kids the same thrill and depression, if you are not happy with this type of possible bullying.
And Another One …. Kik My Quick Take: Kik Messenger is another app that leads to bullying and allows kids to behave in a way they wouldn’t do if their name was associated with their comments. It is one of the most popular instant messenger apps in North America with over 300 million users. The reason why I think it is one of the websites to block for kids is its anonymous. Users can send messengers to strangers anonymously and share photos, videos and games on this platform. It brings much security risk to young children and teenagers. Another huge issue for parents is thatsome use this platform to commit crimes against juveniles. Due to the anonymous nature of Kik, it is difficult for legal personnel to investigate.
Omegle My Quick Take: Omegle is another way to get vulnerable kids involved in situations that are dangerous and exploit them for information. Omegle ananonymous and random chatting platform.The difference of this video and text chat website is that itrandomly pushes a stranger to communicate. Is this sounding even more scarier? It builds a two-person chat room for you.HUH? This site lacks the monitoring mechanism. (I must have missed that on the other anonymous ones)Some chats in this platform involve adult content. If teens or young children engage in such chats, they can be severely affected. Thieves, hackers, and scammers will also lure kids to giving them credit card codes, address, or other private information. This is unsafe for the teen and familymembers.
Chatroulette My Quick Take: The name bothers me; it just really does. A video chat website below I see violence and sex and connections! Similar to Omegle, Chatroulette is also a widespread video chat website. It randomly pairs users and generates a pair of video connections. Users can also choose to add strangers as friends. I am not highlighting the rest! Once becoming friends in this platform, they can chat, share photos, and play games together. But the site often featured sexual content, nudity, and vulgar humor etc. Children may receive sex photos, violent videos or harmful links provided by strangers. Are our kids this bored?
4Chan My Quick Take: We have all heard about this website since the horrific buffalo Tops shooting. It apparently held many answers for investigators and was shown to not only have captured the live shooting but, a widely known hate filled terrorist website. 4Chan is a completely anonymous real-time messaging forum. As it is spoken about in the article as one of the most creative sites on the internet (it is clearly not only used for that purpose. 4chan was originally a forum for discussing anime. Since it is anonymous, there is a lot of harmful content on this site.
Ask.FM My Quick Take: Ask.fm was something to stay away from years ago. Apparently, it is still a hot. It is aquestion-and-answer platform popular among young teenagers. Their mainstream users are between the ages of 13 and 25, and 50% of their registered users are under 18. Now Ask.fm has grown into a freewheeling platform where teens are free from parental constraints. Anyone can view, ask and answer questions anonymously. It’s full of porn content, cyber bullying and violence in this site. And even a lot of teen suicides are related to this platform.YIKES!
Tinder My Quick Take: our kids are around people all of the time… sharing their geographic location online is unnecessary (as is meeting someone 5 states away or a TOWN away)!Tinder is a dating site. It recommends users to meet new people within a certain distance based on the user’s geographic location. If the person you are interest to happens to like you, you can message each other, follow each other on Facebook, and go on a date. It is very dangerous for kids to have a date with strangers alone. We have definitely heard enough about this.
TikTok My Quick Take: as the worst parent in the world (my kids have never and will never have Tik Tok). TikTok, a video-sharing platform popular among all aged users, offers us types of interesting, creative and exciting short videos every day. It’s especially loved by young teens. Is TikTok safe for kids? It depends. There are kinds of subjects in this platform: dance, art, fashion, pranks etc. If your child often imitates the bad behavior in videos, or addicted to it, this is an inappropriate site for him.
Roblox My Quick Take: I didn’t care for it and didn’t even know about the other “inappropriate games out there”.Roblox is an online game platform, which has over 54 million daily active users worldwide. This is a game compatible with virtual world, casual games and self-built content. It is especially loved by early-teens. However, there are some risks. Users themselves in Roblox are allowed to build games. This means children may see countless inappropriate games related to adult content, violence etc. Roblox is the ultimate virtual universe where players are free to create any anything or be anything. If you found you kid immersed in the virtual world of Roblox, you must limit him.
Did I find not having these media platforms impacted my children? YES. They were not in trouble or crying or bullied. However, at 12, they felt it hurt their social life MORE than as they were older. As they became older, they cared less.
That should tell you the age, and maturity level of the kids getting sucked in by these platforms. It is very dangerous. If you want to know just how much read about the Blue Whale Challenge. It was not an urban legend. The creator went to prison in 2017. These apps, challenges, and ideas they put in the heads of our kids are dangerous and at times stronger than we think.
Social Media Resource
Protecting Your Mental Health
New * How to Protect Your Mental Health from Social Media
Social media plays an integral part in the lives of teens, and the effects may be both positive and negative for their mental health. It’s essential to balance the potential for negativity on social media with beneficial social media use, such as positive connection, personal expression and support.
Disclaimer *Marcy Abramsky does not endorse the legal service provided but shares the valuable media information and options you have.
While studies have shown that social media use can boost connection, communication and self-esteem, experts say too much social media use may lead to worsening mental health. If you find yourself dependent on social media, it can have negative effects on self-esteem, body image and mood.
Some signs that you may need to examine how you use social media include:
Lack of time for self-care.
Spending more time on social media than with friends and family.
A spike in feelings of anxiety or depression.
Often comparing yourself to others based on what they post.
Being distracted from work or school.
Difficulty sleeping.
Feeling the need to check social media every few hours.
Social media harm is a complex issue. Some studies have made a general correlation between social media and mental health issues like depression. A 2022 study conducted by the National Institutes of Health found that suicidal thoughts and attempts were linked to young adolescents and cyberbullying.
One meta-analysis showed a moderate correlation between problematic social media use and depression. Research has suggested that social comparisons may be a link between those with problematic social media use and depression and anxiety. Researchers now suggest that aspects of social media that promote “well-being” are not simply the opposite side of the coin from “ill-being” and should be studied separately.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other experts, adolescent mental health is worsening. More than 4 in 10 adolescents report feelings of sadness or hopelessness. These feelings are more common in females and racialized groups, as well as those in the LGBTQ+ community. Other warning signs of mental health distress include low energy, distancing oneself, having difficulty concentrating or having inexplicable aches and pains. Adolescents with mental health conditions are more vulnerable to risk-taking behaviors, self-harm, suicide and behavioral and eating disorders.
Has your child suffered a serious injury after using social media daily or weekly?
Though more studies are required, research acknowledges the integral role of social media in the lives of youth. It provides opportunities for personal expression and social support, which contribute to positive mental health factors such as connection, self-concept, happiness, coping and personal growth.
Adults and teens alike can find it challenging to balance social media use and their mental health. How you use it is the determining factor; it is possible to make social media experiences more beneficial than harmful. Here are some tips:
Use social media to make or maintain connections with friends you will meet in real life or find clubs and activities to join that support a healthy lifestyle.
Follow positive influencers and unfollow accounts whose messaging is negative or judgmental.
Connect with friends and family who enhance your life.
Use social media to identify online resources for mental health support, such as online therapy, support groups or informational websites.
Use social media to find your voice, show empathy and kindness or offer support and motivation to others. Avoid user-driven chat rooms such as Discord that have the potential for toxicity.
When it comes to supporting a healthy self-image, one study showed that viewing body-positive social media, especially with captions that reinforce body positivity, can be beneficial. This activity can increase body satisfaction regardless of someone’s preexisting ideas about beauty. However, this research studied young, cis-gender women, so further research is needed for the impacts on differing age groups and backgrounds.
What to Do If Social Media Negatively Impacts You
If you feel like social media might be impacting you negatively or that your use has become excessive, you are not alone. Social media abuse statistics show that 5% to 10% of Americans are addicted to social media.
Many people are concerned with the potential harm of social media use. Several social media lawsuits have been filed in the U.S. alleging that online platforms caused worsening mental health.
Even if other factors have impacted your mental health, consider speaking with a mental health professional. Your doctor can write a referral to a therapist or you can seek help via a counseling center, support group or online. Many resources are available; take time to identify the therapist that is right for you.
Please seek the advice of a qualified professional before making decisions about your health or finances.
Last Modified: September 27, 2023
Disclaimer *Marcy Abramsky does not endorse the legal service provided but shares the valuable media information and options you have. 12/23- present
Believe in Your Ability to Stay Calm in All Situations
Build skills that allow you to feel confident in your ability to stay centered through any experience. Afterexperiencingthepandemic, closure of businesses, schools, and school and community violence; we need to change our view of emergencies. If emergencies aren’t the same as they used to be then we need to realize there is nothing to get that worked up about anymore. We need to put things into perspective. Staying calm in times of stress just take a reminder that “you got this”. Breathing, exercising, thinking positively, and giving off positive energy to those around you, supports this.
Believe in yourself ⭐️Believe in your ability to conquer overwhelm and stress!
Thats right… the professional who is qualified to dive deep enough into your past to assist you in learning and using skills to cope. Working with integrated research based therapy modalities, to help you to become self-aware, learn, and heal.
Through a process of differentiating the you today from the past you, visualize and even reinvent yourself!
Formulate goals together and allow yourself to be propelled towards success as you execute your action plan!
Clinicians that study Coaching ..It may not be for everyone.. but the world is fast paced.. people want results! Sensitivity, compassion, and goal driven … Who says you can’t try try it? The future is yours at InspireAmind.net 💡
It’s A New Year…Stay Inspired to Grow All Year Long!
Do You Feel That New Years Resolutions Should be Changes that You Feel Pressured ( if you do) to Set Around a Holiday? Or Do You Feel That New Years Resolutions Can Be A Motivating Time For Some … and Not For Other People?
What If We Viewed Personal Growth a Fluid Process and Allowed it to Evolve Throughout the Year, as Needed?
Essentially, a Resolution or Growth, Positive Change / Commitment Happens as any other Behavior Modification Does… with Time, Practice and Discipline.
We are all unique in the way we manage our stress. Most of the time this is due to our previous experience and coping skills. Here are some tools to use at the many phases of a hurricane , tornado and blizzard!
Establish a plan — A family plan that is simple to follow can help decrease anxiety and chaos even after things calm down. Stay informed (up-to-date on weather) and warnings. Your awareness of the most up-to/date information, may assist you in gaining a feeling of control.
Share… Talking it out with a friend, family member and /or therapist can really make a difference. Sharing your fears with others assists you in gaining that extra emotional support. There are numerous professions that you can see in TeleMental health Resources are listed below.
Accepting the things that are out of your control
Worry and anxiety only impacts your emotional well-being.
Acknowledging that there is nothing to control relative to wind or snow in a storm.
Storm Related Anxiety
It is good for the entire family … try to talk about how the soundswon’t hurt anyone (thunder, wind etc. ) unless you are in a designated area that has been told to evacuate.
Try a sound machine or app on your phone ot YouTube.
If you or a family member have survived severe storms symptoms of stress may seen; muscle tension, insomnia, and nauseaduring the storm and for daysor weeks after. Thee bothersome physical and emotional signs come out as you wrestle with feelings from the trauma of your previous experience.
Reduce Anxiety with These Tips
Prepare to have needed supply of food, water, medicine
Empower yourself to stay informed and play ahead, see your progress with each storm
Plan to be with people if a storm is coming
Try to distract your distract yourself
Do a project in the house you haven’t been able to get to
Play music
Change up your breathing
Try using cold water on your wrists
Make this storm a different experience
The Storm is Gone
When the storm is gone… reflect on the positive moments you may have had
Difficulty Coping After The Storm? – Options
Limit exposure to news or replays of the storm
Spend time with family / friends
Eat, rest and exercise ( try to go back to your regular schedule).
Acknowledge you can’t control all things
Seek support if needed – utilize a mental health professional if your feelings are interfering with daily life after a few weeks. After weeks with this heightened anxiety, you may be struggling with Prolonged Anxiety and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Signs of that would be flashbacks or nightmares of the events, avoidance of activities that are reminders of the trauma. Difficulty sleeping , concentrating. This could even be delayed and not start until even a month to years later.
The End :
Resources for more information ( and private therapy in New York State, contact www.InspireAmind.netOrany other private local mental health resources in your area…
Other government resources
If you need immediate medical assistance, please dial 911.
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988
New York State Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-942-6906
A Question on Social Media Called For Mental Health Professionals to Agree or Disagree with This Statement :
“Forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past could have been any different.” ~ Oprah Winfrey #forgiveness…
My original thought was no , I don’t agreealong with over 50% of people
After a second glance, I wouldn’t say it’s wrong. •It still just reads with a lot of emotion in it. •Forgiveness can be vastly unique for people at different stages. • It is the power to understand and accept events of the past. •By the act of forgiving and acknowledging the past, we can grow empowered to change the course of our present and future. •We no longer need to hold onto any anger or emotions attached to past events. •Forgiveness is what propels us as we move forward.
Do Try This at Home Can you think of a time that the past felt as though it was getting in the way of your future?
1. Think of the self limiting beliefs that held you back due to a past experience.
2. What did it impact ?
3. Can you imagine letting go of the fear, anger or emotion that is attached to the past?
Self-Care is vital for managing your mental and physical health. Check out the information below. Look at areas of life where self-care makes an impact.
Do you accept the challenge and will you look at the areas of your life to determine if you have what you need?
GOAL: To begin the practice of self-care. Engaging in decisions that are the outcome of critical thinking. Managing your life in a healthier way!
Positive Mindset A positive mindset, awareness, ability to be present and cope with life stressors!Feeling empowered to live a healthier.
Decrease Feelings of Overwhelm Manage stress, reducing immune issue’s, and increasing energy and the likelihood of success.
SELF-CARE AREAS • WHAT DO THEY MEAN TO YOU
PHYSICAL SELF-CAREEMOTIONAL SELF-CARE
SOCIAL SELF-CARESPIRITUAL SELE-CARE (for some)PERSONAL SELF-CARE
HOME ENVIRONMENT SELF-CAREFINANCIAL SELF-CAREWORK, SCHOOL, CAREGIVING & OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES
IN WHAT WAYS WILL YOU PRACTICE SELF-CARE ?
Begin your day with…
a post-it ( quote or inspirational saying or word)
a song ( inspirational)
or exercise (feels good)
During the day… use an affirmation app on your phone
