Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Health Tips for August 16

Health Tip: Planning Ahead Can Reduce Back-to-School Stress

Vivian Friedman, professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral neurobiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, said there are ways parents can help alleviate their child's stress as they head back to school, including:

  • Scheduling a play date with a child from the new school.
  • Visiting the school playground during the summer.
  • Taking a tour of the school before classes start.

Health Tip: When Children Remain Overly Anxious About School

Children who remain overly anxious about school for more than two weeks may suffer from trauma and need outside help, said Freidman. Children who exhibit the following symptoms may have an underlying issue:

  • Whining.
  • Threatening to run away or hurt themselves.
  • Having nightmares or other sleep disturbances.
  • Renewed bedwetting.
  • Having generally anxious behavior or startling easily.

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