3 WAYS TO MENTALLY PREPARE YOUR KIDS FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR
It may not feel like it yet, but summer is coming to a close, and summer break is ending along with it. Soon, the kids will be back to early morning breakfasts before the school bus arrives and late-night study sessions. Thankfully, there are some steps your family can take during these closing weeks of summer to ensure your kids hit the ground running this school year. For many kids, summer schedules are flexible. They may have become accustomed to sleeping in and staying up late without any obligations. Getting back into the rhythm of the school year can take some getting used to. In fact, according to psychologist Cherie Valeithian, it can take upward of two weeks to properly adjust to a new sleep- SET AN EARLY BEDTIME
wake cycle. So why not give your kids a head start and ensure they begin the school year bright-eyed and bushy-tailed?
Your kids may find that last year’s schedule doesn’t work for them this year. Emphasize that this is okay; part of growing up is learning how and when you work most effectively. Don’t be afraid to help them switch things up as the school year progresses. Maybe your kids are excited about the school year. Maybe they are anxious, or perhaps they’re just disappointed to see summer vacation come to an end. Starting a dialogue about the aspects of school your kids are looking forward to and those they’re dreading can help you dispel myths and identify problem areas. More than anything else, this can help your kids feel at ease about the coming year. ASK YOUR KIDS HOW THEY FEEL
OUTLINE A HOMEWORK SCHEDULE
Resuming a homework regimen can be a difficult transition for some kids. Late summer, when they don’t have assignments to worry about yet, can be a great opportunity to help them prepare a study schedule. Ask the following questions to help them get started: “Do you want to dive right into homework when you get home? Do you need to accommodate for a sport or extracurricular activity? Do you work best when doing your assignments in one large chunk, or would you prefer taking breaks in between assignments?”
OPIOIDS AND INJURY KNOW YOUR OPTIONS
With our country still grappling with a nationwide opioid crisis, it has never been more important to be aware of the risks associated with these addictive drugs. While the media has said much about how this national public health emergency is ravaging communities in West Virginia and New Hampshire, it’s important to note that our friends and neighbors right here in San Diego are facing the same tidal wave of overprescribed painkillers. The California Department of Public Health estimates that 6.7 per 100,000 residents died of an overdose in San Diego county last year. But what if you are injured and need pain management to recover? Only you can know your own level of pain, but working with a doctor and being aware of alternative avenues for pain management can help you find the safest path to recovery. Here are three things every injured person should be aware of in light of this crisis. PHYSICAL THERAPY MAY BE AN OPTION Recently, the CDC issued new guidelines to doctors on pain management plans, highlighting various alternatives to opioid treatments. The document cites “high-quality evidence” that shows various forms of physical therapy “reduces pain and improves function immediately after
treatment and that the improvements are sustained for at least 2–6 months,” in the case of knee or hip problems. Speaking on lower back injuries, the CDC noted, “Exercise therapy also can help reduce pain and improve function in low back pain and can improve global well-being and physical function.” This form of treatment may not be right for you or your injury, but it’s worth broaching the subject with your doctor if you want an alternative or supplement to pharmaceutical pain management. CONSIDER A PAIN MANAGEMENT CONTRACT In light of the opioid crisis, many doctors offer to sign pain management contracts with patients who do need painkillers to function. These contracts act as a two-way street, helping ensure that you only take the amount you are supposed to and protecting you from being overprescribed. KNOW WHERE YOU CAN GET HELP There are many rehab centers throughout San Diego county that can help in the event that you or a loved one becomes addicted to opiates. Our team would be happy to direct you to a nearby resource. You can also call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s national hotline at (800) 662-HELP (4357).
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