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Bullying: Advice for Parents and Teachers

What is Bullying?

Put simply, bullying is when one child picks on another child. Bullying is defined as any unwanted, aggressive behavior from one or more children, toward another child or children. Bullying is often not an isolated event, but rather is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated.

Bullying can happen in various ways – physically, verbally or socially. It can take place anywhere – at school, on the bus, over the internet or even via texting. Bullying often involves an imbalance of power – whether it is real or perceived – leaving the victim feeling intimidated and inferior.

There are three main types of bullying which occur:

Verbal

This can include teasing, name-calling, taunting, making inappropriate comments or verbally threatening. This can occur orally or through written messages on the internet or via mobile phones

Social

Social bullying relates to bullying which affects a child’s social relationships. This might include attempts at damaging a child’s reputation by spreading rumours, leaving someone out in an attempt to isolate them or making public attempts to embarrass them.

Physical

Physical bullying relates to hurting a child physically, or even hurting their possessions. Physical bullies may use aggressive physical behavior such as hitting or kicking to hurt a child, they might try and induce physical harm by tripping someone or pulling their chair out etc., or may simply use rude hand gestures toward them.

National studies show that almost 30 percent of children are bullied, with cyberbullying becoming the fastest growing method of delivering the bullying behavior. Children who are bullied as well as children who bully are both at risk for very serious, lasting problems. Whether your child or student is being bullied or they are doing the bullying, it is a serious issue which needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

When Your Child or Student Is Bullied

Children who are bullied often feel vulnerable and powerless to their situations. If the bullying has been happening for some time they are often conditioned to feel different and alone.
Children who are bullied are often unable to stand up for themselves because the power imbalance that occurs in bullying can leave them feeling that they are not as powerful as the bully. Victims of bullying often exhibit behaviors such as appearing anxious or nervous, feeling sick or not doing as well at school as they usually do. If your child or student is acting differently, try and find out if they are being bullied. If they are, make sure the school and teachers are aware of the problems, and try the following tips in order to help the child deal with the situation:

·        Ask what he or she needs to feel safe and be clear that you are there to help
·        Teach the child to respond by looking the bully in the eye, standing tall and remaining calm. Teach them to walk away with their head held high.
·        Teach the child how to address the bully in a firm voice. Saying things like “I don’t like that” and “Please do not speak to me like that” can be helpful in confronting the bully about his or her behavior.
·        Ensure that the child knows who they can speak to about being bullied – trusted adults, teachers etc.
·        Develop a plan of action – be sure to communicate openly with the school and plan some steps that can be taken in order to resolve the situation. Consider what changes could be made to help (rearranging the classroom, switching bus route etc.)

Most importantly, be sure you support the child who is being bullied. Listen to what has been happening and focus on how the child is feeling. Assure the child that what has been happening is not their fault and that they are not alone – lots of other children have struggled with this problem. If your child is not willing to talk about it or is having difficulty opening up, think about who else might be able to speak with them about it – consider a school counsellor or other mental health service.

Don’t forget to be persistent – the issue may not resolve itself overnight. You will need to commit to ensuring that the bullying stops and support the child until it does.

When Your Child Is the Bully

Kids can exhibit bullying behavior for a number of reasons. This may include copying friends or trying to look ‘cool’, bullying in order to make themselves feel better or more powerful than the child they are bullying or even as a reaction to other circumstances in their lives such as problems at home. Whatever the reason – bullying is never acceptable. Studies have shown that children who bully often encounter problems as adults, including substance abuse, getting into fights and leaving school early.
If your child or student is responsible for bullying, it is important to address it right away – for the good of the child being bullied, and the bully. Here are some tips for addressing bullying with the child who is carrying out the bullying behavior:

·         Ensure that the child knows what it is they are doing wrong. In some cases, children don’t even realise how what they are doing is wrong or how it hurts people. Be specific – point out why it’s wrong and how it affects the child being bullied.
·         Be serious. Bullying is not a joking matter – make sure your child or student knows that you are taking the issue very seriously and that any continuation of the behavior will not be tolerated.
·         Speak with the child and try to get to the bottom of why he or she might be doing the bullying. Consider whether he or she might need some additional support from the school counsellor or another outside organisation.
·         Let the punishment fit the crime. Children who bully should not simply be let away with it – use consequences but ensure that they are appropriate and help the child to learn about bullying (you might consider having the child make an anti-bullying poster to paste around the school, or write a story about the effects of bullying on other children).
·         Make sure the child who bullied is involved in repairing the situation they have caused. This might mean writing a letter of apology or replacing any property that was damaged.

When Your Child Is a Bystander

If your child or student is merely a witness to bullying, there are still things to be aware of. Children who witness bullying may feel helpless or worried for another child’s safety, or their own. They may start to join in the bullying or they may not tell anyone about the bullying if they are feeling anxious that they will be bullied. Encourage children who are bystanders to tell an adult as soon as possible about the bullying and to help support bullied children.

Even being a bystander to bullying can affect children very negatively. Make sure they know that it is okay to speak out.

Autism and Immunization: Is There a Connection?

In the later part of the 1990s, parents suddenly began to fear for the health of their children based on a research paper that claimed to prove a connection between the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccination and autism spectrum disorders in children. Since the publication of this paper, the research has been discredited and debunked as a fraud, but parents continue to believe that there is some truth behind the controversial information. If you are a parent yourself, it can be confusing and even scary to try to figure out which side of the fence you stand on. The most important first step toward making any kind of a decision about the well-being of your children is to educate yourself fully on both stances.

The Argument Against Immunization

Despite the fact that most of the big names in paediatric medicine, including the World Health Organization and the CDC, claim that there is no link between autism and vaccinations, the concern is still very prevalent among today’s parents. The media has something to do with this, as many actors and actresses have used their presence in the public eye to speak out against vaccinating children for fear of causing autism spectrum disorders. Even some of the more well-known politicians in the United States have made it very clear that they believe in the strong evidence that supports this theory. The National Institute of Mental Health continues to investigate the possibility of a connection between vaccinations and autism, which seems like a pretty powerful reason to believe that there is still a cause for concern.

One of the biggest reasons that parents continue to worry about the connection between autism and immunizations is the steadily rising number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders every year. Since vaccinations became more prevalent in the 1980s and 1990s, children have begun to show signs of autism from a very early age, much more frequently than did children born before this time period. It is a clear fact that more children are diagnosed with autism today, and that most of those children have been given at least one immunization during their lifetimes. Some parents believe that there is a direct correlation between the two, and cite their own experiences, whether positive or negative, as solid proof of that.

The study which originally purported to demonstrate the connection between autism and immunizations focused on a sample group of twelve children, all of whom had been given the measles, mumps and rubella vaccination and later been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. The research paper published after this experiment showed a correlation between the injections and autism, as well as bowel disorder, and managed to prove a weak link between all three. The resulting syndrome was labelled autistic enterocolitis, and blamed entirely on the administration of the MMR vaccination. The paper gained attention very quickly, and made the powerful claim that three live virus injections administered at the same time, as in the case of the MMR immunization, greatly increased a child’s chances of developing an autism spectrum disorder. The study claimed that the measles injection was the most prominent culprit, as it affects the immune system more strongly than the rubella and mumps viruses do. The medical community eventually had this research paper retracted, but the information still stands, and many parents consider it worthwhile to consider what the study showed, whether or not the world of medicine see it as a valid point of research today.

Proponents of the anti-vaccination movement look to court cases to support their side of the argument, and many parents take these instances into consideration as well when deciding what to do about immunizations for their own children. In several different court situations, parents and guardians have been compensated for the onset of autism based on the use of vaccinations. Some parents believe that courts would not award these settlements if there was no truth to back up the anti-vaccination claim. Finally, even some paediatricians have concluded that autism in certain children must have been caused by vaccinations. When paediatricians agree with the parents of these children, it is usually too late, and the parents then share their stories in the hopes of bringing the information to others who might be able to make different decisions.

The Argument For Immunization

While there are plenty of aspects to consider on the anti-vaccination side of the coin, it is important to think about the available information to the contrary. There are many reasons why parents continue to vaccinate their children, in spite of the evidence that supports the connection between immunizations and autism. To begin with, many parents conclude that it is better to vaccinate their kids against possible severe illnesses rather than take a chance that they might come down with something potentially life-threatening. Measles, mumps, and rubella are not always fatal, but sometimes, they can cause complications that lead to childhood death. Parents who vaccinate their children believe it is much better to help save their child’s life than to worry about the possibility of a vaccination causing a mental health disorder.

Vaccinations are also necessary in order to protect the people who come into contact with children every day, and parents on the pro-immunization side take this into consideration when choosing to vaccinate their kids. The technical term for this phenomenon is “herd immunity,” which means that enough people have been vaccinated against a disease that, even if a few should fall ill, an outbreak cannot happen. If more and more children are left unvaccinated against diseases like the measles, outbreaks are going to become more common and much more widespread. When a herd immunity is present, it works to protect young children who have not reached the age of vaccination yet, as well as the elderly, immune-compromised, or otherwise ill who cannot receive the immunization themselves. More lives are potentially saved by the lack of these illnesses in the community at large. When children are vaccinated against spreadable diseases, they are helping control these viruses simply by living a healthy life without getting sick.

Herd immunity also spreads to future generations, and parents sometimes even take the health of their future grandchildren into consideration when choosing whether or not to vaccinate their children. When a female child who has been vaccinated against disease grows up and becomes a vaccinated mother, she prevents the spread of illness to her child, which can in turn greatly reduce the risk of birth defects. Communities that have been thoroughly vaccinated have managed to almost eradicate some diseases completely, meaning that future generations will never have to worry about catching something that no longer exists, such as smallpox. Parents who choose to vaccinate their children today are paving the way for healthier generations in years to come.

Finally, some parents simply consider the cost effectiveness when opting for immunizations. Common immunizations do not cost a lot of money, and are usually covered by health insurance. On the other hand, should a child who has not been vaccinated fall ill with a rare disease such as measles, it could cost much more in medical bills to treat the child and bring him or her back to full health once again. Although it may sound a little bit materialistic, the cost of medical bills is a very real concern. For this reason alone, many parents decide to choose immunization over leaving their children exposed to potential health risks.

Which Side is Right?

When you have the basic information for both sides of the argument laid out in front of you, it can be much easier to make a decision and figure out where you stand on the issue of autism versus immunization. Do you believe the countless parents who claim that there is a connection between the two, or do you prefer to stick to immunizing your children against the very real threat of measles and mumps, and take your chances otherwise? When it comes down to it, the choice is completely up to you. Do not let other parents try to convince you to take their side on the matter if you feel like they are wrong, but also do not ignore the evidence that exists to support the argument.

In the end, the medical field is still more or less divided on the topic, and may continue to disagree for a long time coming. It is in your best interest as a parent, to consider the pros and cons of immunizing your children. Do not jump to conclusions based on the first sensational news story you hear – give it careful consideration before you reach your final verdict. You want to do what is best for your children at all times, of course, so try to consider all available information to help you make this important decision.

Family Literacy Day

Every year on January 27, Canada celebrates Family Literary Day. This annual awareness event was created by ABC Life Literacy Canada in 1992 with the mission of spreading word about the importance of reading and engaging in literacy-related activities as a family.

Literacy levels in Canada have become a serious issue. Here are some literacy awareness facts:

Increasing the literacy rate by 1 percent would generate $18 billion in economic growth annually
42 percent of Canadian adults have a literacy level too low to keep up with the increasing information demands of modern life
In Ontario alone, only 61 percent of adults with the lowest literacy levels are employed
Meanwhile, 82 percent of those with the highest literacy levels are employed, but only make up 20 percent of the population
Seniors, native people, prisoners, people with disabilities, minorities and the long-term unemployed are more likely to have low literacy levels, and to be living in poverty

The fight to improve literacy throughout Canada starts in your own home. In honor of Family Literacy Day, take the pledge to engage your kids in “15 Minutes of Fun” every day and do an activity together that encourages reading, learning and creativity.

These activities can range from researching your favorite foods online to see if you can make them at home, to singing a conversation to the tune of your favorite song. See the full list of example activities here.

Sources: Canadian Library & Learning Network, The Excellence in Literacy Foundation, Literacy and Policing Project, Literacy Council

Wet Weather Tips For Bus Drivers

School bus drivers know better than anyone the special responsibilities they have on the road. Maneuvering a bus is a greater challenge than a car, and of course, with the precious cargo school bus drivers guard in their back seats, a bus driver bears a lot of responsibility.Add to that the hazards of driving in extreme weather, and things get serious fast.

Fortunately when the roads get wet there are some simple steps bus drivers can take to keep themselves and their students safe.

Know the risks
Storms and heavy rain conditions can lead to limited visibility, vehicle control problems, extreme temperatures and other high-risk conditions. Even light rain can lead to seriously slick roads. These conditions can lead to serious and risky situations on the roads, such as hydroplaning.

Before you drive
Before getting in a school bus to drive, drivers should check the weather report so they know what kind of conditions they should expect throughout the trip. Also, check your tires and windshield wipers to make sure they are functioning properly. Make sure you have plenty of washer fluid, and that the window defrosters are working properly.

On the roads
When driving in rain, go slow and test your brakes—it can take up to twice the distance to come to a stop on wet roads. To reduce the risk of hydroplaning, come to a stop gradually.

Likewise, when pulling into a new lane or turning onto a new road, give the other vehicles extra space to allow for the extra braking distance and the possibility that could spin out as you accelerate. Avoid aggressive or sudden stops and other steering, and be especially careful when driving through puddles.

Especially be alert for problems in the first ten minutes or so after it begins to rain regardless of how light the rain might be. This is the most dangerous time, as the rain mixes with oil from vehicles and on the road (especially if there is new asphalt), and makes the roads slick. After this period this risk decreases, as the rain washes the oil away.

In heavier rain, look for moving water on the sides of the road. Even after rain stops, this creates an increased risk for hydroplaning, when the bus’s tires loose traction with the road causing the driver to lose control.

When it’s raining, buses should reduce their speed by half.

If the bus hydroplanes
If a bus hydroplanes, taking the right actions can help reduce its duration, and the risk. Though it may be a driver’s first instinct, don’t slam on the brake. Instead, release the accelerator, which will let the wheels turn freely and slow down.

If in a bus with an automatic transmission, downshift one gear. If you have standard transmission, the bus will slow down more on its own, but shift to neutral or depress the clutch to let the wheels turn freely if they start to skid. Buses with standard transmission will slow down at more quickly than those with automatic transmissions.

Prepared bus drivers, safer roads

Bus drivers face many risks out on the road, and take on the great responsibility of protecting the children of their communities. In rain, as with any weather situation on the roads, a cautious driver is a safe driver. Above all else, slow down and stay alert.

Why Do Dogs Jump Up on People?

If you have a dog, the following scenario is likely familiar to you:

You come home from a long day at work and open the door to your home, and are greeted by the high energy of your dog, who rushes to the door and jumps up to greet you.

Perhaps you enjoy this effusive greeting, taking it as your dog’s happiness that you are home. But over time, it’s likely become a source of frustration for you, especially if your puppy has grown into a large dog.

Even worse, your dog exhibits the same behavior to guests, and most of them (understandably) don’t appreciate it at all.

Why do dogs jump on people?

Dogs communicate differently than us, so it’s not uncommon for a behavior to mean something very different to dogs than it does to their owners. In fact, your dog’s jumping behavior is not the elated “welcome home” that most of us believe it to be.

Your dog’s jumping could be caused by a couple different root causes:

Your dog believes it is the leader
When a dog jumps, it is asserting dominance as the pack leader. When it jumps on you, it is asserting dominance over you. When you don’t fill the leadership role strongly and consistently, your dog senses that. Instinctively, it has a need to provide that leadership itself.
Your dog is exhibiting anxious energy
What do you do when you’re nervous? Pace around or fidget? Your dog’s jumping may be a similar response, rooted in anxiety or a simple excess of energy.

How can I stop it?

Fortunately, regardless of what’s causing your dog’s jumping, the way to stop it is the same.

First, stop reciprocating your dog’s jumping with affection. When you do this, you tell your dog this behavior is good and is being rewarded. Worse, if your dog is anxious, you are telling your dog this is an emotional state you want it in, and creating a cycle of anxiety for your dog.

Then, re-establish yourself as the pack leader by exhibiting a calm, positive, and authoritative demeanor when you come home. Don’t give your dog attention until it is calm, too—just go about your business as if it isn’t there without touching, speaking to or make eye contact.

It will also help to give your dog more exercise on a consistent basis—this will help it manage that extra energy.

By following these simple steps, you’ll be communicating with your dog in a way they can understand, while giving them the security of a strong leader and affirming a healthy, calm and happy state of being. In short, in addressing the behavior problem of jumping, you will also create a happier life for your dog by tackling the underlying problems.

Choosing a Multi-Vitamin

Our bodies need their fill of over 40 nutrients each and every day to perform at their best. Are you hitting all those quotas? Most of us don’t manage to get our fill on all of them on our own. Where our day-to-day diets fall short, a multivitamin can help pick up the slack.

The Center for Disease and Control (CDC) reports that about 40 percent of adults in America follow this advice and take a multi-vitamin daily. And yet, a 2010 Consumer Reports study indicated that 56 percent of adults expressed concerns about what was in their multi-vitamin.

With so many multi-vitamin options out there, how do you choose the one that’s right for you? Don’t leave your health to guesswork—consider these factors when choosing a multi-vitamin.

Needs differ by sex
There are some significant differences in men and women’s health needs, particularly from 18 to 50 years old. Women in their child-bearing years require more iron and folic acid than others. Men, on the other hand, need higher doses of several vitamins and minerals, but significantly less iron. For this reason, a mult-vitamin specific for your sex is best.

Don’t hide your age
Many multi-vitamins are designated by age group—kids, adults, and seniors. Be sure to take a multi-vitamin designed for your age group, as our bodies need different things at different stages of life. Kids’ growing bodies need lots of vitamin A, B, C and D, as well as calcium and iron. After 50, the body’s ability to absorb vitamins D and B12 slows down, something multi-vitamins for seniors can help address.

Check the ingredients
A multi-vitamin doesn’t hold much value if it’s missing the nutrients you need. Always check the label to make sure it’s got high levels of everything your body needs.

Don’t go overboard
Go for a multi-vitamin with 100 percent of your daily recommended intake of as many nutrients as possible (some nutrients like calcium and magnesium rarely include 100 percent because it would make the pill too large). But never go for a multi-vitamin that goes beyond the daily recommended intake amounts—in large doses, some nutrients can become toxic.

Consider diets and conditions
Individuals on a diet that cuts out entire food groups (such as vegetarian or carb-free) are more likely to be deficient in certain nutrients, as are those on a diet limited to 1,200 calories a day or fewer. Certain health conditions can also cause your body to have an increased need for certain nutrients, including cancer, diabetes, pancreatitis and others. Be aware of any special needs your body has.

Check the source
Vitamins derived from whole foods are better for the body than synthetic ones. How can you tell? Just look at the ingredients list for phrases like “derived from citrus fruits.”

Unlike food, a longer list of ingredients is better for a multivitamin, indicating a wider range of nutrient sources. If you want to take your multivitamin purity an extra mile, look for vitamins derived from organic and raw foods.

The Best Source of Nutrients is Food

Always remember, the best source of nutrients is always natural ones—your food. Don’t use a multi-vitamin as a crutch; use it to fill the gaps where a balanced diet falls short. Follow these steps and you can take a multi-vitamin with confidence that your body’s needs are being met.

25 Comfort Food Ideas to Get You Through Winter

Sure, we all try to eat healthy most of the time, but sometimes those dark, cold winter days pile up. When that happens, you need that special warmth that only a true comfort food can offer.

Here are 25 of our best ideas to munch and enjoy. Click the link for a recipe for each.

The next time winter cravings hit, you’ll be ready to strike with some of the season’s tastiest and most satisfying foods. Bundle up and bon appetit!

The Physical Effects of the Winter Blues

Many people struggle in the winter months with feelings of sadness or depression. For some, this is a simple case of the winter blue. But for three percent of the population, it’s a serious clinical condition called seasonable affective disorder (SAD). Even others already diagnosed with clinical depression experience more severe symptoms at this time of year.

Whether simply a seasonal drop in mood or a serious clinical condition, this trend seems to come from a common trigger: the reduced exposure to sunlight that is inevitable during this darker season.

But it’s more than a feeling—this condition can take a real physical toll on the body, to varying degrees of severity. Physical symptoms of winter blues and SAD include:

Fatigue: It may become difficult to get out of bed in the morning and you may feel more tired throughout the day.
Difficulty focusing: You may struggle to concentrate on normal everyday tasks, or to think creatively.
Cravings: You may experience cravings for high carb foods like chocolate, bread and soda.
Weight gain: Fluctuations to weight are not uncommon with the winter blues.
Disengagement: You may lose interest in activities you usually find enjoyable, such as going out with friends.

Brightening the Season

Typical winter blues will improve on their own as the days get longer and the sun comes out more. In the meantime, exercise, make time for activities you enjoy, and try to stick to a normal sleep schedule.

But if you experience exaggerated symptoms of clinical depression, suicidal thoughts, or other strong symptoms that make you suspect your winter blues may be more than just a mood, talk to a doctor right away.

10 Ways to Avoid Getting Colds and Flus this Winter

In the winter, the risk for catching a cold or flu skyrockets. With temperatures dropping, stress levels rising and all that extra time hunkered up together indoors, it’s no surprise that we’re all a little more vulnerable.

But with the holidays, celebrations, and all the fun to be had in the snow, winter is no time to catch a cold or flu. Leave those achy, sniffly days behind and stay healthy throughout the winter with these 10 tips to avoid getting a cold or flu this winter.

Wash your hands
We touch even more things over the course of the day than most of us even realize. From keyboards to doorknobs and more, those germs add up quickly. And that leaves you at risk.

To protect yourself from all those germs, wash your hands frequently, using soap and lathering for at least 20 seconds. Also, keep your hands away from your eyes and nose.

Get vaccinated
Health experts say getting your flu vaccine is one of the best ways to stay healthy. The good news is, it’s increasingly easy to get your shot—and with minimal discomfort.

Not only can you get your vaccination at just about any neighborhood drug store, but there’s also new ways to receive your vaccination. In addition to the traditional shot, you can now also opt for a nasal spray or a new microinjection option, which uses a needle just 10 percent of the size of the traditional needle.

Exercise
Nothing makes you want to skip the workout and stay in bed like a cold, dark morning. But as it turns out, winter may be the most important time to hit the gym. In fact, working out helps boost your body’s germ-fighting cells for as long as three hours afterward.

People who work up a sweat at least five days a week have been shown to have 43 percent fewer days with a cold during the chilly months, according to an Appalachian State University study.

But don’t go overboard—extreme exercise (like marathon runners who run over 60 miles a week, according to the study) can counteract the benefits.

Bundle up
Winter’s cold temperatures can be one of the greatest seasonal factors increasing your risk for illness. Shivering in itself reduces your body’s natural defenses against colds and flues. The cold outside is inevitable, but you don’t have to feel it.

The best defense against low temperatures? Listen to your mom and bundle up before heading out.

Take your vitamins
In winter, it gets harder to get the vitamin D our bodies need from natural sources like the sun. And that’s only one of many vitamins the body needs to thrive. Vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, and many other nutrients all help your body fight off infections.

Taking a daily vitamin can keep your body full of the nutrients it needs and ready to take on the germs you inevitably come across in your daily life.

Eat well
This one’s pretty basic, but that doesn’t make it any less important: Eat less junk food and more nutrient-rich fruit and veggies. Getting your greens in is especially important this time of year.

Strengthen your body’s natural defenses against colds and flus by adding green vegetables like spinach, kale, broccoli or Brussels sprouts to at least two meals each day.

Sanitize your space
While washing your hands is critical, it’s not something you can do constantly. But flu germs can stay alive on surfaces for over two hours, according to Dr. Oz. Sanitizing surfaces can help bridge the gap.

Especially pay attention to frequently touched and shared surfaces like door knobs, remote controls, keyboards, and refrigerator handles.

Get out and have fun
Curling up under a blanket at home may feel good, but it’s not the best thing for you. A study from Carnegie Mellon University actually showed that people who are more socially active are better at fending off colds. So braving the cold to spend time with friends is a healthier choice.

Sleep
Another important way to keep your immune system strong is to make sure you get enough sleep each night. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body’s germ-fighting T-cell count goes down. So do yourself a favor and get your beauty rest.

Drink water
Water plays an important role in flushing toxins from the body, so don’t skimp on it during the wintry months. When you’re dehydrated, it’s harder for your body to flush out and fight germs.

And if you’ve already caught a cold or flu, keep on sipping—drinking lots of water can help get past an illness faster, too.

Stay healthy all winter

Winter can demand a lot of your immune system. Between the parties, the stress and the frigid temperatures, there’s a lot of ways your body can work against you during the flu and cold season.

But the good news is, there is a lot you can do to keep yourself out of the doctor’s office. These 10 tips will keep your immune system strong all winter so you can reduce your risk of colds and flus, and enjoy the perks of the season.

Are Children Conceived in Winter More Likely to Develop Autism?

Expecting parents are always concerned with whether or not there is something they can do to ensure the health of their children. Recently, studies have turned toward the subject of autism, and whether or not the time of year when a child is conceived has any effect on its mental health at birth. There is compelling evidence to show that babies conceived in the winter may in fact be more likely to develop autism, and if you are trying to conceive, you may want to pay close attention to the recent information that has been discovered on the matter.

Illness

It is no secret that environment has a lot to do with a baby’s development while still in the womb. According to a California-based study that focused on 7 million birth records in the 1990s and 2000s, wintertime viruses and other illnesses may be a major influence on whether or not a growing baby develops autism. Of course, this could be less of a problem in parts of the world where viruses do not spread as rapidly during the winter due to warmer temperatures, but in the United States, where the study was conducted, this environmental factor did have a pronounced effect on the outcome of the children in question.

Deficiency

A lack of vitamin D also prominently raised the chances of autism in wintertime babies. During the winter months, when the sun is less visible and people are less likely to spend time outdoors due to colder temperatures, it is natural that vitamin D deficiency increases. Although quite common, this can be very detrimental to the health of unborn children, and may severely impair their mental growth while still in the womb. Vitamin D deficiency in the children studied also increased as the season wore on. December conceptions led to about an 8% increase in autism, while March conceptions showed up to 16% more cases of autism in the children that were surveyed. All winter months were compared to July conceptions for the purpose of this study.

Other Possibilities

Of course, it is important to judge all studies with a grain of salt. While the study undertaken by the University of California did prove a connection between month of conception and risk of autism, other studies conducted in Japan, Canada, and the United Kingdom have proven that spring is the more likely season to trigger autism. Research in Sweden and Denmark, however, agrees with that of the United States, and these countries have reported March as the highest risk month of conception. Bear in mind that the original United States study might also prove another environmental factor, such as exposures that take place during the second or third trimester, so it is somewhat inconclusive in that regard.

When you are trying to conceive, you may be worried about a lot of things, including the risk of autism in your child. Do not let studies scare you, but do take them into consideration and use the information they provide to make your own decisions when it comes to conception. As with anything, it is important to be as informed as possible, and to consider all relevant information.