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Why are Teens So Sad?

Derek Thompson looked into why American Teens Are So Sad and identified Four forces that are propelling the rising rates of depression among young people. From 2009 to 2021, the share of US high-school students who say they feel “persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness” rose from 26 percent to 44 percent, according to a new CDC study. This is the highest level of teenage sadness ever recorded.

So why is this happening?
There are several answers purposed to that question, along with one meta-explanation that ties them together. Here are four forces propelling that increase.

1. Social-media use
Five years ago, the psychologist Jean Twenge wrote an influential and controversial feature in The Atlantic titled “Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?” based on her book iGen. Around 2012, Twenge wrote, she had noticed that teen sadness and anxiety began to steadily rise in the U.S. and other rich developed countries. She looked for explanations and realized that 2012 was precisely when the share of Americans who owned a smartphone surpassed 50 percent and mobile social-media use spiked.
In the past few years, scientists have disputed the idea that social-media use itself makes teenagers miserable. “There’s been absolutely hundreds of [social-media and mental-health] studies, almost all showing pretty small effects,” Jeff Hancock, a behavioral psychologist at Stanford University who has conducted a meta-analysis of 226 such studies, told The New York Times recently.

2. Sociality is down

Both Steinberg and Twenge stress that the biggest problem with social media might be not social media itself, but rather the activities that it replaces.  “I tell parents all the time that if Instagram is merely displacing TV, I’m not concerned about it,” Steinberg told me. But today’s teens spend more than five hours daily on social media, and that habit seems to be displacing quite a lot of beneficial activity. The share of high-school students who got eight or more hours of sleep declined 30 percent from 2007 to 2019. Compared with their counterparts in the 2000s, today’s teens are less likely to go out with their friends, get their driver’s license, or play youth sports.
The pandemic and the closure of schools likely exacerbated teen loneliness and sadness. A 2020 survey from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education found that loneliness spiked in the first year of the pandemic for everyone, but it rose most significantly for young people. “It’s well established that what protects teens from stress is close social relationships,” Steinberg said. “When kids can’t go to school to see their friends and peers and mentors, that social isolation could lead to sadness and depression, particularly for those predisposed to feeling sad or depressed.”

3. The world is stressful—and there is more news about the world’s stressors

Lisa Damour, a clinical psychologist and author, told me that no single factor can account for the rise of teenage sadness. But she believes a part of the answer is that the world has become more stressful. Or, at least, teenagers’ perception of the world seems to be causing them more stress.
“In the last decade teenagers have become increasingly stressed by concerns about gun violence, climate change, and the political environment,” she wrote in an email. “Increased stress among young people is linked to increasing levels of sadness. Girls, more than boys, are socialized to internalize distress, meaning that they tend to collapse in on themselves by becoming depressed or anxious.”

4. Modern parenting strategies

In the past 40 years, American parents—especially those with a college degree—have nearly doubled the amount of time they spend coaching, chauffeuring, tutoring, and otherwise helping their teenage children. The economist Valerie Ramey has labeled this the “rug rat race.” High-income parents in particular are spending much more time preparing their kids for a competitive college admissions process. When I interviewed Ramey about her work in 2019, she told me that she “couldn’t believe the amount of pressure our friends were putting on their kids to get ready for college.”
The “rug rat race” is an upper-class phenomenon that can’t explain a generalized increase in teenage sadness. But it could well explain part of what’s going on. And in the 2020 Atlantic feature “What Happened to American Childhood?,” Kate Julian described a related phenomenon that affects families a bit more broadly: Anxious parents, in seeking to insulate their children from risk and danger, are unintentionally transferring their anxiety to their kids.

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Boy’s Outdoor Challenge

In our technological world, more and more children are spending time inside on devices and less time playing outside.  Spending time outdoors isn’t just enjoyable but it’s also necessary. Many researchers agree that kids who play outside are happier, better at paying attention and less anxious than kids who spend more time indoors.

Spending time in nature can build their confidence. There’s a lot less structure than most types of indoor play and they can choose how they interact with the nature around them. This gives them practice managing their own actions and encourages creativity and imagination.

Being outdoors can also teach them responsibility. For example, if they are in charge of watering a plant, they can learn that they must take care of living things to keep them alive.

Being outside gets kids moving, too. Regardless of what they’re doing, there’s usually more exercise involved than if they were sitting on the couch. Not only is exercise good for kids’ bodies, but it seems to make them more focused. This is especially helpful for kids with ADHD. Being outside also helps kids feel less stressed.

In the spirit of getting kids outside, here is an outdoor challenge for engaging boys in the natural setting. These tasks can simply be done in a backyard or at a park if needed.  Fire starting and foraging are omissions from this list for safety reasons. Good luck!

Learn to Tie the Bowline Knot

Knots come in handy for a slew of survival scenarios.  Tying snares, securing shelters, lowering equipment or yourself down a cliff face. Ideally, you should have an arsenal of knots, from hitches to bends to loops, in your repertoire. But if you learn only one, learn the bowline.

Build a Shelter

A shelter should be your top priority in a prolonged survival situation. To make a simple lean-to, find a downed tree/fence/rock resting at an angle, or set a large branch securely against a standing tree, and stack smaller branches close together on one side. Layer debris, like leaves and moss, across the angled wall. Lastly, insulate yourself from the cold ground–which will draw heat from your warm body–by layering four to six inches of debris to lie on. If branches aren’t available, get creative and improvise from stuff around your home.

Make a Solar Sill

Collecting water is imperative in survival situations. Try this method for getting water with the help of the sun.  For an idea of how to do this, see here for an example.

Navigating by stars

This one needs to be done at night in an area with minimal city lights.  To find the North Star (Polaris), which is the end of the Little Dipper’s handle. If you can find the Big Dipper, draw a line between the two stars at the outer edge of the constellation’s dipper portion. Extend this line toward the Little Dipper, and it will line up with Polaris. Face Polaris, and you’re facing true north. If there is a crescent moon in the sky, connect the horns of the crescent with an imaginary line. Extend this line to the horizon to indicate a southerly bearing.

Build a Bed

Find a dry area.  Frame your bed with rocks or logs (make this a bit bigger than you are). Plug cracks with moss, leaves, or bark. Gather dry leaves and other dry materials. Pile them into the bed until it bulges. Nestle into the leaves and keep a thick layer on the ground.
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How to Study More Effectively

How to Study More Effectively

People often ask me what I see others doing that helps support them be able to be successful with coursework and school.  Here is a list of some of the keys that I’ve found successful students do.

Attend Classes

Don’t make the mistake of skipping class and trying to teach yourself.  Since the information that your teacher thinks is important will likely be what you go over in class and more likely to show up on an exam.  You’ll also be more likely to remember something from class because you are more involved. Try to get involved and ask and answer questions.

Know your Teacher

Take time to learn what’s needed to get through each subject you are taking.  Study the course outline and refer to it periodically to make sure you’re on track.  Find out your teacher’s marking scheme and requirements for the class.  You’ll be able to tailor your work to meet their requirements.

Schedule Regular Study Periods

If you don’t set aside a specific time to review, chances are you won’t review.  The most effective way to learn anything is to rehearse it regularly.  Be realistic as well.  It’s better to spend half an hour on each subject than to plan one hour for each one and not follow through.

Establish a Regular Study Area.

When you study in the same place every time, you become conditioned to study there.  Your mind will automatically kick into gear, even when you don’t feel like studying.

Shut Yourself Away from Noise and Other Distractions

TV, Phones, and nearby distractions hamper your concentration. If this is difficult, try to do some meditation or deep breathing to help you get your focus back.

Study Short and Often

Your brain takes in information faster and retains it better if you don’t try to overload it.  Four short study periods a week are more effective than two long ones.

Study When you are Wide Awake

Decide what your best time is and try to schedule your study time accordingly

Study your Most Difficult Subjects First

You’re most alert when you first sit down to study, so you’ll be in the best shape to tackle the tough stuff.  You’ll also feel better getting the worst out of the way, and you won’t be tempted to spend all of your time on easier or favourite subjects.

Be Selective

No one is able to retain everything they ever read or hear and it is not necessary to do so.

Get Organized

Usually categorizing the material will make it more meaningful. You may wish to use diagrams, charts, lists, cue cards, etc.  Pictures can be especially effective.

Find Meaning

Information that is meaningful is learned more quickly and remembered longer.  When you are trying to learn something you don’t understand or is unrelated to anything you know, it’s very difficult to retain.  If you can associate it with something you’re familiar with, you will have a much easier time memorizing it.

Take Good Notes and Review Them Regularly

The best way to learn anything is to review the information often

Reward Yourself

When you complete one of the goals you set for yourself, give yourself a reward.  It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate.  Try some timed phone time, TV or going for a walk.  The reward system gives you an incentive to reach your goals and a pat of the back for achieving them.

Start Assignments as Soon as they are Given

A little work on an assignment each week will allow you time to give attention to its quality.  Your workload will be spread out, so you’ll avoid an overload near the end of the classes.

 

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10 Tips for a Better Nights Sleep

Sleep is a fundamental need for humans to function at there best.  In addition to proper nutrition and exercise, a regular good nights sleep  can help lead to better wellness in people. Struggling with our sleep can have negative effects on how we perform in our daily life. Beyond making us tired and moody, a lack of sleep can have serious effects on our health. Increasing our propensity for obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. The good news is there are lots of proven strategies that can help those that struggle with sleep to improve and get some shut eye.

Try some of these tips to get you a better night’s sleep:

1) Relaxation techniques, including breathing exercises or meditation, may help you fall asleep.

2) A warm bath, shower, or foot bath before bed can help you relax and improve your sleep quality.

3) Exercise can have a positive effect on sleep. Regular exercise during daylight hours is one of the best ways to ensure a good night’s sleep.

4) Eat a small healthy snack (such as an apple with a slice of cheese or a few whole-wheat crackers)

5) Daily sunlight or artificial bright light can improve sleep quality and duration, especially if you have severe sleep issues or insomnia.

6) Blue light tricks your body into thinking it’s daytime. Try to avoid electronics right before bed to reduce your exposure to blue light before bed.

7) Caffeine can significantly worsen sleep quality, especially if you drink large amounts in the late afternoon or evening.

8) Optimize your bedroom environment by eliminating external light and noise to get better sleep.

9) Try to get into a regular sleep/wake cycle — especially on the weekends. If possible, try to wake up naturally at a similar time every day.

10) Long daytime naps may impair sleep quality. If you have trouble sleeping at night, stop napping or shorten your naps.

 

benefits of a good nights sleep

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Problematic Smartphone use, Nature Connectedness and Anxiety

Problematic Smartphone use, Nature Connectedness and Anxiety

Richardson et al dig into how these 3 items relate to one another.  Society’s disconnection from nature has paralleled an increase in smartphone use.  Some findings from their research:

  • Human relationships with nature bring mental well being at a time of huge demand on health services
  • Nature connectedness benefits?  Life satisfaction, Meaningfulness, Vitality, Happiness, Higher self esteem, Mindfulness, Balanced emotional regulation
  • Selfie taking and phone use emerging as predictors of decreased connectedness with nature
  • Nature connectedness is a key part of a healthy life and planet

 

Problematic Smartphone use, Nature Connectedness and Anxiety, 2017, Richardson et al, University of Derby

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Physiological Effects of Nature Therapy

nature therapy

Physiological Effects of Nature Therapy

As a result of stressful situations in daily life a, research is pointing us in a direction of getting back to our roots. Nature therapy, a health-promotion method that uses medically proven effects, such as relaxation by exposure to natural stimuli from forests, urban green spaces, plants, and natural wooden materials, is receiving increasing attention.

 

It is empirically known that exposure to stimuli from natural sources induces a state of hyperawareness and hyperactivity of the parasympathetic nervous system that renders a person in a state of relaxation. This state becomes progressively recognized as the normal state that a person should be in and feel comfortable.  Could this immersion in nature be helpful for you?

 

 

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Energy drinks linked to booze, tobacco use?

Teens who drink high-caffeine energy beverages such as Red Bull or Monster may be more likely to use alcohol, drugs and cigarettes, a new study suggests. The findings suggest that the same personality traits that attract kids to energy drinks — such as being a risk taker — may increase the chances that they’ll use addictive substances, the study authors said.

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How do you develop Resiliency in Youth?

teen skating

How do you develop Resiliency in Youth?

Advances to the theory of resilience directs attention to the processes whereby individuals who face significant challenges interact with their environments to optimize personal success (Ungar&Liebenberg, 2011). Resilience is developed when there is significant exposure to adversity.

The APA outlines these 10 recommendations for building resiliency in youth.

  1. Make connections
    Teach your child how to make friends, including the skill of empathy, or feeling another’s pain. Encourage your child to be a friend in order to get friends. Build a strong family network to support your child through his or her inevitable disappointments and hurts. At school, watch to make sure that one child is not being isolated. Connecting with people provides social support and strengthens resilience. Some find comfort in connecting with a higher power, whether through organized religion or privately and you may wish to introduce your child to your own traditions of worship.
  2. Help your child by having him or her help others
    Children who may feel helpless can be empowered by helping others. Engage your child in age-appropriate volunteer work, or ask for assistance yourself with some task that he or she can master. At school, brainstorm with children about ways they can help others.
  3. Maintain a daily routine
    Sticking to a routine can be comforting to children, especially younger children who crave structure in their lives. Encourage your child to develop his or her own routines.
  4. Take a break
    While it is important to stick to routines, endlessly worrying can be counter-productive. Teach your child how to focus on something besides what’s worrying him. Be aware of what your child is exposed to that can be troubling, whether it be news, the Internet or overheard conversations, and make sure your child takes a break from those things if they trouble her. Although schools are being held accountable for performance on standardized tests, build in unstructured time during the school day to allow children to be creative.
  5. Teach your child self-care
    Make yourself a good example, and teach your child the importance of making time to eat properly, exercise and rest. Make sure your child has time to have fun, and make sure that your child hasn’t scheduled every moment of his or her life with no “down time” to relax. Caring for oneself and even having fun will help your child stay balanced and better deal with stressful times.
  6. Move toward your goals
    Teach your child to set reasonable goals and then to move toward them one step at a time. Moving toward that goal — even if it’s a tiny step — and receiving praise for doing so will focus your child on what he or she has accomplished rather than on what hasn’t been accomplished, and can help build the resilience to move forward in the face of challenges. At school, break down large assignments into small, achievable goals for younger children, and for older children, acknowledge accomplishments on the way to larger goals.
  7. Nurture a positive self-view
    Help your child remember ways that he or she has successfully handled hardships in the past and then help him understand that these past challenges help him build the strength to handle future challenges. Help your child learn to trust himself to solve problems and make appropriate decisions. Teach your child to see the humor in life, and the ability to laugh at one’s self. At school, help children see how their individual accomplishments contribute to the well-being of the class as a whole.
  8. Keep things in perspective and maintain a hopeful outlook
    Even when your child is facing very painful events, help him look at the situation in a broader context and keep a long-term perspective. Although your child may be too young to consider a long-term look on his own, help him or her see that there is a future beyond the current situation and that the future can be good. An optimistic and positive outlook enables your child to see the good things in life and keep going even in the hardest times. In school, use history to show that life moves on after bad events.
  9. Look for opportunities for self-discovery
    Tough times are often the times when children learn the most about themselves. Help your child take a look at how whatever he is facing can teach him “what he is made of.” At school, consider leading discussions of what each student has learned after facing down a tough situation.
  10. Accept that change is part of living
    Change often can be scary for children and teens. Help your child see that change is part of life and new goals can replace goals that have become unattainable. In school, point out how students have changed as they moved up in grade levels and discuss how that change has had an impact on the students.
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6 ways to have a healthy online life

1) Get some exercise

There’s emerging evidence of skeletal and muscle problems in the neck, thumbs, and backs of heavy texters, gamers and computer users. All that sedentary time spent in front of screens is producing a less fit generation.  Experts say regular exercise to improve cardiovascular health and increase strength can counteract some of those screen time effects. And many studies have documented the effectiveness of exercise in reducing depression and anxiety.

2) Get some face to face time

Some adults complain young people have lost social skills as a result of immersing themselves in technology, and due to their preference for texting over talking. Practice eye contact and conversation skills by making time for in-person socializing, which studies show also creates a stronger sense of connectedness … the human kind!

3) Get Balanced

Like a healthy, balanced diet, a healthy screen life means moderation. Dr. Michael Rich is professor of pediatrics at Harvard University and head of the Center on Media and Child Heath at Boston’s Children Hospital. He says media technologies aren’t going away, but they need to be seen as just one part of a child’s day, along with many other activities, such as recreation, school and homework, and time with friends and family. He says parents shouldn’t just limit time with technology; they should encourage kids to make conscious choices about filling their days with a variety of activities.

4) Get picky

Many of us have embraced technology blindly, succumbing to the seduction of constant distraction and the endless novelty of cute cat videos. Experts say a healthy approach to technology means using it for what it does well, and learning to filter out the “noise.”
Stanford University professor emeritus Don Roberts has extensively studied the effects of media on young people. He says parents can help kids become smarter consumers of technology and critical thinkers by talking to them about the content they view and listen to on-line.

5) Get Natural

Researchers say spending time in nature is an antidote to the physical, mental, and emotional stress technology use puts on our bodies and brains. It increases Vitamin D stores depleted by too much time indoors in front of screens and improves distance vision.
It’s been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and attention deficit disorders. Schools that include time outdoors have higher standardized test scores in math, reading and writing.

6) Get a good book

Various studies show reading engages parts of the brain that involve imagination, creativity and the senses. Regular readers have better verbal and critical thinking skills, and a lower risk of developing dementia. That’s in contrast to electronic media consumption, which is usually a cognitively passive activity.

http://www.cbc.ca/news2/interactives/teens-online-health/

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Teens’ Energy Drink Habit May Be Linked to Booze, Tobacco, Drug Use

Teens who consume energy drinks more likely to use alcohol?

energy drink

Teens have been drawn the the energy Nearly one-third of US adolescents consume high-caffeine energy drinks or “shots,” and these teens report higher rates of alcohol, cigarette, or drug use, reports a study.  Teens who drink high-caffeine energy beverages such as Red Bull or Monster may be more likely to use alcohol, drugs and cigarettes.  The findings suggest that the same personality traits that attract kids to energy drinks — such as being a risk taker — may increase the chances that they’ll use addictive substances, the study authors said.

Boys were more likely to use energy drinks than girls. Use was also higher for teens without two parents at home and those whose parents were less educated. Perhaps surprisingly, the youngest teens (eighth graders) were most likely to use energy drinks/shots.

Teens who consume energy drinks more likely to use alcohol?

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