Tip of the Week: Nicotine in one vaping pod is equivalent to the nicotine in one pack of cigarettes

Vaping marijuana or nicotine can cause respiratory problems and decrease aerobic capacity- it reduces athletic ability by interfering with lung function. It also causes shortness of breath 3 times more often than nonsmokers- nicotine narrows blood vessels and makes your heart work harder than it should.

Thank you to Dr. John Duffy who helped us host a virtual community forum held on September 24th. The author of “Parenting the New Teen in the Age of Anxiety” highlighted tips from his book and provided support for talking with teens during COVID-19 about their concerns and stress. No video is available for this session, so take a listen!

Tip: Managing stress does not have to include the use of alcohol or drugs. The best way to handle stress is through healthy habits.

Exercise, healthy eating, sleeping well and maintaining close relationships are important in stress management. These key actions can help reduce stress levels and improve your quality of life. Quick fixes like drugs or alcohol may temporarily mask stress but the long-term effects are unhealthy.

Keeping kids safe from underage use of alcohol and misuse of prescription pain medications is a concern for parents. Parents and children are encouraged to communicate with each other early on and frequently in this public service announcement from SAMHSA’s “Talk. They Hear You.”

Tip: Athletes who sleep at least 8 hours per night are 68% less likely to sustain an injury compared to those who get less sleep.

Lack of sleep impacts reaction times and performance and causes fatigue. Aim to sleep at least 8 hours per night to maximize muscle growth, repair and recovery. This will also help improve cognitive skills and concentration. All of these factors together can contribute to a lower rate of athletic injuries.

Stress Management: Learn to Identify What Causes Stress

– Stress is not all bad
– Have a mindset of resilience
– Save energy
– Avoid catastrophic thinking
– Parents as role models
– Three questions to put things into perspective
– The power of yet: a word that shows change is possible

Learn more about these tips in the article from Center for Parent and Teen Communication here!