On A Meaningful Life

Passing along this blog post about a new study suggesting an association between drinking water and an increase in performance in elementary school kids. Caroline Edmonds and Ben Jeffes of the University of East London examined whether drinking water improves performance in 6 to 7 year old children. The differences between the water and no water groups were significant, according to a paper that's been accepted for publication in the journal Appetite. They found that "even under conditions of mild dehydration, not as a result of exercise, intentional water deprivation or heat exposure" their test subjects' "cognitive performance can be improved by having a drink of water." I would offer caution about extrapolating this into an endorsement for drinking mega amounts of water. Please don't! But I think it makes sense to see this as reminder to be mindful of your body and to be aware when you are mildly dehydrated.

Dr. James Gordon, a psychiatrist writing in the Washington Post, offers his tips on relieving stress. He includes the following six strategies: 1. Begin a simple meditation practice. 2. Move your body. 3. Reach out to others. 4. Find someone who will listen and give you a realistic look at your situation. 5. Let your imagination find you healing and new meaning and purpose. 6. Speak and act on your behalf. I think these ways of relieving stress and others are also ways of being resilient in your life. These are not necessarily easy to incorporate in our lives else we would all not be stressed. Still I think it is important to be mindful of how we move through our days.

Here's a quick guide to help build resiliency in kids, put out by the American Psychological Association. I find that each tip encompasses a major life skill, important to gain for anyone, even grownups. In short, APA lists these: 1. Make connections. 2. Help your child by helping others. 3. Maintain a routine. 4. Take a break. 5. Teach your child self-care. 6. Move toward your goals. 7. Nurture a positive self-view. 8. Keep things in perspective and maintain a hopeful outlook. 9. Look for opportunities in self-discovery. 10. Accept that change is part of living. Be sure to check out their page for more information.