| Dr. Susan Bartell |
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Dr. Susan is a nationally recognized psychologist, author and speaker. You can learn more about her
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| Dr. Susan's Book |
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Check out Dr. Susan's book for great ideas and tips. You can find it at any bookstore, library, or online RIGHT HERE
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Dr. Susan's Newsletter to your friends by clicking on the "Forward email" link below | | |
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Greetings!
It feels like we're over the worst of winter doesn't it! Although here in New York, it's still cold, I'm starting to feel like spring is just around the corner. I just noticed that the early mornings don't feel like night-time anymore and it's staying light a bit later into the evenings.
Have you been thinking about your summer plans? It's not too early to start! Will you get a job? Go to camp? Spend time with friends? It's better to have something to do, rather than no plans at all, so if you haven't thought about it yet, start planning because it feel like the summer will be here before we know it...well, I can wish can't I?!!
xoxo,
Dr. Susan |
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Snack Attack |
 Now that you're fully into the second semester and moving closer to--dare I say it--final exams, let's talk about one of the pitfalls that might cause you to put on some unwanted weight right before summer--too much junkfood!
Eating junkfood while studying, especially for big tests, can pack on the pounds--particularly because there's usually not enough time to exercise. So here are some tips to help you stay healthy and make sure you feed your brain the energy it needs too:
5 Tips for Super Healthy Snacking:
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Ask your parent to stock up on healthy snacks like baby carrots, cheese sticks, pretzels, air-popped popcorn, whole wheat crackers, low-fat yogurt, all fruits, and low-fat, low-sugar dry cereal.
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Take one serving of a snack and then put the rest away, don't take the whole container with you.
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Other than fruit/vegs., have only two other snacks a day between meals. Ex: one between lunch and dinner and one after dinner.
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Drink lots of water. Your body often confuses thirst for hunger, so always keep a bottle of water on hand while you're studying.
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Take stretching breaks. Even when you need to study intensely, take time to walk around and stretch once an hour for five minutes, your body and mind will both thank you and you won't need to rely on food to break the boredom. |
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Sneaky Cigarette Ads |
 A recent study discovered that even though tobacco companies won't admit it, they are still marketing cigarettes to teens. Did you know that 90% of people that smoke start when they are kids--really! Did you also know that it's really easy to start smoking and REALLY, REALLY hard to stop. And of course you know that smoking cigarettes causes different kinds of cancers and also emphysema all of which will kill you, long before you're old enough to be ready to die.
So, you need to become an educated consumer! When you see ads for cigarettes on TV, in magazines, on billboards and everywhere else, remind yourself that the Tobacco company wants to get you hooked on smoking NOW because that's the way their company will stay in business. If teens don't smoke, the tobacco companies won't survive (remember that 90% number). They don't care if you die young, if you can't breathe, or if your breath smells disgusting. They just want to make mega $$$$. So don't smoke and if you already do, then stop before it's too late!! |
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Ask Dr. Susan! |
Q. Dear Dr. Susan, I feel like the winter makes me sad, is this my imagination or is it really true.
A. It's probably not your imagination! If you live in an area with cold, dreary winters, it really can have an impact on your mood. Technically, it's the lack of sunlight that makes you feel sad, although the cold doesn't help!
f you feel sad--even depressed, cry a lot, have a hard time focusing, want to sleep all the time (or have a hard time sleeping), have changes in your appetite, and don't feel like socializing, you might fit the diagnosis of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is depression during the winter. You should speak to your parent and doctor right away. Even if you are just a little down, it is a good idea to catch as much sunlight as possible--even when it is cold. Your body will absorb the sun and it will help you feel better (still use sunblock!). Also, exercise helps with any type of depression--in fact it has been shown to be as effective for mild or moderate depression as antidepressant medication, so get moving!! | |
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