Innholdsfortegnelse for Fall 2018 i MASK The Magazine

When you hand the keys over to your teen, it’s like having them pilot a 3,000-pound missile. Before teaching them to drive, consider whether they demonstrate good judgment and act responsibly at school and in completing chores, says Maria Wojtczak, owner of Driving MBA in Phoenix. Auto crashes are the number one cause of death among adolescents, so make sure they’re ready to handle the responsibilities of driving. PASS THE WRITTEN PERMIT TEST The first step in the driving process is having your teen take a learner’s permit test. Check the website of your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for specific requirements, as well as proof of identification needed when applying for a permit and driver’s license. The permit test is based on your state’s driver manual and covers…

• The stimulation-seeking part of the brain, the reward system, is highly sensitized during a time of hormonal surges. Emotion is heightened.• The self-regulatory systems develop slowly. Risk-taking in pursuit of rewarding feelings is likely. It’s not a lack of intellect: risks are understood, but rewards loom large.• A highly sensitized social brain is deeply attuned to others’ expressions, feelings and opinions.• Steadily growing capacity for reasoning and abstraction can lead to bold creativity. Source: Mindful.org…

It’s no secret that boys and girls are different. The differences between genders, however, are more than meets the eye. Researchers know there are physical differences between a boy’s brain and a girl’s, both at birth and as they grow. In the womb, boys develop testosterone. In fact, Margaret McCarthy, a neuroscientist at the University of Maryland who studies early brain development, says male babies are born with as much testosterone as a 25-year-old man (after birth, testosterone plummets until a boy reaches puberty). Girls produce testosterone before they’re born, too, but not nearly as much as boys. And while girls also produce female hormones such as estrogen, these seem to have little impact on developing brains. Once girls and boys are born, their brains continue to take different paths.…

As fathers, we must realize no one decides our children’s destiny. Our children decide their habits, and their habits decide their destiny. Habits are often developed during the adolescent years, as the brain is growing. Our kids do crazy and stupid things because their brains have not yet fully developed, and will not finish growing until sometime in their mid-20s. (Remembering this makes me feel less foolish for my high school deportment, and my stunts as a freshman in a college fraternity. Thank God I survived!) America is a “pill popping” society. If we have a headache, we pop a pill. If we sprain our ankle, we pop a pill. If we’re depressed, we pop a pill. We’re conditioned to self-medicate. Many people have a cocktail (or several) after work…

1 ALL ABOUT BALANCE Growing up in the Valley, I was so proud to have been a student athlete at Perry High School in Gilbert. I played football for Coach Preston Jones at Perry, where I also lettered in three sports: football, basketball, and baseball. My time on and off the field spent in practice and pursuit of perfection in these team sports was so valuable. Looking back, I know I learned so much about communicating effectively, working as a team to accomplish a common goal, how to compete, how to overcome adversity, and how to earn everything you want through maximizing your efforts, preparation and attitude. I wouldn’t trade that time in my life for anything, and I know that I learned life skills that I apply every day…

To help parents better understand the brain function, development and health of their college-aged child, we asked Arizona State University’s Leah Doane, Associate Professor of Psychology; and Madeline Meier, Assistant Professor of Psychology, to provide some insight and advice. Here’s what they shared. What brain skills or functions will college students begin to use that they haven’t had to use very much before? In adolescence and young adulthood, certain brain regions are still developing, whereas other brain regions are more fully developed. For example, the prefrontal cortex, which underlies planning, judgment, decision-making, and self-regulation, continues to develop into the 20s, but brain regions underlying reward seeking and sensitivity to social and emotional cues reach peak sensitivity in adolescence. This imbalance in the maturation of these brain regions may explain why…

Our brain plays a vital role in everything we do, which is why it’s important to keep it nourished and healthy. Here are seven ways to do just that. SUNDAY HERE & NOW PRACTICE MINDFULNESS Stress-reduction and relaxation techniques are important for a healthy brain, and meditation has been shown to be particularly effective. In fact, studies show that the amygdala, the brain’s “fight or flight” center, decreases in brain cell volume after meditation, which also has been shown to help ease anxiety, depression and pain. MONDAY WORK IT OUT GET YOUR BLOOD PUMPING Exercise is a crucial part of basic brain hygiene. Not only does it give your mind a break from the present moment, it also improves learning; keeps the brain active and fit; increases “soothing” neurotransmitters such…

DRUG As part of normal brain development, the brain seeks high levels of reward—which is why young people may experiment with drugs, especially those that release high levels of dopamine. Fortunately, there are healthy activities—such as exercise, eating right, and getting plenty of sleep—that naturally release dopamine. Encourage your child to engage in and practice these activities, which will help them feel happier and more energetic. BULLY Bullying is an unfortunate cause of stress and depression in children, which can negatively impact brain development in areas such as serotonin levels, neural growth, and memory. Pushing your child to open up about possible bullying can cause them to shut down and keep their feelings inside. Be patient and empathetic when talking to your child about bullying—it will encourage openness when they…

FUTURE PROS Designed to foster sport skills for any aspiring athlete, the ESPN Future Pro series helps create game-winning moments in your own back yard. Series includes football, basketball, baseball, soccer and softball. $5 to $15. walmart.com BIG TOP No need to run away and join the circus! Your child can be their very own circus ringmaster with this Circus Tent Play Set by Antsy Pants. Set includes tent with tie-back doors, flag, pennant ties, and a build-and-play kit. $69.99. antsypants.com PILLOW WITH A PURPOSE Handmade by survivors of human trafficking, the Difference Maker pillow by Crowned Free helps raise awareness and empower survivors of this devastating issue. Made with black canvas and burlap. $55. mycrownedfree.com BREAK BREAD If you love the taste of fresh flatbread (also known as “roti”),…

The Space Coast—a roughly 72-mile stretch of Florida that runs along the Atlantic Ocean from Melbourne to Titusville—is synonymous with rocket launches, countdowns and, of course, the John F. Kennedy Space Center. But beyond the space program’s appeal, the region has much to offer, from unspoiled beaches to one of the country’s best surf shops. If you’re planning a family vacation to the coast of Florida, here are eight can’t-miss spots in the Space Coast. 1 ROCKET LAUNCHES Rockets launch year round from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Visitors planning to watch a launch have great viewing options: either head to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex or visit one of the dozens of public launch viewing venues along the shores of the Indian River, U.S. Space Walk of…

Kim Tarnopolski 100+ Women Who Care After 20 years in human resources and employment law, Kim Tarnopolski felt it was time to leave the corporate world and, instead, focus on her elementary school-aged daughter. “Around the fifth grade, I just saw what a rough year she was having—you know, all the stuff that comes with this age,” she says. “So I decided to take a ‘hiatus’ at least until she started middle school.” Tarnopolski’s daughter is now a junior in high school, and that “hiatus” turned into a five-plus-year journey of bringing women together to benefit social causes and local nonprofits through 100+ Women Who Care. “100+ Women Who Care is a grassroots movement that started in 2006 by Karen Dunigan, a woman in Jackson, Michigan, who rallied 100 women…

EEG-neurotherapy is a drug-free healing therapy performed by certified neurotherapists all over the world. It has little, if any, side effects and trains the brain to regulate as it was intended to do. This therapy has been around for over 40 years and eliminates brain dysregulation and its symptoms. Brainwaves and/or functions that become disrupted and unable to properly regulate, are referred to as “dysregulated.” Dysregulated brain activity is the core of a multitude of problems such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, learning disabilities, emotional/behavioral problems and more. EEG, or electroencephalogram, is used to train the brain via feedback at specific sites on the scalp. The data collected in a treatment session is called a brain map. Neurotherapy, also sometimes referred to as brain mapping, is able to assess and treat…

Q: Is it true that weed can mess up your mind? – Jared, 8th grade, Henderson, Nevada A: Jared, yes it does. Research has reported the use of marijuana during the teen years negatively impacts brain structure, volume and function; quality of white matter, which affects learning, mental illness and cognitive function. Q: I’m having anxiety about starting school because while I was at camp this summer, all of my friends were hanging out together and posting lots of fun pictures. I feel like they forgot about me, and I want to be part of the group again. How can I do that without it being awkward? – Elena, 8th grade, Waterbury, Connecticut A: Elena, technology can make things hard because we see everything that is going on which makes…

Parenting from a developmental perspective means that as a caregiver, we understand child development. More specifically, rather, we understand brain development. Children don’t reach full maturity until the age of 25, so approach parenting by matching our responses and expectations to what kids are actually capable of doing rather than what we think they should be doing. “When we parent from a developmental perspective, we embrace the child where they are ‘at’ and gently nudge them in areas where they will succeed and support them in areas where they struggle,” says Dr. Shefali Gandhi, a licensed psychologist in Scottsdale, Arizona. “This type of ‘scaffolding’ helps our children feel the confidence of success and also feel the pain of struggle.” Whether you have a pre-K, elementary, junior high, high school or…

When Stephanie Cahill suffered her third concussion playing high school volleyball, doctors advised her to drop out of school for physical therapy. Even worse, she was told going to college was unlikely because of the severity of the head injury. Little did she know the traumatic event would later shape her academic path as a student at Arizona State University—and help her discover a passion that could lead to a career in mental health. “It was a very severe frontal lobe injury, and I was told I wasn’t going to be able to go back to high school,” the Scottsdale native says. “But I went through two years of physical therapy and rehab, and I caught up to graduate with my class.” Since the severity of her concussion was in…

Meal prepping isn’t a new concept, but if you’ve never tried it, you may be wondering what all the fuss is about. Practiced preppers know it’s a proven way to help busy, health-conscious people and their families stay on track with their eating plans by keeping nutritious meals and snacks at the ready. But for many, the thought of spending hours in the kitchen on Sunday just to save a few minutes during the week—or eating the same thing for days in a row—seems overly complicated, a tad monotonous and frankly, not worth the effort. According to registered dietician and nutritionist Kristina Hallberg, meal prep doesn’t have to be complicated or boring, and it really can help you eat better while spending less time and money on food. “We all…

When flu season seems to be getting longer and more severe, a flu shot may seem like the best way to ward the illness off. However, there are many factors to consider before getting the vaccine. Here’s what you need to know before booking your next doctor’s appointment. What exactly is a flu shot and how does it work? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are in the vaccine. There are many positives to getting a vaccine: It can keep you from getting sick with the flu; it can reduce the risk of flu-associated hospitalization; it can reduce a child’s risk of…

Stock your bookshelf with these handy and resourceful titles: • “What’s Your Creative Type?: Harness the Power of Your Artistic Personality” by Meta Wagner. (Seal Press, $15.99)• “Keeping Your Child in Mind: Overcoming Defiance, Tantrums, and Other Everyday Behavior Problems by Seeing the World Through Your Child’s Eyes” by Claudia Gold (Da Capo Lifelong Books, $15)• “Heal Your Pain Now: The Revolutionary Program to Reset Your Brain and Body for a Pain-Free Life” by Joe Tatta, DPT, CNS (Da Capo Lifelong Books, $16.99)• “The Toddler Brain: Nurture the Skills Today that Will Shape Your Child’s Tomorrow” by Dr. Laura Jana (Da Capo Lifelong Books, $27)• “Unbroken Brain: A Revolutionary New Way of Understanding Addiction” by Maia Szalavitz (Picador, $18)…

The hardest part of being a mom is protecting our kids from all the dangers in life. Some of those dangers are easy to see, some of them take us by surprise, others are hard to recover from. There are dangers that can be much-needed life lessons and teaching experiences. Eventually our kids will bump into one, and it’s up to us to be prepared. Twelve years ago, I dealt with a danger I had no idea existed. It was sneaky, invisible and detrimental to all aspects of wellness. And as bad as it sounds, I call it a blessing because eliminating it made my family stronger. A child’s chronic sickness—especially an unexplained one—can break any parent. After months of sleepless nights, multiple tests, bleeding ears, broken membranes, breathing difficulties…

“If you do drugs, I feel like you’d get stuck on it and you wouldn’t be able to get out. I also feel you wouldn’t know how to get help because you’d be nervous that people would judge you. And I feel your body would come to rely on it all the time because you’re addicted, so it would be really hard to get un-addicted because your body is so used to having it. It would damage you, but I think you would learn from that experience.” – ANGELA CARL, FRESHMAN “Drug use can cause memory loss, dependence on opioids or other drugs, body decay, and your physical features can change. It can affect your personal relationships and job opportunities because if you look like a drug addict, most employers…

Of the 74.5 million children in the United States, an estimated 17.1 million have or have had a mental health disorder. According to the Child Mind Institute, half of all mental illness occurs before the age of 14, and 75 percent by the age of 24. Yet a variety of factors—such as the negative stigma surrounding mental health issues—keep many young people from receiving help. This is where the Child Mind Institute comes in. “The Child Mind Institute is an independent, national nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders,” according to its website, childmind.org. “Our teams work every day to deliver the highest standards of care, advance the science of the developing brain and empower parents, professionals and policymakers to…

BRAISED TURKEY WITH CAULIFLOWER PUREE 2 lbs. turkey breast2 cups chicken stock2 tbsp. salt1 tbsp. pepper1 tbsp. granulated garlic1-1/2 tbsp. dry rosemary1 lbs. cauliflower, cut into pieces1 lb. snap peas1 tbsp. olive oil8 oz. applewood bacon, diced q Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Season turkey breast in a roasting pan with salt, pepper, garlic and rosemary. Bake for 25 minutes until surface turns golden brown. Remove from oven and add stock. Reduce oven temperature to 250 degrees, cover turkey with foil and return to oven for 45 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Remove from oven and reserve stock for braising liquid. Dice bacon and cook in a skillet on low flame until crisp. Drain and reserve. Put cut cauliflower in a stock pot with 3 cups of…

For 14-year-old Sofia Melnychuck, Nov. 6, 2018 won’t be just an ordinary day. It will be the three-year anniversary of a day that started as any other day, but ended with a life-changing event that launched her into a fight for her health, a journey for answers, and months of silver-lining moments. On Nov. 6, 2015, Sofia was the victim of a mild bullying incident that ended in her being accidentally slammed into a metal cabinet during class. Classmates said it sounded like a bomb went off; it was her head hitting steel. She went to the school office for help, and because her eyes were not dilated, they sent her back to class. Sofia went through the day in what she now calls “on auto-pilot mode.” It was only…