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125: Screen Apnea & Summer Recap 2023

125: Screen Apnea & Summer Recap 2023

by | Sep 19, 2023 | Personal Development, Podcast, Technology

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Screen Apnea: The hidden stress of digital life and how to beat it

Chis and Karlie share about a phenomenon that silently impacts millions – “Screen Apnea.” Dive into our podcast episode as we dissect a study by Linda Stone, a former Microsoft executive, who revealed the connection between digital screens, our breathing patterns, and overall well-being. Plus, stay tuned for a recap of Summer 2023 trends!

What is screen apnea, anyway?

Back in 2007, Linda Stone conducted a groundbreaking experiment involving 200 individuals, shedding light on a phenomenon known as “Screen Apnea.” This term initially emerged as “Email Apnea” due to its prominence during email checking. However, it has since evolved to encompass all screen interactions.

Screen Apnea is a manifestation of our body’s stress response. When we encounter stimuli on our screens – be it email notifications, text messages, or social media updates – our nervous system leaps into action, searching for potential threats. This heightened focus and attention demand mental effort, leading to physiological changes like shallower breathing and a slower heart rate. These changes aim to “quiet” our bodies, channeling resources towards concentration.

Simply put, each notification triggers a brief freeze as you read and formulate a response in your mind. The more unexpected the stimulus, the more your body perceives it as a threat.

The hidden toll of screen apnea

Extended exposure to Screen Apnea carries concerning consequences. A chronically heightened stress response can lead to fatigue, exhaustion, anxiety, and even cardiovascular issues over time.

Tips for better breathing habits

To combat Screen Apnea and promote well-being, consider these tips:
  • Set Up Breath Reminders
    Create a schedule for regular breath breaks during screen time to refresh your focus.

  • Breathe Through Your Nose
    Opt for nasal breathing, enhancing oxygen intake and overall health.
  • Try Audible Sighing
    Reset shallow breathing with audible sighs to improve your well-being.
  • Opt for Larger Screens
    Reduce eye strain and shallow breathing by choosing larger screens for work and entertainment.
  • Take Screen Breaks
    Mindfully take breaks from screens to recharge your body and mind.

Screen Apnea is a subtle yet significant issue that affects many in our digital age. By understanding its origins and consequences, and adopting healthy habits, you can reclaim your well-being.

Top events of the Summer Recap 2023

It’s never too late to catch up! Here are our favorites things from Summer 2023.

  • Barbenheimer
    A captivating phenomenon occurred as “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie” released on the same day, with many opting to watch both. “Barbie” has raked in a substantial $1.83 billion worldwide, becoming the highest grossing film in Warner Bros.’ 100-year history; the highest grossing film ever from a female filmmaker at the domestic box office; and is the largest worldwide film release of 2023.

  • Red, White, and Royal Blue
    This R-rated LGBTQ romcom, based on Casey McQuiston’s 2022 novel, sparked debates due to explicit content. Despite its age rating, it found a place on numerous spicy book lists.
  • The Summer I Turned Pretty
    Prime’s second season of this teen series delivers a delightful, summery vibe while featuring mature themes, including language, drinking, smoking, and partying.
  • Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)
    Taylor Swift’s latest “Taylor’s Version” release made history, with four simultaneous top 10 albums on the Billboard chart. It also includes six vault tracks.
  • Baseball Pitch Clock
    Baseball’s pitch clocks, requiring pitchers to deliver within 15 seconds (no runners on base) or 20 seconds (runners present), aim to accelerate the game’s pace.
  • Artists Getting Hit at Concerts
    Concert surprises turned painful for Cardi B, Harry Styles, Drake, Bebe Rexha, and Kelsea Ballerini, who faced unexpected projectiles from their audiences.
  • CFA Honey Pepper Pimento Cheese Sandwich
    A delicious summer hit – Chick-fil-A’s take on the pimento cheese sandwich.

In this episode, we mentioned or used the following resources about screen apnea and summer 2023

Have a question?

If you have a question about something you heard or just want to give us some feedback, please leave us a comment below.  We would love to hear from you!

About Us

Chris Robey
Chris Robey

Former CEO

Karlie Duke
Karlie Duke

Communications Director

More Resources You Might Like

What is it like to be a foster family?
Ep. 119 Diverse Families- Multi-Cultural/Multiracial Families
Happy multi-ethnic family at the beach smiling at the camera

124: Connecting with Students & Spicy Books

124: Connecting with Students & Spicy Books

by | Sep 12, 2023 | Parenting, Podcast, School, Social Media

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Connecting with students can make all the difference.

In the fast-paced world of education, it’s essential to recognize the impact of connecting with students on their academic performance and overall well-being. Fostering strong connections with students can lead to better attendance, better motivation, and more positive outcomes in the classroom.

The Teacher-Student Relationship: Connecting with Students

One of the cornerstones of academic success is the teacher-student relationship. Cultivating a connection with students can make all the difference in their educational journey. As we delve into the importance of connecting with students, it’s crucial to understand that these connections go beyond the curriculum. They are built on trust, respect, and genuine care for the students’ growth and development.

Studies consistently show that students who feel a strong connection with their teachers tend to excel in their studies. The positive rapport created enhances their engagement in the learning process. They’re not only more likely to attend classes regularly but also actively participate and invest more effort into their assignments.

Behavioral Benefits of Connecting with Students

Building meaningful connections with students also has a profound impact on their behavior. When educators prioritize connecting with students, it has the power to reduce behavioral problems. It’s almost like having a calming effect on students, making them more receptive to classroom expectations and guidelines.

Positive interactions with teachers stimulate the release of dopamine in students’ brains, known as the “feel-good” neurotransmitter. This not only elevates their mood but also kick-starts a cycle of increased motivation. The more students feel valued and acknowledged, the more motivated they become, leading to improved behavior and overall performance.

Creating a Safe Environment

The classroom environment plays a pivotal role when building connections. When teenagers feel psychologically safe, they are more likely to engage in various classroom activities. This safety net encourages them to participate in class discussions, ask questions, tackle challenging assignments, and collaborate with their peers.

Imagine a classroom where students feel free to express themselves without fear of ridicule or judgment. In that space, connection becomes the foundation for a collaborative learning journey. Students are more willing to take risks and explore new ideas. They are more likely to thrive!

So how can teachers and school staff connect to students?

  • Show up to what matters to them- sporting events, concerts, plays, award ceremonies.
  • Do a check-in. Fist-to-five works great and then you know who to check on after class.
  • Follow up on stuff outside of class. Ask how the game went or how their job is going. Don’t only talk to them about school!
  • Model social skills like turn-taking, cooperation, and empathy on a daily basis. You can take it a step further and explain the behaviors you’re modeling. The next time you’re feeling frustrated, tell your students how you’re feeling. Talk about how you deal with frustration, such as taking a few deep breaths.
  • Look for ways to praise and compliment. Praise the effort rather than the outcome!
  • Create an environment where laughter is welcome! Encourage students to ask questions, make mistakes, and engage.
Fist-to-Five Check-In

Have students make a fist. On this scale, “fist” means bad. zero. low. the worst. Then, have students hold up 5 fingers. “Five” means the best. never better. awesome! Now, ask a question and have them hold up a number between “fist” and “five” to represent how they are feeling.

Download the pdf for questions to ask and easy-to-share  instructions.

Download PDF

Creating a Safe Environment

Prioritizing connection is a transformational approach to education. The positive impact extends beyond the classroom, setting students up for success in and outside of the classroom.

For many students, the most positive interactions they have in a day are with school staff. We appreciate the hard work that teachers, counselors, administrators and other do!

By celebrating student successes, offering support during challenges, and creating an environment where teens feel valued and heard, we empower our students to reach their full potential and shape a brighter future.

Also in this episode

Is your teen reading spicy books?

Spicy books, known for their edgy and romantic themes, have been captivating the hearts and minds of teens all over. In this episode, we’ll explore what makes spicy novels so appealing to teenagers, the impact they can have on young readers, and how parents and educators can navigate this literary landscape.

Spicy book terms to know

  • Spicy, Smutty, Steamy
    All implies that there is sexual content in a book.
  • ?️
    Spicy or shows a spice rating out of 5 peppers
  • Sweet Romance
    Focus is mostly on emotional intimacy. There may be sexual tension, but does not contain sex scenes. Could still contain some mild language.
  • Clean Romance
    Generally means no on-page sex, violence, or cursing.
  • Closed-Door
    When the reader knows that a couple had sex in the book, but it “fades to black” and has no on-page sex scenes.

In this episode, we mentioned or used the following resources about connecting with students & spicy books.

Have a question?

If you have a question about something you heard or just want to give us some feedback, please leave us a comment below.  We would love to hear from you!

About Us

Chris Robey
Chris Robey

Former CEO

Karlie Duke
Karlie Duke

Communications Director

More Resources You Might Like

Image of celebrating prom
Episode 123: School Partnerships & Fantasy Football
Happy multi-ethnic family at the beach smiling at the camera

#123: School Partnerships & Fantasy Football

#123: School Partnerships & Fantasy Football

by | Sep 5, 2023 | Parenting, Podcast, School, Sports, Technology

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How to build home-school partnerships to help students succeed

Everyone wants their children to be successful in school, but how is often a topic of debate. No matter which side of the many school debates you fall on, student success starts with a great home-school partnership.

 

Practical ideas for how to partner with the school well.

As a parent, it can be easy to let our past relationship with school as a student or as a parent of an older child color our current relationship with school. If we’ve had great experiences before, it’s a lot easier to hope for a great experience this year. But if you’ve had a negative experience, the flip side of the coin is also true. It can be easy to start believing the worst. That’s totally normal!

That’s why it’s essential to treat every year as a chance for a new start, for you, your kids, and your school.

In that vein, we’ve got a few ideas on how to get off on the right foot.

 

Be intentional about building positive relationships with school staff (teacher, principal, coach, front office, counselor, etc.)

It makes it easier to communicate with someone when there is an issue if you already have a relationship. You also have more compassion for people you know.

It feels more like everyone’s on the same team when you know people’s names and voices. It could start with a simple conversation or a small gift.

Just like with any friend, be respectful and believe the best of the teachers in your life. If there is a problem, talk to them instead of assuming the worst or talking bad about the school.

 

Have a good attitude about school!

Your attitude will be contagious when It comes to extracurriculars, homework, school rules, etc. If you set an upbeat tone, your kids are more likely to follow.

Your attitude is also key when it comes to school work. If you want to instill a life-long love of learning in your kids, focus on growth and not perfection. It’s hard for most parents to celebrate effort instead of results, but try exchanging a vague “good job!” with “wow you should be really proud of how hard you’ve worked!”

Part of having a good attitude about school can be supporting your general school community. Volunteer at the school when needed. Go to games or shows (even if your student isn’t part of it). Encourage teachers and staff.

When we feel like we’re part of a larger community, everyone benefits and students are more likely to feel like they are capable and able to reach out when they need help!

 

Create a good home environment for learning

In a busy world, it’s easy to overlook this one. Between sports practice and music lessons and life, being intentional about homework models executive functioning skills (think organization and self-control) for your kids that will help them in every aspect of life.

 

Here are a few tips on how to do it:
  • Set aside a place for students to study or do homework.
  • Create a routine that helps your student succeed at home.
  • We know everyone is busy, but make time to be available while your kids are working on homework.
Listen to episode 123 for more on home-school partnerships and how to encourage academic success

Should Your Teen Play Fantasy Football?

As school starts and the fall season is fast-approaching, Fantasy Football is coming into full swing, and many students are playing. So what is it?

 

So what is fantasy football?

You select your own team of players, setting a lineup every week. Then, you watch as they run, pass, catch and score touchdowns, all of which are worth fantasy points.

Every week, you are matched up with someone else in your league, and whoever has the most fantasy points that week, wins!

At the end of the “fantasy season,” there are also usually playoffs to crown the winner of the league.

 

Benefits of fantasy football for teens

  • Kids can learn executive function and problem-solving skills playing fantasy football.
  • Academic skills such as math and reading are also routinely used in fantasy football.
  • Fantasy football can be an engaging way to leverage technology use into a family activity.
  • It can lead to connection if you do it as a family or if they play with friends.

 

Things to consider before your teen plays fantasy football

  • Encourage teens to play with people they know and not join random leagues.
  • Make sure you are monitoring their interactions with strangers.
    Any online platform can be used to groom kids to participate in other activities. It’s vital that you know who they are talking to and have honest conversations about the potential dangers. Help them understand that you never really know who you are talking to and they reality of sextortion and kidnapping.
  • Have conversations around money and gambling.
    Many leagues have a “buy in” at the beginning of the season so that the winners get money at the end. Gambling, including microbetting and sports betting is highly addictive, especially if they win. So use this as an excuse to start a conversation about it.

 

Fantasy football can be a great way to connect with your teenagers.

Ask about their team; ask about trades; watch games with them on the weekend; and cheer for their players! The more you get excited about things they are excited about, the more trust and connection you can build.

In this episode, we mentioned or used the following resources about home-school partnerships and fantasy football

Have a question?

If you have a question about something you heard or just want to give us some feedback, please leave us a comment below.  We would love to hear from you!

About Us

Chris Robey
Chris Robey

Former CEO

Karlie Duke
Karlie Duke

Communications Director

More Resources You Might Like

Episode 20 School Communication and Acronyms
Episode 19: Back to School Anxiety and Simone Biles
Why Apologizing Matters for You and Your Kids

Ep. 122: Diverse Families- Blended Families with Teenagers

Ep. 122: Diverse Families- Blended Families with Teenagers

by | Aug 29, 2023 | Parenting, Personal Development, Podcast

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What is it like blending families with teenagers?

Creating blended families with teenagers, or kids of any age, is not for the faint of heart. And yet, many parents are blending families with teens, co-parents, step-parents, and kids. In Support Groups, we often see teens who have been through divorces and remarriages and have siblings from multiple marriages.

Blended families have rapidly moved from being a marginalized family type to being the typical one. We can only assume that the current trend is higher, but, in 2015, 40% of American families were blended.

According to Forbes, the current divorce rate in the United States hovers just below 50%, but only for first marriages. For second marriages, that number increases to 67% and nearly 3 out of 4 third marriages fail. Of those new marriages, 40% included people who are remarrying.

Scott and Vanessa Martindale know first-hand how long the road can seem when navigating blending a family with a teen. And how lonely it can be. Vanessa not only grew up in a blended family, but when her eldest son was twelve, she married Scott and they formed one of their own.

In their journey, they found that resources were scarce and they wished for a more robust support system to help them thrive, especially within their church. So, they went on to create Blended Kingdom Families, a podcast and curriculum that they use to help churches around the world minister to blended families of every kind.

What about parenting in a blended family with teens?

The most important tip from the Martindales is to continue parenting.

It can be easy to get caught up in the emotional trauma of divorce, but it’s important to remain consistent and to continue setting clear boundaries and offering support to your kids.

It’s also crucial that you don’t use your kids to “get back at” your ex. Helping them adjust to the new normal is hard, but will pay off in the long run.

They also suggest letting the natural parent take the lead on parenting their birth children until the step-parent has had time to build a trusting relationship with that child. Otherwise, resentment can set in and be more harmful than helpful.

How can we best support parents and teens that are starting their own blended family?

First of all, families just starting on their journey have tons of questions, so one of the best things anyone can do is help them find great resources like Blended Kingdom Families.

Creating welcoming environments where blended families and teens can be encouraged is a huge help. It’s always great for parents and kids to have a friendly ear, especially when they’re often worried about hurting someone’s feelings.

What can schools (and other caring adults) do to help teens struggling with their parents’ divorce?

Schools and school counselors are a great resource for kids and teens who are struggling with their parents’ divorce or remarriage.

 

Here are a few ways caring adults can help:

  • Be a listening ear.
  • Be a neutral eye that informs the parents of reactions and observations that might help them parent their child.
  • Always communicate everything with both sets of parents.

In this episode, we mentioned or used the following resources about blended families

Have a question?

If you have a question about something you heard or just want to give us some feedback, please leave us a comment below.  We would love to hear from you!

About Us

Chris Robey
Chris Robey

Former CEO

Vanessa Martindale

Vanessa Martindale

Special Guest

Scott Martindale

Scott Martindale

Special Guest

More Resources You Might Like

Ep. 119 Diverse Families- Multi-Cultural/Multiracial Families
How to Support Families with Special Needs
Happy multi-ethnic family at the beach smiling at the camera

Ep. 121: Diverse Families- Single Parent Families

Ep. 121: Diverse Families- Single Parent Families

by | Aug 22, 2023 | Parenting, Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

 Listen & Subscribe

YouTube

What’s most helpful for parents and teens in single parent families?

Dive into the world of single parenting with Lori Wei. Lori found herself a single parent at 22. She raised her daughter alone for 13 years before remarrying.

In that time, she discovered the power of community, self reliance and teachability.

Be sure to listen for what really helps kids and parents of single parent families; the number one thing not to do; and why apologizing to your kids is so powerful.

In this episode, we mentioned or used the following resources:

Have a question?

If you have a question about something you heard or just want to give us some feedback, please leave us a comment below.  We would love to hear from you!

About Us

Tobin Hodges

Tobin Hodges

Program Director

Lori Wei

Lori Wei

Special Guest

Follow Us

More Resources You Might Like

What is it like to be a foster family?
Ep. 119 Diverse Families- Multi-Cultural/Multiracial Families
Podcast Episode 77: Apologizing and Taylor Swift