How Stress Effects Your Child

Stress, we all have it. Having a child can heighten that stress. There are a lot of changes coming, big changes (Not to mention the hormonal ones)! Stress can be dangerous. Not only for you but for the baby too. We have all read books or heard our doctors tell us to try to stay calm during pregnancy, that stressing was a 'no-no'. Sometimes you can not help it, I know I couldn't.  Then I would worry what that would do to my baby, it was a never ending cycle of stress. Do not fear though! New studies show that there may be ways to help counteract what stress during pregnancies can cause.

Past research found that stress and depression during pregnancy can change an infant's response, specifically to stress. This would make the baby more anxious, fearing the unfamiliar and become easily frustrated and upset. New preliminary studies have found that when a mother cuddles and gently strokes her infant in the first month, the infant is less likely to be apprehensive and distressed in stressful situations.

Now, this does not only apply during pregnancy. Once your precious baby is here, they can pick up on parents being distressed. They may not understand what you are saying but they can pick up on the cues from your emotions and moods. Stressed parent = stressed baby.

Too much stress and emotional strain can cause long term problems. The CDC reports that stress, over a long period of time,  can alter how a brain develops. It can cause kids to have a low stress threshold, impair their connection to the brain circuits, can damage areas of the brain that are crucial for memory and learning, and the stress hormones can also hinder the immune system. Along with this it can also lead to emotional issues such as children feeling isolated and afraid.


Kids are a reflection of ourselves. How they see you deal with stress is how they will learn to deal with it. Try tricks like deep breathing, counting, or exercise. Parents who use effective practices of their own will be a model of how to cope in a healthy way for their children. Skills they will carry with them their entire lives.

Benefits Of Water

We all know that water is important, but do you know why? Water is not only important for your body but can also help with things you never thought it could! From shinier hair, better skin, to even a healthier body. Water is a magical elixir!

The Benefits Of Water:

1. Cure for Headaches- Headaches are commonly caused by dehydration (your brain is mostly water after all). Drinking water helps prevent and relieve headaches by keeping the brain hydrated and bringing oxygen to the brain.

2. Improves Skin Complexion- Drinking more water helps moisturize your skin. It is natures natural anti-aging treatment. It keeps the skin soft, smooth, and even gives that glowing look!

3. Promotes Weight Loss- Water helps you pass fat! Look at it like a filter for your body. Not only does it help remove the fat from your body, it also helps your calorie intake. Drinking more water fills you up, helping you reduce the food you intake.

4. Metabolism Booster- Drinking water helps raise your metabolism and has zero calories! The perfect weight loss supplement.

5. Helps prevent cramps- Have you ever been working out and get a horrible leg cramp? Maybe you are just at work and you get a horrible cramp in your muscle? Keeping your body hydrated can help prevent this! That is your body's way of telling you it needs something. Water helps keep the joints lubricated and your muscles more elastic, causing less of a chance of a muscle cramping.

6. Boosts Immune System – Drinking more water will make you less likely to get sick. Who would rather feel sick the majority of the time? Drinking plenty of water helps fight against flu, cancer, and other ailments like heart attacks.

7. Keeps Your Body Regulated- Drinking water helps maintain the balance of body fluids. Your body is composed of about 70% water. Water helps your body do everything from digestion, circulation, to regulating body temperature.

8. Helps Build Muscle- Water caries oxygen to the cells in your body. Including the cells in your muscles. Drinking water helps the muscles work harder and longer. They will not get tired as easily, helping you build muscle. 

9. Cheaper Alternative- Even if you are not drinking out of your tap, water is still a cheaper option! Water is comparably cheaper than soda or other sugary drinks (and at restaurants its even usually free)!

10. Keeps You Happy- Who feels happy when they are in pain or sluggish? When the body is functioning at its best, you will feel great and be happy!