Preventing That Pain in the Neck

As a busy mom I always have a pain in the neck. At first I thought it was the kids driving me crazy. Then I realized there were many possible causes including poor posture, arthritis and muscle strain from doing things like picking up my kids in a clumsy way.

Sometimes neck ain can be serious especially if there is a severe headache, loss of balance, blurred vision, trouble swallowing, numbness in arms or a severe headache accompanying it. It can mean you have actually had a stroke so pay attention.

To prevent neck pain you should always warm up before and after sports, gardening or doing anything strenuous at all. I have started doing that just before I do housework as even that can be quite strenuous.

While at the computer I now remember to get up and stretch every now and then. I also work on my posture both seated and standing to keep my spine aligned naturally. A happy spine equals a happy neck. I have also invested in a designer ergonomic keyboard and desk and chair to help myself.

Another tip is to drink water to keep the disks of your spine hydrated. A lack of water can actually cause the disks to compress. This can get you in trouble and make you feel very crippled. Back pain in the lower back is related to neck pain in this way.

You can also prevent discomfort by avoiding cradling a phone in the crook of your shoulder, falling asleep on the arm of the sofa and sleeping on thin pillows that provide no neck support.

Of course the worst is picking up that screaming, kid in the crook of your hip and cradling the phone in the crook of your neck. That is hideous for your posture. You should also avoid NOT bending your knees when picking something up as this can strain your neck as well as your arms and spine!

Just one more tip – try to avoid wearing flip flops. They can hurt your back even more! I know that summer is over but some of us still wear them around the house. Apparently they can cause spinal alignments that can really hurt your neck.

If you do end up being in a lot of pain you might want to try an over the counter muscle relaxant, taking some yoga classes or just simply try rubbing a mentholated rub like Tiger Balm. Just be sure that you do not get it into your eyes!

Parenting Tips
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The Aches and Pains of Pregnancy

Do you want to get to know your daughter a bit better? Taking the indirect approach is a good idea. Here are some ways to become closer friends with her.
It increases your child's self-esteem if she can teach you something. Ask your teen to teach you how to produce an online photo gallery or a blog. Most teens today were raised in the digital age and can do this type of thing better than you can.

Yet another way to bond is to start reading the same book and discuss it. This is both an intellectual and intimate pursuit.

Yet another good idea is to take a trip together somewhere. Let your teenage girl drive. This is perfect for the teen with a new driver’s license. The destination could be anywhere, but venturing out to visit the family homestead or another fun spot of your teen’s choosing would fit the bill for an afternoon of bonding. It could be as simple as regular practice sessions in the country or on city streets so that your son or daughter can perfect his or her driving skills. You could also consider biking together or going on a camping trip together.

A weekend getaway or a day spa treatment provides the necessary elements of relaxation and pampering to put mom and daughter into the right frame of mind for serious bonding.

Most female teens are quite self-conscious about their body so it is a great idea to suggest that the two of you work out together. Not only will having a fitness buddy for emotional and inspirational support keep you both motivated to attend classes, but it will ensure a regular and long-lasting commitment to building a close relationship. Think of all the shopping you can do afterward.

Another neat thing to do is make a family scrapbook. This helps kick the nostalgia between you into high gear which of course is very bonding. Let her be creative as possible when scrapbooking. This is also a great way to introduce her to your family history.
Another way to bond with each other is to bake cookies together. It sounds cliché but it has worked for mothers and daughters for aeons. Choosing recipes is just as fun as doing the baking itself!

If you do this you help your teen build a strong sense of self which also helps them fight things like peer pressure.

Parenting Tips
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