There are 4 keys to surviving the college years drug-free:

1. Make a commitment to your dream and focus on keeping your dream alive.

2. Make a decision that you aren’t going to let drugs and alcohol interfere with your education.

3. Find alternatives to fraternities and sororities if either of your parents are/were addicts.

4. Select friends who are committed to their short and long goals.

Zari Alipour, Ph.D.
Making Wise Choices in a Disruptive Age

Opt-in to get a free copy of Alcohol and drug prevention for teen (e-book in 6 weeks)
www.DrZari.com
Zari@DrZari.com

Choosing friends wisely
Are you in a position to influence the decision of a college student to join a fraternity or sorority?

There are things you can do to help young adults make that decision. But the ability to discern appropriate and valuable friends comes long before college. Relationships created in sororities and fraternities can have long lasting consequences, some good – others not so good. If a child has been active in being able to determine what worthy friendships are, they are much more able to make a decision regarding relationships in college.

A genuine friend keeps a promise, follows through with what he or she says, sacrifices for the other, respects and honors, is courteous, builds character, and is a positive connection in helping one realize their dreams.
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How do you help a child make a wise decision?
When children are young, we readily and easily help them make healthy and safe choices and the best among us teach them why each choice is unwise or wise. However, once the child is a teenager, we increasingly back off, often letting the consequences of their actions teach the principles.

Big mistake! The frontal cortex (the center for executive functioning = CEO of brain) is still developing and maturing up to age 22. It is necessary for good judgment, organization, impulse control and solving problems.

They are not adults and even young adults need guidance through decision-making. Children need to have a responsible adult maintain continue the guidance on helping them think for themselves and draw their own conclusions when they’re old enough to think logically. It is a big part of building self-esteem.
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Subject:  Little exercise tips that can change your life

Try these suggestions:

• Walk up or down the stairs instead of taking the escalator or elevator.
• Take a 10-minute walk right after each meal.
• Select the parking space farthest from where you’re going.
• Walk to do your small errands.
• Ride a bicycle to do your small errands.
• Purchase a workout video for your home if you insist on not going to the gym.
• Do some exercise or activity where you can work up a sweat.

You don’t have to begun-ho about exercising, but you do have to keep moving.  You’ll feel better and your family will notice the difference.

Zari Alipour, Ph.D.

Making Wise Choices in a Disruptive Age

www.DrZari.com

Zari@DrZari.com

310-574-3832

Carbohydrates are source of energy. They are easily accessible,

and body can break them down and use them quickly.

There are two classes of carbohydrates: Simple and complex.

Simple carbohydrates these carbs are broken down quickly thus raise your blood sugar include sugar, honey, and fruit juices and……

Complex carbohydrates are better source of energy they are broken down to into glucose and digested. Some complex carbs are a high source of B vitamins and iron, these vitamins are lost during processing they are high source of fiber as well, include corn, grain products, wheat pasta, brown rice, peas and legume ………

Pay attention to the glycemic index:

Fruit high glycemic indices are carrots, bananas, grapes, pineapples, watermelon, and cherries.

You have to be cautious and select carbohydrates with lower glycemic index:

Vegetables Fruits

Baked potatoes 85            Watermelon 72
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Simplify your life!

Is there lots of activity in your life where you’re beginning to wonder if it’s too much?  Are you stressing out in ordering to meet the demands of all of the activities you’ve chosen for yourself and or for your children?

There are ways to simplify your life.  Try these:

Get rid of clutter

• Set your own pace, rather than follow the demands of others.
• Reduce the time you spend watching television.
• Reduce the time you spend in front of your computer.
• Take 10- minute meditations throughout your day.
• Do only one thing at a time. Multitasking causes an increase in errors and unclear communication, especially with children.
• Get rid of clutter.

Analyze what really matters during the day.  Nothing matters until you make it matter.  It’s your choice.

Zari Alipour, Ph.D.
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A variety of factors are related to obesity: these are divided into

controllable and uncontrollable factors:

Controllable factors: Nutrition, exercise, lifestyle change,

eating habits, environmental factors, craving and emotional

brain, and your belief and motivation.

Behind your ability to control these factors are: genetic makeup

and the metabolic disorders.

It is interesting to note that there is no relationship between

your willpower and your weight. But there is a relationship

between your motivation and your weight.

You can start working with controllable factors such as changing your eating habits and including exercise in your regimen.

www.drzari.com

What happened to etiquette and manners?

So much of what we expect of children and teens relates back to conscientious parenting.  It is evident when I am introduced to children and teens whether or not they have been trained in proper introductions.  As a psychologist, I am aware of the body posture, the vocal clarity, the eye contact and the handshake or specific response when meeting a child.

Teachers and parents used to place at least some importance on etiquette.  But if it’s missing in a child with whom you are in a position to counsel or teach, it’s well within the scope of your expertise to teach children how to have manners, the proper way to speak to adults and emphasis on trying to remember the names of people when greeting them.

Teaching children and holding them accountable for courteous behavior and deportment always helps them better integrate with others in all types of situations.
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How do you help a child make a wise decision?

When children are young, we readily and easily help them make healthy and safe choices and the best among us teach them why each choice is unwise or wise.  However, once the child is a teenager, we increasingly back off, often letting the consequences of their actions teach the principles.

Big mistake!  The prefrontal cortex (the center for executive functioning = CEO of brain) is still developing and maturing up to age 22-25.  It is necessary for good judgment, organization, impulse control and solving problems.

They are not adults and even young adults need guidance through decision-making.  Children need to have a responsible adult maintain continue the guidance on helping them think for themselves and draw their own conclusions when they’re old enough to think logically.  It is a big part of building self-esteem.

Zari Alipour, Ph.D.
Read Dr. Zari's Full Post »

Do your children do anything in their daily lives for others?  I’m not talking about their chores, their school homework or their daily responsibilities as members of the family.  I’m talking about activities that help others, that serve those in need of help such as some type of charity?

Discuss the options with your children.  What are they willing to give of themselves in order to make the lives of others easier?  I learned from one author that there are four ways of making contributions to others:

 
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1. The gift of their thinking:  Is there an organization that can benefit from their ideas and their best thinking?  Cub scouts, boy scouts, after school programs and social clubs are natural places for children to express their thoughts and ideas.  I volunteer for several organizations and my best contribution is my best thinking!