STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH: FROM REACTION TO PREVENTION
Introduction
In today’s fast-paced educational settings, educators face a growing challenge that goes beyond mere academics: the mental and emotional well-being of their students. Classrooms are becoming microcosms of the larger world, reflecting increased anxiety, stress, and isolation among students. As a lifelong educator with experience from Kindergarten through post-secondary, and entrepreneur whose focus is on emotional health for children and youth, I have witnessed firsthand the urgent need for proactive strategies in emotional education. The children's book series, "The Power of Thought," is designed to address these very challenges, providing educators and students alike with the tools they need to manage emotions effectively.
The Struggles in the Classroom
Educators are increasingly observing students who either react explosively to stress or withdraw entirely, demonstrating behaviors that disrupt their learning and social interactions. But why do these emotional outbursts or retreats happen?
Introduction
In today’s fast-paced educational settings, educators face a growing challenge that goes beyond mere academics: the mental and emotional well-being of their students. Classrooms are becoming microcosms of the larger world, reflecting increased anxiety, stress, and isolation among students. As a lifelong educator with experience from kindergarten through post-secondary, and entrepreneur whose focus is on emotional health for children and youth, I have witnessed firsthand the urgent need for proactive strategies in emotional education. The children's book series, "The Power of Thought," is designed to address these very challenges, providing educators and students alike with the tools they need to manage emotions effectively.
The Struggles in the Classroom
Educators are increasingly observing students who either react explosively to stress or withdraw entirely, demonstrating behaviors that disrupt their learning and social interactions. But why do these emotional outbursts or retreats happen?
Overwhelming Stress and Pressure: Students today face immense pressure to perform academically and socially, which can lead to stress overload. This is often compounded by a lack of adequate coping mechanisms.
Lack of Emotional Vocabulary: Many students struggle because they do not have the language to express what they are feeling. Without the words to describe their emotions, these feelings can manifest as behavioral issues.
Their Toolbox is Empty: When students can identify and understand the reason for their feelings, they need to know what to about it. There are many proven strategies they have not learned and practiced, giving them coping mechanisms.
Isolation and Loneliness: In an age where digital interactions often replace face-to-face connections, feelings of isolation are prevalent. This can be particularly acute in environments where students feel they do not belong or are not understood.
Are Educators Equipped with Proactive Emotional Resources?
Despite the availability of educational resources aimed at emotional regulation, many educators have not integrated these tools into their daily teaching practices. The reasons vary, including:
Curriculum Constraints: Teachers often face strict curriculum guidelines that prioritize academic results over emotional learning, or the curriculum they are bound to does not include well-being at all.
Training and Support: Implementing programs on emotional well-being requires proper training and ongoing support, which may not always be readily available.
Lack of Awareness: Some educators may not be fully aware of the resources available or understand how they can be woven into the curriculum.
The Role of "The Power of Thought" in Transforming Well-Being
Books are not only used in primary classrooms to ignite a love of reading but also for educational purposes. "The Power of Thought" series has been developed in consultation with educators, parents and clinicians. It offers a proactive approach for children to learn about emotional regulation from a young age. Each book takes readers into a situation they can relate to, where characters glow in the colour of their feelings. A proven strategy that students can use for life is then taught in a fun way. Here’s how this resource can make a difference:
Supports Educators: It equips teachers with ready-to-use materials that can be easily integrated into their teaching schedule, helping them address emotional learning without overwhelming their existing workload. Staff and students have a tool box of strategies to use throughout the year.
Empowers Students: Armed with better emotional coping strategies, students can handle stress more effectively, leading to improved academic performance and healthier social interactions.
Creates Inclusive Environments: By teaching all children about emotional regulation, the series promotes an inclusive environment where every student feels valued and understood.
Builds Emotional Intelligence: The series provides children with relatable stories and practical tools that help them identify and manage their emotions, fostering emotional intelligence that is critical in today’s world.
Invitation to Explore Further
Educators who are keen to see a transformation in their classrooms where students are equipped not just academically but also emotionally are invited to explore how "The Power of Thought" can be part of their teaching toolkit. Educational guides, think-tank pages and puppets accompany the books.
Together, we can equip our future generations with the resilience and emotional acuity needed to thrive in a complex world.
A version of this blog is posted on VoiceAmerica Blog.
Emotional Well-Being … Are We Proactive or Reactive?
In a world where our children face an ever-growing array of challenges, the importance of nurturing their emotional well-being has never been more vital. Parents and educators understand that emotional well-being is not just a buzzword; it’s the cornerstone of a child’s healthy development. By taking a proactive approach, we can equip our children with the tools they need to thrive emotionally and academically before they begin to struggle.
I’ve gathered a great deal of research and in this article, we delve into the concept of being proactive with emotional well-being, drawing insights from some of our renowned experts such as Jon Kabat-Zinn, the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), and the Pediatric Society of Canada.
What Does the Science Say?
Introduction
In a world where our children face an ever-growing array of challenges, the importance of nurturing their emotional well-being has never been more vital. Parents and educators understand that emotional well-being is not just a buzzword; it’s the cornerstone of a child’s healthy development. By taking a proactive approach, we can equip our children with the tools they need to thrive emotionally and academically before they begin to struggle.
I’ve gathered a great deal of research and in this article, we delve into the concept of being proactive with emotional well-being, drawing insights from some of our renowned experts such as Jon Kabat-Zinn, the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), and the Pediatric Society of Canada.
What Does the Science Say?
Jon Kabat-Zinn
Renowned for his work in mindfulness-based stress reduction, Jon Kabat-Zinn emphasizes the importance of cultivating mindfulness practices, not just for adults but also for children. Research suggests mindfulness techniques can help children manage their emotions, reduce anxiety, and enhance their overall emotional well-being.
By teaching children to be present at the moment, to acknowledge their feelings without judgment, and to use mindfulness exercises like deep breathing, parents and educators can contribute significantly to their emotional development. Mindfulness offers children a toolkit to navigate their emotions effectively.
The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL)
CASEL has conducted extensive research on social and emotional learning. Their findings indicate that children who engage in SEL programs tend to perform better academically, experience fewer behavioral issues, and have improved emotional well-being.
SEL involves teaching children vital life skills such as self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and effective communication. This holistic approach enables children to understand and manage their emotions, form healthy relationships, and make sound decisions. Implementing SEL strategies at home and in the classroom fosters an emotionally nurturing environment for our kids.
Insights From the Pediatric Society of Canada
The society emphasizes the importance of early intervention in children’s emotional well-being. Their research indicates that children who receive early support for emotional challenges are more likely to develop the necessary skills for emotional regulation and resilience.
Parents and educators play a crucial role in identifying signs of emotional distress in children and providing appropriate interventions. By being proactive in recognizing and addressing emotional difficulties, we can help our children develop a solid emotional foundation for their future.
Proactive Strategies for Nurturing Emotional Well-Being
Open Communication: Encourage children and students to express their feelings openly. Create a safe space where they can share their emotions without judgment. Engage in active listening to understand their perspective. When this becomes normalized, it also becomes natural.
Mindfulness Practices: Introduce mindfulness exercises into daily routines. Simple activities like deep breathing and guided meditation can help children manage stress and anxiety. Children can have a “toolbox” of strategies to choose from.
SEL Programs: As an educator, consider implementing SEL programs in the classroom. These programs can enhance emotional intelligence, problem-solving skills, and social awareness in students.
Early Intervention: Be vigilant in recognizing signs of emotional distress in children. Seek professional guidance when necessary to address emotional challenges proactively. Follow your instincts if you feel something is of concern.
Use Visualization Techniques and Engaging Teaching Tools Visualization allows children to explore and understand their emotions on a deeper level. Encourage them to close their eyes, take deep breaths, and envision a peaceful place where they can manage their emotions. Visualization can help children calm their anxieties and build self-confidence, making it a powerful tool in their emotional well-being toolkit.
When we use evidence-based books to teach emotional well-being (as one example), children can relate and become engaged in the story. Teaching children from a young age to name, recognize, and manage their emotions is proactive. It is never too late! Engaging children with relatable characters, thought-provoking narratives, and follow-up conversations helps them practice the strategies. Educational tools guide our children and youth as they develop these essential skills.
Conclusion
Nurturing our children’s emotional well-being is not just an option; it’s a responsibility we owe to the next generation. By drawing insights from experts like Jon Kabat-Zinn, CASEL, and the Pediatric Society of Canada, we can adopt proactive strategies to help children at home and students in schools thrive emotionally and academically.
Science is clear, and the benefits are undeniable – investing in our children’s emotional well-being today is an investment in a brighter, emotionally resilient future for them. So, whether you’re a parent or an educator, by adopting these proactive strategies, you can empower children to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and empathy, instilling in them the resilience, self-confidence, and problem-solving skills they need for a prosperous future.
Research, including those cited in this article related to children’s emotional well-being
This article was posted on VoiceAmerica’s Blog.
Press Release: Are You Frustrated Daily Because You Can't Connect with a Child Who Is Out of Control or Defiant?
Phoenix, AZ -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/14/2023 -- Host Lynn McLaughlin is joined by Ginny Luther, who has experienced unimaginable crises in her life. When she was 15 years old, her father took his own life. Tragically, she also lost her son to murder in 2008. She has now authored a book, "Blue Star Grit: A Mother's Journey of Triumph and Tragedy, Raising a Defiant Child into an Exceptional Leader," to help parents see that there is a way!
Through her own experiences and trauma, Ginny Luther helps us see how we can change our approach. Our response at any moment has an impact on a child – they will mirror us. The connection we have with them is the key to effective discipline, and how we respond in those moments with empathy or compassion shows them that we are a safe and secure person.
Control comes with a cost to connection. How we talk to ourselves is how we talk to children, reflecting our inner speech. How many of us are "shoulding" our children, provoking shame and guilt? Peaceful or conscious parenting comes with consequences. We DO NOT give up on our limits. Ginny will help us see how we can be assertive, set boundaries, and be kind yet firm at the same time with very clear and actionable examples.
Phoenix, AZ -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/14/2023 -- Host Lynn McLaughlin is joined by Ginny Luther, who has experienced unimaginable crises in her life. When she was 15 years old, her father took his own life. Tragically, she also lost her son to murder in 2008. She has now authored a book, "Blue Star Grit: A Mother's Journey of Triumph and Tragedy, Raising a Defiant Child into an Exceptional Leader," to help parents see that there is a way!
Through her own experiences and trauma, Ginny Luther helps us see how we can change our approach. Our response at any moment has an impact on a child – they will mirror us. The connection we have with them is the key to effective discipline, and how we respond in those moments with empathy or compassion shows them that we are a safe and secure person.
Control comes with a cost to connection. How we talk to ourselves is how we talk to children, reflecting our inner speech. How many of us are "shoulding" our children, provoking shame and guilt? Peaceful or conscious parenting comes with consequences. We DO NOT give up on our limits. Ginny will help us see how we can be assertive, set boundaries, and be kind yet firm at the same time with very clear and actionable examples.
https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/145851/peaceful-parenting-setting-boundaries-with-kindness
If you have any questions about the show or would like to advertise your products or services, please contact Dee Daniels, Senior Executive Producer at dee.daniels@voiceamerica.com.
About Ginny Luther
Ginny Luther's extensive knowledge provides creative solutions for the many difficult issues facing schools and families today, giving audiences the tools necessary to succeed.
From 1998 to 2018, Ginny served as a Loving Guidance Associate and a Conscious Discipline® Master Instructor. She has brought the principles of Dr. Becky Bailey's Conscious Discipline to life in schools, early childhood centers, and among parents through mentorship. Ginny has mentored individuals nationally and internationally, guiding them on this transformational journey to unite in building Conscious Discipline communities. In semi-retirement, she maintains her focus on local communities, using her expertise and commitment to empower adult-child relationships. She employs conflict as an opportunity for growth during her enthusiastic workshops. Ginny also serves as an educational consultant, a certified CBT Life Coach, a Parent/Teacher Coach, and a support group leader for school districts, parents, communities, corporate organizations, associations, clubs, and summer camps. Additionally, she is a co-founder of the Bart's Blue Star Foundation, a non-profit that supports funding opportunities for individuals on the front lines working with children to receive Conscious Discipline training and coaching.
Ginny's most recent accomplishment is the release of her book, "Blue Star Grit: A Mother's Journey of Triumph and Tragedy Raising a Defiant Child into an Exceptional Leader," on May 2, 2023.
https://www.peacefulparenting.net/
Visit Ginny at: https://ginnyluther.com
About Lynn McLaughlin
Lynn McLaughlin has served in many roles as an educator… Superintendent, Principal, Vice-Principal, Teacher, and Educational Consultant in a board of over 35,000 students. Lynn's professional speaking experiences have been local, provincial, and international. She is passionate about children's emotional well-being and what we as adults must do to ensure our children have the skills, mindset, and strategies to be successful and happy in today's world.
As a best-selling and award-winning author, Lynn has now teamed up with her niece, Amber Raymond, to co-author a children's book series titled, "The Power of Thought." Both are passionate about being proactive when it comes to children's mental health. They are visiting school communities both virtually and in-person, offering professional development for teachers as well as information evenings for parents and guardians titled, "Heart Matters, Embracing Emotional Health for All."
Lynn has hosted the podcast, Taking the Helm for over three years and is proud to bring the voices of others forward to learn and with and from. Dedicated to community causes, Lynn is a member of 100 Women Who Care Windsor/Essex and is a Rotarian. As a brain tumour survivor, she works tirelessly to support the goals of the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada.
About Taking the Helm
Wednesdays 7 am PST on the Voice America Health and Wellness Channel
Our kids and youth are in crisis. Lynn's current mission is to empower children by helping them discover the essential steppingstones they need to strengthen their emotional well-being. When we cultivate confidence, empathy, responsibility, and self-awareness in children, we equip them with the skills to regulate their emotions in a positive way. Our children deserve to be emotionally healthy as they grow through youth into adulthood. Its in our hands as adults and need to learn and model these behaviors for our children and incorporate them into our own daily lives, imagine the synergy we can create! We have become accustomed to waiting for symptoms before we seek help, both emotionally and physically. It's time to change our way of thinking from reactive to proactive. Let's learn what we need to so kids growing up have skills and strategies to use for life, in this very challenging world.
About VoiceAmerica
VoiceAmerica is the original digital broadcast company for the production and delivery of Live Internet Talk Radio programming and continues to be the industry leader in digital media, marketing, and distribution. We are the pioneers of digital radio programming and have been since 1999. We create and distribute over 500 unique and innovative radio programs for our millions of engaged listeners worldwide. Our network channels distribute live programs daily that reach a growing domestic and international audience who connect through all devices via our mobile, desktop, and tablet VoiceAmerica destinations. Learn more at http://www.voiceamerica.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Call us any time to find out how VoiceAmerica can help you reach your audience, (480) 553-5756.
Media Relations Contact
Dee Daniels
Senior Executive Producer
VoiceAmerica
1-480-553-5741
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Press Release: Ready for a Calm and Focused School Year? What Educators Can Do to Cultivate Well-Being
Kingsville, ON -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/17/2023 -- Host Lynn McLaughlin is joined by Jodi Nolin, an educator with over 25 years of experience. Whether you are a new teacher or seeking ways to calm your classroom, this podcast is your guide to fostering well-being and non-reactivity in both teachers and students. Inspired by the pioneering work of John Jon Kabat-Zinn and 40 years of data and research, we'll discuss the compelling evidence behind the effectiveness of mindfulness practices in reducing stress, enhancing attention, and fostering resilience in students and educators.
Jodi shares personal and professional experiences and practical techniques she is using in classrooms as a special assignment teacher, helping educators cultivate calm and focus within themselves and their students. From kindergarteners to high school seniors, Jodi shares valuable, inclusive lessons and strategies that are available and can be applied throughout the entire K-12 journey.
How has this transformed educational environments and improved overall well-being? Jodi guides us through a lesson, "What's Your Superpower?" Gain valuable insights and practical strategies to create a calm and focused learning environment from the very start of the new school year.
This press release was orginally distributed by SBWire
Kingsville, ON -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/17/2023 -- Host Lynn McLaughlin is joined by Jodi Nolin, an educator with over 25 years of experience. Whether you are a new teacher or seeking ways to calm your classroom, this podcast is your guide to fostering well-being and non-reactivity in both teachers and students. Inspired by the pioneering work of John Jon Kabat-Zinn and 40 years of data and research, we'll discuss the compelling evidence behind the effectiveness of mindfulness practices in reducing stress, enhancing attention, and fostering resilience in students and educators.
Jodi shares personal and professional experiences and practical techniques she is using in classrooms as a special assignment teacher, helping educators cultivate calm and focus within themselves and their students. From kindergarteners to high school seniors, Jodi shares valuable, inclusive lessons and strategies that are available and can be applied throughout the entire K-12 journey.
How has this transformed educational environments and improved overall well-being? Jodi guides us through a lesson, "What's Your Superpower?" Gain valuable insights and practical strategies to create a calm and focused learning environment from the very start of the new school year.
https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/145843/cultivating-well-being-for-a-calm-and-focused-classroom
If you have any questions about the show or would like to advertise your products or services, please contact Dee Daniels, Senior Executive Producer at dee.daniels@voiceamerica.com.
About Jodi Nolin
Personal experiences as a youth such as living abroad, traveling around Europe, the Middle East and Africa are a treasured part of who Jodi is. Courses such as Transpersonal Psychology and Introduction to Yoga were invaluable to her growth, expanded her mind and sensitivity, decreased stress and increased feelings of calmness and happiness. She has a life-long love of mindfulness with continued learning through Mindful School's courses and personal reading.
Working as an Educator for 25 years, now on Special Assignment for Student Well-Being, continues to be an incredible and rewarding journey. Her core values include a strong belief in continuous personal/professional growth, implementation of innovative programs and integration of mental health and environmental education across curriculum areas. Integrated mental health strategies are synonymous with the well-being of students and the school community. She is dedicated and committed to the social/emotional and academic growth and development of all students/educators.
Her family is her priority and she deeply cherishes all of them. She enjoys cooking/experimenting with plant-based recipes that are delicious and healthy. Challenges inspire Jodi. It is her passion to walk more gently, mindfully, on the earth, living from her heart center. She is passionate about sharing the benefits of mindfulness practices, well-being, and all things eco-friendly, helping people to be the healthiest and happiest versions of themselves.
Visit Jodi at: https://twitter.com/JodiNolin
About Lynn Mclaughlin
Lynn McLaughlin has served in many roles as an educator… Superintendent, Principal, Vice-Principal, Teacher, and Educational Consultant in a board of over 35,000 students. Lynn's professional speaking experiences have been local, provincial, and international. She is passionate about children's emotional well-being and what we as adults must do to ensure our children have the skills, mindset, and strategies to be successful and happy in today's world.
As a best-selling and award-winning author, Lynn has now teamed up with her niece, Amber Raymond, to co-author a children's book series titled, "The Power of Thought." Both are passionate about being proactive when it comes to children's mental health. They are visiting school communities both virtually and in-person, offering professional development for teachers as well as information evenings for parents and guardians titled, "Heart Matters, Embracing Emotional Health for All.
Lynn has hosted the podcast, Taking the Helm for over three years and is proud to bring the voices of others forward to learn and with and from. Dedicated to community causes, Lynn is a member of 100 Women Who Care Windsor/Essex and is a Rotarian. As a brain tumour survivor, she works tirelessly to support the goals of the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada.
About Taking the Helm
Wednesdays 7 am PST on the Voice America Health and Wellness Channel
Our kids and youth are in crisis. Lynn's current mission is to empower children by helping them discover the essential steppingstones they need to strengthen their emotional well-being. When we cultivate confidence, empathy, responsibility, and self-awareness in children, we equip them with the skills to regulate their emotions in a positive way. Our children deserve to be emotionally healthy as they grow through youth into adulthood. Its in our hands as adults and need to learn and model these behaviors for our children and incorporate them into our own daily lives, imagine the synergy we can create! We have become accustomed to waiting for symptoms before we seek help, both emotionally and physically. It's time to change our way of thinking from reactive to proactive. Let's learn what we need to so kids growing up have skills and strategies to use for life, in this very challenging world.
About VoiceAmerica
VoiceAmerica is the original digital broadcast company for the production and delivery of Live Internet Talk Radio programming and continues to be the industry leader in digital media, marketing, and distribution. We are the pioneers of digital radio programming and have been since 1999. We create and distribute over 500 unique and innovative radio programs for our millions of engaged listeners worldwide. Our network channels distribute live programs daily that reach a growing domestic and international audience who connect through all devices via our mobile, desktop, and tablet VoiceAmerica destinations. Learn more at http://www.voiceamerica.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Call us any time to find out how VoiceAmerica can help you reach your audience, (480) 553-5756.
TRANSCRIPT OF KIRAN DEOL | STRUGGLING TO REACH OPTIMAL HEALTH FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN? (Copy)
Kiran Deol | Struggling to Reach Optimum Health for You and Your Children?
Today is the 100th episode of "Taking the Helm" with host Lynn McLaughlin. The show features inspiring, courageous and honest guests who have faced a crisis in their lives or businesses, yet set new sails!
"When I started eating the same way she was, I started to feel better, but I didn't even know that I wasn't feeling great." - Kiran Deol
The amazing Kiran Deol joins me for today's episode. She's a holistic nutritionist and CEO of Key to Health Nutrition Consulting. Kiran advocates for childhood nutrition after discovering that her own daughter's health was suffering. Kiran made changes to her own diet as well and noticed an improvement in her overall health, including increased energy levels and decreased brain fog.
In this episode, you'll be learning about:
💥 Gut health and its connection to various aspects of overall health
💥 The benefits of plant-based diets and fiber
💥 Getting to the root of unwanted symptoms to truly thrive.
In celebration of our 100th guest, we have three giveaways at the end of our conversation.
Listen Link
(MUSIC INTRO) Are you facing a crisis in your life or business? It's time to steer yourself in the right direction through the real experiences, passion, and courage of our guests. We're taking the helm with your host, Lynn McLaughlin.
[00:00:20]
Hello to you today. This is a very special celebration. Today is our 100th episode of Taking the Helm. I can't believe it. When I think back to all of the amazing guests that we've had on the show that have made connections, that are helping people change lives because of the crisis that they went through themselves and their personal or their business lives, it just warms my heart, and I'm so proud to continue hosting this show.
[00:00:47]
Now, be sure to stay tuned to the end of the episode after we speak with Kiran Diol today. She's a holistic nutritionist CEO of Key to Health, Nutrition and Counseling. She is a childhood nutrition advocate because her own daughter's health was suffering after her birth, Kiran also made changes to her own diet after the discoveries she made. Now stay tuned to the end, or I guess you can fast forward. I hope you don't. Kiran has something to give away. For those of you who are interested in nutritional health, I have something to give away to authors. And of course, you can guess there's going to be a book giveaway as well. Welcome, Kiran, our 100th guest on taking home. Thank you.
[00:01:26]
Thanks for having me today. Lynn, I'm so excited to be your 100th guest. Excellent. Okay, well, Taking the Helm, as we've talked about Kiran, is all about a time in our life where we face some type of a crisis personally or professionally. And for you, it was the health of you and your daughter. Can you take us back to where that period of time was and what happened?
Yes. So when my daughter was born, I had all those hopes and dreams that every parent has of having this super chubby, healthy baby. And in all other respects, she was healthy, but she was always kind of on the skinnier side, and it was very difficult to keep her weight up. So getting to the doctor's office and getting those weight check ups, it was just a very stressful experience because as parents know, you have that way in your child every so often, and it's very frequent when they're very young.
[00:02:17]
And initially we were actually told, okay, bring her in a little bit more often because we want to keep an eye on her because her weight is on the lower end of the percentiles and on the growth curve. And it was nerve wracking because I couldn't figure out why she wasn't gaining weight and I was nursing her. She was nursing around the clock. That's what it seemed like. And she wasn't really gaining enough weight, and she was really fussy.
[00:02:41]
She was spitting up a lot. She seemed like she had some tummy pain. And so I went to luckily, where I lived, they had a free clinic. The nurses had a free clinic to teach you about breastfeeding and give you pointers. So I went there for help.
[00:02:57]
They did help some with latch and all those issues, but that wasn't really the root of the issue, and so it didn't, unfortunately, take care of the problem. And then I went to a few different doctors. We tried her GP, we tried a couple of different pediatricians, and we just got Bandaid medication offers of, okay, we can put her on. It sounds like she's got the massive reflux. We can give her this medication.
[00:03:22]
And then I looked at the side effects and I said, well, I'm not really comfortable with that. I don't really want to just put a Bandaid on it. I want to figure out why does she have this problem in the first place? And so when she started solids, I thought, great, this is going to fatten her up, and all my worries will be gone. And no, that did not happen.
[00:03:43]
She still struggled, and certain foods seemed to make it worse. And then I realized that even when I was nursing, that certain foods that I ate in my diet would make her tummy issues worse. So that was really kind of a big clue there as well. So I really started to do a lot of my own research. I started to just do a lot of Googling, trying to figure out what the issue was.
[00:04:05]
And I knew she had heard that acid reflux, that's what the doctor had said, but just trying to figure out how to manage it and what to do. So Google did help me somewhat. I learned what foods to kind of avoid, to avoid these symptoms, but it didn't really help me figure out how to get to the root and kind of eliminate that problem. So I was just getting more and more frustrated because as we all know, when you try to Google something, especially anything health related, nowadays, it is information overwhelmed. It is just complete overload.
[00:04:39]
And we don't have Google Doctors. Well, I guess you do actually have online Google Doctors or people who claim to be online Google Doctors, but that's certainly right. It is, and it's a slippery slope when you go down there. And so I was really just confused, and I thought, you know what? This is just I'm trying all of these different things, and it's a lot of trial and error, and I need to just kind of cut to the chase and figure out what I need to do.
[00:05:03]
So I started to look into nutrition programs, and I found this wonderful holistic nutrition program. It was local, and I thought, well, this is great. This is something that will really help me. And so I did that program, and then a couple of years later when I finished it, by that time, I really had a good understanding of okay, this is what's going on in my child's gut. And I just had this you get that feeling of, if only someone had told me all of this sooner, I could have saved a lot of grief for the both of us.
[00:05:33]
If only someone had just mentioned that health just those two words to me while I was pregnant, I could have looked into that sooner and hopefully prevented some of these issues. But better late than never. And she's happy and healthy and thriving and no longer has got issues. And I'd say she's generally just sort of symptom free. She doesn't have allergies or any of a lot of these other symptoms that plague so many kids these days.
[00:06:01]
And I really think it would have been the opposite if I hadn't really delved into the nutrition and the nutrition aspect and figuring out how to really reverse those issues that she was having with her gut. So, you didn't go through what we would refer to as an elimination diet to try to figure out what triggers were while you were nursing? You just jumped right over to this holistic nutritional program? Yes, that's what I did. And in a way, the elimination diet, because she was so young and because I was very aware and in tune of just mindful of keeping an eye on what foods were bothering her when she started solids, I knew right away if the food was bothering her because I started them one at a time with a few days in between.
[00:06:45]
And so we can't do that as adults, you can't just stop eating and then introduce the time. But with babies who are just starting solids, it's a great way of figuring out what foods work for them, which ones don't, and if there are a lot of foods that don't work for them, that's a big red flag that something is going on in their gut, because no one should have multiple food sensitivities. That's a big sign that there's something else going on there. So that made it easier in a sense, if I'd waited and I just ignored the problem and thought, okay, it'll just go away. I'll just slap on these band aid medications, wait for the problem to go away, and then realize a few years later, wait, this isn't going away, then an elimination diet would have probably been necessary, and that would have been more difficult, but still necessary.
[00:07:33]
Even though no one ever mentioned gut health to me early on during my pregnancy or when she was a baby, I am fortunate that I came across that world soon enough. And we know now gut health is related to it's not just something physical. When you have children with behavioral challenges, when you mentioned allergies emotional, all of those things are all linked to gut health. And we don't think of it that way. We think there's something in the environment that's affecting us.
[00:08:00]
Let's try to figure out what that trigger is when it's very often what we're ingesting or our children are ingesting, right? Yes, it's very often internal. I mean, of course there are external factors as well that can influence all that, but a lot of the time it is very internal, especially with children. Children haven't gone through life and developed all these traumas, and they don't have all of the stresses that adults have. They do have more stresses than children did once upon a time.
[00:08:27]
Unfortunately, just due to the nature of society these days. But generally, with children, it's more of an internal struggle and it's more of something going on inside their body. When we see these behavioral issues and disorders and just mood and stability. And even with my daughter, when I would give her these foods, that was one of the first signs I would notice. So there would be constipation and GI issues, but also just irritability.
[00:08:51]
She was just so fussy and irritable, and I could tell that something was not sitting well with her, and she wasn't able to communicate because she was just a baby, but that was her way of communicating and letting me know that food did not sit right with me. Okay, so now we understand why you changed the whole nutritional piece for your daughter, but once you were done nursing, why did you make that change for yourself? So, I was vegetarian for a long time prior, but I had a heavy dairy based diet, so I ate a lot of cheese, a lot of yogurt.
[00:09:28]
I can't emphasize enough how much cheese I ate. I probably ate more cheese than anybody else that I've ever met, and I didn't realize that that was harming my gut health. Yes, I know cheese is so hard to I didn't say it very loud. But I love cheese. We adore cheese.
[00:09:42]
Some evenings we'll have cheese and cabassa and crackers for dinner and I know don't jump through the screen at me, no judgment. I've been there too. And so, I really started to, through my daughter, through the transformation with her, start to realize, oh, okay, when she has too much dairy, it really affects her. She starts to get more congested. She starts to get more of these GI issues.
[00:10:04]
She gets more constipated with her. She had an issue with gluten as well. But again, I just want to say that it's a myth that everybody needs to cut out gluten. It's a very small percentage of the diet that actually does genuinely have issues with gluten. But she did and does.
[00:10:20]
And I realized through her because I was eating the way she was then, because it's just simpler to cook one meal for the whole family because I started eating the same way she was. So, I started eating gluten free and with less dairy and all of that, I started to feel better, but I didn't even know that I wasn't feeling great. So, my brain fog went away, which I had no idea I had. I had it for so long that I was just going through life thinking, this is normal. Yeah, I used to get eczema since I was a kid on my hands and sometimes on my arms.
[00:10:53]
And I would always just put a band aid cream on it and that went away as well. And it was just amazing. And I thought, oh my goodness, this is you know, my energy levels also went higher as well. And I had no idea that it was the food that was causing me to feel that way or that I wasn't even supposed to feel that way. When you mention allergies, I was thinking immediately.
[00:11:15]
Asthma, those kinds of things, but skin rashes, that makes me think of so many possibilities and people I know and people around me. My gosh, yes. And there are so many people that I've met either through work that I've worked with as clients and just friends and family who have also said that, oh my goodness, we had no idea that this is not how we were supposed to be feeling. And unfortunately, almost everyone these days has some sort of symptom. And I really just like to emphasize that just because symptoms have become so common doesn't make them normal in society.
[00:11:52]
We've unfortunately just become complacent and decided, okay, this is normal. Everybody has either intense hay fever or they've got seasonal, or they've got other allergies or food allergies, or asthma or rashes, or chronic headaches, chronic migraines, or just chronic fatigue. We've normalized all of these symptoms and they're really not any type of chronic symptom is not normal. And if you do have a chronic symptom, there are things you can do through your diet and your lifestyle to really improve your quality of life. And I just wish more people knew that.
[00:12:26]
What are the benefits of only having a plant-based diet? And I heard you use an expression; I'm going to say I am plant curious. Yes. So, I always like to welcome everyone into my community, whether they are fully plant based or just kind of going that way, or just not even going that way yet. But they're just curious about it.
[00:12:43]
They want to learn more about this way of eating. So, some of the benefits are you do reduce that heavy saturated fat load. So, animal products tend to be higher in saturated fat, which is hard on our digestion. They are also void of fiber. And this is the big one.
[00:13:00]
So growing up, whenever I heard about fiber, it was more like men and mule or something, a supplement. You see that OK, if someone's constipated give them a fiber supplement, you don't really think about all the different types of fiber that are in our food. And that's really key to gut health. And that's what we're learning more and more about, is that the wider variety of plant foods that we get in our diet, the wider variety of gut microbes we have. And so our gut microbiome is this collection of little critters, I like to call them.
[00:13:31]
So it's bacteria, yeast, viruses, fungi, and they are there for a reason. Most of them are beneficial. Some of them are the ones that aren't so beneficial. Unfortunately, they're still there, but we want to keep them in small numbers. And so, the way to do that is to feed the good ones, the beneficial ones, and we feed them with fiber and with plant foods.
[00:13:53]
And so it's really important that we increase the plants in our diet. So even if your intention is not to go fully plant based, just increasing the plants in your diet and the diversity of plants in your diet can go a long way in improving your gut health. What do you say to people in my own family that you're not going to get proteins, you're not going to get some of those minerals and nutrients that you need if you're only plant based. So you can still get protein on a plant based diet, you just have to be mindful of including the protein rich plant foods. So those are your nuts and seeds, your legumes, which includes tofu and edamame, any soy products, as well as sorry, when I say soy products, I mean like your tofu or tempo.
[00:14:37]
I don't mean soy sauce. That's not a protein. Right, understood. Yes. And beans and lentils and all of those wonderful foods.
[00:14:45]
And those are also foods that are predominant in the Blue Zones. I don't know if you've heard of. Blue Zones where I heard one of your Facebook lives. You were speaking about Blue Zones. Yes.
[00:14:56]
And so that is where people have studied. They've gone to study these people who live in these communities where for some reason they have a far greater number of centenarians or people who live past 100 than we do in general society. And it's not just their lifespan. They're not over 100 completely bedridden and unable to function. Their health span is also increased.
[00:15:20]
So they're still walking about and moving around and functioning and living their lives. And so when they go to study them, beans and legumes are predominant in their diet. And we do know that these foods are necessary for gut health and for feeding a wide variety of these little critters in our gut that really help us. And so just to give you some idea of what they do, they help us digest our food better, so they help us create some nutrients. They also help us create serotonin.
[00:15:52]
So 80% of our body serotonin is actually created in the gut. It's not created in the brain like most people would assume. Absolutely. That's my understanding. Yeah.
[00:16:01]
The serotonin is that feel-good, happy hormone, and it's actually created in the gut. And GABA as well, is a neurotransmitter that helps with anxiety. Our body is created and a lot of it is created in the gut by our gut microbes. And so, it's very interesting, all of these new research is coming out where we're finding out that our gut microbes actually it's not just serotonin and GABA. They make tons of other neurotransmitters as well.
[00:16:28]
And so they really communicate with the brain and really, in a sense, control the brain in that way. And so, if you or your children are experiencing mood and stability and irritability and anxiety and depression and there's really no external factor, this is something to consider. It may be your gut health that needs some work. Now, as the CEO of Key to Health Nutrition Counseling, I'm sure you're speaking to parents and guardians on a regular basis about the issues that they're observing and seeing in their children and helping them through a possible remedy. What advice would you give to someone, Kiran, who's just listening to this today for the first time and thinking, oh, I really need to think about this?
[00:17:06]
What should they do? I would say you need to start being more mindful of what your children are eating, so pay attention to what they're eating and how they're feeling. You notice that when they eat a certain way, they also feel a certain way, or they act out more, or their mood changes. These are signs. Keeping a food journal is great with kids because it can be hard to remember a lot of these foods.
[00:17:27]
It's not a direct impact. So, if you eat something that doesn't sit well with you, if it's a full blown allergy, yes, you will notice something immediately or shortly. But if it's something else where it's more of a sensitivity, or it's just something going on in the gut where it just doesn't sit well, you might not see these symptoms until a couple of days later and you might not remember what your child had a couple of days earlier. So keeping a food mood journal is what we call it is really helpful in that sense because then you can see, OK, you know what, this is what my child feels like consistently when they eat these foods a day later or two days later. And it really helps you to get that picture.
[00:18:03]
But I also like to point out that food sensitivities are a sign of something bigger going on because we shouldn't have multiple food sensitivities. So, some people might genetically be predisposed to say celiac disease or gluten sensitivities. Not everybody, though. Not as many as people think. But we do need to be mindful of the fact that if someone has multiple food sensitivities, that's not normal.
[00:18:29]
Our bodies should be able to digest most food, if not all food. And if it's not able to do that, then we need to take a deeper look at what's going on. And that's really what we need to focus on gut health and improving gut health. And if there's some dysbiosis going on in the gut, which is that imbalance of good bacteria to bad bacteria, we need to address that. It could be inflammation in the gut.
[00:18:53]
It could be inflammation of that gut lining. And so, we really need to focus on that as well. Or it could just be that we're not getting enough of the nutrients we need to keep our digestive system functioning properly. So let me give you a scenario. My child is ten years old, and I'm just discovering, oh, my goodness, there's some food sensitivities here.
[00:19:13]
I'll say. And I'm starting to remove let's just say it's red meat. I'm removing red meat from my child's diet. My guess is that a ten-year-old isn't going to jump right into legumes. No.
[00:19:25]
What might that transition look like for people who might be thinking about starting this? So, we want to focus on adding more in rather than taking stuff out. Because if you tell your children we're going to remove all of these foods, they're not going to be on board. If you sort of just start to sneak more of these plant foods in, if you start to just add more to their plate, you start to include more of them into whatever meals you're making, and you slowly increase the amount. We never want to, especially with children, do a drastic overnight haul where you just completely change their diet.
[00:20:01]
Any parent knows that your child will not be on board with that, and you will not be able to get them to eat it. It's really important to keep that in mind as well and make it a slow transition as well. When you do reduce animal foods and increase plant foods because of that increased fiber that a lot of people aren't used to and we do, unfortunately, there is a widespread fiber deficiency which people are just unaware of. Most people are not getting as much fiber as they need to be. When we increase fiber too fast, you will get bloating and indigestion and really uncomfortable GI symptoms.
[00:20:35]
And that's not a sign that you have food sensitivities to those foods. That's just a sign that your gut microbiome hasn't adapted. So, you need to increase it low and slow to small amounts, and you slowly increase to give the gut microbiome time to adapt and adjust to that higher fiber amount in your food. Okay, let's talk about bread. I mean, clearly, we all know that white bread I mean, I hope we all know that white bread is not something what about all these mixtures of grains?
[00:21:00]
Are they healthy for us or not? Whole wheat multigrain, those kinds of things. I'm referring to, yes, whole grains are perfectly healthy. I know that there's a lot of misinformation out there about how we shouldn't be eating grains at all, and humans aren't meant to eat grains. When we do look at these diets of people in the Blue Zones.
[00:21:20]
They're eating a predominantly plant based whole food space diet. It's their legumes, their grains, their fruits and vegetables. They can be part of a healthy diet, and they should be part of a healthy diet because we do get lots of minerals from them. We do get a variety of fiber from them as well. And I really cannot kind of drill that in enough that we need to get a variety of fiber sources because that's really key to maintaining a diverse gut microbiome.
[00:21:46]
And we are seeing over time that over generations, we've lost diversity of the gut microbiome, and that is likely leading to a lot of these other health issues that we're seeing because these gut microbes have a protective effect, the good ones at least, and we want to make sure that we're not losing that diversity. Fascinating. And much of this research and information you've got posted on your website for references, correct? Yes. Okay.
[00:22:11]
And I do on Instagram, I do my post there as well to share information. And then I have the Facebook group for parents specifically, that is specifically geared towards children. Yes, I was just going to jump into that. And so, the name of the Facebook is called Raising Healthy Plant Powered Kids. And so, every week you do a.
[00:22:30]
Live yes, I do, yes. And a couple of the ones that jumped out to me, I mean, you did one, and I was honest with you. As we were setting up for this podcast, I listened to one a couple of days ago about Fight Tates and Lectins, and I thought, I don't even know what the word phytates meant, but, I mean, very informative and one that was fascinating to me as a lifelong educator, which children with behavioral issues in our classes, every single one of them right. How to Co Regulate Your Child's Emotions, goes hand in hand with our diets and our nutrition. Fascinating.
[00:23:00]
To me. Isn't this an incredible topic to be discussing for the 100th episode? Setting ourselves off to be healthier as whole human beings, not just physically, but emotionally gut health, all of it's connected, right? Yes, of course. And as a holistic nutritionist, I am a big proponent of focusing on the whole body and the mind as well.
[00:23:22]
It's all intertwined. You can't really work on one without working on the other as well. Very true. All right, so you have so many things to offer, Kiran. Let's just talk about all the things that are on your website to start.
[00:23:36]
Sure. So, my website is www.ketohealthnc.com. I offer one on one private nutrition counseling for kids and adults. Of course, with the kids, I work with the parents, not the children.
[00:23:50]
And so I offer help with whatever chronic symptoms you have. And if you're unsure of how I can help you, I do offer complimentary discovery calls just 15 to 20 minutes calls where we can chat. And if I don't think I can help you, or if I don't think you actually have a legitimate concern, I will let you know. I have turned people away and said you really have nothing to worry about. And if that's the case, there's no harm done in just setting up a call and chatting with me about it.
[00:24:18]
And if you do have concerns that I feel I can help you with, I will let you know as well. And I also offer a group program. It's a six-month group program for plant-based families. And we work on picky eating, we work on gut health, and it's specifically geared towards plant based kids. So you don't have to be completely plant based, but if you're heading in that direction, it's a great program.
[00:24:39]
And we work on mental health and mood and sleep and environmental health as well, and everything we need to watch out for. So it's sort of this all-encompassing program. And then I also offer a course for people who are just transitioning to a plant-based diet and lifestyle or even people who have already been plant based for a while, but they kind of just did it on their own on a whim and they're not really sure if they're doing it right. And that's just a shorter six-week course that just gives you kind of the basics about the nutrients you need, the food you need to be eating, meal planning, meal prepping, a little basic intro to gut health and that's more of just a smaller kind of version of my larger program. And you also do weekly Facebook lives.
[00:25:24]
If we're curious, we can join your group. Yes, I do. So I have a Facebook group called the Raising Healthy Plant Powered Kids. Facebook group? And I do weekly lives on a different topic, and I take suggestions from my audience as well.
[00:25:36]
So if you're in the group, you are always welcome to send me a message or a DM with topic suggestions. And many of my weekly live topics do come from members within the group who are curious about something. And I say, hey, we'd like to know more about this. And so, I'll turn that into a weekly live. And I just like to do these weekly little tidbits of information and things that either I may come across that I'm noticing is comment.
[00:26:01]
It might be something that my clients bring up a lot, something I see online a lot, or something that the members of the group bring up as a concern of theirs. So, let's just pick one off the top of your head. I put you on the spot. I know, but what's a common concern? A common concern is the basic nutrients.
[00:26:20]
So a lot of parents are just worried that they don't know if their kids are getting the basics and they don't even know what the basics are oftentimes okay, All right. And you can help with that. All right. Lots of different ways to contact you. They're all going to be in the Show Notes, and we just started something new on Taking the Home.
[00:26:38]
You can get the entire transcript by going to my blog and that entry, that link will also be in the Show Notes. So, Kiran, let's do the drum world. This is the 100th episode of Taking the helm. And what are you giving away today? I'm giving away a free 1-hour nutrition counseling session with me.
[00:26:57]
So the lucky winner will get to chat with me through zoom. So it doesn't matter where you are in the world, you can enter for this and you can chat with me one on one and we can go over your nutritional concerns. I can look over whatever it is that you're eating now and give you pointers and advice on how to tweak your diet and any other concerns that you have. You can pick my brain for an hour. That is absolutely fantastic.
[00:27:19]
And I too am offering a 1-hour free consultation. And that's for aspiring authors who want to make a decision. You've got something, you've got an idea, you're starting to write, but you don't know if you should do traditional, hybrid, self-published, all of the different publishing options. I can help you look at the pros and cons. So, 1 hour there.
[00:27:39]
And my coauthor and I are also giving away one free book of I Have Choices, the first book in our Children's Power of Thought series, which you heard about halfway through this interview in our little promotion. So email lynn@lynnmclaughlin.com. That's lynn@lynnmcLaughlin.com and your name will be put in the draw. And if you would kindly put in the subject line 100-Episode Giveaway, then Kiran and I will know that you're entering the contest and we'll draw the names for three different prizes.
[00:28:15]
And if you are the lucky winner, you will be informed by email, and we'll give you the contact information on how you can claim your prize. Good luck to each one of you. And I thank you today for joining us and setting us off in the right direction with episode 100 of Taking the Home. Thank you so much for having me, Lynn. Now, our guest in two weeks is Sarah de Felicia.
[00:28:35]
She also goes by Deflow, and because of a series of experiences in her own life, she is now passionate about helping creatives, heart centered businesses and way showers share their true essence and gifts. She has been obsessed with the use of a video since she was ten years old and uses it to make art and a tool of self-reflection and expression. And I love the quote she refers to on her website by Maya Angelou. There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of you. Hope you'll join us next time.
[00:29:09]
Stay healthy and safe, everyone.
(MUSIC OUTRO) Thanks for tuning in and posting your review of taking the helm on your favorite platform. We'll give you a shout out in a future episode. To be inspired by people who are steering us in the right direction. Go to lynnmclaughlin.com, where you can search previous guests by the topic of your choice. And while you're there, download Lynn's gift. There's more than one way to get through a crisis.
