Therapy Resources

More Information about Internet Safety

2010-02-23T15:34:00.000-08:00

For more information about Internet safety please view our article and interview at this external link:
http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=133253&catid=188

Internet Safety

2010-02-17T12:08:00.000-08:00

Parents today often voice their concerns about the tremendous job of keeping their children safe. As a result of ever-increasing technology, parents have many questions about keeping kids safe in a variety of settings including the Internet. The Internet is a great tool that can be utilized by a wide variety of people to find or share information, keep in touch and communicate. While the Internet provides convenience and an abundance of information, there are also risks to consider. The following tips can help to keep you and your loved ones safe while enjoying the Internet.

1. Remember that anything on the Internet can essentially be viewed by anyone. Many sites provide user names and passwords to help keep your information safe but these systems are not foolproof. Keep in mind that anything you post on the Internet could be viewed by anyone and post accordingly.

2. Protect your personal information by limiting what you share and who you intentionally share it with. For example, if using a social networking site carefully consider how much personal information you share. Providing your city/state of residence, place of employment etc. gives potential strangers a lot of information about you that you may not want them to have.

3. Use discretion when posting pictures or videos. Just like anything else on the Internet a video or photo could potentially be viewed by unexpected people. Think about what images you are using and whether or not they are images that you would allow anyone to see because they could!

4. When it comes to children or other vulnerable persons using the Internet, vigilance is essential. There are a variety of programs that allow you to block specific types of content and monitor use on home computers. Other safety policies could include keeping computers with Internet access in common areas of the home and talking with Internet users about the importance of safety.

5. Use extreme caution when giving out any personal or identifying information over the Internet. Chat rooms or instant messaging services may provide a way to easily connect with others but they can also be dangerous, particularly for children or vulnerable persons.

Keeping everyone safe while using the Internet is an ongoing task. Becoming aware of the potential risks associated with the Internet is a first step in keeping your loved ones safe. To obtain additional information on this topic you may visit this external link: http://www.fbi.gov/publications/pguide/pguidee.htm

2009-11-11T13:10:00.000-08:00

The Importance of Self Care

With so much to do and often so little time, how do we achieve a balance between responding to the demands of everyday life and taking care of ourselves? There is no easy answer to this question! Many of us know about a variety of things that we can do to improve our health and well-being but how many of us can make the commitment to do them on a regular basis? The key to self-care is CONSISTENCY! We must do something to maintain our health and well-being on a regular basis. While it may be tempting to set and attempt to achieve huge goals, the best thing to do is to start small and work from there. None of us can do everything but we can all do something! So what helps us maintain optimal health?

1. Relaxation: Take time everyday to do something relaxing. If you're pressed for time, take just 5 minutes and see what a difference it can make. Spend some time flipping through a magazine, doing deep breathing or drinking a cup of coffee without the pressure of multi-tasking.

2. Exercise: Exercise is a powerful stress moderator and provides both a mental and physical outlet. Take a quick walk or do some stretching when you have a free moment. Focus on how you will feel after completing the activity, not the stress of fitting it in.

3. Organize: A little preparation goes a long way! Spending a few minutes in the evening making a list of things to do tomorrow may help you to feel less pressured and more confident that you know what needs to be done and have a plan to accomplish it.

4. Friends and Family: Spending time with loved ones on a regular basis provides us with support and companionship. Make time in your life to interact with people who empower you. It is amazing the difference even a quick phone call can make.

5. Stay Hydrated: Water is critical in order to function at our best. A lack of water can result in fatigue, headaches and can even lead to over eating. Keep water with you and drink it throughout the day.

There's no better time than the present! Pick one or two small things that seem manageable to you and make a commitment to do them on a regular basis. After a while, they will become routine and you won't even have to think about it. Taking small steps to take care of yourself is a great start!