Growing up and Dealing with Bullying

By Pasquale Bright

 "Come on! It is just part of growing up!" This is what an adult might say to a child if a child complains about being teased at school. Teasing is not usually harmful when done in a friendly and mutual way, and when both kids find it funny. However, when teasing becomes hurtful, unkind, and constant --- it already crosses the line into bullying.


Bullying is a deliberate act. It is a desire to hurt or threaten or frighten someone. These usually verbal harassments can come in the form of words or actions. It can be done by one person or more, and can vary in the degree of severity. It can be an "on-and-off" thing, but it usually involves repeated actions by a child or a group of children. It can range from hitting, shoving, name-calling, threats, and mocking to extorting money and treasured possessions. Some kids bully by shunning others and spreading rumors about them. Others use email, chat rooms, instant messages, social networking websites, and text messages to taunt others or hurt their feelings. It can be one or a number of these, however, verbal abuse is the most common form of bullying.

Being a victim of bullying can cause emotional and psychological damage. The effects of ongoing bullying can be long-term, with the harm to the health and well-being of the bullied person lasting into adult life. It damages self-esteem, increases anxiety and can cause serious depression. Bullies are more likely to continue with the aggressive behavior and engage in delinquency and violence.

Research shows that bullying can have long-lasting effects, but particularly when it begins in adolescence. People subjected to either verbal or physical bullying are known to be at greater risk for developing depression, anxiety disorders or to behave violently. But not everyone reacts in this way. Children bullied for the first time before they hit puberty seem to get over it, but those who are victimized for the first time late on in puberty seem to become more aggressive or are more likely to turn to drink as a means of coping. People who were bullied revealed slightly higher levels of stress, but while those bullied earlier in life seemed to respond normally to provocation, people bullied for the first time late in puberty are more withdrawn and sensitive to violence.

Bullying is a significant problem in schools and is associated with a range of problems, including poor mental health and violent behavior. Other studies have shown that bullies are more likely to engage in antisocial behavior later in life, particularly assaults and rapes. A research also shows that victims of bullying experience headaches, stomach aches and colds more often than students not involved in bullying.

Research into the source of bullying from the perspective of the bully has also begun to focus on vulnerability. Many researchers have suggested that bullies are often themselves victims of bullying and that they may be repeating a pattern of the learned abuse. Equally, it has been suggested that they may be projecting dislike or anger with themselves onto others.

If a child approaches an adult and talks about being bullied, focus on offering comfort and support. Children are often reluctant to tell adults about bullying. They feel embarrassed and ashamed that it's happening. They worry that their parents will be disappointed. The best solution in all cases is strong social support, whether from friends, family or school. Those with no one to share their problems with usually suffered the most.

True, that bullying is part of growing up, but bullying can be as upsetting for a child and a family, however, there are a lot of people and resources that are available to help.

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Health

The Importance of Skin Care in Health and Wellness

By Pasquale Bright

 While feminists and critics sneer at beauty for being only "skin deep", the continuous growth of the cosmetics industry proves that an increasing number of people are really taking effort, time, and money to invest on various beauty regimen and skincare. Nowadays, women are not the only ones who get conscious of their looks, but even some men, particularly the younger generation, have become advocates of pampering skincare.

Some people, however, are too absorbed in their busy lifestyles that they have no more time left to engage in proper skincare. Economy also plays a great deal on why people would refrain from availing those skincare services being offered in the media. The hard times take its toll on your skin. It is no longer as supple as that of a baby and has become thinner and wrinkled with age. Your skin is drier due to less oil production from the sebaceous glands and the decrease in the number of blood vessels has made your skin lackluster without youthful glow.
There is more to skincare than just a case of vanity. Unknown to many, all human beings, whether healthy or not, probably have some Staphylococcus aureus bacteria on their skin. These bacteria, simply called staph, are usually found in your nose or throat and may not really cause much problems except for minor skin infections. The skin serves as the body's first barrier against these bacterial infections. This is why it is important to have healthy skin in order to ward off bacterial infections. Once the skin is broken, cut or wounded, you are at risk for infection. Once these bacteria gets to burrow deeper into your skin and penetrates your body into the bloodstream, urinary tract, lungs, and heart, these seemingly harmless bacteria can become life-threatening.
History showed that most cases of fatal staph infections in the past have occurred in people who have been in the hospital or those who are suffering from chronic illness and faltering immune system. However, recent development proves that an increasing number of otherwise healthy people who have never been in a hospital are also acquiring these lethal staph infections.
Moreover, the usually powerful antibiotics no longer have an effect in fighting against certain strain of destructive bacteria that have evolved over time. Although as of now, most staph infections are still manageable and can be successfully treated, sooner or later, there will come a time that a new and deadlier strain of these bacterial infections will become resistant to most currently available skincare and medications.
The signs and symptoms of bacterial infections depends on the condition and affected area of the infection as well as the nature of illness if it is a direct infection from staph bacteria or from toxins produced by the bacteria. They may range from mild skin infections to food poisoning, deadly pneumonia, surgical wound infections, and endocarditis which is a lethal inflammation of the heart valves. Most skin infections caused by staph infections include the following: boils , cellulitis, impetigo, scalded skin syndrome, follicilitis, hordeolum, among others.
Most skin problems would require clinical care by medical professionals but it helps to take note of the following tips:
? Make sure to always clean and cover areas of skin that have been injured.
? Do not share towels, sheets, clothing until the infection has been fully healed.
? Do not touch to avoid spreading it to other parts of your body.
Always remember that cleanliness and good skincare hygiene is not just a form of vanity but it is a way of keeping your skin healthy and strong to be able to protect you in warding off bacterial infections as well as preventing many skin problems.

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