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Month: October 2022
Parenting Tips
October 2022
Written by: Chinese doctor Yiu Yee Chiu
As a parent, it can be exhausting to take care of a family and work. In my spare time, I like to watch talk shows and listen to the unique views of celebrities on life and their outlook on life. Once they talked about the busy life of Hong Kong people and how fatigue seems to be an inevitable “by-product”. However, we were told that we are not tired because we are all like that and it is just a normal physiological reaction. So, is this true?
Tiredness is actually a subjective feeling, so only you can understand it. In some cases, it can be seen in behavior, such as reluctance to get up, weakness in speech, lack of normal physical strength, etc. According to a Chinese Medicine Practitioner, fatigue involves the five viscera and six internal organs, mainly the spleen, liver and kidneys, with the spleen being the most important, which falls under the category of “deficiency fatigue”.
Three types of fatigue have different causes
Fatigue can be classified from different perspectives. One way is to classify fatigue into three categories: physical, mental, and psychological. Physical fatigue is the most common and the most easily noticed. After normal work, it is normal to feel tired and can recover after rest. However, if you cannot recover after rest, or if the number and degree of fatigue is too much, this is fatigue, which can also be said to be a “sub-health” state.
Brain fatigue is caused by overuse of the brain. The most basic symptoms are memory loss and lack of concentration. Other symptoms include drowsiness, lack of concentration, auricular fever, and lack of hearing. Mental fatigue is a psychological feeling after excluding physical problems, and may be triggered by lack of sleep or inadequate nutritional supply. If more than one of these manifestations occurs at the same time, it is likely to be characterized as what is known as “fatigue syndrome”.
Fatigue is related to the disorders of the five organs
From the perspective of Chinese medicine, the appearance of fatigue is closely related to the imbalance of the five viscera. Different symptoms may be related to a particular internal organ, for example, lack of qi is mostly related to the lung. Chinese medicine believes that the overall activity of the human body depends on the state of vital energy. The Yuan Qi ” Human nature inborn and nourished later”, means that the Yuan Qi from the parents of the essence, after birth, mainly from the diet of water and grain essence of the supplement and nourishment, while relying on the normal function of the spleen and stomach and with the help of the natural qi (i.e. good air), although they are tired, but there are differences in the form.
People can be divided into the following four main body types:
1. Phlegm-damp body type: This type of person is not only obese, but also has a lot of fatigue and phlegm, is easily sleepy, has lazy limbs, has stomach discomfort after eating, and has loose stools. In addition to the Chinese medicine can be adjusted, can also rely on long-term physical exercise to improve. Including jogging, swimming, Tai Chi, “Eight Duan Kam” etc.
2. Qi deficiency: these people have insufficient lung energy, lack of energy, it would have a feeling of fatigue when little working. Since the strength of liver qi is related to the immunity of the body, they are prone to illness. Other symptoms include laziness, frequent sweating, a low voice, a pale tongue with white fur, and a weak pulse. Although exercise can be encouraged, it is necessary to start slowly and increase gradually. In addition, you can use the Qihai point in the abdomen as the center of a circular massage, three times a day, for 10 minutes each time. This method can strengthen the spleen with stomach and nourish the essence.
3.Yang body type: These people have low overall metabolism and will show fear of cold, depression and drowsiness. In addition to taking Chinese medicine, you can also use the “warm umbilical cord method” to strengthen nephron. The method is to use a lit moxa stick to moxibustion on the umbilicus above the Shen Pao point for 15 minutes twice a day, mainly to feel the warmth and tolerable.
4. Depressed body: most of the manifestations are unstable, easily depressed, lack of perseverance, suspicious and other psychological imbalance. Of course, physical discomfort, such as fullness in the ribs and poor sleep, may also occur. However, it is closely related to the ups and downs of emotions. Talking and sharing with others is the easiest way to guide yourself. At the same time, you can also try “rose yam porridge”. The method is to make a congee of rose, coix seeds and Chinese yam with rice, 1 to 2 bowls a day.
In any case, the feeling of fatigue is very disturbing. In addition to discomfort, people sometimes wonder if it is a lie. So we must face it head on and find the right way to manage it. Otherwise, the sub-healthy state of fatigue may turn into a real disease, and that would be a problem.
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培育資優生 情意教育同樣重要
家長錦囊
October 2022
撰文：香港家庭福利會學校社工江淑玲
資優教育在香港愈來愈被受重視，教育局的網頁表示，資優教育的任務是要有系統、有方向地發掘和培育資賦優異的學生，為他們提供適切的教育機會，使他們能夠在富彈性的教學方法和環境下，充分發揮個別潛能。根據文獻，資優生不僅是智商高的一群，若學生在其他方面有突出表現，如藝術或領導才能，都可界定擁有資優的潛能。
資優生的困難
雖然資優生有著過人的潛質和學習能力，然而由於他們的認知發展比一般人快，而且有著獨特的情意特質，如害怕面對失敗和反抗權威，在現實生活往往產生適應的問題，這些問題或會導致資優生的情緒受困擾，以及妨礙他們的潛能發展。在一篇文章「海倫的來信」，主角真切反映著資優生遇到感情上的困難。
文章描述一位智商146的海倫，由於言行突出，在小時候被人家當作「怪物」。她害怕在課堂上答問題，因為當她答錯，全班都會取笑她。及後投身社會，同事都視她為威脅對象而對她不友善。過程中，她即使盡力去發展社交圈子，換來只有更大的傷害，對她個人影響深遠。
除此之外，美國時代雜誌專欄作家、哈佛大學心理學博士丹尼爾•戈爾曼在書中提出一個觀點：智商決定人生的 20%，情緒智商則主宰人生的 80%。他又提出很多智商超過 160分的人在為那些智商只有 120 分的人打工，原因是智商較低的人擁有發達的情緒智能，以致他們在工作環境中取勝。由此可見，一個人即使擁有高智商，並不等於一帆風順。因此，成功的資優教育不應只著重培育資優生的認知能力，他們的情意發展，即情意教育，同樣重要。
何謂情意教育？
狹義的情意教育是指輔導學生情感的發展，廣義則是指培養他們高尚情操，從而幫助他們建立正向的人生目標。可是，情意教育不只是個別輔導學生，周邊的環境如學校和家庭都是影響學生情意發展的重要因素。作為父母，最重要的莫過於以身作則，作子女的榜樣。例如父母在公司遇到同事不禮貌的對待，回家後可與子女分享如何控制個人情緒和作出恰當的回應，並將「理論」在家中實踐出來，讓子女有所學習。另外，父母可協助子女從多角度思考，例如他們的情意特質，除了負面的影響，也有其積極的一面。他們完美主義的性格，正反映他們處事認真，努力不懈；他們不從俗，可見他們敢於表達和突破傳統的一面。在這鼓勵和接納的氣氛下，相信資優生更能發揮他們的天賦和才能。
事實上，是否資優生並不重要，重要是相信每個人都是獨特，繼而發掘自己的潛能，讓它在適當的支援下發揮出來！
Parenting Tips
October 2022
Written by : Registered Dietitian (Australia) Chung Yong Man
It’s exam season and students are studying hard for their exams. Many parents ask, “What are the best foods to help your child refresh and maintain a good memory?
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are digested and converted into glucose, which provides sufficient energy for the brain. Therefore, I recommend eating an appropriate amount of carbohydrates at each meal to maintain the effective functioning of the brain. Food sources include grains and cereals such as rice, noodles, bread, oats, etc., and high starchy vegetables such as potatoes, corn, sweet potatoes, chestnuts and taro. Choosing high-fiber grains and cereals such as whole grain breakfasts, oats, whole wheat bread and red rice will help stabilize blood sugar and maintain concentration.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids, such as EPA and DHA, are the main elements that make up the brain’s cell membranes and nerve tissues, maintaining the normal transmission of messages in the nervous system and helping to maintain good memory. Omega-3 fatty acids can be obtained from eating deep-sea fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, etc. I recommend eating 2 to 3 meals a week, with each meal being about 2 to 3 ounces (the size of the palm of your hand). In addition, almonds, walnuts and avocados are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids
Lecithin
Lecithin is one of the important elements in the composition of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, so adequate intake helps to revitalize brain cells, make thinking sharper and enhance memory. Eggs, soybeans and their products such as tofu, soy milk and baked beans with ketchup are rich in lecithin.
Iron
Iron is the main element in the production of red blood cells, which transports enough oxygen and nutrients to the brain to help keep it awake. Red meats such as beef, lamb and ostrich are rich in iron, and I recommend eating 2 to 3 meals a week at about 2 to 3 ounces per meal. Iron can also be taken from dark green vegetables such as spinach and red kidney beans, but since plant-based iron is more difficult to be absorbed by the body, foods rich in vitamin C, such as oranges, kiwis and tomatoes, can be eaten at the same meal to increase absorption.
Antioxidant Nutrients
Stress and poor diet can increase free radicals in the body, which can damage body cells and accelerate degeneration, or impair memory. Vitamins A, C, and E are antioxidants that protect brain cells from free radical damage and prevent memory loss. Foods rich in vitamin A include carrots, pumpkin and spinach; vitamin E can also be obtained from nuts, eggs and dried beans.
The above nutrients can promote brain health, but we should not only focus on the intake of a single nutrient. I encourage people to diversify their diets as much as possible to get enough nutrients to keep the brain functioning optimally.