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Teen Vaping and Mental Health: What You Should Know , Breathe Freely, Teen Vaping and Mental Health, Teen Vaping, Mental Health, TreatYourself Blog, TreatYourself

Teen Vaping and Mental Health: What You Should Know

Teen vaping has become an epidemic in the United States. What teens don’t know is that vaping causes damage to their minds and bodies, negatively affecting their physical and mental health.

Nearly all vape devices contain nicotine – the addictive drug found in tobacco products. Nicotine is extremely harmful to the developing adolescent brain, which is not fully developed until age 25. Introducing nicotine to an adolescent body can cause harm to the areas of the brain that control attention, learning, mood and impulse control. Nicotine can also increase the risk for future drug addictions in teens predisposed to addictive behaviors.  

The most common reason teens give for vaping is they are feeling anxious, stressed or depressed. What they don’t know is that nicotine addiction can be a source of stress on the body, leading to the development of nicotine dependency. Researchers are still exploring the effects of quitting vaping on mental health, but studies show that quitting smoking cigarettes led to lower levels of anxiety, depression and stress.

We all know vaping is bad. What seems to lie under the surface is how bad it is for mental health. By bringing awareness to the negative effects of vaping on mental health, we can begin to encourage people to kick the habit and breathe freely once and for all.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/Quick-Facts-on-the-Risks-of-E-cigarettes-for-Kids-Teens-and-Young-Adults.html

The Rapides Foundation is a philanthropic organization that develops initiatives and provides grants to organizations in its nine-parish service area that share the Foundation’s Mission to improve the health status of Central Louisiana. Through its Healthy Behaviors Initiative, the Foundation addresses the health behavior priorities of tobacco prevention and control, alcohol/substance abuse prevention, healthy eating and active living. For more information, visit www.rapidesfoundation.org.

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Treat Yourself to a Healthier Life

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Treating yourself to a healthier life can be a great way to improve your overall wellbeing and quality of life. However, many people struggle to make healthy changes and stick to them. Here are some tips for treating yourself to a healthier life:

  • Set achievable goals – It’s important to set realistic and achievable goals for yourself. This can help you stay motivated and on track. Start by setting small goals and then gradually increase their difficulty as you progress.
  • Find healthy activities you enjoy – It’s important to find healthy activities that you enjoy and look forward to. This could include going for a walk, joining a sports team, or trying a new fitness class. By finding activities you enjoy, you’ll be more likely to stick to them.
  • Surround yourself with supportive people – Surrounding yourself with supportive people who encourage and motivate you can make a big difference. This could include friends, family members, or a support group.
  • Treat yourself to healthy rewards – It’s important to reward yourself for making healthy changes. This could include buying yourself a new piece of workout equipment, treating yourself to a massage, or taking a day off to do something fun.
  • Be patient and persistent – Changing your habits can be difficult, and it’s important to be patient and persistent. Don’t be discouraged if you have setbacks or if it takes longer than you expect to see results. Keep trying and stay committed to your goals.

By following these tips and making healthy changes, you can treat yourself to a healthier and happier life.

The Rapides Foundation is a philanthropic organization that develops initiatives and provides grants to organizations in its nine-parish service area that share the Foundation’s Mission to improve the health status of Central Louisiana. Through its Healthy Behaviors Initiative, the Foundation addresses the health behavior priorities of tobacco prevention and control, alcohol/substance abuse prevention, healthy eating, and active living. 

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What parents should know about vaping

Vaping has become a popular trend, especially among teenagers. While it may seem harmless, there are many things that parents should know about vaping.

First and foremost, it is important to understand what vaping is. Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling the vapor produced by an electronic cigarette or similar device. These devices, also known as e-cigarettes or e-cigs, contain a battery-powered heating element that vaporizes a liquid solution, usually containing nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals.

One of the biggest concerns about vaping is the potential health risks associated with it. The long-term effects of vaping are still unknown, but there is evidence to suggest that it can be harmful. The vapor produced by e-cigarettes contains harmful chemicals, including formaldehyde and metals, that can be harmful when inhaled. In addition, the nicotine in e-cigarettes is highly addictive and can harm the developing brains of teenagers.

Another concern about vaping is the potential for it to act as a gateway to smoking. Many e-cigarettes come in flavors that are appealing to teenagers, such as fruit and candy flavors, which can make them more likely to try it. This can lead to a lifelong addiction to nicotine and increase the risk of them trying other harmful substances.

It is important for parents to educate themselves and their children about the dangers of vaping. This can include talking to them about the potential health risks, setting clear expectations and boundaries around the use of e-cigarettes, and monitoring their behavior. In addition, parents should be aware of the signs of vaping, such as the presence of e-cigarette devices or the use of fruity or sweet-smelling odors.

Overall, it is crucial for parents to be aware of the potential risks associated with vaping and to take steps to prevent their children from using e-cigarettes. By educating themselves and their children and staying vigilant, parents can help ensure the health and safety of their family.

 Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The Rapides Foundation is a philanthropic organization that develops initiatives and provides grants to organizations in its nine-parish service area that share the Foundation’s Mission to improve the health status of Central Louisiana. Through its Healthy Behaviors Initiative, the Foundation addresses the health behavior priorities of tobacco prevention and control, alcohol/substance abuse prevention, healthy eating, and active living.