Newsletter #98 - Staying focused while reading; how to prepare for a hike; ice storm safety tips.

TeenHelp Newsletter

TeenHelp Newsletter #98 - May 20th 2018 - http://www.teenhelp.org

Welcome to the TeenHelp Newsletter! Our Newsletter contains a lot of useful information about our current work, including updates to our site and services, new resources, details of upcoming events, short bits of advice, interesting links and more!

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TeenHelp News

TeenHelp regularly makes changes to its site and services. Some of these are large and noticeable, and others are small and much less so, but each one contributes to the positive development of TeenHelp and how our users experience our community. Below are some of the most recent developments.

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New volunteer roles (May 13th 2018)

TeenHelp is excited to announce that we are introducing new volunteering opportunities, and there are a number of ways for you to get involved.

Some of the new areas you might be able to help with include:

• Marketing
• Social media
• Graphic design
• Photographer
• Helping on the Forums
• Helping in the Chat Room

To make it easier to apply, we have simplified the application process for these roles with an 'Initial Enquiry' form for you to express your interest.

http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f2-an...lunteer-roles/

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Updated Mission Statement (May 6th 2018)

Following consultation with our users, TeenHelp's Mission Statement has been updated with the feedback we received. Our hope is that they align with the views and wishes of our users.

http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f2-an...ion-statement/

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Latest articles (May 4th 2018)

Hermit crabs as commercialized creatures
Hermit crabs are a popular pet due to their uniqueness, but many die due to improper care by both pet stores and their owners. This article discusses how to properly care for the crabs.

The Clubhouse Model as a resource for mental health
The Clubhouse Model is a loaction that allows people with mental health or substance use disorders to come together and support each other while working in partnership with staff members. Read this article to see if the Clubhouse Model may be right for you.

The difference between charitable and non charitable fashion shows
While all fashion shows have interesting and artistic components to them, there are important differences between a charitable and non charitable show. This article outlines the differences between the two types of fashion shows and the benefits of a charitable fashion show.

Owlcrate subscription review
Owlcrate is a book subscription box that mails people books and items that focus on a different theme each month. This article outlines the benefits and drawbacks of this particular box to help you decide whether or not you would like to subscribe.

Celiac Disease: symptoms and treatment
When someone has Celiac Disease, they are unable to eat products that contain gluten. This article covers the symptoms of Celiac Disease, how it is diagnosed, and how someone can manage the condition.

http://www.teenhelp.org/articles/

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Resources

TeenHelp works with a range of different organisations and websites in order to help and educate young people. Below is a selection of some of them. For a full list of the organisations we work with, please visit our Resources page.

http://www.teenhelp.org/resources/

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Rethink

Rethink is a UK based charity devoted to improving the lives of those with mental health issues. Their website contains comprehensive information about different mental illnesses, including their possible causes, diagnosis, treatment options, and self care. There is also material on legislation and rights surrounding mental health for people in the UK, a local support group search, downloadable resources, and much more. If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health issue and would like to find out more information, this is a great resource to get you started.

http://www.rethink.org

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Tips Of The Month

Each month we share small bits of practical advice that you can implement to improve your life or that of others.

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How to stay focused while reading

Reading can be a relaxing activity for many people. However, it isn't uncommon for some people to struggle with staying focused while they read. This tip will discuss some things to try in order to stay focused.

• Pick the right place to read. If someone is prone to losing focus when they read a good way to combat this is to avoid reading in places that promote sleep. Instead of reading in a bed or a comfortable chair someone might find it helpful to read at the kitchen table or at the library.
• Read aloud or use audio books. When people read aloud they tend to read slower than they would if they read to themselves. The slower reading pace and hearing the words can help with focus. If some people do not like the idea of reading aloud they could give audio books a try as well.
• Annotate the book. Annotating can be a great way to stay engaged because people are focusing on writing down, underlining or marking important facts or characters and it's less likely for their minds to be distracted.
• Take breaks. Many people believe that in order to get a lot of reading done, it is important to dedicate long periods of time to it. However, for a lot of people, reading for too long can lead to a higher chance of not being able to focus. Instead of trying to set aside long periods for reading, it is okay for them to set aside short periods and take a break. If they want to go back to reading after the break they can as well. Some people find that they end up getting more reading done when they read in a few short periods over the course of the day.

http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f198-literature/

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Preparing for a hike

Offering a combination of exercise and time spent in the beauty of nature, hiking is undoubtedly one of the most popular outdoor activities, especially during the warmer months. For those who are serious hikers, it can start to feel like a way of life. However, the thought of embarking on a hike can be intimidating for beginners. If you've been thinking about giving it a try, read on to learn some of the essentials of planning your first hike.

• Wear proper clothing. While this might seem like common sense, failing to have the proper attire has the potential to make or break your hiking experience. Synthetic fabrics, such as polyester, nylon, and rayon are best as they will help to keep you cooler, even as you start to sweat. Another option to look into is purchasing clothing made specifically from sweat-wicking material. Whether you choose to wear hiking boots or standard exercise shoes, the most important element of your footwear is that they have good traction, as they will help you maintain sure footing on steeper areas and prevent slipping.
• Bring room temperature or lightly iced water. More than likely, instinct will tell you to bring ice cold water with you to help cool you down as the day heats up. While cold water can certainly be refreshing, it can slow the hydration process since your body needs to work harder to warm it up. It's perfectly fine to have a little ice in your water, but the closer you are to room temperature, the better it will be.
• Pack only the essentials. When doing anything for the first time, it's normal to want to bring everything you could possibly need. But, doing this will only weigh you down and make your entire hike more difficult. A good rule of thumb is to bring only what will fit in a hip pack as they won't add extra weight due to their size but are large enough to hold necessities such as a few first aid items, a cell phone, travel sized sunscreen, and a light snack.
• Map your route ahead of time. If you only have a general idea of where you're going, take 15-20 minutes to look online and figure out the route you'll be taking. To do this, you can look online or look on websites such as AllTrails that are dedicated to helping hikers learn more about the trails they will be taking. Not only will doing so allow you to gauge the difficulty of your hike, having a better understanding of what the trail(s) look like will give you more confidence in the event that you do get turned around at a trail head or can't figure out which sign to follow.

http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f219-lifestyle/

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Safety tips during an ice storm

Ice storms can happen in many different parts of the world at any given time and being prepared for them can help ensure your safety. This months tip will focus on safety tips during an ice storm and what you can do to keep yourself safe.

• Stay tuned to updates. Watching or listening to the weather conditions can help you prepare. Authorities such as power companies, the police, and fire service, give communities updates on weather conditions and also provide safety tips.
• Be prepared. Stock up on enough food and water to last you for a few days, depending on the severity of the storm. Ensure that you have food that doesn't require heating in case of a power outage. Also prepare an emergency kit with medical supplies, a flashlight, extra batteries and a standalone phone charger.
• Stay indoors during the storm. Avoid going outside because walkways and roads will be slippery, most likely covered in a thin layer of ice that might not be visible. If you need to go out, dress appropriately and wear shoes that offer enough traction, and do wait until the roads have been treated; watch out for ice-covered branches and wires overhead that might break and fall.
• Know when to call your emergency line. During an ice storm you may see fallen branches or trees that are the result of power outages. Don't go outside to investigate as this is very dangerous and you could end up getting hurt. This is a good time to call the power company to report the fallen tree and where you think it might be.

http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f3-general/

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Interesting Things (on TeenHelp)

A lot of content is posted to TeenHelp every single day, from threads to articles, social groups to albums. But it is difficult for even the most veteran user to keep on top of it all, so we have selected a few items from among the masses that we thought were interesting to draw your attention to.

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Threads

Desserts & Fruit
Are you someone who enjoys baking? Check out this thread to see some of the tasty recipes this user has shared. If you like, you could also share some of your own recipes.
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f184-...esserts-fruit/

GDPR
If you have questions about how GDPR will affect TeenHelp then this thread might be helpful to look at. Feel free to ask for clarification or just browse through the responses.
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f3-general/t155774-gdpr/

Allergy relief
Are you someone who struggles with allergies? Come to this thread to discuss ways to help relieve your allergies.
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f16-g...llergy-relief/

I got my nails done
Getting your nails done is a great way to treat yourself to something nice. Check out this thread to see one user's experience with getting their nails done and share pictures of your own nails.
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f25-f...my-nails-done/

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Social groups

GASP! (Gender and Sexuality Progress)
Are you in the LGBTQIA community or do you consider yourself an ally? If so, join this social group to meet new people and have discussions to learn more about different areas of the community.
http://www.teenhelp.org/socialgroups...y+progress%29/

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Picture Of The Month

Each month we feature a picture by one of our users. If you would like to see your picture here please contact us by replying to this Newsletter, emailing us at publications@teenhelp.org, or messaging our Newsletter Officer (Narrative.) on the website.


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Donate to TeenHelp

In order to continue providing free services to young people around the world, TeenHelp requires a constant income of voluntary donations to support our regular costs. If you are able to, we ask that you please donate any money you can to us, even if it's only a few dollars.

http://www.teenhelp.org/donate/

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Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and Twitter

Our social networking pages are a great place to get a lot of high-quality information. We aim to connect you to interesting organisations, volunteering opportunities, events, news stories, pictures, videos, and more!

Facebook: http://www.teenhelp.org/facebook
Instagram: http://www.teenhelp.org/instagram
Tumblr: http://www.teenhelp.org/tumblr
Twitter: http://www.teenhelp.org/twitter

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Editorial team

Publications Team Leader/Editor-in-Chief: Haley (Halcyon)
Newsletter Officer: Chess (Narrative.)
Senior Newsletter Editor: Cassie (cynefin)
Newsletter Editor: Chantal (MsNobleEleanor)
Newsletter Editor: Dez (Melancholia.)
Newsletter Editor: Jenna (.:Bibliophile:.)
Newsletter Editor: Sammi (Ambedo.)

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