OPINION
APRIL 2, 2015
KANABEC COUNTY TIMES
5
www.moraminn.com
Sleep routines important for children
Soil bacteria boost mood
We are all aware that this past winter has been reasonable for temperatures although short on snow, but we still have been whining for spring. Now the calendar finally says spring and the temperatures are c o op er at i n g somewhat. So, let’s talk garSprouts dening! I am one of those Valerie Prax studying the seed catalogs frequently and constantly wandering about the yard plotting my changes (and fixes) for the gardens. There is some good news for gardeners and our health this spring, and I now have validation for why gardening makes me feel so good. Soil microbes (good bacteria) have been found to have similar effects on the brain as Prozac and other anti-depressants. There are no side effects or risks of chemical dependency. While I acknowledge that some people require medication for depression or other problems, many of us search for natural remedies for our maladies. Ancient healers used many plants; modern researchers are continually finding new natural solutions to problems. That leads us to this new remedy, which I think may be the best one yet. Researchers have isolated a natural antidepressant in soil, Mycobacterium vaccae which has been found to mirror the effects on brain neurons that drugs such as Prozac provide. It may stimulate serotonin production, which makes you relaxed and happier. A lack of serotonin has been linked to depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and bipolar disorder. Now we don’t have to revisit our childhoods and eat dirt to experience this benefit. Just working the soil, breathing that wonderful scent, or perhaps getting a little dirt under the skin via a cut will give you the full range of benefits. The soil microbes cause cytokine levels in the body to rise, which results in higher production of
serotonin. Cancer patients in England injected with killed M. vaccae reported better quality of life and less nausea and pain. Other research suggests that the simple act of a walk in the woods will yield the same results, as may eating vegetables fresh from the garden. A poll of 1,500 United Kingdom adults found that gardeners scored higher than the average person on measures including how worthwhile they believe their life is and life satisfaction. It found that 80 percent of gardeners feel satisfied with their lives compared to 67 percent of non-gardeners and 93 percent of gardeners think gardening lifts their moods. Gardening also speaks to caring and nurturing. We nurture tiny seedlings into huge plants producing enormous pumpkins or enough tomatoes to feed the entire town. We love the fragrance of flowers wafting in the bedroom window early on a summer morning, or sharing a bouquet fresh from the garden with someone who needs a lift. Much research has been done on the value of pets on our psyche and emotional well-being. Now we are learning gardening has the same benefits. Plus, there is the benefit of exercise from both gardening and walking the dog. The study identifying the bacterium is “Identification of an Immune-Responsive Mesolimbocotical Serotonergic System: Potential Role in Regulation of Emotional Behavior,” Christopher Lowry et al., published online on March 28, 2007 in Neuroscience. Retail-therapy has never had a positive effect on my mood, frankly I have never understood this form of therapy. But give me a trowel, a garden bed and some plants, and I’m one happy camper. Talk about the perfect stress reliever. So I’m going to assign the name “garden therapy” to gardening and happily tell people that it is my chosen natural therapeutic method. Valerie Prax is a Kanabec County Master Gardener and a retired University of Minnesota Extension Educator. She and her husband Mike garden in Brunswick Township.
Spring ahead is the message that sounds in early March to remind us to push our clocks ahead one hour and to think of warmer things ahead. For children, that one hour of sleep that they miss Kids Corner can cause minor behavior Dawn van Hees changes. Sleep is an ti l ffunction ti to our lives; essential although we are aware of this, sleep is the one thing we don’t get enough of. Young children need 12-15 hours of sleep each day depending on their age, so taking one hour away in the spring can certainly mess with their systems.
They can be cranky, hard to put down for a nap or just out of sorts. So how does a busy family ensure their little ones get the best sleep they can? They set up healthy bedtime routines. Routines are important for children. They offer predictability and help children develop their own techniques for sleep. Routines might include the bathroom, such as teeth brushing, bathing and getting that last drink of water. Then you might move onto story time or just a time to talk about the day in their bed. Lastly if they continue to call for you after you leave the room, check back and assure them you are still there, but that it’s time for bed. Establishing healthy sleep routines is not easy, but it’s extremely important, especially
as children move into adolescents. Try to stay away from TVs or video games in the bedroom; while these are easy to help entertain the children, they often lead to bad habits when they get older. Remember, little ones can’t always express why they feel out of sorts, but thinking about sleep, food and comfort may help lead you right back to fixing their problem. Dawn van Hees is Manager of Community and Family Partnerships at Lakes and Pines Community Action Council. Lakes and Pines’ Head Start program is a family focused preschool program serving Aitkin, Carlton, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Pine, Chisago and Isanti counties. For more information about Lakes and Pines call 320679-1800.
NEWS FROM YESTERYEAR 125 YEARS AGO (1890) “Death of Capt. James Stuart:” Capt. James Stuart was well known to the citizens of this community, as a gentleman of more than ordinary intelligence and independence of thought. His sudden death causes sorrow to all who knew him. The following account of his death is taken from the St. Paul Globe of March 28: The sudden death of Capt. James Stuart at 1:30 o’clock yesterday caused a great shock of surprise and regret throughout the city, where he was so well known and liked. He died in a few minutes after reaching Matt Anderson home at dinner time yesterday, lying down first to rest a few moments after climbing the bluff road leading up from the vicinity of the Hersey & Bean Mill. He complained that the road was icy and that he had slipped once or twice in making the ascent, but made light of the affair, except that he complained of a burning sensation in his abdomen. A short time after lying down he suddenly died very quietly and without uttering a word. The funeral will be held from the family residence on Pine Street, at an hour not yet decided on. Capt. Stuart was a native of New Brunswick and lived in Stillwater during the past 22 years. For a long time he was in the confidential service of Hersey & Bean Lumber Company as an all-round man in looking up pine land trespassers and doing intelligent and valuable work on whatever mission he was employed. The deceased was formerly captain of a whaler and navigated all the large salt waters of the globe.
ings in county reported struck in electrical storm Tuesday night:” Several Kanabec County farmers suffered loss of livestock and damage to buildings during the heavy electrical storm of Tuesday night. On the Harry Hardie farm near Grasston three cows and two head of young stock were killed when lightning struck the barn.
50 YEARS AGO (1965) “The Farmer tells about Kanabec County’s ranchers:” George Brooker and Leonard Hartland, Kanabec County’s new ranchers, were the subject of an article entitled “Ranchers See Northland Beef Opportunity” in the March 20 edition of The Farmer. The article written by Syl Marking tells of their beef ventures in this county stressing the advantages of the county’s “green grass.” The cost of the land was a factor in their decision to try ranching in Eastern Minnesota.
25 YEARS AGO (1990) “Blazes sweeping county are blamed on roadside firebugs:” Arsonists using incendiary devices are blamed for more than 75 percent of the fires, since the spring “fire season” began in earnest, March 23. “Knife Lake revisited:” “Thou shalt never use any chemical, ever, for any purpose.” This tenet of environmental purism is at the core of the current debate surrounding Knife Lake re. March 29. St. Paul Pioneer Press Opinion, “Chemical Warfare at Knife Lake.” A more appropriate and legitimate position may be to ask, “When is the use of a pesticide justified? In what circumstances?” Matt Anderson is a contributing columnist for the Kanabec County Times. For questions or comments about this article, contact editor@ moraminn.com.
75 YEARS AGO (1940) “Livestock killed by lightning; farm build-
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DAVID DEUTSCHLANDER
For District 2 East Central Energy
DIRECTOR I have been serving as Pokegama Township Chairmen for eight years and we have not raised the levy during that time. Retired business owner and farmer “We need to keep East Central Energy affordable and dependable for our members” Prepared and paid for by David Deutschlander, Pine City, MN