Articles written by Kathy Downey

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About me - Kathy Downey

A pragmatic person, I believe in finding practical solutions for problems, communicating honestly, and wearing comfortable shoes. I do some of my best thinking while walking my dog.

My passion for words has made me an avid reader my entire life. Writing helps

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Health & Fitness > Exercise Tips Smokers and exercise: 1 of 17
The best thing a smoker can do for his health is to quit smoking. However, a person can benefit from exercise, even if he is not ready to give up his habit. Since exercise helps counteract some of the detrimental effects that smoking has on the body, a smoker might be wise to consider adding it to his routine.Exercise that in... More..
Health & Fitness > Healthy Living & Wellness Symptoms and treatment of thyroid diseases: 1 of 14
The thyroid is a small endocrine gland, shaped like a butterfly. Sitting below the larynx at the front of the throat,its main function is to produce thyroxin (T4) and triiodothyromine (T3), which control the body's metabolism.You might never notice it, unless it malfunctions. Your symptoms will depend on whether the thyroid b... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Self-Awareness & Realization Spring: A time to hit refresh and revaluate your life: 3 of 34
Spring is the season when nature abounds with new life and fresh starts. Would you like to hit the refresh button and reevaluate your own life? Here are a few simple suggestions to help you do just that.SLOW DOWNDo you sometimes feel as if you are moving so fast that your head is spinning? Remember to breathe. Focus on taking... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Helping Kids Cope How to help your child control his/her temper: 2 of 20
Temper tantrums are normal in young children who have not yet learned to understand their emotions. They express whatever they are feeling, and when they get angry, it shows. As he grows and develops, your child will come to understand, that while getting angry is natural, he needs to learn to manage it. This is temper contro... More..
Health & Fitness > Healthy Living & Wellness Assess your risk for osteoporosis: 1 of 10
Osteoporosis is a condition that affects the bones. They lose their density, growing porous and weak. Sometimes they become so fragile that even a sneeze can cause fractured bones. If you are a woman, you are 5 times more likely than a man to develop osteoporosis. For that reason, you may want to look at what you can do to pr... More..
Relationships & Family > Family Bonding How a road trip can foster family communication: 3 of 29
The car makes a wonderful place for family conversation. Everyone is seated, confined to a small area, and leaving the room is not an option. Boredom is bound to set in after a few hours on the road. This is a perfect opportunity to start communicating. Talking with each other is what matters; the topic is of little importanc... More..
Creative Writing > Humor Humor: Rules: 2 of 18
I should never have broken Rule#3.Women know the rules. This is why we never throw out our old maternity clothes. We put them in a box, label it "DO NOT DESTROY" and store it in the basement.Rule#1: As soon as you get rid of your maternity clothes, you will need them again.Even at age fifty, I know better than to tempt fate b... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Testimonies: When you hate being pregnant: 4 of 29
My middle school students did not mince words. When I told them that I was pregnant, their eyes moved from my belly to my forty three year old face. One of them cleared his throat and asked," But Ms. Downey, ain't you too old for that?"Of course he was right. I was indeed too old for that. But it had happened nevertheless. An... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Parenting Methods When parents lead children toward cynicism: 1 of 6
"The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who haven't got it."-George Bernard ShawOne of my favorite quotations, this statement supports my opinion that cynicism is not necessarily a bad quality. While an optimist always sees the positive, and a pessimist sees the negative, a cynic sees the reali... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Teen Challenges How to help your teen reduce stress: 3 of 17
Stress does not spare anyone, and that includes teenagers. High schools are hotbeds of pressure and conflict, so your teenaged son or daughter is probably feeling stressed. The stress comes from different sources than your own, but it is no easier to deal with. In fact, adolescents lack the life experience that teaches people... More..