Washington County Weekend Post

Many people now spend ample time each day texting, posting to social media and watching videos on their smartphones. Devices such as phones and tablets might play big roles in many peoples' lives, and few may realize just how much time they're spending on their devices. According to Nielsen's Total Audience Report, Americans aged 18 and older now spend more than 11 hours a day watching television, listening to the radio or using phones and other electronic devices. Common Sense Media, a nonprofit focused on assist- ing people in navigating the world of media and technology, notes that American teens and tweens spend about nine hours using media for enjoyment. Research conducted by Silentnight, a United Kingdom-based bed and mattress company, found that mobile phone usage, at eight hours and 41 min- utes per day, in the UK has now exceeded the amount of time people spend sleep- ing. Sleep experts warn that constant exposure to electronic devices is con- tributing to poor sleep and can have other negative effects on a person's health. Cutting back on elec- tronic device usage can prove challenging. Howev- er, with some patience and practice, it is possible to wean off devices without digital withdrawal symp- toms. ■ Keep tech devices out of the bedroom. Make bedrooms device-free zones so they don't disturb sleep. Various studies have found the blue light emitted from phones and other electron- ics can wreak havoc with the body's natural circadi- an rhythms, reducing mela- tonin production and caus- ing the body to think it's daylight. Turn off devices at least 60 to 90 minutes before bed to give the mind time to wind down. ■ Reach for a book. When a diversion is needed, grab a book or another reading material. Keep magazines, traditional books instead of e-books and newspapers at the ready. ■ Turn off notifica- tions. Eliminate pop-ups and audible sounds. Check posts and emails on your own schedule. ■ Delay turn-on times. Push back the time that you first turn on a phone or another electronic device by a couple of minutes per day. ■ Leave phones home when running quick errands. Leave phones at home when stepping out of the house to run quick errands. Follow suit when shopping for groceries or heading to the gym for a workout. ■ Set limits. Establish a schedule when devices can and cannot be used in the house, enforcing this schedule strictly. When not on devices, get outdoors or engage in physical activity. A popular new resolu- tion is to cut back on the amount of time spent using electronic devices. This can reduce dependence on tech- nology and help improve overall health as well. Resolving to unplug from devices Art enriches lives and can be used to connect people from all walks of life. Among the many additional benefits of art is its effects on young people and the development of their brains. The American Association of School Administrators notes that neuroscience research has shown that the effects of the arts on a young brain's cognitive, social and emotional devel- opment can be profound. ■ Art helps to wire the brain. The AASA notes that especially young children spend much of their time playing, and that play often includes forms of art such as singing, drawing and dancing. These artistic activities engage various senses and help to wire the brain so it can learn. As children age, these seemingly basic activities remain essential for young brains. ■ Art helps children develop their motor skills. Dancing and other movements that might be prompted by exposure to art help children develop motor skills. Motor skills are necessary for kids to perform important and necessary daily tasks while also promoting independence. ■ Art helps kids learn to think. The AASA notes that art can be a valuable tool in instilling essential thinking tools in children, including the ability to recognize and develop patterns, the ability to form mental representa- tions of what is observed or imagined, and the ability to observe the world around them. ■ Art can improve memory and focus. The AASA cites studies that listening to music can stimulate parts of the brain responsible for memory recall and visual imagery. In addition, background music played in a class- room has been shown to help students remain focused while completing certain learning tasks. ■ Art can positively affect how students approach other courses. Studies have shown that incorporating arts into core curriculums can have a number of positive effects on students' overall academic performance and benefit students socially. Studies indicate that students involved in such integrative programs are more emotionally invested in their classes and work more diligently than those not studying in such conditions. In addition, students may learn more from one another when the arts are integrated into core curriculums than when they are not. Art is often mistakenly seen as a strictly fun component of children's education. But the effects of art on young brains is considerable, helping young people develop in ways that may surprise many men and women. How art benefits young brains ENTERTAINMENT (BPT) – During the blus- tery cold days and cozy nights at home this winter, there's no better time to rediscover the simple plea- sures and quiet joys of indoor activities that help you relax and reconnect with family. Over the holidays, through winter break and beyond, families everywhere are eager to unplug, get away from screens, and spend quality time together. One great activity to help you do that is puzzling, which you can enjoy alone or with friends and family. Did you know that 1 in 2 Americans puzzle at least once a year? A study con- ducted by Ipsos on behalf of Ravensburger found that American adults puzzle for a number of different rea- sons - from millennials looking for an escape from their digital world to seniors who like activities that help them stay mental- ly fit. Perhaps also not surprisingly, 3 in 4 of those surveyed said that they puzzle most during the winter months. Here are a few of the benefits of taking a little time in your day to work on a jigsaw puzzle. "Me" time It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life, especially after the holiday season has wrapped and the coldest winter months set in. This time of year, it's more important than ever to be checking in on your self-care habits and creat- ing a sense of wellness in your life. Jigsaw puzzles provide a relaxing, tactile and meditative outlet that is sure to keep the winter blues at bay. You can choose a picture that is sure to bring you joy once it's completed - from a beautiful piece of art or a cultural icon such as a 3D replica of a double- decker London bus - puzzling gives you the opportunity to bring your favorite things to life in a fun new way. The results are all posi- tive - puzzling helps you de-stress, improves your memory, and boosts your problem-solving skills. Puzzling on your own lets you choose how often and for how long you enjoy the activity. Leaving a puzzle in progress on a kitchen or dining room table lets you complete your puzzle at your own pace and reminds you to pause and take a moment to slow down every so often. "We" time In the Ipsos study, 7 out of 10 (69%) respondents who puzzle saw it as a family tradition activity, and 59% said that they like to do puzzles while they're on vacation or over holiday break. Jigsaw puzzles can be a fun and effortless way to reconnect with family and friends of all ages. When everyone gathers around the table to puzzle together, it offers opportunities for relaxed conversations and connection with each other, away from the formality of a meal or structured activity. You may learn something special and new from one of your loved ones during a casual "side conversation" while working on a jigsaw puzzle together. From piecing together the riddles in an "escape the room" puzzle to your own customized puzzle of a treasured family photo - Ravensburger offers collab- orative puzzles that are per- fect for family time. Working on puzzles allows everyone to unplug from technology, slow down and live in the moment together. In fact, 84% of those surveyed said that they usually puzzled together with others. Why do people like to puzzle, whether alone or together? Those who regularly puzzle said that their main reasons are relaxation (59%), fun (57%), stress relief (47%), and brain boosting (42%) - all of which are especially impor- tant to maintain during the short, cold winter days. No matter your age, you can open up the experience of puzzling to your friends and family this winter and beyond to take a break from your tech-fueled lives and enjoy spending time together. Kids, teens, parents and grandparents can all puzzle together - no user manual, batteries or complicated directions required! Jigsaw puzzles - perfect for 'me' and 'we' time this winter 6B • WASHINGTON COUNTY POST • SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2020 GMTODAY.COM ACROSS 1. Recurring TV show 7. Throws out 13. Iberian Peninsula microstate 14. Gossip 16. Atomic #20 17. Ivy League institution 19. Of I 20. "He Is __!": Scripture excerpt 22. Musical genre 23. Heavy cavalry sword 25. Ancient Olympic Site 26. Satisfies 28. Popular flower 29. Shared services center 30. Drain 31. A way to attack 33. Urban Transit Authority 34. Spiritual leader 36. Postponed 38. N. American plant with edible purple-black berries 40. Gazes unpleasantly 41. Gets up 43. Capital of Ukraine 44. Returned material authorization (abbr.) 45. Golf score 47. Superhigh frequency 48. Swiss river 51. Felons 53. Succulent plants 55. Soluble ribonucleic acid 56. Deliberately setting fire to 58. Infamous singer Zadora 59. Anwar __, Egyptian statesman 60. Influential sports mag 61. Aromatic Mediterranean plant 64. Sixth note of a major scale 65. Unit of explosive power 67. Large watertight chamber 69. Popular street 70. A way of watering DOWN 1. Mollusks 2. -__, denotes past 3. Anchor ropes 4. Large Middle Eastern country 5. To make a mistake 6. Ancient governor 7. Extents 8. Chinese surname 9. NYC subway "residents" 10. Essential oil used as perfume 11. A way to treat injuries (abbr.) 12. Session 13. Units of land areas 15. Goes over once more 18. Where wrestlers work 21. Italian islanders 24. Avenue 26. __ Adams, U.S. President 27. Rest with legs bent 30. Type of flour 32. The Golden State (abbr.) 35. More (Spanish) 37. Stinging, winged insect 38. The use of irony to mock 39. Arsenals 42. Pouch 43. 22nd letter of the Greek alphabet 46. Violent seizure of property 47. Restrict 49. Something comparable to another 50.Punishment device made from stems 52. Soul and calypso songs 54. Formerly OSS 55. Athabaskan language 57. __ bene: observe carefully 59. Six (Spanish) 62. Read-only memory 63. Chinese philosophical principle 66. American conglomerate 68. Tin ANSWERS FOR THIS WEEK'S CROSSWORD Park & Recreation Booklet SUMMER 2020 The booklet publishes in the March 13 Daily News and the March 15 Washington Co. Post. Be sure to advertise your business in this popular publication distributed to almost 16,900 throughout West Bend. The booklet is also featured on West Bend Park's Department website as a flipbook. Local residents rely on this booklet as a reference all season long. Ad deadline is February 7. to place your advertisement call Barb at 262-306-5075. MOVIES COMING SOON TO THEATERS January 24 Run The Turning February 7 Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) February 14 Fantasy Island The King's Man Sonic the Hedgehog Trolls World Tour February 24 Emma February 28 The Invisible Man March 6 Onward Torrance March 13 Gambit March 20 A Quiet Place 2 March 27 Mulan

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