True Friendship

SLC Bucket List

With the exception of #20, here is a SLC Bucket List of things to do in Salt Lake City before you die.

Replace #20 with any of the following or check out Salt Lake City Attractions for other ideas.

This is the Place Heritage Park
Hogle Zoo
Clark Planetarium
Liberty Park
The Children's Museum - Discovery Gateway
Church History Museum
Red Butte Garden

Truth, Lies, and Your Self-Worth

Is your teen struggling with self-esteem? Learn how you can help them fight back through this article by Mindy Raye Friedman.

"Don’t let the world tell you when to feel good about yourself.

A new year brings feelings of a fresh start and new hopes, but it also brings a wave of worldly messages telling you that a new year requires a new you. These messages say that you can only be happy if you lose weight, get new clothes, find more friends, and so on. You hear these messages in the media, at school, and sometimes from those closest to you.

The problem with these messages is that they’re not true. If you examine them closely, you’ll discover that the true motive behind the messages is usually to convince you to buy into something either with your money or your time. But you don’t have to!"

To read the entire article: Truth, Lies, and Your Self-Worth

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Sleep and Rest

“Cease to be idle; cease to be unclean; cease to find fault one with another; cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated” (D&C 88:124).

“Do not run faster or labor more than you have strength” (D&C 10:4).

Lack of adequate rest has become a significant health problem for many people. The brain and body need sufficient, regular sleep to recover from the stresses of each day and to bring order to mind and body functions.

In a normal sleep pattern, the brain cycles through various stages of wakefulness and deep slumber. Some conditions may disturb the progression of these stages. Insomnia disturbs the sleep pattern by interfering with the plunge into deep sleep. Sleep apnea causes breathing to repeatedly stop for one or more breaths, resulting in periodic low blood oxygen.

There are also conditions that make it difficult for people to fall asleep. In teenagers, a problem getting to sleep is often related to delayed sleep phase syndrome. Commonly, problems falling asleep may be related to anxiety, and problems staying asleep may be related to clinical depression; both conditions may require treatment.

All of these conditions that disturb a normal sleep pattern deprive the body and mind of needed recovery from daily stress and leave the person tired, functioning poorly, and susceptible to disease. However, there are things that can be done to improve the quality of sleep and rest.

To learn more: Sleep and Rest
From Church magazines -
Exhaustion is Not a Prerequisite to Perfection, Ensign, October 1993, 51
Missionary Health Preparation, Ensign, March 2007, 62
Run and Not Be Weary, Ensign, June 2009, 66

Expressions of Love

Couples of all ages share the many ways they have found to express love for each other.

How Do I Love Thee?

Elder Holland gives a powerful talk about how you can better show love for your friends, family, dates or spouse by following the example of Jesus Christ.

Sleep and Emotional Vulnerability

"Most of us don’t need science to tell us that sleep and emotion are closely linked.  Spend a couple nights with interrupted sleep or talk to any parent of a newborn and the connection is quite clear....If sleep problems persist, or if they are extreme, see a doctor.  Sleep disturbance can be a sign of physical problems.  Breaking the cycle between sleep disturbance and intense emotion can help you to improve all areas of your life."  Christy Matta, MA

To learn more:  Sleep and Emotional Vulnerability, Sleep Deprivation

Coping with Grief and Loss

You may associate grief with the death of a loved one, but any loss can cause grief, including the loss of a relationship, your health, your job, or a cherished dream. After a significant loss, you may experience all kinds of difficult and surprising emotions, such as shock, anger, and guilt. Sometimes it may feel like the sadness will never let up.

While these emotions can feel very painful, accepting them as part of the grieving process and allowing yourself to feel what you feel is necessary for healing.

As you deal with your loss, remember that there is no order or timetable for grief. Everyone grieves differently, but there are healthy ways to cope and heal from the pain.

To learn more: Coping with Grief and Loss

Teen Depression - a Guide for Parents and a Guide for Teens

Teenage depression isn’t just bad moods and the occasional melancholy—it’s a serious problem that impacts every aspect of a teen’s life. Teen depression can lead to drug and alcohol abuse, self-loathing and self-mutilation, pregnancy, violence, and even suicide. But as a concerned parent, teacher, or friend, there are many ways you can help. Talking about the problem and offering support can go a long way toward getting your teenager back on track.

To learn more: Teen Depression: A Guide for Parents

The teenage years can be tough, and it’s perfectly normal to feel sad or irritable every now and then. But if these feelings don’t go away or become so intense that you can’t handle them, you may be suffering from depression. The good news is that you don’t have to feel this way. Help is available and you have more power than you think. There are many things you can do to help yourself or a friend start feeling better.

To learn more: Teen Depression: A Guide for Teens

Enduring it Well

To take a deeper look at real people who are meeting life's challenges and have endured or are enduring trials well check out Mormon Channel - Enduring it Well.