The Impact of Summer Ending on Mental Health: Navigating the End of Summer Blues

As the sun sets on summer and we begin to trade in our swimsuits for sweaters, it’s not uncommon to feel a bit of a mood shift. The transition from the lazy, hazy days of summer to the cooler, more structured days of fall can bring about what many refer to as the "end of summer blues." If you’re feeling a little down as the season changes, you’re not alone! Let’s dive into why the end of summer can mess with your mood and what you can do to keep your mental health in check during this time.

Nikki Lacherza-DrewAugust 20, 2024Dr. Nikki, psychology, psychologist, NJ, NY, FL, VT, summer, fall, new beginnings, transitions, mental health, mental wellness, support, care, education, psychoeducation, routines, serotonin, sleep, melatonin, seasons

Seasonal Depression: 4 Tips

Well, it is that time of year again, the hustle and bustle of the holiday season are now upon us! While the season can be a favorite for many, the reality is that many people do not see it as such. Whether it be the financial strain, pressure to be joyous, memories of loved ones who are no longer part of our lives, lack of sunlight, or the angst of reflecting upon another year of unfulfilled resolutions, joy often turns to sadness during these months. Whatever the reason, the holiday season can be a trigger to a mood disorder called Seasonal Affective Disorder. Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, fatigue, irritability, and loss of interest in activities are often common symptoms for people experiencing this disorder. So, how can we cope with this difficult time? Here are a few tips on handling the stressful feelings associated with seasonal depression.

Nikki Lacherza-DrewNovember 4, 2022Dr. Nikki, psychology, psychologist, therapy, therapist, mental health, mental health awareness, it’s ok to not be ok, reduce the stigma, NJ, NY, FL, VT, depression, mood, fall, winter, holidays, seasonal depression, SAD, sadness, family, friends, feelings, emotions, cope, coping, coping skills, self love, self care

Tips for Handling Busy School Schedules

Ok, so it’s that time of year again- school is back in full swing and the calendar is starting to fill up very quickly! Do you ever feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day or days in the week to accomplish everything? Homework, routines, work, dinners, playdates, sports, afterschool clubs, holidays, and the list goes on. It is certainly a challenge to get through our checklists and still feel like we can breathe. Well, guess what? With a little organizing and some determination, you can make it work and still enjoy those moments!

Nikki Lacherza-DrewOctober 1, 2022therapy, therapist, psychology, NJ, NY, FL, VT, planning, plan, back to school, fall, parents, family, kids, school, chaos, mental health, mental health awareness, boundaries, Dr. Nikki, reduce the stigma, it's ok to not be ok, support, care, tips, cope, coping, coping skills, self love, self care

Halloween & Kids

Halloween can be such a fun and exciting time for many individuals. Most kids get excited to dress up as their favorite character and load their bellies with lots of candy. However, what happens when Halloween isn’t a fun time for your child? What happens if they get nervous about the costumes? What happens if they can’t eat most candy because of allergies? What happens when almost everyone at school has paired off for festivities and your child is now excluded?

Nikki Lacherza-DrewOctober 20, 2021Dr. Nikki, psychologist, psychology, therapy, therapist, mental health, mental health awareness, it's ok to not be ok, reduce the stigma, anxiety, stress, Halloween, fall, costumes, scary, candy, fitting in, child, children, kids, fun, activities, ghosts, allergies, validate, support, problem solve, listen, care, caring, NJ, NY, VT, FL

Winter Blues... or Is It?

Can you believe it’s October already? Where did summer go and where did September go? October offers the promise of fall activities, the upcoming holiday season, and the (usual) dreaded clock change. I mean, most of us do like getting an extra hour of sleep, but most of us also dislike how early it gets dark now.

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