Posts tagged mood
Seasonal Depression: 4 Tips
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.

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Nikki Lacherza-DrewDr. 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
Positive Affirmations
Positive Affirmations

The phrase “positive affirmations” seems to pop up everywhere now. We scroll on social media and they are there. We hear about them on TV shows and movies, and now our kids’ teachers are using them in the classroom. Great exposure, but what the heck are they, and why are they important?

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Nikki Lacherza-DrewDr. Nikki, psychology, psychologist, therapy, therapist, mental health, mental health awareness, it’s ok to not be ok, reduce the stigma, NJ, NY, Fl, VT, positive, positivity, positive affirmations, thoughts, thinking, cognitions, patterns, brain, behaviors, routine, stress, anxiety, emotions, feelings, mood
5 Tips for Showing Gratitude
5 Tips for Showing Gratitude

Can you believe it’s the last week of October? Where did this month go? While most people are busy getting ready for the upcoming holiday weekend, some of us are already looking ahead to the holiday season. What is the holiday season going to look like this year? Will we finally be able to have a “normal” gathering for the holidays that doesn’t include video calls? Regardless of what the holiday season may look like for you this year, we are going into a season to show kindness, gratitude, and caring. No, we don’t need a specific season to display these traits. However, if you have been finding a decrease in your use of these things, there is no better time to start!

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Nikki Lacherza-DrewDr. Nikki, psychology, psychologist, mental health, mental health awareness, reduce the stigma, it's ok to not be ok, therapy, therapist, NJ, NY, FL, VT, kindness, be kind, kind, gratitude, care, caring, support, give thanks, thank you, compassion, family, friends, celebrate the little things, mood, emotions, happy, happiness
5 Tips for Better Sleep Hygiene
5 Tips for Better Sleep Hygiene

It’s here! We gain an extra hour of sleep! Although many of us dread how early it becomes dark, most of us appreciate the extra hour of sleep we get. As we go into the shorter days of light, and into the holiday season, it is the perfect time to remember good sleep hygiene. Here are my top 5 tips when it comes to proper a healthy sleep routine.

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Nikki Lacherza-DrewDr. Nikki, psychology, psychologist, therapy, therapist, mental health, mental health awareness, it's ok to not be ok, reduce the stigma, sleep, sleep hygiene, tired, fatigue, clocks changing, daylight savings, rest, bed, snore, exercise, mood, emotions, bedtime, relax, calm, blanket, pillow, NJ, NY, FL, VT
5 Tips for Appropriate Device Usage
5 Tips for Appropriate Device Usage

Let’s talk about devices and screen time. This is a hot topic that I frequently discuss with the parents of my patients. Since COVID-19 and the summer vacation being here, I have discussed it even more often lately.

Various studies have shown that screen time can impact eyesight, mood, impulsivity, and self-esteem. That short list isn’t even exhaustive either. Many parents I work with ask me what is an appropriate time for their child to be on devices and how early is too early for children to be exposed to devices.

To further assist in setting appropriate boundaries with devices, here are some tips:

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Nikki Lacherza-DrewDr. Nikki, psychologist, psychology, mental health, mental health awareness, reduce the stigma, it’s ok to not be ok, technology, screens, devices, screen time, anxiety, depression, limits, boundaries, sleep hygiene, parenting, screen limits, mood, friends, family, relationships, rules, expectations, phones, tablets, computers, set boundaries, children, teens