Stress is more complex than just recognizing we’re overwhelmed and jumping into a warm bath to feel better. Maybe you feel like you’ve heard all there is to hear about stress and coping with it. Even still, let’s take just a little bit of time to talk about it and see if there’s anything you might be overlooking as potentially stress-related and maybe give you some coping skills you haven’t tried yet!
A Mindful Approach to Mental Health Resolutions
As we usher in another new year, many of us find ourselves contemplating resolutions, goals, and aspirations for the months ahead. While the idea of a fresh start can be invigorating, it's essential to approach New Year's resolutions with a mindful perspective, especially when it comes to our mental health. So, let’s explore the significance of setting mental health resolutions, discuss common challenges, and offer practical tips for cultivating a positive and balanced approach to the year ahead.
Back-To-School Preparation
Does it feel like summer is going by too quickly? As we turn the calendar into August, the carefree days filled with vacations, outdoor fun, and less restricted routines begin to turn into more rigid schedules. So, how do we prepare ourselves for this inevitable change? Well, it may not be that difficult for adults to adjust to. But, how about our kids?
The Summer Blues: The Other Side of Seasonal Affective Disorder
Ah, at last, the summer has finally arrived! For many people, this time of year brings a sense of joy, lightheartedness, and fun. Afterall, what’s not to like about sunshine, beach outings, vacations, and longer days? It would seem like a simple equation for happiness and uplifted moods- right? However, a small percentage of people experience summer much differently than the majority. You have probably heard of seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, which is typically associated with the winter months. This is when a person experiences symptoms of depression due to less sunlight and colder temperatures. However, for a smaller subset of people, summer has the opposite effect and triggers an increase in anxiety and depression symptoms. Experts believe it may be attributed to higher humidity levels, social pressures, body image issues, or longer days. So, what can we do to help ease summer depression symptoms? Here are a few tips to help cope with SAD in the summer.
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!