Summer is flying by! I’m including five tips for parents to use when preparing their adolescents to return to school including reminders to revisit sleep schedules, updating study spaces, restocking snacks, keeping available and approachable for when your teen needs you, reflection on positive summer memories, and creation of new goals for the year.

As spring break approaches, families have a golden opportunity to step away from the routine of everyday life and prioritize quality time together. Even if a vacation isn't on the agenda, there are plenty of strategies families can use to disconnect from stress and connect with each other. Here are some ways to make the most of the extra time together: Unplug and set boundaries with screen time, get outdoors, do self care activities, establish rituals, and be present with those you love.

Insert summarInternational Self-Injury Awareness Day is approaching. There is no time like the present to raise awareness about self-harm, reduce stigma surrounding the topic, and provide support to individuals who experience self-harm urges or behaviors. As a therapist, I want to share the most common misconceptions I often hear from folks who may not fully understand it.

When a person performs acts of kindness, it often inspires others to do the same. This ripple effect allows for a more compassionate and caring society while enhancing your own feelings of happiness, satisfaction, and connection.

February 6th was Safer Internet Day. Creating safe online practices is an ongoing process that evolves with parental guidance and trust. Every family will have their own rules and expectations related to online behavior. Here are some quick tips to help children and adolescents create safe and healthy internet and social media practices. These practices will enhance your child’s online safety and success with overall benefits to mental health and wellbeing.

It is starting to feel like spring. Embrace the changing weather while taking a mindful walk outdoors. Use nature to practice mindfulness because it is rejuvenating and grounding. It can be a spiritual experience to step outside and connect to something much bigger than you. Happy walking!

Brene Brown emphasizes that embracing imperfection allows for positive outcomes and is essential to living a balanced and fulfilling life. Imperfection enhances connection, creativity, resilience, courage, self-compassion. It improves authenticity, allows us to embrace vulnerability, and prepares for acceptance.

The holiday season is often filled with festivities, gatherings, and traditions, but it can also bring a whirlwind of stress and pressure. Amidst the hustle and bustle, it's essential to prioritize your well-being and embrace the joyful moments that the holidays offer. Let’s review practical tips to manage holiday stress, stay present, and enhance the joy during this special time.

Gratitude is the heartfelt acknowledgment and appreciation of the good things, experiences, or people in our lives, fostering a sense of thankfulness and positivity. When someone practices gratitude, they notice the positives on purpose. This intentional reflection provides physical, mental, and emotional benefits.

Guided imagery is a relaxation technique that involves mentally visualizing a specific scene. It is designed to promote calm, reduce stress, and improve focus by engaging all the senses. Guided imagery scripts and narrated versions are available online. Search for a scenario that is relaxing to you. In the meantime, try this one minute exercise for autumn.

Research shows a connection between the start or end of daylight saving time and sleep deprivation, fatigue, health and safety concerns, reduced productivity, and mood disturbances. These issues occur when your body experiences changing exposures to daylight and disrupted sleep as a result.

While one hour may not seem like much, any sudden change to a person’s sleep can be troublesome. The good news is that daylight saving time is scheduled. This gives us time to prepare by reducing vulnerabilities to enhance sleep and overall wellness. Consider these strategies when responding to daylight saving time:

Improving communication with your adolescent is essential for maintaining a healthy and harmonious family dynamic. Consider the timing, be a role model, schedule family meetings and time with your teen, love them unconditionally, avoid judgment or lectures, provide validation, be respectful, set rules and expectations, ask open ended questions, and keep calm yourself.

Depression affects millions of people worldwide everyday, including those we care deeply about. It is often isolating, unpredictable yet persistent, and invisible at times. While some symptoms may be apparent, many aspects remain hidden from view. Some of the less obvious struggles that individuals with depression manage everyday include mental fatigue and other physical ailments, isolation, loneliness, disrupted sleep, mood shifts, difficulty making decisions, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of guilt and shame.

Differentiating between mental illness and typical teenage behavior can be challenging because adolescence is a time of significant emotional and psychological development. It's common for teenagers to exhibit mood swings, experiment with new behaviors, and go through periods of adjustment. That being said, it is also important to recognize when these behaviors might indicate the presence of a mental health concern. Some factors to consider include: Duration, Consistency, Severity, and Intensity, impact on daily functioning and life, family history, and general review of risky behaviors.

In the hustle and bustle of our busy lives, it's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of daily tasks and responsibilities. We often find ourselves giving so much to others, whether it's to our jobs, families, or communities, that we forget one vital truth: "You can't pour from an empty cup."

Taking care of yourself is not a selfish act but a fundamental practice for enhancing your overall calm and wellness. In this blog, we'll explore the importance of self-care, the art of being proactive and intentional about it, and how to establish a routine that nourishes your mind, body, and soul.

Choosing the right mental health therapist is an important step in your journey toward recovery and improved well-being. Consider your needs, goals, research your options, review websites and blog content, interview or schedule a consultation, assess your comfort level, discuss treatment approaches, and remember you are the consumer to your healthcare experience.