For some, the changing of the leaves and cooler temperature spark joy, for others it means shorter days, less sunlight and the onset of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Unlike holiday blues, which many people experience during this time of year due to added stress of the season, SAD is a recurrent clinical depression linked to person’s predisposed biology. The exact cause has not been determined, but many studies suggest a correlation with reduced sunlight exposure. This is found to interfere with the body’s biological clock, which regulates mood, sleep, and hormones. Recent research, is also associating low vitamin D levels as a factor in those diagnosed.
Why Are Teens So Stressed Out? Part 2
In the first part of this blog, we looked at how chronic stress is beginning to impact teens in high school. Earlier this month, The Atlantic Magazine addressed this issue in their article “High Stress High School”. Teens are under increasing pressure/stress related to academic performance, intense focus on college applications/decisions, standardized test score performance and balancing their daily activities. In our previous post, we identified signs of chronic stress in teens and here are a few ways teens can cope with stress in a healthy manner. Developing healthy coping skills can be a lifelong goal, but parents can encourage and model good coping skills for their teens, right when they need it most!
Thriving During the Holiday Season with a Mood Disorder
Stress has become synonymous with the holiday season. For those with a diagnosed mood disorder, the holiday season can be a time of increased mood shifts. Stress whether good or bad can cause a change. Being prepared is the best way to control the shifts so that you are not spending the New Year trying to come back from mania or depression.
HALT Part 2 of 5 – Am I hungry?
It may sound counterproductive to pause the conversation and take a lunch break, but by doing so, you can prevent a potential conflict from descending into a kitchen-sink fight that will take much more time.
Why Are Teens So Stressed Out?
Teens experience stress in many areas of their lives. Some stress, in small doses can be helpful for motivation. But many teens are experiencing higher levels of stress for extended periods of time, which is called ‘chronic stress’. If chronic stress isn’t identified and coped with, a teen’s physical and emotional health can be negatively impacted.
HALT Part 1 of 5 – Something to remember just before your next fight.
This is hands down one of the most helpful tools I have ever come across as a counselor. It’s a fairly common question used for self-reflection in recovery circles. You may be familiar with it if you or someone close to you has ever struggled with substance abuse. However, the … Read More
The Importance of Consistent Sleep Patterns
Are your children difficult to manage? Are they having behavior concerns that seem out of control? While there may be a variety of reasons, sleep patterns could be one of the most impacting. According to some research, children with inconsistent sleep patterns are more likely to have emotional difficulties, increased … Read More
How to Talk to Your Children About Tragedy, Part 2 of 2
In the previous blog, we discussed tips on how to talk to your children when we are faced with tragic situations. But what if your children are not handling it well? How do you help your children manage and cope? Here are a few ways to help.
How to Talk to Your Children About Tragedy, Part 1 of 2
As adults, it can be hard for us to understand or even wrap our minds around tragedy. It can be even harder to try to explain a tragedy to our children. How do you even start? Detailed below are few tips in order to help you talk to your children when faced with tragedy.
Letter to Parents of an Injured Student-Athlete
You are not alone. Did you know that according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control high school students account for an estimated 2 million injuries each year? Although this may be true, when it happens to your son or daughter you may feel very alone and alienated. After the panic and relief that your child is “ok” wears off, the disbelief and disappointment starts to set in. Does this sound familiar? Depending on the injury, you may begin to wonder how your child’s ability to play will be impacted in the future. You may have feelings of helplessness because you can’t “fix” the situation. All of these feelings and frustrations are very normal but may cause significant emotional distress without proper care. This difficult experience can be managed by a variety of coping skills.