Despite advancements in the general public’s understanding of mental health issues and improved access to mental health services, stigma around mental health remains. The dictionary defines stigma as a mark of shame or disgrace that discredits or ostracizes an individual. Stigma often leads to prejudice, or negative judgments or assumptions about a person based on … Read more
The beginning of a new year is often a time when people take stock of their day-to-day lives and decide to make changes. However, they often find that their desire to do things differently doesn’t easily translate into actual long-lasting changes. If you are hoping to create some healthier habits in the new year, here … Read more
If you sift through the noise and fury that dominates our daily news cycles, you may have noticed a recently published study that suggests optimists live longer than pessimists. A paper published in last month’s Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America examined data from long-term studies of data … Read more
As we move from the lazy, hazy days of summer to the hectic, jam-packed days of a new school year, I thought it might be helpful to review some ways to manage the inevitable stress that comes with this transition. Stress is a normal physical response to events that make us feel threatened or upset … Read more
Being a child is hard. While as adults we may idealize our childhood years and daydream about returning to that simpler time, let us not forget that being a kid in today’s society (or at any point in time, really) has its challenges. Most kids feel a lack of control over their own lives; they … Read more
Self-care can mean something different from one person to another. In general, self-care includes any intentional act you take to care for your physical, emotional, and mental health. While good self-care practices are often overlooked due to the daily grind of life, they are imperative for overall wellness and health. They help us fight off … Read more
Happiness is something that everyone strives to achieve, even if its definition is vague or person-dependent. The paths to achieving happiness are equally varied. For some people, happiness is being surrounded by loving friends and family. To others, it’s financial independence, experiencing a big belly laugh, or eating a delicious piece of cake. While the … Read more
Many of us know that it is important to take breaks during the workday. Taking breaks helps improve focus, reduce fatigue, and decrease the risk of work-related physical problems, such as carpel tunnel. While we often think of breaks as requiring large chunks of time (such as a lunch break), recent research has focused on … Read more
As winter break quickly approaches, many children and their families are eager for a chance to relax, unwind, and enjoy some much-needed time away from the demands of school. However, for many children, this time of year can also be a source of significant stress. In particular, children with developmental delays, AD/HD, anxiety disorders, and … Read more
Sleep, nutrition, and exercise are the three lifestyle factors that are most associated with mental health. Teens need between eight and ten hours of sleep per night, with most teens needing about nine hours of sleep. Unfortunately, studies have shown that most teens are not getting the sleep they need. In fact, the average teen … Read more
