stress

Our kids should not go back to normal

Why life Shouldn’t go Back to “Normal” When it Comes to our Kids’ Mental Health

Posted on by stephen

Most of America is coming out of over a year of lock down due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The majority of schools are offering at least some in-person learning. Recreational sports are beginning to resume. Several states have started to drop mask mandates for vaccinated individuals. Large scale sporting events and even concerts are back on Spring and Summer schedules for many venues.

Things are finally getting back to normal.

We are hearing this phrase in many different settings. At the grocery store check-out line. At school drop off. At the end of work zoom calls. We smile as we say it – no doubt dreaming of the summer BBQ’s and beach vacations that may finally be within reach.

But when it comes to the mental health of our kids and teens, what if “getting back to normal” isn’t the best metric to meet?

Continue reading →

Cutting back on drinking

How and Why to Cut Back on Alcohol Intake

Posted on by stephen

Many people report an increase in alcohol intake when they are feeling stressed, anxious, or depressed. According to the 2015–2020 Dietary Guideline, moderate alcohol consumption is defined as having up to 1 drink per day for women and up to 2 drinks per day for men.  You can find out more about what defines a standard drink here. Health providers recommend that if you find yourself consuming more than this guideline, you should consider reevaluating. Because alcohol consumption can become a habit that is sometimes hard to break, we provide a few recommendations here on how and why to cut back.

Continue reading →

Mental Health with Exercise

The Mental Health Benefits of Exercise

Posted on by stephen

Exercise is defined as any body movement that makes your muscles work and requires your body to use calories. There are a variety of different types of physical exercise including running, walking, swimming, lifting weights, dancing and many others. You are likely aware of the physical health benefits that come with regular exercise such as weight control, lower blood pressure, reduced risk of diabetes, and increased energy. But did you also know that there are important mental health benefits from exercise? Regardless of age or fitness level, research shows that making time for exercise provides some serious mental health benefits.

Continue reading →

Preparing your children for summer with COVID-19

(Home) School’s out for Summer: Strategies for a Successful Transition

Posted on by Kelly Foran-Tuller

This year, the transition into summer break is going to look very different. Children and teens are missing the wind down of the academic year that is marked by notable school events such as field day, end of year parties, prom, and moving up ceremonies or graduations. In the past, these events signaled the ending of one chapter and the beginning of summer break. In my own experience with my first grader, the end of the school year just this week lacked any pomp and circumstance at all. The last day of distance learning was similar in format to that of the previous three months; from a zoom call in the morning to google classroom assignments in the afternoon. To make matters more complicated for parents, camp and summer vacation plans may have been canceled, rendering the weeks ahead with fewer opportunities for external structure and pleasant distraction. Without the natural transitions that the end of the academic year provide, parents might find themselves having a difficult time helping their child switch modes from school to summer. Here are some tips to help keep your child on track so that Summer 2020 can be as rewarding as possible for everyone in the family.

Continue reading →