In today’s fast-paced and demanding world, it’s no surprise that mental health concerns have become increasingly prevalent. The pressures of work, school, relationships, and social media to name a few, can often feel overwhelming, leaving individuals feeling mentally drained and emotionally exhausted. Amidst the constant hustle and bustle of life, taking a moment to pause…
En el mundo acelerado y exigente de hoy, no sorprende que los problemas de salud mental sean cada vez más frecuentes. Las presiones del trabajo, de la escuela, de las relaciones y de las redes sociales, por nombrar algunos, a menudo pueden resultar abrumadoras, dejando a las personas sintiéndose mental y emocionalmente agotadas. En medio…
Achieving independence is an important goal of growing up, and one that can be challenging for both teens and parents. As teens start to navigate the world on their own, they’ll face new responsibilities and opportunities, and they’ll need to develop the skills and confidence to make good decisions. Here are some tips to help…
Lograr la independencia es una meta importante del crecimiento y puede ser un desafío para ambos adolescentes y padres. A medida que los adolescentes comienzan a navegar por el mundo por su cuenta enfrentarán nuevas responsabilidades y oportunidades y necesitarán desarrollar las habilidades y la confianza para tomar buenas decisiones. Aquí están algunos consejos para…
Maintaining open and effective communication with teens is one of the most important aspects of parenting. As children grow into adolescents and young adults, they begin to develop their own sense of self and independence. This can be both exciting and challenging for parents, as it often means that teens may be more likely to…
Mantener una comunicación abierta y eficaz con los adolescentes es uno de los aspectos más importantes de la parentalidad. A medida que los niños se convierten en adolescentes y adultos jóvenes, comienzan a desarrollar su propio sentido de uno mismo – o identidad – y la independencia. Esto puede ser emocionante y desafiante para los…
Exam preparation and test anxiety can be a major challenge for teens during the spring as they prepare for final exams and standardized tests. These high-pressure situations can lead to increased stress and anxiety, making it difficult for teens to focus and retain information. As parents and caregivers, it’s important to understand how to help…
La preparación para los exámenes y la ansiedad ante los mismos pueden ser un gran desafío para los adolescentes durante la primavera mientras ellos se preparan para exámenes finales y pruebas estandarizadas. Estas situaciones de alta presión pueden conducir a un aumento del estrés y ansiedad, lo que dificulta que los adolescentes se concentren y…
Motivation greatly impacts a student’s academic performance at all grade levels and impacts overall well-being. With unmotivated students, it is important to understand and support them with appropriate measures. Before diving into remedies to improve motivation, it’s important to note that motivation can be greatly affected by learning disabilities and is a symptom of many…
La motivación tiene un gran impacto en el rendimiento académico de los estudiantes – en todos los grados – y además de afectar el bienestar general de ellos. Con estudiantes desmotivados, es importante comprenderlos y apoyarlos con las medidas adecuadas. Antes de sumergirse en las compensaciones para mejorar la motivación, es importante tener en cuenta…
Worry can be tricky. On the mild end, it can be interpreted as helpful or caring and can help a student ace their science quiz by over-preparing. On the other hand, it can become a ruthless dictator that rules your life. Worry is repetitive and masks itself as problem-solving, when it is actually the exact…
La preocupación puede ser engañosa. En el extremo leve, puede interpretarse como útil o afectuoso y puede ayudar a los estudiantes a superar su prueba de ciencias con una preparación excesiva. Por otro lado, puede convertirse en un despiadado dictador que gobierna tu vida. La preocupación es repetitiva y se disfraza de resolución de problemas,…
Self-care is a commonly discussed concept, and rightfully so. Be it a walk in nature, coffee with a friend, or a date night, taking time to intentionally show ourselves love, care, and respect is critical for well-being. Once you’ve taken care of yourself, caring for the community around you can tremendously enhance your overall well-being.…
El autocuidado es un concepto comúnmente discutido, y con razón. Ya sea un paseo por la naturaleza, un café con un amigo, o una noche de cita, tomarse el tiempo para mostrarse intencionalmente amor, cuidado y respeto es fundamental para el bienestar. Una vez que te hayas cuidado a ti mismo, cuidar a la comunidad…
Have you ever caught yourself dwelling on something or getting lost in your negative thoughts? If so, you may be experiencing rumination, an action our brains seem to take on without permission and one that can be all-consuming; even (metaphorically) paralyzing. According to the American Psychiatric Association, “rumination involves repetitive thinking or dwelling on negative feelings…the repetitive, negative…
¿Alguna vez te has sorprendido pensando en algo o perdiéndote en tus pensamientos negativos? Si es así, tu puedes estar experimentando rumiación, una acción que nuestros cerebros parecen realizar sin permiso y que puede consumirlo todo; incluso (metafóricamente) paralizarle. De acuerdo con la Asociación Estadounidense de Psiquiatría, “la rumiación involucra pensamientos repetitivos o insistir en sentimientos…
As fall continues into winter, mental health professionals anticipate an increase in depression and anxiety in our communities. Winter is coming: a time when the days get shorter, darker, and colder. Heavier clothing layers come out, and shovels are on hand. We plan for the holiday season: the season that is joyous for some and…
A medida que el otoño avanza hacia el invierno, los profesionales de la salud mental anticipan un aumento de la depresión y la ansiedad en nuestras comunidades. Se acerca el invierno: una época en la que los días se vuelven más cortos, más oscuros y más fríos. Vestimos ropas más pesadas y hay palas a…
“My child’s standardized test scores are high and they qualified for advanced courses, so why are they struggling in their classes?” Does this question sound familiar? Cognitive intelligence does not always align with academic performance and emotional intelligence. Success can be defined in many different ways and is often achieved when an individual reaches a…
While interacting with the education system, you may commonly hear the term “Executive Function” used to describe mental skills and ways of thinking that help individuals plan, monitor, and successfully execute goals. Executive functions also include processes such as working memory, organization, impulse control, attention, flexible thinking, time management, and emotion control. Essential skills for school success.
We consume daily media coverage of violent acts occurring across the world. These tragic events can cause varying reactions depending on an individual’s age, background, past experiences, and identity. Individuals may also react differently depending on the format in which they receive the information such as viewing disturbing images online, watching/reading the news, or hearing information second-hand through conversation with others.
Summer is officially here: longer days, warmer temperatures, and opportunities abound for outdoor activities here in Northern Illinois. While many are enjoying these outdoor, summertime activities, an overwhelming amount of young people (and many adults) are increasingly staying inside. Between school and home, kids spend over seven hours per day on screens, and according to one…
As we approach National Anxiety and Depression Awareness Week (May 8-15 this year), we are wrapping up our anxiety series with practical information to help you navigate the physical and emotional discomfort that often comes from anxiety. The term “combat” is in the title of this article because actively lowering anxiety often feels just like…
As we continue our series of articles on anxiety, which many more people are experiencing since the start of the pandemic, we need to explore one of the most basic functions of life: breathing. You cannot and will not “pass out” by holding your breath, but hyperventilate for 60 seconds or more and you can…
When people think of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), they often think of the observable compulsion, like checking locks or excessive washing. What goes unrealized is that this is just one dimension of the condition, and that the troublesome compulsion is associated with an equally troubling obsession. When someone with OCD engages in a compulsion (a…
If you’ve Googled the term “anxiety” you know there are nearly 4 billion (with a “b”) results, and with good reason: countless people are trying to understand how to navigate difficult and sometimes new feelings. Back in 2019, the CDC reported that 11.9% of adults experienced symptoms of worry, nervousness, or anxiety but since the…