“Consider the implications for students pulling all-nighters, emergency-room medical staff, military fighters in war zones and police officers on graveyard shifts.” This statement comes from Stanford University postdoctoral fellow Andrea Goldstein-Piekarski. But what, exactly is she referring to? Sleep, or lack thereof, is one of the most influential powers affecting our mental and physical well-being. …
Blog
The Realities of Teen Vaping
It seems that everywhere you turn you find conflicting opinions on the safety of e-cigarettes. Because e-cigarettes don’t burn tobacco, vaping—inhaling nicotine through a pen-like device—is automatically thought of as a “cleaner” alternative to smoking, but this is not the case. While traditional cigarettes are widely known to be addictive, dangerous and to cause cancer, …
Your Child Wants to Drop Out of College: What’s Your Plan?
At colleges across the country, teachers and administrators are noticing a disconcerting trend: a dramatic decrease in student resilience. Today’s college students are critically lacking in the skills they need to handle the ups and downs of daily life, especially as they make the transition to adulthood. In fact, a study by the National Alliance …
Study Update: The Newfound Effect of Sleep Deprivation
“Consider the implications for students pulling all-nighters, emergency-room medical staff, military fighters in war zones and police officers on graveyard shifts.” This statement comes from Stanford University postdoctoral fellow Andrea Goldstein-Piekarski. But what, exactly is she referring to? Sleep, or lack thereof, is one of the most influential powers affecting our mental and physical well-being. …
Seeing & Thinking Differently: The Art of Appreciation
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” -Albert Einstein Being grateful for what we have and expressing genuine appreciation for it. That’s potent stuff. And it’s simple, right? Not quite. People are not wired to be …
Mental Health Habits that Kill Your Teen’s Confidence
November 8-14 is National Mental Health Wellness Week, yet many families do not recognize this period of awareness as they feel it does not pertain to them. Even today, the term “mental health” comes with a stigma attached. “We now have clear evidence that stigma has a toxic effect by preventing people seeking help for …
A Parent’s Guide to Cyber Security
When you hear the phrase “we live in a digital age,” chances are your mind immediately wanders to the Internet and social media—and with good reason. The vast majority of teens are surfing the Web, watching videos, connecting on social media, Instagram, pinning… not to mention tweeting. The Internet touches every family in some aspect …
Battling Adversity: How Can You Best Support Your Daughter?
According to a 2015 Girlguiding girl’s attitude survey, nearly half of female young adults in the UK have needed help improving the status of their mental health, but have struggled to find the proper support they need to overcome their challenges. What’s worse, is the study shows specific concerns have evolved drastically over the last …
What Your Teen’s Style Says About Their Behavioral Health
Teens—they’re stuck in between being a child and young adult, and just now beginning to explore their individuality. They know what they do and don’t like, and they know they’re always right, especially when it comes to their clothing choices. It can be difficult to find the balance between allowing your teen to express themselves …
Marijuana 101: Does Substance Abuse Stunt Teenage Brain Development?
With the legalization of recreational marijuana use in Colorado, Washington and Oregon, a growing number of teens believe marijuana use is harmless. Widespread news coverage focused on medical marijuana and the substance’s potential therapeutic effects also could add to this sentiment. But what solid research has been conducted to really look at the effects of …
Teaching Our Teens to See the Silver Linings
The phrase “silver lining” has become the go-to cliche in the midst of difficulty. Success in finding silver linings when things go wrong means leaving shyness behind, shifting focus and learning to live what you love. It’s dwelling in the beauty vs. dwelling in the ugly. It’s leveraging every experience in a positive light. And …