Mental Health and the Back-To-School Transition
Mental Health and the Back-To-School Transition By Emmett Wells, LCSW, Clinical Director at Embark Behavioral Health in Greenwood Village, CO The back-to-school season marks a significant shift in the lives of children and young people. As students return to the structured academic year this fall, they not only face the demands of coursework but also the responsibility and social pressures. Amid the ongoing youth mental health crisis in the United States, it's crucial for families to communicate and lean on each other. This transition can bring both positive and negative effects. It offers opportunities for growth and learning but can also trigger mood swings, heightened anxiety, and depression in young individuals. To effectively support adolescents during this crucial time, parents and caregivers must adapt to the unique challenges their children may encounter. Active Listening and Relationship Building During this back-to-school transition, active listening is crucial. Parents and caregivers should be prepared for conversations that might be challenging for their children. This could include discussions about academic stress, social dynamics, or personal struggles. By actively listening and creating a safe space for dialogue, caregivers can nurture a secure caregiver-child relationship. This relationship provides a foundation for adolescents to express their thoughts, feelings, and concerns without fear of judgment. It's within these safe spaces that young people are more likely to open up about their struggles, making it easier for parents to provide the support they need. Cultivating Positive Habits for Youth Mental Health Positive habits play a pivotal role in the mental well-being of anxious or depressed youth as they return to school. These habits not only help in managing academic and social responsibilities but also serve as valuable life skills. Establishing routines that incorporate healthy practices is an excellent starting point. These routines can include consistent sleep schedules, balanced nutrition, and regular exercise. Such practices contribute to physical well-being, which, in turn, positively impacts mental health. Encouraging children to participate in after-school activities aligned with their interests and passions can foster a sense of community, providing much-needed emotional support and a sense of belonging. Moreover, dedicating time to develop coping skills is essential. Adolescents should be equipped with effective strategies for managing stress, anxiety, and other emotional challenges. This can include mindfulness exercises, deep breathing techniques, or seeking professional guidance when necessary. Parental Engagement and Adaptability Parental involvement in a child's education is a delicate balancing act. Encouraging independence while offering support can establish healthy boundaries without becoming overly involved. As adolescents
4 Wellness Tips to Give Your Teen Before They Move to College
4 Wellness Tips to Give Your Teen Before They Move to College Moving out for college is both exciting and scary for you and your teen. You might feel thrilled to see where life takes them, but also a bit nervous about their new life living alone. At the same time, your kid is looking forward to independence, yet they might have some concerns too. Previously, we provided advice on how to support your second-year college student living away from home, including tips on cleaning and preparing meals. Now, what advice can you offer to a first-time dormer, especially regarding their health? If you have a soon-to-be dormer, here are a few wellness tips you can share with them. Watch their portion sizes All parents want their children to eat well. However, that doesn't mean giving them free rein. After all, there's something called the "Freshman 15," which refers to the weight gain college students may experience in the first year due to lifestyle changes. This can be especially common among dormers who often resort to convenient yet unhealthy foods. Ignoring this issue could lead to more significant problems, like becoming overweight and its impact on overall health. Luckily, your kid can avoid this by simply being more mindful of their meal portion sizes—a habit encouraged by sustainable weight loss plans. By doing so, they can still enjoy their favourite foods while keeping track of what they eat. For example, if they notice they've been consuming too much fried food lately, it's a good sign to include more fresh fruits and vegetables in their meals. Additionally, they can focus on eating until they're no longer hungry rather than eating until they feel full. This way, they can maintain a healthier lifestyle without feeling deprived. Move their body College life is always busy with classes to attend, papers to pass, and presentations to make. Despite this, it's essential to remind your kid about the importance of regular exercise to keep their physical health in check. The best part is they can choose the type of exercise they enjoy the most. If dancing to music is their thing, they'll be glad to know that it not only brings joy but also helps build strength, improves mood, and enhances memory. On the other hand, if relaxation is more their style, yoga is a great option. It's low-impact and can improve balance and flexibility. The best part is they can do both
3 Products to Spring Clean Your Self-Care Routine
3 Products to Spring Clean Your Self-Care Routine By Arianne Granada Do you feel it? That warm, fresh breeze that signals the peak of spring? There's nothing quite like soaking up the sun and taking in the stunning greenery all around. Bees are buzzing, birds are chirping, and flowers are blooming—which means it's also time for allergy season! As we spend more time outdoors and are exposed to environmental stressors like pollen and UV rays, it's crucial to keep ourselves in tip-top shape. With spring comes unique challenges, and it can be tough to prioritize our own self-care amidst the hustle and bustle. That's why we've curated the ultimate spring self-care guide for you. This features tips and products to help busy parents like you feel refreshed and rejuvenated this season. Don't worry, we won't make you do any crazy yoga poses or run a marathon (unless that's your thing, of course!). So, grab a cup of tea and get ready to indulge in some well-deserved *me time*. Spruce up your oral care If you're looking to up your oral health game this spring, Listerine Cool Mint Mouthwash is a must-have. Not only does it provide longer-lasting fresh breath, but it also reaches parts of your mouth that you miss when brushing and flossing. It's a powerful weapon that's been shown to kill up to 99.9% of germs that cause bad breath, plaque buildup, and gingivitis. Plus, it's been proven to destroy 5x more plaque above the gumline than flossing alone. So, if you want to give your mouth the ultimate spring clean, add Listerine Cool Mint Mouthwash to your routine. Trust us, your teeth and gums will thank you for it! Revitalize your skin Spring's not all fun and games. It can also bring environmental stressors that can take a toll on your skin. Lontreau's Game Changer Global Antioxidant Serum can help you step up your spring self-care game by offering broad-spectrum protection against free radicals, infrared rays, and blue light. This lightweight serum packs a punch with its 9 types of antioxidants that help energize and hydrate your skin at the cellular level, thanks to its key ingredients: BVE and REX. BVE is a 100% animal-free collagen technology that restores elastin in your skin and stimulates collagen production. This results in firmer, more youthful-looking skin. Meanwhile, REX is a biomimetic ingredient that acts like a second skin, protecting your cells from urban pollution and blue light. It's like a superhero
10 Self-Care Gifts for the Holidays
10 Self-Care Gifts for the Holidays By Arianne Granada Holiday season is a stressful time of year, especially if you’re running around trying to get everything done. With all the parties and dinners, it can be easy to neglect your own self-care. This holiday gift guide will also help make sure you don’t forget yourself while shopping for others! Aveeno Calm+Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser The thing is, dry winter months can be a major stressor for your skin. That's why it's important to keep up with your skincare routine during the colder months—especially if you have sensitive skin. Infused with nourishing oat and calming feverfew, Aveeno® Calm+Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser gently cleanses and hydrates to maintain the skin's moisture barrier. This product gently lifts out dirt and impurities, leaving skin feeling hydrated and healthy. The perfect gift for skin enthusiasts! Genestra Sleep Gummies The holiday season is a perfect time to bring your loved ones together. But all that travelling and visiting can also lead to some pretty bad jet lag and sleeping problems. So skip the jet lag altogether with these Genestra Sleep Gummies instead! Besides helping reset the body's sleep-wake cycle, these delicious gummies help you fall asleep faster and sleep longer. 24" Rx Matrix Hollow Roller Like you, your family and friends might sometimes find themselves feeling tense and stressed. It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of a holiday season and neglect the body's needs. An effective foam roller can help relieve muscle tension, improve circulation, improve flexibility, and promote relaxation. Foam rollers are also great for getting a workout! Everlast's 24-inch Rx Matrix Hollow Roller penetrates deep into muscles for a relaxing massage. It is lightweight and portable, so you can transport it from home to the gym and when you're on the go. By combining a hollow core with a linear matrix design, it provides full-body relief for both large and small muscles. Jack Black's The Balm Squad The right lip balm is like a best friend—it’ll never fail you, and it will always be there to comfort you. This winter season, Jack Black's soothing Moisture Therapy Lip Balms SPF 25 make a great gift. In addition to providing long-lasting hydration and smooth lips all year-round, these award-winning flavours also protect lips from the sun. Remember to use them daily to maintain smooth lips throughout the colder months. Tom Ford Oud Wood Candle While you're stressing about what to get your loved ones this holiday season,
5 Signs of Teen Burnout
5 Signs of Teen Burnout by Carol Bunting We all want our teens to succeed in school, but putting them under too much pressure can lead to stress and anxiety. There's a risk of burnout if teens do too much at once—juggling studies, friends, family time, hobbies and chores. If you're worried about your teen's well-being, look out for these five signs of teen burnout. They're not taking part in their hobbies Hobbies help teens take breaks from their studies and unwind with fun activities. They also often help them to socialize if they're group-based hobbies, and they can offer a creative or physical outlet for letting go of emotions and burning off stress. If your teen is neglecting their usual hobbies, they may be overworked and unable to balance school and fun. They might also not have enough mental energy to devote to hobbies because school consumes most of their time. They're irritable It's common for teens to lash out or get frustrated with those around them because their moods can fluctuate as a result of their developing brains. However, stress compounds irritability, and if you notice the issue gets worse when there's a lot going on at school, your teen could be experiencing burnout. Perhaps they're irritable because they don't feel they're performing well enough, or because they're concerned about disappointing you. They aren't eating properly Stress and anxiety can impact appetite. For some, it causes undereating and cravings for sugar and junk food. A change in eating habits could indicate that your teenager is struggling with their workload. It may be particularly obvious that stress is affecting their appetite if there's a pattern in their eating habits. For example, if they don't eat their dinner during the week but tend to eat well at the weekends, they could be feeling extra anxious on school days. They isolate themselves Due to their irritability and desire for independence, teens spend more time alone in their rooms. However, if they suddenly start spending more time than usual isolated from others, especially if they're also avoiding spending time with their friends, this could be a sign that they're struggling. They have insomnia Symptoms of burnout include insomnia. Your mind is so busy worrying that you can't switch off and rest. Teens have different body clocks than adults and tend to stay up late, but if the late nights are lasting right until morning every night, there could be something else going on. Look for
7 Ways to Combat Mental Health Problems in Teen Boys
7 Ways to Combat Mental Health Problems in Teen Boys by Arianne Granada Talking about mental health with teen boys may be especially tricky because of their age and the way their brains are developing—especially if they're in the middle of a growth spurt. Unlike girls, who tend to talk about their emotions and ask for help, boys are often uncomfortable with these types of conversations because society makes it seem emotionally risky to demonstrate vulnerability. As parents, it is important that we help our teen boys to speak up about mental health issues. We should encourage them to talk to a friend or family member about their feelings and emotional issues ranging from stress at home and school to depression or anxiety. We chatted with Cassandra Simms, a psychiatrist who specializes in an all-boys residential treatment program at Embark Behavioral Health based in Chandler, Arizona, about how to help young men navigate through life with self-awareness and confidence. #1 Unlearn the stigma Mental health is still pretty taboo. We’re getting better about it, but for a long time, there has been a stigma around it being something to be ashamed of. This is often transferred down to our boys in society; they think they're weak if they aren't tough and don’t express their feelings. So it's important that we, as adults, don't make them feel ashamed of their emotions. Allowing them to express themselves encourages mental health awareness and makes a big difference in the long run. Understanding their language Sometimes the kid you’re talking to is just going to be defiant, or they’re going to be resistant to saying anything or they just shut down. Regardless of how long it takes, make sure you let them know you still want to talk to them. They'll realize that pushing away isn't working, and that makes you gain their trust that you're not going to abandon them despite their behaviour. Make sure that you pass that first wall so you can make it to the other side. Using their words when they talk about mental health issues is important so that they know you listen rather than using something you learned from a textbook. I had a young patient who was a baseball player once who described depression as a water-logged ball. As we would talk about it, I would ask “How are you feeling, how’s that ball? Is it water-logged or not?" Because it gives you an idea of
Teen Wellness: 10 Tips from Tabay Atkins
Teen Wellness: 10 Tips from Tabay Atkins 16-year-old Tabay Atkins is on a mission to use his voice and platform to make a difference in the lives of others, especially with teen wellness. Currently a face of Nike, Tabay is also one of the most sought-after yoga instructors in the world, having taught the likes of Deepak Chopra and the Kardashians to name just a few. His journey began as a young boy when he witnessed the debilitating effects of his mother’s struggle with cancer. A devout yogi herself, his mother was committed to keeping a positive mindset and maintaining her practice; and two months later was able to walk again. Tabay knew from then on that he had found his “dharma.” Today, he reigns as the youngest certified yogi in America and has blossomed into an accomplished vegan chef and reiki healer. Given all that he’s done at such a young age, we were curious to know his go-to tips for teen wellness. Check out what he had to say below: TIP #1: Set a Schedule Setting a schedule will not only make it easier to incorporate the next nine tips into your life; it will also help you be more productive, make sure you’re getting enough downtime, and keep your everyday life running in an organized fashion. When setting your schedule, try to keep the rest of these ten tips in mind. By having an efficient schedule, you will be taking a lot of the stress out by making sure you are doing everything you are supposed to each day—which will in turn be an act of kindness to yourself. TIP #2: Get Enough (Quality) Sleep Getting enough sleep is very important to stay well. As a teen, 8-10 hours of undisturbed, restful sleep is ideal. The best thing to do to improve your quality of sleep is to set a sleeping schedule. Know when you want to wake up and plan your sleep time accordingly. Try to have your last meal at least two hours before bed and limit your screen time to one to two hours before bedtime, to give your mind some time to unwind. TIP #3: Have Controlled Screen Time Like I just said, it’s important to limit screen time before bed, but having controlled screen time throughout your day is also beneficial. Improve your mental and physical wellness by reducing your daily screen time. Excessive screen time can lead to increased anxiety
5 Tips to Sneak Veggies into your Teen’s Meals
5 Tips to Sneak Veggies into your Teen’s Meals By Tanishq Desai We all know that it can be a very tough task to have your teens finish their greens, but did you know that research suggests it takes 10 to 15 years for a young adult’s taste buds to get fully acquired with a new flavour? This is why we are bringing you five tips to sneak veggies into your teen’s meals. The first step is befriending a food processor! We’re all aware that the first sighting of anything that resembles a vegetable instantly sets your teenager into code red. But instead of serving diced-up veggies, you could be popping them into a food processor and sneaking them into tasty recipes that your teenager would never notice! Here’s how: Sneaky Tip #1 Mac and Cheese with Sweet Potato and Peas We have one advantage because we know our kids’ favourite choice of meals, and some good ol’ Mac and Cheese always tops this list. Boil up some sweet potato until it’s tender for 15 minutes and add it to the blender to make it into a fine puree that can be mixed well with the cheese sauce. You can choose to add the peas to the sauce and season it with salt and pepper before adding your macaroni. And voila! A healthy(ier) mac and cheese! Sneaky Tip # 2 Zucchini Pizza Crust Did you gasp? Relax. We know it can sound pretty scary, but there are a lot of other healthy options to change up your teen’s pizza addiction. This Zucchini Pizza Crust recipe will take only 30 minutes and could be a great way for your teen to get their veggies in! All you’ll need is almond flour, zucchini, eggs, spices and your choice of toppings. Now, this won’t be your usual carb dripping-in-grease-kind-of pizza. The Zucchini Pizza Crust is super healthy, gluten-free and an amazing substitute for unhealthy takeout pizzas. Follow the recipe here: Delicious Zucchini Pizza Crust Recipe. Sneaky Tip #3 Ground Beef and Veggie Pasta The next time you cook up this beautiful Italian delicacy for your teen, reduce the amount of ground beef and add some finely chopped mushrooms to your sloppy joes or your meat-based pasta sauce. The meaty texture of the mushrooms absorbs the sauce making it the perfect veggie to mix into your pasta. Our favourite Mocktails will be a good pair with the pasta! Sneaky Tip #4 Meatballs à la Veggie Meatballs are the best and the
5 Tips to Improve Bedtime Routine for Teens
5 Tips to Improve Bedtime Routine for Teens By INBETWEEN Magazine When bedtime rolls around, our bodies and minds are often tired from the long day. However, this doesn’t always translate into a good night's rest. Especially for teenagers who are still developing, it’s important to implement a healthy routine at night to set them up for a positive, focused day. Here are 5 effective tips to improve bedtime routine that will get your teen to sleep better. 1. Take a Relaxing Bath or Shower While some teens prefer a morning shower to wake up, researchers have found that bathing in warm water at night helps them sleep better. By heating your body up an hour and a half before bedtime, you are allowing your mind to relax while your body adjusts to the ideal sleep temperature. Encourage your teen to take a shower in the early evening to see if this gives them a sounder sleep. 2. Reduce Screen Time It’s no secret that late-night screen time poses significant problems when trying to fall asleep. The blue light emitted from digital screens pushes our internal clock back and keeps us awake longer. For some, the solution would be to put their devices down 1-2 hours before bedtime. However, this may not be practical for everyone; especially teenagers, who spend an estimated 9 hours on their screens each day. A more feasible solution is looking into a pair of glasses with blue light protection, which serves to block the blue light rays and keep our internal clocks regulated. Not only can these be helpful at night, but wearing them throughout the day can reduce eye dryness and headaches. For a tech-savvy teen, these may be worth looking into. 3. Avoid Excess Liquid Too much liquid before bedtime can cause frequent interruptions that keep you from a deep sleep. Repeated urination in the middle of the night is known as nocturia, which in most cases is preventable. In the hours leading up to bedtime, try to limit your teens' food consumption, as it increases water intake. The more water they drink before falling asleep, the higher the chances they will get up in the middle of the night. Stopping eating at a reasonable time and consuming only the necessary amount of water, can aid in a sounder, uninterrupted sleep. 4. Create a Comfortable Sleep Environment Comfort can come from many factors including lighting, bedding, and temperature. The light turns our brain
3 Ways To Talk To Your Teen About Skin Health
Adolescent Acne: 3 Ways To Talk to Your Teen About Skin Health Teen health is a tough topic that every parent will have to address at one point or another. From sex education to bodily changes, and hormones, talking to your teen about personal health and wellness is paramount. One personal hygiene topic at the forefront of many teens’ and parents’ minds is acne. No teen wants to deal with dreaded breakouts, pimples or skin imperfections, but countless do. If your teen is dealing with acne, it is important for you to do your best to offer support. In order to get that conversation started, here are three ways to better support and talk to your teen to address acne and the importance of skin health. Remind Them They are Not Alone Your teen may feel that they stick out or feel a sense of isolation due to their acne. It is your job to help remind them that they are not alone. Perhaps you yourself had to deal with acne as a teen or have friends whose teens are going through the same thing. Remind your teen that acne is very common and many face a breakout here or there. To help support your child, you can have them connect with other teens who have acne and ask them what tips they have and what is working for them. Your teen will value that they have someone their own age to get advice from. In addition, they can look for inspiration from skin-positive influencers as a positive way to leverage social media, and connect with others that can relate. Help With Stress Management Stress can play a role in teen acne. In a study concerning acne and stress, researchers found teenagers who were under high levels of stress were 23% more likely to have increased acne severity. This is why it is so important to help your teen with stress management. Teens are under a lot of pressure, from school to friends, extracurricular activities and coping with the pandemic. All of this combined can be very overwhelming. Recognizing the signs of stress and managing it can make a big difference in skin health. Have your teen determine ways that can help them when they are under increased stress. Some strategies can be deep breathing, mindfulness or meditation. Encourage A Skin Care Regimen Assist your teen in developing a dedicated skin care routine that can help to