Getting a good night’s sleep doesn’t just help us wake up feeling great. A full night’s sleep supports our mental health. Getting enough sleep can strengthen emotional processing, improve mood, decrease stress, improve memory, and increase productivity. Psychologist and sleep disorder specialist, Dr. Michelle Drerup, of the Cleveland Clinic, reports that most healthy adults need... Continue Reading →
The teenage years are a crucial time of change and development. The family dynamic might change as the growing teens seek more autonomy and independence, and the parents try to maintain rules, protection and guidance. This combination creates tension and conflict between teens and parents. Learning how to diffuse conflict and maintain respect and connection... Continue Reading →
When I think about marriage, the first thing that comes to mind is a strong union that is maintained by love, connection, understanding and friendship. I am currently reading the book The Power of Two: Secrets to a Strong and Loving Marriage and I am learning a lot about how we communicate with our significant... Continue Reading →
When living life day-to-day, it is easy to get caught up in responsibilities and the busyness of the world. Sometimes it is necessary to sit still and give yourself a moment of peace. The practice of meditation and mindfulness is often overlooked. People dismiss its effectiveness because they don’t make time for it, they get... Continue Reading →
In his book The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt compares modern-day parenting to carpentry and parents to carpenters. He explains that, like a carpenter envisions the finished result of their project, parents have a clear idea of what they are trying to mold their kid into. Parents have character traits personalities in mind that they want... Continue Reading →
When summer rolls around, it often brings with it an unspoken pressure: make every moment count. Vacations, BBQs, road trips, kids’ activities, festivals—the calendar can fill up faster than we realize. And while these experiences can be joyful, the constant busyness can leave us feeling just as stressed and exhausted as the busy seasons we... Continue Reading →
Through my internship here at Olive Branch Counseling Associates this semester, I have been reading the book The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt and have written several blogs about the implications screens and social media have on our society and our youth. The most recent chapter I read from this book addressed how social media... Continue Reading →
Whether you’re a proud cat person, or a die-hard dog lover, or still undecided, there’s no denying the profound impact a furry friend can have on your life. Beyond the cuddles and companionship, owning a pet, commonly a dog or a cat, can improve your overall quality of life in ways you might not expect.... Continue Reading →
As the month of May approaches closure, many college students around the country are getting ready to finish the semester, complete their final projects, and take final exams. I happen to be one of those college students. This is my last semester as an undergraduate college student so you can only imagine how much I’m... Continue Reading →
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