Over the course of this semester, and during my time interning for Olive Branch Counseling Associates, I have been reading the book The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt (2024). The book is about the obvious mental health crisis going on within our youth due to the presence of smartphones and social media. The author provides... Continue Reading →
April was Autism Acceptance Month and in honor of this, Olive Branch had an opportunity for anyone in the waiting room to share either a story, a favorite character trait, or the impact that someone had on their life who happens to be on the autism spectrum. People did respond writing one or more notes.... Continue Reading →
Many of us are aware that getting enough sleep each night is essential to your daily physical and cognitive functioning. Our bodies need the right amount of rest so that we can tackle the day-to-day challenges that we face. But have you ever considered that how you sleep is important too? Whether it’s falling asleep... Continue Reading →
We did it! We survived the dreadful days of winter and are nearing the end of the unpredictable midwestern spring. It is almost summer! The clouds are parting, and the sun is shining bright. Nature is inviting us to step outside, soak in the sunshine, and reconnect with the world around us. Instead of rushing... Continue Reading →
It is vital for humans to practice attunement within social interactions through the developing years of their lives. Attunement is when humans synchronize their movements and emotions with others (Haidt, 2024). Similar to mirroring, babies attune to their parents in ways that teach them motor skills, the meaning of emotions, and how to stay safe.... Continue Reading →
With the exponential growth of technology in the past decade, relationships have transformed and expanded in ways that were previously impossible. There is new opportunity to add connection to your life, through relationships with people across the globe and apart of different cultures, because of the accessibility of communication through technology. This opportunity is beneficial... Continue Reading →
Mental illness is not a virus that you catch and attacks your immune system. But did you know that your mood could be contagious and influencing the moods of those around you? Yes, it’s true, and it works both ways—moods of others can influence your mood too. When you think about this concept it is... Continue Reading →
The average person consumes the drug caffeine on a daily basis. That’s right, caffeine is a drug. That is often forgotten because caffeine consumption has become so normalized in our culture. It is almost surprising to us if someone does not consume caffeine to help them through their daily routine or if a public location... Continue Reading →
Current sources of entertainment overload our cognitive functions of stimulation and attention span. Because we have smart phones and social media, immediate mental stimulation is constantly at our fingertips. This has a deteriorating impact on the human attention span. Less and less are we actually exercising our minds to find stimulation. Our brains are becoming... Continue Reading →
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