Oftentimes, it can be a struggle to broach difficult subjects with our friends. However, now more than ever, discussing mental health is incredibly important, especially for teens. In 2021, over 29% of teens struggled with mental health, with LGBTQIA+ teens (52%) and girls (41%) being two of the groups most affected. As such, being there […]
Mindful eating is underrated – it can be so beneficial! According to Utah State University, many individuals experience improved self-esteem and a sense of empowerment from practicing regularly. Additionally, mindful eating helps our bodies absorb more nutrients! Overall, mindful eating is a great way to improve both our physical and mental/emotional relationships with food. So, […]
On December 4, 2010, my life changed forever. I went from being a happy and energetic 8-year-old girl to being completely drained, so much so that I would pass out on the floor of the mudroom after school because I didn’t have the energy to make it to my bed. I had no idea what […]
CW: Mention of suicide, and suicide ideation. Crisis. The word itself is daunting and complicated, presenting itself uniquely in the experience of each individual. Crisis can take on many forms: perhaps it may look like suicidal ideation, relationship turmoil, financial strain, personal loss, or overbearing stress. These are just a few of the many examples […]
CW: Depression, Mental Illness, and Self-Harm Waking up early to go to the gym or going for a run after a long workday can be challenging, especially for those living with mental health conditions. Exercise is usually the last thing on someone’s mind when it takes all of their energy to get out of bed […]
CW: Mention of Chronic Illness and Mental Health Each year, October marks the arrival of cold weather and sweaters, but it also serves as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. But breast cancer does not strike just one month out of the year- it affects the lives of many people all over the world every day. And […]
CW: Mention of Eating disorders, body dysmorphia, anxiety, and depression. Based on U.S. research, around ⅔ of all young people face some sort of insecurities about their body or have experienced body dysmorphia (Linardon). Body image issues often stem from insecurities about weight, hair, muscle mass, and skin concerns, like acne (Byrne and Young). These […]
Data shows that approximately 32% of teens suffer from anxiety, and that this number is expected to grow. Academic anxiety is a subset of generalized anxiety resulting from schoolwork or stress related to schoolwork. A 2015 Cornell University study identified four components of academic anxiety: Worry: Thoughts that prevent you from successfully studying or completing […]
Summers can get overwhelmingly busy, but typically people end up having some extra time to relax. This summer, I worked, was a camp counselor, went to off-season training, was in rehearsals for a musical, all while also trying to have enough time to prioritize my mental health and give myself some much-deserved downtime. Sometimes I’d […]
CW: Depression/Mental Illness Having depression sucks, and so does having mental illness in general. But you know what? People like us are not alone. So many people are in our shoes, and we are no less valuable because of our illnesses. Let’s talk about one of the things that sucks about mental illness, something that […]