Mental health and the risks for mental illness affect everyone differently, and this is just as true when it comes to demographics. Everyone has their own experiences and own stories when it comes to how mental health impacts them directly, but your identity can also play a role in how you’re affected.
As children approach their teenage years, life becomes – for better or for worse – all about friends. While this can create unforgettable bonding experiences, it can also make for unforgettable wounds.
You’ve probably heard the phrase before: laughter is the best medicine. While it may not be the cure for any disease, it helps relieve some of the pain that can come with them. This includes the pain that can come with mental illness as well. There have been studies that have shown that laughing and humor can decrease stress hormones, and by helping to produce a more comfortable environment, can ease anxieties and help those who struggle in social settings feel more at ease. It has also been shown to help with self-esteem and motivation as well. Continue reading Using Humor to Relax
Yesterday was Valentine’s Day, and on Monday, we talked about ways that you can use the holiday for you and that love doesn’t always have to be shown to others, but to yourself as well. We all have different things that bring us joy – animals, good food, the weather, your favorite clothes – the list can go on forever.
It’s difficult to truly disconnect from technology today. Even if you take a break from your phone, lock up your tablet to let it collect dust, or haven’t watched a show on an actual TV in months, screens are still everywhere. There’s electronic billboards, signs with pleasant robotic voices that dictate when the next bus or train is about to arrive, and TVs in stores displaying fashion shows, music videos, and anything else related to the content that they’re selling.
Continue reading When Did You Give Your Child Their First Phone?
The SOVA Project is happy to feature this blog post written by one in our team of fantastic SOVA Ambassadors—these are young people who help create meaningful blog posts from adolescents’ perspectives.
As I was looking for a new TV series to start a few years ago, a friend of mine recommended Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. I had heard about this show in passing but had never looked into it before. My friend knows that I love musical theater, and when she told me this show was a musical comedy, I decided to check it out. After a few episodes I was hooked! Continue reading “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”
The SOVA Project is happy to feature this blog post written by one in our team of fantastic SOVA Ambassadors—these are young people who help create meaningful blog posts from adolescents’ perspectives.
We live in a society where being busy is highly valued. Everyone is on the go at all times. Therefore, when someone isn’t busy, we often refer to him or her as lazy.
Although Valentine’s Day isn’t until Thursday, stores have been setting up displays and products have been airing commercials related to the holiday since pretty much the day after Christmas.
We posted our interview with Dr. Levenson last week about her work in researching sleeping patterns in adolescents and how continuously getting a good night’s rest is important during this time. However, sleeping patterns and the amount of sleep adolescents get can get jumbled because of mental illness: we’ve also previously talked about “depression naps” and the effects that they can have. Overall, it’s difficult for adolescents to get the recommended amount of sleep they should be getting, and with higher rates of mental illness within this age group today, it can be even more difficult because of the ways that it can affect your sleep, such as depression napping and insomnia. Continue reading Helping Your Child Improve Their Sleep
It’s well known by now that the majority of adolescents either own, or at least have access to a smartphone. Similarly, it’s also well known that adolescents spend a lot of their time using their phones and know it, using it more than other technology such as tablets and laptops.