The anxious thoughts of students aren’t always just passing worries; they’re becoming deeply rooted, widespread mantras for young people across America. Anxiety is the most common mental health challenge that young people today face, and it’s the top reason why students seek mental health services in colleges across the country. In severe cases, anxiety is stopping teens from doing homework, reaching out to friends, leaving their homes, and even leading to depressive and suicidal thoughts.…
Studies show that the average teenager requires 9 to 9.5 hours of sleep per night, but she typically only gets 7. It’s becoming more and more common for the normal life of the average American high schooler to interfere with sleep. In a recent poll of 2,000 parents, 1 in 6 said their teen experiences frequent sleep problems, here defined as “having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep 3 or more nights per week.” More…
It’s safe to assume that high school students would probably cherish a little extra sleep in the morning, but did you know that studies show that starting school later for teens is actually healthier for them? Sleep experts have determined a shift in sleep cycles (circadian rhythms) in recent studies. This shift begins in adolescence and makes it more difficult for most adolescents to fall asleep as early as younger children or older adults. Typical…
What is it like to be a kid with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder? Children with ADHD often struggle academically, socially and emotionally. They can find it difficult to develop strengths and may be disorganized, forgetful, easily distracted, and impulsive. And like all kids, they want to feel normal. Informed empathy for ADHD children and what they experience on a daily basis can inspire parents and teachers to work with these children in ways that will…
How do we help girls find their voice? Katie Hurley’s office is filled with young girls who struggle with courage, confidence and friendship skills. Hurley, a child and adolescent psychotherapist and author of the recently published “No More Mean Girls,” has noticed an escalating trend: girls right now are overwhelmed with adult-directed activities. “Girls no longer have time to partake in girlhood on their own,” said Hurley. This overly structured, overly controlled milieu leaves girls…
Teens in the United States are struggling with anxiety in record numbers, and students in our classrooms are stressed out, overstimulated, and distressed. What’s causing this abrupt shift, and how can we help? Let’s take a look. Most of us feel some anxiety from time to time, which is easily connected to situational causes. However, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by persistent and excessive worry about a number of different things, according to the…
Students and teachers are enjoying winter break, and excitement is running high! It is hard to believe we have completed the first four months of school and we are approaching a new year. After the winter performances and class parties are over, we spend time with the people we love to ring in the new year. It’s so important to keep self care tips in mind throughout this time. One challenge of the holiday season…
We live in a world of screens, and tech addiction is becoming more and more common. In this digital age full of so many devices and distractions, it’s become one of the things parents worry about most: how much time should kids spend staring at their phones and computers? When it comes to technology use, what’s the right balance between privacy and self-discovery? Research continues to provide answers on how parents are navigating this world…
Social media has grown into something that could make or break you in the professional world. When you first made your Facebook account and were a young teen, you may not have been thinking too hard about what you were putting online, because you weren’t aware that it could someday be seen by a potential employer. But once you begin looking at colleges and applying to jobs, it’s important to keep in mind that they…
Recent studies have shown that there are several benefits to being bilingual. Learning a second language could give your child a serious advantage in conceptual thinking. It may even broaden their perspectives and understanding of the world. Improving The Executive Function According to an article put out by Psychology Today, one of the several benefits to being bilingual is it improves brain activity functions. The executive function, for example, which is the control system of…
