As Marilyn Monroe once said, “Sex is a part of nature, and I go along with nature.” However, according to Psychology Today, sexual behavior is not necessarily natural; sex within itself is considered a learned behavior. The act alone evolves as a result of whatever sex education a person has acquired. According to Diane Gleim, LMFT, CST, CST-S, “The sexual drive may be innate, but sexual information, sexual ethics, and sexual behavior are learned.” So, why have I utilized a quote about sex attributed to Marilyn Monroe? Simply, I thought it was an interesting lead in discussing the natural fac ..read more

For decades, childcare providers, doctors, nurses, teachers and researchers have used the Adverse Childhood Experience tool to approach trauma in children and its effect on mental and physical health through adulthood. The study, completed by the Centers for Disease Control and Kaiser Permanente, is a good resource for discussing the ‘bad things’ that can happen throughout childhood and their long-term consequences. The study includes a test with various factors leading to a higher score which can mean worse outcomes in adulthood. Some of the factors related to our home environment are in our ..read more

After a demanding day, there’s a familiar ritual that many of us turn to – settling down in bed or on the couch, smartphone in hand, ready to be whisked away to a world of social media, infinite scrolling, and relaxation. Or so we think! It’s a habit that seems to promise relaxation, a chance to unwind, and a respite from the day’s stressors. Yet, before you sink into the couch and go down the rabbit hole of social media, it’s essential to grasp the truth: the relaxation offered by scrolling social media before bedtime is really a myth rather than a reality. In this article, let’s delve into ..read more

The Middle Tennessee air is becoming warmer, dogwoods are blooming, and colorful, fresh produce is filling the shelves in the grocery stores. These are typically sights and smells welcome after an icy, cold winter, but a year after the traumatic mass shooting at Covenant School, these senses may serve as an unwelcome reminder of a time of great tragedy in our community. Trauma is tied to sensory input, and any of your five senses can take your body back to the moment of trauma or grief. These reminders will be different for each person depending on what they were doing at the time of tragedy ..read more

Mentoring young people can be life-changing for both the mentor and mentee. Through Youth Villages’ Chris Crye Mentoring Program, you can be a big positive change in a child’s life and direction. Mentors provide important life skills and lessons, career advice, and fun to young people. Julie Abbott, community development manager with Youth Villages in Middle Tennessee, works with young people frequently in her day-to-day job. However, last year, she made the leap to become a volunteer mentor, on her own time, to a 13-year-old boy living in a Youth Villages residential facility for teenage boy ..read more

As we enter January and the New Year, we reminisce about new beginnings. Those new beginnings often encompass new, or updated, goals which may or may not have been met the previous year. Those goals often include plans for exercise, healthier eating, a decrease in sugar consumption, and for many, less alcohol. We live in a world where we are consistently encouraged ‘to do everything better, to make our lives (and health) better.’ For those with families, like me, my goals often extend to include healthier disciplines for my husband and children, as well. But do you ever think about healthier ..read more

We are in an era where New Year’s resolutions can sound like an unachievable, pointless exercise. Most resolutions are broken by February 1, so what’s the point? The big, lofty goals – lose weight, find a new job, apply to graduate school, pay off student loans – are scary because they are so vague. By setting bite-size goals for yourself, or your family, you can see quicker results which can motivate you to continue beyond the first month. If you want to start exercising, joining a gym for the first time can be intimidating. To stay on track to reach your goal, you can ask a friend to meet y ..read more

Do you struggle with your mental health and have a difficult time in getting the people you know to be more understanding? In some cases, your friends and family members could give you a hard time regarding your anxieties and fears. As a result, here are eight suggestions on how to deal with the people you know regarding your mental health issues. Listen to the professionals and not your friends:Your peers may mean well, but when it comes down to it, the professionals are aware of your circumstances more than anyone. A counselor knows what you are going through and can help you deal with you ..read more

What comes to your mind when you think of December?  For me, it is of course Christmas, family, and friends. I would be remiss not to mention St. Nicholas Day, Hanukkah, Kwanza, and even Boxing Day for my many British friends, as other December highlights. I love that the holiday season is in full force by early December, which gives us time to have fun.  However, December means so much more to me than just the holiday season, as it is a time to reflect on what has happened over the past twelve months, whether that be personal or professional. I always wonder, where has the time gon ..read more

Childhood, and raising children, are the same as they always were but by today’s standards are almost completely different. The last few years have been incredibly anxiety-provoking for anyone, with the pandemic and its resulting isolation, sexual harassment cases coming to light, school safety concerns and increased bullying online and in person. A Youth Risk Behavior Survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in February 2023 revealed that 42% of high school-aged children felt hopeless or persistently sad, almost 30% reported poor mental health and 10% had attempted ..read more