In a world filled with never-ending activity and continuous distractions, finding tranquility can feel like an unachievable dream. However, within our buzzing world, a one-of-a-kind auditory phenomenon exists to mesmerize our senses and calm the mind – white noise. White noise can be considered a light yet influential everyday tool to help enhance focus, improve sleep, and calm one’s nerves daily. In this blog post, we will venture out on a journey to discover the enigmatic appeal of white noise and the science behind the magic.    Understanding White Noise: Before exploring its bene ..read more

WHAT ARE THEY? Fidget toys can be defined as small objects that fit in one’s hand that have different textures, uses, and motions. Fidgets act as a self-regulation tool that helps promote one’s ability to focus and manage anxiety while also providing a safe way for one to calm nerves, reduce ADHD symptoms, as well as provide comfort or relaxation in situations where one may need extra support. WHAT ARE SOME BENEFITS OF USING FIDGET TOYS? Improved Focus: Engaging with fidget toys allows for redirection with restless energy leading to enhanced concentration. Fidget toys are extremely beneficia ..read more

Boundaries can be hard to navigate, especially for teens.  Figuring out life while balancing friends, school, family, and new relationships can be challenging.  Boundaries allow for teens to recognize their emotions and feelings and set limits based on those feelings. Setting these limits allows teens to protect themselves from manipulation, getting taken advantage of, and getting hurt, both emotionally and physically. Boundaries can look different from person to person and may fluctuate in different environments. The boundaries teens have at school with friends may look different t ..read more

Why Should I be Worried About Stress? Every person has experienced stress at one point in their life, whether the stress is a result of a minor complication, or due to a major event that disrupts everyday life. Stress in moderation does not pose a health risk, but when stress is prolonged, it has serious health complications, this type of stress is known as chronic stress (Cherry, 2021). Chronic stress can be recognized through warning signs, such as: Anxiety Feelings of hopelessness Irritability Trouble sleeping Experiencing these feelings can be a daily occurrence, but when they become chr ..read more

TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter. These are the apps and websites that are most frequently visited by today’s young adults, teens, and children. While these apps have the potential to serve as an outlet for creative, educational, and social opportunities, they often instead function as a domain of negativity, bullying, and shame with long-lasting impacts on the emotional well-being of its users.  Since the creation of social media, cyberbullying has also existed. Cyberbullying is the use of an electronic device to bully, threaten, or intimidate another person. Cyberbullying differ ..read more

Rates of anxiety among teenagers in the U.S. have been on the rise in recent years. Between 2016 and 2019, the number of teens diagnosed with an anxiety disorder went up by 24% (Osorio, 2022). For this reason, understanding the implications of anxiety on the lives of teens is becoming increasingly important. As more and more adolescents are beginning to experience symptoms of anxiety, parents and caregivers may find themselves wondering how to best support their child. For this reason, we will be discussing some important tips for parenting teens with anxiety. Understanding what anxiety disor ..read more

It can become easy to neglect caring for yourself in this busy world, especially when you are a parent. When it feels like nothing is slowing down and you have not had time to breathe, remember that you cannot save others without first saving yourself. Therefore, even in a busy schedule, it is important to take some time out of your day for you. Self-care is important in maintaining good mental, emotional, and physical health and is also a good way to show self-love. In this article, we will talk about what self-care is, why it’s important, and some tips for parents to practice self-care. What ..read more

Health Literacy Month Health is an all-encompassing word that might mean something different to each person. As broad as this subject may be, it is an essential part of life. Understanding what being healthy means for you and knowing what tools and resources you have available to achieve your health goals is vital to living a comfortable and fulfilling life. Health Literacy Month, which is celebrated throughout October, highlights this very idea. Health literacy is not only important during the month of October, it is important year ‘round. However, as we are approaching the end of the month ..read more

8 Tips on Easing Your Kids into School 1. Talk About School Beforehand In the weeks leading up to school it is beneficial to your child to begin communicating that school is starting soon. This conversation can consist of what grade they will be entering, how many days a week they will be attending school and the name of your child’s teacher. Speaking casually about these components will help to normalize this transition and work toward comfortability with the idea of attending school.  2. Encourage Questions Along with enlightening your child on their future school experience, it is al ..read more

How to Find Activities for Your Children this Summer, Without Breaking the Bank Summer is here and kids are out of school! Although exciting for your kiddos, that means parents are left to find new sources of entertainment for the summer months. Finding activities or childcare for your child is not only stressful, but costly. To help busy parents with this task, below is a list of free or low cost activities for children in the Lapeer area. This may include parent supervised activities, camps and childcare options.   Family Events Lunch on the Lawn- Marguerite deAngeli Library, Lapeer Thi ..read more