The Teen Brain: A Users Guide

What's going on in that teen brain? Every so often, you will hear an adult say, "I remember when I was a teen...," and that statement usually is correct before they mention how much the world has changed since they were a teen. They’re not wrong! Teens today seem to live in a whole new reality compared to what we, adults, experienced. It feels like their teen brain is lagging behind. But you know what hasn't changed? The feelings of wanting to be alone, the constant anxiety, teen angst, and striving to meet every single expectation of friends and family. (Yes, Mom, they want to please you!) You and I both know how it felt to be a teen. It's even harder as a parent [Read more...]

By Amanda Hawn|Tags: adolescent counseling, teen brain, teen counseling|

Substance Abuse and Addiction: How to Help

More than 22 million adults in the United States have struggled with substance abuse or addiction. The numbers continue to grow while communities are drifting further apart. Now more than ever, it’s time to ban together in support with friends, families, and neighbors to address this pervasive, manipulative battle. Those who struggle with substance abuse and addiction, and their families, deserve proper education, support, and guidance as they navigate this debilitating disease. Plus, fantastic support makes a world of difference in the overall outcome. What causes Addiction Issues? Frankly, anyone can fall victim to substance abuse and addiction. From simply falling into the wrong crowd of friends to self-medicating due to a mental illness, substances may be a cover for the user not to feel [Read more...]

By Amanda Hawn|Tags: addiction, substance abuse|

Pandemic Reflection: Living Life while Patiently Waiting

We've been in this pandemic for quite a while now. At first, it was crisis mode. Like, trying to find groceries and toilet paper. Figuring out how to do everything remote. Then there was managing fear and anxiety, constantly watching the news almost to the point of obsession. And then we started waiting. We waited for the curve to flatten, for the numbers to go down and the experts to save us. We're now waiting for the vaccine. Waiting. Waiting for Life to Happen At the beginning of this waiting game, I was tempted to figuratively hibernate until it was all over. I wanted to hole up at home, ignore the outside world and just exist. But the problem is that I have young kids [Read more...]

By Jennifer Rodgers|

Self-Love is Easy

Self-Love Tips to the rescue! This is the NEW Mental Health Model, a self-love program designed for busy people. Time and busyness are true enemies of good mental health, aren't they? I mean, certainly, there are people who have a little more time on their hands to work out more, food prep more extensively, go to more self-help workshops, or meditate for long periods of time. However, what I really want you to know, is that having good mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health does not require hours and hours of work. Self-love means self-care. It means doing what you need to do for yourself to love your body, mind, and soul. Self Love is Easy Here is the basic, easy-peasy, not-rock-science plan: Sleep like [Read more...]

By Jennifer Slingerland Ryan|Tags: acts of self-love, self-care, self-love|

Building Empathy

One of the best traits anyone can have, I think, is empathy. Empathy is a direct route to the heart of how someone is feeling. Unfortunately, if you aren't in touch with your own feelings, it's impossible to have true empathy. You can go through the *skill* of parroting back what someone said to you or even reading certain physical cues (i.e. tears must mean sadness, so you express words of empathy when you see the tears), but true empathy is really feeling the emotion like a power punch in your own gut before you can give it back so someone else. One of the major lessons I teach my clients is empathy; consequently, it is also the hardest to teach. It's like saying, "Yes, [Read more...]

By Jennifer Slingerland Ryan|Tags: empathy|

Yoga & Nature: Mantras. Mindful Walking. Feet in the Grass. Gardening.

Somewhat distracted, surrounded by chaos, battling the pervasive news, anxious about the unknown? I hear you and I see you and I want to take a moment to share a few tools in my tool belt on grounding specifically in nature. As a yoga teacher, I teach students how to ground their energy. If you are a literal thinker, imagine there are roots connecting you to the earth. Grounding is a term used in yoga as a representation of being rooted both physically and mentally in the earth. In a time of such uncertainty, being rooted and grounded is essential to not only our mental and physical health but also, our sense of connection to both our nuclear family and every extension of the collective. It is an overall [Read more...]

By Jennifer Slingerland Ryan|Tags: nature, wellness, yoga|

What IS Mental Health Awareness Month, Anyway?

What does it mean to have "mental health awareness." In this month of Mental Health Awareness, the month isn't just asking that we're aware of mental illness. It also asks that we are aware of mental health. The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) says that this is the month to "fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families." From women's mental health to family mental health, this is the month to arm yourself with all the tools available to help gain a better understanding of how far-reaching mental illness can affect families and individuals. And, it is time for you to focus on your mental and emotional health. What is Mental Health? As I [Read more...]

By Jennifer Slingerland Ryan|Tags: acts of self-love, new mental health care model|

Self Love Tools: The NEW, Preventative Mental Healthcare Model

Self Love is essential! The good news is, you're most likely already giving yourself Self Love throughout the day. So, what are the Self Love Tools? It's a preventative mental healthcare model to help you feel content, grounded, peaceful, and grounded. Your emotional capacity, self-esteem, connectedness, and sense of belonging start with a solid foundation of your Core Self. Tune in, gain insight and increase awareness of what you think, feel, and do by using just eight simple tools. In holistic counseling, you must be willing to examine your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual self in a full-length mirror. This new appreciation of self and what the "self" even is, requires you to engage in meta-awareness. That is, becoming aware of what you're aware of. Self-Love [Read more...]

By Jennifer Slingerland Ryan|Tags: mental health awareness, new mental health care model, self care, self help, self-love|

Motivational Media: 5 Ways to Use Self-Helpery to Feel Awesome

All month long, I'm focusing on motivational media as a way to help boost your mental well-being. That is, decrease depression, anxiety, and stress. Self-Helpery is an act of self-love that is intended to give you a steady stream of motivation, inspiration, and cognitive influence. Just like Zig Zigler said, "If you dream it, you can achieve it!" Well, okay then. Let's dream! What the Heck is Self-Helpery? The Universe is vast and filled with wonderment to explore. Self-help media in the form of audiobooks, podcasts, Ted Talks, social influencers, or anything else you can think of, expands what you think you know about who you are and the world around you. Through motivational media, you can learn about your rich, emotional inner world. Self-help [Read more...]

By Jennifer Slingerland Ryan|Tags: motivational media, new mental health care model|

Lessons From Lizzo: What All Our Girls Need To Know

My 8-year-old and I tossed our hair back, checked our nails, and sang out, "We're feeling good as FIRE!" on our morning drive to school today. Okay, yes, Lizzo sings that slightly different, but since the little ones know cursing isn't encouraged in our house, they've substituted this "fire" for "hell." When I'm alone, I'm all out with those lyrics though! Lessons from Lizzo Lizzo is presenting a lot of great lessons for my kids, and I'm loving every. single. one of them. Recently, Lizzo was body-shamed by Jillian Michaels when she said in an interview, "Why are we celebrating her body? Why does it matter? Why aren't we celebrating her music? 'Cause it isn't gonna be awesome if she gets diabetes." I get [Read more...]

By Jennifer Slingerland Ryan|Tags: goodashell, jillianmichaels, lizzo|