Author: frivvy89
With over 7 million students learning remotely in the US alone, and more than half of college students having taken at least one online course, remote learning has become a significant part of the educational landscape[1]. The rapid rise of online education due to the COVID-19 pandemic has left many wondering: how does this learning environment shift impact students’ mental health? While online learning offers flexibility and convenience, research suggests it can also have negative consequences, particularly for children and teens. In this article, we’ll explore strategies for mitigating the potential drawbacks of remote learning for mental well-being. How does…
Have you heard of “biohacking”? This increasingly popular concept refers to using evidence-backed self-help strategies to improve your health and performance. While many people use biohacking strategies for their physical health, there are also effective biohacking techniques to maximize mental health and cognitive ability. These strategies are based in science, and although they don’t replace necessary mental health treatment, they can be very effective when used alongside it. Here’s some important information about biohacking your brain and how you can use these techniques as part of a more comprehensive mental health plan. What is biohacking? Biohacking, also known as “do-it-yourself…
Almost everyone has heard of cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin, are digital currencies that don’t rely on banks to secure transactions. Cryptocurrency has become increasingly popular recently, with 16% of Americans reporting investing in it[1]. As cryptocurrency trading rises, it’s essential to talk about how this activity can affect mental health. Because crypto-trading is unique, it presents unique challenges even in the investment world. Some people who trade cryptocurrency may develop an addiction similar to gambling addiction. Here’s how the ups and downs of cryptocurrency value can affect mental health and how to seek support if you’ve been affected. How does…
Dr. Jantz Discussed Freeze & Fawn Responses3 minutes Have you ever heard of the “fight-or-flight response”? Fight and flight are both common, well-known responses to trauma and stress. They’re biological responses that we, as humans, have to confront dangerous situations. When faced with a threat, our nervous systems can react to help us fight off the threat or flee from it. But what you might not know is that fight or flight aren’t the only two responses that humans have to stress. Experts say that there are two additional stress responses – “freeze” and “fawn” – that are just as…
I’m a big fan of reading and love to recommend books to my clients who have kids with eating disorders. Many of the books I suggest are not about eating disorders specifically. Rather, they relate to the larger systems and other conditions that contribute to disordered eating behaviors.There are a lot of reasons for this, mainly that eating disorders are deeply misunderstood and it’s been difficult for authors to capture their complexity in books. As someone who recovered from an eating disorder, I’m intimately aware of the lack of diversity, sensitivity, and lived experience included in eating disorder narratives and…
We recognize that many in our community may be feeling fear, uncertainty, and concern for the future. These results may have a particular impact on access to healthcare, insurance costs, mental health resources, and the protection of rights for BIPOC, queer, disabled, and other underserved communities. Project HEAL is devoted to breaking down systemic, healthcare, and financial barriers to eating disorder healing – we would be remiss not to acknowledge the emerging barriers that may be ahead.We know that policies impacting mental health care, reproductive care, queer rights, racial justice, and disability protections are crucial to our collective well-being, and…
By Stephanie Affinito, Guest ContributorAs a parent supporting her child in eating disorder recovery, it felt like every turn I took was the wrong one: the therapist wasn’t a good fit, another meal ended in a power struggle, the words I thought would comfort her had the opposite effect. My frustration level was high, but hers was higher, waiting for me to say and do the right thing that could help. But I couldn’t. The truth was that I couldn’t understand what she was going through. I didn’t hear the thoughts running through her head on repeat. I couldn’t see…
You know you’ve been gone from blogging for a while when a) your site defaults to its settings from 2 years ago; and b) when you login, you’re prompted with a “How to Make a Post” tutorial suggestion. Anywho, HELLO FRIENDS! Gosh, I have missed you all so much. I’m currently sitting in the kitchen of our new house, next to our sleeping baby, Penelope Grace! (No, she’s not a double-namer, a la the early 2000’s…I’m looking at you Chad Michael Murray, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Mark Paul Gosselaar). Nope, she’s my Penny girl. But this is a…
What is Executive Functioning Coaching? Contributed by MHRS Clinical Director Carrie Wasterlain, LCSW In today’s world, the increasing role of technology, the pressure to boost productivity, and the relentless pace of life can make it feel impossible to stay in control. As I write this, I’m overwhelmed just looking at the 58 tabs and endless folders on my desktop—let alone the never-ending to-dos and “tabs” open in my mind. While digital innovations have made it easier to stay connected and access information, they’ve also created an environment of constant stimuli and interruptions. The barrage of notifications, endless communications, and growing…
Do You Feel Like The Blacksheep Of Your Family?5 minutes Have you ever felt like you don’t belong in your family? Maybe you don’t have anything in common with them, or you feel like you can’t relate to them. Maybe you’ve been rejected by your family. Maybe your family doesn’t accept you for who you are. This is sometimes called being the “black sheep” of the family, which is a phrase you’ve probably heard before. It draws the image of a lone black sheep in a herd of typical white sheep – the one that’s different or an outlier in…