The month of February has many holidays and observances focusing on kindness, love, health, and well-being. Two of these observances are Random Acts of Kindness Day, held on February 17, and Random Acts of Kindness Week, held February 9-15. These annual events are focused on the importance of...
Building social awareness is an important skill that helps individuals accurately understand other people's emotions and empathize with them. Developing empathy is one of the most important skills you can learn to improve your social awareness. Here are a few tips for encouraging youth to be...
What does resilience look like? It’s that process of how we deal with difficult situations or adversity. Life is full of difficulty, such as experiencing loss, stress, anxiety, depression, fear, just to name a few. On the other hand, life also can bring about an abundance of joy, determination,...
Winter is upon us and those longer hours of darkness coupled with the colder temperatures can make many people experience those “winter blues.” I am much more aware of the signs of mental health challenges having become a certified trainer for Mental...
The holiday season can evoke a wide range of emotions, from anticipation and joy to reflection and nostalgia. This time of year often stirs up a multitude of thoughts, feelings, and memories, offering opportunities for connection and celebration. However, it can also bring added stress to an...
Children can get lost in many places. And at this time of year when we are all doing our holiday shopping, there can be an even bigger risk of a child losing their way. This information is from a new tip sheet by the Illinois Early Learning Project...
Do you know what gets you up in the morning (besides the kids, the dog, the alarm clock)? Your purpose! According to a recent webinar that I attended called “Purpose Across the Lifespan” hosted by the Greater Good Science Center, purpose was described...
September is a busy time for many of us. Summer is over and we may find that various work and family responsibilities are taking up more of our time and energy. Last month, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an Advisory on the...
Is an ‘awe walk’ the best medicine? Take a moment to think about what makes you go, ‘awe’. It may be the wind in the trees or a really good song. For me recently, I was walking out of a restaurant picking up lunch for myself and a colleague. My hands were very full and I was...
Within the United States, one-third of married couples are distressed, and almost half of the first marriages and more than half of unmarried cohabiting relationships end in divorce or separation. Additionally, relationship distress has been linked to partners’ and their children’s mental and...
