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...

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...

We live in a rapidly changing world that can be complex to navigate. About half of Americans can remember a time when we were not constantly connected and it was easier to tune out the noise of the world, while the younger half of the population can’t imagine life without the internet. Modern life...

Reruns were part of my childhood. From Gilligan’s Island and I Love Lucy to Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley, I kept up with them all. In the 1970’s and 80’s, many people in American culture grew up with sitcom theme songs running through the soundtrack of...

Clutter can be described as a disordered heap or mass of objects. When we think about what qualifies as clutter it can mean different things for different people. For example, magnets on a fridge could qualify as clutter to one person but to someone else, it wouldn’t be. Clutter is very subjective...

According to Google’s English Dictionary, the word “resolution” means a firm decision to do or not do something. So many of us feel that the beginning of a new year is a great time to set resolutions or goals to work on, but how successful are we? A...

The American Psychological Association has conducted a nationwide survey in its Mind/Body campaign since 2007. The focus is to examine the state of stress nationwide and understand its impact. The study in 2023 indicated that 55% of Americans are stressed during the day. Managing stress can help...

Families are often the primary source of support for older adults and people with disabilities. In fact, today in America, more than 53 million family caregivers provide unpaid care. That's an economic value totaling more than $470 billion. The caregiving population is greatly diverse...