No need to wait until New Year’s Eve! National Self-Improvement Month is upon us, and there’s no better time to refocus your efforts to make positive life changes for a healthier you. “Self-improvement is a journey, and although others may…
Being healthy is not just about a certain size jeans, a scale victory or avoiding health issues like diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol. It’s about maintaining both mental and physical health. Exercise can help in both areas. The physical benefits…
The COVID-19 outbreak has disrupted the lives of children across central Illinois and the world. Home from school, adrift from their friends and daily schedules, it’s no surprise that many are feeling anxious and fearful. As parents, it’s important to…
In these uncertain times, it’s normal to feel anxious or stressed. But if these feelings start to take over your life, you may need to take steps to address your anxiety. Watch for the following signs: Irritability or difficulty concentrating…
Are you happy? Or do you struggle to find happiness? Unfortunately “happy” is not something you can just turn on like a light switch. But it is something you can learn to develop. Happiness is tied to well-being and requires…
Approximately 2.6 million children in the United States have been diagnosed with anxiety or depression. Unfortunately, many of these youth do not receive mental health treatment. Children experiencing anxiety or depression are more likely to have another mental, behavioral or…
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a course that teaches participants to recognize, understand and respond to individuals displaying signs of mental illness or substance use disorders. This course provides education on how to offer initial support to someone who…
Spring is here, and for many people, that means moving from hibernation mode to focusing more on making healthy choices. Often, we think about good health only in terms of our physical well being, but mental health is an important…
All parents want their babies to grow up happy and healthy. From the moment of birth, humans are social and emotional beings. This means infants, toddlers and young children have mental health needs. Although thinking of infants and mental health…
Remember the saying ‘You are what you eat?’ Well, it also rings true for your mood. Nutrition plays an important role in physical health, but it also affects your behavior and brain function. “The brain is a metabolically active organ…