Active Healing Psychiatric Services Blog

  Mindfulness: What is it and How Can It Help My Child? Mindfulness for Kids Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgment. It can be a helpful way for kids to manage stress, improve focus, and boost creativity. Here are some ways to introduce mindfulness to kids: Start with breathing exercises. Have kids sit or lie down comfortably and focus on their breath. They can count their breaths or simply observe the feeling of their breath as it moves in and out of their body. Guided imagery. This is a type of meditation where kids listen to a calming voice that guides them through a visualization. For example, a guided imagery exercise might involve imagining themselves walking through a forest or swimming in a calm ocean. Body scan. This is a type of meditation where kids focus on different parts of their body, one at a time. They can start by focusing on their toes and then slowly move up their body, paying attention to the sensat...

How Stress Can Change Our Behaviors Here are some of the ways stress my affect us We may become more irritable and short-tempered. We may have trouble concentrating or making decisions. We may withdraw from social activities. We may engage in unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, drinking, or overeating. We may have trouble sleeping. We may experience physical symptoms,  such as headaches, stomachaches, or muscle tension How to Manage Stress with Good Coping Skills Exercise is a great way to relieve stress and improve our overall health. Relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation can help to calm our bodies and minds. Spending time with loved ones can help us to feel supported and less stressed. Learning how to manage our time effectively  can help us to reduce stress and feel more in control. When we're feeling stressed, it can be helpful to take some time to problem-solve  develop a plan for dealing with the stressor. Seeking professional help: If ...

  WHY SHOULD I KEEP FILLING OUT THIS PAPERWORK??? Screening tools are a great way to assess your mental health and identify any potential problems. They can also help you to track your progress over time and to see if your treatment is working. With mental health we often have a hard time with recognizing the positive changes in our mood over time. Repeating screening tools can help give us objective sort of data to show us how we are doing. There are many different types of screening tools available, so you can find one that is right for you. Some of the most common screening tools include: The PHQ-9: A depression screening tool that is used to assess the severity of your symptoms. The GAD-7: An anxiety screening tool that is used to assess the severity of your symptoms. The RMS: Screening tool to assess for bipolar disorder. The SCARED: Screening tool to asses for different types of anxiety in children. The DISC: Screening tool to assess for depression in children....