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Journaling Tips to Help Teens Cope with Stress and Anxiety

Journaling Tips – Your teens and pre-teens are dealing with a lot of different emotions, and could use a way to release those emotions and thoughts in a safe way. Journaling can do that for them, and it is so flexible and easy to do, that it really is great for all adolescents. Here are some tips to help your teens start journaling.

Start Small | Journaling Tips

Journaling doesn’t have to be an all-encompassing activity; you can start small by taking just five or ten minutes each day to write down your thoughts. You might want to start by writing about what happened during the day or how you were feeling, then you can move on from there. Don’t worry if you don’t know where to start; just let your words flow freely and see where they take you.

Find a Journal You Love | Journaling Tips

Journaling Tips – If you want your teen to love writing, they need to love what they are writing with. This includes a journal or notebook that is just their style, along with some fun pens they choose themselves. Everyone tends to be picky about the type of pen they use, so definitely let them pick out some favorites.

Use Different Writing Tools, Stickers, and Embellishments

Journaling Tips – In addition to the journal and writing tools, you can get them some other tools as well. Teens who are on the creative side might want to add more color, doodles, or designs to their journal pages. This is super easy to do with colored pencils, watercolors, embellishments, stickers, and other similar items. These can be really inexpensive, and make a huge difference in how motivated your teens are to use their journal.

Keep Your Journal Private | Journaling Tips

Journaling Tips – It is really important that you make a promise to your teens that their journals will remain private and confidential. If they have any fears of someone (like a younger sibling) reading their journals, they won’t be as open and honest as they could be, which does diminish some of the potential benefits of this writing practice. Give them somewhere they can lock up their journals, or even get a diary with a key if they would feel more comfortable with that.

Writing Ideas | Journaling Tips

Journaling Tips – There are a lot of journal prompts out there, but many of them are geared towards adults. For teens and pre-teens, look for journal prompts about school, friends, getting ready for college, and this sort of thing. Here are some examples of great writing topics for teens:

  • What does your ideal life look like?
  • What do you want to major in?
  • What college are you interested in?
  • What are your future career plans?
  • Where you would move to if you could move anywhere after high school?
  • Talk about your BFFs
  • What subjects do you love in school?
  • Which subjects do you always dread?
  • How do you like spending your free time?

Set Goals

Journaling Tips – You can also use journaling as a way of setting goals for yourself and tracking your progress over time. For example, if you want to learn a new skill or get better grades in school, write down what your goal is and then break it down into smaller steps that you need to take in order to achieve it. This will help keep you motivated and focused on reaching your goals. 

Creating Space for Reflection | Journaling Tips

Journaling can also be used as a tool for reflection and self-discovery. Take some time each day (or week) to reflect on what has been happening in your life recently – both the good and the bad – and consider what lessons you can learn from these experiences. You might want to think about how these experiences have impacted your relationships with others or how they have shaped your outlook on life going forward.

Journaling is incredibly powerful tools that can help teens cope with stress, anxiety, and other emotions that they may not be able to express verbally. It provides them with an outlet for their thoughts and feelings while also teaching them useful skills such as goal setting, self-reflection, and creative expression. For parents looking for ways to support their teens during this challenging time in their lives, encouraging them to start a journal is one of the best things that they can do! Check out our shop here.

Therapy in Brandon  

If you find that you’re feeling stuck more than often, or you’re noticing that your anxiety or trauma is especially high during the winter season, know that you’re not alone, we encourage you to reach out. Our counsellor here at Bliss Counselling & Wellness Centre have experience working with anxiety, stress, grief, trauma, depression, and so much more. We offer both in-person and online services. To learn more, reach out to us at 431-302-8803, or go here and fill out an online form!

EMDR Therapy for Children and Teens

EMDR Therapy for Children and Teens – Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy approach that has been used to help adults heal from trauma since the late 1980s. Recently, EMDR has been adapted to be used with children and teens. In this blog post, we will discuss why EMDR is particularly well-suited for child and adolescent clients, how it works, and what parents can expect from the process.

How Does EMDR Work | EMDR Therapy for Children and Teens

EMDR Therapy for Children and Teens – One of the core concepts of EMDR is that humans have a natural ability to heal after traumatic experiences. During EMDR sessions, therapists guide clients through their memories in order to bring about resolution and healing. The therapist helps the client identify particular memories or experiences that are causing distress or difficulty in functioning. The therapist then helps the client use eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation while they talk about those memories in order to process them more effectively. This process helps them form new associations with those memories that can lead to improved functioning in everyday life.

Why Is EMDR Good For Kids | EMDR Therapy for Children and Teens

EMDR Therapy for Children and Teens – EMDR therapy has many advantages over traditional talk therapy when it comes to treating children and teens. One major advantage is that it allows clients to work through their issues without having to verbalize all of their experiences. This makes it easier for young people who may not have the language skills necessary to fully explain their feelings or experiences yet still need help processing them. Additionally, because the focus of EMDR is on healing rather than talking about trauma, it can also help young people feel less overwhelmed by their emotions during therapy sessions which can make them more willing to engage in treatment.  Another benefit of using EMDR with children and teens is that it helps them gain insight into their own coping skills as well as how they interact with others which can improve communication within families and relationships outside of therapy sessions as well. Finally, since EMDR works quickly compared to traditional talk therapies (most people begin seeing results within 3-4 sessions), it can be a much more cost-effective option for families looking for help for their children or teens struggling with mental health issues related to trauma or stressors in life. 

EMDR therapy can be an effective way for kids and teens who have experienced trauma or overwhelming stressors in life to work through their issues without having to relive all aspects of the experience verbally each time they enter therapy sessions. With its fast pace, insight building capabilities, and focus on healing rather than talking about pain points from past experiences, EMDR offers kids a unique way of working through difficult emotions without feeling overwhelmed by them at any point during treatment sessions. If you think your child or teen may benefit from this type of therapeutic intervention be sure to speak with a qualified mental health professional who specializes in this type of treatment approach so you can get started on your road towards healing today!

Therapy in Brandon  

If you find that you’re feeling stuck more than often, or you’re noticing that your anxiety or trauma is especially high during the winter season, know that you’re not alone, we encourage you to reach out. Our counsellor here at Bliss Counselling & Wellness Centre have experience working with anxiety, stress, grief, trauma, depression, and so much more. We offer both in-person and online services. To learn more, reach out to us at 431-302-8803, or go here and fill out an online form!

photo of Counsellor Emem

About the Author
Emem Iniobong
, is a Brandon MB, Canadian Certified Counsellor who is an EMDR trained and helps childrenteensyoung adultsparents, and families in dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, parenting support to live a more fulfilled and bliss-full life.

Daily Mantras for Self-Care

Daily Mantras for Self-Care – Self-care is one of the most important aspects of physical and mental health, and it doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. One of the best ways to practice self-care is with mantras. Mantras can be words, phrases, or sentences that focus your thoughts, relieve stress, or lift your mood.

You can include them in a daily meditation, or you can repeat them to yourself as you face obstacles throughout your day. As you repeat your mantra, you’ll start to truly believe it and embody it. Here are six daily mantras that you can add to your self-care practice:

I love myself | Daily Mantras for Self-Care

Daily Mantras for Self-Care – Accepting and loving yourself can sometimes be difficult, but it’s an important step toward positive mental and spiritual health. Loving yourself the way you love your friends and family will help you realize that you deserve happiness just as much as they do. As you repeat this mantra, remind yourself of all your positive qualities, and remember that you’re unique.

I am worthy of things that bring me joy | Daily Mantras for Self-Care

We often deprive ourselves of good things or feel guilty for indulging in what we love. It’s okay to want the best for yourself and to seek out what brings you joy. Whether it’s spending time with a good friend, sleeping in late, buying something nice for yourself, or anything else, you deserve the things that make you happy.

I deserve to take care of my mind and body

Daily Mantras for Self-Care – If you’re constantly stressed about work, school, or family obligations, you might neglect your physical and mental health. However, even amidst all the stress, you deserve to treat your mind and body well.

I am important | Daily Mantras for Self-Care

Daily Mantras for Self-Care – You are just as important as anyone else, and you deserve to treat yourself like you’re important. Your health and happiness matter, and your needs are valid. It’s easy to prioritize everyone and everything else above yourself, but this mantra will remind you that you’re important too.

I choose to be positive

The stress and struggles that come your way might be out of your control, but your attitude isn’t. You can choose to be positive and to focus on the good things in your life. Remind yourself that positive self-talk is powerful and effective, and you can choose to focus on uplifting thoughts.

I am strong

Daily Mantras for Self-Care – You have made it through every obstacle in your life so far, and you’ll continue to make it through. Even when you don’t feel strong, remind yourself of your strength. Sometimes, being strong involves practicing self-care, which helps you become healthy and focused enough to tackle whatever comes your way.

It’s best to choose one mantra at a time and focus on it for at least a week. Everyone has different values and priorities, so some mantras might not benefit you as much as others. Once you’ve tried out a few mantras, you’ll find one that really speaks to you. A good mantra helps you focus on the positive, but it also has the power to influence your actions. Your mantra should help you accept yourself, take care of yourself, and make positive choices that benefit your life.

Therapy in Brandon

If you find that you’re feeling stuck more than often, or you’re noticing that your anxiety is especially high during the fall season, know that you’re not alone, we encourage you to reach out. Our counsellor here at Bliss Counselling & Wellness Centre have experience working with anxiety, stress, grief, trauma, depression, and so much more. We offer both in-person and online services. To learn more, reach out to us at 431-302-8803, or go here and fill out an online form!

photo of Counsellor Emem

About the Author
Emem Iniobong
, is a Brandon MB, Canadian Certified Counsellor who is an EMDR trained and helps childrenteensyoung adultsparents, and families in dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, parenting support to live a more fulfilled and bliss-full life.

Group Therapy: How It Can Help Youth and College Students

Group Therapy: How It Can Help Youth and College Students – Group therapy is an invaluable tool in the mental health field. It can be used to help youth, college students, and other individuals who may be dealing with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, or even trauma. While one-on-one therapy sessions are often beneficial, group therapy adds an element of connection and support that can make a significant difference in the healing process. Let’s take a look at how group therapy works and the benefits it provides for teens and college students.

How Group Therapy Works

Group therapy is typically facilitated by one or more licensed mental health professionals, depending on the size of the group. During each session, members will have an opportunity to share their experiences and interact with each other in a safe and supportive environment. Each session typically focuses on a particular topic related to mental health, such as coping strategies for stress management or developing healthy communication skills. At times, members may also have the chance to practice new skills with guidance from the facilitator(s).

Benefits of Group Therapy for Teens & College Students

Group therapy has numerous benefits that can help teens and college students manage their mental health issues while also providing them with valuable life skills. One of these benefits is the sense of community that comes from being part of a group setting where everyone has similar struggles or goals. This allows individuals to not only learn from each other but also feel that they are not alone in their struggles. Additionally, group therapy can provide an opportunity for greater self-awareness by allowing members to gain insight into how their behavior affects themselves as well as those around them. Finally, it can teach important problem-solving skills that will serve individuals long after they graduate from counseling sessions. 

Group therapy is a powerful tool when it comes to helping children, teenagers, and college students manage their mental health issues in a safe and supportive environment. It provides individuals with a sense of community while also teaching valuable life skills such as problem solving and communication techniques that will help them long after they leave counseling sessions. If you are considering group therapy for your teen or college student, be sure to find out what types of groups are available in your area so you can decide which option is best for them!

Therapy in Brandon

If you find that you’re feeling stuck more than often, or you’re noticing that your anxiety is especially high during the fall season, know that you’re not alone, we encourage you to reach out. Our counsellor here at Bliss Counselling & Wellness Centre have experience working with anxiety, stress, grief, trauma, depression, and so much more. We offer both in-person and online services. To learn more, reach out to us at 431-302-8803, or go here and fill out an online form!

photo of Counsellor Emem

About the Author
Emem Iniobong
, is a Brandon MB, Canadian Certified Counsellor who is an EMDR trained and helps childrenteensyoung adultsparents, and families in dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, parenting support to live a more fulfilled and bliss-full life.

Exploring Group Therapy For Youth | Bliss Counselling & Wellness Centre

Group therapy is a great way for youth to come together and develop a sense of camaraderie and understanding with those who are going through similar issues. It is also a platform for young people to feel seen and heard in a safe and secure environment. Here we explore the benefits of group therapy, when it should be used, and how it can benefit young people.

Benefits of Group Therapy

In group therapy settings, participants have the opportunity to share similar experiences while learning from each other’s successes or struggles. This type of setting helps children learn to trust one another, build relationships, practice communication skills, develop problem-solving methods, gain new perspectives on their circumstances, and uncover areas where they can grow in terms of personal development. Group therapy creates an atmosphere that gives participants a sense of belonging as well as the opportunity to give and receive support from their peers.

When Should Group Therapy Be Used?

Group therapy should be used when individual counseling or family counseling is not enough to get the desired results. It can also be used in conjunction with these methods – especially if there are multiple members in the family going through difficult times or if there are many different types of issues that need to be addressed within the same session. Group therapies may also help youth build better relationships with friends or family members who are unable to attend individual sessions due to scheduling conflicts or lack of resources.

How Can Group Therapy Benefit Young People?

Group therapy can help young people gain insight into their own beliefs and emotions related to certain situations. Through this process, they can learn more about themselves as well as others by listening and sharing stories with each other. Additionally, group therapy allows young people to develop empathy towards others who may have gone through similar traumas or experiences; this helps them become more compassionate individuals able to understand different perspectives on difficult topics such as anxiety or depression. Finally, group therapy offers an outlet for young people to express themselves without fear of judgement or criticism since everyone in the group understands what they’re going through – making it easier for them to open up about things they wouldn’t normally talk about outside of such settings.

Group therapy is not only an effective tool for helping youth reduce stress levels but it can also be beneficial for those dealing with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma-related challenges, etc. It provides a platform for teens and children alike where they can openly discuss their feelings without fear of judgement from those around them which makes it easier for them to truly express themselves without inhibition or hesitation so that they may move forward in life feeling empowered by their own unique story while being surrounded by like-minded individuals who can relate and offer support during challenging times.

Additionally, group therapies are often much more affordable than traditional one-on-one counseling which makes it an even more attractive option for families looking for support at an accessible price point. Ultimately, group therapy is a wonderful option for helping youth live healthier lives both emotionally and mentally – something every parent should consider exploring if their child needs additional guidance during difficult times!

Therapy in Brandon

If you find that you’re feeling stuck more than often, or you’re noticing that your anxiety is especially high during the fall season, know that you’re not alone, we encourage you to reach out. Our counsellor here at Bliss Counselling & Wellness Centre have experience working with anxiety, stress, grief, trauma, depression, and so much more. We offer both in-person and online services. To learn more, reach out to us at 431-302-8803, or go here and fill out an online form!

photo of Counsellor Emem

About the Author
Emem Iniobong
, is a Brandon MB, Canadian Certified Counsellor who is an EMDR trained and helps childrenteensyoung adultsparents, and families in dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, parenting support to live a more fulfilled and bliss-full life.

Seasonal Affective Disorder in Children and Teens | Bliss Counselling & Wellness Centre

Seasonal Affective Disorder in Children and Teens – Seasonal affective disorder, also known as SAD, is a type of depression that occurs during the fall and winter months. SAD is more common in young people than adults, and it can be especially hard on teens and tweens who are dealing with hormonal changes, school stress, and social pressures. Here’s what you need to know about seasonal affective disorder in children and teens.

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder? | Bliss Counselling & Wellness Centre

grayscale portrait of woman

Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that occurs during the fall and winter months. SAD is more common in young people than adults, and it can be especially hard on teens and tweens who are dealing with hormonal changes, school stress, and social pressures. The exact cause of SAD is unknown, but it is believed to be related to the shorter days and reduced sunlight exposure during the fall and winter months.

Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder

The most common symptom of seasonal affective disorder is feelings of sadness or depression that occur during the fall and winter months. Other symptoms of SAD may include:

  • Loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable
  • fatigue or low energy levels
  • difficulty concentrating
  • changes in appetite or weight
  • social withdrawal
  • irritability

What Can You Do About Seasonal Affective Disorder?                                             

If your child or teen is showing signs of seasonal affective disorder, there are several things you can do to help them cope with the condition. Some simple lifestyle changes—such as getting outside for a daily walk or ensuring that they’re getting enough sleep—can make a big difference. You may also want to consider light therapy, which involves sitting near a special light box for 30 minutes each day. If your child’s symptoms are severe, you may want to talk to their doctor about medication options.

Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that occurs during the fall and winter months. It’s more common in young people than adults, and it can be especially hard on teens and tweens who are dealing with hormonal changes, school stress, and social pressures. If your child or teen is showing signs of seasonal affective disorder, there are several things you can do to help them cope with the condition. Some simple lifestyle changes—such as getting outside for a daily walk or ensuring that they’re getting enough sleep—can make a big difference. You may also want to consider light therapy, which involves sitting near a special light box for 30 minutes each day. If your child’s symptoms are severe, you may want to talk to their doctor about medication options.

Therapy in Brandon

If you find that you’re feeling stuck more than often, or you’re noticing that your depression is especially high during the fall season, know that you’re not alone, we encourage you to reach out. Our counsellor here at Bliss Counselling & Wellness Centre have experience working with anxiety, stress, grief, trauma, depression, and so much more. We offer both in-person and online services. To learn more, reach out to us at 431-302-8803, or go here and fill out an online form!

photo of Counsellor Emem

About the Author
Emem Iniobong
, is a Brandon MB, Canadian Certified Counsellor who is an EMDR trained and helps childrenteensyoung adultsparents, and families in dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, parenting support to live a more fulfilled and bliss-full life.

Reduce Stress and Enjoy Your Autumn

stress handwritten text on white printer paper

Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed and stressed now that summer is over? If you are, you are definitely not alone. This is when you head back to work, kids go back to school, and productivity increases. You might be stressed about changing your schedule, focusing on your routine, or even the holidays which are coming up fast. Luckily, there are some easy ways to reduce stress in the fall season.

Declutter Everything | Reduce Stress and Enjoy Your Autumn

Think of the fall season as the second spring of the year, and use this as an opportunity to declutter your home. Take a little time to clean your home and really declutter your workspace, bedrooms, and living areas. Clutter can create a chaotic and stress-induced mindset, which is the last thing you want.

Switch Up Your Daily Routine

If you want less stress during this season, it helps to refocus your daily routine and make some changes appropriate for the time of year. You already have daily routines, whether you realize it or not. This includes the same things you tend to do at certain times of the day. You can make small adjustments that really reduce your stress, such as waking up 20 minutes early to write in your journal before getting ready for the day, or adding in a little extra reading time with your kids before their bedtime.

Exercise with the Family

You probably know all the great benefits of exercising, from helping to manage your weight and give you more energy, to boosting your mood and helping you become more fit. But there is no reason to exercise along; in fact, getting the family involved can help reduce everyone’s stress in the fall.

This can be riding your bikes at a nearby park, spending a Saturday going on a hike, or staying in to have a dance party on a rainy day.

Plan Some Fun Activities | Reduce Stress and Enjoy Your Autumn

This fall season, you can lower your stress by planning some fun activities for the family or friends, but make sure they focus more on relaxation. Instead of trying to fill your schedule with as much as possible that requires a lot of effort, think about fun and relaxing activities like going apple picking, enjoying a local fall festival with your family, or having a girl’s night with friends.

Start Using a Daily Planner

Now is a great time to look at your goals and tasks, and make a schedule that shows exactly what to do and when. How does this help with your stress? It can keep you from getting too overwhelmed, and actually see that you can get all your tasks completed in a reasonable amount of time, without feeling like you are going non-stop.

Get a daily planner you love, that hopefully includes different layouts, like daily, weekly, and monthly calendar pages. This allows you to fill out your schedule, create to-do lists, and see what you have going on each day and week.

Need more info on how to reduce stress this autumn, call us today.

Affirmations and Why You Should Use Them

Affirmations are an amazing tool when you want to be happier and more optimistic, get the right focus, and improve your mental attitude. You get to choose what affirmations to use, whether writing them down or saying them out loud. Here is some more information about using affirmations in the fall season.

Benefits of Daily Use

Why should you incorporate daily affirmations into your routine? There are actually a few great reasons to use them, and several ways to add them to your routine. Here is a rundown of the main benefits of positive affirmations:

It promotes a positive attitude and change in your mindset. This is definitely one of the best reasons to use daily affirmations. They are always positive statements meant to put you in a right mindset. It helps you throughout the day when you start your day with more positivity and kindness.

You start to appreciate more, and get disappointed in less. Affirmations not only show you what you want or how to feel, but they help you appreciate what you already have. They are written in present tense, such as “I am healthy today”, where not only are they positive and great for your mindset, but they help you appreciate the small things.

You are more aware of the power of your own thoughts. Affirmations teach you that just your thoughts or how you talk to yourself can make a large impact in your entire life. It improves your quality of life, makes you feel more positive, and actually helps you reach your goals.

It helps provide motivation where you need it the most. Sometimes you need to manifest motivation into your life with positive affirmations. They work wonders for this.

How to Choose Your Affirmations

What should your affirmations be? You can definitely choose from the ones other people enjoy using, but you might also want to create your own for specific situations in your life.

To write your own affirmations, here are a few tips:

Keep them positive. Affirmations should always be positive from beginning to end. If you have a negative thought or attitude, write an affirmation that switches it to something positive. For example, if you are dealing with stress about a big change in your life, try “I am capable of adapting to any situation”.

Write in present tense. You also want to write affirmations in present tense, as if what you want has already happened. If you want to achieve a goal, you write it like “I am working hard towards my goals” or something similar that is relevant to you.

Be grateful in your affirmations. Instead of talking about what you want, write your affirmations as if you are grateful for something you have (or want) in your life. For example “I am grateful to work on my goals today”.

Remember also to keep your affirmations brief so that they are easy to remember and repeat as often as needed.

Affirmations are a powerful way to change your mental attitude and focus in a positive direction. When used correctly, affirmations can help you achieve happiness and success. If you want to learn more about how to use affirmations for your personal growth, please call or email us for more information. We would be happy to assist you in using this valuable tool!

Recognizing the Signs of Stress

kids making noise and disturbing mom working at home
Photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels.com

In today’s fast-paced and demanding world, it is not uncommon to feel stressed. Sometimes we don’t always recognize it creeping up on us. This blog post will give you some signs that stress may be taking over your life. We hope this article helps you see these stressors before you begin to feel overwhelmed.

Stress can take many forms: being overwhelmed by everyday tasks or worries about work, school or family issues. It could also mean worrying about things like money problems, health concerns or relationship troubles. If any of these are happening in your life right now, don’t panic! We can help you!

The first step to managing stress is to see the signs before you are completely overwhelmed. We are all different and what triggers one person may not in another and that is OK! Once you know what the triggers are, you can work to avoid them or better deal with them. How do you know if someone is stressed? Here are some signs to watch out for.

1) Change in Sleep Patterns

Sleep has many different functions, such as restoring energy and improving moods. However when we are under pressure it becomes difficult for our brains to “turn off”. This leads us into staying up later than usual, waking throughout the night or getting up earlier than we ought.

2) Difficulty Concentrating

It’s important to be aware of signs your child or teen may be getting stressed, but these can apply to anyone. One way you can recognize this is by looking at their ability to concentrate. Inability to focus could indicate they have too much on their minds. This may flow over in other ways such as mood swings or poor school performance.

“It can be hard to concentrate when you’re feeling stressed. All your thoughts are racing and it feels impossible to focus on anything in particular. Your mind may wander from one thought to another, or you may find yourself unable to remember things that should be easy.”

“Stress doesn’t just affect how we feel, but also has an impact on our cognitive abilities. When we’re feeling stressed, our cognitive functions such as attention span and memory suffer because the brain’s prefrontal cortex is too overwhelmed by stress hormones like cortisol.”

3) Change in Mood

The stress that we experience can negatively influence our mood. Changes in mood are a reaction to the pressures faced daily. You often see this manifest in outbursts of frustration or anger. They could also be an indicator of an underlying problem that needs attention. Mood changes often overlap with unhealthy eating habits, manifesting in things like headaches and stomach issues.

4) Changes in Appetite – Either Increased or Decreased

It is normal for people to experience changes in appetite when they are stressed or experiencing other mental health issues. Some may have an increased appetite while others could see a decrease in their appetite. Triggers may include feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities at work, home, school and more; feeling disconnected from friends, family members or loved ones; struggling with body image issues; having unmet needs such as lack of sleep; feelings of not being heard or respected enough among other things. These changes can happen unexpectedly so it is important to take notice of any sudden change in your own eating habits.

5) Loss of Interest in Hobbies or Activities you used to Enjoy

Loss of interest in hobbies or activities you used to enjoy can be a difficult and confusing time for both the person experiencing the loss and those who care about them. Understanding what might cause this sudden change in behaviour is key to getting help and moving on. This is a common indicator of depression and should not be taken too lightly. It may be that one has simply taken on too much and may need to re-evaluate their daily schedule.

It’s important to know if you or your loved one has had any recent life changes affecting their ability to participate in hobbies they once enjoyed. Has there been a change in responsibilities at work or school, relationship problems, financial difficulties or health issues? If there are no life changes it may be worth checking out other reasons for the change like depression.

6) Feeling Restless and Agitated

Feeling restless, including a sense of dread about the future as sign of stress is not uncommon in today’s society. Stress is a major issue for many people, and it can lead to feelings of unrest that may be difficult to shake. These feelings can include a sense of dread about the future or an unwillingness to participate in everyday activities. It’s important not only to identify these symptoms, but also take steps toward reducing stress so it doesn’t get out of control and affect your life.

The signs of stress are different for everyone, but there are some commonalities. If you recognize any of these 6 signs of stress in yourself or someone you know, its likely your body needs to be relieved of excess pressure. If making these changes on your own seems too much, we are here to help. Call today or schedule an appointment!


Emem Iniobong, is a Brandon MB, Canadian Certified Counsellor who helps children, teens, young adults, parents, and families in dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, parenting support to live a more fulfilled and bliss-full life.

3 Reasons Your Teen Should Drink Water

3 reasons why your teen should drink water will be discuss in this blog. Drinking water is an important healthy habit for teens because drinking water is essential to a healthy body. It helps maintain a balance of minerals and fluids in the cells, aids digestion, transports nutrients, and maintains skin moisture. Drinking water is a healthy habit for teens because it keeps teens energized by replenishing your energy stores with oxygen-rich H2O. Likewise, the average teen drinks about 1.5 liters of water per day, which is less than adults. As teens go through puberty and grow their metabolism increases so they should drink more water to stay healthy and hydrated. Not only that, but drinking plenty of water can help prevent headaches and migraines. As well as, helps maintain a healthy weight, prevents constipation, kidney stones, diabetes and other illnesses. The best way to stay hydrated is through drinking plenty of clean glassfuls throughout the day; not just when you’re thirsty or it’s hot outside.

This blog will discuss 3 reasons why your teen should drink water

1) Weight Management

One reason your teen should drink water is because can help with weight loss by suppressing your appetite – Drinking plenty of water aids in digestion and metabolism, which leads to less food intake and more calories burning. The body needs water for digestion and metabolism. But with so many delicious beverages out there that are high in sugar and calories, it’s easy for teens to get caught up in the hype of these other options. More so, water has zero calories! It’s also free and easily available – all you need is a tap or bottle! The best part is that by drinking plenty of water throughout the day, you’ll actually suppress your appetite because your brain will think that you’ve had more food than you really have!

2) Flushes Toxins

One reason your teen should drink water is because it can help with flushing toxins of the body. The liver is the most important organ in your body, but it can’t function properly without enough fluids. More so, your organs will work more efficiently to remove waste products from your system.  When you drink less than eight glasses of water every day, toxins build up and may even cause damage to this vital part of your health! This is especially important for teens that are constantly growing and developing new cells- they need lots of fluids to help clean up old cells so their bodies can keep going strong!

3) Reduce Acne

One reason your teen should drink water is because it can help with preventing acne on the body. Drinking water prevents acne because acne develops when pores clog up with oil, dirt, bacteria and dead skin cells. There is a common misconception that drinking water can worsen acne breakouts, but it’s actually the opposite. Drinking plenty of water can help clear up acne and prevent future breakouts from occurring.  Research shows that an increase in fluids may reduce stress hormones which are known to aggravate symptoms of acne. It also helps flush out toxins through sweat glands and urination. It’s important for people with skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis to drink more water because their skin may be dryer than average due to a reduction in oil production caused by these diseases. 

I call my blog post “3 Reasons why your teen should drink water” because it has three important benefits for teens. Drinking plenty of water can help with weight loss, prevent acne and flush toxins from the body. What are some other reasons that drinking water is good? Comment below!


Emem Iniobong is a Brandon MB, Canadian Certified Counsellor that helps children, teens, young adults, parents, and families in dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, parenting support to live a more fulfilled and bliss-full life.