Have you ever found yourself feeling anxious for no reason, right in the middle of a perfectly ordinary day? Maybe you’re folding laundry, sitting in the school pickup line, or scrolling your phone on the couch, and suddenly your chest feels tight and your mind won’t settle. If that sounds familiar, you’re in good company….
Everything parents need to know about teen anxiety, from the first signs to what actually helps at home, at school and in therapy.
Learning real coping skills for teens is one of the most important things a young person can do, but most teens have never been taught how to build them on purpose. They are figuring it out in real time, often leaning on habits that feel helpful in the moment but quietly make things harder over…
Looking for ways to relieve stress when the headlines just keep coming? Do you find yourself feeling exhausted every time another breaking news story pops up? Do these questions sound like the start of a really cheesy infomercial? For just three easy payments of 19.99! No, no, no. Let’s talk about relieving some stress, for…
Homesickness in college is one of the most common feelings new students face, and it often starts before move-in day. You might be excited about everything ahead and still feel a pit in your stomach when you think about leaving home. It is that fabulous time of year when you are finally out on summer…
SAT anxiety is real, and if you are feeling the pressure as the SAT or ACT gets closer, you’re not alone. A lot of teens walk into test season already consumed by it. What will it be like? How will I do? What if I don’t hit the score I need? On top of your…
Coping with grief is something we all face at some point, whether it is the loss of a pet, a grandparent, or even a close friend. Losing a loved one is never easy, and it often leaves us brokenhearted and down in the dumps. No two people grieve the same way, and grief does not…
Mindfulness for teen anxiety is one of the most practical tools a teenager can have, and it does not require a perfect setting, a lot of time, or any prior experience. If your teen is carrying a storm of worry that no one on the outside can see, this post is for them, and for…
Anxiety about change is something almost everyone feels at some point, since change brings uncertainty about the future. To change often means the things you were used to are going to be different, and that can push you right out of your comfort zone. The thing with change is that it cannot be avoided, no…
Holiday stress can sneak in right alongside the celebrations, family, friends, and cheer. For many people the holidays are a fun time, but for others they bring sadness, a low mood, fear, guilt, stress, and even anxiety. The holidays can be difficult for a number of reasons. Maybe you have to deal with difficult family…
Finals anxiety can turn the last weeks of the semester into a blur of worry, late nights, and second-guessing everything you studied. If you are a high school or college student feeling that pressure build, you are far from alone. At Davis-Smith Mental Health in New Lenox, IL, we help students across Will County calm…
Many of us have had nights when we can’t fall asleep, and it feels like our worst nightmare, excuse the pun. We lie there counting the hours left until the alarm goes off, or worse, we get up for work or school on very little sleep. Meanwhile, worried thoughts circle through our heads, telling us…
Raising resilient teens is something so many parents and teachers care about, yet it isn’t always clear how to help. Teens often aren’t sure how to handle big emotions, let alone the everyday stress of school, friendships, and growing up. Resilience is a must, and the good news is that there are real steps you…
Racing thoughts can make life feel busy, out of hand, and overwhelming, even when nothing around you is actually wrong. Many people struggle with recurring thoughts of worry and stress that get in the way of sleep, school, work, and relationships. For others, it’s extreme fear, panic, and even anxiety attacks. Many feel like they…
What if we told you that exercise for anxiety could help your mind and your body at the same time? Anxiety does not only live in your thoughts. It can also show up in your body as aches and pains, stiff muscles, tension headaches, and exhaustion. The good news is there is a way to…
