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History of the Ugly Holiday Sweater
As the holiday season gets into full swing, there is one trend that seems to gain more and more popularity each year- the ugly sweater. If you live, work, or go to school with others, chances are you have attended at least one ugly holiday sweater party this year already. As we rush out to buy these ugly sweaters (or materials to make your own!), it begs the question of where this tradition came from in the first place! We did a little digging, and found the history of the ugly holiday sweater. The ugly holiday sweater first made its... Read More
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National Gratitude Month
As everyone starts to gear up for Thanksgiving, don’t forget that the whole month of November is National Gratitude Month! Gratitude is more than simply saying “thank you,”- it’s also a great way to shift your focus from the negative to the positive by showing appreciation for the people and things in your life. According to Psychology Today, gratitude improves your physical and psychological health, improves self-esteem, increases mental strength, and enhances empathy while reducing aggression. Studies also show that grateful people sleep better at night. There are so many simple ways that you can practice gratitude, and they only... Read More
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Domestic Awareness Month
October is designated as Domestic Violence Awareness Month to bring attention to the different forms of abuse in relationships. Domestic violence is generally defined as behavior in a relationship that is used to gain or maintain power over an intimate partner. Forms of domestic abuse include emotional, physical, sexual and verbal attacks. Every nine seconds in the United States a woman is assaulted or beaten, and up to 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence each year. Women are not the only victims of domestic violence- men account for 15% of reported cases. There is a myriad of... Read More
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National Self Care Month
As the school year gets into full swing and schedules start to overflow, it is important to remember that September is National Self Care Month! Since we tend to take care of others before ourselves, it is important to make time for yourself each day. There are small steps you can take to better self-care this month, such as: switching up your routine and taking a new route to work, unplugging for an hour, crossing off that lingering item on your to-do list, or going for a walk on your lunch break. One exercise that is great for the mind,... Read More
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Family Fun Month
As everyone gears up for the new school year, it is important to remember that August is also Family Fun Month! Planning fun, simple family activities for the month can help ease the back to school blues, and give kids something to look forward to once their homework is done. Some easy weeknight ideas include going out for ice cream, taking a family bike ride, cooking meals together, or having a karaoke night. Regular family dinners are a great way to spend time together and save money; studies by Columbia University show that kids who eat dinner with their parents... Read More
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July Is National Picnic Month
National Picnic Month As we move into the warmest days of summer, it is no surprise that July is National Picnic Month! Picnics can be a great way to spend time outdoors with the family, but there are many more hidden benefits to this summer tradition. Packing up a meal for the family to enjoy together outdoors allows for family bonding and opens up communication. Since most picnics take place in calm, relaxing environments, family members are more likely to make small talk with each other and share details about their day. Hosting a picnic at a park or beach... Read More
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June is Men’s Health Month
June is Men’s Health Month! This month was established to heighten awareness of preventable health issues in men and boys. Throughout the month there are multiple health fairs and screenings available that are designed to improve the health and well-being of men of all ages. Some of the most common health issues brought to the forefront are: cardiovascular health, sexual reproductive health, mental health, prostate health, diabetes, aging, and nutrition/ obesity. Although women are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with a mental health issue, that does not mean that men do not also suffer from the same... Read More
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May is National Foster Care Month
As many of us prepare for summer activities with our children and families, it is important to remember that there are many children out there still in need of loving families. May is National Foster Care Month, designed to focus attention on the year-round efforts of all of the volunteers, employees, mentors and foster parents in the system, as well as the children they serve. According to the National Foster Care Coalition, there are more than 400,000 children in foster care on any given day. While many children will leave the foster care system through reunification with their families or... Read More
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Autism Awareness Month
As many of you know, April is Autism Awareness Month. This month is designed to raise awareness and encourage acceptance of those who have autism, or have an autistic family member. Whathealth.com defines Autism as “a complex mental condition and developmental disability, characterized by difficulties in the way a person communicates and interacts with other people.” No two cases of Autism are the same, and people will generally exhibit symptoms that are very unique. Some of the more common symptoms are: problems interacting with others, difficulty showing empathy, difficulty with physical contact, sensitivity to changes in their environment, difficulty with... Read More
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Women in Psychology
In honor of Women’s History Month, we will be celebrating one of the most noteworthy women in psychology- Mary Whiton Calkins. Mary graduated from Smith College in 1884, and was later offered a position teaching psychology. Mary was required to study the subject of psychology for at least one year before she could begin teaching, which presented its own set of difficulties. With psychology being such a new area of study, there were few programs available, and even less that accepted women. In 1890, Mary put in a formal request with Harvard University to allow her to attend the lectures... Read More