Blog & Insights

We all experience stress – yet we may experience it in very different ways. Because of this, there is no single definition for stress, but the most common explanation is a physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension.
Stress is a reaction to a situation where a person feels anxious or threatened. Learning healthy ways to cope and getting the proper care and support can help reduce stressful feelings and symptoms. stress.org

Common reactions to a stressful event can include:

• Disbelief, shock and numbness
• Feeling sad, frustrated and helpless
• Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
• Headaches, back pains and stomach problems
• Smoking or the use of alcohol or drugs

Stress affects the mind and the body. And long-term stress can be dangerous and have serious health impacts.

Sometimes the stress in our lives is not something we have the power to change. We can try to:

• Recognize when we don't have control, and let it go.
• Avoid getting anxious about situations that you cannot change
• Take control of your reactions and focus your mind on something that makes you feel calm and in control.
• Develop a vision for healthy living, wellness, and personal growth, and set realistic goals to help you realize your vision.

Checking in with ourselves, reflecting on our stress levels, and setting intentions to reduce our stress are key to better wellbeing. Healthy ways to cope with stress include:

1. Eating healthy, exercising regularly, getting plenty of sleep, and giving yourself a break if you feel stressed.
2. Sharing your problems with a family member, friend doctor, pastor, or counselor.
3. Avoiding drugs and alcohol.

Knowing how to talk to others about stress in your life is an important part of wellness. If you need help reducing stress in your life and need to talk, contact SHCS today.

This month we celebrate and accept neurodiversity.
What does it mean to be neurodivergent?
That neurological diversity exists as a natural part of human variation, and there is no such thing as a “normal” brain. Variation in neurology is natural, and there is no singular right way.
Common recognized areas of neurodivergence include: OCD, dyslexia, intellectual disabilities, sensory differences, giftedness and twice exceptional, ADHD, autism, and Tourette Syndrome.

What does it mean to be Neurodivergent Affirming?

1. Recognizing that there is no one “normal” brain or neurotype.
2. Neurodivergence is not a flaw that needs correction but is a distinct neurotype or brain style that is an integral part of an individual’s identity.
3. It emphasizes recognizing strengths, supporting individuals through their challenges, and making accommodations or adjustments tailored for their needs.
4. Honoring a person's preferences and special interests.
5. Individuals are to be encouraged, heard, and valued.
6. Individuals are viewed as capable and worthy of making choices about themselves and their participation.
7. Individuals are viewed as capable of understanding, communicating, and engaging meaningfully, even if they do so differently.
8. Communication differences are valid expressions, not deficits.
9. Different ways of navigating are recognized as valid. Differences in thinking, feeling, and behaving are supported, not pathologized.
10. Advocating for inclusion, accommodations, accessibility, and support needs for individuals. autplaytherapy.com

At SHCS, we are neurodiversity informed and affirming. Contact us to learn more!

They say music is transformative….meaning it can cause lasting and positive change.

Music can help us shift perspectives, challenge our thoughts and beliefs, have a more positive outlook, and deeply impact our lives.

Music regulates mood and has healing potential.

It can help shape our personal and cultural identities. Engaging in music-making activities can facilitate emotional release, promote self-reflection, and create a sense of community.

Music has a rich history of being used as a tool for social advocacy and change.

Music can also serve as a catalyst for social connection and support, breaking down barriers and bridging divides. The Transformative Power of Music in Mental Well-Being

So whether you enjoy singing, dancing, playing an instrument, song writing, drumming, or participate in a music community with others, you are transforming yourself and the lives of others.

Did you know March is National Music Month?

Being a musician myself, I value what music does for my mind, body, and soul. So let me share about how music can be good for you.

Music can reduce stress, boost mood, and improve thinking. It can provide a distraction to pain, calm our mind and bodies, and improve breathing. Music can slow our mind down for better sleep and enhance our immune system.

Rhythm and melodies trigger memories and can be used to improve movement and speech, while playing an instrument stimulates the whole brain.

To enjoy music more for your health, consider these take-aways:

The holidays can be a great time for some, but a particularly difficult time for others. Family can be a source of support or aggravation, or the lack of it can be lonely. Maybe you feel pressured to spend more money on gifts than you can afford.

What would happen if you did not attend your family gathering? What would happen if you ignore that annoying family member? Perfection is an impossible standard to live by. Pleasing everyone is simply not going to happen.

If you are trying to help change the behavior of a loved one with ADHD, the task might seem easy in planning, but starting it suddenly becomes a more difficult task. The person can become distracted, forget what the steps were, and crossing the finish line is a big accomplishment.

In the world of behavioral health, there is a concept called "Shaping". You start with the easiest step and work your way up to more tasks and more complex tasks. Behavior shaping requires patience, but it pays off.

A question I frequently ask friends and clients alike is what's stopping them from doing something. Overcoming obstacles with ADHD is talked about a lot, but how do you get past them without identifying them?

"I don't want to" or "I don't feel like it" is often overlooked because you judge yourself for it. Instead, ask why. There's a reason for it, and discounting those thoughts is clearly preventing you from doing it.

Time away from work, school, and other daily responsibilities is often refreshing and good for clearing the mind. When a person has ADHD, though, the return to reality can be a bit disorienting.

Review what daily and weekly life looks like. Look at a schedule or checklist and see what you usually do. Go over it piece by piece to bring yourself back into the swing of things without becoming overwhelmed.

Cleaning with ADHD is a challenge that many face. Executive function challenges can make it hard to know where to start or how to divide up the tasks. My first approach is: I wait until I'm bothered by my surroundings to change them.

Fighting an ADHD brain is a lost battle - the key is adaptation. How can I do what I need to do? The answer is different for everyone.

ADHD is tricky. There is a history of stigma attached to it with the idea that it's a parenting issue or character flaw. ADHD is hereditary and biologically based. The brain's neurotransmitters and the way the brain is wired contributes to the symptoms. It's no one's fault.

Working collaboratively as a family, setting limits while also helping develop coping strategies, can make a significant difference in outcomes.

One of the most common struggles for individuals with ADHD is establishing consistent daily habits and routines. Whether it's leaving shoes in the middle of the floor, forgetting homework, or not putting items back where they belong, these patterns can repeat endlessly.

Establishing consistency in routines is essential. Daily reminders, checklists, and visual cues can help reinforce behavioral patterns across all ages.

The decision to pursue medication treatment is deeply personal and often comes with a lot of questions. Parents and individuals alike wrestle with weighing the benefits against risks and potential side effects.

Counseling can teach strategies for self-control and emotional regulation as an alternative or complement to medication. Many people find that a combination approach works best.

As summer winds down and the school year approaches, it's time to prepare. For families with children who have ADHD or other challenges, this transition requires thoughtful planning.

Start by reviewing any academic support plans and make sure they're current. Manage separation anxiety by gradually reintroducing structure and routine. Establish consistent sleep routines well before school starts.

One of the biggest challenges for people with ADHD is maintaining to-do lists and remembering tasks. The irony is that a to-do list doesn't help if you forget you have it or where you put it. This is a real and common struggle.

Some people thrive with digital lists and reminder notifications, while others prefer paper-based systems. The key is finding a method that works for your brain and that you'll actually use consistently.