leslie's blog

Year after year, when winter rolls around, some people may repeatedly experience a significant change in the way they feel and behave. Starting in late fall and subsiding in early spring, they may feel especially sad, irritable, or sluggish, want to sleep more, and crave sweets and starchy foods. They might notice a lack of interest or pleasure in usual hobbies or friends, or a decreased interest in sex. These are all possible signs of Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD), a type of depression experienced by an estimated 10% of people living in northern countries.

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The holiday season is supposed to be joyful and care-free…right? Well, this is certainly a hope. However, for many, this time of year can be stressful and even depressing. Here are a few common sources of stress and depression this time of year.

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As August winds down, parents, children, and teens are beginning to turn their attention toward the start of the school year.  Getting back into a routine has its benefits, but for many, this time of transition feels overwhelming.  Here are some tips to help you keep your mind and body healthy as the school year approaches.    

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Loss is something that everyone experiences, multiple times throughout life.  Common losses include the deaths of family members or pets, or break-ups of romantic relationships. 

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A pair of researchers was recently featured in a New York Times Magazine article (1), regarding their exploration of an interesting idea: that happiness may be contagious.  The researchers, James Fowler and Nicholas Christakis, argue that one person’s happiness may cause other people in that person’s social network (such as that person’s neighbors, acquaintances, friends, and relatives) to become happier too.  They suggest that a change in one person’s happiness will ripple through that person’s social network, as well as through the social networks o

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