Skipping the Snooze Button: Correcting “Night Owl” Habits to Improve Sleep Quality
Do you ever feel like you aren’t getting enough sleep? Maybe you’ve resigned yourself to “just being a night owl,” but sleep is a...
Do you ever feel like you aren’t getting enough sleep? Maybe you’ve resigned yourself to “just being a night owl,” but sleep is a...
Do you ever find yourself wanting to listen to sad music? According to one study, it may help you effectively process emotions. So, pull...
Many of us have heard of attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, ADD is no longer considered its own...
The Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community is less likely to seek help for mental health concerns than the general population. This is...
Did you know that your morning cup of coffee or favorite afternoon soda contains a psychoactive drug? While it’s mostly harmless, caffeine alters our...
Students everywhere are gearing up for graduation and their transition into college, graduate school, or the workforce. However, as the ongoing pandemic continues to...
If you feel anxiety surrounding doctor and dentist appointments, you’re not alone. Dental anxiety impacts around 36% of adults, and many also share a...
Working from home. Scrambling to find child care. Coping with the death of a loved one. Feeling distant from friends. These are just a...
Student-athletes undoubtedly face anxiety while playing their sport. From pressure to make the shot, get the goal, or score the touchdown to the looming...
The popularity of dating apps has surged in recent years, especially with the pandemic forcing millions of people into isolation. Platforms like Tinder, Hinge,...
While it’s sometimes assumed that the male-to-female ratio of autism diagnoses is 4:1, it’s really closer to 3:1, research shows. According to the Centers...
Studies show that people with bipolar disorder are more likely to be more creative. One well-known artist who suffered from bipolar disorder is Vincent...
Do you have a picky eater at home? Good nutrition can make a big impact on children’s mental health and development, so the Academy...
Nutritious food is a critical piece to better mental health. If you’re operating on a tight budget, it’s still possible to eat healthy while...
You’ve heard the saying, “You are what you eat.” It rings true regardless of your age or weight. Eating right and having good nutrition...
Moving the clock forward or backward one hour may not sound too drastic, but it can have a noticeable impact on your daily schedule...
From puberty to age 50, women are twice as likely as men to develop an anxiety disorder. While around 43% of these cases are...
There are countless ways that people deal with pain, trauma, mental illness, and the challenges of life. One way that people, especially adolescents and...
If you’re worried that you or someone you love may be struggling with an eating disorder, there are some symptoms that could indicate an...
Eating disorders aren’t just about food. They are disturbances in people’s behaviors, thoughts, and attitudes toward food, eating, and body weight or shape. And...
Research has shown that relationships are one of the most important aspects of our lives. People who are more socially connected to family, friends,...
The internet is filled with many positive resources that help educate and encourage children. Unfortunately, there are equally as many sites containing content detrimental...
Internet safety is important, now more than ever. School-aged children have so many resources at their fingertips to explore the world wide web. From...
While mental health conditions can impact anyone, according to the Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, Black adults in the United States...
When someone is comfortable enough to share their hurt feelings, it’s important to be there for them, but it may be difficult to know...
Being kind can provide a huge boost to someone’s mental health, confidence, and sense of purpose. That’s why it’s important to talk to children...
A toxic workplace is one where the atmosphere, people, or both create negative disruptions to a person’s entire life, even outside of work. In...
When you’re in a workplace with people that have different personalities, expectations, and opinions, interpersonal conflict is bound to occur. Each week, employees in...
Does being in a cluttered space make you feel overwhelmed, stressed out, and anxious? You’re not alone. According to Harvard Business Review, physical environments...
Human trafficking is a multibillion-dollar industry that exploits and endangers millions of people worldwide. It can take various forms, like sex trafficking or labor...
January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month. While anyone can fall victim to human trafficking, here are some of the individuals and groups at the...
While there’s never a bad time to focus on improving your mental health, a new year is a great time to pick up some...
As your year ends and a new one presents itself, it’s time to reflect on the last twelve months, your experiences, as well as...
Self-care has taken the internet by storm with people posting photos of splurges and spa days and “treat yourself” trips. Sometimes you need moments...
We have all met someone that is materialistic, focused on making sure they have the newest and trendiest items, regardless of cost. They have...
Participating in activism is an important way of engaging with your community to create change and advocate for causes you believe in. Whether you...
Human Rights Day was founded in 1948 to celebrate the United Nations’ adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This document cemented...
Experiencing a shift in mood and periods of sadness during the winter is common. However, for nearly 16 million Americans, these changes are more...
For National Family Health History Day, consider your family’s invisible tether to you: genetics and mental health. Family health history questionnaires are common in...
A lot of progress has been made in mapping the human genome, gleaning information from our own DNA and our ancestors’. However, it is...
Military service members and veterans face preeminent risks of mental health problems due to deployment, combat, and return to civilian life. These brave men...
Military families are a resilient group who endure hardships which remain unknown to many. Being part of a military family comes with a certain...
No one should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from or where they will sleep for the night, but unfortunately,...
Trans Awareness Week both celebrates the diversity of genders for people who do not identify as the gender assigned to them at birth and...
Believe it or not, our bodies are not fully evolved to deal with the daily stressors of modern life. As Robert Sapolsky, a professor...
Adding acts of gratitude into your daily routine can improve mental health. It’s easy to get pulled down by the weight of things that...
No one wants to believe their child could bully others. But even with the best guidance, some children may act out against their peers...
Children can be naïve and innocent to the world’s ugly truths. However, one truth they may be too familiar with is bullying. We are...
Seeing violence or harassment firsthand can be shocking and cause you to freeze. If you have a plan for what to do when you...
Whether you are part of the LGBTQ+ community or you’re an ally, people who share their gender identity or sexuality with you need your...
Coming out as any letter of the LGBTQ+ spectrum (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer) can be difficult. It requires courage and bravery to...
This World Mental Health Day, Valley Oaks Health is joining the World Health Organization in sharing the importance of mental health as well as...
ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) is a common diagnosis among children, but many adults may find themselves wondering if they have ADHD. Symptoms usually show up...
You may know someone fighting addiction while working through their recovery journey. You want to help, but you aren’t sure if you should. And...
Finding direction during recovery leads to success. It can make the difference between positive days and challenging setbacks. Here are ten steps to help...
Take a moment, pause, then take a deep breath. Inhale. Exhale. Repeat. Meditation is the universal medicine that benefits everyone. The best part? You don’t...
September is Pain Awareness Month, and at Valley Oaks, we understand the connection between chronic pain and mental health. You may be familiar with...
More than 700,000 people die by suicide each year, and for each person that dies, it’s estimated that 20 others attempt. It’s time we...
The word “addiction” is thrown around for a lot of things. I’m addicted to my phone. My child is addicted to video games. But...
Inequality comes in many forms. It can stem from different identity statuses such as race, gender, and life events like becoming disabled or losing...
Economically, women bore the brunt of COVID-19. They lost the highest percentage of jobs and a collective $800 billion in income. Childcare centers closed,...
In medical studies, women lack the longevity and quantity of scientific research to understand how addiction to drugs or alcohol can affect them. What...
While addiction can affect anyone, it often presents itself differently depending upon biological and sociological factors. For example, research has shown that men are...
Understanding and communicating your emotions can help you move through uncomfortable feelings while building resilience and mental well-being. But sometimes, it’s easier to default...
Each day, our minds are filled with thousands of thoughts, ideas, and concerns. Thoughts of panic, joy, fear, and anger can circulate throughout the...
The pandemic was a difficult time for everyone, but children were especially impacted. Things that were safe and fun before—playing with friends, going to...
There is no right way to react to return to “normal” after the COVID-19 pandemic, and life may look far from normal still. Whether...
As much as we may try, external changes like changing jobs, moving to a new home, or a once-in-a-century viral pandemic can get in...
After more than a year of dealing with uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, many parents and children are looking for a return to...
Self-care is crucial to improved mental health. Here are a few ways to add self-care to your daily routine as a way to reduce...
July 24 is International Self-Care Day (ISD). This worldwide event allows people to share how they practice self-care while offering better ways for everyone...
Feeling the winter blues of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is more commonly discussed than summertime sadness. Those affected by warm weather-related SAD can experience...
Many people experience shifts in mood and periods of sadness during winter when days are shorter with less daylight. Colder months are not the...
Some parents find that summer is the best time for their children to develop new skills and meet friends. For children with mental health...
The popularity of tablets and smartphones continues to creep into groups of younger and younger kids. According to a study conducted in 2016, 52%...
There have been numerous conversations across our country circling politics, healthcare, racism, and public safety that have left people feeling conflicted, anxious, and pressured...
One aspect of trauma-informed care that is beginning to gain more awareness is the effect of racial trauma among people of color. Racism and...
July is National Minority Mental Health Month, so it is important to recognize the barriers that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) must...
The number one thing people said last year when the world shut down due to COVID-19 was, “Thank goodness this happened in the spring...
You’ve probably uttered the words, “I really should” before rattling off a long to-do list. While it feels good to check off chores, that...
Languishing is a sense of stagnation and emptiness. It feels as if you’re muddling through your days, looking at your life through a foggy...
This article’s list of initials is not exhaustive of all LGBTQ+ community members and related groups’ identities. Valley Oaks Health respects the diversity and...
Studies show individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ are six times more likely to experience symptoms of depression and twice as likely to experience suicidal...
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is commonly associated with veterans, yet some studies show a connection that stretches beyond combat: poverty. The most financially distressed...
To the 8 million diagnosed Americans experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), we are here to support you on your road to recovery. For those...
This May, Valley Oaks Health is celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month by shining a light on the daily toll of burnout and ways to...
Mental health has become a more commonly used term in the last decade. But as something we often cannot see, it’s important to remember...
Work-life balance is something we all strive to achieve, but if the scales are tipping in favor of long nights in the office and...
It can be hard to talk about burnout. If you’re struggling, you may worry you’ll come off as a complainer. If you notice the...
Work seems to consume so much of our life. From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., you’re tuned into the needs of your boss and...
Finding a work-life balance doesn’t mean just drawing boundaries at work. Making your home a safe space that is free from stress can also...
In this video, Amanda Pratt, LCSW / LMSW teaches us what coping is and how it can help you navigate the path toward better...
Mental health is just as important as physical health. Just like you’d go for a run or eat veggies to keep your body healthy,...
A mental health diagnosis doesn’t mean your light has to darken. Those living with a mental health condition can find light with treatment and...
A battle with mental health doesn’t have to be a solo fight. Those living with a mental health condition can find community and healing...
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans increased their alcohol intake, with women and parents of young children disproportionately affected. This article from the New...
During this time of civil unrest, the City of Alexandria, Virginia has compiled resources to help support individuals and communities experiencing race based trauma:...
Sleep is an important step toward having better mental health. So how can you get more hours of better sleep? Build a consistent schedule...
We’ve always been told eight hours of sleep is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. During the night, your immune system receives a...
Do you ever feel like you are hanging on by a fraying thread? Even on the best days, stress can sneak in and take...
