Inside Out 2

 Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust have returned for another fantastic production of Inside Out. The sequel to the original delivers a fun, accurate, and science-backed depiction of human emotions relative to developmental stages and seasons of life. In Inside Out 2, we meet Embarrassment, Boredom aka Ennui, Envy, and (my favorite) Anxiety. The story is compelling, interesting, and sweet. Inside Out 2 provides an opportunity to visualize the inner experience of emotions, social dynamics, developmental changes, as well as the outcome of when one emotion tries to take over.  This film does a wonderful job of capturing the importance of integrating emotions.  

I have included several resources that go deeper into the science behind Inside Out 2. There are spoilers, so if you haven’t yet watched the movie, please do! It is worth your time and appropriate for all ages.  

What Inside Out 2 Reveals About the Diversity of Emotions

https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/inside_out_2_Reveals_About_the_Diversity_of_Emotions

The Science Behind Inside Out 2

https://ggsc.berkeley.edu/what_we_do/event/the_science_behind_inside_out

The 5 C's of Media Use

As we transition from the structured school year into the summer months, many families experience stress about how to handle the change. Some kids and teens will go to camps, enrichment programs, or try new activities. Families may take vacations or day trips together or have lots of unstructured free time at home. One common challenge for parents, especially when the regular school day routine is different, is deciding on appropriate screen time and content exposure allowances. The American Academy of Pediatrics provides guidance on this issue using an easy-to-remember plan, the 5 C’s. Review this link for the details.

Kids & Screen Time: How to Use the 5 C's of Media Guidance

Benefits of Unstructured Play

As parents, it can be very anxiety provoking allowing your children freedom to engage in risky play or to take a walk on their own to the corner grocery store, but these experiences are actually very beneficial for them. It is important for kids and adolescents to build independence, solve problems, develop skills, and learn how to safely navigate their world to gain mastery of their environment.  

I have included an article explaining some of the wonderful benefits of allowing unstructured time for your children. This will build your endurance for discomfort as well as teach your kids how to be interdependent adults. 

The Many Wondrous Benefits of Unstructured Play

How Parents Can Help Children with Anxiety or OCD

 A very important part of successful treatment of children is the collaboration with parents. Parents are a key part of their child’s team. This article provides some helpful suggestions for parents of children with anxiety or OCD. I hope it is helpful.  

Supporting Your Child with Anxiety and/or OCD - Q&A

https://adaa.org/learn-from-us/from-the-experts/blog-posts/consumer/supporting-your-child-anxiety-andor-ocd-qa 

Spring Gratitude

 Happy Spring! I am feeling so thankful for warmer weather, longer days, more sunshine, the smell of fresh fallen rain, and the return of birds and flowers. I hope you can find joy in the small things during the day in all seasons. Expressing gratitude is a powerful exercise for enhancing well-being. For more details and illustrations, check out this article from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America: Gratitude - A Mental Health Game Changer: https://adaa.org/learn-from-us/from-the-experts/blog-posts/consumer/gratitude-mental-health-game-changer

Family Media Balance

 

Do you have a family media plan? Technology is so useful and helpful in many circumstances. We can look up information such as how to fix a toilet flusher, how to do long division, or how to unlock a bedroom door without a key- all actual searches from our household! We can have video meetings for work, see a doctor, and visit with family and friends.  It is important to consider these benefits within the context of challenges, limitations and concerns. Show love to your family this month by establishing a healthy relationship with media. Here is a webinar from the American Academy of Pediatrics that discusses several important aspects of media use among children and adolescents. 

Media Balance: What’s Your Family’s Plan? 

https://www.youtube.com/embed/3o15t5qH6BY 

I hope this provides some useful and relevant information. Please reach out to me with any questions. 

Living Well in the New Year and Beyond

 Happy New Year!  

New Year’s Resolutions are very popular, and if you have ever started out the month of January strong with working towards a goal and then started to fall away from it by the end of the month, this post is for you! If you are a go-getter, ambitious goal-setter, and love to work towards change, this post is also for you! 

This is a brief article detailing some general principles of behaviors, attitudes, skills, and mindsets that can support the development of well-being. 

I hope this helps with making a meaningful change in your life. 

 

Seven Reminders for How to Live Well in 2024 https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/seven_reminders_for_how_to_live_well_in_2024?utm_source=Greater+Good+Science+Center&utm_campaign=6295a1949b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_GG_Newsletter_January_4_2024&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5ae73e326e-6295a1949b-50850427