Sound Mind
Health coach Carol Slager describes her rituals to explain the benefits of developing such routines. Every morning when I first wake up, I head to the kitchen. I measure two cups of filtered, room temperature water and the juice of half a fresh lemon into my glass. I then trot down the hallway to my … Read more
Get Healthy: Effective communication with your teen involves rapt attention, careful listening and no rush to judgment By Jane Ammeson, Times correspondent Apr 29, 2026 Slammed doors, eye rolls, pouting, arguments, tears, threats, derision and the silent treatment. These are barriers to open communications between teens and parents. Lori Alexander is a licensed mental health … Read more
Get Healthy: As with your body, it’s important to build up your mind By Mark Loehrke, Times correspondent Feb 23, 2026 The early part of every year’s calendar is a popular time for many people to focus on getting their bodies back in shape. Less common, are resolutions to build mental health and well-being. Tabitha … Read more
Get Healthy: Hormone cortisol comes to rescue when body’s in great stress but high or low levels can pose challenges By Mark Loehrke, Times correspondent Apr 6, 2026 Cortisol, a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands, exists mainly to support the body in times of severe physical stress. Dr. Amna Ijaz is an endocrinologist … Read more
Doesn’t everyone feel clean, calm and refreshed after a long, leisurely bath or a steamy shower? There’s a way you can reap those benefits without ever taking off your clothes or getting wet. The Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Fisheries coined the term Shinrin-yoku, the Japanese practice of “forest bathing,” in the 1980s, but … Read more
A lack of social connection has major effects on Americans’ mental and physical health. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, M.D., released an advisory on the epidemic of loneliness and isolation in 2023, sounding the alarm that our relationships are as important to our health as physical activity, diet and sleep. The report underscores that being lonely … Read more
Everyone feels misunderstood from time to time. A certain degree of puberty-related moodiness is part of the typical adolescent journey, but how do you know when typical teen angst is turning into something more serious? It’s easy to blame mental health issues on raging hormones, but school stress, peer pressure and societal factors often come … Read more
We’re a nation of news addicts. With countless phone notifications, social media posts and 24-hour TV news cycles, we’re closer than we’ve ever been to what’s going on in the world. While it’s good to be aware of current events, having so much information at our fingertips can overload our brains and overwhelm our nervous … Read more
When life becomes overwhelmingly busy and stressful, it can create a perfect breeding ground for mental health issues to arise. Anxiety and depression are not the same, though. Learning the defining characteristics of these common mood disorders and pinpointing exactly what you’re feeling are the keys to finding support and relief. Worrying yourself sick According … Read more
Norway ranks among the happiest countries in the world, based on metrics such as social supports, equality and work-life balance. With a profound respect and appreciation for the country’s gorgeous natural scenery, Norwegians also know what they’re doing when it comes to connecting with the great outdoors, even during the long, dark Scandinavian winters. Fusing … Read more
