Do you ever feel like your mind won’t stop talking? Maybe you lie in bed at night thinking about something you said, something you did, or something that might happen tomorrow. That is called “overthinking”, and it can make you feel very tired, sad, or even scared.

You’re not alone. Lots of people overthink. The good news is, you can learn to quiet your thoughts and feel more calm. Let’s talk about what overthinking is, why it happens, and some simple ways to help your brain slow down.

It is nearly impossible to stay current on all the apps that are presently available, let alone keep up on what is trendy, but “being in the know” is one way to protect your children online.  As we continue our social media blog series, let’s tackle getting familiar with the apps and platforms teens and children are using.

When we don’t have the energy to get out of bed, we may feel lonelier and more isolated. Stress can also exacerbate these problems. What is truly amazing is that, although rest is so crucial, is that humans often struggle with it so greatly. So what do we do when sleep alludes us? As most of us know, sometimes you just can’t fall asleep.

If your child has been facing challenges like outbursts, difficulty managing emotions, or behavioral concerns, it’s natural to want them to develop coping skills through therapy. As a parent, you might wonder: Why are they just playing in therapy? It might seem like they're just having fun, but in reality, play therapy is far more than that. It’s a powerful way for children to learn important skills that help them better regulate their emotions and build resilience. And guess what? You can bring this type of play into your home for even more positive impact.

As many of us in the Champaign/Urbana community know, Health Alliance is closing its doors at the end of 2025. While this leaves many of us confused, surprised, and saddened, it also brings up a lot of questions for those of us who have Health Alliance insurance, and some general questions. What happens now? What insurance provider will I have? Will my medical providers be in network? What even is a deductible?

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is not an official diagnosis in the DSM-5, but it’s a pattern of behavior seen in some children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or ADHD. Kids with PDA often appear “defiant,” but this behavior usually comes from anxiety, stress, and feeling out of control.

The warmth, relaxation and flexibility that the summer months bring can be exciting for vacations and sunshine, but for some, summer months can have the potential to trigger feelings of being overwhelmed and losing control and structure. Expectations of being carefree can put a lot of pressure on those who may be struggling mentally.

For some kids, problem solving comes naturally as they develop and parents give it little thought.  However, for other kids, it is something they need to be taught.  Almost all kids benefit from being taught such skills but kids diagnosed with ADHD and other developmental disorders especially benefit.  

Social Media is a very common platform for self expression. This can be wonderful, but can also create some complicated views and experiences. A trend in social media is talking about mental health. Influencers on platforms like TikTok and Instagram will often talk about their own mental health diagnoses, what got them there, and what behaviors and challenges they have faced…Talking about these illnesses is extremely important. However, what is also happening is that people are misusing these terms.

The idea of making the most of your time can cause a lot of stress, anxiety, and even depression. Social media only serves to worsen this, as any social media feed is bound to be full of people “living their best life”. In reality, these posts are only the highlights, and do not show someone lounging in bed in their sweats after work, or eating over the sink so as not to dirty another plate. These posts do not depict the nights when someone might want to make plans, but might not have someone to call. Or the nights when someone has to attend an after school recital for their child, take their child to an appointment, or sit at the table trying to do homework with a frustrated child.