When we picture the nervous system, most of us probably imagine a little pink brain connected to a curvy white spine. And while that picture is certainly accurate, it’s not actually the whole story. What’s missing from that mental picture is the all-important enteric nervous system, the complex web of over 100 million nerve cells that line our digestive tract. In fact, among scientists within the neurobiology field, this intricate system innervating our gut is often referred to as our “second brain”.
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First off, HAPPY PRIDE MONTH Y’ALL!! I hope that you all have had an amazing month of celebrating your existence (because you matter) and/or supporting those around you! June is known around the world as LGBTQIA Pride Month!
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I was recently playing with my young children when my 5-year old asked me how something works. I don’t remember the exact question, but I can assume it had to do with technology, building Legos, or something else my mind just doesn’t want to comprehend. I responded with a smile and a “I’m not sure, but that’s a great question.” He looked at me straight faced and said, “That’s okay, I’ll ask daddy. He knows EVERYTHING!”
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Despite the joys of summer, many parents express feeling stress after a few weeks. I often hear statements of, “they complain of boredom,” “how much screen time is too much,” and “is it the fall yet?” If you fall in the latter category and aren’t dancing for joy with summer, that is okay! Here are some words of wisdom to get you through the summer months.
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“It’s hard because I know you need me less and less.” As the words left my mouth, I instinctively knew they were wrong, yet I had been holding onto them as the truth.
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It is about that time of year again—dreaded final exams. As a counselor that works with adolescents, I know the stress that many teens feel in regards to school. As I write this, I am reflecting back on my own experience with final exams. I always did well it in school, but when it came time to remembering an entire semester, or even year of material, I panicked. Then, I am supposed to remember a year’s worth of material for 7 classes? An overwhelming feeling takes over, and even though I know I will survive this, in the moment I have no idea how I will. Does this sound familiar? If so, here is a list of some things that you can do to prepare yourself for final exam week.
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Mindfulness, or the practice of being present in the moment, is not just for adults, it’s for kids too! Children experience stress, sadness, and frustration, as well as symptoms of anxiety and depression, just like adults do. Often times, children have difficulty identifying and expressing their emotions, as well as regulating the emotions that they experience.
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