By Brenda Nichols
For the sole use of manhattanmft.com

Albert Einstein once said, “Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death.” In other words, learning is a lifelong process. That’s because a lifetime of learning is good for you, as it will not only keep your brain sharp, but it's also good for your mental well-being. In this article we will look at why lifelong learning helps a person’s wellbeing and what you can do to make sure you never stop learning.

A brain boost
Learning of any kind can boost mental wellbeing, whether it's a hobby or going through a full online education course. Case in point, an editorial on adult education published in the International Journal of Lifelong Education notes a point made by University of Stirling professor John Field: That adult learning not only increases people’s chances of “making it in life,” but also improves their mental well-being. This follows the research done by other higher education institutes on the subject, with psychology professionals at Maryville University pointing out how newly recognized connections between learning success and mental health are being discovered. These connections show a clear link between the ability to learn and a good mental wellbeing.

By Dr. Amanda Craig, Ph.D, LMFT

We often spend the years between 9-12 years old focusing on academic abilities and social concerns in elementary years and then prepare for the teen years. And we miss the explosion that is taking place right in front of us right here, right now. This is a time to lean into our children and who they are and yet to become. This tween period of development is when they are most vulnerable and we as parents can be impactful. 

Tween Development
Three things happen during this period of time that blow parents away and shakes our tweens to their core. First, a massive reorganization occurs in the brain. This is a crucial step before the raging hormone changes of puberty begin. What this means to tweens is that at one moment they may be calm and cooperative and the next, irritable and aloof. There’s a wonderful book by Daniel Siegel that describes the tween brain changes entitled Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain. In it he says the dismantling, pruning and rewiring in the brain’s neural circuitry leads to behaviors parents find most offensive such as impulsiveness, arguments and disorganization. The tween’s behavior is “all or nothing, my way or else.” There are eye rolls, sharp tongues and refusals to do what we as parents want.  Leaving parents wondering what happened to their sweet child.

By: Angie Sadhu, MS LMFT

It is well researched that as human beings we are biologically wired for emotional connection, and that “Emotion is the messenger of love; it is the vehicle that carries every signal from one brimming heart to another. For human beings, feeling deeply is synonymous with being alive” (Lewis et al., 2000, p. 37). Simply put, we need social connections to live well—to love and to be loved. The dating
                                                                                 ritual is one way in which we strive to
                                                                             meet partners and develop relationships
                                                                             to fill the desire for intimacy and love.

By Dr. Amanda Craig, PhD, LMFT
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Depression is a major psychiatric disorder that frequently has biological underpinnings. It affects men and women equally, but men are less likely to seek treatment and four times more likely to commit suicide. This blog provides an overview of available treatment options and coping tools you can start using immediately. 

By Dr. Amanda Craig, PhD, LMFT

​If you are one of over 14 million Americans affected by a Major Depressive Disorder, you may know firsthand about the debilitating effects of this condition that can leave us feeling incapacitated, hopeless and ashamed. However, if you are a man living with depression, you may be struggling with symptoms without realizing what they mean and without getting treatment.