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Tag: movement

6 Real-Life Mental Health Tips That Actually Work: Simple Tools for Everyday Wellness

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Taking Care of Your Mental Health: Tips, Tools, and Resources That Help

By: Qiana Jones, COTA/L

As a pediatric occupational therapist assistant, I spend my days helping kiddos find meaning, balance, and function in their lives. I get to walk alongside kids and their families through their obstacles, uncertain moments and major milestones. But sometimes it’s easy to get lost in it all. It’s very fast paced and we push through stress, downplay anxiety, or tell ourselves we’ll “deal with it later.” But mental health is just as important as physical health—neglecting it can affect every part of our lives: work, relationships, sleep, and even our physical well-being.

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, emotionally drained, or simply want to build healthier habits, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it out alone either. Here are some trustworthy mental health tips to help you support your mental well-being.

Take Charge of Your Mental Health: Real Tips, Honest Insights, and Trusted Resources

1. Acknowledge What You’re Feeling

It’s okay to feel anxious, sad, exhausted, or irritable. Ignoring or judging your emotions only increases the pressure. Practice noticing what you’re feeling with curiosity instead of criticism.

Try this: Pause for a moment during the day and ask, “What am I feeling right now—and what might I need?”

2. Create Small, Steady Routines

You don’t need an elaborate wellness plan. Often, it’s the simple, consistent habits that help most—like making your bed, drinking water, or going for a short walk.

Tip: Pick one small thing you can do daily. It might feel minor, but it builds structure and control when life feels chaotic. My thing I do EVERY night is a 15 minute power clean! It gives me something to look forward to and calms my body down after a long day.

3. Limit Overstimulation

Constant notifications, endless scrolling, or doom-scrolling news feeds can worsen anxiety and disrupt your focus.

Tip: Schedule short “digital detox” periods—maybe 30 minutes in the morning or evening—to recharge without screens.

4. Talk to Someone You Trust

Mental health thrives in connection. Sharing your thoughts with a friend, therapist, or support group can help you feel seen and supported. I personally speak with a therapist once a month just to help process major life transitions, anxiety and depression!

Reminder: You don’t have to wait until you’re in crisis to reach out. Talking early can prevent issues from escalating.

5. Move Your Body—Gently

Exercise doesn’t have to mean intense workouts. A short walk, gentle stretching, or dancing in your living room can release stress-reducing chemicals like endorphins. I love walking the local trails in Greenville for 10-20 minutes!

Movement helps shift mental energy—and it’s a form of self-respect, not a form of punishment.

6. Give Yourself Permission to Rest

Rest is productive. Your brain and body need time to recover, reflect, and process. Try not to confuse rest with laziness. 

Try: Scheduling downtime like you would a meeting—your nervous system will thank you.

How Carolina Therapy Connection Can Help

You don’t have to navigate your mental health journey alone—Carolina Therapy Connection is here to support you every step of the way. Our licensed therapists offer personalized mental wellness services for children, teens, and adults, whether you’re navigating anxiety, burnout, life transitions, or simply seeking to establish healthier routines. We take a compassionate, whole-person approach to therapy because mental health isn’t one-size-fits-all.

From individual counseling to family support and caregiver resources, our team helps you create realistic goals and lasting strategies for well-being. We also offer complimentary 15-minute screenings to help you determine if therapy is right for you. In-person and teletherapy options are available for your convenience, because caring for your mental health should fit into real life.

 

Theratogs for Children: Enhancing Posture, Balance, and Movement

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Understanding Theratogs for Children: Enhancing Posture, Alignment, and Movement

When it comes to supporting children with neurological or muscular impairments, therapy tools that offer targeted and effective assistance are essential. One such tool is Theratogs, a therapeutic garment designed to help children improve posture, balance, stability, and muscle activation. This blog explores how Theratogs works, the benefits it provides, and how it can be part of a child’s comprehensive treatment plan.

What Are Theratogs?

Theratogs are specialized garments combined with straps that provide targeted postural support. These garments are designed to encourage proper alignment and stability during movement. The adjustable design ensures that Theratogs can be customized to fit the unique needs of each child, making it a versatile solution for various musculoskeletal and postural issues.

The core purpose of Theratogs is to support the body in a way a therapist’s hands would facilitate movement during a treatment session in a wearable garment that can help the child in various activities and environments. This is particularly beneficial for children who face motor skills, coordination, or physical stability challenges. Whether used for children with cerebral palsy, developmental coordination disorder, or other neurological or muscular impairments, Theratogs can significantly impact a child’s physical development and movement patterns.

How Theratogs Help Children

  1. Improved Posture and Alignment
    Theratogs enhance posture by supporting the body in a more aligned position. This is essential for children struggling with postural control or alignment due to various conditions. By maintaining proper alignment, children can experience greater movement control and improve their ability to engage in daily activities.
  2. Promoting Balance and Stability
    Balance is a crucial skill for ensuring safety for all children, especially those with movement disorders or muscular weakness. Theratogs assist with balance by providing compression and stability across joints in proper alignment. The garment encourages targeted muscle activation and correct body mechanics, which can improve coordination and balance reactions.
  3. Facilitating Movement and Muscle Activation
    Focusing on promoting active movement, Theratogs help children engage their muscles more controlled and effectively. The garment and straps encourage the child’s muscles to work in a coordinated way, leading to better movement control and greater independence in tasks such as walking, sitting, or crawling.
  4. Supporting Independence
    One key benefit of Theratogs is that they help children gain independence in their movements. By improving muscle activation, stability, and alignment, children may experience greater ease in performing daily activities such as standing, walking, or participating in school or playtime. This increased mobility is crucial for a child’s overall development.

Conditions That Can Benefit from Theratogs

Theratogs are often used for children with various conditions that impact movement, balance, and posture. Some of the conditions include:

    • Cerebral Palsy: A neurological disorder that affects movement, muscle tone, and coordination.
    • Developmental Coordination Disorder: A condition that affects motor skills and the ability to perform coordinated tasks.
    • Gait deviations: Theratogs can help correct various gait deviations, such as in-toeing or out-toeing. 
    • Hypotonia: A condition that can be benign or congenital, resulting in low muscle tone, muscle weakness, and decreased core stability.

While Theratogs are beneficial for children with these and other conditions, it is essential to work with a healthcare professional to determine the best therapy approach and ensure the garment’s proper fit. Theratogs can be used during a therapy session or ordered custom for your child to use at home daily.

How Carolina Therapy Connection Can Help

At Carolina Therapy Connection, we understand that every child’s needs are unique. We are dedicated to providing personalized therapeutic services to support motor skill development, posture, stability, and independent mobility. Our experienced team of pediatric therapists works closely with families to create individualized treatment plans, which may include using Theratogs as part of the therapy regimen.

Our clinics offer a comprehensive approach to physical therapy services, ensuring that each child’s development is supported holistically. If you’re interested in learning more about Theratogs and how we incorporate this approach into therapy, including intensives, please contact us to schedule an evaluation. You can also use this link to explore our pediatric intensive therapy services.