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Decade of Childhood

Preserving the joy of childhood and adolescence through better mental health.

Sport and Competition
What Being an Elite Athlete Taught Me About Life

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on April 22, 2024

Being an elite athlete, or the parent of an elite athlete, can be rewarding and exciting. Although most players will not become professionals, the lessons can last a lifetime.

Being an elite athlete, or the parent of an elite athlete, can be rewarding and exciting. Although most players will not become professionals, the lessons can last a lifetime.

Hourglass Time Sand
Happiness
In Praise of Anticipation

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on March 1, 2024

Waiting is a part of the human experience. While it can be difficult, it is important to realize that anticipation of future events can be a meaningful part of the process.

Waiting is a part of the human experience. While it can be difficult, it is important to realize that anticipation of future events can be a meaningful part of the process.

Bored Book College
Boredom
Let Your Children Be Bored

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on February 23, 2024

We dread the experience of our children being bored. We try to entertain them, but in doing so, we deny them the opportunity to tolerate and find creative solutions on their own.

We dread the experience of our children being bored. We try to entertain them, but in doing so, we deny them the opportunity to tolerate and find creative solutions on their own.

Morning
Gratitude
Why Everyone Is Telling You to Be Grateful

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on February 13, 2024

If something is relatively easy, can boost positive feeling, potentially improve your physical health, and capture memories of your life, you would do it, right? Enter gratitude.

If something is relatively easy, can boost positive feeling, potentially improve your physical health, and capture memories of your life, you would do it, right? Enter gratitude.

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Motivation
Not All Goals Are Created Equal

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on January 29, 2024

While it is important to have goals, the type of goal can make a huge difference. Some goals may promote well-being while others deter well-being. Which are you focusing on?

While it is important to have goals, the type of goal can make a huge difference. Some goals may promote well-being while others deter well-being. Which are you focusing on?

Isla Santa Cruz
Environment
Why I Prescribe Nature

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on January 19, 2024

An excellent source of health and wellness is right outside our front door. Even in urban settings, it is crucial to find ways to engage in nature as it is protective in many ways.

An excellent source of health and wellness is right outside our front door. Even in urban settings, it is crucial to find ways to engage in nature as it is protective in many ways.

Depression
4 Surprising Conditions Linked to Depression

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on January 11, 2024

Sometimes the cause of our depression is not what we think it is. Several conditions have been linked to worsening mood and anxiety.

Sometimes the cause of our depression is not what we think it is. Several conditions have been linked to worsening mood and anxiety.

Cry, Fear, Despair
Chronic Pain
Pain Is Ubiquitous; Suffering Doesn't Have to Be

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on December 28, 2023

Many individuals live with chronic pain. This can result in depression, anxiety, and disability. Fortunately, there are some steps we can take to combat its impact.

Many individuals live with chronic pain. This can result in depression, anxiety, and disability. Fortunately, there are some steps we can take to combat its impact.

Nutcracker
Gratitude
6 Simple Strategies to Avoid a Holiday Disaster

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on December 5, 2023

As the holidays approach, we may be filled with joy, trepidation, or both. With a little emotional and mental preparation, we can help make the holidays a success.

As the holidays approach, we may be filled with joy, trepidation, or both. With a little emotional and mental preparation, we can help make the holidays a success.

Ethics and Morality
How a Theory From 1958 Can Help You Raise Good Kids

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on November 6, 2023

If you are like me, you have trepidation about the state of the world and how we are leaving it for the next generation. Through moral development, we can help improve the outcome.

If you are like me, you have trepidation about the state of the world and how we are leaving it for the next generation. Through moral development, we can help improve the outcome.

Girl, Taking photos, Smartphone image.
Adolescence
The Unique Challenges of the iGen

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on October 18, 2023

Many parents did not grow up with smartphones. Still, it is our job to help teens navigate the new stressors and challenges that come with the ubiquitous use of smartphones.

Many parents did not grow up with smartphones. Still, it is our job to help teens navigate the new stressors and challenges that come with the ubiquitous use of smartphones.

Stress Relaxation Relax
Stress
Quick Tips for Distress Tolerance

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on October 4, 2023

Since eliminating stress in our lives is not a realistic option, we can do the next best thing by finding ways to successfully and gracefully tolerate that distress.

Since eliminating stress in our lives is not a realistic option, we can do the next best thing by finding ways to successfully and gracefully tolerate that distress.

Fear Anxiety Depression
Fear
3 Steps to Overcoming Fear

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on September 22, 2023

When fear becomes excessive, it can hold us back from living the life that we want. Fortunately, there are steps to take to overcome these fears and to embrace life more fully.

When fear becomes excessive, it can hold us back from living the life that we want. Fortunately, there are steps to take to overcome these fears and to embrace life more fully.

child is sitting jeans
Shyness
More Than Shy

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on September 7, 2023

Many of our children experience shyness. This is entirely normal. For a select group of children and adolescents, however, this experience can become debilitating.

Many of our children experience shyness. This is entirely normal. For a select group of children and adolescents, however, this experience can become debilitating.

Empathy
Choosing Empathy for a More Harmonious World

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on September 5, 2023

It is tempting to turn our backs on the suffering in the world. After all, we all have our own problems. However, choosing empathy can help us feel connected in a difficult world.

It is tempting to turn our backs on the suffering in the world. After all, we all have our own problems. However, choosing empathy can help us feel connected in a difficult world.

Upset Sad Confused Image
Resilience
Let Your Children Be Frustrated; They'll Thank You For It Later

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on August 21, 2023

Well-meaning parents often clear obstacles for their children, which can backfire later on. A better approach allows children to resolve their own challenges, with parental love.

Well-meaning parents often clear obstacles for their children, which can backfire later on. A better approach allows children to resolve their own challenges, with parental love.

Sun visible beyond Santorini
Optimism
Try Optimism, It Might Work for You

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on August 2, 2023

While some of us seem to be born optimistic, others have to struggle with the concept. It's a trait that leads to better health outcomes, and it can be developed.

While some of us seem to be born optimistic, others have to struggle with the concept. It's a trait that leads to better health outcomes, and it can be developed.

Resilience
Building Resilience: It Is Never Too Late

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on July 24, 2023

The long-held idea that one is born with resilience or not is, thankfully, being challenged. It is never too late to build resilience in your children and yourself.

The long-held idea that one is born with resilience or not is, thankfully, being challenged. It is never too late to build resilience in your children and yourself.