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Welcome to the Straight Up Health Blog! Stay tuned for our latest blog posts about mental health, wellness, and development brought to you by our therapists and specialists in the field.

Coping with Seasonal Changes: How Shorter Days Impact Mood and Energy
Jen Peacock Jen Peacock

Coping with Seasonal Changes: How Shorter Days Impact Mood and Energy

Feeling a little more tired or low-energy as the days get shorter? You’re not alone. In this blog, we explore why seasonal changes affect mood and share simple, everyday strategies — like light exposure, routines, and connection — to keep you feeling balanced this fall and winter.

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Perfectionism: What It Is, How It Shows Up, and How to Cope
Jen Peacock Jen Peacock

Perfectionism: What It Is, How It Shows Up, and How to Cope

Perfectionism can look like high standards, but it often comes with stress, procrastination, and never feeling “good enough.” In this post, we unpack what perfectionism really is, how it shows up in daily life, and practical ways to cope so you can strive for growth without the pressure of being perfect.

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Resetting Your Sleep Habits This Fall
Jen Peacock Jen Peacock

Resetting Your Sleep Habits This Fall

Struggling to get back into a healthy sleep routine? Quality rest is key for focus, mood, and overall wellbeing. Our latest blog shares practical tips for resetting your sleep habits this fall and what to do if sleep still feels out of reach.

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Back-to-School and the Art of Making New Friends
Jen Peacock Jen Peacock

Back-to-School and the Art of Making New Friends

Starting fresh at school can feel exciting — and a little overwhelming. You don’t need a big group of friends to feel a sense of belonging. What matters most is finding a few strong, healthy connections that make you feel supported and seen. This week, we’re exploring the art of making new friends and why quality matters more than quantity.

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When University Doesn’t Feel Like You Expected
Jen Peacock Jen Peacock

When University Doesn’t Feel Like You Expected

Starting university doesn’t always feel the way you imagined. Between homesickness, academic pressure, and the stress of building a new routine, the transition can be overwhelming. If your university experience isn’t matching your expectations, you’re not alone — and it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. With time, small steps, and the right support, things can start to feel better.

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Moving Through the Day-One Dread 
Jen Peacock Jen Peacock

Moving Through the Day-One Dread 

Anticipatory anxiety is real — especially as September nears. Learn why day one feels so hard, what’s actually going on in your brain and body, and how you can move through the nerves with care, not pressure.

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Start Before It’s Hard: Why Therapy Isn’t Just for the Tough Times
Jen Peacock Jen Peacock

Start Before It’s Hard: Why Therapy Isn’t Just for the Tough Times

You don’t have to wait for a crisis to begin therapy. In fact, the best time to build coping skills, routines, and emotional resilience is before stress hits. Whether you’re heading into a busy school year or anticipating a demanding season at work, starting therapy now helps you feel grounded and confident when challenges arise.

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Understanding Executive Function: The Missing Puzzle Piece in ADHD
Jen Peacock Jen Peacock

Understanding Executive Function: The Missing Puzzle Piece in ADHD

Struggling with follow-through, focus, or organization? Executive functioning challenges are often the missing link behind these difficulties—and the good news is, these skills can be built. Learn how understanding executive function can transform the way you approach support.

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On Being Present: The In-Between is Where Life Happens
Jen Peacock Jen Peacock

On Being Present: The In-Between is Where Life Happens

In a world that’s always asking “what’s next?”, it’s easy to miss the beauty of what’s happening right now. This week, we’re exploring how slowing down and embracing the in-between moments can help young people (and all of us!) feel more grounded, connected, and at ease.

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AI Chatbots in Therapy: Helpful Tool or Human Replacement?
Jen Peacock Jen Peacock

AI Chatbots in Therapy: Helpful Tool or Human Replacement?

Many teens and young adults are now turning to AI chatbots for quick mental health support. While these tools can be helpful in some ways, they aren’t a replacement for the deep, human connection that therapy provides. Here’s what AI chatbots can (and can’t) do for our mental health – and why real relationships still matter most.

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Snap Maps and Social Anxiety: What Teens Won’t Tell You
Jen Peacock Jen Peacock

Snap Maps and Social Anxiety: What Teens Won’t Tell You

Snap Maps might seem like just another social feature, but for many teens, it’s a silent source of stress and anxiety. If your child seems increasingly preoccupied with what others are doing, feels left out, or struggles with social comparison, the pressure of being “always on” might be taking a toll. You're not alone, and there are ways to help.

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Why Teens Vape: Understanding Anxiety, Breathing, and the Role of Compassionate Support
Jen Peacock Jen Peacock

Why Teens Vape: Understanding Anxiety, Breathing, and the Role of Compassionate Support

Vaping among teens continues to rise, and while much of the conversation centres around nicotine addiction and health consequences (rightfully so), there's often a missing piece in the puzzle: why teens start and keep vaping in the first place. For many, vaping isn’t just about peer pressure or rebellion. It’s a coping mechanism, a form of regulation, a pause button.

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When Worry Feels Bigger: Understanding Anxiety in Teenage Girls
Jen Peacock Jen Peacock

When Worry Feels Bigger: Understanding Anxiety in Teenage Girls

Anxiety is no longer just a buzzword. It’s a lived reality for far too many teenage girls. If your daughter seems to be withdrawing, constantly worried, overwhelmed by the smallest things, or struggling to manage her emotions, she’s not alone, and neither are you.

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Reclaiming Our Attention in the Age of Dopamine
Jen Peacock Jen Peacock

Reclaiming Our Attention in the Age of Dopamine

We live in a world that constantly tugs at our attention. Notifications buzz. Ads pop up. Endless scrolls pull us deeper. It’s not just annoying—it’s by design. Behind every ding and swipe is a powerful blend of neuroscience, psychology, and technology working together in what's now called the attention economy.

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The Art of the Rally: What Tennis Teaches Us About Meaningful Conversations
Jen Peacock Jen Peacock

The Art of the Rally: What Tennis Teaches Us About Meaningful Conversations

As I wrapped up my last tennis match of the season, I realized how much a great rally resembles a meaningful conversation. In both, the goal isn’t power or dominance—it’s rhythm, connection, and responding with intention. What can tennis teach us about the way we communicate and support each other?

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