During the adolescent years, teens rarely take into consideration their physical health and even less so on mental health. They know they are experiencing a wide range of emotions but are unclear on how to sort through them all in a positive and effective manner. This can lead to depression, anxiety, or injurious practices such …
With technology continually innovating, it has become an integral part of our society. Technology has allowed our society to advance in many ways, including advancements in communication, entertainment, information sharing, access to goods and services, and much more. Technology has taken over many sectors of our lives, in particular, youth are greatly affected by technologies …
Read more Wilderness Programs for Youth: Damaging Effect of Technology Addiction
When you hear the term “wilderness therapy”, what comes to mind? Is it a boot camp style program? Are teens expected to be expert campers or rock climbers? The reality is that wilderness therapy is nothing like boot camp and that it is appropriate for teens with all levels of experience. blueFire Wilderness understands that …
Read more Is Wilderness Therapy Appropriate for Teens with Limited Outdoor Experience?
Navigating through adolescence in today’s socioemotional landscape can be extremely difficult for teens. From mood swings to academic problems to more complicated mental health issues, it’s becoming increasingly common for teens to reach a level of distress where professional help can be beneficial. Research has shown that therapy can help teens in a variety of …
Read more How We Help: Individual Therapy in Wilderness Programs
The screen time debate among parents has been an ongoing conversation since the internet burst began, and this conversation has continued to evolve in light of the pandemic. With virtual school a reality for many American children, families can often feel powerless to control how much screen time is allowed for their children. This new …
Read more How and Why to Limit Technology And Screen Time Between School and Fun Time
The teenage years can be challenging for both the teens themselves and their families as a whole. Teenagers are experiencing rapid growth both physically and cognitively. As they begin to explore their independence, many parents experience their teen become distant or defiant. And while this may be seen as “typical” teen behavior, it is important …
Read more How Wilderness Therapy Helps Teens Improve Behavior
Outdoor Therapy Has Far-Reaching Benefits The modern teen tends to be indoors for the majority of the day. When a teen does get the proper amount of exercise, it helps stimulate the production of vitamin D, and with severe issues like depression, substance abuse and ADHD behavior. Outdoor Therapy Helps Depression People are meant to …
Read more Your Brain Does Better with Sunshine: Outdoor Therapy for Teens
Mental illness is extremely common within our society, but people often forget that mental illness is something that effects both adults and youth. Due to the stigma of mental illness, many people do not openly discuss or understand the variety of common mental illnesses individuals struggle with. This lack of acknowledgment—which leads to a lack …
A Genetic Solution to Stress in Teens and Reduced Lifespan Throughout life we try to do everything we can to achieve a healthy and long lifespan. We try to exercise regularly, maintain a well-balanced diet, and build stable relationships, all so that we can be happy and healthy. But recent research suggests that certain elements …
Read more Recent Genetic Research Links Stress in Teens to Reduced Lifespan
Six Steps to Overcoming Social Anxiety Everyone can relate to feeling anxious before giving a presentation or participating in class. Social anxiety in teens is the third most common psychological disorder and a common problem in today’s society. Social anxiety in teens also accounts for thirteen percent of youth that meet diagnosable criteria for this disorder. …