Archives for February 2023

FAMILY-FRIENDLY & FREE FOR KIDS! February 12 at 2:00 p.m. – Oceanic Flow Workshop

Inspired by Robert Young’s painting, The Big One, local artist Jo Situ Allen (aka DIRTY ERASER) will lead a mixed media collage workshop using found images, objects and reproductions of marine life from The Accidental Naturalist, her books on native California species. Energized by the intuitive flow of the ocean, students will create their own magical underwater landscape through colors, forms and textures. More information can be found at this link.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY & FREE FOR KIDS! February 19 at 1:00 p.m. – California Cool Tie-Dye Workshop

• In celebration of LAM’s California Cool Auction, this workshop will have you creating your own tie-dye beach towel; perfect for those cool California beach days! All materials are included with ticket. Children 12 and under are FREE! More information can be found at this link.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY & FREE FOR KIDS! February 25 at 11:00 a.m. – Storytime Saturday

• Bring literature to life during a participatory story time that will have you making and moving! We’ll craft a storytelling experience inspired by a museum artwork or exhibition to foster children’s understanding of art’s role in their lives. Read-alouds will be supplemented with mindfulness exercises, art-making projects, or in-gallery activities that promote meaningful connections with caregivers and others. Sessions are designed for PreK–2 learners and their families. This month’s session is a special Storytime celebrating Black History Month featuring The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson with an activity that encourages us to see the beauty in what makes us unique. More information can be found at this link.

February 26 at 1:00 p.m. – Black Beach Culture

• Join historian Alison Rose Jefferson for a presentation where she will share stories about how African Americans from the 1900s to 1960s created recreational and relaxation spaces at Southern California beaches and other places. In the process, African Americans were able to form communities and create business projects at these sites. These stories are drawn from her recent book, Living the California Dream: African American Leisure Sites during the Jim Crow Era, and other work. She will also share how some of these stories are being used in contemporary public history remembrance and public policy actions. More information can be found at this link.

Credit: Laguna Art Museum.

Depression is a difficult mental health issue to deal with, both for those who experience it and their families. It’s important to understand the different forms of treatment available so that you can make an informed decision when it comes to seeking support. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the common treatments for depression and how they work.

What Is Depression?

Depression is a mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyed. It can also manifest as physical symptoms such as fatigue or changes in appetite or sleep patterns. The exact cause of depression is unknown, but it may be linked to several factors including genetics, medical conditions, environmental stressors, and certain lifestyle choices.

Medication

One of the most common treatments for depression is medication. There are a variety of medications used to treat depression, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants. These medications work by changing the levels of certain chemicals in your brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine, which help regulate mood. While medications can be effective in reducing symptoms of depression, they may also have side effects so it’s important to talk to your doctor about any potential risks before beginning any medication regimen.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is another form of treatment for depression that involves talking with a trained professional about your feelings and experiences related to depression. A variety of psychotherapies can be used when treating depression, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).

These therapies focus on helping you identify negative thought patterns or behaviors that may be contributing to your symptoms and working on ways to replace them with healthier coping strategies. Psychotherapy can be conducted one-on-one or in group settings and is an effective way to reduce symptoms of depression over time.

Lifestyle Modifications

In addition to medication and psychotherapy, several lifestyle modifications may also help improve symptoms of depression. These include getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, engaging in relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga, spending time outdoors in nature, getting enough sleep each night, avoiding drugs and alcohol, maintaining social connections with friends and family members, and taking steps towards achieving personal goals or dreams. Making these changes can not only help reduce symptoms but also increase overall well-being over time.

How to Support Someone with Depression

For those supporting someone with depression, simply listening without judgment is one of the most valuable tools you can offer. Letting your loved one know they’re not alone goes a long way in providing comfort during difficult times. It’s also important to remind your loved one that seeking professional help is nothing to be ashamed of—it’s a sign of strength and courage in taking control of their well-being.

Encouraging your loved one to maintain healthy habits like exercising regularly or eating nutritious meals can also benefit their mental health journey. Finally, don’t forget about yourself—caring for someone else can be emotionally draining so make sure you take time out for self-care too!

Depression is a serious mental health issue that requires professional intervention from trained professionals such as psychiatrists or therapists who specialize in treating mental illnesses like depression. When seeking treatment for depression it’s important to understand the different forms available so you can make an informed decision about which will best suit your needs.

Medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle modifications are all potential options that should be discussed with your doctor before deciding on how best to proceed with treatment. Taking action now will ensure that you get the help you need as soon as possible so you can start feeling better soon!

 Prospector Popcorn just released a Valentine’s Gift Guide for picking out the perfect tasty treat this Valentine’s season!

 Prospector Popcorn is more than just a gourmet popcorn brand, but one that provides competitive and inclusive employment for people with disabilities.  They sparkle and transform their passions into professions, while earning paychecks with competitive wages.  Around 75% of its 125 employees self-identify with a disability.

In line with the release of their recent Valentine’s Day Gift Guide that helps lovers find the perfect tasty treat for their special someone, patrons can also enjoy a 15% discount on their new Chocolate Strawberry Popcorn and Sweethearts Pack of 3.

Prospector Popcorn’s Valentine’s Day promo will run from January 16, 2023 to February 14, 2023.

I had the opportunity to taste this popcorn and love it! My favorite is the Chocolate Strawberry!

 Popcorn lovers are free to browse Prospector’s Valentine’s Day Gift Guide and avail of their special promos through the official Prospector Popcorn website.

Approximately 80% of Americans with disabilities don’t have a job.  Meaningful employment is vital to a person’s mental, social, financial, and emotional health. Prospector Popcorn wants to transform the lives of people with disabilities by giving them competitive and inclusive employment opportunities.  When you purchase delicious popcorn from them, you create the thousands of opportunities and interactions that fuel the Prospector’s mission.

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate this post. Images and information were also provided.