Behavioral Health

The long-term effects of alcohol use do not go away as soon as you stop drinking or alter your drinking habits. Some noticeable changes and markers of recovery may show up as soon as days or weeks after beginning abstinence from alcohol.

Thinking about popping into a tanning bed to ward off the winter blues? Not so fast.

Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you should stay cooped up inside. A little outside time can lead to big health benefits.

Dr. William T. Beecroft has advocated against alcohol abuse for much of his 40-plus-year health care career. Here, he reflects and shares some candid thoughts.

The holidays are as stressful as they are joyous. When it comes to shopping, traveling, decorating and family time, here are ways to mitigate the stress.

Seven years ago, Ashley Price decided to stop drinking. Now the owner of a popular bar in Detroit's West Village, Price is proving you don’t have to drink alcohol to run a successful bar.

Whether you don't drink any alcohol or you want to go N/A for a certain upcoming occasion, More or Less in Grand Rapids has something for you. The store's owners built their brand with inclusivity in mind, and it's working.

For Oak Park and Berkley locals, Oak Park Dry is quickly becoming a go-to spot for great music, great coffee and great N/A mixed drinks.

One had the dream, one had the drinks: the woman-owned Zero Bar & Lounge adds to the growing list of alcohol-free social options in Michigan.

Contributor and mental health advocate Monica Drake shares her experience with panic attacks, and talks about the strategies that help her manage them.

A Summer Solstice meditation session might be just the thing to get your mind and body in sync for summer.

Men worry about their appearance more than you think. Learn how to improve body image and get rid of negative thoughts once and for all.

Absence of Proof offers “a night off of drinking.” The NYC-based company is now in Detroit with pop-up hangout options for the sober curious.

Being resilient is about more than just your attitude. How well you handle the rollercoaster of life impacts your health.

Relaxation is key to combating high stress levels. Spa treatments are a great way to reduce stress levels and achieve a level of relaxation.

In 2023, AHM will dig deeper into Michigan’s sober curious movement. Dry bars, alcohol-free pop-ups, N/A products and mocktail menus are all on tap.

Stress can creep up on all of us, especially if we’re juggling working from home. Here’s how to better manage remote work stress.

If you’re thinking about cutting back on alcohol, the Sober Curious lifestyle could be for you.

About 7% of U.S. children between age 3 and 17 have diagnosed anxiety. Rates are rising, but mindfulness-based coping techniques can help.

Results from a new study that tracked thousands of people in the U.S. show regular vitamin D use may help prevent dementia.

Feeling down or like you’re having too many bad days? Here are a few things you can do to improve your mental health.

Finding “food freedom” should be a goal for anyone battling an eating disorder, according to an experienced dietician from West Michigan.

Licensed therapist, NASM master trainer and integrative health expert Angela T. Moore shares her personal journey through trauma.

Learning the different types of eating disorders, as well as the signs of an eating problem, can help as a first step. Here’s what you need to know.

Are anxiety and depression putting a damper on your mood? Think about retooling your exercise routine to give yourself a feel-good boost.

Setting aside an hour, a half-day or more to focus on activities that make you feel good, mentally and physically, is a trend worth trying.

When it’s not the “baby blues,” certain symptoms following childbirth could be postpartum depression. Here’s how to tell the difference.

Vitamin D is an important vitamin that helps you stay healthy both mentally and physically.

The Family Center offers information and connections to community-based resources for families of children with special health care needs.

Carefully and intentionally selecting and using your music can help you practice mindfulness and feel more in control of your feelings.

Smiling makes you feel better, science shows. Not feeling like grinning? Fake it until you feel better, doctors say.

What you eat can improve your mood and your overall brain health.

If you make a habit out of binge drinking, you could expose yourself to these specific short and long-term health problems.

Contributor Angela Moore shares a story of how she was sucker punched while kickboxing — and how it reminds her of how trauma impacts the body and mind.

Contributor Monica Drake writes about how scary movies — along with mental health treatment — have helped counteract her anxiety.

Whether you’re giving a rebel yell or participating in a group scream-in, what will scream therapy really do for your body?

Mascots for the Detroit Lions and Detroit Pistons are featured in these short segments aimed at helping kids learn about mindfulness and meditation.

If you feel like your kids were in the “summer slump” when it came to reading, here are tips to get them on track this school year.

I am currently a college senior and I have only recently learned how to prioritize my mental health.

Contributor Monica Drake writes about how crisis lifelines can help someone experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Elizabeth Sanders says sharing her grief in essays proved cathartic as she mourned the loss of her husband’s death at 34. It also helped her find love again.

Virtual reality exposure therapy helps you face your fears in a safe, no-stakes environment. Here’s what to know about this relatively new treatment method:

Knowing the signs and types of depression can help older adults get the treatment they need to feel better.

Angela Moore reflects on her journey to healing and how she overcame using her past as an excuse.

Do you find yourself feeling blue during the summer? You may have summer seasonal mood disorder. Here are the signs and what you can do about it.

Brain fatigue is real. It’s also a form of mental self-preservation after hours spent doing a lot of concentrating.

Thirst, a pounding headache and sensitivity to bright light are all signs of a hangover. Anxiety can be, too.

Chavonn Hussey writes about the self-soothing techniques that she has found have helped her maintain balance with work, life and mental health.

For many kids, social anxiety is a large stressor when going back to school. Combat those uneasy feelings by creating an anti-anxiety back to school kit.

Contributor Monica Drake writes about why it's so important to check in your child's mental health — and to get them help if they need it.

Your habits should help breed a healthier, smarter, and ultimately, happier you. Here are nine habits to work into your life to boost your mental health.

Contributor Monica Drake shares a personal story from a friend who came out as gay; and how the legalization of gay marriage affected his outlook.

Acute, chronic and complex trauma can have damaging effects on the body if not treated. Therapy, lifestyle changes and a few other options can help.

Related to acupressure, tapping is a way to create a mind-body connection to lower your stress level.

Monica Drake, writer and mental health advocate, shares her mental health journey. “You are not alone in this. Millions of others, including me, are with you.”

Preventing and managing long-term stress can lower the risk for serious health conditions.

Binge eating disorder is the most pervasive eating disorder in this country, yet most of it still remains hidden behind closed doors.

There’s a reason taking part in random acts of kindness makes us feel better, and why it’s good for us to do more of them.

Self-care means engaging in little actions to improve your physical health and happiness. Here’s how to get started.

New Year’s Day is the most popular time to kick off resolutions, but most don’t last. Find out how you can make yours a success.

Setting aside time to do good things for yourself is the gift that keeps giving all season long.

There’s no right or wrong way to react when exposed to a traumatic event. It may be difficult to put a name to our own feelings. And we may even feel completely numb – even in the face of extreme tragedy. Coping with our reactions is important, and is the first step to healing.

While the holiday season is often a time for celebration and family gatherings, for many the holiday season is a time of sadness and despair.

Friends who are constantly negative can drain your energy and influence your mood. But there are approaches you can take to provide all parties with relief.

More companies are joining the conversation about mental wellness. So how do you talk to your boss about taking a mental health day?

Someone may look good, but not feel well. Here are ways to support people who struggle with invisible pain.

From the graceful arc of a cast to the slow drag of a line through water, here is why fishing as meditation might be your next stress-buster.

Award-winning photographer Steve Jessmore found there’s truth in a new study that concluded that birdwatching brings more happiness than money.

Letting people know you’re ready to help them is often the first step in supporting someone who is in recovery from substance abuse.

COVID-19 vaccinations have signaled the return of social freedom for many. Here are tips to safely reconnect with family and friends once you’re vaccinated.

Feel like your life is a whirlwind? Organization and your health are related.

If you are heading off to college, read these tips about prioritizing your physical and mental health while away.

Treating chronic pain shouldn't just focus on physical causes. You also need to look at psychological and social issues.

You don’t have to be an Olympic star to see that your mental health can affect your sport. Here are some tips for your inner athlete.

Many employees have gone from offices to working remotely, and someday be back again. We have tips for easing into a hybrid office workplace.

From depression to heartburn, there are lots of ways grieving a loss can impact your mental and physical health.

After virtual classes, video lessons and hybrid learning, here’s how to help kids transition to in-person learning.

Grief from losing his dog tapped into pain LGBTQ+ activist Tommy Allen had experienced for decades. Exacerbated by the pandemic, this trauma led to depression.

Neglecting self-care can have serious effects on both your health and your ability to be a good parent. Here’s how to put yourself first sometimes.

Learn how to help people in your life experiencing mental health problems.

If you routinely feel stressed out, the way you react and respond to stressors can either help or hurt the way your children process their own emotions.

Teens text, share photos and scroll endlessly. But too much time on social media may be harmful to your children’s mental health.

While starting a conversation about mental health with children and teens might seem daunting, it doesn’t have to be.

Learn why and where to dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs this Drug Take Back Day.

Kids are facing new challenges, just like the rest of us. So, it’s important to be aware of how they may be affected. Here are tips to spot the warning signs.

Stress can be sneaky. You may not even realize it’s rising until you feel overwhelmed.

From non-alcoholic craft beers to flavored coffee lattes, people are finding lots of tasty reasons to leave alcohol behind.

Feeling stressed? Here’s what it’s doing to your physical and mental health.

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health, yet we approach them in very different ways.

Many factors influence food choices, so there is no one-size-fits-all eating plan. Trying dishes from different cultures is one way to meet one’s dietary needs.

Why do kids harm themselves? In many cases, it's a way to assert control during stressful circumstances. Find out signs to watch for and how to get help.

How to develop a healthy self-worth and self-esteem in children that will lead to better mental health as an adult.

Positive relationships have big health benefits. Here’s how you can use the holiday to celebrate friends and loved ones.

This February, don't forget to celebrate the women who make your life great, too.

As a child, Betsy Thompson didn't fit the mold for kids with ADHD. It was years later as an adult that she sought help and discovered she had the condition.

When people think about their health, they often consider physical and mental well-being, but an important third component is financial well-being.

Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a type of depression that is believed to be triggered by changes in the amount of daylight during certain seasons.

These bite-sized mantras have risen in popularity. See what they can do for your mind and body in 2021.

If you want to start the new year with a dose of optimism, try selecting a daily affirmation.