The July Buzz At Simply Bee

The July Buzz

What's Happening This Month

More Peace & Less Stress: A Mental Health & Yoga Workshop

How to Integrate Breathing & Yoga to Cope With Stress

It's easy to feel overwhelmed with work, family and all of life's obligations. During those times of stress you might find yourself lost in thoughts and emotions. You've heard over and over again about the importance of breathing, meditation and moving your body when it comes to alleviating stress, but perhaps you've felt intimidated by learning a new breathing technique, or you've just been unsure of where to start.

On July 8th Simply Bee Therapist Jacqueline Ritz, LCPC, and Resident Yoga Instructor Stephanie Bersh, RYT200 led a workshop that shared meditation and breathing techniques with a goal to help people feel more calm and in control, even in times of overwhelm. Everyone walked away having mental and emotional clarity.

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Community Partnership Event for Teens

Supporting Fill A Heart 4 Kids + Lydia Home

One of our core values at Simply Bee is caring: we work to collaborate as a team with organizations and members of the community while being transparent and mutually respectful.

We are partnering with Fill A Heart 4 Kids as they support the children and teens of Lydia Home to provide an art therapy and mental skills workshop led by Kerry Strzyzewski, LPC.

Lydia Home is a non-profit organization that has been serving Chicago since 1916 to provide hope, healing and home to children and families. They offer a continuum of care to support families in need. To learn more visit their website.

Fill A Heart 4 Kids in a non-profit organization in Lake Forest that gives unaccompanied homeless youth, at risk, and foster children educational support, necessities and positive experiences to help their heart's heal and restore their dignity - so they can achieve Brighter Futures! To learn more visit their website.

Parents Role in Building Confident & Happy Athletes

Sports Psychology Tips For Parents

We are looking for three high schools/organizations to partner with for this 60 minute parent workshop. Our goal is to guide parents on how to best support their child effectively in sports so they can gain increased resiliency skills and confidence - both on and off the field.

As school resumes in August that will mean the exciting start of the fall sports season. Participating in a sport can influence a child in so many positive ways, from learning how to be a part of a team, to the importance of discipline & hard work, to even the more general mental health benefits of moving your body daily. However, like every coin, there are two sides. Sports can also be a place for unhealthy competition, internalized disappointment, and anxiety.

It can also sometimes result in a difficult relationship with parents, who have an important role in their child's sports performance. While often coming from a well-meaning place, sometimes the overlap of parenting and wanting to coach their child on "how to be better" can cause frustration, arguments or strain.

Eric Stevenson, LPC is a counselor and mental performance coach at Simply Bee who provides support to both athletes and parents regularly. He uses sports psychology skills and methods to help avoid situations like the dreaded car ride home or the quiet dinner table after a big loss or tough practice.

We are offering this parent workshop for free to the first three schools/organizations who book it in Fall 2021. Additional workshops dates will be available to book at a minimal cost.

For more information or to book now,

please contact our Manager of Community Education, Kate Kelley.

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Coming Up Next Month

Safety Town Commanders Camp

August 10th-12th

We are excited to once again partner with the Gordon Center in Lake Forest for their annual Safety Town Commanders Camp. This is modeled after the original Safety Town, but with a curriculum built for the next level, ages 8-10.

The focus of this camp will include a review of the original Safety Town (Majors) and will go in-depth with experts in areas ranging from fire safety to internet safety and beyond. Topics will cover many categories pertinent to this age group including what to do if your alarm goes off, gun safety, walking home alone, falls, poison/medicine safety, bullying/cyber bullying and mindfulness which includes yoga provided by Simply Bee Resident Yoga Instructor Stephanie Bersh, RYT200.

Safety Town is a dynamic and interactive camp with various "what-if" scenarios being played out and group discussions moderated by a certified teacher. Children will learn everything from how to use a fire extinguisher to how to navigate safely in today’s cyber world and more!

Dress For Your Feelings: A Confidence Building & Styling Workshop For Teens

Has your teen ever felt overwhelmed or anxious getting dressed for school? Maybe they have to wear a uniform and feel like they can't express their personal style or they don't know what to wear so they end up frustrated and stressed each morning. Perhaps they're transitioning into their newfound style as a teenager but don't know how to confidently choose pieces that show off their unique personality.

Simply Bee Therapist Annie Peck, LCP is also a personal stylist and she's here to help! She understands the unique intersection of style and mental health. Through this workshop she will help your teen discover a more in-depth sense of self and build trust in their own creativity as they choose what to wear each day.

Annie will also incorporate confidence building skills using affirmations and "I am" statements, while sharing back-to-school trends for the fall. Stay tuned for more details!