Why Did We Include Connection With Our App Model?

Connection is a core component of adolescent mental health. Without supportive relationships, tweens and teens are far more likely to experience depression and anxiety and to be at risk for self-harm. Positive relationships with family, friends and others build tweens’ and teens’ self-esteem, increase their resilience, lower their risk of anxiety and depression, and even […]
Why Being More Present is so Important for Teens

Did you know that learning to be more at home in the present can give teens a brighter future? Being more present gives them tools to manage stress, reduce anxiety, increase their focus and build emotional resilience. And since adolescence is a critical time for brain development, teens who practice presence are learning healthy habits […]
Why Connection With Others is So Important for Teens

Connection with others is important at every age, but it’s critical for teens. Research shows that positive relationships with family, friends and others build teens’ self-esteem, increase their resilience, lower their risk of anxiety and depression, and even help them be more physically healthy. Connections give teens a support system when they’re facing challenges and […]
4 Tips for Helping Teens Overcome Loneliness

Teens are lonelier than any other age group, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Adolescence, and rates of teenage loneliness have doubled in the past decade. Besides causing emotional pain, loneliness impacts teens’ mental and physical health. It is a risk factor for depression, anxiety and substance abuse, and correlates with […]
Our History: How Did Lucero Come to Exist?

When you tap on the pink and green icon with Lucero’s friendly face, you know you’re about to set out on an adventure of self-discovery. But the journey to build a gamified wellness app for tweens and teens actually started years ago, and – just like you – Lucero has been evolving ever since. Here’s […]
How Healthy Habits Address Stress, Anxiety and Pressure

Tweens and teens today are under intense pressure. According to a survey by the American Psychological Association, adolescent stress levels top those of adults, and the National Institute of Mental Health reports that 32% of teens will experience an anxiety disorder. And while the pandemic exacerbated already-high levels of teen stress, teens identify their top […]
How Healthy Habits Build Confidence

Confident people make it look so easy. They believe in and trust themselves. They speak up without fear of rejection. Their body language and tone of voice says, “I’ve got this.” But where does that confidence come from? Some people are naturally more confident than others, but experts agree that confidence can be cultivated. The […]
How Healthy Habits Help Teens Navigate Transitions

Imagine that you’re an explorer about to journey into unfamiliar territory. You have no idea what challenges you’ll face, so you need to fill your pack with tools to help you stay safe and find your way. Adolescence is a lot like that: exciting, scary, and full of transitions. And just like explorers, teens need […]
Why Lucero is Needed Now

Did you know there are 1.3 billion tweens and teens in the world today? Adolescents make up 16% of the global population, and 100% of our future. The transition from childhood to adulthood has never been more complex or more critical than it is right now. Rising rates of depression, anxiety and self-harm indicate a […]
5 Ways to Build Healthy Habits

Hey, how are those New Year’s resolutions going? If you’ve lost momentum, you’re not alone. According to a survey by Statista, only 22% of respondents said they kept some of their New Year’s resolutions after about a month. We all struggle to stick with healthy habits, but behavior and neuroscience researchers have recently discovered some […]