Our desert oasis offers unlimited opportunities to unwind and refresh. Whether a meandering hike in our serene mountains, a relaxing soak in our natural mineral springs or a spa service at one of our many wellness resorts, you don’t have to go far for a well-deserved escape. Taking time to rejuvenate and restore is an… Read more »
September/October 2025
My First Retreat Won’t Be My Last
- By Lauren Del Sarto
Attending a retreat has always intrigued me. The mystique of their locations in remote jungles or foreign coastal towns was the greatest attraction, as was the thought of escaping to a faraway land alone. But then reality always set in, and the thought of spending time and money in an exotic destination without my significant… Read more »
Reconnecting with Our Roots
- By Lauren Del Sarto
Of all the places I’ve lived, Charleston, South Carolina still has my heart. There’s just sumpin’ ‘bout the South you can’t replace: the Colonial design, the rich history, warm ocean waves, shrimp ‘n grits, gators and golf courses and sweet southern charm. As a tween, it’s where I embraced my preppy style. It’s where my… Read more »
The Radical Honesty Challenge
- By Delphine Channels
For several years now, I’ve practiced what some call radical honesty. I chuckle even using that term, as if there is something radical about being honest. And yet, in our world of socially acceptable truths and polite evasions, it is. Somewhere along my path of evolution, I was introduced to the transformative power of living… Read more »
Palm Springs High School Students Represent at HOSA International Leadership Conference
- By Miranda Gonzalez
This summer, five Palm Springs High School (PSHS) students left the desert to compete on the national stage at the HOSA International Leadership Conference (ILC) in Sports Medicine and CERT (Community Emergency Response Team). These passionate students pushed themselves to proudly represent their school. HOSA – Future Health Professionals, previously recognized as Health Occupations Students… Read more »
AANP Celebrates 40 Years at the Heart of Naturopathic Medicine
- By Taryn Ernest
In July, more than 600 licensed naturopathic doctors (NDs), students and supporters of whole-person care gathered at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort in Indian Wells (and virtually) to celebrate the 40th Annual Convention of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP). The landmark event, “The Heart of Naturopathic Medicine,” honored four decades of collective work to… Read more »
In the Coachella Valley, an extraordinary transformation has taken root. One that weaves together health and education—nurtured by community support for a rising generation of aspiring scholars. Through a collaboration born of goodwill, lives are being changed. This summer, during the 4th Annual Pulmonary and Critical Care Conference of the Desert, the Desert Institute of… Read more »
Burnout: The Silent Killer
- By Susan Murphy, PhD
Burnout is no longer just a workplace buzzword. It’s a full-blown public health crisis. Whether you’re a professional, caregiver or volunteer, the emotional toll of constant responsibility can quietly erode your energy, empathy and sense of purpose. Originally coined in the 1940s to describe engine failure, “burnout” now captures the human experience of emotional and… Read more »
Blue Zones Project Palm Springs and Coachella have kicked off a series of interactive community events designed to create a happier, healthier, more vibrant community. Many of these are built around Moais, organized groups launched and run by Blue Zones Project teams that meet regularly around healthy habits such as walking, gardening and nutritious potlucks.… Read more »
Counseling for Parkinson’s Disease
- By Cristal Salcido, ND, APCC
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive neurological disorder best known for its motor symptoms, such as resting tremor and rigidity. However, many non-motor symptoms often appear years before movement changes begin.1 Fatigue, depression, anxiety and sleep disturbances can have a profound impact on quality of life, and these are areas where mental health professionals… Read more »
Protecting Our Skin Barrier
- By Brook Dougherty
“Skin barrier” is a term the beauty industry has been pushing on us this year. Evidently, if we don’t protect our skin barrier, we will be in big trouble. But what exactly is it and is it something we actually need to be concerned about? Believe it or not, in this case, big beauty isn’t… Read more »
Will Loving a Narcissist Break Me?
- By Amy Austin, LMFT
In the past, humility was a sought-after trait. Teaching children to be humble and selfless was prized and would hopefully keep arrogant, self-centeredness at bay. Loud, bold, overconfident behavior was dimmed by a modest, self-sacrificing approach. Today, we realize humility has a downside. Sacrificing one’s wants and needs for the sake of others can lead… Read more »
Coming Together to Make a Difference
- By Elle Oliver-Edmonds
What if the greatest achievements in your life weren’t meant to be yours alone? There’s a beautiful concept in Africa, referred to as “Ubuntu.” Nelson Mandela once defined it as, “if we are to accomplish anything in this world, it will in equal measure be due to the work and achievement of others.” Put simply,… Read more »
Personal wellness services such as facials, massage and other spa therapies have reached a turning point. The Wall Street Journal recently emphasized this trend in a spotlight comparing an AI-powered robot massage to a traditional massage therapist. This underscores the evolving landscape of wellness. Advanced robotics, AI technology and machines are here to stay. These… Read more »
Infertility: Lifestyle and TCM Can Help
- By Diane Sheppard, PhD, LAc
When my mother was younger, it felt like she could get pregnant with the look of an eye. But things have changed. Today, many young women have been on birth control for years—not just to prevent pregnancy, but also to manage health concerns like irregular cycles, hormonal imbalances or heavy bleeding. Now, when they’re finally… Read more »
Back to Our Roots
- By Alison Mullins
When we talk about “getting back to our roots,” we often think of visiting the places we grew up, cooking a family recipe or reconnecting with people from our past. But roots are more than memories. They are the living threads—people, places, foods and rituals—that continue to nourish us and give our lives meaning. Like… Read more »
The Morph Device for Addiction and Pain
- By John K. Gerard, MD
The Morph Device, AKA P.E.N.S. (Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation), is an FDA-approved electrical nerve stimulator that offers real hope to individuals struggling with chronic pain or opioid dependence. Designed to fit behind the ear, the compact device uses gentle electrical impulses to stimulate areas deep within the brain. This stimulation can significantly reduce pain levels,… Read more »
Nourish Your Nerves
- By Monica Price
Do you find yourself anxious often or perhaps anxious in certain situations? You are not alone, and finding ways to calm your mind can really help. Anxiety is a complicated mental health disorder that requires a wide range of approaches to manage it effectively. Lifestyle changes, including nutrition, can help, as there are foods that… Read more »
City of Hope Embraces Integrative Cancer Care
- By Lauren Del Sarto
Each year, I return to City of Hope in Duarte for my annual follow-up after successfully receiving cryoablation for my early-stage breast cancer in 2019. This year, I was ecstatic to see the many changes incorporated with the completion of The Cherng Family Center for Integrative Oncology. Integrative oncology combines standard medical treatments with more… Read more »
Dale E. Bredesen, MD’s The Ageless Brain
- A Review by Joseph E. Scherger MD, MPH
If insults that degrade the brain are replaced by healthy nutrition and lifestyle, is the brain capable of healing, similar to other organs? Contrary to conventional thinking in neurology, Dale Bredesen, MD, gives a resounding “yes.” Dr. Bredesen, a research neurologist, has a series of cases dating back to 2014 when he published his first… Read more »