We all grew up relishing the holidays as a time for peace on earth and good will to men. Will those words ring true this year? Will this season deliver the celestial feeling of holidays past; the assuring sense, as we gather with family and friends, that all will be okay? Often at annual gatherings,… Read more »
Aren’t these desert mornings spectacular? After a sweltering summer, this time of year reminds us why we live here. Season has arrived and this year, more than ever, our anticipation of increased social schedules, seasonal friends and heightened energy has us talking. Are we ready? With each new issue of Desert Health, we have an… Read more »
When was the last time you learned something new – just for the fun of it? In our latter years, we sometimes go long stretches without picking up a new hobby, sport or pastime, finding comfort in our day-to-day routine. But there are many health benefits to challenging the body and mind with new skills,… Read more »
So often, we go through life tending to our daily tasks, relieved when we finally complete our list. We come home, make dinner, relax with a glass of wine, catch up on our favorite shows and go to bed. We then wake the next day and do it all over again. But are we living… Read more »
Doesn’t it seem that many are in transition right now? Friends are changing jobs or starting new careers, others are taking sabbaticals and time to figure out their next steps, neighbors are selling homes and moving away, and businesses are reinventing the way to work. The new normal is looking quite different as people emerge… Read more »
Everyone experiences pressure in life. Sometimes it comes from outside influences, and other times from within. Pressure can be a motivator as well as an obstacle in achieving our goals. Sometimes we handle it well, and other times it breaks us. For competitive athletes, pressure comes with the territory, and those who learn to deal… Read more »
On April 27 of this year, I was sitting on my sofa in the TV room, and something appeared outside my window. At first, I couldn’t make out what it was. Perhaps a large rat? I could see it was missing hair on half its body, including a hairless tail, until a very full pompadour… Read more »
Frank Meadows was a high school track and field star with a promising future. He had a passion for running and dedicated himself to staying in shape. Raised in a military family, he entered the US Naval Academy Preparatory School at 17, looking forward to a naval career. Unfortunately, life had different plans for Meadows.… Read more »
HOPE. This word has been in my heart since I heard a song at Sunday school as a young child. Growing up through the years, HOPE was something I said and heard many times, especially when people were sick. Throughout life, HOPE became something I said when I wanted a certain outcome to happen. If… Read more »
Over the past year, I’ve been working to bring mindfulness into all aspects of my life. In addition to starting my day with slow, deep breathing, happy thoughts, a crafted coffee, meditation and sunshine, I’ve been consciously working to “come back to the now” when thoughts race and actions get harried. Returning to sports has… Read more »
Do you want to feel better physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually? Then give thanks in the morning. When you give thanks for a great day as soon as you wake, your subconscious mind primes you to actually have a great day. When you thank your body for healing from disease or injury while sick, your… Read more »
Many of us have developed a heightened appreciation of the great outdoors this past year. This reconnection with nature comes during a time when the environment faces an unparalleled climate crisis with the rapid escalation of fossil fuels, pollution growth, plastic waste and CO2 emissions. Activities that allow us to cultivate mindfulness with Mother Earth… Read more »
Do you have mixed feelings about going “back to normal?” The past year has required many changes to our routines and socialization. The pandemic precautions included the cessation of so many activities. We stopped going to school. We stopped eating out. We stopped exercising in gyms or studios. We stopped gathering at church. We stopped… Read more »
HAPPY DAY! WE MADE IT. 2021 is upon us, and we all get a fresh, new start. It’s time to set goals, ponder dreams and send forth our intentions for this brand-new year. While we might like to erase much of last year, there are many things learned worth carrying forward. We’ve gained a greater… Read more »
I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to 2021 being a better year – because I choose to focus on self-care and to live in hope. Let me be clear: hope is not optimism or the belief that everything will turn out well, and hope doesn’t mean denying our realities. Hope means facing… Read more »
Last January, I was celebrating a new start after a year of cancer treatments. 2019 had been rough, but I made it through with a renewed appreciation for life and a strong sense of fearlessness. Life is short, and I can do anything. So, I decided to start riding horses again. I tried 10 years… Read more »
As I was walking through the forests of Big Sur during the holidays, taking a socially-isolated reprieve from work and daily life, I was struck by the magnificence of how light expresses itself in the forest. In some areas, sunlight illuminates the burnt orange leaves of Oak trees. Around another corner, it reveals itself in… Read more »
Last week I was at the market masked up like the Lone Ranger (and believe me that’s how I feel when I am wearing a mask sans my trusted horse Silver) walking up and down the aisles talking to myself (one of the perks of wearing a mask) when I heard, “Hello, how are you?” … Read more »
When looking back at the roaring ‘20s I think of flappers, jazz music and prohibition. However, it was a time of social and political change, defiance and the great stock market crash. Sound familiar? We’re barely in the first year of a new decade and it’s already lived up to the name of Roaring 20… Read more »
My phone is ringing and emails are pouring in from people worldwide who are exhausted from living with the fear, stress, anxiety, boredom, depression, uncertainty and fatigue of COVID-19. We’ve all spent months in our homes. We’re sick of social distancing with a mask. We stand in line to get into the store, try to… Read more »
