Keep breathing. Sounds so simple, doesn’t it? And yet, so profound. Last summer we were blessed with the opportunity to spend six weeks in our travel trailer visiting family and friends in Washington State. In an RV park near Seattle, I noticed a gentleman sitting on a rock wall every morning as I walked our… Read more »
The holidays are here, and we are all looking forward to a “normal” season after two years of pandemic. Holidays remind us of spending time with family, enjoying good food and being merry. But that isn’t always the case for everyone. This time of year, nearly 10% of Americans report seasonal affective disorder and many… Read more »
Do you remember last holiday season? Did you get to January and swear that you were going to do things differently next year? Well, here we are… It has been a bumpy road over the last couple of years, and this may be the year that you do a little bit more…or after last year,… Read more »
“The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance – it is the illusion of knowledge.” – Author and Historian Daniel J. Boorstin In recent months, I discovered an underlying notion that I need to be heard by my family. An old belief of not being heard nor valued by my mother and father was reawakened… Read more »
When was the last time you stopped – really stopped – and asked yourself this question? The true answer doesn’t come from aching body parts or overwhelmed brain chatter. It is found when you become still, close your eyes, put your hand on your heart and reach deep inside to ask, “Hey there, how are… Read more »
We all know hiking is good for you. It’s an aerobic exercise that gets you moving out in nature. But the benefits to mind, body and soul go much deeper; deeper than you could ever imagine until you read Hiking! The Ultimate Prescription for Health and Wellness by Palm Springs residents Philip Ferranti and Cecilia… Read more »
As our worlds have opened after COVID, and I have regained my health after cancer, I have contemplated what sustained me through these past couple of years. What I concluded is that the simplest of things have been the most important. Somehow noticing the daily gifts present all around me makes me feel most alive… Read more »
This past June, HARC held their annual Workplace Wellness Symposium entitled, “We’re all in this together – Navigating Through Changing Times.” The virtual event featured four experts on the topics of work-life balance, diversity equity and inclusion, stress management at work and much more. This valuable program is beneficial to anyone managing a team and… Read more »
How are you choosing to see life today? Do you see the ordinary in the extra-ordinary, or do you see the extra-ordinary in the ordinary? Whichever viewpoint you choose, the truth we all hopefully come to realize is that life is simply a miracle. For much of my life, I found it very difficult to… Read more »
Earlier this week, I woke to my cat Mazel’s “amewsing” morning antics. Instead of instantly switching on the news (my usual MO), I sat down to embrace his entertainment and breathe in the quiet of the morning. The recent desert winds were thankfully at bay, giving a welcome stillness to our desert paradise. I decided… Read more »
Has it been challenging for you to maintain a positive outlook this summer? I’ve been struggling. It seems like the outlook nationally is ominous; it’s hot and not as thrilling to be outside and I’ve allowed the economy to add to feeling constricted and scarce. These are not the feelings I like to have. They… Read more »
There are many factors that contribute to our impulsive thoughts and reactions. It can be as simple as a single intrusive thought to which we give power. When this happens, some can easily overcome and let go, while others may find it impossible to do so. For those who find it impossible, these thoughts… Read more »
We all go through tough times. It is normal to feel anxious, sad, grief, uncertainty and a host of other feelings within the same month – or even the same day. Throughout the pandemic, many individuals have struggled with isolation, financial hardship, and simple boredom. To top it off, political strife, human rights violations and… Read more »
We have been hearing a lot about the benefits of intermittent fasting as decreased inflammation and weight loss often accompany eating less or eating in less hours of the day. The main reason this works is because of autophagy (“aa-TAA-fuh-jee”), which is the self-cleaning our body does when we have fasted more than 10 hours.… Read more »
Do you find yourself repeating past hurts, habits and hang-ups? Maybe they only show up in some areas of your life, or maybe they are showing up in all areas. Maybe you think that it’s everyone else’s fault, and you did not create the experience you are having. Do you feel down and heavy because… Read more »
“Return to normalcy” was a campaign slogan used by President Harding in 1920 after World War I and the Spanish Flu; both he felt had altered the perspective of humanity. The phrase was used again in the 2020 presidential campaign when the goal was to address the COVID-19 pandemic and end divisiveness between people. But,… Read more »
Do you find yourself drinking more these days? Life has been hard and it’s not surprising people are turning to happy hour to help lift spirits and get through challenging times. Over these past few years, we have experienced stress and unease like never before, and have struggled to adjust and adapt on a daily… Read more »
Online learning during the pandemic fueled the rise in mental illness. As behavioral health students in the Health Academy at Coachella Valley High School, we knew that we were negatively impacted by the pandemic and three out of the four of us felt that our abilities faltered through online learning. A survey conducted at Coachella… Read more »
Have you heard of “The Great Resignation?” The phrase is commonly used in the business sector today to reference the vast number of people resigning from their jobs. Many are moving around or out of the workforce and numerous companies are experiencing mass exodus. The reference makes sense. But when I first saw this expression,… Read more »
Has it been a difficult season for you? Several friends and I have had extra curveballs thrown our way, and together we are searching for hope amidst hardship. When the going gets tough, sometimes it feels as if all reserves are exhausted. That makes this a good time to tune in to your own very… Read more »
