Self Improvement Category
Integrative MedicineBecoming Zen: Perspective and Positive Thinking
I’m not sure where this fable comes from, but I remember first hearing it in church as a young adult and discussing it with my mother afterward. It is one of my favorites to share with patients and my own children because it really simplifies the difficult concept of recognizing Read more…
FitnessFit at Any Age
Legendary choreographer Merce Cunningham’s advice was, “Begin anywhere!” For baby boomers and seniors, staying limber, active and strong is the best medicine for maintaining health and living their best life. Anyone at any age can get started and improve their quality of life by safely improving their physical health. Studies Read more…
FitnessVirtual Technology: A New Form of Mental Training
For years, seeing youth athletes on their phones or playing video games for endless hours just drove me crazy. I knew it set the tone for their mood swings, depression and other health-related issues proven to stem from too much screen time and playing violent video games with their friends. Read more…
Medical NewsFinding Grace
A while back, between stay-at-home orders, something happened that hadn’t happened in several months. We paid an in-person visit to my mother. She has dementia and is living in a small care facility 15 minutes from where we live. She receives excellent care and has been kept safe during the Read more…
Medical NewsReducing the Stress of Loneliness
How can there be a crisis of loneliness when there are more than 7 billion people in the world? Doesn’t that seem counter-intuitive? A few years ago, the UK created a Minister of Loneliness because loneliness in England was increasing at such an alarming rate. This crisis poses as Read more…
Natural OptionsThe Human Being: A Multi-Parted Being
The fact that humans are multi-parted beings is nothing new or trendy; it is quite old, and yet, our disregard causes so much pain and disappointment. There is a positive movement in the western world towards treating illness in a more holistic way. But are we ready to accept and Read more…
Natural OptionsBecoming the New You
Happy New Year, my dear friends. I know on a collective level, most of us are glad to see the end of 2020. That in itself is a reason for celebration with the good, bad and the ugly behind us; we did it! I want to personally congratulate you on Read more…
Natural OptionsVitalism: A Naturopathic Perspective
In current culture, vitality is frequently associated only with youthful enthusiasm. In the field of naturopathic medicine, vitalism is the lifeforce, the spark within each of us. It was taught and passed down by our founders and is woven throughout our medical education. Unfortunately, the constraints of testing and diagnosing Read more…
Integrative MedicineCreating Habits – One Minute at a Time
Even when we know what we have to do to live a healthier lifestyle, doing it isn’t as easy as it should be. Eating healthier, moving more, surrounding ourselves with a great social network, and going to bed earlier are a few of the things no one could argue would Read more…
Integrative MedicineAsking for What You Want Cures Resentment
I’ve been doing a deep dive on how thoughts create reality. During my quest toward personal health, I have been learning how Eastern cultures view disease as originating in the soul. This concept takes healing to a whole new level! When I was diagnosed with cancer, I began asking myself Read more…
Financial HealthThe Gift of Estate Planning
In researching my book, Leaving Life, I discovered that the lack of proper estate planning is somewhat of an epidemic within the baby-boomer generation. The result of not preparing a proper will or living trust can lead to heirs, partners and children fighting over assets or possessions. Irreparable relationships are Read more…
InspirationThe Importance of Self-care Now
Pandemic fatigue is setting in, and for many, so is apathy. Frustration at the limitations imposed on us as individuals and the world at large can be harmful, especially when we let it affect the way we treat ourselves and others. Apathy can lead to unsafe behaviors and disregard for Read more…
Natural OptionsOvercoming Fear During Times of Change
There comes a pivotal time for each of us, where our life changes. No one is immune to change, especially by unforeseen circumstances. Sometimes it may feel the change is for the better; other times, it may feel like we have lost total control. I have been through several impactful Read more…
Integrative MedicineDo Less
It is said that you need to see or hear something three times before it fully lands. If that’s the case, I have now heard the call to “Do Less” on three separate occasions. The first was in 2006, when someone said to me that I seemed to have only Read more…
Natural OptionsForgiving Yourself
The more I understand forgiveness, the closer I come to understanding that forgiveness is an inside job. It truly has nothing to do with the other person(s) or situation(s) which have done you wrong. Until you have done some serious and deep internal work, you may keep telling yourself that Read more…
Natural OptionsCultural Connectivity Fosters Creativity
Perhaps there is no better time than the present to explore our creative potential. During this current pandemic, creativity can minimize lethargy and helps us find sustaining experiences and innovation. The challenge at hand reveals creativity to be an attribute some feel in plentiful amounts while others feel depleted. How Read more…
Natural OptionsSteps to Build Healthier Habits
Humans are creatures of habit. We have heard this time and time again, yet what does it mean? Psychologically, our brains are working to determine the most efficient ways to navigate our life and make it through our day. Some of us make thousands of decisions a day, and habits Read more…
Natural OptionsIs Alcohol Putting Your Immune System at Risk?
2020 has been a monster of a year, with shelter-in-place orders and constant, head-spinning policy changes. It’s no wonder people fall back to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as poor eating and drinking habits. In April, the World Health Organization issued a press release warning against alcohol consumption. At the same Read more…
Natural OptionsYou Are Worth the Effort
As we continue to struggle with settling into the new norm, we know that establishing routines is important for our mental and physical health. This is especially true when considering diet and exercise. Even if you’ve let yourself go over these past few months, it’s never too late to get Read more…
FitnessIntentional Walking for Winning at Health
Walking is a simple way to increase your health and longevity with little effort. Here are five reasons you should do intentional walking at a moderate intensity (fast enough that conversation makes you a little breathless) for 30 minutes a day: Reduces chronic diseases. Walking at a moderate pace can Read more…