How can a traumatic event or set of events from earlier in life create a present desire to scarf down cookies, drink wine every night, or partake in other obsessive behaviors? The answer lies in how our brains and bodies record experience and respond to life situations. Researchers and addiction specialists are finding more and… Read more »
Self Improvement
More than 60 million Americans report that they have experienced some form of insomnia in the past year, and sleepless nights are responsible for a little over 250 million lost days of productivity annually. In seeking solutions to this widespread problem, science has recently shifted its focus toward brain chemistry. According to Ronald C. Kessler,… Read more »
Tired of traditional dieting? Mindful eating is a truly natural, conscious alternative that works. How often do you eat in a really unconscious state, with your attention in conversation or TV? By “unconscious,” I’m referring to having attention somewhere other than on the food and the thoughts, emotions and sensations that arise around food. When… Read more »
Are you a “stuff-aholic”? Many people collect stuff. Some even pay for storage units to house their extra stuff. Answer this honestly…when you walk into your home, is there a sense of overwhelm and frustration as you see piles of clutter from papers, magazines, clothes, gadgets and dishes? Don’t feel badly if this describes you.… Read more »
Someone recently told me they were going to the cardiologist for a stress test. This got me thinking that stress really gets to the heart of the matter; pun very much intended. Stress just seems to be part of our society today with technological advances, multitasking, deadlines, double income families, kids’ busy schedules, staying afloat… Read more »
Being “well” to some doctors and being “well” to patients is not always the same thing. Doctors often focus on relieving suffering from illness, while patients just want to feel like they did when they were 25. They want their vitality back. Being well shouldn’t simply be about having less symptoms. A natural state of… Read more »
If you’re like most of the population, one of your New Year’s resolutions is to lose weight. Did you know that 90% of diets fail? Dieting increases stress hormones, lowers testosterone, and causes you to store fat when it’s over.1 Let’s resolve to not ‘diet’ this year, and instead, implement a few good lifestyle habits… Read more »
Women are often guilty of not making time for themselves – especially working women with families and full schedules. But few are busier than Linda Evans who recently added the title of Mayor of La Quinta to her resume. So I was surprised to learn that for the past five years, Linda and a dedicated… Read more »
If your thoughts about the holiday season elicit emotions other than pure joy, you are not alone. Stress increases during the holidays and relationships can suffer. Pack your Holiday Toolkit with some new tools this year. Have realistic expectations and talk about them. The discrepancy between what you expect and what you get causes disappointment.… Read more »
We all know the holiday season can be very stressful, particularly on parents of young children. Even the youngest children can feel the strains of the season. The Growing Healthy Minds initiative, part of First 5 Riverside’s commitment to the county’s youngest children and their families, offers help with resources, support and services to promote… Read more »
One of the most frequent questions my clients ask is, “How do I start over?” Although life doesn’t come with a re-set button, you can give your life a “fresh start” any moment you choose. Life is a journey, not a destination. I believe life is 5% what happens to you and 95% what you… Read more »
“Sometimes I wonder what am I gonna do—‘Cause there ain’t no cure for the summertime blues” With the days in the Coachella Valley now longer and warmer, some of you might find yourself feeling somewhat down, depressed and irritable; you are not alone! You may be suffering from the summer variant of Seasonal Affective Disorder… Read more »
Creating a Desert Wellness Staycation Many of us take an exotic trip or adventure in the summer, only to return more exhausted than when we left, due to the stress and myriad of surprises that go along with out-of-town travel. Limited time and money, or merely the wish to simplify, might be reasons to stay… Read more »
Therapeutic Massage has come into its own as an industry. With alternative medicine accepted in more and more mainstream health establishments, bodywork has emerged as a rewarding, financially sound career. It’s especially well suited for people who want to prosper while remaining close to core beliefs about the true source of health and well-being. Locally,… Read more »
Living in the Coachella Valley, we can be remiss in witnessing the pronounced entry and exit of the four seasons. Yet, the dramatic shift into summer is one we all experience. While the desert landscape transitions, plants and wildflowers lose their color and become dormant. The desert floor dries up and the sun emerges at… Read more »
I am writing yet another weight loss article, not because I want to tell you about the latest diet trends, but actually to illuminate the opposite perspective. I want to explain why your diet isn’t working. This article is intended to help you understand why – despite your dedication, perseverance, and sweat – those pounds… Read more »
Stalingrad 1942 was one of the most savage battles in military history. My father, a reluctant German infantry soldier (the other option would have been execution) was wounded and sent back from the front. That saved his life and for me, the guide of my life. He never talked about what it was like. Except… Read more »
Lynne Risdon of Palm Desert has an energetic spirit and enthusiastic smile. She speaks with determination and grace and appears much younger than her 62 years. You would never know that Lynne has lived with the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis for 22 years. She attributes her fit condition to exercise and nutrition and is grateful… Read more »
Law enforcement officers (LEO) encounter stressful situations on a daily basis which can affect both their physical and mental health. Their life expectancy is ten years below the national average at 66, and many are forced to leave the field for medical reasons. Even worse, studies show that the rate of suicide for our men… Read more »
When setting wellness goals, a simple starting point is often overlooked which greatly impacts our wellness potential: A place of happiness. I recently read Shawn Achor’s Before Happiness and learned that 98 percent of our thoughts are the same thoughts we had yesterday, and 80 percent are potentially negative. We have an innate tendency to… Read more »
