Planning for the future and growing a garden are quite similar. When we set out to grow a garden, we need a plan to determine the desired results. Do we want to harvest the garden to feed the family? Contribute to a community? Use it to accent what we already have available to us? Or… Read more »
Most of us are enrolled in some type of managed care health plan. Managed care means you agree to allow a private insurance group or physicians group manage your access to health care. From the insurer’s point of view, these are cost containment measures, and they can be frustrating to deal with if they are… Read more »
Aging is something we all come to terms with differently. When we look in the mirror and see changes, it’s natural to consider what we can do to turn back the clock. In fact, the concept of facial rejuvenation dates back to ancient civilizations where massages, herbal remedies and rudimentary surgical procedures were employed. Today,… Read more »
When was the last time you heard the word “equanimity”? Most may ponder the question, while those who meditate softly smile and sigh. It’s a good word to know. Equanimity is defined as mental or emotional stability or composure, especially under tension or strain. It’s the act of facing challenges with a calm clarity and… Read more »
The start of a new year is the ideal time to ask ourselves what we want to change about ourselves or our lives. There is something about a new year that gives us that extra motivation to start fresh and change our lives so we can experience something better. The usual resolutions are weight loss,… Read more »
Before the days of social media (was there a time before social media?), there wasn’t the constant and perpetual inundation of the “go here, see this, try that, buy it now” culture. Back then, “slowbriety,” or taking things one day at a time, seemed to be more the norm because you had to wait to… Read more »
By now, many of us know that making small dietary and lifestyle changes can have transformative effects on our overall health and well-being. One of these transformational changes, which has been gaining popularity in recent years, is “Dry January” – the act of abstaining from alcohol for the whole month. While many may undertake this… Read more »
There is considerable discourse these days about longevity and its correlation to how we manage stress. Stress seems like a conditional part of day-to-day living. It is natural to have intermittent tension in life, yet incessant stress seems the new norm and ultimately creates risks for health decline. When chronic stress elevates, we find ourselves… Read more »
As the calendar turns to a fresh year, many of us take the opportunity to reflect on our lives and careers. For those experiencing a career transition, this period of introspection is particularly emotional. Whether the transition was voluntary or the result of a layoff, the new year presents a chance to redefine goals and… Read more »
As we enter another new year, many look to this opportunity with excitement to start anew; refresh their outlook and create goals or new aspirations of achievement. However, it’s important to reflect on and remember the past as to not make the same mistakes or fall into the same rut after the new year’s excitement… Read more »
This article first appeared in the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice (Sept/Oct 2023) and has been edited for length. Health care practitioners are navigating a time of significant change and uncertainty. Many feel burned out and exhausted after surviving the pandemic and are seeking help to set priorities and manage time more effectively.… Read more »
Relationships are hard to navigate even in the best of times. We bring with us a myriad of life experiences that can enhance or detract from what once seemed like a blissful union. As time marches on, we can settle into a place of comfortability with an unconscious, invisible permission slip that says, “Because I… Read more »
The art of pivoting is an act of shifting performed in most sports and throughout our daily life. When we pivot effectively, it opens the opportunity to change direction and pursue a beneficial forward trajectory. I grew up ice skating competitively. There is a fond memory of the elegant practice of a pivot creating the… Read more »
It is true that change is the eternal constant. The average human body is replacing over 3.8 million cells a second, approximately 140 million babies are born every day and 275 million stars are born every year. And each moment of our lives is completely and uniquely different than any other moment that ever was… Read more »
Fear is the greatest impediment to our health and well-being, not illness, pollution, GMO food tampering or war. Fear casts a shadow over our lives from the day we are born to the day we pass on. It’s the root cause of all the things mentioned above, affecting our mental, emotional and physical health. Hopefully,… Read more »
The cycle of life is an incredible journey through good times, bad times and unexpected events. Preparing for one’s financial lifecycle is often miscalculated, leaving a person or family financially strapped or in dire straits. Many life events bring us joy: a wedding, the birth of a child, a graduation and so on. But when… Read more »
Many professionals become experts in their field and long to share their passion, message or innovation with the world. One of the best ways to do this, of course, is via television, radio, print and online platforms which can reach millions. But this aspiration can be challenging – especially for those in the medical field… Read more »
When a toddler has a meltdown because they didn’t get the Skittles they had to have, they are seeking autonomy and a sense of independence by stating, “I am me! I am here! Listen to me!” However, an adult losing it with a loved one, impulsively reacting with insults or sarcasm, can be a sign… Read more »
I don’t know about you, but I can cry watching a cute TikTok clip. But if people are around, I’ve noticed that I try to keep my emotions in check. Why do I hold back? Why not experience the agony and the ecstasy of shedding tears and having a good old-fashioned ugly-faced cry? With a… Read more »
Since early adolescence we have been primed to focus on our physical appearance. The world identifies who we are through our coiffed exterior presentation, and we spend a lot of time and money polishing the image others see. Imagine a world in which the interpersonal work to which we dedicate time is met with society’s… Read more »
