Every year, the World Happiness Report (WHR) offers a global snapshot of how people feel about their lives, and why. The report is released annually on March 20, which the United Nations designated the International Day of Happiness to recognize happiness as a fundamental human goal and right. Before the release of this year’s report,… Read more »
Each spring, we review the annual wellness trends forecasted by the Global Wellness Summit (GWS). Over the years, we’ve been introduced to fascinating concepts and technology, while also witnessing a return to the simpler things in life. This year is no exception but leans toward the latter as an emerging theme in The Future of… Read more »
Where did 2025 go? Doesn’t it feel like time is moving way too fast? Maybe I’m just getting older. That’s what happens, right? They say the childlike mind enjoys many new experiences, recording each fascinating moment and making time feel slower. Adult life, on the other hand, is full of routine. The accomplished mind processes… Read more »
We are avid enthusiasts of our valley’s mineral hot springs for the many health benefits they deliver. Our very first edition of Desert Health in 2011 featured the second annual Miracle Hill Spa Tour, and in 2023, we published a special insert, “Hidden Gems of Desert Hot Springs.” Miracle Hill is where you’ll find the… Read more »
The season of gifts and gratitude is upon us once again. The joy of the holidays often arrives with the challenging task of finding the perfect present for family and friends. This year, consider the gift that keeps on giving: the gift of good health. Health-related offerings show you care about someone’s long-term happiness, not… Read more »
Attending a retreat has always intrigued me. The mystique of their locations in remote jungles or foreign coastal towns was the greatest attraction, as was the thought of escaping to a faraway land alone. But then reality always set in, and the thought of spending time and money in an exotic destination without my significant… Read more »
Laughter isn’t just a reaction—it’s a remedy. Think of it as internal jogging; a hearty laugh strengthens your core, boosts endorphins (which are 200 times more potent than morphine), and reduces stress hormones like cortisol and epinephrine. It improves blood flow, enhances immunity and lifts your mood.1 While young children laugh up to 300 times… Read more »
As the pace of life quickens and the noise grows louder, more of us are being called to find something deeper, more grounding, more real. But what is that? For some, that’s prayer. For others, it’s meditation. But what’s the difference between the two? And why do they both matter? As a child I was… Read more »
I’ll admit, I’ve been feeling a bit saucy lately; slow on patience and quick to snap. It is usually followed by a pause (and often the recipient’s own snappy response) as I ponder the source of my uncharacteristic reactions. But I don’t think I’m alone. Have you noticed that people appear a bit edgy these… Read more »
A retreat is an intentional pause from the busyness and noise of everyday life—a sacred stepping away to reconnect with yourself on a deeper level. It’s a space where you can rest, reflect, and realign with what matters most. Whether nestled in nature or created at home, a retreat offers the opportunity to quiet the… Read more »
Psychologist Carl Jung coined the term “synchronicity” which he described as an “a casual connecting principle” — external events linked to internal thoughts and feelings by meaningful coincidences rather than happenstance. Examples could include a chance meeting, a conversation with someone who seems to read your mind, that song playing yet again, timely sightings of… Read more »
Our desert has always attracted those who dream big. In early days, visionaries saw lush green golf courses replacing swaths of silted sand, large pools where water rarely ran, and sport courts for play under always-sunny skies. These visionaries set the stage for an oasis paradise that charmed dignitaries and celebrities from near and far.… Read more »
As humans, we like our world in order. We move forward in perpetual motion accomplishing tasks, making plans and watching all our hard work come to fruition. When we take time to appreciate it all, we often smile with a sense of inner peace and security. We feel warm, happy and in control. But what… Read more »
Coachella Valley High School (CVHS) is the first school in the valley to provide students with a Zen garden, a place of calm and a respite from daily stresses and distractions. The garden was officially unveiled on Nov. 20 and is an extension of the high school’s wellness center, one of seven in CVUSD. These… Read more »
From the moment we first crawl, we spend our entire life moving forward. We progress toward things that bring us joy and set goals for our next accomplishments. We greet each new season with anticipation and sail into January with aspirations for the new year ahead. As 2024 comes to a close, shouldn’t we give… Read more »
Over the past few years, our valley has been abuzz with talk of becoming a blue zones community. The wait is now over and a coordinated effort throughout Riverside County is now underway, including both Palm Springs and Coachella, to implement policy and programs aimed at increasing the health and longevity of local residents. In… Read more »
Many of us have a heartfelt reaction when we see people living on the streets. The team at Bridges 2 Hope is combining that compassion with action and resources to help individuals find homes. In three short years, they have emplaced the many pieces of the puzzle together to help rehabilitate 32 and find homes… Read more »
Our minds are constantly thinking. It’s their primary job, and while we don’t always like the content, we have to admire these active overachievers. You might say our minds are workaholics, accomplishing tasks with unparalleled precision some days, and absolutely annoying on others. These powerhouse performers thrive on chaos and love fast paced living. It’s… Read more »
If you have glimpsed at magazine racks in grocery store check-out lines lately, you know that “anti-inflammation” appears to be the latest and greatest health craze. Yet, anti-inflammation has been at the core of health care for centuries and addressing the cause has always been a core principle of naturopathic medicine. So, while not the… Read more »
Today’s cars have come a long way from the classics of yesteryear. Remember all the work it took to keep them running well? Whereas today’s electric cars can even drive themselves. When you think about it, it’s rather similar to our brains and those phones always in our hands. Remember how much we had to… Read more »