Imagine your positive words and positive actions toward others as poker chips. Having a big stack of chips in your account can make you feel like a winner. Each of us has the power to give chips to others. A chip can be a compliment, a note, a favor and even a smile. Chips can… Read more »
Earlier this year, we introduced our “Eat, Drink and Be Healthy” column to offer savory substitutes to your favorite foods. We’ve featured salty snacks to replace chips, hearty veggie pastas, sugar-free ice cream sundaes — even sugar-free margaritas. But what if you’re simply not motivated to choose the healthier option? How do you find that… Read more »
Doesn’t it seem that many are in transition right now? Friends are changing jobs or starting new careers, others are taking sabbaticals and time to figure out their next steps, neighbors are selling homes and moving away, and businesses are reinventing the way to work. The new normal is looking quite different as people emerge… Read more »
Everyone experiences pressure in life. Sometimes it comes from outside influences, and other times from within. Pressure can be a motivator as well as an obstacle in achieving our goals. Sometimes we handle it well, and other times it breaks us. For competitive athletes, pressure comes with the territory, and those who learn to deal… Read more »
Something strange is happening with my social circle. We finally get the green light to gather, and many don’t want to step outside. Even the most gregarious are experiencing a bit of apprehension at this unleashing we’ve all been anticipating — including me. While excitement to hang out with old friends, support restaurants and return… Read more »
Frank Meadows was a high school track and field star with a promising future. He had a passion for running and dedicated himself to staying in shape. Raised in a military family, he entered the US Naval Academy Preparatory School at 17, looking forward to a naval career. Unfortunately, life had different plans for Meadows.… Read more »
The Champagne is chilling, and we’re all about ready to POP! Things are beginning to open up, and there is light at the end of the tunnel. We can’t wait for the days of hugs, hospitality, friends and festivals to return; these previously presumed pleasures are starting to feel within reach. March marks a full… Read more »
What led me to write this article is the noticeable increase in clients seeking help for their mental and emotional distress, particularly as the pandemic has drawn on. Is the rise in people seeking psychological help coming from the stress of the current pandemic’s circumstances? For many, it is. However, I’ve also seen a surge… Read more »
HAPPY DAY! WE MADE IT. 2021 is upon us, and we all get a fresh, new start. It’s time to set goals, ponder dreams and send forth our intentions for this brand-new year. While we might like to erase much of last year, there are many things learned worth carrying forward. We’ve gained a greater… Read more »
I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to 2021 being a better year – because I choose to focus on self-care and to live in hope. Let me be clear: hope is not optimism or the belief that everything will turn out well, and hope doesn’t mean denying our realities. Hope means facing… Read more »
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 those around us, which will… Read more »
So much has changed. The world has changed. I have changed. Those around me have changed. And life in the desert has certainly changed. While we each found our way to this unique place for different reasons – some to escape city life or retire in the sun, others to take care of parents or… Read more »
Last week I was at the market masked up like the Lone Ranger (and believe me that’s how I feel when I am wearing a mask sans my trusted horse Silver) walking up and down the aisles talking to myself (one of the perks of wearing a mask) when I heard, “Hello, how are you?” … Read more »
The many trials and tribulations over the past few months have certainly taught us a lot. One of the most valuable lessons demonstrated is the importance of taking care of ourselves – both physically and mentally. While seniors continue to be most vulnerable to this distressing pandemic, a new report from the Centers for Disease… Read more »
When I created Desert Health 10 years ago, one of the primary objectives was to elevate the work of our valley’s naturopathic doctors. Their philosophy of identifying the root cause of disease versus simply treating symptoms and “whole- person care” approach, taking time to understand and address lifestyle patterns, is significantly more effective than the… Read more »
Every human on our planet is struggling right now. For some, it’s simply getting through the day; for others, it’s coping with mortality in unimaginable circumstances. If the challenges we are facing are taking their toll mentally, you are not alone. Many psychologists agree that the ability to comprehend the magnitude of what is going… Read more »
What does your typical day look like? You work, shop for groceries, run errands, attend appointments and scheduled events. Life is busy. But when you look back at the bigger picture – your entire life – what happy thoughts comes to mind? Those special memories, maybe only a minute in a lifetime of thousands, stand… Read more »
Think of those times in your life when you were alone doing something you love; those times you remember being filled with nothing but sheer joy…maybe immersing yourself in a hobby, creating something new, walking through a serene landscape or simply sitting in silence. How did you feel? Most likely, you weren’t thinking about your… Read more »
Let’s say you’ve been feeling really down lately and can’t seem to shake it. You go to your primary care physician and he recommends a prescription for an anti-depressant, or referral to a psychiatrist for further evaluation. It’s what you’d expect. Now imagine walking away with a prescription for an over-the-counter herb coupled with yoga… Read more »
In my work as a massage therapist and energy medicine practitioner I consider this question every day. Every client–each person–has a story. We are each on a healing journey. The details vary, but the quest is the same for all: we are searching for wholeness. What helps? What constitutes success? Recently I had a personal… Read more »