Do you have a best friend? I’ve known mine since we were in middle school. We’re two independent, intelligent, hipster women in their 60s raised in LA. You’d think we would have learned the fine art of listening to each other, but spending five days together last month showed us that communication is complicated, even… Read more »
Managing menopausal side effects is more important than ever, as it affects the quality of life in cancer “thrivership.” Many women and men face years of side effects from cancer treatment resulting from the surgical removal of ovaries and hormone deprivation therapy (tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors, etc.) in hormone receptor-positive cancers such as breast, endometrial, ovarian… Read more »
When was the last time you checked your mood? How often do you ask yourself, “How am I feeling today?” Our go-to answers might be “I’m good” or “I’m fine,” protecting ourselves from feeling a much more uncomfortable emotion. The truth is there is no such thing as a “bad” emotion. Humans experience a spectrum… Read more »
Tai Chi Chuan has been practiced by millions of people across the globe for centuries. Tai chi, at its most basic, is a set of movements based on martial arts and traditional Chinese medicine, which are memorized and practiced slowly and with intention. This “meditation in motion” deliberately focuses both your mind and body on… Read more »
Wouldn’t it be nice to glide through life without a care in the world like a free and easy wanderer? It is certainly a nice dream, but not reality for most of us. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), we have a famous herbal formula called Xiao Yao San, which means “free and easy wanderer.” It… Read more »
Most of us are feeling some level of trepidation as the world begins to open after a year of pandemic isolation. The information about what’s safe changes daily, and we don’t yet have information about the need for a booster or exactly how protected we are from reinfection. Our mental health has been challenged. Some… Read more »
Over the years, research has shown us that those who struggle with self-love or self-approval have usually experienced some form of struggle in their childhood, which in return has impacted their self-trust, self-worth, and even self-motivation. This experience is not necessarily from abuse; it could have been neglect or lack of acknowledgement during the fundamental… Read more »
If we look at the practice of meditation from a distance, we notice that this process of rebalancing our body, mind and spirit is something natural. In fact, it is the most natural process for us human beings to recharge and recover. It takes place every night while we sleep. We rest our mind and… Read more »
Has the stress of the past year left you feeling tight and achy? You’re not alone. For most of us, isolation has meant less movement, more stress, and fewer moments of joy. When heavy energy builds up with no way to release it, pain is often the result. Just as the ancient practice of acupuncture… Read more »
In a world of instant gratification, I have learned that developing patience can be short-lived and cause you to throw self-discipline out the window. And, yes, sadly, those two ways of being go hand in hand, regardless of the perspective you may hold. Many people are more likely to give up or suppress an emotion… Read more »
With temperatures rising in the Coachella Valley, it’s important to stay hydrated. Drinking enough water — at least 60 oz per day — is critical in this regard. But just as important as how much water you drink is the container from which you drink. The convenience of bottled water has helped Americans increase their… Read more »
The art of relaxation comes naturally for some people, while for others, it is hard to turn off the chatter in their minds. You don’t need to sit in a lotus position and meditate; however, this is one way to start the feeling of easing out of fight or flight and into the parasympathetic response… Read more »
Which one of the following is your favorite food? 1) pizza, 2) chocolate desserts, 3) chips, 4) cookies, 5) fries or 6) ice cream. Did you have trouble picking just one? If so, it’s no surprise. These are the most addictive foods, according to the Yale Food Addiction Survey. It’s not uncommon to crave these… Read more »
Do you want to feel better physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually? Then give thanks in the morning. When you give thanks for a great day as soon as you wake, your subconscious mind primes you to actually have a great day. When you thank your body for healing from disease or injury while sick, your… Read more »
It is likely that you are currently or have experienced chronic pain at some point in your life. Low back pain, advanced cancer pain, arthritis, headaches and pain that seemingly can’t be linked to any specific cause are frequent complaints. Pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care and one of… Read more »
Heartburn medication is the fifth most purchased over-the-counter medication. Dyspepsia or indigestion affects 21 percent of people, commonly women and smokers. The most common symptoms include abdominal discomfort, burning pain, bloating, nausea, or getting full as soon as you start to eat. There are a variety of reasons one may have indigestion, including infection, ulcers,… Read more »
For most of my life, I thought becoming a woman involved suffering and that it was a normal process of a woman’s development. As I watched my mother endure pain and distress, which made her unavailable to be a nurturing and loving mother, it left me wondering what was wrong with her – or what… Read more »
As we discussed in the January/February issue of Desert Health, the approach of accepting ourselves as multi-parted beings (mind/soul, body, spirit and ego) brings up a more significant meaning to our lives, but also to the process of healing, our health and sense of harmony. We will only find happiness and wholesomeness in our achievement… Read more »
Many of us have developed a heightened appreciation of the great outdoors this past year. This reconnection with nature comes during a time when the environment faces an unparalleled climate crisis with the rapid escalation of fossil fuels, pollution growth, plastic waste and CO2 emissions. Activities that allow us to cultivate mindfulness with Mother Earth… Read more »
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 act upon the fact that… Read more »