The upcoming flu season is causing concern for many people, compounding their worries about contracting coronavirus. Fortunately, the same behaviors that prevent transmission of COVID-19 – avoiding in-person gatherings, physical distancing when in public and wearing face masks – also protect you from the flu. Flu statistics and projections. The flu affects 3-10 percent of… Read more »
Natural Options
This holiday season is a great time to experience much-needed light, laughter and celebration amidst the craziness of 2020. However, this excitement can also bring stress, especially in these uncertain times. Here are a few tips to help combat feelings of anxiety to have the productive and positive holiday season we all deserve. Harness the… Read more »
Healing Through Chakra Balancing
- By Diane Sheppard, PhD, LAc
- November/December 2020
This year has taken a toll on us all. Many feel out of balance, and anxiety, stress, fear and depression are on the rise. Amidst the chaos, more people than ever are turning to meditation, yoga and other calming practices to help restore balance while adding peace and tranquility to their day. When considering self-care… Read more »
There comes a pivotal time for each of us, where our life changes. No one is immune to change, especially by unforeseen circumstances. Sometimes it may feel the change is for the better; other times, it may feel like we have lost total control. I have been through several impactful changes in my life. I… Read more »
Forgiving Yourself
- By Dipika Patel
- September/October 2020
The more I understand forgiveness, the closer I come to understanding that forgiveness is an inside job. It truly has nothing to do with the other person(s) or situation(s) which have done you wrong. Until you have done some serious and deep internal work, you may keep telling yourself that you have forgiven the other… Read more »
Perhaps there is no better time than the present to explore our creative potential. During this current pandemic, creativity can minimize lethargy and helps us find sustaining experiences and innovation. The challenge at hand reveals creativity to be an attribute some feel in plentiful amounts while others feel depleted. How can we express our creative… Read more »
Steps to Build Healthier Habits
- By Jason Tate, FMCHC
- September/October 2020
Humans are creatures of habit. We have heard this time and time again, yet what does it mean? Psychologically, our brains are working to determine the most efficient ways to navigate our life and make it through our day. Some of us make thousands of decisions a day, and habits allow us to become more… Read more »
Is Alcohol Putting Your Immune System at Risk?
- By Sonja Fung, ND
- September/October 2020
2020 has been a monster of a year, with shelter-in-place orders and constant, head-spinning policy changes. It’s no wonder people fall back to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as poor eating and drinking habits. In April, the World Health Organization issued a press release warning against alcohol consumption. At the same time, according to Nielsen ratings,… Read more »
The Many Benefits of Ashwagandha
- By Jessica Needle, ND
- September/October 2020
Ashwagandha is a revered herb in India, and it’s a workhorse of traditional Indian medicine known as Ayurveda. Indeed, its name means “smell of horse,” both for its aroma and its ability to make one as strong as a stallion. Ashwagandha can be given to emaciated children to restart growth and to adults to increase… Read more »
Mad About Medicinal Mushrooms
- By Diane Sheppard, PhD, LAc
- September/October 2020
The medicinal mushroom craze has arrived. Long used in traditional Chinese medicine for their potent health benefits, these superfoods can now be found, not only in health food stores, but also in coffee shops serving up chaga chais, cordyceps lattes, and lion’s mane matcha teas. There is even the “Shroom Room” in Venice Beach, one… Read more »
You Are Worth the Effort
- By Amanda Beckner, CN, HHP, PhD
- September/October 2020
As we continue to struggle with settling into the new norm, we know that establishing routines is important for our mental and physical health. This is especially true when considering diet and exercise. Even if you’ve let yourself go over these past few months, it’s never too late to get back on track. Remember, you… Read more »
Do We Need Electrolyte Drinks?
- By Jessica Needle, ND
- July/August 2020
Electrolyte hydration drinks are big business. The market is valued at $1.5 billion per year and growing due to increased awareness about health and fitness, along with a desire to avoid carbonated beverages. But before you gulp down a Gatorade or Emergen-C, let’s discuss what electrolytes are, whether you need to supplement them and potential… Read more »
Families across America are witnessing snapshots of high school seniors graduating respectably this year without prom or public ceremonies. The media has focused on Generation Z and the impact this moment has on young adults abruptly finishing school with absent closure and the unknown of how and when college commences. In many of the current… Read more »
Taking Time to Paws and Reflect
- By Amy Austin Psy.D., LMFT
- July/August 2020
I was all set to theme this article, “Is there light in the darkness?” when my beloved dog, Havi, passed away on June 8. He had been coughing and had a heart murmur for years, but after X-rays, it was deemed he had multiple issues. I just didn’t expect he would wake up and stumble… Read more »
Biofeedback: A Non-Invasive Intervention
- By Dr. Shari Jainuddin, ND, BCB
- July/August 2020
The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) estimates that more than 75 percent of doctor visits are related to stress while the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Safety Council estimate this number to be closer to 90 percent.1, 2 Reasons for visits include, but are not limited to, insomnia, fatigue,… Read more »
Speaking from a Heart-Centered Place
- By Dipika Patel
- July/August 2020
Times are tough and the rawness of reality can be both cruel and surreal. With the uncomfortable dysfunction of the present and our unknown future, we have come to realize something needs to change, transform and transcend. It cannot go back to the way it was, as the way it was lends itself to why… Read more »
Since the beginning of 2020, many of us have felt the symbiotic balance between humanity and Earth as more fragile than ever. The moment a highly contagious virus took the hurried pace of our lives and slowed it down, we started to pay attention. When our nomadic ancestors migrated with the seasons, animals, and weather… Read more »
Becoming Aware of Your Inner Critic
- By Dipika Patel
- May/June 2020
Throughout my years as a professional coach, I have worked with men and women helping them to identify what is holding them back from their desired outcomes. Clients come to me seeking better health and better relationships with themselves and others. What I often discover is that many have not recognized and dealt with their… Read more »
One Breath at a Time
- By Jayne Robertson, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500
- May/June 2020
Overwhelmed. Anxious. Freaked out. Scared. Desperate. These are some of the words that seem to be describing our current global mood. Places have shut down everywhere, people are being told not to travel, to stay at home, to head back to their home countries, to work from home, to stay six feet away from one… Read more »
Staying Healthy at Home
- By Jessica Needle, ND
- May/June 2020
The forced slow down we’re experiencing has likely made you look for ways to be productive regarding your job, household projects and hobbies, but you may not have thought about treating your health in the same way. Below are some tips to inspire you to use this downtime to improve your diet and sleeping habits… Read more »