"Health is wealth."
You've heard the saying, but do you believe it? I absolutely do! Over and over again, I've seen my patients and coaching clients reap professional and financial benefits after adopting wise self-care practices.
It makes perfect sense when you think about it. Those who ... Views: 1212
Stuck. Frustrated. Guilty. Restless. Lethargic. Sedentary. Disappointed.
These are some of the words many of us use to describe how we feel when we are in a rut and don't take action--or don't even want to--although we know we should. And one area that all too often suffers is exercising for ... Views: 1198
More often than you may realize, a negative mindset makes the difference between achieving a goal--whether related to health, career, personal relationships, or any other area--and failing to reach it.
What is mindset? It's your pattern of thought. Think of mindset as that little voice in ... Views: 1188
There are six stages that a person typically passes through in order to make lasting changes that eliminate harmful habitual, obsessive, or addictive behavior.
Before you think, "Harmful behavior? That doesn't apply to me," reflect for just another moment. Nicotine, prescription drugs, ... Views: 1184
Have you slipped into the tired--pun intended--thinking that the last few weeks of the year must, inevitably, be the most exhausting and energy-draining of all?
Don't beat yourself up if you have. It's true that what sets December apart are all the holiday commitments, visits, and special ... Views: 1177
I'm excited about my new way of looking at eating. I've decided to totally eliminate the concept of "bad" foods. I refuse to feel guilty if and when I splurge. And so far I've resisted the impulse to buy every tabloid that highlights a new fad diet modeled by a svelte, bikini-clad starlet.
I ... Views: 1176
Getting older? It's inevitable (but it sure beats the alternative). Looking and feeling older? Now that's optional. You can choose to be energetic, trim, and vital--at any age.
There's a lot of misinformation out there, though. Let's explore some common myths about aging and its relationship ... Views: 1175
Who said you must lose weight to be healthy? They were dead wrong. It's time to realize that you must get healthy in order to lose weight, not the reverse. The diet mentality doesn't work, often using recommendations that are boring, restrictive, and unsatisfying, if not downright unhealthy. And ... Views: 1172
Pop quiz time! Take a look in your kitchen. Which of these foods do you have in your fridge right now?
- whole-grain bread
- yogurt with fruit
- reduced-fat peanut butter
How many points do you get for each item? Well, I'm afraid the answer is zero. All of these products are common ... Views: 1170
Food manufacturers advertise, imply, or otherwise lead you to believe that what you are buying is good for you--whether it really is or not.
I want you to have all the facts at your fingertips so you can make wise choices the next time you fuel your body, whether you're eating out or ... Views: 1167
Are you striving for a goal but not seeing results?
Racking up small successes but not getting the big payoff?
In my face-to-face patients and in my telecoaching clients across the country, I hear stressed, puzzled, and worn-out voices that reflect two opposing ideas: the continuing desire ... Views: 1166
Chances are, you share a special quality with Gwyneth, Jennifer, Demi, and Julianne--or for you men, make that Hugh, George, Johnny, and Brad. You, these stars, and I all belong to The Over-40 Alliance. We're bound together in the age category. (Not the body category, darn.) Unfortunately, many ... Views: 1160
Welcome to the Year of the Dragon!
In Chinese tradition, each year is dedicated to one of twelve specific animals--Dragon, Horse, Monkey, Rat, Boar, Rabbit, Dog, Rooster, Ox, Tiger, Snake, and Ram. Each of these animals is thought to bestow its characteristics specifically on the people born ... Views: 1158
Traffic jam? Stress. Family disagreements? Stress. New boss making waves? Stress, big time.
A decadent wedge of cheesecake and a little relaxation before the TV to put the mind at ease over it all...what? MORE stress?
Yes, indeed.
We're very aware that high-pressure, high-emotion ... Views: 1156
It's Monday morning, and you struggle to wake up. The week is just starting, but already you're feeling weary and bloated--like you need a vacation.
You thought you were getting a "weekend," but instead you are suffering from WEAK ENDS, departures from the routines that keep you feeling ... Views: 1154
Stressed?
Feeling uneasy?
Bowel routine slightly off?
Experiencing digestive grumbling, "butterflies in your stomach," cramps, or heartburn?
Any of these common discomforts can be a sign of disturbance in your enteric nervous system (ENS). What? You've never heard of it? You're not alone. ... Views: 1141
Sniff! Itch! Wheeze!
The evidence is all around us lately. Even people whose allergy symptoms are normally mild to nonexistent are showing signs of allergic reaction this spring.
How are you holding up? If you're like many allergy sufferers, the 2012 season is shaping up to be one of the ... Views: 1140
The problem: Constant high-level stress and worry can trigger too much cortisol production, making us age faster, gain unwanted stomach fat, and feel too fatigued to enjoy life.
The goal: Prevent adrenal burnout and all of these emotional and physical repercussions by reducing ... Views: 1132
You may be familiar with the six stages within the process of breaking addictions and other unhealthful habits. You may even be able to name them: Pre-contemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action, Maintenance, and Termination. Today, let's get down to some practical advice for putting it ... Views: 1132
I hope you're feeling in tip-top mental and physical health today. No? Do you...
- feel exhausted in the morning even though you slept enough?
- seem nervous, lightheaded, or overwhelmed much of the time?
- crave salty or sweet foods and have extra weight, especially abdominal fat?
- ... Views: 1129
Do you view the annual resolution challenge as a reason to move ahead--or a reason to punish yourself for being a serial nonachiever?
Please stop beating yourself up. Instead of attacking or blaming, turn your energy to action. How? You can break the cycle of anticipation and disappointment ... Views: 1121
Chances are you've heard about detoxification in the media, in health food stores, or from people you know. "Going on detox" is all the rage. Consumers are bombarded with information and product marketing that make detoxification seem like a radical process.
Here's the truth: A healthful ... Views: 1120
Get healthier in one day.
Sound impossible? While you can't totally make over your health in 24 hours, taking one step today will make a huge difference in attaining so many goals: energy, focus, less pain, feeling youthful, and reaching a healthy weight, to name a few.
What's the catch? ... Views: 1115
You've heard the wisdom a thousand times: "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."
There's a lot of truth in that saying. Fuel your body with a balanced, nutritious diet, and you're likely to avoid many a painful, inconvenient health concern. So it may come as no surprise that, like so many ... Views: 1100
How many times do you bend, stretch, lift, sit, stay up late, cut your exercise routine short (or skip it altogether), or worry in the average week?
What a ridiculous question! Of course no one keeps track of such details. But the fact is, many uncomfortable, limiting health conditions are ... Views: 1096
Everywhere you look these days, "green" is catching on! And no wonder. Green principles in action mean more conscientious, responsible, and healthful living.
What does it mean to "go green"? The goal of "going green" is to minimize harm to the Earth by maintaining its natural ecological ... Views: 1095
Stress, a cascade of physical reactions to an overload of the hormone cortisol, can wreak all manner of damage on the human body. Your best defense? Understanding what causes it (and there are many triggers) so you can take steps to prevent those negative effects.
Perhaps the most well-known ... Views: 1092
Happy New Year! We are entering the Chinese New Year. The Year of the Snake officially began on February 10th. Celebrations across the country and the world have ushered in both a new era and the special qualities its banner animal brings.
In the Chinese tradition, each year is dedicated to ... Views: 1085
If my observations at coffee shops, airports, and checkout counters are accurate, many of us are wild about the flavor of chocolate. And yes, I'm one of them. If you are too, I have great news: You do not--do not!--have to swear off your favorite treat to remain committed to healthful eating. ... Views: 1064
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee signals the start of the day in many households. But too often, coffee consumption doesn't end with the cup in the morning. Drinking coffee--and all the caffeine it provides--is an American pastime and a popular social activity. Look around. Everywhere you see ... Views: 1056
In my work as a holistic practitioner and weight loss and wellness coach, as well as my personal life, I've seen that the right tools can turn resolutions into milestones that can ultimately work for you. But often, those goals must first be customized to fit your lifestyle and your ... Views: 1044
Fact: Approximately 8 out of 10 people have experienced back pain at some point in their lives.
Wow. With that many sufferers among us, it's no surprise that I often hear complaints of back trouble as an acupuncturist and alternative practitioner in my New York wellness center.
"Throwing ... Views: 1031
Do a little clever searching, and you'll find plenty of information on specific ingredients to add to your recipes for an extra boost of energy and nutrients. Likewise, it's not too hard to find recipes or even whole menus composed of nutrient-rich, healthful choices. That's all fine for ... Views: 1015
Ah, spring. The grass is greening up, the pear and cherry trees are blooming, everything looks fresh and vibrant...except your head. You're feeling cranky and irritated by all the sneezing and that puffy, stuffy sensation that won't go away.
Many spring allergies are caused by trees which ... Views: 1012
What's so important about getting those zzzzzz's? Think about the last time you woke up after a really good night's sleep. Remember how energized and refreshed you felt? Your body's natural daily cycles of expansion, activity, and growth are taxing. Periods of nightly restorative rest and repair ... Views: 1011
Did you make New Year's resolutions? Or perhaps you know the process by other names...
- The Clean Slate
- My Chance to Get It Right This Time
- Oops, I Really Dropped the Ball Last Year
Sigh. We are an impatient population. We want immediate results, and if there is a glitch in the ... Views: 1006
In one form or another, stress is all around us every day. (I know some of you right now are saying "No kidding! I live and breathe stress!") But what is stress, and what triggers it? Answer those questions, and you're on your way to regaining control over it.
Physiologically, stress is the ... Views: 995
"I'll have what she's having!"
Remember that famous order from "When Harry Met Sally"? Yes, I know nutritional supplements are not exactly what Meg Ryan's fellow diner was thinking of--wink--when she said "I'll have what she's having." Still, I think of that line and smile when my patients ... Views: 982
"Honor where you are." Chances are you've heard this guideline for wellness before. It's a concept common to eastern modalities such as yoga and is evidenced in western psychology as well.
But what exactly does it mean? Honoring where you are is about embracing the moment and what you ... Views: 969
"Jane Doe wants to be your friend on Facebook." Well, that wasn't the actual name, but it was the message that greeted me in my inbox this morning.
I don't remember who Jane is. Hmmm...
Did I ever have an actual conversation with Jane, or did she find me online? Did she fill out a detox ... Views: 933
We all have a hard time getting ourselves into the exercise mindset sometimes. (Yes, I admit, there are days I'm so busy I'm tempted to skip it, too.) And when life gets complicated, it's even easier to think of reasons we just "can't" afford to take time out for exercise.
If you're in a ... Views: 915
How about a little holiday pop quiz? I'm thinking of a gift that has these qualities: It doesn't have to cost a dime, yet is priceless; you may not recognize that you already possess it until you, or someone close to you, loses it.
What is it? Drum roll, please. It's your health.
Good ... Views: 896
Do you dream? Good question, especially if you are wondering about the quality and quantity of your sleep. A "yes" answer is what we're looking for.
Remember the four stages of sleep? Phase One is the preparation stage during which your brainwaves and blood pressure slow and muscles relax. ... Views: 888
It's true that overexposure to the sun can lead to skin damage. But there's a flip side to that story: Not all sun exposure is excessive. Yes, you CAN have your sun and go burn-free, too. In fact, you should make a point of including a little sunshine in your routine every day.
According to ... Views: 884
Summer is well underway already. Particularly at this time of year, the sun--and both the damage and the benefits it can offer--is intense. Are you taking good care of your skin? Here are twelve must-know facts and guidelines about the sun and your health.
The difference between the rays: In ... Views: 775
The fight-or-flight reaction is one way the body physically reacts to emotional stimuli. It's an entirely natural reaction that, in the wild, can literally mean the difference between surviving or falling victim to any number of threats. When your body reacts with fight-or-flight too often, ... Views: 769
Are you a healthy, fit individual who takes steps to stay that way? Or do you take your good health for granted? If you ever imagine that you'll live forever in the same body, feeling exactly the same way you do now, those rose-colored glasses may not be a good thing. You may be entertaining the ... Views: 724
Ever think that pain, discomfort, and other symptoms all feel worse when you're stressed? You're not alone...and you're right on the money!
In fact, various studies have shown that anxiety, stress, and other emotional conditions can actually decrease the body's immunity and leave us open to ... Views: 708
Maybe you already know some of the symptoms and triggers of seasonal affective disorder ("SAD"). Maybe you recognize that your own winter-season negativity and inertia are, in fact, evidence that this condition is at work in you. That's good! The only way to begin aleviating SAD is to first ... Views: 686
Vacations are all about "R and R," rest and relaxation. During my recent vacation, though, I learned they can also give us another "r"--renewal that lasts even after returning home. The fresh thinking I gained from this trip is too good not to pass along. Here are two great ideas I picked up ... Views: 660