There's no denying, the road to seizing a goal can be rough. And when the prize is something you've reached for before (perhaps even more than once) but not yet grasped, it can feel even harder. Past obstacles and underlying fears can sabotage our efforts, making the effort seem futile.
But ... Views: 41
We've heard often that fear of failure is why many plans--business, lifestyle, wellness, personal relationships--fall through. Fear of failure is a significant problem. But fear of failure is not always what lies at the heart of disappointment and lack of results. The more deeply hidden hurdle ... Views: 34
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: 34
By now many of spring's signature trees have shed those pretty but irritating blossoms--and the clouds of pollen that come with them. Perhaps the worst of the spring allergy season is behind us. (At least, we can hope so.)
Maybe now's a good time to give your home a thorough spring cleaning ... Views: 61
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: 58
Ah, spring is here.
While April brings an official welcome to a fresh, new season, experts predict this spring will be one of the most uncomfortable of all time when it comes to allergies.
The reason? We didn't have much of a winter. The mild conditions most of us experienced have brought ... Views: 55
So you know to limit your sun exposure. You protect your skin from the toxins and irritants that come with smoking and harsh personal care products. You even feed your good skin with a healthful diet. Is there anything else a person can do to keep the glowing, supple skin of ... Views: 93
Your skin is like every other part of the human body: It needs the right conditions to perform at its peak. To maintain youthful skin as we age, it's imperative to stay healthy and provide those cells with the nutrients they need to be strong and defend itself again changes and damage that come ... Views: 79
I can remember the first time, in my 30s, I looked in the mirror and saw a few creases near my eyes. "Could those be signs of aging already?" I wondered. Some years later, I was dismayed to notice that those creases were turning into wrinkles. How did that happen?
Some may say these little ... Views: 100
The gift of what, you ask? It's plasticity, and it's a characteristic whose discovery revolutionized the way we think about the brain.
Neural plasticity is the brain's ability to adapt to changing conditions. Years ago, we thought that after the earliest years of life were past, the human ... Views: 115
When it comes to memory, congnitive function, and overall brain health, age is relative. Believe it or not, it is never too late to start to incorporate changes that can make long-standing differences in our cognitive functioning.
While we may not yet have a cure or even understand all the ... Views: 126
Sometimes I find myself saying "Did I forget to tell you about this?" And I know it's entirely possible that I might have." But I also know I have a lot of company.
Maybe you, too, sometimes forget where you put the cell phone, whom you were going to email, or what your waiter's name is. Have ... Views: 217
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: 85
As the Chinese New Year--2012 is the Year of the Water Dragon--is upon us, I encourage you to take the celebration as a reminder of the wisdom that the principles of Chinese medicine can offer us.
The Five Elements—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water—form the foundation of traditional ... Views: 101
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: 61
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: 58
The month of December, like any other time of year, can come with a different vibe for each of us.
- a time to be grateful and enjoy the company of friends and family
- a celebration season full of parties, laughter, and shopping for presents
- a period of anticipation, looking hopefully ... Views: 41
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: 126
As a college student, I fell prey to a cigarette addiction. Many years later, I'm still not certain how the habit took hold, though it probably involved stress, friends who smoked, and lack of information about the dangers. Regardless, I soon realized this behavior's power over me. My efforts to ... Views: 122
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: 110
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: 125
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: 114
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: 130
"Oh, my back is killing me!" Sound familiar?
While top nutrition and being careful to avoid further strain and injury are excellent starting points for treating back pain, serious or persistent discomfort may need more attention. If you are one of the numerous souls suffering from back ... Views: 122
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: 114
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: 112
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: 93
Are you more active in the summer? Do you need a boost of energy to get you through the day?
I've got just the menu additions you need. The summer superfoods below are so easy to use that once you've tried them, you just might want to keep them on your grocery list all year long. Many are ... Views: 142
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: 129
As owner and practitioner of a fully-booked alternative wellness center in New York City, and as a weight and energy mentor for individuals across the country, I have the privilege of working with many people every week. Together with each patient, I use a combination of eastern and western ... Views: 536
"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: 137
"You look like sisters" was a comment I heard many times last week from fellow guests at the fabulous vacation spot that I visited with my daughter. After a beautiful week of me- and us-time, I returned recharged, more toned, and ready for the summer season. I am also glowing from all those ... Views: 146
Neck pain is one of the most frequent reasons people give for coming in to my office. Persistent neck pain, if left unaddressed, is a problem that not only decreases productivity at work but cripples quality of life after-hours.
The causes of neck pain are many. Among my first ... Views: 171
It's probably no secret to you that bad computer habits can lead to neck pain. But when it comes to the workaday world, the truth is, computer usage is not the only pain in the neck. Even people who don't spend a lot of time with computers end up with neck stiffness and strain at the end of a ... Views: 202
There isn't a day that passes when someone doesn't come into my office seeking solutions to neck pain. As an acupuncturist, I can attest that complaints about neck pain are among the most frequent reasons people seek help.
It's not only that the pain is so sharp or persistent. The greater ... Views: 197
There can be no question that Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and any number of other social networking sites come with benefits. With countless users worldwide, and more joining daily, it's clear social media is a force to be reckoned with.
But are you getting more than you bargained for? ... Views: 279
"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: 133
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: 173
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: 156
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: 148
"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: 170
Struggling with coffee dependence? Let's face it, old habits die hard. Many of us can trace our fondness for the aroma of coffee in the morning all the way back to childhood since our parents were hooked, too!
When you get past the nostalgia, there's a bigger picture to consider. Coffee has ... Views: 532
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: 181
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: 172
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: 129
When you hear "January," do you think of days cut short, clouds, and gloomy skies? Do you miss the excitement of the recent holidays and instead feel a little down, with flagging energy? Or perhaps this time of year, you kick yourself for having a hard time completing simple daily tasks. These ... Views: 520
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: 168
All too often I hear, "If it's not broken, why fix it?" When you're referring to an old refrigerator or an outdated computer, it's a valid decision to avoid investing more time and repair than the item is worth. Maybe you'll be able to squeak by until it breaks down. Then, at that time, you can ... Views: 156
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: 166
If you're ready to start on a journey to renewed mental and physical wellness, these questions are a great road map. Curious where this leads? Grab a paper and pen, and let's begin.
Question 1: What do you hate most about your body?
a) List the body part(s) that you wish you could ... Views: 255