What does it mean to be truly grateful and how does the practice of expressing gratitude help our health? Gratitude is perhaps a bit different for each person, depending on their personality and communication style, however, the main idea is to be expressive of thankfulness for what you have, the people in your life, and also your mind and body. 

When we can speak words of gratitude each day, whether out loud, through gifts or actions, or by writing our thoughts, we begin to ignite a powerful tool that infiltrates the world around us and our own health. 

Resonating in positivity and gratitude calms the mind and this decreases stress. When we can do this, we remove potential threats to the body, as stress increases hormone levels, including cortisol, which can then lead to health issues; this includes weight gain. 

As noted by Harvard Health (health.harvard.edu), “In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater...

Do you have back or neck pain/tension, SI pain, sciatica, or anxiety? Most people experience stress in some way, shape, or form. Life, in general, can be stressful.  Do you have a daily practice focusing on stretching, breath or breathing? If not you’ll want to continue reading!

Our bodies were created with a survival instinct.  When we perceive danger with one of our 5 senses our sympathetic nervous system is activated and it responds with a physiological reaction called “fight or flight” (stress response).  Our brains initiate an electrochemical response which may include an increased heart rate, constricted muscles, short/rapid breaths, chest tightness, dilated pupils, sweating, trembling, and difficulty focusing.

This comes in handy when we need to run from danger or fight for our life.  But we also know that our bodies may respond as if we are in danger when, in reality, we are not.  Have you ever woken from a dream in this state?...

Let’s focus on prevention and awareness to support our “girls”!

Breast cancer is one of the most common kinds of cancer in women. The good news is that most women can survive breast cancer if it’s found and treated early.

#1 Exercise!

Studies consistently show that increased physical activity is linked to lowering breast cancer risk. It’s thought that physical activity regulates hormones including estrogen and insulin, which can fuel breast cancer growth. Fat cells produce estrogen, and high levels of estrogen have been linked to certain cancers. Working out can shrink the size of fat cells, so your body pumps out less estrogen. Regular exercise also helps women stay at a healthy weight, which also helps regulate hormones and helps keep the immune system healthier. Even older women need to be concerned about estrogen, because of it being produced by fat cells post-menopause.

There is no magic number of hours a woman should exercise to prevent or lower...

Summer is filled with outdoor fun, vacations, and the tendency to cram in as much activity as possible before school starts up again.

If you find yourself getting carried away in the hustle and bustle of the summer season, try one of my favorite and most effective whole-body self-treatments - Self Unwinding.  It’s my way of “unwinding” my mind and body, especially after a week of fun-filled activities and preparing for a busy week ahead.  

Enjoy this video of Self Myofascial Unwinding led by John F. Barnes, my mentor and Father of Myofascial Release.  Give it a try and share your experience, or share your favorite way of “unwinding” after a busy holiday/vacation.

If you are looking for some help in learning to "unwind," make an appointment to see me today.