If you're more tired than usual, find yourself overly irritable, and/or can't seem to concentrate, you may be suffering from low-level chronic stress. Chronic stress differs from acute stress, which comes from a sudden event such as the death of someone close or the loss of a job or relationship. But acute stress can lead to chronic stress. With COVID-19, we may encounter acute stress, but … [Read more...] about Chronic Stress: Recognizing and Mitigating It
MIND-BODY CONNECTION
COVID-19: It’s Time for Self Care for All
. , Even before COVID-19, I was a big advocate for self care. In my work as an integrative health coach, I encourage women especially (though hello guys, I see you and work with you too!) to take care of themselves, so they can continue to care for who and what’s most important to them. And now, from all angles, we’re all being asked to do just that worldwide. We must care well for … [Read more...] about COVID-19: It’s Time for Self Care for All
Health Benefits of Walking: Is it the Magic Pill?
The health benefits of walking are numerous. Many doctors cite moderate physical activity, including walking, as a "magic pill" for better health. It burns calories, improves cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles, enhances mood, boosts energy, and improves cognition. But most Americans don't get enough regular exercise, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. … [Read more...] about Health Benefits of Walking: Is it the Magic Pill?
Resilience: What Is It, and How Can I Get More of It?
Resilience is defined as toughness, or "the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties." And in researcher language, it's "positive adaptation despite adversity." But is it something we're born with? Can we develop more of it? And can we use it up as we go through life? When Resilience Begins Science indicates that resilience is not uniform across people, places, or situations. So … [Read more...] about Resilience: What Is It, and How Can I Get More of It?
Practice Gratitude for and to Yourself
When we practice gratitude, it's good for our emotional and physical health, with recent studies reporting benefits such as less stress, better sleep, fewer aches and pains, and better heart health. But how often do we practice gratitude toward our self? There are many ways to practice gratitude, of course, from saying thank you to making lists and writing letters. Martin Seligman, the … [Read more...] about Practice Gratitude for and to Yourself
I Am: Two of the Most Powerful Words
The sign caught my eye as I cruised down the hall in between meetings, and I stopped in my tracks. "I AM," it read. "Two most powerful words, for what you put after them shapes your reality." The sentiment stayed with me. For several days, its declaration sank in further, as I considered how I described myself to others, what words I said to myself (self-talk), and how I viewed myself … [Read more...] about I Am: Two of the Most Powerful Words
