Mind-Body Practices Help Manage Pre-Surgery and Medical Procedure Fear and Anxiety

It is very common to feel anxious before undergoing a medical procedure or surgery. The reasons for this speak to fears we all have, such as feeling out of control, fear of pain and discomfort, fear of “bad news,” and anxiety over how long it will take to recover from an operation. But there are positive ways we can calm these feelings and tap into our own ability to support ourselves and heal.

Feeling empowered in this way and trusting our inner resources can bring us comfort and a sense of security from deep within ourselves. Learning and practicing mind-body approaches can give us that anchor. These may include such practices as breathing with awareness, meditation and imagery, biofeedback, essential oil therapy and restorative postures.

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Managing the Stress of Information Overload

The expression “life in the fast lane” has been used in the past to describe anything from people working too much, too hard, and too long to abusing substances. With the advent of the information age and its attendant smart phones, Skype, iPads and other devices and technologies, life has now moved from the fast lane onto the super highway. People remain in constant connection and find themselves multitasking everything from work (long after business hours) to the news, and from social media to the stock exchange. It is easy to feel overwhelmed in these circumstances; the challenge becomes how to manage this “information overload.” (more…)

Can Exercise Replace Drugs?

Can exercise replace drugs? A study recently published in BMJ (formerly the British Medical Journal) asked this question for four chronic conditions: coronary artery disease, pre-diabetes, stroke and heart failure. The study, which included more than 330,000 patients, was a “meta-analyses.” In other words, it compiled data from previously published controlled trials that looked at the effects of exercise or drug therapy on survival for the illnesses in question. (more…)

Guide to ‘Green Living’ Resources on the Internet

What Is ‘Green Living’?

Green living involves an awareness of and responsibility for the natural balance of humanity’s needs and the well-being of the earth’s resources and ecosystems. Living green means taking action to protect both human health and the health of the environment. It involves managing our renewable and nonrenewable resources through creating healthy buildings, recycling, developing alternative energy, conserving energy, farming responsibly, creating healthy products, and much more. (more…)

Winter Cleansing to Detox and Restore Optimal Health: What’s the Hype All About?

You’ve heard about it, everyone seems to be doing it, all the hot celebrities are endorsing it—but what exactly is a “cleanse”?

Technically, a cleanse is any dietary or lifestyle regimen that serves to remove toxins from the body and restore optimal health. Weight loss often is a desired side effect, but is not the primary goal. Cleansing, when done properly and not as an extreme crash diet, can be a healthy part of a routine that, many believe, will leave you feeling good, healthy and energized. Advocates also state that cleansing improves your immune system, fights cancer, treats depression and provides a spiritual experience. (more…)

National Handwashing Awareness Week 2015 (December 7-13)

Guest post by Danielle Jardine, MD

National Handwashing Awareness Week is December 7-13. Make sure you are washing your hands the right way to prevent the spread of cold and flu this season.

When you see that sign in the restroom with instructions on how to wash your hands, you can’t help but roll your eyes, right? It’s OK to admit it. We all know the best way to wash our hands and how important this simple act is to helping us stay healthy and avoid disease. At least that’s what many people think. (more…)

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