If you have children in school or work in an office, you know that cold season is in full swing. When you feel the telltale throat tickle, how do you respond? Some just buy a box of tissues and push through. Others pull out a collection of over-the-counter drugs. But there are some preventative measures you can employ right away.
We’ve all had those weeks when life feels relentless. Between work, family, errands, and the unexpected curveballs that seem to come out of nowhere, your well-being can quickly fall to the bottom of the list. Eating well turns into grabbing whatever’s easy. Movement becomes a distant memory. And the idea of rest feels more like a luxury than a priority. Let’s talk about taking care of yourself in life’s chaos.
Staying healthy when you’re busy isn’t about doing more. It’s about weaving small, intentional actions into your day that support your body and mind, even in the chaos. So, how can you stay grounded and healthy, no matter how hectic life gets?
Do you experience cravings? If so, you’re not alone – many of my clients do, too. But what often surprises them is learning that not all cravings are a signal that the body needs food. In fact, cravings can stem from a variety of causes, some of which have nothing to do with hunger. Let’s explore what your cravings are trying to tell you.
Our bodies are incredibly intelligent, constantly working to maintain balance. Your heart beats, your lungs breathe, and your body knows when to sleep and wake – all without conscious effort.
Cravings are another way your body communicates with you, but instead of automatically reaching for a snack, I encourage you to pause and listen. Ask yourself: What does my body really want, and why?
By deconstructing your cravings, you can uncover their true cause and respond in a way that actually meets your body’s needs. Let’s explore some of the most common reasons behind cravings.
What has been your practice at year end in recent years? Do you float along on the river wherever it takes you, or use your paddle to direct your path? You can take a different approach this year. Starting with a life review can help you redirect if you aren’t where you want to be.
As we close out one year and begin another, it’s a great opportunity to take some time to reflect on the past twelve months. What have you accomplished, both small and large? What were your highlights and lowlights? What did you learn?
Taking a good, hard look at your life can be challenging, but it’s also incredibly powerful. It allows you to see where you’ve been and where you want to go. It gives perspective on your choices and helps you learn from your mistakes. And perhaps most importantly, it allows you to set realistic goals for the year ahead.
What smells do you encounter regularly during the day? The smells of foods you eat? Or smells from your clothes when they are fresh from the laundry? Or perhaps from your shampoo, soap, and other hygiene products? I would imagine that it hasn’t occurred to you that there may be smells that hinder your health.
It’s a sad fact that many of the smells we encounter each day are from chemicals that are toxic to your body. One of the more prominent chemicals is phthalates (pronounced fthal-eyt) which are endocrine disrupting chemicals. That’s a fancy term for chemicals that mess with your hormones.
As midlife approaches, many women become concerned about their bone health. Rightly so, as our bones are a vital part of our bodies and a broken hip can lead to other complications. Let’s take a look at our amazing bones – there’s more going on in there than you realize. It’s time to bone up on bone health.
I had always thought of bone as being solid and strong, yet it is actually flexible and strong. Bone is a composite of minerals dispersed in a protein matrix of mostly collagen. That matrix gives bones some flexibility, similar to the pine trees that I see in south Louisiana. They are able to sway in the wind without breaking.
simpWherever your summer travels take you, finding healthy snacks for long car rides can be challenging. If you’re planning on spending an extended period in the car, you’ll want to plan for healthy options that will curb hunger without causing a sugar high. Here are some great snack ideas for your summer road trip.
The key to balancing your snack options is not to go for the flour-based processed snacks. These are designed to be appealing, but they boost blood sugar followed by a crash.
Consuming these carb-heavy snacks will make you hungry before you reach the next exit. The key to road-trip satiety is focusing on snacks that offer protein, fat, and fiber. Read more
Keeping ourselves moving goes way beyond routine gym sessions or obsessing over the number of daily steps you take. It’s about discovering the sheer joy that movement can bring to our lives.
Active hobbies provide a beautiful mix of pleasure and physical benefits. They turn what might often feel like a chore into something we look forward to. Whether it’s dancing in your living room, hiking through nature, or playing a sport just for fun – these activities add a vibrant layer of excitement to staying fit.
When you hear the term “toxin” what do you picture in your head? It would be easier for us if all toxins were labeled with the skull and crossbones symbol, but that’s not the case.
Sadly, we all encounter toxins every day. Pursuing wellness means that you must choose to reduce your toxin exposure.
The unfortunate truth is that our world today is not set up for optimal health. There are many who are fighting for policy change, but it’s a challenge thanks to the incentives that flood our political system.
We have a normal human tendency to avoid challenge. Challenge is hard. Yet, the human body is designed to continuously adapt to and thrive in a largely unpredictable environment. The desire to hang out in our comfort zone can actually work against us. Welcome to the powerful concept of hormesis.
Hormesis is the phenomenon whereby the body derives long-term benefits and strength from short, potent episodes of challenge or stress. It’s actually a term that has developed from toxicology, the study of toxins. Though we generally view toxins as totally negative. Scientists have learned that very small amounts of toxic exposure can actually support health. Hang with me here.
