I hope you will exercise your right to vote this Tuesday. Every vote matters! Don’t squander the opportunity to have a say in how your local, state and national government operates.
Read MoreSince the weather is not quite so hot nor quite so rainy as it was earlier this year, I have been out in the garden a bit more often. I enjoy researching plants and visiting other gardens for inspiration. Planning the garden stretches my creativity and I get a good deal of satisfaction from a lovely plant or a tasty tomato that I’ve grown.
Read MoreBefore I expanded my outdoor gardening efforts, I kept lots of indoor plants. I liked their good looks and having a year-around connection to nature. While I keep fewer indoor plants now, there is a good reason to maintain at least some. Plants can help clean indoor air of certain volatile organic compounds (air toxics).
Read MoreYou probably know that getting enough sleep is important for good health. An occasional night of bad sleep is usually not a big concern. Frequent poor sleep or insomnia is more worrisome. Chronic lack of adequate sleep can cause problems like memory issues, lower immune function, and decreased pain tolerance.
Read MoreIda Rolf’s had a hypothesis about why structural integration works. She thought changes in the body arose from changes induced in the fascia. So, what is fascia? Fascia is a kind of connective tissue that wraps muscle bundles and organs. An interconnected sheet of it is just under your skin.You might be familiar with the IT band on the outside of the thigh – that is an example of fascia.
Read MoreOne of my early posts was about the benefits of a walking program. If you are thinking about increasing the intensity of your exercise, jogging is a logical next step. Jogging/running is a good cardio workout, requires minimal gear, and can be done almost anywhere. However, transitioning to running should be undertaken judiciously. To avoid injury, build up distance slowly! And, after exercising, stretch your legs for a few minutes.
Read MoreStructural Integration is a process that can help you feel better physically. Some people also experience improvements in how they feel mentally or emotionally. However, other techniques to improve how one feels mentally or emotionally may be called for. The one I am most familiar with is called mindfulness-based stress reduction.
Read MoreIt’s that time of year here in the north, when the amount of daylight is just too short. I have heard from lots of friends and colleagues already that the winter blues have started. What to do?
Read MoreFall can be a busy time for many people – school is back in session, lots of activities, holidays, and maybe rushing to finish projects at work by the end of the year. Although it may seem counter-intuitive, slowing down may help you keep up to speed. Practices that help you manage stress and reduce the amount of time that your body experiences the “fight or flight” reflex can also help you to focus on your tasks. Adding a mindfulness or relaxation practice to your routine doesn’t have to take a lot of time, either. Spending a few minutes every day or 15 minutes once or twice a week can be very beneficial.
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