Burnout. More and more, I am seeing colleagues, friends, and my patients fraying at the edges. Some are on the edge of burnout and some are already there. More than a year after COVID-19 first entered our vocabulary, we are still seeing its effects in ways we might not have predicted. Women are leaving the […]

The COVID-19 pandemic has made many of us rethink where and how we do our work. For some, our “office” is now anywhere and everywhere. A study released in May 2020  shared that more than 74% of CEOs will be allowing remote work for their staff into the future as they have seen productivity maintained […]

I have long been a proponent of spending time in nature as part of an integrative health plan. Even a small amount of time spent outdoors can physically, mentally, and spiritually impact health positively. Especially during difficult times, stepping away from the computer, phone, or TV, and taking advantage of outside activities can benefit your […]

Are you 65 or older? If the answer is yes, then congratulations. You are part of the largest group of older Americans ever seen in our country. Indeed, 10,000 people turn 65 years old every day, and those aged 85 and older now make up the fastest growing demographic in the United States. To some, […]

Your personal support system consists of a number of relationships. These include your family, friends, doctor, pastor, neighbors, coworkers, boss and many others. They can support you, or they can add to your stress and burdens. An optimal interpersonal environment is made up of more positive relationships than burdensome ones. Those that are healing in […]

While periodic starvation may sound harsh and not healing, studies show the exact opposite—when carefully done. Extensive research on large populations, as well as in controlled studies with animals and humans, shows that periodic low-calorie intake, whether through eating foods with lower caloric density (vegetables and fruits), fasting, or simply removing protein from the diet […]

Mind-body practices . . . focus on the interactions of mind, body, and behavior, with the intent to use the mind to affect physical functioning and promote health. –National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, NIH If you have children, chances are good that when they get sick or injured you put on a favorite […]

Healing relationships cultivate emotional and spiritual well-being, creating a powerful way to maintain wellness or recovery. They are typically formed between family members, friends, or other individuals with whom you share a deep connection. During the pandemic, these relationships have been more critical than ever in part due to the healing nature of relationships and […]

A good relationship between a patient and a physician is crucial and could become a lifetime — and life-saving — connection. Personally, I do something I like to call the HOPE Note when I see patients. This stands for Healing Oriented Practices and Environments Note. It is essentially a set of questions physicians can ask their patients that address the underlying determinants of their […]

With vaccines continuing to be administered and the vaccination infrastructure being bolstered, businesses will, again, begin planning for re-opening as government officials lessen restrictions in the months to come. When this happens, you will have to make many choices every day about how to resume work and social relationships in the—what feels like another—”new normal.” Discussions […]