As humans, we have feelings of discomfort and dis-ease in us. These feelings include depression, anxiety, fear, agitation, meaninglessness, loneliness, longing, alienation, isolation, shame, ambivalence, tension, pain, and feeling overwhelmed or dissociated. This list is not exhaustive; there may be other feelings that cause you discomfort and dis-ease. These feelings are indications of our being out of balance and disconnected from our heart, our spirit, and our life force. It’s possible to be understanding and compassionate toward these feelings so that we develop a more intimate connection with ourselves. This intimate, supportive relationship helps us feel more balanced, whole,...

I have always loved birthdays—my birthday, my friends’ birthdays, my family’s birthdays. It’s a day to commemorate all that is good about being brought into the world, though not everyone feels this way. As I’ve gotten older, I meet people for whom a birthday is no biggie, just another day. This year I worked on my birthday, a day I usually take off. It was still my special day and I knew that whether or not I shared it with loved ones, I was special to those who know me. They would think of me—perhaps shoot me an email,...

Has someone ever inspired you to do something different? Recently an Integrative Medicine physician told me, “I give you permission to throw out that stuff in your kitchen that doesn’t nourish your body,” and advised me on nutrient-dense foods and seasonings to restock my pantry. Her words moved me to action. I cleaned out my cupboards, dug out the highly processed snacks wedged in the back corners, and tossed them into the garbage along with leftover holiday sweets. And as I did it, I felt great. I was getting rid of my toxic eating habits and replacing them with...

Stress is perhaps more prevalent than ever in today’s fast-paced world—many of us experience some form of stress in our busy everyday lives. Emotional stress often results in physical stress, which can result in serious health conditions. Fortunately, there are a variety of resources available—including diet and massage therapy—that can help us to effectively manage stress. Our Physical Responses to Stress Cortisol (the “stress hormone”) plays an important role in our body, including managing the use of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the body; regulating blood pressure; increasing blood sugar; and regulating sleep cycles. As our bodies perceive a...

A pure heart, open to the Light, will be filled with the Elixir of Truth. ~ Rumi As I hold her heart, I whisper in her ear: “Don’t hold back the tears, let them wash the deep wound of your heart.” In a moment the flood gates open and the emotions of deep pain, shame, despair, and anger come rushing in. We take a long deep breath and pause. Within the pause is a sigh of relief, a calmness and a doorway that reflects a hint of light. As she lets out another long breath, I encourage her to...

All my life I have battled rosacea—a skin condition that in the winter gets aggravated with the harsh cold wind outside and the dry heat inside. I earned the nickname “Rudolph” growing up from this condition, because my nose was always bright red in the winter. The teasing over my red nose and cheeks made a serious impact growing up, knocking my self-confidence down for years. I was always cautious of the obvious known triggers like the cold, heat, caffeine, and spicy foods, and avoided them where I was able. My key to managing my skin condition has been...

Do you have stubborn pockets of fat that are immune to diet and exercise? Despite doing all the “right” things, our body contour can have a mind of its own. At Imagine Float, we recognize how these stubborn pockets of subcutaneous fat can weigh heavy on your mental and emotional state. After a tremendous amount of research and training, Imagine Float is thrilled to now offer Cryo Body-Sculpting. Our goals are your sculpting goals. Benefits can include: Cellulite smoothing/reduction Glute lift Love handle reduction Abdominal sculpting “Belly pooch” tightening Arm sculpting Neck sculpting Leg sculpting Breast lift/reduction Slimming/toning And...

Winter is a time of rest, moving inward, hunkering down into a place of warmth, solitude, and reflection. It is a time to dream of peace, the return of the light and the promise of spring—new life, new growth. It is reminiscent of the therapeutic process—a way of seeking a new lens to view, discover and rediscover our lives, stories, and myths and move toward growth, health, and well-being. It calls to mind what T. S. Eliot wrote in his poem “Little Gidding”: “We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to...

As I sit and write this, the hours of daylight are getting shorter and for some of us, entering and enduring the winter months can be difficult in many ways. Especially this year, as we emerge from the cocoon of the pandemic, many of us are re-entering the world and socializing more than we have in the past two years. And let’s be honest: Re-entering can elicit anxious thoughts and feelings. We may not know why—whether it’s simply being out of practice with “people-ing” or if we have truly changed where and how we wish to extend our energy....

Pediatrician: “Sure, give your child some Tylenol. It’s perfectly safe.” Poison Control Line: “Your child took the whole bottle of Tylenol? Go immediately to the Emergency Room. They will have the antidote protocol.” These two statements seem totally opposite and contradictory. Is something for your child perfectly safe or does the hospital have an antidote protocol? As a parent myself, I sure would like to know that due diligence has been done to ensure that something I’m giving my child, something my pediatrician is recommending, is safe for my child to take. Beliefs Are Hard to Change The uncertainty...

In the more than 40 years I have been a practicing psychotherapist, I have worked with many people who have experienced unexpected/traumatic loss, including combat veterans, first responders, family members of homicide victims, people experiencing the unexpected death of a loved one, and those suffering physical disfigurement and/or mental anguish. In nearly all cases I have found some common threads that help people to mend the tears to their psyches and souls. Acknowledging the New Reality An important first step to healing following an unexpected loss is acknowledging the event and its significance—moving from “I can’t believe this” and...

In the May/June issue of Natural Nutmeg magazine, I wrote about embracing massage therapy as part of your self-care plan, rather than thinking of massage as a luxury. In addition to improving stress and sleep and reducing muscle knots, there are a myriad of other benefits afforded by receiving massage therapy. Massage for Back Pain One of the most common complaints from clients is living with low back pain, which can have a variety of causes. Prolonged sitting can cause pain or weakness in the low back and gluteal muscles. According to David Nation, MD, a board-certified vascular surgeon...

One of the most important elements in maintaining a healthy relationship is communication. And when the subject is erectile dysfunction (ED), it is vital to get past any awkward feelings and talk things over with your partner. ED is a problem with many solutions, and it is imperative that neither partner blames themselves—or the other. “Men with ED need to know that this isn’t their fault, and their partners need to know the same thing,” says Holly Richmond, Ph.D., a somatic psychologist and certified sex therapist. Erectile dysfunction is a warning sign that something more serious needs your attention....

Change is everywhere—our shifting climate, the four seasons here in New England, our bodies as we age, our relationships. Change is inevitable. It has been said that the secret to living a good life is to accept change and adjust to it. Resisting change is like swimming against the tide—a lot of effort for very little outcome. And ultimately, change is good. Sometimes we are forced into change. Perhaps a test revealed a result that pushes us to a new way of living, or that once easy-to-climb hill now makes us breathe too heavily. Sometimes we just know deep...

You know that incredible feeling of relief and hope you feel when something important in your life is finally taken care of? Working with my fiduciary team can bring you that same peace of mind regarding your financial planning. Here is one couple’s story that illustrates how working with our team can provide you with that comforting wave of relief that comes with knowing you are financially secure. Planning Your Financial Future Melissa and Mike are in their early 60s. Lifelong savers who had lived within their means for decades, Melissa and Mike had built up substantial assets through...

When I asked my inner guidance for the name of my podcast, the response I received was Hungry for Answers. “Yes!” I thought, “Hungry for Answers would be an appropriate name for a podcast hosted by someone in recovery from obsessive–compulsive food disorder and bulimia.” Over time, the idea of Hungry for Answers has expanded beyond an informative podcast to a commitment to a life well lived. Bring It On At the beginning of my spiritual journey, “Bring It On!” became my mantra, which led to nearly two decades of intense spiritual learning. It was only after understanding what...

Placing ceramic implants is one of my passions in dentistry, partially because implants are the best choice to replace missing teeth. There are different material options in implants: titanium implants and ceramic implants. Metal Mouth Titanium implants are made of not only titanium, but rather an alloy of metals. Some of the metals in the alloy are beryllium, aluminum, vanadium, iron, nickel, lead, zinc, chromium, copper, palladium, and manganese. No implant is purely titanium, and not every titanium implant has every metal listed above—it varies upon the brand of the implant company. Most holistic patients and other earth- and...

The concept of self-trust is the topic foremost on the minds of those who sit on my couch. Self-trust, in my opinion, is the foundation for starting any therapeutic journey because when we start therapy, we trust ourselves enough to know that we need change. As we explore our developed identity in therapy, we are invited to contemplate what flavor of self-trust we currently experience: is this flavor rooted in authentic expression, or is it rooted in conditioned beliefs and behaviors? Our minds and personalities are shaped by our life experiences and therefore influence our day-to-day interactions and choices....