Holistic Health

While it is easy to say “align your head and neck over your trunk,” it is not easy to do, especially for those of us slumped behind the wheel or at the computer. This introduction to a series of posts by Nema Nyar on how to regain good posture discusses the relationship of energy and alignment, and the importance of posture to the health of body and mind.

Juggling our many responsibilities and activities, it’s natural to be stressed, right? According to Dr. Carrie Demers, by no means! In this article, she emphasizes that the choice is ours—to suffer from constant tension or to enjoy a baseline of calm. Reclaim your right to relax: learn three simple techniques to ease out of fight-or-flight mode and melt away the stress.

Our lifestyle has become increasingly sedentary, putting us at greater risk for diseases such as diabetes, dementia, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Integrative medicine physician Theresa Oswald explains how sitting more than 6–10 hours a day can harm our health, and how we can reduce the risks from prolonged sitting by enjoying “exercise snacks”—frequent bursts of activity throughout the day.

For most of us, the majority of our day is spent sitting, which has a negative impact on our health. According to the World Health Organization, inactivity is one of the four highest health risks we face today. Dr. Theresa Oswald highlights ways we can get more aerobic activity into our day and explains why it is vitally important to take frequent breaks from sitting to stand up and move.

Healing is at your fingertips when you practice Jin Shin Jyutsu®. By placing your hands on specific sites on your body, you can tap into the subtle source of healing power and jump-start the flow of energy to help prevent and heal illness as well as relieve physical and emotional pain and fatigue. But Jin Shin Jyutsu is more than just a hands-on healing system; it is also a philosophy and a practical system of psychology and self-awareness—an art of living.

Modern science is confirming what traditional ayurveda has long recognized—that touch is essential to our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Yet touch is often lacking in our society. Drawing from a fascinating selection of research, Nema Nyar creates a compelling picture of the benefits of massage and other forms of touch—benefits ranging from stress reduction to improved self-image to healthy development in infants. She also suggests ways we can stay more “in touch.”

Herbal medicine can play a vital role in treating persistent or chronic pain, while helping us minimize or eliminate the use of medications that have side effects. But we need to understand how to use herbs. Dr. Theresa Oswald explains how our diet can support or counteract an herb’s effects, why different herbs may be needed for different pain conditions, and whether herbs and prescription medications can be taken together. She also recommends two herbs that can be used by anyone to reduce pain and inflammation.

When conventional approaches to pain fall short, how can integrative medicine help? In this lively account of her work as a pain and rehabilitation physician, Dr. Theresa Oswald explains why she turned to integrative medicine to help patients struggling with hopelessness and limited options. She describes how adding integrative options such as breathwork, nutrition, relaxation, and group support to her practice has empowered her patients and enhanced their healing, both physically and emotionally.

Do you have pain or stress in your body? Nema Nyar explains how self-massage helps us heal physical and emotional injuries and how it gives us greater stability and ease. Learn how massage also stimulates the flow of prana, promotes deeper breathing, and clears the mental clutter stored in our tissues. Finally, Nema offers a simple tip to enhance the beneficial effects of self-massage.

Here’s a short list of easy ways to blow off steam, relax, and de-stress no matter how little time you have. This list offers proven techniques for unwinding: humor, playfulness, movement, music, connecting with nature, relaxation, writing, and gratitude—even when you have just a few minutes to spare. Try a few! Take the first steps toward managing stress and nourishing your mind, body, and emotions.