The 6 Wellness Apps a Tech Expert Recommends
From guided meditation to seafood shopping.
5 Things You Need to Know About Acupuncture Before You Try It
By Lisa Elaine Held While it’s an ancient, Eastern healing modality, acupuncture is now pretty well accepted as an effective treatment for many modern ailments. Especially since more people are thinking about health and wellness from a more holistic point of view, a perspective that’s at the core of Traditional Chinese Medicine. “There are aspects of health that are purely physical,” says Ayla Lavin L.Ac., MSI, an acupuncturist at Modrn Sanctuary in New York City,” but healing has to incorporate all of the levels of the human being.” RELATED: Your Guide to Essential Oils Still, if you’ve never tried it, you may be thinking something like: “They’re going to stick needles where?!” To help allay those fears (in case acupuncture may be the solution to a nagging pain nothing else has worked for), we’re breaking down a few need-to-know facts, here. 5 Need-to-Know Facts About Acupuncture 1. The needles are teeny-tiny. To be honest, calling them “needles” at all sometimes feels like a disservice, since many people picture medical or sewing needles in their minds. In fact, acupuncture needles more closely resemble bristles of a hairbrush. They’re super skinny and bendy, and when they poke into your skin, you barely feel a prick. You will feel a dull, achy sensation just beneath the skin, sometimes, which varies in intensity depending on your issue. 2. It’s based on principles of Chinese Medicine. The basic concept is based on what Chinese Medicine calls qi (pronounced chi), an energy or “life force” that flows throughout the body. When the flow of qi is blocked or stagnated, health issues arise, Lavin explains. Practitioners place needles on points along 12 meridians of the body to get rid of blockages and get your qi moving again. 3. …But scientific research shows it works. Of course, Western doctors don’t recognize qi as an actual physical concept. Still, a ton of scientific research has been done and has found acupuncture to be effective at managing all kinds of conditions, even if MDs don’t quite understand how it’s working yet. Lavin says neck and back pain and headaches are the issues she treats the most, and the research is strongest in this area. She also treats many women for hormonal imbalances that lead to issues like infertility, heavy periods, cramps, and weight gain, or symptoms of menopause like hot flashes and low libido. RELATED: How to Track Your Period for More Energy and Happiness 4. And it’ll likely relieve stress no matter what. Even if your carpal tunnel isn’t totally cured, you’ll likely get some stress relief out of the therapy no matter what you’re actually being treated for, since “acupuncture insertion stimulates anti-stress hormones,” Lavin says. Not to mention the fact that if you go to a spa-like spot like Modrn Sanctuary, you’ll be laying down listening to soothing music and breathing in aromatherapy through it all. RELATED: 9 Delicious, Stress-Fighting Foods to Eat Daily 5. Just make sure you go to a qualified acupuncturist. Statistically, acupuncture is about as safe as you can get when it comes to treatment for any kind of health issue. Still, you wouldn’t go see a physical therapist or physician who wasn’t certified, and you shouldn’t get acupuncture from a shady storefront, either. Go to a licensed acupuncturist (usually abbreviated L.Ac. after their name), and feel free to ask about their training, which is pretty intensive if they’re truly qualified.
3 Meditations for Living Calmer, Sleeping Deeper and Eating More Mindfully
The founder of OMG. I Can Meditate!—an app filled with guided meditations that address specific life challenges—shares a fast way to find Zen.
How to Strengthen Your Immune System Every Time You Eat
Got a runny nose that won’t quit? If you’re wondering how to strengthen your immune system, here’s a simple strategy: add immunity-boosting foods to every meal. (Duh!) No, we’re not just talking about citrus fruits and ginger. In this video, we share nutrient-dense foods that may help you avoid getting a cold or the flu—and you may not have heard about their special powers before. You’ll meet the vegetable that has twice the vitamin C of an orange, discover which mushrooms are the best for your immune system, and find out whether chicken soup is really the effective remedy your Grandmother promised it was. Watch the video to get smart about avoiding illness—and recovering faster when you’re already sick—now. How to Strengthen Your Immune System With Food
How to De-stress for a Zen Holiday Season
The entire holiday season can be an exercise in learning how to de-stress. From talking politics at the table to the mania of shopping-baking-decorating to managing your budget. But here’s a tip to allay your worries: you don’t have to skip it all and book a silent retreat in order to find calm. By simply following the core principles of living a nutritious life, it’s possible to balance your hormones and tap into your inner Zen. Start with these five research-tested tips. How to de-stress during the holidays 1. Sleep Deep. Lack of adequate sleep is linked to mood disorders like anxiety and depression and also to weight gain, which can raise levels of cortisol, that nasty “stress hormone” that throws your mind and body out of whack in major ways. If you’re having trouble establishing a consistent routine amid holiday commitments, try outfitting your sleep space with tools like a Sunrise Simulation Alarm Clock, which will wake you gradually with the light of a simulated sunrise so you hop out of bed with maximum energy and keep your circadian rhythms in check. 2. Live consciously. All it takes is five to ten minutes of peace per day. Meditation has been practiced for thousands of years, and in modern times has been shown to effectively reduce stress. Set aside a block of time and stick to it, whether that means just sitting still and focusing on your breath, trying a guided meditation via an app, or even going on a quiet stroll through the park. Just remember, don’t get caught up in meditating the “right way,” which will just lead to more stress. Do what is best for you. 3. Eat empowered. A sugar rush from refined carbs makes you feel good in the moment, but when the blood sugar comes down, you feel depressed and beat yourself up for having eaten that third cookie. Instead, focus on making sure your diet contains specific nutrients associated with stress relief. Dark green leafy vegetables and whole grains contain folic acid, a B vitamin, which is considered a mood stabilizer and a precursor to serotonin—a “feel good” hormone. Almonds are rich in vitamins B2 and E, magnesium, and zinc, nutrients associated with fighting the free radicals linked to stress in the heart. Plus, crunching down on them can be satisfying in managing feelings of aggression. 4. Nurture yourself. Pampering yourself may take up a little time, but the relaxation benefits will be worth it. Essential oils have been used in traditional medicine for centuries, and breathing in certain scents can make a huge difference in your mood. A couple days a week, take two extra minutes to light a therapy candle, apply a calming, scented moisturizer, or to give your pillow a spritz of relaxing lavender-scented spray. 5. Sweat often. Research has shown exercise can be a super effective strategy for reducing anxiety, and it boosts endorphins, which can make us happy and distract us from our daily worries. It also has other effects that can tangentially help you de-stress, like helping you sleep better at night and boosting self-confidence. One easy way to get motivated to move more? Try a fitness tracker like the FitBit Charge, which will give you fun feedback on how much you’re walking, running, and even breathing. Again, it’s all connected. This blog was created in partnership with Withings.
Do You Suffer From Disordered Eating?
Do you think about the consequence of a meal far after it’s over? Do you weigh yourself at least once a day, thrown off by the slightest change in the number? Do you restrict foods or entire food groups that limit the amount of food you consume? Do you skip meals, use laxatives, or attempt to fast? If any of this sounds familiar, you may be suffering from what’s known as disordered eating. Disordered eating includes a wide range of thoughts and behaviors that, according to the DSM-IV (a fancy diagnostic classification tool used by the medical community) don’t warrant a diagnosis of a specific eating disorder, like anorexia nervosa or bulimia. However, it should in no way be minimized or thought of as less destructive or mentally invasive. Both eating disorders and disordered eating carry harmful consequences. Because disordered eating is less “extreme” than anorexia or bulimia in terms of endangerment to life, many people, including those suffering, don’t realize the impact it has on their mental and physical health. People may begin to socially withdraw, often saying no to dinners/dates. Sometimes the suffering can manifest itself in anxiety or depression. Often, constant denial that there’s anything wrong exists. The symptoms are harder to detect than a traditional eating disorder. Because this condition is more “silent” than a traditional eating disorder, it’s less likely to picked up by family and friends. Many people suffer for far too long before realizing that the inner pain and conflict they feel isn’t “normal”. Others consider their feelings of guilt and shame to be completely normal, and live their entire lives without getting the help that is available. The Signs and Symptoms of Disordered Eating Rigidity around food and exercise regimen Feelings of guilt and shame when making what’s considered to be “poor” eating decisions Emotionally driven eating Preoccupation with food, body, and working that causes stress and negatively impacts other areas of life Dieting Misusing laxatives/diuretics/colon cleansers Denial of physical hunger and satiety, usually for the sake of losing weight How Did Disordered Eating Happen? In my opinion, disordered eating is the result of the messages we see and hear in magazines, commercials, and television that have left men and women suffering. 1200 calorie diets have been drilled into our head for years. Home economics, health class, and the science courses have failed to fully teach the science of food and relay the importance of individualized needs. We live in an “Eat this food, don’t eat that food” society, which frequently contradicts itself. Ever been told avocados are healthy, but then told they make you fat? We make 200-300 food choices per day. Without a clear understanding of what a food will do to our bodies, our perplexity intensifies. How to Recover From Disordered Eating First, you must identify that you’re living in pain, and that the pain isn’t normal. Whether that be negative self worth, obsession with food, binging, or a refusal to eat in restaurants or outside of your home. Second, accept that you’re not to blame. This is 100% not your fault. These feelings are so abundant that they can pass as the norm for many people. Social media has become a part of our routine, and with millions of messages flooding our brains daily, we’ve become more susceptible to eating disorders and disordered eating. Third, understand that it’s possible for you to improve your relationship with food and your body. If you want to get out of the messed up relationship you have with food, the power is yours. Fourth, seek help. Whether from a psychologist or a Registered Dietitian, make a plan with a health professional who can steer you in the right direction. The process of recovery may take anywhere from a month to a few years. Be patient with yourself and the process and know that you’ll soon be able to focus on the important things in life. About Lisa: Lisa Hayim, MS, RD is a Registered Dietitian and Mindful Eating Expert in New York. She holds her Master’s in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology from Columbia University. She works in private practice, helping clients and patients learn to eat real food and make choices mindfully. Lisa believes that healthy is a complete state of physical, mental, and social well being. When we nourish our bodies with whole foods and learn to be mindful, we are not only preventing and combating disease, but effortlessly learning to appreciate our bodies. Follow Lisa on Instagram @TheWellNecessities, or head to TheWellNecessities.com or plant based recipes that are 5 or less ingredients!
