My working theory about life under quarantine is that everyone, no matter their situation, has had to face an internal challenge they didn’t expect. Maybe you didn’t realize you had a strong need to fill your calendar with plans until everything got cancelled, or you’ve had an uptick in anxiety from losing so much personal control over your own life. When life is as quiet as it has been under
In the middle of a pandemic when so many things are demanding a share of your attention, it’s never been more crucial to find effective ways to focus. If you’ve found that your daily coffee or energy drink isn’t going far enough to bring the focus you need, essential oils can be a great way to bring an emotional boost and quiet distractions. Whether you prefer to apply them directly
As someone who struggles with several autoimmune conditions, my health journey has looked a bit different from many others’. As so much remains unknown about autoimmune syndromes, many people struggling with them begin doing their own research to find treatments that work. Often, people like me end up working with holistic medicines that that go beyond typical Western medicine. Over the course of my research I’ve found several alternative treatments
There’s a reason they’re called invisible illnesses. People with autoimmune disorders don’t always appear sick to the outside world, even if they’re struggling with problems like fatigue, soreness and aches on a daily basis, and as a result, more people are impacted by them than you might think. According to the National Institutes of Health, up to 23.5 million Americans struggle with autoimmune disorders. Many people struggle for years to
Hair can be such an important part of the way we see and express ourselves. Everyone has their own special needs when it comes to hair care, but if you have autoimmune conditions like I do it can complicate this process even more. The symptoms of my conditions, and the medications I take for them, can have any number of side effects like hair loss, hair dryness, or breakage,
There are many reasons to start incorporating plant-based options into your diet. Eating vegan can be a compassionate choice to avoid practices that exploit and harm animals. Taking a break from dairy and meat can also contribute to a healthier lifestyle, cutting out some of the fats and cholesterol that come from animal by-products. Eating plant-based also be a kinder decision for the planet; the LA Times reported that it
As we continue to find our path forward during the COVID-19 pandemic, we learn more all the time about the best ways to avoid getting sick, lessen the impact of the virus, and protect ourselves and others. One of the biggest trends for fighting COVID-19 has come in the form of mask requirements in stores and public places that are likely to be crowded. But what’s the science around these
Life has changed for all of us as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Our schedules, work life, and social patterns have all shifted drastically as we’ve had to adapt to a new way of living. As we’ve learned to stay home more, we’ve retooled our own schedules and lifestyles to better support us during the pandemic. But we might not think about these changes have impacted one part of
Gratitude can be such an important tool when we face times of adversity; the ability to shift our perspective to the positive can make a world of difference. Psychologists say that practicing gratitude can actually make you a happier person in general; being able to grasp contentment no matter our circumstances can change our lives for the better. Knowing that gratitude can improve our life, though, doesn’t always mean it’s
The summer is often a time when we seek to escape to exotic destinations for some well-deserved rest and relaxation. However, if you’re staying at home this summer, you can still beat the heat and give yourself a mini-vacation whenever you want. Whether you’re traveling or not, summer is for relaxation, sunshine and finding fun ways to beat the heat. If you’d like to make your average weekend feel more
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