At 18 months old, my son suddenly changed from the happiest little dude in town to a miserable and often inconsolable kid. Without warning, he became thoroughly unhappy, bouncing between periods of lethargy and periods of frustration. His sleep, which had been challenging anyway, as it is with most little ones, became a constant battle;…
I am not a doctor. I didn’t even like science in school. What I am is a sixty-something guy who works in an office and has been highly skeptical of all diets – I think they’re all fads – for my entire adult life. Diets typically have a gimmick, may work for a while, but…
At least 70% of American adults say they lose sleep at least one night a month, with 11% reporting that it happens every night. And that can lead to decreased productivity, along with an increased risk for disease. Of course, most of us yearn to just fall asleep with no problem, but sometimes that’s easier…
When I say that I barely ever exercised until my late 40s, it is not hyperbole. One trip to the gym (total lifetime stat), some occasional light yoga, and cross-country running my freshman year of high school were all I had to show for 46 years on the planet. But fear not if you…
Raising chickens has almost an infinite number of benefits. These benefits range from simple companionship to self-sufficient food production. Raising and keeping chickens even has several health benefits that can positively impact those with mental or physical disabilities. In fact, several universities such as the University of Minnesota are utilizing therapy chickens during exam…
When February rolls around, some of us fist pump the air. “Yay! A whole month with my resolution.” Others (a larger amount, by the way) think, “Ugh. I have already failed.” Here’s the thing: February is a great time to reboot your resolution. In fact, ANY TIME is a great time. There is nothing magical…
Headed out for a jog? Skip the stretch. So, you’re all suited up to hit the pavement for your morning run. But before you start stretching out, you may want to think twice. Preliminary stretching may not be necessary, particularly the kind of “static stretching” that most joggers engage in before their run. A more…
I have to be honest… until recently, breathing just wasn’t on my radar. I’ve always been breathing (obviously), and as a mindfulness meditation practitioner and certified teacher, I’ve spent plenty of time watching my breath. I just never thought much about the physiology of whether I was breathing correctly or not. So, while I spend…
Feed a cold and starve a fever? Or is it feed a fever and starve a cold? The old adage dates back to the 1500s when it was believed that feeding helped warm a body up, and therefore beat a cold; and starving deprived the body of energy, therefore helping it cool and stop a fever. It’s…
While your body may be different from someone else’s, one thing you have in common with the rest of the world is the need to exercise and stay active. The good news is that there are many different ways to stay fit, regardless of your body or situation, and you don’t necessarily need to go…
