Category Mental health

Winter Rituals
Ah, yes. The freezing fog, the squirrels running frantically around (no one does frantic like a squirrel), the bare trees, and the little patches of ice tell us that winter has arrived. Winter is a quiet time, where all around us in nature things are slowing down, decaying, and hibernating. So, too, should the human […]

Entering the Season of Late-Summer…In December
I know what you’re thinking…Late-summer in December? This is actually a transition season that happens four times a year. In Chinese medicine, the seasons of Late-summer is the last 18 days of each season and is the season associated with the spleen/pancreas and stomach. These organs are also known as the central pivot of health […]

Bringing Back Playtime
There is a lot to be said about how structure and routine serve us. We have clean teeth, pay the bills, keep our jobs, have meals to enjoy, and have tidy houses due to adhering to routines. In the quest for health, regularity with workouts, eating, and mindfulness practices are all of great importance. However, […]

The Importance of Self-Care
What nourishes you? What sustains you? What fills your cup to the point of overflowing and how can you travel to that well-spring often? Maybe a few times a year, we might think about taking a weekend off and doing something that feels delicious to the soul. Truth is, we all need to replenish more […]

Chinese Medicine and Depression
In a previous post, we covered the bigger picture of depression, including a number of factors that may contribute to depression. In this post, we’ll look at how Chinese Medicine views depression; including common symptoms and suggestions for each primary pattern. Of course, every individual’s presentation is different and acupuncture and herbal therapies are customized […]

Depression: A complex condition worth looking at the big picture
The experience of depression is a complicated and highly individualized experience. Over the years, I’ve seen a number of articles (both research and non-research), blog posts, and opinion pieces on the main solution to or cause of depression. Most of these articles and research pieces capture one piece of the puzzle, but inadequately address the […]