Did you know that you have

a wandering nerve in your body that is

the boss of your nervous system?

Did you know that inflammation, and the ability to bond, and go to the bathroom is directly influenced by this nerve function?

In functional medicine, research now shows that this nerve may be a missing link to treating chronic inflammation, and new medical technologies are creating a field of treatment using vagal nerve stimulation that leaves the use of medication in the dust. 

“You can’t pour from an empty vessel,

take time to fill yourself with acts of self care”.

This evening as I forced my aching bones into a bath tub filled with epsom salt and essential oils, my mind drifted to earlier days before endless tasks involving raising kids, cooking, cleaning, driving and working. There was a time before children when I prioritized my need for quiet and and took to writing and contemplation and reading. These days when I forget to practice self care, I “pay the piper” physically, and I doubt I am alone in this.

In this day and age, self care tends to be captured on Instagram and social media and displayed in the cliche form of luxuries such as spa treatments and vacations. But what if the bones of self care are less grandiose than that and more simplistic yet meaningful?

Flu season is like the energizer bunny,

it keeps going and going.

I’m finding that along with the spring rain comes a new deluge of viral and bacterial illnesses. As a parent with three children in school, our family get an extra large dosage of germs so I have to be diligent in supporting my families immunity from winter through the spring.

Your internal ecology

is the key to your health.

I liken this ecology to a rainforest, existing in symbiotic harmony with the creatures and plants that live there.

With a balanced ecosystem, life exists as nature intended, reflecting a healthy terrain. However, when the ecosystem goes out of balance due to environmental changes, disruption often occurs causing damage.

The end result of this disruption manifests as new species of plants and animals not indigenous to the area move in and take over the weaker or less dominant plants and animals. The long term results ultimately create a process that can set the stage for imbalance and disease.

The first partial lunar eclipse on August 7th has cracked open the door to Autumn. While Autumn is still technically a few weeks away, I can see and feel the beginnings of the shift. Huckleberries and windy walks on carpets of pine needles are some of the signals of fall in my neck of the woods. My studies with Ayurveda have taught me the importance of tuning into the seasonal shifts as they are pivotal influences that effect our health and wellbeing. Ayurveda is one of the oldest systems of healing known today and was founded on principles that involve working with the elements found both in nature and the body. Ayurveda stresses the importance of supporting the doshas (energies) in the body throughout the seasons. The season of Autumn is captured by the elements of Ether and Air. These qualites stimulate the dosha: vata. Vata is similar to the wind: (cold and dry) and quite variable. 

The energy of the vata dosha is best supported with warmth, introspection and quiet. This makes fall the perfect time to create rhythms and routines that support more internal activites. It is also ideal to support the body with warming, nourishing foods to help offset imbalances brought about with the wind and the cold.