May 2012 Letter from the Editor

May 1, 2012 by
family health

Wow!  The school year is already winding down, summer is around the corner, and we’re honoring several important causes this month!  May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, Mental Health Month, and Arthritis Month.  Do one of these focuses resonate more with you? As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist, I encourage you to keep a comprehensive wide-lens view of health.  If we sit on the couch all day watching TV, eating fast food, scarcely exercising, having little family involvement/ communication, our mental health will no doubt be affected.  Feeling … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Mental Wellness, Motivation, Physical Illness

Food for thought….Eat smart!

May 1, 2012 by
food mental health

Numerous clinical research studies have been published implicating the potential impact diet has on your metal health and function. Your brain is as vital as your heart, in constant need of energy and oxygen. Under normal conditions, it depends mostly on glucose (end product of carbohydrate metabolism) for energy and it uses 20% of your energy intake at rest. (1) Its a highly metabolic organ. But to keep your brain healthy, just like you do your heart, you also need to feed it foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants for brain development and proper function. Docosahexaenoic acid … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Healthy Eating

The connection between physical and mental health

May 1, 2012 by
Brain Health

In my last article I emphasized the importance of particular micronutrients, such as Omega 3 fatty acids and Vitamin D, optimally obtained from a well balanced, high nutrient diet. Today I would like to share some exciting scientific discoveries proving the impact of exercise on mental health. Long-distance runners and triathletes have frequently been observing the “runner’s high”. With the help of fMRI (functional MRI) studies, cognitive neuroscience is now able to observe the physiological correlates of this phenomenon. When we work out, preferably aerobically, and keep our heartbeat in a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Integrative Wellness, Mental Wellness, Physical Health