5 Ways to Spring Clean Your Brain

Spring always feels like such a time of renewal and awakening. People often use it as a reason to “spring clean” their homes—to tidy up and make things feel fresh and new. Reorganizing all your closets, cupboards, and drawers can help you feel re-energized, but doing a cleanup of your mind and brain can really help you feel[…]

Mental Health Tips for Healthy Aging

According to the World Health Organization, the number of people aged 60 and over is expected to double by 2050. Research has traditionally focused on reducing physical risk factors to ward off chronic disease in those joining the ranks of our aging population.   This article will focus primarily on psycho-social activities you can increase doing[…]

Community Gardens as Places for Connection, Sustainability, and Resiliency

Community gardens offer a wide array of benefits: beautifying the landscape, fighting food insecurity, helping people come together, and more.   One evening last summer I walked to a neighbor’s house to deliver a bag of beautifully ripe pears, which another neighbor had picked from her tree the day before. I had just finished dinner,[…]

What Are the Post-Holiday Blues?

Post-Holiday Blues Post-holiday blues usually refer to the short-lived mental distress, anxiety, and sadness that arises after the holidays.   The holidays are a busy time and they last from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve. This period might include celebrations and get-togethers for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Eve. That’s a long period[…]

How to Calm Down Quickly: 9 Things You Can Do Right Now

Too much stress can feel overwhelming, and it often sneaks up on us. When you need to relax your mind and body immediately, try these nine quick, easy strategies.   Easy ways to calm down fast:   Take a walk. Breathe deeply. Visualize relief. Reframe your situation. Relax your muscles. Sniff something soothing. Write it down. Drink some[…]

How to Handle the Stress of Holiday Shopping Amid Supply Chain Disruptions

Finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list is rarely easy. But this year has some additional challenges that may make holiday shopping even more stressful than usual.   Surging rates of COVID-19 in some areas make in-person shopping a potential health risk. The price of goods has climbed a staggering 6.2% in the 12[…]

Make Your Holiday Meals More Nutritious

The holidays are a time where celebrations abound, many of which center around food—and for a good reason. Gathering for meals is a long-standing tradition and is ingrained in many cultures. It is a time when people strengthen family bonds and build community around the table.   Not surprisingly, creating a relaxing and enjoyable meal[…]