August Health Challenge: Detox your Cleaning Products

August Health Challenge: Detox your Cleaning Products

The air inside our homes is 2-5 times dirtier than the air outside. There are so many factors contributing to this indoor pollution, one of which is toxic cleaning products that are full of harmful chemicals with a whole host of deleterious health effects. This month I challenge you to detox your cleaning supplies. Every small change you make to clean up the environment in which you live can have huge impacts in your long term health. So to start with, let's clean up the cleaners. 

June Health Challenge: Spend More Time in Nature

June Health Challenge: Spend More Time in Nature

For most of human history we have lived in close connection with nature, but our connection to nature is dwindling. The conveniences of living in cities comes at a price; we are removed from our deep seated need to be connected to nature. And this disconnection can lead to health problems like mood changes and attention problems. So why spend more time in nature? Well, there is increasing research that it is good for your mind and body. Spending time in nature can lower inflammation, improve cardiovascular health, balance your autonomic nervous system, lower stress and improve mood. So this month, how about we all spend more time in nature?

May Health Challenge: Take a Break from Social Media

May Health Challenge: Take a Break from Social Media

Does spending time on social media bring you joy? Or does it do just the opposite? For some, it can increase anxiety and depression, foster procrastination, magnify attention difficulties and create distance from real human interactions. This month's health challenge is to take a break from social media. Spend time with real friends, not Facebook friends - they are not the same. You may find that your mood improves, you sleep better, have more time, are more focused, feel more deeply connected with friends/family and experience increased well-being overall.

April Health Challenge: Move your Body!

April Health Challenge: Move your Body!

As a whole, we as humans are moving much less often than our ancestors. And that's not good. A highly sedentary and inactive lifestyle increases our risk for numerous health conditions. This month, I challenge you to move your body every day. Further, I challenge you to make sure you are doing both aerobic exercise (the kind that gets your heart rate up, gets you a little out of breath and gets you sweating) and strength training (either using weights, or using your body weight as resistance, as in yoga or pilates).