Gathering for meals whether to celebrate a birthday or holiday, enjoy family time, or to spend time among friends has been a common practice among groups of people dating back to Neolithic times. Communal meals have practical implications like saving time by cooking large quantities for multiple people at a time. But practicality is not…
In recent years, research has increasingly explored the importance of creative expression for mental and cognitive health. In this article, Dr Sarah Nelson, ND, explores ways to improve mental health through creativity.
Family Constellations therapy is a similar modality in that it provides a way to make connections to things that impact our well being that are sometimes beyond what makes sense through logical analysis. The core of this work explores how we are impacted by the systems we are involved in. Systems in this case meaning our family, our society, our communities, etc.
Biofeedback therapy is a non-invasive technique that helps you gain greater awareness and control over your body’s physiological functions using real-time feedback from your body. Sensors are used to measure your heart rate variability, breathing, temperature, sweat response, and muscle tension, providing us with important signals from your body about the state of your nervous…
As the Pacific Northwest shifts into fall—with its cozy mornings, vibrant leaves, and rainy afternoons—many of us notice changes in mood and energy. The shorter days and increased cloud cover can influence our circadian rhythms, vitamin D levels, and overall sense of motivation. While fall is a beautiful season of transition, it can also be…
When you think about chronic pain, you probably think about inflammation, muscle tension, or maybe nerve irritation. But what if one of the most powerful tools for easing pain isn’t physical at all—what if it’s your imagination? It might sound surprising, but your brain doesn’t fully distinguish between what’s real and what’s vividly imagined. That…
Marijuana has become increasingly popular over the past decade. With legalization and recreational dispensaries now found on nearly every corner, cannabis use is skyrocketing. It’s often seen as relatively benign, especially when compared to alcohol or tobacco, however the data is not particularly supportive of this. One key issue is that the harms and side…
If your workday blurs into a nonstop stretch of screens, artificial light, and “just one more thing before I take a break,” you’re not alone. Most of us spend up to 90% of our time indoors, which can take a toll on our mood, cognitive function, sleep, and even immune health. The good news? You…
Ancient healing practices are becoming integrated into our health system, as more practitioners are working with the mind-body connection. A benefit of seeking care at Heart Spring Health is the ability to have integrated care for your mental health conditions and medical conditions from both the “bottom up” (like somatic therapy) and “top down” (like…
Introduction You may say “I want to lose weight” but what I’d like you to mean is “I want to feel better…” …better about your pain, sleep, appetite, body image, or future. Let’s take the focus off of weight. Healthy body, not weight. People often ask me to present a ‘Weight Loss’ talk. I, however,…