A social support system refers to a network of people we can turn to for emotional and practical support. This group can include anyone ‒ family members, friends, peers, coworkers, professionals. Social support networks are different from a formal support group that typically meets to assist people in a shared traumatic experience; rather, they’re informal, with no preset framework, and can be tapped for any type of experience you need support with. Having these support networks in place before, during, and after times of struggle can make managing stress and other negative emotions easier. Read More

According to the United Nations, roughly one-third of the food produced globally for human consumption – approximately 1.3 billion tons – gets wasted every single year. In the United States alone, 30% of food grown and purchased is thrown away each year. Wasted food also has a negative environmental impact; wasted food means wasted water, fertilizer, and other resources for growing as well as extra methane gas that’s produced by rotting food in landfills. Read More

Have you ever decluttered a room and felt an overwhelming sense of calm? That feeling isn’t a placebo effect – it’s feng shui. According to the principles of feng shui, clutter is a negative obstacle that must be fixed in order to promote the flow of natural energy. This is even rooted in psychology, with the belief that leaving a room cluttered leaves the brain feeling frustrated, anxious, and overwhelmed. Read More

Self-love is a way to appreciate yourself, stemming from actions that support our psychological, emotional, physical, and spiritual growth. Loving yourself means holding yourself in high regard, taking care of yourself, and being happy with where you are in life. It also means putting your needs first and not sacrificing your well-being to make sure others are happy. On other words, you don’t settle for less than you deserve! Read More

A resolution is like a goal ‒ for example, someone might state that they want to lose weight or get a new job. Resolutions are a firm decision to do or not to do something. They’re strict, with no wiggle room. You either stick to them or fail, which is why most of our resolutions are distant memories by February. An intention is a practice that requires us to be present rather than stuck in the past or too focused on the future. It’s something you aim for, an idea or concept you mean to carry out or embody. Intentions are open-ended and relatively vague, allowing more room and grace for growth. Simply put, intentions define the actions we take today, while goals and resolutions are future focused. These concepts are great in theory but cause significant stress, especially when we “fail” to achieve what we’ve set out to do. Read More

The holiday season is all about traditions ‒ but what if the traditions you grew up with don’t resonate with your current, authentic self? I grew up with an extroverted mother who invited everyone to our family holidays. Although I thought she was the kindest, most hospitable host, I also saw her body pay the toll as she spent weeks preparing for parties! When it came down to it, I never once saw her truly sit down, enjoy her own cooking, or engage with guests. Read More

Many people are interested in transitioning to a plant-based diet but find they have no idea where to start. Browsing the Internet can quickly become overwhelming, leaving dread where excitement and possibility once were. But it doesn’t have to be this way – with the right resources, tools, and guidance, shifting to a plant-based lifestyle can be enjoyable, sustainable, and rewarding. Read More