Self-care was edited out of my vocabulary growing up and replaced with “selfishness.” It was much more glamorous to my mom—a word hammering me throughout my childhood like the cold Montana blizzards.

Hmm. Self-care vs selfishness.

Is self-care selfish? Is it self-preservation? Or is it self-love?

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Imagine having a personal gym that's open 24/7, doesn't require a membership fee, and can dramatically improve every aspect of your life.

Sounds too good to be true?

Well, you already have it—it's your brain!

Just as we exercise our bodies to stay physically fit, our brains need regular workouts to maintain and enhance our mental fitness.

Estimated reading time: 4.5 minutes

In Montana, we’re enjoying an unprecedented autumn with warm temperatures as high as eighty degrees. Our vegetable garden and planted pots are still going strong! Yet, we love the cool evenings as winter approaches.

Staying in tune with nature has always been important to me. And one of the ways I do this is by following Ayurvedic Principles.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

It’s the small choices you make every day that affect your health. In a world where heart disease and obesity are getting increasingly common, it's more important than ever to take care of yourself. Habits like eating healthy, getting sufficient sleep, exercising regularly, and managing stress can help you feel your best.

These habits can improve your mental health, benefit your heart, and help you maintain a healthy weight. On the other hand, bad habits (like vaping, eating too much fast or packaged food, and staying up all night) can harm your health over time—that goes without saying!

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Depression is a serious and, unfortunately, very common occurrence for women today. This condition is so common that nearly one in ten women in the United States report that they experience major signs of depression every year.

One reason for this challenge has to do with the psychological and physical makeup of women, making them more likely to be diagnosed with mental health illnesses than men. While these statistics might be alarming to some, they are a valuable reminder about the importance of understanding and practicing self-care habits. Women's mental health must be taken seriously!

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Trouble sleeping? Exhausting, isn’t it!?

Our brains rely heavily on sleep, but you know that! Anyone lacking sleep has experienced fatigue, mental fog, and sluggish feelings—there isn’t anything more debilitating than insomnia! Or more rejuvenating than a good night’s sleep.

If you’re one of the unfortunate, you’ve repeatedly asked yourself, “Why can't I sleep at night?” An estimated 30% of the world’s population has that very thought. It's time to rectify this problem!

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

An old saying goes, “The spirit is the life, the mind is the builder, and the physical is the result.” Nothing happens in our physical world without our minds thinking, processing, and applying the information first. This connection between the mind and the body and its strength plays a massive part in bettering our health and lives.

But what about our emotions? How do they fit in? Do our emotions influence our physical health? Do they affect our mind-body connection?

Estimated reading: 8 minutes

So much conflicting information about weight loss, isn't there!? From popping a pill to vigorous workouts to living on oats and kale. It's hard to know where to begin.

Losing weight can feel overwhelming, which can stop us from even trying. A pint of Häagen Dazs goes down so much easier! My aversion and lack of motivation to lose weight inspired me to get creative. Here's what I discovered and some emotionally intelligent ways to launch yourself mindfully toward a healthier and happier you.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Change can be challenging whether you're trying to break the habit of being a people pleaser or you simply want to lose a little weight and exercise more.

Positive change boils down to 8 Keys for Breaking Bad Habits as previously discussed. When you want to make a change in your life to be a better version of yourself, it depends on several key components. Bad habits are hard to break, so it’s best to take a crack at them in small doses for the best chance of success. 

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

How often do you think, “I want to try to...”? The challenge is “trying” to break bad habits on top of an already hectic schedule, right?

Taking a morning hike can seem impossible when you need to beat the 7 a.m. traffic. Grabbing a Starbucks seems so much more pleasant—and easier—than making yourself a veggie omelet or going for an early run. Add parenting, work commitments, errands, and social life on top of a demanding schedule, and your health might be taking a hit, or at least be on the back burner. The Ayurveda lifestyle is a great solution—small changes equaling a healthier life.

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