Dr. Amy Bader, ND
@AmyBaderND
A year ago this month I sat down to write my first article for The (incredibly-interesting-and-ever-so-informative) NaturalPath. I entitled that article “Back to School”; I wanted my series to present ideas and information to not only help you be healthier, but also be inspired, empowered and just plain FEEL GOOD IN YOUR SKIN. I hope my articles have helped you to make positive shifts, both large and small, in your life to bring you to a higher level of well-being. This has been an amazing year of growth and opportunity for me, and I am humbled and grateful you are on this journey with me. I want to share some assignments that didn’t necessarily fit neatly into my other topics this last year, but I still think are thought provoking and incredibly valuable
Assignment #1
It’s no secret I have a mad, starry-eyed “doctor crush” on Dr. Brené Brown. (I know it, my friends know it, and most of my patients know it. I love this woman!) Dr. Brown is a brilliant, trailblazing researcher in the field of social work. She is, simply put, an authentic badass. (Yeah, you heard me.) She is inspiring millions of people to embrace vulnerability, kick shame out the door, and invite courage, grace and gratitude into their lives.
To quote Dr. Brown, “Choosing authenticity means cultivating the courage to be emotionally honest, to set boundaries, and to allow ourselves to be vulnerable; exercising the compassion that comes from knowing that we are all made of strength and struggle and connected to each other through a loving and resilient human spirit; nurturing the connection and sense of belonging that can only happen when we let go of what we are supposed to be and embrace who we are.” AMEN, SISTER! (I especially love that last bit.) If you have not picked up her books yet, you’re missing out. Read Daring Greatly and her newest book Rising Strong. After reading these books, I promise you will feel more empowered—so, next time life leaves you face down in the dirt, you can pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and step into your authentic badass-ness. Who doesn’t want that?
Assignment #2
Your external environment is a reflection of your internal environment. Is your house a mess? If it is, chances are, you probably don’t feel a deep, inner sensation of zen-like tranquility. (Cue wind chimes.) But, just as your external world reveals the state of your internal mojo, you can conversely give yourself a sense of inner peace and wellness by creating an organized, tidy and calm environment. In other words, clean your freakin’ house! (No judgment! Been there!) To help, Marie Kondo has written a book called The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.In it, Marie explains the Japanese art of decluttering. Okay, so Marie is a little compulsive about organizing (I WISH I had that problem!), but her system is fab-u-lous! She takes you through an incredible process, step by step, that totally works to declutter your house and mind. (By the way, 1-800-GOT-JUNK will love you.) So, grab her book, and give it a read. Oh, and you will even learn how to fold things properly. Who knew I was disrespecting my socks by balling them up? Happy socks, happy home! (Happy me!)
Assignment #3
Feng Shui is the art of harmonizing your environment so energy flows in all areas of your life. It is fascinating and a little weird, but I SWEAR there is something to it. One of the most powerful tips I have gained from my rudimentary study of Feng Shui is this: make sure you are in a position of power when you work. Whether you are at the office kickin’ butt or at home just payin’ the bills, put your chair in a location that ensures you FACE THE DOOR. This is key—it literally and symbolically has you in a position so you are able to see what’s coming your way. (You can deal with things much more effectively if you can see them coming, right?) So, your assignment is to rearrange your furniture in your workspace if you’re not already seated the power position.
Thank you again for joining me on this journey. I am looking forward to many more opportunities to discuss how we can individually and collectively shift our health, mindsets, and environment for the better. In the spirit of our anniversary, I want to remind you of an excerpt from my very first article… a powerful quote from Marianne Williamson: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?” (A little choked up? Me, too.)
Take care of your (whole) self
Dr. Bader
Amy Bader, ND is a doctor, teacher, speaker, writer and entrepreneur. She is a graduate of the National College of Natural Medicine (now National University of Natural Medicine), where she is an adjunct clinical faculty member training naturopathic medical students. She has private practices in Northern California and the Portland, Oregon metro area, where she lives with her beautiful daughter. Dr. Bader has a passion for treating patients with complex chronic diseases using clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, biotherapeutic drainage, and homeopathy. In addition, Dr. Bader is President and Cofounder of Real Beauty Food, Inc., makers of SkinTē®. She has been interviewed as an expert in natural medicine for radio, newspapers, and magazines. 
