Brain Mechanisms of Conformity
Razi Berry Some of the same brain systems known to play a role in learning from trial and error also are engaged when people conform to social norms, scientists report in a new study. The findings are important, the researchers said, because changing one’s behavior to align with one’s peers can contribute to community-building or […]
Self-Love Lowers Cardiovascular Disease
Razi Berry Despite what skeptics say, being kind to oneself is not a New Age fad — and there is research to back it up. Middle-aged women who practiced self-compassion had lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease, irrespective of other traditional risk factors such as high blood pressure, insulin resistance and cholesterol levels. The findings […]
Internal Brain/Organ Connections Could Determine Self Image
Razi Berry New research has discovered that the strength of the connection between our brain and internal organs is linked to how we feel about our appearance. Published in the journal Cortex, the study is the first to investigate, and first to identify, the association between body image and the brain’s processing of internal signals […]
What Do You Do When People Aren’t Happy for You?
Razi Berry It’s important to have the support of family and friends when we are struggling. It’s the people who know us most intimately that encourage us to do better, to make necessary changes to improve our health, our happiness. It’s also important to have people to inspire us when we actually start making those […]
Self-Compassion Has Mental and Physical Benefits
Razi Berry A wonderful clinical tool is self-healing, and I have found that this is only possible when one learns self-kindness and compassion. I love to see new research that supports the physical changes that occur in the body during exercises that promote self-compassion and loving kindness. This week, such a study was published by […]
How to self-love your way to long-term health
Dr. Sarah Zadek (nee King) There are many ways we can interpret, and act, on self-love. Sometimes our choices seem to help our emotional or mental state, but could work against our bodies physically; For example, indulging in comfort foods, or sweets when we’re feeling low. While other choices and actions may seem more challenging […]
Loving You, Loving Me: How you can improve your self esteem & that of the people you care about
Razi Berry I spent the first third of my life basing my self worth on what I imagined other people thought of me. When I was in a great relationship, I felt great. I felt pretty, smart, and happy. When I wasn’t, I felt ugly, stupid and insecure. I felt irrelevant. That’s about the gist […]
Self-acceptance could be the key to a happier life! Yet, it’s the happy habit practiced least
Razi Berry Someone really needs to hear this message I was 13 years old, and I was holding in my hand my first copy of Seventeen Magazine. It was different back then, not so much about dating and celebrities as it is now. Mostly it had cute clothes, pretty girls, advice on friendship, decorating your […]
Looking in the Mirror Before Looking in the Medicine Cabinet
Node Smith I was recently asked about hormonal balancing from a menopausal woman. She specifically asked: “what things are there to help balance my hormones?” This is a common question that naturopaths and holistic practitioners get, and the underlying assumption is very non-holistic. Let me reframe this question here: “I know that my body is […]
How to Be Comfortable With Who You Are
Dr. Natalie Bozinovski ND. MSc. I saw this meme and I couldn’t stop chuckling inside. I envied that little alien The truth is, I aspire to be that alien – knowing exactly who he is and being 100% comfortable with it. I’m on a constant quest to discover my most comfortable self. I know that […]