As the rust-colored hues of autumn give way to the barrenness that will become winter, there is much to observe—and learn—in nature. Beloved American poet Emily Dickinson wrote: “Nature” is what We see— The Hill—the Afternoon— Squirrel—Eclipse—the Bumble bee— Nay—Nature is Heaven— “Nature” is what We hear— The Bobolink—the Sea— Thunder—the Cricket...

One in ten Americans suffers from depression, a crippling disease that is the leading cause of disability and lost productivity worldwide. Of those who experience chronic depression, just over half seek treatment for it. Those treatment options are varied and include medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, and combinations of each. Unfortunatel...

Despite movies, books, and television telling us otherwise, we can’t bend time, travel back in it, or find a wrinkle that magically adds hours to the day. But we can, for the most part, control exactly how we use the time we have been given. (A big caveat here for my readers who are also new parents: don’t forget that you now share your time with a tiny bund...

We spend one-third of our lives doing it—or at least trying to. Going without it for several days in a row is significantly more dangerous than going without food for days at a time. After only seventeen hours without it, a person starts to experience cognitive deficits similar to those experienced by people with a .05 percent blood alcohol level. Pare...

Last month, I took my sweet grandsons to visit George Washington’s vast estate on the Potomac River—Mount Vernon. It’s one of my favorite places, and I’ve visited dozens of times. As we toured the house and the grounds, I found myself frequently subbing for the tour guide, telling little side stories here and sharing quick facts there. The day was a perfect ...

In decades past, college was both rigorous and fulfilling. Students took their classes, studied, played (sometimes a lot), explored the newness of being on their own, and then graduated and went on to careers or further study. Today, these elements still exist, but they also include a new component, one that is becoming increasingly unhealthy and dang...

Most of us have heard the well-known adage that “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” Most of us also know that this statement is completely false! It’s true—words can’t physically break a bone, but they can definitely cause pain that takes much longer to heal than a fractured ankle or a broken arm. In fact, in addition t...

As children, teens, and young adults across the country head back to school in the coming weeks, they’ll begin a new year of setting goals, learning lessons, carrying on traditions, and establishing new study habits. For adults, the start of this new season can be much like the start of a new calendar year: a time to re-evaluate your lifestyle and set new go...

The benefits of regular exercise are many and well-known. Exercise reduces the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and a number of types of cancer. Exercise boosts the mood, helps stave off depression, and makes it easier to sleep longer and better. Exercise strengthens bones and muscles. Exercise provides energy and burns calories, w...

This week, I’d like to examine the benefits of essential oils to the physical body, specifically the hair, skin, and nails. The great thing about using essential oils to care for you body is that they are all-natural, chemical free, and incredibly powerful. They can also save you a lot of money in the long run because just a few drops of oil can go a lon...

I love the phrase, “Mother Knows Best” --probably because growing up I trusted that my mother knew best. She was very nurturing and wise! Now that I study and teach about the role Mother Nature plays regarding our health, the “Mother Knows Best” phrase stands out even more. Mother Nature does seems to be quite wise--offering profound truths and solution...

Most people don’t realize that the quality of our mood is a direct result of our health habits. There are many scientific reasons for this but I’ll cut to the chase and give you a couple of basic explanations and then a good, solid list of habits to incorporate. First, our body needs nutritional cofactors to create neurochemistry (bottom line, you have to e...

For many people, the word routine brings to mind two other words: boring and tedious . In reality, however, having a daily routine can be grounding, fulfilling, and healthful. It can also add order and a feeling of ownership to your day while reducing stress and helping you minimize procrastination.I’m an enthusiastic advocate of having a daily routine. I...

Many varying beliefs pervade our families and affect our self-worth and our ability to give and receive love. Some people believe it’s good to be friendly, while others teach that it’s best to be reserved and quiet. Some think that the only way to live is to coexist with your extended family throughout life; others believe that it’s not normal to live with y...

Recently, a lifelong dream of mine came true when my whole family—children and their children—came together to visit my husband and me in Europe. It took months of planning and, before that, years of manifesting and working for a chance to have the time and financial freedom to wander Europe with what has become a big family herd of all ages. And though Euro...

Family reunions, parades, fireworks, picnics, barbecues, concerts. It’s likely that most of us in the United States will participate in one or more of these celebratory events in the coming week. Hopefully, as we do, we’ll think about why we’re celebrating. Eleven months prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor that caused the United States to declare war on J...

Bad habits, or patterns of behavior, can vary from the somewhat insignificant (like squeezing a tube of toothpaste from the middle) to the dangerous and addictive (like binge drinking) and everything in between (wasting time on social media, biting your fingernails, procrastinating, and so on). Fortunately, bad habits—whether big or small—can be broken with ...

American evangelist Billy Graham said, “A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised , unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.” As Father’s Day approaches this year, let’s take time to celebrate those good fathers in our lives—the ones who not only had our hands in theirs, but also always had our backs. Here are 10 ways you ...

In Methodist Episcopal congregations throughout the country, today (the second Sunday in June) is National Children’s Day. It’s a day to honor, celebrate, and advocate for the children in your life and around the globe. There is much you can do to recognize the day: put down your phone and play with your child cook with your child read with...

There’s a reason thousands of books on leadership have been written: being a leader is a tough job, and there are dozens of schools of thought about what style of leadership works best in what situation. Following these ten tips, however, can help you stay on top of the game no matter your leadership style. (As a bonus, they are also valuable life tips for b...