How’d you sleep last night? Surely you got your 8 hours, and woke up refreshed, recharged, and ready to tackle the day head-on. No? Well you’re far from alone. Studies show that many people aren’t getting a healthy level of sleep. Sleep deficiency is exacerbated by the busy, stressful lives that are becoming commonplace in modern society. But issues like insomnia and sleep apnea are also becoming increasingly prevalent. And the typical treatment of harsh pharmaceuticals can leave patients feeling hung over in the morning with unpleasant side effects. “There are connections between sleep deficiency and a weakened immune system…”…

Who would have thought that an iPod could hold the treatment for sufferers of post traumatic stress? I certainly didn’t, but research conducted at Duke University and the Durham, NC Medical Center suggests that guided imagery on an MP3 player can successfully treat symptoms resulting from military sexual trauma. No pharmaceuticals, no therapy, just a guided imagery soundtrack – and the subjects of the study reported a huge decrease in symptoms across the board. “Many survivors of PTSD can be re-traumatized by being pushed to discuss a traumatic event.” Treatment approaches for post traumatic stress vary widely, but new research…

“Live in the moment”… how often we’ve heard it . . . even said it ourselves, but how often do we really do it? “For those who know the benefits of mindfulness meditation, I can hear you saying, Finally!“ For most of us, “live in the moment” is a catchy, bumper-sticker line, but there’s a lot more to it…especially to those who are practitioners of mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness meditation has concrete, proven benefits to our everyday lives. In fact, aside from its long-time, more traditional use among practitioners and their patients, we see it reducing stress in children, reconciling prisoners…

How would you treat a Tibetan monk who experiences flashbacks of imprisonment and torture whenever he meditates? “…And the Tibetan monks, for one, present symptoms that might go under the radar of a standard psychiatric evaluation.” That can be a monumental challenge. Often practitioners overlook the less-than-obvious manifestations of trauma if they lack the tools to understand trauma across cultures. And the Tibetan monks, for one, present symptoms that might go under the radar of a standard psychiatric evaluation. It’s not uncommon to hear harrowing stories of torture and imprisonment when working with particular immigrant communities. “…The challenge for us…

Traditional neurology views the brain as a system by itself—the body’s control center. While this is true, the human brain cannot be understood in a vacuum. It’s a social organ that might best be studied through its connection with others. Our brains are linked socially in obvious ways, of course. Take blushing, for instance – no one blushes when alone. It is a purely social reaction. “…the human brain cannot be understood in a vacuum. It’s a social organ that might best be studied through its connection with others.” The brain also doesn’t develop alone – a child’s solid attachment…

Regardless of education, experience, or intelligence, many struggle with relationships. Though the research is clear that healthy relationships can be immune enhancing, being (and staying) in a loving, intimate relationship is one of the most challenging things we do. “…being (and staying) in a loving, intimate relationship is one of the most challenging things we do.” All sorts of difficulties in relationships are related to resentment and identification as a victim. Far too often, it seems like both parties report feeling like victims, while seeing themselves as the “reasonable one.” Identification with the role of victim, whether accurate or not,…