In need of some relaxation? Clinician Erin McClearly, LICSW, recommends somatic resting techniques for those looking to decrease symptoms of stress. Somatic resting is any sort of relaxation related to our physiological functioning. Typically, it involves activating the parasympathetic nervous system, the part of our nervous system that relaxes our muscles, lowers our heart rate,… read more
5 Easy Ways to Reduce Stress and Improve Health As You Age
Our bodies go through myriad changes as we age; in terms of stress, as we grow older, we are both exposed to new physical stressors and begin to handle those stressors in a different way. This post seeks to break down those stress-related changes and provide methods for coping with them. A New Response to… read more
The (Easy) Science Behind 3 Brain-Based Therapies
The Brain: our most amazing control center. In 2017, as our knowledge of this organ grows, the ways to enhance brain function and tap into its power to heal, change, and regenerate do too. What brain based strategies are out there, and how can you use them to better your mental health? We explore three… read more
How to Survive (and Thrive) in an Unhealthy Work Environment
While it’s easy to say “just quit!”, that’s not always a possibility. For those who’re stuck in their toxic work environments, here are some ways to get by—and maybe even to get something good out of the negative experience.
Mindfulness Series: Part 1
Historically, the practices that cultivate mindfulness have spanned continents and millennia, originating with influences as storied as Buddhism, Hinduism, and Taoism. In the modern age, it has been stripped to a secular level with the ever growing popularity of Mindfulness Meditation, in addition to other contemplative practices.
Mindfulness March
Recently we have had a surge of interest in Mindfulness and Meditation services here at The Viva Center. It seems that people from all kinds of backgrounds and at different stages of healing and self-growth have been hearing about Mindfulness and are eager to learn how they can incorporate it into their everyday lives. And… read more
Wellness Wednesday: Mindfulness with Candida DeLuise
Ten thousand flowers in spring, the moon in autumn. A breeze in summer, snow in winter. If your mind isn’t clouded by unnecessary things, This is the best season of your life. -Wu Men Have you ever found yourself walking to work and not noticing the recent blooming of flowers or the changing colors of… read more
Wellness Wednesday: Gimme A Break!
While it’s difficult to make sense of the weather these days, there’s one thing we know for sure: summer is ahead. That means warmer days, sunshine, and also the occasional sunburn. When we were growing up, summer also meant one more thing: time for a break! Soon, kids across the country will be diving into… read more
Wellness Wednesday: Becoming Aware of Your Energy & Connecting to Nature with Marie Rodriguez
If life is a film and individuals are the cameras, one thing is for sure: we love our close up shots. It’s easy to become enveloped in our own quotidian dramas, from miscommunications at the office to frustrating commutes. Yet which camera shots are more beautiful, the close ups of the actors’ angry faces or… read more
Meditation as Preventative Medicine
What comes to mind when you hear the word “meditation“? Do you have an image in your head of a group of people sitting in a circle, legs crossed, chanting “om”? If so, you’re not alone. Meditation is one of the more abstract, and often under appreciated, relaxation practices in today’s world. However, meditation can… read more
