Are We Unconsciously Recycling Unhealthy Thought Patterns?  by Dr. Nadia Sabri Emergence of mental and physical illness symptoms are greatly impacted by various social determinants of health. Chronic stress, lifestyle habits, social support (or lack thereof), isolation, finances, education, exposure to violence, etc. Across the board, however, here are still A LOT of common symptoms which are  showing up earlier and earlier among kids. Parents are concerned and rightly so. How can we prevent our kids and ourselves from becoming statistics? Where do these thought patterns come from? P ..read more

How to Mindfully Talk to Your Kids about Racismby Nadia Sabri MD Many people feel uneasy talking about racism because it seems “wrong” or politically incorrect to “see” color.  However, the fact is that racism is very real for many, many people. To change the conversation for the better, we must acknowledge and accept racism as a part of our collective histories. Learning how to mindfully talk to your kids about racism can help make social justice discussions a normal and natural conversation in your family. Being silent, looking away, being “neutral” IS a response—the wrong one. De ..read more

Parenting in a Pandemic: An Unexpected Opportunity by Jessie Mahoney MD Being a parent in the middle of a pandemic, sheltering in place with cancelled daycare, school, and college, and working at home or being doctors in high-risk, high-intensity situations–none of this is easy. Yet, it is also an incredible opportunity for an abundance of love, connection, compassion, curiosity, learning, and growth. Intentionally choosing your thoughts about your current situation allows you to change your experience of it. So how can you can choose to think about the current COVID- 19 situation to help it f ..read more

Meditation in Nature: Tree Wisdom By Dr. Toni Biskup They say You are scarred, marred Your body stooped and crooked Your limbs twisted, gnarly, broken like an old woman like an arthritic youth is but a memory They say You are weathered and worn by the strongest winds torrential rains, bitter cold, heavy snows, prolonged droughts and human recklessness Your core is split from life’s tragedies from Nature’s harsh realities In age you grow discolored orange, red, gray, green, brown Fungi and parasites append themselves to you Your skin is thick and knobby no longer smooth Your adornments fall off ..read more

Four Ways to Minimize Stress When Working from Home By Beau Peters Working from home can feel like a luxury. However, it also takes a lot of time, dedication, and effort to stay focused, motivated, balance your professional and personal life.  About 43% of Americans work from home occasionally. Beyond that, 50% of all small businesses within the U.S. are home-based which means those business owners are working from within their houses much of the time. With the current pandemic, the majority of people are now working remotely. If there is not a plan in place when working from home, work c ..read more

Parenting in a Pandemic:  Remember the Five Rs By Roxanne Almas, MD MSPH Parents, while in the midst of a pandemic, can we please cut ourselves some slack and let go of the distance learning pressure we put on ourselves?  It does no good to our own anxiety level or to our children’s wellbeing when we—the parents— are not emotionally regulated.  Two things that helps regulate me are to stick to the basics and remember the five Rs. Many of us are not teachers. However, we are parents.  Let’s stick to what we do best: loving our kids and keeping them safe.  So what are the Five Rs and ho ..read more

Are Numbing Habits Holding You Back? By Dr. Kristi Angevine How do you get through challenging and stressful times? Many of us fall back into old habits to help us cope.  However, anything done repeatedly becomes a habit and not all coping strategies are helpful for personal and professional growth. So what is coping and what is numbing? How can we change numbing habits into habits that help instead of holding us back? Coping or Numbing? The qualities and skills that help us succeed at work can be the very things that undermine our well-being. As professionals, we try our very best to give hi ..read more

Want More Life Satisfaction? Your Morning Routine Matters. By Kristin Yates DO Genuine life satisfaction starts with a stellar morning routine. Prior to this realization, however, I used to wake up in the morning, roll over, hit snooze, and grab my phone. I would tell myself that I was just allowing my brain to wake up a little more before getting out of bed. It’s just a few minutes to myself, right? So, I’d check social media, email, jump out of bed, take a quick shower, and throw myself together before my kids woke up. However, this routine left me feeling rushed, flustered, and anxious—and ..read more

Travel & Parenting Reflections:  Amsterdam Edition. Life Tips from the Dutch on Happiness, Parenting, Contentment by Roxanne Almas, MD Early one morning while traveling with my family, I was thirsty to stroll through the canals of Amsterdam solo as my family was still asleep and as the morning light hit the flowers, bikes and buildings reflecting each one into the water like a painting. As I walked to catch the Van Gogh museum and visit Anne Frank’s house, I watched the locals on their way to work. Parents weren’t driving mini-vans, they were on bikes with children in buckets, sometimes up ..read more

A Mother’s Wish for Her Kids (and Herself) By Errin Weisman, DO I originally started writing this for my children who are ages 7, 5, 3. But the more I focused on it, these are the words I needed to hear and they mean something new to me at each stage of life. Dream big, little dreamer. Never lose your sense of play When all around is black and white See the magic of today Go farther, brave traveler Search your world close and wide Stretch out into the stars Ride the early morning tide Move boldly, wild child Let your movement thrill the air Shine, show up, be seen, Dance, embrace, and share Sm ..read more