Wellness
A Boost for Doula Care in Monterey County
Helen Diallo, a Monterey resident, intimately understands the mix of emotions that come with pregnancy and childbirth, having experienced both joy and heartache. As an African American woman, Diallo empathizes with the fears and anxieties that many expectant mothers of African ancestry face. Drawing from her own experiences, she has been supporting pregnant and postpartum women through a WhatsApp group, connecting them with experts and each other. Now, Diallo is taking her passion a step further by pursuing certification as a doula through a program at the Parenting Connection of Monterey County (PCMC). Studies have shown that trained doulas can significantly improve birth outcomes and reduce anxiety for pregnant women, leading to fewer C-sections. The road to recruiting doulas for Medi-Ca...
Mindfulness Meditation for Pain: Unveiling Neurobiological Insights
A recent study, featured in Biological Psychiatry, has unraveled the distinctive neurobiological mechanisms at play when utilizing mindfulness meditation to alleviate pain, indicating that its effects surpass the placebo response. Led by researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine, the study employed sophisticated brain imaging technologies to compare the impact of mindfulness meditation, a placebo cream, and sham mindfulness meditation on pain reduction in healthy individuals. Findings from the study revealed that mindfulness meditation triggered significant decreases in both pain intensity and unpleasantness ratings, accompanied by a reduction in brain activity patterns associated with pain and negative emotions. In contrast, the placebo cream solely impacted...
A Journey of Laughter and Healing
Ginger Joy Johnson’s path to becoming America’s 2024 laughter champion was as unconventional as it was transformative. The 45-year-old Pacific Grove native, now a massage therapist and life coach in Monterey, found laughter as a means of healing after a painful divorce. Her spiritual journey, which included studying with a guru in Taos, New Mexico, and traveling to India in 2019 to learn “laughter yoga,” led her to the unique practice of using laughter to enhance both physical and mental health. In 2022, after returning to Monterey to care for an ailing relative, Johnson co-hosted the first American Laughter Championship and became a competitor herself. The event, held over Zoom, challenges participants to showcase contagious and diabolical laughs, with rounds judged by viewers and fellow ...
Wellness Takes Center Stage at Smart Home Technology Expo
The recent CEDIA Expo in Denver showcased how wellness is increasingly influencing smart home technology. Industry professionals observed a significant rise in products aimed at improving health, safety, and overall well-being in residential spaces. 1. Wellness on the Rise: Attendees noted a growing emphasis on integrating wellness into home design, from air quality to lighting and shading systems. Technology is evolving to enhance homeowners’ daily lives by creating healthier living environments. 2. Resilience and Safety: Energy management, security, and environmental monitoring are key trends. Smart systems are designed to ensure homes are resilient during power outages and to enhance safety with AI-enabled cameras and cyber security measures. 3. Lighting and Comfort: Circadian lighting ...
Slow Down: A Buddhist Monk Shares His Path to Happiness
In an era marked by constant motion and an insatiable pursuit of happiness, Haemin Sunim, a prominent Buddhist monk and meditation teacher, offers a simple yet profound antidote: slow down. Sunim, the author of The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down, a bestseller with over three million copies sold worldwide, advocates that true contentment comes from taking life at a more deliberate pace. His message has resonated widely, particularly as the pressures of modern life intensify. The book, which topped bestseller lists in Korea for an impressive 41 weeks, has since become a global guide for well-being, addressing key areas such as relationships, love, and spirituality. Sunim’s rise as a voice of modern Buddhist wisdom is notable. A former professor at a small arts college in Massachu...
In Search of Stillness: The Wellness Trend That Rejects Hustle Culture
“The girl boss is dead, long life the girl moss! - lying on the floor of the forest, being absorbed back into nature.” Haha some people view this as a literal joke about death, I just genuinely resonate with it in the sense of just wanting to spend all my time in the forest. What first pops up in to your mind when you hear this? 😂🌲
Study Reveals Spiritual Awareness Fluctuates Throughout the Day
Spiritual awareness is far from constant, according to a new study from the University of Connecticut, which finds that individuals experience varying levels of awareness throughout the day. The research, set to be presented at the 110th Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association, suggests that moments of heightened spiritual consciousness are most frequent in the morning and during activities such as prayer, worship, and meditation. Surprisingly, listening to music, reading, and even exercise were also linked to increased spiritual awareness. However, the study found that work-related activities tend to suppress this awareness, with those spending the most time at work reporting the lowest levels. Video games similarly diminished spiritual consciousness. Interestingly, people...
Breathwork: Harnessing the Power of Breath for Wellness
Breathing is one of the most fundamental and automatic processes we perform, yet it holds untapped potential beyond its essential function. In moments of stress, our breath quickens and shortens as a natural response, but with intentional practice, breathing can become a powerful tool for calming the mind and body. This practice of controlled breathing, known as breathwork, offers a range of psychological and physical benefits. Below, we explore the practice, its benefits, and how to easily incorporate it into daily life. What is Breathwork? Breathwork refers to a variety of exercises that involve consciously regulating the breath to promote physical, emotional, and mental well-being. According to Mandy DeVries, a registered respiratory therapist and director of education at the American A...
The Divine in Sight: How Sacred Images in Asia Come Alive
Walking into a restaurant in Knoxville, Tennessee, I was immediately greeted by the serene gaze of a golden Buddha statue. Its gemstone eyes sparkled as I passed, and though the scents of Thai curries filled the air, I found myself lingering on those eyes, their glint suggesting more than just a decorative presence. Sacred objects are everywhere—gracing museum galleries, adorning homes, or even standing in yards. Some shine with bejeweled splendor, while others carry the patina of generations of devotion. Often, it feels as if these sacred images are looking back at us. The ways in which sacred objects convey divine presence in many Asian cultures offer a fascinating glimpse into how the material world intersects with the spiritual. My research focuses on this intersection, exploring how s...
The Spiritual Roots of Modern Fitness Trends
As Americans embrace fitness resolutions each new year, the blend of exercise and spirituality is increasingly prevalent in modern workout culture. Fitness programs like SoulCycle and CrossFit are not just physical routines but offer something akin to a religious experience, fostering community, ritual, and even personal transcendence. Historically, fitness has often been linked to spiritual discipline. From ancient Indian mystics to medieval Christian ascetics, the body has long been viewed as both a temple and a challenge to the soul. In the 20th century, movements like “muscular Christianity” and the YMCA merged physical fitness with Christian values, reinforcing the idea that a healthy body signifies a virtuous soul. Today’s fitness trends, such as Peloton and boutique studios, continu...
