Instead of Resolutions, Try Forming New Habits

By |2023-12-29T08:43:09-05:00December 28th, 2023|Categories: Holidays, Self-Care|Tags: , , , , |

With a new year comes a fresh start and the chance to make positive lifestyle changes. Resolutions are a common tradition, but it's hard to keep them. This year, instead of focusing solely on the end result, shift your attention to the habits that will get you there. Identify the specific actions and behaviors that support your goals, making them a natural part of your routine. Taking big ideas and breaking them down into small, manageable pieces not only makes the process less overwhelming but also increases the likelihood of success. Develop Habits That Last A habit's ability to stick [...]

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Our Fave Things from 2023

By |2023-12-26T10:04:31-05:00December 20th, 2023|Categories: 2023, Faves, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: , , , , |

Each of us comes across something that makes us smile or is particularly noteworthy throughout the year. To see what our team has loved in 2023, we've compiled a list of our favorites. Check out this "Best of" list for our staff's picks. An asterisk (*) denotes local business. Libby Ballantyne, Administrative Assistant Food: Cocina Luchadoras* (incredible tacos) To-do: The Revival Series at the Charles Theatre* Book: The Essential Rumi translated by Coleman Barks Revival Series at the Charles Theatre Dr. Brian Dougherty, D.OM., Acupuncturist Albums: Acts of Worship [...]

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A Humble Book Rec: Be Free Where You Are

By |2023-07-19T18:39:10-04:00July 14th, 2023|Categories: book rec, Faves, Self-Care|

Be Free Where You Are is a pocket sized gem of a book that a friend gave me as a stocking stuffer in my 20s. I find myself pulling it from the bookshelf to reread its profound pages from time to time. It’s a good one to have around during times of struggle, when your heart needs softening and when you need to s l o w  d o w n and be reminded of the most fundamental ways to go back to being in the present moment. The book is a talk given by Thich Nhat Hanh to [...]

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Evil Bone Water

By |2023-05-10T10:16:25-04:00May 6th, 2023|Categories: Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness|

One of the things that I love about appointments at Mend is the specificity of so much of what we do. An herb added to a mixture to address your particular symptoms. An acupuncture needle adjusted a quarter of a centimeter to make it more comfortable. How the massage therapist adjusts the pillow under your knees to make sure your lower back is relaxed. But now there's one thing in the clinics that's so much less specific, and that's what makes it great – Evil Bone Water. What!?!? kind of bone water? Why is it called [...]

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Dream Interpretation in TCM

By , |2023-04-13T10:26:34-04:00April 10th, 2023|Categories: Mood, Self-Care, Sleep, Wellness|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |

Dream interpretation, as a practice, is indigenous in origin. In spite of the fact that we may not always be able to recall our dreams, for centuries they’ve had the potential to fascinate, scare, and even inform us when interpreted. Like music and film, dreams can be abstract in their expression. The meaning of one’s dreams, and the method to interpret, is a reflection of social, cultural, and historical frameworks. In many ancient societies, dreams were thought to be a kind of supernatural communication and a divination of sorts. Later, dream interpretation had clear associations. For example, in traditional [...]

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Anger: The Emotion of Spring

By |2023-03-29T12:28:48-04:00March 29th, 2023|Categories: Mood, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: , , , , , |

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), spring is associated with the Liver, the emotion of anger and the Wood element. The Liver is responsible for the smooth flow of emotions, Qi (energy) and blood. When the Liver is functioning properly, Qi flows smoothly and emotions are balanced. However, when the Liver is imbalanced, Qi stagnates and emotions like anger can arise. Other emotions associated with Liver disharmony include depression, worry, and anxiety. Stress, as well as improper diet or exercise can cause Liver imbalance. During the spring season, the Liver is thought to be particularly vulnerable to imbalance. This is [...]

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Spring’s Organs of Creation and Growth

By |2023-03-08T08:46:56-05:00March 3rd, 2023|Categories: Organ, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: , , , |

Photo by Ron Lach from Pexels Spring is upon us — a season of new life, new possibilities, revitalization and hope. Since I began studying and practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and the Five Elements, I have become more attuned to the change of seasons, as they show up in nature and in my body. After all, our body is a microcosm that reflects the ebbs and flows of the natural macrocosm. There are two yin/yang paired organs, the Liver and the Gallbladder, that are particularly impacted by the arrival of spring. It is a time when the gifts of [...]

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The Spring Season: An Overview

By |2023-03-09T16:58:47-05:00March 1st, 2023|Categories: acupoint, Mood, Organ, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care|Tags: , , , , , |

Photo by Ulises León Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) places great emphasis on the concept of balance and harmony between the body and the environment. In TCM theory, each season is associated with different elements, organs, emotions, and health concerns. Spring, considered a time of renewal and growth, is associated with the Wood element, the Liver and Gallbladder organs and the emotion of anger. Issues that tend to pop up in the springtime include irritability, migraines, colds, sinus issues, worsened PMS symptoms, tendonitis flare-ups, and insomnia. Element of Spring: Wood During the spring season, our environment is buzzing and brimming [...]

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Questions to Consider for Winter

By |2023-02-07T16:50:17-05:00February 7th, 2023|Categories: Mood, Prompts, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: , , , , , |

Photo by David Besh from Pexels In Chinese Medicine, Winter is the darkest, slowest, most inward and reflective season. Just as its opposite Summer, is the brightest, most active and energetic. This is not to be taken lightly, as truly, these seasons are polar opposites, i.e. yin (Winter) and yang (Summer). Similarly to how Summer's abundant daylight beckons us with long days and "fun in the sun," Winter pushes us to confront darkness and slowing down. This vibe can feel incongruent to our modern world. But rest assured, in Chinese Medicine, this is for our own good. Winter instructs us [...]

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The Kidney and Root Chakra in Winter

By |2023-01-24T15:26:11-05:00January 23rd, 2023|Categories: Movement, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: , , , , , |

I recently came across a Yoga With Adriene video, Grounding Into Gratitude: Root Chakra Yoga, and it ended up being a nourishing delight. Even though the chakras are a whole different system than Chinese Medicine, there is certainly some overlap, and this video got me thinking about how the first chakra is similar to The Kidney in the season of winter (and its corresponding emotion of fear) in Chinese Medicine. The chakra system originated in ancient India. Chakras are ‘discs’ or ‘wheels’ of energy that ascend the spine and relate to different parts of our emotional and physical wellbeing. The [...]

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