Stress is a common occurrence that affects everyone at some point. Some people feel stress daily, while others may have difficult circumstances that create stress. Stress in small doses allows us to transform and build resiliency and grit. However, chronic stress can...
Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (endometrium) grows outside the uterus, commonly on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and pelvic peritoneum. This tissue responds to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, leading to inflammation,...
Forget the New Year’s resolution graveyard. This year, embrace the power of small, consistent action. Floss one tooth, read a single page, or do five squats while your coffee brews. This concept, explored in popular psychology books, podcasts, and scientific...
The holidays are over. You made it! It’s time to take a breath and relax. Did you take a breath? Are you relaxed? Good. Now, you’re ready to embark on one of the most challenging quests in the world: starting a new habit. Set a goal and make it happen!...
I made a mistake. My chest tightens, my hands tense, and the negative self–talk starts. “How could I have done that?” Worse-case scenarios fly through my head. I start worrying about how this will impact others. Then I pause. I take a deep breath and do...
The twinkling lights, the cheerful songs, the aroma of freshly baked cookies – the holiday season ushers in a time of joy and togetherness. However, in the whirlwind of festivities and family gatherings, it’s remarkably easy to lose sight of the most important...
At Integrative Family Medicine of Asheville, we know it’s important to strengthen your immunity throughout the year, not just during cold and flu season. Maintaining overall health will help support a strong immune system. First, eating a balanced diet is...
So many of us are trying to “find balance.” Juggling work, relationships, health, and personal pursuits can leave us feeling overwhelmed and burnt out. Societal pressures make us believe we have to do everything, do it well, and do it now. Oh, and you must...
It’s easy to get lost in the busyness and pace of life. Moving from one task to the next, or from one responsibility to another without pause, we can lose touch with our center and who we really are. Every age has seen crises, though no recent one has lived the quick...
Welcome to midlife. Almost everything changes: Hello, family: Your parents are aging and need assistance. Your kids are aging and may be pushing you away. You feel sandwiched between two shifting generations. Hello, partner: ‘Who are we when we aren’t running...
The thing about grief is…We knew it was coming. Between the hearing loss, increasing difficulty standing up, and longer naps, the inevitable was unavoidable: our beloved 14-year-old dog, Oliver, was nearing the end. And yet, we kept being soothed by the sweet sound of...
We hear a lot about mindfulness these days, but what does it really mean to be mindful, and how can we practice it daily? Mindfulness doesn’t have to involve downloading meditation apps and sitting in silence with our thoughts. Instead, it can be about...
News alert! Magic potion slashes risk of death by 30%!!!! You are right to be suspicious that such a potion exists. If there was a pill or potion that could produce this magic, you would certainly be the first to know! The amazing thing is: THERE IS a way we can slash...
Think about the last time you ran late, and traffic wasn’t cooperating. It could be for work, an appointment, or picking up your kids. You look at the clock on the car dashboard, knowing you’re not going to make it on time. Your heart beats faster. You...
I did not think that infertility would be part of my story. But my experience with infertility spanned four years, and I experienced a profound inner journey. I learned significant life lessons, including how to relinquish control, surrender to the process,...
Imagine if it became more difficult every time you went to unlock your front door. The key began to stick and required some jiggling, eventually not working at all. Well, that’s ok, you’ve got a spare key. It works at first, but over time the same problem happens....
When people embark on their New Year’s resolutions, many get into an all or nothing, perfection-over-failing mentality. Too often, we set unrealistic expectations for ourselves and become overwhelmed when we don’t meet them. This can lead to feelings of failure and...
In the past several decades, general practitioners are seeing an increased trend in abdominal pain. Meanwhile patients are wrestling with confusion about diet, lifestyle, and how they impact abdominal symptoms and gut health. Questions such as: “Should I try Paleo?...
This October it’s not just zombies that are suffering from brain fog. “Why did I just walk into this room?” “Where did I put my keys?” These questions probably sound familiar as most of us will have temporary lapses in memory or focus. But when the frequency of these...
You have heard of primary care, but what is integrative primary care? And how does integrative primary care differ from traditional primary care models? Integrative medicine is defined as healing-oriented medicine that takes account of the whole person, including all...
