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Aromatherapy Can Enhance Health & Healing
“Aromatherapy Can Enhance Health & Healing: Essential Oils Have Been Used Since Time Immemorial.” By Emmy Vadnais, OTR/L This article was originally published on August 3, 2015 on ADVANCE Magazine for Occupational Therapy Practitioners Aromatherapy is the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic plant essences, known as essential oils, to promote health and well-being of body, mind, and spirit. Essential oils come from a wide assortment of plants, which have been steam-distilled or cold-pressed from flowers, fruit, bark, leaves, roots, and other parts of the plant. They have been used since time immemorial for the pleasure of their scent, their healing and life-giving properties, to prevent disease, and as…
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Happy Summer! Stay Healthy with the Seasons
It is the height of summer! May you enjoy soaking up the sun, the flowers, green, growth, cool waters, and nature in all its glory! Summer is governed by the Fire Element – as seen and felt by the stronger Sun and more daylight. Yang energy is at its strongest. This is a time of motion, movement, activity, creativity, and action with a balance of relaxation. Many are gathering with friends and family – those we love. The heart, which governs the mind, is influenced by the rhythms of nature this time of year. There is a desire to be in harmony, in love, and full of joy. The energy…
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Prevention & Wellness
I have heard a lot about Prevention in the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. I wanted to find out just what was covered, and I have always felt that our health care system, including occupational therapists, could do a better job of helping people not become sick in the first place. In fact, prevention is what led me on the holistic journey in the first place. Here is an article I recently wrote for ADVANCE Magazine for Occupational Therapy Practitioners. It was originally published on June 16, 2015. It discusses how OTs can be leaders in prevention and wellness, and it also highlights how our health care system…
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Chase the Winter Blues Away with Relaxation and Meditation
I start hearing it in the fall – people saying, “Uh-oh, winter is coming…” Does this sound familiar? Sure, winter brings in colder and darker days, frustration with commutes, and the uncomfortable places within ourselves that pop their heads out to be noticed and healed. You probably have already heard and “know” all of the things you can do to feel good and enjoy this time of year, right? Eat well, rest, dress warm, exercise, de-stress… but are you putting them in to practice? One of the best practices I have found that has been tremendously helpful for me in my life is a meditation practice. There are several ways…
