Are you an overcomer? Resiliency is a critical part of emotional wellness for us all. No matter what your age people can overcome obstacles, imagine new possibilities all while enjoying life regardless of what they have to face from day to day. Humans are resilient! Everyday there are powerful human interest stories being told about how people have overturned all the odds against them. 

Resilience is so important when trying to navigate and succeed in our complicated world. Research shows stress is growing across the lifespan, through social media, faster moving information with often quickly intensifying news media, and a myriad of life’s pressures. Knowing how to cope with life and become resilient is critical to one’s ability to overcome stress and become more resilient in our lives.

TIRED.

If you ask just about anyone how they’re feeling right now, you’ll probably end up with some version of the word “tired.”

But it’s more than just a lack-of-sleep-tired. 

It’s a feeling of ch...

Most of us have been stressed out more than a time or several throughout our lives.  We either try to remove ourselves from whatever is causing the stress (flee) or engage the cause (fight). Stuff happens when we least expect it, and the stuff can actually cause damage if we cannot find a healthy way to deal with it. 

Handy coping techniques are important to have in place ready to go. This is where the founder of Food Matters James Colquhoun takes us on a journey unveiling four skillful proven ways in managing stress.

“If you're anything like me you've likely experienced stress at different times in your life. It may be an instinctive reaction to a situation that has felt threatening, or it may be prolonged and chronic from lifestyle habits that are well within our control but we let our daily stress reduction rituals slip.

Whatever the reason, this kind of prolonged stress can bring about a whole host of illnesses and imbalances within the body. When left unaddressed, it often mani...

Remember hearing those words of what little girls are made of, ‘sugar and spice and everything nice’? Well it’s estimated that Americans consume 22 teaspoons of sugar daily, which is more than 3-4 times the amount that’s acceptable. We as a human race are hooked on sugar, and it’s wreaking havoc with our health and overall wellbeing. 

We thought we’d take a closer look this week from RISE Expert, Pilar Gerasimo as she takes a deeper dive on the revolutionary act of ditching the sugar and flour, along with some practical takeaways of how to satiate your taste buds and reduce the sweet cravings.

“Many people make the big, important decision to eat healthier only to find themselves confronted with another big, important decision:  “Where on earth should I start?” Overwhelmed by complex and contradictory nutritional counsel, they are looking for some streamlined way to upgrade their eating without descending into analysis paralysis or totally disrupting their lives. 

If that sounds like...

Desmond Tutu said, “ Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness.” It whispers “You’ll overcome this hardship.” It reassures us, soothing our minds by reminding us, “life will improve.” Our lives are infused with pain and suffering. Some people experience more of these regrettable symptoms of the human condition than others. Our Monday Motivation article by Dr. Caroline Leaf sets the stage in reminding us we can overcome hardship with hope. Hope provides us with strength to conquer misery and despair, caused by misfortune.

“I am going to talk about how hope is a thought “insurance policy” that can help you move through challenges and deal with hard times.

During my 30 plus years as a clinical practitioner and researcher, I have seen my share of tragedies. From traumas to toxic thinking habits, I have come face-to-face with numerous forms of hopelessness. In many cases, for many of my patients, the past, present and future looked bleak.

However, I have also...

At RISE, we focus on small steps that lead up to remarkable results and following these five foundational tips will lay the groundwork to transform your health – one step at a time. 

#1 Eat a Diet Rich in High-Quality Protein 

A diet rich in high-quality protein is a proven way to reduce your cravings and burn extra fat. In fact, research indicates a diet high in quality protein is associated with a lower percentage of belly fat, leading to increased muscle mass and a higher metabolic rate. 

RISE healthy proteins include chicken, turkey, beef, bison, lamb, eggs, wild-caught fish (check out www.seafood.org) and plant-based proteins like lentils, quinoa, tofu, and tempeh. 

#2 Increase Your Intake of Healthy Fats

You may be thinking this seems counterintuitive. However, increasing your intake of healthy fats keeps you fuller for longer periods of time and helps prevent weight gain.

Enjoy a variety of fats in your daily intake and watch your energy increase while your cravings decrea...

Ingredients:

Sauce:

¾ cup raw cashews
¾ cup hot filtered water
1 ¼ cups canned full-fat coconut milk (about three-quarters of a 14-ounce can. Combine well before measuring).
1 (1/2- 1-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and cut into ¼-inch rounds
1 small clove garlic
1 ½-2 tablespoons curry powder (or more, to taste)
Red pepper flakes (optional)
1 teaspoon salt

For the shrimp:

1 teaspoon avocado oil
1 ½ pounds medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
¼ teaspoon salt
2 medium carrots (about 1 cup), cut into matchsticks or coarsely shredded
½ red bell pepper, cored, seeded and diced
2 cups shredded cabbage
¾ to 1 pound snow peas or snap peas (30-40 pods)
2 ½ cups prepared coconut curry sauce
½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
Curry powder, to taste
3 cups (packed) spinach, chopped

Directions

Step 1

To make the coconut curry sauce, place all the ingredients for the sauce in a high-speed blender. Blend until smooth. You can also use an immersion blender and a large mason jar or deep bowl. With an immersion blender...

Why is it so hard to find the right balance in practicing wellness into our lives? We all have struggled to create healthy habits, like those practices that help you love and feel good about yourself in mind, body and spirit. In today's article, RISE Faculty Expert Dr. Will Cole’s article reminds us that even with the best intentions the healthiest people can make some common mistakes in staying forever young, fit and well.

The Most Common Wellness Mistakes Even The Healthiest People Make by Dr Will Cole

1. Eating the wrong healthy foods for your body

“In functional medicine we understand that what works for one person may not work for the next. Because of food sensitivities and underlying gut problems, I see many healthy eaters unintentionally stressing out their bodies with foods that don’t agree with their individual bodies. Trying out an elimination diet can be a simple way for you to take charge of your food and figure out exactly what your body loves and hates.

2. Using too m...

When most people think of fitness they think of cardiovascular and strength training, but there is another important component of fitness, stretching. If you want to develop and maintain optimal fitness, be sure to include stretching in your daily regimen. Stretching is not only critical to athletic performance, but to overall health. Monday’s Motivation article, by expert Tana Amen gives us motivation and some simple stretching hacks to boost our energy with the practice of elongating a muscle or muscle group to its fullest length.

Stretching 101: How To Boost Your Energy At Work With A Few Easy Moves

“You always hear people talking about how important stretching is to your muscles and overall health. But why is it important to be flexible? And what are the benefits of stretching?

If you find yourself sitting at a desk or computer all day like most Americans, it is absolutely essential that you make stretching a part of your daily routine. As someone who practices martial arts and ...

In today's article we are pleased to feature, RISE Faculty Member Dr. Mark Hyman and his expertise on answers to three big health questions! First, When it comes to sugar, which is better: fructose or glucose? Second, how do we prevent and deal with the flu naturally when we get it? Thirdly, is soy good or bad?

Fructose vs. Glucose

Our first question comes from Sue. “I have found that there is a difference in my body and in my brain between how fructose and glucose are metabolized and their addictive components. Can you talk about the differences between these two sugars?”

It all starts with one word: insulin. Glucose, in the form of starch, spikes your insulin, while fructose does not directly spike your insulin. However, that does not mean that fructose is good for you and glucose is bad for you. Excess fructose goes right to the liver and triggers lipogenesis (the production of fats, such as triglycerides and cholesterol), which leads to one of the major causes of liver damage kn...