Tools
I have learned that in order to maintain my healthiest self, I cannot live without my wellness toolbox!
Whether I am on the go or in the comfort of my residential sanctuary, I rely on so many tools for support.
Here you will find useful apps, great reads, self-care tools, and more to help you stay focused & motivated on your personal wellness and recovery journey. These are materials I have vetted and use in my own practice, with more to come in 2020 and beyond!
Books and Documentaries
Want to learn why eating plants, moving regularly, stressing less and loving more are the keys to living your healthiest self for as long as possible?
From the discovered secrets to the supporting science, look no further than The Blue Zones Solution by Dan Buettner. You can also check out my article summarizing the book, “Be Blue to be Well.”
Want to learn more about your non-human cells that are critical to your health and wellbeing?
Everything from the thoughts we think to the foods we eat impact the balance of microorganisms living in and on our body. Learn about the microbiome in Dirt is Good by Jack Gilbert, PhD, or read my article “Bug’s are a Man’s Best Friend.”
Think you are eating healthy, but still struggling with weight or another chronic issue?
One of my favorite nutrition books is The Plant Paradox by Steven Gundry, MD. His research on lectins provide a rationale for his controversial diet, which I cannot wait to address in a future article!
I personally as well as patients I have worked with have had huge success following a lectin free diet.
Want to learn how to change your life – including the person you are?
Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself: How to Lose Your Mind and Create a New One by Dr. Joe Dispenza digests the sciences of quantum physics, neuroscience, brain chemistry, biology, and genetics to prove we are not doomed by genes or hardwired to be a certain way for the rest of our lives.
Suffering from self-criticism, perfectionism, relationship conflict, loneliness, or other forces that leave you feeling constricted and unfulfilled?
Look no further than Dr. Tara Brach’s book Radical Acceptance.
This must read offers a path to freedom, including a practical guide developed from Dr. Brach’s decades of work with her patients and Buddhist students.
Want to skip the nerdy science stuff and get right to practicing the Law of Attraction? This fundamental principle teaches you how to create the life you want using your most powerful tool – your thoughts.
Look no further than The Law of Attraction written by Esther and Jerry Hicks, or download any of their numerous materials at abraham-hicks.com.
Are you an alcoholic/addict interested in recovery fellowships, but turned off by the use of the word God in the literature of fellowships like Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous?
Check out the Buddhist-based fellowship, Refuge Recovery. Explore their free site and textbook for purchase on Amazon.
Although the principles of fellowships are all essentially the same, Buddhist-based groups can be more inviting for those jarred by the literature of more well-known fellowships.
Apps and Websites
Want to start or expand your meditation practice? Insight Timer, Calm, and Headspace are three of the most popular apps increasing access to meditative practices. I personally use Insight Timer and am a fan of Tara Brach, PhD.
In addition, check out tm.org to learn about the type of meditation that has been scientifically proven to improve disease and mortality – transcendental meditation.
Need some help with behaviors such as meeting exercise, hydration, and nutrition goals? Download MyFitness Pal. Don’t want to pay for it? Use the 30 day free trial during a month you are inspired to stay committed to your changes. Learn what you need then pass on the payment! I also recommend buying it for a year until you are comfortable with nutrition facts.
Wanting to start or expand your yoga practice? The app I use, especially while on the road, is YogaGlo. It is fabulous for, well, anyone, because classes can be filtered by level of practice, length of lesson, and yoga practice type. YogaGlo even has meditations! Featuring the world’s top practitioners, this app exposes you to the world of yoga with the help of renowned yogis. Like MyFitness Pal, take advantage of the free 30 day trial for those hesitant to invest up front.
Want another one-stop wellness shop website? Look no further than the site I follow every day – mindbodygreen. From cutting edge science to recipes and wellness tools, this site has it all. In addition, leading experts offer courses in a variety of healthcare topics.
Want paperless recovery resources? Check out the affiliated websites for Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, Marijuana Anonymous, Sex Addicts Anonymous, and Gamblers Anonymous. Not only can you find the literature, but you can search for local meetings… wherever you are in the world.