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Connection: The Forgotten Human Necessity

Connection: The Forgotten Human Necessity

by | May 19, 2023 | Flourish Community

“Human connection is the most vital aspect of our existence. Without the sweet touch of another being, we are lonely stars in an empty space waiting to shine gloriously.” ~Joe Straynge

Blog shared by our Founder, Jen Owen, N.P. 

One of our core values at The Flourish Center is that “We believe that community is an essential ingredient for humans to thrive, and we strive to bring people together at our Center”. 

And there’s research to back us up.

According to the CDC, “Social connectedness influences our minds, bodies, and behaviors—all of which influence our health and life expectancy. Research shows that social connectedness can lead to longer life, better health, and improved well-being”. 

When you think about necessities for humans to survive, you probably think about food, water, air, and sleep. Feeling connected to other human beings is often forgotten.

In this day and age of technology it’s easier than ever to connect with human beings. Now we’re starting to miss out on being connected to other humans in their physical presence.

In the fabulous book, Belong, Radha Agrawal shares the following data:

~One in four American report that they have ZERO friends to confide in and discuss important matters with (and that was in 2006).

~One in three Americans over the age of sixty-five is socially isolated and the number goes up with age.

~Another study found that having weak social ties is as harmful to your health as being an alcoholic and twice as harmful as obesity.

~Yet another study found that isolation sets off a cellular chain reaction that increases inflammation and suppresses the body’s immune response to disease.

We are sick from loneliness!

In his book, Young Forever, Dr. Mark Hyman says, “Building community, creating belonging, nurturing relationships and support groups, even being in a knitting or bowling group, is associated with better health and longevity”.

He goes on to talk about how there’s even a new area of research called sociogenomics, which explains how our social and psychological environments influence our gene expression. “Loss of agency, rejection, loneliness, and social isolation impact our immune system, our hormones, and our gut”.

Basically we’re finding that social determinants of health, including community, relationships, stress, and sense of purpose and belonging, are just as important for your health as what you eat or how you move. 

So, be sure to get out and be with people. Join a new group, attend a social hour, take a walk with a friend, simply enjoy human connection, because it’s a necessity! 

Stress and Your Vagus Nerve

Stress and Your Vagus Nerve

by | Apr 7, 2023 | Flourish Team

Written by our Bowenworker & Massage Therapist, Monica Bradley

In today’s society, stress has become a common state of being and one that many of us deal with on a day to day basis. Especially when COVID first started and the isolation began, we heard a lot more about stress and the effects it was having on our mental and physical health.

Unfortunately, the stress we deal with today is chronic and underlying in our ways of living. We are no longer being chased by the tiger, run to safety and then have time to recover from that experience. Instead, we are caught in traffic, concerned about finances, too busy for play and caught up in the worries of our  planet and safety in going out in the “wild” of society. 

Let’s talk about the effects of stress on the vagus nerve. The word vagus means wandering which is fitting since the vagus nerve is the longest nerve in the human body. It is the 10th cranial nerve that leaves the base of the brain, has branches that go to the ears, throat, heart, lungs and down to the digestive tract affecting the organs and digestion. It influences inflammation and unites the body and brain for survival. It is responsible for your heart racing and butterflies in your stomach. It is a key player in the nervous system and affects speech and swallowing.

When we feel stress, the vagus nerve is already in play trying to monitor the state of safety and preparing the body for fight or flight. It is also the player in regulating the body after a stressful situation. But what happens when our stress just becomes internalized and we do not get a chance to deregulate? Our vagus nerve continues to be in action. We may breathe more shallowly. Our gut may become tense which can affect digestion and elimination. Our systems may be more inflamed. Because of the body-brain connection, our mental state may be more anxious and depressed. As this state continues, we no longer even register that we are stressed. This is our new normal.

Not all hope is lost. Singing, humming and gargling are all simple ways to improve vagal tone through vibrations. Breathing exercises can help with the vagus nerve and start to calm the nervous system. Meditation, time in nature and exercise can help reduce stress and calm the mind. Getting massage, acupuncture or some other form of bodywork can help the body to feel more relaxed. Bowenwork, which is a form of fascial work, has direct procedures for treating the vagus nerve and helps to retrain the nervous system so we can start to remember what it feels like to be relaxed. Once our system becomes more familiar with this relaxed state, our response to stress can be changed even if our situation is still stressful.

If you’d like assistance reaching this relaxed state, schedule with me here. I’m also pleased to announce that I’m no in-network with most Regence/Blue Cross healthcare plans. 

Water and Your Fascia

Water and Your Fascia

by | Feb 20, 2023 | Flourish Team

The importance of water and the fascial system

with Monica Bradley, our Massage Therapist and Bowenworker

Keeping hydrated is an important component in the health of your fascia.

Since fascia is made up of 70% water, it is crucial to keep your body hydrated.

When fascia gets dehydrated it loses the ability to slide and glide against other tissues. It then sticks to other structures and can cause dysfunction and adhesions throughout the matrix. This can cause pain and poor functioning in your body. 

Sometimes your muscles will cramp due to dehydration and a burning pain can be felt if the tissue is creating friction. Because fascia covers of of your bones, muscles, brain, organs and nerves, all systems in your body can be affected by lack of water.

I bet I can guess the next question on your mind:

“How much water should I drink?”

My thoughts are to self analyze the color of your urine. It should be a pale yellow. You are a unique individuals, so how much you sweat, how much you exercise and your own unique system plays a role in hydration. I had to drink more water when I lived in Denver, CO due to elevation and an arid climate.

Often after a bodywork session, you are told to drink more water because your body may be detoxing and water will help flush out toxins. Getting bodywork also uses your body’s water, so you need to replenish your system.

If you are interested in going deeper on the power of water, there is a book called, “The Hidden Messages in Water” by Masaru Emoto where he discovered that the molecules of water are affected by thoughts, feelings and words. Inspired, I wrote positive words on the bottom of my water bottle and am grateful that water is my favorite drink. 

Want to learn more about my work with fascia?

Check out this blog.

Food and Mood

Food and Mood

by | Feb 17, 2023 | Food Medicine

The connection between gut health and mental health

with Peggy Fisher, our Functional Nutritionist

Did you know that what we eat can affect our mood and how we feel?  Interestingly, there is a connection between a healthy and diverse microbiome, the bacteria in our gastrointestinal system, and our mood. Newer research focuses on the microbiota-gut-brain axis – the connection between your gut, its bacteria, and your brain.  The trillions of gut microbes are more closely connected to our mood that we have realized in the past. 

How so?

Gut microbiota help by producing neurotransmitters – molecules that communicate with our brain including serotonin, dopamine, and melatonin.  In fact, the majority of serotonin is produced in our gut!  Inflammation in the gut caused by poor diet, alcohol, or an imbalance in bacteria species can interfere with this process, reducing the production of serotonin and other neurotransmitters. 

Studies have shown that those with depression and anxiety often have an altered microbiome.  But does it work the other way around? Can changing our microbiome affect our mood and anxiety levels?  Yes – there is exciting research in both animals and humans showing that changing gut microbiota through diet and probiotics can improve brain neurochemistry and mood. 

So, what can you do to nurture your own healthy microbiome?

Probiotics are one way to change bacterial composition in the gut, and there are specific strains that target mood enhancement.  While probiotics can be helpful, diet is the factor that has the largest influence on our microbiome.

The best way to nurture a healthy gut microbiome is by eating a diet that is rich in colorful plant-based foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, while minimizing sugar, processed and fried foods, and alcohol. Studies have consistently confirmed that a healthy diet can improve depression and anxiety symptoms, and that changes in diet can result in small shifts in microbial composition within just a day.

Foods that are high in omega 3 fatty acids like salmon or other cold-water fish, nuts, and seeds are specifically helpful in fighting depression.  High fiber foods like berries, broccoli and beans are beneficial by providing fiber that feeds a healthy microbiome.

For more personalized information on how nutrition and targeted supplements can support your mood, click here to book a free discovery call with me. I can work with you at The Flourish Center or online. 

4 Keys to Setting Healthy Intentions

4 Keys to Setting Healthy Intentions

by | Jan 5, 2023 | Flourish Team, Food Medicine

Written by our new Functional Nutritionist, Peggy Fisher.

Many of us start the new year with resolutions, intentions, or goals in mind – often related to improving our health by eating better or exercising more. Yet these resolutions frequently fall to the wayside after several weeks or months. How do we incorporate healthy habits that “stick”? 

Here are four keys I’ve found helpful in my work with nutrition clients:

Key #1:

Start small and be specific. Creating new habits can be tough, so start with a small specific goal, something that you feel confident you can achieve and maintain. Success in one or two small areas fosters self-confidence and belief that we can achieve additional goals. Small wins over time can therefore lead to lasting, meaningful change. 

As an example, rather than setting a goal of eating healthier, try starting with something more specific and simpler – drinking two glasses of water each morning to start the day hydrated; eating at least one non-starchy vegetable each day; or reducing/eliminating one sugary beverage per day. Once you’ve mastered your initial goal for several months, you can add another. 

Key #2:

Keep it real. There are many fad “diets” and lots of confusing information available. Incorporating a wide variety of real, whole plant-based foods including fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, and seeds in unprocessed forms is the best approach. Fish and lean meats are also good protein sources. Unless there is an allergy or sensitivity, eating a variety of foods is healthier and more sustainable than diets that restrict certain foods or food groups. A wide variety of plant-based foods also promotes a healthy and diverse microbiome.

Key #3:

Have an accountability partner (or partners). Writing an intention down and sharing it with others helps make it tangible. Set up a regular schedule for checking in, whether it’s a quick text message or a weekly phone call. Share your successes and challenges and cheer each other on. It can be motivating and rewarding for both of you!

Key #4:

Remember that if you have a day or week that doesn’t go as planned – that’s okay. It’s not about being perfect (there is no such thing)! It’s about moving slowly in the right direction and recognizing your achievements. 

Whether your goal is resolving symptoms or simply improving your overall health, I’d be honored to help you in your journey.

Schedule a FREE Discovery Call with me here.