Wellness Resources & Quick Links

If you are unfamiliar with his work, this podcast is such a great introduction to Dr. Matthew Walker. Why We Sleep is one of my favorite books, and Walker is an amazing source of sleep wisdom.

This is an excellent explanation of the IFS model, given from the Guru of IFS, Dick Schwartz himself.  Even if you are not a parent, the first half of this podcast offers an excellent explanation of how IFS works.  If you read my book review section, you will notice that the book “Good Inside” is highly recommended.  

As a husband and father of three children, I use the content in this podcast on a daily basis.  The Calm Technique gives me an opportunity to slow time and remind myself that I have a tool to use that is scientifically-backed. This can be used to react to the energy of anyone - a friend, partner, co-worker, stranger, and yes - a child.  It's so effective!

This is a good starter on sleep science.  Additionally, on sleep and adolescents - if sleep is out of control for an adolescent, and they aren’t getting enough, it might be too difficult to just let them reset.  Approximately 25% of my clients are adolescents - all visits are completed with a parent present.  There are tools to fast-track getting the sleep process organized for success - let's talk!

If you only read one book on sleep, make it this one!  I am so inspired by this book, and if you work with me on sleep you will hear me reference it often.  Walker is brilliant, and he makes the science of sleep easy to understand.  My favorite quote: “Amazing Breakthrough! Scientists have discovered a revolutionary new treatment that makes you live longer.  It enhances your memory, makes you more creative.  It makes you look more attractive. It keeps you slim and lowers food cravings.  It protects you from cancer and dementia.  It wards off colds and the flu.  It lowers your risk of heart attack and stroke, not to mention diabetes.  You’ll even feel happier, less depressed, and less anxious.  Are you interested?”

The human body is a delicate balance of cells and systems that are programmed to follow predictable patterns.  If you choose to learn how your body follows its innate and natural circadian patterns, you can optimize your overall function.  I believe that understanding of circadian science is one of the key secrets to life.  So many behaviors that I have been taught and modeled for me have not served me and my health and wellness.  I envision a future of humanity that understands circadian science and rewards behaviors that respect this amazing balance in our systems. This is why I do what I do. Circadian science is a key foundation of my practice.

Although the focus of this book is on parenting, I believe this book is useful for every human. We are, in fact, always reparenting ourselves! We often question our past actions and shame ourselves for not being perfect, in parenting and beyond. We forget that what we do on a moment to moment basis is a series of in-the-moment reactions to stimuli.  In those situations, we are reacting from a place of goodness.  For example, when I raise my voice at my child, it is typically coming from a place of trying to help and protect them.  Although I might feel terrible about my behavior after the fact, and might lose sleep over it, I am still “good inside.” In these moments, I am a good parent having a hard time.  This book has excellent insight and helpful tools for increasing awareness and facilitating change. If you are a parent, there is always potential for building insight, connection, and repair in your relationship - see for yourself!

I center my philosophy on life on the content of this book.  When I am present, grounded, and in stillness, no matter what surrounds me in my environment, I have everything I need.  I have a different perspective on time, stressors, energy, and on reality.  The present moment of “now” is the only thing that is actually real.  We have an autobiographical memory of the past, and we can use algorithms in our brain to predict the future, but we are not the past or the future - we are the now.  

Finding presence in the moment is the challenge - some would say the greatest challenge in life.  It is also where profound change can be made.  “Change” is an interesting word, as it implies action.  Our western philosophies have driven this correlation into our psychees.  I believe true change starts with stillness.  There are so many tools to locate and amplify this stillness.  I read this book at least twice a year, and I appreciate how Tolle uses the question and response format to challenge his themes and deepen his explanations.