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Journal
Welcome to our integrative health journal, where our team of holistic practitioners shares their expertise to help you achieve optimal well-being. Each month, we delve into a new theme, providing you with insightful articles, practical tips, and the latest in holistic health trends. Whether you're interested in nutrition, natural remedies, mental health, or physical fitness, our diverse team of experts offers a wealth of knowledge to support your wellness journey. Join us as we explore the multifaceted world of holistic health and empower you to live your healthiest life.
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The Cortisol-Insulin Connection
How Chronic Stress Affects Blood Sugar, Weight & Hormone Health Have you ever felt like you're eating healthy, exercising consistently, and still struggling with stubborn weight gain, sugar cravings, or low energy? If so, the missing piece may not be your diet—it may be your stress. When we think about improving blood sugar or losing weight, we often focus on calories, carbohydrates, or exercise. While those factors certainly matter, one of the most overlooked influences on m

Dr. Katrina Robinson, NDM, PMNHP-MFT, CHN
6 days ago4 min read


Nervous System Dysregulation: Is Your Body Stuck in Survival Mode?
A Natural Back-to-Routine Health Reset for Better Sleep, Less Stress & More Energy As summer winds down and routines begin to shift, many people notice increased stress, fatigue, poor sleep, digestive issues, and anxiety. If you've been feeling overwhelmed or exhausted, your body may be experiencing nervous system dysregulation, often called being "stuck in survival mode." The transition from summer to fall is the perfect opportunity for a health reset. By supporting your ner

Dr. Katrina Robinson, NDM, PMNHP-MFT, CHN
Aug 265 min read


Chronic Fatigue and Infections: Could an Underlying Infection Be the Root Cause?
Chronic Fatigue: Looking Beyond Lack of Sleep Do you constantly feel exhausted, even after a full night's sleep? Chronic fatigue is more than simply feeling tired after a busy week. It is persistent, excessive fatigue that does not improve with adequate rest and can significantly impact your daily life. Chronic fatigue can be associated with a variety of medical conditions. When no clear cause can be identified, it may be diagnosed as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) or Myalgic

Dr. Caitlan Readhead, ND
Jul 283 min read


Importance of Detox Pathways with Mold Illness
Why Supporting Detoxification Matters During Mold Recovery Exposure to toxic mold can have a significant impact on overall health. Certain species of mold produce mycotoxins, harmful compounds that can trigger a wide range of symptoms and contribute to both acute and chronic illness. People experiencing mold illness often report symptoms such as: Chronic fatigue Brain fog Headaches Digestive concerns Skin issues Mood changes Poor sleep Allergy-like symptoms While reducing mol

Dr. Caitlan Readhead, ND
Jun 192 min read


The Whole Body Approach to Fertility
How to Optimize Fertility Naturally: A Whole-Body Approach to Hormone Balance When most people think about fertility, they imagine a narrow window for conception or focus on hitting specific hormone levels—like needing progesterone to reach a certain number to get pregnant. In reality, fertility is much more complex. It’s a reflection of your body’s overall health and its ability to adapt. From a naturopathic perspective, conception isn’t just about ovulation or perfectly ti

Dr. Stephanie Hendershot, ND
Apr 214 min read


Why Your Routine Isn’t Sticking (And It’s Probably Not Because You Lack Discipline)
Many people assume that if a routine isn’t working, the problem must be motivation, discipline, or willpower . But in reality, routines often fail for a completely different reason. As a lifestyle-based occupational therapist, much of my work focuses on helping people build sustainable routines and improve executive functioning so they can make meaningful lifestyle changes. Many of my clients come in feeling frustrated with themselves. They’ve tried: Planners Habit trackers

Dr. Katherine Lewis, OTD, OTR/L
Mar 304 min read


How Nutrition Supports the Nervous System: Gut–Brain Health, Stress & Emotional Balance
In my clinical practice, one truth stands out: balance begins by nourishing the nervous system. Unlike diets focused solely on weight or macros, nutrition grounded in nervous system health considers how food directly influences our biology, emotions, stress resilience, and overall sense of safety—especially during times like the holidays, when food is tied to comfort, memory, and connection. Why the Nervous System Matters The nervous system is not just the seat of thought; it

Elena DiPerri, CNS, LN
Jan 264 min read


How to Reset Your Nervous System: Lower Cortisol, Calm Stress, and Improve Vagal Tone
Recently, I’ve been running more cortisol tests on patients, and levels are consistently coming back elevated. Many patients’ nervous systems are persistently activated in a chronic “fight-or-flight” state. While short bursts of stress are a normal and adaptive evolutionary response, prolonged sympathetic dominance can contribute to anxiety, sleep disruption, digestive dysfunction, and an overall diminished quality of life. To understand why this happens, it helps to review t

Dr. Stephanie Hendershot, ND
Jan 123 min read


The Root Cause of Anxiety: A Naturopathic Guide to Healing the Mind and Body Naturally
Anxiety isn’t just mental—it’s often a physiological reaction to an internal imbalance. In my clinical experience, addressing these imbalances is where true healing begins.

Dr. Marissa Boyd, ND
Oct 28, 20254 min read


Natural Anxiety Treatments That Work | Evidence-Based Herbal & Mindfulness Support
Anxiety affects over 30% of adults at some point in their lives, making it one of the most common mental health challenges worldwide. It affects both the mind and body, and symptoms can vary widely from person to person. Understanding the signs can help you recognize when anxiety is becoming more than everyday stress and may benefit from natural or professional support.

Dr. Chelsea Birch, ND, RH (AHG), CBHT
Oct 20, 20255 min read


How Anxiety Shows Up in the Body: 5 Signs You Might Be Missing
October brings falling leaves, crisp air, and celebrations. But sometimes, even with all the fun and festivities, something still feels... off. If you find yourself dodging party invites, jumping at more than just spooky yard décor, or feeling tense for no clear reason, anxiety might be the ghost whispering worries you can’t shake. Unlike Halloween specters, anxiety isn’t imaginary. It’s real—rooted in your nervous system—and your body often feels it before your mind catches

Cheyenne Nichols, LMBT
Oct 13, 20254 min read


Functional Medicine Approaches to Anxiety: Root Causes, Gut Health, and Nutritional Deficiencies
This is a quick read blog explaining objective tests that can uncover the roots of your anxiety.

Dr. Caitlan Readhead, ND
Oct 6, 20252 min read


Why Sleep Is the Missing Link in Healing and Immune Health: A Naturopathic Perspective
As a Naturopathic Doctor, I have the unique privilege of observing how everyday lifestyle habits impact the body’s ability to heal. From...

Dr. Stephanie Hendershot, ND
Aug 11, 20253 min read


The Healing Power of Gardening: A Science-Backed Path to Health
In a world that often pulls us indoors and away from the rhythms of nature, gardening stands as a powerful and accessible antidote....

Dr. Chelsea Birch, ND, RH (AHG), CBHT
Jul 14, 20253 min read


How Summer Vacations Boost Health: A Seasonal Reset for Mind and Body
Summer is the time of year when many things slow down—the kids are out of school, families take vacations, and outdoor festivities are in...

Dr. Kellyann Tomko, ND
Jul 7, 20252 min read


Chronic Stress, Cortisol, and Migraines: How HPA Axis Dysregulation Triggers Headaches
Chronic stress can affect the body in many different ways. One adverse effect of chronic stress is the frequent development of headaches...

Dr. Kellyann Tomko, ND
May 5, 20253 min read


Busting 16 Common Women’s Health Myths: Science-Backed Facts for Every Stage of Life
There’s so much misinformation about women’s health—some passed down through generations, some floating around the internet. It’s easy to...

Dr. Marissa Boyd, ND
Mar 17, 20254 min read


Kindness and Wellness: How Acts of Compassion Boost Your Mind, Body, and Longevity
As a holistic wellness doctor, I often remind my patients that healing isn't just about what we put into our bodies—it’s also about what...

Dr. Marissa Boyd, ND
Feb 24, 20253 min read


Random Acts of Kindness: The Heart-Healing Power of Small Gestures
Random Acts of Kindness are small, unexpected gestures that can brighten the day for friends, colleagues, and total strangers. There are...

Dr. Kellyann Tomko, ND
Feb 17, 20252 min read


The Ripple Effect of Kindness: How Small Gestures Can Transform Lives
In today’s fast-paced world, random acts of kindness have become increasingly rare. The hustle and bustle of modern life, coupled with...

Dr. Sarah Kingsley, PT, DPT, RYT
Feb 10, 20253 min read
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