By Duke Lifestyle & Weight Management Medical Team GERD is the medical term for Acid Reflux, and the common description is’ heartburn.’ This condition has nothing to do with anyone’s heart burning. GERD is the acronym for gastroesophageal reflux disease. For various reasons, the stomach's acidic contents leak into the esophagus, where acidity is not tolerated by this tissue. When ...
By Duke Integrative Medicine Psychotherapy Team We can easily let go of our healthy routines and boundaries when dealing with crises. During a crisis, we may let go of important practices that cultivate the four pillars of a stable mood: nutrition, connection, movement, and rest. During highly stressful times, it's important to do what we can to maintain and bolster ...
By Duke Lifestyle & Weight Management Center Team Sitting for long periods of time might create stiffness in our hips, neck, and wrists. Check out our "Chair Stretching" routine for some effective exercises while at your desk. Hold each stretch for 15-30 seconds. #1 Upper Trapezius (Neck) Sit tall, and slowly tilt your left ear to your left shoulder. To increase ...
By Duke Health & Well-Being Programs Team How many of us have had the experience of eating an entire bag of chips or a pint of ice cream without even realizing it? When this happens, most (if not all) of us notice and appreciate the full taste of our first few bites but can hardly remember the rest. Mindless eating can ...
By Duke Health & Well-Being Programs Team The positive experiences of social connection, caring relationships, and community are linked to happiness, resiliency, and well-being. We find ourselves in situations where we cannot affect a change or make a difference in our own or someone else’s life. The ancient practice of loving-kindness meditation (also known as “metta” meditation) focuses on developing ...
By Duke Integrative Medicine Programs Team Guided imagery, or visualization, encompasses several techniques meant to explore our beliefs and attitudes about ourselves and the world around us by tapping into our subconscious mind. This exploration is intended to impact our physical and mental well-being, bringing about positive changes such as relaxation, better focus, and improved performance. Guided imagery has many uses ...
Meal preparation is the process of planning and preparing whole meals ahead of schedule. The initial time investment for meal planning and preparation can be daunting, but the benefits outweigh the challenges. Meal prep can help you:
By the Duke Health & Well-Being Programs Team Mindfulness is an ability that can be practiced at any point in our day, either in stillness or in movement. Sitting still to meditate can be challenging for many of us, especially with long days of commuting and sitting at work. Though generally performed with the primary purpose of getting from one ...
By Isabella Swiecicki – Dietetic Intern, Duke Lifestyle & Weight Management Center. Over a year has passed since COVID 19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). For many, the challenges caused by the pandemic go beyond the threat of physical infection, emphasizing the need to address mental health as a measure of wellbeing. The US Census Bureau ...
By the Duke Integrative Medicine Programs Team
As we go about the activities of our day, it is often the case that we may not notice the tension in our muscles and the feelings in our bodies. With increased awareness, we can both notice and choose to relax those muscles that tend to hold habitual tension and stress.
