Being “real” is the new perfect. Social media is bursting with memes of lazy days with sweatpants and pizza, in celebration of “imperfections” and minor slips of willpower. We’re told it’s okay to be human, and yet, why do all these women gobbling gorgeous looking cupcakes look so damn perfect? Then there are the accounts that only highlight vibrant green juices, or elegant yoga poses, or perfectly-plated raw meals, and its like, do you ever just eat a brownie that isn’t date-sweetened, gluten-free and low glycemic? We all strive for wellness, but sometimes it can seem like a never-ending pursuit – always in sight but never quite there. In comes the GOOD Fest.

The GOOD Fest helps women to realize that they can still be health-conscious and enjoy a tall stack of gluten-heavy pancakes. This one-day event features a plethora of wellness topics, breakout sessions, yoga, and a supporting community of experts and like-minded attendees.

It all started in a coffee shop when the founders Kate, Jen, and Jess, decided to curate the “The. Best. Day. Ever for a wellness-lover.” Each of these dynamic women came to wellness after leaving their established careers in the marketing and restaurant industries. Now, they work as bloggers, yoga instructors, and health coaches.

Kate, Jen, and Jess are thrilled to host the second GOOD Fest at the Hudson Loft in Los Angeles on February 3, 2018, to share their love of wellness with four hundred women from around the world. People are traveling from the East Coast, as well as other countries, to attend this empowering festival. To keep the conversation relevant and intimate for everyone, each attendee has been assigned one of five unique wellness tracks. Each track addresses various wellness interests through its specific breakout sessions and panels.

“This day is designed to give you a taste of multiple facets of wellness so you can find what works for you. It might be crystals or it might be an inspiring career talk – our goal is for everyone to walk away from this day feeling inspired in some way,” said the founders.

Although the tracks are unique in themselves, each includes a yoga session with a local instructor, a veggie-centric lunch courtesy of Sweetgreen, time to shop the marketplace of wellness vendors, and of course, a concluding cocktail hour to mix, mingle, and make new friends. Plus, everyone will receive an epic swag bag loaded with healthy goodies from over a dozen festival partners – like Hu Chocolate, Nektar, and Rebbl. 

Attendees can look forward to hearing from prestigious speakers who are both knowledgeable yet relatable. Panelists include Sophie Jaffe of Philosophie, Katie Horowitz of Women Against Negative Talk, Jordan Younger of the Balanced Blonde, Lynn Chen of The Actor’s Diet, and so many more. The panels are packed with nutritionists, powerhouse female entrepreneurs, natural healers, and successful creatives.

If you’re getting the “woo-woo” vibe, its true, some opinions may be considered a bit out there. There is a discussion on crystals, and you are likely to hear the words “high vibrations” and “energy,” and perhaps even a few “the universe has your back”s. However, the founders ensured that all feel welcome, no matter their beliefs.

“In the end, it’s all knowledge, and you can do with it what you’d like. Maybe you’ll brush it off, or maybe it will be the thing that inspires you and changes your life.  We have speakers covering everything from living a more eco-friendly lifestyle to taking charge of your sexual health – so if you’re anti-woo – woo, no worries, we’ve got you covered too.”

The most important role of the GOOD Fest is creating a safe and nurturing space to foster a wellness community and personal growth. “If there’s something we’re most proud of, it’s being a place for people to truly connect & support each other,” said the founders. They hope to inspire the attendees to continue on their wellness journeys, no matter where they are, and support them when they feel less than perfect.

“We all have each others backs as we navigate and define this wellness space for ourselves. We aren’t ashamed that that we love a good burrito and IPA as much as a green juice and a Kundalini class. When we are real about our own lives, it creates a safe and accepting space for [attendees] to share theirs!”

There are still a few spots left. If you’re interested in wellness, or even just looking to meet a new friend or two, tickets and the full agenda are available here.

Tanya Flink is a vegan, foodie, and certified Master Personal Trainer based in Orange County, CA. She is also the host of the podcast, “The Vegan Potluck.”

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A decade-old health kick led me to try the hydrotherapy craze known as colonics. Three booty irrigations later and this is my story.

I was young, curious, open-minded, and health-conscious. Twenty year old me had recently gone from eating meat, to being a vegetarian, to becoming a full-blown vegan. I was up for trying new and exciting methods to improve my health, and it was right around this time (a little more than a decade ago) that the colonics craze was spreading like wildfire among Hollywood A-listers.

Droves of celebs were lining up to have their colons irrigated, and they weren’t afraid to let it be known. Back then, their open praise for the booty blasting procedure made the taboo idea of having a therapist stick a lubricated speculum, erm, “up there” a little less crazy. And being the slightly impressionable (okay, super impressional) health nut that I was, I hightailed it to the nearest colonic hydrotherapy center.

Before I get to the down-and-dirty part of my experience, I thought I’d mention that colon hydrotherapy is a personal choice, but is one that some physicians actually advise against. What I’m trying to say is that, should you choose to partake in colonics, it’s best to do so in an informed and educated way at a reputable spa. If you have any preexisting health conditions, it’s always wise to clear it with your doctor first. Plus, the results you experience will vary from person to person. Some claim to feel lighter, healthier, and cleaner with lots of immediate and long-term health benefits, while other published studies have linked colonics to the reason for some unfortunate emergency room visits.

So, as I was saying. I walked into the ReNew Life Clinic in Clearwater, Florida, and was immediately impressed by the super-clean-yet-not-in-a-sterile-way atmosphere. The office was inviting and there wasn’t another person in sight, which is nice because colonics is sorta like heading down to your local sex shop — you need more lube, but you don’t exactly want to run into your mom’s next door neighbor.

Bonnie Barrett, the owner of ReNew Life Clinic and first-hand colonics user and success story, actually made me feel pretty relaxed. Once I shimmied out of my pants and slid under the blanket, I was able to lie down on a comfy, hospital-style bed and remained on my side throughout the hour-long procedure, which was kinda nice since I was able to face away from the complete stranger who was about to become well acquainted with my butthole.

Unlike the crazy, hi-tech, otherworldly, abducted-and-probed-by-aliens kinda contraption I was expecting to encounter, the colonics machine wasn’t really all that intimidating. In fact, it was quiet and discreet. I never saw one speck of poop, which was a quadruple plus in my book. As for the speculum, or disposable tip that gets inserted between the cheeks, it was small (thank gawd) and lubricated prior to insertion. I’m pretty certain I was told to relax, although I don’t actually remember that part since I was bracing myself for impact, but all in all, putting the speculum in place was painless and not the traumatizing experience most think it will be.

When you have a colonic, somewhere around 30 gallons of purified water are infused into the rectum. The theory is that the built-up fecal matter (ew) and toxins are expelled, leading to regular bowel movements, weight loss, and detoxification. As the nearly body-temp water was whooshing in and out of my body, Barrett continuously massaged my stomach to move the expelling process along. This didn’t stop the cramps from coming, nor did it help the overwhelming feeling of having to poop, but I made it through the process. I’m not gonna lie, it was kinda uncomfortable, but never, ever painful.

I spent several minutes using the squatty potty afterwards, which is said to be a dream if you ever have difficulty with hemorrhoids or pooping in general, to eliminate the remaining water and stuff from my colonic. Immediately after, the first thing I noticed was how empty I felt and how flat my stomach was. I ended up going back two more times before calling it quits.

Yes, my skin was glowing (or at least that’s what people told me), and I did feel pretty good, but, honestly, it continued long after the sessions were through. Not only was I a young twenty-something, I also consumed zero dairy or meat as a vegan, which hindsight tells me was probably the real culprit behind feeling healthier and looking better. Besides, I was a busy college student back then, which made finding time for colonics, or anything outside of studying, the real pain in the ass.

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When a gorgeous celeb wants to dish on staying healthy and beautiful with age, we listen. And when they write a book on the subject (and are willing to go bare-faced on the cover!) we have to read it. Cameron Diaz latest read, “The Longevity Book”, includes well researched and thoughtful ideas on wellness for the long haul.

Late thirties/early forties certainly isn’t old. But it is around the time of life you begin to see changes in body, skin, and even mind. A few fine lines here or there, a bit more effort needed to stay in shape, maybe even joint pain or body aches that weren’t there before.

Hey, it’s part of life. The good news? There are ways to stay healthy and feel great through the years. And since we now know that prevention is the best way to fight disease and create mind and body wellness, there’s no better time to start than now.

Cameron Diaz wrote “The Body Book” a few years ago, all about taking good care of the bod with which you are blessed. “The Longevity Book” is along those same lines of loving what you’ve got, and dealing with that thing we hate to acknowledge called aging.

7 Highlights From Cameron Diaz’s “The Longevity Book”

1. Prescription meds have their place in a healthy lifestyle, but they aren’t everything. Like I said, Diaz did her research. Stats say almost 70 percent of Americans take at least one daily prescription medication regularly. And guess who are taking most of them? Women and older people.

While there are definitely times when prescriptions are warranted, wellness pros these days know that drugs are not always the best option for certain health issues. A healthy lifestyle that helps to ward off illness and premature aging is the best route to take for extended vitality.

2. Diaz is into preventative medicine. You know about the whole mammogram debate, right? Does this preventative screening find issues that would have resolved themselves, resulting in unnecessary treatments? Is the radiation from the mammograms harmful itself? Some health care professionals say they are an absolute must, others have their doubts. Diaz take on the mammogram debate? Get age appropriate annual screenings, which is now an annual mamm for those 50 and over.

3. Positivity makes you live longer. In case there is any doubt, bubbly Diaz believes in PMA. But a positive attitude goes beyond simply making you feel happier. Her book says a study shows happy people live an average of 7.5 years longer. Not born with a naturally sunny disposition? No worries. PMA is part DNA, part enviro, part culture, so there is hope for everyone.

4. Hormonal changes can be supported naturally. Maybe not news to you or me, but it is always a good thing to see the whole hormone issue is getting more attention. What used to be written off as female hysteria is now viewed as real deal issues, linked to a long list of symptoms and a variety of diseases. The book includes a section that addresses the health of all the bodily systems and organs, and ways to support their good health through healthful diet and lifestyle.

5. Friends and family are another important component of good health. Community is not generally noted in the list of lifestyle factors essential to optimal health. Diaz shows how a support group is critical to wellness and happiness now and as we age. Share your lifestyle tips and struggles with your posse and partner.

6. Food, exercise, and rest is all you really need to know. Eat healthy whole foods, move daily, get adequate rest. Not news, but the crux of healthy mind and body.

7. Meditate to look and feel better. No surprise, Diaz recommends regular meditation to abate stress. Chronic stress is linked to out of whack hormone levels and inflammation. We know that inflammation is linked to disease. If you are not yet om-ing out, might want to start.

*Disclaimer: Help support EcoSalon! Our site is dedicated to helping people live a conscious lifestyle. We’ve provided some affiliate links above in case you wish to purchase any of these products.

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Chakras, meridians, and energy centers may once have ranked pretty high on the woo-woo scale. But today, chakras have gone mainstream, baby. All types, from Gwyneth Paltrow to Dr. Christiane Northrup, are touting the benefits of well aligned chakras.

We all want to be well aligned, right? But what are chakras, really? Where are chakras? And how the heck do you get them aligned?

While I am certainly no chakra expert, I have read my fair share of energy balancing info. The following is a basic introduction to chakras, a starter on getting balanced, and how to learn more.

Chakras are energy centers throughout the body. Visualize seven spinning discs of energy positioned along the spine, from tailbone to crown of head. Each chakra has its own unique color and corresponds to mental, emotional, and physical states. Say you are having throat pain or trouble voicing your opinion. This would be a throat (or fifth) chakra imbalance.

How to Balance Chakras: A Beginner’s Guide

First chakra // Also called the root chakra, it is positioned at the base of the spine, is red in color, and corresponds to the first three vertebrae, bladder, and colon. The first chakra is linked to feelings of security and basic survival needs. When balanced we feel safe and one with the earth. When out of balance we feel insecure and untethered. To balance: dance, walk outside barefoot, wear red, eat red and spicy foods, do a tree pose.

Second chakra // Also called the sacral chakra, it is positioned between pubic bone and naval, is orange in color, and associated with sexual organs, reproductive organs in women, and lower abdomen. This chakra is linked to feelings of desire and creativity. When in balance we experience feelings of pleasure, well-being, creative expression, and abundance. To balance: wear orange, eat orange fruits, hip opening poses, partake in a creative activity (painting, writing…).

Third chakra // Also called the solar plexus chakra, it is positioned between naval and breastbone, is yellow in color, and related to the digestive system, liver, gall bladder, and pancreas. The third chakra is responsible for our self-esteem and will. When in balance we feel confident and powerful. To balance: Wear yellow, eat yellow fruits and vegetables, try something outside your comfort zone, get physical exercise.

Fourth chakra // Also called the heart chakra, it is positioned in the center of the chest, is green (or pink) in color, and corresponds to lung, heart, arms, hands, and circulatory system. The heart chakra is related to feelings of love, joy, and inner peace. It is the middle chakra, linking the three lower (physical) chakras with the three upper (spiritual) chakras. To balance: honor your emotions, wear green, eat green foods, spend time in nature, do something loving, practice forgiveness.

Fifth chakra // Also called the throat chakra, it is light blue in color, and related to throat, thyroid, neck, jaw, and mouth. This chakra connects us to our self-expression, communication, and personal truth. To balance: Sing, hum, chant, drink water, wear blue, speak your truth, get a neck massage, actively listen.

Sixth chakra // Also called the third eye chakra, it is positioned at the center of the brow just above the eyes, is indigo, and related to the eyes and brain. The sixth chakra is associated with intuition. When in balance we feel imaginative, clear-headed, and decisive. To balance: Wear indigo, eat dark chocolate, dark berries, and foods high in Omega-3s, use your imagination, take a walk at night.

Seventh chakra // Also called the crown chakra, it is positioned just above the head, is purple in color, and connects us to spirit. When in balance we are enlightened and experience a strong spiritual connection. There are no physical ailments associated with the seventh chakra. To balance: Meditate, lose your ego, love, prayer.

There you have the chakras in a nutshell. As you can imagine, there is much more to each of them. For an in depth look at each chakra and diagnosing any imbalance read “Wheels of Life” by Anodea Judith, Ph.D. One of my favorites for women working with chakras is by Dr. Christiane Northrup, “Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom.” And The Chopra Center holds a wealth of information on chakras and keeping them healthy.

Noticing which areas of the body are off kilter can be very helpful in identifying unbalanced energy. Not quite sure? Take a chakra test to see which of your chakras are open and which need some work.

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Always trust your gut. It knows what your head hasn’t figured out yet. ~Unknown

We are programmed, here in the West, to run to our physician whenever we aren’t feeling well. Of course, there are times this is warranted. But many times our gut is trying to tell us something.

By gut I mean our intuition. You’ve heard the term trust your gut? Listening to our bodies and inner wisdom can go a long way toward maintaining balance and good health.

What is Intuition?

So how do we tap into this inner wisdom? What if ours isn’t speaking very loudly? What if we can’t hear it at all?

You know how you just knew that your aunt was going to call, or were thinking about an acquaintance only to run into them later the same day? That’s not a coincidence, it’s your intuition. Sure, some are more open to their inner wisdom than others. But the good news is we all have to ability to get in touch with our intuition.

How to Tap Into Your Intuition

You likely won’t be surprised to learn that meditation is one very effective way to get in touch with your inner wisdom. Remember, this does not have to be a rigorous practice. There are many ways to meditate. The idea is to get quiet and listen to your inner voice.

Another way to get in touch with your body and intuition is by balancing your chakras. Intuitive, Jill Willard, offers a great chakra balancing breakdown on GOOP. Read it to find out how to open your third eye.

And finally, just do it. Stop writing it off as a coincidence or imagination. If you feel strongly about something it is likely for good reason. That stomach keep nagging you or just feeling off? Pay attention, dig into it, see if you can put your finger on what’s happening in your body or if your aches and pains are physical signs of stress.

Change Your Mind, Change Your Health

Did you know that our emotions can play out in physical ways? Louise Hay’s book “You Can Heal Your Life” has a super useful and comprehensive list of physical ailments and their emotional counterparts, along with healing mantras for each. I refer to this list regularly and it is amazing how often it is spot on. For instance, say you have lower back pain. The probable emotional cause is fear of money or lack of security. Have an earache? This represents anger and not wanting to hear what is going on around you.

Our emotions are ruled not so much by what is actually going in our lives as our perception of what’s going on. Our thoughts. This quote by my favorite Ayurvedic, Monica Bloom, tells the whole story — If you want to change your body, you must first change your mind.

Whoa! That’s deep. But what, exactly, does it mean?

Monica explains that our health is largely due to the decisions we make. What we eat, how much we exercise, our stress patterns, are all governed by our thoughts. Which, though it sometimes seems otherwise, we have control over.

Reigning in our thoughts and making good choices leads to better health. Sure, none of us are perfect and we all go overboard in one area or another. That’s where balance comes in. Have a margarita and three cupcakes on Saturday? Clean up your act on Sunday. This is life after all, and if cupcakes make you happy, then have one once in a while. Just remember, cupcakes everyday won’t make you so happy.

Go deep, get in touch with your intuition and what it is telling you, stop ignoring your own inner voice. What it has to say is important to your health, wellbeing, and happiness.

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If getting back to work after holiday break means spending most of your day at a desk, this doesn’t mean your new wellness plan has to take a back seat. You just need to learn how to burn calories fast with the right tools and targeted moves.

So you have a new wellness plan in place for the New Year. Or maybe you are looking to shed that holiday layer. Either way, getting back to routine may mean sitting at a desk for several hours each day. How does that figure into your fitness plan?

We know that sitting for many hours each day is linked to such health problems as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. But physical inactivity also makes it hard for us to focus, engage with others effectively, and utilize our creativity. It’s called brain drain and is your body’s way of telling you…it’s time to take a walk. Literally.

Your job doesn’t have to undo all of your hard work. Here are some simple and effective tips and tricks to help you stay on track with your health regimen while you work.

How to Burn Calories Fast and Whittle While You Work

First of all, good posture is key to performing any exercise properly and safely. Be sure you are sitting up straight in your desk chair with head balanced over your waist. Both feet should be flat on the floor. One way to make sure you don’t start to slump is by sitting on an activity seat or exercise ball while working. Try the Swopper spring chair or Gaiam Balance Ball Chair. Both are said to not only promote proper alignment, but tone core and improve circulation.

To burn real calories while you work there are several high tech desk options. Standing desks mean muscles stay engaged and staying on your feet helps to keep blood pumping. Take it one step further with a treadmill desk. Granted, you will need to be more coordinated to pull this off but think of the calories you’ll burn!

Alternative desk side calorie burners are under desk stair steppers or ellipticals. They also take up less space and are a less expensive option. There is even an under desk bike for those who like to cycle. You may need to be self employed to score one of these. Or maybe ask your boss about a wellness program and adding these to your workspace.

If you work near others you probably aren’t able to go into full on workout mode. There are exercises you can do while seated that are quick and practically unnoticeable. This mini workout will tone up the important areas and you don’t even have to stand up. Blast that new muffin top with this waist whittler. Tighten your abdominal muscles like you are bracing to get punched in the stomach. Hold for a few seconds and release. Repeat 10 times. Next up, let’s target that booty. Tighten your glute muscles, hold 5-10 seconds. Repeat 10 times. Finally, hold arms out to sides, parallel to floor. Rotate arms forward, as if you are holding a bottle of water and pouring it onto the floor, 20 times. Next, make tiny circles 20 times in each direction. May sound easy but you’ll definitely feel the burn. For more at your desk exercise ideas, check out Tracy Anderson’s Office Workout.

You’ve heard it before but we’ll say it again. Take the stairs! Walk to your coworkers desk rather than emailing her. Offer to run to the mailroom instead of letting them come to you. Step outside for a quick walk on break rather than standing at the coffee counter. Park your car at the outer edge of the parking lot rather than near the door. It all adds up to calories burned.

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Made your New Year resolutions yet? Don’t forget your beauty kit. Get your routine streamlined and healthy for 2015 with these natural beauty resolutions.

You’ve likely heard of the less is more approach to healthy beauty. As in, using fewer products means fewer ingredients on your skin. So true, but some of us are not so minimal when it comes to beauty. If you fall into this camp, read on for ways to revamp your kit for the healthier in the coming year.

Choose one from the following list and go from there. Or use these as inspo and come up with your own beauty resolutions.

12 Natural Beauty Resolutions for 2015

1. Ditch your mainstream moisturizer

Or any product that sits on your skin all day long (serum, eye cream, makeup). Conventional beauty products contain harmful chemical ingredients. More exposure means these ingredients have more time to soak into skin and body. If you’ve yet to make the switch to healthy products, this is a great place to start. Shop Spirit Beauty Lounge for a wide range of safe products, plus a helpful skin type guide.

2. Cleanse safer

If you are looking for an easy transition to green beauty, this is a fairly easy place to begin. Unlike our favorite moisturizer or beauty treatment, cleansers are fairly universal. Look for products free from Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES). Always stick with products made for your skin type. This goes for body wash too.

3. Take the less ‘poo is more approach

Not only are mainstream hair care products chock full of harmful ingredients, but all of that sudsing up is keeping your locks from looking their best. Commit to skipping a day (or five) in between washings to bring back bounce and shine. Feeling greasy on your off day? Try a dry shampoo to absorb excess oil and add body.

4. Trade in your old scent

We’ve talked before about the hazards of synthetic fragrance, but it is important enough to mention again. You are not doing yourself or those around you any favors by sporting toxic scent. Test drive a natural fragrance and you will soon have your new, healthy, signature scent.

5. A more friendly mani

As you’d imagine, nail polish can be loaded with icky ingredients. There are several brands on the market making safer polishes. And they come in a dizzying array of color options. Grab a few and take your fave with you to your next mani session.

6. Invest in multi-taskers

What’s better than one beauty product that can perform several functions? Add an RMS Beauty Eye Polish to your beauty kit. These work on eyes, cheeks, and lips. I love Solar and Magnetic for winter.

7. Opt for refillables

Purchase beauty products with refillable containers to cut down on waste. Kjaer Weis makes incredibly gorgeous makeup products with compacts so hot you’ll want to display them, not throw away. Worth every cent, inside and out.

8. Recycle tubes, boxes, and bottles

While we’re on the subject of packaging…Most organic beauty companies take care to put their products in packages that can be recycled. Don’t forget to throw yours in the proper bin once you’ve used the last drop.

9. Clean and toss

As you do in the kitchen, be sure you are keeping your beauty kit clean. Wash brushes (I use a bit of foaming face wash, rinse well, and allow to air dry) and purchase new sponges regularly. Don’t forget to throw out old or expired products. Find out how long to keep products around.

10. Slough to smooth

This step is often overlooked, but regular exfoliation is essential in keeping skin healthy and looking its best. A simple DIY sugar and milk mixture does the trick beautifully. Gently massage over face and body while in the shower. Emerge with baby soft skin. This can (and should) be done once or twice weekly, depending on your skin type.

11. Say no to animal testing

By purchasing products whose ingredients have not undergone animal testing you are casting your vote to end the practice. Testing cosmetic ingredients on animals is cruel and unnecessary. Read a brand’s commitment page to make sure their ingredients (not just finished products) have not been tested on animals.

12. Add something new

Who said resolutions can’t be fun? Mix things up a bit. Usually stick to sheer lipgloss? Try a deeper color. Pick up a colored mascara or new eyeshadow hue. Find out what’s hot for the New Year and go for it!

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There’s no denying that this time of year can be stressful. Learn how to meditate to combat holiday stress and enjoy its benefits all year long.

Have you hit the holiday slump yet? The jolliest time of year can bring late nights, a busier than usual schedule, and an imbalanced lifestyle. Time to do something good for yourself.

Information on meditation seems to be everywhere right now. Mindfulness is definitely on our hot list for 2015. It seems like everyone from professional athletes to corporate leaders are taking up the practice. But why?

Yes, meditation can be a religious practice. But most people taking up meditation today are looking to clear the mind, sharpen mental focus, and boost their health. Here’s how getting mindful can make your life better:

Hush Your Mind // Meditation calms monkey mind, that constant loop of thoughts most of us have going in our heads. A regular practice helps us to feel more focused, quiets the mind, and promotes better sleep.

Grey Matters // A study from 2006 showed that meditation can alter the physical structure of the brain. In brain scans, areas of the brain that tend to become thinner as we age were actually thicker in older people who meditate than the brains of young people. The research here indicates that meditation promotes beneficial changes in areas of the brain that deal with cognition.

Heal the Heart // We know that chronic stress can contribute to cardiovascular disease. So it makes perfect sense that lower stress levels and clearing mind clutter are beneficial to its prevention. The American Heart Association even advocates taking up the practice.

Anti Inflammatory // Getting your zen on can keep inflammation at bay. Inflammation is thought to be the catalyst of disease in many cases. Meditation has been shown to suppress the genes that prompt inflammation. Another reason to believe that our thoughts affect our physical body.

Boost Your Immunity // Meditation may also help to ward off seasonal colds and flu. Studies show that the practice positively affects parts of the brain that help the immune system to function more effectively. So take your vitamin C with a shot of meditation.

Slows Aging’s Roll // Get this. Meditation is said to slow aging. Harvard psychiatrist Elizabeth Hoge led a 2013 study on meditation and its effect on aging. The research showed women who meditate have longer telomeres (protective caps at the end of DNA strands indicative of cellular age) than women who do not.

Because We’re Happy // Certainly not least of all, meditation increases positive emotions, feelings of satisfaction, and makes us feel happier.

Bet you can hardly wait to find out how to meditate and bring mindfulness into your life pronto. Still, who has the time to sit cross legged and chant Om for any length of time each day? Especially this time of year?

No worries. Meditation has made its way into the now. The great thing about meditation is that you truly can tailor your practice to your lifestyle. If you only have a few minutes, take that time to meditate. Some is better than none.

Mindfulness meditation is the new way to meditate. It simply means being in the moment. Focus on what is happening right now. If your mind jumps to past events or future possibilities, bring yourself back to the present moment. Even if you have to do this over and over. And you probably will at first. Like most things, the more you practice the better you will get.

If you have trouble getting into the mindful zone at first (and you won’t be alone) try focusing on your breath. Breathe in and out at your own pace. It doesn’t have to be timed or super controlled. Just breathe normally. Focus on how your breath feels going in and out. Or give alternate nostril breathing a try.

Give yourself the gift of mindful meditation this holiday season. Find a practice for that works for you. Some results will be instant, others will last a lifetime.

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We are all born with a unique temperament. Most of us naturally sway toward either positive thinking or negative thinking. Which state you spend most of your time in can affect your life. And your health.

Studies have shown that your thoughts, and whether they are optimistic or pessimistic, affect your health and well being. Are you a glass half empty kind of person by nature? The good news…you can change that negative way of thinking and learn to be more positive.

Positive mental attitude, or PMA, is shown to hold mega health benefits. It reduces stress, boosts immunity, reduces risk of heart disease, lowers chance of depression, improves coping skills, and could even increase your life span. How about that for a list of kudos?

For those who veer toward the positive end of the spectrum this is good news. By making a few adjustments to their thoughts and retraining their frame of mind, those who tend to look at things in a more negative light can also reap these amazing advantages.

First, let’s get something straight. Developing PMA does not mean you hide out in denial. Not even the most sunny amongst us are positive all the time. We are not talking constantly upbeat and happy, happy, happy. It’s more about perception and expecting a good outcome. That is the real goal here. Difficulties and annoyances are going to come up in life. It is how you deal with them that is important.

A study on the effects of positive thinking on heart patients shows that an upbeat outlook is essential in improving long term health. Those with a more optimistic attitude tend to have more energy and confidence, which means they are more apt to eat right, exercise and take care of themselves in general.

But can positive thoughts help you in ways other than motivating you toward a healthy lifestyle? Experts say they can. The placebo effect has proven it is so. While it may be largely up to the individual, an average of 30 percent of people who are given a placebo by a doctor in studies report a positive response to the “medication”. Of course, a sugar pill cannot do anything to you physically. It is the mind telling you that you feel better. However, we cannot placebo ourselves. If we give ourselves a sugar pill we are on to it. It does not have the same effect as when delivered by a doctor.

Still, this mind body connection is hard to deny. Many experts, like Deepak Chopra, believe the mind has the power to heal. Chopra advises relaxing the mind to a more peaceful state, rather than constantly trying to think positive thoughts. He advocates meditation as a great way to calm the mind and gain focus.

Positive thinking is a powerful tool in prevention of disease. It also helps you to enjoy the moment, take things as they come, and set desired results in motion.

Of course, there are skeptics. Some professionals believe there is no significant health benefit to a positive outlook. This is something you will have to decide for yourself. Either way, it certainly feels better to enlist a little PMA.

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At Aqua Wellness in the coastal Nicaraguan jungle, the focus is on healthy living: organic food, yoga, meditation – and surfing.

The safest country in Central America, Nicaragua is now starting to challenge neighbouring Costa Rica as the region’s leading ecotourism destination.

An excellent example of this new trend is Aqua Wellness, a luxury ecoresort in an off-the-beaten-path setting: the jungle which fringes the Pacific Coast. This place has serious eco credentials: the low-impact treetop villas, built from sustainably-grown hardwoods by Nicaraguan craftsmen, are integrated within the existing forest; in fact, the resort was carefully designed so that minimal trees had to be removed.

The resort offers a number of retreats and courses themed around yoga, meditation, raw food – and surfing. The yoga pavilion is stunningly located above the forest canopy with views to the sea.

Rooms are stylish, either treetop or beachfront villas (one, two or three-bedroom), with sea or rainforest views, based around wood and decorated in soothing colors. Suites have their own kitchens, some with decks and plunge pools; treehouses have outdoor Balinese showers.

The restaurant serves organic food – some home-grown on their own farm, the rest from the surrounding area (ceviche, fresh fruit, fish and beef curries), and they bake all their own bread. The yoga teacher, Grace, also gives raw vegan and chocolate-making classes. In the spa you can get a papaya and pineapple body polish or a coconut, honey and yogurt exfoliation.

The hotel has set up a foundation to help the local community (most employees are Nicaraguan) with education, transport and other facilities, and also offers volunteer programmes on sustainable development projects, from monitoring native species such as birds, sea turtles and howler monkeys, to organizing the organic farm.

Those wanting to experience the latest adrenalin sport will not want to miss climbing a volcano and then sandboarding back down its slopes. (That’s like snowboarding, except on sand.)

Rates from $155; surf and yoga retreats from $1700 (seven nights including all meals, two yoga practices a day, a class on Ayurvedic nutrition, surfing classes, and a sunset jungle hike; surfboard hire not included).

Photos: Aqua Wellness Resort

Places & Spaces is a travel guide that will inspire you to carve out a vacation on your calendar. All of the gorgeous locations and accommodations in our guide share our concern for the environment. From tent glamping to lavish built environments, fair warning, you’ll feel compelled to pack your suitcase.

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