by Erika Weber, AP7 Ways to Manage Stress & Anxiety
- Deep Breathing brings us into our bodies and out of our heads: Focus on taking slow deep breaths, inhaling for 3 counts and exhaling for 6 counts. Do this 10 times and it puts the body back to homeostasis.
- Homeopathic Rescue Remedy is a wonderful product from Bach Flower Remedies that takes the edge off of anxiety. They have different forms such as pastilles, a dropper, or little sublingual pellets. You can find them at Whole Foods or online.
- Physical activity helps release stress, reduce tension, improve mood, and increase mindfulness. Take up yoga, or head to the beach and put your feet in the sand and your face to the sun!
- Getting in the garden allows a real connection with the earth, grounding us and calming the mind. No yard to dig in? Try potted plants, or a garden box on the patio or balcony.
- Focus on Gratitude and what you are thankful for: Realizing how wonderful life is, even the small stuff helps to put anxiety back into it’s place. Practice self-care and positive self-talk. Surround yourself with positive people, visualize success and focus on progress, not perfection.
- Connect with others: Socializing, talking with friends or family members, and engaging in healthy activities can help reduce stress, ease anxiety, and combat loneliness.
- And of course…. Regular Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs!! These focus on resetting imbalances deep down that show up as anxiety, stress, depression, irritability, and mood swings. Whether you are going through a tough period, or always have emotional discomforts in the background, we are experts at helping make life lighter and easier by workin on these underlying imbalances.
Beaches WellFest May 6th at Johansen Park
We are sponsoring the Coffee Crawl that begins at 9:00 AM, then offering complimentary massage, mini acupuncture, ear needling, and have fun surprises and give aways during this local event! Stop by and say "Hi!"
Reflexology is a practice that involves applying pressure to certain points on the feet, hands, and ears to stimulate healing and promote relaxation. Pressure points for sinus pain and congestion are specific areas that can be stimulated with touch to alleviate symptoms including facial pain, pressure, and congestion. Some of the reflexology points and pressure points for sinus pain and congestion include:
1. The base of the skull
Using gentle pressure, massage the soft area at the
base of the skull where the neck meets the head. This can help to relieve pressure and pain in the sinuses.
2. The bridge of the nose
Gently apply pressure to the bridge of the
nose, directly between the eyes. This can help to open up the sinuses and relieve congestion.
3. The forehead
Use your fingers to apply pressure to the forehead along the hairline. This can help to relieve pressure and promote drainage in the sinuses.
4. The temples
Using your fingers or the pads of your thumbs, massage the temples in a circular motion. This can help to relieve tension and pain in the sinus area.
5. The feet
Reflexology points on the feet that can help with sinus pain and congestion are centered on the toes, specifically the big toe, second toe, and third toe. Applying pressure to these areas can help to stimulate the sinuses and promote drainage.
It is important to note that reflexology and pressure point therapy should not be
used as a substitute for medical treatment. If you have persistent or severe sinus
pain or congestion, it is important to consult a doctor.
With the Easter Holiday coming up (eggs and bunnies), we wanted to address a subject
that we get asked a lot by hopeful new families.
How can acupuncture help us get pregnant?
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine have been used to treat infertility for centuries. 
There is a growing body of research that supports the effectiveness of these techniques in increasing fertility and helping couples conceive.
One study, published in the Journal of Clinical Acupuncture and Moxibustion in 2018, found that women who received acupuncture for infertility had significantly higher rates of pregnancy and live birth compared to women who did not receive acupuncture.
Another study, published in the Journal of Integrative Medicine in 2017, found that a combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine was effective in treating infertility due to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can aide in fertility in the following ways:
1. Regulating menstrual cycles
Acupuncture has been found to regulate menstrual cycles and improve the quality of the menstrual flow, which can increase the chances of conception.
2. Boosting ovulation
Acupuncture can stimulate the production of hormones that promote ovarian function, leading to increased ovulation.
3. Improving sperm quality
Acupuncture can improve sperm quality and quantity by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in the reproductive system.
4. Balancing Qi
In traditional Chinese medicine, infertility is often seen as an imbalance of Qi, or life energy. By balancing the flow of Qi through the body's meridians, Chinese medicine may help to restore fertility.
5. Improving Blood Flow
Chinese herbs and acupuncture improve blood flow to the reproductive organs, which can help support fertility.
6. Regulating Hormones
Chinese medicine practitioners can recommend herbs and acupuncture treatments to help regulate hormones that play a role in fertility, such as estrogen and progesterone.
7. Augmenting Western Fertility Treatments and IVF
During Western medical fertility treatments, acupuncture is recommended by local fertility
treatment centers. Calming the cortisol production associated with the stress of a complicated fertility journey is just the beginning. Helping appropriate blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, improving the receptivity of the body, and maximizing your body's response to medications are all major factors in assisting the process of finally getting and staying pregnant!
8. Supporting Overall Health
In Chinese medicine, fertility is seen as a reflection of overall health. By promoting overall health and wellbeing with a combination of diet, lifestyle changes, and herbal supplements, Chinese medicine may support fertility.
At Sunshine Healing Arts we are here to support you at any point on your fertility journey.
If you’d like to speak to us regarding fertility, please reach out for an appointment or a complimentary consultation.
Sunshine Healing Arts is excited to be showcased at
Women’s Wellness Fest at Jax Beach Seawalk Pavilion!
April 22nd from 10-3pm.
We are doing complimentary massage, mini acupuncture, ear needling, and have fun surprises and give aways!
Stop by and say hi and enjoy all the vendors on this beautiful Earth Day! You don’t have to purchase tickets to enjoy the pop up shops and vendors.
Visit https://www.womenswellnessfest.com/ for more information on this event.
Sunshine Healing Arts is happy to announce collaboration with local business Nova Dance & Wellness Academy. 
Come join us for Yin Yoga Nidra Acupuncture.
A powerful combination to cultivate our feminine yin energy to help support and ground us before the summer Yang energy is in full effect.
Where: Nova Dance & Wellness Academy 318 7th Ave N Suite D in Jacksonville Beach, next to Sago Coffee and Beam Thrift.
When: Sunday April 30th 5:30-7pm
What you will experience:
- Gentle Yin Yoga
- Guided yoga Nidra
- Community style acupuncture with Dr. Erika
Sign Up Here to reserve your spot (You'll need to scroll to April 30th)
One veggie says Spring like no other, and that is asparagus. These simple ingredients are easy to find and work with. Use your creativity with toppings for this soup! Anything goes.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. asparagus, ends trimmed
- 1 tsp. kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 3 tbsp. salted butter
- 1/2 onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tbsp. all-purpose flour
- 2 c. half-and-half
- 1/2 tsp. ground coriander
- Black pepper, to taste
Directions:
1. Fill a large pot with 2 cups water and fit with a steamer basket. Bring to a boil. Add the asparagus and steam until tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the asparagus to a cutting board and pour the water from the pot into a large measuring cup; add more water if needed to equal 2 cups. Set the pot aside.
2. When the asparagus is cool enough to handle, trim off the tips and halve lengthwise; toss with a pinch of salt. Save these pieces for garnish. Add the remaining asparagus pieces to a blender with 1 cup of the reserved steaming water and blend until very smooth.
3. Melt the butter in the pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until it begins to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds more. Sprinkle in the flour and stir to combine.
4. Slowly whisk in the half-and-half and remaining 1 cup reserved steaming water until smooth. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and the coriander. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture starts to thicken, 10 to 15 minutes.
5. Stir in the asparagus puree. Taste and adjust the seasonings (add more salt if it needs it!) and let the soup heat through. Ladle into bowls and garnish with the asparagus tips. Season with pepper.
Courtesy of: The Pioneer Woman.com
