photo credit Scott HerschWritten by Casey Hersch, LCSW
April 29, 2021

Spending Time in Nature Has Many Benefits

I don't know about you, but days can go by and I haven't spent any time outdoors. I get so busy sitting in front of my computer, writing, and answering the telephone, I forget that there is a whole world right outside my front door.  Merely 20 minutes a day is all we need in order to reap the benefits of the outdoors. This month I spent the day at a lovely place called West 12 Ranch in San Joaquin County. Here are some of the things I learned about myself and nature!

1) I Love Pigs!

 Photo Credit: Scott Hersch

Photo Credit: LightYourSparkle.lifeWritten by Casey Hersch, MSW, LCSW 
May 2021 issue
Published at Taste for Life Magazine

This story originally appeared on Taste for Life

Every day, our guts and minds are busy having hidden conversations. Normally, we don’t care about the details of those conversations. However, according to Emeran Mayer, MD, a gastroenterologist, neuroscientist, and research professor at University of California, Los Angeles, we should pay attention to the communication occurring in our brain-gut-microbiome axis—our health and emotional well-being may depend on it.

Despite the prevalence of digestive problems, irritable bowel syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease, many people lack awareness of the connection between stress, trauma, adverse childhood experiences, and their gut health, Dr. Mayer says. But when patients understand how “emotions play out in the theater of their guts,” he says they look at their symptoms or disease differently and can learn to manage aspects of their conditions rather than feeling like passive victims of the next flare or reoccurrence.

Dr. Mayer’s book The Mind-Gut Connection, published in 2016, makes the science of the brain-gut-microbiome relationship easily digestible. His forthcoming book, The Gut-Immune Connection ($27.99, HarperWave, 2021), continues to educate people on how to be proactive with their health.

Written by Casey Hersch, LCSW
April 2, 2021

I experienced a professional and personal milestone this month. I interviewed Dr. Emeran Mayer who is considered one of the pioneers and leading researchers in the role of mind-brain-body interactions in health and chronic disease.  His book The Mind-Gut Connection changed my life when I realized the intricate connections between my early childhood trauma and my development of Crohn's disease. His vivid description of the profound influence adverse childhood experiences have on the gut and immune system certainly warrants attention for those of us who live with gut-based disorders and illnesses. I wish for everyone to know about these connections, patients and physicians, so that we can continue to expand healing options. His new book, The Gut-Immune Connection is available for pre-order now. I will be getting my copy as soon as possible! 

For more information visit: 

https://emeranmayer.com/

Written by Casey Hersch, LCSW
March 27, 2021

Back to Basics

Letting go of physical clutter is one way to free ourselves to make room for what is most important. Since we are spending more time in our homes than in the past, why not let go of the clothes we will never wear, declutter the corners that steal space from what we really love, and stop clinging to old projects that no longer reflect who we want to be or where we wish to go. Let's start our 30-Day Clutter Detox Plan together!!! 

<Start your 30-Day Clutter Detox Plan HERE>

In this interview with Hala Khouri, author of Peace From Anxiety: Get Grounded, Build Resilience, and Stay Connected Amidst the Chaos, we discuss Hala's new book and ways to cope with stress and trauma. Using body-oriented approaches, Hala offers practical techniques to aid in self-regulation. She emphasizes feeling grounded, centered, in present time. Her comprehensive approach to anxiety aknowledges our humanity, the systems that perpetuate trama, and how to feel empowered over our own histories and nervous systems. Additionally, Hala offers an abundance of resources on her youtube channel. Lets get started on reprogramming our mind and bodies for peace and safety. We can do this together!

For more information about Hala's work visit: 

https://halakhouri.com/

In this interview I speak with Fumiko Takatsu, founder and CEO of the Face Yoga Method, a revolutionary pro-aging method. As I age with Crohn's disease, I seek pro-aging alternatives that avoid invasive procedures and chemicals. Fumiko’s method shows us how to feel empowered over the aging process rather than a victim of it. The Face Yoga Method demonstrates that the best anti-aging approaches are individualized, risk-free, and address the physical and emotional aspects of health. Fumiko is helping thousands of men and women worldwide to regain their confidence through a 100 percent natural alternative to cosmetic procedures. The Face Yoga Method has over 80 facial exercises that target every area of the face, meeting everybody’s unique needs.

For more information:

https://faceyogamethod.com/