Jessica Drapluk

Key Practices for Stress Management

Stress is defined as the body’s reaction to any change that requires an adjustment or response; and is an underlying problem in most chronic health conditions. The acute stress response is the body’s natural survival mechanism whenever it is presented with a threat. The human body is designed

Simple Ways to Check for Insulin Resistance At Home

Insulin Resistance is defined as the inability of insulin to increase glucose uptake and utilization. In simpler terms, this means that the body doesn’t have the ability to respond to and use the insulin it produces; therefore, cells no longer react to insulin properly and easily absorb glucose from

Top Ways to Prevent Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity is a global epidemic and a major problem in the United States, which poses a serious public health challenge. One in three American kids are overweight or obese. This is something that no child should have to go through. There are multiple causes to childhood obesity, such as,

Top Benefits of Being A Dog Owner

Dogs are intuitive animals that remind us of our connection to nature. They wake up and go to bed with the sun. Just like us, they experience basic emotions, have dreams, socialize, and show their own expressions. Dogs have an excellent sense of smell. Unlike us, they perceive the world

Key Tips for Optimal Insulin Sensitivity

Insulin is the master regulator hormone. It is released by the pancreas to push glucose into cells to be used as fuel. High insulin levels can lead to hormonal imbalances, decreased insulin sensitivity, poor metabolic health, a fatty liver, high blood pressure, depression, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Insulin sensitivity

Key Benefits of Sauna Bathing

The sauna, also known as, sauna bathing has been popular for thousands of years. The first saunas were man made caves built for survival that functioned as kitchens, washrooms, and hospitals used during the harsh winters. Sauna bathing is an ancient practice that is used for the purposes of healing,

How To Handle Everyday Stress

In order to prevent chronic stress, we must be able to identify our stressors and how to adequately manage them. "Everyday stress" can be being a single parent, poor sleep habits, financial strain, being unhappy at a job, caring for a chronically ill family member, mourning a lost

Hiking: The Ultimate Workout

Hiking is the ultimate workout. It is one of the best ways to get exercise. Along with being a great workout, hiking is its own unique experience.  It’s almost like sensory overload, but in a positive way. The warm sunshine on our face, the sound of the wind rushing

Osteoarthritis 101

Cartilage covers the ends of bones to create frictionless motion and cushion at the joint surface. It is a flexible connective tissue that resembles a firm gel made up of collagen and elastic fibers. Cartilage protects joints and bones by acting as a shock absorber. It provides support and resilience

Deep Breathing: Energy + Focus

A simple way to relieve stress is deep breathing. Performing deep breathing exercises while stressed out, activates our parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest response) and allows it to override our sympathetic nervous system (our “fight or flight” response), which reminds the body to relax. This results in a slower

Monday: Fresh Start, Fresh You

Monday is a new day, a new week, a new chance, and a new slate to restart our lives. Though a lot of people dread Monday, it can actually be something new to look forward to. It gives us a fresh start improve ourselves from last week or build on

Obstructive Sleep Apnea 101

Sleep is essential for an energetic, fulfilling life. It regulates brain function, impacts mood, and is when the body heals. It is critical for a healthy mind and body. Sleep deprivation negativity impacts metabolism, fat storage, focus, energy, and hormonal balance. Over time, poor sleep can cause weakened immune function,

Autosuggestion: The Medium For Influencing The Unconscious Mind

Most of us know that we are in control of our own destinies and our own minds, but are not aware of why this is true and how to apply it. It is important to understand the difference between the conscious and subconscious minds, and how to use the conscious

Herbs + Spices for Optimal Functional Health

It is important to understand that our genes play a role in disease development and prevention; and the foods that we eat influence gene expressions and contribute to either good health and longevity, or diseases and earlier death. There is no question at this point in time that food is

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) 101

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is a group of diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels. CVD is a leading cause of death across the globe. There are four main types of CVD- coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral artery disease, and aortic disease. It mainly affects the heart, brain, limbs,

Inflammation: The Immune System's Response to Injury + Infection

Inflammation is the body’s natural defense against damaged cells, viruses, bacteria, parasites, etc. It aims to remove these harmful or foreign invaders and heal itself. It is the body’s response to infection and a protective process which is beneficial to the body. Cellular injury causes the body to

high vibration

Raise Your Vibration: Vibe High

As you think, you vibrate. As you vibrate, you attract.  As you attract, you manifest. It is crucial that we learn how to control our energy vibration. Our energy dictates our vibration and our vibration dictates what we attract. It is important to control our thoughts and our feelings, but

Atherosclerosis (ASVD) 101

Atherosclerosis, also called atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASVD), is a narrowing and hardening of the arteries caused by a buildup of plaque in the inner lining of artery walls leading to fatty streaks and inflammation. ASVD is an inflammatory condition that makes arteries hard and stiff, which decreases elasticity and the

Friluftsliv: Open Air Living

Friluftsliv is a Nordic practice deeply rooted in Scandinavian culture. It means “open air living” and was originated by Henrik Ibsen in Norway in 1850. The term Friluftsliv describes Scandinavia’s passion for nature, as the value of spending time in remote locations for spiritual and physical wellbeing. Norway, Sweden,

Meditation's Impact on The Gut Microbiome + Gut Health

Meditation has a direct positive impact on overall gut health. It plays a beneficial role in the gut-brain axis. Meditation combats and releases stress, alleviates digestive issues, and promotes a healthier gut microbiome and gut-brain axis. Our ability to handle stress, genes, and diet impact overall gut health. Meditation has

shinrin-yoku

Shinrin-Yoku: Forest Bathing

Exposing ourselves to nature to obtain physical, mental, and emotional benefits is the principle of forest bathing. It encourages relaxation, boosts mood, and reduces stress, which is important to realize because high stress leads to chronic low-grade inflammation and disease. Forest bathing, Shinrin-Yoku, is an old Japanese practice that entails

High Cholesterol 101

High cholesterol, also know as Hypercholesterolemia, is an elevated level of cholesterol in the bloodstream. It is a precursor to atherosclerosis- stiffening and hardening of blood vessels. Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer worldwide. High cholesterol along with Metabolic Dysfunction, or Insulin Resistance, poses an increased risk for atherosclerosis

Serotonin: The Mood Regulator

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter found in the gut and the brain. There are serotonin receptors in the brain, but the majority of them are found in the gut, where it impacts numerous biological processes such as, digestion, appetite, metabolism, mood and memory. Serotonin plays a role in appetite regulation, intestinal

The Gut-Brain Axis + The Gut Microbiome

The gut has its own “on-site brain.” The enteric nervous system (ENS) is composed of two thin layers and more than 100 million nerve cells. The gut is able to control digestion through its own brain instead of sending signals from the spinal cord to the brain. The gut-brain axis

Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) 101

Small intestine bacterial overgrowth, also known as SIBO, is excessive bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine, also referred to as, the small bowel. * SIBO is a digestive disorder that is becoming more prevalent and occurs in many individuals who have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). * Bacteria exist throughout the entire digestive