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INTEGRATIVE + ONLINE PSYCHIATRY + HOLISTIC HEALTH

Category: Getting Things Done

Six-picture collage with the theme of physical and social activity for a healthier life.

Don’t Underestimate Exercise: Life-Changing Benefits for Body, Brain, and Spirit

Written by Ron Parks, MD on . Posted in Commentary on Health and Well-being, Concentration, Creativity, Dreamwork, Getting Things Done, holistic mental healthcare, Integrative Therapies, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mental Health, Nutrition, Personal Growth, Recovery, Spirituality & Health.

Active Lifestyle, Healthier Life: Science-Backed Reasons to Keep Moving

Nov 24, 2025

The talk and the article

I had an interesting talk with my son about the benefits of physical activity, as he works with me on many projects that sometimes involve research or editing. He is very skilled with technology and usually gets to the core of things after spending a lot of screen time on the computer. Our conversation focused on the many advantages of being more physically active and exercising. It occurred to me to write a compelling article to support my case, backed by research literature. I also thought this would be a grand strategy since my son often does the final edit on many of my articles. Since he would likely read it, I might get some validation that I am convincing in my advocacy for a healthy lifestyle and exercise.

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Collage of pictures about difficulties with brain fog, fatigue, and focus, the understanding and solutions.

Lost in the Fog: The Search for Focus and Energy in an Era of Stimulants

Written by Ron Parks, MD on . Posted in ADD/ADHD, Brain Fog, Concentration, Creativity, Fatigue, Getting Things Done, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, Integrative Therapies, Mental Health.

Brain fog, fatigue, focus, ADHD, and stimulants: Lessons from Life and Medicine

My worst fear, the crush of reality, and holistic medicine

During my childhood in Washington, DC, and nearby rural Montgomery County, I experienced a deeply traumatic yet eye-opening event. It occurred in the early 1950s during the frightening polio epidemic, before the polio vaccine was available.

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Collage of pictures about difficulties with brain fog, fatigue, and focus, the understanding and solutions.

Understanding Brain Fog, Fatigue, and Concentration Issues

Written by Ron Parks, MD on . Posted in Brain Fog, Concentration, Fatigue, Getting Things Done, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Integrative Therapies, Mental Health, Mood, Nutrition, Sleep.

Finding sensible solutions to common cognitive complaints that could otherwise lead to problematic treatments or substance misuse behaviors1

Above lead in photo collage is captioned: “Answers for brain fog, fatigue, and focus—RRP design with Canva and stock photos”

Brain fog, fatigue, and poor concentration

Brain fog, fatigue, and poor concentration are overlapping symptoms that can range from mild and transient to severe and chronic, impacting daily functioning, productivity, and overall quality of life. Their underlying cause may stem from a combination of lifestyle, medical, psychological, and environmental factors, which can help recognize, address, and potentially prevent these unpleasant or impairing symptoms.

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Collage of pictures with the theme of neurodiversity, adjusted and challenged children and adults with ADHD or ASD and finding acceptance and peacefulness with nature,

ADHD Reality—The focus and distraction dilemma

Written by Ron Parks, MD on . Posted in ADD/ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Getting Things Done, holistic mental healthcare, Holistic Views on Mental Health Issues, Integrative Therapies, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mental Health, Neurodiversity, neuroscience, Unique Talent Attributes.

Practical choices for surviving and thriving

A call about ADHD and life difficulties

A distressed family member and colleague recently called me. They complained they were very nervous and worried as they were failing and falling behind in their part-time university studies and felt hopeless about ever completing their coursework for their degree. Their full-time jobs and careers also seemed at risk from lack of focus and concentration, interfering with their productivity and completing assigned tasks and vital projects. A threatening and contentious work supervisor was applying pressure to get more done. There was a real risk of getting fired. A recently valued relationship was also on “the rocks” and near the breaking point. The unfortunate load of adverse challenges seemed to recur frequently, as has often been a regrettable plight. There was a track record of difficulty with social relationships and problems succeeding in challenging academic and work-related situations.

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Collage of pictures with theme of getting influenced or deceived by others, finding collaborators or help you can trust, and learning to access and tune in your innate valuable inner resources.

Collaboration: friend or foe in making critical choices?

Written by Ron Parks, MD on . Posted in Frauds, Scams, Criminality, Getting Things Done, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mental Health, Neurodiversity, Personal Growth, Relationships, Spirituality & Health, successful decision making and collaboration.

What is the cure for indecisiveness in personal, business, or political matters?

Mentoring or biased advice? 

Recently, in a conversation with my adult son, I wanted to better understand the benefits versus the risks of collaboration with others during times of challenge and indecision. My son was in throngs of indecision about whether to return to graduate school.

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A collage of picture about the sleep experience and ways to improve restorative sleep and health.

Sleep is the best guide for health, longevity, and productivity.

Written by Ron Parks, MD on . Posted in Anxiety & Panic, Commentary on Health and Well-being, Getting Things Done, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Recovery, Sleep.

Monitoring sleep quality can be an invaluable tool in choosing your priorities and be an early warning sign of impending difficulties.

Attention to sleep cues is essential for preserving or restoring health and vitality. Disruptive and perturbed sleep or anxiety dreams and nightmares can portend problems ahead. Dilemmas, indecisions, and conflicts are impediments to productivity and well-being. Disruptive sleep is an indicator of distress levels and a warning that critical life areas need attention. Ignoring unhealthy sleep patterns can have dire consequences now or in the future.

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Collage of pictures on theme of being stuck in a dilemma to surmounting to flow and creativity.

Surmounting dilemmas and conflicts to free productivity and flow

Written by Ron Parks, MD on . Posted in Anxiety & Panic, Commentary on Health and Well-being, Dreamwork, Frauds, Scams, Criminality, Getting Things Done, Holistic Views on Mental Health Issues, neuroscience, Personal Growth, Podcasts, Trauma.

Indecision and fear are the roadblocks to success and well-being!


Getting stuck in a dilemma

A dilemma is when one gets stymied in choosing between two unsuitable alternatives. It is frustrating to be stuck and unable to move forward to completing a project or task. The desirable ending might be as significant as survival or as minor as making a healthy decision for something that will be positive or sustaining for one’s health and well-being.

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Collage of impactful experience with pictures of ecstatic peak experience in natural setting, or with assistance, and traumatic life threatening events.

Impactful moments that critically affect life and well-being

Written by Ron Parks, MD on . Posted in Anxiety & Panic, Commentary on Health and Well-being, Depression, Getting Things Done, Happiness, holistic mental healthcare, Holistic Views on Mental Health Issues, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mood, Personal Growth, PTSD, Spirituality & Health, Trauma.

Enlightening expansive experience can be an accelerator for change and growth

A dynamic, momentary, or more prolonged experience can alter and mold your life and its expression.

Any of us can recall certain impactful events that may have significantly impacted our life experiences and choices. Today, for instance, was boiling and muggy with overhead threatening storm clouds and a distant rumble of an approaching thunderstorm. It took my mind back to a past eventful summer’s day. I was seventeen and had worked hard that summer, earning enough to have my first car, and began dating my childhood sweetheart, my future wife. My older brother, who was working with a seasoned builder and involved with a construction project, hired me for the summer to assist the job superintendent with whatever help he needed. I felt both lucky and proud to be relied on for everything that came up. I remember one of the heavy equipment drivers who was always bragging about his smooth ways and dating life. He would tease me about being green behind the ears and maybe a little spoiled.

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Collage of pictures representing choosing and decision making, karma and result, and a building imploding, and woman of wisdom.

The Art of Decision-making for Successful Outcomes

Written by Ron Parks, MD on . Posted in Anxiety & Panic, Commentary on Health and Well-being, Depression, Getting Things Done, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, Mood, Personal Growth, PTSD, Trauma.

My mother’s wise advice, the tragic vacation to see the Titanic wreckage, decision-making, and my close calls

A mother’s advice on travel and finding answers, meaning, and perspective

Once in my youth, not too long after beginning the stress and challenging times of medical training, I told my wife one evening in our small cozy apartment, “I need to take some vacation time off to wrap my head around all these current demands and changes. I need a break to gain perspective on the meaning and purpose of my newly chosen medical career path.” My wife and I agreed, so we planned and then set off on a long drive to a yoga retreat center in the mountains to meet, learn, and do practices with a popular and well-known yoga teacher.1

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Collage of 13 pictures with theme of writer's block, and return to creative production and flow; one picture reminds to listen to your inner voice.

Surmounting Writer’s Block

Written by Ron Parks, MD on . Posted in Commentary on Health and Well-being, Creativity, Depression, Dreamwork, Expert Mentor-Guide, Getting Things Done, Happiness, holistic mental healthcare, Meditation/Mindfulness, Neurodiversity, Personal Growth, Spirituality & Health.

The critical steps to reignite inspired creativity, growth, and productivity.

Writer’s Block Strikes

I was returning from a vacation and felt guilty about not working on or beginning a new newsletter article. Every time I would sit down to start, I would find myself distracted and doing other things or just feeling tired or overwhelmed by the immensity of the task with all its components. Some basics of the task even felt too difficult, such as coming up with new material, doing the research, working through the succession of drafts, multiple edits, and the final publishing process.

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