Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery Archives - Integrative Psychiatry Online, Ron Parks, MD

A collage of pictures showing the importance of holistic health programs, optimal nutrition, and the wise choice of supplements when they are beneficial and needed.

Is there value in taking nutrition supplements?

Written by Ron Parks, MD on April 2, 2024. Posted in Commentary on Health and Well-being, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, Nutrition.

Is there a role for dietary supplementation in a holistic health and wellness program?

In today’s fast-paced world, prioritizing our health and well-being is vital. The pros and cons of taking nutritional supplements are often prominent topics for the health-conscious and concerned. The arising issues are worth exploring, especially with all the confusing information. Supplement use is for a variety of reasons or needs. Examples of reasons or rationales for use might be for the seeking of health assurance, as an aid in recovery from illness, protection from unknown disease risk, gaining the edge in physical performance, or the search perhaps for invisibility or to counter our fears of our human vulnerability to health challenges.

A collage of pictures representing the theme of Wise choosing & collaborating to ensure health & longevity and all being in balance.

An “Ensurance Plan” for healthy aging, productivity, and vitality.

Written by Ron Parks, MD on February 22, 2024. Posted in Depression, Disability, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Holistic Views on Mental Health Issues, Integrative Therapies, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mental Health, Mood, Personal Growth, Spirituality & Health.

How can a practical and sensible plan be structured to maintain or enhance physical and mental health, longevity, and well-being?

There are reasonable choices for promoting health and longevity and preventing future disease and disability.

Collage of pictures in remembrance of Holocaust and lessons of inclusion, acceptance and collaboration, to not to repeat the tragedy of the past.

Commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2024—A Chilling Reminder

Written by Ron Parks, MD on January 29, 2024. Posted in Grief and Loss, Hate Crimes, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, Mental Health, PTSD, Public Health Issue, Social Media, Spirituality & Health, Trauma.

The stark recall of the experience of mass torture and slaughter of a multitude of innocent citizens is a lesson of grave concern today.

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 November 30, 2023. 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.

Collage of six picture of peoples journey from midlife crisis to vitality and thriving.

Finding the way from a midlife crisis

Written by Ron Parks, MD on September 28, 2023. Posted in Commentary on Health and Well-being, Death and Dying, Depression, Grief and Loss, Happiness, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Mood, Post by Guests, Spirituality & Health, Trauma.

Navigating from a life-challenging period of depression and suicidal thoughts to purpose and vitality—strategies to help.

My father’s surprising revelations.

When I was a teenager, my father shared with me, as we were walking one day, that he was amazed at an encounter earlier that day with a friend of his who had come to him for support and guidance. The friend told him he had been having suicidal thoughts and was very upset with what he thought were significant losses and challenges in his life. I don’t know what my father told him, but his friend felt relieved and left in an improved mental state, feeling that he had been listened to, supported, and unburdened by his deepest worries and fears.

collage of nine pictures with scenes of traumatic events and realization of the way to happiness and thriving.

Unlocking Happiness: A Journey of Recovery and Transformation

Written by Ron Parks, MD on September 12, 2023. Posted in Commentary on Health and Well-being, Depression, Happiness, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Holistic Views on Mental Health Issues, Personal Growth, PTSD, Recovery, Spirituality & Health, Trauma.

Exploring Mental Health, Trauma, and Self-Belief for Personal Growth and Happiness

09/07/2023 Video Podcast, Podcast interview with Rob Hosking

The following are excerpts from my 09-07/2023 Video Podcast, Podcast interview with Rob Hosking, where we delve into the inspiring story of Rob, a former frontline police officer who underwent a profound transformation after his traumatic experiences. Rob’s journey led him to become a motivational speaker, specializing in happiness and mental health. Through sharing his own struggles with depression and mental health, Rob aims to empower individuals to overcome challenges and discover their true potential for happiness and resilience.

Rob’s two main areas of expertise are happiness and mental health. He is a motivational TEDx Speaker on happiness, mental health, and workplace well-being.

Collage of pictures of dream catchers from the Native American tradition and pictures representing dreams

Dreams and journaling – Part One & Two – for mindfulness, insight, and well-being

Written by Ron Parks, MD on September 1, 2023. Posted in Commentary on Health and Well-being, Creativity, Dreamwork, Happiness, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Holistic Views on Mental Health Issues, Integrative Therapies, Meditation/Mindfulness, Personal Growth.

Dreams are a valued resource for getting unstuck, aware, inspired, insightful, and more organized and productive.

Welcome to the Mind Wise podcast and newsletter, presenting perspective and information about mental health, holistic health care, wellness, neuroscience, psychiatry, philosophy, and spirituality. I am your host, Ron Parks, M.P.H., M.D., writer, teacher, and consultant.

Today I begin a 2-part series exploring a readily available phenomenon that occurs in your slumber and sleep world—dreaming.

Collage of pictures of the experience of wellness and wellbeing and related activities

Cory Costanzo’s Journey to the Still Point Wellness Spa

Written by Ron Parks, MD on September 1, 2023. Posted in Commentary on Health and Well-being, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Holistic Views on Mental Health Issues, Integrative Therapies, Meditation/Mindfulness, Personal Growth, Spirituality & Health.

Cory’s searching and finding the way to wellness and well-being for himself and others.

Welcome to the Mind Wise podcast, presenting perspective and information about mental health, holistic health care, wellness, neuroscience, psychiatry, philosophy, and spirituality. I am your host, Ron Parks, M.P.H., M.D., writer, teacher, and consultant.

Today I continue to explore the life and journey of unique holistic healthcare enthusiasts and practitioners, their innovative services, and their tips on what they feel works best for themselves and others seeking better health and well-being. My guest today is Corey Costanzo, the co-owner and developer of the unique Still Point Wellness Spa in Asheville, North Carolina. But I’ll let Corey tell you who he is, and he will tell us a little about himself, how he got started on his journey, and how he ended up with one of the most beautifully designed and outstanding holistic spas in the country, Still Point Wellness. It is a place to see, experience, and a healthy destination here in Asheville, North Carolina.

Collage with 15 pictures on the theme of holistic health and wellness, mindfulness, meditation, yoga, Buddhist practices, enlightenment, and becoming aware.

Journey to enlightened healthcare

Written by Ron Parks, MD on August 5, 2023. Posted in Dyslexia, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Holistic Views on Mental Health Issues, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mood, Personal Growth, PTSD, Spirituality & Health, Trauma.

A unique self-help health program began with wanting answers and evolved into a superb holistic health program.

Part 1 — A Conversation with Brother Promise

I had a conversation with a loving, joyous, youthful monk, living and developing a holistic health program to enrich the lives and health of others. He is a fellow writer on Substack, where I publish my Mind Wise newsletter, where I discovered his work and connected with him.

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 July 2, 2023. 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

Category: Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery