Tag: holistic treatment

Collage of pictures of people with the theme of entrapment in patterns of ideas and beliefs and journey to peace of mind and well-being.

Stinking Thinking Revealed and Getting Unstuck

Written by Ron Parks, MD on February 18, 2026. Posted in ACT, CBT, Dreamwork, Happiness, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Holistic Views on Mental Health Issues, Integrative Therapies, Meditation/Mindfulness, Personal Growth, Recovery, Schema Therapy, Spirituality & Health. No Comments on Stinking Thinking Revealed and Getting Unstuck

Mindfulness, CBT, and Holistic Strategies for Lasting Mental Wellness

The chill of winter, the news, and politics

It was midwinter, with a chill in the air and sleet and snow steadily falling, coating the roads enough to form a treacherous layer of black ice and making travel precarious. Those of us caught indoors often turned on the TV to get the latest weather report, searching for how long our forced winter hibernation would last. On TV, news reports featured recurring stories about outlandish things the president or his party representatives were doing to upset the applecart of democracy. The more dramatic the reporting of threatening changes to the status quo of established institutions and our way of life, the greater the weight on our minds and emotions. Our emotions balanced between worry, fear, and some anger. As the final reports grew more ominous, they predicted more frigid weather, icy rain and sleet, impassable roads, and the closing of businesses and events. My wife lingered to catch the final news and reports. Still, I scurried away to enjoy my nighttime herbal tea and routine of yoga and meditation to shake off the negativity and emotional burden of my earlier exposure to network news, some articles I’d read, and the reported climatic changes, both environmental and political.

Collage of pictures with the theme of renewal and healing from depression, the flowing river, joy, and wisdom.

Don’t Push the River: A Father’s Awakening to Nature’s Reality

Written by Ron Parks, MD on December 10, 2025. Posted in Depression, Dreamwork, Grief and Loss, Happiness, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mental Health, Mood, Personal Growth, Spirituality & Health. 1 Comment on Don’t Push the River: A Father’s Awakening to Nature’s Reality

Embracing Life’s Ebb and Flow

A Father’s Journey Back to Himself

My father, then in his seventies, was sitting a short way off from me on the sandy, gravel-like beach that bounded a wide, rapid-flowing river that ran from the mountains through the bottom of the national park where we were staying. The impressive, mighty flowing river absorbed all your thoughts into its splendid displays of power, freedom, nature’s natural beauty, and almighty presence. The morning light emanating from the sky, awakening the senses to the river’s enormity and nature’s presence, seemed to softly filter through curtains of mental fog and preoccupations, like a whisper. He appeared for the first time in weeks to release his tension and despair, the sense of loss, and hopelessness. Now he radiated the spirit of someone who had found his soul and regained his footing and sense of purpose.

Collage of pictures with the theme of physical, mental, and spiritual challenges during crisis and distressing times.

Keeping Health and Balance in Difficult Times

Written by Ron Parks, MD on March 11, 2025. Posted in ADD/ADHD, Anxiety & Panic, Depression, Happiness, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Integrative Therapies, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mental Health, Mood, Non-duality, Nutrition, Personal Growth, Recovery, Relationships, Spirituality & Health.

An Interview with the astonishing former French Buddhist Monk, teacher, and creator of Mental Health Revolution on Substack. For full audio and video podcast click on link below: https://www.inmindwise.com/p/keeping-health-and-balance-in-difficult

Welcome to Mind Wise, a video podcast and newsletter which presents holistic mental health, healthcare, and wellness perspectives and information.

I am your host, Ron Parks, MD, writer, teacher, and consultant. The following is a transcript of a video podcast interview with Promise of Substack’s Mental Health Revolution: mentalhealthrevolution.org. An astonishing former Buddhist Monk, a teacher, and according to himself, a meditation nerd, a lifestyle medicine advocate, and a misunderstood comedy genius. He has thoroughly studied ancient wisdom, scientific research, psychology, and personal experiments into simple wellness practices for busy people.

He is also a student of positive self-help psychology, and he talks about the programs he has developed, as well as some about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. I want to have him introduce himself, say a bit about his journey, and say where he is now. He developed an outstanding, helpful program that I want him to discuss: the Daily Wellness Empowerment Program, DWEP, and CSM. So, go ahead, Promise.

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 January 3, 2025. 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.

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 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 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 July 28, 2023. 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.