Julia M Huber MD PLLC Lifestyle Medicine Consultations and Coaching

Another two day weekend volunteering for the free medical, dental, and vision clinic with R.A.M. USA, this time in lovely rural Emporia, Virginia!

A little sad that there is still such need.

I had a talented scribe 😻 and had fun volunteering with physician colleagues as well as some incredible nurses and med students. Our makeshift clinic was in the library of the Greensville High School. There was also a women’s care trailer, a huge row of dental tents, and an eye clinic plus trailer where glasses were made immediately for patients.

Quote by Case Kenny ❤️

Counting down the days until Spring arrives!

Clearing our outer lives opens up more room for our inner lives. What small item could be cleared today?

Why I Did My Own Death Cleaning at 39 What will happen to your stuff when you die?

Please consider donating to RAMUSA.ORG this holiday season! They offer free medical, dental, and vision care to rural residents throughout many states in the US, especially KY, VA, WV, and TN. This weekend we offered free care from the Mayfield, KY, high school and treated over 230 patients, most of whom lost everything in the tornado that destroyed their town two years ago. We opened at 6 a.m. and people were already lined up at the door. Our clinic was the h.s. band room and on Sunday we had an all women medical crew!

Connecting to nature as part of feeling well—happy Fall!

Opinion | Go Outside, Sink Your Feet Into the Dirt and Engage With the World The natural world has stories to tell if you listen closely.

When I trained as a trauma informed professional coach with Lodestar, they repeatedly taught that “connection mitigates trauma”. When we connect we can start the healing process. This is also a deeply held principle of Lifestyle Medicine: that loneliness is definitely a health issue, and one that can be prevented. Think of someone you know who may be feeling lonely today and reach out to them with a visit or call, as we are currently in a “loneliness pandemic”.

Opinion | If Loneliness Is an Epidemic, How Do We Treat It? It can’t be cured; it can be treated.

Be especially careful about air quality this summer!

Fire and Smoke Map Search for Current Fire and Smoke Conditions in a city, state or area.(e.g. "Seattle, WA", "Washington State", "Smith River, CA")

This is a vulnerable and compelling piece by Dr. Vivek Murthy on the impact of loneliness on our health and well-being

Opinion | Surgeon General: We Have Become a Lonely Nation. It’s Time to Fix That. I have a plan to rebuild social connection and foster healthy relationships.

There are so many options! It is helpful to look at the evidence and analyze the pros and cons, as well as talk to a healthcare professional. It’s not necessary to be “on a diet” your whole life but it’s helpful to add more rainbow veggies and fruits, whole grains and beans, and consider lower salt options.

Popular keto and paleo diets aren’t helping your heart, report says An analysis of diets by the American Heart Association gave low marks to some of the most popular ones for straying from heart-healthy eating guidelines.

https://www.npr.org/2023/04/29/1172903236/rabbi-harold-kushner-author-of-when-bad-things-happen-to-good-people-dies-at-88

Rabbi Harold Kushner, author of 'When Bad Things Happen to Good People,' dies at 88 Kushner, whose words provided solace to millions of readers about life's most difficult questions, died on Friday while in hospice care in Canton, Mass.

The issues are multifactorial but really well delineated here…

Americans Are Dying Younger—But Where You Live Makes a Big Difference The answer lies in 5 different state policies

How about stopping the production and use of some of these items that produce PFAS, such as nonstick pans?

New tech could one day scrub ‘forever chemicals’ from your tap water While there are already developed technologies to remove PFAS from water, experts say these existing approaches have several major limitations.

It’s not too late to start something new, whether it’s a new way to tend to yourself, a new career (or retirement 🎉), or a new way of seeing the world around you….

There is nothing to fear in the act of beginning. More often than not it knows the journey ahead better than we ever could. Perhaps the art of harvesting the secret riches of our lives is best achieved when we place profound trust in the act of beginning. Risk might be our greatest ally. To live a truly creative life, we always need to cast a critical look at where we presently are, attempting always to discern where we have become stagnant and where new beginning might be ripening. There can be no growth if we do not remain open and vulnerable to what is new and different. I have never seen anyone take a risk for growth that was not rewarded a thousand times over.

JOHN O'DONOHUE

Excerpt from his books, To Bless the Space Between Us (US) and Benedictus (Europe)
Ordering Info: https://johnodonohue.com/store

The Burren
County Clare, Ireland
Photo: © Ann Cahill

Social connections as a fundamental factor in staying healthy as we age..

What SuperAgers show us about longevity, cognitive health as we age These “Betty Whites of the world” are showing us that with a healthy lifestyle, social connections and resilience, we can lower risks of cognitive decline.

The odd history behind “choosing”a retirement age.

What Is the Ideal Retirement Age for Your Health? Average life expectancy has risen by 16 years since the national retirement age was set at 65. We asked health experts when they think people should stop working now.

“What soothes you?”

How to Feel Alive Again Katherine May, the best-selling author, has one simple question to help you get started.

This movie has been life changing for me and for many people I met on the Camino several years ago. It’s not too late to start your journey, whether you travel overseas or shift your perspective. Enjoy!

The Way The Movie is back in theaters one day only on May 16 - with bonus content from our friend, travel icon Rick Steves! Grab your friends & family and make your “Camino to the Cinema” on May 16! Tickets available through Fathom Events.

This is a timely compilation of true stories from women physicians who offer strategies to living healthy lives while supporting one another, our patients m, and our clients to do the same. I feel honored to have been included.

A quote from the poet Mary Oliver for the New Year, with an invitation for you to ease into your wellness choices lovingly and with kindness.
How are you going about feeling well with the body and life you have right now? Are you ready to make gentle shifts to build upon that foundation of self acceptance? Let us know how we can support you!

“You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.”

Noo! Not the dark chocolate!

Tell candy makers: Reduce risky heavy metals! CR tests found a dark side to dark chocolate

Moving forward together! It’s encouraging to read about support for access for all to healthy food and support for making dietary changes.

The White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health — A New National Strategy | NEJM Perspective from The New England Journal of Medicine — The White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health — A New National Strategy

It’s Giving Tuesday! Being well means being part of the community and bringing others along on the path of wellness together.

How are you connecting with your community this holiday season?

What are your favorite charities? I will donate to them as well!

So far I will be donating to the Dr Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation, Bryn Mawr College, Doctors Without Borders, The Hope Center in Lexington, KY, as well as our Northside YMCA, Youth For Understanding, and the Nature Conservancy.

Here is a FREE course to get started on your wellness journey! I first heard about it during lockdown. It’s offered by Yale and starts today.

The Science of Well-Being Learn The Science of Well-Being from Yale University. In this course you will engage in a series of challenges designed to increase your own happiness and build more productive habits. As preparation for these tasks, Professor Laurie Santos ...

Happy Thanksgiving Eve, y’all! It’s ok to indulge a bit but before you brine your turkey or maybe even yourself in salt tomorrow consider some of the strategies mentioned here. Also consider “brining” yourself in gratitude 🙏…a feast we can gorge on quite easily!

What to Know About Holiday Heart Syndrome Enjoy the holidays while keeping your heart healthy