Denton County Living Well Magazine July/August 2019 | Page 49
Top 3 Summer 2019
Wellness Trends for Women
By Julie Alvira, MD, MBA
S
ummer is filled with bright col-
ors, nice temperatures and, if
you’re lucky, exotic locations
with beautiful waters! Whether
you travel or
stay home, keep tak-
ing care of yourself
and practicing well-
ness.
Self-care is on the rise
and is here to stay.
Meditation is the fast-
est growing wellness
trend in America.
There are meditation
apps and studios
worldwide. Now, it’s
not about one medi-
tation technique but
many different types.
I’ve practiced med-
itation since 13 years of age and was
taking yoga classes before it was pop-
ular and there weren’t studios on every
corner.
Over the years, I’ve learned the medi-
tation of Qigong, commonly known as
chi Kung as part of Tai Chi classes, and
in most recent years mindfulness. As a
woman, I think it’s good to have a well-
ness toolbox of resources that one can go
to when needed.
Ok, so circling back to the subject of
wellness trends, let’s start with some of
the ones that are popular for women
this summer.
Oat milk: A nut free alternative that
is dairy free, gluten free and vegan. It
has a creamy texture and is very easy to
prepare at home. Look for a brand that
has a simple ingredient list and check
the sugar content. If you’re at Starbucks,
don’t forget your latte with oat milk
(Note: Availability of oat milk at Star-
bucks varies from location to location).
Mindful eating: Develop awareness
and see if you’ve emotional or physical
hunger. Be attentive to the food you’re
eating. It’s better to practice with
healthy foods and notice the effects of
the food on your feelings. Be aware of
colors, taste, and ingredients. Be atten-
tive to the process of cooking, serving,
and eating, if you’re involved in those
tasks. At a restaurant or with others at
the table, eat slowly until you’re full
and wait five minutes after eating and
then have a con-
versation so you’re
not tempted to eat
more.
Meditation: With
a rise in stress, anx-
iety, and depres-
sion, women are
looking for solu-
tions as part of their
mental
toolbox.
There are many
types and varieties.
A recent trend is so-
phrology. Founded
in the early 1960s
by Colombia pro-
fessor of psychiatry and neurology
Alfonso Caycedo, it’s a type of stress
management technique very popular
in Europe. It combines concepts of re-
laxation techniques, mindfulness, med-
itation, and breathing. More and more
research is being conducted on how
meditation activates more than one
brain mechanism and its benefits. The
idea is for women to have a personal
toolbox that helps them to find calm
inside.
Be alive. Be Present.
Dr. Julie Alvira, MD, MBA, is a certified life coach for men and women and has
a passion for women recovering from addictions. Creator of the Your Recovery
Gal program for women, she is a nationally certified addictions professional.
Reach her at www.coachdrjulie.com or
[email protected]. Bilingual virtual or in-office sessions available.
DENTON COUNTY Living Well Magazine | JULY/AUGUST 2019
47