I feel guilt is one of our most valuable emotions. Let me tell you why. Guilt is our course-correcting emotion. It signals to us that we are out of alignment with our values, with who we want to be. It prompts us to repair, to correct course, to right the ship. Guilt’s focus is on behavior and how a behavior might be out of line with who we are as a human. It presents in the body like a messenger saying “I have regret or remorse over an action I took. I want to make amends for what I did.” It...

We say “thank you” frequently, but a regular, consistent gratitude practice is something altogether different than the kindness shown by saying “thank you.” The regular practice of acknowledging and recalling what you are thankful for. In my work, I am especially interested in the way in which physical and mental health interact. Gratitude is a fascinating study in the way that our mental health impacts our physical health. Gratitude practices have been shown to reduce stress and cortisol...

The vagus nerve, the underrated superstar to your body that almost nobody talks about, but once you get to know it, you will feel like you have discovered a cheat code for your health and mental well-being. The vagus nerve is the 10 th cranial nerve (CN X) and one of the most important nerves in the body. It runs from the brainstem through the neck and down into the chest and abdomen. “Vagus” is Latin for “wandering” because it wanders throughout the body, connecting to many organs. Imagine...