The most important habit I’ve formed in the last 10 years of forming habits is meditation. Hands down, bar none.

Meditation has helped me to form all my other habits, it’s helped me to become more peaceful, more focused, less worried about discomfort, more appreciative and attentive to everything in my life. I’m far from perfect, but it has helped me come a long way.

​Probably most importantly, it has helped me understand my own mind. Before I started meditating, I never thought about what was going on inside my head — it would just happen, and I would follow its commands like an automaton. These days, all of that still happens, but more and more, I am aware of what’s going on. I can make a choice about whether to follow the commands. I understand myself better (not completely, but better), and that has given me increased flexibility and freedom.

In order to be the best you can be at work (and at home), you need to chill. Work is stressful and so is life. Are you taking enough time to let your mind and body unwind after a long day or an even longer work week? We’ll make it at least a little bit easier for you. Here are some quick, creative ways to rejuvenate your body and soul especially when you’re coming out of a long work week feeling really beat.

We all know that keeping your immune system in its best shape is essential, now more than ever. Here are some different techniques that you can use to boost your immune system here in New York City! You can find a lot–including Vitamin C IV in NYC!

Acupressure
Where to get it: NAO Wellness
Acupressure can be achieved by using ear seeds. Don’t know about ear seeds? They are adhesive “seeds” that you place on specific pressure points in the ear. Placement is determined to address particular concerns in your body, both physically and mentally. Acupressure is also called auriculotherapy and historically has been used in Chinese medicine. It usually takes about two rounds of acupressure to feel significant improvement in whatever ailment you are trying to treat. Targeted ailments include acne, immune system support, allergies, vision, and many more! Ear seeds are pain-less, needle-less, and a non-invasive approach to balance out your body. So go ahead, and give the ear seeds from NAO Wellness a try. (P.S. They come in different colors and styles to make them look chic as well!)

Lymphatic Drainage
Where to get it: The Detox Studio Lymphatic drainage is another great way to boost immunity. Your lymphatic system helps eliminate your body’s waste, so it’s an important part of detoxing your entire body. Your lymphatic system is also a part of your immune system, which is vital in protecting your body from infections and diseases. Lymphatic drainage can help relieve your pain, alleviate cellulite, and help your body regenerate its tissue. The best part of lymphatic drainage is that it is a non-invasive procedure that can be done in about an hour. Soon, you will start to notice the toxins in your body disappear, feeling better from the inside out. The Detox Studio offers lymphatic drainage through a technique called Bio-Electric Lymphatic Drainage (BELD). This technique uses vibration technology and emits energy to your cells through frequencies of light, harmonic sounds, and Noble Gas Ionization. This is a non-invasive procedure that is safe, effective, and highly recommended!

If you’re looking for an easy way to transform your mood, cue the music.

Studies have shown that music can buoy your mood and fend off depression. It can also improve blood flow in ways similar to statins, lower your levels of stress-related hormones like cortisol and ease pain. Listening to music before an operation can even improve post-surgery outcomes.

How can music do so much good? Music seems to “selectively activate” neurochemical systems and brain structures associated with positive mood, emotion regulation, attention and memory in ways that promote beneficial changes, says Kim Innes, a professor of epidemiology at West Virginia University’s School of Public Health.

After a bustling month of trips out of town, work events, and family issues, I noticed that I had some trouble quieting my buzzing mind. My focus was stuck in disco-ball mode, diffracted into a kaleidoscope of glinting pieces. As a result, I wasn’t able to hone in on my priorities—and instead, I gave in to procrastination.

One day, as I put off answering work emails by tidying up my spewing desk of papers, receipts, and devices, I started thinking about how my mental desktop could use some cleaning, too. After all, it’s easy to see that a messy workspace dampens productivity, but I often forget that a messy mind can do the same.

You see, your brain isn’t built to split its attention in too many directions. It needs to be somewhat organized and at peace for you to be able to filter information into the right mental folders and actually get stuff done. And to get your brain into that ideal state, you have to make space by clearing some mental clutter.

So if your mind is feeling a little muddled, start by using these five tips to organize your thoughts, worries, and tasks. You’ll quickly gain some clear space, which will help you refresh, refocus, and get your brain back on track.

When you hear the word superfood, what comes to mind? A carrot in a cape? A nectarine with night vision?

Some foods are so nutritious it may seem like they have superpowers, but outside the marketing world, there actually is no such thing as a superfood — by scientific standards, at least. Despite the lack of evidence backing the touted health benefits of superfoods (in 2007, the European Union banned using "superfood" on labels that didn’t have a health claim, which was “clear, accurate, and based on scientific evidence”), that hasn’t slowed superfood sales. Between 2011 and 2015, there was a 202 percent increase in global sales of products marketed as “superfoods,” “superfruits,” or “supergrains,” according to the Mintel Global New Products Database.

The superfood trend dates back almost a century, and may have all started with a banana. In the 1920s, the United Fruit Company ran a series of colorful ads on the health benefits of bananas, research detailing the benefits of bananas was published, and soon the tropical fruit became the first food labeled a superfood, according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. More than 90 years later, bananas continue to be in the top three most imported fruits in the United States.

Lower back pain is a fairly common health issue, partly because so many things can cause it. 

In some cases, it might be a symptom of an underlying condition, such as kidney stones or fibromayalgia. Other times, it’s simply a side effect of a sedentary lifestyle or repetitive motions. 

Regardless of what’s causing your lower back pain, these seven stretches can help to reduce the pain and strengthen the muscles in your lower back.

While stress causes some people to crumble, mentally strong people are able to thrive despite added tension. In fact, they view adversity as an opportunity for growth. Whether they're dealing with financial setbacks, health problems, or workplace difficulties, mentally strong people don't let stress drag them down.

​Here are seven ways mentally strong people handle stress effectively: