If you suffer from stress and anxiety (and really, who doesn’t?) and you are looking for better and holistic ways to cope, you might want to consider the combination of meditation and acupuncture. While there is a big difference between the two, what they bring together is a formidable duo in pursuit of complete wellbeing. continue reading
Let’s see if we can set the scene of something remarkable, something that could become the future of healthcare. Picture yourself walking into a doctor’s office or health clinic looking for relief from your debilitating chronic pain. The nurse calls your name and leads you into a serene treatment room. As you settle onto the examination table, the door opens and you are greeted by not just the familiar face of your acupuncturist, but also by a team of allied practitioners working in harmony to address your health concerns. continue reading
You would be hard pressed to find a warrior who didn’t come home wounded; either physically, emotionally, or more likely, both. Those who serve our country often return carrying the weight of their experiences, unable to find solace due to their deep emotional scars. continue reading
Autoimmune diseases can prove to be intricate and seemingly unsolvable puzzles for many people. And statistics prove this to be true as millions worldwide are impacted by autoimmune diseases ranging from rheumatoid arthritis to lupus, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, irritable bowel disease, and even Parkinson’s disease. Conventional medicine can diagnose 100 different autoimmune conditions, however the treatments offered don’t completely resolve the issues associated with the disease and in extreme cases, no treatment is available at all. And yet, in the midst of all these medical challenges that autoimmune diseases present, acupuncture emerges as a promising ally, offering relief to those grappling with these often-complex health conditions. continue reading
Gua sha is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine. Practitioners of this medicine believe that a person’s qi, or energy, must flow unhindered throughout the body so you can feel your best. When qi becomes stagnant, health problems occur. With Gua sha, your acupuncturist uses a smooth-edged tool to gently scrape areas of your body where inflammation or stagnant qi exist to help improve circulation and promote healing. When done correctly, Gua sha can help you unlock radiant skin and achieve holistic well-being. continue reading
Life can be incredibly stressful. Even if things are “going well,” the constant pull of the needs of others including kids, coworkers, parents, and even friends can leave us feeling drained and often leads us into making poor lifestyle choices. But what if there was a place you could go to heal your body and your mind? A sanctuary of sorts, where you can find serenity and healing through the art of acupuncture. Your acupuncturist can help you find the path to detoxification—a journey of renewal and revitalization for both body and soul. continue reading
Orthopedic pain is a big deal for many Americans, and it comes in many different forms including knee, hip, shoulder, and other joint pain. Acupuncture has been proven an effective tool to deal with orthopedic pain…even Harvard Medical School thinks so. continue reading
Whether a weekend warrior or a seasoned semi-professional or professional competitor, athletes are always looking for that competitive edge, the thing that can keep them healthy and give them a bit more in the tank to defeat the competition.
Sports acupuncture is a great tool athletes can use as part of their overall health care strategy. Sports acupuncture is a hybrid form of acupuncture and sports medicine that is specifically used to support sports-related activity. Athletes and runners especially can use sports medicine acupuncture to relieve pain, accelerate the healing of sports related injuries, improve performance, and increase muscle flexibility. Let’s unpack each of these benefits and see just how sports acupuncture can be used to treat athletes. continue reading
Cupping and acupuncture are the winning combination for dealing with chronic pain and muscle strains. Its popularity has grown in recent years, and you’ve probably seen professional athletes and celebrities with the telltale giant red welts all over their bodies. Here’s what you need to know if you are thinking about adding cupping to your acupuncture treatment. continue reading
In a world where the average American glances at their phone every few minutes, tallying up to an astonishing 3 hours and 30 minutes of screen time daily, our digital habits are silently sculpting our lives. With each pickup, swipe, and click, we’re not just passing the time; we’re shaping our day-to-day experiences and, inadvertently, our values. But how often do we pause to consider if the way we spend our time truly aligns with our personal values? Inspired by Jay Shetty’s transformative approach in “Think Like a Monk,” let’s create a path to mindful living, where every minute counts towards crafting a life filled with purpose, presence, and profound personal fulfillment.
Recent studies on screen time usage and phone interactions have revealed significant insights into our digital habits. In 2023, the average American spent approximately 7 hours and 4 minutes per day on screens, encompassing a range of devices, including phones, computers, and others. Specifically, daily phone usage averaged 3 hours and 30 (The Tech Report, 2023) and the average person picks up their phone 58 times per day.
Social media platforms, particularly TikTok, have substantially contributed to this screen time allocation. In the United States, TikTok was the most utilized app in 2023, with an average daily usage of 55.8 minutes. It also led globally as the most-used social media app, with users dedicating approximately 23.5 hours per month to it. YouTube and Facebook followed closely, with users spending 23.1 and 19.7 hours per month on these platforms, respectively (Windows Report, 2023).
A notable statistic is the frequency at which Americans check their smartphones—on average, every 4 minutes. Moreover, Pew Research data indicates that 31% of Americans are almost constantly online, with another 48% accessing the internet several times a day (Windows Report, 2023).
In his book, “Think Like a Monk”, Jay Shetty emphasizes the importance of living a life aligned with one’s values. He suggests that to achieve this, one must first identify those values. Whether it’s family, education, or a particular hobby, recognizing these values is the first step toward mindful living. However, recognizing our values is only part of the equation; the other, often more challenging part, is aligning our time and actions with these values.
A time audit involves tracking how you spend your time over a day or a week. This can be an eye-opening exercise, revealing how much of our time is spent on activities that do not contribute to our core values.
To conduct a time audit, you can use a simple notebook or a time-tracking app to record all your activities throughout the day. The key is to be honest and detailed, noting everything from when you wake up to when you go to bed.
Once you have a clear picture of where your time goes, the next step is to evaluate how well your activities align with your values. This might require some tough introspection. Finding a discrepancy between your values and how you spend your time indicates that some changes are needed.
This could mean:
Cutting down on activities that do not serve your values, like mindless scrolling on social media.
Introducing new habits or routines that better reflect your core values, such as dedicating time to family or personal development.
Identifying misalignments between your values and how you spend your time is crucial. It may reveal habits that are interfering with your goals, a need to re-evaluate your current life goals, or simply that you need to make the time for what truly matters. Addressing these misalignments often involves setting new priorities, making lifestyle changes, and sometimes, using tools to help manage distractions, like phone usage.
Given the significant impact of phone addiction on our time and attention, employing tools and strategies to manage this is essential. Apps like “Opal” can help by blocking access to distracting websites and apps, retraining our habits around phone use. Furthermore, most smartphones now come with built-in tools to monitor screen time usage, allowing users to set limits for certain apps or activities.
By consciously deciding where and how we spend our time, especially in relation to our phone usage, we can take significant strides towards living a life that is not only more purposeful but also more aligned with our personal values.
Reflecting on Jay Shetty’s advice, it’s clear that managing phone addiction and aligning our time with our values are not just about discipline; they’re about making intentional choices that foster a life filled with purpose and fulfillment. As we work towards these goals, let’s remember that every small change in how we manage our time and attention can lead to significant improvements in our overall quality of life.
To manage screen time and understand your digital habits better, both iPhone and Android devices offer built-in features that track screen time usage and the number of times the phone has been picked up. Here’s how you can find this information on both types of devices:
On an iPhone:
For more detailed instructions and tips on using Screen Time on an iPhone, you can visit Apple’s official support page at: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208982.
On an Android Device:
For more specific guidance tailored to your Android device’s model and operating system version, you can visit Google’s Digital Wellbeing guide at: https://wellbeing.google/.
By regularly checking your screen time statistics and making conscious adjustments, you can take significant steps towards managing your digital well-being and ensuring that your technology use aligns with your personal values and lifestyle goals.
Let’s remember that our time is the canvas of our lives, and every moment we spend glued to screens is a stroke of color on that canvas. The statistics are clear: with an average of 3 hours and 30 minutes daily spent on phones and countless pickups, our digital habits are more than just routines; they are reflections of what we prioritize. But armed with awareness and the transformative advice from Jay Shetty in “Think Like a Monk,” we have the power to audit our time and realign our actions with our deepest values.
Let this not be an end but a beginning—a starting point to a more mindful, purposeful existence where each second counts not in likes and shares, but in meaningful connections, learning, and growth. As you move forward, challenge yourself not just to reduce screen time, but to fill the reclaimed time with what truly matters to you. May your days be rich with purpose, your moments filled with presence, and your life a testament to the values you hold dear.
In this era of endless distractions, let us not forget: we are not merely users of technology but masters of our own time. Here’s to living a life where every minute is spent not by habit but by choice—a life that truly reflects who we are and aspire to be.
References:
The Tech Report. (2023). 50+ Screen Time Statistics and Facts in 2023. [online] Available at: https://techreport.com
Windows Report. (2023). Screen Time Statistics for 2023 & Over the Years [All Countries]. [online] Available at: https://windowsreport.com
Carrie. J. Graves, DAcCHM (Candidate), Dipl. Ac. & C.H., L.Ac, B.S., AOBTA-C.P.
