Beth Shaw, Author at VoiceAmerica Press Blog

Clean Beauty

Posted by

Beth Shaw on August 12, 2022

Ever wonder what ingredients are lurking in your everyday beauty products? It’s no secret that beauty companies fill their products with emulsifiers and fragrances that are harmful to the skin, yet America doesn’t seem concerned enough to do anything about it. In fact, the last time the FDA passed a law on the regulation of beauty products was when congress passed the Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act in 1938 and it hasn’t been changed since. According to a study done by the Environmental Working Group “22% of all cosmetics may be contaminated with cancer-causing impurities.” It is way too frequent that big name products are being recalled and taken off the shelves due to the discovery of cancer causing substances, making it now more important than ever to educate ourselves on clean beauty and the ingredients involved in our favorite beauty products. With such a vast influx of knowledge and technology over the past 80 years, it’s time for America to catch up on the latest health and clean beauty discoveries in order to Make America Healthy!

Beth Shaw, founder of YogaFit Training Systems and host of Make America Healthy radio show on Voice America, challenges her listeners to educate themselves on the ingredients used in their everyday beauty products and urges them to consider natural alternatives. On her latest episode titled “Clean Beauty” Beth invites clean beauty experts Funlyao Alabi of Shea Radiance, Stephanie Morris from Beauty Counter and Ashley Jo from ASTECC to offer their expert advice on easier and cheaper ways to transition into clean beauty alternatives. Don’t sacrifice your beauty regime and listen to your clean beauty experts! For anyone starting out in clean beauty, our guests recommend undergoing a gradual transition, allowing your wallet and hormones to have time to balance, making it an easier transition into clean beauty.

From haircare products to face and body skincare, there are a lot of ingredients involved in the typical beauty care routine. One of the easiest ways to test your favorite beauty products for toxic chemicals is by logging onto the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Database where they have already tested the big names brands in skincare and rated them on a toxicity scale from one to ten. Funlayo Alabi, founder of Shea Radiance, advises to stray away from anything over a level 3 on the toxicity scale. You can also download the EWG’s Healthy Living app for easier access.

Not only do we have to worry about the skincare ingredients in our own cabinets, but Ashley Jo of ASTECC reminds us to be cautious of the products used at the spas and therapy centers we visit. Ashley works to inform spas and practitioners on harmful ingredients and natural alternatives. Some things may seem out of our control, but when it comes to clean beauty, simpler ingredients are always the best way to go.

With so many health crises occurring in America and around the world simultaneously, it is now more important than ever to take your health into your own hands. The ingredients we topically apply to our skin are just as impactful as the ingredients we put in the foods we eat. Transitioning to a clean beauty regime is a small and easy step towards reaching your whole health goals. Thanks to YogaFit and Stephanie Morris from Beautycounter, you can receive a 30% discount on all BeautyCounter products by visiting BeautyCounter.com/YogaFit and entering the code CleanForAll30 at checkout. Furthermore, if you are looking to advance your whole health, YogaFit Training Systems is offering 15% off your first yoga training course when you enter the code Voice22 at checkout. There is never a time like the present to invest in yourself and your health by taking advantage of these awesome deals!

Clean Water

Posted by

Beth Shaw on August 4, 2022

Health & Wellness

It’s no secret that water is essential to life. The recommended daily water intake is generally 64 fluid ounces throughout the day, which is equivalent to about 2 liters. Not only are humans made up of an average of 60% water, but we use water directly in our daily activities like drinking, cooking and bathing, as well as indirectly in the manufacturing of our favorite goods.

With water playing such a crucial role in our lives and communities, it’s hard to imagine that less than 1% of all the water on Earth is available for human use. The rest remains in the polar ice caps, saltwater oceans, or is inaccessible for practical use. While water cycles through various states of matter to come back to us, it is not always distributed back proportionally. With an increase of droughts due to global warming, it is important to reflect on the ways in which we use our water.

Although water is a vital ingredient for life, it is often taken for granted. According to a study researched by The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average American household uses 82 gallons of water every day. The EPA also mentions that we can all reduce our water usage by 20% by simply installing water-efficient fixtures and appliances.

Just as it is important to monitor our water usage, it is very important that we also monitor what is in our water. According to The Environmental Working Group (EWG) “The federal government’s legal limits are not health-protective. The EPA has not set a new tap water standard in almost 20 years, and some standards are more than 40 years old.” That basically means that the legal limit of contaminants in our water is not based on our health limits. If you want to know what’s in the water you use and consume, the EWG does half of the job for us on their website where you can input your zip code into their Tap Water Database to see what contaminants are floating around the water in your area.

Join Beth Shaw, host of Make America Healthy radio show on VoiceAmerica, as she dives deep into the science of what truly constitutes “clean water” and addresses the controversies behind the addition of fluoride to public water supplies. Beth, alongside Troy Rackley, CEO of The Next Level of Performance, will discuss ways to optimize your water conditions and offer tips to help you achieve the safest water and energy savings. Thanks to Troy, you can save 5% off your NAIAD water filtration system by using our promo code YogaWater22 at checkout.

Founder of YogaFit Training Systems, Beth Shaw has made it her mission to Make America Healthy, one-person at a time. The first step to optimizing your health is fueling your body with the right ingredients to make it possible. Take your health into your own hands and sign up for your first YogaFit Training course and save 15% at checkout using the promo code VOICE22 because “Your health is your most valuable asset always” – Beth Shaw

Yoga, Levitation & Superpowers

Posted by

Beth Shaw on July 21, 2022

Health & Wellness

Once limited to fairytales and folklore, magic has been prevalent throughout history and is just now starting to be understood and recognized by science. Whether it be levitation, clairvoyance, remote viewing or telepathy; magic has been practiced for centuries and the more we explore these abilities, the better understanding we will have of ourselves and the world around us.

On Voice America’s hit show Make America Healthy, host Beth Shaw, founder of YogaFit Training Systems, brings up topics affecting our nation today and talks through solutions that the everyday American can achieve. In the episode titled “Yoga, Levitation & Superpowers,” Beth invites Chief Scientist at the Institute of Noetic Sciences, Dean Radin, to take us on a deeper dive into ancient wisdom and modern sciences, while guiding us to the secret powers of the universe. In his new book, Real Magic, Radin paves the road to new scientific horizons, arguing that magic is a natural aspect of reality that everyone is capable of tapping into with diligent practice.

Traditionally, tapping into your inner magic was thought to only be achieved after years of practicing deep meditation and yoga, but as acceptance of plant medicine grows throughout the modern world, scientists are discovering the supernatural benefits psychedelics have on the mind, body, and spirit. Allowing us to step outside of our realms, psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD alter our state of mind so that we can see the world from a different, more unified, perspective.

Just with trying anything new in life, it is important to take precaution when experimenting with psychedelic plant medicine. The Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) is a non-profit research and educational organization that develops medical, legal, and cultural contexts for people to benefit from the careful uses of psychedelics and marijuana. They provide a psychedelic fundamentals course as a beginners guide to plant medicine, backed up by scientific research. If you have never experienced psychedelics, it is generally recommended you start off with a micro-dose, a small enough dose to reap the benefits while avoiding undesirable side effects. Through countless studies, research has proven positive effects on depression, PTSD, and creativity levels; but since there is yet to be a designated prescription for what micro-dosing means, it is important to decipher what works for you.

If you are weary of psychedelic practices, stay true to your intuition and follow the tried and true methods of yoga and meditation. Prioritize your health and sign up for your first YogaFit training program. Our Meditation and Mindfulness course provides a one-day transformational training that uses a multilayered approach to mantra and chakra meditations to balance the nervous system and bring greater awareness to the mind and the body. If you enter the code VOICE22 at checkout, you will receive 15% off your next yoga session! At YogaFit we follow our essence of “Breathing, feeling, listening to your body. Letting go of judgment, competition and expectations. Staying in the present moment.” Only you will know what is right for you.

YogaFit’s Mind Body Fitness Conference In Scottsdale

Posted by

Beth Shaw on July 17, 2022

Press Releases

YogaFit’s Mind Body Fitness Conference In Scottsdale

SCOTTSDALE, AZ (July 16, 2022) — YogaFit Training Systems is proud to present CEO and founder, Beth Shaw, at their annual Mind Body Fitness Conference on Friday, July 16th. Taking place at the Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch from 6:30pm to 10pm, this workshop is included with any Scottsdale Mind Body Fitness registration or you can simply register here on YogaFit’s website

Join Beth Shaw, founder of YogaFit and host of Make America Healthy radio show, for a night of inspiration, information, and discovery through yoga, meditation, work with a shaman, and practical business advice to stay connected to your purpose while building your yoga business. Beth is a recent graduate of Harvard Business School and will bring you knowledge, creativity, and new ways to stay connected to transforming the world. https://www.yogafit.com/yoga-teacher-trainings/weekly-series/an-evening-with-beth-shaw-at-the-scottsdale-conference/

As a purpose-driven organization, YogaFit has transformed the lives of millions worldwide, and Beth wants to help you transform your communities while keeping yourself healthy and prosperous. All event proceeds will be donated to Family Promise of Greater Phoenix, where their Promise for Pets keeps pets united with their humans. Family Promise believes that pets are a part of the family and shouldn’t be in shelters separate from their human family. The Family Promise pet sanctuary allows families – and their pets – to stay together even after losing their homes.

Founded in 1994, YogaFit is the largest yoga school in North America. Best known for our safe and inclusive approach, we offer 200 and 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher Training and an IAYT-accredited yoga therapy program, YogaFit Healthcare. YogaFit hosts National Mind Body Fitness Conferences, local training sessions, and retreats worldwide. Whether you are a fitness professional, aspiring yoga teacher, or just love yoga, you will find YogaFit’s training methods transformational, inclusive, and life-changing. https://www.voiceamerica.com/show/4057

About VoiceAmerica
VoiceAmerica is the original digital broadcast company for the production and delivery of Live Internet Talk Radio programming and continues to be the industry leader in digital media, marketing, and distribution. We are the pioneers of digital radio programming and have been since 1999. We create and distribute over 500 unique and innovative radio programs for our millions of engaged listeners worldwide over five niche community based channels: the flagship VoiceAmerica™ Variety Channel, VoiceAmerica™ Empowerment Channel, VoiceAmerica™ Health & Wellness Channel, VoiceAmerica™ Business Channel, and VoiceAmerica™ Influencers Channel. VoiceAmerica™ TV offers targeted and exclusive video programming channels. Our network channels distribute live programs daily that reach a growing domestic and international audience who connect through all devices via our mobile, desktop, and tablet VoiceAmerica destinations.

Learn more at http://www.voiceamerica.com . Download the VoiceAmerica App now to listen live on Apple and Android. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

For more information about the VoiceAmerica Talk Radio Network call 855-877-4666.

ADD – Addiction Problems & Solutions

Posted by

Beth Shaw on June 17, 2022

Health & Wellness

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a behavioral disorder that affects up to 1 in 20 children in the USA. The predominance of American research into this disorder over the past 40 years has led to the impression that ADHD is largely an American disorder and is much less prevalent elsewhere. While generally thought to be genetic, the causes of ADHD are not fully understood by science and many think it is the result of different brain structure. Research suggests that the brains of people with ADHD might be larger or smaller in different areas, causing it to function differently. Although ADHD can affect anyone, those who were born prematurely, have epilepsy, or who suffered brain damage while in the womb are at the greatest risk. Typically diagnosed in early childhood, ADHD can manifest in adulthood, but it is usually thought to have been present early on and masked by prospective influences.

There are many tell-tale signs for diagnosing ADHD, but the most occurring symptom is hyper-activity. Hyper-activity is defined by the basis of not being able to sit still. This could translate as excessive talking, fidgeting, or an inability to concentrate. Another common symptom of ADHD is impulsiveness, which manifests as constantly interrupting or acting without thinking. These symptoms can make it very difficult for an individual with ADHD to focus, which is why many people are turning to prescription drugs like Adderall or Ritalin, but these drugs come with their own side effects. With most of the prescription medication for ADHD being stimulants, the brain becomes dependent on the dopamine rush and overtime loses its ability to create its own. This creates an entirely new problem and has been linked to the rising addiction rates.

Whether it’s a problem with alcohol, Opioids, Cocaine, or any other substance, addiction kills thousands of Americans every year and impacts millions of lives. Addiction, or substance use disorder (SUD), is a chronic mental health condition that often affects those with ADHD. With a habit of hyper-activity and impulsivity, people with ADHD are always looking for something to stimulate their brain. This constant need for stimulation causes individuals to seek out substances and often abuse them. While these drugs might offer a quick fix, the best whole health treatment is plant medicine.

In VoiceAmerica’s new hit podcast series Make America Healthy, host Beth Shaw addresses topics, like the prevalence of ADHD in America, and works through solutions alongside her expert guests. In her episode titled “ADHD – Addiction Problems & Solutions” Beth invites YogaFit trainer and trauma healing specialist Shaye Molendyke, as well as author of Breakthrough Healing and hypnotherapist, Michele Molitor. In this episode, they discuss the rising diagnosis rates of ADHD and offer some helpful tips to cope with the condition. In order to combat the symptoms of ADHD, Beth Shaw, founder and CEO of YogaFit Training Systems, suggests incorporating yoga and meditation into your daily routine in order to discipline the mind and enhance focal skills.

For those suffering from ADHD or addiction, the best results are achieved through an internal journey using plant medicine, meditation and yoga practices. If you are looking for guidance on your whole health journey, YogaFit WorldWide, the world’s largest online yoga training school, offers an array of practices perfect for all levels. Founder and CEO, Beth Shaw, through her years of experience has developed specific programs like Yoga For ADD/ADHD and Autism as well as Yoga For Addiction and Recovery, that provides the latest healing techniques and yoga poses for your condition. Take your physical, emotional, and mental health into your own hands and sign up for your first YogaFit training program. If you enter the code VOICE22 at checkout, you will receive 15% off your next yoga session!

Let’s Be Clear (Addiction And The Problem With Your Mind)

Posted by

Beth Shaw on June 14, 2022

Health & Wellness

Let’s Be Clear (Addiction And The Problem With Your Mind)

When most people think of pain treatment, they picture someone laying in a hospital bed in sheer agony. But the truth is, pain is relative and is sometimes not as obvious to detect. Unlike physical pain, mental or emotional pain is a lot more elusive and is not subject to a specific location in the body, allowing it the potential to be even more detrimental if untreated. It is important to recognize the signs of emotional pain affecting whole health before they become unmanageable. Some of these symptoms include isolation from others, poor self care or risky behavior, chronic headaches, feeling heavy, and even depression. Unfortunately, with so many factors affecting our whole health, more people are relying on substances as a short term solution rather than eliminating the root of the problem for long term gratification.

Alcohol is the most widely abused substance in the US, yet alcoholism is often left untreated. An addiction to alcohol can be detrimental to a person’s physical, mental, and social well-being. The 2021 State of Mental Health in America report confirms the trend that mental health in the U.S. continues to get worse. With many of our states ill-prepared to handle this crisis, policymakers at every level of government need to act immediately. With almost no time to spare, we need to take our whole health into our own hands.

In VoiceAmerica’s new hit podcast series Make America Healthy, host Beth Shaw addresses problems, like alcohol abuse in America, and works through solutions alongside her expert guests. In her episode titled “Let’s Be Clear,” Beth invites trauma healing specialists Kelly Gardner and Elizabeth Falcone to provide emotional support tools to overcome substance abuse and gain a closer mind-heart connection. Elizabeth Falcone recommends starting by reflecting inward to address any problems affecting your mental health, then setting short term goals to eliminate the root of these problems. By increasing your awareness, you will gain clearer vision on how to achieve your whole health goals.

Founder and CEO of YogaFit WorldWide, the world’s largest yoga training school, Beth Shaw has been a guiding light in whole health for over 25 years. In her latest book, Healing Trauma With Yoga & Mind-Body Techniques, Beth provides tools and techniques drawn from her work as a recovery and health coach. She offers a deep understanding of the physiological, psychological and emotional changes brought on by trauma and depression, with techniques to survive and thrive through these sometimes debilitating conditions.

For those suffering from any physical or emotional pain, the best results are achieved through an internal journey of meditation and yoga practices. If you are looking for guidance on your whole health journey, YogaFit WorldWide, the world’s largest online yoga training school, offers an array of practices perfect for all levels. Founder and CEO, Beth Shaw, through her years of experience has developed a specific program Yoga for Addiction and Recovery. Take your physical, emotional, and mental health into your own hands and sign up for your first YogaFit training program. If you enter the code VOICE22 at checkout, you will receive 15% off your next yoga session!

Be Your Own Life Coach

Posted by

Beth Shaw on June 10, 2022

Health & Wellness

As the world begins to open back up this year, people are going to want help in navigating how they want to live, engage, and incorporate a broader definition of wellness into their lives. What constitutes wellness for each of us is made up of a combination of biological, mental, emotional, socio-economic, and cultural factors. These elements, each with their own effects, compile together to form our overall state of being. With so much affecting our lives, it is no wonder why so many people are seeking resources for help in these troubling times.

In order to battle depression it is suggested to talk to a therapist or medical doctor, but that can come with expensive costs. Mental health should be free for everyone. The most important resource to have in battling your depression is you. Only you have the power to conquer your mind, but first you must learn the techniques to do so.

In the hit podcast Make America Healthy, featured on Voice America, host Beth Shaw brings up topics affecting our nation today and talks through solutions that the everyday American can achieve. In the episode Be Your Own Life Coach, Beth invites Natalya Berdikyan to talk about some helpful strategies to take control of your life. Founder of Life By Design, an institute for life coaching, Natalya Berdikyan combines her vast business knowledge and life coaching experience to help her clients achieve their personal best.

In order to be your own life coach, one must first understand what a life coach does. As Natalya Berdikyan described it “a life coach is generally someone that moves a person forward and closer to their goals.” With that being said, anyone can be their own life coach, you just have to be determined to achieve your goals.

In order to achieve your personal goals, you must first visualize what they are. As you visualize your goals, remember the feeling that you have because overall, that feeling becomes your goal and your original goal becomes your strategy. It is by tapping into the feeling of achievement that you will be able to manifest and live your success. Beth Shaw reminds us to celebrate our wins, big or small. By taking a moment to look at how far we have come in achieving our personal goals, we will find a greater appreciation and determination to take it even further.

As the founder of YogaFit Training Systems, the world’s largest yoga training school, Beth Shaw has climbed the ladder of success only to find out the climbing never stops. We should always be consciously working to improve our lives and those around us in order to create a brighter future. The best way that you can help others is by helping yourself.

If you are looking to improve upon your whole health, YogaFit training sessions will provide you with the tools you need to dive deeper into yourself for greater introspection and healing. Even more, if you use the code VOICE22 at checkout you will receive 15% of your next YogaFit training session. It is by first becoming aware of and aligning your own energy, that you will gain a clearer vision of your personal goals and ways to achieve them.

Latest Trends in Supplements

Posted by

Beth Shaw on June 3, 2022

Health & Wellness

Plant medicine has been utilized worldwide for thousands of years. Plants have essential nutrients that you cannot get from other foods. The vitamins and minerals, phytochemicals, and antioxidants in plants help keep your cells healthy and your body in balance so that your immune system can function at its best. Unlike industrial medicine, plant medicine is a more healthy and natural way of preventing and fighting off diseases.

With grocery stores overflowing with GMOs and produce lacking in nutrition, maintaining a healthy lifestyle through diet alone seems almost impossible. Due to the increase in malnutrition nationwide, dietary supplements and plant medicine are more popular than ever. But with so many different brands and trends, it can be difficult to decipher what’s right for you. Instead of undergoing your own trial and error process, let the experts lead the way!

In the new hit podcast Make America Healthy, featured on VoiceAmerica, Beth Shaw and her special guest discuss the top health hacks and dietary supplements trending around the world today. In her episode titled The Latest Trends In Supplements, Beth welcomes Julian Mitchell, Co-Founder of Life Cykel, and Catharine Arnston, Founder of EnergyBits, as they talk about their new plant-based supplements, vitamins, and more!

As the founder and CEO of YogaFit WorldWide, the world’s largest yoga training school, Beth Shaw, is dedicated to creating a healthier world for generations to come. Always looking for new dietary supplements to incorporate into her health routines, Beth was excited to hear about all the amazing health benefits included in algae and decided to try EnergyBits’ supplements for herself. After taking their VitalityBits for just one week, Beth was delighted to notice the increase in energy and overall vitality for life that she gained. Using the perfect combination of two different types of algae, spirulina and chlorella, VitalityBits offers vast amounts of nutrition, beauty, and energy benefits that you are unlikely to receive from a traditional diet. Being that algae is the most alkaline, chlorophyll, and protein rich food in the world; adding it to your daily supplement routine is an easy and effective way of helping you reach your health goals.

A huge fan of plant medicine and the healing powers of mushrooms, Beth Shaw was excited to hear from Julian Mitchell on the benefits of Life Cykel’s supplements. One of their most popular dietary supplements, Lion’s Mane Liquid Extract, provides consumers with a cognitive upgrade in the areas of focus, memory, articulation, mental clarity, and creativity. While you can enjoy lion’s mane mushrooms eaten raw, dried, cooked, or steeped for tea; Life Cykel’s liquid extract maximizes the health benefits of these mushrooms and is as simple as taking a few drops under your tongue or drinking it in water.

If you are looking for easier ways to incorporate plant medicine into your diet routine, tune into Make America Healthy on Voice America live every Wednesday at 5 pm Easter time. Beth Shaw has made it her life mission to bring health to the masses. Join Beth and her expert trainers at YogaFit.com and sign up for your first yoga training course where you will receive 15% off your first training session using the code VOICE22 at checkout.

Unusual Health Hacks

Posted by

Beth Shaw on May 30, 2022

Health & Wellness

Being healthy should be part of your overall lifestyle. Having a healthy lifestyle will help prevent chronic diseases and long-term illnesses. Feeling good about yourself and taking care of your health is important for your self-esteem and self-image. Maintain a healthy lifestyle by doing what is right for your body, without making it complicated. Use health hacks to your advantage and make being healthy look easy.

Health hacks are a great way to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They can be anything from using plant medicine, cooking in an alternative way, switching up your beauty routine, or just cleaning more efficiently. Although there are many common health hacks that people have integrated into their daily routines, some are so absurd that the average person would never think of. In the new hit podcast Make America Healthy, featured on VoiceAmerica, Beth Shaw and her special guest discuss the health hacks they use to maintain a healthy lifestyle. In this episode titled Unusual Health Hacks, Beth Shaw spoke to Dr. Lauren Leiva, Troy Casey, and Annabelle Carson about their methods of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Probably the most outrageous health hack, Troy Casey proposed the health benefits of using urine therapy. An ancient yogi practice, urine therapy has been used for thousands of years, but there is a reason why it’s so uncommon. People who practice urine therapy drink or topically apply their urine for the potential health benefits. According to Troy Casey, the most nutrient rich urine comes from your early morning stream, as it is filled with amino acids and minerals important for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

As the founder and CEO of YogaFit WorldWide, the world’s largest yoga training school, Beth Shaw, is always looking for new health hacks to incorporate into her routines. She mentions bedtime yoga as an effective health hack she has been practicing for years. By doing a light yoga session before bed, you are getting the body into a state of relaxation and preparing it for sleep. YogaFit has the perfect yoga for sleep program called Yoga Nidra, where yogis can experience the power of restorative yoga. This simple health hack will improve sleep quality by alleviating insomnia and help you reach deeper levels of sleep. Another unusual health hack that can help relax the body is plant medicine, specifically cannabis. Cannabis and plant medicine have been used for thousands of years to treat mental and physical ailments like inflammation, anxiety, and high blood pressure. The benefits of plant medicine have been studied repeatedly and the results remain unbeatable, especially when compared to industrial medicine.

Lastly, another unusual health hack that has been gaining traction is taking ice baths. Weather you are just using a bowl full of ice water for your face or you fill up an entire bath tub, ice baths are a great way to reduce inflammation/soreness, increase recovery, soothe acne and sunburn, boost immune system, and give your skin that healthy glow you have been waiting for. Only soaking for about 3 minutes, Ice baths are a quick and easy health hack to add to your routine.

With an increase in knowledge and technology, society is capable of being healthier than ever. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle should not have to be complicated. If you would like to learn more effective ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle, tune in to Make America Healthy on Voice America, live every Wednesday at 5 pm eastern time.

Mental Health And Life Transformation

Posted by

Beth Shaw on May 19, 2022

Health & Wellness

It is no secret of the decline in mental health across America, especially following a major worldwide pandemic and all the negative impacts of war. It is estimated that nationwide, almost one in five people (47.1 million) in the U.S. are living with a mental health condition. That number increased by about 1.5 million over last year’s report, with about 10% of youth in the U.S having severe depression. According to the world health organization in their article titled Mental Health “Depression is one of the leading causes of disability. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds. People with severe mental health conditions die prematurely – as much as two decades early – due to preventable physical conditions.” If it continues to go unchecked, this decline in mental health will have detrimental effects for individuals as well as the collective.

The first step in healing the mind starts with becoming aware of all the components that make up mental health. MentalHealth.Gov puts it in perfect terms as they state “Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.” There is a lot more to maintaining our mental health than we know. It is important to provide yourself with the tools needed to support a healthy mind. In VoiceAmerica’s new hit podcast Make America Healthy, host Beth Shaw, along with her exper guests provide some helpful tips in maintaining a healthy mind and how to recognize the signs of declining mental health. In the episode titled “Mental Health and Life Transformation,” Beth talks to psychology specialists Dr. Cheryl Meyer and Dr. Ellen Albertson on both their personal and professional experiences within the mental health industry. Through their research and understanding it is clear that the only way to achieve a healthy mind is by coming back to the basics – breath-work, meditation and yoga.

The only guaranteed thing anyone can control is themselves. In order to correct our external environment we must first turn inwards. Recognizing our own mental blockages or triggers is the first step in developing a healthy mindset. It is only through deep meditation and yoga practices that we are able to reflect inward and gain insight on our true thoughts and feelings, while eliminating all the negative energies that we pick up throughout the day. While on the show, Dr. Ellen Albertson mentions the influx of cortisol levels in the average American today and how the constant exposure to the media is keeping us in a state of fight or flight. We need to recognize what emotions are ours and release the heavy burdens society feeds us on a daily basis.

Unfortunately, stress is an inevitable factor in life, but learning how to cope with stressful situations will make all the difference. It is utterly too common for stressed individuals to rely on dopamine as a quick fix. Weather it is drugs, alcohol, food, or sex, people are fiending for a dopamine high and resulting to unhealthy habits to get it. We need to recognize these toxic patterns and address the root of the problem, rather than prolonging the solution. As the founder and CEO of YogaFit Worldwide, Beth Shaw has made it her mission to envision a healthier world both physically and mentally. In her book Healing Trauma With Yoga, Beth provides a path to an improved body and soul through her practices on becoming stronger, leaner, and more flexible while reducing stress and improving concentration. If you are looking to reduce stress and improve your mental health visit YogaFit.com and receive 15% off your first yoga training session by using the code VOICE22 at checkout.

If you are struggling with your mental health or know someone who is, remember to be patient with each other. Life’s a journey of ups and downs, but it is through our struggles that we find our strength.

Beth Shaw

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