When we shift our perspective to understanding how worry is fueled by the signals in the body, not the brain, it makes sense that conventional treatments like Xanax or even cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) would not be able to offer sustainable efficacy and relief.

Flourish was founded by a social worker and everyone here, not just social workers, highly values our role as helping those in need. Our company values include no judgment, compassion, kindness, empathy, and integrity, and these values complement our role as helpers to ensure our clients receive objective, judgment-free support and collaboration.

We will continue to do what we do despite the risks inherently posed to us by SB 8.

It’s an impossible game to try to avoid stress. Since stress is ubiquitous, it’s how you react to it that counts the most when it comes to your wellbeing. So vagus nerve stimulation can be a tool you use during any moment you need to de-stress.

“Stimulating the vagus nerve tricks your brain into thinking that everything is okay,” says D’Elia Assenza. A great time to stimulate the vagus nerve, she says, is when you’re experiencing a heightened state of anxiety or stress.

Sauerkraut is known to have anywhere between 1,000 to 100 million Colony Forming Units (CFUs) of probiotics per gram. That means just 2 tablespoons of the tangy topping will meet your recommended daily intake of probiotics. Not only do probiotics benefit our gut health and digestion, but in doing so they benefit your mental health as well. By positively impacting your gut, often referred to as the second brain, the healthy probiotics found in sauerkraut have been found to reduce stress and anxiety, while boosting mood and brain functioning. *

Cyndi Collen here, owner of Flourish, and I am a history buff. I love to reflect on national holidays to connect with their origins and I just re-read the Declaration of Independence yesterday for fun.

If you haven’t read it lately I’ll sum it up: it’s a very articulate, passionate and erudite break-up letter. The intellectuals involved with the Continental Congress debated and discussed how to deal with their powerlessness; ultimately, after being dismissed, neglected and abused (words in the Declaration), they opted for freedom through empowerment.

Social connection with loved ones is what I am yearning for and wonder if you are feeling refreshed or renewed by seeing dear ones for the first time in months and months? As Stephen Porges, author and researcher of The Polyvagal Theory, states: “connection is a biological imperative”. We are wired to be in relationship with others and these past 15+ months of isolation has taken a toll on our collective nervous systems.