Community Zen Acupuncture

10/03/2025

Today I met with Brandon Nichol of D&D CBD. They offer premium CBD products that help with anxiety, sleep, inflammation and more.

In addition to their people products, they also have great CBD oil and treats for dogs.

I’m also now an affiliate, so if you have any questions, message me!

Thanks for stopping by, Brandon!

Community Zen Acupuncture

10/01/2025

What is Tai Chi?

Tai Chi (T'ai Chi Ch'uan) is an ancient Chinese internal martial art often practiced today for its incredible health benefits. It's more than just an exercise; it's a moving meditation.

Key Characteristics:

* Gentle and Slow: It involves a series of slow, continuous, and graceful movements that flow seamlessly into the next.

* Mind-Body Connection: The practice emphasizes deep, diaphragmatic breathing synchronized with the movements, fostering a strong connection between the mind and body.

* Cultivating Qi (Energy): In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Tai Chi is used to cultivate and move Qi (life energy) throughout the body, promoting balance and health.

* Low-Impact: Because the movements are gentle, it’s an excellent, low-impact activity suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels, including those with joint pain (like knee pain) or mobility concerns.

Common Benefits:

Regular practice is known to improve balance, flexibility, muscle strength, and cardiovascular health, all while reducing stress and anxiety. It’s truly a holistic exercise for long-term well-being.

09/26/2025

🌿 Nature Walk vs. Treadmill: Science Has Spoken! 🌲
New research confirms that walking in a natural, green environment offers powerful benefits that you just can't get from a city walk or an indoor workout.

A recent study highlights that exercising in nature literally makes your body and brain feel better:

✅ Stress Hormone Drop: Participants had significantly lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol after a nature walk.
✅ Joy & Motivation Boost: People reported feeling more relaxed, joyful, and less fatigued, making them more likely to want to exercise again.
✅ Heart Recovery: Heart rate decreased faster, and heart health markers showed the body was better able to calm down and recover compared to walking indoors.

It's more than a feeling—it's a physical response! Swap just one indoor session for a 30-minute walk in a park or on a trail this week. Your mind and body will thank you!


Image by wirestock on Freepik

09/19/2025

Benefits of Goji Berry

Looking for a delicious superfood? Goji berries might be the answer! These small, vibrant red berries, also known as wolfberries, have been a staple in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years—and here’s why.

Packed with antioxidants, goji berries are a powerhouse of nutrients. They're an excellent source of vitamins A and C, which support your immune system and protect your cells. They're also rich in zeaxanthin, an antioxidant for eye health.

They’re a great, natural energy booster. I like mine as “goji-water”. I throw a handful into my drinking water. They add a nice flavor and soon begin to swell. I can then eat the swollen goji as I drink my water. It’s an all-natural energy drink.

You could also eat them dry, as part of a trail mix, or throw them in your yogurt or smoothie. They have a naturally sweet, slightly tangy flavor that makes them a great addition to many meals.

You should be able to find them at your local health food store. They’re a dried fruit, so you can order them online as well.

Ready to give them a try? Let us know what you think in the comments!


Image by timolina on Freepik

09/17/2025

Is your mind constantly racing with worries? While a little bit of stress is normal, excessive worry can have a major impact on your physical and mental health.

When you're constantly worried, your body stays in "fight or flight" mode. This means your stress hormones, like cortisol, are always elevated. Over time, this can lead to a range of health issues, including:

-Heart problems: Chronic stress can contribute to high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart disease.

-Weakened immune system: With your body focused on stress, your immune system can't work as effectively, making you more susceptible to illnesses.

-Digestive issues: Stress can throw your digestive system out of whack, leading to problems like stomachaches, bloating, and even ulcers.

-Sleep problems: A mind full of worry makes it nearly impossible to get a good night's rest, leading to fatigue and more stress.

It's clear that your mental health and physical health are deeply connected. Taking steps to manage worry, whether through mindfulness, exercise, or talking to a professional, is one of the best things you can do for your overall well-being.


- Image by pch.vector on Freepik

09/12/2025

What are yours? What matters to you? What motivates you? Getting clear on these can be a great motivation tool!

09/10/2025

I’ve been practicing Zen meditation for many years. It’s never more complicated than sitting with the breath. (We say, “simple, not easy”). All the benefits still come this way; mindfulness, clarity, insight. All from “just sitting”.- Mike Community Zen Acupuncture

09/05/2025

09/03/2025

Productivity Hack

One of the most helpful productivity practices I’ve come across is called the Pomodoro Method.

Put simply, you agree with yourself to work on a project or task for a set amount of time. We call these blocks “pomodoros” (meaning “tomatoes”). In what I do, I find 25 minutes to be an ideal-sized tomato. (25 minutes of work, followed by a 5-minute break). It helps me work at optimal focus.

Need to make a marketing post for your online business? - Give it 1 tomato.
Following up on a mysterious charge on your credit card? - See if you can handle it with ½ a tomato.

The real magic comes when you start breaking down bigger, more time-consuming projects into smaller chunks.

It’s a great way to start and beat procrastination. But don’t skip your breaks! Give yourself regular intervals to reflect, and clear your mind for the next focus.

For more info on the Pomodoro Method, there’s a lot of it online. Maybe you can find a way to make it work for you.

Have you tried the Pomodoro? What other productivity hacks have you found helpful?



img by jannoon028 at FreePik

08/29/2025

Blog post from a while back, still true.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine we study the philosophy of the five elements or five phases. It’s an analogy of certain phases and their relationship to each other. It can be applied in many ways, I think the most simple way to think of it, is with the seasons. In this way, we think of the fire el...

08/27/2025

Getting ready for fall

Back to school means routine and structure. This is a good time to simplify and declutter in preparation. Be careful not to overwork yourself, though. After an active summer, you need more downtime, and the days will be getting shorter.

Earth also relates to the stomach and digestion, so it’s important to be mindful of what you eat this time. Less cold and raw foods, more cooked food that’s easier to digest. Good foods for this time are oats, lentils, quinoa, sweet potato, and squash. If it’s naturally in season, it’s probably alright.

Lastly, each season tends to draw out a particular emotion. It’s hard to go from the “joy” of summer to the “sorrow” of fall. That’s why we have late summer for “pensiveness” or “deep thought”. Using this time for more quiet contemplation, such as meditation, or going for walks, helps ease us more gently into the mood of autumn.

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