Mindfulness is an emerging tool for coping with grief. Characterized by holding a non-judgmental awareness of the present moment, mindfulness has roots in both Eastern philosophy and Western psychology. Scientific evidence supports its efficacy in easing various psychological conditions, including those experiencing grief and trauma.

Among those using mindfulness to help is Dr. Lenore Matthew, an expert in grief, trauma, and mind/body/spirit practices. She integrates mindfulness into her approach, contributing to the evolving landscape of grief support.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is a state of being one with the present moment. It’s both a practicable skill and a way of being, as well as a mental process. Common definitions, such as “having moment-to-moment awareness” and “keeping one’s consciousness alive to the present reality” highlight the foundation of mindfulness: having a continuous, non-judgmental presence, even when facing challenging feelings.  

Mindfulness’s Role in Easing Grief

Mindfulness practices have been integrated into different treatment approaches. A study by Huang and colleagues (2021) explored the impact of mindfulness on conditions commonly experienced in grief, including chronic pain, depression, trauma, and anxiety.

Mindfulness may help with grief, especially in situations of unexpected death where the nervous system is in a state of shock, and coping mechanisms such as rumination may occur. Mindfulness helps to ease incessant thoughts and promote reframing.

Dr. Matthew’s Healing Approach and Mindfulness

In coping with the profound grief following the unexpected passing of her husband in 2020, Dr. Matthew turned to mindfulness as a valuable tool for healing. It provided relief during the initial shock, later becoming a daily practice that helped her understand and cope with the complexities of grief.

Today, Dr. Matthew’s work bridges the gap between traditional psychosocial interventions and mind/body/spirit practices, exploring the way intuitive and spiritual modalities affect people’s mental health and well-being, especially in the contexts of trauma and grief.

Her work is anchored in several scientific research initiatives. One of her current studies assesses the impact of receiving multiple mediumship readings on widows’ mental, emotional, and spiritual health. The study aims to understand how mediumship readings affect the healing process and connection to departed loved ones. Ultimately, the objective is to provide evidence that could help expand care and support options for those who have lost a loved one.

As Dr. Matthew explained, “Receiving a mediumship reading can be very impactful for someone in grief. Not only does it provide validation of our loved one’s continued presence, but it also opens the door to developing one’s own intuitive connection to our loved one. After a mediumship reading, we may start to notice loved ones’ signs more or explore other ways to connect to them. We become more mindful about the ways our loved ones reach out and ease our judgment, getting more curious instead.”

Dr. Matthew’s experience illustrates the substantial influence of mindfulness on the grieving process, noting that mindfulness helps foster mental clarity as well as enhances intuition.

She integrates mindfulness teachings into her Continued Connection program, which provides individuals with pragmatic tools to navigate their own grief journeys by connecting to their departed loved ones. Dr. Lenore Matthew contributes significantly to this field through her pioneering integration of mindfulness in the Continued Connection program.

Dental education is always evolving and the newest information has to be learned by even the most seasoned dentist. It’s crucial in shaping the careers of aspiring dentists. However, the field is currently grappling with a crisis—a shortage of faculty members.

There has been a wave of faculty retirements, a key factor contributing to the declining workforce in dental education. Research reveals over 50 percent of full-time dental faculty members in the UK are over 50.

As a result, there’s a high student-to-faculty ratio, limiting their access to personalized instruction and mentorship.

Here, experienced dentists can play a crucial role in bridging the gap created by this crisis. They can start internships and other educational programs aimed at imparting practical knowledge to new dentists.

In this regard, several dental institutes are trying to maintain faculties, creating opportunities for emerging professionals.

Aiming to play his part in progressing the field, Dr. Stuart Lutton started the New Life Teeth Academy. With a decade of experience as a dental implant surgeon, he brings a wealth of expertise to the dental industry, especially related to modern technology and techniques.

NLT Academy offers specialized courses taught by experienced faculty, operating in alignment with universities across the UK. It caters to dentists aspiring to broaden or refine their skill sets through clinical training. This initiative can provide invaluable hands-on practice in real practical settings, providing a seamless transition from the classroom to the clinic. This ensures that the students are well-equipped to handle the complexities of patient care.

NLT Academy has also introduced postgraduate programs to expand dental education. It reflects Dr. Lutton’s vision to ensure rookie dentists receive up-to-date and cutting-edge training.

Dr. Lutton also aims to transform dental technicians into IT specialists with the New Life Teeth Lab initiative. With a focus on practical skills and real-world scenarios, the lab strives to cultivate in-demand skills. It allows dentists to learn about modern milling techniques, CAD/CAM systems for smile makeovers, and other technologies to meet the challenges of modern dentistry head-on.

The education received today significantly influences the professionals of tomorrow. In the face of a pressing faculty shortage, experienced dentists must step up and play their role in training the new talent. By doing so, they can keep the field up to date and maintain the workforce qualitatively and quantitatively.

It is also important to note that not every dentist can provide a comprehensive educational platform like NLT Academy. Hence, there is also a need for a collaborative effort where dentists can create a space to train inexperienced dentists collectively.

Until then, internship programs, seminars, and teaming up with dental education institutes can help mitigate the gap between faculty and students.

Projects like New Life Teeth Academy are a big step forward in enhancing dental education and skills development. However, more effort from the dental community is required to completely bridge the training gap. As more graduates enter the field, a more thorough approach to training opportunities is needed.

Finally, if you are a young dentist looking to sharpen your skills, you can learn more about Dr. Stuart’s art of teaching dentistry and New Life Academy by visiting his Instagram.

Think about going 10 years back in youth and beauty, what comes to mind? Perhaps cosmetic procedures and high-end skincare products can help in looking younger. However, there’s another way. Face yoga has emerged in recent years, capturing the curiosity of those looking to reverse their age.

Can it deliver a more youthful appearance?

Loa Blasucci, an expert in Reverse Aging and Energy Medicine, provides a unique perspective. More than yoga, she brings a fusion of energy balancing, fascia conditioning, and exercises with breathwork she calls fitness for your face.

She emphasizes the importance of face awareness, stating, “Your emotion creates the energy you radiate outward from your face. Once you’re over 40, it’s time to pay attention observe yourself, and be aware of the emotion and the tension you are holding in your face. It’s a daily practice, like bathing; soften your face and keep a hint of joy there at all times. At 65, I do this every day.”

How Can Face Yoga Make You Look Young?

Face yoga involves various deliberate movements and stretches meticulously designed to engage the muscles of the face and neck. Many women noticed a positive face change after practicing Loa’s face-lifting exercises.

Some may still be skeptical. So, let’s delve into how face exercises work.

Muscle Strengthening: Facial yoga aims to tone and strengthen the muscles in the face and neck. Over time, this may help maintain muscle volume and reduce the appearance of sagging skin.

Improved Blood Circulation: Using face muscles properly stimulates blood flow to the skin, increasing the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the cells. This contributes to a firmer skin tone and a smoother, brighter complexion which together create a youthful glow.

Enhanced Collagen Production: Collagen is a protein responsible for the skin’s elasticity and firmness. Facial exercises can trigger collagen production and repopulate collagen to where it’s needed, which helps you retain your youthful face shape, and keep you wrinkle-free.

Lymphatic Drainage: Strategic movements of the face help to promote lymphatic drainage. This helps to release trapped lymphatic fluid that causes eye bags and puffiness, jowls, double chin, and other swelling in the face.

Relaxation and Stress Reduction: Reducing stress and tension in the face benefits your skin’s health and appearance and reduces the wrinkles caused by stress. Loa’s techniques help to smooth lines in the face caused by emotion, balance the energy centers of the body, and quiet the mind through relaxation techniques and deep breathing.

It’s also worth noting that improper technique or excessive force during these exercises could lead to muscle strain that might enhance the appearance of wrinkles. Face Yoga classes help women practice the techniques correctly and let go of some of their stress. When the first COVID lockdowns were put in place, it was a lonely, stressful time. Loa brought women together in a friendly online place, and because of all the job stress at that time, she didn’t charge anyone. Now, women can join from anywhere and learn how to reverse their wrinkles and balance their energy without the fear of doing it wrong.

So, if you’re curious to learn more about these techniques or join her classes, you can contact Loa Blasucci through her website, Heyloa.com.