As a young boy I felt different from people around me. 

There’s a photo of me where I’m just sitting still, observing the scene, while everyone around me is busy doing things. 

I was wondering to myself:

“Where am I? How did I get here?” 

As a kid, I was completely curious about the nature of reality.

I started questioning: 

“Where am I?” 

“What’s really going on?”

During one of my trips to India as an adult, I was given a Sanskrit name, Anand Nirav. 

Anand means joy, and Nirav means quiet or calm, like the stillness you find at the center of a cyclone. 

I’ve always felt this to be a truthful description of how I feel: 

I’m still on the inside, and there’s all this swirling going on around me that I can’t really relate to, but which seems to be the consuming reality for most others. 

It feels as though I’m in neutral gear, when everyone else is in drive. 

For a long time, I didn’t have words to describe why I felt like an outsider. 

I thought maybe there was something in my DNA that made me different – that I was programmed one way, and everyone else was programmed another way.

Today I know that I’ve always been an HSP (Highly Sensitive Person), like many healers. 

Highly Sensitive Person is a term coined by Elaine Aron to describe people with very finely attuned nervous systems. 

HSPs are often more sensitive to environmental stimuli like noise, light, and smells, more perceptive of emotions, more intuitive, and more prone to overwhelm and burnout. 

Most people in caring roles and healing professions, like health coaches, are HSPs…

… and most of the healers who need healing are HSPs. 

I didn’t cross paths with many other HSPs until starting the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and meeting other healers like myself.

Since launching the Heal the Healer movement this year with my book and live event in NYC, I’ve been leaning into prioritizing my own healing, as a healer, more than ever. 

I’ve reached down and thought about my deepest needs and desires… 

I’ve doubled down on self-care… 

… and I’ve actualized a lifelong dream of mine that’s deeply contributed to my healing: Living in Japan.

I’ve been able to pause my role as business leader and community builder to really focus intimately on healing myself. 

As director and primary teacher at IIN for 30 years, then CEO of Knew Health, it was impossible to prioritize my health in the way I needed to. 

But after writing the book and teaching the course, I looked in the mirror and realized I want to walk the talk. So I packed my bags and for the past few months I’ve been mostly living in a very quiet area of downtown Tokyo, literally the peaceful quiet at the center of the cyclone. 

I’ve created the space to truly heal myself, as a healer. I exercise more regularly than I have at any time in my life. I’ve lost weight and feel great. 

When you put yourself first, as a healer, you inspire other healers to do the same.

When healers put their health first, they can help hundreds or thousands more people, more effectively, from their overflow rather than from a deficiency. 

Since moving to Japan, I’ve encountered even more people who share my high sensitivity. 

Being immersed in this culture has been incredibly supportive for me, and really deepened my own healing. 

Here are a few ways Japanese culture has supported my healing, as a healer:

1. Japanese culture is calm and quiet.
   
   Tranquility, harmony, and respect are highly valued.
   
   As a Highly Sensitive Person who spent a lot of time working in New York City, living here has been profoundly healing for my nervous system.
   
2. Japanese food is nutritious and healing.
   
   When Michio Kushi said “Food changes everything,” I was stunned and inspired.
   
   This led me to study under him, audit his consultations, and eventually travel with him across Japan.
   
   Today I feel blessed and grateful to live here.
   
3. Warm community of healthy healers supporting each other. Since being in Japan, I’ve taught a couple of classes. 

It’s a joy to connect with a community of healers who care so much about each other in the world.

Waking up in Japan has been a lifelong dream of mine, and today I’m living it.

It was a big leap, and I wasn’t sure how it would turn out, but the effect on my nervous system and energy has been profound. 

It’s clear that this is my home, at least for now. 

There’s so much we can do for ourselves, as healers, regardless of where we live, but there are times when changing your environment truly can change everything. 

Here, there’s a whole different energy and pace that really suits me.

I’m walking my talk as the leader of the Heal the Healer movement, and creating space for even more synchronicity and serendipity in my life. 

Moving to Japan was a major change where I put myself first, which is crucial sometimes, as a healer. 

As challenging as it might feel, putting yourself first is in service to others.

What’s one brave step you’ll take this week, as a healer, to put yourself first and support your own healing?

I would love to hear from you on Instagram or Facebook.
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I recently had the pleasure of hosting 300 graduates in New York, where we delved into themes of love, self-care, and healing. We covered impactful topics, including:

• Healing old wounds
• Building community
• Establishing healthy boundaries
• Cultivating joy and authenticity

Please take a minute to watch this video so you feel the energy of the conference. 

As healers we must first learn to help ourselves. As they say: please put on your life preserver first, before trying to help others. Throughout the weekend, we asked: 

Who takes care of health coaches and healers when we are busy taking care of family, friends, and clients? Who heals the healer? 

Here’s a small exercise you may have seen me lead. It was included in the conference. It’s something I strive to do daily. Please take a moment now to have this experience.

Put one hand over your heart, and one hand over your belly. Breathe. Feel your heartbeat. 

Thank your heart for loving you and being present for you through all of life’s ups and downs. Our heart never missed a beat no matter how good or bad the situation. Our heart has always been there for us. Let’s promise our hearts we will continue to do our best to love and protect ourselves. 

Now let’s breathe into our belly and thank the belly for all the food it has digested. Appreciate the genius of our body – it’s a super bio-computer, always there to love and protect us. 

At the conference we made time for self-care through intimate discussions, emotional release, dance, music, massage, and deep meaningful human connections.  

Guest speakers included Ellen Vora MD, Shaunna Menard MD, Andrea Beaman, Terri Cole and Oz Garcia. It was refreshing to hear them speak about their own challenges in life, and how they eventually learned to take care of themselves. But the real stars of the show were the hundreds of graduates interacting with each other and promising themselves a happier, healthier future. Together, we were able to create community, something that’s a treasure these days.

Want to join the next meetup? Drop a note below and let us know! I promise it’ll be more fun than being at home. 

Whether you’re a health coach, wellness professional, caregiver, or any other kind of helper in the world, you’re likely no stranger to burnout. Pouring your heart into the wellbeing of others day after day is enormously fulfilling, but also enormously draining – physically, mentally, and emotionally. 

And you’ve likely seen firsthand the heavy burdens shouldered by healthcare workers as they struggle with overwhelming stress, trauma, and emotional exhaustion on the job. For doctors, nurses and medical staff, the burnout crisis is staggering. They’re overstressed, overworked, and stretched to the limit caring for patients. The trauma they absorb fuels high rates of substance abuse as they try to numb their pain and emotional exhaustion. A shocking 42% of physicians experience burnout, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. 

But there’s a simple solution that can help revitalize caregivers: meditation.

Meditation provides powerful, scientifically-verified benefits for the mind, brain, and body. Studies demonstrate meditation’s profound impact in protecting caregivers from burnout while promoting resilience and emotional wellbeing. Different styles of meditation like mindfulness, focused attention, and transcendental meditation have all shown positive effects.

WHAT IS MEDITATION?

Meditation refers to a variety of practices that promote relaxation, build internal energy and awareness, and cultivate focus and insight. Some types use mantras, others focus on the breath, and some employ guided visualizations or mindfulness of the present moment. While techniques vary, the common goal is to induce a state of inner peace and awareness. 

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

Research shows meditation can reduce anxiety, depression, insomnia and other burnout symptoms in caregivers while increasing their sense of personal accomplishment and emotional balance. Studies find it dramatically relieves burnout, with participants reporting feeling more relaxed yet focused. 

While research has centered on healthcare workers, there’s every reason to believe meditation would produce similar benefits for all caregivers and helpers who selflessly serve others. No matter your role, taking on your clients’ and patients’ struggles can be depleting. Meditation can help you recharge and keep your energy reserves replenished so you have more to give.  

HOW TO GET STARTED?

One of the most beneficial ways to begin is by seeking out a meditation group or community class in your local area. Meditating collectively with others can be extremely powerful – regulating your breath and energy field with those around you. Sharing that experience helps build momentum and accountability.

Local yoga studios, community centers, churches, libraries, and rec centers often offer free or low-cost meditation gatherings. Check their schedules for guided group sessions or open studios where you can practice. If you can’t find an in-person option nearby, there are many free or very low-cost apps, YouTube videos, and online resources that can instruct you in different meditation styles and techniques from home. 

The most important step is to simply begin exploring what styles and techniques feel accessible and resonate with you. Consistency is key. Even setting aside 5 minutes per day can provide much-needed rejuvenation. 

If your life’s work involves tending to others, don’t let burnout drain you. Meditation offers a powerful antidote to replenish your energy from within. Prioritize this simple yet profound practice of self-care and you will have the ability to continue showing up fully for those who need you most.

What if this year you went on a hot air balloon ride and saw the sunrise from above the clouds? What if you learned Spanish fluently enough to have real conversations with your great grandmother? What if in 2024 you pushed your fitness to the next level and ran a half marathon? What if you consciously unplugged from devices and took leave from work for one month to reconnect with nature?

As healers, it’s easy to get caught up in addressing others’ endless needs without checking if our own priorities align with how we spend our energy. Do you ever feel like life is just happening to you instead of you being in the driver’s seat? What if this year, you decided to take back the reins and really live your one precious life?

Time Travel Exercise 

I like to do the following exercise when I teach because it inspires people to take a more active role in shaping their destiny. I call it the Time Travel Exercise because, similar to how we travel into the past through our memories, I believe we can travel into the future through what we envision. Try it now.

1. What do you want to get done by the end of the day today? What’s the most important thing for tomorrow?
2. What do you want to get done by the weekend?
3. What do you want to get done by the end of the month?
4. What do you want to get done by the end of this year?
5. Now, write down the age you will be five years from now. Then write down the age of the most important people in your life—friends, partner, children, parents. Take their current ages and add five.
6. Now, answer the following questions:

• Who do you want to be five years from now?
• Where do you want to be living?
• What do you want your career or income to look like?
• What do you want your primary relationship to be like?
• What do you want your other relationships to be like?
• What do you want the central elements of your life to be by that time?

7. Repeat this visualization for ten and twenty years from now, if you wish.

Take Charge of Your Path

How was that exercise for you? Can you see how important it is to develop a vision for your future? Not having a plan for your life is like trying to drive from Miami to Chicago without a map. You’ll never get there. Instead, maybe you’ll end up in Kalamazoo. When you do, you might think, “Oh, this is great. I wasn’t expecting to be in Kalamazoo.” But at the end of your life, you might look back with regret.

Life is a long time. But it can go by quickly when you’re not paying attention, or when you avoid taking an active role in shaping it. Before you know it, you will be a decade older. And if you don’t create a plan for yourself, the world will create one for you. 

If your plan is foggy right now, that’s okay. I hope the time exercise at least inspires you to reflect more on what’s truly important to you so you can course correct as needed in the coming months.

When you are clear, share your vision with supportive people who can help hold you accountable. We manifest our dreams faster through community. When we verbalize our goals, it helps solidify them. 

Don’t settle for less than you deserve or make unconscious decisions on autopilot. I am going to release my new book in 2024. What are you going to do this year? Let me know your thoughts on Facebook and Instagram!

Growing up Jewish, the holiday season was confusing for me. Christmas trees and depictions of Santa Claus were everywhere. Shopping malls were filled with people buying gifts, and there was all this talk about our savior being born. But as a non-Christian, I felt like an outsider. I didn’t understand what any of it meant. 

In a similar way, healers might find themselves feeling lonely this time of year. Though we work tirelessly to lighten others’ emotional loads, we sometimes overlook our own needs for connection and support. We absorb others’ pain until our emotional reserves run dry, but we don’t always have relationships that nourish us.

Feeling Alone 

In case you’re experiencing the holiday blues, here are some aspects to consider:

AUTONOMY

Many healers work independently rather than as part of a team, so they lack built-in support systems. Many also work remotely, which fosters disconnection. You may feel like you are getting your need for connection met because you interact with clients all day, but this may not be the case. We need to feel cared for in addition to caring for others. We need balanced, nourishing relationships where we can show up authentically and express our own vulnerabilities too.

EMOTIONAL LABOR

Friends and family members don’t always understand the emotional labor it requires to do healing work. Many healers will overwork rather than reach out for help. We may resist speaking honestly about our own struggles for fear it will make us appear less competent or capable of helping others. As a result, we carry heavy loads for others in addition to holding our own pain without anyone to help us shoulder the burden.

SEASONAL SADNESS

Depending on where you live, you might experience colder weather and fewer hours of daylight this time of year. This can worsen loneliness, especially for healers and caregivers already burdened with compassion fatigue, decision overload, and lack of support. Additionally, feelings of loss and grief tend to peak during the late fall and winter months. The combination of less sunlight exposure, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), nostalgia around the holidays, and reflecting on the passing year can be difficult to manage alone. 

Coping This Season

Just because it’s common for healers to feel lonely around the holidays doesn’t mean you have to accept it as inevitable. Here are some ideas for how to relieve holiday loneliness:

HEAL THROUGH COMMUNITY

When we look to our ancestors and ancient wisdom, we see that healing happens through community–through sharing stories, practicing rituals, and supporting others. As social creatures, our health depends heavily on connecting with others. This holiday season, join a group or community oriented around your work or personal interests. Interacting with like-minded people fosters a sense of belonging, and belonging is an antidote to burnout. 

ASK FOR WHAT YOU NEED

You deserve to feel seen and valued this season too. So, it’s important to build relationships where your needs matter. Have faith that there are people who truly care about you and want to help carry your burdens–you need only allow them into your world. Send that text to an old friend you’ve been meaning to catch up with. Have an intimate dinner party with close loved ones. Ask for help when you need it. Vulnerability breeds connection. 

REFRAME ALONE TIME 

Solitude doesn’t have to mean isolation. Use the winter as permission to slow down, recharge, and reflect on what belonging means to you. Focus inward on replenishing your mental, physical, and emotional reserves. Carve out restorative downtime to immerse yourself in solitary hobbies like journaling, puzzles, art, and meditation. 

KEEP MOVING

Staying active regulates mood and boosts endorphins. If you’re in a cold climate, embrace winter sports like skiing or snowshoeing. Bundle up for a brisk walk through twinkling neighborhood light displays. Sign up for virtual dance classes you can do from your living room–anything that gets your heart rate up a few times a week.

What would it look like if more of us broke the silence on healer isolation and relied on one another for support? What are your ways of coping during the holidays? Let me know your thoughts on Facebook and Instagram!

Holidays can be great for spending time with loved ones, creating memories, and enjoying our favorite comfort foods. But for many of us, the holiday season also brings increased stress and emotional drain.

As healers and caregivers, we often fall into the trap of overextending ourselves. We may buy excessive gifts, make elaborate meals, and overcommit to family and friends in an effort to make the season perfect. Or exhaust ourselves trying to meet everyone’s needs, at the expense of our own well-being.

For example, I will often unconsciously slip from just enjoying the moment to becoming a health coach, and I don’t even realize I’m doing it. I’ll stay in conversations long after I’m interested, because I feel like it’s important for me to be a good listener.  

This Thanksgiving, I want to offer some advice to help you stay balanced and avoid holiday burnout so you can enjoy the season. 

Take Inventory of Your Triggers

First, reflect on your unique relationship to the holiday season. Identify your particular areas of struggle. Do perfectionist tendencies arise around hosting and entertaining? Do challenging family dynamics reemerge each year that put pressure on you to take on the role of the mediator? Do finances cause stress with lack of boundaries or control? Do you struggle with loneliness or grief during this season? What about your relationship to food during the holidays? Take inventory.

Create a Holiday Burnout Prevention Plan

Next, create a holiday burnout prevention plan. This could mean establishing boundaries or leaning on support systems. By asking for help with tasks like meal planning, gift giving, and hosting duties, you free yourself up to be more present to share in the holiday spirit with others. Your burnout prevention plan might also mean committing only to holiday activities that genuinely bring you joy. 

Try Not to Be Swayed by Others

If Aunt Carol starts lecturing your dietary choices, politely change the subject. She probably means well but lacks self-awareness. You cannot control her opinions, only your reactions. If friends insist on lavish outings that strain your budget, don’t be swayed by guilt or FOMO. Your finances matter. Lovingly suggest more affordable hangouts like hiking or games instead. And stay away from politics and religion, if that leads to tension. Remember what truly matters: simple joys and togetherness. The holidays can bring heightened stress to those around you as well, so do your best not to take all things personally.

Give Thanks to Yourself  

When you are preparing for the festivities and during the holidays themselves, practice self-care. Show your body gratitude and appreciation for all it does for you by listening to what it tells you. Signs like headaches and irritability mean you’re overdoing it. Make time for exercise, healthy food, meditation, and ample sleep. Be sure to schedule some down time so you have a chance to recharge between activities. If you are highly sensitive like me, you require regular stillness. Mostly, release guilt over scaling back–your presence is the greatest gift. You can’t care for others without caring for yourself first. 

The Healing Power of Connection

Research confirms the health benefits of human connection. Social bonds boost immunity, reduce anxiety and speed healing. Togetherness meets our needs for safety, understanding, and belonging. So much so that the gathering could be your answer to avoiding burnout this holiday season. However, community can only help with proper attunement. Maybe the family should put all of the phones away for the evening. Stay present. Give warm hugs, share laughter and fond memories, and create new traditions. Share struggles and allow others to bring their whole selves too. Listen deeply without thinking ahead to your response. Face each person and give them your full attention. You’ll be amazed by what you notice. Express heartfelt gratitude, share sincere compliments, and let loved ones know specific ways they enrich your life. This nourishes the soul. Through the connections we nurture, we gain strength to continue uplifting our communities. 

I hope these tips help make the coming holidays less stressful and more nourishing. Here’s to warmth, wonder, and well-being. 

Now I’d love to hear from you! What are your biggest challenges during this season? Do you have any tactics that have helped you avoid burnout and harness the healing power of gathering?

Please share your insights on Instagram and Facebook so we can support each other through the holidays.

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