Wellness Wave Wisdom

By Arianna Escobar, LPCC Arianna received her M.S. in multicultural community counseling and social justice education from SDSU (CBB program. She has worked with diverse populations including adults, adolescents, and system-involved youth and families. Arianna is passionate about strengthening clients’ relationships with themselves and increasing their sense of self-compassion and authenticity in order to live a more fulfilling life.  Substance abuse can be difficult for the entire family. Let's talk about some of the issues adults may face after growing up with a parent who suffers from alcoholism. Common childhood experiences Throughout childhood, it is common for children to experience trauma due to alcohol abuse in the home. Some children may observe or experience abuse, violence, neglect, and/or abandonment. There may be chaos in the home and children can be put into a position where they take over the parent roles. Their family members may be struggling with mental illness th...

By Kim Marquardt, MSN, RN, PHN This blog post is from the Nurse Kim archives of myth busting. I want to share some "alternative" or maybe just lesser known health and wellness viewpoints for you to chew on. *These posts are not intended as official medical advice. They ARE meant to be fun, informative, and thought provoking, hopefully sparking an interest for you to do your own research (you can start with the links I provide!) and discover the marvels of the human body, and how it can function at its optimal performance level if we understand how it works and interacts with our environment and our diet. I have a passion for health and wellness through lifestyle and nutrition and have done thousands of hours of research in addition to being a registered nurse for 24 years. I have done A LOT of self-experimentation in and around diet, lifestyle, body care, and supplementation and have spent a lot of time looking into the science behind it all (or lack thereof!). Check back reg...

By Julie Choi Julie is a counseling intern and graduate student working towards a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology at National University. Julie began teaching mindfulness practices in 2003, specializing in the traditional method of Ashtanga Yoga. Like yoga, Julie believes that therapy should be a client-led process that unfolds in a supportive and accepting space in which students can feel safe and free to have their unique and evolving needs responded to with a compassionate and individualized approach. Come check out Julie’s 5-minute yoga experience and many other events at Health Services’ upcoming Wellness Festival on Thursday, April 11th, from 11 am – 2 pm   According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSUDH), about 1 in every 12 American adults have experience with substance abuse. Holistic approaches to managing addiction have been shown to counteract the symptoms of addiction as well as to aid in its recovery. Yoga is a complementary practice that is ...

By Kim Marquardt, MSN, RN, PHN This blog post is from the Nurse Kim archives of myth busting. I want to share some "alternative" or maybe just lesser known health and wellness viewpoints for you to chew on. *These posts are not intended as official medical advice. They ARE meant to be fun, informative, and thought provoking, hopefully sparking an interest for you to do your own research (you can start with the links I provide!) and discover the marvels of the human body, and how it can function at its optimal performance level if we understand how it works and interacts with our environment and our diet. I have a passion for health and wellness through lifestyle and nutrition and have done thousands of hours of research in addition to being a registered nurse for 24 years. I have done A LOT of self-experimentation in and around diet, lifestyle, body care, and supplementation and have spent a lot of time looking into the science behind it all (or lack thereof!). Check back reg...

By Anthony Licciardone Anthony is a graduate student at the University of San Diego pursuing his Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. He is passionate about increasing accessibility and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health for college students. Before joining Health Services, Anthony volunteered as a hotline counselor, providing clients with emotional support, crisis intervention, and referral to community resources and basic needs case managers. Substance use disorders (SUDs) are defined by the American Psychiatric Association as the inability to control substance use despite harmful consequences (2022). Substance use disorders are often accompanied by a cluster of cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms. It is important to note that not all substance use can be categorized as a SUD. While substance use can manifest differently depending on the individual, some common early signs of a SUD include: Physical Warning Signs Bloodshot eyes Dilated pupils Change...

By Kim Marquardt, MSN, RN, PHN This blog post is from the Nurse Kim archives of myth busting. I want to share some "alternative" or maybe just lesser known health and wellness viewpoints for you to chew on. *These posts are not intended as official medical advice. They ARE meant to be fun, informative, and thought provoking, hopefully sparking an interest for you to do your own research (you can start with the links I provide!) and discover the marvels of the human body, and how it can function at its optimal performance level if we understand how it works and interacts with our environment and our diet. I have a passion for health and wellness through lifestyle and nutrition and have done thousands of hours of research in addition to being a registered nurse for 24 years. I have done A LOT of self-experimentation in and around diet, lifestyle, body care, and supplementation and have spent a lot of time looking into the science behind it all (or lack thereof!). Check back reg...

https://soapmat.com/ Michael is Health Services’ new clinical case manager, connecting students to Health Services related resources in the community. Michael is an Associate Clinical Social Worker and proud North County San Diego native who attained his Master’s of Social Work (MSW) at California State University San Marcos. As a second-generation Vietnamese-American, Michael's personal journey as a child of refugees during the Vietnamese diaspora has enriched his perspective with cultural humility, fostering inclusivity, and emphasizing the inherent dignity and worth of every individual. With over 3 years of hands-on case management experience in San Diego County's Child & Family Well-Being Department, Michael served as an Emergency Response Social Worker. In this role, he assessed safety, responded to crises, and facilitated connections to a plethora of community resources for families in need. Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) may present many overwhelming life challenges for ...