Articles

A ten-point plan for gentle detoxification as part of a healthy lifestyle. We all experience the need to cleanse and detoxify our bodies and minds, to rid ourselves from toxic thoughts, as well as toxins and accumulated waste products inside our cells, organs and systems. ...more

Good nutrition balances the physiology. Correct nutrition reaches our spiritual essence. It is a good place from where to start to make us more aware of our minds, bodies, emotions and souls and the control we have over our own health.
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One of the most frequently requested workplace wellness interventions, is practical stress management for the executive or management committee members.....more

Forgiveness is one of the most difficult things for human beings to do. To us, revenge can seem right and even taste sweet, but it comes at a great cost to our health, especially the health of our hearts and our souls. Letting go of anger, resentment and bitterness against those who wronged you, your family, or challenged your belief systems, can be the best thing you’ll ever do for your health....more

A few synchronicities have been popping up lately around my own health challenges, patients who consult me, and in assisting journalists specifically writing on this topic. It’s the prevalent topic of insulin resistance/sensitivity, and later development of metabolic syndrome....more

Have the holidays become too commercial for you? Are you feeling empty and unfulfilled during this time of the year? By making some simple changes, you and your children can truly make the holidays more meaningful. Here's how....more

According to some reports, we have about 5-10 years left before we destroy nature, ourselves, the whole world, all of existence! These are dire predictions from various reputable sources ranging from gnostic Nostradamus, psychologist Carl Jung, author and mystic Andrew Harvey, to astrologists, astronomers, scientists and naturalists....more

Stress can be positive or negative. When stress sparks personal achievement or life enjoyment and appreciation (positive stress), it can work to your benefit by making you enthusiastic, creative and productive, motivating you. But stress can easily spiral out of control, becoming negative distress, taking its toll on your physical and emotional health and wellbeing if you don’t carefully balance all aspects of your life: work, relationships incl. family and friends, personal growth, playtime and fun...more

This article is aimed at providing some of the facts to assist you in making informed choices regarding lifestyle changes should you decide to do so. Focusing on heart disease provides a model for addressing the lifestyle link in all the major killer diseases, such as cancer (prostate, breast, colon and lung being the most common), arthritis, HIV/Aids, diabetes and other degenerative diseases...more

Having been a workplace wellness consultant for 12 years, and having just finished the first round of peer educator training in a mining setting, I’ve come to realise again that peer educator training is probably the most effective way to spread the wellness message, and the only effective way to ultimately change and maintain lasting health behaviour...more

June is Men’s Health Month. The focus of the health column will therefore be on heart health. Up to fairly recently, heart disease was regarded as a male health challenge. This is no longer so...more

Ways to wellness (some of the most popular wellness programs / interventions companies and individuals can use)...more

For your information, an updated list of the forthcoming workshops @ The Centre. Topics & Dates for May Workshops ...more

Most of us get a feeling of impending doom as winter approaches. Here are a few wellknown, proven and trusted natural remedies to help you prevent and control colds and flu!...more

As a sure sign of the times, the concept of integrative health and wellness is moving forward with giant leaps and bounds as the new Woodlands Medical and Wellness Centre opens its doors on 1 February 2007 in Woodlands Boulevard...more

While fulltime in a corporate wellness environment, Dr Arien van der Merwe focused her research and program development on stress and wellness challenges as she had experienced in the workplace on a day-to-day basis. The statistics gained from an interactive Internet based stress management program, with more than 70 000 active users, clearly showed the desperate need for wellness and stress management training in the working environment, says Dr Van der Merwe...more

For many years, hormone replacement therapy was regarded a panacea to prolong youth, cure symptoms of menopause and prevent heart disease and osteoporosis. For decades women were convinced to take HRT (hormone replacement therapy) as soon as the first sign of menopause appeared and to continue using them indefinitely...more

According to Dr Arien van der Merwe, Founder and Director of the Centre for Health & Wellbeing in Menlo Park, Pretoria, long term stress increases the risk of conditions as diverse as colds and flu, heart disease, depression and insomnia...more

Chronic diseases of lifestyle (e.g. heart disease, incl. stroke, heart attack, high blood pressure, high blood fats; diabetes mellitus; cancer; depression; asthma and lung disease) are responsible for 37% of deaths in South Africa, second only to HIV / AIDS (39%)...more

Results of a recent study published in the British Medical Journal show that work stress is associated with double the risk of death from heart disease. In promoting cardiovascular health, the traditional advice has always been for people to stop smoking, limit alcohol intake, eat less fat, and get moving through physical activity...more

Ergonomics is the study of the interface between the individual and his or her immediate environment, and includes the implementation of healthy workplace practices, postures and habits to enhance wellness and prevent injuries, musculo-skeletal problems and other health concerns...more

According to Dr Arien van der Merwe, Founder and Director of the Centre for Health & Wellbeing in Menlo Park, Pretoria, long term stress increases the risk of conditions as diverse as colds and flu, heart disease, depression and insomnia...more

According to Dr Arien van der Merwe, Founder and Director of the Centre for Health & Wellbeing in Menlo Park, Pretoria, many people have excess stress that affects their health, happiness and other areas of their lives...more

Stress stats: 75-90% of all patient visits to a primary health care facility are stress related (Stats from the SA Heart Foundation)...more