Dr. Elena Villanueva and Modern Holistic Health
Dr. Elena Villanueva is an international speaker, health influencer, and co-author of Codes of Longevity. She teaches evidence based approaches for finding & treating the underlying causes of chronic illness & brain-related conditions. Dr. V’s unique approach incorporates the merging of science and spirituality and the integration of the mind/body/spirit.
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Elena is the producer and host of the Mastering Trauma Masterclass, The Leaky Brain Summit, Your Brain & Mental Health: What They Aren’t Telling You, and the Beyond The Pill Masterclass, plus the TribeTalk Podcast. Find information on these topics and more relevant to your health and holistic healing at ModernHolisticHealth.com.
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Why Optimizing Sleep Is Critical for Your Health
Sleep is not just about feeling rested. It impacts everything from cognitive function and mood to metabolism and your immune response and it significantly increases your rate of aging. Lack of quality sleep can lead to long-term health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, and even serious cognitive decline.
Having helped thousands of patients and clients over 20 years, I’ve seen firsthand how deeply sleep impacts every aspect of health. It’s no surprise that sleep is often called the foundation of wellness. Yet, many people struggle to get the quality rest they need. Sleep issues don’t just stem from bad habits—they can be a sign of deeper, underlying imbalances. From stress to hormonal problems, there are a number of factors at play when it comes to sleepless nights.
Let’s explore the top reasons people struggle with sleep.
Top 5 Causes of Sleep Issues
Stress and Anxiety
Anxiety can cause the mind to race, keeping your body in an alert state when it should be winding down. Chronic stress and anxiety both lead to elevated cortisol levels, which can disturb your circadian rhythm, prevent your nighttime hormone, melatonin, from releasing, and keep you from falling asleep. Stress and anxiety reduction techniques, including mindfulness, meditation, journaling, TRE, tapping, and breathing exercises, can significantly improve sleep quality.Hormonal Imbalances
Hormones such as melatonin, cortisol, serotonin, GABA, dopamine, and progesterone all play critical roles in regulating your sleep cycle. An imbalance in these hormones can disrupt your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. Low progesterone levels in women, for example, can cause night sweats and insomnia, while high cortisol levels interfere with melatonin production.Thyroid Dysfunction
The thyroid gland is essential for regulating metabolism, energy levels, and sleep patterns and has direct effects on the functionality and balance of other hormones like progesterone, estrogen, and cortisol. Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, can cause feelings of restlessness, while hypothyroidism can make you feel sluggish and interfere with deep restorative sleep. Addressing thyroid imbalances through targeted holistic care can dramatically improve your sleep health.Poor Sleep Hygiene
Sleep hygiene is all about the habits and environment that either support or disrupt restful sleep. Common lifestyle habits that contribute to poor sleep hygiene include exercising late at night, consuming alcohol, and eating sugary and heavy carb foods late at night. Another habit that greatly contributes to the loss of restorative sleep includes scrolling on your laptops or phones and watching TV right before bed all exposing you to high levels of blue light exposure leading to interrupted melatonin production and irregular sleep patterns. A cluttered bedroom or house can also wreak havoc on your sleep. Creating a calming nighttime routine, limiting screen time, keeping only necessary light on, and using dim lighting can help to optimize your sleep environment and are all crucial steps for improving sleep hygiene.Diet and Nutritional Deficiencies
Nutrient deficiencies, especially in essential minerals like magnesium, can make it difficult for your body to relax and fall asleep. Poor food choices, such as caffeine and sugar can lead to more mineral deficiencies, disrupting your sleep. Incorporating nutrient-dense foods and avoiding stimulants close to bedtime is key for better sleep.
While many traditional doctors often recommend prescription medications for sleep, it is important to be aware that these sleep medications are not meant for long-term use and have serious consequences…
Navigating Grief and Loss: Rewiring Your Mind and Body for Healing and Joy
By Karin Clarke, Grief, Trauma, and Emotional Healing Coach Practitioner & Life Transformation Coach Practitioner
Grief and loss are some of life’s most difficult experiences, shaking the very core of our emotional and physical well-being. Whether it’s the death of a loved one, the end of a significant relationship, or another major life transition, the pain can feel overwhelming. But grief doesn’t just impact our emotions—it rewires our brain and body, making the healing process complex and deeply personal.
As a grief and life transition coach, I’ve seen how understanding the science behind grief can help individuals begin their journey toward healing. Let’s explore how to rewire your mind and body after a significant loss and regain a sense of joy, even amidst grief.
Understanding the Impact of Grief on the Brain and Body
Grief fundamentally alters the brain’s wiring, forcing it to focus on pain, fear, and sorrow. This rewiring process, while natural, can leave us feeling stuck in cycles of despair. Neurologist Dr. Lisa Shulman highlights that unprocessed grief becomes a physical burden on the body, leading to chronic conditions like autoimmune diseases, heart problems, and even neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
In addition to emotional pain, grief can trigger physical symptoms such as chronic fatigue, sleep disturbances, and weakened immune function. The brain’s response to loss often mirrors trauma, making it difficult to imagine a future where joy and love can coexist with sorrow.
How to Rewire the Brain After Grief: A Path to Healing
Rewiring the brain after loss isn’t about forgetting the past or “moving on.” Instead, it’s about creating new neural pathways that allow space for healing, joy, and resilience. The key is to integrate the pain of loss with moments of joy, building a new reality where both emotions can exist simultaneously.
Coping with Grief and Trauma Recovery
Grief often triggers trauma responses, making emotional recovery challenging. Addressing past trauma is essential for long-term healing. Unresolved emotional wounds compound the pain of new grief, making it feel insurmountable. However, once these emotions are addressed, it becomes easier to process new grief and find moments of peace.Healing After Loss: Rebuilding Connections
One of the most powerful steps in grief recovery is rebuilding trust in life and forming new connections. By opening yourself to the support of others, whether through family, friends, or grief support groups, you can begin to heal. The journey is not about replacing what was lost but about finding new avenues of joy and support.Embracing Joy and Grief Together
Many people feel guilty for experiencing happiness after loss, but it’s crucial to understand that joy can coexist with sorrow. Finding small moments of joy doesn’t mean you’re forgetting your loss. Rather, it honors your loved one by allowing you to live fully.Emotional Healing Through Mindfulness and Reflection
Practices like journaling, meditation, and mindfulness can help rewire the brain by creating new mental patterns that promote resilience and emotional healing. Journaling prompts, such as reflecting on how grief has reshaped your sense of purpose or what emotions are hardest to accept, can aid in processing feelings of loss.
Practical Tools for Healing: Journal Prompts for Grief
If you’re navigating grief, journaling can be a powerful way to process your emotions and begin the healing journey. Using expertly curated journal prompts can be a powerful tool to foster self-reflection and emotional healing. We’re sharing some of the journal prompts we have successfully used with our own clients for you to use in your healing journey…
“I’ve Gotten Back A Life I Lost A Long Time Ago”
I wish it wouldn’t have taken me so long to find Dr Elena Villanueva. I’m 50 years old and I’ve been suffering from fibromyalgia, fatigue and food sensitivities for 11 years. It was so bad I needed assistance to get out of bed on most mornings because my ligaments and joints would stiffen during the night.
I had to close my very successful business, sell the office space and resign myself to working part-time out of my home. I had several specialists over the years; Rheumatologists, Endocrinologists, Gastroenterologists, Neurologists, who all said I had fibromyalgia, food sensitivities & allergies, and osteoporosis (at age 46). They all had their favorite prescriptions that would mask the symptoms for a short while and then my body would create new and more painful symptoms. Steroids, meds for nerve pain, powerful painkillers, antidepressants, anti-spasm meds, seizure meds, etc. I’ve tried them all only to feel worse than ever.
After another pain medication failed and my fatigue was at its peak, I decided to make a change. I had researched the internet and found wellness clinics in the past but didn’t ever make an appointment because they didn’t accept insurance. Don’t make that mistake if you’re considering working with Modern Holistic Health! If I would have paid out of pocket years ago I wouldn’t have lost so much more money over the years with prescriptions that didn’t work and wasted time with all those doctors and unproductive days from my pain and fatigue.
Thank Goodness I finally got to meet Dr. Villanueva!! My recovery feels like it’s been almost overnight. I feel like a normal human being!! NO PAIN!
I’m stronger, have more energy, no more brain fog, no more depression, No More Pain! I feel so much better I’m thinking of accepting an offer from a new client to accept more work.
My husband and I really want to thank Dr V for all of her compassion, concern and true dedication to what she does. I truly feel I’ve gotten back a life I lost a long time ago.
– Meghan T., June 2024
Kick-off Fall With My Favorite (Healthy) Sweet Treat
By Ann Hutyra, MHH Lead Biological Health Coach, CGP, IIN, MHHCP Health Coach
The Fall Season is just around the corner, and it’s one of my favorite times of the year for creating in the kitchen. I just love all of the fall flavors and spicy notes in both sweet and savory foods. Pumpkin, cinnamon, clove, and anise – not to mention all the squash and gourds at farmers markets and in the grocery store. All of these seasonal foods are packed with a variety of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients.
Below is one of my favorite go-to recipes that I use every Fall Season, along with some of the amazing benefits. I hope you enjoy it!
Pumpkin: Rich in fiber, contains beta carotene, high in antioxidants, high in vitamins A & C
Cinnamon: Can help manage blood sugar levels, reduce inflammation, and slows signs of aging
Clove: Can boost digestion, helps remove unwanted organisms from the gut
Ginger: Natural anti-inflammatory, can help with weight loss, helps with stomach upset
Nutmeg: Rich in essential minerals, helps with bloating, fights bad bacteria
Allspice: Can help manage menopause symptoms, aids in digestion
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“Your Program Is The Best Out There For So Many Reasons”
Getting ready to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro! God bless you all and forever grateful for giving me the awareness of my own body limitations and correcting my health needs! Special thanks to Dr. V, Ann, Dina, and Rosita. I CAN DO THIS because of you all! Even as of THIS very minute, I still think your program is the best out there for so many reasons!
– Dana R., September 2024
This month’s featured programs are a part of my mission to spread lifesaving truths around the world. Together we can help as many people as possible to get their health back, their lives back, and live their lives with all the love, joy, health, and vitality they desire.
Remember, your health is in YOUR hands, but my team and I are here to help you learn how to be your own guarantee in life. Let’s thrive and heal together!
Dr. Elena Villanueva
How To Boost Your Energy Levels Naturally
One of the biggest myths we are taught in our culture is that the vibrant energy of our teens and twenties is impossible to hold onto.
Yes, it’s true that as we age, our batteries require a little more care in order to recharge and stay full. But with some mindful lifestyle choices, you can repair almost any type of fatigue or energy deficit and feel the vitality of your youth.
It has become a cultural norm for us to use quick fixes for more energy. We turn to artificial and unsustainable sources, overdosing on coffee and energy drinks while the underlying imbalances in our bodies become more severe.
A lack of energy and the feeling of “brain fog” are signs that some core part of your life is out-of-whack and needs to be brought back into alignment.
At Modern Holistic Health, we love helping those who are sick and looking for true healing, but the most fun part for us is when our clients get their health back and then want to learn how to reverse their aging process and optimize their vitality, often experiencing sustainable superhuman energy that they’ve never felt before.
While we have not introduced our new “Anti-Aging Masterclass” YET (coming soon), my colleague, Jason Prall, has put together a great summit called Ageless Energy that I think you might get great value from.
This summit will show you how to power up your body on a cellular level and take your energy to new heights.
Once you meet the hosts of the summit (Jason Prall and Laura Frontiero) you’ll immediately understand why I am recommending this event for you to watch. They are both vibrant human beings who are in constant service to others — and on a mission to empower folks with youthful energy and sharpness.
Join The Renaissance Of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
In the 1950s and 60s, scientists and researchers began performing trials to study the effects and benefits of psychedelic substances. Scientists believed psychedelics had a great deal of potential, but due to political interests and the targeted conditioning that created a social stigma around the use of psychedelics, research soon ground to a halt.
Since the early 2000s, however, psychedelic therapy has experienced a great resurgence around the world by both researchers as well as the public. Scientists are beginning to unlock the potential for psychedelics to treat mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar, schizophrenia, PTSD, and even neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. In addition, psychedelics show great results in boosting mood, helping addiction, and even reducing pain.
And that’s not all. Psychedelics aren’t only capable of assisting people to heal from serious conditions; they are also sought out for their ability to expand our minds and are also desired by many for spiritual growth. That’s right – these drugs may be able to not only help treat mental health and other physical illnesses and conditions, but they can also help communities as a whole around the globe become happier, healthier, and more connected.
Psychedelics have been used by shamans and other ancient healers for thousands of years. Today, a growing number of researchers and experts are seeing positive outcomes using psychedelics to influence shifts in brain chemistry which is resulting in long-term mental health improvements and the reduction of the damaging physical effects and symptoms of trauma.
In addition to being used to treat trauma sufferers, psychedelics have been shown to make a huge impact on mental health and physical health as well.
Are you curious about psychedelics and their role in healing?
Then you should definitely check out the Mind Heart Institute’s upcoming 7-day FREE summit: The Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Global Summit.
Come learn about new discoveries and breakthroughs in the field of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies & Medicine and see how they are providing a ray of hope for millions of people suffering from the effects of trauma, addiction, anxiety, and depression.
Join the renaissance happening around this exciting field and take a deep dive with 60+ of the most prominent pioneers, clinicians, researchers, and thought leaders. Explore the very deepest questions about life and death, consciousness, and what it means to live, suffer, and thrive as human beings and as a human society.
Discover the essence of holistic living with Dr. V’s Lifestyle Shopping Guide. Dive into a curated collection of products and resources designed to elevate your well-being. From sustainable wellness essentials to mindful living tools, our guide offers everything you need to cultivate a balanced and vibrant lifestyle.
Look And Feel Your Best This Holiday Season With Our Fall Equinox Detox
No matter where you are on your health journey, detoxing at least once per year is not only recommended, it is absolutely necessary. If you’re looking to defy the holiday bulge and step into the holiday season feeling fabulous… then now is the perfect time for a detox.
I am personally inviting you and challenging you to step into your new self – the self you want to be by joining our global community and our clients as we guide you, day by day, through our 30-Day Fall Equinox Detox!
For those of you who have been with us for many years, you know our annual detoxing is a part of our lifestyle.
If you are joining us, we will also offer you special discounts on your before and after blood labs so that you too can see how rapidly your body biology can improve in such a short time!
You will get weekly (and sometimes daily) support emails from us to keep you accountable, excited, and motivated!
And don’t forget that we also have a private Facebook group (Crusaders For Health) where we can give and receive encouragement, show each other our progress, post our struggles & successes, and even post pictures of our favorite recipes.
Click here to order your Fall Equinox Detox before it sells out
We are so excited to start the fall season off with excitement and an attitude of health, vibrancy, and self-love… and we hope you join us!
We’ve saved a recording of Dr. V’s webinar to kick-off the 30-day detox… >> Watch it here!
MHH’s “Supplement Protocol Was A Game Changer!”
I’ve had digestive issues since birth, and by my teenage years, many foods caused bloating, gas, and diarrhea. In early 2023, my body began shutting down again, and I knew I had to heal my trauma to solve my health problems. That’s when I discovered Modern Holistic Health’s program.
After two months, I went from severe digestive issues to traveling for the first time in over a decade without fear of food reactions. The supplement protocol was a game changer—saving me time and money with quality-tested supplements, no more guessing about what I needed. I’ve regained my energy, and my quality of life has skyrocketed. I’m so grateful to Dr. V and her team and highly recommend this program to anyone struggling like I was.
– Doreen, August 2024
Don’t forget to forward this e-newsletter to a friend or family member, and invite them to sign-up and become a Crusader for Health!
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Modern Holistic Health
3267 Bee Cave Rd, Ste. 107-187 Austin, TX 78746 - 512.550.7933 | (888) 260-3377
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