We’re all aware of the way emotions such as anger, or sadness, or joy makes us feel, it’s assumed that these emotions are universal and we all feel the same way, right?

New research has actually found that scientifically, emotions that are felt are consistent in each individual, regardless of other influencers such as age or gender.

Dr. Susanne Babbel published an article [1] in Psychology Today exploring the connections between emotional stress, trauma and physical pain. She discusses in her article how chronic pain – which can be defined as a prolonged debilitating pain – may be caused by emotional and stress issues just as much as it may be caused by physical issues. Experts within this field have noted that traumatic events may have a significant impact on the development of pain – with around 15-30% of patients who are suffering from chronic pain, also being diagnosed with PTSD.

When you take a stroll in your backyard you most likely reprimand yourself for not weeding this week, but did you consider that those pesky weeds might have some beneficial properties and make your gardening life less of an uphill struggle?

Stop weeding immediately, and start seeing these ferocious plants for what they really are, powerful healing herbs. There are three common kinds of therapeutic herbs that can be found almost everywhere, particularly during their respective seasons, and are often mistaken as just weeds.

Let’s take a look at these three plants and why you should avoid zapping them with weed killer and start cultivating them and using their incredible properties:

Rosa Rugosa

AKA Rugosa Rose, Japanese Rose and Beach Rose, or the wild rose, Rosa Rugosa grows literally everywhere, it cannot be stopped. Found in your backyard, on the side of the road, on the beach and all over wild fields, the Rosa Rugosa’s petals and fruit (rosehips) can be used as a mild sedative, antiseptic, antiparasitic, and anti-inflammatory, as well as supporting the heart, lowering cholesterol and improve circulation.

“Place your hands into soil to feel grounded. Wade in water to feel emotionally healed. Fill your lungs with fresh air to feel mentally clear. Raise your face to the heat of the sun and connect with that fire to feel your own immense power.” (Victoria Erickson)

Did you know that your lifestyle affects your DNA? In fact, our DNA is being altered all the time by environment, lifestyle and traumatic events, and our choices will have an impact on future generations.

The latest scientific findings about how our genes are affected by lifestyle choices, the environment where we spend most of our time and also traumatic experiences in life. All these factors determine not only longevity, ageing, general health and well-being, but also leave a detrimental or beneficial legacy for our children and grandchildren.

Scientists at the University of Cambridge have discovered the biological mechanism for this effect, revealing that genetic faults caused by trauma, poor lifestyle or environmental stress can be passed down to future generations.

We are born without shoes, we play as a child without shoes, and whenever we get the opportunity to throw off our shoes and free our feet we do. But with so much of our time spent inside, it makes you wonder… when was the last time you walked barefoot outside?

Touching and interacting with the Earth is a part of being happy and healthy, it’s completely true. To walk barefoot on the Earth allows you to directly connect with the ground, it’s an action known literally as grounding.

Every human being is electrical, the human body uses voltage to send messages from one part of the body to the other and is made up of 60 percent water. And the Earth is a natural conductor of electricity. The match is simple. The Earth conducts electricity through a negative ionic charge, while your body produces and conducts positive electricity, that if left alone, can harm you. So by “grounding” yourself you balance out your electrical charge.

With summer right around the corner, it is time to shed off the old you, and let the new you get some fresh air.

But after all of these false starts, how can one just reinvent themselves in one short season? Easy. There are several things you can do that will make you a happier, healthier individual, and now is the best time to start.

1. Learn Something New

Summer is the best time to travel as thousands of people are out of school and want to enjoy the warmer months. Travel the world and learn a new culture, language, or even just a new hobby. There is so much to explore in our world; you have endless opportunities to make yourself a worldier person.