some things that ground and relax me

hiking in Sedona. I used to be a smoker to relax and never thought I would be able to hike desert mountains! Sedona is a magical place but it’s not the only place to find nature! Look wherever you live, I guarantee that there is somewhere around you where you can find nature.

My newest stress reduction hobby is Paddle Boarding. I am not quite ready to stand up on it so I turn it into a kayak and spend as much time as I can on the water!

The formal BIO part

Michelle is a Licensed MSW and is a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Social Work and has a combined 30 years experience in child and family therapy, management, organizational design, Integrated Health Care, clinical and corporate training and coaching leaders.  She is a National Subject Matter Expert in Pediatric Integrated Health Care and has provided technical assistance to entities in the State of Michigan as well as a number of mental health organizations and large health systems throughout the United States.  She has presented at a number of State conferences on the topic of Integrated Health Care, was the lead author of the Wayne County Pediatric Integrated Health Care Concept Paper and author of the Pediatric Integrated Health Care Implementation Manual.  She has provided clinical staff and management trainings on topics such as effective and efficient communication, emotional intelligence, coaching and clinical work models. She is also the Director of the University of Michigan Web Based Certificate program for Integrated Physical and Behavioral Health and developed the Pediatric module for the program.  Michelle has also served as an adjunct lecturer at the University of Michigan Graduate School of Social Work on Health Policy and Social Work Interventions in Health Care. 

Michelle is a Certified Transformational Nutrition Coach through the Institute for Transformational Nutrition and is additionally certified in the study of Hormone Health. Michelle is also a Reiki Master and a current Ayurvedic Health Practitioner pre graduate

The informal BIO part

I used to think that health was all about weight and the end result of diets and I never thought much about Stress as a health condition. If my clothes fit and I was not dealing with any chronic disease, I was happy and I thought that I was healthy. I was beebopping along like many people who are busy and just out there working and living and then I heard the word “cancer”. Thankfully the tumor turned out to be a PUNLMP! This experience led me to start a new life journey because I learned quickly that health is more than weight and now I know that our bodies are complex systems, chemical reactions, cellular processes and most importantly, energy…all of which are strongly negatively impacted by stress. I never thought I was a stressed out person, I saw myself as a pretty laid back person…until I connected how stress hormones were impacting my health. Oh how I wish I knew then what I know now!! Don’t wait until you hear scary words to start working on your physical, emotional and energetic health like I did. Knowledge is a powerful driver of behavior and maintains motivation. Knowledge can open your mind to a whole new world and a new definition of what health is because the plan is designed by you. I learned it and am so excited to share my experience with you through Stress Rehab.

Finding cool things on walks! I admit, I walk a lot more when I am on vacation because of the novelty of being in a new environment, but I do walk in my neighborhood which is very quiet and serene at certain times of the day. Walking in nature is up there as one of the most nurturing, grounding and stress reducing activity that you can do.

Try to find balance anywhere you can!

My puppies provide me with so many things that reduce stress. Unconditional love, dog smiles, laughter and hugs. When I am in tune with them, they are so funny and engaged with me. I talk to them all the time.

I’m someone who notices colors and colors abound in the Fall in the Midwest. Noticing natural beauty is stress reducing.