Mental safety is a critical aspect of workplace safety, as mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression can have a significant impact on employee well-being and workplace productivity. Statistics show that mental health issues are prevalent in the workplace, with nearly 20% of adults in the U.S. experiencing [more]

Mental health disorders often occur alongside a broad spectrum of other mental and physical health conditions. For many individuals, emotional instability can manifest in other parts of the body, producing symptoms that—on the surface—may seem unrelated to the original diagnosis. This is especially true for those suffering from attention-deficit [more]

Workplace stress does more than kill productivity. It also wrecks your employee’s health. Studies link workplace stress to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Workplace stress impacts mental health by increasing anxiety, burnout, and depression.  Stress can also feed on itself, increasing over time—when [more]

Many individuals struggle with social anxiety and autism. These conditions can present with similar symptoms, such as difficulty with social interaction and communication. However, they are distinct disorders with different underlying causes and treatment approaches. Autism and anxiety are related in that anxiety is a common co-occurring condition in [more]

April is Autism Acceptance Month, a time to celebrate the diversity and unique strengths of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It's an opportunity to raise awareness and understanding about this neurodivergent condition.  Research has shown that although autism is often diagnosed early in life, gender can have a [more]

Red Food Dye 40 is a synthetic dye made from petroleum that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in food products. More cost-effective, easy to produce, and uniform in color, Red 40 has replaced many natural red food dyes, which are more susceptible to [more]

Poppy Life Care, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and families facing health challenges, is promoting the use of breathing practices to relieve stress and anxiety. A new study published in Cell Reports Medicine shows that specific breathing techniques can help reduce stress and improve [more]

Are they just lucky or did they manifest that life? In the majority of cases, it’s about being aware of yourself and your resources in order to keep yourself present in the moment. Practicing mindfulness might just be the best way to achieve our goals. Can Luck, Manifestation or Mindfulness [more]

Poppy Life Care, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and families facing health challenges, is raising awareness about the link between stress and cognitive health. A new study published in JAMA Network Open shows that chronic stress can have negative effects on cognitive health, including [more]

Erica Solis, the Founder and CEO of Poppy Life Care, has been featured in the spring edition of Newport Beach Magazine. The article highlights the Poppy Life Care' Foundation's commitment to advocating for healthcare equity, educational opportunities, and emotional support for families in need. The feature sheds light on [more]

On February 15, 2023, Poppy Life Care Founder & CEO Erica Solis was featured on RVN Television’s The Advocates, where she was invited to speak about Poppy Life Care’s groundbreaking efforts to increase access to mental and physical holistic health services for patients of all ages and backgrounds. [more]

Poppy Life Care announces its partnership with Rocket Doctor, a groundbreaking digital healthcare platform offering comprehensive remote healthcare to Medicaid patients across rural and underserved communities in the United States and across Canada. With this new partnership, Poppy Life Care will now provide holistic mental and physical healthcare support [more]

Valentine's Day is a special time of the year when we celebrate love and affection. However, with all the hustle and bustle of daily life, it's easy to forget to take care of ourselves and our relationships. This year, why not try a more holistic approach to Valentine's Day [more]

The results are in and studies show daily mindfulness techniques offer the same anxiety and depression relief as prescription anti-anxiety medications. On November 9, 2022, researchers at JAMA Psychiatry published the results of their study comparing the anxiety-relieving properties of mindfulness therapy with the generic drug form of Lexapro, [more]

What causes depression and anxiety? What is the difference between anxiety and depression? How can you help someone cope with anxiety and depression? If you are struggling with anxiety and depression, you should know that you are not alone and how you feel is not permanent. Many people overcome [more]

Sunlight is vital to nearly all living things, us included. Aside from giving warmth and light, the sun nourishes us with essential nutrients that our bodies need to function. A lack of exposure to sunlight can lead to complications with your health and even affect your mood and outlook. While [more]

The holiday season can be a stressful time of the year for many people. Whether we’re preparing for events with friends and family or adjusting to the uptick in work at our jobs, the late fall and early winter come with their fair share of stressors that can make it [more]

Honey is getting a lot of buzz these days. It’s a syrupy liquid that honeybees make from plant nectar. Beloved worldwide for its sweetness and depth of flavor, honey is used in many foods and recipes. The smell, color, and taste of different kinds of honey can vary greatly and [more]

Ginger and turmeric are two healthy-food rock stars. They are two types of flowering plants and two of the most extensively studied ingredients in herbal medicine. Interestingly, both have been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments, ranging from migraines to chronic inflammation and fatigue. Both have also [more]

Picture it, that calming feeling of a stress-free environment. With our busy lifestyles, it seems that this is unachievable with the hustle and bustle of work and family. Did you know that 16 million Americans deal with some sort of Depression from major depression to seasonal effective disorder? Depression is [more]

By C.B. Fosbrink It’s a tough conversation. Grief. Grief is difficult for adults to deal with, especially if the death of someone you love is unexpected. Unfortunately, approximately 2.5 million people pass annually, leaving on average five people grieving the loss (Krull, 2020). The most difficult time, experts suggest, is [more]

By Isabel Nguyen It’s hard to work on yourself. Whether you have been trying to exercise more, improve your diet, decrease anxiety, be more mindful, or something else, it takes a lot of effort and the only person keeping you accountable is you. It can be especially difficult when you [more]

By Shelly Xu Although most people now accept that women and men have “male” and “female” hormones, it is more difficult to accept that men also have hormonal cycles. According to endocrinologist Dr. Estelle Ramey, professor at Georgetown University Medical School, “The evidence of them may be less dramatic, but [more]

by C.B. Fosbrink According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety is the most common mental illness which affects 40 million adults (2021). It is a fear of worrying, nervousness or feeling uneasy, specifically in certain situations. There are ways to relieve the effects of anxiety such as [more]

Going back to school can already be difficult for children on the spectrum but with the return of in-person school, this school year may be especially difficult. Many children on the spectrum have trouble adjusting to change and this year will be full of it. Here are some steps you [more]

It is very common for children with autism to be selective with their food. This can make it difficult for parents to encourage a varied and balanced diet. When moving your child to a more nutritional diet, you should keep in mind that common foods may have toxins and that [more]

When thinking of ADHD symptoms, most people think of attention problems and fidgetiness. They don’t often think of trouble regulating emotions. Dr. Russell Barkley explains that scientifically, people with ADHD cannot regulate their emotions like neurotypical people can. They struggle with the mental processes known as executive functions. In the [more]

In an article published by The Guardian in 2019 Ellen Jones describes the way autism is represented in popular media. In reference to shows like Atypical on Netflix, she writes: What we are seeing in mainstream media is not a true reflection of autism. We are, instead, seeing what neurotypical [more]

Every adult experiences it: stress with friends, family, life changes or general daily anxieties. Research tells us, as adults, to meditate, journal or even yoga our troubles away. And most adults do recognize and figure out the strategies that work the most effectively for themselves, and may even not need [more]

https://calbizjournal.com/super-bloom-for-brain-health</ a>

By Nathanael Bassett Receiving a diagnosis of autism can cause a lot of different feelings for parents or individuals who always knew there was something a bit “different” going on. For some, it can be affirmation about concerns and questions you always had, for others it can be scary and [more]

Every day your body absorbs thousands of toxins from consumed meals. These can be added chemicals, natural toxins, or toxins that have been modified in some way. You may have heard claims that some common foods or ingredients might be toxic, too. And particularly when consumed frequently, the excess of [more]

Learning about a health issue can feel isolating at first. Teaching yourself about these differences and how they will impact you and your loved ones can be a lonely and frustrating uphill battle. Those differences can also create rifts in your existing relationships. Whether or not you receive a diagnosis, [more]

Remember the age old saying “If you are nervous, picture your audience in their underwear”? It’s common to have the feelings of palms sweating or quick breathing, but are these isms attributed to nervousness or something deeper? The distress of a new situation, one that you fear or worry about [more]

by Shely Xu, Poppy Life Care Nutritional Program Manager While any successful weight loss method comes down to eating fewer calories and increasing physical activity, many experts and scientific studies point to counting and keeping track of calories as one of the best ways to commit to not only losing the extra [more]

by Shelly Xu, Poppy Life Care Nutritional Program Manager Halloween is usually a fun day full of costumes, imagination and, of course, tons of candy. The COVID-19 pandemic may mean Halloween will look very different this year; however, there are still some low-risk ways to make your at-home party fun [more]

New Evidence on Omega-3s for Behavioral Problems in Children Kids with behavioral disorders or emotional issues can be so challenging—disruptive, defiant, argumentative, impulsive, inattentive, nervous, negative. Parents know it can be exhausting, frustrating, and stressful. Many parents assume that prescription medication is the only way to improve symptoms that are [more]

https://www.amenclinics.com/blog/whats-your-bad-habit-brain-type/

by Shelly Xu, Poppy Life Care Nutritionist Program Manager When you’re feeling down, it can be tempting to turn to food to lift your spirits. However, the sugary, high-calorie treats that many people crave have negative consequences. On the other hand, certain foods have been shown to improve brain health [more]

COVID-Brain: The Lasting Impacts You Haven’t Heard About Two months after beating COVID-19, a 60-year-old woman was experiencing extreme fatigue and depression so severe she was contemplating suicide. In an article for the BBC, the patient’s doctor said the woman experienced ongoing confusion among other bothersome symptoms. The woman told [more]

by Martin Villa There are health and personal benefits that a gym membership can bring into your life. When you start attending a morning gym regularly, chances are you are starting down the road to a physically healthy lifestyle. The camaraderie is energizing; even the muscle soreness makes you feel [more]

by Martin Villa You’ve no doubt heard the saying, “College isn’t for everyone,” and if you’re someone who is neurodiverse or has a learning disability, maybe you think that’s true for you. But whether you are an A student or a student for whom nothing about getting an education has [more]

by Martin Villa In popular culture, fad dieting refers to trendy, weight-loss methods that promise fast and easy results —at the risk of malnutrition or other mental and physical negative effects. These diets typically last a few weeks; not necessarily appealing to people’s desire to stay healthy, but a vain [more]

by Shelly Xu, Poppy LIfe Care Nutritionist Program Manager The gut and brain are connected and in communication with each other; it’s called the gut-brain axis, and our microbiome may play an important role in this connection. A microbiome is a major ecological community of bacteria, viruses, yeast, and other [more]

by Shelly Yu Poppy Life Care Nutritional Program Manager We know the importance of hand washing, physical distancing and wearing face masks to minimize the spread of the coronavirus. Can good nutrition make a difference in the power of your immune system? The answer is a big YES! Here are [more]

An Interview With Erica Solis, Founder & Executive Director Of Poppy Life Care Listen to this article Below is our recent interview with Erica Solis, Founder & Executive Director of Poppy Life Care: Q: For those who haven’t heard of it, what is the best way to describe Poppy Life [more]

https://www.amenclinics.com/blog/12-alternatives-to-anti-anxiety-pills/

by Martin Villa Newport Beach, CA (May 22, 2020) – Poppy Life Care has partnered with the Inclusive Education Project (IEP), a non-profit organization that provides legal advocacy and education to families of children living with a disability to bring those services to Poppy Life Care clients. Amanda Selogie, ESQ., [more]

by Martin Villa You can meditate while you do those tasks! The basis of mindfulness meditation is simply paying attention, on purpose. This makes it a good fit for integrating into other daily tasks such as taking a shower, walking your dog or cleaning up around the house. For more [more]

by Martin Villa Staying at home, while currently necessary, doesn’t have to be boring. It doesn’t even have to feel like a waste of time. Think of this as an opportunity to learn more about your kids and find a better way to connect with them. Or simply, improve yourself! [more]

by Martin Villa Lori Lipke, a registered yoga instructor at Poppy Life Care Poppy Life Care yoga instructor Lori Lipke was 18 years old when she first practiced yoga. Although she did not understand yoga, she enrolled in class, attended some sessions, but she did not come back. Years later, [more]

https://www.aap-oc.org/covid-19-resources/

by Martin Villa Our days easily fill up with things that we have to do, and self-care is usually at the bottom of the list. However, putting yourself last has consequences – there is a saying: You can’t pour from an empty cup! A daily meditation practice may reduce stress, [more]

Food Shopping Do’s and Don’ts for Coronavirus Americans are clearing grocery store shelves in light of the coronavirus pandemic. But is the food you’re buying going to sabotage your brain and increase your feelings of anxiety, depression, fear, and stress, or is it going to fuel your brain so you [more]

OC Health Care Agency publishes important information and latest updates on COVID-19 https://occovid19.ochealthinfo.com

https://www.caloptima.org/en/Features/COVID-19.aspx

by Martin Villa There is nothing more anxiety-inducing than change – especially when change is thrust upon us by circumstances largely out of our control. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the entire world in just a few short months, and it’s likely that things will continue to change for months [more]

From the American Academy of Pediatrics-OC Chapter Website: Practical guidelines & key local resources in Orange County on COVID-19: https://www.aap-oc.org/covid-19-resources/ No Child Hungry Our goal is to identify food insecurity, poverty, and health issues experienced by our OC families, and to assist these families in getting the support and services [more]

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/ncov2019.aspx

Hoag health care provider releases helpful tips to protect yourself from COVID-19.6 Daily habits to help prevent the spread of viruses Physical ContactAvoid close contact with people who are sick. Keep Hands Clean Clean your hands often. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers  or wash your hands with soap and water for at [more]

Check out an article by WHO on Mental Health & Psychosocial Considerations During COVID-19 Outbreak Click to access mental considerations.pdf

Jonathan Chase, now 36 years old, wasn’t diagnosed with autism until he was 14 and a freshman in high school. But he was always different. In grade school, because he didn’t fit in, he was a target of bullies. “It’s just a part of growing up,” the school’s staff would [more]

EnteDerek’s elementary school welcomed families to their annual event, Lunch With A Loved One, on October 17th 2019. The event provided an opportunity for parents to share lunch with their children in small picnic settings. Although not explicitly suggested, in the most effective use of the event, parents were also [more]

Decide whether your child trick-or-treats with a blue basket. While some autism organizations are encouraging the use of the blue baskets so autistic children don’t have to go through the “who are you in that costume?” questionnaire at trick-or-treating houses, the blue basket also restricts children from a good socializing [more]

My Grandmother told me that we are either Dandelions or Orchids. I didn’t really understand what she meant by that, but she explained that some of us are like Dandelions and some of us are like Orchids, just like the flowers. I created my own interpretation of what my Grandmother [more]