maxbelchenko As we step into cooler winter weather, I have been reflecting on the importance of health and wellness, not just in the traditional sense, but in the small and meaningful choices we make each day. Wellness does not always require a strict routine or a gym membership. Sometimes it is about slowing down enough to appreciate what is right in front of us. For me, prayer and gratitude are at the heart of staying grounded. Beginning or ending the day with a quiet momen

Thriving in Warm Weather Wellness BearFotos Health and wellness are shaped by our region's unique environment, lifestyle opportunities, and community resources. With over 260 days of sunshine, Naples has consistently been ranked as one of the healthiest and happiest cities in the United States. With our year-round warm climate, and access to outdoor activities that promote physical and mental well-being, residents and visitors alike can embrace a holistic approach to health t

Presented by Crew Land & Water Trust Wednesday, March 4 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. Guided Walk: CREW Cypress Dome Trails, Yellow/Green Trail Location:  CREW Cypress Dome Trails, 3980 Corkscrew Road, Immokalee, FL 34142 Tickets:  $5 for members, $10 for non-members Join a volunteer naturalist for a guided walk on the Yellow and Green Trails at CREW Cypress Dome Trails. Explore the beautiful oak hammocks, pine uplands, and seasonal marshes of these trails as you discover the intriguing

The Science Behind TMS Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation therapy that uses magnetic pulses — similar in strength to those in an MRI machine — to gently activate specific parts of the brain. Unlike medications, it doesn’t go into your bloodstream or involve surgery. Instead, a device with a magnetic coil is placed on the left front of the head, and short magnetic pulses pass through the skull to influence brain activity. These pulses c

A Functional Perspective on the Common Condition Vadym Huzhva Prevention is a foundation of functional medicine. When I think of a disease that could easily be prevented if screened for early, the thyroid immediately comes to mind. Almost 10 percent of the population is estimated to have some degree of thyroid imbalance, but only one percent is officially diagnosed. This means that nine out of ten people with early thyroid disease will likely not get the preventive help they

The Clash of Champions In just a few short months, pickleball enthusiasts from around the world will be descending upon Naples, Florida to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the US Open Pickleball Championship. This highly anticipated event, which will take place from April 11-18, is a testament to the rapid growth and popularity of pickleball. The US Open Pickleball Championship has become the premier event in the world of pickleball, attracting top players from all corners o

Avoiding injury and improving coordination hurricanehank Years ago, when pickleball started, it was intended for people who were limited in some capacity to be able to continue to stay active and have some competition. Today, there are multiple levels of play from beginners through professional levels. All levels want to be competitive as well as get to play, but at what cost? What are the challenges in pickleball of staying healthy and avoiding injury? There are multiple fac

"Wellness coach Dana Wexler shares the science-backed secret helping busy women feel like themselves again." Between juggling careers, families, and endless responsibilities, many women find themselves running on empty. The afternoon slump hits harder. Recovery takes longer. The mental fog won't lift. For Dana Wexler—wellness coach, endurance athlete, and mom of two—the answer wasn't another cup of coffee. It was peptides. "I was already training 2.5 hours every day, eating c

Dentistry Rooted in Education, Heart, and Community "Her heart for the community is evident through her involvement in international dental mission trips, local outreach efforts, school programs, and volunteering within underserved populations.” For Dr. Lavinia Popescu, dentistry is far more than a profession—it is a calling grounded in education, compassion, and service. As co-founder of Elysium Dental Naples, she brings to North Naples a thoughtful blend of advanced clinica

Inside Dr. Kogan’s Concierge Functional Primary Care Practice “Functional medicine has expanded my ability to help people heal in meaningful ways." Since 2019, when leading holistic medical doctor, Svetlana Kogan, M.D., moved her practice from Manhattan to Naples, her fresh approach to patient care has continued to make an impression. Now, one of the very few physicians in the area formally educated and certified in functional medicine, Dr. Kogan offers a unique blend of soli

Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon "Enhancing the natural beauty that lies within us is deeply empowering. My mission is to help men and women feel refreshed, confident, and at home in their own skin.” Dr. Burchhardt is more than a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon — she is a trailblazer who pairs artistic vision with leading-edge surgical expertise and the latest advances in regenerative medicine. She is certified by both the American Board of Facial P

Personalized Care for Optimal Health Lorna J. Fedelem, MD, is a proud Naples native and a graduate of the Florida State University College of Medicine. She is board-certified in both family medicine and obesity medicine and is deeply committed to helping patients achieve better health, longevity, and overall well-being. This dedication serves as the cornerstone of her practice. At the Lorna J. Fedelem, MD Concierge Medicine and Wellness Center, Dr. Fedelem blends highly perso

A functional doctor's perspective PeopleImages January always brings big resolutions — lose weight, get fit, eat better, sleep more. But in my experience, the most powerful change we can make is not dramatic or flashy. It’s the shift that happens quietly inside: a commitment to resetting the mind and nervous system so that all other goals become sustainable. Many of my patients walk into the new year feeling stressed, overwhelmed, chronically tense, or emotionally drained. Th

A sustainable approach kenary820 Do you treat the New Year like a personal health seminar, a moment to reassess your habits and redesign the “new you?” I used to do exactly that—scribbling down grand plans for self-improvement and imagining how much better I’d feel once I transformed everything at once. My list included exercising daily, losing weight, cutting back on eating out, reading more, and swearing off sugar. I loved the idea of a perfected version of myself, yet most

Maria Sbytova If you want to start a fitness program for yourself or your children, what would be the right path to take? Preferably, one would start an exercise program younger in life.  Being active and involving children in activities early can help develop a habit that they can take with them through life. Though the types of exercises change over time, being involved in fitness does provide a good chance of being healthier throughout life. Physical activities help a chil

Yuganov Konstantin December is often called “the most wonderful time of the year,” yet many of us end up feeling exhausted rather than enchanted. Between holiday shopping and gatherings, family expectations, and year-end responsibilities, it’s easy to find ourselves running on adrenaline and caffeine instead of calm and joy. The truth is our bodies experience this season differently than our calendars suggest — and understanding that can help us restore balance from the insid

antoniodiaz The holiday season is synonymous with family gatherings, festive meals, and indulgent treats. While celebration is an important part of wellbeing, excessive eating can lead to short- and long-term health consequences such as weight gain, insulin resistance, gastrointestinal discomfort, and exacerbation of chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes. Fortunately, there are several simple strategies that can help maintain balance without sacrificing enjoyment.

alvan.ph Movement in the human body requires strength, coordination, and power to meet the demands required to perform purposeful activities. Muscles attach primarily to bone and other connective tissues in the body via tendons, and this is how the joint is guided to bend, extend, and rotate. One of the strongest muscles that produces needed power in the body is the gastrocnemius (gastroc) muscle in the calf.    The gastrocnemius muscle in the back of the calf splits into two

Stress touches nearly every life in today’s fast-paced world. It lingers in the workplace, seeps into our homes, and sometimes even colors the quiet moments we try to carve out for ourselves. Yet stress, at its core, was designed for good. It’s the body’s way of signaling danger and preparing us to respond with strength and focus. Our ancestors needed it for survival. But in the modern age, where the “threats” are often emails, deadlines, and endless to-do lists, stress can f

fizkes As a functional medicine physician, one of my biggest concerns is seeing patients turn to the internet before turning to me. I completely understand the temptation—typing your symptoms into Google or asking a chatbot feels quick, private, and convenient. But here’s the problem: by the time many of my patients reach out, they’ve already tried to self-diagnose and self-treat. Too often, I only hear from them once things have gone from bad to worse. At that point, I’m not