wwwdesertintegrativewellness.com Natural Options The Valley's Leading Resource for Health and Wellness 9 www.DesertHealthNews.com September/October 2026 Mindfully Crafted Culinary Ingredients | Artisanal Teas Wellness Supplements | Natural Body Care | Gifts 115 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs CA | 442.998.4085 PALM SPRINGS A WOMEN’S WELLNESS IMMERSION WORKSHOP REGULATE THE BODY Experience e Light Room Discover Internal Family Systems (IFS) and your inner world Learn the Self-Trust Approach™ and the YES AND Practice™ UNDERSTAND THE MIND STRENGTHEN SELF-TRUST Learning to Trust Yourself Again 760.349.1248 • Indian Wells desertintegrativewellness.com RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY! Dr. Linda Olson, PsyD Clinical Psychologist, Developer of the Self-Trust Approach™ Gwen Washington, LCSW Internal Family Systems Therapist Curated circles, gatherings and retreats for women drawn to connection, reflection, and community Visit SacredWomanCollective.com to learn more. (760) 485-3433 alison@sacredwomancollective.com sacredwomancollective Alison Mullins, IPHM International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine Many women I meet say some version of the same thing: “I knew something didn’t feel right, and I couldn’t explain it,” or, “I saw the signs, and I still didn’t leave.” If you’ve ever felt this way, you’re not alone, and there is nothing wrong with you. Unhealthy relationships rarely begin with something obvious. More often, they begin with a feeling; something just seems off. And yet, there are also moments that feel good: connection, hope, reassurance. You might question yourself, and you might try harder to make things work. Over time, that quiet confusion can turn into self-doubt, and self-doubt can keep you stuck longer than you ever expected. In my work, I’ve come to understand this pattern differently. I call it “dangerous hope,” when you see the signs but don’t yet fully believe what they mean. A woman may see it long before she completely grasps it, and in that gap, it becomes easy to minimize what you’re noticing or explain it away. We’ve been taught that if you see something, you should know, and if you know, you should leave. But in personal relationships, it doesn’t always work that way. Many women see the signs early on, but still can’t fully take in what they mean. You notice the tension. You walk on eggshells. You notice subtle shifts in control. Yet, at the same time, you hold onto hope; hope that it will get better, that you can fix it, that you’re just misunderstanding. Both things can be true. You care about the relationship, and something doesn’t feel right. You see the signs, and you still want to believe the best. This isn’t weakness. It’s a common human response. We are wired for connection, and we want to believe in the people we love. When something doesn’t make sense, it can feel easier to question yourself than to question the relationship. But learning to trust your own perception is where things begin to shift. That might start with something simple: Pausing when something feels off. Noticing patterns, and not just isolated moments. Allowing yourself to hold two truths at once: I care about this person, and something doesn’t feel right. You don’t need all the answers right away. You don’t have to figure everything out at once. You can begin by trusting what you’re noticing. Because seeing is not the same as believing, and understanding sooner can change everything. If this resonates with you, you’re not alone. Support can make a difference by helping you rebuild self-trust, understand these patterns and move forward with greater clarity and confidence. Linda Olson is a psychologist with Desert Integrative Wellness and creator of the SelfTrust Approach™ and Yes And Practice™. She helps women understand why they stay in unhealthy relationships and how to rebuild self-trust and break free. (760) 349.1248. Why Women Stay Even when they see the warning signs By Linda Olson, PsyD Endless scrolling often encourages unhealthy comparison, making people feel that everyone else is happier, healthier and more successful. This is a troubling trend for the youngest generations. The solution isn't to throw away the smartphone; it's to make sure technology serves our relationships rather than replaces them. Think about replacing unhealthy screen habits with things that meet the same underlying needs of connection, belonging, stimulation and purpose. Happiness may do more than lift our spirits; it’s part of a healthy lifestyle. Research has associated strong social relationships and positive emotional well-being with healthier blood pressure, better sleep, lower chronic stress and stronger resilience. Optimism and social connection have also been linked to healthier aging with better cardiovascular health. The encouraging news is that happiness doesn't require winning the lottery or taking a dream vacation. The World Happiness Reports suggest it is built through daily habits that almost anyone can practice, and the world's happiest countries offer powerful examples. In 2026, Finland again ranked at the top, followed by Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and Norway. Costa Rica also demonstrates how strong families, community ties and optimism can foster remarkable well-being without relying solely on wealth. Let’s share more helpful tips for enhancing happiness: Put people first. Schedule time each week for family, friends or neighbors. Face-toface conversations nourish emotional health. Practice one act of kindness every day. Hold a door, write a thank-you note, help a neighbor or volunteer. Kindness benefits both the giver and receiver. Share meals whenever possible. Eating together strengthens relationships, creates lasting memories—and the food tastes better. Move your body daily. Walk, garden, dance. Exercising improves mood while supporting heart health and brain function. Protect your sleep. Seven to nine hours of quality sleep improves emotional resilience, memory and overall well-being. Keep your phone in another room at night. Put your phone down. Limit social media. Replace some screen time with reading, conversation, hobbies or time in nature. Real-life experiences create deeper satisfaction than endless scrolling. Practice gratitude. Before going to bed, write down three good things that happened during the day. This simple exercise trains your brain to notice life's blessings rather than its disappointments. Ultimately, the 2025 and 2026 reports point toward a timeless truth: The happiest lives aren't necessarily the richest or easiest; they are the most connected. A smartphone can connect us to the world, but it cannot replace a friend's laughter, a family dinner, a walk outdoors or the comforting words, “I'm glad you're here.” Perhaps the best prescription for a longer, healthier life is something we can’t download or scroll through. It's something we can give: our time, our attention, our kindness and our presence. Dr. Susan Murphy is a best-selling author, business consultant and speaker on relationships, conflict, leadership and goal-achievement. Her 13th book, Leading Successful Teams (used at Harvard, Stanford and the Mayo Clinic), is available online. www.DrSusanMurphy.com Secrets to a Longer, Healthier Life Aren’t Found in Your Phone Continued from page 1 Technology should serve our relationships, not replace them.
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