For those of you on the east coast of the United States, the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Stockbridge, Massachusetts offers a wide assortment of classes and community to relax your mind, soul and body.

And even if you’re not an the east coast, Kripalu is an amazing destination or those looking for a retreat.

I visited Kripalu nearing 25 years ago, during a very stressful time in my career. A co-worker urged me to join her for a day-long retreat, including yoga, exercise and meals at the center. Reluctantly, I joined her, only to be refreshed and revived by a day of fantastic yoga, energizing exercise classes and silent mealtime.

Shortly after that visit, I left the area for Atlanta, Georgia and my life has taken me far from the realm of the Berkshires. But I’m planning a visit home, and my thoughts have wandered back to the simplicity of Kripalu.

Sign up for a catalog, check it out online. You can even enjoy a “Yoga Break” right then and there.

Janet Muniz

Photo Credit: mriggen

Retirement Living TV has a new and original primetime television series called Whole Body Health. Premiering April 29, the show explores alternative, holistic healthcare treatments and ancient healing practices with the help of medical experts.

The premiere show explores the history of yoga, and it moves on to a variety of therapies in complementary, alternative and integrative medicine. Host Dr. Kevin Soden experiences many of these treatments first-hand; his immediate reactions can help users get a feel for how each one cold help you.

Whole Body Health is a companion series to RLTV’s Healthline, a show that shows users how to take better control of their healthcare.

The whole philosophy here is that the more healthy you are, the more you’re like to enjoy your life.

Which could translate into a better night’s sleep, too.

Janet Muniz

Photo Credit: hoyasmeg

Dr. Mercola runs the Natural Health Center in Hoffman Estates, IL. He offers 33 Secrets to a Good Night’s Sleep, a plethora of practical suggestions for getting past common obstacles to healthy rest.

If you’ve ever had trouble sleeping, you’ve probably heard some of these secrets before. Yet Dr. Mercola is currently recommending something called Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). Described as “psychological acupressure,” it works much like traditional acupuncture treats physical ailments, but without the needles.

I’ve been working with practitioners of these types of alternative treatments, like Dr. George Pratt, Erika Barrantes, Kris Kirkbride and others in developing informational materials to share with potential patients—and other practitioners—that help with healing through the emotions. Fascinating stuff.

It’s a little like The Secret meets What the Bleep Do We Know? meets traditional western medicine. Perhaps more.

These days, our stress levels may be on high alert. Indeed, life in the United States and around the world has gotten much more challenging in the past eight months, even longer. What do you have to lose by opening up to potentially powerful –if not unorthodox—tools to help navigate through hard times?

Here’s the other benefit: you may actually get a good night’s sleep in the process.

Janet Muniz

Photo Credit: Jacob Bøtter

If you’re a light sensitive sleeper, one of our readers suggests this no-drug “assistant” for restful sleep: Blackout curtains.

This solution is great for those who live in areas of the world where the spring and summer days a long, like in the northwestern part of the United States. Not to mention photographers.

For instance, my husband keeps a very early work schedule, rising at 4:00 A.M. He needs to get to bed about 8:00 P.M. and the spring and summer sun is still shining then in Idaho (he’s a photographer, too).

For those who travel check out portable blackout curtains.

Not only can blackout curtains help with sleep schedules, they have that environmentally-friendly cache many consumers are looking for these days. They can help you save on your heating and cooling bills.

I think they call that multi-tasking.

Janet Muniz

Photo Credit: Anderson Mancini