Fear

Dealing With Fear At the Source
by Jonathan on December 8, 2009


Have you ever wondered where fear comes from? Most people feel some sort of fear on a regular basis, but it’s rare that anyone questions the source of that fear. Since fear wears so many different faces, is it possible for all fear to come from the same source?

Before we look at the actual source of fear, let’s talk about three of the more common broad categories of fear. I think you will find that most fears fit into one of these general categories:

Impending danger. This is the fear associated with the “fight or flight” response. Much of what happens in the face of impending danger is automatic. That doesn’t mean that we all respond the same way, not by a long shot. Just that our response in the face of real impending danger is usually dictated by our own unique emotional reflex. Some will feel paralyzed by the fear, while others will take flight. But whatever the response, it tends to be automatic.

Unexpected tragedy or loss. When we are forced to face unpleasant situations, it can easily trigger feelings of fear. This often happens in the face of loss or tragedy. It might be the loss of a job, a loved one, or an opportunity we were depending on. It could also be a serious disease or accident. Whenever circumstances take an unexpected and unwelcome turn, we can easily see things in a fearful light.

Uncertainty, the what if syndrome. This is the broadest category and it includes many of the most common types of fear. For example: fear of failure, fear of loss (not the same as actual loss), fear of rejection, fear of embarrassment, fear of loneliness, fear of disease, and so on. This category is unique because none of the huge variety of fears included in it are based on existing realities. Instead, they are the result of dwelling on a possible negative outcome. They are all based on an imaginary “what if.”

A common source?
Realizing that fears come in such a wide variety, it might seem unlikely that they could all stem from on e common source. Especially considering that some are based on real situations, while others are nothing more than figments of our imaginations.

Well, as unlikely as it might seem, all fear is based on one core emotion. In fact, it is the granddaddy of all human emotions. What is it? It is the inherent and insatiable desire to feel safe and secure. Anything that threatens that sense of security creates feelings of insecurity, and all fear is based on insecurity.

Real or imagined, it doesn’t matter
Let’s go back and identify how insecurity is involved in our three categories of fear. When it comes to impending danger, on an emotional level we feel like our very existence is being threatened. The “impending” aspect means there is a strong sense of urgency involved. This is why we tend to react automatically. It’s programmed into our survival instinct. Our sense of security is directly linked to our survival instinct on the deepest level.

Tragedy and loss rock the very foundations of our world. Our sense of security is deeply rooted in our physical wellbeing and our close relationships with loved ones. Any threat or loss in these areas triggers a corresponding sense of insecurity.

Uncertainty has a different relationship with our sense of security than the other two categories. Fears included in this category are an expression of an existing sense of insecurity that is being projected into the future. If you want to reduce the level of fear in your life, this is the place to start.

Dealing with the “what if syndrome”
Changing the way we deal with impending danger or tragedy is very involved. These are either major emotional events that involve a healing process, or sudden, unexpected situations. However, most of the crippling effects of fear that limit people on a daily basis fall under the heading of uncertainty.

There are an almost limitless host of emotional conditions that depend on the what if syndrome for their existence. Anxiety is one of the more prevalent. Even depression is often based on a sense of hopelessness about the future. Changing the emotional anchors we attach to our perception of the future can work wonders.

Negative thoughts produce negative results
What if syndrome is a negative mindset being expressed in a future tense. Since the mind is only creative, this is an extremely dangerous way to project your energy. It can easily become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

This is true even if your thoughts are something like “I hope I don’t… (lose my job, get cancer, spend the rest of my life alone,etc).” What you are really projecting is “I’m afraid I might…” So, right away your creative mind goes to work looking for a way to manifest the very result you are fearful of.

Change your focus, change your outcome
The obvious solution here is to stop projecting fear into your future. I suggest a twofold approach. First, you need to shift your focus in a more productive direction. Additionally, it’s a good idea to identify things that encourage feelings of insecurity and eliminate them from your life. This second step can have a huge impact on your overall outlook.

Replace negativity with curiosity
What’s so great about curiosity? Several things! It allows for many possibilities without trying to dictate or force an outcome. Curiosity is almost emotionally neutral, leaning slightly to the positive. And curiosity is inquisitive instead of judgmental.

The ability to view life as a journey is greatly enhanced by a curious nature. This mindset allows life to unfold naturally. Once we are comfortable with the unfolding nature of life, we begin to feel secure in the process. Change becomes something to embrace, rather than something to fear.

Reduce your exposure to negative input
What do you gain by watching distorted sensationalism on the nightly news? How is your outlook improved by long conversations that focus on problems you can’t do anything about? How does listening to chronic complainers and fault finders help you adopt a less fearful mindset?

Constant exposure to these things will only make you feel less secure about your life and your future, why go there? I’m not suggesting that you hide your head in the sand. I am simply saying that being bombarded by negativity will increase your feelings of insecurity and fear.

Get over the “what if syndrome”
Most of the things people tend to worry about never happen. And, even if they do, worrying about them never helps. It just robs you of your joy and fills you with fear. Truth is, most fear is nothing more than a figment of our imaginations. It’s an expression of insecurity based on pointless speculation.

In other words, most of the time “there is nothing to fear but fear itself.” Do yourself a giant favor, let it go!

law of attraction

« Freedom Starts Between The Ears | Main | Power Start Your 2009 »
Saturday
Jan032009
Is There A Real Law Of Attraction?
Saturday, January 3, 2009 at 10:13AM
Is there really a Law of Attraction in the Universe? The movie the Secret and the writings of Abraham-Hicks have brought this idea of a law into our awareness over the last few years. We know gravity is a law because we have tried and proved it. Is the Law of Attraction something we can try and prove or disprove? Of course it is.

The challenge of this law however is that it is complicated because it means consciously directing our thoughts and emotions toward a level of vibration that will attract what we want. I don’t know about your experience of directing your thoughts, but my experiences tell me that this can be a challenge.

Let’s do an experiment for the next 30 days and see how this Law of Attraction (LOA) can work for us. Choose something that you want to attract into your life. It could be: more money, a loving relationship, your ideal body weight, a job you like, peace of mind, or whatever would make you feel good. Here are the guidelines for the experiment:
• You have to use your mind to imagine and feel what it would be like to have what you want in your life now. It needs to feel real to you.
• You must avoid thoughts and feeling that would indicate that you lack what you want. Lack only attracts more lack.
• You can think that you are beginning to feel what it feels like to live your life with what you want in it. It can feel uplifting to have what you want.
• You can enjoy life and feel the relief of moving towards what you want. If you can imagine it you can make it happen.
• You need to take time each day to visualize what you want and visualize or sense the vibrations necessary to attract this desire. When you wake up, before you go to sleep, and throughout the day are good times to visualize/sense.
• You must do your best not to make this an effort. This is not about doing something effortful but rather effortlessly.
• You need to have an open heart in this experiment. An open heart is part of the vibration of attraction.
• You also must engage your spirit, your higher power, your connection to the source of the universe. This spirit in you is more powerful than your ego/personality, which should not be involved in the attraction.
• You can do this best if you enjoy what you are doing. Make this fun and do it lightly with joy as a powerful vibration in you.

Yes I know this is a challenging list but I know you can do it. Please remember that being effortless in your effort is important here. Let your thoughts come into alignment, your heart make you joyous and your spirit expand your consciousness and very soon you will see results if this Law of Attraction is truly a law you and I can live by.

Herbal Remedies

Natural herbal remedies from the most popular herb garden herbs
June 13, 12:02 PMTampa Bay Sustainable Agriculture ExaminerRobin MontanyePrevious
Comment Subscribe
Subscribe
Get alerts when there is a new article from the Tampa Bay Sustainable Agriculture Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use. Email Address


Include other special offers from Examiner.com
Terms of Use


ShareThis

Herbs can be used in refreshing and healing teas
Image: flickr - thebittenword.comHerbal remedies have been used for centuries to provide relief for a variety of ailments. Home remedies can stop a headache, ease a stomach ache, relieve stress and help with an abundance of aches and pains all with the use of simple herbs from the garden. View the slide show below to see the beauty of herbs and to learn how to identify some of the more commonly used herbs.

In the Tampa Bay area, herb gardens can be maintained all year long and what's a better way to cool off on a summer day than a refreshing glass of peppermint tea?

Herbs and their uses


Calendula, a type of marigold, is applied externally in home remedies as salves and ointments for skin irritations. When used in tea it is used to relieve heartburn and to treat ulcers because of its ability to reduce stomach acid. Make an infused oil for use on minor skin irritations by combining 2 parts extra-virgin olive oil and 1 part dried Calendula blossoms in the top of a double boiler and simmer for 1 hour. Strain the cooled mixture before use. If stored in a cool, dark place, this oil will last for 3 to 6 months.

Chamomile is a white flower with a yellow center, very similar to a daisy, and makes a very relaxing tea. Use a tea infuser to brew the dried flowers into a tea. Chamomile can be added to bathwater to soothe fussy babies or for a great way for adults to relax before bed on a stressful day.

Echinacea, a purple coneflower, boosts the immune system. Simply brew the roots by boiling in water for 20 or 30 minutes and strain. Sweeten with honey if desired.

Garlic, although not as pretty as the others, if a very powerful and useful herb for both culinary experiences and for use in natural home remedies. Garlic is an antibacterial and anti-viral, and has cardiovascular benefits. It has also been said that garlic has cancer fighting properties. It is wise to note, that it is believed that once it is cooked garlic loses some of its antibacterial and anti-viral properties.

Ginger has been used to treat digestive difficulties for more than 25 centuries. Ginger root relieves nausea, motion sickness and indigestion and its anti-inflammatory benefits aids with rheumatoid arthritis. Ginger is cooked into foods, made into candy, used to make ginger ale, and used to make ginger tea, among a variety of other uses.

Lavender, a deep purple flower, is used for its relaxing scent and is used to treat insomnia, headaches and burns. Use lavender oil in compresses or in a bath or as a mild tea. Store dried flowers in a pillow for relaxation and to help insomnia.

Lemon Balm is a lemony scented leaf that is used as a tea or as a garnish for relieving headaches and stress. Use dried lemon balm in a tea infuser to make a refreshing lemon-favored tea.

Peppermint leaves are used to relax the muscles of the digestive tract this allows it to soothe stomach aches, and is excellent for indigestion. Use the leaves in a tea infuser or use peppermint oil.

St. John's Wort is a vivid yellow flower with deep green foliage. When infused, St. Johns' Wort makes a dark red oil. Place 2-3 ounces of dried or fresh-wilted St. John's Wort leaves in 1 pint of olive oil. Place the jar in a warm spot – a sunny windowsill works great – for 2 weeks. Gently shake the jar every 2 or 3 days to mix the oil. After the 2 week period, strain and press the oil from the st. John's wort. Allow the remaining oil to sit until any residual water separates out, then poor off the oil and store in a dark location. This oil will keep for 3 to 6 months.

Valerian grows wild in North America on plants that grow up to five feet. Valerian has long, fern-like leaves with small white to pink and lavender flowers that grow in clusters. Use one dropper full of tincture in some water at bedtime to benefit from its relaxing qualities. It is not recommended to make tea out of Valerian because of its foul odor. Many people prefer to just take it in capsule form to avoid the smell altogether. It can be used in combination with some other sweeter herbs to help disguise the taste; use with chamomile, catnip, peppermint and lemon balm as a soothing and relaxing tea or in a calming bath.

eye exercises

Yoga
[Yoga Home][Postures][Breathing][HolisticOnline Home][Meditation][Prayer]


Eye Exercises

The yoga practitioners attach special importance to eye exercises, for two reasons.

Firstly, a lot of eye problems in later life are due to a loss of tone in the eye muscles. These muscles become rigid, and this loss of elasticity reduces the ability of the lens of the eye to focus at different distances. It also causes the eyesight to become weaker. These exercises tone the eye muscles up and keep them elastic. If you already have eye problems when you begin these exercises, you will find your eyesight improving after a few months.

Secondly, any eye tension present will tend to produce a general feeling of tension, due to the eye's connection to the brain via the optic nerve. What happens is that eye tension produces an increase in the nerve impulses in the eye muscles. This increase in nerve impulses travels along the optic nerve and bombards the brain, causing a general feeling of tension and anxiety. The eye exercises will reduce tension in the eye muscles, as well as reduce general tension.

It is best to do these eye exercises while lying down after you've finished the asanas. This way you're resting after the asanas and doing the eye exercises at the same time, thus reducing the time taken to do your yoga routine.

When doing the eye exercises keep your eyes open and don't move your head.

Sitting (as in the exercises for the neck given above), open your eyes, then check on your posture. Is your spine erect? Hands on the knees? Body relaxed? Head straight? That is how you should always remain while doing eye exercises. The whole body must be motionless; nothing must move except the eyes.

Raise your eyes and find a small point that you can see clearly without straining, without frowning, without becoming tense and, of course, without moving your head. While doing this exercise look at this point each time you raise your eyes.

Next, lower your eyes to find a small point on the floor which you can see clearly when glancing down. Look at it each time you lower your eyes. Breathing should be normal. In other words, you don't have to do deep breathing.

Exercise 1

Move your eyes upwards as far as you can, and then downwards as far as you can. Repeat four more times. Blink quickly a few times 1 to relax the eye muscles.

Exercise 2

Now do the same using points to your right and to your left, at eye level. Keep your raised fingers or two pencils on each side as guides and adjust them so that you can see them clearly when moving the eyes to the right and to the left, but without straining.

Keeping the fingers at eye level, and moving only the eyes, look to the right at your chosen point, then to the left. Repeat four times. Blink several times, then close your eyes and rest.

Exercise 3

Choose a point you can see from the right corner of your eyes when you raise them, and another that you can see from the left corner of your eyes when you lower them, half closing the lids. Remember to retain your original posture: spine erect, hands on knees, head straight and motionless.

Look at your chosen point in right corner up, then to the one in left corner down. Repeat four times. Blink several times. Close the eyes and rest.

Now do the same exercise in reverse. That is, first look to the left corner up, then to the right corner down. Repeat four times. Blink several times. Close the eyes and rest.

Exercise 4

This exercise should not be done until three or four days after you have begun eye exercises given here.

Slowly roll your eyes first clockwise, then counterclockwise as follows: Lower your eyes and look at the floor, then slowly move the eyes to the left, higher and higher until you see the ceiling. Now continue circling to the right, lower and lower down, until you see the floor again. Do this slowly, making a full-vision circle. Blink, close your eyes and rest. Then repeat the same action counterclockwise.

Do this five times then blink the eyes for at least five seconds.

When rolling the eyes, make as large a circle as possible, so that you feet a little strain as you do the exercise. This stretches the eye muscles to the maximum extent, giving better results.

Exercise 5

Next comes a changing-vision exercise. While doing it you alternately shift your vision from close to distant points several times.

Take a pencil, or use your finger, and hold it under the tip of your nose. Then start moving it away, without raising it, until you have fixed it at the closest possible distance where you can see it clearly without any blur. Then raise your eyes a little, look straight into the distance and there find a small point which you can also see very clearly.

Now look at the closer point-the pencil or your finger tip then shift to the farther point in the distance. Repeat several times, blink, close your eyes and squeeze them tight.

Exercise 6

Close your eyes as tightly as you possibly can. Really squeeze the eyes, so the eye muscles contract. Hold this contraction for three seconds, and then let go quickly.

This exercise causes a deep relaxation of the eye muscles, and is especially beneficial after the slight strain caused by the eye exercises. Blink the eyes a few times.

Exercise 7

This exercise is called 'palming' and is very relaxing to the eyes. It is also most important for preserving the eyesight. Palming also has a beneficial, relaxing effect on your nervous system.

It's an ideal way to finish off the eye exercises.

Remain seated on the floor. Draw up your knees, keeping your feet on the floor and slightly apart. Now briskly rub your palms to charge them with electricity and place the cupped palms over your closed eyes. The fingers of the right hand should be crossed over the fingers of the left hand on the forehead. The elbows should rest on your raised knees and the neck should be kept straight. Don't bend your head. Do the deep breathing while palming your eyes.

If you are going to do the palming for longer than a few minutes, better sit down at a table, place some books or pillows in front of you to support your elbows so that you will be able to keep the neck straight, and palm the eyes in this position. If the palming is done for only a short period one can do deep breathing for half a minute or so at first, gradually increasing it every week.

Benefits:

This exercise helps to do away with eye strain, and tension. Your vision will get better and clearer as the ophthalmic, or eye, nerves receive a richer supply of blood. Some people use this to improve their vision.

[Go To: Corpse Pose (savasana) ]

safe water

The Health Benefits of Drinking Water
Even in developed countries there are cases of people falling sick and even dying from drinking unsafe water. It is no secret that there is a correlation between contaminated drinking water and a variety of diseases and health problems. It is necessary and prudent to be aware of the different water contaminants, especially the most common ones.



Groundwater and surface water can actually be contaminated in a number of ways. It is very easy for a contaminant to seep, wash or deposit itself in close proximity to the water that you drink. The most common contaminants are:

Living organisms: these bacteria are commonly found in septic tanks and manure
Domestic contaminants: can often occur when ordinary household products like soap or fertilizer mix with drinking water.
Industrial contaminants: these pollutants may be emitted by industry or by a gradual build-up over the years and always in the case of an industrial accident.
Protect Yourself with a drinking water filtration system
The health benefits of drinking clean water are many and thankfully with the right tools, getting clean water is easily done. There are several steps you can take to ensure that your water is safe to drink including:

-Mandatory testing (water quality check) of your water supply using our water test kits or through a certified laboratory will provide you with the most important information to select the appropriate water treatment system.

-Having an appropriate water filtration system: we offer a variety of drinking water filtration systems that are specifically designed for a home application. Our models differ only in the quantity and type of filtration, but all can provide water that is free from chlorine, sediment, bacteria or other contaminants.

-Excel Water Technologies Inc. provides you a detailed solution finder which will help you identify your specific requirements.

Your Best Defense
Being aware of the health benefits of purified drinking water for yourself and your family gives you reason enough to ensure that your own water is clean and safe to drink. Excel Water Technologies Inc. is able to offer you the right solutions with a number of water filtration systems that meet your specific needs.


Contact us with your inquiries: info@excelwater.com

pesticides

EWG's list of non-organic pesticide content in produce (US-based)
Scientists have found that exposure to pesticide residues on vegetables and fruit may double a child's risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) a condition that causes inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity or a combination of all three in children.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between three and seven percent of school age children in the United States have ADHD, which makes them impulsive and impairs concentration in the classroom.

In the study, researchers with the University of Montreal and Harvard University tested the urine of more than 1,100 children, between the ages of eight and 15, looking for breakdown products of organophosphate pesticides. 119 of the children in the study had been diagnosed with ADHD.

"What we saw was that the higher the level of pesticide residues in the urine, the higher the risk of ADHD in the children," said Maryse Bouchard, who led the team of researchers.

Investigators found the risk of ADHD was almost double in youngsters with higher levels of the most common breakdown metabolite, compared to children with nearly undetectable levels.

Researchers say 40 organophosphate pesticides are registered with the U.S. government.

Organophosphates are among the most widely used pesticides by growers to protect fruit and vegetables. Studies have showed that organophosphates cause hyperactivity and cognitive defects in laboratory animals, as well as neural changes.

Bouchard, who is with the University of Montreal's Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, says she is not surprised by the finding, although she cautions it is too early to draw any firm conclusions.

"We can't affirm that exposure to pesticides is causing ADHD," she added. "We would need a different kind of study to say that."

Lynn Goldman is with the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health in Baltimore. Goldman says the use of pesticides, including organophosphates, is widespread in developing countries, where children are exposed to high levels of pesticides through farming.

"Those kids have much more serious, much more severe, neurological problems," said Goldman. "So, we do see evidence of effects in those populations globally."

Goldman says studies will probably now be conducted in other nations to determine how pesticides affect brain development in children.

A 2008 study of produce in the United States found organophosphate residues in 28 percent of frozen blueberry samples, 25 percent of fresh strawberry samples and 19 percent of celery samples.

The new study on pesticides and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder appears in the journal Pediatrics.

sleep

11 Reasons Why You Absolutely Need More Sleep

There’s nothing better than that feeling of waking up completely and utterly refreshed. Feeling so good that you virtually spring out of bed, already enthusing about how marvelous the day ahead is sure to be.

Of course it’s a shame that the last time you woke feeling that way was on summer break in your college days, but hey - that’s the way it goes, isn’t it?

These days, sleep is little more than something that cuts into your every-day hectic schedule. Sure, you love going to sleep, and you definitely acknowledge that you need to sleep at least a few hours, but the reality is that you simply cannot prioritize it above everything else in your life. I mean, you're already behind on Twitter messages as it is.

Besides, you function extremely well on just 5 or 6 hours thank-you very much. In fact, you’re quite proud of it.

Well sorry to burst your bubble, but what if I were to tell you that lack of sleep is one of the Western world’s foremost reasons for increased obesity, heart disease, and diabetes? That it’s physiologically impossible for you to ‘get away with’ a lack of sleep? The truth is that what you in fact have is a very massive and very demanding sleep debt. And the interest is mounting.

It’s funny how you can start to make just a little more time for something when you truly believe and understand how important it is. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the foremost reasons for a good night’s sleep. Read these and you’ll soon realize that not only can sleep transform your weight and your health, it just might save your life.


1.Studies have shown that staying up all night long (being awake for 17 or more hours) can leave you with a reaction response comparable to that of an intoxicated person with a blood alcohol reading of greater than 0.5. This makes you a definite danger to yourself and to others. Of course this lack of physical and mental control does not simply ‘happen’ at minus 8 hours. For every hour you stay awake you decrease your ability to focus and perform throughout the coming days.


2.Insufficient sleep results in an incomplete hormonal cycle. This means your body cannot produce daytime hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline when it needs them first thing. As a result, you depend on stimulants to keep you going, and set yourself up for another poor night’s sleep. You can’t escape the always tired but always wired cycle you’ve set up for yourself.


3.A classic symptom of this ‘tired but wired’ cycle is not feeling hungry in the morning, or feeling nauseous when you do eat breakfast. Never imagine that this is a convenient way to save on time and calories – the food that you eat first thing stimulates your metabolism and aids in detoxification. Without a good breakfast to line your belly you set yourself up for low energy and poor eating patterns the rest of the day.


4.A poor sleep cycle causes your body to create patterns that will enable you to handle the ongoing sleep of your go-go-go lifestyle. One of these patterns is an excessive release of stress hormones such as cortisol – particularly in the evening. Stress hormones allow you to keep going, but they’re also the ones that keep you up at night, and what’s more - they signal your body to store fat. And that’s regardless of how you’re eating or exercising.


5.Physical patterns such as the release of stress hormones are just one part of the equation. The other thing you need to consider is the compensation patterns that you yourself end up creating. An extra coffee here, a few pieces of candy there, the decision to have that mid-afternoon muffin. When you’re tired your defenses are down and it’s easy to think that these little things don’t count. But they could be the one thing stopping you from losing weight and improving your health.


6.Speaking of sugar, those mid-afternoon cravings are not just in your head. When you don’t have enough sleep your brain continually sends out urgent messages for quick energy. This is a survival instinct – it’s all about keeping you as alert and focused as possible. Will power alone can’t override these cravings - not when you’re fighting your own physiology. This just makes it harder to stick to your healthy eating goals, and the sugar slump doesn’t do you any favors either. The really scary part is that these daily indulgences can mean the hormone named insulin is constantly elevated and you’re setting yourself up for possible diabetes.


7.In fact, it’s not just the mid-afternoon cravings that’ll get you when you’re tired. The truth is that you’ll find yourself eating far more on a daily basis, and that you’ll tend to do it all day long. Breakfast aside, no doubt. You’ll also tend to make poorer choices – more processed foods, more sugary sodas, more starchy carbohydrates or fried foods. And it’s pretty tough to escape this cycle when your eyes are stinging and your motivation is at an all-time low. Leading sleep researchers T.S. Wiley and Bent Formby, Ph.D, in their book ‘Lights Out: Sleep, Sugar, And Survival’ show a close connection between a lack of sleep and the increasing existence of obesity in our society.



8.One of the most unfair symptoms of sleep debt is that inability to wind down come evening time. Of course it shouldn’t really be much of a surprise – not when you’ve spent the better part of the day jacked up on caffeine and sugar. And even if you haven’t, your nervous system is in overdrive which keeps you buzzing all night long but leaves you groggy and useless in the morning. There’s only one way out of this mess, and it’s not more coffee.


9.Back ache, neck ache, tummy ache, headache … when you’re tired it sometimes just seems as though everything hurts. According to Paul Chek, H.H.P, as stated in his book “How To Eat, Move And Be Healthy”, physical repair takes place while you’re sleeping, and it happens in the first half of the night – around 10pm-2am. If you skip those vital first few hours and hit the sack post-midnight with the alarm set for 6 or 7am, your body simply cannot rejuvenate your muscle cells, or indeed any of your cells. This leaves you physically weaker and with constant ailments.


10.Of course you could try going to bed on time and getting up super-early if you still can’t afford yourself a full 8 hours, but according to Paul you’d then you’d be skipping out on crucial psychological repair. This takes place approximately between 2am and 6am, and is directly linked to your mental focus, your moods, and your ability to maintain a positive mindset. Imagine the effects of a lack of sleep over time – small wonder so many people find themselves heading down the dark road of depression or anxiety.


11.It’s pretty hard to climb off the wheel of life when you barely have the energy to get through the day. Missing out on sleep could be costing you a lot more than you realize if it means you’re stuck in the rut of your day-to-day life and simply can’t even begin to contemplate what it would take to make some changes. Whether it’s testing the waters for a new career or a promotion, ending or beginning a relationship, or even just trying out that hobby you’ve been shelving for so long, chances are it’s not going to happen when you’re frazzled and burnt out.
Missing even half an hour of sleep every night adds up to an impressive sleep debt of 182.5 hours per year. There’s no short-cut to paying of this debt, nor can you outrun it’s constant and grueling effects on your health. Next time you tell yourself that you can get by, stop and consider just how big your sleep debt is right now. And consider that the nights are dark for a reason, that your body sends you physical and emotional responses to tiredness for a reason. Maybe it’s time to listen to those messages and see just what you’re missing out on.

The good news is that increasing your sleep by as little as half an hour, or even 15 minutes, every night can immediately and drastically improve the way you feel and function. For most of us it’s not possible to drop everything and implement drastic change, but the benefits of sleep don’t have to be a case of ‘all or nothing’. Why not treat yourself to an extra half hour shut eye tonight and start to soak up the health rewards right away?

nutrients

Do you like to keep up on nutrition, but are a bit puzzled sometimes about what you hear or read? Do you wonder what makes a carbohydrate simple or complex? Or what the difference is between a macronutrient and a micronutrient?

Know Your Nutrients
The body needs nutrients from foods and beverages for many vital functions including healthy growth and development, and smooth-running organs and body systems.

There are six types of nutrients: carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and water. Carbohydrates, protein and fat are called macronutrients because our bodies need them in larger amounts. Vitamins and minerals are called micronutrients because our bodies need them in smaller amounts.

Learn more about each type of nutrient below.
Macronutrients - Maximize Your Knowledge
Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are the body’s main energy source, supplying 4 calories per gram. Carbohydrates are found in many foods and beverages including cereal, bread, rice, pasta, milk, vegetables, fruits, fruit juices, table sugar and honey. Carbohydrates are built from sugar units, and are classified as either simple carbohydrates or complex carbohydrates.

Simple carbohydrates are made up of one or two sugar units. They are found in sweet foods and drinks such as fruits, fruit juices, sweetened cereals, desserts, soft drinks, jam, syrup and table sugar. Complex carbohydrates are made up of many sugar units. They are found in starchy foods such as cereal, potatoes, pasta, beans and vegetables.

Dietary fiber is a type of complex carbohydrate that passes through the body without being digested. Fiber is found in whole grain cereals and breads, dried beans and peas, fruits and vegetables.

There are two types of dietary fiber—insoluble and soluble. Insoluble fiber promotes regularity by adding bulk to the stool, which helps it pass more quickly through the body. Insoluble fiber is found in foods such as bran cereals, whole-wheat bread, fruits and vegetables. Soluble fiber slows digestion, which helps minimize spikes in blood glucose, and helps lower blood cholesterol. Soluble fiber is found in foods such as oatmeal, barley, beans, peas and many fruits and vegetables.

Health experts recommend getting 45 to 65 percent of daily calories from carbohydrates.

Protein

The body breaks down the protein we eat into amino acids, which build, repair and maintain body tissues. The body needs protein for healthy growth and development, and to make hormones, antibodies, enzymes and tissues. Protein is found in meat, poultry, fish, milk products, grains and beans, and supplies 4 calories per gram.

Health experts recommend getting 10 to 35 percent of daily calories from protein.

Fats

The body needs dietary fats for proper growth and development, a healthy nervous system and skin, to aid the absorption and transport of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K through the blood, and to store energy in the body. Fats are made up of a mix of saturated and unsaturated fats. All fats supply 9 calories per gram.

Saturated fats are solid at room temperature and mainly found in animal foods such as fatty cuts of meat, whole milk, cheese, ice cream, butter, cream and lard. Tropical oils (palm oil, palm kernel oil, and coconut oil) also contain higher amounts of saturated fat. Eating too much saturated fat increases risk of heart disease by raising total cholesterol and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol.

Unsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature and mainly found in plant foods. There are three types of unsaturated fats: polyunsaturated, monounsaturated and trans fats.

Polyunsaturated fats are found in corn, soy and safflower oils, sunflower and sesame oil and seeds, walnuts, flaxseed, and fatty fish such as salmon. Monounsaturated fats are found in canola, olive and peanut oils, peanuts, almonds and avocados. Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats are considered healthful choices because they do not raise LDL cholesterol and help replace saturated fats in the diet.

Trans fats are formed when unsaturated liquid plant oils are partially hydrogenated, a process which makes them more solid and similar to saturated fats. Trans fats increase total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, and lower HDL (“good”) cholesterol.

•Health experts recommend getting 20 to 35 percent of daily calories from fats. Limit less than 10% of calories from saturated fatty acids and less than 300mg /day of cholesterol, and keep trans fatty acid consumption as low as possible.
Micronutrients - No Small Feat
Vitamins and minerals are micronutrients that are crucial to many body processes. Many vitamins and minerals are essential, meaning we must get them from food or a dietary supplement such as a multivitamin.

Vitamins are classified as water-soluble or fat-soluble vitamins. The body doesn’t store water-soluble vitamins—excess amounts are excreted in the urine—so, you need an adequate supply of these vitamins each day. The body does store fat-soluble vitamins, so regularly consuming excessive amounts can be toxic.

Water-Soluble Vitamins

•B vitamins
◦B1 (thiamin)
◦B2 (riboflavin)
◦B3 (niacin)
◦B6 (pyroxidine)
◦B7 (biotin—also known as vitamin H)
◦B9 (folate)
◦B12 (cobalamin)
•Pantothenic acid
•Vitamin C
Fat-Soluble Vitamins

•Vitamin A
•Vitamin D
•Vitamin E
•Vitamin K
Minerals are classified as macrominerals or microminerals (also known as trace minerals) based on how much or little the body needs.

Macrominerals

•Calcium
•Magnesium
•Phosphorus
•Sodium
•Potassium
Microminerals

•Cadmimum
•Chromium
•Copper
•Flouride
•Iodine
•Iron
•Manganese
•Nickel
•Selenium
•Tin
•Zinc
Water - Clearly Required for Good Health
Water is often called the “forgotten” essential nutrient, but is vital for our health. Water helps transport nutrients and oxygen to cells and carries waste products out of the body. It helps regulate body temperature, is part of most body fluids such as blood, sweat and tears, moistens body tissues in the eyes, mouth and nose, and cushions the organs and joints.

The human body is about 50 to 75 percent water, depending on age, gender, body composition, food intake, physical activity level and environmental factors such as how hot it is outside.

The body stays hydrated from the water found in fluids such as drinking water, milk, juice, coffee, tea and soft drinks. Many foods such as fruits and vegetables supply water, too.

Learn more about water intake guidelines from the Institute of Medicine’s recommendations for water intake for the general public, including children.

Yoga

Yoga
Yoga is a Sanskrit word. It has many meanings. It is derived from the Sanskrit root yuj meaning 'unite'. Union of Jivatma (Individual soul) with paramatma (Universal soul or God) is called Yoga. Meaning of Yoga is very vast.

Yoga is associated with all the religions of India. Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism have adopted meditation practices of Yoga. Yoga is also one of the six Astika (orthodox) schools of Hindu philosophy. Texts on Vedas, Upanishads, Hindu Tantras and Buddhist Tantras have all extensively use the Yogic practices.

Major branches of Yoga are Jnanayoga, Bhaktiyoga, Karmayoga and Rajayoga. Veda and Upanishads are the source of Jnanayoga, Narada Bhaktisutra is a text on Bhaktiyoga, Bhagavadgita is an authoritative text on Karmayoga and Patanjala Yoga sutras on Rajayoga. Bhagavadgita covers all the major Yogas. Hathayoga is a major branch of Rajayoga. Hathayoga Pradipike, Shiva Samhita and Gheranda Samhita are the major texts on Hathayoga.

Now a days in West the word "Yoga" is more associated with physical exercises and yogasanas which have therapeutic use. The word "Yoga" is mainly associated with Hathayoga and Yogasanas(Postures). A beginner in the path of Yoga is called Yogarudha. An advanced practitioner of Yoga is called "Yogi"(masculine gender) and "Yogini" (feminine gender)

14 Myths About Fitness, Exercises And Workouts That Everyone Ought To Know

14 Myths About Fitness, Exercises And Workouts That Everyone Ought To Know

Myths are stories, legends or invented explanations that are retold so often that they are accepted as truth. They should not be that way, and they have no place in any individual’s fitness routine. Below are 14 of the most common myths on fitness, exercises and workouts that you and I should know about.

1.When you stop working out, muscles will turn into fat
image source

It’s the most typical workout myth in the world. Muscle has never and will never turn into fat and neither does fat turn into muscle. During weight training, more energy is required, hence a bigger appetite. When a person stops working out, the need for extra energy stops as well. But because the stomach size has increased due to a bigger appetite, the need to feel full has become a habit. Those extra calories that were once used as fuel while training is now stored as fat. It may seem like the bulk of muscle has turned into fat, but the truth is that the body became fatter due to eating more than previously needed.

Be it protein or carbohydrates, both turns into fat when not used. Cutting back on training requires you to cut back on food consumption as well.

1.Food eaten after 8 at night will turn into body fat
image source

Not entirely true. For people who workout during the later part of a day, it is important to eat accordingly. Whenever there is a need for the body to repair and rebuild, fuel is needed and the body most actively repairs during during sleep. However, it is more important to eat healthier foods during the later part of a day like lean meat, unsaturated fats, vegetables and fruits to avoid the risk of unwanted fat deposits. Give the body at least 2 hours to digest the food before going to bed.

1.Six pack abs equal six hundred sit ups and crunches daily
image source

Everyone has six pack abs. Abdominal exercises do not lead to clearly visible six pack abs but fat reduction does. The first place that fat goes to in the body, is the last place fat comes off. Tummy for men and hips, butt, thighs for women. Spot reduction of fat has never and will never work. Here are some of the lesser known facts about losing weight that people ought to know about.

A six pack abs is a definite want for any man working out for it is a social muscle. Ab exercises will definitely strengthen and tone the abs but does not rid the fat. A better use of time would be to spend it on interval cardio sessions and making sure that proper food is fed to the body.

I actually have a personal digital body fat analyzer that I use from time to time that gives me a rough idea of my body’s current state. Accuracy may not be as good as a DXA but it’s good enough for me. You can easily get one at less than $US 10 from online auction sites like ebay.

1.Stretching and warm up isn’t necessary
image source

I hit the gym everyday. And everyday I’ll take up 10 minutes to stretch and warm up my body from head to toe. It is necessary to avoid sprains and injuries. Even after a good day’s workout, I stretch. It greatly reduces the severity of DOMS, delayed onset muscle soreness, which will be pretty much appreciated the morning after. Here are 20 more solid reasons why warm up and stretching is important.

1.Supplements will boost muscle growth and strength in no time
image source

There are only 2 ways to make the most gains in mass and might.

•A good training program.
•A well planned out diet.
Time and energy should be focused on the 2 methods mentioned above rather than on supplements that claim to be able to bring out the Arnold in you. Some supplements may have serious and irreversible side effects if taken wrongly. For example, steroids taken wrongly may lead to a loss of appetite, constipation, intestinal irritation, vomiting, nose bleeding, headaches, increased aggression and even liver cancer. It’s way better to attain the results we want naturally. Think safe, think long term. Our body’s health should not be taken lightly.

1.Weight training will make women look beefy
image source

To look beefy, you’d need testosterone. Lots of it. Hundreds and hundreds of nanograms per deciliter of blood. The average testosterone levels for a human being are :

•Male : 300-1,000 ng/dl
•Female : 20-80 ng/dl
Women just do not have the testosterone levels necessary to look like The Rock in Scorpion King. As a matter of fact, weight training is the fastest and easiest way for women to look leaner, sculpted and toned. Light to moderate weights and many repetitions are the most effective for toning and strengthening and make you look like Megan Fox in Transformers.

1.Vegetarians will not make it in bodybuilding
image source

It’s so wrong. There is Bill Pearl who won Mr Universe twice, first in 1953 kicking Sean Connery’s ass (6th), and in 1971 before retiring. 1951 Mr America, Roy Hilligenn is another perfect example who still looks young as hell at 77 years old. You can see more of today’s vegetarian bodybuilders at veganbodybuilding.com.

Vegetarians get their protein from nuts, seeds, cereals and legumes. B12 vitamin and iodin are 2 other essential nutrients available through seaweed.

1.Your body weakens with age
image source

It’s all in the mind. Think old and you’ll look old and act old. The fact is, body building doesn’t only improve your physique and rejuvenates your spirit, but also gives you a healthy perspective on people and the world around. Some of the older bodybuilders include :

•John Pasco, born 1928
•Bill Pearl, born 1930
•Steve Holt, born 1954
With regular exercise, weight training and a low-fat diet, you’ll gain increased energy levels, leaner body mass and an optimum body fat percentage. With the big 90 around the corner, people still do experience renewed strength, increased mobility, stronger bones and greater flexibility by exercising.

1.The longer time I spend at the gym, the fitter I become
image source

For me, it’s no longer than 60 minutes 3 times a week. The focus here is on efficiency and effectiveness like this super cool 15 minutes workout that works every muscle in your body. An average bodybuilder does not spend more than 1 hour working out. People who just don’t have the time to workout that much will lose interest and motivation to exercise, if the myth were true. The point is, any exercise, at all, done correctly is better than none.

1.If I don’t feel pain in the morning, I didn’t work out hard enough
image source

When we lift weights, our muscle fibers will tear a little. Muscle soreness is expected, but normally heals within a week. Anything more than a week is an indication of over working out. Committing to a fitness program will eventually lead the muscle into getting used to it. Changing a fitness program regularly will ensure that all muscles are worked on and experiencing growth.

However, what happens in the gym is only meant to PROMOTE muscle growth. The REAL process begins only when a person is RECOVERING. Pain should not be used as a measurement of a workout session’s effectiveness. Some soreness, yes, but not pain. Always remember to stretch before and after. Get enough rest and work on different muscle groups on different days. Rest a day if the muscles are still sore.

•shoulders
•upper back
•arms
•chest
•abs & lower back
•legs
1.Avoid drinking water when your body is over heated
image source

An average human body’s water content is 60% for men and 55% for women. In my body, 86 out of 143 pounds is water. If the body’s water content drops 5%, it’s already considered dehydration. An hour of vigorous exercise is enough to drain a quart (~1 liter). Drinking before, during and after is pretty important.

During exercise, muscles generate heat that will cause a rise in body temperature. This heat is doused by water when it is carried in the bloodstream and pushed to the surface as bullets of sweat. It continues to drain water from the body until it is replenished. Thirst is already a sign of dehydration. Drink a cup every 15 minutes. Keeps the muscles oiled and the body productive.

1.There is no need for doctors if I don’t plan on biting off more than I can chew
image source

If you have never done any resistance training before in your life and you’re above 40, it’s best to consult your doc. Go for a physical exam that examines the temperature, blood pressure, pulse and respiratory rate. Things that concern your cardiovascular fitness, blood cholesterol levels and medical history should also be taken into account. Ask doc about the best exercise given your medical profile.

1.The prime time for exercising and working out is in the mornings
image source

Correction. The best time to exercise is the time that works with the individual’s body clock and fits their busy days. People working out in the morning are more likely to stick to their fitness plans as they are able to get it in before the various demands of life compete for their time.

Many, many people believe that the best way to lose fat is to start pushing your body right after waking up in the mornings, on an empty stomach. I say no. Exercise is meant for toning the muscle and burning fat. Inability to draw energy from the main source will only force the body to go to other sources of energy, which are your muscles and fat. More muscles are used up as fuel as their composition is much simpler compared to fat.

1.It is okay to cover a week’s worth of workout during the weekend
image source

It’s also much better spreading a workout all over the week instead of pounding the body during weekends. A weekend warrior will lose out on other health benefits. Blood pressure and glucose levels are temporarily lowered during each exercise, which are beneficial in the long run. Exercising regularly also keeps a person’s appetite consistent.

Tips for Understanding Anxiety Symptoms

Tips for Understanding Anxiety Symptoms

Anxiety attack is a serious medical condition that affects the lives of millions of Americans. The condition is characterized by an extreme onset of fear, anxiety and/or panic that usually lasts for several minutes. It can occur randomly or can be triggered by specific situations. In any case, identifying the symptoms of the condition is the first step towards a solution. Listed below are the common symptoms associated with anxiety attacks.

1. Difficulty speaking and concentrating. The person experiencing an anxiety attack or extreme anxiety typically has difficulty getting focused and speaking properly. They may stumble upon their words, stutter, and feel like they can't get their thoughts under control.

2. Chest pains or tightness. Someone who has a tendency of having anxiety attacks usually stops breathing properly. This can cause severe chest pains or tightness, difficulty swallowing, and from limited oxygen intake.

3. Agitated and overexcited. Those who always rush and are always hyper maybe suffering from anxiety disorder. They often feel that they cannot rest and so they keep on moving or working.

4. Tingling sensation in the hands and feet. This is a sign that indicates that a person is close to experience a panic attack. This is caused by a lack of oxygen circulating in the body due to shallow breathing.

5. Increased blood pressure and heart rate. Anxiety attacks cause an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. People describe the feeling as having a heart attack.

6. Food cravings. Sufferers of anxiety attacks may turn to food to alleviate their negative feelings. They often take-in foods rich in fats, carbohydrates, and sugar since these types of foods provide a temporary energy boost and relief to their ill feelings. However, the relief does not last long and it may even leave the sufferer worst off.

7. Fatigue and exhaustion. Anxiety attacks sufferers may feel constant fatigue since the condition causes a lot of stress to their minds and body. In addition, they usually cannot recover from the stress since they cannot get quality rest and sleep.

Anxiety symptoms vary from person to person, and may be more pronounced in some people than in others. The intensity and effects of an anxiety attack can occur based on the person's chemical makeup, frequency of other attacks, and other factors. Recognizing these symptoms as they happen can help to understand what is triggering an anxiety attack or general feelings of anxiety, and what needs to be done to correct the problem.

Anxiety usually affects all facets of a person's life. However, anxiety attacks can be treated with one or a combination of these options: behavioral therapy, lifestyle change, nutritional supplements and pharmaceutical drugs.

Millions of people suffer from panic disorders that can occur when in public or just travelling away from home. Now there is a drug free anxiety treatment that can help you to overcome the fearful thoughts that may lead to panic attacks.

quotes

On this page you'll find favorite quotes.

• "What we think, we become." - Buddha

• "You can cheat an honest man but you can not make a fool out of him." - Confucius

• "Anyone willing to give up liberty in exchange for security deserves neither." - Benjamin Franklin

• "It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters in the end." - Ursula LeGuin

• "I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul." - W. E. Henley (Invictus)

• "Dream is the spark of passion; talent is the firework of its expression; perseverance, the sacred fire of its accomplishment." - Daniel Chabot

• "I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it." - Thomas Jefferson

• "Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration." - Thomas Edison

• "Time isn't a commodity, something you pass around like cake. Time is the substance of life. When anyone asks you to give your time, they're really asking for a chunk of your life." - Antoinette Bosco

• "Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart." - Eleanor Roosevelt

• "Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence." - Helen Keller

• "Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly." - Robert F. Kennedy

• "The wise adapt themselves to circumstances, as water molds itself to the pitcher." - Chinese Proverb

• "Begin challenging your own assumptions. Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in while, or the light won't come in." - Alan Alda

• "To measure up to all that is demanded of him, a man must overestimate his capacities." - Goethe

• "Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness." - Chinese Proverb

• "No man is free who is not master of himself." - Epictetus

• "To talk much and arrive nowhere is the same as climbing a tree to catch a fish." - Ancient Chinese Proverb

• "One person with a belief is equal to a force of ninety-nine who have only interests." - John Stuart Mill

• "Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius - and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." - Albert Einstein

• "The simple function of man is to live, not just exist." - Jack London

• "Our greatest glory consists not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

• "Believe you can and you're halfway there." - Theodore Roosevelt

• "Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens." - J.R.R. Tolkien

• "Most of our obstacles would melt away if, instead of cowering before them, we should make up our minds to walk boldly through them." - Orison Swett Marden

• "Happy people plan actions, they don't plan results." - Dennis Wholey

• "Only those who dare, truly live." - Ruth Freedman

• "Obstacles are necessary for success... victory comes only after many struggles and countless defeats. Yet each struggle, each defeat, sharpens your skills and strengths, your courage and your endurance, your ability and your confidence and thus each obstacle is a comrade-in-arms forcing you to become better... or quit. Each rebuff is an opportunity to move forward; turn away from them, avoid them, and you throw away your future." - Og Mandino

• "Aim at perfection in everything, though in most things it is unattainable. However, they who aim at it, and persevere, will come much nearer to it than those whose laziness and despondency make them give it up as unattainable." - Lord Chesterfield

• "Keep your fears to yourself, but share your courage with others." - Robert Louis Stevenson

• "When you have no choice, mobilize the spirit of courage." - Jewish proverb

• "All problems become smaller if you don't dodge them, but confront them." - William F. Halsey

• "You have not converted a man because you have silenced him." - John Morley

• "Without passion man is a mere latent force and possibility, like the flint which awaits the shock of the iron before it can give forth it's spark." - Henri-Frederic Amiel

• "Nurture your mind with great thoughts." - Benjamin Disraeli

• "Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still." - Chinese proverb

• "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

• "I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day." - E. B. White

• "Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power. If you realize that you have enough, you are truly rich." - Tao Te Ching

• "Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself." - Harvey Fierstein

• "If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things." - Rene Descartes

• "The mind is owned by the self and can make a hell of heaven or heaven of hell." - John Milton

• "Our mind is capable of passing beyond the dividing line we have drawn for it. Beyond the pairs of opposites of which the world consists, other, new insights begin." - Hermann Hesse

• "The mind has exactly the same power as the hands; not merely to grasp the world, but to change it." - Colin Wilson

• "Allow yourself to be inspired. Allow yourself to succeed. Dare to excel." - Vince Dente

• "It ain't easy to get movers and shakers to believe in you until you have a track record. So go make your own track and build your own record." - Jack R. Stanley

• "To find yourself, think for yourself." - Socrates

• "A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write if he is to be ultimately at peace with himself. What one can be, one must be." - Abraham Moslow

• "Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself." - Leo Tolstoy

• "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Sir Winston Churchill

• "Only those who attempt the absurd will achieve the impossible. I think it's in my basement, let me go upstairs and check." - M.C. Escher

• "Action is the fundamental key to all success." - Pablo Picasso

• "Great things are done by a series of small things brought together." - Vincent Van Gogh

• "If you stop searching, you stop living, because then you're dwelling in the past. If you're not reaching forward to any growth or future, you might as well be dead." - Wynn Bullock

• "Motivation will almost always beat mere talent." - Norman R. Augustine

• "Give to the world the best you have, and the best will come back to you." - Madeline S. Bridges

• "It takes a certain level of aspiration before one can take advantage of opportunities that are clearly offered." - Michael Harrington

• "Ambition is a commendable attribute, without which no man succeeds. Only inconsiderate ambition imperils." - Warren G. Harding

• "Everyone has a talent. What is rare is the courage to nurture it in solitude and to follow the talent to the dark places where it leads." - Erica Jong

• "The greatest thing a man can do in this world is to make the most possible out of the stuff that has been given him. This is success, and there is no other." - Orison Swett Marden

• "I learned that it is the weak who are cruel, and that gentleness is to be expected only from the strong." - Leo Rosten

• "Our plans miscarry because they have no aim. When a man does not know what harbor he is making for, no wind is the right wind." - Seneca

• "When written in Chinese, the word 'crisis' is composed of two characters. One represents danger, and the other represents opportunity." - John F. Kennedy

• "Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength." - Arnold Schwarzenegger

• "If you neglect your art for one day it will neglect you for two." - Chinese Proverb

• "On the human chessboard, all moves are possible." - Miriam Schiff

• "Patience and fortitude conquer all things." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

• "A man can succeed at almost anything for which he has unlimited enthusiasm." - Charles M. Schwab

• "You must accept that you might fail; then, if you do your best and still don't win, at least you can be satisfied that you tried. If you don't accept failure as a possibility, you don't set high goals, you don't branch out, you don't try – you don't take the risk." - Rosalynn Carter

• "If you have a 'why' to live by, you can live with any 'how'." - Nietzsche

• "It doesn't matter how much you want. What really matters is how much you want it. The extent and complexity of the problem does not matter was much as does the willingness to solve it." - Ralph Marston

• "You must be the change you want to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi

• "For a man to achieve all that is demanded of him he must regard himself as greater than he is." - Goethe

• "The secret of a leader lies in the tests he has faced over the whole course of his life and the habit of action he develops in meeting those tests." - Gail Sheehy

• "Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got a hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it onto future generations." - George Bernard Shaw

• "Following the Noble Path is like entering a dark room with a light in the hand; the darkness will all be cleared away, and the room will be filled with light." - Buddha

• "The truth is more important than the facts." - Frank Lloyd Wright

• "Veritas Lux Mea" - Latin Proverb, means "The truth is my light."

• "One never knows what each day is going to bring. The important thing is to be open and ready for it." - Henry Moore

• "Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean

• "Dreams do not vanish, so long as people do not abandon them." - Phantom F. Harlock

• "All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney

• "Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal." - Ralph Vaull Starr

• "I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires." - Khalil Gibran

• "All people dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their mind, wake in the morning to find that it was vanity. But the dreamers of the day are dangerous people, for they dream their dreams with open eyes, and make them come true." - T.E. Lawrence

• "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." - Henry David Thoreau

• "Imagination rules the world." - Napoleon Bonaparte

• "The important thing is this: To be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become." - Charles du Bois

• "Reach high, for the stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal." - Pamela Vaull Starr

• "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

• "Yesterday is but today's memory and tomorrow is but today's dream." - Kahlil Gibran

• "All we see or seem is but a dream within a dream." - Edgar Allen Poe

• "Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one." - Albert Einstein

• "Art is a step from what is obvious and well-known toward what is arcane and concealed." - Kahlil Gibran

• "If being an egomaniac means I believe in what I do and in my art or music, then in that respect you can call me that ... I believe in what I do, and I'll say it." - John Lennon

• "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." - Henry David Thoreau

• "I learned that it is the weak who are cruel, and that gentleness is to be expected only from the strong." - Leo Rosten

• "The empires of the future are the empires of the mind." - Sir Winston Churchill

• "Everyone has a talent. What is rare is the courage to nurture it in solitude and to follow the talent to the dark places where it leads." - Erica Jong

• "The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat." - Theodore Roosevelt

• "Sooner or later we all discover that the important moments in life are not the advertised ones, not the birthdays, the graduations, the weddings, not the great goals achieved. The real milestones are less prepossessing. They come to the door of memory unannounced, stray dogs that amble in, sniff around a bit and simply never leave. Our lives are measured by these." - Susan B. Anthony

• "This above all; to thine own self be true." - William Shakespeare

• "The highest reward for a person's toil is not what they get for it, but what they become by it." - John Ruskin

• "The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there." - Robert M. Pirsig

• "If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is—infinite." - William Blake, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell

• "No matter how deep a study you make. What you really have to rely on is your own intuition and when it comes down to it, you really don't know what's going to happen until you do it." - Konosuke Matsushita

• "Temet Nosce" - Latin Proverb, means "Know Thyself."

Anger

Strategies for controlling your anger
Everybody gets angry, but out-of-control rage isn't good for those around you, and it plays havoc with your own body. Here are some tips to help you 'simmer down.'

RelaxationSimple relaxation tools such as deep breathing and relaxing imagery can help calm down angry feelings. If you are involved in a relationship where both partners are hot-tempered, it might be a good idea for both of you to learn these techniques.

Some simple steps you can try:

Breathe deeply, from your diaphragm. Breathing from your chest won't relax you. Picture your breath coming up from your 'gut.'
Slowly repeat a calming word or phrase such as 'relax' or 'take it easy.' Repeat it to yourself while breathing deeply.
Use imagery; visualize a relaxing experience from either your memory or your imagination.
Non-strenuous, slow exercises such as yoga can relax your muscles and make you feel much calmer.
Practice these techniques daily. Learn to use them automatically when you're in a tense situation.

Cognitive RestructuringSimply put, this means changing the way you think. Angry people tend to curse, swear, or speak in highly colorful terms that reflect their inner thoughts. When you're angry, your thinking can get very exaggerated and overly dramatic. Try replacing these thoughts with more reasonable ones. For instance, instead of telling yourself, 'Oh, it's awful, it's terrible, everything's ruined,' tell yourself, 'It's frustrating, and it's understandable that I'm upset about it, but it's not the end of the world and getting angry is not going to fix it anyhow.'

Be careful of words like 'never' or 'always' when talking about yourself or someone else. 'This machine never works,' or 'You're always forgetting things' are not just inaccurate; they also tend to make you feel that your anger is justified and that there's no way to solve the problem. They also alienate and humiliate people who might otherwise be willing to work with you on a solution.

For example, suppose you have a friend who is constantly late when you have made plans to meet. Don't go on the attack; think instead about the goal you want to accomplish--getting you and your friend there at about the same time. Avoid saying things like, 'You're always late! You're the most irresponsible, inconsiderate person Iíve ever met!' The only goal that accomplishes is hurting and angering your friend.

State what the problem is, and try to find a solution that works for both of you; or take matters into your own hands. For example, you might set your meeting time a half-hour early, so that your friend will, in fact, get there on time, even if you have to trick him or her into doing it! Either way, the problem is solved and the friendship isn't damaged.

Remind yourself that getting angry is not going to fix anything, that it won't make you feel better (and may actually make you feel worse).

Logic defeats anger, because anger, even when it's justified, can quickly become irrational. So use cold hard logic on yourself. Remind yourself that the world is not 'out to get you,' you're just experiencing some of the rough spots of daily life. Do this each time you feel anger getting the best of you, and it'll help you get a more balanced perspective.

Angry people tend to demand things: fairness, appreciation, agreement, willingness to do things their way. Everyone wants these things, and we are all hurt and disappointed when we don't get them; but angry people demand them, and when their demands aren't met, their disappointment becomes anger. As part of their cognitive restructuring, angry people need to become aware of their demanding nature, and translate their expectations into desires. In other words, saying 'I would like' something is healthier than saying 'I demand' or 'I must have' something. When you're unable to get what you want, you will experience the normal reactions--frustration, disappointment, hurt--but not anger. Some angry people use their anger as a way to avoid feeling hurt, but that doesn't mean the hurt goes away.

Problem-SolvingSometimes our anger and frustration are caused by very real and inescapable problems in our lives. Not all anger is misplaced, and often it's a healthy, natural response to these difficulties. Some people have a cultural belief that every problem has a solution, and it adds to their frustration to find out that this isn't always the case. The best attitude to bring such a situation is to focus not on finding the solution but rather on how to handle and face the problem.

Make a plan and check your progress along the way. (People who have trouble with planning might find a good guide to organizing or time management helpful.) Resolve to give it your best, but also not to punish yourself if an answer doesn't come right away. If you can approach it with your best intentions and efforts, and make a serious attempt to face it head-on, you will be less likely to lose patience and fall into all-or-nothing thinking, even if the problem does not get solved right away.

Better CommunicationAngry people tend to jump to--and act on--conclusions, and some of those conclusions can be pretty wild. The first thing to do if you are in a heated discussion is to slow down and think your responses through. Don't say the first thing that comes into your head, but slow down and think carefully about what you want to say. At the same time, listen carefully to what the other person is saying and take your time before answering.

Listen, too, to what underlies the anger. For instance, suppose you like a certain amount of freedom and personal space, and your 'significant other' wants more connection and closeness. If he or she starts complaining about your activities, don't retaliate by painting you partner as a jailer, a warden, or an albatross around your neck.

It's natural to get defensive when you're criticized, but don't fight back; instead, listen to what lies beneath the words. Perhaps the message is that this person feels neglected and unloved. It may take a lot of patient questioning on your part to uncover this, and it may require some breathing space, but don't let your anger--or a partner's--make a discussion spin out of control. Keeping your cool can keep the situation from becoming disastrous.

Using Humor'Silly humor' can help defuse rage in a number of ways. For one thing, it can help you get a more balanced perspective. When you get angry and call someone a name or refer to them in some imaginative phrase, stop and picture what that word would literally look like. If you're at work and you want to call a co-worker a 'dirt-bag' or a 'single-cell life form,' for example, picture a large bag full of dirt, or an amoeba, sitting at your colleagueís desk, talking on the phone, and going to meetings. Do this whenever you want to call another person by a rude name. If you can, draw a picture of what the actual thing might look like. This will take a lot of the edge off your fury; and humor can often be relied on to help un-knot a tense situation.

The underlying message of highly angry people is 'Things oughta go my way!' Angry people tend to feel that they are morally correct, that anything blocking or changing their plans is an unbearable indignity that they should NOT have to tolerate. Maybe other people do, but not them.

When you catch yourself feeling that way, picture yourself as a god or goddess, a supreme ruler who owns the streets and stores and office space, striding alone and having your way in all situations while others defer to you. The more detail you can get into your imaginary scenes, the more chance you have to realize that maybe you are being a little unreasonable; you'll also realize how unimportant the things you're angry about really are.

There are two cautions in using humor. First, don't try to just 'laugh off' your problems; rather, use humor to help yourself face them more constructively. Second, don't give in to harsh, sarcastic humor; that's just another form of unhealthy aggression.

What these techniques have in common is a refusal to take yourself too seriously. Anger is a serious emotion, but it's often accompanied by ideas that, if examined, can make you laugh.

Changing Your EnvironmentSometimes it's our immediate surroundings that give us cause for irritation and fury. Problems and responsibilities can weigh on you and make you feel angry at the trap you seem to have fallen into, and all the people and things that form that trap.

Give yourself a break. Make sure you have some 'personal time' scheduled for times of the day that you know are particularly stressful. For example, a working mother might make a standing rule that when she comes home from work, the first 15 minutes will be quiet time. With this brief respite, she will feel better prepared to handle demands from her kids without blowing up at them.

Some other tips for easing up:

Timing. If you and your spouse tend to fight when you discuss things at night--perhaps you're tired, or distracted, or maybe it's just habit--try changing the times when you talk about important matters so these talks don't turn into arguments.
Avoidance. If you get furious every time you walk by your child's chaotic room, shut the door. Don't make yourself look at what infuriates you. Don't say to yourself, 'Well, my child should clean up the room so I won't have to be angry!' That's not the point. The point is to keep yourself calm.
Finding alternatives. If your daily commute through traffic leaves you in a state of rage and frustration, give yourself a project. Perhaps you could find a different route, one that's less congested or more scenic. Or find an alternative way to travel, such as taking a bus or commuter train.
Thanks to Charles Spielberger, Ph.D., of the University of South Florida in Tampa; and to Jerry Deffenbacher, Ph.D., of Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, Colorado, a psychologist who specializes in anger management.

Documents from APA Help Center may be reprinted in their entirety with credit given to the American Psychological Association. Any exceptions to this, including requests to excerpt or paraphrase documents from APA Help Center, must be presented in writing to Help Center and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Permission for exceptions will be given on a one-time-only basis and must be sought for each additional use of the document.

Feel good

Life on Purpose: 15 Questions to Discover Your Personal Mission
We be1ieve that we were all sent here for a reason and that we all have significance in the world. I genuinely feel that we are all blessed with unique gifts. The expression of our gifts contributes to a cause greater than ourselves.

First, a personal story
Last year, I was running at full speed; chasing after my dream of money and ‘success’. However, I had forgotten why I was running. Luckily, I met Jim (not his real name). Jim had achieved all the financial goals I was reaching for. He had financial independence, several successful businesses, homes in multiple countries, and the luxury to afford the finest things money could buy. Through hard work, persistence and sheer action; he had made it! But, Jim was not happy. He did not have the free time to enjoy his wealth. He wanted a family. He wanted peace. He wanted to live his life… but he was not able to. He had too many responsibilities, too much to lose, and too many things to protect. He had spent years building his castle, and now that it is complete, he is spending his time keeping it from eroding.

Getting to know Jim was a life altering and eye opening experience. His words snapped me out of my state of ‘unconsciousness’. It became clear to me that, “I did not want to spend the next 10 years chasing after money, only to find that I’ll be back at the same place I am at today; emotionally, mentally, and spiritually”. My ‘chase’ came to a screeching halt, everything was put on hold, and I spent the next two months re-evaluating my life and purpose.

These questions were running through my mind:

What am I chasing after? Why am I chasing it? What is my purpose? Why was I put here?

While reading “E-Myth: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work“, I found myself in tears during the chapter on finding purpose. In that chapter, Michael Gerber asks the readers to do a visualization exercise. Through his guidance, he instructs you to vividly picture the day of your funeral. What do you want your eulogy to consist of? What would your lifetime achievements be? What would matter the most at the end of your life? Is it what you are doing right NOW?

I started writing. It began by listing all the things that are most important to me. I wrote down all the things I wanted to do. I re-visited my personal mission statement. I decided that whatever venture I commit to must align with my personal mission, my values and my goals. For every new opportunity that comes along, I would ask myself how it aligns with my goals. Regardless of how much money I could acquire, if the venture did not align with where I wanted to be, then I would not pursue it. Here is my personal mission statement:

“To Empower, motivate and inspire people to living happier and more fulfilled lives“.
Here are some of my values and goals:

What matters most is my connection with myself, being present and feeling blissful.
What I value most is having meaningful relationships with people. Being able to connect with people on deep levels.
I plan to be financially independent, and have control of my time and location. I plan to work only on projects and causes that I connect with. I plan to acquire my finances without violating my values, goals and personal mission.
I plan to travel and live in different parts of the world. Experiencing different cultures, documenting them in photographs and sharing them with others.
I will buy my mom a house in Vancouver with a ravine in the backyard. That’s a dream of hers and I’d like to fulfill it.
Having a family is important to me. I desire a deep, loving relationship with my spouse.
To live everyday fully as if it was my last.
15 Questions to Discover Your Life Purpose
The following are a list of questions that can assist you in discovering your purpose. They are meant as a guide to help you get into a frame of mind that will be conducive to defining your personal mission.

Simple Instructions:

Take out a few sheets of loose paper and a pen.
Find a place where you will not be interrupted. Turn off your cell phone.
Write the answers to each question down. Write the first thing that pops into your head. Write without editing. Use point form. It’s important to write out your answers rather than just thinking about them.
Write quickly. Give yourself less than 60 seconds a question. Preferably less than 30 seconds.
Be honest. Nobody will read it. It’s important to write without editing.
Enjoy the moment and smile as you write.
15 Questions:

1. What makes you smile? (Activities, people, events, hobbies, projects, etc.)

2. What are your favorite things to do in the past? What about now?

3. What activities make you lose track of time?

4. What makes you feel great about yourself?

5. Who inspires you most? (Anyone you know or do not know. Family, friends, authors, artists, leaders, etc.) Which qualities inspire you, in each person?

6. What are you naturally good at? (Skills, abilities, gifts etc.)

7. What do people typically ask you for help in?

8. If you had to teach something, what would you teach?

9. What would you regret not fully doing, being or having in your life?






10. You are now 90 years old, sitting on a rocking chair outside your porch; you can feel the spring breeze gently brushing against your face. You are blissful and happy, and are pleased with the wonderful life you’ve been blessed with. Looking back at your life and all that you’ve achieved and acquired, all the relationships you’ve developed; what matters to you most? List them out.

11. What are your deepest values?
Select 3 to 6 (See list of words to help you | list in pdf) and prioritize the words in order of importance to you.

12. What were some challenges, difficulties and hardships you’ve overcome or are in the process of overcoming? How did you do it?

13. What causes do you strongly believe in? Connect with?

14. If you could get a message across to a large group of people. Who would those people be? What would your message be?

15. Given your talents, passions and values. How could you use these resources to serve, to help, to contribute? ( to people, beings, causes, organization, environment, planet, etc.)




Putting it all together: Creating Your Personal Mission Statement

“Writing or reviewing a mission statement changes you because it forces you to think through your priorities deeply, carefully, and to align your behaviour with your beliefs”

– Stephen Covey, ‘7 Habits of Highly Effective People’

A personal mission consists of 3 parts:

What do I want to do?
Who do I want to help?
What is the result? What value will I create?
Steps to Creating Your Personal Mission Statement:

1. Do the exercise with the 15 questions above as quickly as you can.

2. List out actions words you connect with.

a. Example: educate, accomplish, empower, encourage, improve, help, give, guide, inspire, integrate, master, motivate, nurture, organize, produce, promote, travel, spread, share, satisfy, understand, teach, write, etc.

3. Based on your answers to the 15 questions. List everything and everyone that you believe you can help.

a. Example: People, creatures, organizations, causes, groups, environment, etc.

4. Identify your end goal. How will the ‘who’ from your above answer benefit from what you ‘do’?

5. Combine steps 2-4 into a sentence, or 2-3 sentences.

What is your purpose? What is your mission? We’d love to hear about your goals and aspirations. Please share with a comment!

SAD

Search This Blog

powered by
Welcome!!
Everything happens for a reason..If you are interested in Natual Health and Healing. This is for you!! Check it out at
www:learnnaturalhealthonline.com

Instructor

Theresa Snyder
Erie, Pa, United States
www.learnnaturalhealthonline.com I want to create a blog that insures my experience, enthusiasm, and desire to positively influence others will be best utilized Education Clayton College of Natural Health Master of Science in Natural Health Major: Natural Health and Healing Edinboro University of Pa Bachelor of Science in Education Edinboro, Pa 16444 Major:Education Honors-US Army Veteran TEACHING EXPERIENCE Online Educator www.learnnaturalhealthonline.com Ongoing * Created and currently teaching three online courses: 1.Caring for Children 2. Introduction to Natural Health and Healing 3. A Parents Guide to Drug Abuse Prevention * Courses are offered to schools and universities world-wide via the Internet at www.learnnaturalhealthonline.com.
View my complete profile
Related Links
TV-FREE System
Your Life Beyond Gambling
How to Quit Smoking in a Week Flat
Signing 4 Baby
Potty Training Made Easy
Weight Loss After Pregnancy
Memory Skills Made Easy
Baby Colic Cures
Declutter Mastery Enhanced Program
Positive Parenting Secrets
Genius Book Potatoes Series
Guide to Help Teenagers Lose Weight
Teenage Parenting
Recovery Club
Natural Health Guides
Get Them Sober
Addiction Recovery
Cannabis Stop
End Addiction
Psychedelic Meditation
Alternative to ADHD Meds
Children of Character
Parenting eBooks
Raising Well Behaved Kids
Entertain Your Toddler
Co-Parenting Nightmare
Honest Parenting
4 Dimensional Health
Stop Headache Pressure
Herbal Remedies
A Healthy Brain
Natural Health Secrets
Bioterrorism Planning
Cure Stress
Allergy Free
Heal Depression
Maternity Acupressure
Stop Snoring
Natural Vision
Cardio Health
Stop Sciatica
Cancer Treatments
Fibromyalgia Relief
Natural ADHD Remedy
Grow Young Again
Reflux Cure
This Blog Linked From Here Related Links The Web
This Blog
Linked From Here
.Related Links
.The Web
.
Friday, March 26, 2010
SAD
HomeArchivesBlog

Seasonal Affective Disorder Sun Therapy

Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is a form of depression linked to lack of sunlight. Onset of symptoms occurs annually during winter months with more cases occurring in areas with longer and more severe winters.
Symptoms include low mood, feeling abnormally sad and weepy, hopeless, worthless and guilty, often with a preoccupation of death and dying. Concentration is poor and motivation is low with agitation, irritability, and restlessness. Sleep is difficult with delayed onset, early waking, and/or sleeping too much. Weight loss or weight gain is common. Physical symptoms are also prevalent and include headaches, generalized aches, pains, and lethargy. All symptoms of vitamin D deficiency.
Light therapy, UVB light, has been used successfully to reverse or diminish symptoms of SAD and to increase vitamin D levels. (Remember vitamin D is actually a hormone produced by the body after exposure to the sun).
Light therapy can be provided through artificial light—light boxes—or by the sun itself. Weather and work permitting, an hour or two in the winter sun, even on an overcast day, can produce benefits.
If you suffer from annual winter blues or from full-blown SAD, consider a move closer to the equator.
Posted by Theresa Snyder MS at Friday, March 26, 2010 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: SAD
Reactions:

Sunday, March 14, 2010
sites
1. http://www.naturalhealthremedies.org/
2. http://www.wethechange.com/24-powerful-relaxation-techniques/
3. http://www.reiki.org/reikinews/ScienceMeasures.htm
4. http://www.egreenway.com/wellbeing/breathing.htm
5. http://beatyourdepression.com/blog/recovery-from-depression/placebo-effect-may-influence-depression-treatment
6. http://www.healthandyoga.com/html/meditation/objectives.html
7. http://organiclifestylemagazine.com/blog/experience-with-natural-cures.php
8. http://www.holisticjunction.com/displayarticle.cfm?ID=8519
9. http://www.io.com/~podnet/herbal.html
10. http://www.reikithehealingpath.com/crystal_healing.htm
11. http://www.instructables.com/id/Grow-organic-food-without-spending-%24/
12. http://www.mindfulhealing.org/about.html
13. http://www.methodsofhealing.com/category/alternative-medicine/
14. http://www.herbalmanac.com/
15. http://www.massageandbodywork.com/Articles/FebMar2006/chair.html
16. http://aromatherapy4soul.wordpress.com/
17. http://massage.gems4friends.com/
18. http://eattasteheal.com/Ayurveda101/ETH_5elements.htm
19. http://www.energy-healing-info.com/
20. http://www.painrelief101.com/specific-conditons/back-pains/the-alexander-technique-for-back-pain.htm
21. http://www.wholehealthmd.com/ME2/Default.asp
22. http://www.acupuncture.com/qigong_tuina/eightextra.htm
23. http://altmedangel.com/library.htm
24. http://www.motherearthnews.com/Natural-Health/2006-05-01/Natural-Mosquito-Repellent.aspx
25. http://www.yogawiz.com/aromatherapy/aromatherapy-essential-oils/lavender-essential-oil.html
26. http://www.energy-healing-guide.com/qi-gong.html
27. http://www.alternative-medicine.co.cc/
28. http://acupressure.pfueller.net/
29. http://www.moonslipper.com/howtobalanceandhealyourchakras.html
30. http://www.crystallotus.com/Acupressure/001.htm
31. http://www.realcountrylife.com/cures.html
32. http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/2008/06/02/how-to-make-a-natural-first-aid-kit/
33. http://wholelifeessentials.com/
34. http://reiki.7gen.com/handpos.htm
35. http://naturalcurereviews.com/
36. http://www.pitt.edu/~cbw/herb.html
37. http://www.complete-herbal.com/
38. http://www.massagetoday.com/aboutmt
39. http://www.naturalelixir.com/frnt_herbs.html
40. http://www.aroma-pure.com/
41. http://www.forgottenmedicalcures.com/
42. http://www.herbaleducator.com/
43. http://www.wholehealthnow.com/homeopathy_info/history.html
44. http://www.reiki-for-holistic-health.com/reiki-healing-with-crystals.html
45. http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/womens_health/83603/1
46. http://www.oohoi.com/natural%20remedy/everyday_food/everyday_food.htm
47. http://www.eclecticenergies.com/acupressure/indexemotional.php
48. http://www.21st-apothecary.com/january2010/cancer-prevention-nutrition.html
49. http://www.bartenblends.com/
50. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_essential_oils
51. http://www.holistichearthealth.com/interaction.asp
52. http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/healthfreedomusa/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=7185
53. http://www.cancerplants.com/
54. http://herbalmedicine.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_make_an_herbal_tincture
55. http://www.herbmed.org/top20.asp
56. http://www.dreamingearth.com/recipes.html
57. http://www.ultimatewatermassage.com/massage-self-howto.htm
58. http://www.herbalshop.com/Acupressure/Acupressure_30.html
59. http://eartheasy.com/live_natpest_control.htm
60. http://www.herbalmanac.com/
61. http://www.holisticonline.com/Humor_Therapy/humor_therapy_benefits.htm
62. http://www.complementary-alternative-medicine.com/
63. http://www.naturalhealthremedies.org/
64. http://holistic-online.com/Herbal-Med/Remedies/hol_herbal-tonics-home.htm
65. http://www.wethechange.com/24-powerful-relaxation-techniques/
66. http://www.reiki.org/reikinews/ScienceMeasures.htm
67. http://aromatherapy4soul.wordpress.com/
68. http://massage.gems4friends.com/
69. http://www.energybalancing.com/health/breath.html
70. http://eattasteheal.com/Ayurveda101/ETH_5elements.htm
71. http://www.io.com/~podnet/herbal.html
72. http://www.reikithehealingpath.com/crystal_healing.htm
73. http://www.mindfulhealing.org/about.html
74. http://www.practicenaturalcures.com/2005/10/common-disease-therapy-with-raw-juice.html
75. http://www.methodsofhealing.com/category/alternative-medicine/
76. http://www.energy-healing-info.com/
77. http://www.simplynaturalorganic.com/book_vegies.html
78. http://www.musictherapymaven.com/
79. http://www.everydayhealth.com/alternative-health/the-basics/what-is-complementary-and-alternative-medicine.aspx?xid=su_generalwellness_alternativemeds
80. http://altmedangel.com/library.htm
81. http://www.magneticsolutions.com.au/reflexology.html
82. http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/15/100.cfm
83. http://www.meditationmindfulness.com/
84. http://www.alternative-medicine.co.cc/
85. http://www.natural-remedies-for.com/site-map/
86. http://acupressure.pfueller.net/
87. http://www.iarpreiki.org/
88. http://www.reikimedresearch.org/
89. http://www.g-jo.com/basic_gjo.htm
90. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/herbsataglance.htm
91. http://www.hkam.org.hk/temp/tcm-acupuncture.html
92. http://www.realcountrylife.com/cures.html
93. http://www.shen-nong.com/eng/front/index.html
94. http://www.herbaltransitions.com/BotanCom.html
95. http://guide2herbalremedies.com/
96. http://www.chinese-holistic-health-exercises.com/acupressure-for-feet.html
97. http://www.herbalshop.com/Acupressure/Acupressure_00.html
98. http://meditationforthemasses.com/does-compassion-meditation-prevent-heart-disease/
99. http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/2008/06/02/how-to-make-a-natural-first-aid-kit/
100. http://www.chioshealing.com/HealingLevel1/ChannelEnergy/channelenergy.htm
101. http://www.aromacaring.co.uk/free_stuff.htm
102. http://www.chopra.com/
103. http://www.findhealer.com/yellow/
104. http://www.herbalshop.com/footm/ftmassage10.html
105. http://www.watercure.com/wondersofwater.html
106. http://www.home-remedies-guide.com/
107. http://www.biopulse.org/color.html
108. http://www.thefrugallife.com/ants.html
109. http://www.intent.com/elisabethfayt/blog/awaken-your-own-healing-ability
110. http://www.altmedicinezone.com/herbal-medicine/create-your-very-own-backyard-pharmacy-the-10-most-useful-medicinal-plants-for-your-garden/
111. http://www.empowher.com/news/herarticle/2009/05/29/relieve-back-pain-acupuncture
112. http://med.stanford.edu/personal/pointfinder/acupoints.html
113. http://www.deeptrancenow.com/colortherapy.htm
114. http://www.tqnyc.org/NYC063364/beneficial.htm
115. http://www.innerrewards.com/topics/natural-remedies-cam/articles/ir-natural-remedies-for-anxiety-and-depression-468
116. http://ahha.org/ahhaarticles.asp
117. http://www.rickrichards.com/chakras/Chakras2.html
118. http://www.mommd.com/
119. http://www.internethealthlibrary.com/
120. http://www.nativeamericanbotanics.com/page_conditions.html
121. http://www.ahha.org/
122. http://www.holisticmed.com/
Posted by Theresa Snyder MS at Sunday, March 14, 2010 1 comments Links to this post
Labels: sites
Reactions:

Monday, March 1, 2010
Cinnamon
Cinnamon cinnamomum cassia
(Laurel Family)


A powerful digestive aid. Useful to stop uterine bleeding and to prevent heart attack. Also used for fibroids, indigestion, liver cancer, peptic ulcer and yeast infections.


The bark is used medicinally as an oil or tea.


Cassia or Chinese cinnamon comes from Burma, while true cinnamon is a native of Ceylon. Cassia is more pungent, while true cinnamon is more light and delicate; it's also more expensive than cassia. Cassia nips the tongue and is more suited to spiced meats, pilaus (rice or cracked wheat with boiled meat and spices) and curries, while true cinnamon is more desirable in sweet dishes, pastries, breads, and cakes. Cinnamon was included as a major ingredient in a "holy anointing oil" that Moses used.

In place of Listerine you can try another antiseptic mouthwash that really does "kill germs on contact." Half a teaspoonful of tincture of cinnamon added to half a tumbler of warm water makes an excellent mouthwash when the breath is unpleasant and the teeth decayed.

To make a tincture, combine 10-1/2 tbsp. powdered cinnamon in 1-1/4 cups of vodka. Add enough water to make a 50% alcohol solution. Put in a bottle and let set somewhere for two weeks, shaking once in the morning and again in the evening. Then strain and, pour the liquid into a bottle suitable for storage. This tincture will last a long time. One of the most delicious, if not helpful, remedies for acid indigestion, heartburn and cramps is to sprinkle a little cinnamon and cardamom on hot, buttered raisin toast and slowly eat, chewing thoroughly before swallowing.

To make an effective French folk remedy for colds and flues, combine 2 cups of water, a small stick of cinnamon and a few cloves together in a saucepan and bring to a slow boil for about 3 minutes. Remove and add 2 tsp. lemon juice, 1-1/2 tbsp. dark honey or blackstrap molasses, and 2 tbsp. good quality whiskey. Stir well, cover, and let steep for 20 minutes or so.

Drink 1/2 cup at a time every 3-4 hours. It's pleasant tasting and really breaks up the fever and congestion accompanying either the common cold or influenza.

An incredible experiment in the journal of Food Science for 1974 demonstrates the power of cinnamon over most yeasts and fungi. Slices of white, raisin, rye and whole wheat breads, manufactured without the usual mold inhibitors, were subjected to various aflatoxins, a group of toxic molds so dangerous that they can cause liver cancer and kill humans and animals alike. These toxins often occur in food.

The toxic molds grew like crazy on all of the other breads, except for the raisin bread where growth was described as being "scant or not visible at all." In trying to identify whether it was the raisins or cinnamon responsible for this, food scientists discovered that as little as 2% or 20 mg. of the spice per milliliter of a yeast -extract and sucrose broth inhibited 97 -99 per cent of these molds.

Cinnamon - delicious aromatic spice is a wonderfully warming and strengthening remedy to dispel cold, winter chills and a variety of conditions associated with cold, congestion and deficiency of vital energy. Cinnamon acts as a tonic to the whole system. A hot drink of cinnamon will stimulate circulation and cause sweating, preventing and resolving flu, colds, catarrh and other infections. Cinnamon helps to reduce fevers. Oil of cinnamon can be inhaled for head colds and chest infections. Its general warming and stimulating properties can give direction in the body by other remedies -such as thyme for bronchial congestion and infections, or blue cohosh as a uterine remedy to treat irregular and painful periods, heavy bleeding, uterine infections and vaginal discharge.

Cinnamon acts as a relaxant, reducing anxiety and stress, relieving cramp and colic. Eugenol in the volatile oil relieves pain, for example when used as a liniment for arthritis, to deaden the nerve in toothache and for such conditions as headaches, muscle pain and neuralgia.

Cinnamon warms and stimulates the digestive system, useful in weak digestion, colic, griping, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, wind and distension. The tannins have an astringent action, stemming bleeding in nosebleeds, heavy periods and resolving diarrhea and catarrhal congestion. When taken cold, cinnamon has been used to stop sweating.



Read more: Herbal Remedies ~ Cinnamon
Posted by Theresa Snyder MS at Monday, March 01, 2010 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Cinnamon
Reactions:

Saturday, February 27, 2010
Your Brain
100 Ways You Can Tap Into More of Your Brain
Posted by Site Administrator in Features on 08 26th, 2009 | no responses
We’d all like to be more creative, insightful, sensitive and productive, but with all the chaos and stress in our lives, it’s tough to tune out the noise and meet our full potential. But with the right balance of meditation, exercise, diet and recreation, we can discover easy ways to tap into more of our brains. Keep reading for 100 more hacks.

Environmental

Tune into the world around you by using all of your senses, becoming a better listener and getting outside.

1.Listen: Becoming a better listener tunes your brain into all the little subtleties that define someone’s personality, a problem, and an experience. You’ll become more aware of your surroundings and natural trends, too.
2.Slow down: To prevent burn out, take a few minutes or a few days to slow down and relax your mind.
3.Guided visualization: This meditative practice can help your mind make connections between seemingly unrelated experiences or senses.
4.Get fresh air: Fresh air can boost brain power, focus and mood.
5.Get online: Internet surfing engages you mentally and physically as you click around pages.
6.Go for a walk: Explore your neighborhood in a new way by taking a walk and noticing new smells, scenes, textures and noises.
7.Identify your brain’s best hour: Studies have shown that older people think most clearly in the morning while younger people are more focused in the afternoon.
8.Smell natural scents: Natural scents like sandalwood increase oxygen flow to the brain.
9.Connect your memories to events, sense and old memories: By making connections between new memories and things your brain already recognizes, you’ll be able to remember them more easily.
10.Listen to classical music: A study involving people who listened to Mozart found that their brains were able to make complex connections faster.
11.Avoid neurotoxins: Pollution, certain food additives and other chemicals slow down your brain.
12.Learn to deal with stress: Stress complicates your brain’s ability to process short-term memory.
13.Observe something new every day: Each day, think of a new thing to observe, like the colors people wear or different smells.
Exercises

These brain teasers and tricks will keep your mind young and healthy.

14.Draw: Drawing taps into the right side of your brain, a side that many of us seldom use.
15.Streamwriting: Leonardo da Vinci’s streamwriting technique can help you tap into your subconscious.
16.Blind readings: This exercise can help you tap into your intuition and requires you to write three solutions to a problem you have on three different index cards. Turn them over and evaluate which one you’re most drawn to.
17.Play this or that: The this or that game requires you to make impulse choices based on your intuition or gut reactions to questions like "city or town" or "mountains or beach."
18.Self-massage: Use this acupressure exercise guide to stimulate your brain and improve concentration and memory.
19.Aerobic activity: Increase oxygen and blood flow to the brain and give your brain a rest by running, swimming or doing cardio.
20.Red-light Green-light: Associate red lights with no/false/stop and green lights with yes/true/go while asking yourself questions. You’ll learn to trust your intuition after you answer.
21.Dance: Dancing is a great form of exercise and challenges your brain to learn new routines.
22.Puzzles: All kinds of puzzles, including word puzzles, work your brain.
23.Get dressed in the dark: Neurobic exercises, like getting dressed in the dark, require you to use different senses for different activities.
24.Prepare a story: Think out a story that you’ll tell friends later in the day, and consider storytelling style, details, jokes and more.
25.Play trivia games: Read trivia blogs and play trivia games to practice learning simple facts.
26.Sudoku: Sudoku is actually one of the most powerful brain exercises out there.
Diet

Diet plays a big role in how our brains function, just like the rest of our bodies and organs. Add more of these foods into your diet for better brain power.

27.Blueberries: Blueberries, the most popular "brain food," support cell growth and have valuable antioxidants.
28.Red cabbage: Red cabbage contains polyphenols that improve brain function and protect against stroke and Alzheimer’s.
29.Kale: Three servings per day of dark green leafy vegetables like kale can slow cognitive decline by 40%.
30.Almonds: Almonds contain phenylalanine, which stimulates the brain’s ability to create dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline.
31.Walnuts: Another valuable nut is the walnut, which contains protein, omega-3 fatty acids and help relieve bad moods, appetite and insomnia.
32.Salmon: Salmon contains healthy fats from omega-3s that are incredibly beneficial to brain health.
33.Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt contains tyrosine which improves focus and mental alertness.
34.Green tea: Another popular brain food is green tea, which boosts alertness, dopamine production and helps the brain make connections.
35.Asparagus: One cup of asparagus contains 70% of your daily requirement for folic acid, which helps memory.
36.Strawberries: Strawberries are rich in powerful antioxidants that promote cells’ abilities to help the brain send messages.
37.Eggs: Eat eggs for protein and choline, which improves memory.
38.Thyme: A study using rats found that thyme helped the older rats’ brains operate more like younger rats.
39.Tomatoes: Tomatoes give your brain valuable carotenoids to help it stay young.
40.Eat low-carb: High-carb foods can make you feel sleepy and sluggish, especially if you eat carbs made of white sugars.
41.Eat: Studies show that anorexics’ brains are more preoccupied with perfection and practical details rather than creativity or impulse.
42.Caffeine: Caffeine helps you stay alert temporarily and helps prevent cognitive decline.
Sleep

Sleep is important if you want more energy, better focus and a higher brian performance.

43.Get up earlier: Wake up earlier to get a fresh start and give yourself more time to get ready without rushing.
44.Take a catnap: A catnap as short as 6 minutes may sharpen memory.
45.Sleep deeply: Allow enough time for your sleep to reach the REM cycle so that your brain can dream and make connections.
46.Stay on a schedule: A regular sleeping schedule will help you fall asleep faster and wake up easier.
47.Go to bed earlier: The first part of your sleep may help your brain the most, so allow for extra sleeping time at night, not the next morning.
Social Hacks

Did you know that hanging out with friends is actually good for your mood and your mind? Here’s how being social impacts your brain health.

48.Volunteer: Volunteering reduces stress and provides you with a social outlet for making new friends and learning something new.
49.Plan a party: Your brain will have to focus on new types of details, and you’ll also get a lot of beneficial social interaction.
50.Share stories: Help your brain make connections by retelling stories to friends.
51.Hang out with friends: Social relationships and activities, even just talking on the phone, improves brain cognition, keeps you sharp, and lowers stress.
52.Hold group discussions: Group discussions fulfill your need to be social and help you think of things in a new perspective.
53.Take a class with a friend: Learning something new with a friend can help you review facts later and supplement the experience.
54.Interact with everyone: Don’t be friendly with friends only: to get as much brain benefit as you can out of social interaction, say hello to neighbors and strangers, too.
Learning

Brains that are constantly learning something new are less likely to go into a decline as you age.

55.Take a class: Explore a new subject to exercise your brain while practicing skills like critical thinking.
56.Memorize a poem: Memorize a new poem each day and then recite it back to someone in the evening.
57.Read: Reading engages your mind, teaches you new things, and can help you become more intuitive.
58.Learn song lyrics: Look up lyrics to a song and then test yourself when it comes on the radio.
59.Brainstorm: Let your brain make its own connections before starting on a project in a more clinical way.
60.Strike a balance: Over analyzing a subject can actually hinder creativity, so give yourself a break.
61.Watch less TV: While there are educational programs on TV, you’ll learn more by engaging yourself in actual activities.
62.Write: Even if you don’t think you’re a writer, take a few moments each day to practice being creative.
63.Practice: Practice new skills to get your brain accustomed to new strategies.
64.Switch up what you read: Read a science or travel magazine instead of a mystery novel to challenge your brain.
65.Try everything: Even if you think it’s a dumb idea, trying all solutions to a problem helps you stay creative.
66.Take notes: Take notes even if you’re not going to be quizzed later, as this practice helps you remember facts as well as your feelings about a subject.
67.Ask more questions: Asking questions keeps you engaged and helps you remember.
Habits

Consider these habits for better brain health.

68.Breathe deeply: Increase oxygen flow to your brain by breathing deeply.
69.Meditate: Clear your head and learn how to really connect yourself to the present moment through meditation.
70.Use your fingers more: Engage your fingers by using chopsticks, writing with a pen instead of the computer, or roll a pen through your fingers to stimulate your brain.
71.Take care of your teeth: Gingivits and poor oral health can contribute to cognitive decline.
72.Make lists: Lists help you make connections, analyze your tasks in a visual way and help memory.
73.Keep things varied: Don’t fall into a routine with your food, schedule, movie choices or hang-out spots.
74.Quit smoking: Nicotine reduces brain function by constricting blood flow to the brain.
75.Drink less alcohol: Alcohol doesn’t just impair your mind temporarily: frequent drinking can lead to cognitive decline in the long term, too.
76.Trust yourself: Tap into your intuition and natural brain power by trusting your instincts.
77.Write things down: The actual process of writing things down helps you remember them.
78.Keep a journal: Help your brain make connections at the end of the day by keeping a journal.
79.Translate: If you speak another language or are at least learning one, try translating past conversations, TV scenes and signs into the other language.
Challenges

Keep your brain sharp by testing it as much as you can.

80.Use your other hand: Make your brain concentrate on an activity it usually does involuntarily.
81.Travel: Traveling opens up your brain to all kinds of new challenges, smells, sights, noises and experiences.
82.Play Scrabble: Tricky games like Scrabble that require you to make connections and find solutions are good challenges for your brain.
83.Try to remember: By recalling facts, specific details and conversations from the last couple of days, you’ll work out your brain.
84.Drive a different route to work: Switch up your regular routine to make your brain work a little harder. Test yourself on the way home.
85.Take on extra responsibility: Instead of delegating a hard task to a subordinate, do it yourself to engage your brain.
86.Memorize phone numbers: Trying to remember a series of numbers gives your brain a good work out.
87.Rearrange your furniture: It’s amazing how accustomed your brain can become to an environment, but if you rearrange it, you’ll be challenged every time you walk into the room.
88.Do your errands on a different day: Break the routine by running your errands on a different day of the week.
89.Interview people: Interview people about their jobs and relationships to keep things fresh and continue learning.
90.Add in the physical aspect: Your brain becomes more engaged when you combine the mental with the physical, so practice a pen trick while you read.
91.Take a test: Take a test on any subject to find out your weaknesses and how you can improve upon them.
92.Use new media to interact: If you only talk to your parents on the phone, try using IM or Facebook chat every once in a while for a different experience.
93.Memorize names: At a party or other social event, try to remember all of the names of the people you just met, in the same order.
Vitamins

Add these vitamins to your diet for better brain power.

94.Vitamin E: Vitamin E can prevent Alzheimer’s.
95.Vitamin B: Vitamin B12 can prevent brain shrinkage in older individuals.
Wellness

These healthy living hacks will keep your mind sharp well into old age.

96.Stay healthy: Eating too much saturated fat and developing Type II diabetes can actually hurt your brain, too.
97.Keep your energy up: Exercise and eat healthy foods to stay energized and focused.
98.Practice good heart health: Heart-healthy foods and activities are also good for your brain.
99.Try natural remedies when you’re sick: To avoid side effects like cloudiness and more serious issues, ask your doctor about natural remedies.
100.Wear a helmet: Each concussion can greatly increase your chances of dementia.
Posted by Theresa Snyder MS at Saturday, February 27, 2010 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Your mind
Reactions:

Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Grounding
Art of Grounding
So many of us in the modern day become so wrapped up in our lives, that we forget to pay attention to the little details that can truly enrich our daily experiences. Our attention is often occupied by events that happened last week, month or year, or even by worries of what will happen tomorrow, next Tuesday or even next month. We forget or may never realize that the greatest power we hold is in the moment.

One way to come back to the present is to ground oneself. Grounding is, in effect, being completely in your body (aware of physical sensations), and being present mentally and emotionally. Aside from the health benefits grounding provides (such as stress relief), you'll feel lighter and more in control of your environment. There are numerous ways to ground - the important thing is to find a method that truly works for you. I've included two ways you can experiment with: Tree Hugging , and Visualization Meditation.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hug a Tree
This exercise will require a nice looking tree that you wouldn't mind putting your arms around, as well as some privacy, if you're the type to feel self conscious hugging a tree in public (you can also sit at the base of the tree, or lean your back against the trunk). When you have found yourself a good tree, wrap your arms are around the trunk. Close your eyes and take at least three deep breaths, loosening your muscles at the same time.

Position your feet so that they are flat on the ground. If possible, remove your shoes so your feet are making contact with the earth; this will aid in your grounding process. Acknowledge any negativity you may have stored in your system - thoughts of worry, anxiety, past hurts, grudges, other people's energies, physical pain, etc., and then one by one, release them into the earth, watching them sink deep into the soil beneath you. Imagine that energy being soaked up and neutralized by the earth's healing energies.

When you're ready, imagine the healing energy of the earth begin rising up through the soles of your feet; you can imagine this energy as having a color, even a certain texture. Feel this energy rising up through your limbs, into your torso, arms, shoulders, neck and your head, and then out through the crown of your head.

Next, visualize pure healing white light from the universe streaming down into you through the crown of your head. Imagine this light flowing throughout your body, and sink into the ground through the soles of your feet. See the two energies mixing within your body, harmonizing and balancing your energies. Allow both energies to run for a few minutes.

Don't forget to breathe deeply and slowly while you're doing this. You might feel tingling, buzzing, warmth or energy coursing through your body, all of which is normal. If you find yourself getting dizzy, slow down the energy flow, and take it easy for a few minutes. Slowly bring yourself back to the present, and detach yourself from the tree gently. Thank the tree for its assistance, as well as Mother Earth for her healing and loving energies.

Meditation Visualization
You may do this excercise standing or sitting on a chair with your feet flat on the floor. Begin by breathing into your muscles, bones and organs until you are feeling calm and quiet. Bring your attention to the soles of your feet as you imagine roots growing out from them and extending slowly through the floor and into the earth. Watch them move deeper and deeper into the earth until they hit the magnetic core center.

Allow your body to feel the effects of gravity as it gets heavier and pulls you down, draining any tension, stress, negative emotions and energies out of your system. Let them sink into the earth through your roots and continue to breathe deeply. Instead of forcing your breath, allow your breath to breathe you.

Now that you are completely relaxed, slowly imagine a ball of healing earth energy gathering at the end of your roots, and see it moving through your roots towards your feet. Allow as much time as you need in order to visualize this ball of energy reaching the soles of your feet. Feel it traveling up through your limbs and into your abdomen and let it pause there for a moment.

Take some time to get used to this energy and observe its physical, emotional and mental effects on you. Explore the texture of this energy, and the colors that may accompany it. Immerse yourself in this feeling, and when you're ready, visualize this ball of energy expanding slowly until you are completely enveloped by it, like a bubble.

Let this ball continue to grow until it reaches about three to four feet from your physical body. Soak in the healing energies and know that you are safe and in control of your environment. You may stay in this state for as long as you need.

When you're ready, slowly wiggle your toes; rock your feet side to side, back and forth gently, until you can easily lift your feet up. Imagine those roots you just planted into the earth gently dislodging from your feet. Gently bring the rest of your body back to the present by wiggling and stretching them. Thank the Mother Earth for sharing her healing energies with you.

Welcome back!
Posted by Theresa Snyder MS at Tuesday, February 23, 2010 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: grounding
Reactions:

mornings
How to be Happy First Thing in the Morning
by William McCamment on July 10, 2009

I have discovered the secret to being happy first thing in the morning and, surprisingly, it has nothing to do with getting to work early and hiding a family of radioactive badgers under your boss’ desk.

I’m always happy in the morning–even when I lived in Wisconsin and had to get up at 2:30 a.m. so I could have time to scrape ice off my 1988 Nissan Pulsar and drive 60 miles through nearly-fictional weather in order to get to my crummy little job.

I realize I’m probably not normal, but here are a few things I’ve learned that should help most people reduce their morning grumpiness:

1. Give Yourself Extra Time And Do Something Fun In The Morning

I know a lot of you would rather be mauled by dingos than have to get up any earlier, but giving yourself extra time in the morning will take that “rushed” feeling away and reduce the tension level by several degrees. I give myself a full hour before I even have to start getting ready. Usually, I spend it relaxing with a large cup of coffee and plotting a bank heist surfing the internet.

2. Learn To Get Up Before The Alarm Goes Off

Waking up to a screeching alarm is the surest way to inspire a killing spree. I’ve trained myself to wake up an hour before the alarm goes off and, seriously, it is the best advice in this whole article (don’t forget to shut off the alarm when you get out of bed though!).

3. Avoid Chore-Style Work First Thing In The Morning

Sure, you’ll have to feed the cats to stop their relentless yowling, but doing things like answering emails or shellacking patio furniture is way too much like work. Engage only in mindless, low-level activities such as watching squirrel videos or reading Dead Rooster.

4. Stay Away From The News

Trust me, if the world was vaporized by a runaway asteroid, someone would have told you.

5. Do Something Nice For A Random Person

Look for an opportunity to do something nice for someone. This is not only one of the most uplifting things you can do for yourself, but it might even cause a chain-reaction brightening the days of dozens of people you’ll never even meet. Give it a try and see how good it makes you feel.

Being happy first thing in the morning is important because it sets the tone for your entire day. Work on the morning and, I promise you, the rest of your day will have a much better chance of turning out great
Posted by Theresa Snyder MS at Tuesday, February 23, 2010 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: mornings
Reactions:

Saturday, February 13, 2010
humor
Research results indicate that, after exposure to humor, there is a general increase in activity within the immune system, including: An increase in the number and activity level of natural killer cells that attack viral infected cells and some types of cancer and tumor cells.
An increase in activated T cells (T lymphocytes). There are many T cells that await activation. Laughter appears to tell the immune system to "turn it up a notch."
An increase in the antibody IgA (immunoglobulin A), which fights upper respiratory tract insults and infections.
An increase in gamma interferon, which tells various components of the immune system to "turn on."
An increase in IgB, the immunoglobulin produced in the greatest quantity in body, as well as an increase in Complement 3, which helps antibodies to pierce dysfunctional or infected cells. The increase in both substances was not only present while subjects watched a humor video; there also was a lingering effect that continued to show increased levels the next day.


Laughter Decreases "Stress" Hormones

The results of the study also supported research indicating a general decrease in stress hormones that constrict blood vessels and suppress immune activity. These were shown to decrease in the study group exposed to humor.

For example, levels of epinephrine were lower in the group both in anticipation of humor and after exposure to humor. Epinephrine levels remained down throughout the experiment.

In addition, dopamine levels (as measured by dopac) were also decreased. Dopamine is involved in the "fight or flight response" and is associated with elevated blood pressure.

Laughing is aerobic, providing a workout for the diaphragm and increasing the body's ability to use oxygen.

Laughter brings in positive emotions that can enhance – not replace -- conventional treatments. Hence it is another tool available to help fight the disease.

Experts believe that, when used as an adjunct to conventional care, laughter can reduce pain and aid the healing process. For one thing, laughter offers a powerful distraction from pain.

In a study published in the Journal of Holistic Nursing, patients were told one-liners after surgery and before painful medication was administered. Those exposed to humor perceived less pain when compared to patients who didn't get a dose of humor as part of their therapy.

Perhaps, the biggest benefit of laughter is that it is free and has no known negative side effects.

So, here is a summary of how humor contributes to physical health. More details can be found in the article, Humor and Health contributed by Paul McGhee

Muscle Relaxation - Belly laugh results in muscle relaxation. While you laugh, the muscles that do not participate in the belly laugh, relaxes. After you finish laughing those muscles involved in the laughter start to relax. So, the action takes place in two stages.

Reduction of Stress Hormones - Laughter reduces at least four of neuroendocrine hormones associated with stress response. These are epinephrine, cortisol, dopac, and growth hormone.

Immune System Enhancement - Clinical studies have shown that humor strengthens the immune system.

Pain Reduction - Humor allows a person to "forget" about pains such as aches, arthritis, etc.

Cardiac Exercise - A belly laugh is equivalent to "an internal jogging." Laughter can provide good cardiac conditioning especially for those who are unable to perform physical exercises.

Blood Pressure - Women seem to benefit more than men in preventing hypertension.

Respiration - Frequent belly laughter empties your lungs of more air than it takes in resulting in a cleansing effect - similar to deep breathing. Especially beneficial for patient's who are suffering from emphysema and other respiratory ailments.
Posted by Theresa Snyder MS at Saturday, February 13, 2010 0 comments