Saturday, July 30, 2011

Suffering Loss: How Massage May Help Those Who Are Grieving

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We all experience loss in life. Whether it is the loss of a friend or family member, the loss of a job, an ended relationship, financial loss, the loss of health, or another life-changing circumstance, it affects the entire body in a profound way and can take an emotional AND physical toll. It is not uncommon for those who are under extreme stress or experiencing grief to start losing their hair and to display other physical symptoms of what would appear to be an emotional issue. The body, mind, and soul are irrevocably intertwined and need to be looked at from a holistic point of view, for it is certain that whatever impacts one will surely impact the others.
Being a licensed massage therapist does not mean we are qualified as grief counselors, psychologists, or other mental/emotional health workers, and those in need of professional help should be referred to the proper expert. However, our work encompasses many different areas and affects not only the physical, but emotional health of our clients.
I have been privileged to witness firsthand the tremendous impact that massage can have on those suffering loss. Earlier this year I worked with a female client who would come in on a weekly basis for basic relaxation massage and barely had a tense muscle in her body. That quickly changed as the health of her terminally-ill husband deteriorated and she went through the pain of his death. The stress and emotional toll became evident in her physical body - causing muscle tightness, constrictions in her fascia, and inflammation of her sacral ligaments. Frequent massage and chiropractic adjustments helped her to cope physically, and I believe that massage also helped her emotionally as well. After the loss of her husband, massage sessions would often involve subtle emotional release as evidenced by sighing and occasional tears. Massage assisted her emotional well-being to be able to relax and let go of some of the grief and stress of that time while experiencing a caring touch that might otherwise be missing in her life.
Another client started getting massage MORE frequently after losing his job, despite the seemingly unnecessary financial burden at a time when most would say he should be cutting back. The added stress and tension, along with a desire to take care of himself, brought him in for the relaxation of a full-body Swedish massage with Neuromuscular Therapy on his shoulders and neck to work out the stress-induced knots and trigger points. He obviously viewed massage as more than just a luxury and it helped to brighten his outlook on life in the otherwise gloomy face of being unemployed.
Working with these clients brought invaluable personal meaning to the oft overlooked, emotional impact of massage. Indeed, studies have shown how massage may help with grief and emotional difficulties, lending much needed support during hard times and improving emotional health (1, 2). While some people embrace change, the majority do not deal with it well, especially unplanned and sorrowful transitions. Although everyone experiences and deals with grief in a slightly different way, the benefits of massage to those who are suffering can be quite pronounced.
References:
  1. "Soft Tissue Massage: Early Intervention for Relatives Whose Family Members Died in Palliative Care", 2010, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20492048
  2. "Research Shows Massage Therapy Benefits Older Clients in Many Ways", 2011, http://www.massagemag.com/News/massage-news.php?id=11141&catid=1&title=research-shows-massage-therapy-benefits-older-clients-in-many-ways
07/14/2011
Elizabeth Serrell is a licensed massage therapist and member of the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. She has received her Occupational Associate of Science in Therapeutic Massage with a 4.0 GPA. She is the owner of Enduring Health Massage Therapy in Port Charlotte, Florida. Her company website may be found at http://www.enduringhealth.massageplanet.com.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6430952

posted by Laurie Beth @ 3:34 AM  

Martial Arts And The Body-Mind Connection

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BODY/MIND CONNECTION
Writing blogs isn't easy. Especially getting started. The hardest part is finding that first sentence, that first line of thought. However, I've found a way to get the creative writing juices flowing. I usually sit down to write after an intense couple of rounds on the heavy bag. After finishing beating up my stuffing-filled leather opponent I feel renewed and refocused and the inspiration just seems to flow. It's a little trick that's never failed me.
The interesting thing is that this trick is not new. It's been around for at least a few thousand years. Tradition has it that when Bodhidharma made his way to the Shaolin Temple he discovered that the Shaolin monks were, well, weak and puny. They had no outer strength and thus they seemed to struggle with inner strength as well. During meditations in the cold they couldn't help but to frailly chatter and shiver. Bodhidharma put on his personal trainer and martial arts instructor hat and went to work with them, teaching them a grueling and tiresome form of fighting based on the fighting strategies of various animals. Over time the Shaolin monks became known for both their immense inner and outer strength. Bodhidharma knew that the inner world and the outer world are very much related and that improving one gives you more ground for improving the other.
To see this for yourself just ask yourself when you feel the most centered, productive, and able to tap into your potential--after a good night's sleep, a healthy breakfast, and a morning jog? Or perhaps after a late night, a lazy morning, and a junk food breakfast? I'm betting on you picking the first.
Sadly, as a culture we've been taught to deny what's obvious. Many people have turned into floating heads, thinking that their experience of life takes place only in their ability to reason and think. They forget how to feel. They become robots. The zest for life, the adrenaline coursing through blood-rich veins, the fiery passion and excitement are slowly drained out and forgotten. And in its place is given a dimmed down consciousness, a little more numb, a little more stale.
Are you ready to shake off some of the dust that has settled in your system? Are you ready to reawaken all that has dozed off inside of you? It's time to reconnect with your more primitive, animal self. It's time to refresh and renew your body AND your mind. It's time to pick up some weights, go for a run, or show up to that kickboxing class you keep missing. You'll feel better for it and your productivity will jump through the roof.
Sifu Forrest
Sifu Forrest Caudill
Forrest is a certified instructor in two martial arts and runs the Austin Impact Jeet Kune Do school in Austin, Texas. For more resources and information check out his website at http://martialartsaustintx.com


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6448705

posted by Laurie Beth @ 3:33 AM  

What Is Descartes Relationship Between Mind and Body?

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Rene Descartes was a French philosopher who was born in the late 16th century and lived until 1650, a lifetime in which he delved into various subjects. One subject that he dealt with was called dualism. He indicates that the mind affects the body, but the body can also affect the mind. This mind/body relationship is something that many still believe today, although our thoughts on the subject have evolved. For instance, Descartes believed that animals did not have minds and could not feel pain, and practiced live dissection of animals.
But his belief in the relationship between the mind and body is something that many still consider today. The debate is not dead, but many do believe that a sound mind may contribute to a sound body, and vice versa. Have you ever felt mentally refreshed after exercising, or have you ever felt like you had more energy in the middle of the afternoon if you've exercised in the morning? On the other hand, does relieving stress make you feel more relaxed?
Finding ways of relieving stress can be important during pregnancy or while trying to become pregnant such as during cycles of IVF or other assisted reproductive technologies. Acupuncture may be a good way to achieve this. The reasons for acupuncture's success are not fully understood, but the release of endorphins may have a calming effect that helps individuals relax and relieve stress. Practitioners believe that a life energy that flows through the body may become blocked due to stress, trauma, poor diet or lack of exercise. By placing thin, sterile needles in certain points on the body, practitioners believe that this releases positive energy which pushes out negative energy in the process, thus restoring balance to the body.
Restorative yoga is a type of yoga that involves the use of props like blocks and blankets to assume certain poses. This is a restful exercise that does not require the exertion of any effort. Note that this is not the same as sleeping, however, and there are several benefits associated with it. This exercise may be performed by pregnant women or women who are looking to become pregnant to relieve stress, which may have a positive impact on their overall health and their fertility. Various types of massage may be helpful in relieving stress and may be a part of various mind/body exercises or programs designed to help women looking to become pregnant or who are already pregnant.
Arianna has assembled more information on Mind and Body programs as well as restorative yoga for pregnant women. Have a look at your convenience for relieving stress and how it helps during a pregnancy.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6449972

posted by Laurie Beth @ 3:32 AM  

Change The Voices In Your Head

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How To Identify The Voices That Keep You Stuck
Ever wish you could quiet the voices in your head?
While spending time with my aunt in a quaint, small town gift shop, we came across a picture that had the following quote on it: "Can I get caller ID for the voices in my head?" I had never seen such a picture before and I immediately laughed out loud as I realized that I identify with this particular message far too often.
On my journey of overcoming cystic fibrosis, PTSD, and every obstacle that comes my way, I have often wished that I could get caller ID for the voices in my own head. I've learned some tricks and tools to help me recognize when I'm listening to the wrong voices, and it's beginning to get easier, but every now and then I accidentally answer the wrong line and find myself in a conversation with someone I'd rather not listen to. Maybe you can relate to some of these voices too...
1. "What Will People Think?!" - This voice is usually high pitched. It also gasps and causes anxiety. This irritating voice calls whenever we're about to take a huge leap of faith that others might scorn at. I've personally gotten to the point now where I can predict when/where this voice will appear so I combat it by telling myself that it doesn't matter what other people think. What matters is what I think, and what God thinks!
2. "Hurry Up Because Your Clock Is Ticking!" - Isn't he a special one? This voice often pops up in the heads of those who are overcoming disease or seemingly insurmountable obstacles that could eventually lead to a pre-mature death. He used to consume my thoughts so much that I willingly played his message over and over again in the back of my mind subconsciously. This voice makes us feel anxious, hopeless, overwhelmed, and ultimately like we're never going to reach our destiny because our lives will be cut short. Can I tell you something? This voice is nothing but a liar from the pit of hell. In fact, when he calls, don't avoid him. Avoiding him makes it worse. Answer his call and boldly demand that he goes back to hell where he belongs! You, my friend, were not meant to live in a life of bondage feeling like you're never going to get there. In fact, it's promised in the book of Proverbs that through God Almighty our days will be many and years will be added to our lives! Speak that over your life the next time this voice tries to tell you otherwise - you'll be surprised what begins to happen when you do!
3. "You Will Never Be Good Enough, But You're So Much Better Than They Are!" - This is the bi-polar voice of comparing yourself to others. She sounds seductive no matter which line she feeds us. First she tells us that we'll never be good enough so that we stay comfortable and small right where we are. Then she slyly points out how we're better than some of the others in our lives. She easily deals out judgment towards those who are doing the amazing things we ourselves wish we could do. She's dangerous, evil, and must be cut out of our lives completely in order to succeed with the dreams in our hearts. The only way we can erase her voicemails and dodge her calls all together is to extend forgiveness. Forgiveness toward ourselves for believing that we aren't good enough; toward others for making us feel like we aren't good enough; and even seeking forgiveness from God for thinking that we were better than other people. (Do you see how messed up this voice is? She's got us believing both sides of a lie so we stay confused and in the dark!)
Truthfully, from time to time we all experience these voices. You're not alone if you've experienced them, and it doesn't have to be this way from this point on. You now have the caller ID of these pesky, worthless voices and you can join those of us who are screening their calls so we can live a life of freedom and true wholeness.
My challenge to you is to make a commitment every day to start changing the voices in your own head. Make your voices like you; make them encourage you and watch what happens in your own life!
I believe in you, and I'm honored to be a part of your journey!
By: Mandy B. Anderson
Born with cystic fibrosis, Mandy B. Anderson's journey of overcoming a life-threatening disease encourages and equips people to rise up and conquer their own barriers in life. She is an inspirational speaker, singer, writer and Juice Plus+®wellness coordinator who shares her life in such a way that you feel like you just spent time with your best friend. Mandy cares about people, and is passionate about helping them overcome their obstacles so they can live their lives in true wholeness. Download your free copy of the E-book "True Wholeness: Lessons Learned On My Journey From Cystic Fibrosis To Total Health" at http://www.mandybanderson.com


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6436462

posted by Laurie Beth @ 3:31 AM  

The Healing Powers of Writing

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Ever since written language developed thousands of years ago, it has been used as a channel for emotional expression. Many influential works of biography, fiction and poetry have been born out of their authors' personal experience of sickness, loss or war. Private individuals have turned their troubles into stories, and confided their feelings to their diary or, in modern times, to their blog.
The value of writing as therapy has been formally recognized in recent years. A number of research studies, some carried out on healthy volunteers and others on patients with various disease conditions, have shown benefits for both physical and mental health. Writing about an emotionally distressing topic of the person's own choice, even if upsetting in the short term, has been found to bring lasting long-term improvement in most cases. Writing about something neutral has little effect. Writing for periods of 20 or 30 minutes each day for several days is usually recommended and this can be done individually or in a group, by hand or on a computer. On-going work may take the form of a journal, focused on thoughts and feelings rather than outside events. It is best to let the words 'flow' without concern for spelling or grammar; technical errors can be corrected later on if desired.
Writing about pleasant topics is therapeutic too. Keeping a 'positive diary' to record things which have gone well in the day gone by, or a 'gratitude diary' of things you appreciate, is a proven method of lifting the spirits. Techniques of 'creative visualization' include writing a description of your ideal future as if it exists already, using the present tense. This is more powerful than simply imagining it.
Some prefer to keep the content of their writing completely private, others to discuss it with a therapist either face-to-face or by email. Special techniques may be used, for example writing a letter to someone with whom there is 'unfinished business'. Usually, such letters are not actually sent. If the person wants to forget or 'move on' from the issue, they might ceremoniously burn or tear up what they wrote.
Other forms of therapeutic writing are intended not for forgetting but for remembering. For example, many hospices and aged care facilities offer 'life review' programs in which a therapist or trained volunteer facilitates the preparation of a short autobiography. Not only is this process intended to be helpful to the writer, it will result in a tangible legacy for surviving relatives. Not everyone will want to undertake a project of this kind, which may entail confronting their own mortality, or revealing skeletons in the family cupboard.
Writing therapy promotes the open expression of emotion, and the reframing of problem situations so that they can be seen in a new light. In these respects it is similar to the other 'creative therapies' such as art therapy and music therapy, and to the many forms of psychotherapy, though it is likely that each of these modalities - art, music, talking, and writing - involve different neurological pathways in the brain, and different people will find some of them more helpful than others.
If the work is to be published more widely it will benefit other people besides the writer. Reading about how one person has coped with a particular kind of illness, bereavement or traumatic event can be very helpful to others facing a similar situation.
Like anything else, writing has its downside, especially if it takes up too much time and energy. But even if you are suffering the effects of lack of exercise, repetitive strain injury, social isolation from the 'real' world, or the pain of rejection by a publisher, it may be comforting to reflect that in many ways writing is good for you.
Jennifer Barraclough is a graduate of Oxford University Medical School and practiced for many years as a medical doctor in England before moving to New Zealand and becoming a Bach flower therapist and life coach. She has authored or edited several previous books including 'An Outline of Modern Psychiatry' 'Cancer and 'Emotion' and 'Enhancing Cancer Care', and published a number of research papers. She lives in Auckland with her husband and cats. To learn more, please visit: http://www.jenni.co.nz


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6437070

posted by Laurie Beth @ 3:27 AM  

Ten Steps to Self-Healing

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If you are coping with an illness there are many simple but powerful things you can do to help yourself, in addition to taking advantage of medical and surgical care.
ONE: Accept some responsibility for your own health. Research shows that taking a proactive stance, for example being involved in choices about treatment and making lifestyle changes, is associated with good medical outcomes for many disease conditions. But some aspects are not within personal control and sometimes it is best to accept this and 'go with the flow'.
TWO: Cultivate a positive outlook. Emotions and attitudes affect hormonal and immune function, and can even change the structure of the brain and expression of the genes. Qualities such as hope, love, joy and forgiveness will directly assist physical healing, besides making it easier to cope with the illness. This does not mean denying the negative feelings such as anxiety, sadness or anger which are natural reactions to being ill, and it is important to acknowledge and process such feelings before being able to reach a genuinely positive state of mind.
THREE: Balance the various domains of your life. Illness and its treatment can easily come to overshadow everything else, but it is better to spread your time and energy more widely, with activities and goals in other fields - especially those which are creative and fun. And according to the Law of Attraction, the vibrations radiated by our thoughts and feelings act like a magnet, so that 'you become what you think about'. Focusing too much attention on illness-related topics is therefore not a good idea.
FOUR: Take a holistic approach. Health, sickness and healing involve the whole person - body, emotions, mind and spirit - all of which are interconnected in numerous ways. This is sometimes neglected in modern medical and surgical practice, which has inevitably become highly specialized with experts in particular fields. Having an illness can be a stimulus to evaluating all parts of your life, with the aim of eliminating anything which is not working well for you and introducing more of what you consider enjoyable and worthwhile.
FIVE: Research the causes of your illness. The internet is an invaluable source, but different sites vary in quality and may contain conflicting information, so do not rely on just one. Most conditions are not due to a single cause, but result from a complex combination of different factors which might include genetic make-up, nutritional deficiencies or excesses, infection, toxins in the environment, mental attitudes and response to stress. If it is possible to remove a causative factor it makes sense to do so, though this alone may not be enough to produce a cure.
SIX: Improve your physical self-care. It is well known that a good diet, regular exercise and adequate sleep are good for the health, though making long-term lifestyle changes is often easier said than done.
SEVEN: Learn one or more mind-body techniques. Relaxation, visualization, affirmations, meditation, self-hypnosis and yoga can be learned from books or audios or from a therapist, and practiced at home. They need to be done regularly for maximum benefit.
EIGHT: Make informed choices about professional care. Few significant health problems can be successfully managed by self-help methods alone, and there is usually a need for one or more forms of external treatment too. Both 'orthodox' and 'alternative' approaches have their advantages and their downside. It pays to research the options thoroughly; talk to other people who have experienced the treatment; seek out competent practitioners who will support you on the healing journey; and trust your own intuition about what will work best for you.
NINE: Seek meanings and messages in the illness. Have you been working too many hours, neglecting your diet, putting other people's needs too much before your own, become stuck in an unsatisfactory life situation or developed a chronically negative mindset? Some metaphysical healers, often using the chakra system, maintain that disorders of certain body parts reflect certain types of psychological imbalance. These guidelines can be helpful but it is always the individual's own perception of meaning which counts.
TEN: Make the illness experience an opportunity for positive transformation. It can serve to clarify your true priorities and values, providing the impetus to pursue the way of life which suits you, to surround yourself with a supportive network of friends, unleash your creative talents, enhance spiritual awareness, and learn the art of 'living in the present moment'.
Jennifer Barraclough is a graduate of Oxford University Medical School and practiced for many years as a medical doctor in England before moving to New Zealand and becoming a Bach flower therapist and life coach. She has authored or edited several previous books including 'An Outline of Modern Psychiatry' 'Cancer and 'Emotion' and 'Enhancing Cancer Care', and published a number of research papers. She lives in Auckland with her husband and cats. To learn more, please visit: http://www.jenni.co.nz


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6437026

posted by Laurie Beth @ 3:27 AM  

Is Your Life Zooming in the Fast Lane?

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As you rush to catch your breath at the end of your day, how many of you realize that you're (stuck) in the fast lane? A whole lot of rushing around, more hurry-hurry-WAIT- going no where fast, and at the end of the day, there ain't a lot left to give?
This phenomenon of American's living life at this break neck pace is a lethal way to live. When predictions consistently read that 80% of modern illness or diseases are stress related, many of these conditions are related to lifestyle/eating habits! Shouldn't we all be choking on the smell of burnt coffee? At least ask yourselves: is this really how I want to live? Is this how I want my family to live? How I want my family to see me? What I want to teach my kids?
These topics beg a broader question of awareness: much like the old joke where the patient shows up at the doctor's office with pain in his left arm, crying, "Doctor, it hurts when I touch here!" Of course, "Well, then don't touch there!" gets us all rolling on the floor over the hilarity of the doctor's apt retort to the patient's foolishness.
Awareness brings a double-edged sword to the table. You can live with many select layers of awareness. But with greater awareness you can learn phenomenal things. As you learn, you can change. As you change you can grow more deeply. This is how you can live with deeper appreciation of what you DO have, and of the trials before you, to recognize that life in the fast lane is a choice. Sure, some days, it is truly inevitable. But how many times do you mistake today's TO DO list for a MUST DO or DIE list? Survey says: You are not alone!
What would really happen if you didn't get the TO DO list eliminated and off your plate? How would you actually feel to release the hold of stress over you? The truth is the world would still spin, you would still get paid the same, and if you were aware of your true efforts, perhaps you could let yourself off the hook if the results of those efforts did not show up immediately.
If you cannot enjoy the fruits of your labors, what is the point exactly? If you value your family above all else, but work 80 hours a week, where is the value for them? Or for you? Perhaps unknowingly you value the appearance that more stress means greater success? Simply because the neighbors, or other family are out of their minds with stress means you should be too? It is a quandary that Americans seem addicted to. Yet the stress of trying to squeeze so much into 24 hours is, literally, killing us.
You have innumerable choices daily, and as you ponder your options or your pace, remember to breathe to clear and calm the mind...or slow down so you can breathe and feel the present that is the gift of today. If it sounds too simple to be true, see what happens when you keep yourself (and your mind) open to the possibilities. Surprises are meant to bring us the unexpected. Embracing the unknown is an incredible way to step into the greater power of inner peace.
Namaste'
Maria C. Camacho
Founder + Owner
My Health As Wealth
http://www.myhealthaswealth.com


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6439400

posted by Laurie Beth @ 3:26 AM  

How to Practice Mindfulness Meditation

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Mindfulness meditation is about opening yourself up to what is here in this moment. You become aware of what is here without trying to change it in any way.
It is best to try mindfulness meditation first with your eyes closed so that you do not get distracted by anything outwardly happening.
Now with your eyes closed, simply relax into this moment. Allow everything to happen as it is happening. Allow breathing to happen exactly as it wants to happen. Allow the emotions to be as they are. Allow yourself to feel whatever sensations happen to present themselves. And even allow the thoughts to arise and fall all on their own.
Mindfulness meditation is the opposite of concentration; it is allowing everything to be as it is, while remaining the witness as much as possible. You are letting go of control. You are letting go of analysis
To the best of your ability, try not to get caught up in your thinking. Just notice that thinking is happening. The content of the thoughts is not important. Just leave it as noticing thoughts happening. Allow the thoughts to come and go in the same way you can watch cars drive past you on the road; they come and go all on their own, while you remain watching.
In mindfulness meditation, you are not even thinking the thoughts, you see thoughts are happening. You do not need to be involved whatsoever, thoughts simply arise and disappear.
Yes, you will get caught up in your thinking. But when you do, just notice that you did and come back to allowing and watching the thinking. It is not a forceful concentrated action, rather it is a letting go of the thinking, letting go of your involvement with your thinking.
The key in mindfulness meditation is relaxation, letting go, allowing and observing. In this way, thoughts can slow down by themselves and then you rest more and more into that which is here beyond the thinking, beyond the emotions and even beyond the physical body.
You relax into the sensation of simply being. Not being a something, because that is just more thinking, but rather the feeling of being alive in this moment, the sensation of existing in this moment beyond name and form.
Beyond your thinking in this moment, there is a feeling that you exist, a feeling that existence is happening. And the nature of this feeling is unconditional peace. The very essence of what you are in this moment is peace.
You do not need to seek out this feeling of being, it is what is left when you let go of the thinking.
So it is just about relaxing into this moment, allowing everything to be as it is and watching, witnessing, without control and without concentration.
Because you are so used to being involved with your thinking, mindfulness meditation can be a bit hard at first. The eastern secret to making meditation easy is to sit with one who has already mastered deep states of meditation. Simply by sitting in the presence of a fully enlightened meditation teacher, you naturally awaken into deep mindful meditation and bliss.
This same "enlightened presence" that you receive from sitting with an enlightened meditation teacher can also be received by listening to some very unique meditation music. Simply by listening to the music, you effortlessly and naturally enter into deep states of meditation and peace.
Have a listen to some free samples of this music by clicking on the "Shakti Meditation Music" link below.
Listen to Free Samples of Some Amazing Meditation Music
That Awakens You into Deep Meditation and Bliss
Visit the Shakti Meditation Music Website


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6459122

posted by Laurie Beth @ 3:23 AM  

Top 7 New Year's Resolutions to Inspire You

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We hear it every year, "What's your New Year's resolution?" We may even make them but when it comes to New Year's resolutions why do we let them drop by the wayside? I am as guilty as the next person. Mine has been "to not make a resolution," for the past 10 years. Why should we make them if we never keep them? What is the point and does anyone ever keep a New Year's resolution that they make? The short answer is, "Yes". It is never too late to make changes in your life if, in fact, change is what you intend for yourself in the new year. Every year we have a new opportunity to start fresh, to make a change and to accomplish goals that we have laid out for ourselves, but, perhaps, have not had the courage to make them a reality. It's OK to admit this and it's OK to start fresh even tomorrow. We don't need to ring in the New Year to make resolutions. We could do them in the next minute. Why delay any further?
One of my favourite quotes is, "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." by Albert Einstein. Where there are things in our lives that keep on repeating and the outcome is always the same but never what we have intended, it may be time to interrupt the pattern. Where can we change the patterns and shake things up a bit? In my personal experience, no matter what maps or GPS devices I have at my fingertips I ALWAYS end up walking in the wrong direction and end up late to whatever event or meeting I have scheduled. The other day when I exited the public transit system I arrived on a street disoriented. My instinct was to go left but, instead, I decided to go right because whenever I follow the route I think I should go it is always in the wrong direction. Surprisingly I found that using the method opposite to what I normally used (which always got me lost) took me in the right direction and I arrived at my destination in the nick of time.
This is a very basic example but we all have unfinished goals or things in our lives that we would like to have turn out differently but somehow we keep on going in circles. Where can we interrupt these patterns and try a new method? If Einstein hadn't followed his advice where would we be in science today? Would he have developed the theory of relativity and gone on to be one of the greatest legends in Science?
Are you looking for ideas for resolutions to ring in the New Year? Here are my top 7 New Year's resolutions you may want to add to your list or perhaps to inspire you to come up with your own.
1.) Get a piggy bank and save your loose change every week. After about 6 months take a tally of how much you have collected and treat yourself to a massage or vacation.
2.) Speaking of vacations, is there a place that you have always wanted to visit but somehow it seems like a distant pipe dream? Go to your favorite online travel site and make a booking. You can save the booking without purchasing it. If you start to visualize yourself booking a trip there you may be closer to setting foot in your dream destination.
3.) Is there someone out there who you care about that may not know it? Write them a letter telling them how you feel about them. You don't have to send it but if you can if you feel inspired. That person may be very surprised and touched by your sentiments. It always feels good to get things off your chest.
4.) Do you fear speaking or singing in public? It's time to get some friends together and do karaoke. The worst fear that most people have with public speaking/singing is sounding terrible. With karaoke it is expected that people sound terrible and, in fact, it is more fun. When you give yourself a break you may be pleasantly surprised at how good you sound!
5.) Are you stuck in a career that you do not like and wish for a change but, somehow, keep on getting the same kinds of jobs? Start looking in a field that you are passionate about and apply, apply, apply. Don't have any experience? It doesn't matter. Persistence will get you everywhere. You may have to start at the bottom for a bit but recruiters are not only looking for resumes. Cover letters that explain your passion and that are written with enthusiasm set your resume apart from the rest. Bosses are looking to hire people that are there for the long haul. Nothing is more frustrating than having to hire someone new and train them all over again. Life is short. Think about where you want to be 5-10 years down the line and if it is the job that you are currently at then bravo! If it not then it may be time for a career change.
6.) Do something that you have never tried before that scares you. It doesn't have to be something that risks your life but perhaps baby steps. Are you terrified of cutting your hair? Have you ever tried sushi? Did you ever want to learn a new language? I am sure you can come up with even better ones for yourself. Do it!
7.) Are you feeling bored and uninspired in your life? Donate or volunteer at your favorite charity. Personally I like World Vision because they have an online catalogue. You can buy a family a goat or education for a child. In a way, giving is almost selfish because it makes you feel so good about yourself!
The Nutritiongal wishes you a very happy and healthy New Year! May you be filled with prosperity, joy and inspiration in the coming year!
Sincerely,
Stephanie Siemion
The Nutritiongal - AADP Certified Health Coach Find your bliss. Find your balance
"Fire the diet police and take back your health!"
Visit http://www.nutritiongal.com and fill out a health questionnaire for a free consultation today!


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5617171

posted by Laurie Beth @ 3:20 AM  

The Power of Visualization As Part of Your Health Journey

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Those with health concerns and body-image frustrations should not dismiss the Power of Visualization to help them achieve good health and a harmonious self-image. One must first visualize being healthy, thin or beautiful before one can take steps to achieve that vision.
Visualization is always a key to success in any human endeavour, whether an artist creating a masterpiece, a corporate wizard executing a business plan, an Olympic athlete breaking a world record, or an everyday man or woman setting out to change something about their lives and achieve more humble goals, such as losing unwanted weight or finding solutions and remedies for their health and wellness concerns.
Many people dismiss visualization techniques as being hokey and faddish New Age practices, but visualization is not simply daydreaming about ones wants, needs or desires. The power of this technique to transform mundane daydreams into reality is more than merely the ability to immerse oneself in an imagined vision of a need or desire; it is a method of focusing mental energies to reinforce our conscious efforts. It is the practice of seeking to change the outer world through changing our internal thought processes.
Visualization should be an integral part of everyone's health journey. Health and wellness is achieved and maintained through a mindset that at its core is founded upon a vision of being healthy and fit. The first step in any weight loss program or health and wellness regimen is changing your mind and correcting the thought processes that allowed the weight gain or poor health to develop in the first place.
The transformative qualities of visualization are in many ways akin to the sympathetic magic's practiced by primitive peoples from time immemorial. The idea that a shaman wielding talismans and chanting incantations could heal the sick often would unlock the healing potential within the body of the patient who, through visualization, believed in the efficacy of the shaman's conjuring. The power of ideas within the mind can have a profound physiological effect on the health of the body, as medical science has long acknowledged.
So too does visualization work according to those who swear by it. Imagery and meditation visualization techniques can relieve pain; promote the healing process, combat stress and anxiety and general tension and is an effective healing tool that has long been overlooked and downplayed by western medicine.
Visualization can be said to be the conscious creation of our own reality by training the sub-conscious mind to accept as reality the achievement of our conscious goals, and thus we attract the desired reality through our conscious and sub-conscious efforts. It is said to work for any goal from athletics to business success to romance, but most important is the well-attested effect of visualization upon health, wellness and feelings well-being.
Learn more, download the free report "Solutions for Lifelong Health and Beauty" here and find out how you can enjoy health and wellness plus look and feel your best. The report is provided by Seymour M. Weaver III MD, publisher of http://DrSeymourWeaver.com/dermatology-blog who is devoted to helping you enjoy the best life possible.


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posted by Laurie Beth @ 3:18 AM