October 09, 2007

SOCK a Few Zzz’s into Your Life

I realize many people cycle through bouts of insomnia at different times throughout the year for many reasons.

Deep breathing exercises often help, along with other relaxation techniques like meditation. I have been told by friends that they have nights in which no remedy can lure them into a deep, uninterrupted sleep.

Recently, I added the following suggestion posted by one of our blog readers to my garden of insomnia remedies:

 Our reader Coleman wrote...
“I read an article recently about an insomnia test that people with warm feet will fall asleep faster. The report recommended putting on socks 10-15 minutes before bedtime. Something about the heat in the feet triggers relaxation in the brain.”

I love this idea! Everyone should have a warm pair of socks, and how about in all kinds of funky colors.  I decided to try our readers suggestion and for the past two nights, I wore my favorite fuzzy socks to bed. I also practiced my usual Kundalini deep-breathing exercise. I generally find that when I eat well, exercise and also know when to take a break and relax that sleeping soundly arrives naturally.

I will write more soon on Kundalini breathing techniques as I find that I always sleep really and find I do not need long hours of sleep. I am sure it is due to my yoga practice.

So....go out soon and find yourself the coolest pair of warm socks and wear them tonight! Who cares how funny you may look (smile)! It is worth it!

October 03, 2007

Sleep or Coffee?

Several years ago, I lived and worked in Rome, Italy. When I first arrived, I was surprised to learn that several of my Italian co-workers took time off each afternoon to rest. “An afternoon nap?” my somewhat arrogant 20-something mind argued, “You’ve got to be kidding.”

While the Italians rested, I darted to the café across the street and filled my veins with not one but two shots of espresso. I dove back into my work buzzed and blurred for the rest of the day.

But, check it out: recent studies, including a study by researchers at NASA, validate what the Italians, most Latin-American countries, China, India, and many others have known and practiced for centuries. The studies report that an afternoon nap (popularly known as a powernap or siesta) energizes you much more effectively than the afternoon caffeine jolt. Naps are good for your overall health and well being. Take a look at the following link to learn more - click here.
 

October 01, 2007

Our Yoga Mats Are Connected.

After completing several days of yoga, meditation and dance at the Yoga Journal Conference a few things come to mind.

The conference was filled with people from all over the country, Mexico and Canada. From different backgrounds, sizes, ages, genders, with & without health problems, battling cancer, mental health issues, trying to learn how to prevent future illness, married, single, divorced, heart broken, happy, sad, you name it, they were there.

Looking around the room filled with hundreds of people doing downward dogs, the smell of incense, the faint sounds of drums and chanting, I thought about how when I have taught yoga classes in the past how I have noticed people sometimes get territorial even within the space they practice yoga. Almost as if their mat separates them from everyone else.

We are not separate, we are all very much connected. When I am out in the world it always strikes me how people tend to be competitive and almost welcome conflict. Wouldn’t it be great if we all took the time to compliment those we know, those we do not know and even those who may annoy us or have caused us hurt.

The conference seemed to evoke this beautiful behavior of being complimentary to one another. I watched strangers helping one another, teaching, crying, laughing, sharing stories, it was beautiful.

Our mats are connected, and so are we.
Gather hundreds of people together with the same intention, it WILL make change happen.

I felt it. I felt love. I felt a shift towards peace for our world. 

September 27, 2007

Even Animals Meditate!

Hello from the Yoga Journal Conference in Estes park, Colorado!

I am engulfed in yoga, dance and meditation workshops, yet I wanted to write a quick note and let you all know that I will have some new blog material in the next few days on my experience here at the conference that you won't want to miss.

There are people from all over the world, who came to do yoga and learn how to eliminate stress from their lives.

I have to admit I was suprised to see the little cute furry animal (photo on the right) when I drove in to the conference.  He or she was simply sitting on the side of the field taking a moment and sitting in the basic yoga posture - it appeared that this furry being was meditating.

I guess animals have stress like the rest of us! 

September 24, 2007

Hair Pulling Can Do More For You Then You Realize!

Yoga has been a great help in relieving headaches for centuries. A few of my yoga students have told me they started yoga initially to get some headache relief. The pattern was the same – the headaches would start mid-afternoon and stick with them all the way home from work! They tried over the counter pain medications, which helped at first. But, when they got tired of their desks looking like bathroom medicine cabinets, they knew something had to change. That’s when they looked into finding a more balanced, fit lifestyle.

Not everyone’s athletic, so the idea of doing anything that sounds like yoga might be a bit daunting at first. But most beginners agree that these exercises are really easy. It’s so relaxing at the end of the day. You can get complete relief in just a few minutes, without having to swallow a pill.

Here’s our routine: We start by sitting in a chair with pillows in our laps. We lean over the pillows and let our heads hang down towards our knees. We take a few deep breaths there. We slowly roll up.

Next, we make soft fists and tap our bodies from our heads down to our feet. Then, we gently pull our hair; just like the hair dresser does before they wash and cut it.

We end by lying on the floor or in bed on our backs. We put our legs straight up the wall and just hang out. The whole thing only takes us 10 minutes! Deep breathing and putting your head so it’s below your legs really helps the pressure. If you do it regularly, you’ll find yourself having headaches less and less often, until they become just a memory.

September 21, 2007

Breathe In & Breathe Out PEACE

Beginning September 21st through September 23rd,
more then 35 countries, hundreds of yoga studios and thousands of yoga practitioners worldwide will gather as a part of the GLOBAL MALA PROJECT!

Held in conjunction with the United Nations International Day of Peace, the event is part of a worldwide effort in which yoga communities will simultaneously form a “mala,” or prayer, around the earth.

Both locally and around the world, the event is tied to raising awareness and funding for important causes. Yogis around the world will not only unite in the practice of yoga, but will also contribute funds and prayer to common causes.

WILD DIVINE will be honoring these special days and we hope you will also join this worldwide movement to create a global ceasefire and day of peace and nonviolence.

Let us all take a moment to breathe in and breathe out peace for someone we care about, and even those we do not know. You will be surprised at how wonderful this small gesture will be for you and the world.

"We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, We make our world".
-Buddha

"In acceptance, there is peace".  -Ghandi 

September 19, 2007

Calling All Yogis & Yoginis!

Exciting News for all yoga enthusiasts!

Held locally in beautiful Colorado, the 12th Annual Yoga Journal Conference in Estes Park, CO. will run from September 23 – October 1, 2007.

I will be attending this conference and taking numerous yoga, dance and meditation courses with world renowned yoga masters....Seane Corn, John Douillard, Ana Forrest, Shiva Rea, Gary Kraftsow...the amazing list goes on.

If you are going to the conference, send a note and tell us about yourself!

Check back next week for 'my' personal notes, along with some humor, plus photos from the conference posted here on the WILD DIVINE Blog! I promise to make it interesting (smile).

September 17, 2007

Learn to Breath Correctly. Mom is relaxed, even in traffic.

If you’ve ever flipped through the pages of a yoga book, you might wonder if there’s some sort of mystery to all those breathing exercises. “Why can’t I just breathe?” you ask.

A friend of mine had the same question. Then she went with me to a pranayama workshop. Learning to guide her breath opened up a whole new world to her.

The first one was interval breathes. We breathed in for a count of 4, held for 4 and then exhaled for 4. When we did the exercise, all we thought about and noticed was our breath. It was so relaxing. Then, we inhaled for 4 and exhaled for 8. Again, relaxation.

It was so simple.

She told me that now she uses both techniques when she’s trying to get to sleep at night and to help calm herself down during rush hour traffic. She said that even her kids have noticed a difference. Her 13-year old son said, “Mom, you’re much more chilled when you pick me up after practice.” That’s the best motivation to keep breathing!

September 12, 2007

Powerful Art, Meditation, Sprinkled with Beauty & Magic - What More Could One Ask For?

Wild Divine is proud to announce Corwin Bell’s exhibit opening at the Museum of Outdoor Arts, here in Colorado. Corwin is one of the original founders and the creative director of The Journey to Wild Divine. Corwin’s art installation is featured in the museum’s exhibit entitled, Sacred Water. The exhibit promotes awareness towards one of the world’s most valuable natural resources: water. It is creatively geared around the visualization of water and how it continues to stimulate modern culture. Corwin’s artwork includes animation, photography, ceramics, woodcarving, bronze work, and glass pieces that engage viewers and invite them to interact with the work on display. Visitors will enter a tranquil area that is secluded from the outside world - lending a moment for reverence and a connection to the sacred aspects of water. There is also a meditation space designed into the installation allowing viewers the opportunity to explore, examine and reflect upon the water from different perspectives. Corwin’s multidimensional exhibit was transported and unveiled last week in a sneak preview to over 50,000 attendees at Burning Man in the Nevada desert. It can now been seen in MOA's indoor galleries from September 14, 2007 - February 16, 2008.

Come and view this beautiful, thought provoking, magical exhibit and allow it to open your own doors of perception.

The museum opening is Friday, September 14th from 5- 9pm at the Museum of Outdoor Arts, Englewood, Colorado.
Show run is September 14, 2007 – February 16, 2008

Enjoy this amazing exhibit!

September 10, 2007

September 11...Tragedy Can Birth Grace.

The summer months are coming to a close, and September has arrived with the promise of new beginnings.

September has always been a time of year for me of renewal and hope for the future. The vibrant colors of the fall leaves, start of school, the Jewish New Year, along with the rustle of the new fresh winds....ahhh yes, breathe in change.

September is also a time of remembering. I lived in N.Y.C. at the time of September 11 and of course will never forget that day as long as I live.

We are all aware of the unthinkable catastrophe that occurred that day in history, yet I would like to focus on positive thoughts and remembering the people we lost that day and those who survived - I personally lost three very dear friends.
There is also the large group of individuals who donated their time to help find people, who years later are very ill from the debris – firefighters, police, doctors, nurses, rescue animals and all the other courageous people that volunteered day and night to uncover people. People may be unaware that there is a huge group of individuals who have come down with lung disease and other life threatening disease, from simply helping out.

What will always amaze me is the way that New York City came together. No matter what size, color or religion, everyone helped one another. I clearly remember walking home across Fifth Avenue and watching strangers reaching out to one another, holding one another, offering food, inviting strangers into their homes.

With the sheer nakedness of this tragedy birthed grace, love and humanity that I had never experienced before.

I live each day with this in mind and made a promise to myself to always spread compassion and love. It is contagious and can do this world wonders.

September 06, 2007

Becoming an Instrument of Compassion

It’s one of those days -- because of traffic, you arrive to the gym during the evening rush. All of your favorite machines are taken. You find the last available Stairmaster in the far corner. Television screens cluttering the room pipe in the latest news stories. The closed captioned text screams as you feel your pulse pound.

Your mind pounds too. The traffic. The crowded gym. The extra weight lingering from winter’s inactivity. Tomorrow’s deadline. The huff and puff of a packed day annihilates any chance of actually enjoying the workout.

Deep breathing exercises can help you shift even the meanest moods. With biofeedback, you learn to recognize physiological reactions to irritations. You then know to use deep breathing exercises to center and calm, and you can extend the energy to benefit others.

The next time you’re working out and your temper gets triggered, begin to breathe in deeply. As you breathe out, imagine compassion flowing out of you, filling the gym, and touching all of the others who share the struggles of day-to-day stresses. Notice how it feels to be an instrument of compassion. You just might become addicted as compassion transforms your life and helps heal others.

September 04, 2007

Stretching Into Change

“If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies.” (unknown)

We all face change all of the time. Change can be as benign as noticing a new gray hair – or, as life-altering as the doctor telling you that you’re pregnant. Change can sneak up and knock you off your feet. Welcomed change can offer an opportunity to lean in to new beginnings. Other times, you might find that you resist change while trying to hold together what’s bound to fall apart.

During times of change, flexibility is crucial to help balance your mental health. Change often requires old patterns to fall away while budding new ones sprout. You grow from who you were to who you are yet to be. Clinging to past patterns can be physically and mentally demanding while you long to stretch and grow into new directions.

You might also consider adding an intention to your meditation practice. Intentions nourish and keep you on track. Each morning during your meditation, add an intention to face change with grace and flexibility. Then, notice how your day unfolds.  Remember: it is through nature’s intention that the chrysalis opens so that the butterfly can stretch its wings and fly.

August 30, 2007

Biofeedback and Pregnancy

“I was going crazy imagining what the birth would be like,” a friend explained. With deep fears about the birthing process, she turned to biofeedback for assistance during her first pregnancy.

Her therapist used biofeedback technology to measure her physiological reactions to pointed questions and stresses. She also learned deep breathing exercises to calm flight or fight reflexes and to ease her mental anguish. Through biofeedback and deep breathing exercises, she connected to early memories and discharged the emotional attachments.

“Letting go of my past fears helped me prepare for delivery,” she said. “I also learned how to breathe through, let go, and go with the pain. I realized I can handle much more than I ever thought I could.”

Biofeedback taught her how to recognize physical responses that occur when triggered by stress and now provides her with wisdom she draws on daily.

“When something makes me angry, I recognize how my body reacts and I use deep breathing to bring down my boiling point.”

August 29, 2007

Casting Call! So, you want to be a STAR?

Who wouldn't want their photo and story in a major magazine! This could be your chance for fame (smile).

We're looking for a few good stories for a major consumer publication that is interested in writing about some of our users and how Healing Rhythms has helped change their lives. Ssshh....We can't reveal which publication it is yet, but we can tell you it is all about people!

Has Healing Rhythms helped you to lose weight? Have better relationships? Reduce your stress dramatcially? Helped you to tap into what is truly important and therefore changed your life, and followed your dream? Share with us!

We will be selecting a few success stories (along with images if you have them) and if chosen, you may soon be sharing your story with many others that you may similarly be able to help.

Simply e-mail us your stories directly to editor@wilddivine.com. And remember to submit images if you have them (if it's a weight loss success, 'before and after' photos would be great).

Story deadline is September 15, 2007.

Good luck!

August 28, 2007

Proud to Announce the Healing Rhythms Podcast

We're very happy to offer you our new Healing Rhythms Podcast.

The Healing Rhythms podcast can be heard at http://www.wilddivine.com/podcast or through iTunes, Odeo and other popular podcatchers.

This is a medium we are very excited about. We will be making our best efforts to have regular monthly conversations with leading wellness experts such as Deepak Chopra and Dean Ornish.

Send Us Your Questions for Our Guests

We want the Healing Rhythms Podcast to be as interactive as possible, so we will do our best to give you advance notice of our monthly guest in order to get input from you. You can email your questions to us at: thewilddivine@gmail.com.

We're very excited about our next guest: Stephen Cope.

Stephen Cope, MSW, psychotherapist and senior Kripalu Yoga teacher, is author of Yoga and the Quest for the True Self and The Wisdom of Yoga: A Seeker’s Guide to Extraordinary Living. Director of the Kripalu Institute of Extraordinary Living, he is also creator of the Gentle Yoga Kit and is featured in the video Kripalu Yoga: Dynamic.

August 27, 2007

The Importance of Consistent Practice

Too much stress hurts. Each cell in your body feels it. Not only is stress physically demanding, it can grind away at your mental health. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately one in four adults suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder, such as depression, eating disorders, and anxiety.

Think about your life in this moment. If you had a meter to measure your stress level and your joy level, which reading would be higher? Consider the following questions when evaluating your overall mental wellness:

• Are you enjoying life?
• Do you bounce back from adversity?
• Do you balance social time and time spent alone? Work and play? Sleep and wakefulness?
• How satisfying are your relationships and sexuality?

These same masters and mystics would emphasize the importance of practicing consistently. Try it for yourself by simply practicing a deep breathing exercise each day. Allow your daily practice to be a sacred time for you to connect and tend to your overall well-being.

August 23, 2007

Healing Powers of Compassion

In trainings, they teach that “irritability is mildly disguised extreme sensitivity.”

The next time your temper flares up while waiting in the checkout line for the person in front of you to sort through her coupons and retrieve the exact change from her coin purse, take a moment, breathe deeply, and become aware of this person. Notice the expression in her eyes and the tremble in her hands. The deep awareness of another’s suffering and a desire to help relieve it can instantly transform impatience, anger, and other feelings of irritability.  The tendency for many is to block out and ignore any personal qualities and connections.

You can practice by breathing in the energies that anger and annoy you and then exhaling the energy of compassion. Allow your breath to serve as a transformer, increasing your sensitivity to open a steady flow of loving compassion.

Compassion heals. It heals you and, as you extend it to others, it helps heal the world.

August 21, 2007

Sex. It’s About Time

Oprah’s talking about it. The blogs and magazines are on fire with it. The topic forced into the shadows for more than 2000 years is making an enthusiastic comeback.

Sex.

It directly connects to your overall wellness. Healthy sexuality is one of the basic ingredients defined for good mental health.

This is not new news. Long before the patriarchies stigmatized sex, cultures celebrated sexual union as a powerful expression of life force. Ancient cultures that honored the divine feminine understood a fundamental fact of life: sex is sacred. It unites you with another. It is also the creative force that channels the Divine and renews life.

In the frenzied pace many walk today, it’s difficult to find time for intimacy, much less time to explore the spiritual dimensions of sex. And, after a day packed with commitments and responsibilities, are you even in the mood?

Meditation and deep breathing exercises put you in the mood. Deep breathing exercises calm and center you. Learn to meditate on gratitude and notice how it enlivens your spirit and deepens your connection with your partner. Regular deep breathing and meditation practices alone and with your partner help deepen sexual pleasure, allowing the Divine to freely flow.

August 16, 2007

Is Life too Interesting or too Stressful to Sleep?

I remember a story told about Keith Richards and how he went four complete days without sleeping. “Life was just too interesting to sleep,” he explained.

Sometimes life is too interesting to sleep. Other times, life is just too busy. Insomnia can set in during times of trauma and emotional upheavals. The churn from mental tension often triggers insomnia.

Regardless of the cause, lack of sleep can grind away at your overall mental and physical health. Insomnia compromises the immune system, making you more susceptible to disease. It also clouds the mind and affects emotional health.

Biofeedback can teach you how to recognize physiological symptoms that trigger insomnia and deep breathing exercises can help you relax.

The next time you roll over and into the arms of insomnia, try to this deep breathing exercise. First, simply notice your breath and its qualities. Is the breath shallow? Uneven? Then, begin to consciously slow and deepen your breath. Gently, stay with it. As the breath becomes deeper and slower, it induces relaxation and quiets the mind – key conditions for a restful night’s sleep.

Deep breathing relieves tension and can be the best friend you call on in the middle of a restless night.

August 13, 2007

Dance, Sing, Share, and Meditate Joy into Life

“When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor. It's to enjoy each step along the way.” (Wayne Dyer)

Before diagnosing an illness, certain healers living in the Andes begin with their own biofeedback process by asking the following questions:

• When was the last time you danced?
• When was the last time you told your story?
• When was the last time you enjoyed a long period of solitude?
  

Experts agree that the ability to enjoy life is essential to good mental health. Dance, song, story, and solitude are sure ingredients to increase feelings of joy. Add gratitude to the mix and you have an effective remedy to energize, uplift, and restore a zest for living.

When you notice your temper flare or your emotions dip, connect with gratitude. And, finally, take time to enjoy solitude and meditate on all that you’re grateful for. The healing energy of gratitude dances joy back into your life.

August 10, 2007

The Outdoors is Delicious!

The outdoors is delicious for our health! I have not mentioned yet in my blog that I live in one of the most beautiful cities and state - Boulder, Colorado.

I had crazy week at work, and this morning I woke up to yet another sunny day and full blue sky (it is literally sunny here almost 360 days of the year). I met a friend and took a hike at 6am and then had the pleasure of biking to work.

Surrounded by huge magical mountains, wildflowers glistening in the sun and the smell of fresh air.

What could be better for my physical and mental health? Nothing.

I hope if you are reading this that you will take the time to discover beauty where you live and get outside and soak it in!

Have a beautiful weekend and thank you for all of your support with Wild Divine's new blog!

August 06, 2007

Stress Relief through Meditation

Wellness means good health, both in body and mind. When our minds are plagued by daily stress, true wellness is not possible. One of the simplest and most effective ways to eliminate stress is through daily meditation.

Our minds can easily become cluttered with worries, “to do” lists, and other little chattering voices. The goal of meditation is to clear your mind of that clutter, so that you are better able to focus on what’s important.

Through meditation, your mind and body both become relaxed and focused. There are numerous techniques and styles of meditation. The basics, though, are the same:

• Sitting or standing in a comfortable position
• Loose-fitting, non-restrictive clothing
• Deep breathing
• Quiet, peaceful environment (silence or soft music are both fine)
• An object or mantra to focus on
  

Next time you feel stress creeping in, take a moment to close your eyes, focus on your breathing, and clear your mind of all thoughts. You’ll instantly feel better, and you’ll find that your mind is refreshed and invigorated.

August 03, 2007

Plan Some "Me" Time

One way to avoid stress is to plan your day in advance. The more Type-B personality folks might cringe at this, preferring to let their day unfold more organically. Planning, though, really only means making sure you have time in your day for both the things you have to do and the things you want to do.

If you have a lot of obligations on your plate, you might feel “selfish” for taking some time for yourself. But think of it this way, you’re not in a position to help anyone else if you’re stressed, and even physically unwell, because you didn’t take time to care for yourself.

No matter how busy you are at work, dedicate time each week to have a date with yourself. Go out and do whatever you like best, catch a movie, take a nature walk, or play fetch with your dog. You need this break from the rigors of daily life to keep your mind fresh, alert, and clear.

Even on your busiest days, you can set aside 5 minutes to write a letter to a friend or walk around the block once. Stress is often a product of our “go, go, go” lifestyles. Taking small breaks is essential for health and wellness.

July 27, 2007

Music and Relaxation

If you’ve ever heard of music therapy, then you know that music has been scientifically proven to benefit our minds and bodies. Music has been shown to help you relax, think more positively, and rid yourself of stress.

When our muscles are tense, we cannot fully relax. Music promotes physical relaxation, including the loosening of tight muscles. Turn on soft music when you come home from a long day at work and feel the tension melt away.

Music is also a wonderful addition to other relaxing activities. For example, listening to music can increase the effectiveness of yoga and meditation. When you’re exercising, listen to music with a fast tempo to feel energized.

We already know that we are what we eat. Did you ever consider that we are what we listen to? Constantly hearing negative messages can bring us down. Music with a positive and upbeat message can improve your outlook on life. Surround yourself with positive music the same way you surround yourself with positive people.

Listening to music is a simple way to relieve stress. Best of all, you can incorporate music into almost every daily activity you perform. You never have to be without this powerful force of positivity.

July 26, 2007

Meditation At Amusement Parks?

If you have been checking out our brand new blog and recently read our Wild Divine July Newsletter, you may have noticed that one of our themes this month has been anxiety and the many natural approaches to alleviate it.

I believe in living life to the fullest and choosing happiness over feeling bad. It is all a choice. I lead a very healthy, balanced lifestyle which entails always trying and doing the things I desire. When I do the things I love it really helps keep stress minimal. The past few weeks I have continued to do something new every weekend. Rafting, horseback riding, camping, dancing and most recently visiting an amusement park.

I have not been on amusement rides since I was a child and now I remember why. Flying high in the air several hundred feet above the ground is not a place I really want to be - smile. A ride that is so high, swings back and forth in the strong wind as it continually spins, brought up fear within me that I did not know existed. I found something I truly disliked. Sweat pouring off my head, stomach soar, clutching to the seat belt that I was praying was holding me in, and sitting close to a friend who began to tell me story to get my mind out of the actual experience. And then I remembered, all I had to do was close my eyes, breathe deep from my belly and relax. And, that is what I did. I got through the ride and the experience was over and I felt calm again.

Will I ever return to an amusement park? Probably not.

As always, my breathing and meditation helped me.

July 25, 2007

4 Powerful Reasons to Meditate and How To Get Started

Having studied Hatha Yoga and Meditation, I have been asked numerous occasions if one has to be part of a certain religion to practice meditation. The beautiful answer is no.

Check out John Wesley’s , '4 Powerful Reasons to Meditate and How to Get Started' in which the author writes some basic tips on Meditation.

Anyone can meditate.

July 25, 2007

NYT Wellness Article

Kelley Holland of the NYT just wrote an very interesting article about Wellness. The article, Wellness Programs Try to Be Welcoming, Too looks a few areas of wellness that I find interesting.

First, this is coming off the NYT Your Money section - so it's a look at corporate wellness programs and their impact of total costs.

I like this expert:

"Employees respond best to wellness programs that are presented as a form of organizational change, rather than as a top-down imposition of new requirements, according to a study of 243 employees by Ellen Ernst Kossek, a professor of human resource management and organizational behavior at Michigan State University, and two colleagues."

You gotta love it when wellness is making it into the NYT's Your Money Section.

July 23, 2007

How Do YOU Deal With Anxiety?

Anxiety is a combination of emotions and physical reactions. Fears and worries combine to form the emotion, while physical symptoms include rapid heart beat, headaches, shortness of breath, sweating, trembling, and nausea.

These physical reactions are our body’s way of preparing us for what it perceives as a threat. Something or someone is causing us such fear and apprehension that our body perceives it as an immediate danger.

Feelings of anxiety can be brought on by any number of things. Anxiety-inducing situations vary from person to person. Some people have to cope with chronic anxiety or some type of anxiety disorder. Each and every one of us, though, will experience anxiety at some point in our lives.

What’s important is developing mechanisms for coping with anxiety when it arises. Prolonged anxiety can have negative effects on both your mind and body.

There are, of course, medications available for treating anxiety. However, there are many effective techniques that can take the place of medication. We often forget that we can tap into our own inner reserves of healing powers.

Here are some simple methods for preventing anxiety or overcoming anxiety when it occurs:

• Learn various relaxation techniques
• Meditate
• Eat well and get plenty of exercise
• Develop positive thinking

Anxiety can be overcome. When you develop techniques that work for you, you’ll find in time that you are equipped to deal with any anxiety-provoking situation you face.

July 18, 2007

Have You Reached Your Wellness Potential?

Wellness is a state of optimal health, both mental and physical. As we strive for wellness, we’re actually striving to experience our full potential in life. When we’re balanced and fulfilled in all areas of our life, we find happiness and contentment despite living in a hectic and fast-paced world.

Achieving wellness is a life-long process. Throughout our lives, there are always ways for us to improve on the many areas of wellness. It’s a journey we can continue to enjoy for as long as we live.

Wellness is something we must consciously choose. Developing wellness involves commitment and some hard work. Wellness is the fruit of a most noble goal: taking personal responsibility for living a quality life.

Clearly, wellness is no fad. It’s a timeless, universal concept whose doors open to you all the time. You need only walk through and begin your journey.

July 18, 2007

Your Feelings Are Talking - Are You Listening?

With the rigors of everyday life, we often forget to slow down and listen to our feelings. However, doing so is one of the best ways you can invest your time.

Stress and anxiety are feelings. Burying them will only cause them to grow. When they surface, they will be much harder to overcome than if you had dealt with them as they arose.

Throughout the day, take a moment to ask yourself how you feel. You might be surprised by the answer. Something you consider to be a mundane task of everyday life might be causing you a great deal of stress – or it might be a great source of happiness.

Feelings are our mind’s way of telling us whether we are moving towards or away from our bliss. Realizing whether something makes you happy, sad, angry, or frustrated will help you understand where that activity does – or does not – fit into your life.

Remember, feelings are never wrong. Always experience your feelings without judgment.