Healthy Holistic Living Blog
Healthy-Holistic-Living.com : Healthy Holistic Living News : March 2007 : 2007-03-19 to 2007-03-25
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It's Time to Let your Emotions Out of the Closet! March 19, 2007 05:55 |
Well finally, feelings and emotions are having their day in the sun. We all have them, we all cry, laugh, get angry, feel shame, guilt and love but we are taught from a very young age that emotions are to be controlled something you do in private if you have them at all. Today you no longer have to live in the "Emotional Closet." Science has finally proven the true power of emotions! Research is showing the importance that emotions play in our lives and the incredible effects that they have on our health and overall wellbeing.
"Emotions work much faster and are more powerful, than thoughts. Thinking clearly with your brain is useful but feeling positively from your heart provides an amazing boost to health and creativity."
So what's the big deal about emotions? Well first, they are running our lives (the negative ones that is)! Not many of us go through a day without blowing up at our kids, sending at not so nice jester to another driver or just plain being rude to a cashier. Our lives and our priorities are so out of whack that we are literally living off the adrenalin associated with stress! And this can be deadly!
Stress seems to be the common thread running through all our lives. It is wreaking havoc on our society. The World Health Organization raised the alarm over 20 years ago and still we neglected to acknowledge the true physical danger of stress. We continued to focus a good portion of our scientific energy and money on the tangible self and we neglected the possibility that our emotions could be the key to our health and happiness. This is finally changing! New research is showing the medical powers of the heart.
Emotions have a powerful effect on our physical and mental self and understanding the importance of shifting our emotions from anger and frustration to love is the key to healing ourselves and living fulfilled lives. The key is to establish synchronicity between the mind and your emotions it's called "Heart Coherence."
"Briefly experiencing a cherished memory creates synchronization in your heart rhythm in mere seconds. This increases the release of healthy, energizing hormones, while at the same time decreasing levels of damaging stress hormones, at the same time your immune system is strengthened, blood pressure decreases and health and focus increase. Using a simple prescription that consists of a number of exercises that anyone one can do anywhere in a few minutes."
That sounds simple enough but how do you really change your heart? "According to the HeartMath Institute's research, it is much simpler than it looks. McCraty, one of the leaders at HeartMath says, "If you consciously shift your attention to a positive emotion, like appreciation or care, or if you allow your thoughts to return to the feeling of a cherished memory, your heart rhythm changes immediately." This phenomenon continues to astonish the some 25,000 people who attend HearMath courses each year. Initially, HeartMath utilized expensive medical equipment to measure and display the heart rhythm. But since 2000 HeartMath has offered a "do-it-yourself" equivalent: Freeze-Framer, an award-winning computer program with an innovative sensor that anyone can install in their computer at home or at work."
"Simply put: when people experience love, they not only feel happy and joyful, but they also produce, for example DHEA, the hormone that prevents aging, and gives us feelings of youthful vitality. Not surprisingly, a synthetic form of the hormone is currently sold in pill form at drugstores and health food stores. At the same time, the production of damaging stress hormones like cortisol is reduced. High levels of cortisol have been associated with Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, depression and fatigue. By contrast, a "loving body" absorbs less cholesterol, thereby preventing arteries from clogging while boosting production of immunoglobulin A, an important biochemical that boosts immune function. In addition, blood pressure stabilizes. And so HeartMath concludes that love is both and emotional and a physical state: positive feelings-like love-generate health. The reverse is also true. Someone who is angry produces less DHEA and more cortisol. And so on. HeartMath's slogan-a change of heart changes everything pretty much sums it up!"
Christiane Northrup, MD, author of the best seller Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom,
Want to try it? Follow this link to a Quick Coherence exercise you can do at home. You have to register, but it will only take a minute.
Cryer, a leader at the HeartMath Institute notes, "It is important to know that you can have a demonstrably positive effect on the world. We can change the world, starting with ourselves. It is our mission to help the world change, by helping people change. The root of most of our world's problems is a lack of emotional management, a lack of understanding, care, respect and compassion. That dysfunction damages the planet every day. We offer tools that are needed to eradicate major challenges and problems and to prevent wrongs. Those tools help the heart to make love. It's as simple as that!"
If your interested in reading more about how learning the Heart Coherence technique helped my on journey to healing read Biofeedback the Path to Healing.
The wonderful quotes included in this article are from "A Change of Heart" written by Jurriaan Kamp and were published in Ode Magazine's June 2005 issue. As well as by Bruce Cryer and Rollin McCraty Institute of HeartMath leaders.
Big FYI I said it before but I have to say it again, if you have never read Ode Magazine it is an absolute must! This magazine will keep you inspired and optimistic about your future as well as the future of our world!
Take the conscious road to authentic power!!!
Have a fantastic day!
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Today it is My Intention to Manifest a 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid! March 20, 2007 05:43 |
Today I am manifesting a 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid! That's right and for all you folks out there who feel like that might be a tad materialistic, well your right! Nevertheless, the truth is that we are born into the world to enjoy everything that is on this planet from love, to yes even a Toyota Camry Hybrid!
Wanting and desiring material items, in societies view has become a bad thing. We tend to place judgment on someone who desires material belongings. The problem is that so many of us suffer from a sense of powerlessness and lack of fulfillment in our lives that we desire external things to fill this void. That makes it unhealthy. But desiring material items can be apart of a healthy, happy and fulfilled existence if your desires are coming from a healthy perspective.
Like some of you, I have always believed that wanting or desiring material belongings was selfish, materialistic, and shallow and didn't align with my spiritual values. Truth is I don't know where I came up with that. I must of always felt that some how if you desire material items you were less spiritual?
The Universe is limitless. And with my new understanding, I embrace all that the world has to offer; including all of the wonderful inventions and glorious creations. Today I will manifest a Toyota Camry Hybrid and tomorrow I will manifest world peace!
So sit down in a quiet spot and pick your fantasy vehicle, come on don't be shy you know you want it. You may want to get on the internet first and download a picture so you can capture it in your mind.
Invite the Universe to bless you by saying "Today I invite the Universe to bless me in my effort to align myself with my soul."
Visualize yourself sitting in your new car, fully loaded with all the toys you enjoy. Try to be very specific and picture each thing, feel it, experience it. For me beautiful leather heated seats are a must!
Let it bring a smile to your face. I can feel my soft leather seats and I see myself with my partner and my new baby girl in the back seat heading to the beach. We are all happy and excited about our great adventure! Have fun with this experience, literally believe that at this moment your are driving your car, feel your hands wrapped around the steering wheel.
Feel the sensation of yourself enjoying your new car doing the things you love. Capture that joyous feeling in your heart and keep that throughout your day. Take a deep breath and believe that every time you stop and take a breath throughout your day you will recapture that joyous feeling and at the same time allow the picture of yourself driving your new car to come into your mind!
Allow the Universe to work its magic and inspire you with thoughts, ideas or feelings don't concern yourself with "HOW" the Universe will work it's magic just keep manifesting!
You will find things will run much smoother and with less effort by taking the path of least resistance and opening yourself up to the true powers of the Universe.
If your interested in reading more about spiritual health go to my Healthy Spirit page and check out a few of the articles.
Take the conscious road to authentic power!!!
Have a fantastic day!!
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Is Yoga still effective if you have a cat sitting on your face? March 21, 2007 06:13 |
At around 6 am this morning, after working 2 hours on the computer, feeding a house full of cats and strategically avoiding baby bottle washing duty it was time to start my Yoga.
It also happened to be my time to watch our baby who is affectionately known as Baby Izzy. So in the bouncy chair Baby Izzy went. I began my Yoga as I usually do by lying down on my back, emptying my mind and trying to relax all the muscles in my body.
Just as I was starting to relax my body and move into the first stretch my 3 month old cat, Sydney tromps over and proceeds to find a nice cozy spot to sleep right on my neck. She then proceeds to rest her sweet little nose directly over my right nostril. Now, my breathing was slightly altered but nothing to be too concerned about. I had one available nostril.
At the same time, Baby Izzy starts squirming like a worm so I quick, trying not to lose my new found state of relaxation pop the pacifier in her mouth and lie down again. Little Izzy continues to squirm so with my left foot I reach over and start bouncing the bouncy chair. Now Sydney, who was displaced during the pacifier incident returns to claim her territory once again, blocking my right nostril. As I am bouncing, Baby Izzy with me left foot and trying to relax only the right side of my body I can't help but think is Yoga still effective with a cat sitting on your face?
Then I began to giggle, what a seen! Sydney starts rubbing her face all over mine and Baby Izzy starts practicing her cooing! Yes, indeed I do think I am still benefiting from my Yoga! What could be more relaxing than starting your day off with a great belly laugh!
All of which got me thinking.... What are the benefits of Laughter?
"Dr. Lee Berk and fellow researcher Dr. Stanley Tan of Loma Linda University in California have been studying the effects of laughter on the immune system. To date their published studies have shown that laughing lowers blood pressure, reduces stress hormones, increases muscle flexion, and boosts immune function by raising levels of infection-fighting T-cells, disease-fighting proteins called Gamma-interferon and B-cells, which produce disease-destroying antibodies. Laughter also triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, and produces a general sense of well-being."
Sounds pretty good to me.....So what are the benefits of Yoga?
"The deep, steady breathing of yoga is believed to balance the nervous system and improve circulation," says Nicole Nisly, MD. "Combine that with visualization and relaxation, and yoga leads to a calm and focused state of mind."
The physical benefits of yoga are seen in a wide variety of health conditions. In mild cases of asthma and high blood pressure, yoga can reduce the need for medication. As well as reducing the production of stress hormones, it increases muscle tone, flexibility, and boosts immune function. Yoga also triggers the release of endorphins and produces a general sense of well-being.
Ummmm.......anybody see much difference?
I guess it comes down to everything else if I get frustrated and overwhelmed because I can't get what I want done then any possible health benefits with anything I do have pretty much been shot. But if I take things with a grain of salt and try to find the humor in them then I can only benefit whether I am doing Yoga or Laughing!
Talk a walk on the lighter side and enjoy the humor you find in everything you do!
Read Laughter the Cure for All that Ails You to learn more about how laughter can heal.
"The art of medicine consists of keeping the patient amused while nature heals the disease." Voltaire
Have a Great Day!!
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The Fundamentals of Happiness March 23, 2007 08:58 |
How can we find happiness? Is their a tangible path to happiness or is it some illusive feeling that comes and goes according to what happens around us? According to the Dalai Lama, happiness can be cultivated like all other things. The structure of the human brain is optimally designed to allow us to affect our behaviors, personality and patterns. Ultimately giving us the power to lead either unhappy or unfulfilled lives or to live inspired, happy full lives. The choice is ours.
"The systematic training of the mind- the cultivation of happiness, the genuine inner transformation by deliberately selecting and focusing on positive mental states and challenging negative mental states - is possible because of the very structure and function of the brain. We are born with brains that are genetically hardwired with certain instinctual behavior patterns; we are predisposes mentally, emotionally, and physically to respond to our environment in ways that enable us to survive. These basic sets of instructions are encoded in countless innate nerve cell activation patterns, specific combinations of brain cells fire in response to a given event experience or thought. But the wiring in our brains is not static, not irrevocably fixed. Our brains are also adaptable. Neuroscientists have documented the fact that the brain can design new patterns, new combinations of nerve cells and neurotransmitters (chemicals that transmit messages between nerve cells) in response to new input. In fact, our brains are malleable, ever changing, reconfiguring their wiring according to new thoughts and experiences. And as a result of learning, the function of individual neurons themselves change, allowing electrical signals to travel along them more readily. Scientists call the brain's inherent capacity to change "plasticity."
Simply put we may not be able to alter existing neuropath ways but we can develop new patterns or neuropath ways that are stronger and therefore become the dominant pattern.
"This is known as the practice of "Dharma." This is the constant battle within of replacing previous negative conditioning or habituation with new positive conditioning."
No matter what activity or practice we are perusing there is not anything that isn't made easier through constant familiarity and training. Through training, we can change; we can transform ourselves."
So I guess the saying practice makes perfect is true? So what do you practice to cultivate happiness?
OK you're not going to like this because you have heard it all before but here it goes!!
1.Make a Conscious Choice To Be Happy
Most things in life require that we make a conscious, deliberate choice to pursue them or they remain only an allusive dream just outside of our reach. Acknowledge you are not happy with your current self be honest with yourself and others. Commit from this day forward to live a happy, fulfilled life.
2.Cultivate a Sense of Connection With Yourself and Others
Foster friendships; we are here to experience all the joy the world has to offer and without other people to share the experience with we would not have the fulfillment and joy that we all desire. Let people in to your core to share in your vulnerability and your growth.
3.Focus on Forgiveness of Yourself and Others
Forgiveness is not always easy but the more we say the words "I am sorry" the easier and more natural they become. It does not take away from who we are as a person to forgive it is what makes us complete.
4.Cultivate Gratitude
Be grateful for every moment you have the good, the bad and the boring. Each moment is precious and provides us with a path to wholeness. Embrace each experience and say thanks at the end of each day for all that you have, all that you experienced and all the opportunities you will create.
5.Counteract Negative Thoughts and Feelings
This requires a conscious effort on your part to acknowledge negative thoughts and to replace them with positive feelings. To build positive neuropath ways that will dominate your thinking requires constant practice. If you have a tendency to be negative, it simply means you have focused on negative feelings or have practiced being negative more than positive. It is that simple! Practice positive feelings!
6.Shift your Focus
Focus only on YOU. Accept the fact that you cannot change another human being. And in fact, that is not your job or your place. You can only change yourself. Shift your focus to what it is you are doing and feeling. You may be surprised that you are in fact doing some of the same things that you are criticizing others for doing.
7.Engage in Meaningful Activities
If your life is filled with mundane, unsatisfying activities, attaining happiness will be an uphill battle. Are you living an inspired life? Are you engaging in activities that you desire, that make you happy? Engaging in activities that have meaning to your true, authentic self brings you tremendous joy. Find out what is meaningful to you and pursue those activities.
8.Cultivate physical, Mental and Spiritual Health
We are physical beings living in a physical world. We need to tend to our bodies, our minds as well as our spirits. Eating right, exercising and practicing our spiritual beliefs on a daily basis with help cultivate the seeds of happiness.
9.Pursue Pleasure
Do things that bring you total JOY. Things that inspire you, please you and provide you with a boundless sense of love and joy. We all know that feeling we just need to make it a priority to pursue pleasure!
Toolbox
We are human and we require structure and repetition to alter our behaviors and ultimately alter our lives. Creating a toolbox to support your goals is essential.
1.Meditation or Prayer
Find a meditation that works for you and practice it everyday! It is that simple giving yourself the time to release everything, to be in the moment change your life.
2.Movement
No matter what your situation or condition you must move your body! We are human and our bodies are required to be fluid to function properly. This functioning is not limited to the physical self it also influences your mental health and spiritual health. Remember we are a whole being.
3.Sleep
Proper sleep is essential for our physical and mental wellbeing. It is our time to regenerate and recover from the experiences of the day. With out the proper sleep your body will be running on a constant deficit and will always be compromised. Thus making it all that more difficult to obtain happiness and wellbeing.
4.Proper Nutrition
As with exercise, we must acknowledge we are human beings with basic needs to function properly. Eating right will provide you with the optimum resources necessary to attain your physical, mental and spiritual goals.
5.Breathing
Simple enough but most of us do not breathe deeply enough to engage our bodies and provide our cells with all the necessary nutrients to function properly. Practice deep breathing throughout the day whenever you remember.
6.Humor
Humor ultimately is the best medicine. From a physical perspective it releases endorphins in our body, which makes us feel better, and it releases pent up emotions that if not released become toxic to our body. The more we can laugh at ourselves the healthier and happier we will be.
7.Practice, Practice, Practice
The exerpts above are from one of my favorite books The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living
Funny enough it really doesn't matter what your situation is the rules are the same read Tools for Dealing with a Chronic Illness to learn more about the tools and techniques you can use to live a happy and fullfilled life.
Take the conscious road to authentic power!!!
Have a fantastic day!!
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