Natural Health and Wellness

If you are looking to find peace this holiday season, and any and every other time, the words of wisdom from the HeartMath Institute go a long way. Here is a featured article by Doc Childre of HeartMath in Prevention with 5 simple yet powerful ways to transform your stress: Here are some excerpts: Release Frustration, Impatience, Irritation and Anxiety: When you feel impatient, stop and still your body and mind; then imagine you are breathing in the attitude of patience. If you feel anxiety, breathe the feeling of calm and inner balance... This resets your emotional system and stops the stress response.  Say No to Drama: ... become conscious of when you are preoccupied with excessive worry and drama. Then, when you sense drama coming on, try to slow down and take pause (again, be still in your body and your mind, just for a moment). Reduce Self-Judgement: Practice releasing judgments of yourself. Be easy on yourself. Try to connect to your heart, release your feelings ...

Introduction to Reflexology: November 17, 2012 10:00AM-5:00PM, UCSC  Call 459-2668 or Register online at  www.UCSCRecreation.com  . Class size is limited. Lecture Self help with Reflexology for stress November 6, 2012 7:30-9:00  Way Of Life lecture series 464-4113 World Peace, Blessings and Many Thanks!

Get a little self-help with guided self-hypnosis recordings. Choose from a wide array of categories to help you sleep better, relax, overcome personal issues and more! Load it on your iPod and increase the joy in your life! http://www.hypnosisdownloads.com/all-downloads

'Tis the Season to over-indulging, blood-sugar roller coaster rides, stress, and partying with a lot of viruses! It is a sure cocktail to feeling a little blue and bulgy. The good news is there are some strategies to help get you through the holidays. Drink plenty of water. Yes, water. Not just wine, cocktails, juice, coffee, tea, or other beverages. Water helps you to feel fuller and is the only drink that hydrates your body. This is also beneficial because winter tends to be very drying due to our heated homes. Try to drink some water at least every 2 hours. Have a healthy light snack before going out to dinner. Eat some fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, or seeds to partially fill your tummy with some nutrient dense food so you won't over eat on things that are less healthy. Eat Less. Watch your portion size when filling your plate. Intentionally leave some space on your plate and don't go back for seconds. Your body will thank you for this. Eat Slow. Take your time eatin...

This photo from Stock Vault photos is entitled, "Releasing the Demons." That is a STRESSFUL thought. In my humble opinion this photo is a depiction of STRESS. . . and STRESS is our topic here! Look at these STRESS statistics compiled for a recent REFLEXOLOGY presentation. *7 out of every 10 people who die each year had been living with a chronic illness. *1 out of every 2 of us in now living with a chronic illness. *For 3 of every 4 of those with a chronic illness, STRESS may be a contributing factor. (American Medical Association) *A full 43% of US adults suffer adverse effects from STRESS. (American Psychological Association) *More than 80% of physician office visits are associated with unresolved stress issues. *Stress is a big factor in more than 75% of all illnesses diagnosed today with many studies putting this figure closer to 90%. (www.About.com) *Depression, only one type of stress reaction, is predicted to be the leading occupational disease of the 2...

I loved this article sent to me so much I had to share it. It's from the "Inner Quality Tip"  Newsletter from Heartmath.com . Wow... to be a kid again! THE LIGHTER SIDE Someone once told me while I was in the midst of a difficult situation, if there's the slightest chance you might look back on this some day and laugh about it, start laughing now. Granted, this doesn't always work, but it sure has helped me get through some tough times.  In addition to facilitating a perceptual shift, laughter has a lot of other benefits. Studies  1  on humor and laughter from Duke University, Loma Linda University, UCLA and others have shown: Laughing helps relax tense muscles. It reduces the production of stress hormones. Laughter and a positive attitude strengthen the immune system. It allows a person to 'forget' about aches and pains and perceive pain as less intense. A good laugh is like an aerobic workout for the heart and lungs--increasing the body's ability to ...

Continuously amazed at God's sense of humor. Last Sunday I was asked to help lead our women's Sunday Morning Bible Study. The topic: The Frazzled Female. As I prayed about and contemplated this all week things were going pretty smoothly. You're thinking, "Yeah right, you're about to get knocked on your keester just about the time you think it's going so well!" Of course, that is correct. I found myself in near tears, and at the same time laughing out loud at how ridiculous my whole unraveled week looked in the bigger scheme of things. I did make the phone call to accept the invitation. I knew that all of the week's events were just "material" to share in class. This illustration pretty much sums up how I felt yesterday (although I did get things in a bit clearer perspective eventually). Today was a better day. Looking forward to tomorrow! The ever present question still in my mind however: "Just how do we set priorities and boundaries th...

Valor® , is a proprietary blend of therapeutic grade essential oils from Young Living . Young Living offers over 100 different essential oils and essential oil blends. This specific blend reached out and caught my attention in a BIG BIG way . . . That experience, which I'll share today, not only grabbed my attention, it hooked me on the oils that I love so much. Young Living also incorporates these therapeutic grade oils into a host of personal care products, dietary supplements, and household products that are non-toxic, eco-friendly, and wonderful to use. Now for my personal story of Valor® -- A bit long, but I truly wished to share the whole traumatic experience for you to know how truly blessed I felt upon the discovery of this great essential oil. Three years ago this past December -- it was the day after Christmas -- the Mid-South section of the county was recovering from a major ice storm & a devastating tsunami was hitting Thailand. That was the day! Our son and daug...

”Tranquility is life to the body, and contention is rottenness to the bones.” These incredibly wise words of King Solomon (at least in part) are seen at the top of this blog every time you visit. They also ring so true. Last week was not a tranquil one in the life of our family, and my body has felt it . . . particularily in exhaustion and what appeared to me as diminished mental capabilities at times. Anyone else been there?!? The events our family faced last week – some blissful and some quite sorrowful – were all ones we are unable to avoid. While we welcomed a beautiful new granddaughter into our lives, bringing us much joy, demands on our time and energy were truly stretched. Last week we also lost a beloved uncle, and readmitted my mother-in-law to the hospital once again as we watch her life diminishing. Stress is all around us. Sometimes, as in the situations above, it takes all that we have to make it through. Then our bodies let us know they are exhausted and in need of rest...

Surrounded by so much chaos . . . stress and frustrations on the left and on the right . . . in front and rear too . . . take the time to sit . . . and rest . . . focusing your eyes on the one who securely holds your hand . . . perhaps meditate on the words penned by a famous shepherd . . . they may tickle sweet emotions long forgotten . . . speak soothing life to your parched spirit . . . If these words of the 23rd Psalm sound a little different, they are . . . smile! Take a fresh look . . . From THE MESSAGE -- Psalm 23 GOD, my shepherd! I don't need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows; you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I'm not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure. You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing....