Knowing how your mind works is a great advantage in the modern world especially since it creates your reality. Whether it is a happy and successful reality is up to you.
Successful (or effective) people know their own minds and recognize the relationship between their thinking and their reality.  They make spiritually smart decisions that are in alignment with a higher power source.  Successful people look within for guidance.

Unsuccessful (or ineffective) people have no clue what they are thinking and see no relationship between their thoughts and their reality.  They make unconscious decisions that are disconnected from a higher power.  Unsuccessful people look to other people for guidance.

A major problem in the world today is that human beings have not developed their thinking skills.
Here’s a thought to ponder (I love brain twisters).  Just because you have a thought does not mean you are thinking!
Thoughts fly through our heads all day long (to the tune of about 65,000 a day, and 95% of those are thoughts we have already thought, and those are negative and limiting).

In this mode, we are on autopilot and going nowhere fast, circling the same territory again and again.
Thinking involves a conscious and deliberate act to monitor and choose the thoughts you want to think. It involves asking yourself questions so you can gain insight and revelation. It is kind of like conscious dialoguing with yourself and a higher power.

It’s been said many times in the field of self-help that we become what we think about all day long.
So when we allow unconscious and negative thoughts to run through our minds all day long, guess what our reality is like?!

Not a pretty picture.

Speaking of pictures, are you aware that your brain thinks in images?

Let me demonstrate….

If I were to say— think of a horse.

You would think of a horse

If I were to say— think of a purple horse.

You would think of a purple horse.

If I would say— DON’T think of a horse.

You would still think of a horse.

what I mean!

So what are you telling yourself-what to do or what not to do?

Follow me……If you are saying to yourself:

Don’t make a mistake.

Your subconscious cannot see “don’t” so it “sees” mistake and that is what you get.
In fact, research shows the brain cannot “compute” words like no, don’t can’t, not and yet we use them all the time.
(To do your own research, keep a log of the number of times you and those around you use these words in our daily conversations!) You will be astonished.

I was— especially when I did my job on the junior high campus: “Don’t run. Don’t talk.” “No talking. ”

Ha. The kids do just the opposite!

To grow new neural pathways in your brain,  you may want to think/say something like this: I am completely focused and get my work done ahead of schedule.
Now your brain can go to work on how to make that happen.

Michelle L. Casto, is known as the Destiny Diva and Purpose Guide. She is an inspirational speaker, and Author of 30+ life empowerment products and books. Her coaching practice is Brightlight Coaching, she helps people come discover their highest purpose and make smart life changes. Find her on social media as “Bright Michelle.” Her latest book, The Destiny Discovery: Find Your Soul’s Path to Success is a guide to help you find your higher purpose in life.

To receive your free special Destiny Success Kit, visit http://www.BrightLightCoach.com http://www.LiveYourDivineDestiny.com
Follow Michelle on social media, she is “Bright Michelle”
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Discover-How-Your-Mind-Creates&id=2825742] Discover How Your Mind Creates

Affirmations are short sentences stating something, and are often used to improve behavioural issues and blocks that may be stopping you from accomplishing your goals, or preventing you from being happy. But even if you don’t believe in them, affirmations are already on your life, often in the form of negative affirmations. Every time you tell yourself that you can’t do something or that you are too old/heavy/ugly/slow to do something you want to do, you are using a negative affirmation to reinforce that belief. Positive affirmations are created to counteract those negative thoughts.

Positive affirmations are created to target particular behaviours that you know are negative, and help you achieve your goals by convincing yourself that you can actually do it. You cannot win a race if you never start running or if you just give up mid-way because somehow, you knew you were going to lose anyway. It’s easy to see negative behaviour patterns on others, such as that workmate that never gets a promotion because he never asks for it, but it’s much more difficult to see them on yourself. By identifying those goals that are dearest for you, you can then see what kind of negative behaviour patterns are stopping you on your tracks, and create an opposing positive affirmation to replace them on your mind.

Many negative thoughts originate from seemingly innocent comments made to you during your life that spiral out of control, or from well-meaning adults trying to excuse a mistake without making you feel bad. Take for example those people who never manage a diet, because they think that obesity is just their body build. Believing that you are just overweight because that’s how life is and your mum always said that you just had to live with being round is not only damaging, but it’s stopping you from actually succeeding on a diet. Unless there’s an underlying medical issue, eating chocolate because a little voice on your head tells you that dieting is not going to work for you because your metabolism is slow is not leading you anywhere.

Turn around your negative thoughts into a positive affirmation that you can repeat happily and regularly to yourself, until it becomes part of you. This way you can actually invite change into your life, and change those things that are preventing you from being happy, or limiting your ability to enjoy yourself. There will be always a certain degree of resistance, as your subconscious doesn’t want to change deeply seated behaviour patterns that at some point were useful, but if you persevere you’ll soon start noticing that resistance fade and positive changes taking effect on your life. This, in turn, makes it easier for you to believe on the power of positive affirmations and your innate capacity for change.

If you aren’t sure about the power of [http://www.personalsuccesstalk.com/]positive affirmations and a [http://www.personalsuccesstalk.com/]positive attitude to change your life you only need to try. Create an affirmation about a single goal that is important for you, and write it down, sing it or repeat it for yourself several times a day. Once the initial feelings of resistance fade you’ll find yourself thinking differently, and that’s the first step towards actually enabling change on your life.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Positive-Affirmations-Can-Counteract-Negative-Thoughts&id=6798006] Positive Affirmations Can Counteract Negative Thoughts

By

Dr. Janine Bowring, ND

Stress causes a vicious cycle that affects our well-being. Stress causes us to feel uprooted and ungrounded, which causes us to feel more stress and the cycle continues. Stress causes us to disconnect from what is important in our daily lives such as proper diet, exercise and sleep. When we are stressed, we are less likely to take care of our emotional and spiritual health as well.

I can’t think of anyone that I know who doesn’t have stress. Unless you are an extremely enlightened person or a Buddhist monk, you have stress. It is a natural part of our existence as humans on earth. We have work stress, or no-work stress, family stress, health stress, wealth stress or lack of wealth stress, stress, stress, stress. So we all have it, but it’s what we do with it that makes all the difference. Studies show that if we have an outlet for stress, the deleterious effects of it are less than if we just store it. In the book Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers, the author Robert Sapolski talks about an experiment done on rats to test their stress levels. Two groups of rats were given shocks. One group was allowed to gnaw on some wood and the other was not. Guess what? The rats that were able to gnaw and had an outlet for stress formed less ulcers compared to the other group with no outlet.

Stress has to be the number one cause of illness today. Stress is toxic. Stress has been studied extensively and is known to have certain physiological effects on the body. The following is a very simplified breakdown of the bodily effects of stress.

Stress causes part of the autonomic (automatic) nervous system to go into overdrive. This is called the sympathetic nervous system and causes:
� Increased respiration
� Increased heart rate
� Increased blood flow to the internal organs
� Increased blood pressure
� Decreased digestion in the small intestine
� Increased motility in large intestine

The sympathetic drive is also known as the Fight or Flight Response. It is a survival mechanism that allows the body to react to what it perceives as danger. The reaction in most animals is to run away from the stress. What is interesting is that even our everyday, non-threatening stressors can cause the same physiological mechanisms to fall into place, just as if we were being chased by a hungry shark.
Hans Selye, MD, PhD, was the father of the concept of stress and its physiological effects on the body. He developed the classification of the stress response and named it the General Adaptation Syndrome or GAS.

Arousal is the first stage of the stress response. This is when the body prepares to fight. There is an increase in adrenalin and noradrenalin and cortisol that are secreted by the adrenal glands. The next stage is the adaptation stage when the body secretes sustained high levels of cortisol and alarm molecules. In this stage there is altered glucose tolerance, blood pressure irregularities, thyroid and sex hormone changes. The final stage is exhaustion, when the cortisol levels drop, immunity is compromised and chronic disease sets in.

What is common in today’s society is that we push ourselves for prolonged periods of time and usually have the energy to get whatever it is we are working on accomplished. However, when it is our down time or Christmas holidays it is then that we get sick. This is a beautiful example of the GAS. The stress of a project keeps our cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrin secretion high and in the adaptation stage. When the project is finished, we reach exhaustion and can get sick because our hormone secretion will not longer sustain our needs.

Stress Causes Illness and it has been scientifically proven that stress hormones alter the normal functioning of various body systems. Stress depletes the immune system, hinders proper digestion and alters the blood sugar. This can lead to serious diseases such as heart disease, cancer, colitis, Crohn’s disease and diabetes.

Chronic stress depletes our immune system. High levels of cortisol lower T-killer cells, halts the maturing of white blood cells and can even kill white blood cells directly. High cortisol is a protective mechanism in times of acute stress. If you were about to be ravaged by a hungry bear, your bodies first instinct would not be to fight off the bacteria that you just encountered from swimming in the polluted lake. The body would use all its energy to get your body moving to get out of there, and fast. However, if the stress is prolonged and chronic, the elevated cortisol levels suppressing the immune system become more of a problem.

In order to digest food properly, our systems need to be in the relaxed mode or parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system. In this state, we secrete the enzymes necessary for digestion. For this reason, it is not advisable to eat on the run, in our cars, standing up, during heated family discussions or in loud, chaotic atmospheres. We need to become more conscious of our food as nourishment and take the time and effort to create soothing atmospheres in which to eat and digest.

I always ask patients with digestive problems the circumstances in which they eat their meals. I am usually not surprised to find that most of them eat on the run. By slowing down and taking the proper time to enjoy meals, these patients often improve their digestion without taking any remedies at all. This is a great example of one of the principles of naturopathic medicine I mentioned in the introduction. By treating the root cause of disease the symptoms will clear. If these patients just took digestive enzymes to improve their digestion, sure their digestion would improve, yet it would only be a band-aid on the original problem being dysregulation of enzyme secretion due to stress.

High cortisol levels due to stress make it more difficult for the body to maintain blood glucose levels. Insulin receptor sites on cell walls become resistant to insulin when cortisol is high. This is called insulin resistance. The body reacts to too much glucose in the blood by secreting more insulin. This eventually leads to type II diabetes if not controlled. A yo-yo scenario can occurs in which one may be constantly munching on food to maintain their blood sugar. This of course can lead to weight gain, causing more stress!
In order to decrease stress levels, it is important to take a break from the everyday stressors and do something healthy such as exercise, yoga, meditation and/or deep breathing exercises, everyday. It is critical to be proactive about our stress, to alleviate the likelihood of manifesting serious diseases.

I formulated VitaTree Stress and Sleep Formula to help the nervous system decrease its sensitivity to stress. The formula is unique in that it is non sedating and helps to take the strain off of a stressed individual’s system, without being addictive or habit-forming like so many of the conventional drugs for stress. The Stress and Sleep Formula also helps anxiety and panic attacks, nervousness and insomnia. For more information visit   rel=nofollow http://www.tryvitatree.com.

Dr. Janine Bowring is a naturopathic doctor and author of The Healthy Millionaire-The Secret to Manifesting Health and Wealth.
She is the formulator of VitaTree Nutritionals, a whole food supplement company.
For more information visit http://www.tryvitatree.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Natural-Cures-for-Stress-and-Sleep-Problems&id=6793211] Natural Cures for Stress and Sleep

Image:© Pathathai Chungyam | Dreamstime.com

If you mention peppermint, many people immediately think of candy canes or after-dinner mints. There isn’t any real peppermint oil in those, but the thought of peppermint for digestion is there. They do however contain sugar which will make some stomach problems worse.

I personally like putting a drop of peppermint in my water at restaurants. It helps digest food and is better that most of the other beverage options. I will also put a tiny bit on my tongue to freshen breath instead of mints or gum. And a bonus is that it will curb the appetite.

Peppermint is a powerful essential oil that has antiviral and antibacterial properties. One drop of peppermint oil is equal to 26 cups of peppermint tea. Powerful indeed! It’s ability to stop nausea from stomach up set or indigestion is well-known and is amazing to me. And a cup of this tea in the afternoon on a cold day can be a needed pick-me-up!

Our grandsons have had nausea from a stomach virus in the past and peppermint helped stop it in no time. For very young children you would want to dilute it 50/50 with either olive oil or a good organic vegetable oil. It can be applied to the bottoms of the feet.

Have you ever had motion sickness of any kind? I use to get car sick a lot, especially if I rode in the back seat. I sure wish I had peppermint oil back then. Just inhaling it will stop nausea most of the time. Rarely would you have to apply it topical. I carry a bottle with me all the time. You never know when you or someone with you will need it. I have also took family members home from the hospital feeling like they are going to lose their cookies and peppermint kept that from happening.

Morning sickness is no fun either. I had that when I was pregnant with my first baby. Not only did I have the typical morning sickness, but I was working in a hospital sterilizing surgical instruments and the solution was making me very nauseous. There again, I wish I had peppermint oil. Inhaling it or applying to the bottoms of my feet would have been excellent.

Peppermint essential oil can also relieve the symptoms, including nausea, of IBS and Crohn’s. If you have ever been somewhere besides home and get an attack of IBS, peppermint can be a blessing.
This essential oil is not only good for stomach and digestive problems, but for many other things as well, such as headaches, fever, memory, energy, sinus congestion, pain relief, itching and more. It is a very versatile oil.

Carol is an essential oil educator and a certified reflexologist. As a distributor of Young Living Essential Oils, she teaches the importance of using genuine, authentic essential oils for health and healing. She has been an advocate of natural health and wellness for the past 35 years. Among the things she has studied includes, the use essential oils, iridology, muscle testing, nutrition, tapping and other forms of energy medicine.
For more information and tips about Young Living Essential Oils, visit http://younglivingoils4life.com and get my Free Report, 7 Days of 7 Oils That Will Change Your Life!
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Stop-Nausea-With-Peppermint-Essential-Oil&id=6702896] How to Stop Nausea With Peppermint Essential Oil

Alternative Remedies are becoming more and more common these days and also are those who get deceived by false promises made by illegitimate Alternative Medicine Practitioners.
Here are some rules for using alternative remedies wisely

Discuss It with Your Physician First
Most doctors are surprisingly open-minded about complementary therapies, as experts suggest.
Always inform your doctor about herbs or supplements you’re taking because some may have tendency to interact with other medications.

Ask For Evidence
Testimonials are just not evidences and they are definitely not enough. If you are unsure whether something is not legitimate you may check it out on the site for National Center for Complementary And Alternative Medication nccam.nih.gov or in other evidence based websites available on the internet for example mayoclinic.com

How Strong is the evidence?
It’s clear that alternative remedies and supplements activate certain parts of the brain while de-activating others. Studies of these alternative therapies have been too small for firm conclusions.
Alternative treatments such as Hypnosis seem to have worked well in certain conditions. Research shows hypnosis reduces pain to a great extent. Hypnosis is much safer than some alternative medicines we use for so many conditions.

Beware Of Red Indicators
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Remember the problems that have stumped medical science are attractive magnets for these alternative remedies salesmen.

Request References

A legitimate alternative medical practitioner will be very modest to offer references of at least two registered medical practitioners with whom he or she would love to work with.

Choose herbs and supplements judiciously
The label should include a list of ingredients and the expiry date. Always be aware that these alternative medicine products aren’t regulated stringently as regular drugs. Some so-called alternative remedies may contain heavy metals like lead and other. It is always advisable to consult consumerlab.com which tests supplements for contamination and strength.

Understand the Limits
Too much of anything is good for nothing. Just word of mouth information will do no good in opting for these alternative remedies. Science always looks in for proof and for it to accept something it needs concrete evidence. Unless and until you are very sure that something has worked really for someone never even have a temptation to try it out. Alternative medicine will not cure everything but it can work in some conditions. Generally speaking these alternative remedies shouldn’t be substitutes for seeing a regular M.B.B.S or MD Medical Practitioner.

Praveen is the owner and creator of some of the hottest sites in wide range of topics http://www.madezee.com – Comprehensive Information Resource Portal aimed to make life easier. http://www.twominuteguides.info – Two Minute Guides offers extensive and in depth information about a wide range of topics, find information in just 2 minutes.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Alternative-Remedies---Using-Them-Wisely&id=6761644] Alternative Remedies – Using Them Wisely

I have recently found myself exploring the subject of Creativity and Imagination. Something that whether we realize it or not, we all have. I find it interesting that many of us if asked say that we are not creative. We have the misperception that to be creative we have to be artistic in some way. Being creative is often linked to activities such as painting, drawing, writing and craftwork but not much else.

We seem to forget that there are many other ways of being creative including cooking, decorating our living spaces and offices, finding new ways to solve problems or finding different ways of doing the same old thing. Imagination goes hand in hand with creativity and is a real asset, but is often undervalued. Without imagination, the computer I am using to create this article would not have come into existence. Bill Gates would not have created Microsoft and Edison would not have given us electric light!

Unfortunately, as children our creativity is often stifled by our experiences at school as we are expected to fit into the education system whether the education system fits us or not. We are told that we have “too much imagination” which makes us feel that to be imaginative and creative is a bad thing. Our ideas are pooh- poohed when they do not fit into the traditional way of thinking. So we learn not to voice our ideas or try to do things differently in fear of being humiliated.

Those of us who neglect our creativity restrict ourselves unnecessarily. Our lives are not complete. I believe stifling our creativity impacts on our mental and emotional health and can have severe physical ramifications to the most creative part of our body, our reproductive organs. As Caroline Myss Ph.D. in her book Anatomy of the Spirit says “Blocking this energy can cause impotence, infertility, vaginal infections, endometriosis and depression.” Now there is some food for thought!

We do not have to be a Bill Gates or Thomas Edison to be creative. We can just be ourselves. We all have the ability to use our imagination and creativity. When we have ideas even though they may seem a bit wacky, it is good think them through further rather than dismissing them out of hand. My suggestion is: discuss your ideas with someone you trust to see if they can be developed.

Let your Creativity shine, not just in your home life but in your work life too. Being creative can make a boring job more interesting. Showing your Boss your creativity forte could even get you a promotion. Or at least make your job more satisfying. So ignore the critics, get creating and enjoy the ride.

If you enjoyed my article and would like to know more about me and the services I offer, please go to my web site: http://www.theoutandabouttherapist.com

If you would like to contact me, you can do so through my web site: http://www.theoutandabouttherapist.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Appreciate-and-Use-Your-Creativity&id=6774883] Appreciate and Use Your Creativity

How many times do you bend, stretch, lift, sit, stay up late, cut your exercise routine short (or skip it altogether), or worry in the average week?
What a ridiculous question! Of course no one keeps track of such details. But the fact is, many uncomfortable, limiting health conditions are less about one single factor than we realize. Much of “how we feel” comes from the accumulated effect of thousands of small actions (or inactions).

Now, at the threshold of a new year and a new perspective, get started moving in the direction of better wellness. Begin with these simple tips.

In the workplace:
- Sit with an upright posture with a good chair designed for back support.
- Get up and stretch on a regular basis. Better yet, take a walk.
- Especially for men: Take your wallet out of your pocket before sitting down. That little bit of extra height in one back pants pocket can throw off alignment.

At the gym:
- If you haven’t already, begin a regular exercise routine that includes cardio, weights, and flexibility.
- Check your fitness routine. Does it include proper strengthening of the core abdominals? These muscles help support the back, a must for pain-free living.
- No matter what activities you choose, be sure to alert your instructor to any health issues before your start. Modifications in the routine can both increase your strength and movement in problem areas and help you avoid new injuries.

At home:
- Are you enjoying your life? Take time for you! This is not a luxury but a wellness must: Keeping stress from building up is a huge step toward better health.
- Get proper rest. That means sleeping on a mattress that is neither too worn nor too soft to support you properly. Sleep is essential for repairing negative effects on body tissue as well as maintaining sharp thinking, focus, and memory. And if you are dealing with a chronic condition, remember: Everything hurts more when you are tired.
- Side-sleeping with a pillow between the knees can reduce back, hip, or knee pain and stiffness.
- Lift heavy objects and children safely by bending your knees, not twisting your back.
- Avoid taking pills for minor pain relief. Instead, try using heat or cold, or alternate between them. Over-the-counter heat wraps, icy hot gels, etc. can help make this simple. Read instructions carefully. And see your doctor for pain that doesn’t respond to these treatments.
- Lose weight if necessary. When there is too much weight around the middle, the body’s center of gravity is shifted forward, which can place strain on back muscles.

Everywhere:
- Leave heavy bags behind at home rather than weighing yourself down. If you don’t need it, don’t carry it.
- Find ways to “change the channel” when anxiety mounts. Discover the activities and actions that reduce your stress level, and try to stay positive. My 3Rs technique is a great way to start the de-stressing process.
- Play music. It doesn’t matter what type as long as it’s something you enjoy. Research has shown that music reduces anxiety and depression.

If indeed “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”–and it is!–then you have much to gain from taking a few small measures to protect your body from everyday stresses. Act now. You, and your continued wellness in the new year, are worth it.

Suppose there were a health professional who understood your concerns and acknowledged the risks you are taking in your weight loss journey. There is! I’m [http://www.robertamittman.com]Roberta Mittman, and I want to help you find the way to successful weight management in a safe, intimate group setting, [http://www.theweightisovernow.com]The Weight Is Over. Imagine, weight loss success–and the good health, energy, and confidence that come with it!

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?15-Small-Steps-in-the-Right-Wellness-Direction-for-2012&id=6770365] 15 Small Steps in the Right Wellness Direction for 2012

Do you struggle with stress? Stress can aggravate or cause health problems. Stress can influence depression, diabetes, hair loss, heart disease, hyperthyroidism, obesity, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorder, sexual dysfunction, tooth and gum disease, ulcers and possibly even cancer. Many people are stressed to a degree, especially during the holiday season. Work can increase if you are in a business affected by the seasons. For most of us, our activities increase. We shop more for gifts, extra food for celebrations, special clothes and shoes. We may have more events on our calendar; usually celebrations with others. We may have parties for work, organizations we belong to, church, neighborhood, family and friends. All this activity takes more time and mental focus, which can cause stress. We also may be getting together with people we love, but who trigger stress in us as well. So how can we take care of ourselves during the holiday season? How can we avoid stress? Here are fifteen suggestions. I hope you will try at least some of them.

1. Avoid procrastination as much as possible. Doing things last-minute can add stress because things may go wrong, or we run out of time.

2. Plan extra time. Take the time you think a project will take and double that.

3. Prepare ahead. As much as possible, prepare meals and other projects ahead of time, like wrapping gifts. For example, I tend to shop year-round for gifts for the winter holidays.

4. Prioritize your day. Make a to-do list, but pick three things that are the priority and do them first.

5. Meditate. If you have never tried it, it really works to help you de-stress. Meditation clears the mind, renews it, relaxes tension, and calms you. Your local library is likely to have a book for the beginner on meditation, or you can look up ideas online. You can use guided meditation, listen to music or just silence. The main idea is to clear your mind of thoughts by releasing them as they come up. I meditate for 15-20 minutes usually, and some meditate for an hour, but even 5 minutes can help.

6. Exercise can raise endorphins and release toxins from stress through perspiration. Yoga is especially good at de-stressing. You can exercise indoors. If the weather is good, you can go for a walk.

7. Know that your holiday does not have to be perfect. Accept mistakes as gifts to remind us of our humanity and of a learning experience.

8. You don’t have to do everything that everyone else does. Narrow it down.

9. Don’t do everything by yourself. Delegate. If you have a family, let the children and partner share in the responsibility. Invite friends over to decorate.

10. Be careful of spending. Overspending causes stress. Make a budget and plan ahead on your purchases so you can add them up and see what your total will be. This will help you avoid the stress of after-holiday bills.

11. Laugh. Find the funny side of as many situations as possible. Laugh heartily and long. Laughter releases stress, builds up muscle and burns calories. See a funny movie, read the comics, read a funny book and talk to a funny friend.

12. Listen to relaxing music. If you don’t have any music that is relaxing, (I’m not referring to holiday music) find music for meditation at the local library or online. Music for meditation is very relaxing and can be listened to while you do your activities or work.

13. Get plenty of sleep. Sleep restores the brain and renews it. Getting eight hours of sleep during the holiday season can be one of the best ways to de-stress.

14. Eat well. Good nutrition can feed your brain. Get plenty of omega-3 fatty acids that are found in vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, as well as oily fish and ground flax seed. It nourishes your brain.

15. Get a massage. This will feel wonderful, will relax the tension from your body and help you to de-stress.
I hope you will try these ideas for relaxing during the holidays and at other times as well if you feel stress coming on. I also hope you will enjoy your holidays with a tension-free and stress-free, wonderful, relaxing, but joy-filled time! More information about stress and its effect on health can be found at;

rel=nofollow [http://stress.about.com/od/stresshealth/a/stresshealth.htm]http://stress.about.com/od/stresshealth/a/stresshealth.htm.
Nanette Saucier is a graduate of the University of California at Davis, California with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology. She also studied Communication Disorders at the University of Montana, the University of Arizona and San Jose State University in California. Nanette worked as a Speech-Language Therapist with children in the public school system. She is now a well-trained, compassionate Life Coach who specializes in weight loss and all other issues that have to with living a happy, peaceful life. Nanette Saucier is dedicated to inspire and empower you to live your best life! Please feel free to visit her website at http://www.your-best-lifecoaching.com where you can find out more about her life coaching service, read more of her writing and find recommended books and CD’s that may be useful to you, including those on the topic of wellness.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Beat-the-Holiday-Stress&id=6760607] Beat the Holiday Stress

As a nation, America is getting fatter every year, with one in three people suffering from obesity. “Suffering” being the operative word. Walking around with 50 or more pounds of more weight than you should be can cause shortness of breath, a feeling of very low energy or sluggishness, unhealthy but strong food cravings, bloating, constipation, and abdominal pains. Can prebiotic supplements help with weight loss?

One of the most highly recommended food nutrients for improving many of our modern digestive disorders, including excessive weight gain is dietary fiber. You’ve heard it before, but considering the modern-day diet, it’s easy to see how difficult it is for most of us to relinquish the convenience and flavors that are the typical high process food diet, best exemplified by the American diet.

Dietary fiber

So many foods available to us contain good amounts of quality dietary fiber but unfortunately we don’t get nearly enough from commercially processed and packaged foods or restaurant chains. These processed foods are high in calories but too low in nutrients. That’s exactly where the problem lies.
Too many empty calories, making us fat and not supplying our body with the nutrients it needs to maintain good health. These processed foods slow down the body’s metabolic rate, making it harder and harder to burn fat. Add a lack of physical exercise and a sedentary lifestyle and you get the present-day problem that is growing at an alarming rate, and never before experienced in our history; obesity.

Adding more fiber

Eliminate all the highly processed commercial foods you possibly can and add whole, unrefined foods to your diet. Examples include replacing white bread and rice with whole grain bread and brown rice. Fresh fruits and raw vegetables are a good source of fiber. Adding a quality and natural prebiotic supplement will increase your chances for success, especially if you can’t get high enough amounts from natural, quality food sources.
The dietary fiber known as soluble fiber is the acting prebiotic substance in a prebiotic supplement or food. Soluble fiber takes in water and in doing so will create a sticky gel-like substance which prolongs the slow release of nutrients into the body.

This is a great example of a natural appetite suppressant in action, keeping you full and fulfilled longer, decreasing your appetite and helping to avoid eating more unneeded calories.

You need the right [http://natural-digestion.com/prebiotics-and-weight-loss]prebiotic supplements for weight loss – Learn the facts at http://www.Natural-Digestion.com – information based on independent, and thorough research on one of our most important subjects; digestive health.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-Prebiotic-Supplements-Can-Help-With-Weight-Loss&id=6774320] How Prebiotic Supplements Can Help With Weight Loss

So you’ve been to your favorite crystal shop and found the perfect Quartz point to start your collection. It stands there on your kitchen table glistening in the afternoon sun that filters through the nets across your window. It seems to be waiting for something. You sit there for a while wondering what to do next and decide to have a cup of tea. As you sip your brew of green tea and nettles, you continue looking into the crystal, examining the minor imperfections and inclusions that drew you too it in the first place.

Is it really calling out to you for something?

Crystals do have a habit of letting you know when they need a bit of care. This can be via a gentle intuitive nudge when you know it needs charging, cleansing or just being sat with. They can also seem to stick to you too. You either get a mental shout from them or your hand is drawn to them without you really knowing why, except that you know the crystal needs attention in some way. They can also do daft things like fall off your display shelf for no obvious reason, although this is a rarity for more obvious reasons. Taking a nose dive onto the carpet is not particularly good for them so this is avoided wherever possible.

Caring for your crystals can take many forms and there is no set formula that you must follow. The best method is the one that feels right to you although this might change depending on which crystal you are dealing with at the time. You may keep some on display and others tucked away in your ‘secret’ space. You may place some on the window sill to gather solar energy and others you may keep wrapped up in silk to protect from unwanted negative energies. Whatever feels right for you and the crystal is the best practice and care you can give, however there are some pointers to consider if you wish to avoid unwanted damage, or disruption to their natural energies.

Cleaning

A gentle wash in cool water is best. Soaps may have unwanted effects on the surface of some stones, so it is best avoided unless you know that the stone won’t be affected and there is some stubborn dirt on it. Some other stones are best kept away from water as they could start dissolving or breaking up. Water has a habit of getting into minute cracks that the eye can’t see and opening them up.
Avoid extremes of temperature at all costs. Excessively hot or cold water can easily shatter your prized possession. Lukewarm, or water at room temperature is best, thus avoiding any ‘shock’ to the structure of your gem.

Stones that are sensitive to water include:
PyriteGaleniiteChalcanthite

Display

Most stones love the sun. Displaying some of your prized possessions on your window sill will not only keep them energized and free from negative influence but will also make a welcoming sight for passers-by and potentially keep trouble from your door. There are, however, some stones that do not appreciate extended exposure to bright sunlight. Amethyst is one and a list below details some others that are best kept in a more shaded area.

Amethyst has a habit of losing its colour in bright sunlight. I had the misfortune to not know this a few years ago and I now have two very dull and drab looking Amethyst slices. They looked fine for a couple of years (losing their colour is a slow process) but then I noticed they looked a lot greyer than I remembered. Shop keepers should bear this in mind if they want to put their giant Amethyst geodes on display in their store front.
Stones to keep out of direct sunlight for extended periods include:
AmethystFluoriteRose Quartz

Another consideration regarding the display of stones on your window sill is the risk of fire. Some particularly clear stones can be quite effective at focusing sunlight and we all remember our childhood experiences with a magnifying glass don’t we!

Handling

Always be gentle with your crystals, they may feel very solid but they can be chipped and scratched. A moment’s rough handling can easily knock a point off your prize double-terminated quartz wand. Whilst this may not alter its energetic qualities too much, it will change how you feel about the stone, and this could have a dramatic consequences for your healing practice if you continue to use it. A few personal tumble stones in a small pouch is fine, but if you plan to transport and use more specialist crystal items, then I would suggest making sure they are wrapped well before you set out.
Enjoy

Above all, enjoy your stones. Spend time with them and get to know them. If you do this, then you will gradually learn how to care for them yourself. You cared for your best childhood friend without having to think hard about it; so become friends with your stones too.

Andy Cook is a Reiki Master Teacher, Crystal Therapist and Indian Head Massage practitioner. His approach to his clients is one of providing a holistic treatment to the entire person, not just trying to treat the symptoms presented.
He works out of East London and is also available for Reiki training and attunements by appointment.
Andy’s personal blog can be found at http://londonholistic.com/energeticthought where further information and other articles can be found.
Also Andy’s business website can be found at http://londonholistic.com where consultation and treatments can be booked.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Healing-Crystals---How-to-Care-for-Healing-Gems&id=6704105] Healing Crystals – How to Care for Healing Gems

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support during our new venture into natural health. We wish you a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year and hope that all  your dreams come true in 2012.

Best wishes,

Annette Young and the Creative1 Publishing team

Image;© Olena Chyrko | Dreamstime.com

Recently, I had a new patient ask me a very good question: do you need to believe in acupuncture for it to work? This particular patient did, in fact, believe wholeheartedly in alternative medicine, but she still wondered if a closed mind would equal a poor treatment.

The answer? No, you do not need to believe in this medicine for it to work. There is a lot of debate these days about the placebo effect, and how much this has to do with the efficacy of acupuncture. Now, the placebo effect has gotten a bad rap; in many people’s eyes, placebo = fake. For those of you not familiar with the term, the placebo effect is when something works simply because you believe it will. If you have a headache, and someone hands you a white Tic Tac, claiming it is a new headache drug, the headache will disappear. Your belief has made the “pill” effective.

Like many others, I used to view this as a form of trickery. If the pill was fake, it was fake-end of story, right? But if you were that person with a migraine, and it was gone within minutes after taking that Tic Tac, wouldn’t you feel differently about the situation? Placebo or no, your pain is still gone.

When it comes down to it, though, I honestly believe that the placebo effect has very little to do with the success of a treatment. I have had patients with no knowledge of acupuncture or meridians point out the movement of qi flow exactly where the meridians run. I have also had patients experience relief from things that they never considered issues in the first place, such as changes in bowel movements and periods, twitches, and tics. They had no idea that I was treating all of these things (remember, we treat the whole person, not just the problem at hand!) and still saw changes.

I have also had patients come in with huge chips on their shoulders, already convinced that this acupuncture business is all a scam. (Usually these patients were forced to come in by their significant others, and really resented that they had to be there in the first place.) You would think that these patients would do extremely poorly with this medicine, since they were dead-set on disbelief. However, I’ve had the same level of success with these people as I have with those who are in love with alternative medicine.

A few months ago, I treated a really cranky patient whose sole purpose seemed to be to prove that I was a charlatan. He kept asking me questions about qi, and then arguing that it didn’t exist. Finally, after about 20 minutes of this, I slapped my hand down on the table.

“Look,” I snapped. “Do you have back pain right now?”

“Yes.”

“If you leave this office without any pain today, will you be happy about that?”

“Of course.”

“So if you leave here pain-free, are you going to care whether it’s because of qi, or a placebo effect, or tiny little fairies that magically erase back pain? What difference does it make? I don’t really care about the exact reason that my treatment is working. All I care about is that it does. And that’s all you should care about, as well.”

I’m usually long on patience, but he had harassed me from the moment he set foot in my office, so he had it coming. I think he just wanted me to get tough with him, though, because he kind of laughed at my rant, and was then sweet as pie.
And he left my office free of pain.

Visit our website at http://www.healingpointtherapeutics.com to educate yourself about acupuncture. Find out how you can benefit from Chinese medicine, discover the theory behind it, and keep checking back to learn about our latest specials and events. At Healing Point Therapeutics, our goal is to be the catalyst for positive forward change in your life, so take the first step and call today!
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Do-I-Need-To-Believe-In-This?&id=6668427] Do I Need To Believe In This?

Image:© Paul Prescott | Dreamstime.com

Essential oils are great for allergies and can be used as anti-allergenic and in fact, they can be the best solution for allergies for many people. I suffered with chronic allergies for years and essential oils have been the only thing that have kept them under complete control. That said, how exactly do you use essential oils for allergies?

1. Identify why you are having allergies. This is a crucial step in controlling allergies no mater what method or product you use. Are you suffering because you are allergic to a certain food? or is it hay fever? seasonal allergies? A sinus infection? or something else? The exact oils that you use will vary according to the kind of allergy so it is important that you know this first.

2. If you have a common food allergy such as wheat, gluten, corn, or soy, the best combination is a special blend by Doterra called Digest Zen. You can also use peppermint oil by putting a couple of drops in a glass of water and drinking it or by rubbing a few drops on your stomach or under your nose.

3. For sinus or seasonal allergies, the best combination is lemon, lavender and peppermint. You can take these in one of two ways. The first way is to mix a few drops of each in water and drink. (Note: you need to make sure that if you do this you are using a certified therapeutic brand that is safe to take internally and not just any kind of essential oil.) or the second way is to put a few drops in capsules and swallow with a glass of water. I personally hate the taste of lavender and so that is the only way I can handle it. For sinus and nose congestion, you can rub a few drops of peppermint under your nose and deep breath to inhale.

4. For hay fever, you can try the same strategies as in number three. Only you may want to increase the amount of lavender oil that you use.

5. If you are having heart burn from your allergies then the Digest Zen blend works well but you can also use a wild orange oil.
In summary know that essential oils are a great anti-allergenic but you will have to do some experimenting since not everyone reacts to them in the same way. You may need to dry a few different oils and use a few different methods before you find what works to you.

AnnaLaura Brown has been marketing her business and earning money online since August of 2005. She discovered essential oils two years ago and her life has never been the same. She has successfully used essential oils to manage and control her chronic allergies and asthma and is proudly medication free. Learn more tips about how she did it and get free information on how to use essential oils at http://healthandwealthwithoils.com Read her blog on how to manage and control allergies, asthma, autism and add and get your free power secrets ebook at http://annalaurabrown.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Tips-for-Essential-Oils-As-Anti-Allergenics&id=6755217] Tips for Essential Oils As Anti Allergenics

Most of the time, when people talk about losing weight what they actually mean is “I want to get rid of my belly and get a flat tummy”. Yoga offers a great alternative to sit-ups and squats, despite most thinking of it as a low effort exercise. In fact, a yoga class can be exhausting and the following Yoga poses will help target that gut that refuses to go away. If you haven’t practiced Yoga before you may want to attend some lessons to be taught how to perform them for maximum benefits.
Sun Salutations
The Sun Salutations are a collection of 12 poses flowing in sequence, often used as warm-up to a Yoga class. Performed regularly, at least twice a day, you will exercise your abdominal muscles and legs, as well as enjoying better core muscle strength and posture. It’s important to achieve the right rhythm, inhaling and exhaling as you flow in between poses, so if you are not familiar with them you should get Yoga training in order to learn how to perform the Sun Salutations correctly.
The Bow Pose
To achieve the Bow Pose you’ll need to lay down on your stomach, and bend backwards until your hands can grasp your ankles, with bent knees of course. Your position will look similar to an archer’s bow. This pose helps relax your abdomen and chest, while improving posture and strengthening the back muscles.
The Peacock and Feathered Peacock
This pose involves either balancing your body on your elbows and arms horizontally or, in the case of the feathered peacock, vertical against a Yoga wall. It’s a pretty advanced pose, but it will burn calories and strengthen your abdomen, and even just trying to get there is a great workout.
Bharadvaja’s Twist
This is a gentle exercise that will help you tone the belly and define your waist. It’s goal is to twist your body while on a straight position, slowly as to not cause injury but stretching the abdominal muscles and the torso. This position helps digestion, as it massages the internal organs and helps relieve stress and reduce strain on your abdominal muscles, which makes it perfect as a way to stretch after performing other more demanding poses.
Yoga is a great way of losing weight because it doesn’t involve explosive exercise, but a slow, gradual built up of strength. Disciplines such as Bikram Yoga, performed on a warm, sauna-like room, further increase the speed at which you burn calories and flush out toxins, but may not be indicated for everybody.
Of course, no amount of Yoga will help you lose belly fat without other healthy changes to your lifestyle, such as eating less caloric food, but if the idea of sweating on the Gym to the sound of Latino music gives you the creeps, [http://theamazingdayspa.com/blog/30-minutes-a-day-of-yoga-keeps-doctor-away-%E2%80%93-and-your-body-fit/]Yoga for weight loss can be a great and more relaxed alternative. You don’t need to be a skinny and ultra-flexible to learn Yoga either, there are many forms of [http://theamazingdayspa.com/blog/30-minutes-a-day-of-yoga-keeps-doctor-away-%E2%80%93-and-your-body-fit/]Yoga for beginners that are perfect even if you aren’t in top shape.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Yoga-for-Weight-Loss:-Yoga-Poses-That-Help-Burn-Belly-Fat&id=6752887] Yoga for Weight Loss: Yoga Poses That Help Burn Belly Fat

Image: © Dana Bartekoske Heinemann | Dreamstime.com

Each thought you have moves either toward or away from what you want. We all have an inner guidance system (IGS), that uses emotions to let us know when we are in or out of alignment with our true hearts desires. Using your IGS means to pay attention to whatever you are feeling in each moment. When you become attuned to your own emotional compass, you gain the ability to improve your life through deliberate creation.

Your emotional state will tell you what it is that you are attracting in each moment. Doubt, fear and worry arise only when you are focused on a result that you do not wish to create. Focusing on negative outcomes only serve to draw them to you. When you feel good, however, you are attracting what is in alignment with your true heart’s desire.

The moment you find yourself experiencing emotions that weaken you, it is vital that you stop and change your point of focus. By doing so, you will be applying the power of deliberate creation to your life. The mental and emotional states of anger, despair, blame and distrust are messages sent from your higher self. You can not be in harmony with what you desire when you are experiencing these conditions.

Think of each emotion as a radio station. Each station exists on a specific radio wave frequency. If you do not like whatever station your radio is on, you would simply turn the dial and find one which was more to your liking. When you tune into a different station, you can no longer hear what is being played on the preceding channel. You can also “tune-out” negative emotions that come your way. You cannot focus on what you want to attract and feel bad at the same time.

Each time you find yourself concentrating on what it is that you don’t want, switch your attention to something that makes you feel better. Doing so will place the power of deliberate creation in your hands.

If you ignore the emotional feedback given to you by your natural inner guidance system, you will cut yourself off from the things you desire. Worrying, either about the past or future, interferes with your natural ability to bring good things into existence. Focusing on what you want feels good and produces positive results in your life. Focusing on what you don’t want, however, will simply attract one problem after the other. Learning how and when to switch your focus is a key element of deliberate creation.

To find out more, please visit my website

http://www.personalselfdevelopment.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Make-the-Most-of-Your-Natural-Inner-Guidance-System&id=6751935] How to Make the Most of Your Natural Inner Guidance System

Have you ever found yourself feeling the weight of the world upon your eyelids and wishing you could just take a nap for only a few minutes (or hours)? When this becomes an everyday thing and you realize your productivity and focus is slowly fading away into darkness, it really is vital that you find some ways to gain energy. Here is a list of various ways to gain energy back.

1. Drink lots of water. Most of us have read about the “8 by 8″ rule, eight 8 oz. glasses of water each day. This rule is just about right, but it ought to be referred to as the “at least 8 by 8″ rule. It is actually recommended for males to intake about 12 cups of fluids and females to intake 9 cups of fluids. Water is fundamental for our bodies to perform properly and is a massive factor when it comes to getting the vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants our body requires. Water is necessary for our bodies to absorb food, which in turn releases vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants, and eventually water is used to process these nutrients. Without water, the energy gained through nutrition would be incomplete. If drinking more water is the only thing you do on this list, you still will see a huge energy increase.

2. Get fit. Engage in activity that makes you sweat. When your body increases in lean muscle and decreases in fat, you will gain more energy. Out of all the ways to gain energy, this way will improve as time passes. The more body fat you lose the more energy you gain. Try doing some high intensity interval training (HIIT). This exercise involves spouts of intense cardio mixed with moderate intensity in 30 second and 90 second intervals accordingly. Do 30 seconds of high intensity cardio (running, swimming, elliptical training, etc.) and 90 seconds of moderate intensity of the same type for 20 minutes.

3. Fuel your body with healthy foods. Good nutrition is critical, everyone knows this, but when it comes to ways to gain energy the right diet becomes a necessity. Eating the right foods will not only help you get fit, but it will fuel your body with the nutrients needed to power your muscles, mind, and spirit. Consume nutrient packed meals. Eat sensibly by building a colorful plate focusing on portion control. This will surely keep your energy levels high. Eating foods like muffins and cakes may sound good, but in the end it will weigh you down, literally.

4. Power snack. When it comes to snacking make sure to find snacks that contain power boosting nutrients or anti-oxidants. Some good snack ideas that contribute to ways to gain energy are almonds (be careful not to eat too many, they are packed with calories), yogurt, apples with peanut butter, all types of berries, or trail mix.

5. Minimize caffeine. Caffeine can work temporarily, however, if caffeine is used on a daily basis dependency can form and it can have a negative effect on your energy. Eventually, your body will NEED caffeine for you to only feel a little energy. A mug of coffee in the morning is alright, but do not overdo it. Make sure not to drink caffeine in the evening so that you can avoid insomnia.

6. Stay organized. This may, initially, not seem like it should be on a list about ways to gain energy, but this may in fact bring peace into your life that may subsequently bring productivity and focus back. Staying organized will cause less energy to be expelled on chaos (or just trying to find that paperwork you laid God knows where). If you know where everything is and know exactly how your day should be planned out, you spend less of that precious energy on unnecessary circumstances.

7. Stand up and stretch. Start out by stretching your arms over your head and stretching your back, legs, abs, and neck. Take a deep breath and slowly rejuvenate each muscle. After you sit back down or get back to work you should feel a sense of relief and readiness to restore the focus on whatever you were doing.
These ways to gain energy can work independently, but for maximum results incorporate each one of these ways to gain energy into your life.
“Energy is the power that drives every human being. It is not lost by exertion but maintained by it, for it is a faculty of the psyche.” – Germaine Greer

S. Underwood focuses primarily on research, blogs, social media marketing, and caring for others. For more information on [http://millionairemountaingroup.com]ways to gain energy or health tips contact S. Underwood at  [mailto:millionairemountain@ymail.com]millionairemountain@ymail.com.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Seven-Ways-to-Gain-Energy&id=6722023] Seven Ways to Gain Energy

As with any chronic condition, how well we handle the difficulties of fibromyalgia starts and ends completely in our minds. With these following easy and fun practices we can still maintain and even improve our mental and emotional well-being, in spite of fibromyalgia.

1. Shift your focus to positive thoughts. There is a real sense of loss of control with a chronic condition like fibromyalgia, but our thoughts are something we do have control over. See if you can catch yourself in a negative thought loop and be determined to turn it around. Fill your day with as many positive thoughts as possible. Start your day with a gratitude practice. Find a positive thinking website and sign up for daily quotes. Doing a search for positive news websites on-line will provide abundant sources to counteract overexposure to all the negative news stories.

2. Reduce negative influences. Negative thinking creates negative feelings, and negative feelings can cause a fibromyalgia flare. Limit bad news from the media and negative people and opinions that bring you down. If you hear something negative repeat “next” to yourself with the intent of letting it go, and move on. Practice this like a game and notice how it makes your mind feel lighter.

3. Tickle your mind. Our brains love a challenge and we get a good feeling rush of brain chemicals by doing something that seems almost too hard. Pick a subject that interests you and start learning more about it. Whether it’s quantum physics or the secret to the perfect souffl�, there is plenty of information out there written for the layperson. We don’t have to become the next rocket scientist or celebrity chef; we can explore ideas just for the fun of it!

4. Learn to root out sources of emotional and mental pain. Pain is unavoidable, it’s part of our human condition, but suffering is optional and can make fibromyalgia feel worse. With any type of pain, physical or emotional, there is clean pain; the pain that is actually happening, and what’s called dirty pain; added thoughts that cause suffering. Dirty pain often includes thoughts about our past and worry about our future. In effect we are sending our minds to a place that doesn’t exist; dwelling on things that have already happened, aren’t happening now, or may never happen at all. The part of brain responsible for stress reacts the same way to a scary thought as it does to a “real” situation. Peace is only found in the present moment; be there as much as you can. As a wise man once said, tomorrow will take care of itself.

5. Turn your story around. Instead of writing your life story as a victim, write it as the hero you are! The hero’s saga is the story of facing insurmountable odds, finding the courage to keep going and in the end, claiming victory. See yourself as the hero in your journey with fibromyalgia. On some days your victory may be just getting out of bed! Know that living your best life possible with this condition proves you have emotional courage and mental strength.

6. Stop comparing. In a society focused on hard work and productivity self-esteem can plummet with fibromyalgia. Re-create your value system. Measure your accomplishments based on what you know you are capable of doing, not what everyone else can do. Your to-do list may not look the same as those with normal functioning, but your effort is just as valuable. Make a big deal of what you can do, instead of what you can’t.

7. Learn flexibility. This has to be one of the biggest lessons with fibromyalgia’s unpredictability. What we can do one day is impossible the next. When we have to change our schedule unexpectedly, it’s tempting to get into story telling about what we are missing, how awful our life is, and what we can’t experience. When this happens, look for the next best thing that you can do. Find a gift in the day that wouldn’t have happened if your schedule hadn’t changed. How many stories have we heard about delays that saved people from accidents, or synchronicities (divine coincidences) that couldn’t have been predicted!
Even with a chronic condition like fibromyalgia, we have the power completely accessible within our own minds to make our lives better. No one escapes the inevitable down days, but with practice we can learn to handle life’s challenges, on most days, with grace and peace.

Mary Ellen Telesha is a Certified Martha Beck Life Coach. With increasing numbers of women burning out from juggling relationships, family and work stress, she helps women figure out their own personal stress dynamics and creates a personal plan to increase joy and rest in their lives! Find her at http://www.purelightcoaching.com/ where you can get her free e-workbook, Wild Women Don’t Get The Blues, a do it yourself mini workshop to reduce stress, reboot creativity and find your authentic self. Inquire at http://www.purelightcoaching.com/contact/ for a complimentary discovery session.

Article Source: [Martin Allinger | Dreamstime.com

Osteoarthritis, which is caused by the degeneration of the tough cartilage which covers the ends of the bones, is the most common of more than 100 different types of arthritis. In 2002, it was reported that some 8.5 million people in the UK suffered from this particular form of the disease, and in 2008 statistics showed that more than 6 million had osteoarthritis of one or both knees with a further 650,000 being affected in one or both hips. The underlying reasons why osteoarthritis develops, and why it is triggered in some people and not others are currently unknown. Although it is certainly true that the incidence of the disease is higher amongst the older age groups, one thing that is evident is that it doesn’t occur as an inevitable part of the ageing process, and it can in fact affect people of all ages.

Even though the cause of osteoarthritis isn’t, as yet, understood, there are certain groups of people who seem to be at greater risk of the disease than others. As far more women suffer from the condition than men, simply being female is one of the greatest risk factors, but anyone who has suffered an injury to or infection of a joint, as well as those whose work involves carrying out repetitive movements and some of those who have a family history of the disease are also more likely to develop it. The biggest group of people to be at risk though, includes those who are either overweight or obese.

What actually happens in osteoarthritis is that the tough cartilage which protects the ends of the bones starts to become rough, brittle and weak. Although the body does try to compensate for the damage, as the disease progresses, pieces of cartilage eventually start to break away from the bones altogether so that ultimately bone rubs against bone. The reason that excess weight is relevant to this process is because it exerts mechanical pressure, particularly on the larger weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips, which effectively speeds up the process.

Excess weight is actually a big deal for some sufferers of osteoarthritis because certain UK health authorities are now refusing to carry out the knee replacement surgery which is so often required by patients, unless their body mass index is brought down to within certain limits. As obesity is, in most cases, considered to be preventable, and as increasing numbers of surgeries are becoming prohibitively expensive in many areas of the country, it’s a case of lose weight or live without the operation.

In his easy-to-read and informative book on arthritis, Dr Chris Jenner doesn’t just look at the most common types of arthritis and the wide array of treatments available. He also covers what it is like to live with the disease and the types of lifestyle changes which can help to bring about significant improvement in patients’ conditions, as well as offering useful tips on caring for your joints. Learn more at http://www.londonpainclinic.com or by reading Dr Jenner’s book at [http://www.amazon.co.uk/Arthritis-Practical-Guide-Getting-Your/dp/1845284712/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1318865586&sr=8-9]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Arthritis-Practical-Guide-Getting-Your/dp/1845284712/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1318865586&sr=8-9.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Weight-Loss---The-Key-to-Reducing-Your-Risk-of-Osteoarthritis&id=6704345] Weight Loss – The Key to Reducing Your Risk of Osteoarthritis

When applied to the skin, honey can be incredibly useful. The ancient Greeks knew this and used it on their skin to keep it young and supple. After some scientific study it was revealed that honey has many great properties that make it such a valuable ally in looking after your skin.

It attracts moisture particles and thus locks them inside the skin
It has antibacterial properties
It has antiseptic properties
It contains amino acids and other enzymes
It is a natural sun block.

I am sure you never knew that this humble sweetener has so many health and beauty enhancing properties.

How To Make Honey Masks

Due to all its great qualities, honey is incredibly versatile and can be beneficial for all skin types. From teenagers suffering from acne to mature skin battling the signs of aging.

Of course these benefits derived from honey should be combined with other ingredients more suited to your skin type and the condition you wish to treat. Here are some examples:

If you are ever at all in doubt of what your skin needs, then stick to a plain honey mask. Don’t add anything. Just use raw, natural honey. Spread it on your clean face and watch it do its miracles.

If you have acne prone skin try adding a teaspoon of cinnamon powder to two tablespoons of honey. Use this up to two or three times a week till you can see the results. Then tone down to a maintenance mask once a week

If you have dry or mature skin then try the following: Mash half a ripe avocado and add a tablespoon of honey and a free-range egg yolk. This combination of ingredients will nourish, moisturize and heal your skin.

For sensitive skin or sun burnt skin try this great soothing mask: Mix one tablespoon of raw honey with half a mashed banana (eat the other half!) and half a cup of oatmeal cooked in full cream milk. This should do a great job at calming your skin and nourishing it.

A Few Tips Before Using Honey Masks:

To get the full benefit of all the great properties that honey masks can offer your skin you need to make sure your skin is totally clean before applying the mask.

Remove all traces of sunscreen, moisturizer, makeup etc with a facial cleanser of your choice. It is also a great idea to steam your face beforehand and to lightly exfoliate before applying your honey mask as this will help the mask penetrate more deeply into your skin cells where it is needed the most.

This article is all about telling you just how great honey is when used in your skin care routine, but don’t take my word for it. Try it yourself!

Lucinda Gregg has researched skin care extensively and especially natural skin care recipes. For more information on [http://www.theskincarerecipes.com/honey-masks.html]Honey Masks, visit her site [http://www.theskincarerecipes.com/skin-care-recipes-information.html]TheSkinCareRecipes.com

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Benefit-From-Honey-Masks&id=6700574] How To Benefit From Honey Masks

by Annette Young

Pregnancy concerns are much more common than many new expectant mothers might think but even so, it’s important to treat these concerns with real empathy so that they do not escalate out of control. For any new mother-to-be, pregnancy is a time of extreme emotional change as well as a significant physiological transformation. For many, it’s an exciting time of a deepening love and wonderment but for others, the pregnancy can be fraught with fears.

Many pregnancy concerns occur for those first time mums as they experience unexplained aches and pains, extreme tiredness through lack of sleep or morning sickness but may generally feel that all is not as it should be.  They start to worry that these are symptoms are indicators that something is wrong. Most of these aches and pains however are a natural part of the baby developing and the woman’s body adapting but having a strong support system is vital throughout the pregnancy as it can be a daunting time and life can suddenly seem to spiral rapidly out of control. Mass hormonal changes can start to cause irrational thought processes and irritability but whilst these can cause additional feelings of anxiety and distress, they are normal.

Stress and anxieties should be avoided at all costs as this can impact the pregnancy and mar what should be a wonderful event and quite often the crux of the anxieties can simply be a sudden flurry of self-doubts that arise as the new mother to be begins to doubt her own ability to be able to cope with a baby that will be totally dependent on her. These fears are far from irrational because the realisation of such sheer dependency can be overwhelming but they are commonly experienced and actually should be viewed as a positive sign that the mother to be is beginning to adapt to the pregnancy and that those all-important bonds between a mother and her child are starting to develop.

Pregnancy concerns however should always be taken seriously and if there are any doubts about the mother or baby’s health, then medical advice should be taken immediately. For most pregnant women, some gentle relaxation techniques or perhaps a pre-recorded guided meditation CD can alleviate some of the anxieties and help her to feel more relaxed and in touch with her inner- self. Finding a sense of inner peace and tranquillity will help soothe the way forward and to calm any fraught tensions, it can certainly alleviate any negative self-doubts and reinforce family bonds. Some quality pamper time is important to help the new mother to be able to face these incredible transformations throughout the nine months and to stop any pregnancy concerns in their tracks.

Image:© Dana Bartekoske Heinemann | Dreamstime.com