| Taking the holistic approach to health management | | | | "remaining in the moment", we can simply pause, take |
| really begins with the mind, as our thoughts give birth to | | | | a deep breath and not allow external events (even our |
| all actions and have been shown to have physiological | | | | own thoughts) to cause negative reactions. Let it go. |
| effects on the body's intricate systems.There are | | | | Breathe. Notice how the reaction subsides on its own. |
| direct correlations found in Chinese medicine, for | | | | - be patient with yourself. Give yourself a break. The |
| instance, between certain major organs and particular | | | | negative self-talk that goes on in our heads often |
| emotional states. Negative or wildly imbalanced mental | | | | causes more stress than what is happening 'out there'. |
| or emotional states will eventually manifest as physical | | | | Notice there's nobody keeping score but you. |
| symptoms. In turn, calming and balancing the mind can | | | | - sound therapy (soothing sounds) - often used to treat |
| readily effect positive changes in physical symptoms | | | | mental conditions. It is well known that music can be |
| of disease. | | | | therapeutic and allow blocked emotions to be |
| There are many components one can use to bring | | | | processed in a more natural way. Certain tones can |
| about the desired mental states and they are often | | | | be used to balance the body rhythms, as well as the |
| used in conjunction with each other. We will briefly | | | | brain's energy patterns. Notice what emotions come |
| outline some of the things you can do to bring balance | | | | up with certain music, and which relax the body. |
| and peace to your mind which will then flow into | | | | - humor reduces stress -read a funny book. watch a |
| balance in your body: | | | | funny movie,look at silly cartoons or find hilarious |
| - meditation - or contemplation involves focusing the | | | | snippets on YouTube! Laughter lifts the mood, causes |
| mind upon a sound, phrase, prayer, object, visualized | | | | you to breathe more deeply, and simply take things |
| image, the breath, ritualized movements such as tai chi | | | | less seriously. Notice how, after laughing, your |
| or walking a labyrinth. One notices one's breath, one's | | | | shoulders are no longer up around your ears but down |
| feet walking and maintains concentration. This is | | | | and relaxed where they should be. That final sigh after |
| particularly effective if combined with prayers or | | | | a good laugh is a good sign. |
| thoughts of bringing love and benefit to others who are | | | | - spend time with nature - meditate outdoors, take a |
| suffering. The mindstate of compassion is itself a | | | | nature walk, or plant a garden - anything you can do |
| healer. | | | | outdoors is probably going to be good for you. The |
| - aromatherapy - the art and science of helping living | | | | Native Americans speak of the healing power of |
| beings toward wholeness and balance using the | | | | Mother Earth and Father Sun. Anyone who has laid on |
| essential oils which can be extracted from plants. | | | | a warm beach in bright Sun listening to the ocean's |
| There is fascinating science behind certain plant oils | | | | waves can attest to the healing elements of nature. |
| and how they affect the condition of the mind and | | | | Bare feet on the grass or mud between the toes can |
| body. It is common knowledge that lavender is relaxing | | | | have a similar uplifting effect on the body/mind. Notice |
| and that cinnamon/cloves is anti-bacterial in its | | | | how the different elements support you: earth, wind, |
| properties.Diffuse the proper essence and notice its | | | | fire, water. It's what our bodies are made of and it |
| affect upon you. | | | | enjoys being "in its element". |
| - light therapies - are generally used to treat energy | | | | - creative release - express yourself, not for anyone |
| imbalances in the seven major chakras (energy | | | | else's pleasure or approval, just for your own need to |
| centers of the body); more mainstream light therapy is | | | | express yourself. You can write in a journal, draw, |
| used for treating S.A.D. (seasonal affective disorder). | | | | paint, play music, sculpt, dance -- you don't have to be |
| Studies show that making sure you get 20 minutes per | | | | an expert at it, you just have to do it with abandon. |
| day of direct sunlight (no sunglasses) in the eyes | | | | Notice how much courage it takes to be by yourself, |
| relieves depression. Notice the difference in your mood | | | | for yourself, and pat yourself on the back for doing it. |
| and energy on days it remains cloudy. | | | | Also notice how much lighter you feel afterwards. |
| - slow and deep breathing techniques - cleanse and | | | | Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to allow |
| re-energize your body and mind. The combination of | | | | ourselves the experience of enjoying life. Instead of |
| deeply oxygenating your cells, especially the brain, | | | | letting the mind run ahead 20 paces all the time, just |
| along with the concentration required is extremely | | | | stop, breathe, and notice your life. Just notice: the red |
| beneficial for health. Notice during the day when your | | | | scarf on the woman beside you on the subway is a |
| chest is tight and you are breathing shallowly. | | | | lovely red. All the people in the cars around you stuck |
| - massage - the manipulation of muscle and tissue to | | | | in traffic all have families, some with problems more |
| enhance the function of those tissues and promote | | | | serious than your own; send them a silent prayer. Look |
| relaxation. Not only does massage improve the blood | | | | down and notice your body and with a sense of awe, |
| and lymph flow, there is healing energy transmitted | | | | that it is working right! Give thanks to your legs and |
| with touch. This is especially important for people | | | | hands and eyes for doing their job so well. Think: this is |
| without intimate partners or friends who hug and touch. | | | | five minutes I'll never get back again; let me be aware |
| Touch others (appropriately of course) with love and | | | | and thankful. |
| notice how your own energy lifts. | | | | In summary, be present in your own body, be aware |
| - yoga - exercises your entire body, mind and spirit; it | | | | of the thoughts living inside your own head, and use |
| strengthens and calms simultaneously. Like deep | | | | the tools of breath, focus, moving the body mindfully, |
| breathing, which is part of yoga, the oxygenation | | | | compassionate thoughts for others and appreciation |
| strengthens the body, and stretching out the energy | | | | for your blessings to maintain a state of joy. This will |
| meridians relieves energy blockages that would | | | | result in better health and quality of life overall. The |
| otherwise lead to disease. Yoga is the epitome of | | | | sense of peace and compassion you establish for |
| noticing: breathing and movement fully synchronized. | | | | yourself will flow out to others, and help maintain a |
| - self control - a simple thing that we often forget to | | | | quality of life and health that can't be bought for all the |
| do. Sometimes called the practice of "mindfulness", or | | | | money in the world. |