TIPS FOR A LONG HEALTHY LIFE: 'Stress Relief and Reconnecting with YourSelf'

TIPS FOR A LONG HEALTHY LIFE

When it comes to enjoying life, it's most definitely the little things that count the most...
Enjoying your existence and integrating time for yourself will enable you to overcome the stresses of daily life.  For great stress relief tips from acclaimed health authority Dr. Weil, read below.



Stress Relief in 4 Steps, Part 3: Reconnecting with Self - Dr. Weil's Weekend Tip
Dr Weil's website, December 18, 2010

Each Saturday in December we present tips that can help you manage unhealthy stress. Consider
them this holiday season, and pass them along to family and friends!
When time constraints, packed schedules and too many commitments become the norm, it's easy to
become overwhelmed and stressed out. To stay balanced, relaxed and calm, it's necessary every so
often to regroup, decompress and focus on yourself:
If you find that the demands on your time are overwhelming, don't be afraid to politely say "no"
when someone asks you to do something.
Don't feel guilty. No one person can do it all, so learn your limits and be satisfied with them.
Be a little selfish once in a while by scheduling "me time" - it will help keep you grounded and in touch with your thoughts and feelings.
Take time to enjoy the little things. Read a book, start an art project, work in the garden or treat yourself to a massage.
Don't miss next Saturday's Tip, which focuses on stress management via a calming home.

Tips for Detox: What Should You Know About How To Detox Your Body

What You Should Know About How To Detox Your Body

When you embark on any type of new health program or are modifying your old one, it is wise to seek advice.  We are happy that you have found our site in searching online for information that can help you in this endeavor.  We would urge you however to also consult with your health care practitioner before proceeding with your detox.

You'll have to give up this type of diet during your body detoxification. You will be eating more foods that are 'alive' and full of active minerals, vitamins and antioxidants.

Okay, now that you are here, let’s discuss some of the do’s and don’ts about a detox program, how to detox, what to eat, how much fluid to be drinking, supplements, and all the rest.  Some people even wonder whether a detox diet has any validity or not.  Well, if you’re a skeptic, hopefully this site will help clear up some of the myths and misconceptions about what a detox really is.

Tips for Detox: Do Detox Diets Really Work?

How To Detox Your Body With Ease

Like in life, the more willing you are to ask for help, the more likely you are to have people show up that can assist you.  So, if you’re trying to learn how to detox safely and effectively, using the proper supplements or fruits and vegetables, then you’ll be ready if you do enough research.  That’s because there are many online resources to teach you about this topic.  Short of a “detox your body” manual, we hope this site will help you get some answers to your questions.  When you’re pondering a difficult topic like how to clean out your body from years of toxic build up, you should do some due diligence.  Once you’re comfortable with having filled your mind with the proper ways of embarking on your detox program, you will be more properly prepared mentally to proceed.  So, how does one detox with ease as this article’s title suggests?  Well, you have to start with the basics.  The basics start with defining what would qualify as a detox diet and what is just eating a big salad every day.

Don’t Confuse Fasting With Detoxing

Fasting has been a part of not only many diets but spiritual traditions as well.

This is a common problem or distinction that needs to be made.  And the distinction is quite a simple one, just important.  Fasting implies that no food is being consumed as part of the detoxification.  This is not what this is about as a way to detox your body.  We offer advice and info about how to detox using proper organic foods, supplementation with teas or even doing an herbal detox which involves specific plants and herbs to help you clean out your system.  With the right dietary choices, you can do a proper detox without fasting.  Sometimes, a fast is recommended for a person who has a tremendous amount of ambition, or weight to lose and has less information.  Often times, a fast is not the best way to lose weight or detox your body.  The best way can vary person to person, but usually includes hydration as a key component.  So, fasting can be part of a detox, but it may include supplements and any number of a variety of drinks or teas.  So, in this sense, it isn’t like you are eating and drinking nothing in order to lose weight or otherwise detox the body.

Detox Your Body One Choice At A Time

Basically, as you learn how to detox, you will be faced with many challenges emotionally as well as physically.  It isn’t strictly your body that will be going through this cleanse.  Your mind will be going through it too.  In fact, many in the health care professions use the term body-mind now, to indicate how there really is no separation. In any case, a body detoxification process is both a challenge and opportunity for you to pay attention to other ways in which you live your life.  The toxins you are trying to eliminate from your body got there somehow.  What types of choices do you (or did you) make that got you to this point in the first place?  Part of learning how to detox your body is that many of these old behaviors and patterns will show up again and again for you to address in your life.  The more completely you address them, the more beneficial each future cleansing process will be for you.

the Benefits of Physical Exercise and Fitness: 'Why Yoga is the Best form of Exercise for your Body'

'Why Yoga is the Best form of Exercise for your Body'

Power Yoga Blog - March 29, 2010

Yoga is an ancient science geared towards bringing both body and mind to a state of perfect balance.  While the ultimate goal of yoga is spiritual in nature, practicing yoga yields tremendous benefits on the physical, mental and emotional level of the practitioner. Looking back at the roots of Yoga, it appears that the original practices originated in India around 5,000 years ago and were perfected over time in an effort to provide the perfect combination of physical and mental practices that would ultimately bring vibrant health, strength, longevity, and stress-free living to its practicing adepts.  No other physical discipline is as complete and holistic or brings such impressive results as yoga does.  That's why Yoga has endured the test of time, transcending scores of generations, governments, cultures and religions in order to offer its benefits to all people throughout the ages.  Because Yoga understands that individuals have distinct physical and mental compositions (personalities) and are therefore attracted by different disciplines and sources of entertainment for their mind, it has adapted and given birth to many branches which cater to different groups of personalities.  Some people may have a more physical approach while others may prefer mental activities, yet, others will be drawn to more emotional pursuits while some are very spiritual in nature.  Whichever type of Yoga fits your personality is the Yoga you'll practice with more ease and enjoyment and which will yield the most powerful results in terms of your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.  This is exactly what the ultimate goal of Yoga is, i.e. the union with all aspects of yourself on all levels of your being, and it is not as difficult as you may think.  In the West, the primary focus of Yoga has been on the physical aspect and benefits of this system and there is nothing wrong with that.  After all, spiritual masters themselves say that ‘your body is a temple' and you cannot neglect it without negatively effecting your health and overall well-being. The Asana branch of Hatha Yoga which entails all the physical postures of yoga primarily focuses on keeping a clean, healthy body and mind so that you can thrive on all levels of your being and truly enjoy life, light and carefree.  In order to achieve the best possible results, Asana Yoga blends focused breathing and deep concentration with physical poses. It joins breathing, moving and thinking together. The benefits of yoga are extensive.  Many books have been written on the subject and but none can give a fully exhaustive list of all the advantages brought about by the practice of yoga.  Typically, an Astanga Yoga practice includes poses dedicated to engage every cell of your body, heart, kidneys, liver, eyes, bones, brain, nervous system. It is, beyond comparison, the epitome of perfect exercise programs that is essential to complete health. Oxygenating the entire bodily system is one of the greatest benefits of vigorous exercise and the deep, regular breathing inherent in any Yoga practice strengthens and increases the lung's capacity of the practitioner. Astanga Yoga is by far the best, most complete form of exercise.  With each practice, your body’s muscles and bone fiber become stronger as you perfect each pose.  Further, unlike popular belief, yoga practices also include a cardio element, especially Astanga Yoga.  Astanga Yoga sequences are systematic and strengthen every muscle in the body, including the heart. If you practice Power or Astanga Yoga for just one hour a day, you will get as much ‘cardio' as if you had done a work-out at the gym.

The Benefits of Physical Exercise and Fitness - '91-Year-Old Track and Field Star demonstrates Anti-Aging Value of Exercise '

'91-Year-Old Track and Field Star demonstrates Anti-Aging Value of Exercise '

New York Times - November 28, 2010

It's never too late to start exercising.  The 91-year-old athlete in this article started her career at age 77!  For more, read below.

On the third floor of the Montreal Chest Institute, at McGill University, Olga Kotelko stood before a treadmill in the center of a stuffy room that was filling up with people who had come just for her. They were there to run physical tests, or to extract blood from her earlobe, or just to observe and take notes. Kotelko removed her glasses. She wore white New Balance sneakers and black running tights, and over her silver hair, a plastic crown that held in place a

breathing tube. Tanja Taivassalo, a 40-year-old muscle physiologist, adjusted the fit of Kotelko’s stretch-vest. It was wired with electrodes to measure changes in cardiac output — a gauge of the power of her heart. Taivassalo first met Kotelko at last year’s world outdoor masters track championships in Lahti, Finland, the pinnacle of the competitive season for older tracksters. Taivassalo went to watch her dad compete in the marathon. But she could hardly fail to notice the 91-year-old Canadian, bespandexed and elfin, who was knocking off world record after world record. Masters competitions usually begin at 35 years, and include many in their 60s, 70s and 80s (and a few, like Kotelko, in their 90s, and one or two over 100). Of the thousands who descended on Lahti, hundreds were older than 75. And the one getting all the attention was Kotelko. She is considered one of the world’s greatest athletes, holding 23 world records, 17 in her current age category, 90 to 95.

The key to living a long, healthy and happy life

'The key to living a long, healthy and happy life'

Enjoying a full, healthy and happy life doesn't take that much; it's all about the little things that make an incredible difference.... For more, read below.

Following are a few small deletions or additions to make to your daily life that will not only make you healthier but will also make you happier.

1. EXERCISE: Exercise is vital to human health and exercising today can be the key to your later quality of life. Pace your exercise program to your health, in times of illness, range of motion exercises will insure you maintain as much movement as possible. When you are healthy, exercise will help build muscle or aid in lung and heart health. Listen to your body and pace your exercise program by what it dictates.

2. REST: Rest is a form of therapy and it is essential for your body to have when you are under physical or emotional stress. If you need it then don't fight it. Try to lay down each day for a 20 minute total rest period. Total rest meaning that you do absolutely nothing during this brief lay down. Although you do not need to sleep to receive the benefits of this rest period it is amazing the amount of energy that it will replenish you with.

3. ALLOW YOUR BODY TO SWEAT: In today's world of deodorants and air conditioners we don't sweat enough. Like the kidneys excrete waste from the body so does the process of sweating allow our bodies to rid itself of harmful waste. Sweating helps reduce the accumulation of heavy metals such as lead, mercury and nickle and also serves to secrete toxins such as alcohol and nicotine residues from our bodies. Sweating reduces bacteria in our bodies and can actually strengthen our immune system. When you sweat profusely, just remember to add additional water so that dehydration does not occur.

4. REDUCE THE POLLUTANTS THAT YOU ARE EXPOSED TO: Be aware of the pollutants that you are exposed to and take the appropriate measures to reduce that exposure. If you smoke; find a way to quit. If your water system is an older one than it may contain lead and other contaminants. Most water purifiers are very reasonably priced and can be purchased at your local department store. With the amount of water we ingest daily it is very important to insure that it is as pure as it can be. If you live in a very polluted community consider a move to a cleaner environment. Eliminate the use of as many plastics as possible and instead switch to glass, wood, cast iron or steel containers and surfaces. Do not use non-stick baking utensils as the coating currently contains a toxin which leaches at high temperatures. Reduce the amount of electricity that you are exposed to. Evening and night is when you are most likely to be home and exposed so simple things like throwing out the electric blanket, reducing the amount of lighting you use, removing the electric clock from the bedside ( or better yet replacing it with a wind-up one), sitting back from the T.V. or computer and reducing the amount of time you spend doing those activities. Instead spend more time outdoors.

5. DETOXIFY YOUR DIET: Eat foods rich in antioxidants. These combine with those dangerous free radicals in your body and serve to strengthen your immune system. Reduce sugars and starches, chemicals and preservatives, also fatty foods such as french fries and red meats. Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Switch from fatty red meats to leaner white meats, or no meat at all if you can. Minimize alcohol consumption. If necessary add vitamins from a natural source, such as the blue-green algae E3Live, to supplement your diet.

6. REDUCE YOUR STRESS: Stress can cause irreparable damage to the immune system which leave you open to all kinds of future illnesses. Stress kills! Reduce it any way that you can.

7. BE PROUD OF WHO YOU ARE: We each have our own unique qualities and these are our gift to this old world that we live in. Be proud of all those special qualities that make you......you. Also know that sometimes changes in your life can alter who you are and require you to set new attributes and goals for yourself. Always push yourself to be the best that you can be but also understand that there are times when you just need to hide away and recuperate.

8. SMILE: When you put that sweet little grin on your face your brain does an amazing thing and it releases a little chemical known as "endorphins". These endorphins are the body's natural pain killer and will reduce feelings of emotional or physical pain. The more that you smile, the more often that you will find yourself smiling, without your even thinking about it. Then without knowing when it happened, you will discover that you have actually become, a much happier person.

9. LAUGH: You may have heard the saying that, "Laughter is the best medicine". Well this is a fact. Laughter is one of those things, like smiling, that makes you feel good. It is also a great form of exercise with all the same great variety of health benefits for your body that exercise will give it. Find any reason that you can to laugh, the more that you practice laughing, the more often that you will find it occurring naturally.

10. LOVE: Love with all your heart and soul. Don't be afraid to give freely of yourself and your emotions to as many living creatures as you are able to. The kindness that you give will not only make you more content with your life, but it will create a wave of kindness, that stretches out far beyond what your eyes are capable of seeing.

'Goodwill Makes You Feel Good' - 'The Art of Happiness' as defined by his Holiness, the Dalai-Lama'

"'The Art of Happiness' as defined by his Holiness, the Dalai-Lama' - 'Good Will Makes You Feel Good'"

The Aquarian, Spring 1999

If you want to know if you need to change anything in your life, simply ask yourself this question, "Are my really happy?".  If the answer is 'yes' then just keep ding what you have been doing all along, but if it is 'no' then you may want to find new sources of inspiration that will bring the zest and carefree fun back into your daily life. For more, read below.

"Are you happy?"  Not many people would dare ask His Holiness, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, such a pointed, personal question. But Howard Cutler is an American psychiatrist, and by then he had known this most open and transparent of holy men for years. "Yes. . . .Yes . . . definitely," was the Dalai Lama's reflective reply. Cutler, the scrutinising clinician, didn't doubt it one bit.

So begins our vicarious audience with a God-man who "ought" to be overwhelmed by despair, seething with misanthropy, and bent on revenge. After all, the 63-year-old Tibetan Buddhist monk named Tenzin Gyatso has spent all of his adult life living in exile from his ravaged homeland and nonviolently butting his head against a brick wall of international resistance to putting things right. Yet, in the process, he has a won the Nobel Peace Prize and charmed millions with his utterly unpretentious Buddha good-nature. In this unique self-help book, the Dalai Lama allows a Western psychiatrist to pick his brains on the obstacles that stand in the way of the goal we all seek, including the Dalai Lama. "I believe," His Holiness professes to a large audience in Arizona, "that the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness....the very motion of our life is towards happiness." And thus is set the agenda for Cutler's book. Schooled in Freudian pessimism and given to playing Devil's advocate, Cutler doesn't hide his doubts. "But is happiness a reasonable goal for most of us....Is it really possible?" he privately asks HH. "Yes," is the reply. "I believe that happiness can be achieved through training the mind." Training the mind? Whoa! Aren't we talking to the sweet guru of loving-kindness here? Why is he suddenly sounding like some beady-eyed behaviourist? The Dalai Lama, Cutler's book reveals, is a much more logical, analytical, "left brain" kind of guy than most people would think. In the course of this 315-page attempt to separate the wheat of true happiness from the chaff of compulsive pleasure seeking, self-centred gratification, dysfunctional relationships, etc., we learn that the world's most prominent Buddhist approaches the challenge from a rational perspective that echoes the orientation of modern cognitive therapists and their philosophical predecessors, the ancient Greek Stoics. It's Buddha meets Epictetus meets Aaron Beck (the founder of cognitive therapy). But the Dalai Lama would not be the Dalai Lama if he were merely a cool-headed technician of mental hygiene.

To begin with, he explains that it is the Tibetan concept of mind - Sem - to which he refers. Sem "has a much broader meaning, closer to `psyche' or `spirit'; it includes intellect and feeling, heart and mind." So it's not just "positive thinking" that's the key, it's positive being. "By bringing about a certain inner discipline," the Dalai Lama continues, "we can undergo a transformation of our attitude, our entire outlook and approach to living." And central to that attitude is a deepening realisation that our happiness as individuals depends on the happiness of other "sentient beings," including our perceived enemies. This is the heart of Buddhism. Is everybody happy? Well, if not, then you can't - mustn't - really be completely happy yourself. In one chapter, zeroing in on a major obstacle to happiness, Cutler asks: "I'm curious, from your standpoint, what's the best way to overcome fear and anxiety?" Earlier, the Dalai Lama had proposed that openness is one of the keys to happiness. And now, as elsewhere in the book, he demonstrates it. In the course of his characteristic, professorial dissertation on the varieties of worry and anxiety, he offers: "One type of anxiety, which I think may be common, could involve fear of appearing foolish in front of others or fear that others might think badly of you..." "Have you ever experienced that kind of anxiety or nervousness?" Cutler interjects, seizing the opportunity. "The Dalai Lama," writes Cutler, "broke into a robust laugh, and without hesitation he responded, `Oh yes!'" His Holiness then recalls his nervousness as a youth upon first meeting China's intimidating leaders, Chairman Mao Zedung and Chou En-lai, and winds up admitting to "a little bit of anxiety" to this day whenever he gives a lecture. So how does the Dalai Lama deal with his anxiety, Cutler asks. The Dalai Lama plunges into thought and then surfaces with a self-help solution that is as moral as it is therapeutic: "[If] I'm anxious before giving a talk, I'll remind myself that the main reason, the aim of giving the lecture, is to be of at least some benefit to the people, not for showing off my knowledge." (Hmm... So even the Dalai Lama has to wrestle with vanity, and he isn't shy about admitting it.) "So those points which I know, I'll explain. Those points which I do not understand properly - then it doesn't matter; I just say, `For me this is difficult.'...With that motivation, I don't have to worry about appearing foolish or care about what others think of me. So I've found that sincere motivation acts as an antidote to reduce fear and anxiety." Here and elsewhere, the Dalai Lama's prescription for happiness seems to come down to one essential ingredient: the will to do good.