Laughter Really Is the Best Medicine

Here are a few tips for panic attacks and anxiety attack symptoms. One of the causes of anxiety attacks can be from extreme fatigue from overwork or lack of sleep. Also a lack of appropriate nutrition can induce panic attacks because the nerve’s and tissues are not getting the essential vitamins and minerals. If you pay close attention to those two things, there is just one more ingredient that can make a big difference, and that is laughter. No it isn’t a cure all, but it can help you over time as you make laughing a habit.

Dr. Don Colbert noted that research conducted by the Department of Behavioral Medicine at the UCLA Medical School into the physical benefits of happiness proved conclusively that “laughter, happiness and joy are perfect antidotes for stress”. Solbert added, “A noted doctor once said that the diaphragm, thorax, abdomen, heart, lungs–and even the liver–are given a massage during a hearty laugh.” The Maker’s Diet, Jordin S. Rubin

Maintain a Positive Attitude by letting go of "ME"

My thoughts were always focused on ‘ME’, and I was on a downward spiral of being lonely, depressed and anxious all of the time. Who knows why some people feel that the world should revolve around them, but I was one of them. It was quite an eye opener to find out that only I could make myself happy. We have more control over how we feel than we want to admit, and if we don’t admit it, we keep depending on other’s to make us feel good about ourselves.

I started to recognize that for most of my life I had been stuck in the ‘ME’ habit. It was a bad habit that controlled my thoughts and kept me in a very negative thought pattern. It takes great desire, effort and responsibility to change. Here are a few suggestions.

-Stop thinking about how you are feeling right now and get into the habit of asking the other person how they feel .

-Listen, think, then respond positively.

-Let go of blame and take responsibility of how you feel NO matter what others say or think.

- Don’t take everything so personally.

- If you feel that a conversation is becoming negative, take charge and steer it towards a more positive point of view.

- Learn to breath when you get uptight, it will help you relax and stay positive

- Be aware of negative self-talk and stop it as soon as it starts.

- Stop whining and get on with living a free and happy life.

Think about the type of person that you would like to spend time with and become that person. Following these few ideas has changed my life and my positive attitude has helped to lift others.

Music and LIFE

Without music life would be a mistake. ~Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

Music is an essential part of my life. In my struggle to overcome the effects of abuse, music has helped to keep my mind and heart in good places. Music helps me to stay spiritually focused, and at times gives me the energy to clean my house. I love to sit in the tub for a long time and have music in the background to help me relax. As a young mother I would have soft music in the background to assist my baby and other small children to sleep. The music acted as a buffer to other household noises that might wake them while they were sleeping.

As a licensed massage therapist, I have music playing softly while I do CranioSacral Therapy session on my clients, to help them relax from a hard day at work, or to calm their thoughts as they work through emotional stress or trauma.

What is a Hot Stone Massage

This is one of my favorite types of massage. The hot stone massage uses smooth, heated stones. The stones are often basalt which is a black volcanic rock that absorbs and retains heat well. The heat helps tight muscles release faster than conventional massage.

Before you arrive, the stones are sanitized and heated to between 120 and 150 degrees. The therapist will use traditional strokes of Swedish massage while holding a heated stone. The therapist might also leave heated stones in specific points along your spine, or in the palms of your hand, or even between your toes to improve the flow of energy in your body. If you have inflammation or muscle injury, cold stones are sometimes used. Personally I don’t really care for the cold ones but they really do help with muscle injury. The therapist will use many sizes and shapes of stones for different parts of the body.

Broccoli Sprouts Fight Cancer

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have discovered that 3-day old broccoli sprouts have exceptionally high amounts of a natural cancer-fighting compound. Dr. Paul Talalay and his colleagues, have been researching this for over 20 years, and they have concluded that some varieties of vegetables such as broccoli contain high amounts of a substance called ’sulforaphane’ which helped support antioxidants, such as vitamins C and vitamin E.

They have found that these 3-day-old sprouts contain 20 to 50 times the amount of this cancer fighting element than mature broccoli. These organic sprouts can be used in soups, sandwiches, and salads not only to add nutrition, but also to add great flavor.

How do Herbs Work

Whole herbs contain many ingredients, and for most herbs, the specific ingredient that causes a therapeutic effect is not known. Many factors determine how effective an herb will be, such as the type of environment (climate, bugs, soil quality) that the plant grew in, along with how and when it was harvested and processed.

Some of the most commonly used herbal supplements in the U.S. include echinacea, St. John's wort, ginko, garlic, saw palmetto, ginseng, goldenseal, valerian, kava, chamomile, feverfew, ginger, evening primrose, and milk thistle.

Several herbs are often used together to enhance effectiveness and synergistic actions and to reduce toxicity. These Herbal Remedies help the body heal naturally and without the many dangerous side effects of many of the medications that doctors may prescribe.

Controlled Body Cleansing

Cleansing has become very popular over the years because people are looking for answers. Answers for the lack of energy, obesity, depression, cancer and/or any sickness that attacks them. According to the CDC, the top three causes of death in the United States in 2005 were heart disease, cancer and stroke which are all on the rise. It’s tough to attribute these numbers solely to western lifestyles that we have become accustom to, but there is something to be said about the lifestyles we lead.

EVERYONE should practice some type of controlled body cleansing. This can be as simple or as complex as you want. Something as simple as increasing the amount of water you drink, to a professional, structured cleansing regiment. You can buy Herbal Remedies to assist, or just use nutritious food.

Exercise for Children

For kids, exercise means playing and being physically active. Kids exercise all the time during gym class at school, sports practice, or dance class. They’re also exercising when they’re at recess or riding bikes, or playing tag.Everyone can benefit from regular exercise. Kids who are active will have stronger muscles and bones and a leaner body because exercise helps control body fat. They well be less likely to become overweight or risk developing type 2 diabetes. It could possibly help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels and help them to have a better outlook on life. Kids who are physically fit sleep better and can handle the physical and emotional challenges that they face everyday such as studying for or taking test.

While watching kids play you will see the three elements of fitness in action. Edurance - running from other kids playing tag. Strength - swinging on the monkey bars. Flexibility - bending down to tie their shoes. Parents should encourage their kids to do a variety of activities so that they can work on all three elements. You don’t have to look far to find free fitness information for children and adults of all ages.

Cranio Sacral Therapy and Autism

“Autism is a brain development disorder that impairs social interaction and communication and causes restricted and repetitive behavior, all starting before a child is three years old. In rare cases, autism is strongly associated with agents that cause birth defects. Other proposed causes, such as childhood vaccines, are controversial; the vaccine hypotheses lack convincing scientific evidence. The number of people known to have autism has increased dramatically since the 1980s, at least partly as a result of changes in diagnostic practice; the question of whether actual prevalence has increased is unresolved.

Autism affects many parts of the brain; how this occurs is poorly understood. Parents usually notice signs in the first two years of their child’s life. Early behavioral or cognitive intervention can help children gain self-care, social, and communication skills. There is no known cure. Few children with autism live independently after reaching adulthood, but some become successful, and an autistic culture has developed, with some seeking a cure and others believing that autism is a condition rather than a disorder.” Wikipedia encyclopedia

I have worked with many autistic children using Cranio Sacral Therapy. When the mother’s would report back to me, they would tell me that they have noticed many, little changes. The child was more calm, or slept better. Their digestive system seemed to improve. If they were beginning to talk it seemed to improve their speech. Children with Asperger syndrome improved in their behavior and school work. This has not been scientifically documented but the mother’s would keep bringing the child for more treatments because they noticed their child improving.

Blemished Skin Mask

A natural acne treatment is so much healthier for your skin than using lots of medications. Medications have so many nasty affects on the digestive system and for many people, they can make your skin ultra sensitive to the sun and cold weather. Acne free in 3 days can help your skin and also help your digestive system by cleaning it out. Once your skin is free of acne, this mask may be an additional help to keep it clear. ENJOY!

BLEMISHED SKIN MASK

1 Tomato, ripe, chopped
1 tsp Lemon juice
1 T Instant style oatmeal or old-fashioned rolled oats
Blend everything until just combined. Apply to skin, making sure the mixture is thick enough to stay on blemished areas: cheeks, forehead, or chin. If necessary, add a bit more oatmeal to thicken the mask. Leave it on for 10 minutes, then scrub it off with a clean washcloth dipped in warm water.

Diaphragmatic Breathing During Anxiety or Panic Attacks

Deep diaphragmatic breathing can be used during times when you are feeling anxious or panicky. It is a powerful way to slow down a rapid heartbeat, control hyperventilation, and promote physical comfort. This is known as the Calming Breath.

Take a long, slow breath in through your nose, first filling your lower lungs, then your upper lungs. Hold your breath to the count of 3 and exhale slowly through pursed lips. Relax the muscles in your face, jaw, shoulders, and stomach.

To help you get used to breathing this way you can practice this Calming Breath several times a day for a few weeks. Practice between projects, whenever you want to let go of tension, or when you want to experience a sense of calmness. As you become familiar and comfortable with breathing this way, you will be able to do it more easily when you do feel the anxiety or panic building.

Water, The Best Beauty Treatment

Water is one of the best beauty treatments available. Good clean water will do wonders for your looks, both inside and out! Drinking a minimum of 8 glasses of water flushes out impurities in your body, and when you are clean inside, it will reflect in your skin by leaving you with a clear, glowing complexion. Good water for washing your skin removes dirt and oils and helps prevent the growth of bacteria which can make your skin look younger.

Asthma, bronchitis, eczema and many other common ailments are very negatively affected by inhalation and absorption of chlorine and other chemicals in our water. Breast, colon and bladder cancer have all been linked to exposure to chlorine from drinking and shower water. Chlorine robs the skin and hair of their natural protective oils and friendly bacteria which can cause dryness, premature aging and other potential health problems. People with respiratory problems or skin disorders will benefit from a good quality shower water filter.

Weight Loss, Patience and Wisdon

I have been actively working on losing weight for 6 months and I have done exceptionally well. I began with an incredibly fast weight loss the first couple of months, then it really slowed down. I keep telling myself that I wanted to get off 30 lbs. then I would be patient with the last 20 lbs. But I find that I’m not being patient, and sometimes not very wise. I really haven’t done anything too bad to speed up the weight loss but I keep having thoughts of “Maybe I should do an all liquid cleanse," which isn't bad, but I need to do a cleanse for the right reason. Maybe I should exercise 2 hours a day instead of 1 hour a day, but I really don't have that much time and it isn't necessaty.

I try to quickly dismiss these thoughts because they do NOT lead to healthy permanent weight loss. I try to remember that I am losing weight to be healthy and feel better. I am not losing weight to look like a model. I work with people everyday who are trying to lose weight and I keep telling them the same thing. Think Healthy, not skinny. I am on a good nutritional plan that fits my personality and my lifestyle and I just need to be patient.

Do you have a Yeast Infection or Something Else

There are many different infections that can make you think you have a yeast infection. Knowing the symptoms of them can help keep you from treating yourself for a vaginal yeast infection that you may not have.

Bacterial infections of the vagina can feel like a yeast infection if the vulva area is itchy or painful. If the discharge dark yellow, green, or brown and smells like fish or something rotting you could have a bacterial infection. You may want to see your doctor for treatment.

Urinary Tract Infections or UTIs, are due to bacteria infecting the urethra rather than the vagina. UTIs can be distinguished from vaginal infections by these symptoms - pain or burning when urinating, blood or mucus in urine, needing to urinate often, pain or pressure in back or lower abdomen, and a fever or chills. You would want to visit your doctor for treatment.

Trichomoniasis is caused by a parasite that can infect both the urinary tract and the vagina. It is primarily sexually transmitted, and can be itchy or painful. It can hurt to urinate, intercourse can be painful, and occasionally you can experience pain in your lower abdomen. You should see a doctor for a positive diagnosis and treatment

Calming Your Breathing Calms Anxiety

People who are anxious tend to breathe in their upper lungs with shallow, rapid breaths, instead of breathing into their lower lungs. This contributes to hyperventilation and can increase the intensity of your anxiety and panic.

Place one hand on your stomach and one on your chest. As you inhale gently, your lower hand should rise while your upper hand stays still, then exhale easily. Continue this gentle breathing pattern and concentrate on filling only the lower lungs. This breathing pattern is opposite of that which comes automatically during anxious moments, but if it is done right it helps in treating anxiety attacks. Instead of breathing rapidly and shallowly into the upper lungs, which expands the chest, you breathe gently into the lower lungs, expanding the abdomen to help relax both your mind and body.

Cleansing the Body Internally

Disease germs can never secure a foothold in healthy tissue. Bernarr Macfadden - Macfadden's Encyclopedia of Physical Culture

The good and the bad news is that the human body is resilient and can handle a certain level of toxicity and imbalances. However, when we exceed our intake of toxins, or over produce toxins or there is a reduction in the elimination processes of toxins, the imbalance and complications begin. We just learn to live with the symptoms. Many professionals attribute the imbalance of toxins in the body to many, if not all, ailments. Your body is a finely tuned machine. Giving your body a good internal cleansing allows your body to run optimally and naturally heal itself.

Prenatal Massage

Therapeutic massage has been a method of aiding overall health for a long period of time. Even before scientific research supported the theory that massage was positive for a person’s overall well being, people knew that massage must be beneficial. Without any scientist telling us what massage does, we can feel the positive effects in our bodies and our minds.
Now there is further evidence that the therapeutic qualities of massage is great for the pregnant mother. Massage reduces stress and chemicals that permeate the body when you feel worried and exhausted. It also releases many positive chemicals like endorphins and serotonin that create a feeling of ease and balance, which is great for a mother in progress that has so much to concern herself over. Prenatal massage is an amazing way to encourage the appropriate, positive consciousness that is so useful for stressed out mothers.

Dehydration Controlled by Hypothalamus GLand

Hydration levels are regulated by a part of the brain called the hypothalamus. When the blood becomes too concentrated as a result of not enough water, it stimulates the sensation of thirst.The hypothalamus also causes a gland in the brain, the pituitary, to release anti-diuretic hormone (ADH), which acts on the kidneys to encourage them to make less urine and reabsorb water into the blood. This results in the blood becoming less concentrated, and this in turn is detected by the hypothalamus, which reduces the secretion of ADH and maintains water balance. It's a clever mechanism to ensure that concentrations in the blood remain stable throughout the day. However, if water intake is reduced, the system has difficulty coping and dehydration can occur.
But of course, even after all that our body can do to keep us regulated, if we are not listening to our thirst, or we try to quench it with carbonated drinks, our body will still be dehydrated. A lot of people do not like to drink water. Part of that is just a bad habit, and another part of it is that the water just doesn't taste good. One way to help that situation is to get a water purifyer which can make water taste great by taking out the impurities.

How are Herbal Medicines Used

Herbal supplements for medicinal purposes has increased dramatically over the past 30 years. Herbal supplements are also known as dietary supplements by the U.S. Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994. The FDA defines a dietary supplement as "...any product taken by mouth that contains a so-called 'dietary ingredient' and its label clearly states that it is a dietary supplement." Per the provisions of DSHEA, herbal supplements -- unlike pharmaceutical drugs -- can be marketed without undergoing testing to prove their safety and efficacy. However, herbal supplements must be manufactured according to good manufacturing practices.

Herbal supplements are safe to take for the majority of people. Yes, you will find a few who have problems with them, but over all, they are very safe and effective to take. Herbal remedies and supplements work with the body to heal and cure many diseases and ailments, instead of overwhelm and only take care of symptoms like many medications do.

5 Stress Relievers

I found this list of 5 stress relievers for busy people and I wanted to share them. They are quick, easy and can fit into ANY schedule with very little effort.

TAKE VITAMINS in the morning. Vitamin B complex, Calcium and Magnesium help the nervous system and Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps to rid your body of toxins. If taken appropriately they can help you feel more relaxed.

LISTENING TO MUSIC has been proven to release stress and improve health. You can listen to music during your commute, during meals and activities, and also to just quiet your thoughts.

PRACTICE BREATHING EXERCISES anytime and anywhere to oxygenate the brain and body. You can ‘inhale peace’ and exhale stress’.

LEARN TO SAY NO to new commitments if you are already stretched beyond a healthy schedule. Don’t worry about disappointing others, your health and well being is more important that just pleasing someone.

DEVELOP A POSITIVE ATTITUDE to improve your stress level and your health. Being optimistic not only helps you, but lifts others also. It takes a bit more energy and practice to become more positive, but in the long run, it really can lower stress.

Lose the Pounds

Having those excess pounds might not be a small matter anymore. There are studies being uncovered everyday about the effects of being overweight. The health benefits of being in your proper weight range are so important to our overall bodily functions. 85 percent of all people with type 2 diabetes are overweight.

This is just one of many health problems associated with weight gain. To get back into the swing of things, and avoid these messy health problems, you may want to look into Fat Loss 4 Idiots. I have been using this program for several months and I love it. I wanted a program that used lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, and was very easy because I don't like to spend a lot of time cooking. I have lost over 40 pounds and I feel great. Get the help that you need today so that you don’t have to be worried about excess health problems in the future.

Yeast Infections in Infants

A yeast infection won’t hurt or affect your developing baby in the womb, but if you have an infection when you deliver, there’s a chance that your newborn will contract it as he passes through the birth canal. The baby may develop a yeast infection in his mouth called thrush. Thrush is characterized by white patches on the sides and roof of the mouth and sometimes on the tongue. Thrush typically creates no problems but its symptoms may be very uncomfortable. A baby suffering from this infection may be irritable, frustrated and annoyed, especially when feeding.

Babies can also be infected with yeast because of the following conditions:

1. Antibiotics treatment. Antibiotics interfere with the function of the digestion and immune system and encourage excessive candida growth.

2. The use of bottles or pacifiers which have not been cleaned well.

3. When the mother has a yeast infection the baby can pick it up from nursing.

4. When the weather is warm or humid.

There are many natural cures for yeast infections that are safe for both mother and baby.

Benefits of Sprouting

Seeds can multiply 8-15 times their weight, so sprouting is very economical. Sprouts are nutritious because they are baby plants in their prime. They have a greater concentration of vitamins, minerals, proteins, enzymes, phytochemicals, anti-oxidants, nitrosamines, trace minerals, bioflavinoids and chemo-protectants such as sulphoraphane and isoflavone which work against toxins, resist cell mutation and strengthen the body’s immune system.

Sprouts are organic because you don’t use any pesticides, fumigants or synthetic fertilizers or chemicals. They can be grown anytime or anywhere all year long. Sprouts are fresh, LIVING FOODS, with no loss of nutrients from sitting in a warehouse or on a grocery store shelf. I highly recommend “The Sprouting Book” by Ann Wigmore who has been considered an authority on sprouting.

Anxiety and Panic and Breathing

During an emergency or a panic attack our breathing rate and pattern changes. We begin rapid, shallow breathing from our upper lungs. If we are not physically exerting ourselves it can produce a situation called hyperventilation. This can explain many of the uncomfortable symptoms during panic attacks such as dizziness, shortness of breath, tingling or numbness in the hands or feet, confusion, a lump in the throat or nausea.

I have had asthma most of my life and when I couldn’t breath I would panic, and when I had a panic attack, I couldn’t breath. My aunt was a professional singer, and using the techniques she uses for singing, she taught me how to slow down my breathing and get me to relax. I learned to relax my neck and shoulders and breath with my diaphragm. I was able to overcome many asthma attacks without medication and shorten the duration of the panic attack symptoms by doing this.

Watch for my next few posts with more specific information on breathing.

My Nightly Routine with Music

After I arrive home from a long day of work there’s nothing I like to do more than relax. My relaxation routine isn’t rocket science. It just involves a few de-stressing activities. I start by changing into some comfortable clothes and playing some relaxing music. I also light a couple of my favorite scented candles.

After doing a few breathing exercises I like to do a short yoga routine. Then I grab whatever book I am reading and lay on the couch for a while. For dinner, I try to eat something healthy, usually brown rice and fish or chicken. I also try not to watch much television before going to bed. I find that watching television makes me stay up later and then I feel tired in the morning.

The Importance of Exercise for Children

The number of overweight kids has more than doubled over the past 30 years. Many factors contribute to this epidemic and one of them is that nowadays kids are sitting around a lot more watching TV or playing video games.Parents should encourage their kids to do a variety of activities so that they can get good aerobic exercise that gets the heart beating faster and gets them to breathe harder. When done regularly and for continuous periods of time, aerobic activities strengthens the heart and improves the body’s ability to deliver oxygen to all its cells.

Aerobic exercise can be fun for both adults and kids. Examples of aerobic activities include basketball, bicycling, ice-skating, soccer, swimming, tennis, walking, jogging and running. Under supervision kids can strengthen and tone their muscles by doing push-ups, stomach crunches, pull-ups. Kids can also incorporate strength activities in their play when they climb, do a handstand, or wrestle. Stretching exercises help improve flexibility by allowing muscles and joints to bend and move easily through their full range of motion. Kids look for opportunities every day to stretch when they practice a split, or flip over the couch.

It is essential to have a good fitness program along with healthy eating to enjoy life to its fullest.