Category Relaxation

When You Can’t Catch Up

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Every day I have the best intentions. I have my schedule mapped out and tear into it like a beast. But all too frequently, one or more hiccups in the timeline mess up my perfect plans to get a plethora of things done. That being said, I move like a dynamo and get more done than the average person does, mainly because I don’t lead a normal life, and am extremely ambitious. But just when I think I am about to catch up in one area of my life, I get dumped on in another area. I suppose it’s just how life goes, but sometimes it is so maddening to see my to-do list for the day unravel despite all my efforts. It certainly doesn’t appeal to my sense of order and control.

RunningLate

I know many of you who are reading this can relate. Opportunities are blessed things, but when you can barely come up for air and you can’t attend to the most basic things like buying groceries, doing laundry, or catching enough sleep, you are teetering way off balance and need to pay attention. By no means am I suggesting that you abandon your responsibilities in favor of wanton playtime, but no one should be that busy all the time. The body and mind cannot endure such constant stress and will rebel eventually, usually through physical illness, depression or anxiety.

I have been travelling through my days at a frenetic pace lately, and can tell the stress has exerted a toll on me. So last Saturday, after I had completed my workouts and run a few errands, I just said, “SCREW IT”, and headed over to a local movie theater by myself to see “Grand Budapest Hotel”, despite the fact that I had work waiting for me at home. I happily turned off my phone and nestled into the fantasy world of the film for close to two hours. I felt no guilt whatsoever, and was completely refreshed by my little getaway.

Another thing I have just begun doing lately is sifting through all the contacts and opportunities before me, setting boundaries, and learning to say NO when appropriate. This has been huge for me, since I usually do everything in my power to please and take care of people. Though I am pretty good about putting the oxygen mask on my own face, I will often opt to make someone else more comfortable at my own expense. I have noticed that if my movement and freedom are compromised, I become extremely frustrated, yet I also understand that I often bring that upon myself. The most compelling thing about this situation is that it is one that I see over and over again with other people. It’s almost like a cosmic movement, a tendency towards losing control, taking on more than what is reasonable, and draining the body and spirit of resources instead of replenishing and supporting those resources.

My take-home message is to:

1. take a break every now and then to recharge your batteries
2. learn to say no when appropriate
3. honor yourself

The sooner you learn to achieve balance, the happier and more productive you will be.

Bargain Facials In My City

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After being spoiled off and on for many years with regular free facials and microdermabrasion, I once again found myself in an “off” phase during the summer last year. I continued to practice my weekly at-home facial ritual, but my skin became more lackluster, deflated and congested. By October I caved and, in complete desperation, decided to check out the local beauty school. To be honest, I was extremely concerned that I would have an allergic reaction to a product or breakouts as a result of a student’s lack of experience or knowledge.

The first student who worked on me talked to me throughout the entire facial and took about two hours to complete the visit. This Skin facial aestheticianoccurred twice. However, she was very nice and I enjoyed chatting with her despite having zero chance to relax during the process. I also ended up with beautiful, glowing skin with no breakouts and no dry skin patches. SCORE! This nice young lady graduated, leaving me in the hands of a new student who is rather lacking in conversational skills. Case in point, I went in for a facial a few days ago and I had to ask her how she was doing because she made no effort to greet me or make small talk. It was a bit strange, but I didn’t mind so much because she was quiet during the treatment, and I was able to relax during the entire visit. She was skillful in her facial techniques, gave a relaxing arm massage (I just wish she used more pressure, because I could barely feel it), and finished the entire treatment in 45 minutes. When I got up from the table, my skin was absolutely glowing. When I went to pay, I got a discount on an already very reasonably priced facial, walking to my car with only $25 less in my wallet. And that was including a 25 percent tip!

I have now had four facials at the local beauty school in my city and must say that I am rather impressed! I have had countless facials throughout my adult life and know a good facial when I see one. So this has been a pleasant surprise. If you have a beauty school in your area, you might want to give it a try with facials, nail services, and hair services. Hopefully you will be as pleasantly surprised as I was!

Being Neutral

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Dark Light NeutralThe most evolved people I know have an ability to approach emotionally charged situations with neutrality. Neutrality requires our complete awareness, so it is different from apathy, which causes a disengagement from awareness and attention. True neutrality prevents us from engaging in vicious cycles of emotional engagement and repulsion which are so common in strained personal relationships. It takes emotion out of the equation.

However, it can be exceedingly difficult to be neutral, especially when dealing with individuals and situations which rapidly ignite a response or reaction from us. Though I try repeatedly to hold myself back, I find myself reacting to certain individuals in my life who have a very strong emotional pull on me. Counting to ten, breathing, and walking away from situations are tactics which can work in the short term to keep us from reacting, but the challenge to remain neutral is constant for many people including me.

I know that the best way to approach people who push buttons is to have compassion and to come from that neutral place, but at the core, we are only human and that tendency to react rears its sometimes ugly head to remind us of that fact. I recently found myself in a situation in which I was beginning to get very upset, so I sat and meditated for a few minutes, holding the energy and trying my best to stay neutral. Yet the very next day I was flailing wildly with my emotions, distraught, hurt, allowing myself to react and throwing neutrality completely out the window. I felt the reactive energy in my chest, like I had been physically hit there. I was actually choking on it and having difficulty breathing. The more I expressed it, the more ill I felt. The next day, I was forced to deal with the aftermath of my emotional pain, my chest full and achy, as if my heart was literally breaking. I am sure many of you have experienced physical manifestations of emotions. Though there is still some resistance, the medical community has become increasingly more aware of the connection of the mind and body when dealing with depression, anxiety, grief, anger and any other emotion which may be troubling.

Two of the most effective ways to learn neutrality are to meditate or to practice breathing techniques to increase awareness of the energy around you. I have personally noticed that when I meditate more regularly, I am much calmer and find it easy to come from a neutral place when dealing with situations which would normally get me all riled up. When I come from a neutral place, misunderstandings and arguments are defused. I have to remind myself frequently to come from a neutral place, and I recognize that this is not an easy process. By forcing myself to sit with my own energy, I am better able to transform it. If a situation is truly unsolvable, I have learned to walk away from it instead of trying to fix it. Otherwise, it’s like running into a wall repeatedly.

Try to come from a neutral place the next time you feel your anger or frustration welling up inside you. Your spirit will grow and you will end up much happier.

Get Off The Hamster Wheel

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hamster-wheelThere isn’t a single person I have interacted with lately who has been able to enjoy a respite from the frenetic life pace which seems prevalent. Honestly, EVERYONE seems to be frazzled, running from place to place, trying to get massive amounts of work done in a limited amount of time. After a while, the days seem to blend into one another and we may feel like we are running in an endless circle, very much like a hamster on a wheel. I know that feeling well and always think that I can somehow catch up. Alas, I never do. Yet the next day I start up again, hoping to finally catch up on every project, all the while knowing that it won’t happen.

What may send ripples of anxiety through people is the concept of stepping off the hamster wheel on a regular basis. I can already hear people saying, “What??? Don’t you know how much stuff I have to get done today?” Let’s be honest: there will ALWAYS be something on the to-do list that we feel must be done. But when we allow ourselves to take a break from the constant movement, we can finally be present and cause our weary bodies, minds and spirits to reset. When this reset occurs, we can tackle projects and work with renewed vigor. And though some of us may not believe this, taking a break will not result in a collapse of all that we have worked on. The work will be there when we are ready to return to it.

You may be asking if I practice this regularly, and I have to admit that it doesn’t happen nearly as much as I would like. But at least now I realize that the coach won’t turn into a pumpkin if I take a little break from the fast paced life I lead, even if the break is longer than a few minutes. Getting off the wheel also opens you up to new ways of thinking and new possibilities so that you can reach goals more effectively. Physiologically, it gives your overtaxed adrenal glands, cardiovascular system and thyroid a rest too, not to mention your nervous system, gut, etc. So give yourself a break!

Finding Your Inner Goddess

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It almost seems to be part of the female state these days to become wrapped up in the needs of others so completely that a woman’s needs and strengths are often neglected. Between having a full time job, children, a spouse or partner, and elderly parents to care for, there is little room for personal time. However, I am a firm believer in making time for oneself, regardless of whether you are a man or a woman. When a woman sets aside some time for herself every day, whether it is for a workout, manicure, massage, meditation, or a pleasant stroll alone, she recharges her spiritual batteries and finds her center. When this center is nurtured daily, it grows like a flower. The inner goddess is awakened, and because of this, a woman who does this is better able to cope with daily demands and is a better mother, partner, and daughter.

Women are natural multitaskers because we forced into that role, many times at a very early age. But the inner goddess is like the energy cell that serves as the main power source. I have seen women go through the motions with serving their loved ones, completely devoid of motivation, moving like automatons because that core energy cell is almost completely drained. Since we women are seen as nurturers, we should recognize the need to nurture OURSELVES.

I know that women have become keenly interested in competing in bodybuilding events in recent years because of this new awareness of the inner goddess. While I am not suggesting that every woman should elect to compete in a bodybuilding event in an effort to fortify the inner goddess, it’s not a bad idea for ladies who are considering such a journey. What these competitions do is shift the focus onto the woman, putting her in a position in which she MUST address her own needs. It is an interesting shift and I never tire of seeing the transformation which occurs as a result. It is almost like a lightbulb goes off in their heads and they suddenly realize how much they had neglected their own needs.

For women who have no desire to compete, I suggest taking up a hobby or class in something they have had a lot of interest in. The important element here is to set aside time for oneself on a regular basis and to recognize that it is NOT selfish to cultivate one’s own interests. You can still be superwoman and take care of your family, but take care of YOURSELF too.woman-hugging-herself
Once you learn how to connect with your inner goddess, you will wonder how you ever survived without that connection.

I Sleep Like A Rock

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Sleep-GarfieldI feel sorry for everyone who suffers from insomnia and can only imagine how exhausting it must be to have the desire to sleep with a body that won’t allow slumber to occur. Though I have had a few very brief bouts of insomnia in my life, I have always slept VERY deeply from the time I was an infant. My mother found it humorous that I could sleep through alarms and small earthquakes without a single response. This actually was problematic for me in my teens and early adulthood because it always required a gargantuan effort on my part to try to wake up at a decent hour.

Even now, after suffering from several days of sleep deprivation, my body completely rebels and insists on a full eight hours of sleep, pinning my eyelids together and making it impossible for me to progress from a state of slumber to a wakeful state until the full eight hour rest stretch is completed. I can hear insomniacs around the globe groaning as they read this blogpost, but this is honestly a problem! I can also drink a large mug of caffeinated coffee right before going to bed and sleep like a baby. Believe me when I say I wish I could bottle this up for insomniacs because I would be filthy rich by now!

What Are Chakras?

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Chakra ChainWhile many of you may know have heard of chakras, many of you may not know what they refer to. Basically, chakras are energy centers which are located in our bodies and which often serve as focus points during yoga and meditation. It is strongly believed that blocked energy in these centers results in illness, so those who practice yoga and meditation seek a free flow of energy through the chakras to prevent illness and promote well-being and a connection to the energy of the Universe. There are seven main chakras, listed below.

The-Chakra-Wheel
1. Root Chakra – This chakra keeps us rooted to the earth and represents our foundation.
Location: Base of spine in tailbone.
Emotional issues: Financial security, food.

2. Sacral Chakra – This chakra represents our sense of connection to others.
Location: Lower abdomen, about 2 inches below the navel and 2 inches deep.
Emotional issues: Abundance, well-being, pleasure, sexuality.

3. Solar Plexus Chakra – This chakra represents our sense of self.
Location: Upper abdomen near stomach.
Emotional issues: Self-worth, self-confidence, self-esteem.
More on Solar Plexus Chakra healing

4. Heart Chakra – This represents our interpersonal relationships with loved ones and our ability to love.
Location: Chest near the heart.
Emotional issues: Love, joy, inner peace.

5. Throat Chakra – This chakra represents our ability to communicate.
Location: Throat.
Emotional issues: Communication, self-expression, the truth.

6. Third Eye Chakra – This chakra represents our intuition and wisdom.
Location: Forehead between the eyes.
Emotional issues: Imagination, vision, ability to think and make decisions.

7. Crown Chakra – The highest Chakra represents our ability to be fully connected spiritually.
Location: The very top of the head.
Emotional issues: Enlightenment, our connection to spirituality, pure bliss.

Can’t Sleep? Try This Sleep Aid

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Delta SleepFor many years I have recommended the Delta Sleep System to patients who suffered from insomnia and have had incredible results reported by many people. Here is a description of the system:

There are several stages of sleep that people pass through in the course of a good restful night. In each stage our sleep gets deeper, our bodies gets more relaxed, and our brainwave patterns slow down. The deepest and most rejuvenating levels of sleep are associated with delta brainwave patterns.

Delta sleep is the most physically relaxed stage of sleep, and it is the time when the body recuperates and rebalances itself for the new day. Getting enough sleep, but more specifically enough delta sleep, is essential for healthy, productive living.

Dr. Jeffrey Thompson’s breakthrough audio techniques, developed over 25 years of clinical research, are proven to increase levels of delta brainwave activity. He has helped thousands of people to achieve regular, restful, revitalizing, sleep.

How This Program Can Work for You
Play Delta Sleep System on any ordinary stereo or through headphones. Pulses of sound embedded into an ambient musical soundtrack, combining rich orchestration and three-dimensional sounds of nature will coax your own brainwaves toward their natural pattern of deep delta sleep.

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http://www.soundstrue.com/shop/Delta-Sleep-System/2222.pd

This remarkable system is available in CD and MP3 formats.