It is holiday season and we all know what that entails! Shopping, festivities, family and food. While we are hearing holiday songs piped in the stores, lights and decorations adorning windows of homes and stores, this can be a challenging time for many. The two main areas that seem to be especially challenging are Family and Food. Luckily there is a very simple mind body technique called EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) that can, which I call your ‘Secret Weapon.’
Studies has shown that when we stimulate these acupoints EFT raises the serotonin in the brain. Serotonin does 2 things: it soothes us and it also erases fear reactions from a part of the brain that is involved with processing fear.
As we tap on a variety of acupressure points, the serotonin in the brain rises. Serotonin is a brain chemical, a neurotransmitter that calms us. The part of the brain that creates alarm when it perceives threat is then flooded with serotonin. This fear loop is disconnected, and we feel more at peace, grounded and are able to think objectively instead of reacting. As panic recedes, the thinking part of the brain is able to evaluate the problem from a new point of view and make new decisions. This can happen in a matter of minutes. Because many illnesses, physical challenges and habits are emotionally based these conditions clear up.
It also balances out any blocks that are in the meridians, which are the energetic pathways in the body.
Here are some situations that come up during the Holidays where EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) can be applied to diffuse tension, stress and prepare you for enjoying yourself.
Family
Three situations that can be especially tough at holiday gatherings are:
1. Conflict with a particular family member
It can be uncomfortable in any setting, holidays or not, to share a meal or being in a room with someone you don’t care for or have had arguments and past tensions with. There can be feelings of dread and wanting to avoid Here are some set up statements to explore:
2. Feeling pressured by parents/grandparents/siblings:
You have been dating your significant other for some time, and you know subtle and not-so-subtle hints will be made about ‘tying the knot.’ Or maybe you have been married/living together for some time and you are anticipating your Mom or Grandma’s comment, “Oh, I just hope I live long enough around to see my grandchildren.” GULP! EFT to the rescue!
3. First holiday after a loss*
Perhaps you have just separated or divorced this past year, or were laid off from your job. Maybe this is your first holiday after your spouse or a family member has died. These are all forms of loss, which can be a particularly sensitive topic around the holidays especially when the emphasis is on ‘good cheer.’
Food
1. Overeating*
Sweets, meats and treats… the holidays are about eating delicious dishes and favorite foods that are prepared for particular festivities. It can also be a time of dread for those that are desiring to not overindulge and feel guilty after. Try one of these set ups, modifying words to your specific situation and your specific feelings.
Do this “EFT work” well before the events you are attending. But don’t forget you can also so do EFT on the spot at the events! Feeling tension with a family member? Wanting to take a third slice of pumpkin pie? Slip into the bathroom or quiet corner, or even dash into your car and have an EFT quickie!
I also want to suggest scheduling a session with an EFT practitioner before the holiday events. You know how people run to their doctor and have flu shots before winter or the holiday season? Think of getting your own ‘shot in the arm’ with EFT before facing the festivities! (This goes for EFT practitioners as well.)
Remember as you are bustling about this season, to unwrap and use this most wonderful gift you already have, EFT, so that your holiday season can truly be festive and fun.
*Please note: while I have included suggestions for treating yourself with EFT, in the case of loss/grief or in chronic overeating/food issues doing EFT on yourself does not replace professional assistance, but rather works powerfully in conjunction with professional help.
Archive for August, 2010
Use EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) To Restore Your Peace During the Holidays
NAET Allergy Elimination – Is it Right For You?
In the mid 1980s, Dr. Devi Nambudripad discovered that allergies could be permanently eliminated using acupuncture or acupressure.
Natural Arthritis Remedies
All over the world people are affected by the pain of Arthritis. As the body ages it becomes harder to maintain a good balance of nutrients, therefore, the body loses tissue and bone density because of those deficiencies. The two main forms are Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis and these forms can be treated with prescription medication or natural herbal remedies.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a disease where the immune system attacks the joints in the body causing severe joint inflammation. The joint issues and cartilage are destroyed and as a result sufferers have extreme pain, deformation of joints, swelling and mobility limitations.
Osteoarthritis is the wearing away of the cartilage that pads and protects the joints because of trauma to the area. As the bone ends rub together due to lack of padding the pain can be excruciating. This pain causes many sufferers to limit their movement and because of this the muscles and other tissue in the body start to deteriorate causing them to lose weight.
Arthritis in humans is said to date back to early BC and it is rumored that willow tree bark was used to ease the pain. Today there are many herbal remedies available that are actually considered as pain relief and treatment for arthritis. Raw fruit and vegetable juices are recommended to gain nutrients that the body needs to rebuild and maintain tissue. There are also several herbs that have been proven to replenish and rejuvenate cartilage as well as easy joint inflammation and treat pain. Always consult your doctor before starting any herbal route as some prescriptions and herbs are harmful to the body when combined.
Faucet Water Filters Can Purify Your Drinking Water By Removing Chlorine & Many Harmful Contaminants
Investing in one of the many faucet water filters on the market is the best way to ensure that the water you drink is clean and safe. Many consumers feel that there’s no need to invest in a filter when they can buy bottled water from their local grocery store. Unfortunately, what many of these consumers don’t know is that bottled water isn’t really much safer than your everyday tap.
This may come as a shock, but there are no government standards that require bottled water to be safer or purer than your everyday tap water. Basically, that means you are paying more for bottled when it’s essentially the same as what you can drink from home, oftentimes even worse. In the long run, owning your own filter will allow you to save money and have healthier water available all of the time.
There are over 2,000 cancer-causing contaminants in our water. Unfortunately, with the production of more man-made chemicals, the toxicity will only continue to get worse. Before the invention of these chemicals, the population had a 1 in 50 chance of getting cancer. Since the creation of these chemicals, water consumers now have a 1 in 3 chance of getting cancer. Faucet mounted water filters are a wonderful way to purify the water used for drinking and cooking.
Another great benefit of quality faucet water filters, is that they remove contaminants without stripping the water of the natural trace minerals our bodies need, like distillers and reverse osmosis systems do. These two types of filters give you de-mineralized water with a very acidic pH, which is highly unhealthy.
One of the best faucet water filters you can purchase is a twin cartridge system. A quality filter will have a dual system that uses a combination of carbon filtration, ion exchange and sub-micron filtration. This produces healthy and great tasting water. Even better, it can be available at the convenience of your kitchen tap, by hooking up directly to your faucet, or being installed under the sink.
These multi-stage faucet water filters are a wonderful investment because two cartridges are more effective at purifying water. The first stage removes chlorine, sediment and other microscopic particles. The second stage then removes lead and volatile organic chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides and industrial solvents that can be damaging to your body.
As stated earlier, dual filter systems make great water. However, there are some faucet mounted water filters that also add potassium. When potassium is added to water, it enhances the mineral balance, which gives water a natural spring-like taste. If you’re looking for that extra bonus for your water, this is the way to go.
If you still feel like faucet water filters are unnecessary, think about this–there is no new water. This means that what goes down our drain gets recycled for future use. Yes, this also includes what gets bottled for sale. Due to the lack of standard regulations concerning the purity of water, the equipment used at your local water facility remains very primitive.
When you understand that low-grade equipment produces low-grade water, the importance of faucet mounted water filters becomes quite clear. The best way to have pure water on a regular basis is by investing in a filter for your home.
Remember, the best faucet water filters are the ones that eliminate contaminants using a dual filtration system. These filters use a combination of carbon filtration, ion exchange and sub-micron filtration to effectively remove chlorine, lead, volatile organic compounds, MTBE and other chlorine resistant chemicals. There is nothing wrong with investing in a more basic product, but if you want a truly effective product, this multi-stage process gives you more for your money.
In order to make a wise investment in faucet mounted water filters, it is best to ask the distributor for a performance data report. Doing so will prove a company’s reputability as well as the product’s reliability.
A reputable company will want to prove that they can provide the best faucet water filters. Therefore, they will want to assure you that they have the proof to back it up. If you find a company unwilling to oblige, steer clear and find a distributor you can trust.
Your health is important and owning faucet water filters for your home can help you maintain it. When you have control over what you put into your body, you can easily improve your quality of life.
Flu Shot Ingredients
The major flu shot ingredients are dead influenza viruses. There may be any number of different flu viruses circulating at any one time, but pharmaceutical companies only choose three as annual flu shot ingredients. Even if you take an annual flu shot, you could still contract another flu virus and still come down with the flu. So, it is still important to protect your immune system and practice good health habits. Common flu vaccine side effects include body aches, low grade fever and soreness at the point of injection. There are some rare, but serious flu vaccine side effects that concern many people.
In addition to the major flu shot ingredients, pharmaceutical companies add preservatives. Until recently there were no preservative free flu shots. The addition of the preservative thimerosal to flu shot ingredients has caused illness and injury. Thimerosal is mercury based and is believed to have been the cause of flu vaccine side effects in many people. Of major concern is the increase of autism in recent years and many researchers and doctors believe that thimerosal, a known neurotoxin, used as flu shot ingredients and in other childhood vaccines is the cause.
Some researchers and doctors believe that flu shot ingredients, including thimerosal and aluminum, increases the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease. This, of course, is not one of the common flu vaccine side effects and since Alzheimer’s does not develop immediately after taking the shot, then the link can not be proven. A prominent physician and researcher showed that people who had five consecutive influenza vaccinations between the years 1970 and 1980 were ten times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s than were individuals who had none, one or two.
It is believed that some people cannot shed mercury from their systems and it builds up in their brains causing nerve and brain damage. In addition, some people are allergic to mercury and thimerosal and can experience serious allergic reaction as flu vaccine side effects. Some states have banned mercury from flu shot ingredients intended for use in children and pregnant women. But, while health advocates have petitioned the Food and Drug Administration to ban thimerosal from flu shot ingredients, nothing has been done at this time. Many manufacturers continue to add thimerosal to their flu shot ingredients.
The dead influenza viruses which are the major flu shot ingredients are grown in chicken eggs. So, people who are allergic to chicken eggs could have serious flu vaccine side effects. Some people blame the onset of chronic fatigue on flu vaccine side effects, but there is no scientific research supporting this belief.
The influenza nasal spray vaccine is chosen by some as an alternative to the flu shot. Ingredients in the nasal spray include weakened live influenza viruses. The common nasal spray flu vaccine side effects include runny nose, headache, sore throat and cough. The nasal spray flu vaccine is preservative free, but is only approved for use in healthy people between the ages of 5 and 49.
Concern over flu shot ingredients and flu vaccine side effects raise questions in the minds of some people as to whether or not healthy people, with a healthy immune system even need an annual influenza vaccine. Alternatives include the use of natural immunity boosting products. Some feel that these products may even reduce the likelihood of contracting the flu, the common cold and other viruses. Most natural immune system boosters have no unwanted side effects and carry none of the risks associated with flu vaccine side effects and flu shot ingredients. To learn more about immune system boosters and for more information about the common cold, influenza and other viruses, visit www.immune-system-booster-guide.com.
How to Fall Asleep Faster
Does your mind race when you try to sleep? Does your body feel tired, but your mind just won’t slow down long enough to feel fully rested? Learning how to fall asleep faster is critically important to your overall health. Not only does it start to take a toll on your body physically, but emotionally you will deteriorate as well. I know I get incredibly irritable after a night or two of tossing and turning.
One of the most important steps in learning how to fall asleep faster is to simply find ways to slow your mind down as you ease into your bed-time routine. And most people do have a bed-time routine, even though most people are probably not aware of it. Walking, biking, stretching, or doing yoga, and then:
Relax in a warm bath or shower
Listen to soft music, and light some candles while you bathe
Heighten the effect by adding some aromatherapy and lavender
When trying to learn how to fall asleep faster, here are some activities to avoid:
Watching tv in your bedroom Eating your dinner late in the evening Working on the computer or playing video games just before bed-time
You may have heard of some of these tips before. The question then becomes, have you consciously made an attempt to implement them into your bed-time routine. All the knowledge in the world is useless if isn’t acted upon. Make a decision to implement a supportive bed-time routine tonight. You’ll be glad you did.
Learn About Higher Risks Regarding Pregnancy and the Swine Flu
Given certain circumstances, some individuals have an increased risk for complications and possibly even death. Pregnancy and swine flu is one of the factors that can increase the risk to you or your unborn baby. Those who are pregnant have a higher incidence of serious complications than others.
But that is not all, this serious disease can also cause premature births. This puts the baby you carry at substantial risk too. If you are pregnant, or just thinking about getting pregnant, you should call your doctor and see if if he advises any special precautions regarding this disease.
Also known as H1N1, this virus brings about influenza in humans. The pathogen has gone thru a recent mutation into its present form. Due to this mutation, humans have no protection from the virus. This is the reason that authorities are concerned about the possibility of a pandemic.
Like the seasonal influenza, serious complications and death has occurred as a consequence of illness associated with this virus. In the U.S. alone, about 36,000 people die each year from flu related issues.
If you are worried about pregnancy and swine flu, safeguarding your loved ones, or have a special risk factor, do some preparation now. It is imperative that you take steps today to protect yourself and your loved ones from the swine flu. It is important to be proactive and prepare yourself and your loved ones before an influenza out break occurs. Once a pandemic strikes, it may be too late to do anything.
Under the Sink Water Filter
The under the sink water filter is one of the most popular forms of water filtration systems in households who desire a water filtration system. The under the sink liquid filter is placed exactly where it says, under the sink. This prevents the need for large and bulky parts that have to be attached to the head of the faucet. The faucet head attachments can also leak, and the under the sink liquid filter eliminates this problem as well.
Most under the sink water filters employ the use of reverse osmosis water filtration. This is one of the most effective water filtration methods around, and is very effective at removing trace amounts of metals, viruses, bacteria and microbial cysts that can be found in common tap water.
Under the sink liquid filters can range greatly in price, depending on what you are looking for. The more complex the system, the more you will spend for it. Some even come with lighted reminders that you can place in an obvious location. These reminders blink when it is time to change the filter in your system, so you can ensure that your system is working to the best of its ability. You can install the system yourself, or you can have a plumber install it for you. With more sophisticated systems, it may be advised that you get a professional to perform the installation to ensure that the system is installed properly. These under the sink water filters are used by many types of individuals.
Xanthan & Guar Gum Are THE Major Gluten Substitute – Find Out Their Strange Origins & Side Effects!
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Treating Arthritis With Cinnamon Essential Oil
If you suffer from arthritis, then chronic pain in the day and often the night is unfortunately nothing new to you. To date there is no known cure for arthritis but pain relief is something every sufferer wants. Aromatherapy using essential oils has been known to help with arthritis pain.
Aromatherapy is a holistic approach, to help treat various ailments and conditions by helping to heal imbalances in your body – arthritis pain definitely being one. These essential oils come from all over the plant kingdom and is in effect the ‘essence’ of the particular plant, tree, flower or bush. Most importantly, these essential oils also make you feel good! An aroma therapist can choose which oils are best for you.
Various essential oils have been associated with relieving arthritis pain:
Cinnamon essential oil is definitely good for arthritis pain because it is anti inflammatory and helps removing the stiffness and pain of muscles It can help with rheumatism, achy muscles, cold hands and feet (if due to poor circulation) but also for colds, coughs and the flu. It can also help with recovery from an illness. A few drops of cinnamon essential oil can be used in your bath, also as a compress as detailed below.
Hot compresses are one of the most effective ways to relieve pain and reduce inflammation of joints.
Put 3 to 6 drops of essential oil into a bowl of hot water (not boiling as this is going on your skin!). Soak a cotton cloth in the mixture then wring until it stops dripping. Put the cloth onto the affected area. Wrap a towel over the cloth to keep in the warmth. When it cools, just repeat two to three times.
You can also rub diluted essential oils onto your skin. Mix two to three drops into vegetable oil or a skin cream. 3% essential oils in 97% vegetable oil or cream is generally considered safe and effective. Remember that essential oils are very potent so treat them with care and do your research before putting them on your skin. Rub a diluted version of one or more of the above essential oils onto affected areas as well as pulse points (inside wrists, for example) during the day to help alleviate pain.
It is important to buy high grade pure essential oils. Most health food stores carry a wide range of essential oils.
Also the use of cinnamon bark (as in the spice that you can buy at your local supermarket) taken with honey in hot water as a drink can also do wonders for arthritis. You should not drink cinnamon essential oil! See my article “Relieve Arthritis Pain with Honey and Cinnamon” for further information.
From the above, you can see that consulting an expert (aroma therapist) is a good idea as s/he can guide you as to which essential oils are best for your individual condition.