Why Positive Thinking Can Heal
By Psychic Verbena
March 24, 2011
Consciousness and the New Biology
In his groundbreaking book The Biology of Belief, Bruce H.Lipton, Ph.D. uses the leading edge biological science of epigenetics to demonstrate why and how what we believe and what we think about affects our physical reality, right down to the healthy function of individual cells.
Maybe you’re already convinced about the power of positive thinking and the effects of the Law of Attraction, but if you’re like me and like to have a few facts and a smattering of logic to support what you intuitively understand, then you’re going to want to read Lipton’s book.
Lipton doesn’t just talk about new biological theories, either. He’s an epic myth-buster in several areas, using the latest science to help us move light years beyond the ideas of Newton and Descartes and into the leading edge of scientific thought in the 21st century.
His book is so compelling that every time I found Lipton’s detailed scientific proofs a bit daunting and skipped ahead in a chapter, I found myself so amazed by his conclusions that I inevitably went back and read what I’d skipped.
Starting with a new understanding of the role of our genetic strands of DNA, which until recently was believed to be the primary cause or director of cell behavior, Lipton painstakingly builds a clear, comprehensible scientific case for the new belief that the primary cause of cell behavior is its response to its environment.
This completely trashes the idea that humans – or, indeed any living things – are helpless victims of genetic programming (remember the movie “Jurassic Park”?). Your physical body is not a machine endlessly replicating programmed behavior, but rather a collection of individually conscious cells which, through a complex system of intercommunication, work together for the health and well-being of the whole (you).
Next, he explains how the new physics, quantum mechanics, interacts with biology to remind us that solid matter is not actually solid, that it is at its core pure energy. As Lipton says, “…we do not live in a universe with discrete [sic] physical objects separated by dead space. The Universe is one, indivisible, dynamic whole [author’s italics] in which energy and matter are so deeply entangled it is impossible to consider them as independent elements.”
This concept is a key to how your thoughts affect not only your health but the unfolding reality of the world around you!
For the next important concept, Lipton refers us to scientist Candace Pert’s book Molecules of Emotion, the ideas in which were featured in the mind-blowing 2004 movie What the Bleep Do We Know? Pert’s studies of how the brain interacts with the body revealed that your mind, rather than existing solely in your head, is actually distributed throughout your body via signal molecules. And, even more important, her studies show that the larger self-consciousness of your forebrain can intentionally use the rest of your physical brain to “generate ‘molecules of emotion’” which can override the unconscious, faulty programming which many agree produces unhappiness or disease.
These “molecules of emotion” are key to understanding why traditional ideas about positive thinking often don’t work, especially over a sustained period of time. Most popular positive thinking focuses on your rational mind through self-talk, but it’s actually the chemical reactions created by your emotional responses that are most important, and your emotional responses are usually triggered or controlled by your beliefs.
Using the placebo effect (in which patients are cured by taking harmless substances which they believe are medicine) and the effectiveness of hypnosis as examples, Lipton next discusses the stages of human learning and the levels of consciousness in which they take place.
He describes the various frequencies of brain activity, from Delta (slowest) to Beta (fastest), which frequencies are typical at which ages, and why reprogramming of subconscious beliefs and retraining in positive thinking are most effective by accessing the Delta or Theta states, which are the normal frequencies for infants to six-year-olds. In adults, Delta state is reached in deep, dreamless sleep or deepest relaxation, which is why subliminal sleep programming can be so effective. Theta is reached in meditation.
In his epilogue, Lipton finally allows himself to cut loose and speculate about how these discoveries can positively impact our future, as individuals and as a society, bringing in everyone from Mickey Mouse as the sorcerer’s apprentice in “Fantasia” to Darwin through fractal geometry and Rumi, stirring them all together into vision to inspire even the most hardened cynic.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
How to Handle Unrealistic Relatives at Christmas
How to Handle Unrealistic Relatives at Christmas
by Robert Preston
Robert Preston is a professional writer who majored in journalism at The College of New Jersey. In addition to work for various websites, Preston has done public relations with Major League Lacrosse's New Jersey Pride organization, where he served as the team's beat reporter.
By Robert Preston, eHow Contributor
updated January 31, 2011
Holiday gatherings can be joyous occasions, with relatives coming from afar to be together and share a meal. But a family gathering can bring as many headaches as it does smiles, particularly when you must deal with a difficult relative. One of the more frustrating experiences at a Christmas gathering is dealing with a family member who has unrealistic expectations and demands. Whether commenting on the gifts, the food or the weather, an unrealistic guest always has something to complain about.
Instructions
1. Prepare responses to problems a complainer is likely to find in foreseeable areas, such as the food.
* 2 Remain calm when dealing with the unrealistic guest. Responding with anger or complaints of your own will escalate the problem.
* 3 Take breaks away from the unrealistic family member when possible.
* 4 Ignore the complaints on a personal level. As you anticipate the member with unrealistic expectations to find faults, it becomes easier to prevent his or her complaints from upsetting you.
* 5 Deflect complaints when possible by pre-empting them or agreeing. Making a simple statement like, "The biscuits are a bit overcooked" as they are brought out can cut the complainer off before he or she starts.
* 6 Remember that your time with the complainer is temporary. This realization can help keep you calm as things get irritating.
* 7 Have an exit plan, such as a specific time you must be on the road, if you are not the host.
* 8 Relax in the days after the family's visit. Failing to properly unwind from the stress of dealing with a difficult relative can cast a shadow that hangs for weeks if you don't allow for a proper relaxation period.
* Life Coach TrainingErickson.edu/Coach-Training
Professional ICF Coach Training. The Gold Standard of Coaching!
Read more: How to Handle Unrealistic Relatives at Christmas | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7875582_handle-unrealistic-relatives-christmas.html#ixzz1hIyk9OdE
by Robert Preston
Robert Preston is a professional writer who majored in journalism at The College of New Jersey. In addition to work for various websites, Preston has done public relations with Major League Lacrosse's New Jersey Pride organization, where he served as the team's beat reporter.
By Robert Preston, eHow Contributor
updated January 31, 2011
Holiday gatherings can be joyous occasions, with relatives coming from afar to be together and share a meal. But a family gathering can bring as many headaches as it does smiles, particularly when you must deal with a difficult relative. One of the more frustrating experiences at a Christmas gathering is dealing with a family member who has unrealistic expectations and demands. Whether commenting on the gifts, the food or the weather, an unrealistic guest always has something to complain about.
Instructions
1. Prepare responses to problems a complainer is likely to find in foreseeable areas, such as the food.
* 2 Remain calm when dealing with the unrealistic guest. Responding with anger or complaints of your own will escalate the problem.
* 3 Take breaks away from the unrealistic family member when possible.
* 4 Ignore the complaints on a personal level. As you anticipate the member with unrealistic expectations to find faults, it becomes easier to prevent his or her complaints from upsetting you.
* 5 Deflect complaints when possible by pre-empting them or agreeing. Making a simple statement like, "The biscuits are a bit overcooked" as they are brought out can cut the complainer off before he or she starts.
* 6 Remember that your time with the complainer is temporary. This realization can help keep you calm as things get irritating.
* 7 Have an exit plan, such as a specific time you must be on the road, if you are not the host.
* 8 Relax in the days after the family's visit. Failing to properly unwind from the stress of dealing with a difficult relative can cast a shadow that hangs for weeks if you don't allow for a proper relaxation period.
* Life Coach TrainingErickson.edu/Coach-Training
Professional ICF Coach Training. The Gold Standard of Coaching!
Read more: How to Handle Unrealistic Relatives at Christmas | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7875582_handle-unrealistic-relatives-christmas.html#ixzz1hIyk9OdE
Sunday, December 18, 2011
5 Steps to Letting Things Go
5 Steps to Letting Things Go
December 17, 2011 By Psychic Yemaya
Let Go to Find Happiness!
We are moving in a very fast paced world these days, and if we aren’t careful, it’s much too easy to get stuck! It’s hard to know when you yourself are stuck; however, a few clues or symptoms are: you feel confused about “what to do,” and no matter how you try to make yourself think about “moving forward” away from the person, place or thing that’s holding you back from being happy… you still go right back to the old behaviors.
One popular definition of “insanity” is to keep going back to the same thing, doing the same thing, over and over and somehow expecting a different result. Once you realize in your intelligential mind that some thing, some place, or SOMEONE, is bad for you, how can you make yourself let go and move forward? Use these five steps!
1. Clearly simply knowing something is bad for you is not enough. You need to gather the evidence and the proof. I will write down the things that I KNOW for sure, events, situations, moments and the way they made me feel in that moment. If it applies, then perhaps asking your friends and loved ones to supply their notes or moments for your “proof” box. Get a box or container and gather these.
2. In order to “let go” of something, it helps us to “see” what will take that place. So come up with ideas of what to do with your time, how you can use the space, or what you will do differently ONCE that negative energy is gone from your life. I like to decorate the outside of that “letting go” box with these things, but I’m an artsy-crafty kinda gal. You can make a list, or whatever allows you to compare them.
3. Now is the deeper work of deciding HOW to best take action. What do YOU need to do, buy, create, say, to move the game piece forward on this? You need to sit down and come up with three to five solid steps to take, and the timelines of when to take them; it will then start to become “doable.” Now commit to yourself the date you WILL take the first step. Mark that on your calendar, and remember to keep actively reviewing this process and your calendar with updates for the next steps.
4. Stay honest with yourself. Stay on the deadlines you create… if you cannot do that, then it’s time to admit that you cannot control this aspect of your life, and seek the help or counsel of someone that can help you to face up to this change.
5. Don’t be afraid of conflict or emotion. Avoiding those can keep you stuck, and being stuck can be like being in a jail cell which you yourself created!
Most of all, love yourself, and remember that you deserve to be happy, and that you are the one that creates your life, and no one can hurt you without your permission! It’s time to change!
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Gandhi
Coach Sherrie says: I need this advice as much as anyone does! 8-) Sherrie
December 17, 2011 By Psychic Yemaya
Let Go to Find Happiness!
We are moving in a very fast paced world these days, and if we aren’t careful, it’s much too easy to get stuck! It’s hard to know when you yourself are stuck; however, a few clues or symptoms are: you feel confused about “what to do,” and no matter how you try to make yourself think about “moving forward” away from the person, place or thing that’s holding you back from being happy… you still go right back to the old behaviors.
One popular definition of “insanity” is to keep going back to the same thing, doing the same thing, over and over and somehow expecting a different result. Once you realize in your intelligential mind that some thing, some place, or SOMEONE, is bad for you, how can you make yourself let go and move forward? Use these five steps!
1. Clearly simply knowing something is bad for you is not enough. You need to gather the evidence and the proof. I will write down the things that I KNOW for sure, events, situations, moments and the way they made me feel in that moment. If it applies, then perhaps asking your friends and loved ones to supply their notes or moments for your “proof” box. Get a box or container and gather these.
2. In order to “let go” of something, it helps us to “see” what will take that place. So come up with ideas of what to do with your time, how you can use the space, or what you will do differently ONCE that negative energy is gone from your life. I like to decorate the outside of that “letting go” box with these things, but I’m an artsy-crafty kinda gal. You can make a list, or whatever allows you to compare them.
3. Now is the deeper work of deciding HOW to best take action. What do YOU need to do, buy, create, say, to move the game piece forward on this? You need to sit down and come up with three to five solid steps to take, and the timelines of when to take them; it will then start to become “doable.” Now commit to yourself the date you WILL take the first step. Mark that on your calendar, and remember to keep actively reviewing this process and your calendar with updates for the next steps.
4. Stay honest with yourself. Stay on the deadlines you create… if you cannot do that, then it’s time to admit that you cannot control this aspect of your life, and seek the help or counsel of someone that can help you to face up to this change.
5. Don’t be afraid of conflict or emotion. Avoiding those can keep you stuck, and being stuck can be like being in a jail cell which you yourself created!
Most of all, love yourself, and remember that you deserve to be happy, and that you are the one that creates your life, and no one can hurt you without your permission! It’s time to change!
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Gandhi
Coach Sherrie says: I need this advice as much as anyone does! 8-) Sherrie
Monday, December 12, 2011
Get Busy Working Towards the Dream! by Carmen Honacker
Stop the BS and Grow
December 11, 2011
By Carmen Honacker
Stop Feeling Sorry for Yourself and Get Busy Working Towards the Dream!
The top killers in the US, and quite arguably in the Western World, are heart attacks, diabetes and obesity. What do all of these have in common? Well, stress, of course! And what causes continuously high stress levels that can no longer be dealt with by the body? Being unhappy, feeling powerless, not getting what you want in life and feeling stuck.
How we feel and perceive the world creates our reality, and therefore determines how successful, happy and healthy we are. A twisted mind causes a twisted heart and body! And please, let’s not start with the excuse of happy people getting sick as well. I will always argue that a sick mind and soul are the top reasons for most chronic conditions, such as asthma, fibromyalgia, headaches, chest pains, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, obesity, etc.
Let me share how the chain reaction started and then progressed over seven years. I started out with a sick upbringing, which created a sick way of perceiving the world and those in it. I had no tools to attract good things, because I also had no knowledge of what “happy” looked like. I felt most comfortable with other broken people, because they allowed me to shift the focus away from me, as I tried to help them get well. Of course, this plan never worked; instead I kept finding myself betrayed, abandoned, back-stabbed and used; which made me more and more angry, hurt and feeling hopeless and powerless. The more powerless I felt, the less I spoke up and tried to fight back. Instead, I bottled it up, until my body started to become sicker and sicker. I had no energy anymore, which made me not want to move, but sleep all the time. Being inactive made me gain weight, which made me feel worse. Then I started developing asthma, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I had heart palpitations, chest pains, joint pains and headaches all the time; at one point (six years ago) I had a nervous breakdown, and ended up hospitalized for two weeks. Finally, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
Years went by, in which my health would go up and down. The more stress I experienced, the worse things would get for me physically. The doctors would run more tests, give me anti-anxiety meds and steroids and send me on my merry way. My negative experiences and outlook literally turned my body into a toxic dump that was no longer able to properly dispose of stress (hence, high cortisol levels, because my adrenals were working non-stop). I had to make a conscious decision to get well, because I was, in the truest sense, sick and tired.
“Take the time for an honest life review as the most significant modifications are made from the inside out.” – Faith ext. 9608
I have talked about it many times, and feel it is important to repeat it: there has to be some kind of light that goes on in one’s head. Some people may call it rock-bottom, others may call it being tired of their own BS, but there has to be a moment of complete self-awareness. I call it the “oh-shit” moment. As long as people are still afforded some kind of comfort by feeding their own misery and story, they will not shift and continue with their patterns, no matter how miserable they are.
In the past three years, I have finally reached almost all the goals I have set. I finally found the career I wanted, with a company that rivals Yahoo in pay, environment and responsibilities. I am starting my new job on the first of November. I found the man that fits who I am and loves me unconditionally, and I married him. I resolved some of my left-over issues with therapy; I now know how to properly set boundaries. I have disposed of all people, situations and circumstances that were toxic to me, because I finally had the proper tools in my tool belt to do so. I started Pilates, after I completed almost two years of personal training, and bought a bicycle, which I love riding down to the beach. I started meditation again. I sold my house and moved with my husband to a beautiful, amazingly designed and huge space in Playa Vista, with a bathroom the size of a small country!
I left no stone unturned. I didn’t sit on my butt, feeling sorry for myself and waiting for things to magically change or come to me. I did whatever I had to, and while there are still things left to do, I am sure as hell a whole lot closer. I went through a lot, but I’m living the American dream, because I worked my butt off for it. And if I can do it, so can you!
“Going within and becoming the best of who you are is a spiritual goal.” – TeriLynn
December 11, 2011
By Carmen Honacker
Stop Feeling Sorry for Yourself and Get Busy Working Towards the Dream!
The top killers in the US, and quite arguably in the Western World, are heart attacks, diabetes and obesity. What do all of these have in common? Well, stress, of course! And what causes continuously high stress levels that can no longer be dealt with by the body? Being unhappy, feeling powerless, not getting what you want in life and feeling stuck.
How we feel and perceive the world creates our reality, and therefore determines how successful, happy and healthy we are. A twisted mind causes a twisted heart and body! And please, let’s not start with the excuse of happy people getting sick as well. I will always argue that a sick mind and soul are the top reasons for most chronic conditions, such as asthma, fibromyalgia, headaches, chest pains, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, obesity, etc.
Let me share how the chain reaction started and then progressed over seven years. I started out with a sick upbringing, which created a sick way of perceiving the world and those in it. I had no tools to attract good things, because I also had no knowledge of what “happy” looked like. I felt most comfortable with other broken people, because they allowed me to shift the focus away from me, as I tried to help them get well. Of course, this plan never worked; instead I kept finding myself betrayed, abandoned, back-stabbed and used; which made me more and more angry, hurt and feeling hopeless and powerless. The more powerless I felt, the less I spoke up and tried to fight back. Instead, I bottled it up, until my body started to become sicker and sicker. I had no energy anymore, which made me not want to move, but sleep all the time. Being inactive made me gain weight, which made me feel worse. Then I started developing asthma, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I had heart palpitations, chest pains, joint pains and headaches all the time; at one point (six years ago) I had a nervous breakdown, and ended up hospitalized for two weeks. Finally, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
Years went by, in which my health would go up and down. The more stress I experienced, the worse things would get for me physically. The doctors would run more tests, give me anti-anxiety meds and steroids and send me on my merry way. My negative experiences and outlook literally turned my body into a toxic dump that was no longer able to properly dispose of stress (hence, high cortisol levels, because my adrenals were working non-stop). I had to make a conscious decision to get well, because I was, in the truest sense, sick and tired.
“Take the time for an honest life review as the most significant modifications are made from the inside out.” – Faith ext. 9608
I have talked about it many times, and feel it is important to repeat it: there has to be some kind of light that goes on in one’s head. Some people may call it rock-bottom, others may call it being tired of their own BS, but there has to be a moment of complete self-awareness. I call it the “oh-shit” moment. As long as people are still afforded some kind of comfort by feeding their own misery and story, they will not shift and continue with their patterns, no matter how miserable they are.
In the past three years, I have finally reached almost all the goals I have set. I finally found the career I wanted, with a company that rivals Yahoo in pay, environment and responsibilities. I am starting my new job on the first of November. I found the man that fits who I am and loves me unconditionally, and I married him. I resolved some of my left-over issues with therapy; I now know how to properly set boundaries. I have disposed of all people, situations and circumstances that were toxic to me, because I finally had the proper tools in my tool belt to do so. I started Pilates, after I completed almost two years of personal training, and bought a bicycle, which I love riding down to the beach. I started meditation again. I sold my house and moved with my husband to a beautiful, amazingly designed and huge space in Playa Vista, with a bathroom the size of a small country!
I left no stone unturned. I didn’t sit on my butt, feeling sorry for myself and waiting for things to magically change or come to me. I did whatever I had to, and while there are still things left to do, I am sure as hell a whole lot closer. I went through a lot, but I’m living the American dream, because I worked my butt off for it. And if I can do it, so can you!
“Going within and becoming the best of who you are is a spiritual goal.” – TeriLynn
Friday, December 9, 2011
Easily Find Self-Fulfillment
Easily Find Self-Fulfillment
December 8, 2011
By S.K. Smith
Finding Fulfillment in the Process of Self-Improvement
Unlike the bulk of the other items on your day-to-day checklist of things to do, self-improvement is actually fun—and fulfilling. There’s no downside. Plus, it can generate change across the board in your life… anywhere you direct it, in fact! If you’re having trouble shifting gears from taking care of everyone else to taking care of yourself, it’s time to look at self work in a new way—as play. Here are three ways to do just that and incorporate some much needed me-time into your busy life in the process!
Shift Your Approach
Every team has a star player—and in your life, that’s you! Instead of putting everyone else first and telling yourself that you can afford to let your own needs slide (after all, you won’t be letting anyone down but yourself), get your head in the game, STAT! If you want to succeed in love, at work, as a parent or in any aspect of life it’s vital to be your best you. So instead of looking at your self-work as one more thing to add to your tedious to-do list, adjust your perception and instill this message in yourself as well as everyone around you: reflective, meditative “me-time” is good for everybody and everybody needs to take it. Not only will you taste the victory of taking control of your own life, you’ll have begun to shift the energetic playing field for everyone else!
Implement Your Strategy
Now that you’ve acknowledged your own need for fulfillment it’s time to put your game plan into action. Prioritize taking time for your own personal growth. That doesn’t mean squeezing in an hour to watch TV at night or having dinner with friends while your spouse watches the kids (though that stuff is important sometimes too), it means valuing yourself as an individual with wants, needs and dreams which need to acknowledged, evaluated and sometimes, adjusted. Balance is the goal of this game and if you can visualize how it will feel when you achieve it, you’ll be eager to get started. Remember, this isn’t meant to be torturous. Any activities you undertake for your own highest good should make you feel relaxed, present and reflective. Sure, you’re going to shake things up when you delve deep, but struggle leads to catharsis. Which is why you should.
Have No Fear
It’s not all fun and games when you’re facing down your demons. And while you may encounter some aspects of yourself you don’t particularly like when you’re totally honest with yourself – nobody’s perfect after all – you will probably find that the deeper you go, the more tension you release. A good cry goes a long way to alleviating years of pent up frustration and anger. Besides, what didn’t kill you the first time certainly can’t kill you now. The old adage is true, it can only make you stronger. So rather than running from your opponent (whether it be your own self-destructive patterns, a fear of change or anything else), recognize that you are up to the challenge of defeating it and remember: the prize—a life of endless possibilities—is truly worth it!
December 8, 2011
By S.K. Smith
Finding Fulfillment in the Process of Self-Improvement
Unlike the bulk of the other items on your day-to-day checklist of things to do, self-improvement is actually fun—and fulfilling. There’s no downside. Plus, it can generate change across the board in your life… anywhere you direct it, in fact! If you’re having trouble shifting gears from taking care of everyone else to taking care of yourself, it’s time to look at self work in a new way—as play. Here are three ways to do just that and incorporate some much needed me-time into your busy life in the process!
Shift Your Approach
Every team has a star player—and in your life, that’s you! Instead of putting everyone else first and telling yourself that you can afford to let your own needs slide (after all, you won’t be letting anyone down but yourself), get your head in the game, STAT! If you want to succeed in love, at work, as a parent or in any aspect of life it’s vital to be your best you. So instead of looking at your self-work as one more thing to add to your tedious to-do list, adjust your perception and instill this message in yourself as well as everyone around you: reflective, meditative “me-time” is good for everybody and everybody needs to take it. Not only will you taste the victory of taking control of your own life, you’ll have begun to shift the energetic playing field for everyone else!
Implement Your Strategy
Now that you’ve acknowledged your own need for fulfillment it’s time to put your game plan into action. Prioritize taking time for your own personal growth. That doesn’t mean squeezing in an hour to watch TV at night or having dinner with friends while your spouse watches the kids (though that stuff is important sometimes too), it means valuing yourself as an individual with wants, needs and dreams which need to acknowledged, evaluated and sometimes, adjusted. Balance is the goal of this game and if you can visualize how it will feel when you achieve it, you’ll be eager to get started. Remember, this isn’t meant to be torturous. Any activities you undertake for your own highest good should make you feel relaxed, present and reflective. Sure, you’re going to shake things up when you delve deep, but struggle leads to catharsis. Which is why you should.
Have No Fear
It’s not all fun and games when you’re facing down your demons. And while you may encounter some aspects of yourself you don’t particularly like when you’re totally honest with yourself – nobody’s perfect after all – you will probably find that the deeper you go, the more tension you release. A good cry goes a long way to alleviating years of pent up frustration and anger. Besides, what didn’t kill you the first time certainly can’t kill you now. The old adage is true, it can only make you stronger. So rather than running from your opponent (whether it be your own self-destructive patterns, a fear of change or anything else), recognize that you are up to the challenge of defeating it and remember: the prize—a life of endless possibilities—is truly worth it!
Friday, December 2, 2011
Anxiety Treatment Exercises by Ashley Brooks
Anxiety Treatment Exercises
Ashley Brooks
Ashley 'Ash' Brooks is a writer living in the Midwest. She has worked in the writing industry for over five years as a writer, editor and teacher. Brooks enjoys writing about animals (preferably cats), mental health, spirituality and computers. She has been published on Ehow.com. Brooks has a Bachelor of Arts in creative writing and a Master' of Arts in composition and rhetoric,
By Ashley Brooks, eHow Contributor
updated December 01, 2011
Exercises that help you relieve anxiety.
Anxiety disorders affect millions of people and are the most common mental illness in the United States. According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America website, there are a number of effective therapies and exercises available to treat the symptoms of anxiety. Self-help exercises that you can practice to lessen the symptoms of your anxiety include guided meditation, breathing exercises and relaxation exercises.
Related Searches:
* Muscle Exercises
* How to Reduce Anxiety
1. Guided Meditations
*Meditation is a practice that is highly praised by business executives, religious leaders, spiritual healers and everyday people. The difference between guided and unguided meditation is that guided meditation give you a kind of script to follow while you meditate. You are given visual clues, encouragement and techniques to control your breathing and ease your stress. Guided meditations can help you cope with anxiety as the technique has been shown to reduce the heart rate, create a sense of calm and well-being, and promote a positive self-image. The resources section at the end of this article provides links to websites that offer guided meditations for you to use at your leisure. When doing a guided meditation, remember you only need about five to ten minutes. If you're suffering from anxiety, it is helpful to try a meditation before entering into a situation that you find stressful, such as being around large groups of people or being in a small area.
Breathing Exercises
*According to the article "5 Simple Exercises for Managing Anxiety" by Therese J. Borchard, breathing from your diaphragm creates a sense of well-being and calm. For this reason, when you begin feeling anxious, focus on slowing down your breathing and pushing that air deeper into your lungs. This will ease your rising tension and help you bring yourself back to the present. HolisticOnline.com's article "Breathing Exercises" suggests you stand with your feet shoulder width apart and inhale slowly while raising your hands above your head. Exhale, and turn your hands up toward the sky. Inhale once more and slowly rotate your hands back toward the ground, and slowly lower your arms while feeling the air rush out from your nostrils. You can repeat this exercise in sets for more effectiveness, as the technique forces you to focus on your breathing and your body, keeping your attention away from your worries.
Relaxation Exercises
*The MayoClinic.com article "Relaxation Techniques" presents a number of relaxation techniques you can use when you feel your anxiety levels rising. You should also consult your physician or a mental health professional to give you addition tips and techniques, especially if you begin feeling uncomfortable or distressed while performing these techniques.
You can use visualization to reduce anxiety by imagining yourself in a serene environment. Visualization is a somewhat misleading term, because although you imagine what the place looks like, you also involve all of your senses and imagine what the place feels and smells like. For example, if your place of serenity is an open field looking out over a green valley, you'd not only see the valley but also smell the slightly sweet scent of clover in the air, and you'd feel the wind running softly against your skin. Initially, you may have difficulties making the "image" stick, but relaxation exercises take practice; the more you do them, the stronger they'll be.
You can also try progressive muscle relaxation, in which you tense up groups of muscles (such as your upper arm muscles) and slowly relax them. You can do this throughout your whole body starting with your feet and ending with your face. (You may be surprised how much tension you carry in your face.) Progressive muscle relaxation can also help you fall asleep if anxiety makes it difficult for you to fall asleep.
Read more: Anxiety Treatment Exercises | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/way_5626221_anxiety-treatment-exercises.html#ixzz1fQAjJkXw
Ashley Brooks
Ashley 'Ash' Brooks is a writer living in the Midwest. She has worked in the writing industry for over five years as a writer, editor and teacher. Brooks enjoys writing about animals (preferably cats), mental health, spirituality and computers. She has been published on Ehow.com. Brooks has a Bachelor of Arts in creative writing and a Master' of Arts in composition and rhetoric,
By Ashley Brooks, eHow Contributor
updated December 01, 2011
Exercises that help you relieve anxiety.
Anxiety disorders affect millions of people and are the most common mental illness in the United States. According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America website, there are a number of effective therapies and exercises available to treat the symptoms of anxiety. Self-help exercises that you can practice to lessen the symptoms of your anxiety include guided meditation, breathing exercises and relaxation exercises.
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1. Guided Meditations
*Meditation is a practice that is highly praised by business executives, religious leaders, spiritual healers and everyday people. The difference between guided and unguided meditation is that guided meditation give you a kind of script to follow while you meditate. You are given visual clues, encouragement and techniques to control your breathing and ease your stress. Guided meditations can help you cope with anxiety as the technique has been shown to reduce the heart rate, create a sense of calm and well-being, and promote a positive self-image. The resources section at the end of this article provides links to websites that offer guided meditations for you to use at your leisure. When doing a guided meditation, remember you only need about five to ten minutes. If you're suffering from anxiety, it is helpful to try a meditation before entering into a situation that you find stressful, such as being around large groups of people or being in a small area.
Breathing Exercises
*According to the article "5 Simple Exercises for Managing Anxiety" by Therese J. Borchard, breathing from your diaphragm creates a sense of well-being and calm. For this reason, when you begin feeling anxious, focus on slowing down your breathing and pushing that air deeper into your lungs. This will ease your rising tension and help you bring yourself back to the present. HolisticOnline.com's article "Breathing Exercises" suggests you stand with your feet shoulder width apart and inhale slowly while raising your hands above your head. Exhale, and turn your hands up toward the sky. Inhale once more and slowly rotate your hands back toward the ground, and slowly lower your arms while feeling the air rush out from your nostrils. You can repeat this exercise in sets for more effectiveness, as the technique forces you to focus on your breathing and your body, keeping your attention away from your worries.
Relaxation Exercises
*The MayoClinic.com article "Relaxation Techniques" presents a number of relaxation techniques you can use when you feel your anxiety levels rising. You should also consult your physician or a mental health professional to give you addition tips and techniques, especially if you begin feeling uncomfortable or distressed while performing these techniques.
You can use visualization to reduce anxiety by imagining yourself in a serene environment. Visualization is a somewhat misleading term, because although you imagine what the place looks like, you also involve all of your senses and imagine what the place feels and smells like. For example, if your place of serenity is an open field looking out over a green valley, you'd not only see the valley but also smell the slightly sweet scent of clover in the air, and you'd feel the wind running softly against your skin. Initially, you may have difficulties making the "image" stick, but relaxation exercises take practice; the more you do them, the stronger they'll be.
You can also try progressive muscle relaxation, in which you tense up groups of muscles (such as your upper arm muscles) and slowly relax them. You can do this throughout your whole body starting with your feet and ending with your face. (You may be surprised how much tension you carry in your face.) Progressive muscle relaxation can also help you fall asleep if anxiety makes it difficult for you to fall asleep.
Read more: Anxiety Treatment Exercises | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/way_5626221_anxiety-treatment-exercises.html#ixzz1fQAjJkXw
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