Stress Management
Wellness Vs. Sickness: Who wants an industry designed to keep us sick?
A recent health scare with my mother left me searching for different alternative healthcare treatments to consider if the doctors suspicion of cancer came true. While words cannot even begin to describe how thankful I am that it turned out to be a false alarm, I learned a bit about alternative medicine…and a lot more about our current hospital system too…and while you hear different amazing stories about the marvels of modern medicine on a daily basis, in my opinion, the industry as a whole is living up to the label of ‘the sickness industry,’ more and more each day, practicing medicine with patients they see as emotionless and faceless dollar signs day in and day out. When one of them happens to be your mother, you begin to see things a bit differently.
My mother was scared by doctors who, before even doing the necessary diagnostic test, already began speaking of cancer and all sorts of frightening things, without the compassion one human should show another at a time like that. During her wait for further testing, she was left very uncomfortable and nervous and even her simplest needs weren’t met simply due to the negligence of those in the hospital. Simple things like asking for another blanket, socks or even a vegetarian option for meal went completely ignored. How is this supposed to be the industry that strives to comfort us and make us well?
I will not make such an inflammatory statement as to say every hospital and doctor is like this, but the whole situation has further cultivated a very bad taste in my mouth for the current healthcare industry and stories like mine are a dime a dozen. And unlike the ‘wellness industry,’ the ‘sickness industry’ appears to have a blatant disregard for comfort and health, it turns a profit from each one of us getting sick – if the nation was healthier, what would these hospitals do?
I am relieved to read articles like this one, about how the majority of medical students believe that patients would benefit from the use of complimentary and alternative medicine (CAM) which not only focuses on the health and wellness of the body, but of the mind and soul too, and as so many studies have shown, state-of-mind can affect the way our bodies deal with illness and strain.
In this article, it explained that researchers at the University of California sent out a 30 question survey to more than 120 medical schools regarding the use of CAM and 77% of those who responded stated that they believed patients would benefit if more physicians had a better understanding of complimentary and alternative medicine.
When alternative medicine is added to the tool box of modern doctors I feel the most amazing things are truly achieved.
One exciting step forward in the push for CAM to become more widely accepted is the invitation Doctor Gladys T. McGarey, ‘the mother of holistic medicine’ recently received. She has been invited to bring her wealth of knowledge and experience to Washington DC to let government officials know just how viable adding more benefits for alternative medicine practices truly can be.
Like most things, credibility comes in numbers and with the support of those who believe in the importance of holistic health care, Dr. Gladys will have a better chance of having her voice heard. If you believe holistic healthcare is important, you can join Dr. Gladys in her cause at http://www.isupportholistic.com/and let the world know that you believe in the amazing healing power of natural medicine and wellness.
-Emily M
Post-Holiday Blues? Take a Natural Approach to Lifting Your Spirits
I don’t know about you, but when the holiday season passes each year and all the family dinners and presents are done for another 12 months, I typically get a little touch of the blues. Not terrible blues, but just the type that come from having my family live nearly 2,400 miles away and knowing that I may not see them for yet another year.
Having spoken with many of my friends, I have come to realize I am not alone in this feeling. For many, the kids go back to school, work returns to full swing and that feeling of nationwide holiday joy unfortunately slips back into hiding for yet another year.
While there are thousands of unhealthy ways to deal with the blues, there are equally as many really healthy and productive ways to handle them. While some of these I have tried with definite success, others I will try in the new year. Give it a shot, see what you think! Kick those blues to the door and keep that warm holiday feeling all year round.
Laughter Yoga: Admittedly, when I first heard about this I was thinking…what exactly is that? It didn’t really seem like two words that naturally meshed together. After listening to a co-worker, who leads a laughter yoga group, I almost instantly had a smile on my face. She led a group of us in a laughter exercise and explained that you just ‘fake it till you make it,’ and soon you will be feeling much better. Makes sense when you think about it, there aren’t that many angry people walking around laughing while they are yelling. If laughter truly is the best medicine, then this is one sure fire way to kick the blues to the curb.
Meditation: While visions of Buddhist monks and uncomfortable cross-legged, pretzel-type positions may come to mind, this isn’t exactly what meditation is all about. It’s getting into a more relaxed, state of consciousness. What many people don’t realize is that meditation can be done by anyone, at nearly any time. Often times, guided meditation is a great way to start, ether with the help of a professional or through a CD or tape. This way you can have someone first introduce you to this amazing stress releaser.
Spa treatment: Sometimes it’s nice to indulge yourself, especially when you are feeling down. A massage relaxes both body and the mind and leaves you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, while releasing toxins from the body. A little bit of pampering is sure to do the trick.
Many of these services are available at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts through our community clinics and classes. For more information, please visit http://www.swiha.edu/Clinics/Community-Clinics.html
-Emily M
Hypnotherapy: Stress Management for Children: The 6 Steps
Children experience many changes and challenges that can cause stress and upset their world to the point of emotional outbursts, restlessness, sleeplessness, anxiety and even panic attacks. These are all symptoms of stress that must be dealt with on a very sensitive level.
Oftentimes children feel the need to please their parents, teachers, coaches and other individuals with whom they look up to. They also tend to seek approval from their peers. This can mean being invited to sleepovers, birthday parties or participating in sporting events or competitions. While these are healthy parts of development, if not kept in perspective, can damage self-esteem and create unnecessary stress.
Children often have a hard time expressing their feeling in words and connecting the dots from an event to their feelings. This can be very frustrating to a caring parent who wants nothing more than to make it all better for their child. Here are a few tips to assist you in helping your child manage their own stress.
- Find out who they think is the most powerful superhero they can imagine. Try asking, “What would (superhero) do in this situation?” This will allow them to get some creative ideas to help break them out of their mindset. Gently guide them into positive thinking, being careful not to discount their thoughts. Your child may even be able to realize that what they were stressing about isn’t so bad.
- Encourage your child to spend quiet time listening to their inner thoughts. You might choose to do some breathing exercises with them.
- Promote the importance of exercise. Keep in mind that too much activity can be a source of stress as well. There’s plenty of relaxing, inward exercises that you can do together such as yoga, tai chi or even taking walks.
- Gather information about whatever it is that they may be stressing about and share it with them. You may find stories of other kids who experienced the same sort of situations or feelings and what worked for them. The more supportive you can be, the more they will appreciate your efforts.
- Take some time to observe the different environments that your child encounters on a regular basis. Look at your home, their classroom and their peers. What kind of pressures are being put on them, are they appropriate and what pressures are they putting on themselves?
- Lead by example. This is probably the hardest for parents to do, and the most important. When we are able to manage our stress in a healthy way, our children are more capable of learning these same healthy skills. It is important to know that you are the best parent for your child, and they will follow your lead
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