Is Your Life In Balance? Take The Quiz

Does trying to maintain balance in your life make you feel like a tightrope walker? Well, know you’re not alone!  Most of us have so many constant demands on our time and energy life can feel like a three-ring circus.

Balance has become just one more thing we long for in our lives but believe we can only deserve and have once we’ve earned it, through overwork or overwhelm.

Whether it’s in work-life, caregiving vs. self-care, daily routines, creative pursuits or a host of other areas, creating balance across our life can feel more and more out of reach and elusive with every passing day. Many people feel life just isn’t delivering all it promised. They can feel let down, unhappy and in some cases, even bitter.

But you can find balance right now.

Once you make the decision that you’re worth it, you can commit to making the changes you need to help you find balance in both your beliefs and practices. By changing, even in small ways you can once again find joy and balance.

True or False?

Do you have that balance right? How far away from the happy point are you?

Take this quiz to see how well you are meeting your responsibilities while at the same time recognising and fulfilling your personal needs and wants.

How well do these statements match you? Are they true for you or false?

1. The only way I can successfully manage my life is to take care of myself physically and emotionally.

2. Nurturing myself increases my capacity to help others.

3. I eat healthfully.

4. I exercise regularly.

5. I get check-ups, go to the dentist, and take preventative precautions to prevent illness.

6. I regularly set aside personal, quiet time for myself, whether I’m meditating or simply letting my thoughts drift.

7. I experience the gifts of each season: walking in the rain, cosy fires, bundled-up beach walks; gardening, hiking, more time outside, smelling the roses; camping, swimming, barbeques, walking barefoot on the earth; harvesting the bounty, gathering wood, spending more time inside, walking in the mist.

8. Creativity nurtures me. I do what I love, whether that’s cooking, drawing, knitting, writing, dancing, building, singing or any other creative pursuit.

9. Cleaning out the old makes way for the new. I recognise when things and attitudes no longer serve me and regularly declutter the old and outdated in my life for a lightness and clarity.

10. Reaching out to others enriches my life. I spend quality time with family and friends.

11. Contributing to the world provides connection and purpose, so I give my time, energy and experience where it is most useful.

12. I notice and heed the emotional signals that tell me I’m out of balance: irritability, overwhelm, resentment.

13. If I feel that I’m catching a cold, I realise I may have stressed my immune system with overdoing things, so I stop and take care of myself.

14. When I need or want to, I say “No” to requests for my time.

15. I acknowledge my successes, no matter how small. I give myself permission to feel proud of all my achievements.

16. I listen to and honour the requests my body makes for such things as a nap, a walk, green vegetables, hot soup, time out.

17. I practise gratitude to build inner strength and resilience to help me bounce back from stress. I remind myself every day of just how fortunate I am and of all the bounty and wonderful people in my life.

18. If I have something planned for myself, I don’t just toss that aside when someone makes a request of me.

19. I’m busy, but I find time to do the things I want to do.

20. I’m happy. I regularly experience well-being, contentment, even joy.

How Did You Score?

If you answered false to more than ten questions, that is more than you answered true, you need to make changes in your life to support you and prevent burn-out.

After all, burn-out often leads to serious health problems ranging from aches and pains, through adrenal fatigue to depression plus many, many more.

Even the smallest child knows the frustration of having no time for activities that make you feel alive, that fire your joy and passion and that nurture you, so you feel needed and special. Don’t wait until sickness strikes to change your life practices for the better.

Next Steps

Take a close look at all the questions to which you answered false. Is there a pattern?

Is it just one area of your life that’s having an impact on your wellbeing and sense of balance?  Or is it spread right across all areas of your life?

Do you have strong boundaries?

What is the message you take away from this exercise? 

Consider or meditate on how you can introduce changes into your life.  What practices would help you incorporate the message into your life?

Don’t try and change everything at once. That’s a fast-track to overwhelm. Start small with one thing and once you’re getting comfortable with that add another change. Build on your achievements. And please, don’t hesitate to contact a professional if you feel you need to explore this issue further.

So go ahead…consider yourself!

To Make Time, Take Time

I’ve got something that might blow your mind. You know how we always feel like we’re running out of time? Like we have too much on our plate and not enough hours in the day? Like we’re constantly chasing deadlines, appointments, goals, and dreams, but never really enjoying the journey?

Well, what if I told you that time is not a fixed thing, but a flexible one? That you can actually change your relationship with time and make it work for you, not against you? That you can slow down, breathe, and savour every moment of your life, without feeling guilty or stressed?

Sounds too good to be true, right?

But it’s not. It’s possible.

And I’m going to show you how.

First of all, let me ask you this: If time were an animal, what kind would it be? A cheetah? A shark? A hummingbird? A snail?

Well, for most of us, it would probably be on the endangered species list. Or that’s how it seems: Too much to do, too many places to be, too little time to do it. We feel like we’re imprisoned by our perception of time as a scarce and limited resource. We rush from one commitment to another, believe we don’t have a minute to spare, yearn for more time, and feel anxious and guilty when we’re idle.

Is this how life is supposed to be?

No! Nor does it have to be.

The truth is, time is not something that happens to us. It’s something that we create. It’s a mental construct that we can shape and mould according to our needs and desires.

But until we change our relationship with time our lives will continue to speed away from us – at enormous cost to our health and our experience of ourselves and the world around us.

There’s no issue, no aspect of human life, that exceeds this in importance. As Jacob Needleman once said, “The destruction of time is literally the destruction of life”.

So how do we change our relationship with time? How do we make it our friend, not our enemy? How do we reclaim our power over it and use it wisely and joyfully?

Well, there are many ways to do that, but here are some of the most effective ones I’ve found:

Pause

This is a simple but powerful technique that can help you break the cycle of hurry and stress. It’s inspired by the Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh who suggested we “take a deep breath before answering the phone”. The idea is to create conscious pauses throughout the day – a moment of silence before a meal, a few minutes of sitting in the car before entering the house after work – in order to “come home” to ourselves.

Conscious pauses help us to reconnect with our body, our breath, our feelings, and our intentions; to slow down and appreciate the present moment. They help us to remember what matters most.

“Nature requires us not only to be able to work well, but also to idle well”

Aristotle

Carve Out Idle Time Alone

This might sound counterintuitive, but sometimes the best way to get more done is to do less. Or better yet, to do nothing at all. Aristotle said that “nature requires us not only to be able to work well, but also to idle well.” Just because you’re not doing anything doesn’t mean that nothing’s getting done! On the contrary, it means that we’re giving ourselves space and time to relax, recharge, reflect, and create. We’re letting go of the external demands and expectations and listening to our inner voice. We give ourselves the space to explore our thoughts, feelings, dreams, and passions. This creates room for us to tap into our intuition and creativity. It opens the way to discover new possibilities and opportunities.

Live Fully in the Present Moment

One of the main reasons we feel like we don’t have enough time is because we’re not really here. We’re either dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. We’re missing out on the beauty and richness of the now, the only time that we actually have. The only time that matters. The only time that we can influence and enjoy. So why not make the most of it? Why not leave behind the thoughts of what was or what will be, and focus on what is? Why not experience time more peacefully and joyfully by being fully present and aware of ourselves and our surroundings?

Toss Out Your Schedule Wherever You Can

Don’t get me wrong, having a schedule can be useful and helpful. It helps us organise our time and prioritise our tasks. It can also keep us focused to stay on track and achieve our goals. But sometimes, having a schedule can also be limiting and stressful. It can make us feel like we’re trapped in a rigid routine that doesn’t allow for any spontaneity or flexibility. We can even end up feeling like we’re slaves to the clock rather than masters of our own time.

So why not try something different once in a while? Why not schedule some spontaneous time and surprise yourself? Why not follow your impulses and instincts rather than your plans and agendas? Take a risk and see what happens when you let go of control and embrace uncertainty.

Explore the Underlying Reasons for Your Busyness

Sometimes, we’re busy because we have to be. Because we have responsibilities and obligations that we can’t ignore or avoid. Or we have goals and dreams that we want to pursue and achieve. But sometimes, we’re simply busy because we want to be. Because we’re afraid of what would happen if we weren’t. We fill up our time because we’re avoiding emotions that we don’t want to face or questions that we don’t want to answer.

Consider what you are running from. What are you hiding from? Is there something you are afraid of? What do you really want? These are some of the questions that you need to ask yourself if you want to understand and change your relationship with time.

Doing this emotional work might be challenging, but it’s essential if you want to stop running from your heart and start living from your soul.

Play

Remember when you were a kid and you used to play for hours without any worries or cares? Can you recall how time seemed to stand still or fly by depending on how much fun you were having? Remember how you felt alive, free, and happy? Well, guess what? You can still feel that way. You can still play. And you should. Because play is not just for children. It’s for everyone. Play is not only a natural and vital part of life. It’s a way of expressing ourselves, exploring our potential, connecting with others, and enjoying ourselves. Playing is a way of stepping outside time and entering a state of flow, where we’re fully immersed and engaged in what we’re doing.

So go ahead and play. Sing, dance, draw, write, cook, garden, paint, knit, build, invent, experiment, joke, laugh, smile, hug, kiss, cuddle, wrestle, tickle, shake your bootie – whatever makes you happy. Play helps us get outside time and inside ourselves.

Create Time Retreats

Sometimes, the best way to change our relationship with time is to change our environment and our routine. We all need to occasionally step out of our normal life and into a different one. When we create a time retreat, we can shift into a different rhythm and experience time in a new way. This doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. It can be as simple as taking a day off from work and doing something that you love or something that you’ve never done before. Or it can be as elaborate as going on a vacation or a pilgrimage to a place that inspires you or challenges you. The point is to create some space and time for yourself where you can just “be” without the need to do anything or be anyone else.

Spend Time in Nature

One of the easiest and most effective ways to change our relationship with time is to spend more time in nature. Nature has its own pace and a rhythm that is unhurried and harmonious. it doesn’t rush or worry or stress. Nature just is. When we’re immersed in nature, we can learn to be like that too, shifting into our own calm, unhurried pace. We begin to slow down and sync up with the natural cycles of day and night, sun and moon, seasons and tides. As we come into alignment with nature, we begin to appreciate the beauty and wonder of the world around us. As we watch a bird or a flower or a cloud or a star time stretches out in our minds and hearts.

These are just some of the ways that we can change our relationship with time and make it more meaningful and fulfilling. There are many more that you can discover and try for yourself. The important thing is to start somewhere and see what works for you. See if your time reservoir refills as you allow yourself time to “breathe” in your life.

Remember: time is not your enemy. It’s your ally. It’s your gift. It’s your life. Don’t waste it. Don’t rush it. Don’t regret it. Cherish it. Enjoy it. Celebrate it.

DISCLAIMER

All information and opinions presented here are for information purposes only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Do not use this article to diagnose a health condition. Speak to your doctor if you think your condition may be serious or before discontinuing any prescribed medication. Please consult with your health care provider before following any of the treatment suggested anywhere on this site, particularly if you have an ongoing health issue.

Grounding: Simple Biohack to Upgrade Your Health

Grounding is a term often used to describe reconnecting with the present moment. It embraces many simple techniques that reduce stress to leave you feeling stable and calm. These include deep breathing, focusing on your senses, counting, better sleep practices, being in nature and even eating nuts and certain types of chocolate. These and other techniques all help reduce the effects of stress. Find more about that type of grounding here.  

But today I’m talking about the specific form of grounding that is also known as earthing. This is a practice where you connect physically with the Earth to anchor and balance your physical, mental and spiritual energy. It’s sometimes simply called barefoot walking.

Many of us practice grounding without even thinking about it. You can probably recall a time when you were immersed in nature, feeling relaxed and refreshed. Remember how that feeling of rejuvenation persisted even when you were back in your busy life. This is due to the physiological effects of grounding.

These beautiful warm, still days of Autumn are perfect to get your shoes off and do some grounding. When you connect with the Earth through the soles of your feet, through your skin, you also connect with the free electrons that flow through the earth’s surface. This is excellent when it comes to improving your health because these electrons help rebalance you physically, mentally and even spiritually. Not only do they leave you feeling calmer, they also have an impact on health issues.

By improving physiological processes Grounding helps reduce or reverse many health issues that lead to chronic disease. These include lower blood pressure, lower stress levels, repaired muscles, reduced pain, improved sleep, reduced anxiety and depression, enhanced mood, clear mind and even help with varicose veins.

What Is Grounding

Grounding is an ancient therapeutic technique that’s essential for our wellness In our modern world our bodies are constantly surrounded and impacted by a wide range of many toxins. These include pesticide residue on fresh produce, hormones in meat and dairy foods, chemicals in furnishings and cleaning products, toxins in our personal care products including shampoo, cosmetics and toothpaste, heavy metal residues, air pollution and one we often don’t consider, electronic pollution. 

This cocktail of toxins which we’re exposed to every single day, impacts our body and our health causing inflammation and free radicals which leads to chronic illness and disease.

How to Connect With the Earth and Ground Yourself

Essentially, all it takes is to go barefoot outdoors.

Most of us spend time outdoors. But usually that’s doing something, such as a sporting activity or walking. While this is healthy in many ways it doesn’t give us the full benefits of grounding. For that we need to actually connect our skin to the Earth by taking off our shoes or sitting on the grass or the beach. This connection between our skin and the ground allows the harmful pent-up electrical charge coming from our environment and stored in our body to discharge directly into the earth.

Some Grounders prefer to stroll on a beach or in a park. But most recommend simply standing outdoors with bare feet. Personally I like to take my shoes off, sit on the ground and lean against a tree trunk. The benefits of grounding begin immediately and after several minutes, you should start to feel refreshed

You’ll reap all the benefits when you stand on dirt, grass, sand, rock, concrete, or even in water which enhances the effect. But keep off the asphalt or Astroturf as they act as a block to the electron exchange with the Earth.

If you don’t like being bare foot footwear with leather soles also works. But watch for any synthetic components like insoles which block the exchange.

Signs You Are Ungrounded

There are clear signs that your physical or emotional state is not balanced, which indicates that you are ungrounded.

Some telltale signs are:

• Feeling fearful or angry
• Being unfocused, scattered and easily distracted
• Jumping from one thing to the next but unable to complete anything
• Difficulty concentrating
• Getting stuck on certain thoughts and over-thinking
• Feeling restless and discontented
• Forgetfulness
• Constant worrying and feeling anxious
• Feeling tired, irritated and impatient
• Lightheadedness or feeling ‘spaced out’
• Your mind races but you can’t focus on anything
• You feel both tired and wired at the same time
• Problems sleeping
• Clumsiness
• Slow healing wounds

Health Benefits of Grounding

Regularly grounding yourself connecting directly with the earth though bare feet affects you instantaneously. You get immediate benefits from grounding and the improvements continue over the following minutes, hours and even days. 

And it’s simple!

Ditch your shoes and walk to the mailbox, touch one leaf, step outside to see the moon, drink your coffee outside, sit on the grass to eat your lunch.  Those few minutes can make all the difference!

How Regular Grounding Benefits You

As well as leaving you feeling more stable physically and emotionally, regular grounding connects you with the natural world.

Here are some of the ways grounding changes you over time:

Immediatley:

• Muscle tension releases
• Brain waves slow down
• Pain levels reduce

After a Few Minutes

• Organ function is affected
• Vascular (blood viscosity) and circulatory system
• Blood glucose stabilises

Hours Later

• Osteoporosis markers are affected
• Improved mineral levels in cells
• Thyroid function is boosted
• Cortisol levels are reduced

After Days

• You’ll feel more resilient and adaptable to life’s stress and demands
• Less pain
• Able to recover from stress better
• Life becomes easier to navigate
• Inflammation in the cells decreases
• Cortisol levels are even lower

There’s no time spent grounding that’s too short, and no time too long.

Isn’t it time to connect with the Earth to become balanced and centred? Make time to ground yourself and upgrade your health.

The Vagus Nerve: How to Activate Your Body’s Natural Healing Power

Have you ever heard of the vagus nerve? It’s one of the most important nerves in your body. When it’s healthy and stimulated it can help you reduce stress, improve your mood and boost your immune system. Even if you’ve never heard of it, you need to know about the vagus nerve if you want to improve your health.

What is the Vagus Nerve?

The vagus nerve is the longest and most complex cranial nerve in your body. It carries signals to and from your brain to many vital organs, including your heart, blood vessels, lungs, stomach, intestines, vocal chords and more. It is part of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) which plays a role in controlling and regulating involuntary functions like breathing, heartbeat, mood, digestion, and blood pressure.

The ANS has two main branches: the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). The sympathetic branch is responsible for activating the “fight or flight” response when you face a threat or a challenge. It stimulates your adrenal glands to release adrenaline and cortisol, which increases your heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar, and alertness. This helps you immediately cope with the challenging situation, but it also puts a lot of stress on your body.

The parasympathetic branch is responsible for activating the “rest and digest” response which kicks in to calm your body down and restore balance once the threat or challenge is over. By stimulating the vagus nerve we get greater calming effects by the PNS.

The vagus nerve is the main component of the PNS, and it acts as a bridge between your brain and your body. It sends signals from your brain to your organs to regulate their functions, and feedback from your organs to your brain with information about your physical and emotional state. The vagus nerve is like a two-way communication channel that helps you maintain homeostasis, a state of equilibrium and harmony in your body.

Maintaining balance between the PNS and SNS is crucial for your physical and mental health.

How the Vagus Nerve Affects Your Health and Wellbeing

The vagus nerve influences many aspects of your physiology and psychology and has a profound impact on your health and well-being.

Here are some of the benefits of having a healthy and active vagus nerve:

Reduce Stress and Anxiety

The vagus nerve plays a big role in regulating your stress response, which lowers your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone released by your adrenal glands in response to stress, and it can have negative effects on your health if it’s chronically elevated. The vagus nerve can also help you cope with emotional stress by enhancing your social skills, empathy, compassion, and trust.

The vagus nerve protects your body by helping it switch back and forth from the fight-flight response and the rest-digest mode.

Improve Your Mood and Mental Health

The vagus nerve stimulates production of neurotransmitters serotonin and oxytocin which are associated with happiness and well-being. Serotonin is a chemical that regulates your mood, appetite, sleep, memory, and learning. Oxytocin is a hormone that promotes bonding, love, and social connection. The vagus nerve increases your resilience and optimism to help prevent or treat depression.

Boost Your Immune System and Reduce Inflammation

Inflammation is a natural response to injury or infection, but it can also cause damage to your tissues and organs when it’s chronic or excessive. The vagus nerve can activate the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP), which is a mechanism that suppresses inflammation in your body. It also helps you fight off infections and diseases by enhancing your immune system’s function and reducing inflammation.

Enhance Your Cognitive Abilities and Memory

Brain power improves when a healthy vagus nerve delivers increased blood flow and oxygen to your brain cells to sharpen focus, attention, creativity, problem-solving skills and memory. It can also stimulate neurogenesis, the creation of new neurons, in the hippocampus, which is a part of your brain that is involved in learning and memory.

Support Digestive Health and Metabolism

The signals sent via the vagus nerve from your brain to your stomach and intestines regulate appetite and digestion. They can also control the secretion of gastric acid, enzymes, hormones, and bile that are essential for breaking down food and absorbing nutrients. This helps prevent and treat digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), acid reflux, ulcers, constipation, and diarrhea.

Improve Heart Health and Cardiovascular Function

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a measure of how much your heart rate changes from beat to beat. A high HRV indicates that you have a flexible and adaptable heart that can respond to changing demands. A low HRV indicates that you have a rigid and stressed heart that is more prone to arrhythmias and cardiovascular diseases. The vagus nerve can help lower your risk of heart attack, stroke, and hypertension by increasing your HRV and improving your cardiovascular function.

How to Activate Your Vagus Nerve

As you can see, the vagus nerve is a powerful ally for your health and well-being. But how do you activate it and reap its benefits? The good news is that there are many simple and natural ways to stimulate your vagus nerve and enhance its function.

Here are some of the most effective methods:

Deep Breathing

Breathing deeply and slowly in through your nose and out your mouth is an excellent way to stimulate your vagus nerve. It activates your PNS and increases your HRV. It can lower your heart rate and blood pressure and calm your nervous system. Practice deep breathing by inhaling through your nose for four seconds, holding your breath for four seconds, exhaling through your mouth for four seconds, and pausing for four seconds. Repeat this cycle for a few minutes and notice how you feel.

Mindfulness and Meditation

Meditating is a great way to calm your mind and body by reducing stress, anxiety and negative emotions. It helps you focus on the present moment to reduce negative thoughts and challenging emotions that trigger stress. Combine it with deep breathing for greater benefits. Through meditation we increase our awareness of the present moment which can help you regulate your physiological and psychological responses.

Practice mindfulness by fine-tuning your awareness to notice whatever is going on around or within you, without judgement.

Practice meditation by sitting comfortably, closing your eyes, and focusing on your breath, a mantra, a sound, or a sensation. Whenever your mind wanders, gently bring it back to your focus point.

Humming or Singing Loudly

Humming or singing can stimulate your vagus nerve by activating your vocal cords and diaphragm. It can also increase your production of nitric oxide, which is a molecule that dilates your blood vessels and improves blood flow to your brain and organs. Hum or sing any tune that you like or try chanting “om” or “ahh”, which are sounds that resonate with your vagus nerve.

Laughing

Laughing can trigger your vagus nerve by engaging your facial muscles and diaphragm. It can also release endorphins, which are natural painkillers and mood boosters. Laugh by watching a funny show, reading a humorous book, or sharing jokes with friends.

Cold Shower

Exposing yourself to cold water or cold air stimulates your thermoreceptors, the nerve endings that detect changes in temperature. It also increases your metabolism, immune system and antioxidant levels. Take a cold shower by gradually lowering the temperature of the water until it’s comfortable but challenging. You could also try splashing cold water on your face or dipping your feet in ice water.

Positive Social Relationships

Having positive social relationships can stimulate your vagus nerve by enhancing your emotional and social intelligence. It also increases your oxytocin and serotonin levels, which promote bonding, trust and happiness. Cultivate positive social relationships by spending time with people who support you, care for you and make you feel good. Expressing gratitude, appreciation and affection to the people in your life also activates the vagus nerve.

Tai Chi and Yoga

Tai chi is a form of martial arts involving slow, graceful movements that coordinate with breathing and mental focus. It stimulates your vagus nerve by improving balance, coordination, flexibility, and circulation. It can also reduce your stress, anxiety and depression. Practice tai chi or yoga by joining a class, watching a video, or following an app.

Probiotics

The vagus nerve is the main channel for conveying messages between the gut to the brain, including threatening feelings or ‘gut instincts’.  When your gut is functioning poorly bad gut microbes overgrow and cause inflammation.  Probiotics are beneficial bacteria and yeasts that live in your gut and help you digest food and produce vitamins and neurotransmitters. They communicate with your brain via the vagus nerve and influence your mood, thinking, and behavior. Taking probiotic supplements increases the number of good bacteria in your gut.

Consume probiotics by eating fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, tempeh, or kombucha. Or take probiotic supplements that contain strains like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.

Intermittent Fasting

Fasting is the practice of abstaining from food for a certain period of time. It activates your vagus nerve by reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance. It can also help you recycle damaged cells, and stimulate ketosis which is the state of burning fat instead of glucose for energy. Practice intermittent fasting by skipping breakfast and eating only within an eight-hour window. Alternatively do a 24-hour fast once a week.

Zinc

Zinc is a mineral essential for many functions in your body, including immune system, wound healing, DNA synthesis and enzyme activity. It also modulates your vagus nerve by regulating neurotransmitter and hormone levels.

You can get zinc from certain foods including oysters, beef, pumpkin seeds, lentils, and dark chocolate. You can also take zinc supplements containing 15 to 30 mg of zinc per day. Many Australians are zinc deficient and so need supplements, because Australian soil is particularly low in zinc, which then affects the amount of zinc available from food sources.

Massage

Reflexology is massage of the feet and research shows it increases vagus nerve tone and improves blood pressure. Have a professional reflexology treatment and rub your feet, stretch your toes and rotate your ankles at other times.

Signs Your Vagus Nerve is Suffering

Those are just some ways you can activate your vagus nerve and enjoy its benefits for your health and well-being. However, you should also be aware of the signs that indicate that your vagus nerve may be malfunctioning or damaged.

Some of these signs are:

• Abdominal pain and bloating
• Acid reflux or heartburn
• Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
• Dizziness or fainting
• Loss of gag reflex or difficulty swallowing
• Hoarseness or loss of voice
• Loss of appetite or nausea and vomiting
• Tight or sore muscles
• Racing thoughts or anxiety

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should consult your doctor and get a proper diagnosis and treatment.

I hope you learned something new and useful from this blog post. Remember, your vagus nerve is a powerful connection between your brain and your body that can influence your health and well-being in many ways. By stimulating your vagus nerve, you can change your body chemistry and improve your mindset.

So, try some of the methods I’ve mentioned and see how they work for you. And don’t forget to share your feedback and questions in the comments section below. Thanks for reading and have a great day!

DISCLAIMER

All information and opinions presented here are for information purposes only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Do not use this article to diagnose a health condition. Speak to your doctor if you think your condition may be serious or before discontinuing any prescribed medication. Please consult with your health care provider before following any of the treatment suggested anywhere on this site, particularly if you have an ongoing health issue.

Stay Well Through Autumn With Natural Remedies

As the gentle energy of Autumn settles around us, wrapping us in her hazy sunny days and crisp evenings it is time to prepare for the turning inward that naturally occurs as we approach winter.  Autumn is a time of benevolence, when the activity of summer has slowed, when pastimes become gentler and more leisurely, when we turn our attention within to our own thoughts and dreams.

As the energies of Autumn contract and gather inwards, they cause us to also slow down in readiness for the stillness of the coming winter. The contemplative nature of the season allows time for inner reflection and awareness, providing a space to find clarity before setting plans and goals to initiate in the Spring.

In readiness for increased awareness and understanding, Autumn is a time to embrace peace and avoid engaging in personal dramas. This is the time to practice distancing yourself, to step back from conflict, judgement and other triggers in your life. It is the time to take a deep breath and count to ten before responding to potential conflicts.

Autumn Health

April is a time of transition for our whole body. As the evening air takes on a bite after the gentle warmth of the afternoon sun our bodies become more susceptible to health problems. Illnesses that have gone underground over the summer will re-appear and new coughs, colds and other infections appear.

If you don’t use this time to build your health and charge up your immune system, you may find yourself more susceptible to winter illness and less capable of throwing off any illness you develop by June.

Change Your Habits

By adjusting your lifestyle to align with the seasonal energies you can strengthen your whole system.

There are a number of changes you can make which all contribute to building your health.

Most people naturally change their foods when the weather cools and Summer salads make way for heavier meat and root vegetable stews and soups. But also adapting your life practices including exercise, meditation and sleep offers huge support through the colder months.

Sleep, Sleep, Sleep

One of the most important lifestyle changes to make for Autumn and Winter health is to recognise that your body needs much more sleep as it turns inward. Getting seven hours sleep every night is one of the best ways to protect yourself against winter illness. Unfortunately, your body doesn’t recover from a work-induced sleep deprived week by sleeping in on the weekend so it’s important to develop routines that make sufficient sleep every night a regular part of your daily health practice.

If you can’t get to sleep or stay asleep, speak to your natural health practitioner now, before Winter, for advice and treatment to help you break this pattern.

Push yourself to rest whenever you need it and take it easy. Develop great bedtime routines to maintain wellness and keep ‘office illness’ away.

These Seven Surefire Ways To Get a Good Night’s Sleep will get you started.

Self Care

As Autumn settles in it is time to treat yourself with compassion. Be conscious this is the season to be gentle, and wrap yourself with TLC. If you are someone who is constantly there for everyone else, now is the time to turn that caring inwards and say ‘no’ to others.

It is only by first caring for your own needs that you can adequately care for those around you.

Modify Your Exercise

Exercise is a great way to boost immune health.

It increases oxygen levels in the blood. A recent study has shown that there is no place on earth that does not have some level of air pollution.  In major cities the level of oxygen in the air is significantly below normal. When you consider that most people also breathe poorly, and that many chronic diseases including cancer are associated with low oxygen levels, the importance of boosting oxygen intake becomes obvious.

Exercise makes you feel more alert, boosts your levels of endorphins to make you feel positive, as well as improving oxygen levels in every cell of your body. But during Autumn it is vital to tone down your exercise program to prevent your energy becoming depleted, as that adversely affects your immune system.

Yoga, t’ai chi or Qi Gong are very balancing and present the perfect exercise option for autumn. Deep breathing exercises and yoga stretching both serve your immune system as well as your respiratory organs through the Winter. Brisk walking and bike riding are other great ways to exercise in Autumn.

Avoid heavy aerobic exercise outdoors in the cooler autumn months, as it may reduce vital energy and weaken your system.

Susceptible Organs During Autumn

The lung and the colon are both organs of elimination and relate to your ability to “let go” on all levels. According to the teachings of Traditional Chinese Medicine if your immunity is weak these are the organs that will be affected during Autumn, with respiratory problems including coughs, breathing difficulties and sinus problems, or gut issues like constipation and/or diarrhoea.

These are the organs that are affected when you hold on to grief and sadness. If you are holding unresolved grief or sadenss they eventually affect the health and function of your lungs or large intestine, sending you the message that it is “time to let go”.

Disclaimer

All information and opinions presented here are for information only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation. Please consult with your health care provider before trying any of the treatments suggested on this site.

Why You Need To Go On Retreat

The word ‘retreat’ has become the new event buzzword. It seems every second event is labelled ‘Retreat’ no matter what the focus and format. I’ve seen ‘retreats’ lasting from a single afternoon through to a couple of weeks. I’ve even seen online retreats! So you may be wondering exactly what makes a retreat different from other events. You may also be asking yourself “why would I want to go on retreat?”

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In common event-speak, retreats are now any event where you’re removed from of your day-to-day activity. Which basically could apply to pretty well every event!  The dictionary defines them as “an organised group withdrawal from regular activities, as for religious contemplation, the development of closer relationships, etc.”.  But neither really defines the nitty-gritty of a retreat.

 

Retreats generally have a theme. These vary from self-development, through skill development, creative refinement, business skills, religious practice, intuitive development, self-care pampering, finding your purpose, and many more. Many retreats also offer a deeper, non-religious spiritual experience to nourish your soul. You can always find a retreat with a theme that matches what you need in your life.

 

But here’s where things get confusing, as the format and structure of a retreat experience is not clear-cut.

 

 

What Makes An ‘Event’ A ‘Retreat’

 

Retreats generally have an element of coaching, as do many events. But events and retreats differ in that a retreat’s generally a journey of discovery – of yourself and others. Whether it’s about skill development, personal development or one of self-nurturing, retreats always take you to deeper levels of understanding and wisdom.

 

Retreats are usually live-in which disconnects you from the responsibilities of your daily life. This separation form the everyday world allows complete immersion in the retreat experience and journey. When you’re not being constantly pulled back into routine you receive new insights to make new conscious intentional choices with clarity.

 

And this is where the magic happens.  

 

By completely withdrawing from daily life and not returning home (or to an outside hotel) in the evening to cook dinner, do laundry or check social media, you’re able to completely immerse yourself in the retreat.

 

When you don’t downgrade your focus into mindless activity like social media or TV you stay completely connected to the energy of the closed group and the process.

 

When you don’t become distracted by the outside world, you can remain totally with the insights and challenges that arise as you journey through the workshops and experiences provided on the retreat. You can stay completely focused and allow the unfolding to occur fully, and in it’s natural progression and time.

 

If you shift outside the retreat, either physically or mentally by going online, you interrupt or shut down the process and halt the unfolding.

 

It is this complete immersion that defines an event as a retreat. It’s also what makes a retreat such a powerful tool for catalysing big shifts in perspectives, skills, knowledge and results.

 

 

4 Reasons To Go On Retreat

 

There are so many benefits that you’ll gain on a retreat. Here are four reasons why you should opt for a retreat over a regular vacation:

Continue reading…

 

 

Work With Me On Retreat…

 

Would you love to develop deep Self-Care practices to keep you grounded and energised, and your heart singing?

Join me on the Indochine Queen Women’s Retreat in Vietnam in March 2019.

Find all the details here

 

Disclaimer

All information and opinions presented here are for information purposes only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation. Please consult with your health care provider before following any of the treatment suggested on this site, particularly if you have an ongoing health issue.

Best Tips For Spring Wellness

Spring has blossomed in all her exuberance, bringing the reminder of youth, and the promise of new beginnings. Spring is the time of transformation and growth; the time to renew your energy and change your life. These top tips for Spring wellness will launch your momentum to rise to your fullest Summer potential.

As the days warm and lengthen in Spring you start to feel lighter, in body, emotions, mind and spirit.

These unexpected practices will help you feel your best and at the peak of Spring wellness.

 

 

 

Top Spring Wellness Tips…

 

 

To Awaken

 

Get outside. Play, socialise and have fun, just as a child would.

The sun is up earlier and staying around later. Join him and get outside to watch the dawn. Even if you wake grumpy give yourself the opportunity to get out, feel the earth under your feet and soak in all the rebalancing benefits of grounding as you connect with the Earth.

 

 

Spring Movement

 

Instead of letting restlessness irritate you in spring use it to kick-start your exercise program.

Spring is a great time to overhaul – or begin – your exercise routine. Walk, join a dance class, try yoga, qi gong or tai chi, even join a hiking group or cricket team.

Honour your body by not overdoing it, and remember to keep hydrated or you’ll become fatigued very quickly.

 

 

Spring Foods

 

As we move out of winter’s chill we need to change our diet. The heavy, salty foods of winter put a big strain on your liver, which is sensitive during spring. Your liver is the main detoxifier in your body so it needs some TLC during spring. Cut back on alcohol, fats, oil and particularly junk food.

Sour foods like vinegar, lemons, limes and grapefruit stimulate your liver. An excellent spring wellness practice is drinking lemon or lime water in the morning.

Bitter foods cleanse the liver and are essential to good health. Some bitter foods are dandelion greens, radicchio, rapini, endive, kale, rocket, rye, chamomile, unsweetened cocoa, daikon, and even nettles. A salad of mixed leaves can easily include many bitter herbs.

Replace heavy winter foods with light, quickly-cooked ingredients.

 

 

Friend’s Support

 

With the warmer weather and longer days, Spring is a great time to reconnect with your support network.

Having friends who have your back when the going gets rough, and who really listen to you, is essential for wellness. Having someone you really trust who will hold the space for you to download, discuss, or even rant if you need, helps you stay on top of stress and overwhelm as life gets busier.

 

 

Better Sleep

 

Most people don’t get enough sleep. Many have passed the point where they can recognise that they need sleep.

You need between seven and eight hours sleep every night. Binge sleeping on the weekend doesn’t compensate for lost sleep during the week, or the other way around.

If worry is keeping you awake introduce some strategies to reduce the stress.

If your bedroom does not support good sleep use this guide to make changes

Most importantly, don’t sleep with your cell phone anywhere near you, and stop using at least thirty minutes before bedtime.

 

Reduce Stress

 

Spring is the perfect time to set the resolve to manage your stress more effectively.

 

Continue reading….

 

Work With Me…

 

Would you love to develop deep Self-Care practices to keep you grounded and energised, and your heart singing?

Join me on the Indochine Queen Women’s Retreat in Vietnam in March 2019.

For all details and  bookings

 

Disclaimer

 

All information and opinions presented here are for information purposes only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation with your health care provider. Do not use this article to diagnose a health condition. Speak to your doctor if you think your condition may be serious or before discontinuing any prescribed medication. Please consult with your health care provider before following any of the treatment suggested on this site, particularly if you have an ongoing health issue.

Natural Remedies For Winter Health

When your mood matches the sky it’s tempting to dive under the doona and tune out from the world.  Winter is naturally a time to close down and go within so we need to be mindful of honouring our needs during this time.  We need to sleep more, eat nourishing foods and tone down the active life we enjoyed over summer, for our inner health.  We also need to support our immune system because it can take a beating during the winter months.  It’s important to know how to keep your immune system strong and balanced if you want to avoid winter infections and stay healthy.  These natural remedies for winter health provide a simple foundation for wellness.

The chill of Winter brings with it a swag of seasonal diseases which range from chilblains and cold sores through many respiratory illnesses.  The common cold is the most prevalent contagious disease in Australia and the most common reason for people to stay home from work or school.  Coughs, colds and sometimes flu are a common part of most household’s winter experience.  Colds are very easily spread from person to person affecting over half of the population in winter

Natural Immune Support

Your immune system protects your body and is your greatest health asset.  But with greater demands and stress placed on it over winter it can suffer. In order to get through winter without any sickness it pays to build your immunity naturally.  Vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc are three of the best nutrients for this. When you add probiotics you have a powerful combination.

Zinc and vitamin C are essential for the healthy function of white blood cells which fight infection.  Vitamin D contributes to a multitude of body functions including fighting infection.  Probiotics support the immune function of the gut.

Vitamin D

As we huddle indoors over Winter and spend less time in the sun, our vitamin D levels can easily fall below our needs. Vitamin D is essential for immune health. When these levels don’t meet the increased demands of our immune system we’re left open to coughs, colds and flu.

Low vitamin D can also lead to Seasonal Affective Disorder or ‘SAD’ which causes seasonal depression and low mood.

Vitamin D is difficult to source from food. While you’ll find some in sardines, salmon, mackerel, cod, and eggs most is produced by your body from exposure to sunlight.

Zinc

Is your diet lacking in zinc?  Zinc is essential for a number of life-sustaining functions, including strong immunity to help prevent coughs, colds and flu.  This important mineral triggers approximately 160 different reactions within the body including immunity.  Unfortunately about 83% of Australian women are deficient in zinc.

Continue reading…

Disclaimer

All information and opinions presented here are for information purposes only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation with your health care provider. Do not use this article to diagnose a health condition. Speak to your doctor if you think your condition may be serious or before discontinuing any prescribed medication. Please consult with your health care provider before following any of the treatment suggested on this site, particularly if you have an ongoing health issue.

Change Core Beliefs And Take Back Control

You don’t need six ways to take back control, just one straightforward way!  The only thing we have any true control over in life is our inner world.  But when we are strong  in our authentic power we can intentionally direct our outer world, because our outer world mirrors our inner world.  Effectively we take back control of our life and how we interact with the world.

Everything we experience in the outer world is a reflection of what is happening on the inside.  If our life experience is chaos it reflects a chaotic state within.  If we notice exploitation all around, it is mirroring a sense of powerlessness within our self.

This is not about attracting things to us but rather, knowing that what we notice in our outer world reflects our inner experience.

In other words, we play an active role in how we experience our world, although we may not be doing it consciously.  However, we can change that and make that choice conscious, by becoming aware of how we respond to what happens around, and to us.

Notice What You Notice

Take a moment to observe where your thoughts are right now.  Don’t judge, don’t attach any emotions, simply observe with keen awareness.  Notice what your notice.

If your thoughts or emotions right now are focused on feeling hurt, or overwhelmed, or not good enough, or any other such feeling, step outside the emotion.  Put it to one side and simply witness it.

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Would you love to know

HOW TO RECLAIM AUTHENTIC POWER?

Join me on retreat in Thailand in August!

It’s time to AWAKEN, break apart those limiting beliefs and create a life of Soul Empowered Wholeness and Wellness

Disclaimer

All information and opinions presented here are for information purposes only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation with your health care provider. Do not use this article to diagnose a health condition. Speak to your doctor if you think your condition may be serious or before discontinuing any prescribed medication. Please consult with your health care provider before following any of the treatment suggested on this site, particularly if you have an ongoing health issue.

5 Great Self-Care Practices For Autumn

As Autumn settles in it’s time to treat yourself with compassion.  Be conscious this is the season to be gentle, and wrap yourself with TLC.  If you are someone who is constantly there for everyone else, now is the time to turn that caring inwards and say ‘no’ to others.  It is only by first caring for your own needs that you can adequately care for those around you.

Although we know that self care is so important it can be difficult to know how to start.  Self care begins with self love.  Self love has nothing to do with being selfish.  Rather, it’s about attending to your needs not about putting yourself before others.  It is a vital step on the pathway to Soul Empowered Wellness.

If you wish to grow in consciousness and walk a path of integrity and authentic power, one of the most fundamental steps is to attend to your self-care.  It all begins with self-love, the simple act of honouring yourself with kindness and respect.  Practicing self care requires you tune into your body, your emotions, your mind and your soul and attend to what it is you really need and desire.

Silence Your Inner Critic

In order to care for ourselves we must first recognise and banish the inner critic.  That inner ‘mean girl’, ‘critic’, ‘judge’, ‘saboteur’ or whatever you call it, (I call mine ‘The Committee’) serves us at certain times in our life.  But at others it undermines our dreams.

This is that voice that always casts doubt on your inspiration, your actions or even just you.

There are times in our life we really need that inner voice.  It is the voice of caution that pops up to keep us safe.  But it is also the voice that keeps us small, limited, and unfulfilled.

In the interests of self-care it is at these times that you need to reclaim the control to direct your own life.  When you don’t do this your inner voice will keep you restricted with old stories and belief systems that don’t support your personal growth.

The second part of the process is to attend to your needs.  A lot of people think this is about pampering but it is much more.  While pampering can be a part of self-care it’s not the crux.  At its centre self care is about tuning in to your body, emotions, mind and spirit and addressing what it is you need on all these levels.

It can be hard to know how to begin the process of self care.  Here are five suggestions.

Guide To Self Care

1. Shut Down Your Inner Mean Voice

I began the process of self-care by dealing with the voice of my ‘Inner Committee’.  The very first step was to recognise it when it very first showed up and stop it dead.  I used strong language first and then spoke back to it.  I reminded it that I was the driver on our life journey; that it was welcome to come along for the ride, but I was in charge.

Continue reading this article…

“When perfectionism is driving us, shame is riding shotgun and fear is that annoying backseat driver.”                           ~  Brene Brown

Disclaimer
All information and opinions presented here are for information purposes only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation with your health care provider.  Do not use this article to diagnose a health condition.  Speak to your doctor if you think your condition may be serious or before discontinuing any prescribed medication.  Please consult with your health care provider before following any of the treatment suggested on this site, particularly if you have an ongoing health issue.