Combating Mental Fatigue

Mental fatigue can definitely take its toll on a person’s well-being. It can actually be worse than physical fatigue because of a person’s inability to think clearly or express their feelings and frustrations. Worse still, mental stress is known to cause physical fatigue and illness, too! Mental Read more

Balance Your Life by Delegating and Outsourcing

It’s time to reflect on how you’ve felt over the last few months or years. Are you constantly tired? Do the piles of work seem never-ending? Are you feeling too busy? If this is the case, you’ll find that it is time for some serious Read more

Meditate Your Way To Wellness

Many people think of Eastern religions when they think of meditation, and too often those who know little about meditation are greatly confused by what it really is and what it really does. We may hear how meditation is good for our well-being, but we fail to find a simple “how to” manual when we decide to incorporate it into our lives. The fact is, most people make meditation much more complicated than it needs to be. To meditate is to simply eliminate excessive thought, enter awareness and narrow our focus. Once thought of as an enhancement only to our spiritual being, medical research is also now touting the physical benefits of regular meditation. Doctors nowadays often advise the use of meditation as a way to reduce stress and fatigue, and studies have shown that it may provide positive benefits to the circulatory and respiratory systems. Since stress is linked to life-threatening disease such as diabetes, stroke and heart disease, it seems practical to make daily meditation a part of preventative medicine along with proper nutrition and regular exercise. While there is no one right way to meditate, it is the general consensus that one must do it consistently to achieve optimum wellness. Here’s a simple way to get started. Set aside 15 minutes of uninterrupted time, change into comfortable clothing and sit in an upright and relaxed position. Close your eyes and breathe consciously: in for a count of 4, hold for 2, and out for another count of 4. Concentrate only on the breaths you take, focusing solely on the air filling your lungs…and then leaving your body. As random thoughts enter your mind, acknowledge and release them, returning to your breath meditation. After just 15 minutes of this, you’ll be on your way to less stress and better health. Additionally, this same process can be used to enhance your mental and spiritual health. Simply by consistently releasing stressful thoughts and sitting quietly, you will clear your mind, strengthen your focus and get better connected with your spiritual core. Regular meditation can also help you to adopt a whole new way of thinking. For example, if you are typically in the habit of dwelling in negative thoughts, you can use your meditation sessions to begin changing that pattern to automatically become more positive. Try reciting empowering phrases (affirmations) like the following to yourself once you feel completely relaxed physically: “I always expect the best. Great things always happen to me. I am usually very lucky. I love myself and take good care of myself. I am a good person. I get along well with others.” Basically, you can include any type of positive message you want to sink into your subconscious mind. Because you will be very relaxed physically and mentally during and after a meditation session, it’s the perfect time to absorb some positive new messages because your subconscious mind will be less resistant to them. Likewise, you can do the same thing with spiritually empowering messages, like: “I am never alone. I am guided and supported by a loving universe. I am surrounded and protected by angels.” Even if you don’t initially believe these statements, consistent repetition will begin to change that! Keep working on it and before long you’ll find yourself feeling calmer, more centered and balanced from within.

Wellness Affirmation:

I am centered and peaceful in body, mind and spirit.

I enjoy caring for all aspects of my well-being.

Begin Your Day With A Stretch and Meditation

If you have cats, you have probably noticed that the first thing they do after awakening is stretch their little furry bodies. Arching their back and extending their limbs is not just a way to tone their muscles – it’s also a way to get the blood flowing in preparation for the activity they’re about to embark upon. Similarly, if you begin stretching each morning and doing an audio meditation , you’ll likely notice the immediate positive impact on your own overall health and wellness. Stretching is no longer something that is saved only for your pre- and post-workouts.

Among the many benefits of stretching and audio meditation, you’ll most likely be impressed with how it can wake up your mind and body in preparation for the day. Stretching increases the circulation in your body, getting oxygen to your brain and blood to your muscles, while meditation gives you positive energy to use all day. Why wait for your cup of coffee to fully wake you up? Other physical benefits of stretching include increased flexibility of your muscles, a better range of motion in your joints, stress relief and the ability to maintain proper posture throughout the day. How then can you be sure to get the most from stretching? It’s simple: move slowly and hold each stretch for at least 30 seconds. Practice conscious breathing during your stretch and you will maximize oxygen to the blood. Remember your stretches should be pain-free and you should target all major muscle groups. For a more thorough introduction to stretching, you might also consider learning yoga or another movement exercise, such as Tai Chi. Those who practice these regularly report an improved mood and better clarity throughout the day. Stretching your body regularly can also have a positive impact on your mind. After all, increased blood flow and oxygen intake also feeds your brain! You’ll probably notice that a good stretch along with some deep breathing wakes up your mind and helps you to think more clearly. You may also notice that you seem to be better in touch with your creative faculties too. You can enhance this effect by also choosing to “stretch” your mind on a daily basis. Most of us tend to live very routine lives, rarely doing anything new or unusual. We work at the same location, interact with the same people, undertake the same routines, watch the same programs on television . . . day after day after day! Is it any wonder that we often feel like we’re sleepwalking through our lives? Begin stretching your mind by introducing it to something new each day. You can read a book or magazine you normally wouldn’t be exposed to, watch different types of television shows or movies, introduce yourself to someone who appears to be quite different from yourself, and so on. Jar your mind out of its rut and you’ll likely discover that there is awe and beauty in places you never would have thought to look before! You can also adopt this same process in your spiritual practices. Visit a new church, read about the religious or spiritual traditions of other cultures, ask friends about their beliefs if they are different than yours, and otherwise strive to learn more about the unknown. Stretching yourself body, mind and spirit is a great way to enrich your life and expand your enjoyment of everything you do!

Expansion Affirmation:

I stretch and expand my body for greater flexibility and strength.

I stretch and expand my mind for greater understanding and wisdom.

I stretch and expand my spirit for greater compassion and peace.

Rejuvenate Yourself with Meditation

Meditation is more often associated with states of deep relaxation, but it can also be an effective way to rejuvenate yourself and boost your energy. Fatigue and sluggishness often result from a constant flow of negative, chaotic and stressful thoughts through our minds. We may not even be Read more

Battling and Overcoming Stress During the Holidays