In studying the effects of spirituality on individuals, many researchers have found that engaging in spiritual practices can have a positive effect on overall health and well-being. Its benefits have even been compared to eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Spirituality takes on many shapes and sizes. For some, it is traditional faiths like Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism and Islam. Being part of a spiritual community can foster a sense of belonging, increase a sense of security and provide a support system. But traditional religion may not be the path for everyone. Some may seek spirituality in the form of contemplative practices such as yoga and meditation. Others might feel a spiritual connection when engaging in nature, or in activities such as art and journaling. Regardless of what form spirituality takes for you, it can promote a more positive outlook on life, relieve stress, inspire personal growth and encourage reflective practices. Spirituality can help give meaning to life, foster hope and promote happiness and contentment – something we all strive for.
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Ah, the weekend! Worries fade away and time is finally ours, to do as we please. But in a blink of an eye, it’s Sunday afternoon and the dreaded blues set in. If you have noticed this pattern occurring, you may be experiencing the Sunday Blues. And it is much more common than you may think. Studies have been done that indicate a large proportion of the population experience this dread, even with those who are satisfied with their jobs. Psychologists studying this phenomenon offer the following tips to help combat the gloom and doom that sets in like clock work every Sunday night:
It goes without saying that stress and trauma can wreak havoc on the nervous system. Stressors have a way of accumulating in the body in deep-rooted tension patterns that can result in a wide array of symptoms that involve the spine and muscles, organs and tissues, as well as emotional wellbeing. Network Spinal Analysis (NSA) is a specialized form of chiropractics that not only addresses spinal alignment but the wellness of the nervous system as well. By utilizing precise, gentle touches, it assists in unlocking those tension patterns thereby allowing for increased flexibility, improved body awareness, an increase in stress tolerance and a reduction in aches and pains. NSA allows your mind to reconnect to the body and experience an improved sense of well-being. The treatment is gentle and relaxing. All you need to do is lie comfortably on your stomach, fully clothed. Additional reported benefits include increased energy and an improvement in overall mood. Whether you hold your tension in your neck, shoulder blades or low back, this form of treatment may be beneficial in decreasing discomfort that can so easily be the target of all the stress we experience from day to day. Not all chiropractors are trained in NSA but a simple web search of Network Chiropractics is sure to help find a practitioner close to your locale if you think this type of healing modality might be for you. It may just be a self-care technique you will want to add as part of your maintenance regime in staying well. A few weeks ago I attended an engagement where I had to give a speech. As the day grew closer, I could feel my nervousness mounting; the dry mouth, the deer in the headlights look in my eyes, the butterflies in the gut. Try as I did to meditate my way through that, I still had an overwhelming fear of facing my audience. Now I know I am not alone in having anxiety about public speaking, so I thought I’d look at this scenario with best self-care strategies in mind. As I contemplated how ill I was feeling about my speech, I spent extra time preparing my material and considering questions that might arise. Organizing myself by rehearsing, making cue cards and timing my presentation had a way of reassuring me that I was doing all that I could towards reaching a positive outcome. But that wasn’t enough and the jitters persisted. Know that this is when we are most vulnerable in seeking relief by turning to unhealthy, non-therapeutic ways like taking a swig of something strong to take the edge off, or taking prescription anti-anxiety agents like Valium or Ativan. So instead, I headed off to my local health food store and found myself in front of a display case of homeopathic remedies. Homeopathic medicine has been around for over 200 years. It is recognized by the World Health Organization and is popular in India, South America and Europe. Based on the principle that ‘like cures like’, various remedies are made with ingredients that actually cause the condition, but are extremely diluted so their toxic effects are eliminated. Taking the remedy stimulates your own body’s healing powers to restore health and well being. I found a remedy that was listed to help with ‘stage fright’. Five miniscule tablets under the tongue, three times a day and I immediately felt more relaxed and back in control of things. Considering the options, I found this approach to be very helpful in coping with my anxiety. No side effects, no chance of dependency. In choosing a homeopathic remedy, it is always best to seek the help of a Homeopathic Doctor. But there are somewhat standard remedies for a variety of ailments such as muscle soreness, cold symptoms and even acute grief. As with any alternative medicine, care should be taken and seek the advice of a medical doctor if you are already taking prescription medications for other conditions. But if you are not, and are looking for a way to battle the nerves before a presentation or speech, a homeopathic remedy might be an approach to try. |