The Choice To Change Blog


Showing posts with label Counselling And Hypnotherapy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Counselling And Hypnotherapy. Show all posts

Sunday, 23 December 2012

Revitalize Your Energy for Fall

As we go into the Fall season, so much about Nature begins to slow down after the hectic Summer months. As the days get shorter, our bodies want to revert to our natural inclination which is to prepare for Winter and Winter's hibernation time. Because of this, it's possible for our energy levels to begin to drop.


But we, unlike Nature's animal kingdom, have our busy lives and it's necessary for us to keep up our energy and vitality at the highest and best levels possible.


Here are a few tips to help you accomplish this:


1 - Turn on more lights - Whether at home or at the office, turn on more lights. This helps ward off the natural sleepiness that darkness brings. Also, if you have access to and can use light bulbs which give off a natural light spectrum, these are most helpful. If you are prone to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), this type of light bulb is most important for you to counteract your condition.


2 - Go outside and breathe deeply - The cooler, dryer air of Fall can be stimulating. Breathe it in deeply to invigorate yourself and to clear out your lungs and other toxins from your body.


3 - Stick to a healthy diet - We are fast approaching the holiday season with all its candies and rich foods. By eating healthy now, you can enjoy a few more indulgences later. Also you will help avoid many illnesses that start going around this time of year. And don't forget to drink plenty of water and take your vitamins and supplements.


4 - Stick to you are exercise regimen - Exercise gets your metabolism fired up and contributes to improving your overall health, immune system and stamina.


5 - Get plenty of rest - Even though you want to be energetic, you also need to balance with good, restful sleep to maintain your body's equilibrium. One without the other can cause health issues.


6 - Make plenty of R and R time for you and your family - Get out and enjoy the benefits of the season; attend a Fall Festival or carnival, take walks and enjoy the colors that Nature provides this time of year. These add happiness and joy to your life to lift your spirits and your energy.


7 - Open up the windows - Our homes need to breathe too. Open up and let the air in to clear out all the old energy, mustiness, smells, etc.


8 - Meditate and bring the energy in - During your daily meditations, see yourself pulling in bright, energetic light; see it replenishing your natural batteries. Spiritual energy is just as important as physical energy, so welcome it in daily.


By using these tips, you will have an energy filled, joyful, and productive Fall season.


Please leave a comment and tell us what works for you to increase and maintain your energy levels? Providing quality counselling articles, hynotherapy writings and other mind help resources online.

Saturday, 22 December 2012

How to Lead Healthy Lifestyles

It may come as a surprise to many people, but leading healthy lifestyles can actually be fun and easy. Many think that people who live healthy eat boring, tasteless food and spend half their lives on exercise equipments, but they cannot be more wrong. They may be right, though, when they say that healthy people who lead healthy lives are usually less prone to a wide array of diseases, and are more confident with their bodies, the way they are and the way they look. These people can enjoy a lot of things that a lot of unhealthy people might not be able to.


It is important to learn that healthy lifestyles can mean healthier physical, mental and emotional health. Most of the times, these things can be strongly interrelated. Good physical health has a tendency to improve mental health and vice versa. Both of these have direct and indirect effects on the emotional state of a person too.


So, how can you lead a healthy lifestyle? In this day and age when the prevalence of diet-related illnesses is high, leading a healthy lifestyle becomes of the utmost importance. Luckily, many easy ways can be done to start living and staying healthy.


1. Good fats vs. bad fats. Trans fats and saturated fats are considered bad fats for a good reason. These kinds of fats increase the risks of heart diseases because they can easily increase cholesterol levels. On the other hand, omega-3 fats, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats have been proven to boost heart health.


2. Whole foods vs. processed foods. Whole foods are the basis of many diet plans because of one simple reason: they offer better nutrition than processed foods. Processed foods also have high amounts of preservatives which aren't all good for the body. Whole foods provide more energy and vitamins than processed foods.


3. Exercise. Not only does exercising help weight loss, it usually has positive effects on health. People who are already suffering from cardiovascular diseases may benefit from 15 minutes of aerobic exercises. Running helps the respiratory system and may also boost stamina and metabolism. Strength exercises can help strengthen bones and muscles, and may also help correct posture.


4. Quit bad habits. Habits are hard to break, but you need to get rid of the bad ones as soon as possible. Smoking poses a lot of threats to overall health, and may cause lung cancer, strokes, emphysema and many others. Drinking too much can damage the liver. The sooner you quit these two, the better for your body.


Healthy lifestyles can prevent many diseases and help lengthen your life. It can easily give you confidence to make you feel good about yourself and be an inspiration to others. In many ways, a healthy lifestyle can have good effects on your mental and emotional health. Instead of thinking that it would take too much of your time, think about it as giving yourself all the time in the world for better quality life in return.


If you are looking for information on healthy lifestyles, click on the link. Or visit lifestylesecretreview.com. Providing quality counselling articles, hynotherapy writings and other mind help resources online.

Monday, 10 December 2012

How To Become What You Think About

Whether you want to lose weight, build muscle or just improve your cardiovascular health, the mind plays a huge role. The mind gets and keeps you motivated, it develops those good habits and it lets you see your goal before you achieve it. I believe the biggest reason for people failing to achieve their health and fitness goals is down to lack of knowledge of how the mind works. You either control the mind or it controls you!


The mind hates change. It has a world view which has been built up throughout your life. It knows pigs don't fly and money does not grow on trees. If you were to see a flying pig or a money tree, your mind would reject it instantly. Your mind would be racing to try and find a logical reason to justify why this can't be real, so it fits into its world view. That's why when we try to make a change our mind try's to resist it. Our habits are formed by our past experiences, family and friends. If you understand how this works then you can beat it! To change your bad habits you must replace them with good habits. How do you change a habit? You must repeat the new habit 30 times, so around a month for it to become a new habit. Your new habit will then be formed, replacing the old one.


Let me give you an example. I developed the habit of having porridge oats with kiwi fruit for my breakfast every morning but I wanted to add blueberries as well. To be honest I was not too keen on blueberries to start with but they have so many health benefits, I wanted to include them. It was hard at first to get used to eating them as part of my breakfast routine. I knew it would be at first. I knew if I did this for the full 30 days it would become a habit. After the 30 days it was formed as a habit. I now have blueberries every day with my porridge!


Our daily thoughts about our self, define who we become. They make up our self-image. What is a self-image? The self-image is your view of yourself. The person who you are and the person you think others think you are. You cannot outperform your self- image. If you don't think you can do something, I can guarantee you won't do it. If you don't think you are worthy of something you won't get it or keep it.


If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right. - Henry Ford


The good news is we can change our self-image. You need to spend about 5-10 minutes twice a day to picture how you want to be. Picture yourself with bigger arms, a six pack or a slimmer you. You have to feel it. Feel the emotion and the great feeling it gives you. You must do this daily. You need to train your mind daily, just like a sportsman would practice his sport daily. Every top sports person visualizes how they will perform. They see themselves winning and at their best. If you do this for just one day you will see a difference for just that day. If you do it every day you will see the difference for the rest of your life.


Most people see an old friend or a family member they have not seen in a while. The friend or family member say's your looking really well or they may say you have put weight on. The majority of people will take the compliment of looking well and feel good for a short while and forget about it. The very same people will take in the negative comment about putting on weight and hold on to that image. They spend the rest of the day feeling down. Looking in the mirror seeing themselves larger than they really are. They may head to the kitchen and grab some junk food to make themselves feel better because they can only picture themselves as being overweight so what is the point. If that one person thinks so then I must be. Right? THIS IS TOTALLY THE WRONG THINKING!


You must hold the picture of yourself with that body you desire. Remember you are doing this twice a day. When you look into the mirror see that new body you want. This will make you feel good. Hold on to that feeling throughout the day. That feeling will keep you on track. Don't allow any negative thoughts about your body enter your mind. If someone makes a negative comment just accept that it is only there view. Everyone one has different views. If you asked a hundred people there favourite food. Would they all say the same thing? No they wouldn't. So just accept that you will always get negative comments but you don't have to accept them! As soon as you feel yourself having a negative thought, think back to your image of that body you desire. This will make you feel good about yourself again. Once you build this momentum and learn to eradicate negative thoughts about your body, nothing will stop you!


You will feel more confident, you will feel in control. This thinking will smash through any of the training or nutrition obstacles you may come across. If you don't control your thoughts, the nutrition and training will always breakdown when those negative thoughts pop up and you hold on to them. So remember, "You Become What You Think About."


If you would like to read more articles about eating healthy, burning fat and building muscle please visit stripfatbuildmuscle.com. Providing quality counselling articles, hynotherapy writings and other mind help resources online.

Sunday, 9 December 2012

How Stress Affects the Body, And Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Stress is an IBS trigger, but it also causes many other problems. It can have a profound effect on your mental and physical health. Here are some facts that might surprise you.


Human beings encounter stress as a daily part of life. Every change in routine that requires us to react causes a little bit of stress. We respond with ingrained responses. Some are inherited; others are learned.


Little bits of stress are beneficial; they keep us alert and ready to respond to the difficulties of life. In fact, the only people who don't experience stress are dead. However, prolonged periods of stress can have a devastating effect on your health, with symptoms such as:


• Colon spasms in people with IBS
• Upset stomach
• Altered digestive activity
• Headaches
• Sleep disturbances
• Elevated blood pressure
• Chest pain
• Tachycardia
• Irregular heartbeat
• Heart attacks
• Trembling or shakiness
• Decreased productivity at work
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Loss of sex drive
• Menstrual irregularities
• Female hair loss
• Chronic fatigue
• Muscle pains
• Skin disorders
• Recurring infections
• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Shortness of breath
• Memory problems
• Depression
• Mental breakdown
• Substance abuse
• Abnormal immune system response


Stress also exacerbates conditions such as restless leg syndrome.


Relatively minor stress affects many people with irritable bowel syndrome. IBS itself causes stress, especially if it is accompanied by a lot of pain; this creates a self-feeding, vicious cycle that is often hard to break. It may affect close friends and family; they watch their loved one suffering, which tends to perpetuate the cycle as everyone becomes tense and anxious.


There is a huge benefit to be gained by removing or reducing the negative stress in your life.


Here are a few suggestions:


• Avoid watching the news for a few days. Opt for comedies or upbeat musicals instead.


• Take a day off if you work in a stressful environment.


• Hunt for funny photos at images.google.com. Try searches like:


- smiling cat


- laughing moose


- laughing


- smiling dog


Laughter stimulates the immune system and boosts infection-fighting processes. It also decreases pain and provides a distraction from stressful situations.


• Associate with funny people who make you laugh.


• Try deep breathing, meditation, or yoga.


• Avoid brooding about your condition. Focus your attention on other things instead.


Disclaimer


The material provided here is for informational purposes only. It should not replace proper medical treatment, advice, or diagnosis. Always consult your doctor and other health-care providers, as appropriate, before consuming any medications, supplements, or natural remedies; or before altering your diet. Discuss all your symptoms, plans, and medical conditions with your physician.


Any application of the ideas contained in this article is at your own risk, discretion, and responsibility. There are no representations or warranties, either express or implied, and the author assumes no liability for any of the information presented.


You should not begin or discontinue medical treatment based on information contained in this, or any other, article.


Be sure to check out Kathy's latest eBooks:


The IBS Compass: Irritable Bowel Syndrome Tips, Information, Fiber Charts, and Recipes. This book contains information that will help you to relieve stress and set a course to better health.


IBS-IBD Fiber Charts: Soluble & Insoluble Fibre Data for over 250 Items, Including Links to Internet Resources. This book will assist you in monitoring fiber intake, no matter where you are. Load it on your cellphone and take it with you to restaurants and grocery stores. Providing quality counselling articles, hynotherapy writings and other mind help resources online.

Saturday, 1 December 2012

How Do We Sometimes Get Sick?

According to Google, approximately 7,480,000 global monthly searches are done for the keywords "how do we get sick." In America and across the world, people are crying out for help in understanding the science of preventing disease. How do we get sick should not continue to be a common question if we search medical research with the intent of finding out what is the major cause of our sicknesses.


In 2011, one of ABCNews' headlines read, "'Lifestyle' diseases the world's biggest killer." It said that "non-communicable diseases are now the leading cause of death around the world"; the World Health Organization blames "... the rise in 'lifestyle' diseases[:]... tobacco use, poor diet and the harmful use of alcohol, and warns public policies are needed to prevent them." If we want to be well, we must personally adhere to this warning. National Geographic highlighted a community in Loma Linda, California that is the longest living in America because it emphasizes having a healthier diet and lifestyle. If this is a major key to wellness, then what do we need to consider practically in our own lives?


A 19th century, prolific writer on the subject of health gave a time tested principle on how we get sick and gave tips on how we can be in a healthier state. "Disease is an effort of nature to free the system from conditions that result from a violation of the laws of health. In case of sickness, the cause should be ascertained. Unhealthful conditions should be changed, wrong habits corrected. Then nature is to be assisted in her effort to expel impurities and to re-establish right conditions in the system." Ministry of Healing, 127. How do we sometimes get sick? Like Morgan Spurlock from Super Size Me, we might have not paid attention to the lifestyle related causes of our illnesses.


In order to ascertain the cause of disease, we need ask ourselves a few simple questions. How is my nutrition? Am I exercising regularly? Am I drinking enough water? How much sunshine am I receiving? Do I avoid harmful substances and activities, and am I temperate in the beneficial ones? Am I getting fresh, vitalizing air? How much rest do I receive each night? Do I trust in divine power?


Asking these questions help us get a big picture view of lifestyle changes that we might need to make to have more vibrant, healthier lives. We might have looked at the attainment of health as something that only comes by chance. However, as we study our human bodies just like even former US president Bill Clinton did after a stent was placed in his heart, we'll learn that the question of whether or not we get sick has more to do with our diet and lifestyle choices than we might realize.


Franklin Morris works at Wellness Secrets, a health retreat in Decatur, Arkansas, that features a five day live-in lifestyle center where people learn more in depth how we get sick and how to practically make changes in their diet and lifestyle. Providing quality counselling articles, hynotherapy writings and other mind help resources online.