The Impossible

I'm sitting at my desk staring at my diploma that arrived today. I had just got out of the shower when my husband walked in and showed me the package. He opened it and we both sat there just looking at it. He laughed as he said "Master of Science. All I can picture is you in a white lab coat working with chemicals". I remember when I thought I would never even complete my Associates degree, no less a Masters degree. When I finally completed my Associates degree, I thought to myself "I could get my Bachelors degree. I don't want to waste my GI Bill". Through pregnancy and the birth of my son I completed my Bachelors degree. I will never forget sitting in the hospital doing college algebra online, after having my son who was very sick. You want to talk stressful- that was stressful, and I'm good with numbers. I would have paid someone to complete that class for me, but I pushed through and completed it.

My associates and bachelors degrees were both in business and I really wanted a degree in my first true love, fitness. I decided to go for my Masters so I could have a degree in the field I was working in. Not to mention, I love to learn. There is a never ending flow of information available to us, especially in my line of work. In July I completed my Masters program and I am so proud of myself for achieving my education goals while owning a business, being a military wife, and having a child.

There were so many weekends I stayed home while others went out, in order to complete homework assignments. I spent countless hours studying and trying to balance life in the process. The saying "do now what others won't, to live a lifetime as others can't" rings very true to me. I'm thankful for the sacrifices I made and I'm so thankful for the people who supported me a long the way, specifically my husband.

I am now starting my Doctorate program. This is something I never in a million years thought I could do, but I'm doing it. If you would have told me I would have a Doctorate degree 5 years ago, I probably would have gave up before I even started because the thought was to overwhelming and too far out of reach.

You have to take the first step in your journey no matter what it is. Set goals you feel are attainable and move in that direction. The more you accomplish, the more empowered you will feel. I feel that there is absolutely nothing I can't do now. If I want it, I know that I can make it happen. The same is true for you. Embrace your gifts and invest in yourself!

To you health,

Jessica Summerall: This is the motto I choose to practice to make sure that I am doing everything I possibly can to ensure someone is successful, long term. My job is to educate, support, train, teach, and encourage the people who come into my life. Their job is to use those tools to achieve the success they desire, whether it be financial or physical. Providing quality counselling articles, hynotherapy writings and other mind help resources online.

Can The Way You Dress Affect Your Mental And Physical Health

Can the way you dress affect your health? Some experts say it can. Of course dressing inappropriately for the season can decrease your body's immune system, but that is not the only way your wardrobe could potentially affect your health. Nor is the physical aspect of health the only concern. You have the same make up as every other human being. Your body responds to the same stimuli. If you neglect certain parts of what makes you who you are, you open yourself up to many negative things. Whether you do it consciously or not, the way you dress tells a story about you. It lets people know how you feel mentally as well as physically. If you feel good about yourself from a physical stance, you will tend to wear clothing that showcases confidence and a look at me aura., thereby, helping to keep your immune system healthy. However, if you do not feel good about your physical state, no matter what you put on it will show a sense of using clothes to hide in plain sight of everyone; and that can suppress your immune system.

It goes even further than that. Studies have shown that wearing certain fashions have the ability to change your mood. Dark clothing tends to portray a sad picture. Constantly being around an environment like that can have a negative affect on your mental state and the mind plays a big part in your overall health. This is why hospital rooms are a certain color. Different hues are known to help the body to heal due to the positive state of mind they put you in. There are many bugs out there that wage war against your body to move in and cohabit with your normal system, but when your immune system is healthy, it wards of the attack; sometimes without you even knowing about it. However, if you do things that affect your mental health, it has been proven that you weaken your immune system by your own hands; making it easier for microbes to invade. A melancholy dress style will do more than cause people to perceive you in that manner. It also makes your body react accordingly, too.

Further still, as those you encounter think that you look under the weather and continually asks you if you are feeling bad because you look down, your body will eventually take on the role of being sick. And whether it is a microbial sickness or mentally induced one, they feel the same. Knowing this should encourage you to take more care in how you present yourself when it comes to picking out your wardrobe. You tend to become what you visualize yourself to be. If you constantly surround yourself with attire that depicts a sunny disposition, your attitude is more likely to correspond with that look. The saying birds of a feather flock together is totally true. You should consider your clothes as your feathers. Feathers are not who the bird is, but they grow from the bird and therefore are an important part of what the bird is. Likewise, your clothes are chosen by you and they give an impression of who you are.

So if you want to put forth a healthy persona, it would help to ensure your clothes match your insides or at least match how you want to feel. If your outfits cause people to return looks and stares of negativity, you are the one who bares the brunt of those looks and they do have an effect on you. The more you are bombarded with that, the more it wears away at your overall health. Another way to enhance your overall health with your dress is to step it up a notch and cause onlookers to give you the attention you want by wearing clothing and accessories that put you on a higher level than your peers. Rather than just wear something common in casual or dress, why not push the barriers a little and add some flair to what your have on. Instead of just wearing a shirt, add a light scarf or ascot tie tied around your neck. Rather than choosing the normal tucked in shirt with dress coat and slacks, wear something that has an extended cuff and let your shirt tail hang out under your jacket over a pair of designer jeans. It's sure to get some eyeballs on you accompanied with smiles of admiration. That can only boost your immune system.

Attention to color, style and fashion has the potential to boost your mental and physical health. Consider dressing to help improve your overall well being. Providing quality counselling articles, hynotherapy writings and other mind help resources online.

Pros and Cons of Corporate Wellness Plans

It is important to consider both the pros and cons of corporate wellness plans. While employee health and wellness is certainly a goal worth striving towards, business owners should always consider the costs and consequences of such an endeavor. If poorly executed, workplace health programs may become an unnecessary company expense. Additionally, employees may feel singled out if emphasis is only placed on a certain areas of employee health-such as weight loss or smoking. However, the benefits of corporate wellness plans are also worth considering. An effective wellness plan may result in higher employee performance and production levels. As well, a significant reduction in company health care costs, make corporate wellness plans a valuable financial option. Carefully considering the benefits and limitations of workplace health programs will allow business owners to choose corporate wellness plans that work best for their company.

The advantages of using corporate wellness plans are many. Promoting the overall well being of one's employees sends a message that the company is truly looking out for each worker's best interests. Good employee health not only lowers a company's health care costs, but also endorses individual employee health and wellness. When each worker is able to perform at his or her highest levels, increases in employee performance and production result. This profits the company both corporately and individually. As well, workplace health programs build a sense of community and support structure for long-term health and wellness. For example if a weight-loss program or running group is started, the employees who join the programs will find themselves surrounded by fellow workers who share the same passions. This sense of community and support system often lasts much longer than the program itself, resulting in long-term employee wellness.

It is also critical to evaluate the negatives associated with corporate wellness plans. Many employers do not consider the costs or consequences of implementing certain programs. Financial planning is crucial to implementing successful workplace health programs. While health care costs will be reduced in the long run, initial start-up costs must be considered. Whether hiring wellness experts, nutritionists, or building an on-site gym, start-up expenses must be accounted for. A carefully crafted financial plan that keeps the company's best interests in mind is critical to the success of every corporate wellness plan. Business owners must ask themselves if a gym is truly necessary or consider how his or her employee's would respond to a weight loss program. A keen understanding of how one's company functions will save business owners who are considering implementing corporate wellness plans, from expending unnecessary funds.

Employers should consider not using funds from their employee's paychecks to pay for the implementation of corporate wellness plans. Most workers already allocate a significant amount of their paycheck towards health care and insurance. Employees may resist workplace health programs that cause them to give up more of their finances. In this case, an employer should consider inexpensive means by which the company can implement wellness goals-such as a weight loss program with a gift card to a popular store as the prize. Another con to consider is that some employees may feel that a corporate wellness program has been specifically targeted at them-especially in the cases of weight loss or smoking. The poor health effects of these conditions are well-known, and often cause pain or embarrassment to employees who struggle with overcoming them to live a healthier lifestyle. Knowing one's company again in this instance, is essential. While some offices may find great success with competitive wellness programs, others may benefit more from an educational health approach. Hiring a wellness expert to offer additional solutions may reduce negative outcomes associated with workplace health programs.

To schedule a corporate wellness consultation today go to weightwellnesswellbeing.com. For more information on corporate wellness check out PatriciaBudd.com! Providing quality counselling articles, hynotherapy writings and other mind help resources online.

Sleep Is Necessary to Life

The importance of sleep cannot be overstated. According to a recent report, 70 million Americans are having trouble getting a good night's sleep. Research from Harvard Medical School's Division of Sleep Medicine has shown the critical importance of sleep in fortifying the body and keeping the mind clear. Modern science has also shown how necessary a good night of sleep is for maintaining healthy brain functions such as memory and learning skills.

Why So Many of Us Sleep Deprived

The reasons are not surprising. For many women, stress is the main reason for lack of sleep. When you're mentally stressed at night, the body increases its production of cortisol, the stress hormone that acts like a shot of adrenaline preventing restful sleep.

For others, it's the culture we live in with so many temptations to stay up late surfing the internet, texting friends, playing video games, checking emails, watching Netflix, etc.

Many Americans are also over-worked with longer hours and night shifts which leads to an over-indulgence in caffeine from coffee, soda, energy drinks and sugar.

The Important Benefits of Sleep

There are so many reasons to get enough sleep. Studies have linked sleep deprivation to a higher risk of stroke and insomniacs are more likely to suffer a heart attack than those individuals who sleep well at night.

Getting enough sleep at night will also make your mind sharper, your skin healthier and your body slimmer. You will even be nicer and may improve your marriage since lack of sleep can make us irritable and cranky.

Learn How to Sleep Again

Remember when you could fall asleep and stay asleep, waking up feeling rested and refreshed, ready to take on the day? When left untreated, trouble falling asleep can lead to chronic tension, anxiety and even weight gain.

If you are ready to check yourself into sleep rehab or need a sleep intervention, then consider the following sensible tips to help you reclaim your rest and get the type of deep sleep that will rejuvenate your mind and your body.

Tips to Sleeping Better at Night

- Turn off all electronics one hour before bedtime.

- Take time to unwind with a warm bath or good book.

- Set the thermostat to a cooler temperature at night to promote sleep.

- Ease up on the amount of caffeine you drink, especially after 3 PM.

- Maintain a consistent sleep-wake schedule including the weekends.

- Consider a sleep mask to block out all light that can disrupt your sleep.

There is no one single solution to improve sleep that works for everyone. Try doing a few things differently at night to find out what works for you. It will be worth the effort because sleep is a basic necessity just like eating and can have a significant impact on every aspect of your overall health and well being. Sweet dreams!

About The Author: Robyn M. Cooke is the editor of Quick-Weight-Loss-Tips-for-Women.com which has everything you will need to reach your weight loss goals, including great advice, great products and the inspiration to succeed! Remember, the best investment you can make is in yourself! Providing quality counselling articles, hynotherapy writings and other mind help resources online.

3 Reasons Why CrossFit and Farmers Markets Go Hand-In-Hand

I am sure no one will argue that the American local farmers markets are making a strong comeback due to various reasons affecting the majority of citizens. The American economic landscape has eroded over the last five years due to things that can be considered unnatural. The financial and agricultural industries have been injected with unnatural constructs and biological uncertainties. For this reason, the true long term effects have yet to be realized.

CrossFit, on the other hand, came from very humble beginnings with the purpose to bring fitness and overall improved physical health to the masses.

Greg Glassman introduced CrossFit to the world via the Internet by posting constantly varied, high intensity exercises. These exercises were functional in nature and performed at a level of intensity that very few individuals could handle, even seasoned athletes.

Strong communities like Law Enforcement, First Responders, and all branches of the Military embraced the CrossFit standards and rose to new levels of fitness. CrossFit participants (AKA: CrossFitters) began to standout in unit-level competitions.

The CrossFit standard began to catch on worldwide across cultures and industries alike. The CrossFit Community was formed by individuals helping individuals become more fit both mentally and physically.

So let us explore 3 reasons why the community effect of CrossFit and the local farmers markets are so closely related.

1. Eating and Drinking Clean Organic Foods and Beverages

The farm-to-market concept was how it all began before the technology of agri-business came into play. Big agri-business is more concerned with profits and shareholders not the quality of the products produced. Cutting corners and playing with God's genetic design has only led to decreased nutritional value for the earth and human being alike.

Part of the CrossFit fitness standard is nutritional health. So the most efficient way to get your nutrition is to eat as many high quality organic whole foods as possible. Which means foods that are not genetically modified (GMO) and foods that use minimal or no pesticides. The farmers that produce these foods use natural forms of composting for premium soil nutrients and, heirloom seeds that still retain high nutrient quantities from the pre-agribusiness timeframe.

Drinking clean filtered water is key to maintain proper hydration. The reverse osmosis method of filtration is the most trusted and reliable. Any beverage being produced should us filtered water of the same standard. Fermented beverages like Kefir and Kombucha contain life giving enzymes that help provide the harmony and balance your digestive system needs.

Last but not least, the consumption of pasture-raised animals that are grass feed and are allowed to feed off of their natural habitat. Feedlot animals are raised in harsh conditions which require artificial means to help them fight off infections (i.e. multiple vaccinations) and are fed the cheapest of food that is counterproductive to the animal's health and well being.

2. Supporting Locally-Owned Businesses

Strong communities are built on supporting local business. People-helping-people is where true community health and wealth is built. Building a tribal effect of truly caring for your neighbor and their family can only lead to prosperity. I always say, "you can truly see where someone stands when you take money or the pursuit of money out of the equation".

The CrossFit affiliate is a community entity that has a passion for helping people in their local community. Its members are a special group of people that believe in charitable giving that support local causes.

3. Growing Community Relationships

Knowing the name or names of the individuals who produce your food strengthens your bond with those folks and it gives them an incentive to continue to produce food at very high standard. As individuals benefit from the local produce, they spread the word. The local farmers market is usually a family affair with several generations that come out and visit.

CrossFitters, in the same way, receive such a great benefit from the workouts and members work hard to involve their entire family and close friends. Similar recommendations from CrossFit members show the strength of the movement which show no signs of slowing down.

The Bottom Line

For total health and wellness, support your local farmers market to fulfill your nutritional needs and visit your local CrossFit affiliate to fulfill your physical fitness needs.

Either way, you can't go wrong.

Duane Waits Owner/Head Trainer of CrossFit Revealed serving the North Austin, Cedar Park, Round Rock and Leander, Texas area crossfitrevealed.com "Get Physically Fit For God, Health, and Wellness"

Sign-Up for the; 1 Double Under Training Program In the World. EE Chapters and Videos available at: oubleundertraining.com

Good Nutrition from quality organic foods from your local farmers markets and good quality functional physical fitness will provide you with long lasting health.

Find and join your local CrossFit Affiliate. Providing quality counselling articles, hynotherapy writings and other mind help resources online.

Your Ultimate Guide To Reiki

Reiki is a technique developed by a Buddhist monk in 1922. It is widely accepted as a method for therapy, stress reduction, relaxation and some professionals even consider it to be a form of medicine.

How Does It Work?

Reiki is based on the concept of an unseen energy force constantly flowing through and around us that actually causes us to be alive. If we have a high amount of this energy force, we will become healthy and happy. On the other hand, a low amount of this life force energy is considered to actually cause sickness, depression and general unhappiness.

Practitioners believe that reiki works through transferring this universal energy through the palms in their hands. Effectively, they are channeling this positive energy through their hands and onto the person.

This technique is actually surprisingly simple to teach. A student could simply attend a class with a master known as an "attunement". During this class, the master would pass the ability to access an unlimited amount of life force onto the student. In theory, this would then grant access to happiness and general wellbeing.

Types Of Reiki

There are roughly 25 different types of reiki, the following are the most widely used and important.

Karuna- The effect of Karuna can actually be transferred through chanting and is often used to help overcome addictions.

Usui- This was named after the founder of reiki, Mikao Usai. This was the first type of Reiki, the rest have branched from this.

Tibetan- Using many of the techniques used in Usai reiki, it is considered to be a very powerful Tibeten method for attunement.

Rainbow- This works by using the 7 main chakras within your body.to help repair the physical and mental aspects.

Gendai- Gendai can be translated into modern. The creator brought a strong Buddhist aspect to the original teachings.

Practitioners of reiki believe the only reason we are alive is due to the life force flowing inside us. They believe that it is flowing through us via the pathways known as nadis, meridians and chakras, as well as an aura surrounding us. This life force is used to feed out organs and major cells inside our bodies. If there is a lack of life force flowing to these areas, this is when we will experience bad health. They use reiki during these circumstances, in order to increase the levels of positive life force and increase happiness and health as a result.

If you feel that you would like to learn more about Reiki or would like to experience it for yourself to see if it works, then pop on over to Christi Reiki Master. She is a specialist offering reiki in Bristol. Providing quality counselling articles, hynotherapy writings and other mind help resources online.

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.