The Global Conversation

Tag: Wellness

  • Be More Spiritual Through Your Food

    by Beth Anderson

    By now I am sure we all agree that we need to slow down and enjoy a more spiritual existence. We are spiritual beings after all. A great way to incorporate more spirituality into your life is to slow down and treat your food as a gift to enjoy. Honor your body with good, whole foods and show gratitude for the food you receive in any way you like.

    One of the easiest ways to make your meal more spiritual is to simply slow down. Slowing down is also very good for your health, stress level, and emotional being. Slow down and breathe, slow down and chew your food. Slow down and relax, get your rest and sleep. Is that how you live your life?

    Make sure you chew every bite of food slowly and thoroughly. Macrobiotics dictates that you must chew your food 100 times, however I have found that impossible. So let’s chew each bite 30 times. Next time you take a bite of food, count how many times you chew. Then start by being aware every time you eat, every bite you take, how many times you are chewing. The result will help with digestive issues and also lack of energy after eating. Your stomach won’t have to work as hard. You may also find that you eat a lot less food once you slow down!

    Enjoy your meals and make them a ritual! Light a candle if you like. Don’t eat around electronics such as the television, computers, phones, or anything that will distract you from simply being mindful of your meal. Some people enjoy eating in silence or even with their eyes closed.

    Share your meals with a companion when possible, someone you love. Preparing food for yourself is fine, but preparing it for someone else is even better. Chances are when you eat alone you won’t eat as healthy either. So share your food, your time, your life with someone else.

    Bring more spirituality into your life today through your food!

    (Beth Anderson is a Certified Holistic Health Coach and a Certified Natural Health Practitioner. She is the founder of Holistic Health Hotspot in Evansville, Indiana and author of The Holistic Diet: Achieve Your Ideal Weight, Be Happy and Healthy for Life. Beth received her training from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. An expert in holistic and alternative health, Beth thoroughly enjoys educating and inspiring people to learn about the truths of food, consumer products, environmental issues, and life choices. She speaks nationally and publishes articles regularly on several internet wellness sites. Beth provides individual and group holistic health coaching and works with companies to provide wellness programs, workshops, and individualized coaching services for employees. You can find Beth on Facebook  or email her at beth@holistichealthhotspot.com)

  • Therein lies the rub…

    Part of my early introduction into natural health came in my twenties when I found myself drawn to massage school. It was a magical time learning about natural health and healing. It was an opening to a world of alternative solutions and something I still love to practice to this very day. I mean who doesn’t love a good massage? Yet massage is often overlooked as a serious health care choice or as a necessary part of preventative health care. Far too often we wait until we have pain to seek out the care and benefits massage provides. Massage is considered a luxury by most rather than an necessary form of maintaining wellness. This week we will take a closer look at massage and the reasons beyond why this feel good technology should be a part of your regular healthcare choices.

    Massage Therapy – Is touch therapy right for you?

    The power of touch can have miraculous effects, benefiting the very young to the very old. Whether you do light exercise or a serious athlete, a stay-at-home mom or an over-stressed executive, massage has the power to relax, heal, and help release tension stemming from our stress-filled lives. Though there are some serious health conditions massage is not appropriate for, the health benefits of this alternative therapy are many and may be just what the doctor ordered for you. (as always, check with your doctor/healthcare professional to be sure any course of care you undertake is right for you)

    Research continues to show that a rubdown is even better for you than it feels. The health benefits of touch extend beyond simply soothing aches and pains. Of course, the stressed-out have known the anxiety-reducing pleasure of this procedure forever. Who doesn’t immediately feel the ‘ahhhhhh’ associated when a pair of caring hands are applied to those tension filled shoulders which have somehow found their way up into your ears. Just 10 minutes with a pair of those ‘hands-that-know-what-they’re-doing’ can reduce inflammation, which is one of the body’s greatest enemies.

    Most people these days understand that dis-ease is stress related, and perhaps nothing does more harm or ages us faster than high stress. While eliminating anxiety and pressure in our fast-paced lives may be challenging, massage can, without a doubt, help manage that stress associated with living our everyday lives.

    Massage therapy not only provides relaxation and relief to muscle strain and fatigue, therapeutic massage improves overall health. There are many benefits to massage therapy, including physical, emotional, and physiological improvements the body receives as a result of being touched…it’s good for the soul too!

    Massage therapy has also become a lot more affordable in recent years as benefits have become widely known and made it more popular. There are so many well trained practitioners in the world, finding one is not difficult. The way to know whether you have found a good one is to notice how you feel during and after a massage. Be sure to communicate with your practitioner during your massage as a good one will want feedback from you about your experience to learn how to best serve your needs. A well trained therapist will have you feeling no pain in short order and that is the whole point.

    From treating chronic diseases, neurological disorders, and injuries of all kinds, to alleviating the tensions of our all-to-often stressful lifestyles, being touched just makes sense. The emotional balance bodywork provides can often be just as vital and valuable as the more tangible physical benefits. Massage is supportive for healing grief and helpful in releasing stuck or old feelings. I have experienced it from both sides of the table; the gift of release that comes from being touched are many. Here are just some of the benefits:

    The Benefits Of Massage

    Alleviate pain and improve range of motion.

    Decreased anxiety.

    Enhanced sleep quality.

    Greater energy and improved concentration.

    Increased circulation.

    Reduced fatigue.

    Enhance immune system & lymph flow—the body’s natural defense system.

    Promotes digestion.

    Decreases illness-related fatigue.

    Calms aggressive behaviors.

    Helps your immunity by increasing white blood cell counts.

    Improves recovery after post-operative surgery.

    Alleviates age-related disorders, sleep disorders, and many more emotional and physical problems.

    Exercise and stretch weak, tight, or atrophied muscles.

    Help athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts.

    Improve the condition of the body’s largest organ—the skin.

    Increase joint flexibility.

    Lessen depression and anxiety.

    Promote tissue regeneration, reducing scar tissue and stretch marks.

    Pumps oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, improving circulation.

    Reduce spasms and cramping.

    Release endorphins—amino acids the body’s natural painkiller.

    Relieve migraine pain.

    Assist with shorter, easier labor for expectant mothers and reduce maternity hospital stays.

    The list could go on and on…

    There’s no denying the power of bodywork. Regardless of the reasons you seek it out, therapeutic massage can be a powerful ally in your wellness cause. Getting a massage on a regular basis can do you a world of good; it’s self-care that can play a vital part in how healthy you’ll be. So what are you waiting for? Find a good massage therapist, teach them how to best serve your needs and enjoy the many benefits of massage regularly. Heck, I think I’ll take my own pleasurable advice and therein lies the rub! – JR

    (J.R. Westen, D.D. is a Holistic Health & Spiritual Counselor who has worked and presented side-by-side with Neale Donald Walsch for over a decade. He is passionate about helping individuals move beyond their emotional and spiritual challenges, transforming breakdowns into breakthroughs. His coaching provides practical wisdom and guidance that can be immediately incorporated to shift one’s experience of life. As is true for most impactful teachers, J.R.’s own struggles and triumphs inspired him to find powerful ways of helping others. Sober since June 1, 1986, J.R.’s passion for helping individuals move through intense life challenges drove him to also specialize in Addiction and Grief Recovery. J.R. currently shares his gift of counseling & coaching with individuals from around the world through the Wellness Center, Simply Vibrant, located on Long Island N.Y.  In addition, he works with Escondido Sobering Services and serves on the Board of Directors for the Conversations with God Foundation. He can be contacted at JR@theglobalconversation.com, or to book an appointment, write support@simplyvibrant.com.)

  • Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape!

    Perhaps one of the most important health choices I make these days is my Yoga practice. I was introduced to Yoga in my thirties by a friend; she went for 30 days and I went for 3 years. Within in a short period of time the benefits of Yoga transformed me and life has never been the same.

    Yoga, meaning “union,” has been practiced for more than 5,000 years, and currently, millions of Americans are enjoying its health benefits. Yoga can hardly be called a trend. Most yoga classes focus on learning physical poses, which are called asanas. They also include some form of breathing technique, and I like classes that include meditation as well.

    Yoga classes are designed for energy and relaxation while teaching you how to move your body in new ways. The focus of Yoga is on honoring your body where it is today, moving toward your “edge” but not past it.  Each practice is new, so we meet our body again for the first time with each pose. The health benefits come from enabling you to develop your flexibility, strength, and balance, but this is only part of the gift of this powerful practice.  Yoga is about creating balance of body, mind, emotion, and spirit.

    The practice of Yoga, which for me is meditation, works remarkably well to achieve this harmony and helps the mind to work in sync with the body.  How often do we find conflicts in our mind that weigh heavily upon us?  The Yoga mat is one of the best places to leave this worry and stress behind.

    The meditative practice of yoga helps in achieving an emotional balance through detachment or what I like to call “dropping the rock”! Meditation creates the space to be here now; a place where you are not negatively affected by what’s going on around you. This, in turn, creates a remarkable calmness and a positive outlook, which has tremendous benefits on physical health. I leave my stress at the door, at least for an hour at a time, and I find with continued practice the leaving-it-all-behind benefits last longer and longer.

    Yoga is a light, which once lit, will never dim. The better your practice the brighter your flame. – B.K.S Iyengar

    Here are just some of the tangible benefits that can be achieved through yoga.

    Physical Benefits:

    Improved Digestion

    Weight loss

    Improved posture

    Increased flexibility & strength

    Optimal breathing

    Reduced headaches and upper body tension

    Reduction of symptoms from old illnesses and injuries

    Deeper sleep

    Mental Benefits:

    Increased ability to manage stress

    Improved focus and concentration

    Better memory

    More creativity

    Emotional Benefits:

    A sense of emotional freedom

    Increased enjoyment of life

    Increased freedom of expression

    More peace of mind

    More feelings of empathy & love

    Increased self-confidence

    Aids in grief recovery

    Spiritual Benefits:

    Connection with the purpose of life

    Experiencing more joy

    Brightness of spirit

    Increased optimism

    Increased creativity

    I think you will agree that the benefits of Yoga are many.

    With the popularity of Yoga now, most places have Yoga centers. Find one in your town and try it out. If you don’t have a studio near you, bring Yoga home in the form of a DVD.  Yoga truly is one the most powerful, profound technologies available today.  And with regular  practice, you can improve your life greatly at every level.  And with that said, I am off to do just that! – JR

    (J.R. Westen, D.D. is a Holistic Health & Spiritual Counselor who has worked and presented side-by-side with Neale Donald Walsch for over a decade. He is passionate about helping individuals move beyond their emotional and spiritual challenges, transforming breakdowns into breakthroughs. His coaching provides practical wisdom and guidance that can be immediately incorporated to shift one’s experience of life. As is true for most impactful teachers, J.R.’s own struggles and triumphs inspired him to find powerful ways of helping others. Sober since June 1, 1986, J.R.’s passion for helping individuals move through intense life challenges drove him to also specialize in Addiction and Grief Recovery. J.R. currently shares his gift of counseling & coaching with individuals from around the world through the Wellness Center, Simply Vibrant, located on Long Island N.Y.  In addition, he works with Escondido Sobering Services and serves on the Board of Directors for the Conversations with God Foundation. He can be contacted at JR@theglobalconversation.com, or to book an appointment, write support@simplyvibrant.com.)

  • Good Grief?

    There is so much pain in the world. I see it written in the eyes and on the faces of people everywhere I go. Perhaps I see more of it given my work with grief, but all kinds of emotional pain finds its way to my doorstep. I do not see emotional pain as a bad or negative thing, rather I see it for what it is, the opportunity to be one of our greatest guides. It is a process to knowing and experiencing the depths of who we really are. There are many different kinds of emotional pain. And in this week’s column, we will begin to explore the many aspects of grief and recovery. Healing our grief is vital if we desire to create health and lasting happiness, so let’s look at it a little deeper.

    What is grief? Most would answer sadness. While sadness may be a part of grief, it’s not representative of the whole picture. Grief is actually all emotions one feels and experiences while moving through any kind of loss. It is also common to feel what would seem to be conflicting emotions while grieving, like sadness and happiness at the same time. For example, sad that a loved one died but happy that they are no longer suffering from the pain of a long illness.

    There are major losses, like death and divorce; and minor ones, like breaking or losing a favorite pair of sunglasses. We all experience grief in every form, yet not all recover from it; major losses being especially challenging. Having recovery tools to move through this very natural human emotional process can make the difference between really living versus just existing. Embracing your grief is to embrace your life, for it is part of who you are. Living a life full of joy does not mean we live a grief-free life, it simply means we move through the tough times returning us to our natural state of being. Winston Churchill said, “If you are going through hell, keep going.” I couldn’t agree more.

    While I get having a conversation about grief isn’t usually in our “top ten” list, we might want to consider placing it there, for there is no one who escapes it.  And learning how to be with it, rather than avoiding that which is unavoidable, just makes sense.

    When you look to see what it is you were taught about grief and how to deal with it, it becomes clear that we may have been given some less-than-helpful information around it, if we’re given any info at all. How many of us were taught things like “time heals all wounds” or “big boys don’t cry”? I am sure you could come up with many more of these well-intentioned but untrue statements.

    Often there are things communicated that might even be intellectually true for us but aren’t really helpful when we are in the midst of dealing with a loss, things like “they are in a better place now” or “there are more fish in the sea.”  Far too often we approach grief with our intellect, which is the wrong tool for the job; grief is an emotional process. Intellectual comments, whether true or not, can leave us feeling empty and isolated. Going through loss alone makes it that much more painful and it’s never recommended. Suggestion number one in “When Everything Changes, Change Everything” is never go it alone.

    Avoiding grief can lead us toward unhealthy behaviors which do nothing to help us resolve or heal our pain. The desire to feel different or to “fix” what we are feeling is quite common. Of course, in truth, there is nothing to fix because grieving (feeling) doesn’t make us broken. All of this born out of the idea that there is such a thing as a “bad feeling”; this thought leads us into more pain. Far to often people self-medicate, using all different sorts of substances or different forms of destructive behavior seeking an unneeded cure. Stuffing our feelings over time can create all sorts of health issues. Think about how often do you stuff laughter? Then why do we stuff our pain?

    Feelings are created to be expressed and not repressed. When feelings are expressed, they are like waves…they have a beginning, a middle, and an end. Once a wave passes, either a similar feeling begins with less intensity as the next wave or the feeling of being complete begins to set in. Completion is all our feelings desire, simply to be fully expressed, holding nothing back. This emotional process happens until it ends naturally; surrendering to it is the key.

    When I became willing to move toward my pain, rather than avoiding or running from it, an interesting thing began to happen for me. Moving toward it, especially with the intention of healing it, revealed gifts my pain had to offer. Gifts you ask? Yes, underneath all emotional pain is buried treasure. It certainly may not look or feel like it when you are in the middle of it, and I do not say this lightly or without empathy for the many painful events we all move through, yet I am still humbled when I think of the many ways my pain has nudged me in directions I may never have taken without it. Here is where our spiritual nature reveals itself, always there, holding us together as we fall apart. I am certain that if you have been on the planet for awhile you have experienced this, probably many times. The question I ask myself these days is, why do I resist it? Especially knowing that perhaps all of my greatest insights and spiritual awakenings have come through some of the most painful events and greatest hardships in my life.

    I am moving through such a challenge right now and once again have noticed that old familiar feeling of resistance coming up. Yet there is another voice present, one gently urging me to surrender to the process. This voice whispers: trust that nothing happens by accident and that everything that is happening right now has a reason and purpose behind it, which, as always, supports you and your greater good. Listening to this voice has provided some comfort and a willingness to move back into the process, moving within to heal with a new level of faith and trust. But perhaps more importantly, simply allowing the pain to be expressed rather than repressed; this is the message my soul wishes to remind you of today. There is something wonderful to be experienced within the authentic expression of our emotional process, and to deny yourself that which you created simply because it feels “bad” produces more of the thing you are attempting to avoid anyway. Remember “what you resist persists.”

    Moving through emotional pain is a blessing as only moving through it can be. Allow others to not only witness your process but hold you through it. Know that help is available. Know that you are not alone. Reach out…I am here.

    I will close this week’s column with this wonderful quote: “Beautiful pictures are developed from negatives in a darkroom…so if darkness has fallen upon you, rest assured that a beautiful picture is being prepared, waiting only for the right time to be revealed.”

    The time has come because you are here. What is being revealed for you?

    Holding you in my heart – JR

    (J.R. Westen, D.D. is a Holistic Health & Spiritual Counselor who has worked and presented side-by-side with Neale Donald Walsch for over a decade. He is passionate about helping individuals move beyond their emotional and spiritual challenges, transforming breakdowns into breakthroughs. His coaching provides practical wisdom and guidance that can be immediately incorporated to shift ones experience of life. As is true for most impactful teachers, JR’s own struggles and triumphs inspired him to find powerful ways of helping others. Sober since June 1, 1986, JR’s passion for helping individuals move through intense life challenges drove him to also specialize in Addiction and Grief Recovery. J.R. currently shares his gift of counseling & coaching with individuals from around the world through the Wellness Center, Simply Vibrant, located on Long Island N.Y. . In addition, he works with Escondido Sobering Services and serves on the Board of Directors for the Conversations with God Foundation. He can be contacted at JR@theglobalconversation.com, or to book an appointment, write support@simplyvibrant.com.)

     

     

  • Get out of that box!

    Last week we spoke about “turning on” your health & wellness by taking a whole being approach. This week we will dive into some practical ideas in and around that old familiar saying “you are what you eat.” Much of what goes into us on a daily basis from a traditional diet may not be beneficial, and just because it’s edible doesn’t mean that it should be eaten!

    Over the last 25 years I have tried various ways of eating, from the super healthy to the not so much. Predictably, some ways have worked great and some have not. Like many, I was on the yo-yo plan of gaining & losing weight. Most of the diets I tried were simply unhealthy no matter what my weight was…and sick & skinny was certainly not my goal. I long ago ended the diet mentality in exchange for creating a lifestyle of health and wellness. After years of experimentation, learning and paying attention to what works, I have found solutions that are a fit for me and I know work because they keep me fit. Remember that you must find what works for you, so take the following suggestions below not as gospel, but rather as ideas to set you on a course of personal exploration. Pay attention to how you feel, as this is always the best guide!

    Here are some simple suggestions that have worked for me and may help you, too.

    Remove processed foods from your diet – Get out of that box!

    If it comes in a box, bag, or a can, instead of right out of the ground, you probably want to limit or avoid it. Most of these so-called foods have been processed in some way and probably not in a way that is going to be healthy for you. Processed also usually means a whole bunch of extra stuff added that have little or no benefit for your body. And far too often, when it says “all natural” on the side of that box, it just means added junk your body doesn’t want or need. Lots of things are considered natural that you wouldn’t dare put in your body…like arsenic!

    Instead of reaching for that box, fill up on fresh organic foods which are packed full of living enzymes. Live Enzymes are referred to as the life force or energy of whole food. Processed and cooked food no longer contain this life energy which we need daily to be well. Other so-called food may sustain you, but it’s not going to do much in creating health or in keeping you well. If you begin eating processed-free foods, you will quickly notice your energy level increase, and perhaps, like me, some of those stubborn pounds will begin to melt away.

    Get raw! Eat at least one raw meal a day 

    Raw simply means uncooked. Along with losing much of its life force, the process of cooking whole food removes up to 80% of the available vitamins & minerals; and if that isn’t bad enough, those precious live enzymes die off, too. Most conventional foods these days have very little nutritional value to begin with, so cooking it makes it worse. I suggest having at least one meal a day that is uncooked (or cooked below 118 degrees). This could be a big colorful salad, lightly steamed veggies, or a fresh blended veggie smoothie.

    How about a Juice or Smoothies?

    I drink 2 or 3 green smoothies a day. I make them fresh in a powerful blender with only organic raw and fresh ingredients. (By the way, this does not include what some smoothie bars make.  Most of them are full of sugar, processed powders, and junk). If I am still hungry after my smoothie, I add salads, steamed veggies, kale chips, flax crackers, nuts and seeds etc. The idea is to get as much nutrient-dense and nutrient-rich foods in you every day as possible. If you desire to lose weight, using smoothies where the fiber remains in your drink, rather than juicing where the fiber is removed, is a far better path for weight loss and great for overall health.

    If you are going for a juice, use can use the same organic ingredients, like kale, spinach, beet, cucumber, celery, carrot, apple, ginger, lemon and so much more. If you really want to optimize your health, invest in your own juicer or high-speed blender and then get busy in the kitchen coming up with your own marvelous creations. AND DO SHARE! Wheatgrass shots are also packed full of nutrition. If you can’t handle the taste, chase it with a little bit of freshly squeezed orange juice or add it to your favorite juice blend to hide the taste.

    Here are some of my creations. These are blended drinks rather than juiced and are about 2 to 3 cups in volume.

     Mornings:

    Romaine lettuce

    flax seeds

    chia seeds

    hemp seeds

    blueberries

    strawberries

    grapes

    or your favorite fruit

    small handful of raw mix nuts

    1/2 Hemp milk unsweetened

    1/2 Coconut water

    Lunch / Dinners:

    mixed greens, spinach, kale, veggies of all kinds

    flax seeds

    chia seeds

    hemp seeds

    small handful of raw mix nuts

    salsa – use all different kinds like mango or pineapple for variety

    dash of cayenne pepper

    raw garlic

    nutritional yeast

    shot of liquid aminos

    In the lunch and dinner smoothies, I use either my lemon-aid recipe below or low-sodium organic veggie broth for a more soup-like flavor.

    JR’s Lemon-aid mix: 4 lemons squeezed to 1/2 gallon of fresh spring or filtered water with 4 squirts of liquid stevia. Liquid stevia is an ideal sweetener. It is 300 to 400 times sweeter than sugar, yet nourishing to the pancreas. Lemons are full of benefits for the body too, and help in detoxification…who doesn’t like a cool glass of lemon-aid on hot day? I also steer clear of things in a can. Soda is on my “avoid at all cost” list! My lemon-aid mix is great to drink all day, so it makes that task easy. I also enjoy green tea or just plain hot water as well. Great to help aid in digestion prior to eating.

    Remember that you want to pack in as much nutrition into each meal to give you and your body the tools to create energy and great physical health. These nutrient-dense smoothies have also provided something I had not experienced before…the feeling of being full and satisfied. I will tell you that I understand the pain associated with feeling hungry after eating a regular meal and the emotional ups and downs that can be experienced when you are trying to lose weight but having little success using traditional methods. My smoothies have allowed me to lose weight effortlessly, increase my energy & overall health, and end the whole food drama in my head. What a gift!

    We will talk more about exercise in upcoming articles, but just a note to say that including daily movement is also very important. My favorite exercise is my yoga practice, and I love walking too. Just a 20 minute walk a day can make all the difference in your health. Get out and soak up some vitamin D and get that heart & butt movin! You can do it!!

    These simple suggestions can begin you on your way to better health. All that is required from you is your willingness to get out of that box and get into making some healthier choices. Keep it simple and remember – what would love do now? Make each and every choice out of this question and watch you and your health thrive. Until next week, cheers! – JR

    (J.R. Westen, D.D. is a Holistic Health & Spiritual Counselor who has worked and presented side-by-side with Neale Donald Walsch for over a decade. He is passionate about helping individuals move beyond their emotional and spiritual challenges, transforming breakdowns into breakthroughs. His coaching provides practical wisdom and guidance that can be immediately incorporated to shift ones experience of life. As is true for most impactful teachers, JR’s own struggles and triumphs inspired him to find powerful ways of helping others. Sober since June 1, 1986, JR’s passion for helping individuals move through intense life challenges drove him to also specialize in Addiction and Grief Recovery. J.R. currently shares his gift of counseling & coaching with individuals from around the world through the Wellness Center, Simply Vibrant, located on Long Island N.Y. . In addition, he works with Escondido Sobering Services and serves on the Board of Directors for the Conversations with God Foundation. He can be contacted at JR@theglobalconversation.com, or to book an appointment, write support@simplyvibrant.com.)