Continuum Wellness News » healing

Be Happy with You

continuum wellness — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 19:13:33 +0000

The majority of folks have heard the phrase, “be happy with yourself.” Not new, right? Well, but are you? Happiness always seems to be just the corner. It is on the plate for sure, but always seems to be the next course. How often do we put something else on the plate for the next bite?

How are You Delaying Your Happiness?

Typical happiness delays include:

after I get a job,

after I get a raise,

find myself

after I have children,

after the children are grown,

when I lose weight,

after I get that man or woman,

after I move and so it goes, on and on…

Until.
Until the day you stop. Stop trying to be amazing, unique, fabulous, special or any other “ego” supporting word you choose. The truth is, happiness is not something you have to earn or deserve. It is your birthright.
Claim it.
And don’t allow or permit anyone to take it from you.

Cheers,

Catherine

Mindfulness Meditation Can Benefit Youth

continuum wellness — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 16:43:30 +0000

Mindfulness meditation increases well-being in adolescent boys

‘Mindfulness’, the process of learning to become more aware of our ongoing experiences, increases well-being in adolescent boys, a new study reports.

Researchers from the University of Cambridge analyzed 155 boys from two independent UK schools, Tonbridge and Hampton, before and after a four-week crash course in mindfulness. After the trial period, the 14 and 15 year-old boys were found to have increased well-being, defined as the combination of feeling good (including positive emotions such as happiness, contentment, interest and affection) and functioning well.

Professor Felicia Huppert of the Well-being Institute at the University of Cambridge said: “More and more we are realising the importance of supporting the overall mental health of children. Our study demonstrates that this type of training improves well-being in adolescents and that the more they practice, the greater the benefits. Importantly, many of the students genuinely enjoyed the exercises and said they intended to continue them – a good sign that many children would be receptive to this type of intervention.

“Another significant aspect of this study is that adolescents who suffered from higher levels of anxiety were the ones who benefitted most from the training.”

For the experiment, students in six classes were trained in mindful awareness – mindfulness. Mindfulness is a ‘way of paying attention. It means consciously bringing awareness to our experience, in the present moment, without making judgements about it’*. Students in the five control classes attended their normal religious studies lessons.

The training consisted of four 40 minute classes, one per week, which presented the principles and practice of mindfulness. The classes covered the concepts of awareness and acceptance, and taught the schoolboys such things as how to practice bodily awareness by noticing where they were in contact with their chairs or the floor, paying attention to their breathing, and noticing all the sensations involved in walking.

The students were also asked to practice outside the classroom and were encouraged to listen to a CD or mp3 file for eight minutes a day. These exercises are intended to improve concentration and reduce stress.

All participants completed a short series of online questionnaires before and after the mindfulness project. The questionnaires measured the effect of the training on changes in mindful awareness, resilience (the ability to modify responses to changing situations) and psychological well-being.

The researchers found that although it was a short programme, the students who participated in the mindfulness training had increased levels of well-being which were proportional to the amount of time the students spent practicing their new skills.

Professor Huppert continued: “We believe that the effects of mindfulness training can enhance well-being in a number of ways. If you practice being in the present, you can increase positive feelings by savouring pleasurable on-going experiences. Additionally, calming the mind and observing experiences with curiosity and acceptance not only reduces stress but helps with attention control and emotion regulation – skills which are valuable both inside and outside the classroom.”

The success of this initial study has recently led to the creation of an exciting 8 week mindfulness curriculum for schools in both the state and private sectors. This new curriculum, which includes games and video clips, should have even greater benefits.

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For further information, visit here

Buddhist Chant-Ani Choying Drolma

continuum wellness — Fri, 28 May 2010 02:21:13 +0000

The Buddhist nun Ani Choying Drolma runs a program in Nepal that trains nuns. Here she is chanting a mantra of the compassion Buddha.

Music can be an integral part of healing. The right kind of music invokes a healing response in the body/mind. Chant has a long history of assisting us in transformation.

I so appreciate her energy. What do you experience when you hear her chant? I find it healing and soothing.

Enjoy

Spirituality and Health by Sherry of Daily Spiritual Tools

continuum wellness — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 03:39:45 +0000

I’m pleased to present a guest post by Sherry Woodcock over at Daily Spiritual Tools. At her blog she shares insights on how to integrate spirituality into your daily life. Her posts are insightful and I wanted to help bring them to others. Her guest post is on Spirituality and Health. Such an important area of life! How do you incorporate spirituality into your life? I invite you to read the following article for some wonderful tips.
Thanks Sherry!

Spirituality and Health

Current scientific findings are confirming what we know intuitively to be true, that spirituality is good not only for the soul but for the body as well. A growing amount of research is beginning to define the complex connections between religious and spiritual beliefs and practices and an individual’s physical and psychological health. According to a recent WebMD article, “. . .studies have also shown that spirituality may be beneficial: People who attend religious services, or who feel they are spiritual, experience lower levels of depression and anxiety; display signs of better health, such as lower blood pressure and fewer strokes; and say they generally feel healthier.”
As a nutritionist and clinical health educator for a major HMO, I have been very encouraged in recent years by the increasing acceptance of the mind-body connection into mainstream medicine. Although we have a long way to go, I see more and more providers considering emotional, mental and spiritual causes for illness, and also those same providers referring their patients to stress management, mindfulness meditation and other programs for help in healing.
In my own experience as a hands-on healer, I’ve been honored to witness many people enjoy relief from physical and emotional pain, a reduction in the symptoms of chronic health conditions, and increased vitality and enthusiasm in their lives as a result of clearing the spiritual energy channels in the body. Spiritual healing techniques have a profound effect on enhancing the communication between the spirit and the body, and restoring a person’s natural state of joy and ease.
A spiritual focus guides us toward that truth that we are unique expressions of God, unlimited in our ability to create the best and highest that we can envision. In accepting that truth about ourselves, we are able to use our thoughts, our words, and our own spiritual practice to manifest health not only in our own body, mind and emotions, but in our world as well.
What we think, the cells of the body perceive as real. Our beliefs and expectations are expressed in our lives. It is, therefore, a very healthy practice to guard our thoughts, and release those that don’t serve our highest expression.

One method for nurturing health in mind and body is to practice a simple affirmation. Sit quietly, close your eyes, and begin to notice your breathing. Feel yourself relax as you allow yourself to breathe comfortably and deeply. As you breathe in, say to yourself “I am.” Hold the breath for a moment. As you breathe out, say to yourself “perfect and healthy.”
Another option for a breathing affirmation would be to say “God is,” with the in-breath, and “I am” with the out-breath. Do this as many times as you feel comfortable with.
As we think and speak the words of well-being, the cells of the body respond, and the infinite wisdom that is our divine nature makes it real.
May you create your most healthy self!!

Sherry Woodcock
www.DailySpiritualTools.blogspot.com
www.DailySpiritualTools.com

Research: Reflexology and Other CAM Therapies Reduce Pain in Hospital Patients

continuum wellness — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 17:48:04 +0000

Non-traditional therapies relieve pain among a wide range of hospitalized patients as much as 50 percent, according to a first-of-a-kind study in the Journal of Patient Safety.

The study shows that an inpatient integrative medicine program can have a significant impact on pain in an environment where pain management continues to be a major challenge, and traditional medications can have negative consequences.

“Roughly 80 percent of patients report moderate to severe pain levels after surgery,” says Gregory Plotnikoff, M.D., one of the study’s authors and medical director of the Penny George Institute for Health and Healing at Abbott Northwestern Hospital.

“We struggle to provide effective pain control while trying to avoid the adverse effects of opioid medications, such as respiratory depression, nausea, constipation, dizziness and falls.”

The study included 1,837 cardiovascular, medical, surgical, orthopedics, spine, rehabilitation, oncology, and women’s health patients at Abbott Northwestern between January 1, 2008, and June 30, 2009. They scored their pain verbally on a zero-to-ten scale before and after treatments.

The treatments included non-pharmaceutical services and mind body therapies to elicit the relaxation response including:

acupuncture
acupressure
massage therapy
healing touch
music therapy
aromatherapy
reflexology.

The study, “The Impact of Integrative Medicine on Pain Management in a Tertiary Care Hospital” was published March 5 in the Journal of Patient Safety.

“Earlier studies narrowly focused on whether specific integrative therapies manage pain in either cancer or surgical patients,” says Jeffery A. Dusek, Ph.D., research director for the George Institute.

“Our real-world study broadly shows that these therapies effectively reduce pain by over 50 percent across numerous patient populations. Furthermore, they can be clinically implemented in real time, across, and under the operational and financial constraints within an acute care hospital.”

Dusek says future research will focus on defining appropriate intervention doses, duration of pain relief, and developing profiles of which patients are most likely to respond to nonpharmacologic treatments. Reductions in total hospitalization costs, medication use and adverse events will be quantified in future prospective research using the electronic medical record.

“I think we will find that integrative approaches to pain management during the hospital stay will improve patient satisfaction and outcomes, and we will see cost savings from patients using fewer drugs and experiencing fewer adverse events,” said Lori Knutson, RN, BSN, HN-BC, executive director of the George Institute.

Healing ourselves and the planet: The Water & Peace Global Forum

continuum wellness — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 21:36:46 +0000

Message from Masaru Emoto, Author of “Message from Water”

Announcement of “Water & Peace” Global Forum 2010 at Lake Biwa
March 20-22, 2010
Biwako Hall, Otsu City, Shiga, Japan

http://www.masaru-emoto.net/english/lake-biwa/main.html

========================================================================

To Those Whose Body Is Mainly Composed Of WATER:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am Masaru Emoto, a missionary of water and an author of “Message from
Water” and “The Hidden Messages in Water”.

Recently, many forums and conferences have been organized with water as
its main theme. Yet, most of them are focusing only the physical aspect
of water.

However, in addition to the physical body, we have the mind (and spirit).

We have learned from water itself, through “Message from Water”, that
water is not only essential to our body but also it has an intimate
relationship to our mind.

In other words, water is the mirror to reflect our mind.

As a matter of fact, we believe that the abnormal weather conditions
such as floods and droughts and natural disasters like tsunamis and
earthquakes are caused by the pollution of water on Earth, which in
turn is ultimately brought by the distortion and disharmony in our
mind, thoughts and emotions.

Other serious problems in politics, economy, education, medicine and
so on are also concerned with the mind of our collective consciousness,
and therefore it can be said that water is ultimately involved in all
of those problems.

Don’t you think that we can take a step toward the solution of these
water-related problems by considering the aspect of water which is
connected with our mind, thoughts and emotions?

For this purpose, we have decided to hold “Water & Peace” Global Forum
2010 at Lake Biwa, Mother Lake in Japan, on March 20 to 22 (March 22 is
the World Water Day declared by the United Nations).

Musicians and artists who understand water deeply will perform their
music, dance and art, and scientists and spiritual leaders will talk
about water and consciousness. There will be a lecture on a completely
novel method to extract energy from liquid water.

Also, there will be several live experiments that will scientifically
prove that our consciousness affects water. And, all the participants
will pray for the water of Lake Biwa and the whole world with our
sincere Love and Gratitude at the closing ceremony.

The energy of our Love and Gratitude will be amplified and expanded
by the power of the Golden Pyramid of Peace, which is presented by our
co-organizer Gudni Gudnason, and carried to every corner of this planet.

This will be the world’s first Water Forum of this kind with “Water &
Peace” as its main theme. After this Forum, our consciousness toward
water will be elevated significantly, and the water on this planet
will be changed completely and become crystal clear!

There will be a new vortex of energy, like a pair of dragon gods,
emerging from Lake Biwa to create a world of Truth and Great Harmony.

We are honored by the presence of Princess Martha Louise of Norway at
the Forum. Also, Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov, the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of Russia, will send us his official message regarding this
Forum.

Would you please join us in this Forum and become one of those who
co-create this historical moment?

If, unfortunately, you could not come to Lake Biwa and attend this
Forum directly, we would really appreciate if you could send us a
donation to show your intention that you agree with the purpose of
this Forum and support this Forum financially.

For each one of you who have made a donation, we will prepare a bottle
of water with your name on it and put it under the Golden Pyramid of
Peace during the ceremony so that the amplified energy of Love and
Gratitude will come to you through the water.

We would be grateful if you could send your prayer of Love and
Gratitude to Water on March 22 simultaneously with our prayer ceremony
in the Forum.

You will experience by yourself the energetic connection of Love and
Gratitude through the water with you.

By the way, if you are interested in spreading the Truth of Water to
the general public, we strongly recommend you to attend the
International HADO Instructor School which will be held on March 23
and 24 at Lake Biwa and learn the Secret of Water directly from myself.

In Defense of Homeopathy

continuum wellness — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:30:03 +0000

If the goal is improved health one would wonder why homeopathic medicine is relegated into a “fringe” category, especially in America. Homeopathy has its ardent fans who will never let it go, worldwide. The reason is simple, it works. If you have ever benefited from this therapy you would understand. Those that attack homeopathy, know nothing of it. There is gross misunderstanding on their part. Generally what ignorant people do when they do not understand a thing is to attack it. Perhaps there is fear of some sort. What is not present is a love for knowledge, understanding or the ability to allow space for something you do not understand.

Amy Lansky has written an insightful article to address some of these concerns, here is a link.

Also why do we need (allow) these individuals to decide if we want access to medical freedom, choices and options in our health care? Medical freedom is a necessity, not an option.

Leukemia and Complimentary Therapies

continuum wellness — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:56:13 +0000

As a reflexologist I note with interest its inclusion in this list of useful therapies. Acupuncture is listed, not Homeopathy which has been useful in healing many conditions. However the researcher seems to have some bias towards what are called ‘alternative’ therapies. How can one research anything if a bias is present? How will you find the truth? Research is too often focused on maintaining the status quo, with a goal of producing drugs that require continued use. Truth is, there are many true stories of people who have lived to tell, that they have healed (vs. ‘managed) from any number of conditions – where the ‘experts’ said it couldn’t be done, note Norman Cousins, one very well known case. Optimum care will come when people are free to choose therapies of their choosing and we respect what is good in various approaches.
The abstract is listed below, read on…

Is there a role for complementary therapy in the management of leukemia?
Expert Rev Anticancer Ther. 2009 Sep;9(9):1241-9
Patients with leukemia often seek additional treatments not prescribed by their oncologist in an effort to improve their cancer treatment outcome or to manage symptoms.

Complementary therapies are used in conjunction with traditional cancer treatments to decrease symptoms and side effects associated with cancer or cancer treatment, and to improve patients’ overall quality of life. Complementary therapies are distinct from so-called ‘alternative’ therapies, which are unproven, ineffective and may postpone or interfere with mainstream cancer treatment. Complementary therapies are pleasant, inexpensive, nonpharmacologic and effective. For patients with leukemia, the complementary therapies that are always appropriate include mind-body interventions, such as self-hypnosis, meditation, guided imagery and breath awareness. Massage and reflexology (foot massage) decrease symptoms with effects lasting at least 2 days following treatment. Acupuncture is very beneficial for symptom management without adverse consequences. Physical fitness with regular exercise and healthy dietary habits can significantly decrease side effects of cancer treatments and may prolong survival. Botanical extracts and vitamin supplements may interfere with active cancer treatments, and should be discussed with the oncologist or pharmacist before use.

Integrative Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1429 First Avenue, NY 10021, USA.

Approaches to Healing Jealousy

continuum wellness — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 02:10:24 +0000

by Catherine Carter

“Everybody likes you.” “I wanted that.” These thoughts led a teen to write what could be called hateful and spiteful notes in her diary of fellow classmates. She thought it was private. No one would ever know. And no one did until the fateful day that someone found the secret book and made it very public. Her secrets were now out in the open.

So what is jealousy?
Jealousy
foolish and irresistible
Meaning: (Webster)
Suspicious fear or apprehension; painful apprehension of rivalship in cases nearly affecting one’s happiness. Uneasy through fear that good will, interest, affection or the like, regarded as belonging to one’s self is transferred to another; pained by suspicions of preference given to another.
Synonyms: suspicious; anxious; envious

In the Complete Repertory, the rubric: Ailments from jealousy, lists 65 remedies. Among some of the remedies listed are Apis (honeybee), Lachesis (Bushmaster Snake) and Platina (Platinum metallicum). As you can see just from the three listed remedies, homeopathic remedies come from the natural world around us. What is important to understand is that the young lady’s jealousy was a reflection of some lack of inner peace. The cause we do not know and we are offering any type of diagnosis.

Homeopathy focuses on healing the person,their unique way of being in the world. By identifying similar substances in nature that can produce a similar pattern one is able to heal internally. Homeopathy is quite helpful in balancing emotions.

Emotions are powerful forces. Ignored the energy often remains blocked and can lead to physical ailments or further emotional problems.

Flower Essences such as the Bach Flower remedies are also very helpful for emotional balancing. The Bach Flower essences recognize 38 conditions which are aligned to the following seven headings:
For Fear
For Uncertainty
For Insufficient Interest in Present Circumstances
For Loneliness
For Those Over-Sensitive to Influences and Ideas
For Despondency and Despair
For Overcare for the Welfare of Others.
Dr. Edward Bach discovered the remedies through an intuitive process, while in the English countryside. The Bach flower essences focus on Type Remedies which relate to a personality pattern and the Helping Remedies which help to resolve transient mood of the psyche. For more information on the Bach Flower Essences click, here. And here is a questionnaire, you can explore.

One does not have to be undone by the thought pattern labeled as ‘jealousy.’ See it as a sign that you simply need some healing. Ultimately you are not your thoughts.

There are many ways that one can heal emotional states that will lead one to ultimately balance and fulfillment.

“Resentment of someone’s good will serve as a barrier to one’s own growth.”

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www.continuumwellness.org

National Health Care, Why?

continuum wellness — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:57:47 +0000

One of the odd things about insurance is that organizations that provide it generally do not want their customers to use the product. Regardless whether it is home insurance, business, auto, or health the typical claimant is not particularly embraced with open arms. Premiums are paid monthly for a product you hope you never have to use. Highly paid mathematical whiz types calculate myriad ways to offset risky policy holders and the “losses”, they could produce, so the bottom line stays healthy.

Television commercials, offer insurance products to individuals say, over age 60. A payout benefit of $50,000 or so is guaranteed. I wonder where does the money come from? The individual has not put that amount in. How is the system structured to pay the benefit? Is it some kind of scheme?

Honestly I haven’t been too engaged in listening to the debate. In my humble view, we are asking the wrong questions. The players, meaning the doctors, hospitals and perhaps the government seem to have agendas. Health, is in my view, precious and shouldn’t be bandied about in any kind of one up manship. The public is advised to poo-poo anything out of the mainstream, when it comes to health care. All of the dollars are for drugs, pills, surgery, vaccines and high tech medical devices. The health care model is not focused on health. It thrives on people being sick. This model hasn’t produced the most healthiest citizenry. And it is so expensive. Some Americans live longer now. Women still live longer then men. But with the health care system currently in place, Americans are fatter, diabetes is epidemic and juvenile diabetes is growing, more people are depressed and the drugs are showing up in the public water supply. The only health approach suggested is check-ups and vaccines. When a healthy diet is suggested food industry groups lobby because they don’t want anyone to say for example avoid dairy milk, or drink less milk or eat less cheese, sugar or any other commodity. How as a nation can we be healthy when we want to corral people into being mindless automatons?

Instead of national health care, why not promote national responsibility? Why is our food supply always being tampered with? Instead of debating insurance coverage, let’s debate responsibility. Why not allow the public real choice? Provide the public with real food from healthy soil.