Musings March 2012

Connecting Emotional and Physical Wellness

Posted by Shelagh in SpaWellness on 03/26/12 | 0 Comments

You know the feeling of being with another person who is always a ’downer’. Their gloomy disposition and chronic complaining feels ‘heavy’.  And you know how you behave when you’re feeling ‘down’ or have an old emotion triggered. You get a stomach ache or an old back problem starts acting up.

Emotional imbalance is powerful and will manifest as physical imbalance like body pain (fibromyalgia), skin rash (shingles), obesity (protection) or even cancer. ‘Holding on’ to old emotions like anger, resentment, guilt, shame or fear will cause a lack of ease in your physical body. Others will you’re your emotional ‘heaviness’.

In life, stand straight. Don’t lean. Work on your emotional baggage. Forgive others and let the emotion go. Learn from it, grow and evolve.  Your health depends on it.

Trust Your Gut

Posted by Shelagh in on 03/20/12 | 0 Comments

We understand the mind-body connection for health and well-being, and that the mind signals the body to respond, hence, “Hot burner! Remove hand NOW!”

Here’s a fact that might illuminate the true power of the mind-body connection further.

Have you ever experienced a ‘gut feeling’- or a hunch- as a sensation that appears quickly in your consciousness without being fully aware of the underlying reasons for its occurrence? Or perhaps chosen not to do something at a given time because you felt that the ‘timing was off’ and explained it away as ‘women’s intuition’?

Dr. Deepok Chopra, an endocrinologist, quantum physicist and mind-body expert speaks about this phenomenon that we call intuition. His research shows that our brain cells are of the same cellular structure as those cells that line the interior wall of the stomach. So is it really a ‘gut’ feeling or is it your unconscious brain sending you vital information?

This mind-body wisdom illuminates a new understanding of the mind-body connection as it relates to health and well-being. What we think and feel about ourselves in our mind is immediately translated into reality in our bodies.

Think it, BE IT. “I am well.” “I am beautiful.” “I am blessed.”

Trust your ‘gut’. It’s powerful medicine!

Wellness Cues from Mother Nature

Posted by Shelagh in on 03/12/12 | 0 Comments

As we welcome the new season of spring on March 20th, notice what is happening in nature. The frozen ground has softened, giving way to crocus, sprouts and grasses. Our bodies are responding to the new season as well by holding on to more water to 'soften' by re-hydrating to flush out the toxins of the long, dry winter.

We can support our bodies through this change of season by taking our cues from Mother Nature. Notice what is in abundance at the market---sprouts, asparagus, leafy greens, kale, Swiss chard, green beans and spinach which are loaded with detoxifying chlorophyll to cleanse the liver and kidneys (which is why asparagus has its funky effect). Mustard greens, parsley, celery, cilantro and watercress have a natural diuretic effect to remove the excess water and flush out the toxins.

Pungent vegetables like onions and young garlic increase metabolism and digestive strength to support burning excess winter fat and re-stimulating the body to burn fat as fuel throughout the spring and summer.

This spring consider a healthy green cleanse by enjoying the bounty of greens provided by Mother Nature to support all of your spring cleanse practices. And give gratitude to Mother Nature for nourishing and nurturing you!

Spring Cleaning

Posted by Shelagh in on 03/05/12 | 0 Comments

We know that organically grown food is better for our bodies because it is grown without pesticides which have been proven to be harmful to our bodies. 

Did you know that this is true for the outside of your body too? 

Your body's largest organ, your skin, is highly porous which means it acts like a sponge absorbing 60% of everything that it touches from the lotions and perfumes we apply, to the chemicals in the air. On average, a woman uses 12 products containing 168 different ingredients daily. Some ingredients like parabens, which are preservatives and phthalates, which are industrial plastics can be harmful.

Take this fun test! It only takes a minute.

Choose your favorite skin care product or cosmetic.

Log on to  http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/, the Environmental Working Group Skin Deep database.

Input the name of your product and see an immediate score for your products safety profile.

Knowledge is power.

A scientific article from the Journal of the National Cancer Institute suggested that more than 75% of cancer is caused by diet and environmental factors. Empower yourself in protecting you and your family from everyday exposure to environmental chemicals.  

Addendum the The Healing Power of Touch—-

Posted by Shelagh in on 03/04/12 | 0 Comments

Our previous blog posting, The Healing Power of Touch (2/28) has even more documented health benefits now, thanks to the therapists at the Urban Muse!

They brought an impressive study forward published in the Annals of Internal Medicine [Jul'11], a peer reviewed medical journal.

This study, conducted on 401 chronic lower back pain patients, states that results show massage was "more effective than medication", with significant improvements in both pain and function in 66% of the massage group compared to 33% in the traditional (pain killers, muscle relaxants and physical therapy) care group. These results were found in patients who had weekly hour-long massages for 10 weeks.

The therapeutic and healing benefits of regular moderate pressure massage are clear. Schedule some 'table time' for your healthiest self today!