Disclaimer

The information in Holistic at Heart is not a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information in this blog.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Vega Testing

When it comes to self-awareness, I tend to think mostly about mental/emotional self-awareness since that is my area of preference. But of course, physical self-awareness is just as important as any other type. You would think that people, living in such a physical world as we do, would have a great sense of physical self-awareness, but it seems to me to be quite the opposite. Many of us eat food and expose our bodies to all sorts of things without paying attention to how it really makes us feel physically. Unfortunately, paying attention would take more time and effort than most people are used to devoting to themselves.

Of course, if you are interested in learning more about your body, there are tools out there to help you with that. Sometimes your immune system reacts to certain "normal" things in your environment; we call this an allergic reaction. Many of us know our big allergic triggers such as snow mould, cats and dogs, and dust. But do you really know all the things you are allergic to?

There are some conventional medical tests available to determine allergies, namely the scratch test. Unfortunately, the scratch test is uncomfortable and not always accurate, especially in the area of foods. You get one scratch for every item being tested and if you really want a comprehensive test, you might run out of areas on your body to scratch (or you would have to come back for multiple sessions)! An alternative way of determining your allergies is called the Vega Test (also known as electrodermal testing (EDT) and electroacupuncture according to Voll (EAV)).[1]

The Vega Test generally involves using a special machine to measure the body's electrical resistance at acupuncture points.[1] A circuit is created and possible allergens (things you may be allergic to) are placed within the circuit to measure the electrical changes in your body. While this test is related to acupuncture (see my previous post on acupuncture), there are no needles involved in the procedure.

The theory behind the Vega Test is that your body reacts energetically to things (good and bad) before it reacts physically and that you can detect the energy changes through acupressure points. While certain aspects of the theory do have some supporting evidence, there have been few scientific studies of the Vega Test, and those that have been conducted have generally not found positive results.[1] From what I have read of these studies, they sometimes assume that scratch testing gives true results or they test only respiratory allergies. It is unfortunate that there are few studies showing positive results because anyone I have talked to who has experienced the testing have found the results very useful in improving their health.

The Vega Test is often available from naturopathic doctors and sometimes certain chiropractors or other practitioners. Becoming aware of what your body reacts to allergically can help you make decisions to benefit your health, whether in diet, lifestyle, alternative treatment or other areas.

[1] Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Vega Test. Accessed December 29, 2010 from http://www.bidmc.org/YourHealth/HolisticHealth/AlternativeTherapies.aspx?ChunkID=37438

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Blessings of Christmas

It is Christmas time again! I have four days of planned celebrations covering 5 different locations with 11 (if not more) individual family units. It's going to be crazy busy - and I'm going to enjoy every minute of it! There are always some downsides to this time of year including some financial pressure and the stress of making sure that you get everything done and see everyone; but to me, it's all worth the fun and companionship that comes with the holidays.

First of all, there's the presents. It doesn't take much to make me happy in the present department - a really good stocking full of goodies and 1 or 2 things I need as presents and I'm set! I had as much fun making presents this year as I am going to have opening mine. All I have left to do is wrap my gifts to others later today and I'll be all ready for the big event. I'm looking forward to watching my 2 year-old daughter open all of her gifts.

And then there's the food. From fondues parmesan, to perogies, to turkey and stuffing, to mashed potatoes, to green olives and Christmas baking, it's all so delicious. I just finished making my homemade cranberry sauce. I think my favourite is the stuffing - I can't seem to get enough of it! As an extra bonus, I don't have to cook all of Christmas dinner this year - just cranberry sauce and some baking.

Most important of all, there's the friends and family. I get to see friends that I have barely seen all year. Sometimes people come back from out of town and you get little mini-reunions of friends. And I get to see lots of different family members - some people may think that sounds horrible, but I am more than happy with it!

While Christmas may not be the best time of the year for my physical health (I won't be eating the healthiest food, and I'll take far too much of it), I get a real boost to my emotional and social health!

So, here's hoping that you have as many Christmas blessings as I do! Happy Holidays!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Small Acts of Conservation

I hope I'm not overstating things when I say that most of us know that we should be conserving water and power. You can easily find all sorts of suggestions on how to conserve water and power online. Most home conservation efforts seem to be focused on these areas, but is there anything else you can do at home to help the environment?

The answer is, of course there is! And you might even be able to think of a few things right off the top of your head. I'm definitely not the model of conservation, and I have to say that parenthood has reduced my conservation efforts even further, but I have a strange personality quirk that has always pushed me to conserve certain little things that others may overlook.

My best example of this is paper towel. When I was growing up, we each took turn setting the table including putting down paper towel as napkins for each person. Before "select-a-size", or whenever my mother would buy a brand without that feature, I was bothered by the fact that the paper towels were so much bigger than what we really needed. I would actually fold each paper towel in half and rip them apart before setting them at the table. Now, I simply can't bring myself to buy paper towel that isn't "select-a-size-able."

Then there's soap-like products, namely shampoo. It seems like the last few handfuls of shampoo are almost impossible to get out of the bottle. But I will work at getting every last drop of shampoo out before I wash and recycle the bottle. As I see it, if I'm going to send chemicals down the drain, I'm going to make sure they've done something for me before they go. I can only imagine how much soap, shampoo and other chemicals from the bottom of the bottle gets flushed away unused or even gets thrown into the landfill. Another thing I do with shampoo is play a little game where I see if I can figure out what's the least amount I can use and still get a good lather. I always overdo it right after I get a haircut! I wonder how many bottles of shampoo I'll save myself from buying over the years?

I'm no great environmentalist though every little thing helps. Pick up even one small conservation habit a year and you can make a difference. What does this have to do with holistic health? The health of the environment affects the health of each and every one of us who live on this planet, and it might help your pocket-book a little too. You can use the money you save to treat yourself to an alternative health session.

I'm interested in picking up more small conservation habits. What small acts of conservation do you do?

Monday, December 13, 2010

Water - Special Molecule with a Memory

We all know that we physically need water to survive; our bodies are over 60% water after all. Water is essential to all life on Earth, covers most of the Earth's surface, and there is water in the air too. Water was once considered one of the four elements from which all things were composed. We don't really think twice about what water does and how special it is because we see it every day of our lives.

But water is actually a very special molecule with properties that are rare in the chemical world. Water is a polar molecule which means that, in the simplest terms, it is slightly electrically positive on one side and slightly electrically negative on the other side of the molecule (to my scientist friends: please don't try to correct me on this... I'm just trying to make it simple).[1] This polarity creates a state where it takes a lot of heat to turn water from a liquid to a gas. This makes water useful in regulating our climate and weather.[1] The polarity of water also enables it to be an excellent solvent, meaning that all sorts of different substances easily dissolve into water; this is important in our bodies.[1] Water also has a high surface tension which gives it that little tough surface which is useful in a number of different ways.[1] Another interesting characteristic is that ice is less dense than water, allowing it to float.[1] This protects water below the surface of the ice, which, among other things, makes it harder for lakes to freeze solid and protects marine life.

But what if the special nature of water gives it another important characteristic? What if water can actually remember and store energetic information? This is something that is completely disregarded in mainstream scientific circles because there is no tangible evidence of it, at least not yet. Experiments trying to test the theory have been inconsistent at best. I think this is one area that is just incredibly difficult to test because there are so many unknown variables - and to get reliable scientific results, you need to control as many variables as you can and then test just one or two variables. But let's look a little at the theories that are out there.

Some people believe that water can remember something about substances that it contains even after those substances are physically/chemically removed. This is one of the theories under which homeopathy and flower essences work. Other theories and even some preliminary experiments show that water can retain a "memory" of conscious intention.[2] For example, when a healer did some intentional healing on water and that water was then given to a culture of tumor cells, the tumor cells showed reduced growth compared to a control group.[2] Dr. Masaru Emoto has been experimenting with intention and water crystals for some time. He believes that music, type of water (distilled, spring water, tap water, etc.), prayer, and plain old words change water, and that those changes can be seen when you freeze water and examine the shape of the crystals.[3] Dr. Emoto does not use scientific method in his experiments, nor does he claim to, but his writings are very interesting.

Dr. Glen Rein says there are many theories to explain how water can retain memory of intention, but that one the most likely one may involve "quantum fields in quantum domains."[2] Basically, that means that it's a matter of quantum physics which is not surprising since a lot of energy healing theories seem to bring us back to quantum physics.

The significance of all this? If water can store energy signatures, it can be used to carry healing energy. It also means that you might want to surround yourself with good energy (good words, good feelings, good intentions, etc.) so that the water in your body stores healing energy. Water can be good for you in more ways than one!

[1] Gray Pilgrim, Polarity of Water, 2010. Accessed December 10, 2010 from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/polarity-of-water.html
[2] Glen Rein. SSE Talks - Water Memory: Carrier of Conscious Intention, 2009. Accessed December 10, 2010 from http://www.scientificexploration.org/talks/27th_annual/27th_annual_rein_water_memory_intention.html
[3] Water Crystals. Accessed December 10, 2010 from http://hado.net/watercrystals/index.php

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Acupressure Massage

If you're interested in the positive effects of acupuncture (see my previous post on acupuncture) but aren't into needles, listen up because acupressure massage might be for you! And even if needles aren't an issue for you but you enjoy the feeling of bodywork such as massage, you might be interested in acupressure.

Acupressure (sometimes called acupressure massage) is an ancient Chinese technique which involves applying pressure to acupoints - points on the skin that lie along energy meridians through which qi flows. If you're interested in knowing a little more about qi and energy meridians, see my previous post here. When qi is not flowing ideally, physical and emotional discomfort or illness can occur. Acupressure is a way of repairing and restoring proper flow of qi.

There are a wide number of studies that have shown that acupressure is beneficial to people in a number of different ways. Acupressure has been shown to reduce menstrual cramping and pain, reduce nausea caused by chemotherapy, improve insomnia symptoms, and reduce chronic headache pain.[1] It is also "believed that acupressure can reduce your blood pressure, regulate your menstrual cycle, lessen the pain of labor, treat mental anxiety, treat stomach problems like indigestion and nausea, relieve headaches and migraines, eliminate pain in the neck, shoulders and back, help with insomnia, enhance your spirituality, improve your mental aptitude and increase your overall energy levels as well as treat other disorders and ailments."[2]

So that's all the good news about the benefits. But when it comes down to it, acupressure feels great! I experienced a couple of sessions a little while ago and I was surprised about how good the acupressure felt. It was absolutely relaxing! As with other bodywork therapies, the style of your practitioner can make a big difference so you might want to shop around. A good practitioner will teach you how to work on your own acupressure points (at least one or two that are most useful to you and your situation) if you ask them to. Sometimes acupressure massage is covered under some insurance plans so check yours out!

Some people believe the benefits of acupressure come from the movement of qi it can create and some believe the benefits come from the increased blood flow and relaxation effects. Whatever the source of the benefits, acupressure is good for you and feels great!

[1] Acupressure News and Reviews. The Healthy Fellow. Accessed December 7, 2010 from http://www.healthyfellow.com/491/acupressure-news-and-reviews/
[2] Dana George. Benefits of Acupressure. Accessed December 8, 2010 from http://www.ehow.com/about_4612730_benefits-of-acupressure.html

Monday, December 6, 2010

Anger - Good or Bad? (Part 2 - Anger Expression)

A few weeks ago, I talked about sources of anger, and how those sources affect whether your anger can be good for you or bad for you. But of course, anger is a natural part of life and you're bound to experience it at some point or another. What do you do then?

Basically, one answer is to express your anger. "Anger expression typically takes one of three forms: anger-in, anger-out and anger control."[1] Anger-in is anger directed inwards or perhaps suppressed. While some people think anger-in sounds like a good way of expressing anger, the anger can actually "leak out" in the form of passive-aggressiveness or cause further emotional problems such as depression.[1] Anger-out is anger directed outwards which can include verbal or physical assault.[1] Anger-out is not a good way of expressing anger for what I hope are obvious reasons.

Anger-control is considered to be the ideal means of anger expression. There are many ways to control your anger, but one effective way is to talk things over with the person that "caused" your anger.[1] And of course this talking isn't supposed to involve yelling but rather a discussion that leads to a resolution of the issue that triggered the anger. Sometimes though, it's not an option to talk to the person that triggered your anger whether it's because they are a stranger you will never see again or because no other person was involved at all.

Otherwise anger-control involves whatever helps you to best unwind. For some people exercise is the key, for others meditation, and others yet watching a good comedy. Talking to a friend can be helpful too. But if you're an anger-in kind of person, it's good to let the anger out in some way, even if it's just writing down your feelings in a journal. And if you're an anger-out kind of person, it's still good to let the anger out, just in a safe and calm manner.

When I think of anger expression, I tend to think of Yosemite Sam. When he gets angry, he starts with an anger-in sort of tendency where he bottles it all in and starts to turn bright red with hot steam starting to leak out. Then, it becomes all too much for him and he continues with anger-out expression involving some violence. Yosemite Sam is your shining example of what not to do with anger expression.

As for me, I'm mostly an anger-in kind of girl. I find it hard to admit to others that I am angry about something because I think it makes me look bad. But I am aware that stifling any sort of emotion can lead to health problems down the road so I am working on learning some more useful anger-control.

Do you have trouble expressing your anger?

[1] "How Anger Works: I Need to Vent! Anger Expression," Molly Edmonds, accessed December 5, 2010 from http://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/human-nature/other-emotions/anger3.htm.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Conscious and Unconscious Mind

In my time studying holistic health, one of the things that has struck me the most is how powerful the unconscious mind is and how it can so strongly affect your life. Before I was interested in holistic health, the unconscious mind was something I never thought about all, and certainly something I didn't understand. So lets begin with some definitions...

Conscious Mind: This "includes everything we are aware of."[1] The conscious mind includes your rational thinking and what's in your easily accessible memory.

Preconscious Mind: This is the part of your memory that is not immediately in your consciousness but can be easily retrieved at any time.[1] You don't always remember your phone number while you're going about your daily life but as soon as I mention your phone number, you remember it - it is in your preconscious mind.

Unconscious Mind: This "is a reservoir of feelings, thoughts, urges, and memories that [are] outside of our conscious awareness."[1] Some believe that the unconscious mind holds everything a person has ever experienced. Some believe that the unconscious mind holds even more than that - more on that coming up. The unconscious mind also takes care of your autonomic nervous system and other body processes (breathing, heart rate, body temperature, digestion etc.).

Subconscious Mind: There is a lot of controversy over this word. It has been used interchangeably with "unconscious mind" and others are beginning to use it to mean "preconscious mind" but it looks like it's basically a popular term that has no real basis in psychology. That's enough reason for me not to use the term!

Okay, so we have the basic psychological definition of the unconscious mind but there's a lot more to it than that. Most of these terms above were defined by Sigmund Freud, but his once-student Carl Jung had a particular interest in the unconscious mind. Jung worked to uncover his unconscious mind through a variety of methods including hallucination and dream analysis. He believed that the unconscious mind also included the collective unconscious - a library of human consciousness that is structured in the form of archetypes (see my previous post on archetypes). Perhaps as an extension of Jung's theories, some people believe the unconscious mind is a person's link to God.

Perhaps the unconscious simply benefits from not being restricted by the filter that limits the information that reaches the conscious mind, thereby keeping us sane. As if full knowledge of your past and the past of humanity is not enough, recent mind-boggling and fascinating experiments have shown that the mind is able to "anticipate future experiences."[2]

So if your unconscious mind knows all this, shouldn't it be your best friend and ally? Well, it can be... but it can also cause you problems. There is so much more to be said about the unconscious mind, I'll have to save it for next time.

What do you think the limits of the unconscious mind are?

[1] Kendra Cherry. "The Conscious and Unconscious Mind." About.com Psychology. Accessed December 1, 2010 from http://psychology.about.com/od/theoriesofpersonality/a/consciousuncon.htm.
[2] Dr. Melissa Burkley. "Have Scientists Finally Discovered Evidence for Psychic Phenomena?!" Psychology Today, October 11, 2010. Accessed December 1, 2010 from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-social-thinker/201010/have-scientists-finally-discovered-evidence-psychic-phenomena

Monday, November 29, 2010

Disappointment and Faith

I've recently experienced a disappointment related to my business. Disappointment is another emotion (the first being anger, as I've talked about before) that can result from something not meeting your expectations. Even if your goals and expectations are reasonable, life is still bound not to go your way at some point or another and disappointment is a perfectly natural result.

Like most emotions, there is nothing wrong with disappointment itself. I think that a problem occurs when a person does not move past a disappointment. The larger the disappointment not dealt with, the larger the problem it can create in your life. When you live your present life within the shadow of a past disappointment, the disappointment is not dealt with and can contribute to disease physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

So when you experience that near inevitable disappointment, how do you deal with it? Being disappointed about something should serve as an indication that whatever is concerned is something that was important to you. Acknowledging that fact will help you understand your feelings. Also, don't be afraid of expressing your disappointment in whatever way you feel is appropriate - writing in a journal, talking to a friend, or maybe having a little cry.

For me, the greatest help in dealing with my disappointments, large or small, is my faith. My faith means that I know that what I am experiencing contains a lesson for me. That might mean that there is something I need to do differently in the future or that there is a better opportunity coming. It might mean something else altogether, but there is a meaning somewhere. When I'm ready to let go of a disappointment, I turn my thoughts to what I'm grateful for in my life. The things I am grateful for are the things I have been led to, and all the disappointments of my life have probably contributed in some way or another to what I am grateful for. Each disappointment is another contribution to something I will be grateful for in the future.

It's never too late to deal with your past disappointments. It may mean reliving some pain but with the help of your faith it may also mean healing in any number of ways. Work on strengthening your faith and gratitude to help you deal with your disappointment. Are there any disappointments you are ready to release?

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Detecting Hand Energy

In energy healing, healers believe they can sense other people's energy with their hands as they work. I've already discussed that I believe that people have energy fields (see here), but is it possible for people to be aware of other people's energy fields?

Scientists at the University of Arizona have conducted multiple experiments to test this question.[1] Subjects, mostly college students, were blindfolded and asked to sit in a chair with hands out and palms facing up. Another person holds his or her dominant hand over one of the subjects' hands for about half a minute and the subject must guess where the other person's hand is. Subjects were also asked to say whether they had guessed correctly or not.[1] How do you think the subjects did?

Statistically, if the subjects were not able to detect the other person, they should still be able to guess the correct answer 50% of the time. In one experiment, subjects were 59% accurate, and in a larger second experiment, subjects were 70% accurate.[1] These results are statistically significant, meaning that the results are due to something other than chance. In both experiments, the subjects thought they had done worse than they actually had.[1]

Another interesting thing to come out of the experiments was that it appeared that some individual subjects seemed consistently more able to detect the other person's hand than other subjects. The subjects could be divided into 4 groups based on ability: poor (42% average detection), low (58% average detection), medium (70% average detection), and high detection (85% average).[1]

The experiments I've described here don't "prove" that people can sense the energy of others, but it is one of the most plausible explanations of the results. Basically, there is the possibility that people can detect the energy fields of others, even if they think they can't, and there does seem to be a certain level of talent involved in the energy detection.

So if people can detect other people's energy fields, maybe there is the possibility that people can "read" those energy fields. It may even be possible that people can change another person's energy fields. Energy healers and others, such as myself, believe these possibilities are true and that working with energy can be beneficial for people.

[1] Gary E. Schwartz with William L. Simon, The Energy Healing Experiments: Science Reveals Our Natural Power To Heal (New York: Atria Books, 2007).

Friday, November 19, 2010

Chiropractic - Fear of the Crunch

Chiropractic is the single most frequently used complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatment in Canada.[1] And yet for many of those who haven't tried it, the idea can be frightening, even horrifying! I understand because before I tried it, I didn't like the idea at all.

"Chiropractors diagnose, treat and help prevent conditions related to the spine, nervous system and musculoskeletal system."[2] Studies have shown that chiropractic care may be helpful with back pain, migraine and neck-related headaches, neck pain, joint conditions, and whiplash-associated disorders.[3]

Chiropractors use a number of different therapies to help their clients, but primarily use manual adjustment which "is a non-invasive procedure that consists of a precise directed movement to help relieve pain and discomfort, and restore range of motion."[4] The way the adjustment feels depends on the chiropractor. I have experienced adjustments that have felt sudden, and I have experienced adjustments that were downright gentle. If you aren't happy with the feel of your chiropractor, shop around a little! At least in the Edmonton area, there are quite a few chiropractors to choose from.

Some people are concerned about the possible side effects of working on the spine. The worst side effect that some claim to be related to chiropractic care is stroke but those reports are extremely rare and studies have been unable to find the relation between stroke and chiropractic.[3] "Side effects from spinal manipulation can include temporary headaches, tiredness, or discomfort in the parts of the body that were treated."[3]

After a little experience with an excellent chiropractor, I quite enjoy my chiropractic visits. Before the adjustments, I always get a short massage and I come out of the session feeling relaxed. If you suffer from chronic back pain, headaches or joint issues and you haven't tried chiropractic before, you might want to consider it. The risks are low and the potential benefits might be just what you're looking for.

[1] Bentson McFarland, Douglas Bigelow, Brigid Zani, Jason Newsom, and Mark Kaplan. "Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Canada and the United States." American Journal of Public Health, 92, no 10 (2002): 1616–1618. Accessed November 17, 2010 from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1447296/
[2] "Public Home," Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors. Accessed November 17, 2010 from http://www.albertachiro.com/#/public_home
[3] "Chiropractic: An Introduction [NCCAM Backgrounder]," National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Accessed November 17, 2010 from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/chiropractic/
[4] "About Chiropractic," Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors. Accessed November 17, 2010 from http://www.albertachiro.com/#/about_chiropractic

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Bed-sharing and Independence

Bed-sharing is a sleeping arrangement where an infant or child sleeps next to one or both parents in the same bed. The idea of bed-sharing is very controversial in North-American society. There are so many things to be said about bed-sharing from reason to do it, reasons not to do it, safety concerns, cultural considerations... The topic I'm going to focus on is bed-sharing and it's relationship with the independence of the child.

When I admit to people that we practice bed-sharing with my daughter, I often see a flash of disbelief in the people's eyes, followed frequently by the advice that it has to stop. "If you don't get her in her own bed now, she'll be there forever!" I have often heard people say that children need to learn independence.

I freely admit that bed-sharing has its downside. Bed-sharing children tend to me more dependent on their parents when it comes to going to sleep. These children also tend to have more night-wakings than "solitary sleepers."[1] But should bedtime independence define independence as a whole? Some theory behind bed-sharing, at least as a part of a larger parenting system, is that allowing a child to stay with his or her parents at night, until the child is more prepared to sleep on his or her own, will foster a sense of confidence in the child. But does this theory hold true?

I've definitely heard anecdotal evidence that bed-sharing children tend to be confident and independent older children. One study investigated sleeping style and independence, comparing self-reliance and social independent behaviours in early bed-sharers (children who had bed-shared from infancy), reactive bed-sharers (children who had bed-shared starting on or after 1 year of age), and solitary sleepers. The researchers had theorized that the early bed-sharers would show the least amount of self-reliance and social independence compared to the two other groups but found the exact opposite to be significant.[1]

Basically it seems like allowing a child to be dependent at night helps them to be more independent during the day. There are stories of some bed-sharing children staying with their parents until they are almost teenagers. While this can happen, it often points to either a family that is acceptable of this type of arrangement, or possibly to other psychological issues with the child or family. In the same study described above, the mean age that early bed-sharing children were able to sleep through the night on their own was 25.5 months (just over two years old). I think that estimate may be slightly low but the point is that it doesn't have to last forever.

Once again, I don't think that bed-sharing is for everyone. But for those families where the bed-sharing arrangement is working for and acceptable to all those involved, have no fear for the eventual independence of the child. Bed-sharing children have as much a chance at being well-adjusted and independent as solitary sleeping children... if not more!

[1] Meret A. Keller and Wendy A. Goldberg. "Co-sleeping: Help or hindrance for young children's independence?" Infant & Child Development 13, no. 4 (2004): 369-388. Accessed November 15, 2010. doi: 10.1002/icd.365

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Anger - Good or Bad? (Part 1 - Sources of Anger)

A lot of people generally think of anger as a bad thing. There are always lots of stories of how anger has gone wrong and "caused" people to do bad things. Then I started to see news stories about how anger could be good for you. I wondered how people might react to that sort of headline.

As for me, I simultaneously understood that anger could be bad for you and anger could be good for you, but I wasn't really sure what the difference between good anger and bad anger was. I mean, I knew that it's all in how you deal with the anger but it took me a little research to really understand it.

First of all, there's the question of what is anger? "Anger is a natural emotion that alerts us when something has violated the natural order of how we think things should go... The bodily effects of anger are meant to motivate us to take charge and restore the balance of right and wrong."[1] Those bodily effects include increased heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure.[2] These effects, those of the "flight or fight" response, can be useful in the short-term but can be a strain on your body (particularly your heart) in the long-term.

So the first thing that separates "good" anger from "bad" anger is what a person is getting angry at. This is related to my blog entry on unmet expectations. If anger is your response to a goal being interfered with or an expectation not being met, the first step is to examine what your expectations are. Are your expectations realistic? Is the subject of your expectation something you can control?

Take for example a man who is stuck in traffic. He expects to be able to drive to his destination in a certain amount of time, and the traffic jam has just broken that expectation. This man is now angry. His body prepares him for action, but is there really anything he can reasonably do to restore his expectation? Perhaps he can find a way to exit the situation and find another route to work but this is best accomplished with patience and reason rather than immediate action. This situation might be an example of "bad" anger. I want to note that "bad" anger or not, it is a normal reaction and we all get angry when it isn't useful now and then - that's where anger management comes in (more on that later).

Another man is also late getting to his destination one morning. This man was not caught in traffic, but he did oversleep his alarm. He had stayed up late the night before watching TV. His tardiness caused his reputation to be tarnished with his client. As he gets out of bed and sees the time, this man becomes angry. His body prepares him for action and he is able to get himself out the door in record time. As he gets on his way, he decides that he does not want to repeat this experience and makes a commitment to himself to go to sleep at a reasonable time from now on. This anger may be considered "good" anger because it leads the man to change his behaviour to better help him toward his goals.

Take some time to consider what sort of things tend to make you angry. Think about your goals and expectations. Are your expectations reasonable? Are your goals achievable? Is your anger serving you?

Alas, there is more to anger than what causes you to be angry. Stay tuned - another day I will explore the expression of anger.

[1] "How Anger Works," Molly Edmonds, accessed November 10, 2010 from http://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/human-nature/other-emotions/anger.htm.
[2] "The Physiological Effects of Anger on Your Heart and What to Do About It," Laura Quintile, accessed November 10, 2010 from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2616287/the_physiological_effects_of_anger.html?cat=5.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Friendship After Children

I've been thinking about friendship recently. Now I'm not the kind of person who has ever been able to make friends easily. But as hard as it was in the past, friendship has gotten even harder since I've had a child.

Now it didn't surprise me that it would be harder to stay close to my friends who aren't married or don't have children of their own. I've heard all the stories and it just makes sense that the lifestyle of a parent is usually drastically different than that of a child-less person. That can strain friendships if there isn't some amount of understanding and work to keep the friendship evolving. And some parents change their lives more than others. I'm on the major change side of the spectrum.

But it never occurred to me how hard it might be to stay friends with other parents or make new parent friends. There have been so many obstacles to me, I almost don't know where to start! I guess one of the biggest things that has made it harder for me to make mom-friends is my choice of parenting style. Other mothers have told me that they have found good friendships in their first mom's group. I found that my parenting style was so different than the styles of the other mothers that I found it difficult to join in on the conversations.

Even if you find a mother (or group of mothers) with similar parenting style, there are other obstacles to friendship when you have a young child. If your children are on different schedules (or maybe still on no schedule at all) it can be near impossible to find a good time to get together. And any mothers out there know that a plan with a baby involved is almost no plan at all. Inconsistent sleep, illness, teething, crabbiness and any number of other issues can cause you to have to re-schedule.

When you finally get together with a friend, any conversation is constantly interrupted with a child needing feeding, changing, cuddling or some other sort of attention. When I would meet a friend at the park, I was so busy chasing my daughter and making sure she wasn't falling off the equipment that I could barely find 10 minutes to talk to my friend. The short time you do get to talk to your friends end up being talk about children since that is what your attention has been on almost exclusively for so long. It can be hard to have a real, meaningful conversation about anything else.

Then after a while, some mothers go back to work, meaning that you can only see them outside of work hours. That's usually the same time that your husband finally comes home from work. Now as a strong introvert, I often use the little "off" time I get to be alone (maybe write a blog entry or something). Then I also have to consider spending time with my husband and daughter together as a family. I also have to take this time to work on my business or hobbies. Then there's the extra housework that isn't easily done with a child running around. After all that, I might have the slightest bit of time to spend with my working friends (whether they are parents or not).

So what's my point? Obviously, it can be hard for some parents to keep or make strong friendships after having children. Non-parents, please be understanding of your parent friends - parenthood can really be all-consuming. Parents, please be gentle with yourselves and your other parent friends. Remember that friendship is an important part of your social health (and by extension, your overall health). You may have to be creative and do a little work in keeping your friendships active or find new friendships. Be honest with your friends and keep communication lines open.

Moms, how do you make new friends or keep old ones? What problems have you found in friendship after children?

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Discover Your Archetypal Patterns

An archetype is "an inherited idea or mode of thought in the psychology of C. G. Jung that is derived from the experience of the race and is present in the unconscious of the individual."[1] Just a few examples of archetypes are the Child, the Princess, the Knight, and the Hermit. We often use archetypal language to describe people. "She is such a princess!" "He's my knight in shining armour!" Most everyone knows what you are talking about when you use archetypal language.

Each and every archetype has both positive and negative attributes. For example, an archetype that sounds negative like the Saboteur "serves you brilliantly as a gut instinct that directs you to take action based on hunches rather than on rational thought."[2] And an archetype that might sound more positive like the Teacher can manifest as a desire to manipulate students.[2]

So how can archetypes help you learn about yourself? According to Caroline Myss, examining all of your major archetypal influences together "produces a view of the governing forces of your psyche and soul."[2] Through studying your influencing archetypes and the roles they have played in your life, you can get an idea of why you behave the way you do and possibly even get a glimpse into your life purpose.

The book Sacred Contracts by Caroline Myss (ISBN: 0-609-81011-1) contains exercises and information that will help you learn about your archetypal patterns, thus helping you learn about yourself. If you're not interested in buying the book just yet, you can get started using Caroline's website. The basic idea is to read through a list of archetypes and find the ones you associate with. Then you ask questions of each archetype in yourself and see what kind of answers come up.

Through the process of exploring your archetypes, you can gain many different insights into yourself and your life. Take it from me - I have a strong inner Teacher!

[1] Merriam-Webster, s.v. "Archetype," http://www.merriam-webster.com/ (accessed November 2, 2010).
[2] Caroline Myss, Sacred Contracts: Awakening Your Divine Potential (New York: Three Rivers Press, 2002).

Monday, November 1, 2010

What to Do with a Fever

As I was lying in bed, covered up with a dozen blankets and shaking away, I started to think a little about fevers. The main purpose of a fever is to raise the body's temperature in order to kill certain bacteria and viruses which are sensitive to higher temperatures.[1] So why are people so intent on eliminating fevers as soon as they show up?

Parents can be so worried about children with fevers that the medical profession has named it "fever phobia." Fears about fevers come from our not-so-distant past where fevers were associated with diseases such as measles which were often life-threatening. Also, for a long time fevers were thought to be part of the cause of illness as opposed to a natural reaction of the body to illness.

But now we know better. Under most normal circumstances, fever is part of what will eventually restore us to health. So, is it a good idea to try to get rid of a fever? Please note that I am going to interpret what I have read from research about fever but I am not a doctor so please consult your doctor for fever management issues. Conventional medicine (well, at least the research side of it) recommends fever reduction as opposed to fever elimination. And the method may be important to mention too... Body cooling like sponge baths and cooling blankets DO NOT WORK and they stress the body. Drugs such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) are recommended to reduce fever, though please remember that these drugs can have serious side effects. While some doctors still recommend mixing acetaminophen and ibuprofen for infants and young children with fever, there is absolutely NO evidence that this mixing is beneficial. What is the point of fever reduction? Well, as far as I can tell, it's purely for you (or your child's) comfort.

Studies show that unless you have brain damage, your body is extremely careful with how high it will let your fever go. Fevers that rise above 40ºC (104ºF) can become dangerous[2], so monitoring your fever is obviously a good idea even if it is unlikely to rise that high. In children, some parents worry about the risk of febrile seizure (seizure in young children caused by a quick rise in body temperature). In that case, it is still important to know that fever-reducing drugs are NOT proven to reduce the occurrence of such seizures. If your child has a febrile seizure, seek medical attention immediately but know that there are generally few long-term effects from these seizures and there is little you could have done to prevent the seizures from happening. The biggest actual danger from fever is dehydration. This is the area that you should most definitely focus on when you have a fever - drink fluids!

Keeping all this in mind, this is what I do when I have a fever. I decide whether or not my symptoms are serious enough to see a doctor. Otherwise, I get as much rest as I possibly can, drink plenty of water, grapefruit juice and chicken broth, and cover up with as many blankets as I need. I don't take any acetaminophen or ibuprofen unless I absolutely need to be out of bed. I believe that if my body has decided that a fever is what it needs to become healthy, who am I to argue?

Everyone must make their own decisions on how to deal with any given fever. Learn the facts about fever and then follow your instincts on what to do. A healthy body, including a healthy immune system, is the best defense you have against illness.

[1] "Why does your body temperature rise when you have a virus such as the flu?" Discovery Health, accessed October 31, 2010 from http://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/immune/question45.htm.
[2] B. J. Holtzclaw. "Use of thermoregulatory principles in patient care: fever management," Online Journal of Clinical Innovations 5, no. 5 (2002): 1-64. CINAHL Plus with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed October 31, 2010).

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Choosing Your Intuition

Intuition is "the power or faculty of attaining to direct knowledge or cognition without evident rational thought and inference."[1] There are all sorts of beliefs about intuition. Some believe it's just some remnant of our animal roots, others believe it's just a complicated function of our brains, and others believe it comes from God.

Whatever it is, a good relationship with your intuition can help you be happier, healthier, and have a greater sense of purpose in your life. So what does it take to improve that relationship? Just a little information and a choice or two.

Whatever you believe about intuition, it involves a lot more choice than most people think. You choose what you believe about where intuition comes from. You even choose what you believe about how "good" your intuition is. You choose what you are going to do with the intuitive information you get. The power of choice is that you can change your mind, that is you can change your choice.

Start paying attention to anything that comes to you that might be intuition. Pay attention to how often people say things like "it just feels right" or "I get the impression..." Learn more about your own intuition. Then comes the "hard" part - choose to follow your intuition and see where it leads you!

If you are interested in exploring how you experience intuition in your life and in learning how you can make your intuition stronger, Know Thy Health is offering a class called Guiding Your Life With Intuition on Wednesday, November 24, 2010. Please see the Know Thy Health website for more details.

[1] Merriam-Webster, s.v. "Intuition," http://www.merriam-webster.com/ (accessed October 26, 2010).

Monday, October 25, 2010

Take a Nice Hot Bath

Okay, so when it comes to taking care of yourself, this one may seem kind of obvious. When you're tired and achy, or just need some time alone, it might be a good time to take a nice hot bath!

The number one benefit of a hot bath may be it's stress relieving effects including stimulating blood circulation and calming the nervous system.[1] I think that taking a bath can take you away from your regular routine, away from the rest of your busy life, and into a space that's calming and relaxing. A hot bath may also, among other things, "help relieve common aches and pains associated with arthritis, menstrual cramps, inflammation, hemorrhoids, muscle pains and spasms."[1]

There are lots of ways to customize a bath. You can add bubbles for fun! (I recommend you find a bubble bath with a minimum of artificial fragrances, colours and other chemicals.) You can add Epsom salts which are reputed to have a variety of benefits to your skin and muscles. You can add certain herbs (such as rosemary or milk thistle), each with their own benefits. And then there's aromatherapy (essential oils): lavender is great for relaxing, peppermint is great for energizing and there are so many other options to choose from. Flower Essences (read here about Flower Essence Therapy) can also be used in the bath, and while they don't add any smell or colour, they will provide energetic benefits.

Remember that a hot bat is not for everyone, and this is even more true when you add herbs or aromatherapy. Be aware of allergies or irritations you may have to certain herbs or essential oils. Pregnant woman should not only avoid hot baths, but there are a long list of herbs and essential oils that should be avoided too. Be careful when you get out of the tub as there is the possibility of fainting in some people with blood pressure issues (it might just take a bad cold or low blood sugar to bring you to that point).

If you have done your homework or consulted a doctor and know that a hot bath is safe for you, it can also be good for you. Dress up your bath in your own way and it can be a wonderful way to take care of yourself!

[1] "Tips for Relaxing in a Hot Bath," Discovery Health, accessed October 25, 2010 from http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/stress-management/relax-in-a-hot-bath.htm.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Lip Balm Addiction

It's fall-time in Alberta, and that means it's time to pull out the old chap stick tubes and lip balm containers to prepare for the bitterly dry and cold winter. Many of us use these products to help protect and moisturize our lips. There are countless number of different options available, from various flavours, medicated balms, options of moisturizing ingredients, and different types of wax.

But how do you feel about eating petroleum products? And what about taking in artificial colours and flavours? And are you happy about the possibility of ingesting a long list of other chemicals? If you aren't interested in eating any of these things, it's probably not the best idea to be putting them on your lips.

And then there's lip balm addiction. Some people use lip balm so much and have their lips so moisturized that the lips stop moisturizing themselves. Then they're stuck using more and more lip balm. Also, there are so many chemicals in lip balms that your skin may become irritated by any of those chemicals, causing them to feel dry, once again leading you to think that you need more lip balm.

So in the land of winter, what can you do to keep your lips moisturized? Well, avoid most commercial chap sticks and lip balms - they may be bad for your lips and bad for your health in general. You may be able to find some healthier options online or in some health stores. But the best option is to make your own lip balm. There are dozens of recipes to be found online. You'll need to find your petroleum wax substitute such as beeswax, cocoa butter, or shea butter, and then some carrier oil like sunflower, canola, or grapeseed oil. You can add some essential oils to make them smell fabulous (you can make it your own personalized aromatherapy lip balm), and some honey or other flavour to make it taste good (a little bit is bound to make it into your mouth).

True, it will take some time to make your own lip balm. But you can make enough at one time to last for ages and maybe even make enough to give as stocking stuffers. And this little bit of time will not be for nothing - it will be an investment into your health.

Whether you choose to buy your lip balm or make it yourself, try to limit how much you use it. If you feel the need to apply more as soon as it has worn off, you are probably using too much. Try a different brand of lip balm in case you are reacting to some ingredient in the lip balm. Or better yet, try fulfilling your need for moisture from the inside out - drink more water!

Monday, October 18, 2010

Coincidence, I Think Not!

When I was writing my blog post on the Human Energy Field, I was horribly frustrated about how hard it was to find good research and information about energy healing. Despite my belief that this "stuff" is real, I started to doubt myself. Am I just crazy? Is my belief some big self-delusion? The repercussions of these possibilities were putting me in quite a mood.

A couple of days after I published the post, I brought Sarah to the bookstore. I was wandering around my favourite section of the store when my eyes were drawn to a book sitting face up on the shelf. It was called "The Energy Healing Experiments." What a "coincidence!" Here was a book on the precise topic I was looking for. (It's a fantastic book by the way and I'll write about it another time!)

Well, the point is that I don't really believe in coincidence. I know that the book I needed was there for me because I asked for it. Psychologist Carl Jung called such meaningful coincidence "synchronicity." The idea is that objects, thoughts or events that are related to your desires are attracted to you, and sometimes these things seem to appear by coincidence.

I remember when I would have considered all of this to be complete nonsense. I completely understand that point of view but I am no longer able to live with it. For one, it is just so much more fun to know think that every coincidence is really a wonderful gift to help me on my way. And the more I hold this belief, the more I can see that the coincidences in my life have been special learning opportunities for me.

Take note of the coincidences in your life, no matter how small. Examine what it took for that coincidence to occur and imagine what the coincidence could mean. You may learn incredible things about your life through your coincidences!

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Acupuncture

A few years ago, one evening I started to get a horrible pain in my abdomen. The next morning, the pain was gone and the next evening it started all over again. The pain came back every day for several weeks. I finally noticed that the pain always followed eating protein (especially meat and cheese). The doctor couldn't tell me what it was and put me on a three month wait list for a not-so-pleasant test. So my options were to wait months for a test that may or may not tell me what the problem was, never eat protein again, or try something completely different. Well, I decided to go with that last option and what I chose to try was acupuncture. One single treatment later and I have never experienced that pain again!

If there's one complementary therapy that is truly gaining credibility in conventional medicine, it's acupuncture. There are tons and tons of studies that show that acupuncture can be beneficial in a number of conditions and diseases. Some of these include pain, addiction, AIDS, infertility, and cancer treatment side effects.[1] Acupuncture may also be helpful with migraine headaches, hypertension, osteoarthritis and any number of other issues.

In acupuncture, special needles are inserted into the skin at special points (called acupoints) which lie along energy meridians.[1] These needles help enhance the flow of qi in the body (see my explanation of qi and energy meridians). There are over 1,000 possible acupuncture points so you need a good acupuncturist to determine exactly what points will work for you and your unique situation. Your practitioner will interview you, take your pulses (according to Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, there are 12 different pulses to check), and look at the surface of your tongue. Every individual is unique and the acupuncture points are selected for the individual, not just the disease or condition.

Some people are terrified of needles, which I can understand. All I can say is that acupuncture needles are much thinner than needles used to give vaccinations or take blood. There are generally 10 to 12 needles per treatment and they are generally left in place for 20 to 30 minutes, though treatments can vary greatly.[1] Though you might feel a slight prick on your skin as the needle is inserted (depending on how sensitive you are), acupuncture is mostly pain-free. That being said, acupuncture is not for everyone and should be avoided if you have bleeding disorders or are taking blood thinners.

If you are interesting in exploring if acupuncture is right for you or you're looking for other alternative health options, come try a personal health consultation at Know Thy Health.

[1] Larry Trivieri, Jr. and John W. Anderson, eds., Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide (Berkeley, CA: Celestial Arts, 2002), 62-70.

Monday, October 11, 2010

What are Emotions?

Have you ever thought about what your emotions really are? We all have "issues" with our emotions every once in a while (if not incredibly more often than that). But do we really understand them enough to know what to do about them?

From what I understand, there are multiple theories to explain our emotions (of course it couldn't be simple!) It seems like emotions are both a reaction to changes in the body and a reaction to our thoughts about our experience. My interest is in thinking of emotion as a response to our thoughts.

Two people can see the exact same thing and end up feeling completely different about it. The difference is everything that goes on in these two people's heads. What's significant about that? Well, though not necessarily an easy proposition, each one of us has the ability to change the way we think - and if what we think affects what we feel then we have the power to change how we feel!

So how does your mind decide how you "feel" about a certain thought? What makes something a happy thought and something else an angry thought? This is also a complicated question but I think your mind basically compares your thought to what your goals and desires are and picks a feeling based on that. If you think something is getting in the way of what you want, you might be angry. If you suffer a loss to what you want, you feel sad. If you get what you want or at least take a step towards it, you feel happy. When you're wondering what to change your thoughts to, consider that you want your goals and your thoughts to be compatible.

On a spiritually-minded side note, the more you are in touch with your Higher Self (or your spirit, the Universe or God), and the more you can set your goals in alignment with that part of you, the more your emotions can become a compass for your spirit. Your emotions can become a wonderful spiritual tool, teaching you from moment to moment whether you are moving in-line with God or not.

Instead of thinking of your emotions as something that just happen to you, think of them as a wonderful tool that you just haven't quite learned how to use yet!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

A Vote for Good Health

The time is upon us. On Monday, October 18, 2010 (that's in less than 2 weeks!), it's time for municipal elections across Alberta. I know, I know... It's not the most interesting thing in the world, and who really has time to care? Well, there are dozens of reasons not to vote, but I'd like to talk about some of the reasons on the plus-side of voting.

There are overall mental and physical health benefits associated with voting.[1] These benefits often come from the sense of self-empowerment that comes with voting.[1] So I guess that if you think that voting is useless and you just go vote because someone tells you to, that's not particularly helpful. But if you think voting is useless or haven't thought about it much at all, you are in charge of your own thoughts and you have the choice to change your mind.

I find that the process of researching who to vote for, as long and tedious as it can be, often brings me a feeling of connection with the community. I start to understand what those around me may be experiencing and I start to get the feeling that things need to change and that voting may help that happen. Thinking that your single vote doesn't change anything is counter-productive; each vote adds to the total and if no one with "regular" lives votes, that leaves only the fanatics to decide elections for you.

A note on municipal elections... I find it interesting that so many people claim that voting doesn't make a difference but that more people show up and vote in federal and provincial elections than in municipal elections where the issues more directly affect each and every citizen's everyday lives. The turnout for the 2007 Edmonton municipal election was just over 27%! The difference between one mayor and another could mean short-term differences in taxes and construction of infrastructure (such as my favourite LRT).

CTV has a very good site to help you with research on your local candidates (for Edmonton). Please be a good citizen of your community and a good example for others... Please vote!

[1] Voting Counts as a Healthy Habit. WebMD. Retrieved October 6, 2010 from http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/features/voting-counts-as-healthy-habit

Monday, October 4, 2010

Travel for Health

Why do you travel? Thousands of people travel to other countries to get medical treatments. But, a little less literally, many, many more people travel to feel good in some way - that is, to be healthier.

Some of us travel to get away from a part of our lives, and many times that part is our job. I remember when there was nothing better than to get a week off of work and fly to Mexico, or even better drive to the Okanagan. I remember how it would be all I could do to concentrate at work the week before the vacation, and as the vacation was ending I would feel sad and unhappy about coming home.

As a parent, travel is a little more stressful than it used to be for me. Some parents leave their children behind to travel (and that has it's own stress), but I only travel where and when my daughter can come with me. When packing, I have to consider all the things she may want while we're gone. While we are away from home she may not sleep as well and I always have to consider when to head back to "home" base for nap time. On the positive side, the travel gets my out of my routine, broadens my daughter's experience, and creates memories for my whole family.

Travel always seems to involve some stress and some rewards. I guess the trick is to make sure whatever trip you are taking involves more rewards than stress. There is all the usual advice... Plan the trip a little bit ahead of time - it's no fun not having a place to sleep. Don't sweat the small stuff - it won't necessarily all go as planned. Try not to overbook yourself - doing too much will just leave you more exhausted than when you started the vacation. Do your best to eat well and exercise while you are away from home. And so on, and so on...

I think there's another aspect of travel to consider. When you plan a trip, consider carefully why you are taking the trip. Constantly taking trips to get away from your life won't usually be really helpful. That sort of pattern might indicate that you would be better off making changes in your life at home than spending your time travelling. Also, keeping in mind your reason for taking the trip will help you prioritize what you are going to do.

Take a little time to think about travel and what it means to you. This simple practice may help you use travel as just another fun way to take care of yourself and stay healthy!

Friday, October 1, 2010

Cluttered Emotions, Cluttered House

Have you ever considered that your environment can sometimes reflect your internal state? Sometimes clutter in your home might be caused by your emotional clutter getting in the way of cleaning and letting go. Sometimes the clutter in your home might prevent you from emptying your emotional clutter. Either way doesn't cleaning up sound like a good idea?

Now I'm not trying to talk to full-on hoarders here. Anyone who has so much as a junk drawer or an overly full purse can benefit from a little de-cluttering. Those of us who have rooms full of boxes and piles of junk (yep, that's me) have all the more reason to consider this.

Removing the clutter in your life won't only help you find things more quickly, it can promote healing for your body, mind and spirit. You can feel the difference between a cluttered space and an open space. And you can go too far - being stressed about disturbing a hair on a pristine carpet isn't really that much better than jumping over a junk pile.

How do you get started? If you think "one day I'll find the time," chances are it'll sit on the back-burner indefinitely... trust me, I know. Try devoting 10 minutes per day to de-cluttering. Make a specific time of day (like during the kids' nap, right after work, or during the commercials of your favourite show) and stick to it as much as possible. I find that if I get started, I get motivated and do more than 10 minutes per day, and I'll stick with it until at least one room is done.

Remember, de-cluttering doesn't mean only finding new ways to organize old junk. Buying new shelves and organizing systems is only really useful if you're only keeping the things that are important to you. For each item you're dealing with, ask yourself why it is important enough to keep. Is it adding something to your life or is it just adding to your physical and emotional clutter?

I'm going to start de-cluttering my house by going through the boxes in my garage on Monday. How about you?

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

The Two-Year-Old Dependency Paradox

Anyone who has ever had a 2-year old knows that life with a child of that age can be full of paradoxes. I find that one of those paradoxes exists around dependency.

My 2-year-old Sarah is an extremely independent child. If she falls down, don't even try to sympathize or help her back up. She will not hold my hand going down the stairs or even allow me to have my hand hover near her. If I try to help her with something she is working on and she hasn't asked for my help, you can only imagine the response. And worst of all, despite my continuing efforts, she is convinced that she does not need to hold my hand while crossing the street or walking in a parking lot. Sometimes she even forcefully breaks away from me, runs across the street and once she is safely on the other side, she looks at me and says "Good job Sarah!" The look in her eyes tells me "See Mommy. I can do it myself!"

And then there's the dependent Sarah. God forbid she should be able to play on her own for a few minutes while I fold laundry or cook supper. Instead she's always there making her hundred requests per minute or trying to get me to play another game. While I can see improvement in that area, there's no more dependent time for Sarah than sleep time. Sarah needs her water bottle (filled with cold water) and the closet doors must be closed. Even the idea that anyone other than me should put her to sleep is ridiculous. Some days she is so needy that I want to scream!

Sometimes it can be hard for mothers to talk about dependent toddlers. From parents to doctors to psychologists to just about anybody, you hear that the sooner you eliminate dependent tendencies the better. So many people are focused on having independent children. According to Dr. Sears, "[t]he problem with many of the modern theories about discipline is that they focus so much on fostering independence that they lose sight of the necessity for a toddler to continue a healthy dependence."[1]

There are definite disadvantages to having a dependent 2-year-old. Mothers who respond to dependent toddlers may find that they have considerably less freedom than mothers who push independence, and then there's the peer pressure to push independence as well. But the advantages to your toddler will last a lifetime. Once again, Dr. Sears points out:
Best odds for a baby developing a healthy sense of self is for the baby to separate from the mother and not the mother from the baby. Discipline problems are less likely to occur when baby separates from mother gradually.[1]
The dependent/independent patterns of a 2-year-old are perfectly normal. Relax and remember that your child will become more independent in his or her own time. Nurtured dependence in infants and toddlers can lead to secure independence when your child is older.

[1] "Helping a Toddler Ease into Independence," AskDrSears.com, accessed September 26, 2010 from http://www.askdrsears.com/html/10/T131500.asp

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Fun with Numerology

Okay, so please forgive me for straying into an area where there is no scientific research involved. Today is my birthday and that got me thinking about numerology. Numerology involves looking at the numbers that make up your birth date and/or converting letters from names in to numbers to analyze what influence those numbers are playing in your life.

Let's cut to the chase. Most people get the basic idea of numerology and if you don't know about it, it's not hard to find information about it on the internet. I'm more interested in talking about what numerology is good for. Some people take numerology really seriously: they choose their dates based on them and wouldn't name a cat without checking the numbers first.

Now while I have checked numerology of some things here and there, generally I prefer a more relaxed approach. Numerology brings up issues that are common to all people. All numbers apply to all people, it's just about which numbers/issues come to the forefront in which areas of a particular person's life. It never hurts to do a little self-exploration and numerology might be helpful with that.

My favourite numerology system is the Life-Purpose System by Dan Millman (author of Way of the Peaceful Warrior).[1] In that system, my birthday becomes a 42/6 life path number. According to Millman, those on the 42/6 life path are here to "work through issues of perfectionism, process, and responsibility, taking life one step at a time, manifesting their vision in practical ways, and accepting the inherent perfection of their life."[1] All I can say is that it's soooo true!

If you're at all inclined to do your numerology, I say go for it! If you want to take it seriously, you can find practitioners to help you with it. Otherwise find a book or a website and have fun!

[1] Dan Millman, The Life You Were Born To Live: A Guide To Finding Your Life Purpose (Tiburon, CA: H J Kramer, 1993).

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Qi and the Energy Meridians

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) "is one of the world's oldest complete systems of holistic health care."[1] A major part of TCM is the idea of qi (pronounced CHEE), and the energy meridians that qi flows through.

Qi is considered to be a vital life force energy which "flows through the body following pathways called meridians."[1] Qi must flow properly along the meridians in order for a person to remain healthy.[1] Improper flow can mean that qi is stagnant (not moving), deficient or excessive.[1]

There are a number of qi meridians which "flow along the surface of the body and through the internal organs."[1] You may be familiar with the meridians if you've ever experienced acupuncture (or acupressure). The many surface points that correspond with the meridians are where acupuncturists place their needles.[1]

Conventional medicine doesn't have anything resembling qi or energy meridians. But is there any reason to believe that Traditional Chinese Medicine (which has been around for something like 5,000 years), and the ideas of qi and energy meridians have any merit?

Well, there are many, many studies that show that acupuncture is beneficial in helping people with all sort of different issues. And I found one study that looked at the difference in electrical activity between points on the skin that run along TCM's energy meridians (called acupoints) and points that are not associated with energy meridians. The study found that there is more electrical activity along meridians than in other areas of the skin.[2] In addition, the electrical activity along the meridians shows distinct patterns when the person is undergoing qi healing (in the form of different energy healing practices such as Reiki and Therapeutic Touch).[2]

In various health theories including Tradition Chinese Medicine (TCM), energy is considered to be a blueprint for our physical form, and it is believed that physical illness will first manifest in our energy field. If you would like to learn more about what type of energy healing might benefit you, please book a Personal Health Consultation at Know Thy Health.

[1] Larry Trivieri, Jr. and John W. Anderson, eds., Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide (Berkeley, CA: Celestial Arts, 2002), 456-461.

[2] Maria Syldona and Glen Rein. "The Use of DC Electrodermal Potential Measurements and Healer's Felt Sense to Assess the Energetic Nature of Qi," Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine 5, no. 4 (1999): 329-347. Accessed September 18, 2010. http://www.liebertpub.com/products/product.aspx?pid=26.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Is Any Weight Loss Healthy?

I saw a new story the other day that really got me thinking. A nutrition professor from Kansas has been on a "junk food" diet for three weeks and he has lost 13 pounds![1] On top of the weight loss, his bad cholesterol levels have gone down and his good cholesterol levels have gone up.[1] Can this be possible?

First of all, we have to be specific about what he's really eating. He's basically eating Twinkies, sugary cereal and milk, a few veggies, and the occasional hot dog and Doritos.[1] Technically, and I'm really stretching it here, he's got the food groups covered (though nowhere near in the proper proportions).

A little word of warning here, I am not a nutritionist. But I do know a little bit about how the body works so here's what I think. There are logical explanations for why he is losing weight and why his cholesterol levels are changing. But is any weight loss good weight loss? I think not! Chances are that after this "diet" is over, he'll go back to his old way of eating and gain all of the weight back anyway. Even if he does transition to an actually healthy diet, his body will be so - and I use a technical term here - out of whack that it will probably take months for it to detox from the chemicals and actually start to be healthy. The problems this diet could cause won't even necessarily be obvious but may exist throughout his entire body.

To this man's credit, he's not recommending this diet to anyone else. I think he's doing a combination of experimenting (at his own expense) and perhaps trying to make a point that not all weight loss is good weight loss. Unfortunately, there are so many diet-crazed people out there that I expect at least hundreds, if not thousands of people to try the Twinkie diet out (though probably without the vegetables). The Twinkie diet is a shining example of why fad dieting is a bad idea!

[1] "Nutrition professor loses weight on Twinkie diet," CTV News, accessed September 18, 2010 from http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Health/20100917/twinkie-diet-100917/.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Unmet Expectations

I've been thinking a lot about expectations lately. I started to notice an interesting trend in my life. Some of you mothers who take care of your child(ren) all day long may know what I'm talking about. When I've had a long day at home taking care of my daughter, at some point in the afternoon (or sometimes much sooner), I really look forward to the time when my husband will get home. I start watching the clock for what I think will be the exact time of his arrival.

Now some of those days, my husband will arrive on time or even early, and I feel relieved. Other times, he'll call and say he won't be home yet or he'll be in a meeting that goes long and can't even call. Those few hours or even minutes after his expected arrival time can be torturous. Sometimes that little bit of time can bring me to tears. What's up with that? I mean, I've survived a whole week with my husband away so it's not like I can't handle a whole day alone with my daughter.

The more I thought about this particular situation and others like it, the more I realized that I don't deal very well with my unmet expectations. I wonder, does everyone deal with unmet expectations as "badly" as I do?

Studies show that expecting a reward and not getting it causes a large drop in dopamine levels, creating an unpleasant feeling that is a lot like pain.[1] Maybe I should always expect the worst? Well, while that might make me feel better for a little bit, studies show that the cost of such an attitude on my personality probably outweighs the short-term benefits.[2]

The way I see it, I think it's important to be optimistic (more on that another day) but it's not realistic to "expect" things that aren't under our control. I can't control what time my husband comes home any more than I can control whether or not my 2 year-old will nap at a specific time (or at all these days). I'm pretty sure that dropping all of my unreasonable expectations is not going to be the easiest task, but considering how miserable they can make me, I think it will be worth it. Step 1 - Time to figure out what my "unreasonable" expectations are!

What expectations do you have that aren't serving you?

[1] Dr. David Rock. "(Not So Great) Expectations." Psychology Today, November 23, 2009. Accessed September 16, 2010. http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/your-brain-work/200911/not-so-great-expectations.
[2] Sarit A. Golub, Daniel T. Gilbert, and Timothy D. Wilson. "Anticipating one's troubles: The costs and benefits of negative expectations," Emotion 9, no. 2 (2009): 277-281. Accessed September 16, 2010. doi: 10.1037/a0014716.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Spirituality vs. Religion

According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary:

Religion: a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practice[1]
Spirituality: the quality or state of being spiritual[2]

Wow... those don't really say much. The difference between religion and spirituality is one of those modern topics that seems to be everywhere. I did a quick search and found a ton of articles on the topic. Even so, I thought this topic would be a good place to start my personal discussion about spirituality. WARNING! This is all my personal opinion and it is not my intention to offend anyone, but to be as respectful of all opinions as possible.

Let's start with spirituality. The word "spirit" comes from the Latin "spiritus" meaning breath.[3] Breath is the essence of life; without it, there simply is no life. To me, spirituality is the act of searching for, feeling and living your true connection with God, the universe, science or whatever else you might believe in that is essential for the creation and sustenance of life.

And then, I think religion is an organized form of spirituality. Religion can include a specific set of beliefs, practices and/or traditions. In a sense, I think religion attempts to put a box around spirituality. You might be thinking that I'm going to start bashing religion like so many do. Actually, I think that religion has both positive and negative attributes. On the positive side, religion can help someone find their way through some of the difficulties of spirituality. It can provide a sense of community and support. A religion generally has specific teachings with countless people who have considered all aspects of every bit of it. Now moving to some disadvantages of religion, I think that sometimes all the structure masks the original spirituality. Many people belong to a religion and go through the motions without ever attempting to bring spirituality into their lives. Sometimes, people can build hierarchies in religions that allow them to consolidate power and push their own point of view into the teachings and these distortions can remain even centuries later.

Spirituality also has advantages and disadvantages in comparison to religion. Sometimes taking a spiritual path that is all your own can seem a little lonely. It may mean being different than others in your family or community. Taking a spiritual journey doesn't mean you won't be able to find teachers just as it means you won't necessarily be lead astray. Spirituality can also bring you strength and peace. And just because you haven't joined a specific religion doesn't mean you can't find a spiritual community with similar values.

So, there's religion and there's spirituality... Some choose one or the other, some choose neither and some choose both. Some people aren't even aware of the choice they have made. Just as all people are different, what works for each of us is different too. Is your spiritual life working for you?

[1] Merriam-Webster, s.v. "Religion," http://www.merriam-webster.com/ (accessed September 12, 2010).
[2] Merriam-Webster, s.v. "Spirituality," http://www.merriam-webster.com/ (accessed September 12, 2010).
[3] Merriam-Webster, s.v. "Spirit," http://www.merriam-webster.com/ (accessed September 12, 2010).

Monday, September 13, 2010

Flower Essence Therapy

"Flower Essences are liquid remedies which contain the vibrational or energetic 'essence' of a particular flower."[1] Yup, here we go with an energy healing practice! Basically, flower essences are very similar to homeopathic remedies in that they are made of plant (in this case the flower of the plant) tinctures that are diluted over and over again. By the time you get a Flower Essence, there is nothing chemically left of the original flower. Actually, Flower Essences aren't meant to help a person heal chemically but energetically, and an electrical signature of the flower does remain in the Flower Essence tincture you buy at the store.

But can this liquid made of alcohol and water really affect your "energy?" Dr. Jeffrey Cram studied some specific Flower Essences against a placebo to see if the essences could calm people when they were exposed to mental stress. He didn't test the Flower Essences by asking the 24 subjects how they were feeling; he measured the electrical activity of their brains and muscles. And yes, he found that Flower Essences did make a difference compared to the placebo![2]

So what can Flower Essences help you with? Flower Essences help you address mental, emotional and spiritual issues and are a useful in self-development. A Flower Essence Therapy practitioner interviews you and determines which particular Flower Essences, or combination thereof, are best suited to help you reach your goals. There are Flower Essences for everything from learning how to accept your limits (Oak) to helping you feel emotional balance (Chamomile). "As Flower Essences help you uncover your unwanted thoughts and feelings, you can deal with unresolved issues and release feelings which may be negatively affecting your health."[1]

Most Flower Essence combinations are taken for 28 days, during which it is also recommended that you engage in some sort of self-reflection activity, something like journal-writing or drawing. The self-reflection helps you realize what may be happening with the Flower Essences and helps you deal with your feelings.

If you are interested in trying Flower Essence Therapy, please book a session at Know Thy Health.

[1] Know Thy Health. "Know Thy Health's Services." Accessed September 11, 2010 from http://www.knowthyhealth.ca/services.html.
[2] Flower Essence Society. "Flower Essences stress reduction study." Accessed September 11, 2020 from http://www.flowersociety.org/cram2.html.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Human Energy Field

Though not traditionally a specific component of the holistic view, I think that exploring the energetic side of healing is important. The exact relationship between energy and the body is not known scientifically though there are several different schools of thought on the matter, some of them very ancient. I find energy healing fascinating, not from a scientific point of view, but from an experience point of view. Each and every encounter I have had with energy healing has taught me something about myself.

So let's start with the basics... Do humans have an "energy field?" The term "energy field" isn't really specific, but the short answer is yes. The human body has an electromagnetic field. This field is measurable in the brain with an EEG and in the heart with an ECG. In fact, "[t]he heart’s electrical field is about 60 times greater in amplitude than the electrical activity generated by the brain."[1] The heart and brain have the most electromagnetic field but it is scientifically accepted that the entire body generates a small electromagnetic field.

What does that mean for our health? Well, for one, we're pretty sure that some other electromagnetic fields can make us ill. According to the World Health Organization, people who have been exposed to electromagnetic fields (EMF) have reported fatigue, headaches, depression, and a number of other symptoms.[2] These claims have not all been verified scientifically though some studies have shown a possible increased risk of childhood leukemia.[2] Exposure to stronger EMF, levels not generally found in the general public, may be related to cataracts.[2] Though many specific health problems have not been scientifically linked to EMF, the WHO and most governments regulate EMF exposure.

On the other hand, some electromagnetic fields may be useful. Medical magnetic fields, which have been researched in Europe, can improve circulation and oxygen levels in tissues, relax muscles, stimulate tissue healing, heal fractures and strengthen bones more quickly, and improve cell metabolism.[3] The scientific, medical community is beginning to see that EMF may be a useful tool in helping the body to heal itself.

Even more interesting than EMF is subtle energy. The term subtle energy is used to describe "a type of energy that is at present not fully understood or measurable with today's equipment."[4] Researchers at Stanford University have developed a subtle energy detector, "with which they demonstrated the existence of an energy field that is not in the electromagnetic spectrum."[4] They were also able to show that the subtle energy field responds to "intentional human focus."[4] Now, scientists are still a long way from really knowing how this energy field works and what it means to our health, but just knowing that it exists makes me optimistic that energy healing is just something we haven't explained... yet!

So... Humans have energy fields, other energy fields affect us and our health (some positively and some negatively), and we can consciously affect some of our energy fields. Energy is another thing to consider when we want to think about our health and life holistically.

[1] Institute of HeartMath. "Science of the Heart - Head-Heart Interactions." Accessed September 10, 2010 from http://www.heartmath.org/research/science-of-the-heart/head-heart-interactions.html?submenuheader=3.
[2] World Health Organization. "What are electromagnetic fields?" Accessed September 10, 2010 from http://www.who.int/peh-emf/about/WhatisEMF/en/index1.html.
[3] William Pawluk, MD, MSc. "Medical Magnetic Fields." Accessed September 10, 2010 from http://www.naturalhealthweb.com/articles/pawluk1.html
[4] Robert Neil Boyd. "Institute of HeartMath Subtle Energy Research." Accessed September 10, 2010 from http://www.rialian.com/rnboyd/heart-math.htm.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Communicating with the Body

The human body is an incredible system and it is far more intelligent than we give it credit for. Okay, it doesn't have intelligence in the sense that it can solve a math problem or figure out how to get your child to fall asleep more easily... but your body is aware of what's going on throughout itself. When it is strong, your body can quickly eliminate diseases and keep all it's systems working smoothly. To do all that, your body carries information about the relative health of all it's systems, what is helpful to it and what isn't.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could communicate clearly with our bodies? What if your body could tell you that a little Vitamin D would do you wonders or that giving up wheat would stop that asthma? You could save time, money and effort searching through all the generic "this is good/bad for you" information out there, and know exactly what you needed to know.

There are a number of Complementary and Alternative Medicine therapies which use a method of communicating with the body known as Specialized Kinesiology or Energy Kinesiology. Specialized Kinesiology is the art of finding imbalances in a person, using multiple techniques including muscle testing.[1] Muscle testing generally involves lightly touching a specific muscle to determine if that muscle is strong or weak.[2]

In essence, practitioners using Specialized Kinesiology can use your muscles to "talk" to your body. You can find areas of your body which may be imbalanced. You may also be able to find out what may be causing those imbalances. Therapies that use Specialized Kinesiology include Touch for Health, Brain Gym, and NAET. Some people even learn a simple form of muscle testing to use on their own at home.

If you're interested in learning more about Specialized Kinesiology or any of the practices that use Specialized Kinesiology, consider a Personal Health Consultation from Know Thy Health.

[1] IASK. "International Association of Specialized Kinesiologists." Accessed September 4, 2010 from http://www.iask.org/eng_ny_side_02_welcome.htm.
[2] Larry Trivieri, Jr. and John W. Anderson, eds., Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide (Berkeley, CA: Celestial Arts, 2002), 71.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Fatigue

Is there anyone who hasn't felt fatigue at some point in their life? Fatigue is a general lack of physical energy and mental/emotional motivation.[1] Tired is one thing - you can feel good and still be tired; but fatigue means you're tired and you don't feel like doing anything, sometimes you don't even feel like sleeping!

Is it just me, or is fatigue just another one of those physical symptoms that people do their best to ignore? People seem to get used to feeling tired and listless. We ignore it or cover up with copious amounts of caffeine. It is a common feeling, but it isn't healthy when it lasts for extended periods of time. On the short term, fatigue is a natural "response to physical exertion, emotional stress, boredom, or lack of sleep."[1] Long term, fatigue can be a sign of any number of conditions including anemia, depression, grief, chronic pain, sleep disorders and thyroid issues.[1]

Quite simply, fatigue is a sign that you are in need of some sort of healing, whether physical, mental, emotional or spiritual. It is a good idea to pay attention to how what your body is telling you; your body is an expert on your life. If you are frequently experiencing fatigue, consider talking to your doctor about it. Then if you are interested in exploring further healing options, set up an appointment for a Personal Health Consultation at Know Thy Health.

[1] Fatigue. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Retrieved September 3, 2010, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003088.htm.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Is it the Placebo Effect?

Sometimes complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies are not easily explained in current scientific terms. People may ask if the healing effects of those CAM therapies are nothing more than the placebo effect. According to The Skeptic's Dictionary, "[t]he placebo effect is the measurable, observable, or felt improvement in health or behavior not attributable to a medication or invasive treatment that has been administered."[1] The placebo effect is a controversial subject that is only beginning to be studied in detail.

As for CAM therapies, I can't exactly speak for all of them at once since there are so many of them and they are all so different. Just like every person must be treated like an individual when it comes to health, so should each CAM therapy. It is possible that healing one experiences from certain CAM approaches is at least in part due to the placebo effect. If you view the placebo effect as some sort of scam or as something that's robbing you of the "real" effects you could be experiencing from some other therapy, then you might naturally reject CAM altogether.

Consider a different view of the placebo effect. What if it represents the fact that there is scientific evidence of the power of the mind in healing? In some cases, a treatment or practice that demonstrates the placebo effect is actually helping the person heal themselves. Since as a holistic health practitioner, one of my main goals is to help a person activate his or her own body's ability to heal itself, the placebo effect tells me that the person's thoughts and beliefs are as important, if not more so, than what tool we use to activate that healing. While this does not remove the responsibility to find the most effective, safe and appropriate CAM practices in working with a person, it opens up the possibilities.

I found an interesting thought about the placebo effect that resonated with me:
It may be, then, that the simplest and least ethically hazardous way to capitalize on the placebo effect is to acknowledge that medicine isn’t just a set of approved treatments--it’s also a ritual, with symbolism and meaning that are key to its efficacy.[2]

If you want to investigate how you might be able to believe your way to better health, invest in a Personal Health Consultation from Know Thy Health.

[1] Robert T. Carroll. “Placebo effect.” Accessed August 26, 2010. http://www.skepdic.com/placebo.html.
[2] Rebecca Tuhus-Dubrow. “The magic cure.” The Boston Globe, May 9, 2010. Accessed August 26, 2010. http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/05/09/the_magic_cure/?page=full.