Foot Reflexology

Here is a great interactive foot reflexology chart. While many charts are slightly different, the basics are pretty much the same. To get a good therapeutic foot massage, the whole food needs to be stimulated. The nerve endings are affected by this and the relating part of the body is relaxed therefore allowing the body to return to a state of balance which helps us stay healthy.

In today's stress filled lifestyles, it's is not a luxury to get a reflexology session or attend Tai Chi sessions on a regular basis, it's a must. You will pay the price for not taking care of yourself by lost work days, mental health issues and a general increased stress level that might eventually show up as a serious illness.

Stay in touch with your body and listen to it's cues. Take care of little aches and pains or imbalances as soon as they show up instead of letting them get worse. It's much easier to successfully treat these early symptoms!

Attitude for the Holidays

Our stress is created largely from our reaction to life events. We can actually change our reactions. It helps to have a new attitude. But, it will take lots of practice in most cases due to how the brain has been trained. It is well worth the effort though.

Tips for the Holidays:

Remember the only person you can change is you!

Let go of wanting others to act differently.

Instead of making assumptions, ask for clarification.

As Eckhart Tolle says, become transparent when you feel stress collecting in you and allow it to pass through instead of settling inside you.

It's our choice to be offended, we are taking someone elses comments personally, try to allow others their opinions, know who you are.

Treat yourself well by getting proper sleep, nutrition, exercise and quiet time.

When you are feeling stressed, take a moment to bring to mind something that makes you smile, focus on that inner joy, the tension will melt away and suddenly not be so important anymore!

Blessings! Happy Holidays!

Changing Seasons

The season is changing. Can you feel a difference within you? We are a part of nature after all. While the squirrels are collecting nuts and the bears preparing for hybernation, what changes are you experiencing? I tend to have more energy when the hot weather gives way to cooler days and nights. I'm already thinking of Christmas and preparing to make orders for the kids gifts. I'm getting out the cool weather clothes in preparation, checking to see if last years coats still fit, deciding how much money I can spend on new items. I'm clearing out the clothes that are certain to me too small next year. I'm deciding what of my own things it's time to let go of. What do I need to make room for? I really like to take walks and notice what nature is doing, the changes that are expected, welcomed. I too welcome the opportunity to prepare to hybernate to some extent over the winter. Going with the flow, it's so nice when I'm able to do it!!

Having trouble with "exercise"?

Make if fun! What do you love to do? Dance, kick the soccer ball around with your child, ride bikes, play frisbee golf, golf, walk in the woods. Remember back when you were young, what did you really like to do? Movement is a natural part of our being. We are created to move, to be alive, to be active. Is there a bad habit that is keeping you from getting up and moving? Check your priorities, be good to yourself. If you take good care of yourself then you will be able to take better care of those around you. Make a committment to begin one healthy activity to your schedule. Sign up for a yoga class, dance class, aerobics class, swim class, whatever, just do it!!!

Trying too Hard?

Take a deep breath, in though your nose, saying AHHHHHH as you exhale. Try this 3 times or more. Notice the immediate calming effect!

Sometimes we have to catch ourselves trying too hard and stop and realize, it will all be okay! We can in fact get more done, better, when we are centered and focused, not frantic and overly stimulated. Though some stress is good and will help increase performance, too much stress can be counter-productive.

So remember to breath!

Getting Grounded

Every get in those places where you are forgetting your keys, locking them in the car,bumping into things, feeling lightheaded? Try getting grounded!

A great, easy way to get grounded is to put your feet on the ground. Imagine you are a huge tree, feel how strong and sturdy you are. See how your roots go so deep into the earth that they wrap around the earth's core.

Enjoy!

Live Well, Be Well

It's hard to be balanced with we eat fast food, push ourselves too hard, don't hardly move, drink lots of coffee or booster drinks and buy lots of boxed goods at the grocery.

Here are some great tips to re-balance our lives:

• Visit the Farmer's Market
• Buy from the outer isles at the grocery
• Take time to engage in fun activities each week that you enjoy: tennis, walking, frisbee golf, biking, etc.
• Drink green or herbal teas
• Eat less sugar, including white breads
• Eat more whole foods that remember where they come from!
• Take time to be outside each day
• Take lots of deep breaths
• Stretch
• Have some quiet time, meditating or gently moving in a rythmic way and be in the now

Make taking care of yourself fun! You are much more likely to stick with it!