The New Thin Me

Stress is one of the most common causes of illness and dis-ease that exists. Many health problems begin with emotional and physical stress, so it is important relax as often as possible. Here are 5 simple ways that anyone can use to relax throughout the day:

1. While you are driving turn off the radio and focus on your breath. It is so easy to waste the time we spend in the car listening to the radio or getting frustrated by the traffic instead use that time to make yourself feel better.

2. When you are working on the computer occasionally bring your attention to your shoulders and relax them as you take a deep breath. A sign saying relax somewhere on your monitor will help you to remember to do this.

3. During the day choose a moment when you aren’t busy and close your eyes as tightly as you can and then relax them completely. This is a good way to wring out all the tension from your eyes.

4. While you are sitting on the sofa take a moment and exhale all the air out of your lungs and then take a deep breath in and hold it for about 10 seconds then exhale. Do this 3 times.

5. While you are lying in bed do a progressive relaxation. Start by relaxing your toes and move all the way up through your legs and into your chest relaxing all the different muscles as you go until you get to the top of your head. Repeat as necessary.

You will find that the more you do these things the better you will feel, and your stress levels will quickly diminish. Relaxation is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself because it will affect every area of your life for the better.

I can’t take it anymore! Every time I put the TV on there is another commercial for some new prescription medication. Don’t get me wrong I’m not pulling a Tom Cruise here, but enough’s enough. It makes me wonder how people coped with anything 50 years ago. While I believe that medication has its place, I also believe that our faith in modern medicine has made us forget one our greatest gifts.

What is this gift that we have? It is our ability to influence our bodies through our minds. We are just beginning to rediscover the power we have over our own physical bodies. A scientifically verified example of this power is seen in the “Placebo Effect”. This was discovered when new drugs were being tested. Half the group would get the actual medication and half would get sugar pills. The interesting thing was that a certain percentage of the “placebo group” would show signs of improvements, even though they weren’t given any medicine! This is the power that we possess.

So how can you use this power? Scientists are finding new connections between stress and dis-ease every day. We live in a culture where we are over stimulated constantly through television, the internet, etc. The easiest way to make use of this power we have is to put a few minutes aside with the specific intention of just being quiet and relaxing. When you do this you create fertile ground for health to occur naturally. It doesn’t need to take long or be some complicated meditation. Just the act of being quiet in a quiet place will make you feel better and improve your health.

I've always found that the simpler I make
things, the more successful I am.
Food is no different.

It doesn't take a genuis to notice how
a candy bar and salad make us feel different.

One of my main criteria for the foods
I choose now are how much life force do
they have when I consume them.

Our culture has been conditioned to eat
processed foods that are low in life force.

What foods are high?
Raw living greens, vegetables, and fruits.

This is the easiest way to increase your metabolism
because these foods are easily converted into useful energy.
This by definition is increasing your metabolism.

Some easy ways to do this:
- beging snacking on cucumbers,
raw almonds, peppers, carrots, or celery
- get in the habit of eating salads
with most or all of your meals.

Remember, this isn't about cutting
anything out, it's about inserting
more energy into your body.