As the holiday season approaches, you will find article after article, rolled out to help you manage the “stress” of the holidays. Isn’t ironic that the very time of year designated to cultivate peace, strengthen the spirit, and restore the family, causes more strife, imbalance, and disharmony than any other time of year? This could be blamed on the commercialization of the season, the media depictions or on anything outside of ourselves.

However, the true blame for holiday stress is an inside job. We create the schedule we choose to follow, we make the choices, and we decide what we will allow into our lives. While the retailers and media all help raise the expectations, we still have the choice whether to follow the pack like sheep, or to do our own thing. Sheeple (the sheep-people) will follow what is dictated to them by what has always been done, by outside influences, or what they assume is expected of them.

There is an old adage that defines insanity as doing the same things over and over again and expecting a different result. If you do not like what your holidays have turned into, then you have to start doing something different. The first step to beating the holiday hype is to evaluate your current situation. You begin by creating lists that will allow you to visualize the situation from a higher perspective. From this vantage point, you will be able to make more purposeful and meaningful choices about this holiday season. Ask yourself these questions and start by identifying at least five things for each one.

1. What means the most to me in my life? (…are things and people I value, and that add meaning to my life.)

2. What do the holidays mean to me? (The holidays are a time to…)

3. What do I enjoy most during the holidays? (I look forward to…)

4. What activities or traditions do we practice that add meaning to the season? (…brings us closer to what matters most in a real way.)

5. What do I dread about the holidays? (… cause stress, anxiety, and problems.)

6. What obligations have I put on myself? (I feel obligated to…)

7. What past obligations, no longer serve me or my family? (… were good once, but not anymore.)

8. What can I remove from our family schedule to make more time for meaningful activities? (Be brave: If I thought no one would “pitch a fit,” I would dump…)

9. What new traditions could I create to realign with the deeper meaning I have attached to the season? (… would be meaningful, while still simple and enjoyable.)

10. What words best describe what I want my holidays to represent. (…represents my holiday philosophy.)

Ask your immediate family to make lists as well. Take time to look them over and allow the information to sink in. By involving everyone in the choices, you will create family traditions that are meaningful to not only you, but also your entire family unit. If an activity does not add meaning and value to your holiday experience, do not do feel obligated to do it, even if it is expected. Refuse to be sheeple this year.

Be reflective about what no longer serves you in your life and realign your actions to what you value and what matters to you now. Redefine what you are willing to allow into your life. Just because something is what you have always done, does not mean that you always have to do it that way.

Be prepared, not everyone embraces change, nor will they like it when you make different choices. Decide which is more important, what other people think, or what is best for the health and happiness of you and your family? You get to decide, sometimes the choices are difficult, but you will eat the fruit of whatever tree you choose to plant. Reclaim your holidays as a time to strengthen relationships with self, spirit, and those you love.

I encourage a “Reclaim Your Holiday” movement. Make the holidays about what you need, and what is meaningful to you, not about obligation. Spread the word! You can have a restorative holiday season if that is what you choose. This year, take action to be happy by choice, not by chance.

“Wellness Matters” Article Series by Lisa Schilling RN, CPT Speaker, Writer, Wellness Coach & Consultant

Lisa Schilling is the author of “The Get REAL Guide to Health and Fitness-FIVE STEPS to Create Your Own Personal Wellness Plan” She juggles life as a doting wife, and the mother of three boys, who keep her feet firmly planted on the ground!

Lisa is a Registered Nurse, author and recovering pageant queen, who spreads hope with her Get REAL approach to wellness. She empowers women, caregivers and groups to unleash their fullest potential by helping them to see their true beauty and discover their REAL value.

She feels passionate about spreading this message of hope and acceptance to help others be PROactive about their health and not simply REactive. Lisa uses her enthusiasm to inspire people to value and appreciate who they are. She helps people build a bridge from where they are, to where they want to be.

As an outspoken advocate for wellness and prevention, her motto is: “See one, do one, teach one!” Visit Lisa’s website http://www.getrealwellnesssolutions.com to claim your FREE Bonus Gifts!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Schilling
http://EzineArticles.com/?Beating-Holiday-Hype,-or-Feeling-Beat-Up-by-the-Holidays?&id=6710666

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Are you ready to change your life?

The power of newness is always available to you.

You can begin fresh and anew today. This is always a choice that you can make, and there is no law that says you are required to carry the past around on your shoulders. You can be the person you see yourself being! Today is a great day to drop the past and move forward with your head held high.

You are not a victim of your past unless you make it so. You do not have to keep replaying these old tapes of the past unless YOU press play and allow them to be heard. You give power to your past. You have the power to let it go. You allow yourself to be triggered on a daily basis…people pushing your buttons, hitting some nerve created from a pain from the past. What if this time you simply observe the trigger, acknowledge it, feel any emotions without attachment or judgment, and then say goodbye to it? You can do this. You can change your life by affirming that you are new today. And affirm it again tomorrow. And the day after. It’s fairly easy, and it feels better than replaying the past over and over.

Wouldn’t you rather take the time to apply conscious awareness and finally clear old energy? Do you honestly want to keep dredging up the past over and over? Self-love and care includes taking the time to let the past go.

Newness is always available. Every day you can wake up and vow to be new, and to be different. You can choose new ways of being that are loving, powerful, and joyful. You can also choose to wake up and dwell on the past and worry about the future, and never create change. You are always choosing change or stagnation whether you realize it or not. Can you start consciously choosing today? Notice what you are doing. Have self-awareness and lovingly guide yourself into newness. If you want to change your life then you have to consciously choose to and then live as if you are new.

Don’t go looking for trouble. The past will come to you. If you are holding on to anything from the past, it will show up for you to clear. Trust today that you are new. Trust that when something is ready to be released that it will show up. Just be clear, present, and enjoy this moment!

You can shed your old skin and walk forward fresh, clean and new. You are not bound to the past unless you choose to be. Notice when you replay your tapes. Notice when you blame the past. When will you finally LET. IT. GO?

Today is a day of new beginnings. You can accelerate this if you now simply acknowledge when you are replaying the past and then declare that you are releasing it. When old tapes come up, stop. Feel the feelings. Don’t get caught up in blame, worry, or self-doubt. See it for what is- old, stagnant energy that wants to be expressed and released. Feel the old energy and appreciate that you now have the chance to finally let it go… and then do it. Say goodbye to the past. You deserve to walk forward each day, fresh and new. Give yourself the gift of newness today.

Cari Campbell

http://www.YourJoyousLife.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cari_Campbell
http://EzineArticles.com/?Change-Your-Life—The-Power-of-Newness-Is-Always-Available-to-You&id=6686409

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Editor’s note. If you watched the Republican debates, you saw Gov. Rick Perry completely lose his thought – at a critical moment in the debate. Last year the Governor of Arizona went completely blank during a debate and simply could not speak. I’ve had a couple of times on the radio show when a word simply disappeared from my mind and I had to do a quick recovery. We’ve all experienced it. This is not an endorsement of Rick Perry. This is not a political statement. But he’s a perfect example of the subject for today’s blog – aptly named the “brain fart.” Excuse the crudeness – the term explains it well.  Irene

By Alan Joel

Do you have days filled with senior moments and brain farts… but you still have to get stuff done? Whether you have a “Duh!” moment or just a case of “scatterbrain,” it can be a real bummer.

Luckily there are some simple natural ways to reset your brain.

In fact, these days even doctors and other healthcare practitioners are recognizing some of these methods, and prescribing them for their patients.

3 Simple Natural Ways to Reset Your Brain

When your brain goes on overload, you can reset it by rebalancing it, feeding it, or giving it helping it more easily “digest” information. Any of these methods work well alone, and done in combination can have a powerful effect on your ability to think.

#1: Rebalance Your Brain

John Paul Getty was a big fan of resetting his brain. How did he do that? By doing a simple exercise called cross crawling. Cross crawling is exactly what it sounds like: you just get down on the ground and crawl like a baby. But you have to do it right.

To cross crawl effectively, make sure your opposite hand and knee strike the ground at the same time. For instance, as you crawl, your left hand and right knee should land on the ground at the same time. Ditto for your right hand and left knee. This diagonal action rebalances the two sides of your brain, and helps you recover from those embarrassing “brain farts”! In fact, this same exercise has been successfully used to improve cognitive function in autistic children and children with learning disabilities.

Today, doctors are recommending a similar exercise. You simply hold your left earlobe with your right hand and your right earlobe with your left hand. Then you bend your knees into a squatting position before standing back up. This achieves a similar effect to cross crawling, and is a little easier to do when you are in an office setting or public place (although I have to add that John Paul Getty used to just close his office door and crawl around his desk!).

#2: Feed Your Brain

Our brains are made up of mostly fatty acids. More specifically, to function properly our brains need polyunsaturated fatty-acids, especially Omega-3 fatty acids. Studies show that brain tissues that are rich in Omega-3 have improved nerve-cell function. Studies (reported in Neuroscience) with lab rats demonstrate the power of this fatty acid to improve cognitive function.

Lab rats fed a diet deficient in Omega-3 showed impaired learning and memory functions. When these same rates were transferred to a diet supplemented with fatty acids, they showed a dramatic improvement in learning and memory.

Some of the richest sources of Omega-3 include blue-green algae, coldwater fish, and certain kinds of seaweed. Among these sources, the one densest in Omega-3 and least likely to contain contaminants is blue-green algae. In fact, The University of California at Berkeley Wellness Letter strongly recommends eating AFA blue-green algae as an alternative to fish oil supplements to avoid contamination.

#3: Help Your Brain Digest Information

It might surprise you, but when your brain goes into overload it is often because you (or your brain) literally can’t “digest” all the information flying around. These days we are barraged with email, voice mail, tweets, and instant messages. That’s a lot to digest. Plus, the ability to multi-task is no longer a plus, these days it is a “must.” It’s no wonder we have brain farts and feel just a wee bit insane.

To help your brain digest and process all this information, just take enzymes. This may seem odd, since people generally associate enzymes with digesting food. However, when you take enzymes without food, the enzymes roam freely around your body, digesting anything else that needs digesting. That includes helping your brain process this information.

While there are no clinical studies that prove this, many people have successfully used enzyme therapy to improve cognitive function. Taking 2-4 capsules of powerful enzymes between meals can help you think more clearly, especially when you feel overloaded.

Another option is to take herbs like Gingko Biloba. Herbs like these don’t necessarily help your brain “digest” information, but they do improve circulation to the brain, which helps you think more clearly.

Solving the “Brain Fart” Problem Naturally

The three natural methods described in this article are simple, natural, effective, and have little or no side effects. To me, that sure sounds better than artificial methods to restart the brain, such as slamming caffeine, puffing on a cigarette, or taking medication. When my brain isn’t working properly, that means my body is a little toxic or tired. I’d rather not try to restart my brain by adding in more toxins.

What about you? Give these natural methods a try… you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the speed and effectiveness of the results!

++++++++++++++++

Alan Joel is a Doctor of Chinese Medicine and nutritional counselor. He is also an independent distributor of Simplexity Health, producer of all-natural AFA blue-green algae products for people, pets, and plants. For free health tips and to order blue-green algae products online at wholesale prices, visit http://www.prosperity-abounds.com. Read more about natural health on the blog at http://prosperity-abounds.blogspot.com.

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Having-a-Brain-Fart?-3-Simple-Ways-to-Reset-Your-Brain&id=3701548

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We’ve all had those bad days, where all we feel like doing is staying home and crying, because nothing else seems to be able to please us. Well, believe it or not it’s actually quite normal to feel down from time to time, especially following a negative incident, such as a breakup, or the death of a loved one. However, the problem arises when we let this depression overpower us, or take over for an extended period of time. If it’s been over a week, and you’re still feeling depressed, than you must take action and try to get back on your feet as soon as possible, or you might risk going into clinical depression.

One of the first things you need to keep in mind is that sadness is like a life in itself. As soon as it enters your body, it tends to feed on you, to take over, and attract other “sad things” into your life. For example, I don’t know if you ever noticed it, but when you feel down, you have a tendency to attract other depressed things. For example, you’ll feel more attracted to depressed people; you’ll tend to prefer darker areas such as the night, or under your covers, and you’ll also tend to attract and create negative thoughts, and ideas. So basically, everything you attract, or put out will be negative. But none of this is your fault. It’s Mr. Sadness that’s taking over, that’s feeding on you, that wants to control your thoughts.

So how do you break from the routine? How do you get rid of Mr. Sadness inside of you? Well, no matter what happened that made you feel down in the first place, the first step is to acknowledge that your depression is taking over, and influencing the way you talk, think and behave. What you should do is sit down, and listen objectively to what your body is currently broadcasting at the moment. Are you feeling anger? Do you feel like hurting someone or yourself at this moment? Are you seeing things very negatively? Once you’ve analyzed all this, the war between you, and Mr. Sadness begins.

As you’re reading this article, I want you to do this right now: Put a big smile on your face. Smile as wide as you can. Next, while keeping the smile, look around you, and say 5 positive things, about each item you make eye contact with. For example, if you look at your desk, you might say: “Wow, I love the woody color, and it’s got nice rounded edges to prevent someone from hurting themselves.” Etc. Even if it sounds silly, or you feel like you’re lying to yourself, just keep doing it and you’ll eventually trick your body into thinking you’re really happy. Follow these small tips, and before you know it, you won’t even remember why you were feeling down in the first place.

However, whatever you do, make sure you don’t let Mr. Sadness take over.

by Frantz Etienne
Feel Down? – Come talk about it

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frantz_Etienne
http://EzineArticles.com/?Building-Yourself-Up-When-You-Feel-Down&id=5418345

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Taking a proactive approach to warding off colds and flu is apt to make your whole life healthier. A healthy immune system is the key to helping you feel better in so many ways.

Here are 5 steps you can take to boost your immune system:

1) Take steps to avoid infection, such as washing your hands frequently. Germs can live for hours and can be picked up as you touch people, surfaces and objects throughout the day. You can infect yourself with these germs by touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Although it’s impossible to keep your hands germ-free, washing your hands frequently can help limit the transfer of bacteria and viruses.

2) Drink 6-8 glasses of water per day. It is essential to stay well hydrated throughout the day.

3) Get Regular Exercise – Getting active for just 20 minutes three times a week increases your immune function. Regular exercise is one of the pillars of healthy living. It improves cardiovascular health, lowers blood pressure, helps control body weight, and protects against a variety of diseases. It may contribute even more directly by promoting good circulation, which allows the cells and substances of the immune system to move through the body freely and do their job efficiently.

4) Get More Antioxidants – We know that antioxidants neutralize free radicals. They also help boost your immunity. Get 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day to increase your immunity boosting antioxidants.

5) Get Plenty of Sleep – You are more likely to catch a cold, the flu or other infection if you are not getting adequate sleep. Researchers are not exactly sure why sleep helps boost the immune system, but 7-9 hours for an adult is generally recommended for good health.

Pat Zickefoose invites you to visit http://www.healthywithvia.com for more tips on improving your health.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pat_Zickefoose
http://EzineArticles.com/?Boost-Your-Immune-System-to-Stay-Healthy&id=5648754

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Amazing news from the medical community! Between now and the year 2040, the number of people who will reach age 100 is expected to grow an astounding 746%! So what can you do right now to improve your already awesome odds? It’s easy: Just try these deceptively simple, study-proven health-boosters to make celebrating your centennial a shoo-in!

1) Double your odds of reaching 100 by sleeping in! People who enjoy seven to eight hours of sleep nightly are twice as likely to reach a ripe old age as those who get less shuteye, reveals a new study out of the U.K.s University of Warwick and University College London.

a. Sleep’s longevity secret: Not getting enough snooze time disrupts your body’s production of the appetite-suppressing hormone leptin, raising your risk of life-shortening obesity. Plus, it triggers blood-sugar imbalances that can lead to Type 2 diabetes, explains lead study author Francesco Cappuccio, M.D.

b. Need help getting Zzzs? Fill your bedroom with the scent of gardenias! This flower’s rich aroma sends levels of GABA, the brain’s relaxation chemical, sky-high. One to try: Essential Home Reed Diffuser Gardenia Refill, $9.99 at Kmart.

Sleep well and avoid accidents! Getting enough rest can help you stay safer behind the wheel! The proof: Volunteers in a study out of Trent University in Ontario, Canada, performed significantly better on tests measuring the reaction times and accuracy-skills associated with safer driving-after eight hours of sleep than on days when they got fewer Zzzs.

2) Enhance overall health by standing up! A just-released study of more than 69,000 women shows that sitting for three hours or less daily slashes your risk of cancer and heart disease by as much as 40%, compared with those who spend six or more hours on their duffs.

a. Standing’s longevity secret: Sitting for hours at a time slows your body’s metabolism, interfering with your ability to properly break down and absorb nutrients. This can lead to higher cholesterol, body fat and blood-sugar levels, upping your risk of disease, says lead study author Alpa Patel, Ph.D. Luckily, using your feet instantly charges up your metabolism!

b. Need a reminder? Use your phone’s alarm or set an alarm at Online-Stopwatch.com/online-count down to remind you it’s time to get on your feet!

Chocolate turns off stress! Chocolate lovers have lower levels of stress hormones in their bloodstream than those who shun the treat, reveals a recent study in the Journal of Proteome Research. And that’s key for a longer life since stress weakens the immune system, making you more vulnerable to illness.

3) Reduce inflammation with chocolate! Chronic inflammation is the top culprit behind many illnesses-including heart disease, Alzheimer’s and diabetes. Now scientists say there’s an easy way to combat it” Nibble dark chocolate! Just 6g. per day-two squares of a chocolate bar, two Hershey’s Kisses or a dozen semisweet chocolate chips-cuts inflammation 17%.

a. Chocolate’s longevity secret: Credit goes to dark chocolate’s rich store of flavonoids, which destroy the free radicals that cause inflammation, says lead study author Romina di Giuseppe, Ph.D.

b. Not a chocolate lover? Eat more of these inflammation-fighting foods: vegetables, fruits, garlic, flax seeds, salmon, walnuts and almonds.

4) Defy your genes with a few walks! Think your genes are the end-all and be-all when it comes to determining how long you live? Not so! In a 20-year study of nearly 15,000 twins, researchers found that the siblings who did at least 30 minutes of brisk walking six times per month were 20% more likely to outlive their couch potato siblings, reports the Journal of the American Medical Association.

a. Walking’s longevity secret: Study after study shows that taking walks, jumping on a bike or doing any activity that gets your heart pumping helps regulate your triglyceride levels, blood pressure and blood sugar, and even spur healthy cell growth-all keys to living a long, healthy life no matter what genes you inherited!

b. Need a nudge? Recruit your sister, mother or cousin to be your fitness buddy. Or simply make a deal to motivate each other via text message or Facebook. Interestingly, one study shows that women are more likely to exercise when family roots them on, while men are more likely to exercise when rooted on by friends.

Good news about those 10 extra pounds! You don’t have to be skinny to live a long life! People who carry 10 to 20 extra pounds at middle age live about six years longer than their thinner counterparts, say researchers. Why? A little extra padding bolsters your immune system, making it easier to fend off illnesses!

5) Dodge disease by looking on the sunny side! You already know looking for the silver lining boosts your moods. And a new study shows the upbeat habit also makes you 30% less likely to suffer from heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer than your clinical peers!

a. Optimism’s longevity secret: Folks who see the sunny side of life feel more in control of their future-and that leads them to adopt healthier habits, say study author Hilary Tindle, M.D., M.P.H.

b. Need a little help looking up? Boost your magnesium intake! One of the first signs of deficiency is a feeling of hopelessness. Try popping a supplement like Natural Factors Magnesium Citrate, $7.17 per 90 capsules, Vitacost.

Smile to live seven years longer. A recent analysis of 230 photographs shows that folks who give a big grin to the camera live about seven years longer than those who look dour. Why? Flashing a big grin prompts the release of mood-boosting brain chemicals!

This article was written by Gabrielle L. and she’s pleased to share such good health news to the public. Feel free to view other articles about baby girls clothes and baby shoes and how to shop wise and save money.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gabrielle_L
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1 Something to Live For. One of the most important aspects of sleep quality is to have something to look forward to the next morning. Rephrased, you need something that causes you to spring out of bed, rather than the opposite (dragging yourself out of bed). If you don’t have the motivation to wake up in the morning it detracts from your ability to sleep comfortably – right up until the cold grey morning attacks you with an alarm bell. If need be, find a hobby. Anything from an energetic job search to rid yourself of that day job you hate, to something you can also do while on break at your day job, will suffice as a “hobby.” It must, though, be something that interests you enough to make you want to rise earlier than most people to allow you to work on it each day before you go to work.

2 Bunk choice. You may prefer the top or bottom bunk, or a big comfortable bed. You may like a soft or hard mattress. There are even differences in bed bases. In Europe, a slat bed with wooden slats rather than box springs is often used under a mattress. Selection basically depends on personal comfort preference.

3 Total darkness. Take your pick: Window shades, curtains, blinds or opaque adhesive foil (think: aluminum foil). Regardless of your choice, you must determine a way to effectively block all light from your windows and door. Some locations on the planet use roll-up, roll-down metal shades mounted to the outside of house and apartment windows. When completely lowered, the shades provide complete darkness for a sleeping area, regardless of time of day, and work well for power naps, too.

4 Nightly routine. Always try to go to bed at around the same time. Always follow a routine before you go to bed. Your typical routine activities before bedtime may include brushing your teeth, taking a bath, reading a book or magazine, even if it’s only a few minutes to make you drowsy. If you feel discombobulated before you go to bed, or (worse) in the morning before you go to work, it may be because you strayed outside of your normal routine. Similarly, if you feel like you forgot something, you probably left out a step in your routine.

5 Fluids. Earlier in the day, cut off your caffeine intake. To ensure that you don’t get a residual caffeine high in the middle of the night, don’t touch caffeine after noon (or stop drinking caffeine products around eight hours before you go to bed). You should also stop drinking fluids of any variety at least an hour before you plan to go to bed.

6 Visit the bathroom (one more time). This one is very important, regardless of age. One more time, seconds before you plan to close your eyes. (It’s so important, it warrants a separate category.)

7 No problems that might keep you awake. Similar to Something to live for above, there may be problems in your life that disturb your sleep. If possible, resolve major problems before you go to bed at night. That may sound like a tall order, but if your job is so boring or unattractive that you dread going to work every day, you will have to fix the situation over the long-term, or it will affect your sleep. If you’re in debt up to your neck, develop a plan to get out of debt. If you’re unemployed, discontinue your unemployment checks, and get some sort of job or start a business (start a lawn-moving business, if you have to). Distractions may also be of the simplistic variety: If you have family members that tend to stomp down staircases, scream or play loud music while you try to sleep, with no way for them to gain your perspective (short of screaming at them), you may want to purchase ear plugs.

8 Get fit. Outside of the basic things above that affect your ability to close your eyes and get some much needed rest, fitness activities of any variety will rest your soul over the long-term, even if the exercise is just a daily walk. Always check with your doctor before beginning any new fitness activity or before doing anything that raises the level of your resting heart beat. However, it’s the heart-level-raising that places you in a ready-to-rest mode later in the day. Do your fitness activities early in the day, never in the hours right before you go to sleep.

9 Up the ante. To further your health craze, eliminate alcohol and cigarettes from your life. They detract from the healthy sleep rhythm that is generated by adhering to 1 through 8 above.

10 See a doctor. If none of the above helps you develop a healthy sleep pattern that provides you with a minimum of seven hours of uninterrupted slumber – see a doctor to discuss other issues that may be disturbing your sleep.

http://edocster.blogspot.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_Kinn
http://EzineArticles.com/?A-Good-Nights-Sleep—10-Easy-Ways-to-Wake-Up-Rested&id=4984578

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While there are many factors that go into a weight problem, self-esteem is one of the most complicated. Low self-esteem can lead to overeating and idle-inducing depression, which can lead to weight gain, which can lead to even lower self-esteem. It’s a vicious cycle. What can a parent do to help?

The most important thing you can do is to let your teen know what you DO like about him, and what he is doing well. Be generous, but always authentic, with your praise; teens have a sensitive “sincerity meter” and they can tell when you’re not being truthful.

Make sure your teen knows that her weight is not who she is. There is more to her than the numbers on the scale.

If she has always wanted to try a new activity but is waiting for the magical day when she’ll be “thin,” encourage her to go ahead and do it anyway. Don’t let your teen put off life waiting to lose weight; it’s counterproductive.

Teach your teen to use positive statements about himself, and to avoid negative ones. “I’m a good friend” is an example of a positive statement. “I’m so fat, everyone hates me” is an example of a negative statement. You would never talk to your teen like that; don’t let your teen talk to himself like that.

The absolute WORST thing you can do is to ridicule or shame your teen into losing weight. It doesn’t work. It makes things worse. We cannot emphasize this enough. All you are doing by using those tactics is destroying your relationship with your teen, and damaging your teen’s already-fragile self-esteem. All that does is feed into the vicious cycle we talked about above.

Instead of talking to her about fat or thin, encourage your teenager to focus on behaviors which will promote a much healthier weight. Talk to your family doctor, and he will help to set realistic goals for your teenager with regard to body mass index, and the weight they should be based on their age, height and general health.

Being overweight does not always lead to a lifetime of low self esteem, but your acceptance of your teen’s weight problem is critical.

An excerpt from Teen Weight Loss [http://www.thenewhomemaker.com/teenweightloss], an ebook on helping your teenager lose weight.

Lynn Siprelle is the editor of The New Homemaker (http://www.thenewhomemaker.com)–a secular source of news and support for stay-at-home parents and caregivers since 1999. The New Homemaker covers parenting, homeschooling, elder care, managing money, home cooking, healthy living, crafts and more, and hosts one of the most caring, supportive and FUN communities on the Internet. Come join the conversation!

© 2002-2007 Lynn Siprelle, some rights reserved under Creative Commons, Attribution-No Deriv 3.0: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/

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Good health is essential for the enjoyment of life.

Good health encompasses physical fitness and mental health. If you are feeling physically well, you will benefit with a healthy mind too. When looking to enjoy good health we must, therefore, take an approach that encompasses both body and mind.

1. Eating Well

We all need to provide our bodies with the energy and nutrients required to function well and feel great. When it comes to a healthy diet, balance is the key to getting it right.

That means eating a wide variety of foods in the right proportion, so that over time we get all the nutrients we need to keep ourselves healthy. Not only does good food make you feel better inside, but you will have the extra energy to pursue your goals and aspirations.

2. Exercise

Exercise is great in so many ways. It provides us with an outlet, as anyone who has ever used a punch bag will agree! Exercise can be very therapeutic and can help to take your mind off your worries. Exercise also provides you with improved energy levels and can also improve your sleep.

I used to hate exercise. Until I found a sport that I love, swimming. Now when I exercise it does not seem like a chore, but a fun way to spend my time. Be creative with what you do. Any form of exercise is good, but try to find something that you enjoy doing. If you don’t enjoy running for instance, walk instead or find something else you enjoy. There are plenty of activities that can give you an outlet and can even improve your social life.

3. Setting Milestones

Have you ever said to yourself, or a friend, where do you see yourself in 5 years time? I have and, although my aspirations at the time seemed unrealistic, it’s amazing that it really focussed us to both achieve our goals and see how far we could reach.

When the 5 years came to an end, we both assessed our achievements and compared them to our goals, and then decided to do it again for the next 5 years – aiming even higher.

It’s fun to do and interesting to have a purpose and work towards something you want to achieve in your lifetime.

4, Managing your Emotions

Emotional well-being is essential for enjoying good health. When our emotions are stable, we are far more resilient to problems we face. If you bottle things up, annoyance turns into anger and jealousy to hatred.

Managing your emotions gives you control over your feelings and actions, leading to a positive happy attitude.

Here’s to your happiness!

Christina Fields

http://www.theartofpositivethinking.com

Christina Fields is the creator of the Power Charm Formula and provides all readers with the secrets of The Art of Positive Thinking at her website http://www.theartofpositivethinking.com

Copyright © 2010 Christina Fields

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Work is one of the most common causes of anxiety globally. The web of relationships, duties and office politics could be almost unbearable to many. The fear of getting fired, coping with annoying bosses and the worry of not being able to do your job effectively and getting the backlash from your bosses, are just some of the many things which could cause workplace anxiety.

Why does the workplace cause Anxiety? Basically it is due to the structure that the workplace creates around you. Consciously, you may be forced to agree and conform to the structure, but subconsciously, you may find yourself rebelling in some ways, trying to escape from the rules, duties and policies which your company may have set. Additionally, dealing with a multitude of relational factors coming from all directions such as your customers, bosses or co-workers can push just about anyone to the edge.

You must realise that you are not alone, nor are you the first to be feeling such anxiety in the office. There are many triggers in place in the workplace but luckily there are many ways to tolerate, come to terms with and even enjoy your workplace.

Firstly, take frequent breaks out of your office. During lunch, do not coop yourself in the office. Instead, leave the building and look for a nice outlet to eat and relax in. Go out with your co-workers and talk about everything under the sun unrelated to work. When you need a short break, do not hesitate to take one.

Secondly, drink lots of fluid.

Thirdly, do not rush to work and back home. Get in the office early to beat rush hour traffic. This may sound simple but you would not imagine the number of people who actually stress themselves just rushing to work day in and day out.

Forth, talk to your boss. Explain your problems with the workforce and try to reach a compromise. If your boss values your time and input, he will try to reason out a solution where everyone wins and he will create an environment where you will feel good coming in everyday and working in.

Lastly, if you really cannot bear the workplace anxiety, please do change jobs. This may give you a fresh start with your new boss and will give you the time you need to adapt to new changes. Choose a job which suits you better, and which you truly and genuinely enjoy doing, and not just because you are paid well for doing it. Also find a workplace with a good corporate environment in a company which genuinely cares for its employees.

Bobby Dyland is a expert on anxiety and panic attacks who recently developed a free eCourse that lists a step by step process for understanding, controlling and finally beating anxiety.

If you are interested in learning more about his “Crushing Anxiety and Reclaiming your Life” eCourse and beating panic attacks once and for all, please go here: [http://www.crushanxiety.com]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bobby_Dyland
http://EzineArticles.com/?Understanding-and-Beating-Workplace-Anxiety-at-Your-Job&id=1775489

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