Category Archives: stress reduction

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Want to Be More Creative? Get Some Zzz’s!

Last month, I’ve written a lot about how important it is to get adequate sleep. Are You Truly Getting Enough Sleep? I’ve talked about how sleep helps you fight and prevent disease, how it helps you look better and how it can boost your mood and help you manage your weight.

But there’s one thing I haven’t written about yet this month, although it may be one of the most fun and rewarding aspects of getting your quality sleep, and that is…

Getting good sleep helps you think more creatively!

 

Stress or Challenges? Bring it On!

People who regularly get the sleep they need are much more able to handle the stress and challenges that may arise in their everyday lives. It’s inevitable that you’ll feel stress at some point, even if you’re one of the most organized people in town. If you’ve gotten enough sleep, the obstacles won’t feel like as big a deal because your mind can more easily see the bigger picture.

You’ll have more self-control, more enthusiasm and more clarity and focus.

It’s been proven over and over again that people who get a good night’s rest have an easier time solving problems, sorting through complicated issues, and dealing with emotions. 10 times out of 10, the person who slept well can curtail any challenge that comes their way in a much more effective manner.

 

Creative Thinking & Memory Boosts

Part of the reason that good sleepers are better at handling problems is that their creative facility and their memory abilities are in tip-top shape. You can strengthen memories or practices that you learn during the day when you sleep at night, giving yourself a better overall sense of the big picture when you awaken the next morning.

When I was in college I would study right before going to bed. When I was sleeping, my memory processed the material and I was better able to retain the information the next day.

Since sleep so successfully helps us remember things, it is a great tool to use if you’re trying to learn something new (physical or mental). Of course, you can learn the new thing up to a certain point with daily practice, but when you sleep on it you’ll learn it better. No one can explain this, but when you sleep, something happens to the memory cells that helps the information stay put!

In addition to memory, sleep will get your creative juices flowing. How many times have you gotten a great night of sleep and woken up the next morning with an amazing idea?

Sometimes after I sleep really well, I take a pen and paper and write down all my incredible ideas to make sure they’re captured. I’ll sit back and think, “Where is this coming from? Was it hidden away in a trunk in my brain that sleep just happened to unlock?”

Sleep helps the brain reorganize and restructure things you may have learned during the day to come up with new, creative ideas that it wouldn’t have thought of otherwise.

 

Know Your Number

It’s important to know how much sleep you need to make yourself function best because it will truly affect your quality of life. Some people only need 6 hours of sleep, and other people need 9 hours of sleep to accomplish the same level of restfulness.

This week, I encourage you to pay close attention to your sleep habits: how many hours do you need to wake up feeling wonderfully refreshed? How many hours is too little, or too many?

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If you’re ready to make some changes to improve your health naturally, let’s talk. Click HERE to schedule some complimentary private time with me and I’ll do everything I can to help you live your best and healthiest life.

Wishing you peace to your mind, wellness to your body and tranquility to your spirit.

Namaste,

Rochel Marie Lawson, RN, AHP, CMS

The Queen of Feeling Fabulous and The Wellness Architect

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ayurveda, blissful living, health and wellness, healthy eating, healthy living, stress reduction, Uncategorized

If You Suffer from Disease or Illness, Sleep Should be Your #1 Priority

People often believe that sleeping is something you do when you feel super tired. They don’t realize that sleep processes are actually vital to keeping the body healthy and disease-free.

Sleep goes way beyond getting rid of the bags under your eyes and putting you in a better mood: getting an adequate amount of quality sleep is essential for lifting your mood, managing your weight and creating a healthy lifestyle.

In fact, sleep is one of the most important aspects of healing. If you suffer from some sort of illness or disease process, good, quality sleep should be your first priority in getting well.

 

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During Sleep, the Body Heals Itself

You might have noticed that when you get a cold or the flu, you want to curl up in bed and sleep for hours. This is because when we sleep, the body is healing itself: since we’re not moving around and active, energy is funneled toward processing nutrients and fighting bacteria.

 

When you sleep, the immune system gets a big boost.

In fact, it has been shown that people who sleep better actually live longer lives. This may be in part because sleep helps to curb inflammation in the body – and inflammation can lead to heart disease, diabetes and premature aging.

Research has shown that people who get less than 6 hours of sleep nightly tend to have higher levels of inflammatory blood proteins, which can also lead to heart attack.

 

Sleep is Preventative

In general, people who sleep well are much less prone to disease or illness. This is not only because their body has the time it needs to restore the immune system and rejuvenate itself, but it’s also because when we sleep well, we have the mental facility to make better choices during the day.

When we don’t sleep well, we reach for candy bars or soda in the afternoon to fight daytime sleepiness. Or by the time we get home after work, we’re so exhausted that the idea of going on an evening walk or visiting the gym just feels imposible.

It’s been proven over and over again with regards to sleep: people that don’t get a good night’s rest cannot think as clearly the next day. 10 times out of 10, the person that has gotten the best sleep is going to be able to function better.

They can handle stress more easily, they can manage challenges that come their way, and they’re calmer throughout the day.

Not only that, but they look brighter, healthier and they’re much happier so people want to be around them!

 

I’m always surprised when I realize how we take sleep for granted. If you’re truly committed to living a healthy and long life, invest some time and energy into your sleep habits. Create some strong practices that leave you feeling cared for and nurtured, and you will enjoy the longevity you desire.

Want to find out how to achieve your sleep goals, naturally? Click HERE to set up a time to speak with me one-on-one and we’ll pinpoint how you can get better rest every night.

 

Wishing you peace to your mind, wellness to your body and tranquility to your spirit.

Namaste,

Rochel Marie Lawson, RN, AHP, CMS

The Queen of Feeling Fabulous and The Wellness Architect

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ayurveda, blissful living, health and wellness, healthy eating, healthy living, stress reduction, Uncategorized

Can’t Sleep? Here are 3 Common Reasons You’re Unable to Fall into a Deep Slumber

Have you ever noticed that the impact of missing even ONE good night of sleep can reverberate through your life for days? Sleep is so important for our bodies that it’s considered one of the main pillars of Ayurveda, an Eastern Indian holistic health modality that teaches your body to be well, naturally.

It is true that during this time of year, the autumn, our bodies tend to be thrown slightly off balance with the changing of the seasons.

However, if you’re feeling a little wacky from lack of quality sleep, it is likely due to one of these three common issues that plague modern Americans.

 

Reason Number 1: Electronic Notifications.

Sometimes trouble sleeping can be due to hormonal changes. In fact, my menopausal and pre-menopausal clients come to me on a regular basis concerned that the change in their body is affecting their sleep, and sometimes that is the case… but very often, trouble sleeping well is caused by electronics in the bedroom.

imagesOPVZLGRKThese days, we have access to wonderful technology that didn’t even exist 20 years ago. People fail to realize that all this technology, although it is great for our lives during the daytime to a certain extent, will wreck havoc on our rest periods at night.

For example, let’s say you keep your cell phone in the bedroom when you sleep at night. Every time someone tweets, posts on social media or sends you a message, the phone vibrates or makes a sound that stirs you.

When you’re constantly being awakened by these noises, the quality of sleep drops dramatically because you’re breaking it up into cycles that are not efficient for your body. You’re not allowing the body to complete a full, natural sleep cycle.

 

Reason Number 2: Electronic Energy Fields.

Not only do the notifications from the phone create problems, but the blue light emitted from the technology creates an issue wiondas-cerebralesth the energetic field in our bedrooms.

Your cellphone, iPad, Nook, television or any other electronic screen or device emits certain a certain type of blue light that interferes with the natural levels in our bodies and our natural meridian planes. This can create disturbances in the organic flow and processes of our body.

We’re not supposed to have all these blue lights shining at us right before bed or when we’re attempting to sleep.

 

Reason Number 3: Eating or Drinking Right Before Bed.

Other challenges to sleep include eating a heavy meal too late at night, which creates challenges for digestión.

banquete6During sleep, our bodies work at their most efficient levels to prepare for the next day. If you eat a rich meal before sleeping, you’re taking away the time it should have to relax and process nutrients. Now, the body actually has to work to digest the food, and when you’re in working mode, you’re not getting the rejuvenation the body desires and needs to function optimally.

Not only eating food, but drinking certain beverages will keep you tossing and turning. Any caffeinated beverage after 7 pm will stimulate your mind, and drinking alcohol, although many people believe it helps them sleep, will actually keep your body from entering and staying in a restful state through the night.

To get your best sleep, create a dark, quiet environment. Your bedroom should be peaceful (with no electronics) and kept at a moderate temperature. If you avoid these top three things that keep us prone to restless sleep, you may see a huge improvement in your nightly rest!

Are you looking for natural solutions for sleep disorders or problems? I would love to talk to you about how I can help. Click here to set up a complimentary call with me and I’ll give you some steps to take right away to get more restful sleep.

Wishing you peace to your mind, wellness to your body and tranquility to your spirit.

Namaste,

Rochel Marie Lawson, RN, AHP, CMS

The Queen of Feeling Fabulous and The Wellness Architect

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Are You Truly Getting Enough Sleep?

Good sleep is crucial to keeping your body balanced and fully functional, and yet, as summer begins to wind down and our bodies transition to autumn, we often begin to feel like something is “off.”

This is because we have shorter daylight hours and longer nighttime hours. Even though Mother Nature beckons us to bed with the setting sun, our bodies are used to being awake for longer periods of time. This mismatch can cause us to feel a little imbalance around this time of year.

In addition to this confusing change in daylight hours, as we age, our bodies generally require less sleep than when we were younger. Because of this, most adults don’t realize how important it is for them to get a really good night’s sleep every night. It can greatly affect their happiness, health and wellbeing.

Are you getting enough sleep? Quality vs. Quantity.

Sleep is one of those interesting things in life where the quality is actually more important than the quantity!

The higher quality sleep you get, the better you’re able to function. It doesn’t mean that you have to sleep for a full 8 hours – in fact, you may be a person who only needs 6 hours of quality sleep to feel completely rested.

The National Sleep Foundation found that even though people think they’re getting the right sleep, the majority of people actually aren’t. Their sleep bank accounts run short even if they’re getting enough hours of sleep but they’re not getting the right quality of sleep!

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They studied 40 million Americans that suffered from 60-70 different sleep disorders (insomnia, tossing and turning, sleep apnea, etc.) and found that, although 60% of adults report having chronic sleep problems, most of them go undiagnosed.

They think they’re sleeping well because they lay in bed for 8 hours, but actually, their body never drops into the deep REM cycles it needs to completely restore itself.

Are You Getting Enough Good Sleep?

Researchers estimate that more than 40% of adults experience some sort of daytime sleepiness, and 20% of adults in America report problems with sleeping for greater than a few days per week.

When left untreated (meaning, when the adults don’t take action to get more sleep at night), it begins to affect their daytime activities.

When you look at this data, you can see that sleep issues are a HUGE problem! Not only that, but daytime sleepiness can cause employees to perform poorly at work, become more forgetful and – this is a big one – eventually develop more serious health problems.

Do any of these things sounds like you? Are you getting enough good sleep?

If we don’t get good, quality sleep, we simply cannot function properly. Our mental, physical and emotional systems will become taxed, overwhelmed and eventually begin to break down.

This is a great time of year to really examine your sleep habits. How much sleep do you normally get at night? Do you feel rested in the morning, or do you wake up groggy and cranky? Have you created a routine that you regularly follow when it’s time for bed, or do you fall asleep to the televisión?

Your sleep habits will greatly impact your quality of life. Begin to notice your patterns, and tune into this blog next week for specific tips for things you can do right away to improve your sleeping.

Are you looking for natural solutions for sleep disorders or problems? I would love to talk to you about how I can help. Click here to set up a complimentary call with me to talk about what you can do today to sleep better tonight.

Wishing you peace to your mind, wellness to your body and tranquility to your spirit.

Namaste,

Rochel Marie Lawson, RN, AHP, CMS

The Queen of Feeling Fabulous and The Wellness Architect

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ayurveda, blissful living, health and wellness, healthy eating, healthy living, stress reduction, Uncategorized

Uncover Your Innate Happiness, Naturally.

Most people experience some sort of depression at some point in their lives. Sometimes the unhappy feelings last for shorter and more manageable amounts of time, but sometimes unhappiness and a general feeling of “gloom” can last for weeks, months or even years.

Often people want to be happy but they don’t know which key will unlock their happiness and surround them with love and lightness. It can be incredibly frustrating.

The truth is our brains are equipped to unlock the door to happiness. We just have to know which key to use in order to release it!

 

Experience Happiness Naturally

Science shows that each of us has the innate ability to release our natural anti-depressants without the aid of pharmaceutical drugs. With some work facilitated by health care providers like me, we can discover how to be happy without the use of medication.

Our natural ability for happiness is actually more powerful than any kind of narcotic drug: it’s available any time because it lies within you, and like a muscle, you can learn over time to use it effectively.

Self-judgment, negative thoughts and self-criticism are most often the culprits that cause people to feel unhappy or depressed. Many people may feel that, at some point in their lives, they let themselves down; these repetitive and crushing thought patterns make it very difficult to experience joy and happiness.

 

Anti-Depressants Ultimately Make the Situation Worse

When people are feeling chronically unhappy, they will often act out or do things that are inappropriate. Excessive alcohol use, drug abuse and sex addiction are some of the more common ways people act out that may lead them to be prescribed an anti-depressant like Prozac or Wellbutrin.

3Ironically, people tend toward addictive behavior in an attempt to relieve their depression, but what ends up happening in the long run is the opposite. Each time they engage in the addiction, they push happiness farther away. It’s like sludge. It becomes more and more difficult to get through the sludge when you think that it is the key to your happiness.

Often, the prescription drugs that are meant to solve the problem of depression only become the next addiction. If possible, it is best to seek natural remedies for depression.

 

Mindful Meditation to Tap into Happiness

Meditating regularly is one of the keys to experiencing happiness and relief from depression. It allows us to improve our moods by eliminating or limiting negative self-talk that can be harmful.

Find a quiet space, and sit comfortably for at least ten minutes a day. Take the time to connect with yourself and notice any thoughts that come and go. You may soon be able to pinpoint negative thoughts that keep you stuck in a place of unhappiness – and that’s the first key to releasing them and experiencing joy.

4Mindfulness is so important because it helps us practice self-compassion, connect with our purpose, strengthen our coping skills and release feel-good endorphins that improve overall well being.

Little by little, by practicing good habits like meditating, exercising, playing with children or animals, and doing things we love with the people we love, we strengthen our ability to connect with our happiness. It is the key to unlocking the gates of sustained, day-to-day joy.

 

Could you benefit from experiencing more joy in your life? If you would like to have a complimentary call with me to talk about natural ways to relieve depression and tap into your natural happiness, let’s talk. Click HERE to connect with me.

Wishing you peace to your mind, wellness to your body and tranquility to your spirit.

Namaste,

Rochel Marie Lawson, RN, AHP, CMS

The Queen of Feeling Fabulous and The Wellness Architect

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Creating Inner Peace, Ojas-Style

This is the last of four blog posts about ojas, the Ayurvedic term for your immune system (read last week’s post HERE. Let’s take a look at practices that foster inner peace.

Silence and Self-Reflection

We can get so critical of ourselves if we feel we aren’t achieving enough or being grateful for who we are. This is something I do a lot. Instead of criticizing yourself for not living up to your own expectations, remember to reflect and go into peaceful silence.

Something as simple as relaxation actually replenishes the ojas. Take a little time for yourself during the day to find silence. That rest can help you maintain vital inner and outer beauty. It doesn’t have to take a long time; two to five minutes is plenty. Sit in silence (with your eyes closed if you can) and strengthen your ability to engage in self-reflection. You can do it in the car, radio off, or if you’re in the bathroom do a slow, deep breathing practice for a minute or two.

Appreciating yourself helps cultivate a more positive mental state, which allows you to build ojas in a naturally graceful way. Even if there are people in your life you’d rather kill, be grateful because they’re here to teach you something!

When you’re grateful for those experiences instead of being critical or beating yourself up, you’ll feel happier, for one, and that feeds the ojas, which gives a lasting sense of contentment. Whenever you’re in a grateful state you step away from the opposite.

Gratitude tends to magnetize more contentment into your life, and when you’re content that’s a phenomenal way to naturally build up ojas.

A Peaceful Pose

Unknown-2Peaceful poses reinforce healthy ojas. If you practice one peaceful yoga pose a day before you go to bed, in class during the day or during your morning ritual, you’ll build your ojas.

I like to do child’s pose – anyone familiar with yoga knows child’s pose. The more relaxed you get, the deeper you sink into the yoga mat – it feels wonderful. Another great pose is shavasana, when you lie prone for several minutes. The longer you do it the more relaxed you get. It also just feels great.

Evening Calm Down Routine

This a wind-down ritual that helps you sleep very well at night. Fill the bath with warm water and add one to three cups of Epsom salts. You can find versions made with lavender, milk and honey or eucalyptus. I recommend the lavender, and then add a tablespoon of honey, two cups of whole milk and a few drops of lavender essential oil under the running water.

You can also add other essential oils depending on what your dosha is: for vata dosha, use rose or geranium; for pitta dosha, use frankincense and for kapha, use juniper. Light a candle and sit in the bath for 20 minutes. Optionally, you could light an incense stick if you want.

I guarantee if you do this evening calm down ritual, you will sleep phenomenally well, whether you’ve just been to the gym or had a stressful day. Not only will you sleep really well, you’ll be building ojas and will smell super yummy!

What healthy rituals do you do to decompress? Share your practices in the comments below.

Wishing you peace to your mind, wellness to your body and tranquility to your spirit.

Namaste,

Rochel Marie Lawson, RN, AHP, CMS

The Queen of Feeling Fabulous and The Wellness Architect

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About Ayurveda

I am always getting asked about Ayurveda and what the Doshas are and why it is important to know this information, so I decided to write an article explaining the Doshas and how this information can assist you.

Ayurveda assists the body in journeying back to optimal health by balancing the five elements in the body and mind through the use of herbs, diet, colors, aromas, lifestyle changes, yoga, and meditation along with other five sense therapies. The rejuvenative and cleansing therapies (Panchakarma) help nourish our bodies while calming our minds from the stresses of modern daily life.

imagesYour inner nature is called your constitution or prakruti, and is an individual blend of the three doshas, Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Your unique balance of these three energies was determined at the moment of conception and is with you the rest of your life. It determines what is in harmony with your nature and what will cause you to become out of balance, sick, and diseased. Knowledge of your constitution is essential to developing optimal health. Your constitution determines how you react to various foods, colors, aromas, and general life habits.

Recently, Ayurveda has had a profound impact upon the world of health care. Popular books by Deepak Chopra, M.D., and others have called attention to the potential of this ancient healing system. Along with the potential to heal chronic diseases, Ayurveda promises to improve health and increase longevity.

Ayurveda is considered the healing side of Yoga. Likewise, Yoga is the spiritual side of Ayurveda. Both Ayurveda and Yoga strive to help a person re-connect to their true nature through direct experience. Together, they encompass a complete approach to the well being of the body, the mind, and the spirit.

About the Doshas

Your constitution or Prakruti is the fundamental and unique balance of three basic energies called doshas. These are Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The balance in each individual is different; hence, each individual has his or her own special set of challenges and gifts. For this reason no two programs are identical, and each person’s path toward optimal health is unique.

Vata

The Vata dosha is said to be made up of the air and ether elements. This means that it has qualities that are similar to these elements. Vata is very much like the wind – it is light, cool, dry and mobile. In the body those people with a Vata nature experience more of these qualities. Their bodies tend to be light, their bones thin, and their skin and hair dry. They often move and speak quickly. When out of balance, they may lose weight, become constipated, and have weakness in their immune and nervous systems.

These qualities are also reflected in the personality. Those with a Vata nature tend to be talkative, enthusiastic, creative, flexible, and energetic. Yet when out of balance, they may also become easily confused and overwhelmed, have difficulty focusing or making decisions, and have trouble sleeping. This becomes more apparent when they are under stress. They are challenged by cool emotions like worry, fear and anxiety.

In order to bring balance to Vata, programs are designed that emphasize the opposing qualities of warmth, heaviness (nourishment), moistness and stability. In the diet this is reflected in the consumption of cooked grains such as rice and cooked vegetables as well as the intake of warm milk with spices. Pungent herbs like ginger that increase internal heat and nourishing herbs like ashwagandha bring balance to Vata.

Pitta

The Pitta dosha is said to be made up of the fire and water elements. Fire is moredoha images predominant, and those people with a predominant Pitta nature have many of the qualities of fire within them. Pitta tends to be hot, sharp and penetrating. It is also somewhat volatile and oily. The oily nature of Pitta is related to the secondary component of water. People with a Pitta nature reflect these qualities. They tend to feel warm, have somewhat oily skin, penetrating eyes, and sharp features. They tend to have moderate weight and good musculature. When out of balance, they tend toward diarrhea, infections, skin rashes, and weakness in the liver, spleen, and blood.

These qualities are also reflected in their personalities. Pitta people tend to be highly focused, competitive, capable, courageous, energetic, and clear communicators, who get right to the point. They like to solve problems, and, when under stress, they dig in their heels. However, they can also become overly intense and speak with a sharp tongue. They make great friends but feared enemies. Emotionally, they are challenged by the heated emotions of anger, resentment, and jealousy.

In order to bring balance to Pitta, programs are designed to emphasize the opposing qualities of coolness, heaviness (nourishing) and dryness. Cool spices like fennel are recommended in the diet along with foods such as raw vegetables, cooked rice, and wheat as well as most beans. Sweet herbs like Shatavari are used to nourish the body, while bitters like dandelion root temper the fire.

Kapha

Within the Kapha dosha there is a predominance of the water and earth elements. Like these elements Kapha tends to be cool, moist, stable, and heavy. In the body these qualities manifest as dense, heavy bones; lustrous, supple skin; low metabolism; and large, stocky frames. In addition, those with a Kapha nature tend to feel cool. When out of balance, Kapha individuals are prone to gaining weight and tend to have weaknesses in their lungs and sinuses, where there is an accumulation of mucous. Those of Kapha nature are also most prone to non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

The elements of water and earth are also manifested in the personality. The heavy, stable nature of Kapha is reflected in a steady personality that is not prone to quick fluctuations. Those with a Kapha nature handle stress very well, often not even noticing that it exists. They don’t like change, are generally conservative, and would prefer to keep things just the way they are. Those with a Kapha nature are also comfort seekers. This relates to the soft, watery nature of Kapha. Too much comfort, however, can lead to a lack of motivation and a feeling of becoming stuck. When Kapha is out of balance, the heavy emotions of depression and lethargy result.

In order to bring balance to a Kapha nature, the opposing qualities of lightness, dryness, and warmth are recommended. Grains such as quinoa and amaranth are recommended as well as hot spices like cayenne pepper. Lots of vegetables and very little nuts or dairy are prescribed. Cleansing herbs like guggul and pungents like clove bring balance to Kapha. For more information on how Ayurveda can help you contact me at:

                                    info@healthhealingwellness.com

Wishing you much health, healing and wellness!

Wishing you peace to your mind, wellness to your body and tranquility to your spirit.

Namaste,

Rochele Lawson

Rochel Marie Lawson, RN,AHP,CMS
The Queen of Feeling Fabulous
The Wellness Architect

www.healthhealingwellness.com
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www.blissful-living.net
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www.stressassessmentmagic.com

 

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5 Stress Relievers to help you feel FABULOUS

As we began to settle into the New Year, I want to offer you some tips so that you can enjoy this year without feeling stressed and overwhelmed. We all have a lot to do nowadays and sometimes when we add just one additional thing on our already very full to do list, we can become extremely stressed and overwhelmed. Well rest assured that Rochel Marie Lawson, The Queen of Feeling Fabulous AKA The Wellness Architect is here to guide you so that you can feel fabulous in all areas of your life.

images stressThere are many events in life that can cause stress. The more involved you become in your life the more opportunities present themselves that can simply push you over the edge. For example having to work longer hours at work, being in school and facing the pressure of taking mid-terms or final exams, worrying about the economy and whether or not your financial situation is stable, or maybe dealing with the challenges of raising children in our fast pace society, whatever it is it may be just enough to set you up for a stressful episode.

Here are 5 GREAT ways to relieve stress so that you can feel fabulous:

  • Breathing exercises – Deep breathing is an easy stress reliever that has numerous benefits for the body, including oxygenating the blood, which wakes up your brain, relaxes your muscles and quiets the mind. Breathing exercises are especially helpful because you can do them anywhere at anytime and they work so quickly that you now have the tool to de-stress in an instant.
  • Meditation – Meditation builds on deep breathing and takes it a step further. WhenUnknown you meditate, your brain enters an area of functioning that is similar to sleep, but carries some added benefits you cannot achieve in any other state, including the release of certain hormones that promote health. Also the mental focus on nothingness keeps your mind from working overtime and increasing your stress level.
  • Guided Imagery – It takes slightly more time to practice guided imagery, but this is a great way to leave your stress behind for a while and relax your body. Some find it easier to practice this than meditation, as lots of us find it more doable to focus on something rather than on nothing. You can play natural sounds in the background as you practice, to promote a more immersive experience.
  • Visualizations – Building on guided imagery, you can also imagine yourself achieving goals like becoming healthier and more relaxed, doing well at task and handling conflict in better ways. Also, visualize yourself doing well on tasks you are trying to master, this actually functions like physical practice, so you can improve your performance through visualizations as well.
  • Self Hypnosis – Self Hypnosis incorporates some of the features of guided imagery and visualizations, with the added benefit of enable you to communicate directly with your subconscious mind to enhance your abilities, more easily give up bad habits, feel less pain, more effectively develop healthier habits and even find answers to questions that may not be clear to your waking mind. It takes some practice and training, but it is well worth it.

The above 5 tips should get you well on your way to relieving the stress and overwhelm in your life. Stay tuned for next week’s article that will include 5 more GREAT tips that you can use to keep your stress at bay. Between the two articles you will have 10 GREAT tips that will help you to reduce or eliminate stress and overwhelm out of your life immediately so that you can enjoy this year with ease and less stress.

Wishing you peace to your mind, wellness to your body and tranquility to your spirit.

Namaste,

Rochele Lawson

 

Rochel Marie Lawson, RN,AHP,CMS
The Queen of Feeling Fabulous
The Wellness Architect

 

 

 

www.healthhealingwellness.com
www.rochelelawson.com
www.blissful-living.net
www.facebook.com/rochelelawson
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www.freegiftsfromrochele.com
www.stressassessmentmagic.com

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How to Stay Blissful While Driving: Part 2

This blog post is Part 2 of a series on mindful driving. Last week, I shared three tips for being a cool-headed traveler (click HERE).

Focus, Focus, Focus

You might have started your trip by centering your mind, breathing deeply and securing any important objects that could fly away. But what if, after you’ve been on the road for a while, you and your spouse or kids get into an argument?

Keep your mind focused on the roadway to stay actively engaged with driving. It helps to deflect any distractions that come up. If at any point something chaotic (such as an accident) stresses you out, you can return to a deep breathing process (take three to five long, slow, deep breaths).

Outside Events Aren’t the Boss of You

When we need to get somewhere on time and are delayed by unexpected traffic or accidents, our energy feels sapped. Somehow we feel we should have been in control of it, should have known better or left earlier. If you’re feeling like this, just know that there’s some reason the Universe is asking you to engage in a slowing down process.

Unknown-1If you feel agitated by anything happening on the road that you have no control over, the best thing you can do is realize: you have no control! It is what it is. This mindset liberates us and helps release tension and pressure.

As long as you’re safe and sound in your car, everything will turn out fine. Arriving a little late is better than not arriving at all. Consider that there might be a reason for the delays that’s beyond your knowledge. It helps us relax and develop a keen sense of concentration. Let go of needing to be in charge, crank up the radio and actively absorb your favorite music.

Music Soothes

Many people listen to talk radio while they commute and if the topic is inflammatory, you may find yourself becoming tense. Change the channel to music you like! The mind will relax and when the mind relaxes, the body does, too.

Once you’ve passed through the traffic or roadside chaos, you can always come back to your talk show. Music taps in to the feel-good centers of the brain, which release more of those relaxing neurotransmitters.

Avoid Grumpy Fellow Travelers

There’s nothing worse than an angry driver doing something nasty that could injure you, themselves or both of you. Stay mindfully aware of those exhibiting aggressive behavior (such as speeding up near you, tailgating or flipping you off as they pass by).

If you see another driver getting visibly angry because you’re driving too slowly and they’re tailgating, move over if you can. Go ahead and let them race ahead of you. That will ease their stress and yours. You won’t change their driving behavior by being stubborn and letting them ride your tail – it’ll just make them angrier. Later you can always scoot back into the lane you’d prefer to drive in.

One final tip

Spray some citrus essential oils in your car to maintain a yummy, stress-free, loving environment. Happy driving!

Want to learn even more about staying blissful no matter what happens? Click HERE to receive my free bliss tips today.

Wishing you peace to your mind, wellness to your body and tranquility to your spirit.

Namaste,

Rochele Lawson

Rochel Marie Lawson, RN,AHP,CMS
The Queen of Feeling Fabulous
The Wellness Architect

www.healthhealingwellness.com
www.rochelelawson.com
www.blissful-living.net
www.facebook.com/rochelelawson
www.youtube.com/rochelelawson
www.freegiftsfromrochele.com
www.stressassessmentmagic.com

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health and wellness, stress reduction

How to Stay Blissful While Driving: Part 1

We all know that driving in a metropolitan area can be extremely stressful. It’s easy to take it personally when someone in front of us cuts us off, as if they were doing it intentionally!

Sometimes that might even be true, but for the most part, what people do in their cars has nothing to do with us; we’re all operating solo.

Just the Facts, Ma’am

During the day there can be anywhere from 500,000 to 600,000 drivers on the road across America who challenge the rest of us by using their electronic devices while driving.

Research studies have found that about 23% of drivers using mobile devices have been involved in accidents, and many of them get seriously injured. Drivers who feel stressed and get distracted become statistics on the roadways.

Normally when I’m driving I aim to stay as mindful as possible. I might have my radio on. Every now and then the phone rings, which is no problem because my phone operates hands-free. I happen to be horrible at texting, plus I’d never text while driving anyway. But we see all kinds of people on the road with varying levels of attentiveness.

You don’t have to live your life stressed out behind the wheel. Know that you can stay joyful even in the chaos of traffic. Here are some tips to help you stay in a mindful, more relaxed and peaceful state as you travel.

Yes, Hello?

If you’re someone who really needs to use the phone when commuting, first make sure your phone is outfitted to work hands-free in the car. Staying hands-free is obviously safer, and depending on where you live, it might also be the law.

Make sure your phone (or any tea, coffee or water for that matter) is positioned securely. Then, if you need to make a sudden stop or sharp turn, it won’t fly under the seat (or spill liquid on you or the upholstery!).

UnknownIntend Safety

Drive with a sense of purpose. Purposeful driving is being mindful not only of your own attitude about being on the road, it also means holding the intention to drive safely and stay aware of events around you.

You can even start out by declaring an intention such as, “I intend to drive to my destination as safely and mindfully as possible in order to arrive on time and fully present.” Setting this intention keeps you in a balanced state of mind.

In Through the Nose…

Try actively engaging in a breathing process while attaching your seat belt. As you buckle up, take three to five long, slow, deep breaths and continue consciously breathing as you adjust your posture and make sure the belt is comfortable.

Conscious breathing brings mindfulness not only to the act of driving your car, but it sets the tone to keep you more relaxed as you begin your journey. Another benefit of deep breathing is that it helps your body release serotonin, the feel-good neurotransmitter that facilitates a relaxed body-mind state.

Of course, make sure you look behind you and both ways before you back up and take off down the road. Stay tuned for Part II for more happy traveling tips next week!

Want to learn more about staying blissful even when you’re feeling stressed? Click HERE to receive my free bliss tips today.

Wishing you much health and wellness!

Wishing you peace to your mind, wellness to your body and tranquility to your spirit.

Namaste,

Rochele Lawson

Rochel Marie Lawson, RN,AHP,CMS
The Queen of Feeling Fabulous
The Wellness Architect

www.healthhealingwellness.com
www.rochelelawson.com
www.blissful-living.net
www.facebook.com/rochelelawson
www.youtube.com/rochelelawson
www.freegiftsfromrochele.com
www.stressassessmentmagic.com

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