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

The Essence of Essential Oils ~ Tip for safe and effective use

A few years ago I created a document that provided 101 uses for the essential oils of lavender, lemon and peppermint (www.feelingfabulous.net) and now I want to share tips for safe and effective use of essential oils.

From the calming aroma of lavender to the invigorating scent of peppermint, essential oils can stimulate our senses, influence our mood, and even heal our hurts. For thousands of years, essential oils have been used in a countless way for health and well-being. The leaves, petals and other plant components naturally contain hundreds of beneficial chemicals that help attract pollinators, protect the plant from harm such as pests or bacteria and provide healing and nourishment to the plant. Essential oils are highly concentrated extracts from plants that harness these diverse chemicals. If you want to get started using essential oils, here are some tips:

  • FIND AN EXPERT. Many health food stores have essential oil selections that they’ve researched extensively before bringing them into the store and they usually have at least one person on staff with in-depth knowledge about the products they sell.
  • DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH. A company’s literature and website can tell you a lot about the quality of its products, but don’t rely on them as your sole source of information. Watch out for companies that aren’t transparent about how they source their oils, or make outrageous claims that don’t measure up to an independent investigation.
  • LOOK FOR BOTANICAL NAMES. All essential oil products should include the Latin names of the botanicals as different species of plants can have different effects. Did you know that there are over 30 species of lavender alone and over 400 varieties? Stay away from products that don’t list this important information on the label.
  • BUY ORGANIC. Certified organic oils must meet stringent requirements regarding the use of fertilizers, pesticides, chemicals and additives. A company that obtains certification has already met these numerous and rigorous specifications, making it a good bet that quality is important to them.
  • BE CAUTIOUS OF TERMINOLOGY. Words like “pure” and “therapeutic grade’ are not regulated in any way, anyone can use them. Ask yourself how the company backs up the words it uses to describe its products. If you’re not satisfied, look elsewhere.
  • PAY FOR QUALITY. In the case of essential oils, price really can predict quality or a lack of quality. Stay away from essential oils that are cheaper than reputable brands. Cheap oils can indicate poor quality or dilution of the key ingredients that render these oils ineffective.
  • START SMALL. It’s best to start with one or two well-known essential oils that are easy to use. Try lavender for relaxation, lemon to give energy or eucalyptus as a decongestant.
  • DIFFUSE THEM. Diffusing an essential oil spreads the health promoting properties through the air. This can be as simple as putting a few drops of essential oil on a cotton ball and then placing the cotton ball nearby. Of course, a wide variety of diffusers is available for purchase. You can contact me and I will help you find one that meets your specific needs. (info@healthhealingwellness.com)
  • STORE ESSENTIAL OILS CORRECTLY. Essential oils should come in dark-colored bottles to protect the contents from light and should be stored in a dark, cool place. Do not store plastic eyedroppers in an essential oil bottle as the concentrated oils can dissolve the plastic.
  • Most essential oils are incredibly safe, but only when used properly. Pets and children can be sensitive to certain aromas, so do your research and don’t be afraid to ask questions!

Let these tips be your guide to the safe and effective use of essential oils. Have fun and experiment with aromas that suit your needs and smell preferences. Allow the essence of this beautiful, healing gift to invade the essence of your being and surround you with goodness, energy, wellbeing and the feeling of Bliss.

Wishing you peace, wellness & tranquility!

Namaste,

Rochel Marie Lawson, RN,AHP,CMS                                                                  

The Queen of Feeling Fabulous

Host of Blissful Living Show

www.rochelelawson.com

www.healthhealingwellness.com

www.blissful-living.net

www.youtube.com/rochelelawson

www.facebook.com/rochelelawson

www.stressassessmentmagic.com

www.freegiftsfromrochele.com

www.linkedin.com/rochelelawson

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Deep Listening For Success

Every successful individual that I know or have worked with has gone through life with intention and a clear sense of purpose. I have also come across those individuals that say they don’t know what their intention or purpose is. I tell these people that often the reason individuals don’t know their intention or purpose is because they simply haven’t spent enough time listening to themselves, carefully and in silence.  I often get that look like “What????”

Deep Listening is a practice of stopping and listening without judgment or advice. All you have to do is sit down, rest your mind and ask yourself in silence: What do I really want? What is my life for? And if you go deep enough, intention will emerge. I would definitely call this a form of meditation. In fact I would say it is a must for success, no matter what you want to do.

With Deep Listening, you have an opportunity to honestly evaluate yourself. When you’re reflecting on a habit or an action, such as something you perceive as an obstacle or something you think you’ve accomplished, take the time to ask yourself, “ Am I being deceived or is this really happening the way it seems to me?” This helps us on our path to Bliss because when you listen to yourself, you put yourself in a better position to listen to others.

When we listen deeply, we can observe and investigate a habit or action without being identified with it and without pushing it away or pulling it in. This puts us in a position to be able to observe and then ask ourselves “What would happen if this is true?”

Deep Listening is not just for the mind and spirit; it’s also perfect for the body. This is something that I like to emphasize. The body is always talking to us and many of us fail to listen to the whispers of our body.  Here is what I suggest that you do: stop and listen to your body, surrender to being with what is. Ask yourself: “What is my body trying to tell me? What should I be paying attention to here? Have I been overdoing it? Have I been going too hard or too long?”

Your body is like a broadcasting station. Learn to listen and to trust that still, small voice inside, the voice of self- knowing, and the voice that will never lead you astray. You may slow down for a little while but in the long run it will keep you healthier and active.

As you learn to practice deep listening to yourself and your body, you will find that you’re listening skills get fine-tuned and allows you to listen to others better. When you are able to listen to yourself without judgment, you are able to listen to others without judgment and really hear what that person is trying to say to you. This my friends, is a true key to success in life.

Wishing you peace, wellness and tranquility!

Rochel Marie Lawson, RN,AHP,CMS

The Queen of Feeling Fabulous

Host of Blissful Living Show

www.rochelelawson.com

www.healthhealingwellness.com

www.blissful-living.net

www.youtube.com/rochelelawson

www.facebook.com/rochelelawson

www.stressassessmentmagic.com

www.freegiftsfromrochele.com

www.linkedin.com/rochelelawson

 

 

 

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Immunity Boosters

If you’re in the mode of stockpiling face masks, hand sanitizers, chicken soup, cold and flu medication, I would like for you to consider this: Your best protection against common airborne illnesses starts within. When you build a strong immune system from the inside out, and don’t sabotage your healthy status with habits that hinder your body’s ability to fight off infection and illness you are able to maintain a state of well-being during the most challenging times. Of course its also very necessary for you to wash your hands as often as possible with good old fashion soap and water.

During this time of year there’s a lot of talk about the Immune system and keeping it healthy and well. But you may be wondering just how do I do this. What do I need to do to keep myself and my family health and well? Do the “things” I hear about movement, herbs and all that natural stuff really work?

Here’s the deal…

Sitting around and doing nothing AKA lack of physical exercise can reduce immunity in two ways. It can interfere with getting a good night’s sleep and can lead to obesity.  Now if you are someone that sits at a desk all day, this lack of movement can leave you and your immune system feeling sluggish. But wait here is a simple solution; regular, moderate exercise will make a difference and you will feel the effects immediately. It is best to aim for a daily brisk walk of 30 minutes a day. If you can’t get 30 minutes at one time, you can break this up into 3 10- minute walks. And if you can’t get out for a walk do 3 sets of 10 jumping jacks every 1 ½ to 2 hours. Exercise is great because it increases leukocyte levels in the body and these are the cells that fight infection and keep our bodies healthy and well.

It’s also a great idea to eat as much whole foods as possible, especially organic fruits and vegetables. Choose fruits and veggies for their antioxidants components and their nutrients that protect the cells from free radical damage. Free radical cellular damage has (www.youtube.com/rochelemarielawson) been implicated in heart disease, atherosclerosis, cancer, and arthritis. Free radicals can also interfere with your immune system causing you to be more vulnerable in both the body and mind. Another benefit of eating whole foods…  They help you manage your weight.

Short-term stress may initially boost immunity but chronic stress does the opposite. Chronic stress depletes your immune system exposing your body to a floodgate of stress hormones, cortisol and adrenaline; which causes havoc on the body and the mind. Learning relaxation techniques, perhaps through yoga, meditation www.meditationsforbliss.com or tai chi, can also boost your immune system and improve your sleep too.

Namaste,

 

Rochel Marie Lawson, RN,AHP,CMS

The Queen of Feeling Fabulous

Host of Blissful Living Show

www.rochelelawson.com

www.healthhealingwellness.com

www.blissful-living.net

www.youtube.com/rochelelawson

www.facebook.com/rochelelawson

www.stressassessmentmagic.com

www.freegiftsfromrochele.com

www.linkedin.com/rochelelawson

 

 

 

 

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Welcome Fall

When autumn arrives we definitely know that change is in the air. Leaves began to turn colors and fall off the trees. The air feels crisp and dry and in Ayurveda, we say Vata dosha tends to increase, which may lead to imbalances. This is likely to remain until February, when changes occur once again.

You may have noticed that you are prone to go out of balance in the fall; its restless, sweeping qualities can disrupt your physiology and psychology. Occasional constipation, dry skin, irregular appetite, difficulty sleeping, stress and fatigue, to name a few can cause you to feel out-of-sync. The predominance of the elements, especially the wind can cause all of these problems and more. The season of fall can bring with it great excitement for change but can also be quite overwhelming to us all with the advent of the holiday season. I would like to offer you some suggestions to help you transition into the fall season without too much disruption to your normal flow of life.

With fall being the onset of dry and cold days and nights, the first tip I would like for you to consider is a diet that is warming, nourishing and comforting to the body and soul.

Following you will find other ways to help keep you balanced and well during this season.

6 Ways to Maintain Balance This Fall

  1. First and foremost, you must regulate your mealtimes. Have lunch between 12 and 2 p.m., and dinner early in the evening. Don’t skip or neglect breakfast. This simple schedule will regulate your metabolism and hunger cycles, generate healthy agni (digestive fire), and help reduce the accumulation of toxins. I recommend herbal formulas for my clients that assist with toning the digestive tract, promotes healthy elimination and increases assimilation of all nutrients.
  2. Start by going to bed early – ideally by 10 p.m. Get in the habit regardless of the hours you have been keeping. Your body will thank you in the morning.
  3. It is important to pay attention to your diet. If you experience a lot of gas or air digestive challenges then opt for warm, unctuous foods cooked with healthy oils and spices.
  4. Eating leftovers, raw foods, or processed and canned foods will create an imbalance. Fall foods should include hot soups, as well as freshly cooked and lightly spiced split-mung Dahl. In the morning, have a warm stewed apple, or cream of wheat cereal or oatmeal with warm almond milk. For midday meals, try sautéing vegetables in ghee and warming spices. Get wholesome nutrition with whole wheat bread or chapatti. If you’re hungry between meals, snack on almonds, dates or fresh fruit.  Warm a cup of almond milk, flavored with a little cardamom, cinnamon or nutmeg or a warm cup of almond milk with a bit of ginger and a touch of honey (be sure the milk is lukewarm before adding honey) or even a little nutmeg before bedtime will enhance the quality of your slumber.
  5. Because the fall season is drying, skin that is neglected in this season tends to wrinkle and age faster. Give your body a daily massage with Organic Sesame Oil and support facial skin with the lipids and healing properties found in vitamin C and the B-complex will help to stop the aging process. With the rich body of the natural organic products and the usage of healing herbs and vitamins you will be able to pamper your skin and keep it soft and subtle during the fall and the winter.
  6. Imbalances in the fall can cause an increase in restlessness, anxious feelings and day-to-day mental stress. Making time for light yoga exercises, a brisk walk in nature and meditation will help combat those stresses. To calm the mind and emotions, connect with nature by taking short walks outdoors, weather permitting and find time to be quiet for a few minutes each day. If you can try to meditate for 15-30 minutes each day that’s great however if you can only get 5 minutes in that is perfect too. By doing these vitality enhancing things you will not only support your natural resistance to emotional stress and fatigue but you will be aiding your body to increase its immunity.

Happy Fall!

Wishing you much health and wellness!

Namaste,

 

Rochel Marie Lawson, RN,AHP,CMS

The Queen of Feeling Fabulous

www.rochlelawson.com

www.healthhealingwellness.com

www.blissful-living.net

http://www.stressassessmentmagic.com

Twitter: @rochelelawson

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Blissful Feet

Summer time is a wonderful time of the year. The choices for footwear are endless. Strappy sandals. T-strap block heels. Colorful pumps. Espadrille wedges. Pretty much anything goes!

With all the fabulous footwear choices and activities that occur during this time of year, sometimes we push to the edge! We do too much, walk a bit too far or stand a bit too long.

Even in our most comfy pair of shoes, our feet are hot, sore, tired and inflamed. This can cause us to be off balance and centered creating aches and pains in our lower back, hips, thighs, knees, calves and toes.

Ever been there?

If yes, then usage of essential oils may be just the thing you need.

Just as the choices for summer footwear are plenty, so are the choices for pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory essential oils.

Essential Oils for Blissful Feeling Feet

Peppermint essential oil increases circulation, stops muscle spasms, and is also a pain reliever.

German Blue Chamomile is an intensely blue, spicy-scented essential oil. It’s best used for pain, muscle soreness and spasms, inflammation and sprains.

Helichrysum
For decades, Helichrysum essential oil has been successfully used in Europe for profound pain relief. It reduces inflammation and relaxes tight muscles and connective tissue, among other actions.

Marjoram 

Known as the “happiness herb” and the “joy of the mountains,” marjoram has strong sedative properties. The essential oil is excellent in treating stiffness, muscle spasms and arthritis pain.

Rosemary essential oil is promoted for its ability to relieve pain, which is why it’s widely when treating muscle pains and even arthritis.

Ginger essential oil has been shown to inhibit the chemical signalers involved in the sensation of pain.
Blissful Therapies to Relieve foot pain utilizing essential oils

Massage
Mix 10 to 12 drops of essential oil with one ounce of carrier oil. The most recommended carrier oil for this method is coconut oil as it is clear, light and does not oxidize. Massage the mixture onto the effected area. Keep in mind that “hot” oils such as peppermint can bring strong sensations to the skin, so apply with care.

Soak  Add one cup of Epsom salt and 8-10 drops of essential oil to a basin or bucket. Fill with warm water and immerse your feet for 15 minutes.

Compress
Fill a bowl or sink with warm water. Add 3 to 5 drops of essential to the water and stir. Soak a washcloth in the water, wring, then apply to the affected area. These compresses can be used for 15 to 20 minutes at a time.

When choosing essential oils, please choose a reputable brand that provide therapeutic grade essential oils and uses organically-harvested plant materials and the most potent parts of the plants when creating the essential oil.

And always test mixtures, baths or compresses on a small area of skin to ensure you don’t have an allergic reaction to particular oil.
*If you are pregnant or nursing, it’s best not to use essential oils. If you’re taking medication, consult with your doctor before using.
Would you like to learn more about how to use essential oils to create your Bliss in your Life? Click here [http://www.feelingfabulous.net] for some of my tips on how to use essential oils in your life.

p.s. please feel free to comment. I would love to hear from you.

Namaste,

 

blissful-feetRochel Marie Lawson, RN, AHP, CMS

The Queen of Feeling Fabulous

Host of Blissful Living

Twitter: @rochelelawson

Instagram: rochelelawson

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ rochele.lawson.5

Www.blissful-living.net

 

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Reverse Mourning the Mornings

How many of you dread waking up in the morning? No matter how much sleep you get you simply hate getting up in the morning and not because you are tired but rather because it is the morning? We have all been there. It’s morning and when that dreaded alarm clock goes off you muster up all the ump you have in you and you either hit the snooze button or you get up.

Sadly most of us are sleep deprived due to various reasons from insomnia to over stimulation of the mind. When we are plague with sleep challenges it is difficult for our brains and bodies that have been asleep for hours, to shift from sleep to wake at the sound of an alarm.  Often times a busy day lies ahead so we must struggle to get a grip on our immediate racing thoughts upon waking up. Having a morning mindfulness routine and practice can help awaken the brain and bring balance and focus to your morning. You may even find with a regular routine of morning mindfulness, you begin to enjoy waking up for the quiet and peaceful moments that starts your day.

Here are a few blissful tips to help you enjoy waking up in the morning.

Upon Waking Up Observe Your Breath

Feel your breath as it moves in and out of your body. Focus on this breath and allow your mind to engage in the process of inhaling and exhaling. If your mind wanders in to other thoughts such as how you would like to just stay in bed, simply note the thought, take 5 more deep breaths in and release them out then rise and get out of bed.

Let The Sunshine In

Upon arising out of bed, before you do anything else such as going to the bathroom or taking a shower, open up the blinds and curtains in your room and let the sunshine in. If the day is a cloudy day do not fret, still open up your window dressings and let the day light in. This has an immediate effect on your brain stimulating the receptors in the brain that differentiate day and night. The light awakens the brain, which then sends signals to the body to wake up and get ready for the day.

Find A Comfortable Spot

Once you have opened up your windows, find a comfortable spot to sit near the window, stretch your arms over your head and then relax them at your sides and let the warmth of the sunshine hit your face so that it can awaken the circulation in your face.  Thus further enhancing the mindfulness waking up process.

Observe The Weather

Look out the window and bath your face in the natural light. Take a moment to observe the weather outside as you gaze out your window from your comfortable spot. Notice if the day is sunny, cloudy, rainy, windy or foggy? What color is the sky? How bright is the sunshining?

Become aware of your feelings, positive or negative about the current weather situation outside. Notice what arises in your mind as you allow yourself to experience the weather in this manner. Take a deep breath in and release it out.

Stand Up And Start Your Day

Plant your feet firmly on the ground and sit there for a moment or two. Notice the texture of the floor. Is it carpeted, hard wood or tile? Does it feel cold? Hot? Stand straight up, stretch your arms up high above your head and take a deep breath in and exhale out, lower your arms and get moving toward your Blissful Day!

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 Sin título

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

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Your Skin’s Biggest Enemy and Friends

Your Skin’s Biggest Enemy

Everyday stress can make you look older but you have the power to stop this from happening. Everyday I amaze people when I tell them how old I am. They often think that I am at least 20 years younger than I am. I often hear that my skin looks amazing. What I learned a long time ago is not to let stress or anxiety take a toll on my health and well being and my skin. You can often tell just by looking at someone how much stress they have had in their lives and how much of a toll it has taken on their wellbeing, just by looking at their face.

You see each one of us at one point and time in our lives has suffered from the stress provoked acne breakout.  This happens because stress and anxiety triggers hormones and neurotransmitters that inflame the skin and causes the skin to become a breeding ground for acne.  When your brain senses psychological stress it turns on the stress related hormones. The result is an acne producing cocktail of adrenaline, cortisol, free radicals triggering angiotensin and inflammation generating cytokines that courses through your body eroding your skin’s plumping collagen and sacred defenses.  When this happens during short-term stress or anxiety, it is not too much of a problem. The trouble is when stress and anxiety become a chronic problem, which often goes unnoticed.

The chronic state of stress continues bathing of the skin in the stress hormones, which begins to damage your complexion from the inside out. Over time the increased exposure to cortisol can inhibit the growth of fibroblast cells, that make new collagen, but it doesn’t slow the breakdown of old tissue. This may lead to skin tissue lost at an accelerated rate.  Chronic stress also boosts the production of free radicals and reduces protective antioxidants making your skin more vulnerable to wrinkles, pigmentation spots and dullness.

Skin inflammation often occurs in response to emotional stress and the inflammatory process damages and ages skin. Your immune system is not meant to be turned up 24/7 and than constant low grade inflammation may further degrade collagen and hinder skin’s ability to replenish. Plus inflammation compromises your skin’s barrier function, which can leave your complexion drier, duller and more prone to irritation. When you live in a constant state of stress it becomes harder for your skin to repair itself naturally, form healthy collagen and elastin and heal the damaged areas.

Your Skin’s Biggest Friends

So now you may be wondering how in the world can I prevent this from happening when often times I don’t even realize that I am stressed, well let me share with you some of the methods I use to keep my skin looking fabulous while keeping stress and anxiety at bay.

We all know that exercise is good for you in so many ways in that it boost circulation and relieves stress. In fact, exercise decrease cortisol levels and inflammation and you actually look younger, fresher and healthier after you exercise. Exercising for even 10 minutes has been shown to have a significant effect on the appearance of your skin.

Something that has wonderfully soothing effects on the mind and the body is listening to some soothing music. Soothing music is known to reduce cortisol and inflammation. So go ahead an indulge in some soothing music by turning on your computer playlist and let the melodies of the music relax your mind and your body and heal your skin from the inside out.

Being in nature or surrounded by green space has a soothing effect on the brain as well and can reduce cortisol and anxiety in adults. Taking a walk in nature can do wonders to relax the mind. A relaxed mind equals decreased stress hormones and happier skin.

At the end of the day, take a minute to write down three things that you are grateful for. Practicing gratitude is one of the simplest ways to beat stress and feel happier. You don’t have to do a 10-day silent retreat to make significant impact on stress and how you let it affect you and the way you look.

My Zenful solution to you for improving the way your skin looks and feels is exercise, music and gratitude. These three little things can reduce the hormones that lead to dull, tired looking skin, wrinkles, sagging and aging skin.

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 Sin título

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

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Be Confident and Relax

How often do you talk yourself out of doing something even before you tried? Years of negative messaging may have gotten you in a funk, which may have lead to an imbalance in your “Mind Element” or your “Dosha.”

Reversing the imbalance within the element of your being is just a step away when you know what to do and I’m going to share with you how.

The first thing you want to do is to start your day right. The way we start our day makes a big difference in how we feel the rest of the day. Take a moment to pause, check in with how you’re feeling, relax your body, think about what you’re grateful for and bring a sense of presence to your morning routine.

Check in with your body posture. Let me explain why. Science shows that how we hold our bodies directly impacts our confidence. Try slumping over and saying “ I feel confident today!” It doesn’t compute. Throughout the day, try relaxing the body, rolling your shoulders back and down and standing straight. It is ok to fake it till you make it. Your brain will soon get the message.

Take time for your confidence team. Make a list of the people who nourish and encourage you. Make an extra effort to have more regular contact with them and less contact with people who are depleting and draining to you. Having face-to-face contact is best but texting works as a secondary means of staying connected.

Do something you’re good at. One of the best motivators to continue a behavior is when we feel like we are “good” at something. Whether it’s drawing, running, being a good friend do more of what makes you feel good about yourself.

Invite your fears for tea. We each carry around deep-seated fears about ourselves from “I’m not worthy” to “ When will they see that I’m a phony,” “What if instead of running away from your fears, you invited them in with curiosity. Ask yourself, “ What am I believing right now and is it absolutely true?” You may be surprised by the answer, and by how much that can take the intensity out of your fear.

Set small achievable goals. We often make big goals without thinking through what’s actually achievable. Going from never exercising to making a goal to exercise fives times a week is likely setting yourself up for failure. A more achievable goal would be to walk for 20 minutes three times a week and schedule it into your calendar making sure to keep that appointment with yourself.

Keep track of your accomplishments. Because our brain is wired to focus on what we haven’t done, it’s easy to lose sight of what we have done. Take stock of what you’ve done in a day. Crossing thing off your to-do-list even the smallest of tasks can go a long way in keeping your momentum going.

Be compassion it! Sometimes life is just hard. The ability to recognize a difficult moment and apply a caring attitude toward ourselves shuts down the inner critic, creates stability and awareness and helps redirect attention back to what matters.

Remember you: along with everyone else you deserve love too. Feeling “less than” can eat away at our confidence. But if you sent out a search party, you would not find anyone more deserving of love than you. Stop, breathe and let that message touch you for a few moments.

Embrace difficult people. Say what? You must be kidding? No I’m not. As difficult as this may be it’s absolutely necessary in order for you to gain confidence. See if you can recognize that underneath their behavior is a person crying for attention and they will get it no matter good or bad. Many times these types of people are having a difficult time themselves. They want to feel cared about and understood. Seeing this truth help brings us back into balance.

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 Sin título

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

Twitter: @rochelelawson

 

 

 

 

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Detox not Deprive

The other day I was at an event as was asked the following questions, why does everyone make such a big deal about doing a cleanse or a detox? Who has time to do all that it takes and does one really benefit from denying themselves of food? I looked at the person and thought wow with all the articles I have written about this, I know people are still confused, think it is hard to do and that they have to deny themselves. So I decided to address these questions in this article.

To do a cleanse or a detox is one of the best things that you can do for your body and mind to reset things back to balance. The digestive system is one of the key components to your overall state of wellbeing. If it is not functioning correctly, if it is full of sludge and toxins then you can possibly have optimal health and wellbeing. In fact, I have several options that I offer to my clients because a one fit all option is not possible. Each dosha or person’s body type has different needs.

Here is what you should know about a cleanse or detox program, you do not have to starve yourself to received the benefits. It does not have to be complicated nor do you have to check out of your normal aspects of life to succeed in cleansing or detoxifying your mind and body.

Here’s the deal, a detox allows the body to remove the toxic material that builds up in the digestive system. This is the system that is the foundation of our cellular building structure and if it is full of toxic material, the food that you take in is not getting metabolized efficiently and effectively thus depriving the body of the nutrients that it needs to keep you healthy and well.  A cleanse or a detox helps to rid the body of all of those toxins so that what you eat actually gets metabolized efficiently and effectively and the body is able to use it for fuel, building of the immune system and keeping the body’s process working optimally.

The process can range anywhere from 4 days to 30 days however I recommend no more than a 21 day detox or cleanse to achieve the maximum results.  A cleanse allows the internal process of the body to reset, it allows you to reset and strengthen the digestive fire and it allow you to purify the mind. If you are a person that has been having issues with your digestive system such as gas, bloating, weight gain, acid reflux, nausea, constipation or sluggishness, then you a prime candidate for a detox. If you have been suffering from lack of concentration, irritability, sleep challenges or lack of enthusiasm, then you would benefit from a detox.

Now here is something that will probably blow your mind, you do not have to deprive yourself of food. You do not have to starve yourself. Yes I said it. You can do a cleanse and eat some really yummy, wholesome and nourishing food as you go through the process. As far as it being something complex and time consuming, listen to this it does not have to be.  In fact in my 7 –day,  (http://www.the7daydetox.net) detox program and my 21 day Blissful Cleanse program,  (http://www.blissfulcleanse.com) you get to eat some very yummy food that is cleansing to your digestive system and nourishing to your body at the same time. The end result is that you get to reset your digestive system, recharge your agni (digestive fire) and shed a few pounds in the process.

Here is how you can take away the mystic of the complexity of doing a cleanse. Schedule your first detox for a shorter period of time such as over a weekend, starting on a Friday and ending on a Monday. Next prior to the cleanse go shopping for the food that you will need to eat during your cleanse, my programs come with a shopping list and recipes so that you don’t even have to think about what you need. You can take the shopping list with you to the store and get what you need. I advise that you remove unplug from the doldrums of your everyday life and limit the use of technology. Get some candles, prepare to take some nice, warm, loving baths and choose this time to stay in your home and focus on loving yourself. Here is one more tip, let others know that you will be taking this time to rejuvenate yourself and that you may not be available to them during this time. This one tip alone helps tremendously because if others know what you are going to be doing they are more apt to assist you with succeeding.  And yes spending time in nature is good, so be sure to put in time to take walks or to sit outside in nature to connect with the elements of our universe.

After the detox, you will feel wonderful and your mind and your body will thank you.

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

Also, please pick-up your free gifts here: www.gifts4free.com

Namaste,

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

www.rochelelawson.com

www.healthhealingwellness.com

www.blissful-living.net

Twitter: @rochelelawson

Facebook: www.facebook.com/rochele.lawson.5

Instagram: rochelelawson

Email: info@healthhealingwellness.com

 

 

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

Fuel the Fire

The key to lasting weight loss has nothing to do with depriving yourself of food and everything to do with the fire in your digestive system. I’m going to let you in on a weight loss secret… are you ready? The key to lasting weight loss is mastering your metabolism or rather your digestive fire.

You may be one of the many of millions of people that believe that in order to lose weight you have to deprive yourself of food, you have to go on a fad diet or a juice fast or sign up for a weight loss program that you see on television. In fact, the weight loss industry is a booming business because no matter what it markets, it sets people up for continual failure resulting in repeat business for them. In fact, once you stop doing the program, you quickly begin to regain the weight you lost and many times you gain more weight than you lost.  Does this sound familiar?

You may be someone that is working to maintain your weight and have had some success but you are constantly working hard to do this. Let me tell you my friend, it does not have to be this way. In order to be successful with losing weight and keeping it off or maintaining your weight with little or no effort, you need to know that just as your size shrinks after dropping pounds, so does your ability to burn the calories you take in.  As you shed pounds, your body enters what scientist call a “starvation state,” slowing down your metabolism and decreasing your digestive fire, which actually encourages your body to regain weight.  After we lose pounds, changes occur in our endocrine, nervous and muscular systems to make us burn fewer calories for the same amount of effort while our brains are telling us to eat more. Your body may be working against you but by engaging in a few new habits, you can reignite your digestive fire and increase your metabolism.

Here are some things that you can do to fuel the fire within you.

Get moving, standing, stretching and walking throughout the day is crucial to keeping your system revved up. Each time you get up, your muscles activate and within 90 seconds your cellular engines turn on.

Exercise less but make it count by doing it harder. Amp up your workouts with high intensity interval training. Shorter bursts of intensity can increase the energy burn in the muscles, making it easier for the body to generate energy by metabolizing fat for fuel.

Time your coffee intake. Drinking a cup of coffee an hour before your workout will help you burn 15 percent more calories afterward. Caffeine seems to raise the adrenaline levels in the body and that causes you to expend more energy to blast calories, which in turn revs up your metabolism.

Get up and get outdoors. People who are exposed to bright light from morning to noon have healthier BMIs than those who get more light exposure at other times of the day. Blue light, which is greater in the morning helps to synchronize our circadian rhythms, keeping our appetite in check and our digestive fire burning.

Exposure to light in the evening may alter the hormones that regulate appetite and metabolism so that we eat more and burn fewer calories.

Turn off your brain. Stress slows the digestive fire. Research is suggesting that stress alters the functions within our cells in a way that lowers our metabolic rate. Everyday be sure to schedule some down time that allows you to focus on something you enjoy like meditation, spending time in nature or spending time with those that you love and care about.

Drink lots of water, preferably at room temperature or warmer. By drinking just 17 ounces of water you’ll boost your digestive fire by 30 percent. Try drinking at least 8 ounces of room temperature or warm water each hour.

Lastly, eat plenty of protein. By eating more protein you’ll be more likely to store any excess calories you eat as fat. Protein takes more energy for the body to digest than carbohydrates, so eat the proper amount of protein for your dosha and you’ll fuel your digestive fire and burn more of the calories that you consume overall.

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

Also, please pick up your free gifts here: www.gifts4free.com

Namaste,

Rochel Marie Lawson, RN,AHP,CMS

The Queen of Feeling Fabulous and The Wellness Architect

www.rochelelawson.com

www.healthhealingwellness.com

www.blissful-living.net

Twitter: @rochelelawson

Facebook: www.facebook.com/rochele.lawson.5

Instagram: rochelelawson

Email: info@healthhealingwellness.com

 

 

 

 

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