Tag Archives: Health healing wellness

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

Blissful Ways to Cultivate Calm – Part 2

In my recent article, Blissful Ways to Cultivate Calm (Blissful Ways to Cultivate Calm) I shared 7 blissful tips on how to utilize mindfulness to cultivate calm. I had so much fun writing that article that I decided to share 6 additional ways to assist you with practicing mindfulness that leads to cultivating calm and eliminating stress.

If you haven’t already guessed, my goal is to help you discover how to live a life of Bliss. In living a life of bliss, having excellent health and well-being is key. When you begin to feel better you begin to be able to enjoy life just a little bit more. The busyness of life can cause you to be stretched and pulled in many directions leading to tension, anxiety and stress. Cultivating mindfulness in to one’s daily living is a wonderful way to combat the painful effects of stress while enhancing your physical and mental well-being.

The six Blissful tips in the article can be combined with the original seven tips for a total of 13. Try utilizing the tips for 13 day repeating once for a total of 26 days and see the difference they can make in your life.

6 Blissful Tips to Cultivate Calm

  1. WATCH THE RAIN FALL.

Notice the path of the rain as it falls toward the ground. If you are in a place that snows, try watching the snow instead. Let the puddles inspire you.

  1. BE PATIENT.

Instead of wishing for the day, the week, the year to hurry by so you can get to something better, savor each moment, whether big or small.

  1. TODAY AS YOU WORK, TAKE A MOMENT.

To think not about the task, but about those who will benefit from your task, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem.

  1. PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR THOUGHTS.

Don’t try to change them, just be aware of them and then let them go without judgment.

  1. TURN OFF ALL SCREENS FOR THE DAY.

No television, no phone, no computer. Be at peace with not being connected.

  1. APPRECIATE A PET.

Take your dog for a walk and notice her joy as she explores your neighborhood. Play with your cat and appreciate his focus. Watch your goldfish and marvel at its grace. If you don’t share your life with a pet, borrow a friend’s or spend some time at a local animal shelter.

While engaging in the Blissful tips to practicing mindfulness while cultivating calm, be easy on yourself and have fun experiencing the benefits from each practice. The more you practice the easier it gets to cultivate calm.

Enjoy!

 

Namaste,

Rochel 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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Blissful Ways to Cultivate Calm

We live in a society that is constantly on the go. Do you ever feel like your life is just passing you by and there is nothing that you can do to slow it down? Ayurveda teaches the practice of being mindful with what you do and how you live your life. Living a balanced, mindful and calm life can lead to health, well-being, longevity, vitality and Bliss.  Living a balanced life involves being mindful of what you do in your day-to-day life. It is this mindfulness that leads to cultivating calm in the mind and the body.

Mindfulness is the practice of living in the present, paying attention and accepting your life without judgment. Practicing mindfulness can help you become less stressed, improve your memory and attention and enhance your relationships as well as your well-being.

Below you will find seven tips to help you cultivate calm and bring more bliss into your life. Have fun practicing the blissful tips and feel free to experiment with the tips such as using 2 tips a day. At the end of each day take some time to reflect on how often you used the tip and how it made you feel throughout the day. The more you practice using the tips in your day to day living, the calmer your life will become and the easier it will be for you to eliminate stress from your mind, body and life.

BLISSFULNESS TIPS TO CULTIVATE CALM EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK:

  1. FIND OUR THE EXACT MOMENT OF THE SUNSET IN YOUR AREA.

For two minutes before and two minutes after, simply watch the sun set without thinking about what happened today or what will happen tomorrow.

  1. BREATHE

At various times thought the day, take a few second to focus on your breath entering and leaving your body.

  1. GO TO THE WATER

Whether it’s a pond, a river, a lake, or an ocean, take a moment to watch the water move.

  1. ABSTAIN FROM SOCIAL MEDIA, WHETHER IT’S FACEBOOK, TWITTER, OR ANY OTHER SOCIAL APP.

Instead make today about face-to-face connections.

  1. FOR TWO MINUTES TODAY, TAKE A SERENITY BREAK.

Close your eyes and breathe deeply while focusing on how your body is feeling. Need help? Go to (add link for Blissful Living Article)

  1. WHEN YOU INTERACT WITH OTHERS TODAY, LET GO OF HOW THEY MAY AFFECT YOU.

Instead, think of how what you will say and what you will do affects them.

  1. USING THREE BLANK PIECES OF PAPER, WRITE ABOUT WHATEVER COMES TO MIND.

It doesn’t have to be good. Just write about something. Don’t stop until you’ve filled your three pages.

Mindfulness helps to cultivate calm which leads to cultivating Bliss, that enhances our physical, mental and emotional well-being. The beauty of being in a calm, balanced state is that it is enchanting, tantalizing and hypnotic guaranteed to leave you wanting more.

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

Host of Blissful Living

Twitter: @rochelelawson

Instagram: rochelelawson

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

Www.blissful-living.net

 

 

 

 

 

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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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Drive Yourself Calm

There’s nothing like bad traffic to trigger stress levels! When we allow ourselves to get angry or frustrated as we drive, everything begins to boil over like a pot of spaghetti sauce… and we all know what happens when spaghetti sauce boils over.

That’s right: chunks of red tomato all over the kitchen!

So when you drive, try not to drive yourself crazy. Set the intention of driving yourself calm, instead.  Here’s what you can do to facilitate that process…

Tip #1: Take a Deep Breath

Very often when we sit down in the car, we’re already feeling rushed. But before you put on your seat belt and hit the ignition, take a deep breath. This simple yet profound activity will help bring oxygen into your body and your brain.

As you take a few seconds to breathe deeply before hitting the road, ask yourself what you need. You might discover that you need some balance to your commute, or good music, or even a drink of water before you go.

Tip #2: Give Yourself What You Need

If you need to be at ease, adjust your seat and your mirrors so you can be in a comfortable position while you drive. This will decrease any tension that you might pick up.

If you’re in a comfortable setting while you drive and you come across a tense situation, your body is more relaxed and you’ll be better able to handle the stress.

Tip #3: Be Aware of Others

Look around and recognize that everybody on the road is trying to get somewhere. We’re all in the same boat, so don’t take things personally, even when it seems like someone cut you off just to spite you! All of us want the same thing: to come home safely to our families at the end of the day.

Tip #4: Take a Deep Breath Every 5-10 Minutes

Breathing mindfully is the way we connect with ourselves. When you’re at a stoplight, that’s a good time to take in a deep breath. When you intake oxygen, it calms your brain, and when your brain is calm, you are more relaxed and make better choices. And that is so important when you’re operating a vehicle.

Tip #5: Turn the Music Up and Feel Grateful!

I love listening to good music when I’m on the road because no matter what’s going on around me, it reminds me to be grateful and happy that I’m alive (and those things do a lot to reduce stress).

Search the radio or play your iTunes, and when you feel the urge to flip someone off, turn it up even louder! Music is a wonderful way to remind yourself of what really matters: it connects us to ourselves and our joy.

Are you looking for more ways to live a mindful life and experience bliss? Check out some of my free tips by clicking HERE [freegiftsfromrochele.com].

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5 Simple Practices to Call Up Mindfulness Every Day

These days, it’s so easy for our hectic and fast-paced lifestyle to get the best of us. Work, family and finances all demand our time and attention so much that often, we become overwhelmed and disconnected.

However, when we’re mindful we can step back onto the blissful path. It doesn’t take much time to come into a space of mindfulness, just a bit of focus.

Here are five things you can do every day to keep yourself grounded and connected to what really matters.

  1. Start with a Purpose

When you wake up in the morning ask yourself, “What is my purpose today? How would I like the day to go?”

So often we rush out the door and start our day without evening thinking about how we want it to go. Before we know it, we meet people who have energy that doesn’t match ours or we encounter a challenge we weren’t anticipating. That’s when we start to react with frustration, impatience or even a little rage.

Instead of blazing into the day without an intention, strengthen the connection between your higher and lower self first thing in the morning.

When you wake up, take a few slow, deep breaths in and out. Sit in your bed, connect with how your body feels and ask yourself, “What is my intention today?”

Whatever comes up is perfect. Carry that with you through the day and periodically check in to see if you’re living that intention.

  1. Eat with Reverence

In Ayurveda, the act of eating is considered a sacred experience. It is valued as one of the most intimate experiences of ourselves, because when we eat, we take in nutrients that will help with energy levels, vitality and sustainability.

Instead of rushing through your eating process, take time. Allow your body to absorb the fact that it is taking in nutrients, and eat only as much as your body needs.

After you eat in this way, you will feel refreshed and nourished!

  1. Pause Throughout the Day

Take moments throughout the day to pause. They can be 3 to 10 seconds of slow breathing and reflection that will help your brain move out of the fast lane and back to the middle lane or the slow lane as you travel down the highway to bliss!

About 95% of what we do through the day happens on autopilot. The more present we can be, the more joyful we become.

  1. Create New Patterns

Along the lines of running on autopilot, we often do the same things over and over and over again. Even things as simple as always crossing the right leg over the left instead of vice versa can get us into a sort of rut, a sort of “autopilot.”

Try consciously altering your patterns. Cross a different leg on top. Eat something different for breakfast. Shop at a different grocery store. Anything that doesn’t fall into your regular behavioral pattern will help you stay more focused and present in your life.

  1. Exercise

When you activate your muscles, you activate your mind and body. Walking on a treadmill, sweating it out on the elliptical machine or just going for a run outside will stimulate your cardio vascular system and get the blood flowing.

Any way you can get moving is good for you, even if it’s as simple as taking the stairs instead of the elevator.

When we choose to live in the slow lane, we are choosing mindfulness. Turning off the autopilot feature of our brains, even if it’s just for a few minutes several times through the day, will help us make the right decisions and ultimately feel more fulfilled in our lives.

Would you like to live life in the slow lane? Click here [Freegiftsfromrochele.com] for some of my tips for slowing down and leading a more purposeful life.

 

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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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Are Your Hormones Out of Balance?

We are entering the time of year when many people lose track of their New Year’s resolutions. And if you’re like most people, at least one of your resolutions had something to do with losing weight!

The idea of a weight loss regime was probably very appealing in January and February; thinking about healthier food choices, planning a work-out regimen and eagerly anticipating slipping into your smaller jeans again probably felt great! But as the weeks went by, your enthusiasm may have trailed off or you might have given up completely because you didn’t see results as fast as you would have liked.

We women can be quick to blame ourselves when it comes to an inability to lose weight. However, if you’re noticing that it’s difficult to get moving, you don’t feel as energetic as you used to, or something just feels “off,” there could be more at play than a lack of willpower. It could be that your hormones aren’t balanced!

Here are a few clues that can help you discern whether or not your difficulty with weight loss is actually a hormonal imbalance.

What Exactly is Hormonal Imbalance?

Hormone imbalance and low thyroid function can cause weight gain, and it’s fairly common in women across the country. Since your thyroid function affects your metabolism and can slow it way down (making it difficult to maintain your current weight), weight gain becomes all too easy.

Aside from weight gain, hormonal imbalances can cause fatigue, sleeplessness, hair loss, menstrual irregularity and many more symptoms that may cause you to just feel “off”.  There are simple tests that your Ayurvedic practitioner can do to find out what’s really going on with your system and create solutions that are suited to your unique body constitution.

How Hormone Imbalance Affects Exercise

If you’re feeling like you don’t want to exercise, or don’t have the energy, you are in a state of imbalance. Lack of exercise leads to fatigue, irritability and depression, which leads to even more imbalance.

Toxins can build up and the flow of your energy becomes stagnant.

Here are a few ways you can start exercising again without feeling like it’s a drag:

  • Try Yoga. If you’re new to yoga, it is wonderful – and it’s a sister science to Ayurveda. Find a beginner’s class that will soothe your body and your mind.
  • Learn to dance! Modern, jazz, ballroom, tap dance. It’s fun!
  • Find a good jogging club, or bike on a trail. Lots of clean fresh air feels really good.
  • Partner up. If you really want to up the ante, find a friend or get a partner and set a goal together. It can be anything you do as a team: walking in nature, riding bikes, etc. When you partner with someone, it makes the exercise more fun.

Nutrition is Part of the Solution

Healthy food is crucial for healthy hormone production and balance. Many of us gravitate toward food that is high in refined carbohydrates, like sugar and white flour, but moderation is key. Make food choices that are high in fiber, complex carbohydrates (like whole wheat) and healthy fats to support your hormone balance.

Eating for your dosha is also very important to maintain the right balance for your body. (Don’t know your dosha? Take my free mini-dosha quiz to find out by visiting freegiftsfromrochele.com [FreeGiftsFromRochele.com]!)  Knowing your dosha can help you work with your body instead of against it when you are making healthy food choices.

Stress Management and Sleep are Part of the Solution

Balance is not all about how much exercise you are getting and whether you are eating enough healthy food.  Having a balanced life in general is just as important to your health and well-being!

Make sure you don’t get too overwhelmed at work or hang out with people who are chronically stressed. Also be sure that you have time to make yourself feel good. This can really help lower stress hormones and make it much easier to lose weight.

Additionally, remember that sleep is a pillar of Ayurveda. Most of us don’t realize how important it is to restore and rejuvenate in order to keep the body functioning optimally, but quality sleep plays a huge role in weight loss and maintenance.

Research shows that lack of sleep lowers the ability to handle conflict and stress, making it very difficult to maintain a positive physical state.

Some extra sleep tips: 

  • Stop drinking alcohol and smoking 4-6 hours before bed.
  • Make sure the T.V. Is off at least 20 minutes before bed.
  • If you share a bed with a snorer, treat the condition, and you will sleep much better.

Balance is the key to good health. There are simple tests that your Ayurvedic practitioner can do to find out what’s really going on with your system and create solutions that are suited to your unique body constitution.

If you would like to consult with me, click HERE [Contact Page] to set up a time to chat!

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5 Preparation Steps to Take before Doing a Spring Cleanse

Any transition between seasons is a great opportunity for a detox or cleanse, but spring in particular is the perfect time. Toxins that build up in the body through the winter prevent you from moving nutrients through the body efficiently, and the purpose of my 7-Day Detox Cleanse [Purchase Page] is to get you back on track just in time for summer!

During this cleanse, you’ll eat easy-to-digest foods and maintain enough variety in your diet to keep you from losing interest in the program or feeling too hungry. In fact, doing a detox for 7 days is just enough time to stoke your digestive fire but not long enough that you would need the guidance of a professional – you can do this cleanse safely all on your own.

However, if you’re thinking about doing a cleanse, there are certain action steps to take before getting started. Here’s what you can do to prepare your body for a rejuvenating 7-day process:

Prep Step #1: Be Cautious

If you take medication or suffer from medical conditions, please consult with your physician to make sure you have the green light to move forward.

Prep Step #2: Eliminate Diet Crutches

A “diet crutch” is a type of food or beverage that we rely on to make it through a stressful moment. Caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, dairy, meat, fried or processed foods, sugar or any other unhealthy foods are perfect examples.  Eliminating the Snickers bar at 3 pm at least a week before your detox will help ease your body into the process.

Prep Step #3: Schedule Time Off

Take time off work so that you can truly clear your system without experiencing intense outside work stress. Taking time off to simply focus on a self-care process will do wonders to get your body regulated, strengthened and rested (not to mention it will give your brain a break from constant stimulation).

Prep Step #4: Set Up a Home Practice

If you have a room in which you can meditate or have quiet time, you’ll have a wonderful space to retreat before and during the detox. You can read, listen to inspiring music and relax in peace.

Prep Step #5: Unplug!

This one’s important. Notify your friends and family that you’re ignoring social media and email for a while. This will reduce stimulation and allow your mind to take a rest.

I suggest going through these 5 steps at least a week before the detox plan. You will see wonderful benefits if you do! Not only will you feel rested and restored, but you will have more energy, likely experience weight loss and feel happier. It’s a win-win-win!

Are you looking for the right detox cleanse to kick off the spring and summer? Take a look at my very mild, deeply restorative 7-Day Detox Cleanse [Purchase Page]. And don’t forget to get more tips and ideas for your healthful journey by visiting THIS PAGE [ FreeGiftsFromRochele.com]!

Namaste,
Rochel Marie Lawson, RN, AHP, CMS</strong>
The Queen of Feeling Fabulous and The Wellness Architect

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