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The Blissful Way To Jumpstart Your Day

 

This is the Vata season

As the season changes, what’s going on around us? The temperature is dropping, leaves are changing colors and falling, and we feel change within. Vata — light, airy, dry and governing movement — has great qualities. In our bodies, when Vata is in balance it is expressed as mental alertness, ability to fall asleep easily, good circulation, calm demeanor, balanced digestion and elimination, and balanced body temperature. But oh boy! When Vata is out of balance, we may notice that we are tired and forgetful, spaced out; we may experience difficulty falling asleep, occasional constipation, poor circulation (cold feet & hands), or occasional feelings of anxiousness and worry. So, how do we find that balance during the winter when Vata is in full effect? To counteract its uneven, variable nature, one of the best antidotes to balance Vata is regular routine! If you know you are a Vata dosha then you are a head of the game and if you don’t know your Dosha keep reading to find out how you can learn what your dosha is.  (Those with Vata disorders often find themselves in a rush, always in a hurry. If you find yourself in this situation, it’s important to structure a more relaxed daily routine. Take it easy and slow down; enjoy abhyanga, warm baths and turning off electronics — disengage. This is important for mental, emotional and physical health!) However if you are not a vata the information in this article is still very important to you no matter what dosha you may be.

Start the morning with the intention to cultivate balance. When we take the time to invest in our Ayurvedic daily routine, we are jump-starting our day in the most powerful way — balanced and ready for anything!

Here are the goodies…

 Make a Plan

To be successful, routine needs a plan. So map out the morning according to your own personal schedule. For example, if you have to be at work at 8:30 a.m., it’s easy to fit this routine in if you wake up by 6:00 a.m. An early wake-up call, with the rising sun, is smooth when accompanied by an early bedtime. Ayurveda recommends going to bed by 10:00 p.m. during the drowsy Kapha time of night (6:00 – 10:00 p.m.).

Ayurvedic Daily Routine

  1. Wake up in the morning before 6:00 a.m.
  2. If easy and natural… eliminate: empty bowel and bladder. Don’t strain. Ayurveda never wants us to resist healthy natural urges, or strain by trying to force them.
  3. Wash your face.
  4. Brush your teeth and scrape your tongue (Tongue scraping, really… don’t roll your eyes! See instructions below).
  5. Afterward, this is a good time to drink a cup of water.
  6. Perform Abhyanga — warm Ayurvedic oil self-massage.
  7. It’s best to wait 10-15 minutes for the oil to soak in between your massage and bath. If you don’t have time, immediately jumping in the shower is OK. The waiting time while letting the oil soak in could also be spent swishing oil in your mouth, known as oil pulling.
  8. Bathe or shower. Use warm rather than hot water.
  9. Perform Yoga Asanas and breathing, called Pranayama.
  10. Meditate for twenty minutes.
  11. Eat a light breakfast — a stewed apple or pear and/or warm cereal are ideal.
  12. Then… work or school — you are ready to do this!

Take these recommendations one-step at a time, and don’t feel overwhelmed. And remember to cultivate a habit of taking it easy and slowing down. Balance that Vata!

Here are the specifics on these Ayurvedic morning routines:

Elimination

According to Ayurvedic principles, it is preferred to evacuate the bowels in the morning. Our body’s clock leans toward following the cycles of nature. During the nighttime, lunar energy is more predominant, so our body focuses on calming and cooling. In the morning, when the sun rises, our body goes into absorption phase when Agni — the active, burning and transforming solar energy — dominates. If, during the day, we carry around the waste material we created at night, we may absorb some of that waste material (toxins) back into our system, weakening immunity and leaving us feeling fatigued, drowsy and irritable during the day. Feeling energetic and relaxed are signs of proper evacuation. Twice a day is normal, but at least once a day is essential. Bowel movements affect our entire physiology, so don’t ignore urges and don’t wait! Through routine and a balanced diet, we can tune into our body’s internal clock and make regular elimination a part of our daily routine.

The use of nature’s intelligence, Ayurvedic herbs, can help smooth the elimination process into regularity.  To assist with this process try drinking a cup of warm water with a little lemon juice or a drop or two of lemon essential oil.

Tongue Scraping

“Ok, ok…. scrape my tongue?” We guarantee you, do it for one week and you will never quit. It is like brushing your teeth. Once you start, your mouth just doesn’t feel clean without doing it. It is also a great “meter” for ama, or digestive impurities (the result of incomplete or inefficient digestion). If you have a lot of residue, then think about your diet and routine and make changes. Tongue scraping has long been an important part of the recommended Ayurvedic daily routine. If you have ever noticed a film or coating (which can range in color from clear to white, yellow, or green) on your tongue in the morning, your body may have a build-up of ama that can compromise your digestive and immune systems. This simple, yet important, method of cleaning the tongue removes ama, the toxic coating or film, before the body reabsorbs it.

Here’s How to Scrape Your Tongue:

  • After brushing your teeth first thing in the morning, grab your tongue cleaner. The Tongue Cleaner is traditional sterling silver and designed for ease and efficiency. In a bind, the front of a silver spoon can be used in place of a tongue cleaner. (Why silver? Silver is known for its antibacterial properties.)
  • Relax your tongue so that the scraper contacts maximum surface area, and place the scraper as far back on your tongue as comfortable. Gently yet firmly, scrape the entire surface from back to front.
  • Rinse the scraper well with hot water after each use.
  • Repeat this process 3-5 times, until your tongue looks clean, and pinkish or red in color.
  • Be careful as not to scrape the tongue too hard, destroying your taste buds. Gentle pressure is all that is needed to scrape the tongue.

Oil Pulling

Sesame and coconut oils are regularly used in Ayurveda to detoxify or “pull” toxins from the skin that they are applied to — so no surprise here that oil pulling can be done with either of these oils. This simple routine involves swishing (not gargling) one tablespoon of oil in your mouth for 2 to 20 minutes – whatever is comfortable. It’s not as bad as it sounds! It feels great, draws out bacteria and has been shown to promote healthy gums and teeth and reduce tartar build-up.

Embrace oil pulling as part of your daily teeth-cleaning routine, and remember these few things:

  • Swish the oil gently. If your jaw or mouth starts aching, slow down. Go easy on yourself!
  • Avoid swallowing the oil while swishing.
  • Once you are done pulling, spit the oil into the trash or outside, not in the sink, because over time the oil may clog pipes.
  • After spitting, rinse your mouth with water before consuming any beverages.

Abhyanga

Self oil massage, Abhyanga; helps calm the mind and nervous system. Daily Abhyanga is especially important for Vata, as it helps alleviate dry skin that is often a result of Vata imbalance. The skin is one of the primary seats of Vata dosha, so massaging your body every morning with warm, Vata-pacifying such as Sesame can go a long way toward soothing the entire nervous system and emotions. It’s just a matter of taking however many minutes you can spare — from 2 to 20 — to give your skin some love! It’s a powerful tool before or after a shower, and has healing qualities: increased circulation, toxin release, and stimulation of nerve endings.

Here’s How to Perform Abhyanga:

  • Place a small amount of warm oil in the palm of your hand for each point listed below (using small amounts will help you avoid feeling too oily).
  • Start with massaging the face and outer part of the ears.
  • Massage both the front and back of the neck and the upper part of the spine.
  • Massage the arms, using a back-and-forth motion over the long bones and a circular motion over the joints.
  • Use a circular motion to massage over the heart and a clockwise motion over the abdomen.
  • Massage the legs, using the same long motion over the leg bones and a circular motion over the joints.
  • Last but not least, massage the feet. Use the open part of your hand to massage vigorously back-and-forth over the soles.
  • After massaging your whole body, you can use a natural-bristle body brush with a vigorous motion upward toward your heart on the front and back of your feet, legs, arms, back and tummy.

Yoga Asanas

Yoga asanas are the preferred Ayurvedic way to exercise, because practiced properly they do not put undue strain on any one part of the physiology. Yoga asanas increase blood flow to vital organs, stimulate marma points (points in our bodies where concentrated prana is located) and activate the relaxation response, which is beneficial to the digestive system and all the systems of the body essential for good health.

Meditation

According to Ayurveda, we metabolize not just food, but with all our five senses. During Meditation all the senses are engaged and we experience a unique, silent state of awareness that becomes part of who we are. While all parts of the daily routine are important, the Meditation aspect is the most effective way to reduce stress. Just 20 minutes twice a day has the potential to regulate cortisol, the stress hormone, and increase serotonin, which is a sign of relaxation — ultimately reducing stress and feelings of anxiety. For a free guided meditation to: gifts4bliss.com

Ayurvedic Breakfast

Regular meals are an essential part of the Ayurvedic routine, with three warm, cooked meals a day. It’s preferred to eat them at the same time every day, as Vata digestion tends to be irregular. Start the day with an energizing meal to build an appetite for lunch, stimulate regular bowel movement, increase vitality and alertness, and provide a light but satisfying breakfast.

Go to gifts4bliss.com to get energizing Ayurvedic recipes that will help you to optimize your day in a positive and energizing way.

As I mentioned earlier knowing your dosha can assist you tremendously in knowing how to jumpstart your day. To find out your dosha click here: www.freegiftsfromrochele.com

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

www.rochelelawson.com
www.healthhealingwellness.com
www.blissful-living.net
www.youtube.com/rochelelawson
www.facebook.com/rochelelawson
www.stressassessmentmagic.com
www.freegiftsfromrochele.com
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Avoiding Fat Traps while eating out

In my business there are times that I travel a lot which means that I am eating out a lot. I have had countless friends, family and acquaintances ask me how do I manage my figure and my weight so well, with such a hectic and busy schedule, so I decided to share some of my secrets for successful weight management with those of you that travel a lot, eat out a lot or just want in on my secrets.

Considering that many people go out for breakfast, lunch or dinner up to five times a week, you would think that by now people would have become pros at eating what is right for their body and makes them feel good. You would think that with all the information out now days about how to eat healthy, people would have learned to avoid the fat traps that keep them stuck in the “fat” mode. Well it just isn’t so. We all know that if we are at a restaurant and we order a “Blooming Onion,” it is going to be loaded with calories due to the fat that the onion is fried in but what about that chopped salad that sounds so healthy and delicious? Here is something to note, that salad may not be as healthy and fat free as you think. In an effort to make things on the menu seem healthier, trendy restaurants are revamping their menus to look and sound healthy, but it can make a surprisingly large dent in your diet. I’ve looked at seven of the sneakiest dishes that can actually add to your waistline even though they sound healthy.

  • Ever go to an Italian restaurant and they place nice warm bread and olive oil on your table? I’m sure you have, so check this out, while Extra Virgin Olive Oil is hearth healthy, many people go overboard, soaking up as much as a tablespoon of about 119 calories with each chunk of bread that is dipped in it. Food for thought, if you dunk four chunks of bread into that Extra Virgin Olive Oil, you have just taken in over 400 calories and you have even gotten to your meal yet. Here’s a Blissful Tip: Drizzle a little olive oil onto a small plate and add balsamic vinegar to dilute the fat and pump up the flavor. Better yet you might want to use some butter. At Cornell University researchers found that when people spreaded some butter on their bread, they consumed 21 percent fewer calories per slice than those that dunked their bread in the olive oil. Here’s the catch, butter eaters consumed more bread so be sure to cut yourself off after one piece.
  • Having a chopped salad always seems like a great thing to do and can seem light compared to other items on the menu. Here is something to be aware of, because everything is so finely chopped, the restaurant can actually fit way more onto a plate or in a bowl. Some chopped salads can contain upwards of 700 calories and with the pieces being so small, it is often difficult to tell what you are eating, which is important in terms of satiation.

Here’s a Blissful Tip: Order a regular tossed salad instead. If you are building a salad at the salad bar, add no more than five toppings and avoid crispy Chinese noodles, dried fruit and other high calorie options. Get your salad dressing on the side, along with a few wedges of lemon or vinegar. You can make a little vinaigrette that will go a long way in avoiding the fat trap.

  • Sweet potato fries have become so envogue and are a wonderful super food but when cut into strips and deep-fried, they end up being just “French fries.” Besides a lot of restaurants load them with salt to balance out the vegetables natural sweetness, bringing the salt count to 800 milligrams, and opposed to 40 milligrams for regular “French fries.” Here’s a Blissful Tip: Gram for gram sweet potato fries contain about the same number of calories as regular fries. Since they contain more fiber, calcium and vitamin A, the sweet potato type is definitely better than regular fries. The key to keep portions down is to order them when you have someone else to share them with and only eat a handful.

Rest assured that even though these tips seem small they could play a huge role in successfully managing your weight when you go out to eat whether you are at home with the family or traveling. Small changes that you make in the way you consume your food can have a huge impact on the improvement of successfully managing your weight and your health and well being. So give it a try and see the difference it makes in your life.

I welcome your comments and any additional tips below.

Wishing you much health and wellness!

Namaste,

Rochel Marie Lawson, RN, AHP, CMS

The Queen of Feeing Fabulous

www.rochelelawson.com

www.healthhealingwellness.com

www.stressassessmentmagic.com

www.youtub.com/rochelelawson

www.facebook.com/rochelelawson

www.linkedin.com/rochelelawson

Twitter: @rochelelawson

http://www.doublewidenetwork.com/index.php/Shows/detail/blissful_livng

 

 

 

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Anger

Over the course of years as a healthcare professional I have noticed that people seem to be angrier than in times past. I don’t know if it has to do with the abundance of stress that society is faced with on a daily basis or if we have just become angrier people. In Ayurveda, anger is associated with the element of fire and people of the Pitta Dosha tend to have more challenges with keeping the fire within them from sprouting into an angry rage.

Anger is an enchanting and complex emotion. It is the type of emotion that can spring forth from what appears to be nowhere. What seems like a sense of calm can in an instant become like a raging volcano when a trigger is activated and before you know it, the volcano has erupted like Mount Saint Helens. However you might be the type of person that has a slow burn style of anger that simmers and bubbles beneath the surface, only erupting in tiny bursts.

Anger is a fiery emotion. Even when it’s cold it requires a lot of energy. When we pay attention to how it feels in our body, we might notice a knot in our stomach, a clenched jaw or fist, tightness in our chest, shallowness in our breath and an increase in our heart rate. We may notice that the state of anger can strongly taint our thoughts and how we interpret the world in conjunction with our emotional element.

Deep within the anger, we may be storing feelings of rejection or inadequacy that causes us to see threats and injustices where no real threat exists. It helps to uncover and uproot these feelings and deeply held false views. At the same time, anger can have beneath it a wise and powerful protectiveness that can lead us to believe that we are enforcing a sense of justice in the face of someone wronging us. In fact, anger is so powerful that it can ruin any situation. If it is allowed to lurk inside us it becomes more spicy and intense and will make us sick. It is one of the most ugly and yet most powerful emotions that exist. It has astronomical power.

Rich, complex and powerful, anger benefits from contemplative time and reflection, which in turn can teach us a lot about what is truly going on beneath our outbursts. If you are prone to angry outburst or can’t seem to get a grip on the fire raging within, I suggest you follow this little exercise to help you get back on the cool track and calm the fire within. I call this exercise “Cooling the Flames.”

  • When you notice yourself feeling angry and aggressive, turn your attention and awareness to how you are feeling. Where are you feeling the anger within your body? What is happening at that moment in time?
  • Now take a few long, slow deep breaths allowing your abdominal area to fully expand and contract, taking 3-4 seconds to do this with each breath. Listen for your thoughts without adding to the inner dialogue, or trying to silence your thoughts. When you are offended, you’re usually holding onto a rigid definition of yourself. What are your thoughts saying to you?
  • Now come back to observing how the anger is manifesting itself within your body and breath coolness into that part of your body. Observe what the anger may be trying to teach you at this moment. Is it self -compassion? Forgiveness? Or something else?
  • Now affirm something that you want in the present moment that will calm the anger such as “ May I find the resources to understand and transform my anger,” or “May peace and calmness be restored within me now.”

Once you have completed the exercise, take another slow, long deep breath extending the breath to 5 seconds to seal off the volcano. Although it may take a little practice for you to get used to using this technique, keep at it because eventually you will notice, see and feel the tremendous benefits of utilizing the “Cooling of the Flames” technique. You will gain a greater sense of control and be able to align yourself with your natural, balanced and peaceful state.

When you are ready you can take the “Cooling of the Flames” to a deeper level by learning how to awaken bliss within you and your life. (www.awakeningbliss.com)

I welcome your comments below.

Wishing 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”

Author of : “Intro to Holistic Health, Ayurveda Style”

Co Author of:  “Answering The Call, ” “Rapid Change For Heart Centered Women”  and “The Live Sassy Formula”

http://www.rochelelawson.com

http://www.healthhealingwellness.com

http://www.doublewidenetwork.com/index.php/Shows/detail/blissful_livng

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Super Foods for A Super You #2

I had so much fun sharing information about green super foods that you can incorporate into your diet that are naturally designed to improve your wellbeing that I decided to talk more about other super foods that are extremely beneficial to you, that you may not know about. In my last article “Green Super Foods” (post link here) I shared with you super foods that are designed to help you rock your workouts, improve digestion, build healthy bones, regulate blood sugar levels and fight off colds. In this article, I want to share with you foods that are designed naturally to protect your heart, protect you against cancer and keep you slim.

 

  • If you are looking for natural ways to protect your heart, then you will want to incorporate eating more leeks into your diet. This member of the onion family is loaded with flavonols, compounds that work to keep your blood vessels flexible and prevent bloods clots that can lead to a heart attack. One flavonol that is found in Leeks is kaempferol. In the American Journal of Epidemiology it is reported that people who consume the most kaempferol-containing foods are the least likely to die from heart disease. Leeks are also rich in the B vitamin folate, which plays a role in protecting your heart.
  • Protecting yourself naturally against cancer is not a difficult thing to do. You just need to know what to do to help your body increase its ability to fight off cancer. One thing that you can do is to eat more Watercress. Although Watercress may look a lot like spinach it is actually a cruciferous vegetable like broccoli and Brussel sprouts, which are also packed with cancer fighting glucosinolates. These compounds are thought to prevent cancer by ridding our bodies of carcinogens before they can damage our cells. Since heat slowly destroys glucosinolates activity, these raw leafy veggies may provide an additional advantage over other cruciferous veggies that we eat cooked. Consuming three ounces of raw Watercress a day for eight weeks has been shown to reduce DNA damage in the white blood cells by up to 24 percent, documented in a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
  • If staying slim is one of your top priorities, then I suggest that you begin by eating more peas. Peas are high in fiber and protein and can help you eat less and still feel nourished. One cup of peas packs an impressive seven grams of filling fiber, plus green peas contain resistant starch, a special kind of carb that our bodies can’t digest thus leaving you feeling full for hours after you eat your meal. A cup of peas delivers eight grams of protein, which is more than one large egg. Protein takes longer to digest than carbs and it requires more energy so you naturally increase your metabolism and burn up more calories in the process. Like all green foods, peas contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds that can help prevent chronic disease.

 

Most people don’t get enough vegetables in their diet and eating vegetables is such a great way to improve your health and well being naturally. If you have never tried these super veggies, then I suggest start slowly by incorporating one or two of them at a time into your diet. Check in with yourself and notice how you feel during and after you eat them. You may be surprised at how thankful your body will be to you for doing this by allowing you to have more energy, vibrancy and successful weight management. So go ahead and splurge by incorporating fresh, organic, GMO and pesticide free Leeks, Watercress and peas into your life.

I welcome your comments below.

Wishing you much health and wellness!

Namaste,

 

Rochel Marie Lawson, RN, AHP, CMS

The Queen of Feeing Fabulous

www.rochelelawson.com

www.healthhealingwellness.com

www.stressassessmentmagic.com

www.youtub.com/rochelelawson

www.facebook.com/rochelelawson

www.linkedin.com/rochelelawson

Twitter: @rochelelawson

http://www.doublewidenetwork.com/index.php/Shows/detail/blissful_livng

 

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Green Super Foods For A Super You #1

Now a days we hear a lot of talk about super foods and how we should incorporate them into our daily diet, but what exactly are super foods and how can they be beneficial to us? Stress is a fantastic way to use up or burn up the precious vitamins and minerals that our bodies need to function, yet most people don’t even realized that they are stress, let alone as to what the stress is doing to the internal resources and fuel sources of their body. As the seasons change from fall to winter, winter to spring and spring to summer, we have an abundant supply of veggies available to us that fall into the “super food” category. Springtime is a great time of year to be adventurous and begin to incorporate these super foods into your diet. This is the time of the year when greens are especially fresh and nutritious, so why not take the plunge and reacquaint yourself with nature’s vast variety of super foods. This will do your mind and your body good.

You may be asking so what is the big deal about these super foods, why should I be concerned about them and what’s in it for me if I eat them? So here are the answers to all of your questions concerning super foods:

  • If you want to rock your workout, here is a super food that, you will want to incorporate into your daily diet, it is Arugula. Arugula provides more nitrates than other top vegetable source, such as rhubarb, celery and spinach. Why is that beneficial for you? Nitrates relax the blood vessels and lowers blood pressure, accelerating blood flow so energizing oxygen is delivered to cells throughout your body more efficiently. As a result, your workout might feel a little easer: Nitrates reduce your muscles’ need for oxygen during exercise, so you don’t tire as quickly.
  • To improve your digestion, eat more asparagus. These tender thin green stalks are rich in inulin, a unique fiber that doesn’t break down in our digestive system until it arrives at the large intestines. When it gets to the large intestines it feeds the beneficial bacteria that keep your intestine healthy and may help your body absorb more nutrients. Asparagus is also rich in vitamin A, Zeaxanthin and lutein, all great for eye health.
  • If you are looking to maintain strong bones or improve your bone health then you will want to incorporate Bok Choy into your diet. This cabbage variant is packed with bone friendly nutrients, such as calcium, which is well absorbed for a vegetable sour of the mineral. The reason is that Bok Choy is low in oxalates, compounds present in many green leafy veggies that can bind to calcium making it harder for your body to absorb. Just two cups of this yummy, low calorie vegetable delivers as much calcium as a half a glass of milk. Two cups of raw Bok Choy provides 80 percent of your daily dose of vitamin K needed to bind calcium to bone.
  • If you have been told that you are Pre-Diabetic or you want to just fend off Diabetes, then you definitely want to incorporate more Chard into your diet. One cup of cooked Chard delivers nearly four grams of fiber. Chard slows the rate at which carbohydrates enter your blood stream, preventing blood-sugar dips and spikes. This plant is a top source of magnesium, a mineral that helps the body use the glucose-regulating hormone insulin more effectively. Chard also contains syringic acid, a substance that blocks the breakdown of starch into sugars, helping to regulate blood sugar levels. Given the fact that many of us only get half the fiber and less than two-thirds of the magnesium we need, Chard is a good source of these blood sugar balancing nutrients.
  • Looking to build your immune system up or to fight off a cold, then you want to eat more dandelion greens. This veggie is high in vitamin A, a nutrient that keeps the lining of our airways healthy, which is one of the first defenses against bacteria and pathogens that cause the common cold and other respiratory illness. Just one cup of raw dandelion greens boast 110 percent of your daily dose of Vitamin A, which is twice the amount you’d get from the same serving of spinach and 10 times the amount you would get from eating the same amount of broccoli. Dandelion greens are high in vitamin C, which is great for boosting the immune system.

Here’s a little tip, if you want to get more of these yummy green veggies into your diet, you can incorporate them into salads, stir-fry’s or smoothies. Once you start eating these goodies, I guarantee that you will love them and your mind and body will thank in you many ways beginning with the essence of feeling more energized, healthy and vibrant. So eat up. What are you waiting for?

I welcome your comments, tips and suggestions 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 Feeing Fabulous

www.rochelelawson.com

www.healthhealingwellness.com

www.stressassessmentmagic.com

www.youtub.com/rochelelawson

www.facebook.com/rochelelawson

http://www.doublewidenetwork.com/index.php/Shows/detail/blissful_livng

info@healthhealingwellness.com

 

www.linkedin.com/rochelelawson

Twitter: @rochelelawson

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Fear

It is hard to imaging life without fear. Its raw power can save lives, contribute to unnecessary stress and invade every part of our lives. Taming it is possible however it can be one of the greatest challenges a person can face, especially if they are a Vata Dosha or are comprised naturally of the Emotional Element of air. ( link to doshas) In this article, I would like to explore how you can overcome fear as you move about your day and travel down your path to bliss.

Fear is a primal instinct and is essential for survival. It is highly energetic and even exhilarating. People of all ages get a kick out of being scared while watching a movie or riding on an amusement park ride however fear in nothing to joke about. It can be a highly aroused state that can overtake us in response to a perceived threat causing us to either fight, flight, freeze or faint. It can lead to high states of anxiety and ultimately panic attacks. Fear can be a very unpleasant feeling.

As with all emotions, the practice of meditation can stablilize us enough in the midst of fear to help us see more clearly to distinguish a false threat from a real threat that needs to be acted upon. The type of fears meditation can help extinguish are the fears that we continually generate in our own minds which are usually the product of our own imagination and desire to control everything.

As our fear rises, we can start spinning in our heads to reinforce the size and shape of the threat. The good news is that this really is a natural process. It is when we are out of balance that the spinning wheel of fear can spin out of control. The very intense energy of fear,can become a powerful driving force in helping us to achieve our goals. It is just a matter of how we process this energy. Being able to recognize that fear is present can be hugely important in not allowing it to control you. If you struggle with fear, here is an exercise that can help you to not allow fear to paralyze you.

    Name the Fear

  • Confronted with a fearful situation, notice your heart and how it is pumping more, how your chest is tightening, how your back is stiffening and let an imaginary alarm bell go off in your head.
  • Take 3 or 10 or 20 slow, long deep breaths to slow your body down. Place your hand on your heart as you take the deep breaths so that you can feel when your body begins to slow down.
  • Acknowledge to yourself, I’m scared, I’m afraid ~ this is the actual act of naming the fear, so you automatically create a bit of distance between yourself and the intensity of the emotional reaction.
  • Say a few phrases of well –wishing toward yourself and others. This may includes phrases such as: May (I/others) see the source of our fear. May (I/others) be safe and free from fear. May (I/others) be happy and at ease.

Be kind toward yourself for being afraid. It is a natural emotion that we all have. The key is to learn how to use the energy of this emotion to propel you forward instead of keeping you feeling trapped and smothered. Learning how to bring more bliss into your life can further assist you with taming fear. (www.awakeningbliss.com)

I welcome your comments below.

 

Wishing you much health and wellness!

 

Namaste,

 

Rochel Marie Lawson, RN, AHP, CMS

The Queen of Feeing Fabulous

 

www.rochelelawson.com

www.healthhealingwellness.com

www.stressassessmentmagic.com

www.youtub.com/rochelelawson

www.facebook.com/rochelelawson

http://www.doublewidenetwork.com/index.php/Shows/detail/blissful_livng

info@healthhealingwellness.com

Twitter: @rochelelawson

 

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blissful living, health and wellness, stress reduction

When You Go On Vacation, Go On Vacation

We all know what it’s like to get so stressed out from planning your vacation that it counter-acts what the vacation was supposed to be all about in the first place! Or how about a vacation itinerary that’s so over-booked that when you get home from the trip, you feel like you need a break from your break?

Nothing will rejuvenate and inspire you more than a retreat, or a vacation where you actually take a break and feel like you get to rest.

The best part is that you don’t really have to go anywhere! You can absolutely get the full benefits of a bliss vacation from your home. This might seem a little counter-intuitive, so today I’m going to share with you what it really means to let yourself rest when you’re on vacation (whether it’s somewhere else, or in your living room).

Connect With Yourself

A blissful vacation or retreat is truly a special way to connect with yourself that will leave you feeling more alive, more relaxed and better about yourself and your life. You’ll feel like you’re on task for the purpose of your life. It’s not about stressing out. This is about allowing yourself to leave the uncomfortable zone of every day life and allowing yourself to step into the comfortable zone of blissfulness.

The main advantage of a vacation (whether it’s at home or away) is that it allows you to take time away from everything that is going on, even if it’s just for a few days. It’s going to help you feel more connected and more grounded.

Consider Your Options

If you decide to stay home, focus on creating a beautiful space within your house. Know that during your blissful vacation time, you really are nourishing your body and replenishing your spirit.

Don’t schedule anything. Let yourself be spontaneous and go with the flow of life. It really will take out the stress factor and put you in a more blissful state when you just allow things to happen as they’re supposed to happen.

If you do choose to go away, choose a beautiful place that you like. If you like the beach, go to the beach. If you like the lake, go to the lake. If you like Paris or England or Asia or Hawaii, go there! Let things happen as they’re supposed to happen, be spontaneous, don’t try to do too much and don’t try to bombard yourself with activities. Relax. Let things come to you.

Let Go Of Control

Pita people in particular have trouble letting go of control, which is why I suggest going on retreats. Oftentimes, retreats will have some activities planned, but you have nothing to do with the planning. You just show up and everything is all taken care of.

That means that some days you might be kayaking, or skiing, or you might just sit on the beach.

Above all, the most important thing to keep in mind is to let yourself do what you want to do. If you wake up and don’t want to do anything, don’t do anything. If you wake up and you want to go zip lining, great! Do that. If you want to spend the day laying on the beach, that’s perfect, too.

Finally, leave your computer at home. Unplug your phone and your ipad and let your mind truly relax.

How do you like to take vacations? Leave a note in the comments area below to join the conversation.

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

International Best Selling Author!

http://www.rochelelawson.com

http://www.healthhealingwellness.com

http://www.facebook.com/rochelelawson

http://www.youtube.com/rochelelawson

Twitter: @rochelelawson
infor@healthhealingwellness.com

http://www.doublewidenetwork.com/index.php/Shows/detail/blissful_livng

 

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

Simple Ayurvedic Tips for Bliss & Beauty

Ayurveda is an ancient healing modality that uses natural remedies to help you become your most healthy, peaceful self. It also has a strong emphasis on achieving bliss and creating beauty in your life for yourself and all the people around you.

Follow these tips to experience more joy, freedom and blessings in your day-to-day life.

Drink A Glass Of Water

First thing in the morning, drink a glass of room temperature water or a glass of hot water with lemon. This is an age-old secret for reducing toxins. The warm water stimulates the digestive and elimination tract. Over time, you will see your skin clear up because your body is better at pushing out the toxins.

Enjoy A Walk

Go for a walk with a friend, co-worker or even your dog. A daily moderate walk benefits the cardiovascular system, tones the muscles and balances the mind, body and spirit. We all have a natural rhythm to which we walk. That rhythm calms the mind and stimulates our respiratory system to breathe deeply thereby filling us with more oxygen which aids in bringing a positive balance to our mind, body and spirit.

Take An Ayurvedic Lunch Break

Take a break from processed, canned, frozen or packaged foods. These foods are really harsh on the body and create a build up of toxins in the system.

Instead, treat yourself to a fresh, warm lunch (avoid leftovers because they have less nutritional value and contain dullness). A nice, wholesome salad with green leafy vegetables is the perfect way to nourish your body. If you can, eat at a local café that serves fresh organic foods. Silence your phone, shut off your laptop, and devote all your attention to the meal you’re about to consume. Let your mind think about how this food will bring nourishment to your mind and body.

Manage Stress With Breath

We tend to overbook ourselves quite a bit. Take a moment during the day to pause and do some deep breathing for 2-3 minutes. You can do this anywhere: in your car, at your desk, in the rest room.

Allow the deep breaths to help you melt away any stresses that may be harboring in the mind or body.

Give Your Emotions A Boost

If you’re hungry, eat a pear instead of a Hershey’s bar. When you stay away from candy and super sweet, salty or sour foods, you help your body stay balanced through the day. You can still have your dessert. Focus on something yummy like a pear, an apple, pineapple or watermelon. These are naturally sweet and good for your body.

Drink A Glass Of Milk

At bedtime, drink a glass of warm almond or coconut milk. I love to add a pinch of cardamom or nutmeg to aid digestion and help induce sleep.  Light a candle and play some music when you sit down to enjoy the warm, comforting beverage. This is a delightful way to begin a routine that will help your body to get ready for slumber.

How do you find your bliss? Visit http://www.freegiftsfromRochele.com to get “21 Tips to Instantly Reduce Stress” for more ideas.

Wishing 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”

Author of : “Intro to Holistic Health, Ayurveda Style”

Co Author of:  “Answering The Call, ” “Rapid Change For Heart Centered Women”  and “The Live Sassy Formula”

http://www.rochelelawson.com

http://www.healthhealingwellness.com

http://www.doublewidenetwork.com/index.php/Shows/detail/blissful_livng

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

11 Ayurvedic Tips To Deal With Sleepless Nights

On a typical day in the United States, there are millions of people who wake up feeling exhausted because they didn’t get a good nights’ sleep. Getting adequate rest is becoming more difficult because of technology and the fast pace of our every day lives.

Fatigue caused by sleeping difficulties is becoming one of America’s top health problems. Researchers say lack of sleep can lead to health problems ranging from blood sugar and blood pressure issues, to increased levels of stress hormones in the body, to weight gain and even to shorter lifespan.

Tranquilizers and sleep aids, although frequently prescribed, are not a solution to curtail that problem. Drugs like this are highly addictive and can increase stress during the day. Although they may knock you out, your body still doesn’t get the deep, peaceful sleep cycles it needs, and you may still wake up feeling tired, sluggish and un-rested. The next time you experience difficulty sleeping, try the following tips to assist you with getting a good night’s slumber.

11 tips to naturally enhance the quality of your sleep:

Tip #1: Give yourself a morning and nightly massage with coconut oil, almond oil, sesame oil or olive oil. Feel your body become stimulated and receptive as you massage the muscles. Before bed, this will help you fall into a deep slumber.

Tip #2: Exercise during the day. It doesn’t have to be intense exercise, but if you take a walk, do yoga, or use a stepper or treadmill for even 20 minutes, you will find it much easier to fall asleep at night.

Tip #3: Sip water throughout the day. I recommend 4 -6 ounces of warm or room temperature water to stay hydrated. This will also help your body flush out toxins.

Tip #4: Avoid eating too many heavy, sweet, sour or salty foods. Instead, balance the flavors on your plate and don’t eat too much food. Overeating will interfere with your ability to fall and stay asleep.

Tip #5: Eat a light meal at night. Especially as we move through the summertime, keeping things light will help your body come to rest easier. Try putting a little fresh ginger or black pepper on your food for a flavor bonus.

Tip #6: Drink tea such as chamomile, lavender or ashawaganda in the evening. This  is a nice and gentle way to help prepare your mind and body to get ready for bed.

Tip #7: Drink a glass of warm almond milk with a dash of nutmeg, this is the spice that helps with insomnia. This is a phenomenal  and natural way to fall asleep faster and stay asleep all night long.

Tip #8: Keep the pressures of the day away from your sleep area. Remove any electronics (including your phone) from your bedroom. The goal is to make this room a comfortable, warm, loving and intimate space where your body feels nurtured.

Tip #9: Avoid watching suspense movies, dramas or violent movies before bedtime. Turn off the TV at least 15 minutes before you go to bed.

Tip #10: Draw a warm bath as you prepare for bedtime. Put a little lavender essential oil in the tub, and let your muscles melt into the warm water and the scent of the lavender relax your mind.

Tip #11: As you lay in bed, do this relaxing exercise: mentally scan your body from the crown of your head down to the bottom of your feet.  Now imagine that all your muscles are relaxing deeply and sinking into the mattress, as if you are floating on a cloud.

What bedtime routines do you have to help yourself fall asleep? Leave a comment in the area below to share your best tips.

 

Wishing 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”

Author of : “Intro to Holistic Health, Ayurveda Style”

Co Author of:  “Answering The Call, ” “Rapid Change For Heart Centered Women”  and “The Live Sassy Formula”

http://www.rochelelawson.com

http://www.healthhealingwellness.com

http://www.doublewidenetwork.com/index.php/Shows/detail/blissful_livng

info@healthhealingwellness.com

http://www.youtube.com/rochelelawson

http://www.facebook.com/rochelelawson

Twitter: @rochelelawson

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

10 Ayurvedic Secrets To Uplift The Emotions And Create Inner Peace

The power of the Ayurvedic approach is all about simplicity. Keeping things simple can be somewhat deceptive, but it can also be extremely powerful. We work to make some lifestyle adjustments to form a powerful package that will support emotional balance.Within this powerful package, there are a lot of simple things we can do to uplift our emotions and create inner peace. Try some of these secrets today and see what a difference they can make.

Secret 1: Go to bed at a consistent time. Be sure to be in bed by 10 pm every night. If you can get to sleep a little earlier, that’s fine, but the key is to make sure that you’re getting the right amount of sleep for your body. If you know you need 7 hours, plan for that. If you need 8, make that a priority. Getting enough rest is essential for emotional health. When we have a consistent sleep schedule, we are able to fall asleep more easily: our melanin knows when to kick in and our sleep process begins before we even get in bed.

Secret 2: Wake up with the rising sun. Now that you’ve gone to sleep at 10 pm, I suggest waking with the sunrise. That varies during the season, but right now (early summer) the sun comes up about 6 am. Waking up early is important for emotional health. If we sleep too long, we build up toxins, or Ama. If we don’t sleep enough, the mind won’t be fully rested.

Secret 3: Walk outdoors. Breathe deeply when you go for a walk outside. Focus on taking in fresh air and stimulating your respiratory system. The perfect time to go for a refreshing walk is as the sun is rising: just as it brings energy to the earth, it activates the energy centers in the body.

Secret 4: After you go on your walk, eliminate. Sometimes people suffer from constipation that causes headaches or a feeling of dullness. Low moods and a sense of sluggishness often accompany constipation as well. Drink some warm water with a little bit of lemon essential oil or lemon juice to get the digestive system moving. If that doesn’t help you to eliminate, eat some prunes, figs or even cooked apples at night before you go to bed to get that sludge moving along.

Secret 5: Eat intelligent foods. These are organic, unprocessed, non-GMO foods that are quickly digested because there are no toxic chemicals that the body has to sort through or filter out. These foods give your body natural fuel and boost immunity. Apples, pears, almonds, yogurt, walnuts, cloves, almond milk, kale, spinach and broccoli are just a few examples of intelligent food.

Secret 6: Give yourself a nice daily body massage with yummy oils. Coconut oil, sesame oil or even almond oil is perfect. A massage increases circulation and helps clear toxins from the tissues. It will invigorate the body, calm the mind and sooth the emotions.

Secret 7: Practice yoga. Even as little as 5, 10 or 15 minutes in practice of asanas or yoga postures will stimulate the digestive fire within and cleanse the colon of toxins. Yoga is also great for uplifting low moods.

Secret 8: Add spices to your intelligent food. I love cumin, turmeric, cayenne pepper and black pepper. Spices help the body assimilate food and create less toxic buildup in the colon.

Secret 9: Spend a few minutes by yourself in peace and gratitude. Think about something for which you are grateful. This can be done any time through the day, maybe even during your morning walk. Allow yourself to be completely wrapped up in that feeling of gratitude. When you do that, the anxiety dissipates and you welcome in a warm, loving and positive energy, creating a sense of inner peace.

Want more tips to reduce stress, naturally? Visit http://www.freegiftsfromRochele.com to get “21 Tips to Instantly Reduce Stress” for more ideas.

 

Wishing you much health and wellness!

 

Namaste,

 

Rochel Marie Lawson, RN, AHP,CMS

The Queen of Feeling Fabulous

Host of “Blissful Living”

http://www.rochelelawson.com

http://www.healthhealingwellness.com

http://www.facebook.com/rochelelawson

www. youtube.com/rochelelawson

Twitter: @rochelelawson

info@healthhealingwellness.com

http://www.doublewidenetwork.com/index.php/Shows/detail/blissful_livng

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