7 Quick Tips to a Healthier, Happier You

Written by Jim M. Allen


Continued from page 1

The old "an apple a day keepsrepparttar doctor away" saying may not be 100% true, butrepparttar 115843 truth is that fruit provides your body with need vitamins, minerals, and natural sugars.

5. Start walking.

For short, nearby trips inrepparttar 115844 neighborhood, leaverepparttar 115845 car at home and take a walk. Do this a few times a week andrepparttar 115846 results will amaze you.

6. Turn offrepparttar 115847 t.v.

Read a book, get outside and play withrepparttar 115848 dogs, have a conversation with your spouse. Look for things to do other than watchrepparttar 115849 telly, especially around news time.

7. Laugh.

Every day. A real, good, hearty, belly laugh. Look forrepparttar 115850 funny things that life has to offer. Share a joke with a friend. Share a lot of jokes. Laughter is good forrepparttar 115851 heart and soul, for your health and spirit.

None of these things requires you to spend a lot of money. None of them take much time or energy. But each one can, over time, dramatically improve your physical and mental health. Pick one or two to focus on this week and be healthy!

Jim Allen is a professional life & business coach. For more ideas, subscribe to his free bi-weekly ezine, THE BIG IDEA, by sending a blank email to: SubscribeGA@CoachJim.com


Using Herbs Effectively

Written by Neva Howell


Continued from page 1

3. Giving it time:

Herbs definitely take longer to create relief of some symptoms and conditions than some of their pharmaceutical counterparts. Look at allrepparttar antacids, for example. All offer near-instant relief and some even promise to stop heartburn BEFORE it starts; yet, none of them promise to eliminaterepparttar 115842 condition that is causingrepparttar 115843 heartburn to keep coming back. The big difference between those types of products and herbal medicines isrepparttar 115844 focus. The focus of herbal medicine is to create a healthy environment inrepparttar 115845 body system, rebuild, cleanse, and permanently heal.

The primary focus of "quick-fix" medicines is to relieve symptoms temporarily, such as pain, indigestion or depression. Relieving distressing symptoms is not necessarily a bad thing. If I've got terrible heartburn, for example, quick relief can be very valuable and I won't hesitate to chew a few antacid tablets if I don't have time to make some nice ginger tea forrepparttar 115846 same effect. However, if I fail to acknowledge that some imbalance of my total physical system, as well as some corresponding imbalance in my non-physical system (either mentally, emotionally, and/or spiritually) is causing me to manifestrepparttar 115847 symptoms and continue to treat those symptoms without dealing withrepparttar 115848 causative factors, then simple heartburn will eventually turn into something far more serious.

To completely balance an chronic or very serious condition inrepparttar 115849 holistic, herbal way, may take six months to a year. Usually, I see improvement within a week or so but each person's system is different so my advice would be to hang in there for at least a month or two (inrepparttar 115850 absence of allergic reactions, of course) before deciding that a certain regimen is not working for you. Also, just because one herb doesn't work, please don't decide that none of them will. In fact, most drugs have far more potential for allergic reaction than full plant herbal preparations, by far. Each person's chemistry and metabolic make-up is unique. I'd keep trying until you findrepparttar 115851 right combination and dosage. Therein is an important key to cure.

4. Shaking things up:

I believe that shakingrepparttar 115852 bottle (when using a tincture, or other stored liquid preparation) before each use actually rejuvenates, reactivates and stimulatesrepparttar 115853 potency ofrepparttar 115854 medicine. This is a component of homeopathic medicine called sucussion, which, I feel, applies equally to herbal tinctures. Of course, proper sucussion in homeopathy involves strikingrepparttar 115855 bottle against a soft object (like a pillow) for 100 times.

This I do when I first buy a new tincture but only then. After that, I just tap it 10 times before use. Note: This is not according to any homeopathic guideline and you might hear different suggestions from a homeopathic physician. This is just what works for me.

5. Detoxing slowly:

Whenever I take a strong detox formula, such as a total system cleanse or a colon cleanse program, I start even more slowly than with singles or tonic formulas and build up to maximum dosage. I try to begin at a time when I can rest--at least forrepparttar 115856 first two days after I start. I also skip a day every week or so, to give my body time to rest and renew.

In addition, I add tonic herbs like lemon balm to support my body and keep my energy level high. Drinking lots of water (and, even more important, spreading that water throughoutrepparttar 115857 day so that I drink some at least every two hours) is a definite focus for me.

Taking more showers helps my skin eliminate more and reducesrepparttar 115858 chance of skin eruption from toxins being released. Brisk towel rubs are also something I do when cleansing, to helprepparttar 115859 skin release and to stimulate circulation and blood flow onrepparttar 115860 skin surface.

6. Mixing and matching:

I have learned to be a little cautious about adding several different formulas into my system at once. If I were under a doctor's care for a pre-existing condition, I would think it most advisable to consult with my doctor before adding any herbal medicines torepparttar 115861 system.

In general, I have learned (through experience) not to add more than two new formulas at a time. It's what works for me. By honoring what your body tells you, you can determine what is safe for you. Using more than one formula is sometimes perfect, and appropriate. If we learn to listen torepparttar 115862 Spirit of our body, we will know. Until then, it might be wiser to err onrepparttar 115863 side of caution by using only one new formula at a time or by working with a wellness counselor and monitoring our body system closely duringrepparttar 115864 first few days of any new addition to our regimen.

7. Hearingrepparttar 115865 spiritual message:

Experience has taught me, torepparttar 115866 point that it is absolute Truth for me, that our physical bodies are a kind of diagnostic tool for our spiritual selves. If we are living in balance, in accordance with what is true and progressive for our path, keeping our minds positive and our emotions cleared, we will not manifest illness. It is when we are out of spiritual balance thatrepparttar 115867 physical warnings appear.

I have learned not to look so much at why any ingested ingredient causes imbalance but why I chose to take it inrepparttar 115868 first place. This is decidedly a metaphysical approach to self-treatment and I realize it isn't for everyone!

Working with herbs is a wonderful journey into natural health and wellness that, when approached with respect, responsibility and a sense of exploration can yield dividends forrepparttar 115869 rest of your days. I believe herbs provide a viable supplementation to traditional medicines and, for some like myself, arerepparttar 115870 preferred method of treatment. We're all adults here. Make wise choices; chices which work for you. Self treatment requires self-responsibility and monitoring. Don't try it if you aren't willing to explore, expand and learn what may now be new to you.



Neva is a wellness counselor, reflexologist, herbalist and Reiki Master. Having studied herbs extensively for years, she brings an intuitive and spiritually based wisdom to working with plant medicines. She is webmaster of the health, wellness and Spirit portal at http://www.healthynewage.com


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