Supplements ... The New Magic Pills?Written by Pat Swan, MA, Wellness Coach
If I hear one more person suggest supplements as cure to life stressors I'll scream! Everywhere I go I hear someone talking about this or that supplement, this or that herb, this or that dietary regime as answer to health and happiness. Over next week or so, listen for ads yourself and take note.On radio I hear, "Are you feeling stressed? Is your life reeling out of control? Do you have too much to do, too little time to do it? Then send for ABC product and help protect yourself from ravages of stress. ABC will restore your health and well being" Or one like this, "Do you suffer from heartburn or acid stomach? Is stress in your life catching up to you? Then send for XYZ product and solve your stomach problems." Or I am conversing with a holistic health practitioner and I hear, "If only so and so would get into herbs, or put a drop or two of this or that under their tongue every day, their problems would be solved." How would they know what problems or life stressors so-and-so is dealing with? Multi-level marketers, physician offices, traditional or integrative, it doesn't matter. All want you to ingest some magic product to solve all your problems. Never mind that stress is caused by behavioral habits that need to change, or by distorted thinking that impedes success and destroys self-esteem. Never mind that relationship or financial problems keep us awake at night. Never mind that you are fourteen years old, have no friends and are being harassed at school. Just take these products and you will feel better. The only difference between old and new line is that traditional physicians push chemicals and man made medicines, and holistic practitioners push soy, herbs, and gluten-free diets. For heaven's sake, even on a popular wellness physician's website I read, "From improved energy and lowered stress levels to a stronger immune system, our special vitamin plan has answers." Apparently you can answer a set of questions and magically solve your problems as you "receive regular delivery of your customized supplement packs." Apparently you can answer a set of questions and magically solve your problems as you "receive regular delivery of your customized supplement packs."
| | The Shoemaker Has No ShoesWritten by Pat Swan, MA, Wellness Coach
A funny thing happened on way to work today. I realized that even though professionals preach health and well being, they might not have a clue how to get there. The old saying that "shoemaker has no shoes" comes to mind.Recently I have experienced several situations involving healthcare personnel supposedly in business of holistic health. They purport to teach health and well being strategies. In all situations, projects were planned and commitments made. Individuals expressed desire to achieve goal, but were unable to follow through. They become irritable and defensive when questioned. They respond with excuses and complaints stating that they have too much to do and not enough time to do it. They admit that they have been neglecting family and other important parts of their life. It's somebody else's fault. They play victim. Yet they continue to see no contradiction in telling others how to run their lives, which foods to eat or not eat, which herbs to take, which supplements to buy to stay healthy. Unfortunately, I see this all too often. Perhaps you do too. Healthcare professionals often focus on one way to achieve health, and ignore rest. They focus only on diet or exercise, supplements or new age options. Or they become so over involved in caring for everyone else that they forget about themselves. They forget about dangers of chronic stress resulting from life problems and lack of balance. Stress kills. Professionals who preach health on a daily basis, can let themselves become so busy and so stressed that their own health is at risk. But they don't stop long enough to see it. These are usually good people with wonderful hearts and positive motivation who tend to focus on others and ignore caring for themselves. But, what kind of models are they? Over time, stress takes its toll emotionally and physically. When you travel by air, flight attendants tell you that if you have small children and there is an emergency, you must put your oxygen mask on first, before helping child. Why? Because if you have no oxygen yourself, you aren't much use to anyone else! Similarly, if healthcare professionals do not believe that managing their stress, balancing their life, and improving their health and well being is important, how can they teach this to others? Research is pretty solid on fact that stress kills.
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