 This month in the Wellness Zone...........creating a healthier YOU!
Are you completely happy with your current level of health? Were you sick or tired in 2008? (or just sick and tired of being sick and tired!) George Bernard Shaw once said "Life isn't about finding yourself; its about creating yourself". Unfortunately we live in a world that is sick-care focused rather than focused on preventing illness and optimising health. We only tend to see the doctor if we are sick.
We invest time and money in having our car serviced regularly to ensure it doesn't break down and yet don't do the same for ourselves! Imagine if we decided to take responsibility for our health and actually invested some time in achieving and maintaining an optimal level of health, what a difference that could make! Just having more energy can make a dramatic difference to our productivity, attitude and our work and family life. So how do we create this life of wellness?
Over the next few months I will be introducing a Health Audit in which we will work our way through the major systems in the body and you will be able to get an indication if things are less than optimal and what you can do to improve it. We will look at the: o Nervous System o Digestive System o Reproductive System o Musculoskeletal System o Circulation System, and the o Skin And discuss aspects of lifestyle, diet, supplements and treatments that can support these areas. Of course nothing replaces an individualised consultation with a trained practitioner but this might help to see if you need to take that step. Each of these areas is complex and we will only be able to touch the tip of the iceberg. This information is not provided as medical advice and if you are on prescribed medication or have any medical issues, you should always check with your doctor first. So let's make a start.......
1. The Nervous System - Part I
With the devastating bushfires of recent days I find myself often close to tears as I listen to the rising death toll and the many stories of escape and survival. We can only imagine the nightmare of losing everything you own or worse still the lives of loved ones, but even as we witness these events on television they can also be having a negative effect on us. Aside from the trauma suffered by those directly involved in such tragedies, we too can become depressed, anxious and stressed by the events around us. The last time this became evident was after 9/11 in the USA when the mental health of many in the general population was shown to be significantly affected. The reason for this is as we witness these events and experience the emotions, albeit on a much smaller scale to those actually involved, the stress response can be triggered and can cause physiological changes not conducive to optimal health. This is especially important for children who don't always understand everything they see and cause them to worry and fear for their own safety. Some of the signs of a stressed and out of balance nervous system can be: - difficulty getting to sleep or maintaining sleep - irritability, anger - anxiety, nervous tension - easily upset or overly emotional - feeling overwhelmed - not coping with day to day activities What can we do? Take whatever action we can to help those affected - donating what we can not only helps the victims but also makes us feel like we are doing something to help and this can ease our own anxieties.
- If you are feeling any of the emotional changes listed above, limit the time you spend exposed to the media especially if there are children around.
- Talk to a friend or family member about how you feel over a nice cup of chamomile tea!
- There are some lovely herbs which can be taken in tablet, tincture or tea forms to support the nervous system during this time and help level out the highs and lows - passionflower, chamomile, valerian, lavender.
- Try to avoid lots of sugar, refined carbs, coffee and alcohol which all stimulate the nervous system. Regular small meals will help to balance blood sugar which can also influence energy and mood.
My prayers and sympathies are with all those who have lost and I am forever thankful and grateful for all that I and my family have.
Simone
visit Simone at www.wellnessandfertility.com.au
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