September 2011

Sep

22

4 Tips for Staying in Optimal Health this Autumn

Body Talk  Posted by / 0 comments
fall_health

As the seasons change, it is imperative that we honour our bodies as we shift and adapt in relation to the seasons. Here are some key pointers for navigating this change with grace.

  1. Eat for the season – This is really tied into the idea of “eating locally” as well. Strawberries (much as I love them) do not grow in my part of the world in September. But apples do, and broccoli and cabbage and cauliflower are in their prime! You may notice that your food cravings are changing along with the seasons – those crisp cold salad greens might not appeal to you anymore, and you may dream of stew and biscuits or sweet potato pie. Eat what calls to you! Your body is changing and its needs are different as it prepares for the winter. Honour that! And enjoy that pumpkin pie!
  2. Sleep for the season – Less daylight hours means that our bodies naturally require more sleep. In fact, the use of the light bulb in some ways has impeded our natural rhythm as it allows us to stay up later and be busy for longer hours. But the truth is, we need more rest at this time of year. So forget about being up to all hours working on this project or that one…and get to bed!
  3. Exercise for the season – This is the time to unwind your body in preparation for the long winter rest time ahead. Lovely long walks, gentle stretching, and yoga are some examples of ways to stay active and yet mirror the energy of the season.
  4. Think for the season – Autumn represents the time of letting go as we prepare for the rest time of winter. Prepare your mind by letting go of negative thinking or habits that are no longer serving you. Now is the time to lay to rest any old negative patterns so that over the winter, you can enjoy a sense of inner peace and calm.

I wish you a wonderful, relaxing, and fabulous Autumn. Enjoy this season and stay happy and healthy!

Sep

08

Humpty Dumpty and You

From the Heart  Posted by / 0 comments
humpty

Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the King’s horses and all the King’s men, Couldn’t put Humpty together again.

I can totally relate to Humpty Dumpty. I myself have had several “great falls” in my lifetime – my first crash into depression, my miscarriage, my car accident (to name a few) – and there were many times after these falls when I wondered if anyone would be able to put “me” back together again.

Dramatic and traumatic events in life are often the precursor to health problems. I have had women in my office with breast cancer (developed after the death of a loved one), IBS (onset after loss of a job), colitis (since moving in with abusive partner), cervical dysplasia (since being sexually assaulted)…the list goes on. In fact, the link between dramatic/traumatic life events and the onset of a health problem is so prevalent that I expect it to be there. I consider it my job to help my client identify the key events in her life, link them to the present health condition, and thus begin the work of healing.

So you might say that I have had the honour of being a “King’s Man” who actually helped a few Humpty Dumpties get put back together again!

With my work bringing me opportunities to help others get their lives back on track after dramatic/traumatic events, and with my own life bringing me the chance to be the one that needed that help, I cannot emphasize enough that there truly are people out there that can help you get better. No matter how doubtful you are, how desperate the situation, there is help available. Trust me! There are many “King’s Men” qualified to help you no matter what your health condition, no matter how great your fall, no matter how many pieces you have broken into. We can help put you back together again, and we would be honoured to do so.

Let’s rewrite the rhyme:

Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall, All the King’s horses and all the King’s men, Simply put Humpty together again.