Health and Mood

Everyone knows that being a full time mom is a never ending job.  But that doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t also bring in a little bacon as well as fry it up in a pan. 

The internet has created an expanse of jobs that can be done from home.  Typing, medical records and virtual assistants are all positions that allow you to work form your home and often on your own time frame. 

It’s ok to think outside of the box too, just because you live in Fresno CA, doesn’t mean you have to look for work in Fresno.  The internet frees you up to find the job that’s right for you in the time zone that works for you. 

The internet also is comprised of online educational programs that allow you to get training and certification in everything from trade schools to advanced degrees. 

Again, the benefit of this is that most of the time the classes are available for viewing on your own time frame.  And the work is deadline based with ample support available to you at any time you need. 

It may seem that working and going to school will just take up more of this energy we are trying so hard to find.  However, it is proven that by maintaining a sense of you and by working on the things that interest you, you will feel confident in who you are and will be amazed at how much energy enjoining a sense of self can bring you.

Kids grow up fast.  From newborns to kindergarten to high school graduation in what can seem like no time at all.  When the time comes that all the kids are in school, you’ll be in a better spot to transition back to a career or launch a new one. 

And by the time they graduate, if you choose you’ll be able to work as much or as little as you like.  Working can help the nest feel a little less empty, the pocket books a little more full and you a lot more rejuvenated.

Share This

Bookmark To:

Taking the time to center yourself through meditation or prayer will help give you some quiet time to reflect on your life.  Quiet reflection helps to free the mind from the stresses associated with it.  

The nice thing about prayer and meditation is that it can be done almost anywhere without any props.  If you find yourself with a few minutes of free time, whether it’s waiting in a doctor’s office, first thing in the morning, or while the kids are playing, taking the time to selectively shut out the outside world and focus internally will help you find your center.  

You can also use this time for positive affirmations.   Getting the negative and stress out of your mind and focusing on good things will relax you. Try repeating “I have energy” and “I am calm” while you allow your breathing to get deeper and slower.

Deep breathing actually has a lot of the beneficial characteristics of exercise. It is the fastest way to trigger your parasympathetic nervous system, also known as your relaxation response. 

Although you may not have a lot of time to center, it isn’t so much about the amount of time you don’t have, but rather how you use the quiet moments you do.  Try getting into the habit of breathing deeply, finding your center and telling yourself you have the energy you need. 

Music is such an important component of relaxation and good health that a new branch of health care has been designed to aid physical and emotional health through the use of music. Known as music therapy, it’s often found as part of stress management programs or used in conjunction with exercise.

 From experience you already know that there are few ways in life that take you back to different places than music.  By as easy as changing the dial on the radio you are transported back to your old college days to reliving the moments of your wedding.

Music frees the mind to not just live in the moment but to dance and sing in it as well.  An iPod, or similar mp3 device, gives you the freedom to create the soundtrack of your life. 

You can create the mixes you need to help relax you, motivate you or just make you feel like you are 19 again.  There is no quicker or more fun way to get an instant boost of energy than to put on a favorite song and sing! 

With technology today, finding any song you are looking for is as easy as a single search and often costs less than a dollar. 

Technology has also blessed us with players so small that we can conveniently wear them anywhere.  While grocery shopping, doing dishes or walking around a park, you are free to set the tunes to take you anywhere you want to go, knowing when you come back you’ll be recharged.

Share This

Bookmark To:

If music soothes your soul, grab your iPod and listen to your favorite mix as you do dishes, lay out clothes and make lunches.  If a glass of wine and a book is your vision of escape, then pour yourself a glass; lay a book out on your bed and change into your pajamas. 

Just knowing that at the end of the work you have a mini nirvana waiting for you will help your mind to relax and a relaxed mind. 

Quieting the mind will help ease the transition from the craziness the day brings to the restful peaceful slumber that should lie ahead of you. 

Putting your ‘mom’ mind down for a nap before you lay down to sleep will help you wake up more energized and ready to start the day running.

Another way to increase your daily amount of rest is by taking a nap during the day. Napping isn’t just for kids; it is a very quick and effective way to increase your alertness and can have a very positive impact on your mood, efficiency and alertness level. It also can be a great stress reducer. 

If you get the chance to lie the kids down for a nap, take a few minutes to get some quick shut eye.  A quick recharge in the middle of the day can do wonders when the evening activities kick off.

Also try to think of ways you can get out of the mom role once or twice a month.

If possible, try to schedule a night every couple of weeks that you can punch out from your mom duties early.  Have the family cook for you and do the dishes.  Again, besides making wonderful memories, you’ll be freed up to soak in a tub and let your mind relax as your family tries to fill your shoes. 

Your energy comes from within you; take these times to catch back up with yourself.  By take the time to focus your energies solely on yourself; you will consequently recharging your batteries.  This is what we call a win/win! Enjoy it.

Share This

Bookmark To:

Being able to carry on a conversation with a grown up is something we take for granted most of our lives.  However, once you have children there are days you are convinced you will never talk politics, current events, or relationships again. 

Being a mom suddenly becomes the only topic of conversation you have with most people and, when not talking about your kids, you are usually talking to them - a lot of the time in their own childlike vernacular.  Escaping (yes I said escaping) this from time to time can be a sanity savor and immediate energy booster. 

Mommy groups are a good way to connect with other women in the area who also need grown up company. And although they fill a very real niche in your life, don’t forget that it’s ok to make a night to get away from any talk of pregnancy, babies and the ‘terrible twos.”

Having a night to dress up, put on make-up, do your hair and go out on the town will be an event you look forward to all week.  It won’t always be easy to get out; however, as discussed in other sections, there are ways to get help watching the kids. 

Going out with other adults helps you to keep touch of part of you that don’t want to associate with being a mom 24/7.  It’s ok to want to eat with people who know how to feed themselves. 

In fact, you’ll find it so rewarding that you’ll begin to figure out how you can maintain this on a regular basis. Be social.  It’s part of our human nature to want to go out.  It’s energizing, it’s exciting and after all the hours of hard work you put in on a regular basis, it’s more than justified.

Share This

Bookmark To:

Keeping Your Mind and Body Healthy

When our bodies are healthy, our minds are usually healthy as well.  Being in good health gives us more energy and a better attitude. 

But it is important not to take these gifts for granted.  We must take steps to maintain our physical and mental health.  If one is suffering, the other will often follow.

There are lots of things we can do to keep our minds and bodies healthy.  Here are a few to consider:

* Work out regularly.  Obviously this is good for our bodies, but it is also good for our minds.  Intense physical exercise helps relieve stress, and it can boost our self-esteem.  Try to participate in some substantial physical activity each day, and work out at least three times a week.

* Eat a nutritious diet.  Healthy foods give us the nutrients our bodies need to fight off disease and maintain a healthy weight.  They also give us the energy we need to exercise and participate in everyday activities.

* Get plenty of rest.  If we’re not getting enough sleep at night, we have less energy during the day.  Our mental health also suffers.  Getting in our 8 hours every night is more important than most of us realize.

* Keep tabs on your health.  Find a doctor that you like and respect, and go to her for annual checkups.  Some health problems can sneak up on you, but regular physicals can facilitate early detection and make treatment easier and more effective.

* Kick bad habits.  Smoking, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, and overeating can all adversely affect our physical health.  By putting these habits to rest, we can feel better both physically and mentally.

* Meditate.  If your mind is cluttered or you have a negative outlook, meditation can help.  It can increase your mental clarity and help you see things in a more positive light.

* Participate in activities you enjoy.  Staying healthy doesn’t have to be dull and boring.  Finding a sport or other physical activity that you look forward to participating in will allow you to have fun while doing something that is good for your body.  And, of course, having fun is great for your mental state.

Staying healthy requires some effort, but it makes our lives longer and more enjoyable.  This applies not only to our bodies, but also to our minds.  Taking the time to keep our minds and bodies in good shape allows us to be happier and more productive, and to get more out of life.

Share This

Bookmark To:

The Effects of Stress on Your Body

Stress can have profound effects on our mental health.  It can cause us to lose focus, or it can trigger depression or anxiety.  It might affect our memory, and it can have a negative impact on our relationships with others.  But did you know that stress can adversely affect our physical health as well?

The Physiology of Stress

In addition to the changes that stress brings forth in our minds, it causes a number of physiological responses.  Here is how it works:

1.  First, we experience the stress alarm reaction.  This is commonly known as the “fight or flight” response.  Hormones and chemicals, including adrenaline and endorphins, flood into the bloodstream, and we experience a sudden burst of energy.  This increases our blood pressure and breathing rate.  Digestion slows down, and blood rushes to our major organs.

2.  Once the initial threat has passed, our bodies move into a stage called stress resistance.  The body begins to function somewhat normally again, but it is still on alert.  It begins to repair any tissue that was damaged during the initial stage of stress.

3.  The third stage is stress exhaustion.  This occurs when we experience ongoing stress.  This stage is where the most damage is done.  The immune system may be suppressed thanks to an overabundance of certain chemicals, and the cardiovascular system often suffers.

What Do These Responses Do to Our Bodies?

The end results of too much stress can be detrimental to our health.  The strain it puts on our cardiovascular system can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure or stroke.  We might gain weight due to changes in metabolism or eating habits.  Our immunity might become impaired to the point that we get sick more frequently.  Stress has also been known to be a major factor in the formation of many stomach ulcers.

Stress can also affect our bodies in ways that are less serious but rather bothersome.  It can cause headaches and body aches.  It might lead to skin breakouts.  It can affect our sleep patterns.  It can cause sexual dysfunction.  And it can make us more susceptible to allergy symptoms.

Health problems that we already have are often made worse by stress.  This is especially true for disorders that are connected to the nervous system, such as chronic pain, digestive problems, and bowel disorders.  If these ailments are present, excessive stress can make a bad situation worse.

We all experience stress.  It is a normal, unavoidable part of life.  But too much stress can cause numerous problems for us.  That’s why it is so important for us to learn how to handle stress effectively.  Doing so will reduce its harmful effects on both the mind and the body. 

Share This

Bookmark To:

Listening To Sounds of Nature For Relaxation

What types of music do you enjoy the most: new age, classical, pop, world, or instrumental? Do you own any relaxation CDs such as sounds of the ocean, nature, waterfalls? If not, you may want to include a few in your collection. A case can be made why the sounds of nature are a great relaxation technique. In fact this is one of the points made in the book Nature Deficit Disorder.

If you live in a suburban area, what is the first thing you hear in the morning when you wake up? For some, it is the symphonic chorus of birds calling to each other. If you listen closely, you can hear a repetitive pattern emerge. It is quite soothing.

Conversely, city dwellers may be exposed to garbage trucks picking up the morning trash, cars honking, sirens blasting - sounds that are not in any way conducive to starting off the day in a relaxed state.

But what if you can experience the sounds of nature simply by popping in a CD and putting on the headphones? Today, there are more CDs devoted to sounds of nature than ever before. The reason is because the noise level in our cities and towns has drowned out the sounds of nature, and the stresses of daily life seem to build up to a cacophony of endless discord.

While there are those who seek relaxation by utilizing meditative practices such as Pilates, Tai Chi, or Qi Gong, for others it is difficult to find the time. In a world where there is little time for relaxation, we look to find other ways to achieve the same effect.

Playing sounds of nature has the effect of putting you in a contemplative joyful mood. You can lie down and listen to ocean waves hit the shore, or listen to waterfalls and imagine you are there, or hear the birds call to each other upon sunrise. Whether it’s watching a squirrel retrieve nuts hidden long ago, or witnessing fledglings take flight for the first time – there is so much life happening around us.

Nature has a way of reminding us to slow down, to bring about an inner peace and balance that nature provides. Try listening to sounds of nature, especially on those days when it seems as if there is no escape from the harsh sounds of reality.

Share This

Bookmark To:

Using Scents to Help You Relax

Relaxation has become a rare commodity these days. With the stresses of everyday life interrupting the many pleasures we seek to enjoy, there are ways in which we can take time out to “smell the roses”. Using the sense of smell to help you relax is one way to achieve a sense of balance and serenity.

The sense of smell can determine one’s mood. It can either irritate or invoke pleasant memories of a specific point in time. It can act as a deterrent, or induce a sense of calm. What we do to bring on a relaxed state differs with each person.

While some may find that a hot bath using essential oils offers total relaxation, others may prefer relaxation by taking a trip to the spa. Perhaps baking a loaf of bread, mowing the lawn, or gardening may be conducive to experiencing a more relaxed state.

What all of these activities have in common is that they target the one sense that produces immediate results. When we are in close proximity to a scented candle or apply a particular perfume to our skin, the aroma is transferred through the nose to the olfactory bulb and makes its way to the brain. This brings about a feeling of wellbeing and emotional calm.

In a research study it was found that the fragrance of lily of the valley not only increased relaxation, but made individuals happier. Further studies asserted that when individuals were asked to smell Douglas fir, their mood quickly changed from negative to positive. Additional studies also found that the use of pine needles at London airports have decreased stress in travelers.

It is the sense of smell that can make a psychological difference in those who are exposed to pleasant fragrances. One study conducted in a mall found that those who came into contact with a pleasant fragrance were more willing to help a total stranger than those who were not.

The old saying that “the nose knows” is true. We surround ourselves with aromas that effectively offer a sense of wellbeing, calm, and feelings of serenity. Whether we use aromatherapy candles, oils, or engage in everyday activities, the aromas permeate our homes and our lives.

It seems easy enough to find that one aroma that is not only pleasing to the nose, but also acts as a catalyst which allows our bodies to succumb to the feelings of inner peace and relaxation.

Share This

Bookmark To: