Meditate Your Way To Good Health
“one hour of meditation equals four hours of sleep”
I hesitate to use the word meditation. To me, as well as many others, the word "meditation" conjures up the picture of a bearded man sitting cross-legged in front of an entrance to a cave or high on a mountain top. Climbing the mountain and reaching him is part of the arduous journey toward self-fulfillment, self-improvement. Once we find him we ask, "What is the meaning of life?" or "How do we achieve peace in ourselves and our lives?" This all-knowing man tells us the answers are "inside ourselves" and tells us to go and contemplate. I don't know if that answer was worth the journey!
Well, I am not a wise man on a mountain. I am just like you -- involved in life and work, seeking more serenity and calm in my life. I am still learning but I am finding that it is really helping me balance my life.
Research has shown that meditation can contribute to your physiological as well as your psychological and well-being. This is accomplished because meditation brings your brainwave pattern into an alpha state, which is the level at which healing begins.
Here are some of the benefits you can expect.
Physiological Benefits
- Deep rest-as measured by decreased metabolic rate, lower heart rate, and reduced work load of the heart.
- Lowered levels of cortisol and lactate-two chemicals associated with stress.
- Reduction of free radicals- unstable oxygen molecules that can cause tissue damage.
- Decreased high blood pressure.
- Higher skin resistance. Low skin resistance is correlated with higher stress and anxiety levels.
- Drop in cholesterol levels. High cholesterol is associated with cardiovascular disease.
- Improved flow of air to the lungs resulting in easier breathing. This has been very helpful to asthma patients.
- Decreases the ageing process.
Psychological Benefits
- Greater creativity.
- Decreased anxiety.
- Decreased depression
- Decreased irritability and moodiness
- Improved learning ability and memory.
- Increased feelings of vitality and rejuvenation.
- Increased happiness.
- Increased emotional stability.
Meditation is very easy. I suggest you start with a breathing meditation. Sit with your eyes partially closed and turn your attention to your breathing. Breath naturally, preferably through the nostrils, without attempting to control your breath, and try to become aware of the sensation of the breath as it enters and leaves the nostrils. This sensation is your object of meditation. Concentrate on your breathing until everything else seems to fade way. Continue this for 20 minutes.
I think you will notice a big difference. Especially if you continue doing it daily.
Thank you for your patronage.
Have an excellent day.
Thom King
President
thom.king@steviva.com
Steviva Brands, Inc.
YOUR MIND
Expecting Miracles
Max Steingart
You don't need an explanation for everything.
There are such things as miracles,
events for which there are no ready explanations.
Future knowledge may explain these events quite simply.
Any form of sufficiently advanced technology
can be quite indistinguishable from magic
when it's introduced for the first time.
Seeing, hearing, feeling are all miracles
as well as each part of you.
Seeing is not always believing.
You know much more than you understand.
Have the vision to see invisible things.
YOUR BODY
Three Quick Secrets To Getting Fit
#1 - Set Your Goals
This might seem cliché, but it is very true. In order to achieve something that you set out to do, you must clearly visualize what this "something" is and how you are going to go about measuring it your ways in which to get "it" and knowing when it is that you finally are going to achieve "it." I always have a short-term goal and a longer-term goal, and I am always writing my goals down with a clear map of "How I am going to achieve it" planned along with it. The more you are inspired to reach your goal, the higher your chance of achieving it. What really drives you to lose 30 lbs? What is your reason for gaining 5 lbs of muscle or losing 15 lbs of fat? If your reason for the goal is not a strong enough fuel for you to grasp this pot of gold at the end of the tunnel, you might find yourself on the path to non-achievement. Get realistic about what you want to achieve, draw out a path for how you are going to go about it, and keep your plan visible so that you are constantly reminded of it. Sometimes, I even tell my closest friends and family about my path to my goals so that they can encourage me along the way.
#2 - Develop a Routine
It is proven that if you develop a structured plan for your daily workouts rather than deciding on whim when and where to workout on a workout-to-workout basis, then you will be more successful. Lay out your workout plan a week in advance so that you are making it a priority, and therefore, can plan other events around it. For instance, start waking up in the morning before work and head to the gym at least 4 times a week. After two weeks, you will be amazed that this routine you have developed has become second nature and getting fit has become part of your lifestyle.
#3 - Put "You" First
One of the most common excuses I hear from my clients when it comes to working out was, "I got too busy:" or, basically, they didn't make time to eat right or workout because life got too crazy. I watch several people that I know train for Ironmans, who also have families and full-time jobs. Training for this event can sometimes add up to working out 3-5 hours in 1 day. And they find time to fit it in. So, that just proves that the whole, "I didn't have time" line is the biggest excuse in the book and I find it super difficult to accept it. You have 24 hours in a day and for at least 1 hour of that day, you can set aside time to enjoy some time in the gym, or in a pool, or on your bike. Exercise is important because not only will it make you look better, but it will make you feel awesome and improve your health. Wouldn't the chance to ultimately live longer motivate you enough to mange your time better throughout the day and make healthy decisions. If you can, workout before you go to your job in the morning. Find time to fit in a lunch-hour workout if your job allows. Weekends are perfect for family activities, in which you can join your spouse for an evening walk or encourage your kids to play at the park while you run around the nearby bike path. You are in control- take personal responsibility and make eating right and exercise a priority.
YOUR SPIRIT
Finding Inspiration
“It is never about how good your voice is; it is only about feeling the urge to sing, and then having the courage to do it with the voice you are given.”
-- Katie in ‘True to Form’ by Elizabeth Berg
How often have you allowed fear and your inner critic to stop you from doing something you were inspired to do?
Helen Keller said, "Life is either a grand adventure or nothing.” When we allow fear and criticism to stop us in our tracks, we give up that grand adventure. What a waste!
“Be an all-out, not a hold-out.”
-- Norman Vincent Peale
YOUR RECIPE
Low Glycemic Sugar Free French Salad Dressing
Serves: 20
Carbs Per Serving: 0.85 g
Prep Time:<10 minutes
Skill Level: Easy
Ingredients:
1 Cup Olive Oil
1 Cup Red Wine Vinegar
2 Tbs. Lemon Juice
2 Tsp. Worcestershire Sauce
1½ Tsp. Salt
1½ Tsp. Dry Mustard
1¼ Tbs Steviva Brand Stevia Blend or a tiny dash of Steviva Brand Stevia Powder
1½ Tsp. Pepper
2 Clove Garlic – Minced
Instructions:
Put everything in a jar with screw on lid and shake well.
Makes about 1 cup
Nutritional Facts
Total Calories: 1936
Calories Per Serving: 96.8 serving size 2 tablespoons
Total Fat Per Serving:10.875g
Saturated Fat: 1.20 g
Cholesterol Per Serving: 0.0mg
Sodium Per Serving: 0.2 mg
Total Carbohydrates Per Serving: 0.85g
Dietary Fiber: 0.0
Sugars: 0.0g
Protein: 0.0g
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