The Keys to Lasting Health

I think the majority of the population is aware that a healthy body equals a better quality and oftentimes quantity of life. Despite the consensus, many people have a hard time breaking bad eating habits and really committing to a life of eating healthy and exercising regularly.

I want you to know that it is not as difficult as you think. You might be looking at the big picture as more of an "all or nothing" mentality, when in reality it is a day by day process. It is more of a journey and it is one that you can begin at anytime. All it takes is desire, passion, and commitment.

A very easy first step you can take is to remove as many 'non-food' items from your diet. These are sugars, grains, white table salt and milk. I know it might be difficult to let go of some of those, but the benefit is that you will feel so much better within just a few weeks. These items provide virtually no, if little macronutrients to the body despite what food companies espouse.

The next thing to minimise or eliminate all together is processed foods. Processed foods are foods that have been changed from their natural state. They are foods that are canned, frozen, or dehydrated. Examples of processed foods that are detrimental to you health are canned goods that have a lot of sodium in them; chips, frozen dinners, packaged cookies, breakfast cereals with high sugar, breads with white flour and processed meats.

If you remove these unhealthy foods from your life, your digestion system will certainly thank you for it. It is taxing on the digestive system to process junk and processed foods and even when it does, there are very little nutrients that actually get absorbed into your body. Such food place a burden on the human body, as it attempts to draw nutrients from what is essentially 'dead' (no life-giving) food items.

As you decrease unhealthy foods, increase foods that your body needs and loves. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables every day. Consume foods which are whole and natural, which have not been refined or processed. Introduce new healthy foods into your diet as often as you can. You don't have to make a dramatic change at first, as that might tend to make you anxious. If you are not sure how to cook with healthy foods, purchase a cook book to guide you. It can be quite fun to learn how to cook healthy meals.

Along with eating healthy, adopt an exercise regimen. There are all sorts of things you can do to exercise: walk, jog, play tennis, try yoga, go hiking, swimming or join a gym. As you exercise, you strengthen muscles and your core; endorphins are released throughout your body allowing you to feel happier. If you take just 20 minutes out of your day and exercise, you will be well on your way to a healthier life.

Lasting health involves the physical, mental, and also the spiritual. Make a concerted effort to grow spiritually by taking time periodically for meditation, prayer, contemplation or even quite time alone. A wonderful place to feel at one with Spirit is out in nature. Many people associate prayer with religion. Prayer may involve a simple 'thank you' to the universe for that new job you recently acquired.

Have you ever just sat out in a field or in the woods listening to the sounds of nature and breathing in such a beautiful fragrance? It is in those moments that many people gain clarity about life purpose and a deep gratitude may also fill their hearts.

If you take time daily to connect with Spirit, you will experience less stress and feel more energetic and revived. Your connection with a greater source of energy will help you to experience more joy and peace as you go about living your life. Many people who regularly pray and meditate report that their lives are less stressful and they feel more fulfilled than when they did not engage in spiritual practices.

I hope that you will take these suggestions and put them into practice so that you can have long, lasting health. You are certainly worth it and you will simply feel so much better about yourself. I completely believe in you.

Tony Fahkry is an expert in integrating the mind-body connection with health & healing and personal growth to achieve greater human potential.

Discover more Articles and Videos to assist you reach your highest health and well-being potential. Visit tonyfahkry.com.

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Tips to Living Longer

1. Live Longer By Staying Positive

When you spend quality time with family and friends you can add years to your life almost effortlessly. This is according to research at Cleveland Clinic. "Feeling content about others lowers the production of cortisol, a powerful stress hormone that causes a multitude of illnesses, plus prematurely ages your tissues," reported David Snowdon, Ph.D., professor of Neurology at Sanders-Brown Center on Aging in Kentucky.

2. Live Longer By Moving Your Body Frequently

This small change in lifestyle has the potential for numerous health benefits. A study in the European Heart Journal showed that standing up for as little as two minutes each hour can lower blood pressure levels which have been linked to heart disease. In another study from the University of Tennessee, researchers discovered that just getting up during TV commercials and walking around the house throughout the evening can burn as many calories as walking a mile.

3. Live Longer By Not Smoking

If you smoke and are trying to quit, your body will thank you almost instantly. To help you survive nicotine cravings, it's important to increase the production of happiness hormones and lower overall stress and anxiety. Numerous "quit smoking" programs are available on the internet that offer 24/7 support to increase your success rate. The most popular is Quitnet.com while another is Women.Smokefree.gov, the National Cancer Institute's online support for women.

More Tips to Living Longer

Well known author Dr. Buettner who recently published The Blue Zones: 9 Power Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who've Lived the Longest, identified nine common traits shared by people who live longer, healthier lives. He calls these traits the "Power of 9:"

1. Move Naturally - "Do your own house and yard work, go up and down your stairs with your laundry, knead your own dough," Buettner advises.

2. Know Your Purpose - "Take time to recognize your values, strengths, talents, passions and gifts."

3. Down Shift - "Relieve chronic stress by finding time each day to nap, meditate and pray."

4. The 50% Rule - "Cut 20% of your daily calories with proven healthy practices: eat a big breakfast, dine with your family and begin each meal by expressing appreciation."

5. Plant Slant - "Eat mostly plant-based foods and small portions of meat no more than twice a week."

6. Wine at 5 - "Drinkers live longer than non-drinkers. But moderation is the key."

7. Family First - "Living in a loving, thriving family can add up to six years to your life. Work on a positive, committed relationship and stay close to your parents and grandparents."

8. Belong - "Those with the most social connectedness tend to live longer," Buetter says. "Be part of a group of healthy-minded, supportive people."

9. Right Tribe - "Good friends have a positive effect on your longevity. Support them and adopt healthy behaviors together."

Regular exercise and a diet of antioxidant-rich food gives us the opportunity to take control over how well we age and keep our bodies free from the diseases that are thought to be worsened by oxidation.

About The Author: Robyn M. Cooke is the editor of Quick-Weight-Loss-Tips-for-Women.com which has everything you will need to reach your weight loss goals, including great advice, great products and the inspiration to succeed! Remember, the best investment you can make is in yourself!

Providing useful self development and improvement articles, hynotherapy and counselling writings and other mind help resources online.

Learn Tantra Breathing For Complete Wellbeing

The manner in which we breathe plays a huge role in how healthy and emotionally grounded we are. As a tantra teacher, I place great emphasis on correct breathing and the tantra breathing techniques prescribes by the tantra scriptures. Apart from overall physical, mental and spiritual wellness, tantra breathing is an excellent method of detoxification.

The commonly accepted misconception that breathing should take place through the chest is just that - a misconception. It is a myth propagated by physical fitness advocates who simply do not know any better. In fact, chest breathing can lead to a lot of complications, since the lungs cannot expand to their fullest capacity and are therefore unable to absorb oxygen properly. One of the first things that your tantra teacher will inform you of is that chest breathing is shallow, unhealthy breathing.

Furthermore, expanding the chest is one of the ways in which men behave when they want to display aggression or dominance. It is a primitive response to danger, and its purpose is for the male to take up more space and make himself look bigger and more powerful. For this reason, making it a habit to expand the chest releases all sorts of stress hormones.

For any serious student of tantra, it is important to unlearn this unhealthy manner of breathing and to be instructed in the prescribed tantra breathing methods. This is not always easy.

The correct way of breathing as per tantric yoga guidelines involves drawing breath in slowly through the nose and allowing the abdomen (rather than the chest) to expand. In this way, the diaphragm is distended downwards and creates more space for the lungs to be filled. It is helpful to imagine that the air is being drawn through the lungs and into the belly.

This kind of breathing can be practiced in day-to-day life until it becomes second nature. While practicing tantra breathing during a tantric yoga session, one can take the technique further. After drawing in the breath as outlined above, hold it for a brief moment and then begin expelling it, allowing your belly and chest to deflate. However, the period of exhalation should be longer than that of inhalation, even if by just a few seconds. Then begin the cycle again. Be warned that dizziness may occur, since the blood is absorbing much more oxygen than the body is used to.

Avoid the use of any kind of burned incense while practicing this kind of tantra breathing, as the process of burning smoke will compromise the oxygen content in their air and also introduce harmful residues of combustion into it.

By practicing this tantric technique of inhalation and exhalation, you are ensuring that your lungs are completely voided of used-up air and filled to capacity with fresh oxygenated air. Practicing this kind of breathing for ten minutes each morning and night will have a profound and lasting effect on your body and mind.

Acharya Subhojit Dasgupta is a Tantra Teacher with deep knowledge of traditional Indian sciences. Visit his tantra online guide for Tantra Lessons from this young Tantra Master.

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Stop "Feeding" Your Emotions

Hypnosis is the solution for many problems. Many overweight people have turned to hypnosis for help. Losing weight with hypnosis is easy. Hypnosis weight loss clients may quickly find themselves craving healthier foods and enjoying them more than they ever have enjoyed healthy food. They often report eating and enjoying foods they never even thought they would eat. The change can be amazing. Hypnosis weight loss clients generally feel less deprived and more in control of their eating than they did on other weight loss programs.

People with unresolved weight problems will often realize that they have been trying to "feed" their emotions. This is one of the reasons we have weight problems. We "eat" our emotions. When we do this we "feed" a whole range of other emotions. That only causes more problems. When we gain weight, our self- esteem suffers; our self-confidence and other feelings about ourselves are affected. Food does not satisfy emotional eating; it only causes more negative feelings such as guilt and stress from weight-gain. When we use food as a crutch for emotion we take in more calories than we need. The emotion does not change, but weight often does, with added pounds.

People are creatures of habit. We fall back on the patterns that we have learned throughout our lives, especially the habits we learned in childhood. Sometimes we keep childhood patterns for a lifetime. We may realize that we learned the wrong patterns and try to change them but we often fail. We can easily learn new things and develop new patterns of behavior using hypnosis. The key to this is changing our subconscious mind. If we do not change our subconscious mind we will quickly find ourselves falling right back into negative patterns of behavior in stressful times. Our subconscious mind controls everything we do. When we change our subconscious mind we change negative behaviors for good.

This is where hypnosis can help. Retraining the subconscious mind is a very simple process. Using relaxation and imagination, hypnosis clients are able to change their negative behaviors into positive behaviors. They can then benefit from these positive behaviors quickly. There are no pills to buy and take, there are no expensive diet foods to buy and no weight gain when you stop eating "their" food. The only cost of hypnosis is the cost of the program you choose and any reinforcing materials you buy. It really is a permanent lifestyle change anyone can live with.

For permanent weight loss solutions schedule a free weight loss screening today. smithfieldhypnosis.com. Providing useful self development and improvement articles, hynotherapy and counselling writings and other mind help resources online.

The Confessions of A Dream Expert and The Fight Between God and Satan

When we translate the meaning of dreams according to Carl Jung's method of dream interpretation we understand God's words in the dream images. I managed to understand the meaning of dreams better than Jung because I was a literature writer.

I will explain why a literature writer was the ideal person to continue a psychiatrist's research. I will also help you understand your reality with my story. You'll understand the relationship existent between the meaning of dreams and your mental health. You'll also understand the meaning of the fight between God and Satan.

Since Carl Jung discovered that our dreams are produced by God, and since I discovered God's sanctity, I had to obey God's guidance. I had to remember the religious lessons I had during my childhood and my adolescence.

I studied in a Catholic school during twelve years. I had learned my religious lessons very well because I paid attention to this topic. However, I became an atheist after suffering from a tragic car accident when I was 15-years-old, while still studying in the same school.

My atheism helped me understand the importance of God's existence when I recovered my faith. It also helped me understand what kind of enemies I would have to face when I would have to prove God's existence to the world.

My religious education played an important role during my entire research, especially when I had to fight absurdity, while keeping my conscience alive. I had to pass through atheism in order to really believe in God after discovering scientific proof of His existence.

When I became a revolted atheist, I started criticizing my religion with the same arrogant spirit that characterizes all atheists. My atheism lasted six years. After this period of time I started believing again in the possibility of God's existence because I understood that I was ignorant.

However, the fact that I admitted the possibility of God's existence didn't mean that I had faith. I recuperated my faith only when I became a dream expert (in 1988) and I translated the symbolic meaning of the book I had written after suffering from the tragic car accident when I was a teen.

I stopped being an atheist when I finished writing this literary book, which was inspired by the unconscious mind that produces our dreams and gives us artistic talents. God was guiding me during the six years of atheism that marked my life only thanks to my literary talent, since I abandoned my religion.

I gradually discovered the truth about my destiny, after studying various scientific subjects, after becoming a dream expert, and after understanding the symbolic meaning of my literary work, which contained numerous dream symbols. I saw that I was a prophet.

The book I had written with my own hands during six years was in fact written by the unconscious mind. I was not the real author.

After the tragic accident I became an aggressive atheist, but my arrogance disappeared with time. As I kept writing the strange philosophical romance inspired by the unconscious mind, I understood that there were many complications that I was not taking into consideration when I was judging God's decision.

I ignored the real reasons why someone had to die. I also ignored how the world functions. I was so ignorant that I couldn't criticize anything.

After translating the symbolic meaning of the dream images contained in the strange romance I had written after the car accident, I understood that I was absurd. This book was trying to open my eyes.

I verified that God didn't abandon me, even though I had abandoned Him. I recovered my faith, ashamed of everything I had said and written when I was an aggressive atheist.

I understood the meaning of the car accident in my life. I found many answers.

God told me that I was receiving grace because I wrote a literary book with the intention to put an end to poverty and violence.

Receiving divine grace? I felt so important! I couldn't believe this was really real. I felt proud of myself because I had written this literary book, even though it was in fact inspired by the divine unconscious mind.

I thanked God because he saved me thanks to my literary talent. Then, I asked Him if I could do anything to help Him somehow. He was always very serious and sad.

God told me that He couldn't save me with the information He gave me in my literary work. I had to pass through psychotherapy.

He also told me that yes; I could do something to help Him. I had to be crucified in His place, and imitate Jesus' example. I had to attain sanctity in order to face craziness like a hero, and prove His existence to the world.

What?

I hated my position. I didn't want to prove God's existence to the atheistic world.

Nobody would believe me. I hated my mission.

I obeyed the divine unconscious mind against my will only because I recognized my ignorance, my absurdity, and my evilness.

However, I felt that God was like a blackmailer. He managed to imprison me into a deep trap. First of all, He showed me that I was totally absurd and I needed psychotherapy. Then, He told me that the only solution to my problem was to obey his guidance and attain sanctity.

I didn't want to have the behavior of a saint. I had never had such intention.

God told me this was indispensable. I had to agree with His plan and stop complaining. Otherwise, I had to bear His punishments.

He sent me many diseases and pains. He treated me as if I was a monster.

God was right. I really was mean, cruel, indifferent, and absurd. My heart was frozen. I had no doubt that I had to obey His guidance if I wanted to escape craziness, terror, and despair.

Thanks to my obedience (always against my will) I could discover the existence of the anti-conscience; our wild and primitive conscience. The biggest part of our brain belongs to our anti-conscience, which has satanic characteristics. This is why we are absurd, violent, and idiotic. Our anti-conscience is Satan.

I didn't want to be the one who would have to prove this bitter truth to the world, and also prove that God produces our dreams in order to save our sanity.

It was already more than too difficult to attain sanctity, or fight craziness. I didn't believe I would ever be able to attain sanctity. I was an impatient dictator like my father. The process of transformation I had to pass through would never end.

I hated my existence. All the joy I felt because I could discover so much after better understanding the dream language became a nightmare.

I hated God, I hated the Universe, and I hated the human race. I hated my destiny. I hated everything.

Why me?

After calming down, I concluded that I really had to make my decisions based on the knowledge I had acquired after continuing Carl Jung's research. I couldn't ignore my absurdity and my dependence on a safe psychotherapy.

I knew I could trust the divine wisdom, but I couldn't trust human doctors. There was no second alternative for me.

I agreed with the fact that I had to transform my personality, but only in a theoretical level. I basically disagreed with God's method.

He demanded too much from me. I obeyed His guidance besides disagreeing with His plan only because I understood my position.

God gave me a heavy cross, telling me that I was a terrible demon. I had to pass through many crucifixions.

I had to learn how to be humble in order to escape schizophrenia. I had to prove to the world that only the obedience to God's guidance can save humanity from craziness and terror by fighting my anti-conscience and winning this battle.

I hated my existence.

I obeyed God's guidance against my will, writing many blasphemies in numerous notebooks.

God took advantage of my ignorance.

If I had to become a psychiatrist, why didn't I study psychiatry in a university?

Who would trust me?

I had many objections to this plan. However, God told me that I had to obey like a soldier, because there was no solution. My obedience was a miracle He was trying to make during billions of years without success. Only if a demon like me would accept suffering in His place in order to prove His existence to the atheistic world, would the world really believe in the truth.

I had to always remember that I needed psychotherapy because I was a terrible monster and stop complaining because this was my destiny. I would become schizophrenic like my father without the miraculous unconscious psychotherapy in my dreams.

I would be a cruel dictator and rule the world with my absurd ideas. God was giving me the chance to attain sanctity and find sound mental health only because He was sorry for my victims.

I was the worst demon existent on Earth. I would generate a third world war and kill all children. I would eliminate the human race with my evilness and absurdity. This is why God chose me for this difficult mission. This is why He was trying to convince me that I had to attain sanctity.

He was in fact trying to prevent a big catastrophe. I was extremely dangerous.

God gave me a great literary talent in order to help me keep my sensitivity somehow alive, even though I was so cruel.

I had the impression that I was a good person because I was very generous when I was a child. My goodness was admired by the nuns at my school and by everyone around me. However, this generosity was the result of all the luxury I had. I lived like a princess.

I had the impression that there was goodness in my heart, but this was not true. When I became a teen my powerful anti-conscience provoked the tragic car accident with the intention to take advantage of my suffering, and generate a neurosis within my conscience. This is why I became so aggressive and cruel.

My destiny couldn't be different. I had inherited too many absurd tendencies and I was too violent.

My literary talent was very important for many reasons. It worked like psychotherapy for me, and it helped me continue Carl Jung's research. I had to be a literature writer in order to understand the meaning of craziness and logic. The cure for all mental illnesses depends on the elimination of hypocrisy.

As a literature writer, I learned how to criticize the human behavior. After the accident I started using irony to express my thoughts, while before I used to merely play with words and beautiful rhymes.

I started writing always with the intention to say something important. I was transformed into an authentic philosopher who was searching the meaning of life.

I used to criticize the human absurdity even before the accident, but after this shocking experience, my criticism became arrogant and offensive. The car accident made me understand the meaning of terror and uncover the global hypocrisy.

The unconscious mind made me criticize the human behavior with irony in order to help me easily identify the signs of hypocrisy. I also learned very well the meaning of logical thinking because I was an excellent writer.

I belonged to the introverted psychological type based on thoughts. I had great facility on analyzing what was logic or illogical.

However, I discovered that the cure for all mental illnesses is based on the development of our sensitivity, and not on our cruel rationalism. God showed me that without sensitivity, there is no balance.

I had to learn how to uncover the false logic contained in all types of absurd thoughts, which initially seem to be logical. This way, I would be able to denounce the false logic of the anti-conscience and show to the world the difference existent between the anti-conscience's thoughts, and the thoughts of our human conscience.

The absurd thoughts sent by the anti-conscience to our human conscience seem to be reasonable. We cannot perceive their evil and absurd side from the beginning.

God prepared me to be able to understand the absurdity of the anti-conscience in its early stages.

My literary talent and the observation of my father's behavior helped me clearly understand the difference between perfect mental health and absurdity. After curing many people through dream therapy for two decades I learned how to put a definitive end to the anti-conscience's tyranny.

If I would study psychology and psychiatry in the universities of the ignorant world, I would only waste my time repeating the common mistakes of the human race.

God's plan was perfect.

However, I couldn't agree with His plan even after understanding its importance because this plan was based on my suffering.

God was always reminding me that I should be grateful because I had the chance to prevent schizophrenia and learn how to be wise.

Today I'm more than grateful for the psychotherapy of the divine unconscious mind. I'm also grateful because I can cure invincible mental illness based on the unconscious guidance in dreams.

Today I agree with God's plan because I saw that His plan is really brilliant.

However, when I had to bear being humiliated, condemned, and despised by everyone, I believed that God's plan was ridiculous.

Whenever I would mention what I had discovered after continuing Carl Jung's research, everyone would tell me that I was probably wrong and I didn't know what I was talking about.

Nobody respected my research and my studies.

Nobody would ever recognize the fact that I was a dream expert, and everything I had discovered. Nobody would ever pay attention to my existence. Nobody would even give me the chance to prove the value of my work.

Fortunately, even though I basically hated God's plan, I was extremely obedient. I understood that I was in danger. I knew that I could trust God's wisdom, but I had to be afraid of my dangerous ignorance.

Then, a big miracle happened.

The computer was invented!

The internet united all countries of the world.

The internet was especially created for me. It was the best way to transmit to the entire world the knowledge I had acquired after continuing Carl Jung's research, without depending on anyone's recognition.

However, who said that those who had top rankings would simply let my websites take their place?

I had numerous enemies. They tried to kill me from the beginning of my adventures as an online business owner.

Who sad that internet marketing was simple?

First of all, who sad that I remembered the English lessons I had when I was young?

I had to rewrite in English the scientific book I had written during 19 years in the complicated Greek language.

Who said that the world would believe that a simple woman like me could discover the cure for all mental illnesses after continuing Carl Jung's research?

Who said that the world cares about God's existence or about reading His words in their dreams?

The world keeps being ruled by atheism, materialism, violence, immorality, hypocrisy, and greed.

When will my work put and end to craziness and terror?

When will the world pay attention to the meaning of dreams?

I'm still trying to prove to the world that only Carl Jung managed to really decipher the mysterious meaning of the symbolic dream language. Nobody understands the difference existent between dream theories and real discoveries.

Christina Sponias continued Carl Jung's research into the human psyche, discovering the cure for all mental illnesses, and simplifying the scientific method of dream interpretation that teaches you how to exactly translate the meaning of your dreams, so that you can find health, wisdom and happiness. Learn more at: scientificdreaminterpretation.com.

Visit to download a Free Sample of the eBook Dream Interpretation as a Science (86 pages!). Providing useful self development and improvement articles, hynotherapy and counselling writings and other mind help resources online.

Think Your Muscles Bigger, The Power of Visualisation

Much has been written about the MIND: MUSCLE connection in the fields of bodybuilding and physique enhancement, a phenomenon that has been consistently backed up by scientific research. In 2010 in France at the Centre of Research and Innovation in Sport researchers showed that mental imagery boosted performance in the gym, increasing strength in both the bench press and leg press.

19 subjects were recruited for a 6 week study, and were assigned to either a mental imagery or a control group. The 2 groups performed identical bench press and leg press exercises. The difference came during the rest period between sets. The mental imagery group were told to visualise the exercise movement and imagine how the muscles would feel during each rep. The control group carried out a neutral task.

After 12 workouts, the mental imagery group had gained strength more quickly than the control group. They increased both their single rep maximum lift and the number of reps that they could do with given weights.

The mental imagery group were told to picture in their heads the muscle that they were training and to mentally successfully achieve a certain number of reps with a weight before they trained. They were told to FEEL the set in their heads from the moment the weight was picked up to the conclusion of the set, picturing as vividly as possible how each rep felt.

Without going into too much science, mental imagery helps to increase muscle strength and consequential performance by making your neuromuscular system more efficient, recruiting muscle fibres that would not otherwise be used. This, in simple terms, enables you to lift greater amounts of weight, which in turn leads to the development of larger muscles.

Perhaps the most famous example of this is multi Mr Olympia/ Mr Universe winner Arnold Schwarzenegger who thought of his biceps as mountains where there was no limit to biceps growth, which enabled him to go beyond normal mental barriers.

The results of the research in France mirrored those achieved at Hull University which was presented to the British Psychological Society's Annual Conference at the City Hall Cardiff in March 2006. In this study, 30 people performed machine bicep curls with a machine that measured how much their biceps were working. Subjects tried to produce as much force as possible under three conditions: (1) thinking only about their muscles and how they were working, (2) thinking about the weight they were lifting and (3) thinking about whatever they wanted.

It was found that there was significantly more muscle activity when people concentrated and focussed on the muscle that they were working rather than the weight that they were lifting.

Thinking about a muscle increases action potential, the electrical discharge that travels along the membrane of a cell, but will only lead to increased strength if the muscle is fully contracted, becomes overloaded, and is then allowed to repair and recover.

At the Cleveland Clinic Foundation subjects visualised contracting a finger or bending an elbow but not to perform a task. Over a 12 week period in which subjects did 50 mental contractions 5 days per week, the muscles powering the finger and elbow strengthened by 35% and 13.5%, respectively.

Stimulating a specific muscle response can also be generated by watching the actions of others. In a study at the University of Surrey, researchers found that watching live performances of dance resulted in muscle-specific motor responses in viewers, even when those viewers had no formal training in these movements. Study participants were either frequent dance spectators of ballet, Indian dance, or novices who never watched dance. Researchers tested participants using a technique called single pulse trans cranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to measure corticospinal excitability, or signals in the hand and arm. Researchers found that if the subject was watching a motor action performed by somebody else, the motor cortex got excited. Knowing how excited the motor cortex was meant that the brain was tuning itself in ready for similar actions.

The empathic ability of participants was also tested, using an Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). This is a standard questionnaire used to measure cognitive empathy. It includes a fantasy scale, with questions designed to gauge the ability to immerse yourself into a fictional character, story, or film.

Frequent ballet spectators showed larger responses in the arm muscles when watching ballet compared to when they watched other types of dance, similar results were found with Indian dance fans when watching Indian dance. They also found that that the Indian dance spectators scored higher on the fantasy subscale of the IRI. Results showed that even without physical training, corticospinal excitability can be enhanced as a function of either visual experience, or the tendency to imaginatively transpose oneself into fictional characters. They concluded that it might be possible that transposing oneself mentally into the body of a dancer has some beneficial effects for you, as in your somatosensory perception of yourself, such as the imagined feeling (that) you were dancing with somebody else.

Transposing this to the field of muscle building it would be interesting to see the muscular responses of weight lifting fans watching a weight lifting competition or bodybuilders watching a movie of some top professionals doing a workout.

What all of the above suggests is the power of the mind for muscle building. Recently I have been conducting my own trials, which at some stage I hope to publish, working with teenage Rugby players. Without, at this stage, going into too much detail, individual subjects have been using visualisation as a means to increase overall body strength. The results have been nothing short of amazing with strength increases of in excess of 30% being achieved on average by all participants.

Being a full on contact sport, additional strength equates on the pitch to improved performance levels (these of course are highly subjective) as determined by the players, coaches and of course results (winning) juxtaposed with fewer injuries.

To summarise the above - your mind is a very powerful tool when it comes to muscle building. Before you train you need to get yourself into the correct mind set by observing something inspirational in an associated field (such as in the example above a series of You Tube clips with impressive Rugby tries and tackles). Then before doing a particular exercise focus on the muscle that you are working. The greater the amount of your focus on the muscle the greater the results will be. Feel the muscle as you do the exercise. Concentrate solely on the muscle rather than the resistance being moved. As a side note, in this last respect, from a safety point of view, it is preferential to train with machines rather than free weights as free weights often need more concentration on the movement in order for the exercise to be done correctly.

Once the workout is complete, keep your visualisations going by KNOWING that your muscles have been worked fully and keeping your mind channelled into the additional growth that it will bring.

Use your mind to achieve greater results in your training. By focusing in on your muscles rather than the exercise you can greatly enhance your muscle size and strength, I am currently working with many leading bodybuilders, Rugby Players, Athletes and sports professionals all of whom are benefiting from the power of visualization and the appliance of science to muscle building.

Providing useful self development and improvement articles, hynotherapy and counselling writings and other mind help resources online.

Residual Effects of Guillain Barre

Prior to suffering Guillain Barre (July 1995) I was a very fit male in my late 30's. I competed regularly in triathlons and we all know the type of training required for the three disciplines of that sport. I was also an avid trekker through various terrains. I was (still am) a Dad to two young boys and a husband to one wife (still am). I only give that brief physical and family background because Guillain Barre stopped me dead in my tracks. After discovering what Guillain Barre was I quickly re-focused my life to do all that I could to fully recover. Even though I now work full-time and have done so for a quite a while the residual effects of Guillain Barre remain with me. The medical fraternity call them 'residual neurological abnormalities'.

What are my residual effects and how do they impact on my life? These may be the same for you or a love one.

Pain. Not disabling pain but persistent discomfort in my feet. Sometimes it is like a tingling but most times it is an ache and even those descriptions are not altogether apt. I massage deeply and even smash my feet down on the floor or on the edges of coffee tables so as to 'distribute' or rid myself of the sensation, usually to no effect. The pain tends to be worse at night and is definitely worse if I have been on my feet all day or my feet have been wrapped tightly in working boots. As a teacher and as a husband-father this is usually the case. I do not take any medication.

My feet are 'floppy'. The ankles are weak. The toes flop or don't obey what I ask them to do. I have heaps of muscle twitching. I enjoy watching those. Very funny. I do fall occasionally particularly if I happen to walk backwards. I have to be aware of my walking, my 'feet planting' with each step, even though it's not done consciously. Since GBS I haven't been able to run at all. My calf muscles are very loose as some of the nerves, so I am told, have died or not regenerated. The term from doctors is axonal degeneration. My doctor has mentioned to me that axons send out small branches called collateral sprouts that restore the nerve supply to those muscle fibers whose nerves have been damaged. What I have found is that my muscles must work extremely hard to maintain efficiency over a long period of time. For example I still trek but with two walking poles to aid with balance and support. The legs fatigue to a much faster extent compared to prior Guillain Barre times. For me, it is a long term disability, I hate that word, but not one that I let stop me doing my outdoor pursuits. There is always a way. I have always loved the mental challenges that invariably go with the physical ones.

I have found that from a few months ago (August 2012) I have developed a limp which has originated in the left hip. It is not painful but as I had been affected by GBS from the neck down for a long period of time I have now been told by my doctor that even though the muscles in the hip area had recovered that now they have weakened due to Guillain Barre from those many years ago.

For more detailed information on what Guillain Barre is, the refocusing and strengthening mentally of oneself during the recovery process and the post effects, click here. "What a fantastic book. An inspiration to us all. Outstanding. One cannot escape Andrew's positive ATTITUDE. It jumps out at you. One cannot but be moved by his story of recovery. Andrew's strength of mind and patience shine through. There are lessons for everyone."" SARAH ALLINGAME - Physiotherapist

"Let Your Spirit Run Free leaves you feeling good inside. A book for everyone. GBS sufferers will love it." Dr. W. KNEZEVIC - Neurologist

"Truly inspirational. Congratulations. This book will help people from all walks of life." Dr. G. HANKEY - Neurologist, Perth WA. Providing useful self development and improvement articles, hynotherapy and counselling writings and other mind help resources online.

Path To Defeating Guillain Barre Syndrome

Being diagnosed with Guillain Barre Syndrome found me reacting neither negatively or positively. I didn't know what Guillain Barre Syndrome was. Simple as that. As soon as I knew what it was, then it was a matter of re-focusing my life. This required mental strength.

I knew deep down I really had to defeat what I had. I had to beat it not only physically, but mentally too. I had to beat it in my mind, with my mind. I had to stay right on top of it. How did I do that? I began a lot of positive healing affirmations. I began to have great support from wonderful friends and from different literature that I started to read or was given by caring people. Tapes on healing were given to me to listen to. I was to discover deep within me, resources of strength and coping abilities I never knew I possessed.

I didn't really have to try to keep my sense of humour. I was laughing at myself so much at what was happening to me. I could feel people touch me on the foot, the leg, the arm or hand but I couldn't get those parts to do what I wanted them to do.

I had this determination and belief that I was going to beat this affliction, this syndrome, this disease, this illness. Call it what you want but I was going to stop it getting worse. I had the doctor tell me the worst of Guillain Barre Syndrome and the best. Death to total recovery. I chose the latter. It was from then that I had this faith in myself, in my inner strength, that total recovery was the way to go.

I had the nurses place me into a wheelchair, wheel me outside onto the hospital balcony where I said my many healing affirmations out aloud... everyday! I said them to the world, believed them, visualized them. I visualized everything that was happening inside my body. I visualized the nerves rebuilding, the myelin growing back, the messages passing from my brain to my feet and vice versa. I took my time. I had nowhere else to go. I was unable to go anywhere.

The support of my family and friends was enormous. I was totally buoyant with them all.

Persisting with the healing affirmations, listening to healing tapes, doing my meditations, carrying out the physio exercises in the hydro pool with the therapists and keeping my sense of humour, having fun with the nurses, lots of laughs, all contributed to the recovery and ultimate defeat of Guillain Barre Syndrome.

For more detailed information on how the author contributed to his recovery, click here

"Thank you so much for writing Let Your Spirit Run Free. It was able to provide the support and understanding to my mother that we as a family were unable to. Your book has been an integral part of her recovery. It has made a huge impact on her and our minds. The doubts, the insecurities and the many unanswered questions were answered. Your book is very important." Alison Kay - Tasmania

Providing useful self development and improvement articles, hynotherapy and counselling writings and other mind help resources online.

God's Words in Dreams, How to Be a Hero and Find Peace

Even though you are an absurd human being who lives constantly influenced or controlled by your anti-conscience (your wild, primitive conscience) you must have a wise attitude if you want to find peace.

Even though you are totally indifferent to what may happen to people you don't even know, the truth is that you have the moral obligation to help these people. If you want to find peace, you must eliminate terror on Earth and help all human beings have the chance to live happily.

You are responsible for the entire world; not only for yourself and your family.

However, you are insignificant. You don't have the power to eliminate terror on Earth. You need help.

This is why the divine unconscious mind produces your dreams. All dreams contain precious messages that help you evolve, and save the world with your brilliant example.

You'll learn how to put an end to terror on Earth with your extraordinary personality and your memorable work.

The unconscious mind is God's mind. God demands a lot from you. God is your savior, but He demands perfection from you, even though you are so imperfect and so indifferent to your imperfections.

Since God exists and speaks in dreams, you must learn a few of His words. I have translated numerous dreams for many people, besides my own. I could also continue Carl Jung's research, what means that I can tell you the results of my observations, even if you have never translated one of your dreams according to the scientific method.

Here are a few of God's words in dreams. These are common messages sent to many dreamers:

"Please, help me save humanity from poverty. Please, help me put an end to violence. Please, help me put an end to all horrors. I need your cooperation. I cannot eliminate terror alone.

Please, help me rest instead of having to save human beings from craziness and terror. I'm tired. I cannot bear this hell.

Nobody pays attention to my lessons. Nobody cares about my existence. Nobody respects my laws.

My laws are the laws of goodness and justice. My laws are your moral principals.

You are a big sinner too. I'm afraid you'll never help me because you are too selfish. Nobody helps me the way I need. I feel alone."

This was only an example of what God may tell you in a dream, after saving you from craziness and terror, and giving you sound mental health and wisdom. You'll learn many truths you ignore, and surely feel sorry for your savior.

The divine unconscious mind suffers very much because of the existence of terror on Earth. You have the moral obligation to care about this matter and do something to change this situation.

Now that I already gave you many lessons about the content of the human brain and psyche and how you can find sound mental health through dream translation, I'm showing you other aspects of your reality.

The responsibility you have because you are a human being is more important than what you may possibly imagine. God wants to see you becoming a hero.

You can be a hero and save the world if you'll obey the unconscious wisdom; you'll learn how to be wise yourself. You can be the hero humanity needs because you have this capacity. You are not using the biggest part of your brain because it belongs to your anti-conscience. When you'll transform your anti-conscience into human content you'll use all of the brain power that goes wasted now.

Even if you are ignorant, silly, shy, insecure, and you have numerous psychological problems, the divine unconscious mind can transform you into a strong and self-confident hero who will forever be admired by humanity, with deep gratitude and respect. You only have to be obedient.

God knows what is good or bad. He will give you many lessons in dreams. You must pay attention to His lessons and follow His guidance.

God is your doctor and spiritual guide. You must cooperate with your doctor, so that you may transform your anti-conscience into human content the fastest possible.

The fact that you have to become a wise human being will surely be better for you when you'll attain this goal. However, this will also be better for the world. God needs your example and your work. You have to be a hero and help Him put an end to terror and violence on Earth. God cannot put an end to terror alone, the same way that you cannot find peace alone. You need His help, and He needs your work.

Christina Sponias continued Carl Jung's research into the human psyche, discovering the cure for all mental illnesses, and simplifying the scientific method of dream interpretation that teaches you how to exactly translate the meaning of your dreams, so that you can find health, wisdom and happiness.

Learn more at: scientificdreaminterpretation.com. Click Here to download a Free Sample of the eBook Dream Interpretation as a Science (86 pages!). Providing quality counselling articles, hynotherapy writings and other mind help resources online.

Fresh Kava Root Versus Dried Kava Root

Unless you are fortunate enough to live on or visit one of the many tropical islands on which the beautiful kava plant grows, chances are you will only ever come across dried or pre-prepared kava root products. Although, in a perfect world, it would be possible to ship fresh kava root to people all over the world, the fresh root does not keep well once it has come out of the ground, making it almost completely impossible to ship safely. On the other hand, dried kava root that is powdered will last for over two years, while dried kava root that has been minimally processed will keep for much longer. Therefore, the preferred method of kava exporters is to sell the dried root rather than trying to deal with all of the complications of shipping the root fresh.

Nevertheless, I want to take a moment to extol the many virtues of fresh kava root, in order to ensure that if any of you ever have the opportunity to work with the fresh root you take it without hesitation. First of all, fresh kava root will almost always be more potent than its dried counterpart, and it will also most likely taste sweeter, as well. It can be difficult to know when buying dried kava root how old it really is - some companies likely leave their dried root sitting on shelves for months, even years - but with fresh kava, you can be assured that it was just harvested. Furthermore, the young lateral roots of kava are known to taste much sweeter than the older taproot of the plant, probably due to different alkaloid contents in the lateral and vertical roots of the plant. When you buy the fresh root, you know exactly what type of kava root you are receiving, as well as what strain it is. This extra level of control will allow you to craft the type of kava experience you really want to have. A final benefit of fresh kava root is that traditional Pacific kava ceremonies always utilize fresh roots, so if you want to experience the real spirit of the kava plant, fresh root is definitely the way to go.

If you do not live in a Kava growing area, and if you cannot foresee a future in which you might have the chance to visit one, don't feel discouraged. I still have good news for you. With a little bit of conscious effort, it is absolutely possible to make your dried kava root experience as close to 'fresh' as possible! The most important thing is to find a supplier that offers high quality dried kava that has not been sitting around for too long. Now, no company is going to admit to selling stale kava, so here are some tips for figuring out which kava supplier is the best:

1. Try to buy your kava direct from a farm, if possible. Kava farms sell to retail outlets and kava bars as well as individuals, and therefore tend to have a much higher turnover rate than retailers. Therefore, kava purchased directly from a farm tends to be much fresher. Fortunately, there are plenty of kava farms who will sell directly to you over the internet.

2. The more details a kava seller provides about the kava, the better. Look for mentions of the specific strain that is being used, where the kava is grown, even kavalactone content! There are many types of kava, and this information will help you to discover what types are the most effective for you.

3. Finally, a great way to determine if your batch of dried kava is potent is to notice whether the prepared kava beverage numbs the insides of your mouth and your tongue. The more numbing quality you experience, the more kavalactones are likely to be present in the dried kava.

By using these tips and doing a little research, you will be able to create a dried kava experience that is as close as possible to the fresh kava experience. And if you are ever in a Pacific island region, make a point of searching out some fresh kava root - you won't regret it!

Kona Kava Farm ships worldwide and offers safe, effective, and unusually potent Kava made only from the roots of our organic-certified, estate-grown plants. Don't forget to register for our free monthly Kava giveaway when you stop by as well. Aloha no, Makaira Kealoha. Providing quality counselling articles, hynotherapy writings and other mind help resources online.

5 Minutes to Find Your "G" Spot

Are you tired of the same old things day in and day out?

You know how it goes. The alarm goes off. You drag yourself out of bed. Down the stairs. Eat breakfast. Shower. Go to work. Come home. Watch TV. Go to bed only to start the whole thing all over again the next day.

On top of that you feel that the world is wobbling at a rapid rate at this point in history and you may be moving through periods of intense fear, loss, and uncertainty; you may feel off-balance, almost as if you are spinning at a different rate than the planet.

Find out in 5 minutes

But, what if you could find out in 5 minutes a simple strategy that has the potential to be the turning point in your life? Would you like to know how to do that? Would that be cool?

If there ever was a time to tune in and listen to your heart, it is now! Feel your heart beating. Start with you. Just breathe. Just be with your heart and feel the power. Know that you didn't have to buy this heart. It is there residing within your chest ticking away and keeping you alive.

Welcome to something quietly powerful

Pssssssst! Around the corner, down the bend in the road, in the unseen, the shift on this planet is happening. Just because you can't physically see a flower growing, doesn't mean it's not.

And, this is precisely the time to find the "G" spot. Yes, that's right. Being Grateful for the little things is absolutely the way to bring more into your life.

If you could only glimpse at the huge potential you have to create an amazing, spectacular life, you would all rise up and embrace those haunting moments of uncertainty, those awesome twists and turns, those bewitching coincidences... the ones that say "What are the chances of that happening?", with such a fierceness it would astound even you! And you would come to realize that it is not happiness that makes you Grateful, but, rather it's your Gratitude that brings happiness on!

So, go forth and give to this planet a kind word, a moment of compassion, or an act of love. Be Grateful that you can do these simple things. These things, so under-valued, are truly the priceless ingredients in the wisdom of life! Go ahead find that "G" spot because Gratitude really is a journey that's best tasted every day.

Here's what I have for you. Visit me at calmtoday.com. You can catch the free online webcast to see for yourself how easy this can be. (Come on, you know you can do this!). Invest in yourself. You're worth it! Providing quality counselling articles, hynotherapy writings and other mind help resources online.

Are You Stressed To The Max? Then Get Help Here!

You should try and keep the stress in your life under control. You can cause yourself serious problems like heart disease, insomnia, muscle aches and depression if you are stressed. If you get enough sleep, you will reduce your stress level, and find it easier to stay in good shape and stay healthy.

While video games and other hobbies can typically be very relaxing, if you find yourself becoming frustrated then you should put it down. You should clear your head and let yourself relax, do not give into stressful feelings or frustration.

Surprisingly, getting better organized can reduce stress. A common cause of stress can be clutter, an inability to find things, or even procrastination. Stay organized; your stress level will decrease when you feel in control.

No matter the source of your stress, you always want to think positively. If you are thinking negatively then things will seem much worse then they really are. Every problem that is eliminated can be quickly replaced by the next one. A positive focus on your life will enable you to live it in a positive and happy way, with stress kept well and truly under control.

Give stress relief tonics a try. Homeopathy could help you reduce your stress. These remedies are absolutely safe and can be very efficient. There are some herbs (Kava is one of them) that have been found to be just as effective as Xanax (alprazolam) in helping people relax and stay calm.

Music can sooth the savage beast that is stress. It is commonly known that music therapy can cut down on stress if you find the music relaxing and soothing. So choose music that works well to relieve your own stress, because what might be soothing to one person, might not be the right stress reliever for you. Listening to music you like will cause your brain to release serotonin, which will make you feel calm and happier.

The first step to getting a grip on your stress level is to take an analytical look at how you could improve your methods of dealing with it. Try recording your responses to stressful situations over a period of a month or so. Looking closely at your reactions to times of high stress can help you to self-analyze whether you are using appropriate means of fighting it. If the way you handled stress only made things worse, you can seek new ways to manage stress in your life.

When someone is giving you directions or instructions, you will be less stressed later if you pay close attention the first time. In order to relieve stress, always be sure to listen attentively when instructions are given. For example, when your doctor gives you advice, or when a teacher lectures in class, paying attention will help you retain important information.

Music is a great stress reliever. In fact, the effect of music is powerful and strong. Science has shown that listening to music has a calming effect on the body. People's musical tastes differ widely; you need to figure out what sort of music works to calm you down and help you relax.

Calming scents can melt the stress away. Smelling soothing things, such as peppermint, rose, thyme, lavender, bay leaves, and eucalyptus, will relax you. In a small container you can add some popular scented oils and a bit of rock salt to create your own aromatherapy. Whenever stress starts to overtake you, just smell one of your favorite aromas.

Working for a living is hard enough without having to be stressed out while doing it. Stress causes many problems such as weight gain, premature aging, and can damage your relationships. Take the advice you've learned here and put it into practice to battle your stress successfully! Providing quality counselling articles, hynotherapy writings and other mind help resources online.

7 Activities to Help Reduce Your Stress

So many of us are on an epic journey to seek a variety of tools for quick stress reduction. Finding and sustaining some level of inner peace and harmony on a daily basis seems to be more challenging everyday. Many of these stressors we create; others are imposed upon us. We work too many hours, even on the weekend. We're constantly checking our emails, text messages, social media accounts and voice-mails. We stress out about our finances. We stress out about our work loads. We stress out about the future, forgetting to stay in the moment. Keep in mind, the media is not in the business of making you feel good. Likewise, friends, family, co-workers or business partners who feed on drama and the misfortune of others contribute additional stress and disharmony to your life; it can be very difficult to get away from it.

The good news is there things we can do to minimize the impact of daily stresses on our minds, bodies and spirits and when done continuously, really does work. This stuff is probably already things that you know about, however, if you don't employ them, what good are they going to do for you? Remember that wherever you go, there you are and so is your stress. It's very difficult to enjoy the moment of wherever you are if you're so highly agitated that you're unable to do so. You have to be able to get your head above water to take a breath. When you're bunched emotionally, making clear-headed decisions become challenging to impossible. What follows are 7 simple activities in which each are powerful in their own right.

1. Gentle Deep Breathing. When we are emotionally triggered in unpleasant ways, which is more often than not, we tend to hold our breath, effectively locking the breath and the emotion, up in our body. This causes toxicity and is the root cause of most dis-ease and illness. Your very life depends on your willingness to breathe with awareness and use all of your lung capacity. Conscious breathing refocuses your attention from the outer world to your inner world, reducing tension and stress. Several effective calming breathing techniques include alternate nostril breathing, left nostril breathing, the 4-7-8 count breath and deep breathing in the yogic corpse position. Do your due diligence and research before attempting.

2. Ground. Grounding is as essential as breathing. This activity keeps you energetically rooted to the earth, which is important when you feel overwhelmed and for many of us, this is an everyday occurrence. Grounding can help you feel "solid", strong and resolved. When you forget to ground, you may feel as you're being tossed around like some tiny rowboat at sea during a typhoon. Get bruised enough and you'll start to remember to anchor yourself. There are a number of ways to ground, but here's a quick one for you to do: (Do not do this while driving) Get somewhere quiet and close your eyes. Breathe deeply several times in through your nose and out through your mouth. Imagine a huge column of white light coming in through the top of your head and down through your body, out the bottom of your feet and into the earth. Do this for several breaths. Next, imagine a great tree: your legs are the trunk and they go deep into the earth. Do this for several more breaths. Continue the imagery and breathing until you feel calmer and more relaxed.

3. Shake or dance. You can either do this in public or in private just as long as you move. Energy is active, kinetic and requires movement. When we are feeling heavy and stagnant it is because our bodies are telling us it has too many energy blocks and it needs to move. Move freely and unrestricted, allowing your body to express full-range of motion. Make sure you breathe while you're doing this. Have fun! This activity disperses stagnant energy, wakes up the body and dissolves tension.

4. Listen to soothing music, chimes, singing bowls or running water. Some people relax through sound and vibration. When our fight or flight centers get activated through stress, which unfortunately for most of us is chronic, we have a hard time coming down and getting rid of the excess energy. These sounds can help to reduce the agitation of the sympathetic nervous system, which when activated by stress, releases adrenaline and lactic acid into the body; this is no bueno, especially when done over a long period of time. Listen to one or more of these sounds and breathe deeply at the same time. In through your nose and out through your mouth. Just listening to these sounds can have a profound effect on your emotions and your central nervous system. My favorite relaxing sound: listening to the sound of a rain storm.

5. Scream. Sounds simple enough right? Screaming can be a powerful eliminator of tension. However, DO NOT DO THESE WHILE DRIVING. You might actually pass out from the temporary increase in your blood pressure, especially if it's already high from stress. Screaming out your frustrations gives you an opportunity to again, kinetically move that stuck energy and give your voice when you can't say what you want. Another technique that works very well is called "HA" breathing. If screaming doesn't appeal to you, forcefully breathe out while saying "HA!" Breathe in through your nose and HA through your mouth.

6. Cry. This is one of the most underused forms of releasing stress. Crying is mistakenly seen as a form of weakness. Crying has a very powerful effect on the body as it releases extra stress hormones from the body and helps the body dump toxins associated with holding on to anger and frustration. When you have one of those days when it all just becomes too much, instead of engaging in a numbing activity that involves eating junk, drinking alcohol or taking some kind of drug, which just shoves it down further until it comes back in the form of an illness or disease, just find a quiet place where you can be alone and just have a good cry. You'll feel a whole lot better when you're done.

7. Herbal teas. There are several herbal teas out there that are well-known for having a sedative effect on the CNS and lowering stress, which can affect the quality of our sleep, a key component for reducing stress: getting enough sleep. Chamomile and Lavender tea, which can both be steeped directly from the flowers and seeds, are excellent at soothing the nervous system. Ginseng tea is another great herb which clears away that bunched feeling that comes from mental exhaustion and insomnia. You can also try Valerian, which is another great tea for helping you get to sleep and we all know that a lack of proper sleep just adds to our stress levels.

These are just a few suggestions that can be applied just about anywhere and at anytime. Most of them are free; herbal tea does not cost very much, little goes a long way and it can be carried with you anywhere where you can get hot water.

Long-term chronic stress has, unfortunately, become a way of life for most of us and we have an obligation to ourselves to find ways to reduce or even eliminate it. People have made radical changes to their lives in order to regain control of a life that has gone rogue because of stress.

When used regularly, these grounding and centering activities will have positive, far-reaching effects on your body, mind and spirit.

Charyn is co-owner of Gurl Know, a resource site for the Community of Women who want to live and love better in their lives. gurlknow.com. Providing quality counselling articles, hynotherapy writings and other mind help resources online.