Reflexology - A Proven Therapy to Alleviate Pain and Stress

Reflexology, an ancient therapy for pain and stress relief, has seen a surge in popularity in modern times. Reflexologists believe that there are certain points on your feet and hands that actually correspond to the other organs in the body and massaging them with the right technique can stimulate the nervous system to restore health in other body organs.

While there is little scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of reflexology, those who have received the massage say that they experience significant improvements in their health and wellbeing.

In certain ways, reflexology is similar to acupuncture since both therapies encourage free flow of energy throughout the body. The only difference is that in acupuncture the practitioners use needles to stimulate the pressure points while reflexology uses the hands to focus on those areas.

Stress Relief

When a person is stressed out, diseases and infections are more likely to attack our body because of the breakdown of our body's defense system. The reflexology, whether through a hand massage or a foot massage, helps make you feel stress free, by allowing positive healing energy to flow through the body and by relaxing the muscles that were otherwise stiffened due to tension and stress. It opens up the energy pathways and revitalizes the body. It restores the balance of your body that you have lost due to some bad incident in your life and entices your body into healing itself thereby giving you stress relief.

Improved Blood Circulation

Our body is in need of all the nutrients everyday that we take into our diet. Poor blood circulation prevents those nutrients and oxygen from reaching all the cells thus giving rise to toxin accumulation inside the body. With Reflexology, the body becomes stress free thereby allowing our cardiovascular vessels to carry the oxygenated blood naturally and freely to all parts of the body.

A Stronger Immune System

By stimulating the lymphatic system, reflexology helps prevent the attack of many infections and diseases. By cleaning off the body from harmful toxins that have been accumulating inside us for years and extracting out the impurities, the massage helps in the production of endorphins that in turn helps in maintaining a strong immune system.

Treating Medical Conditions

Besides making your life stress free, reflexology can assist you in treating several medical conditions such as blood pressure, bowel disorders, neck problems, knee problems, hormonal problems and so on.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brandon_Marx

Stop Everything and Just Breathe

No matter what you do for a living, stress is everywhere today. Despite this, remember to stop everything and just breathe. Fortunately, there are many methods of stress relief available all the way from massage to healing energy to long walks outside. But if you're stressed to the max and need to calm down in a hurry, you have a very important stress relief tool at your disposal; your breathing.

By simply being mindful of the moment and making time to breathe, you can turn a stress-fest around into an opportunity for learning. Breathing exercises can help you feel more energised, more balanced and better connected to the world around you, as well as relieving your stress.

Here are a few real-world situations that if you find yourself in, take a moment, stop everything and just breathe.

1. You're late to class (or work) and the only parking space available was really far away. Now you'll have to run to make it on time. Your mind may be racing, but you're going to have to slow down. A strong, steady walk can be as swift as a jog in terms of ground covered, and will give you the opportunity to quiet your mind and focus on one step after another. Time your breathing with your steps, ensuring that you completely empty your lungs over a few strides and completely fill them over the next few. Stay quiet and focused, and even if you have to enter class late, you'll enter relaxed, calm and ready to work.


2. You pulled an all-nighter trying to catch up and today it's catching up with you. It is 3pm, a full two hours before you're free to leave and you can barely hold your eyes open. The temptation to feed your tired mind with stimulants like caffeine and sugar may be strong - but before you resort to those, take several deep, energising breaths to re-focus your mind, oxygenate your blood and awaken your body. Caffeine and sugar may be tempting, but they are not going to help your physical body.


3. For whatever reason, you just lost control and yelled at a co-worker, friend, or perhaps even a waiter at a restaurant. Whatever the situation and however justifiable your anger, losing control is never the right answer. Take a moment to go outside or to a private room where you can breathe. Once you're calm, come back and apologise for losing control and try discussing the matter with a quiet mind.


4. You wake up from an 8 hour night of sleep, but you're still exhausted. Perhaps you tossed and turned thinking about work stress, or you were awakened in the middle of the night by children, pets, or other distractions. There is a Kundalini Yoga technique that may help in this situation. Called "breath of fire," this technique begins with a few slow, deep breaths and then you breathe rapidly, mouth closed, through the nose, pumping your navel point as you do. This should help you feel more awake right away.


5. You're in a panic. Panic attacks, or anxiety attacks, are accompanied by heavy breathing and often hyperventilation, getting too much oxygen into the blood. When panic sets in, focus on slowing your breathing by breathing into a paper bag or through your cupped hands. Visualise yourself in a peaceful place or doing something that you really enjoy. Concentrate fully on your inhale and exhale.


6. You have a dull, constant pain or pressure in your head. You try to ignore it but it gets worse as the day goes on. This is a tension headache and it can be caused by many things. A regular ibuprofen or other common headache medication will give you some relief, but before you pop the pills, try a few minutes of deep breathing. Try to clear your mind and go mentally to a happy place where you feel peaceful and calm, breathing slowly through the nose.

Remember that breathing is good for the mind and body. It is therapeutic. Take time each day to spend consciously taking deep breaths and relaxing your entire body. Life does not have to be so stressful. Sure, there are stressful things that happen, but there are also tools to help you de-stress. Take some time evaluate your stress levels today and make the necessary changes in order for you to live a peaceful and stress-free life.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tony_Fahkry

Confidence, Motivation, and Self esteem - Causes and Cures

When you learn how to empower and motivate yourself, you take back control of your own emotions and your life! You don't need pompoms and the false hype! Most people just need a little help in learning how to take a step back in order to see things from a different and more constructive perspective. Once you do, the natural byproduct is confidence, higher self esteem, strength and a strong inner knowing that you are in control of your own life!

Fleeting Motivation - The problem with "cheerleaders" and "motivators" is that they build up your confidence and motivation through manipulating your emotions. But, emotions are temporary and often fleeting. Once you hang up the phone, or the seminar is over, you're then left with you own feelings of doubt and insecurity which begin creeping back to the surface. And, with no clear understanding of what's causing those feelings and more importantly HOW you can change them yourself, you're quickly right back where you started until you get the next temporary "fix" of inspiration or motivation.

The Root Cause - It's not always easy to see yourself from an objective point of view. And it sometimes takes an outside person who's not emotionally involved in the situation to help you see what's really going on. The only way to change the results is to change what's causing those results. Yeah, I know that sounds easy enough, but what if you honestly don't know what's causing the results? And, what if you have NO idea where to start, or how to even begin?

Weaknesses or Strengths - Everyone has certain things about themselves that they were taught to see as weaknesses, things that were not acceptable and need to be changed. What if you found a way of seeing those very things as not only acceptable, but as strengths instead of weaknesses? How might that change not only the way you see yourself, but also how you felt about yourself? In other words, this IS the cause (or lack thereof) of self esteem! You see, the truth is, every single "weakness" is really a strength in disguise!

A New Perspective - Every coin has two sides and the picture you see on it is determined by what angle you're viewing it from. In other words, there's more than one way to see the same thing. For example, someone who has been told from childhood that they talk too much and need to learn how to curb that part of their personality, could grow up to become a powerful public speaker. Someone who was taught to stop "tinkering" with things and taking them apart could grow up to become a famous inventor!

Empower Yourself - When you can start seeing ALL of you as being important and when you can learn how to utilize those "weaknesses" in a constructive way, you then start building yourself up instead of constantly tearing yourself down! But sometimes it takes another objective perspective to help you see it that way. Once you do start seeing yourself in this way, you truly begin to empower yourself. You no longer need anyone else to motivate you because you are truly motivated by your own strength and power!

When you learn how to empower and motivate yourself, you take back control of your own emotions and your life! You don't need pompoms and false hype! Most people just need a little help in learning how to take a step back in order to see things from a different and more constructive perspective. Once you do that, the natural byproduct is confidence, higher self esteem, strength and a strong inner knowing that you are in control of your life!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pamela_Joy

Seven Strategies You Need to Know About Strengthening Your Self-Esteem

Did you know that your life's success in all areas is directly related to having a healthy self-esteem? You've heard the cliche "You are what you eat." Many would also argue that "You are what you think."

Nathaniel Brandon, one of the most notable psychologists on self-esteem put it nicely: "There is no value-judgment more important to man-no factor more decisive in his psychological development & motivation than the estimate he passes on himself."

It is the secret or "hidden self-esteem" in particular, that will get you through those very dark spots. It will enable you to find a valuable lesson each time you face an obstacle.

The hidden or secret self-esteem is how you feel about yourself deep down. It is the most accurate description of how you feel, regardless of what obstacles are thrown in your path.

If it's strong, then you will be able to deal better with stress and your relationships. You'll be successful by your own standards and have no need to boast about it. Your surface self- esteem, however, can vary widely depending on the day of the week. It's a temporary feeling.

Environmental factors can play a role in how you view yourself.

It most certainly did for me. For example (the very short version), I felt essentially fatherless. I got called weird a lot growing up (and fat, too!).

Artists, musicians, and the mathematically inclined tend to be labeled as eccentric. I am all three! Teenagers generally ridiculed eccentricity in my environment back then.

Honestly, I don't believe my secret nor surface self-esteem was as healthy as it could be in all areas until I was finished with school-Graduate School!

So how did I get from there to here?

Let's look at some strategies that I used and see if any or all them can get you on the road to developing or strengthening your self-esteem. Here are seven of them:

1. Clear out the junk: This means anything hurtful and unconstructive that you've been told by someone you care(d) about (or even some you didn't) is to be taken with a grain of salt. It's one thing to be given constructive criticism in life, but quite another when people are downright mean about it. Remember it's the offending party's issue. NOT yours.

2. Related to #1: List first why you believe the negativity you tell yourself (i.e., I'm too old. I'm too fat. Nobody loves me. I'm never good enough. etc.); laugh at that piece of paper you just wrote on; THEN tear it up and move on to the next strategy.

3. You may have heard the phrase "Attitude of gratitude." Count your blessings, which can include things people actually take for granted, such as food and shelter, access to a computer, etc.

4. List your positive attributes and talents-everybody has them! List at least five.

5. Make a list of what you love to do, starting from childhood until now and try to find time to do it at least once a week, even if it's just for a few minutes.

6. List at least three things that you would love to have the courage to do.

7. Surround yourself with positive people (think of volunteer or professional organizations that have something in common with your interests, for example).

If none of these strategies work over time, other factors may be at play that are beyond the scope of this article.

Consistently employing these strategies will make it easier to keep going even when the going gets tough. Especially when the going gets tough! Whenever you are feeling low, you don't have to try and deny it. But do know that it will pass. Knowing that it will pass will help you psychologically.

Self-esteem is but one personal resource worth managing. It's important to be kind to yourself and have patience. Remember, your best investment is in yourself!

Power-Ed Solutions, Inc. Copyright © 2004 All Rights Reserved

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carol_Dickson-Carr

What Makes You Special?

If you want to invite success, meaning and fulfilment into your life, is to play to your core competencies. You can and never will be great at anything, which is not in your area of strength. Break the notion that you should work on your weaknesses. Your weaknesses are just that, parts of you, which are limiting and restricting you. They do not deserve the time of day. Do not waste any valuable energy or resources working on them. Rather get people with strengths in those areas where you have weaknesses, to support you. Put all you energy and effort into working on improving your strengths. If you want to deliver your best, you need to improve the areas, where you have core competencies, do what you love, love what you do and always look for ways to deliver more value, than you expect as payment or commission.

Uncovering your Strengths

The schooling system is not designed to reveal people's strengths to them at all. In fact quite the contrary is true. If you are excelling in Math, but your language mark is low. Instead of advising you to focus your efforts on improving your math mark even more, by focusing your time and energy there, you are instead encouraged to work on your weaknesses and try to improve your language mark. This sets the tone, for the rest of their life, where people believe that they should waste resources, working on areas of themselves, which are weak, at the expense of their core competencies. This wastes an incredible amount of resources and time, which is spent trying to fix the un-fixable, instead of growing in the areas, where you will easily excel.

The challenge when uncovering your unique talents, strengths or skills, is that they seldom, if ever show up as high grades or in your performance reviews. Your core competencies show up in the activities you simply cannot wait to perform every day. The sad reality is that these activities are often just used to perform hobbies or personal interests and not used in the profession you are employed. This means that a large majority of people are employed in professions, which do not fully utilise their natural gifts, which means that people are not performing optimally and are simply employed in careers in which they merely show-up, put in the hours and then go home to pursue and do the things they love and enjoy.

Don't accept average

One of the things, which really stands out for me, with super achievers, is that they all love what they do. You can never excel at anything, unless you truly love it and enjoy doing it.

Action Idea:

• Discover you core competencies and then find a way to earn a living using them.
• Find a vocation, which is aligned with your core competencies and is the most rewarding and interesting and then use your strengths to excel at it.
• Don't get trapped in a familiar place, where you are unhappy, doing something you hate. Have the courage to make a few career and job changes, to test and discover your core competencies, discover new talents, until you find what you love.
• Use you vocation as an integral part of your life; do not idle in a job you hate. Use your vocation to live, to love, be mega happy, to gain knowledge and to be of service to others.

You have unique Talents

I believe that you are born with a certain set of natural talents, core competencies and personality traits. Behaviour patterns, routines and habits are all learned over time, due to social and environmental modelling. The earlier in life you are able to uncover your natural talents, discover ways to improve them and then find ways to use them to earn a living, the happier and more successful you will be.

You can uncover your hidden treasures

It is never too late to conduct an audit of your life and discover your strengths or core competencies.

Use the ideas listed below to help you to do this.

• Take a test online to help you identify your strengths. The Ball foundation has an excellent online test, which is really user friendly and easy to use. The test will help you uncover 19 different competencies or innate strengths, which you possess.


• Explore your memories as a child. Find some quiet time and sit and think about all the things you loved to do as a child. Forget about your report card, think about all the extra-curricular activities or hobbies, you loved to do. These memories will help reveal your hidden talents. Think about all the things you loved doing after school, on weekends, whilst on vacation. They will reveal a plethora of information about your strengths and core competencies.


• Explore you current hobbies and interests. I know it is difficult for some people to remember what made them feel really good as a child. If you have found it difficult to discover anything useful, when exploring your childhood memories, then the next thing to do is to explore your current hobbies or interests. What really turns you on the most after working hours and on weekends? What do you think about all the time and just can't wait to do after work? If money was no object, how would you pass the time?


• You can also invest into a Winslow personality test. This can also be done online. The cost of this test is high, but the comprehensive report you will get after completing the test, is well worth the investment. The results I got when I did this test were incredibly accurate and really helped me.

Do you Really want Success?

If you have a deep rooted desire burning in your belly, driving you to be excellent, then you can expect to break out of the life you are trapped in right now. Research has shown that one of the most crucial predictors of super achievement is ones desire for excellence. All the most successful people both I and other researchers have studied, have found that super achievers, attained their greatness, because of a burning inner desire to use their talents or core competencies to the max. All great achievers are inspired by the torch, which burns from within, driving them to express the very best they have to offer

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=A_Horton

Are You Using The 7 Step "What Would Victory Do" Process In Your Life?

Here's a basic, philosophical and spiritual stand that I take.

I believe that everything is purposeful.

Period. No exceptions.

I'm not asking you to accept or believe that for yourself. But I would invite you to explore the possibility of how life would be different for you if that were true.

Rather than asking, "Is that true" or "Is that not true"

I invite you to ask, "How could that be true" and "what if it were true"

So, what do I mean by purposeful? I believe that everything we've ever experienced, whether it's good/bad, positive/negative has all been in service to us fully expressing our Soul's Purpose. I believe that the "universe leaves clues" every step of the way and that if we're open to receive them, we can experience tremendous synchronicity, ease and flow. But if we're consciously or subconsciously not open to receive them, or we're knowingly or unknowingly blocked from receiving them, that's when we experience struggle, hardship, restlessness and discontent. Which sometimes shows up as the proverbial "2 x 4 across the forehead".

While it appears we weren't always given the exact roadmap to follow to fulfill our Soul's Purpose, I believe we've been given many markers and signposts along the way. And those signs can be either very subtle or very... well, not.

I think exploring this concept is important is because it flips our perception of reality on its ear, in some cases by 180 degrees. It requires us to come from personal responsibility, accountability, honor, integrity, congruence, courage, commitment, and empowerment. I refer to this as the victory game.

From that place, there is no victim, entitlement, excuses, settling, guilt, shame, blame, "who did what to whom", giving up, or acting out. I refer to this as the victim game.

It doesn't mean that sometimes the sh*t doesn't hit the fan or that you didn't go through difficult or even traumatic experiences. It certainly can and does... even for prolonged periods of time (even years and decades!)

But when it does, how do you respond vs. react to it? Are you able to see where each person had a part to play in what happened? Can you identify what part you had to play? Can you identify what lesson was there for you to learn to move you closer to your Soul Purpose? If so, that means you have some personal and spiritual growth work to do. If not, that also means you have some personal and spiritual growth work to do, too!

A lot of people talk about spiritual grounding, empowerment, personal power, self-confidence, etc. But I don't actually see a lot of people living, being and embodying all those things. Playing the victory game requires a commitment and dedication to all of the attributes listed above. I believe that if we are ruthlessly dedicated to our personal and spiritual growth work with a "victory" mentality (even when we don't feel like it), it all works out better than we ever could have planned it.

Let me give you one example from my own personal life. And yes, it's personal. I'm sharing this to illustrate how making key decisions along the way can shape the rest of our lives.

When I was at the US Air Force Academy, I developed a severe eating disorder, bulimia, which continued through my active duty service as an officer. I was even hospitalized for over 4 months and medically discharged from the Air Force. I continued seeking traditional treatments, but nothing worked. After all the years of therapy and counseling, I could have given up by blaming it all on my family, saying it wasn't fair, I'm stuck with this the rest of my life, etc. But instead, I chose the victory game of "how am I going to overcome this".

That's when I began exploring non-traditional, holistic, complimentary forms of treatment. I studied and learned about 2 dozen different modalities. Many of them left me feeling good, but none of them gave me lasting results. I could have given up saying I tried everything, I'm stuck with this, nothing works, etc. Again, I chose the victory game.

Finally, when I learned to change my subconscious beliefs, I experienced a shift with the eating disorder in 6 weeks as well as other areas of my life. Ultimately, this led me to begin training people how to change their subconscious beliefs. By choosing the victory game, my biggest obstacle became my biggest blessing in the form of my business. Every obstacle was a choice point and each step along the way was purposeful. Each gave me valuable insights and lessons I needed to help others make major life changes in their business and personal lives, which is a big part of my Soul's Purpose.

I'm now grateful every day for the eating disorder because it was a key to revealing and expressing my Purpose in the world.

So, here is the 7 step "What Would Victory Do" process to apply in your life:

1. Reflect on some of the challenges and obstacles you've overcome and are now facing.
2. Notice how choosing either victim or victory impacted your life and what you learned from it.
3. Identify areas where you can step up your victory game.
4. Clear any subconscious beliefs, blocks or obstacles.
5. Trust and take empowered action based on "what would victory do".
6. Learn as you grow, get feedback, and make course corrections.
7. Enjoy the results of your victorious, purpose-full journey.

So, next time you find yourself slipping into a victim slump, remember these 7 steps to set you right again! Simply ask yourself: "What Would Victory Do?" Trust your knowing and enjoy your path to Victory.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nikkea_B_Devida

It's Your Life: Run YOUR Race

I ran a 20k over this past weekend. I thought I was doing well and keeping a good pace, until a man dressed in a Pooh Bear costume flew past me - true story. Events in life happen, for everyone. You have to run YOUR race, stay the course and finish strong. In the middle to end of each race it gets hard. Events happen that can derail your mental stamina requiring you to make a choice. You can dig in, dig deep and push through, or you can whine. Only one option will get you the results you want. Don't make a poor temporary choice that will have a negative long-term result.

Learning from the race course:

Your interpretation of the data makes all the difference.

I could have looked at Pooh Bear a couple of different ways. I could have felt defeated, thinking, "I can't even beat Pooh Bear?" I will admit, I did think, "Seriously???" for a moment as he passed. Then I changed my interpretation of the data and it wasn't about my performance as compared to his. My interpretation was a simple observation of his race and what I could learn from it. He intentionally set out to enjoy the event. No one puts on a Pooh Bear costume to run a 20k without intentionally thinking about enjoying the event. That thought caused me to just enjoy him at that moment. It would have been ludicrous to compare my race performance with his. Drawing comparisons with others in a defeating way is counterproductive and pointless. Everyone is running their own race with their own unique set of variables. Run YOUR race and let them run theirs.

Get a different perspective.

I posted my Pooh Bear experience on Facebook. I got a few responses back offering different perspectives. One encouraged me that at least it wasn't Eeyore that passed me. Another was that at least he wasn't running backwards. I had not considered either of these perspectives. If you find yourself in the middle of your life race getting bogged down in the minutiae, seek out a new perspective. Someone on the outside, not emotionally involved can help you think about life in a way that can change your entire world. At least once a month you need to hear yourself say, "Oh, I never thought about it that way."

Don't take yourself too seriously.

Find something in life that you really enjoy, and that isn't just about performance or results. Then figure out a way to incorporate that into your life mix. It will breathe life into your soul. Life is serious enough, you don't have to add to it. I can be an intense person (possibly an understatement). When I'm most intense, it's not fun for anyone. So running a 20k was good for me, and everyone around me. It provided an outlet for my intensity. I love events, the energy, the atmosphere, the comaraderie, almost everything. Sure I like to do well and finish strong, but I also enjoy the journey. Running helps me to not take myself too seriously, because when I'm on that course, I'm just another face in the sea of crazy people who think running far is fun. There will always be many faster than me, and hopefully a few slower than me.

Interpret your life data in a productive way. Never draw negative comparisons. Get an outside perspective if needed and definitely don't take yourself too seriously. Run YOUR race, and I will run mine.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kaylene_S_Mathews

The Secrets of Self-Discipline

Action follows being. This is but a very compelling brace of phrase that binds the scattered pieces of our humanity. Every fiber of veins that carries our blood hangs on this enduring truth-claim. Our humanity is deemed to the most powerful beings for we share in the image of the mighty architect- our Creator. The strings of courage which recognizes our identity as human beings plays a very fascinating rhythm and tone of harmonious living.

Self-discipline is one of man's shining characteristics. It triggers the right choice of action. To be able to act rightly is to be able to be sensitive. We have all learned to become sensitive to the physical environment. We know that we depend upon it, that it is fragile, and that we have the power to ruin it, thereby ruining our own lives, or more probably those of our descendants. Perhaps fewer of us are sensitive to what we might call the moral or ethical environment. This is the surrounding climate of ideas about how to live. It determines what we find acceptable or unacceptable, admirable or contemptible. It determines our conception of when things are going well and when they are going badly. It determines our conception of what is due to us, and what is due from us, as we relate to others. It shapes our emotional responses, determining what is a cause of pride or shame, or anger or gratitude, or what can be forgiven and what cannot. It gives us our standards - our standards of behavior.

The seed of our very being is nurtured and cultivated by the gentle touch of self-discipline. Looking at the furnace or forging our fighting spirits, self-discipline is the temple of our identity. It contains five pillars which serve as thresholds of our sterling attitude. These pillars are Acceptance, Willpower, Hard Work, Industry and Persistence. If you take the first letter of each word, you get the acronym "A WHIP"-a convenient way to remember them, since many people associate self-discipline with whipping themselves into shape.

Imagine what you could accomplish if you could simply get yourself to follow through on your best intentions no matter what. Picture yourself saying to your body, "You're overweight. Lose 20 pounds. Study hard." Without discipline that intention will not become a throne of reality. But with consistent self-discipline, it's a done deal. The pinnacle of self-discipline is when you reach the point that when you make a conscious decision; it's virtually guaranteed you'll follow through on it.

As fast and furious soldiers of self-mastery, self-discipline can be a sword which can turn our comfort zones into tiny pieces. It is one of many personal development tools available to us. Of course, it is not a panacea. Nevertheless, the plights which discipline can solve are evident, and while there are other ways to solve these problems, discipline absolutely shreds them. It can empower every rational being to overcome any addiction and obesity in particular. It can wipe out disorder and ignorance. Within the domain of problems it can solve, self-discipline is simply unmatched. Moreover, it becomes a powerful teammate when combined with other tools like passion, goal-setting and planning.

Self-discipline transcends everything. The lightning of its magnificence gives us the immortal guts to go beyond, crossing our limits. From this moment, let us put ourselves in the barracks of our noble aspirations. In this camp, we can truly hone the geniuses of our minds and form our loving and serving hearts. Let us put the armory of light and the shield of our dreams. Let us build our human character into its maximum level until the last drop of our blood and the last breath of our life. In this way, we can prove to ourselves and our fellowmen who we really are and what we are made of.

Article Source:  http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Leo_B_Diego

Music - The Perfect Remedy for Depression

Music has always been known to have healing powers, and when you're down in the dumps, it can actually work magic. It's a proven fact that one hour of listening to music can reduce your depression levels by sixty eight percent. Naturally, when you're down, you tend to listen to sad songs, songs that talk about failure, heartbreak, hopelessness and what not and studies have shown that this very activity creates positive emotions. This happens mainly because the listener can relate to the lyrics being sung, giving them the sensation that they aren't in fact alone, rather there are others in the world who have gone through the same situation and have overcome. This, in turn, gives them a ray of hope, a beacon of light even.

It is said that Music is food for the soul. This statement is in fact,true. Your spirits are automatically lifted when you're listening to your favorite song. Music is a means of calming your nerves, of relaxing, of just laying back and living in the moment. And when you're feeling particularly low, music acts as a mood changer. It makes you feel good about yourself. It drowns out the rest of the world, and during that moment, you're in your own world, far away from the complexities of life. The very fact that Music boosts your morale can be ascertained from the fact that nowadays it is being played at workplaces as research has proven that there is an acute increase in productivity when the employees work in a setting where music is being played. Likewise, surgeons also play music in their operation theatres because it helps them keep their calm while performing complicated procedures.

Depressed people are normally anxious people. Music helps to reduce anxiety and helps our bodies in coping with great amounts of stress as it reduces the amount of stress hormone levels. When we are relieved of all our stress and positive emotions are created, our brain's ability to make good decisions is enhanced. Why go to expensive psychiatrists when music itself is your therapy?

Not only listening to music, but also writing music is liberating. It is believed that being expressive about your emotions hastens your whole emotional and even physical healing process. The famous Canadian rock star Billie Joe Armstrong, of Green Day, in 1982, ran home from his father's funeral and locked himself in his room, cried, and when his mother asked him to open the door, he replied, " Wake me up when September ends", hence the name of the song. Billie coped with his father's death this way, with the aid of music.

So whenever you're feeling low, kick back, plug in your ear phones, relax and let the music do it's thing. Besides, life's too short to spend it feeling sorry for yourself.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hifza_Junaid

Stress, Relationships And Mental Health

A lot of stress comes from our interactions and relationship with other people. Conflicts with your kids, your spouse, your parents, your in laws, your boss or your coworkers can impact the way you feel and the way you function.

Therapists spend a lot of their time helping patients to better their relationships with key people in their lives. Many people who seek out therapy are having problems with people. Relationships can be quite complicated and challenging, so this need is quite understandable.

And your ability to handle this interpersonal stress has a great deal to do with your overall mental health or mental well being.

But what is mental health?

William Glasser, M.D., a well known psychiatrist who recently passed away, understood the connection between mental health and one's social interactions. To him mental health was synonymous with happiness. Dr. Glasser defined mental health in the following manner:

"Happiness or mental health is enjoying the life you are choosing to live, getting along well with people near and dear to you, doing something with your life you believe is worthwhile, and not doing anything to deprive anyone else of the same chance for happiness that you have."

In addition, Dr. Glasser added the following thoughts on this topic.

"You are mentally healthy if you enjoy being with most of the people you know, especially with the important people in your life such as family and friends. Generally, you like people and are more than willing to help an unhappy family member, friend or colleague to feel better. You lead a mostly tension-free life, laugh a lot, and rarely suffer from the aches and pains that so many people accept as an unavoidable part of living. You enjoy life and have no trouble accepting that other people are different from you. The last thing that comes to your mind is to criticize or try to change anyone. You are creative in what you attempt and may enjoy more of your potential than you ever thought was possible. Finally, even in difficult situations when you are unhappy-no one can be happy all the time-you'll know why you are unhappy and you'll attempt to do something about it."

So, as you can see the amount of stress you are likely to experience is tied in closely with your ability to manage your relationships effectively. Take a little time to review Dr. Glasser's definition as consider attitudes, behaviors and feelings that you may need to adapt to manage your stress more effectively.

Article Source:  http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jay_P._Granat,_Ph.D.

How to Love YOU From the Inside Out

Throughout my life I have noticed how many times my self esteem is in dire need of revamping and the women I am friends with go through the same thing. It is sad when you see young girls in highschool not realize their beauty and hide behind hair or makeup walking with their heads down. For my own personal growth I researched ways to better love yourself and I would like to share how to tap into the love of yourself from the inside out. We must love ourselves first before we can give love or receive love from others.

Here is one way to practice owning your greatness and loving yourself from the inside out.

Write a letter to you about you.

Think about things that make you unique and glorious. Place the letter in an envelope addressed to yourself and give it to a friend. Don't forget the stamp. Ask them to mail it whenever they want and watch how on the day you most need a boost of happy and a reminder of your greatness, it shows up in your mailbox.

If you are sitting there thinking about what you life about yourself I will share the letter I wrote to myself and maybe that will spark some ideas about you.

Here is what I wrote in my letter to me.

Dear Lee,
Today I went outside and the sun was shining and it reminded me of YOU. When you are around the room lights up and I feel good. I think it is your energy. You are a beautiful woman with a heart that keeps on giving. Your eyes are wide open and exquisite. I love your humour and that smile, so contagious!

You always dress unique and true to yourself never worrying about trends but following your own path. I love the funky jewels you wear and I would describe you as a bit eccentric, electric, passionate, strong in your beliefs and a whole bunch of fun to be around.

I love your energy Lee! YOU are the greatest! Keep shining your bright light out into the world WE NEED YOU!"

One day when I was feeling less than and the vampire in the mirror had a grip on me, I went to the mailbox and there was my letter. It was a few months from the time I wrote it and I had forgotten. When I read the words my eyes filled with happy tears and my heart began to shine.

It is so easy, especially as women; to put ourselves at the bottom of the TO DO list and learning to appreciate and love yourself the way you deserve starts with YOU not someone else. When we can feel good about ourselves tall, short, wide or narrow, the world around us feels good about us too. It is easy to say but as humans we forget or get busy with all the other things on the TO DO list and it is important to remind ourselves each and every day how we came to the earth with a unique purpose and were created perfect in our imperfections.

There is only ONE of you. Celebrate YOU today and every day with simple things like looking in the mirror and giving yourself a wink or smile. Write that letter and give it to a friend. Don't keep it on the table or in your bag. Give it to your friend with the instructions to mail when they feel it is right... and watch the magic happen exactly when you need it the most.

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Pryke

Are You a Victim or a Victor? The Choice Is Yours

The definition of Victor is: One who defeats an adversary; the winner in a fight, battle, contest, or struggle.

The definition of Victim is: a person who is deceived or cheated, by his or her own emotions or ignorance, or by the dishonesty of others.

I certainly was cheated and abused and hurt and taken advantage of by the dishonesty of others but I determined not to allow my emotions to overrule my intelligence. A wise man once told me "When you buy the thought, you buy the lie!" I learned how to say NO to negative thoughts, to defeatist ideas, to martyr attitudes. The more you do it, the better you get at it.

You can't be a Victor without going through a battle. The question is whether or not you choose to win or lose.

"V is for Victory!" That was what the doctor said when my daughter was delivered. "You got what you wanted!" All I ever wanted was a baby and I wasn't sure what the doctor meant. Did he think I might get something other than a baby? My 5 year old son said "I don't think she's cooked yet, mommy. She's all purple and shriveled and stuff." The doctor showed her to me. She had a birthmark on her forehead in the shape of a "V." She was born six weeks early and the pregnancy was touch and go from the start. I spent most of my pregnancy in the hospital and was told almost everyday - "We need to prepare you for the worst. The chance of you both surviving this pregnancy is doubtful." These doctors had no idea who they were dealing with.

By the time my daughter was born, I had already lived a life of trauma. This was just one more hurdle to overcome. It was sheer determination to keep a positive attitude that got me through. Not only did I get through, but my little bundle of joy registered a 10 on the Apgar score for newborns - the highest possible - a perfect 10!

When I decided to finally put pen to paper and write my memoir, Battered Hope, it took a great deal of courage. But I was familiar with courage - it had become second nature to me. I learned how to cope, how to thrive, how to overcome. Don't get me wrong, it was never easy. Just because you have had a bad experience doesn't make the next one easier - stronger, yes - easier, no. My memoir has 12 chapters and there is a minimum of one traumatic event in each chapter, oft times, more than one.

I had always regarded myself as a winner. I maintained that attitude no matter what happened. When I would throw a pity party, no one showed up because I never invited anyone. It was easier that way. I discovered that even if you thought you were a winner, if people knew all the trauma you were going through, they would label you a loser and let's face it, people don't want to be around a loser.

After my memoir was published, a lot of people who thought they knew me, including family, were amazed at what I had survived. I was always the rock that people depended on; the shoulder to cry on when they had problems. Little did they know that when I cried with them, I was also crying for myself.

I determined at a very young age, that if I made people laugh, it helped me to forget what I was going through. I maintained that attitude throughout my life. I have been married to the same man for 41 years and when asked what has kept our marriage together my answer is "I keep him laughing."

I have received countless positive reviews for Battered Hope, but the ones I find most interesting are the four negative ones. They all say the same thing "I don't believe it. It is a bunch of lies. No woman could have that much happen to her and still thrive." I would rather be called a liar than a bad writer so I accepted those reviews easily and one person that had the gall to say it to my face was met with a response she did not expect. I told her, "You are right. It was actually a lot worse than what I wrote, but I knew people like you wouldn't have been able to handle the whole truth!"

My question to you is: Are you a victim or a victor? The answer lies in how you look at it. Finding good in every situation may not be easy but it certainly helps you survive. It helps you maintain the attitude that you are a winner and not a loser. It helps you keep things in perspective.

It has been said that the definition of Success is "Getting up one more time after you have been knocked down." Never stop getting up, success is within reach but if you don't try, you become the victim.

My daughter is now in her late twenties and when she gets upset her "V" flares up. Whenever I see that, I am elated that I never gave up, but rose to victory in many arenas.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carol_Jean_Grahamhttp://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carol_Jean_Graham

Erase Negative Memories And Be Free Of Negative Thoughts Forever

Do you know that all negative thoughts and feelings are generated by the sum total of all negative memories stored within your subconscious mind that behave like a waking nightmare? Do you know that unless you are able to completely and permanently erase or delete those memories (i.e. shut down that nightmarish "movie" trance and wake up) you will be continually harassed by that negativity? Finally, do you know that now it is possible to effectively do just that with a simple question and answer algorithm that is accessible to anyone who can read and write? Want to learn more about how and why this works?

Negative thoughts don't just come out of nowhere; they float up into the conscious mind from the subconscious mind. Negative memories stored in the subconscious mind behave like "negative thought" generators or factories that continually spew out their toxicity in the form of this negativity.

For instance suppose one has experienced a series of rejections in their past, the memories of those events create and serve as the "evidence" for such negative thoughts as: I'm unlovable, I'm inadequate, I'm flawed, I'm unworthy, I'm a loser, I'm useless, I'm unwanted, and so on.

As long as those memories exist within the corresponding negative thoughts will also exist.

Many modalities exist on the planet that attempt to deal with such negativity. In my view all of these approaches miss one simple and crucial fact; as long as those negative memories exist within any attempt to deal with the negativity they spew out will only yield temporary and/or meager results.

In other words it's like treating the symptom of the problem and not the problem itself. That is why individuals who employ these other approaches have to continually use them as a form of damage control. That clearly indicates that the problem continues to exist deep down.

One of main reasons this is so is because up until recently it was a) not possible to erase negative memories and b) considered folly to even entertain that this was a good idea.

In other words our own limiting beliefs about how negative memories supposedly serve us stood in the way of actually getting rid of them.

A decade ago it was realized that simply by beginning to analyze and question the supposed usefulness of negative memories one could reveal deeply held untruths or "lies" about them. As these lies were made conscious a very interesting and profound event occurred, the memories themselves started to dissolve and disappear from consciousness completely and permanently.

Individuals who undertook this process experienced many of the following: a clear positive mind, peace of mind, ability to remain focused, improving self esteem, self worth and self confidence, greater resilience to negative events, a growing and stable sense of emotional security, greater emotional maturity, enhanced performance and effectiveness in all areas of life, a sense of well being, reduced stress, and much more.

Many realized also that they were much more conscious and self aware. In other words they realized that they had been trapped in the so-called past by being trapped in the trance-like nightmare of past memories.

Since then it has been realized that negative memories are one of the single most destructive negative energies impeding the empowerment and evolution of human beings in all areas of life.

So if you are one of those individuals who have been searching high and low for a door to freedom from your negative thoughts kindly visit the web site below where you can request a free introductory telephone/Skype consultation that will begin to help you wake up from your negative nightmare.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Arrizza_MD

6 Ways to Get Your Daily Confidence Boost

If you want to build self-confidence, you need to do it one day at a time. Although there are many so-called experts who would claim to help you do this quick, there really is no eBook, motivational speaker, secret, universe, law of whatever, etc. that can make you confident in a single day. This article will provide you with a simple step by step guide on how to build self-confidence slowly but surely.

Have a Checklist of the Basics

Be sure to shower. Wear freshly laundered and ironed clothes. Brush your teeth. Groom your hair. You get the picture? Simply put, you build self-confidence by always going out as the best version of yourself.

Make a List

Divide a sheet of paper into 2 columns. Write down specific instances when you lack confidence on the left side. Write down what you think the proper response is on the right side. You can type this and print it out. Then post it someplace conspicuous. If you are forever alone, you can post it on your refrigerator.

Tip: don't just post it and forget about it. The most important thing for you to do is read it every day. This way you are motivated to try out the right side!

You Need To Be Confident Of Something

Confidence revolves around knowing that you can do. Something that is relevant and valuable. Jocks are confident of how they play football. Nerds are confident of their computer related skills. Now ask yourself the question "What am I you good at?"

You don't need to be the best at it. All you need to be is good enough. List those down as well on a separate sheet. Read it before you go out. Now breathe deep and know that you are valuable.

Get Some Exercise

The key to looking confident is looking great. This requires a physically fit body. You need to eat right and get enough exercise. Target parts of your body that you particularly feel down about. Start with cardio, build stamina. This will help remove that unwanted paunch. If you want to get fuller arms, then lift weights. Start low then gradually move up. Remember, every bodybuilder had to start the same way you did. The only difference is that they stuck with it.

Be in Control

Some people lack confidence in their ability to keep their cool. If this is you then try this simple technique. If you feel an argument brewing:

• Count to 3 before responding
• Listen first! Some people tend to think of a retort even before the other person has finished stating the case.
• If worse comes to worst, keep silent and walk away. This is better than blowing your top.

Go Out More

Confidence takes practice. Read your lists. Breathe deeply, then go out with friends or family members. Start raising your confidence level with people you are most comfortable with. They will notice this change in you, and if they are real friends, will even help you out.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_D_Miller

Persistence Is The Grand Luck Generator

Without persistence, what is life but a consistent losing battle? Without the work or trying, nothing can be succeeded at ultimately. All achievement and working affirmations come at the point of persistence and perseverance, all else is secondary.

Think about it, the smarter and harder (in that order) you work, the more lucky you really are. The really smart worker finds all ways not to do something and then does the opposite to succeed, repeatedly. Repeatable success and developed good fortune in this way are a beautiful thing.

The worst and dumbest loser is a complainer that thinks "the world is flat and that is that". Let me explain: Normality without creativity is the ultimate way to lose. This is the way it has been done, and it should not be made better or changed? If that approach worked for everything, there would not be an improvement over the land line phone, the abacus or the candle ever!

Persistent forward thinking, even when you have to pull back a bit once in a while and have a thought about how you are going to proceed next, and keep on going forward is the most powerful and effective way to live. The most successful human minds work like this. What do you think really made Steve Jobs succeed with Apple Computer anyway? Success comes through persistence and perseverance of forward thinking even when you have to take stock once in a while. This is the real nature of good luck, good health, and good working reality. Excellence simply comes through understanding all problems through finding all ways not to do things, and then consistently doing the opposite of that. This sort of experimentation logic may seem risky, but it is the safest thing in existence really because when you know all problems, you understand all solutions when you implement the genuine opposite of those problems. Solutions are the opposite of problems, right? Sure, they mostly are. So, when you understand, you do understand. The only genuine evil there is in reality, is stagnating in problems as unsolvable.If there is a problem, you will ultimately through at least trial and error find a solution in a "lucky" way.

Sense is solving problems, nonsense is stagnating in problems as unsolvable. Steve Jobs once said that if there were not any solution, create one? I totally agree. For solutions are never a given, they are created or implemented if they are not created.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joshua_Clayton

Freedom in Starting Over

The story that is being used to illustrate the concepts of a lesson in life excavation and renewal is inspired by actual events. As a writer one of my greatest thrills is spinning life into what I hope will be original creations that inform you.

This article is inspired by the kind of situations that shaped the expansion of my consulting into the realm of personal development. Whether it is the end of a romantic relationship or the death of a loved one, there is no escaping the grief of loss.

I encourage you to look for bits of your story in here because that's an opportunity to see yourself in a new mirror. Read on and learn.

Let's imagine that the names and details of these client experiences have been changed but the parts that matter are the same.

This story starts with a day in the life of a thirty-year-old stay home mother of two. On her birthday the phone rang.

"Hello, my name is Ray G... You don't know me, but your husband has been having an affair with my wife..."

By the time she contacted me her husband had spent so much money in strip clubs and long distance affairs that they were seriously in debt. Literally on the verge of being homeless, with too many bills already well past due. But neither of them was doing anything about it, not even the trouble their marriage was in could get their attention. They both continued to party separately, alternating to ensure childcare arrangements.To neighbors and fellow church members there seemed to be nothing out of the ordinary when they showed up for social commitments or community events.

One day her husband of seven years just walked out, but not until they had both pursued adultery as the solution to their relationship problems. When his infidelity was discovered she retaliated with her own. Rather than try to win back her affections, as she expected, he left them but not before clearing the bank account.

All she had were two children with their belongings, closets full of toys, fashionable clothes, a growing shoe collection, a sizable book collection (primarily romance novels and instructional writing books/magazines), as well as a desktop monitor, computer and printer. We'll call this woman Katrina.

She's about to start a new life. Before she's able to really grapple with that her situation goes from separated to divorced. Her work experience wasn't the kind of stuff she wanted listed on her resume, aside from a couple of retail jobs.

We had a couple of meetings in which she talked about being ready to get on with her life. She talked about getting it together and doing something fulfilling and productive.

She said she wanted to be a writer and eventually an editor. I imagined that she dreamed of the day she would produce a novel, and get a book deal. She mentioned on a few occasions that she thought it'd be cool to work for a publishing house or start her own.

Perfectly legitimate ambitions, but what had she overlooked?

She overlooked the fact that she had yet to develop the discipline to write daily or even weekly. And the fact remained that no one, not even her, yet knew if she could write.

While it is definitely good to know where you want to go, a flexible plan to get there is, at least, equally valuable. Her simple plan needed to include a strategy to address the challenges to achieving her goals. In fact, it needed to accurately assess where she was in that moment of her life.

One of the first culprits identified to be sabotaging her creation of a more fulfilling life was the amount of energy and focus she gave to relationships that did not serve her.

Not only did Katrina immerse herself in a social group that did not support self-improvement, but also one based on misery loves company. Her romantic entanglements did not fare much better.

For example she had begun immediately dating the gentlemen she had been seeing while she was still married. Since he was still in his other relationship their romance was short lived and promptly followed by another ill suited match. When she finally got involved with someone with real potential as a supportive loving partner, she cheated on him. Of course, the "nice guy" was the one that helped her get back on her feet. So how does she show her appreciation for his help? She gets pregnant by someone else and ask him for help.

Because her focus was not on supporting herself, but escaping with her boyfriends, she was unable to support and focus on her kids. This gave her ex-husband leverage when he remarried and the custody issue reared its head. To this day he is has primary custody.

Even without full time responsibility for her children she maintained her preoccupation with doomed relationships. I got an email from her saying she had been intending to read the material I sent, but she didn't have time to think.

Katrina insisted she didn't know what to do, so her new car was repossessed, she lost her job, and had to live with her mother.

If this were you, what would you do next to turn your life around?

First Things First

Define The Problem: Katrina's first concern was how to support herself. She wanted to be a writer, but what can she do that will earn immediate money and still nourish her dream?

"Believe it can be done. When you believe something can be done, really believe, your mind will find the ways to do it. Believing a solution paves the way to solution."-- Dr. David Schwartz

She took another retail job and I encouraged her to start an online business on a part time basis.

"You need the experience of being in charge of your own business. Accepting full responsibility for your affairs. Plus an online business offers a lot of advantages over a traditional store front operation. Chiefly, the low overhead cost means you can keep it going longer before you have to turn a profit or be forced out of business. That boils down to a better chance of making it, if you are determined," I explained.

This meant her social life would have to be dramatically cut back. She assured me she was ready to make a change and embrace success and independence. Trina confessed that she had been battling depression and that partying was all she had to make her feel good.

"But how does where you are at this moment that make you feel about yourself?" I asked.

She didn't answer.

I explained how she could access to self-study resource guides, product reviews, articles, marketing education materials, e-courses, e-books, and resourceful e-zines to learn what she needed to know to be successful.

"I can't afford all that!" she exclaimed.

"First, how much did you spend going out or shopping over the past few weeks?" I asked.

She paused. "Ok, I see your point."

Do you want success enough to perhaps temporarily cut back your wardrobe budget? Only you know when you've had enough and if you keep doing the same thing absolutely nothing will change.

It too another year of struggling before she came back ready to apply herself to working with me and doing the work that only she could do. The questions I posed to her have become an excellent assessment tool. I encourage you to start here if you're on your own path of personal improvement based on personal empowerment and relationship management.

What Next?

1. Assess how you've used your resources thus far?

2. Think about how much you have invested in futile efforts and relationships while avoiding the real causes of your problems. Are you ready to change that?

3. If you could help now, would you?

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yvette_Dubel