Be sure to check out our upcoming classes (below). 

How to increase your energy in 9 easy steps

Step 1:  "Breathe"
Step 2:  "Rest and Relaxation"
Step 3:  "Reset Your Aura Daily"
Step 4:  "The Power of Water"
Step 5:  "Reduce Your Stress"
Step 6:  "Exercise"
Step 7:  "Food"
Step 8:  "Structural Care"
Step 9:  "Goals and Dreams"

Step 5: Reduce your stress

So you've tried breathing, rest and relaxation, resetting your aura and water and you still don't have all the energy you want?  Don't give up yet...we still have more steps.  Maybe the part of the equation that is missing is reducing your stress!

Life is stress.  Stress comes in two basic flavors:  distress and eustress.  Distress is when you get bad news, when you're too hot, when you've injured yourself.  Eustress is the stress caused by too much good news:  know anyone who's bought a house lately?

You can increase your energy by learning how to handle stress in a productive way.  In all situations you have the choice of acting on the situation or reacting to it.  Take a simple example:  a young child comes up to you and hits you.  If you react you might smack the child back.  If you act, you would calmly explain to the child that hitting people isn't appropriate behavior.  When you react you create more stress (maybe I shouldn't have done that).  When you act you control the situation, your response and your stress levels.

So how do you decrease stress?  Examine the "4 Vectors of Stress" (thanks to Mark Percival, ND, DC) and consciously eliminate those factors that you can control.

The first vector is structural.  Make sure you get regular massage, regular exercise, regular chiropractic care.  Regular is the key word here.

The second vector of stress is nutritional/chemical.  These stressors can be minimized by eating a clean, toxin free diet; detoxification protocols; proper vitamin and mineral and herbal supplementation; and lots of water (be sure to write me if you have specific questions on these topics).

The third area of stress you can influence is mental/emotional.  Make sure you get regular rest and relaxation; take up new and exciting hobbies; be sure to make meditation, prayer and your spiritual life a priority.

The fourth vector of stress, electro-magnetic stress, is probably the most insidious because we're often not consciously aware its effects.  These stressors include sitting in front of a computer or TV all day, not getting outside enough, poor home/office ventilation, fluorescent overhead lighting, rogue magnetic fields (microwaves, high tension wires), heated water beds and electric blankets.  Handle these stressors by getting outside in sunshine regularly (without a hat, without sunglasses for 15-20 minutes a day), opening your windows when possible, and cleaning your ventilation ducts.  Acupuncture therapy is especially useful in correcting electro-magnetic stress.

---

Bonus Tip

Triangle Pose

Try this exercise to help reduce your stress and build up your resistance to future stressors. 

Start on your hands and knees.  Slowly "stand up" so that you are resting on your hands and feet in a triangle.  Both your hands and your feet should be shoulder width apart.  Let your head drop down between your arms.  Ideally keep the arms and legs extended straight and you are resting flat on your palms and the soles of your feet.  You should feel all the muscles of your body relax with gravity.  Let your breathing relax into a slow, full breath, breathing in and out through the nose.

Practice triangle pose at least once a day, starting with one minute and slowly working up to 5 minutes at a time.  To finish, inhale and hold the breath for a few seconds.  Then as you exhale, slowly come back into the hands and knees position.  Then gently turn onto your back and relax for the same amount of time you did the exercise.

Triangle pose will relax all the major muscles of the body.  It will also increase the circulation to all your limbs thereby relaxing your entire cardiovascular system.

---

Herbs and Nutrition for Health

Try Celery

Celery is the only food that actually burns more calories than it gives you (for those of you who watch your weight, this bit of knowledge is worth the entire price of this newsletter!  Did you also know that celery is one of the five Jell-O flavors that flopped?).  But it has other benefits, too.

Celery in concentrated doses will calm your nerves.  Juice enough celery stalks to make 6-8 oz. and add a couple ounces of carrot juice or apple juice to enhance the flavor.  Be sure to get organic foods for juicing whenever possible.  If you don't have a juicer, chewing on celery will also help to relax you.

Celery is also a good source of vitamin C and potassium. 

Do you have a teething baby?  Take a cold celery stalk from the fridge and let them gnaw on it.  The cold of the stalk will numb the gum and the juice will relax the baby and sedate the pain of the erupting tooth.  If that doesn't work, try rubbing some clove oil on the sore area.

---

Upcoming Classes

Call 770-551-0155 to register.  All classes $10
(Be sure to bring 2 friends)

Muscle Testing Made Easy

Learn to use Applied Kinesiology (muscle testing) to communicate with your body. Practical applications on how to test your self, your family and your friends for foods, allergies, vitamins, etc.  A hands on workshop.

Wednesday July 14, 1999  7:00 — 8:30 p.m.

---

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Explore the basic theories and applications of Chinese medicine including Yin/Yang theory, the five elements, and living in harmony with the seasons.

Wednesday July 21, 1999  7:00 — 8:30 p.m.

---

Acupuncture for Yourself

Find out what acupuncture is and how you can utilize this ancient healing art to increase you health and vitality, prevent colds, treat headaches, relieve pain...  No needles!!

Wednesday July 28, 1999  7:00 — 8:30 p.m.

---

Sitting Yoga—Stress Busters for the Office

Yoga in a chair for your back and neck, techniques to relieve that daily headache, what to drink instead of coffee, how to prepare for that stressful presentation… 

Wednesday August 11, 1999  7:00 — 8:30 p.m.

---

Neuro Emotional Technique

Discover and handle the emotional cause of disease through muscle testing.  Uncover the negative “snapshots of emotion” that are being stored in your body and that reduce your health and vitality.  A hands on workshop. 

Tuesday August 17, 1999  7:00 — 8:30 p.m.

---

Let Food Be Your Medicine

Learn what foods enhance digestion, cleansing, immunity, and relaxation.  Find out the importance of vitamins, herbs and water in maintaining your health and vitality.

Tuesday August 24, 1999  7:00 — 8:30 p.m.
 

Call 770-551-0155 to register.  All classes $10
(Be sure to bring 2 friends)