Reducing Stress

Stress has a significant impact on health. Dr.Rollin McCraty, at the HeartMath Institute, and other researchers have found evidence that suggest there is an important link between emotions and the descending and ascending autonomic activity. According to McCraty, “These changes lead to dramatic changes in the pattern of the heart’s rhythm, often without any change in the amount of heart rate variability. Specifically, we have found that during emotions such as anger, frustration, or anxiety, heart rhythms become more erratic and disordered, indicating less synchronization in the reciprocal action that ensues between the parasympathetic and sympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system. In contrast, sustained positive emotions, such as appreciation, love, or compassion, are associated with highly ordered or coherent patterns in the heart rhythms.”
With this research, they are beginning to understand the role played by afferent (ascending) neural signals, which flow from the heart and body to the brain. Extensive experimental data have been gathered documenting the role played by the afferent input from the heart in modulating such various processes as pain perception, hormone production, electrical cortical activity, and cognitive functions.
Research from the HeartMath Institute supports a systems-oriented model of emotion that includes the heart, brain, and the nervous and hormonal systems as fundamental components of a dynamic, interactive network that underlies the emergence of emotional experience. Within the body, many processes provide constant rhythmic inputs with which the brain is familiar. Included in this input are the heart’s rhythmic activity, digestive, respiratory, and hormonal rhythms, and patterns of muscular tension, particularly facial expressions. These inputs are continually monitored by the brain and help organize perception, feelings and behavior. These patterns form a stable reference pattern. When an input is sufficiently different from the familiar reference pattern, this mismatch underlies the generation of feelings and emotions.
When an input to the brain does not meet the existing program, an adjustment must be made in an attempt to return to stability. One way to establish control is an outward action. For example, a confrontation at home with a family member may lead to feelings of anger, which can prompt inappropriate behavior. Through internal adjustments we can self-manage our feelings in order to inhibit these responses. If we are not able to manage our emotions then feelings of anxiety, panic, hopelessness, annoyance, or depression result. It is through practice of techniques like “Freeze Frame,” that inputs can be viewed as optimistic and hopeful.

Seven /Steps to Reduce Pain and Stress

Take a short emotional vacation by using the Freeze Frame Technique explained below. Positive emotions can help you replace negative, stressful thought patterns and feelings with more positive perceptions and emotions in the moment you need them most. It is so easy to do.

1.When you are feeling stressed, have anxiety or panic, or are facing a problem, describe your feeling in one word. Examples could be anxious, fearful, afraid,
confused, angry, frustrated, sad, disgusted, enraged, overwhelmed, lonely, victimized or depressed.
2. Now, shift your attention to the area around your heart. Imagine yourself breathing in through your heart—breathe in to the count of five, breathe out to the count of five. Continue doing this for several minutes.
3. Think of a positive feeling—the love you have for a child or grandchild. Try to experience that positive feeling and send that positive feeling or love to someone else. You may want to think of a positive experience or place where you have felt serenity, peace or laughter. Work on recapturing that feeling right now.
4. Go back to step number two and again breathe in through your heart to the count
of five and then breathe out to the count of five through your solar plexus while
still experiencing the positive feelings.

5. Ask yourself what would be good answer to your problem or a helpful attitude to
balance and de-stress your mind and body. If possible, write it down. Heart perceptions and intuitions are often subtle. They gently suggest effective
solutions for you and all concerned with the problem.
6, Sense any change to your original stress as noted in step number one. Write it down and sustain the positive feeling as long as you can.
7. Repeat these steps as often as needed.

Co Q 10--quinol for Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia

I took part of the following message from a CFIDS/Fibro patient on the Daily Strength support groups. I think that CFIDS support groups can help each other:
"CoQ10 and CoQ-Quinol, are one and the same. However, the naturopath clinic i go to stocks CoQ-Quinol in liquid form which appears to be more effective, and the CoQ10 are in tablet form, which from what I have gleaned are good for maintenance once one is on the journey of recovery. My naturopath said that when CFS is severe, the tablets are unable to do whatever it is to penetrate the cells effectively, whereas the liquid can penetrate the cells without any assistance on their part. (
I am trying not to get too excited because the improvement may only last as long as I am taking this very expensive supplement., but it is difficult to put words to how the color has returned to my life. It feels like a lead ball has been unshackled from my ankle and concrete has been removed from my head.

For several days now I have managed to go about my workday without wanting to cry from the exhaustion and body pain. I no longer feel the need to sleep in my car during my lunchbreak.

It is so good. However, I am being realistic in that it may not last or it may only last as long as I am taking the product. But for now, the relief is exquisite."

At least four other CFIDS patients said that the liquid CO Q 10 has helped them. Another patient wrote, " I started taking CO Q 10(in pill form) with my morning meds and feel it is helping me with energy. I recently went to a seminar that Dr. Daniel Clauw (FM researcher that proved FM causes more pain in the brain than those without FM). He works with scientific results. The supplements he said does show good results in FM sufferers were: Magnesium, Co Q-10, Vit.D 3 and (500-1000 elemental magnesium)."
DMG is also a helpful supplement.

Chronic Fatigue, Fibro and an alkaline diet

An alkaline diet may be the answer for some who suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, a debilitating disease that sometimes makes you feel like you’re going to die. More than 800,000 people in the US suffer from this disease.
Candida is a major player in fatigue. When our body is alkaline, candida, fungus, yeast, mold, parasites, viruses, and bacteria do not thrive. According to Dr. Robert Young, author of The pH Miracle, microforms are the major players in chronic fatigue syndrome. If your body is acidic, it is likely you have microforms. How do you know if your body is alkaline or acidic? Dr. Robert Young, suggests you use litmus paper (you can buy it a health food store) and get an indication of where the pH of the urine is by testing the first morning urine. Take a strip of the pH paper and wet it. If the paper does not change color, that indicates a highly acidic body. Urine should be 6.8 to 7.2 (medium green), if it too much color (dark blue) that also indicates highly acidic.
As I have researched and talked to people who have overcome Chronic Fatigue with an alkaline diet, I have been amazed at some of the results.
Carol, had chronic fatigue for 16 years and tried everything. At one time she was taking 55 capsules a day. “I had a fisherman’s tackle box to organize my supplements,” she told me. Although her health had started to improve three years ago, she claims it was the alkaline diet and green drinks (I now like AlkaVision) that “pushed me over the edge to good health.”
AlkaVision has a powdered green drink, but you can juice your own greens. I have a vita mixer and blend spinach, celery, kale, a small carrot, cucumber, a thin slice of ginger (natural antiseptic properties), parsley, a little red onion, favorite spices (I use Zip) and a cup of distilled water.
What are alkaline foods? Cucumbers, while not the most nutrient dense food, is one of the most alkaline foods you can eat. Include broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, avocados, jicima, lemon, limes, grapefruit and other alkaline foods in your diet.
Foods to avoid include all dairy, meat, most processed foods, soft drinks, sugar, most sweeteners (except Stevia), and white flour.
I have found that most people who eat green, alkaline foods in the morning have almost double the energy of those on the Standard American Diet, (SAD)

Life was not meant to be easy

Life is not a journey to the grave,
With the attention of arriving safely
In an attractive and well preserved body
But rather to skid in broadside
Thouroghly used up ,
Totally worn out
And loudly proclaiming
WOW!
What a ride.

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