Tag Archives: stress

Transform Stress Into Peace And Power With Rapid Eye Technology

As you navigate through life, you might find yourself caught in a cycle of stress, anxiety, and overwhelm. It's not uncommon to feel this way. However, there are therapeutic strategies that can help reprogram your mind and allow you to reclaim your sense of calmness and peace.

One such strategy is Rapid Eye Technology, which has been around for at least 40 years. Discover how this wonderful therapeutic approach can make a significant impact on your life.

What is Rapid Eye Technology

Rapid Eye Technology is an approach that aims to reprogram the brain's neurological patterns.

To comprehend this, consider the brain as having thousands of neuropathways, each holding its own set of information. These neuropathways are developed in childhood and are heavily influenced by external factors such as parents, the school system, media, and more. Over time, these pathways become our truth and, in turn, control our reality.

The therapy involves simple yet powerful techniques to address this. Through intentional blinking, a process is initiated to open these neuropathways and move information out of them. This essentially clears the storage units within our brain that hold negative emotions and patterns, providing space for new, positive information.

Another critical aspect is balancing the left and right brain hemisphere activity. The left brain is responsible for analytical thinking and can sometimes lead to overthinking and creating unnecessary stress. On the other hand, the right brain sees the bigger picture, bringing a sense of calmness and joy.

Rapid Eye Technology helps bridge the gap between these two hemispheres, enabling a more balanced and empowered mental state.

How it Works

A significant focus of Rapid Eye Technology is reprogramming the brain. This involves identifying and addressing core beliefs – those deep-seated, emotionally charged beliefs that form the basis of our thoughts and actions. By cleaning out the negative information stored in the brain's pathways and replacing it with positive affirmations and new patterns, a person can effectively create a shift in their cognitive processes.

In addition to the therapy sessions, there are simple tools that individuals can use in their everyday lives to manage their energy. These tools help in recognizing patterns of stress and anxiety early and work towards addressing them before they escalate.

By incorporating these practices and actively engaging in reprogramming the mind, individuals can reclaim their inner peace and empowered state.

Applying RET to your Daily Life

Embracing Rapid Eye Technology in your daily routine doesn't have to be complicated. It's about simplicity and consistency.

One of the basic exercises is the eye movement practice. You can do this by finding a spot on one side of the room, then another on the opposite side, and smoothly moving your eyes back and forth between the two spots.

It's essential to incorporate this practice whenever you recognize stress or anxiety creeping in. By doing so, you are effectively opening the synapses, allowing for a flow of energy between the hemispheres of the brain and reducing the effects of fight or flight responses. This simple exercise can be done multiple times a day, whenever a moment of calmness and balance is needed.

Moreover, teaching your brain to recognize patterns of stress and anxiety before they become all-consuming is vital. By taking control of your mental processes through these techniques, you are not only benefiting yourself but also contributing positively to the collective consciousness, creating ripples of peace and empowerment.

In Conclusion

Rapid Eye Technology offers a holistic approach to transforming stress into peace and power. By understanding and utilizing the methods it offers, individuals can actively engage in reprogramming their minds and reclaiming a sense of balance and calmness.

By integrating these practices into daily life, individuals can create a significant and positive impact on their mental well-being without the need for expensive equipment or complex processes.

Learn more about RET by watchng my interview with Paula Bronte below.

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Top Six Health Benefits Of Grounding

by Miraenvironment, gratitudegrounding, stress

What is grounding?

Grounding, also known as earthing, is a simple yet powerful practice of connecting with the Earth's surface, primarily through our bare feet or skin. Our modern lifestyles have led to more of a disconnect from the natural world. We are, surrounded by concrete jungles and walking around in insulated footwear. All of which separates us from the earth. Millions of years ago our ancestors were more connected to the Earth's electromagnetic field because they didn’t have these things.

The science of grounding

Recent research is revealing more information that supports the science behind this ancient practice.

In simplistic terms, the earth can be viewed as a battery which has a negative electrical charge. When we ground ourselves, by exposure through non-insulated skin, with the earth, this helps to stabilize your system. You can ground most effectively by having bare skin on dirt or grass, or through the use of grounding or earthing devices. As you engage in this energy transfer process there are a number of health benefits:

Reduced Stress: Stress is considered a regular part of modern life. But when you have too much stress, or chronic levels, it’s not healthy. Grounding has been shown to help reduce cortisol levels which can support relaxation. This may, in turn, help with emotional balance.
Reduced Inflammation: Grounding has been shown to neutralize free radicals and lower pro-inflammatory cytokines which can in turn help reduce inflammation. Often reducing inflammation can also help to decrease chronic pain.
Better Quality Sleep: Many people share that when they regularly engage in a grounding practice they notice an improvement in sleep. One study found people who slept grounded (using an earthing mat) had more balanced cortisol levels and synchronicity with a 24-hour circadian rhythm.
Improved Immunity: The more balance your immune system is the faster you can heal from trauma or injury. Studies seem to indicate that after trauma participants who were grounded had a faster recovery time with less pain and inflammation.
Improved Circulation: How well your blood circulates is an important measure for overall wellness by optimizing nutrient and oxygen delivery to your cells. Studies showed improved circulation after a grounding session and suggested that it might be a helpful health practice for those struggling with cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
Increased Energy: Grounding is supportive and rejuvenating. It has been reported that people who regularly engage in a grounding practice feel more energetic. It’s like a therapeutic rejuvenation.

How to add grounding to your life

Thankfully, grounding is an accessible and easy practice that can be incorporated into our daily routines:

Go Barefoot: Whenever possible, kick off your shoes. It’s wonderful to take a leisurely walk, or even just stand still and wiggle your toes, while standing on natural surfaces such as grass, sand, or soil. It’s even better if they’re damp.
Earthing Mats: Try using a ground mat or grounding sheets. These can be placed on a bed or draped over a chair while working at your desk. This can help you stay grounded while you’re indoors. It’s also a good option to help with grounding for inclement weather.
Gardening: Engaging in gardening activities. This gets your hands in the dirt and provides a perfect way for you to connect with the Earth and its healing energy. Don’t have a garden? Houseplants count too!
Hug a Tree: Trees are wonderful and a great way to connect with the earth. They’re so deeply connected through their roots that hugging a tree, or even justs sitting under one and leaning against it can be beneficial.
Beach Time: Spending time at the shore offers both the calming effects of being by a body of water. And you can walk on the shore or in the water to connect with the earth.
Read: I highly recommend the book Earthing by Clint Ober. This is the book that introduced me to the concept of this practice.

In summary

As we navigate the modern world with its technological marvels, let’s not forget the how amazing it can be to incorporate the healing power of nature, especially the practice of grounding. When you reconnect with the Earth's energy, you can experience so many benefits including less stress and an improved immune system.

Take time every day to connect with nature!

[expand title="Sources"]

Koniver, Laura. "Practical Applications Of Grounding To Support Health". Biomedical Journal, vol 46, no. 1, 2023, pp. 41-47. Elsevier BV, doi:10.1016/j.bj.2022.12.001.

Menigoz, Wendy et al. "Integrative And Lifestyle Medicine Strategies Should Include Earthing (Grounding): Review Of Research Evidence And Clinical Observations". EXPLORE, vol 16, no. 3, 2020, pp. 152-160. Elsevier BV, doi:10.1016/j.explore.2019.10.005.

Sinatra, Stephen T., at al. Electric Nutrition: The Surprising Health and Healing Benefits of Biological Grounding (Earthing). ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES, SEP/OCT 2017 VOL. 23 NO. 5.

Yum, Byeong et al. "Effect Of Earthing Mat On The Quality Of Sleep". 2020, https://www.e-jehs.org/journal/view.html?pn=&uid=1957&vmd=Full.

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7 Ways To Relieve Stress And Anxiety

by MiraUncategorizedanxiety, stress

Navigating through stress and anxiety might seem overwhelming, particularly in our rapidly changing contemporary environment. However, remember that you possess the capacity to modify your reactions to stressful events and create an atmosphere of calm within.

Here are seven strategies you can use in your daily life to help lower your stress and anxiety levels.

1. Butterfly Tapping

Interlace your thumbs so your hands form a butterfly and place your thumbs just below the dip between your clavicles. Close your eyes and breath in and out slowly while tapping your fingertips against your clavicle. You can tap both sides together or in an alternating pattern. Do this for 2-3 minutes.

2. Box Breathing

This measured form of breathing can be very helpful for reducing stress. Breath into your belly slowly to a count of four - hold the breath for four counts - release slow for four counts - hold for four counts. Repeat four times.

3. Stretch

Stand up to take a break from sitting. Take a deep breath in while you raise your arms above your head with your fingers laced together. Stretch upwards, release your hands, and bring them down to your sides while you exhale. Repeat this five times.

4. Nature break

Connecting with nature is a wonderful stress relief. Spend 10-15 minutes outside, if possible with bare feet on grass or dirt. If you're in a city and there is no grass, plants, or trees nearby, looking at images of nature can also be helpful.

5. Laughter

There's a big movement toward laughter yoga and it's health benefits. Start laughing and you may find that your mood changes. Even if you're not feeling it at the beginning, the act of really enjoying a belly laugh has lots of positive benefits. If needed check out a laughter yoga video.

6. Take a journal break

Journaling has been shown to be highly beneficial for stress reduction. Even a 10-15 minute journal break can be a good way to disconnect from stress. Consider either using a list of journal prompts and working through them one at a time, or simply practicing free-flowing journaling and writing whatever comes to mind until the timer goes off.

7. Positive self-talk

Positive input is important for your well-being and a great way to practice self-care. Take 5-10 minutes and talk out loud to yourself in a positive manner.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Symptoms, Causes, Solutions

by Miraseasonal, seasons, stressSAD, seasonal, stress

Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD for short, is a common mood disorder where people experience depressive symptoms in the fall or winter or anxiety in the summer every year but maintain a healthy mental state during other seasons. Approximately four to six percent of Americans can be severely affected; with women four times more likely to experience it than men. Even though it is not commonly found in people younger than age 20, it is still possible for children and young adults to suffer from SAD.

Symptoms of SAD include:

Fatigue
Increased need for sleep
Decreased levels of energy
Weight gain or loss
Increase or decrease in appetite
Difficulty concentrating
Trouble sleeping
Sadness
Anxiety
Irritability
Antisocial behavior
Craving carbohydrates

What causes SAD?

The exact cause of SAD is unknown, but medical professionals attribute it to any of the following:

Lack of sunlight
Increase in melatonin levels
Hormone levels
Irregular brain chemistry
Lack of serotonin
Disruption of our circadian rhythm
Lack of vitamin D

Lack of sun is the most compelling cause since lacking sunlight affects the brain by increasing melatonin while decreasing serotonin and vitamin D levels in the body. When exposed to sunlight, your optic nerve sends a message to your brain to produce less melatonin. Melatonin calms the body and allows you to sleep. When the sun comes up your brain produces serotonin which induces feelings of wakefulness. When the sun's ultraviolet rays touch your skin, your body produces vitamin D which also helps the body maintain proper serotonin levels.

Three action steps to help with SAD

So how do we improve our overall health to mitigate the effects of SAD? Here are three areas that may be supportive.

Light

The best option for SAD is sunlight due to its long wavelength and the better concentration of red and orange light waves. According to many studies light exposure, particularly bright light, through the eyes boost serotonin activity. The more intense the sunlight is the more powerful the benefits are going to be. It's important to note that a short period of intense sunlight is actually much better than a longer period of sunlight with cloudy weather.

The bright light of the sun is beneficial yet in the winter we are spending more time indoors and looking at screens. This type of light is called blue light and can be detrimental to our health. Florescent lights, computers, cell phones, televisions, e-readers, and more all contain blue light. This light wave range is not helpful for those with SAD. One way to reduce some of this blue light exposure is to wear special glasses which block this light wave. Although many new devices have apps or programs that can block the blue light, it may not be enough to significantly cut your exposure. Therefore, glasses can be a useful option. Light therapy appears to be very helpful with health problems, energy, mood, and anxiety.

Exercise

Exercise and physical activity are great ways to fight depression. If at all possible, bundle up and get outside in the bright sunshine to walk, run, or just play! It is best to forgo sunglasses so your eyes can absorb the sunshine. If getting outside is not always feasible, find a fun physical activity to enjoy yourself and don’t forget to get the family involved too. The best exercises are the ones that you enjoy and will do.

Diet

Proper diet is important in the treatment of SAD. Eating a healthy, whole-food diet, low in processed food and artificial ingredients, can help to address nutrient deficiencies that may be exacerbating SAD symptoms.

Consuming foods rich in Vitamin D and DHA may be particularly helpful in treating SAD. Vitamin D is produced easily in the summer sun by our bodies but is limited in the winter. Fish and other types of seafood are high in both Vitamin D and the essential omega 3 fatty acid DHA. Vitamin D can also be found in dairy products (be sure to choose organic in order to avoid added hormones, antibiotics, and other chemicals), eggs, and mushrooms (especially portabellas which are raised under appropriate conditions). Fish, and nuts contain high amounts of omega-3 while B-complex vitamins come from oily fish, beans, nuts, and whole grains. Herring, mackerel, salmon and flaxseed are the richest sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Dietary supplements also help with SAD. In addition to vitamin D, supplements to add into your diet include omega-3, vitamin B3, vitamin B12, and folate.

Through light therapy, exercise, and diet we may be able to reduce the effects of SAD this winter and in future winters.

Essential oils for SAD

Our sense of smell is incredibly powerful. In addition to the other supports listed above, tapping into our olfactory sense through the addition of essential oils may help as your brain's capacity for thought and emotion is significantly impacted by essential oils.

In fact, studies have shown that inhaling essential oils can send messages to the brain's olfactory system and promote the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which further regulate mood. Using an essential oil crafted from a blend of oils with beneficial effects may be a beneficial holistic health addition to your SAD self-care routine. One blend in particular, Uplift, is made with the following oils:

Frankincense – shown to help stimulate the limbic system in the brain which is helpful for elevating your mood
Lavender – long known as a sedative, calming, anxiety-relieving oil
Rose – a soothing oil which appears to have anti-depressant properties
Blue Tansy – reported to be helpful with relaxing both the mind and the body
Roman Chamomile – a natural antihistamine studies have show this oil to promote relaxation, calm the nerves, and reduce anxiety
Red Mandarin – another relaxing essential oil, red mandarin may reduce stress and support emotional balance
Lime – has been reported to help clear trapped emotions including listlessness and fatigue, lime can also support balance and grounding
Ylang ylang – believed to bring about balance for the central nervous system this is another essential oil that promotes relaxation

According to the manufacturer the best way to apply this blend is by using 2-3 drops behind the earlobes on the mastoid bone, to use over the heart, at the base of the back of the neck, to the wrists, the temple and the forehead. For balancing support apply 3-5 drops to the bottom of the feet in the morning.

Specifically for Seasonal Affective Disorder it’s recommended to apply Uplift 2-3 times per day or as needed.

Josiah Garber, Nancy Farber, and Kate Hunter contributed to this article.