We live in times today where technology has changed the way we communicate, live, and possibly think. The constant pinging of emails can be as annoying as a dripping water facet. We are suffocating in doodads and options, Blackberries and blogs, cell phones, search engines and Wi-fi. These tools have made our lives easier and we have become smarter in many ways. But, are we overall better off? Not necessarily so. The excessive demands on our senses have created what scientist call “Cognitive Overload,” a state of constant distraction causing chronic stress.
The National Consumer League states that 80% of Americans are stressed and 63% say their stress levels are rising. Over 50 million people in the US alone suffer from sleep and relaxation disorders. PEOPLE NEED TO CHILL OUT! We have become imbalanced. How do we avoid cognitive overload and bring more balance into our lives? I have two simple suggestions.
1. Spend time in Nature.
Dr. Felf in his book, " The Role of Horticulture in Human Well-Being and Social Development" states that exposure to nature settings produces significant recovery from stress in physical measurements such as blood pressure and muscle tension. I can vouch for that!
One of my very favorite things to do is hiking with my two over-grown retrievers, Eli and Bogart, at a nearby park . It is a great place for them and me to get in touch with nature. There are many different hiking trails for several miles that cover about 400 acres of beautiful dense forest. In the Spring the dogwoods, if the sun hits them just right, look like a forest of twinkling white lights. Lush shades of green in varying size and shapes of foliage fill the summer months. In the fall, you are surrounded by brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows. Though I love all of the seasons there, I think my favorite is winter. The leaves are off the trees and you can see for miles. The woods are wide open. This is the season when I take Eli and Bogart off their leashes and say, “Run, boys…Run” and they run like the wind. It looks and feels like total freedom! No matter how stressed I am, within five minutes of being in nature, I have not a care in the world. It quiets all my mind chatter and frees my soul.
Spending time in nature isn’t always possible. But viewing nature scenes on your television or computer is and it has also proven to have great calming effects.
2. Listen to Soothing Music
My second suggestion is to simply listen to soothing music. Dr. Joel Robertson in his book, "Natural Prozac" states that listening to soothing music is a powerful tool to instantly change the chemistry in your brain with no negative side effects. He says, “If chosen correctly, it can be medicine for the mind and the soul.”
20 years ago scientists experimented with plants and the music of Bach. They found that his music caused the plants to grow faster and healthier, while the hard rock music had a negative effect on the plants. It stands to reason then that music also affects the human organism in ways that we may not realize. The next time you feel your stress levels climbing, tune into soothing music and just see how quickly your mood changes. Add some deep breathing to that and I guarantee you will feel a whole lot better! I like to keep soothing music playing in my office all day as I work. It helps keep me relaxed and balanced.
We are bombarded with information and most of it negative at that and we are in ‘Cognitive Overload.’ We must take measures to keep out lives balanced. Being in nature and listening to soothing music are two readily available and simple measures to create that balance.
http://www.TwentyGems.com/
http://www.twentygems.blogspot.com/
Denna J. Shelton, Copyright, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Fitness for All of You
Just as you know how important it is to keep your automobile finely tuned and maintained to get you where you want to go, so it is with your physical body. Your body needs nourishing foods and regular exercise to function properly. The American College of Sports Medicine states that to be physically fit, one must generally do a minimum of 30 minutes of aerobic activity five times a week and a minimum of two days of strength training. Although most of us hate the word “discipline,” it does take concerted effort to get fit and stay fit. It is not a once-a-week occurrence, nor is it about spending six months to get in shape only to never exercise again. Physical fitness is a lifestyle—an ongoing commitment. The very same can be said about the spiritual aspect of yourself. If you want to travel your life with more joy and a feeling of purpose and meaning, your spiritual nature must be nourished and properly exercised. It takes concerted effort or discipline. It does not happen with just occasional spiritual activities or a workshop from time to time. Spirituality is a lifestyle—an ongoing commitment.
The by-products of regular physical exercise and regular spiritual practice are well worth the efforts.
Physical exercise provides:
• Improved cardiovascular endurance and muscular strength
• Improved flexibility and body composition
• Lowered blood pressure
• Improved cholesterol
• More stamina and energy
• Reduced stress
Regular spiritual practice provides:
• Self-awareness
• Creativity
• Love of self and others
• Feelings of vitality and rejuvenation
• A sense of purpose
• Personal growth
It’s no secret that fitness activities are important. We all know that much. Still, sometimes it is hard to do and many of us just don’t do it. You have a better chance of exercise adherence if you follow a few simple guidelines:
1. Start gradually, within your capacity, and then progress. One of the most common reasons people do not adhere to an exercise program is that they overdo it in the beginning. They go from total sedentary lifestyles to exercising beyond their capacity. They either injure themselves or become so sore they can hardly function the next day. Who is going to adhere to that? Nobody.
2. Choose activities you love. Another common reason for dropout is that many will chose an exercise program they hate, such as running. Sure, running burns a tremendous amount of calories, but are you going to do it long-term if you hate it? Find the exercise that you enjoy! Whether it is hiking, cycling, tennis, swimming, power walking or aerobic dance, do something you like. Then, when you experience the benefits of regular exercise, it will inspire you to continue and to do more!
The same principles apply to spiritual practice. I know from my own attempts and failures in the past: I overdid it in the beginning and practiced a form of spiritual practice I didn’t enjoy. I began by sitting in a lotus position for an hour attempting to quiet my mind, with the end result of being frustrated, defeated and sore—not enlightened and serene! As with physical exercise, you need to begin a spiritual practice at the level that is comfortable for you and progress from there. Begin with 10 to 15 minutes daily of quiet reflection: listening to spiritual music, reading from a spiritual source that inspires and uplifts, strolling through nature or perhaps journaling. Find the spiritual practice that you enjoy! As with physical exercise, when you experience the benefits of spiritual practice, it will encourage you to continue and to do more.
In all things, balance is the key to a happy life. When one area in your life is not getting enough attention, manifestation of the imbalance can occur. When regular exercise is avoided, you may find yourself with unhealthy conditions such as excessive body fat, weakness, lack of flexibility or low energy. When your spiritual nature is not nourished and strengthened, it can manifest in a lack of joy, harmony and love. Your life will not have a rich sense of purpose and meaning. At some point you will question, “Is this all there is?”
You are more than your physical body. You are also a spiritual being. Regular exercise and proper nutrition will allow your physical body to carry your spirit through your journey in life. Consistent spiritual practices will bring joy and love and a life of rich purpose and meaning. Life offers many wonderful opportunities and beautiful experiences. By making conscious choices to be balanced in all aspects of yourself, you are unlimited.
http://www.twentygems.com/
The by-products of regular physical exercise and regular spiritual practice are well worth the efforts.
Physical exercise provides:
• Improved cardiovascular endurance and muscular strength
• Improved flexibility and body composition
• Lowered blood pressure
• Improved cholesterol
• More stamina and energy
• Reduced stress
Regular spiritual practice provides:
• Self-awareness
• Creativity
• Love of self and others
• Feelings of vitality and rejuvenation
• A sense of purpose
• Personal growth
It’s no secret that fitness activities are important. We all know that much. Still, sometimes it is hard to do and many of us just don’t do it. You have a better chance of exercise adherence if you follow a few simple guidelines:
1. Start gradually, within your capacity, and then progress. One of the most common reasons people do not adhere to an exercise program is that they overdo it in the beginning. They go from total sedentary lifestyles to exercising beyond their capacity. They either injure themselves or become so sore they can hardly function the next day. Who is going to adhere to that? Nobody.
2. Choose activities you love. Another common reason for dropout is that many will chose an exercise program they hate, such as running. Sure, running burns a tremendous amount of calories, but are you going to do it long-term if you hate it? Find the exercise that you enjoy! Whether it is hiking, cycling, tennis, swimming, power walking or aerobic dance, do something you like. Then, when you experience the benefits of regular exercise, it will inspire you to continue and to do more!
The same principles apply to spiritual practice. I know from my own attempts and failures in the past: I overdid it in the beginning and practiced a form of spiritual practice I didn’t enjoy. I began by sitting in a lotus position for an hour attempting to quiet my mind, with the end result of being frustrated, defeated and sore—not enlightened and serene! As with physical exercise, you need to begin a spiritual practice at the level that is comfortable for you and progress from there. Begin with 10 to 15 minutes daily of quiet reflection: listening to spiritual music, reading from a spiritual source that inspires and uplifts, strolling through nature or perhaps journaling. Find the spiritual practice that you enjoy! As with physical exercise, when you experience the benefits of spiritual practice, it will encourage you to continue and to do more.
In all things, balance is the key to a happy life. When one area in your life is not getting enough attention, manifestation of the imbalance can occur. When regular exercise is avoided, you may find yourself with unhealthy conditions such as excessive body fat, weakness, lack of flexibility or low energy. When your spiritual nature is not nourished and strengthened, it can manifest in a lack of joy, harmony and love. Your life will not have a rich sense of purpose and meaning. At some point you will question, “Is this all there is?”
You are more than your physical body. You are also a spiritual being. Regular exercise and proper nutrition will allow your physical body to carry your spirit through your journey in life. Consistent spiritual practices will bring joy and love and a life of rich purpose and meaning. Life offers many wonderful opportunities and beautiful experiences. By making conscious choices to be balanced in all aspects of yourself, you are unlimited.
http://www.twentygems.com/
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