How do you Step out of your Comfort Zone when it all feels too scary?

How do you Step out of your Comfort Zone when it all feels too scary? When the very thought of change terrifies you and the unknown is too unpredictable? How do you make changes to your life when it all feels too hard?

We are mostly creatures of comfort and like our lives to feel safe and predictable. We like the ‘known’ and we like the certainty that it brings. Many of us stay in the same jobs, the same homes, the same locations and the same relationships, because it is all we know. We feel safe and we feel assured of what each day will bring. We tend to like more of the ‘same.’

But what if we start to feel that our lives are limited? What if we suddenly realised one day, that there was more to life? What if we decided that comfort isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, that adventure and possibility lie over the horizon? What do we do then?

We take steps to bring about change! Most of us have heard of a bucket list, of places that we want to visit during our lifetime. But what if we had a ‘dreams list’ as well? On this list you could write down all the things that you would like to do one day. Then start looking at what is possible and where you can start.

Maybe you want to learn to dance or begin a new language? There are many courses around. Community centres and the Council of Adult Education often have short courses so you can try them out, before committing to something more long term. Have you always wanted to write a book, but don’t know where to start? The Australian Writers’ Centre has courses to get your imagination flowing.

Whatever you choose to do, there are ways to achieve your dreams. Perhaps you could start planning for that solo trip that has always interested you or start increasing your fitness for that mountain trail you want to conquer. The possibilities are endless.

How do you step out of your Comfort Zone when it all feels too scary? Stop listening to that mindless chatter. Our minds are very good at convincing ourselves that our dreams are just that – dreams – and they will never achieve fruition. We convince ourselves that we are too old, or too unfit, or don’t have the experience or the knowledge to do something new. ‘It will never work out. It will be a waste of time and energy and I will fail. I should just be happy with what I have.’ The stories are endless.

But what if your new venture was a resounding success? What if you discovered a new soul mate or a new career or a new passion? Wouldn’t it have been worth it? I have mentioned before that I have written a book and it will be released in late March. I have loved the writing process, but have no idea how it will be received. Hopefully some people will love it and perhaps some will hate it, but that’s okay. I wrote it for myself because it was a passion of mine. I wrote it because it was one of my dreams.

Have I opened myself up to judgment and criticism? Yes possibly and that does scare me. But I want my life to be meaningful and that means taking risks. Staying safe and hidden means staying the same and depriving yourself of life and all its’ opportunities.

By taking risks and stepping out of our comfort zones, we learn to grow. I left nursing to study Reflexology. It was a huge gamble to leave a steady job and begin my own business, but I was unhappy and needed to find fulfilment somewhere else. I have travelled to a lot of different countries, never quite knowing what I would find, but it has always been worth the effort. I began garden photography to sell to magazines, which was at times a scary experience. Chatting to knowledgeable editors was definitely out of my comfort zone.

Not every task I have undertaken has been a resounding success but that doesn’t stop me from trying something new. Making mistakes means I learn and a part of me grows. How do you step out of your comfort zone when it all feels too scary? You start to plan and then start to take action. Believe in yourself for you are capable of amazing things. We just don’t credit ourselves enough for all our accomplishments.

Begin to live a life of your choosing, not someone else’s. So many of us are brought up to put everyone else first. We listen to their needs instead of our own and we put our own desires on hold. “Others need me now, others are more important, others need to take priority,” we tell ourselves.

Well guess what? We need to put ourselves at the top of our ‘to-do’ lists. It’s only when we feel happy, healthy and fulfilled, that we can give to others from a place of love and kindness, not obligation. So start listening to your heart’s desires. Allow yourself to feel vulnerable and expect some resistance from yourself and others. That’s okay. Your ego is protecting you from it’s own insecurities and your family and friends are just expressing their own fears and anxieties.

Take that risk, dream your dreams and take action on them. Then start living this one amazing, glorious life!

With warmest wishes,

Judy xxx

References: Photo by Nathan McBride on Unsplash

Disclaimer: Please note that all information in this article is the opinion of the author and obtained through her research and knowledge and the above references. It is not meant to replace medical advice and a medical opinion should always be obtained for any health condition.

How do you greet the coming Year?

How do you greet the coming Year? Do you welcome it with joy and excitement, or fear and anxiety, or perhaps a little trepidation? Maybe it’s just another date in the calendar and doesn’t hold much meaning for you, or feels like just more of the same?

I greet each New Year with Hope and anticipation. I have no idea how the year will unfold, but I have plans that I want to instigate and dreams around things that I want to achieve. I also have hope that it will be a good year. A year filled with health and happiness, time with family and friends and time with my Reflexology clients.

Over the past two years, I have written a book which I am self-publishing. It will be available late March and it’s one of the dreams that I want to make into reality. Creativity is a passion of mine that I have only recently rekindled. So this year I hope to make it a huge part of my life.

I have not made New Year resolutions for some time now as they always felt a bit forced and hollow and made just for the sake of it. I now choose a word each year on how I would like my year to unfold. I must admit, it doesn’t always work, but it provides a guiding light for my plans and ambitions.

This year I chose the word, ‘Release’ because there’s a lot of things I want to let go of. Release of fear and anxiety about the unknown, release of others expectations, release of feelings of ‘not doing enough’ or ‘not being enough,’ release of doing things because I ‘should’ and release of things that I cannot control. I want to allow more acceptance into my life, of events and people who bring me joy.

How do you greet the coming year? Do you keep doing what you have always been doing or do you want to make changes? If you are happy and contented, that’s great, but if not, what can you do differently? I believe we all have opportunities for growth. None of us are infallible. We are humans with all the wonder and frailties that come with being human. We create and we make mistakes and that’s how we grow.

What can you do differently this year? What do you dream about and want to achieve? Write down your plans as this makes them seem more real. Then take action. Having lovely lists is a start, but we need to take action on them if we want to achieve our goals and dreams. Perhaps you want to learn a language, or join a gym, or start dancing or painting. Perhaps you want to write a book or start a new career. The possibilities are endless.

Do your research then book into a class or make that phone call. Nothing is set in stone, so if it doesn’t work out, you can always leave. Be open to the potential of finding something that fuels your Soul. Yes change can be scary and most of us don’t like to leave our comfort zones, however as Garrett Gravensen wrote, “Life happens outside your comfort zone.”

How do you greet the coming year? I hope it’s with plans and dreams around bringing more happiness, great health and contentment into your life. Remember unless you believe in reincarnation, we only have one life, so make it an exciting, glorious, creative and fulfilling one.

Wishing you a very Happy New Year.

With warmest wishes,

Judy xxx

References: “10 seconds of insane courage” by Garrett Gravensen.

Disclaimer: Please note that all information in this article is the opinion of the author and obtained through her research and knowledge and the above references. It is not meant to replace medical advice and a medical opinion should always be obtained for any health condition.

Christmas time is here again.

Christmas time is here again and another year is nearly over. I really hope it has been a happy and healthy one for you. Christmas is a time of happiness, joy and excitement for many, an occasion for families to come together and an opportunity to rekindle traditions.

As I come from a European background (my parents were Hungarian), our biggest celebration was on Christmas Eve. Christmas actually started for my family with the feast of St Nicholas on the 6th December. My sisters and I would put our shoes outside our bedroom door at night time, to find them filled with fruit, nuts and occasionally sweets, the next morning. St Nicholas was said to have been a very generous man with a love for children.

It was the start of a very exciting month which culminated in the delivery of our Christmas tree by the angels. Our sitting room was locked and the blinds and curtains drawn in preparation for the big day. My sisters and I would look for clues in the garden, searching for pine needles that would show that the angels had been. We would excitedly follow their trail from the front gate, along the garden path, up to the verandah and the french windows that opened onto the sitting room. The tree had arrived and Christmas was nearly here.

Although I didn’t keep up this tradition for my own son, he did grow up believing in Father Christmas and would take ages to get to sleep on Christmas Eve, too excited to close his eyes. Hence my husband and I would set our alarms for the middle of the night so that we could sneak in with a stocking full of presents. We would place these on his bed to surprise him in the morning. The rustle of wrapping paper would greet us the next day and we would go into his bedroom delighting in his joy and excitement. Very special memories.

Christmas to me is a time of giving. A time to include others and share what you have. Very often we have an extra person or two who would otherwise be on their own, to share our Christmas lunch with. Their presence only contributes to the celebrations and enriches our Christmas meal. Although a happy occasion for many, Christmas can also be a sad and lonely time. Not everyone has a family to be with or the love of those close to them. This time of year can also bring up memories of happier times spent with those who are no longer with us.

For Christians, it signifies the birth of Jesus Christ and the love and teachings he brought to the world. It’s also an occasion of ‘togetherness’, a time to think of others and not of ourselves and of showing kindness to those around us.

Christmas time is nearly here and it’s a great opportunity to be grateful and reflect on the past year. It’s easy to get caught up in the shopping frenzy and commercialism, but to me, Christmas is much more than that. Yes it’s lovely receiving gifts but gratitude goes much further. The past few years have been such a mixed bag of worry, fear and anxiety, but they have allowed many of us to re-evaluate our lives and how we live them.

I’m grateful to have rekindled my creativity and passion for writing. Others have found a better work/life balance. Some have moved homes to somewhere less busy and crowded. Silver linings can be found in many difficult situations.

This Christmas, enjoy your time with those you love, give gratitude for what you have and seek out opportunities to live a life you are truly passionate about.

Thank you all for reading these newsletters and sending much gratitude to my lovely clients, who entrust me with their care.

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and a wonderful, healthy and enriching New Year.

With warmest wishes,

Judy xxx

How do you deal with Tension? Do you Fight it or Flee?

How do you deal with Tension? Do you fight it or flee and avoid it at all costs? Tension is a part of our lives. We can’t avoid it, no matter how much we might want to. Tension can occur between partners, work colleagues, friends and clients. You may disagree on a decision or an article in the news or on a financial matter. It may be a minor thing that can trigger us, or something more significant, but how we react makes all the difference.

Tension involves emotional or mental stress and can never be undermined. We all experience it in separate ways and we all react to it differently. I’m not talking about severe stress or tension from a life changing event or illness, for that is different. I certainly don’t want to trivialise that. I’m talking about the day-to-day tensions that we all experience.

Growing up, my Father was an organised, methodical man who loved a quiet, untroubled life but had a quick temper. In a household of women, life was far from being methodical and quiet and when he raised his voice, I tended to hide. I hated confrontation and grew up avoiding it when possible. I became quite adept at changing the subject or leaving the room!

However as I grew older and wiser, I realised that tension could be a good thing. I realised that I didn’t need to overreact every time there was a disagreement and that it wasn’t always “about me.” Something was triggering me and if I stepped back a little bit and looked at what it was, it became an opportunity for growth. Often it was about fears that the other person had raised or it was about feelings of self worth that I had taken personally.

Sometimes it was about genuine concerns such as financial worries, but I realised there was no point in being angry or laying blame on another person or situation. Looking calmly at these things meant that they could be discussed rationally and a solution found. Anger only led to accusations and being disempowered. Discussion led to finding answers with all parties feeling validated.

How do you deal with tension? We can all recognise it. That feeling of anxiety and uncertainty or of feeling the victim or the underdog. We may question our self worth, our own need to be recognised or feel that we don’t have any control. We try and protect ourselves and resort to anger. We try and justify our opinions and raise our voice so that we make sure that we are heard, or we change the subject and avoid the situation altogether. Our muscles tense up and we may start breathing more rapidly. We may feel a knot of tightness in our stomach and we start to feel stressed. Tension feels uncomfortable.

Tension is very strongly linked to our emotions. Memories from childhood may cause an overreaction as an adult. Certain behaviours from our parents can influence our reactions later in life. I know that my father’s temper, affected my own response to stress for many years. Tension leads to our ‘fight or flight’ response. We retaliate to protect ourselves or flee the situation. I realised that this was my response to any difficult situation. I would flee. It felt easier to avoid it than face it and possibly be hurt.

However once I realised what I was doing, whenever a tense situation arose, I sat back and examined my thoughts and feelings, without reacting first. I could see why I was being triggered and discuss this openly. It instantly diffused the situation and a more satisfactory outcome was achieved.

Often it’s our ego that doesn’t like being ‘attacked’. We may feel that we are personally being criticised when in fact, the advice given may actually be helpful. When we create something, be it a piece of art, photograph or even a special dinner, our ego resists judgment. If someone apparently criticises our writing or painting or some other creation, we take it personally. However if we actually sat with the advice given, our piece of art may become stronger.

We may feel anxiety when we come across something new or unfamiliar. We may hold ourselves back and avoid the situation because it requires change, or feels too scary or difficult. We may flee because it all feels too hard. If however we face our worries, sit with the stress and ask ourselves how we can move forwards, the tension will dissipate and we can grow.

How do you deal with tension? Do you see it as your enemy or can you make friends with it. We usually don’t welcome it into our lives but it’s something we can’t avoid if we want to have a meaningful existence. I now no longer change the subject or leave the room, or at least I recognise when I am tempted to. I look at what is triggering me. Is it a genuine fear or is it an affront to my ego? Knowing the difference means changing your response.

Tension is a part of our lives. It may bring up uncomfortable feelings or may just feel like a minor nuisance but it needs to be addressed and not avoided. We may feel tempted to run away, but even living on a deserted island, doesn’t stop you from encountering daily stressors. You still have to deal with the forces of nature and finding your food.

Recognise tension when it happens and make sure you support yourself. Feeling stressed all the time hinders your health so take measures to reduce that stress. If someone or something upsets you, take some time out. Give yourself time to breath and think. Go for a walk in nature, try some deep breathing or meditation, or end the conversation and say you will get back to the person. This gives you time to reflect on what has been said or on your own involvement in the conversation.

Try not to react straight away. Sit with your feelings. The more awareness you have around why you are feeling the way you do, will give you some guidance moving forwards.

How do you deal with Tension? Hopefully in a way that benefits your growth and releases any stress you may be feeling. I would love to know.

With warmest wishes,

Judy xxx

References: Photo by Darius Bashar on Unsplash.

Disclaimer: Please note that all information in this article is the opinion of the author and obtained through her research and knowledge and the above references. It is not meant to replace medical advice and a medical opinion should always be obtained for any health condition.

Can you Enjoy a Better Night’s Sleep when you have Insomnia?

Can you enjoy a better night’s sleep when you have Insomnia? Is this even possible?

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder where a person finds it hard to fall sleep, stay asleep and get back to sleep after waking during the night. You may feel tired on waking, which in turn affects your mood, productivity, health and quality of life. It may be brought on by stress, a traumatic event, sleeping in unfamiliar environments, jet lag, stimulants or due to an acute illness. Normal sleep patterns usually return once the stress or event is over.

The amount of sleep we all need varies, but most adults are said to need seven to eight hours a night.

Short term insomnia may last for days or weeks but for some people, long term or chronic insomnia may last for months or more. It may be the main problem or may be associated with medication or a medical condition. Sleep is essential for our lives. It’s when our cells repair, restore energy and release hormones and proteins. Our nerve cells communicate for healthy brain function and our brains store new information and release toxic by-products.

Sleep affects our memory, learning, problem solving skills, creativity, decision making and concentration. It affects our emotional well being and even our weight. Recent studies have shown that sleep affects our hunger hormones, ghrelin and leptin. Sleep also supports heart health and our immune system. Sleep deficiency has been linked to chronic health problems affecting the heart, kidneys, blood,

So what can we do to improve our sleep patterns, especially if Insomnia is ongoing? It’s important to see your GP and check for sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, or restless leg syndrome or thyroid problems which can all affect sleep. There’s also a number of things that you can do yourself to change your habits and sleep patterns.

* Establish a bedtime routine. Go to bed at the same time each night if possible. This helps the body to establish it’s natural sleep/wake cycle, our circadian rhythm. Try and get up at the same time each day.

* Enhance your Melatonin levels. We all produce Melatonin, a hormone that regulates our sleeping and waking patterns. Its production is controlled by exposure to light and is released in darkness and suppressed in light. Artificially lit offices, computer screens and television all affect our melatonin levels. Get some exposure to natural light during the day and avoid using the computer, your iPhone and iPad and watching television late at night.

* Create an inviting Bedroom. Make sure that your sleeping environment is relaxing and welcoming and not part of your working environment. Keep televisions out of the bedroom and ensure that you have a great mattress. It has been said that the bedroom is for sleeping and sex and that’s not a bad suggestion. Invest in blackout curtains as any light will affect the quality of your sleep. Keep the bedroom cool as overheating can affect your sleep too.

* Relax before bedtime. Instead of working late into the night or watching TV and overstimulating your brain, relax with a book and read by a soft light. Have a warm bath prior to bed with some aromatherapy oils, such as lavender or roman chamomile. Alternatively, put a few drops of these oils on a tissue under your pillow. Listen to some calming music to enhance and relax your mind.

* Eat healthily and exercise. Cut back your intake of coffee, especially in the afternoon and evening. Caffeine is a stimulant that will disrupt your sleep patterns. It’s also a diuretic which means more trips to the bathroom! Avoid alcohol late at night even though you may think it will help you sleep. Initially it may help you feel drowsier and get off to sleep quickly, but it affects the quality of your sleep. It also makes it more likely that you will wake later in the night. Avoid heavy meals within two hours of bedtime as your stomach will be working hard to digest the food. Thus sleep will be disrupted. Regular exercise is great as it will help you sleep more deeply but avoid anything strenuous at night. This tends to stimulate and warm up the body.

* Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a very effective therapy that can help to control negative thoughts or actions that keep you awake. It helps you to recognise and change beliefs that affect your ability to sleep. It teaches you strategies such as getting out of bed if you don’t fall asleep within 20 minutes and listening to some relaxing music or reading. It also suggests writing down your thoughts when those million and one ideas disturb you at night.

Relaxation techniques and temporary sleep restriction are also discussed. If you’re in need of some guidance, there’s a free course you can follow. The details are here.

* Having Facial Reflexology on a regular basis will also help you to beat Insomnia. Reflexology helps calm the whole body. It works on the Nervous System to bring about total relaxation and reduces the Sympathetic Nerve response that always keeps you on alert. It assists the Hormonal System to rebalance so that our levels of Melatonin are increased and the body is able to get off to sleep more easily. These Facial Reflexology nerve points, if done on a regular basis, can help to rebalance and improve your sleep. The chart can be found here.

Can you enjoy a better night’s sleep, when you have Insomnia? Definitely. It does take some persistence, especially if the insomnia is long standing but following these suggestions will hopefully help.

With warmest wishes,

Judy xxx

 

References: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/insomnia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355167, https://www.healthline.com/health/why-do-we-sleep#restoration, https://thiswayup.org.au/programs/insomnia-program/

Disclaimer: Please note that all information in this article is the opinion of the author and obtained through her research and knowledge and the above references. It is not meant to replace medical advice and a medical opinion should always be obtained for any health condition.

You can’t Stop the Rising Tide. What can you do instead?

You can’t stop the rising tide. Every day the tide rises and falls according to the pull of the earth and the waxing and waning of the moon. We may try and put up sandbags or build barriers or walls, but the tide cannot be prevented from rising. It is a force of nature that cannot be stopped. What if we looked at life the same way? What if we ‘allowed’ more into our lives, instead of always fighting against what we cannot control?

Just as we may put up barriers to stop a rising sea to no avail, what walls are we putting up in our lives? I’m not saying that we shouldn’t have any control. Obviously we have some say in how we live our lives. We rise at a certain time, go to work, eat meals, socialise and form relationships and interact with others. We have control around what we want and don’t want in our lives. However what if we ‘allowed’ the things we can’t control, to just be and accept them.

I was doing my regular meditation the other day and my thoughts wondered as they often do. I started to think about a recent holiday in the sun and how glad I was that winter was over and it was now Spring. Then I suddenly stopped myself and realised that winter too has a purpose. It is a quieter time of year where much of nature hibernates. Animals gather food ahead of the colder months. Many plants lose their leaves and slow down their growth to protect them from the cold, but also to conserve energy. Then when the days become longer and warmer, they sprout forth their green mantles and shine in all their glory. Animals, too resurface and bring new life into the world.

What if I accepted winter as a part of life’s cycle, instead of fighting against it? What if I adjusted to the colder weather, wore more layers and warmer clothes and ate more nourishing foods? What if I allowed what I cannot change?

You can’t stop a rising tide and you can’t stop a new day dawning, but you can choose what you allow into your life? Can you allow more peace? Can you allow more space and time for you? Can you allow yourself to be prioritised? Can you allow more fun and joy into your life? Can you allow more self love? What would happen if we sat with our feelings and emotions and considered what we could let go of.

Could we let go of fear and anxiety and allow acceptance instead? Could we let go of anger and allow non judgment to take its’ place? What if we let go of criticism and allow an understanding of our differences to take precedence? Could we let go of controlling every aspect of our lives and allow the magic and surprise to enter instead? We cannot control how others behave or react with us, but we can manage how we respond to their words.

It’s very easy to try and control our lives. If we have control, we don’t need to fear. If we have control, we won’t be judged or criticised. If we have control, we won’t be disappointed. But life’s not like that. We can’t control everything and everyone around us. It stifles our progress and growth. It blocks our intuition and spontaneity.

You can’t control the rising tide. Life goes on no matter what we do. Allowing doesn’t mean giving in or giving up. It means we allow what we can’t control and accept the things we can. It also means we actively take part in our lives instead of being a passive spectator and allow in more of what we want to create, so that life remains mysterious, exciting and magical.

And isn’t that how you want to live your life. I know I do.

With warmest wishes,

Judy xxx

Disclaimer: Please note that all information in this article is the opinion of the author and obtained through her research and knowledge and the above references. It is not meant to replace medical advice and a medical opinion should always be obtained for any health condition.

Do you have an Impossible Dream? I hope so.

Do you have an Impossible dream? I really hope you do. So many of our dreams start out as something that we wish would happen, but believe to be impossible. We may dream about changing careers or moving interstate or overseas. We may dream of living by the seaside or starring in a musical. We may dream of writing a best selling novel or painting a piece of art that hangs in a gallery. These dreams may feel exciting but at the same time, unachievable.

Why do I hope you have an impossible dream? Because I really believe that if a dream exists, in whatever form, you have birthed an idea to make a change somewhere in your life. It may appear far-fetched and perhaps unattainable at first, but dreams give us a gateway to the life we want to create. We all have ideas around how we want to live our life. We plan our jobs and careers, where we want to live, what things we do for pleasure. They don’t always turn out as we planned, but they give us anchors or starting points.

Unless you believe in reincarnation, we all have one life. Don’t you want to make this one life as meaningful and enjoyable as you can? Having dreams help you achieve this and although at first some dreams may appear just that, they can become reality if you take action. Dreams give you a direction in life. They empower you to find your purpose. They inspire you to challenge yourself and in doing so, they help to inspire others to do the same.

What has this do with Reflexology you may ask? Not a lot, except that becoming a Reflexologist was a dream of mine. I had been nursing for many years and needed a change. I had always been interested in complementary therapies, but changing careers after so many years in nursing, felt impossible. However once I decided I had to take some steps, the opportunities opened up for me. While living in the UK, a friend recommended reflexology for a health complaint. I tried it out many times, loved it and found it to be very beneficial. My dream of changing careers was taking shape. Once back in Australia, I contacted various reflexologists and followed their recommendations as to where I could study. I kept on nursing initially, but studied part time and my dream became reality.

What may seem impossible, very often isn’t. If you have the passion, interest and perseverance, so many things can be achieved. Have you always wanted to be a dancer but it seems impossible? Join a local group, start taking lessons and see where it will lead you. Have you always wanted to write a book? Enrol in a course if you so desire, or just start writing down your ideas. I always loved writing as a child but left it to follow other pursuits. During our long lockdowns in Melbourne, I began to write again. The ideas and words just flowed and I have just completed my first book. It has still to be edited and proofread and there’s still a long way to go, but my once impossible dream is taking shape and becoming a reality.

Do you have an impossible dream? I hope you do because it means you are planning how you want to live your life. You are taking back control and not just letting life happen to you. I know that I don’t want to have regrets or feel that I have missed out on things I really want to do. When my Mother was quite elderly, I bought her a beautiful red rose bush that she could see from her bedroom window. One day she wistfully said to me, “I wish I could paint that rose.” I gently said that I could bring her some paints and she could start but she never did. I know that this was just one small thing that she didn’t do, when in life she achieved so much, but so many things are possible if we put our minds and heart into it.

What if you want to paint that rose, or climb that mountain, or walk the Camino Way or cycle around France or even fly to the Moon? Your impossible dream can happen. Make enquiries, study if you need to, plan and then take action. I really hope you have an Impossible dream because if you do and you start to make that dream a reality, you are living your one glorious, amazing life. And isn’t that a life worth living!

With warmest wishes,

Judy xxx

Disclaimer: Please note that all information in this article is the opinion of the author and obtained through her research and knowledge and the above references. It is not meant to replace medical advice and a medical opinion should always be obtained for any health condition.

What’s in your Toolbox this Winter?

What’s in your Toolbox this Winter? As we enter the middle of winter in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s important to look at how we are supporting ourselves throughout these colder months. What tools do you have? What strategies do you use to stay well and healthy? Each winter it is easy to succumb to more viruses and colds and over the past few years, the dreaded Covid, as we socialise and spend more time indoors.

I believe that each one of us should have a toolbox and every toolbox should contain Self Care. What’s in your toolbox this winter? Putting yourself as number one is a priority. It’s so easy to overlook ourselves, especially when others are ill or seem to need us more. “They need me now, I’m too busy for ‘me’ time, I’ll just finish this one more thing, I’ll rest later.” We all have a myriad of excuses. However if we ignore our own needs for rest, our bodies will tell us in no uncertain terms and we may become ill.

Time to oneself, stillness, time in nature, all boost our energy reserves. Our attitude to life also makes a difference, so staying positive and not expecting to get sick is important. Just because so many are ill at this time of year, doesn’t mean you have to be as well. There are many natural therapies that can help prevent the onset of illness. If you do succumb, they can help shorten the duration and severity. 

One of these is the use of essential oils. Essential oils are aromatic liquid substances extracted from certain species of flowers, grasses, fruits, leaves, roots and trees. They are powerfully antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and a natural antibiotic. They need to be used diluted and with care, but they are a wonderful ally in the war against bugs, particularly in winter. Some of the most effective are lemon, peppermint, eucalyptus, thyme, tea tree, frankincense and lavender. You can diffuse them, use them in steam inhalations, through massage or in a bath.

Regular treatments such as Reflexology will help boost your immune system and clear toxins through lymphatic drainage. There are numerous nerve points you can work on your face on a daily basis and you can find charts here to help the immune system and clear a sore throat.

Supplements may also help and the best ones as recommended by my naturopath, are Vitamins C and D, Quercetin, Zinc and an Immune Defence or Armaforce or something similar. A healthy diet with lots of leafy greens and vegetables will also contain some of these substances. If you are unwell however, sometimes an increased dose of a supplement may be warranted.

Although it’s tempting to eat ‘comfort’ foods, especially if we are stuck inside, remember that your body won’t thank you in the long term. Processed and junk foods increase inflammation and this only depletes our immune system. So when you reach for that extra glass of wine or that double chocolate Tim Tam, remember your body won’t like it. Instead eat healthy ‘comfort’ foods like warming soups, casseroles, healing cups of herbal teas, fruit and vegetables.

Regular exercise is also needed to not only improve our circulation and overall health, but to benefit our mental health. It may be hard to leave the comfort of a warm, heated house, but stepping out regularly in nature boosts our whole immune system and reduces stress. It increases the flow of blood and lymph, hence increases the circulation of antibodies and immune cells. Exercise also decreases inflammation by reducing inflammatory markers in the body and helps lift our mood.

What’s in your Toolbox this winter? It may be an assortment of strategies you use to stay healthy or you may have a particular favourite. Just remember to put Self care at the top of your list, not just for the sake of others, but mainly for your own health.

Warmest wishes,

Judy xxx

References: The Fragrant Pharmacy by Valerie Ann Worwood. The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils by Julia Lawless. https://www.health.com/fitness/does-exercise-boost-immunity

Disclaimer: Please note that all information in this article is the opinion of the author and obtained through her research and knowledge and the above references. It is not meant to replace medical advice and a medical opinion should always be obtained for any health condition.

What would You do if you were Justin Bieber?

What would You do if you were Justin Bieber?

You may have recently seen in the news that Justin Bieber, a Canadian pop singer, has been diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome. So what is Ramsay Hunt syndrome and how common is it?

Ramsay Hunt syndrome is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you have recovered from chickenpox, the virus continues to stay dormant in your body, usually without any consequences. If our immune system is compromised due to stress or long term illness or if we are over 60 (when there is an increased risk), this inactive virus may be activated and result in shingles.

Shingles produce a painful rash with blisters that may be very itchy and often extremely painful, usually on one side of the body or face. They tend to dry up within two weeks and usually clear within four weeks. Antivirals are only effective within the first 72 hours and vaccines are available.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome occurs when shingles affect the facial nerve, near your ears. It can lead to facial paralysis, difficulty closing your eye, dizziness, tinnitus and loss of hearing in the affected ear. Early treatment with antivirals and steroids, can prevent complications and long term facial muscle weakness and deafness.

This can sound quite scary and it is, but remember it is a rare condition. If the nerve isn’t greatly damaged, recovery occurs within a few weeks. If damage is more severe, recovery may take months or be less effective. Early treatment is therefore, essential.

What would you do if you were Justin Bieber? As well as medication, apparently he is doing facial exercise to strengthen the muscles in in face. Reflexology can also help. The endocrine and nervous systems are stimulated, along with the lymphatic system to clear the virus and reinnervate the nerves. It has been shown to be really effective, along with acupuncture, especially in the treatment of pain.

Facial reflexology will also specifically work the facial nerve. It stimulates all muscles on the face as it works against the muscles to lift them. It uses a combination of Chinese energy meridians, acupressure points and Vietnamese nerve points to address any areas of numbness or paralysis.

The picture below shows a lady who had facial paralysis and was treated with Facial reflexology for many months. The results are amazing.

Although this lady had facial paralysis as a result of surgery and not Ramsay Hunt syndrome, facial reflexology could assist all those with facial paralysis, no matter the cause.

So what would you do if you were Justin Bieber? I would certainly consult my general practitioner and get expert advice and necessary medications, but I wouldn’t hesitate to try complementary therapies to speed up my recovery. I just hope someone tells Justin about facial reflexology!

Warmest wishes,

Judy xxx

References: https://www.knowshingles.com.au, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ramsay-hunt-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20351783, https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/06/11/ramsay-hunt-syndrome-justin-bieber/, https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/ramsay-hunt-syndrome. Photo from Lone Sorensen – International Institue of Reflexology.

Disclaimer: Please note that all information in this article is the opinion of the author and obtained through her research and knowledge and the above references. It is not meant to replace medical advice and a medical opinion should always be obtained for any health condition.

Do your Teeth really influence your Health?

Do your Teeth really influence your health or is this just some new age fantasy?

We often think of our teeth as these pieces of dentin and enamel that we need to help us chew and digest our food. We floss them and clean them regularly to maintain their health and prevent cavities and gum disease.

But are they more important than that? Do they actually influence our physical and mental health? I believe they do.

Our teeth not only help us talk and articulate our speech but they give shape to our face. They help form our beautiful smiles so give us confidence. Our mouth is also the first point of entry for our respiratory and digestive systems. Our mouth’s contain a lot of bacteria but most of these germs are harmless and inactivated by saliva and good oral care. But if these bacteria greatly multiply, we can end up with gum disease and tooth decay and both of these have been linked to disease in the body.

Studies have shown that poor oral health has been linked to endocarditis (infection of the inner lining of the heart chamber and valves), cardiovascular disease, birth complications such as prematurity and low birth weight and pneumonia. New research has also found a link to cancer and Alzheimer’s disease in those with long term gum problems.

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, the teeth are considered to be part of the Water element, which consists of the Kidneys and Bladder. Any weakness in these areas may affect the teeth. Individual teeth are also connected via meridians (our energy pathways), to various organs in the body. Defects in a particular tooth may affect the health of an organ and vice versa. When an organ or system becomes diseased or infected, the associated tooth may also show some type of symptom. You can view these connections here.

So many of us take our teeth for granted. We may floss them and brush them regularly and see the dentist when we need to. However it’s easy to forget how important they are in our overall health and how they can give us hints about the state of our whole body.

I recently had a wisdom tooth removed. Apart from the pain in the affected area, I started to experience abdominal cramps the following day. At first I couldn’t understand why. I hadn’t eaten anything that might have caused an upset. Then I remembered the connection to my meridians and of course, it suddenly made sense. That particular wisdom tooth was connected to my small intestine. Once I addressed this, the pain went.

One of my Reflexology tutors recounted a story where she was treating a client with shoulder problems. No matter what treatment she gave, the issue could not be resolved. Then she remembered the teeth and suggested the client have her teeth checked. Sure enough there was an issue with the tooth relating to the shoulder. Once it was resolved, the shoulder could easily be treated with great success.

Don’t underestimate the signs your body is giving you and never underestimate the importance of your teeth. Do your teeth really influence your Health? I definitely think so. Make sure you pay attention to them on a regular basis. They and your whole body will thank you for it.

Warmest wishes,

Judy xxx

References:https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/dental/art-20047475, https://www.dentalhealth.org/healthysmile, The Way of the Five Seasons by John Kirkwood, https://www.healthyrootstulsa.com/services/mouth-body-connection/. https://www.biologicalmedicineinstitute.com/post/2019/08/14/uniquely-human

Disclaimer: Please note that all information in this article is the opinion of the author and obtained through her research and knowledge and the above references. It is not meant to replace medical advice and a medical opinion should always be obtained for any health condition.