The
Loss Of Leisure
In A Culture Of Overwork
by
Linda Marks |
[An important message about
balancing our work and leisure time. A perfect message for the start of a
new year. If you work a lot of hours, this article was written for you. ~
OfSpirit.com]
Having grown up in the 50's
and 60's, I got the message from our culture that as we approached the
21st century, we could look forward to more leisure time and a better
Iifestyle as the miracle of technology made work easier and shorter. The
dull and mundane aspects of work would be replaced by machines, and the
humans who formerly did the tasks could then be freed up to do more
important and meaningful things with their time both in their personal
lives and at work.
Over the last several decades,
it has become clear that this message is a fantasy and a myth. No one I
know is living a life in concert with this image. People seem to be
working longer and harder. Their jobs are more and more demanding, and the
pressure to do more and more seems to be increasing infinitely. At the end
of the day people are spent from working hard, so the evening is about
grabbing a bite to eat, vegging in front of the television, and going to
sleep only to awake the next morning to do it all over again.
Today I do not know people who
work and truly have leisure time--large quantities of focused time for
deeper spiritual pursuits, the arts, friends, family and community. When
people are not working at jobs, they are working at home, running errands,
chauffeuring children to and from activities, finding a way to put dinner
on the table, pay bills and keep things together as the demands of their
schedules threaten to spin out of control...
Click
Here To Read The Remainder Of This Article On Our Loss Of Leisure Time.
New
This Week On Our
Relationships Page |
Upgrading How You Relate
by David W. Edgerly, Ph.D.
Edgerly begins the first of a five part series of articles
on how to strengthen your relationships. With a focus on emotional,
physical and spiritual skills that will improve your relationships,
Edgerly's full (although brief) five part series teaches you your
strengths and weaknesses so you can discover where you need to improve.
Click Here To Read
This Article
On The Relationships Page.
Consciousness In A Relationship
by Dr. Linda Cooper Miles
Learn to become aware of the energy between you
and your partner for a better understanding of your relationship. Miles
describes our relationships as "a symbol and a catalyst for the
poetry of life." Discover the stages of your relationships and become
more aware of the "processes" versus the problems.
Click Here To Read
This Article
On The Relationships Page.
New
This Week On Our
Mind Therapy Page |
Biofeedback: A Complementary Therapy
For
Treating Chronic Pain, Insomnia
by the American Cancer Society
Learn how biofeedback is safely used to
assist in the treatment of chronic pain and insomnia, as well as improving
the quality of life for cancer patients, when used with conventional
medical treatment methods. This article explains the five basic ways
biofeedback is used to measure body functions such as blood pressure,
heart rate and body temperature.
Click
Here To Read This Article
On The Mind Therapy Page.
Hypnosis And Relaxation Therapies
by Andrew Vickers and Catherine Zollman.
Learn the uses and methods of
various relaxation techniques such as hypnosis, meditation, tai chi and
yoga. Explaining research, safety and practice, this British Medical
Journal article is a good overview for the beginner interested in the
seemingly unlimited benefits of relaxation therapy.
Click
Here To Read This Article
On The Mind Therapy Page.
Biofeedback
by Leonard Holmes, Ph.D.
Excellent overview of how biofeedback is used
to treat migraine headaches, anxiety and chronic pain. Also explains how
medical professionals determine if biofeedback will be helpful to a
potential candidate and how insurance companies treat biofeedback for
treatment.
Click
Here To Read This Article
On The Mind Therapy Page.
Imagery, Relaxation Techniques
Help Kids Cope With Pain
by Daryn Eller
In a joint effort to study
recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) treatments using guided imagery and
relaxation techniques (the mind-body connection), the University of Arizona
received a five million dollar grant to establish the first research center
on alternative therapies for children. The joint study involves both the
Children's Research Center and the Program in Integrative Medicine (headed
by Dr. Andrew Weil) at the University of Arizona.
Click
Here To Read This Article
On The Mind Therapy Page.
New
This Week On Our
Children's Health Page
|
Children And Herbal Therapy
by David L. Hoffman, M.N.I.M.H.
Hoffman explains how early childhood
prevention of some disorders such as asthma and eczema can help prevent
suffering during adulthood. With a focus on prevention, Hoffman offers
holistic recipes for treating common childhood ailments such as measles,
chicken pox, digestive problems, insomnia, motion sickness, hyperactivity,
bedwetting and more.
Click Here To Read
This Article
On The Children's Health & Issues Page.
Herbs For Children, East
Indian Healing
by Candis Cantin Packard
Packard explains health care according to
Ayurveda principles. Stressing the importance of proper diet, sleep and a
return to the natural rhythm (earth cycles) in lifestyle, she provides
solid advice for healthy habits.
Click Here To Read
This Article
On The Children's Health & Issues Page.
New
This Week On Our
Aromatherapy Page |
Aromatherapy's Effect On Moods
And
Minds: The Effects Of Lavender And Rosemary
by the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami Medical School
After studying the effect of lavender and rosemary on people's moods and minds,
researchers at the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami
Medical School first published this article in the International
Journal of Neuroscience. Researchers explain the effect of lavender
and rosemary on such mental functions as alertness, anxiety and mood
elevation, as well as one's ability to calculate mathematical problems.
Click
Here To Read This Article
On The Aromatherapy Page.
New
This Week On Our
Reiki Page |
The
Unlimited Nature Of Reiki (Ray–Key)
by Reiki Master Teacher Audrey Pearson (IARP)
Pearson
teaches how to use Reiki for self-healing, using her experience with
menopause as an example. She explains the typical Reiki treatment
experience, as well as the typical Reiki training experience, while
generously illustrating the deep effects it has had on her own life and
being.
Click
Here To Read This Article
On The Reiki Page.
How Does Reiki Heal?
by Laura Ellen Gifford
Laura Ellen
Gifford is the Director of Teacher Certification, Editor of
"Reiki News", Certified Reiki Master Teacher, Clairvoyant
Healing Channel, and Founder of the Reiki Wellness Center and United in Healing.
In this article Gifford explains how Reiki accelerates healing, cleanses the body of
toxins and unblocks subtle energy flow within the body to create balance
and harmony.
Click
Here To Read This Article
On The Reiki Page.
New
This Week On Our
Craniosacral Therapy Page |
Craniosacral Therapy Keeps Juices
Flowing
by A.J.S. Rayl with medical adviser Stephen A. Shoop, M.D.
This article
explains how craniosacral therapy is being used by a wide range of
holistic practitioners to treat an even wider range of ailments including:
temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ), fibromyalgia, migraines, back
pain, immune disorders and central nervous disorders.
Click
Here To Read This Article
On The Craniosacral Therapy Page.
Happy
New Year
by Bonnie Ann |
Health
and happiness is what I wish for all.
A
year that finds glasses half-full rather than half-empty.
Peacefulness
is another gift I wish for you.
Pamper
yourself in an unusually special way.
You
must make yourself happy before being happy in any other area of your
life.
Never
forget to appreciate the God-given beauty of nature around you.
Equally,
never take your loved ones for granted.
While
you're on this earth, let the people you love know how you feel about
them.
Yesterday
is gone. Live in the present. Make the most of each day.
Every
day should be lived as though it may be your last.
Appreciate
the little things in life, for sometimes these are the greatest gifts of
all.
Remember
past memories and cherish them.
Enjoy the present to its
fullest and look forward with positive anticipation to the future.
HAPPY 2001!
Happy
New Year To You
From All
Of Us At OfSpirit.com |
|
What's
Your Resolution
For The New Year?
by Bob Olson |
|
I don't know about you, but New
Year's resolutions just make me feel bad. It's like setting myself up for
failure. If I was really disciplined enough to exercise everyday and cut
down on my coffee intake, wouldn't I be doing it already? I've come to the
conclusion that it's the health clubs and diet pill companies that started
this whole resolution thing in the first place. It certainly wasn't the
cigarette and alcohol companies.
But since it's traditional to make a
resolution, I'm going to make an effort to communicate better. I thought I
was a pretty good listener, but I've recently learned that listening is
only half the battle. Communication is also about paying attention to our
surroundings.
My wife, Melissa, and I recently purchased
a new slipcover for our loveseat. While picking out the new slipcover,
Melissa asked me what style I preferred. I told her I like the kind that
isn't fitted to the cushions because I'm tired of tucking the slipcover
around each cushion every time I walk by the loveseat. Melissa looked at
me kind of cross-eyed.
"What are you talking about,
Bob?" she responded. "The slipcover we have now isn't
fitted. For three years I've been untucking the slipcover every
time I walk by the loveseat!
Of course, the whole thing
was my fault since the slipcover wasn't supposed to be tucked-in in the
first place. But I learned a valuable lesson in communication. Now I'm
wondering if the shower curtain is supposed to be on the inside or the
outside of the tub. Is it possible that we've both been watering
the plants? That might explain why they're dying. And how about the door
to the guest room? Maybe it isn't closing by itself after all. Could it be
she doesn't want the cats in there?
New
This Week On Our
Animal Care Page |
To Your Animal's Emotional Health (Dogs)
By Penny Case
Natural flower remedies for treating dogs: First, using
Star of Bethlehem, Wild Rose and Mustard to treat a twelve-year-old German
shepherd who refused to eat; and second, using Chestnut Bud and Walnut
flower remedies to treat a two-year-old mixed breed to break a habit of
jumping on people.
Click Here To Read
This Article
On The Animal Care Page.
An Herbalists View Of Vitamin
And
Mineral Supplements For Horses
by Robert McDowell
Herbalist Robert McDowell
provides his no-hype program for using vitamins and minerals with horses.
He explains that some of the hype related to human vitamin and supplement
intake is now rubbing off on horse care, and not all of it is necessarily
healthy for horses.
Click Here To Read
This Article
On The Animal Care Page.
Food Allergies (Pets): The Natural Approach
by Allen M. Schoen, D.V.M., M.S.
Schoen explains that 5% of skin diseases
and as much as 15% of skin allergies may be caused by food
hypersensitivity. He also warns against allergic reactions to heartworm or
flea medications, antibiotics and food additives. Learn how to identify
these food allergies and what can be done to treat them. From the Center
for Integrative Animal Health.
Click Here To Read
This Article
On The Animal Care Page.
Winterizing Your Pets! What You Can Do!
(Protect Against Antifreeze Poisoning)
by Allen M. Schoen, D.V.M., M.S.
In this article, Schoen teaches us the
deadly dangers of antifreeze poisoning, how to protect your pet's
environment, early signs of antifreeze poisoning and new antidotes that
can be administered within the first three hours of ingestion. This is a
danger to both cats and dogs, so every pet owner should check it out.
Click Here To Read
This Article
On The Animal Care Page.
New
This Week On Our
Herbalism Page |
Herbal Medicines For Older Adults
by Ben Kligler, MD.
Learn about herbs that may help your memory, help you
sleep, help your anxiety and depression, and even help your heart or prostate.
Click Here To Read
This Article
On The Herbalism Page.
Specific Indications For Herbs In
General Use
by Michael Moore
Southwest School of Botanical Medicine Director, and well-respected
herbalist, Michael Moore, offers a manual of specific indications for
herbs in general use designed for the herbalist practitioner.
Click Here To Read
This Article
On The Herbalism Page.
New
This Week On Our
Reflexology Page |
What Is Reflexology?
by Miriam Turner
As an introduction to reflexology from Miriam Turner’s videotape, Self-Help
Reflexology (produced by Mirafle), this article explains some of the
principles that helped Turner recover from hypoglycemia and severe
allergies making her a walking testimonial for the benefits of
reflexology. Miriam Turner is now a certified reflexologist since her
impressive recovery.
Click Here To Read
This Article
On The Reflexology Page.
New
This Week On Our
Chiropractic Page |
Chiropractic Manipulation 101
by William Collinge, Ph.D., M.P.H. & David S. McWaters, Pharm.D., J.D.
Learn everything from the history of chiropractic to theory and practice,
as well as the research and potential uses of chiropractic in treating
neuromusculoskeletal conditions. Then, this article delves into the
education, training and licensing of chiropractors before explaining the
safety aspects and risks of chiropractic manipulation. Finally, you are
brought through the details of what to expect when you visit a
chiropractor from the initial history recording through the exam, possible
x-rays, manipulation and other possible treatments.
Click Here To
Read This Article
On The Chiropractic Page.
New
This Week On Our
Massage Therapy Page |
High Blood Pressure
Reduced By Massage
Therapy
by the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami Medical School
After studying the effect of massage therapy on high blood pressure,
researchers at the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami
Medical School first published this article in the Journal of Bodywork
and Movement Therapies.
Click Here
To Read This Article
On The Massage Therapy Page.
Massage
Therapy:
The Power of Structured Touch
by Russell Koutrouby, MS
Interesting article offers holding, movement and applied pressure
techniques that can be applied by massage therapy practitioners for
improved health and well-being.
Click Here
To Read This Article
On The Massage Therapy Page.
New
This Week On Our
Shiatsu Page
|
Acupressure, Breath Awareness
Help
Diabetes Patients
by Prof. Gerald W. Vest
After studying
the effect of acupressure and breath
awareness on diabetes patients, researchers at the New Mexico State
University's social work department first
published this article in Health & Social Work. This study
indicates a possible connection between a short stress-relief program (which includes gentle touch) and lower blood sugar in patients with
diabetes.
Click Here
To Read This Article
On The Shiatsu Page.
New
This Week On Our
Counseling Page
|
Let
Go Into The Mystery
by M. Dennis Paul, Ph.D.
Paul offers a brief, yet thought
provoking, article on purpose, choices and questions of existence. Let his
questions and conclusions stir your inner contemplation.
Click Here
To Read This Article
On The Counseling Page.
|
This Week's
Book Recommendation |
The subject of energy is never far from most
people's minds. We wish we had more, we wonder where what we used to have
went, and we worry that our future energy is overcommitted to work and
other obligations from which we derive no pleasure.
Vital Energy
seems the perfect book
for solving this increasingly widespread dilemma. Based on the ancient
healing system of Ayurveda, which originated in India, it will help you
identify yourself as an earth, fire, or wind-based personality. (Earth
people tend to be more nurturing, fire people more competitive and driven,
wind people more flighty and creative.) And then it presents seven key
ways in which each of those types can improve their lives: finding
yourself, eliminating toxins, feeding yourself better, building loving
relationships, exercising, finding meaning in your work, playing
passionately, and finding happiness and contentment by simply being alive.
While that may sound like an ethereal set
of goals and standards, Dr. David Simon's advice is really focused and
easy to apply. For example, in the chapter on exercise, a fire person is
told to choose outdoor or water-based fitness activities and to not make
exercise another way in which he asserts his competitive drive. In the
chapter on building loving relationships, Dr. Simon offers a way to
"metabolize" feelings so that you can digest them, absorb what
you need, and eliminate the rest, as you would with food. There's even
advice on how to have better bowel movements in the morning.
Dr. Simon is medical director of Deepak
Chopra's Center for Well Being, so the readers most interested in Dr.
Chopra's work will probably be drawn to Vital Energy. But it would
be a shame if this book only ended up in the hands of those already
familiar with Ayurvedic medicine and philosophy. Vital Energy is a
completely engaging, easy-to-follow introduction to Ayurveda, and anyone
searching for better health, vitality, and well-being should give it a
read. --Lou SchulerAmazon.com
Reviewer
"It isn't enough to
talk about peace; one must believe in it. And it isn't enough to believe
in it; one must work at it."
~ Eleanor
Roosevelt
"Today more than ever before,
life must be characterized by a sense of Universal responsibility, not
only nation to nation and human to human, but also human to other forms of
life."
~ Dalai Lama
|
