Blog - All Posts for 2012

2012 Welcomes the year of the Water Dragon
Posted on January 23, 2012

2012

Year of the Water Dragon

The Chinese New Year began on January 23, 2012. This New Year starts with a bang as the dynamic Dragon soars into the picture. A symbol of heavenly energy, the Chinese dragon is a magical creature that graces humanity and the world, yet remains just beyond earth's confines. With a long imperial standing, its emblem was reserved for emperors alone. A bestower of blessings, it is considered a sign of good luck in Chinese lore. Many couples fervently strategize family planning in hopes of being blessed with a child born under the Dragon sign. The Dragon is all about visionary causes that extend beyond mundane life. Power and grace flank its every movement. This is the year to dare to think big and act in accordance with your life's dream or spirit's calling. Projects that get started in 2012 are likely to move quickly and have an element of luck on their side. This is especially true if one s actions arise out of a deeper vision that transmits and preserves a seed of true passion.

Given the Dragon's natural vibrato, life is a bit bigger, bolder, and more colorful when Dragon energy is present. This atmospheric amplification can occasionally lead to explosive tempers, supercilious posturing, and empty promises. In other words, in the Dragon year, if one takes oneself too seriously, losing oneself in egotistical displays of power, contentious arguments are likely to erupt, and projects forged through cooperative support may disintegrate. Therefore, in the year of the Dragon, it is important to remain gentle, even humble, in the midst of heaven's abundance and blessings. Doing so will make room for heavenly (yang) energy to enhance others, benefiting humanity instead of fueling ego.

This year's Dragon is ruled by the Water element. Water is the great equalizer. Its softness overcomes that which is hard. It represents the completion of a full life cycle, out of which new life and productivity will arise. The Water element imparts wisdom and the ability to listen to and consider all sides of a situation. As such, 2012's Water element helps to temper the tone of the Dragon's expression. This year, in the face of decision-making, consider how your choices honor the past and impact the future. This extended vision will help to build common ground with others while developing deeper values that reach beyond immediate profit and gains.

Physically, the Water element highlights fluid metabolism, reproductive energy, bones, hormones and the brain, thus touching our deepest energy reserves, or ancestral essence. These precious substances are also metaphors for currency and finances. As such, the year of the Water Dragon is a time to take care of resources and precious substances. Engaging in physical practices that enhance energy circulation without exhausting one's vitality will prevent stagnation while strengthening one s bones and essence. Similarly, on the economic front, sharing resources while maintaining principles of conservation will help set the stage for a future rebound.

All in all the year of the Water Dragon has a bit of pluck and a pound of luck behind it. It has the creative power to revive deeply held dreams and generate abundance. However, in the midst of this abundance and good fortune we need to apply some restraint and consideration to the present moment, paving the way to future flourishing. Conditions aside, this year's ride is likely to be exhilarating and expansive. This is especially true if you dream big, setting your sights towards embodying your heart's inner aspirations. Let go of control and expectation. Allow grace to enter, and heavenly energy is likely to meet you halfway, fusing your dreams with reality.

Wishing You a Happy, Healthy New Year!

Clinic Tidbits

Sleep: An Essential For Living Well
Posted on November 1, 2011

We all need to sleep. The body needs time to rest in order to function optimally on many levels--both our internal and external systems, both mental and physical. As adults we continue to learn and grow, we are juggling multiple responsibilities, we are inundated with new information every day, and we experience varying levels of stress and challenges. When we sleep, all systems are at rest in order to restore the body at the cellular level for both physical and mental rejuvenation.

We cannot take sleep for granted. But so often we do. We don't appreciate a good night's sleep until we experience a night of little or no sleep. To remain healthy, we need to have good and consistent sleeping habits. Not enough sleep and not sleeping well may happen occasionally, but if this becomes a pattern, remedies are needed. It s important to be proactive when sleep is being disrupted regularly.

Chronic sleep deprivation can have a drastic impact on a person's health, performance, safety, and finances.

HEALTH: Insufficient sleep has been linked to a number of chronic diseases and conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease (including hypertension), obesity, a weak immune system, and depression. Studies show a higher mortality rate for those claiming less than six or seven hours of sleep per night.

PERFORMANCE: Sleepiness and tiredness will lower your productivity, and job performance may suffer. Daytime alertness can be affected significantly; alertness can fall as much as 32% when reducing sleep by one hour and a half. Memory and cognitive ability (to think and process information) are impacted.

SAFETY: Injuries are more likely to happen when tired or sleepy. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drowsy drivers are responsible for minimally 100,000 automobile accidents, 71,000 injuries, and 1,550 fatalities every year.

FINANCES: Poor judgment can result from lack of sleep in every area of life, including financial ones. Also, increased costs to address health issues can result from sleep loss.

Good sleep hygiene is the practice of good sleeping habits. Know how many hours of sleep you need to feel rested and refreshed in the morning, then go to bed at the appropriate time to ensure this much sleep time. Be consistent to keep the body on track. Avoid caffeine before bedtime; have some warm milk instead.

Some other things to do to improve your sleep:

Turn off all screens (computer, television, smart phone, etc.) at least an hour before going to bed.
Avoid eating at least three hours before bedtime. Be aware that spicy foods can be as stimulating as caffeine, and that animal protein, especially beef, takes longer to digest than plant-based protein. If the body is too busy with digesting food, it cannot transition into a time of rest and sleep.
Avoid or decrease eating excess trans fats found in foods like french fries, doughnuts, cookies, and crackers. These can disrupt brain chemistry that controls our waking and sleeping. A large portion of the brain is composed of omega-3s--another reason that consuming more foods with omega-3s is important for the body.
Read the ingredients label on your drugs to see if they contain caffeine, including over-the-counter painkillers. Antidepressants can also have ingredients that disturb sleep.
Clear your mind before sleeping. If you tend to be a worrier, anxiety can keep you awake. Journaling can be a way to empty your mind at night.
A cool temperature in the bedroom is more conducive for sleep than a warm one. The National Sleep Foundation advises that too warm (above 75 degrees) or too cold (below 54 degrees) temperatures can be disruptive for sleeping.
Similarly, people with a chronic inflammation can lose sleep. The inflammation raises the body temperature and prevents it from naturally cooling down in order to sleep. Lifestyle and nutritional changes can address this problem.

For more information, go to naturalhealthmag.com; the December/January 2012 issue has an excellent article about sleep stealers.

Constipation
Posted on October 1, 2011

While bowel movements is not a topic that is commonly discussed, this bodily function is critical to good health. The frequency of bowel movements varies widely from person to person. Some may have a daily movement, while others have one every other day. Constipation refers to a decrease in this frequency or a difficulty in eliminating stools. It is considered a symptom, not a disease.

Everyone experiences constipation at some time, but women and the elderly are affected more than other demographic groups. Overall, 2% of the U.S. population are affected. Someone has constipation if he or she experiences one or more of these symptoms more than 25% of the time: 1) straining during a bowel movement; 2) hard or dry stools; 3) incomplete evacuation; 4) two or fewer movements in a week. Other symptoms include swelling in the abdomen, abdominal pain, or vomiting.

Understanding your body and how it should function optimally is very important in maintaining good health. Regular bowel movements impact an individual s energy, digestion, and detoxification. Constipation can promote inflammation in the body and lead to chronic disease. According to some medical professionals, the ideal bowel transit time is 12 to 24 hours, indicating at least one bowel movement per day. If this isn t happening, the body s waste is sitting in the colon possibly causing irritation in the colon s lining. A person can also be at risk when hormones are in the system; the body normally breaks down hormones and then excretes them in the stool. If the stool is in the colon for a lengthy time, the hormones can be reabsorbed into the bloodstream, increasing the potential for estrogen-fueled cancers, like breast cancer.

Many factors can contribute to having constipation. Some of these include a poor diet (low in fiber and an excess in animal fats and dairy products), inadequate intake of water, excessive intake of caffeine and alcohol, poor bowel habits (ignoring the body s signals for a bowel movement), medications (including antidepressants and painkillers), travel or other disruption (diet, routine or lifestyle), laxative abuse, pregnancy, stress, inadequate physical activity, and depression.

Some helpful home remedies for constipation include: Hydration (drink 2-4 extra glasses of water a day; drink warm liquids, especially in the morning; decrease alcohol and caffeine consumption); Fiber (increase fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet; prunes and bran cereal are also good additions); Exercise (develop a routine of regular physical activity); and Bowel Hygiene (make the time to have a bowel movement when your body indicates it s ready).

Medical attention is recommended if there is severe pain with bowel movements, blood in the stools, recent and significant change in bowl habits.

For more information, the November 2011 issue of Experience Life magazine includes an article entitled No One Wants to Talk About Constipation, which is available online at experiencelife.com.
Chinese Nutritional Therapy,Season of Fall

Food As Medicine
Posted on August 1, 2011

Energy Rising
Posted on March 1, 2011