Why Worry?

Most of us get the occasional stomach-churning bout of worry but just because we all get butterflies doesn’t mean worrying is a healthy habit - it isn’t! When you worry, you are living in a future world that may not ever happen. Also, just because you don’t know a future outcome it doesn’t mean it’s going to be negative.
Worry can motivate you to do things like warning your children not to talk to strangers or double-checking directions to get somewhere- these reactions are pretty normal. Worry only becomes ineffective when, for example, you are still contemplating getting lost even though you have mapped out your route and printed out the directions. In other words you have taken steps to insure a positive outcome yet you still spend time and energy on expecting a negative result.
There are ways to reduce how much you worry about things. It takes practice but what it boils down to is changing how you think about the world and really believing that tomorrow is going to bring something great not something awful.
Here are a few of the most common ways in which we worry along with simple advice to help put worry behind you.
1. Seeking constant reassurance
There is no harm in getting a second opinion about something but asking for it repeatedly is not useful. This is because it’s easy to second-guess any answer you get especially if you doubt yourself to begin with. For example you are worried that your partner no longer finds you attractive so you ask them. They reply (hopefully!!) “Of course I find you attractive” but you’re not convinced so you ask them again…and again…and again…
No reply they give provides you with the absolute certainty you need; at this point you need to stop and ask yourself why you are not taking the answer at face value. Are you hoping to validate your fears? At the end of the day the answer you have been given is the only one you are going to get so accept it then take steps that will help you believe in yourself – without having to rely on feedback from others.
ACCEPT WHAT YOU CAN’T CONTROL, AND WORK ON WHAT YOU CAN….. 2. Ignoring your worries
Maybe you fear losing your partner? When the thought pops up, you put it right out of your mind. By not allowing yourself to think about this fear for even a second you think you are not worrying about it. In reality what you are actually doing is reinforcing your fear by not facing it…. Repeat to yourself “It is always possible that I may lose my partner”; your anxiety levels will shoot up at first but, after a few minutes, you will calm down as the thought loses its power. By doing this you will discover that because you are thinking about the worst-case scenario it doesn’t necessarily mean it will happen.
ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR FEARS AND YOU WILL REDUCE THEIR POWER….
3. Arming yourself with irrelevant information
It’s a good idea to gather as much information as you can about something that is bothering you but the value of it depends on the type of information you have collected. For example, if you are worried about flying and Google “plane crashes” you will find lots of information about terrible accidents. But what if you looked for “safe plane landings” instead? It is called Confirmation Bias – wanting to prove your fear is real and then finding information that confirms it. You need to ask yourself “Am I collecting useful information or am I just confirming my fear?”
Holistic Therapies Spain says: WEIGH UP THE VALUE OF YOUR SOURCES AND ALWAYS THINK ABOUT BOTH SIDES OF THE STORY….

Depression

The more you understand about any subject, the more interesting it becomes. As you read this article you'll find that the subject of depression is certainly no exception.
The word depression is used to describe a range of moods, from the low spirits we all experience occasionally to a severe problem with interferes with our daily lives. Making a distinction between the two can be difficult, which means depression can go unrecognized in some people. The good news is that depression can be effectively treated in most people if caught in time.
The longer treatment is delayed the worse the depression is likely to get and the longer it can take for the treatment to take full effect. A natural remedy may take longer to work than medication from your GP so it is helpful to have other forms of support to use alongside e.g. using essential oils, relaxation techniques, talking to close friends etc
Recognize the signs
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, self blame, feeling out of control and unable to cope • Feeling tired and lethargic • Poor concentration, indecisiveness, forgetfulness • Loss of appetite and weight loss or an increase in appetite and weight gain • Changes to your normal sleeping pattern – either insomnia or wanting to sleep all the time • Restlessness or agitation • An urge to cry all the time • Lack of interest in sex
Different types of depression
Depression comes in many forms, with no two cases being the same. It is possible however to divide it into broad categories, although in real life there is often an overlap
Reactive depression
It's really a good idea to probe a little deeper into the subject of depression. What you learn may give you the confidence you need to venture into new areas.
Triggered by trauma. This may be physical, such as a serious injury or accident or psychological such as bereavement or divorce. Counselling, loving family and friends and other practical or emotional support are often all that is needed. However, a reactive depression could continue to interfere with someone’s life if any other, older problems are brought to the surface.
Endogenous depression This tends to be more severe than reactive depression. It is more to do with a person’s personality rather than an external event, and can happen at any time. The person’s mood tends to be worse at the beginning of the day and can be marked with periods of guilt and self doubt.
Manic depression/Bio polar disorder This type of depression is marked by mood swings, from highs of excessive energy and elation to lows of utter despair and lethargy. These moods may occur directly after each other or may alternate with varying periods of stability.
Post-natal depression This usually strikes between the 3rd and 10th day after the birth and is thought be caused by the sudden drop in the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone. It is believed that approx 50% of new mothers suffer from “baby blues” to some degree; they don’t usually last for long but some women suffer a much deeper, longer-lasting depression and a few women can end up needing hospital care. Swift treatment for post-natal depression is essential but counselling can often sort things out satisfactorily.
Masked depression Usually reactive, occurring in people who have suffered trauma but don’t react in the “normal” way. On the surface the person appears to be quite happy but there can be physical problems such as a loss of energy or appetite or disturbed sleeping patterns.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD Syndrome) This is a form of winter depression that affects approx a million people in the UK especially during December through to February. In addition, there are many people who are thought to be affected by the winter blues, a mild form of SAD. Symptoms include sleep problems, lethargy, a craving for carbohydrates, anxiety, loss of sex drive, mood swings and general irritability. It is believed that SAD syndrome may be linked with a faulty production of serotonin, a brain chemical that helps control mood swings or it could be caused by increased levels of melatonin, the hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain as darkness falls, which induces sleep. The most effective treatment for SAD syndrome is light, so spend as much time as possible outside in natural daylight or if you are in the house sit next to a window.
TOP TIP: Holistic Therapies Spain says; You can also buy light boxes which contain fluorescent tubes – you sit in front of these for a period of time and they pump out the same level of light you would expect on a bright, spring morning.
Now you can be a confident expert on depression. OK, maybe not an expert. But you should have something to bring to the table next time you join a discussion on depression.

Stress, You and Your Body

When you think about stress, what do you think of first? Which aspects of stress are important, which are essential, and which ones can you take or leave? You be the judge.
All or nothing – this is the feeling that if you fail in one way, you see yourself as a total failure. You then overgeneralise and see the single failure as a proof of your life’s whole failure.
Mental filter – this is when people pick out negative events and dwell on them to the exclusion of everything else. Eventually the positive aspects of life become rejected and ignored.
Areas of the body most vulnerable to stress When under stress, the entire body becomes tense and posture changes. Being in a permanent state of alert can be uncomfortable and has the ability to throw the body out of balance. Tension uses up energy but the energy is unproductive.
The Shoulders
Most people hold a considerable amount of tension in this area – “carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders” is a familiar expression. The shoulders are lifted towards the ears and often remain this way causing the muscles to go into spasm. This restricts the blood flow to the head, neck and shoulders and therefore the neck and shoulders become stiff and inflexible.
The Neck
When the body is out of balance the head tends to come forward and the chin juts out. This then throws the body out of alignment as the neck muscles tense and carry the weight of the head. The neck muscles are then in a permanent state of contraction and the neck then becomes stiff and tight. The mobility of the neck and shoulders is greatly reduced.
If you don't have accurate details regarding stress, then you might make a bad choice on the subject. Don't let that happen: keep reading.
The Head
The face is an area of the body that cannot help but show tension! The jaw clamps tight, teeth grind together and the lips tighten. The scalp muscles and the temporal muscles tighten restricting blood flow, leading to headaches, eyestrain and tension in the upper body.
Factors affecting a person’s ability to deal with stress There are several factors that may affect the body’s ability to deal with stress which include: Age - with age the ability to adapt is diminished and whilst a young, healthy person may respond to stress easily, an elderly client may find the same situation much more stressful.
Sleep - sleep is important for restoring energy and if sleep is inadequate, it can impair the body’s ability to deal with stress. Irregular sleep patterns and wakefulness can reduce immunity as well.
Health status - people who are mentally and physically fit are able to adapt to stress placed on them more easily than others who are not.
Nutrition – a bad diet can affect the body’s ability to deal with stress.
Stress Tip from Holistic Therapies Spain: Psychological factors – anxiety and depression can make a person more susceptible to stress.
Now that wasn't hard at all, was it? And you've earned a wealth of knowledge, just from taking some time to study an expert's word on stress.

Marfan Syndrome

Marfan Syndrome

If you have even a passing interest in the topic of heart, then you should take a look at the following information. This enlightening article presents some of the latest news on the subject of heart.
Marfan syndrome is a rare disorder that causes the connective tissue in the body to be weaker than it should be. Connective tissue is the material which holds together many structures in the body, such as tendons, ligaments, cartilage, blood vessels, heart valves, and more. Because the connective tissue is weaker in Marfan patients, it affects how the heart and blood vessels, eyes, and skeleton are formed as well as how they work.
Marfan syndrome is thought to be an inherited disease that is caused by a defect in a gene. Marfan syndrome can affect both men and women. Because the gene defect can be passed down to children, Marfan patients should talk to their doctor and a genetic counselor before having children. In about twenty five percent of Marfan patients, neither parent had the condition. In these patients, the condition is thought to develop because of a mutation in the egg or the sperm
You can see that there's practical value in learning more about heart. Can you think of ways to apply what's been covered so far?
.The defect in the gene that causes Marfan syndrome controls the production of a special protein found in the connective tissue. This protein is called fibrillin. Without enough proper fibrillin, the walls of the major arteries are weakened. If the aorta (the main blood supplier to the body) is affected, it gets bigger (or dilates), making it weaker. The weakened area of the aorta can bulge outward, creating an aortic aneurysm. Or the aorta can tear, and blood can lea through these tears plus between the tissue of the aortic wall. This is called aortic dissection.
If the aorta is stretched and weakened, this can also affect the aortic valve. In some patients, blood leaks backward through the valve instead of moving in the proper one-way, forward flow. This is called regurgitation. If too much blood flows backward, only a small amount can travel forward to your body's organs. The heart tries to make up for this by working harder, and with time the heart will become enlarged (dilated) and less able to pump blood throughout the body.
That's how things stand right now. Keep in mind that any subject can change over time, so be sure you keep up with the latest news.
If you have even a passing interest in the topic of heart, then you should take a look at the following information. This enlightening article presents some of the latest news on the subject of heart.
Marfan syndrome is a rare disorder that causes the connective tissue in the body to be weaker than it should be. Connective tissue is the material which holds together many structures in the body, such as tendons, ligaments, cartilage, blood vessels, heart valves, and more. Because the connective tissue is weaker in Marfan patients, it affects how the heart and blood vessels, eyes, and skeleton are formed as well as how they work.
Marfan syndrome is thought to be an inherited disease that is caused by a defect in a gene. Marfan syndrome can affect both men and women. Because the gene defect can be passed down to children, Marfan patients should talk to their doctor and a genetic counselor before having children. In about twenty five percent of Marfan patients, neither parent had the condition. In these patients, the condition is thought to develop because of a mutation in the egg or the sperm
You can see that there's practical value in learning more about heart. Can you think of ways to apply what's been covered so far?
.The defect in the gene that causes Marfan syndrome controls the production of a special protein found in the connective tissue. This protein is called fibrillin. Without enough proper fibrillin, the walls of the major arteries are weakened. If the aorta (the main blood supplier to the body) is affected, it gets bigger (or dilates), making it weaker. The weakened area of the aorta can bulge outward, creating an aortic aneurysm. Or the aorta can tear, and blood can lea through these tears plus between the tissue of the aortic wall. This is called aortic dissection.
If the aorta is stretched and weakened, this can also affect the aortic valve. In some patients, blood leaks backward through the valve instead of moving in the proper one-way, forward flow. This is called regurgitation. If too much blood flows backward, only a small amount can travel forward to your body's organs. The heart tries to make up for this by working harder, and with time the heart will become enlarged (dilated) and less able to pump blood throughout the body.
That's how things stand right now. Keep in mind that any subject can change over time, so be sure you keep up with the latest news.

Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic Syndrome

Would you like to find out what those-in-the-know have to say about heart? The information in the article below comes straight from well-informed experts with special knowledge about heart.

Researchers have found certain variables play an important role in a person's chances of developing heart disease. These variables are called risk factors. In recent years, researchers have found that some of these heart disease risk factors cluster together in certain people. This clustering of risk factors is known as metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is also called Reaven syndrome, insulin resistance syndrome, or Metabolic Syndrome X.
People with metabolic syndrome have a clustering of the following risk factors:
• Central obesity (extra weight around the stomach)• Diabetes or glucose intolerance• High levels of triglycerides and low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL or "good cholesterol") in the bloodstream
I trust that what you've read so far has been informative. The following section should go a long way toward clearing up any uncertainty that may remain.
• High Blood Pressure (hypertension)
There is still much to be learned about metabolic syndrome. Doctors do know that people with metabolic syndrome have an increased risk of heart attack or coronary artery disease.Researchers think that metabolic syndrome maybe a genetic condition. This means that the genes are passed down from one generation to the next. For the most part doctors do not fully understand why metabolic syndrome happens.
People with insulin-resistant conditions, such as diabetes and hyperinsulinemia are more likely to have metabolic syndrome. Diabetes is a condition where the body cannot make or respond properly to the hormone insulin. Hyperinsulinemia is a condition where large amounts of insulin are pumped into the bloodstream. What are the signs of metabolic syndrome?
Patients with metabolic syndrome will not feel any symptoms. But there are signs that might lead doctors to a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome.
Doctors can check your HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, and weight, all of which are warning signs of metabolic syndrome. You may also need blood tests to measure the levels of glucose and insulin in your bloodstream.
This article's coverage of the information is as complete as it can be today. But you should always leave open the possibility that future research could uncover new facts.

Things to help avoid stress

Things to help avoid stress

When you think about avoid stress, what do you think of first? Which aspects of avoid stress are important, which are essential, and which ones can you take or leave? You be the judge.
If you are starting to deal with stress, you are going to need to find some ways to avoid it. You need to find ways to help you feel more relaxed throughout your day and to deal with the problems that can occur at any time.
When you feel stressed, practice taking long deep breaths. This will help to calm you down throughout the day and to get your thinking back on track so that you can get through the moment with a clarity and calmness.
When you are at work, you need to get up from your desk or station and take breaks. You can do this at different points throughout the day. When you start to feel the pressures kicking in, you may need to get up and walk away. It is important to go and take a walk or go outside and get some fresh air. Give yourself time to gather your thoughts and take time for yourself.
You can see that there's practical value in learning more about avoid stress. Can you think of ways to apply what's been covered so far?
Getting plenty of exercise is very important. You will need to make sure that you are getting the right amount of exercise that will help you feel good about your body and it will also help to clear your mind from stress that can build up. Eating right is very smart too. You need to eat a balanced diet that will give you the essential nutrients that your body is going to need.
Do not drink too much caffeine. You can have your coffee in the morning but do not over exceed your limits. This stimulant can bring the stress on even more. Do not depend on drugs and alcohol to help you relax. This can only cause more problems because it can become a crutch for the person to lean on.
You need to have good management and organization skills. When you are prepared and organized, you are going to have an easier time managing your day and your schedule. You need to look at things positively. You should not have a negative outlook on life. Keeping a good and positive outlook is necessary for a good view on life.
Find the humor in life. You should not take everything so serious. Do not be afraid to laugh and have fun in your daily life. You should not bury your emotions. Keep a good light on things and do not be afraid to let people know how you are feeling whether you agree with their thoughts or not.
Take time to consider the points presented above. What you learn may help you overcome your hesitation to take action.

Using exercise to rid stress

Using exercise to rid stress
The following paragraphs summarize the work of stress experts who are completely familiar with all the aspects of stress. Heed their advice to avoid any stress surprises.

If you are someone that has a lot of stress, you may be looking for a way to loose it. There are many reasons for stress and one of them is health. If a person feels, like they are gaining weight or not as attractive as they once were, they may start to sink into a depression from stress. It is important to have a great method of exercise to release this stress and get your body and mind back in shape.
There are many things that you can do to relieve stress. You may want to exercise everyday so that you can keep the build up of everyday pressures away from your body. You can feel better when you are exercising because you know that you are doing something about it and this will only improve your health and state of mind.You can take long walks to relieve stress.
You can see that there's practical value in learning more about stress. Can you think of ways to apply what's been covered so far?
This is a good way to get exercise and get some fresh air to help you with your emotional problems that you have been dealing with. This is a good way to stay healthy as well as take the time for you to think about things and to figure out certain situations.
Joining a gym is another good idea. You can get a membership to a gym in just about any area. This is something that a person can do for them in order to get healthy and to burn off that terrible stress. This will give you something to look forward to at the end of the day and to get your body rid of the stress that you can accumulate in a day.
You can do some yoga or palates to help get stress out of your body. You can do this once a day or a few times a week. You can do this form of exercise to make your body stronger and to help reduce the stress that you are dealing with; this quiet time you have for yourself daily. It does not have to be for very long as long as you taking the time to do it.
You can do your exercises alone or you can have some friends or family join you. Either way, as long as you are having a good time and it is working to reduce your stress that you have in your life, then you are doing something productive for your life.
Of course, it's impossible to put everything about stress into just one article. But you can't deny that you've just added to your understanding about stress, and that's time well spent.

What is stress?

What is stress?
This article explains a few things about stress, and if you're interested, then this is worth reading, because you can never tell what you don't know.

The definition of stress can mean different things to different people. Many people have different feelings about it and have many causes for it as well. It is hard to pin point just what stress is, but is something that can affect the body and the mind of just about anyone.
Stress is usually considered the buildup of anxiety and pressures on any given person. There is only so much pressure that one person can handle and stress will occur when the person has had their fill of it. Stress is not necessarily a dangerous thing. It is only a problem when the person who is under a great deal of stress can no longer function and is letting it get the best of them.
Many people have stress because of the job they are in. Some people bring their worries and troubles in the workforce home with them, which will cause them to have a build up of too much stress in their life. This can mean that they are having a hard time dealing with pressures and may start to have mood swings or be depressed a lot
Those of you not familiar with the latest on stress now have at least a basic understanding. But there's more to come.
Some people have too much stress at home. It may be because of a dysfunctional relationship with a partner or child. This can cause a person to loose sight of what they are doing and they may have too much to deal with at one time. This can be a reason for a person to have some difficulties dealing with their stress because they are not sure how to fix a problem.
It is very normal for people to have some form of stress on their mind. It is something that we all have had to deal with and we eventually get through it. However, there are some that cannot work past it and this will lead to more problems that can become very serious for them later down the road. This will include their emotional and their physical health.
When a person has too much stress, they must find help from a source that they can trust. It is important to get things under control so that the person will have a chance for a happy and healthy lifestyle. There are ways to control stress and deter your body from it. All you have to do is recognize when you are under too much stress and that you need to get help for it.
There's a lot to understand about stress. We were able to provide you with some of the facts above, but there is still plenty more to write about in subsequent articles.

What Stress Means to You

What Stress Means to You

Stress is something that is in every ones day to day life. There are people that have a lot of stress, but at the same time, they do not let it get to them. Then also, you will find there are ‘other people’ who let nothing get to them at all. This is what keeps them from going crazy. Then there are people that worry so much that they get so stressed out that they go crazy. You could put your mind to these types of things to help your self out before something like this happens. There are many forms and types of help to avoid having stress at all.

There are a few different types of stress, depending on what you are stressed about. You could be stress about, work, money, or just any situation like that. There are many ways to handle things before you stress yourself out over it. Even if you worry a little bit about something, it could lead to stress. Then stress could lead to worse things than that.

Stress is something that you would want to avoid as much as possible. It could lead to health risks, craziness, being put in the hospital, being ‘mean to people’, and other things related to that. Thinking positive will reduce the risk of being stressed out. Thinking negative is what causes you to lead to being stressed out. Worrying about things is also a leading cause of stress. Therefore, as long as you think positive you should be able to sit back, and enjoy life with it being stress free.

You could get so stress out, and not bother talking to some one about it could cause you to be mean. Doing this could cause you to lose your friends. Then once you would lose your friends, it would make you have even more stress than what it was before.
Stress could definitely lead to a lot of different things that could make the stress problem worse. Stress could lead to many bad things that could change your life. It could lead to ruining your marriage to losing your children, if you go crazy. Stress could get to the point that it could hurt you yourself. It could lead to hair loss, nerve problems, head problems, and even worse than that. The best thing for you to do is stop the stress problem before it leads to something severe. Life can be very fun, and enjoyable without stress.

The Colour Red and its affect on you

The Colour Red and its affect on you
Colour
Our sight is our primary interaction with the world around us and most of us take it for granted. We rarely stop to think about colour means to us and how it can affect us. Light is a form of energy and all energy acts on the matter that it comes into contact with. What we see as colour is the brain’s way of recognizing the different energy qualities of light.
We tend to think of colour as existing on surfaces, but the colour of an object is determined by what happens to the light that hits it. The colour we see, very often, is exactly what the object is not.
Every frequency of visible light, each colour, creates changes in us at all levels, physically, emotionally and mentally. Different cultures have given different attributes and meanings to colour, but on a biological level we all react in the same way.
Colour is not superficial; it shows us the energetic reality around us.
Everything under the sun is affected by colour. Plants, animals, bacteria, chemical reactions, all show changes of behaviour when exposed to different colours. It is also a subconscious language that we use instinctively in very area of our lives.
Learning to recognise and use colour with awareness can bring positive changes into our lives. Each colour has a set of clearly defined meanings and influences which can help us understand the world around us and our behaviour.
These qualities can also be used to create particular impressions on others. A subtle message can be sent with colour much more effectively than with words.
RED
Red is the colour with the longest wavelength. It is the nearest visible light to infra-red in the electromagnetic (energy) spectrum. It maintains close connections with heat and warmth. Even rocks become red when they are heated sufficiently – this is evident when volcanoes erupt and lava pours out onto the earth’s surface. Red makes us wary as we connect it with heat and potential danger of burning.
Too much heat and red burns, but at the right level it gives us comfort and supports our lives. Being the colour of blood, red has symbolic links with life and living. Spilling or losing blood brings illness or death.
If you want to increase your body’s ability to absorb iron wear red, eat red foods or surround yourself with red. This is because iron is the metal that is responsible for the colour of haemoglobin in the blood. The presence of haemoglobin allows the blood to absorb oxygen in the lungs and to transport that life-giving oxygen to the body’s cells.
Physical activity and the energy that supports it also have a red vibration. If speed, danger, daring or courage are involved the red quality of the activity increases – people like stunt men, racing car drivers or mountaineers all have “red” careers.
Using Red
If you want to come across as a bold and dynamic person, wear a red scarf or a tie. This is especially effective if you are going to an event where your confidence needs a boost e.g. a presentation or an interview. It will also help you feel less nervous about meeting new people.
Your health and red
Red is a very powerful colour and should be avoided if you suffer from high blood pressure, heart problems, have a quick temper or are feeling angry as it will over-stimulate you. It is good for the following: Low energy, Apathy, Anaemia, Depression, Poor Circulation, Fear, Low blood pressure, Lack of confidence, Colds/chills, Lack of initiative.
Top Tip from Reiki Healing Spain. Put red in your life when there is…. • A lack of enthusiasm and interest in life • A lack of energy and a feeling of over-tiredness • An inability to make your dreams a practical reality • A feeling of insecurity, unwarranted fear or anxiety