Your Life-Your Choice ISSN 1488-0253 November, 2000 Issue 65 Letter From the Editor We wake up in darkness and it’s dark again by supper time. No wonder so many people get depressed and stay moody all winter long. Between 5-10% of the population are affected by SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), often referred to as “Winter Blues”. That doesn’t sound like much but it equates to 10 to 25 million U.S. citizens alone! This is a serious condition that is taken all too lightly by most people... even by many victims. SAD is believed to be a result of shifted circadian rhythms. In the winter we don't receive the same strong light signal that is present in the summer. As a result the internal ‘body clock' is out of whack for many people, producing the wrong hormones at the wrong time of day. Some scientists think that reduced levels of sunlight may increase the level of melatonin in your brain. Melatonin is a mood-controlling hormone your brain produces during darkness. Symptoms will vary from one individual to another and depending on the severity of the disorder. Characteristically, people will experience severe moodiness and/or irritability. They have a general lack of interest in anything, suffer from anxiety, weight gain, daytime drowsiness, diminished concentration, and require significantly more sleep. There are often reports of sleep problems, a general lack of energy, and a craving for carbohydrates. Several highly credible sources, including the National Institute of Mental Health, the Archives of General Psychiatry, and JAMA (the Journal of the American Medical Association) acknowledge the benefits of Light Therapy. There are several types available radiating between 2,500 and 10,000 lux. Light intensity is measured in "lux" units. To put this intensity into perspective, the average home typically illuminates at 250 lux, whereas on a summer day around noon the sun illuminates about 120,000 lux. The exposure time required can range anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours depending on the severity of the condition and the strength of the lights. There are even Dawn Simulators for mild SAD cases. These are programmable alarm clocks that will gradually fill the room with a warm sunny glow, emulating a morning dawn so naturally and precisely that your eyes will react to it as if the sun had actually risen. Most people see significant positive results within the first week of Light Therapy. Some people see stronger benefits from evening treatments rather than early morning ones. Ask your local health care practitioner to help you determine the best treatment for you. "The FDA considers light boxes to be Class III medical devices. Such devices may not be commercially distributed without premarket approval or an Investigational Device Exception, a measure that restricts medical claims made in advertising." (Quote from JAMA report) There’s only a couple of important things to remember when considering a Light Therapy lightbox. The intensity of the light, (you’ll likely want 10,000 lux) and the distance at which it produces that intensity. You’ll want the distance to be comfortable to you, for example; some lightboxes only produce 10,000 lux if the box is 8 inches from your face. You will likely enjoy the experience more at a distance of 23 inches, so find one that produces 10,000 lux from a more appropriate distance so you can maintain efficacy. Also, be sure that your lightbox DOES NOT produce UV light. This is often found in full-spectrum light and can be harmful to the eyes after prolonged exposure. A terrific Website to offer information on how to buy light boxes is Circadian Solutions, http://www.circadiansolutions.com/ . Remember that SAD can affect ANYONE! Although it most often affects women, men, children and adolescents can also become victims. In fact, according to Dr. Norman Rosenthal, an environmental psychiatrist with the National Institute of Mental Health and one of the leading experts in this field, estimates that about 1 million children are affected by SAD. Although traditional western medicine recognizes and acknowledges the benefits of Light Therapy as a viable treatment for SAD, they may also suggest anti-depressant medications. If you think you or someone you know may suffer from SAD, check with your local health care provider, do a LOT of research on your own, and let a whole lot of light shine in! Until next time... the best of health to you, ----- Sources: Depression.com http://www.depression.com JAMA (The Journal Of The American Medical Association); Medical News & Perspectives - November 11, 1998; http://www.jama.com ABCNews.com; Health & Living News Summary Circadian Solutions; http://www.circadiansolutions.com/ Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.; http://www.mayohealth.org Alternative Medicine; The Definitive Guide-Deepak Chopra, M.D. Brigitte Synesael Editor of Your Life-Your Choice Make it your business to be informed! No one cares more about you than YOU. http://www.Life-Choices.com =========================================== ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE: 1. MIND OVER MATTER: Visualization and How Personal Beliefs Can Limit or Heal Part 2 2. Top Dog - Pregnant Pets 3. Tea Tips - Storing Dried Loose Teas 4. Six Tips for Fast and Easy Stress Management =========================================== Section 1 MIND OVER MATTER: Visualization and How Personal Beliefs Can Limit or Heal Part 2 by Laurel Duran, CMT http://www2.amigo.net/bluecord While I knew that U.S. medical schools did not teach their students about the healing power of positive thinking and feeling, I needed to heal quickly and could not wait until I met doctors trained in positive visualization. I chose to take charge of "Mind Over Matter" by mentally throwing out their limiting beliefs about my condition like so much toxic psychic garbage. Then I used my own mind as a lens to picture positive change at the cellular level of my spinal cord. I asked everyone who cared about me to join positive healing thoughts with me. As our minds united with the Creator on behalf of my healing, we DID crumble the mountain of disbelief and made room for the healing miracle to come into my life. And less than a year after the car wreck I was running 3 miles daily! "Mind Over Matter" was a major contributor to my wonderful healing process. Another word for this positive thought extension is "prayer". When one person extends positive loving thoughts toward another, they are actually praying for them, stating to the universe and to the Creator what they want to be true. It’s also true that limiting thoughts can work just as powerfully. If one person projects a negative thought-form toward another, such as "She is permanently damaged and she'll never change", it's as if they are adding energy to the negative condition which can potentially hold the condition in place. I believe that it's better to simply notice when someone is TEMPORARILY in a troubled condition, and to answer it by visualizing and creating thoughts about the person’s healing, whether the trouble is physical, mental, emotional or spiritual. I believe that the ultimate power to heal always rests in the patient's own mind united with the Creator, and that our loving thoughts and prayers ARE heard! Some people have asked "I am very ill and I sometimes think I'll never get better. I can't help thinking that way at times. What can I do about such mental discouragement?" I have respect and compassion for our normal human suffering. The anguish that can arise from a debilitating illness or injury is both mental and emotional rather than strictly mental. In order to heal I believe we FIRST need to literally feel the negative emotions (sorrow, worry, anger, disappointment, fear, etc) safely and privately through emotional release in order to discharge their burdensome energy out of our system. Such emotional release is a temporary phase of self-healing that is very necessary. When I cried during my paralysis, I imagined that my worry, fear and sorrows were going up to the Creator Who was just waiting for me to unburden myself. My negative emotions were thus emptied out of my body through crying, and were placed safely in the hands of the One who can heal all. Often I needed to sleep after such an emotional release. Then when I awakened, I was more receptive to the SECOND part of my healing: positive thinking. It was as if the emptying of negative emotions through crying had left a clean and beautifully empty space inside me, where hope, faith and positive healing thoughts could make themselves at home. "The open hands of Love are always filled". No matter what difficulties we encounter in our lives, there is always healing potential if we are willing to fill in our empty spaces with love. It works! ----- Read about Laurel Duran on our Meet the Team page; http://www.Life-Choices.com/team.html ******************************************* Our sponsors make this newsletter FREE to subscribers. Please take a moment to visit them. ******************************************* GET SMART ABOUT TAKING YOUR VITAMINS FREE Report reveals... "The 7 Sneakiest Secrets Vitamin Companies Hope You Never, Ever Find Out About", and subscribe to our GetSmart HealthTalk newsletter. Also, be sure to check out our selection of high-quality nutritional supplements at TRUE WHOLESALE PRICES. Visit right now and Get Smart About Taking Your Vitamins. http://www.getsmartvitamins.com/join4.htm ********************************************* 132 Years of Proven Success! Rated Top 10 in Business Start-Ups Magazine for home based businesses. For some free information on how to get started with Watkins: Visit us at http://www.aokmarketing.com/?referer=lifechoices ********************************************* Section 2 Top Dog - Pregnant Pets You love your pets and want only the best for them. You’ve gone to the time, the trouble, and the expense of investigating natural remedies for them because you want them to be healthy. Your pet is not so different from us humans. When your female pet is pregnant she is in a very delicate state. Great care must be taken in determining which herbal extracts to give your little mamma. Just as there are many herbal combinations that pregnant women should stay away from, there are many that could also be harmful to your little petlings. Be sure to refrain from using the following extracts with your pregnant pet: ATR has anti-inflammatory properties BCL has properties that may be purgative or laxative in nature Kidney Plus has a diuretic effect Lax-Ex is a mild laxative Cough-Ex is an expectorant and demulcent St. John`s Wort stimulates menstruation and has anti-inflammatory properties. Rule of Thumb: Do not give your pregnant pet anything that contains anti-inflammatory, diuretic, or purgative properties, or acts as a laxative regards of how mild. ----- Do you have a specific question about your pet's health that you would like to have an answer to? Talk to our TOP DOG. http://www.life-choices.com/lar/pet.html *************************************** Section 3 Tea Tips- Storing Dried Loose Teas Since dried tea leaves tend to absorb all other scent and flavors, they must be kept in an air tight container to remain fresh and tasty. Thousand Cranes Teas come in a canister that seal the air and moisture out. The worst enemy of dried loose teas is air, especially moist air. Store your tea in a cool place but not in the refrigerator or freezer. --- Source: Thousand Cranes Tea http://www.life-choices.com/lar/cjassoc.html *************************************** Our sponsors make this newsletter FREE to subscribers. Please take a moment to visit them. *************************************** SCHOOL OF NATURAL HEALTH Lend credibility to your business by becoming a.. Counselor of Natural Health and Certified Nutritional Consultant. Complete correspondence program on CD-ROM at a very affordable rate! Come by and sign up for the Free Newsletter - BNHealth - health articles, recipes, herbs, vitamins and much more.. http://www.schoolofhealth.com *************************************** AwesomeHealth: -Powerful ideas to help make your mind even sharper, & push your spiritual, relationship, physical, & career health to the next level. A whole approach. http://www.awesomehealth.com/tr/a.cgi?sig *************************************** Section 4 Six Tips for Fast and Easy Stress Management By Kevin Polk, Ph.D Stress Tip 1: Pay attention to your own thoughts. Ever heard the saying, "Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me?" It's a lie. Words hurt (they stress you out). That goes for words you think to yourself as well. "The power of positive thinking" may be a cliché these days, but it's still true. Think positive thoughts and you feel less stressed and get more done. It's the most powerful stress management you can do. Stress Tip 2: Choose a couple of things you really want to get done, and get them done early in the day. You will feel a sense of accomplishment about using your time wisely. That leads to less stress. You can then choose another couple of things to do if you have time. The trick is to not overload the day with things to do, but still get stuff done. Stress Tip 3: Look at your day as 24-hours instead of 8 or 12 or whatever. 24-hours is all that you've got. So if you "add" something to your day you will have to "subtract" something else from your day for good stress management. In the U.S. we tend to add without subtracting. That leads to a lot of stress. Stress Tip 4: Be assertive with people about your time. While time is our most precious resource, most of us tend to give it away too easily and that's poor stress management. When someone asks you for time, think about what you will have to "subtract" from your current schedule. That will help you say "No" when you need to. "No" can be a great stress management tool. Stress Tip 5: Have a dream and goals to reach that dream. Sounds like another cliché, but stress management is a lot easier when you have a dream and know what you want to do to get there. (This does not mean go overboard and spend every waking moment on obtaining the dream.) In the long run you will have less stress if you have a dream. It's sort of automatic stress management. Stress Tip 6: Limit the number of shocking things you watch on television. I know that's tough in our TV centered world, but shocking pictures stress you a lot more than you think. The images go straight from you eyes to your feelings. If you feel yourself getting stressed by the television, consider listening to the radio. Radio allows you think about the information and form images you can deal with. Stress management has a lot to do with controlling what you see and hear, so choose wisely. ----- FREE course in Creative Problem Solving at http://www.timedoctor.com or send any email message to timedoctor@GetResponse.com Dr. Polk is a Licensed Psychologist who specializes in stress reduction //////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Disclaimer All material appearing in this newsletter is provided for educational purposes only. It is provided with the understanding that authors and contributors are not offering medical advice or services. We strongly encourage you to consult with your own physician regarding any recommendations with respect to your own medical condition. Advertisement in the Your Life- Your Choice newsletter does not indicate endorsement on our part. 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