2016 – REWIND, UNWIND, RELAX AND BREATHE
January may be nearly over but it is still early in the year, and it is never too late to make positive changes.
Over the past several years, I have become caught up in a cyclone of my real, paying work, the work I love, which includes volunteering, any form of creativity and spending time with my pack. It is not without reason I subconsciously created the list in that particular order. Even my priorities are out of whack!
Don’t get me wrong, I somehow manage to fit all of those things into my week but at what cost?
My health.
I share this with you not because I want you to feel badly for me. I will be fine, thank you. In fact, I plan to be better than fine. And soon! I know that so many of you are also juggling your lives instead of enjoying them. You may be ignoring important signs from the Universe telling you to slow down and recharge your batteries.
I talk about health and nutrition for furkids and ensuring their safety but what happens if we, their people are not up to that task? It’s like the in-flight safety demonstrations advise:
Secure your oxygen mask before assisting others
There are numerous stories about animals who become ill; suffering from the same symptoms and conditions not yet recognized by their people. Some believe this reflection is a desperate attempt by the animal to tell their person to ‘GET HELP.’
We’ve also heard of dogs that can detect cancer.
Our incredible companions provide countless other mental and physical health benefits:
- reduce stress, anxiety, and depression
-
keep us from feeling lonely by providing companionship as well as introducing us to a whole social network of ‘pet people.’ (Mind Over Medicine Chapter 5: Loneliness Poisons the Body)
- encourage us to play and exercise (improving our moods and cardiovascular health)
I want to be the best person I can be – for my companions!
I just finished reading MIND OVER MEDICINE by Lissa Rankin, MD.
As a skeptical, science-minded physician, Lissa admits she was intrigued, but had doubts about how the mind can heal the body. One patient inspired the physician to take a step back from her overbooked schedule, after pointing out there was a disconnect between the Doctor and her patients. The pressure to see as many patients as possible in less time was demanding and emotionally draining. Not a good situation for physicians or those individuals under their care.
What followed, was a quest to prove, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the mind can heal the body.
Seeking to move the notion of self-healing from the realm of the magical or even metaphysical, I also searched for evidence of a clear physiological mechanism that explains how positive thoughts and emotions might translate into cure for the body.
The book is divided into three insightful sections:
- Believe yourself well
- Treat your mind
- Write the prescription
At the start of the book Lissa shares her findings with readers; proof gleaned from years of thorough research. The truth about our health will surprise most.
Mind Over Medicine teaches us what we do to make ourselves ill and prevent healing. We also learn how to avoid these obstacles and make the positive changes in our lives to keep our minds and bodies healthy. How to heal.
One Rx from the book is to surround ourselves with genuine, uplifting and supportive people. Those of us with animal companions in our lives have already been blessed with unconditional love. When it comes to an incredible support system, we’re ahead of the pack!
After taking a few steps back, I have regained perspective. A firm foundation is imperative for supporting our long-term goals. Throughout 2016, I look forward to building a strong base on which to create my castle – as high as the sky.
My long term goal is to find peace, harmony and happiness and to live a purposeful life.
Did you make resolutions? How are you doing with those?
Don’t beat yourself up if you need a ‘do-over.’ We are a work in progress – enjoy your journey!
Click to order your copy of Mind Over Medicine: Scientific Proof That You Can Heal Yourself
Resources:
Lissa Rankin – Owning Pink
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