Healthy Lifestyle
Enhance your personal lifestyle! You can do so much for your own health and wellbeing. In the following you will find detailed information on various health and wellness topics.
You wake up in the morning and you feel... awesome, full of energy and joy, ready to make it a perfect day. This is how we often feel after a time out or at the beginning of something new and fresh – like the New Year. We are full of great ideas and we promise to ourselves: we will not let go of this great feeling!
But then reality kicks in. Little by little we give the best of us to that what society calls for: Perfection. We feel that we have to be perfect. 24/7. In our job we have to be successful, creative and a fun colleague. We have to be a loving parent, a sexy partner and a wonderful entertaining friend. And in between meetings, emails, doing homework with our kids and cooking dinner for our friends, we have to manage our yoga class and get to the hairdresser – because we also want to be healthy and beautiful!
The only problem with this kind of lifestyle is that it is not possible. We cannot be 110% all the time. At a certain stage you just feel exhausted. And this exhaustion is so deep that sleeping in on the weekends doesn’t do the trick anymore. The burnout syndrome is a state of physical and/or emotional long-term exhaustion and one of the top illnesses of modern times.
A burnout is not a clean cut medical disease. It can come out of nowhere and the reasons are quite versatile – too much work with too little tribute from your superiors or colleagues, emotional stress, discrepancy between your achievements and your own – far too high – expectations and many more. In a nutshell a burnout results out of continuous excessive demands.
But then reality kicks in. Little by little we give the best of us to that what society calls for: Perfection. We feel that we have to be perfect. 24/7. In our job we have to be successful, creative and a fun colleague. We have to be a loving parent, a sexy partner and a wonderful entertaining friend. And in between meetings, emails, doing homework with our kids and cooking dinner for our friends, we have to manage our yoga class and get to the hairdresser – because we also want to be healthy and beautiful!
The only problem with this kind of lifestyle is that it is not possible. We cannot be 110% all the time. At a certain stage you just feel exhausted. And this exhaustion is so deep that sleeping in on the weekends doesn’t do the trick anymore. The burnout syndrome is a state of physical and/or emotional long-term exhaustion and one of the top illnesses of modern times.
A burnout is not a clean cut medical disease. It can come out of nowhere and the reasons are quite versatile – too much work with too little tribute from your superiors or colleagues, emotional stress, discrepancy between your achievements and your own – far too high – expectations and many more. In a nutshell a burnout results out of continuous excessive demands.
A burnout may develop very, very slowly and there are no clear symptoms. Early signs may be constant tiredness, insomnia, having the feeling to not do enough, having problems getting up in the morning and going to work, bursting into tears with no apparent reason, feeling frustrated, having problems to concentrate, tensions in the body, feeling lonely, increased aggressiveness and many more. A burnout syndrome is very hard to depict and it is strongly suggested that people who think that they may suffer from burnout get help from outside. This may be a friend, a psychologist, a personal coach or someone else you think might be able to help you.
A lot of people do not even know that they even have a serious health issue. Often, the signs as described above are classified as "personal weaknesses". This is very harsh. We have to accept the fact that we are "only" human. Everybody is unique and very different. The key is to find your own pace. Love yourself the way you are in all your ups and downs. This is you. Your own true self. We have to honor ourselves for our strength as well as our weaknesses, as both are part of what we are.
Enjoy your live! We need to learn to make conscious decisions for ourselves – not for others – just for us, to make life even more enjoyable. The world won’t end just because you turn off your mobile for a couple of hours. Your boss won’t sack you, just because you tell him very openly that you want to work less. And if he or she does, than this may be your perfect excuse to change your work life completely. Your friends will still be your friends, even if you order Pizza from the delivery store next door instead of preparing a full meal by yourself.
A lot of people do not even know that they even have a serious health issue. Often, the signs as described above are classified as "personal weaknesses". This is very harsh. We have to accept the fact that we are "only" human. Everybody is unique and very different. The key is to find your own pace. Love yourself the way you are in all your ups and downs. This is you. Your own true self. We have to honor ourselves for our strength as well as our weaknesses, as both are part of what we are.
Enjoy your live! We need to learn to make conscious decisions for ourselves – not for others – just for us, to make life even more enjoyable. The world won’t end just because you turn off your mobile for a couple of hours. Your boss won’t sack you, just because you tell him very openly that you want to work less. And if he or she does, than this may be your perfect excuse to change your work life completely. Your friends will still be your friends, even if you order Pizza from the delivery store next door instead of preparing a full meal by yourself.
Prevention is vital. We have to learn to accept the way we are – it is about Love and Balance. Love the way you are and keep a healthy balance in your life. A very interesting fact was released by the Boston Consulting Group, where a study revealed that managers are actually more productive, if they work less hours and thus maintain a healthy work-life-balance.
Reduce your stress and keep the freshness of a sunny early morning! Paul Linder, General Manager of renowned Chiva-Som in Thailand, stresses that for the prevention of a burnout you should start the day with relaxing rituals and adopt healthy eating, exercising and sleeping habits. You should set boundaries for yourself, nourish your creative side and learn strategies how to manage your stress. Chiva-Som is one of the top health and healing destinations worldwide. At this beautiful resort it is about learning to live, enjoy and appreciate every moment which creates a personal path to a balanced lifestyle. Amongst others, Chiva-Som provides an Inner Peace Retreat for those dealing with excessive stress or burnout.
"It is important to take your burnout very seriously", says Mr. Linder. "Firstly, try to slow down or take a break from your work load, activities or any commitments. Give more time for you to heal, rest and relax or just simply learn how to breathe. Secondly, get support; turn to your loved ones for support by sharing your feeling with another person which can help you to relieve some of the burden. Lastly, reevaluate your goals and priorities. Take time to think about your hopes, goals, dreams and what is really important to you."
Reduce your stress and keep the freshness of a sunny early morning! Paul Linder, General Manager of renowned Chiva-Som in Thailand, stresses that for the prevention of a burnout you should start the day with relaxing rituals and adopt healthy eating, exercising and sleeping habits. You should set boundaries for yourself, nourish your creative side and learn strategies how to manage your stress. Chiva-Som is one of the top health and healing destinations worldwide. At this beautiful resort it is about learning to live, enjoy and appreciate every moment which creates a personal path to a balanced lifestyle. Amongst others, Chiva-Som provides an Inner Peace Retreat for those dealing with excessive stress or burnout.
"It is important to take your burnout very seriously", says Mr. Linder. "Firstly, try to slow down or take a break from your work load, activities or any commitments. Give more time for you to heal, rest and relax or just simply learn how to breathe. Secondly, get support; turn to your loved ones for support by sharing your feeling with another person which can help you to relieve some of the burden. Lastly, reevaluate your goals and priorities. Take time to think about your hopes, goals, dreams and what is really important to you."
How did you sleep last night? – this is usually the first question your loved ones ask you in the morning. Sleep is vitally important for our overall wellbeing. It guides our reasoning, our memory and our health; we spend approximately one third of our life in this very special condition; and generally we don’t think too much about it.
Sleeping preserves our precious energy level. When we are sleeping, our body switches into standby mode – our muscles are relaxed, breathing and heart rate are slow and regular and our blood pressure is low. At least this is true during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, which makes out about 80% of our sleep. The rest is known as rapid eye movement (REM) sleep where irregular breathing and an irregular heart rate as well as involuntary muscle jerks can occur. This is the time where dreams are happening.
As sleeping is relaxing and recharging our body, also dreaming is both relaxing and activating our mind. According to C.G. Jung, dreams are a way of communicating with the unconscious. They aim to guide you, when you are awake and often offer a solution to an issue bothering your mind.
Our tip for further reading: Healing Night by Rubin R. Naiman, Syren Book Company.
As sleeping is relaxing and recharging our body, also dreaming is both relaxing and activating our mind. According to C.G. Jung, dreams are a way of communicating with the unconscious. They aim to guide you, when you are awake and often offer a solution to an issue bothering your mind.
Our tip for further reading: Healing Night by Rubin R. Naiman, Syren Book Company.
How much we sleep varies according to our age and our entire constitution. A little baby sleeps up to 16 hours per day; its grandma maybe just 5 or 6. In general an individual should get about 8 hours sleep per night in order to function well.
Sleeping well is a very fragile construct which consists of many little parts that have to fit together in order to provide your exhausted body and mind with this so urgently needed rest. If this construct is shaky or if a vital part is missing, sleep will either not come at all, far too late or we wake up in the middle of the night being victims of our thoughts and our bodily functions.
According to clinical psychologist Dr Rubin R Naiman, the lack of sleep is a severe lifestyle issue and has a direct impact on our physical, spiritual and emotional health. Studies show that there is a direct link between lack of sleep and obesity. Lack of sleep gives a spike in insulin production which may cause diabetes. Further he states that "the chronic loss of dreaming may be the most critically overlooked factor in clinical depression".
Movement promotes the reduction of stress hormones and increases the production of endorphins, knows Dr. Wanner. Basically, with movement that is fun, we gain more energy for our everyday lives.
Sleeping well is a very fragile construct which consists of many little parts that have to fit together in order to provide your exhausted body and mind with this so urgently needed rest. If this construct is shaky or if a vital part is missing, sleep will either not come at all, far too late or we wake up in the middle of the night being victims of our thoughts and our bodily functions.
According to clinical psychologist Dr Rubin R Naiman, the lack of sleep is a severe lifestyle issue and has a direct impact on our physical, spiritual and emotional health. Studies show that there is a direct link between lack of sleep and obesity. Lack of sleep gives a spike in insulin production which may cause diabetes. Further he states that "the chronic loss of dreaming may be the most critically overlooked factor in clinical depression".
Movement promotes the reduction of stress hormones and increases the production of endorphins, knows Dr. Wanner. Basically, with movement that is fun, we gain more energy for our everyday lives.
There are various strategies for more restful nights. We are so aroused by stress, caffeine and emails that we often forget the value of a good night sleep or even worse: we forget how to literally switch off our mind.
Meditation is a good way of calming your brain and your thoughts and in the long term it will help you to control various forms of anxiety that hinder your sleep. But also physical activity will help you to calm down and get physically tired. Limiting caffeine and alcohol are well known strategies but often forgotten. Also heavy food in the evening may hamper your body rest completely.
Develop a routine before going to bed to let your body know that it is time. Take your time and don’t rush your body to find sleep – have a herbal tea before or read a few pages in your book for example. For others a hot bath might be the key.
Dr Rubin R Naiman coined the term Deep Green SleepTM, whereby “Deep” refers to the quality of our descent into sleep and “Green” to the optimal sleep environment. Reduce sleep smog in your room by taking care of a good mattress and a “green” bedding utilizing organic cotton, wool and natural latex. Critical and very do-able: Let fresh air into your bedroom! Furthermore, common house plants have been shown to function as efficient air filters (top of the range: Areca palm, Lady palm, Bamboo palm, and Rubber plant).
“Natural sleep onset requires a willingness to spend a few moments alone with ourselves in the dark.”
– Dr. Rubin Naiman
Meditation is a good way of calming your brain and your thoughts and in the long term it will help you to control various forms of anxiety that hinder your sleep. But also physical activity will help you to calm down and get physically tired. Limiting caffeine and alcohol are well known strategies but often forgotten. Also heavy food in the evening may hamper your body rest completely.
Develop a routine before going to bed to let your body know that it is time. Take your time and don’t rush your body to find sleep – have a herbal tea before or read a few pages in your book for example. For others a hot bath might be the key.
Dr Rubin R Naiman coined the term Deep Green SleepTM, whereby “Deep” refers to the quality of our descent into sleep and “Green” to the optimal sleep environment. Reduce sleep smog in your room by taking care of a good mattress and a “green” bedding utilizing organic cotton, wool and natural latex. Critical and very do-able: Let fresh air into your bedroom! Furthermore, common house plants have been shown to function as efficient air filters (top of the range: Areca palm, Lady palm, Bamboo palm, and Rubber plant).
“Natural sleep onset requires a willingness to spend a few moments alone with ourselves in the dark.”
– Dr. Rubin Naiman
Fitness Concept
For our health and our general state of feeling well, the fitness of our body and our mind is essential. Science shows that targeted fitness training can decrease the risk of heart attacks and obesity.
In our today’s hectic and often crazy lifestyle’s, it is interesting to know that regular exercise can increase the capacity for concentration and learning. People who actively deal with the issue of fitness are healthier and live statistically longer. Physical activity as well as a healthy, balanced and nutritious high-fibre diet are vital for both body and mind.
HOLISTIC FITNESS is that simple: put more YOU into your practise of fitness. For one second, forget about dumbbells, weights, curricula and systematic training. Put yourself, your mind and your body into the centre.
Self-awareness is the key. It's about feeling, breathing, listening, and exploring. It's accepting, embracing and healing. We are the master of our own reality. If you wish, holistic fitness can be an essential part of this reality. It is not about the goal of being “fit”, but rather a lifelong journey of learning to listen to you bodily needs.
Holistic fitness is a means to improve your body, mind and health – from the inside out.
Self-awareness is the key. It's about feeling, breathing, listening, and exploring. It's accepting, embracing and healing. We are the master of our own reality. If you wish, holistic fitness can be an essential part of this reality. It is not about the goal of being “fit”, but rather a lifelong journey of learning to listen to you bodily needs.
Holistic fitness is a means to improve your body, mind and health – from the inside out.
Everybody is unique and therefore needs a very own approach to fitness. Dr. Med. Marcus Wanner, medical director of Vitznauerhof Vitalresort in Switzerland, stresses that best results are based on an individual program. Professional personal trainers can help to develop the perfect fitness program, which is grounded on personal needs, preferences and body types.
Movement promotes the reduction of stress hormones and increases the production of endorphins, knows Dr. Wanner. Basically, with movement that is fun, we gain more energy for our everyday lives.
Movement promotes the reduction of stress hormones and increases the production of endorphins, knows Dr. Wanner. Basically, with movement that is fun, we gain more energy for our everyday lives.
Getting fit is not as complicated as it often seems to be. It is rather a conscious decision to not sit on the couch, but get out and get moving. The upcoming European winter time is not an excuse for staying indoors. That outdoors can be beautiful, fun and diverse during winter is shown by our partner Wellnesshotel Lindenwirt in Germany with its great Winter Active Program. Snowshoeing, tobogganing, hiking and skiing are on the list – day and night! Find out more about the Lindenwirt.
The ultimate solution for those who rather love to stay inside: Get yourself a trampoline. This piece of equipment is packed with power - and so much fun! A trampoline is perfect for everybody, no matter if young or old, thin or obese. Jumping on this little sheet is even good for people having problems with their joints. You move your entire body and train every single muscle.
But even more important, this little home trainer is highly effective in lifting your mood, waking you up, balancing your mind and detoxifying your body (lymphatic drainage). Healing Hotels of the World suggests: every morning 15 minutes and you will get fit and stay young so easily!
But even more important, this little home trainer is highly effective in lifting your mood, waking you up, balancing your mind and detoxifying your body (lymphatic drainage). Healing Hotels of the World suggests: every morning 15 minutes and you will get fit and stay young so easily!
STRESS! It is one of the buzzwords of the 21st century. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) it is the greatest health challenge of this century.
Stress – Something we create ourselves?
In fact, stress is a very personal experience and therefore a quite subjective matter. What is perceived as stressful for one person may have little effects or even be pleasurable for others. A highly recognized expert in the field, Hans Selye, M.D., defined the term “stress” as it is used nowadays in 1936 as "the non-specific response of the body to any demand for CHANGE".
Karin Sole and Juergen Klein, owners of the Sullivan Estate & SPA Retreat in Hawaii, created the world’s first holistic Anti-Stress Centre incorporating healthy living, environmental awareness as well as practical, mental and physical applications through the seven senses. According to these experts...
“…stress is something that we can control! It is a cycle of sense perceptions, thoughts, feelings and manifestations – a one way road to disaster if not stopped, made aware of and being treated. Stress is the result of sensory perceived threats to our everyday feeling and thinking patterns of comfort and security. It can be caused physically (e.g. crime, abuse, drugs, injury, sex problems), psychologically (e.g. sorrow feelings, loss of loved ones) or mentally (e.g. disputes with people around us).
Stress appears when the gap widens between what we factually can do and what we think and feel we could or should do. We simply lose control.”
“…stress is something that we can control! It is a cycle of sense perceptions, thoughts, feelings and manifestations – a one way road to disaster if not stopped, made aware of and being treated. Stress is the result of sensory perceived threats to our everyday feeling and thinking patterns of comfort and security. It can be caused physically (e.g. crime, abuse, drugs, injury, sex problems), psychologically (e.g. sorrow feelings, loss of loved ones) or mentally (e.g. disputes with people around us).
Stress appears when the gap widens between what we factually can do and what we think and feel we could or should do. We simply lose control.”
So what does actually happen to us, when we are “stressed”? During a stressful situation the brain releases stress hormones that trigger certain reactions to provide your body with extra energy: your blood-sugar rises, your heartbeat speeds up and blood pressure increases. The muscles tense for action and your blood is channelled to the extremities. All this was carefully designed by nature to secure a fast getaway in threatening moments.
Looking back at Mr. Selye’s definition, the keyword here is CHANGE. The very essence of life is about change. We often long for change, but what if it actually knocks on our door? As outlined by Karin Sole and Juergen Klein, stress is when we freeze; holding on to everything we have and know is safe. Change may ask us to let go of something that we perceive as safe and holds open possibilities for something new. We just have to embrace this freedom and let go. And if we dare to cross the threshold, abundance, beauty, and happiness are waiting for us. However, we are not always ready to embrace life in this way and the body resorts to sending out the “stress” message, which is essentially saying: I am under attack, I am threatened!
All of us react to stress differently. Physically it may cause digestive disorders, headaches, cold or sweaty hands, colds or infections, heartburn, nausea, diarrhea, depression, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, anxiety and many more. Emotionally we may lose the capacity to feel “big feelings” and be in the moment, instead we have a tendency to get upset or worry. Intellectually we may find it difficult to learn new things and develop new perspectives. And spiritually we may feel disconnected to the beauty of life.
Looking back at Mr. Selye’s definition, the keyword here is CHANGE. The very essence of life is about change. We often long for change, but what if it actually knocks on our door? As outlined by Karin Sole and Juergen Klein, stress is when we freeze; holding on to everything we have and know is safe. Change may ask us to let go of something that we perceive as safe and holds open possibilities for something new. We just have to embrace this freedom and let go. And if we dare to cross the threshold, abundance, beauty, and happiness are waiting for us. However, we are not always ready to embrace life in this way and the body resorts to sending out the “stress” message, which is essentially saying: I am under attack, I am threatened!
All of us react to stress differently. Physically it may cause digestive disorders, headaches, cold or sweaty hands, colds or infections, heartburn, nausea, diarrhea, depression, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, anxiety and many more. Emotionally we may lose the capacity to feel “big feelings” and be in the moment, instead we have a tendency to get upset or worry. Intellectually we may find it difficult to learn new things and develop new perspectives. And spiritually we may feel disconnected to the beauty of life.
How do we find a way back to being at ease with ourselves, to respond to life from a place of enthusiasm and creativity? A certain level of stress may be even beneficial, as it can increase our motivation to accomplish more. The challenge is to make the stress in our life work for us instead of against us. We need to find our balance in order to be able to embrace the new freedom of change!
The probably most important thing in dealing with stress is to stop past conditioning and stay in the NOW – keep your focus:
• Learn more about yourself and your body to detect early signs of stress and to keep it under control.
• Physical focus: go out and do physical activity to release the pressure (e.g. Yoga or running).
• Psychological focus: get counseling referring to past fears, how they are triggered and how to create an awareness to stop them. Talk about your concerns and worries with someone you trust. Don’t swallow your feelings.
• Mental focus: guided concentration and meditation exercises, lectures and material about health and wellbeing. Keep your joy in life. Go out and have fun and forget about the stresses of your life for some time. And when you return to them, they even might be gone.
• This is probably the most important point: Take care of yourself and balance your life! Get enough rest, your personal time out and eat well. Your body deserves it.
A Healing Retreat is a great opportunity to learn how to make wise choices when faced with change. It takes one out of one’s usual “stressful” environment into a place where it is all about connecting with one’s self. Step by step we become aware of the choices we have, how we can respond to life’s circumstances in such a way that we experience freedom and ease.
The probably most important thing in dealing with stress is to stop past conditioning and stay in the NOW – keep your focus:
• Learn more about yourself and your body to detect early signs of stress and to keep it under control.
• Physical focus: go out and do physical activity to release the pressure (e.g. Yoga or running).
• Psychological focus: get counseling referring to past fears, how they are triggered and how to create an awareness to stop them. Talk about your concerns and worries with someone you trust. Don’t swallow your feelings.
• Mental focus: guided concentration and meditation exercises, lectures and material about health and wellbeing. Keep your joy in life. Go out and have fun and forget about the stresses of your life for some time. And when you return to them, they even might be gone.
• This is probably the most important point: Take care of yourself and balance your life! Get enough rest, your personal time out and eat well. Your body deserves it.
A Healing Retreat is a great opportunity to learn how to make wise choices when faced with change. It takes one out of one’s usual “stressful” environment into a place where it is all about connecting with one’s self. Step by step we become aware of the choices we have, how we can respond to life’s circumstances in such a way that we experience freedom and ease.
To live a vibrant life, full of joy and vitality, there are many things we can do to enhance the body’s inherent wellbeing. A healthy and strong immune system is paramount. It gives you the energy you like to have in your life and it helps you to avoid, relief or shorten diseases.
The Immune System
The immune system – the body’s own defense system – consist of proteins, cells, organs and tissues, which interact in a complex network and disorders in this system may result in disease. Since microbes can penetrate the body and cause dysfunctions at any time, the human immune system is constantly challenged by environmental influences. There are several ways to strengthen your immune system naturally, and thus, to protect your most valuable habitat.
The skin is an important mechanism in the body’s defense system, as the acid mantle blocks out pathogens. The skin is the body’s biggest organ and does not just function as a protection but also plays as an active and intermediary role between the environment and the functions of the body. Touch releases messengers, which interfere in a regulating way with the immune system. Further, the stimulation of the skin has positive effects on stress. Thus, a massage is not just a simple relaxation technique but also a vital element in your overall state of wellbeing.
Stress Reduction
The avoidance of chronic stress is crucial, as it may wear down the immune system and increase your vulnerability to illness. Altered mood states such as depression, anxiety and panic are harmful to the body in many ways. Secondary symptoms such as fatigue, difficulties with memory and concentration, aches and pains and problems with sleep are common in people with mood disorders, which also harm the immune system. In order to reduce stress and anxiety, try to incorporate relaxation techniques, such as Yoga, meditation, Tai Chi or deep breathing in your daily routine. This calms your body and mind and helps you to get rid of ‘toxic thoughts’.
Exercise
Especially cardio training, as well as regular inurement, such as sauna or kneippism, are great methods to enhance the immune function.
Working out regularly mobilises the antibody response as well as your T cells, a type of white blood cell known to guard the body against infection. Exercise can also improve your mental well being, it can even help relieve mild to moderate degrees of depression and anxiety.
The avoidance of chronic stress is crucial, as it may wear down the immune system and increase your vulnerability to illness. Altered mood states such as depression, anxiety and panic are harmful to the body in many ways. Secondary symptoms such as fatigue, difficulties with memory and concentration, aches and pains and problems with sleep are common in people with mood disorders, which also harm the immune system. In order to reduce stress and anxiety, try to incorporate relaxation techniques, such as Yoga, meditation, Tai Chi or deep breathing in your daily routine. This calms your body and mind and helps you to get rid of ‘toxic thoughts’.
Exercise
Especially cardio training, as well as regular inurement, such as sauna or kneippism, are great methods to enhance the immune function.
Working out regularly mobilises the antibody response as well as your T cells, a type of white blood cell known to guard the body against infection. Exercise can also improve your mental well being, it can even help relieve mild to moderate degrees of depression and anxiety.
A balanced diet, which contains all essential nutrients, such as iron, zinc and selenium, as well as vital vitamins, is the foundation of a healthy immune system. Make sure your diet is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are vitamins and minerals that remove harmful oxidants, also known as free radicals, from the bloodstream. Free radicals are chemical by-products (of food digestion, sunlight, pollution, etc.) known to damage DNA and suppress the immune system. Antioxidants are found in many fruits and vegetables, especially in the green ones, like apples or broccoli.
Further, you can modify your diet by choosing healthy fats, such as the omega-3 fatty acids available in oily fish, over saturated fats, found in red meat and dairy products. For an additional immune boost, try adding garlic, which has virus-fighting and bacteria-killing properties, and ginger, a natural anti-inflammatory, to your meals on a regular basis.
Obviously, drinking plenty of water is paramount, as it helps you to fend off infection by flushing out your system. Try to stay away from sugary beverages and alcohol.
Further, you can modify your diet by choosing healthy fats, such as the omega-3 fatty acids available in oily fish, over saturated fats, found in red meat and dairy products. For an additional immune boost, try adding garlic, which has virus-fighting and bacteria-killing properties, and ginger, a natural anti-inflammatory, to your meals on a regular basis.
Obviously, drinking plenty of water is paramount, as it helps you to fend off infection by flushing out your system. Try to stay away from sugary beverages and alcohol.
...BLISS IS THE WELLING UP OF THE ENERGY OF THE
TRANSCENDENT WISDOM WITHIN YOU.”
JOSEPH CAMPBELL
Have you ever felt that something was missing from your life? Have you asked yourself, ‘What’s happening to me’? Perhaps you’ve started wondering when the world got so complicated. The answer is simple: It is all in our heads. We create our own destiny. And we are driven by one thing: LOVE.
But most of us make one major mistake. We tend to think that we need someone’s love in order to live a happy life. However, love comes from within. We can only feel love for other people when we love ourselves, as it’s this love that shines in us and thus can be felt by others.
But most of us make one major mistake. We tend to think that we need someone’s love in order to live a happy life. However, love comes from within. We can only feel love for other people when we love ourselves, as it’s this love that shines in us and thus can be felt by others.
Visionary, mystic, spiritual coach and healer, Moon, agrees. She says, ‘Love is the driving power in life’. Moon is the Spiritual Coach at Lifehouse in the UK. For more than 30 years, Moon has used her powers as a clairvoyant, a psychic and an intuitive being to help others find their own healing and power. When we feel sad, rejected, worthless or ugly because we think love has faded, she says we need to see the positive side. In her article “The Caress of the Mind”, Moon explains:
“[This] was in fact the best and most wonderful experience for us to go through because we are able to view the opposite end of the spectrum. The polarities of our very existence! The sad times as opposed to happy times, hate instead of love, bad instead of good, down instead of up […]. These polarities help us to discover and decide what we truly want for ourselves. When we learn that these polarities are all part of our future happiness, we can move through our unhappy times quicker, with more understanding and love and find a peaceful mind more quickly.”
Or as Helen Keller put it: “We could never learn to be brave and patient if there was only joy in the world.”
“[This] was in fact the best and most wonderful experience for us to go through because we are able to view the opposite end of the spectrum. The polarities of our very existence! The sad times as opposed to happy times, hate instead of love, bad instead of good, down instead of up […]. These polarities help us to discover and decide what we truly want for ourselves. When we learn that these polarities are all part of our future happiness, we can move through our unhappy times quicker, with more understanding and love and find a peaceful mind more quickly.”
Or as Helen Keller put it: “We could never learn to be brave and patient if there was only joy in the world.”
Some say that we actually know everything. The complete wisdom is within us – hidden in our deepest core.
We all tend to get lost in ideas, thoughts and self-created concepts of life. How do we reclaim that hidden wisdom? The crux is to concentrate on your inner self. You may want to call it “intuition” or “gut feeling”. This is what guides you and knows what you actually want. Trust this feeling and listen to yourself!
God is at home,
it’s we
who have gone out
for a walk.
Meister Eckhart
We all tend to get lost in ideas, thoughts and self-created concepts of life. How do we reclaim that hidden wisdom? The crux is to concentrate on your inner self. You may want to call it “intuition” or “gut feeling”. This is what guides you and knows what you actually want. Trust this feeling and listen to yourself!
God is at home,
it’s we
who have gone out
for a walk.
Meister Eckhart
Another aspect of loving yourself is loving and caring for your body. When we discover our health, we discover ourselves, according to Shaolin beliefs. For more than 1,500 years the Shaolin monks have used health- and performance-enhancing exercises, different breathing techniques and selected nutrition to increase physical and intellectual capability.
You can’t be healthy without good sleep. Sleep is absolutely vital for your body’s regeneration, your health, a fresh mind and thus for personal success. It is said that you should not have heavy thoughts in the evenings. Rest your mind and your soul during the night and your problem-solving skills will improve drastically during the day. Tune in to your bodily functions and you will learn to listen to your personal needs and wishes. SAMINA has developed products that support healthy Bio-Energetic Sleep®. The concept betokens the highest form of physical, spiritual and mental regeneration through sleep.
An ancient wisdom known to all people is that the core of our being is goodness. This knowledge is the foundation of Western psychology and even more so of Eastern spirituality. This is obvious when we see babies and small children in their purity, innocence and general good will. It’s hard to forget the intense happiness and bliss of children. Which small, intense moments in your life to you remember? Rilke describes these moments in many of his poems and calls them ‘the openness of children’. But we have lost it. Why? Sadly, as we grow up, our accumulated experiences start to close our heart and contract us rather than allow us to be open and enthusiastic.
Make time for yourself to build up your positive experiences and get back into the habit of enjoying the moment!
Make time for yourself to build up your positive experiences and get back into the habit of enjoying the moment!
