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WELLNESS CONNECTIONLasting Change the Kaizen WayFrom the book One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way by Robert Maurer, Ph.D.August 31, 2009 - 5:00PM Kaizen Tip Below are some suggestions for applying mind sculpture to specific goals. And remember this: Small questions are a powerful way to generate ideas for mind sculpture. Just ask yourself: What is a tiny step I could make to achieve my goal? Let the questions stew for a few days or weeks. When you have an answer, you can use mind sculpture to imagine yourself taking that step. If you want to learn portion control, imagine yourself at the table. See a plate in front of you with food remaining on it. What does the food look like? How does it smell and taste? Now imagine putting down your utensil, even though some food remains on the plate. How does the utensil sound as it meets the plate? Pick up your napkin from your lap and note its texture. Put the napkin down and hear your chair and feel your muscles move as you push back from the table. Imagine yourself getting up and effortlessly walking away. If self-directed anger is blocking your path to change, try this: Consider a situation in which you are often judgmental or harsh with yourself. Since it's much easier for most self-critical people to be kind to others, try imagining that you are comforting a friend or a small child who has made the same mistake or has the same flaw you see in yourself. Hear that person saying the damaging things you say to yourself, such as "I'm a bad person" or "I'll never get it right!" now imagine yourself comforting that person. Experience the love and compassion you'd feel toward someone who is suffering in this way. What gestures and words would you use? If you'd like to repair a ruptured personal relationship, first think of one thing the other person does to push your buttons, leading you to overreact or to avoid that person. Now picture that person performing the irritating behavior and imagine yourself responding in a manner you'd find ideal. How would your body feel? Would it cool down instead of heating up? What would you like to say and in which tone of voice? What posture would you like to assume? Many of us need help learning to relax. Choose a recurring scenario that frequently causes you to become irritated or impatient (driving in heavy traffic provokes these responses in many of us). Then imagine yourself in that situation, feeling a sense of internal poise and demonstrating good grace toward others. If you're trying to improve your response to heavy traffic, imagine yourself in the car, your muscles remaining relaxed, your breathing deep and even, and your body cool as the drivers around you honk their horns and behave aggressively. Imagine yourself feeling kindness toward the other drivers--and maybe feel yourself waving to let one of them into your lane! Rated by 0 people: Eight Glasses: Fact or Fiction?by Paulette Lambert, R.D., CDE, Director of NutritionAugust 25, 2009 - 8:59AMAre you constantly walking around with your water bottle, struggling to drink eight glasses of water a day? Most of us know that staying hydrated is good for our bodies. However, does it really improve our health, make us lose weight or improve performance?Water, including flavored varieties, flushes out waste materials to detoxify the body - definitely an important function. Water also maintains blood volume, allowing the body to consume adequate oxygen to improve physical performance. Contrary to popular belief, however, recent studies show that drinking eight glasses of water a day does not contribute to weight control. This can be only accomplished by eating less and moving more. The recommendation to drink eight glasses per day is a general guideline that does not take individual needs into account such as body fat percentage, caloric needs, kidney function or how much a person sweats. Older adults, young children, athletes, and those who do physical work in hot climates are at the greatest risk for dehydration. As we age or when physical activity is extreme, the thirst mechanism that normally guides us may not work. When engaging in a high level of exercise or when working in hot climates, it is good to drink 8 ounces of water every 20 minutes to avoid dehydration. For the average person, the general recommendation of eight glasses per day is fine. Tap water is fine for fluid replacement. However, it's important to remember that alcoholic and caffeinated beverages only count for half due to increased loss of fluid from them. Save the sugary sport drinks for endurance activities but flavored, low calorie waters may make it easier to achieve those eight glasses per day. With the long days of summer upon us, it's a good idea to keep toting your water bottle around to stay hydrated. This article originally appeared in Organic Spa magazine, July-August 2009. Rated by 2 people: |
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Recent PostsAugust 31, 2009 - 5:00PMLasting Change the Kaizen WayFrom the book One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way by Robert Maurer, Ph.D.August 25, 2009 - 8:59AMEight Glasses: Fact or Fiction?by Paulette Lambert, R.D., CDE, Director of NutritionArchives |
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