Slow Down, Relax and Breathe

We live in a society that is always on the go. Whether we are jumping out of bed to commute to work, going to pick up the kids at school, running to the grocery store or stopping off for a late dinner, we go...go...go from the time we wake up in the morning until we fall back into bed each night.

Just living in this society can cause a bit of stress because the more we go, the more likely we are to feel tension, worry, irritability, frustration or even hopelessness. The sympathetic nervous system, often called the fight-or-flight response, is almost continually activated because when we get caught up in the go...go...go that continual activity can lead to things like poor concentration, fatigue, poor sleep, restlessness, as well as physical and emotional tension. According to Cathy Wong, N.D., the combination of chronic stress, poor sleep, poor diet and long hours can deplete the body and lead to a condition known as “adrenal fatigue.”

Well, I live in this world and deal with these issues so I turned to the experts and asked, “what can people do to slow down and regroup, even if it is just for a minute or two?” The answers I got were as varied as the experts I turned to, but they were all good and I definitely think a few are worth sharing here -

Relaxation breathing is something anyone can do anywhere – it takes virtually minutes to do and calms you down immediately. Breathe in through your nose, hold that breath and count to five as you concentrate on the position of your shoulders and hands. Now, let the air out through your mouth in one breath. Do this a minimum of three times. Don't hyperventilate, do it slowly and you will notice immediate results.
-Dr. Patricia A. Farrell www.drfarrell.net

1. Focus on taking “diaphragmatic breaths.” Let your abdomen expand with each breath in and notice the sensation of the air in your nostrils, lungs and abdomen.
2. You will note a variety of thoughts. Do not resist the thoughts; just gently let them go. As you let the go, focus back on the breath.
3. Do not resist the physical sensations you may notice. Relax one body part at a time working either up from your feet or from your head down.
4. You can either continue to focus on your breath, or if you prefer, focus on a repetitive phrase like “one,” “peace” or “calm.”
-Dr. Jay Winner www.stressremedy.com

Get moving - Simply standing up and moving will bring more oxygen to your brain and help you think more clearly. Put your work on hold and go for a brisk walk. Chances are good that simply getting away from your desk and taking your focus off your work or your problem will generate a creative idea or two.
- Lynn A. Robinson, M.Ed. www.LynnRobinson.com

Laugh! People will wonder what you're up to. How long has it been since you've had a rolling-on-the-ground laugh? A true belly laugh, that that rises up uncontrollably when you're completely tickled? Too long? Laughter is good for your soul, your mood and (as some studies have shown) your immunity. People who laugh a lot have a more robust immune system than those who don't. So look for funny things around you and take the opportunity to laugh!
- Laura Stack, www.theproductivitypro.com

It's the little things sometimes, that moment in traffic, at your desk, in the school-drop off lane – wherever you are, take a moment, relax and breathe, your day may just go a little bit easier, a little bit slower and clearer - most importantly, you may just enjoy it all a little bit more.

Coughs, Colds and Proteolytic Whats?

Ahhh January – the holidays are behind us and cold and flu season is right on schedule. Coughs, fevers, sore throats and the dreaded cold are making their post-holiday rounds spreading moans, groans and sick days. Vitamin C, chicken soup, throat lozenges and aspirin are always wise choices, and even boosting the immune system with Echinacea, Oregano and Elderberry supplements can take the edge off.

But did you know there is a little something you can do for yourself each and every day that will not only boost your immune system but also greatly improve your overall health? Something that can send a cold or flu bug packing before you even get sick? In a word...or make that two words...think proteolytic enzymes.

When we are living and eating from the modern diet – things like white flour, white rice, pasteurized milk, processed cheese, chemically preserved foods, soda pop, candy, TV dinners – well you get the idea, when everything we eat has been cooked and processed, we force our body to divert its production of enzymes away from the proteolytic enzymes designed to govern our metabolic functions into enzymes designed to break down dead protein in our diets.

According to Jon Barron, director of the Baseline of Health Foundation, supplementing with digestive enzymes at mealtime can ease that burden on the body so that it no longer has to divert it's resources. Supplementing with proteolytic enzymes between meals means that the enzymes can go straight into the bloodstream and augment the proteolytic functions that are occurring in your body 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

So what does this mean for your immune system? How can a proteolytic enzyme actually make a difference as to whether or not the cold your kids bring home from school will affect you? Simple. Barron writes that the primary vehicle the immune system uses for destroying invaders is enzymes. Macrophages for example literally digest invaders with proteolytic enzymes and supplementation significantly improves the ability of your immune system to do its job. Not only that, bacteria, molds, viruses and fungi are protein/amino acid based and proteolytic enzymes taken between meals literally go into the bloodstream and digest these invaders before they take hold.

Proteolytic enzymes are available in any and all health food stores. Barron recommends that whatever brand you choose needs to have a lot of protease – at least 200,000 HUT, 300,000 if you can find it. Make sure that your enzyme not only has protease, but a variety of types – allowing it to work optimally in a variety of pH ranges.

Here's to a cough and cold free season!