June 5, 2015 Chautauqua

Beth's Ponderings

   It’s rare that I read a book that I then think everyone else could benefit from reading. That said, I recently read “Goddesses Never Age” by Christiane Northrup, M.D.

   While the book is aimed at women, particularly over 40, the information presented by Dr. Northrup is applicable to all ages, men and women alike. She devotes a large part of the book towards dispelling many of the health “truths” we’ve all just accepted and never questioned, such as the when vaccines are effective, why we should add or delete foods from our diets, what health really is, what cancer really is, and more.

   Now, if you don’t want to read the whole book I can summarize what she says into a single word...Relax!

   Because it doesn’t matter what changes you make, or lifestyle choices you make - and, yes those choices are still very important - if you are stressed physically, mentally, emotionally, or all three.

   Bottom line, if your body, mind and spirit are experiencing any stress of any nature on a continual basis - occasional stress that dissipates doesn’t count - from your job, home, family, finances, or any other area of your life, it will negate any positive changes and choices you are making.

   Reducing the stress by relaxing is truly the only real way to restore yourself to a state of health in all areas. And believe me, I know, it is much easier said than done!

   Just because you aren’t doing anything, it doesn’t mean you are relaxing. Just because you are getting a massage, exercising, fishing, doing a hobby, walking a dog, playing with children, or any other activity that we think of as relaxing, it doesn’t mean you are automatically reducing your stress levels.

   One quick and simple way to determine if you are relaxed - no matter what you are or aren’t doing - is to notice if you are smiling.

   We’ve often heard that it takes more muscles to frown than to smile, but few of us realize that the most relaxing thing any of us can do is to smile, and if you want to really boost the relaxation benefits, laugh.

Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JwWy6HNKCzXR2q303K-pArgWY-JnzlEk/view?usp=sharing

Contact The Chautauqua via email: thechautauqua@gmail.com or via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChautauqua