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Special Relaxation Exercise knowledge doesnt require a PhD. Learn what the experts know about Relaxation Exercise
We might have to challenge the assumptions that we have to work harder and longer to keep up, and that we have to have a certain lifestyle, a certain level of affluence. (r) will most likely turn up thousands of places on the Internet all trying to provide you with the best stress management information available today. Reducing stress involves a healthy lifestyle in all aspects of being human. Organic Life Organic- Is It A Lifestyle Or Health Choice?
By Jean Shaw
 On the news this morning there was a debate about whether organic produce is any safer than the modern technology used on today's inorganic farms.
It was claimed if you buy local, fresh produce from the farmers markets it would have the same taste and flavour as the mostly imported organic produce found in our supermarkets.
It was agreed organic produce is more expensive than inorganic and farmers require much more land to produce their crops, so the question was
Is organic a lifestyle or a health choice?
Well let's see -
The organic movement really began in the 1960's with the publication of a report by Rachel Carson called the Silent Spring. Before I go into that I'll back track a bit to the 1940's.
It was the end of the Second World War which saw the beginning of the chemical revolution. Weapons grade chemicals and nitrates suddenly found themselves part of strong fertilizers and nerve gas became pesticide. Bugs disappeared, crops flourished.
Since then, however the Environment Protection Agency has gone on to approve over 100,000 synthetic chemicals.
WHY?
Most of these man made toxins have never been tested for long term health effects either individually or in combination. However they seep into our soil, pollute our rivers and waterways and irrevocably change the ecosystems.
You'll find them in your food, drink, household products, furniture, clothing, toiletries, cosmetics, your water and especially in the air you breathe.
Apparently food is the greatest source of toxic chemicals and recently the independent Environment Working Group compiled a list of the most contaminated fruit and vegetables. They suggested by eliminating the top twelve, pesticide exposure could be reduced by 90%. The culprits were
peaches
apples
nectarines
strawberries
cherries
pears
imported grapes
sweetball peppers
celery
spinach
lettuce
potatoes.
Seemingly washing them doesn't help much either. The average apple apparently has 110 chemicals on it by the time you want to take a bite and even if you were to wash it carefully there would still be between 20 and 30 chemicals on the skin.
Of course, you could always discard the skins but I was always taught that part contained the most vitamins and besides how do you skin a lettuce?
The really scary thing which Rachel Carson highlighted was the way the toxins used in fertilisers and pesticides increase as they pass through the food chain. It's a process called bio-magnification and means that whatever is at the top of the food chain comes off worst.
Who is at the top of most food chains - YOU!
Everyday we breathe in toxic chemicals especially when using household and personal care products. Spray cans are very handy but not very accurate. As they are usually used around the head area the very tiny particles easily access the body through the mouth and nose. It's hardly surprising there has been such a marked increase in asthma.
Your skin is another route for toxic chemicals and will absorb 60% of whatever you put on it. It's not very selective either.
You need to bear that in mind when you put on your creams, lotions and potions especially as only 11% of the 10,500 synthetic chemicals used in the personal care and toiletries industry have ever been assessed for safety.
Your carpets and furniture contain toxic chemicals and your electric appliances emit electro magnetic fields. The clothes you wear, unless organic contain a cocktail of chemicals by way of fertilisers, pesticides, bleaches and dyes.
I've read that to make one cotton tee-shirt about 160 grams of toxic chemicals must be used and the Environment Protection Agency have said at least half of them are possible or known carcinogens.
Over time more and more people are suffering from the build up of synthetic chemicals.
Apparently each of us will be exposed to 50,000 chemical agents in our lifetime and will accumulate at least 500 toxic compounds inside us. Obviously lifestyle and occupation will play a role but for many toxin avoidance is impossible. Just consider the farmers on the cotton plantations.
There are now 200 different types of cancer and most scientists agree 80% of them are caused by toxic synthetic chemicals.
Clearly we are now fighting another war - a health war.
The only way to avoid as many chemicals as possible is to buy organic, specifically "certified organic". That way you have an independent third party guarantee of purity.
Admittedly they are more expensive but the saving on health is immense, not to mention the benefit to the planet. Poisoning is seriously affecting our soil, and wildlife. So what do you think?
Is organic a lifestyle or health choice?
I'll leave YOU to decide but just remember who is at the top of the food chain.
For details of the World's First cosmetic, skin and personal care products certified to Food Grade Standards free of toxins and harmful synthetic chemicals see www.bestorganicsforhealth.com
Jean Shaw is the author of I'm Not Naughty - I'm Autistic and Autism, Amalgam and Me www.jeanshaw.com 11 - Meditation And Focus
11 - Meditation And Focus
The single most important thing which distinguishes meditation from other forms of relaxation is the fact that in meditation your mind remains both alert and focused. This is accomplished by focusing either on an object or a thought, or by using the technique of visualization. But just what should you focus your mind on?
There are many different things that you can choose to focus upon and, for most people, it is simply a case of finding something with which you feel comfortable.
One point of focus is of course your own body and here the simplest thing to focus on is your breathing. Any one of a number of simple breathing exercises will provide the perfect vehicle to create a focal point for the mind.
If you choose to use a physical object then it really doesn't matter what this object is as long as it in some way represents the goal for your meditation and does not in itself conjure up other images of feeling. Objects which have any form of strong emotion attached to them, particularly negative emotion, should be avoided and, for preference, you should choose something neutral but which you find pleasing to the eye.
When an object is used as the focus for meditation, it doesn't matter whether you meditate with your eyes open and look at the object, or meditate with your eyes closed and picture the object in your "mind's eye". In other words, it doesn't matter whether the object is real or imaginary. What is important, is that the object you choose should be representative of the goal of your meditation.
For example, if you are meditating in order to help yourself to fall asleep, the object should be something that you find relaxing such as the ocean or a cloud. If you are meditating in order to feel stronger about an issue then you might choose something like a rock. Whatever you choose, find an object that brings out the feeling that you want to strengthen.
Sounds or words can also be used as your point of focus. When a word, phrase or spoken sound is used, it is called a mantra. Mantra meditation is also often referred to as transcendental meditation.
It is worth noting here that transcendental meditation has been studied widely within the medical profession and has been shown to have clear medical benefits for many practitioners. One notable study carried out by R. Keith Wallace at U.C.L.A., revealed that during meditation the body gains a state of profound rest. At the same time, the brain and mind become more alert, indicating a state of restful alertness. Following transcendental meditation, reactions are faster, creativity greater, and comprehension broader.
Some meditations will give you the specific mantra to use. You can, however, choose a word that may have special meaning to you such as "peace", "love", "one", or "relax". The word chosen should not however set off trains of associative thought. It is important that your mind remains passive and doesn't create secondary thoughts that will distract your concentration. Studies of people who meditate indicate that the deepest relaxation occurs when thoughts are absent, or are few and of no importance.
Perhaps the most important element of any meditation, which is directly related to focus, is what is known as a passive, observant frame of mind.
Your mind will have a tendency to try to distract you with other thoughts at the same time as you are trying to quiet them. If you let them, these thoughts may well disrupt your relaxation. Your ability to meditate will grow with your ability to observe and then direct your mind away from these thoughts.
This skill is sometimes called "poised awareness" or "attention-awareness" because when you achieve it, alertness and relaxation are in perfect balance. Keeping a passive attitude means that all distractions are viewed with a sense of detachment. Your skin might tingle or itch or your mind might drift to the worries of the day, but you should simply acknowledge the sensation or thoughts and re-focus on your object, mantra or breathing. The more you practice this skill, the easier it will become. Don't force anything. Simply remain calm and observant and repeatedly direct your thoughts back to the meditation object at hand. Share Your Opinion. (0 posts)
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