HEALTHY LIVING RESULTS

Non-specific low back pan which persists for some time is a common presentation for various health care practitioners to deal with, representing a major reason for absence from work due to sickness. Research has moved ahead quickly over the last decade, making a scientific view of assessment and treatment recommendations possible which could lead to predictable benefits for patients with persistent low back pain. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has just released a new set of guidelines in May 2009.

The first requirement in the assessment of back pain is to establish a diagnosis. By definition the source is not clear in non-specific low back pain but many potential diagnoses have been ruled out such as ankylosing spondylitis, arthritic diseases, fractures, infections or tumours. Diagnosis is not a one time thing with periodic reassessment important if things change, and investigations should be requested if a specific diagnosis is suspected. Radicular symptoms in the leg, typically called sciatica, and cauda equina syndrome are neurological syndromes which cause severe and very specific symptoms and need consultation with a spinal surgeon.

Low back pain has been typically classified as acute, sub-acute and chronic. Acute back pain is said to be back pain of a duration of less than six weeks, while sub-acute back pain is said to continue between six and twelve weeks. Over twelve weeks the back pain is said to be chronic although this classification may be too rigid to reflect the reality of the incidence patterns of low back pain. Many people’s symptoms vary significantly with more and less acute episodes over a long period of time.

Low back pain is estimated to affect around 30 percent of the population of the UK every year, with about a fifth of this number consulting their general practitioner about their back pain. In the past most back pain was thought to settle by six weeks but more recent research has shown that a year after their back pain episode sixty-two percent of sufferers still have pain. In those who are off work with their back pain sixteen percent are still off work at a year. The first month shows a rapid improvement in pain and disability but this is not much improved by three months.

Contemporary figures for the costs of back pain to society are not available but are known to be very high. Patients spend a lot of money on private therapists in the UK, patronising private physiotherapists, acupuncturists, osteopaths and chiropractors. A new episode or a worsening of low back pain makes the exclusion of non-mechanical causes for the back pain vital. Infection is more common in people with immune system problems such as HIV. The incidence of the types of cancers which spread to bone is higher in older age groups. Fractures due to osteoporosis have a higher incidence in older people and anyone on steroids.

Loss of the ability to work, development of disability related to the back and loss of normal activities are the negative factors which can result from sub-acute to chronic low back pain and are the factors which must be addressed to manage this condition successfully. High pain levels, a high degree of disability and psychological distress are risk factors for a poor result and so must be targeted to improve the patient’s outcome. Back pain treatments are very numerous with many claims for effectiveness but there is little good evidence to back up the use of most therapies. NICE made the decision to look at the overall delivery of a care package for back pain rather than concentrate on particular therapeutic interventions.

The common therapies used for treatment of low back pain include:

Patient education which covers advice and explanations from professionals, written material and education sessions.

Non-invasive physical therapies such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, traction, spinal corsets, interferential, laser and ultrasound.

Land or water based exercise programmes, again either individually or as part of an exercise group.

Other physical, non-invasive therapies such as ultrasound, interferential, laser, TENS, lumbar traction and lumbar corsets.

Psychological management involves self management, mindfulness and different types of cognitive behavioural therapy.

The early part of the year is the time for the new resolutions we have about many things, including our personal appearance and fitness. Summer will soon be here and we want to look our best. Perhaps we have already signed up for the gym and rather predictably not attended anywhere near as much as initially intended. We want to be fit but are not clear at all what that means or the significance of the typical fitness measures used to track progress. Our lack of knowledge impairs our ability to plan our training and reduces the chances of success. While physiotherapists understand more about these concepts than most people they are still not that knowledgeable in detail.

A major health focus in the community is the management and prevention of coronary heart disease, a very common health condition and responsible for a large annual death toll. We can all work at our risk factors and bring the various parameters closer towards safe limits. Fitness is not one thing but composed of various abilities, parts of each of which may need to be developed to reach an acceptable result. Allowing one of the components to be ignored can limit the potential fitness we might achieve.

To achieve aerobic fitness we need to choose an overall body activity and maintain the performance at a particular level for a particular time. e.g. swim for 30 minutes. The degree of difficulty needs to be such to engage a training effect so we must be able to continue the activity for long enough.

To achieve muscular fitness we need to acquire sufficient strength and endurance in our muscles to achieve the forces and duration needed.

Flexibility is the ability of our bodies to be extensible, for the balance of looseness and tightness in bodily structures to be optimal for functional activity.

Dynamic and functional activities demand considerable balance, maintaining the control over our postural stability as we perform complex motions under load.

To put all the previous aspects together, power, endurance, strength, balance and aerobic capacity we need to develop coordination, a dynamic control of movement.

Typical values for the measurements which are used to indicate fitness and health are a resting blood pressure of less than 140/90 (140 over 90). The higher figure, 140, is the systolic blood pressure, the pressure occurring in the main artery when the heart is in systole (sist-oley) which is the main pumping action. The lower figure, 90, is the diastolic blood pressure, the pressure in the main artery when the heart is in diastole (di-ast-oley), the resting phase when it is refilling before the next pumping action. If the diastolic, lower number is elevated it indicates that the arterial system is stiffer than it should be and so the pressure within it is higher.

High blood pressure has consequences which relate to heart disease, kidney function, peripheral blood supply and the likelihood of stroke. This is connected with total cholesterol levels which should be less than 5.0 mmol/l (five millimoles per litre), which indicates the risk for developing atherosclerosis and heart disease to some degree. Body mass is another indicator of our present and future health, with the Body Mass Index (BMI) a useful but not infallible indicator of our status in the health stakes. The BMI is often indicated on a big colourful poster, charting the relationship between our height and our bodyweight and dividing the results into underweight, healthy, overweight and obese.

From 20 to 24.9 are the recommended limits for a healthy body mass index and the chart allows the indication of a desirable weight for our size so we can plan a realistic bodyweight to aim for if we are overweight. There are some difficulties with the BMI in that some people, perhaps due to their structure or muscular bulk, seem to get unreasonable results for their predicted desirable weight. However, the body weight index does give a good indication of what a desired weight should be and can be used along with the desired body fat content of between 21 and 27%.

Wondering if cellulite in men is common? Cellulite is mostly a problem found in women, but men can get cellulite too. Ever wanted to get rid of all those lumpy layers of fat in your thighs and buttocks? Or do you simply want a more attractive, trim physique? Whatever it is, it can help to learn more about cellulite if you want to get rid of it for good.

Cellulite is the display of fatty deposits under the skin. Cellulite is mostly harmless, although in some rare cases it can cause health problems. Everybody can be a victim to cellulite accumulation, and it doesn’t matter what race, age, sex, or body type you are. This includes men and women who are thin - cellulite is often associated with overweight people although anyone can get it.

It was once thought that the principal cause of cellulite accumulation is obesity. However as we study cellulite more, we find that it is the weakening of blood vessels that bring nutrients and remove waste products and toxins from certain parts of the body. Cellulite in men is less likely because they have fat cells that are deeper than those in women. Fat cells in men are also structured differently than fat cells in women.

Though cellulite formation can be prevented by maintaining a healthy diet plan, exercising on a daily basis, and drinking plenty of water, cellulite accumulation is sometimes inevitable. This is due to the fact that appearance of cellulite is often based on your genes. If your mom or grandmother had cellulite, odds are good that you too will experience it. Cellulite is also affected by hormone changes in the body. In addition, poor lifestyle choices can also lead to cellulite formation.

There are a variety of ways to get rid of cellulite. Incorporating exercise into your daily routine will help improve your skin tone and can reduce cellulite. Exercising burns excess calories, consequently burning fat and helping cut down on cellulite. Toned muscles provide a smooth place for the skin cells to rest - this can help improve the appearance of cellulite. Exercise helps blood circulate more freely by eliminating fat around the arteries. It can also give you more energy and stamina to get through your day.

Liposuction is another method that has proven to be succesful for some people who want to get rid of their cellulite. Liposuction is a surgical operation designed to remove fat from different parts of the body. A small incision is made on the portion of the body with unwanted cellulite, and fat is then removed by a suction and a syringe powered by a vacuum. Like any other surgery, liposuction is associated with risks and might not get rid of all of your cellulite. It is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle after the surgery, or you run the chance of seeing cellulite come back.

Taking snythetic pills is another popular way to try to get rid of cellulite. One of the more popular brands of these pills is Cellasene. Doctors often warn that cellulite pills can be harmful. Many also feel that they provide very little benefit and are a waste of money.

Overall, exercise coupled with a healthy lifestyle is still the best way to get rid or prevent cellulite in men. Exercise will also help clear out blocked arteries and improve blood circulation. Make sure to drink enough water to keep your body hydrated. And maintain a healthy diet to reduce fat blockage and water retention.

Cellulite in men can be a little easier to deal with because men develop muscles more easily due to the large amount of testosterone in their bodies. But this doesn’t mean you can take it easy - painful cellulite can lead to other medical conditions down the line if left untreated, regardless of what your sex is. If your experiencing pain due to cellulite, make sure to seek medical attention immediately.

Slowly world wide people are turning towards natural products, and the skin care and anti aging industries are no exception. People are turning away from chemical products and so there are many consumers looking for a natural skin moisturizer along with many other natural anti aging products.

Yes there is a natural skin moisturizer, in fact there are a number of natural skin moisturizers. If you can source them all yourself you could even use them as they are, but it isnt easy to source these moisturizers, so its way easier (and probably cheaper) to get them all in one good quality natural skin care product.

Chances are you’ve never heard of them but here’s a list of some natural skin moisturizers.

1. Shea butter. What is shea butter? It comes from the seed of the shea tree, and has many properties that are good for your skin, including natural moisturizing. It is high in vitamins A and E, both good for your skin, and also some essential fatty acids that are extremely good skin moisturizers. These ingredients are virtually identical to the moisturizers produced by your own skin in the sebaceous glands.

And as well as moisturizing shea butter softens skin too, making you look younger.

2. Phytessence Wakame. This is a seaweed from Japan and is eaten by the Japanese. Science has discovered that phytessence wakame is very good for the skin, something Japanese women have known for years. The Japanese have the worlds best skin right into old age.

Phytessence Wakame is packed with all sorts of vitamins and minerals that are good for your skin and has natural moisturizing properties.

3. Sorbitol which you can get from plums and pears, grapes, berries, seaweed and algea and is a wonderful moisturizer. It helps stop the skin losing moisture and it also smooths the skin.

4. Capuacu oil from the nut of the capuacu tree. It regulates the activity of lipids on the surface of the skin, very important to protecting skin moisture.

5. Cynergy tk is derived from the wool of sheep and is one of the best natural skin moisturizers. It has a wide range of ingredients that are good for your skin and also helps the skin retain it’s moisture.

And it’s very important for the skin to retain it’s moisture levels, this is an important part of skin moisturizing.

So there you have 5 natural skin moisturizers. And you can use them to make huge improvements to your skin health. That’s provided you happen to have a capuacu tree and a shea tree in your yard, live close to a beach with the right seaweed and happen to have a pet sheep.

But sadly that isn’t practical for most of us, and a far better way is to buy the best natural skin care products that contain all of these ingredients all in one product.

These products are proven to moisturize successfully and to have a visible effect on your skin within a relatively short time. That’s way easier and probably cheaper, and beats feeding sheep.

Visit my website to find out where you source these products with natural skin moisturizers included.

Would it surprise you to know that the best facial moisturizer is not actually a moisturizer at all?

But first what is a moisturizer and what should it be doing for your skin?

A moisturizer is designed to improve the hydration in your skin. Or in other words it helps the skin keep moisture in the skin cells. And if the skin dries out it becomes less supple, it looks and feels drier. And it can be more prone to skin damage.

Well moisturized skin is more healthy skin, and protects itself better than a dry skin will do. It feels good.

And different moisturizers work differently too. For example many moisturizers work by, amongst other things, protecting the skin from sunburn by way of an added sunscreen.

But sadly there are moisturizers that can contain suspect and even dangerous ingredients.

For example you ought to avoid moisturizers that contain mineral oil. And many do. Why? because mineral oil coats your skin in oil and this can cause skin problems itself, like exacerbating acne problems.

But although it may sound like a contradiction I believe that you shouldn’t be using a moisturizer with sunscreen. If it’s so important to avoid sunburn surely a moisturizer with sunscreen is a great idea? No. Because you should be using your moisturizer 365 days a year. And many believe that sunscreens can cause cancer, so you don’t want to be putting a sunscreen on 365 days a year when it may be suspect and you don’t need it.

So one of the most important things that you can do when looking to find the best facial moisturizer is to look at the ingredients. There are many skin care products that can contain some extremely nasty ingredients that can actually cause skin reactions and allergies.

So choosing the wrong facial moisturizer can in fact do more damage to your skin than good.

So now I’ve talked some about moisturizers and moisturizer ingredients, one of the most important things to consider. But which is the best facial moisturizer taking all this into account?

Personally I believe that the best facial moisturizer is in fact a range of natural anti aging skin care products from a small niche skin care products company that, chances are, you’ve never heard of.

This small company makes a range of skin care products and anti aging products and they are targeted to overall skin health. Because moisturizing is only a small part of good skin care and skin health. They don’t actually make a moisturizer because their products moisturize better than any others, and do way more.

They don’t use mineral oil or a sunscreen for the reasons I’ve already talked about and they add ingredients to their skin care products that moisturize extremely well.

Jojoba Oil is an example of an ingredients that moisturizes extremely well and is non allergenic and works for all skin types. It is absorbed into the skin and helps protect the skin cells from moisture loss, and makes the skin more supple.

These types of natural skin care ingredients are beneficial for every skin type, so there are no products for different skin types.

Another essential ingredient in the best facial moisturizers is Vitamin B5, which moisturizes and also helps provide some natural protection against sun damage. It also helps repair skin tissue.

Or sorbitol, which can be found in grapes and berries and seaweeds and others, and helps the skin retain it’s moisture as well. And Capuacu oil from the seeds of the Capuacu tree which helps the skin retain moisture and smooths the skin.

There’s more, but I hope you get the idea. There are natural skin care products that work extremely well for overall skin health, but which also contain ingredients that moisturize extremely successfully as a part of a complete skin health routine.

And surprisingly at a more reasonable price than some. So even though it may come as a surprise the best facial moisturizer isn’t a moisturizer, it is in fact natural skin care products that work very well as a moisturizer, but do way more than moisturize. For all skin types.

Find out more about on my website.

Ionic Foot Detox Systems are used to rid the body of toxins accumulated by the consumption of unhealthy foods or drinks, breathing unhealthy air, taking drugs or being exposed to harmful chemicals. You will often find them in day spas, beauty salons, and chiropractic offices. Ionic Foot Detox works by generating negative ions, which will travel throughout a person’s body collecting positively charged toxic elements. The person who is undergoing treatment places their feet into water that holds an ionizer (array) which is connected to a control unit. The array then ionizes the water, splitting it into H+ and OH- ions (and sometimes into H3O+ and H2O2 ions.) These ions enter the body through the feet, where the circulatory and lymphatic systems transport them throughout the entire body. These ions attach themselves to oppositely charged toxins, neutralizing them so they can be excreted from the body. During the process all of the body’s organs are energized and stimulated, helping them to function optimally. Once this neutralization takes place, the toxins them are sent to different systems of the body so they can be excreted naturally through perspiration, urination and defecation.

In order to optimize the efficiency of an Ionic Detox program, it is important for a user to follow the specific regimen that has been assigned to them. It is possible to cause complications by setting detox sessions too close together, while setting sessions too far apart has been found to reduce the effectiveness of program. In order to negative side effects that are caused by overusing the machine, a common set of rules can be found throughout the industry. It is recommended that the average healthy adult undergo two 30 minute sessions per week for a period of five weeks. Following the 10 sessions, a maintenance program should be followed. This program consists of one session every 7-10 days. It is recommended that the average healthy 13-17 year old should undergo one 15-20 minute session per week over the course of 10 weeks. Following the 10 sessions, a maintenance program of 1 session every 14 days is recommended. For healthy 10-12 year old children, detox sessions should be between 10-15 minutes. Ionic detox is not recommended for children less than 10 years old. While on a detox program the user should not eat or drink anything during a session, as it can throw off the unit’s ability to properly cleanse their system.

These steps are recommended for most people in most situations. However, there are circumstances that may alter these guidelines. It can be beneficial to seek a professional opinion, as some conditions may call for changes that should be made to a specific detox program. Some Ionic Detox Systems can be customized to alter treatment durations and target different elements in the body. With a more dynamic unit comes the ability to custom tailor a detox program to achieve different health objectives. For example, those recovering from illness and/or surgery may prefer more frequent maintenance treatments to aid in recovery. Those who may be suffering from joint stiffness may want to set up their therapy to focus on targeting the areas of the body with the most pain. It is important to consult a health practitioner or other professional before a program has started. With sound advice the user will be able to maximize the effect of ionic detox.

Once an ionic detox program has been customized for the user, they may be able to maximize the effectiveness by adding nutritional supplements to their diet. Depending on the user’s condition, there may be specific nutrients that will aid the body in releasing toxins. If the goal is to bring the body back to optimal health, a user should never undergo ionic detox without four specific nutrients:

WATER: It is important to drink 5-7 glasses of pure water daily. Be sure to test the water you are using. The body needs water with a pH of 9.0-10.0 because it helps counteract acids ingested by food and produced in the body.

HEALTHY FOOD: Eat plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits (limit sweet fruits, wash thoroughly) and grains.

FIBER: During an ionic detox protocol, it is important to consume enough fiber, both soluble and insoluble. This rejuvenates the colon and accelerates the elimination of toxins from the body. It is very important for boosting immunity. The best sources of fiber are whole foods (fruits, vegetables and grains). Because it is not always possible to get enough fiber this way, one can take a scoop of fiber supplement 15 minutes before breakfast and dinner with a large glass of water.

MINERALS: Studies have found that Ionic Detoxing removes many trace minerals that are vital to maintaining optimal health. Therefore, it is important to always take a highly assimilable mineral supplement.

It is recommended that these four nutrients are taken when undergoing Ionic Detox treatments.

PROBIOTIC: Probiotics are composed of live microorganisms that are beneficial to the user by enhancing the body’s existing gut flora which live in the digestive tract. Probiotics can improve the function of the immune system and colon, thus aiding the body’s ability to fight toxins and increase the absorption of nutrients. Take probiotics three times per day, preferably a 100% plant based broad spectrum formula that includes a higher lactobacillus strain.

DIGESTIVE ENZYMES: Digestive enzymes are energized protein molecules essential for the digestion of food, brain stimulation, cell, tissue and organ repair and generating cellular energy. These enzymes are secreted along the gastrointestinal tract and break down food in the body so that nutrients can be absorbed properly. Digestive enzymes are also present in the food we eat but they are inactivated when cooked. They are turned off at a dry-heat temperature of 150F (65C) and a wet temperature of 118F (48C). If our bodies rely too much on their own digestive enzymes, the result is more stress placed on our systems and organs. This leaves less time and energy for other jobs such as rebuilding and replacing damaged cells and tissues and keeping the immune system strong. When one eats plenty of raw foods and takes a high quality whole food enzyme supplement during meals, this can help avoid depletion of the body’s own enzymes, thereby reducing stress. When one is eating enough whole green foods or taking green food supplements, dosages of enzymes may be reduced.

FISH OIL: Omega-3 fish oil is an important part of an ionic detox program because it helps the body to balance at a healthy lipid level, helps with cardiovascular health, boosts immunity and has numerous other health benefits. Unless the fish oil is pharmaceutical grade and molecularly distilled, it is likely to contain high levels of hazardous contaminants. We recommend taking 2 soft gels of omega 3 fish oil with breakfast and dinner (depending on tolerance) during the ionic detox protocol.

GREENS: Take a vegetarian whole food greens formula. This will provide primary support for the boday.

Many people have heard of the acai berry, but not many are educated on the topic and very few people are aware of the uses of the berry or its benefits. So what is the acai berry? The berry itself comes from the acai palm tree which originates from Central and South America. It can be closely compared to the blueberry but offers a wider range of health benefits.

There is a wide variety of substances that can be found in the acai berry that provide it with its natural benefits. Flavonoids and anthocyanins are the two most prominent substances within the berry that use the power of antioxidants to provide health benefits. These benefits include disease prevention and detoxification just to name a few.

Antioxidants alone have the ability to empower the body to fight of a number of diseases, symptoms and provide a healthier way of living overall. The acai berry uses these antioxidants to rid your body of stress and provide it with the strength it needs to ward of negative symptoms and infectious viruses over the short and long term.

Aside from the internal health benefits of the acai berry, it is being proven that it can also help stimulate weight loss. The substances found within the berry can speed up a person’s metabolism and improve digestion. Many new weight loss products are starting to take advantage of the power evident within the acai berry.

With cosmetic companies continuously looking for ways to improve or create new products, the acai berry has quickly come to the forefront. Many companies are replacing outdated ingredients with the acai berry to provide a healthier, more natural alternative to previously used tropical oils.

The acai berry oil has the ability to absorb and maintain its rich antioxident content over a very long period of time. It provides a much healthier and natural alternative to some of the other tropical oils that are evident in all kinds of products today.

Another important benefit and reason to introduce the acai berry to one’s life is its complete lack of side effects. Unlike many other products and fruits that can cause side effects due to an abundance of use, there are no evident side effects linked with acai berry. The berry can be used in a number of ways as much as one feels necessary.

More often than not people will identify themselves by their body. With labels of tall, short, thin, muscular, curvy, healthy, and unhealthy and the like, there are actually very few who are able to step outside of these ‘traditional’ definitions we have adopted so readily. Our flesh holds a blessed vehicle for us to carry with us our personal joys and troubles, our victories and our challenges.

Why not take supreme and ultimate care of the wonderful vehicle your body actually is, instead of defining it, allowing that definition of tall or short, thin or curvy, to completely rule how you ultimately decide to treat your body?

We are going to use a common metaphor to relate to the human body. We will use a car as an example. They both happen to be vehicles which can last quite a long time if properly looked after and cared for. It makes no matter what style or model your car is, as long as it gets you from point A to point B. The same will apply to your body, as long as you take care of it.

How Do You Treat Your Car And How Do You Treat Your Body?

Often our cars receive better treatment than we do our very own bodies. From premium gas (no matter how much more expensive it is) to the scheduled cleaning on a regular basis, our automobiles are living the good life so to speak. Meanwhile, we are filling our bodies with junk food lacking in nutritional value, as well as not taking the time or money for basic care for our body and soul.

When our body gives us nudges such as pings and knocks and other loud, unavoidable signals when something is required, we tend to ignore it. However, the slightest sniffle or shimmy coming from underneath the hood of the car sends us immediately to our mechanic for diagnosis and treatment.

You might be thinking ‘but it’s dangerous to ignore these sounds from your car.” This is true, squeaking brakes or a grinding noise from the rear axel could cause an accident. However, the sounds and signals your body gives you are just as dangerous. We’ve all heard the horror stories about a friend or family member who ignored the signs and then it was too late.

Instead of continuing to follow this path, appreciate whatever shape, form and situation your body is in. It has taken you where you have needed to go, and so far hasn’t let you down. Embrace your healthy whole body as of right now, because while you are much more than your body itself, you just can’t exist and experience life without it.

Some Questions to Consider:

Your car will be unable to run or take you where you want to go without putting in the right grade of fuel. Are you running on empty? Using the best fuel? If you’re not, begin today to make small changes. Drink more water, replace empty calories with nutrients. Feed your body well and it’ll take you far.

Are you paying attention to the check engine light blinking on your dashboard? We’re talking about self care here, are you setting time aside for yourself, getting regular checkups, and striving for some kind of balance. You don’t have to schedule a weekly massage or a thousand dollar spa spending spree, if you can of course go for it. However, you can take a walk, take a candle lit bubble bath, spend time playing board games with your friends and family - there are a lot of ways to step back and enjoy your life, find balance, and take care of the signals your body is sending you.

It makes sense to take care of yourself in all the ways that you know how and are able to. You can wait until your car breaks down to get it repaired or you can choose regular maintenance, following up right away when you notice a rattle, a chug in the engine, wiper blades that don’t clear the windshield, any malfunction.

Finally, when the tread gets thin on your tires, you replace them right? What about when your tread gets thin? We all need to take time to evaluate our lives, where we are and where we’re going. Our needs change over time and if we ignore these changing needs we ignore who we are - not a good thing for our health or our happiness.

The next time you’re at the gas pumps or washing the car, take a step back and remember if it wasn’t for the divine vehicle you take residence in - your own body, you wouldn’t be able to do any of these things. Make sure you take care of it; it’s the only one you’ll ever get.

When setting goals and desiring certain changes in your life you may find it easier said than actually achieving those goals, or making the changes happen. The right attitude, determination and some tools for the job make this an easier accomplishment. One very powerful tool is daily affirmations when making changes in your life. By instilling daily affirmations, those changes will provide you with a more positive and empowering experience.

What is an Affirmation?

In many ways an affirmation is the opposite of a complaint. An example of this could be a complaint of, “I’m always so tired.” The opposite, the affirmation could be, “I’m full of energy, awake, and alive.”

The goals we have and the changes we desire are represented by affirmations. It’s important to state them positively and in the present tense. There are no rules to follow concerning the appropriateness of any affirmation; it could be material, spiritual or a combination of both types.

Some of us have the simple desire to be happy. While we want to embrace well-being, we realize how elusive it may be. Being tested by our day to day difficulties and challenges, not to mention our habits which have become deeply instilled within us, it is possible to achieve the opposite result instead. The path we follow to reach our goal of general happiness and well-being can be approached with ease when daily affirmations become part of our journey. You will find here a few affirmations extracted from the Ernest Holmes book, The Science of Mind, originally published in 1926. .

- I am happy and complete today and forever. Within me is that which is Perfect and Complete. It is The Spirit of all Life, Truth, and Action. I am happy in the sure knowledge of the Inner Light. I cannot be sad nor sorry, but must radiate Joy and Life, For Life is within me now. I am happy and complete.

- Perfection is already accomplished. I do not have to wait for the Perfect Life. I am that Perfect Life here and now. Today I express the Limitless Life of the All Good. Today I manifest my Completion in every part of me. Today I am saved. Here and now I am healed.

Affirmations don’t have to be longwinded paragraphs, they can be simple sentences designed to inspire and uplift. For example,

- I am entirely happy in mind, spirit and body.

- I am radiant, happy and healthy.

- I am a being of radiance filled with light and love.

- I accept and love myself just as I am.

- I now express love to all those I meet.

Creating Personal Affirmations

What exactly do you want from life? Needless to say, this might be difficult to fathom for many people. Should this be your personal situation, simply ask yourself what it is you don’t want, followed by the opposite of this to create your personal affirmation. It will sound something like, “I don’t want to be affected by stress when at the workplace.” The affirmation will become, “I feel at peace at all times no matter the circumstances around me, or what challenges I face. I know God will provide for my every need.”

Be sure to phrase your affirmations positively and in the present tense. Once you have your affirmation or affirmations, post them somewhere you will see them often. Suggestions include your bathroom mirror, your laptop or planner, or your journal. Repeat your affirmations at least three times a day and certainly when you’re feeling particularly challenged. Eventually you’ll have your affirmations memorized and repeating them will become second nature.

Daily affirmations designed to embrace and bring about a sense of well being and happiness is a terrific way to initiate the affirmation process. Once you have the ball rolling, consider tracking your affirmations and the changes in your life as a result. This will help you embrace the practice and to evaluate what other areas of your life might benefit from daily affirmations.

It’s a common occurrence for us to use our body in order to identify ourselves. We use labels such as tall, short, thin, muscular, curvy, healthy, and unhealthy and so on. There are very few people who are able to take that step outside of a particular definition and consider our body as what it is in reality - a blessed vehicle carrying us through times of joy, troubles, victory and challenges.

Rather than define it and let that definition rule how you treat your body, because really you are much more than tall or short, thin or curvy, why not take supreme care of it. Why not treat it as the wonderful vehicle it is?

There is a common metaphor often used when discussing the human body and it just happens to be a car. Both being vehicles we depend on to get us where we need to go, properly taken care of they can both be counted on and reliable in their own way.

How Do You Care For Your Car And How Do You Care For Your Body?

Often our cars receive better treatment than we do our very own bodies. From premium gas (no matter how much more expensive it is) to the scheduled cleaning on a regular basis, our automobiles are living the good life so to speak. Meanwhile, we are filling our bodies with junk food lacking in nutritional value, as well as not taking the time or money for basic care for our body and soul.

When our body gives us nudges such as pings and knocks and other loud, unavoidable signals when something is required, we tend to ignore it. However, the slightest sniffle or shimmy coming from underneath the hood of the car sends us immediately to our mechanic for diagnosis and treatment.

“But it’s dangerous to ignore these sounds from your car.” This is in fact true, squealing brakes and grinding noises from the rear end of your car could cause an accident. The sounds and signals from your body are just as important to pay attention to.

Instead of continuing to follow this path, appreciate whatever shape, form and situation your body is in. It has taken you where you have needed to go, and so far hasn’t let you down. Embrace your healthy whole body as of right now, because while you are much more than your body itself, you just can’t exist and experience life without it.

Some Questions to Consider:

Your car may start to spat and sputter, becoming unable to run or take you where you need to go if you don’t use the right grade of fuel. Are you using the best fuel possible? Drinking more water and replacing those empty calories with appropriate nutrients will feed your body properly so your body will take you far.

Are you noticing the check engine light shining at you from the dashboard? This is self care we are talking about here. It doesn’t have to be massages twice a week or expensive spa weekends four times a year, but if you can afford it, by all means, enjoy! If this isn’t a possibility, go for a walk, enjoy a bubble bath in candle light, schedule a family game night - there are many fantastic ways to take a step back to enjoy your life, find a balance and take care of the signals your body is shouting at you to be recognized.

Taking care of yourself in any possible way you can just makes sense. You know you can do it now and schedule regular maintenance instead of waiting until the car breaks down completely and needs more repairs. Follow up right away when you hear that first sign of a rattle, a skip in the transmission when you change gears, or the wipers only clear the bottom half of the windshield.

Last but not least, when you find the tread wearing thin on your tires, you replace them right? Each of us needs to take time out to evaluate the steady running of our lives, where we are and where we want to be. It’s normal for our needs change over time and ignoring these changing needs results in us ignoring who we really are - and this is not good for our health or our happiness.

So remember, the next time you stop for gas or wash your car, take a moment to step back and think how you wouldn’t be able to complete any of these tasks without the divine vehicle you live in - your body. Take care of it, pamper it; it’s the only one you’re going to get.