Susan’s Super Suggestions for Small Steps

“Small steps make grand adventures!”

~        Winnie the Pooh

Today we have the incredible advantage of having the amazing knowledge of traditional “western” medical science and the also amazing knowledge of other wellness traditions to learn from.
Each one has much to offer and  to enable us to be more healthy & more productive lives.
Sometimes the “holistic or alternative ” therapies are seem as strange and unproven…but really, many of them have been around for thousands of years & have keep people well long before ” modern medicine.”

So as we open up to a multi-cultural world, we can also open up to a “multi- medical ” world.
So glad you are on this journey with me!

Welcome Guest Writers  for Whole Health Series

Over the next few weeks I have the pleasure of bringing you guest columnists who have the best of both wellness worlds. They are great examples of learning and using a “both sides of the brain” approach.

Today’s columnist is Susan Thomasson,who has an extensive background in both traditional medicine as well as complementary therapies.

SUSAN’S SUPER SUGGESTIONS FOR SMALL STEPS

When Jeannie asked me to write for this blog, I didn’t have any idea where to start. My personal and professional interests are all over the map.  I do, however, have a passion for sharing the possibilities of integrative medicine (complementary therapies) as an approach to health and wellness. So let’s start there.

Some Girls Buy Shoes…

Do you enjoy learning new techniques, exploring ideas, searching for answers? I have always loved to learn new things…have been back to school a few times over the years, enjoy continuing education classes, and love reading, reading and more reading to figure things out for myself. (Some girls buy shoes—I buy books!) My recent reading has included Dean Ornish’s Love and Survival, Lynn McTaggart’s The Intention Experiment, and Crowley and Lodge’s Younger Next Year. All three are amazing…and lead me more and more in the direction of “we have a lot more control over our health and well-being that we may even begin to imagine!”

What you can control…

What do you want for the New Year? What do you want to have control over or change in this new decade? Have your considered a holistic approach? I use an integrative approach and find that many of these ideas can address many issues. For instance, a monthly massage therapy or Reiki session will help decrease the effects of stress, improve your circulation, decrease tense muscles, relieve pain, and improve sleep. Or a weekly yoga class can help you focus while helping improve flexibility and strength…..Or regular prayer or meditation practices can help you feel calm and less stressed ….Or volunteering at your favorite charitable organization can help you feel connected and whole….Even sitting down to dinner with your family can provide many healthy benefits…and a sense of belonging.

Take some time for you & your health.

The main idea here is just to take time for you.  Honor and nurture the wonderful person that you are. Work to take care of your WHOLE being, mind-body-spirit!  I’m trying…so you can, too! Happy New Year!

…………………..And enjoy the journey.

Susan is a Board Certified Medical Laboratory Scientist & Instructor at Carolinas College of Health Sciences.  In addition, Susan is Director of Continuing Education there and has created an innovative seminar on “Integrative Medicine” to introduce CMC students & the public to that information.(for more info on this seminar, email Susan at the address below). I have been honored to be a part of that for several years.  She is also a licensed massage therapist & Reiki master.

• Susan B. Thomasson, M.Ed., MT(ASCP)SH, LMBT

Director, Continuing Education Department

Carolinas College of Health Sciences

Email: susan.thomasson@carolinashealthcare.org