THE MISSING LINK….HEALTH, HOPE, & HAPPINESS

                                    “More fun than Sweating and Spinach”

 

“Medical Science does not know how to quantify the healing effects of joy.” Nelsa Ciaponni, MD

 

Dusty had a double mastectomy 5 years ago, but the cancer had returned. She had lots of unsuccessful chemo, and her future looked

bleak. Doctors recommended a drug trial, but she knew that it would mean that she would not be able to have quality time with her daughter in the last summer before she left for college.

So Dusty made a radical decision. She stopped the chemo and decided to pack as much good times into that summer as she could. She joined hundreds of other women riding their motorcycles across the county to raise awareness and money for breast cancer. And she soaked up lots of her daughter’s company.  When the summer was over, she went in for a medical check up.  She was found to be CANCER FREE!

 

When I read this story in Tamela Rich’s book “Full Throttle,”“ I was thrilled for Dusty, but not surprised. Tamela too reclaimed her life by reconnecting with her own joy. There are many stories like these, but we sometimes think they only happen to someone else or are a fluke.

The quote from Dr. Ciaponni really said it all. What if there is much more to the healing effects of joy than we have been led to believe?

Daily we are bombarded with huge amounts of ever changing information about how to “fix” our bodies, most of which are of the “no gain, no pain”  mentality. Ugh – no wonder we don’t follow that advice.  We don’t hear very much about changing our emotions in order to change our health.

What happened to body, mind, and spirit? Somehow we have lost being whole humans and are only seen as parts.

Some years ago in England, a group launched a “Happiness Project “ in an effort to help reduce and prevent illness. Participants who enrolled in the project were subjected to thorough scientific tests to measure the results. They found that being happier actually changes your brain for the better in many powerful ways. Wow!

And since my brain can use all the help I can give it, I have nothing to lose and my mind to gain, or gain back, by being happier.

At Harvard, the most poplar course in the whole school is on the psychology of happiness. (And you thought going to Harvard was just  about how to be president!). The instructor, Dr.Tal Ben-Sharar,  wrote a book called “Happier,”  about what he had learned from the class. Now I’m not smart enough to get into Harvard, but I’m smart enough to learn from them, and you are too

What a radical idea   …being happier really makes us healthier and it is much more fun that sweating and spinach!

The more I learn about the connection between happiness and health, the more excited I am to find out more.  I’m not saying that I know a lot yet, but it makes so much sense to me that I am very excited to share what I have found out.  After all, we know a lot about how unhappy emotions can make us feel bad – why not learn more about what we can do easily to have more positive emotions?  And besides, being a very bossy woman, I like having more control over my health and my life.  Maybe you can relate?

The Health, Hope, & Happiness workshops coming up will provide a place to learn more about this mind/body connection and will be fun at the same time. What’s not to like?

As for my personal journey, I’m realizing that just adding a“Daily Dose of Delight” is becoming as important as taking my vitamins.

It is something to look forward to, and it’s free.

 

And when someone asks me what I‘m doing, I will just say,

 “I’m taking my medication,” and then I will laugh out loud!

 

 

 

The Gift of Fog Woman

In August, I took an amazing trip on a ferry up the coast of Alaska. We stopped at some of the small towns along the way and I became fascinated with the tradition of totem poles. They are stunningly beautiful but also tell stories about culture.

I learned about a totem named for
Fog Woman, a mythical woman who ushers in salmon with the fog to feed her people and keep them safe.

I decided that I wanted to find a small replica of the Fog Woman totem  to take back with me as a special symbol. I found a small hand carved totem and now it sits now on my desk. Little did I know how powerful that would soon be for me!

Tired and a little down when I returned, I figured this is to be expected after such a trip. When my fatigue and low mood did not change after a couple of weeks, I became concerned. I also felt like I was really wandering around in the proverbial “fog “.
(So o.k., maybe I am usually like that but this was a lot, even for me!)

As I explored the roots of this feeling, I realized I felt like a salmon swimming upstream, and it was very tiring.  I wrote it off to September being a busy time for me and kept going. Eventually, I had a routine physical exam which showed nothing wrong. Yet, my inner self whispered a different message.

Finally paying attention to the inner voice, I consulted a wonderful holistic practitioner who said, “Your mind, heart and spirit are so strong that you don’t realize that your body cannot always keep up.” As soon as she said this, I knew it was true and was exactly what I had needed to hear. I had been getting these messages but didn’t want to hear them. At some level it was a relief because she confirmed what my body had been telling me. Now  I was ready to listen.

I remembered that about 3 years ago I felt I wanted to to slow down a bit and play more. But when the recession and the accompanying fear hit, I ramped back up and just kept pushing.  Clearly now my body was saying that I need to go back to my original plan and re-prioritize how to spend my energy.

Amazing that a small wooden image had the perfect message for me! Fog Woman showed that the gifts of abundance can come out of a fog.  I don’t need to always “push the river” and be afraid that I won’t have what I need. Wonderful things come to me when I relax and operate not out of fear and scarcity but out of peace and reflection. Look what gifts I was given from this trip.

And yes, I am a little less “foggy” now …back to my normal level anyway and am feeling much renewed and restored.
Who knew a vacation could do so much…I think I’ll plan another one soon.

SHIFT Drumming Circle

A group for Women who desire a shift from the routine of everyday life and move towards experiencing the ancient heartbeat of the Earth using drums, rattles, dance, song and heart to heart conversation.

A sacred place to rediscover women’s spirituality and wisdom using rhythm.

No Experience Necessary!

Love Offering Accepted.

UPCOMING DATES: MAY 14TH & JUNE 25

7:00-9:00 pm

Contact me for location.

For 2 years I have hosted a free drumming circle in the summer. This circle is facilitated by Belinda Haverdill, http://www.belindahaverdill.com/ a counselor & a member of Soulo entrepreneur’s group. She wanted to have the drumming be outside and I volunteered my back porch. I’ve enjoyed it a lot & met some great women.

I really appreciate having Belinda organize it and I just get to be a participant; a welcome change of pace for me.

I’m really not a drummer but I like to make noise so I have lots of rattles and other toys to play with. I find it a great way to release stress and have some fun.

Easy Ways to Help Yourself During Sneezin’ Season

My  series on “Whole Health” continues with this guest post by Nelsa Ciapponi, MD, ABIHM.

Dr. Ciapponi is board certified in Family Practice, and has studied Integrative and Holistic medicine. She is a graduate of Duke and Medical College of Pennsylvania She was with CMC in Family Medicine for 8 years.

Natural Remedies for Cold and Flu Season

People often ask me, “What are some natural therapies for cold and flu?”  Home remedies and natural products have long been used to treat and prevent Upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) and Influenza-like illness (ILI). Symptoms usually wane after 3-5 days, but is there evidence for some of the more common remedies?  What about effectiveness and safety?  We’ll address some of these issues here.

Home Remedies

Home remedies range form diet, dressing warm, vaporizers, poultices and Neti pots. Adding garlic to the diet can be beneficial due to its anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties (it has been called Russian Penicillin), and warm liquids/soups can help prevent dehydration and soothe irritated throats.

The Neti Pot (small vessels with long narrow spouts) has long been used in India to rinse the nasal passages with warm saline (salt) water. This can be a safe and helpful way to wash viruses, allergens and mucus out of the nose especially in cases of dry, irritated nasal passages or during an upper respiratory illness.

Sleep deprivation is associated with disruptions of the immune function and this should be a time of rest and repair for the body.  So, the old adage, “Get plenty of sleep” is valid. While there is not data to suggest that excessive amounts of sleep, it appears prudent to avoid sleep deficits and increase sleep time during illnesess.

Vitamins and Minerals

The most common of these supplements are Vitamins C and D, and Zinc.  Vitamin C is the most common vitamin associated with warding off viral respiratory infections. Studies show mixed results, but a number do show a decrease in duration of symptoms when used preventively (200mg or more a day).

Side effects of vitamin C (in large daily doses exceeding 3 to 6 grams) include diarrhea and upset stomach. Otherwise, the side-effect profile of vitamin C is similar to placebo. Many experts recommend 1000-2000 mg two to three times a day when symptoms begin as it does help support the immune system through increased white blood cell activity.

Vitamin D

In addition to its well-known effects on bone health, vitamin D is an important immune regulator, stimulating the body’s own immunity.  Studies have shown an increased risk for severe acute lower respiratory illness in people with low vitamin D levels, as well as, an increase risk for influenza.  I recommend getting tested to insure an optimum level of 25-hydroxy vitamin D is at least 50 nanograms/ml (32 being low normal).

Zinc

The essential mineral, zinc, plays an important role in immune function.  Zinc is a component of many enzymes.  The activity of virtually all immune cells is affected by zinc. Its deficiency leads to an increased susceptibly to infection and is associated with an increased incidence and severity of pneumonia

Studies of the effectiveness of zinc supplements in preventing have had mixed results. It appears the benefits of zinc supplementation were most apparent among those who began taking zinc shortly after symptoms began.  In a recent placebo-controlled trial, the adults assigned to zinc lozenges (13.3 mg of zinc acetate every 2-3 hours) showed significant improvement in symptom severity and duration without significant side-effects It’s important to note that nasal swabs and nasal sprays that contain zinc can lead to loss of smell and should be avoided until further studies demonstrate safety.

These are some easy and inexpensive ways to aid you to better health.

Dr. Nelsa Ciapponi , MD, ABIHM,  is committed to advocate for preventive and integrative medicine Dr. Ciapponi has practiced family medicine for 19 years with a special interest in preventive and holistic medicine. Her practice, Optimal Health Care, (www.optimalhealthmed.com) combines traditional medicine with complementary and alternative medicine.

Transitions…Endings & Beginnings

ENDINGS, BEGINNINGS & THE SOMETIMES DARK HALLWAYS IN-BETWEN

This month we celebrate Black History month and next month, Women’s History month. So I have been thinking about my own history as an entrepreneur and woman in transition and what it means to me.

I notice that I want to “re-live” the successes of the past and hold on to them as a guide for the future. And even though I know that the times are very different now, I find it challenging to change my thinking about my history and look at the new world I am in.

I want it RIGHT NOW.

Sometimes, what once “was” gets in the way of being in the present. Having to change so quickly is upsetting and I want what was secure. I like beginnings but am not so sure about endings. And I really don’t like the dark hallways in between,

I want things to change and change for the better RIGHT NOW.

The Grief of Endings.

Recently one of my clients brought this type of experience to my attention as she cried over having to close part of her previously successful business. She said she kept thinking of how it used to be and was angry and sad that it is gone and said she could not imagine having to starting again.

I realized that she is going thru a grief process where anger and depression are normal stages and that until that is complete, she cannot move on.

We think of grief as only appropriate when a person dying but when part of our work or any other part of our life ends, it is a great loss …not only the money but the dreams, the security, the sense of safety and the identity.

But in order to have beginnings, we have to have endings so I suggested that she create a ceremony to release her business.She could then honor the tangible as well as the intangibles that her business gave her .It had given her much and it deserved an honoring at the end.

Rituals help us let go

Rituals and ceremony can be very powerful in creating appropriate endings…giving us a way to respect our history and mark an ending while celebrating what was.

She did create a ceremony where she burned some business cards, and other  symbols, buried the ashes and then planted flowers there. And yes, she cried but it was cleansing. She said that it was a major step in releasing and going forward. Although grief is a long-term process, she created an ending so she can have a beginning…and her action moved her of out the dark hallway.

Most of us need to do the same in some place in our lives.

And as more of us have to change our work & our lives, it is important and freeing to release the old ways with gratitude and yes, some tears.

In honoring our history, we can appreciate it without it weighing us down.

So if your work or your life has “transitioned”, bless what it gave you and set yourself free to create a new path.

ITS A DOG’S LIFE

I’ve been so fortunate that for most of my life I have had dogs. I have learned a lot from them.

But recently an experience with a dog taught me a lot about health….which

reminds me once again that there are gifts in everything.

Often I take my two rescue mutts to a large field where they can run off leash and meet other dogs. A few weeks before I had chatted with a young woman named Cindy & met her year-old Boxer “Max.” Cindy was a first time dog owner & was excited about having a dog. We talked about dog behavior and I told her of some of my “dog learning” experiences.

A few weeks later I was at the field and saw Cindy and a guy I assumed was her boyfriend as they were very involved with each other. However they were not very involved with Max.

Max was running around and getting further away from them. Cindy would occasionally pull her attention away from her boyfriend and call Max to “come.” When Max did not come, her calls became increasingly shrill.

She eventually came in my direction so I took the opportunity to offer her a dog treat to entice Max with, explaining that was a way I had taught my dogs to come. Cindy told me emphatically that Max didn’t deserve a treat, as he was being “bad.”

Finally Max did come to her and she began to hit him and tell him he was a bad dog. I was very upset to see this and felt I needed to intervene. I said that I knew she was frustrated but he would not want to come if he was punished when he did come. Of course she didn’t pay any attention to me and hauled Max away.

With a very heavy heart, I saw that the relationship between Cindy and Max was headed for trouble and possible abuse. And probably the pound for Max.

Later that day I was reminded of the relationship between Cindy and Max when I saw an article about exercise were the emphasis was on the ”No Pain, No gain” school of health.

It occurred to me that many of us have the same type of relationship to our bodies that I saw between Cindy to Max.

That is, we ignore our bodies until they don’t perform like we think they should and then we punish them and tell them they are “bad.” We treat our bodies like they need to be punished with brutal exercise and deprivation diets. We don’t take the time to learn much about what they need and we don’t pay attention to the “messages” we get about what makes our bodies feel good. So it is no surprise that our relationship to our bodies is one of frustration and confusion.

So I am going to suggest that we adopt a new view of health

starting with the motto:

“Your Body is Your Best Friend”

And the remembering these simple D.O.G ideas:

D= don’t rely on fad diets or quick fixes,

good relationships take time & care.

Do “check in” regularly to see where

your body is and where it is going.

O= Own that your body is unique and will

willingly tell you what makes it thrive.

Do you need more sleep than is?

“average”? Do you like walks more

than treadmills?

Find out what works for YOU, not

what “experts tell you

G= Give your body the care and respect

it deserves.Walks, lots of play,

good food and loving attention

make dogs and bodies thrive.

Treat your body as well as you would

your Best Friend…because it

really is.

Be the person your dog thinks you are!