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
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!
Holiday Tips to Save Time, Money & Sanity
Holiday Gifts can be challenging but all of these are easily “doable” & take little Time & Money.
1.Use an “assembly line” to create ready-to-use dry mixes (think: cookies, multi-bean soups, or muffins) and package in attractive containers from art or dollar stores. These are great time savers and easy to create.
2. Plant paperwhite narcissus bulbs in pebbles in pots, water weekly and put in window. They will bloom in Jan. and be a fragrant gift during the winter.( I do this every year for clients, neighbors etc. and they tell me they appreciate them).
3. Make “Gifts Certificates” for your time/expertise. Here are some possibilities:
• Certificate for a favorite/special dish
• Certicate for some hours of “ grunt work” …cleaning garage,painting,raking leaves,etc.
• Certificate for helping with a project that could use your painting, sewing, organizing skills
4. A “PASS” coupon for your kids for chores that kids are usually do; lets them “opt out “ of chore when they use their coupon.
5. “Happy New Year” gifts given in January gifts may more noticed and appreciated and a good way to reconnect after the rush of the holidays.
6. For business customers, give a percentage “off” on your client’s bill or order with a thank you holiday note. Many will appreciate money more than a present.
7.Give a donation in the clients name to a favorite charity, especially if you know of your client’s interests. Often a magazine/newsletter also will be sent & your client is reminded of you all year.
8. Consider a donation where client can “adopt” an animal or land. Rescue/rehab groups or environmental organizations will often send client a picture or certificate and progress reports.
9.Give yourself a present. You deserve it!
SOS Tip: It Really Does Take a Village to Raise A Business..
It Really Does Take a Village to Raise A Business… or Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is!
Recently I found out from my favorite bookstore, Park Rd Books, about the wonderful 3/50 project that encourages people to buy & support local businesses.This is such an important idea because these businesses contribute so much to our own businesses,our local economy and our sense of community. We really do like to do business with people we know and trust.And personally,I liked to be called by my name and greeted like a good customer,not an account number.We all want to be known & valued.Social media is great but nothing takes the place of a person who is happy to see you and wants to help you. So check out this month’s tips to find out how you get known and appreciated in your “village.”.. You will never get that from a chain store. To find out more at the 3/50 website.
The idea of 3/50 is that if 3 people spend $50.00 a month locally it would generate over $42.6 BILLION annually….which would be spent locally…like in your business. For every $100.00 spent in an independently owned business, $68.00 comes back to us. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43.00 comes back & if you spend it on line, your community & your business gets ZERO!
- Pick 3 locally owned independent businesses that you value and stop in & say Hello.Buy something that makes you smile.
- Find time to talk the owner of a local business about their business and yours. You may be able to support each other and may have also made a friend…and they will be sure to remember you next time you come in.
- If you need a product or service but can’t find it locally,ask the local owner if they can recommend someone.Chances are they will give you a good recommendation and will say “Tell them I sent you “; always a great way to get good service.
- Subscribe to your neighborhood association’s newsletter. Often you can advertise inexpensively there and can also find businesses in your community to meet your needs.
- Attend local events & be a sponsor or donate a service.People putting these together as well as attendees will remember you & your generosity.
- If you already have some favorite local businesses, stop by and thank them or send them a referral.They will remember!
