Posted on

Anxiety Coping Strategies: Manage Your Anxiety

Ways to Manage Your Anxiety

Work stress, relationship problems or sleeping issues- we all deal with so much in our day-to-day lives that can cause us anxiety. But it’s normal to feel anxious from time to time. However, it’s when our anxieties become relentless and overwhelming that we need to take positive action, and learn how to make ourselves feel better. When anxiety rears its ugly head, there are natural, lifestyle techniques called anxiety coping strategies that you can learn to use to control and minimize these attacks from happening.

Here are anxiety coping strategies to help you deal with your anxiety:

Physical Activity

Of all the most popular anxiety coping strategies we hear about, exercise is the most common. When you exercise, there are so many benefits that go beyond shedding a few pounds. Not only does it change the chemistry in your brain by releasing calming-neurotransmitters, but it also boosts your immune system, helps you sleep, gives you more energy and can even improve your learning capabilities. So, find something you enjoy doing and don’t force it, you want to like what you’re doing or else the pressure of making yourself exercise will just cause more anxieties for yourself.

Eat A Well-Balanced Diet

On top of being physically active, following a healthier diet will make you feel better as well. Choosing whole foods and grains when you can, drinking more water instead of sugary drinks, and eating more fruits and vegetables instead of processed foods will all contribute to a healthier lifestyle and make you feel better physically. Vegetarian options, liked canned lentils, eggs or tofu, are a healthy alternative to meat-based products and can even save you money on your grocery bill. Meal planning and shopping with a grocery list will help you manage your budget. Who knew anxiety coping strategies could be so budget friendly?

Set Goals

Having short, medium and long-term goals will help you focus and can reduce anxieties that we can get from overwhelming tasks or even for future events. Breaking up your tasks or goals into smaller, actionable goals on a daily basis can help you learn to cope when you get a little too “inside your head” and can’t find your focus. A great way to break down your goals into attainable action items is to set a SMART goal. A SMART goal breaks down into the following:

Specific: be clear and define your goal

Measurable: choose a way that you can use to measure your successes along the way

Achievable: give yourself a realistic timeframe to complete your goal

Relevant: give yourself a goal that will help you change the most, or be the most beneficial to you

Time: give yourself a timeframe to achieve it

Keep in mind that life constantly changes and that your goals can change too, but you must embrace these changes, whether good or bad, and incorporate them into your goals.

Deep Breathing

Deep breathing is a slow, purposeful breathing technique that helps to lower blood pressure and decrease the heartbeat by filling your lungs completely with oxygen. This method employs your entire diaphragm’s range of motion to relax your body while detaching you from stimuli. Yoga an meditation practices us deep breathing techniques for its calming and soothing properties, and it’s easy to incorporate this technique into your daily life when you feel your anxieties creep up.

Take A Break From Stressful News

While being informed is important, the constant “bad news” that seems to dominate our news media is quite stressful (not to mention a little bit sensationalized). Consider restricting your daily news consumption to just a few times and taking a brief break from your phone, TV, and internet. Social media use should be avoided as well. Your mind will thank you.

Cultivate Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a practice where you focus on being intensely aware of what you’re sensing and feeling in that moment, without giving interpretation or judgement to whatever comes up. There are many ways to practice mindfulness with one of the most profound and life changing is ways to do this is through meditation. This involves breathing techniques, guided imagery and other practices that are designed to reduce stress on the body and mind. Meditation is used to calm the mind and relieve stress by focusing on breathing or your immediate surroundings. This in fact changes the way that your brain reacts to stress and anxiety by helping you notice negative thought patterns and being able to accept them and let them go, which is the goal of mindfulness.

There are many ways you can meditate, there is the classic style where you simply sit in the quiet and stillness, or being introspective on a walk through nature. No matter your preference, establishing a daily practice, whether it’s for five minutes or twenty, will help you work through your emotions and move towards finding inner peace. Stay strong and stick to it, and you’ll see results in no time.

Practice Self-Love

Ask yourself this question: would you talk to a loved one the same way that you talk to yourself? Probably not. We are most often the hardest on ourselves and forget that we need to treat ourselves with compassion, not just others. How can you show yourself more self love? A key practice is that you make decisions for what you need, not what you want. Practicing self-love is about focus and being compassionate towards yourself, and nourishing yourself with healthy activities that you know will make a difference for your mental and physical health.

Find A Support Group

For many people, a health-related support group can fill the gap between medical or non-traditional treatment and the need for social support. Although your friends and family will want to support you through your wellness journey, sometimes they won’t be able to completely understand what you’re going through, unless of course they’ve experienced something similar themselves. They might be able to suggest and support you through anxiety coping strategies, but sometimes we just need something more.

Reaching out and finding a support group to discuss your shared experiences around your anixety can provide you with an invaluable opportunity to learn from the experiences of others. By sharing your own experiences surrounding the disorder and allowing yourself to openly discuss it with others, you can gain valuable firsthand information and learn other strategies on how to cope with what you’re going through.  Whether you participate in a physical support group or virtually, and by doing so, you’ll realize that you’re not alone either.

A Path Forward with Anxiety Coping Strategies

When we become aware of our anxieties and what brings them on, we can learn how to better manage them when they pop up. By being mindful and thinking about ourselves critically (but with love!), we can learn to overcome our stressors and learn to live in more harmony with ourselves. You can feel better-just breathe- and believe in yourself.

Meet Paul Wagner

Paul Wagner is an Intuitive Life & Business Coach, clairvoyant reader, and a five-time EMMY Award-winning writer. He created “THE PERSONALITY CARDS,” a powerful Oracle-Tarot deck that’s helpful in life, love, and relationships. Paul studied with Lakota elders in the Pecos Wilderness, who nurtured his empathic abilities and taught him the sacred rituals. He has lived at ashrams with enlightened masters, including Amma, the Hugging Saint, for whom he’s delivered keynotes at Her worldwide events.

Paul tours the world lecturing on spiritual liberation. He lovingly offers intuitive readings, inspirational coaching, and illuminating courses to help others with self-discovery, decision-making, healing, and forgiveness. Book a session with Paul: HERE

Button Nav Icon
Posted on

20 Herbs to Help You Heal Your Kidney and Prostate

Our kidneys and prostate play important roles in our bodies through the control and regulation of fluids in our systems. The kidneys remove waste and toxins, while the prostate produces semen in men, and both are vital to healthy hormone production and part of the body’s elimination processes. Healing your kidneys and prostate will bring them back to good working order. This is critically important for your overall health, so here, we go over how you can heal your kidneys and prostate naturally with herbs and supplements. Let’s dive in and learn how to boost your overall health!

RenaFood

RenaFood is a supplement that was introduced in 1975 by Standard Process to support healthy kidney function. It contains a combination of vitamin A, bovine kidney extract, and kidney bean juice powder, which are necessary key nutrients that help regulate kidney cell activities.  RenaFood helps heal your kidneys by replenishing the acids, enzymes and hormone precursors keep your kidneys functioning in tip-top shape. Your kidneys are hard working organs and sometimes they need a little help to do all of the work that they need to, so supplementing with RenaFood can help keep them in good working order.

Banana Stem

Banana stems are the flower found on the stalk of a banana plant and this vegetable is considered a super food that helps to detox the prostate and kidney organs. By consuming banana stem, it can greatly reduce the chances of having an enlarged prostate by inhibiting the proliferation of prostate cells and production of dihydrotestosterone, a hormone that stimulates the development of testosterone. As well, the banana stem contains potassium and magnesium, two minerals that can help prevent kidney stones and other kidney related illnesses.

.

Gokshura (Tribulu Terrestris, Bindi)

The Gokshura is small leafy flower, native to areas with warm and humid climates like southern Asia, southern Europe, Africa, and Northern Australia.  This plant has been used as part of traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine as an answer to many different prostate and kidney problems, because of its high antioxidant content. Taking this herb can boost libido, suppress the growth and spread of cancers and tumors, remove kidney stones and help manage erectile dysfunction.

Shatavari (Asparagus, A. Racemosus)

Shatavari is a member of the asparagus family and is used to treat many prostate issues.  It prevents the formation of many types of kidney stones, most commonly oxalate stones by increasing the magnesium concentration in urine.  It can also relieve inflammation and improve urination and urine retention, which reduce the potential for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Pumpkin Seeds

Not only do pumpkin seeds make a healthy snack, but they are also packed with valuable nutrients that are good for the body! Win-win! These antioxidant seeds are highly effective in reducing the risks of certain cancers since they can reduce the effects of dihydrotestosterone on the prostate, which is what causes it to grow. They also help to prevent the accumulation of uric acid in the body, which is what can lead to kidney stones.

Pomegranate

Pomegranates are powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory that contains many anti-viral properties. If that wasn’t enough, this superfood contains high amounts of vitamin C and potassium.  When it comes to kidney health, the added potassium in the fruits will help prevent the formation of crystals and reduces the likelihood of developing kidney stones.

Varuna (Crataeva Nurvala) Powder

Varuna Powder comes a tree native to India and Bangladesh.  This powder has anti-inflammatory properties and in terms of prostate health, it is highly effective in treating benign prostate hyperplasia and can helps to prevent painful urination caused by enlarged prostates. For kidney health, this powder can cure kidney stones by decreasing the increased production of oxalate.

Saw Palmetto Fruit

The saw palmetto fruit contains beta-sitosterol, a plant-based sterol that reduces the symptoms of enlarged prostate (reducing the amount of dihydrotestosterone), such as problems urinating, and has actually been shown to shrink the prostate gland.

BioAstin Hawaiian Astaxanthin

BioAstin Hawaiian Astaxanthin is a natural antioxidant that was developed by Nutrex.  This supplement has anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown to slow down the enlargement of the prostate and reduce kidney diseases.

Lycopene

Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that is often found in tomatoes and other red and pink fruits.  Studies show that those who consume a lycopene-rich diet, have a 30-40% lower risk of developing prostate cancer.

Punarnarva (Boerhaavia diffusa)

Punarnarva is a small plant that is commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine.   Considered one of the best herbs for kidney health, punarnava is traditionally used to pacify the doshas, bringing harmony to the body. It is used as a tonic to heal your kidneys, particularly due to its diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties, and can be taken to manage kidneu stones and other kidney disorders.

Chyawanprash

Chyawanprash is a Ayurvedic supplement that has anti-inflammatory properties which drastically improves immunity and can reduce the occurrence of kidney stones. Sign me up!

Horse Gram (Kulthi Dal)

Horse gram is the most protein-rich lentil on the planet.  Packed with polyphenols, flavonoids, steroids, proteins, iron, vitamin B complex and calcium, its diuretic nature makes it a prime choice for kidney stone treatments.

Ginger (Zingiber Officinale)

Ginger is a root vegetable known for its characteristic bright yellow colour and it’s notable spice. Ginger is high in vitamin C, magnesium, and other minerals.  When consumed as a tea, it can promote healthy blood pressure and prevent the formation of kidney stones as well as flush out the kidneys and other toxins to prevent bacteria build-up. And its delicious!

Potassium Citrate

As a major remedy for kidney stones, potassium citrate slows the growth of crystals that form them.

Shilajit

A natural, sticky substance that is found on the rocks of the Himalayas, Shilajit contains fulvic acid and dozens of other minerals that come with a plethora of health benefits. This compound has been used in ayurvedic medicine and is used for treating enlarged prostates. As well, it acts as a diuretic to remove excess fluid from your body and also helps to pass kidney stones.

Vitamin K2

Vitamin K2 is a highly effective detox vitamin that aids the removal of calcium build-up, such as the calcium fund in kidney stones.

While we know that Western, conventional medicine has revolutionized health care, it lacks a holistic approach to health and wellness aims to heal from within, not simply cure a symptom. By embracing a more natural approach to your health, you can tap into a space where ancient wisdom and modern science exist, and apply these principles to your daily life. Our health journeys involve so much more than medication, like exercising, eating well and living more naturally. By embracing other gifts from the world, like plants and herbs, you can take control of your health and heal yourself naturally.

Meet Paul Wagner

Paul Wagner is an Intuitive Life & Business Coach, clairvoyant reader, and a five-time EMMY Award-winning writer. He created “THE PERSONALITY CARDS,” a powerful Oracle-Tarot deck that’s helpful in life, love, and relationships. Paul studied with Lakota elders in the Pecos Wilderness, who nurtured his empathic abilities and taught him the sacred rituals. He has lived at ashrams with enlightened masters, including Amma, the Hugging Saint, for whom he’s delivered keynotes at Her worldwide events.

Paul tours the world lecturing on spiritual liberation. He lovingly offers intuitive readings, inspirational coaching, and illuminating courses to help others with self-discovery, decision-making, healing, and forgiveness. Book a session with Paul: HERE

Meet Paul Wagner

Paul Wagner is an Intuitive Life & Business Coach, clairvoyant reader, and a five-time EMMY Award-winning writer. He created “THE PERSONALITY CARDS,” a powerful Oracle-Tarot deck that’s helpful in life, love, and relationships. Paul studied with Lakota elders in the Pecos Wilderness, who nurtured his empathic abilities and taught him the sacred rituals. He has lived at ashrams with enlightened masters, including Amma, the Hugging Saint, for whom he’s delivered keynotes at Her worldwide events.

Paul tours the world lecturing on spiritual liberation. He lovingly offers intuitive readings, inspirational coaching, and illuminating courses to help others with self-discovery, decision-making, healing, and forgiveness. Book a session with Paul: HERE

Button Nav Icon
Posted on

Sociopaths vs. Psychopaths vs. Narcissists

Sociopaths vs. Psychopaths vs. Narcissists

Oftentimes, we hear the terms “sociopath,” “psychopath,” and “narcissist” used interchangeably. You may also hear people described as “self-obsessed,” “self-absorbed,” or “self-focused.” But what do all of these terms mean, and are they all different ways to say the same thing?

In fact, all of these terms refer to different conditions that have unique symptoms and effects. Read on to learn more about sociopaths and psychopaths, as well as why self-obsession is beginning to take over our culture.

Sociopaths

Sociopathy is a mental disorder in which someone can’t feel empathy for the people around them. Sociopaths have several different antisocial behaviors and attitudes.

These people often interact through manipulation and lying. They can often be aggressive and get ahead in the world by exploiting and manipulating the people in their lives.

Sociopaths can be hard to spot since, despite the fact that they don’t have a conscience, they can be very charming. They’re often smart and have learned how to behave in ways that allow them to control others to get where they want. Only about 3 percent of the population meets the criteria for sociopathy.

Psychopaths

Although there are a number of similarities between sociopaths vs. psychopaths, the two are quite different. Whereas sociopaths don’t empathize with the people around them, psychopaths are unable to feel any normal emotions at all.

A sociopath may not be able to feel guilty for hurting another person. A psychopath may not be able to feel joy on Christmas morning or sadness when a relationship ends.

Like sociopaths, psychopaths may be very charming and so hard to identify when you meet them. Often these people are outwardly charming, pathological liars, prone to a grandiose sense of self-worth, callous, impulsive, and manipulative. Only about 1 percent of men and about 0.5 percent of women are psychopaths.

Narcissists

The differences between a sociopath vs. psychopath vs. narcissist can be very subtle. Narcissistic personality disorder can share a lot of symptoms with sociopathy and psychopathy. In many cases, the diagnoses overlap.

But narcissism is one particular facet of antisocial behavior that may show up in sociopaths and psychopaths.

Narcissism is a condition in which someone has an inflated sense of their own importance, a lack of empathy for others, and an obsessive need for admiration and attention. Underneath this bravado is a fragile self-esteem that relies on constant praise from others to stay intact. Only about 1 percent of the population are true narcissists.

Self-Obsessed

The terms self-obsessed, self-absorbed, and self-focused are not official medical diagnoses. Rather, these terms focus on different aspects of some similar negative personality traits. Oftentimes, these may overlap with some of the antisocial behaviors we see in sociopaths and psychopaths.

People who are self-obsessed are extremely preoccupied with themselves and their own concerns. They “can’t see past the end of their nose,” and they may not have much empathy for the people around them. For these people, their own problems, concerns, struggles, and cares are much more important than those of anyone else around them.

Self-Absorbed

Although self-absorbed and self-obsessed are similar, the two personality traits are not identical. In some cases, being self-absorbed may be a temporary state of being, rather than an overall personality flaw. People who are self-absorbed may not have the same overinflated ego that the self-obsessed do.

Self-absorbed people are totally wrapped up in their own thoughts, activities, and interests. In some cases, a person may be self-absorbed for a short period of time when they’re lost in thought or preoccupied by something going on in their life. The problem arises when that distraction becomes long-term.

Self-Focused

Like self-absorbed, the term “self-focused” isn’t always a negative thing. Self-focus can help a person to be more aware of their actions and how they impact others, as well as how they can change those behaviors. But, like anything, too much self-focus can turn into a negative thing and may cause problems in your life.

Self-focus is a state of mind in which you’re aware of your thoughts, actions, interactions, and appearance. In moderation, this can help you to better interact with the world around you and change unhealthy behaviors. But if you become too focused on yourself, you could slip into self-absorption or self-obsession.

Impact of Influencer Culture

These days, it seems like more and more people are becoming self-absorbed or self-obsessed to the point of bordering on narcissism. Influencer culture and our societal addiction to social media may play a role in this shift. People are becoming obsessed with the dopamine rush they get from getting likes on social media.

It’s important to note that you won’t become a sociopath or psychopath just from looking at Instagram too much. These are complex medical diagnoses that involve aspects of both nature and nurture. However, influencer culture can cause you to become self-obsessed, which can be just as destructive for your life.

Celebrity Obsession

Our cultural obsession with celebrities may also play a role in the increasing self-obsession we’re seeing around us. Tabloid media is constantly shoving details of these celebrities’ lives down our throats. We start to think of these people as something akin to fictional characters, and we compare our lives to their seemingly perfect ones.

Over time, we may start to become obsessed with the idea that if we can just be good enough, we can live the sort of charmed life these celebrities and influencers do. We may make changes to our bodies, filter out lives in certain ways on social media, or go into debt trying to mimic that lifestyle. Over time, that insecurity about our looks or our lifestyle can morph into a full-on self-obsession as we strive for that perfect life the celebrities and influencers seem to live.

How to Decenter Yourself

So how do we break out of this vicious cycle of insecurity, self-obsession, and unhealthy behavior? The key lies in decentering ourselves refocusing on what is truly important in this life. Once we are pursuing true peace and meaningful joy, we won’t crave hollow affirmation from social media attention.

It’s important to remember that your self-worth is absolute and comes from within. As we remind you at the end of each of our posts, you are a beautiful Living Being filled with light and love, born from stardust. Breathe deeply into your divine worth, take time to remember that your beauty comes from your soul, and turn your attention outward to the radiant souls traversing this world around you.

Learn More About Sociopaths and Psychopaths

At first glance, sociopaths and psychopaths, as well as narcissists and the self-obsessed, may all seem the same. But each of these conditions describes different levels and types of antisocial behavior. Decentering ourselves and returning focus to the true beauty of life can help us to break out of these toxic cycles of self-obsession.

If you’d like to learn more about sociopaths and psychopaths, check out the rest of my site at PaulWagner.com. I am here to help you awaken and bravely create an inspired life. Learn more about my services today and start changing your life in the most positive way.

REMEMBER!

You are a beautiful Living Being filled with light and love, born from stardust. You are unlimited potential in every direction. With a focus on discipline, virtue, and your own goodness, you can become as expanded and liberated as you desire.

 

Button Nav Icon
Posted on

The Wonders of Vagus Nerves and Vagal Toning

The Wonders of Vagus Nerves and Vagal Toning

Have you ever noticed the immediate sense of relief you get after taking one deep breath? Do you wonder why you feel so amazing after a good, long laugh with a friend? Does rubbing the skin around your ears relax you, but you aren’t sure why? All of these actions stimulate your vagus nerve, one of the major cranial nerves that controls many of the major systems in your body. Read on to learn more about vagus nerve stimulation and how you can practice toning at home.

What Is the Vagus Nerve?

Your vagus nerve is one of twelve cranial nerves in your body, each of which come in pairs. Although we’ll talk about the nerve as a singular entity, it’s actually made up of two nerves that come out of each side of your brain stem at the lowest point. If you place your fingers at the very base of your skull, on either side of the small notch at the top center of your neck, you’ll be pretty close to where your nerves emerge.

Your vagus nerve handles a number of bodily functions, including regulating your heart rate and breathing, managing your digestion, and controlling your reflexes. Your vagal nerve controls when you swallow, cough, sneeze, and even gag. It also controls cardiovascular activity other than your heart rate and can play a big role in heart health.

Somatic vs. Visceral Components

Some of your other cranial nerves control sensory information, such as sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and sensations. Others handle muscle function and operation of different glands in your body. This nerve is one of those pairs that handles both functions, which is why stimulation can be so powerful.

Your vagus nerve functions can have a somatic component, which impact sensations you feel on your skin or in your muscles. They can also have a visceral component, which impacts sensations you feel in your organs. Either of these components can play a role in either sensory functions or motor functions throughout your body.

Sensory Functions

This nerve performs several sensory functions, meaning it provides you with sensation in different areas of the body. It provides somatic sensory information for parts of your ear and throat. If you run your finger along the skin behind your ear, the sensation you feel is running along your nerve.

Your vagus nerve also provides visceral sensory information that comes from deeper in your body. This nerve controls sensation in your esophagus and trachea, larynx, lungs, heart, and digestive tract. Any time you have a stomachache or a sore throat, you can thank your nerve for carrying those signals to your brain.

Motor Functions

Your vagus nerve also controls several motor functions throughout your body. Your nerves carry the signals from your brain out to the muscle or organ that’s doing the work and then back to your brain. This nerve controls motor function in your larynx, throat, and soft palate, which is why it plays a role in your gag reflex.

The nerve stimulates muscles in your heart in order to regulate your resting heart rate, or your heart rate when you’re not doing anything strenuous. It also controls the contractions that happen in your gut as a normal part of your digestive process. These contractions happen along your esophagus, stomach, and most of your intestines to move food along this tract.

What Is Vagus Nerve Stimulation?

Now that we know a little more about the vagus nerve, let’s talk some about nerve stimulation. As you might guess from the name, nerve stimulation involves causing activity along your nerve. Although this can be as simple as running your finger over the skin behind your ear, it can also involve more complicated procedures.

Often, when people refer to vagus nerve stimulation, they’re referencing a procedure that uses electrical impulses to stimulate your vagus nerve. Doctors sometimes use this type of nerve stimulation to treat epilepsy or depression. Some experts also believe this procedure could help with multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, cluster headaches, and more.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation Devices

The medical procedure known as vagus nerve stimulation uses a device to deliver carefully controlled electrical impulses. This device gets implanted under the skin of your chest and is about the size of a military ID tag. It has a wire that runs up to the vagus nerve on the left side of your brain stem and sends electrical signals through the nerve and into your brain.

Most of the time, neurologists program stimulation devices to send signals at appropriate intervals. However, sometimes, patients may be given a magnet that can control the device, too. This can be helpful in the case of depression or cluster headaches, when the patient can tell that their symptoms are getting worse.

Deep Breathing

Although vagus nerve stimulation devices are the most well-researched method of vagus nerve stimulation, they’re not the only way to do it. Because it’s is connected to so many parts of your body, you can perform vagus nerve exercises in a number of ways yourself. This can help to bring you back into balance and may ease some of your symptoms.

Deep breathing and meditation are two of the most effective ways to stimulate your vagus nerve. Remember, this nerve controls movement in your lungs, your heart, and your mouth and throat. Practicing breathing exercises and meditating can send positive signals up that nerve, strengthening and toning the pathway there.

Chanting

Given how connected your vagus nerve is to your throat, it also makes sense that chanting would stimulate the vagus nerve. For one thing, the vibrations caused by singing, humming, or chanting will resonate up the vagus nerve. But chanting a mantra that naturally resonates with the positive energy of the universe can bring even more positivity and light into your being.

Chanting the sacred “om” is always a good bet when you’re trying to stimulate your vagus nerve and you don’t know where to start. You can also say one of the sutras or a favorite prayer from your religion. You may also want to chant a personal mantra that empowers you and promotes healing for your body, mind, and spirit.

Laughter

Another fabulous way to stimulate your vagus nerve is through laughter. Studies have shown that laughter is good for your health for a number of different reasons. It stimulates your heart, improves your intake of oxygen, stimulates your lungs and muscles, and amps up your endorphin production.

If you’re feeling like you need some vagus nerve stimulation, try to make plans with friends or loved ones who always make you laugh, even if those plans happen over virtual platforms. Watch a favorite movie or listen to a comedian you like. You could even play with your pets or your kids, read a book that makes you giggle, or scroll through comedy accounts on social media.

Learn More

The nerve touches many of the vital areas of your body, including your heart, lungs, digestive tract, and more. Vagus nerve stimulation can help to ease symptoms of depression, epilepsy, indigestion, and more. You can practice vagus nerve stimulation at home through deep breathing, chanting, and laughter, among other methods.

If you’d like to learn more about methods of self-healing, check out the rest of my site at PaulWagner.com. I am here to help you awaken and bravely create an inspired life. Learn more about my services today and start changing your life in the most positive way.

REMEMBER!

You are a beautiful Living Being filled with light and love, born from stardust. You are unlimited potential in every direction. With a focus on discipline, virtue, and your own goodness, you can become as expanded and liberated as you desire.

 

Button Nav Icon
Posted on

25 Things To Improve Your Physical Health

The 25 Things You Can Do To Immediately Improve Your Physical Health

Every month, it seems there’s a new trend for getting back in shape and improving your physical health, especially around the New Year’s celebrations. Most of the time, these trends are based too loosely on scientific facts and have not been tested or proven to work. Doesn’t it seem like people would rather try fast trends and quick fixes because they aren’t motivated enough to try the things that take longer, aren’t as popular, but actually work?

If you’re truly looking to improve your health right now, there are so many traditional, tried-and-true practices you can instill in your life overnight. With dedication, you can completely change your life–no need to burn through your savings on fancy new gadgets or methods. To help you get started, here’s a diverse list of 25 things you can do to improve your physical health right now. They range from practical and basic to spiritual and less common, so you’re sure to find something that fits your needs.

1. Forgive

Have you ever felt really great after resolving a conflict? Forgiveness is of course great for your mental and emotional wellbeing, but many people do not appreciate how much of an effect our mental health has on worsening or improving your physical health. Stress and negative emotions can wear away at our body’s immune system and throw our hormones off balance. Take time to forgive so that your body can find harmony again!

One amazing ritual of forgiveness is the Ho’oponopono forgiveness ritual, in which you repeat the mantra, “I’m sorry. I love you, please forgive me. Thank you.” No matter if the ritual is directed at another or yourself, the benefits will change your life.

2. Meditate

Meditation is becoming mainstream in the psychology world because of how amazing the benefits are for physical and mental health. Like I said before, negative emotions and thoughts can seriously take a toll on our physical health, especially when we always keep ourselves busy, distracted, and burned out. To help relieve burnout and become more present in the moment, meditation forces you to stop and breathe. You can reduce stress and anxiety as well as improve the quality of sleep you get by starting a regular meditation practice! Try out some of these mantras to get started.

3. Yoga

Originating from India, yoga is both a spiritual and physical practice. It combines stretching, stillness within poses, breathing, and meditation to help align body, mind, and spirit. With yoga, you can help yourself find harmony, breathe, and sleep better. Certain routines can also improve digestion, heart health, symptoms of arthritis, and more. In addition, practicing yoga regularly will help you improve your flexibility, core strength, and balance, which are all great for your muscles and posture. The best part is that yoga comes in all different forms and levels of experience. If you’re not very active, there are plenty of poses and routines that will help you ease into the practice without pushing your limits too far.

4. Qi Gong

Qi Gong is a popular practice in Traditional Chinese Medicine that combines extremely precise movements, breathing, and meditation. The goal is to practice specific movements and poses to absolute perfection, focusing your mind and muscles. Qi Gong is known for healing, as it also focuses on the energy flow within the body including the channels and gateways of our energy flows. Much like yoga, Qi Gong can improve flexibility, strength, and balance because of its physical precision. At the same time, the precise repetitive movements are perfect for lulling the mind into a meditative trance that lowers anxiety, stress, and might even help support a body’s defense against chronic illness.

5. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is another popular healing practice of Eastern medicine that focuses on triggering very specific points in the body. It is believed to target the body’s central nervous system by releasing chemicals that affect the brain, spinal cord, and muscles. Acupuncture focuses on specific areas of the body in order to relieve symptoms of certain ailments, such as those who suffer from nausea, chronic back pain, stress, and headaches. An acupuncturist is well-learned about which points on the body need to be triggered to release the right chemicals according to their client’s needs.

6. Tai Chi

Tai Chi used to be an ancient form of Chinese combat, but now it is celebrated around the world as a gentle form of exercise. People of all experience levels can benefit from Tai Chi, which essentially combines gentle flowing movements with meditation. Each pose and movement is meant to flow seamlessly into the next one without hesitation or stillness, much like dancing. If you are not used to exercise, Tai Chi is a great place to start as it is very low impact. It can also help to reduce anxiety, stress, and even the risk of other health conditions.

7. Set a Routine

Going back to the basics, setting a routine is one of the best things you can do for your overall help. Sitting down to set a routine will help you assess your priorities and make sure you have time for everything you need and want to do during the day. Having a routine also helps you make sure you don’t forget anything and that you to get into the right mindset to be both productive and happy. You can set really great healthy habits into your routine, such as always making sure to implement a strong skincare routine and always taking your vitamins with your breakfast. Make sure to also make time for your mental health with a routine in meditation, prayer, or rituals.

8. Stretch and Stand More

Bloodflow is so important to our survival and happiness. Good circulation is necessary for healing, while bad circulation can cause us to lose feeling and use of our bodies. Bloodflow is also extremely necessary for our brains because we need oxygen to move freely throughout our bodies. People who are extremely sedentary, whether it is by choice or because of the demands of our lives, often suffer from poor circulation, which can lead to blood clots and strokes. Those who don’t get up and move are at higher risk of chronic pain, heart disease, and diabetes. Even if you work at your desk all day, make sure you make a routine out of stretching, standing, and moving around. Your muscles need a break from all the rest they have!

9. Improve Nutrition

Improving what you eat each day will look different for everyone, so I won’t recommend a diet here. A great piece of advice is to just make better little choices every day! So many people fail to keep their commitments to new diets because these diets are so extreme. Going from eating a full, average diet to completely cutting out gluten and dairy, for example, won’t have a very high success rate! Instead, be mindful about what you eat. Every time you make a meal, think about one little change you can make to create a meal that’s just a tiny bit healthy. That can mean that you add a serving of vegetables or you cook without butter this time. Small changes over a long time will actually have a huge impact on your health.

10. Massage

I bet I don’t have to convince you too much, here. Massages are not just guilty pleasures–they’re a great way to improve your physical health. Massage therapists can help you improve your joint flexibility, loosen up muscles that are stuck too tight, improve circulation, and so much more. In addition, the soothing atmosphere and great feeling of the massage can reduce stress and anxiety.

11. Cupping

Cupping is as old as the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and throughout the Middle East. It is done by placing cups along muscles and creating suction as a form of deep tissue massage that can help relieve pain, improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and more. Sometimes, the cupping therapist might make small incisions in the skin and put the cups back on to pull a small amount of blood, called wet cupping.

12. Fighting

It might seem counterintuitive that fighting could be beneficial for your physical health, but the Chinese believe that ritual fighting is one of the key aspects of wellbeing. There are many ancient forms of fighting, including Tai Chi as mentioned before, which allows one to work the body and mind while also working through emotions and relieving aggression. If you’re going to try fighting, of course, find an art form you can commit to and safely practice it under supervision of professionals.

13. Fall in Love with the Arts

Many feel that the arts are a strictly mental and emotional thing. Sure, when you’re looking at a piece of art or practicing a form of art yourself, you’re not necessarily thinking about how it affects your physical body. Researchers have found, though, that appreciation of the arts can actually improve your brain and physical wellbeing. Appreciating music and art has shown to help victims of health conditions and serious health events like strokes heal faster than those who don’t!

14. Avoid Energy Vampires

There’s nothing quite as disturbing to our mental and physical health as constantly being plagued by energy vampires or people who thrive on draining energy from others. These people might be narcissists or so needy for attention that no one else around them can properly take care of themselves. Of course, this is terrible for mental health, which can lead to stress, anxiety, and even depression that can cause serious physical health ailments.

15. HIIT Exercise

Never feel like you have enough time to improve your physical health? HIIT might be the answer! This short yet intense workout routine will have you sweating in minutes, but then ready to move on with your day. The practice emphasizes high-intensity cardio bursts of exercise with periods of rest for your body to recover so that you can build your strength and endurance quickly without losing hours at the gym.

16. Embrace Your True Self

When we aren’t comfortable with ourselves, we’re less likely to take care of ourselves. It is so important to discover ourselves for who we truly are so that we can address everything that is holding us back and plunge into our fullest lives. Once you understand what makes you happy and what is missing from your life, you can take action to improve your lifestyle and start doing what will help you be healthier, both mentally and physically.

17. Moxibustion

Moxibustion is not acupuncture, but it’s very similar. Sometimes, the two are even used in conjunction with each other to help a person. Acupuncture and moxibustion use different trigger points on the body. Moxibustion is used to increase blood flow and help relieve symptoms of chronic illness and pain. Moxi is also burned to create a slow heat that can help release muscles and reduce aches.

18. Start Gardening

There’s something unexplainable about what gardening can do for the body and mind. Becoming one with nature and using your skills and knowledge to help cultivate the growth of new life is unlike any other experience. Getting your hands in the dirt, smelling the earth, and getting fresh air are amazing for your physical health. In addition, you can choose to grow edible plants for your kitchen, stocking your shelves with fresh ingredients that encourage trying new recipes and home cooking!

19. Introduce Plants Into Your Home

While you’re growing plants outside, try bringing some inside as well! Being shut indoors can create stuffy, recycled air that lacks life. Plants inside your home can turn your carbon dioxide into oxygen, refreshing the air. People who have indoor plants experience a relief of fatigue and pain and improved moods.

20. Get an Animal Companion

No matter which animal you choose, having an animal companion greatly improves your physical health. Regardless of the type of animal, having a sense of responsibility for a living being other than yourself helps you to establish a routine, especially one of hygiene. You begin cleaning more, especially in the areas they use, which can help your health and the environment within your home. Animals that go outside also bring in germs and viruses from the outside world and expose you in a way that helps your immune system to build up immunity. If your animal needs exercise, you’ll also be encouraged to stay more active with them!

21. Reflexology

Reflexology is applying pressure to specific pressure points on your body that connect to your nervous system and energy flow, much like acupuncture, moxibustion, and other forms of TCM. Reflexologists specifically focus on the feet because they are known for thousands of nerve endings. They use special movements of their fingers to trigger specific points on the foot to ailments of all kinds for all different parts of the body and can help you relax, boost your metabolism, and relieve pain.

22. Go Into Nature

The poets know it: nature heals the mind, body, and soul. Those who are fed up with their busy lives, deprived of fresh air and wide-open spaces, take to an escape to the wilderness for healing. Retreating into the loving embrace of Mother Earth will certainly help you heal, no matter your ailments. Breathe in the fresh air, stretch your muscles with a hike, and soak in the benefits of unadulterated sunlight.

23. Declutter

For some people, clutter is normal. Busy schedules keep people from putting things back where they belong, and things can really pile up. Being overwhelmed by physical possessions, trash, and unnecessary items can harm your ability to function. It could even impede your ability to do necessary things around the house like clean. Start decluttering and soon you’ll get lost in the process. You’ll be up doing something productive, and you’ll burn calories while you’re at it.

24. Feng Shui

Feng Shui is a powerful Chinese system that explains that everything around us affects and has its own energy. The way you place your things around you has a huge effect on how energy flows through you, and sometimes this negatively blocks up your energy flow. You can increase the flow of positive energy and improve your physical health by following some basic guidelines and adding some objects to your space. You can improve your mood and energy levels and bring prosperity into your life!

25. Celebrate Water

We truly do take water for granted. Water is essential to life, and it has so many amazing spiritual and physical property that are necessary to the planet and our survival. Using water throughout the day should be sacred: it is healing, reviving, and even fun! Taking a warm bath can ease our aches and pains. Swimming in water can support our bodies while we stretch and strengthen our muscles. Drinking water hydrates our brains and bodies so that we can function. Change your mindset on water and you’ll completely turn your life around!

REMEMBER!

You are a beautiful Living Being filled with light and love, born from stardust. You are unlimited potential in every direction. With a focus on discipline, virtue, and your own goodness, you can become as expanded and liberated as you desire.

Pray for others and the Universe prays for us.

Button Nav Icon
Posted on

Psychedelics & Substances That Improve Mental & Spiritual Health

Psychedelic Mushrooms & Other Awesome Substances That Inspire Psychological Health & Spiritual Transformation

The war between those who want it to be legal to get “high” and those who want to ban all substances that get you “high” has been raging on for years, but the history of using mushrooms and other hallucinogenics has gone on for much longer across the globe. Almost every culture has had widespread use of substances to achieve an altered state of mind, including mushrooms, plants, oils, beans, and more. During this historical use of substances, many cultures revered these altered states of mind as ways to reach a higher power, speak to other worlds, and further the journey of their higher selves. Now, we know there are substances that improve mental health and spiritual health.

As modern governments have begun restricting the use of these substances more and more, groups who still wish to use them are fighting back. Marijuana, for example, has been illegal for so long and is finally being slowly legalized because studies reveal that claims of its dangers were unfounded. The benefits far outweigh the risks–and marijuana is not the only substance now being investigated. A new movement to legalize psychedelics claims that these substances have huge benefits for those with mental health struggles.

Interested in how these substances might help you tackle your own struggles, whether they’re psychological or spiritual? Here’s a list of some awesome substances that improve mental and spiritual health that you can discover.

Psilocybin or Magic Mushrooms

One of the most significant innovations in recent mental health advancements regarding the use of substances is psilocybin or the main active ingredient of “magic mushrooms.” The movement is so massive that major outlets are now calling it the “psychedelic gold rush.” This gold rush is a pushback from the government’s use (and some would claim misuse) of their categorizations of substances. Psychedelics like ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin are classed as Schedule I substances, which means they have a high risk for abuse without the counteractive benefit of medical value. Many scientists and innovators are exclaiming that the categorization is just plain false. Further, that banning these substances that improve mental health will negatively affect us for generations to come.

Many innovators are experimenting with combining psychedelic-based drugs with conventional therapy, and they’re coming up with promising results. Those who suffer from PTSD and depression, for example, are currently undergoing clinical trials with psilocybin and reporting relief from their symptoms. As a result, many U.S. cities have begun decriminalizing the drug so that its benefits can be explored and enjoyed as of the recent Presidential election.

Psilocybin, or magic mushrooms, have a long history of spiritual benefits as well. The indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica used these substances for healing and divine inspiration. Art created in reverence of these substances date back well before Columbus’s time, even dating back to 6,000 years ago. In 1955, European Americans took part in an indigenous psychedelic mushroom ceremony and published an article in Life magazine, inspiring Harvard academics to attempt the ceremony as well and to eventually start the Harvard Psilocybin Project, which covered religious and psychological effects of the substance.

An altered state of mind is exactly what many believe is the key to accessing the higher self or divine powers. As humans trapped in our flat reality, our minds have a hard time escaping the view of what’s around us. Turning inward and breaking down the mind’s boundaries can help us explore new mindsets, think thoughts that were otherwise impossible, and tap into previously unreachable dimensions.

Peyote Cactus

Speaking of the American indigenous peoples, Peyote was a widely popular substance used for accessing a new level of spirituality as well as for medicinal purposes. Peyote is a cactus found in the Southwest and in Mexico which you can pull buttons off and chew on them to experience a “trip.” Like magic mushrooms, Peyote was also outlawed by the U.S. government, but its use is still prevalent. As an exception, Native Americans who are a part of the Native American Church are allowed to continue using Peyote for their religious ceremonies.

Research on psychedelics has been mostly shut down by the U.S. government, as the general claim is that the use of these substances can lead to brain damage and altered personalities. Scientists agree that long-term heavy use of psychedelics can be damaging but argue that use in small, controlled doses can actually offer many benefits. John H. Halpbern, a psychiatrist from the Harvard School of Medicine, has been studying the use of Peyote by Native Americans for years. Specifically, Halpbern believes Peyote and other Native American substances can help to fight addiction and alcoholism. He claims that tribes that use Peyote for religious ceremonies have much lower rates of alcoholism, which is a rampant issue among the Native American population.

During these religious ceremonies, only three teaspoons on average of Peyote is ingested by participants, which Halpbern explains is only enough to experience a buzz of stimulant, not hallucinate. He explains that it most likely only serves to deepen the emotions felt during the ceremony and helps the participants to open up their minds and hearts to the spirituality of the ritual.

Peyote, therefore, is another powerful substance that, when used properly, can help open up our minds to access our higher selves and even to dimensions beyond our own. Combined with rituals and meditation, Peyote helps the Native Americans to come together in spiritual enlightenment and speak to the divine. It’s truly a powerful substance that improves mental and spiritual health.

Ibogaine or Iboga Bark

In Africa, the Tabernanth iboga plant has been at the center of religious experiences. The Babongo people worship this plant and the drug that derives from it because of its strong hallucinogenic effects. It is used as a part of their religious ceremonies, as the Babongo people feel it is a way to tap into spiritual knowledge. When the bark is pulverized and ingested, those who take it can experience a wide range of emotions and visions, including anxiety, euphoria, and a blending of their senses to create other-worldly experiences.

Ibogaine is so powerful that it’s influence has stretched far outside of Africa. In fact, it’s been used in Western medicine since the 1800s to lower blood pressure, treat fevers, and even help with toothaches. However, the United States has since banned the use of Ibogaine, claiming it has no medical value yet has a high potential for abuse. Researchers are still investigating the drug and suspect that it may play a valuable role in mitigating the opioid crisis as well as provide medical value in other ways if controlled.

Kava

Kava is a popular plant extract used mostly in beverages in the South Pacific. It’s been used in spiritual ceremonies to relax participants and relieve symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, and even drug withdrawal. Kava was made illegal to sell in the Canadian and European markets due to its history of causing liver damage and death, but after reviews of the lack of evidence, it was reinstated on the market in most countries. In any case, Kava affects the brain and central nervous system and can be taken for up to 6 months straight safely for anxiety. Now, it’s even a popular substance sold as drinks and used socially similarly to beer.

Pacific Islanders highly revere kava for its ability to bring people together and channel communications with the spirits. Kava is regularly consumed during religious ceremonies in efforts to strengthen kinship and speak with divine powers from other dimensions. Kava drinking was also used as a way to reaffirm the status and hierarchy within societies.

When diluted properly, Kava can cause a state of aloofness, where one is happy and unconcerned. They might feel more free of their mind and body, and they’ll never experience unpleasant feelings like alcohol can cause. While feeling free, the Kava user never loses control of their reason. On the other hand, excessive use of Kava can cause a lack of control over muscles, making it more difficult to move quickly. Eventually, heavy Kava users can lose sense of objects around them and drift off to sleep.

When it comes to accessing deeper spirituality with Kava, therefore, you can quiet your mind, pull your senses out of the physical world, and get in better touch with the higher self and the divine. Further, it’s definitely one of the powerful substances that improves mental health.

REMEMBER!

I am here to help you awaken and bravely create an inspired life. Learn more about my loving services today and start changing your life in the most positive way.

You are a beautiful Living Being filled with light and love, born from stardust. You are unlimited potential in every direction. With a focus on discipline, virtue, and your own goodness, you can become as expanded and liberated as you desire.

Pray for others and the Universe prays for us.

Button Nav Icon
Posted on

The Many Benefits of Qi Gong

The Many Benefits of Qi Gong

Are you feeling blocked up emotionally, spiritually, or physically? Have you been looking for a new practice that can double as an exercise routine and a spiritual ritual? There are so many fantastic practices that combine working the body with working the mind and spirit, but none so much as rewarding and satisfying as Qi Gong.

If you have heard of Tai Chi, then you’ll already be well on your way to learning Qi Gong, also known as Chi Kung. Similar to other practices that focus on energy within the body, Qi Gong helps improve your energy flow to heal, revive, and maintain the positive energy within yourself and even support physical health.

What is Qi Gong (Chi Kung)?

Qi Gong or Chi Kung is a centuries-old Chinese practice for physical and spiritual health. It combines the preciseness of technique and the monotony of repetition to help rejuvenate you and improve your energy flow. The method relies heavily on deep, controlled breathing and the twisting and stretching your body’s energy channels. Because of its proven success in improving physical health, especially when recovering from injuries, the practice has been an accepted addition to health-related methods by medical authorities in China.

The practice dates to 2696–2598 BCE and the Yellow Emperor. You can also find it in the Huangdi Neijing book of internal medicine, which has been the fundamental source for two millennia for Chinese medicine. The practice focuses on Qi, also known as Chi, the energy that flows through the body through gates and channels.

If you observe someone practicing Qi Gong, you’ll notice that some repetitious movements are gentle and slow while others are vigorous and demanding. The practice uses both small, almost imperceptible movements with large movements to align, stretch, and improve different Qi gates and channels throughout the body. Ultimately, the goal is to relax as much as possible so that Qi can flow freely.

The 12 Meridians in Tradition Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qi flows through the 12 meridians of the body. These meridians are the basis for many healing practices, including acupuncture, meridian massages, and Tai Chi. Understanding the different meridians and their governance of Qi and the body is extremely important to your practice of Qi Gong.

The 12 meridians are connected to major organs in the body and work with the centerline meridians, also known as the conception vessel and the governing vessel. The principal meridians are:

    1. Lung meridian – through which we consume energy
    2. Large Intestine meridian – where we process waste
    3. Stomach meridian –  where we pull nutrients from things we consume
    4. Heart meridian – sends our blood throughout the body
    5. Small Intestine meridian – through which we pull water and nutrients
    6. Bladder meridian – through which we expel toxins
    7. Kidney meridian – where we regulate our male reproductive system, blood, and marrow
    8. Pericardium meridian – through which we regulate emotions, energy, and protection of the heart
    9. Triple Warmer meridian – through which we balance our wellness and metabolism
    10. Gall Bladder meridian – where we store toxins
    11. Liver meridian – through which we maintain our flexibility, circulate our Qi, and regulate the reproductive systems of females

Traditional Chinese Medicine uses the knowledge of these 12 meridians to direct the focus of acupuncturists, massage professionals, and Tai Chi practitioners. Massage and acupuncture practices, for instance, follow the mapped-out lines of Qi channels and gateways to apply pressure for certain conditions and complaints. On the other hand, Tai Chi practitioners use the knowledge of these channels to focus the breath and choose certain movements in achieving their goals.

Active vs. Passive Qi Gong

You can choose to follow active or passive Qi Gong or combine both to achieve your goals for the practice. Active Qi Gong is also known as dong gong, which focuses on enhancing Yang energy through active movements and breathing. Passive Qi Gong focuses on Yin energy by practicing stillness of both the body and mind, flexing the mind to alter energy flows instead of physical movements.

In other words, active Qi Gong looks a lot more like the traditional Tai Chi practices most people have witnessed, while passive Qi Gong looks like meditation.

Benefits of Qi Gong

At the elementary level, Qi Gong is a meditation, breathing, and exercise practice that can help the body and mind relax and heal. At a deeper level, improving the flow of Qi throughout the body revives your spirit and helps you take control of your life.

To properly benefit from practicing Qi Gong, one must learn about Qi, how it flows through the body, and precisely which different channels and gates regulate parts of the body and spirit. By understanding exactly how to use Qi Gong, you can target specific issues you might be dealing with and quickly help your body and mind to heal.

Supporting Mental Health

Both active and passive Qi Gong practices are great for supporting your mental health because the fundamental goal is to relax and focus on your breath. Meditation of any kind helps you to improve your awareness and presence in the moment, which is an effective method for checking in with how you feel physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. You can also help your mind to stop obsessing over the past or future, which are prevalent sources of stress, anxiety, and depression.

Both Eastern and Western medicine leaders promote stillness, deep breathing, and meditation as therapeutic practices that improve one’s ability to relax and shake off negative thoughts and emotions. Being still with yourself and improving your breath can reduce excessive adrenal responses in the body and stimulate your parasympathetic nervous system.

Lower Risk and Improve Symptoms of Chronic Disease

Because both active and passive Qi Gong methods are gentle practices, whether they include exercise or not, it is a great practice for supporting health even for those at risk of or suffering from chronic conditions.

Qi Gong does not interfere with other medical treatments, so it is entirely safe to practice as long as the practitioner does not push their body beyond their limits. These gentle and repetitious movements help to stimulate blood flow, stretch your muscles and ligaments, and lower stress. These benefits are proven to help lower your risk of suffering from many common chronic diseases.

For example, studies have shown that Qi Gong has improved symptoms common to heart disease and diabetes and lowered the risk of stroke.

Improving Muscle Strength and Precision

Qi Gong depends on your ability to repeat exact movements over a period of time, so performing them exactly over and over will help define your muscles. These practices, as a result, also improve your awareness of your physical presence within space. With enhanced muscle strength and stretches that increase your flexibility, you will get much better at putting your body into precise forms and staying very still, improving your balance.

Medical studies have shown improvements in how Qi Gong practitioners walk and balance, regardless of age. Older adults that practiced weekly for 12 weeks showed promising results, and young adults increased their stability scores by over 16% in another study over eight weeks.

Reach Spiritual Enlightenment

Aside from the health benefits, both physical and mental, of Qi Gong, there are so many other spiritual benefits. Those who dive into the meditation portion of Qi Gong during their practice can pursue enlightenment and improve their life of ritual and prayer. Overall, spiritual Qi Gong focuses on enhancing self-awareness and finding harmony and balance within oneself.

Through the regular and rigorous practice of active and passive Qi Gong methods, practitioners can take complete control of their body, mind, and spiritual energy. Mantras, prayers, and mudras are combined with mindful awareness and active management of energy flow within the body.

Achieving this ultimate awareness of energy flows allows expert practitioners to pinpoint imbalances and actively tend to them. Whether these imbalances are caused by physical injury, mental instability, emotional suffering, or even those passed down by previous generations, Qi Gong practitioners can actively target this imbalance and treat it using Qi Gong methods.

If you are interested in spiritual improvement using Qi Gong, I have many free resources including prayers, rituals, mantras, and more that you can incorporate into your practice. Once you begin, you’ll soon realize how freeing and empowering it is to slow down, breathe, and take control of your body, mind, and spirit.

YOU ARE LOVE!

You are a beautiful Living Being filled with light and love, born from stardust. You are unlimited potential in every direction. With a focus on discipline, virtue, and your own goodness, you can become as expanded and liberated as you desire.

Button Nav Icon
Posted on

Beyond Covid: A Chance for Spiritual Renewal, New Identities & Rebirth

Shutterstock licensed image

Beyond Covid: A Chance for Spiritual Renewal, New Identities & Rebirth

When the earth is sick, sickness spreads in ways that affect people. In this case, we have been treating Mother Earth poorly for so long, She is acting out our own projections, abuse, and anger. Covid-19 is exactly that.

The coronavirus has been around for a long while now. It’s had an indelible impact on our lives and world. This pandemic sent friends and family members to the hospital at record numbers. However, as with every other terrible event or situation, humanity will pick up the pieces and emerge ready for change.

What will most likely not change very much is how we abuse the planet. Sadly, most Republican and right-wing conservatives, and their counterpart governments, might have a wonderful handle on fiscal responsibility and infrastructure management, but they do not understand emotions, love, and how connected we are to all of the elements, planets, bugs, bunnies, each other – and the myriad of etherial realms. C’est la vie!

In the meantime, you can love yourself by loving the planet.

You can love others by first loving yourself.

And you can effect changes that improve your life, attitude, perspective, and conditions.

Are you ready for that life-changing transformation?

If the planet has left you isolated or emotionally and spiritually strung out, you can choose to pursue peace and balance.  

Declare this out loud: It’s time for me to have a lovely spiritual renewal. It’s time for me to accept, own, and celebrate my life. I will make changes and invite new light and love into my life!

It’s now time to reflect on yourself, form new habits, and adopt your most core nature as your primary identity. LET’S DO THIS!

COVID: The Affect on Our Spirit

The coronavirus is certainly a physical ailment, but the effects reverberate beyond just the physical body.

For many of us, this was our first experience with a widespread infectious disease – one that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. Amid all this, we’ve all had no firm reassurances from the medical community on the illness or treatments.

Some of us took the vaccine and it harmed our health. Others ignored protocol and were selfish – and chose to avoid the vaccine – becoming harmful petri dishes that put everyone else’s lives in jeopardy. 

While governments and health organizations were rightfully keeping an eye on the numbers of infections, hospitalizations, and casualties, much fewer eyes were on the numbers of mental ailments resulting from the stress, uncertainty, and isolation. 

Statistics have revealed increased drug use, suicide rate, and other concerning issues surrounding wellness.

Thoughts of suicide and symptoms of anxiety and depression were on the rise, especially among health care workers.

The Kaiser Family Foundation reported global adverse mental health effects such as disturbed sleep, abnormal eating behavior, worsening chronic illnesses, and increased alcohol consumption. With an already worrying mental health crisis sweeping the world, COVID-19 was the last straw for many still struggling to function in their daily lives.

Luckily all of these things are improving! 

Spiritual and emotional ailments are a reality, pandemic or not. COVID-19 created an opportunity for us to open our eyes to the severity of the crisis and the lack of connection within ourselves.

As we all stood still amid lockdowns that kept us frozen in our homes, we were suddenly forced to reassess the states of our minds and spirits without the distractions of our regular routines.

The pandemic will always be an event we remember as one of the lowest points for our planet, but we can look forward in a positive light.

Beyond Covid, we have a chance to be reborn. We can reinvent ourselves, explore new identities, and heal our spirits.

An Opportunity for Spiritual Renewal

In every dark and low moment of our lives, we have a choice. We can wallow in the pain and find comfort in unhealthy habits, or we can seek transformational experiences big and small that will help us cope and climb out of the darkness.

These transformational experiences will be different for everyone. 

For many, prayers, routines, and rituals are helpful ways to re-establish our balance and peace. If you love rituals, check out my Free Resources pages. You’ll find ancient ceremonies, lovely prayers, and encouragement that you might find helpful during times of change and transition. You might also consider using my Personality Cards – they’re wonderful for all sorts of rituals. 

Spiritual renewal will come from identifying the negative forces, attitudes, and experiences in our lives and ourselves, then setting goals and courses for change that will help us become reinvigorated, renewed, and reborn. 

Do you allow energy vampires to affect your emotions and your life choices? Have you fallen into an unhealthy habit with drugs or alcohol? Maybe you lack balanced emotions or healthy priorities and need to reassess your journey.

Or, you might be too attached to someone who violates your boundaries, and it’s time to say goodbye and find yourself again.

No matter your concerns and situation, everyone can work on their spiritual renewal to come out on the other side of covid feeling refreshed, transformed, and ready to live life again.

 

Check out my course: FREE YOURSELF. It can help you completely rebirth your life.

 

Taking on a New Identity

Amid a spiritual renewal, we don’t need to change our appearance or behavior inauthentically. Instead, we need to dig deeper within ourselves to find what lives within us. Times like these can inspire us to make a firm commitment to becoming more in line with our authentic Selves. 

You may have recently realized that you’ve never been your true self. Maybe you’ve put on a mask or followed certain socially-acceptable behaviors under the guise of a false identity for a fair portion of your life. Realizing this and committing to a new life with an authentic identity can feel challenging but – on the other side of it – it can be wonderfully freeing.

Following this path requires that we be truly bold and courageous. To find our true Selves and commit to a life of honesty and freedom is the ultimate journey.

A choice like this might require that you try on a few different hats–so to speak–before you find one in which you’re entirely comfortable. Thankfully, there are so many tools and resources out there to help you on your journey.

Looking for a great start to your journey? Find a spiritual Guru to guide you. Throughout humanity’s existence, there have been divine masters who walked among us and changed the way we saw life and the Cosmos. Some have been physical embodiments of the divine forces of the universe, such as the Divine Feminine. Others have been reincarnations of Gods and established new philosophies and faiths.

Finding one or a few that speak to your soul can help you to re-establish spiritual balance and set on a new path to your true self!

You can also choose to establish a routine of prayer, meditation, and other rituals that help you center yourself and reflect on your authentic identity. Setting aside a few minutes a day for reflection and prayer will help you grow your spiritual strength over time and achieve a rebirth!

If your health is failing in some way, explore Ayurvedic Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Remember that eastern medical ideologies treat the core of diseases and challenges, while western medicine treats the symptoms. Why? Because drug companies are not restricted and their only motivation is profit.

Achieve Rebirth after COVID!

With the guidance of divine masters, spiritual tools such as prayer, and resources like my personality cards, you can set off on the path to a spiritual rebirth! And check out my Free Yourself course – it’s life-changing!

The most important thing you can do is to stay committed to your journey and be true to yourself.

Spiritual renewal and finding your core identity are not easy, and it can take inordinate amounts of time, all depending on your unique situation and spiritual state. Still, for authentic freedom and happiness, the pursuit is a vital one!

In all things astrological and spiritual, please realize that these aspects are only suggestions to help ease some stress. You are far more powerful than you realize.

The blueprints that astrology, white magic, and other spiritual forces and practices suggest are not hard and fast rules. It might also be that you have other influences in your life that might greatly enhance your ability to receive what you desire.

It is also probably that your spirit is more powerful and vibrant than any numerological or astrological reading.

To improve your vibration, luck, and happiness, spend time chanting Sanskrit mantras and love-filled sutras. Access and strengthen your chakras through pranic breathing and yoga. To achieve balance and fully allow energy to flow within you, pray for others. When we do this, the Universe prays for us.

REMEMBER! YOU ARE LOVE!

You are a beautiful Living Being filled with light and love, born from stardust. You are unlimited potential in every direction. With a focus on discipline, virtue, and your own goodness, you can become as expanded and liberated as you desire. 

Pray for others and the Universe prays for us. 

Button Nav Icon
Posted on

The Life Of Bees

Shutterstock licensed image:  

The Life Of Bees

I love bees. How about you? Most of them are so cute and remarkable diligent, it would be difficult not to love them.

Bees are the hardest workers on the planet. To eek out a teaspoon of honey, they kill themselves – literally.

Humans have been fascinated by the magic and movements of bees for centuries. These little insects have an incredibly complex social structure in which each individual has a job and works for the good of the whole. Imagine if humanity did this?

From making the delicious honey we so enjoy to caring for the young up-n-coming bees’ lives, these lovely creatures are busy from their first day of life until their last.

What does the life of bees look like on a day-to-day basis?

Read on to learn more about the life cycle of bees, as well as what each member of a colony spends their days doing throughout the year.

All Hail The Queen

The Queen Bee’s life is fairly straightforward – her job is to mate and lay all the eggs that will keep the hive growing and thriving. When she is a larva, she is fed royal jelly by her loyal buzzing servants, which transforms her into a Queen. She is not the only queen growing, however, and whichever Queen hatches first kills all the rest, which solidifies her position on the “Throne.”

Once the Queen is fully mature, she flies away from the hive to mate with drones from other colonies. After a few days of mating mid-air, she returns to her hive and begins laying eggs. She’ll lay as many as 2,000 eggs per day for the rest of her life, never leaving the hive again.

Drones

Drones are the only male bees in the colony, and their entire purpose in life is to mate. High-flying sex is the only thing on their minds. Drones are the male escorts of the bee world.

In most cases, drones do not mate with the Queen of their own hive. Instead, they fly up to an altitude of 200 or 300 feet, a mile or so away from the hive, and they mate with Queens from other colonies. This perform all of their sexy duties mid-air! The reason they do this is to maintain the diversity of the global genetic pools of bees.

Once drones have mated, they return to the hive to be fed by the worker bees. Kinda like gladiators when they return home from a day of battles at the local forum.

Drones do not do any work for the colony beyond mating. The lifespan of a drone bee tends to be somewhere around fifty-five days. As the weather gets colder, drone bees get pushed out of the colony and left to freeze, their life’s purpose accomplished.

Some bees in warmer climates will find ways to survive beyond their usual fifty-five days.

Workers

Worker bees have the most active lives of any in the hive. They perform all of the hive’s non-mating functions, including gathering food, caring for young, defending the hive, and building and repairing the nest. Worker bees’ daily activities vary as they continue through their month-long life cycle.

Worker bees tend to be the smallest of all the bees in the colony, coming in at just under half an inch in size. Drones are a little more than half an inch long, and Queen bees can be just under a full inch in length.

Young Workers

On her first day, a worker bee hatches from her cell, and begins to clean up everything around her. Unused pods need to be cleaned out in order to keep the hive healthy and in good order. She begins cleaning out her cell and then moves onto other cells that may have gathered dirt or other debris throughout the hive.

After that first day or two, a worker becomes a nurse bee, caring for all the developing eggs that the Queen has laid. She produces jelly and feeds the larvae as many as 1,300 meals each day.

As they develop, young worker bees feeds all of the growing eggs her bee bread, made from a mixture of pollen and nectar. On the fifth day of their development, she seals up their cells so they can finish their development.

Middle Aged Workers

After the first week of their lives, worker bees are already considered middle-aged, and they move into a new set of duties. During this next week or two, worker bees may take on a variety of roles within the hive. Oftentimes, they start out as processing workers, taking nectar from foragers and passing it to other worker bees who store it away to become honey.

Middle-aged bees also usually take on the role of hive architects, expanding the hive and repairing any cracks.

These tough old bee-folk make wax and build new cells for honey storage or for larvae to grow in.

These boomer bees may also create the bee bread that feeds young larvae.

Older Workers

Only when workers reach the end stage of their bee life cycle do they begin to leave the hive more regularly. As bees enter their third and fourth weeks of life, they become foragers, flying out from the hive to gather nectar and pollen. As foragers find good spots with plenty of pollen, they alert the other bees in their colony to this spot so they can focus their efforts there.

This is similar to New Yorkers who retire to Miami. Instead of gathering pollen, Florida retirees visit the area malls on little scooters and buy local newspapers and Entenmann’s crumb cake.

As they age, worker bees also help process nectar into honey. They run the warehouse and store the nectar, and they beat their wings to evaporate water from the developing honey. Some older worker bees also help to guard the hive and make sure no bees from other hives sneak in and steal their liquid goals.

The Life of Bees in Spring and Summer

Much like us, bees’ daily activities change with the weather and the turning of the seasons. Spring and summer are the bees’ busiest seasons. This is when they collect bundles of pollen and nectar from blooming flowers. The warmer months are also the safest to move around inside and outside the hive.

During the Spring and Summer, worker bees busily harvest pollen as much as twelve hours a day, as well as store nectar, make honey, repair the hive, and tend larvae. Drones fly out to mate with Queens from other hives, and the impregnated Queen of the hive spends all her time laying eggs.

The Life of Bees in Fall

Once the weather begins to cool down and the autumnal equinox comes around, bees prepare the hive for the long, harsh trek through the freezing months of Winter. Oftentimes, this means ejecting the drones from the hive and leaving them to die. The drones have performed their purpose by this time, and they’ll just consume hive resources during the leaner months, which would prevent the safety of the Queen.

As the weather cools off, the Queen’s egg-laying pace slows down a bit. The hive will need every bit of its honey to keep the current population of bees alive until the flowers bloom again. They don’t have resources to devote to caring for new bees, and moving around the hive can be dangerous in freezing weather. 

The Life of Bees in Winter

Once Winter sets in, all the worker bees return to the hive and settle in to make it through the Winter months. They form one large huddle in the center of the hive, with the Queen in the middle of the huddle.

Bees take turns buzzing their wings to warm up the hive, their Queen, and the other worker bees around them.

Bees rely on their honey stores to make it through the lean Winter months. A hive that hasn’t stored enough honey (or that has had too much honey harvested from them) may starve to death during this time. For the most part, the bees do not leave the hive until the weather warms up and flowers bloom again.

Learn More About the Life of Bees

From the moment their lives begin, bees have a dedicated role within their hive. Queens and drones spend their lives focused on mating, but worker bees handle every other aspect of hive life. From cleaning out cells and caring for larvae to harvesting nectar and pollen and turning it into honey, their daily lives are dedicated to keeping their hive healthy and running smoothly.

There are many lessons to draw from the lovely, beautiful lives of Bees. They are naturally and deeply committed to each other and their roles in the functioning of their hives. They roll with the punches so they can fulfill their life missions – and they protect their leaders at all costs.

Most importantly, Bees feed the planet. They are the singular species that is always required for life on Earth. Without Bees, the world would eventually perish.

If you see a Bee, pray for her. Love him.

Don’t be afraid of them. While they might seek to protect their hives, if you keep a distance, they’ll have no reason to attack.

The Life Of Bees is a noble one. THANK YOU, BEES!

I am here to help you awaken and bravely create an inspired life. Make the world a lovelier place! Learn more about our services today and start changing your life in the most positive way.

REMEMBER!

You are a beautiful Living Being filled with light and love, born from stardust. You are unlimited potential in every direction. With a focus on discipline, virtue, and your own goodness, you can become as expanded and liberated as you desire. 

Pray for others and the Universe prays for us. 

Button Nav Icon