Healthy Lifestyle | Coach4LifeChange

A Little Goes a Long Way

By JanetEisenbise on Wednesday, September 8th, 2010 | No Comments

There isn’t any doubt that as human beings, we are wired to be goal setting, achieving human beings. We need to have choices to make and to take steps toward something in order to be healthy and satisfied. Being successful requires our mental focus and actions that move us along toward the change we desire.

But did you know that the opposite of all that work is also necessary? We need time off. There is a sort of oscillation of work and play or relaxation that is essential. If you are relying on your will power to push on and on despite fatigue and stress, you are going to either burn out or make yourself sick. Or both.

At one time having the 7th day off was a part of the rhythm of everyone’s work life. It isn’t anymore, and yet we need the equivalent of that to stay healthy. And the quality of our work suffers without that break too.

How can you make sure that your own oscillation between work and relaxation or play is in place? Would you consider learning and using short breaks for a 10 or 15 minute relaxation break? Walking away from your desk or computer to a quiet place, closing your eyes and taking 5 deep breaths will help. Relax your body and just pay attention to your breathing. After doing this for 10 minutes or so, stand up and stretch your entire body. See if you don’t feel more alert and ready to resume work.

Managing rest and relaxation as one of your priorities will mean writing it into your schedule. Playing a game, going for a walk in nature, playing some music, planning a weekend trip away are all inexpensive or free ways to oscillate work and rest. When you feel the benefits, you will see that a little goes a long way.

Play Your Way to Better Health

By JanetEisenbise on Saturday, September 4th, 2010 | No Comments

This is Labor Day weekend and I have taken several days to get out of town and spend it with family. A change of scene and routine is good for the psyche and the soul. And hanging out with people I love is the magic elixir.

When I was a child I used to ask my mother what we were going to do for Labor Day. Her reply was always, “More labor I suppose.” I remember feeling disappointed. I knew that most people would be playing and I wanted to do that too.

Of course I had no perspective that for a woman who was a mother of five and a teacher as well, that there would be no end to the work involved. And even though my life circumstances are different, nearly constant working is a hard habit to break.

Apparently I am not alone. Many of the folks I work with describe a similar sort of thing. Work in the workplace and more work at home. Even the effort that it takes to get children to seemingly endless organized sports and lessons becomes a part of a work routine that “has to be done.”

When I asked Ellen what she does for fun, she looked startled, fell silent and eventually said, “I have no idea.” For several weeks we revisited the question and when I last checked, she still had not discovered the answer.

For starters we could consider a definition of play: an activity that exists solely for its own purposes and has rules that can be spontaneous and flexible. Of course we could take an activity that COULD be fun and stiffen it up with rules and a big dose of perfectionism and turn it into more work.

So what is the big deal about play? Well it’s good for your health for one thing. I would venture to say that a good laugh, “lightening up” with some good humor and imaginative play will energize as it delights you.

This weekend I am playing with my granddaughter. We are having a pretty hilarious time. If you have forgotten how to play, hang out with a child. Borrow one if you must. They will remind you of how it’s done.

One way or the other, I hope that this weekend you will make it a priority to step out of work mode and spend some time playing.

Goals In Late Summer

By JanetEisenbise on Wednesday, August 25th, 2010 | No Comments

Here we are in late summer, a season unto itself according to Chinese medicine. We are having a most welcome reprieve from the heat and humidity that felt so suffocating.

I notice that while the leaves have not started turning, some of them have started falling down when a gust of wind blows. The peaches are hanging heavy on the trees, and the gardens are in their glory.

With all this lush bounty, there is a paradoxical feeling that it is going to come to a rapid end. The days are getting shorter, and impending change is in the air.

For me this sense has probably been heightened by my return from a short vacation to Chicago to visit family. Stepping (or more accurately, flying) out of the routines of my usual life and then returning to it makes this seasonal shift more apparent to me. To literally “vacate” one’s life and then return to it makes one more aware of it.

The harvest of the summer is in full bore right now. Which makes me think about the harvest of my own efforts over the past months. I have heard other people comment about what they had hoped to accomplish over the summer, so apparently I’m not alone.

I invite you to take stock with me. We are past the mid-point of the year, and you may look at where you are in terms of the hopes and goals that you set back in January. Where ever that is, you can take advantage of the natural season and make today count.

Avoid the perfectionistic tendency to criticize, and instead focus on the possibilities of small and meaningful steps that you can take today. You are not too late for harvest; in fact you’re just in time.

Law of Attraction Basics

By JanetEisenbise on Monday, August 16th, 2010 | 2 Comments

“But the brain is wired with both a positive and negative motivational system,
and satisfaction and desire demand keeping the brain’s positive system well-stoked!”
~Psychology Today, “The Expectations Trap”~

Recently I have been listening to a set of CDs about the Law of Attraction. You may have heard of this natural law which was widely exposed in the popular book and movie, “The Secret.” I first came across it in the movie “What the Bleep Do We Know?!” I must say that it was one of those life-changing events because it introduced a whole new paradigm to me. A whole different way of looking at the universe and the way it works.

I have been trying to get my head around it ever since. And fortunately I have been finding more resources in books and the Internet.

You may have heard the buzz about the Law of Attraction and wondered what all the fuss was about. Is it just some new age, airy-fairy gimmick that is much ado about nothing? At first blush that may seem to be the case.

But as you begin to understand that there is a connection between quantum physics, how our brains function and that we are constantly creating our reality, you may snap to attention. I know I did.

It is called a Law because like the Law of Gravity, it is operating and a part of our daily life whether we are aware of it or not. You are a creator and are creating your life, day by day according to those laws. If you judge your life to be lousy and lacking, you have created it to be so. And if you find your life rewarding, fulfilling and satisfying, you have created it in that way. That may sound hair-raising or harsh, but I think it’s the truth.

While I am not presenting myself the best person to explain this, here are the essential principles of the Law of Attraction to keep in mind:

· Everything in the universe is in motion. On am atomic level, everything is vibrating, and all matter which may appear solid is not. Although our senses tell us that we are solid, we are not. Our cells are vibrating at different frequencies, no two human beings exactly alike.

· Seemingly solid matter is affected by simply paying attention to it. Things change on a molecular level when we direct our attention to it. Those molecules begin to move and change.

· Our brains both transmit and receive vibration frequencies all the time. We do this with our thoughts. Einstein said, “Thoughts are things.” Meaning that we are transmitting atomic particles which go through “solid” objects, go around the earth and are received by other human beings. Our unconscious mind is communicating with other unconscious minds all the time. Is this what we call intuition? Is it the ability to tune into some unconscious communication and bring it to conscious awareness?

·   The frequency that we transmit is also the frequency that we receive. Our brain receives the particles like a magnet, and in doing so we experience what the universe has to offer that is of the same frequency that we transmitted.

·   When we are vibrating at a higher frequency, we feel good: optimistic, peaceful, energetic and healthy. When we vibrate at a low frequency we feel low: pessimistic, fatigued, blue, doubtful and lethargic.

·   The patterns of thought have a corresponding biochemical flood of neurotransmitters that become neuropathways. A sort of highway in the brain and body that forms a quick and easy “habit” that we repeat over and over again, sometimes for a lifetime. We can actually become addicted to the neurotransmitters of anger, anxiety, pessimism and sadness, etc.

·   The brain has a lot of plasticity, and we are also able to change these “highways of habit” and build new neuropathways that vibrate at a higher, happier, healthier frequency.

So the bottom line is this: whatever you life is, however you feel about it, take full responsibility for it because you have created it. Consciously and unconsciously you have brought about your experience and your reality according to the Law of Attraction. When we take full responsibility, even when we did not consciously intend to create what we did, we can then be empowered to change! We cannot change what we refuse to own!

We’ll be talking more in posts to come about what to do with this.

In the meantime, I welcome your comments, and everyone will benefit from your input.

Relationship Tips 102

By JanetEisenbise on Friday, July 23rd, 2010 | No Comments

Black Eyed Susans

If you asked the man or woman on the street a question about what they would like most in life, they may first tell you some material possession. More money, a luxury car, a big house for instance.

But I’ll bet that on further reflection, most people would say great relationships.

There are hundreds of thousands of people looking for relationships in bars (all the wrong places) and online dating sites. If they have a romantic relationship or a marriage relationship, they often feel the need to improve it.

Parents want to feel closer and to have less conflict with their children. Older parents want to be more involved in the lives of their grown children and grandchildren.

Employees want to feel valued and respected by the companies they work for, and supervisors want cooperation and a friendly working atmosphere with the people they supervise.

To a large extent, the quality of our relationships determines the quality of our lives.

And yet, as important as they are, most of us leave it to chance. After we choose a husband or wife, for instance, we hope for the best. And if it isn’t going well, we blame and resent our spouse for not meeting our needs or being who we want them to be.

But what would happen if you treated your relationships like the most precious investment of your life? After all, that’s what they are. And yet that sounds like a novel idea.

We are used to thinking of our jobs that way. And our house mortgages and even our cars. We don’t spend thousands on these big ticket items and then just hope for the best. If we did the house would soon be falling down (or in foreclosure) and the car would be sitting by the side of the road with smoke rolling out from under the hood.

Certainly we need to support our relationships with our money. But the most precious and important commodities that we invest is our time and attention. How much time have you given the people you love this week? How much undivided attention have you given them?

I know families who never sit down at the same time to share a meal. And families who have the television or computer on the whole they are together. And families who practically live in the car during non-work hours, driving their kids to one lesson or activity after the other. It may seem important that the children take the lessons in order to have an advantage later in life. But could it be balanced with time with the family, and time just to play together?

For better relationships, take time for the people you love. Have a conversation. Turn off the TV and computer and give them your undivided attention. Ask your spouse out for a date and woo him or her again. Go out of your way to impress them. (If they were meeting you now, would they say yes to a second date?)

If you are having trouble connecting, go get some help. There are great professionals who do relationship counseling. I know there is some resistance (aka fear) surrounding this suggestion. But you wouldn’t think of taking out your own appendix would you? Most of us wouldn’t change the oil in our cars or replace our own brake pads.

So take courage in hand and invest the time and money in protecting and improving the most precious relationships in your life.

Reduce Stress for Better Health

By JanetEisenbise on Friday, July 16th, 2010 | No Comments

Would you like to ensure your health by reducing your stress level? If you were able to do this in a few minutes a day, would you be interested?

How would reducing stress benefit you? We could begin with the obvious: tension doesn’t feel good. We tend to be irritable and short-tempered when stressed. Focusing is more difficult and just getting through the day is sometimes a challenge. When we are able to breathe more deeply and relax muscle tension, we feel better and function better.

In addition, stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, are pumping through the blood stream in excessive amounts. If a tiger were chasing you, you would need them to ensure a quick getaway. But it’s pretty rare that we need this extra burst of energy that stress hormones afford us. And when they are chronically present, they cause real health problems.

The real consequences of stress include fatigue, depression, anxiety and physical pain. It is now understood that excess stress is at the bottom of many serious chronic and life threatening illnesses.

Lifestyle changes can make a big difference. Taking breaks, going on vacation (probably everyone’s favorite), meditating, using guided imagery are all important tools to implement. And addressing the underlying issues that are causing your stress in the first place is important too.

Some people who are constantly anxious because of stress may choose to use medications. But possible side effects are a factor that you may want to avoid.

There are a number of programs for effective, safe and easy stress relief that are worth exploring. I want to suggest that you may find yourself getting through challenging circumstances much more easily when you change your habits of reacting. With a little practice you will likely also notice that you are generally functioning better and feeling happier.

As your habits of coping change, you will be assured that your health is improving. Your improved outlook, increased energy and improved focus will tell you that you are on the road to recovery.

The Still Small Voice

By JanetEisenbise on Thursday, July 8th, 2010 | No Comments

Lake Shore Chicago

There is more than one way of knowing something. Our reasoning, logical brain gathers information and retains it. I have said that western culture worships at the alter of the intellect, which may or may not be overstated.

Certainly we tend to trust the intellectual way of knowing more easily than the other.

And yet there is another part of the mind at work which is powerful in its own right. Intuition is defined by Webster as quick and ready insight. Or more fully, the power of faculty of attaining to direct knowledge or cognition without evident rational thought and inference.

Have you ever had a sudden insight or understanding of something that wasn’t making sense to you before? You may in fact have been getting contradicting information and then suddenly things fell into place? You just suddenly knew something but couldn’t explain how you knew?

It seems that this intuition or “the still small voice” may be more closely aligned to your spiritual and emotional life. It may provide needed guidance to what you really need. If you can hear it, it will steer you well past the rationalizations and habitual patterns that may be keeping you stuck.

How can you develop this valuable asset? Primarily by acknowledging it. If you name it and pay attention to it when it speaks, you will begin hearing it more frequently. You will also need to create some space in your busy-ness and the torrent of chatter going on in your mind. Breathing to relax and sitting quietly is good. A little while in meditation is even better.

One of the best tools for developing your ability to hear this inner voice, is your journal. Make a note of what occurs to you that seems outside your usual rational way of thinking.

It may come in a dream, or right before you go to sleep or upon awakening. It often occurs in the shower or when you’re driving or doing something routine like washing the dishes. Right brained activities such as these seem to make space for them to occur. When intuition comes to you, write it down.

You can check back later to see if this thought was on target. Or you can develop and play with it in your journal. Remember that what we pay attention to gets bigger. Soon you will find this valuable inner resource showing up more and more in your life.

When Work Isn’t Work

By JanetEisenbise on Saturday, July 3rd, 2010 | No Comments

My family might have been a lot like your family in that one of the most important values taught and learned was the importance of working hard. My dad, like his before him, believed in rising early and not wasting any time. There was work to be done almost every day, Sunday being the exception. (And then of course the women still had work to do with child care, food preparation and cleanup…not that I’m complaining).

One of the common topics of conversation was work, and as the years passed and professions among family members developed and changed, my parents followed it with rapt interest. One of the assumptions was that we should all, male and female alike, be prepared to support ourselves and to be self-sufficient should the need arise.

I appreciate this legacy in that it has held me in good stead. The idea that I was entitled to anything or that someone else would do the heavy lifting never occurred to me. When I hear someone say, “I’ve paid my dues,” as if the world now owes them something, I am puzzled.

This work ethic also had some underlying message that there would be a lot of strain and difficulty in it. But the best thing that I discovered is that when you are doing something that you love, and are excited about it, work doesn’t feel like work at all.

I know people who are enlivened and devoted to their work. And I also know people who get up, go to work like robots, going through the motions, complaining about it frequently to any unfortunate soul within earshot. They count the months and years until they can collect a pension and not have to do it any more.

No way to spend a life, in my opinion.

How is it for you? Does your work stimulate you? Does it stretch you into new areas of growth and development? Do you feel happy to get up in the morning and get to it? Are you making a contribution to the world? Do you feel lucky to be able to do it?

If not, is it possible that your present work is a means to something else you aspire to? Do you feel worthwhile as you do it?

If the answer to this is no, then you may want to consider the alternatives. You don’t have to accept the robotic way of work life as inevitable and unavoidable. It is possible to change course and discover what matters to you and how to make a living doing it.

Don’t waste any more time. Do it now.

A Piece of Peace

By JanetEisenbise on Tuesday, June 29th, 2010 | No Comments

At the end of a very emotionally demanding day, I was more than happy to be headed for my weekly meditation circle. It is facilitated very skillfully by Martha, and attended by a regular group of about 12-15 people. I have been a member for the past couple of years, and the group has become one of those mainstays of my life.

Meditation is fascinating to me, and I have practiced on and off for years. Reading about it, listening to various CD’s of guided imagery or some other approaches expanded my understanding and my experience. Since joining the group, I practice much more often. And I have found that like a lot of other things, being in the presence of a group of people takes meditation to a different level.

There are many interesting research studies of the effects of meditation on the brain. Through meditation you can change the brain waves, or the frequency of them. And when you do, of course the body relaxes and you definitely feel that changed state in your whole being.

After some months of regular practice, I noticed a marked change in my level of anxiety. Not that I thought of myself as an anxious person before that, but it was certainly one of the benefits.

The stereotypical notion about meditation is that it is very difficult, complex and only for the very religious and exotic. There are those to whom meditating is the center of life, and they dedicate their lives to it. But at its most basic, it is simplicity itself. You can begin by sitting comfortably, with your spine and head relatively straight. Close your eyes, breathing several deep breaths, relax your body as you exhale. Then simply follow your breathing with your attention. When it wanders into thinking about what you have to do next, just gently bring your attention back to your breathing. Stay with it for 10 minutes or so. And that’s it. As you practice, you will extend the time easily.

For that time you will feel peaceful. And if you choose to practice routinely, it will be easier and easier to bring yourself to that state of peacefulness.

Meeting the Challenge

By JanetEisenbise on Sunday, June 27th, 2010 | 3 Comments

Black Eyed Susans

Those of us who are a part of Connie Green and Jeanne Cates’ coaching groups are coming near the end of the 30 Day Blog Challenge. The deal is to post to your blog every day for 30 days, and to comment on someone else’s blog who is a part of the group.

This is the second time I have been a part of the challenge. It didn’t seem nearly as daunting as the first one did. In fact, I was pretty scared to step up to accept the challenge the first time. Connie said that her reason for challenging us was to help us get in the habit of writing every day. It did that and more.

It must be true that establishing a new habit takes 30 days, because every day I now automatically put blog posting on my schedule. There really isn’t any doubt in my own mind that I will do it. Sometimes it takes a little while to decide what I will write about, but as I have said before, inspiration is all around if you are open to it.

This makes me wonder what I might challenge myself with next. There are so many options to choose from!

What new habit would you like to establish in 30 days? Or what kind of challenge would you like to give yourself? Do you have a new skill that you would like to practice? Is there something daunting that you have been putting off?

Here are some ideas: eat 5 vegetables a day for 30 days; contact a friend or relative that you have little contact with, every day for 30 days (this could be via email, card, letter or phone call); collect some piece of unused clothing or clutter every day and donate to a charity; keep your checkbook balanced (unless you are already doing that); go for a walk every day or do some other kind of exercise; make a journal entry every day for 30 days; write a gratitude list every day; meditate for 15-20 minutes; do one random act of kindness without mentioning it to anyone; read a book every day.

I hope you will step up to the challenge and that you learn something about yourself and have some fun too.

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