Don't Let Anxiety Ruin Your Life

You have so many better things to do than worry, fret or fear, living your life. This article will show you how you can take charge over your stress and anxiety levels, avoid situations that cause them and manage those feelings when they are unavoidable.

When your board, your mind has a tendency to worry. Rather than fretting over whatever is makes you nervous, it is helpful to find something that you like to do to help distract you. Pick up a hobby. Start sewing, building models or doing puzzles. Restore old cars.  Give your mind something new to concentrate on rather than replaying your fear. You will find that hobby can help reduce stress all around.

Laughter can really help you during the course of the day. If you work or go to school, you will face a lot of stressful situations that require you to put things in perspective. Laughter helps you to control your mood, so that you can stay positive, all day long.

Learn how to meditate. There are many different ways to meditate, and they all have the effect of releasing your mind from anxious thoughts. Meditation is not something that you ever conquer, so do not worry about doing it right. An easy way to practice meditation is to light a candle and gently gaze at the flame for 10 minutes. Sit quietly, and just let your thoughts pass through your mind without stopping them.

Did you know that it is almost impossible to suffer from depression and anxiety when you are laughing? Laughter is great medicine for fighting anxiety. There has been a lot of research on the subject, but it does not take a scientist to know that when you are laughing, you are not depressed.

Make sure that you have a comfortable bed to sleep on at night, if you suffer from anxiety. Twisting and turning can yield a negative mood in the morning, as you should feel rested and refreshed after a night of sleep. Upgrade your bed if you are tight or sore in the morning.

Take the time each day to devote to you and reflect on enjoyable past experiences or go for a nice walk. Use this time to completely let go of all of your built up anxieties and stresses. Positive thinking and exercise will release endorphins that combat the anxiety and stress that builds up in your mind and in your muscles.

When you are suffering from an anxiety attack, you may be tempted to self-medicate yourself with prescription drugs or alcohol. This is the last thing you should do. It may seem to work well for a while, but it can cause long-term problems with drug addiction and alcoholism.

Having a plan for dealing with anxiety can make you feel better, in and of itself. You should know that you are not alone and there are plenty of others who are also reading this article, in order to find out the same information as you are. Keep this information handy and start living a less worrisome life.

Ovarian Cancer Meets Alternative Medicine - Part 10

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is probably the alternative health medicine that I used the most.  It is the alternative medicine that I really enjoyed researching and using. I saw physical, emotional and mental health benefits immediately; and the more I researched the more I liked this tool and the sense it made.

There are five basic methods for using essential oils, Inhalation, Topical, Ingestion, Oral, and Retention.  This article is a very general guide, and over time I will be posting more information on essential oils and their various uses.

The Inhalation method introduces the essential oil into the body through the olfactory system, or sense of smell. Scientists have proven there is a strong connection between the olfactory system and the limbic system, the seat of our emotional natures. The sense of smell can trigger positive or negative emotions and both are influenced significantly through the use of essential oils. Inhalation includes: diffusion, direct and vapor applications.

Topical use of essential oils is one of the alternative medicine treatments where oils are placed directly on the skin surface. Depending on the person, oil and circumstances different oils are applied differently.  There are eight alternative therapies which fall under the topical application category. They include Neat (undiluted), Dilute 50:50, Dilute 20:80, Vita Flex, Compress, Bath Salt, Body Massage, Raindrop Technique.

Ingestion, as one would assume, refers to inviting the essential oils into one's body via the mouth. Safe ingestion of essential oils can be done using: Capsules, Rice Milk, or Syrup. Oils can be used as dietary supplements, flavor enhancers and beverage additives.

Oral application can sometimes be confused with ingestion, but is really quite different. In the oral application of essential oils the user can either: gargle or apply the oil to ones tongue.  The oil is not ingested or swallowed.  It is simply absorbed through the membranes of the mouth.

Retention application can be accomplished via suppository (rectal) or tampon (vaginal) application.  There are special suppositories that can be purchased for use with essential oils.

In my aromatherapy practice, I use only Young Living Essential Oils, because they truly set the standard for essential oils. I have used the oils in most of the eighteen applications discussed above and HIGHLY recommend them in alternative medicine treatments for anyone who is still breathing.

Some of my favorite oils include Peace & Calming, Valor, Release, Peppermint, White Angelica and Myrrh.  I have introduced several of my friends to the wonderful world of Aromatherapy and they too have enjoyed amazing results on everything from abscesses to Zenker's diverticulum.

Ovarian Cancer Part 9 - Acupressure & Refloxology

Acupressure & Reflexology

Acupressure is a Chinese traditional healing method that is applied through hand massage techniques on specific target areas within the body. One of the most beautiful things about acupressure is that you can self administer. This particular alternative medicine can help alleviate pain, relax the mind, treat emotional pain, relieve stress and tension, increase energy levels and blood circulation, boost the immune system and can help in removing toxic waste from the body.

Those who know me well know that I have an aversion to painkillers and will go to almost any length to avoid their use. I got a lot of relief by applying pressure to specific points.  Muscular tension is released promoting increased blood circulation and healing. While I was laying in bed, afraid of what the future held I would often use acupressure and reflexology along with Young Living Oils and the combination was divine.

If you are a skeptic, and I must admit I was too, there have been recent studies that indicate applying pressure to specific points can cause ones brain to release protein molecules called endorphins.  Endorphin's can act as natural pain killers among other things.  My experience may be anecdotal, but I can assure you it was real enough for me!

Ovarian Cancer Meets Alternative Medicine - Part 8

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is regarded as a Chinese alternative health medicine technique that treats patients (and animals) by adjusting tiny, solid fine needles which are placed directly into acupuncture points just under the skin.

Several kinds of alternative medicine practices are based on the principles found in acupuncture. Acupressure and reflexology are two of the more popular types of alternative medicine stemming from acupuncture. This particular alternative health medicine can help alleviate pain, may help your mind to relax, and can aid in breaking bad habits such as using tobacco.

My practitioner would make me comfortable on a massage table and play some soft music to help me relax. His expertise helped me in many ways.  We used acupuncture to heal my surgery sites, help with pain management, manage chemo side effects and to help me relax.  I continue to use acupuncture as a way to prevent energy blocks from forming and to keep by body, mind and spirit in harmony.

The idea that loading someone up with pins could be relaxing is counter intuitive at best; but I can honestly tell you, acupuncture is every bit as relaxing as full body massage.

If you have acupuncture experiences that have been helpful to you, I would love to read about them, and share them with others who may be searching.

Ovarian Cancer Meets Alternative Medicine - Part 7

Cancer Stories - Part 7

Ovarian Cancer Survivor - Its Been How Long? Really!?!

I have had two major surgeries, eighteen rounds of chemo, countless pokes, prods, peaks and lab draws, scores of doctor appointments, hundreds of hours spent in traditional medical procedures and alternative medicine treatments, millions of tears, too many laughs, hugs and smiles to count

June 7, 2012 marks five since my hmm, is there a problem.  June 26, 2012 marks five years since my official diagnosis. December 26, 2012, marks five years since my last round of chemo and here I am; no cancer in sight!

With a 70% chance that the cancer would return in five years, that is a BIG deal, at least to me.  Is it because of all the different types of alternative medicine I used?  Is it because I believed in alternative therapies?  Is it because of the mass quantities of lavender essential oil I have used?  I can’t honestly tell you for sure.

I can tell you I have used each of the following alternative therapies and alternative medicine treatments in my personal journey in one form or another.  It took me hours to research this information, and I offer them to you as a time saving mechanism.

They're coming up next and I hope you find them useful!

Ovarian Cancer Meets Alternative Medicine - Part 6

Cancer Stories - Part 6

Is There a Point to All of This?  
          
     Yes there is!

If you are recently diagnosed with cancer or other chronic condition, or just starting to check out alternative health medicine and alternative therapies, it might be too much to process, simply because there is so much information to choose from.

A simple search online can show you scientific research, anecdotal testimonies and informative articles relating to the different types of alternative medicine, alternative therapies and alternative medicine treatments.  But really, when you’re sick, who has time or energy to study all that stuff?

The whole purpose of my article is to provide a list, in one place, of the more popular types of alternative medicine, alternative therapies, and alternative medicine treatments that are available to seekers. My list is by no means scientific or complete.  My article and the products offered at MindfulMassageSupplies.com are designed for the new seeker and for the practitioner who is serving people walking the cancer or other chronic dis-ease journey.

Is that significant? I think so!

Ovarian Cancer Meets Alternative Medicine - Part 5

So, What is Alternative Health Medicine Anyways?

Alternative medicine, alternative health medicine, alternative medicine treatments, alternative therapies and types of alternative medicine really speak to the same genre of healing.

First of all, alternative health medicine is the combined use of practices, items or techniques not generally an element of conventional Western medicine therapies. Countless people have begun making use of other types of alternative medicine and alternative therapies hoping that they will avoid or perhaps arrest conditions which reduce ones quality of life.

People seek alternative medicine treatments for a variety of reasons. One reason is, when conventional medicine techniques, especially those treating long-term physical, emotional, or psychological issues, are not as effective as hoped. One may to start looking for alternative medicine treatments to assist or boost their traditional treatment. Another reason people consider alternative therapies can be linked to insurance coverage, or the lack of insurance coverage. People seek different types of alternative medicine and alternative therapies when their prognosis is poor, and they want to do everything they can to improve their survival rate and quality of life.

Utilizing alternative therapies and alternative health medicine as a possible approach or supplement to your traditional health care aid you in becoming the best human being you can be.  They help you play the hand you’ve been dealt; or at least that has been my experience.  One of the great gifts of alternative health medicine is that you don't need to be sick to start. No matter what you’re physical, mental or emotional condition, participation in alternative therapies will probably improve your quality of life.

Different types of alternative medicine treatment plans require various degrees of knowledge. There is provider and non-provider centered alternative therapies. Provider types of alternative medicine have someone administering or facilitating the alternative medicine treatments. Non-provider alternative therapies are self directed. A person facilitates the alternative medicine treatments on their own behalf.

Until a short while ago, very little information could be found on the many different types of alternative medicine possibilities. Nowadays there are thousands of guides in print, with a many more appearing weekly.