Live With a Happy Heart!

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ID-10010020Emotional and mental stress create tension in your body and affect all body systems. It’s important to regularly check in with yourself, assess your emotional health, and make changes if needed. Consider the following ideas to develop a happy heart. Take some time to reflect on them, then make the choice to move your life forward so you can live with greater peace. 

Let Go. You always have a choice in how you handle any situation and how you let it affect you. Holding negative feelings toward someone doesn’t hurt them, it hurts you! Who are you holding anger towards? What do you need to let go of?

Focus on the Good. What you dwell upon expands. If you focus on what you don’t have, that’s all you will see. Focusing your thoughts on victories instead of defeats will help you develop an attitude of gratitude and a greater sense of self-worth. When you change the way you look at things, often the things you are looking at change.

Be Thankful. The secret to happiness is not found by seeking more, but in developing an appreciation for what we have. A powerful exercise is the use of gratitude journal to reflect on day-to-day success, or simply take a few minutes to think of 5 things you are grateful for in your life. You will be pleasantly surprised how it will shift your mental state.

What’s Your Purpose? A big question I know, but one that you need to make the time to think about. Are you living your life with purpose, plans and passion? If you could do anything you wanted to, what would it be? It’s never too late to re-design your life and pursue any dream you have. What steps can you take to start moving in that direction? Baby steps still take you forward

Laugh. Laughter is “the most inexpensive and most effective wonder drug”. It suppresses the secretion of stress hormones, boosts your immune system, reduces inflammation. Let’s face it – there is nothing like the feeling of a deep belly laugh! Are you laughing enough? Connect with others and share some fun.

Get Adjusted. Structure dictates function. A healthy spine means a body that can function the way it was designed to. Every function improves. Studies have shown people struggling with depression, anxiety, mood swings, and addictions are supported with chiropractic care and symptoms dramatically change. I see it all the time. People routinely remark how they feel calmer, they have more clarity of thought, and their moods are more stable. They feel happier, more in control of their health, better able to develop other positive habits, and more comfortable getting help from other professionals.

“Happiness is not a destination. It is the attitude with which you choose to travel.”

~ Arit Desal, Yogi & Philosopher

 

Boost Your Antioxidants with Chiropractic? YES!

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ID-10034246I always love it when people in my practice tell me how great they continually feel, that the benefits of regular chiropractic care continue and that their body’s are always improving.

It’s not because they are “addicted to getting adjusted” or because we have created some type of dependency within their body by working together.

It’s quite simply because the body as a whole works better when the brain and spinal cord can direct all internal functions without interference.

Consider this research:

In 2005, a landmark study found evidence that chiropractic care can reduce oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress plays a role in a whole host of diseases and disorders: Alzheimer’s disease, atherosclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis and many others. Thiols are compounds in the body that act as antioxidants, reacting with free radicals to neutralize them. Serum levels of thiols reflect DNA’s capacity to repair itself, and can be used to measure aging and disease status.

The study participants who received chiropractic care for 2 or more years had higher serum thiol levels in their body. Some of the chiropractic patients even had serum thiol levels higher than what is associated with normal health and wellness!

Based on these findings and consistent with all other health habits, chiropractic as a preventative or wellness strategy just makes sense.  Find out for yourself!

Define Your Year!

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ID-100211313What’s Your Word?

I love this concept and started to apply it a few years ago. Think about your aspirations for 2014. What do you want for the year ahead? Is there an overriding theme that comes to mind for you? Can you sum up your intentions in a single word? I bet you can.

A great word can set the tone for your actions and keep you focused.  A word can also serve as a reminder of what’s important when everyday  ‘life stuff’ frustrates us. For example, when my sons were young and I wasn’t in practice, my word was “Nurture“.  It reminded me of my focus on raising my sons and looking after myself.  It allowed me to accept that my career aspirations would be fulfilled at a later date, and that the little boys in my kitchen were simply more important for the time being. In other years the words “Grow“, “Balance” and “Focus” have worked well for me.

A great word  sets your intention and will help manifest the people, places,  opportunities (and challenges!) to help you achieve your goals.  A good friend recently shared her story of using theme words during the past few years. “Abundance” was her focus at one time and she grew her business substantially. “Love” was her focus another year, and she met the man she married.  Metaphysics aside, what you focus on tends to happen!  The simple act of awareness can powerfully  keep you oriented towards actions that support your goals, and make you more likely to attract success.

Your ‘word’ might come to mind easily.  You may already have one that has been running through your thoughts repetitively, especially if you have set resolutions or goals for yourself. If not, carve out some time in your week to think about it. Sit quietly and reflect.   Journal if it helps you sort out your thoughts, or, on a blank sheet of paper simply write down words that depict your hopes and dreams for the year ahead. Something will pop out at you, or you may notice a pattern in the words you write down. Don’t over-think it!

Friends, colleagues, and people in my practice have shared their words with me for added support and accountability. Here’s some of their theme words to get you started:  Relate, Believe, Focus, Simplify, Build, Mindful, Refresh, Rejuvenate

Once you have your ‘word’ write it down where you can see it regularly. Use it as a password so you have to consciously think about it many times a day. Place post-it notes all over your home if you need to. Get creative and do what works for you – and share your ideas!

One word is easy to remember. Pick one for yourself and let it shape the months to come.

Gifts of Experience

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ID-10030491There are many ways to show affection and pamper the ones you love without purchasing ‘things’.  Time together is more valuable with the ones we love than any object, and you’ll get the benefit too! Take the stress away from shopping and get creative giving gifts of the heart in other ways.

If you choose to give gifts during the holiday season, consider ones that are from local stores. Shop within your community if possible and you’ll save on gas, meet new people and support a small business.

I’ve noticed many people choosing ‘experience gifts’ instead of tangible items…consider giving someone you love movie/theatre/concert tickets/sporting events. This year my sons chose tickets to an NHL game and a few days away in lieu of new toys. We’re all looking forward to spending the time together, and enjoying some playful rivalry as we’ll be cheering for the opposite teams!

Vouchers for ski passes, yoga passes, gift certificates for restaurants and cafes. Cooking classes, music or art lessons. Spa services are always a popular choice.

What about the gift of a consultations with health professionals you know and trust? Sound crazy? It’s one of the most popular events I do in my practice and people wait for it every year.  I extend the opportunity for people in my practice to give the gift of heath to someone they care about, someone they believe could benefit from holistic approach to health and chiropractic care. It’s a no obligation way for their friends and family to meet with me, get a feel for the practice, ask questions about their health and consider whether the chiropractic approach is right for them.

Many practices offer something similar, as do many small service businesses.

Look around your community for services you use, ones that have made an impact on your quality of life, and consider giving your loved ones a certificate to try out those services.

“You never know how far reaching something you think, say or do can impact the the lives of others.”

A small gesture to help someone else, to merely suggest they try something that has improved your health, can make a tremendous difference in the life! Imagine if EVERYONE you knew had exceptional health…how much better would it be to be around them? How much happier would they be? What would they be able to do better?

Healthy Holidays!

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244800b7b65u7f4The words stress and holidays seem to go together, and yet that also seems rather ironic. 60% of North Americans say they stress they ‘won’t get everything done’ before Christmas. Frequent questions I hear in my practice during December include “Are you ready for Christmas?” and “Have you finished all your shopping?”. The stress doesn’t just apply to our emotional states, our bodies are also stressed by the foods we eat, minimal exercise and too little sleep.  I certainly see a higher level of stress and anxiety in my patients during the holiday season, leading to sluggish immune systems and more frequent injuries.

Is that what the holidays are supposed to be about? Of course not. It may sound cliché but we say the same things every year, and yet nothing changes unless we make a change. Doing the same things and expecting different results is…INSANITY!  So if you’ve been feeling the same way, I challenge you to consider the following points and make some changes in your life and within your  family this holiday season:

Socialize – We all need social connections, but during the holiday season many people are ‘overstimulated’, ‘over-committed’, and ‘overwhelmed’ with too many events. Be choosy about how you spend your social time. Be assertive and learn to say no to situations that will upset you.  Decline invitations (if you can do so without grossly offending the invitee) that create unnecessary emotional stress, or will simply burden your schedule and shortchange you of sleep.

Reach out – At the other end of the social spectrum is loneliness.  With changing family dynamics, different living arrangements, and simple geography for some people, many are left alone during the holidays.  If you feel lonely or isolated consider getting involved in different activities, volunteering your time at seniors homes, food banks or other organizations geared towards helping others. The rewards will be far greater than just the social stimulation.

Exercise – Quite simply, physical activity makes every system in your body work better. Instead of taking a break from your exercise routine, keep it up! or consider getting started! It doesn’t have to wait until January and your resolution of getting in shape or losing weight.  The fact is, exercise is simply something most people have to build into their lives, work into their schedules. You will always find something better to do with your time! Exercise helps relieve stress and prevents weight gain.  Moving your body will always give you a boost, even just a some stretching or a brisk walk will rejuvenate your body and mind.

Eat Regularly & Prepare for Outings – If you are going to  a party or dinner, don’t starve yourself all day in anticipation.  Doing so will  slow your metabolism, leave you ravenous and more likely to overeat later in the evening. Instead, eat small meals or snacks throughout the day and you’ll be less likely to over-indulge when you are out. If you are planning on consuming alcohol be sure to increase your intake of water to compensate for the dehydrating effects.

Take a Breather – It IS the season for family, friends, and being on ‘holiday’ so don’t forget to take the time to relax and indulge in activities you enjoy! Make time for yourself too, often time alone is what is easily neglected with busy social schedules or family commitments.  Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you and change your perspective if you are having a frantic day.  Do something that clears your mind, slows your breathing and restores inner calm, Journal, listen to music, take a brisk walk and look at the lights, read a book, whatever interests YOU and gets you in a quiet place for a small bit of time.

You CAN indulge, celebrate, and still feel good in January!

Make good choices for yourself and your family, and you’ll enjoy the holiday season more and start the new year in good health.

Adapting or Surviving?

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ID-10034246“Health is a condition of physical, mental, and social well-being and the absence of disease or other abnormal condition. It is not a static condition.  Constant change and adaptation to stress result in homeostasis.” (Dorland’s Medical Dictionary) 

Our bodies are amazing machines, with an incredible innate wisdom inside that helps us constantly adapt to the changing demands placed on us. I want you to think about this for a second:

  • When you eat, your body adapts by taking the nutrients out and using them, and getting rid of the ones not necessary and creating waste.  If you eat something poisonous to your body, you also adapt and your body gets rid of it as quickly as possible!
  • When you exercise, your body adapts by increasing the blood flow to your heart, and by increasing your breathing rate to bring more oxygen to your lungs.
  • When you cut yourself, your body adapts by forming a clot and then growing new tissue
  • When you are exposed to bacteria  and viruses, your body adapts by mounting an immune response. You sneeze, cough, have a runny noses, vomit, or perspire to get the toxins out, and a fever develops to raise your core temperature so that the bacteria cannot survive.

Where does chiropractic fit it? It helps your body adapt better!

A body that is mechanically balanced with joints that are moving properly will better adapt to the physical demands of sports, hobby, household chores or work responsibilities. A body with a strong, straight spine will adapt to the forces of slips, falls, motor vehicle collisions or repetitive strains with greater ease, resulting in less injury.    A body that is neurologically balanced (with a spinal cord free of irritation) will adapt better to stress, be calmer and happier, digest easier, sleep well, have balanced hormones, breathe easier, and exhibit a stronger immune response.

It’s for theses reasons so many people choose regular Chiropractic care, because they know their bodies are stronger in every possible way!

What is Holistic Care & Why is it Important?

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ID-10083065Spinal misalignments called vertebral subluxations cause muscle imbalances, joint irritation, inflammation, and early degeneration.

Spinal subluxations alter the healthy mechanical and neurological functions in the body.

Subluxations weaken all organ systems, leading to sickness, pain,  and a lesser quality of life. Doctors of Chiropractic correct spinal subluxations to restore proper motion and function within the body.

Spinal subluxations are caused by STRESS! – physical, chemical and mental/emotional.

If we only address the spinal subluxations with adjustments, we might not be addressing the real cause of the problems with your health.

The lifestyle choices you make (exercise, nutrition, sleep, good relationships, positive thinking, hydration etc.) have a huge impact of the results you will obtain with chiropractic.

The goal of your care here is to help you THRIVE in all aspects of your health, and life.

In addition to clinical care, there is an extensive lending library, monthly workshops, an interactive web community, and an extensive network of other health professionals we can connect you with to make other changes in your health.  In my experience, when healthy lifestyle changes are combined with chiropractic care, the transformations are profound.  Entering my twelfth year of practice, I continued to be inspired by the healing that I witness, and the increased quality of people’s lives as a result.

Chiropractic works! Find a chiropractor to add to your health care team. If you need advice call for a complimentary consultation (yes, even on the telephone or online). If I can’t help you I will find you someone who can.

It’s never too late to start feeling better. Get started today.

Headache Relief

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headacheWhat makes your head ache?

When the blood vessels, membranes, and cranial nerves in the brain and skull become irritated, stretched, compressed, inflamed or infected, headaches can result.

Spinal misalignments called vertebral subluxations cause muscle imbalances, joint irritation, inflammation, and early degeneration.

Spinal subluxations alter the healthy mechanical and neurological functions in the body. Subluxations weaken all organ systems, leading to sickness, pain, and a lesser quality of life.

Doctors of Chiropractic correct spinal subluxations to restore proper motion and function within the body.

Subluxations in the cervical spine can lead to dysfunction of the joints and muscles in the neck, leading to tension and alteration of healthy blood and nerve flow to the brain and surrounding tissues.

Many people find relief from headaches and migraines when healthy joint movement and function is restored with chiropractic spinal adjustments.

Every part of your body works better with a spine that is moving properly. Instead of relying on medications (with side effects!) help your body heal from the inside-out.

Consider Chiropractic first!

Disclaimer: Chiropractic care supports overall health and healing, but is not a cure or treatment for headaches.

It Feels Good…

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chiropractor-lawrenceville-ga-presents-chiropractic-care-children-wellnessI love it when people I care for comment about how good they feel after being adjusted, how they feel “lighter”, “high” “grounded”, “energized” and “calmer”.  Often I watch their faces light up and their bodies relax right in the office.

What causes it? The simple answer, and what I tell the kids in my practice – your power is turned on!  The neurological answer is this: there is a part of your brain, the limbic system, that plays an important role in your moods and sense of wellbeing.  There are receptors for the cells in this system throughout your spinal cord, and when you have a spinal subluxation they are blocked.  The adjustment corrects the subluxation, removes pressure on your spinal cord and lets the receptors in the specific segments signal your brain properly…yes, you should feel happy and well most of the time!

There’s a reason why so many people choose to make spinal care part of their lifestyle! Chiropractic helps your body function the way it was designed to.

Stronger, Faster, Fitter!

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ID-100110096Once at the gym I was asked “What are you training for?”.  My response was “I’m training for my life! Raising two active boys, working, and doing the things I love!”

Whether you are training for your life or a sporting competition, chiropractic care will give you a leading edge.

Athletes at all levels, in every sport, at every age, both male and female benefit from increased stamina, strength, flexibility, balance, agility, balance, position sense,and power.  Given these improvements, it’s not much of a surprise that professional athletes have a Chiropractor on their health team.

If you are competitive athlete, a recreational athlete, or simply looking to expand your physical abilities, spinal adjustments will improve your sports performance.

“Since I’ve been getting adjusted regularly, I feel like the limit I can push my body to has increased, or rather, that I have no limits as to what I can attain physically.” (words from a trainer/athlete I have been adjusting for 5 years)

Spinal care is not just for when you are injured, it’s necessary to optimize your health in every possible way. Bodies with healthy spines perform better – in sporting events, recreational hobbies, and life!