Welcome!
Mara
Hello everyone, my name is Mara and I want to welcome you to my wellness blog. Helping others learn “How to Live a Life of Health and Wellness Naturally” is what I am hoping to share with you.
Since 1994, when I was diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD/CRPS), I have been exploring alternative options to manage my pain and the many other symptoms associated with my RSD. I take supplements from Nature’s Sunshine Products and have tried many alternative treatments including chiropractic, acupuncture, bio feedback, reiki therapy, massage therapy, and self-hypnosis. In 2005, I found several wellness products (Chi Machine, Far Infrared HotHouse, Electro Reflex Energizer) that have helped me tremendously improve the quality of my life.
I have continued my education on nutrition and herbs, essential oils, and have become a chronic pain consultant. I am passionate about helping others improve their quality of life by sharing my experiences and knowledge. I strongly believe that it is very important to interact with your doctor or caregiver, educate yourself about your disease, and participate in your own treatment plan. My journey has created a strong belief that “We are all responsible for our own health”. Thank you for visiting and allowing me to share.
Brain Wellness
Below are the Orr Center’s 10 Pillars to Brain Wellness.
- Socialize – volunteer, join a club, take a class, interact with others.
- Exercise – moderate physical activity protects against cognitive decline.
- Rest – the brain needs rest so try to take one day a week that is largely stress-free.
- Manage Stress – stress contributes to many chronic diseases and chronic painful stress can lead to shrinkage of the memory centers of the brain.
- Practice Moderation – especially where alcohol and calories are concerned.
- Share Your Gifts – engage in activities you are good at, it boosts confidence and self-esteem.
- Avoid Accidents – protect your head at all times from injury.
- Establish a Health Care Team – when you get sick, make sure you have a team of people and doctors to assist you in getting well.
- Practice Brain Wellness – read, write, do puzzles, learn new things.
- Get Spiritual – meditation is one of the many ways to achieve this. Dr. Bender says “Meditation changes the brain for the better”.
Reference Neurology Now – July/August 2010.
Q-Link for More Energy and Less Stress
Q link – helps your body’s biofield stay balanced. It even has helped many with sensitivity to EMF’s. Is it fact or fiction. The stars wear them. Athletes swear they perform better since they began wearing them. Everyone is talking about EMF’s and the hazards of the EMF’s from cell phones, televisions, computers, and fluorescent lights . Energy fields do interact. I myself spend the majority of my day in front of a computer sharing tips like this one with all of you. I have done my own research. There are EMF’s (electro magnetic frequencies) and Biofields. Some people feel that EMF’s could potentially cause health problems. So, to be on the safe side, I purchased my Q-Link Pendant and I am now wearing it. I believe that I have more energy, I am less fatigued in the afterenoons, and I feel more focused. Check it out and you can decide for youself.
Memory Loss Linked to Weight Gain in Women
Researchers at Northwestern University in Chicago have found a link between memory loss and weight gain in post-menopausal women (ages 65-79). Normal memory on a 100 point memory test is between 90-100. After 8,475 post-menopausal women took the memory test. Their scores were compared to their Body Mass Index (BMI). For every one point increase in BMI the associated memory score dropped by one point. The study excluded other conditions like high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels and diabetes. It seems that weight by itself is tied to memory loss. It also seems that pear-shaped women suffer more memory impairment than apple-shaped women. This was especially surprising since other studies showed that it is usually better to be pear-shaped than apple-shaped. Well here is one more reason to maintain a healthy weight, especially as we age! Read the full article.
Does Diet Really Matter?
We have been hearing for years how the American Diet, especially fast food is affecting our health and increasing are risk for diabetes. Since fast food restaurants have increased in Asia, the Asian consumer is now at a higher risk of diabetes.
Nearly 11% of men and 12% of women in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes. This is in addition to the 4% of people who have already been diagnosed. Scientists from Australia’s Garvan Institute of Medical Research blame this increase on increased fast food intake and lifestyle changes. Read the full article at BBC News. Nature’s Sunshine offers a variety of supplements to assist with weight loss.
Cherry Juice and Sleeping Better
According to researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and Rochester, tart cherry juice helps to alleviate insomnia and can reduce the amount of time sleep is interrupted.
Tart cherries contain high amounts of melatonin. Melatonin is an antioxidant known to help improve your body’s sleeping cycle.
The people who participated in this study showed, on average, 17 fewer minutes of wakefulness after initially falling asleep. Read the full article.
