Vitality Blog and Articles

What is meditation and what is it not?

2012-05-30T08:35:32Z

What is it about us, Westerners, rational thinkers, that we want to understand everything that happens to us? Only take serious what we can understand with our brains. My father refuses to work with a computer because he doesn’t understand exactly what happens…..

Something similar goes on for some of us when it comes to meditation. What exactly happens when you meditate….. There is no clear answer to that.

The English word meditation is derived from the Latin meditatio, from a verb meditari, meaning "to think, contemplate, devise, ponder." Interestingly enough, for me that is exactly what meditation is not.

Meditation is not about thinking, it is about allowing your rational part to have a rest. Meditation is the practice that allows your mind to have a break, by focussing on something simple. Like relaxing your body, like looking at the light of a candle, like counting your breath….

Research has shown that the electrical brain waves (frequencies) change as a result of the practice of meditation suggesting that the mental activity during meditation is wakeful and relaxed.

Meditation works really well when done in a group. The energy of all participants calms down and strengthens the general lowering frequency. This is why meditating in a group can be much easier and more intensive at the same time.

However, it is not always possible to join a group. Not only cost it a lot of time, it also hinders you to make it a daily practice. That of course is possible if you are able to do it easily by yourself.

Recently, Dr Mariette Jansen launched The Meditation Wave. A 28-day programme that helps busy people to bring meditation into their life. All materials are delivered via email or internet and it only involves 5x a day a 1 minute meditation, that can be done everywhere and anytime.

The Meditation Wave aims to help everyone to embrace the meditation practice: as time and place are no hindrance, even the busiest buzzy bee could do it. Group meditators will benefit as well. By doing a daily practice you set yourself up for a deeper experience in the group, as you train your mind and body how to respond in a very short timeframe.

The programme was launched in March and received an endorsement and accreditation from Janey Lee Grace (www.imperfectlynatural.com). Janey: “The Meditation Wave is a super effective meditation programme. Mariette has created a brilliant way for even manically busy people to pause and meditate.”

Some feedback from participants:

“I did the one minute meditation on Friday, felt really good, but no more. Than on Saturday, I started my morning with the meditation and I can’t believe I did it, but 2 major jobs that I had been putting off for months, were done by midday. How weird and how fantastic was that? Something had happened inside me, and I can only relate it to my new activity: the one minute meditation!”

“….Also noticed after just over a week that I started to be sleeping better".

“I’m finding the Meditation Wave really rewarding. It’s so useful just to be able to step out of myself for a few minutes and take a break from the world.”

The Meditation Wave offers: 5 downloads, instructions, checklist, stress chart and daily email support. Cost £37.

More information contact Dr Mariette Jansen, 07967 717 131 or check out the website: www.stressfreecoaching.co.uk

How to get enough Vitamin D

2012-05-10T10:55:57Z

Make sure you are taking Vit D3 when you take it as a supplement.

By Healthspan - UK's largest direct supplier of Vitamins and Supplements

Grow your own sprouted seeds

2012-05-07T15:09:08Z

Have you ever wanted to eat realy fresh sprouted seeds but didn't know how to grow them?

This is a really clear and simple method.

A dad talking about why he doesn't vaccinate his child

2012-04-23T10:40:07Z

This brave video has been made by a dad who has considered the options for vaccinating his child

Please contact me if you would like to discuss your options

Is there a healthy sugar?

2012-03-02T12:51:29Z

Not all sugar is bad for you. In fact we need some sugars to support the healthy functioning of our body.

This clip shows how the body uses sugars called glyconutrients to support all the body functions, including immune support, also how they start to break down when we are not eating enough of them.

They are what we need to put us in the best place to remain healthy during the Flu season.

This is part 1 and you can see part 2 when it is finished.

Omega 3 Fish Oils - help adolescents with mental health problems

2012-02-16T14:54:10Z

A recent study reported that Omega 3 fish oil supplements are helping adolescents with serious mental health problems. 300 adolescents in the study showed 'substantial improvements' after taking the supplements.

Due to the success of the first study, they are extending the programme to young adults with psychiatric problems.

The researchers say Omega 3 supplements are a natural alternative to drug treatments for childhood mental health problems.

Reported in WDDTY click here to read the full article. WDDTY has a free subscription option for their newletters.

Vaccination - make an informed choice

2012-01-09T16:06:08Z

This week is Vaccine Awareness Week.

In honour of this week, the following is reprinted from the National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC) website, an Amercian site, but one that contains good information.

Vaccines are pharmaceutical products that carry risks, which can be greater for some than others. NVIC encourages you to become fully informed about the risks and complications of diseases and vaccines and speak with one or more trusted health care professionals before making a vaccination decision.

If or when you vaccinate, please ask yourself the following questions.

You can also download the If You Vaccinate, Ask 8 brochure online.

Am I or my child sick right now?
Have I or my child had a bad reaction to a vaccination before?
Do I or my child have a personal or family history of vaccine reactions, neurological disorders, severe allergies or immune system problems?
Do I know the disease and vaccine risks for myself or my child?
Do I have full information about the vaccine's side effects?
Do I know how to identify and report a vaccine reaction?
Do I know I need to keep a written record, including the vaccine manufacturer's name and lot number, for all vaccinations?
Do I know I have the right to make an informed choice?

If you answered yes to questions 1, 2, and 3, or no to questions 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 and do not understand the significance of your answer, you may want to review information on NVIC's website with links to other websites and resources so you can better answer these questions designed to educate consumers about the importance of making fully informed vaccine decisions.

Click here to learn more about the role of informed consent in vaccination.

The next edition of the No-Nonsense Vaccination Handbook will be published in the Spring.

Give me a call if you would like to get hold of a copy before then, or if you want to talk about your options now. Mob 07942 816937

Resolve to Reduce Stress in 2012

2012-01-04T09:50:17Z

Don’t let the credit crunch affect your health. You can take back control.

The continuing economic climate could have health repercussions – stress can severely affect health and well-being, making us more prone to illness.

Stress prompts the body to increase the production of the hormones adrenaline and cortisol, causing changes in blood pressure heart rate and metabolism. These help us perform better in the short term, but over long periods they can lead to headaches, indigestion, diarrhoea, insomnia, general tiredness and even palpitations, anxiety and depression.

Meditation can help individuals cope better with the effects of stress. It can help with the mental, emotional and physical symptoms of stress, by triggering the body’s natural system of healing.

If it feels too difficult to start on your own, then come and join our friendly Meditation Group in Carshalton. We meet once a month. Click here to read more and to come along.

Getting over a cold in less than 18 hours

2011-11-15T10:42:32Z

Last Thursday afternoon I was feeling under the weather. I found myself coughing while I was talking to someone. I realised I had a cold!

I was due to go to a the Mannatech European conference over the weekend. I couldn't be ill!!

I decided that quick action was needed and I took my own advice. I looked at my diary and cancelled a non-urgent appointment for the next morning. I also completed just what I had to do and finished work for the day.

I went downstairs, wrapped myself in a blanket in front of the TV and decided to start taking Immunostart, as I didn't want to phone my homeopath and didn't have the brain power to work out what homeopathic remedy I needed. I drank and ate just what I wanted. I sat on the sofa and took Immunostart every hour during the evening.

At around 8pm I got very hot, so I peeled off the blanket and took more Immunostart. I stayed hot overnight, but I woke up in the morning cool and, although I felt tired, I was feeling better. By the time I had to leave for the conference at 11am I was recovered.

I looked back over the experience and this is what I recognised.

I have been excessively busy over the last few weeks, because I have started a multitude of new projects
I had a low grade head ache for a couple of days, which I had ignored
I had been telling people how to nutritional supplements and homeopathy can help them stay healthy, but how they needed to notice the early signs and take prompt action

This experience showed me that my advice worked!

Why I am a loyal customer of Mannatech Nutritional Products

2011-10-21T09:06:00Z

I met a woman last night and we got talking about Mannatech. I told her I had been taking the products for over 4 years and I truly believe they are making a positive difference to my health.

She was a bit dismissive and just said I was very loyal to Mannatech, as if that was a naive action. So it got me thinking.

Why am I so passionate about taking Mannatech supplements, why does Peter take them without me nagging him and why are they the only nutritional products I recommend to my patients and friends?

I think this short video explains it very clearly.