Category: State of Mind

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Texas massage therapist talks about posture and it’s relationships to other areas of your life.

Texas massage therapist talks about posture and it’s relationships to other areas of your life.

How do you feel when you are sitting in a chair and are just relaxed?  Take a look at how you are sitting in the chair.  Are your legs crossed?  Are your arms crossed?  Is your whole back against the back of the chair, or is it just the upper back that is in contact with the chair?  What are your shoulders doing?  Are they resting low? Are they curled forward?  How about your head?  Is it set forward, in front of your chest?  Is it drooping foward or to one side?

I was sitting in church this morning and realized that when I correct my posture, I was more receptive to the message being offered.  I know this is true and have experienced it before, but today it really seemed to be so obvious.  I felt better overall when I “straightend up”. I could feel better bloodflow and I felt more alert.

I am sure a lot of this comes from my Pilates training.  My instructor is a real drill sergeant, but I appreciate her diligence at watching every move I make and every posture I am supposed to assume.  This proper positioning (or lack of it) really comes to light when I am doing Pilates on my own during the week between my sessions with her. 

I encourage each and every one of you to be aware of your posture.  It is so important in your current health and what you work on today (or don’t work on) will definitely show up in the future. Improper positioning or posture may feel more comfortable and forcing yourself to stand erect is often a challenge and may feel very awkward.  Think of it as a mini exercise to hold your head up, pull your shoulders back and down and contract those abdominals.

So, heed your mother’s words to “sit up straight.”  And eat your vegetables!

Dallas Health Helpers is located in Uptown Dallas, but our effects are far reaching.  We have been in the health field for over 26 years.  We offer nutrition counseling, massage therapy and licensed professional psychotherapy counseling.

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Uptown Dallas Massage Therapist recommends daily stretching.

Uptown Dallas Massage Therapist recommends daily stretching.  Flexibility is a part of being healthy and these simple guidelines will help even the novice feel good and effective when stretching.

Many people seem to find stretching to be a bore and a waste of time.  Besides, stretching may take some precious time out of the alloted exercise period.  However, stretching is so good for the body and mind, it may even enhance your workout.  Even if you are not on a regular exercise regime, a nice stretching session can actually improve your day.

The most effective time to stretch is generally in the morning.  A short, 10 to 15 minute routine will get the blood flowing and loosen up muscles that may have tightened up during the night.  Carving out that short period of time can pay back big dividends during the next few hours.  And done daily, the benefits will compound for you.

Often, when one begins a new exercise regime, the tendency is to over do it and go at the activity full force.  Stretching is best performed slowly and gently.  It is a process of allowing the muscles and tendons and ligaments to lengthen.   Forcing the soft tissue to lengthen too quickly is where the trouble can come from.   Compare your soft tissues to a rubber band.  If a rubber band is cold when you try to stretch it, it breaks more easily.  A rubber band that is warm will stretch more easily and possibly farther.  A cold muscle is much more prone to damage than a slightly warmed one.

Begin slowly and breathe comfortably.  Get yourself into a peaceful state of mind and let the stresses of the day, past or upcoming, drift away for this brief period of time.  Focus on your body and the calmness that resides deep inside you.  Once you’ve gotten your mind at ease, begin your stretching.

Stretching should feel good.  Forcing the muscles generally does not feel good.  Stay in your happy state of mind.  Whatever stretches you choose, listen to your body.  With stretching, less is better than a little bit more.   We all naturally, without conscious thought, stretch. Pets will stretch themselves and their movements can be easily immitated.  Try what a dog or cat does and see how it feels.

Expand your stretching thoughout your day; sitting at your desk, walking down the hall, sitting in the car at a redlight.  Do those innate moves that you do to make yourself feel better.  Just be aware that whatever you do to lengthen your muscles makes them feel better.

Again, don’t make stretching a big deal.  Just do what comes naturally and comfortably. Make sure you do it often.

Dallas Health Helpers has been involved in natural approaches to health for 26 years.  We are located in Uptown Dallas, but our influence is nation wide.

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Dallas Colonoscopy Preparation

Dallas colonoscopy preparation can be frightening.  This preventative measure is very important and the actual procedure is very easily endured when you follow a few simple steps. 

I just had my first colonoscopy at 52 years of age.  I didn’t worry about it so much, but knew that I needed to have that first one done.  There is no history of colon cancer in my family, but one should always exercise preventative measures to ensure the future of good health.

The preparation day is the hard part-at least it was for me. I was instructed to have only clear liquids all day, eat or drink nothing red and begin the “cleansing” process at 7 p.m.  I was apprehensive about this modified fasting, but it went surprisingly well.  I used chicken broth, apple juice, ginger ale, Cinch Energizing Tea and lime jello.   I did very little of this intake until about two p.m.  I began to get a slight headache, so I ramped up the intake.  I usually eat several times a day and this fasting had cut my normal calorie intake drastically.

At seven p.m. I began drinking “the drink”.  I used the lemon/lime flavoring in it.  I really had to concentrate to taste the flavoring.  It was not tasty.  After about an hour, I began to visit the toilet.  Then it seemed that with each drink there was a visit.  The instructions are to drink eight ounces every 10 minutes.   I finished the last drink at about 11:30 p.m.  The effects are delayed, so I finally got to bed at 2 p.m.  My procedure was at 7:30 a.m. and I was required to arrive at 6:30 a.m. 

 

Colonospy Preparation was not as difficult as I had thought it would be.  I will discuss the day of the procedure in my next post.

Dallas Health Helpers has been involved in natural approaches to health for 26 years.  We are located in Uptown Dallas, but our influence is nation wide.

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Excuses Opportunities

The fewer excuses you let in, the more room there is for opportunities.

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Dallas Health Helpers has been involved in natural approaches to health for 26 years.  We are located in Uptown Dallas, but our influence is nation wide.