Alexander Skye - Self-Care for Life: Find Joy, Peace, Serenity, Vitality, Sensuality, Abundance, and Enlightenment - Each and Every Day

FIND JOY, PEACE, SERENITY, VITALITY, SENSUALITY, ABUNDANCE, & ENLIGHTENMENTEACH AND EVERY DAY

S KYE A LEXANDER , M EERA L ESTER , & C AROLYN D EAN , MD, ND

Every patient carries her or his own doctor inside.

Albert Schweitzer

Self-care for life. Thats a tall order, but a crucial one. We often spend our lives looking out for other peopleso much so that we forget to take care of ourselves! That stress takes a toll not only on our bodies, but also on our minds and spirits. Studies show that about half of Americans feel that the amount of stress they experience has increased in the last five years, and one-third of Americans feel they are under extreme stress.

The results? Burnout, unhappiness, and mental and physical diseases. We may experience everything from headache to divorce simply because were not taking care of ourselves in a way that will reduce stress and improve our health.

Self-care isnt something you do once a year at a spa. And it isnt something you do a few times and then drop. Its a commitment you make to yourself each and every day. Not enough time, you say? It doesnt have to take a lot of time (many of the tips in this book take only a few minutes). More than time, you simply need intentionand follow-through. Promise yourself youll do it, and then do it.

Our emotional, mental, and physical selves are intertwined and interlinked. We have ample evidence to prove that psychological health affects physical health, and vice versa. Thinking holistically means viewing yourself as a whole being, not a collection of parts. In the 1970s, when Buddhist ideas seeped into Western culture, one essential message was: I am not my liver, my spleen, my blood, nor my brain. I am all of me. It sounded revolutionary at the time, but science soon joined the chorus. You are not your individual parts; you are the sum of all your parts operating in tandem. Mind, body, and spirit are inseparable, and illness in one often produces illness in the others. Think holistically and your overall health will improve.

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

Think holistically. Thats what this book encourages you to do. Each of the 365 entries includes an inspirational quotation that you can meditate onor just think about for a moment before reading further. Each entry is based on a special thought or theme, and follows up with specific ways you can improve your healthmentally, physically, and spirituallywith ideas based on that theme. That means for each and every day of the year, nearly 1,100 tips in all, youll have specific actions you can take to improve your health and well-being.

The book draws upon traditions from ancient as well as modern wisdom, from Eastern systems as well as Western ones. It also provides information about recent scientific research into a variety of illnesses and treatments. This allows you to expand your thinking about what constitutes self-care and how you might achieve it.

Not every suggestion will be right for you. Try the ones that appeal. These suggestions are not intended to take the place of professional medical care. They are offered as guidelines to help you take responsibility for staying healthier, every day, in every way.

SUNDAY

W E ARE WHAT WE THINK . A LL THAT WE ARE ARISES WITH OUR THOUGHTS . W ITH OUR THOUGHTS, WE MAKE THE WORLD . The Buddha

Your thoughts have the power to generate results in the material world. Quantum physics has shown that when you focus attention on molecules, your attention (mind) affects the molecules movement. The Law of Attraction concept, popularized by Esther and Jerry Hicks, says that you can bring into your life anything you desire by focusing your mind on it.

Put your mind to work for you. Think clearly about what you want to attract into your life. Be aware that infinite opportunities are available to youthe universe is working with you, putting wind in the sail of your dream ship to take you anywhere you want to go.

The holistic healing modality known as Reiki channels positive, high-resonance energy into your body to help your system heal itself. Holistic healers believe mind and body are integrally connected, and that positive thoughts and emotions can actually change your bodys neurochemistry to help generate healing benefits.

A vision board depicts images of things you wish to attract into your life. Cut out magazine pictures of things you want. Paste these images on a piece of poster board and display it where youll see it often. Every time you look at your vision board youll be inspired to acquire the things you desire.

MONDAY

M OST FOLKS ARE ABOUT AS HAPPY AS THEY MAKE UP THEIR MINDS TO BE . Abraham Lincoln

When you think happy thoughts, you feel better. When you dwell on problems and whats wrong in the world, your emotions spiral downward. Research shows that positive thinking can help you manage stress and even improve your overall health.

To improve your own happiness and that of others, consider starting a blog that focuses on happinessor devote part of a blog you already have to the subject. By looking for positive events in your own life, your community, and the world, and writing about them, you will improve your attitude and your outlook on life. You could even spread positive energy around the globe.

Exercise increases the production of endorphins, the feel good proteins in the brain, so when you exercise you actually feel more positive. Youll also get fresh air and vitamin D, which helps to lift depression. As you walk, pay attention to the wonders of nature all around youflowers blossoming, birds singing, the sun shiningand youll soon notice your mood has improved.

Healers who work with crystals say rose quartz emits gentle, uplifting vibrations that can boost your spirits. Carry a small piece of smooth, tumbled rose quartz in your pocket and rub it often to encourage a sense of joy and inner peace.

TUESDAY

W E DONT SEE THINGS AS THEY ARE, WE SEE THINGS AS WE ARE . Anas Nin

We can learn a great deal about ourselves from the people around us. From a place of detachment, today observe your interactions with otherswithout judgment. Notice things that rub you the wrong way as well as things that inspire or enliven you. What do other people show you about yourself?