Wellness--A Balancing Act

Are you looking for wellness? Striving to become or stay healthy? Trying to understand why the pieces of your life don't always "fit"? Do you feel like something's just "missing"? Before you go looking for something to fill that space you feel, consider this... Sometimes, in spite of our efforts to maintain all areas of our lives, we have moments when one area of of our life or another slips out of balance. Being out of balance can leave us feeling out of sorts, empty...like there is something missing in our lives. There are areas of our lives that are vital to our peace of mind, and wellness in these areas allows us to live more fully. These are: Physical, Mental/Emotional, Spiritual, Financial, and Environmental. If we put all our attention on, say, on the physical, we may find that our bankbook is empty, and our hearts equally so. If, however, we are spending time working on each area of our life, we will be more in touch with ourselves and what we want. We will also be more in touch with the world we are living in. How is it our lives become out of balance? Because every day we are bombarded by sights, smells, sounds, feelings and ideas that never stop. And every morning we wake up and begin walking through our day, rarely focusing on ourselves and what we need. Instead we head off to work, hurry to finish reports, or struggle to get the kids to school on time. And, as the day goes on, more and more expectations are poured on, with less time and energy to fulfill them. Is it any wonder our bodies hurts, or that anxiety and depression are on the rise? Or that overeating is so prevelent in our society? We're given only the briefest of times to take a break, and it's hard to maintain balance on a time-clock. Now that we've acknowledged what's going on, it's time to do something about it. Look for some great ideas in the follow up article.

The Wellness Connection Issue 3

The Wellness Connection

Issue 3 Volume 2
March 1, 2007


Today I’ve discovered something about affirmations and the Law of Attraction that has nothing to do with any guru or e-book. It happened while I searched out peaceful to play during yoga here at home. Now this may sound easy, but our 4 year either gets owl-y or tries to play on his favorite jungle gym (me) until I have to stop. I wanted something he would listen to or even dance to, but his usual mix isn’t for yoga (our teenagers broadened his mind and “Iron Man” is now his favorite song.)

There was an affirmation mp3 I hadn’t heard (or remembered) was in the folder so, I gave it a try. My son loved it and within moments he was dancing around and doing is own yoga (in his words), some of which he learned at Headstart and by watching me, some from a video he’s seen for kids, and some to prepare him to “be a superhero”(…his words, not mine.)

He has been quietly playing since, and I’ve long since finished my yoga. The song is on continuous play and I am taking care of business, enjoying a surprising moment of peace.

And what is it I’ve learned? Affirmations are far easier to communicate to children through music. Now this seems obvious to some of you, I’m sure. It would take experiencing my son to understand how amazing this truly is (he can be quite…unrelenting.) But he is now singing a lovely affirmation about going places in freedom and joy and every day being a new beginning and a new adventure. I am thankful for the vision of this part of my very active, rough and tumble boy. He did yoga with me, didn’t jump on my person once (which has never happened before,) and has been soothed through the “almost better” part of his cold/flu experience. I now have a happy boy and am contemplating ways to work with into our daily routine.

Oh, and that’s another thing I’ve learned. That sometimes our children really do lead the way.

Be well!

Kim

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An award-winning team is looking for someone. Is it you? Our team is committed to you and your goals. We offer free training, free tools, and the one on one mentoring needed to be successful.

What is important to you? Financial Freedom? Quality time with Family? Balance in your Personal, Family or Business life? We have what you are looking for!
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Having recently moved and dealt with old carpet issues and stains, I thought I’d share this.

10 Commandments of Carpet Care

http://www.parish-supply.com/carpet_cleaning_tips.htm_

more information at this site.

1. Vacuum frequently and thoroughly. Most of the wear of carpeting is caused by dirt. Oily soils attract more oily soil and frequent vacuuming will reduce soil buildup.
2. Get at stains quickly, 99% of all stains can be removed by one cleaning agent or another if they are cleaned in the first few days. The longer a stain chemically reacts with the carpet the harder it will be to remove it.
3. Test carpet before scrubbing, extracting or spotting. All carpets are different. Some carpets are very sensitive to acid type cleaners and will lose their color quickly. Other carpet dyes are sensitive to harsh alkalis.
4. Use appropriate spotters starting with the mildest. Do not use harsh spotting agents unless absolutely necessary and always neutralize high alkaline or high acid cleaners after use.
5. Never dig or brush spots. The proper procedure is to scrape the spot towards the middle and then tamp the spot into the white towel or cloth using a brush or other tamping devices. A meat tenderizer makes a great tamping tool.
6. Do not overuse detergents, shampoos or spotters. Too much detergent will result in residual left in the carpet that even thorough vacuuming may not remove.
7. Do not over-wet carpet. Our carpet detergents are chemically active enough so they do not need a tremendous amount of wetting. Over-wetting can cause brownout,carpet shrinkage, adhesion problems and all other kinds of nightmares.
8. Extract residual if possible. Rotary scrubbing will clean the carpet fibers the best by encapsulating dirt and detergent residue, which powders off the carpet. Periodic extraction will flush out this dirt and other organisms deep in the carpet.
9. Never "coat" a dirty or spotty carpet. After scrubbing or extracting a dirty carpet, if you are not satisfied with the results, do not apply a coat of carpet protector as this will result in "gluing in the dirt" making it harder to remove it the next time. Either re-scrub or extract the carpet or leave the carpet until the next cleaning cycle before you coat.
10. Vacuum frequently and thoroughly. It is so important it deserves two recommendations.

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I am looking for someone who wants a healthier home, a happier family and a healthier lifestyle. Someone who doesn't konw where to start or needs a little guidance, who is willing to learn what it takes. Does this sound like you? Call me at 920-592-9511 or email me at kim_paluch@sbcglobal.net

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Green Bay, WI 54303

The Wellness Connection E-Zine Vol. 2 Issue 1

We're online again!
Enjoy this ezine. Email me to be subscribed to The Wellness Connection Ezine and receive the complete edition. mailto:kim_paluch@sbcglobal.net with subscribe in the subject line.


It's Your Choices

... that make you who you are. What you put into your body can make our break you. Literally. Yet in our fast food world, most people choose the cheeseburger over the salad 4 out of 5 days.

Take an honest look at your food choices over the past month? Are there one or two meals or snacks you could change up? Any choices you would make differently? This month try mindfulness. When you're choosing your meals this month, pay attention. Make every choice about food a mindful one. Throughout the month notice how paying attention changes your food choices.

What you drink is just as important as the food you eat. Most of us know we ought to drink 8 glasses (8 oz) of water each day. What many don't realize is that the 8 glasses rule is a minimum average. It doesn't take into account weight, activity level, or weather. Drink more water! If you feel thirsty, your body is already dehydrated!

To make it easier to drink as much as your body needs, carry a bottle with you. Fill it often and keep drinking.



Are You Active?

Many people who consider themselves active don't get regular exercise. Why? They're busy with work, work-associated activities, and their family. Yet we need exercise to keep us healthy. So how do we do it? Try one or two of the following.

• Pass on the elevator and take the stairs. You might even get there quicker!
• Take a walk during your lunch break. 10 minutes of brisk walking raises your heart rate and increases calorie burning.
• Exercise at your desk! Isometric exercises can easily be accomodated to your environment and don't have to be something everyone around you will notice.
• Learn yoga and lose weight without having to catch your breath. Yoga is great for exercise and weight loss, and releases stress at the same time.
• Join a gym and try a 30 minute workout! For as little as 2 minutes per machine you can fulfill your exercise needs, and in no time you'll see the difference.

If none of these work for you, make a list of your own and start. Your body will work better for the extra care you're taking today!

Reduce Your Summer Stress

Expectations are limitations placed on us by ourselves, whether the actual expectation is our own or someone else's. How many times have you found youself anxious about the time as you're getting ready for a sumer get-together? As the time nears and your partner isn't ready, or the kids refuse to finish dressing, a knot forms in your stomach. Or maybe, for you, it isn't being on time that causes stress, but having people over. Or wondering if that birthday present for your Mother is something she'll actually like this year.

There are many reasons we experience stress, especially during summer (or other holidays) and most have to do with expectations...either yours or someone elses...that you're trying to live up to.

Rather than allow the anxiety and stress to grip your insides, take a look at why you find yourself snapping at family members or looking for a way out of this year's family reunion. It may not be the event itself, but the expectationis surrounding it that are getting in your way.What is it you find yourself dreading? Now take a moment to think about that event or activity. Is it really all that bad? Or is it what comes next? And whose expectations are keeping you from enjoying yourself? It can be very freeing to call ahead and acknowledge that you're going to be late, but you also have to be willing to let go of it and not worry what your Aunt Bertha will say. Stepping out of the expectation, whether it's your own (I have to be on time) or someone else's (they're always late), is important in lessening the effect of expectations on your life.

The key to less anxiety is letting go of expectations. It does little good to give yourself permission to be late for a summer get-together if you're constantly berating yourself and obsessing about what everyone will think.It's easy to expect ourselves to be...that perfect image of who we want to be. Always at our best, never letting anyone down. But we are not, and never will be, perfect. We're human. And if we cut ourselves a little slack, we might just enjoy it.

The Wellness Connection e-zine

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