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Here are some simple steps to creating a healthy body.
1. Fresh Food - Eat as naturally as possible. Make sure you have plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet and if possible, organic without pesticides, hormones or other chemicals. Also focus on whole grains as a source of energy and nutrition. Avoid lifeless or preserved foods. Avoid white sugar as much as possible.
2. Vitamin Supplements - You may need to take vitamins in order to strengthen your nervous system and mind. I would suggest that you consider taking a multivitamin for one month so as to insure that your nervous system has all the nutrients it needs and especially vitamin B complex for the nerves and A, C and E for the immune system. Consult your doctor if you have any food or substance sensitivities or any reason to believe that vitamins may not be good for you. Always read the instructions and admonitions on the labels before using.
3. Rejuvenate The Brain and Mind - Ensure a sufficient flow of blood, oxygen and nutrients to the brain, which is the control center for your nervous system and your mental processes. This is especially important because many people simply do not have sufficient flow of blood to their brains, leading to less energy and clarity. We can ensure this blood flow by resting with head lower than the rest of the body. Before performing any such exercise, you should consult with your physician to see whether increasing the blood circulation in the brain is indicated for you.
Do this once or twice a day for from 5 to 20 minutes, developing gradually the ability to enjoy this position without discomfort. This allows fresh oxygenated blood and nutrients to rejuvenate all the cells of the brain, including the hypothalamus (controls the autonomic nervous system) and pituitary (harmonizes the endocrine system and hormones.) This rejuvenation leads to a stronger immune system and dynamic health.
This position also greatly improves our mental functioning. We feel more energized and access greater mental clarity. Our emotional responses improve. We become more creative and effective in our decisions and actions. Our clarity and positive energy will also certainly benefit those around us.
One way to do this is what we call the half shoulder stand.
If you have any doubts or physical problems, consult with your health professional before employing the following simple exercise.
Lie down on your back on your bed or on a mat or blanket on the floor with your buttocks close to a wall or any vertical surface. If you find it more comfortable, or want to bring more blood to the head and neck area, then place a pillow or two underneath the buttocks. Now, there are various stages you can perform according to your needs.
a. Inhale while simultaneously raising your arms up over your head and if possible placing them on the bed or floor behind you. Hold your breath in that position (not more than five seconds at first) and then start exhaling as you bring your arms back down by your side. Do this ten times counting mentally so that the inhalation, retention and exhalation of the breath are equal in duration.
b. Now inhale, hold your breath and turn your head as far as you comfortably can to the right. Hold your breath in this position. Then exhale as you return your head to the center. Do the same to the left. Do this to the breathing ratio mentioned previously, three times to each side alternately.
c. After completing the previous stage continue to breathe slowly and deeply but comfortably without ever forcing your breath. Do this five for ten comfortable breaths as you relax. You are bringing oxygen to your brain.
d. Then simply relax in this position. With your eyes closed, relax all the upper part of your body, with special attention to your shoulders, neck, head, face, cheeks, eyes and forehead.
e. When the body is relaxed you can imagine healing energy flowing into the organs that need help. Imagine light, love, peace and energy flowing into those organs and healing them. This is explained in detail in the next chapter.
Altogether, you will eventually be in this position for from 10 to 20 minutes.
Avoid this exercise if you have high blood pressure, a detached retina or any other serious problems that contraindicate increased blood circulation in your brain or eyes.
In this position blood flows down from the legs alleviating various circulatory problems of the legs. It flows through the lungs and takes more oxygen and then begins to flow into the neck, brain, pituitary gland, thyroid and parathyroid glands, through the liver, gall bladder, kidneys and all other organs of the upper part of the body. The muscles of the neck are relaxed while all the organs are rejuvenated with a fresh supply of blood and oxygen.
If you like, you can place your hands on your abdomen and or chest and as you rest at the end of the exercise, you can imagine healing energy flowing from your hands into your body healing and comforting all of the organs and even your emotions and mind. This will be time of self-nurturing, self-love and self-healing.
4. Self Massage
You can also spend some time in this position or any other position giving yourself a massage to your shoulders, neck, head and face. This is actual very easy to do and will release physical and emotional blockages as you press on and gently rub those points on your shoulders, neck, head and face that seem most sensitive and that bring you the greatest sense of pleasure or release.
This not only relaxes your muscles but also frees up the blocked energy in your nervous system and your energy system as know to acupuncture. You are freeing up the energy that flows through your body and also affects your mental and emotional states. You can study these special energy points in the chapter on Energy Psychology.
Thus we have four simple, easily employable, ways of keeping our energy flowing freely even when we are faced with challenging life situations.
There is absolutely no reason we need to suffer physically because our external life situation is not as we would like it to be. We can remain positive and keep up our health and vitality. These simple guidelines are especially important when we are working many hours, sleeping less or dealing with stressful situations.
There are many other ways to care for your body such as all forms of exercise, such as jogging, gymnastics, sports of all kinds, yoga, tai chi, breathing techniques, moment, dance, swimming and massage. Once we learn them, they are all free.
Even in difficult times especially in difficult times , there is no reason we cannot enjoy exercising and getting our energy flowing.
Worrying and becoming inert will not in any way improve our situation.
