I’m sharing this video with you because of, the important message it gives and the need for more women to be  diligent about their heart health.

Heart disease and stroke are two of the leading causes of death in the United States. Americans suffer more than 2 million heart attacks and strokes each year. The good news is that many of the major risk factors for these conditions can be prevented and controlled.

In this video, 55-year-old Gail recounts her personal experience with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and shares how she manages her risks for CVD by knowing her family history and making small, simple changes to maintain good heart health.

A research project which was published in the official journal (Journal of Holistic Nursing) of the American Holistic Nurses Association addressed the therapeutic effects of Touch Healing, Jin Shin Jyutsu. I felt I had to share it with you since I’ve written about Jin Shin Jyutsu in previous issues of this newsletter and here.

The study evaluated the effectiveness of 10 weekly treatments of Jin Shin Jyutsu, as practiced by a qualified Jin Shin Jyutsu (JSJ) practitioner, for women diagnosed with breast cancer.

The women’s goals were to feel better physically and emotionally and to live a fuller life. They wanted a balanced lifestyle. After the conclusion of the ten weeks of JSJ treatments, the women reported that JSJ was helpful and their goals had been met.

Although the sample size was small and utilized one JSJ practitioner, the study is a clear indication that JSJ might be an effective complementary treatment for women with breast cancer.

Using these findings as a basis, multiple JSJ practitioners could collaborate on conducting a large scale evaluation in the future.

*Searls, Karen and Fawcett, Jaccqueline. “Effect of Jin Shin Jyutsu Energy Medicine Treatments on Women Diagnosed With Breast Cancer”. Journal Holistic Nursing, December 2011, 29: 249-255.

Are you a JSJ practitioner? Do you provide treatments for women with breast cancer? What has been your clients experience in receiving such treatments?

Several factors in combination can impact a woman’s health. The previous post included information about stress and stress reduction. There are more small steps that can be taken to maximize positive influences on the body, mind, spirit, emotions and the environment. One area of interest is anti-aging.

Anti-aging

Aging well is possible.  Anti-aging is a myth. We are aging every nanosecond and nothing known to the public can stop the aging process. We are born, grow old, become sick and die. There are a lot of ‘anti-aging’ products on the market. If they worked, almost everyone would be using them in one form or another. What are some of the positive lifestyle behaviors you practice every day?  A consistent exercise routine can slow the aging process regardless of one’s present age. A nutritious, fiber rich diet is good medicine. The aging process, the brain, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis- are all affected by a nutrient rich food plan.  How many days do you realize its twelve noon and you’ve only had a cup of java and a croissant? The brain and the body think you’re starving them, so they respond by slowly shutting down.

Caring for Self and Others

Women use the health care system more than men. Yet they remain in the lower ranking of well care. Women are the care givers. They are busy caring for children, parents and members of their extended families and put self care in the distant future. Self care can be a few minutes of silence in the quiet of the morning. Practice body movements before beginning work in your home office, or leaving home to go to an office outside the home. Practicing soon becomes a positive health habit. Eight hours of sitting in the home office or office outside the home can be as harmful as smoking. It is best to move throughout the day versus a half hour of scheduled exercise. Of course, some exercise is better than no exercise.

Wellness Coaching and Mentoring

Many women do not have health insurance. That alone can produce unwanted stress. Other women, who have insurance, do not want to spend 2-3 hours sitting in the ‘waiting’ room to see a practitioner for five to eight minutes, only to be given a prescription or referral to see a specialist. Women who are small business owners can use their time more productively and reduce stress by hiring a licensed wellness coach and consultant. It’s also important to be a member of a mastermind group. Wellness coaching is good for your health, your business and your family.

What positive steps are you taking to improve your health and wellness in all areas of your life?

The number of women in the workforce as employees or business owners continues to grow. Additionally, women are the highest percentage of the aging population. Put them together and women are working longer. Females are more likely than males to be affected by depression, by chronic diseases, chronic health conditions and arthritis. Read more here and here.

In this two part article you’ll learn how these two factors combined, can impact women’s health and some small steps that can be taken to maximize the positive influences on the body, mind, spirit, emotions and the environment.

Stress Reduction

Yes, you enjoy the work you’re doing and you’re passionate about that work and the business you own. However, all careers are not created equal. Some forms of employment and business ownership are less stressful than others.

Nevertheless, stress – negative stress and positive stress- over time can produce an unwanted effect on the body. You’ve most likely heard it said that it’s not the stress, but how the individual handles the stress. All things considered, stress is stress. Clutter can cause stress. You may be churning out products, content, engaging clients but a cluttered environment usually produces a cluttered mind. The cluttered mind can prevent the brain from functioning at an optimal level. Figuratively speaking, it’s similar to an individual who has high blood pressure and continue to function in the world simply because the body has adapted to the higher blood pressure level.

Read my next post about anti-aging and much more!

In the interim, do you have a simplified lifestyle? How many ‘things’ do you think you really need? How much time are you spending in quiet solitude, alone with yourself and at peace with the universe, in silence?