Interview with a Nurse Practitioner (PN)

Jennifer works as a Nurse Practitioner in a clinic.

Why did you chose to be a nurse and a Nurse Practitioner (NP) in particular?

I spent many years as a cashier but I had always wanted to be a nurse, then I met my husband who told me to pursue my dreams. So at age 30, I entered the nursing program with the ultimate goal of becoming a NP.

How long did it take?

7 long years, while working on the Medical-Surgical floor and a stand-by charge nurse full time, as well as being a full time mother and wife, I studied for my Degree in Nursing and NP. Now I am a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (ARNP)

So who is a Nurse Practitioner?
Most people have heard the term Nurse Practitioner but don't understand what the title entails.
We order tests, diagnose diseases and treat them just like a family physician can.
What are the Pros and Cons?

Pros - ability to take care of patients and their entire family through education, diagnosing and treatment in an office setting.

Cons - not having prescriptive authority for controlled substances and not being able to follow patients into the hospital setting as the primary care provider.
In what way are you Empowering your patients?
Empower them to take charge of their own health.

What is the future of Nursing and for the NP?
It is becoming better through expansion of research, regarding treatment outcomes.

To know more about what the Nurse Practitioner does, please visit Jennifer's blog.
http://www.npplace.com OR http://arnp.blogspot.com

Thank you Jennifer for an inspiring interview!
If you have any questions or comments, please send it along.

Next Thursday September 25, our interview will be with Nurse William, an emergency care nurse.

Nursing 2030 - Future of Nursing

Here are some of the technologies that have changed the nursing career in the past century. 1. Electronic IV monitors,
2.portable defibrillators
3.computer stations
4.hands-free communication devices including remote call badges
5.portable IT devices.
6.drug management technology to regulate dosage of medications.
Yet with all these advances, there is an acute nursing shortage in many parts of the world. By the year 2020, it is estimated there will be a shortage of 800,000 nurses.
Buerhaus, JAMA,2000

In the 1990's I wrote a skit for a degree nursing course called Nursing 2020 and some of my fellow classmates enacted it out. I had a challenging time to convince these registered nurses that charting would be done at the bedside on computers and that hospital cleaning would be done by robots.

Three years later, working in Florida, the former was a reality. While visiting a maternity hospital in Singapore, I was going to an elevator when I was told by a voice to move out of the way which I did and stared in disbelief at the machine that gave the command. It was taking food trays to the patients on the floor and was gave the command after entering the elevator for the particular floor.

New technological advances are continuing?
R2D2 - Robot nurses could be in hospitals by 2020! (Warwick University Engineering Dept, UK.)
What are your views? Would robots take over as Nurses?
Will hospitals be managed by Nurses?

Some Nurses are already ordering treatments and medications. They are the NP - licensed Nurse Practitioners. On next Tuesday's post, we will have the interview with Nurse Practitioner, Jennifer and the following week, we will have the interview with Nurse William!

Agapelife
copyright/P Nicholas

Who Becomes a Nurse?

Before we peer into the future of the Nurse and Nursing, let us discuss the characters of people who enter the nursing vocation. In the days of Florence Nightingale and before, it was middle class ladies who were altruistic or nuns and monks as the extension of their religious vocation.
in Europe.
In the forties and fifties, some nurses might tell you that they became nurses as there was not much opportunities for women in other fields.

Traits of nurses include compassion,intelligence, diligence ethical,non-judgemental, confident, problem solver, multi-tasking,humorous,
politeness, flexibility, well organized,precision,intuitive, a good listener,patient advocate and many other traits which will need a longer posting. Do send me traits not mentioned in your comments?

Irregular Nursing shifts, physically or verbally abused by patients, working extra shifts, working weekends, call back on days off, no room for errors are all part and parcel of a nurse's life. Through all this, the nurse is expected to be kind,polite and smile without retaliation of any kind. Is it any wonder, that some think nurses have a masochistic trait as well.
On several occasions previously, when I was assigned to six patients and four of them in the same room were asking me, at the same time to attend to their requests, while I was doing a treatment on one, I remember saying " I am not an octopus, only a nurse", which made them laugh. Many times, I felt I needed more arms to tend to the patients assigned to me.

As one nurse wrote on her blog posting, -
"Nursing is head on, hands on, heart on, all together, all at once, maybe that is enough explanation why there is a Nursing Shortage; because not a lot of people can be all that, all at once".
may at www.aboutanurse.com
Agapelife
copyright/P.Nicholas

The Nurse and the Past 50 Years

Physicians gave the orders, Nurses implemented them!This is how the nursing profession have been linked with the medical profession and still continues, in many areas. In the last fifty years, some changes have occurred that does not make the above statement accurate to all nurses! LPN or licensed practical nurses have taken over the bedside nursing in many facilities, especially in Long Term Care but they do work under the Registered Nurses' supervision.

In order to make these postings simple, all the Nurses I mention in the next paragraphs are Registered Nurses who are either educated in a nursing college or a university and all have post-graduate studies in some specializations.

You, most probably have heard of ICU (intensive care unit), ECU (emergency care unit), CCU(cardiac care unit) Dialysis unit. All these units are specialty units and the nurses who work there have extra education and certification above their basic nursing education.

Scientific and Medical discoveries like radium, vaccines and antibiotics expanded the role of the nurse. Then in the last 15 years, informatics has changed the mode of recording data and treatments.

Nurses are now working in other areas besides the traditional hospitals and Nursing Homes. Community Health Nurses work in clinics and visit homes to do assessments on home-bound clients. Public Health Nurses work in municipal and other government agencies, teaching, researching on disease prevention and policies for health protocols. Occupational Health Nurses work with employees, in industries and organizations.

Nurse Researchers, nurse Educators are found in colleges, universities and some major research facilities. There are also Nurse Anaesthetists, Nurse Case Managers, Mental Health Nurses

The Informatics Nurse is a new addition in the last decade and she is responsible for teaching her colleagues on IT related documentation as well as formulating new applications for nurses. Another new addition is the Nurse Practitioner who is able to diagnose and prescribe some medication and treatments independently. Usually, she works in a community clinic or Wellness Centres. Sometimes, she works in partnership with a family physician in an office setting!
Yet another is the Nurse Entrepreneur - she is a business owner either online or off-line.

So what is next for the Nurse?? Tune in on Tuesday?
Agapelife

copyright P Nicholas

Nurse - Who was the first Nurse?

Let me ask you a question? When you were feeling unwell or when you had a cough or cold as a child, who was the first person who gave you care, till you became better? Many of us will answer - mother, grandmother,aunt. Likewise, the first nurse was untrained and the female member of a family.

The history of nursing seem to be synonymous with the history of women.(V.Robbins)
Yet both sexes have the tendency to respond to helplessness (Donahue,M.96) The first religious orders had male nurses caring for their sick in the monasteries in the middle ages as women were not allowed in the enclosures.

Nursing was part of many religious orders who followed Christ's mandate in ministering to the sick. In 1633, St. Vincent de Paul and Louise Marillac of France founded the Daughters of Charity who looked after the sick in their homes and in hospitals. In the Americas, Jeanne Mance founded the first hospital in Montreal in 1645 and in 1783, James Derham, a slave in New Orleans, through the earnings as a nurse bought his freedom.

In the nineteen century in the England, Florence Nightingale, initiated Evidence-Based Nursing after she went to France to learn from the Daughters of Charity, their methods in caring for the sick. She included statistics and a systemic approach to nursing. She and the women she trained were ladies who volunteered their services without being paid.



So in England in the nineteenth century, nurses' training was provided for those who cared for the sick and carried out their duties under the direction of a physician. I mentioned England, because all the Commonwealth countries adopted the same training as those in England. Training was provided in hospital schools, and usually an unmarried girl or widow was accepted. They were trained on the job and were required to live in nursing residences attached or close to the hospital. There was a nursing hierarchy

The student nurses were paid a stipend while they trained, which usually lasted for three years when they are promoted to staff nurse. The next level is a nursing sister (only a few reached this status, as many of the staff nurses married and left the hospital to raise a family. Nursing sister did not marry. They were provided lodging and the acted as supervisors and teachers.

The final level in the nursing ladder was the Matron, who also was unmarried. Physicians at times were intimidated by the Matron. Nurses usually stayed in the residences except for their occasional week-ends off. White, starched, a-line,modest, dress uniforms and little caps or veils were part of the scenery in hospitals for two centuries.

Florence's contribution to nursing and health, included, careful statistical data collection and thorough documentation. She changed Public Health and reformed the hospital environment, including basic infection control. You can read more about Florence in this website - http://spartacus.schoolnet.com.uk/re nightingale.htm

This is only a brief description of the history of nursing and the Nurse! There is a great volume of information on the web and in books, describing the history of nursing in the individual countries.
From its history, we can travel to the present and see the paths, Nursing and the Nurse evolving, in the area of education, duties, opportunities and empowerment.

The next posting will be nursing in the last 50 years. Would like to hear from Nurses, retired or still working as well as student nurses!
Agapelife
copyright/pnicholas

The Nurse - Who and Why?

A discussion in a social blog forum, about how the general public perceived Nurses prompted this series. I was prompted to write this as I spent many years in the different areas of nursing, from medical-surgical in the hospitals to Home Health and Long Term / Chronic Care, from bedside nursing to teaching, supervision and case management. All along, nursing has evolved and continues to evolve!

In the next few postings, we will touch briefly on, the History of Nursing. Who becomes a Nurse? Why Nursing as opposed to other careers? Why is there a shortage of Nurses? Will it improve? Technology and Nursing, The evolution of Nursing! What will nursing in 2030 be like? We will have short interviews with perhaps five or six nurses, each in a different area of nursing.

So join me in the next few weeks, as we explore this noble, dynamic yet vulnerable profession. We would also like to hear your positive and not so positive impact of nurses or nursing on your life.

Have Nurses contributed to society? Have Nurses made a difference in your life? Do you see a future in Nursing? If you are looking for a career, would you choose Nursing or Not? What are the reasons? Would Robots ever replace a Registered Nurse??

After you have read the completed work (expected date of completion - mid-Septemeber), perhaps, you will no longer have myths about Nurses and the Nursing Profession?

How do you stand and walk?

So elementary, you might think? Yet many people are putting needless strain on their spine and joints, when they assume the incorrect standing and walking position.

Remember your parents saying, " Don't slouch" "Don't lean against the ....? Perhaps they did not why? Well here is why? Our bodies have a body system where alignment of skeletal system is vital to our mobility. It is a strong system but just like a machine needs lubrication and proper mechanics, so does our skeletal system.

So how do you arise from a sitting position to a standing one! First move your buttocks to the edge of the chair, then place one foot slightly forward. Both feet should be about 6 inches apart and flat on the floor, then lift your buttocks off the chair with your back straight and your head looking straight ahead. Do not rise up on your toes or on your heels.

When you sit, get close enough that your legs feel the seat of the chair, and sit down with your back straightened and perpendicular to the back of the chair. All of the above keep your spine in proper alignment.

When you stand, your feet should be slightly apart. You should be like a willow tree and not like a rigid oak tree. So do not tighten any of your muscles or your joints.
When you walk, take light steps. Do not land on your toes or your heels but on the whole foot.

All these positions also create the right position to breathe properly and it does help circulation.
Agapelife

What is your Position in Bed?

I noticed that several of my clients with snoring conditions or with Sleep Apnea sleep on their backs or even on their stomachs.

The correct position to prevent snoring is the lateral position or side position. Few people remain on their sides, which is why the Thera-P-anti-snoring cradle pillow prevents you from turning and remaining on your back. This pillow keeps the upper part of your spine in proper alignment. What about the lower part of your spine?

I have noticed that when people sleep on their side they tend to take the fetal positions sometimes, bending or flexing both knees. This position causes improper alignment of your spine, causing lower back discomfort in the morning.

The correct side-lying position should be Only one leg is flexed from 20 degree to 40 degree angle, which ever feels comfortable to you and the other remains straight.

These positions keep your spine in alignment, while in bed and prevents aches? Also when you are sitting in a chair, remember to keep the spine in proper alignment. Slouching or sinking into a chair will cause back problems. Tomorrow we will discuss standing and walking positions that keep the spine properly aligned.
Agapelife

Anti-snoring product - Review 1

Well the reviews are coming in. I wanted people I knew to try the Thera-P-anti-snoring pillow, so that I would have honest views of the product. Well, one of them visited me for a few days and slept on the pillow. When this person stayed over at my place a couple of years ago, I could hear the snoring.

My visitor also has a problem with nasal drip which makes her cough in the night and in the early morning.
Previously, my visitor had used nasal drops and some other pillows that you are able to buy in a pharmacy to combat snoring with little effect.

I noticed the first night, the snoring was reduced considerably. By the fourth morning, my visitor was delighted to find that the nasal drip problem was curbed by the use of the anti-therapy pillow and will never leave for trips without it.
Agapelife

Do you wake up with sore neck ,shoulders and back??.

50% of respondents to this question answered "Yes"!
I, too, would have answered "Yes", a couple of years ago, but not anymore. I tried everything from medications, acupuncture, chiropractic, massage therapy which provided some relief but after a few days, back to the uncomfortable ache. Finally, I saw this product in an occupational health magazine.

So I ordered and tried it. After one night of use, I woke up the next morning, missing what I was accustomed to awaking up to, for so many years - the irritable, gnawing, slow to get rid of, Neck Pain, shoulder and back pain. I feel so refreshed in the mornings now. So what is this product you may ask?

"92% of my patients think it's great,not just good but great I have never recommended an orthopedic product with so much confidence." Dr. E. Lubberdink,D.C. Toronto, Canada

It is the Thera-p- cradle and the Thera-p-petite-cradle pillow (for women and children), and doctors, physiotherapists and other professionals are recommending it. If you want to know more, please click here.
Agapelife

Thera-P-Anti-Snoring Cradle Pillow

WoW. I did not expect such interest in this product. It has kept me quite occupied that this is my first posting for this week.

So how was your sleep or your partner's sleep this week? Mine was fantastic!
I tried the product, myself and I had such a great sleep. I am asking all my customers to send in their testimonials.

This product has been recommended by MDs,Sleep Clinics and the wife of even the world's loudest snorer. As one MD stated this pillow promoted and encouraged the snorer to turn on their side. Dr. D. Lipman MD, Oregon

World Record Snorer Stops Snoring? How?

" The Thera-P-Anti-Snoring Cradle Pillow is fantastic. It allows me to get an uninterrupted, quiet sleep" says Carol Hebbard, wife of the world's loudest snorer...Mark Hebbard whose earth shattering records appears in the Guinness Book of World Records 1991.
Carol Hebbard, Richmond, British Columbia.

"Research shows that when back sleepers roll on their sides, it cuts obstructive sleep apnea episodes dramatically. ...Staying on your side is easier said than done, once you're snoozing. To the rescue, FDA approved Thera-P anti-snoring cradle pillow." Women's World Sept. 2005

I spoke to the inventor of this pillow, Peter Sandler,a reformed snorer, who was in the furniture business with his father for a number of years and one day upon a client's request, researched and invented this thera-p-anti-snoring pillow. According to Mr. Sandler, this pillow is sculptured with a built-up edge to provide for a rest under the chin, forcing the jaw to close and another vital feature is the anti-snoring bar that promotes sleeping on the side which keeps the nasal passages open. This is the only FDA approved pillow for anti-snoring.

If you wish to know more please visit www.transformlifehealthandwealth.biz
and for a limited time there is a discount on this pillows as a launching web-site gift. Next week we will discuss another product for people who wake up with neck, shoulder or back pain.

Anti-Snoring devices - How good are they?

There are many anti-snoring lotions, portions and devices. Some do reduce snoring, while others are not very effective. I was researching and found a snoring forum which is no longer active.

Looking at the past comments, Pillar implants did not seem to be effective, nasal strips did reduce some snoring. There are also nasal cones, nasal clips and inserts and
could not as yet find rave reviews for these products. A friend of mine uses an herbal nasal drops sporadically and is not certain of the effect.

Sleeping on your side does help but many of us change position during the night.
With sleep apnea, c-pap and bi-pap machines with the constricting mask is recommended but I know during my nursing rounds on night shift, I was replacing those masks continually as people tend to have them off their face or over their forehead at times.

I tried using them in the night when diagnosed with a mild case of sleep apnea and I woke up many times at night as the mask or the nasal cannula ( tried a few different ones) bothered me.

So after much research, I found a product which some chiropractors, physiotherapists and some sleep clinics have recommended to their clients who have had success with it.

Finally I found it - the ideal solution which I will share with you on Friday's post - 08/08/08.
If anyone wants to comment on any of the products mentioned and how long they were using it and if it helps, please comment and mark private if you don't wish the comment to be published.
Agapelife

Snoring statistics

If you thought Snoring was just an annoyance, a nuisance, or harmless, think again.
These are the statistics that I have compiled from various authorities.

1. 59% of adults snore which means 6 out of 10 in a survey done by National Sleep Foundation 2005.

2. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) statistics reveal that 30% of adults start snoring by age 30 with a 2:1 male/female ratio with the gap closing after menopause. The number increases till fifth decade or the fifties, then the number decreases. Why? The declining number after 50 is attributed to the demise of these snorers due to heart attacks and strokes.
(Vancouver Sleep and Breath Centre)

3.By middle age, 40% of the population snores in Great Britain (British Med. 97)

4. 5.6% of children snore habitually.

However, there are effective measures to reduce or eliminate snoring. I will share some with you tomorrow, especially the one I found most effective.
Agapelife

Humor Saturday

Jim Carrey - comedian from Canada in Transitions

Impact of Snoring on your health!

Why is habitual snoring so dangerous to our body? Snoring is a symptom that our body is not getting enough oxygen during our sleep. The organs in our body cannot be deprived of oxygen without some major repercussions.

Obstructive Sleep apnea is when the body does not receive oxygen for a period of time due to obstruction of your airways during sleep. Usually, it does not last long, as it causes the person to wake up to draw a breath. However. repeated episodes of sleep apnea will cause some health conditions to surface.

One of them is high blood pressure, another is cardiac conditions and even stroke. Children who are snorers are also at high risk for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD.

There are many treatments in the marketplace for snoring relief, reduction and elimination. On Monday, we will explore some.

Agapelife

Snoring - How it is formed and causes?

I have yet to meet a person who likes to hear someone snore, no matter how loved the person is, the snoring is not. Why? Perhaps the following reasons, it is loud, not pleasant to the ears and usually occurs when the non-snorer is trying to sleep.

How A Snore Occurs?
As your sleep progresses into deep sleep, the tissues in your throat relaxes and vibrates and this may cause partial blockage of your airway. When the airway is narrowed, the airflow becomes forceful, causing the snoring to grow, the narrower the airway. Two types of snoring, 1. occasional 2. habitual. This article will focus on habitual snoring.

Factors contributing to Snoring
1. Thick soft palate in your mouth or enlarged tissues (adenoids) at the back of your throat.

2. Nasal conditions like deviated nasal septum or nasal congestion or chronic sinusitis.

3. Alcohol consumption

4. Sleep Apnea - If snoring is associated with obstructive sleep apnea, it is serious and one should seek proper treatment.

Tomorrow, we will look at the effects of habitual snoring and some treatments available.
Stumble It!

Agapelife

How well do you sleep?

This week, we will address sleep or lack of sleep, including a couple of effective solutions. We did discuss Insomnia in one of my earlier posts. However, the posts this week, we will concentrate on a couple of sleep disturbances.

1.Has your sleep been interrupted by your partner's Snoring?
2.Have you awakened with a stiff neck or neck pain?

Please click on to Comment and answer - Yes Or No to either questions #1 or #2

As of this week, my posts will be reduced to approximately three times to four times weekly for the present. If you would like for me to continue x6 weekly, then contact me via comment. If this was an interactive site, then I would continue to post six times weekly but I have not received the required responses.
Agapelife

Humor - Gilda and Gene

One of the funniest couple.

Ways to Build or Repair Your Self-Image!

How do you foster a positive self-image?

There are many ways which you may find on articles about Self-Image.
I will give four here

1. Do Examine your Self- Talk at least daily? If you are saying to yourself, "I'm useless", Or " I'm not good enough", Or " I'm not....whatever.. Please change that negative self-talk right away.

2. Build your self-confidence by focusing on your achievements no matter how small and reward yourself. See failures as trial runs to success. That is how the inventors viewed their failures. Find your strengths and improve on them.

3. Find a couple of people who would support you as build or repair your self-image - ones who will not let you belittle yourself.

4. Tell yourself daily: you were created by God, no other person has your DNA - so you are Unique, Special and you were put on this earth for a particular purpose.Your job is to find that purpose as no one else can fulfill that purpose the way you can!

Agapelife

How celebrities and media contribute to Self-Image?

Another vital component of Self-Image is the values you have and how you value yourself.

Celebrities especially young movie stars seem to have an impact on the values of many of the younger people today. It does not stop there, even into adulthood, people are adapting their appearances and values, after acclaimed actors and actresses and closely follow the advice of famous or infamous talk show hosts. The media, Internet and television industry provide ample resources. Is this healthy? Are we promulgating a generation of people of superficial self-image?


A teacher did some research with his teenage students on a teen magazine's effect on their Self-Image. Many of the teens were following the dictates of this magazine as how to dress,how to behave, who to date, choice of movies etc.During the research, the students uncovered some of the magazine's motives, including a monetary one. Also uncovered was how it lowered some youth's self-image, if they did not look or dress in a way, that the magazine portrayed as the "Norm"!

Another report indicate that even the youth's language have been influenced by some popular rap singers. Those words are not found yet in dictionaries. Peer pressure also helps to shape young person's Self-Image which may not be a healthy Self-Image

More and more, parents are trying to find resources on how to build their children's self-image and below is an audio book which shows how to?
Agapelife

Contributers to Our Self-Image

Early on in life, it is usually a child's parents and other caregivers.There are now books and programs to help parents and caregivers to nurture in the child, a healthy self-image. In school, teachers and other children. Teasing, bullying, "put downs"

Television, cinema and teen magazines as well as child movie stars or child recording artists have an impact on the child's Self-Image. Did anorexia stem from what was perceived as a cool image of being lean that was portrayed by movie stars and models? What about the lyrics of the songs that the youth are listening to? Many hours in front of the mirror for both sexes.

Then, young adulthood comes along, Self-image is spruced to attract the right partner. Let's face it, people are first attracted to a potential date, partner through their body image. Have you heard anyone say, " I was attracted to him (her)because he or she
was an chemist major." ? Isn't it more likely to hear " I was attracted to him or her because he or she looked intelligent." More likely, it would be " I was attracted by her smile." or "I was attracted to to his great biceps, etc.."

So body image is a strong component to Self-Image. Tomorrow we will look at other components of Self-Image.

What is Self-Image

A few weeks ago, we did an exploration of Self-Esteem and it seems only natural to explore about its precursor. - Self- Image. Self-Image was a term composed by

Many confuse self-image with self-esteem. They are closely related as you have to have a good self- image before having a healthy self- esteem.

There are many facets to Self-Image. Here are a some of the questions that determines your Self-Image?

1. Your personal view of yourself, an image of yourself that is carried in your head.

2. A perception of how you believe others look at you

3. What you think your body image is?

4. What you think your personality is? Or what kind of person do you think you are?

5. What status you feel you possess?

6. What value you place on yourself?

7. How you view yourself, your character, your skills and abilities.

If your Self-Image was eroded during childhood, Dr. Laura's book,listed below in audio shows you how to transform it to a positive self-image.

Agapelife

Humor

For today, we will have some laughs.

Doctors do not tell....

A woman called Mount Sinai Hospital. She said, "Mount Sinai Hospital? Hello. Darling, I'd like to talk with the person who gives the information about the patients. But I don't want to know if the patient is better or doing like expected, or worse, I want all the information from top to bottom."

The voice on the other end of the line said, "Finkel...Finkel, Let me see... Feinberg, Farber -- Finkel. Oh yes, Mrs. Finkel is doing very well. In fact, she's had two full meals, her doctor says if she continues improving he is going to send her home Tuesday."

The woman said, "Thank God! That's wonderful! She's going home on Tuesday. I'm so happy to hear that. That's wonderful news."

The guy on the other end said, "From your enthusiasm, I take it you must be one of the close family."

She said, "What close family? I'm Sarah Finkel! My doctor tells me nothing!"

Courtesey of Hill/Shayne

Laughter's Capsule

What a fantastically Happy, two weeks. The joy of researching and writing about laughter - words are just so inadequate to describe it.
If, you my readers have come up with any words, that can truly describe, pure unadulterated joy or happiness, then let me know.

We had looked at the Gelotology - which is the study of laughter on our physiology. Hospitals and other health facilities have included laughter therapy as various researches had shown the positive effect of laughter on our physical body. Laughter enhances the immune system, the respiratory system, lowers blood pressure and relieves pain.

We also discovered how laughter was good for our mental and emotional well-being. Laughter connects people of different languages and cultures and religions, breaking down barriers, bridging the gaps. It is a universal language. Dr. Katari founder of the Laughter Yoga club which now has 6000 clubs world wide, feels that laughter is capable of bringing peace to the world.

Laughter specialist,Alice Hortop whose research and practice in Laughter therapy, showed how to bring laughter into our lives and the necessity of laughter in social life as well as in relationships

Then, we spoke of the types of laughter and how to practise them. Spiritual benefits of laughter was discussed for those of different religions or for those who had none.
There are still ongoing research in laughter.

I would like to continue on this theme but it will have to be interactive. Please send me your happiest moments, events or situations, which gave you belly laughs or the memories of those events that perpetuate those belly laughs. Also include people who made you laugh. EMPOWER your Life with LAUGHTER!
Laughing with you
Agapelife

Do you know the types of laughter

I am sure there are more types of laughter than the ones I will describe in this post.

Etiquette laughter This starts with a smile.It can be quite restrained and easily managed.

Pigeon laughter - Requires you to take a deep inhalation with the mouth shut and produce laughing sounds like the hum of a pigeon.

Soundless laughter. Inhale gently through the nose with mouth closed. Then open mouth and put tongue out and let the laugh out without making a sound while exhaling as long as possible. You should feel your stomach and upper abdomen muscles moving. The exhaling part while laughing makes a rhythmic movement of the diaphragm which is called " inner jogging"

Belly laughter This is the same procedure as soundless laughter except when you open your mouth, you let go and laugh loudly. With this laughter, you could roll on the floor or double up.

Practise these types of laughter daily. It will make such a difference to the outcome of your day. If you have any questions, please ask them by clicking on comment. Other comments welcome. If you are doing the laughter exercises, how often do you do them and how has it changed your outlook. Would like to hear from you!!
Agapelife


Ref:- R. Belasekar

Spiritual Aspect of Laughter- 2

A good laugh brings sunshine in the house. (William M. Thackeray)

Laughter is a deeply spiritual Emotion! Why?
Laughter has the ability to clear the air and makes us present in the moment. It brings inner peace and Dr Kataria of the Yoga Laughter clubs believe if more people joined in the laughter, world peace is possible.

Do you see the absurdity in daily life?
Laughter is able to help you focus, not on problems but solutions to them. Laughter has a way of clearing your mind to focus on what really matters. Laughter is attention grabbing. Laughter is powerful enough to release pent-up emotions and regenerate helpful memories.

So laughter is important for daily spirituality as it Lightens the heart and Lifts up the Soul. Remember the proverb - "Laugh and the whole world laughs with you"....

Tomorrow on Gelotology which is the Study of Laughter, we wil1 visit 4 types of laughter.
Agapelife

Spiritual Aspect of Laughter

How is laughter spiritual, you may ask?

For those who believe they were created by God, it would not be difficult to see God's Hand in this, as one of the first spontaneous emotions displayed by a baby is laughter. No one taught the baby to smile or laugh. Have you observed a baby laughing while alone in the crib without any prompting??

Religion on Laughter and Humor
Buddhists

When Buddha was enlightened, the first thing He did was Smile. You may have also seen statues of the Laughing Buddha.
Islam

Qur'an or Koran
"They deserve paradise who make their companions laugh".
Judaism
The Old Testament has 57 references to laughter and 27 to humor.
Many incidents in the Old Testament filled with puns, dry humor, funny situations and funny word play.

Christians
The New Testament has 287 references to joy, delight, gladness, laughter and rejoicing.
Hinduism
The Laughter Yoga originated in Mumbai, India.

In his book, Bonham,states that Humor brings God closer to humanity. Laughter is a common link between various religions.

Humor bring God closer to Humanity. For those who do not have any religious belief, still are spiritual beings so the posting tomorrow will discuss how laughter affects your spiritual self.
Enjoy Bill Cosby on Noah's ArK
Agapelife
Bonham,Tal D. Humor: God's Gift, 1988

Easy Ways to Bring Laughter into Your Life

I have researched and taught all aspects of Laughter Therapy for the last 9 & 1/2 years and have been completely inspired by its power to lift mood, reduce pain, connect people, boost motivation and confidence and much, much more.

I think often people make the laughter and smiling search more complicated than its needs to be. I do look at humour types and analyse occupations to try and optimize opportunities for laughter... but I also think finding laughter should simply be put on to your daily agenda like eating fruit and veg.

Make a conscious decision to try and find your day fun, spend twenty minutes (plus if you can) actively looking for the funny in situations or around you, see someone who is light and smiley, do an activity that may bring in laughs (see a comedy, join a new gym class, people watch etc).

People often get distracted by the type of laughter they want, most people want rip roaring belly laughs.. they often come later after you start to enjoy life, laugh more and change your daily perspective.

Think back to the past, what made you laugh? What did you do as a child, teenager,in your twenties, thirties etc that made you laugh? Who makes you laugh? Can you find more people with the same attitude, could you see this person more or when you need their lightness to balance your day with humour?

Ask yourself questions, what stops you laughing? Who don't you laugh with? When don't you laugh? Then be pro-active... if you don't laugh with someone can you change How, When and Where you see them? Maybe meet them out for coffee as opposed to going to their house or invite them to a stand up comedy night. Give opportunities for relationships to change and develop.

Focus on finding fun, happiness and laughter in all you do. Try not to think I am not laughing whilst I do whatever it is you're doing... think instead what can I do to get laughter now or next time.
Alice Hortop
Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy In University of West England (UWE)
Laughter Therapy Specialist

Belly :Laughs

Did this cause you to laugh? Why? Comments appreciated! 20minutes of belly laughs equivalent to rowing for 1/2 hour according to recent research.

Laughter's impact on your social life

So how can laughter affect your social life?

Laughter is a universal language. It is contagious. It breaks down barriers. It is a natural diversion.

Laughter therapy has proved successful in relationship repairs for couples. How many times have you heard a woman saying of her partner, "I love his sense of humor", or a man stating that he fell in love with his wife's sense of humor. It has been used in psycho-therapy. It brings people together.

Please enjoy and send me comments on this video below by the founder of Laughter Clubs Dr. Kataria on world laughter day!
Agapelife

What does laughter do to your body?

So I hope you had at least about a dozen laughs yesterday. Today, we will see how those laughter affected your body.
Laughter does the following as research shows -
1. It lowers blood pressure.

2. It decreases the stress hormones.

3. It boosts the immune system by raising levels of infection-fighting cells.

4. It increases the proteins that fight diseases

5. It triggers the release of endorphins which are the body's natural pain-killers.
(Drs.Lee & Beck)
6.It empties the lungs more, resulting in a cleansing effect. Very beneficial for people with emphysema and other breathing or lung conditions.

7. As a cardiac exercise, a belly laugh is equivalent to jogging and as Norman Cousins stated it is internal jogging.

So laughter is an aerobic exercise.

On Monday, we will have a guest blogger - Laughter Specialist, occupational therapist from UK, who has researched and uses laughter in her practice. So return to check it out. Tomorrow how laughter helps you mentally, emotionally and spritually?
Agapelife

Laughter relieves these negative 3

Laughter relieves these three negative emotions - 1. anger, 2. anxiety 3. boredom
Anger
I remember when a patient was angry and demanding, I would say something funny or do something funny which would induce laughter from the angry person - O did I say angry - the person was no longer angry.

Anxiety
Did you notice that when you went for an injection or blood tests, if the nurse or technician was saying something funny, you hardly felt the needle?

Boredom
When a job is boring or tedious or you are in a boring situation like waiting in traffic jams, listening to a comedy cd or joking or laughing with a colleague suddenly alleviate the boredom. I know the DJ in our local radio morning show always has funny incidents or stories.

According to A. Hortop, we should laugh fifty times a day to have great health. Did you gasp at 50 times. This includes giggles, belly laughs, grinning,peals of laughter. Dr E. Chow stated 8 belly laughs a day in her qigong therapy.

Tomorrow, we will look at how laughter exercises certain parts of the body to good health.
Agapelife

Muscles needed for a smile and for a frown

This question was placed on BC forum and no-one came close to the answer for a frown but one person gave the right answer for a smile. Most of the respondents stated that more muscles were needed for a frown.

We use 72 muscles to Frown. We use only 14 muscles to Smile. Smile is the beginning of a laugh. Both are infectious.
Laughter has been re-discovered as a Powerful Arsenal in the battle against many mental and physical diseases.

Even though we seem to be exercising more muscles for a frown, it is laughter that has been called "Inner Jogging" Norman Cousins. That is why it has helped patients who had poor physical endurance or poor limbs that prevented them to jog exteriorly.
Seriously folks, laughter has been given a boost in the Health Care System, finally!

Studies have shown that people who laughed and had a good sense of humor were 40% less likely to have heart attacks or strokes. Some Hospitals have included formal and informal laughter therapy programs. India has laughing clubs as many as there are rotary clubs in the United States. During the National Health Week in Wales, prominence was given to Laughter workshops conducted by none other than a Laughter Specialist.

Tomorrow we will continue with Laughter and Humor. What emotions it releases? Explore the functions of Humor and laughter?
Forget about apples. How many Laughs a day will keep the doctor away??
Agapelife

Laughter and Health

According to A. Hortop, laughter specialist in the UK, people who are able to laugh are 40% less likely to have a heart attack. she added that 50 laughs a day is neccessary for good health.

So for this week, we will be looking at laughter and how it impacts your health and other areas of your life!
Agapelife

Bush and Moses - Humor

At a function one day, President Bush sees a man in the corner with flowing white beard and long white hair, holding a staff in one hand and a stone tablet in another. Bush approaches him and asked if he was Moses.

The man kept looking up at the ceiling and ignored Bush. Bush asked him several times and finally tugged Moses sleeve, and said,

"I am President Bush, I would like to talk to you, Moses."

Moses replied while still looking at the ceiling," No!"

"The last time I talked to a Bush, I remained 40 years in the desert!"

Self-esteem, thought provoking one liners

If you think nobody cares if you are alive, try missing some credit card payments.

People will accept your idea much more readily if you tell them Albert Einstein thought of it first.

Success comes in cans not in can'ts!

Happiness is not how much you have but how much you enjoy!

Obstacles are what you see, when you take your eyes of the goal.

You will not know where you are going if you are always looking back.

Why not turn your stumbling blocks to Stepping Stones!

It does not matter to others how much you know as how much you care (love).

You can give without loving but you can't Love without Giving.

The Love we give is the only Love we will Keep.
Agapelife

Build up your Self-Esteem Quotes

"You yourself, as much as anybody else in the entire universe, deserve love and affection." Buddha

Put all excuses aside and remember this, "You are capable". Zig Zigler

"You cannot be lonely, if you like the person you are alone with." Wayne Dyer

"Every new adjustment is a crisis in Self-esteem". Eric Hoffer

Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't - You are right. Henry Ford

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent". Eleanor Roosevelt

" Love is not yet perfect for one who is afraid...Perfect love cast out all fear.. we, for our part, love because God first loved us." 1Jn4

Agapelife

If you have any self-esteem quotes to contribute, please leave it in comments.

Self-Esteem that keeps you healthy,wealthy and wise

Last week we started the Self-Esteem Series with all you want to know about Self-Esteem. As we do this final post, it seems that only a small portion of one of the higher step in Maslow's hierarchy of Needs has been covered. The significance of a healthy self-esteem is that it affects all areas of our lives, especially our reactions to situations and events.

Too much of self-esteem is bordering on narcissism whereas low self-esteem leads to mental, physical and emotional illnesses. So the key is to find the right balance. We spoke of Causes of low self-esteem. Studies show that it begins in the womb.

The reinforcements or lack thereof in childhood further contributes to self-esteem growth or erosion. Yet, we have in our power to remove obstacles to healthy self-esteem, through knowledge, support, affirmations,self-hypnosis. There are many tests to gauge your Self-Esteem online - Two simple ones, are on DiscoveryHealth and the National Association of Self-Esteem website..

On Thursday, we saw the effects of poor self-esteem. Comments received from readers have expressed the fluctuations of the level of your Self-esteem according to situations and surroundings.
Then, last Friday, we elaborated on how to build, boost or maintain a healthy self-esteem.

Healthy Self-Esteem is pertinent in a three-fold way.
1.It is vital for a wholesome health.
2. It causes optimum growth potential.
3. It leads to a joyful, peaceful and fulfilled life and self-actualization.
So we should do our part to build ours and our children's and our neighbour's self-esteem.
Agapelife
References
www.DiscoveryHealth.queendom.com/self-esteem
www.self-esteem-nase.org
Maslow, A. Motivation and Personality
Bohorquez, E. Enhancing self-esteem - Leisure Audio Books

Happy Canada Day

The last installment of the Healthy Self-Esteem Series will be posted tomorrow. Today is for relaxing and boosting my self-esteem. I'm doing this by enjoying the beautiful sunny day with other celebrating canadians. What are we celebrating - gratitude for this vast Canads, the opportunities she offers and her peaceful status.
Agapelife

Build, Boost and Mantain Self-Esteem

"If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves".
Thomas Edison

A comment received from a blogging forum member stated that their self-esteem went down a few notches after moving to a new town. Another comments were that the level of self-esteem fluctuates and influenced by stress, successes, failures, relationships, bad days,challenges and so forth. All these are typical of self-esteem which cannot be taken for granted.

If we have a healthy self-esteem, we have to maintain it. If we don't, then we have to build it up. NASE - National Association for Self-Esteem was founded in 1986 with a mandate to fully integrate Self-Esteem into American Society. You can access them at
www.self-esteem-nase.org/

Build up your self-esteem
If you did a self-esteem test ( DiscoveryHealth or NASE has a simple one) and you have a score of 65 or 6.5, then the following suggestions would be beneficial.

1.Basic nurturing which include grooming, proper nutrition, exercise and adequate sleep.

2.Plan fun and relaxing activities for yourself.

3.Reward yourself for every little success and even if you feel you don't deserve it.

4.Forgive yourself for any mistakes,foil-ups,weakness and vulnerabilities.

When you begin to do the 4 suggestions above, you might feel you are worthy - well this is the time to put this principle into action - "Fake it till you make it"

5. Proper support from friends,i.e. tell them to let you vent without trying to fix your problem.

6. Use positive affirmations at least hourly. Have one line affirmations posted in the bedroom, so it is the first thing you see upon waking, and in the bathroom, kitchen, study, by your computer and anywhere you spend much of your time.


7.If you can't do any of the above as yet, then book an appointment with an appropriate therapist - NASE might give you some suggestions on that.

Boosting Self-Esteem

1. Use positive affirmations

2. Associate with positive, supportive friends.

3. Make a list of your past successes and place it where you can see it often.

4. Daily meditation.

5. Rebut your inner critic! Remember, Edison, Marconi,Bell, Wright Brothers, all had people who criticized and ridiculed them. Yet if any of those inventors had listened to their inner critic, we will not be enjoying now, what at that time seemed impossible!

You have to control or manage that inner voice that casts doubt, ridicule and belittles you. Believe me that is the most challenging part- you have to work at it daily, relentlessly and one day, you will find your inner voice cheering you on!

These are just some of the ways to build, boost and maintain your self-esteem. For more elaboration, please contact me for a private one to one support or coaching.
Tomorrow we will conclude this series.
Agapelife

Did you not know?

A 3 year old, French speaking girl visits her mother in the maternity ward. She observes her mother speaking to the expectant mother in the next bed in English.

The little girl looks very thoughtful and quiet,looking intently at the other lady's belly and her mother asked her in french "What's wrong?"

She questions her mother, very seriously, "Mamma, our baby will be born speaking French, right?... that lady's baby will be born speaking English, right?

Her mother asks, 'Sure, why do you ask that?" The little girl looked relieved, "Well, mamma, if our baby speaks English, I won't be able to talk to her."

Effects of Low Self-Esteem on Health

“ One of the greatest disease is to be a nobody to anybody” Mother Teresa of Calcutta

All my years, in the education and health occupations and in my various volunteer assignments, I have found the effects of low self- esteem present in many victims of physical disabilities or disease and sometimes, it could be the residue of the disease or disability.
Low self-esteem as it spirals downward can lead to depression , paranoia, anorexia, bulimia.

Socially, low self-esteem alienates people, causes friction, jealousies, conflicts, and in extreme cases to violence. The common cry of persons with low self-esteem is “I’m not good enough .... ”. "I don't deserve this.."

There are several ways that lack of self-esteem is exhibited and here are three of them.- 1.Some people disguise their lack of self-esteem by outwardly showing confidence but inwardly terrified of failure, so this group will tend to be perfect or be workaholic in their daily lives and always looking for a pat on the back.

2. Some people act as if they are not bothered by others' opinions or judgements, yet
inwardly, they are angry and hurt which translates into sarcastic jokes, blaming and overly critical attitudes.

3. These group show themselves as helpless, unable to cope, indulge in self-pity and relying totally on someone else for physical, emotional and psychological support.


If we can nurture good self-esteem in children, then we have already won part of the battle. There is an audiobook on "Self-Esteem Building for kids" Adults can change their low self-esteem and there are programs to do that. They are offered through churches, education and health departments and online. There audiobooks like the one below.



Someone who has a healthy self-esteem is not overly troubled by ratings, rejections or criticism of self or his or her work.
Next week, we will briefly explore how to recover or build-up your self-esteem.

What Causes Poor Self-Esteem

Causes of Low Self-Esteem

The causes of low self-esteem are as many as there are individuals. It begins in the mother’s womb. Gestational studies have shown that human foetuses react to music, sounds and vibrations while in the womb. Negative vibrations of the mother is felt and owned by these growing babies.

If the birth is difficult or if the labour is prolonged, if the baby is abandoned after birth, it affects that individual’s self-esteem. To illustrate, a recent article from a professional counselor, who had achieved success in relationships and career always felt his self-esteem was low as he did not feel he belonged.

He felt that the reason for that was he was an adopted child (he was not told he was adopted) when he finally had the courage to ask his mother, she stated he was adopted as a baby. He realized then that his issues with self-esteem stemmed from that.


How parents treat a child in the early years with words, attitudes and gestures play an important part in the self-esteem arena.
The school age child’s self-esteem formation continues with the teachers and other students. Is he/she bullied? Were there positive or negative reinforcements? Does the child go to church or Sunday school? Was that a positive experience?

If the general atmosphere of home and school is positive, with constructive criticism as well as praise for the child’s achievements, the child will develop a good level of self-esteem.

Bullying, excessive teasing, harsh criticism of the child’s failures or character flaws will create self-esteem issues. Does the child accomplishes each stage of psychologist Erik Erikson’s Developmental Stages successfully? These stages cover the whole spectrum of one’s life.

Other factors that contribute to low self-esteem are abuse, addictions, perceived or actual rejection by peers, job loss, separation, divorce, business as well as relationship failures and chronic illnesses. Society in general play a role in forming one’s self-esteem. Sometimes, "humor" is used to ridicule another person and shred their self-esteem! Some personalities are more prone to have their self-esteem eroded as they are extremely sensitive.

Tomorrow we will look at the effects of poor self-esteem.
Agapelife

How Important is Self-Esteem?

Importance of Self-Esteem

Anyone who thinks Self-Esteem is not important should Google it. There are many sites on all aspects of self-esteem from questionnaires to programs on Self-Esteem. Even the US Department of Mental Health has pages on it. It is under the domain of mental health. It is vital for mental health to have a good dose of self-esteem.

Self- Esteem in the dictionaries give the following definitions - “belief in oneself“,” undue pride in oneself” (Webster) ;“good opinion of oneself” (Oxford)


Maslow, a humanistic psychologist in his book, Motivation and Personality wrote about the hierarchy of human needs and the pyramid structure of the needs with the physiological needs from the base, followed by security needs, then social needs, then Self-Esteem needs and at the pinnacle needs of self-actualization. So Esteem needs are near the top of the needs of every human person.

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, is studied not only in psychology but also in education and nursing and other health disciplines. So is anyone born with low or high self-esteem? How is self-esteem formed?
It is formed through experiences - both positive and negative experiences; also formed by interactions with others.

When is self-esteem formed? It starts when we are born and it continues to adulthood. Some studies will state that it starts in the womb, as a baby in the mother’s womb resonates with the mother’s vibrations - loving vibrations, positive or negative ones as well.

Is it a learned behaviour? Is it evolving? Can a low self-esteem be changed? The answer to all these questions is Yes, Yes and again Yes. How can I be so certain? Well, I was among those with a low self-esteem and with some conscious effort, prayer and work, my self-esteem has risen to a positive one.

The dilemma of Self-Esteem is that we could have too much of it or too little and being at either end of the spectrum is unbalanced. The causes and effects of low self-esteem as well as recovering from them will be discussed in my next postings.

Why is Self- Esteem important? It is part of a healthy, wholesome person. Persons with a healthy dose of self-esteem have the ability to be joyful, hopeful, creative, set goals, achieve some of them and contribute to humanity in some way, unique to them.



Tomorrow we will visit the causes of poor self-esteem!
Agapelife

All you want to know about Self-esteem!

After viewing some blog forums as well as my observations of people in my surroundings and in my practice, I have realized that poor Self-Esteem has been the cause of much needless suffering to people with unhealthy self-esteem.

A person can be outwardly, attractive or talented or intelligent, wealthy or in a great profession, yet surprise! surprise, the person can be inwardly troubled by self-esteem issues. Why?

In the next days, we will explore the causes of poor self-esteem! How does poor self-esteem affect the victim and those close to them? How to develop a healthy self-esteem?

If you have any comments or wish to share experiences or feel you have a poor self-esteem, I would like to hear from you!
Agapelife

Qigong-Synopsis

So for the past week, Qigong, Chow qigong in particular has been the topic. This is a synopsis of what was posted for the past 7 days.

Qigong, a traditional Chinese healing method practised since 300BC, has found a home in the West, introduced by Dr. E. Chow, a public health nurse, PhD and a qigong master.
She has blended some western medicine with eastern medicine. She founded the East-West Academy of Healing Arts in San Francisco. She has a research-based practice of qigong.

Qigong research done within the last 20 years have shown amazing healing of diseases such as cancer, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, arthritis, Parkinson's and mental illnesses. Qigong techniques and exercises builds up the immune system, so colds and infections are reduced. It has also decreased stress!

Chow qigong promotes concepts that is congruent to qigong - meditation,positive attitude, giving and receiving love, humor, peace with oneself and others.

Qigong is now used also to prevent against diseases. It has shown remarkable results in chronic illnesses where western medicine has yet to produce effective results.

Qigong literally means "vital breath" or "vital energy". The base of any qigong system (and there are a number of systems,) is the proper breathing technique and correct posture. Then come the exercises, first the preliminary, the warm-ups and the treasure 8 exercises that should be done at least daily. Dr Chow stated that if qi without love is empty.

I have been practising Chow qigong techniques with two other techniques and I have seen remarkable healing with my energy improved and pain non-existent. So, I am now on a mission to show those who are in any chronic illnesses and pain-ridden, there is a way out. If someone who had frozen shoulder, painful, immobile knees,sinusitis and cancer is now Mobile, active and pain-free through qigong and GET, then you could be too.
If you have any comments or questions, please send them to me.
Be healthy,joyful and peaceful
Agapelife

Qigong:-Miracle Healing!

According to Dr.McGee MD who co-wrote the book QIGONG with Dr. Chow, he stated that many western scientific groups are reluctant to accept qigong for the following reasons.
1. NIH syndrome - not invented here as it originated from China.
2."Quality of the studies according to a Western biomedical model"
3." Some of the results of Qigong violate current concepts in physics and medicine".

In 1985, Dr. chow participated in a 6 month study in a nursing home in Seattle,Washington. She trained key staff in the Chow qigong concept and exercises.

A significant part of the program was the treatment of 5 patients. The patients suffered from the following - 1. Two Patients with Parkinson's, one had it for 10 years with severe pain and immobility and affected speech.

2.Patient with herpes zoster of rib cage addicted to methadone and could only stay in a fetal position.

3. Patient with severe Rheumatoid arthritis who had not walke for 2 - 3 years.

4 Patient with Alzheimer's, who was hostile, agitated and wandered out of facility and was given large doses of sedatives.

After one hour of treatment of Dr. Chow's, pain was reduced significantly, speech improved, normal posture returned, mobility regained, and dramatic improvement in the behavior of the patient with Alzheimer's.

Dr. Chow's qigong and other therapies have helped many people in America and Canada.
People who had Cerebral Palsy, Diabetes, osteoporosis, paranoid schizophrenia, MS, Dementia, aphasia to name a few, have seen dramatic results after treatment by Dr. Chow.

I, myself, have experienced remarkable recovery after trying Chow qigong. Next week, on Monday, we will conclude this series on Qigong.
I would like to know how you are doing with your 3 hearty laughs daily and the 8 hugs?
Agapelife

References; McGee,Charles T. MD, Chow, Effie Poy Yew, Ph.D - QIGONG - Miracle Healing from China, Medipress,1996

Qigong:-Is Qigong scientific?

Qigong Research
In 1988, the first world conference of academic exchange of medical qigong was held in Beijing.

A wide range of experiments and clinical trials was presented.
Here are just a small sample of the findings or results of these trials, some were done in the course of 20 years.

1.Cancer cells in the stomach (25%) after exposed to qi treatment for an hour was eradicated. 31% of uterine/cervical cancer cells, treated with emitted qi were de-activated.

2. 204 patients with high blood pressure who practised qigong had their blood pressure lowered.

3. 43 patients with with paralysis, who were wheel-chair bound. After treatment with Qigong, they could walk with the assistance of a walker or cane.

4. Patients with tinnitus (ringing in the ears) who had not responded to western medicine or TCM _54% regain normal hearing.

5.Alzheimer's - A man whose CAT scan showed brain atrophy (shrinking), and showing some symptoms of Alzheimer's, after a year of self-practise of qigong as well as treatment of emitted qi, returned to normal and the follow up CAT scan showed a normal brain.

6. Patients who were impotent, also were healed after qi treatments.

As I mentioned, these are just a few of the results of clinical studies done. Tomorrow, we will see what Dr Chow, RN PHD, has done with her own research in an American Nursing Home.
Agapelife

Qigong Healer

Dr.E. Chow, born in China, lived her childhood and young adult life in British Columbia, Canada. She saw traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practiced in the Chinese community but it was open to ridicule in the western culture that surrounded her. She went on to train as a registered nurse and became a public health nurse.

Soon, she discovered gaps in western medicine that took a tragic outcome in her own father. So she began studying under Qigong masters in Taiwan,Hong Kong and Canada. As she began her studies, her teachers noted she had a healing touch.

She spent 30 years, working to integrate TCM into western medicine and for that purpose founded the East West Academy of Healing Arts in 1973 and in 1988 a branch of EastWest Academy was founded with Dr. Kenneth Sancier, called the Qigong Institute.

Dr Chow has been a consultant with the Dept. of Health and Human Services as well as in NIH (National Institutes of health)She is also in the Advisory panel of several Boards on Alternative and Complementary Medicine. There is so much more to say about this very energetic, inspiring lady.

I will be leaving resources on Friday's post.

Qigong Exercises - briefly

According to Dr. Chow,in her practice of qigong, she found that it was not wise for one to practice the exercises without also practising the philosophies and supportive measures which I mentioned in yesterday's post.

Before one starts the Qigong exercises, these basic steps or preliminary exercises should be mastered.
1. Proper Posture 2. Diaphragmatic breathing 3.Activate Qi in laogong point,
4. Sensing Qi 5. Standing at the stake.

It will take some practice and as my former qigong instructor told us - if we only learned how to breathe properly, it would help us greatly and she was right. The first two did alot to improve my energy and health. I noticed at the beginning, due to my weakened condition when I started these exercises, the 5 preliminary exercises were what I could do for a couple of weeks and then, I noticed a surge in energy levels, and I continued with the warm-up and the rest.

The Dr.Chow has 5 warm-up exercises, followed by the treasure 8 exercises.
You have to give your body time to adjust to this energy. When you feel the effects of the exercises is different for each individual. Some people will feel energize right away, others in a few days,others in a few weeks or so. As you continue with the exercises, you will see your energy and health improve.

It is also wise to follow these exercises with someone who has trained under a qigong master so that you do the right techniques.

There are many qigong exercises as different qigong systems, have their special exercises. Chow qigong is a medical-based qigong. Tomorrow we will find out the background of this qigong master, Effie Chow.
Agapelife

Qigong:-Concepts of Chow Qigong

According to Dr. Chow, Love is the most important element that envelopes Chow Qigong.
As she puts it "without love, life qi is empty" Some of the basic concepts of Chow Qigong includes the following:-

A positive mental attitude.
Proper posture and breathing with diaphragm (not chest)
Meditate daily.
Get 8 hugs a day and 3 belly-aching laughs a day.
Practice the right qigong exercises.
Good nutrition
Be at peace with yourself and others
Give and receive lots of love.

Integrating the qi concept into one's life is important to get the maximum benefit of Qigong.
Tomorrow we will briefly mention some of the qigong exercises.
Agapelife

Happy Father's Day

Two small boys, not yet old enough to be in school, were overheard talking at the zoo one day.

"My name is Billy. What's yours?" asked the first boy.

"Tommy," replied the second.

"My Daddy's an accountant. What does your Daddy do for a living?" asked Billy.

Tommy replied, "My Daddy's a lawyer."

"Honest?" asked Billy.

"No, just the regular kind", replied Tommy.

From Stress,Humor and Health.

Qigong:-Mystery of Qigong

Today's post will be brief due to technical challenges encountered!

There have been much misconception of Qigong, especially medical Qigong. Qigong enhances and uses energy that is already within us to bring us to wholesome health,physical,mental and spiritual.

It is cost-effective. Unlike biofeedback, there are no technical devices. The only investment you need is time - and what a payback you receive in return! It is not advisable to change to different systems of Qigong from one to another!

Will continue on Monday! Your questions, comments are sharing will be most appreciated!
Agapelife

Qigong - What research proved

While western medicine had succeeded in treating critical illnesses, eastern medicine with Qigong as a main example has had great success in chronic, degenerative, addictive behaviors and stress related conditions.


Recent Research has shown that healing occurred in the following body systems
1. Cardiovascular 2. Respiratory, 3. Immune system, 4. Circulatory system, 5. Musculoskeletal 6. Digestive,7 Endocrine,(Diabetes) 8.Neurological, 8. Skin, 10.Eyes
Asthma and allergies have also been cured by the practice of Qigong!

So what exactly is Qigong. It is an ancient Chinese system of health. There are many types of Qigong systems as there qigong masters.

Is it an exercise?
Is it a technique?
Is it a behavior?
Is it a certain nutrition?
Is it a positive mind-set?
Is it relaxation?
Is it meditation?
Is it healing?
Yes it is all of the above and more - it is actually a harmonious, healthy, empowering way of life!

Chow Qigong is a medical Qigong and it is unique as the grandmaster Dr. Chow blended eastern with western medicine in her practice of Qigong.
There is so much to know about Qigong and these postings will only show you a small picture of Qigong which has had a healthy impact on my life and countless others.

Tomorrow we will continue with what are the tools involved with Qigong? Your comments will be most welcomed!
Agapelife

Qigong - What's that?

Qigong - pronounced chee-goong) It is an ancient method of healing from China. QI means in traditional chinese medicine - our vital breath or vital energy. A rough equivalent is bio-energy or electromagnetic energy.
GONG can mean discipline, work or skill. So Qigong means -" energy work" or "breath work" Also called "air energy".

My initiation toChow Qigong was 4 years ago, when I was searching other ways to cure my cancer instead of the usual route of chemo and radiation! My success and the success I have seen in others have made me a proponent of Qigong!

In the following posts, we will discuss some of the diseases that have been cured through Chow Qigong, the benefits, some success stories and one well-known Qigong practitioner who was responsible for promoting Qigong in the US, Dr. Effie Chow.
Agapelife

Non Invasive Treatments For Pain Management.

I realized that I did not complete the treatment phase of yesterday's posting "the final frontier".

In my experiences with pain control, I have found two very simple ones - 1. effective breathing techniques. 2. Accupressure.
Qigong exercises is another but that deserves a week on its own. Why? The benefits of

Qigong has positive effects on those who have experienced it, from people with severe pain and joint problems to those suffering from cancer, high blood pressure and the list goes on.
Agapelife.

The Final Frontier - Conquer Pain

People react differently to pain? Perhaps you can identify with these adjectives, - grouchy, sad, irritable,angry, mad, discouraged, cranky, unsociable, stiff, listless and hurtful.

What is commonly referred as chronic pain? They include headaches, low back pain, cancer pain, arthritic pain, neurogenic pain (peripheral or central nervous system pain)and psychogenic pain


Treatment (excluding medication therapy)
Acupuncture, local electrical stimulation,brain stimulation, psychotherapy, relaxation, biofeedback and behavior modification are some.

What is the prognosis?
According to NINDS, scientists state that advances in neuroscience will lead to better treatment for Chronic Pain. In my humble opinion, I have already seen positive results of some non-invasive therapies for chronic pain.(NINDS-National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)

Research
NINDS have 50 research studies or clinical trials at present, some are already in progress while others are awaiting funding, etc.

Recent research has shown that people with chronic pain had lower than normal Endorphins (the body's build-in pain-killer)in their spinal fluid. When an Electrical Impulse or Acupuncture stimulates the nerve endings, the Endorphin system is activated and relieves the pain.


You must have heard this phrase "Crippled with Pain." If we find out how to manage pain then, we should share it with others as there is far too much Needless Pain in our communities. Contact me (Click on Comment) to know more of some new and some old therapies that can bring you COMFORT.

Managing Pain effectively is Super- Empowering!

Saturday Humor

Humor for Saturday

Every Saturday, we will be posting some Humor. Why - Decent Humor can be Healing!
So feel free to send in some of yours - inform me if they are your creation?

A man visits his doctor for some pain treatment. Here's the conversation.

Man " All those pain pills you gave me do not work". I still have severe pain.

Doc: Alright. Why don't you try this pain patch?", (giving him some samples of 2x2 analgesic patches.) "Put one on daily in the morning. You'll get relieve for the day. See me again in 2 weeks. Here is a 2 week prescription!"

2 weeks pass.... Man returns to the Doc.

Doc - You don't seem to be in pain!

Man - It worked great. The only problem is I am running out of space. Man removes his clothes as the Doc stares in horror. The man's whole body was covered in pain patches.

Doc - You are supposed to remove the patch in the night and apply a new one in the morning!!

Have a great weekend
Agapelife

The dreaded P word - Causes

Pain - just the word evokes much uneasiness, does it not? I had a comment from someone who has daily pain, tolerating it and when it becomes unbearable, takes medication for it.
Why only one comment? Probably people want to forget they have it, etc...

There are about 8 or more organizations in the US alone focused on this subject!
The causes of pain are various. Here are some Prominent Causes -

1. Trauma and injuries,
2.Certain diseases
3.Degenerative changes in the body
4.STRESS
5.Improper exercising techniques
6.Improper positioning

Pain is a warning sign or signal from your body that it is not working at optimum level due to some blockage. So don't ignore it till it gets unbearable, then you will become unbearable!

Is there Hope for a cure? Definitely,
Tune in on Monday, where we will look briefly at the latest research and prognosis for Pain!
What have you used (EXCLUDING MEDICATION) to relieve your pain? OR If you have almost eliminated your pain, how did you do it?

COMMENTS STILL ACCEPTED! If you wish a private reply, and do not want your comment to be published as is,please indicate - that is why I moderate the comment - just to protect your privacy.

Wishing you a comfortable weekend!
Agapelife

Ouch, Is your Pain bugging your Life??

All of us have experience pain or discomfort as I prefer to call it sometime in our lives. Usually it does not last long and the relief comes in position change or popping an analgesic (medication to relieve pain)

For the next several days, we will focus on the types of discomfort,causes of discomfort,Comfort Chart, measurement chronic pain, prevention and management.
Managing discomfort Effectively is one of the keys to Empowering your life!

I would like some Comments on your experience of discomfort and how you cope or are coping. If you wish it to remain confidential, please state private and comments will be modified to ensure privacy.
Agapelife

Power in Suffering - Conclusion

Yesterday,I gave a scenario of suffering and asked if the woman could be prepared for it or even eliminate it. The woman in question has a few options not to suffer during a father's visit. Assertiveness is one, Healing of Memories is another,and so is a change in attitude.

Many times, anxiety, fear and misunderstanding are the culprits of our Suffering! If we can overcome them or manage them, it will lessen the suffering. Attitudes also makes a difference in the intensity of the Suffering!

Readers have commented on how Suffering have made them change for the better or more appreciative of what they have? So suffering does empower us!
The founders of many self-help groups, began those groups after some personal tragic suffering.

If any of you have suffered for six months or more due to the demise of a loved one, please send me a comment marked "private" and I will do counseling for free and it will not be published in the comment section.It will be kept strictly confidential!

Even if you feel you are alone in your suffering, you are NOT! And you don't have to BE!
Agapelife

Suffering - Benefits!

The comments are coming in and so far all have been in the YES camp?
Desiring suffering is not a normal human trait! Actually, we tend to shun and avoid it, whenever possible and even the thought of Suffering can make us shudder and feel uncomfortable. Even the mention of the word and the topic itself causes some unease with many people. All Normal Reactions!

Suffering will come and if we are unprepared for it, which is often the case, we feel the effects MORE! Am I saying we can be prepared for Suffering? In some cases, Yes! Let me illustrate with 2 scenarios -

Scenario 1 - KJ knows he has bad effects that prevents him from functioning when he drinks more than 2 bottles of beer.He goes to a party on Sunday night and has 4 bottles of beer. The next morning he feels so sick that he could not show up for work and missing the interview for a promotion! How he suffered the rest of the week!

Scenario 2 - DK is expecting her father's visit with anxiety as his interaction with her always causes her to suffer due to his belittling attitude and words towards her. What could she do to prevent this suffering?
Perhaps you, my readers would like to make some pro-active suggestions?

Will continue tomorrow evening! Please feel free to leave your comments!
Agapelife

Suffering comments requested?

Well, I have received a few comments, at my e-mail address instead of the comment session here! So we will pause on the topic Suffering - is it necessary for a few days!
So I hope everyone had a lovely week-end! It is still cool for June. Visited the Ottawa Valley and met a dear friend who has Alzheimer's. Long term memory still intact, short-term memory has decreased tremendously. This started 3 years ago. When we visited 4 years ago, she drove her car, brought us out to lunch where we had a great conversation - no signs of Alzheimer's then.

I have given care to many patients with Alzheimer's and this disease can alter personality! Should we write a post about it??
Agapelife

Is Suffering necessary?

Well, I can hear some of you say "Yes" and others say "No". Others are ambivilent
Could the "Yes" camp and the "No" camp send in your comments? We will post your answers on Monday? Thanks!
Agapelife

WHY SUFFERING?

There are various causes for Suffering, some through a person's choices and habits; some are inherited, and some caused by others' lack of compassion, to mention a few.

BENEFITS

Many who have suffered greatly will state that they learned more from suffering than when there was no suffering.

WHAT did they learn?
1. To trust God.
2. To become stronger in mind and heart.
3. To be able to comfort others who might be undergoing similar or dissimilar sufferings. Example: When someone lost their dad suddenly, I could hold their hand and say that I too, lost my dad suddenly. Somehow, more words were not necessary to comfort that person.
4. To be able to empower others to rise above their sufferings!
As usual, you are free to comment or share!

THIS MORNING, I receive a comment which will be published when the teen removes actual name as she wishes to remain anonymous. This teenager (mid-teens) said, she has not experience suffering as yet and feels she is missing something. My answer is that you don't have to go searching for suffering, it will come, but it is never to early to be PREPARED! What do you think Readers?

The power of Suffering!

Why this subject which people tend to fear, shun, escape and dislike and reject which are all normal reactions. Yet, it is exactly these very human reactions that makes us empowered by suffering instead of empowering it.

While it is difficult to hide Pain, it is not so with suffering as many people internalize their sufferings.
Suffering, if it was caused by physical or mental pain could be managed as in pain management. There are various causes of sufferings.

What about emotional and spiritual suffering? Synonyms associated with suffering are anguish, heartbreak, heartache.

Unlike physical pain, it cannot be measured. Nonetheless, there are levels of intensity to suffering. It takes more time to heal suffering than to heal pain. If it is spiritual pain, will it cease after this earthly life?
Agapelife

Yet from the writings of well-known mystics, they described this spiritual suffering as sweet, as they are certain of its ending.

People tend to learn from suffering and much has been written about the value of Suffering. Many will tell you that suffering matured them and that they became stronger because of a particular suffering that they overcame! If you wish to share any short story of how suffering improved your life or outlook,please send it to me by clicking on Comments.

Insomnia - Causes

Well we have to postpone my idea of a the topic mentioned yesterday as a friend in my
blogcatalog community, suggested on the causes Insomnia? I am sure at one time in your life you had it. Many people are insomniacs. So here are the results of my research and experiences.

Insomnia is the inability to fall asleep for the regular 6 to 8 hours. There are folks who have 6 hours of sleep at night with 2 nap periods during the day.

The CAUSES of Insomnia
1. Stress including excessive boredom.
2.Stimulants, 3. change in environment or work schedule
4. Prolonged use of sleep medications 5. chronic pain caused by certain conditions,e.g arthritis 6.eating a heavy meal late in the evening.7.Anxiety, 8. Depression 9.sleep apnea, 10. restless leg syndrome. 11. low blood sugar for diabetics.

For remedies, use the natural methods whenever possible. Sleep medications can be counter-productive and there are side-effects which make some MDs are reluctant to prescribe them. Learn how to RELAX and make some positive changes to your lifestyle - and you are already on your way OUT of INSOMNIA.
Agapelife

Blogcatalog - Empowering

Before we get to my next topic tomorrow, to add to the Stress and Health, I saw on MSN this am - health feature about recent research proving Humor's positve effect on Stress!

This online group (Blogcatalog) that I joined a few weeks back has been quite empowering:- when I had some challenges with this blog layout and settings.Thanks! So you will definitely see some additions in the coming weeks.

If you want to leave a COMMENT, just click on the word COMMENT below and a page will open where you can leave a comment which goes to moderation but don't worry, it will be published if it is Inquiring, Positive, Speculative, Funny, Challenging or Empowering? Did I leave anything out?LOL Topic suggestions - most welcomed!

My next topic is on Pain and Suffering? Can people be Suffering but not in Physical pain? If you wish to leave your views, click on comment?
Agapelife

Resources for Stress Management

These are books written by stress counsellors and of course the classic by Dale Carnegie. They are audio books and downloadable in MP3. So do check them out on the side of this page!

Did you say -"so little time to relax" - well what about 10 minutes??
If you have any ideas for the next health / wellness related topic, you would like me to blog about - I wait to hear from you, as a new one will start on Monday!
Agapelife.

HERE COME THE 7 STRESS BUSTERS!

Are you ready for my proven 7 Stress Busters!

1. BREATHING - THE RIGHT TYPE OF BREATHING AS SHOWN IN qi gong.
2. RELAXATION TECHNIQUES
3. VISUAL IMAGERY
4. HUMOUR THERAPY
5. MUSIC OR AROMA THERAPY
6. STRETCHING AND OTHER EXERCISE
7 PRAYER OR MEDITATION

These are just a few of the Stress Relievers but the ONES, I have practised on myself. Others have practise them too with very effective results. It will not do - to just practise one or two of these. Many programs and gadgets online to reduce stress, some costing more than others. These 7 STRESS BUSTERS ARE FREE!

I have not elaborated on them but I will if I receive some REQUESTS.One thing common about all these Stress Busters - there is no financial cost - already ONE STRESS REDUCED!LOL
So here's to your HEALTH!!
Agapelife

Stress Relief

So can we eliminate Chronic Stress? Perhaps not? Some people in history have done so.

Can we reduce Chronic Stress? Definitely Yes! As you noticed from yesterday's post, I was going to write about how to manage stress today.

To do so would have been stressful, as some unexpected things came my way today. I have learned the hard way not to rush to meet deadlines at the expense of my health.

Tomorrow's topic will be 7 proven ways to manage Stress!
Not too late to add your comments?
AgapeLife

Where are the comments.

Since I have not received any comments, I will conclude this series on Stress and Health, tomorrow. You still may send in your comments or if you have questions, send them along. Tomorrow, we will look at effective, proven methods to bring Health back into your Stress-filled lives.
Agapelife

RELATIONSHIP OF CHRONIC STRESS AND HEALTH

Yesterday, we talked about some of the Causes of Stress.We all have a certain amount of Stress that is normal. So when does Stress become abnormal?
It is when the intensity, duration and amount of the Stress becomes more than we can handle - then it will alter our Health.

In Acute Stress, the hormones Adrenalin and cortisol that triggers the Fight or Flight Response is released by the body.These hormones increase heart rate, slows digestion and changes other autonomic nervous system functions.

So what if this Stress is allowed to continue after the acute period,the BODILY functions mentioned above as well as others will wear down. Is your Immune System Affected? DEFINITELY! You are fair game to viruses, bacteria - any invading organisms.

Research have linked the following diseases to Chronic Stress - Heart Disease, Diabetes, hyperthyroidism, ulcers, bowel diseases,frequent colds, chronic fatigue syndrome and cancer. Anxiety, Depression and other mental disorders are also attributed to Chronic Stress.

A recent Canadian study has linked Stress as a risk factor to Alzheimer's. Some of the symptoms of Stress include, obesity, hair loss, inflammations, insomnia, appetite changes, backache.
A study done by the Occupational Health in the UK, stated that one in 4 workers were affected by work-related stress.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO OVERPOWER STRESS INSTEAD OF STRESS OVERPOWERING US? For those who are going through Chronic Stress, my question to you "Are you SICK And TIRED of being SICK AND TIRED"?
Would like to hear from you, my readers before my next blog? I will be writing 2 more blogs on Stress beginning Monday 20th of May, titled, CAN STRESS BE MANAGED?
Agapelife

WHY THE STRESS

Have you heard these OR have said some of these statements below?

The atmosphere in the office is toxic, everyone is getting sick and tired
My bosses are too demanding or ....
My job drains all the energy of me and I only want to sleep when I return home!
Every day is a rush.
Too much to do and Not enough hours in the day!

OR

Just don't get enough sleep - feel tired all the time.
How can I have time for myself? My 3 teenagers need me and my elderly parents count on me.
Everyone wants my help and I can't say no!
Recently lost my loved one (companion, parent, child) and now the company has found my position redundant!
After (?) years of marriage, he (she) leaves me for another.

If you have any of the above, my friends, you are in a state of Stress. To what degree depends on the number of stresses, the time factor, your personality,your attitude your knowledge and coping patterns, previous experiences and your support system.

Type A personality are more prone to chronic stress.
The number of Stressful Factors at one time and how long those linger determines the level of CHRONIC STRESS!

Tomorrow we will visit how STRESS can physically affect your body, mind AND SPIRIT!

Stress and Health

STRESS is the root of many illnesses including heart disease, types of cancers, bowel disease - the list go on and on. You would think that we would have less stress with our advanced technology. We seem to have more than our ancestors? Before the why, let us look at the What?
What is STRESS?Oxford dictionary defines it as" pressure or tension (measured by quantity) placed on our physical or mental energy." Since we are not just a body,STRESS also affects the spirit. A certain amount of stress is healthy and the body has coping mechanisms for that. If the quantity gets beyond what the mind PERCEIVES it can handle, then HEALTH IS AFFECTED!

The quantity of stress which each person can handle before it becomes overwhelming depends each individual attitude, personality,history and support system. So what might be stressful for one person might not be so for another? Tomorrow we will identify WHY the STRESS?
Agapelife

Alternative Health

Followed my prof 's suggestion, Google searched to find other similar blogs to link to, surprise - such a plethora!! It will be a while to visit every site.

Also started my html course - very interesting but don't ask me to explain it yet. "Ask and You will receive". The Internet has an answer for everything has it not??
Returning to alternative health, I did not see one that really deals with what I will be sharing in this blog.

As you see, I look at health as very holistic! What affects the mind, affects the spirit, which in turn affects the body which in turn affects your wealth or lack of?? If this seem like a puzzle to you, the pieces will fall into place as I continue writing more in subsequent posts. I am just bubbling with joy to have found yo'all in the alternative health community. I do have some articles on Pain and Suffering on my website and will be replacing them for new articles in a couple of weeks.
agapelife