Brenda Bell Wellness: Positive Effects Of Netti Nasal Washing

Brenda Bell Wellness: Positive Effects Of Netti Nasal Washing:     These days we hear a lot about Netti Nasal cleansing for sinus health. What is Netti?  Jala Netti is an ancient Indian method of washin...

Walking into Immune Health

Did you know that regular outdoor walking helps to boost your immune system?

Many of us have seen at some time a group of Chinese elders doing Tai Chi in a park. They are doing it outside because ancient Chinese medical theory teaches us that exercising outdoors is a way of aerating and clearing the body's Chi, this also enhances the effect of the Tai Chi movements.

If you're not into Tai Chi, jogging, biking, blading or other common outdoor activities then you can simply choose to add daily walking into your life. Walking for an hour a day is more beneficial than most people realize. It is especially important for those people who have sedentary jobs, sitting for long period of time creates hip, neck and back problems as well as elimination problems.
Walking can help.

Being indoors breathing recycled air often shared with other people is a sure fired way to contract common viruses. You need to get outside!
Aerate your lungs! Increase your oxygen uptake by breathing deeply when you are outside. This oxygen goes directly into your bloodstream and improves cellular function, therefore strengthening your immune system.

You can choose to walk to work, or to the transit station, walk during breaks at works, walk to the store,

Brenda Bell, spring day walk.

take longer walks on the weeknd. You can change your intensity, quickening your pace to increase your heart rate and burn more calories. It is scientifically proven that longer sustained moderate exercise is much better for weight loss and maintenance.

Instead of meeting a friend for coffee or lunch in a cafe, suggest going for a walk while you get caught up, take a light lunch and sit on a park bench to enjoy. Go for coffee after walking.

Taking relaxing walks after dinner in the evening, is a good way to improve digestion as well as relax the nerves and mind from the day's activities. This can lead to improved mood and sleep, which also strengthens the immune system.

Keep in mind that choosing the right footwear for walking is also important it can greatly affect the joints of ankles, knees,hips and low back. Be sure to have enough cushioning under the heel and arch support. You can consult with specialty footwear shops to find out what shoes will work best for your needs. Don't let the weather stop you either, choose comfortable seasonal clothing and hats.

Please remember to balance your walking with mild strengthening and stretching, it will keep you healthy, and it won't break your budget!

Brenda E. Bell
Brenda Bell Wellness
www.brendabell.ca

EATING WITH AWARENESS

Are you eating with awareness?
Have you ever taken an hour or so to prepare a tasty meal with delightful presentation only to have your family or guests gobble it down in 5 minutes?! Your loving effort seems to be wasted. Yes they loved it so much that they gobbled it, but did they really enjoy it? the flavours, the textures?

Did they chew it?
Meals can be a time for gathering, catching up, connecting and sharing. If you are eating alone it can be a time for relaxing and reflection. On the contrary these days many of us are in such a rush, people are skipping breakfast grabbing a coffee and muffin on the go, fast food at lunch or a quick sandwich at the desk while working. After rush hour traffic and a long day at work too tired to cook, heating up something frozen or leftovers to be eaten in front of the television or computer.

How many people are suffering from digestive and elimination problems today? How many people are lacking nutrients? How many people end up snacking more and gaining weight?
Does this sound like you?

Did you know that if you chew your food until it is completely mush as if it had been in a blender then you will have better nutrient absorption, digestion and elimination? There are many health benefits of eating with awareness, the one that comes to my mind immediately is how we chew our food.

Digestion starts in the mouth.
The saliva has compounds in it which mix with the food preparing it for the stomach which has stronger acids to mix with the mashed food. Drinking water with meals is not helpful because it dilutes the gastric acids. Some people find they have better digestion if they drink a small glass of water with  natural apple cider vinegar 10 -15 mins before a large meal. Europeans commonly have a glass of wine with meals to improve digestion as wine is acidic. This maybe a good option for non-vegetarians.

As we age digestive acid production can slow down leading some people to look for aids such as digestive enzymes. After chewing our food the mush passes from the stomach into the intestines where all the nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. The mush then moves on into the colon to be expelled as waste. If the food has been swallowed in clumps then some nutrients are being missed, and the clumps can get lodged in the intestinal walls to putrefy and create gases and bloating.  The colon can get backed up and become blocked causing constipation and other  digestive and elimination problems.

Stress can also diminish the proper release of gastric acids and also slow down peristalsis, the wave like motion which move food through the intestines. Therefore eating mindfully will help to create mental  as well as physical relaxation thus lead to better digestion. 

This is just a simple explanation of your digestive system, but it's enough to give you something to think about. If you have been inspired to be more mindful about your eating habits, then you may want to start making a bit more time for your meals. After all what is more important than your own personal health?

Try to schedule time for your meals even if it's just 10 minutes for breakfast, or 15-20 for lunch and a longer time for dinner. Sit without distraction so that you can enjoy the flavours and textures of your food while being aware of chewing it well before swallowing it.

Try this for 2 weeks and  see if you are feeling better physically and mentally. 

Brenda E. Bell
www.brendabell.ca

Are EMF'S making you sick?

We are constantly hearing about detox programs for our diet but not many people talk about clearing the dirty electricity or EMF's out of our system.Electromagnetic Field Emissions. This includes waves from microwave ovens, radio, television, wireless internet and cell phones. Think about it...it's all around us, we can't see it but our body and nervous system can feel it.

It is important to be aware that CFL's (compact fluorescent lamps) create "Dirty Electricity" increasing EMF's (electromagnetic field emissions) and UVR (ultraviolet radiation) all of which can compromise the immune system with over exposure. So if you work in an office or school you need to learn about this.

When I was a child in elementary school we sat by big windows and under old fashioned light bulbs. I was alert and did well, but when I was sent to a brand new middle school lit with fluorescent lighting I found myself unable to focus and fell asleep at my desk. I was eventually sent to the nurse's office after fainting. They thought it was low blood sugar, but once I got outside I was fine.

It was later after high school that I was informed that I was sensitive to fluorescent lighting and this affected my choices of work. When I returned to college after my years of professional dance, I was fortunate that the school used full spectrum lighting. This made a dramatic difference for me. I was alert and graduated with honours.

Health Canada is now warning that more than 3 hours of exposure to EMF's at a time is too much and they recommend taking regular breaks. If you Google this subject you will find many articles about this topic. It's no wonder that coffee is as popular as it is!

I learned a simple secret 40 years ago from Dr. Christopher a renown Canadian herbalist and health practitioner. He taught us to stand barefoot outside on the earth regardless of the season, for just a couple of minutes to ground out the electromagnetic emissions and static electricity from our body. He suggested wearing leather soled shoes instead of the rubber soles which were becoming more common. The rubber prevents the electrical currents from leaving the body. But these days that is difficult and not a welcomed feature for Vegans. So taking off our shoes and standing on the earth should become a regular practice, it only takes a minute or two. Yes it works when you stand on snow providing there is earth and not concrete below.

Dr. Christopher was teaching us this before we had internet and cell phones so imagine the load we are taking on now!

Static electricity has an irritating effect on the nervous system which can be the cause of headaches, insomnia, anxiety, poor memory, depression and mental alertness as well as compromise the immune system and contribute to other nervous disorders.

There are many other ways to combat this new phenomena if you care to do your research.

Individual Reiki sessions are a good way of helping to clear and balance the energy in our body. Yoga breath work is also a good method. Start wearing clothing made from natural fibres instead of polyester, acrylic and nylon, all which hold static electricity.

Try it and see if it works for you.

I am here to help you. Remember your wellness is my business!

Brenda E. Bell
www.brendabell.ca

Yoga - Saving time for Savasana

  These days many people are practicing Hatha yoga postures and routines as a form of fitness to build strength and flexibility of the outer body, they may be getting some improved psychological benefits as well, but are they taking time to focus on the inner body?

  We humans have an incredible inner body full of many complex systems including nerves, glands, organs, blood and lymphatic circulation, digestion and elimination.
The actions of the yoga postures are not only flexing and extending muscles to improve posture and relieve stiffness, they are also playing an important role in the function of the inner body which provides optimum health.

Yoga postures squeeze and release internal organs which aid in detoxification, glands which distribute necessary hormones to balance metabolism and can soften the aging processes, stretching nerves to improve electrical conduction, rotating joints which produces lubricating synovial fluid, and deep breathing which improves lung and cardio vascular health, oxygenating the blood which carries nutrients to cells.

   The focus of yoga asanas (postures) is not only for creating a beautiful form, they were designed to keep all systems functioning properly so that we can enjoy a better quality of life. It is a holistic practice which attends to the needs of all that it means to be living as a human, to create balance and live in accordance with the laws of nature. To address the mind there is a philosophy which can guide us through life. The philosophy of yoga can be applied to all faiths, because yoga is a science not a religion.

   We may practice very active asanas when we are feeling energetic and healthy, but if we have days when we are tired, nervous or unwell we can change to a more passive practice to suit our needs which can leave us feeling calm, refreshed and in a more positive mental state . As we age we need to adapt our yoga practice according to the changes that occur over time.

   An important part of our physical yoga practice is "not being active" this is the still quiet time at the completion of the physical movements which is called Savasana in Sanskrit . It means "as relaxed as a lifeless body, or Corpse pose."

Savasana looks simple enough, but it can be one of the most challenging parts of the yoga  practice for some people because it requires us to let go of the body and the mind, without falling asleep. We become "consciously relaxed"
Savasana is a good exercise in conscious awareness and detachment, when desiring to learn meditation.

 I would highly recommend the guidance of an experienced teacher to share a method of how to relax into Savasana. Each teacher has their own unique way of guiding people into conscious relaxation, or you can find a video or download on line.

    Savasana requires one to lie down face up on a clean firm surface, for a minimum of five minutes to a maximum of twenty depending on our time restraints and personal needs.
Using soft relaxation music is often a good way for some people to start because it can help distract the mind from thoughts.

   First we learn to observe and regulate the breath, then all body parts while consciously releasing tension. Choosing a method from a variety of techniques we can  learn to identify where we hold physical tension and consciously release it.
The mind is then equally addressed, learning to relax and release thoughts without sleeping but rather resting in our natural thoughtless state. All body systems are governed by the brain so
when the mind relaxes the brain waves slow down and this allows the body a deeper and more complete releasing.

   When the entire body is relaxed and soft, the joints, muscles, nervous system and internal organs can rest in their correct anatomical position and space is created right down to the cellular level. This allows oxygenated blood to rush through the entirety of all systems flushing out toxic waste and replenishing cells with nutrients and hormones which have been secreted from the massaged glands.This action contributes to cellular regeneration.

 Muscle cells are flushed removing toxic acid which prevents stiffness. The cartilages of the joints especially those of the spine are bathed in synovial fluid which maintains resilience and can flush out inflammation.  Digestion and elimination are greatly improved. The brain is flooded with endorphins which leaves us with a wonderful euphoric feeling after wards and can help improve sleep and mood disorders.
These are just a few of the benefits gained from practicing Savasana.

When planning time for your yoga asana practice be sure to make an extra 5 - 10 minutes into consideration and enjoy a balanced experience. Your inner body and general health will improve greatly.

 Savasana can also be done as a practice on it's own without having to do the yoga postures first, it helps to calm the nervous system and provide mental rejuvenation during a busy or stressful time. Try it at  home or at work if you have the space to lie down and stretch out freely. If you are working with a team, it could be a beneficial break for the entire group which could  help to increase productivity.





"Your Wellness is my Business"
Brenda E. Bell
www.brendabell.ca

The Benefits of Learning Reiki

Learning reiki can be a life changing event in one’s life.

 We don't have to become professional healers to enjoy the many benefits it can offer to us in our personal lives.

Many people are aware of the fact that reiki is used primarily to heal others, but there is a larger part to becoming a reiki practitioner, in fact it is probably the most important aspect of becoming a healer.

Heal yourself first!

“Physician, heal thyself” -Jesus – Luke 4:23

“The wound is the place where the Light enters you” – Rumi

“The way you help heal the world is you start with your own family” – Mother Teresa

       To me this makes a lot of sense. How can you trust a person to help heal you when they haven’t attempted to heal themselves first?

There are very few of us who reach adulthood without some type of affliction whether it be physical, mental or emotional. There is always some part of our “Being” in need of adjusting into balance.

This is what all eastern health philosophies attempt to teach us, that all aspects of existing in this present life must be attended to. Diet, exercise, thought, rest, sleep, elimination and work.

   When we put our attention on balancing ourselves as a “Whole” it develops self awareness which can lead us to compassion and understanding of others. We can learn to live life with ease, without struggle, to move with the wind without resistance.

When we put attention towards creating balance in our personal lives it creates a vibrancy that other people can see. 

What is that “Vibrancy”?

   It is life force energy which all living things are infused with. It is this life force that reiki practitioners tap into to connect with others, much like a jumper cable used from a highly charged car battery to a poorly charged one.

   When we learn reiki we are taught affirmations to be used daily in order to develop character, encourage positive thinking, compassion, honesty and gratitude. We learn that thought is also energy.

We learn exercises to develop awareness of this life force energy and how to increase our personal  energy frequency.

We need nothing external from our own selves, and we can be of any faith and apply the basic principles of reiki because they are not part of a religion but can most certainly show us that we are more than simple physical beings which turn into ash or compost.

    Being true to ourselves first is the most important aspect of becoming a healer. Practice what you preach!  Keep it simple and uncomplicated.

Over time self reiki can raise our personal frequency, teach us to relax, improve our breathing, cardiovascular health, digestion, elimination, sleep, and balance hormones.

It calms irrational desires and behaviours, can help us to break bad habits, overcome addictions and depression. We can develop intuition which leads to better decision making and in general can improve our personal and work relationships.

  Once we have experienced this within ourselves we can if we choose to, extend this to others to help improve their quality of life,  whether it is family members or clients. 

  There is nothing magical or occult about reiki, it is just a practical application and a method to increase awareness of and respect for who we really are and our relationship with all life around us. It is meant to create balance and harmony which in turn can reward us with good health, happiness and a sense of contentment.

Finding our own personal health and happiness is the first step towards creating positive global changes.

Brenda E. Bell  RT-CRA

www.brendabell.ca 

Brenda Bell Wellness: Creating positive vibrations with Negative Ions

Brenda Bell Wellness: Creating positive vibrations with Negative Ions: What is a negative ion? Ions are invisible particles, either molecules or atoms, which bear an electric charge. Atoms, for instance, cons...