It's All Good, and Getting Better!

I am Enough!

I have been feeding you an informational overload from my old website over the past few weeks, and that's all well and good- but I feel the need to post some updates on my Foot Zone therapy practice, and other good things that I have been learning!

Since April, I have been meeting with a couple of BEST Practitioners. B.E.S.T. stands for Bio-Energetic Synchronization Technique. It is a form of energy healing that I had previously not heard about. It has been quite the journey from the first session to now. I have been watching my little practice grow every day, and people who are like-minded are just coming to me as I remove the emotional blocks that have been keeping me from succeeding.
I have been finding out what works, and what doesn't work to get my dear clients to return, and I have learned my worth! It is a great feeling when you believe in yourself, and know that your time and energy are valuable. When you do not realize your value, people sense that and walk all over you. I have been certified now for a year as of May 25th. Only within the past few months have I seen more than one client per month (or less).  And though I have not yet reached my goal of 20 clients per week, that goal is getting closer!
I have been invited into a dear comrade's home to practice my healing art, and in turn, she is showing me more than I ever could have bargained for, in addition to Kundalini Yoga!

One of my favorite places: Benja Yoga

She has opened her doors, and her heart, and is allowing a healing transformation come into her home, and her life. I have a room in her home, as do my friends who do BEST.

The beginnings of My Little Healing Space!

View from the Foot Zoning chair

My new Zoning Chair! My clients are so spoiled!

Sharing the room, for now!

Smallest BEST client!

I love to share my experiences with you, my dear readers! I have come so far since I hit rock bottom in February, when I didn't even want to get out of bed. But that experience, along with the whole assault charge debacle from last year, taught me that I needed to listen to myself, there was something going on, and I needed to find the silence within, and from the silence would come healing.
Through EMDR with my therapist (thanks to a dear friend who helped me to realize I needed to fight to get my VA benefits, so worth it now that I have them!), to finding a place to work out that fits ME; I guess I didn't realize that I could enjoy exercise... I really didn't like what was being offered in my own town, it mattered not that it was free, and just down the street from where I live- it did not fit ME. All of these stepping stones have been transformational.
Each of these things on their own would not have worked were it not for my willingness to move forward. Inside, at one point, I felt as if it didn't matter whether I were dead or alive- those thoughts frightened me. I often find my head, and all the thoughts running within, too much to endure. My head has been so loud and over-occupied for so many years. I wanted that to end. I had had ENOUGH!
In the past four months I have been led to where I am now, I am accepting the change which I am allowing myself to make. I am accepting that I need to be silent at times, in order to heal. I am finding modalities of healing that work for me. In short: I am practicing what I have been preaching!
This journey that I am on won't end tomorrow. I have always considered myself a lifelong learner. I am always reaching out to embrace things that will help me reach my highest potential. I am learning that the Beatles knew what they were talking about when they wrote the tune: "All You Need is Love."  Replacing the anger in my heart with love is helping me become the best Foot Zone Therapist I can be! My hope is that my clients feel that when I give them the gift of an hour of my time an energy to help them in their quest for health and wellbeing.
I have also been planting seeds for my business, promoting myself in ways I had up til now only thought I would do at some "future time." That future must be now, because I did it! My doTERRA Oils are being sold in my Healing Space, I was invited to the What Women Want Expo to promote my business, and I have that sticker on my car that I swear I dreamt to life while working at the mall last year!

From computer to my car! It's about time!

Promoting Foot Zone Therapy at What Women Want, 2013

For now, I have come to the end of my rant, but I know I will further rant upon the subject of healing and the subsequent journeys that seem to accompany it in upcoming blog posts. I want everyone in the world to be as excited as I am to know that our body's ability to heal is far greater than ANYONE has led us to believe! Thank you for sharing this journey with me. I hope it has touched someone in a positive, spiritual way.

Namaste!

This Is Alternative Healing

What is Alternative Healing (also known as Complementary and Alternative Medicine [CAM], Holistic Healing, and Homeopathic Healing/Medicine)?

Herbs, Meditation, Massage Therapy

This is a broad subject, much broader than I had realized. This term basically encompasses any practice of healing performed outside of a mainstream (or Western) hospital, without the use of chemical drugs to produce healing effects.
While researching, I found an entire A-Z list of alternative healing modalities! Sometimes, even if it’s not the best resource, Wikipedia can be amazing. A link to the A-Z list will be found at the bottom of this article (No. 5 on list). Unfortunately, Foot Zone Therapy (another form of alternative healing, the form that I practice), was not on this list. I have written up an article all about Foot Zone Therapy, explained in its fullness, not to worry.
These days, more Western medical practices are incorporating the practices long used by Eastern Countries, “Patients in Western countries are becoming more receptive to trying alternative techniques, and have been asking for them. As a result, many Western medical schools are starting to teach these medicine techniques and theories. Some hospitals and doctors are supplementing their regular medical care with alternative techniques.”¹.
Alternative health is coming to the forefront of our medical radars, albeit slowly. Most major insurance providers are ill-at-ease to cover procedures done outside of modern medicine facilities. Some have come to accept CAM, but very few, if any; and most people end up paying out of pocket².
The subject of whether or not CAM works, or is safe; has been a topic of regular discussion. Some say to bring up using CAM along with main-stream treatments, with your doctor.  Some doctors these days are more open-minded on that end, others are not.  For a decision, it is solely based on what your stance is on the subject³. I personally am finding out that there is not ONE magic bullet to cure all that ails us. What works for one, may not work for another. These alternative modes of healing are here for us to use. I have provided the information for you to discover what will work for YOUR body.
What are the benefits of CAM? It really depends on what your specific need is. What are you looking for? Are you looking to get away from potentially harmful chemicals? Want to lessen side-effects from prescriptions given to you? Would you like peace of mind knowing you did all you could conventionally, and you're now willing to try something natural? These questions can only be answered by you, and what you feel is right for your body. 4

1. Teaching our children young
2. Paying for CAM Treatment
3. Alternative Medicine PDF
4. Benefits of Alternative Medicine
5. A-Z list of Alternative Medicine

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All About the Importance of Water

The Importance of Water in Digestion-

Water is Life

Experiments have documented that when we drink a glass of water (8 oz.), it  passes directly into the intestines and is absorbed. Approximately one-half hour later, almost the same amount of water that was ingested is secreted into the stomach.
Water serves two purposes:

1. Together with acid and activated enzymes it breaks down the food into a homogenized fluid state that can pass into the duodenum for the next phase of digestion.
2. It protects the stomach lining from strong acids.

The water we drink is secreted through the glandular layer in the mucosa. The mucosa swells from underneath and the water gets into the stomach, plus, the mucus layer maintains its function as a buffer system containing sodium bicarbonate. As the acid from the stomach tries to go through this protective layer, the sodium bicarbonate neutralizes it. Without the correct amount of water, the mucus layer is less homogenous and sticky, allowing the acid to come through, causing pain.
The pyloric valve (or sphincter) is in control of emptying the stomach into the duodenum. The stomach sends a signal to the pyloric valve to open. When the highly corrosive and acidic load from the stomach is properly neutralized, the duodenum also sends signals for the pyloric valve to open. The pyloric valve will not open unless it receives messages from the stomach and the duodenum.
It is the responsibility of the pancreas to produce insulin and some digestive enzymes, but most importantly, it must create an alkaline environment before the acidic content can reach the intestine. In order to manufacture this watery bicarbonate solution, the pancreas must have water from the circulatory system. If enough water is not provided (sodas and teas do not count toward water consumption) this process will not be efficient. The “intelligent” coordination will not be there.

If this process is not completed correctly, the body will not allow the food to continue on its journey- the damage would be too severe to the intestine. The walls of the intestine do not have the same protective layer against acid that is available to the stomach. The pyloric valve will receive a message to tighten up. At the same time, the cardia valve (cardiac valve, or sphincter) will become more relaxed. When the valves reverse their mode of operation, the food cannot stay in the stomach forever, and the body actually prepares itself to eject the contents of the stomach (vomiting).
Mild cases of dehydration are often called heartburn, while severe cases are labeled bulimia. The bulimic’s sensation of hunger is, in fact, an indicator of acute thirst. The bulimic’s urge to throw up is only the body’s natural mechanism to protect their sensitive intestine.

How do we know if we're getting "enough water"?
Rule of thumb for water intake: We need to be drinking at least one half of our body weight in ounces per day in order for our systems to run at maximum efficiency. When we get services such as massages, or foot zones, where our bodies go into detox mode, we need to double that water intake. Everything just runs more smoothly with water!

• Foot Zone Therapy Advanced Training, The Endocrine and Digestive Systems; 2009; K. Duvall and C. Christensen, pp.93-94, Academy of Foot Zone Therapy©   (some re-wording at Admin’s discretion)

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Inner Peace: Can we find it? We'd Better!

Inner Peace

The pathway to enlightenment, what some call, “Inner Peace,” is not something that is relatively easy to find. is no one single way to achieve it. I have done my level best to give some good information on this subject!
 Many people would welcome an easy fix to finding all that could make us happy, if such a thing existed in reality.  A Fix It, or Happy Pill?  If those do exist, and if we stop taking them, does the joy disappear?? I believe there is no "One Magic Bullet" or Panacea. Everybody's body is different. Dear readers, the quest to find Inner Peace is likened to The Quest for The Holy Grail. Many an article has been written on it, and there
     A good definition of Inner Peace was found, once again, on Wikipedia.  You can challenge this definition if you like, but I think it’s the most simple, and clear cut.  People like simple, it keeps us out of trouble, right?
In truth, finding Inner Peace is akin to having an every day job: we only get money when we work, for the most part; and if we’re not working, we don’t get paid. Working at Inner Peace is only as easy as we make it. We need to strive daily to achieve it. It is not something we can simply put an effort to for one day and have lasting effects.  We’d like it to, wouldn’t we? One fact of reality that is continually overlooked is that happiness and peace will come from something external. This simply is not so, and it is why Inner Peace seems to elude us, if we keep allowing it.
Finding Inner Peace can be achieved in different ways, and there are many resources made available to us, especially in this age of technology.  The Internet is a veritable Cash Cow on this subject!
Why choose Inner Peace? Because stress robs the body of energy and nutrition! There are way too many stressors in this world, here is a list of the types of stress looming and waiting to make us ill:
Physical Stress

• Trauma- tissue damage
• Lack of Exercise- decreased oxygen and nutrition to the cells- decreased detoxification
• Lack of Rest- decreased healing and rejuvenation time, decreased detoxification
• Lack of Sunshine
• Lack of Hydration

Emotional/Mental Stress

• Negative mental attitude
• Anger, bitterness, hate, resentment
• Worry, anxiety (my biggest issues that cause the most problems are in this area here, emotions!)

Chemical/Environmental Stress

• Uncleanliness
• Drugs, medications, chemicals, pollution
• Improper nutrition, toxins

We need to eliminate, as much as we can, these stressful living habits! Stop looking for a quick fix (like I do…) and start asking, “What have I been doing that has made me sick (or stressed)?” Then stop doing that! Look at your daily habits and trade energy robbing habits for more supportive activities. Create an environment that is conducive to healing and health.
It seems that some people, such as Dr. Wayne Dyer, and Louise Hay, have found their path to enlightenment; how their inner light shines forth!  It probably goes without saying, however, that they still have their struggles occasionally, bad days happen, they happen to all of us.  But what we do (and what we learn) with those bad days is part of the work to achieving the freedom and happiness we so desperately desire.
If we are willing to put forth effort each day, maybe even several times a day, in keeping negativity at bay, we will feel the results. Seek knowledge, learn about healthy living! Truth eliminates Ignorance. It will not happen overnight, but it will happen. Upkeep is vitally important! Lasting effects will only be as potent as the work we are willing to put into achieving them.

• Foot Zone Therapy: Total Body Balance; 2009;  K. Duvall and C. Christensen, pp. 50-51 Academy of Foot Zone Therapy©  (some re-wording at Admin’s discretion)

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Power in Prayer

Power of Prayer

The power of prayer in healing is layered with much conflict, and possibly controversy. An article from Medicine Net explains that "If you're religious, this is God-given. If you're not religious, then it comes from the brain." It also states that religious people tend to live healthier lives.
News Max Health states: “An exhaustive analysis of more than 1,500 reputable medical studies “indicates people who are more religious and pray more have better mental and physical health,” Koenig says. “And out of 125 studies that looked at the link between health and regular worship, 85 showed regular churchgoers live longer.
(From the Life of George Albert Smith*)- “When George Albert Smith was a child, he was afflicted with typhoid fever. The doctor who diagnosed him told his mother that he should stay in bed for three weeks, eat no solid food, and drink some coffee. President Smith later recalled:
“When he went away, I told mother that I didn’t want any coffee. I had been taught… not to use coffee.
Young George Albert Smith asked instead for a blessing, which he received from his home teacher.
“When the doctor came the next morning I was playing outside with the other children. He was surprised. He examined me and discovered that my fever was gone and that I seemed to be well.
“I was grateful to the Lord for my recovery. I was sure that he had healed me.”
Though there may be no concrete evidence to these allegations, there seems to be a pattern among these articles. However, looking to play Devil’s Advocate, there seems to be proof on the matter that suggests that prayer has not, and cannot help. “In the largest study of its kind, researchers found that having people pray for heart bypass surgery patients had no effect on their recovery. In fact, patients who knew they were being prayed for had a slightly higher rate of complications.”¹
“Prayers offered by strangers had no effect on the recovery of people who were undergoing heart surgery, a large and long-awaited study has found.”²
“Intercessory prayer has been the subject of scientific study since at least the nineteenth century, when an English scientist, assuming that kings were prayed for more often than others, sought to find out whether those prayers were answered. He concluded that they were not, but that prayer might be a comfort to the people praying anyway.”³
The articles summing up the negative powers of prayer happen to be mainstream news articles, which is purely coincidental. The evidence suggests both pros and cons on the subject. In educating ourselves, we need always remember to take stock of all the information, and rely on what we have experienced, keeping an open mind to all things. Some things do not have to be seen in order to exist, even science can agree with that argument.

1. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12082681/ns/health-heart_health/t/power-prayer-flunks-unusual-test/#.UHyCq67z2Fo
2. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/31/health/31pray.html?pagewanted=all
3. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090617154401.htm

*Excerpt from: Teachings of Presidents of the (LDS) Church: George Albert Smith, 2010
How to Pray Effectively-Click Here!

An Informational Look at Foot Zone Therapy!

Your Entire Body is in Your Feet!

Foot Zone Therapy (FZT) is a method of treating the physical, mental, and emotional features of the body, using electromagnetic trigger points located in certain areas of the feet. Each trigger point creates an impulse that causes the brain to affect change at the corresponding area- treating each cell of the body in every session.
FZT is a natural way of bringing relief and healing to the body by utilizing the body’s own healing resources. It is  a method of rejuvenating the body by reinforcing the electrical connections and communications of the body.
The basis of FZT is the long established principle that there are energy zones (meridians) running throughout the body, beginning and ending in the hands and feet. It revitalizes the body so that the natural internal healing mechanisms can do their work. Each zone strengthens the body’s ability to heal, create balance, and increase vitality.
In the last 25 years, FZT has made a significant impact in the field of alternative medicine. It is growing in popularity because people are experiencing quick results and an overall sense of well being.
How FZT Works:
FZT is the simple and effective method utilizing the feet’s natural signal system to establish balance, raise life energy, and renew the cells of the body.
Each cell knows how to repair itself. The cell’s DNA in the physical body is connected to the etheric (spiritual or spirit) body, which holds the basis for all healing.
A complex signal (or, key pad, if you will) system located in the feet connects to every organ and cell in the body. This signal system is a connecting link between the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual bodies. The etheric body, AKA: the memory body, contains the body’s original blueprint and carries the memory of how to build a perfect cell. FZT uses the key pad system to reconnect with the etheric blueprint and correct, balance, and renew the body’s entire cellular structure.
In addition to renewing our cell systems, rejuvenating our life, and bringing the body into balance, Foot Zoning can be used to assess the body’s current state of health.
The relationship between the foot and body can be likened to the relationship between a computer keyboard, and the computer itself. Signals are sent from the keyboard to the computer. The signal system in the feet instantaneously registers and conveys all occurrences that have a negative effect on the body. The Foot Zone Practitioner observes the foot and interprets the “messages” it conveys through discoloration, spots, calluses, deposits, variance in texture, tenderness, and pain.
The Zone technique is not simply for those suffering from ailments or disorders, it is an excellent preventative health measure. There is a lot of misinformation about Zoning; it is not a massage, nor is it a medical treatment, and it is not a cure-all for all ills. Practitioners do not diagnose illness or practice medicine.
Zoning Practitioners enhance health and healing by encouraging the body’s electrical system to more effectively communicate, which heightens the body’s ability to heal itself and function with vitality.
Topics of Study To Support FZT

1. Aromatherapy
2. Environmental Issues
3. Herbal Medicine
4. Exercise Technique
5. Anatomy
6. Muscle Testing (kineseology)
7. Physiology
8. Iridology
9. Nutrition
10. Yoga
11. Biology
12. Energy Medicine

• Foot Zone Therapy: Total Body Balance; 2009;  K. Duvall and C. Christensen, pp. 14-17; 21, 31 Academy of Foot Zone Therapy©  (some re-wording at Admin’s discretion)

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Power of Positive Affirmations

Your Thoughts Become Your Reality

Finding an authoritative definition was difficult to procure, a fairly decent (if not good) description was found on a website that no longer exists. This is sad, but, there you have it. According to holistic life coaching, Positive Affirmation is: “a technique used to program the subconscious mind to effect change by repeating (or meditating on) a key phrase to bring about the desired outcome.”
There is a plethora of information available on positive affirmations, and the power of positive thinking in the world today, and while the holistic community praises positivity, there are always naysayers available to even the odds, as in every subject.
The question one may want to ask themselves, in light of the super-charged (if not verging on rude), destructive comments and write-ups on what one would hope to be an optimistic topic, is: “How do I want to view positive affirmations, and thought? Do I want to give them the benefit of the doubt to see if they could possibly work in my life, or do I just want to believe that it’s all a money making scam?”
While science may not be able to substantiate any concrete evidence on the subject, Dr. Isaac Eliaz, an Integrative physician, holistic healer and meditation practitioner, states that one reason positive affirmations may not work for most of us is because we basically give up before we’ve tapped into our full mental potential.
While mainstream news may try to debunk positive thinking as a crazy cash scam, The Mayo Clinic touts that people who think positively experience greater health benefits, but that it is unclear why.
You can see the effect of positive thinking and affirmations in your life if you are willing to test it out for one week. Every time you begin to think a negative thought, stop; not only stop the negativity, but reroute it by turning it into a positive reinforcement, switch your mindset. This must be carefully monitored; we think thousands of thoughts every minute, so it would stand to reason that monitoring thoughts would not be an easy task. Visualizing may help; In your mind's eye, see yourself gathering up the negativity into a ball, or balloon, and detaching that ball or balloon from you (maybe with some really big scissors), and watch that balloon float away, maybe even wave to it as it ascends. This will help you in your endeavor to begin monitoring your thoughts. This is not an easy task, and will probably need to be done several times throughout each day. At the end of the week, you may start to notice a subtle change in your life.  Maybe a weight has been lifted off your shoulders, maybe something different, everyone has their own experience; be sure to write it down to track your progress.
Carol Tuttle states that sometimes we get stuck in negative, destructive belief systems, and while positive affirmations may start to work, we fall into our old negative ways after a while, and need more than just the affirmations to clear those negative energies.
Whatever you choose to believe, remember, nobody else has to live your life. Take all of the information given to you, weigh it, keep an open mind, and by experimenting a little, you may find out if positive affirmations are right for you.
Some more links of interest:
http://www.stress-and-relaxation.com/power-of-positive-affirmations.html
http://www.effectivelearning.com/resource/the-power-of-positive-affirmations/
http://www.freeaffirmations.org/what-are-positive-affirmations

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All You Ever Wanted To Know about Chakras, But Didn't Ask

Chakra System

Chakra- (ˈtʃækrə, not shăck-rə) “The word Chakra is Sanskrit for wheel or disk. It signifies one of seven basic energy centers in the body which are the openings for life energy to flow into and out of our aura. Each of these centers correlates to major nerve ganglia branching forth from the spinal column.”
The human energy field and spine contain energy centers called chakras. These vibrate at different frequencies, each holding a power or gift which enhances the human experience. As we connect with the energy from each chakra, we are able to tap into its individual strength and gift to enhance our life experience.
Each chakra also represents strength and energy to specific organs in our body snd offer healing to the body in these areas. The main features of each chakra are listed below for you to use as a tool in healing emotionally, physically, mentally, and energetically.
“In the body there are many kinds of channels, which are very extensive. The sage must understand them in order to understand his own body… Running transversely, up and down, they exist in the body joined together like a wheel, dependent on the life-force and linked to the breath of the body.” –From the Shiva-Svarodaya Tantra, traditional Indian teaching on the subtle anatomy of the body.

1. Base Chakra, Foundation of Energy, Red, Earth, survival, power to achieve goals, vitality, grounding. Located at the base of the spine, this chakra creates the foundation for our chakra system. It is essential to our survival instincts, and to our sense of grounding, and connection to our bodies and the physical plane. When balanced and energized, this chakra brings us health, prosperity (which is more important in the heart chakra), security, and dynamic presence.
2. Sacral Chakra, Pleasure Center, Orange, Water, primal feelings, sexuality, desire, sensuality, procreation. Located in the abdomen/lower back, it is essential to emotions and sexuality. It connects us to others through feeling, desire, sensation, and movement. When balanced and energized, this chakra brings us fluidity and grace, depth of feeling, sexual fulfillment, and the ability to accept change.
3. Solar Plexus, Coordination and Organization, Yellow, Fire, personal power, social identity, influence, authority, self-control. Located between the naval and heart, at the pericardium, this chakra is known as the power chakra, and rules will-power, metabolism and autonomy. When balanced and energized this chakra enhances our proficiency, spontaneity, energy and grounded power.
4. Heart Chakra, Relationships, Green, Air, unconditional/divine love and harmony, forgiveness, healing, compassion, understanding. Located at the heart, it is the middle chakra, related to love and balancing opposites (male and female etc.). When balanced and energized, it allows us to love deeply, feel compassion, have a deep sense of peace and centeredness. It also helps us in gaining abundance (prosperity- shift from root to heart).
5. Throat Chakra, Communication, Blue, Ether, free/creative self expression, communication, inspiration, confidence. Located in the throat, and is associated with communication and creativity. When balanced and energized, it translates vibrations and sounds into language or communication and helps us to articulate out thoughts and emotions.
6. Third Eye, Spiritual Vision, Indigo, All Elements, inner vision, intuition, insight, clairvoyance, imagination. Also known as the Brow Chakra, it is located just above the brow line in the center of the forehead. It is related to the act of seeing, both physically and intuitively. When balanced and energized it allows us to see the big picture and see subtler, less obvious things.
7. Crown Chakra, Unity of Thought, Violet, All Elements, perfection, integration/unity with the Omnipresent Being, divine wisdom. Located at the top of the head, it relates to consciousness as pure awareness. It is our connection to the greater world beyond, and the divine. When balanced and energized this chakra brings us knowledge, wisdom, understanding, and spiritual connection, and bliss.

There are many ways to balance and energize the chakras, information can be found both in books, and on the internet. One helpful website is Carol Tuttle’s Healing Center. Knowing how to balance and energize chakras is also part of being a Foot Zone Practitioner. Upkeep is important, in order to achieve a more efficiently balanced, and healthy system.

• Foot Zone Therapy Advanced Training: The Endocrine and digestive Systems; 2009;  K. Duvall and C. Christensen, pp. 34-41, Academy of Foot Zone Therapy©  (some re-wording at Admin’s discretion)

The Chakra Healing System- Click Here!

Keep Calm and Pass It On!

There are many different ways of achieving a sense of calm, unfortunately- no one is likely to stay calm

Keep Calm and Pass It On!

100% of the time. We tend to allow events in life to get under our skin, or “piss us off.”  It happens, we’re human; and we tend to relate events to other circumstances in our lives. Everything is related to everything else in our minds.
But, what can we do when we lose our sense of calm? Here is a list of tips that just may make you feel better when the storm hits!
The first thing one needs to do when something happens that bends us out of shape is: Notice our reaction and Identify the trigger, basically stop what you’re doing and think, “Why am I getting mad, what just happened?” What were your body’s cues that signified that you were angry? Take note!
The second thing we can do is: Just Breathe. We often forget how important breathing is. Deep calming breaths always help diffuse the reaction to any awful situation, and prepare us for thinking, which leads into the next step…
Observation and Identification: What is it that our bodies are feeling? What are we thinking? Are we relating this incidence to something else in our lives; current or past? What’s really going on?
Fourth step: Adding some perspective to our situation helps. If we visualize our current predicament through someone else’s eyes, it can help us see other ways of finding the root to our angry outburst, “Why did I just freak out? Would so & so have done that?” Keep breathing!
Last step: Now that you’re brain is functioning, because you’ve allowed it enough oxygen, you can rationally explore useful ways to resolve the issue. What can you do in this situation that will be most helpful? Will whatever you choose to do be the best way to help all involved in the crisis? Knowing your principles and values will help you choose how to settle the dispute, make sure you stay in alignment with them.
These steps are for a situation where one flies off the handle and needs to realign quickly, but in order to help you stay more calm on a continuing basis: Never underestimate the power of meditation. When you meditate, you focus on your breathing, and everything else seems to fade away, it's a wonderful medium to try out. Try to remember to breathe deeply more often, move your body, and watch what you’re eating. It may sound corny, but eating healthy and exercising helps keep the anger at bay, and helps us to sort through our thoughts a lot easier.

• Adapted from STOPP© Carol Vivyan 2010
• http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Calm-in-a-Stressful-Situation

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