Good morning!  Jeff here from the Self Help Tips Blog.  I hope that everyone has had a stress-free and enjoyable year so far.  Today we will discuss the five principles of Reiki and how they can help you live a more balanced life.

Reiki is a body, mind, and spirit healing technique that was developed over 80 years ago by Dr. Mikao Usui. If you’ve ever experienced a treatment with a Certified Reiki Practitioner, you know you’ve experienced something very special and important that may defy description or explanation.

Most people come away from a Reiki session with a calm sense of well being and relaxation, saying it’s like nothing they’ve ever experienced before. Many even express feeling more relaxed and centered after a Reiki session than after a full hour of hands-on massage. And one of the best things about Reiki is that you remain fully clothed and oil-free.

Dr. Usui believed that in order for anyone to practice Reiki and transfer healing energy to others, they must first take responsibility for their own health and well being. The same is true of those receiving Reiki energy. It is beneficial to conduct your life in a simple, positive, and nurturing way. With that, he developed the Five Principles of Reiki:

1. Just For Today, Do Not Worry

This principle reminds you to let go of future events and circumstances that you can’t possibly control. You only have the immediate moment you’re in – live it fully and in the best way you can. Make it matter.

2. Just For Today, Do Not Anger

Take the time to step back from a situation when you feel yourself becoming angry. Remember that once hurtful words are expressed, they can never be taken back. Many times, angry feelings really come from a place of fear. Think about why you may be afraid and then later, talk about it calmly and honestly.

3. Honor Your Parents, Teachers and Elders

It is important to honor and respect everyone who comes into your life because they are all there for some reason. The one thing that almost everyone wants in life is respect and acknowledgement as a fellow human being. If you show that respect to each person you encounter everyday, you’ll receive respect in return.

4. Earn Your Living Honestly

This principle is about fairness and integrity. No matter what your work entails, do the very best you can do. There is no job too small or less important than any other that doesn’t require 100% of your attention and dedication. Treat yourself, those who work for you, and those you work for with dignity and respect.

5. Show Gratitude for Everything

There are times when life seems difficult, painful, or unfair. This principle reminds you to stop for a moment and remember all of the good things you have in your life – no matter how small. Each experience and each encounter throughout your day has significance in forming who you are. It’s important to pay attention to those moments and say thank you. Everything counts.

Dr. Usui’s principles remind us to stay conscious and aware in each moment of each day. This is good advice whether you subscribe to the practice of Reiki or not.

Living truly in the present moment releases you from the perceived mistakes and pain of the past and the potential worries of the future. It allows you to evict thoughts such as “if only…” and “what if…” right out of your mind. To repeat those thoughts as if they were a mantra can only lead to frustration, sadness, and even sickness.

Common sense tells you the past is gone and can never be changed, just as you can’t really know what will happen in the future. We wish sometimes we had those kinds of magical powers – but we don’t.

To begin living a life that’s simple, balanced, and full, start with the Five Principles of Reiki. You’ll see enormous changes come about.

Keep in mind the words of Buddha, “The secret of health for both the mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, not to anticipate troubles, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly.”

Good evening!  Thank you for taking the time to read the Self Help Tips Blog.  I apologize for the lack of updates recently, as I was on vacation.  Tonight I would like to share ten ways that you can become a healthier person.

(Almost) everyone has the desire to be in good health. No one wants to suffer from sickness and disease. Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t know where to start on the path to improved health. Here are ten things that you can do to become a healthier person:

1. Eat more organic fruits and vegetables. It’s no secret that most healthy people take in plenty of fresh, organic, raw fruits and vegetables. They also lightly steam their vegetables or in the best-case scenario, eat them raw. Eating four pieces of fresh, organic fruit and two big organic salads a day will be an excellent start for most people.  A diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables has proven to aid the body in recovering from many medical conditions.

2. Purchase and regularly use a juice machine. As most people know, the modern day food supply is not packed with vital vitamins and minerals.  In fact, many of today’s “foods” are nothing more than sugar, preservatives and flavoring. While organic fruits and vegetables don’t have all of the necessary nutrients, they do have up to ten times more essential vitamins and minerals than non-organic foods. Therefore, when organic fruits and vegetables are juiced, needed vitamins, minerals, and enzymes are rapidly consumed by your body. Drinking three to four glasses of juice per day is best.

3. Eat a lot of organic nuts and seeds.  These are high in protein, amino acids and several other nutrients.

4. Take in a lot of sunlight. Sunlight has enormous health benefits for the body, including an increase in vitamin D.

5. Eat raw, organic fruit on a daily basis. Organic apples are some of the best fruit to eat.  You know the saying… “An apple a day keeps the doctor away!”

6. Use natural vitamin E supplements. It is important not to use synthetic vitamin E products.  Purchase all natural, full spectrum brands instead. Nearly everyone is nutritionally deficient. Taking vitamin E can prevent heart disease and alleviate depression. Vitamin E has many other benefits as well. The bottom line is that supplementing with an all natural, full spectrum vitamin E product is a must.

7. Drink "miracle" juice. There are fruits from certain parts of the world that can help heal many diseases. The juices of these fruits are typically sold in bottles, since it is difficult to buy the fresh fruit and then juice it. A few of these "miracle" juices are Noni, Mangosteen, Aloe Vera and Acai Berry. These fruit juices have super nutritional value and also cleanse and detoxify the body.

8. Consume whole food supplements. Most healthy people understand that it is important to avoid cheap, synthetic vitamins and minerals. They realize concentrated real food has nutrients and living enzymes.  It is worth the extra money to purchase the real food instead of processed junk food.  Think of it as another form of health insurance.  You can pay the extra 50 cents on the food now, or you can pay enormous hospital bills later.

9. Use colloidal on a daily basis. These supplements include spirulna, whole food herbs, dehydrated juices, chorella and sprouts.

10. Purchase and use oxygen water coolers. Everyone’s body is deficit in oxygen.  Most people understand that increasing the amount of oxygen in their bodies alkalizes them and creates a healthy environment where disease can’t survive. An excellent way for people to get their needed oxygen is through an oxygenated water cooler. Using oxygenated water helps people feel full of energy and vitality.  If you can not afford a water cooler for your home, you may be able to purchase oxygenated water at your local supermarket.

While living a healthy lifestyle may seem easy, it does require a lot of planning and dedication.  You can start today by utilizing the above tips and including plenty of exercise.  No one is going to force you to be a healthier person.  It’s up to you to make the smart decisions that will lead to a longer, happier life.

Good evening!  Thank you for continuing to read the Self Help Tips Blog.  Tonight I will share several tips that you can use in your fight against insomnia.

Are you unsatisfied with your quality of sleep? Do you feel tired and un-refreshed when you wake up in the morning? Do you stay that way throughout the day, lack energy and have difficulty concentrating?

The World Health Organization says that one-third of the world’s population experiences at least some level of insomnia, with approximately five per cent needing medical attention.

To avoid medical intervention, try these natural techniques and remedies that will help put your insomnia to rest:

Relaxation

Relax before going to bed. Practice deep breathing techniques and listen to soft music. According to Dr. Timothy Sharp from Sydney University, avoiding caffeine, alcohol and nicotine will also help.

Bedtime routine

Develop a bedtime routine so that your body knows when it’s time to go to sleep. By winding down your physical activities and following a set routine prior to bed, your body will start to associate some of these actions with going to sleep. Start with a cup of hot milk. Milk contains a protein called tryptophan that helps to promote sleep. This can be substituted with chamomile tea, which is known to calm your nerves. Follow the drink with a hot bath or shower. The heat will help to lower your internal body temperature, which will also tell your body to go to sleep.

For sleeping only

Make your bedroom your sleep-room. Turn the lights off as soon as you get into bed. Don’t read, eat or watch television or do any activity that is not sleep related while in your bedroom. Make sure the room is dark and cozy; include extra pillows on the bed and even some teddy bears. Make your bedroom into a sleep sanctuary, a room that you will instantly feel secure and comfortable in, and best of all, a room that you will long to sleep in.

Clear your mind

Clear your mind of the day’s activities or things that need to be done tomorrow. Write a ‘to do’ list for the following day. Organize uniforms, lunches, etc. the night before. Make arrangements earlier than usual so you don’t worry.

Rid yourself of inner demons
Kill all of the demons in your mind from yesteryear. Many of us have issues or events from the past that may still affect our daily lives. These issues can also mess up our sleeping patterns. Whatever these issues may be, now is the time to finally set things straight. Forgive that person, give back that item, start talking to that family member again (or even make that appointment to see a psychologist if necessary).

Give time back to yourself

Allow time to sleep. Instead of trying to cram as much as you can into the day and then realizing that you haven’t allowed for much time to sleep, try to find shortcuts or solutions that will give you more time to relax. Make a double casserole and freeze half for another night. Spot clean the house as you go. Have more barbecues and use paper plates (less dishes to wash). Offer to pay the kids, or the neighbor’s kids, to do some extra chores.

Check your diet

A balanced diet helps to make a balanced mind. If you’re lacking essential vitamins and minerals, your body cannot operate at its best. Throw out the junk food and fizzy drinks, and make a new start towards good physical and mental health. Add in some regular exercise and watch your body respond with some improved sleep.

Get up

Don’t lie in bed if you can’t sleep. If you don’t feel sleepy enough to drift off, your mind will probably anguish over the fact that you can’t get to sleep. This will only make it harder to get to sleep each time that you experience this. Get out of bed and go into a different room. Do something to distract yourself until you do start to feel sleepy, and then try to sleep again later.

Medications to watch

Medications may interfere with your sleep. Check with your doctor if you are experiencing insomnia and are also taking any of these medications: amphetamines (diet pills), antidepressants, beta blockers (heart and blood pressure), cimetidine (ulcers), clonidine (blood pressure), cortisone, diuretics (fluid), levodopa (parkinsons), methyldopa (blood pressure) and ventolin (asthma).

Above all, de-stress. Dr. Sharp says that stress is the worst cause of insomnia. By using some of the techniques above, you can try to remove as much stress out of your life as possible and finally put your insomnia to rest.

Good afternoon!  Thank you for reading the Self Help Tips Blog.  Today I would like to discuss work-related stress and a few anger management techniques.

Everyone has experienced work-related stress at one time or another.  The question is: how often do you experience it, how severe is the stress and is it worth your health and sanity to continue to work in such a stressful environment?  Are you stressed out about work during your morning commute, before you even get to the office?  If so, you need to carefully examine the issue and decide whether or not the benefits outweigh the risks.

Does your boss become so angry that he slams his fist on his desk and raises his voice several times throughout the day?  Do your co-workers complain to you about the stress that they are also feeling as a result of the work environment?  Maybe it’s time for you to look for a new job.

Stress and anger management are two things that you need to be aware of at all times during the workday.  When you are under pressure, it can be easy to become stressed out and fly off the handle. The first thing that you need to do in such a situation is stop yourself and take a deep breath.  Then, re-examine the situation and think to yourself “Is the stress and anger that I am feeling justified, or am I blowing things out of proportion?” I’m willing to bet that the latter will be the case at least half of the time.

Most of the time, the stress that you feel at work can be reduced, eliminated or completely avoided.  Anger-inducing situations such as irate customers, malfunctioning equipment or an overwhelming amount of work should be taken with “a grain of salt.”  These types of stressors are completely beyond your control.  I often laugh at such situations because laughter really is the best medicine.  The same goes for bosses, managers and supervisors who stress you out and make you angry.  Laugh at them and appreciate the fact that you are not in their shoes.  Sure, the pay might be nice… but is it really worth it?

Many companies have implemented different tools to help their employees deal with work-related stress.  Some of these include “stress balls”, gym memberships, office games and even free (or sometimes paid) massages.  If your company offers any of these options, I highly recommend taking advantage of them. 

Work-related stress is the number two cause of obesity in the United States, right behind dietary choices.  Long-term exposure to work-related stress has been known to cause high blood pressure, heart attacks and a host of other ailments.  Depending on the job, stress can be unavoidable.   It is imperative that you learn how to identify stressors and deal with the associated anger and frustration in an appropriate manner, before it’s too late.  Find a different job if you absolutely have to.  Even if it means taking a pay cut, your sanity is worth it.