Listen to this informative podcast as Leah Marie discusses how to improve overall health and well-being using Ayurveda. Leah has recently completed the “Perfect Health Using Ayurvedic Lifestyle” program by the Chopra Center and is now a Chopra Certified Teacher. 

​Click here to listen now or download the MP3 file below to listen anytime you'd like!

Practicing Mindfulness and Self-Awareness Helps in Reducing Stress...
How we perceive the world is what determines our experiences of our circumstances...and our own perceptions can invoke immense stress into our lives and those around us.

It is all about our own reality, our interpretations of the experiences.  Each one of us has a different reaction to experiences we encounter and we get to choose how we react to what is happening in our environment.  

What may raise stress in one individual may not cause the same amount of stress in another.

Things do not happen to us...they happen and we react based on our perceptions of the circumstances.  Choosing how we will react or move forward, if we will learn from or enjoy what is happening or not is our choice.

We also tend to, at times, overlook our sense of self and why we are reacting in a certain way.  We forget that we are human beings.  

That is what we are...humans being...not just humans doing, humans thinking, humans saying, but humans being.  And we have choices of how react, what we do or not do.

This is not saying that you shouldn't be doing things or you shouldn't think anything, but that there is a difference between "being" and "doing".  That moment in between is what I am asking for you to allow into your experiences.

The "being" is actually the space that allows us to be appreciating, be in gratitude, be happy, be healthy, be creative, be at peace, be successful, be kind, be generous, be secure, be loving, etc..

These are all aspects of life that we share as desired states of being. The end results that we desire of all situations as human beings is more joy, peace, good health and security.

In order to start looking at what it takes for us to achieve these states of being in our own lives, we sometimes need to evaluate what we are doing and the choices we are making.

Being mindful of what surrounds you, what you are doing and how it affects you, along with your perception of circumstances brings you into a state of self-awareness. How do you relate to the world and the experiences that are happening in your life?

Sometimes we get stuck in a pattern of doing...doing things that bring us great stress and we don't even know why how or how to stop it.  We just keep doing.

To lower stress-based reactions...I recommend taking at least 20 minutes per day, but not limiting to 20 (if you need more that is fine), and BE.

Be happy, Be peaceful, Be creative, Be thoughtful, Be positive, Be secure and Be willing to learn from those difficult challenges you face in your life.

Then start to look at what you're doing to bring in these experiences.  Are you doing something that doesn't bring the desired states of being or something that is holding you back from ever achieving them?

Where your focus of energy should be is more on what you can do to attain the true state of YOU...being. 

During this precious time, take notes, set goals, set milestones and targeted dates... journal.  This is your treasure map to finding the real sources of your inspirations.  This is the doing part. 

What do you want to BE?  We are NEVER too old to ask ourselves this question.

Taking this 20 minutes per day to explore this question is a practice in mindfulness and self-awareness.   It allows you to experience your perceptions of your circumstances and to process.  

It is an investment in your self worth...in your self esteem bank account...in your road map to living YOUR fulfilling life.

During this daily practice, you will actually start to figure out what things you do that bring you more joy, more inner peace more fulfillment...and what doesn't. 

That is what your purpose in this life is all about...to experiment, discover, create, learn, share, LOVE, enjoy...stress less and BE!

Be well,
Leah Marie, CHLC, SMC, RM

P.S. If you are looking for the right support to improve your overall well-being, reduce stress naturally and move towards a more joyful life, email [email protected] to schedule a free 20 minute consult call with me. Thanks again or being part of the Mind Health Coach community!

Leah Marie is presenting Natural Ways for Stress Management and Overall Well-being at the conference on April 7. 2016.
 
This full-day conference is designed for both professionals and family caregivers.  The aim of the conference is to share best practices and creative interventions for the care, treatment and preservation of the quality of life of persons with Alzheimer's and related dementia's. 

In Leah Marie's breakout session, participants will learn how to incorporate meditation, yoga, Ayurvedic daily practices and touch therapy into purposeful engagement for those with Alzheimer’s disease.  These techniques are proven to help reduce stress, agitation episodes and anxiety for both caregivers and patients.
 
Natural approaches to sustain emotional wellness and stress reduction through yoga movement, breathing practices, Ayurvedic daily practices and aroma-therapy in concert with accu-pressure will be presented.

For all details, see item C1 in the event program guide by clicking on link below:
http://act.alz.org/site/PageNavigator/2016EducationConference.html

This article from Neuro Scientist News discusses how "non-directed" thought produces more brain activity than focused, concentrated thought. Another amazing revelation by science showing the benefits of meditation:

"the brain has its highest activity when we rest. It represents a kind of basic operating system, a resting network that takes over when external tasks do not require our attention. It is remarkable that a mental task like nondirective meditation results in even higher activity in this network than regular rest"

Click link below to read the entire article:

http://neuroscientistnews.com/research-news/how-brain-works-during-meditation