by Cynthia Bischoff | Dec 6, 2014 | Heartliving
While a healthy diet and adequate rest are beneficial in building your immune system, a number of natural ingredients can help you prevent or heal a cold should you get one. I learned these ideas in trainings I have taken in healing and health. Here are a few tips:
- Get plenty of zinc in your diet (most often found in whole grains).
- Pack your meals with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (for example, citrus fruits and vegetables).
- Remember that caffeine is dehydrating, so if you are losing body fluids as a result of a cold, choose herbal, caffeine-free teas.
- Drink fresh fruit juices. Grapefruit, orange, and lemon juices are antiseptic and cleansing.
- Eat soups, and drink plenty of water to keep hydrated.
- Inhaling the smell of eucalyptus can soothe your respiratory system.
- Adding garlic to your diet increases antibacterial action and builds your immune system to fight infection.
- Honey can relieve sore throats and coughs.
- Ginger made into tea is considered both an antiseptic and expectorant.
- Echinacea and olive leaf can strengthen the immune system and shorten the bout of flu or cold.
Remember if at all possible to reduce your stress and to get enough sleep since it boosts your immune systems and allows you time to heal.
Here’s to your excellent health!
by Cynthia Bischoff | Nov 29, 2014 | Heartliving
On rare occasion, less often than perhaps I wish, I live in perfect harmony with the universe. I feel connected with all around me, paying attention to signs and synchronicities that show me that I am protected and guided for by universal flow. This, I believe, is a reflection of the presence of love in my life.
When we allow ourselves to stop resisting what is around us (our reality) and we move into a greater state of peace, we become more open to love’s power and to love’s potential. We are better able to respond rather than to react, especially with others, and to let go of rigid positions in our thinking, overall being less judgmental in our relationships and more generous with giving and receiving love.
Many people think of love as an ideal feeling that they wish to have more of in their lives. One way to have more love is to cultivate a feeling of generosity in your life, allowing you to give love more freely. Some people believe that generosity is something they would do only after having all that they need for themselves. Actually, it is the opposite of that. For example, in the words of St. John of the Cross: “If there is no love between you, pour in love and you shall draw out love.”
If you wish to be heard, you can listen generously. If you wish to be understood, you can seek to understand. If you wish to be noticed, you can extend yourself to be more present.
It is the love we give away that creates the love we keep.
by Cynthia Bischoff | Nov 15, 2014 | Heartliving
Your thoughts create your reality. One of the major problems with unconscious fear is that the brain can be in a state of constant anticipation of negative things. We then focus our attention to look for ways to validate these fears. From an evolutionary perspective, this act was meant to protect us. Fear is the gatekeeper of our comfort zone.
In modern times, these primitive fears keep us bound and are no longer helpful. What is helpful is to begin to think and respond differently, to hold a positive outlook.
The Benefits of Optimism:
- Research shows that optimism leads people to better overall health.
- Optimistic people are generally “luckier,” more successful, and regarded as more appealing.
- Based on the Law of Attraction (Like attracts like), by being optimistic, you will draw positive outcomes to yourself.
- Studies have shown that imagining positive outcomes releases fear.
The more optimistic you are, the more you create a pattern of response that perpetuates your positive feelings.
Here are some steps to bringing about more positive thinking:
- Recognize what is NOT happening in your life that you would like to have happen.
- Identify what you CAN do to make it happen and focus on that.
- Fear and optimism cannot occupy the same space, so the more optimistic you can be and feel, the less fear you experience.
- Focus on one thing that makes you happy, that you are grateful for, and bring this into your mind whenever you experience a fearful thought.
You may be surprised that small steps toward optimism can bring about big changes.
by Cynthia Bischoff | Oct 25, 2014 | Heartliving
I grew up in a family of musicians. My father is a musician by hobby and played music constantly in the evenings when I was growing up. He often played the same song all evening until he perfected it. I am fortunate that my father is an excellent musician! I sincerely contribute my ability to “tune out” distractions, but also to drop into deep relaxation easily, as a result of always hearing music in my home.
Music is vibration. We are vibrational, and so is our environment. Often we have stressful days, and it is so helpful to wind down in the evening with music that can shift our moods and relax us.
What are some types of relaxing music? Here are few suggestions:
Harp: The peaceful sounds of the harp can lead you into deep states of relaxation by reducing your stress and tension;
Animal Sounds: Beautiful sounds of dolphins and whales have been recorded on CD’s and have been shown to quiet crying babies. These sounds are deep and low and evoke slow responses in our bodies;
Classical: Certain long, slow, and rhythmic pieces such as those in symphonies are very relaxing. Newer renditions of music by groups such as Enya are very spiritual and calming, moving the emotions;
Flowing Water and Nature Sounds: The rhythms found in nature, such as a flowing river sound or the soft repetition of waves create a relaxing effect;
YOUR Own Favorite Pieces: If you have positive associations with certain songs or artists, these can relax you and also uplift your spirit.
I learned to play guitar when I was 13 and grew up loving Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, Judy Collins, Bob Dylan, The Eagles, Elton John, to name a few, and I still get energized by their music! What are your favorite artists or songs?
by Cynthia Bischoff | Oct 18, 2014 | Heartliving
Communicating effectively whether at work or at home can improve your relationships and resolve all types of issues.
Being able to listen attentively through effective body language and eye contact is essential. It is likewise helpful to refer to the other person’s actions rather than to their sense of person. For example, if you use “I” statements rather than “you” statements, you are generally more effective. “I feel concerned. . .” is better than “You are doing that wrong.”
Here are some tips for more effective communication:
1. Listen carefully to what others say and refrain from thinking of your own response instead of listening.
2. Seek to resolve problems without being too emotional in your exchange.
3. Write down how you feel if you are emotionally charged and leave it aside for a few hours. Come back to it and re-evaluate your tone before sending any email or letter out.
4. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes in order to better understand the opposing viewpoint.
5. Be able to lighten up and even laugh at yourself in order to lessen tension.
6. Time your exchanges right. Don’t expect a person to listen when he/she is walking out the door.
7. Say you are sorry if you are: Being able to take responsibility for your errors will actually relieve your own stress.
8. Be kind not only to others, but also to yourself. Celebrate your communication successes!
