I Need to quiet my mind...

 

There are many methods to help quiet the mind.  You can do deep breathing, visualizations, meditation, music, or journaling, etc..  All are wonderful methods that I enjoy doing.  Another option is a product I love and use if I'm stressed, headachy and restless is a "Still Point Inducer".  I've had one for years.  There is no way I could explain this in my own words and do it justice, so I'll just share with you what it says on the back of the packaging.

"The Still Point Inducer was inspired by osteopathic physician John E. Upledger, develop of CranioSacral Therapy.  It helps relieve pain and discomfort by creating a pause called a still point to strengthen the central nervous system.  Use this effective product every day to help alleviate problems with infection, congestion, headaches, musculoskeletal problems, or whenever you want to release stress and unwind.
 
"'Cerebrospinal fluid bathes and flushes every cell of the brain.  It carries in nutrients, washes away waste products, and helps control pH (acid) levels.  Since CranioSacral Therapy and the proper daily use of the Still Point Inducer enhances the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, it becomes an effective health enhancer for your brain and spinal cord."' - Dr. John Upledger



 Part of my initial training in massage school was craniosacral therapy.  It is one of my favorite modalities.  It takes me to a level of relaxation that I don't normally reach while sleeping.  When a session is done and I finally come back to earth, my brain feels clear and open and all is well is the world.  It's truly a lovely feeling. 

In the description, it mention that the Still Point is a pause in the craniosacral rhythm.  Through research, they've discovered that when a person reaches Still Point, their body goes into therapeutic mode and accelerates the healing process. 

If you are strapped for cash and can't buy one.  Just put two tennis balls in a sock and tie it so the tennis balls can't move at all.  That is a great and effective alternative. 



Directions for Use: 
1. Choose a comfortable surface -- sofa, bed or floor -- ad lie on your back.
2. Place the Still Point Inducer under your head in line with the top of your ears (about 2 to 3 inches above the junction of your neck and skull).
3. Allow the weight of your head to rest on the Still Point Inducer. 
4. Close your eyes and relax.
5. Feel free to use the Still Point Inducer for 10-15 minutes up to four time a day.



Story Time: My dear Audrey when she first saw the Still Point Inducer, she thought it looked like a pair of breasts.  It is so hard for me to not burst out laughing because I catch her putting it under her shirt and checking herself out in the mirror.  Or she'll walk around with it over her chest and boy does she giggle when she sees that I've caught her.  Funny girl.  When I was a little girl, I just used socks. :)

 

 

Time for a cup of tea and use my Still Point Inducer. 

Good night!

Get That Body Movin!!! Part 2

Part of my quest to improve sleep has been exercise.  To keep things interesting, I mix up what type of exercise I do during the week.  We own a treadmill.  Last year, I could barely run on it.  It completely tired me out.  My lungs could hardly take the exertion.  I'd poop out and just walk for awhile.  Running has always made me aware of how mentally and physically weak I am.  Not a great feeling.

Within the last few months, I've been slowly building up my stamina.  At first I really had no idea what I was doing (still don't).  I'd just play around with speeds and challenge myself to go a minute at 5 mph (I know that sound pathetic but that was where I was at).  Then I tried to see if I could go 2 minutes at 5 mph and so on.  Then I'd peak at 7 mph (which is still pretty crazy and intense for my short fat legs).  I've been amazed at how well my lungs are adjusting to longer intervals of running.  I've gone 5 minutes at 6 mph.  :)

Lately, I've been going 5 minutes walking at 4 mph to warm up. Then I would alternate 5 minutes going 5 mph and then 5 minutes walking at 4 mph.  Then I'd throw in 6 mph for  5 minutes.  Or I'd go an extra 30 seconds running here and there.  My initial goal was to go just 20 minutes.  Now I go until I hit 3 miles (which takes more than 30 minutes for me right now). 

Yesterday, as I showed on my list of accomplishments, I ran 25 minutes going 5 mph (a little over 2 miles).  I felt so empowered.  Then I walked for 15 minutes to get that final mile.  I was somewhat disappointed that I stopped running so quickly because my shins started to tighten and my legs felt very heavy.  For those of you that run, why did my legs feel so heavy? 

I stretched for awhile afterwards.  It actually felt good. My lungs weren't about to burst which is INCREDIBLE!!!!!  Today, I just ran a mile (took a little less than 12 minutes) and then cooled down for a couple minutes.  I hear you are suppose to have days where you run less.  Is that correct?  Let me point out that I said I "just" ran a mile.  What is happening to me?  It wasn't that long ago (like last week) that running a mile straight seemed daunting.

I know there are tons of websites with suggested training programs.  I'm not sure which is right for me.  I've just been listening to my body and trying to challenge myself here and there.  My goal is to run in a 5K on St. Patrick's Day.  I'm pretty excited about that. 

My big goal which I'm nervous to share on here because that means I'm committing myself is to run a 10K at the Fargo Marathon.  EEK!  I figure if I'm able to go 3 miles now even if it's not all running, I should be able to do a 10K by spring.  Right? 

Any tips on building endurance and speed is welcome.  What are you doing to keep your body moving? Another question, I have no complaints about my running shoes now but I think I may need to buy a new pair sometime soon.  How much time do you need to break a pair of shoes in before a race?  The back of my ankles are prone to blistering and bleeding in a new pair of shoes.  Eww.

Today I THRIVED!!!!

My children are finally on the mend after a very long run of cold/flu symptoms being passed around between them over and over again.  We were oiling it up the whole time, trying to keep warm, sipping tea but this bug really held on. 

Today was just lovely.  Here's a list of what me and my children accomplished today:

• scripture study
• practicing piano
• reading lesson
• Sammy and I worked on writing his name (he likes to write BIG 'S's to fill the page)
• Eliza worked on her alphabet puzzle singing the alphabet song with Audrey and me
• We all had fun playing with Michael and making him laugh.  He loves to laugh and we love to hear him laugh.
• LOTS of puzzles
• Kids cleaned their rooms (there actually wasn't much to clean thankfully)
• My room stayed clean
• Laundry folded and put away (Audrey and Sammy put their clothes away with my direction)
• Minimal TV (we've been watching way too much TV because of illness and everyone feeling drained... I've weaning them off and it is so nice!)
• Lots of books were read
• Art Project
• Kitchen cleaned
• Dinner made
• Oh!!!  I ran 25 minutes straight on the treadmill without taking a break.  That is HUGE for me!!!  HUGE!!!
• Kids were wonderful about picking up and helping keep the house in order (it isn't perfect but nice)
• I had to make a difficult phone call that gave me a lot of stress because I was anticipating the worst.  Thankfully my prayers were heard and the conversation was actually a breeze.  I got off the phone and was just about to break down and cry from gratitude.  I knelt down and thanked my Father above for giving me strength.  The experience made me feel empowered to overcome all things.  (That is probably why I ran for so long, it was just after that phone call)

 

Story Time: The kids and I had so much fun doing this little art project.  It's called snow painting and I found the idea and recipe off a cool blog today. You just use shaving cream and glue in equal parts. The texture after it dries is really cool.  Super easy. Eliza was going crazy with the paint. It was getting all over the table.  Audrey decided to join Eliza's party as well and just started painting her hands and rubbing it on the table.  From this party I learned that snow paint cleans up very easily!!!!  Sammy was much more careful with the paint and didn't have much interest in getting messy with it like his sisters. Tomorrow we're going to string up our artwork and display it across the window for us to enjoy while it's horrifically cold outside.


Stay warm and sleep well tonight!

 

 

 

An alternative to Tylenol...

This weekend, Sammy and Michael both had high fevers.  My gut sometimes wants to rush to the cabinet and pull out Tylenol.  Fevers are a way for the body to help fight off whatever is causing havoc in the system.  It shouldn't be stopped unless it gets to high. 

What I decided to do for my boys since they both had colds and coughs was to use a couple Essential Oils to help with all of their symptoms. 

                                         

Among many things, Eucalyptus helps with any respiratory problem and opens up nasal air passages.  It also cools down the system when a fever gets too high.

Peppermint also has a wide range of uses but I chose to use it for the boys because it also helps with the three things I mentioned above with Eucalyptus.  The other reason why I wanted to use Peppermint is because it magnifies all other oils you use.  It takes the power up a notch or two. 

For Michael, I just used a drop per foot and rubbed the oils all around his toes.  In Reflexology, toes are related to the head, sinuses, etc.  I also rubbed in the balls of his feet where the lung reflexes are.  His fever came down fairly quickly afterwards.  He's still fighting this cough that has turned more asthmatic.  For that, I use our nebulizer and have him breath saline solution.  That helps.

I did the same protocol with Samuel and I also put the oil on his chest as well.  (I put Frankincense on Michael's chest because it breaks up mucus and helps with respiratory needs)

I love having natural solutions to help my children heal. 

What do you do?

For 3 weeks, I've been working on improving my sleep.  So far, I see improvement in the quality of my sleep.  One area that is such a challenge for me (I'd LOVE your feedback), is what to do when my kids crawl in bed with us.  They don't want Jared.  They want me.  Usually it is just one or two of them that find their way into our bed. 

I wish I had a picture of us this morning.  You'll just have to imagine it. Between 2 and 3am, I had Audrey tucked under my left arm.  Samuel had his head under the covers with his feet by my face and his body smashed against my right side.  Then Eliza decided to join the party and laid on top of me.  Without exception they all want to be next to me.  As much as I love to snuggle my babies, this interrupts my sleep and I have a more difficult time waking up in the morning feeling refreshed. 

I carried all the kids back to bed and resumed sleeping and it worked out alright BUT how do I help them be comfortable staying in their bed all night?  Or do I just tell them they have to sleep on the floor?  Or do I lock my door?  Every night we talk to them about staying in their beds.  Sometimes they listen and other times, they all want me. 

As a child, I loved sleeping in my parents bed.  Being near my Mom was comforting.  I don't want to take that away from my children.  I also don't want to get kicked in the face. I'd love to hear your thoughts and advice.