Essential Oils for Stress Relief

Unfortunately, as more people are diagnosed with stress-related disorders the use of prescription medications to mitigate their effects has also become more prevalent. Although these drugs provide short-term relief from some symptoms of stress, many experts claim that they also dull the mind as they depress certain brain activity. The concern is that this will make it even more difficult for patients to engage in reducing the real cause of their stress.

However, it is important to note that prescription medications are not the only answer! For a great many people, the effects of stress can be prevented or reduced by the use of essential oils. Essential oils work in a different manner to most synthetic drugs. They contain active compounds that help an agitated individual achieve a state of calmness while also inducing the so called restorative effect.

This is because the plants used for manufacturing essential oils produce an adaptogenic substance that induces the process of restoring balance or homeostasis in a person. This will, therefore, promote relief from feelings of anger, anxiety, tension and fear.

The following are examples of essential oils that are used for combating the symptoms of stress and providing natural relief.

Bergamot

Bergamot essential oil can either be diffused or applied topically. It is well-known for improving mood and treating the effects of depression. Bergamot is part of the citrus family, and if applied to the skin can cause it to become ultra-sensitive to the burning effect of the sun.

Reduce exposure of treated areas for 24 hours after application to avoid sunburn. This warning applies to some other essential oils also, especially those derived from citrus species.

Cedarwood

The calming properties of cedarwood were found in several clinical trials to benefit children diagnosed with ADHD or ADD. The active constituents found in cedarwood help stimulate the limbic region of the brain as well as the pineal gland, thereby inducing the release of melatonin that establishes and helps regulate a person's sleep cycle.

This will then make it easier for an individual to achieve quality sleep and increased relief from stress. Consult your doctor before using cedarwood essential oil especially if you are pregnant.

Chamomile

Chamomile tea has gained much popularity for its ability to induce sleep among those who are suffering from insomnia. As an essential oil, the calming properties of chamomile also help dispel anger, reduce anxiety and release negativity. You may rub it at the back of your neck or on your temples when you start to feel tension and stress creeping in.

Chamomile oil is used by many people during meditation. This oil can easily irritate sensitive skin if applied at too great a strength. It is best to dilute it along with carrier oils such as almond or coconut oil as a 50:50 solution. Don't Forget: in my earlier post, if you are allergic to sunflowers, you will also be allergic to Chamomile.

Frankincense

This biblical favorite has served mankind for thousands of years and has many health benefits. Its powerful properties include its ability to stimulate the limbic area of a person's brain which includes the pituitary gland, pineal gland, and hypothalamus. These effects are especially beneficial for people diagnosed with depression and anxiety. Frankincense encourages deeper, slower breathing reduces anxiety and has an overall calming effect.

As you can see there are plenty of essential oils to choose from. Try them all, or find one you like and use it when you feel you need a little relief from your stressful day.

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Which Foods Keep Your Brain Working Well?

Thanks to all the pressures of modern living, we all discover that from time to time, we are often too tired or stressed to think. Nevertheless, this may not be the case since there are varieties of readily available spices, drinks, and foods that we can consume, not only to boost or energize our memory and help us focus, but also to delay or reverse the onset of debilitating diseases which affect the brain such as the Alzheimer's Disease.

Sometimes we all lose interest or focus in whatever we are doing due to stress or fatigue. By good luck, there are some supplements or foods that can improve focus, memory, and concentration, in accordance with the recent research by the World Health Organization (WHO). If you combine and mix these 'brain foods' with daily exercise, good night's sleep and good hydration, you could significantly boost your brain power. So if you are searching for ways to boost your memory, enhance concentration and stay focused, you can check out these simple and readily available foods that will make you smarter like Einstein in no time.

APPLES

Apples are the king of fruits and they are also known for the brain food. They are one of the foods that scientists say will contribute to overall good health, help you to think clearly and of course, boost your memory. We all know the old saying, 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away' and 'you are what you eat' which certainly stills holds true even today. So what makes the apple the top of this list? Well, they contain a certain group of compounds and nutrients such as pectin which are fiber, quercetin which protects and boosts memory, riboflavin which produces energy and lastly polyphenol which are strong antioxidants. These compounds help to protect the brain from the kind of damage that cause neuro degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Not only do they have brain power but they also help to lower blood cholesterol levels, build strong teeth and prevent the oxidation of bad LDL cholesterol (a chemical process that turns it into an artery clogging plague). They also decrease the risk of liver, lung, colon, breast and other cancer as well as asthma and heart disease.What a wonderful fruit! Also, make sure that you eat the peel as the apple skin has 2 to 6 times the antioxidants as the flesh.Cherries, oysters, berries and even curry also have a high rank among foods that can help boost your brain, promote heart health and give you energy.

CINNAMON

Did you know that cinnamon was worth more than gold to the ancient Egyptians? This is mostly because cinnamon was long believed to have healthy and medicinal properties which made it extremely valuable. There are thousands of man made supplements, food products and chemically manufactured tablets that claim to increase or boost brain power but none of these offers the delicious, tasty flavor cinnamon does. Even today, cinnamon is still one of the most consumed and used products in the world. It is a sweet smelling spice that has been found to boost and energize brain activity and help to relieve memory loss and nervous tension. Cinnamon is also a safe and tasty method to slow down the aging process. Chewing cinnamon flavored gum or just smelling it can help to improve and enhance the cognitive process. It also contains a chemical compound known as sodium benzoate which is used to treat neural disorders. Cinnamon has 3 active compounds which make it so nutritious such as the Cinnamaldehyde, cinnamyl alcohol and cinnamyl acetate. It also contains a flavonol range and other antioxidants along with a remarkable amount of fiber, calcium, and manganese. These compounds have proved to boost memory, curb food cravings, reverse or delay cognitive impairment and benefit Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and diabetic patients. Cinnamon is indeed nature's wonder spice.

COFFEE

Coffee is the planets most single valuable traded food commodity with more than 2 billion cups enjoyed worldwide daily. It's effectiveness as a high-performance brain fuel continues to make it liquid gold and it is not surprising that it's main active ingredient is caffeine. Coffee helps you to wake up in the mornings and keeps you active throughout the day. So how does this magic ingredient help boost your brain? Well, as the caffeine hits the brain it suppresses a neurotransmitter known as adenosine, which influences alertness, concentration, and attention. It works up on your brain during the day just like a mercury rising in the thermometer. Caffeine also stimulates brain chemicals such as dopamine and glutamate which helps and gives you an energy surge, improve your mental performance and slows down the age related mental decline. It also increases serotonin (a major mood influencer) and improves learning up to 10 percent. Caffeine has even proved to relieve headaches and migraines, benefit Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and type 2 diabetic patients. There is also a downside to coffee since caffeine can affect sleep patterns and evidence also suggests that there's an association between daily intake of caffeine, day time sleepiness and sleep quality.Coffee is truly a perfect method to energize and boost your brain.

CHOCOLATE

Today chocolate is considered an anti flammatory, anti aging 'superfood' for both the brain and the body. But how does this lenient treat live up to its plug? Eating amounts of dark chocolate is guaranteed to have many health benefits as they assist the brain to release chemicals known as endorphins (which help the brain to function much better). The studies examining the health benefit of chocolate continue to show new and appealing benefits of chocolate, especially in the realms of mood, cognitive function, and heart or blood vessel health. Also eating chocolate can improve anxiety and depression symptoms and help improve feelings of contentedness. If you consume the right kinds of chocolate every day, they can help to keep your mind sharp and alert, keep your cardiovascular pumping and keep your mood happy and calm. For instance, cocoa chocolate and dark chocolate are best known to boost attention, working memory speed, brain processing speed and speech fluency (even to the elderly). These chocolates are a rich source of flavanols, which are compounds that boost the brain activity and enhance mood effects as well. You can eat as little as a third chocolate per day to increase the blood flow to your brain and also protect yourself against age related issues such as memory loss.

EGGS

According to the latest news in nutrition, eggs are now back from exile just on time to help the aging America from memory loss. Eggs, and especially the yolk, have received a lot of attention with controversy over their cholesterol content. So how do eggs actually help to boost the memory? Well, as it turns out, eggs are packed with choline, that your brain converts to acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter that assists the brain cells to keep the memories intact and communicates with each other). With less than 80 calories each, eggs are comparatively loaded with protein and they have a low calorie. Eggs are also packed with cholesterol which made them end up on the 'bad for you' list in the first place over the past few decades.One York has 200 mg of cholesterol, and for many years, it was believed that dietary cholesterol was the major contributor and cause of heart disease. But it appears that it was mistaken much like the tenacious myth that skims milk is much healthier than whole milk. Eggs contain many nutritive elements that your brain and other body cells need every day. They are rich in choline, vitamin B12, and folate which is good for boosting g your memory.

WATER

Your body was designed to work in a specific way just like any other machine that has specific instructions about what it requires and how to keep it operating optimally. Over 70 per cent of your body is made of water and every function in the body depend on the water including the activities of the nervous system and the brain. Your body is also composed of a delicate balance of minerals, electrons, and organic compounds most of which are supplied through the water that you drink. Therefore, it is proven that if you're not well hydrated, it can affect your focus, cause headaches, lead to memory loss, cause depression, sleeping problems, anger issues and brain fatigue. Drinking water provides your brain with enough electrical energy for all the brain functions including memory processes. You will also be able to think fast, be more focused, experience great creativity and clarity and even reduce the risk of neurotransmitter diseases. It is quite easy to integrate a few supplements or foods that will enhance your memory and focus in your daily diet. You can take an egg in the morning, a cup of green tea after lunch, some curry in your spaghetti sauce at supper time and a lot of water to keep the brain working well.

OILY FISH

No doubt you have possibly heard that eating fish can make you smarter, which to some extent is completely true. Eating oily fish that are high in the essential omega 3 or fatty acids such as salmon, trout, sardines tilapia and other fish can help to boost the brain. Fatty acids that are found in fish and seafood are crucial components of our brain cells and they improve learning strength and memory function by up to 15 per cent. Studies show that eating food rich in omega 3 can boost the blood flow of the brain, improve the performance of mental tasks and reduce the risks of suffering from neurotransmitter diseases such as Alzheimer's and dementia. Also by eating oily fish, you can increase your brain size in later life and also help to prevent age related mental decline. Fish have added the benefit of containing the nutrient choline (a chemical which is essential for memory). Since the solid (non-water) part of your brain is composed of fat, you must provide it with 'good fats' or the essential fatty acids through your diet because the body doesn't produce them. Fish is really an amazing brain food.

SPINACH

A single bunch of spinach can perform wonders for your brain. Spinach was long promoted as the food which gave Popeye his convex muscles. Spinach is loaded with antioxidants which scientists say could block the effects of the free radicals, toxins produced by the body which damage cells and cause cancer, strokes and heart disease. It is also a great source of folate and a kind of vitamin K and vitamin E which help to boost the brain memory. It contains flavonoids that act as potent antioxidants which slow the effects of aging on the brain. It also boosts learning capacity and motor skills. A few leaves of cooked spinach loads a third of foliate and 5 times the amount of Vitamin K that you require in a day. Maybe this is why a neurology study in 2006 reveals that eating three plates of leafy-green, cruciferous and yellow vegetables a day can reverse or delay cognitive decline by 40 percent. Spinach has not only proved to help the brain but it also gives a knock-out punch to cancer and it even protects and improves eyesight. Spinach is packed with high-quality nutrition enough to make you feel like the bulging Popeye.

GRAPE JUICE

Grape juice contains protein, fiber, copper, iron, potassium, folate vitamins A, K, C and B2. They are also rich in polyphenols and natural sugar, which must be consumed in moderation. Therefore, including a glass of tasty grape juice in your daily diet might just boost your memory and your brain performance. It also helps those who live a stressful lifestyle like working mothers. Studies show that by adding a glass of grape juice (especially concord grape juice) to the daily diet might boost memory function and performance of highly stressed people and even in elder people with mild declines of memory. Concord grape juice is a rich and good source of polyphenols and potent antioxidants which mop up or clear harmful reactive species of oxygen which have been recognized as the key to the ageing process. So by consuming or adding concord grape juice to your daily diet for about three months you may boost your spatial memory and drive performance. Grape juice not only helps to boosts your memory but it also protects you from cancer, lowers bad cholesterol, improves cardiovascular health, fights fatigue and it improves eyesight. It is also evident that grape juice also has a long term effect which can allow you to consistently maintain a better performance even when you have stopped drinking it.

IRON

Iron deficiency is the most common condition that is often linked to numerous adverse effects like diminished intelligence, short attention span and difficulty in concentrating. Iron is a required nutrient for it the production of hemoglobin (the component in red blood cells that carries oxygen and delivers it to the tissues). If iron becomes deficient in your body, hemoglobin levels can fail and then cause anemia. Iron also participates in the making of the brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) like dopamine and serine which have broadly advantageous effects on the brain function and mood as well. An easy blood test is conducted to determine whether you have iron deficiency. Study shows that adult women require 18 mg of iron every day, post menopausal women and men require 8 mg every day. Adding more iron rich foods will not automatically boost your brain power, but being even mildly deficient in iron could negatively impact memory, learning and attention span. Chicken livers are on offer the top sources of food that is rich in iron, with 12.8mg per 3 - ounce serving. Even though they are high in cholesterol, they are comparatively low in saturated fat. Other sources of food that are rich in iron are oysters (with nearly 10 mg per dozen) and the lean beef (with 6 mg per ounces). Also beans, vitamin C and iron fortified cereals help the body to absorb iron.

Blackberries

If you want to slow down your ageing process and also preserve your brain's activity and vitality, the secret to doing so is by taking blackberries. These juicy and delicious berries have a phenomenal anti oxidant properties which boost your brain power and nourish your body. They contain high amounts of ellagic acid and garlic acid, a well known chemo preventative (with anti bacterial and anti viral properties). They are also rich in fiber and vitamin C which have been shown to help decrease the risks of certain cancers. They have low carbohydrates, calories (70 calories per cup)and they have no fat. This means that you can take a lot of this stupendous fruit without having the guilt or sabotaging you weight loss target or objectives. These taste and delicious fruit contains several micro nutrients which work wonders on your body. Blackberries are indeed an amazing superfruit.

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Quantum Psychology

Quantum Psychology: 'The Other' Fallacy

Quantum physics thus reveals a basic oneness of the universe.

- Erwin Schrodinger

Over the ages, mystics, yogis and seers share information, truth, which modern quantum physics begins to see. Science has arrived at what some human beings have known for a long, long, very long, time. Quantum psychology offers an application of quantum principles to how our mind and consciousness operates, at levels invisible to everyday operations. Many have found these ideas, sometimes referred to as quantum mysticism or spiritual psychology, as being very conducive to well-being.

One of our more general dis-comforts and dis-eases in life, as human beings, social creatures living and working together in various structures and routines with others, appears to be our relationship with others, and, often, with 'the other.' That 'the other' could be a lover, best friend, spouse, a child, a sibling, colleague - it can be a foe, an enemy, a nemesis; and, it can be spirit guides, angels, aliens and even 'god.' 'The other' can also represent groups, the more universal 'they' or 'them.' And, there also exists 'the other' that we are not yet aware of but should it/he/she/they/them come into our awareness, 'the other' would be its name. 'The other' is the world 'out there.'

The other person, group, situation, or whatever appears to be going on 'out there' may, with all those others, actually, be going on in our own mind, and brain (which is the body). It's not 'out there.' It's 'in here.' It's brain activity. Out there appears as a projection, and reflection, of the in here. The happenings going on in our mind-body system could certainly incorporate a shared reality as others may experience the same thing, or near enough for agreement, as in all watching the same movie, sharing the same language, existing in the same gene pool, seeing the same sky. We not only operate within a personal mind-body system; equally, and perhaps more dominantly, we contain an influential collective mind-body system. We are born into a culture. on the planet, at a time and place, loaded with ongoing situations, incidents, events, circumstances, which we confront and deal with as something separate and distinct from the operations of our own mind, and brain. The important point to note, and one of the key teachings of yogic lore: that 'the other' appears to be separated from us, and,... Not really. 'The other' observed is inherently connected to the observer, each influencing the other. The observed has no substantial, independent existence of its own. It is dependent upon the observer for its existence. The observer has no substantial, independent existence of its own either, depending on the observed. The observer and the observed are two sides of the same coin, of Awareness. Awareness itself transcends observer and observed, subjective and objective. Awareness itself is devoid of an object, or subject; it is often described as 'not this, not that.' In this regard, Awareness comes across as unreal, like sub-atomic particles. You can't see it, hear it, feel it, and yet everything you see, hear and feel, is rooted in that invisible, unreal realm, transcendent to everyday life in the same way atoms, and sub-atomic particles, are not visible, audible, tactile; you can't smell or taste sub-atomic particles; and yet, it is those invisible and 'unreal' particles upon which rests all that we do see, hear and feel as real.

That which we perceive as 'the other' does not exist without 'the self.' And, 'the self' does not exist without an object to observe, which is perceived as 'not self.' And yet, that 'not-self' exists because of 'the self' just as 'the self' exists because of the 'not-self,' the observed, that which is perceived. The self and the not-self, the subject and the object, are, ultimately, one and the same Awareness, one and the same mind, just as heads and tails are of the same coin.

This understanding of subject-object dependence is more apparent in dream consciousness. In that state of consciousness, all that we experience appears more readily accepted as a fabrication of our own awareness, our own mind, our own brain. One of the measurable differences between dream consciousness and waking consciousness is the higher frequency of brain wave patterns in the latter, in which objects appear much more substantial, solid, real. What we call reality occurs in waking state of consciousness. In dream state of consciousness, reality is very different than it is in waking. The 'laws of physics' don't quite apply. It's a different world. Different 'stuff' makes up the material, and content often appears as odd and non-sensical, scenes and experiences that are as different from waking as an animated cartoon is from a family drama. And yet, at the time of dreaming those scenes and experiences can influence us as vividly, and emotionally, as 'real,' as being awake. These two very different operations of consciousness exist within the same Awareness. We say I am awake, I slept. I dreamt. I awoke. The 'I' is identified with those states of consciousness.

Waking consciousness is represented in brain wave frequency of plus or minus 20Hz, and referred to as Beta Waves. Dream consciousness is more in the frequency of about plus or minus 6Hz and referred to as Theta Waves. While dreaming, rapid eye movement happens and dream states are often called 'REM' sleep. The deepest part of sleep consciousness, called Delta Waves, runs at about plus or minus 2Hz. Alpha Waves are some of the more pleasant states of awareness within mind consciousness at about plus or minus 10Hz. Alpha is to Beta what daydreaming is to filing out tax forms. More recently, Gamma Waves have been detected upwards of 40Hz and indicative of moments of insight, discovery and that 'ah-ha' episode. A peak experience of revealing clarity, and solidity. Dreams are less solid, less logical, less rational, perhaps even not rational at all, though very creative; dreams are known to have some predictive value and have been understood as a link to that mysterious land of deep sleep, and beyond. Deep sleep consciousness is very amorphously nebulous. And yet, critically important. Without enough and proper sleep, dreaming and waking suffer. These 3 states of consciousness, waking, sleeping and dreaming, make up what we call our life.

Yogic lore speaks of a fourth state of consciousness, 'turiya' in their language. A consciousness transcendent to mental activity, and physical activity; transcendent to sleeping, dreaming and waking. It is awareness itself; unmoved, still and silent; a flame in a windless place. Transcendental consciousness is awareness, without an object, without a subject; pure awareness, nothing else. No frequency. No vibration. Anything else is the mutual arising of the subject-object relationship, at any level, and contains 'the other.' In having a nightmare, daydreaming, or waking as you walk down the street filled with sensory objects of awareness, subjective thoughts and emotions, memories and imaginations, 'the other' is present; and, yet, of the same awareness, the same consciousness, the same mind, happening in your brain, which resides in your body, which exists in this world of waking, dreaming and sleeping. And yet, without that fourth state of transcendent consciousness, pure awareness, there would be no waking, dreaming and sleeping awareness at all, just as without the unseen molecules and cells of your muscles and organs, there would be no muscles and organs.

This understanding that 'the other' can be seen as a fundamental fallacy forms the basis of religious and spiritual sentiments such as The Golden Rule, 'do unto others as you would have them do unto you,' 'let kindness be your religion' and 'love your enemy.' These recommendations are based on Quantum Psychology, and 'the other' fallacy. Correct this fallacy that 'the other' is separated, unconnected, independent with the understanding that subject and object, self and not-self, are in fact conjoined, connected and dependent one upon the other. Quantum Psychology is a leap in awareness to wholeness.

Everything we call real is made of things that cannot be regarded as real.

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Top 10 Actions To Increase Your Memory

There are numerous things that contribute to a good memory. The health of your brain is amongst the most crucial. It's natural for memory to decrease with age, however there are numerous ways to slow that decrease. A bad memory can be frustrating for everybody involved. There are simple steps you can take to enhance your memory at any age.

Increase your memory with these simple actions:

1. Change your diet plan. Research recommends that omega-3 fats and an anti-inflammatory diet can enhance memory. Your diet impacts all aspects of your body. Modify your diet and you alter your capability to store and recover memories. There are a number of variations of anti-inflammatory diets. Experiment and see which works best for you.

2. Handle stress. Stress is hard on your body, brain, and memory. Stress has been linked to decreases in memory. Set affordable expectations for your life. Discover how to relax and avoid stress. Ensure that you're getting enough free time.

3. Get enough sleep. Scientists are still puzzled about what occurs while we sleep, but it has actually been discovered that our brains don't work too well when we've been denied adequate sleep. One late night on the town will prove this fact to anyone. Get enough sleep and your memory will be enhanced.

Stick with a routine sleep schedule.

Avoid caffeine.

Try napping for a middle of the day pick-me-up.

4. Use repetition. It's much more effective to expose yourself to something consistently over time than to attempt to learn it in one sitting. If you're trying to learn French vocabulary words for example, six 5-minute sessions will be more advantageous than one 30-minute session. The popular flash card program, Anki, uses spaced repetition to help memory.

5. Keep your mind active. Do something every day that requires a lot of brain activity. Reading, crossword puzzles, chess, and numerous brain teasers work at keeping your mind active and sharp. Avoid depending on just a single activity. Mix it up and hit your brain from every angle.

6. Be creative. Creativity utilizes different parts of the brain than the more analytical functions we normally perform. Paint, draw, discover an instrument, or compose. Anything needing creativity can be beneficial.

7. Workout. Moving blood through your body and brain can boost memory. Obesity can cause blood sugar and circulatory concerns. Both can impair memory. You do not need to pretend you're training for the Olympics, however get your heart pumping for a few minutes each day.

8. Write things down. It's much easier to remember something if you write it down, instead of just hearing or reading it.

9. Say it aloud. Utilize all of your senses. State it so that you can hear it. If you write it, read it aloud, and imagine it, it will be a lot easier to keep in mind. Expose yourself to the information you want to remember in a variety of different ways.

10. Maintain healthy relationships. Some memory specialists think that relationships are the key to keeping your brain healthy and active. It has actually been found that those with the busiest social lives have the slowest decreases in memory.

Invest more time with friends and family.

Make some brand-new friends or join a club.

Volunteer.

Even if you think you've been pestered with a bad memory, it can be easily boosted.

Minimizing tension, challenging your brain on a regular basis, and getting enough sleep are a few of the steps that can be taken to enhance memory function. It's never too late to pay attention to your memory.

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