Do you struggle with being able to follow your heart and instincts? The truth is, in many circumstances, your instincts are usually right, but if you tend to over think things too much, you might stray from those initial inner thoughts.

Following Your Heart

Sometimes following your heart instead of your mind can seem like the “weak” thing to do. This is not the case; following your heart is following the core of your beliefs and is usually the best thing you can do.

When you follow your heart, you’re usually happy. Happy people enjoy their lives and are usually healthier in the long run. If you want to be happy, you must learn how to follow your heart.

You can begin following your heart by keeping these tips in mind:

1. Trust your subconscious thoughts. It can be tough to stay in touch with your subconscious thoughts, but they make up your initial instincts and they’re close to your heart. You know that the truth will be revealed to you if you give yourself enough time. Learn to trust yourself.

2. Go with what feels right. Don’t be afraid to take action towards the things that feel right. If something feels off to you, you can stop and explore the reasons why. It always starts with a feeling. Go in the direction of your positive feelings.

3. Avoid over thinking. Sometimes your mind can get away from you and start cycling through negative thoughts. Take deep breaths and get back into a positive mindset so that you can see your true path more clearly.

Trusting Your Instincts

There are several good techniques that can help you better grasp the process of trusting your instincts. Some of these common solutions might work for you.

These strategies can help you trust your instincts:

1. Stick with your gut feeling. Following your heart and instincts are very similar things. It’s important to go with your initial thoughts. This is because it’s likely a thought that’s coming from within and not something you’ve had time to think endlessly about. You’d be amazed with how many times you just end up going with your initial feeling anyway.

2. Write down your thoughts. It might help to engage in a free writing session. Pick up a pen and just write your thoughts down as they come. Try not to put the pen down. It doesn’t matter if you start writing some things that don’t pertain to the subject. After reading your notes, you’ll probably get a better idea about your base instincts.

3. Keep yourself in a relaxed state. It’s always best to do your thinking while you’re relaxed. That way you know you’re not making any strained decisions. Do what you can to relax yourself, whether it’s deep breathing, a warm bath, or meditation techniques.

4. Avoid changing your mind unless there’s a valid reason. Occasionally, you’ll know that your initial instinct was wrong. In this case, if you have a valid reason to change your mind, you should do so. However, if you don’t have a good reason, just follow through with your initial thoughts.

You’ll find that most of the time your instincts and heart are correct in the end. Even when they’re not, banish discouragement and keep practicing. Maintain a positive attitude and keep trying and soon your heart and instincts will be your guiding lights.

Please leave a comment. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I look forward to healing with you,

Cheryl Y. Price, Ph.D.

W: www.relaxyourstress.com

E: Cheryl@relaxyourstress.com

Are you looking for a way to relax and melt away the stresses of the day? A Swedish massage can return you to your former self, pre-stress stage. It is a massage that works to soothe out the muscles through a variety of techniques.

A Swedish massage is the treatment most people get at the spa. Like you have probably guessed, it was developed in Sweden and adopted in the United States. It is a classic massage technique that uses kneading (like dough), rubbing with palms and fingertips, chopping motions and sometimes vibrations (bowls and balls) to relax the body and work out the tension. It is easy on the body and should not hurt at all. If you have problems with deep muscle pain a Swedish massage will be more beneficial as a maintenance massage after you have used another therapy to relax the muscles.

The techniques used in the Swedish massage have a list of health benefits associated with it. The technique relaxes you first of all and also improves circulation throughout body. The increased circulation results in better oxygenation of the tissues and more energy for you. If you have pain in your joints such as arthritis, a regular massage such as the Swedish massage will alleviate that pain and make movement easier.

Massage therapy has a detoxifying effect on your body. The stroking and pressure moves toxins from the organs and body tissues into the bloodstream where they can then be eliminated from the body. The removal of toxins can lower stress levels which in turn will lower blood pressure and heart rate.

Your Swedish massage will most likely be conducted on a padded massage table used for your comfort. Your body will be covered with a towel or sheet except for the area that is being massaged at the time. For easy access and application of oils, most of your clothing will have to be removed. Some people are shy about this and some don’t care. Use your best judgment.

The oils are used to help the massage therapist work their techniques better. If at any time you feel pain, be sure to let them know. The Swedish massage is one of the most relaxing and mild massages you can have, so enjoy the experience. You might even have music playing in the background or low lighting to further relax you.

For your first massage, try a Swedish massage. It is an excellent way to curb stress reactions in your body and spend a free afternoon.

Please leave a comment. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I look forward to healing with you,

Cheryl Y. Price, Ph.D.

W: www.anewwaytoheal.com

E: cheryl@cherylyprice.com

Nearly everyone will have trouble sleeping from time to time. You may have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Either way, these challenges can affect your life in many negative ways. The good news is that there are simple strategies you can use to get a better night’s sleep.

Try these strategies to chase away your insomnia and wake up refreshed:

1. Keep the lights off. Even small lights can affect your body’s natural ability to determine night from day. Turn off all the lights when it’s time for bed, including nightlights, bathroom lights, and computers. Sometimes even the neon numbers from your alarm clock can be bothersome.
2. Wind down at night. Avoid trying to transition straight from an activity to sleep time. This can cause your mind to race continuously. Approximately 30 minutes before you go to bed, do something calming in order to ease your mind. Many people find activities such as praying, meditating, reading, or listening to relaxing music to be the perfect sleep inducer.
3. Keep yourself on a schedule. It’s always a good idea to have your life on a general schedule. It works well for babies, toddlers, and for you too! Schedules allow you to set up natural rhythms in your body and mind. Sleeping for different lengths of time can confuse your body. If you have trouble sleeping one night, get up at the normal time and remain on your normal schedule the next day.
4. Keep an eye on your diet. Eating a balanced diet gives you a better chance for a good night’s sleep. It’s especially important to pay attention to the things you eat and drink in the few hours before your bedtime.   It’s best to avoid anything containing sugar, caffeine, alcohol, high fructose corn syrup, or red dyes shortly before you sleep. Try drinking chamomile tea before bed. Chamomile is a calming herb.
5. Exercise during the day. Keeping yourself on a regular exercise routine will actually help you get a quality night’s rest. Even 30 minutes of light exercise can benefit you in many ways. Avoid exercising right before you go to bed, because exercise energizes you.
6. Avoid naps. Naps can be tempting, especially during a lull in the afternoon. However, some people tend to have trouble with their nighttime sleep if they nap during the day. If you feel that you must take a nap, try to make it only 15 to 30 minutes. That should be enough time to give you a little rest before continuing with your day.
7. Ensure you’re comfortable. Your bed might even be interfering with your sleep. Are you having issues with the quality of your mattress or the type of blankets and pillows you use? If they feel uncomfortable in any way, try changing to a different style.    What about the positions that you use for sleep? Do you have plenty of room to stretch out and get comfortable?
8. Check the temperature. Determine the temperature you enjoy sleeping at during the night. It’s usually a few degrees cooler than you’ll keep the house during the day. You may want to experiment with adjusting the temperature.    Also pay attention to the humidity to keep you from feeling stuffy. During the winter, the heater can dry out the air and a humidifier in your bedroom can help you breathe easier.

A good night’s sleep is critical to your health and enables you to live an active, fulfilling life. Just keep searching for a strategy that works for you. If you continue to have trouble sleeping after trying these tips, keep in mind that you can always talk with a physician about your insomnia.

Please leave a comment.  I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I look forward to healing with you,

Cheryl Y. Price, Ph.D.

W: www.anewwaytoheal.com

E: holisticspeaker@gmail.com

You may have already heard about the many benefits of present moment thinking. When you live in the present, the many stressors of the mind do not bother you.

However, if you’ve ever tried to stay in the present for a long period of time, you’ll notice that your brain automatically travels to your past and future. This is to be expected as you transition to focusing on the present moment.

It Takes Practice!

Even some of the most skilled present moment thinkers encounter times when they have difficulty concentrating. With practice, it becomes easier, but there will always be times here and there when you get distracted.

When you first begin to think in the present moment, you may be tempted to feel impatient and frustrated. Frustration will only make things worse and is the opposite of what you’ve set out to accomplish. Instead, look at it as a good thing. If you’re frustrated, then you’re noticing when your mind starts to wander and you can return it back to the present.

Starting With Meditation

Meditation is based on the notion of being in the present moment. Therefore, it’s an excellent practice to pick up in your life. Try to make time to do it every day. Try to meditate around the same time each day, too, for the best results.

You can look up traditional methods of meditation, or you can simply discover your own practice. It’s best to get yourself into a comfortable seated position and then begin following your breath. Take slow, deep breaths, one at a time, because you’re in no rush.

Meditating allows you to practice staying in the present moment during a time that you’re alone and avoiding distractions. You’ll be able to notice the times when your mind is really active versus the times when you’re calmer. Once you’ve mastered this awareness, you can begin to apply your skills to other portions of your day to expand the amount of time that you spend in the present moment.

Making Time for Yourself

It sounds simple enough, but one of the most difficult obstacles to present moment thinking seems to be just making time for you.

You might tell yourself that it’s time to meditate, but your mind nags you to accomplish one more chore before bedtime. Before you know it, you feel as if you don’t have any additional time for yourself. This is when you need to put your foot down and make it a priority.

Practicing During Everyday Life

The next step is to practice while you’re going through the motions of everyday life. Of course, you’ll want to reference your past and future during certain times. It’s to be expected; however, make an effort to avoid letting your mind dwell outside the present. Make your decisions using the past and future as necessary, and then move on with your life in the present.

After you’ve mastered some meditation techniques, try meditating during those times of the day when you’re doing something on autopilot. Instead of allowing your mind to wander, stay present as you engage in activities like brushing your teeth or waiting for the coffee to be ready.

As you continue to practice, you’ll notice a vast amount of opportunities where you can stay in the present moment. Seize these opportunities whenever you can and enjoy the many benefits!

Please leave a comment.  I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I look forward to healing with you,

Cheryl Y. Price, Ph.D.

W: www.anewwaytoheal.com

E:  holisticspeaker@gmail.com