If you'd like to conceive, I'd ask you to look at all the highs and lows of your fertility journey. I know you'd do anything to get pregnant, so I'd like you to ask yourself ... are you trying too hard? Trying might not be a useful thing to do, in fact it may actually hinder all your best efforts, because trying is about : endeavour, difficulty, becoming annoyed – or so the dictionary says. Trying is all about chasing after your dream rather than waiting to receive it. Trying is all about forcing your heart's desire into being rather than allowing it to materialise in it's own good time. Trying is about control rather than being in a state of flow. Are you chasing your dream of having a baby rather than being ready to receive with open arms? May I suggest that this might not be the best strategy. And here’s why ... Imaging you were to go fishing. If you were to go fishing, you’d pack your kit – everything you need to land that prizewinning fish. You’d pick the perfect spot where you know the fish are likely to be. You’d set your bait and cast your line and then you’d sit back and relax and wait for the fish to bite. And while you’re waiting for the fish to bite you’d likely just enjoy being out in the fresh air, in the peace and quiet, giving yourself time to settle and release, and letting your worries and cares wash away. What you wouldn’t do is: jump into the car with no equipment. Then stop at any old spot without checking first to find out how the fishing was. And race into the water fully clothed, trying to catch the fish with your bare hands! That would just be ridiculous, wouldn't it? The very act of “trying”, creates a level of stress that is more likely to take you away from what you want instead of closer to it. You effectively create obstacles that wouldn’t otherwise exist as a consequence of your desire to increase your chances of getting pregnant. You begin to get in your own way! Can I just say that again, "You begin to get in your own way"! This is not always an easy concept to process when your sole goal in life is to get pregnant, so please give it some thought. May I suggest that you might choose to let go, stop "trying", chill and just wait for the fish to bite. And if you need some help with your fertility journey, check out how Fertility Reflexology could help. If you want more tips like this, you’ll find them in the Free Baby Making Mindset Club, just go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/1422257428013810/
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The International Stress Management Association launched their 2008 National Stress Awareness Day with their top ten stress busters:
Pick one items from the list and put it into practice and see how well it works for you. Or you could come for a relaxing Reflexology or Indian Head Massage and let someone else take the strain for a change. Just call Doris on 07724 197627 to book your appointment. And remember there's a special JULY OFFER: £10 off your first treatment - but only if you book in July (appointments can be scheduled for August). Reflexologists believe that your feet reflect physical imbalances in the body, but can they also reflect your personality? Check out the following and see for yourself. WIDE FEET You’re a hard worker and you like to keep busy - you really can’t sit still and you’re happiest when you’re busy. But activity needs to be balanced with stillness and you should try to make time for a little peace and calm in your life. LONG NARROW FEET You love to be surrounded by beautiful things, be in beautiful places and you love being pampered. You have a real ability to delegate and would much rather someone else did all the work. The Chinese would say you have Princess feet - you were born to be waited on, but make sure it doesn't alienate those around you. ARCHES High arches - these reflect a strong desire to be independent and self-sufficient. You go off on your own a lot and might even be accused of being anti-social. In Chinese philosophy, those with very high arches are in danger of being brittle and rigid. Low or average arches - these mean that you enjoy the company of others, are sociable and fairly extrovert. You like to have a good time and want everyone around you to have a great time too. THE BIG TOE - The big toe is the thinking toe (head) Longer than the other toes - you are a clever, creative thinker who comes up with ingenious solutions to problems and never runs out of ideas. You’re never stumped for an answer, and can see things from different angles. But it's likely you're good at starting but poor at finishing and you pursue the next great idea and you can be easily distracted. Smaller than the other toes - you are a superb multi-tasker, very efficient and a great delegater. Big toe overlaps your second toe - this generally indicates head over heart and vice versa. Massive toe pads - you're a very deep thinker and you like to consider everything carefully, but you may be prone to paralysis by analysis. THE SECOND TOE - The second toe is your feeling toe (heart) Long second toe - an indication of leadership qualities - the longer the toe the more pronounced the leadership qualities. You are a resourceful dynamo and want it all your way, but it can come across as being bossy. Indian folklore has it that eagle-eyed mothers stopped their sons marrying girls with long second toes because it meant they were far too bossy! Smaller second toe - means you're happy to bide your time. You'd rather have a harmonious outcome and won’t try to force things through. Gap between second and third toe - this means you are not emotionally engaged in your activities. This might be because the work requires you to be detached, or it may be because you don't enjoy what you are doing. Second toe narrow at the base and wide at the tip- this indicates some "drama queen" tendancies: whatever you're feeling, whether it's great or gloomy, will be expressed in a BIG way, bigger than you feel it. Second toe on left foot leaning towards big toe - this is a sign of a sentimental, nostalgic nature - shared by Hollywood actress Reece Witherspoon. THE THIRD TOE - The third toe is your doing toe The Chinese associate energy, drive and willpower with the third toe. Long third toe - this means you are highly resourceful and energetic, especially at work. And the longer the toe, the more driven you are to succeed. You can be aperfectionist, but you have a tendency to be a workacholic and forget about fun, love and family. Short third toe - this indicates that you enjoy the pleasures in life and love to relax. You're not inclined to get worked up about things and although you may be accused of being lazy, you feel that you just like to enjoy life. Third toe tilted so nail faces towards the little toe - this means you're great at forward planning and able to look forward and consider the next steps. Last joint of third toe at an angle - You have the natural ability to deceive, as well as the propensity to be misunderstood. Frequently to be found in spies! THE FOURTH TOE - The fourth toe is your relationship toe Long and straight fourth toe - this indicates the importance of family in your life. Unhappiness in your relationships with loved ones will show up in a curling of this toe. You are a superb listener and nurturer, but will be deeply affected by unhappiness within the family. You find it hard to cut yourself off from other people’s problems. Short fourth toe - this means that family and relationships are less crucial to you — your focus is elsewhere. THE LITTLE TOE - The little toe – the moving toe (expansiveness and freedom of thought) Small little toe - this characterises someone with a childlike impish nature: someone who doesn't want responsibility, is easily bored and is constantly looking for amusing diversions. This person is great fun to be with, but don't look for them to be steady and reliable. The smaller the little toe to stronger these characteristics. Little toe on its side - If your little toe is on its side with the nail facing the wall instead of the ceiling then you are unconventional and rebellious and follow your own path. Little toe separates from fourth toe - this indicates someone who is impulsive, adventurous and a charming flirt. This person hates routine and is needs constant change. Little toe can't separate from fourth toe - this reflects someone who likes routine in order to feel security. They will be loyal, reliable, and trustworthy and don't want too many surprises. We could set our clocks by them! And other characteristics of your toes are: Well spaced – open minded with plenty of room to expand the mind and be inspired, but if there's a gap between your big toe and first toe, it may mean that you agree to things and then wish you hadn't - the head and the feelings aren't working in harmony. Bent – fearful of responsibility or bends to other people’s beliefs. Crushed – dominated, smothered or stifled. Overlapping – no room for own ideas, lacks freedom of thought. Sloping – insecure and inflexible. May change ideas to please others. Squashed – conforms to rigid beliefs, leaving no room for own thoughts. Stands alone – need space to think. Twisted – turning away from the truth, looking to others for reassurance. Uneven toes – inconsistent, erratic thoughts. Tendon showing at base of big toe when feet at rest - If just your big toe tendon shows when you are sitting in a chair with your feet flat on the floor, then you are self-disciplined. Toes that neatly graduate in size - If each toe is a little longer than the one before, creating a neat line, this indicates a methodical, precise and extremely practical person. You’re interested in detail and ensure that you always finish what you start. You’re a dream employee, and a good friend — loyal and steadfast to a fault. Watch out for a tendency to nitpick, though — not everyone is as balanced as you. And talking about feet and what they say about you, I'd just like to remind you that I have a special JULY OFFER: £10 off your first treatment of Reflexology or Indian Head Massage, so please help me spread the word. This offer is only available for treatments booked in July, so don't delay. To book just call Doris on 07724 197627. Hypnotherapy, affirmations, the law of attraction, NLP, positive thinking, the Silva Method - there's a long list of modalities and techniques that claim to be able to help you think positively and be able to manifest whatever you want, just by using the power of your brain. So you want to be wealthy, healthy or happy - just think yourself so. It may not be quite as simple as that, but it's most people would recognise that a strong focus and a positive attitude will be more likely to get you towards your goal more quickly. And it's not just goals that can be influenced. It's claimed that mental images produce changes in the body on a physical, chemical and immunological level that can affect health. What you see in your mind’s eye can change specific immune system responses that may affect such things as white blood cell count. It may sound a bit far fetched, but there is beginning to be some research to suggest that this might be so. Visualisation is taught to people undergoing cancer treatments or suffering from anxiety or depression. Guided imagery – more often known as visualisation – is an important tool in influencing a variety of health problems. It provides benefits and poses virtually no risk. The principle is that vivid imagery sends messages from the cerebral cortex to the lower brain. From there the message is relayed to the endocrine and the autonomic nervous systems, which affect a wide range of bodily functions, including heart and respiration rates and blood pressure. And visualisation can also be used to improve personal performance: it’s a way of programming your brain (and body) to help achieve the required outcome. Athletes place as much importance on mental preparation before an event as they do on physical preparation. It's a really simple process and since you can't stop thinking, you may as well direct your thoughts to a more specific outcome. Why not give it a try yourself.....
And talking about focus, I'd just like to remind you that I have a special JULY OFFER: £10 off your first treatment of Reflexology or Indian Head Massage, so please help me spread the word. This offer is only available for treatments booked in July, so don't delay. To book just call Doris on 07724 197627. I discovered this article entitled "Is Reflexology The New Cure For Infertility" when I was looking for inspiration for this week's blog. It's by ANDREA PERRY, @ femail.co.uk. I'm not being lazy, honestly, I've copied and pasted the article, because for me, it's very topical. In another two weeks I'll be attending Part I of a ReproReflexology training course, which will give me a much more in-depth insight into Reflexology for fertility, building on the skill base that my previous 3 Fertility Reflexology courses have provided. I'm really looking forward to the course I'm hoping it will live up to my high expectations. I'll be looking for lots of practice after the course, so if you know anyone who might want to try Reflexology for fertility issues, please spread the word. And they don't need to take my word for it, this article gives a pretty good overview. It reads: "Infertility can be an emotionally exhausting, not to mention expensive, condition. But according to a growing number of people, the key to overcoming the problem for many couples could be far simpler than they think - thanks to reflexology. An increasing number of women claim this popular type of foot massage has helped them conceive. Now a medical study has been launched to discover if the claims are true. Reflexology, a traditional healing art dating from the ancient Egyptians and Chinese, involves manipulation of pressure points in the hands and feet and is often used to ease period pain, headaches, sinus and back problems as well as the effects of chemotherapy. Practitioners claim the soles of the feet are like a mini map of the inside of the body and are linked to our inner organs and systems, including the fallopian tubes and ovaries. By massaging different points on the feet therapists claim they can unblock energy pathways in the body and so help the body to regain its natural balance and heal itself. Some points on the foot are associated with a woman's egg production and by manipulating these areas reflexologists claim they can correct the imbalances which can hamper pregnancy. The latest research, a two year clinical trial at the IVF unit at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, is the brainchild of reflexologist Jane Holt. She approached the unit after 13 of the 23 women she treated with a range of fertility problems fell pregnant last year. Beccy Wellington, 34, an auxiliary nurse, from Kingsbridge, in Devon, is convinced that her trip to see Jane in November 1999 resulted in the birth of her son Luke, who is now five months old. 'We had been trying for a baby for just over a year and had begun to look at other ways that would help me conceive when someone recommended reflexology,' she said. 'I had four treatments and was pregnant within three weeks. I am convinced that the reflexology got my body in working order so I was ready to conceive. I also felt ten times better, more positive and a lot happier in myself.' 'I went in there with an open mind, but was totally shocked to find myself pregnant so soon,' she said. 'I would definitely advise other women to try reflexology. It may not work for everyone, but it worked for me and it is worth trying.' Jane Holt, a reflexologist for 12 years, claims one woman she helped had been trying to get pregnant for 20 years. 'Infertility is a complex problem and I think that often what is needed is something that gives the system a bit of a kick start and that's what reflexology can do,' she said. 'At least this gives women the option to try something else while they are going through hospital procedures and even if it works for some of them that's a bonus.' Cathy Shipton, who plays nurse Duffy in the BBC TV series Casualty, is also convinced that reflexology on the set of the show in Bristol helped her to become pregnant. She had been trying to have a baby for four years, but four months after having twice weekly reflexology sessions she became pregnant. In the new study, 150 volunteers will be offered reflexology rather than the fertility drug clomifene, which is usually used to induce ovulation. This drug works in about 70 per cent of patients, but the drug's main drawback is it can increase the likelihood of a multiple pregnancy. The volunteers will each receive eight treatments over a two to three month period. In order for the trial to be conducted in a scientific way, patients and hospital staff will not know whether true reflexology or a 'dummy' version has been given. Only the reflexologist will know who has had the real treatment. One in seven couples suffers with infertility. Last year the Plymouth IVF unit saw over 900 patients. Thirty per cent of these were not producing eggs. The hospital has already pioneered the use of acupuncture - the insertion of fine needles into the body to unblock energy channels - in pregnancy and routinely offers it to women who might benefit. Dr Jonathan Lord, clinical lecturer in reproductive medicine at the hospital, is co-ordinating the new trial. 'At the moment there is no evidence to say whether reflexology works or not,' he said. 'Although there are several reports of patients in whom it has worked, this is not sufficient evidence to enable it to be routinely recommended.'" http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-20980/Is-reflexology-new-cure-infertility.html And talking about the benefits of Reflexology, I'd just like to remind you that I have a special JULY OFFER: £10 off your first treatment of Reflexology or Indian Head Massage, so please help me spread the word. This offer is only available for treatments booked in July, so don't delay. To book just call Doris on 07724 197627. If you've never tried Reflexology and don't know what it is, here's a brief rundown:
What is Reflexology?
How does Reflexology work? Reflexology uses finger pressure on the feet to relax and re-balance the whole person in mind, body and emotion. It works on the principle that various parts of the feet relate to corresponding parts of the body and that by working on the feet the Reflexologist can create a balancing effect. The finger pressure on the feet is firm, so it should not feel tickly. Who can benefit from Reflexology? Anyone can benefit from Reflexology: from newborn babies to those receiving end of life care, and anyone in between, but it is particularly beneficial for anyone who is experiencing ill-health and in particular those suffering from stress or stress related illnesses. There may however be times when it is not appropriate to provide a treatment, so if you're not sure, do ask. Reflexologists often specialise in particular areas, such as: fertility, pregnancy, babies, children, ageing well, pain relief, sleep, stress, cancer care, and end of life care. What happens in a Reflexology treatment? The Reflexologist will take a few moments to gather information about the client's condition (it tends to take a bit longer for the first treatment), and then the client is made comfortable, lying on a special chair or massage table. It's possible to chat during the treatment, but it's more relaxing to just close your eyes and enjoy the experience. It's not uncommon for clients to drift off into a light doze. How will I feel after a treatment? Well, everyone is different, but generally clients will feel deeply relaxed after a treatment. Clients often report having had a good night's sleep and a boost in their energy levels after a treatment. Really the only way to know is to give the treatment a try. There have been some positive research projects carried out with reflexology; however, as yet, there is not a large enough body of evidence to make clinical claims of effectiveness. With ever increasing levels of stress in everyday life, it is important for people to take more responsibility for their own healthcare needs. Reflexology may be one of the ways to mitigate the stresses of modern life. Reflexology should not be used as an alternative to seeking medical advice. The only way to know if Reflexology will be beneficial for you is to give it a try. If you're ever feeling stressed or a bit out of sorts, think about having a Reflexology treatment to get you onto more of an even keel. To make the decision easier, I offer £5 off your first treatment. This applies to everyone, so you don't need a special voucher or ticket, it is just automatically applied when you pay for your treatment. For July, I'm offering an extra £5 off to all new clients. That means you get £10 off your first treatment if you book in July. But this offer only applies to July 2014, so don't delay, book your treatment today by calling Doris on 07724 197627, or email doriswylie@btinternet.com. We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them. - Albert Einstein Do you have problems that you just can't seem to solve? Are there issues in your life that seem constant, regardless of how hard you try to overcome them? Do you feel you stuck in a rut, getting nowhere fast? The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting a different outcome. I mean really, wouldn’t you need to be mad to think that somehow, magically, one time, if you keep doing the same thing, you’re going to get a different outcome? So if you want to get a different outcome, you need to do something different. If you want to feel differently you need to think or act differently. But what do you need to do? Well perhaps you already know... have you've been saying to yourself – “If I just did A, B or C it would help me to X, Y or Z”, so for example –
But how to you stop getting anxious, look after yourself better and do something new? It’s not always easy. I'm a great believer in the path of least resistance. Why put huge amounts of effort into overcoming resistance when you can just go round it with no effort at all. It's not about being lazy (well not much!), it's about being sensible and efficient - why make things hard for yourself if you don't need to. And that's one of the reasons I love Reflexology! Reflexology is a physical approach that can impact on mental and emotional states. Our mind, body and emotions are not separate entities, they're all part of us and if one part is out of balance, all of us is out of balance. So, Reflexology is not just for those wishing physical benefits (although it's great at providing that), it's for anyone who feels an imbalance in mind, body or emotion. For example, if you are going through a challenging time emotionally, and all the talking about it has taken you nowhere, perhaps a relaxing Reflexology treatment will allow you to feel more in tune with yourself and less anxious, angry, fearful, or whatever other emotions are implicit in your situation. And if you feel less anxious, angry, fearful, etc you will respond in a different way and your problem will appear in a different light to you. So, if thinking about something causes you to feel a certain way, then changing the way you feel can cause you to change the way you think. No effort, no resistance, no problem (or at least less of a problem). And with Reflexology, you just sit back and let someone else take the strain. So, if you're making things hard for yourself, give yourself a break and if you haven't tried it before, give Reflexology a chance. To book an appointment, contact me (Doris) on 07724 197627. It can sometimes feel that staying healthy and ageing well can be an uphill struggle. There seem to be so many conflicting ideas about what we should and shouldn't eat, which is the best diet to follow, how much or little exercise we should get and what type of exercise is best. There's plenty of advice on what supplements and special healthy products we should be including in our diet and which health and fitness guru to follow - because different ones seem to pop up all the time, with new ideas and products. Of course, much of this is designed to relieve us of our hard earned cash, so what is the best way to stay healthy or even improve your health? I've developed a list of easy actions to take which cumulatively with benefit your health and well-being. Most cost nothing and there's a fairly heavy emphasis on reducing stress ... Belly breathing - Take a long slow breath in through your nose. Push the air down into your tummy, almost down to your waist. Let it out again slowly. This deep breathing oxygenates your blood, feeding the body cells; it reduces muscle tension and blood pressure; it clears out stale air from the lungs and opens the airways. If you are under severe pressure, you can't do anything more effective to calm yourself down than taking a series of long slow breaths. Exercise - Stress produces chemicals which, if they are not naturally neutralized are stored in the body to create a toxic effect. Exercise is a great way to release these chemicals. The key thing is not to overdo it. Work at 70% of your capacity in order that you don't tire yourself out. Give yourself a day off to rest your body. Do something you enjoy, it doesn't have to be difficult: a brisk walk in the country surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature will both tone the body and calm the mind. Take more water - Often our fluid intake can affect our energy levels. Water helps rehydrate the body and it feeds the brain (water helps to conduct all those electrical connections). If you are dehydrated your system functions less efficiently. Water helps the kidneys to function more efficiently and that helps with the removal of waste within the body. Touch therapies - You don't have to do it all yourself: give yourself a break and let someone else take the strain. Try Reflexology, Indian Head Massage, or any other touch therapy that takes your fancy. It's amazing how relaxing and re-balancing it can be. Eat well- Our bodies are very intelligent and if you listen, your body will tell you what it needs. Basically if you aim to reduce: sugar, salt, fat, additives, caffeine and alcohol; eat a wide variety of foods, eat lots of fruit and veg and some fibre, you'll probably be eating well. You can help digestion and absorption of food if you eat slowly, savouring your food as you eat and eating regular meals will help keep blood sugar levels balanced. A few small moves towards less processed food and you will find that your food gives you energy rather than robbing you of energy. Relax - Relaxation is nature's antidote to stress. Fifteen minutes every day should be enough to keep you in balance. Relaxation is about being rather than doing and we all need time just to be - ourselves. Relaxation allows the mind and body a bit of quiet time to connect with each other. Posture - Good posture supports good breathing and reduces muscle tension. For a good seated posture: have your feet flat on the floot (legs and ankles uncrossed), thighs parallel to the floor, kneed away from the edge of the seat. Your back should be well supported, shoulders relaxed and down, head resting comfortably on the neck. Don't sit in any position for too long at one time or the muscles will tense up. Let go - At the end of each day, take time out to let go all the tensions, feelings and emotions collected during the day. Today is challenge enough without carrying some of yesterday's baggage too! Often it's the negative things which we carry with us - how often do you wake up with a warm glow because of what happened yesterday? Probably not as often as you waken feeling fed-up and low because of what happened yesterday. And letting go is much easier than you'd expect, all you have to do is stop thinking about what it was that was making you feel bad. U-time - Make time for yourself. It's not selfish, rather it's a matter of self-preservation and it will help those around you: if you are happy in yourself, and with yourself and your life, you will have much more to offer friends, family and colleagues. Sleep well - This is a matter of quality as much as quantity. Everyone needs a different amount of sleep, what's important is that you wake up feeling refreshed and with enough energy to get you though the day. If you have difficulty sleeping, avoid alcohol, coffee and food last thing at night and make a point of letting go any worries, problems or niggles before you go to bed. If you have sleep problems, it helps to establish a bedtime routine. If you'd like help with relaxing or sleep problems, why not try some Reflexology or Indian Head Massage. To find out more contact Doris on 07724 197627. |
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