How Meditation Helps to Reduce Blood Pressure

Heart disease is one of the leading killers of North Americans. With the combination of the Standard American Diet and a low priority for exercise, it isn’t any surprise that heart disease is easily one of the most dangerous things North Americans must worry about. In addition, the stresses of daily life are constantly plaguing the population. Everybody wants, and needs, to succeed. And the stress associated with such important tasks can cause blood pressure to rise. Sometimes stress can cause other issues associated with heart disease as well, such as stress-eating unhealthy foods that contribute to poor health.

Ultimately, however, meditation is a great way to help keep that type of stress in check. Rather than allowing the negative cycles to persist, meditation can provide a way for us to unplug from the world around us and refocus our minds on things that are not as overwhelming. When we engage in stress-relieving activities, our brains respond very physically. Chemicals such as nitric oxide are released, and it is found to be helpful in reducing blood pressure.

Read More Here

Create an Environment of Recovery Versus an Environment of Addiction

Relapse is a word that is defined as deterioration in a client’s condition after a partial recovery. It is associated with a lot of guilt and shame. “I have let myself down and the people who love me”.

In the field of addiction, it is similar, with one big difference, partial recovery feels like half measures have been achieved and completed. Recovery means to be well again and live life to its potential. Those who drink excessively, or take drugs or are addicted to an activity (gambling, sex, gaming) need to create an Environment of Recovery. Or one slips back to the Environment of Addiction.

Every Environment of Recovery needs a Relapse Prevention Plan. Every addict needs a plan to be sober.

Read More Here

Grief Shows Up in the Darnedest Places

Grief can show up when we don’t expect it and for reasons that might not ‘fit’ our traditional idea of grief. Many of us may believe that we should only experience grief when someone we care about dies.

However, there are many losses that can also trigger grief. Based on many conversations over the past few months and living in a world with COVID, it seems many of us are experiencing grief both individually and collectively. Never before has the entire world felt the same acute threat as it has over the past few months and sadly we expect it will continue for some time.

Read More Here