Emotional Health

September 15, 2014 In Emotional Health, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Letting Go of Control for Emotional Wellness

Summer is a perfect time to practice chilling out. The world collectively shares this mindset as we see people all around us slowing down, putting their feet up and taking plenty of rest. Even social constructs tend to be more lax, such as the amount of clothing appropriate to wear in public. But by practicing 'chilling out' I'm not referring to sipping a cold one by the pool and turning off the phone...

September 9, 2014 In Emotional Health, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Setting Boundries in Our Daily Lives

Setting boundaries is a term that has been floating through the pop-psychology circuit for some time now. As much as it appears like a sophisticated technique to adopt and practice within our relationships, quite simply it is the art of saying no, or setting limits on what you are willing to handle. Unfortunately, there are plenty of folks in the world who are either people-pleasers or afraid of disappointing and hurting others. Being a people-pleaser or worrying about how you affect others means you put yourself last. There’s nothing wrong with being a giving, selfless person, yet how can you bring...

September 2, 2014 In Emotional Health, News By Vancouver Health Coach

Is Stress Making You Sick?

Stress is the root of many illnesses and bothersome symptoms. Everyone has stress, but it affects us differently. Stimuli (called stressors) cause the stress response to spring into action. Momentary stress can cause temporary tension or nervous energy, such as feeling wired, anxious, or hot. But a prolonged stress response can offset normal body maintenance and leave you weak, tired, or emotionally exhausted. Managing Your Stress Your personal stressors and how you respond are unique. You don’t have to avoid your stressors—just use healthy ways to relieve or manage them. Here are a few tips: Be armed with quick and long-term stress relievers...

August 31, 2014 In Emotional Health, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Preventing Loved Ones From Sabotaging Your Health Goals

When you have specific health goals and someone you are closest to isn’t on the same page, it can be a challenge to stay on track. You’ve committed to reducing your cholesterol intake, and over an after-work drink your best friend suggests ordering a plate of nachos. “It’s okay to make exceptions once in a while. Don’t be so strict on yourself!” Well, what constitutes ‘strict’ to someone else  may be simply a choice for you. A choice that in the overall scheme of things supports your vision for a healthy, vibrant way of being, not to mention reducing your...

August 30, 2014 In Emotional Health, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Make Your Health a Priority During Menopause

For many women, menopause can be trying on the nerves, marriage, and the waistline. When your hormones start driving you batty, take the opportunity to make a commitment to your health and well-being. Embrace Exercise If you lead a sedentary life or if you have long been considering a lifestyle of increased physical activity, make the “change of life” your excuse to embrace exercise. If you suffer from hot flashes and night sweats, two of the most common menopause symptoms, evidence shows exercise may help reduce the frequency of these symptoms. In addition, exercise can help you get a better night’s sleep, shed...

August 23, 2014 In Emotional Health, Holistic Health, News, Spotlight, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

Dial Down Your Stress Levels With Yoga

Yoga is one of the best ways of coping with the stress of modern life. It doesn’t involve drugs or great expense, and can be practiced by anyone of any age in any physical condition. Most adults spend their lives in a chronic state of being busy. Earning a paycheck, raising children, keeping up a household, and maintaining social relationships require effort and time, and the result is mental and physical stress. Chronic stress is harmful to health. Prolonged stress causes the secretion of various stress hormones, shallow, rapid breathing, and an elevated heart rate. Over time, stress can manifest...

August 23, 2014 In Emotional Health, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Living in Your Authentic Self

I’ve been blessed to have met a very interesting group of people lately who are having a huge impact on my life as I find myself going through a rather transitional time and personal metamorphosis so to speak. One of these people recently shared a story with me called The Two Wolves: There is a story about a Navajo grandmother who once told her granddaughter, “Two wolves live inside me. One is the bad wolf, full of greed and laziness, full of anger, jealousy and regret. The other is the good wolf, full of joy, compassion, willingness and a great love...

August 22, 2014 In Emotional Health, News By Vancouver Health Coach

A Practice of Emotional Wellness

There's always something to strive for, something that needs improvement or something we need more of in order for us to feel satisfied with our lives. This future-focused approach is certainly en-grained in our culture. Along with the basics of survival, we are faced with the pursuit of optimizing our existence. Everywhere you look, you will find people moving through their daily lives while  harboring a low-grade preoccupation with what isn't enough: not enough money, not enough time, not enough beautiful objects; health and image are not good enough. Guess what? Today it's good enough. Today, everything you have, are and...

August 22, 2014 In Emotional Health, News, Spotlight, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

Yoga Breathing: Recharge Your Life Through the Art of Breathing Control

Breathing is the most basic activity of human life, and it is also the foundation of yoga practice. Yoga breathing is sometimes called pranayama. This two-part word contains “prana” which means “life force,” and “yama,” which means “control.” In other words, yoga breathing is about having control over the life force of breathing. Breathing, of course, is the most natural action, since nobody has to be taught how to do it. It is fundamental to life. Though people can technically go for days without water, and weeks without food, if breathing stops for even a few minutes, brain damage or...

August 18, 2014 In Emotional Health, News, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

Eyes closed: The art of staying present in yoga and life

We tend to spend so much time living in the future or dwelling in the past, we recognize something special has happened when we spend some time in the present moment. You know, like when you get really absorbed in a task or project, and upon finishing you feel like you just took a mini vacation from the constant underlying state of stress. That “mini vacation” is what life would feel like all of the time if we mastered the art of staying present. There’s no need to worry when you stay in the present because there’s nothing to worry about....