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October 20, 2011
Medication vs. Meditation
 Stress is part of so many working women's lives, we're inclined to consider it just "part of the job." But when stress leads to guilt, sleeplessness and even illness, those neighborhood walks and spa days can only do so much.
Before you look to medication, consider this: four out of every 10 American adults use some form of holistic healing. How to know if it's right for you?
"The body is complex, and most medications have side effects," says Dr. Alice Domar, executive director of The Domar Center for Mind/Body Health and women's health expert. In lieu of medication, she recommends professional women battling stress consider holistic remedies.
"I refer 75 percent of my patients for acupuncture," she says. Other holistic stress remedies range from chiropractic manipulation to musical therapy.
Health.com notes that more medical doctors are prescribing holistic stress-relievers like yoga and meditation.
While experts recommend holistic medicine for prevention, they add that limited scientific research and confusing marketing (with words like "natural" and "safe") are to be considered. The fact that many of these remedies are hard to scientifically prove is one of the barriers to holistic medicine's acceptability, explains Domar.
Before considering alternative medicine, Domar advises researching online databases and guides for licensed professionals. And remember, "if someone says your condition will be gone in two sessions before they even examine you, hang up," she says.
Bonus PINK Link: Is more sleep the secret to less stress? Find out here.
By Brittani Banks
"The more you move toward what makes you feel good,
the healthier you will be." Christiane Northrup, M.D.
*Supporting images from FreeDigitalPhotos.net, Michal Marcol, ponsuwan, and Ambro
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Comments
Stress Reduction for Your Health
Stress is most definitely detrimental to your health. If you are able to use holistic healing to relieve your stress, such as acupuncture or herbs, all the better. Sometimes we don't consider how much our stress affects our spouses, co-workers, children (both while we're pregnant and after) but reducing our stress will help our health and our relationships in the long run.
Sincerely,
D Alishouse
This has been posted on behalf of American Health Network Reproductive Medicine, an Indianapolis fertility clinic supporting Egg Donation in Indianapolis. The information is not medical advice, and should not be treated as such. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan.
Holistic Approach Integrated w/ Tradition Treatment for Cancer
In Dec. 2010 I was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer and consciously chose to walk my journey from a place of love instead of fear. Having shared my solo harp music in the cancer, hospice and grief communities for years, along with my presenation, "Vibrational Awareness," I had a plenty of complimentary/alternative resources in my tool box. As I developed a deep inner communication with my body, I could hear what would best support me during each step. My 'constant' throughout was my solo harp CD, "The Magic Mirror" which has been researched and shown to support neurological and immune system function: http://www.amycamie.com/researchvideo.html Acupuncture, Chines Herbs, healthy eating, miso soup, Alpha Stim, Touch for Health, Gentle Yoga, meditation and massage rounded out my personal protocol...along with high doses of melatonin. Here is a link to my Resource Page: http://www.amycamie.com/mycancerresources.html and we've created Resource Videos as well. Please feel free to pass on these links to your readers.
Loving life...all of it,
Amy Camie
www.amycamie.com
Stress: Alternative Approaches
As a former psychotherapist who now coaches and writes, let me add hypnosis to the list of alternative therapies that work. Whether you are working with a professional or using self-hypnosis, hypnosis has been proven effective for pain management, improving physical health, changing behavior and changing less than useful beliefs. Amazingly enough, hypnosis was endorsed by the American Medical Association in 1957.
Yoga!
How did you manage to leave yoga out of the holistic stress remedy article? Yoga gets me through my week! Not only is it stress relieving, but exercising releases endorphins that are naturally stress relieving.
If I have a rough part of my day, I take three seconds, have a moment and a deep yogi breath. With a little practice, it calms you right down and relaxes you!
Namaste!
Women and Stress
I am currently taking a class for graduate school that is all about stress and it's effects the body. I am reading and really enjoying a book called "The Chemistry of Calm" by Dr. Henry Emmons. While I haven't finished it, it is a really well written 'workbook' to help people 'manage their minds and reclaim healthy emotions'. Dr. Emmons has also written a book called "The Chemistry of Joy" that comes highly recommended. In addition to those books, I would just say that taking the time to develop some sort of daily meditation practice may prove to be extremely beneficial to all with regards to calming the mind and being more present, and less stressed!
Stress
As a young bride to an Alcoholic, Drug user, and a mother of four. I had to deal with alot of stress, of all sorts.
Divorced in my late early twenties with four young children to raise. Balancing 2, sometimes 3 jobs to make ends meet and no education.
Then you get an education thinking now I only have to work one job - I will have time for myself and my children. Then come more stress as a manager or ..., working long hours to meet deadlines.
Yep!!!
I have been around some that do not even have half the stress and half of what I have to have gone through. These people are on all sort of medication. I am offten asked How did you do it?
Well I never use to think negative and just did as I had to do to make it in life. Yes! I know - You might say I am trying to belittle others. No in no way - I know it is hard to do.
I had to stop and make a reality check and analize my situation. I had options and lived my life as it was not my life - It was my childrens lives I was dealing with and came to this:
I can not buy me a drink, do Drugs, I have to make sure my children have and once they are grown I will have whatever I give myself. I can not depend on a man. I will never choice a man before my children.
My was when I got home to see my wonderful 3 sons and 1 daughter God Gave me and I would pray for his help and he carried me all the way. Now I see my Children, Grandchildren and I live with a wonderful man that gives me what no man in the past has given me. Respect, in which I would not take less then that. I feel God is the answer to all and if you believe you will live. Love you Amen!