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Meditation & Mindfulness, Stress & Overwhelm, Uncategorized

Pay Attention With Mindfulness

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Create Calm Through Conscious Awareness

Mindfulness is the art of being present and 
accepting the moment, as it is.

Mindfulness is the energy of being both aware and awake to the present moment. It is the ongoing practice of engaging fully in every moment of daily life and accepting it without judgement. It is about simply Being instead of constantly Doing.

Recently I was reading about mindfulness while I was eating a slice of toast.  As I continued to read, I suddenly became very conscious of the irony of my situation.  Engrossed in the internet, with thoughts of what I needed to do during the day running around in the background, I was eating in a way totally lacking in mindfulness.

So I stopped reading and focused on the delicious food.  I immersed myself in experiencing the bread toasted so that just the outside was crunchy and the centre still moist; the tang of the sourdough culture; the seeds coating the crust; the sweetness of warm butter which had soaked through into the heart.

I noticed the autumn sun pouring in through the window and the small birds hopping along the branches outside. 

At one point I began thinking about writing this post about mindfulness, but being mindful, I put the thought aside and focused on eating the toast again. Truly, I tasted and enjoyed that piece of toast far more deeply than many I have eaten. It was all the more delicious because I was focused in the moment.

“When we are mindful, deeply in touch with the
present moment, our understanding of what
is going on deepens, and we begin to be
filled with acceptance, joy, peace and love.”

Thich Nhat Hanh

My distraction while I was eating is completely normal. Human consciousness focuses on a lively dance between revisiting past events and anticipating the future. But developing mindfulness in our daily routine can have a very positive impact on our lives as well as our health.

Conscious Awareness

Mindfulness is a hot topic right now, but it’s nothing new. It involves the art of consciously living in the present moment without getting drawn into the drama.

At its simplest mindfulness can be likened to awareness with intent.  It’s about using awareness to observe and notice in an open and curious way. 

Mindfulness and intentional awareness are both about paying attention with purpose. They are like being in the eye-of-the-storm and still being able to consciously hold the place of stillness, while all around is chaos. They allow you to live in the here and now, noticing with clarity the reality behind what’s appears to be going on, while remaining emotionally detached.

Mindfulness Changes Your Brain

This mindfulness practice of touching life deeply in every moment of daily life brings heightened awareness and inner calm.

When we practice mindfulness, we become more open to noticing what is happening in our lives, with greater clarity. Everyday problems do not disappear. But because we are fully present in our lives through the practice, we become able to respond to life’s pressures in a much calmer way. 

Developing and strengthening your awareness with mindfulness can transform your brain by changing or creating new circuits particularly those involved in stress, attention and focus, memory and mood. Mindfulness changes the way neurons in your brain communicate with each other. This opens the opportunity for you to interact and respond to your experiences and the world around you in a whole new way.

Mindfulness also helps us avoid self-judgement and self-criticism as we become more accepting of both our strengths and our challenges. This brings significant health benefits to our body, our mind and our soul.

Embracing the energy of mindfulness and allowing it to flow into our lives to penetrate everything we do provides us with the opportunity to foster the development of grace within. 

It deepens our capacity to live more meaningful, balanced and peaceful lives.

Origins of Mindfulness

The ancient practice of mindfulness has come to us through many eastern philosophies including Buddhism, Yoga, Tai Chi and Taoism. It’s now embraced by the West and widely taught in a non-sectarian way because it is a proven effective tool to treat many psychological clinical disorders.

Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, teacher, author, poet and peace activist, taught the art of mindfulness throughout his lifetime. Initially he taught it through the practice of mindful breathing and later through Walking Meditation. Walking Meditation is more than just strolling around. It’s about being peacefully rooted in the present and always aware of both your mind and body as you move.

Walking meditation provides additional benefits to those gained through mindfulness, such as improved blood sugar levels1 and blood flow and better balance and ankle coordination.

Benefits of Mindfulness

Mindfulness has been proven to effectively counteract stress by intentionally focusing the attention on the present moment and at the same time, accepting it without judgement.   Focusing on the present moment prevents you becoming caught up in worry about the future or regret or shame about the past.

The Benefits
  • Improves clarity, focus and concentration
  • Stimulates creativity 
  • Helps develop a stable mind to stay grounded, rather than one that is dull or agitated
  • Reduces anxiety by cultivating a flexible mind able to reduce the impact of stressful thoughts and feelings
  • Increases self-awareness of your mind and its thought patterns
  • Helps you become less reactive in difficult and challenging situations
  • Replaces self-defeating behaviours with more beneficial ones

Mindful Practice

We are so familiar with projecting our attention and thoughts into either the future or the past, that it can take time to become proficient in maintaining your awareness in the present moment. But it can be developed through repetition until it becomes natural and automatic.

Whenever you think of it, practice by focusing on your breath, your surroundings or on each of your five senses – sound, sight, smell, touch and taste in turn. Tune into your thoughts or your body and just observe what you notice without any judgement or self-recrimination. Hold this state as long as you find comfortable and notice how much calmer it leaves you feeling.

Mindfulness leads to a keener awareness of all aspects
of your life and the world around you

Every time you can bring your mind into the NOW, even just momentarily, you help cultivate a mindfulness practice that will eventually become a permanent and automatic part of how you function.

Commit to cultivating mindfulness in your life today, to gain profound and sustained benefits.

  1. Effects of Buddhist walking meditation on glycemic control and vascular function in patients with type 2 diabetes https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2016.03.009
Disclaimer

    All information and opinions presented here are for information only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation. Please consult with your health care provider before trying any of the treatment suggested on this site. 

    © Catherine Bullard and Happy Holistic Health, 2026. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Catherine Bullard and Happy Holistic Health with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

    Holistic Health, Stress & Overwhelm, Uncategorized

    Grounding: Simple Biohack to Upgrade Your Wellness

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    Grounding is a term used to describe reconnecting with the present moment. It embraces many simple techniques that reduce stress to leave you feeling stable and calm. These include deep breathing, focusing on your senses, counting, better sleep practices, being in nature and even eating nuts and certain types of chocolate. These and other techniques all help reduce anxiety and the effects of stress and overwhelm. Find more about that type of grounding here.  

    But today I’m talking about the specific form of grounding that is also known as earthing. This is a practice where you connect physically with the Earth to anchor and balance your physical, mental and spiritual energy. It’s sometimes simply called barefoot walking.

    Many of us practice grounding without even thinking about it. You can probably recall a time when you were immersed in nature, feeling relaxed and refreshed. Remember how that feeling of rejuvenation persisted even when you were back in your busy life. This is due to the physiological effects of grounding.

    These beautiful warm, still days of Autumn are perfect to get your shoes off and do some grounding. When you connect with the Earth through the bare skin on the soles of your feet you also connect with the free electrons that flow through the earth’s surface. This is excellent when it comes to improving your wellness because these electrons help rebalance you physically, mentally and even spiritually. Not only do they leave you feeling calmer, but they also have an impact on health issues.

    By improving physiological processes grounding helps reduce or reverse many health issues that lead to chronic disease. These results include lower blood pressure, lower stress levels, repaired muscles, reduced pain, improved sleep, reduced anxiety and depression, enhanced mood, clear mind and even help with varicose veins.

    What Is Grounding

    Grounding is an ancient therapeutic technique that’s essential for our wellness. In our modern world our bodies are constantly surrounded and impacted by a vast range of toxins. These include pesticide residue on fresh produce, hormones in meat and dairy foods, chemicals in furnishings and cleaning products, toxins in personal care products including shampoo, cosmetics and toothpaste, heavy metal residues, air pollution and one we often don’t consider, electronic pollution. 

    This cocktail of toxins which we’re exposed to every single day, impacts our body and our health and wellness, causing inflammation and free radicals which leads to chronic illness and disease.

    How to Connect With the Earth and Ground Yourself

    Essentially, all it takes is to go barefoot outdoors.

    Most of us spend time outdoors. But usually that’s while we’re doing something, such as a sporting activity or walking. While this is healthy in many ways it doesn’t give us the full benefits of grounding. For that we need to actually connect our skin to the Earth by taking off our shoes or sitting on the grass or the beach. This connection between our skin and the ground allows the harmful, pent-up electrical charge coming from the environment and stored in our body, to discharge directly into the earth.

    Some Grounders prefer to stroll on a beach or in a park. But most recommend simply standing outdoors with bare feet. Personally I like to take my shoes off, sit on the ground and lean against a tree trunk. The benefits of grounding begin immediately and after several minutes, you should start to feel refreshed

    You’ll reap all the benefits when you stand on dirt, grass, sand, rock, concrete, or even in water which enhances the effect. But keep off the asphalt or Astroturf as they act as a block to the electron exchange with the Earth.

    If you don’t like being bare foot, footwear with leather soles also works because the electron exchange still occurs. But watch for any synthetic components like insoles which block the exchange.

    Signs You Are Ungrounded

    There are clear signs that your physical or emotional state is not balanced. This is a red flag that indicates that you are ungrounded and need some grounding.

    Some telltale signs are:

    • Feeling fearful or angry
    • Being unfocused, scattered and easily distracted
    • Jumping from one thing to the next but unable to complete anything
    • Difficulty concentrating
    • Getting stuck on certain thoughts and over-thinking
    • Feeling restless and discontented
    • Forgetfulness
    • Constant worrying and feeling anxious
    • Feeling tired, irritated and impatient
    • Lightheadedness or feeling ‘spaced out’
    • Your mind races but you can’t focus on anything
    • You feel both tired and wired at the same time
    • Problems sleeping
    • Clumsiness
    • Slow healing wounds

    Health Benefits of Grounding

    Regularly grounding yourself by connecting directly with the earth though bare feet affects you instantaneously. You get immediate benefits from grounding and the improvements continue over the following minutes, hours and even days. 

    And it’s simple!

    Ditch your shoes and walk to the mailbox, touch one leaf, step outside to see the moon, drink your coffee outside, sit on the grass to eat your lunch.  Those few minutes can make all the difference!

    How Regular Grounding Benefits You

    As well as leaving you feeling more stable physically and emotionally, regular grounding connects you with the natural world.

    Here are some of the ways grounding changes you over time:

    Immediatley:
    • Muscle tension releases
    • Brain waves slow down
    • Pain levels reduce
    After a Few Minutes
    • Organ function is affected
    • Vascular (blood viscosity) and circulatory system improves
    • Blood glucose stabilises
    Hours Later
    • Osteoporosis markers are affected
    • Improved mineral levels in cells
    • Thyroid function is boosted
    • Cortisol levels are reduced
    After Days
    • You’ll feel more resilient and adaptable to life’s stress and demands
    • Less pain
    • Able to recover from stress better
    • Life becomes easier to navigate
    • Inflammation in the cells decreases
    • Cortisol levels are even lower

    There’s no time spent grounding that’s too short, and no time that’s too long.

    Isn’t it time to connect with the Earth to become balanced and centred? Make time to ground yourself and upgrade your health.

    Disclaimer

    The Information contained on this site is for your general health information. It is not intended to be used as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes. The information is not a substitute for independent professional advice and should not be used as an alternative to professional healthcare. If you have a particular medical problem, please consult a healthcare professional.

    © Catherine Bullard and Happy Holistic Health, 2024. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Catherine Bullard and Happy Holistic Health with appropriate and specific direction to the original content

    Holistic Health, Stress & Overwhelm, Uncategorized

    The Vagus Nerve: Activate Your Body’s Natural Healing Power

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    Have you heard of the vagus nerve? It’s one of the most important nerves in your body. When it’s healthy and stimulated it can help reduce stress, improve your mood and boost your immune system. Even if you’ve never heard of it, you need to know about the vagus nerve if you want to improve your health and wellness.

    What is the Vagus Nerve?


    The vagus nerve is the longest and most complex cranial nerve in your body. It carries signals to and from your brain to many vital organs, including your heart, blood vessels, lungs, stomach, intestines, vocal chords and more. It is part of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which plays a role in controlling and regulating involuntary functions like breathing, heartbeat, mood, digestion, and blood pressure.

    Autonomic nervous system

    The ANS has two main branches: the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS).

    The sympathetic branch (SNS) is responsible for activating the “fight or flight” response when you face a threat or a challenge. It stimulates your adrenal glands to release adrenaline and cortisol, which increases your heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar, and alertness. This helps you immediately cope with the challenging situation, but it also puts a lot of stress on your body.

    The other parasympathetic branch (PNS) is responsible for activating the “rest and digest” response which kicks in to calm your body down and restore balance once the threat or challenge is over. By stimulating the vagus nerve, we get greater calming effects from the PNS.

    The vagus nerve is the main component of the PNS, and it acts as a bridge between your brain and your body. It sends signals from your brain to your organs to regulate their functions. It also sends feedback from your organs to your brain with information about your physical and emotional state. The vagus nerve is like a two-way communication channel that helps you maintain homeostasis, a state of equilibrium and harmony in your body.

    Maintaining balance between the PNS and SNS is crucial for your physical and mental health and wellness.

    How the Vagus Nerve Affects Wellness

    The vagus nerve influences many aspects of your physiology and psychology and has a profound impact on your health and well-being.

    Here are some of the benefits of a healthy and active vagus nerve:

    Reduce Stress and Anxiety

    The vagus nerve plays an important role in regulating the stress response. It lowers your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone released by your adrenal glands in response to stress. When it’s chronically elevated it can have negative effects on your health. The vagus nerve can also help you cope with emotional stress by enhancing your social skills, empathy, compassion, and trust.

    The vagus nerve protects your body by helping it switch back and forth from the fight-flight response and the rest-digest mode.

    Improve Mood and Mental Health

    The vagus nerve stimulates production of neurotransmitters serotonin and oxytocin which are associated with happiness and well-being. Serotonin is a chemical that regulates your mood, appetite, sleep, memory, and learning. Oxytocin is a hormone that promotes bonding, love, and social connection.

    The vagus nerve increases your resilience and optimism to help prevent or treat depression.

    Boost Immune System and Reduce Inflammation

    Inflammation is a natural response to injury or infection, but it can also cause damage to your tissues and organs when it’s chronic or excessive. The vagus nerve can activate the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP), which is a mechanism that suppresses inflammation in your body.

    It helps you fight off infections and diseases by enhancing your immune system’s function and reducing inflammation.

    Enhance Your Cognitive Abilities and Memory

    Brain power improves when a healthy vagus nerve delivers increased blood flow and oxygen to your brain cells to sharpen focus, attention, creativity, problem-solving skills and memory. It can also stimulate neurogenesis, the creation of new neurons, in the hippocampus, which is a part of your brain that is involved in learning and memory.

    A healthy vagus nerve improves brain power

    Support Digestive Health and Metabolism

    The signals sent via the vagus nerve from your brain to your stomach and intestines regulate appetite and digestion. They can also control the secretion of gastric acid, enzymes, hormones, and bile that are essential for breaking down food and absorbing nutrients. This helps prevent and treat digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), acid reflux, ulcers, constipation, and diarrhea.

    Improve Heart Health and Cardiovascular Function

    Heart rate variability (HRV) is a measure of how much your heart rate changes from beat to beat. A high HRV indicates that you have a flexible and adaptable heart that can respond to changing demands. A low HRV indicates that you have a rigid and stressed heart that is more prone to arrhythmias and cardiovascular diseases. The vagus nerve can help lower your risk of heart attack, stroke, and hypertension by increasing your HRV and improving your cardiovascular function.

    How to Activate Your Vagus Nerve

    As you can see, the vagus nerve is a powerful ally for your health and wellness. But how do you activate it and reap its benefits? The good news is that there are many simple and natural ways to stimulate your vagus nerve and enhance its function.

    Here are some of the most effective methods:

    Deep Breathing

    Breathing deeply and slowly in through your nose and out through your mouth is an excellent way to stimulate your vagus nerve. It activates your PNS and increases your HRV. It can lower your heart rate and blood pressure and calm your nervous system.

    Practice deep breathing by inhaling through your nose for four seconds, holding your breath for four seconds, exhaling through your mouth for four seconds, and pausing for four seconds. Repeat this cycle for a few minutes and notice how you feel.

    Mindfulness and Meditation

    Meditating is a great way to calm your mind and body by reducing stress, anxiety and negative emotions. It helps you focus on the present moment to reduce the negative thoughts and challenging emotions that trigger stress. Combine meditation with deep breathing for greater benefits. Through meditation we increase our awareness of the present moment which can help you regulate both your physiological and psychological responses.

    Practice mindfulness by fine-tuning your awareness to notice whatever is going on around or within you, without judgement.

    Practice meditation by sitting comfortably, closing your eyes, and focusing on your breath, a mantra, a sound, or a sensation. Whenever your mind wanders, gently bring it back to your focus point.

    If you find sitting still to meditate difficult, try an active meditation instead such as a Walking Meditation.

    Humming or Singing Loudly

    Humming or singing can stimulate your vagus nerve by activating your vocal cords and diaphragm. It can also increase your production of nitric oxide, which is a molecule that dilates your blood vessels and improves blood flow to your brain and organs. Hum or sing any tune that you like or try chanting “om” or “ahh”, which are sounds that resonate with your vagus nerve.

    Laughing

    Laughing can trigger your vagus nerve by engaging your facial muscles and diaphragm. It can also release endorphins, which are natural painkillers and mood boosters. Laugh by watching a funny show, reading a humorous book, or sharing jokes with friends.

    Cold Shower

    Exposing yourself to cold water or cold air stimulates your thermoreceptors, the nerve endings that detect changes in temperature. It also increases your metabolism, immune system and antioxidant levels. Take a cold shower by gradually lowering the temperature of the water until it’s comfortable but challenging. You could also try splashing cold water on your face or dipping your feet in ice water.

    Positive Social Relationships

    Positive social relationships stimulate your vagus nerve by enhancing your emotional and social intelligence. They also increase your oxytocin and serotonin levels, which promote bonding, trust and happiness. Cultivate positive social relationships by spending time with people who support you, care for you and make you feel good. Expressing gratitude, appreciation and affection to the people in your life also activates the vagus nerve.

    Tai Chi and Yoga

    Tai chi is a form of martial arts involving slow, graceful movements that coordinate with breathing and mental focus. It stimulates your vagus nerve by improving balance, coordination, flexibility, and circulation. It can also reduce your stress, anxiety and depression. Practice tai chi or yoga by joining a class, watching a video, or following an app.

    Probiotics

    The vagus nerve is the main channel for conveying messages between the gut to the brain, including threatening feelings or ‘gut instincts’.  When your gut is functioning poorly bad gut microbes overgrow and cause inflammation. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria and yeasts that live in your gut and help you digest food and produce vitamins and neurotransmitters. They communicate with your brain via the vagus nerve and influence your mood, thinking, and behavior. Taking probiotic supplements increases the number of good bacteria in your gut.

    Consume probiotics by eating fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, tempeh, or kombucha. Or take probiotic supplements that contain strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.

    Intermittent Fasting

    Fasting is the practice of abstaining from food for a certain period of time. It activates your vagus nerve by reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance. It can also help you recycle damaged cells, and stimulate ketosis which is the state of burning fat instead of glucose for energy. Practice intermittent fasting by skipping breakfast and eating only within an eight-hour window. Alternatively do a 24-hour fast once a week.

    Zinc

    Zinc is a mineral essential for many functions in your body, including immune system, wound healing, DNA synthesis and enzyme activity. It also modulates your vagus nerve by regulating neurotransmitter and hormone levels.

    You can get zinc from certain foods including oysters, beef, pumpkin seeds, lentils, and dark chocolate. You can also take zinc supplements containing 15 to 30 mg of zinc per day. Many Australians are zinc deficient and so need to supplement. Australian soils are particularly low in zinc, which then affects the amount of zinc available from food grown within that soil.

    Massage

    Reflexology is massage of the feet and research shows it increases vagus nerve tone and improves blood pressure. Have a professional reflexology treatment and rub your feet, stretch your toes and rotate your ankles at other times.

    Signs Your Vagus Nerve is Suffering


    Those are just some ways you can activate your vagus nerve and enjoy its benefits for your health and well-being. However, you should also be aware of the signs that indicate that your vagus nerve may be malfunctioning or damaged.

    Some of these signs are:

    • Abdominal pain and bloating
    • Acid reflux or heartburn
    • Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
    • Dizziness or fainting
    • Loss of gag reflex or difficulty swallowing
    • Hoarseness or loss of voice
    • Loss of appetite or nausea and vomiting
    • Tight or sore muscles
    • Racing thoughts or anxiety


    If you experience any of these symptoms, you should consult your doctor and get a proper diagnosis and treatment.


    I hope you learned something new and useful from this blog post. Remember, your vagus nerve is a powerful connection between your brain and your body which can influence your health and well-being in many ways. By stimulating your vagus nerve, you can change your body chemistry and improve your mindset.

    So, try some of the methods I’ve mentioned and see how they work for you. And don’t forget to share your feedback and questions in the comments section below. Thanks for reading and have a great day!

    DISCLAIMER

    All information and opinions presented here are for information purposes only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Do not use this article to diagnose a health condition. Speak to your doctor if you think your condition may be serious or before discontinuing any prescribed medication. Please consult with your health care provider before following any of the treatment suggested anywhere on this site, particularly if you have an ongoing health issue.

    © Catherine Bullard and Happy Holistic Health, 2024. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Catherine Bullard and Happy Holistic Health with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

    Holistic Health, Uncategorized

    Create Your Wellness Blueprint For Great Health

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    It’s often during their fifties or sixties that many first receive shocking news about their health. It may be they have pre-diabetes or high blood pressure. They may be diagnosed with thyroid disease, Diabetes or another autoimmune condition.  Menopause may be tiresome and seem endless. Or they may even have serious life-threatening disease like stroke, heart disease or cancer. This is the age when it’s crucial to take control and create your own Wellness Plan to keep you healthy in your fifties and beyond.

     

    Your Wellness Plan

     

    But creating a Wellness Plan that fits with YOUR life can be difficult. Where to begin?  What do you do when the advice on “Dr Google” seems to be contradictory? 

    You can’t change everything at once so how do you know which changes are the most important?  And what about natural remedies?  There are sure to be some that will help your situation, but which?

    And then there’s the issue of different advice coming from different people. What happens when your doctors and therapists are all focused on a different part of you so they all tell you to do something different?  For example, you may be told you need to walk every day for your health. But what if your arthritis or foot problems make this really difficult. What if you’re recommended a diet based on foods you know don’t sit well with you?

    It can all just seem too much to navigate.

    The situation can become confusing and may result in you making only minimal changes at best. For many it’s just too overwhelming and they give up before they even begin.

    And of course there’s the whole challenge of how you begin when you need to make dramatic changes.  W hat is the very first step?

     

    Information Overload 

     

    I have seen this situation occur for many of my clients who are left confused, frustrated and scared.  They want to make changes to their lifestyle to become healthier and reduce the likelihood of further problems.

    But too often they end up drowning in an overload of information. They lose sight of the big picture and sink below the details. They need the key to managing the situation. Only then they can go ahead and continue to enjoy their life.

    That key is to create the Big Plan which I call the WELLNESS BLUEPRINT.

    When dramatic change feels overwhelmingly huge breaking down the changes needed into small steps it can help to manage it. If you have been told to cut out coffee or alcohol for example, cutting back gradually can make it easier. It helps break the habit so you achieve your goal gradually over a few weeks or longer if needed.

    Of course you often need to do much more than just give up coffee. And especially in the case of certain serious illnesses, you usually need to make the changes immediately.  But by making small changes across your whole life you begin the process. By addressing many different aspects of your lifestyle in small ways change happens in small increments in various ways at the same time. And each small change supports the others. Later changes are much easier to make because you’re already part of the way towards successfully achieving them.

    There’s no doubt that in order to stay healthy, feel young and continue to enjoy life we must change our lifestyle behaviours and ditch bad habits. But the way you go about it will dictate whether it is easy or difficult. More importantly, it also impacts how successful you are at making long-term sustainable change.

    After all, if you just slip back into your old habits nothing is gained. Whether it happens immediately or not for a year or so, you’ll again find yourself back in a health crisis.

    The message in a health wake-up call is to make changes that are sustainable.

     

     

     

     

    Disclaimer

     

    All information and opinions presented here are for information purposes only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation with your health care provider. Do not use this article to diagnose a health condition. Speak to your doctor if you think your condition may be serious or before discontinuing any prescribed medication. Please consult with your health care provider before following any of the treatment suggested on this site, particularly if you have an ongoing health issue.

     © Catherine Bullard and Happy Holistic Health, 2017. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Catherine Bullard and Happy Holistic Health with appropriate and specific direction to the original content

    Uncategorized

    Happy New Year -Shine On

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    happy new year 2016

     

    Dear Amazing Reader,

    Thank you for stopping by and supporting my blog last year.

    I hope while you were here you discovered much to inspire you, as well as loads of everyday tips to help you live a healthy, happy life.

    May your New Year be filled with inspiration, love, laughter, and many magical moments with friends and family.

    Let’s step forward into the New Year together on the road towards great health and heappiness.

    catherine bullard blog

     

    Uncategorized

    Natural Remedies For Head Lice

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    Another school term has started and with that comes the re-appearance of the head lice plague. The blight of every school mum, head lice provide a never-ending battle for parents. What do you do when you get that call from school “Your child has lice?” If you’re a health conscious parent you’ll look for a natural alternative to the noxious poisons found in insecticide based head lice shampoos and lotions.

    natural remedies for head lice

    Dangers Of Head Lice Shampoo

    Here’s a toxic alert! Skin can readily absorb any product that’s applied to it. Once absorbed it travels to your bloodstream and throughout your body causing toxic effects.

    There’s agreement amongst experts that absorption of toxins through the skin is more dangerous than through the mouth. When toxic substances are ingested they are broken down and often detoxified by the liver and kidneys. When they’re absorbed through the skin they travel straight into the blood stream without being broken down first, carrying the full toxic load with them.

    One study found that some toxins were absorbed more easily through hairy skin than hairless skin. This makes one wonder whether higher levels of pesticides are being absorbed through the scalp from head lice shampoos and lotions than is expected. Are the toxin levels being absorbed becoming critical?

    Apart from the dangers of absorbing the toxins into your body, the chemicals in the shampoo can also irritate the skin especially if the skin is sensitive, as in a child, or if it has any breaks in it.

    The chemicals in head lice shampoo can also irritate the eyes.

    All insecticidal shampoos and lotions sold in Australia must be registered with the Therapeutic Goods Act (TGA) to ensure they comply with safety standards and are effective.

    But although deemed safe many of these lotions and shampoos containing pesticide can be harmful to children. Because children’s bodies are much smaller than adults the amounts of toxin in the products can have more impact on their small bodies.

     

    Insecticide Shampoos Don’t Always Work

    Lice often become resistant to insecticides and many parents find that insecticide shampoos and lotions don’t kill the lice. Repeated unsuccessful attempts to get rid of the pests leaves your child exposed to higher doses of poison without solving the problem.

    If you’re in any doubt you need to ask yourself whether the pesticide based shampoos are worse than the problem?

     

    Natural Alternatives To Head Lice Shampoo

    While head lice don’t carry and spread disease like some other pests, they are none-the-less a real problem.

    So how do you beat the problem without poisoning your child?

    There are a few alternatives to toxic insecticide treatments. Simply by diligently combing conditioner through dry hair with a metal lice comb you can rid the hair of lice and nits. But it can take a number of attempts. Conditioner stuns the lice for about 20 minutes so they can’t crawl around and if you are quick you can comb them out.

    But even more effective is to use conditioner in conjunction with an essential oil mixture.

    Some essential oils are very effective at getting rid of lice and nits. Plus the mix can be added to a spray bottle of water and used daily to prevent further infestation.

    An essential oil mix first stuns the lice just as conditioner does, but unlike conditioner it also kills them. Lice attach the nits, or eggs, to the hair shaft where they stick like glue and are normally very difficult to dislodge. The great thing about the essential oil mixture is it loosens the nits making them easy to comb out and dispose of before they hatch into nymphs.

     

    Essential Oil Head Lice Treatment

    A number of essential oils are suitable in the battle against head lice but some, like tea-tree oil which is very effective, can be too strong for children’s sensitive skin.

    These ones are more gentle but powerful enough to do the job.

    Head Lice Treatment Recipe

    To 75ml base oil (coconut is great, or sweet almond) add:essential oil treatment for head lice
    Lavender essential oil – 25 drops
    Geranium essential oil – 13 drops
    Rosemary essential oil – 25 drops
    Eucalyptus essential oil – 12 drops

    Makes 2-3 treatments. Store any left over in a glass bottle, amber is best.
    Be sure to use high quality essential oils. Do not use fragranced oils.

    Method

    Massage the oil mix through dry hair and leave for two hours.
    Shampoo out adding the shampoo BEFORE wetting your hair.
    Wet hair and wash.
    Put conditioner on hair and comb through with a metal lice comb. This makes it easier to remove all the creatures. To make certain you get all the lice and nits divide the hair into segments and thoroughly comb through each section.
    Repeat a few days later to remove stray lice from any missed eggs.
    This formula can also be added to distilled water and sprayed over your hair each morning as a lice deterrent.
    For really bad infestations the treatment can be repeated every 3 days over a few weeks if needed.
    Be generous with the amount of oil used. The bottle will do 3-5 treatments depending on the amount of hair you have.

    The extra bonus is your child’s hair will smell beautiful.

    Remember to take all the usual precautions: tell your child’s school, tie back hair, don’t share brushes and combs, run bed linen and hats through a hot washer dryer to kill any stray lice and nits.

    Head lice infestations are a fact of school life. Check your child’s head regularly. If your child starts scratching don’t panic. Get to work fast to eradicate the pests with the least toxic impact for your child.

    natural treatment for head lice

    Disclaimer

    All information and opinions presented here are for information purposes only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation. Please consult with your health care provider before following any of the treatment suggested on this site, particularly if you have an ongoing health issue.
    Source articles
    http://cincovidas.com/toxic-alert-skin-can-absorb-what-we-apply-to-it%E2%80%94including-cosmetic-chemicals
    http://raisingolives.com/oils/treating-lice-naturally-with-essential-oils

    Conscious Mindset, Uncategorized

    Gratitude. Generosity. Growth.

    4 Comments

    Is your life happy? Do you remember to enjoy the little things in life? Do you express your gratitude every day?

    In order to live a healthy happy life, you need to address all aspects of your life and surroundings. You need to go much further than just getting fit or changing what you eat. Fitness and diet obviously support and develop the physical body. But they also develop the mental and emotional bodies to a degree. They do this by releasing endorphins during exercise, and by creating a better chemical balance in the brain through good food choices.

     

    The mind-body connection is well recognised and it’s known your emotional state affects how healthy your body is.

    Holistic growth involves changing and improving on all levels – spiritually as well as physically and mentally. It requires you to be constantly aware and willing to make changes in attitudes, to practice mindfulness, to cultivate gratitude and to open your heart with generosity.

    To develop your spirituality you don’t need to follow a religion although you can if you prefer. But you do need to develop a close and meaningful relationship with your essential inner self. You could go and undertake something quite life-changing such as a silent Vipassana Retreat to achieve this. But often it’s by simply looking at the things in your life differently that you create the biggest impact, and you can do this in small ways every day.

    Becoming connected to the world directly around you in a positive and meaningful way creates a snowballing effect that leads to big changes within. By developing and practicing this you also show love and care for yourself.

    You can do this by:

    • showing love and care for the Earth in your own neighbourhood
    • appreciating the small gestures of those you cross paths with
    • acknowledging when things fall into place smoothly
    • actually noticing what is going on around you

    The Key

    The key to achieving these grass root changes is in the cultivation of gratitude. This results in you becoming more generous, which then leads to personal awareness and growth. What a great chain of events!

    Gratitude is a funny thing. We are all taught to say please and thank you. But we’re not often taught how to feel and express gratitude for our life.

    I remember teaching this basic social grace to my son when he was 3 years old. As he and his little friend were exchanging Christmas gifts the boys were told to “shake hands” to show gratitude and thanks. They looked at each other bewildered for a moment and then both started shaking their hands wildly in the air around themselves.

    But gratitude is not just about saying thank you for a gift (whether you like it or not). It’s about finding joy in the detail of your life and bringing the focus of your life back to the minutiae around you.

    It’s about bringing an awareness of the continual flow of life and a development of your connection to all, within.

    It’s about recognising all the blessings that are a part of each day, the blessings that often get lost in the daily humdrum.

    Gratitude’s about finding joy in the detail of your life.

    Gratitude is about learning to find joy in the detail of your life
    Gratitude’s about finding joy in the detail of life

     

    Living In The Moment

    When exactly is it we first become focused on “keeping your eye on the prize”? I see this as the single most important attitude that undermines the practice of gratitude. We spend our life focused on achieving the promotion, the dream house, cool car, we follow fashion which changes so fast we constantly need more new garments, we work towards the next holiday, beautiful jewelry and on and on and on.

    We’re driven by never-ending striving for what we need to achieve and own, our eyes constantly focused on what’s up ahead, the big prize.

    When we live with this focus we miss the life around us, the little details of our everyday life…we fail to ever live in the moment.

    Living in the moment is what we’ve been told to do in order to know, understand and improve ourselves, but we’re never in the space to achieve it.

    By cultivating gratitude and forcing yourself to bring your focus back from what you desire or want to achieve you start to notice the small things around you, and to find ways to give back to the earth as well as to the people in your life.

    By cultivating gratitude you also cultivate generosity.

    Gratitude Journal

    One way to begin cultivating gratitude is to start a gratitude journal. You can buy these, but it’s nicer to find a small blank journal with a cover that sings to you, so it’s more personal. Every day you record three things you are grateful for. It helps to focus on what’s good in your life every single day. It’s also a way to keep depression away. When you start to recognise that your life does have joys, even if they’re small, that in some ways you are fortunate, it becomes more difficult to be consumed by the bleakness of an unfulfilled life.

     I’ve kept gratitude journals in the past but don’t right now. Instead it’s enough before I go to sleep every night to simply acknowledge what I’m grateful for from the day. Recently I got to 28 small incidents from my day before I decided to stop and go to sleep. I hadn’t even got to including the mundane things like the bright sun on a winter day, and that my car started in spite of the frosty morning. I generally go to sleep smiling!

    Give some thought to how you approach your life. Do you notice how friendly the storekeeper is? How your washing was all dry when you got home even though it’s cold? Or even that you had time to hang it out before going out? Do you appreciate that someone hugged you out of the blue? Or that you got a string of green traffic lights so you arrived home earlier? How about that someone admired your scarf? Do you feel gratitude for the clean smell of rain after a long, hot dry spell or a sweltering humid morning?

    Do you remember how wonderful these things are, or have they become simply a part of your life that you no longer notice and so no longer appreciate?

    Benefits of a Grateful Outlook

    • Practicing gratitude reminds you to thank other people. Often we forget to thank the people who are around us day-in, day-out. We forget to remind them how important they are to us. Giving a quick word of thanks, a hug, or even sending a message improves their day and yours too.
    • Practicing gratitude reminds you about all the good things in your life. It’s easy to get drowned in daily problems and challenges. Try looking for the good in every thing that happens, even the difficult ones. Did the challenge offer you the opportunity to learn something? Does it allow to enjoy things you like in your life, like holidays or family time?
    • Practicing gratitude forces you to recognize and concentrate on what’s really important in your life. Instead of living with tunnel vision when you’re stressed, gratitude forces you to shift your perspective a little.

    How to Practice Gratitude

      So, are you a grateful person? Is practising gratitude the pathway to finding happiness? Has the time come for things to change for you?

      Now is the time to teach yourself to live in the moment as you did when you were a small child. To learn to live in the moment while still functioning in a job, a family and a modern life.

      Go out and get yourself a beautiful small gratitude journal and tonight write down three things you’re grateful for. If you don’t have a journal start one on your phone! It’s all about developing a habit…the habit of finding positives all around you and then paying them forward. And when you do this watch how your joy in life grows as you also grow.

      World Gratitude Day happens on September 21st. What better time could there be to start your Gratitude Journal?

      And me? Today I’m grateful for you, dear reader. Thank you for visiting.

      Please share what you’re grateful for in the comments below.

      Disclaimer

      All information and opinions presented here are for information purposes only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation. Please consult with your health care provider before following any of the treatment suggested on this site, particularly if you have an ongoing health issue. 

      Related articles

      Gratitude’s the attitude, baby (betheloveoflife.wordpress.com)

       

      Uncategorized

      6 Basic Supplements Everyone Needs

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      The question is always whether you should supplement your diet for good health or not? Generally it’s better if nutrients come from food. But most people don’t eat an optimum diet and so can’t get the nutrients they require from their food. Supplements can be useful as they can fill nutrient holes in your diet. On their own they will never be enough to reverse lousy eating habits. But well selected, high quality supplements certainly have benefits. Most people don’t need to take handfuls but there are some basic supplements that everyone in our society would benefit by taking.

      natural supplements

      MULTIVITAMIN & MINERAL

      Even when they eat well, most Aussies don’t get the optimum 6-8 serves of vegetables each day, or even the 5-6 recommended serves. Nor do they always get the recommended 2 serves of fruit.

      Unfortunately Australian produce is affected by the low levels of minerals in our soils with the result that much of the produce we grow is also lacking in minerals and vitamins. This problem is worsened by modern commercial farming practices which further deplete the already starved soil (and produce) of nutrients.

      If you only eat organic produce you may be getting enough vitamins and minerals from your foods. You will certainly get than from commercially grown produce, as it has been shown that organic produce contains much higher levels of vitamins and minerals. But the reality is that most people don’t eat only organic foods.

      When you combine the vitamin and mineral deficiency in produce with poor dietary practices it becomes obvious that many Australians are significantly deficient in basic vitamins and minerals.

      To make certain you are getting enough a quality multivitamin and mineral daily is almost a necessity.

      Be wary! There are many around that are just junk. The vitamins and minerals in them are in a form that is not bio-available, which means your body is not able to absorb them properly and they pass through and out of your gut without being taken up. Money down the toilet, so to speak.

      Minerals come in many different forms and some forms are better for you than others. Many multivitamins include inferior forms of minerals that your body can’t really use.

      You need a certain amount of vitamins and minerals for them to be effective. If there is not enough they simply don’t do what your body needs. It is important to have sufficient amounts of each nutrient in the multivitamin you take.

      Don’t get sucked in by brands flaunting ‘A-Z Vitamins and Minerals’. Chances are you don’t need all of these, and the bigger the range of nutrients the less there will be of each one in the tablet – after all the tablet can only be so big!

      Before you throw your money away do some research or talk to your natural health practitioner. Look for someone who is professionally trained in nutrition (taught in natural health courses) including vitamin and mineral therapy. Most mainstream Medicine courses do not include much nutrition.

      There are some excellent multivitamins around with the optimum balance of quality nutrients but often these are the ones you can only get from your Health Practitioner.
      Cheaper products on supermarket shelves are not worth your time and money.

      OMEGA 3

      Omega-3 essential fatty acids are wonderful anti-inflammatories and excellent for reducing the symptoms of chronic disease. They are essential for brain function and strongly support heart health.

      As the name suggests, these oils are essential for good health. Your body cannot make them so you need to obtain them from food or supplements.

      Omega-3 is found in a range of foods, and is particularly high in fish oils, including krill oil.

      Vegans and vegetarians are particularly at risk for omega-3 deficiency. While there are a number of vegetarian sources for omega-3 flaxseed oil is usually used for plant-based supplements.

      Research into the effects of fish oils has shown that in addition to its wide range of cardiovascular and cognitive benefits it is particularly helpful in the treatment of autoimmune disease. It has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms in Lupus, reduce joint pain and stiffness in Rheumatoid Arthritis, and assist in inflammatory bowel disease.

      Omega-3 also plays a role in the prevention of many diseases and reduces the symptoms caused by inflammation in others.

      Fish is an excellent source of omega-3 but many people don’t like it. Plus there are concerns about the presence of mercury and other heavy metals in fish. With a high quality omega-3 supplement you avoid these problems.

      1 gram – 1000mg, of combined EPA/ DHA each day is recommended for maintenance. But to gain real benefits and boost your health, especially if your health is compromised, you need more, up to 5 grams a day.

      Be wary about cheaper omega-3 supplements. In some the processing causes the oil to go rancid. This is actually harmful to you, creating free radicals and inflammation in your body. Omega-3 supplements are very much a case of you get what you pay for!

      drugs capsules

      VITAMIN D

      Most of us are deficient in Vitamin D, even in ‘sunny Australia’. We live and work inside far more than we ever did in the past and when we head outside it is under a thick cover of sunscreen, which prevents the vitamin D in the sun’s rays from being absorbed by the cells in our skin.

      Vitamin D is essential for a huge range of body processes. One of the most important is to work with calcium to build and maintain strong bones and teeth. It is also crucial for an effective immune system. Deficiency can increase your risk for asthma and cancer, cause daytime fatigue and affect thinking processes

      The current recommendation for adults is 1000IU a day. But this is the bare minimum maintenance dose, great if your levels are at an optimum level but nowhere near enough if, like most, your levels of Vitamin D are lower.

      Don’t DIY Vitamin D – it is possible to have too much. Most doctors will happily order a blood test to find out your levels. Good levels are up around 75 ng/ml.

      Once you know what your level is, it’s important not to get complacent as your levels of Vitamin D vary greatly through the course of a year, being at their highest in late summer and their lowest in early to mid spring.

      Discover how to optimize your time in the sun (without sunscreen) to get the most Vitamin D from the least exposure at Good Morning Sunshine: Just How Much Vitamin D Are You Really Getting?

      To raise the levels in your body, rather than just maintain them, you need between 1000 and 5000 IU a day, depending on how low your levels are. Make sure you get the D3 form.

      Again, there is quite a big difference between the quality of different brands and how well your body is able to utilize them. Be guided by your Natural Health Practitioner.

      ALGAE

      The two most commonly used forms of algae are spirulina and chlorella. These are some of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet. Spirulina is one of my favourite supplements and I recommend it to clients regularly as well as taking it myself.

      Chlorella is an amazing detoxifier which cleanses heavy metals from your body.

      Spirulina is a great detoxifier but is higher in protein, so excellent to boost your energy when you feel flat, or simply every day. It is an excellent punchy source of nutrients and can help you feel healthier very quickly. Read more about it at Spirulina, The Supergreen Solution

      Dosage requirements vary and you need to adjust for your requirements. Because algae are food you can’t overdose on them, and you can increase how much you take in times of greater need. But you may need to go gently especially if your health is poor because too much algae may provide too much stimulation for the body to deal with.

      It is VITAL that your algae is well sourced. It MUST be organic or it will be loaded with heavy metals like mercury. Look for tablets or powder with an even dark green colour. Lighter specks indicate the presence of fillers.

      Spirulina Bought Watermark29414713_s

      PROBIOTIC

      Probiotics occur naturally in your gut. They play an important role in your wellness, not only by improving your digestion, but also by boosting your immune system and keeping bad bacteria in check. They control yeast overgrowth and diarrhoea and inhibit lactose intolerance.

      Our digestive system functions best with the aid of a quality probiotic. The trillions of good bacteria in your gut are essential for good health but can easily be destroyed or over-run by bad bacteria.

      Numbers of these bacteria decrease as we age. Antibiotics are notorious for killing them. Poor diet or pollution can also destroy them. When numbers decline your system goes right out of balance and you can suffer many symptoms.

      Probiotics come from two sources – fermented foods or a probiotic supplement.

      Fermented foods include sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha tea, yoghurt and need to be raw or the probiotics will be dead.

      If you don’t eat fermented foods every day taking a good quality, broad spectrum probiotic daily will repopulate your gut with good bacteria to fortify your health and return your digestion to normal.

      Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria are the two most common and effective forms of probiotic. You need between 10 and 30 billion ‘live units’ each day.

      COENZYME Q10 (CoQ10)

      CoQ10 is a power packed antioxidant which delivers various substances including fat into your cells for a boost of energy. It is of great benefit in helping cells function properly and preventing cell damage.

      CoQ10 provides great benefit for heart health, and offers anti-oxidant protection for a number of related cardiovascular conditions. It keeps your heart functioning efficiently.

      As an anti-oxidant it protects cells against the stress of free radical damage and helps prevent chronic disease.

      Once you reach the age of 25 the levels of CoQ10 in your body start to drop and you are likely to be deficient. When this happens DNA is damaged more quickly and you age prematurely. CoQ10 slows the process and may improve signs of aging like fine wrinkles.

      CoQ10 seems to offer benefits for a wide range of diseases including chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia

      When CoQ10 is used for specific diseases dosage varies wildly. But for general health and anti-oxidant protection between 60-150mg daily is sufficient.

       

      I hope this short list helps you select supplements you need to include in your everyday health plan.

      joy-401178_640

      Disclaimer

      All information and opinions presented here are for information purposes only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation. Please consult with your health care provider before following any of the treatment suggested on this site, particularly if you have an ongoing health issue.

      Source articles

      http://www.drfranklipman.com/the-4-key-supplements-to-take-every-day
      http://madelinelemon.com/the-6-supplements-you-need-to-take-everyday
      http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-7234/4-supplements-everyone-should-be-taking.html
      http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/coenzyme-q10/evidence/hrb-20059019

      Uncategorized

      New Moon Clarity: Discover Your Personal Insights For Lunar Manifestation

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      Often when you live a life based on good health you get focused on the physical – eating healthy food, getting enough exercise, or avoiding toxins. But  to achieve good health you need to takes steps on all levels, and the physical is only the starting place. It is equally important to manifest change on each of the levels of mind, body and spirit. The time of the New Moon is especially potent and the best time to birth anything new into your life. Creating a New Moon Ritual is a powerful way to stimulate new beginnings and change.

      New Moon Rituals address all of three of three aspects of yourself, the mind, body and spirit. They help you to clarify desires, to form that desire into a goal, and to set an intention for achieving it.

      new moon clarity 3

      Once every month I remind my followers on Facebook that a New Moon is about to occur and I suggest they prepare their Lunar Manifestation List. Some of them do. But the response of many who have never done this before is “What the…?”

      Unless you have been guided to this by someone you will most likely not know how to do it.

      For years I have held amazing New Moon Red Tent Circles to coincide with the New Moon. They are the most wonderful supportive space for busy women to take some time out for just a few hours. They provide the space to tune into yourself and identify what’s not working in your life, what’s really p*ssing you off, and most importantly, where you need to make changes and exactly what you want to begin in your life.

      It all happens with a group of women who offer unconditional support for you to gain understanding and clarity. All in the group can share without comment or advice from others, and can even vent if they need. Everyone usually gets amazing insights.

      Within the circle you also have the opportunity for a some self-care and sometimes a little creative play (Recently we played with finger paint. I have never done this before and it was So. Much. Fun.)

      Why I always hold these sessions at the New Moon

      Simple!

      Throughout history indigenous societies always honoured the time of the New Moon because it is the time when our intuition (those gut feelings you get) are at their strongest, especially for women.

      Test this out for yourself. Keep track of what messages your subconscious sends to you in the few days around the New Moon. Often the messages come through your dreams. Take notice if you wake up suddenly knowing the answer to something that has been troubling you.

      This is also the time when many, especially women, feel extra weary. Your body may feel heavy, sleepiness overcome you in the afternoon, you crave early nights or you may feel less like going out and socialising.

      This is you telling yourself that it is the best time to slow down and go within. This is the best time to access the knowledge you already have for a better, happier life.

      The time of greater awareness varies from one person to the next but usually is for a few days around the New Moon time. As the actual time of the New Moon varies from one place to another because each place is in a different time zone, you need to check for the exact time and date in your area. Remember to set your own location.

       lunar manifestation

      Lunar Manifestation Lists

      One of the things that always forms the closing of my New Moon Red Tent Sessions is the creation by each person of their Lunar Manifestation List.

      It becomes too easy for us to roll along on our merry way, one week passing to the next until we suddenly notice that another whole year has passed us by.

      Using the New Moon to set our Lunar Manifestation Intention List is simply a form of getting clear on your wishes for the month, like a monthly goal setting. But it is more than just ‘goal-setting’ as this one really comes from our heart.

      Mix It Up

      It’s important to wish for what you really do need in your life, or what you don’t need. Whatever you  decide to include on your list frame it with the intention of stimulating personal growth.

      You may wish to change a bad habit, or a relationship you have outgrown or one you are now ready to welcome in. There may be a material possession you would love. You may need more self-nurturing. Perhaps you would like to undertake some form of service to others or to allow others to do things their way. It may even be to simply change the way you view a situation.

      Whatever it is you wish to create can be added to your list.

      Get specific

      When I look back on my own lists I am struck by how often what I wrote came about.

      For about 18 months I kept adding ‘New Car” to my list. But no new car appeared. Then one month I wrote down the make, the model and even the colour of the car I wanted. Six weeks later just that car was sitting in my driveway, and I got it for an awesome price too.

      When I got really serious and was more specific about my list, my focus and my energy was directed towards achieving that goal, like an arrow.

      Take Time

      Don’t just dive in. The result will most likely be superficial. This is the time you need to get real. Spend the time to really tune in to your subconscious, your inner knowing, if you want to discover deep insights about how to change for the best.

      You can simply sit and write your list but if you spend some time beforehand to really tune in to yourself you receive greater clarity about the deeper issues that are holding you back.Also you may find something you are ready to receive in your life that you were not yet aware of.

      If you meditate this is an awesome way to tune in to your intuition.

      If you prefer someone else to guide you through a meditation there are many guided visualisations available on Youtube. (I am creating a series of suitable guided meditations for the New Moon which will be available later this year.)

      Keep things Simple

      You don’t need to meditate, it’s not essential.

      Simply taking some time to go somewhere quiet, somewhere you won’t be disturbed is enough. It may be a special space in your home or somewhere you love in nature. Wherever you choose just make certain you are somewhere you will not be interrupted. (For busy Mums it may even mean locking yourself in the toilet!) Just find somewhere quiet and peaceful.

      New Moon Red Tent Ritual

      Make sure you have pen (they can be coloured) and paper with you, the list needs to be written by hand. A journal is perfect for keeping your Lunar Manifestation Lists together if you would like to keep them to look back at later.

      If you wish play some uplifting music, light a candle or do anything that has special meaning for you. But make sure it doesn’t intrude and draw your attention away from listening to your intuition.

      When you are seated comfortably take a few moments to relax yourself. Start by loosening your toes and work your way up your body. Finally feel your shoulders drop, your jaw relax and your forehead un-crease.

      Now take a few deep belly-breaths. As you breathe in imagine the Indigo Light of Intuition entering your body along with your breath and spreading through every cell of your body. As you breathe out feel the stress of your day and any negative thoughts you are holding leave your body along with your breath.

      As you breathe the Indigo Light within on each breath feel yourself connect more deeply with your inner knowledge. Allow your breath to relax into a natural rhythm and sit for a while opening yourself to any thoughts or ideas that flow in.

      Be creative.

      If thoughts about what you need to do today are blocking out anything else then maybe what you need to manifest right now are some organizational techniques so you can get all that stuff out of your thoughts. Bringing in techniques such as this will free up lots of brain space for other things in your life. So put it on your list.

      What you need may come to you as a a picture in your mind-eye, you may hear it, a clear thought or even just a sudden flash of insiration. Be open to receive.

      Write your list in the present tense, as if it is already happening.

      While you can’t wish for change in others, that it for them to determine themself. However you can wish for changes to yourself that may then affect them later.

      Add up to ten things to your list. More becomes too many and lessens their impact. Less is fine, simply putting greater focus on what you do add, but you do need more than just one or two.

      Each New Moon of the year is associated with a different part of your life and your list is more potent when you focus your wishes on that area of your life. This New Moon right at the start of Aquarius is about BIG Plans, and seeking freedom in your life. This moon also has a link with the past and might be the perfect time to discover a new way to renovate, restore or revitalise an old problem or relationship.

      Finishing Your Ritual

      Just one more step – speak the list out loud. Giving a voice to your intentions empowers them, and anchors them in the front of your awareness.

      When you have finished, thank your Higher Self, your angels, or simply the universe, blow out the candle and you are done.

      Lunar Manifestation Lists are not like affirmations. You don’t have to keep repeating them. Once you have done the ritual you can put the list away.

      What you do with your list is up to you. Some women burn their list, others put them under their pillow, some even bury them. I keep my Lunar Manifestation Lists in a journal as I like to have the reminder later of the power of positive intent. Sometimes reading through them refocuses me when I feel I’m getting nowehere.

      There is no time frame around when the things you have placed on your list manifest. Sometimes you may need to include them for month after month.  If you do your wish may need to be re-phrased (as I did with my car) or may not be right for you. Often when your intent is strong and you are focused you will find changes start to occur about two weeks later around the time of the next Full Moon.

      I hope you decide to adopt this wonderful practice into your life. It literally only takes a few minutes and by regularly setting yourself this focus the benefits are huge.

      Catherine Bullard trained as a Red tent Facilitator with Star Of Ishtar.

      new moon clarity 2

      Disclaimer
      All information and opinions presented here are for information purposes only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation. Please consult with your health care provider before following any of the treatment suggested on this site, particularly if you have an ongoing health issue.

      Uncategorized

      Set Your New Year Resolutions For Success With A Releasing Ritual

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      As the year slides to its close the energies of the New Year may have already begun to affect you. You may already be formulating goals and plans that you would like to birth in the year ahead. New Year resolutions may already be forming. You may even be plotting pathways to achieve those goals. You may be one of the many who want to get a jump on the New Year, to enter the New Year already clear about how you’ll achieve your goals for 2015. One way to set the founadtion for success with your goals is with a simple New Year Release Ritual.

      resolutions-569318_640

      For the last few weeks I keep being surprised as I hear myself talking about things that will happen for me in 2015, ideas and plans I hadn’t even noticed were forming in my brain or my heart. But apparently these ideas were solidly there just waiting for me to notice.

      Many of us have already formed plans even if we’re not conscious of them yet and you may find you are doing the same. This year you’re being urged to get real about what you want for yourself, to set a considered plan of action, and to get to it now.

      It is way too easy, especially in these fast-paced times to allow your life to slip past. Days flow into weeks, into months, years and suddenly a decade has passed you by. Trying to look back and see the detail of your life pathway becomes more and more difficult as time moves on if you have neglected to mark points along the way.

       

      Markers for Your Life

      In times past traditions and ceremonies provided marking points in people’s lives. They provided moments in people’s consciousness when they paused, finding time to take stock of themselves and their life.

      We still hold on to some of these traditions – 18th or 21st birthdays, weddings, funerals – but many milestones are no longer honoured or even remembered. Many of those we do still hold no longer require us to examine and consider ourself and how our life to date has evolved.

      We no longer have many occasions where we pause and examine our progress in life, acknowledging our achievements and successes, appreciating our blessings, recognizing our lessons, and planning changes.

       

      Set Strong Foundations For Goal Success

      Trying to establish goals and resolutions to guide you along the pathway to achieving your dreams without first pausing and taking time to appraise the road you have just traveled is like building your home over a sink-hole. Without solid footings the structure of your life will simply collapse.

      A Release Ritual is your opportunity to establish a firm base on which to build your future. It doesn’t take long to do and provides you with deep insights and clarity to steer you to better results.

      As the energies of 2014 begin to unravel set aside time to draw together the threads of the year that has just passed. Find the space for yourself to weave them into a strong support that can carry you into 2015. Take time to examine your experience, the rainbow of coloured threads of your life, both the weak strands and the strong, threads of extreme beauty, and threads of fragility. Once you have examined the weave of your last year the signs that point to the new directions you need to follow next become apparent.

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      Old Year Releasing Ritual

      Begin your reflection by settling down in a quiet corner with a pen, paper or a journal, and a relaxing herbal tea or coffee. Light a candle to signal the start of your ritual if this has meaning for you.

      Life has a habit of drawing you back to the same old lessons, over and over, spiraling round, often revisiting them under another guise, until you reach awareness and understanding of that particular lesson for your life. Each time you revisit the lesson gets louder, as if the universe is shouting so you will hear.

      turquoise starTo save yourself treading these same old well-worn paths yet again next year, begin your release of the old year by writing down the illuminating life lessons you learnt in 2014. What were those ‘Aha’ moments? What great insights occurred?

      turquoise starNext add the dreams that came true for you. It’s easy to forget what the dreams you once held even were once they have actually happened, and just as easy to forget how dearly you held them, hoping they would eventuate. Remember to include the small dreams as well as the huge ones. The small dreams of life often grow into the big important ones.

      turquoise starWhat did you achieve in 2014? Remember to include the small glories not just the major ones. What did you learn you could do that you didn’t realise before?

      Now you are ready to consider how you have grown in the last 365 days.

      turquoise starHow have you changed? What have you learnt about yourself? What changed you? What is it you now know about yourself that you didn’t know before? Write them all down.

      turquoise starWhat did you discover you had outgrown? What no longer serves you? What, or who, did you release from your life?

      turquoise starHow did you surprise yourself – what did you do that you didn’t know you capable of? What have you done that swells you with pride? Was there something you were able to do that you have never managed before? Were you called to step up, and you did?

      turquoise starWhat was there in this last year that was a source of grating disharmony? What can’t you tolerate any longer? By now you know what it is you just have to change in your life. Write it down.

      turquoise starIf there’s anything you need to get off your chest about this last year, do it now. Rant if you need to. If you feel the urge to cry honour it, it will bring release and relief.

      turquoise starNow finally, write down what it is you are grateful for, the gifts you received from 2014. Include every little thing. As well as the big stuff in my life I include small joys in my gratitude lists like my morning cup of tea, or the slightly creepy but endearing smile my gorgeous dog beams at me whenever I arrive home.

      Finished?

      March 2014 004

       

      Closing Ritual

      And now dear friend, you are ready to release the Old Year. You are now ready to face the year ahead. You are ready to set your resolutions, to clarify your dreams and your goals, to decide what is achievable for you, and to stride forth with purpose into the New Year.

      Take some time now to close down your releasing ritual.

      Close your eyes and breathe slowly and deeply through your nose, down into your abdomen. Hold briefly and then breathe out slowly through your mouth making a small sound as you do. As you breathe out give thanks for the past year, for all your experiences, your joys and pains, the lessons you have been given and the insights you have received.

      Breathe in again, drawing in with your breath the green light of healing, deep into your abdomen. As you hold it briefly allow the green light to flow into every cell of your body until your whole body shines with its emerald green glow. Breathe out again, slowly. Sense any negativity you have been holding in the cells of your body, any disharmonies from your past year, flow from you with your breath. Feel your shoulders relax as the weight is taken off them. Feel your body sink into your chair.

      Once more breathe in deep into your abdomen this time drawing in the golden light of possibility. Feel it flow freely through you bringing renewed energy to your body, clarity to your mind, and generosity and fulfillment to your heart.

      As you slowly release your breath allow the energy of the past year to ride on it. Allow it to float away, knowing that you hold within you all the loving positive energy you have earned in the last twelve months. You will always have the knowledge and insights you have gained.

      Take your time and when you feel ready open your eyes and welcome with joy the new energies of the coming year.

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