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Hi'iaka's Healing Herb Garden : Column Index : 2004 : Sept04
Coming Soon...
Go On a Healing Fast -- From the Evening News
I used to rush home from work to watch the 6:00 news because I thought it was my responsibility to keep in touch with local and world events. But I discovered that doing so increased my stress level and made me depressed because there was nothing I could do about all the bad news that was reported. Then I read the book Spontaneous Healing by Dr. Andrew Weil, who advises that by taking a "news fast" you can promote relaxation and reduce your stress by simply not watching the news. When I first read this, I thought, "Oh, I could never do that!" But for some reason one day I didn't turn on the TV when I got home and immediately found that I felt better. Now I rarely watch the news and cannot understand why people keep CNN or other news channels blaring all day. I keep in touch by logging into the Internet and simply scanning the headlines. If it's something important or something that I'm interested in, I click on the headline and read the entire story. If it doesn't enrich my life in some way, I skip it. I don't need to know about every single car crash or fatal house fire that happens! But beware: I find that spending too much time on the Internet can also be a stressful experience.
Dr. Weil states that "the reason I recommend 'news fasts' is because research has shown that the emotional content of television news can affect mood and aggravate sadness and depression. Addictive watching of news programs can also promote a negative view of life." I certainly found that to be true for myself.
Treat Yourself With Kindness and Love
Spend your newly-found free time from watching the news by doing something you truly enjoy, like taking a walk by the ocean, picking some wild bamboo orchids for a lei, or strolling through the garden and smelling the roses, literally. You could even take a short nap. But don't put demands and expectations on yourself for using the time productively--it's OK to do nothing! I recently spent a few days at a remote hot springs in California and was surprised at the number of people I met who pressured themselves with "accomplishing" something during what should have been a restful vacation. "I must exercise today!" one woman said. Another spent many hours in the library researching the history of the area. Why not simply relax? Maybe we don't know how.
A Recipe for Relaxation
You can begin this meditative practice by doing it for just five minutes or so, then gradually increase your "downtime" as your schedule allows.
Other simple lifestyle changes you can make include connecting with nature and loved ones, becoming more aware of your moods, and finding activities that make you laugh. Dr. Weil reports "research is beginning to suggest that laughter really is healing. It may boost immunity, relieve pain, lower stress, and even help protect against heart disease. So far, studies haven't shown whether what helps is the physical act of laughing, the ability to cope in a positive manner with life's ups and downs, the social bond we form when laughing with others, or a combination of all those factors."
The healing power of laughter is strong, and Dr. Weil suggests the following:
Herbs Can Promote Relaxation
If you need outside help with anxiety or insomnia, herbs such as kava kava (`awa) and valerian root can promote your relaxation. Look for capsules, teas, or tinctures at your natural foods market. But I regard herbs as tools: like prescription drugs such as anti-depressants and tranquilizers, they should be used only on a temporary basis and it's best to view them as a means of teaching what it feels like to be calm and how to enjoy the physical and emotional break from the hectic lives we sometimes lead.
I have taken parts of this column from Dr. Weil's web site: www.drweil.com.
Go On a Healing Fast -- From the Evening News
I used to rush home from work to watch the 6:00 news because I thought it was my responsibility to keep in touch with local and world events. But I discovered that doing so increased my stress level and made me depressed because there was nothing I could do about all the bad news that was reported. Then I read the book Spontaneous Healing by Dr. Andrew Weil, who advises that by taking a "news fast" you can promote relaxation and reduce your stress by simply not watching the news. When I first read this, I thought, "Oh, I could never do that!" But for some reason one day I didn't turn on the TV when I got home and immediately found that I felt better. Now I rarely watch the news and cannot understand why people keep CNN or other news channels blaring all day. I keep in touch by logging into the Internet and simply scanning the headlines. If it's something important or something that I'm interested in, I click on the headline and read the entire story. If it doesn't enrich my life in some way, I skip it. I don't need to know about every single car crash or fatal house fire that happens! But beware: I find that spending too much time on the Internet can also be a stressful experience.
Dr. Weil states that "the reason I recommend 'news fasts' is because research has shown that the emotional content of television news can affect mood and aggravate sadness and depression. Addictive watching of news programs can also promote a negative view of life." I certainly found that to be true for myself.
Treat Yourself With Kindness and Love
Spend your newly-found free time from watching the news by doing something you truly enjoy, like taking a walk by the ocean, picking some wild bamboo orchids for a lei, or strolling through the garden and smelling the roses, literally. You could even take a short nap. But don't put demands and expectations on yourself for using the time productively--it's OK to do nothing! I recently spent a few days at a remote hot springs in California and was surprised at the number of people I met who pressured themselves with "accomplishing" something during what should have been a restful vacation. "I must exercise today!" one woman said. Another spent many hours in the library researching the history of the area. Why not simply relax? Maybe we don't know how.
A Recipe for Relaxation
You can begin this meditative practice by doing it for just five minutes or so, then gradually increase your "downtime" as your schedule allows.
1. Sit comfortably in a pleasant setting, either outdoors or inside.
2. Keep your eyes open, but downcast.
3. Breathe evenly, slowly and deeply through your nose.
4. Practice letting your mind wander to pleasant places.
5. Don't obsess over the details of everyday life while you're doing this exercise, but rather try to focus on the beauty of a flower, a flitting butterfly or whatever you see that makes you feel safe, serene and happy.
6. Fantasize if you like.
7. If your mind takes you to a nice place, whether it's an actual geographic location or a pleasant memory, purposely go there mentally and spend some time.
8. If your mind takes you to an unpleasant memory or time in your life, face it without fear, think about it for a while and understand that by dealing with it you are contributing to your emotional healing. I believe that in our society and in these times we are discouraged from having feelings and expressing them and I feel that this is extremely detrimental to being a complete, happy person.
The Healing Power of Laughter2. Keep your eyes open, but downcast.
3. Breathe evenly, slowly and deeply through your nose.
4. Practice letting your mind wander to pleasant places.
5. Don't obsess over the details of everyday life while you're doing this exercise, but rather try to focus on the beauty of a flower, a flitting butterfly or whatever you see that makes you feel safe, serene and happy.
6. Fantasize if you like.
7. If your mind takes you to a nice place, whether it's an actual geographic location or a pleasant memory, purposely go there mentally and spend some time.
8. If your mind takes you to an unpleasant memory or time in your life, face it without fear, think about it for a while and understand that by dealing with it you are contributing to your emotional healing. I believe that in our society and in these times we are discouraged from having feelings and expressing them and I feel that this is extremely detrimental to being a complete, happy person.
Other simple lifestyle changes you can make include connecting with nature and loved ones, becoming more aware of your moods, and finding activities that make you laugh. Dr. Weil reports "research is beginning to suggest that laughter really is healing. It may boost immunity, relieve pain, lower stress, and even help protect against heart disease. So far, studies haven't shown whether what helps is the physical act of laughing, the ability to cope in a positive manner with life's ups and downs, the social bond we form when laughing with others, or a combination of all those factors."
The healing power of laughter is strong, and Dr. Weil suggests the following:
"Rediscover the kid in you: Children laugh around 400 times a day compared to only about 25 times for adults. Watch youngsters, see what makes them laugh, and try to bring some of that playfulness into your life.
"Lighten up: Instead of bristling at life's annoyances-lost luggage, a late bus-try to view them as amusing and joke with others who are in the same fix.
"Look for humor in difficult situations: A psychologist at the University of Arizona was diagnosed with cancer in his early 20s. After radiation treatment, he painted himself green to frighten his mother. Just make sure that your jokes aren't made at the expense of someone who is ill. Of course, that doesn't mean that you can't tell a funny story about another situation, share tapes of funny movies, or humor books. They may be the best gifts of all."
"Lighten up: Instead of bristling at life's annoyances-lost luggage, a late bus-try to view them as amusing and joke with others who are in the same fix.
"Look for humor in difficult situations: A psychologist at the University of Arizona was diagnosed with cancer in his early 20s. After radiation treatment, he painted himself green to frighten his mother. Just make sure that your jokes aren't made at the expense of someone who is ill. Of course, that doesn't mean that you can't tell a funny story about another situation, share tapes of funny movies, or humor books. They may be the best gifts of all."
Herbs Can Promote Relaxation
If you need outside help with anxiety or insomnia, herbs such as kava kava (`awa) and valerian root can promote your relaxation. Look for capsules, teas, or tinctures at your natural foods market. But I regard herbs as tools: like prescription drugs such as anti-depressants and tranquilizers, they should be used only on a temporary basis and it's best to view them as a means of teaching what it feels like to be calm and how to enjoy the physical and emotional break from the hectic lives we sometimes lead.
I have taken parts of this column from Dr. Weil's web site: www.drweil.com.
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