Does aging always equate to having pain? Your Choices & Mindfulness

Why is it that we ignore the small discomforts in our bodies and don't respond until we're in full blown pain or have lost the function or ability to do something?

As we age, many shrug off small messages coming from our bodies as simply aging. However, what if we started paying attention to those subtleties?

A mindful part of aging would be to respond and be in the moment with curiosity about the discomfort that we're experiencing.

Consider an example if we are experiencing chronic shoulder pain and it turns out that pain is our dominant hand that we all hold our cell phone or our mobile device with. That particular position is chronically causing repetitive strain on those muscles.

Potential solution -put the mobile device in another hand when the discomfort or the tiredness in the arm is experienced; take a stretch or even put the device down for awhile to allow for rest.

Respond instead of delaying and waiting for full blown pain and loss of function and the need to react!

Hello! I'm Rebecca.

What support can I offer you?

I am a Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach- I have studied 100s of different dietary theories, practical lifestyle management techniques, and innovative coaching methods. I recognize and appreciate, one size does not fit all when it comes to making healthy choices. I practice a “whole person” approach to healthy habits by embracing your current preferences and guiding you through change for alternatives.

I am a Licensed Massage Therapist - I am familiar with the aging body and the chronic pain associated with it, I understand the limitations this causes in physical activity.

I am a Trauma Informed Yoga Teacher -I don’t teach headstands or other intense yoga poses, I teach moving mindfully and create mobility where stiff achiness generally resides.

I am a Wellness Consultant -I am aware of the impact that too much or not enough of certain things cause imbalance in our bodies and ultimately our health.

I have been a successful participant with losing and managing weight-loss -I have personally experienced the Mind over Matter struggles with changing habits.

I am familiar with depression, anxiety and their associated mood and health effects -I understand that everyone is unique and requires a different type of support.

I am familiar with Diabetes, Dementia, Alzheimer’s and Eldercare -I am intimately aware of the challenges life brings at times, and am able to provide approaches to managing self care.

I am a wife, mom, stepmom, gramme, daughter, caregiver, friend, introvert, excellent listener with the ability to ask thoughtful questions and provide empathy, feedback and make connections between choices, habits and identifying the impacts on one’s health.

I am on this journey as are each of you…life with it twists, turns and …. well all the things.

Get out of your own way

When you skip self-care and take care of everything and everyone else first… eventually it catches up with you.

You feel it in your mood and your energy. Your ability to rest and enjoy your favorite activities has become compromised. You realize, you are your own worst enemy.

Take care of you. Its not selfish, It is essential to you and those who depend on you.

It’s ok to cancel a commitment, not answer a call or just say no.

It is also ok to change your mind, want to be alone, take a day off and not tell anyone and simply do nothing.

You can chose to take a walk, meditate, read a book, feel the warmth of the sun, gaze at the moon and stars, admire the beauty of nature, place your hand over your heart and feel it beat, close your eyes and appreciate your your ability to breathe.

What actually happens to your body when you start doing yoga?

Many thoughts come to mind when you do yoga for the first time.

As you stand in the back of a class, or unfurl a yoga mat at home, it can all seem like a lot of wobbling on one foot as you struggle to figure out a pose. But even if… Read more

Curious if there is a yoga out there for you? Just a beginner? Have some chronic restricted mobility or pain?

Fountain of youthfulness - Your Choices

How we age is a choice; with gratitude or misery.

• Have gratitude and laugh frequently -they’re both contagious and fountains of youth

• A body in motion, stays in motion -take a walk, try yoga, just move

• You are what you eat -eat your veggies, drink your water, nourish your body…don’t just feed it

• Use it or lose it -have a purpose and stay connected, get out there… you’ve got good stuff to share

Allergy Season Natural Options

Support your immune system naturally to get comfortably through this allergy season.

• Apple Cider Vinegar -Cleanses lymph system and assists in breaking up mucus

• Probiotics - Offer balance , over 70% of your immune system is in your gut

• Nettle Tea - Helps to reduce the amount of histamine in the body

• Local Honey - Promotes strengthening the immune system

Daily Walking Positive Impacts

Make it a habit - pick a scheduled time of day (morning, afternoon evening) and a set amount of time (starting with 10, 15 or 20 minutes) and GO!

Your health and overall wellness will benefit in a variety of areas.

• stimulates digestion

• improves brain clarity

• promotes development of regular sleep habits

• bolsters creativity and problem solving ability

• conditions full body muscles and strengthens bones

• increases endorphins and benefits daily mood

• lowers blood pressure

• decreases stress and anxiety

• enhances mindfulness and a connection to nature

• supports a healthy metabolism

Upper Body Tension & Pain? How are you Breathing?

Years ago, my Chiropractor mentioned I was not breathing with my belly… my upper body was a disaster of chronic tightness and pain. I was stressed and filled with anxiety.

As I’ve focused on breath through mindfulness & yoga... there has been a significant change in my body tension and overall sense of well being.

You can train your body to breathe in through your nose, expand the breath into your belly and gently exhale in the same manner.  This is very similar to when we unconsciously take in a deep breath and release a heavy sigh to relieve ourselves and take a pause during a stressful situation.

Over time, it’s a Habit you no longer to focus on... you begin to breathe this way without focusing, as your body realizes how much more efficient it is.  

I’d say it’s worth a try...

What is a habit?

"We are what we repeatedly do"

-Aristotle

Habits make up a portion of our day, while we are running on auto-pilot.  Many many habits are healthy and normal. Some habits simply are not and cause more harm in the long term.

In reality, one does not quit a habit, without replacing it with another.

The challenge is to identify the triggers for the unhealthy habit and incorporate new ones with healthier choices. 

Trying to quit smoking? Trying to cut back on or quit sugar? Trying to drink more water? Trying to exercise more?

For many it is a physical addiction to the unhealthy substance or its impact.  For many it is a stress relieving or social habit.  For many unfortunately it maybe both.

Change is a choice

It’s not that some people have willpower and some don’t. It’s some people are ready for change and some are not.

Some are able to make changes alone. Some need a little support and guidance.

Don’t fear change, fear not changing.

Pace yourself. Small steps. You’ll get there.

Your diet is not just what you eat

Are you treating yours with respect?

Health is a relationship you have with your body. A powerful and interesting way to look at it. Your diet is everything you expose yourself to.

It is what you listen to, what you read, what you watch, the people you hang around, the entertainment you engage in, your hobbies, etc…

Are you being as supportive of its needs as you could be? Are you protecting it from harm? Are you nourishing it? Are you showing it love?

Mindful Self-care

It is a misguided belief that self-care is self-indulgent or being selfish. It is simply caring for yourself. A necessary source of support for various areas of your life that play an important role in your health and wellbeing. Self-care promotes your ability to be the best version of you in all the areas of your life.

Most self-care is sabotaged by STRESS… too much or not enough of something.  

Self-care can fall into any of the following categories which play a role in creating or calming stress for everyone:

• Nutrition and Hydration

• Physical Activity 

• Managing Stress and Emotions 

• Rest 

• Relationships

• Physical Hygiene, Medical and Dental

• Environment

• Fun

• Self-Compassion

• Finances

What if we considered and prioritized self-care as a small daily goal?

Hello! I'm Rebecca.

What support can I offer you?

I am a Licensed Massage Therapist - I am familiar with the aging body and the chronic pain associated with it, I understand the limitations this causes in physical activity.

I am a Trauma Informed Yoga Teacher -I don’t teach headstands or other intense yoga poses, I teach moving mindfully and create mobility where stiff achiness generally resides.

I am a Wellness Consultant -I aware of the impact that too much or not enough of certain things cause imbalance in our bodies and ultimately our health.

I am an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach- I have studied 100s of different dietary theories, practical lifestyle management techniques, and innovative coaching methods. I recognize and appreciate, one size does not fit all when it comes to making healthy choices. I practice a “whole person” approach to healthy habits by embracing your current preferences and guiding you through alternatives.

I have been a successful participant with losing and managing weight-loss -I have personally experienced the Mind over Matter struggles with changing habits.

I am familiar with depression, anxiety and their associated mood and health effects -I understand that everyone is unique and requires a different type of support.

I am familiar with Diabetes, Dementia, Alzheimer’s and Eldercare -I am intimately aware of the challenges life brings at times, and am able to provide approaches to managing self care.

I am a wife, mom, stepmom, gramme, daughter, caregiver, friend, introvert, excellent listener with the ability to ask thoughtful questions and provide empathy, feedback and make connections between choices, habits and identifying the impacts on one’s health.

It is your journey

There is always time to change the path you are on.

Maybe a conversation, with a Health Coach familiar with numerous diet approaches could assist you. Perhaps a Massage Therapist who has specialized in helping clients manage chronic pain for over 15years would have a suggestion or two on how to address some of your concerns of aging and the accompanying daily aches. Could a Trauma Informed Yoga Teacher potentially guide you through some mindfulness, gentle movement activities to safely become more active and in better physical shape all while restoring some balance to your life?

What are you waiting for? Yesterday you said tomorrow… lets get started, the choice is yours.

Imbalance is as necessary as Balance

When you fall, fail or lose balance -Be curious, look for and see areas in need of adjusting. Take the opportunity to make new connections to yourself, those around you, to your environment and your daily routines.

Balance is only possible after Imbalance

Healthy Self - Heal Thy Self

When you start taking care of yourself, you start getting healthier, you start feeling better, you start seeing yourself better, you start attracting better.

What are you drawn to?

We Could All Use A Health Coach

The following is an article published by the Institute for Integrative Nutrition -

Why work with a Health Coach?

It seems as though the health care industry is finally getting it – Jane Brody, longtime personal health columnist for the New York Times, said what Health Coaches have been shouting from the rooftops all along: "We could all use a Health Coach!"

Thirty years ago, the term and profession of Health Coach was unheard of. Today that is rapidly changing as public health in the United States and around the globe has declined due to:

• Increased prevalence of preventable lifestyle diseases

• Increased sedentary behavior and lifestyles

• Increased cost of healthcare

Brody outlined why someone would want or need to work with a Health Coach:

• You’re suffering from a chronic condition. (Nearly 150 million Americans currently suffer from at least one chronic condition.)

• You want to better understand how to manage your chronic condition through diet and lifestyle.

• You need support carrying out your doctor’s recommendations.

• You want to optimize your health and focus on prevention.

Whatever your reason, a Health Coach can guide you in making important changes that can ripple out into other areas of your life as well as the lives of other people!

Consider this: At your annual physical, your doctor notes that your weight and blood pressure have increased, and you need to focus on bringing them back down. You’ve also shared that you’re often fatigued and don’t have energy to spend with family and friends. Your doctor recommends modifying your diet, reducing stress, and incorporating more physical activity into your daily routine. In about 15 minutes, your visit is over and you leave with a list of to-dos but no blueprint for success.

Enter a Health Coach, whose primary goal is to empower clients to take a leading role in their health by providing knowledge, accountability, and motivation to inspire change. In the above scenario, a Health Coach would work with you to make changes to your diet that are achievable for the long haul.

They would also support you in exploring aspects of your life that could be impacting your health, such as identifying stressors and how to manage them better and figuring out how to overcome resistance to exercise. After working with a coach for several months, you might find yourself with more energy, less stress, and even healthier relationships with your loved ones – in addition to improved health biomarkers.

is water really that important?

Did you know that you make numerous investments in your health every single day? 

If you are going to the gym, taking a yoga class, seeing a chiropractor or getting a massage... you are making an investment in yourself and your health. 

Protect your investment

What is the most effective way for you to protect these investments?

Water.  Seriously.  Water.  

Drinking water before and after strenuous physical activity increases the body's ability to fully benefit from the experience and significantly reduce the likelihood of injury.   Does it make sense to spend this precious time and energy and only receive partial benefit?  

When a chiropractor is providing treatment to someone who is not properly hydrated, it is like working with a completely dried out stiff sponge... Do you think that adjustment is going to  be smooth and hold for long?  Visualize it.. the answer is No.  Drink a reasonable amount of water the day before, of and after a chiropractic appointment.

Many seek massage therapy for pain or stress relief.  Massage focuses on releasing toxins, tensions and restrictions in soft tissue, muscles and tendons.  Massage increases the flow of blood, which consist of about 82% water.  Imagine a new can of play dough.  Until the play dough is warmed, moist and worked through it is stiff and difficult to bend and mold.  Add water... and wow, what a difference!  Protect your massage therapy investment and hydrate... your massage with be more effective and the benefits will last significantly longer!

How much water?  Ideally, 1/2 your body weight in ounces daily. 

Expectations and the Connection to Stress

We have a tendency to create our own stress... based on unfulfilled expectations. 

We expect others to treat us the way we want to be treated.  We expect things to go our way.  We expect things to happen when we want.  We expect the world to be as we see it... not as it is. 

As seasons change it can be a good time of the year for shedding the old and seeking the opportunity in new growth. 

Take some time to understand what “expectations” you have that may need to be looked at in a different light… more sunshine and clarity is on its way!

Find yourself some peace to prepare for the next season.

An Ongoing Natural Process

Your body makes new cells from what you eat. During sleep, your body works to repair muscle, organs, and other cells. Additionally, chemicals are produced through the metabolism of the nutrients you consume that strengthen your immune system and are in full force of circulation through your system during your sleep.

You are what you eat and your body rebuilds while you’re asleep.

No matter how much it gets abused, the body can restore itself. The first step in to stop interfering with nature. -Deepak Chopra