SchoolofCT

The School of Complementary Therapies

The Easy Way to Choose Happy & Get Healthy

By Leave a Comment

Do you ever sit and daydream? Imagining living the Happy Life? Making pictures in your mind’s eye about…

  • living with higher self-confidence and self-worth
  • enjoying better health and great sleep
  • having more energy
  • achieving your goals
  • becoming popular and having lots of friends
  • achieving more of what you truly want
  • balancing the different areas of your life
  • being truly Happy!

If you can do any of the above, you can begin to improve your life and Choose Happy with hypnotherapy! Really! Let me tell you how…

Hypnotherapy is a Complementary Alternate Medicine therapy that allows you to reach levels of deep relaxation. When you are relaxed the conscious and the sub-conscious mind are very close together. You simply have to relax and think of new ways of being for your mind to make changes.

My aim is to help you help yourself.

Hypnotherapy is not about one person controlling another’s mind, but about a sensitive and caring relationship developed between therapist and client, in which a true understanding of each client’s goals, ideals and objectives are established. I am dedicated to helping each client achieve their objectives in the shortest possible time, in accord with their best interests.

Hypnotherapy or Clinical Hypnosis can be used to help in an almost unlimited number of ways, and is especially useful in behavior modification (big words that mean ‘changing your habits’):

  • relaxing,
  • relieving anxiety and depression,
  • quit smoking,
  • changing eating habits,
  • overcoming fears and phobias,
  • improving memory and study habits
  • and much more.

My studies in hypnotherapy have led me to believe it to be one of the simplest tools of change we can use. Currently,  I am working with clients who have anxiety, depression, phobias, weight issues and sleep problems. Each and every one is feeling better using hypnotherapy! And that is how to Choose Happy!

Hypnotherapy can allow you to escape from your typical patterns of response and behavior, allowing you to achieve greater flexibility and choice.

It works by allowing you to relax deeply, so giving you the ability to choose new ways of doing, being and thinking, without being controlled by past experiences.

I want you to be able to achieve your objectives and Choose Happy in the shortest possible time, with your best interests in mind.

When you make an appointment with me because you are ready to feel better in any area of your life, whether it body, mind, emotions or spirit, hypnotherapy is one thing we consider. Sessions are personalized and highly enjoyable experiences.

Thank you for being ready to change and ready to Choose Happy. I look forward to helping you achieve your full potential! To make an appointment to try a hypnotherapy session or begin a series of life-changing sessions, please contact me.

June 2012 Health Steps ~ Get Physical With Some Love

By 2 Comments

Walking the dog ~ an excellent way to add exercise to your life!

Over the years I have listened to hundreds of clients and students make excuses for not exercising—seriously, I think I’ve heard them all. And I always say ‘the key is finding something you love to do’.

So today I’m going to share some of my tips to making exercise more fun:

  • Don’t do it alone. Go with a friend. The buddy system works so well. If you are not feeling motivated, maybe your friend is, or vice versa.
  • Don’t over do it! The temptation to get stuck in and work like mad because you haven’t exercised for a while is so strong. Resist! Go gently. As we say at Feeling Absolutely Fabulous, ‘gentle change leads to permanent results’. Take it easy and you won’t injure yourself. You have all the time in the world.
  • Don’t commit to an exercise regime until you have tried it for a while. Sometimes the initial endorphin rush is mistaken for loving the exercise. See if it works for you and your lifestyle first. Then make the commitment.
  • Do schedule exercise into your daily calender. If you make an appointment with yourself you are more likely to keep it than saying ‘I’ll get round to it when I’ve done everything else’.
  • Do something you can afford. The stress out-weighs the benefits if you cannot afford to do it. Walking is free. Running is free. Doing the housework vigorously is free, which brings me to my final tip for today:
  • Moving your body is exercise. You don’t have to wait until you can join a program or pay for a gym membership. Get physical and clean the house. Get physical and go shopping: park the car away from the mall entrance and walk vigorously around the mall. Make love with enthusiasm—teehee! Get down on the floor and play with the kids/grand-kids/pets. Move it or lose it!
  • And think about what you eat! Good nutrition partnered with some exercise and you’ll soon be Feeling Absolutely Fabulous!
  • And get physical with some love.

Get off your butt!!!

By Leave a Comment

Easy Fitness Tip
Did you know that to be considered moderately active you only need to exercise for 2.5 hours a week. That can be as simple as one hundred and fifty minutes of brisk walking. A recent study in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health indicated that dog owners who walk their dogs are 34 percent more likely to be be physically fit than people who don’t.
When we are physically fit we look great and feel great!

I have adopted a rescue dog, Eddy. We go for at least one half hour walk each day, and some days as it feels so good we go for two. And on the weekends we often make it three! Eddy is happy. I’m happy. And we are both looking good and feeling great! Woohoo!
Stay Fabulous,

Wellness with Color

By

Tips for Using Color as a Healing Therapy

I don’t believe I have to convince anyone that color has an impact of our lives. Color has long been researched, especially by those in marketing, for the impact it has on us. But did you know that it has also been researched as a healing art. Let me tell you more.

Human beings have been using light and light color sources for healing since time has been recorded. However, the foundations of our modern color theories are attributed to Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) with his famous prism experiments. By shining white light through a prism we can see the seven color band of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet. Each of these colors vibrates to a different frequency and the brain interprets this vibration as color. Pretty cool stuff!

We actually record color as sensation. Light falls upon the light receptor cells of the retina in the eye, which convert the light into electric pulses. The hypothalamus in the brain is then stimulated by these pulses and sends instructions to the pineal and pituitary glands; which then send messages to the other endocrine glands. For example, it has been scientifically proven that the color red stimulates the adrenal glands, raising blood pressure and pulse rate. Therefore the color red is considered to have an ‘exciting’ effect on the nervous system.

In the 1920s Darius Dinshah developed colored filters and lamps which he matched with his scientific research to apply color to the body for healing physical disease. At the same time Charles Butts was applying color through the eyes to affect healing of imbalances in the nervous and endocrine systems.

We now in the Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) or Holistic health field recognize that color therapy can be applied in three ways:
Psychological
o Identifying states of mind and negative stress through color preference and then using color to make positive changes
Eastern or Mystical Influence
o Briefly, this assumes that we are all bodies of light and is prevalent in Hindu, Tibetan and Chinese teachings. Using chakras (energy centers of light in the body) and intuition the therapist uses color to make positive changes holistically: body, mind, spirit and emotion.
Physical
o By directing colored light or using colored swatches of fabric color is introduced to diseased or imbalanced areas of the body to promote healing.

Want to add more color to your life?
There are a number of ways you can add the healing vibrations of color to your life, including through your clothes, the colors on your walls, using light application of color and even taking baths in colored water! Here are a few simple tips to get you started:

  • Feeling overly stressed and anxious? Choose to wear a green sweater and bring in the calming and soothing vibration of green.
  • Need a pick-me-up? Then get some orange cellophane, wrap it around a glass of water and leave in the sunshine for about ten minutes. Drink the water and take in the vibration of uplifting and energizing orange.
  • Don’t want to get into an argument with your boss, your spouse or the kids? Then wear the color pink. Pink is non-confrontational and promotes compassion.
  • Taking an exam? Wear yellow to stimulate your mind and intelligence.
  • Difficulty sleeping Paint your bedroom blue. Blue is the color of peace and protection. Use blue in your bedroom to create a peaceful and serene room to sleep in.
  • Suffering from psoriasis? Try shining a blue or green light on the affected areas to counteract the rash.

Hopefully I’ve tweaked your curiosity and you’d like to learn more! We have distance learning color therapy courses available, which are fun and informative. Start with Level One and learn about your own responses to color and learn about traditional uses of color for healing. Level Two takes you into more exploration and a deeper knowledge and then Level Three teaches you how to apply color therapy to others. Start NOW! If you’d like to learn more or have some questions before you begin your journey into Color Therapy please contact me.

You may reprint this article and include this information:
Reprinted with permission by Health Steps, the School of Complementary Therapies Education division of Feeling Absolutely Fabulous LLC Newsletter. Jacqueline Fairbrass is the founder of the School of Complementary Therapies, a leader in the field of CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) education. For more information go to SchoolofCT or Feeling Absolutely Fabulous LLC JacquelineFairbrass, call             206.201.2764       or contact us on-line.

What, Where, Why, How-Reiki Hands-on Healing?

By

Reiki for Pain Management, Stress Reduction and Alleviation of Anxiety

Over the years I have been practicing Reiki the most common question I’ve been asked about it is ‘What is it?’ The quickest answer to this question is ‘The simplest of therapies bringing the most profound results: Reiki is Hands-on Healing.’ But that isn’t enough, so let’s read on to learn a little about Reiki, how it has been tested and is used:

What? Reiki is an ancient natural healing art and a touch healing system using ‘laying-on of hands’. Truly holistic in nature, Reiki healing sessions promote healing on all levels: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.

Where? The Reiki system of ‘laying-on of hands’ is documented as being discovered and practiced in Japan in the mid-1800s, although it is commonly believed to be traced back to early Tibetan teachings from around 3000BCE. In addition, it is considered by many to be the healing method employed by Buddha and Jesus Christ.

Why? Reiki does not conflict with other health care but enhances its results. It does not interfere with traditional medical treatment but facilitates the benefits and speeds the recover from any toxic side effects. It also may be used in conjunction with other complementary healing modalities and for maintenance of health and well-being.

How? For some time, scientific studies have been conducted in the area of laying-on of hands; however, proven clinically validated studies are limited. The most well known Reiki study was conducted in 1997 by Karin Olson, RN, PhD, from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The purpose of the study was to explore the usefulness of Reiki as an adjuvant to opioid therapy in the management of pain. A pilot study was conducted involving 20 volunteers experiencing pain at 55 sites for a variety of reasons, including cancer. A highly significant reduction in pain was indicated following the Reiki treatment. (1)

Little traditional scientific evidence exists. However, Dr. John Zimmerman of the University of Colorado has established that magnetic fields around the hands of healers are up to several hundred times stronger than those fields around non-healers, using a superconducting quantum interference device. (2)

Reiki is completely safe. There is no danger involved in using or receiving Reiki treatments. Reiki has no contraindications, and it has been shown to be effective in cases when there is no belief in it. The recipient does not have to believe in Reiki for it to work; the recipient only has to be open to receive a treatment. That said the only guarantee that can be made for a Reiki session is that stress and anxiety will be lessened. Testimonials are personal, varying with people from slight improvement in disease symptoms to complete wellness. Using Reiki is a highly personal experience.

Reiki is often used for self-help. The first degree or first level of training is primarily for personal use, and individuals often learn Reiki for this purpose. When going to see a professional therapist you can expect to lie on a massage-type table for anything from around 30 minutes to 1.5 hours. Reiki therapists have learned a series of hand positions which cover the entire body, both front and back. However a skilled therapist may use their own stylized set of hand placements and make intuitive adjustments to personalize your treatment. You will not be required to remove clothing and you will not be touched inappropriately or at any time be made to feel uncomfortable by a reputable therapist.

You will enter a state of deep relaxation comparable to a meditative or day-dreaming state. You may have sensations of tingling and pleasant dream-like impressions and many see floating balls of color in their imaginations!

Reiki is not regulated anywhere in the world, however there have been attempts to regulate. These are voluntary and there is a general consensus in freedom in the training and practicing process. Therefore the most effective way of finding a Reiki practitioner or therapist is often through referral. All too often, those who call themselves Reiki Masters and teach others have taken ‘quickie’ courses and are not particularly experienced or well-versed in the therapy. Accordingly, it is customary to ask therapists how long they have practiced and what other qualifications they bring to their practice. Because Reiki is used in conjunction with numerous healing modalities, Reiki Therapists often are versed in other therapies, which can be very useful is assisting patients through the healing process.

At SCT both Founder Jacqueline Fairbrass and Reiki Master/Instructor Adrian McKeague teach Reiki in the classroom and are practising therapists. Contact Jacqueline and/or Adrian for class times and availability.
If you would like to learn more you may purchase the First Degree Reiki Training Manual from us or contact Adrian by phone (613) 203-7343 for a free 15 minute consultation.

1 Olson K, Hanson J: Using Reiki to manage pain: a preliminary report, Cancer Prevent Control 1(2):108-113, 1997
2 Rand WL: Reiki research, Reiki News (summer):1-9, 1995
You may reprint this article and include this information:
Reprinted with permission by Health Steps, the School of Complementary Therapies Education division of Feeling Absolutely Fabulous LLC Newsletter. Jacqueline Fairbrass is the founder of the School of Complementary Therapies, a leader in the field of CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) education. For more information go to SchoolofCT or Feeling Absolutely Fabulous LLC JacquelineFairbrass, call 206.201.2764 or contact us on-line.

Fabulocity File 1

By

Happy Valentine’s Day

Love yourself!

“Love is in the air! And the greatest gift is love. Love makes us feel warm and fuzzy, connected with others, strong and powerful, open and expansive and capable of anything! Love makes us Feel Absolutely Fabulous! What would it take for you to allow more love into your life this coming year?”~ Jacqueline Fairbrass

Happy Valentines from all of us at Feeling Absolutely Fabulous LLC!

WE LOVE YOU!!!

Without our health nothing else really matters.

By

It’s not a new thought, but it is a very important reminder. This January is National Preventive Health Screening Month in the US. Whether or not you are in the US it’s a great time of year to review our health and healthy living priorities. As we set our New Year’s Resolutions and look to the fresh start of a new year let’s make our health and well-being our number one priority.

What does ‘health’ mean to you? The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as ‘a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’.

At Feeling Absolutely Fabulous LLC we believe our individual health is made up of four components: body, mind, spirit and emotions. Holistic health care focuses on all aspects of whom we are and who we be. When all these are functioning in a balanced and life supportive way we are healthy. All aspects of health are reliant on each other and the journey to health is not linear. The place to begin is getting honest and real with you. Are you healthy? What areas of your health need adjusting, tweaking, changing? If you don’t know where to begin it’s a really good idea to start with your physical aspect: your body.

For example: Obesity is on the increase, while unhealthy body images are pushed at us all over the media. Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on our health. This in turns leads to reduced life expectancy and the potential of increased health problems. Being overweight can lead to all sorts of health issues including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, sleep problems and even some types of cancer! It can also affect our mental and emotional states leading to depression and a sense of social disapproval or stigma.

We suggest you begin with taking a good look at your habits: the food you eat, when you eat, how much exercise you get, how much alcohol you ingest, sleep patterns, hobbies, whether work is fulfilling. Really look at how health supporting your lifestyle is. Yes, this year, let’s get real and decide to make the changes that will have us all living healthy and fulfilling lives. Without our health nothing else really matters.

I am taking clients by Skype and telephone appointments so you can start immediately to live your fabulous life. SCT has courses and programs to help you become happier and healthier, including distance education. Feeling Absolutely Fabulous LLC has a series of CDs designed to support you in your quest to live a more healthy life. Don’t know where to begin? Email me to schedule a free 15 minute health consultation.

Live Your Fabulous Life NOW. If not, WHEN?

You may reprint this article and include this information:
Reprinted with permission by Health Steps, the School of Complementary Therapies Education division of Feeling Absolutely Fabulous LLC Newsletter. Jacqueline Fairbrass is the founder of the School of Complementary Therapies, a leader in the field of CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) education. For more information go to SchoolofCT or Feeling Absolutely Fabulous LLC JacquelineFairbrass, call 206.201.2764 or contact us on-line.

Bah-Humbug and all that jazz!

By

For so many of us the holiday season is a series of trials and tribulations that we endure each year. Even if you love the holidays I suggest you read on for some ideas about how to truly enjoy yourself this year. For years I have worked with clients and students to explore why so many of us dread the holiday season each year and why we feel so guilty about that dread.

Initially people talk of the ‘expectation’, which comes in several formats. We expect so much from ourselves! We expect to find the perfect gifts, attend or host the perfect events and expect to enjoy our family and friends. Most insidiously beneath this surface expectation is the underlying expecting ourselves to be full of some mystery holiday spirit and sense of love and peace for all.

As a kid I had a wonderfully naive belief that on Christmas day, ¦a sort of ‘for one day only’ there was no crime or hate or cruelty on the planet. I believe the actual belief initially came from hearing about ‘cease fires’ in the 1st and 2nd World Wars. I then added on my family’s own ‘cease fire’: My parents would do their best not to argue and relatives would be civil at the family gatherings. As my family of origin is highly emotive and flamboyant this sense of civility was a unusual blessing–truly ‘ceasefire’ sums it up nicely! And I believed that the world was a wonderfully safe place on Christmas Day. I remember this belief being totally destroyed one Christmas when I heard of a violent crime being committed by a shop Santa. Yet, still there persists within me a sense of ‘it should be safe’ on Christmas.

Maybe by now you are connecting with one of your ‘holiday beliefs’ and the impact it has had on you through the years?

So my gift to you this holiday season is the gift of peace and allowance. Allow yourself to be at ease with the season. Sometimes all we need is permission to let us off the hook of expectation.

Think about this: how peaceful and loving is your family gathering? It can be an awful lot of pressure to put a group of people into a room or home; people who don’t usually get together but feel because it’s the holidays that they should. What if instead of expecting people to behave in certain ways, we allow them to simply be who they truly be–and that includes ourselves! And if the bottom-line is you don’t really want to be with these people then go be with some people you do want to be with instead. Or spend some time with yourself. Allow you to do what you want to do and to be with people you really do care about!

What about decorating for the holidays? If it brings you joy, do it and have the most fun you can have! However, if it feels tedious and drags you down simply don’t bother to do it. Or find a friend or family member who loves to decorate and invite them to do it for you, and of course to put it all away afterwards.

The same can apply to cooking. If you love to cook, then cook up a storm. If you love to entertain than throw the best parties you can. And if you don’t like to cook there are still lots of other options: let someone who does love cooking to do it, whether that be a family member, friend or a local shop where you can buy pre-prepared yumminess. Don’t like to have people over, then don’t. Love going to parties but don’t like throwing parties, accept every invitation you get and take a fabulous hostess gift. The exchange is complete!

Forget the traditions that don’t work for you and start to change and embrace new traditions that fill your life with ease, joy and glory. Don’t worry about what others will think; most likely they will thank you in the long run. So often when we worry about hurting the feelings of others we are just projecting our own fears on them. For example, last year my husband and I chose not to go to his mother’s family Christmas. We had our reasons and let the family know. After the initial shock it turned out that his mum used the opportunity to do what she really wanted to do: she went off to a coastal hotel with her husband for a few days. It turned out she felt that if she stopped doing Christmas dinner everyone would be upset with her, but after all the years of being the entertainer she really just wanted a quiet Christmas with her husband and someone else doing all the cooking!!! My sister-in-law headed south for a vacation with her husband a day early. Everyone was happy! Check your traditions and ask yourself ‘is this a tradition or is this just a habit’.

So this year I encourage you to have an absolutely fabulous holiday season. Remember my CDs and SCT’s Distance Learning Courses make wonderful healing gifts. And I also offer Gift Certificates for one-on-one fabulocity coaching!

Have a magical holiday.
Blessings and keep well,
Jacqueline Fairbrass RRPr
Licensed Hypnotherapist Health Consultant
Founder, School of Complementary Therapies

You may reprint this article and include this information:
Reprinted with permission by Health Steps, the School of Complementary Therapies Education division of Feeling Absolutely Fabulous LLC Newsletter. Jacqueline Fairbrass is the founder of the School of Complementary Therapies, a leader in the field of CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) education. For more information go to SchoolofCT or Feeling Absolutely Fabulous LLC JacquelineFairbrass, call 206.201.2764 or contact us on-line.

Change it up to feel good this Autumn!

By

As we ease into the Fall and start enjoying the changes of Autumn we can often feel like life is in transition. Whether that’s dealing with back to school, to feeling like changing our eating habits, it’s easy to lose ‘self-care’ in the shuffle. This month we are looking at recapturing self-care. Now I know that sometimes the very thought of re-assessing taking care of you can be a bit overwhelming. The first thing to do is decide you are worth caring for, and now that decision has been made here are some of the ways I self-care.

Decorating

Look around your home or your work space. Does it need a tune-up to reflect who you truly be?

Start by de-cluttering and getting organized. If you are not using something all the time put it into a container, label it and put it away. If you have lots of bits and bobs you use often, don’t leave them in a heap or decide to tidy everything away and then can’t find them. Get yourself some baskets. Whether pretty ones that you leave out or cheap dollar-store ones that you pop into drawers and cupboards; baskets are a great way to keep things looking neat and tidy. And you can still find everything! Pick one room to work on and you will soon notice how you feel lighter when you enter that room.

Use your favorite color. Quick, think…what’s your favorite color? Are you wearing it? How about bringing some of that fave color energy into your home or office? Painting a room is an inexpensive, quick and instantly gratifying way of giving your space a boost. Even painting one feature wall can make your space be fabulous. Not into painting? How about some new window treatments and pillows? Not brave enough to take your favorite color onto the wall? Get some new candles, pillows or cushions…or a nice new piece of artwork for the wall.

Bring in fresh flowers and plants. Bring the great outdoors in with you and get some plants and treat yourself to flowers. Even a tiny posy of flowers beside your bed, on the kitchen table, next to the bathroom sink can really lift your spirits. And throw away the fake flowers and plants…they are merely dust collectors.

Using the fave color idea, get flowers in your favorite colors or reflect the season with your choices.

Create a focal point for your room. Do you have a fireplace or a great view? If so, it’s easy, if not…how about creating one. You can use the above idea of painting a feature wall in a different color to the rest of the room, or use a piece of artwork. Now arrange your furniture so that you are facing the focal point. Not in a row, like in a waiting room, but arrange your furniture so you can see your focal point. Now you will love what you are looking at!

Create a cozy nook. Intimate space in a room makes you feel safe and secure. A small chair, table and lamp in the corner of a room, with a cozy blanket and pillow and voila! You now have a lovely little reading corner. Again, use your favorite color to make the space extra special. And is there room for a little flower posy on your little table?

Treat yourself to new bedding. It’s lovely to have winter and summer bedding. I aspire to have changes for each season, but for now, winter and summer works. It gives my bedroom a whole new lift when I change the bedding and that gives me a lift too! Flip your mattress and give it a good vacuum. If you enjoy ritual, try using a smudge stick to clear the energy. I personally like to use a rose-water hydrosol to give the bed a good spritz; not only clean smelling but also anti-bacterial! And a natural hydrosol doesn’t have the adverse side-effects of those nasty toxic fresh fabric sprays. New sheets, new duvet cover, new pillows and shams…woohoo! I even change my curtains to match.

And take time for spiritual practice. Take time for yourself each and every day to connect with spirit. Whether that’s the Creator, God, Goddess, the Force, Universal Life Force Energy, Your Higher Self, whatever is meaningful to you. Meditate, pray, stop and give thanks. Remember to have faith in the magic of this beautiful planet and to pause for a while each day to connect with the spiritual aspect of you. Perhaps that little cozy nook you’ve created will become a lovely place to meditate or pray. Each time you enjoy your new home or office space, be aware and give thanks for how blessed you are. Enjoy your flowers and plants and remember the connection to our planet.

It’s never too late or too early to take care of you. If you don’t take care of you, who will? So, make it a promise to you that you’ll pay more attention to what nurtures and nourishes you and make sure you become present in your own life. If you need some help, don’t hesitate to contact me.

You may reprint this article and include this information:
Reprinted with permission by Health Steps, the School of Complementary Therapies Education division of Feeling Absolutely Fabulous LLC Newsletter. Jacqueline Fairbrass is the founder of the School of Complementary Therapies, a leader in the field of CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) education. For more information go to SchoolofCT or Feeling Absolutely Fabulous LLC JacquelineFairbrass, call 206.201.2764 or contact us on-line.

The Feeling Absolutely Fabulous LLC Top Ten Rules for Looking Good and Feeling Great

By

(Rule 6 to 10-check August 2010 for 1 to 5)

As summer comes to a close many of us decide to begin new projects. This year how about making you, the wonderful you the new project you work on. Use these simple tips to start making the positive changes you wish to see in your life and by Christmas you’ll really be on the way to Feeling Absolutely Fabulous!

6. Quit the junk.

Lose the junk food. The best way to get off the junk food wagon is to go through your cupboards and do a little spring cleaning. If there is stuff in your cupboard that tempts you, then the easiest way to is to not keep it around. Find out what sucks you into unhealthy snacking. Is it the need for something crunchy and salty? Then make sure you stock the fridge with crispy vegetables and a yummy salsa dip. Don’t overdo the fat-filled dips! Or does something sweet and creamy tempt you to get into unhealthy eating habits? Instead of a full-fat ice-cream dessert, try 2% Greek yoghurt, mix in some honey or preserves and enjoy.

Dead calories and preservatives don’t make you feel good. The body has to work extra hard to get them out of your body and they can leave you feeling tired and too much sugar or salt leads to health complications.

Drive by the drive-through. A little planning and you can skip the fast food joints. My husband has long been a junk-food addict, now two years of marriage later he heads out the door each morning with a home-made sandwich or a salad and some fresh fruit for lunch. Not only is he feeling better physically, he’s feeling better about himself and is saving money each month. All it takes is a little planning and getting out of bed five minutes earlier!

7. Stop skipping meals.

Working as a CAM Health Consultant for eighteen years I’ve probably heard every excuse for missing meals: ‘I didn’t get up in time, I don’t feel hungry till later in the day, I was too busy, there was no time, I figure if I skip meals I’ll lose the excess weight I carry.’ You’ve probably heard them or used them too! Missing meals causes fluctuations in your body’s energy reserves and can really mess up your metabolism. Again, like number 6, a little planning can help. I plan my evening meals for the week ahead and then go do the grocery shopping. Keep a few frozen items on hand for when things get hectic. Carry a high quality protein snack with you. I personally like to keep a small bag of almonds and raisins in my purse, especially when I’m traveling.

I recommend three meals a day and two snacks. Some people like to break their meals into five or six mini-meals spread through out the day. Whichever way works for you, you’ll feel better, have more energy and improve your digestion by eating regularly. And let’s face it, if we try skipping meals as a weight-loss aid, we only end up eating more or eating junk, so let’s not do it anymore.

8. Laughter is the best medicine

One of the most important things we can do for ourselves is to enjoy life and laugh often. Remember the old saying ‘angels can fly because they take themselves lightly’? Take it to heart and lighten-up-figuratively and literally. Studies indicate that those who take time to enjoy the little things in life actually live longer, more productive and healthier lives and this means they don’t overeat!

I’m not much of a TV watcher, but I do enjoy sitting down, putting my feet up and enjoying a movie. Most of the movies I have in my collection are comedies or feel-good stories. Do you have a few favorite movies that you can watch over and over again that make you laugh every time you see them? Invest in having them in your collection.

Hang out with friends who like to laugh. Go through your list of friendships and evaluate who makes you feel great when you are around them. Then go ahead and start weeding out those who drag you down.

When we laugh we send natural chemicals around the body that uplift our mood. We breathe more deeply and oxygenate our blood. And we have a sense of being able to cope with all that life throws our way! A good laugh shared with some good friends is one of the simplest ways to feel absolutely fabulous.

9. Spend more time in bed.

This works in a couple of ways: healthy, good quality sleep makes you feel absolutely fabulous and so does some sexy-time!

Studies indicate that most of us are not getting enough quality sleep. If you have trouble with this one, try establishing a bed-time routine. Never, ever take the laptop or work to bed with you. Make sure your bedroom is a peaceful, harmonious place, conducive to quality rest and you’ll reinforce your sleep routines.

Take the TV out of the bedroom. Again, studies indicate that couples who have a TV in the bedroom make love less often than those who don’t. Find time, again it make take a little planning, to enjoy having a body. Being sexual is a very important part of being human and you deserve to feel good.

Last, but not least:

10. Develop a support network.

Over the years as I became an expert in helping people to over-come anxiety, one of the major things I discovered is that having emotional support is so important to our overall health and wellness, including our sense of worth and self-esteem.

Whether you are trying hard to lose weight, want to exercise more, or just want to lead a healthier lifestyle, surrounding yourself with like-minded people is the support network you need. Think about how successful the 12-Step Programs are. They are so successful because whatever the issue they address they encourage attendance at meetings with like-minded people.

I have a list of friends I go to when life hands out its pear-shaped moments. Having one friend to go to (or to your spouse or significant other) isn’t the right approach. No one person can be everything to you. Get yourself a list. If I pick up the phone and the first friend isn’t available to chat with, I move on the next and so on. That way no-one becomes burdened with me and I feel I can always turn to someone for some support!

Well done, by reading this far you know that you are ready to make the changes to be a healthier you! Remember, I am here to help you. Just call for an appointment (206) 201-2764 or drop me a line by email. Let’s get started today. Live Your Fabulous Life NOW. If not, WHEN?

  • Stay fabulous,
    Jacqueline Fairbrass CEO Feeling Absolutely Fabulous LLC
    Founder, School of Complementary Therapies
    Certified Hypnotherapist and CAM Health Consultant
You may reprint this article and include this information:
Reprinted with permission by Health Steps, the School of Complementary Therapies Education division of Feeling Absolutely Fabulous LLC Newsletter. Jacqueline Fairbrass is the founder of the School of Complementary Therapies, a leader in the field of CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) education. For more information go to SchoolofCT or Feeling Absolutely Fabulous LLC JacquelineFairbrass, call 206.201.2764 or contact us on-line.

Welcome To The School Of Complementary Therapies

jacqui

Hi, I’m Jacqueline Fairbrass—licensed Hypnotherapist, holistic wellness therapist, vivacious health coach, and founder of the School of Complementary Therapies.