April 2009

As a student in massage school I took a psychology class and learned something very surprising about stress. I always thought that stress was caused by events we would consider to be negative, but it turns out that any life change causes stress, even if it is a desirable change, such as a vacation or reaching a weight loss goal. And this stress caused by change can go much farther than making us feel frazzled. There is a method of identifying stress called the Life Change Index, developed by Dr. Thomas H. Holmes.

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beth's picture

Exercise Helps Stress Reduction

Fitness does count in stressful times. The more inactive we are, the less motivated we are to get up and accomplish other things that can make us feel productive and sane. Stress is high right now. Considering the state of the economy, on top of the other daily responsibilities we have to keep on trucking regardless of our financial hardships, we can feel pretty anxious.

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To honor National Stress Awareness Month for April 2009 I wanted to offer you one of the most helpful tips for managing stress that I have come across in all of my years of experience in helping people relax…Get a Stress Relief Buddy!

Services at the Pittsburgh Center for Complementary Health and Healing such as; Massage Therapy, Reiki, Cellular Expansion and Healing, Counseling and Yoga can greatly help you reduce stress and live a more balanced, peaceful life.

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Stress has the potential to impact our emotional health, physical health, and relationships. These days, more and more Americans are getting heavily stressed, as their retirement savings, jobs, and sometimes homes are threatened. It is therefore more important than ever to have good ways of coping with stress.

Based on past periods in which Americans have struggled with economy-related stress, here are some tried-and-true coping strategies that are proven to help:

• Seek support from others. Reach out to trusted family, friends, and professionals.

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“Gathas are short verses which we can recite during our daily activities to help us dwell in mindfulness.” They are poem-like verses used in Buddhism, recited during everyday tasks, to bring our attention back to the present moment. “We often become so busy that we forget what we are doing or even who we are.” Sometimes, we even forget to breath! “When we focus our mind on a gatha, we return to ourselves and become more aware of each action.”

Here are a collection of gathas written by Thich Nhat Hanh, Viatnamese Buddhist monk and Nobel Peace Prize Nominee.

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sarah's picture

Chilean Home Remedies- part II

Here are a few more interesting home remedies from Chile. Most of these are more common, and not quite as strange as the last list. ; )

Joint Pain- Cut an entire aloe leaf in half lengthwise and place directly over joint. (You can find aloe vera leaves at the Market District Giant Eagle in Shadyside.)

Hair Loss- Drink aloe vera juice and use it with shampoo to wash hair.

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In honor of National Stress Awareness Month, I wanted to write about something quick and easy that anyone can do to help reduce stress levels. Below is a breathing exercise, initially published entitled ‘Meditation for a Calm Heart’ in Shakta Kaur Khalsa’s book: Kundalini Yoga, Unlock Your Inner Potential Through Live–Changing Exercise.

Sit in a comfortable cross-legged or lotus position on the floor. Use a cushion if needed. Place left hand over heart with fingers pointing to the right, as close to parallel as possible. Right hand is facing forward near shoulder as if taking an oath.

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Due to the lack of sleep I have had lately, it triggered me to write this blog. When I have lost essential sleep hours I notice first and foremost, my lack of desire to talk with others. I am easily agitated and I feel as if my thought process moves about five times slower than an average day. My ability to focus is completely altered and my body feels heavier than the norm as well. It turns into one of those days where I shut off the phone, cancel plans, and do as little as possible. How much fun does that sound? NOT too much fun at all.

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New clients will often ask us what makes the massage services at the Pittsburgh Center for Complementary Health and Healing so special, and our first answer is simple. It is the fact that we view each and every time someone walks in our door as a unique opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life. Each and every client requires a different technique and a different customized massage session to meet their needs and goals.

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