Your Stress Affects Your Children

Many years ago, I listened to my Professor explain that the constitution of a child, at the very moment of conception, was determined by the health and well-being of the parents. Like a recipe that starts with quality ingredients, that precious embryo was best served by parents that were mentally, emotionally, and physically well. 

The subject was initially broached concerning drugs, alcohol, and/or poor diet - but as the Professor continued, it became clear the moment of conception went far beyond the obvious... 

Today, there is plenty of evidence, research and studies to back up what might have been controversial 27+ years ago. (yeesh ... I am outing my age... )

How Dad’s Stresses Get Passed Along to Offspring explains intercellular communication passing paternal experiences to their children. 

“A stressed-out and traumatized father can leave scars in his children. New research suggests this happens because sperm “learn” paternal experiences via a mysterious mode of intercellular communication in which small blebs break off one cell and fuse with another.”

It’s not just the Dad’s... 

The Effects of Prenatal Stress on Child Behavioural and Cognitive Outcomes Start at the Beginning

"It is now clear that environmental effects on fetal development are important with respect to emotional, behavioural and cognitive outcomes too." 

Bottom line - >  Your stress affects your children - from day one. 

Make sure to take care of all aspects of YOU. 

Dr.'s Writing Prescriptions for Art!

"We've been fostering a culture that's popping pills and Prozac, when what we should be doing is more prevention and perspiration." - British Health Secretary, Matt Hancock

I could not agree more!! Creativity, Art, Music, Dance, Singing... and form of authentic expression is essential for health and well-being. Mental, emotional AND physical. (Physical, because given that stress is the #1 modern killer, we need to be proactive. If we wait until we have pain, it's too late. Any method you have that reduces stress, is a step towards positivity.)

How perfect is this!! -> British Doctors May Soon Prescribe Art, Music, Dance, Singing Lessons

Lift Heavy Boxes with Your Brain

Before setting out to lift a heavy box, a piece of equipment, etc., lift it with your brain. Size it up and ask yourself if lifting this object by yourself is worth an aching back. 

If you decide you can manage a heavy object by yourself, follow these back saving guidelines:

1.  Stand as close to the object as possible. 

2.  Bend your knees (don't bend your waist). 

3.  Concentrate on lifting with your thigh muscles (not your back muscles). If your thigh muscles aren't up to the job, get someone to help you lift the thing. 

4.  While you're lifting, keep the object as close to your body as possible. 

5.  Don't twist your waist while you're carrying the object; if you must turn, turn with your feet. 

Remember that pushing a heavy object is easier on your back than pulling.

Q: How's the Water?

A: Wet.

Q: How do you make Holy water?

A: You boil the Hell out of it.

Q: What did the ocean say to the other ocean?

A: Nothing, they just waved.

Q: What do you call an old Snowman?

A: Water.

They say that the body is made up of 90% water. 

So... I'm not fat. I'm just Water Logged!

Okay... I'm officially tapped out of water jokes. 😉 Time for a little seriousness. Proper hydration is no joke.

Drink Water to Improve: 

Joint Lubrication

The maintenance of Body Temperature

How cells manage Energy 

Mental function: clarity, concentration, depression, temper

Migraines

More info. can be found here ~  To Help Stay Mentally Sharp, Don't Forget Water & Why We Need To Drink Plenty Of Water

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Located in the same place things are temporarily forgotten and almost remembered.

What is this?

The tip of your tongue! Awesome microscopic image of taste buds.

~~~

Cool Facts

Our tongue allows us to taste, eat, swallow, spit, talk, sing, and even kiss.

Taste buds test food - we can tell if the apple might be bad or rotting, as opposed to nutrient rich and yummy.

When you gain weight, so does your tongue. A larger tongue, lends a higher risk towards sleep apnea. The tongue is more likely to block air passages during sleep. 

The tongue is the only muscle that works without any skeletal support - much like an elephant trunk, or octopus tentacle. 

Chameleons, frogs, and anteaters, catch insects with their tongues. 

Cats have backward facing barbs on their tongues, which helps to hold their prey, and clean their fur. 

The Blue Whale’s tongue weighs about 5,400 pounds - thats about the size of an elephant. 

(More - http://www.amazingfacts4u.com/tongue/)

The Mind-Body Connection is Real

Another mind/body/immune system article! 💕 

Dr. Anoop Kumar, an Emergency Department physician, feels so strongly that “the mind-body connection is real,” he not only organized, he leads a meditation session for fellow doctors, nurses and staff. 

“As a child, Anoop Kumar was surrounded by the teachings of Eastern philosophy. He says he came to recognize a common message woven through philosophy, science and spirituality - a message of well-being. It’s that message that helped inspire him to write his first book, “Michelangelo’s Medicine.” (now I have to get the book...) 

Favorite take-away - “...the human being is not only a human body.... we must include other elements, like emotion, thought, intuition, desire and consciousness.”

A close tie - “...poorly managed anxiety and stress contributes to disease.”

For the full article - click here - Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center doctor examines mind-body connection

Stick to your New Year's Resolutions

Happy New Year!

In light of good intentions, resolutions and hope for positive growth, I thought I'd share How to Rewire Your Brain to Love Healthy Habits.

I need to work on many of the suggestions. They all resonate - pick my cues, make it automatic, work the three R's (reminder, routine, and reward), define my motivators, and s focus on baby steps.