Tucson Holistic Counseling

Yesterday we talked about self-confidence. Something I have noticed with people who lack confidence or positive esteem is they are unable to take complements. A simple to thank a person for a compliment can go a long way, yet it is amazing when you consider that most of us are not very good at accepting compliments, and often answer compliments by selling ourselves short. 

"That’s a  great outfit you’re wearing!"
"Really? I think it makes me look fat."
"I love your hair today."
"Really I think it looks awful. I hate it!" 

By doing this, we give the message that the person who made the compliment is being insincere or that he doesn’t really know what he’s talking about.  Try these steps so you can feel better about taking a nice complement.

Steps

1. Do not shrink back, and act timid.
2. Thank them, possibly return a compliment.
3. If they compliment your clothes or shoes don’t say "Oh, this old thing?" as it is rude, if they truly think it is nice.
4. If they compliment your clothes or shoes don’t say "Thanks! They were having a great sale at ______" or whatever" as it is rude, if they truly think it is nice. The exception to this is if you want your friend to be able to get in on the great deal too (for example, "Thanks! I got such a great deal on it too … it was reduced 75% - can you believe it? A $100 sweater for $25!").
5. Instead, try something like: "Thanks, I like them too".
6. Refrain from saying "Thanks! I paid a lot for it, it should be nice" or anything similar. I believe the reason why is quite obvious.

Tips

• Try not to think of ways to get around the topic. If they took the time to compliment you, it was definitely genuine, and should be handled as so.
• Remember that you are just as entitled to receive compliments as everyone else.
• Just say "Thank you". It’s not hard, and it’ll close the subject quickly and gracefully.

You may feel awkward at first, but gradually accepting compliments with grace will become second nature to you and you will feel better about yourself.

This is Tyler Woods saying walk in peace today.

Self-confidence is one of the most important things you can have. Self-confidence reflects your assessment of your own self-worth. It will play a large part in determining your happiness through life. Self-confidence allows you to take risks, as you have enough confidence in your own abilities to be sure that if things do go wrong, you can put things right.

In general, self-confidence is best improved by installing positive thoughts about your abilities (what you can achieve or learn to achieve): I can succeed at whatever I want, I can learn any skill, etc. As a strategy, you should look for any negative thoughts about what you can do and replace them with the opposite, positive thought.

Build self-confidence by:
* Free yourself from “should’s”.  The  “Should’s” distract us from identifying and fulfilling our own needs, abilities, interests and personal goals.  Find out what you want and what you are good at, value those, and take actions designed to fulfill your potential.

* Respect your own needs.  Recognize and take care of your own needs first!

* Talk to yourself positively.  Stop listening to your “inner critic”.

* Experience success.  Seek out and put yourself in situations in which the probability of success is high.

* Solve problems.  Don’t avoid problems, and don’t worry about them.

* Make decisions.  Practice making and implementing positive decisions and trust yourself to deal with the consequences. 

* Emphasize your strengths.  Focus on what you can do rather than what you cannot.

* Rely on your own opinion of yourself.  Everyone has an opinion but depend on your own values in making decisions.

The strategy is to reinforce positive thoughts. No matter how bad things are, you need to admit that you have succeeded at times. Find and do all you can and get your brain used to looking in a positive direction.

This is Tyler Woods with today’s tip and whatever you do today, walk in peace.

Rather than looking at ADHD as a label and give our young children harmful stimulants, maybe it’s time to start to look at our children on a more holistic level. Remember a holistic perspective is an ongoing journey of discovery in search of more answers and ultimately; living better, being healthier, and striving for wholeness.

The first thing to look at with ADHD is your child’s diet. A healer once said to me, if it doesn’t grow or swim, don’t eat it! Also if it comes in a cellophane wrapper, don’t eat it, if you can’t pronounce what is in it don’t eat it, take away 90% of all sugars and you are well on your way to a healthier child.

Other things you can do to help your child with ADHD, turn off the TV, toss out the computer games and do something with your child! See it’s your choice. You want your child to be healthy? Follow some guidelines. Will your child like it? Nope! Down the road will they thank you? YEP!

Get Attend for your child. It is a natural homoeopathic that WORKS. Parents seem to be jumping for joy with Attend and the results are not only positive, it is far safer than stimulants that are given to our children.

Want to know more….lots more. Want to know where to get attend and what other supplements work? Listen to my radio show on ADHD. Radio Show

  As a holistic mental health practitioner, I am board certified with the American Alternative Medical Association. (AAMA) It is vital that people know how important board certified practitioners are and what our primary goal is. So for today, I want to offer you some places that ensure that you are seeing a professional. Anymore in today’s world, people read a few books, and hang up a certificate, however training and certification is vital. Check to see if who you seek out is part of any of these associations. If you are a practitioner, then by all means join these associations.

Remember that it is your health. Making sure someone is certified and belongs to associations is important to your well being. It is important that we keep natural healing and health up to standards and there are associations that help promote that integrity.

American Alternative Medical Association 
American Holistic Medical Association
American Holistic Health Association
American Association of Drugless Practitioners
American Holistic Nurse Association
Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology
The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy

Big news SAM-e (pronounced sammy), otherwise known as S-Adenosylmethionine is really working for depression and other physical/.emotional conditions. SAM-e is not an herb but a compound that our bodies produce from methionine, which is an amino acid found in protein-rich foods.

SAM-e has demonstrated positive results in treating major depression. Controlled studies found that 70 percent of depressed people responded to SAM-e just as well as many established drug treatments for depression. So what is the SAM-e secret?

It appears that SAM-e can increase levels of important neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine and phosphatidylserine, therefore increasing the fluidity of brain cell membranes. This can affect the way brain cells receive and transmit neurotransmitters, such as serotonin. SAM-e also detoxifies the brain and is now being studied in the detoxification and rehabilitation of opiate abusers.

How does SAM-e differ from Saint John’s Wort? When Saint John’s Wort came on the market, people tossed out their prescriptions of Zoloft, Paxil, and Prozac, hoping for an herbal "cure" for depression. Disappointment followed when many of those depressed people did not find relief in the "miracle herb." Of course, not all recognized that Saint John’s Wort is for mild depression.

People on Prozac or other prescribed anti-depressants are probably not mildly depressed. Researchers claim the major difference with SAM-e is it can help with major depression. SAM-e is also beneficial with other conditions, such as arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, liver disorders, chronic back aches and migraine headaches.

Be aware that SAM-e is expensive: Average price is about $25 (US) per bottle, and to receive the minimum dose. Take 400 mg of SAMe twice a day. It is very important that you to take a high-quality vitamin B complex supplement along with SAMe. To prevent insomnia, don’t take SAMe late in the day. Most people report a mild energy boost with the supplement.

Don’t take SAMe with MAO inhibitor antidepressants. SAMe is best absorbed on an empty stomach, so try to take it about one hour before or two hours after meals. If nausea or heartburn begin be sure to take it with plenty of water. With any form of depression it is important to understand that prescribed drug treatment, or herbals and supplements alone cannot cure depression. Nutrition, exercise and spirituality all go hand-in-hand with treating depression.  

Everything we eat affects our moods. More and more mental health professionals agree that diet and depression go hand-in-hand, confirming that healthy foods help relieve depression. Through extensive research, science proves that there is truth behind the statement that food aids in relieving depression. Brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine appear to be influenced by the foods we eat. Did you know a turkey sandwich can calm you down? Feeling stressed? Then have tuna salad in an avocado followed by a cup of frozen sorbet.

People who experience mild depression may be happy to discover that eating foods that contain folic acid can help them feel better. People who experience mild-to-moderate depression are often deficient in folic acid, and eating foods that contain this vitamin could help reduce the high levels of homocysteine associated with depression. Some of the leading foods that have folic acid include; turkey, asparagus, beets, spinach, peas, avocados, brussels sprouts, bok choy, cabbage, broccoli, savoy, beans, chick-peas, soybeans, lentil, and oranges.

The amino acid Tryptophan is also very important in reducing depression. Tryptophan is the precursor to serotonin, which is a necessary neurotransmitter for transmitting nerve impulses in the brain. Food sources that contain Tryptophan include fish, other seafoods, poultry, lean meats, low-fat dairy products, eggs, beans, soy products, whole-grain cereals, vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains (barley, rye, oats, etc.), rice, hummus, lentils, hazelnuts, peanuts, sesame seeds, and sunflower seeds.

Omega-3 fatty fish oil is gaining more and more positive feedback for treating depression. Certain omega acids may be beneficial for depression. docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid that is the building block of human brain tissue. Research suggests that low levels of DHA have been associated with depression. More doctors and nutritionists are suggesting people include foods such as salmon, trout, grilled albacore tuna, halibut, sardines, cod, tofu, flaxseed, pumpkin seed, soybeans, and walnuts to get more Omegas in their diet.

Based on niacin’s well-recognized role in promoting sound nerve cell function, some experts recommend this B vitamin for relieving depression as well as feelings of anxiety and panic. Most B-vitamin complexes contain niacin in sufficient amounts for this purpose; they also offer the mood-enhancing benefits of other B vitamins. Leading Food Sources of niacin include brown rice chicken, turkey, tuna, and pomegranates.

Inositol is believed to play an important role in the messenger system to which several key serotonin receptor subtypes are linked and may be very therapeutic agents in treating depression. Nuts, bean, cantaloupe, citrus, soy, wheat germ, and eggs are a few foods that contain this vital component to our diet.

If eating certain foods can help decrease symptoms of depression, then it is important to note that a variety of foods can increase depression. People who experience depression should avoid foods such as simple carbohydrates, sugar, smoked foods, sausages or bacon, liver, dark poultry, fried foods, cold cuts, pickled foods, aged foods, full-fat cheese, whole milk, alcohol, processed foods, white flour, baked goods, caffeine, soda or cola products, MSG, and excessive salt.

It is essential to eat several healthy snacks in-between meals and never skip meals. This can help blood sugar from dipping and creating a sense of fatigue and depression. Not drinking enough fluid can also have an effect on mental health because even mild dehydration can result in depressed and irritable behavior.We are what we eat, so why not choose to eat healthier and feel better? Selecting foods that promote good neurotransmitter health is just one more way to reduce symptoms of depression. If symptoms of depression get worse, it is important to tell your family doctor.