Living With Invisible Illness

A letter on “invisible illnesses” such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, lyme’s disease and a host of others. Well said.

“I am the face of invisible illness. Invisible illness is exactly that – you can’t see it. But I can. Every time I look in my mirror I see the rigors of daily life with a chronic condition that no one is even sure I have because I don’t look sick.

What is a day in the life, you wonder? Thank you for asking. Most people don't. I’m weary to the bone most mornings because I am the proverbial princess (or prince) and the pea and no position, temperature, bedding or pillows make me comfortable.

I have irritable bowels in case you wanted that information, too. That’s an understatement because I may not be able to “go” for days, yet have uncontrollable diarrhea on my way to work or elsewhere and barely make it in time. Or I might be blessed with bouts of both.

My bowels may not be the only irregularity. My blood pressure, blood sugar, or body temperature may all swing back and forth like a yo-yo.

Pain is always part of my day in some form. It may be headaches, joint or muscle pain. It may be mild or it may be debilitating enough that I can’t lift my arm over my head. The pain may be accompanied by weakness, numbness or tingling sensations just to make it interesting.

There are days I may feel like I can run a mile and others where I can’t do the dishes. My children, my grandchildren often wear out what energy I DO have simply by being children.

If I’m lucky I can work at a job or own a business. Sometimes though, I feel fortunate if I can walk to the mailbox. If I do work, I am amazingly adept at adapting my workload to my up and down cycles. I have to be.

I have an invisible illness that dictates what I do and when and for how long. What I ate this morning may make me sick another time. The 30 minute walk on a beautiful spring day that I desperately want to take runs the risk of not allowing me to clean the house tomorrow because I won’t be able to function. My brain may be sharp as a tack right now, yet later I might forget what I had to eat today, my doctor’s name or a phone number I call frequently.

All the books I’ve wanted to write, nature photographs I’ve wanted to take, work I’ve wanted to do, people I’ve wanted to spend time with, activities I’ve wanted to participate in, places I've wanted to go….they’re all out there, waiting. But in here, I can’t ever know for sure if I can do anything more than dream of them because of an invisible illness that wants to control my life and does it quite well as a rule. But I have two choices as I see it: try or don’t.

Sadly, and blessedly at the same time, people don’t see anything wrong with me. I smile like them. I talk like them. I walk, get dressed, eat, go to the bank like them. But I see it. I see it in my eyes each day when I wake up. I see it on my face when I brush my teeth before bed.

I’m not lazy. I’m not making it up. I’m not antisocial. If I’m depressed it’s because I have baggage that weighs me down sometimes. What I am, is intelligent, funny, compassionate, a dreamer and stronger than you can possibly know because I deal with this invisible illness……alone.”

There is an element of sadness in this letter that touches my heart. It speaks to me of the compassion we all should have for each other on a daily basis for none of us knows what another is facing through the smiles they wear.

Sensitivity Meter

Ah, the holidays.... exactly like the blissful Christmas shows that are on tv night after night from Thanksgiving to New Year's. Love, happiness and peace on Earth all while soft snow flakes drift down covering the world in quiet wonder.

Not so much the case in your world? My guess is the countdown for holiday shopping is pressing you (and you've already spent way too much), work is demanding production, the family wants your time and 'the weather outside is frightful'......all leaving your sensitivity meter in the red stress zone.

What now? Take a breath. (Take two, they're free.) I know, I know. I always say that. I say it because 1) It's free. 2) Air is readily available and 3) science shows breathing is very very good for you.

Next, recognize what's going on. Your spouse asked "honey, could you please change the toilet paper roll when you use it last?" and you responded with, "yeah, well......maybe if you picked up your socks, threw the junk mail away instead of leaving it on the counter, and fed the dog once in awhile, I would change the toilet paper!" Uh, yeah, you overreacted. That's that sensitivity meter again.

What's going on is that you're on overload with your emotions/thoughts/feelings and you just spewed them all over your spouse who's standing there with mouth agape wondering what in the world happened.

Stepping back and taking a deep breath or two while you realize that it wasn't really your spouse's comment that set you off will go a long ways toward preventing it from happening again.

What else can you do to bring your sensitivity meter back into a normal range?

• Take a break from the news. News is meant to trigger emotions-and this usually means your negative ones like fear or anger.

• Set aside electronics. Smart phones, tablets and other electronic devices literally keep us "wired" all day (and night) long. if you find yourself frequently pulling your cell phone out to read or respond to text messages or Facebook; you may have developed a habit that keeps you perpetually keyed up 24/7.

• Get out. Outside that is. Leave your cell phone in the house, car, office.......anywhere but your pocket and step outside for fresh air and a view of nature.

• Take time to smile or say hello to a stranger at least once in the course of your day. If they don't respond in kind, tell yourself IT'S OK. Why? Because it IS.

• Remember, everyone you know is going through something; whether the car broke down, they're working too many hours, the kids have been sick, or whatever. Realize that when someone says something that affects you adversely, it doesn't always mean they meant it in a negative way. Be patient and think it through. Then if necessary, talk it out (not text it out..... grrr....most convenient yet most easily misunderstood form of conversation). Likely you'll find that what rubbed you the wrong way was not intended at all and it was simply your sensitivity meter hitting the red zone.....again.

Happy.........and peaceful holidays to all. And to all a good night (night's sleep that is!)

Pets, Stress and You

Want to find yourself slightly more stress-free? Get a pet.

Hairballs? Slobbery kisses? Paper training? I can hear a collective sigh that says "I think that sounds stress FULL, not stress-free."

Not so fast. Studies show that owning a pet helps you live longer. Think about it: who else gives you unconditional love day in and day out? Okay, the dog does. Cats give unconditional love when they WANT to. (But they still love you even if they appear to be ignoring you, honest.)

Taking 10 minutes at the end of the work day to throw a ball with your canine or entice your kitty to play a game of laser light helps to relieve the accumulated stress of phone calls, deadlines, and annoying colleagues substantially. Statistics show that pet owners can effectively lower high blood pressure simply by having a four legged (or two as the case may be) companion.

Think of the exercise involved in walking the dog or just playing with one. It's great for him and for you. A definite win-win!

And then, at day's end; everyone winds down with a wonderful petting session. The rhythmic stroking of an animal's fur soothes not only the beast but the master as well.

Beyond the stress relief and health benefits; a pet is a wonderful people magnet. For some reason, a person is far more likely to stop and talk to you during a walk if you have a dog by your side than not. This is a huge benefit, especially to those who live alone or don't get to public places where other humans abound. In fact, therapy pets are being used more and more in nursing homes and other medical facilities for the social benefits to short and long term residents.

Pets are also fantastic listeners. Especially dogs (your cat may get bored and walk away). They don't offer advice, chastise you for saying or doing something wrong, or get mad at you. They simply listen in their own dog-like way. It can be very cathartic to talk to a pet and your pet will be getting your undivided attention; which is what he loves.

On top of it all; your pet is always there for you. She watches for you to come home, loves to have you feed, pet, play with her. You're not her master. You're her buddy and her world. It doesn't get a whole lot better than that.

Massage Adjustments?

As a licensed massage therapist, a great question I get asked frequently is if I do adjustments. What this refers to specifically is spinal adjustments which are physical manipulations of the spinal vertebrae. The short answer is, no.

The more complete answer is that a massage therapist works with the soft tissues of the body; these being the connective tissue (skin, fascia that covers and holds everything together), tendons, ligaments and muscles. We use our hands, elbows, forearms and sometimes tools to loosen, stretch, shorten or lengthen these tissues so that the client feels relief. Relief from what? Well, that could mean stress relief. Or it could be for pain management, joint comfort, injury rehabilitation or to keep these body tissues supple, strong and moving the way they are supposed to.

Those who work with the spinal vertebrae are also licensed health care practitioners, typically chiropractors or osteopaths. They specifically assess the continuity of the spinal fluids, the vertebrae and any mis-alignments, injuries or degeneration which affect the body's health. These practitioners, just as massage therapists, educate, assess and treat structures of the body. The difference is that I work with muscles and a chiropractor (for example) works with bones.

What's the connection between the two and why do I get asked if I do adjustments? The connection is that the bones and muscles give structure to the body so we don't all look like a bean bag chair. They work in unison to keep the body upright and mobile. Plus, they keep all our other parts from spilling all over the place.

The reason I get asked about adjustments is because often after a massage therapy session, a client will move a certain way and feel the relief of that familiar "crack" when a vertebrae re-aligns itself spontaneously. Though I say spontaneously, this isn't to be mistaken for "coincidence".

Why is this? Simply put, because the bones go where the muscles put them. This is why you could go to get weekly adjustments for your neck and yet it continues to "go out". If the muscles of the neck or shoulder are continually tight and shortened; as soon as an adjustment is made to the vertebrae, it will be pulled back out of position by the offending muscle(s) structure.

I've seen clients that have received adjustments for years without significant relief of their problem and once they incorporate massage into their wellness regimen, they find the spinal adjustments begin to hold for longer periods of time between visits.

So again, I don't "do" adjustments. But with the help of massage therapy, your body frequently is able to do it's own adjusting.

New Year, New You

It's a new year and you've got high hopes that this year is the one that you'll lose weight, make more money, exercise more, stop smoking, be happier. On week 3 of the first month of 2012, how is that going for you?

Have you kept any of your resolutions? Are they hit or miss? Or have you given up?

Resolutions are easy to make and tough to keep.  Most of us will find that we set similar resolutions the year before and the year before and the year before..... That's not meant to depress, cause undue despair or otherwise make you come down hard on yourself. It just IS.

The question is WHY?

Do we tackle too big a concept? Do we make it too broad of a focus? Do we choose things we know we can never achieve because we always set ourselves up to fail?

Lots of questions, but the bottom line is WE ALL DO IT.

Unless.........

What if there's a way to get RESULTS instead of simply setting resolutions?

Hypnosis gets results.  Try it. Build your confidence in all areas. Be amazed.



I have many of Wendi's programs and I use them personally and with my clients. She has an amazing voice and her programs are creative and highly effective. For a short video on addiction and how hypnosis can help eliminate it; scroll to the bottom of the page.

Don't Let Irritable Bowel Syndrome Make you Irritable

Post-holidays, irritable bowel syndrome can really rear it's ugly head. For those who suffer the ups and downs of the yo-yo digestive (and elimination) tract; the stress and altered eating patterns of the holiday season can wreak havoc. So that makes this post perfect timing as everyone tries to get back on track, lose holiday weight gain and determinedly stick to those resolutions (or have you given up already?)

Before I offer some help to the long suffering IBSer; I feel I should at least describe the condition. And realize, though I may speak with humor there's really very little to laugh about if you're caught up in the throes of the discomfort IBS can instill. Any humor I inject comes from 1) familiarity with the issue and 2) the belief that the more lightheartedness you can add to any situation; the better your outlook will be. Pretty simple, yes?

So, IBS or irritable bowel syndrome is a collection of symptoms that can include abdominal discomfort, bloating, cramping and alternating constipation and diarrhea. These symptoms vary from sufferer to sufferer and day to day. Because of the erratic behavior patterns of this health condition; most IBSers know EXACTLY where a bathroom is located no matter where they are. It's a pain......well.... in the ass. Sorry, I had to.

IBS doesn't just cause physical pain and discomfort but also mental duress which can be severe. Loss of self esteem, the blues, anxiety and others can make one feel uncomfortable enough to not even want to leave the house. This sets the IBSer up for even more severe emotional problems such as agoraphobia or clinical depression. Yikes.

A diagnosis of IBS usually comes after a lengthy discussion with a health care provider. Said provider will, hopefully, rule out more serious diseases instead of just making a blanket diagnosis of IBS. If indeed, that is what the problem is determined to be, the IBSer will likely be offered various pharmaceuticals to control symptoms. Be warned that many drugs will ease one symptom only to cause another. It's the nature of the Pharma Beast.

Fortunately, because IBS has been around for awhile and lots and lots of people suffer with it; there have been breakthroughs in alternative treatments for the condition which are more gentle, infinitely more effective overall than traditional health care methods, and less inexpensive.

• Massage. What would you expect me to say, I'm a massage therapist. :-) Seriously, I wouldn't advocate it if it didn't work. Massage facilitates the calming of an overactive nervous system which is part of the IBS complex. The more your entire body relaxes, the more your colon will too. Because many IBS sufferers have a predominance of either diarrhea or constipation; a therapist can use specific abdominal strokes to hasten or slow the motility (movement) of the colon contents.
• Diet. Most sufferers already have a pretty good idea what foods/beverages they should avoid to manage IBS attacks. The problem here is not adhering to the diet that makes one feel the best. That's a choice. If you have IBS and you know that dairy causes cramping and diarrhea but you still eat cheese; that's a choice you've made. I'm being kind of harsh and I could apologize but I won't. YOU can control what goes into your mouth and many types and combinations of foods will trigger IBS symptoms like clockwork.
• Supplements. Fiber, probiotics, calcium and magnesium, oil of peppermint or fennel and others may all be useful in quelling the symptoms of IBS. It's important to research the effectiveness and quality of any supplements so that symptoms aren't made worse or money wasted on ineffective products.
• Hypnotherapy/EFT/BodyTalk/Others. Many mind body therapies use energy psychology to elicit a healing response in the body. Energy psychology is a synergistic blend of body work with tapping into one's emotions to clear blockages in the mind and body that inhibit healthy function.

Talking to other IBSers to learn how they cope may also be helpful as long as one skips the "whine" with the cheese...... Remember that being proactive in one's own health care, including having a positive outlook, is often the best medicine.

Stress and You

'Tis the season. The holiday season is upon us and with it comes a myriad selection of activities that flood our days (and sometimes nights). We add these holiday activities and functions to our already full plate consisting of home, family, work, volunteering, recreational activities (Feel free to add your own choices to this list) and before we know it we've got headaches, fatigue, feelings of overwhelm, colds, indigestion, sleeplessness, and short tempers.


What's the solution? From my perspective as a licensed massage therapist (and crazed holiday enthusiast who partakes in creating, sharing, eating rich holiday foods, decorating in an eclectic country home spun yet elegant Martha Stewart-esque style, seeing clients daily, writing a business manuscript on massage therapy, taking care of a home, pets, family, volunteering with a civic organization and trying to fit in time for socializing with the special people in my life); it's safe to say I know a little something about the topic of stress, it's effects on the human condition and how to effectively reduce it.


First, it's important to know how stress registers for you. Some people can go, go, go and not even know they ARE stressed so it's important to recognize the signs before you become worn out.

• Fatigue (feeling like you wake up tired and go to bed tired.)
• Muscle tension (especially neck, shoulders, chest and abdomen)
• Racing thoughts (too much in your head to think about)
• Easy to anger (that %*@$% cut me off in traffic!)
• Feeling overwhelmed (manifesting as sadness, frustration, anger, anxiety)
• Sleeplessness (worry, tension, a long "to do" list)

There are other symptoms that may present as well but these are some of the more commonly overlooked signs of stress overload. After these come the ones that FORCE us to take notice. Things like: headaches, heartburn/gerd/acid reflux, colds and flu, and other problems that effectively put us down for the count....at least temporarily.

It's vitally important (all the time) but especially at busy times of the year like the holidays to induce the relaxation response as frequently as possible to keep stress from becoming more problematic. Unchecked stress can lead to many serious health issues like heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer and diabetes so knowing how it affects you and how you can deal with it is well worth the time and effort. Here are a few options for you to try:

• Massage and bodywork. (Of COURSE I'm going to mention this! Massage is one of THE premier ways of inducing the relaxation response through soothing the nervous system, releasing muscular tension and shutting off monkey mind chatter).
• Deep breathing. (When stressed, we naturally breathe more shallow. Deeper breathing sends nourishing oxygen to all the cells of your body. Good stuff, trust me.)
• Mindful exercise. (Yoga, tai chi, qi gong, walking. These options help you to focus your mind, increase rhythmic breathing, stretch your body while releasing stored tension and improving circulation)
• Guided meditation or visualization. (These offer verbal guidance to help you to progressively relax your muscles, deepen your breathing and slow your conscious brain activity)

The holidays needn't be a time of dread due to a to-do list that extends around the block. Take on those things that are "have tos", interspersed with the things that make you feel great. Don't feel you have to do it all or be it all. You don't. The more relaxed you feel, the better you'll enjoy your holidays, friends and family and the reason for the season. (You get to choose what that is for you.)

So go color a picture and just let go.....

Dancing in the Rain

From time to time I get videos that inspire me and renew my energy.

Learning to Dance in the Rain is one.

So how's your attitude of gratitude shaping up? Do you wake in the morning and say, "hey! my bed is warm and soft.", "I can wiggle my toes!", or "I get 5 more minutes before I have to get up"?

Throughout your day did you take a moment to say "thank you" for the close parking space you got, the door someone held open for you, the smile you received when you bought your coffee?

When that day ended, did you think, "I'm so grateful for my children, my spouse, my cat?"

An attitude of gratitude is a habit you can form at any moment. What you will soon notice is the more you find to be grateful for, the more you'll HAVE to be grateful for.

So, watch the video. Then make your gratitude list.

How Can Massage Help?

Being a licensed massage therapist for the past 10 years, I have heard a lot from people on what they think massage is like and how it benefits the body/mind. Some of the information is spot-on and some of it is most definitely lacking.

For instance, far too many people associate massage with this luxurious service that only pampered, rich people (who don't need it) can afford to get. Well, they're right that it can be luxurious, but it's not just for the spoiled set.

Massage therapy is highly beneficial for relieving the effects of every day stress. Whether that stress load comes from work or family obligations, ill-health, relational difficulties or any other situation, massage can effectively reduce (and relieve) the body and mind with the very first session. Why is this important? With stress linked to nearly every disease known to man, keeping it to a minimum may be a "secret" to a longer, healthier life.

Beyond stress relief, massage is frequently used for pain control, to release muscle tension and speed injury rehabilitation. When used regularly, it is effective for headache, shoulder and back pain relief.

Massage works on all the systems of the body, not just the muscles. It rejuvenates the entire body by increasing the blood and lymph circulation. Oxygen is much more effectively distributed and utilized as well.

The skin brightens and internal organs become more toned. Certain massage techniques benefit the digestive tract and may curb constipation or symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. The nervous system is positively impacted and a release of "feel good chemicals" is allowed to flood the body.

Now, with all that said....is massage therapy a panacea for every ailment out there? No. It does not suit all conditions, nor does everyone respond well to it.

However, it IS another tool to use to increase the quality of your life. Give it a try. Your body and mind will thank you.

Fun Size Carrots

I recently read an email that is going around about a shocking report on the production of cocktail carrots. Some of it is true, other parts are stretched just a bit.

In talking to people, I  was surprised how many were unaware of how these cocktail carrots, in their convenient and "cute" size, actually came about and how they are commonly prepared.

For those who missed the memo, these mini carrots- great for small fingers to hold and that make perfect appetizers to go in a vegetable party tray- are larger carrots that are mechanically peeled and shaped into uniform sizes. The process, I suppose, is similar to a rock tumbling function.

The carrots are dipped in a water and chlorine solution (think swimming pool) to preserve their freshness and prevent microbes from growing. (I hate to break it to you, but many ready to eat veggies are processed the same way.) They are then rinsed in drinking water to remove residue. In the final stage of production, carrots are packaged in plastic bags and shipped to stores for consumer purchase.

Cocktail carrots were originally made from deformed carrots that couldn't be sold along with their well-formed counter parts, but now growers have bred carrot varieties especially for the "grab and go" convenience. These new breeds are higher in sugar content (to appeal to childrens' sweet taste buds) and have the bright orange color bred in for visual appeal as well.

Think about it...we all know what non-preserved vegetables look like after even a few days of being cut and peeled-even when stored in plastic zipper bags in the refrigerator, so it makes sense that some sort of preservative has to be provided for these pre-cut million dollar "babies" of the grocer's vegetable aisle.

You can read the Snopes report here.  Then decide for yourself if buying convenience is the best option for your family.

There's your Thursday food for thought. :)

Vitamin D and Your Health

As fall approaches, many people are noting the shorter days. With less light comes more need for the crucial vitamin D (technically not a vitamin at all but a hormone.) Frequently referred to as the "sunshine vitamin", it's name comes from the fact that the body synthesizes vitamin D through sunlight exposure. Due to modern day demands on time that disallows being outdoors, overuse of sunscreen, and heavier clothing, a noted increase in vitamin D deficiency has been acknowledged by the medical profession. Those who live in northern climates may be at higher risk.

Deficiency in vitamin D contributes not only to health issues of the bones and teeth, but statistics show that it may also be a factor in HBP, heart disease, diabetes and several types of cancer. Intervention with D therapy has been shown to improve many health conditions dramatically.

Sun exposure of 10-20 minutes per day on approximately 40% of the skin, fat soluble foods such as cod liver, egg yolk, some types of fish and dairy products and supplemental D3 can bring levels back into the healthy range. Have D levels checked by a doctor before adding a supplemental regimen and have them monitored periodically.

How's Your Physiology Looking?

What is your physiology, you ask. It's how you "appear". Your physiology.....how you look and act says a lot about your physical, mental and emotional states according to Tony Robbins and most other experts on the topic. Though not an expert, per se, I happen to agree wholeheartedly.

For instance, if you don't smile often, try doing just that as a small experiment. Smile wide and hold that smile. How do you feel compared to your more somber expression?

When you see a person with shoulders hunched forward or head down, what do you think they might be feeling? Do they look like they feel great? On top of the world? Excited or happy? Or do they look like they might be feeling downtrodden, sad, anxious or some other slightly less than positive emotion?

If you notice someone who looks depressed, how do they talk? Low.... or in a monotone? How are their facial expressions? Are they smiling, frowning? Are the muscles of their face tense?

Take some time to play with your physiology and see if it doesn't change your state of being.

• Smile when you're feeling grumpy or sad.
• Hold your head up and shoulders back when you're feeling depressed or lacking confidence. 
• Keep your arms at your sides when talking to someone instead of folding them across your chest which makes you "appear" unapproachable or confrontational.
• Make eye contact to exude confidence.

Small changes in your physiology will change not only how others perceive you, but how YOU perceive you. Try it and see for yourself.

An Attitude of Gratitude

An attitude of gratitude is essential to well-being. Most people would agree to that, but it's doubtful that many adhere to a daily practice of appreciation. Unfortunately, most of us buzz through life on adrenaline overload, not stopping until we're "supposed" to at bedtime.

As for me, it's about 98 degrees here today and I.....well, I'm sweltering. (Remember, we're 4 season here and the coldest one of those can last about 6 months out of the year which makes it tougher to acclimate when our summer finally arrives.) :-)

But I'm thankful even with the high heat and humidity. Why? Easy. I'm here with my feet up doing part of my workday from my laptop. I'm in a pair of shorts and said feet are bare. There are birds chirping outside my window and I have full ability to get up any time I choose and go make that tall glass of iced tea I've been craving.

I could just as easily be cussing because the humidity is horrendous, but nope......I'm not going there. I'm appreciating this moment of warmth. I'm feeling an attitude of gratitude for the fact that my heating system isn't on and running up a bill. I'm thankful that I have this ability to be able to do part of my work from the comfort of my own home. I am blessed to have legs that move me to make that iced tea.

So tell me...... how's YOUR attitude of gratitude today?

:-)

What About Me?

I've been asked a number of times what I do as a natural health care practitioner, to relax myself. Many people might think massage and other types of bodywork are the number one things on my list of things to do. I will say they are "up" on the list, of course. :-) Massage and bodywork have numerous benefits including relaxation and improving overall health and wellbeing, but there are a number of ways that I can use to take care of me. These are just a few of my favorites:

• Walking
• Breathing exercises 
• Meditation
• Reading
• Appreciate as much as possible - even the simplest thing
• Driving
• Motorcycle riding
• Petting my cat, Lucky

 You'll notice these activities are mostly free and readily available. I find it's good to have a ready-made list to help me to access that relaxing point which I might not otherwise get to when I'm feeling stressed and overwhelmed.

I urge you to make your own list today. Discover what helps make YOU feel relaxed and gives you that break that you may need, or need without knowing you need it. :-)

Oh, and........ I love coloring mandalas like the one you see below!

What are You Drinking for Energy?

A friend mentioned to me the other day that she doesn't need alcohol to give her a boost while out with friends. She simply drinks caffeine drinks to get her energy.

Huh?

Those energy drinks in a can may have excessively high amounts of caffeine.  Studies have shown that not only do they increase your energy, but they may also have enough caffeine to induce rapid heartbeat, dizziness, high blood pressure, vomiting and other unpleasant effects as reported to the US Poison Control Center.

Many consumers of these so-called energy drinks are teens and young adults who may mix the drinks with alcohol - encouraging an even more detrimental affect on their bodies.

So what can you do to give that burst of much needed energy to persevere through the day?

For starters: consider getting more sleep. Now there's a thought! Stop burning the candle at both ends already. Your body requires 7-9 hours of good quality sleep to feel its best. Add to it a healthier diet and some exercise and you may just find you don't even need those energy drinks at all.

And yet, for those times when all else fails - consider drinking green tea or green tea with added ginseng to give you a healthier dose of pep. An added bonus is green tea might just help your metabolism to burn off those couple extra pounds.

The Best Place to Start is With You

And the best starting point is with the question: What do you do for YOU?

How do you take care of yourself?
What relaxes you?
Do you make time for you or do you push through to get to the "end result" of your day?

Most of us start off our day with a to-do list a mile long. And that's ok - to a point. It's productive to have a plan and goals set for the day, but it's important that those plans and goals include regular self-care too, to avoid burnout and the feeling of "what am I doing all this for?".

Self-care can mean anything from starting your day with a good breakfast to getting a massage during free time to taking time to relax with a walk in the sunshine. Of course, there are probably millions of ways to provide self-care for yourself. But it needs to be scheduled in right along with work, shuffling kids, and house and yard work.

Make a list of your daily activities today and find out for yourself where you are with your self-care routine. It might surprise you to find yourself near the bottom of the list.