Have you ever been so sick you ask yourself, “Why am I sick?” or maybe it’s more like a desperate,”Why me?”

I spent the last few days with what was either the flu, norovirus or some other illness I wouldn’t wish on anyone.  Not “feel-good living”.

A few days prior, I began reading You Are What You Say: A Harvard Doctor’s Six-Step Proven Program for Transforming Stress Through the Power of Language by Matthew Budd, MD and Larry Rothstein, Ed.D.

Back Story

In the first chapter the author (Dr. Budd) describes his experience at a “transformational life” weekend workshop, of which he was initially skeptical.

As the seminar leader shouts out the ground rules, some as strict as “don’t speak until called upon”, the author notices a women start to cough and wheeze.  She’s having what appears to be an asthma attack.  As he approaches to help, she yells to the leader, “Don’t tell me what to do!” Long story short: Turns out the seminar leader reminded this woman of her father.  After this realization, she sat in her chair sobbing, releasing the old emotions.  Her coughing and wheezing ceased and her breath returned to normal. (for more details, read the book!)

He was reminded of a day from his youth when he came home from school not feeling well. When he arrived home his grandmother asked, “Why are you sick?” Several minutes passed before he broke down explaining that he was bullied during an after school baseball game.  After “sipping soup” and sleeping for 4 hours, he awoke feeling much better and ready to play ball again.

Could our emotions create our sickness?

My education and training in practices like Reiki, Yoga and other holistic healing methods lead me to say yes, our emotions can make us sick, on a large or small scale.  For example, have you ever had to present a talk to a group, felt fine all day, and suddenly, minutes before you’re up to speak you start coughing?  No sign of a cough all day?

As I pondered this question, “Why am I sick?” for myself, two answers immediately came to mind, both stress-related.  One theory had to do with my recent eating habits and another about my need to do too many things at once.

It’s no secret that stress is linked to various illnesses.  So why couldn’t my recent attack be stress induced?  It’s a hard thing to swallow, isn’t it?  To think we “do” this to ourselves.  And yet, if we do, does that mean we can “undo” it?  Powerful thought.

I look forward to reading more in Dr. Budd’s book about emotions, stress and illness and doing some research on my own.  But in the meantime, I throw the question out to you to get you thinking a little and to start the conversation.

Have you ever wondered, “Why am I sick?

What do you think about the link between stress and illness? Do you believe in it?

Read more from WebMd.com about the link between stress and illness.

Today’s Stretch Break! will help you stretch the chest, shoulders and even your wrists.  Today I offer two variations – one from a seated position and one standing. The standing version offers a deeper stretch, the seated version is great for those with back issues who need the support.  You know how you feel, choose the one most appropriate for you (seated version is demonstrated first).  You will need to be seated near a table or desktop for this one. Remember to breathe! And always remember, stretching is feel-good living.

Note: The Stretch Break! series is designed for the average healthy adult. Please always consult a physician before starting any exercise/movement program. If you have back, wrist or shoulder pain/injury these stretches may not be right for you. If you are unsure, please check with your doctor before participating in these exercises.

Enjoy!

Are you caring for an Alzheimer’s patient who lives on the South Shore of Massachusetts?  If so, you might be eligible for a grant from the Alzheimer’s Partnership of the South Shore.

Taken from the grant application:

Purpose:  The Care Assistance Program (CAP) of the Alzheimer’s Partnership serving over 20 South Shore communities provides matching funds for short term respite care to benefit people with Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders and their family caregivers.  The program is intended to relieve the physical and emotional stress of the family caregiver, who must cope with around-the-clock care of a person with Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder, and provide a person with Alzheimer’s or a related disorder with a health social intervention that will maximize their abilities.  CAP enables and encourages these caregivers to seek help and assistance to enable continuing to be an effective care partner. The program is intended to give care partners the much needed opportunity to replenish their energies through personal pursuits, health care, and family or social activities.

This is an amazing opportunity for caregivers and from what I’ve been told, one that not many know about.  Caregivers spend so much time caring for others, they don’t have time and often financial resources to take care of themselves.  This grant helps.  If you or someone you know is caring for an Alzheimer’s patient who lives on the South Shore of Massachusetts, please pass this information along.  Caregivers need care, too!

Click here to download Word version of the application and find out if you qualify.

For more information about the Alzheimer’s Partnership of the South Shore contact:

The Alzheimer’s Partnership South Shore
P.O Box  336, Pembroke, MA 02358

Or visit the Alzheimer’s Association website for a listing of local partnerships.

Welcome to your weekly stretch break.  By request this week’s stretch is for the lower back, and you don’t even have to leave your chair.  For those of you with tight lower backs/hamstrings or high blood pressure, I offer a modification version first.   This is definitely one of my favorites. I hope you enjoy it, too.

Note:  The Stretch Break series is designed for the average healthy adult.  Please always consult a physician before starting any exercise/movement program. If you have lower back injury/issues or high blood pressure this stretch may not be right for you.  If you are unsure, please check with your doctor before participating in these or any exercises.

The March issue of South Shore Living Magazine is out and I’m featured as a stress management expert talking about workplace stress and finding balance – the natural way.  The article is quick (stress free reading!) and I hope you take moment to read it. Click here to read the article Ready…Set…Relax.

Yoga class in Hanover

Also, for those of you in the South Shore Massachusetts area my yoga class in Hanover started a new session.

Tuesdays, 8:30am – 9:30am
720 Washington St, Hanover (Heart of Reiki Center)
$60 pre-paid or $13 to drop in any time during the 6 week session.

Learn more about the class in Hanover or email me for details/registration.

Note:  Question of the Week is a new weekly series designed to help create more awareness and conversation about various aspects of your health and well-being.  I hope you join in the conversation.

I was recently interviewed on Money Matters Radio by host Chuck Nilosek.  (You can listen to the full 30 minute interview here.)  We started our conversation talking about managing workplace stress, then we talked about yoga then wellness in general. We even talked a little bit about the movie Food Inc and while we didn’t go deep into a discussion the idea was mentioned: is food marketing misleading?

I haven’t been able to get that thought out of my head ever since.

And that leads me to this weeks question:

Is food marketing misleading to the consumer?

I was reminded of a study that was published in the January 2010 Journal of the American Dietetic Association about the number of calories in some of the food you eat and how in many instances caloric consumption may be up to 20% more than what is reported.

The press release stated:

Measured energy values of 29 quick-serve and sit-down restaurant foods averaged 18% more calories than the stated values. Likewise, measured energy values of 10 frozen meals purchased from supermarkets averaged 8% more calories than stated on the label.

Then I read a post from Evita Ochel a holistic health counselor and biologist at Evolving Wellness about foods that seem healthy but are not and again I became curious about whether food marketing is misleading. 

Admittedly I am a label reader. I do not take the claims on the front of a food package at face value, regardless of what they tell me – High fiber, low in calories, good source of vitamins/minerals – and I have a few rules I never stray from when food shopping including:  food stays on the shelf if it contains high fructose corn syrup or ingredients I can’t pronounce.

Knowing what is in your food helps you look and feel your best – and that is a critical part of feel-good living.

What about you?  Do you read food labels?  What are your thoughts on how food is marketed to the consumer?

Please join the conversation and share your thoughts, comments and knowledge below.

Today’s local feel good living highlight is with the Reverend Cathi Burke, co-owner of the Heart of Reiki/Heavenly Messenger Center in Hanover, MA.

I met Cathi through a networking referral and we instantly hit it off. I had the pleasure of interviewing her about one of her many skills , EFT or Emotional Freedom Technique.  EFT is a healing method that involves tapping various points on the body.  During our conversation Cathi teaches us (yes, there is practice involved!) tapping points to help manage fear, anxiety, stress, build confidence and even curb food cravings!  The interview runs about 20 minutes long, but in a lot of it you actually get to practice tapping.  If you’ve never heard of EFT or if you have and are curious, this segment may help answer some questions. I hope you check it out.

For more information about Cathi Burke:

Heart of Reiki Center
720 Washington St, Hanover MA
781-871-1740
email: angels8888 (at) comcast (dot) net

When you sit a lot during the day your hips and lower back get compressed and that creates stress on the body.  The hips also serve as a storage depot for emotional “stuff”.  During today’s stretch break I guide you through a chair stretch for hips.  Once again, this stretch is great for anyone who sits a lot during the day.  This is also great for runners/athletes or anyone you just wants to relieve lower body tension.  Always remember to breathe!  Stretching is feel-good living.

Note:  The Stretch Break series is designed for the average healthy adult.  Please always consult a physician before starting any exercise/movement program. If you have knee, back or hip pain/injury this stretch may not be right for you.  If you are unsure, please check with your doctor before participating in these exercises

MODIFICATION: If you have trouble lifting your foot to your knee as demonstrated in the video try this: If you are lifting the right ankle to the left knee, instead of bending the left knee, extend the left leg out in front of you and bring the right ankle towards your shin.  Avoid placing the ankle on the knee – you never want to push in on the joints. Continue to flex the right foot and think about pressing the knee away from you. Keep the left knee soft to avoid locking it.

New! In support of my local community (Massachusetts), each week I will highlight news, resources and people to connect you to information you need to experience feel-good living.

Massage is indulgent to some, a therapeutic necessity to others. Massage is a great stress management tool, relaxation tool and a perfect healing therapy for athletes and those with a lot of muscle tension.   I use it therapeutically to relieve muscle tension that builds from things like exercise and sitting at a desk.

Which is why I’m so happy I met my new massage therapist Jaime Fencer.

Jaime is more than a massage therapist, she is a yoga instructor and certified Reiki Master.  She knows her stuff, physically and energetically.  There is no fluff involved with a massage from Jaime.  And that is “feel-good living”.

What I like Most About Jaime:

• She listens. Before she begins each session she asks you if there is anything in particular you want to work on.
• Her voice is soft and soothing. Just talking to her gets you in the mood to relax and unwind.
• She’s strong. Don’t let her size fool you, she has the ability to go deep into your muscle tissue and relieve the tension that has built from the week (or month, or however long it’s been since you’re last massage).
• She keeps quiet. I’ve had massage experiences where the therapist talks to me for the entire hour.  Not relaxing or therapeutic.  I prefer silence or soft music in the background, not conversation. I get that with Jaime.
• She makes house calls! Depending on a couple of factors like your location and a referral from me or someone she knows (to ensure that she is entering a safe home!) she makes house calls.

Room for Improvement
I believe that we all have room for improvement – there is always something more we can learn about our craft.  However, as I think about the things I would improve:

• Longer massage session
• More frequent massage session
• Wish she brought more of her energetic knowledge to the session

I realize these are all on me, not her.  I know that if I asked her for more energy work, I would get it. I haven’t asked.

Jaime practices massage in Boston, the South Shore and Cape Cod.  She teaches yoga in those same locations.  She’s passionate about her work, responds to appointment requests quickly, and has always followed up immediately with any referral I sent her way.

Feel Good Living Rating: 4.5 hearts.
(New! Rating system, 1 (not so feel good) to 5 (extremely feel good) “hearts”, logo coming soon).

How to Reach Her?
To schedule an appointment with Jaime contact her via phone or email (and tell her I sent you!)

Jaime Fencer
617 688 7714
fenna13 (at) aol (dot) com

Today’s stretch break will get you out of your seat for a side bend and simple chest stretch. When I do this in live programs I often hear “Oh, that feels good.” Always remember to breathe! And remember, stretching is feel-good living.

Note: The Stretch Break series is designed for the average healthy adult. Please always consult a physician before starting any exercise/movement program. If you have back or shoulder pain/injury these stretches may not be right for you. If you are unsure, please check with your doctor before participating in these exercises

More Feel-Good Living: Continuing to speak up about heart disease
Fellow bloggers Joanna at Fitness and Spice and Sahar from Fat Fighter TV have put out a call for support. I received the following email today from Sahar.  Can you help speak up for heart disease?

On February 12, 2010 the American Heart Association and fitlosophy, inc. are asking bloggers around the globe to participate in Blog Your Heart Out Day! They’re asking us to SPEAK UP about the No. 1 killer of women — heart disease.  You can help by:

• Encouraging your readers to join the Go Red For Women movement at the www.goredforwomen.org
• Challenging your audience to find a community of support, make healthy changes to their diet and exercise, get a heart check up, and speak up to their doctors about having a lipo-protein blood screening.
• Blogging how your life or someone you know has been impacted by heart disease