Connections to Health - A New Year Starts

THE ISHTA HOLISTIC HEALTH CENTRE

CONNECTIONS to HEALTH

A New Year Starts

Resolutions, Reflexology & a Special Offer

Helen Nightingale IIR MAR, VTCT, TATh

Another year starts, out come the resolutions, how long will they last this year? A week, a month if you are lucky, not many go beyond. Why should this be? Is it that it's the same old resolution, perhaps a new target weight (we all ate too much over the Christmas period if we are truthful), and the old chestnut of "take more exercise"? Of the people who all pay their joining fee and monthly subscriptions to a gym starting in January less than 25% are still regularly attending by September (and regular can mean just once a month).

Why should this be? One is that the challenge we set for ourselves is not always realistic. We aim too high, we cannot keep to the standard we set ourselves and therefore it is easier to give in, ready to try again next year. Why not keep it small and of use to the individual? To use a business method make it SMART.
Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time bound

I read an article somewhere this week in which the writer's young child was asked to make a New Year's resolution at school. The whole class was involved and after much thought they came up with the resolution "The pencils should all be put away at the end of each day". It meets all of the criteria, and is still being kept in week 2 of term time. The children have the right idea, the resolution is small enough to be manageable and of use to everyone. So much, so that it is likely to become business as usual - unlike the great weight loss always envisaged or the devotion to exercise that seems such a good idea while eating the chocolates left at the bottom of the box of Roses that even Uncle Ted didn't want!

How many of us go for the biggy and do not achieve it? I am going to lose 2 stone is a big target to go for - the end is so far off. Why not keep it small and manageable - go for a weight loss of 4lbs in a month. A greater loss may be achievable, thus giving the satisfaction of overachieving the goal. This result is a much better motivation to go for another 4lbs target loss next month.

Now let us move on from weight loss and fitness resolution. Isn't it time that you had a different resolution if only for one year - how many of us have the same resolution time after time? What about getting your body in balance? On the other hand, put another way, what about a service! What, I hear you say. Do you have a car? Do you service it regularly according to the manufacturers' guidelines? Even when it has been running well - of course you do. This can cost hundreds of pounds to ensure that your car stays in good running order. You want the car to remain reliable and keep running, and therefore you have the service carried out to prevent any malfunctions. How long does a car last? It varies of course but overall only a fraction of the life of an individual. Regardless we ensure that we do all that is necessary - we keep them in tiptop condition before any malfunctions arise.

Do you do the same with your body? Not a lot of people out there saying yes. We tend to only do something in reaction to a problem. We have a headache so we take a cure; the same goes for cold/flu (delete depending on whether you are male or female). So why not get you body in balance, keep it running well so that it is in good form to fend off any nasty bugs.

How many times do you hear people say that they want some "me" time, but how many actually do something for themselves. Doing something for yourself often adds up to getting hair or nails "done". What about the inside of the body?

Reflexology is a great way to get your body into balance (known as achieving a state of homeostasis). It is a brilliant in helping people to relax and can leave the individual feeling good about themselves. For an hour, you can sit back and relax. Reflexology treats the whole body. It is more than just a foot massage. Reflexology is a therapy based on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet and hands, which relate to organs, glands and parts of the body. Working these reflexes helps the body to achieve a state of homeostasis.

Today's lifestyles and working practices present many pressures, which can lead to stress in out lives. Stress can dramatically affect our health and personal well-being. Reflexology can help to relieve stress and tension.

Reflexology can benefit many ailments such as back-related pain, headaches, digestive disorders, stress related disorders, sinusitis, infertility, hormone imbalance. Just to name a few.

Reflexology is suitable for all ages. It is a safe, natural, non-invasive therapy, which helps to relax, balance and harmonise the body.

The garage ensures a service for your car; why not give your body a service with a Reflexology session? To help make this a more achievable resolution I am offering £5 off any reflexology treatment in January and February when you mention this article. Alternatively, make it a resolution that you will come back for - anyone booking three sessions will receive the third session free. I look forward to meeting you.

You can contact me, Helen Nightingale on 0796 210 8585 or at the Ishta Centre on 01785 616010. E-mail helen.nightingale@btinternet.com

Other relaxing treatments offered include Indian Head Massage and Hopi Ear Candling.