In Equilibrium 32
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In Equilibrium 32
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THIS MONTH
In Equilibrium Events: New Public Course dates for the Autumn
Stress Tip: Free thinking or stuck in a rut?
Quote: Anthony Robbins
Book Review: "The H Factor" by Patrick Holford and Dr James Braly and 'Flow' by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Al's Column: Back in next issue
Web Resources: Self Help Sites
Stress Technique: Keeping Perspective in Change
Your Thoughts
Humorous Health Check
21. In Equilibrium Events: Public courses: New Autumn dates on our website
Please go to our website for our latest programme of public events - including autumn dates.
2. Stress Tip: Free thinking or stuck in a rut?
Questions by definition provoke thinking, statements can keep you stuck.
Ask yourself "What can I do about this?" rather than telling yourself "I don't know what to do"
Spend a few moments thinking of a current problem you have, divide your thoughts up between questions and statements.
In questioning mode you will probably find that you feel the energy flowing, problem solving skills coming to the fore. In statement mode you may feel a little flat - it can seem like ' this is how it will always be, there's no next step, it's not dealt with'. It takes a bit of practice but try to make sure you ask at least one question of yourself when trying to solve a problem.
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3. Quote
"You are now at a crossroads. This is your opportunity to make the most important decision you will ever make. Forget your past. Who are you now? Who have you decided you really are now? Don't think about who you have been. Who are you now? Who have you decided to become? Make this decision consciously. Make it carefully. Make it powerfully."
Anthony Robbins, American Advisor to Leaders (Born 29th Feb 1960, California)
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4. Book Review: 2 books this month - 'The H Factor' and 'Flow'
"The H Factor" by Patrick Holford and Dr James Braly Published by Piatkus ISBN - 0-7499-2419-5
Is Homocysteine the new Cholesterol?
This book shows you how to assess your Homocysteine level (H Factor) and how to reduce it to a healthy level and add both ‘years to your life and life to your years’. By making 10 simple changes to diet and lifestyle you can cut your risk of having serious ailments.
Homocysteine is a protein derivative found in the blood and it can predict your risk of various illnesses including heart disease, diabetes, strokes and Alzheimers. It is even more accurate than cholesterol for predicting the risk of heart disease and stroke. This risk can be reduced by lowering your Homocysteine level through diet and supplementation.
The authors manage to present the scientific background to this concept in easily understood language and concepts. This helps to make the book easy to read and the changes to diet and lifestyle e.g. eat less fatty meat and more fish and vegetable protein, are presented in a straightforward manner, while clearly explaining the reasons for making the changes.
Dr James Braly is an internationally renowned expert on food allergies, coeliac disease and clinical nutrition. Patrick Holford is one of Britain’s best-selling nutrition writers.
One in two people dies from preventable diseases, and one in two people have high Homocysteine levels. It is your choice which one you become.
Alastair Taylor
Do you have any thoughts/opinions on this or any other book review you have read in In Equilibrium?
Please click here to email us your comments
Notice: Please note that 'The Big Book of Calm' by Paul Wilson which we have referred to on many courses and in our booklists is now known as 'Instant Calm', the ISBN number remains the same: 0-14-024494-8
'FLOW' by Prof. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi Published by Rider and Co ISBN - 0712657592
Remember a time when you were doing something you are really good at and that the work went with a buzz. Before you knew it time had passed and the task was finished. You had just been in the FLOW state, living in the Present Moment, undistracted and totally focussed. This is the same state that a concert pianist can be in or a runner with Jogger's High. It is a high performance state whether mentally, physically or both together.
It is the state that all great creative scientists, writers, composers, and artists go into if they can. Sometimes, for example, a writer may find they cannot get into the Flow State. They have in fact experienced Writer's Block. All of us can have times when we experience a similar state, so that when not in flow, the effort that has to be put in becomes excessive and even stressful.
The world's leading expert on the Flow State is Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. For over twenty-five years as Professor of Psychology at the University of Chicago, he and his colleagues studied the Flow State. I recommend his book 'FLOW' as both the individual and the organisation can be helped to become more productive and creative. Its implications for our society are potentially enormous.
Dr. D Mason Brown
Do you have any thoughts/opinions on this or any other book review you have read in In Equilibrium?
Please click here to email us your comments.
5. Al's Column:
Al's column will be back to the usual format in the next newsletter!
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Back to top6. Web Resources: Self Help Sites
An excellent resource on the BBc's website which looks at confidence in a variety of different ways; speaking with confidence, confidence in interviews, accepting criticism and praise etc.
Motivation for Peak Performance
This site is predominantly about becoming a peak performance athlete but, as you would expect, many of the concepts can help in business and other areas of your life too! Peak performance is a set of mental processes that allow these individuals to produce excellent results consistently. Through training on these mental characteristics, individuals can accelerate their development and increase their performance.
Depression in teenagers
It is often difficult to get the right approach to get teenagers to open up. This website is written to overcome some of these difficulties and get the reader to think about what they feel like, what is happening to them and what they can do about it. If you know of a teenager that you think may be suffering from depression this website may be a good starting point.
7. Stress Technique: Perspective about change
Change is the one constant factor in all of our lives and the ability to adapt to it is a sure sign as to whether you will 'sink' or 'swim'. It helps to have a healthy attitude towards change. Change doesn't have to be a negative thing.
Don't dwell on the past. Learn from your mistakes, do your best to avoid making the same ones again and don't believe you will automatically fail because you did so the first time around. Think about how you might have avoided the failure and try a different approach next time.
Everyone feels insecure at times, even the most confident amongst us. Having self-confidence doesn't mean never having to rely on others. Allow yourself some leeway.
Make a list of your achievements as a reminder from time to time. Feeling good about yourself helps you to cope with difficult situations. It can help you to have a positive attitude to life and feel more in control.
Don't be afraid to take the occasional risk. Facing your fears can be a confidence booster.
If you are unable to make a quick recovery after making a mistake, work on it.
Enjoy life away from work and the resulting positive attitude will cross over into your working life.
8. Your Thoughts
Do you have a story to tell? We would be happy to call you for information on any issues loosely relating to stress, health, performance and motivation. Or alternatively please write to us.
9. Humorous Health Check
HEALTH QUESTION & ANSWER SESSION
It is good to be reminded of the important things in life!
Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this
true?
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that is it... don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.
Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.
Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain.
Bottoms up!
Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.
Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good!
Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING! Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil.
Infact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?
Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the
middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.
Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy? HELLO . Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!! Milk is dairy, It's the best feel-good food around!
Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.
Q: Is getting in shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape!
Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.
And remember: "Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways---Chardonnay in
one hand, chocolate in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out---and screaming "WOO HOO, What a ride!"
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