Are You Happy?
Written into the founding philosophy of the U.S. are the following words:
The Pursuit of Happiness
The Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of the Buddhist community, asserts that evert sentient being has the following in common:
We All Want to Be Happy
If you're reading this post in the U.S. or Europe, you live in one of the most opportunity rich places on the planet. There are (theoretically) no boundaries to your acquisition of that which you desire -- regardless of the demographic you represent.
So, Are You Happy??
Do You Truly Know What That Means... For You??
This month, let's consider what happiness is, how to recognize it, and how we achieve it in our lives, naturally.
Chinese Medicine 101: As Old As Time Itself
Chinese Medicine intrinsically addresses the emotional self as well as the physical. It is one of the most fundamental considerations that makes Chinese Medicine truly holistic, functional medicine.
In fact, Taoist precepts on which Chinese Medicine relies, recognizes that the health of the spirit underlies the ultimate health of the physical person. So when you say it's all in your head... you're absolutely right(!) -- and it's absolutely real.
The seven emotions recognized in Chinese Medicine when out of harmony give rise to the hot of physical ailments for which we typically reach for a pill. When, however, you take the time to tend to your emotional self, you head disease off at the pass before it turns into full-blown chronic disease.
In short, attuning yourself to your own feeling of happiness makes it clear, obvious, and immediate to recognize when you aren't. Acupuncture and Natural Medicine rectify the qi, the energetics of your physical self, to restore your emotional and chemical self to a state of homeostasis -- balance.
Herbs serve as the source of internal medicine to balance your chemistry and produce a deep feeling of ease and well-being.
When was the last time you booked your appointment for happiness?
CBD -- Speaking of Neuroprotective Agents and Happiness...
Medical science continues to marvel at the benefits of CBD. Like bergamot mentioned below, CBD is a neuroprotective agent that operates on an even more profound level.
The receptors in your brain and body are ready for CBD (remember: you already make CBD, just not enough of it to sustain happiness and health).
51% of opioid prescriptions are for people with mental illness - NAMI
Nutrition Tip of the Week
Eat Your Way To Happiness
Clinical research has shown that the current American diet -- laden with processed and genetically modified foods -- creates a chemical overload in your brain and body that cause depression, infertility, mental and cognitive deficits in children, food allergies, and automimmune disease.
That doesn't sound like happiness.
Eating clean, organic, natural foods -- as close to the way Mother Nature made them -- infuses your body with solar power -- the energy of the sun - and enriches your cells with phytonutrients and antioxidants that jeer you running in tip-top shape.
When you gift your body with healthy food that makes you feel good, you feel great inside. Your emotions are balanced because your chemistry is balanced.
Here's what a doctor has to say about it: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/drew-ramsey-md/food-mental-health_b_1703007.html
Essential Oil: Bergamot - Happiness in a Bottle
Bergamot is one of Dr. Mel's favorite essential oils.
It's neuroprotective properties means that it goes straight to your brain and your central nervous system to harmonize the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid complex. In short: it regulates your hormones- and in doing so, regulates your emotions.
Bergamot pairs beautifully with lavender, rosemary, and clary sage for support in the treatment of anxiety, depression, and ADD/ADHD.
Meditation: The Original Pursuit of Happiness
Meditation is a sustainable, natural way to increase happiness and eliminate pain. Yes. Eliminate pain. Meditation in combination with CBD and essential oils increases your capacity for connection and enlightenment. You see your truth more clearly and step into it more easily.
Mel Baker-Thompson is a New York State licensed Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine with over 3,000 hours of clinical and didactic training in Eastern and Western medical modalities. She has developed the Whole Life Integration Method to take natural functional medicine to the next level - incorporating the role of the mind in the optimization of authentic health. Over the last 20 years she has treated physicians, therapists, Rockettes, even an Olympic-qualifying athlete. From infants to grandparents, she has crafted an approach to health cultivation that combines the wisdom, skill, and acumen of Chinese Medicine with nutrition therapy, manual therapy, essential oils, and insight meditation to remove health disruptors in the body and mind.