April is Stress Awareness Month

Isn’t it crazy that we actually have a “National Stress Awareness Month”? Guess that shows a lot of people are dealing with some sort of stress in their worlds.

What is stress?

How do we best define it when it is so different for everyone? What can we do to reduce the effects of it so our bodies don’t go into reaction? And what can we do to actually have a sense of control so stress doesn’t seem to be running the show?

I’ll give you some historical background about how stress came to be recognized as a “condition” in our country. Then, I’ll share some easy-to-use self-help acupressure energy tips for changing how we can transform stress from a negative to positive. Transforming stress is a bit different from how Western medicine suggests we can manage it!  And, when we get to that place of management, we truly are partners with our bodies.

Stress Awareness Month

It has been held every April since 1992. Sponsored by The Health Resource Network (HRN), a non-profit health education organization, Stress Awareness Month is a national, cooperative effort to:

• inform people about the dangers of stress
• successful coping strategies
• harmful misconceptions about stress that are prevalent in our society.

Medical Definition of Stress

In a medical or biological context, stress is a physical, mental or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension. Stresses can be external (from the environment, psychological, or social situations) or internal (illness or from a medical procedure). Stress can initiate the “fight or flight” response.

The state of mental or emotional strain or tension from adverse or very demanding circumstances can be so recognizable that others notice. We even hear comments like “he’s obviously under a lot of stress” and “she really needs to figure out how to manage her stress.”

Stress can cause or influence the course of many medical conditions. These include psychological conditions such as depression and anxiety.  Medical problems can encompass poor healing, high blood pressure, headaches and migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, and many others. We now have “stress management” recognized as an effective treatment for many medical conditions.

To read more about stress and how the Western medical world defines it, go to

https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=20104.

Transforming Stress

Articles that include tools for self-assessment, resources, and programs, can be found on the website for The American Institute of Stress. The organization is all about awareness, education, and collaboration.

Go to https://www.stress.org/what-is-stress/.

Stress as a Project

Personally, I like to look at “stress” as a “project that can be transformed.” The term stress was coined by Hans Selye in 1936. He defined it as “the non-specific response of the body to any demand for change”.  If we look at stress as “the rate of wear and tear on the body,” it makes sense that increased stress can actually accelerate the aging process.

And who wants that? I don’t know about you, but I’d rather walk around in a body that does not have major reactions to stressful situations. All of the experimental and clinical research confirms that the sense of having little or no control is always distressful, and that’s what stress is all about.

Energy Tips to Manage and Transform Stress

Here are my self-help acupressure energy tips that you can use to manage stress. They will allow you to be a partner with your own body.  Because stress can take the breath away and cause us to wait with bated breath, follow along to learn how you can have full expansive breath. You’ll be way ahead of stress and its ability to affect you.

To help let go of stress, open up breath, release tension and increase vitality:

1. Hold upper arms by folding arms across the chest

2. Right hand — cup sternum directly below the collarbone

     Left hand — hold fingers in a vertical pattern on your tummy

3. Right hand — hold the base of the right front ribcage

     Left hand — hold fingers on the right chest below the collarbone

4. Gently cup thumbs

More than an Ounce of Prevention

The Daily Clean Your House Flow helps you stay in balance and get in front of stress. Doing the  Daily Clean Your House Flow prepares your body for what you’re going to ask it to do now and for what might come at it (even major stressful traumatic events). Do the Daily Clean Your House Flow at least once a day. It will create a strong foundation for you to be able to be the best partner you can be with your body. I have been doing it daily for more than 20 years, as have many of my clients, friends, and family. This one practice is the best antidote to stress and you can do it anywhere, anytime. The more you do it, the better you will feel.

Do your part to Make Stress Awareness Month Obsolete

Share this post about the Daily Clean Your House Flow with the people you care about through your social channels, like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. You’ll be glad you did your part to lower the stress in the world.

March is Women’s History Month

In honor of Women’s History Month, I will share some stories of today and how it all got started.
I love it when I see anyone in my life really step into possibilities and gear up for reaching their goals and objectives. And I have to admit that when that person is a woman who is creating magic in her life, I can really get excited about what she is up to.

Meet Chickenpreneur: Allie Rae Allen

Imagine a 7-year-old girl who says, “I’m going to have my own business raising chickens for eggs.” And then she begins to also sell her laying hens. She has a plan, she figures out the steps and she even gets a loan from the bank! Yep! All of that and she is only 7 years old. By the way, this amazing young woman is Allie Rae Allen. If you’re in the Petaluma area, you can connect with her to order your eggs or your hens and maybe just say, “Well done! YOU are impressive!” Her phone number is 707-721-7781.
Could a 7-year-old, especially a girl, manage all that 40 years ago? I kind of doubt it, especially talking a bank into giving her a business loan!

Women are Doing it For Themselves!

I’m a big proponent that women of all ages should have equal opportunities no matter what their goals and aspirations are. So, no matter what their desires women should be able to do just as much and go just as far as men. Whether it is that 7 year old girl or a 70 year old woman saying, “It is time for me to get out of my own way, create my art and bring it to the world” that woman, young or old, should be able to take a chance and step into her possibilities in a big way.
What’s crazy is that in the 1970’s it was truly necessary to acknowledge the extreme differences between the opportunities for women and men. That wasn’t that long ago!

The National Women’s History Project Started in Santa Rosa

1978

It was 1978 and The Education Task Force of the Sonoma County (California) Commission on the Status of Women were recognizing the achievements of women in all facets of life. They initiated a “Women’s History Week” celebration for the week of March 8th, 1978.
Dozens of schools planned special programs and over one-hundred community women participated by doing special presentations in classrooms throughout the county. That first Women’s History Week ended with a parade and program held in the center of downtown Santa Rosa, California. What was truly being acknowledged was that actually recognizing the achievements of women in science, community, government, literature, art, sports and medicine has a huge impact on the development of self-respect and new opportunities for girls and young women.
Other organizations across the country heard of the success of the celebration and decided to emulate it and support an effort to secure a “National Women’s History Week” and “write women back into history.”

1980

In 1980, the National Women’s History Project (NWHP) was founded in Santa Rosa, California by Molly Murphy MacGregor, Mary Ruthsdotter, Maria Cuevas, Paula Hammett and Bette Morgan to broadcast women’s historical achievements.
The NWHP started by leading a coalition that successfully lobbied Congress to designate March as National Women’s History Month, now celebrated across the land.
With an emphasis on positive role models and the importance of women from all backgrounds, the NWHP has developed a nationwide constituency of teachers, students, parents, public employees, businesses, organizations, and individuals who understand the critical link between knowing about historical women and making a positive difference in today’s world.

1987

In 1987, Congress declared March as National Women’s History Month in perpetuity. A special Presidential Proclamation is issued every year which honors the extraordinary achievements of American women.
You can read more about the NWHP and all of the programs that are available throughout the country at https://www.nwhp.org. Discover how YOU can be instrumental in making a difference for our young girls!!


Heart, Romance and Recover

Heart and romance

February is all about heart health, both emotional and physical.
Each year on February 14th, many people exchange cards, candy, gifts or flowers with their special “valentine.” The day of romance we call Valentine’s Day is named for a Christian martyr and dates back to the fifth century, but has origins in the Roman holiday Lupercalia. No matter the history, it is the day that gives many a BIG reason to recognize and celebrate those heart connections with loved ones in their lives.
AND you still have time to get that extra special gift for that special person in your life!

February is Heart Health Month

This is the month we’re made more aware of how we can improve the health of our hearts so we can decrease the chances of heart disease.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. It is an equal opportunity killer which claims approximately 1 million lives annually. The good news? It is also one of the most preventable. Making heart-healthy choices, knowing your family health history and the risk factors for heart disease, having regular check-ups and working with your physician to manage your health are all integral aspects of saving lives from this often silent killer.
Read more about how to make a BIG difference in having a heart-healthy life.
https://www.theheartfoundation.org/heart-disease-facts/heart-awareness-month/

Giving Service from the Heart

Here’s another “Heart Connection” — and it is doing something really big for the community.
My dear friend and colleague, Dr. Shiroko Sokitch, director of Heart to Heart Medical Center in Santa Rosa, has created an amazing event that is FREE and available online to help you deal with physical and emotional challenges after a traumatic event, like a disaster, an accident or a death in the family.
This event is entirely at no cost and it will be yours to keep when you sign up for it. It’s all about being able to heal no matter where you are or what is going in your life. Register to hear talks by healthcare experts February 12– 19.

The Disaster Recovery Online Summit

This event is here to help those who have endured the disasters we’ve recently experienced—fires, hurricanes, earthquakes, and others—to help them heal and overcome, physically and emotionally, the impacts of living through a disaster.
After a traumatic event, people begin to go back to their daily lives, but it doesn’t mean they’ve completely healed. And, far too often, there are very few resources that address the emotional difficulties and latent health issues that such events can cause.
Health care experts will provide advice on helping children cope, anxiety, mindfulness, self-healing, mold toxicity, even disaster recovery itself.

Get complimentary access to these talks about traumatic recovery now

These 32 talks are yours FOREVER! Meaning, you’ll gain access once they’re unlocked on February 12, and retain it for whenever you need to address trauma for yourself, or anyone else.
No purchase required and no commitment necessary for you to participate.

My interview with Dr. Shiroko on Tuesday, February 13th at 6:00 pm

I’m honored to be participating in the Disaster Recovery Event! Dr. Shiroko will be interviewing me on Facebook Live Tuesday, February 13th at 6:00 pm (Pacific Time). Tune in to hear my suggestions for how we can make use of Easy Self-Help Acupressure to help deal with the stress and challenges of traumatic events. I’ll give you energy tips that can make a big difference in the quality of life.
Go to Dr. Shiroko’s Facebook Page.

From Stress to Success – Creating the Miracle of Abundance and Prosperity

Have you ever felt that you’re not receiving all that you want and desire and that you’re not going to be able to be all you want to be? Maybe what you’re searching for seems to be right around the corner, or perhaps it flits in and then it seems to disappear.
There is a trick to setting intentions and attaining your goals. It’s about creating a state of balance and harmony within your body by allowing your body to experience the movement of energy. When that shift is happening your body will naturally want more of the same, and it will let go of any stuck, stagnant energy that has been blocking your ability to make changes and move forward.

REMOVE THE BLOCKS THAT ARE IN YOUR WAY

A blockage of energy is just something in the way, like a traffic jam or a beaver dam.  The beauty of this process is that we don’t have to break out the big equipment and get all stressed out by working too hard to make changes. We can gently break apart the blockages and allow the flow of energy to happen and do so without effort. And that flow is what creates the space to receive all that you want to gain.

DISCOVER BALANCE AND FULFILL YOUR DREAMS

That is prosperity, whether you’re searching for health, financial abundance, happy relationships, or a fulfilling career. Your goals could include letting go of self-judgment and self-sabotage, increasing productivity and having the vitality to do all you want to do. Anything is possible in this state of balance because nothing is in the way of fulfilling your dreams. For that matter, your intention could be receiving all of those! And then you are on the journey of creating miracles!
Without that vibration of balance in the body, what we want will not come towards us. The vibrations of the body must match the energy you are trying to attract. Otherwise, it just does not show up.
Another step on your journey towards abundance and prosperity is to spend time each day being in thankfulness and gratitude for all that is coming your way. In that state of being you will easily be able to continue to attract all that you want because you are in alignment.
It is easy to follow your dreams and keep those New Year’s resolutions when your energy aligns with your goals and desires. Create miracles this year! You have abundance and prosperity at your fingertips.

ENERGY TIPS TO MANIFEST ALL YOU DESIRE

Here are two super easy energy tips to help you flow freely toward prosperity without struggle or effort.
Energy movements for expansion of breath and manifesting your destiny:

• Right hand:  hold on area of right kidney
• Left hand: hold on area of left kidney
• Right hand: cup sternum directly below your collarbones
• Left hand: hold fingers in a vertical pattern on your tummy

There are other “tricks” to help your journey towards abundance and prosperity be a true miracle. It can be easy, effortless and successful. Join me for my Energy of Prosperity Workshop on Wednesday, January 31^st.  Follow this link to get more information or to RSVP now.
Photo by Chevanon Photography from Pexels https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-with-arms-outstretched-against-blue-sky-317155/

Holidays bring Joy

Holidays Can Be Filled with Demands and Happiness

Holidays bring us joy and stress. To make sure you have joy, here is my recipe to keep you in balance.

It’s there even though many of us seem to be searching for it this year because of all the chaos that has been occurring for the last few months.

Lucky for me that I love Christmas. I could hardly wait for the Friday after Thanksgiving to decorate the house and bring in the color and lights.  Maybe it’s because I grew up in Minnesota where the winter days seemed exceptionally dark! What I do know is that as soon as I start putting on the lights and meticulously placing the ornaments on the tree, I’m in the spirit. And as that transpires, my heart is open to possibilities and smiles and joy. So, as a result, I decide to spend all of Thanksgiving weekend to deck the halls and enjoy the time and the space I’m creating. And then, somehow or other, it seems like I do have time for all of the other items on my list.

Here is what helps me with all of that lifting and climbing and stretching when I’m decorating. Whether I’m placing all of my Santa Claus figures on the shelves or I’m winding the strands of lights around the tree or I’m reaching for the highest limb on the tree to get the absolute best ornament in the space I’ve chosen, I want to have my body easily cooperate and not go into a reaction. I want to make sure that my body will let me do everything that I’ve planned to do.

Daily Clean Your House Flow to Start Your Day Right =  Holidays Bring Joy

First, I start the day with the Daily Clean Your House Flow!

Then, off and on during the decoration extravaganza, I do the following:

1.  Right hand — cup and hold left shoulder near neck

Left hand — hold fingers at left pelvis/groin area

Left hand — move fingers to left sit bone

Switch and do the right side.

2.  Right hand — cup back of neck with fingers on the left side

  Left hand — hold base of spine at coccyx

Left hand — hold outside of the left knee (the anti-inflammatory point)!

Switch to do the right side

To make it even easier — watch this video!

I wish each and every one of you a magnificent and joyous holiday season!

Hands on Brilliance Workshop

Hands On Brilliance

Since the October fires, do you feel like you’ve lost some of your ability to process information?  Have you lost some of your get-up-and-go? None of that is unusual after trauma and chaos, which all of us experienced during and since the wildfires, no matter how we were individually impacted.
You can easily rediscover your vitality by connecting with your energy using self-help acupressure. Rev up your body’s ability to accomplish all you desire to do and be. Become a partner with your body! Help your body let go of the trauma and effects of the wildfires, including shortness of breath and other respiratory symptoms.

Easy Ways to Improve Focus, Clarity and Productivity FREE workshop

Thursday, December 14th, 9:00 – 11:00 am
Santa Rosa Metro Chamber offices
50 Old Courthouse Square, Suite 110, Santa Rosa, CA
To sign up for this FREE workshop go to:
http://bit.ly/MyersDec14
or Call Wendy Eaton at the Chamber, (707) 545-1414

In Deborah’s Workshop, You Will Discover How To:

• Release blocked energy, old patterns, and self-sabotage that can limit your success
• Increase your vitality and productivity — and create peak performance
• Balance your energy & get more out of each day
• Help your body let go of any stress and anxiety
• Rediscover your breath — help your respiratory system heal
• Improve your focus, clarity and memory
• Improve your ability to process information and let go of overwhelm
• Boost your immune system and stay healthy
• Get relief from chronic symptoms including respiratory problems
• Manage pain
• Improve mobility and flexibility
• Handle feelings

I hope you will join me.
Download the Chamber Hands on Brilliance Workshop Flyer 12-14-17 with all of the information and share it with your friends.

Survive and Thrive

Get your breath back after the fires – FREE workshop

Wednesday, November 15th, 9:00 – 11:00 am

Available to ALL residents and community members

Santa Rosa Metro Chamber offices

50 Old Courthouse Square, Suite 110, Santa Rosa, CA

To sign up for this FREE workshop go to:
http://bit.ly/ThriveHAYFT

You know those phrases we have a tendency to use after a crisis?

“It took my breath away.”  “Waiting with baited breath.”  “Waiting for the next shoe to drop.”

Those phrases are describing our bodies not having enough breath. And, once that has occurred, our bodies have a memory of “not having enough breath.” After the traumatic experiences of the last month, it is pretty easy to recognize that we need to revitalize the respiratory system and make sure to boost our immune systems, especially when the smoke has also been part of the picture.

Santa Rosa Metro Chamber has requested that I offer a workshop to assist the community.

Survive and Thrive Workshop – Discover how to recover from trauma and be prepared for life

Vitality is at your fingertips. You can easily connect with your energy using self-help acupressure and rev up your body’s ability to accomplish all you desire to do and be. Become a partner with your body. And help your body heal from the trauma of the wildfires.

In this workshop with health educator & acupressurist, Deborah Myers, you will discover how to:

• Balance your energy & get more out of each day
• Help your body let go of any stress and anxiety
• Rediscover your breath
• Boost your immune system & stay healthy
• Improve mobility & flexibility
• Improve your focus, clarity, and memory
• Get relief from chronic symptoms & manage pain
• Increase your vitality & productivity & create peak performance
• Let go of overwhelm
• Handle feelings
• Release blocked energy, old patterns, & self-sabotage that can limit your success

To sign up for this FREE workshop go to:
http://bit.ly/ThriveHAYFT
Chamber Survive and Thrive Workshop Flyer 11-15-17

Recovering from the Sonoma Fires

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Here are a few of the tips:

• Hold thumbs with opposite hands
• Hold index fingers with opposite hands
• Fold arms across chest and hold opposite upper arms

• Hold right base of rib cage with right fingers
• Hold right chest below clavicle with left fingers
• Switch and hold opposite sides

• Cup sternum directly below clavicle with right hand
• Place left fingertips in a vertical pattern below the navel

Back in the Saddle

Back in the Saddle — at Last

Time has floated right on by me. I thought I would be back in the saddle about six-weeks post-op with rest and rehabilitation. I can’t believe that it has been six months since my neck surgery. Life did indeed throw me a curve ball when surgery was the way to take care of the flare-ups and pain I was experiencing from the October 2015 car accident. When we get out of our way, it can be pretty amazing what can take place.

Surgery went smoothly, and so has my recovery. My surgeon is pleased with the results. My whole healthcare team is in full agreement that I am doing well. Flexibility and mobility are improving daily. Physical therapy can bring up discomfort as the muscle groups figure out new ways of engagement and movement. Doing my energy work before and after PT and my home exercises allow my body to do more with less reaction. So that is helping the healing process. I’m also discovering how doing Jin Shin Jyutsu and physical therapy can bring back a voice. (Yep — lost my voice for a while.)

Learn more about the procedure: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion and also here.

The Big Surprise

What took me by surprise was how long it took me to regain clarity and focus. I had full belief and expectation that by the sixth week after surgery I would be getting to my extensive list of writing projects, office clean up and organizing projects. Well, dream on! At this point, I’m still in the space of “getting it together.” Clarity is back, but I’m finding that my body is asking for more rest and downtime. At first, I thought I was experiencing a loss of motivation which was freaking me out! I realized that I need to look at my calendar and avoid teaching multiple classes and presentations in a row. I’m listening to the messages from my body. I’m not packing as much into my days. Go figure! I’m spending lots of time each day doing my energy work, along with physical therapy and voice exercises.

Autumn is Upon Us

This is one of the hardest realizations I had over the last few months: I couldn’t do all my gardening and yard work that I typically pack into spring, summer, and fall.  Thank goodness I have had great help, but for those of us who love getting dirty in our gardens, it’s not quite the same. I’m harvesting my basil and tomatoes and enjoying the dahlias.  And, of course, I love these autumn days that are pleasantly warm and have gentle cooling breezes.

What’s Next

I’ve learned so much about healing from major surgery, being patient, and respecting my body’s timeline. Stay tuned for my insights as I share my journey of recovery.

This is What Happens When Life Throws a Curveball

Life throws a curveball when we are going along doing what we love. Life can have all sorts of surprises, and sometimes we’re not necessarily enamored with them! As you can well imagine, I get bodywork on a regular basis. I’ve been making sure to receive an assortment of treatments to relieve discomfort, to aid healing and to help my body not be so reactive. Healing has consumed a great deal of time for the last year and a half, since a car accident in October 2015.  For the most part, I’ve accomplished that except I pretty consistently am dealing with flare-ups. So here comes the curve ball. I got a surgical consult, and I need neck surgery! I immediately went into, “Not me! I’m not a surgical candidate!” Guess what? The reason I have so many flare-ups is that I don’t have adequate discs in my cervical spine. The trauma from the car accident caused my body to go into a major reaction, and now my body is vulnerable to actions that strain or exacerbate, which seems to happen for pretty simple movements.

Research Your Options

I’ve done the research, I’ve talked to all of my care providers, and I’m listening to my body and my health care team. I’ve gotten out of my way, and I’m recognizing that sometimes you have to take a route you weren’t planning on taking. In fact, that route could very well be something that you weren’t even likely to consider.

Help Your Body be Prepared No Matter What Happens

The beauty of this whole journey is that I have no worry and no fear. I’m ready for this next step because my body is prepared for what I’m asking it to do and for what might come at it. Sound familiar? It’s a statement I’ve been known to say to my clients and students! It’s all about doing our energy balancing on a daily basis so IF something does come up our bodies can easily move through the next steps of the journey. I know that I’m ready because all I have been doing and receiving is allowing this next step to be smooth and successful. Surgery IS a big ask of my body and mind. I’m pleased that Western medicine gives us options that allow us to receive what we need to have healthy, productive lives. I’m scheduling treatments for post-surgery, so my body heals faster and easier. How lucky we are that we can easily blend allopathic and alternative health care.

Pot at the End of the Rainbow

I am laughing about this piece most. The energy balance point located at the mid-cervical spine area is “all about not my will but thy will and about getting out of my way.” See my smile? Further, when that energy balance point is in a state of balance with no blocked energy, it can fulfill its purpose which is to “gain flexibility, mobility, and alignment.” And that is what this surgery WILL give me. I am so ready to be able to go back to living my life without my body talking back to me. I’m willing to have the energy and capability to go back to exercising, doing yoga, gardening, hiking, comfortable driving, sitting in front of my computer, chasing my cat in the garden. Granted I’m more than willing not vacuum or clean the litter box, but to know that I can if I want to or have to is a massive shift for me.

Recovery

Of course, recovery won’t be instantaneous. I’ll need lots of physical therapy, and I’ll need to be smart about what I ask my body to do. So, I’m continuing to do my Daily Clean Your House Flow, to balance my energy, and to receive treatments from my care providers. And I’m ready for the next step. Surgery is on the schedule for Wednesday, April 5^th. Thank you, ahead of time, for thinking of me!

Thanks to Wikipedia for the great animated gif of a curveball.