Pampering the mind, body, and spirit

            Pampering4life is living up to its name by opening up a new branch in the company that now offers aromatherapy! Here at Pampering4life we have decided to provide this new service to customers because we understand how important it is to truly pamper the mind, body, and spirit and aromatherapy is definitely the way to do that!

 

So what is aromatherapy you may ask? It is a type of alternative medicine that uses essential oils and other aromatic plant compounds, which are aimed at improving a person’s health or mood. Aromatherapy is an exploration of creativity and expression from knowing the characteristics of oils and envisioning new combinations of scents.  Essential oils can stimulate the part of the brain that affects emotion. The shape of an essential molecule is like a key that opens lock-like structure in the olfactory nerve receptors in our nostrils. The impression of the aroma is sent directly and immediately to the limbic system where memories are stored and pleasure and emotions is perceived. Inhaling essential oils can help us attain a pleasurable emotional balance.

 

Aromatherapy will also pamper the body by having the essential oils quickly absorb through the skin, then traveling around individual cells and into hair follicles and enter into to certain glands that mingle with the skin’s natural moisturizers. The chemical properties of the oils can be cleansing, deodorizing, and balancing. Certain oils are especially appropriate to benefit the skin. The largest organ on the body reflects our inner state of well being while protecting us from daily pollutants.

 

Essential oils have positive effects on every level of being. Their unique properties enhance the body, spirit, and mind. Be sure to look into this new service being offered by Pampering4life and take the time to participate in this therapy that will elevate every part of your body!

Pampering4life Healthy Mind Series: Empathy

Empathy is the ability to understand others to the point that you can experience their emotions and internal drives. Most of us are good at being empathetic with those we love, but increasing your empathy beyond your social group takes practice.      
Understand your own emotions. To increase your empathy, you need to start with yourself. Pay close attention to your emotional state, noting what situations change your emotions, what gives rise to positive emotions and negative emotions. Use this material as a point from which to understand others' emotional responses.

Interact with a wide range of people. Get to know people of all ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds and levels of physical ability. The more types of people you get to know, the more experiences you will have to draw on as you try to increase your empathy.

Seek out similarities between you and others. When we stress difference between ourselves and other people, it's much more difficult to understand others. Especially seek out the similarities between you and people you do not like or who you disagree with. For even greater empathy, seek out the similarities between you and other species.

Practice taking on another's perspective. Train your mind to be open to perspectives other than your own and evolve to actually immersing yourself in a different perspective. For example, if you are pro-life, take on a pro-choice stance to better understand the other side. You can do this on a personal level as well and it doesn't have to just involve moral and political ideas.

Examine the lives and work of famous empathetic people. It's easier to become more empathetic when you have good role models. Choose people deeply involved in a social cause you respect and read biographies to better understand how they used their empathy.

Read good fiction. Recent studies have shown a connection between reading fiction and gaining empathy. Fiction generally contains accounts of individuals' difficulties and being exposed to emotionally evocative material can help you better understand people's internal states.
Foster empathy in your children  and in those around you. Respond to children you are close to in a non-authoritarian way, reasoning with them about the effects their behavior can have on others. Let children know that it's in their nature to be good, sharing members of a community.

Mind Boosting Activities For A Younger You

Contrary to popular belief, your mind does not have to slow down just because you get older. Instead, you can keep your brain functioning at its highest level just by keeping it in shape, just as your muscles improve when you work them out.
"Working out" your brain is only slightly different from working out the rest of your body. If anything, it's easier because such a wide array of activities is beneficial.
If you are interested in keeping your brain sharp, no matter what your age, here are the key activities to indulge in.


1. Exercise
Physical activity does not just benefit your waist size. It also produces beneficial changes in your brain, including:

• Encouraging the growth of new cells by increasing oxygen flow to your brain
• Boosting growth factors, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which helps new nerve cells to survive
• Increasing neurotransmitters in your brain that play a role in cognition

2. Challenge Your Mind
As the saying goes, "Use it or lose it." It's thought that some of the forgetfulness and loss of mental acuity that comes along with aging is caused, at least in part, by non-use.
In fact, another study in The New England Journal of Medicine found that seniors who participated in mentally challenging activities about once a week for a 20-year period reduced the risk of dementia by 7 percent. Those who engaged in these activities more often reduced their risk even more -- by 63 percent!
To keep your mind on its toes, try out a new hobby that will get you thinking, such as:

• Learning how to play a musical instrument
• Playing Sudoku, crossword puzzles, cards or board games
• Learning a foreign language
• Reading
• Creative writing
• Woodworking

3. Eat Healthy Meals and Snacks
What you eat has a direct impact on your brain function, and if you've ever indulged in a mid-afternoon junk-food binge, then felt like your head was stuck in a fog for the rest of the day, you understand what we're saying. The best foods for your brain include:

• Antioxidants from fruits and veggies. One study by researchers at the University of California at Irvine found that beagles fed a high-antioxidant died had improved cognitive skills. And, rats fed strawberries and blueberries have been shown to enjoy improved coordination, concentration and short-term memory.
• Fish. Coldwater fish, such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, and herring are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that have been found to be very important for brain function (just be careful to eat this in moderation due to potential contamination with mercury).

Meanwhile, you definitely want to avoid trans fats for your brain health. These dangerous fats have been linked to a host of mental problems, including dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism.

4. Listen to Some Music
A study published in the journal Heart & Lung found that people who listened to music while they exercised performed more than twice as well on a verbal fluency test than people who listened to no music. The test was designed to challenge the part of the brain that deals with planning and abstract thought.

5. Have a Drink?
While too much alcohol can cause you serious health problems, a study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that one-half to one drink a day may be beneficial for your brain.
In fact, in the study of over 12,000 elderly women, those who drank light to moderate amounts of alcohol daily had a 20 percent lower risk of having problems with their mental abilities later in life than women who did not drink at all.

6. Sleep Enough
During sleep, your mental energy is restored. Don't get enough of it and important skills like planning, problem solving, learning, concentration, memory and alertness will all become more difficult. Further, the less sleep you get, the worse off you'll be.
"If you have been awake for 21 hours straight, your abilities are equivalent to someone who is legally drunk," says Sean Drummond from the University of California, San Diego in New Scientist.
However, just a few nights of not enough sleep can produce similar effects.

7. Meditate
Meditation has been found to produce both short-term and permanent changes in the brain. In fact, researchers at Harvard, Yale and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that meditation increases brain size and may help slow some aspects of cognitive aging.

Generally, what's harmful to your heart also is also harmful to your brain. Make no mistake about it: While fried potato skins are busting your buttons, there's also a portion that gets shuttled up through your arteries to your gray matter.
Saturated fats, for example, clog arteries that lead to your brain, putting you at risk of stroke, while omega-3 fatty acids -- the good fats found in fish -- are helpful for your brain because they help keep your arteries clear. They also alter your neurotransmitters and reduce depression.

Below is a list of real anti-aging foods to keep your brain young

Food	Why	Recommended Amount	RealAge Difference
Nuts	Nuts contain monounsaturated fats to keep your arteries clear, as well as levels of precursors of serotonin to boost mood.	1 ounce of nuts a day is just right. (More is fine, but be careful of calorie overload.) An ounce is about 12 walnuts or 24 almonds.	Men: 3.3 years younger. Women: 4.4 years younger.
Fish especially wild salmon, whitefish, tilapia, catfish, flounder, mahi mahi	Fish contain artery-clearing omega-3 fatty acids.	Aim for 13.5 ounces of fish a week, or 3 servings, each about the size of your fist.	2.8 years younger.
Soybeans	Soybeans contain heart- and artery-healthy protein, fiber, and fats.	1 cup of soybeans a day.	0.4 years younger.
Tomato juice and spaghetti sauce	Tomatoes contain folate, lycopene, and other nutrients to keep arteries young.	8 ounces a day of juice or 2 tablespoons of spaghetti sauce a day.	At least 1 year younger.
Olive oil, nut oils, fish oils, flaxseed, avocados	All of these foods contain heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.	25% of daily calories should be healthy fats.	3.4 years younger.
Real chocolate (at least 70% cocoa)	Real chocolate increases dopamine release and provides flavonoids, which keep arteries young.	1 ounce a day (to replace milk chocolate).	1.2 years younger.

Pampering4life Healthy Mind Series: Forgiveness

Nearly everyone has been hurt by the actions or words of another. Perhaps your mother criticized your parenting skills, your colleague sabotaged a project or your partner had an affair. These wounds can leave you with lasting feelings of anger, bitterness or even vengeance — but if you don't practice forgiveness, you might be the one who pays most dearly. By embracing forgiveness, you can also embrace peace, hope, gratitude and joy. Consider how forgiveness can lead you down the path of physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.

What is forgiveness?

Generally, forgiveness is a decision to let go of resentment and thoughts of revenge. The act that hurt or offended you might always remain a part of your life, but forgiveness can lessen its grip on you and help you focus on other, positive parts of your life. Forgiveness can even lead to feelings of understanding, empathy and compassion for the one who hurt you.
Forgiveness doesn't mean that you deny the other person's responsibility for hurting you, and it doesn't minimize or justify the wrong. You can forgive the person without excusing the act. Forgiveness brings a kind of peace that helps you go on with life.

What are the benefits of forgiving someone?

Letting go of grudges and bitterness can make way for compassion, kindness and peace. Forgiveness can lead to:

• Healthier relationships
• Greater spiritual and psychological well-being
• Less anxiety, stress and hostility
• Lower blood pressure
• Fewer symptoms of depression
• Lower risk of alcohol and substance abuse

Why is it so easy to hold a grudge?

When you're hurt by someone you love and trust, you might become angry, sad or confused. If you dwell on hurtful events or situations, grudges filled with resentment, vengeance and hostility can take root. If you allow negative feelings to crowd out positive feelings, you might find yourself swallowed up by your own bitterness or sense of injustice.

What are the effects of holding a grudge?

If you're unforgiving, you might pay the price repeatedly by bringing anger and bitterness into every relationship and new experience. Your life might become so wrapped up in the wrong that you can't enjoy the present. You might become depressed or anxious. You might feel that your life lacks meaning or purpose, or that you're at odds with your spiritual beliefs. You might lose valuable and enriching connectedness with others.

How do I reach a state of forgiveness?

Forgiveness is a commitment to a process of change. To begin, you might:

• Consider the value of forgiveness and its importance in your life at a given time
• Reflect on the facts of the situation, how you've reacted, and how this combination has affected your life, health and well-being
• When you're ready, actively choose to forgive the person who's offended you
• Move away from your role as victim and release the control and power the offending person and situation have had in your life

As you let go of grudges, you'll no longer define your life by how you've been hurt. You might even find compassion and understanding.

What happens if I can't forgive someone?

Forgiveness can be challenging, especially if the person who's hurt you doesn't admit wrong or doesn't speak of his or her sorrow. If you find yourself stuck, consider the situation from the other person's point of view. Ask yourself why he or she would behave in such a way. Perhaps you would have reacted similarly if you faced the same situation. In addition, consider broadening your view of the world. Expect occasional imperfections from the people in your life. You might want to reflect on times you've hurt others and on those who've forgiven you. It can also be helpful to write in a journal, pray or use guided meditation — or talk with a person you've found to be wise and compassionate, such as a spiritual leader, a mental health provider, or an impartial loved one or friend.

Does forgiveness guarantee reconciliation?

If the hurtful event involved someone whose relationship you otherwise value, forgiveness can lead to reconciliation. This isn't always the case, however. Reconciliation might be impossible if the offender has died or is unwilling to communicate with you. In other cases, reconciliation might not be appropriate. Still, forgiveness is possible — even if reconciliation isn't.

What if I have to interact with the person who hurt me but I don't want to?

If you haven't reached a state of forgiveness, being near the person who hurt you might be tense and stressful. To handle these situations, remember that you can choose to attend or avoid specific functions and gatherings. Respect yourself and do what seems best. If you choose to attend, don't be surprised by a certain amount of awkwardness and perhaps even more intense feelings. Do your best to keep an open heart and mind. You might find that the experience helps you to move forward with forgiveness.

What if the person I'm forgiving doesn't change?

Getting another person to change his or her actions, behavior or words isn't the point of forgiveness. Think of forgiveness more about how it can change your life — by bringing you peace, happiness, and emotional and spiritual healing. Forgiveness can take away the power the other person continues to wield in your life.

What if I'm the one who needs forgiveness?

The first step is to honestly assess and acknowledge the wrongs you've done and how those wrongs have affected others. At the same time, avoid judging yourself too harshly. You're human, and you'll make mistakes. If you're truly sorry for something you've said or done, consider admitting it to those you've harmed. Speak of your sincere sorrow or regret, and specifically ask for forgiveness — without making excuses. Remember, however, you can't force someone to forgive you. Others need to move to forgiveness in their own time. Whatever the outcome, commit to treating others with compassion, empathy and respect.

3 Steps To Manifest The Life Of Your Dreams

You create your experience via your underlying beliefs - whether they are conscious or unconscious. If you're not conscious of your beliefs then you must make them conscious. As Carl Jung said, "Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate." Or, as mystics will say, "Know thyself." This includes your beliefs.
Before you begin to manifest your ideal life, you must get clear on exactly what you want. Examine your desire from a mystic perspective. Is it something that would be of benefit to many people or is it a purely selfish desire? If you are attempting to manifest your desire at the expense of someone else, there will be a steep price to pay in the future. Remember, "As ye sow, so shall ye reap," so why saddle yourself with additional burdens? If your desire seems selfish, reframe it so that it's of benefit to others.
Once you are clear on exactly what you want, then it is a straightforward matter to manifest your desire. There are three steps:

• Step 1. Visualize exactly what you want for 5 minutes per day. Let's say you want to go sightseeing in Paris. You may want to visualize the Eiffel Tower. Why 5 minutes? Because any longer and your mind will wander. Any shorter and you may not be fully fleshing out your vision.
  
  
• Step 2. Put yourself in the picture, with detail and emotion. You have a clear view of the Eiffel Tower. But, if you don't visualize yourself in the picture, the universe will manifest your desire, but perhaps not in the format you anticipated. For example, you might get a postcard of the Paris skyline in the mail. To avoid any misunderstandings, picture yourself standing in front of the tower. What are you wearing? Are you there with your spouse or some new love interest? Add details, employing all your sensory data. You're eating a delicious croissant. The wind is blowing gently on a beautiful, sunny spring afternoon. You hear conversations en francais and you smell the perfume of the petite jeune fille standing near you. Don't forget to add emotion. Are you enjoying the taste of your croissant? Do you feel the joy of exploring a new country? Are you reveling in the sense of freedom as you travel the world? The more realistic you make it, the better.
  
• Step 3 is very important. At this stage, focus only on the end result. Don't worry about how you get there. You can't possibly imagine all the ways that your goal might manifest, so don't limit yourself to people you know or the most obvious avenues to attain your goal. Let the universe worry about the details.

When you are done with your meditation, release it to the universe. Continuing to hold it in your mind will prevent its manifestation. You have to let go. To ensure you've let go, occupy yourself with a completely unrelated activity after you complete your meditation.
You're ready to go; but first, a brief note of caution. This is an extremely powerful technique, so keep in mind the old adage, "be careful what you wish for, you just might get it." An example, an acquaintance of mine was remarking on how lucky a friend of hers was to receive a $100,000 settlement for a personal injury she suffered. Within two weeks, my friend was involved in a moderately serious auto accident that left her with a bad back and a subsequent $50,000 settlement. Was it worth it? I don't think so.
To ensure that you don't manifest something similar, I recommend you close each meditation by saying, "If it pleases God, then so be it," or "If this is for my highest good, then so be it." This is an extra form of protection that will help you avoid needless headache.
Lastly, don't think that because you're busy visualizing you don't have to take any action on the physical plane. For example, if you're looking for a boyfriend or girlfriend, you can't just sit inside and visualize your ideal mate, you still need to get out. You must go about your business, but be alert to opportunities that the universe is presenting to you.
The Law of Attraction is the basic underlying principle at work here. If you're not manifesting what you desire then there are two possibilities: you aren't clear on exactly what you want or you're not aware of a certain belief, probably unconscious, that is contradicting your conscious desire.
So, manifest your dreams, the mystic's way!

Resolutions Don't Work...Try Something New In 2011

For you history buffs, New Years Resolutions pre-date the birth of Christ by about 2000 years. The celebration of the new year is the oldest of all holidays, first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago.
So it's especially meaningful in 2006 that somewhere around Baghdad, Iraq is where New Year celebrations began. There is no truth to the rumor that Dick Clark hosted the first one.
Their celebration lasted for eleven days. But it is safe to say that modern New Year's Eve festivities don't even come close.
Most Americans watch it in their pajama's on TV. Let's flip the channel and see what our options are. There's Time's Square with Regis. Oh, then there's Time's Square with Ryan and Dick. And don't forget Time's Square with that other network. Thank God and the beer companies for college football bowl games or New Year's would really be boring.
It's that time again. So what is it about New Year's Resolutions that makes people want to make a significant change in their life?
We secretly or not so secretly hope that 2006 will be better than the year we just went through.
Stop smoking, start training, lose some body fat, start eating healthier,.etc. According to a study conducted by GNC, 50% resolved to exercise more, 38% wanted to lose weight, and 55% promised to eat healthier.
From previous experience, there are very few of us who actually follow through with resolutions.
Only 20% of us actually have the perseverance and patience to stick to our new promises we make to ourselves. Most new years resolutions are the same every year, and, tend to fade away by February, if not sooner.
Here are a couple of lists of the most common resolutions people make, and continually break.

Top 10 Most Common New Year Resolutions
Lose weight
Exercise more
Save or make more money
Stop smoking
Find a better job
Become more organized
Stick to a budget
Be more patient with people
Eat better
Become a better person

Or how about this one:
1) Spend more time with family and friends
Recent polls conducted by General Nutrition Centers, Quicken, and others shows that more than 50% of Americans vow to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year. What about the other 50%? Don't they care?

2) Take time for fitness
Regular exercise has been associated with more health benefits than anything else known to man. Studies show that it reduces the risk of some diseases, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis.
In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better.
Sounds logical enough, yet most people will exercise for a few days to half a month, then quit. Logic alone just doesn't do the trick for sustaining your motivation.

3) Lose the Flab
At least Fifty-five percent of adults in America are overweight and the alarming rate of child obesity is outrageous! Put down the chips and cheeto's!
So it is not surprising to find that weight loss is one of the most popular New Year's resolutions. Ever notice the abundance of weight loss commercials in January. It's their biggest time of the entire year for new sign-ups.
Setting reasonable goals and staying focused are the two most important factors in sticking with a weight loss program. Yet why does all this goal setting fail year after year for most people?

4) Quit Smoking.
Even if you've tried to quit before and failed, that's okay. Over-the-counter nicotine replacement products now provides easier access to proven quit-smoking aids.
On average, smokers try about four times before they quit for good.
Here's a good reason to quit smoking. Add up what you are spending on your cig's and you probably can make a car payment with the money you'll be saving. But again, will power alone does not help you carry out this resolution.

5) Enjoy Life More
Given the hectic, stress lifestyles of millions of Americans, it is no wonder that "enjoying life more" has become a popular goal. But what does that really mean?
Working less does not equate to enjoying life more. A lot of people dream of "retirement" until they retire. Then they're bored stiff and end up getting a job somewhere just to ease the boredom.
Or they discover that they're busier than ever after retirement, apparently catching up on all the running around they couldn't get done when they were working. Nice try, but that resolution just doesn't cut it either.

6) Quit Drinking
Many heavy drinkers fail to quit cold turkey but do much better when they learn to moderate their drinking. If you have decided that you want to stop drinking, there is help and support available.

7) Get Out of Debt
HELP! American's are drowning in debt. Paying unending interest on credit cards is literally slavery. But how in the world do we get out of the trap, dig our way out of the huge hole we've sunk into with a wallet or purse full of credit cards. Especially since we just maxed out our limit on X Box 360 and other Christmas "must have's."
Maybe our real resolution should be to just say NO to more and more "stuff."
Was money a big source of stress in your life last year?
What's the answer? Where do you begin? Read on.

8) Learn Something New
Have you vowed to make this year the year to learn something new? Excellent choice.
Maybe you're considering a career change, want to learn a new language, or just how to use your computer or selling on E-bay.
Whether you take a psychology course or read a book, you'll find education to be one of the easiest, most motivating New Year's resolutions to keep. Challenge your mind in the coming year.
Take the 30 Day Mental Fast to prepare your mind for this one. Get it free below.

9) Help Others
Many people have experienced a new surge of personal energy and excitement by spending a few days or weeks with the American Red Cross or Habitat For Humanity, for example.
Whether you choose to spend time delivering relief supplies, or building a house, these nonprofit volunteer organizations could really use your help, especially since Hurricane Katrina.

10) Get Organized
Whether you want your home straightened out enough that you can invite someone over, or your office organized enough that you can find the paper clips, begin small so it doesn't interfere with resolution #5.
Resolutions do not involve luck to be effective.

Traditional New Year foods are thought to bring luck. The Dutch believe that eating donuts on New Year's Day will bring good fortune. Krispy Kreme and Dunkin Donuts heartily agree.
Many parts of the U.S. celebrate the new year by eating black-eyed peas. These are typically eaten with either hog jowls or ham. Black-eyed peas have been considered good luck in many cultures.

So since New Years resolutions and luck don't bring permanent success, what does? Your change must come from within. What you believe about who you are will determine your success or failure every time. When you change your mind, you can change your future.

Let's face it the more restrictive we are on ourselves the more we fail to deliver. The best way to create a "NEW YOU" is simply to try something new each month. Are you ready to try something new? Join Pampering4life: Try Something New In 2011 Challenge and leave the resolutions behind. Each month discover a new adventure by making small changes which will generate big results and before you know it. You will be trending on a new year, new you. Go to http://www.pampering4life.com to sign up now! You will be glad you did.