Tag Archives: whole health education

Becoming You – Developing Self-Esteem

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Becoming You – Developing Self-Esteem

The Merriam Webster definition of self esteem is “a confidence and satisfaction in oneself; self respect.” Self-esteem and self-respect are two important aspects of whole person care at any age. During the years of adolescence, however, personal and social differentiation is at an all time high, with peers playing a significant role in how our self-esteem expresses itself. As you are probably very well aware, your self-esteem is especially a front and center issue from middle school through high school.

According to Marilyn J. Sorensen, PhD, author of numerous books on self-esteem, our self-esteem is formed in childhood, when we develop an initial conscious and unconscious impression of ourselves. What we hear said about ourselves has a lasting impact on the messages our brain records as being our worth or our value in the world. It is these messages or neurological records that get “triggered’ when our peers either respond positively or negatively to us.

During the adolescent years, as you are physically developing and becoming young women and men, your appearance and how others respond to you can certainly become important. Other peer related issues such as belonging or being part of a particular group or activity are, as well.

It may surprise you that current statistics show seven in ten females believe they are not good enough or do not measure up in some way, including their looks, performance in school and relationships with friends and family members. And for males, the statistics over the past 25 years have gone from 15% dissatisfaction to 45% dissatisfaction regarding how they feel about their physical appearance.

The developing and confusing years of adolescence are filled with exploring and identifying what you think of yourself or what social direction you may wish to go in. It is also a time that you can begin to know yourself outside your family environment and develop who you are in a more meaningful and realistic way. This means sorting through the many reflections of “who and how you are” in relationship to the large world around you.

It is during this time, no matter what kind of earlier conditioning you have received, that you can take control over your self-esteem and self-respect. I would like to share with you a story about one of my children. She has happily given permission for me to share this with you because she feels it is an important story to tell.

At the age of 15, my daughter was very unhappy and struggling with feeling badly about herself. That whole year for her was filled with tears and poor grades. One day, we took a walk and talked about what she was experiencing. She said many times during that conversation, “I hate myself. I don’t want to be me.” I gently asked her why and she said that she “she didn’t think she was a good enough person because of the problems she was having with her peers.”

Not wanting to pry, I did not ask for details and she did not offer them. Rather, I shared something with her I learned about whole health and self-esteem when I was much older than her 15 years of age. I shared with that what is important, at any time in our life for us to feel good about our self, is that when we behavior in a way towards ourselves and others that is in agreement, or congruent, with our personal values – we feel good about who we are. Bottom line: No matter what anyone else says or does towards us, when we act in concert with our personal values, we feel good. Our perception and expression of ourselves can largely impact our whole health, which is far more important than what others think. We many not like the way others treat us or how they hurt our feelings, but our self–esteem and self-respect are high.

When we do not act in agreement, or congruently, with our personal values and inner beliefs of right and wrong, then we feel badly about ourselves; no matter what positive or flattering things someone else may say about us. Self-esteem and self-respect, like beauty, start from the inside out. No one can make us feel badly about ourselves when we know, and are confident, that our behavior towards ourselves and others is from a place of our values and of respect.

If you are working through this natural adolescent sorting process, reflecting on this information may assist you in changing how you feel about yourself, how your treat yourself and how you create relationships with others. My daughter, who is now in college, told me our walk together that day was the most important thing she has ever earned about how to feel good about herself. I hope it is helpful for you as well.

References & Resources:

www.learntobehealthy.org
http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/emotions/self_esteem.html
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/breaking-the-chain-of-low-self-esteem-marilyn-j-sorensen/1102088340

For more whole health discussions, listen to Dr. Georgianna Donadio’s radio show Living Above The Drama.

 

Integrative Health: Why The Endocrine System Is Fascinating

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endocrine system is amazing

One of my all-time favorite subjects to teach is the endocrine system. It is the most fascinating and clearest example we have of how “everything is everything” in the body. For those of you unfamiliar with the underlying theme of Whole Health Education, our method and model of education and teaching is founded on the idea that everything in the body is intimately connected to everything else.

The endocrines are such a perfect example of this interconnectedness of body, mind and spirit that it is pure joy to share the information with understandably eager students!

We begin with the Reproductive Glands and will discuss SEVEN aspects of the Reproductive Glands based on these concepts:

(1) the specific organ name and function
(2) the seven (7) virtues
(3) organs and systems
(4) Selye’s stress model
(5) its Whole Health aspect
(6) Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
(7) the seven (7) “deadly sins”

Referred to as the “root chakra” in yoga and energy circles, these powerful glands are in the most primal sense, the SURVIVAL component of Maslow’s Hierarchy. In fact, they are essential to the survival of the species – which is their primary purpose. They are, of course, part of the organs and system of reproduction that includes various accessory parts that are necessary to support the reproductive function.

That the Reproductive Glands belong to the physical aspect of Whole Health is very straight forward and evident. When we look at them in terms of Selye’s Stress Model we can see that they are connected to the “survival stressors” of

> reproduction (yes, sadly sex is another stressor for our bodies)
> trauma
> exertion (too much exercise or over work)
> weather (excessive heat, sun, cold)
> surgery (very stressful to the entire body and nervous system but sometimes necessary to save our life)

These stressors have a strong effect on the reproductive system. Stress decreases the drive and impulse to reproduce as the body wisely knows to conserve its energy until there is a well balanced system ready for reproduction.

So far we have gone over FIVE (5) of the SEVEN (7) aspects. The last two are fun because they really clarify the emotional and behavioral aspects of these important and influential glands.

The VIRTUE of the reproductive glands is spirituality – seeing the profound divine and unfathomable nature of reproducing and bringing forth, from the co-joining of two human beings, new human life. (If you’ve had children you know that they really do smell like they just came from “heaven” – what we imagine heaven to be anyway)

The DEADLY SIN of the reproductive glands is – we all know this one – its all around us. Yes, indeed, good ‘ol LUST, which of course is about self gratification and not the co-joining of a partnership resulting in a new life.

Understanding this information is important when we look at a person’s physical presentation or dis-ease from a Whole Person perspective. What are the cause and effect factors at play that are creating their disease? What is out of balance in the person’s seven aspects that is creating problems in this particular part of the body?

 

For more whole health discussions, listen to Dr. Georgianna Donadio’s radio show Living Above The Drama.

The Mediterranean Diet Is About More Than Just Food

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mediteranean diet, niwh, whole health

In Annia Ciezaldo’s April 1st article in the “New York Times Magazine,” she asks, “Does the Mediterranean Diet even exist?“ She suggests that since half of Spain, Portugal and Italy’s populations are overweight — with Lebanon rapidly following suit — then, contrary to popular belief, the Mediterranean people now have the worst diets in Europe.

She states that the Greeks “are the fattest: about 75 percent of the Greek population is overweight.” From Ciezaldo’s perspective, the Mediterranean Diet research, which spanned over 50 years, was in fact — flawed.

Research on the whole health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet has been well-documented and includes the Harvard School of Public Health and many esteemed medical researchers. Among them are Ancel Keys and Paul Dudley White, who later became Dwight D. Eisenhower’s cardiologist.

Shortly after World War II, Keys and his colleagues set out to examine whether or not the Mediterranean dietary and lifestyle patterns were directly connected to improved health outcomes identified in Crete, Greece and southern Italy during the 1960s. These outcomes recorded the lowest rates of chronic disease in the world, and the life expectancy of adults in these regions was among the highest. This was particularly remarkable given the limited amount of medical care and services that were available to this population and the poverty these regions experienced.

Keys then began the long running Seven Countries Study and monitored the lifestyle and dietary habits of 12,700 middle-aged men in the U.S., Finland, the Netherlands, and then Yugoslavia, Italy, Japan and Greece.When the data was examined, the people who were the healthiest ate a diet where fruits and vegetables, grains, beans and fish were the basis of daily meals and valued vigorous physical activity and high social interaction. At the top of the list were the residents of Crete.

Scientists have intensely studied the eating and lifestyle patterns characteristic of the Mediterranean Diet for more than half a century. And with dozens of research studies, the evidence is that this way of eating and living results in an across-the-board reduction of chronic disease and increased longevity.

This evidence confirmed that certain Mediterranean lifestyles and dietary patterns were connected with good health. As a result, in the 1990s, Old Ways, an internationally respected nonprofit organization, joined in partnership with the Harvard School of Public Health to provide global education and information on this important disease-preventing evidence.

What the article has apparently overlooked is that the Mediterranean Diet is not just about what people eat. It is about the values, habits, relationships, quality of how food is grown and the quantity of how food consumed by these particular groups — not just how or what they eat. A point that is often missed by the media is that health is not isolated to one’s diet. The whole health of an individual is about the physical, emotional, nutritional, environmental and even spiritual components that create our overall state of health. Our dietary choices and habits can be seen as a metaphor of what the overall or whole picture of that individual’s health is expressing. We eat how we think, feel, work and behave, all of which are influenced by our environment, values, age, financial and education levels and even by our gender.

Beyond just nutritional health, the Mediterranean Diet promotes a way of living that includes the following components, which could explain the positive health benefits.

Intense physical activity that includes work and all its forms of movement; farming, building, planting, gardening, dancing, sports, house work, child care or any activity that provides a non-sedentary daily routine.

Consuming many types and varieties of food in moderation as a form of nourishment — both physically and socially, as well as sharing with others.

  • Meals are a part of the social and family fabric and are not taken alone.
  • Time spent eating is relaxing, nourishing and pleasurable.
  • Foods choices often include fruits, vegetables, whole grain bread and other cereals, potatoes, beans, nuts and seeds.
  • Olive oil is an important monounsaturated fat source in the diet.
  • Dairy products, fish and poultry are consumed in low to modest amounts, and little red meat is eaten.
  • Eggs are consumed zero to four times a week.
  • Wine, a component of social family sharing and bonding, is a dietary staple this is consumed in low to moderate amounts.

Is it any surprise that Europeans, who now have McDonalds, Kentucky Fried Chicken, electronic messaging that is replacing relationships and high credit card debt (none of which were there when the Seven Countries Study began), are becoming as obese and unhealthy as Americans are?

What is missing from many “nutrition books of the week” is the organic, common sense understanding that the food we eat is just part of a multi-faceted set of choices we make in how we choose to live and behave. Many of these choices are based on our personal and collective social values.

I was recently asked, in a conversation with an advisor to the U.S. Surgeon General, what I thought was the solution to health care cost reduction. I stated and firmly believe that until we as a nation return to the values we embraced and lived by up until the mid-1980s, a time when the “The Lifestyles of The Rich and Famous“ became the national obsession, we will remain a nation of countless individuals who feel in many ways marginalized from contributing our skills and talents — who are hungry to be seen, heard and valued.

This lack of belonging leads to poor nutrition and behavior choices, which serve in our efforts to self-sooth and self-medicate, as the world we inhabit continues on its trajectory of financial and societal misdirection. Yes, the Mediterranean Diet does exist, but the values that make it a healthy way of life are rapidly fading.

For more whole health discussions like this, listen to my radio show Living Above The Drama.

Should You Consider Adding Aloe Vera and Aloe Vera Juice To Your Daily Routine?

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While aloe vera is rightly famed for its impressive skin healing properties (as many of us who’ve suffered sun burns can attest!) this wonder plant has proven to be one of the most versatile remedies found in Nature’s pharmacy. Derived from the leaves of the succulent perennial Aloe barbadensis miller – one of 420 species that make up the genus Aloe – the vitamin and mineral rich gel is applied for a wide array of medical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic purposes. Aloe vera has even been tested by the United States government as a potential treatment for radiation burns in the event of nuclear warfare. Let’s take a closer look at aloe’s amazing attributes, and how it can help in achieving greater whole person health.

Aloe comes in two forms: gel, the most used variant, is extracted from the inner part of the leaf while aloe latex, which can be ingested orally, is taken from under the plant’s kin. As mentioned above aloe has a trove of vitamins and minerals, with up to 75 potentially active components being identified, all vital for insuring proper functioning of all the major body systems. Among them are Vitamins A, C, E, and B12, all 8 essential amino acids, minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc, as well as the anti-inflammatory hormones called auxins and gibberellins which aid in wound healing. It also provides 4 anti-inflammatory essential fatty acids, including cholesterol. All of these components contribute to aloe’s renowned skin treating capabilities; on record as far back as Ancient Egypt (the queens Nefertiti and Cleopatra utilized it for cosmetic purposes). It is highly esteemed in both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, two of the oldest systems of practice in the world. In 1820 Aloe was formally listed by American pharmacopeias, before being clinically tested in the 1930s in the treatment of radiotherapy burns.   In addition to its time tested role in treating burns, its antiseptic properties have proven beneficial for conditions like psoriasis, dermatitis, herpes, and cold sores, as well for wound treatment.

Aloe’s antibacterial elements also make it a good treatment option for dry scalp and dandruff, helping to eliminate dead skin cells and insure healthy skin growth on the scalp. Holistically trained nurses and physicians recommend it for many skin conditions. It has also been shown to treat constipation, due to its high content of anthraquinones, compounds that act as natural laxatives. Coupled with its strong anti-inflammatory agents, Aloe’s laxative properties make it a potential treatment for digestive problems, helping to balance acid/alkaline levels, stimulate digestive bacteria, heal stomach ulcers, and normalize bowel function. A study published in the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences suggests Aloe could potentially be used to aid in alleviating symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): 33 patients who were instructed to drink 30 milliliters of aloe juice twice a day reported noticeable improvement in their IBS related pain, as well as a reduction in their flatulence levels.

Enzyme laden aloe can help maintain optimal cell health, transmuting proteins into amino acids and enzymes into energy utilized by cells. Its high zinc content also contributes to maximum immune function helping to combat disease, promote immune enhancing hormone receptors, and destroy harmful bacteria. As mentioned previously aloe’s high vitamin and mineral levels can assist in lowering inflammation, the underlying “silent killer” behind many of today’s medical conditions. Its rich antioxidant properties help to reduce damage by free radicals, maintain cell health, and shield the skin from cancer inducing damage from UV rays. Some interesting evidence seems to indicate that aloe can be a potential remedy for diabetes, as it appears to positively influence chronic hypoglycemia. As recently noted by Jackie Kai Ellis during an interview on Living Above The Drama: Food, apart from its actual function, can also be a metaphor for the nourishment we all need in life. Many users report feeling rejuvenated not just physically, but emotionally—a byproduct effect of taking good care of ourselves.

While no major side effects have been reported for topical use of Aloe gel, taking large amounts of Aloe latex orally can be potentially hazardous. Symptoms can include diarrhea, abdominal cramping, loss of vision, muscle weakness, and nausea. Doses of 1 gram per day or more can lead to kidney damage and stomach ulcers. Women who are pregnant or nursing are advised not to take aloe orally, as it may generate a miscarriage or premature birth. It can also lead to problems if ingested by children under 12 such as cramping, nausea, and diarrhea. People diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, colitis, and other intestinal disorders should also avoid it, as it is a powerful bowel irritant.

When it comes to selecting aloe, not all products are created equal. Mass commercial practices of grinding, crushing, pressing, and filtration of aloe extracts can remove most of not all of the active properties. To get the greatest bang for your buck be sure to verify the product labels carefully, and look for the International Aloe Science Council certification mark. And, as with all dietary and herbal supplements, consult your healthcare provider before incorporating aloe vera into your self-care and Whole Health regime.

For more whole health discussions like this, listen to my weekly radio show Living Above The Drama available on iHeartRadio.

*To listen to the full interview with Dr. Georgianna Donadio and Jackie Kai Ellis, visit Living Above The Drama.

Do You Want To Empower Others To Take Control Of Their Health And Wellness?

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It’s no secret that we Americans have reached an all-time level of being “unhealthy,” thanks to an ever-increasing stress-filled lifestyle. Despite widespread campaigns aimed at helping people stop smoking, eat better and exercise, the vast majority of Americans does not get regular exercise and are not eating enough fruits and vegetables. There is a clear need to empower others to take control of their health and wellness.  

There has been an explosion in obesity that is cited as high as 63%, along with climbing rates of diabetes, heart disease, cancer and other diseases associated with lifestyle and behavior choices. As far back as 1996, Harvard Medical School published a 7-year study which confirms up to 70% of all cancer, heart disease, stroke and mature onset diabetes are preventable with lifestyle and behavior changes. And yet, the health of the wealthiest nation in the world continues to decline.

A Need For Real Health Education

Core factors for this epidemic amongst Americans can be found in a recent government study. The Institute of Medicine published a major study identifying that ninety million Americans are "health illiterate." This does not mean, in this internet dominant society, that people do not have access to or are not receiving enough health and wellness information. It means that the majority of us do not know how to interpret or use the health information we receive to control or improve our health and wellness or prevent chronic disease. This reveal the need for more educated Holistic Nurses and Health Coaches to bridge the gap.

Think of the last time you read the results of a new study in a magazine and realized you did not know how to use that information to support or improve your health. In fact, data presented to the American College of Health Care Executives identifies "lack of information as the number one root cause of death.” Yet, experts like Susan Edgman-Levatin, Executive Director, John D. Stoeckle Center for Primary Care Innovation at Massachusetts General Hospital, acknowledges "It's no secret that traditional methods of patient education are hopelessly ineffective."

NIWH Has An Answer

Addressing this problem, as far back as 1977, the National Institute of Whole Health in Boston, Massachusetts, in cooperation with physicians, nurses and online health educators, began research and development on an extraordinary, whole-person focused model of health education. The product of these 30 years of development in Boston area hospitals, Whole Health Education®, has today found its way into the medical mainstream.

These specialized health educators, Whole Health Educators ™, are uniquely trained in respectful presence and mindful listening skills as well as evidence-based, integrated health sciences to demystify for their clients the five major factors of health that influence how well we are or how sick we become. By providing “the big picture of health”®, an integrated understanding of how these five aspects can cause health or disease, the patient or client can possess the knowledge and tools to make necessary lifestyle changes and behavioral choices that are personally right for them. Identifying the root cause and effect of a chronic condition can free an individual to make changes they may not have previously considered.

Become The Solution

If you are looking for work with purpose and integrity and are a health care professional, or entry level candidate, who desires to serve others by providing evidence-based health information, and a natural, spiritual outlook on healing, this program may be of interest to you. NIWH offers Holistic Nurse Certification and Health Coach Certification. Program are offered through distance learning as well as optional in-person weekend classes, conducted at a Harvard affiliate hospital in the Boston area, which includes nationally recognized health experts and outstanding core facility members. For more information visit www.niwh.org or call 888-354-HEAL (4325)

 

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