Celeste's Lifestyle Topics

“Humans are social creatures, and research shows that social isolation and loneliness are risk factors for poor mental and physical health—depression, anxiety, substance abuse, suicide, and earlier death are the results. Connection is the key to emotional well-being." Depression is a disorder of the brain. It is a serious mental illness that is more than just a feeling of being "down in the dumps" or "blue" for a few days. For more than 20 million people in the United States who have depression, the feelings persist and can interfere with everyday life. My podcast is a summary of the main guiding steps towards this crippling disease. This short questionnaire can be a valuable tool for individuals to reflect on their experiences with depression and identify specific areas where they might seek improvement or support. Here's a concise questionnaire inspired by the practical advice shared in my podcast. DEPRESSION Self-Reflection Questionnaire **Instructions:** Please take a moment to reflect on each question. There are no right or wrong answers. This questionnaire is designed to help you identify areas where you might benefit from additional support or strategies. 1. **Social Interaction:** - In the past week, how often have you engaged in social activities or conversations (including online)? - [ ] Not at all - [ ] Once or twice - [ ] Several times - [ ] Frequently 2. **Motivation and Energy:** - How would you rate your level of motivation and energy on most days? - [ ] Very low - [ ] Low - [ ] Moderate - [ ] High 3. **Professional Help:** - Have you sought professional help (e.g., therapy, counseling) for your feelings of sadness or hopelessness? - [ ] Yes - [ ] No - If yes, did you find it helpful? - [ ] Yes - [ ] Somewhat - [ ] No 4. **Sleep Quality:** - How would you describe your sleep quality in the past month? - [ ] Very poor - [ ] Poor - [ ] Fair - [ ] Good 5. **Self-Compassion:** - How often do you practice self-compassion or challenge negative thoughts about yourself? - [ ] Never - [ ] Rarely - [ ] Sometimes - [ ] Often 6. **Concentration:** - Have you experienced difficulty concentrating, and if so, have you tried any techniques to improve it? - [ ] Yes, and I've tried techniques to improve it. - [ ] Yes, but I haven't tried techniques to improve it. - [ ] No, I haven't experienced difficulty concentrating. 7. **Nutrition:** - How would you rate your eating habits in terms of nutritional balance? - [ ] Very poor - [ ] Poor - [ ] Good - [ ] Excellent 8. **Interest in Activities:** - Have you lost interest in activities you once enjoyed? - [ ] Yes, significantly - [ ] Somewhat - [ ] Not really - [ ] No, my interest hasn't changed 9. **Support Systems:** - Do you feel you have a support system (friends, family, groups) that understands your experience with depression? - [ ] Yes - [ ] Somewhat - [ ] No **Reflection:** Based on your answers, which areas do you feel you might need more support or strategies for improvement? This questionnaire can serve as a starting point for individuals to assess their current state and consider steps for progress. It's also a helpful tool for therapists, counselors, or support groups to understand an individual's specific challenges and areas of concern.

A guided meditation for couples to spruce up their endorphins for each other. Endorphins are natural opiates, those feel-good chemicals that boost happiness and reduce pain. This podcast  is a unique mental journey for tired couples to get back together…using a special imagery technique. If you do not have a partner, one can also "visualise" that special person in this "meditation". Absolute quietness is essential when doing this imagery exercise that both partners can enjoy the intimacy without any outside disturbances.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the  dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If  you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for  always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your  own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing  fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of  trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many  persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about  love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as  perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things  of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do  not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of  fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child  of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right  to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is  unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you  conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the  noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham,  drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.  Strive to be happy. By Max Ehrmann © 1927 Original text

A heart warming interview with a survivor of open heart surgery performed successfully at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital North in America - https://www.okheart.com/locations/oklahoma-heart-hospital-north Our guest Keith Brown explains his story from the causes of his heart condition due to unhealthy lifestyle habits that finally lead him to have this very critical heart operation. He gives good advice and tips based on his experience which can be very helpful to those persons suffering with the same problem.

I guide you gently through a beautiful forest where we are invited to a beautiful meal by a very special person who has been waiting for us... The moment has arrived when you forget all your troubles of the day and the past just by focusing on this magical moment. Enjoy this incredible journey with me into another world and feel how relaxed and sleepy you will be. You will be so refreshed and full of energy tomorrow...

Special message:

Ever wonder why "The Law of Attraction" is not working for you? Quite simply because your mind is like a magnet attracting toxic thoughts all day and into your sleep patterns at night. Your mind is not at rest with itself. Mindfulness and Meditation will "quieten" your mind before sleep that you will wake up feeling refreshed and focused on positive thoughts.  My meditations combat toxic thoughts which lead to depression, anxiety, worries, sadness, loneliness and despair. All my meditations relax your mind by allowing your brain to focus on positivity and closing the door to toxitivity. JUST TRY IT!

Bereavement and how to learn coping skills: “No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear.” “You care so much you feel as though you will bleed to death with the pain of it.” “Only people who are capable of loving strongly can also suffer great sorrow, but this same necessity of loving serves to counteract their grief and heals them.” Let us begin with a short description about loss and what it means in context. When we undergo grief, we are confronting a natural emotional response to the loss of someone close, such as a family member, friend, partner, animal or a job. Grief can also occur after a serious illness, a divorce or other significant losses. Grief often involves intense sadness, and sometimes feelings of shock, numbness or even denial and anger. There are proven cases when a long term partner has died that the other dies soon afterwards from a broken heart. This phenomenon also takes place in the animal kingdom. Some of you might have heard about a canary parter who mourns her or his mate and suddenly dies a few days later. Although losing someone close is a highly personal life event, most of us tend to share the same range of emotions and reactions. Realising that these feelings are normal can help you get through such a difficult time. Below you will find four of the more common emotional effects of bereavement. Of course, every one of us is different, and so, the way we cope with grief will differ greatly. The important thing to remember is that the feeling won’t last forever. Over time, you will come to understand these feelings and know what you need to do to manage them. I will start off with the stages of grief and then go into them in more detail later on in my podcast. But it is important to know what is happening to you on the spiritual, mental, and physical levels in ordert to cope with your emotions which can sometimes get in the way of rational thinking if you are alone and have nobody as a support system. What Are the Stages of Grief? Your feelings may happen in phases as you come to terms with your loss. You can’t control the process, but it’s helpful to know the reasons behind your feelings. All people experience grief differently. Though it it no longer considered the ideal way to think about grief, you may have heard of the stages of grief: • Denial: When you first learn of a loss, it’s normal to think, “This isn’t happening.” You may feel shocked or numb. This is a temporary way to deal with the rush of overwhelming emotion. It’s a defense mechanism. • Anger: As reality sets in, you’re faced with the pain of your loss. You may feel frustrated and helpless. These feelings later turn into anger. You might direct it toward other people, a higher power, or life in general. To be angry with a loved one who died and left you alone is natural, too. • Bargaining: During this stage, you dwell on what you could’ve done to prevent the loss. Common thoughts are “If only…” and “What if…” You may also try to strike a deal with a higher power. • Depression: This is a sadness which sets in as you begin to understand the loss and its effect on your life. Signs of depression will include crying, sleep disturbances, and a decreased appetite. You may feel overwhelmed, regretful, and lonely. • Acceptance: In this final stage of grief, you accept the reality of your loss. It can’t be changed. Although you still feel sad, you’re able to start moving forward with your life.

Enjoy the adrenaline push of rock music to suit your fitness training: From martial arts to pushing iron. This music will rock you.

"Shortness of breath" can feel like your chest is tight and breathing difficult, almost to the point of a near death sensation. This can be a cause of stress, loss of a loved one, unemployment, tension, nervousness etc. For most people, hyperventilation is rare and only occurs as an occasional response to fear or stress. For others, this condition occurs regularly as a typical response to emotional excesses such as fear, anxiety, or anger. When hyperventilation is a frequent occurrence, it is known as hyperventilation syndrome. If left untreated for a long period of time, then it becomes a life-threatening situation.

When your body experiences anxiety, it goes into fight-or-flight mode to protect itself from an immediate threat. It releases adrenaline, a hormone that pumps blood to your muscles and causes your body temperature to rise. It also sends most of your oxygen to your muscles, which is why you may feel short of breath. Close your mouth and take a slow, deep breath in through your nose. When you breathe in, you want your belly to fill with air and get bigger like a balloon. Blow all of the air out slowly and gently through pursed lips as if you were blowing bubbles.

Our blood has an optimal pH, which is maintained by a specific ratio of dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide. When you hyperventilate, that ratio is disturbed. Too much oxygen causes the pH of the blood to rise and become too alkaline. This is known as respiratory alkalosis. Symptoms can include anxiety, dizziness, dry mouth, tingling in the fingers and arms, chest pain or tremors. In fact, some research has suggested a link between panic disorders and poor regulation of blood pH.

Breathing into a paper bag is a technique that can help you regulate hyperventilation. It works by putting some of the lost carbon dioxide back into your lungs and body. This helps to balance oxygen flow in your body. The physiology makes sense; breathing out in panic results in the loss of carbon dioxide in the blood and breathing into a bag restores the lost CO2. However, it’s important to note that rebreathing is unsafe for certain people, particularly those with heart or lung problems.

Take 6 to 12 easy, natural breaths, with a small paper bag held over your mouth and nose. Then remove the bag from your nose and mouth and take easy, natural breaths. Next, try belly-breathing (diaphragmatic breathing). Alternate these techniques until your hyperventilation stops.

LOTUS FLOWER BREATHING EXERCISE

This lotus flower breathing excercise is a short but effective way to  clear your mind and to energise your body bringing you into a spiritual balance with yourself and the world around you. Find a quiet and comfortable place where you will not be disturbed. Sit in an upright lotus position.

Now we are ready. Namaste

Rest your arms on your knees and follow my instructions: Take a deep breath of pure oxygen through your nose…. And at the same time imagining you are pulling in joy, peace, love, happiness, good health deep into your lungs down into your belly. Full your belly with that pure oxygen. Your belly should be expanding as it fills up with air. Hold this for 3-5 seconds.

Now when you release this air… move your arms towards the top of your head in a praying position whilst squeezing gently the air out through your mouth. Your belly should contract whilst pressing the air through your lungs out of your mouth. Try to keep this for 3-5 seconds.

Again, repeat this exercise. Your hand are in a praying position above your head. Breath in fulling your lungs and your belly with oxygen whilst you move your arms down towards your belly. Rest the palms of your hand over your full belly of air. Start rubbing in circles over your belly.

Now…release the air slowly and simultaneously move your arms up above your head whilst releasing all the tensions, pains, worries, anxiety, sadness, bad health out of your lungs through your mouth.

Take a few moments to enjoy this feeling and then begin again by repeating  this breathing exercise at least 5 times to get the full benefits. Remember to hold the air in your lungs and belly for 3-5 seconds and releasing the air for a slow 3-5 seconds.

Only stop this exercise once you feel that your mind, body and spirit are in balance with yourself and the world around you.

Namaste

What is meditation? And how to use it for better sleep. Welcome back dear listerners. Today I will explain very briefly what meditation is all about and then we will practice together a short sleep exercise to make you feel drowsy and relaxed.

Meditation is a practice that involves training the mind and focusing one's attention to achieve mental clarity, emotional calmness, and a state of deep relaxation. It is often used for personal growth, stress reduction, and spiritual development. During meditation, individuals typically sit or lie down in a comfortable position and engage in a series of techniques or exercises to calm the mind and cultivate a state of mindfulness. These techniques can include focusing on the breath, repeating a mantra or word, visualizing an image or scene, or observing the thoughts and sensations without judgment.

The primary goal of meditation is to achieve a state of heightened awareness and inner peace. Regular practice of meditation can help improve concentration, reduce stress and anxiety, enhance self-awareness, promote emotional well-being, and increase overall mental clarity. It is also believed to have physical health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure and boosting the immune system.

Meditation has its roots in ancient religious and spiritual traditions, particularly in Buddhism, Hinduism, and Taoism. However, it has become increasingly popular in the modern world as a secular practice that can benefit people from various backgrounds and belief systems. There are numerous forms and styles of meditation, allowing individuals to choose a technique that resonates with them and aligns with their goals and preferences.

Before we begin, please ensure that you are in a comfortable position, preferably lying down on your bed. Now, let's begin the meditation for sleep:

Listening or even playing the drums for just a few minutes can boost your mood. Similar to a “runner's high,” drummers' brains release feel-good endorphins immediately after playing. The physical stimulation of drumming and the sound vibrations that resonate through every cell in the body stimulate the release of negative emotions. It also relieves stress and anxiety.

The Four Noble Truths of Buddha: In his first teaching after attaining liberation, the Buddha taught The Four Noble Truths:  the truth of suffering, the truth of the origin of suffering, the truth of the cessation of suffering, and the truth of the path to liberation from suffering.

The First Noble Truth recognizes the existence of suffering. We humans will do everything we can to resist or deny the existence of suffering.  Paradoxically, resisting or denying the existence of suffering only increases our suffering. Recognizing the existence of suffering, without additional thoughts or denial,  is the first step to letting go of the suffering that accompanies my chronic pain.

The Second Noble Truth, the cause of suffering, is clinging to things – especially ourselves – as real and permanent.  My knee-jerk reaction when my pain flares up is self-pity.  My self-centered thoughts and negative judgments increase my suffering.  When I let go of my thoughts and focus instead on the direct experience of my pain, there is an immediate sense of relief and spaciousness.

Focusing on the pain itself, rather than clinging to it as something unique to myself, leads to the cessation of suffering – The Third Noble Truth.   Working directly with the energy of physical pain has become my path out of the suffering that accompanies my pain. This path is related to the Fourth Noble Truth, the path to liberation from suffering.

This 10 minute special technique of Mindfulness Meditation and using your breath and breathing will help to relieve pain, side effects of chemotherapy, increase immune system functioning, give you greater sense of control, increase self-awareness, give you a greater sense of calm peace, happiness and greater resilience. Breath is the life force. Breathing gives us life. Inhaling brings oxygen to cells. Exhaling releases waste - carbon dioxide. Rhythmic breathing balances the nervous system.

This music video uses very special music sounds with pictures that stimulate sleep. When watched together the eyes become relaxed as well as the mind. It has a calming effect. Can also be used to lower stress and anxiety levels.

Listen to the sounds of Yoga music for inspiration. The art of practicing yoga helps in controlling an individual's mind, body and soul. It brings together physical and mental disciplines to achieve a peaceful body and mind; it helps manage stress and anxiety and keeps you relaxed.

Music is the art of sound in time. Music uses rhythm, melody, harmony, colour, and expressive content to express thoughts and emotions in meaningful ways. Selected piano music to put you in the right mood. A sensual listening Video to relax and enjoy.

Sit back and relax to the romantic heart strings of the guitar. Allow yourself to dream and let your thoughts flow positively.

Music video for fans of Meditation, Yoga, Qigong, Tai Chi or those who just wish to relax with the sounds of "Buddha Spa". This is a music story video without words which emerges the senses on a journey of discovery...