Health and Wellness in 2010

As we have entered the new year, many of us seek to gain more health and wellness in our lives. This is a great time to set some goals, find new ways to put health as a priority and setting aside time to meditate. Consider your life and how it could improve this coming year. Then make yourself a priority. You are the only one who can take time to exercise, eat right, get enough sleep, ponder, meditate, and create more wellness in your own life. Good luck on your new year and cheers to better health and wellness in 2010!

Health Risks for Steroid Injections

So a few years ago I had an accident which resulted in 6 herniated disks in my back and neck. In December I had a steroid injection in my neck and now I'm suffering the consequences. The 2 injections I had in my lower back did help with the pain for which I was very grateful. The injection in my neck not only has not impacted the amount of pain I experience, but now I have severe daily migraine headaches, my eyesight is constantly blurred and now I have discovered that the injection can trigger diabetes (for which I am at risk). Wow. I wish my doctors (any of the various doctors) would have asked about my family history for diabetes and at least told me that was a potential side effect. I have also been told that because the injection skyrockets blood sugars, that could be why my eyesight has been affected.

So, to all of those out there who are considering the injection route. Yes, it can be helpful in some cases (albeit temporary relief), there are also many side effects that most doctors will not explain. It is up to you to research and determine if this is the direction you want to go.

Oh -- I forgot one more thing. I've basically been sick since the injection and I have found that steroid can hamper your immune system as well. Nice.

I'm not complaining - just recognizing again how important it is to not just take any medication prescribed nor participate in any procedure before really knowing the risks. Now back to drinking more orange juice, taking my vitamins and trying to get some sleep to hopefully boost my immune system so I don't keep catching every cold or flu that comes along. :)

Taking a Vacation

"It's time to take a vacation!" After the holidays are over -- don't you sometimes feel as though you need a vacation -- just to recover?

Recreation and renewal are extremely important to maintaining a balanced and happy life. I sometimes feel as though we get caught up in the "rat race" too much. I returned from a trip to Hawaii in mid-December -- and it became extremely clear that our society is out of balance. After stepping off the plane, I was just about run over by 10-15 people rushing this way and that with their luggage -- pushing and shoving. No one looking at each other or smiling. No happiness. No friendliness.

It felt very sad to me. Coming from the warmth and openness of the Hawaiian Islands -- back to the rush. What a contrast.

Anyway, I'm very easily caught up in the "thick of thin things" myself -- and have to remind myself to quit working at 10-12 hours per day rather than the 16-18 hours I typically work. So, for New Years -- I've set goals to have mini-vacations throughout the year -- to take breaks and have more fun. Otherwise, life just passes us by.

So, if you feel as I do -- you can change it -- take a vacation, take a step back, look at your life and really ENJOY!

Benefits of Vacations

Taking a vacation should be required for everyone at least twice a year. There are many benefits of taking vacations. It gives us opportunities to review our lives, take a break from our daily routine, get re-centered, and re-create. Europeans have the right idea -- they take summer vacations -- 6-8 weeks each year. I wonder what has happened in American society -- we work longer hours, take less time off, are more stressed out, have more health problems, and seem less relaxed than other cultures. Do we think we're going to get behind if we take a break? Probably. I've been there myself.

But the benefits of vacations are so great not only in mental and physical health, but also in emotional health and productivity.

So, take a break -- go on a vacation -- and relax. It will pay off in the long run!

Dieting Tips

Here is a great weight loss website with dieting, nutrition, fitness, and weight loss news feeds. Read the latest articles and get the most updated information about various diets. Great resources.

5 Reasons to Get a Massage

I had a great massage today and then came home and read an article about why it's good to get a massage. There are many health benefits, as well as the emotional sense of well-being you can get after getting a massage.

The massage I had today was a deep tissue massage from an injury - so it was painful -- the good kind of hurt, but I did feel better afterwards.

In March of 2007, CNN reported the following 5 benefits of massage:

* Relieve pain (from migraines, labor, fibromyalgia and even cancer)
* Boost your level of alertness and attention
* Increase your body's natural killer cells, which help your immune system to defend against illness
* Reduce stress, anxiety and depression, and ease insomnia
* Decrease symptoms of PMS

All I know is that whenever I take the time to get a massage, I always think to myself -- I should get a massage at least once a week. It's so nice to be able to just relax and know that you're doing something good for yourself.