Cyber Monday Deals

In case you didn’t already know it, today is another Cyber Monday, when online buyers snag the best deals from retailers offering great discounts . Cyber Monday was the second highest spending day of 2009, with buyers charging nearly $890 million during the special shopping event. Finding a great deal on a prized item is a soul-satisfying experience most of us delight in. We love sharing our good fortune with friends and families by sharing the details of our opportune purchase.

You know what else brings the same profound satisfaction? Meditating regularly releases the same feel-good hormones, endorphins and serotonin. Some studies suggest that meditation practiced on a regular basis is as effective as medication in alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression. Meditation is non-invasive, free, and has no side effects.

During meditation, the brain produces an alpha wave pattern identical to that state of deep relaxation when one is falling asleep or awakening. Alpha brain wave patterns benefit the mind/body in the following ways:
• Calms your body and mind while maintaining alertness
• Stimulates imagination, intuition and heightened awareness
• Allows for detachment from the outcome
• Improves memory, concentration, and mental clarity
• Improves sleep patterns and overall health
• Reduces muscle tension, chronic pain, and headaches
• Lowers high blood pressure
• Enhances the immune system
• Increases serotonin production and reduces anxiety and depression
• Helps in post-operative healing

Many people are intimidated by the idea of meditating. The basics of meditating effectively include deep, rhythmic breathing, soothing mental imagery and deep relaxation. I have developed a library of meditation CDs that facilitates the novice and practiced meditator in achieving fast and effective results with a minimum of effort. . If you are stressed out, can’t sleep, experiencing health problems or just want to feel better in general, try meditating.

Is Your Stress Upsetting Your Child?

According to a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association including 1,134 adults, 100 of whom were parents of children ages 8 to seventeen, the majority of Americans are living with moderate levels of stress.  The leading causes of stress were money problems, job security and the economy.  Almost half of adults reported job stability as a source of stress.

Although most parents don’t think their children are significantly affected by their stress, 91 % of the children reported that they are aware of their parent’s stress.  Children may believe that their parents’ stress is caused Children manifest stress in a variety of ways, including crying, anxiety, anger/tantrums, problems at school by them or they may fear that their parents may separate and divorce., nail-biting, tics, toilet accidents, sleep problems, substance abuse and defiance, to name a few.  It appears that stress is a family problem in many, if not most, American homes.

So what can parents do to lower stress levels in the home other than get adequate sleep, exercise, and follow a healthy diet?   Reassuring your child often that things are going to be fine and that you love them is a good place to start.  Joining your child in playful activities is fun and relaxing for everyone.  Finally, practicing meditation  on a regular basis is beneficial to lower stress and improve general health.  It is even more important to maintain your meditation practice during the holiday season. You owe it to yourself and your family to find healthy ways to manage stress and enjoy each other more.

Stress management for adults, children and teens is one of my specialties.  Visit my website susanboyes.com or email me at susanboyes@susanboyes.com if you have any  questions or comments.

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Meditation allows kids to de-stress when times get crazy...

Stress is not a chronic condition confined to adults. Sadly, our most vulnerable population, children and teens, are also plagued by overwhelming demands on their time and attention. The age of innocence comes to a screeching halt, usually by the time children begin to attend school. Pressure and tension gradually accumulates until it erupts in the early teen years, manifesting as bullying, alcohol/substance abuse, promiscuity, depression, anxiety disorders, delinquency, plummeting grades, diminished motivation and even violence.

Children often find meditating easier than adults due to the fact that the prefrontal cortex of the brain has not fully matured. Their facile, creative brains quickly learn to customize images so they become more vividly reflections of their own internal guiding system. "Relaxation works for all ages," says Marcia Eckerd, Ph.D., attending faculty in the Department of Psychiatry at Norwalk Hospital. It may take the adult brain months to establish a body memory; often it is accomplished by a young brain in a matter of a few days.

As the mother of four grown daughters, I know first hand how stress can impact children. As a licensed professional counselor, I've worked with troubled youth in a residential setting and understand how desperate children and teens are for a sense of stability and feelings of self-empowerment and validation.

I've developed a series of meditation audios and specialized this recording to reach out to children and teens struggling to navigate the turbulent demands of growing up. In a time when "mental disorders affect nearly 12 percent of the world’s population – about 450 million or one out of every four people around the world.." as stated by the World Federation for Mental Health, isn't it time to ensure our children have the tools for staying healthy in body and mind?