Mailer 02

Habits - Blessings or curse?

Wise living consists perhaps less in acquiring good habits than in acquiring as few habits as possible.

Do you drive to work or school the same way every morning? Do you get out of bed on the same side? Do you brush your teeth always starting on the left or the right? Do you always have the same thing for breakfast?

One of my patients is nearly 70 but every morning she gets up at 5am to bake cakes which she gives away or gives to charity.

Since I always try to learn from people who have an extraordinary skill, I asked her what on earth goes through her mind every morning when she wakes up that would lead her to leap out of bed rather than curl up for another 20 minutes.

Her answer? "Cup of tea!" The smile on her face said it all.

There it is. That's the habit that allows her to accomplish this extraordinary feat.

Which is great. She has a habit that serves her well.

But habits are a mixed blessing.

On the one hand, they save us time and energy, on the other hand they can lock us into destructive behaviours.

What if the tannins in tea were actually binding her proteins and stripping her of her minerals (which they do) causing her osteoporosis and back pain?

Suddenly her habit has become an addiction. The blessing is now a curse. If she wants to conquer her back pain, she has to give up an old habit.

As a general rule, habits associated with substances are normally addictions. They cause a physical need as much as an emotional one so they are twice as difficult to overcome. Any time we use a substance to make us feel better, we are using that substance as a drug, and it is likely that drug is or will be an addiction. (Hint, a drug is just a refined substance. The more refined a food, the more likely it is that it will act like a drug)

Nothing wrong with that. But unfortunately, relying on substances to make us feel better is never sustainable. Eventually we want more and more. One cup of coffee just doesn't do it and now we need a whiskey or a cigarette as well.

Soon our bodies lose the ability to feel good without a stimulant and then we are an addict.

The substances themselves use up our good vitamins and minerals and we end up with deficiencies that make us feel even worse.

Fortunately, once you understand the relationship between habits and addictions, you can make some changes.

The first thing to understand is that habits fulfill a basic human need - one for stability and security. If everything happens the same way every day, we feel safe, but it is boring.

There is another human need that is just as strong. This is the need for variety. Variety and surprise bring fun and laughter to our lives, but they can also be scary.

It is one of the ironies of human existence that we crave both security and insecurity, and we all have a varying degree of tolerance for both.

Habits bring us security. If we want to lose those habits, we must accept some degree of insecurity as we change. We need to make a point of doing things differently.

Get out of bed on the other side, stay up later, go to bed earlier, eat something different for breakfast, wear something unusual, take a different route to work.

By making little changes, we can start to become masters of our lives rather than victims of our addictions.

And remember, one man's food is another man's poison. Just because everyone else does things a certain way, doesn't mean you have to. Find your own way, choose your own path. At least that way if you mess it up, it'll be all your own work.

This month, I'm going to take a little advice from Louden Wainwright III - I am going to try to be a "has been" - it's a lot better than being a "never was".

Personal Training

Would you like to get fitter but can't stand gyms? Would you like to go running but don't like to run alone?

Personal training may be the answer for you.

I have been working with and working out with Keith Tucker of Absolute Training for 6 weeks now and I'm impressed.

Keith has long been involved in the Berkhamsted Gymnastics Club and in various sports including kick boxing but his passion is sport and fitness for all.

Whether you want a routine you can do for yourself at home, or you have some specific goal you want to reach, Keith can help you achieve it.

This month Keith has kindly offered a free taster session to anyone on a Wellness plan. The Wellness plan is like an insurance policy. It's a commitment to a regular check-up which entitles you to free treatment should the unexpected crop up. Plus it has extra benefits like 10% off products and special offers like this one. You can learn more and enrol by clicking here.

If you want to contact Keith directly you can reach him on 07971 809 761 or via his website at www.absolute-training.com

In the News:

If vaccination is so safe, how come the US government has paid out over $2bn to parents of children harmed by them?

It's Official (well, it's in the Daily Mail!): emolient creams don't work and are a waste of money. Bath oils 'may not be helping eczema sufferers'

Comment: Anyone who follows the Naturality way of thinking or has been unfortunate enough to get me ranting on the subject knows that emolient creams and oils like Oilatum, E45 and Vaseline are based on liquid parrafin or petroleum. It is no coincidence that these words remind you of petrol and kerosine, because that's what they are made out of! They are mineral oils. They have absolutely no place in your bathroom, on your skin or in your home. Mineral oils are great for your car, but nowhere else.

If you need to apply an oil or cream, make sure it's based on a vegetable oil, like almond oil, coconut oil even olive oil. Never mineral oil. Or use a natural vegetable-based cream like a miessence cream.

Thanks to Jennifer Hoskins who sent this

My daughter Alexandra was 16 when she gradually became very lethargic, and experienced constant lower abdominal pain, bloatedness, headaches and nausea. Consequently, she became very low and depressed, losing confidence and self-esteem as her condition was also affecting her weight which she had never had a problem with before. Her school work began to suffer as she was feeling so poorly at times that she missed lessons, spending time in the sanatorium. Visits to the doctors were not solving the problem in any way and we were so worried as her condition was gradually worsening. After almost 6 months, we were told about the Wellness Centre in Berkhamsted where we met Simon King who quickly identified the source of the problem and soon had Alexandra back to her former self, producing wonderful results in her recent exams just nine months later.

It has been a learning curve for us all as a family and we now know that being and staying well is not difficult when you have the right advice and treatment. Thank you Simon.

Best wishes

Jennifer Hoskins

Sunningdale

PS I collected more of the Miessence on my visit... the toothpaste is amazing - no ulcers anymore for me!

We are always pleased to hear your stories, do send them to simon@naturality.org.uk

(you may have to allow images for the next section to appear)

Why Dogs Bite People

Feel free to forward our newsletter to a friend or family member.

Simon King

the Team at the Naturality Wellness Centre

Our irrepressible reflexologist Wendy is now on Maternity leave to have her second baby.

Her shoes are being filled by Rose Muirhead. Rose is a very experienced reflexologist. You can contact her on 07747012590 or look her up on her website at www.soleenergy.co.uk

Colonix hits Berkhamsted

Following rave reviews from a couple of our clients, we are currently stocking the Colonix intestinal detox program.

To learn more about it, click the image or click here.

Fancy walking on hot coals?

Yes, I thought so. Come along and support the Hospice of St Francis in their fundraising firewalk.

Failing that, sponsor Simon King who will be walking at a blistering pace across the fire. Amounts per blister are also welcome.

For more information please go to the website http://www.t4c.org.uk/stfrancis.html

you can sponsor Simon by sending him an email here.

Saturday Homeopathy Clinic

My family and I first experienced homeopathy over 10 years ago when my daughter was a baby, and since then there has been no looking back. In fact I was so impressed with how amazingly effective it was that I felt compelled to find out more - and gradually I became a homeopath.

I studied homeopathy for four years at the Centre for Homeopathic Education at Regent's College, London where I gained a Licentiate. Prior to that I completed a foundation course in Natural Medicine with Neal's Yard Remedies - this has given me a good working knowledge of herbs, flower essences and essential oils, which I sometimes use in my practice to support homeopathic prescriptions.

I am a member of the Alliance for Registered Homeopaths; a professional body that binds its members by a strict code of ethics and practice. I am fully insured.

I love my work and take a warm, supportive and practical approach. I believe that cure is a process not an event - I enjoy getting to know my clients and working with them over time to improve their health and vitality, offering them a real alternative to, or support for their conventional treatment.

Teresa is working alternate Saturdays. To make an appointment with her, Anna or Dr Conty, call the clinic on 01442 800400.

More Babies