One of the most important things is to have balance in our lives. Although we are slow to recognize what may be happening, we know when we’re out of balance. We overindulge, eat the wrong foods, do not get enough sleep, become irritable and stressed – resulting in fatigue and loss of energy.

Does it take discipline to practice self-care? Absolutely! But the rewards far out weigh the effort. To nurture our physical body it’s important to eat nutritiously. Start to read labels and avoid foods that contain high fructose corn syrup (you’ll be amazed at how many foods do). Eat less sugar, red meat and white flour and instead eat more fiber, fruits and vegetables. Limit caffeine and increase the amount of water you drink daily (half your weight in ounces). In addition, exercise and get eight hours of horizontal rest. You’ll be amazed at how much better you will feel.

To nurture our emotional, mental and spiritual health we need to take time for prayer and/or meditation, create new habits, take time to laugh and have fun. Gift yourself with 10 minutes a day to just be silent. Finally, because healthy relationships nurture us, tell your family and friends how much you love them, and most importantly – love yourself for the wonderful person that you are.

For early detection the American Cancer Society recommends the following guidelines:

• Annual mammograms for women over age 40.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE) by a health expert every three years for women in their 20’s and 30’s; annually after age 40.
• Monthly breast self-exam (BSE). Women who know how their breasts normally feel and look can more easily notice any changes.

Women with a family history or who are at a higher risk for breast cancer should consult their physician about the best course of action for them. They may need to have more frequent exams, start having mammograms at an earlier age or have extra tests such as a breast ultrasound or MRI.

The most important thing is to see your physician immediately if you notice any of these breast changes: a lump or swelling, skin irritation or dimpling, nipple pain or the nipple turning inward, redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin, or a discharge other than breast milk. Keep in mind that most of the time breast changes are not cancerous.

Whether you are male or female – develop an awareness of your body – pay attention to any twinges or unusual sensations or pain and if they continue – see your physician. For more information visit Cancer.org.

There are short term and long term effects of stress so it is important to develop coping skills. We need to learn how to control it – not have it control us. So how do we do that?

First, become aware of how stress and  tension are affecting you. Next, make a conscious effort to deal with it. Last, be willing to institute some changes in your life.

Vital to your well-being is to start taking better care of yourself. Get enough sleep. Eat well but also pay attention to how your body feels after you have eaten certain foods and learn to avoid them. Exercise, go for walks, or join a yoga class. Drink 6-8 glasses of water a day so that you are well hydrated. Learn  how to meditate – a wonderful gift to give yourself. Take time each day to have some quiet moments alone.  Even five minutes – in a quiet place – at home or your workplace – taking 5-10 slow, deep breaths can be amazingly calming. If you are feeling totally overwhelmed talk to someone about your problems and if necessary – seek counseling. Most importantly – take time to play – and especially enjoy being with family and friends.

Shortly after attending Level 2 in September 1997 and for the next ten years I offered Introduction to Healing Touch presentations at every opportunity – to church and community organizations, to the staff of nursing homes, to teachers, to the nursing staff at Akron hospitals, and at several VA hospitals throughout Ohio as part of the Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) initiative by the VA’s Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center.

Despite all of this experience, I was thrilled when Healing Touch Program announced that an Introduction to Healing Touch Presentations class was being initiated for instructors, practitioners and Level 4/5 students. I contacted the HTP office and offered to coordinate a class. There happened to be one free day between two already scheduled workshops that Laurie Pointer was to teach in Asheville, NC and St. Paul, MN. Time was of the essence to make all the arrangements and market the class. Fortunately, my colleagues in the area were interested and my community library in Hudson, Ohio had a room available.

With short notice and Christmas just two weeks away, nine practitioners and two Level 4 students were able to rearrange their schedules in order to attend on December 10, 2007. Laurie was warm, gracious, and engaging as she presented the material. I had been using the Introduction to Healing Touch DVD since it was released in March 2007 but to learn there was now a Power Point available for both one-hour and three-hour presentations was exciting.

The greatest benefit from the Presentations class is that I now have the tools to improve the quality of my Introduction to Healing Touch presentations. In February I presented Nursing Grand Rounds at two Cleveland Clinic System hospitals – Marymount and South Pointe. By submitting an outline several weeks in advance of my presentation to the education departments at the hospitals, they were able to apply for contact hours from the Ohio Nurses Association (ONA) for the 100 or so nurses who attended. The same concept was applied at Akron General Medical Center during Nurses Week in May of this year where over 70 nurses were in attendance. Continuing education contact hours are an incredible incentive for nurses.

Whether presenting to nurses, hospice volunteers or community organizations, be assured that attending a Presentations class will give you the tools, the skills and the confidence to offer a highly professional Introduction to Healing Touch. This one day workshop will greatly improve your ability to spread the word about Healing Touch. I encourage you to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity that Healing Touch Program has made available to instructors, practitioners and Level 4/5 students.