To help lighten those thoughts and energize your life, HL&W gives you the ultimate mind-body plan by Ann Bracken

By taking a new approach to your health, you will discover ways to give yourself the focus to succeed and get that summer feeling. Although life’s challenges cannot be avoided, ongoing stressful events can lead to a consistent physical or emotional imbalance.
Summer is here, a time when we are usually bounding with energy, ready to embrace the long, bright days and plan for holidays in far-away places. If you find yourself wanting to be active but feeling exhausted or feeling far too bloated to consider reaching for your summer wear, you may need to give your immune system a boost.
We often associate boosting our immune system as being a requisite for the long, winter months, but physical health is not seasonal – anxiety stress fatigue and stress related illness is very common with the modern pace of life. By taking a new approach to your health, you will discover ways to give yourself the focus to succeed and get that summer feeling.
• Listen to your body
Our body gives us physical or mental warning signs, to indicate a depleted or imbalanced immune system. Physical symptoms can include excess fatigue, aches and pains, headaches, sickness, dry skin, weight imbalance, a craving for stimulants or a disturbed sleeping pattern.
Emotional disturbance includes – heightened anxiety levels, unhappiness, over-sensitivity, panic attacks or mood swings.

• Bring Balance back into your Life
Although life’s challenges cannot be avoided, ongoing stressful events can lead to a consistent physical or emotional imbalance. The body longs for balance and being stressed out on stress depletes the immune system. Take steps to restore this balance.

Rejuvenate your body

Sleep and relaxation will help your body restore energy levels.
Before sleeping, take four or five deep breaths to lower stress levels. Panic attacks are a physical response to reduced breath intake which is characteristic of feeling stressed. Deep breathing helps to avoid high levels of stress on a somatic level.
Massage lavender oil onto your temples before sleeping, to help promote a deep sleep.
Also, take reguar short breaks from work or sustained concentration e.g. study and computers. This leads to more efficient work as you will have better outcomes with a clearer mind.

- Avoid Stimulants

Stimulants such as excessive alcohol intake prevent the absorption of essential nutrients. In addition to depleting the immune system, alcohol causes emotional mood swings.
Smoking reduces the oxygen intake levels in the body resulting in reduced energy levels.
High sugar levels in the diet unbalances the blood glucose levels, leading to mood swings and a setting up of sugar cravings in the body.
Foods high in salt cause fluid retention and an increase in blood pressure.
Processed foods overwork the digestive system, as additives are not easily recognised or broken down by the body. Processed foods are also low in the nutrients necessary to increase energy levels.
Caffeine dehydrates the body and increases toxicity in the body.

- Check for food allergy or intolerance
An allergy test will reveal the cause of the bodies unusual reaction to a certain food or substance. With the elimination of the food identified, the symptoms usually disappear.
Food production and processing has increased the incidences of food intolerence in today’s society. Chemical sensitivity usually manifests in a feeling of excessive tiredness, leading to stomach and intestinal problems. Also, nutritional loss during storage, distribution and cooking can lead to an inadequate dietary intake. If the body lacks essential nutrients, it stands to reason that at best it will lack energy and at worst its natural defences will be depleted, leading to illness.

Common foods which can cause an allergic reaction in the body include milk and dairy products – causing skin disorders or sinusitis
Chocolate – additives can cause migraines or exzema
Citrus fruits (due to being sprayed or waxed), pork, breakfast cereals and tinned fruit may also prompt a food allergy.
A change of diet to include more natural whole foods and less processed foods will help balance the metabolism and increase energy levels. You may require a visit to a nutritional therapist to help you incorporate a change in your eating habits in a manageable way for your life.
• Exercise to suit your lifestyle
Relaxing your muscles after sitting at a desk all day with relaxation exercises, rather than slumping in front of the television, will keep your body toned and release the stress thoughts of the day. Exercise relieves stress on the body and by releasing endorphins it also has a positive effect on the mind. Muscles require exercise at any age – a more active exercise plan is desired for those younger in age, with light weight bearing exercises being beneficial for those advancing in age. As with all change, moderation is the key to success. Exercise will be more beneficial if you begin with something you enjoy and attend at regular times each week. It may be an incentive to attend a group class, as it is often easier to feel motivated when part of a group. Customize your exercise plan to suit your lifestyle. You may find it easier to attend after work, on the way home, at lunchtimes, or at the weekend. Taking a brisk walk to work will help you feel refreshed and ready for the day ahead and in the evening it will help you leave your work concerns in the office.

• Positive Attitude
Why is it that if you give 10 people the same opportunities in the same way that some succeed and others are left behind? Our outlook on life will determine how we embrace or reject opportunities for change.
A change in our outlook takes effort and this effort is paid off in a positive change of behaviour. By incorporating an optimistic attitude to our problems, solutions come more easily and this is reflected in the outcome. Even the most insurmountable obstacles are overcome more easily with a positive, solution based attitude.
When making positive health changes, it is helpful to replace negative beliefs with a more positive internal dialogue e.g. I can do this, My body deserves and enjoys healthy food.
Creative visualisation may also help with this, as concentrating on the desired outcome alligns the mind and body with the positive outcome, making it easier to take steps to realise success. Having a misconception about ourselves leads to a desire to feed this misconception – literally!
By taking small steps toward a healthier lifestyle our desire to succeed will increase naturally. Let results be the great motivator and with the bright summer months ahead, it will be easier to modify our diet, enjoy our new energy levels and spend our days on the beach rather than on the couch!

Your Summer Immune System Boost
To help lighten those thoughts and energize your life, HL&W gives you the ultimate mind-body plan by Ann Bracken
Quote
By taking a new approach to your health, you will discover ways to give yourself the focus to succeed and get that summer feeling.

Quote
Although life’s challenges cannot be avoided, ongoing stressful events can lead to a consistent physical or emotional imbalance.

Summer is here, a time when we are usually bounding with energy, ready to embrace the long, bright days and plan for holidays in far-away places. If you find yourself wanting to be active but feeling exhausted or feeling far too bloated to consider reaching for your summer wear, you may need to give your immune system a boost.
We often associate boosting our immune system as being a requisite for the long, winter months, but physical health is not seasonal – anxiety stress fatigue and stress related illness is very common with the modern pace of life. By taking a new approach to your health, you will discover ways to give yourself the focus to succeed and get that summer feeling.
• Listen to your body
Our body gives us physical or mental warning signs, to indicate a depleted or imbalanced immune system. Physical symptoms can include excess fatigue, aches and pains, headaches, sickness, dry skin, weight imbalance, a craving for stimulants or a disturbed sleeping pattern.
Emotional disturbance includes – heightened anxiety levels, unhappiness, over-sensitivity, panic attacks or mood swings.

• Bring Balance back into your Life
Although life’s challenges cannot be avoided, ongoing stressful events can lead to a consistent physical or emotional imbalance. The body longs for balance and being stressed out on stress depletes the immune system. Take steps to restore this balance.
- Rejuvinate your body
Sleep and relaxation will help your body restore energy levels.
Before sleeping, take four or five deep breaths to lower stress levels. Panic attacks are a physical response to reduced breath intake which is characteristic of feeling stressed. Deep breathing helps to avoid high levels of stress on a somatic level.
Massage lavender oil onto your temples before sleeping, to help promote a deep sleep.
Also, take reguar short breaks from work or sustained concentration e.g. study and computers. This leads to more efficient work as you will have better outcomes with a clearer mind.

- Avoid Stimulants
Stimulants such as excessive alcohol intake prevent the absorption of essential nutrients. In addition to depleting the immune system, alcohol causes emotional mood swings.
Smoking reduces the oxygen intake levels in the body resulting in reduced energy levels.
High sugar levels in the diet unbalances the blood glucose levels, leading to mood swings and a setting up of sugar cravings in the body.
Foods high in salt cause fluid retention and an increase in blood pressure.
Processed foods overwork the digestive system, as additives are not easily recognised or broken down by the body. Processed foods are also low in the nutrients necessary to increase energy levels.
Caffeine dehydrates the body and increases toxicity in the body.
- Check for food allergy or intollerence
An allergy test will reveal the cause of the bodies unusual reaction to a certain food or substance. With the elimination of the food identified, the symptoms usually disappear.

Food production and processing has increased the incidences of food intolerence in today’s society. Chemical sensitivity usually manifests in a feeling of excessive tiredness, leading to stomach and intestinal problems.
Also, nutritional loss during storage, distribution and cooking can lead to an inadequate dietary intake. If the body lacks essential nutrients, it stands to reason that at best it will lack energy and at worst its natural defences will be depleted, leading to illness.
Common foods which can cause an allergic reaction in the body include milk and dairy products – causing skin disorders or sinusitis
Chocolate – additives can cause migraines or exzema
Citrus fruits (due to being sprayed or waxed), pork, breakfast cereals and tinned fruit may also prompt a food allergy.
A change of diet to include more natural whole foods and less processed foods will help balance the metabolism and increase energy levels. You may require a visit to a nutritional therapist to help you incorporate a change in your eating habits in a manageable way for your life.
• Exercise to suit your lifestyle

Relaxing your muscles after sitting at a desk all day with relaxation exercises, rather than slumping in front of the television, will keep your body toned and release the stress thoughts of the day.
Exercise relieves stress on the body and by releasing endorphins it also has a positive effect on the mind.
Muscles require exercise at any age – a more active exercise plan is desired for those younger in age, with light weight bearing exercises being beneficial for those advancing in age.
As with all change, moderation is the key to success. Exercise will be more beneficial if you begin with something you enjoy and attend at regular times each week. It may be an incentive to attend a group class, as it is often easier to feel motivated when part of a group. Customize your exercise plan to suit your lifestyle. You may find it easier to attend after work, on the way home, at lunchtimes, or at the weekend. Taking a brisk walk to work will help you feel refreshed and ready for the day ahead and in the evening it will help you leave your work concerns in the office.

• Positive Attitude
Why is it that if you give 10 people the same opportunities in the same way that some succeed and others are left behind? Our outlook on life will determine how we embrace or reject opportunities for change.
A change in our outlook takes effort and this effort is paid off in a positive change of behaviour. By incorporating an optimistic attitude to our problems, solutions come more easily and this is reflected in the outcome. Even the most insurmountable obstacles are overcome more easily with a positive, solution based attitude.
When making positive health changes, it is helpful to replace negative beliefs with a more positive internal dialogue e.g. I can do this, My body deserves and enjoys healthy food.
Creative visualisation may also help with this, as concentrating on the desired outcome alligns the mind and body with the positive outcome, making it easier to take steps to realise success. Having a misconception about ourselves leads to a desire to feed this misconception – literally!
By taking small steps toward a healthier lifestyle our desire to succeed will increase naturally. Let results be the great motivator and with the bright summer months ahead, it will be easier to modify our diet, enjoy our new energy levels and spend our days on the beach rather than on the couch!