www.womanthismonth.com 83 April 2013 | Being in control is about striking a balance between the body, mind and soul, according to experts. Woman This Month goes on a quest to find the key ideas and techniques on where to start and how to stay balanced. Our expert: Corina Zanner-Entwistle, life and training consultant. Call 39 301-371 or email [email protected]. Finding a balance between body, mind and soul is not some far-fetched ideal. “It is possible to have a life balance but it’s something we need to work on and take time to achieve. It’s about planning and making sure you have time to do the things you enjoy. People who never do this are the ones who get out of balance. When we get out of balance we get stressed, easily overwhelmed, not to mention annoyed, with everyone and everything around us,” says the consultant. Our bodies also become susceptible to illness. In fact, one of the leading causes of heart attacks is stress-related illness. The aim The ideal balanced life depends on the individual’s values and needs. Although diet and exercise are important parts of the equation, unlocking the power of the mind is vital. “I try to teach my clients the power of their own mind, what they can achieve and that they are in control. Do you see the glass as half full or half empty? There is a lot of truth in the maxim,” says Corina. No matter how bad the situation, the way you think about it and the way you frame it is very powerful. If you think you are in a hopeless situation, instead of saying I can’t do anything, a balanced person might say, what are my options and how can I make this situation better for me. The power of the mind and how we handle ourselves can even turn a pessimist into an optimist. People think they are a certain way but they have the power to change if they want to. We need to learn to let go of stress, anger and start dealing with whatever we are avoiding. We need to become congruent or in harmony with ourselves or risk our health. Never too late Not everyone can cope easily with work and family issues or major life events such as a move, a new job or some traumatic event. A change of life like moving from childhood years to a teenager, midlife and the menopause also upset our balance. People respond differently to these changes. Some might find it easy while others are challenged. “Some clients come to me because they simply need someone to talk to. They may have a hard time dealing with everyday problems and need someone non-judgemental like a therapist to give them a new perspective,” she explains. Others gain balance by being with likeminded individuals in support groups. Even if you have trusted family or friends, not everyone wants to burden them. So, support groups are a good option for these individuals. However, not everyone needs to see a therapist. Many people cope just fine by themselves. A day off, a bit of pampering or a chat with a friend might be all you need to reframe issues and get back in balance. Ideally, we shouldn’t wait until we are faced with these stressful circumstances to figure out how to cope. We should be armed with the skills. It’s never too late. Corina encourages her clients and is particularly keen to advise schools on the importance of emotional intelligence. There is so much pressure on children these days. Stress is part of our lives and we need to teach children to be self-aware and understand their feelings. Getting started These techniques briefly described are used to treat everything from allergies, anxiety, phobias, stress, depression, smoking, weight management, motivation, self-esteem and goal setting. You should first seek the guidance of a professional to properly learn these techniques and to find out what works best for you. Stop technique: Breathing is essential to restoring balance. In this quick and effective technique, you stop what you are doing and take several deep breaths. The more you practice the more balanced you become. Circle of excellence: Imagine a circle on the floor and as you step into that circle you activate your past and positive experiences related to what you are about to do. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have the actual experience as the mind cannot differentiate between a real and imagined experience. Mediation/self-hypnosis: Take 10-15 minutes in the morning, find a quiet place and clear your mind. There are different approaches to meditation with some people concentrating on an object such as a candle while others use a mantra. You should feel re-energised and ready to take on your day. Self-talk: Our minds are filled with negative messages such as “I can’t do this” all the time. Take a deep breath and say you know you can do it! This technique is good for everyone particularly children and teens. Hypnosis: Forget what you see on TV, hypnosis is nothing more than a state of deep relaxation helping you to become more balanced and self-aware. You are always conscious during therapy; nobody can tell you what to do. The key is tapping into the powerful area of the subconscious to help you achieve your goals.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy Mjk0MTkxMQ==