You are currently browsing all posts tagged with 'equilibrium'

Noticing Nature In The Now

  • Posted on July 1, 2009 at 10:12 pm

When did you take the time to notice how much your immediate environment impacts upon your sense of well-being? Most of us are too busy these days to notice the things which are vitally important to our equilibrium. And so it is no wonder that so many people suffer from stress and anxiety, and lack a feeling of balance and groundedness. We do things on a “need to do” basis and yet do not consider what should be our most basic needs.

We do not, after all, live in a “vacuum”. We are constantly affected by a steady stream of sensory input. We see, hear, smell, taste and feel our way through life, and our minds are so quick and bright that they make sense of this input in a fraction of a second. Without realizing it our energy levels are affected by every tiny little bit of this sensory perception. Each sound vibrates with its own frequency of energy, and we receive energy signals from all around us.

If you spend a lot of time in a hectic or negative environment you will be picking up on this energy and will eventual adjust to resonate with it. It is not surprising that it becomes easy to feel “out of sync” or “out of kilter”. Your own energy is in effect being pushed off balance, away from your norm, away from a feeling of equilibrium. You can feel like a small sailing boat being buffeted by a storm. The choices one has when caught in a storm are limited; you could take the sail down and ride the storm out, or perhaps your boat has a powerful engine which can take you safely back to shore, or perhaps you no longer have the presence of mind to think straight and thus leave your sails up…

Everyone needs balance and internally craves to be in a place where they can feel comfortable and grounded. Yes, we need to step outside our comfort zones in order to grow and develop. But was also need to be able to return to a feeling of peace and tranquility. Our energy needs to be replenished from time to time, and an easy way in which to do this is to take a walk in beautiful surroundings, in the fresh air, amongst growing plants, flowers and trees. The energy from these natural growing and flourishing leaves and petals will reach out to you and you will instinctively resonate with it. And it’s not only the energy from the plants that you will benefit from, it’s the quality of natural light from being outside, the feeling of sunlight on your skin, the peaceful way in which water moves to and fro. All of this has an inevitable power to relax and relieve your stresses and strains.

The simple fact is that the things which are natural in our environment have the power to recharge our energy and revive us. Things which are unnatural can never quite imitate this natural reaction. If you are feeling “out of sorts” you can try a simple thing – go for a walk, somewhere in the countryside if at all possible, and intentionally notice everything around you. Take each of your senses in turn and notice what comes into your awareness. Really notice every moment – be “in the now”. In doing this you are achieving more than you may think was possible. Firstly, you are directing your focus upon nature and in doing so you will feel greater impact from the energy this provides. And secondly, as your attention is absorbed “in the now” you are effectively distracting yourself from worries, tensions or fears.

It may take some effort on your part to keep your attention focused in the now, but you will get better with practice. You can also obtain hypnosis downloads which will speed up this process and make it more and more automatic for you. Another benefit of hypnosis downloads is that you can mentally “go for a walk” when you are unable to do so in physical reality. Hypnosis is a state which allows greater ability to imagine things and you can visualize a perfect natural landscape and in effect create a “mental holiday” for yourself. Hypnosis is a state of relaxation and allows you to take a step back, enabling you to get back “in sync” and bring balance back into your life.

Roseanna Leaton, specialist in hypnosis downloads for your well-being.

With a degree in psychology and qualifications in hypnotherapy, NLP and sports psychology, Roseanna Leaton is one of the leading practitioners of self-improvement. You can get a free hypnosis download from http://www.RoseannaLeaton.com and peruse her extensive library of hypnosis downloads

Article Source: Noticing Nature In The Now

  • Share/Bookmark

Panic Attacks & Cerebellar-Vestibular Dysfunciton (Huh?)

  • Posted on July 1, 2009 at 9:04 pm

This may surprise you; however, pivotal to any discussion of the biology of panic attacks is the inner ear; home of our ability to hear and, for the purposes of this particular chat, our balance and equilibrium headquarters. No doubt, this consideration doesn’t get as much press as other biological triggers of panic, so tune-in.

Okay, then – we’re going to need to discuss a wee-bit of anatomy here, so hang with me. Within the extremely complex environment of the inner ear is a tad of fluid-filled (endolymph) anatomy known as the membranous labyrinth, the largest part of which floats in a fluid called perilymph. Now, all of this is contained in a structure known as the bony labyrinth. Are you with me?

Within the membranous labyrinth is a relatively large area known as the vestibule, which contains two connected sacks. One of these sacks, the utriculus, is the principal organ of what is known as the vestibular system. In its efforts to maintain balance and equilibrium, the vestibular system receives and integrates information from the eyes, ears, and muscles of the trunk, neck, and limbs. One of the major communication conduits employed is the brain’s cerebellum, which – no surprise – plays a huge role in the integration of sensory perception, as well as motor control. Now, that wasn’t too bad, was it?

Disorders of the vestibular system can cause all sorts of mental, emotional, and physical problems, including panic attacks and anxiety. For example, chronic anxiety is a common side effect of labyrinthitis, an inflammation of the inner ear labyrinths; and a panic attack may, indeed, be one of the first signs of the onset of infection. So it’s fact, and it’s significant, that labyrinthitis, a dysfunction of the vestibular system, can cause panic.

Turning the tables, research has shown that vestibular system dysfunction may actually occur as a result of anxiety. Go figure. Panic seen within the context of vestibular system dysfunction may well be triggered by any number of physiological processes that merit examination; however, the most significant trigger is the misinterpretation of, and overreaction to, the unpleasant symptoms it produces.

As we take a look at these symptoms, I don’t think you’ll find it difficult to envision yourself panicking in their presence; especially if you had no idea as to why the symptoms were presenting. Here are just a few: dizziness, loss of balance, increased physiological responses to stress and anxiety, motion sickness, headache, attention and focus issues, tinnitus (a ringing or high-pitched buzzing noise), trouble focusing and tracking with the eyes, distorted hearing, confusion, and loss of memory. Think those would make you edgy?

It all makes perfect sense to me. Anything causing abnormal and unpleasant sensations, or feelings of altered consciousness, is a breeding ground for panic attacks. Certainly, symptoms such as these would present problems for any panic sufferer, or for anyone predisposed to panic.

So, cerebellar-vestibular dysfunction. Perhaps you’d not considered it as it applies to panic attacks, but I’m thinking you may want to give it some thought.

After a winning bout with panic disorder, Bill found his life’s passion. So he earned his counseling credentials and is doing all he can to lend a hand to those having a tough time. Bill authored a panic disorder education and recovery eworkbook entitled, “Panic! …and Poetic Justice,” which is available on his website, www.hopeandhealingdynamics.com. Check it out – lots of good stuff. Bill is a local and national member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (N.A.M.I.).

Article Source: Panic Attacks & Cerebellar-Vestibular Dysfunciton (Huh?)

  • Share/Bookmark