How Do You Motivate for Change?

What change are we taking into consideration here? Of course we are looking at the transition to a healthier way of living which encompasses an improvement in diet, increase in physical activity, decrease in exposure to environmental contaminants and the incorporation of a belief system of self-empowerment. While the steps we take to make change vary from human to human, the source of a successful shift is common. For an individual to create a lasting change in habits, it must be an intrinsically driven process. This does not negate the capacity of extrinsic factors to facilitate those changes and in fact they can be very important for a person's growth. However, the process of adopting new healthy habits must be driven by the individual seeking something different.

The Transtheoretical Model of Behavioral Change which was developed in 1977 from the analysis of a number of different theories of psychotherapy takes into account this necessary element of effective habit adoption. It considers the readiness of the individual to act on a new behavior as paramount in moving forward. Without this stage of willingness, external factors will not provide any effective support. This may be the key to why many attempts to change are met with failure. A simple set of guidelines does not take into consideration the lack of desire that individuals may meet that prevent them from implementing these steps. A lack of self-efficacy, or the belief that one has in his/her ability to reach a goal, will drive an individual to remain stagnant. So how does one overcome this tendency towards keeping the status quo?

In some cases, an individual may simply not be ready for change which is important to recognize. However, if one is in a state of awareness that a healthier behavior is needed, then they must come to an understanding that change is a step-by-step process that involves recognizing self-limiting thoughts and it is ultimatley their own call to action that will carry them through to their goals. It is incumbent upon their support system to understand this. So as an individual seeks to achieve healthier behaviors in life, the first step is understanding their own internal resistance and creating positive affirmations that allow for the possibility of something different than the current experience.

Journaling is an effective way to facilitate change because it makes a commitment to a daily practice of seeing new ways of thinking and ultimately acting. In the initial stages, writing things down also serves to elevate an individuals awareness of obstacles, whether real or percieved, so that they may be addressed before attempts are made to adopt new behaviors. So as you or a loved one set out on a new path, do it with awareness. Because even though goals are important to set, incremental change towards them cannot happen without action in the moment that moves you forward.

Hand Washing - For More Reasons Than You Think!

Washing your hands is a critical part of warding off infectious illnesses. When we come into contact with surfaces that have been touched by others, we are potentially exposed to the microorganisms that they carry on their skin or release from their sinuses or mouth by sneezing or coughing. This is, of course, a very effective way to prevent transmission of the seasonal flu or cold. However, there is another important reason to make this a regular habit along with avoiding touching your nose and mouth when in public.

Studies have shown that everyday products that we are handling contain toxic chemicals that are being absorbed into our skin. Bisphenol-A is one such chemical that we are receiving a high level of exposure from and likely due to register receipts. According to Laura Vandenberg, PhD at the Center for Regenerative and Developmental Biology at Tufts University, "studies are starting to suggest that food might not be the major source (of BPA). It's plausible that exposures are coming from elsewhere, whether it's thermal paper or some other environmental exposure we're not aware of yet." Furthermore, researchers of a new study published in the journal Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry found that BPA from receipts transferred to hands within seconds of handling and absorption was increased the longer the individual went without hand washing. Oils and lotions increased the quantity of BPA transferred to the hands and alcohol-based sanitizers actually increased the absporption through the skin following exposure. So this option for cleaning the hands made it worse.

Hand washing is as important for controlling chemical exposure as it is for avoiding the bad bugs. But don't use just anything to clean your hands. Hand soaps that contain parabens or triclosan and triclocarbon are adding hormone-disrupting chemicals to our environment and your body. The latter 2 are touted as important for their anti-bacterial properties. However, studies on households who use these soaps show no decrease in the incidence of flus and colds than households that use soaps made without these chemicals. The best choices for keeping the hands clean from bugs and chemicals are non-deodorant bar soaps and simple castille or glycerin soaps. They do the job by cleaving dirt, chemicals and microorganisms from the surface of the skin so that the running water and friction of hand rubbing can wash them away. So for year round protection, make hand-washing one of your frequent habits!

Healthy Digestion with Parkinson's Disease

Hopefully it is catching on now that a balanced diet of primarily plant-based foods is paramount for human health. And even though there are modifications to be made for certain conditions, no individual's diet lies far outside of these recommendations. Nutrition and the prevention of disease is strongly connected as we can see with ailments such as diabetes and heart disease. Thankfully, health counseling which includes diet consultations, are now being implemented into many treatment programs for diseases that are known to have a "lifestyle" component with incidence. Regardless of this relationship, we can find validation for "food as medicine" for overall health and treatment of illness.

Parkinson's disease is no exception when it comes to addressing treatment with nutrition. One of the most significant concerns for these individuals is maintaining digestive function and preventing constipation. The slowing down of the autonomic nervous system leads to decreased gastric motility which is the movement of the stomach and intestines. The autonomic nervous system regulates smooth muscle which is what orchestrates the flow of food stuff through the digestive tract. Constipation is of particular concern for Parkinson's individuals. However, the recommendations for addressing this fall in line with implementing and maintaining a highly plant-based diet with a focus on high fiber content. When movement of the colon decreases, the need for bulk in the diet becomes greater so there is increased mass to move food through a system that is operating at less than optimal function. A part of this is maintaining fluid levels by consuming an adequate amount of clean pure water. Use these tips to keep it moving and prevent the rather disruptive problem of constipation.

1. Drink 64 ounces or more of filtered water or well-sourced spring water. See blog on bottled water for guidelines.

2. Increase your daily intake of fiber by eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables and aim for consuming 9. Some of the high fiber fruits and veggies are apples, oranges, berries, brussels sprouts, green cabbage, eggplant, avocado, artichoke, tomatoes and beans such as garbanzo and lima.

3. Avoid diuretics such as caffeine and alcohol.

4. Be certain to schedule yourself for regular exercise which should be at least 5 days a week if not everyday. This increased activity helps stimulate the intestines.

5. Add a bulking agent like psyllium husk.

6. Drink warm liquids, particularly in the morning.

Is Bottled Water a Better Choice?

Many consumers have the belief that bottled water provides a higher degree of safety and consequently health, as compared to drinking tap water. Even though tap water does contain contaminants, it is far more regulated than the bottled water industry. The potential for impurities and chemicals in bottled water is very high and most companies do not disclose information about their sources or testing of the water for safety. Their accountability has been challenged in the past and they have made minor improvements, but the practices of most of these companies is putting the consumer at risk.

Aside from the relatively poor quality of the water, using bottled water contributes significantly to waste. It is estimated that only 20% of plastic water bottles end up being recycled. This creates a huge quantity of plastic to be dumped into land fills and in addition, the carbon cost of producing the bottles is huge. One of the best choices for your body and the environment is to drink filtered tap water. Consult with a water filtration expert who can help you find the best option for your local water supply.

If you use bottled water on occasion, choose a brand who discloses that their water originates from a healthy source and they test for chemicals and impurities. The following list is from the Environmental Working Group, a research based consumer advocacy group that compiles scientific data about environmental issues related to human health.

See what companies rate higher so you can be safer with you and your loved ones.