Happy New Year!  So many people are now feeling that fresh scrubbed feeling of a new beginning.  I admit that I am excited about good things to come.  Contrary to media implications of going from one decade of doom to another, let me submit that optimism is a learned skill and just like a new year resolution, requires work in order to maintain.

A study published in Nature Neuroscience by professor Xiao-Jing Wang tells us in a strangely mathematical way, that our brains are "hardwired" for pessimism.  This professor of neurobiology at Yale School of Medicine shows that there is a reason that we assume  cancer if a strange lump is found or when we hear that a fatal accident has occurred, we call to check on our family members.


And if it is a hardwiring situation, then we may have to work at changing a biological, pessimistic view that may be crippling our ability to enjoy our lives. 

Martin Seligman has written Learned Optimism and Authentic Happiness to address overriding this natural inclination.  There are websites, programs, meditations, affirmations, books and licensed professionals all aimed at creating a more positive outlook.

But, just like losing weight or committing to an exercise regime, overcoming inertia takes a plan and daily "exercise." 

If you know that you tend toward pessimism, make it part of your new year to look for the positive, not the negative.  Retrain your brain!

*Look for the doctors of AAC Family Wellness Centers at Calvary Tabernacle on January 9, 2010 doing our Extreme Health Makeover program featuring presentations:  "The Garden of Eatin', Move Well and The Power That Made the Body, Heals the Body."

Haven't we all felt this at some point or another?  A sense of not being able to get anything going.  Of not really having a lot to say even though there are a million things going on in the world at any given time much of it worthy of at least a comment.  Here's how I'm choosing to look at this today...

...a calm in the storm.  The outside world is chaotic and hectic at times.  To find some peace amidst the hubbub is bliss.  Some words of how to do this:

Exercise, breathe, find some time alone even if it is just 15 minutes per day, and dare I say?  Avoid the news! 

*"THINK WELL" a presentation by Dr. Michael Quartararo will be held in our Guilderland office on October 13th and in our Ballston Spa office on October 14th.  Both presentations will begin at 7pm.  If you'd like to attend, contact us via our website:  www.aacfamilywellness.com.

Before you vaccinate, educate!  Especially this H1N1 business...and I do mean business. 

Doctor Admits Vaccine Is More Deadly Than Swine Flu Itself & Will Not Give It To His Kids

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1z7KSEnyxw

Here's what you CAN do to best protect yourself.  Simple health care... 
     1)  Get your spine checked for subluxations.  They interfere with immune system balance.
     2)  Make sure you are getting enough Vitamin D.  Research suggests that deficiency makes us more susceptible to viruses.  Kids are especially deficient.
     3)  Exercise.
     4)  Manage stress-there is a solution to every stressful situations.  Awareness is half the battle.
     5)  Wash your hands with regular, ole soap and water.  The antibacterial stuff is a drug/chemical that is more hazardous to your health than the germs it is designed to kill. 


Listen to AAC Family Wellness Center docs on 1540am at 9:30am every Saturday morning.  You'll get a brainful!  For more info on Chiropractic and wellness, visit our website:  www.aacfamilywellness.com

My husband had knee surgery at the beginning of August and has been unable to mow the lawn since.  I'll admit that I don't mind doing this particular chore, but I'll also admit that, while I want lawn perfection, I am quite inefficient at it.

First, I just kind of jump into it.  Get the mower out and start mowing.  Easy enough until you come across the various obstacles that your children leave and then the fallen branches and the dog poo.  I'll of course move these things out of the way and admittedly just go around them at times(I swear I have moved the same Canada Dry 2 liter bottle at least 4 times).  It takes more time to stop and go and stop and go than it would have to just done the clean up for 5 minutes ahead of the mowing.  Also, I'm sure I'm offending the male sense of "grass patterning."  You know, the perfection of straight lines in one direction.  Mine kind of looks like snail tracks or a 2 year old's line drawing.

So, yes, inefficient, I must confess.  While I was committing lawn sin and cursing myself for not having been more prepared I found an interesting life parallel. 

As a chiropractor, I was once under the assumption that my job was to encourage the process of health.  This weekend I learned that my job is to increase the efficiency of LIFE.  The body is a lot smarter than I am, frankly, and it knows better than I what it needs to be healthy! 

You see when God made the person with nervous system as the master system, He meant for that nervous system to be the coordinator of life force.  Without the coordination of life force, you get disease ultimately.  I don't treat disease.  I'll leave that for those in the sick care industry.  But, what I can and I will do is remove as much interference to your nervous system as I can.  And along the way, teach you ways that can help lessen the likelihood of that interference occurring.

Every man, woman and child should get their spine checked.  Not because the back may hurt, but because without efficiency of the nervous system, you get less life.  Life is the greatest blessing.  Do what you can to ensure yours!

For more information, please visit our website www.aacfamilywellness.com.

It is interesting to me how many definitions of health and wellness are out there.  The definition of health from Dorland's Medical dictionary is "optimal physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmities".  But, ask most people what health and/or wellness means and they'll simply reply:  "Feeling good."

I can point out how often the opposite of "feeling good" actually means that your body is expressing health.  I can also point out how "feeling good" could mean you'll be diagnosed with cancer or heart disease tomorrow.  But, the dismal statistics on how unhealthy the people of our great nation are speaks volumes about simply relying on how you feel to tell you whether you are well or not.

So what does it mean to have optimal physical, mental and social well-being?  Well, first things first-do you have a good wellness chiropractor?  I'm not talking about a chiropractor that just "cracks" you once in awhile, never asks about the spinal health of your family and isn't generally concerned with your ongoing spine and nerve system health.  Folks,there are lots of us out there who are really great people, nice people, but if they aren't telling you about the awful effects of subluxation, they aren't telling you the truth about your health.

Physical well being...are you exercising on a mostly daily basis?  How is your diet?  Are you happy with your weight?  Do you think that ice cream is good for you because there is calcium in the cream?  Are you feeding your children hot dogs with some regularity?  Can you honestly say that you get 5-8 servings of fruits and veggies per day?

Mental well being...are you happy?  Satisfied with your life?  Feel significant in the grand scheme?  Spiritually well?  Sleeping 8 hours per night?  Able to relax and enjoy just being?

Social well being...do you like your spouse?  Do your children behave?  Interact well with others?

This is a short list of the questions that the answers to tell you quite a bit about your overall health-whether you have an ache or pain is just a small, though not insignificant, part of your total health.

Moms and Dads, remember that saying "actions speak louder than words"?  Your children learn how to maintain their health from you.  If you are not working on your health, your children won't either...no matter how much you say "do as I say, not as I do." 

 

Dear friends, family and community members,

Welcome to our new Albany.com blog!  In our blog, you'll find all kinds of information on healthful living, wellness and all things good. 

Please sign up to be regular voice of  comment, concern and opinion about what may be written here.  Occasionally, controversial topics such as vaccines, the sick care system and medication overuse will be covered.  We will remain as respectful as possible in expressing our views-we just ask that you do the same (ie: no foul language).

It is my pleasure to be the writer of this blog.  I have dedicated my professional career to educating my practice members and my community about moving well, thinking well and eating well with wellness Chiropractic care at the center.  As a mother and owner of a body, I've learned firsthand the importance of healthful living for a lifetime.

There is a well known quote about health and life that fits this particular blog:

Health is a journey, Not a destination

No doubt, as with life, we can be in for interesting ride...join us for some fun, education and empowerment along the way.

 

 

In health,

Dr. Sarah