Dreamtime Wellness

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Integrative Therapies; Support for Breast Cancer Patients

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Free Lecture on Integrative Therapies as Supportive Care for Breast Cancer Patients. 

Thursday, October 17th from 6:00 – 7:00 pm. Peabody MA. This one-hour lecture is informative, interactive, and includes evidence-based research and case study.

Integrative therapies* such as acupuncture, hypnosis, massage, meditation, reiki, and yoga can help support people during treatment for cancer, through survivorship.

Learn how these therapies can help support your physical, mental-emotional, and spiritual wellbeing, and how to safely access them for your optimal wellness.

Contact us for details. Advance Registration is Required: Call 978-283-4358  or Email: dreamtimewellness@gmail.com. Space is limited; breast cancer patients and members of their support team only.

*Note: These therapies are not meant to be used ‘in place of’ conventional treatment, but as added, supportive care. For safety and efficacy, consult your physician(s) before beginning integrative therapies and let your medical team know if  you are using any complementary therapies, herb, supplements or over the counter (OTC) medications. Open communication is key to safety and ‘best outcomes.’

 

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Rocky Neck Cultural Center – Impromptu Reception Sunday 12/10

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Mind, Body and Spirit

Rocky Neck Cultural Center  “December in November—Giving the Gift of Art!” 
Rocky Neck Art Colony Members’ Fine Art and Crafts Sale

Last Chance to Visit the Holiday Art Show at the Rocky Neck Cultural Center!

 Sunday. December 10. 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 6 Wonson Street. Gloucester MA. Offerings of Fine Art, Jewelry, Photography, Blown Glass, Calendars, Cards and More.

Impromptu ‘Closing Reception’ from 2 – 4 pm. Sunday, December 10. Join in celebrating the end of the 2017 Season! We are looking forward to future exhibits on Rocky Neck, American’s Oldest Art Colony. Renovations begin soon at the Rocky Neck Cultural Center. Looking forward to the 2018 season at the Rocky Neck Cultural Center and Gallery 53! 

Art is Good Medicine – Creative activities can relieve stress, aid communication, and help arrest cognitive decline. (Harvard Health Publishing, July 2017)

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Stop Smoking … and Take Back Your Health

Your Bridge to Health; Promoting Optimal Wellness for Mind, Body and Spirit

Tomorrow is the Great American Smoke-Out! 

Smoking Remains the #1 Preventable Cause of Disease in the United States. Smoking negatively affects every body system. Thanks to the efforts of the American Cancer Society and American Heart Association, fewer people are still smoking.

The Good News: Within minutes of smoking your last cigarette, your body begins to recover and heal:

There are Immediate Benefits to Stopping: 

20 Minutes After Stopping – Your heart rate and blood pressure drop.

Within a Few Days of Stopping:

  • Clothes, hair and breath smell better.
  • Your sense of smell returns to normal.
  • Your teeth and fingernails stop yellowing.
  • It becomes easier to walk and climb stairs.

You Look and Feel Better and Are Healthier as a NON-Smoker!

Stopping smoking helps stop the damaging effects of tobacco that can cause premature wrinkling of your skin, gum disease, and tooth loss.

Within a few months your circulation and breathing improve, and Much More!  More Health Benefits

Happy and Proud to Be Smoke-FREE! Free of the Worry … Free of the Fear … Free of the Stigma … Free of the Danger that went along with smoking.

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Cancer: Awareness, Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment Saves Lives

October is Breast and Liver Cancer Awareness Month.

Reminder to Schedule a Mammogram!

How many people face a diagnosis of cancer?

Statistics from 2017–  Here you will also find information about ways to prevent and treat cancer, and good news about prevention and survival rates.

The Good News, According to the American Cancer Society –

  • A substantial proportion of cancers could be prevented
  • All cancers caused by tobacco use and heavy alcohol consumption could be prevented.
  • Many of the more than 3 million skin cancer cases that are diagnosed annually could be prevented by protecting skin from excessive sun exposure and avoiding indoor tanning.
  • Screening can prevent colorectal and cervical cancers through early detection and removal of precancerous lesions.
  • Screening is known to reduce (death rates) for cancers of the breast, colon, rectum, cervix, and lung (with long-term and/or heavy smokers)
  • Healthy Lifestyles (healthy weight, healthy nutrition, exercise, no smoking, minimal alcohol) can help prevent cancer
  • Improvement in survival rates over the past 30 years reflects both the earlier diagnosis of certain cancers and improvements in treatment.

Prevention and Early Detection Saves Lives – Ask your doctor about ways to prevent, screen for, and treat cancer.

Mammogram Fact Sheet – 

What to Expect From a Mammogram –

Emotional Impacts of Cancer – A diagnosis of cancer and having to undergo treatment may cause anxiety and depression and effects families as well as patients.

Sources: 

Ask your doctor or nurse about ways to cope and deal with the stress of cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Private and Group Relaxation Therapies are Available Through Dreamtime Wellness™

While more research is indicated, reiki may  be helpful for decreasing stress and anxiety in patients receiving treatment for cancer. This study indicates a significant decrease in anxiety after a reiki session, and potential for improved comfort.

Read further for SPECIAL OFFERINGS at Dreamtime Wellness™ During the Month of October –

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Dreamtime Wellness™ Launches New Logo & On-line Store

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Mind, Body and Spirit

Gifts Certificates and Generic Self-Hypnosis Recordings (CDs and MP3s) – NOW AVAILABLE at our secure, on-line store.

Relaxation, Meditation and Hypnosis – People have been asking for recordings of my guided meditation and hypnosis sessions for many years.

Offering hypnosis/hypnotherapy/guided meditation since 2000. I was often asked for a ‘recording.’ Over the past 7 years we have been producing and testing our generic recordings. Based on hundreds of individual client responses and their feedback, we have found them to be safe, effective, when used as directed. Ready to Launch!

Self-Care Tools – these recordings are intended as self-care tools and adjunctive (supportive) aids in collaboration with your conventional medical care. Feel free to contact us with any questions, prior to or after purchase of any of these products.

Generic recordings offer more accessibility and affordability. Not everyone can afford a one-on-one private session. Not everyone will be able to travel to see me in person.

By offering these recordings on-line I am hoping to bring the benefits of relaxation and positive, healthy lifestyle changes to more people around the globe.

Our On-line Store Launched on Summer Solstice. The First Day of Summer seemed a great time to launch products that help promote change.

“Using your guided personal meditation tape has provided me much peace and relaxation as I have journeyed through my medical complications. It has helped ease anxiety, minimize medication withdrawal symptoms, and promote sleep. I have used what I have learned to be more mindful in the moment.”  ~ Nancy S.M.  Buffalo, NY

In addition, on the day of the Summer Solstice this review and testimonial was posted on Facebook, prompting me to finally make the on-line store a reality:

Client Testimonial – “Using a guided personal mediation tape made for me by Karen has provided me much peace and relaxation as I have journeyed through my medical complications. It has helped ease anxiety, minimize medication withdrawal symptoms, and promote sleep. I have used what I have learned to be more mindful in the moment.”  ~ Nancy S.M.   Tonawonda, NY

relaxation-and-sleep-cd

Note: Consult your physician prior to using relaxation, meditation or hypnosis recordings.While relaxation, meditation and hypnosis are generally safe, there are some precautions.

Thank you to multi-talented Diana Whitten of Gloucester MA for the design of the new logo for Dreamtime Wellness™ LLC.

“World Peace cannot occur until individuals are balanced in Mind, Body and Spirit.”  ~ Anonymous

The new Dreamtime Wellness logo is meant to convey my background in nursing along with a passion for promoting health and wellbeing for mind, body & spirit. The ultimate goal – a sense of inner peace and happiness, ‘rippling out’ to others.

Enjoy the relaxation and health benefits. ~ Best in Health,  Karen

Karen Pischke B.S.N., R.N., C.C.R.N. Alumnus, Author, Lecturer, Nurse Researcher, Certified Hypnotherapist, Tobacco Treatment Specialist, Usui Reiki Teacher/Komyo Shihan. Owner/Founder of Dreamtime Wellness LLC. Your Bridge to Health. Promoting Optimal Wellness for Mind, Body and Spirit www.DreamtimeWellness.com. Find us on Facebook.

Disclaimer: This blog pro­vides gen­eral infor­ma­tion and dis­cus­sion about health and related sub­jects. The words and other con­tent pro­vided in this blog, and in any linked mate­ri­als, are not intended and should not be con­strued as med­ical advice. If the reader or any other per­son has a med­ical con­cern, he or she should con­sult with an appropriately licensed physi­cian or other health care worker. Never dis­re­gard pro­fes­sional med­ical advice or delay in seek­ing it because of some­thing you have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a med­ical emer­gency, call your doc­tor or 911 immediately. The views expressed on this blog and web­site have no rela­tion to those of any academic, hospital, practice or other insti­tu­tion with which the authors are affiliated.

Hot Head or Couch Potato?
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Hot Head or Couch Potato?

 

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A ‘Gift of Bliss’ for Mother’s Day

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

Mother’s Day is Just One Week Away!    

Stuck for ideas for mom? Want something unique?

Gift your mother a session of blissful relaxation – Reiki and Hypnosis Gift Certificates Are Available.

Both Reiki and Hypnosis Sessions offer a deep relaxation. Comments heard from clients after their session – 

~ “I never felt so relaxed before.”

~ “I feel restored.”

~ “I felt like I was enveloped in a warm blanket.”

~ “The hypnosis session felt like a massage of the mind.”

~ “Wow.”

Deep relaxation can offer a variety of health benefits – 

  • Relief of tension (emotional and physical)
  • Increased sense of calm and inner peace
  • Improved blood flow
  • Improved comfort
  • Improved energy
  • Improved sleep

After her session, mom will be sporting a smile and a ‘pink glow’ that comes from relaxation.

Cupcake gift for Mother's Day

Cupcake gift for Mother’s Day

To order a gift certificate email: info@dreamtimewellness.com or call – 978-283-4258.

FOB – Mention GMG and Receive 20% Special Discount for Mother’s Day Gift Certificates. 

Happy Mother’s Day!

Moms, however you celebrate your special day, be sure to remember to ‘gift yourself’ a gift of self-care.

Best in health,    Karen

 

Karen Pischke B.S.N., R.N., C.C.R.N. Alumnus. Certified Hypnotherapist, Tobacco Treatment Specialist, Usui Reiki Teacher/Komyo Shihan. Owner/Founder of Dreamtime Wellness™ Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind & Spirit www.DreamtimeWellness.com. Find us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dreamtime-Wellness-/348619611849199

Disclaimer: This blog pro­vides gen­eral infor­ma­tion and dis­cus­sion about health and related sub­jects. The words and other con­tent pro­vided in this blog, and in any linked mate­ri­als, are not intended and should not be con­strued as med­ical advice. If the reader or any other per­son has a med­ical con­cern, he or she should con­sult with an appropriately licensed physi­cian or other health care worker. Never dis­re­gard pro­fes­sional med­ical advice or delay in seek­ing it because of some­thing you have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a med­ical emer­gency, call your doc­tor or 911 immediately. The views expressed on this blog and web­site have no rela­tion to those of any academic, hospital, practice or other insti­tu­tion with which the authors are affiliated.

 

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Community Reiki Share for a Cause – LungForce for Lung Health

Dreamtime Wellness ™

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

Next Community Reiki Share – Tuesday. May 3rd. 5:15 – 8:15 P.M. $20.00 Suggested Donation. Portion of monthly proceeds donated to charitable fund-raising, local and abroad. This month’s Reiki Share proceeds to help benefit LungForce.org.

lungforcewalk-facebook-profile01

 Social Ambassador for Lung Force. Last year, upon hearing about the growing rate of lung cancer diagnosis in young women who have never smoked, I became a Social Ambassador for Lung Force to help educate and increase awareness.

Here are the Facts –

  • Lung cancer, the #1 cancer killer of women in the United States.
  • Every five minutes, a woman in the U.S. is told she has lung cancer.
  • The lung cancer death rate in women has more than doubled over the past 35 years.
  • Anyone can get lung cancer.

Cheryl’s Healing Journey –  Through LungForce Day 2015, I connected with a young woman in Pennsylvania.

Married with two young children Cheryl had been diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer October 2015. When I met Cheryl in November, she expressed wanting “to give up,” discouraged by the diagnosis and harsh chemotherapy treatments. The hospital where she receives treatment offers Integrative Therapies (acupuncture, massage, reiki, etc.) Her medical condition prevented her from having acupuncture or massage, and no one had mentioned reiki. I was able to connect Cheryl with Reiki, which is offered free at the cancer center where she receives treatment. The financial strain of cancer treatment can be devastating. Many hospitals now offer Integrative Therapies in Cancer Centers, free to patients. Our November Community Reiki Share provided needed money to Cheryl and her family. We continue to offer emotional support. Cheryl found her strength and has continued her treatments. Months later, she continues to achieve lifetime milestones. Most recently, Cheryl celebrated her son Daniel’s 1st Birthday.

Cheryl and her family express their “thanks for donations, prayer and healing energy.”

LungForce.org works to advance lung health—a life free of lung disease—for everyone who suffers from asthma, COPD and other lung diseases, or has someone in their life who does.

How You Can Help Support Lung Force – 

  • Attend our Community Reiki Share May 3rd. 
  • Make a Donation to Lung Force. 
  • Join me to Walk – LungForce Walk Boston. Thursday. May 12. 5 – 8 pm. Boston Commons.

Monthly ‘Community Reiki Shares’ are offered ‘First Tuesdays.’ Held at the Manchester Community Center. 40 Beach St. Manchester-by-the-Sea. An affordable way to enjoy a Reiki Session while supporting charitable organizations. Contact us if you have a charitable organization or fundraiser and would like to partner with us. 

Reiki Photo DTW Stock Photo with © 2015

Reiki Ryoho-  a Japanese Healing Method/Art – Schedule: 5:30 pm – Meditation, Japanese mawashi (circle) and Komyo open reiju (attunement.) Pre-register for a session of Reiki between 6 and 8 pm.

Attend part or the entire evening. Enjoy the sense of peace, comfort and calm Reiki provides. 

Healthy snacks and tea are available. You don’t have to be a Reiki practitioner to join in. Those attending often comment on “how welcomed” and “relaxed” they feel, and how much they “enjoy the peace” of the evening. Some express “relief of pain” and “improved comfort.”

Where – Manchester Community Center. 40 Beach St. (Harbor Place) in Manchester-by-the-Sea. Every 1st Tuesday of the Month. 

Manchester Community Center

Register in Advance – info@DreamtimeWellness.com or call 978-283-4258. Walk-ins accommodated as we are able. Wheelchair accessible. Convenient, free parking.

As one woman says, “I always leave (the Reiki Share) feeling relaxed, and happy.

~ Join us and experience a relaxing, peaceful evening. ~  Karen

Offering Reiki therapy in hospitals responds to patients’ physical and emotional needs. (1) More study is needed, but in preliminary studies ‘there is evidence to suggest that Reiki therapy may be effective for pain and anxiety.” (2)

Reiki sessions are intended as adjunctive, supportive care and are not meant to be used ‘in place of” conventional medical care. If you are having medical issues, do not delay treatment. An accurate diagnosis is important for ‘best care’ and ‘best outcomes.’ for For safe, collaborative care, report the use of all complementary therapies, herbs and supplements to physician. Some complementary therapies, supplements, herbal and over-the-counter products may negatively interfere with your care; discuss use of these with your doctor.

For more information and a list of resources – 

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Practice Gratitude – It’s Good for Your Health

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

grat·i·tude ˈɡradəˌt(y)o͞od/

noun
  1. the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.
    “she expressed her gratitude to the committee for their support”
    Synonyms: gratefulness, thankfulness, thanks, appreciation, recognition, appreciation

gratitude

A Sense of Gratitude Improves Your Health 

Studies on gratitude support an association between gratitude and a sense of well being.  One study by Dr. Robert A. Emmons of the University of California, Davis, and Dr. Michael E. McCullough of the University of Miami, leaders in the field of research on gratitude showed that after keeping a ‘gratitude journal for 10 weeks, people were

  • more optimistic
  • felt better about their lives
  • began to exercise more
  • went to the doctor less often.

 

Practicing Gratitude Enhances Relationships

In one study, individuals who took time to express gratitude for their partner felt more positive toward the other person and felt more comfortable expressing concerns about their relationship.

Expressing Gratitude to Employees Motivates Them 

People want to feel that they are doing a good job and are members of a team. The best way to promote teamwork and motivate employees is to treat staff as valued members of the team.

10 Ways to Practice Gratitude:

  1. Count Your Blessings
  2. Keep a Gratitude Journal
  3. Thank Someone (Mentally or Out loud)
  4. Write a Thank-You Note Once a Week
  5. Practice Optimism
  6. Daily Prayer
  7. Daily Mindful Meditation
  8. Promote Teamwork (at Home and Work)
  9. Celebrate Successes
  10. Perform Acts of Kindness

Gratitude Tree 40f31d1f4b765d68a0b3e3edeef86859

Sources and More Information –

Digdon, N and Koble, A.  Effects of Constructive Worry, Imagery Distraction, and Gratitude Interventions on Sleep Quality: A Pilot Trial. July 2011. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being. Vol 3. No 2. pages 193–206

Emmons RA, et al. “Counting Blessings Versus Burdens: An Experimental Investigation of Gratitude and Subjective Well-Being in Daily Life,” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology(Feb. 2003): Vol. 84, No. 2, pp. 377–89.

Grant AM, et al. “A Little Thanks Goes a Long Way: Explaining Why Gratitude Expressions Motivate Prosocial Behavior,” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (June 2010): Vol. 98, No. 6, pp. 946–55.

Lambert NM, et al. “Expressing Gratitude to a Partner Leads to More Relationship Maintenance Behavior,” Emotion (Feb. 2011): Vol. 11, No. 1, pp. 52–60.

Layous, K, et al. Delivering Happiness: Translating Positive Psychology Intervention Research for Treating Major and Minor Depressive Disorders. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2011; 17 (8): 675

Roberts, H. (2005). Creating motivation, identifying incentives and enablers, and encouraging staff development. Community Eye Health, 18(56), 122–124

Sansone RA, et al. “Gratitude and Well Being: The Benefits of Appreciation,” Psychiatry (Nov. 2010): Vol. 7, No. 11, pp. 18–22.

Seligman MEP, et al. “Empirical Validation of Interventions,” American Psychologist (July–Aug. 2005): Vol. 60, No. 1, pp. 410–21.

How to Keep a Daily Gratitude Journal– Write ‘3 things to be Grateful for’ Daily. Do this for 21 days and it becomes a habit.

Here are my ‘3 things to be grateful for today,’ – 

1) I am Grateful for the Beauty of Last Night’s Full Moonrise Over the Ocean. (2) I am Grateful for Today’s Sunshine. (3) I am Grateful to Have Work That Brings Me Joy.

Easier to Feel Grateful When Living on Cape Ann.   ~ Happy Thanksgiving.    Karen

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November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month – Are You at Risk?

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month – Here are Some Facts:

  • Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death
  • Lung cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in both men and women
  • More people die each year from lung cancer than breast, colon and prostate cancer combined
  • Smoking is the # 1 Risk for Lung Cancer (80%–90% of lung cancers are attributed to cigarette smoking!)
  • Non-smokers can get lung cancer too!

Risk Factors for Lung Cancer –

  • Smoking Cigarettes
  • Second Hand-Smoke
  • Radon (2nd leading cause of lung cancer.)
  • Other Chemicals (asbestos, arsenic, diesel, exhaust, nickel, tar, soot, some forms of silica and chromium.)
  • Personal or Family History of Lung Cancer
  • HIV infection
  • Radiation Therapy to the Chest
  • Beta-carotene supplements.
  • Arsenic in drinking water (primarily from private wells) can increase the risk of lung cancer. For more information, visit the EPA’s Arsenic in Drinking Water.

How to Prevent Lung Cancer – For information visit Lung Cancer Prevention.

Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment Saves Lives!

Here is a Cancer Survivor’s Story – http://www.lungcancer.org/find_support/stories/23

Free Lung Cancer CT Screening – At Lahey Burlington and Peabody. Call 855.CT.CHEST to find out if you qualify or log onto = http://www.lahey.org/lungscreening/

On Hope by Emily Dickinson

Sources of Information and to Find Out More –

Do You Smoke Cigarettes …? NOW is the Time to STOP!!

Talk to you doctor about risks of lung cancer, prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

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