January 2, 2016 by Karen Pischke BSN, RN

Resolve to Achieve Your Healthy Goals for 2016!

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

New Year’s Resolutions – The tradition of New Year’s resolutions can include the promise of self-improvement or doing more to help others.

According to the Statistic Brain Research Institute, listed among the top 10 Resolutions in 2015 were –

#1 – Lose Weight. #5 – Stay Fit and Healthy. #7 – Stop Smoking

All 3 Can be Helped Through Reiki, Meditation and Hypnosis! The 2015 Holiday Season has come to a close and now it’s time to get back on track with healthy eating, exercise, and other positive, healthy goals.For the full list of ‘Top 10 Resolutions in 2015’ – Statistic Brain Research Institute

A Google Consumer Survey found the top 2 Resolutions for 2016 were –

#1 – Enjoy Life to the Fullest #2 – Enjoy a Healthier Lifestyle.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said – “The 1st Wealth is Health.” Enjoying greater levels of health and well-being allows you to more easily Enjoy Life to the Fullest. And, resolving to make positive changes towards a healthier lifestyle allows you to be Healthier and Enjoy Life to the Fullest for a Lifetime!

If YOU Want to Make Positive, Healthy Changes in 2016, Consider Reiki, Meditation and Hypnosis to Help You Successfully Achieve This Year’s ‘New Year’s Resolutions.’ Reiki, Meditation and Hypnosis are natural ways to reduce stress, relax the mind and body, and improve focus. These techniques added to other comprehensive, evidence-based programs for healthy eating, weight reduction, exercise, and strength training provide a more collaborative approach to improving your success rate.

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December 16, 2015 by Saltwater Massage Studio

Gift Certificate Sale at Saltwater Massage Studio

This Thursday night 12/17, Saltwater Massage Studio will be having our final gift certificate sale of the Holiday season. Stop by our Open House during Men’s Night from 6 – 9pm. We will be offering:

10% off all Gift Certificates
$10 mini massages by Heather (free with a gift certificate purchase!)
Yummy appetizers by Sheila Jarnes, personal chef

We also have a brand new collection of gifts in our boutique to make you happier, healthier and more at ease! Come say hello – all are welcome.

gifts

Can’t make it on Thursday but need a gift? We’ll be open for gifts daily the week of Christmas:

Sunday 12/20 12pm – 3pm

Monday 12/21 – Wednesday 12/23 4pm – 7pm

Christmas Eve: 10am – 2pm

Gift Certificates can also be purchased online or just call us at (978)390-7600 and we’ll help you out! For more info: saltwatermassage.com

December 12, 2015 by Karen Pischke BSN, RN

De-Stress During the Holiday Season … and Beyond

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

Got Stress??

Stress 465cd4826004c9b136a5623d1de54d11

You are not alone. And the Holiday Season can be an especially stressful time for many with added financial strain, grief and sadness over those we have loved and lost, and overwhelming, over-commitments.

According to the 2014 annual Stress in America™ survey by the American Psychological Association (APA) the Top 4 sources of stress are –

Money, Work, Family Responsibilities, and Health Concerns.

The APA study also found –

72% of Americans reported feeling stressed about money at least some of the time during the past month.
22% said that they experienced extreme stress about money during the past month
Parents, younger generations and lower-income households (less than $50,000.00 annual income) have higher stress than others overall
Some people are putting their health care needs on hold because of financial concerns.
Stress about money impacts relationships
22% say they are not doing enough to manage their stress.
American stress levels have been trending down since the annual survey first began in 2007, but still “higher than healthy levels.”

Here’s Some Good News –

Americans who have some emotional support report lower stress levels
Help is Available!

If you are experiencing negative stress in your life, or feel overwhelmed by stress seek help! Talk to your doctor. Ask about professional counseling. Look into resources in the community. Talk to family and friends for emotional support.

Remember – You are not alone! Stress is a normal and unavoidable part of life. Some stress is even considered positive, such as the stress that motivates us to accomplish a task. But too much negative stress can negatively affect your emotional and physical health and wellbeing. Especially when it occurs on a daily basis.

Stress Response – The response to stress can be physical and emotional tension, pain, lowered immune response, and inflammation. Chronic stress can lead to chronic disease including high blood pressure, endocrine, metabolic, autoimmune, and mental health disorders.

RELAX and DE-STRESS – The opposite of the stress response is the relaxation response. Methods to relax and de-stress include: acupuncture, art therapy, deep breathing, exercise, hypnosis, laughter/humor, massage, mindfulness, meditation, music and dance, reading, reiki, tai chi, and yoga. Consider incorporating complementary and integrative therapies into your ‘wellness care plan.’ Learn techniques that you can incorporate daily for ‘best results.’

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REMEMBER to BREATHE. When stressed, people often breathe more shallow or even hold their breath. Breathing relaxation techniques are simple to learn, fast and effective to use, and available 24/7.

WALK or DRIVE by the OCEAN. Views of the water can change your psychology and physiology. Just ask Joey who is lucky to enjoy the View from the Dock every day! Take a drive along BackShore Gloucester or walk Good Harbor or Singing Beach and you will a relief of tension and experience your blood pressure lowering.

Lucky to Live on Cape Ann!

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November 30, 2015 by Karen Pischke BSN, RN

December 1st Community Reiki Share

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

Monthly Community Reiki Share – Tuesday. December 1st. 5:15 – 8:15 P.M. $20.00 Suggested Donation. Portion of the proceeds go to charity.

Join us for some relaxation for this holiday season. The holidays can be joyful, but can also create additional stress for many. A session of Reiki can help relieve stress and promotes a greater sense of well being.

Come for the whole evening to enjoy the beginning meditation and Japanese reiki practices of a mawashi (circle) and open reiju (attunement.) Or pre-register for a scheduled session of Reiki.

You can come for some or all of the evening and enjoy the sense of peace and calm, and healthy snacks and tea. 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 peaceful” the evening is.

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

This month we are hoping to help increase awareness of Lung Cancer, which is the #1 cause of cancer deaths in men and women in the U.S., more than breast, colorectal and prostate cancer combined. Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment SAVES LIVES!

This month the charity we are teaming up with is www.LungForce.org and for those effected by Lung Cancer. Cheryl, a 34-year-old woman was diagnosed with lung cancer in October. A wife and mother of an 8 month old, Cheryl never smoked and lived a healthy lifestyle. She is currently in treatment and we wish her well.

You do not have to smoke to get lung cancer – exposure to radon gas and other chemicals and toxins in the environment are linked to lung cancer. Essex County and Cape Ann have a higher radon level than average, due to the large concentration of granite. Test Your Home or Place of Business – order a radon test kit! I got mine from the American Lung Association. You can also order them through the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency.)

If you currently smoke, STOP! As a registered nurse in critical care and cardiac rehabilitation, a former smoker, certified hypnotherapist and tobacco treatment specialist, a large part of my work has been helping people stop smoking and live healthier lives. Contact me for help to stop smoking or http://makesmokinghistory.org/1-800-quitnow.html. Take Back Your Health and Your Life! You’ll be glad you did.

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November 26, 2015 by Karen Pischke BSN, RN

Practice Gratitude – It’s Good for Your Health

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

grat·i·tude ˈɡradəˌt(y)o͞od/

noun

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

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:

Count Your Blessings
Keep a Gratitude Journal
Thank Someone (Mentally or Out loud)
Write a Thank-You Note Once a Week
Practice Optimism
Daily Prayer
Daily Mindful Meditation
Promote Teamwork (at Home and Work)
Celebrate Successes
Perform Acts of Kindness

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

November 17, 2015 by Karen Pischke BSN, RN

Help Stop Lung Cancer – ‘Lung Force Giving Day’

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

November 17th. Today is ‘Lung Force Giving Day’ at the American Lung Association. Join me in this effort to stop lung cancer! Donate or become a social ambassador and spread the word!

The Goal – Raise $$$ for innovations in research and personalized treatments against the #1 cancer killer – Lung Cancer.

Innovative Targeted Therapies for Lung Cancer have improved the outcome of lung cancer. Innovative research and personalized treatmentt are the goals for this fund-raiser.

The Facts –

Lung cancer is the #1 cancer killer of men and women.
Every five minutes, a woman in the U.S. is told she has lung cancer.
The lung cancer death rate in women increase in the last 37 years, while falling 24% among men.
More American women die from lung cancer than breast cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer combined.
More American men die from lung cancer than colon cancer and prostate cancer combined.
People that smoke are at increased risk for lung cancer (And other cancers, heart disease, stroke, COPD.)
Anyone can get lung cancer; Non-smokers too.
Exposure to radon gas is the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer. Like carbon monoxide, you cannot see or smell radon; it is colorless, odorless gas. To find out more about radon and how to order a test kit – http://www2.epa.gov/radon/find-radon-test-kit-or-measurement-and-mitigation-professional

Indoor Levels of Radon in Essex Are Higher Than the National Average Due to the Granite. – http://county-radon.info/MA/Essex.html

You don’t have to smoke to get lung cancer. Check out this video – http://www.lungforce.org/vision-video

Talk to your doctor about risks, prevention and early detection. Regardless of the cause of lung cancer – smoking, radon, asbestos, pollution – prevention and early detection can save lives.

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November 4, 2015 by eandrews2015

MAC has over 80 group fitness classes per week – find your favorite in our new video!

October 20, 2015 by Cape Ann Power Yoga

Introducing Cape Ann Power Yoga!

Change your life. Today.

Cape Ann Power Yoga is now open in Brown’s Mall in Downtown Gloucester. We teach Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga in a clean and heated (90-95 degrees) room with a view to the sky and out to the harbor. When you come to class you can expect to breathe, move, sweat, work, stretch, and let go of things that you have been holding on to. You can expect to be challenged – and that means that you’re getting stronger and actually improving yourself, not just thinking or talking about it. You’ll be practicing next to construction workers, secretaries, veterans, yoga teachers, mountain bikers, surfers, runners, weightlifters, teenagers, octogenarians, and a guy named Dirt.

That’s Dirt on the right. He loves power yoga.

Our teachers are all well trained to give inspiration to experienced yoga practitioners and guidance to beginners. Power yoga is safe, fun, and challenging. If you practice a lot it will change your life – which is why every class is only $10. We want you to come and practice, a lot. In just over a month of being open we can see bodies transforming, minds opening, and lives changing. Imagine what this practice can do for you.

For more information:

Visit our website:

http://www.CapeAnnPowerYoga.com/

Email: capeannpoweryoga@gmail.com

October 10, 2015 by Karen Pischke BSN, RN

Breast and Liver Cancer Awareness Month – Special Offering at Dreamtime Wellness™

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

October is Awareness Month for Breast and Liver Cancer.

Did you know that there is a calendar signifying cancer awareness months? With more types of cancers than months in a year, multiple types of cancers are represented some months. Not all types of cancer are represented on this calendar. https://d2agz4bw2vcggl.cloudfront.net/choosehope/uploads/user/files/CA_Awareness_Calendar3.pdf

How many people face a diagnosis of cancer?

Here are some statistics from 2015 – http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@editorial/documents/document/acspc-044552.pdf 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 – http://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/mammograms-fact-sheet

What to Expect From a Mammogram –

Information about Liver Cancer – http://www.cancer.gov/types/liver/patient/adult-liver-treatment-pdq

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

http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/emotionalsideeffects/copingwithcancerineverydaylife/a-message-of-hope-emotional-impact-of-cancer

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15295777

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

**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 – http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21998438

Read further for SPECIAL OFFERINGS at Dreamtime Wellness™ this October –

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September 30, 2015 by Karen Pischke BSN, RN

On Retreat – Quiet Reflection and Helpful Healing

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

Definition of ‘Retreat’ –

a quiet or secluded place in which one can rest and relax.

a period of seclusion for the purposes of prayer and meditation.

In this fast-paced, busy culture where can you find ‘sanctuary?’

Where can you escape to for healing the mind, body, and spirit?

With its many beautiful beaches, rocky outcroppings and gardens with oceans views, and wooded pathways to choose from almost any spot on Cape Ann will generally do! But on the special occasion of the August 15th/150th Anniversary of the birth of USUI Sensei, (founder of the Japanese Healing Method/Art of Reiki Ryoho,) I chose to drive 5 hours to an isolated monastery in the Catskill Mountains.

Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji (DBZ,) is a Zen Buddhist (Rinzai) monastery and retreat center located on 1,400 acres in a deciduous forest region of the Catskills in upstate New York. While Reiki is not a Buddhist or religious practice, the founder of Reiki Ryoho was a Pureland Buddhist monk from Japan. Located with the highest lake in the Catskills, with the nearest town over 20 miles away, no wi-fi, and fashioned to look like a Japanese Buddhist temple, DBZ is a perfect place for meditation, retreat, and Reiki Teacher Training refresher.

Buddhist Retreat Center in the Catskills

Dai Bosatsu Zendo, Livingston Manor New York

The Road to Sanctuary – After 4 1/2 hours of highway travel, the road leading to Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji is nearly 20 miles of meandering road, much of it dirt. Once you arrive at the entrance gates, there’s still another 2 miles to navigate. No street lights, a rugged and rutted road, and no GPS necessitated a pre-sunset arrival and slow drive. A good introduction to what the weekend would entail. Driving slowly along this road surrounded by the peace and beauty of nature allowed us to better enjoy the sounds of nature with glimpses animals. We rolled down the windows to better enjoy the sights, sounds, and scents of nature. Birds and crickets chirped a harmonious welcome. A bubbling brook created a peaceful, rhythmic vibe for our final leg. We rode in silence. Breathing took on a restful pace, coming slower and deeper. Trees lining the road provided shade and a refreshing coolness on this hot August day. The scent of fresh air, earth and flowers danced in and out of our breathing passageways. Deer enjoyed an evening meal alongside the road, lifting their heads as if to say ‘hello’ before resuming eating. Unperturbed by our presence. Blood pressure lowered. Having been here before, it felt a bit like ‘coming home’ and we welcomed the sense of peace that ensued.

Dai Bosatsu Zendo Courtyard

Beacher Lake – As we arrived at Beecher Lake (highest lake in the Catskills!) dragonflies danced across its surface, intercepting insects in their path. Waning sunlight sparkled on leaves already turning their autumn hues. We pulled up to the Joraku-an (guesthouse) to meet with our Reiki Teacher, INAMOTO Hyakuten Sensei from Kyoto Japan. An azure sky and puffy white clouds reflected in the still, calm water reminding me of one of Hyakuten Sensei’s teachings – “Reiki creates a calm and peaceful mind, like a still pond reflecting the moonlight.”

Beacher Lake

Symbol of Freedom – On this occasion, just outside the Joraku-an in a tall pine sat a beautiful and majestic eagle. It seemed an auspicious sight, welcoming us to the 150th Anniversary of the birth of USUI Mikao, founder of Reiki Ryoho. The first of many ‘gifts’ we would receive throughout the weekend. This symbol of ‘freedom’ seemed a good omen for a weekend retreat.

A Bald Eagle Greets Us on Retreat

Reiki Teacher from Japan – Here we met with Inamoto Hyakuten Sensei, founder of Komyo Reiki Kai™ and Reiki Teacher from Kyoto, Japan. Other Reiki Teachers from around the globe joined us for retreat, training and celebration, including Hiroki Nishina of Japan. This was Hiroki-san’s first time in the United States. I offered him a GMG cap and sticker as a memento of his trip to the U.S. Here, Hiroki proudly displays GMG in his home town of Kurashiki, Japan.

Hiroki Nishina Representing in Kurashiki Japan.

GMG and Sunset in Kurashiki, Japan

FB Message from Hiroki-san – “Hi, karen. (^_^)/ Thank you for the cool cap. I took a picture in Kurashiki where I live in. This is one of Japan’s best sunsets.”

Nice Hiroki-san! Thanks for ‘representing’ GMG in your home town in Japan! ~ Arigatou Gozaimasu! ~ Kansha Shite. That is indeed a beautiful sunset! Hope you get to Cape Ann to enjoy the sunsets, beaches and warm, friendly people.

Backyard Retreat – Don’t have time or can’t afford to travel for a structured retreat? You can arrange to have a ‘healing retreat’ in your own back yard. We are fortunate to have so many wonderful places for ‘retreat’ here on Cape Ann.

Simply make time to sit quietly:

In a garden.
On a beach.
In the woods.
Even in your own home, while imagining a peaceful place in nature.

Sun Setting on the Annisquam River

Be sure to –

Set aside time (even 5 minutes a day of quiet relaxation offers health benefits!)
Minimize outside distractions if possible; turn off cell phones and computers.
Sit or lie comfortably.
Close your eyes (if appropriate and safe) or can leave eyes open with a ‘soft gaze.’
Begin with a few slow, deep cleansing breaths, then continue breathing at a restful pace. Easy In. Easy Out.
Observe and connect with the beauty of nature around you, using all of your senses – sights, sounds, scents, textures.

Potential Health Benefits of Relaxation Include –

Lower heart rate
Decreased blood pressure
Slower, deeper rate of breathing
Reduced activity of stress hormones
Increased blood flow to major muscles
Reduced muscle tension and chronic pain
Improved concentration and mood
Decreased fatigue, more energy
More patience and tolerance
Increased confidence and clarity of thought
A great sense of inner peace and well-being

For Best Benefit – use relaxation techniques along with other positive coping methods, such as positive thinking, humor, managing time, exercise, adequate sleep, support from family and friends, and when necessary support of a professional.

However you choose to find your sanctuary, enjoy the health benefits of time away in a peaceful setting!

Do you have a favorite place or ‘retreat and relaxation?’ If so, share with FOB.

Feel free to contact me for more information on where to go on retreats, how to create a home retreat, reiki, meditation and relaxation techniques. ~ Karen

P.S. You can find more photos related to this and other retreats on Dreamtime Wellness and Komyo Reiki Kai Boston Facebook Pages.

Karen Pischke B.S.N., R.N. 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.