RELAXING IMAGES - WATERFALL

How do you feel when you see this image?

What thoughts go thru your mind?

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While your looking at this scene why not get a

Free 14 minute Meditation Session.

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It's called "The Secret Garden" .

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Your Free Meditation Audio is at the bottom of this blog page. Click on the link that says "Guided Relaxation Meditation" to Start the session.

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Listen to the Meditation Session by itself, or use your imagination and combine features. Example: Before the meditation session begins, go to the flickr slideshow (see Dec. 29, 2008 post) and choose a sound and open the slideshow in full screen. You can also add a background sound from the relaxation music player to the left of this page.

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To open a browser in full screen, hit the F11 key. Be sure to go back to normal screen later (just hit the F11 key again and/or the "esc" key.)

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Bipolar ,Bipolar alternative treatments, Bipolar definition, Stress Reduction, Waterfalls

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MELLOW FOODS

I want all of you to enjoy this “Ultra Mellow Lounge” … I aim to please; and … I did promise you (a few weeks ago), to come up with a list of foods you can snack on while enjoying your time here.
So … without further ado, we go in search of the most mellowest of foods … tantalizing, yet soothing, comforting to the soul and to the palate.

I think we would all agree that this perfect food should be light, non acidic, and doesn’t sit heavily in the belly.
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We’ve consulted the experts, and most are in consensus about our beloved fruit … the apple.

Whether baked or crunchily eaten, lightly sauteed with cinnamon and butter ... this yummy and mellow fruit is chock full of phytonutrients, helps fight chronic disease, improves memory and learning, and provides benefits that help prevent heart disease.

WOW! If that ain't an endorsement ....

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Hey gang, what about the often overlooked sweet, juicy watermelon. Let's smack on that for awhile.

Yesterday, I came across a website called, Ethnicfoods.com. I want you all to try this next selection. The food choice ... a Thai favorite ... yellow curry.

Ethnicfoods.com describes yellow curry as being "aromatic and mellow" ...

"Yellow curry is richer and creamier than other Thai curries, since coconut cream is used in addition to coconut milk." (Yum, yum) "This is done to tone down the spiciness of this dish. It has many Indian spices such as fresh tumeric, black mustard seeds, ground cumin, fresh nutmeg. It is also flavored with thai flavors of fish sauce, palm sugar, kaffir lime leaves, coconut milk and lime juice. "

Can we put yellow curry on a healthy whole wheat cracker perhaps?

What do you think? Does yellow curry get a "hail Mary" for adding a mellow experience in this lounge?

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Ok, I think we’re moving, yet again in the right direction when we examine the following delicacy for your palates to enjoy. I found this recipe at "EatingWell". ... sweet potato casserole. Now you might disagree that this is a delicacy ... but, who can fight with the sweet potato?

I welcome everyone’s opinion.

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TAI CHI FOR RELAXATION AND HEALTH

Ok, you've read my previous post regarding exercise. Dianne did a fabulous job explaining how exercise can stabilize mood swings. I promised you I would add my "two cents" ...

Well, a promise, is a promise .... "Mellow Followers", there is no way I'm going to "sweat to the oldies".

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You know me... right?

Now, I know first hand ... like Dianne said, that stretching is way, way, way super beneficial.

Do you know what's even better than stretching? ....

Alright ... here it comes ... yes people .... TAIJIQUAN (better known has TAI CHI)

Tai Chi is a gentle slow moving exercise for all body types and conditions. It consists of rhythmic, flowing movements and breathing to loosen every muscle and joint and release aches and pains. Research results show Tai Chi lowers blood pressure, boosts immunity; increases range of motion, flexibility, and balance; and reduces pain and bone loss.

Now I've got a surprise ... watch a 24 form

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TAIJIQUAN video. Enjoy!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rViOT701z5o

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Bipolar, Relaxation, Bipolar alternative therapies, Tai Chi, Stress Reduction

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EXERCISE HAS STABILIZING EFFECT ON BIPOLAR DISORDER

Dianne Hansen is the author of one my favorite blogs, .Enjoying Your Health Dot Com. [NO LONGER ONLINE]

Well, ... last week, she emailed me one of her articles.

Guys, I loved it; but, I was a little hesitant to publish the article... because all my "mellow followers" know, ... in this place .... relaxation is key.

I don't want any exercising going on.

My second concern, ... you don't have to be bipolar to be here. All are welcome. The more the merrier.

That said, when you leave this place, I definitely agree with Dianne on the importance of exercise in stabilizing mood. I'm going to throw my "two cents" in at a later post, but for now, ... I bring you her insightful article.

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Regular Exercise Has a Fabulous Stabilizing Effect on Bipolar Disorder

It's wonderful news that bipolar disorder can be managed! There is a lot of controversy in the medical arena concerning bipolar disorder or manic depression, and the labeling of bipolar has dramatically risen more than 4000% in recent years. (see Google Search to verify this statistic: STATISTIC).

But we all know a couple of things for sure:

...bipolar people have a special need to balance their blood sugar
...regular exercise has a balancing effect upon any one's blood sugar


It's not required to exercise a long time and it's not necessary to be extremely vigorous. Steady, regular exercise is terrifically beneficial and not hard to fit into your daily regimen. Be encouraged! Here's a relatively easy way you can improve your health and steady your mood swings. It's not lightweight news...

To help you better understand the connection between blood sugar levels and insulin and mood swings, consider these things:

...The hormone, insulin, enables cells to convert food to energy. When cells become resistant to the effects of insulin or they lose their ability to respond to insulin and the pancreas responds by making more of the hormone. This leads to overly high levels of insulin and glucose in the blood. Excess insulin signals cells to hold onto fat instead of using it for energy. It also leads to rather severe mood swings.

...But during exercise, the body transfers sugar from the blood into the muscle cells, where it is used as fuel. This process reduces the amount of glucose in the bloodstream. Additionally, regular exercise can improve the body's response to insulin. Increased sensitivity helps insulin perform its work more efficiently, and saves you from severe mood swings.
...So if you can't metabolize glucose/sugars or fats, your body and your emotions are in disarray. It's a natural malfunction, even though it's complicated. The inner workings of your body systems are amazingly intricate and interdependent...


Thank God there ARE some simple fixes, if you will employ them regularly!

Exercising is one of the simple fixes for blood sugar imbalance. Stabilize bipolar mood swings by exercising regularly. (How about 15 minutes of stretches every morning?)

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About the author:

Dianne Hansen has a flair for setting people at ease about themselves; she opens the touchy subjects of ill health and mental health. With expert advice and real live experiences, she leads you through a progression from health challenges into full strength and vibrant brain function.

 

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WHALES, DOLPHINS AND CHAKRAS

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My “Mellow followers”, in order to bring traffic to your blog, there’s a few things you’ve got to do … heck, there’s a lot of things you have to do.
I can’t remember how I found out about a "promote your blog" service called “Link Referral” but I’m glad I did.

Ah! … You seek to know why. …. Right?

Well, I’m hyper … Whoops! … Let me change that word… I’m …....mmm … ...can’t find the word.

Oh I give up … let me just say it. I’m excited, I’m psyched, I’m ecstatic! …. I found a fantastic website called “Blue Diamond Technologies” on a recent visit to, and search on, the “Link Referral” website.

The following is a descriptive quotation from Blue Diamond’s official site:

“Blue Diamond represents a dimension in time and space of immense love, respect, and celebration, bringing new technologies to dance respectfully in harmony with planet earth and its many life forms.”

“We produce visual, audio and other products to help people relax into their magical space of silence or heart or reverence wherever that might be for them.”

Doesn’t that description send “waves of light” dancing around your head?

Ok, ok … maybe I’m overdoing it; but, I’m going to let you see/hear for yourself.

I give you a clip from one of their DVD’s called:

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“WHALES, DOLPHINS AND CHAKRAS ” [This awesome video is in mp4 format. If this page takes a long time to load, you will need to clear your temporary Internet files and/or your browser does not support mp4]

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There's a link to Blue Diamond at the bottom of this page in my Favorites.

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You might also be able to see more of their videos too, under:

Relaxation and Egypt
[If you want to know more about “Link Referral”, click on their logo on the left hand side of this blog]

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Stress Reduction

COFFEE OR TEA

What does every mellow lounge need, for it to be successful?

Let's see, ... there's good food (we'll get into that at a later post); there's good music ... ok, got that covered; something to read or perhaps watch ...

What are we missing? ... mmm ....you guessed it ... something to drink.

Got me to thinking about what would be some great drinks to be sipping on in a mellow lounge.

Well, herbal teas come to mind; but what kinds of herbal teas ... if, in fact, that's what I wanted.

In my quest for herbal tea info, I found a few great websites for my "mellow followers" to visit ... check the following websites out, but come right back to the lounge (right click on the link, and choose "open in new window or tab" that way this blog remains open for you to come back to).

Better deal ... browse my blog first, then check out the other sites - (smile)

What are Herbal Teas?
Crazy for Tea
Yogi Tea
Mountain Rose Herbs

Got your herbal tea? Have you chosen a music selection or relaxation sound from one of the music players on the left? If you have, ... you're ready to start reading a few posts on this blog.

What are your favorite herbal teas? Leave us your comments.

Stress Reduction

DON'T FORGET TO SCROLL DOWN THE PAGE

Be sure to scroll slowly all the way to the bottom of the page. There's some nice treats waiting for you.

Also check out the archives (2008 and 2009) or you can search for things like "waterfalls" by using the "blog search box" at the upper left hand corner of this blog.

Tip: There's a music player (says "relaxation sounds") .. click on a sound, then read some of the posts. You can also leave this blog page open, and surf the Internet (use your tabs) with the music playing in the background.

[Hint, hint - at the bottom of the page is a gadget called "Oceans of Life". Click on the dolphin - surprise!]

Have a MELLOW day!

BROWSER TIP

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Just a little browser tip:

I learned a browser trick to enlarge or diminish a web page. Hold the control key down, and at the same time, tap the plus key (to enlarge).

To diminish, hold down the control key, and at the same time, tap the minus (sign) key.

You can also zoom in and out by using the %age feature at the bottom right corner of your Internet Explorer 7 browser. I mention this, because I love to make my videos bigger.

Make sure you bring the page back to normal before exiting your web page. (Hold down control key, and touch the zero key).

LAUGHTER YOGA

Ok, it's now 3:53am, Jan 2, and I'm still up, and Oprah's off the air. Didn't know she came on in the wee hours of the morning ... did ya?

Anyway, in her show on the subject of "happiness", one of her guests was Dr. Robert Holden. He's devoted his life to studying the pursuit of happiness; her other guest was Reggie, her make-up artist. Well, they gave Reggie an assignment.

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Now you know how Reggie likes to complain; the worst thing you can give Reggie is an assignment.

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Oh lord!

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Oprah sent him to a "laughter yoga" class.

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Turns out Reggie liked the assigment ... though he did say it took a little time to get comfortable with the techniques that were used.

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Sounds like this could be fun. So, below you will find a video done by the founder of "laughter yoga", Dr. Madan Kataria. I don't recommend this for manic bipolars (once you see it, you'll know why), but if you swing toward the depressive side, give it a try.

Laughter Yoga in Cape Town

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Stress Reduction, Laughter Yoga, Laughter Yoga You Tube

Bipolar and Yoga

GOT TO HAVE MY RELAXATION EQUIPMENT!

I can't sleep. Soooo.. I decided to watch a little Oprah and write for the lounge. I will tell you, if you find you can't sleep, writing is a good way to pass the time, and it does get those creative whatever's going in the brain.

Oprah has this happiness thing going. I've got nothing against happiness (and, in fact, I'm going to talk about it in the next post); but, I'm more into relaxation. My home is all about relaxation. I've got an adjustable bed that has 6+ massage controls, a recliner in the bedroom and the living room; and guess what the living room recliner has? ... that's right, massage controls!

I've got a foot bath with massage, and I used to have a shiatsu neck massager until I loaned it to my friend. She called me to return it, but for some bonehead reason I told her to keep it. Guess I've got to find me a sale on shiatsu neck massagers.

Lesson "mellow followers" ... don't loan or give your prize "relaxation" possessions away!

Guess what colors are in my kitchen? ......Yellow, white and green ... yep, same like the colors in this lounge. Did you guess right?

And you wonder why I called this lounge the BiPolar Ultra Mellow Lounge .. (mmm)

Tell me what your favorite relaxation things are and I'll share it with everyone.

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Relaxation, Stress Reduction

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