Desert Health News - November-December 2024

. www.creativelifeworkshops.com www.DesertHealthNews.com November/December 2024 Natural Options The Valley ' s Leading Resource for Health and Wellness 11 www.humineral.com Humic/Fulvic Acid Mineral A mineral food in supplement form promoting cellular health Minerals and water are necessities. Minerals are responsible for every biological process of the body. Healthy aging at the cellular level • Anti-Inflammatory • Auto-Immune Support • Better Sleep • Collagen Production • Detoxification • Filters Heavy Metals • Healthy Enzyme Levels • Healthy, Joint, Bone, Muscle, Tendon • Healthy Thyroid • Healthy Skin • Hormonal Support • Nutrient Absorption • Restore Balance to Body • Stamina .humineral.com 818.400.7657 | info@humineral.com Supports cells and the entire body, head to toe, internal and external, youth to elderly. Enhance personal wellness through creative explorations using art methods and materials, creative writing, painting, memoir, storytelling, music, meditation and mindfulness. Professional Artist • Writer Expressive Arts Facilitator 760 902-5467 C reative LifeWorkshops Judy Nemer Sklar Join us! For scheduled workshops , visit creativ lifeworkshops . co Presented by “Tea is an act complete in its simplicity. When I drink tea there is only me and the tea. The rest of the world dissolves. There are no worries about the future. No dwelling on past mistakes...I drink the tea…I am informed by the tea, changed. This is the act of life.” These words taken from a longer poem by Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hahn are about more than just tea. They are about being present in the moment, with no worries about the past or the future. You are one with the tea. Taking time to notice the simple things in life is the starting point in a creative journey, particularly when we seek balance in our lives. We can practice using simple tools daily, such as a cup of tea, a pencil, a journal and a quiet moment. Keeping a journal is no longer considered cliché and is often suggested by mental health practitioners as an integral part of one’s wellness journey. When you use a journal, you are embarking on an intriguing journey, collecting seeds of inspiration. It's as simple as the words of a song or a poem that inspires you, snippets of overheard conversations or noticing the colors of the sunrise in the desert. It might be the first mark of the day or a note of gratitude in the evening; it may be words, pictures or colors that start your journey. To begin, find a journal that feels right in your hands, a journal you love to hold. Find a pen or pencil that moves easily across the page. If you paint, a mixed-media journal is a good choice; if you intend to write, a lined notebook may be preferred. While some enjoy using their computers, I contend that there is a meditative quality to the movement of your hand across the paper. A simple act might be to take your paper and cup of tea and splash the liquid on the paper. Move it with a straw and let it dry. Tea will stain the paper in different colors; passion tea can be pink, and turmeric is a lovely shade of gold. Pick up a pencil and pull out the images you see. Write a line or two: who are with you, where are you, and how do you feel? Like all simple things, the answers may surprise you, and perhaps new feelings and emotions may emerge. Don’t be concerned with the outcome, but instead with the process itself. As time goes by, your journal becomes a touchstone, and if you save your journals, you can look back at them over the years and notice life’s transitions, the twists and turns. I offer this challenge to you: Find a journal you love and set an intention. Make a note of gratitude, draw a picture, or cut out words or phrases that interest you. Mark each day in your journal in some small way. Follow the seasons, experience the rhythms of life, note them — the good and the bad — and be present for a moment each day. The creative process begins in search of tiny seeds that we care for, that we hope will grow and inspire us to be present and more balanced. So, take a breath or two, be curious, journal outdoors when you can, and be present with the simple act of drinking tea. Judy Nemer Sklar is an expressive arts facilitator, artist, writer and owner of Creative Life Workshops for Health and Wellness. She can be reached at (760) 902.5467 or judy@judynemersklar.com . Simplicity to Spark Creativity and Balance By Judy Nemer Sklar Love and kindness aren’t just nice words. They are actions we take daily, stemming from beliefs we hold — and they are essential to achieving health. But how exactly can love and kindness help our physical health and overall well-being? Every morning, many people walk out their doors with their game faces on, dressed for purpose and ready to attack the day. In their hurry, some may forget to first give themselves a little love-and-kindness time…gazing out the window and appreciating thebeautiful trees as their coffeebrews, listening tobirds chirpingor theneighborhood bustling, being mindful and kind to others in the household. Life will always be filled with busyness and challenges — in the world at large and in our homes. However, being mindful, showing love and kindness and practicing gratitude towards yourself and others can and will make a real difference. When we become disgruntled, angry or speak out of frustration, it takes energy — negative energy — and this is not to our health benefit. Anger and frustration, when poorly managed and frequently experienced, can put increased strain on your cardiovascular systemandoverall well-being. This can lead to increasedbloodpressure, heightened risk of heart attack and stroke, digestive issues, headaches, insomnia, a weakened immune system, and the potential worsening of existing conditions like psoriasis, eczema, other skin issues and even anxiety. We can see the impact our negative emotions have on our health and wellness in the following key areas: • Cardiovascular impact: When angry, the body releases stress hormones like adrenaline, causingyour heart rateandbloodpressure tospike, whichcancontribute to heart disease, arrhythmia and an increased risk of heart attacks, especially if you already have underlying heart conditions. • Stress to the body: Chronic anger can lead to a constant state of stress, impacting your immune system, digestion, sleep patterns and overall mental state of being. • Mental health: Suppressed anger can manifest as anxiety, depression and can contribute to substance abuse. • Physical symptoms: Anger can manifest physically with symptoms like headaches, muscle tension, upset stomach and skin flare-ups. • Social consequences: Uncontrolled anger can damage relationships, lead to conflicts and isolate you from others. This holiday season, let us remember the importance of being mindful and acting with love and kindness. By practicing this every day and remembering to stay the course, we can create more calm and peace — for ourselves and our households — that is vital for our health. Even if it’s just a smile, positive actions can move mountains, change lives, and chart an upward course for our overall health and well-being. Candice Nicole is a health advocate and founder of HUmineral, a producer of plant nutrient (food-based) mineral supplements. She can be reached at info@HUmineral.com or (818) 400.7657. For more information, visit www.HUmineral.com. Why Love and Kindness are Vital to Our Health By Candice Nicole Creativity starts with the simple act of taking pencil to paper.