Can Stress Give You A Heart Attack?

I ask my clients all the time, " What are the side effects of being you?", and the majority of them
look at me like I have two heads. So I re-frame the question and ask: " If an alien wanted to take
over your body for the day, what emotions would they experience?"
Well, that brought a whole host of answers, with the top five being : Anger, Resentment, Frustration,
Hurt, and Exhaustion. I didn't see a lot of love, joy, happiness, and compassion.

The reason this is so important, is because researchers at Duke University did a study in 2004
that showed people who were otherwise considered healthy, but prone to anger, hostility,
and experienced high levels of stress, produced a higher level of a substance that promotes
cardiovascular disease and stroke.

This substance is called C-Reactive Protein. It's produced by the liver in response to inflammation,
and inflammation has recently been shown to underlie the plaque that forms inside arteries as they clog.

Duke was one of the first universities to link this combination of negative psychological responses
with higher levels of CRP in people without traditional risk factors for heart disease.

People with traditional risk factors for heart disease like obesity, smoking, diabetes, hypertension,
high cholesterol and a sedentary lifestyle, are more likely to have elevated levels of CRP,  however,
a large number of individuals without any identifiable causation , but had anger issues, had levels
two to three times higher than someone who described themselves as laid back or easy going.

Blood samples were taken from 121 otherwise healthy individuals with no known history or pre existing
condition of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or smoking. They were analyzed and
researcher found that those who displayed negative responses were producing much higher levels
of CRP than their counterparts. Dr. Suarez of Duke who conducted the study stated: " Our findings
suggest that the development of heart disease may also be due to psychological attributes that
activate the inflammatory process. And as we all know, most diseases in the body start out as minor
inflammation."

So next time you get your blood checked, if you are concerned, you might want to consider asking your doctor to check your CRP levels as well. Ask for the more sensitive HS-CRP test, which is more accurate in determining a persons risk factor for heart disease.

The bottom line is this. We are responsible for our thoughts, feelings, and emotions and as Dr. Lissa
Rankin said " We write our own prescription". That means we are able to control what chemicals
we  produce, positively or negatively, and our body will react accordingly. Take control of your
emotions, find tools like deep breathing, taking a walk, or even just begin to focus on what is right
in front of you, and name it. That will get you back into the moment, and not allow your mind to
go into a state of high stress. As silly as simple as that sounds, it works because it brings you back into the NOW.

You are the chemist of your body, so mix up some love, joy, and happiness and your body will
thank you for it.

Until next time~
Dr. Linda McCarthy Ph.D
www.newdirectioncoaching.com

Can you write your own Rx?

Did you know that your body responds to your thought pattern? Every emotion ( E=energy in motion), sends a signal to the cells in your body to respond.

We have over 50 trillion cells in our body and according to Dr. Bruce Lipton: “Receptors are molecular “antennas” that recognize environmental signals. Some receptor antennas extend inward from the membrane’s cytoplasmic face. These receptors “read” the internal milieu and provide awareness of cytoplasmic conditions. Other receptors extending from the cell’s outer surface provide awareness of external environmental signals.”

What does that mean? It means that the cells are in effect, responding to your thoughts. In our best-selling book “ The Wellness Code”, I wrote about how your cells are listening  to your emotions and saying, “Your Wish Is My Command”. 

When you encounter perceived threats your hypothalamus, a tiny region at the base of your brain, sets off an alarm system in your body. Through a combination of nerve and hormonal signals, this system prompts your adrenal glands, located atop your kidneys, to release a surge of hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol. That is what it is designed to do, however, we are in a perceived threat modality all day long, be it the traffic jam, stress at the office, at home, or even listening to the news.  Our bodies never have time to power down and regroup, therefore, the cells are in a protective mode unable to grow and flourish. That basically slows down the immune system, and we are susceptible to dis-ease in our body.  

When you understand that you are your own chemist, and can control the hormones in your body, you can then make the ‘CHOICE’ to react differently, or in other words, change your perception of any given situation. When you change your perception, you change your reality. Your body then has the ability to return to growth and heal itself naturally. 

There are a number of things you can do to take care of your body. One is deep belly breathing. This helps calm your central nervous system. Ask yourself “ Is this true?” Many times we exaggerate a situation and the reality is not nearly as bad as our perception. Listen to your body. What does it need?  Do you need to stretch, to hydrate yourself, or have an attitude check?   Your body doesn't know the difference between reality and imagination and endorphins will automatically pump into your body when you smile, so find something or someone to smile about.

 Remember you are the chemist of your body, you make the cortisol and adrenaline,   and your perception of any situation is going to determine the outcome of your health. You literally  are writing your own Rx Which mean YOU are in control, and I think that’s kind of cool. Only 5-8% of disorders are genetic, the other 92-95%   is environmental, and that means you hold the key to how your body is going to respond, either in love or in fear, and both have very different outcomes. Let go of that old story, and start a new chapter.

What Happened to the Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer?

Ahh, summer is just around the corner. It's June and the warmer weather is finally here. The flowers are in bloom, the kids are either out of school or counting the days, and you are ready to enjoy your vacation. Summer is the time to relax, let go, and enjoy the fruits of our labor. Or is it?

With every electronic device imaginable, we are in constant communication 24/7. According to recent studies, we check our messages no less than every 6 minutes. Are you that important, are you on call, or is it that you have this NEED to be needed?  We are on information overload!

We have lost our ability to just shut down. I had a conversation with someone who was telling me how stressed she was and that she needed to decompress. I suggested a warm bath, some candles, maybe a glass of wine, and some relaxing music. She called me to tell me that she had everything in place and was ready to go. Realistically speaking ,we shouldn't have to prepare days ahead to take a relaxing bath. Most of us have at least one bathtub, some candles laying around, and of course our music. But the one thing that she insisted on bringing into the bath with her was her phone. She couldn't be unplugged from the outside world for 30 minutes without feeling serious anxiety. She said " What if something happens and I miss  the call?" I asked her if she had Voice Mail  and she laughed. The idea of being 'unplugged' from the world for only 30 minutes was a scary thought for her. She did it, and after a few minutes and a couple of sips of wine, she was able to just enjoy or live In-Joy for the moment. The realization that she could actually turn off her phone and survive, which sounds silly, but very real for her, was a victory. Now she schedules weekly decompression sessions with herself, without the phone. Even when we are supposedly not working, we are still available.
Cells phones have become the new accessory and all you have to do is look at a restaurant. More people are having a relationship with their phone, than the person sitting beside them.

Our bosses now how the ability to contact us via text messages, phone calls and emails anytime they want. How is that a break from the workplace? It isn't like you can just say " I wasn't home to get the call". We carry our phones with us everywhere. I even have heard women having a conversation in the bathroom at an airport the other day.

There was a study done in 1987 by the Dept. of Labor collecting statistics on the number of deaths by overworking. There is term for it. It is called -karoshi. In Japan the average work day is about 12 hours, and you are considered a good corporate soldier if you don't take vacations, sick days, and work over time. Some employees capped out at over 95 hours of work each week. This is the norm, and tens of thousands of Japanese citizens are dying each years from overwork and it was going unnoticed.  But why should we be concerned about that, after all, it's in Japan. Well, it's not only the Japanese who are dying from overworked conditions. Oxford Health Plan found that one in five Americans come to work sick, injured, or on medication prescribed that day. As far as vacation is concerned, over a third of U.S.  employees don't take their paid vacations which averages 14 days, compared to 26 days for the British, 37 for the French. In addition to that, the U.S. is the only country  that doesn't mandate vacation. Why are we so afraid to leave our desks? Do you think someone else will do a better job? Will your position be gone when you get back? Even on the beaches of California, I saw a good number of people with their laptops, working diligently instead of joining their family for some fun in the sun.

In fact, there is a 12 step program called Workaholics Anonymous, to help with all the stressors. Our body is bombarded with stress hormones all day long and eventually it's going to break down. It may start out as a minor inconvenience like a stress headache, or tight shoulders, but if we don't pay attention, the whisper will eventually become a scream for help. The inconveniences become illnesses like cancer, strokes, or heart attacks because we aren't LISTENING to our body. By ignoring our inner intelligence, we are dis-empowering ourselves, and not honoring our spirit.

Instead of going to the doctors office for a prescription, wouldn't it be great if they prescribed doing the work that you love as treatment for your illness. Finding a career that fulfills you , could possibly prevent or reverse the issues going on within your body. And this applies to the people that you surround yourself with as well. Are you being sucked dry by Energy Vampires?

Here's a secret. You teach people how to treat you, so you need to re-train them. Stand in your power,
not from an egotistical perspective, but out of love for yourself and your spirit.

I'm not talking about just walking away from your job if you can't financially do it right now, but start researching what you would love to do. If you could wake up every morning excited about work, what would that look like? Find an outlet for your creativity, and release it. Its all about you and making your soul happy. I love to dance around my family room, with the music blaring and singing at the top of my lungs. If you saw me you would double over in laughter ( and that is healing as well) but for me, its therapeutic. I am a pretty good dancer, and a terrible singer, but here's the thing, WHO CARES?

Honor who you are, you are loved, and when you are able to love yourself, you can give love to others without expectations. After all, love is the only imprint we leave when we depart this world. Nothing more.

So dance, sing, ask you spirit what it needs, and most of all LISTEN to the whispers.

Until next time~

Love Is In The Air

                               Happy May Day or Beltane. 

Today is May 1st and everywhere I look, babies are being born. I have 13 quail eggs in a planter in my backyard, and I can't wait for them to hatch. 

The flowers are blooming, new life is being born, a time of renewal, and love is in the air. 

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with a professional Matchmaker, and our conversation was quite interesting. She told me that so many of her clients are looking for love in all the wrong places ( anyone remember that song?) In case you don't here is a link to the song.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAyDmJvjxbg . These television shows that portray the perfect woman as tall, thin, under 30 and usually blonde, are what the men over 40 are looking for as their ideal mate. Not that there is anything wrong with being tall, blonde, thin and under 30, but for men over 40, they are thinking with the wrong part of their body. They keep coming back to her, disappointed that there was no 'love connection'. Of course there isn't, they are in different stages in their life. If you are only looking for arm candy or a sugar daddy, then they will fit together like a hand in a glove. But if you are looking for a partner, someone that you can share you life with, then you are looking in the wrong direction.

 

Now women, well they are looking for 'Mr. Tall, dark, and handsome'. I had to laugh when she told me  that the men her female clients ( again over 40) were looking for, had to be around 6 ft tall, great body, full head of hair, made over $200,000 and had little to no baggage. Talk about a tall order! I have yet to meet any man over 40 who doesn't have any baggage. It's called life!

I decided to sit down and write this blog about finding real love. Of course they need to be physically attractive to you initially, but the real attraction comes from within. I know you have heard that before, but if you are honest with yourself, you know that it's a true statement. So before you throw the baby out with the bathwater, I would ask you to think about this question. What are your three non-negotiables?

That's right, the three things that will make or break a relationship no matter how tall, handsome or beautiful someone is. 

One of mine is smoking. I can't be around anyone who smokes. The smell irritates my eyes, my lungs, and to be honest, they smell like tobacco. I personally don't find that appealing. So for me, that is a non- negotiable. 

Too many singles out there have set the bar so high, it's impossible for them to meet anyone that has the potential to be perfect for them. When you are only looking for 10's, you are bypassing the 7's and 8's that could be your soul mate. What I am finding in my practice, is that FEAR is the reason they sabotage themselves. Fear of rejection, fear of being hurt, and fear of opening their heart. They want love so badly, but yet the fear is holding them back. 

Now that love is in the air, I am asking you to step outside your box, feel the fear and do it anyway. Make a list of your three, and only three non-negotiables, otherwise you will have a list a mile long. What does love look like to you now? Don't go back and lament over the past. That is over, and the future is not promised to you. You are a new person every single day. In fact, your cells are dying and new ones are born every second in your body, so you really are a new person. What does love look like for you right now? Really think about that question, and then don't be afraid to go out and find it. 

If you need help in negotiating the waters, I am here for you. Email me or give me a call. I always give 15 min free consultations or will answer you emails as soon as possible. 

May is a time for renewal. So I hope you will renew your life, live in joy, happiness, health, and of course IN LOVE.

Until next time....

 

What is my Archetype?

How many years have you been attempting and failed to figure out who the heck you really are?  Although we adapt and change throughout of life, we have  basic 'Archetypes' that define our true nature.

So what is an Archetype you ask? Great question.  An archetype is the key to your personal power. Best selling author Caroline Myss, has done it again with her latest book  "Archetypes, who are you?". It is a perfect introduction into the world of discovering the 'real you'. As Caroline so beautifully stated: "Archetypes are are the psychic lenses through which we view ourselves and the world around us." I have discussed in my past blogs about the masks that we so carefully wear everyday, and this book allows you to reveal your 3 basic archetypes, and the role they play in your daily life. What I have discovered, is that when you live from a place of authenticity, the stress of believing that we must portray ourselves to be someone other than who we really are, begins to vanish. Your inner power can now reveal itself, not from a place of ego, but from an strength that has been waiting to emerge.

Did you realize that you have been reading archetypes your whole life, but it was probably disguised as labeling or judging someone? One issue that keeps reappearing over and over with my clients, is how they are 'wiped out' after talking to someone, be it a friend, family member, or at work.
 I have taught my clients to be aware of the 'Energy Vampire' archetype around them. These individuals will
suck the energy right out of you, if you aren't careful. The Vampires always feels so much better after
they have extracted every ounce of energy they can, with their invisible but powerful fangs. You, on the other hand, are barely able to function after the encounter. One of my main archetypes is Caregiver, so energy vampires are drawn to me like a dog to a bone. Awareness and protection is the key.

Before my knowledge of archetypes, I  would notice that after a conversation with a vampire ( AKA someone in need of advice) I would feel like I had been sucker punched. What just happened? I went into Starbucks feeling great and full of energy, and came out like a zombie. No amount of caffeine could help me at that point, except maybe an I.V. directly inserted in my arm! If I had understood about archetypes back then, I can guarantee my health would have been much better. My cells were tuning in to my energy, and they were drained. How could they possibly do their job, when I was battering them with barrage of negativity that I had taken on from others.

Years ago, I learned about Archetypes from a colleague and good friend Meryl Martin.
Meryl is an Intuitive Medical Counselor and a graduate of the Institute of Scientific Medical Intuition, taught by Caroline Myss and Dr. Norm Shealy. M.D.

From that point on, I became more aware of reading the different archetypes in not only clients, but in my own family as well. Understanding archetypes will influence your interactions with others, your love life, your financial spending habits, as well as the patterns that keep repeating themselves.

I am a BIG believer that knowledge is power. After recognizing your basic archetypal patterns, you can take back the reigns of your life and control the direction you want to go, instead of allowing others to lead you.

I will be giving a seminar on Archetypes and dating in the near future, and blogging about the skits that the participants will be performing. This should be FUN.

In the meantime, check out your archetype for free at: www.archetypeme.com and let me know what three main ones show up for you.

As always, until next time...

Linda McCarthy Ph.D
www.newdirectioncoaching.com

Another Transition, are you kidding me?

I am back, and recovered from 'bloggers block'. I have been going through some personal
transitions, and needed to take a break from writing. I found myself doing more speaking than writing,
which I guess served me for a few months. Both the spoken word and written word are very powerful
in helping one experience transitions in their life.

The real work comes in how we show up during these transitions. Do we hide our head under
the covers and peek out to see if anyone is looking, or do we immerse ourselves in so much
busy activity, that we haven't allowed ourselves to experience the feelings of our ' New Normal'?

I work with many clients experiencing major life transitions. They are looking for guidance on how to navigate the choppy waters. I guess you could say I am their compass, providing them with options depending on the direction they want to go. Their work, is to take the first step.

What I have been noticing lately is that so many people are afraid to reveal who they really are. The changes in their life have triggered old patterns of fear, and insecurity. Releasing the past, whether it be a relationship,
a job, or just taking off the masks that we have worn way too long, can be a very scary place.
The coping mechanisms are usually one of two choices. Either revert back to the old patterns, which is
is a very safe place to fall, or completely immerse ourselves in new activities, relationships, not allowing
for that period of transition. What if we end up exposing our insecurities, and others realize that what appeared to be 'perfect' was nothing more than an illusion? Perfection is exhausting, and unattainable. Let it go!

I like to think of major transitional periods ( which according to research, happens approximately every seven years) as a time to begin anew. With challenges also come new opportunities to grow and spread
our wings. Who wants to live a live a mediocre life? Not me! I may have been uncomfortable with the changes when they first appeared at my doorstep,  but I have rediscovered a strength that I had long forgotten. I had become complacent, allowing life to run on auto pilot. Now I am back in control, and it feels amazing. I am fully awake, an no longer sleep walking through my personal life.

Letting go of the dreams that we had years ago, can be either painful or freeing. Those dreams of the past no longer serve me, and my aspirations are different now. That's the great thing about dreams, you aren't
bound to them, unless you choose to be. You can tweak them, change them, but NEVER GIVE UP
on your dreams. Don't allow anyone to take that away from you. Know that you deserve to dream, and whether its big or small, it's yours and yours alone.

So step forward, show the world the REAL you, flaws and all. That's what makes us all so unique and
wonderful. We don't have to be perfect thank goodness. Know that you are perfect just the way you are, and that has to be good enough. Otherwise, you are continually arguing with reality, and reality always wins! So what's your New Normal?
Until, next time...

Do You Change With The Seasons?

Autumn is upon us, and the year is beginning to wind down. Seems like it was just

2012 and now here we are, in the twilight of the year already. 

In looking back over the last 9 months, (the gestational period for a baby) how have you changed?

Did you change your career, your appearance, your relationship, or your beliefs? Or have you basically

stayed the same. 

I believe change is good. So many of us get stuck in our daily routines, our jobs, our relationships,

even our workout routine if you have one, and for whatever reason, don't feel compelled to try

anything new. Is it because you lack the energy to try something else, you don't want to 

invest the time, are you afraid of change, or perhaps you don't feel that you are worthy. 

I know, I know, I am going to hear about that one, after all, who isn't worthy of change? But 

surprisingly, many of my clients after carefully reading their journals and deciphering notes,

discover that they  subconsciously believed that they were somehow undeserving in making

positive changes in their life. If anything, they  felt compelled to stay in a situation that

they have long outgrown because, even though it made them unhappy, it was familiar. Yes, familiar.

Like the woman who stays in an abusive relationship because she is more fearful of walking out

the door to the unknown, we too fear change of the unknown, even if it could result in 

improving the quality of our lives. Failure is a BIG fear for many of us, but here is the beauty in that.

We never fail. We are here to learn, to re-evaluate, try new strategies, and just the act of

stepping outside the box makes you a winner. I have yet to find one person who has said to me:

" I am perfectly content in my life and wouldn't make one single change". Now that isn't to say

that you aren't happy with your life, you may very well be, and a  BIG shout out to you, but

what I am saying is that most people would like to improve at least one area in their life. It could

be your health, finances, personal relationship with others, or even with yourself, your

career, and the list goes on. The first step is always the most challenging but the act of just taking it

is extremely empowering.

If there is something you would like to change, what's holding you back? Really reflect on that before

you answer. You might even want to consider writing it down on paper, and I think you will be surprised

at what shows up. Writing it down instead of typing it on a computer, is far more powerful because

you are exchanging the energy from your emotions and transferring it to the paper. When you type

on a computer, the emotions aren't translated as well since we have a tendency to over think

when we type. We backspace, use auto correct, and it is very easy to just delete the whole darn

thing. Not so with writing. 

 Seasons change and I always learn so much from mother nature. She transforms herself every 3 months to renew in the spring, rejoice in the summer, refresh in the fall, and  retreat in the winter. So as this

Autumn falls upon us ( no pun intended), let us take a look at refreshing our lives. Here's to change! 

I will leave you with a beautiful verse from Best Selling Author, Mystic, and speaker Caroline Myss.

In gratitude and joy~always.....

 It’s easier, quite frankly, to play dumb, to say, “I don’t understand.” But in your soul, you do get it. You know you are a force for change in this world. That’s why no one can stand to think about him or herself as insignificant. You’re not. You are incredibly significant.
Every choice you make matters. Every thought has a consequence as well. Everything matters. Live in that truth.