Well, attitude can play a big part in all of this.  If you’re one of those people who is more “empowered”, you’re more likely to be able to work out some more positive solution to your problems.  However, if you always feel stuck, powerless, or a victim, you will very likely have a much harder time of it.

What does “empowerment” mean?  The saying “when the going gets tough, the tough get going” sums it up.  This means that when something negative comes your way, you focus on some sort of plan to work through the problem.  For example, if you were facing job loss, you’d start looking for another job even before your first job was over.  But, perhaps even more importantly, you’d start to look at a variety of ways to make money.  These might include some sort of self-employed business, reducing expenses, selling some assets, changing living arrangements, etc..

The opposite of “empowerment” is “powerless”, meaning looking ahead and only seeing a looming disaster that you can’t stop or control.  In the same impending job loss scenario, the person becomes panic stricken, so anxious they can’t sleep, they feel stuck and don’t know what to do.  They feel emotionally quite small or young and wish someone would come rescue them, like their parents did when they were young.  But sadly, this rescue rarely happens.  Certainly there are exceptions to these scenarios but, in general, these are happening everyday for a multitude of people.

So what’s the solution?  It’s to take charge of your life in a variety of ways.  It’s a different way of looking at your situation than before.  Consider the following two examples.  One, your doctor tells you that you have high cholesterol and need to take a pill, perhaps for the rest of your life, to control it.  You say OK and, thus, have given up your power.  The other approach is to refuse the pill and ask what can be done to reduce your cholesterol without medication.  You could also look on the Internet to learn more about controlling cholesterol.  In a second example, an elderly person starts to feel unsteady on their feet and becomes worried they might fall.  They cut back on their walking and sit more, perhaps giving up some of the activities they used to enjoy.  They become depressed and physically weak and end up falling anyway.  Instead, when they notice they’re becoming unsteady, they could begin some sort of very basic exercise routine, such as standing in place, doing seated muscle strengthening exercises, going for gradually longer walks each day, etc.  Of course, they should consult their doctor before beginning any more rigorous exercise and may want to consult with a physical therapist or personal trainer about the proper exercise routine for them so as not to injure themselves with the wrong type of exercise.  The point is to take charge of your life to move it in the direction you want it to go.

To apply this attitude change to our difficult economy, start to think of what can be done to slow the outflow of money needlessly.  This could include, cutting back on electricity use, conserving water, using coupons at the grocery store, doing more entertaining at home such as hosting a pot luck, or even taking up pursuits like sewing or knitting to save money on clothing.  It could even mean moving to a smaller house or apartment, getting a smaller more efficient car, or taking public transportation and either selling your car or leaving it at home.  It’s opening up your thinking to the bigger picture of “having more money” to pay for your monthly expenses rather than simply “having a job” to pay those expenses.  You thus have a much wider range of ways to make that money.

Don’t try to do everything on your own!!  Talk to your spouse/partner, family, co-workers, friends, therapist, clergy, or anyone else who may be able to give you a different approach.  The whole idea here is that by interacting with someone else about a problem, they may have information that you don’t have and it will help you solve the problem.  They may be able to give you job leads, discuss a career change, help you tap into some extra money, as well as simply being emotionally supportive of your situation.  Don’t underestimate the value of that support!!

In the case of a job search, after you’ve exhausted, for the time being, any job prospects in your chosen field at your similar job level, expand your search to include jobs that may pay less or be in a different field or only be part-time.  The positives are that you have income, you may be able to receive healthcare benefits with this new job, you’re making new contacts, and it always seems easier to find a job when you’re already working.

Moreover, think of the wide variety of jobs you could do on your own while you’re trying to get a full-time position.  What are your skills?  Do you have some general skills so that you could be a handyman, gardener, house-sitter, manage an elderly person’s finances, provide help to the elderly, take in washing, house cleaning, window cleaning, cook meals, etc.?  Or do you have more specialized skills that might enable you to be a tutor, fitness trainer, massage therapist, specialty chef, etc.?  All of these ideas, even if not in your usual field of work, are ways to bring in extra income.  Check them out!!

How you view and how you approach problem solving is key.  Despite all the gloom and doom that’s in the news right now, you can have a chance to move forward in your life.  It’s looking at your life as an opportunity for personal growth and achievement by becoming the “empowered” person you’ve always wanted or needed to be but never quite got there.  Use these techniques and be the example to your family and friends.  Share with them how to successfully handle stress and move forward in a brand new way.

Written by: Dr. Craig Peterson, PhD

Dr. Peterson is a Board Certified Psychologist who make makes house calls in the  Glendale/Burbank/Pasadena areas.

Some herbs that I will talk about today have been mentioned previously. These include Siberian Ginseng (Eleuthero), Gotu Kola and Ashwagandha, all of which are central nervous system and adrenal restoratives. Eleuthero, as an adaptogen works in conditions of chronic stress to balance metabolic states. It will enhance memory as well as sensory function. Gotu Kola, the cooling herb of the three, has leaves shaped like cerebral hemispheres, called Brahmi or consciousness, is regarded as the premium memory and meditation herb in Ayurvedic Medicine. Ashwagandha, also an Ayurvedic herb is especially good for conditions of nervous debility and memory loss associated with prolonged illness and old age.

Another presently popular herb that’s available is Gingko (Gingko Biloba), which acts by virtue of its ability to enhance cerebral circulation, thereby allowing for more blood to go to the brain. As such, all manner of mental activities including concentration and memory will be improved. I would mention too, that Gingko benefits systemic circulation in general including coronary vessels and can be very helpful for heart conditions.

Presently, much research has been done for a memory constituent from a club moss, called Huperzine A which has shown promise in conditions of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Calamus, also known as sweet flag here, is a rejuvenative for the brain and nervous system, tending to be somewhat stimulating. It is also available here as an essential oil. In India, known as Vacha, it is said to help restore speech, and, as such, is sacred to the Goddess Sarasvati. Mentioned earlier, also, was Schizandra (Wu Wei Zi), an adrenal and central nervous system restorative (another adaptogen) which increases memory, concentration and sense perception as well as acting as a liver protective and immune system enhancer.

Several Chinese fruits have the ability to nourish heart blood and calm the Shen, these including Jujube Date (Da Zao), and Longan Fruit (Long Yan Rou), available in Chinese Markets. Well now, since we’re talking about foods, I would mention that the proper intake of Omega-3 essential fatty acids, in the form of flax seed oil and fish oils (rich in EPA & DHA), will help to nourish the nerve cell’s myelin sheathing in the central nervous system.

Walnuts are a good brain and essence food (also look like the brain). Almonds too, will nourish essence. Adequate B-vitamins are also very important for nervous system functioning. Lecithin, which is actually a component of egg whites (actually emulsifies the cholesterol of the yolk) is available as a supplement in granule or capsule form. As a source of choline, it provides accumulation of acetylcholine within the brain (a neurotransmitter) which benefits many brain processes, including memory, also enhancing proper liver function.

Apart from that, what about just plain old stress, or perhaps insomnia (Ashwagandha can help!): There’s 5HTP (an amino acid derivative) and Serotonin (a hormone), which both can promote sleep. Then, there’s the western herbs Valerian and Skullcap, as well as Lavender, Sandalwood, Spikenard and Ylang Ylang as essental oils. The oils can be put in Almond oil which is soothing for the nerves when rubbed on the scalp, ears and feet at bedtime.

Andrew Wells, M.S.O.M., L.Ac.
Andrew is a licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist with background in Ayurvedic Medicine and Nutrition. Consultations are available by telephone or in the office located in the Crestline/Lake Arrowhead areas.

Because of the skin’s relationship to fats, foods that are rich in omega-3 and GLA (gamma linolenic acid) fatty acids help to remedy the condition. Omega-3 fatty acids, as talked about before are present in flax, borage and black currant as well as in fish and fish oils. GLA is synthesized in the healthy body from linoleic acid, which is found in nuts, seeds, grains, legumes, vegetables, fruit and animal products. Direct sources of GLA are from mother’s milk, spirulina and the Omega-3 oils mentioned above, borage and black currant as well as evening primrose and the seeds of maple and sycamore. Sesame seeds, rich in oleic fatty acids are also of benefit in the diet. An optimum source is unrefined sesame oil, which can be used in moderate amounts as a salad or cooking oil.

The beta-carotene/provitamin A foods are also helpful in the treatment of skin diseases, especially for inflammatory conditions. This would include carrots, winter squash, pumpkin and leafy greens such as dandelion greens, beet greens (the beet also), spinach, kale, chard, endive and watercress. Vitamins C and E are also important, and the mineral zinc. The microalgaes such as spirulina, chlorella and wild blue-green are all beneficial. All greens are rich in chlorophyll, which purifies the blood of heat toxins that cause skin eruptions. Seaweeds can be included here, by virtue of their cooling and detoxifying nature. Other foods that should be used are mung beans, adzuki beans and unpeeled cucumber slices as well as alfalfa and soy sprouts. Goat milk products are the best animal product to use. Avoid foods which are spicy, fatty or greasy and particularly sweet foods (including wheat and dairy) and any shellfish. Of utmost importance is the minimal use of salt, and one should drink plenty of water.

As we are talking about the exterior of the body, sweating is useful to encourage elimination of toxins through the pores. Some skin herbs that are also diaphoretic would include sarsaparilla, sassafras, burdock seeds and yarrow leaves & flowers. They will also remove heat toxins from the blood. Some other herbs to help purify the blood include dandelion root, burdock root, red clover blossoms, yellow dock root, chamomile and gotu kola. Turmeric and neem as have been mentioned, are also helpful in skin afflictions, as is the mangosteen fruit inclusive of the rind. Generally, for acute conditions, only one or two herbs are necessary, and being that most of them are laxative, will serve to cleanse the large intestines (related to the lungs) to help detoxify the system. A traditional western tea for chronic skin diseases consists of equal parts of sarsaparilla root, yellow dock root, sassafras root bark, marshmallow root and red clover blossoms.

Treatments can also be applied topically to aid internal therapies. They can be applied as poultices of the tea. Ingredients like raw honey, papaya, lemon juice, sliced cucumber and vinegar are also used in various treatments. A remedy for eczema consists of raw honey or golden seal or poke root tea rubbed with slices of fresh papaya. A poultice of crushed daikon radish or raw potato is then applied. Neem, mentioned above, is also available as an oil in Indian markets and is especially good for inflamed heat conditions. In addition, essential oils can be used in diluted forms (as in the neem oil or in water) such as German chamomile, palmarosa, geranium, lemon and lavender, as well as tea tree oil for infections and cypress for tightening the skin

Article written by Andrew Wells, M.S.O.M., L.Ac.
Andrew Wells is a Wellness On Wheels licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist with background in Ayurvedic Medicine and Nutrition seeing patients in Crestline.