There are different things women can do, for example my tip about knowing your numbers.  This is very important because this will give you a great understanding of what is going on with your body.   But you know that’s not the only thing.  Since I’m all about Total Wellness we must also begin to think about other areas of our life that can aid in heart disease.  As I was talking with my Online Business Manager braining storming some ideas, I was reminded by how much stress can play apart in your physical wellness.  As I mentioned to her stress is not always a bad thing.  We need some level of stress to thrive or to help us get things done (this is the good stress).  But it becomes a problem when the demand becomes greater than our ability.  We must find a way to deal with the stressors in our lives, specifically the negative stressors.  So today’s article is about a technique you can use to help you stay calm and stop your mind from wandering off to some of those stressful environments.

You may have already heard about the many benefits of present moment thinking. When you live in the present, the many stressors of the mind do not bother you.

However, if you’ve ever tried to stay in the present for a long period of time, you’ll notice that your brain automatically travels to your past and future. This is to be expected as you transition to focusing on the present moment.

It Takes Practice!

Even some of the most skilled present moment thinkers encounter times when they have difficulty concentrating. With practice, it becomes easier, but there will always be times here and there when you get distracted.

When you first begin to think in the present moment, you may be tempted to feel impatient and frustrated. Frustration will only make things worse and is the opposite of what you’ve set out to accomplish. Instead, look at it as a good thing. If you’re frustrated, then you’re noticing when your mind starts to wander and you can return it back to the present.

Starting With Meditation

Meditation is based on the notion of being in the present moment. Therefore, it’s an excellent practice to pick up in your life. Try to make time to do it every day. Try to meditate around the same time each day, too, for the best results.

You can look up traditional methods of meditation, or you can simply discover your own practice. It’s best to get yourself into a comfortable seated position and then begin following your breath. Take slow, deep breaths, one at a time, because you’re in no rush.

Meditating allows you to practice staying in the present moment during a time that you’re alone and avoiding distractions. You’ll be able to notice the times when your mind is really active versus the times when you’re calmer. Once you’ve mastered this awareness, you can begin to apply your skills to other portions of your day to expand the amount of time that you spend in the present moment.

Making Time for Yourself

It sounds simple enough, but one of the most difficult obstacles to present moment thinking seems to be just making time for you.

You might tell yourself that it’s time to meditate, but your mind nags you to accomplish one more chore before bedtime. Before you know it, you feel as if you don’t have any additional time for yourself. This is when you need to put your foot down and make it a priority.

Practicing During Everyday Life

The next step is to practice while you’re going through the motions of everyday life. Of course, you’ll want to reference your past and future during certain times. It’s to be expected; however, make an effort to avoid letting your mind dwell outside the present. Make your decisions using the past and future as necessary, and then move on with your life in the present.

After you’ve mastered some meditation techniques, try meditating during those times of the day when you’re doing something on autopilot. Instead of allowing your mind to wander, stay present as you engage in activities like brushing your teeth or waiting for the coffee to be ready.

As you continue to practice, you’ll notice a vast amount of opportunities where you can stay in the present moment. Seize these opportunities whenever you can and enjoy the many benefits!

How can you get informed:

There are many ways to get informed and stay informed about heart disease.  You can visitwww.goredforwomen.org where you can get a variety of information.  You can also visit the American Heart Association to dig deeper into heart health.  But the most important thing you can do for yourself is to visit your health care practitioner.  Begin to talk to them about heart disease find out if you are at risk and most importantly get those numbers (blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose).

Taking time out to nourish yourself will give you a good understanding of your body.  Your body will be the first person to tell you if something is wrong and if you are constantly putting yourself last, you will not hear when your body is reaching out for help.  We are the back bone of our families, the strength to our spouses and the nurturer to our children.  If you don’t take the time to take care of you then you could bet that 1 in 3 women killed by heart disease.

What can I do now:

To show your support this Friday, February 4, 2011 is National Wear Red Day.  You can alsovisitwww.goredforwomen.org to find out how you can get involved and/or donate to the cause.  Also visit theAmerican Heart Association for more information about heart health.

If you are ready to make that change and want/need continuous support on your journey to Total Wellness, please join the Total Women Lifestyle Community where we will share with you how to take care of your total self (Mind, Body, and Spirit).