Article Written by Christiane Northrup, MD October 13, 2006
www.drnorthrup.com

Many women suffer from digestive problems at midlife, often along with weight gain. In fact, GI tract problems such as bloating, gastric reflux, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome and ulcers are the second most common reason why people seek medical attention in this country. It’s no wonder, when you consider the standard American diet. Most people living with these problems know that there are endless medications on the market that are claimed to fix these problems so that you can continue to eat the foods you like, and which may cause your GI problems. But it is important to know that this conventional approach just masks the symptoms. GI tract problems are not caused by an antacid deficiency, so taking the popular medications, whether they are over-the-counter or prescription, really won’t help in the long run. In fact, it is well documented that dumping these symptom-masking medications into your GI tract can, in fact, lead to other health risks.

The Adverse Childhood Study found that survivors of childhood trauma are up to 5,000 percent more likely to attempt suicide, have eating disorders, or become IV drug users. Dr. Vincent Felitti, the study's founder, details this remarkable and powerful connection.

Light Your Sparkle Summary

This article summarizes the core of healing--accessing the emotional, not just the physical.  It discusses a patient with Lyme's disease who was sick 40 years and began to heal once they started to address emotional roots to illness.  They stopped the cycle of illness.  With references to some of my favorites, Alice Miller's books, "The Drama of the Gifted Child" and "The Body Never Lies," this article challenges us to overcome our resistance and biases towards emotional healing.  The ACE's study offered scientific evidence that adverse childhood experiences (trauma) can make us sick.  Stress, including emotional issues, take a toll on the body---this build up can contribute to illness. 

Louise Hay gifted us with many positive affirmations to enhance our well being and health.  Here is a list of 101 of her best affirmations. They sure do help me! Her website has an abundance of inspiration

Article Written by www.LouiseHay.com

Let’s affirm:

1. Life loves me!
2. All is well in my world. Everything is working out for my highest good. Out of this situation only good will come. I am safe!
3. It’s only a thought, and a thought can be changed.
4. The point of power is always in the present moment.
5. Every thought we think is creating our future.
6. I am in the process of positive change.
7. I am comfortable looking in the mirror, saying, “I love you, I really love you.”
8. It is safe to look within.
9. I forgive myself and set myself free.
10. As I say yes to life, life says yes to me.

Article Written By Deepak Chopra, M.D.
www.Gaiam.com

It's not easy to deal with painful emotions head-on. But it's a key to good health and well-being physically, mentally, and spiritually. If we don’t deal with pain when it occurs, it will resurface as compounded emotional toxicity later on — showing up as insomnia, hostility, and anger, or fear and anxiety.

As a further complication, if you don’t know how to deal with feelings of anger and fear, you're likely to turn them inward at yourself, believing, “It’s all my fault.” That guilt depletes our physical, emotional, and spiritual energy until any initiative or movement feels impossible. We feel exhausted and paralyzed, leading to depression.

You can learn how to recognize painful emotions right away and how to effectively "metabolize" and eliminate pain.