GSimms-HealthandWellness.com

G Simms   
GSimms-HealthandWellness.com

Greetings to you all.

I talked to my good friend and fellow author today--Mr. J Guevara.  This guy is an amazing storyteller.  Every time I read something that he's written, I can only shake my head and acknowledge the wonderful gift that he has and the wonderful gift that he is to us in being able to write in a way that weaves stories in the way that he does.

Check out a story that he posted on his blog at http://jguevaranovels.com/bro.

While you're there, you might also want to click on the tab that says NOVELS and buy his book "The Twain Shall Meet". Reading this is like reading the latest work of Mark Twain. You won't be disappointed.

See More

G Simms
GSimms-HealthandWellness.com

Stress is at an all time high for most people. That being said, you should resolve to developing a stress reduction plan that you can commit to.

Living on the fringes of "burn out" does not create a high quality of life. So, if you don't have a personal stress management program, it's time you made it a priority to learn stress relief strategies to protect your mental and physical health.

When your body is under stress, it reacts by producing and flooding you with hormones (adrenaline and cortisol being the predominant ones) to respond to what you are sensing from the stressful conditions. Proper management of the stressful conditions are important to maintain optimal health.

Stress Types

There are three main types of stress. They include:

• Eustress--Noted for being good stress, this stress comes from sources that are fun and exciting. This is the type of stress that is associated with watching a tense sporting event, or from those jitters of anticipation before a performance or as a result of expecting something big or major.
• Acute Stress--This type of stress is short term and can be a positive type like Eustress, but is more commonly negative and associated with the kind of stress that we readily recognize when we see someone who seems worried. Road rage or an incident that caused higher than normal concern would produce this type of stress. It is sometimes known as Episodic Acute Stress.
• Chronic Stress--This is the stress that books are written about. It shows up and appears to be on-going or never-ending. A bad marriage or work place stress would qualify.

Stress Facts

Many reports and studies have been done regarding the implications of chronic stress. Some reports say that up to 90% of doctors visits are due to symptoms of stress. Stress influenced conditions include:

• depression
• diabetes
• hair loss
• heart disease
• hyperthyroidism
• obesity
• anxiety disorder
• sexual dysfunction
• tooth and gum disease
• ulcers
• and possibly cancer

Stress Elimination Plan

To eliminate, manage, or reduce stress, it's important to formulate a plan that may include professional help. If you are not quite at the point where the professionals are needed, a good starting point might require you to slow down and make an evaluation of those things that you can commit to doing for relaxation. It is of vital importance that you bring personal joy back into your day to day existence.

Music, exercise, pampering yourself, laughter and helping others whose needs exceed your are all ways to reduce stress. Meditation, deep breathing, massage, aromatherapy and spending time with and in nature are also fundamental components of a program that will address your stress health.

Resources

This area includes more details and products that I recommend to assist you in bringing your stress under control.

HERBAL STRESS REDUCER

Time Magazine did a feature in 2003 on the stress reducing power of an herb called Rhodiola Rosea.  This almost magical herb reduces the cortisol levels in your body. (Cortisol wreaks havoc on all of your body systems).  As a result of reducing cortisol, it reduces stress and naturally enhances your mood.  There are no known side effects of this rising  herbal superstar.  The product that I recommend is called Limu Plus.  It include Rhodiola Rosea and 11 other herbs that are marvelously beneficial.  To get more information and to order a bottle here's a link: http://LimuPlus.com/214413

USE THE POWER OF RELAXATION TO HEAL THE BODY

Whether you are advanced or a beginner in the art of meditation, this interactive video creates an incredible opportunity for you to learn how to use the power of your mind to not only relax, but to heal your body on many levels.  For additional information and to pick up a copy click on the following link now:  http://sn.im/sakx2

LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE WITH 15 MINUTES A DAY OF PURE PLEASURE

The BreathEasy Program is one of the latest innovations in Natural Hypertension Treatments.  The novel method combines music with structured slow breathing.  In addition to lowering blood pressure, this method also promotes deep relaxation, stress and anxiety relief, improved sleep and more.  For additional information and to pick up a copy click the following link now:  http://sn.im/n6lke

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GSimms is the author of "The Top 25 Things You Can Do to Change Your Life for the Better...Forever"--a health and wellness and self help book that addresses this topic and others to help bring your mind, body and soul into perfect optimal health. Pick up a copy today:  http://GSimms-TheTop25.com.

G Simms
GSimms-HealthandWellness.com

At the urging of someone who recently purchased my book and read it from cover to cover, I am posting this entry. 

This piece is found in the section of my book entitled About the Author.  It was written by a member of my growing family of friends and associates that I affectionately refer to as my tribe.

It pays to understand a bit about Gary Simms' background and life experiences to truly appreciate his quick direct wit and oft times profoundly introspective reflections.

He was born into a middle-class family in New Orleans, Louisiana during the mid-1950s.  GSimms (his pen name) draws from the focus and discipline of a star youth athlete, the intelligence of a summa cum laude graduate ranking from his college class, the sophistication of an Environmental Communications Executive for a Fortune 100 company, and the savvy of a shrewd businessman/entrepreneur to render unexpected essence and flavor with a unique filter for life and quality living.

Passionate and driven to succeed, Simms has taken what he describes as "one of my very dark personal moments," to fashion a work that he hopes will contribute significantly to the lives of those wanting to be better and do better.

"When most people discuss achievement and improvement, the goal too often is about external manifestation," says Simms, while gazing off and collecting his thoughts.  "I am fervent about this when I say that the focus should always be internal.  You have to improve inside to truly reflect improvement outwardly.  You have to be better and when you are, the world will see it."

His passion has become the enthusiastic pursuit of life, health and wellness.  "Far too many people suffer through less than a great quality of life due to relinquishing their life responsibility to everyone else--the so-called authorities, media news bites, so-called experts, doctors, etc." he says.  "I believe the pathway to restoration begins with owning information that is accurate, understandable, and readily accessible."

GSimms' valued quips, thoughts, humor and advice is peppered throughout his blogs, articles, podcasts, speeches, presentations, and conversations.

Look for more from GSimms.  He plans to continue his work as a health and wellness writer and currently publishes GSimms-HealthandWellness.com, GSimms-TheTop25.com, and http://FYI-HealthandWellness.blogspot.com.

Additionally, he's working on two books that tell of his Hurricane Katrina experiences.

When recently asked to consider developing a site for his unique brand of funny, serious and always insightful social commentary, he responded, "Oh...I will probably have to because we've chosen a collective position of numbness about lots of things that somebody should actually say something about."

We can't wait.

And finally, stay tuned for his first novel--a love story that twists and turns in a way that could only be fictional...but perhaps not.

Known for being a "real character" to his close friends, GSimms relishes entertainment yet appreciates his audience to the point where his main interest is always to use his talent as one who can entertain...to inform.

Submitted by the GSimms Tribe

_______________________________
GSimms is the author of The Top 25 Things You Can Do to Change Your Life for the Better...Forever  a health and wellness and self help book that was reviewed by a panel of fitness and health professionals as being the "handbook for healthy living".

G Simms
GSimms-HealthandWellness.com

In the interest of promoting health and wellness, I am, with this article introducing a series of works that will publish under the banner of "Introspection".

These works are being shared by a former professional nursing clinician from her journal.

Please enjoy and remember to let me know how you're feeling.

G Simms
GSimms-HealthandWellness.com


Health and Wellness and Self-Improvement author, GSimms announces a FREE giveaway of the first three chapters of the book "The Top 25 Things You Can Do to Change Your Life for the Better...Forever".  
Get your free snapshot sample of this book today by sending an email to gmsimms@gmail.com.  Write "First Three Chapters" in the subject line and I will get it to you immediately.

G Simms
GSimms-HealthandWellness.com


Gary Simms, a Hurricane Katrina survivor and author of the recently published “The Top 25 Things You Can Do To Change Your Life for the Better...Forever”, announced that he would donate 25% of the profits from his book to the Haiti Recovery Efforts.

With a full understanding of what post disaster devastation feels like, Simms, who now lives in Dallas, TX, struggled through the aftermath of the devastation in New Orleans and empathizes with the level of frustration, helplessness and despair that is the long term reality of those enduring the Haiti tragedy.

“Recovery from this level of tragedy is decidedly slow and dramatically painful” he reflects. “We need to do all we can to support them through this time–especially when the cameras stop rolling and it becomes yesterday’s news. It will be a slow process and they will need support for some time to come.”

Grateful to be in a position to utilize this platform to extend aid to those who need it, Simms says he is confident that his book can help readers make positive change in their lives.  He relishes being able to use a portion of the profits from the book to help those whose pain he feels, knows and understands.

Hailed by a panel of health and wellness and fitness professionals as the “handbook for healthy living”, Simms’ book is available electronically and in paperback at www.GSimms-TheTop25.com.

Simms urges you to buy a copy today.  It will benefit you and provides funds to help the people of Haiti in their attempt to recover. 

Thank you in advance for your order.

G Simms
GSimms-HealthandWellness.com

In my previous article, I talked about multi-tasking as the monster that it is.  In this article, it only makes sense to discuss Focus as a strategy for success.

I cover this in my book "The Top 25 Things You Can Do to Change Your Life for the Better...Forever". 

When putting together the chapters for the book, Focus jumped out and screamed at me.  How could I not have this as the very first chapter.  Interestingly enough, that very day gave me yet another reason to continue to beat the drum for focus.

I had spoken with many people in the process of writing my book and whenever I asked the question about what and how did each of these people go about pursuing goals, most seemed not to have clear strategies to accomplish them.  It became clear to me that declaring those things that were least desired, at least, appeared to be the consensus strategy.

I found that to be amazing.  Life coaches and self improvement gurus will tell you that you must concentrate on what you desire as opposed to concentrating on what you least desire.  In the process, I also came to the conclusion that those who concentrated on the opposite end of the spectrum also suffered from a lack of focus.

So, in the interest of help, here are a few tips that should point you in the right direction.  And, at the end of this article I offer you a bonus of a link to a website that will help you get there.  I encourage you to click the link and check them out.  They offer a step-by-step program to help you focus and organize your existence.  Now for the steps.

First and foremost, you must learn to focus.  It's critical that you learn how to develop a clear and distinct plan that you will implement in a steadfast manner.  Your goal is to reach your goal.

Second, follow the advice of my previous article.  Multi-tasking is your enemy.  When you execute a clear and distinct plan and do it with laser directness, you'll find that you'll achieve more in less time.  It is a crazy notion to think that you can be effective doing several things at the same time.  

Third, you must overcome procrastination.  Think about it...nothing ever happens until you do what you're putting off.  Procrastination is usually the result of our lack of focus or lack of organization.  If your problem is that you're lazy, that might be because of a lack of focus or lack of organization.  In any event, just do it (Nike got it right).

Now for the bonus.

Click on www.simpleology.com.  There you can find a wonderful online program that will help you find your focus and push your life forward.  I discovered this site while researching for my book.  I recommend it.  It has helped and is helping me.

They offer several cutting edge programs.  In fact, I'm evaluating a multi-media course on blogging from the folks at Simpleology (www.simpleology.com/training/blogging/index.php).  For a while, they're letting you snag it for free if you post about it on your blog.

It covers: The best blogging techniques, How to get traffic to your blog, and How to turn your blog into money.

I'll let you know what I think once I've had a chance to check it out. Meanwhile, go grab yours while it's still free.

GSimms
GSimms-HealthandWellness.com

One of my nearest and dearest sent me an email today about this horrid thing called multi-tasking.

The comments made here will surely cause rancor among those whose jobs it is to push their subordinates to the point of literal collapse before saying something pitiful like, "I really appreciated that effort."

It stands to reason, that with an opening like the previous paragraph, you won't have to be a rocket scientist or Sherlock Holmes to figure out where I'm going with this.

Anyway, the term multi-tasking came from the computer industry in the mid 1960s to describe the ability of one computer to perform two or more jobs or job functions at the same time.

Hmmm...the light bulb moment that came from this was to accept that level of performance by a machine and expect that level of performance by the human machinery (employees).  As the term was interwoven into the fabric of employee expectation, we once again, diminished the humanity of the workplace by setting our employee population up for major problems and less than stellar performance.

The email that I received called for a halt to the multitasking mindset.  And I concur.

Because we have been told that this is the accepted way to function, we have adopted this mindset, even though we know that our efficiency suffers because of it.

My observation regarding multitasking is this. 

It was easily endorsed by high level managers and corporate principals as a so-called value added work consciousness that their star performers would display. (After all, if you can get twice the work out of one person for the same dollar, would you turn that down?)  I have observed over the years however that it is that break-neck pace that burns out the so-called valued employee implementing this strategy. 

While multi-tasking makes the workforce appear to be buzzing with that busy look (valued by corporations), it makes the workforce less effective.  Instead of efficiency, multi-tasking breeds mediocrity that's wrapped in the perceptions of milestone attainment.  The truth is: though it appears to be that much is getting done, the facts are that most of what is getting done is really half done.  Oh, we weren't trying to make comments about quality.

Anyway...I'm just sayin'.  Let me know how you're feeling.

Resource:
GSimms is the author of "The Top 25 Things You Can Do to Change Your Life for the Better...Forever".  He also publishes http://fyi-healthandwellness.blogspot.com and  www.GSimms-TheTop25.com.

GSimms
GSimms-HealthandWellness.com

Dating back to 1869 when a French food chemist succeeded in making a cheap substitute for the real thing which had become scarce and expensive because of a European cattle plague, margarine was born. In its original form, it was a hard, white and glossy substance made from beef fat, milk and chopped sheep's stomachs and cow's breasts and was used primarily by the poor. (1)

In the years that followed, the product was allegedly improved by the introduction of utilizing cheap oils as a base. These oils were hardened into the final product's form by reacting them with hydrogen in the presence of metal catalysts and heat.

In the 1920s for the 30 years that followed, food chemists have worked to enhance its look, taste, and spreadability while its marketing has continued to the successful perception that not only is the product a cheaper substitution, but it is alledgedly a healthier alternative to butter.

But is the perception true? Is margarine healthier for you?

Many consumers the world over will defend their choices by pointing to evidence or should I say marketing. But when the facts add up, we should be reminded that we shouldn't accept, as fact, the information that is presented in a 30-second commercial.

Many of us consume too much fat and could benefit significantly by reducing our fat intake. That said, butter is a natural product and is chemically better suited for ingestion though it is rich in both saturated fat and cholesterol. Whereas the process that transforms oils into margarine changes the fatty acids into unnatural forms that may be most unhealthy to eat. (2)

The production process for margarine creates trans-fatty acids (a humanly non-essential substance that is suspected to heighten the risks for cancer, promotes inflamation and accelerates aging and degenerative changes in tissues). Research indicates that eating margarine versus butter can increase the incidence of heart disease because of the trans fats.

In head to head comparative analysis, margarine increases total cholesterol and LDL (the bad cholesterol) and lowers HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol). (3)

Margarine lowers the quality of breast milk (4) and decreases immune and insulin response. (5)

As this debate will assuredly continue, it makes sense to protect yourself against the ills of bad information. If you race through the carton of butter that sits in your refrigerator, you might want to slow your roll, while understanding that margarine is not a suitable replacement. The information that is available indicates that you would be better to not ingest this product at all. A better choice is the use of canola or olive oil.

References:

1. www.naturodoc.com/library/nutrition/margbutt.htm

2. www.naturodoc.com/library/nutrition/margbutt.htm

3. www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/b/butter-margarine.

4. www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/b/butter-margarine.

Additional sources of information

www.breakthechain.org/exclusives/margarin.html

www.drlwilson.com/Articles/butter.htm

GSimms
GSimms-HealthandWellness.com

Over the last two months, I've written quite a few articles about gratitude.  And while thinking about them today, it dawned on me to ask, "what are you grateful about?"  Feel free to send a comment and share.

It's that time of the year and I know that many people find themselves bummed out because the economy doesn't allow them to spend lots of money.  Many people are out of work and are doing everything they can to survive.

I guess the mindset of not feeling whole because of your inability to participate in the maddening shopping mall parades highlight the doldrums that make an otherwise festive season the prescription of depression. 

Come on folks.  Lighten up. 

I am truly happy and grateful about a number of things.

I'm grateful for being alive and look forward to the continuance of being productive and relevant.  I'm grateful for my health and sanity.  I'm grateful for my mom--she's 84 and still spry.  I'm grateful for my daughter--she's a special youngster and has grown to be a very interesting young adult.  I'm grateful for those people that I call friend--I can only shake my head about this group of twisted individuals.  And of course I'm grateful for the special person in my life--I can write a book about her...hmmm, that's an idea.  Perhaps I will.

Anyway, I look forward to next year and all of those opportunities to share and inform...to write and educate...to teach and entertain...to learn and grow.

In the spirit of the holiday season, here is a link to a site that's featured in my book, "The Top 25 Things You Can Do to Change Your Life for the Better...Forever".  At the link, you'll find my rendition of the Christmas Song.  Let me know what you think.  I was told that I have a future as a vocalist.  Hmmmm, imagine that.  Anyway, please enjoy. http://www.singsnap.com/snap/r/ba1268bcb. 

Happy Holidays to you all.