| The Healing Power of Gratitude |
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Mindfulness and mind-body research is showing that the practice of gratitude and counting our blessings changes our brain, brings happiness, enhances health and supports the healing process.
A recent article,
How Gratitude Changes You and Your Brain, in Mindful magazine, by Joel Wong and Joshua Brown, highlights the healing power of gratitude calling it "an effective and beneficial tool." They encourage people to write a gratitude letter when facing difficult challenges.
The good news is that gratitude can be practiced and developed as an attitude at any moment, in any set of circumstances. It's our choice how we will be with and relate to, what's happening in our mind, body, heart and life.
Facing stress, pain and illness is challenging and can be very difficult. Knowing we can choose to bring and integrate the practice of gratitude into our efforts to get well. Gratitude is a powerful and skillful means to enhance our resilience.
How we choose to see and be with life matters, has a powerful effect on the mind-body connection and the healing process. It absolutely impacts the various organs and systems of the body-mind, from the brain to the nervous system to the immune system.
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I share the above wisdom saying when I teach my Mindful Healing programs as it demonstrates the truth that our attitude, beliefs and the choice of how to "be with" and relate to our life circumstances can have an impact in every aspect of our lives including our health, work and relationships.
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I recall watching a recent news story about the out of control forest fires raging in the western part of the country. There are many displaced families and individuals currently going through, and surviving this tragedy. The story showed several people responding in various ways to the devastation, trauma and loss.
One person, understandably distraught and seemingly inconsolable at the sight and reality of their home being destroyed said, 'How can we ever recover? We've lost everything!' Another person was somehow able to respond to the same situation with gratitude. That person's response was, "Thank God we're all ok! I'm so glad that no one was hurt." The difference in their responses is likely the result of the impact that the stress and trauma had on each person based on their internal beliefs, attitudes, and cultivated ability to cope and be resilient. Choosing to be thankful for what we have versus fearful and anxious over what we have lost, might lose or don't have, is not easy, but the impact is profound.
This is the difference between the "glass is 1/2 full" optimism vs the "glass is 1/2 empty" pessimism, and it has big difference for the health of our mind, body and spirit.
Creating positive expectancy, faith, hope and belief in one's healing potential is an important element in creating an optimal healing environment for all levels of our being.
In summary, in the article, How Gratitude Changes You and Your Brain, the authors remind us that, "Much of our time and energy is spent pursuing things we currently don't have. Gratitude reverses our priorities to help us appreciate the people and things we do."
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I have some exciting events coming up in the fall that I want to call to your attention. Please join me for one of these exciting programs.
November 10th I will be hosted at Copper Beech Institute in West Hartford, CT for a day long retreat, "Mindful Healing: Turning Pain into an Opportunity for Transformation." In this retreat will explore the teachings of the Buddha, mindfulness meditation and compassion practice, and how those elements can come together to facilitate a journey of transformation and awakening, as we face our pain, suffering and difficulties.
I invite you to join me in the Bahamas, at the Sivananda Yoga Ashram and Retreat. December 1 - 4, I will offer a program "Mindful Healing: Curing the Body-Mind by Listening to the Self."
This will be a powerful and restorative experience. The Sivananda Yoga Ashram and Retreat Center is a beautiful, healing environment. If you're looking for a way to wind up 2017 and prepare for a healthy, empowered 2018, please join us!
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Make sure and check my
event calendar
regularly for details on all my upcoming classes, lectures, workshops and Webinars.
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Paul Epstein, ND
Mindful Healing: Mind-Body Integrative Medicine
(203) 226-3923
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Patient Appointments Available via Skype
In addition to my local, private practice in Westport, CT, I also see patients from all over the world via Skype.
Distance and time zone differences don't need to be a barrier to getting the help you need to facilitate your healing journey!
Take the first step towards your optimum health and healing: Call today to set up a Skype appointment!
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Mentoring Sessions Available via Skype
An important part of my work is to Mentor health care practitioners, students and physicians to become more fully Integrative in their approach to caring for their patients and clients.
Skype is a wonderful way to hold these sessions - convenient and easy!
If you are interested in learning life changing Mind-Body Therapies to add to your practice, call today to discuss a mentoring session, or mentoring program!
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Serenity is not freedom from the storm,
but peace amidst the storm...
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About Dr. Paul Epstein
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Paul Epstein, ND is a graduate of the National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM), specializing in Mindful Healing and Mind-Body Integrative Medicine.
He has more than 30 years experience in private practice successfully treating patients with powerful, life changing therapies.
Dr. Epstein is currently accepting new patients into his practice. He also works with healing professionals as a Professional Mentor to teach practitioners how to work in a truly integrative fashion in their own practice.
He is a pioneer and leading voice in Mind-Body Integrative Medicine lecturing internationally to both general and professional audiences.
Dr. Epstein is an extraordinary teacher who presents compelling topics that inform, educate, motivate and inspire. His work is helping create a much needed paradigm shift in the practice of medicine and the healing arts.
Don't ever miss the opportunity to experience Dr. Epstein!
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42 Richmondville Ave
Westport, CT 06880
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"Connecting the cell and the self"
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