Debbie Mandel’s
Turn On Your Inner Light
Weekly Wellness Newsletter
May 1, 2005
www.TurnOnYourInnerLight.com


Affirmation of the Week
 Remember that whatever
you have accomplished in life,
someone helped you.
Weekly Wellness Radio Show

The Turn On your Inner Light Radio Show airs Tuesday evenings 7:00 to 7:30pm, on WGBB 1240AM in Long Island. Listeners outside the Long Island area can listen to the show live by going to WGBB Live. The shows are archived for your listening pleasure.

Guest of the Week - Dr. Keith Campbell

On May 3, 2005 - Dr. Keith Campbell, Professor of Psychology at the University of Georgia, and the author of When You Love A Man Who Loves Himself. Learn how to deal with men or women with this personality disorder.

Health Tips of the Week

  • If you are having elective surgery, summertime may be the best time for it. Exposure to summer sunshine gives us high levels of Vitamin D which improves recovery times.
  • A new study shows that prolonged stress accelerates the aging of cells. This has implications for health and longevity. Research claims that chronic stress weakens the immune system.
  • The popular diet book, French Women Don’t Get Fat is a bit misleading. Since the 1990’s, French women have been gaining weight; in fact, 1 out of 10 is obese. Also, more French women smoke than American women and smoking may be the reason for their thinness. According to researchers portion size is the underlying reason for trim French figures. When French food is served in restaurants and when French cook books give recipes, the portions are much smaller than American counterparts. Bon Appetit!
  • People who are modestly overweight actually have a lower risk of death than those of "normal" weight. Also note that being very thin caused a slight increase in the risk of death.
  • A new study shows that Alzheimer's disease may be slowed down by regular exercise.
  • As a result of cabin pressure changes on commercial airplanes, oxygen levels drop to a degree that could be dangerous for people with heart and lung problems. For healthy people, a 4% dip in oxygen might not even be noticed. However, for people with heart and lung conditions this could lead to a dangerous drop in blood oxygen. Also, older people are affected the most.

Article of the Week -
Don't Feel Responsible for Everybody’s Happiness!

Many women are archetypal rescuers – they feel responsible for the happiness of those in their immediate circle. They just can’t bear it when a spouse or a child is disappointed or upset because they see it as their duty to fix the misery. However, there is a considerable difference between playing the role of a rescuer and providing support and compassion. Consider it like this: Instead of giving someone who is hungry a fish to eat, it is better to teach him how to fish. Absorbing our loved one’s stress, we lose our positive energy – ultimately we are no good to ourselves or to our family and friends.

Mothers are by nature caregivers and nurturers. Generally, women are trained for this role since childhood when they learn to be accommodating and perfectionists. However, the impulse to rescue stems from its opposite - feeling like a victim and not having enough self-esteem. As a rescuer, a person feels empowered: “You need me.” However, by taking care of everyone’s needs, you actually cripple that person because he does not develop traits like: independent thinking, courage, or compassion. If a person never feels vulnerable or has to save himself, then how can he become compassionate and forgiving? Disappointments and mistakes lead to an appreciation of happiness and success.

It is important for children and adults to cry when they feel sad or disappointed. Crying releases serotonin – that’s why the phrase, “I had a good cry.” Everyone needs quiet time to sort things out, so let them. A person with good self-esteem does not live vicariously through a spouse or a child. When a person is secure with her identity, she allows others to discover theirs. Someone who is always giving will inevitably tip over. More

Frank Mikulka's Fitness Tip Of The Week
With all the talk about overweight children, if I wanted my child, a boy, to strength train, what are the guidelines to follow? (Carol, Greenvale) Answer

Send your fitness question to: fitness@turnonyourinnerlight.com

Debbie Mandel, MA is the author of Turn On Your Inner Light: Fitness for Body, Mind and Soul, a stress-reduction specialist, motivational speaker, a personal trainer and mind/body lecturer. She is the host of the weekly Turn On Your Inner Light Show on WGBB 1240 AM in Long Island and has been featured on radio/ TV and print media.

To learn more: www.turnonyourinnerlight.com