By Victoria Contoret

Relations with people are the main and inexhaustible source of life practice. Some of them bring us joy, others bring sadness. There are attitudes that frustrate us. We might also face people who are angry at us. A whole palette of emotions and sensations of human life passes through the neck of the relationship. And our relationship with loved and the closest ones play a particularly significant role in the process of the shaping of ourselves.

I’m talking about relationship within the family, primarily with parents, children, partners. Then follow the relationship with our friends, colleagues at work. I am also talking about family relationships in a broader sense of the family, such as for instance relationship with relatives. Very often distant relatives are very close to us, and close relatives are so far away that we almost cannot communicate with them.

I do not know anyone who lived a life without experiencing any kind of controversies or conflict with people who surround us. Relationships are a vital component, dynamic and constantly evolving. Therefore it is very important to realize that our sense of happiness and harmony depends on peace in our family,  harmonious and balanced relations with our environment in a direct proportion.

I want to consider the option, when relations undergo crises, when they collapse, do not work out. Why is it ever happening? What’s the reason? Why is there a misunderstanding between people and how to get rid of this misunderstanding and of the thoughts that are constantly coming back to these situations of misunderstanding and make our life unhappy?

There is a solution that I tried on myself and I want to share it with you. This solution is called “Distance of ecological communication”. Differences and similarities of people are key elements in understanding why certain relationships work, while others do not, why some people please us, and others make us feel sad. Here I do not mean the similarities and differences of people referring to their age, material status, social level, education, geography or language.

The basic principle by which we differ is Awareness. In the assessment and resolution of conflict situations, as a rule, the factor of Awareness is not taken into account as a measuring category of human characteristics. The lack of comprehension that we are all alike and different in the category of Awareness is often leading us either to deadlock situations or to long-lasting conflicts in our relationships. We are people, and all of us have a different level of awareness. If two people, whose levels of awareness are very different, try to build close relationships, then this practically never can lead to a positive result. Nonetheless, on the other hand, all people can communicate with each other in a friendly and peaceful manner in the way that the difference in the level of awareness is taken into consideration.

Relations are built in harmony when consciously or unconsciously we keep the Distance of Eco-Friendly Communication. What am I talking about?

At the core of the relationship lays communication. Communication between two entities is always the transfer and obtainment of information between these entities. Information can be expressed in verbal and written form, with a look, a movement or a hint. Whatever form of relationship is it, they will be healthy and long-term, if two people have in their relationship a finely-clocked distance of ecological communication.

Eco-friendly communication where two subjects can interact, i.e. transfer information to each other, without any misunderstandings and emotional attacks of aggression. I can describe this distance in communication through the concept of the word “eco-friendly” – it is not harmful to anyone, not harmful to yourself, capable to act and develop dynamically.

If our relations are in the zone of ecological communication with members of our family, then peace and harmony reign within our family hearth. As soon as there is not enough distance in communication that allows ecological communication to take place, the relations start to fall apart. The more roughly the distance of ecological communication is surpassed, the sharper will be the manifestation of mutual hostility, the more often and intensely you will face the signs of mutual rejection and the sharper will be the conflict. The importance of maintaining a distance of ecological communication is determined by the following components:

Human relationships are the main source of joy or sadness for everyone;

You cannot build all the relationships following the same template;

Healthy relationships are based on properly built communication;

Correctly focused communication is determined through the diagnosis of the level of awareness and the determination of the distance of ecological communication;

Surpassing of the distance of ecological communication leads to stress in relations and conflicts;

Any people can coexist peacefully if the distance of ecological communication is set up correctly;

Peace in the family depends on the correct adjustment of the distance of ecological communication between all members of the family in pairs;

Peace in the soul and happy relationships are the source of health, longevity, and prosperity in all the scopes.  When the relations are peaceful, harmonious and bringing joy, we never think about why these relations are so, what has led them to the harmonious state and how it turned out that they work out in such a wonderful way by themselves. Nonetheless, when relations begin to fall apart, distort or break, we begin to think about the reasons why this happens in our lives.

So, for each of us, relationships are important, each of us has the experience of good and bad relationships. Each of us takes a good relationship, both this and the due and each of us tries to establish a bad relationship if they suddenly arise.

Relations with people are a core element of peace in the soul, emotional and mental release of the each of us. A conscious attitude towards relationships with loved ones brings to our life a long-term sustainable effect: a happy life.

I share my insights on how to set the Distance of Environmental Communication correctly, how to measure the awareness of people, including my own in my webinars and workshops. You can all the necessary information in social networks. Come, I will be glad to see you and to share my knowledge with you.

By Bipin Baloni

Traveling to India on a Yoga Teacher Training expedition is the beginning of a transformative journey that lies ahead to welcome you to its full potential. As the starter moments of ‘culture shock’ begin to subside, the sheer untouched beauty and sacredness of the place, its traditions, and people begin to surface soon after. A Yoga Teacher Training in India is not a mere program but a journey that yogis come to embark upon from various corners of the globe. Whether the desire is to evolve into a complete Yogi or to become a great teacher of the discipline, a Yoga program in India helps establish these goals and gives so much more.  The range of outcomes and experiences may vary for each one of us since we are all individuals, but a series of mental, spiritual, and physical transformations unravel for each yogi in different forms. So, what is it really like – doing Yoga Teacher Training in India?

Connecting with the Soul of Yoga

Yoga and India are two bodies joined in a single spirit where one would simply cease to exist in its true form without the other. Why would they not be? Yoga is the legacy of India, the country being the mother bearer of this great mind-body science. Its origin can be traced back to more than 5000 years to the time of the Indus Valley Civilization in India. The science has continued to flourish and nurture ever since. This is the country where yogis are born as the science continues to descend from generations to the next in its original form. During the YTTC here, you do not learn Yoga, you come into ‘Yoga’ within and the celestial.

Embracing the Purity of Nature

The home of the Himalayas, the land of sacred Ganges, a country divided by its diversity of weather, culture, and topography, but assimilated in the spirit of Yoga and love greets each Yogi with open arms. Whether you are a mountaineer who dreams of dwelling in the greatest mountains of the globe that are also the home of Lord Shiva (the first Yogi of the Universe) or someone who is enthralled by the serenity of the beaches, dense rainforests, and tranquil backwaters, a Yoga expedition in India is full of the most mesmerizing landscapes and dreamy nature’s treasures.

Being under the Shadow of the Gurus

When we are talking Yoga in India, the presence of the honorable descendants of the science in the form of yoga gurus and masters is the next thing that strikes the mind. Be prepared to unlock the hidden potential of your body and mind as you come under the guidance of these teachers and gurus as the YTTC unravels. Unlike the west, the teachers here place a mutual prominence on each aspect of Yoga – Physical, Mental, and Spiritual.

Finding a Blend of Traditional and Globally-Recognized Experience

The yoga schools in India (the best ones) impart Yoga Training that is not only traditionally authentic but is also in line with the set standards of Yoga on a global spectrum. The purpose of offering this fine blend is to make sure that a Yoga TTC graduate from India not only takes back authentic learning of Yoga but is also eligible to share his or her experiences as a certified teacher of the discipline anywhere in the world. A certified Yoga TT graduate from India is at the liberty to contribute to the yoga community as the preacher of the science across the globe.

Living With Entities from Different Corners of the Globe

India witnesses a number of yogi travelers each season. Hence, you shall come across people from various corners of the worlds as your batch mates. Living with these entities is a unique experience of its own where you get the chance to meet people who might share the same interests as you do. Engage in discussions with them as you build eternal bonds with them. People even find their soul mate here. Yoga symbolizes eternal love with the ‘Self’ and ‘life’.

Discovering the Body and Its Spirit

A YTTC expedition in India is all about exploring the Self so that a point of union with the power of the universe can take place. Not just physical Self, the program is also about discovering and further honing the command of the mind, body, and soul in its true form. Do not be surprised if a certain distress does not seem to bother you as much as it used to before you underwent the program. This just means that you are truly embracing the power of Yoga into your life.

Amalgamating Yoga with Ayurveda

Ah! Getting introduced to Yoga’s sibling ‘Ayurveda’ is another major aspect of the Yoga Training program in India. Ayurveda is the ancient-most medicinal system of the world that was developed in India around 5000 years back right after Yoga. The science is used for treating multiple ailments and disorders. It is also applied in amalgamation with yoga practices for achieving target outcomes. Ayurveda is a major component of YTTC journey in India.

Exploring Yoga without Compromising the Bills

Even if you are well-off and money is the least of your concern, if there was a chance that quality and reliable cost were parts of the same package then we would not like to miss it for the world. And, this is exactly what a Yoga TTC in India has on offer.

Be ‘whole’ with Yoga in India!

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Author Bio :Bipin Baloni is a passionate Yogi, Yoga Teacher and a Traveller in India. He teaches Ayurveda Courses India. He loves writing and reading books related to yoga, health, nature and the Himalayas.

Website: https://rishikulayurshala.com/

By Alycia Gordan 

Many philosophies in the world consider physical and mental health a joint entity rather than two separate ones. Much like physical fitness, mental well-being is something that can easily be worked on. When seeking help to address a mental health concern, we are presented with numerous medications as well as treatment options.

A commonly ignored aspect of this scenario is the influence of lifestyle on one’s health; both physical and mental. A study carried out at the University of Illinois concluded that patients who exhibited the greatest number of symptoms were, in fact, the ones that were given all kinds of advice but that of introducing changes in their lifestyle to get better.

Lifestyle changes, in fact, have the most significant impact on the quality of life for everyone but particularly for those battling mental illness. Introducing small changes in diet and exercising for instance, not only helps mental health but also has reduced the risk of developing conditions that can compromise your quality of life such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, etc.

Following are some lifestyle changes that we can enforce in our lives that will prevent us from mental illness of any kind.

1. Healthy Diet

Diet has the most monumental impact on physical as well as mental health. Studies reveal that fruits and vegetables induce better mental wellbeing. Good mental health, in turn, can protect physical health as well. Optimism, resilience, happiness and self-esteem boosts are all factors that better general mental wellbeing. While fruits and vegetables are responsible for aiding mental wellbeing, on the other end of the spectrum, foods rich in fats are said to contribute to an increased risk of developing psychiatric symptoms. Fatty food consumption is now believed to be associated with anxiety, repetition, inflammation in the brain and most significantly, impaired memory.

This does not mean all fats are harmful to your health. Healthy fats such as omega-3 fatty acids are foods that in fact help boost mental wellbeing and keeping neurodegenerative disorders at bay. Their neuro protective effects have been studied under multiple research studies particularly those that deal with memory loss diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and mixed dementia. When it comes down to the signs of dementia, one sign is the presence of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, so the two conditions go hand in hand.

Similar to saturated fats, sugars are addictive and induce rapid weight gain. This response is also a contributing factor to depression and low self-esteem.

A healthy diet for a healthy mind ideally constitutes of fruits, vegetables, fish, grains, nuts and a limited amount of dairy and meat. Cut down saturated fats and sugars down to a minimum and watch yourself heal with time using only diet modification.

2. Regular Exercise

Exercise plays as much of a monumental role as diet when it comes to mental wellbeing. Studies revealed that exercise is almost somewhat of a magical anecdote for those struggling with mental illness particularly those dealing with depression and anxiety. Multiple studies carried out to study the effect of exercise on mental health concluded that simple exercise such as even a casual stroll of half an hour can help heal your mind and ward off mental illnesses like depression. Patients dealing with illnesses like mixed dementia and schizophrenia can aid greatly from regular exercise. Not only does diet help keep your mind fit but it also keeps your body fit. A fit body makes you feel good. Weight gain is one of the primary causes of many mental illnesses. Controlling one of the main causes can in turn control a possible mental health condition as well. Exercise is the most inexpensive antidepressant that helps lower the risk of developing depression altogether.

3. Stress Reduction

Stress is a part of daily life, and we all deal with it on a daily basis. While some experience the effects of stress more than others, stress is a factor that heavily influences mental wellbeing. Stress relief is one of the best ways in which you can retard this cycle of the brain and mental health deterioration. A tried and tested method of stress relief is practicing meditation and mindfulness. It is said that meditating daily for even 25 minutes helps build one’s resilience and also reduce stress levels. It is also studied to help alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Yoga is a powerful tool that helps reduce stress in an individual as it enables an individual to reflect and perceive things in a different light. Looking at the world with a more positive insight and in a way that is less threatening is considered monumental progress for someone dealing with a mental health disorder.

4. Proper Sleep

Maintain a good sleeping schedule to rejuvenate your body and your mind. Sleep is extremely important, and for one to be able to maintain good stable mental health, one must commit to a solid 8-hour sleeping schedule in addition to eating healthy and exercising regularly. Poor sleep is known to contribute to not just brain health deterioration but also various other complications that can compromise your quality of life. From fatigue to triggering symptoms of ailments as serious as schizophrenia, give your mind a break and take rest. Good sleep helps reduce stress, boost one’s mood, rejuvenate our bodies and also help protect the brain. If you are having sleeping troubles, consult a doctor and avoid switching to sleeping aids.

5. Outdoors Exposure

Spending time outdoors allows one to experience something beyond the confines of their room. Fresh air, sunlight exposure, the sound of birds and the movement of everything around them is all very refreshing. Spending some time outdoors daily is the best way to take a break from your schedule and take a deep breath to let out all your worries and stress.

6. Interact with Others

Humans base their survival on socializing with those around them. Spending a portion of your time with friends, family or a new group of individuals instigates healthy conversation and gives you a much-needed break from work. Interacting with others allows you to realize all that you have and thereby makes you appreciate it more. Social isolation is known to accelerate the risk of mental illness development which is why it is advised to engage in open discussion and socialize. 

Mental health still continues to be a stigma in this day and age which is why it is crucial to talk about too openly and publicly. Dealing with mental health requires more management than it does treatment. A challenging ordeal, the first step on the road to recovery is the first meeting with your clinician. Do not be afraid to go into thorough detail or asking any questions.

Ask them about what kind of changes you can make in your daily routine to get better. With the right headspace and mindset, you can come back from mental illness. However, if you start taking care of yourself from now, you can put a halt to this process altogether. Introduce changes in your routine if you wish to keep any sort of mental illness at bay. We are all at risk; what truly makes a difference is recognizing those problems early and working to fix them as soon as possible to help ourselves and those around us as well.

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About Alycia Gordan 

Alycia Gordan is a freelance writer who loves to read and write articles on healthcare technology, fitness and lifestyle. She is a tech junkie and divides her time between travel and writing. You can find her on Twitter: @meetalycia

By Crystal Hampton

Throughout college I thought everyone drank like me.  There were constant parties and nights at the bar. What I didn’t realize was that everyone else around me could stop when they needed to but I could not.  I would drink to the point of blacking out until I got sick. The next day I would be so hungover that I would use the “hair of the dog” to offset my hangover and then I was off and running again for the rest of the day drinking.  This became the vicious cycle of my everyday life.

Addiction Doesn’t Discriminate

I began teaching first grade and my drinking became an everyday occurance.  I would wake up incredibly hung over, and oftentimes getting sick in the class bathroom before my students came in for the day.  I was then responsible for eighteen little ones for the day, keeping them safe, and receiving the education that they deserved. While I was in the height of my addiction, I was also in the classroom teaching and fighting for my life.  

The teaching profession as a whole is underappreciated, underpaid, demanding, and stressful to say the least.  Because of this problem drinking and alcoholism are very common in the profession. Myself and my colleges often hit the bars on the weekends, and always heard from others there that teachers were always the craziest drinkers there.  This was also compounded by the fact that while in the classroom working with students, their parents and the staff we had to maintain a high level of professionalism, and the image of a sweet and innocent elementary school teacher. No one wants to think the future generation of our country is in the hands of an alcoholic.  The stigma attached to alcoholism is one that needs to change. But sadly even when you are clean and sober if you tell someone you are an alcoholic they picture someone who is homeless, living on a park bench. The disease of addiction does not discriminate, and affects people of all genders, ages, races, and sexual orientation.

Hitting “Rock Bottom”

My 30th birthday I hit my breaking point.  I got so drunk that I blacked out, drank all of the alcohol in my friends house, stole money from her husbands wallet, and drove thirty minutes across town and woke up the next morning with no idea where I was or how I got there. I do not know how I did not kill myself or someone else that night on the road.  I can’t even describe the feelings of shame, regret, and guilt I had for my actions.I had no idea what to do but knew I had to do something. I could not go on living this way.

My Journey into Recovery

That summer I had been babysitting for a woman and her two children.  After a couple of months of watching her children she came back home with her entire extended family.  I asked what they had done and if they had fun. She responded, “Yes, I was picking up my three year medallion for AA.” I could not believe this woman who seemed to have the most perfect life,and family was a alcoholic!  I reached out to the woman I had babysat for and told her I needed help. She helped get me into a outpatient alcohol rehab center where I went to my first AA meeting.  I cried the entire time. I kept coming back because that’s what I was told to do and clearly any decision I made for my life was not the right one.  The women in AA carried and loved me until I learned to love myself.

I was sober barely thirty days the beginning of the next school year.  I was teaching during the day, and then attending a AA meeting everyday after school.  The students, their parents, and my colleges had no idea I was an alcoholic in recovery.  I was so grateful that AA was an anonymous program and I did not have to worry about others knowing this part of my life unless I told them myself.  I would go out with my teacher friends and would be the only one not drinking. I explained to them I had stopped drinking due to health reasons to protect my anonymity and my position in my profession.  This is what I choose for my recovery but everyone is different. After some time I did decide to share that I was a recovering alcoholic and addict with my closest friends. They could not believe I was an alcoholic because I seemed to have my life together.  I explained to them that the life I had today was only because I working a honest program in alcoholics anonymous and their support in my journey was beautiful!

Raising Awareness

I now work for a digital marketing company where I am able to share my experience, strength and hope with other struggling alcoholics.  My hope is that sharing my story will help to break the stigma that comes with being an alcoholic, or addict. If you are struggling and are sick and tired of being sick and tired there is another way of life! Through the 12 steps of AA, working an anonymous program you can begin to heal the wreckage of your past.  This part of your life is something that you can choose who you want to share it with, and who you do not. Recovery is for you and so you can live the beautiful, healthy, and happy life you deserve!

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Crystal Hampton is a 37 year old avid writer from South Florida.  She loves snuggling with her teacup yorkie Gator and boyfriend Adam.  She works for a digital marketing company that advocates spreading awareness on the disease of addiction. Her passion in life is to help others by sharing her experience, strength, and hope.   

https://nashvilleoutpatientrehab.com/