Getting Into The Zone

The "zone." "Flow". Why does everyone aspire to get there? Does it conflict with the mindfulness of being in the moment right where you are (Of which I'm a great advocate.)? It's when we're "in the zone" that we achieve our peak performance. Flow only works when the subconscious takes over from the conscious mind -- not consciously thinking about what it is you're doing — instead, just doing it. It's only by having experience in doing that thing that your brain can form the requisite myelin pathways built up in your brain so you can get to and stay in that place quickly and easily. Getting into the zone also requires relaxing and feeling positive emotions. The benefits of being in the zone require one to be motivated enough to remain focused on the present moment.

According to James Allworth, in his article, "How To Get Into Your Zone" (Harvard Business Review, March 22, 2012), there are various ways that may help you get into your zone, and I have selected three: 1. Find & put yourself in an environment that is right for you, a location that is comfortable and appropriate for what you need to do; 2. Listen to music that activates the emotions to get you into the best mental state. Use headphones to block out any distractions; and 3. Exercise your body as well as your mind whether you want to get into the physical or mental zone. So, in order to get into the zone you need, focus, energy, and undistracted focus (using music often helps).

Getting into the zone is as important for professional athletes as it is for writers, workers, and spiritual seekers.We get into the zone because we want to, because we have clear goals, and because we know how to start or do something. Concentration keeps us in the zone, and making continuous progress makes us feel good about being there. Getting into the zone is not a mysterious, unnatural state; it can be reached practically anytime we know what we want to achieve and we enjoy doing so.

Last month, we had many opportunities to learn how to get into the zone. We enjoyed a crystal bowl concert; we got our yoga classes up and running; and we tapped and meditated and laughed until we each reached our respective zones. Reasearch has shown that making regular use of activities of this type have a cumulative effect and help us get into the zone more quickly so that we can be more productive and less stressed.

This month, we have all that -- AND MORE!! Libby is offering a new section of The Deep River Within: Reconnecting With Your Spirit, a 6-week course in exploring your unique spirit and reigniting it. Libby is also setting up a Soul Sunday, A Day In Which To Replenish, Inspire and Refocus; let her help you to find ways to get into your unique zone that are right for you. This is the type of quiet day that we all deserve. By request, Grace Bubeck is coming back to present a workshop on Flow; based on her previous interactive afternoon on intuition, I'm sure that you're going to be able to better understand and feel how flow happens for you.

If you were closed out of our previous Exploring My Relationship With Food - BHHC In-House Retreat Weekend, don't miss it this time around. Get great insights into yourself as you look carefully at the connection between yourself, your feelings, and your food. Even though we will follow a smootie/juice diet, the focus of this retreat is not about dieting; it's about how food makes you feel and about how feelings make you choose your food. It will be a relaxing, informative and insightful two days, all focused on you. Please reserve now because the group will be kept small.

There have been many requests for me to explain What Is Aromatherapy Really? So I've put together a Tea & Talk to do just that. Let's look at how to use essential oils safely and appropriately. Next month I will be running both 1 course for Using Aromatherapy With Friends & Family and 1 course for Professional Certification. This month's presentation gives you a chance to decide if Aromatherapy work is for you.

Have a Scent-Sational Month!
Sheryl Beller-Kenner, EdD, CH, CAHP, RCRT
Director & Naturopath

Time to clean out the burrow you've been hibernating in this winter? Back to school for the build-up to exams? Have additional projects at work?  Nothing relieves stress better than the fresh, sweet aroma of basil. Its spicy notes inspires clarity, increase memory, and support positive thinking.

Here are some of the properties that make basil so great for getting you up and about:

• Analgesic - pain killing
• Antidepressant - relieves lethargy and mental fatigue
• Antispasmodic - relieves spasms, cramps and spastic coughs
• Cephalic - regulates growth and function of brain & nervous system
• Nerve tonic & stimulant - stimulates and/or relaxes nerves, balancing the whole system

If you are interested in learning more, join up for one of our aromatherapy classes. This month all green herb essential oils are 20% off.

It's important for us to keep our mind stimulated, especially as we age. You would think that, in this busy world of ours, that we get all of the stimulation that we need. That may or may not be the case for you, but it is essential to keep your brain functioning well so that it can process things easily and efficiently.

A great source of omega-3 fats, which augment brain function, focus, and memory, avocado adds thickness to this smoothie. The basil also helps relax the brain so that it functions at its best.

If you'd like to spice things up a bit, you can use Holy Basil, Ocimum tenuiflorum, instead of regular basil tea. Tulsi is renowned for being calming, immune-strengthening, stress reducing, nervous system toning. It supports healthy vision, enhances respiratory function, increases metabolism, and maintains healthy blood sugar levels and digestion. It is also rich in antioxidants that slow down the excess oxidation that can harm your cells and tissues that can occur after prolonged periods of stress, to protect your body by neutralizing free radicals. It can refresh you when you feel tired, help with clarity of the mind, and even aid in supporting normal cholesterol levels. What a great, health-enhancing beverage for drinking on its own hot or cold.  We have some on our shelves, so give it a try!

Brain-Building Basil Smoothie

Ingredients

• 1 ripe avocado, halved and pitted
• 3/4 cup almond or whole milk
• 3/4 cup double-strength basil or holy basil tea
• 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
• Basil, thinly sliced, for garnish

Directions

1. Scoop the flesh from the avocado into a blender. Add milk, lime juice, sugar, and chopped basil; purée. Add 1 cup ice; purée until smooth.
2. Divide between 2 chilled glasses and garnish with thinly sliced basil.
3. Enjoy!

This month, all herbal -- including Tulsi! -- teas are 20% off.