MORE ADVANCED EXERCISES FOR SELF-MANAGEMENT OF ANXIETY: COMBINING THE EXERCISES WITH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

We naturally think of being quite still while we are relaxing. This is so for the early stages. However, we have now mastered the technique. We are familiar with the relaxed feeling of the mind, and we have learned to induce it quite easily and quickly while sitting down. We have now reached the stage when we can practise the exercises while we are actually doing things.

The first step in this direction is a very simple one. As we relax, we allow our eyes to open a little, and to close again very slowly. We do this in time with our breathing. As we breathe in our eyes open, then they close again as we breathe out. All the time we maintain the deep relaxation of our mind. At first we are content to have our eyes open just a little. As we become more experienced, they can open wider and wider.

The next stage is to do our exercises as we walk slowly down the street. We feel the relaxation of our mind. We are conscious of the ease and rhythm of our body as we move; and all the time we are aware of the relaxation of the muscles of our face and the calm of our mind.

In a similar way the housewife can practise while doing rhythmical domestic tasks such as polishing or using the vacuum cleaner on the floor. By this means the calm and ease of mind induced by the exercises is kept with us in all the tasks of our everyday life.

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THE ROLE OF NUTRITION IN ARTHRITIS TREATMENT: NOTE FOR PERSONS WITH ARTHRITIS

The program of vital nutrition outlined above has the greatest potential for optimum health and prevention of disease. It is important to realize, however, that a diet which is perfect for the building of health and prevention of disease is not necessarily the best possible diet for a sick person. Particularly in the case of arthritis, certain specific changes in this general nutritional plan must be made. During the first stages of a therapeutic biological program, for example, all bread and milk should be excluded, with the exception of soured milk and yogurt, sprouted grains, and raw wheat germ. The only form of cheese permitted is homemade cottage cheese. When the patient is well on his way to recovery, whole grain bread and milk and milk products can be gradually added to the diet again. However, a person recovering or recovered from arthritis should always be careful with acid-forming foods: bread, cereals, animal proteins, cheese, etc. It is imperative to continue with the program of vital nutrition long after recovery if lasting results are to be expected. The biological program of treatments establishes favorable conditions in your body for the rebuilding and healing processes to take place. These favorable conditions must be maintained indefinitely in order to assure the continuance of good health and prevent the recurrence of disease.

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