Invitation to Holistic Health : A Guide to Living a Balanced Life

by Eliopoulos, Charlotte

• ISBN13: 9780763745622
• ISBN10: 0763745626
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-04-01
• Publisher: Jones & Bartlett

Summary

Invitation to Holistic Health: A Guide to Living a Balanced Life provides solid principles and proven measures to promote optimal health and well-being using a holistic approach. This timely and relevant resource combines holistic health theory, practical application, and the knowledge of holistic health experts in an easy to read style. It provides students and healthcare professionals with the knowledge necessary to develop a healthy mind, body, and spirit. Written by health professionals who share insights based on experience in developing and implementing holistic care, this guide will empower you to achieve your highest state of health. Invitation to Holistic Health provides practical "how to" information for using natural and complementary therapies and addresses other issues pertaining to health that are not typically included in general health promotion texts, such as immune enhancement, nutritional supplements, financial health, building healthy relationships, healing environments, partnering with your health care provider, and surviving care giving. For the entire list of contributors of this book, click on the additional information link below. Download the Instructor's Manual Now Available Invitation to Holistic Health is special not only because of its unique content, but also because of the fact that it was written entirely by a committed group of holistic nurses. Although contributors are typically the unsung heroes in books like these, we would like to cast some light on these fine holistic nurses. They are: Ann McKay Anneke Young Barbara Ann Stark Betty Stadler Carol M. Patton Carole Ann Dric Charlene Christiano Cynthia Aspromonte Eve Karpinski Genevieve Bartol Irene Wade Belcher Jane Buckle Joan Efinger Joyce Murphy Julia Balzer Riley Katherine Young Linda Coulston Linda Weaver Marilee Tolen

Table of Contents

PART I Strengthening Your Inner Resources	1	(112)
Chapter 1 Assessing Your Health Habits	3	(14)
Self-Assessment	4	(1)
Physical Self-Assessment	5	(7)
Stress Patterns and Coping Mechanisms	12	(1)
Chapter Summary	13	(1)
Suggested Readings	14	(3)
Chapter 2 Healthful Nutrition	17	(30)
What is Nutrition?	18	(1)
Refuel, Reload, Rejuvenate	19	(2)
Small Changes Can Make Big Differences	21	(1)
A Nutritional Evaluation	21	(1)
The Tune-Up	22	(1)
A Nutritional Lifestyle for the Ages	22	(2)
The Food Guide Pyramid and Other Helpers	24	(6)
Nutrition Facts Label	30	(1)
Nutrition Panel Format	30	(1)
Nutrition at Different Life Stages	31	(1)
Diversity in Nutritional Lifestyles	31	(1)
The Macronutrients	32	(3)
The Micronutrients	35	(5)
Chapter Summary	40	(1)
References	40	(1)
Suggested Readings	41	(1)
Resources	42	(5)
Chapter 3 Dietary Supplements	47	(26)
Views on Vitamin Supplementation	48	(1)
How the Government Is Involved	48	(2)
A Supplement Extravaganza	50	(5)
Supplement Labels	55	(1)
Birth Defects	56	(2)
Antioxidants	58	(1)
Benefits vs. Risks of Antioxidant Supplementation	58	(4)
Phytochemicals	62	(1)
Benefits and Risks of Phytonutrient Supplementation	62	(2)
Hypertension	64	(1)
Diabetes Mellitus	64	(2)
Essential Fatty Acids	66	(1)
Osteoporosis	67	(1)
Sorting It All Out	67	(1)
Chapter Summary	68	(1)
References	68	(2)
Suggested Readings	70	(1)
Internet Resources	71	(2)
Chapter 4 Exercise: Mindfulness in Movement	73	(12)
What Does It Mean to Exercise?	74	(1)
Benefits of Exercise	75	(2)
What Does Exercise Look and Feel Like?	77	(1)
The Mechanics of Breathing	78	(1)
Aerobic Exercise	79	(2)
Muscle Strengthening Exercises	81	(1)
Energy-Building Exercises	81	(1)
Any Activity Can Benefit Your Health	82	(1)
Chapter Summary	83	(1)
Suggested Readings	83	(2)
Chapter 5 Immune Enhancement: Mind/Body Considerations	85	(10)
Components of the Immune System	86	(1)
Function of the Lymphatic Systems	86	(2)
Enhancing Lymphatic Flow	88	(1)
Signs of Imbalanced Immune Function	89	(1)
Boosting Immunologic Health	90	(2)
Caring for the Immune System by Caring for Self	92	(1)
Chapter Summary	93	(1)
References	94	(1)
Suggested Readings	94	(1)
Chapter 6 Flowing with the Reality of Stress	95	(18)
The Concept of Stress	96	(1)
The Body's Physical Response to Stress	97	(1)
Sources of Stress	98	(4)
Stress and Disease	102	(1)
Stress-Reduction Measures	102	(6)
Chapter Summary	108	(1)
References	108	(2)
Suggested Readings	110	(3)
PART II Developing Healthy Lifestyle Practices	113	(152)
Chapter 7 Growing Health Relationships	115	(16)
Identifying Healthy versus
Unhealthy Relationships	116	(2)
Your Relationship to Self	118	(1)
The Search for the Authentic Self	119	(2)
Intimacy versus Isolation, Love versus Fear	121	(2)
Body Memories as Blocked Manifestations of Relating	123	(1)
The Role of Forgiveness in Relationships	124	(1)
Personal Characteristics in the Development of Healthy Relationships	124	(3)
Chapter Summary	127	(1)
References	128	(1)
Suggested Readings	129	(2)
Chapter 8 Survival Skills for Families	131	(26)
Family Identity	133	(4)
Family and Work	137	(3)
Families and Leisure	140	(1)
Healthy Habits for Families	141	(2)
Healthy Options	143	(4)
Patterns/Repatterning	147	(2)
Holistic Parenting	149	(5)
Chapter Summary	154	(1)
References	154	(1)
Recommended Readings	155	(1)
Related Web Sites	155	(2)
Chapter 9 The Spiritual Connection	157	(18)
Spirituality and Religion	157	(1)
Spirituality as a Broader Perspective	158	(1)
Planetary Connectedness	159	(1)
Being, Knowing, and Doing	159	(2)
Learning From Relationships	161	(2)
Being Honest	163	(1)
Gratitude	163	(1)
Spirituality as Lived Experience	164	(1)
Moving to Solutions	165	(1)
Spiritual Preparation for Heath and Healing	166	(2)
Service as Healing	168	(1)
Health Benefits of Faith	169	(1)
Attention, Attitudes, and Healing	169	(2)
The Spiritual Connection	171	(1)
Chapter Summary	171	(1)
Reference	172	(1)
Suggested Readings	172	(1)
Related Web Sites	173	(2)
Chapter 10 Balancing Work and Life	175	(16)
Meanings of Work	175	(2)
Positive Work Experiences	177	(1)
Negative Work Experiences	178	(2)
Organizational Changes	180	(1)
What Is to Be Done?	180	(1)
What Our Language Tells Us	180	(3)
Balancing Work and Life	183	(1)
Converting Negative into Positive Work Experiences	183	(1)
Life-Balancing Skills	184	(4)
Chapter Summary	188	(1)
Exploring the Web	188	(1)
References	189	(1)
Suggested Readings	189	(2)
Chapter 11 Creative Financial Health	191	(12)
What Is Money?	192	(1)
Beliefs About Money	192	(1)
Energetic Principles of Money	193	(1)
Money as Spiritual Energy	194	(1)
Money as Metaphor	194	(1)
Universal Laws	195	(1)
How Universal Laws Work	195	(2)
Your Mission Becomes Your Money	197	(1)
Passion Creates Magnetism	198	(1)
Fulfilling Mission versus Collecting a Paycheck	199	(1)
From a Mechanistic to a Holistic Perspective on Money	199	(2)
Chapter Summary	201	(1)
References	201	(1)
Suggested Readings	201	(2)
Chapter 12 Environmental Effects on the Immune System	203	(22)
Internal and External Environments	204	(1)
Immune System	204	(1)
Toxicity	204	(1)
Heavy Metals	205	(5)
Reducing Environmental Risks to Health	210	(7)
Chelation Therapy	217	(4)
Chapter Summary	221	(1)
References	221	(1)
Suggested Readings	222	(3)
Chapter 13 Promoting a Healing Environment	225	(8)
Sunlight	227	(1)
Color	227	(1)
Clutter	228	(1)
Sound	229	(1)
Scents	229	(1)
Feng Shui	230	(1)
Flavors	230	(1)
Touch	231	(1)
Chapter Summary	231	(1)
References	231	(1)
Suggested Readings	232	(1)
Web Resources	232	(1)
Chapter 14 The Power of Touch	233	(18)
In the Beginning, There Was Touch	234	(1)
Ancient Societies	234	(1)
Religious Stronghold	234	(1)
Science and Medicine	235	(1)
We Have Come Full Circle	236	(1)
Will Science Prove It Works?	237	(3)
Energy as a Component of Touch	240	(1)
The Role of Chi	240	(1)
The Energy Fields or Auras	241	(2)
Humans as Multidimensional Beings	243	(1)
Touch Is Powerful	243	(3)
The Practice of Touch	246	(1)
Chapter Summary	247	(1)
References	248	(1)
Suggested Readings	249	(2)
Chapter 15 Taking Life Lightly: Humor, The Great Alternative	251	(14)
Health Benefits of Humor	252	(1)
Positive versus Negative Humor	253	(1)
Develop Your Comic Vision	254	(3)
Plan to Laugh	257	(1)
Plan to Play	257	(1)
Humor and Play at Work	258	(4)
Humor at Home	262	(1)
Be an Ambassador for Humor	263	(1)
Chapter Summary	263	(1)
References	263	(1)
Humor and Health Resources	264	(1)
PART III Taking Charge of Challenges to the Mind, Body, and Spirit	265
Chapter 16 Understanding the Hidden Meaning of Symptoms	267	(8)
Purposes of Warning Signs	268	(1)
Good Health as a Process	269	(2)
Warning Signs as Opportunities	271	(1)
Symptoms as Teachers	272	(1)
Chapter Summary	273	(1)
Suggested Readings	273	(2)
Chapter 17 Working in Partnership with Your Health Practitioner	275	(16)
Responsibilities When Seeking Health Care	276	(6)
Choosing an Insurance Health Plan	282	(1)
How to Get Quality Care	282	(4)
Chapter Summary	286	(1)
Suggested Readings	287	(1)
Resources	287	(4)
Chapter 18 Menopause: Time of the Wise Woman	291	(26)
Menopause as a Sacred Journey	293	(1)
Taking Charge	293	(1)
The Energetics of Healing	294	(1)
The Art of Mindfulness	294	(1)
The Art of Healing	295	(1)
Defining Menopause	295	(1)
Estrogen	296	(3)
Options	299	(1)
Natural versus Synthetic Hormones	299	(1)
Hormonal Replacement	300	(2)
Multistep Approach	302	(4)
Managing Specific Symptoms	306	(3)
Triggers to Hot Flashes	309	(2)
The Art of Self-Care	311	(1)
The Celebration	312	(1)
Chapter Summary	313	(1)
References	314	(1)
Suggested Readings	314	(1)
Resources	315	(2)
Chapter 19 Addiction: Diseases of Fear, Shame, and Guilt	317	(18)
Scenarios of Addictions	318	(1)
Definitions of Addictions	319	(1)
Prognosis for Addicts and Their Families	319	(1)
Who Are Addicts?	319	(2)
Commonalties Among Addictions	321	(1)
Help, Hope, Healing, and Health	321	(5)
Denial	326	(1)
Efinger Addictions Risk Survey (EARS)	327	(1)
Treatment Modalities and an Essential
Paradigm Shift	328	(1)
Holistic Approach to Healing Using Feedback on Risk Factors	329	(1)
Healing the Mind	330	(1)
Healing the Body	331	(1)
Healing the Spirit	332	(1)
Chapter Summary	332	(1)
References	333	(1)
Suggested Readings	333	(1)
Internet Resources	334	(1)
Chapter 20 Symptoms and Chakras	335	(10)
Chakras	335	(7)
Putting It All Together	342	(1)
Chapter Summary	342	(1)
References	342	(1)
Suggested Readings	343	(2)
Chapter 21 Safe Use of Complementary Therapies	345	(38)
History	347	(1)
Holistic Health Beliefs	347	(2)
Acute and Chronic Illness	349	(1)
Self-Awareness: Body Wisdom	349	(2)
Selecting a Therapy	351	(1)
Choosing a Practitioner	351	(2)
Common Complementary and Alternative Therapies	353	(1)
Alternative Systems of Medical Practice	354	(6)
Manual Healing Methods	360	(4)
Body-Movement Therapy	364	(2)
Mind-Body Therapies	366	(3)
Pharmacologic and Biologic Treatments	369	(1)
Herbal Medicine	370	(2)
Chapter Summary	372	(1)
References	373	(1)
Suggested Readings	373	(2)
Resources	375	(8)
Chapter 22 Herbal Remedies	383	(28)
Historical Uses of Herbs and Folklore	384	(2)
Phytochemicals' Actions on the Body	386	(1)
Getting Started	386	(4)
Cultivating Herbal Wisdom	390	(2)
Quick Review of Some Popular Herbs	392	(14)
Chapter Summary	406	(1)
Suggested Readings	407	(1)
Publications	407	(1)
Organizations	407	(1)
Resources	408	(3)
Chapter 23 Aromatherapy: Common Scents	411	(22)
Extraction	412	(2)
Identification	414	(1)
How It Works	415	(1)
How Scents Affect You	415	(1)
Who Uses Aromatherapy?	416	(1)
Types of Aromatherapy	416	(1)
Methods of Using Aromatherapy	416	(1)
Aromatherapy and Women's Health	417	(4)
Aromatherapy for Common Complaints	421	(2)
Actions	423	(1)
Risks and Safety	424	(3)
Adverse Reactions	427	(1)
Administration	427	(1)
Self-Help vs. Professional	427	(1)
Chapter Summary	428	(1)
References	429	(1)
Suggested Readings	430	(1)
Resources	430	(3)
Chapter 24 Effective Use of Homeopathic Remedies	433	(12)
Principles of Homeopathy: Actions of Homeopathic Remedies	434	(1)
Homeopathic Remedies	435	(3)
Types, Safety, and Effectiveness of Remedies	438	(1)
Guidelines for Using Homeopathic Remedies	438	(3)
Chapter Summary	441	(1)
References	441	(1)
Suggested Readings	442	(3)
Chapter 25 Medication Wisdom	445	(14)
Consumer Issues Related to Prescription Medications	446	(4)
Common Consumer Medication Mistakes and How to Avoid Them	450	(4)
Suggested Times for Taking Scheduled Medications	454	(1)
Strategies to Assess Medication's Effectiveness	455	(1)
Chapter Summary	455	(1)
References	456	(1)
Suggested Readings	456	(3)
Chapter 26 Surviving Caregiving	459	(18)
Sandwich Generation	460	(1)
Many Faces of Caregiving	460	(1)
Advance Directives	461	(1)
Financial Considerations	462	(1)
Age-Related Changes:	463	(2)
Function vs. Diagnosis	465	(1)
Medications	466	(1)
Becoming a Caregiver	466	(1)
Finding Help	467	(1)
Support Groups	467	(1)
Planning	468	(1)
Stresses of Caregiving	469	(1)
Long Distance Caregiving	469	(1)
Being Proactive	470	(2)
Chapter Summary	472	(1)
Suggested Readings	473	(1)
Resources	474	(3)
Resources	477	(14)
Index	491