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I diverted my attention from myself. . . In my previous article I thought of ways to prepare my ideal speech. Delivery is another matter. Some people seem to appear comfortable and relaxed on stage while speaking to strangers. You probably know at least one person like that. I'm not a politician and I don't run seminars but I can imagine the rush and envy of the personal enjoyment that this attention must bring. Business and networking circles communicate that if you can speak publicly you are respected, liked, and thought of highly as a leader. Engaging in public speaking exercises is said to improve seekers in terms of self confidence and achievement as someone else's role model. I gather that the message of Toastmasters is that nurturing communication skills is building personal success. It all sounds great, doesn't it? That was until an evaluator remarked while I stood alone on stage that I looked very nervous. I never went back. For months I mulled and depressed myself over the incident. I decided it was OK to feel this way. Instead, I began to concentrate on my present surroundings and the service I was providing. I stood up straight and still, calming myself, and speaking to seniors slowly in a conversational style, being aware of the space between my words as well as my message. Slowly, I began to enjoy the experience of sharing. Clients began asking questions and topics started flowing. Eventually, I diverted my attention from myself and a long-standing humiliation was no longer painful. |
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A routine keeps me focused Time passes, routines form and they gradually become comfortable to live with. A routine gives me time to relax and feel energized because I'm not stressed out performing sporadic activities I would rather not do now. One might call bathing, eating bran, green veggies, and drinking plenty of liquids more like daily enjoyable rituals. Some of us have a regular exercise routine such as a paper route, walking a dog, doing summer chores around the house, or golfing, all of which can become habitually engrained activities. If you are a care giver for someone in your family the tip that you may already know is the importance of establishing a routine. A routine is defined as performing the same activity in the same manner over time. A routine keeps me focused on an enjoyable task or hobby and diverts me to somewhere other than my own problems. The outcome is a sense of relief and a freedom from anxiety or agitation. Those latter two troublesome negatives love to blossom out of idleness and indecision. Perhaps like youthful times, every day becomes a new day, a new beginning. Most likely at some point, when I'm an old child, my routines will reassure me with some structure to see me through in spite of the confusion I'll sense around me. Even after I've forgotten most things and perceive the outside world as inhospitable, I will still be able to rely on a routine, however simple, to keep myself organized. So what is your routine today? |
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Origins in ancient cultures Aromatherapy has its origins in ancient cultures for the healing of body, spirit and mind. Previous associations in memory with essential oils combined with these odours are factors which make aromatherapy especially useful tool for the care of our inbound seniors. Oils from plants and flowers such as chamomile, rose, lemon balm, lavender and lemon oil are dispersed into the air to produce the desired effect. Essential oils extracted from plants and flowers are very potent by themselves and must be mixed with base oils when applied to the skin. Some doctors will not endorse aromatherapy but medical research has proven that aromatherapy promotes natural healing, relaxation, stress and headache relief, sleep improvement (West & Brockman 1994), mood boosting, hormonal regulation, muscle relaxation, immune system, circulation, and skin health. I cite the following survey completed in Australia: Directors of care and aromatherapy care planners from 28 residential aged care facilities were surveyed about their practices and perceptions of aromatherapy in their facility. A total of 1032 (59%) residents in these facilities received aromatherapy, with 47% receiving daily treatments. The treatments were applied by assistants in nursing in most facilities, with activities officers and registered nurses also applying the treatments. The one essential oil used by all facilities was lavender followed by most facilities using tea tree, geranium, eucalyptus and bergamot. Commercial blends were used by 15/28 facilities. The choice of individual essential oils and blends suggests that aromatherapy is considered effective for both behavioural/psychological symptoms and physical ailments like arthritic pain. Nearly all facilities used foot baths and hand, foot, limb and neck-and-shoulders massage. In conclusion, aromatherapy with touch had positive results and moderately reduced the amount of sedatives and analgesics used. Aromatherapy is used extensively but more research is needed in order to determine a “best practice”. Thank you for your comments. I am always pleased to respond to your emails. |
A diffuser and a bottle of essential oil
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