Category: Blog

Power of Visualization

Shobhna Batta

I got introduced to the concept of Visualization through a book I read a few years ago called Mind Power by John Kehoe. In the book, John gave powerful examples of how people treated their diseases and fulfilled their dreams by following one simple technique – visualization. I was intrigued. I started looking at the concept into more detail and was surprised that this was a very popular technique used by athletes, millionaires, celebrities to achieve success.

I did not fully adopt the concept until recently when I started a daily meditation practice. In this type of meditation, the last two minutes of your meditation is “Manifestation”, where you visualize the desired state as it is happening right in front of you. It’s that simple. Needless to say, I was very impressed as to how powerful the results were!

What is Visualization: Visualization is simply a mental rehearsal of your desired future. It requires you to want something, perceive it, and believe in it. It requires you to create images in your mind of having or doing whatever it is that you want. 

Numerous studies have supported the benefits of visualization for treating a variety of conditions from chronic pain, arthritis, asthma, anxiety to insomnia. Many people use visualization to heal themselves emotionally and physically and accomplish goals such as losing weight, getting pregnant or quitting smoking. It is very popular amongst elite athletes to get them to perform better, therapists use it to help patients heal from trauma.

Brain studies now reveal that thoughts produce the same mental instructions as actions. Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio, compared “people who worked out physically with people who “visualized carrying out their workouts”. He found that a 30% muscle increase in the group who went to the gym and the group who conducted mental exercises increased muscle strength by almost half as much (13.5%). [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14998709]

Similar studies were done on athletes and patients and the results were very positive. One would argue that why should I work if everything can be achieved just by visualization. Visualization can help you get closer to your desired results and make the circumstances favorable to reach them but only action and hard work can get you to achieve them.

There are many different ways you can incorporate it in your lives:

  • Start your day with a positive affirmation, believe in it and create a mental image with all your senses. Keep it in your mind and focus on it for 5 minutes.
  • If you don’t have time to set aside for visualization, incorporate it along with your daily tasks like brushing or showering.
  • Daily practice and consistency are very important to achieve the desired outcome.

The practice is not new and is been known to mankind for ages – praying is also a form of visualization.

It’s such a simple concept, a gift that we all have but we have to believe in it and try it as a regular practice in order to achieve desirable results.

As Shahrukh said in the famous Bollywood movie “Om Shanti Om”: Aar kisi cheez ko dil se chaho … to puri kainaat usse tumse milane ki koshish mein lag jaati hai”

if you really desire something from the heart … then the whole universe will work towards getting you that

So let the universe do the hard work, all you have to do is simply desire something from your heart and “Visualize”!

Are you a “Grazer” or “Gorger”?

Shobhna Batta

Mom – I am hungry” is my favorite childhood memory because it always followed by some home cooked or delicious healthy snack. As a child, I remember I was constantly hungry because of my growing body needs and I would only eat a little at each meal. I still eat a small meal every 2-3 hours.

I did not realize that I was a “grazer” until recently I read about it in my Health Coach course by Dr. Sears Wellness Institute.  Dr. Sears recommends this approach of eating rather than “gorging”, which is eating 3 big meals with long gaps in between.

According to Dr. Sears “Grazers” have:

  • lower blood cholesterol
  • less PPL (high blood levels of artery-clogging fats after eating)
  • less after-meal vasoconstriction (less artery narrowing)
  • more stable blood sugar and blood insulin levels
  • lower levels of stress hormones
  • leaner bodies

https://www.drsearswellnessinstitute.org/blog/eating-right-for-gut-health/

Now the challenge comes – with our busy schedule we don’t have time to plan 3 meals, let alone 6-7 throughout the day.  Here are some simple ideas for “grazing”:

  • Handful of nuts of your choice
  • Greek Yogurt
  • A slice of Cheese
  • Fruits like Banana, apples or bowl of blueberries
  • Boiled Egg

If you are planning to try “grazing” – keep in mind that “portion control” is the key.

Remember Dr. Sears Rule of 2s:

  • Eat twice as often.
  • Eat half as much.
  • Chew twice as long.
  • Take twice the time to dine

Have a Blessed Day!!

Here are some additional ideas for the healthy snacks to eat at work:

https://www.forbes.com/pictures/feki45eejdm/10-healthy-snacks-to-eat-at-your-desk/#11b97aee1ef2

What is a Health Coach and why you might need one?

Shobhna Batta

Health coaches are at the forefront of today’s health revolution, focusing on preventative care. They provide the nutritional and lifestyle guidance people today need to find its way back to health.

A Health Coach is not a dietitian. A dietitian recommends a specific diet for your specific condition. A health coach, on the other hand, help clients make positive and lasting changes to their health by guiding them to create a vision for their health and develop healthy habits. A health coach is “client” focused. They motivate them to accomplish their goals and challenge them to make right choices.

According to Dr. Sears, A Certified Health Coach helps others achieve their health and wellness goals by providing science-based, trusted information, positive encouragement, and continued motivation.

This article from Huffington Post explains how health coaching might be the answer to the modern world diseases.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/will-health-coaching-save-the-modern-world_us_58a5b2d0e4b0fa149f9ac231

Please let us know if you are ready to take control of your health – Come work with us!!