Attn Mike-Energy Article

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

Mike has done a lot of posting lately on alternative therapies. He's

discussed energy methods, and I found this article which I thought

was interesting. A little of it hits my personality. I just wanted

to share it with everyone and get Mike's feedback on it as well.

Also, pertaining to myself, I do have an appointment set up Thursday

with a LMT, who told me she will be doing either accupressure or zero

balancing. Here's what it says about zero balancing: ZBI

Zero Balancing , Core Program - Segment I: Integrates Western

anatomical views of the body and mind with Eastern concepts of energy

and healing into a powerful protocol that balances body energy with

body structure.

Also, I did get a HA last night in the middle of the night, and tried

the Axert for the first time. It worked. YEA! Maybe she can help

me with the accupressure points for HA. I wish Mike lived HERE! I'm

so jealous of Barb!!!

Love Lana

HealthNewsDigest.com How to Build Vitality

POSITIVE ENERGY: HOW TO BUILD VITALITY AND STOP ENERGY VAMPIRES FROM

DRAINING YOU

By Judith Orloff, M.D.

Adapted from Positive Energy, Harmony Books, April, 2004

(HealthNewsDigest.com)...I learned to honor my energy needs the hard

way. As a psychiatrist who specializes in intuition I knew how

important it was to listen to my body. Yet still I'd vacillate

between intense weeks of speaking tours to bouts of utter exhaustion

at home. I couldn't turn down " irresistible " opportunities. Here was

my dilemma--I trusted my intuition, and was committed to living by

it. But I had a blind spot: Although I was quite successful at

helping others at trusting intuition and leading high energy lives I

was ignoring my own energy crises. Finally my fatigue was so profound

I had to change.

I know first hand how important it is for us to cherish our precious

energy so we don't compromise our capacity for passion. I now believe

that the most profound transformations can only take place only on an

energetic level. I've met many patients who've spent much time and

money on talk therapy hoping that intellectual insights will bring

emotional freedom, but they're disappointed. As much as I love the

linear mind, my approach, which I call " Energy Psychiatry, " goes

further to also facilitate a conscious rebuilding of a subtle

energies, the most basic life force in each of us.

Do You Get Drained By Other People's Energy?

Our bodies are made of flesh and blood, but they're also composed of

energy fields—though sadly I wasn't taught this in medical school.

Each day we encounter a wide range of energies, both positive and

negative. Positive energy includes compassion, courage, forgiveness,

and faith. Negative energy includes fear, anger, hopelessness, and

shame. We need to be experts at dealing with energy so we don't get

demolished by draining situations or people who're energy vampires.

Like me you may be an intuitive empath, someone who's so sensitive to

energy you pick it up but you're also drained by it. This goes way

beyond feeling sympathy for a distraught friend—we actually take on

their pain either emotionally or physically. To cope we take refuge

in solitude. We empaths are so attuned to others that we can feel

what's going on inside of them. This can put us on energy overload

and aggravate everything from chronic fatigue to overeating.

Growing up, my girlfriends couldn't wait to hit the malls, but I

dreaded them. I always felt overwhelmed, exhausted around crowds,

though I was clueless why. " What's the matter? " friends would say,

shooting me the weirdest looks. All I knew was that crowded places

and I just didn't mix. I'd go there feeling fine but leave nervous,

depressed, or with some new ache or pain. Unsuspectingly, I was a

gigantic sponge, absorbing the energy of people around me.

Thank goodness, as my intuition matured, I realized I had intuitive

empathy. Once I learned to protect my energy, empathy has become a

gift enhancing my compassion. Here's how empathy works: the more

people per square foot, the more our energy fields intersect--thus

the tendency to become overloaded in high-density areas. This aspect

of intuition is the most neglected.

Empaths, unintentionally, can make even a good doctor's life hell.

They manifest so many " unexplained " symptoms, that frustrated

physicians write them off as hypochondriacs. Empaths are notoriously

misdiagnosed. Patients have come to me with obesity who've failed

diets because they needed strategies other than eating to protect

themselves from negative energy. Others were labeled " agoraphobic " or

with " panic disorder, " having received only minor relief from

traditional treatments. Some were nearly house-bound. They'd all

say, " I dislike crowded places where there's no quick escape. Forget

department stores, busy streets, elevators, tunnels. I just avoid

them. " Sounded very familiar. So I decided to take a history of how

these people processed subtle energy in the world, something all

health professionals must be trained to assess. Voila! I found many

were undiagnosed empaths. For me, this changed everything. My job as

a physician then became teaching my patients to center themselves and

protect their energy.

A Survival Guide to Protect Yourself from Energy Vampires.

You don't have to be an empath to experience the fang marks of an

energy vampire, though empaths are often hit the hardest.

Relationships are always an energy exchange. To stay feeling our

best, we must ask ourselves: Who gives us energy? Who saps it? It's

important to be surrounded by supportive, heart-centered people who

make us feel safe and secure. It's equally important to pinpoint the

energy vampires, who, whether they intend to or not, leech our energy.

Positive energy in others can be rejuvenative. For instance, you're

nervous about a job interview, but the minute you meet your

prospective boss you relax. He's so calm and welcoming, you calm down

too. Or perhaps you have a good friend around whom you always feel

loved. These are energy-givers, those we must gravitate towards.

In contrast, energy vampires exude negative energy that drains.

Vampires range from the intentionally malicious ones to those who are

oblivious to their effect. Some are overbearing and obnoxious; others

are friendly and charming. For example, you're at a party talking to

a perfectly nice person, but suddenly you're nauseous or weak. Or how

about the co-worker who drones on about how she broke up with her

boyfriend for the tenth time? Eventually, she feels better, but

you're spent. The bottom line is that on a subtle energy level these

people suck you dry.

There are many types of vampires to watch out for. The main ones I

stress in my book are the Drama Queen who wears your out with her

dramas; The Sob Sister, who whines all the time; The Blamer, who cuts

you down with criticism and The Go-For-The-Carotid type who purposely

cuts your down without any respect for your feelings. Keep an eye out

for these types so you're aware of their methods, and stop them from

draining you.

Strategies for Dealing With Energy Vampires

1.Take an inventory of people in your life who give energy, and

people who drain. Specifically identify the energy vampires, and

begin to evaluate ones you'd like to limit contact with or eliminate.

Plan at least one complete afternoon with people who give off

positive energy and avoid drainers. Notice how this beneficially

affects your physical and emotional well-being.

2. Set Clear Boundaries. It's crucial to limit the time you spend

discussing a vampire's gripes. When approaching her, remember: the

difference between being a bitch and setting boundaries is attitude.

Instead of saying, " You're selfish and self-obsessed, I can't take

you anymore, " which a part of you likely feels, take a breath and

shift to your heart.

3. Meditate. Sitting in meditation is a life-line to your center, to

the earth. it will ground you when you've been struck by a vampire.

By calming the mind, you can re-align with your essence. Close your

eyes. Focus on your breath. Then gently extend your awareness

downward to strata, bedrock, minerals, and soil. From the base of

your spine begin to feel a continuity with the earth's core. Picture

having a long tail that roots in that center. Allow the earth's

energy to infuse your body and stabilize you. If you meditate for

five minutes or an hour this is sacred time.

4. Walk away. If you feel your energy being zapped don't hesitate to

politely excuse yourself from a killing conversation. Move at least

twenty feet from the person, outside the range of his or her energy

field. " I have to go to the bathroom " is a foolproof line. Most

people are oblivious to how their energy impacts others. For years,

reluctant to hurt anyone's feelings, I needlessly endured these types

of situations and suffered. How many of us are so loathe to appear

rude that a raving maniac can be right in our face, and still we

don't budge for fear of offending? In a spot, physically removing

yourself is a sure quick solution.

5. Build an energy shield around you. When you're with vampires you

can't get away from visualize a protective shield of while light

surrounding every inch of you. This lets positive energy in, but

keeps negative energy out—particularly efficient for vampires at

family dinners or social events where you're trapped.

I hope I've inspired you to be more fierce about asserting your

energy needs. Never put yourself down as being " overly sensitive. "

Sensitivity is an asset as long as you learn how to protect yourself

from negative vibes. Understanding how you react energetically in the

world is particularly important if you're chronically tired and want

to build vitality. Knowledge is power. Meeting your energy needs can

balance mind, body, and spirit to create a vibrant life.

Judith Orloff M.D. is the author of Positive Energy: Ten

Extraordinary Prescriptions for Transforming Fatigue, Stress, and

Fear Into Vibrance, Strength, and Love. She is also the author of the

bestsellers Guide to Intuitive Healing and Second Sight. She is an

Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA, a practicing

intuitive, and has a private practice in Los Angeles. Dr. Orloff is

an international workshop leader on the interrelationship of

intuition, energy, and medicine. For more information visit

www.drjudithorloff.com.

SIDE BAR

How do you know if you're an empath? What are the signs?

Quiz: Are You an Intuitive Empath?

Ask yourself:

*Have you ever sat next to someone at a dinner who seems pleasant,

but suddenly you're nauseous, have a headache, or feel drained?

*Are you uncomfortable in crowds, even go out of your way to avoid

them?

*Do you get easily over-stimulated by people or prefer being alone?

*When someone is in pain, do you start feeling it too ?

*Do I overeat around people I'm uncomfortable with?

If you've answered " yes " to one or more questions, it's likely you

have experienced intuitive empathy. Responding " yes " to every

question indicates empathy is draining your energy.

Dr. Orloff's Tips for Keeping Your Positive Energy High

1. In crowds or stressful situations take a few deep breaths to

exhale negative energy from your body

2. Meditate daily to center yourself—visualize roots going through

you and planting firmly in the ground

3. Take daily baths or showers to wash off negative vibes. Water is a

potent purifier and can get rid of the slimiest of energies.

4. Burn sage in a room to purify left over negative vibes. Sage is an

ancient purifier. (Many of my patients who work in the entertainment

industry use this technique to clear the energy in the room after

back-to-back pitch meetings in their office.)

5. Eliminate energy vampires from your life

www.HealthNewsDigest.com

Visit HealthNewsDigest.com today for more great news and services

from leading professionals in the health care industry.