About five years ago, I developed multiple Dysplastic Nevi — a spontaneous eruption of numerous "pre-melanoma" moles, brought on by decades of sun-worshipping, tanning beds and UV light treatments for psoriasis. My dermatologist and several other second opinions, told me that I was at the highest possible risk for developing melanoma — one of the deadliest forms of cancer.

I gladly underwent the process to remove many of the moles and in my follow-up appointment, assumed that I would hear the usual tips and advice from my dermatologist. I felt pretty confident that I was doing all I could to prevent future skin cancer.

But along with telling me to avoid sun during the harshest hours, wear sunscreen and cover up, he told me that the most important thing I could do is to avoid stress. Although it's become scientifically proven that stress can activate genes that cause disease, it wasn't something I had thought about deeply before. I always knew "stress is bad," but as I was worrying about meeting deadlines, having enough money, and doing it all — I never stopped to think about what all that stress was actually doing to my body. Continue reading.

Originally posted on Mind,Body,Green.

Due to my current situation all services are temporarily suspended. Thank you all for your kind words and support.  

For those that don't know I suffered a mild stroke but I'm now back home recovering. All going well.

News updates will continue but not as regular as normal.

Thank you.

About 10 years ago, I made the decision to simplify my life. Initially this was driven by logistics, as my husband and I had moved from London to Sydney, and into a tiny apartment with absolutely no storage. But soon keeping my life simple and as stress free as possible became a way of life.

With morning walks by the harbor and a short stroll from the bedroom to the living room as my daily "commute," I had plenty of time both to think and not think, and for the first time in years I found myself with a calm and quiet mind.

After the toxic cocktail of adrenaline and cortisol that had been coursing through my veins during my past life in the corporate world, this new state could only be described as bliss.

I've long given up the pseudo-excitement of a high-stress life and I am so much happier and healthier for it.

Here are 10 easy ways you can reduce the stress in your life: Continue reading.

Originally posted on Mind,Body,Green.

You may have heard that the brain is plas­tic. As you know the brain is not made of plas­tic! Neu­ro­plas­tic­ity or brain plas­tic­ity refers to the brain’s abil­ity to CHANGE through­out life. The brain has the amaz­ing abil­ity to reor­ga­nize itself by form­ing new con­nec­tions between brain cells (neurons).

In addi­tion to genetic fac­tors, the envi­ron­ment in which a per­son lives, as well as the actions of that per­son, play a role in plasticity.

Neu­ro­plas­tic­ity occurs in the brain:

1– At the begin­ning of life: when the imma­ture brain orga­nizes itself.

2– In case of brain injury: to com­pen­sate for lost func­tions or max­i­mize remain­ing functions.

3– Through adult­hood: when­ever some­thing new is learned and memorized

Plas­tic­ity and brain injury

A sur­pris­ing con­se­quence of neu­ro­plas­tic­ity is that the brain activ­ity asso­ci­ated with a given func­tion can move to a dif­fer­ent loca­tion as a con­se­quence of nor­mal expe­ri­ence, brain dam­age or recovery. Continue reading.


Originally posted on Sharp Brains.

Memories can be passed down to later generations through genetic switches that allow offspring to inherit the experience of their ancestors, according to new research that may explain how phobias can develop.

Scientists have long assumed that memories and learned experiences built up during a lifetime must be passed on by teaching later generations or through personal experience.

However, new research has shown that it is possible for some information to be inherited biologically through chemical changes that occur in DNA.

Researchers at the Emory University School of Medicine, in Atlanta, found that mice can pass on learned information about traumatic or stressful experiences – in this case a fear of the smell of cherry blossom – to subsequent generations.

The results may help to explain why people suffer from seemingly irrational phobias – it may be based on the inherited experiences of their ancestors. Continue reading.

Originally posted on Telegraph Science News.

Behind the controls of the Metro-North train that derailed in New York earlier this week (December 2013) was a tired driver, according to new reports that engineer William Rockefeller fell asleep at the wheel.

Could lack of sleep cause such a fatal mistake?

Biologically speaking, experts said, yes. Sleep deprivation affects the brain in multiple ways that can impair judgment, slow reaction times and increase the likelihood of drifting off during monotonous tasks.

Why Your Brain Needs Sleep

Scientists have just discovered a new, very important reason for you to get a good night's sleep.
"When you're sleep deprived, your brain reverts to a teenager -- it's all gas and no brake," said Michael Howell, a neurologist at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. "Suddenly the part of the brain that says, 'Let's think through this,' is not functioning well." Continue reading.

Originally posted on News Discovery.

“What you think of me is none of my business.” ~Wayne Dyer

Do you ever worry about what people think about you?

Have you ever felt rejected and gotten defensive if someone criticized something you did?

Are there times where you hold back on doing something you know would benefit yourself and even others because you’re scared about how some people may react?

If so, consider yourself normal. The desire for connection and to fit in is one of the six basic human needs according to the research of Tony Robbins and Cloe Madanes. Psychologically, to be rejected by “the tribe” represents a threat to your survival.

This begs the question: “If wanting people’s approval is natural and healthy, is it always a good thing?”

Imagine for a moment what life would be like if you didn’t care about other people’s opinions. Would you be self-centered and egotistical, or would you be set free to live a life fulfilling your true purpose without being held back by a fear of rejection?

For my entire life I’ve wrestled with caring about other people’s opinions.

I thought this made me selfless and considerate. While caring about the opinion of others helped me put myself into other people’s shoes, I discovered that my desire, or more specifically my attachment to wanting approval, had the potential to be one of my most selfish and destructive qualities. Continue reading.

Originally posted on Tiny Buddha.

I used to constantly need approval from others. Approval that I was good enough, pretty enough, thin enough, worthy enough, and so on.

Right along with my constant need for approval, I had a bad case of the "I'll be happy whens." When I get that job, make more friends (or more money), have a perfect body, finally find my dream partner ... and the list could go on.

I was desperately looking to the outside world to fulfill my inner world.

It didn't work.

What did work though was digging down deep and opening up my soul and heart to love, light and compassion.

Throughout the process, I learned a lot, and still continue to, as we all do. But when I sat down to write what helped me become a healthier, happier, more peaceful version of myself, these 11 lessons stood out the most. Continue reading.

Originally posted on Mind,Body,Green.