Tip # 6 TEA and LAUGHTER

What do TEA and LAUGHTER have in common? They are both Good for Your Health.

LAUGHTER TEA - Guaranteed to make your SMILE

HEALTHY 100% Organic Yerba Mate from Argentina. Studies continue to show that drinking hot tea can help your body and brain in many ways. TEA - especially black, green and red -brush tea contains natural anti oxidants that can help boost your immune system and metabolism, calm your brain, and even help your bone and skin quality. The TEA & BAG Lady loves this tea. She called it Laughter Tea because it helps burns calories, also packed full nutrients, with over 23 vitamins and minerals from the rain forest of Argentina and Brazil. In Argentina they call it the drink of the GODS or Liquid Greens the government give this tea to the poor people because it an inexpensive way for those who can't afford vegetables to get there daily nutrients. This tea is also a natural appetite suppressant great for aiding with weight loss, available with chocolate flavor for the choc-alcoholic. Best of all part of all tea sales go the 2010 Relay for LIFE and the American Cancer Society

$10.95 http://www.teabagady.com/

Tip # 5 Smile and Laughter Breathing Exercises

Meet KAREN:
Ready to do some simple laughter breathing exercises to clear the cobwebs out of your brain?

OK Great! Sit in an upright position, back straight, eyes open, hands in your lap, inhale through your noise bringing your shoulders up to your ears, then as you exhale through your mouth relax your shoulders saying harrrrr. Do this a couple of times until you feel relaxed.

Now... on the count of 3. 1-2-3.
Take a big breath through your noise and SMILE (like the Mona Liza) hold it for a few moments, as you release your breath and the smile, tilt your head back, arms stretched out to the side with eyes closed, exhale a big (LAUGH OUT) Ha Ha Ha, You will feel a warm pleasant feeling through out the body. Repeat several times. For best results do this three times daily and report back to me in a week..

Tip # 4 .Breathing & Relaxation DVD

I found a great youtube video a while back and wanted to share it with you. A great tool for when you are feeling stressed. or want to find a way to unwind and relax at the end of your the day. Enjoy!

If you know someone going through radiation or chemotherapy this would make a great gift for them to listen to while going through treatments.

I purchased the cd and love it.

running time 4.17 mins
Breathing and Relaxation video

Watch a Funny Movie or Video. on YouTube

Tip # 3. Watch one of our favorites about the upcoming weather forecast. Even though you can't understand what the woman is saying. Its true what they say everyone laughs in just the same language. Titled - (1) WHEN YOU CAN'T STOP LAUGHING
(2) 4great clips to make you Laugh

Tip # 2 The Caregiver

Maintain a Sense of Humor
Watch a funny movie. Recall amusing memories. Join a Smile or Laughter Group, Compare the nurses and doctors around you to your favorite cartoon characters! If you have Cancer it can be a serious, scary disease, but sometimes laughter is the best medicine. Check out books such as “Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips,” or "Smilies Are Naturally Bald." Fight back with a SMILE. but be sensitive with yourself and others. There is a time to laugh and a time to mourn.

Tip #1 Join a SMILE Group?

FIGHT BACK WITH A SMILE
SMILE Groups and Laughter Clubs are fully independent, not-for-profit, community-based associations of diverse people who come together to support each other with a SMILE- We practice LAUGH-in-Motion a joyful exercise for your well being, diaphragmatic breathing, smiling, laughter, movement to music, relaxation, ending each session with fun affirmations and a prayer for healing ideal for everyone who would like to bring more JOY and laughter into there lives. During the winter months our location is not wheel chair accessible so the participants must be able to walk down steps. Karen Ricagno who is the facilitator of SMILE promotes a loving, caring, and compassionate space for those who feel they have nothing to SMILE about. If you are one of thousands of people world wide experiencing these feelings you are not alone. JOIN US...you'll be glad you did. Our motto: when the going gets tough LAUGH. Our groups are intimate, private and most of all a fun.

Indroduction

This blog is for those I am blessed to care for,
and for all of you who make the time to care for those you love & others

365 guilt free ...bite size TEN minute tips for feeling more hope, energy and joy each day
How to Care for Yourself. While You're taking Care of Others

Are you a caregiver or cancer survivor? There are 50 million family caregivers in America and millions of cancer survivors, many of us struggle with fatigue, burnout and the stress of taking care of themselves or someone else, while many juggle church, home, work, family, and other responsibilities. As one of those 50 million myself I'd like to share with you what I've learned and are still learning along my journey. The first thing is to SMILE even when you don't feel like it, just the act of smiling makes you feel good all over. The second lesson and most difficult one for me is "Patience" I struggle with patience daily.

When we forget to take care of ourselves its easy to loose our joy, our smile and our patience... we can become resentful, angry, sad, and depressed. I pray that some of my own personal tips, and tips from others become your lifesaver in the midst of your day and you're able to re-connect with your sometimes tired body and mind by giving back to yourself, so you'll have the patience it takes to care for yourself and the patience it takes to take care for others.

Chapter ONE. Getting started.
ONE. Do your Homework
TWO. Relax and De-Stress
THREE. Go Out and Play
FOUR. Super Foods for Caregivers
FIVE. Go to Bed
SIX. Clean Yourself Up
SEVEN. Clean Up & Tidy Up your Mess
EIGHT. ME Time
NINE. Positive Thinking & Prayer

When the going gets tough LAUGH... Because not all medicine comes in a bottle

LAUGHTER
* Releases feel good endorphins
* Decreases levels of stress hormones
* Lowers blood pressure
* Strengthens the immune system
* Makes us feel good a sense of well being
* Shrinks the "hurts" of everyday life

Take a deep smile in, and a big laugh out. ha ha ha