Stress Reduction

As a physician, I care for some who think that my recommendations are difficult, even "a trial," although truthful: No fatty foods, no coffee, no smoking, no liquor, no drugs - it almost seems like no fun. You do come face to face with reality in order to favorably change your body, health and attitude.

Many people think twice before they make an appointment to see me and some jokingly say, "You will hate it or you will love it." No one loves it. I don't love it. I love ice cream-meat-cheese-eggs-pizza-chocolate-candy-cigarettes-coffee - and like yourself, I only love the things that can hurt me.

To say it another way, I don't like brown rice/boiled vegetables/bean soups, but I like the freedom that they give. My own cholesterol fell from 280 to 130 and the increased energy and living in harmony with my inner self, knowing that I am doing what is right and natural for the human body.

This is not a diet for a remote planet, this is a "liv-it, not a die-t." There is no judgment here; you will do it or not. There is no stress here; stress comes from not accepting the reality of the world. You will change gradually or you won't. You will walk/exercise or you won't. There are no problems in life, although there are certainly situations in need of solutions.

"Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal!"

To reduce stress:

See the morning sunlight, feel and smell the air, chew your food 15 times as you count each bite, thank God things are not worse than they are. Continue to make changes, and don't worry about having to do this all at once - no one is so perfect. Think more slowly.
Breathe in evenly to a 5-count, and with an open throat - do not bear down - hold that breath to a 5-count, breathe out evenly to a 5-count and finish by holding that breath out with an open throat to a 5-count. Repeat this twice. Breathe in slowly and naturally and on a slowed but normal exhale, you many repeat 3 words or 6 syllables of your favorite positive thought or prayer. An example is "God is one" or "angelic paradises."
When you eat, chew every bite 15 times and count the 15 before you swallow each mouthful.
Accept yourself, weak and strong parts - that's who you are. Move towards acceptance of others and enjoy the activity/weather/family/traffic/everything of life - it could be so much worse.
Finally, in a positive sense, focus on where you are, all of the time. Don't worry if your thoughts drift momentarily; allow them to come back to these thoughts and concepts without self criticism.

The focus is on fresh, good food, whole foods full of fiber, low in fat such as cantaloupe and strawberry snacks. This is a down-to-earth philosophy, without mysticism or cult. It is increasingly supported in the medical literature and recommended successfully by the Preventive Medicine Center for more than 15 years to thousands who have heard it and done it in part and/or all together.

H. Robert Silverstein, MD
Hartford, CT