Looking Toward the New Year!

5. Gratitude
Happy New Year!!! As we look at the new year we need to focus on a few things if we really want to heal this next year. Get ready to leave the panic and anxiety behind!

A Year to be Grateful For!
However the last year turned out for you I am sure that you had a lot to be grateful for. As we head into this New Year take the time to reflect on the past year. Think of all of the things that you are grateful for, all the things you learned from and all of the worries that never came true.

Now think of the year that is in front of us. A blank canvas waiting for new stories, and new adventures. How do you want to spend this next year?

Make sure that you spend just a few minutes after celebrating to place an entry in your gratitude journal, and give yourself a little smile to think how great this next year will be. A new you - feeling FREE!

Want to feel better? Commit to yourself & being truly grateful. Download the Daily Healing Journal in the Egg Printables to help you keep you on track.

I am truly grateful that you are in my life. I am dedicated to walk this journey with you. You will be in my gratitude journal tonight. Each of you have given me purpose. Thank you for trusting me and allowing me to be a part of your life. Looking forward to Feeling Fine in 2009!

Wishing you peaceful thoughts today,
Amy

Quote of the Day

"Another fresh new year is here . . .Another year to live!To banish worry, doubt, and fear,To love and laugh and give!This bright new year is given meTo live each day with zest . . .To daily grow and try to beMy highest and my best!I have the opportunityOnce more to right some wrongs,To pray for peace, to plant a tree,And sing more joyful songs!" William Arthur Ward

Looking Toward the New Year!

4. Breathing & Posture
As we look at the new year we need to focus on a few things if we really want to heal this next year. Get ready to leave the panic and anxiety behind!

How are you breathing?
See I got you to pay attention to those breaths coming in. Most of the day breathing is something we do without even thinking about it.

A few years ago I realized that I am a very shallow breather. In times of stress I often hold my breath. That really messes up your body function. You are not getting enough oxygen & enough carbon dioxide is not going out. This can cause fatigue and brain fog. Deep breathing from the belly can start the relaxation response that will fight anxiety, stress and depression.

Deep belly breathing will move the oxygen through the blood & help the lymphatic system move the toxins out. If your lymphatic system is slow or sluggish it could cause weight gain, muscle loss, high blood pressure, fatigue, and inflammation.

Didn't know that breathing was so important did you? We have to make sure a few times a day we are focused on our breathing. In through the nose very slow, all the way to the bottom of our stomach and out the mouth. It amazes me that after 10 of these breaths how much better I feel. I wonder what would happen if it was an all time habit?

Check on yourself every so often. Maybe as you fall asleep tonight focus on it before you drift off, I will be.

Your Mother Always Told You to Sit Up Straight!
I notice that when I sit at my computer I have a tendency to slouch. Doing this folds my chest and makes it very hard to get the full belly breath that we need.

Next time you are surfing the web, make sure that you are sitting up straight. This is also a good time to practice those breathing exercises. Move that oxygen all around!

Want to feel better? Commit to breathing for your body. Download the Daily Healing Journal in the Egg Printables to help you keep you on track.

Wishing you peaceful thoughts today,
Amy

Quote of the Day
"For breath is life, and if you breathe well you will live long on earth." Sanskrit Proverb

Looking Toward the New Year!

3. Take your Vitamins
As we look at the new year we need to focus on a few things if we really want to heal this next year. Get ready to leave the panic and anxiety behind!

Do You Take Vitamins?
I remember a time when I thought vitamins were a waste of money. I eat semi-healthy, I should be getting everything I need.

The truth is that many of our foods have been processed and chemically treated and that we are not getting the same nutrients that we use to. Also, we now slather ourselves in sunscreen before going outside that Vitamin D Deficiency is becoming a real problem.

Did you know that being deficient in some vitamins and minerals can give you anxiety & depression symptoms. Think about this...what if you are simply deficient in a vitamin and you are taking medication everyday for a symptom of not having enough of a vitamin or mineral. Shocking thought isn't it. I asked my doctors many times to run blood work to see if I had a vitamin deficiency, they laughed at me and handed me a Zoloft prescription. I was so afraid of medication at the time I could not bring myself to try it. Therefore that's what pushed me into finding a way out.

Just start with the basic vitamins Multi, fish oil, B-complex, Mag/Cal. The ones that I take are in the Egg Store. I truly believe that my vitamins really pushed me ahead. Funny coincidence is that my panic attacks went down tremendously after 2 months on a vitamin regimen. Remember that it does take a little time for a vitamin to kick in - won't always be overnight.

I am not here to sell you vitamins, I just want you to feel better. Any that I sell they give me a small percentage & I use that to pay all the fees for this site. My goal is to bring you quality tools to help you create the best life possible. These tools work for me in my daily life, I just don't want another person to suffer as badly as I did. I am so proud of you & your decision not to take it anymore. We will all be Victors and not Victims!!!!!

Want to feel better? Commit to healing your body. Download the Daily Healing Journal in the Egg Printables to help you keep you on track.

Wishing you peaceful thoughts today,

Amy

Quote of the Day
"The best vitamin for making friends: B1"
unknown

Want to See What I Have Been Up To Today?

Check out my Daily Healing Journal On-Line. This will keep me accountable to YOU!

You can find it at http://eggdailyjournal.blogspot.com/

Want to set up your own? Go to http://www.blogger.com/ to set-up your free account. Send the link to me & I would love to see what you are up too. If it's OK with you we can start a list of everyone's Daily Journal Pages. We can all keep tabs on each other!

Looking Toward the New Year!

2. Eat Healthy

As we look at the new year we need to focus on a few things if we really want to heal this next year. Get ready to leave the panic and anxiety behind!

What does your plate look like?
Take a look at your dinner or lunch plate today. What's on it? Sugar, Starch, & Chemicals?

I love the taste of treats, but they make me feel miserable. I know that if I eat sugar and starchy carbs I am not worth two cents to anyone. I feel run down and plain yucky. Have you ever thought of your body as a machine? That the food that you put in = what you get out of it.

Personally I like to stick with the lower carb diet. I choose to eat mostly veggies, small amount of protein, a salad at almost every meal & mixed with a little beans and some complex carbs. I try to stick to around 60-80 carbs a day. This plan makes me feel really good. Last year after changing to this diet I lost almost 50 pounds as a result. I wasn't trying to loose the weight I was more focused on my mental state, but it's a great benefit.

On Saturday night my family has a cheat meal, we can have whatever we want for that meal. It really makes eating the junk taste even better! And then I don't seem to want it for the rest of the week, really is a meal to look forward to & it's fun to plan.

I don't know exactly why this plan works so well, but I eat small meals every 2-3 hours. I don't have those sugar and carb comas anymore, however I do seemed more focused, have less congestion, and feel more energetic.

If you are interested in trying low carb, please make sure it is OK with your Dr. I want you healthy! If you have questions feel free to email me or a great low carb site is Livin' La Vida Low-Carb it's run by a great guy named Jimmy Moore & he has learned from personal experience too. His blog is a great read!

Want to feel better? Commit to fueling your body. Download the Daily Healing Journal in the Egg Printables to help you keep you on track.

Wishing you peaceful thoughts today,

Amy

Quote of the Day
"A man too busy to take care of his health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools."- Spanish Proverb

Looking Toward the New Year!

1. Drink Water!

As we look at the new year we need to focus on a few things if we really want to heal this next year. Get ready to leave the panic and anxiety behind!

Do you drink enough water?
We should be drinking 1/2 an ounce for every pound we weigh. If you weigh 160 lbs. you should drink 80 oz. per day. I found the best thing is to carry a water bottle around with me all day. If I refill it I use a Sharpie to make a tick mark on the top so I can keep track of how many bottles I have had.

The benefits of drinking water are:
Healthy skin · Flushes the Toxins · Keeps you Regular · Regulate Body Temperature · Speed up Metabolism · Reduce Cancer Risk · Lube Joins and Muscles · Improves Energy · Increase Mental and Physical Performance · Keeps you more Alkaline

I have found if I don't drink enough water I bruise, am more anxious, tired, stressed, and have mild muscle spasms.

Drink a glass in the morning when you wake up to help flush the toxins from the night before and it also helps keep you from starting off your day dehydrated. When you are dehydrated blood is actually thicker and has a hard time circulating. This makes it harder for your brain to function properly. You cannot focus, you are fatigued, and worn out.

Want to feel better? Commit to water. Download the Daily Healing Journal in the Egg Printables to help you keep you on track.

Wishing you peaceful thoughts today,

Amy

Quote of the Day
"Water is the only drink for a wise man."

Henry David Thoreau

The New Year is Approaching!

Are you ready for this to be your year?

Have you lived with the Stress/Anxiety/Depression for too long? Are you ready to make a change? Are you ready for this to be your year?

Over the next few days leading up to the new year I will go through what I went through and what worked for me. I rarely have anxiety, I am panic attack free, I am healthy & focused. Do you want to find that place too? Make a commitment to yourself - you deserve it! If I can stick to it you can too.

After the first of the year this newsletter will have a "I Feel Fine in 2009" section - it will follow my daily life as I get committed along with you. We can do this together.

Have you signed the contract to yourself? If you really put yourself into this you won't believe the changes you will see in this next year. Inside and Out!

You can find the contract in our Egg Printables section.

Wishing you peaceful thoughts today,
Amy

Quote of the Day

"Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty... I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life. I have envied a great many people who led diffcult lives and led them well."
-- Theodore Roosevelt

After this busy day - RELAX

Have you spent today with family? Worn out? Stressed Out? Time to put yourself in Time Out & get some rest!!!

Tonight all of my family has gone home. Here is what I am doing tonight to relax.

Work on my gratitude journal
Read a chapter in a book
Pamper myself
Look over my gifts
Reflect on the true meaning of today
Get my plan of attack together, back to watching my diet better. - I have let sugar back in this holiday & I feel terrible!

Looking forward to a new year & a new US! Merry Christmas - Now go rest! :)

Wishing you peaceful thoughts today,
Amy

Quote of the Day
"If you think that peace and happiness are somewhere else and you run after them, you will never arrive. It is only when you realize that peace and happiness are available here in the present moment that you will be able to relax. In daily life, there is so much to do and so little time. You may feel pressured to run all the time. Just stop! Touch the ground of the present moment deeply, and you will touch real peace and joy."
Thich Nhat Hahn

Just like Santa's List...Our lists can keep us on course!

Tonight as Santa makes his way around the world he will have a list in hand to make sure he doesn't miss a thing! With all of the places to be and things to do - a list is a necessity.
To keep on task and stress free this holiday make sure that you list all of your to-dos and focus on one at a time. This list does not need to be fancy or perfect. It will keep you from becoming overwhelmed.

Today my list has been plastered on my fridge. Written in big green sharpie, I am able to cross off each item as I accomplish it. Tonight everything is done and I am able to enjoy my family.

Wishing you a Happy Holiday & a Merry Christmas!

Wishing you peaceful thoughts today,
Amy

Quote of the Day
"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great. "
Mark Twain

Are you Ready?

Christmas day is almost here. Are you done with your shopping?
Tomorrow I will be spending my day getting ready for my family to start coming by. I have lots of cooking and entertaining to do. After a while it tends to stress me out.

I am going to wake up tomorrow with a smile & an excitement about the holiday.

Work off of my Master To-Do List

I plan to live in the moment & not get overwhelmed.
Drink lots of water.

Take my supplements.

Watch my sugar.

Enjoy the holidays like a child - with excitement & not dread.

Make sure before all the hullabaloo starts you take care of you. Fill out your gratitude journal, go for a walk, take some time out. If all the excitement gets to be too much - take a breather.

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you peaceful thoughts today,
Amy

Quote of the Day
"When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses." Joyce Brothers

The Power of Touch

For the last year I have had a lot of tension in my neck that ends up pulling on my face. It has really been a pain! A friend of mine suggested I go see her massage therapist - I was terrified.

I have always been a modest person & not knowing what to expect was almost worse than going to the doctor. But I was in such pain and discomfort that I was finally willing to give it a try.

This last month I have gone twice & I cannot tell you the difference. No pain in my neck or back & all the pains and twitches in my face have disappeared too. I am hooked! And I will only have to go once a month.

My therapist started me with a light program, knows about my anxiety and panic (I was afraid of having an attack). She is very kind and explains everything to me. It's really interesting.

Did you know the benefits of massage?

· Stimulates Lymph Flow - Enhancing Immunity.
· Reduces Spasms and Cramps.
· Relaxes Overused Muscles.
· Releases Endorphins.
· Can Lessen Depression and Anxiety.
· Increase Joint Flexibility.
· Ease Medication Dependence.
· Alleviate low-back pain.
· Pump oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs,
improving circulation.
· Relieve migraine pain.

I believe it's a great way to pamper yourself & it does lots of good things on the inside. Just make sure you find someone good, that really knows about the human body & understands anxiety.

Here is a tip from my therapist for Dry Skin: Cold Pressed Olive Oil with about 8 drops of Lavender Essential Oil. She said it will cure the driest skin. It's on my shopping list - Can't wait to check it out!

Wishing you peaceful thoughts today,
Amy

Quote of the Day
"I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much." ~Mother Teresa

Sinus Problems? This Stuff Is Great!

Around the time that my anxiety was in full swing & I started having the panic attacks - I have had chronic sinuses. It's a symptom of stress & adrenal burnout. My doctor suggested that I try the neti pot. She suggested everyday. Great in theory, but I run most of the time with my pants on fire & don't slow down long enough to do that everyday. Plus the neti pot is great, but it is not my favorite experience. And I have tried Claratin, but not much luck. Still stuffy.

One day I was driving one day and heard about a product that is suggested or sinus and respiratory support. The doctor that was interviewed strongly suggested it for kids. I have a kido who gets sinus pressure and earaches often - so I will try anything for the both of us.

The product is called Sinupret. I could only find the kid version & it's at Wal-mart. Little pricey at $14 a bottle, but it has a kid dosage & adult dosage on the bottle. It is all natural, so I like that. It has been used in Germany for the last 35 years. No drug interactions, no side effects. Here is the best part ..... No sinus issues for me at all! It suggest 3 doses a day, but I didn't want to over do it right off the bat. So I have been doing one dose in the morning and it really has been great! Seems to have helped my son too.

I just wanted to let you know of an alternative to Claratin. That just didn't work for me.

Here is the website if you want to read more about it.
http://www.bionoricausa.com/If you try it - let me know how it works for you too!

Wishing you peaceful thoughts today,
Amy

Quote of the Day
"Smile, breathe and go slowly"
Thich Nhat Hanh

What Words Describe You?

Today I was listening to an interview and they asked their guest what words would describe them? That really started my mind going of what words I would want to be described by.

Today am I weak, helpless, fallen or am I brave, strong and courageous? If a friend was to tell someone about you what would they say?

Take a spot in your journal tonight to describe yourself - be really honest! No dancing around this one. After you have accomplished that task list how you want to be described. I truly believe we become what we picture.

What I work out I love to listen to the song "Amazing" by Seal. It's not about most of the words of that song, but the picture that it gives me. In my head I like to imagine how far I have come, and how strong I am now compared to a few years ago when I was so weak.

So one word that I have in the want to be described by would be Amazing. I have survived when I thought I might not.

This is not an easy thing to do, but it will really get you thinking.

Wishing you peaceful thoughts today,
Amy

Quote of the Day
"There is no chance, no destiny, no fate, that can circumvent or hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul." Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Why Don't They Understand

When you have anxiety, depression, panic your world becomes very small. There are times when that is all you can think about is surviving.

A very hard fact is many people around you might not understand what you are going through. I can't tell you how many "You just need a hot bath", "Try to relax", "Get over it, move on", "How about a drink" quotes I have heard. They all mean well, but it's kind of frustrating. I wish it was all that easy.

My dear husband use to go to bed in the middle of my panic attack. He wasn't being mean, he had no idea of what I was feeling or how to help me.

People look at you strange when you tell them that having a panic attack everyday is like dying everyday. How going through the day is painful, because you are so terrified on the inside.

I just want you to know that whatever it is you are going through you are among friends. I was so lost, sad & alone while I was finding my way out. I had a few supportive friends, but no one understood, and I was ashamed of the way I was feeling. I never want anyone to feel that way again.

If you have not come to the forum - come say hello, post a message to give support to another that is in such pain. Or maybe you are the one tonight in such need. I want you to break free! Just don't get upset with those around you, they simply don't have a clue.

Wishing you peaceful thoughts today,
Amy

Quote of the Day
"Most of us, swimming against the tides of trouble the world knows nothing about, need only a bit of praise or encouragement - and we will make the goal."
~Jerome Fleishman

Are you ready for family?

With the holidays coming next week we need to be on the lookout for things that stress and/or depress us? We also need to arm ourselves with coping methods so that we don't let ourselves slip down that slippery path.

If your family is like mine, there are lots of strong personalities & tension galore. Don't get me wrong, I love my family. But with my stress & anxiety I tend to go into panic mode and want to hide in the closet.

My plan for this next week is to:

· Have all of my supplements on hand.
· Eat every 2-3 hours (will help with the
sugary treats).
· Drink lots of water.
· I choose not to drink, seems to bring on
panic in me.
· Have everything planned and ready to go.

Christmas Eve - Christmas Day is here at my house. We usually have 12 here Christmas morning and floaters in and out all day. I let everyone know the menu and plan ahead of time. Saves any arguing or disagreements.

Are you ready. Make sure you take extra time this weekend to relax. Take a long walk, have a spa treatment - do something fun!

Here's to a stress-free holiday!

Wishing you peaceful thoughts today,
Amy

Quote of the Day

"Always plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark."
Richard C. Cushing

Music Can Speak to Your Soul

I have found that music can really transform the way I am feeling. Feeling anxious, stressed, depressed or panicked - I can pop a CD in and I start to feel a little better.

I will admit this to you, I am not a good singer. Although if I have a song that I know and I can sing along it gets my mind off of what is bugging me.

What music changes the way you feel? Do you keep it handy? Do you ever just let loose and sing outload in the car? How can that make you do anything but smile.

Here is an interesting fact: Music can relieve stress, lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety and depression and promote a sense of well-being. It can even enhance performance by increasing levels of certain beneficial hormones.

Pay attention to the music you encounter, and see how it makes you feel. Do you feel empowered, relaxed, happy? Or does it remind you of someone, bad childhood or make you nervous. Once you have identified the ones that truly make you happy, keep them close at hand. They can make you change the way you feel.

Music is also a great way to do your breathing exercises. Pop some soothing music in your MP3, stretch out on your bed and practice your breathing. (Body relaxed, breathe through your nose slowly 10 sec, out through the mouth 10 seconds, repeat 10 times - make sure these are full bell breaths). Then see how you feel. You will be amazed.

My MP3 is full of music that I love to workout to, songs that make me happy, and calming songs. I love to listen to my music at night when I work on my site. I feel like it helps me to focus better.

Just another tool for your healing arsenal.

Wishing you peaceful thoughts today,
Amy

Quote of the Day

"Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life."
Red Auerbach

I Have a Confession

It's the holidays and I have not been following my own plan. My friends have all stopped by with lots of goodies and I have lost my willpower.

Last year I became really serious about my health and lost 45 lbs. I wasn't worried about the weight loss, I just wanted to focus on healing.

Today a friend of mine reminded me of how determined I was to be free. I wanted to release myself from the chains of anxiety and panic. I refused to be a victim.

But recently I have lost the focus on myself. Time for me to kick myself back into gear before all of that nasty stuff finds the open door and returns.

I am making my confession to you to keep myself accountable. How can I share everyday & not be keeping up with myself.

I have created a contract to keep us on track. I am going to place this at the front of my daily healing journal. I wanted to share it with you, it might be a valuable tool to keep you on track too.

You can find the contract in the Egg Printables Section of our website.

Wishing you peaceful thoughts today,
Amy

Quote of the Day

"Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be" George Sheehan

Our Yahoo Groups

As you may know we have set up a Yahoo Group for you. This is a great tool to keep you on track and giving you inspiration by sending reminders throught the day.

One minor detail that I did not realize was the time zone issue. Today it was brought to my attention that a friend was on the west coast waking up & my lunch message was arriving. Well that just will not help at all. So I have gone in and set up our group in different time zones. I currently have the US covered, I am going to work on the international ones next. If I currently do not have yours listed below, please send me an email at amy@thehatchedegg.com. I will put your area on the top of my list and send you an email with a link.

If you have any suggestions about how we could make these tools work better for you, I am here. I want you to fell better & I am always here for you.

Thank you Pam for letting me know of this important problem. I am so happy to have a solution.The current yahoo group has been changed to The Hatched Egg Central - Please feel free to unsubscribe to that group and move to the one that represents your time zone. If you have any questions or problems let me know.

These are the new links for the US Time Zones: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/thehatchedeggEastern/
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/thehatchedeggCentral/
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/thehatchedeggMountain/
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/thehatchedeggPacific/


Wishing you peaceful thoughts today,
Amy

Quote of the Day

"A bend in the road is not the end of the road... unless you fail to make the turn."

Author Unknown

It is OK to Have a Bad Day

I think one of the hardest things to realize when you start to feel better is that it is OK to have a bad day. You might even have a bad week.

When I really turned the corner with my anxiety I became very depressed when I had a day that was anxious or panicked. I have felt very down because I couldn't handle a simple situation and I could feel that anxiety creep back in. But it's the big picture that really counts.

My family always goes to the grocery store as a family. Every Sunday we take our list after church and make it a family event. However, my husband will tell you with a smile that he HAS to push the cart. I still have a hard time with the crowd at the grocery store, it just makes me want to freak out! I feel as if I have no control over the whole situation. But as long as he pushes and I can weave in and out of people all is well.

It's all about give and take. I know my limits, I am much better than I use to be. In five years I will be even better, and I can't wait. I try not to get upset by looking at where I am today, but to get excited where I will be in the future.

It's ok to feel stressed, panicked, anxious or depressed - it's just how we choose to deal with it. That's what getting better is all about...choices. Choose to let yourself feel, choose to be happy, choose to let yourself be down - but snap back don't stay down there. Find what gives you peace and focus on that. But it's ok to snap back, it keeps me driven to move forward.

Wishing you peaceful thoughts today,
Amy

Quote of the Day

"If I feel depressed I will sing. If I feel sad I will laugh. If I feel ill I will double my labor. If I feel fear I will plunge ahead. If I feel inferior I will wear new garments. If I feel uncertain I will raise my voice. If I feel poverty I will think of wealth to come. If I feel incompetent I will think of past success. If I feel insignificant I will remember my goals. Today I will be the master of my emotions." Og Mandino

Getting Some Sleep

Sleep is so important for your body to run its best. However, when your mind is racing right before bed it's hard to relax enough to sleep.

What are you doing right before bedtime?
Is your bedroom your sanctuary or your hamper?

Make sure that you are not racing around right before bed. When you are running up to the last minute you are just going to keep yourself keyed up. There are nights I get into bed and my heart is racing. It starts to freak me out until I realize I was running around all over the house. The nights I get the best sleep are the ones when I had my "spa" time. Time for me to take a relaxing shower and take care of myself.

Then I love to hop into my clean bed and watch a "happy" show or read a good book. Nothing sad or scarry. I will sometimes spray a little lavender on my pillow or use a scented lotion to calm my mind. However, if my room is a mess I can't calm down. I feel as if I need to hop up and work. Make sure your room is your sanctuary. You don't have to spend a dime, just make sure it's not cluttered with junk and you are not sleeping on a bed full of stuff. You need a place to relax and be happy. I like to keep my room empty like a hotel room. Seems to keep me at peace.

If you are really having trouble sleeping Melatonin and L-5HTP are very relaxing and will help you relax. If you can't find them they are available in the Egg Store. I personally use L-5HTP, but please be careful if you are on medication. Check with your doctor first.

Another trick is to make sure you are getting plenty of exercise and water during the day & it will really help you sleep too. It releases all kinds of chemicals to help you relax. I saw a big difference after I picked up the pace on my exercise and clean up my diet.

A couple of years ago I was staring at the ceiling until 3 or 4 in the morning. Now I fall asleep within the first chapter of my book.

Take a good look at your bedtime routine & try something new. It's amazing how small changes will make such a big difference.

If you have any questions or need someone to talk to - I am always available. I have been where you are, I am here to help you. My email is amy@thehatchedegg.com

Wishing you peaceful thoughts today,
Amy

Quote of the Day

"A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book." Irish Proverb

A Message from Flylady!

I am so honored to bring a special message from Flylady.

We are all very stressed during this holiday season. Flylady is an expert in organizing your home and life. She has brought great peace into my life so that I could focus on healing myself.

Tonight's message is a special link from a special woman. Please visit her site if you have not before. www.flylady.com

This is the link for her message:
Favorite Holiday Words: I DON'T HAVE TIME!

Wishing you peaceful thoughts today,
Amy

Quote of the Day

"Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you." Carl Sandburg

Are you a member of the Yahoo Group?

Click to join thehatchedegggroup

How are you doing with the What-Ifs?

I love the holiday season. The one thing I really struggle with are all of the sad movies. Seems like in every holiday movie someone has cancer, a parent dies, or a child is lost.

I wish I was someone who could watch the movies and not put myself in that situation. After the program I am wrapped in knots worrying about my own life. Why can't they just be a happy story?

How are you doing with the what-ifs? Do they seem to come in and take over? It seems like one small thought can snowball into an entire drama.

Here are some good ideas for moving those What-Ifs out of your mind.

• Work on your gratitude journal
• Call a friend
• Start a project
• Make a list of all of your worries and release them.
• Create a "stop" phrase to make the thought move on. Maybe "You are not welcome here" or "I am strong". Say it until you really believe it.
• Pamper yourself. Take a hot bath, or read a book.
• Sometimes I clean the house. It gets me out of that focus. Sometime I describe what I am doing in my head. The voice fills up the thought and it does not take hold. Sounds silly but it works.

Kick those what-ifs out! Soon they won't take hold anymore.

Wishing you peaceful thoughts today,
Amy

Quote of the Day

“There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle.” Albert Einstein

Are you a member of the Yahoo Group?

Click to join thehatchedegggroup

The Christmas List

This "Christmas List" is a little different than the traditional list. This is a plan of action.

Tonight we are a little over a week from Hanukkah and two weeks from Christmas Eve. Do you have a plan yet? Do you have all of your shopping completed? Where are those presents? Wrapped yet?

Over the next day we need to make a plan to keep the stress & anxiety to a minimum. Nothing feeds into our stress like the holidays.

Make sure you have:
-A list of groceries
-Find all of your recipes
-Check your calendar, don't over book
-Make sure you have a plan and a budget for those last presents
-Find all of your party clothes and make sure they have been to the cleaners
-Wrap as you buy

As the people pleasers that we tend to be make sure that you are not stressing out on Christmas Eve at the mall to buy those fill-in gifts. Those are the ones you scramble to grab just to make sure your loved one has enough.

I want you to have a happy and relaxed holiday. Take time to enjoy some hot cocoa and Christmas music. Don't find yourself stressed out and in the red on December 26th. Plan today!

Wishing you peaceful thoughts today,
Amy

Quote of the Day
"A good plan today is better
than a perfect plan tomorrow."
George S. Patton

My Supplement Plan

I have had a few questions recently about my supplement plan. So I am sending you the schedule that I am on. Supplements have really changed the way I feel & relived a lot of my symptoms. I do believe that a healthy diet, exercise & supplements were a major factor in my recovery. All are inexpensive and worth trying to see how you feel. Keep a journal on your journey - this will help you keep track of what is working for you.

If you do start a supplement program remember that this is not an overnight fix. Give it a good month to feel a change.

My plan is as follows:

Breakfast - with food:Multi, Cal/Mag, B Complex, Fish Oil

Morning before snack: Gaba

Lunch w/food: Multi, Cal/ Mag, Fish Oil, B Complex

Before snack 30 min: Gaba

Dinner: Multi, Cal/Mag, Fish Oil, NO B

Before Bed: 5-HTP (only take Gaba & 5-HTP if not on medication for anxiety & Depression)

I personally take the vitamins that you can find in the egg store. They are a good value and come straight to your door. If you have any questions please feel free to email me at amy@thehatchedegg.com - I am always available.

I want you happy and healthy. Please check with your doctor before starting a vitamin regimen. And if you are on medication please make sure there are no interactions with your doctor.

Wishing you peaceful thoughts today,
Amy

Quote of the Day

"A vitamin is a substance that makes you
ill if you don't eat it." Albert Szent-Gyorgyi

What's wrong with being happy?

If you talk to most people they won't tell you all of the blessings in their life, they will almost always focus on the negative. Why can't we be happy? Why can't we be happy for each other.

I really noticed this after my panic attacks stopped. I was understanding that I don't have drama in my life & I don't care to attract it. I was finally feeling peace, I didn't feel the need to sit and complain. I was feeling such peace and everyone around me was filled with negative talk. Think about office gossip, they are not talking about the good that happened to someone, unless it is jealous inspired.

Don't forget to work on your journal today & then your mission is to find someone and have a positive conversation. Practice not gossiping, or complaining. It's a lot harder than it sounds.

Lets inject a little bit of happiness around us. Who knows maybe it contagious!

Wishing you peaceful thoughts today,
Amy

Quote of the Day

A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes." Hugh Downs

Guest Blog for the Hatched Egg...

The power of having a best friend!

I am excited to have the opportunity to be a guest blogger for www.thehatchedegg.com. I have wanted to do this for a while mainly because I would like you all to know a little more about our moderator Amy.

Amy is my best friend and I truly mean that, she is my BEST friend. I don't say that lightly either. I am a very social person and have many acquaintances. However, I tend to shy away from close-knit relationships with women. I think it stems from some traumatic experiences in high school with some mean girls. When I met Amy in 2003 though, I knew she was different. Different in a good way, mind you. I immediately noticed her creativity. She wasn't afraid to take risks. She is an artist at heart. What I admire about Amy is that she encourages her children to be creative. Her daughter is especially creative and amazes me with her artwork.

Amy & I started to email back and forth with each other. She's got a fabulous sense of humor and the kindest heart ever. There's isn't enough room to name off the things that she has selflessly done for me and never expected anything in return. She is a beautiful person inside and out!

I met Amy right during a rough period in her life in 2003. I didn't really know that she had panic attacks or anxiety. I didn't know what panic attacks or anxiey attacks were like. I've had plenty of depression issues, especially postpartum depression. Amy did her best to always be a positive force in my life. It was a few years until I realized how severe her panic & anxiety attacks were for her. She seemed to always have it together. To tell you the truth, it was kind of a relief for me when I realized that she wasn't perfect and that she didn't have the perfect life. But she loved me for ME and accepted me with all my imperfections unconditionally.

So my sweet hatchedeggmember, thank you for joining an incredible message board. I am so glad that you also will have the opportunity to get to know Amy. She will cry with you when you are sad, she will hold your hand when you need it, she will laugh with you, she will comfort you. Most of all, she will show you a better way to deal with panic & anxiety attacks. As my favorite Ralph Waldo Emerson poem says "To know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded!" That, fellow hatchedegg friends, describes my best friend Amy perfectly!

-Daniela

Amy here: I feel so honored to have Daniela write tonight's blog. I was thinking that we should all have our friends and family tell us how they feel. Send a note to a friend today & let them know how special they are.

Quote of the Day

"Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead.

Walk beside me and be my friend."

Albert Camus

Are you getting enough?

Now is the time of sugar cookies, egg nog and pie. We are just filling up on those goodies at every turn, but are you moving enough?

Studies show that exercise will help reduce the symptoms of anxiety, stress and depression. Make sure that you are setting time everyday or every few days for an exercise routine.

I find that when I have committed myself to my fitness schedule I look forward to it. It also helps to keep me on track with the way I feel physically as well as mentally. I know that exercise really doesn't sound that fun, but what if mentally you could be less anxious or less depressed...wouldn't that be worth it?

With the stress of shopping and family make sure you look at your calendar this week and mark the days when you can fit in some exercise. Even if it's a lap or two around the mall at a quick pace. It all benefits us in the end.

Follow me on Twitter.com this week and we can help to make each other accountable. http://twitter.com/thehatchedegg

Wishing you peaceful thoughts today,
Amy

Quote of the Day

"Movement is a medicine for creating change in a person's

physical, emotional, and mental states."
Carol Welch

Are you a member of the Yahoo Group?

Click to join thehatchedegggroup

I want you to feel hope!

I want to share with you the darkest time in my life. I was working in a very stressful job and was married with kids. I put a lot of pressure on myself to handle everything. In April of 2003 I began to have full blown panic attacks. I had already experienced the daily anxiety and voices in my head. I had also started limiting my life in order to avoid the discomfort.

I think the panic attacks brought me to my knees. Many people had no idea that I was suffering so badly. Inside a war was raging. It truly felt as if it was trying to take me over. I began not sleeping, the irritability grew, I became cynical and depressed. Many days I would go into the bathroom and just cry because I was terrified. The saddest thing was that I felt so alone.

I was so terrified that I did not want to be placed on medication. Maybe it's a good thing that I didn't take the medicine, because I might not have been as willing to fight.

Most of my panic attacks occurred at night. I always felt that they happened when I let my guard down for the day. There is something about night that is so frightening and creepy. As my family slept I paced thought the house fighting the battle in my mind desperate to find peace. I had a routine to help calm me. However, I needed someone who knew where I was.

As I scoured the Internet looking for help I was often discouraged that every site that could give me a little hope wanted my money - and a lot of it. I said many prayers, but one was if I found peace I would help everyone I could.

The quotes at the top of this message everyday are very important to me. As I scoured the Internet the quotes were the only thing that I felt I could cling to. I would write them down and carry them with me. When I felt anxious, I could pull them out and they gave me comfort.

The daily messages often have something to do with how my day was or what I have encountered through the day. I am still that girl that keep the anxiety monster at bay. I may have to work on it the rest of my life, but everyday I amaze myself at something new. I love to think "what have I done today to make myself better".

I want you to have hope, to feel better, but I will tell you that you have to commit to it. Tomorrow I will have a contract in the egg printables that you can download and sign. This is all about you. Your commitment to be the best you can & not give into the anxiety or depression. To get out of bed everyday & make a difference. I hope you will fill it out & place it in your gratitude journal.

I am so proud of you! I am so blessed that you have trusted me in on your biggest struggle. If you know someone else who is suffering, invite them to join us. I will never charge for my site. I just want to pass on a little daily hope.

Wishing you peaceful thoughts today,
Amy

Quote of the Day
"Never let go of hope. One day you will see that it all has finally come together. What you have always wished for has finally come to be. You will look back and laugh at what has passed and you will ask yourself... 'How did I get through all of that?"
unknown

How are you Feeling?

How are you feeling? It's is the holiday time & most people are very stressed.

I just wanted you to know that you are not alone & you have many friends who are feeling just like you.

As we get closer to the holidays please make sure that you:

· Drink lots of water
· Don't over do the sweets
· Move a little
· Take time to relax

Please stop by the forum and introduce yourself. We would love to hear from you.

I am working on lots of new goodies for our site. So spread the word! I am so excited about our community! Please make sure you are signed up for the daily message as well as the yahoo group. You don't want to miss anything. They will help keep you on track.

Wishing you peaceful thoughts today,
Amy

Quote of the Day
"I have seen what a laugh can do. It can transform almost unbearable

tears into something bearable, even hopeful."

Bob Hope

Are You Breathing?

See I got you to pay attention to those breaths coming in. Most of the day breathing is something we do without even thinking about it.

A few years ago I realized that I am a very shallow breather. In times of stress I often hold my breath. That really messes up your body function. You are not getting enough oxygen & enough carbon dioxide is not going out. This can cause fatigue and brain fog. Deep breathing from the belly can start the relaxation response that will fight anxiety, stress and depression.

Deep belly breathing will move the oxygen through the blood & help the lymphatic system move the toxins out. If your lymphatic system is slow or sluggish it could cause weight gain, muscle loss, high blood pressure, fatigue, and inflammation.

Didn't know that breathing was so important did you? We have to make sure a few times a day we are focused on our breathing. In through the nose very slow, all the way to the bottom of our stomach and out the mouth. It amazes me that after 10 of these breaths how much better I feel. I wonder what would happen if it was an all time habit?

Check on yourself every so often. Maybe as you fall asleep tonight focus on it before you drift off, I will be.


Wishing you peaceful thoughts today,
Amy

Quote of the Day
"For breath is life, and if you breathe
well you will live long on earth."
Sanskrit Proverb

Click to join thehatchedegggroup

Reinvent Yourself

My mom called me today to tell me that she felt it was time to reinvent herself. I thought that was an interesting concept. While she is still young, she turned 64 yesterday, it was an interesting statement.

My mom has always been an optimistic and happy person. However she has realized that there are some areas in her life that she would like to improve upon.

She told me that she was making a list of exactly what she wanted to become & gave herself until her birthday next year to complete them all. Now the list she has does not include - land a rich husband or win the lottery. They are just simple changes. Well, simple enough. She would like to get healthy & loose some weight, get better at her job, pamper herself more & learn to slow down a little. That conversation got me thinking about our transformation. That of the egg - simple and quiet, just waiting to break free.

Tonight, when you work on your journal - make a list of items for your transformation. If needed copy them every night to the bottom of your daily journal page. Keep them close to you always. Next December we can pull that journal out and see where we are in our transformation.

Just imagine that Egg Breaking Free!

Wishing you peaceful thoughts today,

Amy

Quote of the Day
"When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves."
Victor Frankl

Are you a member of the Yahoo Group?

Click to join thehatchedegggroup

New Challenge Starts Today

The Gratitude Journal

Many studies show that 30 days of writing in a gratitude journal can change your outlook on life. So, for the next month we are going to make gratitude journals our new daily habit. At the end of the month we can come together and see what changes we have felt.

I like to work on my journal at night after a relaxing shower & right before I go to sleep. Remember this is just for you. You should feel free to enter anything you would like.

In my journal I am going to break down each page into 3 sections. Gratitude - Worries - Vision.

Gratitude - will be what I am grateful for that day
Worries - things that I felt worried about today
Vision - This is where I want to go

In a month I can look at the things I was grateful for & reflect. Things I worried about that did not come true. Visions that I have for myself and how much closer I am.

Come by the forum and discuss the journal process. I look forward to hearing your ideas.

Go grab that journal & dive in!

Wishing you peaceful thoughts today,
Amy

Quote of the Day
"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming
gardeners who make our souls blossom."
Marcel Proust

Are you a member of the Yahoo Group?

Click to join thehatchedegggroup