This presentation was delivered at the first Health and Productivity Management conference in Auckland, New Zealand August 2010. It outlines how stress is an abnormal state for the body to live and function in and how maintaining a state of stress will eventually build up to become illness. In other words, the state of dis-ease leads to disease. Our body is designed to operate from the parasympathetic (relaxation) mode in everyday life. When we are relaxed, all internal body systems are set to green and healing can take place. When we are in the sympathetic (stress) mode, which is the body’s fight-flight emergency mode, all body systems are compromised and in red alert. If we live in the stress mode on an ongoing basis, which many people are doing, we will damage our internal systems and compromise our immune system. Ultimately this will lead to illness and premature ageing. The solution is to learn how to operate in the parasympathetic mode while still being productive, and this is possible. It just takes understanding, the right tools and application of that knowledge and those tools. The Art of Health teaches people how to do this.

1. HPM Conference 2010 – New approaches for improving employee health Understanding Stress Kim Knight Wellness Advisor Health Educator FengShui Consultant Meditation Teacher Qi Gong Instructor Changing the way you think about health...for good

2. HPM Conference 2010 – New approaches for improving employee health Understanding Stress Specializing in: Stress reduction Illness prevention Work-life balance Emotional management Recovery from chronic fatigue, exhaustion, workaholism and burnout Understanding the real cause of symptoms

4. Exercise (practical)

5. Solutions“You never change things by fighting the existing reality.To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete” Buckminster Fuller

6. HPM Conference 2010 – New approaches for improving employee health Keys to health “There is only one disease in world... Ignorance If you know and feel how your body reacts, You can change anything” Andre Noquet, Aikido Master

7. HPM Conference 2010 – New approaches for improving employee health Keys to health “The key to healing is awareness Becoming aware of what you were previously unaware of. Then you have new choices” Gilles Marin, Qi Gong Master “Transformation does not come from struggle but from expanding awareness” Adyashanti

8. HPM Conference 2010 – New approaches for improving employee health So... you think “a certain amount of stress is good for you?” “This is the great error of our day, that physicians separate the soul from the body. The cure should not be attempted without the treatment of the whole, and no attempt should be made to cure the body without the soul”. Plato 427 -347 BC

10. 90% of the U.S. population suffers from some type of anxiety disorder

11. Over 70 million people in the United States have hypertension or high blood pressure Source: American Stress Institute

13. Stress activates changes in the autonomic nervous system and hormone systems

14. Cardiovascular disease is the #1 cause of death in the United States and in most countries todaySource: American Stress Institute and Heartmath Institute

16. In 2010 there are 17,000 legally registered diseases

17. In 1908 one in 8,000 people were diagnosed with cancer

18. In 2010 it is anticipated the number will be 1 in 3Source: Don Tolman, Health Educator

20. Asthma

21. Arthritis

22. Back pain

23. Depression

24. Diabetes

25. Gastro-intestinal problems

26. Cardio-vascular problems

27. Obesity

28. Stress

29. Fatigue

30. Migraines

31. Blood pressure

32. Cholesterol

33. Inactivity

34. Smoking

35. Drinking

37. Asthma

38. Arthritis

39. Back pain

40. Depression

41. Diabetes

42. Gastro-intestinal problems

43. Cardio-vascular problems

44. Obesity

45. Hay fever

46. Fatigue

47. Migraines

48. Blood pressure

49. Cholesterol

50. Inactivity

51. Smoking

52. Drinking

54. HPM Conference 2010 – New approaches for improving employee health Stress defined A simple definition: ‘An internal nervous system response, where bye the fight-flight system of the body is triggered as a result of either internal or external stressors’. “Sickness is a healthy reaction to an unhealthy situation” Gilles Marin

55. HPM Conference 2010 – New approaches for improving employee health Stress Fact #1 Our natural state is to be calm and relaxed... ...all of the time... no matter what is going on ...huh? “Sickness is felt, but health not at all”

56. HPM Conference 2010 – New approaches for improving employee health Stress Fact #1 Stress is not a normal, healthy state for the body to live in Our natural state is a calm mind and relaxed body Inner calm is the key to good health and longevity “Taking personal responsibility for your life is a necessary process. The power in personal responsibility is that external causes no longer produce internal reactions” Harry Palmer, Founder of Avatar

57. HPM Conference 2010 – New approaches for improving employee health Stress Fact #1 What is normal (being calm) has become abnormal What is abnormal (being stressed) has become the norm “There is only one disease in this world: Ignorance. If you know and feel how your body reacts, you can change anything” Andre Noquet, Aikido Master

58. HPM Conference 2010 – New approaches for improving employee health Stress Fact #2 Stress is ALWAYS an internal response. Any external or internal events are merely triggers or ‘stressors’. External events are always neutral “I cannot always control what goes on outside, but I can always control what goes on inside.” Wayne Dwyer

59. HPM Conference 2010 – New approaches for improving employee health Stress Response ‘Sympathetic nervous system response’ Fight-flight state Designed for emergencies Designed to be temporary “I cannot always control what goes on outside, but I can always control what goes on inside.” Wayne Dwyer

60. HPM Conference 2010 – New approaches for improving employee health Relaxation Response ‘Parasympathetic nervous system response’ Natural state of the body Designed to live and operate from Pre-requisite for healing “I cannot always control what goes on outside, but I can always control what goes on inside.” Wayne Dwyer

61. HPM Conference 2010 – New approaches for improving employee health Stress Fact #3 Stress is an epidemic Most people are permanently living in a state of stress Detrimental effects on internal organ systems “The key to healing is becoming aware of what you were previously unaware of, and then making better choices” Kim Knight

62. HPM Conference 2010 – New approaches for improving employee health Stress Fact #4 Stress is the root cause of much disease Stress is a state of dis-ease... Which builds up to become disease “The key to healing is becoming aware of what you were previously unaware of, and then making better choices” Kim Knight

63. HPM Conference 2010 – New approaches for improving employee health Dis-ease – the root of disease Normal health Calm and relaxed Stress is

64. HPM Conference 2010 – New approaches for improving employee health Dis-ease – the root of disease Stress is Stress response triggered – sympathetic nervous response

65. HPM Conference 2010 – New approaches for improving employee health Dis-ease – the root of disease Depression (unexpressed emotions) Anxiety (unidentified emotions) Stress is Stress response triggered – sympathetic nervous response

66. HPM Conference 2010 – New approaches for improving employee health Dis-ease – the root of disease Irritable Bowel Food Intolerances Muscle pain Allergies Insomnia High blood pressure Anxiety (unidentified emotions) Depression (unexpressed emotions) Stress is Stress response triggered – sympathetic nervous response

67. HPM Conference 2010 – New approaches for improving employee health Dis-ease – the root of disease Chronic Fatigue The big C Fibroids, Cysts Irritable Bowel Adrenal Exhaustion Fibromyalgia Food Intolerances Muscle pain Allergies Insomnia High blood pressure Anxiety (unidentified emotions) Depression (unexpressed emotions) Stress is Stress response triggered – sympathetic nervous response

69. To differentiate between stress and relaxation

70. To connect with the body intelligence (internal health monitor)

71. To find solutions for current problems

72. To calm the mind and relax the body“An ounce of practice is worth a ton of theory” P Hariharananada, enlightened teacher

73. HPM Conference 2010 – New approaches for improving employee health Whole body intelligence Brain in head - Intellect Heart Mind - Wisdom Abdominal brain – gut feeling “Sickness is felt, but health not at all”

74. HPM Conference 2010 – New approaches for improving employee health Addiction and stress Stress is an addiction We have trained ourselves to live from and in a state of stress “Transformation does not come from struggle but from expanding awareness” Adyashanti, enlightened teacher

75. HPM Conference 2010 – New approaches for improving employee health Addiction and stress Stress is an addictive behaviour Step One for any addiction: recognition and acknowledgement Step Two: Change “The reason we are uncomfortable or disallow others to feel emotions is because we are afraid of feeling our own.” Kim Knight

77. Never enough time...

78. No time for ‘me’ things – I’m last on my list

79. Eating fast

80. Eating while working, no breaks

81. Always on the go“To see one’s predicament clearly is the first step to going beyond it” EchhardtTolle, best-selling author

83. Incessant mind-chatter, buzzing in head

84. Can’t switch off or fall asleep

85. Can’t sit still for five minutes

86. Talking fast

87. Emotional ups and downs

88. Drinking lots of coffee and energy drinks“Knowledge without application is useless”

89. HPM Conference 2010 – New approaches for improving employee health The Laws of Health If we want to stay healthy, enhance wellbeing and avoid illness, without the use of drugs or supplements, then we are going to have to familiarise ourselves with the laws of health

90. HPM Conference 2010 – New approaches for improving employee health Solutions ‘Become aware and take care’ Self-awareness Self-care Self-responsibility “Excellence is won by training and habituation. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence is then not an act but a habit” Aristotle

91. HPM Conference 2010 – New approaches for improving employee health Solutions Three-fold approach: Self-induced stress Become aware Change habits External Stressors Identify Resolve Proactive self-care Look after self Daily de-stressing “Excellence is won by training and habituation. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence is then not an act but a habit” Aristotle

95. Put into place regular relaxation inducing exercises eg. Walks, Meditation, Qi Gong, Yoga

96. HPM Conference 2010 – New approaches for improving employee health Business solutions Three-fold approach: Work habits& expectations Assess Amend Work environment Assess Improve Employee Education Self-care education Lead from the top “Excellence is won by training and habituation. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence is then not an act but a habit” Aristotle

98. good sitting / standing posture

99. sensible work hours

100. health awareness education

101. slow down, stop rushing

102. realistic work-load expectations“Excellence is won by training and habituation. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence is then not an act but a habit” Aristotle

104. real plants

105. proper desk placement (fengshui)

106. fresh air

107. natural light“Excellence is won by training and habituation. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence is then not an act but a habit” Aristotle

109. in-house yoga, qi gong, meditation

110. seminars and workshops

111. incorporate self-care into routine

112. walk the talk from the top down“Excellence is won by training and habituation. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence is then not an act but a habit” Aristotle

113. HPM Conference 2010 – New approaches for improving employee health Are you ready for a different result? “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again… …and expecting a different result”. Are you ready to change?! “Much of your pain is self-chosen. It is the bitter potion by which the physician within you heals your sick self. Therefore trust the physician and drink his remedy in silence and tranquility”. Kahlil Gibran

115. Stress reduction & burnout recovery programs

116. Work-life balance programs

117. Emotional management training

118. Individuals: Back-to-health and health enhancement programs

119. Groups: Health education seminars and workshops

120. Tailor-made motivational and transformational health retreatswww.artofhealth.co.nzwww.taohealth.co.nzwww.mickeltherapy.co.nz