Your breath is the easiest way to communicate with your subconscious. Normally, your subconscious controls your breathing; you don’t have to consciously think about it. But any time you want, you can consciously take control, holding your breath, breathing faster or slower, deeper or shallower. Breathing deeper and slower brings you to a calmer place, with your heart rate and blood pressure decreasing. It turns out that the exhalation is most important to bringing you to that calm place. … [Read more...] about Using Your Breath to Feel the Way You Want
Columnists
Are You Healthy Enough?
We’ve all seen those commercials with the disclaimer telling you to check with your doctor to make sure your heart is healthy enough for physical activity. My advice this month is to check with your tax preparer to make sure your tax planning is healthy enough for any life moves you might make. Most life moves will have a tax impact – some good, some detrimental. This is why you should stay in contact with your tax and financial professionals throughout the year. Think of it as similar to going … [Read more...] about Are You Healthy Enough?
Understanding the Power of Laws that Regulate Cities
Hello Flagstaff! As I write this, we’re getting close to the end of the state legislature session. The big story right now is education funding (which I support 100 percent; my mom was a school teacher and I taught GED/ABE/ESOL through the FUSD for five years), but I want to take a moment to talk about something that I think doesn’t get enough attention and has serious repercussions at the local level. The issue is preemption. In my years of public service, I have noticed a dramatic … [Read more...] about Understanding the Power of Laws that Regulate Cities
Spending Grows an Economy
What grows an economy? Consumer spending. That’s why consumer spending is 70 percent of the Gross Domestic Product – the indicator for national economic growth. When there is plenty of spending, the economy grows, providing more people with more money to spend on the efforts of more people. This is how the economy, in reality, trickles up. A recent paper from the Economic Policy Institute, “Inequality is Slowing US Economic Growth,” explains what many economists are describing as an age of … [Read more...] about Spending Grows an Economy
Heal the Heel: Options for Treating Plantar Fasciitis
Nearly eight out of 10 Americans have experienced significant foot pain at some point; one out of five report suffering from foot pain daily; half of all adults say foot pain has restricted their activities such as walking, exercising or even just standing; and those who suffer from chronic foot pain are significantly more likely to have pain in other parts of their body, i.e. back, knee, joint and nerve pain. The most common cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis. Usually this is an easy … [Read more...] about Heal the Heel: Options for Treating Plantar Fasciitis
Examining the Big Trend in Small Homes
Some believe bigger is better. You must have more: a bigger house, newer car, more stuff. Can’t afford it? Just put it on your credit card. This has become a societal mantra. However, there seems to be a shift in the wind. Millennials are entering the workforce with high levels of student debt, forced to share homes with roommates or even live at home. Older people are finding their retirement won’t sustain their home whether owned or rented. Young families are wanting to own but finding it … [Read more...] about Examining the Big Trend in Small Homes
Considering Technology and Mindfulness
Go to a restaurant or even a university classroom at the beginning of a class and you will undoubtedly see people staring intently at their cell phones. Some are texting, others are tweeting, looking at Instagram or Snapchat, and others are busy replying to emails. Let me also add that in the university setting, I often see my students not only with their devices, but with ear buds or headphones on as well. Out on the trail, bikers and runners are “connected” to Strava or some other App that is … [Read more...] about Considering Technology and Mindfulness
Libraries: Places for Exploration, Enjoyment
The modern library is much more than bricks and mortar. Libraries are places where people meet, share ideas, engage in discussions, learn new skills, apply for employment, find resources and access the internet. Libraries are places for kids to go after school or for grown-ups to work toward an online degree. Libraries are places to keep learning throughout your life. And there are always new things to learn. Libraries make a world of resources – and possibilities – available to individuals from … [Read more...] about Libraries: Places for Exploration, Enjoyment
Massage 101: Choosing the Right Massage and Add-On Therapies
Massage therapy encompasses many different techniques, styles and personalized options, which can vary from appointment to appointment. Few things allow us to individualize an experience for the moment like massage therapy does. In the winter, deep tissue for aching muscles from snow shoveling may be in order. After taking final exams, a relaxing massage is just what is needed to end the semester. Sometimes it is about bodywork and total-body stretching to help reach sports and physical … [Read more...] about Massage 101: Choosing the Right Massage and Add-On Therapies
Five Habits of Great Managers
Managing is truly one of the hardest responsibilities of any executive, regardless of whether the number of employees is one or 1,001. Throughout my career I have witnessed awesome examples of management, while also seeing truly horrible managers. For this month’s column, I’ve tried to narrow the top practices and habits to five. See if you practice these. You make decisions and aren’t afraid to be wrong. Few things bother me more than analysis paralysis. We all know … [Read more...] about Five Habits of Great Managers