Weight loss and diet plan for a healthy lifestyle.

In general, nervous rashes are distinguished by the way in which the condition of the skin waxes and wanes with our emotional state. Sometimes we are rather blind to this, and only come to realize the relationship between the skin condition and our emotional state when it is pointed out to us by someone else. Then we wonder why we had not realized this before. A great number of chronic skin conditions are influenced in this way, particularly when we become frustrated by some stress and find ourselves in the position of being unable to do anything about it. This state of affairs is helped by the practice of our relaxing mental exercises, as this leads us to a calmer state of mind in which we are less inclined to feel frustrated by the various stresses of our life situation.

If we suffer a recurrence of our skin condition, we use our exercises to reduce our tension. We can also use the visualizing method.

Relaxed.

See my skin as it is, red and blotchy.

Utterly relaxed.

I see it clearly.

It is fading.

Utterly relaxed.

Actually see it fading.

See the skin normal again.

Utterly relaxed, drifting in the relaxation.

Remember that to be effective the visualization needs to be combined with relaxation and regression.

Many doctors, aware of the emotional factor in the causation of chronic skin rashes, keep their patients on sedatives or tranquilizing drugs. When the exercises are practised, it often happens that the rash subsides and the drugs can be withdrawn. In these cases, in order to avoid relapse, it is wise to continue with the exercises for some months after the rash has subsided, and until a more relaxed attitude of mind has been attained in which stress situations do not evoke in us the same degree of nervous frustration.

A rather pompous man had suffered from a generalized skin condition for some years. He felt that he was worthy of a much better job, but lacked the courage to make a change. It would take very little to make him feel slighted, and he was continually feeling humiliated and frustrated at work over matters of little consequence. The severity of his skin condition varied with these emotional upsets.

It did not take me long to find out his pattern of reaction, as at his first I inadvertently kept him waiting about five minutes. He was intensely angry about this, feeling that I was not treating him with due respect.

He learned to relax and his skin condition settled down. When he had become stabilized, I thought 1 would test him out. So I purposely kept him waiting for half an hour. He was quite relaxed about it, and when I reminded him of his anger on his first visit he only laughed.

A married man of forty-seven who held an executive position in an industrial concern was referred to me on account of recurring dermatitis of his hands. He had been tense all his life. He said, “I can’t do anything to break the tension.” However, he learned to relax very well and his dermatitis cleared.

*88\57\2*

There is a general belief that warm climate is good for arthritis and will promote recovery. Arizona has more people afflicted with arthritis than any other state, percentagewise. Thousands of arthritis sufferers come to Arizona, New Mexico, and Southern California in hopes that they will find relief from their agonizing affliction.

Although it is true that hot, dry climate makes arthritics feel more comfortable, it must be emphasized that the change of climate alone is not sufficient to effect a cure and restore health.

I have discussed this question with many prominent doctors in Phoenix, Arizona, who have specialized in treatment of arthritis in that state for a long time. All of them share the opinion that although arthritic patients, who come to Arizona, do feel somewhat better there, they will be quite disappointed if they expect that a change of climate alone will solve their problem.

Dr. C. A. Call, D.C., N.D., has an impressive record of work with arthritic patients. He answered my question thus: “Warm climate and sunbathing are good for people with arthritis, just as they are good for everyone. But they alone cannot cure arthritis. Other treatments, particularly dietetic therapy, must be included.”

Dr. B. P. Watterson, M.D., one of the leading medical authorities on treatment of arthritis in Arizona, said to me:

“The warm Arizona climate is of value in treating arthritis, although it is not a decisive factor in effecting a cure. People are outdoors more here in Arizona; they get more fresh, clean air, more ultraviolet rays; they are engaged in more outdoor sports and exercises and perspire more; even the pollen count is less here. All these are beneficial factors. But the change to a hot climate alone will not accomplish a cure. In my experience, arthritis is the end result of a systemic disturbance—a biochemical suffocation and a metabolic impairment. It can be successfully treated only if the underlying nutritional abuses are corrected and a proper biochemical balance is restored.”

Then, it should not be forgotten that any kind of a change which takes the patient away from the monotony of the set routine of his daily living, is good for him—emotionally and psychologically. Also, people living in Southern California and Arizona have a better supply of fresh, local fruits and vegetables the year round. They can eat a better and more nutritious than average diet. All these factors contribute to a patients recovery.

We should never forget that to enable the healing power of the body to function more efficiently and accomplish a cure, we must support it by establishing and maintaining the most favorable environment and conditions for such healing functions to take place. All the positive factors, such as diet, baths, fasting, vitamin and mineral supplements, etc., are beneficial and welcomed. The warm, dry climate, conducive to vigorous outdoor life and exposure to sunlight and fresh air, is just one of these positive factors.

*45\176\2*