To stay young and healthy, how often is sex recommended?

A.    Once a week

B.    Twice a week

C.    10 times a month

D.    200 or more times a year (about 4 x week)

Dr. Mehmet Oz, co-author of the “You” series health guides for body mind and soul and Oprah’s go-to health guy, states that if you have 200 orgasms a year, you can reduce your physiologic age by six years.

Dr. Michael Roizen, author of RealAge — Are You as Young as You Can Be?, states that “Having sex at least twice a week can make your RealAge 1.6 years younger than if you had sex only once a week.” He defines ‘real age’ as “an estimation of your age in biologic terms, not chronologic years.”

Roizen believes that sex keeps us younger because it “decreases stress, relaxes us, enhances intimacy, and helps … personal relationships.”

Although no study has yet proven a cause-and-effect relationship between good sex and longevity, there seems to be a beneficial system at work here — a sort of virtuous cycle of sex and health reinforcing one another.

One of the first long term studies of aging begun at Duke University in the ’50s and reported in the December 1982 journal Gerontologist found that the frequency of sexual intercourse (for men) and the enjoyment of sex (for women) predicted longevity.

A study done in Wales, and published in the December 1997 British Medical Journal under the title, “Sex and Death: Are They Related?” found over ten years of follow up, that men who reported at least two orgasms a week at the time of the study had less than half the risk of dying from various causes than those who reported a lower frequency of orgasm.

Other studies have found that sexual dissatisfaction was a predictor of the onset of cardiovascular disease. A study published in the November-December 1976 journal Psychosomatic Medicine compared 100 women with heart disease (acute myocardial infarction) with a control group and found sexual dissatisfaction among 65% of the coronary patients but only 24% of the controls.

In a long-term study published as Secrets of the Superyoung, Dr. David Weeks, of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital in Scotland, found that “the key ingredients for looking younger are staying active … and maintaining a good sex life.” In a study of 3,500 people, ages 30 to 101, Weeks found that “sex helps you look between four and seven years younger,” according to impartial ratings of the subjects’ photos. Dr. Weeks, a clinical neuropsychologist, attributed this to significant reductions in stress, greater contentment, and better sleep.

Sex is not the answer. Sex is the question. “Yes” is the answer.
~Swami X

Sex is the most fun you can have without laughing.
~Woody Allen

Sex Reduces Pain

Immediately before orgasm, levels of the hormone oxytocin surge to five times their normal level. This releases an increase in endorphins, which alleviate the pain of everything from headache to arthritis to even migraines. In women, sex also prompts production of estrogen, which can reduce the pain of PMS. Just thinking about sex can help to reduce pain.

Sex Improves Intimacy

Speaking of oxytocin, this so-called “love” hormone helps us to bond, trust and build intimate relationships. Higher levels of oxytocin have also been linked to a feeling of generosity.

Sex Helps You Sleep Better

The release of oxytocin during orgasm promotes sleep. Getting enough sleep helps to maintain a healthy weight and blood pressure.

Sex Burns Calories and Keeps You Fit

Sex is a great way to exercise. A vigorous session may burn some 200 calories–about the same as running 15 minutes on a treadmill. 40 half-hour sessions could burn off more than enough calories to lose a pound. The pulse rate or an aroused person rises from about 70 beats per minute to 150, the same as that of an athlete at maximum effort. Muscular contractions during intercourse work the pelvis, thighs, buttocks, arms, neck and thorax.

Another fitness benefit of sex is that it can keep you in constant awareness of your body image. If you are continually being naked in front of another person, it’s a good incentive to stay in shape.

 Men’s Health magazine has gone so far as to call the bed the single greatest piece of exercise equipment ever invented.

Sex Boosts Immunity

Good sexual health could mean better physical health. Wilkes University in Pennsylvania says individuals who have sex once or twice a week show 30% higher levels of an antibody called immunoglobulin A or IgA, which is known to boost the immune system, protecting you from colds and other infections.

Sex Relieves Stress

Biological Psychology reports that frequent intercourse was associated with lower diastolic blood pressure and overall stress reduction. A study of 24 women and 22 men noted that those who had intercourse had better responses to stressful situations than those who abstained from sex. They performed better at such tasks as speaking in public and doing verbal arithmetic.

Sex Improves Cardiovascular Health

Researchers in England recently published a study of 914 men who were followed for 20 years. They found that compared with those who had sex less than once a month, those having sex twice or more per week reduced the risk of fatal heart attack or stroke by 50%.

Sex makes for a Happier Prostate

Some urologists believe they see a relationship between infrequency of ejaculation and cancer of the prostate.

A study recently published by the British Journal of Urology International asserts that men in their 20s can reduce by a third their chance of getting prostate cancer by ejaculating more than five times a week. Another study, reported in the Journal of the American Medical Assn., found that frequent ejaculations, 21 or more per month, (252/year) were linked to lower prostate cancer.

Sex is a Beauty Treatment & Fountain of Youth

In a study at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital in Scotland, a panel of judges guessed participant’s ages. Those who looked seven to 12 years younger than their age were also enjoying sex at least four times a week, on average.

Sex raises a woman’s estrogen level, which helps make hair shiny and skin supple.

Sex also boosts production of testosterone, which leads to stronger bones and muscles.

Having at least two orgasms a week can increase your life span. Every time you orgasm, the hormone DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) increases in response to sexual excitement. DHEA can boost your immune system, repair tissue, improve cognition, and even work as an antidepressant.

Sex helps your sense of smell. After sex, production of the hormone prolactin surges. This in turn causes stem cells in the brain to develop new neurons in the brain’s olfactory bulb, its smell center.

Sex gives you better bladder control. Pelvic floor muscle exercises known as Kegels offer the benefit of minimizing the risk of incontinence. Strong muscles increase the intensity of orgasms.

Sex Improves Your Teeth (special delivery system for women). Seminal plasma contains zinc, calcium and other minerals shown to retard tooth decay. It could be a far more satisfying experience than squeezing a tube of Tartar Control Crest. Researchers have noted that etiquette usually demands the brushing of one’s teeth before and/or after intimacy, which helps promote better oral hygiene.”

Sex can enhance your sense of spirituality.

Many ancient traditions and cultures view sexuality as something sacred and spiritual. Sexual energy is unlike any other.  When we merge with this power during orgasm, we are connecting to our non-physical aspects. Why do you think we cry out, “Oh God!”? According to the Taoists, since we are conceived through orgasm and orgasmic energy permeates every cell of our body, we need to feel this orgasmic energy regularly – ideally every day – to stay healthy.

A study was conducted on ninety-six overweight or obese adults. Half of the participants were taught EFT right away; while the other half did whatever they ordinarily did to control food cravings for four weeks. The “wait list” group was the control (comparison) group.

Prior to conducting the research, the subjects were given a series of tests to determine the intensity of their food cravings and measure how strong an influence food exerted over them. The researchers also investigated the degree of restraint these people showed when faced with tempting food, and the number of psychological symptoms of stress they were experiencing. Everyone in the study was measured to determine their BMI (Body Mass Index), an indication of how the body stores and distributes fat.

At the end of four weeks, the subjects were re-tested. It was found that those who had first learned EFT showed: significantly lowered food cravings;  had improved significantly in the degree to which they were able to restrain themselves when confronted by tempting foods;  and an improvement in the degree to which the food tempted them.

The same subjects were studied again at the end of 12 months. Demonstrating the holding power of this technique, it was noted that the intensity of food cravings and the pull of the temptation to a particular food, remained significantly improved at the end of one year in those who had been practicing EFT, Also, the Body Mass Index was also significantly reduced at the end of one year.

This study shows that EFT can have an immediate effect on reducing food cravings and also result in maintenance of these reduced cravings over a long period of time. In addition it shows that EFT impacts favorably on The Body Mass Index. The researchers suggest that EFT may contribute to the ability of weight loss/dieting programs to assist people to achieve reduced food cravings and therefore lose weight.

 *This study was conducted by Stapleton, Sheldon, Porter & Whitty,  2009-2010. It was funded by a grant from the Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology (ACEP).

About an hour into this, Tayden had probably eaten 2 or 3 containers of strawberries.  Her mom said, “Don’t you think you have had enough?”

Tayden shrugged. Clearly, it was hard to think of ‘enough’ strawberries. How many would that be?

So, her uncle asked, “Well, how does your belly feel?”

And she replied, “Oh, my belly is full. But when it’s good and my BRAIN wants to keep eating, it just doesn’t listen to my belly!”

How often have you continued eating after your belly was full? You ate because it tasted so good or because you were happy or bored or lonely or tired or angry. Are you listening to your belly? Is your brain (your thoughts) fully aware of your body and your physical needs? Or are you ignoring it?

In order to create and maintain excellent health, your mind-body connection should be fully engaged and in working order. If you need a tune-up, I can help you to access the power and make the connection. Choose your thoughts. Choose your body.

Uncle Sam celebrates Independence Day with Patricia

Do you recognize and rejoice in your own personal liberty? Or do you feel trapped or limited? Will you allow yourself the freedom to make the right choices to create joy in your life? Or will you make up some reason why it’s not possible? Do you embrace self-rule and self-government? Or are you influenced by the choices or restrictions of others?

Like all beliefs, your view of personal freedom and liberty is a perception of your subconscious mind. It is a thought that you keep practicing. You can choose to change the thought at any time.

You are completely in control of your freedom as well as your limitations. You set your own boundaries. What limitations have you set on your success and happiness? Would you like to be free of self-imposed limitations? Would you like to create your own Independence Day?

We live our lives based on our perceptions and beliefs, often unaware that there may be a new and different way to approach a situation. Einstein tells us “Problems cannot be solved at the same level of awareness that created them.”

Our founding fathers created a new way of government and a new way of thinking. They imagined “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”. We have benefited from their vision and their beliefs.

Why not approach a situation in a different way? Explore the use of powerful mindbody energy techniques to let go of self-imposed limitations. Access the power of your subconscious mind to imagine a future of self-mastery and a new way of being. You deserve to pursue happiness. It’s an inalienable right. Happy Independence Day!

“EFT offers great healing benefits.” ~ Deepak Chopra, Author of more than fifty books and co-creator of the Chopra Center.

“What’s interesting about EFT is that it is a process that really, in some sense engages… like super learning. And super learning is like pushing the record button on the subconscious mind.” Bruce Lipton, Author of “The Biology of Belief” – Internationally recognized speaker in bridging science and spirit

“EFT is destined to be the top healing tool for the 21st century.” ~ Cheryl Richardson, Author of “Stand Up for Your Life,” “Take Time for Your Life” and “Life Makeovers”

“I’ve used Tapping for years and highly recommend it!” ~ Joe Vitale, Bestselling author and one of the stars of the hit movie “The Secret”

“I have been Tapping for years and have found it to be a pivotal tool in creating the life of my dreams. This information is essential if you want to live your best life!” ~ Jack Canfield, Co-author of the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series and one of the stars of the hit movie “The Secret”

 EFT is a form of Energy Psychology, Meridian Therapy, or Thought Field Therapy. It is an obvious extension of Einstein’s discovery that ALL matter, including the human body, is composed of energy. When we experience a negative emotion or physical discomfort or pain, it is because there has been a disruption in our energy system. The thought energy affects the emotional energy which affects the physical energy. EFT works by tapping on a series of points on the body which correspond to acupuncture points in the energy meridian system. Tapping on the conduits between the energy body and the physical body releases blockages and limitations and enhances the well-being and functioning of the individual. EFT is an emotional version of acupuncture, except you stimulate the meridian points by tapping on them with your fingertips. Tuning into a problem or a limiting belief can be done by simply thinking bout it. Thinking will bring about the energy disruptions involved which then …and only then… can be balanced by tapping the 9-Step Sequence.

 To release negative emotions, rate each of the negative beliefs or experiences using a number scale from 1 to 10, giving each a rating about how bad it makes you feel – a subjective unit of discomfort (SUD). Take a deep breath, focus on your issue and create a set-up phrase, which identifies the problem.

 “Even though I have …this problem… I deeply and completely accept myself.”

 Examples of “this problem” may be something like:

 “Even though my father told me I was lazy…”

“Even though I’ve failed before…”

“Even though I’m overweight…”

“Even though I’m unworthy…”

“Even though I’m really angry with my husband…”

 Using two fingers begin by tapping on the first spot. Either tap on the thymus gland located at the center of the breastbone, or tap on the side of the hand at the karate chop point. While tapping, focus on your issue and breathe deeply. Do this while repeating the set-up phrase three times. It doesn’t matter if you tap on either your right or left side. Or you can use both hands while tapping through the 9-Step Sequence; tapping on both sides of the body at the same time.

 Now, while saying “releasing this problem”…”don’t need this problem”…” letting go of this problem”, tap on the remaining spots of the 9-Step Sequence: 

2. inner eyebrow

3. outer eyebrow

4. under eye

5. under nose

6. chin

7. collarbone

8. under arm

9. crown of head.

 For a particularly intense issue, continue tapping on the outer side of the thumb, pointer, middle and little fingers, as well as the karate chop point on the side of the hand. Evaluate your SUD and continue the process until you have reached a level of comfort. You may also use the 9-Step Sequence to release any unwanted emotions at the time you are experiencing the feeling. It is not necessary to verbally express and identify the emotions…just tap. To reinforce and choose positive behaviors and affirmations, use the 9-Step Sequence to tap as you focus on your choices. For example, after you have “released anxiety” you can then “choose to be calm”. You can also choose confidence, focus, motivation, joy, freedom, empowerment or any other positive emotion. After you have written your affirmations, take a moment to tap through the 9-Step Sequence while you read and focus on your affirmation. Notice if you are energetically aligned with your desires. If not, take the opportunity to tap away any limitations.

 There are many ways to fine tune the procedure. The set-up phrase, identifying the problem or formulating the affirmation or choice, is a very important factor. Please contact a Certified EFT Practitioner for assistance. Belief in the process is unnecessary. EFT is like gravity or electricity. It works whether you believe in it or not. In order to achieve results, you just have to do it. Persistently and consistently.