Letting Go of Stress

Stressed Is Desserts Spelled Backward

Learn from the stories of several people who, in the face of stress, beat the odds in their efforts to gain control of their lives and come through gracefully. This inspiring talk provides an intimate look at how six people chose to confront rather than retreat from the obstacles that threatened to consume their lives with angst and torment. They now walk the streets as victors rather than victims. Based on his popular best selling book, Stressed is Desserts Spelled Backward, these stories offer insight and inspiration as to how we too, might learn to diplomatically confront our stressors. The wisdom in Desserts teaches us to use our muscles of the soul and turn our threats into challenge, so that we may polish the rough edges of our existence and continue to live, love, and learn throughout the journey of our human existence. (This is by far, Dr. Seaward’s most popular presentation.)

The Healing Power of Humor

This one-hour multi-media presentation highlights the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects of humor therapy, dating back to the Ancient Greeks up to the remarkable recovery of humor laureate, Norman Cousins. Reasons why we laugh and smile, types of humor that make us giggle, and 10 ways to tickle our funny bone are included in this topic. This presentation is filled with colorful images, hilarious cartoons, memorable quotations, and a wonderful narrative created by a scholar of humor therapy and comic relief. Perhaps because the nature of laughter is infectious, this is one of Dr. Seaward's most popular presentations.

A Good Night's Sleep:Stress & Insomnia

 

Over fifty percent of American claim to suffer from poor quality of sleep. Stress is ubiquitous in the work setting and one of the most common symptoms of stress is insomnia. Current research from the National Sleep Foundation suggests that over 60% of Americans suffer from insomnia each year. This epidemic is expected to increase dramatically in the coming years. Poor quality of sleep translates into poor work habits, poor communication skills, performance deficits, and compromised health, speicially the immune system. This presentation outlines the three categories of insomnia (transient, intermittent and chronic), the stress-prone behaviors that contribute to poor sleep quality and poor sleep hygiene, and several suggestions to improve the quality of one's sleep. Two relaxation techniques will be demonstrated and taught at the end of the session.

Coping With Change at the Worksite

The ever-changing dynamics of our global economy are forcing dramatic changes in the corporate setting, and these ultimately affect every working employee. Downsizing, right-sizing, early retirements, and job consolidations are just a few of the repercussions in the worksite today. In addition, fax machines, computer software packages, and mobile phones may initially seem to make our jobs easier, but ultimately they remind us that we are forced to adapt to the changes in this high technology age or be swept behind. So how does one cope with change effectively and not feel as if they are a victim in the ever-changing world we live in? There are effective coping techniques and non-effective coping techniques that are used in times of stress. This presentation begins with the concept of positive thinking strategies, and then combines this with ideas that help bring problems and concerns to a point of resolution. Coping with change means learning to adapt positively to change while maintaining a sense of self-control.

 

Perhaps no other person has provided such a wealth of knowledge about myth and mythology as Joseph Campbell. His work has inspired thousands of people from anthropologist Angeless Arrien to filmmaker George Lucas. Campbell believed that the hero's journey is the metaphorical expression of our soul-growth process. His work was brought to national consciousness with Bill Moyer's PBS series, The Power of Myth, and today, the work of Campbell is recognized in many circles as a fresh look at ageless wisdom for the new millennium. His protégé, Jean Houston, has also inspired many people about the core aspects of humanistic psychology. This presentation will highlight several themes, concepts and ideas that form the works of both Campbell and Houston including the three stages of the Hero's Journey, various archetypes of the Hero, Mythology as it relates to human psychology and Houston's concept of the four levels of one's being.

Relaxation 101:
The Art of Calm

In a high tech, 24/7 society the body (and mind) craves relaxation. Most people do not take the time necessary to bring the body back to homeostasis.  This one-hour presentation briefly explores the hows and why's of relaxation in a simple, straightforward process that can be learned and practiced just about any time, anywhere. With a 10-minute prelude of theory, the remainder of this session involves 3-4 ten-minute relaxation sessions including diaphragmatic breathing, guided visualization and mental imagery. Everyone will walk out relaxed and re-energized. The secrets of relaxation are no longer secret, yet the benefits of quiet solitude are immeasurable—at many levels. Take some time to learn the simple steps of solitude that help promote a sense of inner peace in everyday life.

Creative Anger Management

There are two primary emotions involved with stress: anger and fear. Until recently, fear and anxiety have eclipsed the attention of virtually all health practitioners with regard to effective coping strategies. However, with the revelation that hostility is the primary characteristic of Type A behavior, a risk factor so strongly associated with coronary heart disease, the spotlight is now shining strongly on the aspect of aggression and anger management. What exactly is anger? Why has this emotion been ignored in terms of stress management? What myths are associated with anger? How is anger mismanaged? And perhaps most importantly, what steps can be taken to creatively vent feelings of anger and frustration? This presentation will discuss these and other answers about this often dark and misunderstood emotion.

Walking In Balance

Wellness can best be defined as “the integration, balance, and harmony of one's mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual components of well-being,” with a special emphasis on the aspect of balance. It is a common belief that the reason why we, as individuals and the world population as a whole, are experiencing so many problems today is that we have lost our sense of balance; balance between work and home, freedom and responsibility, sensory stimulation and sensory overload, and ties between civilization and nature. The result is an imbalance within the core of our very Self. There is an ancient Native American expression that states that in order to find true happiness we must “Walk in balance.” This seminar helps to bring to your awareness those aspects that may be out of balance within your essence, and how to regain a sense of balance with the various aspects of your life. Soul searching, self-reflection, values assessment and clarification make up a large part of this presentation, combined with some practical exercises to apply the concept of ‘walking in balance' in your life.

Spirits on a Human Path

We are living in a time and age where the recognition of human spirituality is now deemed an essential aspect of humanity. Not long ago the word spirituality was rarely heard in public. Rather, this topic was confined to the walls of churches, synagogues and temples. Today, the essence of spirituality is finding itself acknowledged in all factions of society and culture including the workplace. Perhaps the reason for the popularity of this topic is the craving, hunger, and desire to become whole; a human need not satisfied through material possessions or the realization of the puritan ethic where worth equals work. Learn the difference between spirituality and religion, follow the footsteps of several spiritual travelers from Carl Jung, Black Elk and M. Scott Peck to Joan Borysenko, Lao Tzu, and Albert Einstein, and explore the process of higher consciousness through the centering, emptying, grounding, and connecting processes. Colorful slides, inspiring quotes, and eclectic stories give this a fresh perspective and engaging exposure to this essential aspect of our lives.

Health of the Human Spirit

Wellness was the buzzword of the 90's, but this topic includes more than aerobics and a high fiber diet. Long ignored in the allied health fields, spiritual well-being has now moved beyond an “inference” in health promotion programming to a recognized cornerstone of the wellness paradigm. If we were to first place importance on the health of our human spirit, all other aspects of our lives would fall into place. This presentation outlines several ways to increase the awareness of all things spiritual including: the practice of self-renewal, the art of sacred rituals, sweet forgiveness, embracing your shadow, surrendering the ego, keeping the faith, putting compassion in action, and living your joy. Among the exercises included in this seminar/workshop are: identifying roadblocks and distractions on the human path, engaging the centering and emptying processes, and identifying your inner resources. The health of the human spirit is health to body, mind and soul. Come explore the spiritual dimension of well-being through engaging stories, and breathtaking photography that combine to synthesize the ageless wisdom of humanity.

Mind-Body-Spirit Healing

Three hundred years ago, the philosophy of Rene Descartes altered the course of Western medicine by conceptually dividing the human being into two separate entities: the mind and the body. The result was a commonly held view that the human body functioned like a large grandfather clock with fixable or replaceable parts. What this theory abandoned was the incredible healing power of the human spirit. Recent scientific discoveries are leading us to a new awareness of the connections between mind and body, specifically the healing potential of the mind-spirit. A new emerging paradigm, termed holism (where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts and all parts—mind body, spirit and emotions—are tightly integrated to comprise a whole being), is slowly replacing the once prevailing mechanistic paradigm. Concepts including hypnosis, placebos, multiple personality disorders, and spontaneous remissions are being completely revisited under this new paradigm.

How does this new concept of mind body healing affect the average worker? The World Health Organization has cited job stress as a global epidemic of the 1990's. We now know that emotional stress can markedly affect the integrity of the immune system and nervous system, putting you at risk for disease and illness. This seminar (also offered as a daylong workshop) will highlight the following: 1) a brief history of medicine, 2) explorations of the mind and spirit, 3) some remarkable healing stories and 4) practical techniques for mind-body-spirit healing.

Stress, Disease & the Human Energy Field

For ages, healers around the world have suggested that indeed, each person has an aura that surrounds the physical body. Modern medicine and Western science were quick to ignore such "superstitious" claims. However recently, it was discovered that everybody does have an electro-magnetic field, which not only surrounds but permeates the human body. Could these be the same? Scientific data show that people who are exposed to high tension power lines and other high voltage power circuits have a higher incidence of cancer. And the ancient art of the healing power of touch, once considered to be a placebo, is now being studied scientifically with some amazing results. This presentation unites the fields of physics and metaphysics in an effort to understand the newest frontier of medicine and health. This lecture includes a short film clip from a video produced by the Wirkus Foundation highlighting research conducted at the Menninger Clinic in Topeka, Kansas. Come explore this amazing shift in paradigms.

Exploring the Dynamics of Complementary Medicine

In 1993, a Harvard study investigated the popular use of alternative medicine in the United States. It was revealed that over 33% of the American public typically use some form of complementary healing modality. Moreover, it was learned that most Western-trained physicians know next to nothing about various forms of complementary healing, yet have a strong bias against it. Meanwhile, Americans are voting with their checkbooks scheduling sessions in acupuncture, homeopathy, massage therapy, and bio-energy healing because these and other modalities, unlike conventional Western medical practice, address the integration, balance, and harmony of mind, body, and spirit. The purpose of this presentation is to begin the bridge-building process by explaining what complementary medicine is and how allopathic (Western) and holistic (complementary) medicine can work together for the best health care practice in North America.

Words of Mercy, Words of Grace: The Healing Power of Prayer

Until recently, the dynamics of prayer, although greatly appreciated, have not been understood very well. Interestingly, a handful of significant studies have emerged revealing what most people have assumed all along, that prayer works! As the fields of science and spirituality broach the topic of prayer, they find they have much common ground, specifically the aspect of energy in the form of conscious intent. This presentation looks at the dynamics of prayer, the concept of the non-local mind, the collective unconscious, the holographic universe theory, and as Einstein so eloquently once said, “The thoughts of God.” Additionally, there will be insights provided from various luminaries, from Larry Dossey, M.D. (author of Healing Words) to Sophy Burnham (author of A Book of Angels) whose wisdom shows us how to best articulate our thoughts to prayer.

Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water
Reflections on Stress and Human Spirituality

Stress is a stranger to no one. Once described merely as wear and tear on the body, stress is now best defined as “a disconnection from our divine source.” Times of stress may bring feelings of panic and mayhem, but stress also provides the opportunity for spiritual growth—when we call upon our inner resources (faith, patience, humbleness, intuition, courage, humor and compassion) to dismantle life's major roadblocks so that we may walk in balance on the human path. There is an ancient Chinese proverb that speaks to the nature of human existence, and underscores the importance of finding balance in our lives. It reads, “Stand like mountain, move like water.” To stand like a mountain means to feel strong and secure in the midst of change. To move like water means to go with the flow. In times such as these where change is ever present in the global culture, balance is necessary to stay grounded, centered, and connected. Times of change bring with it stress. It's no secret that we are living in a time of great stress, yet we are also living in a time of a spiritual awakening of the human soul. Are the winds of change and the winds of grace one in the same? Perhaps! Based on Seaward's popular best seller, Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water, this presentation weaves theory and story, personal experience and humor, wit and love in a poetic synthesis that both educates and inspires audiences of all ages. This presentation has become one of Dr. Seaward's most popular talks. Television host, Joan Lunden (formerly of Good Morning America), credits the book, Stand Like Mountain, with helping her get through life's most difficult passages.

The Low Stress Diet: Stress, Nutrition, and the Immune System

Fact: Stress depletes essential nutrients in the body for fight or flight. When people are stressed, good eating habits go out the window; hence these nutrients are not being replenished. Moreover, many comfort foods tend to increase the stress response adding gasoline to the fire of stress. All of this compromises the immune system paving a clear path for disease and illness. Stress greatly impacts everything: from digestion and absorption to metabolism and elimination. Is there a relationship between nutrition, stress and disease? Sadly, the answer is yes, and it is not a pretty picture. But knowledge is power. Learn the latest facts regarding nutrition, stress, disease from Dr. Brian Luke Seaward, who served over 10 years on the faculty of the University of Colorado, teaching his popular course, Nutrition, Health and Performance.

Holiday Stress Survival

Stress may surface at any time in our lives for most people the most predictable time is the winter holiday season. Saddled with expectations, responsibilities, commercialization and even exploitation of the season, patience and good cheer are often hard to come by at a time when they are needed most. This presentation examines the reasons for holiday stress, from Seasonal Affected Disorder (SAD) to the onslaught of holiday shopping, and offers many ideas and strategies to rise above the fray to help you achieve that often-illusive sense of inner peace.

Coming Up For Air: Decompressing From The Stress of Life   

Indeed, we are living in stressful times! The basics of holistic stress management are nothing more than common sense, but common sense isn’t too common with umpteen responsibilities. Information overload, urban sprawl, chronic diseases, on-demand everything, global warming, techno-stress, corporate downsizing, school shootings; the list of personal and planetary stressors is nearly endless. But we don’t have to be passive victims in a cruel world. Holistic Stress management honors the integration, balance and harmony of mind, body, spirit and emotions where the whole is always greater than the sum of the parts. This presentation highlights the tools for stress decompression so that you can regain a sense of balance in your life and reclaim your sense of empowerment to navigate gracefully on your life journey in the global community (this is Dr. Seaward’s most popular corporate presentation).

No Rain, No Rainbows

There is a wonderful Hawaiian proverb that simply states, “No rain, no rainbows.” The inherent message suggests that no matter how difficult things might seem, there is always the promise that things will get better; in essence after the struggle, comes the victory! It's no secret that we are living in a time of great stress, yet we are also living in a time of a spiritual awakening of the human soul. Are the winds of change and the winds of grace one in the same? Perhaps! Stress is a stranger to no one. Yet in these times of turbulent change, we must remember that stress is an opportunity for spiritual growth. This presentation offers insights into the relationship between stress and the health of the human spirit through the wisdom of Carl Jung, Joseph Campbell, and many other luminaries. Dr. Seaward weaves theory and story, personal experience and humor, wit and love in a poetic synthesis that both educates and inspires everyone.

Workshops  

 

Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water

Reflections on Stress and Human Spirituality Stress is a stranger to no one.  Once thought to be a symptom of illness, stress is now best defined as a disconnection from our divine source. Times of stress may bring feelings of panic and mayhem, but stress also provides the opportunity for spiritual growth—when we call upon our inner resources (faith, patience, humbleness, intuition, courage, humor and compassion) to dismantle life's major roadblocks so that we may walk in balance on the human path. There is an ancient Chinese proverb that speaks to the nature of human existence, and underscores the importance of finding balance in our lives. It reads, “Stand like mountain, move like water.”  To stand like a mountain means to feel strong and secure in the midst of change. To move like water means to go with the flow.  In times such as these where change is ever present in the global culture, balance is necessary to stay grounded, centered, and connected. Times of change bring with it stress. It's no secret that we are living in a time of great stress, yet we are also living in a time of a spiritual awakening of the human soul. Are the winds of change and the winds of grace one in the same? Perhaps! Based on Seaward's popular bestseller, Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water, this presentation weaves theory and story, personal experience and humor, wit and love in a poetic synthesis that both educates and inspires audiences of all ages. 

• This workshop format includes about 40% theory, 40% experiential and 20% discussion

Letting Go of Stress

Not just a basic workshop in stress management, this approach is what is currently referred to as a holistic approach to the current stress paradigm. An appropriate theme of this workshop could be called "moving from a motivation of fear to a motivation of love."” We start by talking about the nature of stress: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Then comes a comparison of the mechanistic approach (modern medicine) and the holistic approach (treating causes and symptoms). What follows is an exposure to a host of coping strategies in which to deal with the causes of stress, followed by a simple yet inviting exposure to various relaxation techniques that can be easily adopted into one's lifestyle. From positive affirmations, journal writing, art therapy, social engineering, and dream therapy to diaphragmatic breathing, mental imagery, autogenic training, and meditation, this workshop provides a positive exposure to a wide variety of possible strategies to deal effectively with stress; because no one technique works for everyone all the time. As Hans Selye stated: “I should not be cured of my stress, but merely taught to enjoy it." This workshop is considered by many to be complete enjoyment, and you will learn to become your own "best friend" in the process. “To make the passage from stress to relaxation, to make the passage from fear to love is not just an experience, it is a daily process.”

Spirits on a Human Path

Mind-Body-Spirit Healing