Jan 12

Sleeping Less Than 7 Hours? New Study Says It Can Shorten Your Lifespan

by admin in Mind & Body 0 comments
A new study says that getting good sleep can help to increase longevity and poor sleep can shorten your lifespan. The study was conducted by Oregon Health & Science University and published in the SLEEP Advances. Sleep plays a very crucial part in your overall health and well-being. When you get the required hours of sleep, it benefits your brain, immune system, memory, physical health and more. It also reduces the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart issues, and obesity. A new study says that getting good sleep can also help to increase longevity and poor sleep can shorten your lifespan. The study was conducted by Oregon Health & Science University and published in SLEEP Advances. For the study, the researchers analysed a large national database wherein they studied survey patterns related to life expectancy across counties throughout the United States. They also compared county-level life expectancy figures with detailed survey data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) between 2019 and 2025. When the researchers analysed lifestyle factors linked to their longevity, they found sleep to stand out. The link between sleep and lifestyle factors was stronger than that of diet, physical activity, or social […]
Jan 05

5 Yoga Poses for a Calm and Peaceful Mind

by admin in Mind & Body 0 comments
In today’s fast-paced world, where stress and anxiety often take the forefront, it’s crucial to find effective ways to maintain mental well-being. Yoga, with its rich history and mindfulness practices, has become an invaluable tool for calming the mind and achieving inner peace. By incorporating specific yoga poses into your daily routine, you can not only reduce stress but also improve focus and emotional stability. Here are five yoga poses that can help you cultivate a calm and peaceful mind.   1. Child’s Pose (Balasana) Child’s Pose is a gentle, restorative yoga posture that encourages deep relaxation and reduces stress. This pose is ideal for unwinding after a long day or before bed, as it helps release tension in the body and calms the nervous system.   How to Practice Child’s Pose: Start on your hands and knees, with your wrists directly under your shoulders and your knees under your hips. Slowly lower your hips back towards your heels, reaching your arms forward on the mat. Let your forehead touch the ground, and relax your chest towards the floor. Breathe deeply and hold the pose for 1-3 minutes, allowing your body to relax with each exhale.   The forward fold […]
Jan 03

7 morning habits of people who live a happier life than 95% of the population

by admin in Mind & Body 0 comments
Have you ever noticed how some people just seem to radiate contentment? They walk into a room and bring this quiet energy that makes everyone feel a bit lighter. I used to wonder what their secret was, until I realized it wasn’t one big secret at all. It was a collection of small, deliberate choices they made every single morning. After years of observing these naturally happy folks (and yes, doing my fair share of trial and error), I’ve discovered that the happiest people share remarkably similar morning routines. These aren’t complicated rituals or expensive habits. They’re simple practices that anyone can adopt. The difference? Consistency. While most of us hit snooze three times and stumble toward the coffee maker, these people have already set the tone for a day that feeds their soul rather than drains it.   1. They wake up at the same time every day (yes, even on weekends) I know, I know. Sleeping in on Saturday feels like a divine right. But here’s what I learned the hard way: your body doesn’t understand weekends. It craves rhythm. The happiest people I know treat their wake-up time like a sacred appointment. Not because they’re rigid control […]
Dec 31

Don’t Want To Workout? Lifestyle Changes That Can Help Maintain Weight During Chilly Weather

by admin in Mind & Body 0 comments
Weight maintenance relies more on daily habits than short bursts of exercise, especially during colder months. In winter, the body naturally conserves energy to maintain core temperature. According to research published by the National Institutes of Health, cold environments increase fatigue perception and reduce muscle efficiency, making the same workout feel more strenuous than it does in warmer weather. Reduced sunlight also disrupts circadian rhythm. Joint stiffness is another overlooked factor. Add to this the seasonal rise in respiratory infections, reduced vitamin D levels, and increased appetite driven by hormonal changes and winter becomes a perfect storm where workouts feel disproportionately hard. Fortunately, weight maintenance relies more on daily habits than short bursts of exercise, especially during colder months. Below are easy lifestyle changes that can help maintain weight during chilly weather even when formal workouts feel unmanageable.   10 Lifestyle changes that help maintain weight during winter   1. Prioritise daily movement over “workout thinking” Studies from the NIH show that total daily movement (NEAT—Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis) plays a larger role in calorie balance than structured workouts alone. Simple actions like walking while on calls, using stairs, light household chores, or short mobility breaks every hour can prevent metabolic […]
Dec 29

11 Tips for Overcoming Gym Anxiety

by admin in Mind & Body 0 comments
Fitness is for everybody. But not everyone feels comfortable at the gym. For some people, the idea of working out at a gym triggers worry, fear, or self-consciousness — a phenomenon sometimes called “gymtimidation” or gym anxiety, explains Kate Cummins, PsyD, a California-based licensed clinical psychologist. This can happen for many reasons, including embarrassment about not knowing the ins and outs of the gym, fear of working out in front of others, or worries about being judged, says Hannah Holmes, PhD, a licensed psychologist and clinical assistant professor at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. These fears can create a vicious cycle: Research shows that fear of judgment in the gym is linked to a higher body mass index and lower exercise frequency, which can make starting or returning to the gym even harder. But with a few helpful strategies, the gym doesn’t have to feel so intimidating.   1. Do Some Research “Gym anxiety often stems from feeling out of control,” Dr. Cummins says. Do some research before you go — for example, check out the gym’s website or social media — to take back control and ease your nerves. “For people who worry they may embarrass themselves […]
Dec 27

5 Yoga Poses That Reduce Stress Stored in the Body

by admin in Mind & Body 0 comments
Stress is not just a mental experience. It shows up physically in the body as tight shoulders, stiff hips, a locked jaw, an aching lower back, shallow breathing, and a pounding heart. Chronic stress can lead to tension that feels like a permanent physical weight. Yoga is one of the most effective ways to help the body release stress because it combines movement, breath, and mindfulness. With regular practice you can calm your nervous system, improve circulation, ease muscle tightness, and reduce the tension that builds up over time. In this article you will learn five yoga poses that target stress stored in the body and how to practice them correctly so you feel better in both body and mind.   Standing Forward Fold for Spinal Release Standing Forward Fold is a simple but powerful posture for releasing stress and lengthening the spine. When we carry tension in the shoulders and back we often tighten the muscles that support the spine. This pose helps relieve that pressure and encourages blood flow to the brain which calms the nervous system. To begin stand with your feet hip width apart and let your arms hang by your sides. Inhale and lengthen your […]
Dec 24

The Art Of Being Positive: 13 Simple Habits Of Naturally Positive People

by admin in Mind & Body 0 comments
Naturally positive people don’t just hope for the best — they practice it daily. There is a severe lack of positivity right now. And somewhere between wanting to bury our heads in the sand and feeling deeply concerned, if not genuinely worried, about the state of the world, can we learn to see the bright side of life? The answer is “yes,” you can still maintain a balanced state of mind that isn’t affected by all the negativity we are constantly being bombarded with daily, if you learn how to harness the power of positive thinking and become a more naturally positive person.   Here are 13 simple habits of naturally positive people:   1. They choose what they take in and absorb If the negative starts outweighing the positive, it’s time to change the channel or switch the station. You may not be in control of what’s going on in the world, but you’re in control of the TV remote.   2. They read more than the front page of the newspaper There are other sections of the paper that feature articles that can actually make you smile and feel hopeful about people and the world.   3. They […]
Dec 21

4 Simple Yoga Poses to Improve Your Posture (On and Off the Mat)

by admin in Mind & Body 0 comments
Much is said about good posture, which plays a crucial role in balancing and preventing muscle aches and injuries. But perhaps even more is said about how most of us have less-than-perfect posture. In our desk-sitting, car-driving, Netflix-watching society, it’s easy to get used to the sensation and, let’s be honest, comfort of slumped shoulders. That is, until the knots in your neck, tweaking in your lower back, and overall meh feeling start to kick in. Although you’ve probably been told countless times to “stand up straight,” figuring out your ideal posture is a more nuanced process than just that. Good posture depends on your unique anatomy and finding a neutral position that feels sustainable rather than forced. What if there were a way you could tap into better posture and allow your body to find its optimal position based on how it feels? There is a way. And it’s yoga for posture.   4 Best Yoga Poses to Check Your Posture (On and Off the Mat) These poses shared by YogaRenew teacher Melie Purdon help you connect with the muscles that support better posture so you can carry that alignment with you long after you leave the mat. They […]
Dec 18

Scientists Explain Why You Wake Up Minutes Before Your Alarm

by admin in Mind & Body 0 comments
You’ve probably experienced it – your alarm is set for 6:30am, yet somehow your eyes snap open a few minutes before it goes off. There’s no sound, no external cue, just the body somehow knowing it’s time. It might seem strange, but you didn’t wake up by chance. It’s your body clock at work – an amazingly precise internal timing system that regulates when you sleep and wake. But how exactly does this built-in alarm clock work?   A hormonal wake-up call Deep in the brain is a small group of neurons called the suprachiasmatic nucleus, often referred to as the body’s “master clock”. These neurons keep track of time by coordinating internal rhythms such as circadian rhythm (aligned with the 24-hour day) to regulate things like sleep, body temperature, hunger and digestion. The circadian rhythm influences when we feel sleepy and alert each day. Our bodies set the master clock naturally, and it is completely normal to see variation in the timing of when people prefer to sleep and be awake. Have you ever wondered why some people are “morning people”, preferring to catch the sunrise and hit the pillow early at night, and others are “night owls”, staying […]
Dec 16

Cardiologist with 20 years of experience reveals the most powerful medicine for your brain and heart

by admin in Mind & Body 0 comments
Dr Sanjay Bhojraj highlights the significance of good sleep for optimal brain and heart health. Here’s how many hours he recommends. Good sleep is one of the most important pillars of overall wellbeing. Getting enough sleep and good sleep quality can play an important role in your weight, emotional wellbeing, blood pressure, diabetes, mental and physical performance, and more. Moreover, during sleep, your body works to support healthy brain function and maintain your physical well-being. Highlighting this, Dr Sanjay Bhojraj, an interventional cardiologist with over 20 years of experience, in conversation with Dr Shivani Gupta, an inflammation expert, emphasised how sleep is the most powerful medicine for the brain and heart. Why is sleep important for brain and heart health? On September 30, Dr Gupta posted a clip on Instagram from her interaction with Dr Bhojraj with the caption, “What if the most powerful medicine for your brain and heart is…simply more sleep?” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dr. Shivani Gupta | Inflammation Expert (@dr.shivanigupta) In the video, the cardiologist explained why seven and a half hours of sleep is the sweet spot for brain health, heart health, and inflammation repair. He also urged that the […]
Recent Posts
Categories