Nov 30

Not just mind & body, experts say yoga can prevent and help manage chronic diseases

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The popularity of yoga has grown tremendously in the past decade. More than 10% of U.S. adults have practised yoga at some point in their lives. Yoga practitioners spend on average US$90 a month, and the yoga industry is worth more than $80 billion worldwide. Yoga is now a mainstream activity in the U.S. and is commonly portrayed as a healthy lifestyle choice. I am a behavioural scientist who researches how physical activity – and specifically yoga – can prevent and help manage chronic diseases. Many people attribute improvements in their physical and mental health to their yoga practice. But until recently, research had been sparse on the health benefits of yoga. As the body of rigorous research on yoga grows, more and more work is showing the many health benefits of a yoga practice.   What is yoga? The name “yoga” is derived from the Sanskrit word “Yuj” meaning to unite, join or connect the mind, body and soul. The first text on yoga was written by the sage Patanjali over 2,000 years ago in India. Patanjali described yoga as “citta-vrtti-nirodhah,” or “stilling the mind.” This was achieved through a mix of breath work, meditation, physical movement and body […]
Nov 26

How to Quiet a Racing Mind to Get Better Sleep

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If you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, try these strategies to quiet your mind and get the rest you need.   A racing mind at bedtime can be hard to quiet. Whether it’s stopping you from quickly falling asleep or staying asleep, there’s no question an unsettled mind can really affect your ability to get a good night’s rest. “It’s one of the most common problems we hear in our sleep clinic, especially among people struggling with insomnia,” says Lawrence Chan, DO, a professor of sleep medicine at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus. Racing thoughts at bedtime can contribute to sleep problems in people who have insomnia, according to one study. The researchers noted that this is different than rumination, which is defined as obsessive, repetitive thinking that tends to focus on negative content. There’s a reason many people can’t stop thinking about things before going to bed. Whether you’re exploring a new city or simply plugging away at your routine to-do list, your brain is collecting new information all day long, explains Michael Breus, PhD, a clinical psychologist in Manhattan Beach, California, who specializes in sleep disorders. “Not until you climb into bed […]
Nov 23

Tips to keep your brain young at all ages

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Every single activity that the human body performs takes its orders from the brain   When it comes to looking young, fit and healthy, we often hit gyms and parlours. But what about brain health? Every single activity that the human body performs takes its orders from the brain. From coordinating balance, controlling the voluntary actions and responding towards the emotions to problem-solving techniques, the human brain is responsible to take care of all the actions. Maintaining physical health is important but taking care of the brain is equally necessary. Taking cognisance of these facts, the discourse around brain health has increased in the recent past. Good brain health is a key to a long and healthy life. It is a state where faculties of the brain such as reaction time, memory and judgement work efficiently. So here are some tips you can follow to maintain your brain health with the impact of ageing.   Brain exercises: physical exercise is great for both body and mind but challenging yourself for mental exercise can improve your brain functioning. Research shows that brain exercises can help in generating new nerve cells. Leading physicians say that reading, crossword puzzles and word problems all contribute […]
Nov 19

10 Big Benefits of Smiling

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Many see smiling simply as an involuntary response to things that bring you joy or inspire laughter. While this is undoubtedly true, it overlooks an important point: Smiling can be a conscious, intentional choice. What does psychology say about smiling? Whether your smile is genuine or not, it can affect your body and mind in various positive ways, benefiting your health, your mood, and even the moods of people around you.   1. Smiling Helps You Live Longer Perhaps the most compelling reason to smile is that it may lengthen your overall lifespan. One study found that genuine, intense smiling is associated with longer life. Happy people seem to enjoy better health and longevity, but more research is needed to understand why. Research indicates that happiness could increase lifespan by years—suggesting maintaining a happy, positive mood may be an important part of a healthy lifestyle.   2. Smiling Relieves Stress Stress can permeate our entire being, including showing up in your face and expression. Smiling not only helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed, but it can actually help decrease stress. Believe it or not, smiling can reduce stress even if you don’t feel like smiling […]
Nov 16

6 Everyday Habits to Keep Your Brain Healthy and Sharp

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The human brain is one of the most complex yet intriguing part of the body. With several wires and neurotransmitters connected, this is the main part that helps the body to function. What is hot what is cold is what our brains tells us. And for it to keep functioning optimally, it must be maintained properly. In our fast-paced, technology-driven world, maintaining cognitive and mental fitness has become more crucial than ever. The impact of lifestyle choices on brain health and cognitive abilities has garnered significant attention in recent years. Lifestyle (obviously) affects the brain and its functioning. From what we eat, to how we life, its all connected. Keeping the brain healthy and sharp is important to lower the risk of neurological disorders and also to maintain a young mind. India.com got in touch with some experts to get a better comprehension about brain health. Dr. Amit Batra, Principal Consultant, Neurology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj, divulged about how few lifestyle changes are important for healthy mind. Here are few lifestyle tweaks to keep a brain healthy and young and unlead its full potential.   BRAIN DAY: WAYS TO KEEP BRAIN HEALTHY   Get Adequate Sleep: Quality sleep is a […]
Nov 13

How Mind and Body Exercise Can Benefit Your Heart Health

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In today’s hectic world, where deadlines loom, schedules overflow and demands never seem to end, taking care of your heart health is often pushed to the back burner. Amidst the stress of daily life, finding moments of calm and balance are important. Mind-body exercises, such as yoga and tai chi, offer a holistic approach to wellness, benefiting mental health and impacting your heart health. “The mind-body connection refers to the relationship between our mental and physical states,” said I-Hui Ann Chiang, MD, an interventional cardiologist with Banner – University Medicine. “It acknowledges that our thoughts, emotions and beliefs influence our physical health, and vice versa.” When we experience stress, anxiety or negative emotions, our bodies respond with physiological changes that can impact cardiovascular health. Taking time to cultivate mindfulness and connection with your body is a valuable investment in your long-term health and happiness. Learn how integrating these exercises into daily life can improve your heart health and well-being.   Understanding mind-body exercises Mind-body exercises are any type of movement that combines mental focus and controlled breathing to improve strength, flexibility and balance. “These exercises, which include yoga, tai chi or qigong and meditation, foster harmony between the mind and body,” […]
Nov 09

7 Daily Habits That Can Transform Your Life

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The key to good health begins with healthy everyday habits, which are simple to follow. Practise them with consistency. Read on to find out more.   Healthy Life Begins With Simple Habits If you wish to transform your health and well-being, and make them better, start with a few simple daily habits and practise them every day for consistency. Functional nutrition practitioner Marina Wright says there are seven activities that can accelerate your journey to a better mind and body. Scroll down to find out all about them.   1. Focus On Habits, Not Goals In an Instagram post, Wright says while goals give direction, daily habits can lead to transformation. This is the most crucial step and you must focus on sustainable everyday habits to meet your goals.   2. Get Out In The Sun Start by taking in some sunlight early in the morning every day. Exposure to natural light can regulate the circadian rhythm, make you feel energetic and boost your mood.   3. Blood Sugar Regulation Focus on eating a balanced meal that has a lot of protein, fibre-rich carbs and fat to avoid energy crashes and mood swings. It can regulate your blood sugar by […]
Nov 06

A 69-Year-Old Fitness Trainer Shares the 6 Exercises That Keep Her Looking Half Her Age

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Boost your strength and fitness with a trainer’s go-to exercises for healthy aging.   Aging gracefully requires following a well-rounded routine, complete with a healthy diet and regular exercise. You may think that getting older means it’s too late to kickstart a fitness routine, but that’s simply not the case. “It’s never too late to begin exercising,” stresses 69-year-old fitness trainer Liz Hilliard, the creator and owner of Hilliard Studio Method. “As a matter of fact, it’s a requirement for healthy aging of your body and mind. Both are inseparable when it comes to the benefits of exercise.” Hilliard shares with Eat This, Not That! a couple of her go-to fitness tips, along with the best exercises she recommends for healthy aging. “My top fitness tips can be summed up in one word: MOVEMENT. As in, do not stop moving,” Hilliard tells us. Her two pro tips include walking every day, anywhere you can. “Get outside as often as possible to walk in nature,” she says. “Bonus points if you walk with a friend. It’s built-in mental and physical therapy which will not only help keep you fit but keep your mood lifted and mind creative.” In addition, strength training […]
Nov 03

9 Simple Ways to Practice Self-Care Every Day (Because You Deserve It)

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Take care of yourself with these simple self-care ideas. Practicing self-care isn’t just about spoiling yourself with a big treat or moment of luxury—like staying at a bougie hotel for the weekend, purchasing an all-new wardrobe, or opting for two desserts instead of one. The art of simple self-care is much more internally nourishing than that, and one that takes some time to get the hang of given our propensity to put others before ourselves. If you’re not quite sure where to begin when it comes to taking care of yourself, these simple self-care tips will help you set off on the right path forward, one day at a time.   Why Is Self-Care Important? Self-care should be more of a daily practice, often made up of small but impactful intentions, that helps keep you energized, gratified, and able to show up for others. “A sustainable self-care practice is about creating moments within each day, week, month, season, and year to practice the kind of meaningful self-care that makes you feel healthy and joyful in mind, body, and soul,” says Shel Pink, author of Slow Beauty, a book on mindful self-care. “When practiced over time, these small rituals add up […]
Oct 31

5 Yoga Poses To Awaken Your Body And Mind

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Yoga is one of the most powerful ways to ensure holistic wellness in life. While International Yoga Day is around the corner, we have handpicked a few yoga poses that you can practise in the morning to start your day on the right note. We spoke to Anchal Rout, a Delhi NCR-based Yoga and Reiki healing expert. Anchal Rout said, “Practising yoga in the morning can help create a positive mood, arrange your energy, and focus your thoughts.”   Simple Morning Yoga Poses Here are five yoga poses recommended to kickstart your day, brought to you by our yoga expert:   Mountain Pose (Tadasana) This is one of the most effective poses as it aids in strengthening and aligning the spine, preparing the practitioner for other poses. To get this position right, you have to join both legs, hands are to be placed near the body, and weight is to be distributed in equal measure. Breathe in deeply, bring your arms above your head, and extend them towards the ceiling like you’re attempting to grab for the sky. This position relieves tension and gives you a centre, a feeling of balance and stability.   Cat-Cow Pose (Marjaryasana-Bitilasana) This gentle flow […]
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