Jul 29

Working out boosts brain health

by admin in Mind & Body 0 comments
It’s no secret that regular exercise promotes health throughout the body. Research shows routine physical activity can improve cardiovascular health, strengthen bones and muscles, and even reduce the risk of certain cancers. But did you know breaking a sweat can also strengthen the brain? A growing body of research suggests physical fitness is one way to boost brain health — and that a regular exercise routine can decrease the effects of stress on the body, improve mental health and mood, and even enhance memory and cognition.   Exercise fuels the brain’s stress buffers Exposure to long-term stress can be toxic to multiple systems in the body, even leading to medical concerns like high blood pressure and a weakened immune system, along with mental illnesses like anxiety and depression. It may seem counterintuitive that exercise, a form of physical stress, can help the body manage general stress levels. But the right kind of stress can actually make the body more resilient. Research shows that while exercise initially spikes the stress response in the body, people experience lower levels of stress hormones like cortisol and epinephrine after bouts of physical activity. So far, there’s little evidence for the popular theory that exercise […]
Jul 26

10 Easy Self-Care Ideas That Can Help Boost Your Health

by admin in Mind & Body 0 comments
To say the COVID-19 pandemic is stressful is an understatement, but one silver lining is that it’s made more people realize the importance of self-care. While you may think of self-care as enjoying rose petal-infused bubble baths, that’s not all it is. There are several different types, all of which are important for your physical, mental and emotional health.   What Is Self-Care? “My definition of self-care means knowing what is needed to ensure your health and happiness in life,” according to Robyn Gobin, Ph.D., a licensed clinical psychologist and author of The Self-Care Prescription who’s based in Savoy, Illinois. “It’s pouring into yourself and taking care of yourself.” You could think of it as being a good mother to yourself, adds Los Angeles-based clinical psychotherapist and A Year of Self-Care author Zoe Shaw, Psy.D. “When we think of what a good mother is, it’s someone who is nurturing and warm, but it’s also someone who makes you eat your vegetables, go to bed on time and brush your teeth,” she says. Self care takes all this into account, refreshing the body as well as the mind.   What Are the Benefits of Self-Care? Self-care may sound like a fluffy […]
Jul 23

7 Brain Exercises to Strengthen Your Mind

by admin in Mind & Body 0 comments
While you might know that you need to exercise your body, did you know that it might also be important to exercise your mind? You’ve probably heard the old adage “use it or lose it.” Many researchers do believe that this maxim applies to your brain health. Brain training is often touted as a way to sharpen your mind and even boost intelligence. While many cognitive scientists suggest that the claims surrounding brain training are both exaggerated and misleading, there is an abundance of research suggesting that certain types of activities can be beneficial for your brain’s health.   1. Take Care of Your Body to Take Care of Your Mind If you want to take care of your mind, you need to start by taking care of your body. One study suggested that exercise can protect your brain from shrinkage as it ages. Researchers have also found that exercise can promote neurogenesis, or the formation of new brain cells, in the brain’s hippocampus. One study published in 2013 looked at healthy behaviors in nearly 2,300 men over the course of thirty years. Researchers looked at the participants’ behaviors and cognitive abilities starting in middle age and tracked their progress […]
Jul 20

Mind & Body: 5 Ways Meditation Boosts Brain Power

by admin in Mind & Body 0 comments
Meditation has emerged as a transformative practice that enhances brain power and cognitive abilities in numerous ways. Read ahead to know them.   In today’s fast-paced world, where information overload and constant distractions abound, finding moments of tranquillity and focus has become more important than ever. Meditation, a practice that dates back thousands of years, has gained significant popularity in recent times due to its myriad of benefits for mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Among its many advantages, meditation has been shown to significantly boost brain power.   Ways Meditation Boosts Brain Power Let’s explore various ways in which meditation enhances cognitive function, enhances attention and memory, fosters creativity, and promotes overall brain health.   1. Strengthening Attention and Concentration In a world full of distractions, maintaining focus has become a challenge for many individuals. Regular meditation practice has been found to strengthen attention and concentration by training the mind to stay present in the moment. Studies have shown that mindfulness meditation, a popular form of meditation, can increase grey matter in brain regions associated with attention, such as the prefrontal cortex. In addition, according to a study Brief Mindfulness Meditation Improves Attention in Novices: Evidence From ERPs and Moderation […]
Jul 17

Active mind/body, healthy mind/body

by admin in Mind & Body 0 comments
Spring is just around the corner and if you’re ready to reboot one of your New Year’s resolutions, here’s why exercise should be at the top of the list. Current medical research continues to robustly establish vigorous physical exercise as a major influence on overall health and well-being, in addition helping in the treatment of many diseases including depression, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and arthritis. A recent study found that regular, intense exercise beneficially influenced the action of 400 genes — that’s right, 400 genes, a huge number — that produce proteins increasing the healthy functioning of mitochondria, the energy-producing machinery inside every cell. Exercise is synergistic with medicines and surgery. Developing, undertaking, and maintaining an exercise regimen is one of the best steps a person can take toward a self-actualized style of medical care.   An exercise “prescription” We are a physician couple who have been physically active all our lives. We prescribe exercise regularly in our practices (one of us is a neurologist, the other a psychiatrist) and approach it in exactly the same way that we approach prescribing a medication, informing patients of dose and frequency benefits, possible side effects, and mechanisms of action. We describe a concrete […]
Jul 14

How to trick your mind into losing weight

by admin in Mind & Body 0 comments
1. Psychological tricks to lose weight Losing weight is hard and maintaining a healthy weight once you’ve got there is even harder. While we mostly think that weight loss is all about eating a calorie-deficit diet and sweating out in the gym, it all actually starts and ends with your mindset. With the right and focused mindset, you will do all these necessary activities to lose weight. However, with a distracted mind, you may go on a diet for three days, only to chomp on chocolate chip cookies the next day. So what do we do to trick, or in a way, train our mind to lose weight for real? Read on to find out!   2. Build a streak One of the best tricks to lose weight is to be consistent in whatever workout or diet plan you choose to stick to. Just like building streaks on social media, create a health streak for yourself and see how long you can go on. Note that once your streak breaks, and it will, do not spiral and justify to yourself that now that you have eaten one chocolate and broken your streak, you can eat five more since nothing matters […]
Jul 10

The ‘One Punch Man’ Workout Is Taking Over Social Media—Here’s Exactly How to Do this 30-Day Workout Plan

by admin in Mind & Body 0 comments
From how effective it actually is to how to do it safely, here’s everything you need to know. If you’re into anime or manga, you’ve probably heard of the “One Punch Man” workout by now, or you may have gotten wind of it on TikTok or Instagram. If this is the first you’re hearing about this ultra-popular 30-day workout plan, here are the details: The workout is based on the workout routine of an anime character named Saitama who dreams of being a superhero. When he saves a child from a villainous monster, he’s on his way, except for the fact that he lacks serious strength. His solution? An intense workout he does every day for three years, ultimately earning him such incredible strength, he can knock virtually anyone out with one punch, earning the name One Punch Man. The result of this story has been a workout routine everyone wants to try. But how do you do it, and is it safe? Here’s everything you need to know—including whether or not you should add it to your workout routine. Get ready to sweat!   What Does the One Punch Man Workout Consist Of? “The One Punch Man Workout is […]
Jul 08

Cycling, running, strength training are best exercises to boost longevity, mental health

by admin in Mind & Body 0 comments
Staying active and strong isn’t just about living a fulfilling life, it’s a key aspect to living a long and healthy life. Exercising has been shown to significantly increase longevity by reducing the risk of chronic diseases like heart diseases and stroke. Cardio is the way to go, but one should also incorporate strength training and stretching exercises to help reap the benefits of staying fit and becoming healthy. Remember, age is just a number. There’s no reason why one can’t live a happy, perfectly active life, regardless of whether you’re in your 20s or your 70s. Kushal Pal Singh, fitness and performance expert, Anytime Fitness sheds light into some exercises that will increase longevity of a person and will help stay strong and healthy at any age. Brisk walking: Brisk walking is a very easy but effective way to improve one’s longevity. Regular brisk walking shows many benefits if one keeps consistent with it. Its benefits include reduction of risk to chronic diabetes, improving weight management, strengthening the body’s muscles and bones and boosting the body’s overall mood and cognitive function. Brisk Walking for even a small duration can show results and health benefits. One can start gradually and […]
Jul 07

“Your Mind And Body Will Thank You” For This Informative Yoga Workout With Asanas By Shilpa Shetty

by admin in Mind & Body 0 comments
Shilpa Shetty indulges in yoga exercises and explains each of these benefits   Shilpa Shetty is known for her phenomenal performances, impeccable vibrant style, flawless beauty and fitness. The last is unmissable. The actress is seen indulging in fitness routines and workouts regularly. And yoga seems to be her favourite. The actress is a fitness fanatic who is dedicated to various forms of exercise and does not miss her routine even on a holiday. This time the actress shared an informative post on Instagram with a few yoga poses and explained the benefits, which in some way or the other must have encouraged and inspired her fans and followers to indulge in similar exercises for fitness. Shilpa Shetty’s Instagram post read, “Asanas like Setu Bandhasana strengthen the Vishuddhi chakra (Throat chakra) that helps one voice their opinions & thoughts and gives clarity of communication; The Ardha Halasana and Navasana help strengthen the Manipuraka chakra (or Solar Plexus chakra), which determines one’s self-confidence and the ability to take action. Eat clean, lead a healthy lifestyle, and make yoga meditation an integral part of your daily routine. Your mind and body will thank you.” There were many encouraging comments below the post. […]
Jul 04

Tai Chi Is a Workout for the Brain and Body

by admin in Mind & Body 0 comments
The mental and physical benefits span cultures and generations. Here’s how to get started.   “Parting the Wild Horse’s Mane.” “Wave Hands Like Clouds.” “Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain.” These are not song titles or poems. Rather, they’re the deceptively complex movements of tai chi. With around 250 million practitioners around the globe, tai chi is often cited as one of the world’s most popular physical activities. It originated in China in the 17th century as a martial art. Unlike karate or taekwondo, tai chi focuses on quiet strength rather than combat, which makes it more accessible to older adults or those who have been injured. Shirley Chock, 48, began practicing in her 20s, after she tore her A.C.L. She had previously trained in wushu kung fu, a more acrobatic martial art that caused the tear, but tai chi offered a low-impact way to rehab. The former financial professional, who was born in New York and spent her childhood in Taiwan, also found tai chi beneficial in managing stress and conflict. After about two years, she began teaching, and eventually took over Aiping Tai Chi, the Connecticut school where she had trained. Since then, “the most common thing I have […]
Recent Posts
Categories