Feb 11

7 Quick Stretches for Stress Relief You Can Do Right Now

by admin in Mind & Body 0 comments
From Child’s pose and Happy Baby to at-your-desk stretches, these postures will give you a minute to breathe and find calm. Take a quick second and lift your arms high above your head. That felt pretty good, right? For most of us, feeling at least some stress at some point during the day is probably inevitable — whether it’s thanks to too many emails in your inbox, too many appointments on your calendar, too many at-home chores to keep up with, or a problem you have to deal with, like a clogged sink or an illness or injury. And what ultimately helps us keep stress under control isn’t necessarily eliminating all of those potential stressors that might come up (because that’s probably not possible); it’s a matter of having the right tools and skills to manage it so it doesn’t overwhelm you. Stretching is just one of a number of tools you can use to manage stress. One of the reasons stretching is so effective for stress is that our (generally) more sedentary lifestyles promote stiffness, which exacerbates that stress in the first place, explains Jessica Matthews, an assistant professor of kinesiology and creator of the Master of Kinesiology in […]
Feb 08

6 simple steps to keep your mind sharp at any age

by admin in Mind & Body 0 comments
Everyone has the occasional “senior moment.” Maybe you’ve gone into the kitchen and can’t remember why, or can’t recall a familiar name during a conversation. Memory lapses can occur at any age, but aging alone is generally not a cause of cognitive decline. When significant memory loss occurs among older people, it is generally not due to aging but to organic disorders, brain injury, or neurological illness. Studies have shown that you can help prevent cognitive decline and reduce the risk of dementia with some basic good health habits: staying physically active getting enough sleep not smoking having good social connections limiting alcohol to no more than one drink a day eating a Mediterranean style diet.   Memory and other cognitive changes can be frustrating, but the good news is that, thanks to decades of research, you can learn how to get your mind active. There are various strategies we can use to help maintain cognitive fitness. Here are several you might try.   1. Keep learning A higher level of education is associated with better mental functioning in old age. Experts think that advanced education may help keep memory strong by getting a person into the habit of being […]
Feb 05

Mindful eating and Yoga: Diet tips, exercises to support a healthy heart

by admin in Mind & Body 0 comments
A heart-healthy lifestyle is achievable through the combination of mindful eating and Yoga. Here are diet and exercise tips by expert In today’s fast-paced world, maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle can be a challenge as stress, poor dietary choices and a lack of physical activity often take a toll on our cardiovascular health. However, experts believe that by combining two simple yet powerful practices—mindful eating and Yoga—you can adopt a holistic approach to support a healthy heart.   Understanding the Importance of Heart Health Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar, Founder of Akshar Yoga Kendraa, shared, “Before we delve into mindful eating and Yoga, it is essential to recognise why heart health is crucial. Your heart is a hardworking muscle that pumps blood and oxygen throughout your body. It is responsible for keeping you alive and well. However, several factors, such as a poor diet, sedentary lifestyle and stress, can put your heart at risk.”   Mindful Eating: What Is It? Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar revealed, “Mindful eating is a practice that encourages you to pay full attention to the experience of eating, savoring each bite, and being fully present in the moment. It’s about more than just what you eat; it’s about how you […]
Feb 04

These Stars’ Intense Workouts Prove Men Can Stay Fit After 50

by admin in Mind & Body 0 comments
Famously ripped over 50 celebs like Frank Grillo, Dave Bautista, Christopher Meloni and others weigh in on their best training techniques. Let’s be real: with every birthday, it gets easier to be discouraged and compare yourself—and more pointedly, your physique—to your younger self. And while you can make every excuse in the book as to why you don’t look or feel like you used to, there’s ample evidence that when it comes to fitness, age can just be another number if you’re willing to put in the work. We often highlight the training routines of notable guys here at MH for our Train Like videos series, and more often than you’d think, guys over 50 years of age show out even stronger than the celebs in their twenties. “In your fifties, you think you should be slowing down. But I’m probably in the best shape of my life at 52,” Frank Grillo previously told Men’s Health. We highlighted some of the most important lessons these experienced guys (including Lenny Kravitz, Christopher Meloni, Dave Bautista, and Lou Ferrigno) shared in their workout walkthroughs. They all serve as proof that it really is possible to be in your best shape even as […]
Jan 31

Mental health tips: Simple, everyday strategies to manage anxiety and depression

by admin in Mind & Body 0 comments
How to Manage Depression: Coping with anxiety and depression includes self-awareness, lifestyle changes, and emotional resilience. Studies suggest that by making small, consistent changes, you can regain a sense of control over your mental health and improve your health. Anxiety and depression can make everyday life difficult, where even the simplest tasks may feel exhausting. While everyone experiences moments of stress and sadness, persistent anxiety and depression can interfere with life, relationships, and well-being. If left unaddressed, these conditions can impact productivity, self-esteem, and physical health. It is therefore important to timely manage the symptoms and improve mental well-being. A vital step in managing anxiety and depression is acknowledging the symptoms and understanding their impact, says Dr Astik Joshi, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, New Delhi. “Anxiety often presents as excessive worrying and physical tension, while depression can lead to persistent low mood, fatigue, and changes in sleep and appetite,” he says. To effectively manage anxiety and depression, the first step is identifying specific thoughts, behaviours, and triggers that contribute to distress. Negative thought patterns can fuel anxiety and sadness, creating a cycle of worry and emotional exhaustion. “Once you recognise these triggers, you can actively work on regulating their responses. […]
Jan 29

Are you crazy about fitness challenges? This may change your mind

by admin in Mind & Body 0 comments
Fitness challenges may seem like fun, but they can really make you end up with injuries. That is if your fitness levels are not at par with the exercise you are performing!   If there’s an important lesson that we have learned during the pandemic, it is that we must NEVER take our health for granted. As we stayed at home to keep ourselves protected from the Covid-19 virus, social media threw up various fitness challenges that targeted everything from abs to legs, and the upper body. Planks to squats, dumbbells to resistance bands – everything and more featured in these fitness challenges.   Are fitness challenges safe? While they may sound exciting, these exercises are NOT for everyone. It is your fitness level that determines if your body is prepared for a certain workout or not! And this has been confirmed by none other than Meenakshi Mohanty, a renowned fitness expert. Here’s what she tells HealthShots! “Before starting your exercise, it is always advised to check your fitness levels. A fitness assessment is a set of exercises used to examine your general health and physical condition. These exams involve various standardized tests, some of which are designed for medical […]
Jan 26

5 daily habits to boost your mental health

by admin in Mind & Body 0 comments
Replace your toxic habits with these positive ones to improve your mental health and lead a happier and healthier life. A sound mental health is important not only to cope with the pressures of daily life, have good relationships in life and achieving your work targets, it’s also about feeling comfortable in your own skin, having healthy thought patterns, and managing your emotions well. While we may not be paying attention, but our daily habits can have a significant impact on our mental health. Lazing around, binging on movies, sleeping late at night, eating a lot of junk, waking up late in the morning can all lead to poor health. Incorporating positive habits like meditation, spending time in nature, eating healthy, doing yoga and breathing exercises can give a much-needed boost to your mental health. “Our habits not just shape our day but our mind, body, and soul as well. In our hectic and chaotic lifestyle, all we need is solace for some time. A little break to wipe off all those frown lines from our foreheads and feel refreshed and reconnected. And to achieve a perfect balance between the mind, body, and soul, all we have to do is […]
Jan 21

Dance Like Your Doctor Is Watching: It’s Great for Your Mind and Body

by admin in Mind & Body 0 comments
Two new studies say that dancing may keep you healthy well into old age, potentially by reducing the risk of disability and dementia. One paper, published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, looked at how various forms of physical activity affected about 1,000 elderly Japanese women and their risk of becoming physically disabled, as measured by their ability to complete tasks like walking, bathing and dressing. The women were asked about their general health and the types of physical activity they regularly did, and were monitored for signs of disability over eight years. During that time, 130 women met the criteria for disability. The researchers found that physical activity generally helped women remain independent as they aged, but certain types of exercise seemed to have larger effects than others — and dancing led the pack. The researchers found that women who frequently danced had a 73% lower chance of becoming disabled during the study period, compared to women who did not. None of the other exercises, including calisthenics, walking and yoga, had such a strong association after adjusting for demographic and health factors. The secret may be that dancing requires a variety of different skills, both […]
Jan 18

Tips to keep your mind sharp

by admin in Mind & Body 0 comments
Treat your brain right if you want it to be in great working condition even when you are 80, says a new study. Here are simple steps to stay bright and active. Treat your brain right if you want it to be in great working condition even when you are 80, says a new study. Here are simple steps to stay bright and active. Here are simple lifestyle changes that will help you stay sharp as the years go by.   In the 30s Floss every day:What do loving licorice and hating the idea of flossing have in common? Both can contribute to plaque on your teeth, which is surprisingly bad for your brain. “The plaque between teeth can cause an immune reaction that attacks arteries, which then can’t deliver vital nutrients to brain cells,” says Michael Roizen, MD, co-author of YOU—The Owner’s Manual: An Insider’s Guide to the Body that Will Make You Healthier and Younger. Solution? Floss every day. Can’t remember? Keep the floss where you store your morning makeup. Go fish: Look to the sea for healthy ways to feed your brain. DHA, a type of omega-3 fatty acid found in salmon, trout, and some fortified foods […]
Jan 15

Daily exercises, healthy diet and other expert tips to keep your mind sharp as you age

by admin in Mind & Body 0 comments
Tips to keep mind sharp with age: By focusing on regular exercise, a balanced diet, mental stimulation, and strong social connections, you can maintain and even improve cognitive function well into your later years. Incorporate these practices into your daily routine to age without health complications. It’s normal to experience occasional memory lapses, like forgetting where you placed your keys or misremembering details. This forgetfulness is often linked to natural changes in the brain, such as a decrease in neuron density and a shrinking hippocampus, the region responsible for memory formation. Age-related conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease, along with certain medications, can further impact cognitive health. Dr Nisha Kumar, a neurologist at LifeCare Clinic, explains that while these changes are a natural part of ageing, lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise, and stress can speed up cognitive decline. Thankfully, there are proactive steps you can take to slow this process and keep your mind sharp. By focusing on regular exercise, a balanced diet, mental stimulation, and strong social connections, you can maintain and even improve cognitive function well into your later years.   Here are some strategies to help maintain your mental acuity:   Regular […]
Recent Posts
Categories