Mar 25

4 Ways Meditation Changes the Brain

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Meditation is a powerful tool that comes with a number of health benefits. It’s the practice of thinking deeply or focusing one’s mind for a period of time with the goal of obtaining feelings of relaxation and inner peace. While meditation is an ancient practice that has been around for centuries, scientists are just beginning to study its effects on the human body. One realm of research concentrates on how meditation impacts the brain. Studies show that meditation has a variety of neurological benefits, from changes in brain volume to decreasing activity in parts of the brain involved with stress. Below are four ways that meditation has been shown to change the brain:   1. Meditation Changes Structures in the Brain Some studies suggest practicing mindfulness meditation can actually change the structures of the brain. A study published in the journal Psychiatry Research that was conducted by a team of researchers at Harvard University used brain scans to determine that eight weeks of a mindfulness training program called Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) increased the cortical thickness in the hippocampus, the part of the brain that controls learning and memory and plays an important role in emotion regulation. While scientists are still […]
Mar 25

Part I: The Benefits of Tai Chi

by kevin in Mind & Body 0 comments
Tai Chi is a form of martial arts that was first developed in China several centuries ago. While it is a form of martial arts that trains in self-defense, it strays away from the traditional perception of martial arts training – strenuous training and physical contact with others to learn and improve your skills. Where tai chi differs is that it places a strong emphasis on using the mind as well as the body. Much of tai chi is spent making slow and calculated movements in a rhythm that allows your mind and body to find an inner calm. The mental clarity that you gain from practicing this martial art allows you to better learn the physical aspects of the training. So with as a form of fitness, it provides both mental and physical training, which leads to gaining health benefits in both these areas. Tai chi comes in many different training forms, which allows practitioners to find the best style to suit to their own fitness goals. It’s not hard to find a good tai chi class, as it remains very popular today. Take a look below and see for yourself the countless health benefits to be gained from […]
Mar 25

MEDITATION – HOW IT CAN MAKE YOU ANGRY, AND WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT!

by kevin in Mind & Body 0 comments
From providing instant stress relief to boosting energy levels- meditation is known to do a lot for the body. The fact that meditation could actually make you angry may seem laughable, but yes, it can actually happen, and it can be due to several possible reasons. Keep reading to know more about why meditation could get you enraged, and how you could tackle it better. Can Meditation Induce Anger? Yes, meditation can induce anger. This is because different people have different personalities, and react to situations in different ways. For some, the idea of sitting down for 20 minutes and focusing on the breath may seem like getting into relaxation mode, while for some others, it may just be impossible. Also, a lot of times, the most important aspects of meditation tend to get ignored- the basic goal of meditation is to calm down the mind, and in turn, experience benefits for the body. Meditation also helps you get in touch with your true self and boosts the natural purge of your body and rids it of everything negative- whether at the physical or emotional level. This is why some people may experience sadness or anger after a meditation session- […]
Mar 25

9 Self-Help Solutions for Reducing Symptoms of Depression

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Being depressed is painful and debilitating. An estimated 10 percent of adults in the United States suffer from symptoms of depression each year, resulting in family strife, loss of work productivity, and misery for the person affected by the condition and those around them. While getting professional medical help for depression is always a good idea, especially if the condition is severe, there are also many non-medical solutions a person can take on their own to reduce symptoms of depression. Many therapists and doctors advise that depressed patients take steps like these, along with counseling and medication. Here are nine ways a depressed person can engage in self-help to overcome or reduce the symptoms of mild to moderate depression.   1. Get Some Exercise Many scientific studies on depression find that exercise is as useful for relieving mild to moderate depression as medication.  Exercise has multiple positive benefits beyond helping with depression symptoms such as improved cardiovascular health, weight loss, and reduced risk for developing many chronic diseases. It can be quite challenging to exercise when feeling depressed, so it is best to start small and do something enjoyable. Taking a short walk each day, doing ten minutes of calisthenics […]
Mar 24

Benefits of Positive Thinking for Mind and Body

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The COVID-19 scenario has taken a toll on everyone’s mental health. Be it elderly people or the young generation – a cloud of negativity and stress has taken over everyone. However, being depressed or stressed all the time has its side-effect; one of them being reducing immunity. You may not realise it but somehow your resistance power keeps decreasing and that is the last thing you would want during the COVID-19 era. We know, it is easier said than done but you need to think positive and stay as happy and de-stressed as you can for a healthy mind and body.   Understanding Positive Thinking and Its Importance One of the misconceptions around positive thinking is that people think being positive means you ignore all the unpleasant or hard situations of your life and just walk away from it while keeping your head high. However, that is not true! By positive attitude, it is meant that you approach the difficulties in your life more optimistically and efficiently. Instead of repeatedly thinking about the problem and the worst scenarios surrounding it, you stay calm and think of the solution so that something good happens – that is what a positive attitude is […]
Mar 24

8 NATURAL WAYS TO BOOST ENERGY

by kevin in Mind & Body 0 comments
Do you feel sapped of your energy even before the clock strikes 4? Is your first instinct to grab a can of soda or a cup of coffee to get through the rest of the day? Things are now about to change- keep reading to know more about the 8 best ways to boost energy naturally! Chew Gum Try it once, and you’ll carry a bunch of chewing gum strips everywhere with you- this simple act can actually help increase alertness dramatically. So the next time you’re feeling drowsy in the middle of a class or an important presentation, chew on some sugar-free gum. Turn on the Lights The body can feel drained of energy when it is devoid of exposure to natural light, and if you’re one of those caught in the 9 to 5 work routine, and your office cubicle isn’t near a window, try switching on all the lights you have access to- it’ll be almost as effective as natural light. Get Out Researchers say that nature is fuel for the soul, and what could be better than stepping out for a few minutes into the nature when you’re feeling drained? Many studies have found that this […]
Mar 24

Balance Your Workouts with Getaways and Holidays

by kevin in Mind & Body 0 comments
We all work hard throughout the year so it is important to take a number of holidays and weekend getaways to relax the mind, so we feel fresh again. Relaxation is almost as good as exercises because of the profound effect it has on the body and mind. However, for the rest of the year, you need to work out regularly about 3 to 5 times weekly. You can choose your preferred activity, but it is important to be active and avoid a sedentary lifestyle. There are plenty of benefits for leading this kind of lifestyle. Find an activity that delights you You need to identify a suitable exercise or activity that you like. Examples include brisk walking, jogging, swimming or even joining a team sport such as basketball and so on. This way, you will be active and be engaged in an activity that pleases you. Try to engage in this activity three to five times every week. You can work with partners if this makes it easier for you. Join a martial arts class If you love martial arts or disciplined training, then you can find a good gym offering these in your neighborhood. Martial arts will toughen […]
Mar 24

How Many Calories Does Walking Burn? Fitness Experts Explain

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Walking as little as one mile a day burns a surprising amount of calories.   Walking is one of the most accessible ways to work out. Not only is it low-impact for your joints, but you can also do it anywhere, from strolling down your neighborhood to walking on your treadmill in the living room. And the calories burned walking can be vast too, which ultimately can help lead to weight loss if that’s your goal. “Walking is one of the best exercises for weight loss,” says Nicole Glor, fitness instructor and creator of NikkiFitness YouTube Channel. “When paired with a healthy diet and lifestyle including stress management, sufficient sleep, and exercise, walking can definitely help with weight loss efforts,” adds Shana Maleeff, M.A., R.D..   Why walking is a top choice for weight loss This simple way to move offers a variety of health benefits. “Walking gives your metabolism a boost by increasing your body’s demand for energy,” Maleeff says. In other words, it helps you burn calories. “Anything that moves your body burns calories,” she explains. “We take in energy through food and then burn them passively through body functioning (breathing or digesting food) and by actively moving […]
Mar 24

10 Tips on How to Develop a Long Lasting Positive Mindset

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When you take a walk around and look at people, one of the things that will stand out is that there is a general negative mindset going around. Whether people are negative about their country’s leadership, global warming, the weather, or even their team losing. The bottom line is, people are increasingly having a negative attitude towards life. If you have a generally negative inclination towards life, you will find that your mind will seek out and amplify that which is negative around you. For instance, you might find yourself angry over not winning the lottery, yet you know statistically, the chances of something like that happening are slim to none. The approach you have towards life matters a lot. You have most likely heard of mantras like ‘think positive vibes.’ You may wonder how exactly you should have positivity in your life; and how to grow the little you have, or even cultivate it from scratch. Worry not, we’ve got you covered; here are a few tips on how to develop and keep a positive mindset forever flowing in your life.   1. Mind your language Yes, your language determines a lot when you’re trying to cultivate a living […]
Mar 24

Getting Started with Mindfulness

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What is mindfulness? Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us. While mindfulness is something we all naturally possess, it’s more readily available to us when we practice on a daily basis. Whenever you bring awareness to what you’re directly experiencing via your senses, or to your state of mind via your thoughts and emotions, you’re being mindful. And there’s growing research showing that when you train your brain to be mindful, you’re actually remodeling the physical structure of your brain.   The goal of mindfulness is to wake up to the inner workings of our mental, emotional, and physical processes.   What is meditation? Meditation is exploring. It’s not a fixed destination. Your head doesn’t become vacuumed free of thought, utterly undistracted. It’s a special place where each and every moment is momentous. When we meditate we venture into the workings of our minds: our sensations (air blowing on our skin or a harsh smell wafting into the room), our emotions (love this, hate that, crave this, loathe that) and thoughts (wouldn’t it be weird to […]
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