Newsbite: Meditation Reduces Heart Disease

January 20, 2011 by
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A recent study found that the practice of meditation reduced cardiac disease risk by nearly 50%.  During the nine year study, 201 African American men and women, average age 59 years and identified with narrowing cardiovascular arteries, were randomly assigned to either practice a form of meditation or participate in a control group which received health education classes including topics of diet and exercise.  The meditation group practiced Transcendental Meditation (TM) twenty minutes twice a day.  Results included 47% reduction in death, heart attacks, and strokes in the participants who … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Integrative Wellness, Mindfulness, Physical Health, Physical Illness, Stress/Anxiety

Yoga Resolution: Study Proves Positive Effects on Mood

December 17, 2010 by
Yoga

A recent study by the Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) found that yoga has a more positive impact on mood, including reduced anxiety and depression, than other forms of exercise.  The study included two randomized groups of approximately 35 individuals who were assigned to participate in either one hour of yoga or walking three times a week.  Those who participated in yoga demonstrated significantly increased brain gamma aminobutyric (GABA) levels.  Individuals with low GABA levels have been found to exhibit depression and anxiety related issues.  Participants were also asked to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Adult Exercise, Adult Mental Health, Inspiration, Mental Wellness, Motivation, Spiritual Health, Stress/Anxiety, Yoga

How to Stay Healthy in a Hectic Environment

December 12, 2010 by
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Who doesn’t have a hectic life? Do you ever feel like you don’t have enough energy to get through the day? Do you know you need to make some changes but don’t know exactly what to do? How do you find the time to squeeze “it” in during your busy day??? With our careers, family, and commitments we have to take care of every day, sometimes taking care of ourselves gets forgotten or put on the back burner. Our productivity is effected the more stressed out we get. We are so much more productive in our personal and professional lives when we take care of ourselves. Ok so that sounds great and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Adult Nutrition, Mental Wellness, Nutrition, Physical Health, Stress/Anxiety, Women's Health Tagged With: ,

The Holiday Wand

November 29, 2010 by
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It's not enough that moms have to juggle kids, husbands, multiple schedules, school demands and meals along with their personal time to stay sane and healthy 11 months out of the year. Now moms have to add the holiday season and the grand calendar finale of December to the mix. Looking back, I remember my own dutiful mother 'running around like a chicken with her head cut off’, yet remaining gracious and pleasant about Christmas. (Did she keep a bottle of mulled wine in the closet to escape from time to time?) I doubt she even had the time... My sister and I had all the traditional joys of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Adult Mental Health, Mental Wellness, Mindful Parents, Stress/Anxiety, Women's Health