How To Keep a Healthy Brain For Vitality
Posted by admin in Mind Body Spirit on May 24, 2011
We all desire to live a happy, healthy, and successful life. In order to do this we have to take care of ourselves in many different ways. Perhaps one of the most important areas to care for is our brain. Considering the significance of its function, it is essential we keep our brains sharp and in good condition.
Here are the four major areas to keep in mind when taking care of your brain:
Exercise: Regular exercise not only improves the memory and ability to learn, research demonstrates that exercise also stimulates the growth of new brain cells (Creer, Romberg, Saksida et al., 2010). What is it about exercise that keeps our brain is great condition? Exercise improves circulation (therefore increases oxygen levels) throughout the body. Of course this includes the brain. Regular exercises will also improve concentration, attention, mood, and decrease stress levels. All of these help the brain to function optimally.
*Recommendation: Cardio and muscle work is recommended. Adults should participate in at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity, 5 days a week.
Nutrition: Proper nutrition is important because it acts as fuel for the brain. The food you eat influences brain function in a many ways. What you eat will influence how you think, feel, remember and more! Low calcium, sodium potassium magnesium, iron, niacin, thiamine, B12 can all lead to brain dysfunction, dementia, seizures, and impaired cognitive function.
*Recommendation: A well balanced diet that includes nuts, whole grains, protein, the omega oils, fruits and vegetables.
Rest: The right amount of sleep is as important for physical and mental wellbeing as is nutrition and exercise. According to General Social Survey done by Statistics Canada (Census 2001), 47% of Canadians cut back on sleep in order to increase the length of their day. Psychological symptoms of sleep deprivation include confusion, irritability, depression, hallucinations, emotional instability, etc. A lack of sleep can lead to physical health problems with the nervous, cardiovascular, and immune systems. Read the rest of this entry »
Mind and Body Connection for Infertility Treatment
Posted by admin in Mind Body Spirit on May 24, 2011
Do not underestimate the body’s connection with the mind in terms of one’s overall well-being. You may notice that after you exercise you feel better or more relaxed. Exercise for a few weeks and you may notice an increase in energy level and you may even notice that you’re sleeping better and feel less stressed. There is a connection between physical and mental well-being that extends further than many believe or can imagine. A sound, healthy mental well-being may even help to promote physical well-being and may be helpful for those going through infertility problems.
Going through infertility treatment may be difficult and trying for those experiencing it. The uncertainty of knowing whether the procedure will be a success and whether any treatment will help get pregnant may be a lot of burden to bear. That’s why many clinics offer mind-body connection therapies to help women or couples going through treatment to better cope with their emotions and the stress that may be present throughout the process.
The physical part of treatment can be overwhelming in and of itself, so managing one’s emotions and reducing stress can be important. Those who are less stressed may have greater success, research has shown. Stress may be an inhibitor to fertility, so managing it and reducing stressors in one’s daily life can be important. For some, changing one’s thought processes can be helpful in working towards this goal. For instance, rather than expecting the treatment to fail, individuals may find themselves less stressed if they look at it like they are doing whatever they can to have a baby.
A mind and body program may focus on helping individuals learn how to relax, manage stress and find support from others who are in the same boat as them. Some lifestyle changes may be necessary to improve fertility. This may include quitting smoking, reducing or eliminating the consumption of alcohol, exercising or losing weight. Changing one’s diet may be helpful as well, but individuals should consult a nutritionist before doing this. Many clinics even offer nutritional counseling to those desiring to improve their diet for greater fertility.
One of the biggest benefits of these programs may be speaking with others who are sharing many of the same emotions and experiences. Whereas others in one’s life may listen and try to understand what they are going through, having others to talk to who are in their shoes may be helpful in relieving some stress and finding a backbone of support.
Women going through stress can find more information on Mind and Body classes as well as restorative yoga for pregnant women. Review tips on reducing stress and how it helps during a pregnancy.
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