Monday, January 13, 2025
ARTICLE - MIND BODY CONNECTION
Here's a breakdown:
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How it works:
- Mind influences body:
- Stress response: When we experience stress, our minds perceive it as a threat. This triggers the "fight-or-flight" response, leading to physical changes like increased heart rate, rapid breathing, muscle tension, and the release of stress hormones like cortisol.
- Immune system: Chronic stress can weaken the immune system, making us more susceptible to illness.
- Digestive issues: Stress can disrupt digestion, leading to problems like irritable bowel syndrome.
- Sleep disturbances: Anxiety and worry can interfere with sleep patterns.
- Body influences mind:
- Physical sensations: Pain, fatigue, and other physical symptoms can significantly impact our mood and mental well-being.
- Exercise: Physical activity releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects.
- Sleep: Sufficient sleep is crucial for cognitive function, emotional regulation, and overall mental health.
- Mind influences body:
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Strengthening the mind-body connection:
- Mindfulness and meditation: These practices help to calm the mind, reduce stress, and increase self-awareness.
- Yoga and tai chi: These mind-body exercises combine physical movement with deep breathing and mindfulness.
- Deep breathing exercises: Simple breathing techniques can help to reduce stress and promote relaxation.
- Spending time in nature: Connecting with nature has been shown to have numerous mental and physical health benefits.
- Prioritizing sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night.
- Regular exercise: Engage in regular physical activity, such as walking, running, or swimming.
- Healthy diet: Nourishing your body with whole foods can improve your overall health and well-being.
Key takeaway: Recognizing the mind-body connection is crucial for overall health and well-being. By cultivating practices that nurture both our mental and physical health, we can improve our quality of life and enhance our overall resilience.
Disclaimer: This information is for general knowledge and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult with a healthcare professional for any health concerns.
Labels: digestion, exercise, fight-or-flight, meditation, mind-body connection, mindfulness, stress
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
ARTICLE - HEALTH - CAUSES OF LOW ENERGY AND WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT
Actually low energy levels can have many causes.
Sometimes, the cause, and the solution, to low energy is simple. Sometimes, however, the causes are more complicated and may be more difficult to combat.
Four things which can leave you feeling dull and without energy are easily rectified.
1. Sleep: This is obvious. If you are not getting enough GOOD sleep, you will probably feel it during the day. I'm not talking about one or two bad nights, either. Many of us have terrible sleep habits, and we pay for it...more than you imagine.
A Carnegie Mellon University study published in 2009 in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that Of 153 healthy men and women aged 21-55, those who got less than seven hours of sleep were almost three times more likely to catch a cold than those who slept eight hours or more.
Lack of sleep not only leaves you tired, but opens you up to infections...and stress!
2. Stress: This is a real energy thief. Not only can chronic stress attack you physically by weakening your immune system, and interfering with sleep, by the way, but it also robs you of the desire to do anything about the situation.
3. Nutrition: Many people will turn to high-calorie, high-sugar foods and snacks in hopes of raising their energy levels.
I remember a few years ago in which actor Robert Blake (Baretta and other classics such as The Return of Rin Tin Tin), said that he kept going on junk food. Not necessarily a good idea. Trivia, by the way, Blake, who was still acting in the late 90's started out with the "Little Rascals" in 1939. HMMMM. Maybe junk food IS a good idea.....NOT!
4. Overall Physical Condition and Health: I sort of lumped a lot of things under this topic. However, so many things combine to keep us healthy, and good health is often key to having energy. Additionally, physical activity, codeword "exercise" is one of the most practical things we can do to stay healthy.
Not only that, but regular physical activity, whether in the form of a structured exercise program, or as daily lifestyle activities, can build your body's energy reserves and works to help the body deal with 1, 2, and 3 more effectively.
Regular exercise promotes good sleep. It also relieves stress, and helps the body make more efficient use of the nutrients we provide it. Regular "good" sleep, helps relieve stress and makes you feel like you have more energy to expend in exercise. It also gives your body the opportunity to make use of the nutrition it has taken in. Good nutritional choices can also help calm the body and the mind, increase energy, and help a person sleep better.
None of this has to involve extreme or alarming (more stress) changes to your present lifestyle.
Something as simple as setting a regular bedtime and not getting up until you've gotten your eight hours of sleep, taking a good daily multivitamin, avoiding foods which obviously contain empty calories (most of today's snacks, unfortunately), eating more natural things such as fruits and vegetables and judiciuous amounts of meat, and taking a brisk walk for a few minutes a day can turn a lot of low energy situations around.
If you really want to get into some good stuff, you might look into yoga. Not only does yoga provide exercise, but tends to produce a meditative state and relieves stress. People who practice regularly tend to sleep and eat better and have more energy. I really like yoga.
However, even something as challenging as weight lifting or karate can still reduce stress and increase energy if practiced properly. I train with weights, as well as doing bodyweight exercises, a little yoga, and using resistance bands.
Beyond these simple causes, and a few others, there are health conditions, such as diabetes, which can drag you down. If taking care of the simple things doesn't seem to do the job, there is possibly something more dangerous or difficult causing the condition. In these situations, your best choice is to get with your healthcare provider and work out the appropriate treatment. While doing things to help "prevent diabetes" and other conditions is always going to be of value in the long run, once you actually have a major health condition, stay healthy, but don't try to treat it yourself. Get proper medical testing, diagnosis, and treatment.
Labels: donovan baldwin, low energy, sleep, stress, weightlifting
