Have you heard of a body scan meditation before? A body scan meditation is a practice that places special attention on the physical sensations in the body. In this micro level-meditation, a person places focused attention on every part of the body – from the skin, internal organs, joints, etc. – and what it is […]
What do you think of when you see the word gratitude? Many of us express our gratitude by saying “thank you” or through other actions, but gratitude is also a powerful emotion that serves a biological purpose. One study took 300 adults and split them into 3 groups who wrote gratitude letters to someone once […]
Taking breaks throughout the work day is beneficial to the employees. By stepping away from work for just a few minutes, you can increase your productivity, refocus, and reduce stress. Breaks are essential to every employee because they aid in boosting employee engagement and creativity levels. Mental health is also improved through taking active breaks […]
Did you know that one of the biggest obstacles our digestive system faces is our own stress? Stress releases a hormone called cortisol, which essentially tenses up our bodies and makes it more difficult for ‘unessential’ systems to do their work efficiently. As far as the digestive system goes, this means that when we’re stressed, […]
Cortisol, often known as the stress hormone, has several important functions in our body. This hormone is produced by the adrenal gland when our brain perceives threats and signals a chain of chemical reactions and hormonal releases. When cortisol is released it sends our body into fight or flight mode to help us deal with […]
Being a kid is tough in an ever-changing and stressful world. When feeling overwhelmed or discouraged, children may become disconnected while experiencing rising levels of stress or anxiety. Introducing meditation is a great way to allow children to practice mindfulness when dealing with their emotions. Participating in positive grounding activities, like meditation, has proven to […]
Studies have indicated a strong link between positive mindsets and health. A positive mindset lessens the inflammatory damage of stress, reducing the risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular-related issues. Reducing your cortisol level also decreases the chance of developing infections or chronic complications. Cortisol, your body’s stress hormone, is involved with: – Controlling inflammation – […]
It’s easy to get into the habit of slouching, whether you are scrolling on your phone or typing away on your computer. Being mindful about your posture can help to relax and reduce shoulder tension. The Healthy Back and Healthy Postures series are a collection of stretches and exercises designed to help release body tension […]
In stressful situations, our brain releases increased levels of stress hormones which cause our bodies to react in several ways. Mental stress can materialize into physical problems, like chest tightness or headaches. We may feel overwhelmed, irritable, or maybe even a little sweaty. Finding ways to combat the stressors we encounter in our day-to-day lives […]
As the months of March and April were primarily spent at home as an effort to flatten the curve, we each took steps to create a new sense of “normal”—developing new routines that could function under social distancing policies and federal restrictions. As a result of the Coronavirus, feelings of emotional distress have arisen around […]
Sleep is an essential component of life: we need sleep to function, to feel well-rested, and to establish separation between our days. But, while sleep is important, it is not always easy to achieve a good night’s rest. In fact, millions of Americans struggle with sleep deprivation. Before going to bed, people often run through […]
Our minds are incredible entities capable of life-changing and health-reversing abilities. Sometimes though, this powerful vehicle can get overtaken by negative thoughts, leaving us susceptible to illness and a poorer quality of life. In order to quiet the whirlwind of negative thoughts, memories and societal expectations that can fill our minds, discover the healing and mind-clearing power of […]
According to research by Matthew A. Killingsworth a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health and Society scholar, and Harvard psychologist Daniel T. Gilbert we spend 46.7 percent of each day thinking about something other than what we’re doing. Being present has been shown to have tremendous impact on our mental health through years of scientific studies. […]
“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes, your smile can be the source of your joy.” – Thich Nhat Hanh Did you know that this spiritual reflection on human nature by Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh is also proven by research? Heather C. Lunch (Texas A&M University), Nicholas A. Coles and Jeff […]
It may look and feel a little funny, but Nadi Shodhan Pranayama, as demonstrated in our class Alternate Nostril Breathing, can provide you with an array of health benefits. Nadi Shodhan Pranayama, which translates to “subtle energy clearing breathing technique” in Sanskrit, is a form of yogic breathing which originated in ancient India. The technique […]
Breathing is something that we do all day, every day, typically without thinking. It’s automatic and intuitive and without it, well, we wouldn’t be alive. There are a lot of functions in the body that work without thinking and psychologists have developed an analogy to categorize how our brain processes this type of thinking versus […]
Often times, what we choose to put into our bodies is an afterthought. Whether we are feeling hungry, bored or even uninspired, we may make eating choices that upset our body’s natural flow, leading us to develop unhealthy eating habits such as binge-eating or obesity. Instead of just eating to eat, we believe that getting […]