Benefits of Yoga and Meditation

Stress happens; it’s a fact of life. Even the simplest of everyday problems and pressures can build up until we feel like we’re about to explode. But too much stress is detrimental to our wellbeing, and over time will begin to produce many undesirable symptoms: headaches, high blood pressure, and a weakened immune system, just to name a few. In these days of Blackberries, meetings, and multitasking, it’s important to learn how to effectively manage and reduce your stress. And that’s where relaxation techniques such as yoga – and the meditation and deep breathing that go along with it – come in.

Yoga is beneficial in so many ways, and has been used for thousands of years as a means of keeping the body (and mind!) strong, sound, and healthy. Its various positions enhance flexibility for less stiffness and greater ease of movement. It massages and stimulates the organs, bringing increased blood flow and bolstering the detoxification process. It tones the muscles, strengthening the body and helping to keep weight in check (and in turn, improving weight-related issues). Its meditative qualities help quiet the mind, clearing away negative energies. Coupled with deep breathing (pranayama – the science of breath control), which carries vital oxygen to the brain and bloodstream and helps to eliminate toxins, it has a profound effect on health and wellness.

Even if you’re a beginner, you can benefit from the most basic of positions. Through yoga, you can learn to better handle tension, improve your health, and achieve unity in mind, body, and spirit. Namaste!

Cortisol Control

There’s a lot to be said for the hormone cortisol. Secreted by the adrenal glands, it’s involved in many important bodily functions, including metabolism of glucose, release of insulin for blood sugar maintenance, immune function, regulation of blood pressure, and inflammatory response. Cortisol is responsible for the burst of energy, heightened awareness, and lower sensitivity to pain that is part of the body’s “fight or flight” response to stress; because of this, it is sometimes referred to as “the stress hormone.”

Naturally, your cortisol level is highest in the morning, when your body needs an extra boost of energy to begin the day. By evening time, the level drops about 90% - or at least, it should. But you can have too much of a good thing, and though cortisol is crucial for your body, levels that remain elevated for long periods of time can negatively impact your health. Chronically elevated cortisol has been shown to cause exhaustion, fat accumulation, insulin resistance, loss of memory, high blood pressure, and more.

In order to keep cortisol levels under control, thereby reducing the risk of prolonged elevated exposure, it’s important to activate the body’s relaxation response. This can be especially effective in the evenings, when cortisol levels are naturally supposed to be lower. By learning to relax through stress management techniques such as yoga, meditation, deep breathing, journaling, or guided imagery, you can help make sure your body is releasing only enough cortisol to be beneficial.

Healthy Fats

What do fish, nuts, and green leafy vegetables have in common? Sure, they’re tasty – but they’re also great sources of Omega 3 fatty acids, and that’s great news for your health. Omega 3 fatty acids are crucial for the body’s wellbeing, and studies have shown that they help to both prevent and treat many different health problems (including psychological issues; in fact, one of the most recent studies, presently being conducted by researchers at the Australian Research Institute, examines the link between Omega 3 deficiency and depression). They’re essential for neurological development, and can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Basically, you’ve got to have these “miracle-working” fatty acids in your body in order to ensure optimal health.

If you’re lacking in Omega 3, your body will tell you through symptoms – though they’re easily attributed to other conditions and most people don’t realize they’re due to an Omega 3 deficiency. You may notice:

• Fatigue
• Dry, brittle nails
• Dry skin
• Constipation
• Dandruff
• Slow wound healing

Unfortunately, the body doesn’t produce Omega 3 by itself; therefore, you’ve got to make sure that your diet includes plenty of foods that are rich in this valuable substance. The following foods are some of the best sources of healthy Omega 3:

• Hemp seeds
• Flax seeds
• Walnuts
• Cold-water fish such as mackerel, salmon, tuna, halibut, and herring
• Pumpkin seeds
• Spinach
• Sunflower seeds

You hear a lot about staying away from fat, but the kinds of fat that contains Omega 3 are different than the artery-clogging saturated fats found in lard and butter. By eating the proper balance of these “good” fats, you can protect your body and your brain.