Saturday, February 10. 2007
Are you over stressed? Is everything piling up and weighing you down? Maybe you've tried pharmaceutical or herbal remedies, but weren't happy with the results for whatever reason. You might just want to try a proven natural therapy that has been used for generations to releive stress and make you feel better. So what is this miracle cure that makes us feel so great? It's laughter. Laughter is good medicine, it's nature's way of easing tension and helping us relax. So, take time to laugh every day and you'll be feeling better in no time.
How does laughter work exactly? Laughter works on several levels to make us feel better and less stressed. First, laughter works to relieve stress physically. When we laugh, stress hormones in our blood, like cortisol, are actually reduced. Laughter also gives us a mini workout, which improves out health and releases hormones that make us feel happier. Lastly, when we laugh, it helps boost our immune system. The stronger our immune system is, the better we feel and the more prepared we are to combat stress.
Laughter helps us emotionally release stress as well. Our bodies are designed to release excess emotions physically through acts such as laughing and crying. When we laugh, it releases some of our negative emotions as well. It can also change the thoughts that promote our emotions. Laughter helps us think more positively, worry less, and be less stressed. Even if laughter doesn't promote positive thinking, it can make you forget about your negative thoughts and feel better.
When you are laughing with friends or loved ones, you are also forming social bonds. When we are bonded with people, it promotes supportive relationships that can make us feel more supported and less burdened, so we feel less stressed out about our situation. Did you know that laughter is contagious? That's why it's easier to laugh with a group.
What can you do if life just isn't that funny? What if you can't find anything to laugh at? Fake it. Yes, that's right, fake laughing. A study done on forced laughter found that when participants were asked to watch a movie and either not laugh at anything or laugh at the jokes whether they thought they were funny or not. After the movie, participants filled out a survey on how much they liked the movie. Believe it or not the people who laughed rated the movie as significantly better and funnier. Laughing, forced or not, improves the way you view the world and helps to fight stress from your everyday life.
In addition to stress relief, laughing has also been shown to help you eat less, boost your immune system, increase your pain threshold, and even help you heal faster. Don't delay. Laughter is good medicine, go see a funny movie, share a joke or laugh for no good reason at all, and start laughing your way to a less stressful life today.
Focused deep breathing exercises can help you relax, and relieve tension and stress you've built up during the day. Many of our everyday lives tend to be too fast paced, causing us to be in a constant state of arousal, even if we have nothing to be excited about. This can cause emotional problems as well; including irritability, anger, and depression along with physical symptoms like headaches and stomachaches. Relaxation breathing can relieve these symptoms, help you deal with addictions, aid in weight loss and can also be used to calm yourself before you go to sleep. There are a number of techniques and methods, it's just a matter of finding the right one for you.
The first step is to find a good position to be in for your breathing exercise. Each technique may suggest a different position including: lying on your stomach, lying on your back, sitting cross legged, sitting on your feet with your knees facing forward, or standing. No matter what the method suggests, you need to be in a position that makes you comfortable. If you're not comfortable, you're not going to relax no matter how you breathe. So find something that works for you. You may also try periodically changing positions throughout your breathing exercises; in fact, some techniques recommend it.
The next step is to use the proper breathing technique. Normally, we tend to take short shallow breaths. Breathing exercises involve taking longer, deeper, fuller breaths. This type of deep breathing changes the percentage of carbon dioxide in our systems, putting us in a more relaxed state. To accomplish this type of breathing, you should be sure to breathe by pulling your stomach in and out (toward and away from your spine). You should also make sure your shoulders stay relaxed; if the shoulders are moving up and down, your breathing is too shallow. An appropriate deep breath should bring out the stomach, chest, and collar bone.
The appropriate deep breath is very slow. It's best to allow about 5 to 6 seconds for each inhale and the same for each exhale; however, it is more important for you to focus on your technique rather than your pace. Breathe in deeply through your nose, and exhale though your mouth. A common yoga technique is to tighten your throat when you exhale so it sounds as if you're whispering.
Do your best to focus your attention on the breathing. The whole point of doing breathing exercises is to clear your mind of stress, not give you a better opportunity to focus on it. You'll probably find your thoughts wandering; just try to bring your mind back to your breathing when you do. As you have more and more experience, you'll begin to find it easier to focus on your breathing and relaxation rather than the worries of everyday life.
You may also find it helpful to practice visualization exercises while you're breathing deeply. Picture each muscle in your body and focus on it feeling relaxed. Once that part of your body is relaxed, you can move on to another part. You may also choose to focus on the stress physically pouring out of your body through your fingers and toes.
Whatever method you use deep breathing is a great way to reduce stress, help you lose weight, quit smoking and get to sleep or simply unwind at the end of a long busy day. Isn't it time you started practicing deep breathing?
Most of us would love to be able to remember things better. Whether you're a student studying for a test or an adult who's becoming more forgetful as you age, you're probably looking for something to enhance your memory. The best way to optimize your memory is to eat right and exercise, both your brain and your body. If you find that your regular diet isn't helping enough, there are safe, natural foods and supplements that will help give your memory the boost you're looking for.
Here are some important nutrients that will help enhance your memory along with other great side effects:
Choline. This is the main nutrient required in the production of acetocholine, the most essential chemical in retaining memories. Choline can be found in fish (particularly anchovies), eggs, liver, soy, and various nuts.
Vitamins. Getting enough of the B vitamins and vitamin C are essential for the production proper brain function. B vitamins have even been shown to raise scores on IQ tests. Taking a daily multi-vitamin like Watkins Superfood Multiple will ensure that you get enough of these vitamins.
Pyroglutamate. This is an essential amino acid that can be used to improve memory, concentration, coordination, and reaction time. It improves reception of neurotransmitters and aids in the production of acetylcholine. It is found in dairy products, fish, fruit, and vegetables.
Phosphatidylserine. This chemical has not only been shown to improve memory, but also to concentration, mood, and resistance to stress.
Omaga 3 Fatty Acids. These "good fats" can be found in fish, including: tuna, salmon, and mackerel. They can also be found in certain nuts and oils. This boosts the amount of acetylcholine and serotonin in the body which improves memory and mood.
Ginko Biloba. This is used to improve circulation, increasing blood flow and oxygen to the brain. Ginko improves memory and gives you an energy boost. It has been show to help memory loss from normal aging and Alzheimer's. Be careful how much you take, it can have side effects due to its blood thinning properties.
Vinpocetine. This supplement is derived from the periwinkle plant and increases circulation. It has been proven to improve decision making and problem solving skills.
Carnitine. This is an essential amino acid that improves memory and brain function and mood; it also has antioxidant properties. Acetyl-L-carnitine is essential in the production of acetylcholine.
Glutamine. Another important amino acid for brain function. Along with the improved brain function, glutamine is an energy booster can help you break your addictions to stimulants. It also helps balance neurotransmitters and blood sugar levels.
Getting one or two of these nutrients can help you feel better and improve memory, but if you want to have optimal functioning and memory, it's best to get as appropriate amounts of each of these nutrients from diet and supplements. Watkins Brain Plus can help to bring back your memory while protecting you against age-related mental decline. It contains many of the nutrients mentioned above including; ginkgo biloba to help increase blood flow and oxygen to the brain; brahmi to enhance focus and concentration; L-tyrosine and natural herbs to promote mental alertness; and soy lecithin to provide phosphatidylserine and choline, which are essential for optimal brain function.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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