Showing posts with label emotional health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label emotional health. Show all posts

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Laughter is Good for your health

 The emotions and moods we experience directly affect our immune system. A sense humor allows us to perceive and appreciate the simple moments of life, provides moments of delight. Positive emotions can create neuro-chemical changes that will buffer the immunosuppressive effects of diseases and stress. The ability to laugh at a situation or problem, tolerating situation, seeing situation as a chance for growth-stepping stone gives us a feeling of superiority and power. Good humor and laughter can foster a positive and hopeful attitude. We are less likely to succumb to feelings of depression and helplessness if we are able to laugh at what is troubling us. Humor gives us a sense of perspective on our problems. Laughter provides an opportunity for the release of those uncomfortable emotions which, if held inside may create biochemical changes that are harmful to the body. Laughing lowers blood pressure, reduces stress hormones, increases muscle flex ion, and boosts immune function by raising levels of infection-fighting T-cells, disease fighting proteins called Gamma-interferon and B-cells, which produce disease-destroying antibodies. Laughter also triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, and produces a general sense of well-being. Good Laughter is one anti-aging key-keeps you young and healthy. Hate, anger, fear, lust are draining energies, it's a psychological block road so try to let go as much as possible and when you can't---DO walk away, people are different, every personality and energy is not always compatible--mama always says learn to tolerate--it's a fact of life. Do unto others as you want done to you, take life easy, one step at a time. Let your intuition be your guide.See video below


See OWN August magazine issue--great tips and lots on intuition--helped me, it might help you.

Goji Berry is one happy fruit--helps treat depression.

Find good comedy  and good music--clasical music helps. 

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Yoga for Depression

                                                                       
                                       
Exercise and good nutrition is the key to a healthier you.                     PASCHIMOTTANASAN
  (Seated Forward Bend)

The number of Americans on Prozac and other anti-depressant continues to grow,($44 billion in sale). Although many others are finding relief by incorporating yoga and making lifestyle changes on their mat.
"Yoga postures can penetrate what Wilhelm Reich, the founder of the science of bio-energetics, called 'character armor', our unconsciously held patterns of physical contractions and defenses."

Pose instructions:
Sit on your mat with legs outstretched. Stretch the arms overhead and lengthen the spine. On an exhalation, reach the arms forward and rest the hands on the feet, calves, and knees, depending on your level of flexibility. Stay in pose, inhale deeply, and on each successive exhalation, let the torso sink towards the legs. After several breaths, reach the arms forward on an inhale and come up sitting.

Inverted postures works particularly well, it alters the blood flow, benefiting lymphatic drainage and the cranial sacral fluid. Increased blood flow to the head area = increased bio-availability of oxygen and glucose, and it is the two most important metabolic substrates for the brain."
Supported inversion and back bends for people suffering from a depression characterized by inertia or fatigue.
For anxiety a more active sequence is advised, modify your poses according to experience and physical energy level. Keep your eyes open wide while practicing, and move from posture to posture without pausing in between, to generate life force and focus the mind on the body.
Because there are different types of depression, some poses and sequences will work better for you than others. Listen to the needs of your body and mind and make modifications accordingly. Inevitably while you exercising you will face difficult thoughts or feelings, replace/balance these thought and feelings with positive images and thoughts- producing better feeling. As you create positive physical space within your environment as you do yoga poses, you'll create space within your consciousness.

Other recommended poses: 
Supported Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward facing Dog)
Viparita Dandasana (Inverted Staff Pose)
Urdhva Dhanurasana (Upward Bow Pose or Backbend)


Written by Onyinye A