| Stress is bad for your mental health; there's | | | | |
| no doubt about that. But a recent study | | | | Meditation suggestion |
| conducted by researchers at Georgetown | | | | |
| University found that it can be equally bad | | | | A simple breathing meditation is good for |
| for your weight. The study showed that mice | | | | everyday purposes. Find a place that is quiet |
| under chronic stress and on a junk-food diet | | | | and holds special meaning for you, either |
| gained twice the weight expected. | | | | outside or inside, wherever you're most |
| | | | comfortable. Remove any distractions, like |
| Many people face chronic stress every day: at | | | | alarms and cell phones, and just sit and |
| work, at home, at school, you name it. And | | | | focus on breathing deeply and steadily. |
| unfortunately, that overwhelming stress could | | | | |
| be having a huge effect on their physical | | | | Don't think about anything else but your |
| health. If stress and diet are contributing | | | | breath, how you take in a fresh new one that |
| to unhealthy weight gain, then it's important | | | | rejuvenates you, and expelling the old air |
| to combat the problem at its source. | | | | when you've used it up. Your mind may jump |
| | | | around to other paths at first, but if you |
| Daily stress, daily meditation | | | | keep focused on your breathing, eventually it |
| | | | will settle peacefully into the stillness. |
| One of the best ways to reduce stress is | | | | |
| through meditation. The purpose of meditation | | | | Come back from your meditation slowly, first |
| is to calm the mind and quell worries and | | | | by recognizing the smells and sounds of the |
| anxiety, so by making it a daily habit, you | | | | area around you, and then by gently rotating |
| can gradually bring that calm to every area | | | | your fingers, wrists and neck. Whatever |
| of your life. The only thing meditation | | | | meditation you do, walk away with a new sense |
| requires is that you spend 10 to 20 minutes a | | | | of calm and serenity. |
| day on it, either by doing a breathing | | | | |
| meditation or using a meditation tool to calm | | | | Meditating for a healthier life |
| and focus your thoughts. | | | | |
| | | | Nothing will take the place of proper diet |
| This kind of meditation, called mindfulness | | | | and exercise for basic health. But if chronic |
| meditation, keeps you grounded in the | | | | stress is a part of your life, chances are |
| present, where you can be completely aware of | | | | daily meditation could help both your mental |
| your current thoughts and actions without | | | | and physical health. The more often you |
| worrying about the past or future. Previous | | | | meditate, the easier it will be to find that |
| research has suggested that it's beneficial | | | | peace in your daily life. Take some time to |
| not just for stress, but even for depression | | | | try it and see if you notice the difference. |
| and chronic pain. | | | | |