{"id":11626,"date":"2013-01-17T17:10:36","date_gmt":"2013-01-17T22:10:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saratoga.com\/living-well\/2013\/01\/mind-body-tips-to-reduce-stress-boost-body-health.html"},"modified":"2022-10-10T09:02:23","modified_gmt":"2022-10-10T13:02:23","slug":"mind-body-tips-to-reduce-stress-boost-body-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saratoga.com\/living-well\/2013\/01\/mind-body-tips-to-reduce-stress-boost-body-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Mind-Body Tips to Reduce Stress & Boost Body Health"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n

By Sarah A LoBisco, ND<\/b><\/p>\n

In keeping
\nwith my current theme on my homepage, I wanted to share with you some current research
\non the power of a very popular mind-body tool-mediation. Mediation is a
\ntechnique that uses various methods for to focus the mind on contemplation,
\nreflection, or spiritual growth.<\/p>\n

Here’s some
\nof the recent benefits reported:<\/p>\n

Meditation and Immune Health<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n

In a small
\ngroup study, volunteers who took an 8 week training program in meditation experienced
\nan increase in left-sided brain activation which is related to positive
\nemotions. Even more cool, this positive brain state was directly correlated to
\na rise in antibodies after an influenza vaccination, indicating a boosted immune
\nresponse.<\/p>\n

Source: Davidson
\nRJ<\/a>, Kabat-Zinn
\nJ<\/a>, Schumacher
\nJ<\/a>, Rosenkranz
\nM<\/a>, Muller
\nD<\/a>, Santorelli
\nSF<\/a>, Urbanowski
\nF<\/a>, Harrington
\nA<\/a>, Bonus
\nK<\/a>, Sheridan
\nJF<\/a>. Alterations in brain and immune function produced by mindfulness
\nmeditation. Psychosom Med. 2003 Jul-Aug;65(4):564-70.<\/p>\n

Meditation and Mood Mind-FULL
\nNess<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n

In another
\nstudy, participants who had training in mindfulness attention showed increased amygdala
\nactivation which was related to decreased depression scores. The researchers
\nnoted:<\/p>\n

\u00b7”Since
\ncompassion meditation is designed to enhance compassionate feelings, it makes
\nsense that it could increase amygdala response to seeing people suffer.”<\/p>\n

\u00b7”Increased
\namygdala activation was also correlated with decreased depression scores in the
\ncompassion meditation group, which suggests that having more compassion towards
\nothers may also be beneficial for oneself.”<\/p>\n

Source: Weatherby,
\nC. Meditation Yields Lasting Calm: Two months of meditation eased people’s
\nresponses to emotional stimuli. Vital Choice Newsletter. 12\/3\/12. http:\/\/vitalchoice.com\/shop\/pc\/articlesView.asp?id=1962<\/u><\/p>\n

Meditation & PTSD<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n

Various
\nstudies have reported the benefit of meditation use on those with post-traumatic stress disorder. Recently, Dr. Mercola
\nsummarized the findings in a study involving a group of military cadets:<\/p>\n