Sunday, May 11, 2014

May 2014

Everyone wants to reduce stress, sleep better and increase brain focus.  That’s why this month I am suggesting you read an article I came across in the April 2014 edition of More. The article titled "The Breathing Cure" shares the mediation techniques and research of several experts including Emma Seppala, PhD and associate director of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University School of Medicine and Jim Nicolai, MD, author of Wellness Rules: A Simple Guide to Healthy Living. The meditation techniques described in this article don’t involve a quiet room, lotus position or chanting.  It’s all about mindful breathing that even the busiest women can incorporate in their life. Here's a link to the article: “The Breathing Cure” -- give a few of these techniques a try then let me know what you think.

Recently a Good Health! reader asked for my thoughts on oil pulling. I had to admit that I didn’t know what it was.  Now I know it’s the ancient practice of swishing a tablespoon of oil in your mouth for 20 minutes once a day. Oil pulling supposedly draws out toxins in your body, primarily to improve oral health but also to improve your overall health.  I decided to give oil pulling a try.  It took me about 6 minutes to determine that if I'm going to put that much oil in my mouth it’s going to be while enjoying a basket of deep fried onion rings.  To be fair there are many devoted fans of oil pulling who say that even though they were grossed out at first they stuck with it and have experienced a myriad of health benefits. Here’s the but . . . according to the world renowned Mayo Clinic there is no investigative evidence to support the claim that oil pulling offers any health benefit. The good news is that oil pulling doesn’t seem to pose any health danger unless you mistakenly swallow a large amount of oil. 

A 2010 study reported that the sound of a mom's voice lowers a child's stress hormone, cortisol and raises his/her level of oxytocin, a hormone linked to love and bonding.  Make the time to be good to you and call your mom.  

Happy Mother's Day and Good Health!

Terry

“Meditation is the ultimate mobile device; you can use it anywhere, anytime, unobtrusively.”
~Sharon Salzberg, Real Happiness: The Power of Meditation


1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the breathing article, Terry! I loved it and have forwarded it to my family. We will soon be a "breath right family!" I'm going to try some of the techniques and will let you know if I see a change. Thank you! Happy breathing!
P.S. I am also going to take your advise and eat more fried onion rings for my "Oil pulling" exercises :)