Eating for Your (Mental) Health

Posted on April 1, 2015 by admin

Salmon for Mental Health

We’ve all heard of eating for better heart health and to lower the risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, and even certain types of cancer – but what about eating to improve your mood?

Scientists are finding an increasingly large body of evidence to support the idea that the foods we put into our bodies play a substantial role in how we feel on a psychological level. That is, what we eat and drink directly affects our mood, behavior, thought patterns and learning ability.

The brain is an immensely powerful organ, and like any other organ in your body, it requires the proper nutrients to keep things running smoothly. Through some simple dietary changes, you possess the power to both boost cognitive function and decrease feelings of anxiety and depression.

Active Relaxation: An Antidote to Stress

Posted on April 1, 2015 by admin

health-wellness

Stress is an inevitable and unavoidable part of life, but suffering the harmful effects of it doesn’t have to be. In fact, within each of us lies a natural stress-defense system, and with a little practice it can be accessed easily and frequently. The relaxation response is a state of deep yet mentally-active rest. Unlike laying on the couch, sleeping, or zoning out in front of the television, this type of relaxation leaves you feeling calm yet energized and alert. Activation of the relaxation response has been shown to increase energy and focus, combat illness, relieve aches and pains, heighten mental alertness, and boost motivation and productivity. Think of it as a natural alternative to a cup of coffee, without the adverse effects of caffeine.

Next time life has you feeling stressed and overwhelmed, skip the Starbucks line and resist the temptation to crash on the couch – the following techniques will have you feeling blissed-out in no time!

A wide variety of techniques can be used to evoke the relaxation response. In this post, we’ll highlight three techniques that we find particularly user-friendly: deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and yoga.

Shift Your Awareness, Shift Your Life!

Posted on April 1, 2015 by admin

Poo-Favorite-Day “The ability to be in the present moment is a major component of mental wellness.” –Abraham Maslow

Multitasking is becoming an increasingly popular, and seemingly necessary, means of getting through everyday life – cooking dinner while watching the kids, folding the laundry while planning tomorrow’s schedule, driving to work while talking on the phone. But in the midst of accomplishing goals and completing tasks, you may find that you’ve lost a sense of connection with the present moment.

It seems that so many of us are hung-up on the past or preoccupied planning for the future, that the present moment gets disregarded. This tendency to mentally gravitate away from the present can be detrimental to our wellbeing, as this is where true happiness and peace of mind lie. Fortunately for us, psychologists have been busy at work devising ways to help us stay on track, and at the forefront of these techniques is mindfulness.