Stress is a constant partner of life. Everyday situations go hand-in-hand with stress, making it difficult to cope with both the ordinary and the extraordinary. Stress is so prominent that doctors no longer advise trying to avoid it, but rather learning to negotiate with it so life can actually move forward. It is no secret, however, that stress can and does get the better of ... Continue Reading
Mindfulness meditation training changes brain structure in 8 weeks
Participating in an 8-week mindfulness meditation program appears to make measurable changes in brain regions associated with memory, sense of self, empathy and stress. In a study that will appear in the January 30 issue of Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, a team led by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers report the results of their study, the first to ... Continue Reading
Sesame Oil Extract May Fend Off Depression
Sesamol--a natural substance found in sesame oil--shows promise for relief of depression[1]. In preliminary research[2] published in the journal Psychopharmacology, scientists found that sesamol helped shield mice from depressive-like behavior caused by stress. According to the study's authors, people with depression tend to have elevated levels of certain markers of ... Continue Reading
Your Health Checklist for 2011
Every year you make a list of things to change, and every year you change some things while leaving the rest for next year’s resolutions. What you need is a checklist[1] — something that prioritizes the important things you need to do this year, this decade and for the rest of your life. Like an owner’s manual for your body… Luckily, Dr. Manny Alvarez has just what you need. ... Continue Reading
Panic Attacks And Herbs That Help
Some people suffer from sudden moments of fear and anxiousness and are clueless as to what to do about them. Panic attacks comes without any alarm, they are sudden brief periods of extreme fear, anxiety[13] and discomfort that are related to several somatic as well as cognitive symptoms. One may experience a panic attack quite abruptly without any obvious trigger. Panic attacks ... Continue Reading