Stress, it happens to all of us. We are under a lot of pressure at work, the kids are screaming or someone cuts us off while we are driving. This provokes our “fight or flight” response making our breathing shallow and quick. This is the body’s natural way of dealing with the situation.
This becomes a problem when that response is
provoked by smaller, less momentous occasions more often. This often results in health problems from
high blood pressure to a compromised immune system leading to colds and other
illnesses.
We cannot avoid all stressful situations, but
we can control how we respond to them.
Sitting in a quiet room on a giant pillow deep in meditation doesn’t
work for everyone. But everyone can try
deep breathing when a stressful situation arises. When you feel stressed: stop, breathe deep
and hit the reset button.
Mental health counselors recognize the
ability of controlled breathing to:
-reduce stress and anger
-improve relaxation
-help us overcome fears
-assist those with PTSD (Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder)
-and even control the nausea associated with
motion sickness.
If meditation is something you are interested
in there is no one way or right way to do it.
Find a quiet room or area outside, turn off your mind and breathe deep
into your diaphragm and out through your nose.
Repeat and relax.
Chew your food, chew it!
Digestion begins with the chewing process and
if not done correctly can be detrimental to our health. The more you break your food down with your
mouth, the less taxing it is on your stomach.
Often we use our forks like shovels piling in
the next bite before we have finished the first. If food is not completely broken down before
it reaches the esophagus, it can remain undigested and cause bacteria growth in
the intestines.
Chewing also creates saliva signaling the
stomach, intestines and entire GI system that the digestion process has
begun. This helps the organs prepare for
their digestion and keeps the body in balance.
Chewing also makes foods more enjoyable. Plant foods are sweeter after being
thoroughly chewed. The sweet flavor of
complex carbohydrates can only be fully appreciated by mixing with amylase in
the mouth.
When you eat, put down your fork between
every bite in order to focus and enjoy your food as well as aid in digestion.
Jason C. Venckus CPT, PES & H.C.
Progressive Complete Health
www.goproveg.com
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