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Seeking Stress Relief: 20 Natural Stress Relievers to Boost Your Health

The AHA! Team — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 06:49:02 +0000

Jillian Levy, CHHC via Dr. Axe – Stress: We all deal with it, yet we know how much better off we’d be — both physically and mentally — if we could only get it under control and find stress relievers that really work. While stress can be a positive, motivating factor at times (such as when you’re under pressure to perform well at work or to ace an important exam), more and more research shows that chronic stress impacts the body in ways similar to a poor diet, lack of sleep or sedentary lifestyle. Would you believe that 75 percent to 90 percent of all doctors office visits are related to conditions caused by stress? It’s true. How exactly does stress negatively affect our health in so many ways? It mostly boils down to changes in our hormones, which then cascade to an increase in inflammation and various other problems. Uncontrolled stress experienced over a long period of time is considered “chronic stress,” dangerous and capable of increasing someone’s risk for heart disease, diabetes, weight gain or obesity, mental disorders, autoimmune diseases, digestive disorders, and even cancer. Let’s face it, the stress we face today isn’t going anywhere, which is exactly why it’s more important than ever to find natural ways to relieve stress that work well for us. Thankfully there are natural stress relievers that can help. If you adhere to the following stress relief practices, you’re likely to better manage your stress on a daily basis. Best of all, there are stress relievers out there for just about everyone. Higher stress levels today In many parts of the world, more people today report experiencing negative experiences — which includes physical pain, worry, sadness, stress and anger — on a daily basis than at any recent point in history. What is causing everyone to feel so stressed and burnt out? Some of the top reasons people feel stressed and mentally unwell include: Worries over finances and the economy Health and healthcare-related concerns Disapproval of government performance and worries over politics Anxiety over current events, including natural and societal events such as mass shootings, climate crisis, racial tensions and terrorism Stress due to social media and technology use Feelings of loneliness and depression We know that stress can negatively affect nearly all parts of the body, including the musculoskeletal system, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, endocrine system, gastrointestinal system, nervous system, and both female and male reproductive systems. Here are some of the ways ongoing stress can lead to discomfort and disease: Causes tension headaches and migraines Makes it harder to sleep and causes fatigue (even adrenal fatigue) Triggers digestive issues, such as stomach pain or IBS Can lead to overeating and weight gain or sporadic eating patterns and skipping meals Makes it more likely that people favor sedentary activities and don’t exercise Can lead to social isolation, loneliness and poor relationships Can increase obesity, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and asthma What is chronic stress? Chronic stress is considered the type of stress that interferes with your ability to function normally over an extended period, such as more than six months. Obviously people of all ages can experience chronic stress, but it’s thought that younger and middle-aged adults between the ages of 15 and 49 are most likely to deal with debilitating chronic stress. “Generation Z” is considered to be the most stressed-out age group in many industrialized nations, due to factors like violence, political turmoil, poor finances and poor health, while “millennials” report the highest rates of anxiety, loneliness and depression. Do people always know that they are dealing with chronic stress? Not necessarily. It’s not always easy for people to make a connection between stress in their lives and symptoms such as pain and brain fog. People also tend to struggle with identifying exactly what’s causing them to worry or feel angry, overwhelmed or depressed. When chronically stressed, you release more “stress hormones” such as adrenaline and cortisol, a steroid hormone in the broader class of steroids called glucocorticoids that is secreted by the adrenal glands. When levels of stress hormones remain elevated over time, they impact many bodily functions. That’s why finding natural stress relievers is so important both mentally and physically. Natural stress relievers 1. Exercise and yoga One of the best stress relievers available to us is exercise, a natural remedy for anxiety because it releases powerful endorphin chemicals in the brain, which act like the body’s built-in painkillers and mood-lifters. Research has suggested the negative effects of stress on the body seem to be exaggerated in people who are inactive, a phenomenon called “stress-induced/exercise deficient” phenotype. Because we react to stress by experiencing changes in our neuro-endocrine systems, regular exercise is protective because it regulates various metabolic and psychological processes in the body, including reinforcing our natural circadian rhythms, sleep/wake cycles, moods and blood sugar levels. Exercise has been shown to help improve insulin sensitivity, can help someone become more aware of her hunger levels, may improve confidence/self-esteem, and can lead to better mental processing and a lower risk for depression. Can’t sleep? Well, exercise can help with that too, which is very important considering quality sleep is needed to regulate hormones and help the body recover. Yoga has been shown to have similar benefits, reinforcing the “mind-body connection,” improving how people (especially women) feel about their bodies, helping with sleep and controlling anxiety. A review of more than 35 clinical trials that tested the effects of regular yoga on stress levels and health found that, overall, yoga offered significant improvements in various physical and psychological health markers for the majority of people. Looking for an even more impactful way to feel the benefits of exercise? Do so while listening to uplifting music. Research findings have indicated that music listening positively impacts the psycho-biological stress system, helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system, improves recovery time, and has benefits for hormonal balance and brain functioning overall. Another terrific way to relieve stress is through forest bathing. To forest bathe, you immerse yourself in naturally beautiful and health-boosting forest surroundings by using your various senses of sight, hearing, smell, etc. It’s meant to be a very peaceful and positive experience that has been shown by science to provide various health benefits. A study found that the tree’s compounds can decrease stress hormone levels in both men and women. 2. Meditation/devotional prayer Meditation and healing prayer are both proven stress relievers that help people deal with worry, anxiety and finding peace of mind. Best of all, they can both be practiced conveniently anytime of day, in your own home and with no therapist, practitioner or program needed, making them no-brainers. Meditation and prayer have been used for literally thousands of years to improve well-being and connection to others, and today they’re actually backed up by science as well. Natural stress relief meditation and mindfulness-based stress reduction are types of simple mental techniques that are practiced for as little as 10–15 minutes once or twice a day in order to bring about more “mindfulness” and reduce stress or anxiety. Various other forms of meditation have been shown to lower physiological responses to stress, improve mental alertness, and help people overcome various emotional and physical problems, such as: anxiety depression poor mental health that affects quality of life attention problems substance use eating habits sleep pain weight gain 3. Acupuncture Acupuncture has increasingly been used to treat many stress-related conditions, including psychiatric disorders, autoimmune or immunological-related diseases, infertility, anxiety, and depression. In fact, researchers have found that acupuncture treatments result in changes in the cardiovascular and immune systems, increasing protective T-cell proliferation and helping with cellular immuno-responses. Studies have shown that acupuncture is one of the best stress relievers for patients recovering from heart disease because it helps regulate the nervous system, therefore having positive effects on blood pressure levels, circulation, hormones and other factors. 4. Nutrient-dense diet A steady supply of nutrients like essential vitamins, trace minerals, healthy fats, electrolytes, amino acids and antioxidants all help your brain handle stress better, therefore benefiting your entire body. It’s also a great weight loss tip for women and men. Some of the most nutrient-dense foods for natural stress relief include: Foods high in B vitamins (which the body uses to convert nutrients to energy) — raw or cultured dairy products, cage-free eggs, grass-fed beef, wild-caught fish, poultry, brewer’s yeast, and green leafy vegetables. Foods high in calcium and magnesium — as relaxing minerals and electrolytes, calcium and magnesium are important for relaxing muscles, relieving headaches and helping you sleep. Try unsweetened organic yogurt, wild-caught salmon, beans/legumes, leafy green veggies, cruciferous veggies like broccoli, avocados and nuts. High-protein foods — foods with protein provide amino acids that are needed for proper neurotransmitter functions. Healthy fats and omega-3 fatty acids — cold-water, wild-caught fish like salmon or sardines can reduce inflammation and help stabilize moods, plus omega-3s are great for the brain, development and heart health. Other healthy fats that support brain health include nuts/seeds, avocado, olive oil and coconut oil. These brain foods and mood-boosting foods work as natural stress relievers. On the other hand, foods to avoid in order to keep stress levels down (aka bad mood foods) include: Packaged or sugary foods — processed, refined foods or those with added sugar can give you blood sugar highs and lows throughout the day, increasing anxiety and causing cravings and fatigue. Too much alcohol or caffeine — both alcohol and caffeine can cause or worsen anxiety, make you dehydrated, interfere with sleep to leave you tired, and make you unable to cope with stress well. Refined vegetable oils — imbalances in polyunsaturated fatty acids, meaning getting much more omega-6s than omega-3s from your diet, are tied to metabolic damage, inflammation and even poor gut health, which can affect mental processes. 5. Challenging thoughts with cognitive behavioral therapy Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapeutic practice that has been proven to lower anxiety, stress and multiple disorders — including addiction, eating disorders, insomnia and depression. Knowing that at least 50 percent of the time experiencing a mental disorder is due mostly to chronic, untreated stress reactions, therapists use CBT to train all types of people to better react to situations that are stressful. CBT focuses on challenging and changing your thoughts first and foremost, since the way you perceive an event (not the actual event itself) means everything in terms of how your body reacts. Once you can identify the root thought pattern that is causing harmful behaviors, you can work on changing how you think about events and therefore react to them. The idea behind CBT is this: If you can reframe the way you think about events in your life — for example, instead of panicking over a job change you choose to embrace it, prepare as best you can and seize the opportunity to start fresh — you can literally reduce the stress you wind up feeling from the event. CBT is useful for training us to avoid internal causes of stress, such as “all-or-nothing” thinking, jumping to conclusions, pessimism, having unrealistic expectations for ourselves, always expecting the worst-case scenario, and feeling guilt or shame over events that are out of our control. 6. Spending more time in nature and being social Making time for connecting with the people around you (like practicing fika), spending time outside, and doing things you love with family, friends and your spouse are all stress relievers that are good for your health in many ways. Social connection is tied to longevity, since it helps people feel like they’re a part of something larger than themselves and helps give them perspective. Being outdoors has some similar effects, reminding people that they’re one piece of a much larger universe, lifting their moods and making it easier to get good sleep. For many American workers, their work stress accelerates because they don’t take their full vacations or are always on call. Instead, take your deserved...

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Loneliness: Greater Negative Impact on Memory Than Social Isolation?

The AHA! Team — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 08:21:45 +0000

University of Waterloo via News-Medical – About a third of Canadians feel lonely, and a study from the University of Waterloo shows it has a greater negative impact on memory than even social isolation, though both present a significant risk to the aging population. Loneliness is a subjective emotion that people might feel even while engaging in social activities. It is often associated with depression and an increase in stress hormones that may contribute to impaired memory. Waterloo researchers examined four combinations of social isolation and loneliness and their effect on memory in middle-aged and older adults over a six-year period. These combinations include being socially isolated and lonely, being only socially isolated, being only lonely and being neither. “As we expected, people who were both socially isolated and lonely had the greatest decline in memory, which intensified over the six years. But we were surprised to find that loneliness alone had the second-greatest impact on memory, even though so many studies report on the dangers of social isolation without considering loneliness.” Ji Won Kang, lead author on the paper and PhD candidate in the School of Public Health Sciences at Waterloo Those who aren’t lonely but are socially isolated may be stimulating their mental capacity with solo activities, such as reading, playing games and engaging in hobbies that improve memory and stimulate the brain, despite not engaging in social activities. Loneliness alone had the second-greatest impact on memory Kang hopes the findings of this research will highlight the need for community programs, especially for the combined group of older adults who are both socially isolated and lonely, and therefore at the highest risk of memory impairment. “Older adults in the lonely category often have lower incomes than the other groups and may have structural barriers and health conditions preventing them from connecting to their communities,” she said. “A solution could be to implement transportation or home-visit programs-; something to address the societal issues that lead to them being more isolated.” The group who is just lonely is the next priority, requiring a different approach. “We would need to know what is causing their loneliness,” Kang said. “They may be connected socially and have close relationships, but for example, maybe their marriage is falling apart and they would benefit from counselling.” The study was an interdisciplinary project between the School of Public Health Sciences and the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science at Waterloo. Exploring the differential impacts of social isolation, loneliness, and their combination on the memory of an aging population: A 6-year longitudinal study of the CLSA appears in the Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics. Source: University of Waterloo Journal reference: Kang, J. W., et al. (2024). Exploring the Differential Impacts of Social Isolation, Loneliness, and Their Combination on the Memory of Aging Population: A 6-Year Longitudinal Study by the CLSA. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics. doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2024.105483. To read the original article click here.

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NEW STUDY Shows Social Isolation Harms Brain Health, Increases Risk of Dementia

AHA Publisher — Wed, 22 Jun 2022 07:00:17 +0000

Stephanie Woods via NaturalHealth365 – Social isolation, “the absence or near absence of social connections or relationships,” and loneliness are not healthy. There is evidence of an association between living socially isolated and adverse health effects, such as depression, anxiety, various physical stress responses, decreased immunity, and more. However, researchers have now established a strong link between social isolation and dementia later in life. Socially Isolated People Are More Likely to Develop “Later Dementia” The study, published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, used data gathered from the UK Biobank. Researchers found that socially isolated individuals had a 26% greater probability of developing dementia than a socially active person. Those older than 60 are the hardest hit. Depression was also linked to later dementia in this study, but the link was not nearly as significant as it was with social isolation. This means that even though social isolation can cause depression, it is not depression that can lead to dementia. Instead, it is the social isolation itself that increases the risk factor for dementia and negatively affects brain health. A 2021 study concluded that the forced social isolation that affected most people during the COVID-19 pandemic initiated a domino effect of repercussions regarding mental health. It examined dementia patients and their caregivers, exploring the impact of that social isolation. More than 50% of dementia patients experienced a decline in memory function; more than 30% felt sadder, while almost 40% experienced an increase in their anxiety symptoms. This increase in anxiety symptoms caused a rise in dementia symptoms, including agitation, hallucinations, and difficulty in daily life activities. In short, it made the patients’ dementia worse. CDC Knew Social Isolation Was Significant Health Risk and Recommended It Anyway During Pandemic With No Sound Evidence for Its Effectiveness to “Flatten the Curve” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cites several studies that point to health risks associated with social isolation in adults over 50. Studies show that social isolation can increase the risk of: premature death from all causes dementia by about 50% heart disease by 29% stroke by 32% anxiety, depression, and suicide In addition, heart failure patients who were socially isolated had: 4-fold increase in the risk of death increased risk of hospitalization by 68% increased risk of emergency room visits by 57% Here Is What to Do to Reduce Your Dementia Risk There are many steps individuals can take to decrease their risk of dementia. Maintain good physical health Eat a healthy organic diet Monitor blood pressure and keep systolic BP at 130 mm Hg or lower, starting at around 40 years of age Reduce exposure to secondhand smoke Reduce exposure to air pollution Take measures to prevent falls to avoid head injury Limit or avoid alcohol consumption Don’t smoke or quit smoking Keep the brain active with puzzles, lessons, and discussions Maintain a healthy weight Prevent diabetes by keeping sugar intake very low Get 7 to 8 hours of good quality, restful sleep Encourage and enforce regular social interaction Senior centers or senior daycare facilities can be a good way to help adults get some social interaction. In the event of another pandemic with forced isolation, there should be plans in place for older adults who may suffer greatly from loneliness and isolation. And let’s remember that humans of all ages are social creatures. We thrive on interacting with others. We also know that during the COVID-19 pandemic, social isolation was ineffective in stopping the spread of the so-called “virus.” So in the next round of pandemic, before complying with potentially harmful government-mandated lockdowns, shouldn’t we demand evidence from our health authorities that support the alleged rationale for over-reaching pandemic control measures? Sources for this article include: ScienceDaily.com NIH.gov CDC.gov TheLancet.com Assets.publishing.service.gov To read the original article click here.

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The Effect of Sedentism on Mental Wellbeing

AHA Publisher — Fri, 04 Mar 2022 08:00:12 +0000

Hidaya Aliouche, B.Sc. via News-Medical – Sedentary behavior, defined as activities that require minimal to no body movement, which consequently result in low energy expenditure, has emerged recently as a potential indicator of both physical and mental health in adult populations. There is an association between sedentary behavior and mental health issues including depression, anxiety, and self-esteem. What Is a Sedentary Lifestyle? Sedentary behavior is defined by the Sedentary Behaviour Research network in 2012 as any conscious behavior such as leaning or sitting which results in an energy expenditure of 1.5 metabolic equivalent task (MET) or less. MET is defined as the work metabolic rate relative to the standard resting metabolic rate (RMR) of kcal/(kg/h). One MET is the RMR for a person at rest. To express quantitative MET values qualitative: Sedentary behaviour: 1.0–1.5 METs ( Light intensity is 1.6–2.9 METs Moderate intensity is 3–5.9 Vigorous intensity is ≥6 METs Physical Activity and Its Implications on Mental Health Strong evidence suggests that physical activity is an effective strategy in reducing anxiety, depression, and negative mood. This has been found by reviews and randomized controlled trials alike. A study conducted in Australia reported increased rates of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms associated with changes in physical activity. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, a study from America reported that reduced physical activity combined with increased screen time from both pre and post COVID19 shutdown increased the likelihood of depression, loneliness, and stress. Another report demonstrated a positive effect of light activity on mental health. This finding was corroborated by a UK survey which demonstrated that negative mental health outcomes, including anxiety, were negatively associated with moderate daily physical activity. Sedentary Behavior and Depression Mentally passive sedentary behaviors which encompass sitting, listening to media, television viewing, and talking, are positively correlated with depression risk. Contrastingly, mentally active sedentary behaviors such as reading, typing and participation in a meeting are not always associated with depression risk. In particular, the use of a computer, classed as a mentally active sedentary behavior was found not to be correlated in one study with depression, but in another demonstrated positive correlation with depression risk. This study demonstrates its controversial association with depression. The mechanistic basis that underpins the correlation between sedentary behavior and depression is thought to include the blocking of direct communication and reduction in social interactions, or the reduction in available time to engage in physical activity which is known to increase overall sense of wellbeing and reduce risk of depression. Sedentary Behavior and Cognitive Function There is a controversial relationship between sedentary behavior and cognitive function. Some studies have indicated that a less sedentary lifestyle and less sedentary work patterns have beneficial cognitive effects, while others have demonstrated no changes in cognitive function. A study that looked at replacing sedentary time slots with other forms of activity across six months in elderly adults exhibiting little physical activity significantly improved cognitive functions. These activities included moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sleep. Contrastingly, low-intensity physical activity did not cause statistically significant changes. Effects of COVID-19: Sedentism and Wellbeing Outcomes A recent study conducted in the United Kingdom in response to COVID-19 investigated the association between physical activity and sitting time on adults’ mental health as well as the influence of potential mediators and confounding variables. The researchers conducted an online survey between May and June 2020. 284 participants self-reported physical exercise, sitting time and mental health, through validated questionnaires. Results demonstrated that sitting time was strongly associated with adverse mental health effects during lockdown conditions. Interestingly, those with lower sitting times showed a significantly lower depression score than those that demonstrated increased physical activity. Similarly, subjective wellbeing appeared to be more strongly influenced by a reduction in total sitting time, with physical activity being non-significant in comparison. A combined analysis demonstrated that increased well-being was found to be the greatest in a group with the lowest sitting time and moderate or high physical activity compared to those that had high sitting time and low physical activity (that is, the reference group). Although the association between depression and sedentary behavior is well established in the literature, there is less robust, and indeed a controversial association between sedentary behavior and wellbeing. In addition, though there is a strong association between mental health and sedentary behavior, no studies have yet investigated the moderation effect of physical activity on the impact of sedentary behavior on the outcomes for mental health. Some evidence suggests that higher volumes of physical activity, that is between 60 and 75 minutes per day, can protect against an increased risk of mortality as a consequence of prolonged sitting (that is, more than 8 hours per day). However, this buffering effect for other mental health outcomes i.e. wellbeing is less demonstrable. In addition, the study performed a sub-group analysis that demonstrated the relationship between different aspects of physical activity and mental health. Consequently, domestic and garden physical activity as well as leisure-related physical activity showed a negative association with depression and a positive association with well-being. In a study conducted in Italy, gardening demonstrated a positive impact on psychological distress. The Impact of Socio-Demographic Factors, Sedentary Behavior, and Well Being A study conducted during the pandemic demonstrated that sociodemographic predictors for mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety included female gender and young age, with university students having higher rates of depression relative to the overall population and women being more than two times as likely to suffer from depression about men. This increased risk persists until the mid-50s. In addition to gender and age, those who are of lower income, or possess one or more comorbid health conditions find a previous diagnosis of mental health increases one’s risk of poor wellbeing as a result of sedentary behavior. References Pears M, Kola-Palmer S, De Azevedo LB. (2021) The impact of sitting time and physical activity on mental health during COVID-19 lockdown. Sport Sci Health. doi: 10.1007/s11332-021-00791-2. Park JH, Moon JH, Kim HJ, et al. (2020). Sedentary Lifestyle: Overview of Updated Evidence of Potential Health Risks. Korean J Fam Med. doi:10.4082/kjfm.20.0165. Hamer M, Coombs N, Stamatakis E (2014) Associations between objectively assessed and self-reported sedentary time with mental health in adults: an analysis of data from the Health Survey for England. BMJ Open. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-004580. Teychenne M, Costigan SA, Parker K. (2015) The association between sedentary behaviour and risk of anxiety: a systematic review. BMC Public Health.; doi:10.1186/s12889-015-1843-x. Hamer M, Coombs N, Stamatakis E. (2014) Associations between objectively assessed and self-reported sedentary time with mental health in adults: an analysis of data from the Health Survey for England. BMJ Open. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2013-004580. To read the original article click here.

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Healthy Ways to Process Grief

AHA Publisher — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 05:22:00 +0000

Dr. Caroline Leaf – In this podcast (episode #360) and blog, I am going to talk about grief and answer some of your questions about dealing with and managing grief. Since grief is inescapable and can come about for all sorts of reasons, it’s important to accept that it’s an intrinsic part of being human, instead of trying to avoid or suppress the emotion. Below are some of the main questions I have received over the years, and some answers and tips to help you better deal with and manage grief: -Why is grief such a difficult feeling to process? Dealing with loss and the grief that comes with this feeling often means facing something that is both final and unchangeable, which makes grief very hard to manage. And, contrary to popular opinion, time doesn’t just “heal” this feeling of loss. Rather, time helps to create the space necessary to come to terms with the inevitability of the loss. In many cases, feelings of loss and grief are compounded by a sense of regret or even guilt, which can also be very hard to process. -Why isn’t grief linear? The five stages of grief model, otherwise known as the Kübler-Ross model, suggests that people experience grief through a series of five emotions: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Although this model has gained popularity, it is not supported by empirical studies—many people argue that this model is incomplete and unhelpful for people trying to manage their grief. Research shows that grief doesn’t unfold along predictable lines and differs greatly based on a person’s makeup and circumstances. People naturally move back and forth through different stages and expressions of grief. Consequently, it can be harmful to force people to try to fit their unique experiences into a set pattern of grief. We all experience grief in waves and cope in different ways. We should not judge ourselves if we feel great one day and terrible the next. -What are some healthy ways to process grief? As mentioned above, we all experience grief in waves and cope in different ways, so you shouldn’t judge yourself if you feel great one day and bad the next day. Remind yourself that there is no one way of experiencing grief, and there is no one way of getting through grief. Remind yourself that grief is a part of life, and that it isn’t shameful to ask for help or need support. Don’t just assume that you must talk about and express your grief openly as soon as possible or you won’t get through it. This has been shown through extensive research to not to work as well as was previously believed. You may find a temporary distraction helpful when dealing with grief—it can give you time and space to deal with grief in your own way in your own time. Deep, meaningful connections can really help us manage and process our grief. Never feel ashamed of asking for help. We should all try to be there for someone who is grieving, so long as we DO NOT try to force them to get what they are feeling out or “get over it”. In these situations, it is far better to ask the person what they need instead of basing our words and actions off what we think they need. Remember, we are not experts on anyone else’s feelings! Therefore it’s important to acknowledge a person’s unique grief experience, which will help them activate the resilience they need to process and move through their grief in a way that works for them. You do you! No one should be pressured into trying to feel more deeply or be more expressive than suits their unique style and time frame. If you are grieving, I recommend acknowledging your grief, and then decompressing until you feel ready to face your grief. When ready, work on embracing, processing and reconceptualizing your feelings and experiences in organized cycles of 63 days, which is the time it takes to rewire new thoughts. Some people may need to do many of these cycles, and that’s okay! In the case of grief, people begin to feel stronger when they develop new ways of thinking about their loss and adjusting, so take all the time you need to get to this place! To do these 63 day cycles, I recommend using my Neurocycle mind-management technique, which I discuss in detail in my latest book, Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess, and app Neurocycle. The Neurocycle is a way to harness your thinking power through mind-management that I have developed and researched over the past three decades. First, calm the brain down by breathing deeply. I recommend breathing in for 5 counts and out for 11 counts, and repeating this technique 3 times (for around 45 seconds). Then, GATHER awareness of the emotional and physical warning signals your body is sending you, such as tension in your shoulders, which can be a sign of fear of sleep. Embrace these signals; don’t judge them or try to suppress them. (Spend around 30 to 45 seconds doing this). Next, REFLECT on what these signals are pointing to. Ask, answer and discuss why you are feeling the way you do. Use specific sentences, like “I feel this sadness because …”. What are the details associated with this thought? What other thoughts are coming up that are associated with this thought? After reflecting, WRITE down what you feel and why. This will help you gain clarity into your thinking and behavior. Then, RECHECK what you have written, looking for your grief triggers and thought patterns you may have developed. For example, if you are grieving the end of a romantic relationship and feel sad, you might unconsciously think, “I could’ve done more to stop the breakup”. Why do you feel this way? What triggered this thought? How do you know this to be true? Or are you making an assumption based on how you feel now about something that happened the past? What is your thought “antidote”? How will you reconceptualize this way of thinking and feeling? What could you think, feel and choose instead?Lastly, take action to practice this new way of thinking. I call this step the ACTIVE REACH. This can be anything from a positive statement that validates your feelings to an action you do when you catch yourself ruminating on your grief. Based on the example above, you could practice saying, “I know the relationship was over, and that is okay. It is also okay to grieve the end of this relationship”. -How can someone feel/process their grief without becoming consumed or immobilized by it? Recounting your grief (again and again) is not necessarily required for your psychological health. There is a substantial body of research suggesting that the constant expression of feelings is not always the best way to manage grief and may even lead to more sorrow. In fact, when you are sad and grieving, your mind tends to access other sad memories stored in your brain, and you can get stuck in a cycle of negativity that will potentially drag you down. Similarly, wired-in neural networks of memories can be activated even when there isn’t a direct relationship to what you are going through, so ruminating can lead to all sorts of mental issues, setting off a cycle of pessimism that can affect your concentration, decision-making and motivation, which can make your problems can seem overwhelming. When this happens, you can become immobilized or consumed in your grief. However, there is a natural cycle of remission we can tap into, which is where healthy distractions can come in handy. Your ability to distract yourself until you are ready to process your grief, as briefly mentioned above, can be a good way to help you recover without feeling stuck or immobilized. Don’t try to rush the process if you don’t feel strong enough to work through everything. Yes, you don’t want to ignore your grief or avoid processing it, but you do want to get to a point where you are able to process everything that has happened without becoming immobilized, which usually involves having a support system in place and building up your own mental resilience. -What can happen if a person doesn’t process their grief or ignores it? This is often referred to as delayed grief. Although there is not much research on the effects of delayed grief, we do know that suppressing how we feel in the long term can end up making our mental health worse, as I discuss in detail in my latest book Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess. However, grieving is a complex process that we need to be allowed to move through in our own idiosyncratic ways. We don’t want to conceal our intense sadness from ourselves or others, but we do need to be allowed to process these feelings in our own way. -What are examples of things people might grieve besides death? Love, loss of childhood, etc.? Why is it important to recognize these types of grief too, outside of death-related grief? There are many things that we can grieve over, including being bullied, feeling lonely, the loss of time, the loss of friends, breakups, the loss of connections when moving cities, countries or schools, illness or injury, the loss of a happy childhood due to traumatic experiences and so on. It is important to recognize that grief is related to loss, even when there may not have been a death. Some people may not even realize that the deep sorrow they are feeling is actually grief! Experiencing a loss is a very hard emotional process, and recognizing it as grief can allow people to make more sense of what they are feeling and experiencing. In fact, recognizing different types of grief can help assuage feelings of guilt associated with loss. For example, if someone is feeling down from something like a breakup and is feeling guilty about being sad, helping them understand that they may be grieving can help them identify their pain and start the process of working through it. No matter what type of loss someone has experienced, they should understand that their grief is valid. -Can you explain how the pandemic has added another layer of grief to life? Besides the obvious impact of massive uncertainty and loneliness, many adults, teenagers and children have had to develop a whole new way of life, which has resulted in feelings of loss and grief for what could have been. Whatever we experience with the mind changes the brain (through the process of neuroplasticity) and body, right down to the level of the telomeres on our chromosomes, which shows up in how we function and feel mentally and physically. We do not live in a vacuum. There have been major changes in the mind, brain and body from the pandemic, and we need to help adults, adolescents and children manage these changes because unmanaged toxic stress from major adverse circumstances like the pandemic can result in physical and mental ill-health. However, if we constantly focus on the problem, it can get worse. As I always say, whatever we think about the most grows. We also need to focus on the solution, and I recommend doing this in a “ratio” of 1:3—one part “this is the problem/what has happened” and 3 parts of “what I can do about it”. It’s also important to not only focus on our feelings, because feelings are only one part of the mind—the other two parts are thinking and choosing. When we just focus on how we feel, we can get stuck because we are going against the natural functioning of the mind, which is to think, feel AND choose. When we consciously keep the balance between our thinking, feeling and choosing through self-regulation (or mind management), this can help us prevent overthinking and ruminating on the negative, which, in turn, helps us develop cognitive resilience and allow for the natural remission of grief to happen. We need to guide ourselves and our children to...

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Supporting Friends and Family Relieves Stress, Decreases Inflammation, Study Suggests

AHA Publisher — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 08:00:50 +0000

Sara Middleton via NaturalHealth365 – Want to lower inflammatory markers in your body associated with stress, chronic disease, and even early death? In addition to things like diet and exercise, your social life actually plays a pivotal role! A new study out of Ohio State University offers new insight into just how powerful healthy social relationships really are, with positive effects noticeable even at the immunological level. Positive Social Relationships Relate to Lower Levels of Inflammation, But There’s One Small Catch “Although positive social relationships are assumed to relate to lower levels of chronic systemic inflammation,” write Tiao Jiang and co-authors in the study’s introduction, “the empirical evidence on this association is mixed.” Their research was an attempt to help clarify this evidence by relying on longitudinal data compiled from self-reported questionnaires. Their study, published this month in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, compiled data from 1,054 healthy adults between the ages of 34 and 84, all of whom were involved in the U.S. National Survey of Midlife Development. Study participants answered questions about: Their level of “social integration,” e.g., how often they attended social events and whether they lived with a partner How much they believed they could rely on friends, family, or a spouse if they needed help Their sociodemographic information and relevant health information Importantly (and what sets this study apart from similar research), participants were also asked to rate their “perceived support-giving,” which the authors defined as the belief that one can be available to give social support to others. At a two-year follow-up, the participants returned to provide blood samples, which were used to test for the levels of a systemic inflammatory biomarker known as interleukin-6 (IL-6). Higher levels of IL-6 have been associated with a wide range of chronic diseases, ranging from cancer to heart disease to Alzheimer’s. After accounting for confounding factors like pre-existing medical conditions, education and income levels, age, and health behaviors, the researchers discovered that simply having good social support from others isn’t necessarily enough to lower inflammatory markers. What DID show a statistically significant correlation, however, was the relationship between IL-6 levels and perceived support-giving. As the authors put it: “positive social relationships are associated with lower IL-6 only for individuals who believe they can give more support in those relationships.” Admittedly, as far as a “catch” goes, this seems like a pretty good one: your social life can boost your health, but only if you make yourself available to help other people. Doing good for others has never been so good! It Is NEVER Too Late to Make Connections With others … Here Are Five Ways to Improve Social Relationships As Jiang and co-authors note in their paper, inadequate social relationships have been linked to a whopping 50% increased risk of death, which is on par with smoking or obesity in terms of detrimental health impacts. But if you struggle to connect with others, you might feel like you don’t know where to start when it comes to improving your social relationships. These five social-boosting strategies might help: Use other people’s names frequently. It’s an easy way to show interest in others and start a connection. Practice your active listening skills. Good listeners are generally more enjoyable to be around than people who don’t pay attention, interrupt, or are simply waiting for their turn to talk. Get moving with others. The National Institutes of Health recommends getting physically active with other people as an effective way to build social bonds. Try a group exercise class or even a lunchtime walk with co-workers. Do good for others by offering to buy a round of post-workout coffees or snacks! Join in. Find opportunities to be around other people, ideally doing activities you already enjoy (e.g., volunteering, adult educational programs). Be kind to yourself. It’s okay to feel a little shy or nervous when you put yourself out there. Do some relaxing activities before a social outing, try not to overthink things, and when in doubt, turn the conversation to the other person by asking them questions about themselves and their interests. Sources for this article include: Sciencedaily.com Sciencedirect.com APA.org Suicide.org NIH.gov To read the original article click here.

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10 Ways to Destroy Heart Health

AHA Publisher — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 08:00:51 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – Who needs a healthy heart, right? While this is a ridiculous question, millions of Americans engage in everyday habits that destroy heart health. Or, they ignore those that support it. Are you destroying yours? How can you reverse it? Here are 10 ways to destroy heart health, and how to reverse your risk. 10 Ways to Destroy Heart Health 1. EAT A DIET HIGH IN INFLAMMATORY ULTRA PROCESSED FOODS Our foods are literally killing us. Many foods in plastic packages and boxes can destroy heart health, increase blood sugar issues, and even increase the overall risk of death (1) according to a recent study of 100,000 participants. How? Ultra-processed foods are those commercial, processed foods that contain a lot of processed fats and sugars. Most of these fats are hydrogenated oils or soybean oil. Believe it or not, soybean oil is considered one the most-consumed modern toxins, and works against heart health by hurting: Metabolic Health. Lab studies show that soybean oil is one of the most detrimental foods to metabolic health (2). Cardiovascular Health: Soybean oil has been shown to cause harmful abnormalities to cholesterol and triglycerides (3). Overall health and inflammation: Many studies have concluded that concentrated sources of omega-6 fats increase inflammation in the body (4). Don’t let ultra-processed foods destroy heart health. Reverse Your Risk: You can take steps to reduce your consumption of ultra-processed foods by following the Beyond Keto Book. This is an amazingly heart healthy plan that also supports whole-body and gut health. This is the best start! In addition, look for soybean oil in all foods you buy and rid your diet of it with these tips. 2. AVOID SPICES, FRUITS & VEGETABLES Along with eating ultra-processed foods, avoiding all vibrantly colored spices, fruits and vegetables can destroy heart health. Vibrant plant foods are full of antioxidants. Antioxidants support cellular health, arterial health, and whole body health by reducing the effects of free radicals and oxidative stress. Specifically in the cardiovascular system, antioxidants work to reduce cholesterol plaque formations and elevated blood pressure (5). Additionally, foods high in antioxidants support brain cells (6), and may reduce harmful cell overgrowth. (Many studies also back up the health benefits of berries (7). Reverse Your Risk:You can reverse your risk of poor heart health by eating foods high in antioxidants! The best place to start is Divine Health® Fermented Green Supremefood®. Also, here is a great list of our top 10 antioxidant foods! 3. NEVER GET YOUR HEART RATE UP We all know sedentary lifestyles are bad for heart health and exercise is beneficial. But, how and why? Exercise forces our hearts to pump a great volume of blood through our arteries. This forces our arteries to stay flexible and elastic, which is a healthier state than stiff or inflexible arteries. Any exercise that increases heart rate can be beneficial to heart health. For example, both endurance training at lower intensity and higher intensity workouts benefit blood pressure and heart health (8/). Resistance training exercises (weight lifting) also supports heart health including heart variability. This remains true for both heavy weight lifting and high-rep, low weight exercises (9). Sedentary living, on the other hand, can destroy heart health. Reverse the risk: Start moving! Choose an exercise you like, and get your heart rate up. You can even use walking at a higher pace for better heart health. Here are 10 amazing benefits of walking! 4. ALLOW STRESS TO BUILD High levels of mental stress can be devastating to your heart, brain, immune system, and overall health. In fact, chronically elevated cortisol levels can affect all our body’s systems. How? Cortisol is a hormone that’s released by the adrenal glands when the body faces stress. In modern times, this stress is often more mental than physical and usually has no outlet. For many, it’s chronic. It builds. And, it does damage. High blood cortisol levels are correlated with weight gain and impaired loss, negative impacts on mood, sleep and energy, an increased incidence of blood sugar, potentially lower brain volume and impaired memory, and heart health issues including altered blood pressure (10). Don’t let stress bring you down. Reverse the Risk: You can learn to fight high cortisol each day. Try our 10 effective tools to combat daily stress! Make sure to add Nature’s Best Stress Relief: Dr. Colbert’s Nano-Science Hemp Oil. 5. STIFFEN UP EVERY YEAR YOU AGE In addition to ignoring cardiovascular exercise, ignoring flexibility can destroy heart health. Amazingly, the flexibility of your spinal cord and spine directly correlated with the flexibility of your arteries. Again, flexible arteries are crucial for healthy blood pressures and overall health. As crazy as it sounds, researchers have found that poor trunk flexibility is associated with stiff arteries. This means that keeping your body flexible enough to touch your toes means better artery health and blood pressure (11). Incredibly, one study of a stretching program found better blood pressure results from stretching than from walking (12)! In addition, a strong, flexible spinal cord allows you to maintain good posture, with your head and neck upright, rather than forward. It promotes better range of motion of your limbs, making it easier to lift, walk up and down stairs, stay active, and remain injury free. Reverse Your Risk: Stay flexible by working on trunk, spine, and limb flexibility every day. Do this in addition to other exercises. 6. DON’T PAY ATTENTION TO BLOOD SUGARS OR WEIGHT Exercise and healthy eating promote healthy body weight and blood sugars. On the other hand, not engaging in these activities can destroy heart health. Being in a state of overweight or obesity directly impacts heart health. In fact, excess adipose fat is correlated with impaired blood sugars and poor cardiovascular outcomes. Elevated blood sugars contribute to stiffened arteries (13). What’s more, while your starting total cholesterol is highly influenced by familial history, age, sex, and ethnicity (13), changes in total cholesterol are primarily achieved by weight loss (if overweight), diet, and exercise (14). You can make changes rather than destroy heart health! Reverse the Risk: The best place to start in achieving a healthy weight and blood sugars is Beyond Keto Book. Also, read these tips on healthy weight and tips for breaking a plateau. 7. SKIMP ON SLEEP Sleep is an elixir for many ailments. Lack of sleep, on the other hand, can destroy heart health. In fact, a new study of 1,654 participants aged 20-74 years looked at sleep and its effects on those with chronic health conditions. It followed these participants for 20 years. The researchers found that participants with existing high blood pressure or Type 2 diabetes, who slept less than 6 hours per night, were 1.8 times likely to die of heart disease or stroke. Unfortunately, 45% of Americans have these conditions, and the majority do not get enough quality sleep (15). The study was published earlier this month in the Journal of the American Heart Association. Improve your heart health with better sleep. Reverse the Risk: Not sure how to get better sleep? Look no further than these tips for a better night’s sleep. 8. ISOLATE YOURSELF Loneliness can strike anyone, even those surrounded by people. Unfortunately, loneliness can contribute to worsened heart health. It’s never been more important to seek out others and prioritize relationships. Why? Your heart depends on it. In 2010, a loneliness study shocked researchers. A research team from Brigham Young University looked at 148 studies, representing more than 308,000 participants for mortality risk factors. The researchers found a 50% increase in survival for those who were NOT lonely and had strong social relationships compared to those who didn’t. This finding was consistent with other strong risk factors of premature death, including known cardiovascular risk factors (16). Next, the same lead researcher performed a subsequent meta-analysis in 2015, representing more than 3.4 million people and found similar results. These included a 29%, 26%, and 32% increased risk of premature death for social isolation, loneliness, and living alone, respectively (17). Yet another study from Denmark found that heart health patients who were also lonely were about twice as likely to die from heart attacks and/or heart disease than those who were not lonely. Tragically, this is indeed very similar to the mortality rate of smoking cigarettes. Reverse the Risk: Do whatever necessary to reach out to others and prioritize relationships. Look at church groups, healthy social groups, and friends, whether in person or online. 9. FORGET GRATITUDE It can be easy to forget gratitude. Some days, months, or even years roll by that feel more dismal than others. However, gratitude, even when forced, can change everything including heart health. There is emerging scientific evidence to support the idea that a simple daily practice of gratitude can dramatically affect our susceptibility to cardiovascular issues. How? Gratitude affects both cortisol and our motivation for a healthy lifestyle. By first lowering stress, it supports heart health directly. By improving our outlook and mood toward healthy lifestyle habits, it improves heart health indirectly (18, 19, 20). Reverse the Risk: You can work on gratitude starting right now! Try just listing 2-3 things you are grateful for each day, and continue to build the list. Small things, big things, anything. To learn more about gratitude, try our 15 tips for making gratitude stick. 10. IGNORE TRIGLYCERIDES AND SUBTYPES OF CHOLESTEROL When most people think of heart health indicators or lab tests, they think of total cholesterol, LDL, and HDL. Interestingly, more and more practitioners are looking elsewhere. The ratio of triglycerides (TG) to HDL is emerging as one of the most important cardiovascular risk factors. In fact, when you calculate this ratio, you can infer your health risk of cardiovascular issues, blood sugar issues, inflammation and more. In addition, there are very important subtypes of cholesterol, called subset A and subset B. These numbers are extremely important (21, 22). Looking only at total cholesterol and ignoring triglycerides can destroy heart health. Reverse the Risk: Learn everything you need to know about cholesterol, subsets, and triglycerides! Take our quiz now! Bottom Line: Don’t destroy heart health this year! Instead, reverse your risk. Our simple tips can help you bolster your heart health, starting today. To read the original article click here.

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5 Benefits of Unplugging for the Holidays + 5 Tips

AHA Publisher — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 08:00:06 +0000

Kissairis Munoz via Dr. Axe – The onslaught of family, friends and social events that occurs during the holidays is enough to make even the most social person want to sneak away and enjoy some alone time. However, if your idea of relaxing during the festive madness translates into checking in on Facebook, drooling over Insta-worthy photos or playing a marathon video game session, it might be time to back away from the electronics and start unplugging for the holidays instead. Benefits of Unplugging Unplugging for the holidays is more than just sticking your smartphone or other tech devices into another room for a few hours. Instead, it’s about making a concerted effort to give your brain a break and allow yourself to enjoy life’s smaller pleasures: the company of loved ones truly enjoying a meal without first snapping photos of it even just having some mental downtime If that sounds a little hokey for you, there are actually scientific benefits to disconnecting and plugging back into real life: 1. Say Goodbye to Nomophobia Does putting down your phone give you FOMO? If so, you’re not alone. About half of American adults check their phones numerous times an hour — in fact, nearly one in 10 Americans has used his or her phone during intimate moments! Welcome to the world of nomophobia, or the fear of being without your smartphone. Reducing your screen time means you’ll have less time to waste on things like cat videos and more to spend on things you’ve been putting off because you “have no free time,” like baking more, trying out a new hobby or just unwinding with a good book. It might take some time to get used to, but soon you’ll find yourself keeping your phone switched off more than on. 2. Reduce Anxiety If you’re already stressed, too much tech time can make you feel more anxious and increase levels of depression. The pressure of waiting for a new like, the seemingly endless social media scrolling — it can eventually take a toll on mental health. Luckily, unplugging for the holidays can reverse those effects. Because anxiety can lead to a host of side effects, from headaches and trouble sleeping to an elevated heart rate, which can lead to heart disease, seize any opportunity (or these handy natural stress relievers) to decrease it! You’ll feel better, and your body will thank you, too — as will your family members, who will appreciate the more cheerful you! 3. Your Brain Will Focus Better Do you find yourself switching between apps, talking on the phone while playing computer games or simply trying to listen to that story your partner is telling you while checking tomorrow’s weather? All that multitasking is doing things to your brain, and they aren’t good. See, our brains aren’t actually designed to multitask, and we don’t actually do it. What happens instead is that our minds just shift focus super quickly, losing cognitive function in the process. In fact, people who multitask tend to be more stressed and impulsive than their one-track-mind counterparts, likely because multitasking can increase production of the stress hormone cortisol along with adrenaline. Shutting off your technological tempters will allow you to practice mindfulness and give all your attention to what’s happening in front of you, whether it’s playing with your nieces and nephews or enjoying that delicious bite of apple pie. You might notice that you remember small details a bit better, as your brain is able to focus on the task at hand and process info more quickly. 4. Get More Sleep Watching Netflix in bed or checking your email one last time is ruining your shut-eye. The screens on your favorite gadgets emit a blue light. To your brain, blue light is the same as daylight and acts to stifle the production of melatonin. That’s a big deal, because melatonin is the hormone that’s responsible for setting our sleep-wake cycles, or circadian rhythms. This makes it harder not only to fall asleep, but fall into the deep sleep that our bodies need to properly refresh. The importance of sleep cannot be overstated. In fact, missing sleep can take years off your life. It can also lead to increased weight gain, up your chances of getting sick and affect your mood negatively. Luckily, unplugging can help improve your sleep. You might find your memory improving, as sleeping seems to help new concepts “set” in the brain. Getting enough Z’s also reduces inflammation in the body, lowering your risk of everything from heart disease to diabetes. 5. Feel Happier and Healthier with Loved Ones While too much together time might be what’s driving you to seek the comforts of technology, it might be time to get cozy. Spending time with your friends and family actually improves your health. It turns out the more shy and lonely you feel, the likelier you are to be addicted to your smartphone. In addition, people without strong relationships increase their risk of dying prematurely by 50 percent, which is greater than the effect of obesity or physical inactivity. Unplugging for the holidays gives you an opportunity to nurture those relationships that are important to you and reconnect, while increasing longevity. Not bad! 5 Tips for Unplugging for the Holidays Ready to unplug but not sure how? These tips will help you have a tech-free holiday and enjoy the benefits of unplugging for the holidays. 1. Get Everyone on Board It’s a lot easier to stay away from your smartphone if everyone else you’re with follows suit. Let family and friends know you’d like to do a digital detox during your time together. Have everyone turn their phones off, then collect them and keep them in a separate room. 2. Pre-plan Activities The day might seem boring if everyone’s phone is taken and there’s no plan for entertainment. Pre-empt this, and design a list of activities everyone can get involved in. From making popcorn and watching a movie to going on a hike, baking cookies or playing board games, you’ll be surprised by how much fun you can have together. 3. Keep Your Phone Out of the Bedroom at Night Invest in an alarm clock, and keep your phone out of the room when you’re getting ready to sleep — ideally, you’ll turn it off at least an hour beforehand. You’ll steer clear of the blue lightthat can keep you awake and won’t start your day with a social media blitz. 4. Take Time to Unwind Whether it’s reading a book or taking a hot bath with essential oils, take time to enjoy life’s little pleasures sans technology. 5. Practice Yoga Yoga changes your brain in a variety of ways, and they’re all for the better! With all the extra time you’ll have from your digital detox, you’ll have time to unroll a mat and get your namaste on. To read the original article click here.

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12 Easy Daily Healthy Immune Habits

AHA Publisher — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 08:00:52 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – Each day you wake up to new experiences, challenges and opportunities. You likely think about the tasks ahead at the beginning of the day. Within that time, do you think about ways you can support your immune system? Or, healthy immune function habits that promote whole body health? If not, we have a cheat sheet for you. Here are 12 Daily Healthy Immune Habits that are easy to implement starting today. Moreover, here’s how simple habits affect immune function both positively and negatively. How Can Habits Support Immune Function? There are a few different ways lifestyle habits can affect immune function. First, they can reduce inflammatory actions and oxidative stress in the body. Next, they can activate immune cells directly. Third, they can indirectly affect your immunity. For example, high blood sugars are associated with increased infection risk (1), while controlled ones are not. Lastly, and on the other side, they can negatively impact immune function by diminishing the health of immune cells or degrading the body’s overall health. Your daily habits matter. Throughout each day, you can choose to support your immune function. Make your habit choices wisely. 12 Daily Healthy Immune Function Habits 1. GRATITUDE WHEN YOU WAKE How can you prioritize your health and immune function right when you wake up? You can be purposeful to start the day with gratitude. Whatever lies ahead in your day, you can be grateful for something or someone to start. How does this support immune health? Gratitude is one of our daily immune support habits because it can reduce stress and cortisol. Cortisol increases inflammation in the body. What’s more, gratitude can improve sleep while reducing stress. A study of 400 individuals found that writing gratitudes during the day and/or before sleep improves both the quality and duration of sleep (1). Another study found that gratitude was linked to a 10% improvement in sleep and a 19% decrease in sadness levels in patients with health issues and insomnia (2). For an extra boost, combine your time of gratitude with meditation. Focus on the moment, the day, and those things for which you are grateful. Be present in these thoughts, not thinking ahead or behind. Incredibly, this sort of mindful meditation can stimulate the immune system. Its benefits include improvements in specific markers of inflammation, cell-mediated immunity, and biological aging (3). 2. ICE-COLD SHOWER FOR BETTER IMMUNE FUNCTION Not everyone enjoys an ice-cold shower or burst of cold water in the morning. But for those who can stand it, it will support immune health! How? First, cold showers are linked to an improved immune system. A recent study from the Netherlands found that cold showers significantly reduced sick days in workers. In fact, 30 seconds or more of cold showering per day reduced sick days by 29% in the study. Additionally, more than half the participants decided to continue the cold-shower practice after the study since they were convinced by the results (4). Why would cold water improve immunity? It’s thought that cold-water-stress induces the production of catecholamines, which may play a critical role in supporting the immune system. 3. TAKE YOUR VITAMINS Specific vitamins, minerals and compounds support your immune function. While you can certainly eat foods that do so as well, supplements can bolster immunity with larger amounts of isolated nutrients. Specific immune-supporting nutrients include vitamin C, B-vitamins, elderberry, zinc, and vitamin D3 (5, 6). If you’re looking for a one-stop-shop for all of these compounds, try this supplement. Dr. Colbert’s Immune Support contains each one in amounts designed to support your immune system best. 4. GET OUTSIDE INTO THE SUNSHINE EARLY There are many benefits to getting outside. And, the earlier you do it, the better. Sunshine and time outdoors both support immune health, for free! They: Increase vitamin D production: Optimal vitamin D levels are associated with fewer seasonal illnesses. What’s more, optimal vitamin D levels support health throughout the body, from bones to skin to organs Improve melatonin levels, especially if you’re out in the early hours after waking. Why does this matter for immune function? Optimal melatonin improves sleep, and sleep is directly beneficial to the immune system Improve mood, which decreases cortisol to support healthy immune function Get outside whenever you can, and aim for early hours if possible. 5. DAILY HYDRATION FOR HEALTH AND REDUCED CORTISOL Did you know that fluid restriction and dehydration may increase cortisol in your body? This becomes especially true if you are participating in an outdoor activity (7). To reduce cortisol and therefore inflammation, hydrate your body regularly. As a bonus, you’ll promote overall cell health and skin. One recent study has shown that increasing water consumption by 2 liters per day improved skin condition and physiology, even in those who already consumed high amounts of water. The researchers concluded that this increase and improvement in skin health would likely have the most positive effect on those with lower daily water consumption (8). If you want to take the immune and health benefits even further, drink green tea for part of your daily hydration. 6. MEALS WITH IMMUNE SUPPORTING FOODS Throughout the day, choose foods that are anti-inflammatory and full of antioxidants. Vibrant fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, nuts, spices, and protein often fit the bill. Specific foods include: Fish and seafood Healthy fats such as extra virgin olive oil, avocados, MCT oil powder, and more Vibrant vegetables and small amounts of fruits Cacao, spices, and herbs such as ginger, garlic, basil, and more Potent greens and herbs like spirulina, wheatgrass, milk thistle, and more Great foods can be delicious and promote healthy immune function! 7. MOVE YOUR BODY Exercise provides a powerful 3-punch combination of immune function, health, and healthy aging. It: Modulates antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in the body by supporting neuroprotective action, increasing circulating of anti-inflammatory markers, and improving antioxidant defenses (9). Promotes overall body composition and healthy weights. Unhealthy weights are associated with a decline in immune function. Decreases blood glucose. High blood sugars are linked to worsened infections (1). 8. LAUGH AND ENJOY HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS What do healthy relationships and laughter have to do with immune function and overall health? Incredibly, the Harvard Study of Adult Development has shown that good social relationships promote physical and mental health, provide a buffer against loneliness, increase longevity, and foster happiness. The Harvard Nurses’ Health Study found similar results. This means less anxiety and cortisol, and better health outcomes. Next, laughter further reduces cortisol, increases dopamine, and increases endorphins. These chemicals decrease discomfort, cortisol (10), and depressed moods (11) while elevating cellular health. 9. STARTING MID-EVENING, EMPLOY INTERMITTENT FASTING Around 7 pm in the evening, consider starting a daily intermittent fast to support your health and immune function. Amazingly, there are many documented benefits to intermittent fasting including: Immune function support (12) Improve cholesterol markers* Reduced triglyceride levels* Improved aging* Healthy weight changes without negative cellular adaptations* Reduced blood sugar abnormalities* In fact, many studies have shown that intermittent fasting supports healthy aging, brain health, heart health, and blood sugars (13). To add intermittent fasting to support immune health, aim to fast 15-16 out of the 24 hours per day. Simply finish eating dinner at 7 pm each night, and fast with only non-carbohydrate liquids (like coffee) until 10 am or so. 10. SLEEP: 7 OR MORE HOURS PER NIGHT Good quality sleep has many health and aging benefits. These include: Reduced daily cortisol* Healthy immune function* Better melatonin levels* Less depressed moods* Less inflammatory reactions* Healthy body weight* Healthy heart function* It’s a cycle. Good sleep begets good sleep, and lack of sleep increases cortisol for up to 24 hours which negatively affects sleep again (14). Lack of sleep has also been shown to reduce mental performance and alertness while increasing inflammation and cortisol (15). 11. DE-STRESS BEFORE BED Amazingly, stress and high cortisol levels can negatively affect immune function and response (22). You can fight back with an amazing all-natural stress-reducing oil. Hemp oil, specifically nano-particle oils like those in Dr. Colbert’s Nano-Science Hemp Oil, promotes health across the body’s systems while combatting stress. In fact, it’s nature’s best stress relief. It is a broad-spectrum hemp oil that is organically grown, vegan, and GMO-free. In terms of health, it have been shown to: Support healthy, stable moods (16) Promote stress relief and normalized cortisol levels Support comfortable, healthy joints (17) Encourage healthy sleep habits (18) Promote healthy skin with fewer irregularities and blemishes (19) Support healthy brain and nervous system functions (20) Encourage healthy cardiovascular functions and normalized inflammatory actions (21) 12. FAST FROM FROM DETRIMENTAL FOODS AND DETOX THE BODY REGULARLY Here’s another healthy habit with a big punch! Get rid and detox from the foods that have a negative effect on health and immune function. It’s time to reduce sweets, sugars, and refined carbohydrates, omit processed food fats like soybean oil, and help your body detox from the build-up of toxins and chemicals. How? The easiest and most effective way is to follow the Keto Zone Diet. In fact, Dr. Colbert’s Gut Zone Bookprovides a complete road map to reducing these foods, achieving a healthy weight, and supporting healthy immune function. Bottom Line Ready to support immune health every day? You can do it! These easy healthy immune function habits can be implemented together, or one at a time. Focus each day on your immune system and promote health throughout your body! To read the original article click here.

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