Complementary Medicine, Mental Health Research, Psychological Science, Stress / 05.11.2024

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at org. To learn how to get support for mental health, drug or alcohol conditions, visit FindSupport.gov. If you are ready to locate a treatment facility or provider, you can go directly to FindTreatment.govor call 800-662-HELP (4357). The relationship between mental and physical health has been a topic of increasing interest, highlighting how closely our minds and bodies interact. This connection, often referred to as the "mind-body connection," underscores the significant impact that mental well-being can have on physical health. Stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges can cause a range of physical symptoms, from fatigue and headaches to digestive issues and chronic illnesses. As people continue to learn more about this link, there is growing evidence that caring for mental health can lead to improved physical wellness and vice versa. A fascinating aspect of this connection is how mental health struggles can trigger the body's stress response, leading to heightened levels of cortisol, also known as the "stress hormone." While this response can be helpful in short bursts—preparing us for challenges—it can lead to harmful effects if sustained over long periods. Understanding and prioritizing mental health care, therefore, is crucial in promoting overall wellness and helping individuals manage both physical and emotional challenges. (more…)
Addiction, addiction-treatment, Complementary Medicine, Mindfulness / 28.10.2024

Addiction recovery is a journey filled with challenges, requiring not only determination but also holistic approaches that nurture the mind, body, and spirit. But can wellness practices really improve outcomes in addiction recovery? Research increasingly points to the medical benefits of wellness-based addiction treatment, showing how integrated wellness techniques can enhance recovery success rates. In this article, we will explore how wellness practices such as mindfulness, nutrition, fitness, and alternative therapies can make a significant difference in the recovery process. We will also outline practical ways to incorporate wellness into addiction treatment for sustainable results.

The Medical Benefits of Wellness-Based Addiction Treatment

Incorporating wellness practices into addiction recovery has shown promising outcomes in various studies. Wellness practices are not just about feeling good; they have tangible medical benefits that enhance physical health, mental clarity, and emotional stability, all of which are critical in maintaining long-term sobriety. Substance abuse often wreaks havoc on the body and mind, leading to nutritional deficiencies, weakened immune systems, and deteriorated mental health. Wellness-based treatments, such as balanced nutrition and fitness, help reverse these effects, allowing the body to heal faster. Additionally, stress management techniques like mindfulness meditation and yoga have been proven to lower relapse rates by improving emotional regulation and reducing anxiety.

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Complementary Medicine, Dermatology, Stress / 28.08.2024

In today’s fast-paced world, achieving long-term wellbeing requires more than just focusing on one aspect of health. Holistic health emphasizes the importance of balancing mind, body, and spirit to achieve overall wellness. By making simple yet effective lifestyle changes, you can support your long-term health and happiness. This guide will explore ten essential areas of holistic health, offering practical tips to help you achieve a balanced and fulfilling life. 1. Nourishing Your Body with Whole Foods One of the most fundamental aspects of holistic health is nourishing your body with whole, nutrient-dense foods. Whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, provide the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants your body needs to function optimally. By focusing on a diet rich in natural, unprocessed foods, you can support your immune system, boost energy levels, and maintain a healthy weight. Additionally, mindful eating practices, such as eating slowly and savoring each bite, can enhance digestion and promote a more positive relationship with food. Vitalyc Medspa offers a range of advanced skincare treatments designed to rejuvenate and enhance the skin's appearance. Whether you're considering a Vampire Facial, which uses your body’s natural growth factors to stimulate collagen production, or microneedling, a technique that creates micro-injuries to promote skin renewal, Vitalyc Medspa provides expert care tailored to your individual needs. Their team of professionals ensures that each treatment is performed with precision and care, helping you achieve healthy, radiant skin. For more information on these treatments, visit https://blog.vitalyc.com/blog/vampire-facial-vs-microneedling. (more…)
Complementary Medicine, Mental Health Research / 19.08.2024

  In today's fast-paced world, taking care of your well-being can often feel overwhelming. With so many demands and distractions, finding balance and maintaining health might seem like a challenge. However, adopting holistic wellness practices can help you create a more balanced and fulfilling life. Holistic wellness is about looking at health from a broad perspective, addressing not just physical symptoms but also mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects. Imagine a lifestyle where you actively nurture every part of yourself—mind, body, and spirit. This approach doesn't just focus on one area but integrates various practices to support overall well-being. From mindfulness techniques and balanced nutrition to physical activity and emotional health, each element plays a crucial role in achieving a harmonious life. In the following sections, you'll discover practical tips and strategies to help you prioritize your well-being. These practices aim to enhance your daily life, providing you with a toolkit for better health and a more balanced approach to living. Ready to explore how you can elevate your well-being? Let's dive into the essential practices of holistic wellness. (more…)
Mental Health Research / 22.07.2024

Key Takeaways:
  • Simple daily practices can significantly improve mental health.
  • Mindfulness, proper nutrition, and social connections are crucial.
  • Professional help is valuable and should not be stigmatized.
Table of Contents:
  • The Importance of Mental Health
  • Practicing Mindfulness
  • Nutrition and Mental Health
  • The Role of Exercise
  • Building Strong Social Connections
  • Seeking Professional Help
  • Creating a Balanced Daily Routine
  • Final Thoughts
The Importance of Mental Health Mental health is integral to our well-being, affecting our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Setting mental health first might result in a more balanced and enjoyable life. Everyone, from young infants to adults, needs to prioritize their mental health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Your capacity to manage stress, interact with others, and make decisions is all impacted by your mental health. Thus, being mindful of mental wellness can lead to better life decisions, improved relationships, and overall emotional stability. Click for more info on how mental health can be managed effectively. (more…)
Exercise - Fitness, Mental Health Research / 10.07.2024

Meditation, an ancient practice, has become more popular in recent years, largely due to its myriad health benefits. For seniors, meditation holds significant value. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it provides a natural method to manage stress, enhance mental clarity, and improve overall well-being. The National Institute on Aging emphasizes that as we age, maintaining both physical and mental health becomes increasingly crucial. Meditation serves as a simple yet effective tool to support these goals. WebMD reports that meditation can help seniors sleep better. This practice can also help deal with symptoms associated with depression. If you're a senior looking to get started with meditation, here are a few expert tips to help you out.

Understanding the Benefits of Meditation

meditation-pexels-photo-4498219.webp Meditation, as explained by Mayo Clinic, has been shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve sleep quality. For seniors, these benefits are particularly significant as they can help manage chronic conditions and promote a sense of calm and relaxation. Regular meditation practice can also enhance focus and cognitive function, which can be beneficial in maintaining mental sharpness as one ages. Furthermore, meditation promotes inner peace and enhances emotional health, thereby contributing to an improved overall quality of life. (more…)
Author Interviews, Psychological Science / 15.04.2021

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Michael J. Poulin, PhD, PhD Associate Professor of Psychology College of Arts and Sciences University of Buffalo  MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: A great deal of research suggests that practicing mindfulness--full attention to and acceptance of one's experiences--can be good for individuals. Mindfulness seems to reduce stress and has other psychological benefits. But what about its effects on others? Does mindfulness make people more generous and helpful, or does it make them more selfish? (more…)
Aging, Author Interviews, Mental Health Research / 08.04.2020

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Leeann Mahlo Registered Psychologist PhD (Clinical Psychology) Candidate College of Education, Psychology and Social Work Flinders University MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Mindfulness can be instrumental in reducing stress and promoting positive psychological outcomes. However, few studies have considered the positive effects of mindfulness on psychological functioning from a lifespan perspective. Our research aimed to examine the role of age in the relationships between specific aspects of mindfulness and psychological flexibility and well-being. (more…)
Author Interviews, End of Life Care / 19.07.2018

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Ann H Cottingham MA MAR Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis,IN. MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: Advance care planning provides patients with cancer an opportunity to reflect on future care and treatment options with their physician and family and identify and document their preferences in preparation for a time when they may be unable to speak for themselves. Advance care planning increases both quality of life and satisfaction with care, however the majority of patients with cancer have not participated in these important conversations. Common emotional responses to cancer, such as feelings of anxiety, fear, and sadness, pose one barrier to planning as they can keep patients from thinking about or discussing sensitive topics related to their illness. We conducted a pilot study to explore whether training in mindfulness, the psychological process of bringing one's attention to experiences occurring in the present, could enhance the ability of patients and families to consider and discuss emotionally challenging topics -- such as end-of-life preparations -- and support timely advance care planning. Twelve patient-family caregiver pairs participated in a pilot study of Mindfully Optimizing Delivery of End-of-Life (MODEL) Care, which combined mindfulness meditation, mindful communication practices, and information about advance care planning. MODEL Care focused on developing emotional and communication capacities to enable patients and their family caregivers to respond to the experience of living with advanced cancer and to talk about the disease and future care preferences with greater ease. The study found that MODEL Care successfully supported patients and their family caregivers in thinking about and then talking about the care they would want to receive if they become unable to speak for themselves, enhancing their ability to respond to emotional challenges, and decreasing barriers to end-of-life planning. MODEL Care improved patient and caregiver ability to cope, lowered emotional reactivity, and enhanced ability to respond to issues that incited emotion. It also strengthened the patient-caregiver relationship and enhanced communication with each other. MODEL Care also improved both patient and family caregiver communication with the physicians caring for the patient.   Patients noted that the practices enabled them to cope more effectively with the symptoms of their disease, including pain. Caregivers reported changes in their loved one's ability to cope with their disease following the mindfulness sessions. (more…)
Author Interviews, Genetic Research, Lifestyle & Health / 21.06.2017

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Ivana Buric Brain, Belief, and Behaviour Lab Centre for Psychology, Behaviour, and Achievement, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response:  Genes that we inherited can change their activity - the​y can be active and produce proteins, but they can also stop producing proteins and remain silent. We are now beginning to understand what aspects of our environment affect the activity of which genes. In this study, we analysed all the existing studies that examined the effects of mind-body interventions on the expression of our genes and found that mind-body techniques reduce the activity of genes that produce inflammatory proteins. This pattern was found in all studies despite the fact that they vary in the amount of physical activity: Tai Chi, yoga, breathing techniques and different types of meditation. We believe that this effect is observed due to reduced stress. When we experience something stressful, the brain regions associated with pain get activated and send that signal further to sypmathetic nervous system that produces epinephrine and norepinefrine, and activates nuclear factor kappa B - a molecule that travels to and activated the genes that produce inflammatory proteins. When we do yoga or meditation, we learn to perceive situations differently and consequently experience less stress, which then prevents the production of inflammatory proteins. (more…)