Mindfulness is Associated with Better Medical Students School Performance By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “in medical students . . . mindfulness meditation may be used to elicit positive emotions, minimize negative affect and rumination, and enable effective emotion regulation.” – Michael Minichiello Medical School is challenging both intellectually and psychologically. Stress […]
Improve Inflammatory and Stress Responses with Yoga By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “yoga could slow the harmful physical effects of stress and inflammaging.” – Harvard Health The immune system is designed to protect the body from threats like stress, infection, injury, and toxic chemicals. One of its tools is the Inflammatory […]
Improve Physical and Mental Health during Aging with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “The healthier and more active one’s lifestyle, the more likely he or she will maintain cognitive performance over time. And meditation may be a key ingredient for ensuring brain health and maintaining good mental performance.“ – Grace […]
Reduce Aggression in Law Enforcement Officers with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Law enforcement officers (LEOs) are exposed to significant stressors, elevating their risk for aggression and excessive use of force, as well as mental health consequences, including post-traumatic stress disorder, burnout, alcohol misuse, depression, and suicide. Mindfulness training is a […]
Increase the Levels of the Anti-Stress Hormone Dehydroepiandrosterone with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Best known by researchers as the “longevity molecule” and stress counter-puncher, DHEA is one of the most important hormones in the body. As we get older our DHEA levels decrease year after year, opening us up to disease and […]
Improve Preschool Teacher Job Satisfaction with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Teachers who engage in mindfulness-based practices have been shown to have lower cortisol levels and to be more responsive and compassionate towards their students, less emotionally reactive, and more intentional in their teaching practices.” – Meghan Robles Stress is epidemic in […]
Improve Adolescent Psychological Well-Being with Tai Chi or Qigong By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Qigong was able to improve attention in adolescents after 4 weeks of practice, leading us to conclude that it may be a useful tool when integrated into physical education classes.” – Leonel Duarte Adolescence is a time […]
Reduce Fatigue and Improve Sleep in Cancer Survivors with Tai Chi By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “tai chi may help to increase strength, balance, flexibility, heart and lung function, feelings of well-being” – BreastCancer.org Receiving a diagnosis of cancer has a huge impact on most people. Feelings of depression, anxiety, and […]
Improve Breast Cancer Survivors Physical and Psychological Health with Yoga By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “physical activity after a breast cancer diagnosis has potentially “favorable influence on breast cancer incidence and outcome.” Yoga can not only be an effective, low-impact exercise, but it has also been shown in numerous studies to reduce […]
Improve Psychological Well-Being and Sleep in Police with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “increased mindfulness was related to increased resilience and decreased burnout among police officers.” – John Kim Policing is a very stressful occupation. Stress in police can result from role conflicts between serving the public, enforcing the law, […]