Improve Executive Function with Mindful Movement By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Tai Chi may just be a form of exercise that will preserve a sharp mind!” – Tai Chi and Health Human life is one of constant change. We revel in our increases in physical and mental capacities during development, but […]
Meditation Practice Alters Brain Networks in the Elderly By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “A growing body of research supports the immediate benefits of meditation, such as reduced stress and anxiety levels, lower blood pressure, and enhanced happiness. Studies on mindfulness interventions show these effects are common in as few as eight weeks. […]
MORE Mindfulness for Stopping Smoking By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “I liken it to having weeds in your garden. Standard treatments—for example, avoiding triggers such as ashtrays and lighters or using substitutes such as eating carrot sticks and chewing on your pen—just pull the heads off the weeds, so they grow back. […]
Change the Brain with Brief Mindfulness Training By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “We can intentionally shape the direction of plasticity changes in our brain. By focusing on wholesome thoughts, for example, and directing our intentions in those ways, we can potentially influence the plasticity of our brains and shape them in ways […]
Strengthen the Brain to Prevent Aging Cognitive Decline with Tai Chi By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Another great benefit of Tai Chi is that it’s accessible to people of all ages and fitness abilities. It’s the focus on the subtle movements that exercise the brain and boost cognitive abilities.” – Karl Romain […]
Prevent Depression Relapse and Lessen Residual Symptoms with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Through mindfulness, individuals start to see their thoughts as less powerful. These distorted thoughts – such as “I always make mistakes” or “I’m a horrible person” – start to hold less weight. We ‘experience’ thoughts and other sensations, […]
Improve the Aging Brain’s Cognition with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “there is a small but growing body of evidence that regular meditation really can slow ageing – at least at the cellular level.” – James Kingsland Human life is one of constant change. We revel in our increases in physical and […]
Change the Genes and the Brain for the Better with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Scientists looked at how mindfulness practice affected genetic differences between one group of expert meditators compared with a control group of untrained meditators. “most interestingly, the changes were observed in genes that are the current targets of […]
Reduce Amygdala Mediated Stress responses with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “It is vital to practice mindfulness to ensure you help the mind to relieve stress. Notably, constant fear and anxiety are likely to sabotage and hinder achievements. Mindfulness can be effective in dealing with both stress and anxiety.“ – Pick the […]
By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Loving-kindness meditation does far more than produce momentary good feelings. . . . this type of meditation increased people’s experiences of positive emotions. . . . it actually puts people on “trajectories of growth,” leaving them better able to ward off depression and “become ever more satisfied […]