Reduce Physiological Indicators of Stress with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Learning how to accept your present-moment experience is really important for reducing stress,” – Emily Lindsay Mindfulness training has been shown to be effective in improving physical and psychological health. One reason for these benefits is that mindfulness training improves the […]
Reduce Inflammation in Psychiatric Patients with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “mindfulness practice was not directly linked to lower inflammation levels, but that it may have bolstered stress resilience among at-risk adults by preventing an increase in inflammatory biomarker levels.” – Grace Bullock The immune system is designed to protect […]
Improve Cardiovascular Function with Qigong By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic blood pressure and rate-pressure product were significantly decreased during Qi-training. From these results, we suggest that… Qi-training has psychological effects that indicate stabilization the of cardiovascular system.” – Michelle Fletcher Cardiovascular disease is the number one […]
Reduce Inflammation in Mildly Cognitive Impaired Elderly with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Mindfulness practice was not directly linked to lower inflammation levels, but may have bolstered stress resilience among at-risk adults by preventing an increase in inflammatory biomarker levels.” – Grace Bullock The immune system is designed to protect […]
Improve Autonomic Nervous System Function with Yogic Breathing By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “The Bhramari pranayama breathing practice . . . .. is beneficial and instantly calming down the mind. It is one of the best breathing exercises to free the mind of distress, anxiety, or frustration and get rid of anger […]
Spirituality is Associated with Better Mental and Physical Health and Cognitive Ability in African Americans By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “all black religious expression has most of the following attributes: It is animistic, or spirit-filled; anthropocentric, or human-centered; dynamic; expressionistic; shamanistic (believing in communicating with spirits); and thaumaturgic (belief in miracle working).” […]
Improve Brain Function and Mild Cognitive Impairment in the Elderly with Tai Chi By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “in individuals age 60 or older with mild cognitive impairment . . . engaging in tai chi (a series of gentle, slow movements accompanied by deep breathing) reduces the risk of falling. What’s more, […]
Improve the Rehabilitation of Cardiac Patients with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Meditation practice may be clinically useful in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease [the prevention of further heart or stroke events for people who already have the condition].” – British Heart Foundation Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer. […]
Meditation and Exercise Reduce Inflammation Through Different Pathways By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “mindfulness techniques may be more effective in relieving inflammatory symptoms than other activities that promote well-being.” – Science Daily The immune system is designed to protect the body from threats like stress, infection, injury, and toxic chemicals. One […]
Improve Emotion Regulation in Teacher Trainees with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Mindful emotion regulation represents the capacity to remain mindfully aware at all times, irrespective of the apparent valence or magnitude of any emotion that is experienced. It does not entail suppression of the emotional experience, nor any specific attempts to […]