The Human Brain - Stress

The Human Brain and Stress

There are many challenges that people face on a day to day basis.  There are also many things that people trust on a moment by moment basis.  For example, a person will purchase a bottle of water at a store and be comfortable that drinking its contents will not create any harm.  Of course, people trust the many agencies that require certain standards that must be met.  If people would not have that such of a comfort it begs the question as to how much more stress we would have to endure. 

Stress comes in many situations.  Perhaps, one is “running late for a meeting.”  Another may be an important life decision such as a career change or marriage.  In the extreme case there are violent places in the world where people fear for their lives on a daily basis.  War is not something to simply observe.  Every war has changed people’s lives in some way.  For some it may be psychological and for others it may be the physical loss of a limb or both.  And of course, there is death which has the most widespread effect on people as it relates to loved ones.

There are many good ways to deal with stressful situations.  However, sometimes a keen eye on the lookout and patience is all one can do. 

The following article on the Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University provides some very interesting data on how meditation truly affects the brain.

I hope you enjoy it.  maz\

Check back every week for an article by Mark Andrew Zwartynski and helpful research on behalf of MagicMind.

  http://www.feelguide.com/2014/11/19/harvard-unveils-mri-study-proving-meditation-literally-rebuilds-the-brains-gray-matter-in-8-weeks/

The Mental Game

Take a deep breath.  Wait.  breathe through your nose,  Hold it until you feel the beginning of your body wanting to release the air.  Exhale through your mouth.

"It is how you breathe during your daily life that determines how you breathe during physical exercise. If our breathing is off during rest, it would be unreasonable for it to automatically correct itself during physical exercise.  The seemingly innocuous tendencies of breathing through the mouth during the day, having noticeable breathing from the upper chest or holding the breath during sleep not only dictates your breathlessness during training but often limits your capacity to go faster and further."  Patrick Mckeown of the Buteyko Clinic in Dublin, Ireland.

" Nose breathing imposes approximately 50 percent more resistance to the air stream in normal  individuals than does mouth breathing, resulting in 10-20 percent more O2 uptake. (Cottle, 1972:Rohrer, 1915)  There must be adequate nasal resistance to maintain adequate elasticity of the lungs. (Cottle 1980)  

Faster and father.  This means you are feeling good, rested and the shape you are in at the moment. Wait a minute, you say.  Weren't we discussing the mental game?  You bet we were!  You get 80% better oxygen needs into your lungs than by breathing through your mouth.  When breathing correctly one supplies the fuel for the brain and the opportunity to be mentally sharper, think quicker, be resilient to immediate unpredictable happenings and long term strategic planning.

Take a deep breath.  How many times have you heard someone say that phrase?  Magic Nutrition and MagicMind - www.magicnutrition.com - are produced to improve one's lifestyle.  Placing your body and mind into shape will help you overcome the daily obstacles in life and improve your overall "Lifestyle."  The Human Performance Resource Center has published 10 great tips for the mental game peak performance: http://hprc-online.org/total-force-fitness/performance-boosters/performance-boosters-ten-rules-of-engagement-roe-1

Check back next week for another article on behalf of www.magicnutrition.com by Mark Andrew Zwartynski.  markandrew@markandrewgroup.com