Meditation for Healthy Living

Recent years we have seen an explosion of interest in meditation. Before beginning a meditation practice it is important to understand what meditation actually is. The word meditation is used in a variety of ways, so there is a good deal of confusion about what precisely meditation is and how to practice it. Meditation refers to a group of techniques, the goal of which is to enhance health and wellness through the quiet focusing attention and maintenance of an open mind.

Meditation is one of the oldest and most widely practiced mind–body therapies. Meditations in churches, temples, and mosques unite people in mind and spirit. Meditation helps release tension from your body. Meditation is also extremely effective in reducing stress and anxiety, and there is even research to suggest that it can be beneficial in combating heart disease.

There are many approaches to meditation. Some may appear to be simple and practical; others may seem otherworldly and impractical. There are two primary approaches to meditation: concentrative meditation and mindfulness meditation. Both gradually train you to focus your attention and mindfulness meditation.

In concentrative meditation, attention is given to a single focal point, such as an object, a thought, or one's own breathing. The other type of meditation is mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness meditation is a Buddhist technique taught as watching the breath rather than repeating a word or phrase.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for social anxiety

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, is growing in popularity as an efficient and long lasting treatment for many different types of psychologocal problem. This is one of the most basic and most effective treatments for social anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy for social anxiety includes three main types of strategies: cognitive therapy, exposure to feared situations, and improving social skills.

Cognitive Therapy

Cognitive therapy emphasizes changing thoughts and beliefs. In cognitive therapy, a therapist helps you identify maladaptive thinking patterns and replace them with new ways of thinking. He or she also teaches you relaxation techniques and new behaviors that make you feel more comfortable in social situations.

Exposure to Feared Situations

During prolonged exposire, the individual learns that the feared situation is actually safe. Over time, exposire to feared situations reduces all aspects of the anxiety response - physiological arousal, the behavioral tendency to avoid, negative or catastrophic thoughts, and the unpleasant emotions that accompany these reactions.

Improving Social Skills

Social-skill training can give adolescents numerous opportunities to learn and practice a variety of techniques, including how to start a converstation, how to meet new people, how to join and leave a social group. and how to give and receive feedback.

Active lifestyle to boost your health

The secret to maintaining good health and ageing slowly is exercise or staying active. And lack of physical activity is detrimental to good health. So by staying active you can make a big difference in your overall health. A physically active lifestyle offers incredible health benefits if participation is regular, preferably daily. Fortunately, almost anyone of any age can exercise, no matter where they live, how old they are, or what physical limitations they have.

Incorporating exercise into your day-to-day life may require a change in lifestyle, which is not always easy. Many people avoid exercise because they do not enjoy it, think it requires them to join an expensive health club, have little motivation to do it alone, or find it inconvenient and uncomfortable. So you should find an exercise you enjoy, setting aside a time that is realistic and convenient, and finding a place that is appropriate and safe are important steps in starting and maintaining en exercise program.

Riding your bike to class or work rather than driving, taking walk during your lunch break, and enjoying a game of catch or tag with your friends or family are all effective ways to increase your everyday activity level. The goal is to gradually make lifestyle changes that increase physical activity.