Posts Tagged → ilchi lee meditation
Researchers discover reasons behind neurodegenerative effects of stress
Stress can cause the brain to deteriorate over time, and now a team of researchers from the University of California, Davis has determined the cause of this effect. The findings may help individuals limit stress and rejuvenate their pursuit of personal development.
They found that a gene known as RCAN1 is produced at high levels in the brain during periods of stress. This gene normally is involved in the brain's coping mechanisms and helps individual's deal with stress. However, when it is present in large quantities, it appears to destroy brain tissue by enveloping neural networks and limiting their function.
"One can imagine that it becomes sticky and makes tangled scaffolding," said Kelvin Davies, who led the study. "By publishing this hypothesis, we hope to stimulate more research on the subject."
Ilchi Lee has long recommended meditation and other relaxation techniques in order to help people reach their full brain potential and avoid the damaging consequences of stress. The findings of this new study provide yet another reason to adopt this approach.
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Early life experiences may predict future depression risk
A new study out of the University of California, Los Angeles has found that individuals who have experienced trauma early in their lives may be more prone to depression following minor stressful situations later in life. The findings suggest that individuals who have had traumatic experiences may benefit from relaxation exercises like meditation.
The researchers said that depression is triggered in most adults by a sudden disturbing experience, such as lose a loved one or getting fired from a job. But at least 30 percent of people who develop depression experience the mood disorder as a result of much more minor everyday stresses.
After surveying a group of depressed adults about their early life experiences and what triggered their current bout of depression, the researchers found a strong correlation between experiencing trauma at a young age and being launched into a depressive state by minor life events.
Ilchi Lee recommends meditation as a way for individuals to let go of the stresses of their days, and the findings suggest that this may particularly important for some people. Simply taking a few minutes each day to focus one's self and let go of what bothers them may be an effective way to preserve mental health.
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Stressed searchers miss many objects
Stress and anxiety can have a negative impact on an individual’s brain potential and change the way they perceive the world. Ilchi Lee says that meditation and other forms of relaxing mental exercise may play an important role in people’s ability to get the most out of their brain power.
These types of techniques are even more important in light of a new set of findings from Duke University researchers. The team discovered that when a person is feeling anxious or stressed while they are looking for something, they are much more likely to miss the object they were searching for.
The researchers said that their findings have important implications for the way people are trained, particularly in important instances such as search and rescue of missing persons. Channeling and reducing stress in these situations may lead to better outcomes.
The results of the study confirm what Ilchi Lee says about the negative effects of stress and anxiety on the brain. He has long recommended meditation as a way to curb these unhealthy feelings and push brain potential to its fullest.
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Tai chi shown to support cognitive function
A recent study from researchers at the University of Missouri showed that practicing tai chi helps cancer patients avoid the cognitive effects often associated with chemotherapy cancer treatments. The findings suggest that this ancient practice may have many positive effects for anyone's brain potential.
"Scientists have known for years that tai chi positively impacts physical and emotional health, but this small study also uncovered evidence that it might help cognitive functioning as well," said Stephanie Reid-Arndt, who led the investigation.
For the study, the researchers administered cognitive tests to a group of women who had recently undergone chemotherapy before and after they participated in a 10-week tai chi program. The results showed that these individuals made significant improvements in their cognitive abilities during the course of the study.
Reid-Arndt said that this may be because the practice forces individuals to focus their attention. Ilchi Lee has long recommended these types of exercises along with meditation as a way for individuals to maximize their brain potential and preserve healthy mental function. The findings of the study confirm these recommendations.
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Men and women handle stress differently
Stress can cause individuals to think and act in drastically different ways than they normally would, and handling this stress may play an important role in lifelong success and personal development.
A recent study from a researcher as the University of Southern California found that men and women react differently under stress, and while both of these reactions may have served functions during the development of the human race, both may have their drawbacks now.
Nichole Lighthall, who conducted the investigation, found that under stress, men tend to proceed brashly while women tend to become more cautious and hesitant. However, in less stressful situations, the researcher found that men and women tend to make decisions in more similar ways.
Lighthall said that the findings underscore the importance of managing stress in daily life. They may also contribute to an improved understanding of gender differences. This knowledge could improve the ways people, particularly couples, handle stressful situations.
Author and philosopher Ilchi Lee has recommended meditation for years as a way to manage stress and stimulate personal development.
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Researchers worry about young people’s ability to concentrate
In today's technological world, children and adults are surrounded by all types of content, which may serve mostly as distractions. Multitasking is more popular than ever before and few people take time out to focus on the present.
Researchers worry that this may have negative effects on the developing brains of young people. Jay Giedd, a neurological researcher from the National Institutes of Health who is currently analyzing young people's brains, told the NBC Nightly News that constantly switching from one mental task to the next may make it difficult on adolescents when it comes time to focus on one thing.
He told the news source that young people today may have to consciously work to develop the ability to focus, whereas this came naturally for previous generations.
One way that author and philosopher Ilchi Lee says individuals can learn focus is through meditation. This may help them eliminate much of the distractions that impair their concentration skills and improve their ability to devote 100 percent of their mental ability to the task at hand.
