Posts Tagged → meditation
Meditation techniques for stress help individuals channel tension
The problem of stress presents a double-edged sword to individuals studying the brain. On one side, it can motivate people to get things done, while on the other it can hinder a person’s thinking and hold them back. A new study indicates that the degree to which an individual experiences either one of these sides depends largely on their aptitude.
Researchers from the University of Chicago showed that individuals who are more competent students performed better than they normally would when they felt intense stress. However, less capable students buckled under the pressure and failed to achieve a performance that was equal to their already low standards.
"Under stress, we have a variety of bodily reactions; how we interpret these reactions predicts whether we will choke or thrive under pressure," said Sian Beilock, who led the investigation. "If a student interprets their physiological response as a sign they are about to fail, they will. But the same physiological response can also be linked to success if a student's outlook is positive."
The findings underscore the importance of using mediation techniques for stress. This practice can channel a person’s anxiety and discomfort toward more productive responses. Studies have shown that meditation is an effective way to increase memory retention, which may have significant benefits for individuals who are anxious about taking tests.
Ilchi Lee has recommended for years that individuals practice meditation. He says that it is one of the most effective ways to build a high-functioning memory that is capable of peak performance. Meditation may also be helpful when put toward reducing stress and anxiety.
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Positive attitude shown to boost decision making and aid in inspirational stories about teamwork
Few things are more important to creating inspirational stories about teamwork than keeping a positive attitude. Far more is accomplished when a person considers the good rather than dwelling on the bad.
A new study published in the Journal of Consumer Research confirmed this idea, demonstrating that people who are in good moods tend to make faster, more consistent decisions. The researchers behind the study said their results may help settle a debate how important a person's attitude is in their daily life.
For the study, the researchers exposed a group of individuals to various images that were intended to put the participants in either a good or bad mood. Next, the group was asked to share their feelings about a number of products. Those who were previously exposed to the positive images were more likely to make quick decisions that were consistent with previous responses they gave.
The researchers said that this proves a positive outlook can assist a person in their decision making. The findings could be important to everything from consumer science to education and underscore the importance of looking on the bright side.
"These results have implications for how we navigate our world," the researchers wrote in their report. "The decisions we make about liking or disliking objects around us are fundamental to which things we approach and which things we avoid."
Author and philosopher Ilchi Lee has recommended meditation techniques for beginners as a way to help individuals sharpen their mental focus and create a better attitude. These practices can help people gain a new perspective on the world around them and make wiser, more informed choices.
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Doctors increasingly recommend meditation
The use of alternative therapies like yoga, meditation and deep breathing is on the rise, and a new study has found that doctors are increasingly the ones recommending that their patients pursue these mind-body-spirit methods of healing.
Researchers from the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School gathered survey responses from more than 23,000 U.S. families and found that about one in 30 Americans are using some type of alternative mind-body therapy after being referred to it by a physician.
There is a significant amount of evidence that these types of healing methods can provide benefits, the researchers said. They were just surprised to see that so many medical professionals have started to buy into these types of treatments.
While increased prescribing rates were seen as a positive thing, the researchers noted that most of the individuals using them tended to be sicker, suggesting that doctors only recommend mind-body therapies as a last resort. However, these methods may have significant preventative effects that could benefit individuals before they become sick.
The findings support the teachings of Ilchi Lee, who has long professed a belief that strengthening the mind-body-spirit connection through methods like meditation can improve physical health.
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Sleep may play an important role in healthy mental function
Ilchi Lee says that brain health plays an important role in an individual's ability to pursue their life passions with vigor and to achieve fulfillment in their life. Now, a new study has found that getting an appropriate amount of sleep each night may be the key to preserving good mental function.
Researchers from the University College London reported in the journal Sleep that middle-aged men and women who sleep between six and eight hours per night tend to have lower rates of cognitive impairment later in life than those who get more or less sleep.
"The detrimental effects of too much, too little and poor quality sleep on various aspects of health have begun to receive more attention," said lead researcher Jane Ferrie. She added that the modern lifestyles of many people have caused an increase in the number of individuals who get a poor night's sleep on a regular basis.
One way that individuals can cut down on the distractions that may contribute to poor sleep and preserve health mental function is meditation. Ilchi Lee has recommended this approach for years, saying that it can play an important in brain health.
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Technology can be a distraction from personal development
Technological advancements have powered significant economic and cultural progress in recent years. However, some experts are voicing concerns that the vast amount of information available at any given moment may be taking a toll on individuals' brain health. This may stifle personal development.
"This is something people complain about all the time – brain overload and mental fatigue,'' Dr. Stephen Peters, a neurologist at Associated Neurologists in Danbury, Connecticut, told the News Times. "We think our brain should handle everything now and handle it well. We are overloaded beyond what our brain can process.''
He added that feeling over-stimulated may lead to feelings of irritability, impulsivity and distraction. This can cause the brain to feel like it has frozen up.
The best way to eliminate these negative feelings is though meditation and other mind healing practices. Ilchi Lee says that they may be able to help individuals clear their minds of useless or negative information and allow them to continue to work toward personal development. An uncluttered mind is far more capable of responding to new information and experiences.
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Researchers uncover underpinnings of meditation’s benefits
Mindfulness meditation has been shown to reduce pain and improve a person's memory. New scientific findings indicate that these benefits may stem from the ability of the practice to regulate particular brain waves in order to eliminate distracting stimuli.
A team of researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology reported these findings in the journal Brain Research.
Their findings showed that individuals who practiced meditation had faster modulation of alpha rhythm brain waves when switching tasks, which improved their ability to maintain focus and process new information. These brain waves are involved areas of the brain that process sights and sounds.
"Our discovery that mindfulness meditators more quickly adjusted the brain wave that screens out distraction could explain their superior ability to rapidly remember and incorporate new facts," said Catherine Kerr, who led the study.
The findings confirm Ilchi Lee's teachings that brain wave vibrations can be harnessed by individuals in order to improve their mental ability. Meditation may be one of the most effective ways for a person to attain these neurological benefits.
