We all know we should relax more... but after reading this - I promise you will take it VERY seriously indeed!
Today, within any area of health prevention, and even with regard to treatment of any disease, we are beginning to appreciate far more the link between (and co-existence of) the body and the mind. Many "alternative" or "natural" health therapies consider the mind to play a key role in treating, "curing" and preventing disease. As someone who is studying Ayurvedic Medicine, a holistic health system, that considers self awareness, meditation and yoga as prime treatments of disease, and also describes health as "Sattva" or harmony in the mind...you don't have to convince me of the power of our minds in achieving optimal health!
Ayurveda forms the basis of Tibetan Medicine, and thats why I was very interested to read about Dr Mark Hyman's latest experience, when he attended a special conference at the Menla Centre in Woodstock, New York. He was there with some very well known and respected physicians, including Dean Ornish, as well as the Dalai Lama, Tibetan monks and doctors, Buddhist scholars, meditation researchers, and prize-winning biomedical scientists in the field of aging, the immune system, stem cells, genetics, brain ageing, stress physiology, and more.
Boy... I wish I had been a fly on the wall!
The subject of the conference was "Longevity and Tibetan medicine". Dr Mark Hyman, MD, describes the conference and his experiences in the extract below, followed by my commentary about his findings... IT IS REALLY WORTH A READ - I PROMISE!
Longevity and Tibetan medicine...
"If that seems intriguing, it was! The goal of the conference might sound complex, but it was quite simple. We were there to investigate the relationship between the science of longevity and wellness and the ancient Indo-Tibetan practices of meditation and training the mind. The point wasn't to learn how to treat disease, but to learn what we know about regeneration of the body, protection from illness, and optimization of our function and wellbeing. The convergence of "post-modern biology", the new science of "systems" thinking and medicine, and the ancient wisdom and practices of Tibetan medicine and Buddhism was startling. So what did we talk about? Well, for one thing, we explored the relationship between the nervous system and health and aging, and the connection between the immune system and health." Dr Mark Hyman, MD
As Hyman first points out, the purpose of the conference wasn't to discuss "treatment" of disease. Meditative practices... which can take the form of any activity or practise that effectively "quietens the mind", is not to directly treat anything. It is performed to allow the individual to become more self-aware, to know and understand themselves on a deeper level, thus enabling them to take the necessary responsibility and positive action on their journey to health.
Hyman explains that as we age, the immune system produces more and more inflammatory molecules, and the nervous turns ON the stress response, promoting system breakdown and... you've guessed it... AGEING!
Crikey, no wonder everyone is age-phobic these days!
According to research, the "inflammatory reflex", as it is termed, describes the way in which the immune system responds to the MIND. Hyman explains that the immune system is controlled by the VAGUS NERVE, the most important nerve that comes from the brain and travels to all the major organs. We can apparently activate this nerve through relaxation, meditation, and other ancient practices.
What's the benefit of that?
Activation of the vagus nerve controls your immune cells, reduces inflammation, and even prevents disease and aging! By creating positive brain states (during meditation or some form of relaxation for example), you can therefore activate the vagus nerve and in turn control the "devastating" inflammation.
I think the most fascintating discovery that he revealed (which he cites AS his most fascinating discovery) was that the BODY CAN REGENERATE AT ANY AGE - How fantastic is that!!
One scientist at the conference, Diane Krause, MD, PhD, from Yale University, discovered from her research, that
our own innate adult stem cells (cells that can turn into any cell in the body from our bone marrow) could be transformed into liver, bowel, lung, and skin cells.
This indicates that we possess the power to create new cells and renew our own organs and tissues at any age.
The reason being is that these stem cells are controlled, once again, by the VAGUS NERVE!
SO... relaxation (defined here as a state of calm, peace and stillness), activates the vagus nerve, and in turn, activates your stem cells to regenerate and renew your tissues and organs.
IF YOU WANT TO DEFY AGEING FOLKS, YOU ARE GOING HAVE TO LEARN TO RELAX!
By the way, scientists have also shown how meditation makes the brain bigger and better. Now if THAT doesn't tempt you to take more "time out", relax and de-stress, then I don't know what will!
Relaxation has other powerful effects on the body... here is a list for you to contemplate...
* Reduces inflammation
* Helps regenerate organs and cells by activating stem cells
* Increase your heart rate variability
* Thickens your brain (which normally shrinks with aging) !!
* Boosts immune function
* Nourishes the nervous system
* Reduces stress
* Improves quality of life
The Dalai Lama apparently closed the conference by saying, "The seat of compassion is actually biological and necessary for survival." Now that IS something to ponder.
If you want to start relaxing more or even learning meditation, why not try a class in your area - either a yoga class or Meditation class. Massage is also hugely beneficial to the soul, as is helping others, spending quality time with friends and family, spending time in Nature, and generally enjoying life!
To your good health - in body and mind!
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