Researchers from University College London have found strong evidence linking on-the-job stress to an increased risk of developing heart disease and diabetes. According to a study published in the January 21 issue of British Medical Journal (2006; doi:10.1136/bmj.38693.435301.80), stress at work is an important risk factor for metabolic syndrome. [Click here to read full article]
Workplace Instability Raises Heart Risk
January 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Ease Relaxation Into Your Classes
January 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment
To the well-being of your participants, deep relaxation is as important as regular exercise and is therefore a logical addition to your class cool-downs. Daily stresses can trigger physical and emotional tension that, if un-managed, can harm health. Progressive relaxation and guided imagery are easy skills to learn and great services to add to your… [Continue Reading]
Improving Well-Being at Work
January 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Stress in the Workplace
January 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment
In the United States during the 5-year period from 1998 to 2003, more workplace disability benefits were paid for mental health disorders than for any other complaints besides musculoskeletal disorders, according to a report released in June 2005 by the Social Security Administration (SSA Pub. No. 11–11543). [Click here to read full article]
Motivating Healthy Behavior at Work
January 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Mind-Body-Spirit News: More U.S. employers are offering workers tangible incentives to adopt healthy habits, and the trend is gaining momentum worldwide, according to an article published in Benefits Quarterly (2008; [second quarter], 12–22). In addition to providing educational sessions, many companies now reward employees for participating in healthy activities, achieving certain fitness goals or adhering… [Continue Reading]
Cardio Training for Stress Relief
January 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment
If you or your clients want to improve your resilience against stress, cardio workouts may be the way to go. Regular aerobic training reduces the heart rate response to psychological stress more than either resistance training or no training, according to a study published in the journal Psychophysiology (2004; 41 [4], 552–62. Forty-five sedentary, nonsmoking… [Continue Reading]
Meditation: Just the Basics
January 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment
An introduction to the styles and benefits of regular practice. Meditation is going mainstream. Today, 10 million Americans—more than twice as many as a decade ago—practice some form of meditation, according to TIME magazine (Stein 2003). And with contemporary medical experts claiming that regular practice of this ancient activity improves well-being and health, the trend… [Continue Reading]
Deep Breathing and Pain Management
January 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Who Practices Yoga for Health Reasons?
January 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment
In the United States, who is practicing yoga to benefit their health? According to an analysis of national survey data published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine (2008; doi: 10.1007/s11606-008-0735-5), the typical practitioner of yoga for health reasons is Caucasian, female and college educated, with a mean age of 39.5 years. The researchers were… [Continue Reading]
