If I told you that devoting 15 minutes every day to quiet time could improve cognitive health, would you be surprised? Harvard neuroscientist Sara Lazar outlines the scientific process by which meditation nurtures the brain. It’s fascinating! click the link below to read the article, How Meditation Changes The Brain, Mindworks
Photo by Ana Tantaros of Side A Photography
This fast company article explains the science behind the aging process and examples of lifestyle traits that can exacerbate a decline in cognition. It also offers a three-point plan to promote âresilient agingâ by activating neurogenesis in the brain. At Mind Body, we take health and wellness seriously and work one-on-one with individuals to develop exercise plans that improve flexibility and reduce pain. Beyond physical exercise, we promote nutritious eating habits, improved sleep and increased mental stimulation as habitual habits to promote longevity and and improved wellness! Take a look at this article and let us know in the comments how these habits have improved your physical health.
Three Simple Ways to Protect your Brain from Cognitive Decline:Â https://www.fastcompany.com/
https://hbr.org/2019/09/how-to-rehearse-for-an-important-presentation?utm_campaign=hbr&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social
Here is an interesting article about the effects reading has on the brain, specifically when reading fiction. When we read a novel, we follow characters in their journey through pain, struggle and joy. The article explains that reading fiction “brings us access to a characterâs interior world in a way we normally do not with journalism, and we are more likely to willingly suspend disbelief without questioning the veracity of what people are saying.” This practice opens us up to other people’s feelings and emotions, making us more socially aware and sympathetic to the struggles and feelings of other people we interact with in real life. Here is a link to the BBC article:
BBC: Does Reading Fiction Make Us Better People?
By the way, did you notice that we have a free library at Mind Body? We have an assortment of fiction books that, according to this article, might make you a better person! We believe in full wellness, both in Mind and Body, and we encourage you to take a book home with you to read next time you’re in the studio.
Photo by Ana Tantaros of Side A Photography
On Saturday, September 7th, Wendy participated in “Big Shoulders,” a 5k swim on Lake Michigan in Chicago. The water temperature this year was 61 degrees (which is 10 degrees below normal for this time of year!) Not only that, Wendy and 750+ other swimmers were required to swim an additional five hundred meters due to incorrect placement of buoys. Wendy was very cold and tired but able to push through to the end. Are you thinking about signing up for a race this year or feeling ready to begin a new exercise regime? Schedule an appointment with one of our PTs for an evaluation. Another option is to take advantage of our Bridge to Fitness program.This is a supervised exercise program (tailored just for you) that will focus on technique and the mechanics of the home exercise program. It will help you gradually increase the intensity of your workout under the consultation of a therapist.  Call the front desk for more information.
It’s that time of year again! As summer winds down to a close it’s our last chance to take a deep dive into the water to help raise money for cancer research. Swim Across America is a national nonprofit organization that raises money and awareness for cancer research through swimming related events. Team Mind Body is participating in a charity swim to raise money for the cure and you can donate to the team here.
Baltimore’s Swim Across America pool swim is happening on September 14th in Mount Washington at the Meadowbrook Aquatic and Fitness Center and the Open Water swim is on September 15th at High Tide Farm. Swimmers of all ages and skill levels are invited to register, and all proceeds support immunotherapy clinical trials and research at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins.
Swimming has a multitude of health benefits because it works muscles throughout the whole body. It increases heart rate without stressing the body, tones muscle and builds strength and endurance. It is a great cardiovascular activity and a safe exercise for people with injury or arthritis. This Medical News Today article outlines the physical and mental benefits of swimming which include boosted mood, stress management and improved sleep.
We hope to see you out at the Swim Across America pool swim on September 14th or the Open Water swim on September 15th. If you’re not quite ready for the swim, you can participate by cheering on the swimmers or donating to the cause. Here’s a link to the Swim Across America Homepage to learn more:Â https://www.swimacrossamerica.org/site/SPageNavigator/Find_Open_Water_Swim.html
This photograph features Arielle, one of our Pilates training instructors, doing the side bend series on the Ladder Barrel. To learn more about our Pilates training courses and a schedule our our classes, click here
Did you know there is such a thing as a âsocial prescriptionâ where doctors advise patients on types of social activity that could ease symptoms? Doctors have begun thinking more about what patients need in terms of a fulfilled lifestyle as a way to combat larger health issues, and have begun prescribing social activities. Sometimes doctors will also send a volunteer to accompany or transport a patient to the activity! Results have found that 82% of patients had experienced âpositive changeâ three to four months after starting to participate in the activities. What are some activities you can participate in to improve your health? Feel like you want to try something new but not sure where to start? This website breaks down 150 + hobbies categorized by interest and personality to help you kindle an interest in trying out a new social activity!
According to this Time Magazine post, spending time outdoors, especially in green spaces, is one of the fastest ways to improve your health and happiness. Being outdoors has been proven to lower stress, blood pressure and heart rate, while boosting mood and mental health. Many believe that rigorous exercise is the only way to achieve these results, but simply being in nature breathing fresh air can relax you and reduce stress. Physicians are actually writing “nature prescriptions” to patients to improve health. This helpful website, “Park RX America,” will help you identify parks within close range to make taking time for green space easier and more accessible.
Keeping track of our routine habits is important in improving physical health. Fit Factor is an online survey that provides users with personalized feedback to improve strength and flexibility. The survey asks several questions about daily habits and provides training videos from the American Physical Therapy Association to further explore healthy routines and how to implement them into everyday life. You can sign up for a free account to begin the survey by clicking the logo below.
It’s Spring time! Indoor houseplants are peasant to live with AND have great health benefits! Indoor house plants can reduce stress and anxiety, humidify a dry apartment, aid in depression and naturally purify your air. This article uses NASA research to identify 6 houseplants that will naturally purify your air and describes what health components they’ll add to your indoor living environment.
Local Ace Hardware stores in Baltimore are hosting the annual “Garden Sale Party” on Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5. The spring sale features workshops, samples, coupons and demonstrations for outdoor gardens and indoor houseplant care. The event takes place at Canton, Federal Hill and Waverly Ace Hardware stores in Baltimore. If you’re looking to get started on bringing some new plants into your home and life, check out this event!
You know how certain songs make you want to dance and others trigger an emotional response? How is this happening and why? Wired Magazine explored these questions in a podcast examining what happens when we listen to and play music. Do you play an instrument? Do you listen to music when you work out? Is music something intentionally incorporate in your daily routine? Check out the latest episode of Tech Effects,”Music and the Brain” to learn more about the dynamics of music and how it effects our health.