Mental FitnessStephanie Garvey

HW420: Unit 5

Introduction.....This presentation will include the following:

Benefits of mental fitness Research studies that

demonstrate the healing qualities of mental and spiritual focus

Exercises to improve mental fitness

Benefits of Mental FitnessAccording to Dacher (2006), we know that the mind is trainable and that robust health can result from the systematic training of our mind through planned, systematic inner development.

Mental fitness can: Decrease stress and anxietyIncrease relaxationIncrease overall happinessProlongs lifeProvide relief from aches and pains(Joi, 2010)

Research Study: Dean Ornish“Stress is not just what you do, it’s how you react to what you do.” (Ornish, 2005)

Ornish conducted a study which involved heart patients and their lifestyles. The lifestyle program included instruction on diet, stress management, exercise and group support. Ultimately, the group of patients who participated in Ornish’s lifestyle program reduced their blood cholesterol levels, they had a reduction in chest pain, and they improved the blood flow to their hearts. These changes were strongly correlated with the degree of changes in lifestyle. The more people adapted their lifestyle, the better they got.

Research Study: Randolph ByrdThe most famous prayer study…..

Byrd randomized 393 patients in a coronary care unit to either a group receiving intercessory prayer or a control group. It was a double-blind study in which the patients, physicians or nurses did not know who was receiving prayer. The conclusion of his study showed fewer deaths in the prayer group. The prayer group also required less medication and experienced a lower incidence of pulmonary edema. “Prayer actually works” (Dossey, 2005).

Research Study: Frederic LuskinThe Art and Science of Forgiveness…..

Luskin demonstrated that learning to forgive has both emotional and physical benefits. He performed a randomized controlled study that recruited students as participants. As the students learned to forgive, they became more forgiving in general, not just toward one particular person who did them wrong. The treatment group also showed significant reductions in hurt, state and trait anger. They showed increases in hope, self-efficacy and spiritual connection (Luskin, 2005).

Yoga…..

Yoga enables a person to develop their strength, both mental and physical, flexibility and balance. Yoga includes mindful breathing, which emphasizes the deepening and lengthening of a person’s breath. This breathing stimulates the relaxation response (Benefits of Yoga, 2011)

Kneeling Pose….. (yoga continued)

Yoga consists of different poses, or asanas. For the Kneeling Pose, do the following:Sit on heels, with a straight back. Relax. Separate the feet and slowly sink in between, letting the buttocks touch the floor, doing this slowly and carefully so as not to strain knee ligaments. Make sure feet are not turned out. The benefits of this pose is increased circulation to the prostate gland or uterus (Yoga Program, 2007).

Meditation…..Meditation is one of the proven alternative therapies. It is a safe and simple way to balance a person’s physical, emotional and mental states. There are several types of meditation techniques. Some are quite simple, and some require training by an experienced instructor. Meditation is often about concentrating about a specific topic. Sometimes, however, it is just the opposite. Meditation’s objective can also be to become detached from one’s thoughts and images altogether (Meditation, 2009).

Summary…..

As you can see, the benefits of mental fitness are numerous. This presentation has discussed several of them, and it also has included a few research studies to justify their relevance. Two types of activities are mentioned, yoga and meditation, to help improve one’s mental capacity.

References…..

Basic Daily Yoga Program. (2007). Holistic Online. Retrieved September 25, 2011, from http://www.holisticonline.com

Health Benefits of Yoga. (2011). WebMD. Retrieved September 25, 2011, from http://www.webmd.com

Meditation. (2009). Holistic Online. Retrieved September 25, 2011, from http://1stholistic.com

Dacher, E. S. (2006). Integral Health: The Path to Human Flourishing. (1st ed.). Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc.

Joi (2010). 10 Benefits of Reducing Stress. Mental Fitness Center. Retrieved September 25, 2011, from http://www.thementalfitnesscenter.com

Schlitz, M., Amorok, T., & Micozzi, M. S. (2005). Consciousness and Healing: Integral Approaches to Mind-Body Medicine. (1st ed.). Saint Louis, MO: Elsevier.