By guest writer, Jeffrey Lui

In American society, we have adapted to doing everything as quickly and efficiently as possible. We spend hours upon hours a day working nonstop, while never giving our minds and bodies a chance to rest and catch up. This combination of stress and pressure can slowly take a toll on our well-being to the point that we find ourselves sick and unable to function. Learning how to meditate can help to alleviate some of the problems that we currently face on a daily basis.

Much like going to the gym to work out and strengthen our bodies, meditating is a way to strengthen our minds. Recent studies conducted by Harvard Medical School have shown that deep relaxation changes our bodies on a genetic level. According to the studies, meditation and yoga can induce relaxation, which increases ā€œdisease-fighting genes.ā€ Those genes were more active in people who practiced yoga and meditation in comparison to those who practiced no form of relaxation techniques.

Researchers found that the genes that protect us from disorders, such as pain, high blood pressure, arthritis and infertility issues, were switched on. These changes were brought on by the ā€œrelaxation effectā€, which is said to be comparable to any medical drug without the negative side effects.
The experiment also showed how responsive genes are to behavior, mood and environment, and showed that the genes could switch on or off. During the study, they asked one group to start practicing relaxation methods, including mediation or yoga each day, and they found that after two months their bodies began to change. Cells that contribute to protecting the body, fighting inflammation, and ridding diseased cells were being activated.

You may ask, ā€œHow can relaxation have such a strong effect on our bodies?ā€ Well, for one, think of the negative effects that stress has on our bodies. Stress releases excess amounts of adrenalin and cortisol in our bodies. These chemicals contribute to raising our heart rates, blood pressure and also weaken the immune system. On the flipside, inducing relaxation through meditation releases the ā€œfeel good chemicals,ā€ such as serotonin and dopamine. These chemicals are linked to cell repair, lowering heart rates, and strengthening our immune systems.
The next time you are having a really stressful day and find yourself with some extra time, try meditating and quieting your mind. The Healing Place has recorded relaxation meditation and a cancer fighting meditation. So why not try it out? Not only may you find yourself relaxing, you may also turn on your disease-fighting genes on the way!

Helen Chin Lui is a certified Reflexolgist, Certified Energy Medicine and Reiki Practitioner. She is the founder and owner of the Healing Place in Medfield. She specializes in helping people with chronic digestive disorders. For her free report ā€œProven Alternative Ways to Heal Common Chronic Digestive Problems: What Your Doctor Doesn’t Know Can Keep You From Healingā€ click here for your free report.

Helen has helped hundreds of people to find long last relief from their chronic pain, digestive issues and balance hormones naturally. To find out how Reflexology and Energy Medicine can help you, Ā please schedule a FREE 60-minute consultation by calling 508 359-6463.

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