Symptoms from everyday stress may be affecting our bodies and we may have no idea. If left unchecked, stress can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, stomach issues, obesity and depression and to our disbelief this is just the beginning of the list.

Recognize stress and learn how to manage it especially before the holiday season sets in and the daily life commitments start to multiply. » Continue reading “Before the holidays is the time to beat stress”

Heart is one of the most important organs of our body. Depression and anxiety chronically elevate levels of stress hormones and thereby diverting the body metabolism meant for tissue construction needed to repair the heart diseases.

Heart disease facts:

-      Mental health disorders and heart diseases are two major causes for disability in a person.

-      Heart disease is related to two conditions, which are myocardial infarction (heart attack) and angina pectoris. » Continue reading “How Stress, Depression and Anxiety Can Cause Mental and Heart Disease”

The Cancer Council NSW surveyed nearly 3000 people in the state, all of whom had received a cancer diagnosis at some time within the previous 18 months, the first Australian study has found that, “Cancer patients are in collective denial, attributing to stress, genetics or other factors beyond their control diseases more likely to be triggered by lifestyle choices such as obesity or smoking”.

The study leader said that it was possible people might be using the term stress as a catch-all for other factors more directly related to cancer.  » Continue reading “Cancer patients in denial over poor lifestyle choices”

According to an Endocrine Society press release, there New Research indicates shift work, defined as work performed primarily outside standard working hours, at a young age is associated with elevated long-term cortisol levels and increased body mass index.

Previous studies have shown that long-term elevated cortisol levels lead to increased abdominal obesity, hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular risk. » Continue reading “Stress Hormones May Increase Cardiovascular Risks for Shift Workers”

For all those really big stress occasions – a wedding, for instance – what should you eat to ease the nerves?

Dieticians say one can have some yoghurt, or nibble on a banana or packet of mints. But, the key to alleviate stress is a good breakfast which includes carbohydrates with a low Glycemic Index (GI).

The perfect meal to alleviate stress is a good breakfast, preferably high in carbohydrates, but not neglecting the protein as well. Cornflakes, porridge or low GI breakfast cereals. Even if one wakes feeling nauseous with anxiety before a big event or stressful day, should always try to eat a good breakfast to get the serotonin flowing.

Both low GI and wheat-free foods- some suggestions » Continue reading “Stress busters: what to eat before a big day”

Researchers have shown that relaxation techniques can be beneficial for many disease conditions, can lower blood pressure, reduction in pain and also ease side effects of chemotherapy. Many relaxation methods are helpful in managing stress and anxiety

Especially in cancer, may help in diminishing certain symptoms, alleviate side effects of treatment and improve sense of well-being. One has to identify the source of stress and then focus to deal with the stressors, since in cancer the stressors would be many and it will not be possible to address all of them. » Continue reading “Relaxation can help relieve stress of having cancer”

A paper was published by, “The Journal of Neuroscience, researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center”, in North Carolina, showing results that meditation reduced pain intensity in a group of adults with no previous meditation experience. » Continue reading “Integrative Way: Meditation can relieve pain, stress”

In the journal Archives of Internal Medicine, a study is published on the value of tai chi in treating heart failure patients. Researchers say the ancient Chinese meditative exercise of tai chi appears to improve the mood patients with chronic heart failure. Patients with heart failure often have shortness of breath, coughing, exercise intolerance and swollen ankles, earlier the doctors did not want heart failure patients to exercise because the increased load of blood while exertion can worsen their condition and prove fatal.

» Continue reading “Low-Stress Chinese Exercise Seems to Benefit Heart-Failure Patients”

Times of India 11^th Nov 2010 carried a news item “All four accused held guilty of ragging Aman Kachroo to death” and went on “A sessions court today convicted four medical students accused of ragging their junior Aman Kachroo to death in Himachal Pradesh last year”.

Ragging – is just a word to those who have not experienced it and hence all of us will not fathom the grief of Mr Rajendra Kachroo, father of Aman, when he expresses his disappointment on the quantum of punishment.

Let us try and understand what Ragging is like?

» Continue reading “Times of India 11th Nov 2010 carried a news item “All four accused held guilty of ragging Aman Kachroo to death.””

Victims of tragedies such as terrorist attacks and natural disasters (tsunami, floods etc) require time and care to recover not just from the physical wounds but from the emotional pain and loss that such incidents cause.
Survivors and families of the deceased often go through what is called ‘survivor’s guilt’ and if overlooked or ignored, this overwhelming remorse of having survived when a loved one lost his life can severely impair one’s ability to lead a normal life.   » Continue reading “15 Feb 10, Monday: Pune: the German bakery bomb blast.”