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Mental Fitness & Physical Health

Mental Fitness & Physical Health. Jennifer Kitchen July 18,2013. Connection of Mental Fitness in Physical Health. Research Dr. Richard Davidson Job Strain and Emotions Dr . Candice Pert Neuropeptides Dr. Peter Schnall Map of the Brain. Mind/Body Approaches to Mental Fitness Tai Chi

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Mental Fitness & Physical Health

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  1. Mental Fitness & Physical Health Jennifer Kitchen July 18,2013

  2. Connection of Mental Fitness in Physical Health Research • Dr. Richard Davidson • Job Strain and Emotions • Dr. Candice Pert • Neuropeptides • Dr. Peter Schnall • Map of the Brain Mind/Body Approaches to Mental Fitness • Tai Chi • Qigong • Yoga

  3. Research on Mind/Body Connection • Davidson • Mapped out areas of brain activation according to • negative (right prefrontal cortex) and positive emotions (left prefrontal cortex). • Olympians have higher levels of activation for the left prefrontal cortex • Mental and physical life capacity is flexible, dynamic, and expansive. • Robust health can result from systematic training of the mind through planned, systematic inner development. • The far reaches of human flourishing can be explored by training our mind • (Dacher,P20-22)

  4. Research on Mind/Body Connection • Pert • Discovered message-carrying neuropeptides • Thoughts, feelings, and visual images produce specific neuropeptides • Neuropeptides alter our physiology to reflect a specific mental state. • (Dacher, P17)

  5. Research on Mind/Body Connection • Schnall • Identified managers who suffered from “job strain” and those who didn’t. • In the circumstance of high demand and low control, managers who felt overwhelmed by their role developed disturbing emotions that led to chronic hypertension and enlarged heart. • The unrelenting stress of negative emotions • Causes permanent change in physiology of the body. • (Dacher, P19)

  6. Benefits of Mental Fitness Mental training reduces hyperactivity of the body helping to control; • Blood pressure • Pulse • Muscular tension • Capillary blood flow • Bowel and bladder motility • (Dacher, P83)

  7. Benefits of Mental Fitness Mental Fitness • Helps prevent mental distress and physical illness • Enhances recovery from disease • (Dacher, P86)

  8. Mind/Body Connection in Exercise • All physical activity can be beneficial to both mind and body. • Many people are already aware of the benefits they get mentally when they exercise. • Exercise helps relieve stress and clear the mind. • There are many exercises which are specifically beneficial for both mind and body.

  9. Mind/Body Exercise • Tai Chi • Ancient Chinese • Movements that originate in martial arts practice. • Practiced for its health and relaxation benefits. • Creates well being . • Combats stress. • Popular low-intensity workout around the world.

  10. Mind/Body Exercise • Qigong • Translated from the Chinese to mean "energy cultivation" or "working with the life energy." • Ancient Chinese system of postures, exercises, breathing techniques, and meditations. • Techniques are designed to improve and enhance the body's qi.

  11. Mind/Body Exercise • Bhakti Yoga • One of six major branches of yoga. • Represents the path of self-transcending love or complete devotion to the divine. • Developed in Hindu culture. • Focuses the believer's mind and heart on the divine. • Focus is on worship, devotion, and service to the divine.

  12. Conclusion • Research has shown that there is a mind/body connection. • Mental training helps to control physiological affects. • Tai chi, Qigong, and Bhakti Yoga all work on the mind and body.

  13. Reference • Dacher, E.S., (2006). Integral Health: the path to human flourishing. California: Basic Health.

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