Yoga: What You Need to Know
Yoga is an ancient practice from India which offers much more than just physical fitness. While its roots lie in spiritual traditions, yoga has become a mainstream approach to promoting overall well-being in the West. This article delves deeper into the various facets of yoga, going beyond the physical postures (asanas) you might see in a typical gym class.
Read more from the National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health.
Healthy Children Can Help Scientists Understand the Brain – Join the Study
Healthy children ages 8 to 17 are invited to participate in this 12-week outpatient study on mood and anxiety disorders. The study investigates how the brain changes during computer-based training tasks, and how breathing patterns and emotions are related. Procedures include psychological interviews, a physical exam, lab work, and brain scans. Study participants must be medically healthy, free of current or past history of psychiatric illness, and not currently taking any medication. Parent and child must consent to participate.
This study is conducted at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. There is no cost to participate and compensation is provided. Contact NIH to learn more, email: KIDSwithWorries@mail.nih.gov, call 301-827-1340 [TTY:711], or go to the website for more information. National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health, Protocol # 01-M-0192.
Feeling Stressed Explore Relaxation Techniques
A Fact Sheet: How to Explore Relaxation Techniques This article dives into practical methods to combat stress and promote the body's natural relaxation response.
- What are relaxation techniques?
Relaxation techniques are practices to help bring about the body’s “relaxation response,” which is characterized by slower breathing, lower blood pressure, and a reduced heart rate. The relaxation response is the opposite of the stress response.
Some of the studies discussed in this fact sheet compare relaxation techniques to cognitive behavioral therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of psychological treatment that helps a person become aware of ways of thinking that may be automatic but are inaccurate and harmful. The therapy involves efforts to change thinking patterns and usually behavioral patterns as well. Learn more about the different types of relaxation techniques and several Q&A options to benefit you. Read more
7 Things to Know about Mind and Body Practices for Children and Teens
Did you know? Nearly one in nine children and teens in the US are already engaging in mind-body practices like yoga and meditation! These techniques, encompassing various approaches to improve health and well-being, are gaining traction as parents and young people seek natural solutions to manage stress, enhance focus, and promote overall well-being.
While research on the specific safety of these practices for children is ongoing, there's encouraging news. Activities like relaxation techniques and deep breathing are perfectly suitable for older children and teens, even to practice independently with a little parental guidance.
Here are seven things to know:
Biofeedback, guided imagery, mindfulness, and yoga are some of the mind and body practices that have the best evidence of being effective for children and are low-risk.
Acupuncture appears to be safe for most children, but side effects can occur if it’s done by poorly trained practitioners.
Massage therapy appears to have few risks when done by a trained practitioner. However, massage therapists need to take extra precautions with people who have certain health conditions, such as bleeding disorders.
Relaxation techniques are generally safe for healthy people, including children. However, there have been rare reports that some relaxation techniques might cause or worsen symptoms in people with epilepsy or certain psychiatric conditions, or with a history of abuse or trauma.
Spinal manipulation is usually safe for healthy people but is also associated with rare but serious complications.
- Follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccination recommendations to safeguard your child against vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccinating children helps protect our community’s and our children’s health.
- It’s important that you talk with your child’s healthcare provider about any complementary health approach that you’re using or considering for your child and encourage your teenagers to do the same.
