“You are what you eat.” It’s an old adage in many cultures throughout the world. However, it should really be you are what your body does with what you eat. Many people experience digestive problems because of what and HOW they eat. One of the simplest things you can do to increase your health is to slow down and appreciate the food that you are eating.
Digestion actually begins in your mind and then proceeds to your mouth, where contact with your teeth and digestive enzymes in saliva break down your food. The cephalic (i.e., literally from the head) phase of digestion accounts for nearly 30% of your gastric acid secretions, which further cleaves your food into easily digestible parts. The mere sight, smells, sounds and anticipation of the food that you eat triggers this response.
If you’re like most people, however, you rush through the whole eating experience, barely acknowledging what you’re putting into your mouth and eat mindlessly. You eat while distracted—working, reading, talking and watching television—and swallow your food practically whole without conscious awareness. If you’re like the average person, you chew each bite only eight times. With all of these external pressures and distractions, it’s no wonder that as many as 70 million Americans experience a digestive problem like IBS, Crohn’s disease, GERD, constipation, or abdominal pain.
Fortunately, there are a few simple steps that you can take to improve your digestion and restore your well-being. Experiment with the following guidelines when you eat and notice how you feel afterward.
Give Yourself Plenty of Time. Before you begin to eat your meal, give thanks and express appreciation for the abundance in your life. By expressing gratitude, you also develop patience and self-control. Work your way up to 20 minutes to complete your meal. Slowing down promotes a state of relaxation and will greatly enhance your digestion.
Chew Your Food Thoroughly. Begin by chewing each bite of food 20 times. As you chew, savor the food and enjoy the different tastes in your mouth. By chewing more, you enhance your body’s assimilation and absorption of food. The smaller food particles also prevent unwanted microbes from fermenting the food that can lead to gas, bloating and indigestion.
Practice Mindful Eating: Notice the colors, shapes, and smells of the food. As you chew, notice the sounds of the food and the chomping of your teeth the chewing produces. Notice the feel and texture of the food. Notice the taste. Be aware of the moment and intention to swallow the food. Be aware of the expansion and contraction of your chest/abdomen as you breath and chew your food.
Create A Sacred Space. Set the intention of nourishing your body, mind and soul each time that you eat rather than simple “grabbing a quick bite.” Play some relaxing music and/or use your best dishware. Light a soft candle. Turn your T.V. off. Imagine that you are serving your meal to a welcomed guest. Any distraction like the sound of your phone, email notification from your laptop or smart phone can wait.
As you begin to practice eating this way, you may experience discomfort from the silence or the thoughts that are racing through your mind. Take the opportunity instead to know yourself and practice patience, compassion and kindness. Doing so will not only improve your health and well-being, but may also lead you to discover new aspects of yourself that were previously hidden by all the distractions.
To your health and success,
Dr. Sandoval
To learn more about how working with a psychologist, holistic health coach and personal trainer can help you to enhance your health and well-being, call or email Dr. Sandoval to schedule a consultation.
A woman with a bowl of fruits exploring the benefits of integrative nutrition
Prioritizing our health and well-being has become more crucial than ever. Integrative nutrition offers a holistic approach to nourishing our bodies and minds, emphasizing the powerful connection between what we eat and how we feel. One of the benefits of integrative nutrition is that it recognizes that food is not only fuel but also medicine, thus helping us to make informed choices to optimize our overall well-being.
Another thing that makes it special is that it goes beyond mere calorie counting and restrictive diets. Instead, it considers individual needs, lifestyle, and environmental influences. The benefits of integrative nutrition are profound, impacting our physical and mental health. So, let’s embark on a transformative journey as we explore the remarkable advantages of an integrative diet and learn how it can revolutionize your health and well-being.
Enhancing Physical Health through Balanced Nutrition
When it comes to our physical health, the saying “you are what you eat” couldn’t be more accurate. Integrative nutrition is pivotal in enhancing our overall physical well-being by emphasizing the importance of a balanced and nourishing diet.
At the core is the understanding that our bodies require a diverse range of nutrients to function optimally. A balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats provides our bodies with the necessary fuel and building blocks for optimal health.
Improve your digestion
One of the key benefits of an integrative diet is improved digestion. A fiber-rich diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains promotes regular bowel movements. It supports a healthy gut microbiome, reducing the risk of digestive issues such as constipation and bloating.
Boost your energy levels
In addition, a balanced diet is vital for maintaining energy levels throughout the day. When we consume various nutrient-dense foods, our bodies receive a steady supply of vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients. This sustained energy allows us to tackle daily tasks, engage in physical activities, and enjoy an overall sense of vitality.
Strengthen your immune system
A healthy, balanced diet is crucial in supporting our immune system. Nutrient-rich foods, such as citrus fruits, leafy greens, and lean proteins, provide essential vitamins and minerals that strengthen our immune response and help ward off illnesses.
Preventing Chronic Diseases
Preventing chronic diseases is a key aspect of integrative nutrition, as our dietary choices have a significant impact on our long-term health. As a result, we can reduce the risk of conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.
Improve your digestion
One of the key benefits of an integrative diet is improved digestion. A fiber-rich diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains promotes regular bowel movements. It supports a healthy gut microbiome, reducing the risk of digestive issues such as constipation and bloating.
Boost your energy levels
In addition, a balanced diet is vital for maintaining energy levels throughout the day. When we consume various nutrient-dense foods, our bodies receive a steady supply of vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients. This sustained energy allows us to tackle daily tasks, engage in physical activities, and enjoy an overall sense of vitality.
Strengthen your immune system
A healthy, balanced diet is crucial in supporting our immune system. Nutrient-rich foods, such as citrus fruits, leafy greens, and lean proteins, provide essential vitamins and minerals that strengthen our immune response and help ward off illnesses.
Eat a variety of foods and explore the benefits of integrative nutrition
Nurturing Mental and Emotional Well-being with Nutrient-Rich Foods
While we often associate diet with physical health, its impact on mental and emotional well-being should not be overlooked. Integrative nutrition recognizes the profound connection between what we eat and how we feel, offering a pathway to nurture our mental and emotional health through a variety of foods.
When it comes to brain health, certain nutrients play a crucial role. Omega-3 fatty acids in fatty fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts are known for their cognitive benefits and mood-regulating properties. Antioxidant-rich foods like berries, dark chocolate, and leafy greens help protect our brain cells from oxidative stress and promote mental clarity.
Moreover, the gut-brain connection underscores the importance of a healthy digestive system in supporting our emotional well-being. A diet that prioritizes probiotic-rich foods, such as yogurt and fermented vegetables, can positively influence our mood and alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Integrative nutrition encourages us to be mindfulof how our food choices impact our mental and emotional states. By embracing a diet abundant in everything we need, we provide our brains with the essential building blocks for optimal functioning. Therefore, nurturing our mental and emotional well-being through the benefits of integrative nutrition is a powerful step toward achieving balance and harmony in our overall well-being.
Fresh whole foods are the way to go
Preventing Chronic Diseases
Preventing chronic diseases is a key aspect of integrative nutrition, as our dietary choices have a significant impact on our long-term health. As a result, we can reduce the risk of conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.
Integrative nutrition emphasizes the importance of consuming various fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins to provide our bodies with essential nutrients and antioxidants. These components play a crucial role in maintaining cellular health, supporting a robust immune system, and reducing inflammation – all of which contribute to preventing chronic diseases.
Consumers can turn to various platforms to make well-informed decisions about nutritional choices and find the best services that align with their health goals. For instance, a comprehensive database of different providers and services consumeropinion.org suggests that having reliable online information empowers individuals to make informed decisions about the best professionals, programs, and products to support their nutrition journey.
Our diet has an impact on our well-being
Boosting Energy and Vitality
Feeling energized and vibrant throughout the day is essential for a fulfilling and productive life. An integrative diet recognizes the significant role that optimal nourishment plays in boosting our energy levels and enhancing our confidenceand overall vitality.
One of the key principles of it is focusing on nutrient density. Nutrient-dense foods provide a high concentration of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which fuel our bodies and promote sustained energy. By incorporating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats into our diets, we can optimize our energy levels.
Furthermore, integrative nutrition encourages us to choose whole, unprocessed foods over heavily processed and sugary options. Processed foods often lead to energy crashes and sluggishness, while whole foods provide a steady release of energy and support overall vitality.
To boost energy and vitality through optimal food intake, it’s important to prioritize regular meals and snacks that contain a balance of macronutrients – carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. This combination helps stabilize blood sugar levels and provides a steady stream of energy throughout the day.
Embrace the Benefits of Integrative Nutrition
Integrative nutrition holds the key to transforming our health and well-being. By recognizing the vital connection between what we eat and how we feel, we can embark on a journey toward optimal vitality and balance. The benefits of integrative nutrition are immense, encompassing physical health, mental and emotional well-being, and the prevention of chronic diseases. Through a balanced diet, we can enhance our digestion, boost energy levels, nurture our mental health, and reduce the risk of chronic illnesses. So, let us prioritize nutrient-rich foods, so we can thrive and live a vibrant, fulfilling life.
In between your headline news and favorite sitcom or drama on television; you see the ads for a litany of medicines promising to spell relief from your illness de jour (e.g., depression, irritable bowel syndrome, erectile dysfunction, hair loss, and osteoporosis). Although some people may experience short term relief from these conditions, these medications invariably come with a laundry list of unpleasant and often harmful side effects and usually do little to prevent chronic health problems in the future. So instead of buying into these ads and opting for synthetic medicines, why not turn a cheek and laugh a little or a lot?
Gelotology (from the Greek gelos, meaning laughter) is an emerging discipline in the health sciences that examines laughter and its effects on the body (psychological and physiological).1,2 In fact, several complementary and alternative medicine (CAMS) protocols prescribe laughter as an adjunct form of treatment for a variety of health conditions.3,4 The beneficial effects of mirthful laughter on your health go beyond the brief experience of joy and the social bonding that usually ensues between people. The extensive list of physiological and psychological benefits includes:
It decreases your tendencies towards aggression thereby helping you to form and build your relationship skills with people.
It decreases your perceived level of physical pain by enhancing your production of endogenous endorphins.
It helps you to manage your psychological stress more effectively by allowing you to shift your perspective on often challenging situations.
It improves your blood pressure by relaxing your blood vessels and decreases blood sugar levels after eating foods that convert into glucose in your body.
It enhances your immune system by boosting your production of natural killer cells thus helping you to ward off illness.5,6
Unlike, synthetic medicines, laughter is free and the only potential side effect is disturbing your neighbor or partner at a comedy club or movie. If you find it difficult to laugh, there are several simple ways that you can work this muscle (i.e., it is a muscle isn’t it?). You can watch or listen to a comedy film or play, go with a friend to a comedy club, join your nearest Laughter Yoga club, or read a magazine like MAD (i.e., you still read paper magazines don’t you?). If you still have trouble laughing, remember that like any muscle you only have to start where at and can simply smile instead.
To your health and success,
Dr. Sandoval
To learn more about how working with a psychologist and holistic health coach can help you to enhance your health and well-being, call or email Dr. Sandoval to schedule a free consultation.
Bennett, M. P. and Cecile, A. L. Humor and Laughter may Influence Health. Oxford Journals. 1/2006.
Liebertz, C. A Healthy Laugh. Scientific American 9/2005.
Hayashi, Keiko et al. Laughter Lowered the Increase in Postprandial Blood Glucose.Diabetes Care. 5/2003.
Laughter Yoga International. Laughter Yoga Aids Digestion. 10/2010
Bennett, M.P. et al. The effect of mirthful laughter on stress and natural killer cell activityAlternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. 3/2003.
Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology. About Us. 8/2010.
Several chronic diseases are mediated by your body’s inflammatory response. Conditions such as multiple sclerosis, depression, anxiety, arthritis, obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease and even obesity are mediated by chronic inflammation.1, 2,3 When you experience an acute infection or sustain an injury to your body, your immune system mobilizes an inflammatory response to neutralize the infectious agent or initiate a healing response. Your body cannot combat acute infections or heal damaged tissues without inflammation. Conditions like heart disease, however, are the outcome of low grade, “silent” inflammation that is systemic and chronic.
Many over the counter and pharmaceutical medications (e.g., NSAIDs like ibuprofen, COX-2 inhibitors such as Celebrex) exist to reduce inflammation in your body. While these drugs do lower inflammation in your body, they bring with them several side effects (i.e., ranging from mild skin reactions and stomach ulcers to more serious conditions such as heart attacks, thrombosis and strokes). Thankfully, you can balance your immune system and modulate your body’s inflammatory response by changing your lifestyle.
Evaluating your body’s response to and avoiding common food allergens (i.e., shellfish, soy, dairy, corn, gluten, peanuts, citrus, mold, fermented foods) that set off an alarm in your immune system as well as balancing your ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids will go a long way towards balancing your body’s inflammatory response. Your body’s inflammatory system is regulated by your immune system and hormone-like substances known as prostaglandins.
Prostaglandins are enzymatically derived from fatty acids and exert their physiological effect at localized tissue sites. Omega 6 fatty acids act as the building blocks for inflammatory prostaglandins. Omega 6 fatty acids are found primarily in nuts and seeds, processed vegetable oils, grains, legumes and conventionally raised animal foods. Omega 3 fatty acids help your body to produce anti-inflammatory prostaglandins. Rich food sources include small cold water, fatty fish, grass fed and pasture raised animals, dark green, leafy vegetables and some nuts and seeds. Ideally, you will eat a 3:1 to 1:1 ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids. Unfortunately, the average American eats very SADly (Standard American Diet) and consumes a 16:1 ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids.4
In order to decrease your levels of systemic inflammation, prevent many chronic diseases and optimize your health, you must reduce your intake of unnecessary omega 6 fatty acids. Processed vegetable oils used for cooking and in most processed foods are often high in omega 6 fatty acids. Instead, cook with animal fats or plant sources of saturated fat that are more stable and do not oxidize easily. Tallow, suet, butter or ghee (grass fed) and coconut oil are healthy choices. In addition, make sure you increase your intake of long chain omega 3 fatty acids (i.e., EPA and DHA) by including food rich sources at least twice a week. While long chain omega 3 fatty acids have powerful anti-inflammatory effects in the body, plant sources of medium chain omega 3 fatty acids such as ALA are important for optimal health. Nuts, seeds and leafy dark greens are rich sources of medium chain omega 3 fatty acids. Make sure you include several servings a week.
To reduce systemic inflammation and optimize your health, you must also reduce your intake of refined and starchy carbohydrates. Excessive consumption of quickly digested carbohydrates (i.e., high glycemic index) contributes to the production of pro inflammatory Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs) that wreak havoc inside your body. AGEs are formed when simple sugar molecules bind to protein or fat without the enzymes necessary to control the reaction. You can also reduce AGEs by using low heat cooking methods such as steaming or light sautéing and reducing your consumption of animal proteins that have been browned or charred.
Regular exercise can also help to further reduce systemic inflammation by enhancing your body’s production of the anti-inflammatory, cytokine interleukin (IL)-10.5 Cytokines are chemical messengers that work to orchestrate your body’s immune system and inflammatory response. Aim to exercise for 30 to 45 minutes, four to five times per week to achieve optimal results. And, remember to have fun and play with your workouts. Vary your workouts and try adding brief, intense exercise routines a couple times a week.
Healthy Fats
Long chain omega 3 fatty acids: grass fed, pasture raised animals or wild caught, cold water, small fish. (e.g., sardines, herring, anchovies, sock eye salmon, bison, beef, venison, lamb).
Medium chain omega 3 fatty acids: dark leafy greens, walnuts, seeds (chia, flax, hemp, sacha inchi).
To learn more about how working with a psychologist and holistic health coach can help you to enhance your health and well-being, call or email Dr. Sandoval to schedule a free consultation.
Perry, VH. “The influence of systemic inflammation on inflammation in the brain: implications for chronic neurodegenerative disease.” Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. (2004), 18 (5): 407–41.
Salim, S, Chugh, G, Asghar, M. “Inflammation in anxiety.” Advances in Protein Chemistry and Structural Biology. (2012.) (88):1–25. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-398314-5.00001-5.
Sin, DD and Paul Man, SF. “Why Are Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease at Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases? The Potential Role of Systemic Inflammation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.” Circulation. (2003), 107:1514-1519.
Simopoulos, AP. “The importance of the ratio of omega-6/omega-3 essential fatty acids.” Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy. (2002), 56(8):365-79.
Ostrowski, K, Rohde, T, Asp, S, Schjerling, P, and Pedersen, BK. “Pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokine balance in strenuous exercise in humans.” Journal of Physiology. (1999), 15; 515(Pt 1): 287–291.
The information, published and/or made available through the www.drjosesandoval.com website, is not intended to replace the services of a physician, nor does it constitute a physician-patient relationship. This blog is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use the information in this post for diagnosing or treating a medical or health condition. You should consult a physician in all matters relating to your health, particularly in respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. Any action on the reader’s part in response to the information provided in this blog is at the reader’s discretion.
With it being Valentine’ day today, you may have big plans with your partner (e.g., boyfriend, girlfriend, wife, husband, etc.) to celebrate the love that you both share. If you are single, you may experience the anticipation, excitement or nervousness of your first “big date” with someone you recently met or you may dread the occasion as a “Hallmark” holiday that affirms that you are unlovable because you have no special date. Whether you already have special plans, look forward with optimism or would simply prefer that Valentine’s day did not exist, there are several important qualities that you can develop to love your partner, remember your “first date” or affirm and love yourself.
Learning to communicate openly and directly is both effective and demonstrates your vulnerability to your partner, allows you to be authentic, “voice” your emotions and is affirming to your partner. Many “mishaps,” misunderstandings and resentments are avoidable by simply learning to speak clearly. If you’re single and alone, introspection and honestly “asking” yourself what nourishes you and helps you to experience your life as “sweet” requires both self-compassion and “facing your demons.”
Do you experience shame and feel “unworthy” because you believe that no one could ever love you if they knew the “real” you? Instead of acting and behaving as your mind tells you you “should,” being kind and gentle with yourself allows others to connect with you. Being authentic with yourself and acknowledging your needs is important in recognizing your own “humaneness.” By learning to be authentic and vulnerable, you cultivate a sense of belonging, acceptance and connection with your partner, other people and yourself.
In order to sustain and cherish the love in your life, it is important to also learn to notice, pay attention and forgive. We all commit errors, make mistakes and act in ways that only with the perspective of maturity and growth we later regret or feel contrite about in life. As the English poet Alexandar Pope has eloquently stated “to err is human; to forgive, divine.”
You cannot avoid the pain that invariably comes from acting in a manner that you now would act in differently. In seeking to minimize or avoid your pain, you also cut yourself off from experiencing human virtues like joy, love, appreciation and gratitude. So in order to cultivate and nourish these “feel good” emotions, you must be willing to make room for the pain in your life. So whether you are celebrating Valentine’s with the love of your life or are alone, learn to notice how you feel, allow and make room for all emotions and authentically “voice” your experiences in order to make this year and the rest of your life special.
To your health and success
Dr. Sandoval
To learn more about how working with a psychologist, holistic health coach and personal trainer can help you to enhance your health and well-being, call or email Dr. Sandoval to schedule consultation.
The information, published and/or made available through the www.drjosesandoval.com website, is not intended to replace the services of a physician, nor does it constitute a physician-patient relationship. This blog is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use the information in this post for diagnosing or treating a medical or health condition. You should consult a physician in all matters relating to your health, particularly in respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. Any action on the reader’s part in response to the information provided in this blog is at the reader’s discretion.
If you are like many people, the shift in time and “falling back” with our clocks the passing of day light savings time will mean a bonus hour of sleep and a progressive shift towards shorter and darker days as the sun sets earlier each night. It also means that you’ll likely experience changes in your mood (you may even experience the “winter blues,” otherwise known as seasonal affective disorder), experience lethargy, a loss of motivation, and increased cravings for foods (particularly sweets).
Your sleep and wake cycles are regulated by your circadian rhythm and the amount of day light you are exposed to each day. Your circadian rhythm also affects your appetite and hunger, concentration, mood and desire for foods, particularly sweets that are rich in quickly digested carbohydrates.1,2 Your desire for these foods that leads to more insulin being produced and gaining weight is an evolutionary mechanism to gain weight and “hibernate” for the winter.
It is only because of the year round availability of these foods (e.g., tropical fruit, potatoes, rice) and the artificial changing of time (some states like Hawaii and most of Arizona and most countries in Africa and Asia do not participate in DST). In South America most countries in the north of the continent near the equator do not observe DST, while Paraguay and southern parts of Brazil do) that you may struggle with “cravings” and judge yourself harshly instead of embracing your body, your changes in dietary cravings and feel “down.”
So rather than reaching for that extra “cup of Joe,” feeling guilty for wanting more foods that may lead to adding a few transient pounds for the winter or engaging in compensatory behaviors (e.g., over exercising and “punishing” your body or skipping meals), be gentle and kind with your body-mind and realign with the seasonal changes in day light, food and “fall forward” instead to stay well this winter.
Focus on spending as much as is feasible for you during the day outside and practice sensible sun light exposure while you avoid the unnecessary use of electronics like your smartphone, your computer or watching T.V. after sunset as these devices emit blue spectrum light that interferes with your pineal gland’s secretion of melatonin and keep you awake at night. Instead, spend time with your friends and family playing board games, read paper books and magazines, listen to music or develop a hobby like drawing. In addition, make sure that you practice good sleep hygiene to help your sleep improve, reduce your cravings and make smarter choices that will satisfy your cravings for sweets while nourishing your body. To help you, experiment with my suggestions below:
The most effective and simplest strategy to improve your quality of sleep is going to bed at the same time each evening and waking up at the same time every morning.
You also want to develop a night time ritual to help you transition into sleep. Try reading or meditating (e.g., Mindfulness Meditation or Loving Kindness Meditation) an hour before you go to bed.
To help you sleep more easily, it is also important to avoid certain stimuli and avoid drinking or eating within 3 hours of your bed time. Eating before you sleep can interfere with restful sleep as your body is still digesting food.
As a rule of thumb, you also want to dim the lights in your room or house 2 hours before bed time to help your body produce more melatonin.
Wear a sleep mask or install black out curtains in your bedroom to keep artificial lights from interfering with your sleep.
If you must work and use a computer or your smartphone, use software like f.lux to reduce the interference of your computer and IPhone or EasyEyez for Android.
Wear orange or red tinted sunglasses to protect you from blue spectrum lights. I personally wear True Dark glasses that block all color spectrums (blue, purple, green) known to interfere with melatonin production.
Swap out your LED light bulbs for incandescent or halogen light bulbs instead to reduce blue spectrum lights in your home at night.
Set your smartphone on “airplane mode” and unplug your Wi-Fi router at home as you will not be using the internet during your sleep and the EMFs produced by your phone and Wi-Fi router may interfere with your sleep.
Set the ambient temperature in your bedroom down to at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Your core body temperature drops during sleep and setting your climate control higher can contribute to restless sleep.
Choose slower digesting foods that will satisfy your “sweet tooth” that are seasonal like cranberries, kiwi fruit, figs, pomegranates, and squashes and pumpkin.
To your health and success,
Dr. Sandoval
To learn more about how working with a psychologist and holistic health coach can help you to enhance your health and well-being, call or email Dr. Sandoval to schedule a free consultation.
Ilardi, S. (2010). The Depression Cure: The 6-Step Program to Beat Depression without Drugs.
Wiley, TS & Formby, B. (2001).Lights Out: Sleep, Sugar, and Survival.
The information, published and/or made available through the www.drjosesandoval.com website, is not intended to replace the services of a physician, nor does it constitute a physician-patient relationship. This blog is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use the information in this post for diagnosing or treating a medical or health condition. You should consult a physician in all matters relating to your health, particularly in respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. Any action on the reader’s part in response to the information provided in this blog is at the reader’s discretion.
Mindfulness is the practice of intentionally bringing your attention to your here and now experiences with an attitude of curiosity, openness and non-judgment. Many studies have shown that mindfulness practices can help you to reduce stress, worry, symptoms of binge eating, many anxiety disorders and ADHD.1, 2
Mindfulness practices, including yoga, yoga breathing exercises and qi gong, can also help you to enhance your emotional well-being, immune system , concentration and focus as well as help you to reduce symptoms of depression, reduce your blood pressure and trigger your “rest, digest and heal” response (i.e., it activates your body’s parasympathetic nervous system).3, 4, 5, 6,7,8,9
While establishing a formal practice for mindfulness meditation is ideal, using informal practices and learning yoga or qi gong is simple and equally as effective. Below are simple, informal practices that you can learn to help you disengage, reduce stress and enhance your well-being.
Notice Sounds: Notice 5 sounds. As you notice the sounds, be aware of the moment when your mind identifies the sound and adds a label or judgment. It is in the nature of the mind to identify, categorize, label and judge every experience you bring your attention to. With practice, you will simply notice the sounds and be in the spaciousness of your awareness before your mind adds a label or judgment.
Mindful Breathing: Take 10 mindful breathes. Pay attention to every sensation in your body as you inhale and exhale. The rise and fall of your chest or abdomen. The rate and depth of each breath. The cool sensations as you inhale through your nostrils and the warmth as you exhale out your mouth. The expansion and collapse of your lungs as the air flows in and out of your body. Take time throughout your day to disengage from the task at hand, pause and take 10 mindful breaths.
Mindful Eating: Notice the colors and shapes. Notice the smells of the food. As you bring the food to your mouth, notice the intention to eat and your body’s production of saliva in the anticipation of the food entering your mouth. As you chew, notice the sounds of the food and the chomping of your teeth that the chewing produces. Notice the feel and texture of the food. Your tongue positions the food precisely where it needs to be in order to chew. Notice the taste. Be aware of the moment and intention to swallow the food.
Mindful Touch: Touch a loved one or practice self-massage. As you pay attention, notice all the sensations on your skin. Tingling, warmth, coolness, itching, pain, tension, pleasure, lightness. Be aware of any judgments or stories that your mind adds to the experience as you touch. It is natural for your mind to add judgments and preferences about yourself and others. Without struggling, simply notice the judgments, and gently bring your awareness back to the sensations in your body.
Mindful Walking: Walking is a controlled act of falling. When you walk mindfully, have the intention of noticing every aspect of your body as you raise your foot to take a step. Monitor the sway of your hips. Notice the tension in your calf as you raise your foot, the pull in your thigh and the pressure upon landing on your heel. Alternate and again monitor the movement of your body as you lift the opposite foot. Be aware of the movement of your shoulders, hips and arms as you balance yourself to walk. As your mind wanders, gently redirect your attention back to your breath and the movements of your body. To help you maintain your focus, you may want to mentally label each step. “Left, Right, Left, Right.”
Alternate Nostril Breathing (Yoga breathing exercise): Close your right nostril with your right thumb and inhale through your left nostril. Do this for a count of four seconds. Immediately afterwards close your left nostril with your right ring finger and little finger while you simultaneously removing your thumb from your right nostril and exhale through this nostril. Do this for a count of eight seconds. Complete your cycle by inhaling through your right nostril for a count of four second and follow by closing your right nostril with your right thumb and exhale through your left nostril for a count of eight seconds. Start by doing three cycles, adding one per week until you are doing seven cycles.
To your health and success,
Dr. Sandoval
To learn more about how working with a psychologist and holistic health coach can help you to enhance your health and well-being, call or email Dr. Sandoval to schedule a free consultation.
Klein, AS, Skinner, JB and Hawley, KM. “Targeting binge eating through components of dialectical behavior therapy: Preliminary outcomes for individually supported diary card self-monitoring versus group-based DBT.” Psychotherapy. (2013). 50(4), 543-552.
van de Weijer-Bergsma, E, Formsma, AR, Bruin, EI, Bögels, SM. “The effectiveness of mindfulness training on behavioral problems and attentional functioning in adolescents with ADHD.” Journal of Child and Family Studies. (2012). 21(5), 775-787.
Witek-Janusek, L, Albuquerque, K, Chroniak, KR, Chroniak, C, Durazo-Arvizu, R, Mathews, HL. “Effect of mindfulness based stress reduction on immune function, quality of life and coping in women newly diagnosed with early stage breast cancer.” Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, (2008). 22(6), 969-981.
Sarang, P and Telles, S. “Effects of two yoga based relaxation techniques on heart rate variability (HRV).” International Journal of Stress Management. (2006). 13(4), 460-475.
Vempati, RP and Telles, S. “Yoga-Based Guided Relaxation Reduces Sympathetic Activity Judged from Baseline Levels.” Psychological Reports. (2002). (90), 2 487-494.
Srivastava, RD, Jain, N, and Singhal, A. “Influence of Alternate Nostril Breathing on Cardiorespiratory and Autonomic Functions in Healthy Young Adults.” Indian Journal Physiology and Pharmacology. (2005). (49), 4, 475–483.
Subramanya, P and Telles, S. “Effect of two yoga-based relaxation techniques on memory scores and state anxiety” BioPsychoSocial Medicine. (2009). (3), 8.
Tsang HW, Fung KM, Chan AS, Lee G, Chan F. “Effect of a qi gong exercise program on the elderly with depression.” International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. (2006). (21), 9, 890–897.
Oh, Byeongsang, Sun Mi Choi, Aya Inamori, David S.Rosenthal, and Albert S. Yeung. “Effects of Qi gong on depression: A systemic review.” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2013). doi:10.1155/2013/134737
The information, published and/or made available through the www.drjosesandoval.com website, is not intended to replace the services of a physician, nor does it constitute a physician-patient relationship. This blog is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use the information in this post for diagnosing or treating a medical or health condition. You should consult a physician in all matters relating to your health, particularly in respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. Any action on the reader’s part in response to the information provided in this blog is at the reader’s discretion.
If you experience bouts of anxiety, worry and depression or you obsess with unproductive and painful thoughts because you’ve experienced trauma (e.g., PTSD), you’ll likely benefit by learning to cultivate and externalize your awareness. You may believe that suppressing what your mind tells you or replacing your mind’s stories with better thoughts or self-affirmations will lead you to live your life in alignment with your values. Long-term; however, trying to not to think about your mind’s many stories is not effective and very often increases your suffering.
Research suggests that instead of helping you to experience more vitality, attempting to control your mind and get rid of the many painful thoughts and emotions that you experience will actually increase your pain (i.e., the rebound effect).1 Rather than attempting to control your mind and attempting to suppress your painful private experiences, learn how to monitor your thoughts and simply notice the frequency, duration and situations in which they occur. It is both simple and effective as it will allow you to focus on creating a life of meaning and purpose.
To separate your actions from your unproductive private experiences and help you to get into your life, you can self-monitor by physicalizing each occurrence of a painful thought or feeling with a tally counter. Using this simple object will help you to interrupt any covert behavioral patterns that lead to your suffering, realign and proceed in the direction of what you value (e.g., being a loving parent, using your creativity in your work, helping other people in your community, being healthy in order to play with your children).
While at first this may lead you to experience more discomfort as you realize how your control strategies have been ineffective in eliminating your pain, over the long term you will create a rich and meaningful life that measures up to your life’s purpose as you continue to self-monitor, expand and externalize your awareness.
To your health and success,
Dr. Sandoval
To learn more about how working with a psychologist , holistic health coach, and personal trainer can help you to enhance your health and well-being, call or email Dr. Sandoval to schedule a free consultation.
Abramowitz , JS, Tolin, DF and Street, GP. “Paradoxical effects of thought suppression: a meta-analysis of controlled studies.” (2001). Clinical Psychology Review, 21(5) 683-703.
The information, published and/or made available through the www.drjosesandoval.com website, is not intended to replace the services of a physician, nor does it constitute a physician-patient relationship. This blog is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use the information in this post for diagnosing or treating a medical or health condition. You should consult a physician in all matters relating to your health, particularly in respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. Any action on the reader’s part in response to the information provided in this blog is at the reader’s discretion.
If you’re like most business owners, you sometimes forget yourself in the midst of all of your professional obligations. Unfortunately, when you’re stressed or overworked, you cannot focus the same amount of energy on your company. To keep yourself from being burned out, you need to think about different skills that allow you to take care of yourself to be more present at work. Dr. Jose Sandoval’s integrative services can be great tools.
Learn How to Improvise
Improvisation is an important skill to have as a businessperson. You cannot prepare for every crisis or disaster. Mature businesspeople understand the necessity of thinking on their feet and acting without a solid plan in place. There are three types of improvisation: imitative, reactive, and generative.
Imitative relies on imitating more experienced people, whereas reactive involves input from others and the environment to help determine your reaction. Generative improvisation is the most advanced and it forces you to look toward the future and try to anticipate what may happen.
Work on Your Plan
If you want to succeed, you need a balance of improvisation skills and planning skills. You should have a business plan that spells out your goals and the steps that you need to take to make them. Treat your business like a game of chess where strategy is still a top priority. A business plan helps you allocate resources properly to prepare for the uncertain and to manage your time.
Your business formation should be a part of your business plan. For example, you may choose a limited liability company, or LLC, for your company. This structure is easy to establish and simple to maintain, so you do not have to worry about excess stress eating away at your health. When establishing Florida LLCs, you may reap tax benefits, flexibility benefits, and the benefit of less paperwork. To avoid lawyer fees, contact a formation service.
Avoid Forgetting About Yourself
According to the APA, chronic stress can negatively impact your well-being. It can lead to chronic headaches, cardiovascular disease, overeating, and more. Often, people experience chronic stress because of work. If they do not delegate work to subordinates or hire consultants to help carry the load, they are more likely to suffer from stress. Delegating saves you time on work that you can spend on yourself.
Forming a workout routine at the gym or home can also reduce your stress. It releases endorphins and releases built-up tension. If you choose a gym, exercise can also help you be more social outside of the business. Some of the best exercises for tension include:
Yoga
Martial arts
Walking
Swimming
How you eat can also affect your productivity. One wrong decision during mealtime can throw your day off. Since everything you eat converts to glucose and your body needs glucose to stay alert, your attention and focus shift if you are low on it. Food should nourish your body. When you take care of your diet, you take care of your body and your company.
As an entrepreneur, you breathe life into your company. When you do not care about yourself, you cannot care about your business either. You may find it more difficult to focus and prioritize your time. If you want to care for yourself and your business, you need to know how to balance planning with improvisation and maintain your health as a priority. For more resources and guidance, book a session with Dr. Sandoval and subscribe to his newsletter.
