In this new age, meditation is also being used to help combat various chronic diseases and health problems, such as:

• stress
• anxiety
• insomnia
• depression
• chronic Pain
• physical/emotional symptoms associated with chronic illnesses ~ heart disease, cancer

Meditation that is used as a type of mind-body medicine, focuses on the interactions of the brain, mind, body and behavior, with the intent to use the mind to affect physical functioning in its promotion of health and fitness.

During meditation, your attention is focused on a single subject, with the goal of suspending all other thoughts that would otherwise occupy your mind. This has been shown to induce some changes in the body, notably the autonomic nervous system.

The autonomic nervous system regulates heartbeat, sweating, breathing, and digestion, as well as other. And all this regulating is done automatically.

Most types of meditation have four elements in common:

• quiet location
• focus of attention ~ mantra, an object or breathing
• specific posture ~ sitting, lying down, standing, walking, or in other positions
• open attitude ~ letting distractions come and go naturally without stopping to think about them

Mindfulness Meditation and Transcendental Meditation (TM) techniques are two common approaches to meditation.

Mindfulness meditation originated in Buddhism and is based on the concept of being mindful, or having an increased awareness and total acceptance of the present. This is seen as helping by learning to experience thoughts and emotions with increased balance and acceptance.

TM originated in the Vedic tradition in India and it uses a mantra (repeating word, sound, or phrase) to prevent distracting thoughts from entering the mind. Thus allowing the mind to settle into a quieter state and the body into deep rest state, ultimately leading to a state of relaxed alertness.

Meditation is a fantastic compliment to any fitness regime ~ maintain calm focus on movement (exercise) task without mental distraction.

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Aromatherapy is an ideal compliment to other stress management regimes that improve quality of life by reducing stress and anxiety.

Aromatherapy uses plant oils that give off strong pleasant aromas to promote relaxation, a sense of well-being, and healing. Essential oils (volatile oils) are the basic materials used in aromatherapy, which are made from fragrant essences found in many plants.

The scented liquid is taken from certain plants by using steam or pressure. Essential oils contain the natural chemicals that give the plant its specific odor and flavor (essence).

Many different essential oils are used in aromatherapy, such as Roman chamomile, geranium, lavender, lemon, cedarwood, and bergamot. Each type of essential oil has a different chemical structure that affects its smells, its absorption, and how it is used by the body.

There are different theories about how aromatherapy and essential oils work. One is that your nose’s smell receptors respond to the essential oils’ smell by sending chemical messages to your brain, which affects moods and emotions.

Another suggests that they have a life force or vitality that can affect the body in unique ways.

Matters not how, only that it does have the smell to help reduce your stress.

Aromatherapy is generally used via:

• Inhalation: taken into your body through breathing using a diffuser or placing drops of essential oils near your nose
• Topical: applied to the surface of your body generally by massage, bathwater or lotions

Essential oils are rarely taken by mouth and studies have found that they have antibacterial effects when applied to the skin.

Allergic reactions and skin irritation may occur, especially when essential oils are left on the skin for a long period. Sun sensitivity may develop with some essential oils which are applied prior to your sun exposure.

Improve your fitness through stress reduction and management in your aromatherapy tub and let its essential oils aroma give your mind peace for a good night’s sleep followed by a quality fitness workout tomorrow.