Global Ecovillage Network/Solution Library/Balancing mind & body

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How to use stress in your favour and avoid diseases, in spite of the challenges of modern life.

It’s not stress that kills us, it is our reaction to it.

— Hans Selye

Understanding what stress is and having a daily practice that balances your mind and body system. Stress is a response of our fight or flight system. This mechanism is very efficient when we face an emergency such as a dangerous predator; our sympathetic nervous system is activated, making all of our body alert by releasing adrenaline into our blood. However, if we go through a prolonged period of stress, the hormone released is cortisol, which in the long run becomes a poisonous to our health.

Some of the most important factors in a balanced routine include: ­

• Breathing – if you can only do one thing, learn to breathe deeply.
• Relaxation – meditation, yoga, walking in nature.
• Sleep – having enough sleep regularly .
• Exercise – exercising releases good hormones, such as serotonin and dopamine which counteract the negative effects of cortisol.
• Balanced diet – a balanced diet promotes health and prevents diseases.
• Hugs – hugs of at least 20 seconds’ duration increase the production of oxytocin (assuming you like hugs!).
• Whatever works for your well­being. Find your own practice!

• Mindfulness & Self Reflection.

• http://healmindbody.com/medical­care/stress/, retrieved: March 27, 2015.
• https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/head­toe­happiness/201006/what­is­mind ­body­medicine, retrieved: March 27, 2015.*
• http://hms.harvard.edu/news/genetics/mind­body­genomics­5­1­13, retrieved: March 27, 2015, submitted by Nara.*