Breathing is the mechanical aspect of respiration in vertebrates. It is normally an involuntary act under the controll of the autonomic nervous system of vertebrates. The regions of the brain that control breath are located in the hind brain - pons and medulla oblongata. The pneumotaxic center (PNC) and the apneustic center (APC) are located in the pons, while respiratory groups of neurons - dorsal respiratory group (DRG) and ventral respiratory group - are found in the medulla oblongata.
However, the higher center -- the neocortex -- always controls the lower centers of the brain where the apneustic center is located. Therefore, no matter the fact that breathing is an involuntary neural process, it can still be controlled by the voluntary level of the brain -- the higher center. Hence, one can voluntarily take a deep breath.
The benefits of deep breathing
Deep breathing improves ventilation by reducing dead space air as it impacts tidal volume, respiratory reserve volume, end reserve volume, inspiratoy capacity and other breathing dimensions of the lungs. Dead space of the lung is the part where air does not make contact with capillaries for exchange between the blood and ambient air.
The brain is favored by high levels of oxygen in the blood and hampered by low blood oxygen partial pressure -- hypoxia. Therefore, breathing deep means more oxygen to the lungs, reduced dead space air, more oxygen to the blood, more neuronal energy, and high mental resolution or acuity.
Breathing deep has a relaxing effect on the brain owing to a certain feedback mechanism in the brain. By breathing deep, anxiety and fear are minimized -- if not cancelled.
Stress and depression can both be handled through regular doses of deep breathing as it changes negative thought patterns and improves brain alpha waves which studies have linked to relaxation.
Deep breathing has also been shown to increase attention span, improve mental focus and acuity.Therefore, deep breathing is brain-friendly and counters cognitive decline.
Festus C. Anaba, B Med.
Monday, January 28, 2019
Thursday, January 24, 2019
HOW TO FIGHT OFF FEARS THAT CAUSE COGNITIVE DECLINE
Our world is full of uncertainties, troubles and dangers. These unavoidable realities of life keep people in constant fear and discomfort, even when fears are unfounded and unnecessary. This has plunged so many people into situations of chronic fear or fear conditioning.
Regrettably, every case of fear starts from the brain after being stimulated by the senses in connection with goings on around, and also abstract thinking. This, as shown by so many evidences, impacts brain health so negatively, especially its cognitive functions. And not surprisingly, so many brain diseases such as stroke, dementia, psychosis, schizophrenia and so on have been correlated with fear.
Thanks to the evidences gathered from several studies, some antidotes to the ugly monster -- fear -- have been uncovered. These antidotes are not chemotherapeutic. They are surprisingly simple practices including:
Allowing your rational self control your natural self
Fear as a natural behavior, marked by the absence of courage, and short-circuits every rational process in the brain, making anyone under its influence to act irrationally and impulsively. This results in chains of mistakes and damage. Therefore, it is important to allow reasoning to set in as fast as possible in any event of fear.
Working on your beliefs
Every courageous man has an operative convention. The man David was able to confront and defeat Goliath owing to his belief. He believed he was smarter, more experienced and better skilled in his fighting method than his opponent, Goliath. To validate and consolidate that, he made some acclamations and proclamations to show his strong belief in his God before Goliath. In the end, he was victorious. The character, 'Jaguar', in the movie, "apocalipto", also showcased this attribute. You should try it.
Learning to accept realities
Don't be afraid of the unknown. Be realistic. See your contributions as an honour and privilege. Don't see your self as unworthy to be in any place, or to meet any person. Most of the things we fear are not true.
Getting regular and adequate doses of laughter
Laughter correlates positively with confidence and courage. It has a way of countering fear by enhancing the release of feel-good, pain-killer and antidepressant neurotransmitters such as dopamine, endorphins, serotonin and others which block fear pathways in the brain. Therefore, getting regular doses of laughter is a roadmap to courage and improved brain health and power.
Mastering your fears
Taking time to understudy and understand what worries and makes you fear neutralizes and circumvents your fears and makes you more rational and creative.
Focusing on your strength and not your weaknesses
So many evidences show that people are more productive and successful when they exhibit confidence in what they can do. Trying not to be any other person but themselves. This attitude has been shown to boost people's creativity.
Planning your approach to issues
Delving into the execution of tasks without proper planning may result in failure which may lead to loss of confidence, reduced self-worth and fear of another failure. This may result in a vicious cycle of fear which hampers creativity and productivity.
Be behind the wheels of your life
Do something about anything that weighs you down. Avoid jobs or relationships that still your joy. Be active with positive activities. Try new things. Associate with people that make you happy. All these make your life beautiful, and your brain healthy and powerful.
Festus C. Anaba, B Med.
Regrettably, every case of fear starts from the brain after being stimulated by the senses in connection with goings on around, and also abstract thinking. This, as shown by so many evidences, impacts brain health so negatively, especially its cognitive functions. And not surprisingly, so many brain diseases such as stroke, dementia, psychosis, schizophrenia and so on have been correlated with fear.
Thanks to the evidences gathered from several studies, some antidotes to the ugly monster -- fear -- have been uncovered. These antidotes are not chemotherapeutic. They are surprisingly simple practices including:
Allowing your rational self control your natural self
Fear as a natural behavior, marked by the absence of courage, and short-circuits every rational process in the brain, making anyone under its influence to act irrationally and impulsively. This results in chains of mistakes and damage. Therefore, it is important to allow reasoning to set in as fast as possible in any event of fear.
Working on your beliefs
Every courageous man has an operative convention. The man David was able to confront and defeat Goliath owing to his belief. He believed he was smarter, more experienced and better skilled in his fighting method than his opponent, Goliath. To validate and consolidate that, he made some acclamations and proclamations to show his strong belief in his God before Goliath. In the end, he was victorious. The character, 'Jaguar', in the movie, "apocalipto", also showcased this attribute. You should try it.
Learning to accept realities
Don't be afraid of the unknown. Be realistic. See your contributions as an honour and privilege. Don't see your self as unworthy to be in any place, or to meet any person. Most of the things we fear are not true.
Getting regular and adequate doses of laughter
Laughter correlates positively with confidence and courage. It has a way of countering fear by enhancing the release of feel-good, pain-killer and antidepressant neurotransmitters such as dopamine, endorphins, serotonin and others which block fear pathways in the brain. Therefore, getting regular doses of laughter is a roadmap to courage and improved brain health and power.
Mastering your fears
Taking time to understudy and understand what worries and makes you fear neutralizes and circumvents your fears and makes you more rational and creative.
Focusing on your strength and not your weaknesses
So many evidences show that people are more productive and successful when they exhibit confidence in what they can do. Trying not to be any other person but themselves. This attitude has been shown to boost people's creativity.
Planning your approach to issues
Delving into the execution of tasks without proper planning may result in failure which may lead to loss of confidence, reduced self-worth and fear of another failure. This may result in a vicious cycle of fear which hampers creativity and productivity.
Be behind the wheels of your life
Do something about anything that weighs you down. Avoid jobs or relationships that still your joy. Be active with positive activities. Try new things. Associate with people that make you happy. All these make your life beautiful, and your brain healthy and powerful.
Festus C. Anaba, B Med.
Saturday, January 19, 2019
WHEN FEAR ATTACKS THE BRAIN
Fear is the absence of courage. But courage is only the mastery of fear, and not the absence of it. Fear is a physiologic, and psychologically normal response to a perceived danger. It is a primeval behavior of animal -- both macroscopic and microscopic animals.
Both the physiology and psychology of fear have been extensively studied. These studies have shone very bright light on the process of fear and the possible ways of managing it.
Many studies have proven that fear attacks the brain in several ways that cause so many negative physiological and psychological effects.
How the brain processes and responds to fear
Fear respose in the brain starts from the thalamus which receives signals from the senses. From the thalamus, the signals take any of the two fear signaling pathways in the brain -- the low road and high road.
When the signals are life-threatening , they get fast to the amygdala through the low road. This causes the hypothalamus to stir up the adrenal gland to release hormones that facilitate the flow of blood into the muscles to energize them for escape.
Fear signals get to the amygdala through the high road when they are not from life-threatening sources. The amygdala communicates to the pre-frontal cortex which modulates and relays it to the hippocampus - the brains memory center - to compare the present threat with the previous ones. When it confirms it is not from a life-threatening source, the hippocampus elevates the senses to very high levels for defense or escape (fight-or-flight) response in a split second.
The negative effects of fear
Fear short-circuits more rational processing pathways in the brain and causes the brain react swiftly the level of the amygdala.
An overwhelming situation known as fear conditioning result from fear. This is the production of similar physical and emotional responses whenever sights sounds, other contextual dedetails of the former event is stumbled upon. This happens most times without the sufferer noticing.
Fear causes people to act unethically. It can cause chronic depression, fatigue and fast ageing.
Long-term memory creation is slowed down by fear. It damages the hippocampus and short-circuits the response pathways.
Fear can cause constant feeling of anxiety. It skyrockets impulsive tendencies. It tricks the mind into believing what is not real.
Festus C. Anaba, B Med.
Both the physiology and psychology of fear have been extensively studied. These studies have shone very bright light on the process of fear and the possible ways of managing it.
Many studies have proven that fear attacks the brain in several ways that cause so many negative physiological and psychological effects.
How the brain processes and responds to fear
Fear respose in the brain starts from the thalamus which receives signals from the senses. From the thalamus, the signals take any of the two fear signaling pathways in the brain -- the low road and high road.
When the signals are life-threatening , they get fast to the amygdala through the low road. This causes the hypothalamus to stir up the adrenal gland to release hormones that facilitate the flow of blood into the muscles to energize them for escape.
Fear signals get to the amygdala through the high road when they are not from life-threatening sources. The amygdala communicates to the pre-frontal cortex which modulates and relays it to the hippocampus - the brains memory center - to compare the present threat with the previous ones. When it confirms it is not from a life-threatening source, the hippocampus elevates the senses to very high levels for defense or escape (fight-or-flight) response in a split second.
The negative effects of fear
Fear short-circuits more rational processing pathways in the brain and causes the brain react swiftly the level of the amygdala.
An overwhelming situation known as fear conditioning result from fear. This is the production of similar physical and emotional responses whenever sights sounds, other contextual dedetails of the former event is stumbled upon. This happens most times without the sufferer noticing.
Fear causes people to act unethically. It can cause chronic depression, fatigue and fast ageing.
Long-term memory creation is slowed down by fear. It damages the hippocampus and short-circuits the response pathways.
Fear can cause constant feeling of anxiety. It skyrockets impulsive tendencies. It tricks the mind into believing what is not real.
Festus C. Anaba, B Med.
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
HOW YOUR POSTURE IMPACTS YOUR BRAIN
Posture
Posture is the way we hold our bodies when we sit, stand, walk or lie down.
In their research, a social psychologist of the Harvard Business School, Amy Cuddy and her colleagues in 2010 found that posture affects brain chemistry and the way we see our selves, when they related posture to change in brain chemistry and behavior.
The change in one's brain chemistry goes a long way to affect their mood, learning, memory and sense of confidence. Cuddy and her group were able to establish this by comparing, two groups of students -- high-power pose and low-power pose groups.They observed all blinding protocols to avoid watering down the accuracy of their results. And they found that high-power pose group had their testosterone levels shoot up and cortisol levels lowered, while the low-power pose had their testosterone levels lowered and cortisol level elevated. Testosterone is a male sex hormone linked to power and self-confidence, while cortisol is a stress hormone liked to fear and depression.
Having known how posture affects the brain, let's get to know what postures to continually avoid or maintain.
Bad Postures
Bad posture is sitting, standing, walking or lying badly against gravity. Some of the postures to be avoided as bad postures include:
- Forward head posture (FHP)
The effective weight of the head is felt most while assuming this posture which is almost like slow decapitation. To confirm this, stand for a long time working with your hand-held phone slouching. This posture also cuts down the volume of the thoracic cavity, and in extension, lung capacity resulting in low oxygen delivery to the brain. Low oxygen supply to the brain translates to low brain performance.
- Low-power pose.
- Lying with your knee drawn to the chest.
- Lying on the stomach to sleep is not very good.
Good Postures
Good posture is sitting, standing, walking and lying well against gravity.
The following are postures that enhance brain health and IQ:
- Sit with your trunk and head at 90 degrees with the seat.
- At work, adjust your chair height and work station so you can sit up close to the work well tilted up at you. Then rest your elbows and arms on your chair or desk, keeping your shoulders relaxed
- Sleep with a pillow under your knees or a lumber roll under your lower back. Or, sleep on your side with your knees slightly bent.
Lie decently, sit right, stand straight, pose well and walk tall for optimum brain health and IQ.
Festus C. Anaba, B Med.
Posture is the way we hold our bodies when we sit, stand, walk or lie down.
In their research, a social psychologist of the Harvard Business School, Amy Cuddy and her colleagues in 2010 found that posture affects brain chemistry and the way we see our selves, when they related posture to change in brain chemistry and behavior.
The change in one's brain chemistry goes a long way to affect their mood, learning, memory and sense of confidence. Cuddy and her group were able to establish this by comparing, two groups of students -- high-power pose and low-power pose groups.They observed all blinding protocols to avoid watering down the accuracy of their results. And they found that high-power pose group had their testosterone levels shoot up and cortisol levels lowered, while the low-power pose had their testosterone levels lowered and cortisol level elevated. Testosterone is a male sex hormone linked to power and self-confidence, while cortisol is a stress hormone liked to fear and depression.
Having known how posture affects the brain, let's get to know what postures to continually avoid or maintain.
Bad Postures
Bad posture is sitting, standing, walking or lying badly against gravity. Some of the postures to be avoided as bad postures include:
- Forward head posture (FHP)
The effective weight of the head is felt most while assuming this posture which is almost like slow decapitation. To confirm this, stand for a long time working with your hand-held phone slouching. This posture also cuts down the volume of the thoracic cavity, and in extension, lung capacity resulting in low oxygen delivery to the brain. Low oxygen supply to the brain translates to low brain performance.
- Low-power pose.
- Lying with your knee drawn to the chest.
- Lying on the stomach to sleep is not very good.
Good Postures
Good posture is sitting, standing, walking and lying well against gravity.
The following are postures that enhance brain health and IQ:
- Sit with your trunk and head at 90 degrees with the seat.
- At work, adjust your chair height and work station so you can sit up close to the work well tilted up at you. Then rest your elbows and arms on your chair or desk, keeping your shoulders relaxed
- Sleep with a pillow under your knees or a lumber roll under your lower back. Or, sleep on your side with your knees slightly bent.
Lie decently, sit right, stand straight, pose well and walk tall for optimum brain health and IQ.
Festus C. Anaba, B Med.
Friday, January 11, 2019
HOW QUALITY SLEEP OVERHAULS AND REPAIRS THE BRAIN AND BOOSTS IQ
Sleep is a reversible physiological state and brain process in which an individual has little or no response to environmental stimuli. Humans spend about one-third of their lives sleeping.
The Physiology of Sleep
There are two types of sleep:
- The slow wave or non rapid eye movement (NREP) sleep and
- Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
The slow wave or NREM sleep is of four stages which are categorized according to their frequencies into 1,2,3and4 stages. The REM sleep is sometimes called stage 5 sleep by physiologists. Each of the stages of sleep has its own unique characteristics depicted by its brain wave patterns, eye movements, and muscle tone.
The sleep-wake cycle is controlled by circadian rhythms and the daily rhythm in physiology and behavior.
The interplay of two major processes - one that up-regulates sleep and one that up-regulates wakefulness - is thought to control sleep-wake system. This system is linked to the reticular activating system (RAS) of the brain.
Sleep also involves neurotransmitters and hormones that that linked to the circadian rhythm.
Sleep is marked by physiological changes in the body - mainly in the nervous system.
Parts of the Brain Implicated in Sleep
The structures of the brain that are actively involved in sleep and wake cycle include:
- The regular activating system.
- The red nucleus.
- The basal ganglia.
- The pineal gland and others.
Some other parts such as the hindbrain (medulla and pons), the midbrain, the forebrain (diencephalon and telencephalon) are also connected in sleep process, though not actively.
Quality Sleep and Brain Health
Sleep and wakefulness both emanate from the reticular activating system (RAS) of the brain. The RAS is made up of certain neurons associated with wakefulness. When these neurons are charged with enough energy, the brain works optimally and this makes one to be wide awake. But when these neurons are exhausted and weak after so many hours of work, sleep spontaneously sets in. And the brain starts performing below par.
Sleep can take the form of a power nap, which has been shown to recharge the brain speedily when grows weak, according to a study carried out in the USA in 2017, or, a long quality sleep.
Noteworthy is the fact that poor quality sleep full of disturbances is counterproductive. This will even be hazardous to brain health and IQ.
It is therefore, reinvigorating to have adequate quality sleep as and when required. This has long been found to rejuvenate and recharge the neurons - keeping them young and active all the time. This way, brain health is maintained, and IQ is boosted.
Good sleep, good thinking, good products!
Festus C. Anaba, B Med.
The Physiology of Sleep
There are two types of sleep:
- The slow wave or non rapid eye movement (NREP) sleep and
- Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
The slow wave or NREM sleep is of four stages which are categorized according to their frequencies into 1,2,3and4 stages. The REM sleep is sometimes called stage 5 sleep by physiologists. Each of the stages of sleep has its own unique characteristics depicted by its brain wave patterns, eye movements, and muscle tone.
The sleep-wake cycle is controlled by circadian rhythms and the daily rhythm in physiology and behavior.
The interplay of two major processes - one that up-regulates sleep and one that up-regulates wakefulness - is thought to control sleep-wake system. This system is linked to the reticular activating system (RAS) of the brain.
Sleep also involves neurotransmitters and hormones that that linked to the circadian rhythm.
Sleep is marked by physiological changes in the body - mainly in the nervous system.
Parts of the Brain Implicated in Sleep
The structures of the brain that are actively involved in sleep and wake cycle include:
- The regular activating system.
- The red nucleus.
- The basal ganglia.
- The pineal gland and others.
Some other parts such as the hindbrain (medulla and pons), the midbrain, the forebrain (diencephalon and telencephalon) are also connected in sleep process, though not actively.
Quality Sleep and Brain Health
Sleep and wakefulness both emanate from the reticular activating system (RAS) of the brain. The RAS is made up of certain neurons associated with wakefulness. When these neurons are charged with enough energy, the brain works optimally and this makes one to be wide awake. But when these neurons are exhausted and weak after so many hours of work, sleep spontaneously sets in. And the brain starts performing below par.
Sleep can take the form of a power nap, which has been shown to recharge the brain speedily when grows weak, according to a study carried out in the USA in 2017, or, a long quality sleep.
Noteworthy is the fact that poor quality sleep full of disturbances is counterproductive. This will even be hazardous to brain health and IQ.
It is therefore, reinvigorating to have adequate quality sleep as and when required. This has long been found to rejuvenate and recharge the neurons - keeping them young and active all the time. This way, brain health is maintained, and IQ is boosted.
Good sleep, good thinking, good products!
Festus C. Anaba, B Med.
Thursday, January 10, 2019
BRAIN AND MUSCLES: TWIN FOR GOOD
Exercise
Exercise is movement of the body while executing a specific task. It could be a normal daily work or a regimented physical exercise aimed at improving physical and mental (brain) health.
Types of exercise include:
Light exercise - as in walking.
Moderate exercise - takes one a little out of breath as in walking up a hill.
Vigorous exercise - takes one out of breath as in running.
Physical exercise is also categorized into:
Aerobic exercise - as in jogging, dancing,etc and
Anaerobic exercise - as in weight lifting, sprint and exercise that involves muscle exertion).
Another categorization include:
Dynamic exercise - change of position as in running or walking.
Static exercise - done at a spot.
Dynamic or aerobic exercise is more preferable for brain health maintenance and IQ boost, as every part of body benefits from the improved blood flow - especially the brain.
Physical exercise has been found to significantly power the brain for intellectual exercise. It involves the movement of the body through contraction and relaxation of the muscles.
So many benefits accompany the contraction and relaxation of the muscles.
Brain
Most of the benefits of muscle contraction and relaxation during exercise reflect mostly on mental health and IQ.
Through the use of modern medical equipment such as Electroencephalograph (EEG), Proton Emission Thomography (PET) machine and functional Magnetic Resonance Imagery (fMRI) scanner, studying the brain, especially in its active mode, has become easier. This has made the study of the brain in regards to exercise almost like a stroll in the park.
Several studies have beamed some rays of light on the anatomical, physiological and psychological effects of exercise on the brain.
Anatomical effects
A certain recent study correlated exercise with increase in the size of the hippocampus which is the brain region responsible for learning and memory. This enlargement is related to the increased volume of grey matter in the hippocampus.
Another study correlated the shrinkage of the amygdala which is the part of the responsible for processing of fear, stress and anxiety with exercise.
Physiological effects
Increased levels of endocannabinoids (cannabis receptors) have been recently linked to exercise. This partly explains the elevation of mood associated with exercise.
A litany of hormones have also been found released in connection with exercise.
Vasdilatation of cerebral blood vessels occurs during exercise allowing adequate flow of blood loaded with oxygen, glucose and other nutrients into brain through the cerebral arteries and outflow of waste-filled blood which would, otherwise, harm the brain, through the cerebral veins.
Cerebral angiogenesis (growth of new blood vessels in the cerebrum) has been linked to exercise.
New findings also reveal that more active people have more acetylcholine receptors than less active people at neuronal synapses. As already x-rayed in earlier posts on this blog, acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter for learning and memory.
New neurons are generated in connection with exercise (neurogenesis). This results in new synapses and increased neuroplasticity for spring-loading the brain with new information resulting in improved skills.
Psychbiological effects
Moderate exercise was found in a recent study to improve abstract thinking, learning and memory.
Exercise has been exploited from antiquity in mood elevation.
These good effects of exercise on the brain, ultimately enhance mental health and IQ.
Festus C. Anaba, B Med.
Exercise is movement of the body while executing a specific task. It could be a normal daily work or a regimented physical exercise aimed at improving physical and mental (brain) health.
Types of exercise include:
Light exercise - as in walking.
Moderate exercise - takes one a little out of breath as in walking up a hill.
Vigorous exercise - takes one out of breath as in running.
Physical exercise is also categorized into:
Aerobic exercise - as in jogging, dancing,etc and
Anaerobic exercise - as in weight lifting, sprint and exercise that involves muscle exertion).
Another categorization include:
Dynamic exercise - change of position as in running or walking.
Static exercise - done at a spot.
Dynamic or aerobic exercise is more preferable for brain health maintenance and IQ boost, as every part of body benefits from the improved blood flow - especially the brain.
Physical exercise has been found to significantly power the brain for intellectual exercise. It involves the movement of the body through contraction and relaxation of the muscles.
So many benefits accompany the contraction and relaxation of the muscles.
Brain
Most of the benefits of muscle contraction and relaxation during exercise reflect mostly on mental health and IQ.
Through the use of modern medical equipment such as Electroencephalograph (EEG), Proton Emission Thomography (PET) machine and functional Magnetic Resonance Imagery (fMRI) scanner, studying the brain, especially in its active mode, has become easier. This has made the study of the brain in regards to exercise almost like a stroll in the park.
Several studies have beamed some rays of light on the anatomical, physiological and psychological effects of exercise on the brain.
Anatomical effects
A certain recent study correlated exercise with increase in the size of the hippocampus which is the brain region responsible for learning and memory. This enlargement is related to the increased volume of grey matter in the hippocampus.
Another study correlated the shrinkage of the amygdala which is the part of the responsible for processing of fear, stress and anxiety with exercise.
Physiological effects
Increased levels of endocannabinoids (cannabis receptors) have been recently linked to exercise. This partly explains the elevation of mood associated with exercise.
A litany of hormones have also been found released in connection with exercise.
Vasdilatation of cerebral blood vessels occurs during exercise allowing adequate flow of blood loaded with oxygen, glucose and other nutrients into brain through the cerebral arteries and outflow of waste-filled blood which would, otherwise, harm the brain, through the cerebral veins.
Cerebral angiogenesis (growth of new blood vessels in the cerebrum) has been linked to exercise.
New findings also reveal that more active people have more acetylcholine receptors than less active people at neuronal synapses. As already x-rayed in earlier posts on this blog, acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter for learning and memory.
New neurons are generated in connection with exercise (neurogenesis). This results in new synapses and increased neuroplasticity for spring-loading the brain with new information resulting in improved skills.
Psychbiological effects
Moderate exercise was found in a recent study to improve abstract thinking, learning and memory.
Exercise has been exploited from antiquity in mood elevation.
These good effects of exercise on the brain, ultimately enhance mental health and IQ.
Festus C. Anaba, B Med.
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
MEDITATION, BRAIN HEALTH AND IQ
Meditation
When the brain is constantly stimulated, its power improves infinitely. No one is born a genius. The very few famous and celebrated geniuses the has ever had such as Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, William Shakespeare, Isaac Newton, Bernard Nobel, Ben Carson Michael Faraday, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg and so on, were born with their minds like 'tabular rasa' as it is with every other person. Some of these geniuses were labeled morons or dullards during their early school days, but they later turned out to be the greatest minds that have ever existed in the world. So many of these outstanding individuals attribute their mental strength to their attitude of meditation.
Meditation has been proven to be one of the most efficacious ways of uncovering the latent powers of the brain. It is a means of transforming the mind through the application of certain skills or techniques such as mindfulness or focusing of mind on a particular object, thought or activity in order to train attention and awareness for the achievement of emotional, physical and intellectual wellbeing. It could take concentrative or mindfulness form.
A simple way to meditate
A simple way to meditate is to close the eyes and pay attention to the breathe. Then, tense up the muscles and relax them. Bring back the mind when it wonders and refocus attention to the breathe. Do this for five or ten minutes to relax and put the mind in the right position to perform optimally.
The eruption of mental potentials
Meditation has so many ways of erupting the underlying mental potentials. During meditation, the following scenarios occur:
Activities tend to be reduced to the minimum in several areas o. the brain such as the frontal areas, parietal lobe, thalamus, reticular formations to charge the brain with the momentum for potential eruption of ideas.
Reduction in the beta waves in the brain.
Large amounts of grey matter are formed in the hippocampus and frontal areas of the brain which are linked to more positive emotions, sharper focus on life goals and steadier emotional balance.
Reduces activity in the brain's 'me center' which is linked to anxiety and depression.
Reduces activity in the brain's default mode network which is linked to random wandering of thought when the brain is at rest.
All these and many more positive impacts of meditation on the brain support the maximal release of the brain's latent potentials by ploughing its various areas and stirring it up for positive action.
The fruits of meditation
The fruits of meditation could be physiological or psychological.
Physiological
Lowered state of physical arousal.
Reduced respiration rate.
Changes in brain wave pattern
Lowered stress.
Reduction in age-related effect on the grey matter.
Psychological
Lowered anxiety and depression.
Improved mood.
Improved concentration and attention.
Improves social anxiety disorder.
Helping with addiction.
Improved cognitive ability.
Enhanced of working memory and fluid intelligence.
All these and many more are the good fruits of meditation that have been exploited right from antiquity, even when the knowledge of the benefits was still rudimentary.
Festus C. Anaba, B Med.
When the brain is constantly stimulated, its power improves infinitely. No one is born a genius. The very few famous and celebrated geniuses the has ever had such as Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, William Shakespeare, Isaac Newton, Bernard Nobel, Ben Carson Michael Faraday, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg and so on, were born with their minds like 'tabular rasa' as it is with every other person. Some of these geniuses were labeled morons or dullards during their early school days, but they later turned out to be the greatest minds that have ever existed in the world. So many of these outstanding individuals attribute their mental strength to their attitude of meditation.
Meditation has been proven to be one of the most efficacious ways of uncovering the latent powers of the brain. It is a means of transforming the mind through the application of certain skills or techniques such as mindfulness or focusing of mind on a particular object, thought or activity in order to train attention and awareness for the achievement of emotional, physical and intellectual wellbeing. It could take concentrative or mindfulness form.
A simple way to meditate
A simple way to meditate is to close the eyes and pay attention to the breathe. Then, tense up the muscles and relax them. Bring back the mind when it wonders and refocus attention to the breathe. Do this for five or ten minutes to relax and put the mind in the right position to perform optimally.
The eruption of mental potentials
Meditation has so many ways of erupting the underlying mental potentials. During meditation, the following scenarios occur:
Activities tend to be reduced to the minimum in several areas o. the brain such as the frontal areas, parietal lobe, thalamus, reticular formations to charge the brain with the momentum for potential eruption of ideas.
Reduction in the beta waves in the brain.
Large amounts of grey matter are formed in the hippocampus and frontal areas of the brain which are linked to more positive emotions, sharper focus on life goals and steadier emotional balance.
Reduces activity in the brain's 'me center' which is linked to anxiety and depression.
Reduces activity in the brain's default mode network which is linked to random wandering of thought when the brain is at rest.
All these and many more positive impacts of meditation on the brain support the maximal release of the brain's latent potentials by ploughing its various areas and stirring it up for positive action.
The fruits of meditation
The fruits of meditation could be physiological or psychological.
Physiological
Lowered state of physical arousal.
Reduced respiration rate.
Changes in brain wave pattern
Lowered stress.
Reduction in age-related effect on the grey matter.
Psychological
Lowered anxiety and depression.
Improved mood.
Improved concentration and attention.
Improves social anxiety disorder.
Helping with addiction.
Improved cognitive ability.
Enhanced of working memory and fluid intelligence.
All these and many more are the good fruits of meditation that have been exploited right from antiquity, even when the knowledge of the benefits was still rudimentary.
Festus C. Anaba, B Med.
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