Highlights

World Hypertension Day 2020: Blood pressure which can be diagnosed as low or high pressure is classified as hypotension and hypertension. Worldwide there are an estimated 972 million people who suffer from the condition of blood pressure. This large number makes up about 26% of the world's population with hypertension. Work-related stress can set off the cycle of unhealthy living with improper sleep, food that does not meet your body's nutritional needs, irregular sleeping and eating hours, loss of appetite and more are some reasons behind high blood pressure. Blood pressure is an important part of how the heart and blood circulation work in the human body. It is defined medically as the pressure of your blood on the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps it around your body. High blood pressure can be effectively controlled with healthy lifestyle. Yoga can also help you fight hypertension and control the risk of diseases linked with it.

Breathing Methodology

Inhale and exhale normally while practicing this asana

Also read:High Blood Pressure Remedies: These Teas Can Lower Your Blood Pressure Numbers Naturally

This is the only pose that can be done on a full stomach. In fact, it should be done right after having a meal.

Vajrasana can be done on a full stomach Photo Credit: iStock

Word of Advice

Practitioners suffering from knee issues should refrain from performing this asana

Also read:Hypertension: Can Yoga Reduce Blood Pressure? Know 5 Best Yoga Poses For High Blood Pressure

Hypertension Day: Yoga can help boost overall health Photo Credit: iStock

Inhalation and exhalation should be done in a 1:1 ratio. For example, if you breathe in for 6 counts, you must take 6 counts to exhale

Duration: You may begin by practicing this breathing technique for five minutes a day and gradually increase it with time.

High blood pressure can damage your blood vessels and organs, especially the brain, heart, eyes, and kidneys. If left untreated it can cause potentially life-threatening conditions like heart attacks, strokes, renal disorder and vascular dementia.

Also read:Hypertension: This Summer Fruit Can Help You Control High Blood Pressure; Know How It Works

Early detection combined with yoga, intake of nutritious food eating, proper sleep can help in lowering your blood pressure levels. It is important to consult your medical physician before you start yoga. Yoga does not recommend specific standing poses, back bends, and inversions if you have hypertension. Therefore, make sure you practice under the guidance of a yoga teacher to make sure that the poses are safe for you. Meditation techniques such as Siddho Hum Dhyan, Ropan Dhyan and Siddho Hum Kriya will also work to reverse the condition of blood pressure.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. NDTV is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

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World Hypertension Day 2020: Expert Suggests These Yoga Poses To Fight High Blood Pressure - NDTV

Sydney, 2020: Yoga and meditation have boomed during COVID-19, the increased uptake celebrated this Meditation Day 2020.

Meditation and yoga have seen an increase in uptake with people social-distancing seeking to keep active while staying indoors. With yoga studios forced to close due to Government restrictions, many moved their classes online including Sydney Yoga Collective (SYC).

SYC Founder and Head Yogi, Casey Castro, said: Moving classes online to our on demand model has increased our student reach tenfold. We are now reaching students all over Australia, Asia, the US, and Russia.

With all the uncertainty around quarantine, social distancing, and working from home, we have seen a huge increase in wellness. People are turning to alternative ways to manage their bodies and mind. Our students are taking the time to move slowly, move with purpose and become more mindful in their everyday lives.

Yoga and meditation has also extended into work-life, with Corporate Wellness expert Rob Lyon and founder of Lyon Health offering regular classes for his c-suite clientele.

Its been fantastic to see so many of my corporate clients encouraging their employees to partake in regular yoga and meditation classes. With so much happening right now, stress and anxiety are rife. These simple activities offer a fantastic way for the staff both employees and employers to relax the body and mind, offering clarity, improving mental health, and increasing their productivity and work output for the rest of the day.

I think its also important for employees to see their employers care for their mental wellbeing. It makes a real difference to company morale, and we all need a bit more support right now in the Coronavirus environment.

Australian law firm, Chambers Russell, is offering employees and staff regular yoga and meditation classes with Rob. James Blake, one of the Partners at the firm, has been a regular attender.

A big part of our culture is geared towards assisting staff with maintaining physical and mental well-being . . . It was a natural progression to carry that over to COVID-19. In fact, it was probably more important than ever given the mental wellbeing challenges that came with enforced isolation and changing the way we work completely.

Personally, I can attest to feeling significantly better and being more productive on days when I have attended yoga with Rob.

For more information, please contact Account Coordinator Sophie Richardson on [emailprotected]

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PRESS RELEASE: Boom of yoga and meditation celebrated this World Meditation Day 2020 - Media Database - Get the Word Out

In may, Game of Thrones drew to a close after eight intense seasons. Although finite, the series allows actors to build sustainable links. This is the case between Emilia Clarke and Rose Leslieinterpret, respectively, Daenerys Targaryen and the wildvine Ygritte. The two Brits have even decided to go on vacation this summer together, in the direction of India.

Reading, yoga, spirituality On the spot, the hour was at rest and the discovery of new cultures. On his account Instagram, Emilia Clarke has had the pleasure to share a few pictures of his stay, as well as a story particularly hilarious. This is not an advertisement, but just two girls in the charm of India, in peace, just to get rob in their hotel room by monkeys, writes the British the age of 32 years. On one of the photos revealed, we can indeed see two primates standing on the coffee table in the small living room. Far from being scared, the latter draws blithely fruit in a generous cup, while the other two seem to cast their sights on other table. We didnt beat them !, commented with humor the famous mother of dragons.

In the video, Kit Harington background in tears reading the end of Game of Thrones

Two fractures aneurysm

Hilarious, many internet users reacted to the publication of the British. The latter was recently revealed to have been a victim of two fractures aneurysm after the filming of season 1 of Game of Thrones. I was trying to dress me up in the locker room of the gym in Crouch End () when I started to feel an intense migraine, says the young woman in a long tribune published in the New Yorker. I went to the toilet, I fell to my knees and I began to vomit profusely. The pain was worse. I immediately knew that my brain was affected. Emilia Clarke undergoes the same day, an operation for three hours, and out of the hospital, a month later, to do the promo from the series planet. In 2013, a second aneurysm would take her back to surgery. If its going a lot better since then, the actress-star now intends to enjoy every moment.

The evolution mode of Emilia Clarke

Related Post: 5 things you didn't know about the life of Emilia Clarke

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Yoga, reading, and burglary : the funny vacation of Emilia Clarke and Rose Leslie in India - D1SoftballNews.com

Cosmic kids' yoga offers the perfect introduction to yoga and mindfulness for little ones by combining super simple yoga moves with storytelling. So, if you're stuck for something to do this weekend, or want to introduce your little ones to the practice from as early an age as possible, this is certainly one to consider.

Used in schools and at home all over the world, stories include Frozen, Moana, Harry Potter, and other adventures, all of which are designed to keep kids entertained while they master the basic moves and begin to understand the importance of regular yoga practice.

Check out some of our favourite cosmic kids yoga videos below, then head over to our fitness hub page for more inspiration.

The beauty of cosmic kids' yoga is that it doesn't require any equipment, and can be accessed for free on YouTube. That said, if you're serious about introducing your little one to a regular yoga practice, it may be worth picking up the best yoga mat that they can enjoy for years to come.

Today's best yoga mats deals

Evolution Yoga Mat (Blue)

One of our favourite cosmic yoga videos is this Kids' Yoga & Mindfulness About Dogs which, as you might expect, provides an introduction to downward dog and other basic yoga poses. Plus, most kids love animals, so this one is sure to keep them entertained.

This Frozen Yoga adventure is another great option for little ones who can't get enough of the film.

We also love this Trolls Cosmic Kids yoga, which takes kids on an adventure with these super popular characters.

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Cosmic kids' yoga is GENIUS: try it this weekend with your little ones - Real Homes

A sub-inspector, who recovered from Covid-19 on May 7, has come out with an awareness video on his recovery process, stressing on having a balanced diet, coupled with breathing exercises and Yoga. The policeman was posted at JJ Marg, one of the police stations worst-hit by the pandemic.

Meanwhile, the Mumbai Police in western suburbs provided vaporisers to their personnel to clean their respiratory tracts and prevent them from getting infected. Over 538 police personnel in the city have been infected with Covid-19 and eight of them have died so far.

Sub-inspector Sham Bise, who made the recovery video, had high fever on April 26 and tested positive on May 1. Two days later, his wife also tested positive but was asymptomatic. On May 7, he recovered from the disease at a Thane hospital.

In the video he states, There is nothing to fear. A strong diet and Yoga boosted my immunity. I had a high fever since April 29 and it came down only on May 7. I was admitted to Vedant Hospital in Thane. Every morning, I gargled with warm salty water. I had two eggs and jaggery mixed with nuts every day. I ate dry fruits like almond, cashew nuts and dates. Before sleeping at night, I used to drink hot milk with turmeric, followed by warm water. I used to start my day with Yoga exercises like Pranayam and Kapalbharti to increase my breathing capacity.

The total number of infected police personnel at JJ Marg station in south Mumbai till Sunday rose to 59, of which 10 have recovered.

This includes 14 personnel from the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF). Sangramsinh Nishandar, deputy commissioner of police, zone 1 confirmed the development.

Senior police officers in the western suburbs (Bandra to Jogeshwari) have distributed steam vaporisers to their personnel. The policemen have been asked to use them twice a day to keep their respiratory tracts clean. It is a good initiative. But it is also important to take other safety measures like using PPE kits and maintaining social distancing, said Dr SM Patil, police surgeon.

Ankit Goyal, DCP, zone 10 said In my zone, we gave vaporisers to almost everyone. Some of them were bought from additional commissioner of polices (welfare) fund while others paid for it from their pocket.

4 police personnel in Thane test positive

Four police personnel, including an assistant commissioner of police (ACP) from Thane commissionerate, tested positive of Covid-19 on Sunday.

The 38-year-old ACP was posted at the administration department of the Thane commissionerate headquarters. The other police personnel were a 32-year-old police officer and two constables, from Wagale Estate and Kopri police stations respectively. The ACPs residential complex in Thane has been sealed.

(With inputs from Anamika Gharat)

Excerpt from:
Balanced diet, breathing exercises and Yoga helped boost immunity: Cop who recovered from Covid-19 - Hindustan Times

Kirsty Lowe, founder of Sweat Studios at The Hub, is hosting a classic yoga class suitable for all levels tomorrow (20/5) on Instagram.

It will take place on Sweat Studios' Instagram account, @sweatstudios, between 17:30 and 18:30.

Kirsty will teach the class live and will invite participants to make a donation, via Instagram Fundraisers, to NHS Charities Together.

Kirsty said: Our lives are changing in ways we could never imagine and it is taking its toll on our mental health. Practicing yoga is proven to not only keep us physically fit, but to relieve the stress and anxiety that so many of us are feeling right now.

"In Mental Health Awareness Week, Im inviting people to come together in a virtual yoga class and enjoy the uplifting experience when those feel-good hormones are released! At the same time, its an opportunity for people to donate to NHS Charities Together.

Sweat Studios is also running online classes daily from its studio at The Hub, Milton Keynes. Classes cost 7.50 and can be joined live and on demand and playback sessions as many times as you wish during a 7-day period.

Find out more here.

No new coronavirus deaths have been announced at Milton Keynes Hospital for the past four days.

A Milton Keynes Conservative councillor has apologised and will be referring himself to the Standards Committee after posting a controversial comment about immigration on social media.

It has been today (19/5) announced that residents in Downs Barn and Conniburrow now use Starship's delivery robots.

Today, 19th May, is World IBD Day a day of importance for MK Dons manager Russell Martin.

Dan and the team at local gym F45 are throwing open their virtual door on Sat 23 & 30 May supporting MacIntyre with their virtual fundraising event, Move with MacIntyre.

The MK Dons Sport and Education Trust (SET) continues to support the local community while most of the Stadium MK business is closed.

Police have received reports of shed break-ins in Milton Keynes recently, and have shared some crime prevention advice.

MK Dons Sport and Education Trust will be walking, running and cycling 200km to raise money for the NHS.

The owners of Intu have warned they may not be able to pay their debts on time unless they receive a grace period.

Costa Coffee have re-opened their branch at the Kingston Centre in Milton Keynes for take-away only.

Musica Charity Choir MK is inviting people to give a shout-out to the citys key workers and community groups by sending in thank you photos to be used in the choirs next Virtual Choir video.

The Coronavirus Lighthouse Lab in Milton Keynes is celebrating the completion of 500,000 tests,

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Sweat Studios is set to host a virtual yoga class and raise funds for the NHS - MKFM

Derived from the Sanskrit word yuji, meaning yoke or union, yoga is an ancient practice that brings together mind and body (1).

It incorporates breathing exercises, meditation and poses designed to encourage relaxation and reduce stress.

Practicing yoga is said to come with many benefits for both mental and physical health, though not all of these benefits have been backed by science.

This article takes a look at 13 evidence-based benefits of yoga.

Yoga is known for its ability to ease stress and promote relaxation.

In fact, multiple studies have shown that it can decrease the secretion of cortisol, the primary stress hormone (2, 3).

One study demonstrated the powerful effect of yoga on stress by following 24 women who perceived themselves as emotionally distressed.

After a three-month yoga program, the women had significantly lower levels of cortisol. They also had lower levels of stress, anxiety, fatigue and depression (4).

Another study of 131 people had similar results, showing that 10 weeks of yoga helped reduce stress and anxiety. It also helped improve quality of life and mental health (5).

When used alone or along with other methods of alleviating stress, such as meditation, yoga can be a powerful way to keep stress in check.

Many people begin practicing yoga as a way to cope with feelings of anxiety.

Interestingly enough, there is quite a bit of research showing that yoga can help reduce anxiety.

In one study, 34 women diagnosed with an anxiety disorder participated in yoga classes twice weekly for two months.

At the end of the study, those who practiced yoga had significantly lower levels of anxiety than the control group (6).

Another study followed 64 women with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is characterized by severe anxiety and fear following exposure to a traumatic event.

After 10 weeks, the women who practiced yoga once weekly had fewer symptoms of PTSD. In fact, 52% of participants no longer met the criteria for PTSD at all (7).

Its not entirely clear exactly how yoga is able to reduce symptoms of anxiety. However, it emphasizes the importance of being present in the moment and finding a sense of peace, which could help treat anxiety.

In addition to improving your mental health, some studies suggest that practicing yoga may reduce inflammation as well.

Inflammation is a normal immune response, but chronic inflammation can contribute to the development of pro-inflammatory diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer (8).

A 2015 study divided 218 participants into two groups: those who practiced yoga regularly and those who didnt. Both groups then performed moderate and strenuous exercises to induce stress.

At the end of the study, the individuals who practiced yoga had lower levels of inflammatory markers than those who didnt (9).

Similarly, a small 2014 study showed that 12 weeks of yoga reduced inflammatory markers in breast cancer survivors with persistent fatigue (10).

Although more research is needed to confirm the beneficial effects of yoga on inflammation, these findings indicate that it may help protect against certain diseases caused by chronic inflammation.

From pumping blood throughout the body to supplying tissues with important nutrients, the health of your heart is an essential component of overall health.

Studies show that yoga may help improve heart health and reduce several risk factors for heart disease.

One study found that participants over 40 years of age who practiced yoga for five years had a lower blood pressure and pulse rate than those who didnt (11).

High blood pressure is one of the major causes of heart problems, such as heart attacks and stroke. Lowering your blood pressure can help reduce the risk of these problems (12).

Some research also suggests that incorporating yoga into a healthy lifestyle could help slow the progression of heart disease.

A study followed 113 patients with heart disease, looking at the effects of a lifestyle change that included one year of yoga training combined with dietary modifications and stress management.

Participants saw a 23% decrease in total cholesterol and a 26% reduction in bad LDL cholesterol. Additionally, the progression of heart disease stopped in 47% of patients (13).

Its unclear how much of a role yoga may have had versus other factors like diet. Yet it can minimize stress, one of the major contributors to heart disease (14).

Yoga is becoming increasingly common as an adjunct therapy to improve quality of life for many individuals.

In one study, 135 seniors were assigned to either six months of yoga, walking or a control group. Practicing yoga significantly improved quality of life, as well as mood and fatigue, compared to the other groups (15).

Other studies have looked at how yoga can improve quality of life and reduce symptoms in patients with cancer.

One study followed women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Yoga decreased symptoms of chemotherapy, such as nausea and vomiting, while also improving overall quality of life (16).

A similar study looked at how eight weeks of yoga affected women with breast cancer. At the end of the study, the women had less pain and fatigue with improvements in levels of invigoration, acceptance and relaxation (17).

Other studies have found that yoga may help improve sleep quality, enhance spiritual well-being, improve social function and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients with cancer (18, 19).

Some studies show that yoga may have an anti-depressant effect and could help decrease symptoms of depression.

This may be because yoga is able to decrease levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that influences levels of serotonin, the neurotransmitter often associated with depression (20).

In one study, participants in an alcohol dependence program practiced Sudarshan Kriya, a specific type of yoga that focuses on rhythmic breathing.

After two weeks, participants had fewer symptoms of depression and lower levels of cortisol. They also had lower levels of ACTH, a hormone responsible for stimulating the release of cortisol (2).

Other studies have had similar results, showing an association between practicing yoga and decreased symptoms of depression (21, 22).

Based on these results, yoga may help fight depression, alone or in combination with traditional methods of treatment.

Chronic pain is a persistent problem that affects millions of people and has a range of possible causes, from injuries to arthritis.

There is a growing body of research demonstrating that practicing yoga could help reduce many types of chronic pain.

In one study, 42 individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome either received a wrist splint or did yoga for eight weeks.

At the end of the study, yoga was found to be more effective in reducing pain and improving grip strength than wrist splinting (23).

Another study in 2005 showed that yoga could help decrease pain and improve physical function in participants with osteoarthritis of the knees (24).

Although more research is needed, incorporating yoga into your daily routine may be beneficial for those who suffer from chronic pain.

Poor sleep quality has been associated with obesity, high blood pressure and depression, among other disorders (25, 26, 27).

Studies show that incorporating yoga into your routine could help promote better sleep.

In a 2005 study, 69 elderly patients were assigned to either practice yoga, take an herbal preparation or be part of the control group.

The yoga group fell asleep faster, slept longer and felt more well-rested in the morning than the other groups (28).

Another study looked at the effects of yoga on sleep in patients with lymphoma. They found that it decreased sleep disturbances, improved sleep quality and duration and reduced the need for sleep medications (29).

Though the way it works is not clear, yoga has been shown to increase the secretion of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep and wakefulness (30).

Yoga also has a significant effect on anxiety, depression, chronic pain and stress all common contributors to sleep problems.

Many people add yoga to their fitness routine to improve flexibility and balance.

There is considerable research that backs this benefit, demonstrating that it can optimize performance through the use of specific poses that target flexibility and balance.

A recent study looked at the impact of 10 weeks of yoga on 26 male college athletes. Doing yoga significantly increased several measures of flexibility and balance, compared to the control group (31).

Another study assigned 66 elderly participants to either practice yoga or calisthenics, a type of body weight exercise.

After one year, total flexibility of the yoga group increased by nearly four times that of the calisthenics group (32).

A 2013 study also found that practicing yoga could help improve balance and mobility in older adults (33).

Practicing just 1530 minutes of yoga each day could make a big difference for those looking to enhance performance by increasing flexibility and balance.

Pranayama, or yogic breathing, is a practice in yoga that focuses on controlling the breath through breathing exercises and techniques.

Most types of yoga incorporate these breathing exercises, and several studies have found that practicing yoga could help improve breathing.

In one study, 287 college students took a 15-week class where they were taught various yoga poses and breathing exercises. At the end of the study, they had a significant increase in vital capacity (34).

Vital capacity is a measure of the maximum amount of air that can be expelled from the lungs. It is especially important for those with lung disease, heart problems and asthma.

Another study in 2009 found that practicing yogic breathing improved symptoms and lung function in patients with mild-to-moderate asthma (35).

Improving breathing can help build endurance, optimize performance and keep your lungs and heart healthy.

Migraines are severe recurring headaches that affect an estimated 1 out of 7 Americans each year (36).

Traditionally, migraines are treated with medications to relieve and manage symptoms.

However, increasing evidence shows that yoga could be a useful adjunct therapy to help reduce migraine frequency.

A 2007 study divided 72 patients with migraines into either a yoga therapy or self-care group for three months. Practicing yoga led to reductions in headache intensity, frequency and pain compared to the self-care group (37).

Another study treated 60 patients with migraines using conventional care with or without yoga. Doing yoga resulted in a greater decrease in headache frequency and intensity than conventional care alone (38).

Researchers suggest that doing yoga may help stimulate the vagus nerve, which has been shown to be effective in relieving migraines (39).

Mindful eating, also known as intuitive eating, is a concept that encourages being present in the moment while eating.

Its about paying attention to the taste, smell and texture of your food and noticing any thoughts, feelings or sensations you experience while eating.

This practice has been shown to promote healthy eating habits that help control blood sugar, increase weight loss and treat disordered eating behaviors (40, 41, 42).

Because yoga places a similar emphasis on mindfulness, some studies show that it could be used to encourage healthy eating behaviors.

One study incorporated yoga into an outpatient eating disorder treatment program with 54 patients, finding that yoga helped reduce both eating disorder symptoms and preoccupation with food (43).

Another small study looked at how yoga affected symptoms of binge eating disorder, a disorder characterized by compulsive overeating and a feeling of loss of control.

Yoga was found to cause a decrease in episodes of binge eating, an increase in physical activity and a small decrease in weight (44).

For those with and without disordered eating behaviors, practicing mindfulness through yoga can aid in the development of healthy eating habits.

In addition to improving flexibility, yoga is a great addition to an exercise routine for its strength-building benefits.

In fact, there are specific poses in yoga that are designed to increase strength and build muscle.

In one study, 79 adults performed 24 cycles of sun salutations a series of foundational poses often used as a warm-up six days a week for 24 weeks.

They experienced a significant increase in upper body strength, endurance and weight loss. Women had a decrease in body fat percentage, as well (45).

A 2015 study had similar findings, showing that 12 weeks of practice led to improvements in endurance, strength and flexibility in 173 participants (46).

Based on these findings, practicing yoga can be an effective way to boost strength and endurance, especially when used in combination with a regular exercise routine.

Multiple studies have confirmed the many mental and physical benefits of yoga.

Incorporating it into your routine can help enhance your health, increase strength and flexibility and reduce symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety.

Finding the time to practice yoga just a few times per week may be enough to make a noticeable difference when it comes to your health.

Read more here:
13 Benefits of Yoga That Are Supported by Science

Yes, if you think regular yoga is the cat's meow, try yoga with an adorable litter of kittens! The Oregon Humane Society is launching an online class this week.

PORTLAND, Oregon If you've been looking for the PURR-fect workout to do at home right now, the Oregon Humane Society is launching a class that you just might love.

Think regular yoga is the cat's meow? Try yoga with an adorable litter of kittens!

Well, technically you only get to hangout with the kittens virtually - but that doesn't make them any less cute. If holding a kitten gives you a warm fuzzy feeling that relaxes your soul, you might get that same feline - I mean, feeling - from kittens on your phone or computer screen.

Virtual Kitten Yoga is a 45 minute class, led by yoga instructor Diana Hulet. The class is open to all levels, and will include a series of gentle movements. And kittens. Did I mention kittens?

The class costs $15, and proceeds will benefit shelter animals at the Oregon Humane Society. There are currently 100 cats and kittens in foster care right now, and OHS says it expects that number to reach close to 300 in the next few months of "kitten season" (every spring, there is a boom of stray kittens born, so this time of year gets that adorable name).

There are four Virtual Kitten Yoga classes throughout May:

You can sign up for the class right meow here.

Cassidy Quinn is the host of Tonight With Cassidy on KGW. But right now, like many of you, she is working from home (without any pets, sadly), trying to focus on the happier things going on in the world. Tonight With Cassidy is currently on hiatus, but you can watch previous segments from the showhere, and follow Cassidy on Twitter@CassidyQuinn.

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Virtual Kitten Yoga is the PURR-fect home workout you've been looking for - KGW.com

It's no surprise that wellness expert and author Deepak Chopra is spending his days in quarantine, meditating, doing yoga and getting lots of sleep.

"I'm so happy," Chopra tells CNBC Make It.

In fact, Chopra's quarantine routine is similar to the quiet life he lead before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Chopra, 73 and founder of non-profit The Chopra Foundation as well as health company Chopra Global, has long said his simple lifestyle and habits keep him stress free and helped him achieve success.

But Chopra also knows that while yoga, meditation and deep-breathing exercises work for him and many others, they're not for everyone. So for those looking for alternative methods, Chopra says he has had similar stress-reducing results with other techniques too.

For one, Chopra says a great way to destress is by watching funny videos, which he has also been doing while self-isolating at home in San Diego.

"One of my favorite obsessions has been to watch 'Candid Camera,'" Chopra says of the hidden camera reality show that secretly filmed unsuspecting people reacting to outlandish situations and aired from 1948 to 2014. (You can now watch the show onYoutube.)

And researchhas shown that laughing can relieve stress. According to the Mayo Clinic, laughing can stimulate circulation and aid muscle relaxation that can help reduce some physical symptoms of stress.

Chopra also says "music or poetry, reading interesting and inspiring books or singing nursery rhymes" are all good ways to relief stress.

Indeed, studies have foundlistening to music and readingcan reduce stress. A 2009 study at the University of Sussex found that reading can reduce stress by up to 68%. And researchers found that it only takes six minutes of reading to slow the heart rate and relax the mind.

Whatever works for you, Chopra says it's more important than ever before to find ways to reduce stress during the Covid-19 pandemic, in order to help your immune system strong.

"Stress has biological consequences that destroy your immune system and cause inflammation," Chopra,a clinical professorof family medicine and public health at the University of California, San Diego, says. "So, there's a biological aspect to it that cannot be ignored."

But Chopra says he has researched the effects of stress for years, and he believes there is one stress management strategy that tops everything.

"It doesn't happen through conscious effort, but it's to fall in love," he says.

According to Chopra, when people experience love through a partner, a child or even a pet, it can mitigate stress.There is research to back that up too. But of course, relationships can also cause stress, especially during a quarantine.

Check out:The best credit cards of 2020 could earn you over $1,000 in 5 years

5a.m. wake ups and 1,000 emails: Inside a typical day for White House Advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci

White House advisor Dr. Fauci works 20-hour days and his wife reminds him to eat, sleep and drink water

Read more here:
Deepak Chopra: Easy ways to relieve stress if meditation and yoga aren't for you - CNBC

A fall prevention program that combines yoga and occupational therapy was well-received by people living with Parkinsons disease, a new study reports.

Although the study didnt find significant effects of the program on quality of life, participants perceived improvements in several domains, including social aspects and mobility, pointing to a need for more research to examine effects over a longer period of time.

The study, Health-related quality of life changes after the merging yoga and occupational therapy for Parkinsons disease program: A mixed-methods study, was published inComplementary Therapy in Clinical Practice.

Parkinsons disease can take a toll on a persons health-related quality of life (HRQoL), a broad term that encompasses physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being, with a particular emphasis on how an individuals health affects these aspects of their life.

Falls can contribute to poor HRQoL among people with Parkinsons; as such, fall prevention programs might be expected to increase HRQoL.

One such program is Merging Yoga and Occupational Therapy (MY-OT). It involves the combination of yoga (to strengthen core muscles and improve balance) and occupational therapy (to provide education about reducing fall risk). Originally developed for stroke, a modified version of MY-OT has been adapted for people with Parkinsons.

In the new study, 17 people with Parkinsons completed an eight-week MY-OT program, including biweekly yoga and occupational therapy sessions. The participants were predominantly male (55.6%), married (72.2%), white (100%), college graduates (44.4%), and retired (88.9%); the average age was 71.7 years. The small and relatively homogenous sample size was an acknowledged limitation of this study.

Researchers measured the participants HRQoL eight weeks before starting the MY-OT program, immediately before the program, and immediately after the program. HRQoL was evaluated with the Parkinsons Disease Questionnaire-8 (PDQ-8), a validated instrument for measuring HRQoL in people with Parkinsons.

There were no statistically significant differences in HRQoL scores before or after MY-OT, or among subgroup comparisons.

The researchers noted that, since HRQoL tends to decline over time in people with Parkinsons, a finding showing no significant difference could still be meaningful, as it could indicate that HRQoL isnt getting worse. But, because this study was done in a fairly short period of time and did not include a control group, there isnt much evidence to support that conclusion based only on this study.

Thus, seeing no decline in HRQoL scores may be important, but a follow-up assessment would be necessary to track these changes and establish a clear relationship between HRQoL changes over time, the researchers wrote.

After MY-OT, 16 of the study participants participated in one of two focus groups, during which they were asked about their impressions of the program.

Overall, the program was well-received. Most notably, participants reported that social aspects of the program were valuable.

I think what I liked the best was the group and seeing myself in everybody else and having that reflected back to me and seeing the kindness of the humanity of the group and what theyre going through and thats what was the best for me, one participant was quoted as saying.

You know we could have done the same kind of thing as a home study. But having the group here makes it a lot better, said another.

Some participants also reported that the intervention helped them feel more mobile, allowed them to participate in day-to-day activities with greater ease, and lessened pain and bodily discomfort.

In my walking it took me about an hour to do 6 blocks. I now go over 22 blocks in an hour, one participant said.

Instead of it taking you 45 [minutes] to make the bed you can make it in 15, said another.

A few participants also reported that the intervention made communication easier, helped reduce disease-related stigma, and helped facilitate better emotional well-being. Broadly, participants reported that the intervention helped them feel less stressed and more in tune with their bodies.

I feel like Im in such peace before I used to be very anxious about things and worrying. I dont do that too much now . I just have kind of a peace over me that, you know, Im going to be ok, one participant was quoted.

Overall, the researchers concluded that, Although quantitative results showed no significant improvement during the study time, participants in the MY-OT for PD program spoke to improvements in HRQoL over the course of the intervention. They emphasized the need for more long-term research.

Marisa holds an MS in Cellular and Molecular Pathology from the University of Pittsburgh, where she studied novel genetic drivers of ovarian cancer. She specializes in cancer biology, immunology, and genetics. Marisa began working with BioNews in 2018, and has written about science and health for SelfHacked and the Genetics Society of America. She also writes/composes musicals and coaches the University of Pittsburgh fencing club.

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Ana holds a PhD in Immunology from the University of Lisbon and worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Instituto de Medicina Molecular (iMM) in Lisbon, Portugal. She graduated with a BSc in Genetics from the University of Newcastle and received a Masters in Biomolecular Archaeology from the University of Manchester, England. After leaving the lab to pursue a career in Science Communication, she served as the Director of Science Communication at iMM.

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