Rep. John Hall talks with The Hill about the Department of Veterans Affairs new rule that makes health benefits claims for veterans with PTSD a quicker and easier process.
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Helping Vets with PTSD get benefits
Saturday, January 8th, 2011How To Solve 4 Meditation Problems So That You Can Become Stress-Free And Enjoy The Health Benefits Of This Age-Old Method Of Healing
Tuesday, April 27th, 20104 How to solve common problems meditation so that you become stress free and enjoy the health benefits of this ancient healing method.
By Dennis Fisher
Meditation, an ancient form of healing is recognized by the medical profession as an ideal way to improve your health and become stress free, without medication. The health benefits of meditation are well documented.
Doctors agree that stress is a very important factor in many diseases contributory. In the highly competitive, stressful world we live in, it is difficult to escape feelings of nervous tension and anxiety. This is part of everyday life.
Increasingly, suffering from symptoms of stress, have turned to meditation to help relieve stress and restore health. This ancient form of healing is becoming more popular every day.
It is very unfortunate that many people who start a program to stop the meditation and not continue for any length of time. The reason is often due to these four problems common meditation.
1. They found that the process of meditating every day many times
2. They often find the body positions in certain forms of meditation uncomfortable
3. They have trouble concentrating on one thought and stop their wandering spirits.
4. It is very difficult to “switch off” and ignore distracting thoughts,
It is a pity that so many people stop to think why, because these four problems can be solved.
HERE are some ways to solve these problems MEDITATION.
1. Change your mantra.
The people of his property to use as mantra they repeat over and over again while they meditate, is a sound of a syllable as OHMM. Many find this good satisfactory for their purpose. . It allows them to concentrate on this sound and allow their minds to become white. But it’s a sound that is not suitable for everyone.
If you use a single sound of your mantra and you find it difficult to stop intrusive thoughts affect your concentration, consider modifying a sound composed of a number of syllables. Begin to use a phrase or collection of sounds that you find relaxing, reassuring and calm.
Making use of a mantra is a word with more than one syllable and includes letters, like L, M, 00 vowels, HA or EE or other sounds sweet
The mantra I use is the word “Lulama” I speak as LOO-LAH-MEE.
2. When you meditate extend the three syllables of the word in different ways.
When you say your mantra – silently or aloud – three soft syllables in a variety of different ways at different times.
For example, if your mantra is LOO-LAH-MEE, sometimes displaying the three syllables in the following manner.
As you say the focus on the mantra putting more emphasis on the first syllable. For example OOOO-LOO – AHL-MEEE
On other occasions, put more emphasis on the third syllable and stretching. This is not rocket science as follows: LOO-LAH-meeeeee
You will find that your mind will become focused on the pace and it helps prevent distracting thoughts
3. Fill out a simple melody as you say your mantra, either out loud or think in your mind. It is not necessary to say or sing aloud your mantra to be effective. It will be just as effective if you think of the melody.
I think the mantra LOO-LAH-EE lends itself very easily to make a song sounds good composed of three notes. Using a similar word.
4. From time to time change the speed at which you say your mantra, either out loud or in your head.
Sometimes it very slowly. On other occasions, your mantra Littler faster than.
Another useful tip to prevent your mind from wandering, focus your mind on your breathing.
5. Practice breathing in and out pace, as you use your mantra.
As you say your mantra out loud – or think your mantra in your mind – take a deep breath with the first syllable to breathe with the second syllable, then stretch the third syllable, so that you can inhale and exhale.
For example LOO (deep breath)
Laah (Breathe heavily).
Extend the ME-EE-EE-EE-EE so that you have the opportunity to come and then.
6. Meditation does not take much time to be effective.
There is no reason that meditation must be difficult or time consuming. If you are able to “change your mind” and relax completely when you meditate, you will see that at least fifteen minutes a day is enough for you to enjoy all the health benefits of meditation is able to offer.
7. There is no need to meditate in an uncomfortable position for you.
There are a number of meditation techniques, you can use that will allow you to meditate in a way that is comfortable for you.
For more interesting information about this ancient form of healing that has been practiced for centuries, visit the following website http://www. myvitalmeditation. com
The Benefits of Video Games
Monday, April 12th, 2010While it may be disliked by parents, girlfriends and wives around the world, the video game industry is a permanent part of our world. From its humble beginnings in the 80s, the video game industry has exploded into a ten-billion dollar subculture.Hopefully, you can use some of this information to help convince the non-gamers in your life that you’re not just wasting your time. It probably won’t change their attitude a great deal, but it should help. However, if you’re neglecting your homework, your relationship or your hygiene due to video games…well…this all won’t matter much.Stress ReliefVideo games are an excellent way to relieve stress. For the average non-gamer, in fact, spending 15 or 20 minutes a day playing an easy to learn, though difficult to conquer, game like Tetris or Minesweeper will do wonders for stress relief. However, the more complex and involved games may actually be more effective than their simpler brethren.Some people read a book or watch a movie as a way to get their mind off of their problems. Basically, they allow people to be transported to a fictional world for awhile. In that area, video games are actually the most effective form of release, because they provide a deeper and more encompassing transportation.Improved LogicLogical thinking is, sadly, a skill that seems to be mostly ignored in public education these days. It’s truly sad because finely tuned logical abilities are critically important in our world. Nearly all video games train your mind in thinking logically.Quicker Decision MakingThis tends to go hand-in-hand with the previous example. Logical skills are a good thing, but they lose their luster if used slowly. Quick thinking skills are a good thing, but can be disastrous without proper logic. Putting the two together, however, can have an immensely beneficial impact on your life. Most games give you a time limit on reaching a decision, either in the form of a formal timer or in the form of somebody rushing at you with a shotgun or sword.These three arguments are actually enough to make me believe that everyone should play video games. Everyone knows that stress relief is becoming increasingly important as our world becomes increasingly stressful. Quick decision making and logical reasoning are huge assets in life. So, the next time somebody starts ragging on you about ‘wasting your time” playing video games, you can fill them in just a little bit on the fact that you’re actually giving your brain one heck of a work out!
Living Stress Free: The Benefits of Music in Your Daily Life
Thursday, February 18th, 2010Living Stress Free – The Benefits of Music in Your Daily Life
Stress is something that is part of everyone. It lives within us, rearing its ugly head when life’s demands and pressures begin to weigh us down. Unique as we all are, each person can handle a different amount of stress before overload occurs. There’s always that person at work who appears to be the master of multi-tasking. Or that calm, collected colleague who gives presentations in front of a full room without any problem. Believe it or not, that person feels the effects of stress even if they don’t appear to. These individuals have the ability to flourish under these circumstances, and most likely know how to manage their stress by using stress management techniques. Effective stress management techniques are the key to waking up every morning feeling fresh and clear headed. Music is one of the most effective techniques, yet sometimes can be overlooked as an important part of our personal healing.
Most of us never stop to think about all of the various ways we can lead a more stress free lifestyle. In this article we will focus on the direct benefits of music in our daily lives and how it can be a great factor in relieving anxiety. Taking time out of your day to be alone with some calming music is the best remedy for stress. Slow, calm, meditative music can leave you feeling relaxed and peaceful after listening. Many people are so exhausted after work that they find it impossible to do anything meaningful or productive. If this sounds like you, you probably know that playing that CD in the car after a busy day at work can truly be one of the most relaxing feelings imaginable. Music inspires us, it comforts us, and it heals us. The calming effect of music allows us to unwind and relax. We use music to relieve stress everywhere we go. When we’re on the train, we have our iPods on. When we’re driving, we listen to our stereo to quiet our busy thoughts. Music is there to help us calm down or help us relate to our emotions. Calming music helps us alleviate the stress we suffer from everyday. It’s no wonder people buy music and iPods! It’s our own portable stress reliever.
If you have high levels of stress in your life that you cannot cope with, the problem may not be with you, but with the techniques that you use to manage it. Why do you think so many people at work listen to music on their computers? Work is a stressful environment and it can be tough to make it through a day without some kind of anxiety reducer. That is why so many people use music to ease their minds and help them get through the day. The New York Times Health Guide tells us to, “Listen to music. Music is an effective stress reducer in both healthy individuals and people with health problems. In one study, for example, students who listened to a well-known gentle classical piece of music during a stressful task had reduced feelings of anxiety, heart rate, and blood pressure.” There are studies that show music can actually lower your heart rate and can reduce stress for some people, but can it reduce stress for you? The odds point to yes, but only you can discover this for yourself.
Everybody experiences stress. Although we cannot change when and how seriously we become anxious, we can decide how we manage our stress levels. Music is a powerful weapon for combating this problem that many of us struggle with daily. Listen to music that you find to be relaxing and meditative, leaving you feeling calm and relaxed after or during a demanding day. It is important not to let stress take over your life. If you feel it creeping in, take action. If you use music to rise above your stress, you will reap the benefits, and learn to quiet your thoughts and develop an inner sense of peace.
Is there anything in the world greater than music? Music can be a comfort. Music can be a cure. Music can be a companion in times where you need a friend. It’s our own personal stress reliever. Here is a great website with some samples of calming music: Stress Free Music
Stress Testing and Its Benefits
Monday, February 1st, 2010A stress test is one that is undertaken by your doctor in order to find out the way your heart handles work. Your body works very hard during the test. Hence, it needs more amount of oxygen in order to pump out more blood.
The test is necessary to show whether the blood supply is reduced in the arteries that are responsible to supply the same to the heart. The test also works towards letting the doctors know about the type and level of work out that’s appropriate for a patient.
How the test is done:
• The person taking the test is hooked up to the monitor for the heart.
• He or she walks slowly on a treadmill. Thereafter, the speed is increased and the treadmill is tilted in order to produce an effect similar to going up in a small will.
• The person may also be asked to breathe in to a tube for a couple of minutes.
• One can easily stop the test any time one wants.
• Once the test is over, the person needs to sit or lie down in order to get blood pressure and heart checked.
Here, one is checked for blood pressure, heart rate breathing and the amount of tiredness felt. People in a healthy physical state are not at risk. However, medical experts should be present in case something wrong happens during the test.
An exercise stress test is also recommended to diagnose coronary artery disease and several other problems as mentioned below:
• Determine a risk free level of exercise
• Diagnose a heart-related cause of symptoms including shortness of breath, chest pain or light headedness.
• Predict risk of hazardous condition of heart such as heart attack.
• Check the effectiveness of procedures undertaken to improve coronary artery circulation in patients suffering from coronary artery disease.
After analyzing the results of the exercise stress test, the physician will be in a position to recommend more tests including cardiac catheterization or nuclear stress test.
Stress test is similar to a screening tool that scrutinizes the effect of a particular exercise on your heart. It provides you an idea of how healthy your heart is. The test can be done via using a treadmill or an exercise bike. This is done to make the heart of the person working. Thereafter an electro cardiogram (ECG) and blood pressure cuff is utilized to measure heart function.
Sometimes, a stress test is also referred to as exercise ECG, stress ECG, exercise treadmill or electrocardiography.
The person is monitored for about 10-15 minutes after exercising or until the heart rate returns to normal.
One should take special care not to smoke, eat drink caffeinated drinks or alcohol for about three hours before taking the test.
You should wear loose clothing and comfortable shoes. Inform your doctor about any medication that you have taken within 24 hours before the test.
Stress test is very important to diagnose coronary artery disease, popularly referred to as CAD.
This test will also tell you about the kind of work outs that will be good and beneficial for your health.
