meditation

One of the best things we can do for our health is to allot time to rest and relax. Regular periods of relaxation decrease our heart rate and blood pressure, improve our sleep, help maintain normal blood sugar levels, reduce stress hormones, improve our concentration and mood, and so much more.

There are many ways the mind can affect the physical body. Soft Belly Breathing can bring a sense of relaxation and body awareness.

Injuries, inflammation, the passage of time, and lifestyle choices change our bodies. How we think of our bodies can affect how we feel about ourselves.

Tai Chi is a form of gentle movement that can improve muscle strength, flexibility, balance, and stress relief. It involves the coordination of breath, posture, awareness, visualization and focused movements.

The poem, The Guest House, by the 13th century poet, Rumi, is used often in mindfulness practice. In this 5-minute 25-second recording, everyday moments and even annoyances are transformed into something special.

It's important to schedule time for the things you enjoy. Consider neurotransmitters and hormones: they trigger happiness when you experience joy.

Music moves people – in more ways than one. It makes people forget the actual work in a workout and leads to increased exercise enjoyment. Consider the runner wearing earbuds on the trail, or weightlifters in the gym motivated by loud music: it can move us emotionally, motivating us to move physically. 

Practicing yoga in a class is an excellent self-care practice, but sometimes it just isn't possible to grab a mat and head to a studio. Yoga teacher and Whole Health Coach, Katherine Hillgren, from the St. Louis VA Medical Center, suggests that a home practice, like chair yoga, is a suitable replacement in a pinch.

Being aware of stress is important for reducing it. One stress-relief strategy for your self-care toolkit is acupressure.

If you’re looking for relief from headaches, you might be surprised to learn that just a few basic relaxation techniques can help prevent the frequency and severity of headache attacks.

VA reminds Women Veterans: Whole Health is about treating you, the person. We want you to consider the big picture of your life, not just one symptom. Take the first step in making health a priority.

When we practice yoga, we experience ease and well-being. Chair yoga offers a more accessible way to experience the union of our body, mind and breath.