Can You Improve Your Emotional Regulation Through Your Diet?

Written by Jennifer Stanley. Your bones are among the toughest structures in your body, but they’re still living tissue. You can damage them or make them stronger, depending on your life choices. If you’re an older adult, maintaining your skeletal health is one of the best things you can do to prevent physical decline, especially if you’re a menopausal or postmenopausal female (like myself). Can yoga improve your bone density and strength? You might have guessed the answer to that question is yes. While many physical activities improve bone density and prevent the weakness that typically accompanies aging, yoga has unique advantages. Here’s what you should know about yoga and your bone health. Bone Health Trouble as You Age Nearly everyone has an older friend or relative who has “shrunk” with age. Osteoporosis affects roughly 10 million Americans. Please don’t think this disease only strikes after retirement. One in three adults over the age of 50 has some reduction in bone density , called osteopenia. This condition elevates your risk of break, the recovery from which can keep you off your feet, weakening the rest of your skeleton. Osteoporosis doesn’t only bend your spine and make you lose inches. Partially broken and collapsed bones in your spine can cause excruciating pain that hinders your mobility. This limitation also creates a negative cycle, where inactivity continues to reduce your remaining bone density further. What Causes Osteoporosis? It might surprise you that your skeleton continues growing after you reach full height. Bone is living tissue, meaning each day, some cells die and are replaced by new ones. Osteoporosis occurs when the rate of replacement fails to keep up, causing your bones to weaken with time. Certain factors increase your osteoporosis risk , including: Sex: Osteoporosis strikes women more frequently. Age: Osteoporosis tends to get worse with age. Family history: Your risk increases if one of your parents has the disease. Hormone changes: Low estrogen or testosterone increases risk. Diet: Low calcium and vitamin D intake in youth may increase your osteoporosis risk. Other medical conditions: Those with rheumatoid arthritis, endocrine diseases, cancer, HIV/AIDS and anorexia face elevated risks. Medications: Certain prescriptions may raise your risk — talk to your doctor. Lifestyle: A sedentary lifestyle increases risk as exercise improves bone density but a lack of movement weakens them. Furthermore, chronic alcohol and tobacco use heightens risk. Traditional Treatments for Osteoporosis Doctors typically treat osteoporosis by prescribing medications that either slow the rate of bone loss or help you rebuild new tissue. However, they’ll also recommend lifestyle modifications. You’ll need to take extra precautions to lower your fall risk, as your bones will break more easily. Other lifestyle modifications include improving your diet and getting regular, moderate exercise. That’s where yoga comes into play. Here’s how this activity can improve your bone health. How Yoga Improves Bone Health Yoga improves your bone health in several ways. It’s a weight-bearing exercise that doesn’t involve impact, making it accessible for those with joint conditions who find other exercise forms intolerable. Furthermore, it strengthens and maintains flexibility in surrounding connective tissues, improving mobility even in those with arthritis. Its most profound effects may come from balancing various body chemicals that promote tissue healing, including your bones. Cortisol plays a crucial role in healing, but if your body is already burnt out from an overabundance of it, you could have a longer recovery time. 1. What Science Says About Yoga and Bone Health Several studies support the use of yoga for improving bone health. One recent study, the results of which are slated for publication in 2024, shows that this practice improved both the mental health symptoms and bone density of adolescent females with eating disorders. Anorexia nervosa harms bone health by depriving the body of the necessary nutrients for maintaining your skeleton. Many earlier studies suggest the efficacy of yoga as a preventative medicine against osteoporosis. A 2023 meta-analysis of 39 trials featuring over 2,000 participants found that this practice may be an effective therapy , particularly in the following areas: Improving bone density Bettering bone mineral content Helping the function of the lower extremities Reducing pain and fear of injury Increasing quality of life Nor must your practice take much time to produce results. One earlier 2016 study showed that just 12 minutes of daily practice reversed osteoporotic bone loss. How long should you hold each pose? An even earlier 2009 study suggests that bone cells begin to create new bone after 12 seconds and stop after 72 seconds. A nice hatha vinyasa to restorative flow contains the perfect balance of holds and active movement to rock bone density as long as you hold each asana for roughly 30 seconds. 2. Yoga and Thinning Bones: Poses to Avoid While medical science encourages yoga for bone health, there are some postures you should avoid, especially if you have a bad back. Please avoid the temptation to push yourself , especially if you have a trauma history and your adaptive response is to endure what you should not. In general, you should avoid moves that focus heavily on flexion and extension. Doing so can lead to injury , which can keep you from the mat. You also want to avoid deep twists. Finally, remember, everyone’s bone and muscle configuration varies, so don’t force. Use extreme gentleness and caution with the following poses: Forward folds: Keep your weight on your toes while simultaneously focusing your attention on the hamstrings. The emphasis is not to get your hands to touch the floor but to open up the big muscles on the backs of your legs. If you feel any tugging in your lower back, straighten it by pressing your palms against your calves or thighs. Drop-backs: Drop-backs are an Ashtanga move that those with degenerative discs should avoid. Wheel: I’m a fan of a rock star or wild thing, a gentler way to get into a backbend. Camel and sphinx are also safer alternatives. Seated forward folds and butterfly: These moves can put tremendous pressure on your lumbar spine. The best advice is to keep your back straight, making your body resemble more of a tilted letter L rather than rounding through the spine. My preferred alternatives these days are to perform forward fold standing or supine leg raises. Twists: In general, easy seated or supine twists shouldn’t cause pain as you only twist to your level of comfort. Use caution with Matsyendrasana twists and bound twist poses that put external rotational force on the spine. 3. General Tips for Practicing Yoga With Thinning Bones When practicing yoga with thinning bones, keep mindfulness at the forefront of your practice. Sure, it’s fun to jump back into plank, but not at the risk of an achy back for a week or more afterward. Keep your practice low impact and modify poses to suit your unique body. The beauty part about yoga is that unless you’re doing a completely different routine in the front row of a crowded studio, you’re free to add variety. In fact, it’s encouraged — part of mindfulness practice entails tuning into sensory cues, including the interoceptive ones from within. Inversions are a tricky vixen. In some patients, they ease pain, but many find the risk of neck injury not worth it. I personally avoid inversions, not because of my spine but because going upside down does something very wonky with my equilibrium. However, others choose to incorporate them as the benefits they receive from easing spinal compression outweigh the risks. You can also invest in specialty headstand trainers or take to the sky with aerial yoga for the spinal perks. Your Bone Health and Yoga Yoga can play an important role in helping you maintain bone health as you age. The weight-bearing component increases density, while non-impact flows protect joints damaged by arthritis or disease. Keeping your bones healthy through yoga is an excellent choice to make as you age. Doing so reduces your risk of fracture and the lowered quality of life that often follows injury. Whichever style you choose, adding yoga to your life can lead to healthier bones

The veil between the living and the dead is particularly thin for me this year. However, by deeply meditating on death, we learn the secret of life. My world shattered this past summer. Poe, the hero of my first fiction book but a very much real-life cat, crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Anyone who has lost a beloved knows the devastation. Poe was much more than a pet to me. Yes, he was a cat. But he also saved my life. He came into it in my darkest hour, giving me one bright thing to look forward to every day. That little bit of goodness — seeing his cute, cropped ear arrive at the back door for food, gradually gaining that little feral’s trust — was the only thing that held me back from crossing the bridge myself. I had lost everything: my health, my ability to work, and with it, my life’s savings. I also lost a marriage, much of my mind, and was about to lose housing for the second time in my life. In desperation, I turned to the only profession you can do lying in bed, no degree or certification necessary. The degradation and self-loathing I felt made me honestly believe the world would be better off without me in it. The only thing keeping me here was a little cat who needed me. And now, he is gone. But he is also always with me. Coming to terms with his death was the worst pain I’ve ever felt, and I’ve been through quite a lot. While some people turn to their family or the church, I went back to my healer for solace — my yoga mat. Here is what I learned through my meditations. What Happens After We Die? I can’t answer that question. Anyone who says they know is either deluded or intentionally trying to manipulate you, absent proof; no one can raise Lazarus and interview him. All any of us can do is make a reasonable guess, based on what we know of what science knows. Many people claim to know what happens after we die. And, please understand, my purpose in writing this piece isn’t to convince anyone about what the afterlife is like or challenge anyone’s religious beliefs. Death forces us to confront our beliefs, to either find solace in them or come to a deeper understanding. It pierces the veil of our illusions, our fear, our desolate sense of loss, of never again, is a perception. We might turn to what we believe, but we realize belief isn’t knowing . Death is the great equalizer, but it affects us all differently. Still, every human who has ever existed has wondered: what happens next? We know the physical body decays, but what about the stuff that animates us? The unique cosmic soup that makes up who we are? Where does the ephemeral force that pushes the flower through the green fuse go when our bones become so much compost? I thought of this question and the river analogy as I stood cleaning Henry’s tank, where Pleck still swims and Goldie once did. He was yet another family member, a goldfish, who passed away just yesterday, throwing me back into what some Buddhist traditions describe as the bardo, that mysterious limbo that skirts the line between life and death. As I refilled the tank, I watched as the water poured from the faucet into the bucket. I considered leaving the water running between dumps, but out of conservation concerns, I did not. However, that simple act made the mental connection. Where does each drop of water go once it flows from the faucet to the sink? It’s not gone, yet you can no longer taste it, touch it or perceive it with any of the traditional five senses. Yet you know it still is — somewhere. It’s like Thich Nhat Hanh speaks of when he makes the allusion to the cloud. Where does a cloud go when it disappears? We do not say a cloud died. We know it is still there, only it has become something else. Each human being is a unique biological creation that can only exist during this moment in time. They’re living flesh made of matter. Evolution shows it — while many people contain traces of Neanderthal DNA, for example, a full-blooded Neanderthal would have a pretty difficult time of things today. Who you are biologically depends on your DNA, but that isn’t the whole story. The science of epigenetics shows us how our life choices can influence our physical manifestation. Each tiny choice we make, from what to eat to how we relate with others, turns some genes on and others off, increases levels of some chemicals and decreases others. But there is something else, too. The decisions we make aren’t mere outputs of our biology: anyone who has kicked an addiction knows it takes a tremendous amount of free will to say no when every dopamine-drenched cell in your body screams, “Yes,YES! And right NOW!” Often in defining our limitations, we find our freedom. Humans are finite, bound by time. They are also mortal, bound by flesh. That mysterious force, the energy behind all of this, driving the green fuse through the big bang flower is the third portion, that which we don’t understand. Humans Have Limited Perspective Because we are bound by time and biology, we cannot possibly know everything or see all there is. All we know is what we can perceive through our senses. We now know there are many more than five , but every human has the same ones in varying amounts, and even that can change slightly throughout life. For example, our time-sense is limited by our biological mortality, which is why the last five minutes of class last forever to bored schoolchildren but each passing day seems progressively shorter as we age and things start moving way too fast. We know that other living creatures have differing perceptions. I remember many times gazing into Poe’s eyes, wondering how he saw the world. He was so good, so patient, so pure, never lashing out in anger, although his life had been every bit as harsh as mine in its own way. Like me, he had been abandoned, discarded, left to survive or perish alone despite being very small and utterly unprepared for the task. I don’t know how he perceived the world, but his example showed me that I could endure suffering with the same grace. That was Poe’s greatest gift, and the part of him that will forever live on: he showed me you do not have to carry forward the evil energy that flowed onto you undeserved. You don’t have the power to know everything in this life; no one does. You may never know why horrific things happened to you or those you love. But where your freedom, your choice comes in while you live is to not carry that energy forward. You are an alchemist while you live and breathe; you determine how you interact with the other energy directed toward you. If it is dark, you can join that sinister chorus — or you can choose to be loving and kind in spite of it, sending that energy forward instead of more negativity. That choice, that energy, is the third magical element that makes people, well, people. We are time-bound, interdependent on everything else happening in the brief 60 to 100 year span where we live and breathe. We are biology-bound, and how we treat our body influences how we act and the choices we make, but they can only influence. That third element, the part that decides, that’s how we take the energy that came before and push it into the future. Poe did it so beautifully. He took everything evil that was done to him and despite it all, was the most loving of cats. And in doing so, he brought out the love in me, love that was buried deep behind walls of defensiveness and ego. He changed the energy of hate into love and showed me how to do the same. See the interconnectedness, how one act of love can create a ripple effect? Our energy, made material through our choices while we live, creates it. What that third element, that green fuse force is, we may never know. Our perception may be limited by time and biology to prohibit it — I don’t know. However, we know it exists. And despite external influences like work pressure and internal forces like biology, we still use it to make independent choices, thus creating our future, and, through extension, humankind’s collective future. Energy Is Never Created Nor Destroyed An old Chinese experiment proved years ago that humans do have an energy field. While Western minds might find the idea of a bodily energy field curious , the stuff of a Sedona aura reading, it’s an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Although scientists haven’t classified exactly what it is, some of it appears to be a sort of near-infrared radiation. I remember saying in a yoga class or meditation once that you are your own nuclear reactor of energy. It turns out, that analogy isn’t too far off the mark. Western minds accept Einstein’s theory of relativity, but few mindfully meditate upon it. However, every school child who has taken a basic physics or chemistry course knows that energy is never created nor destroyed. It changes form, true, like Thich Nhat Hanh’s cloud, but it doesn’t disappear. Much of the stuff that is in you, at the elemental level , has existed for millions of years, nearly since the beginning of time. You might not feel that way when you climb out of bed feeling creaky in the joints, but it’s true when you get super teeny tiny, smaller than even the most microscopic cell. You need the unique combination of those elements to make what you think of as you, well, you. That’s why you are one of a kind. There are so many infinitesimally small elements that come together, and that precious combination only happens once. That’s why life is something to cherish, why it is so very wrong to take it, and why death affects us so profoundly. Once someone is gone, they are truly gone forever. What, Then, Remains? The loss of a one-of-a-kind, precious thing that cannot be replaced is enough to drive anyone to madness. Yet, have you ever looked around in the aftermath of death and noticed how life goes on? It stuns you — how can this possibly be? How can others enjoy their lives and possibly be happy? Don’t they know the loss that just occurred? That everything just ended? Only, everything didn’t end. Life goes on because the essential elements that create it remain. The raw material doesn’t go anywhere. It still exists, as does the energy created through it. And if the clay remains, and if that clay is what’s necessary to create the animated form we think of as life, it only makes sense that life will rise again from it. It will never be exactly the same as what came before — but it will be similar. Everything exists in an intricately linked system; understanding that helps you care for it by performing your role in it to the best of your ability. Nor does the energy every living creature transmits during their time here cease to exist. It, too, goes on. Sometimes, it is destructive — we see this as war and murder and oppression continue — but the energy continues to flow. The good also continues — we see this in schools, street and town names, things that honor the efforts of those who have passed, in the way each new scientific achievement builds from the previous ones. It continues in each new generation. Even stars, when they burn through their energy reserves, don’t disappear. They become black holes, and what those mysterious beasts are, no one knows any more than they know where the energy driving all of it came from originally. Some scientists believe they go to infinite multiverses, a universe of universes, going on and on forever like an ever-growing chain. It’s fun to conjecture about what might be, but we have to stay grounded in what we know here on earth. Every hour, every minute, every second, someone dies. Yet every hour, every minute, every second, someone is born. It’s the transition between death and life — the loss of consciousness — that no one understands. Perhaps that’s a part of the beauty of life’s design — you have to be conscious to experience it. In nature’s infinite mercy, she only allows us mortals to perceive the decay of their bodies for so long before sweet oblivion takes over. What happens next, no one knows for sure. Many people believe the energy goes forward, changing into yet another form. Many children have memories of past lives when young that they forget as they age, just as older adults forget much of their youth as time passes. I was one of them. I was raised in a conservative Catholic family where even the mere mention of reincarnation would have been laughable (and diversity was not permitted in my family, so I’m pretty sure my toddler-self didn’t encounter anyone with a different belief system). However, my past life memories felt as real to me at age three or four as memories of the past few years do to me now. Death could be the Universe’s ether, a way of blocking pain when it is too overwhelming for this mortal body to bear. It’s like needing to be put unconscious to undergo surgery, only the transformation happening is that force seeking yet another green fuse to push open a flower. If having your knee or abdomen cut open is too painful to bear while conscious, imagine what it must feel like to shatter at the elemental level. Pain is sometimes necessary — but most of us seek to avoid the worst of it. Pain avoidance lies at the heart of every addiction, and both physical and emotional pain affect the same parts of your brain. It’s what makes broken-heart syndrome a very real phenomenon. Are the twin energies traveling together to whatever comes next, or is the phenomenon simply a physiological overload of stress on your cardiovascular system? Maybe it’s both. We don’t know. We only know what we can measure, what we can perceive. We do know that the Universe provides the ultimate ether as the elements that make up our physical selves break down. It’s why we say death is sometimes merciful in the case of people enduring long-term pain. Suffering can only happen while you are conscious, while you live. Death Unites Us in Our Shared Humanity There’s one thing all humans intuitively understand about death, and that’s its finality. When someone dies, they aren’t coming back to this life where you can see their smiling face, hear their comforting voice or feel the touch of their hand — or fur. They have shattered and spread while we remain whole, except for the empty space next to us where they once sat. We all know this truth, and none of us know for sure what happens next. I know I have my beliefs, but I’m also very aware that they are just that — beliefs. Even though I try to look at things from a scientific perspective, I’m also aware that I’m limited in my perception. And filling in the blanks is very dangerous, so dangerous it sparks wars, destroying precious, unique lives, robbing people of those they love, robbing us of our very humanity. People can now look to artificial intelligence to see what happens when people fill in the blanks of what they don’t know with random ideas. AI hallucinations can sometimes be amusing, but it doesn’t take a genius to see the dangers inherent in letting that information disseminate to the public as truth. While computers can compile research from what’s already known and scan information way faster than any humans, they can’t design and conduct replicable experiments to separate truth from fiction. It’s more vital than ever that people examine their beliefs about death in the light of what we do know, not what we don’t. Humans have created more powerful weapons than ever, capable of obliterating thousands of lives with a single bomb. These weapons would not even exist if people saw through their illusions and admitted that they don’t know what comes next. If each of us truly sits and takes time to reflect on life, how unique it is based on all we know, how each individual life is a one-in-a-Googol chance, we wouldn’t destroy it so carelessly. We would protect it as feverishly as we now protect our homes, gold or national pride. Murder, be it in war or in the street, is destroying something irreplaceable. It may come back in some form — but it will never be the same. And you don’t only kill the dead, but a valuable part of the living by taking from them something you can never give back, something reparations can never repay. When you stop and reflect on life and death in light of what we know — not in light of your belief system — you see how deeply wrong it is to destroy even one life. Because here’s the thing: we all experience death. That sense of loss you have when someone you love dies? The enemy you wish to kill has loved ones that will experience that same sense of loss. What if they are to act on their feeling of revenge and not forgiveness? You see how war continues forever in some regions, as world leaders continue watering seeds of hate, spreading it to others. When you reflect on life and death in light of what we know, not what you believe, you realize that if you want your children born into a peaceful world, then you must work for peace in every word and deed while you are here on earth. Maybe it takes going to a retreat and sitting down with your enemy in deep meditation. It’s certainly better than snuffing out hundreds of innocent lives with one bomb while you sit detached, discussing “strategy.” No matter how strategically you plan, carrying forward that energy of hate will carry forward war and destructive energy. If you want peace for future generations, you must work toward it now, here, while you live, even when it is hard and violence seems easier. Life is how energy changes. There is no other way to create a peaceful future that we know of today. I think about this now as I write these words. What drives me? It is the hope. The hope that people will read these words and reflect mindfully. That they will influence others to walk the path of peace and love. Perhaps it's good that humans don’t know what happens after we die. All we know, collectively, every single one of us who has ever experienced a devastating loss, that there is no other pain like it. Even if you don’t die of broken-heart syndrome, you often wish you did. Can we use that shared pain to unite, not divide us? After all, if no one knows what happens after we die, we should all collectively fight to prolong life as long as possible, not destroy it. I don’t know what that looks like — if it means forcing warmongers into meditation retreats or simply keeping up the loving education — but I know what it doesn’t. It doesn’t look like getting so caught up in your egotistical beliefs about what might happen after death that you destroy life here on earth. Life Is Our Miracle, Our Chance to Change Our Energy Death, in its utter mercilessness, can be a great teacher. It can teach us how to be more merciful, how to tread lightly with one another’s hearts. Instead of hastening each other to earlier graves, not only through war, but through overwork, bad habits and dangerous practices, we can nurture each other through this life. And, as each of us nears our time of transition, we can offer comfort and solace, easing their passage with love. We know that matter is never created nor destroyed. What continues is what we do with the energy we are given throughout our lives within the boundaries of our bodies and time. It is a heavy responsibility, but also a great gift. We create the future, with each choice, with each word, each connection we form with others, each contribution. What we want that future to look like depends on every one of our choices — we are all interdependent. We can use death to bring people together instead of dividing us. Perhaps no place is as steeped in death and the bardo than the Middle East. As I took a necessary break in writing this article this morning for a mindful walk, I listened to a dharma talk by Thich Nhat Hanh, which is my practice for calming my mind. He spoke about having Israelis and Palestinians come together at Plum Village to meditate together. At first it is hard to simply sit and to deeply listen with those you do not even consider people, but enemies, demon-creatures you must destroy. Yet, by the end of ten days, all participants hold hands during walking meditation and break bread together at meals, joyfully, freely, because they recognize their shared humanity. They realize that all of them have suffered the same traumas, in the same way. There might be different actors, but death is death, pain is pain, suffering is suffering. That is what I mean by death is the great equalizer: It unites all of humanity in suffering. Yet, while we still live, while we still breathe, we have the power to change that. Each person who refuses to carry forth the energy of war means that one less child of the future generation will be born into a war-torn world. Each time you hold back an angry, harsh word meant to hurt, each time you restrain your hands from harming another living creature, you change that energy. Try a little experiment sometime. Get mindful enough that you notice when a situation between you and another living being can potentially turn negative. Then try manifesting the energy of understanding, of peace, of letting it go — perhaps make a joke. What could have ended up in an argument can instead unite and bond you with another. It all depends on how you choose to use your precious energy, that stuff that we can’t define with time or biology but know exists while you live and breathe in this form, here and now. Doing so creates the future you want to see and shifts that energy for those who catch it. Negativity can be contagious, but so can positivity. It all begins by reflecting deeply on death and marveling at the priceless secret it reveals: energy and matter may continue, but each unique life only exists once. Let’s use that shared experience to bring us together, and make this kingdom here on earth happy. We know that creating a brighter today begins with each one of us; let’s do the work, beginning with deep mindfulness and listening to each other, finding our shared humanity, even in the suffering of death. When Poe died, it brought everyone in our little Only in Sedona Yoga family together. He transitioned to what’s next surrounded by everyone who loved him and a caring team who delivered him with utmost comfort. None of us can avoid death. But we can all work together to make it possible for everyone to have such a peaceful passage. That is where our beliefs come in, not as a cudgel to destroy other human life but to ease the transition from here to whatever comes next. Coming to Terms With Death on the Yoga Mat Means Coming to Terms With the Unknown I don’t know what happens after we die. No one does. Living with the unknown is hard. As someone with severe anxiety, trust me, I feel it in every fiber of my being. Fear is an ever-present beast I wrangle, and no fear is greater than that of not existing. However, one thing managing an anxiety disorder teaches you is how to act in spite of “I don’t know.” How to find healthy ways to connect with other humans and handle the negative feelings inside of you that can lead to contention with others. I do trust in energy being never created nor destroyed. It is. It simply is. And because it is, we are. The energy that animates each one of us, that puts us in the driver’s seat of this human body we inhabit for a brief moment, has existed since the creation of the Universe — nay, even before, for what did that energy come from? Nothing truly dies, but everything changes. You can’t step into the same river twice, and you can’t hold someone in the earthly realm once their energy has gone from their mortal flesh to wherever it goes next. But you can treasure it while it’s here, and you can continue to spread the love they brought you long after they’re gone. The day before we put Poe to sleep, I spent the entire day with him just lying in bed. Just loving him. Petting his fur. Feeling him breathe. Building the love energy between us, the same love energy that sends tears rolling down my face as I write these words, sobbing the same desolate, inchoate cries from the depths of my being. And when the grief gets too much and the emotions overwhelm and I feel like I myself may die, I remind myself that what I am feeling is the love we created while he lived. The emotions are powerful because the love we created is powerful. That lives on through me. It makes me conscious that the choices I make daily reflect that love, my actions reflect the effect he had on me, and I want to honor his memory by being the best me I can be. I want to take the lesson of peace he taught me and share it with the world. I can think of no better way to honor his legacy. I can’t pet Poe anymore. I can’t see him. But oh, how I can feel the love we shared. And I can spread that love forward in what I say and what I do. Doing so might not answer the question of what happens after we die. Every day, I wonder where my beloved Poe is now. Every day, the raven whispers, “Poe is nevermore.” I know that is true in one sense. But to that raven, I quoth back, no, Poe is forevermore. His love was his legacy. All of this, all of us, all of existence, is forevermore. What that existence will look like, though, depends on the decisions we make while alive. Poe’s brief, shining moment shows us how to make that existence, our brief time here, beautiful.

Wouldn’t life be easier if everyone got along? Sometimes, the cause of stress-producing conflict is an unfair world, but other times, the issue lies squarely with you and your maladaptive reactions to tense circumstances. I’m no stranger to this phenomenon, and emotional regulation is admittedly among my biggest challenges. I’m also a fan of holistic medicine, which treats the whole patient versus beating symptoms into submission solely through allopathic means like prescription medications and surgery. Various factors influence your overall health and how disease manifests in your body and mind. While it’s often impossible to pinpoint a singular cause for your troubles, addressing each of the varying contributing factors can often bring considerable relief. One example of this is how your diet can influence your mental health. Although a steady diet of salmon and spinach salads won’t cure anxiety or depression, ensuring your body has the right nutrients to produce various neurotransmitters in the right amounts can make a surprising difference in your mood and outlook. Can you improve emotional regulation through diet? Cleaning up your plate can’t hurt — and may help. What Is Emotional Regulation? Emotional regulation refers to your ability to use positive coping strategies to diffuse or moderate negative emotions. One example is hitting the gym after a tough day at work to burn off your frustration on the punching bag instead of turning your temper on your spouse or children. Why does it matter? After all, this is America! Shouldn’t we all be free to express all our emotions, good or bad? Emotional regulation is crucial because acting impulsively in a pique of rage, frustration, or despair often makes a bad situation worse. You could shatter fragile relationships beyond repair and even harm yourself and others — for example, by driving erratically after an argument and causing an accident. Emotional regulation shares much in common with maturity and is a critical component of it, but it doesn’t necessarily improve with age. There are older Americans in their 80s and 90s who still struggle with dysregulated emotions. Fortunately, it doesn’t matter how old you are. You can always take proactive measures to improve your emotional regulation, including adopting healthier daily practices , like cleaning up your diet. Personal Aside: The Intensity of Dysregulation If you follow Only in Sedona Yoga on YouTube (shameless plug: please like, subscribe, and share), you know that I talk to my mat to regulate my emotions. However, mindful movement alone isn’t always enough. As someone with a trauma history , I learned some pretty downright horrific, let alone maladaptive, stress responses as a child and never unlearned them as an adult. When tough times struck after becoming ill with mysterious symptoms, I became horribly dysregulated. I lashed out at others, including those who only wanted to help (I’m so sorry, guys). While I complained of lacking a support system, it’s no wonder they left, considering I occasionally fired potshots over their bows. I also hurt myself. When I was dysregulated, my emotions were so intense that I couldn’t see two fingers if I held them up right in front of my nose, let alone possible solutions to the problems I faced. That frustration added to the negativity, creating a rolling spiral that crushed everything in its path, including my spirit. However, in a panic to do something, anything, to save myself, I made some terrible decisions. These days, I’m much, much better at not letting my negative emotions result in impulsive, erratic acts that make already bad situations even worse. I share this personal aside because I want you to know that you are not alone if your feelings sometimes feel so powerful, so intense, you have to act and act right beeping now , if only to make the voices in your head stop screaming. However, there is hope. With time, I have gotten much less reactive. The emotions that once threatened to drown me now only go up my nose and burn my throat a little. I’m much better able to manage them, and you, too, will regain that feeling of control with time, practice, patience, and compassion toward yourself. Talking to the mat is responsible for a lot of my healing — but diet also plays a role. Is Diet Alone Enough? Let’s be clear: improving your diet can help with emotional regulation. It will not, however, transform you from the pre-ghost version of Ebenezer Scrooge into the new and improved one by itself. Improving your diet is one piece of the holistic healing pie. However, you might notice two significant improvements after a few weeks of changing your eating patterns if you’re anything like me: The fire cools: Strong, dysregulated emotions are like wildfires, burning you from the inside until you take some action to douse the flames. Over time, an improved diet can decrease the intensity of these blazes so that you don’t have to fight as hard. You might still have moments, but they occur less frequently and blow over more quickly. The sky brightens: Sometimes, addressing a nutritional deficiency alone is enough to change your mood dramatically. Other times, the effects are more subtle, but the overall improvement in your outlook aids in making other healthy decisions, like sticking to your yoga program, that further accelerate healing. How Diet Affects Emotional Regulation Diet affects emotional regulation in several ways: through managing inflammation levels, preventing nutrient deficiencies, and nurturing a healthy intestinal microbiome. Here’s a closer look at each function. 1. Inflammation and Dysregulation Generalized anxiety disorder is my bugbear, but I’m not alone. Rates of this disorder and depression increased 25% during the recent pandemic , during which substance abuse also rose. One way that diet affects mental health is by increasing or decreasing systemic inflammation. Systemic means it affects your whole body — including your brain. For example, researchers have found an association between systemic inflammation and increased anxiety levels. Healthy foods, like the ones listed in the last part of this article, decrease systemic inflammation. Conversely, ultra-processed foods laden with white sugar, bleached flour, and unhealthy fats increase it. 2. Nutrient Deficiencies and Mental Health As previously noted, deficiencies in certain minerals, such as magnesium, zinc, and selenium, can adversely impact mental health. While eating foods high in these substances helps, a well-rounded diet is equally important. Various micronutrients go into manufacturing neurotransmitters and maintaining bodily structures, and in general, the more brightly colored whole foods you include, the better —- it ensures sufficient intake of everything. 3. Your Microbiome and Mental Health Researchers have found an association between disruptions in the intestinal microbiome and the following mental disorders: Anxiety Depression Schizophrenia Bipolar disorder Autism spectrum disorder Eating disorders Your intestinal microbiome refers to the colonies of beneficial bacteria lining your intestines. They help you digest and much more. For example, you make 95% of your body’s serotonin in your gut, and many researchers believe these pint-sized powerhouses send messages to your brain, influencing mood. 9 Best Foods to Improve Your Emotional Regulation Through Diet The best foods to improve emotional regulation through your diet, therefore, address these three factors. Here’s what to add more of to boost your mood and outlook. 1. Nuts Nuts are among the best sources of those miracle mental minerals: magnesium, selenium, and zinc. Although they’re often salty-tasting, they contain oodles of potassium to mitigate the impact on your blood pressure. They’re great for solo snacking as an alternative to chips, and you might be surprised by the prices — many varieties are roughly equivalent in price to junk food these days. Choose health and nutrition over inflammatory snacks. 2. Seeds Seeds are also mental miracle mineral sources, but they are especially beneficial to women. That’s because they contain lignans, phytoestrogens that may balance female hormones and decrease period-related anxiety and depression. Flaxseed is particularly beneficial and may help post-menopausal women reduce their breast cancer risk. 3. Fatty Fish Fatty fish makes this list because it is your best source of omega-3 fatty acids. Researchers associate deficiencies in these substances with various mental disorders , including anxiety, depression, and Alzheimer’s disease. Although you can find omega-3s in foods like flaxseed, only seafood contains DHA and EPA , two forms of omega-3 your body struggles to make from plant-based sources. 4. Yogurt It’s time to nurture your microbiome. How do you do that? With probiotics and prebiotics. Prebiotics refer to a type of dietary fiber these microscopic bacteria love. Probiotics are the organisms themselves, which exist in fermented foods like yogurt. Although you are born with a stash of them, they deplete over time — add more through diet. Other probiotic-rich, fermented foods include: Sauerkraut Kimchi Miso Kombucha Kefir 5. Berries Berries are a rich source of anthocyanins. These antioxidants occur in red and blue food and are particularly good for combating inflammation in your heart and brain. 6. Broccoli and Leafy Greens Broccoli and deep, leafy greens are nutrient powerhouses. They contain many of your B vitamins, iron, and filling fiber to nurture your microbiome while keeping you fuller for longer. A salad with nuts, greens, berries, and a yogurt dressing is a lovely lunch for improving your emotional regulation through diet. 7. Whole Grains Whole grains complete the B-vitamin puzzle. However, it’s crucial to read labels, ensuring they read “whole grain” or “whole wheat.” Be wary of combos — a label that says “wheat flour” and “whole wheat flour” may contain only a smidgen of the good stuff. Why does it matter? The nutrition and fiber you want are in the bran and germ, which manufacturers strip away when processing flour. As a result, eating refined flour is akin to consuming sugar for its effect on your blood glucose, which can increase your Type 2 diabetes risk. 8. Turmeric Turmeric is a miracle spice. However, it works best with its inflammation-fighting sidekick, black pepper, as the piperine increases your body’s ability to use the curcumin in this root herb by 2,000%. Add a bit of each to your morning tea. As a bonus, adding turmeric’s anti-inflammatory power to your daily routine could ease chronic pain. 9. Green Tea If coffee makes your anxiety worse, try green tea. Although it has some caffeine, it pales compared to a cup of joe — about 15 milligrams versus 200. Additionally, green tea is a fabulous source of EGCG, an antioxidant that may ease depression symptoms and make you less impulsive if you have certain mood or personality disorders. Foods to Avoid to Improve Your Emotional Regulation Through Diet The foods you should avoid to improve your emotional regulation through diet include most, if not all, ultra-processed foods, as they increase inflammation. You should also avoid any that cause a food allergy , even if your physical symptoms seem mild — get mindful and journal about how you feel after suspect meals if uncertain. For example, stay clear of the following as much as possible: Processed convenience meals Fried foods Many snack foods, such as chips, pretzels and crackers Many baked goods, especially those with bleached flour and lots of sugar Candy Holistic Healing: Improving Emotional Regulation Through Diet A holistic approach to health requires you to examine multiple factors that give rise to unwanted symptoms. While fixing your diet alone is unlikely to cure your mental health symptoms, you can improve your emotional regulation through the foods you choose. Feeling dysregulated and out of control is scary and can lead to increased stress and strife in your life. It only makes sense to keep yourself as balanced as possible through any means available to you. Add more of these nine foods to improve your emotional regulation through your diet and mindfully tune into and perhaps journal about how you feel. The difference may impress you.

This article first appeared on LivingWithHM.com There’s a Type 2 diabetes epidemic in America. Nearly 100 million of us live with prediabetes or the full-blown condition, and what’s scary is that many don’t know their risks.1 However, it’s one of the most preventable illnesses, and you don’t need any special skills, oodles of money, or even regular healthcare access. You must, however, know what to avoid. You already know about sugar, but did you know that bleached flour is just as bad, possibly worse? Furthermore, this stuff lurks in many products, including packaged convenience foods. However, you can learn to avoid it. Best of all, there are plenty of alternatives, many of which will elevate your baking if you live for the kitchen — all while improving your family’s health. What should you try and how will it affect your food’s taste and texture? How can you keep it convenient? We have your answers. Dig into these 14 alternatives to bleached flour while protecting yourself against what’s arguably America’s top health risk. What’s the Problem With Bleached Flour? The problems with bleached flour are twofold. One, it has less of the good stuff your body needs. Two, it may contain traces of a toxin your body doesn’t. 1. Bye Bye to the Good Stuff Bleached flour comes from wheat. “Hey, wait,” you might think, “That’s a plant-based, healthy food!” That’s correct — in its original form. Wheat consists of three layers: Bran Germ Endosperm The manufacturing process of bleached flour begins by stripping away the bran and germ. Guess what? That’s where a considerable portion of the nutrients and fiber lie. You miss out on vitamins, but that’s not all. Fiber helps flour digest more slowly, preventing the steep blood sugar spikes that can predispose you to Type 2 diabetes over time. When you take that away, what remains is a fast-absorbing substance that’s nearly the equivalent of a spoonful of sugar. Yikes. Then, manufacturers add bleaching agents like benzoyl peroxide directly with the flour and mix gaseous bleaching agents like nitrogen peroxide and chlorine into the freshly-milled stuff.2 That creates another problem. 2. Hello to Alloxan When you mix chemicals with food, you create byproducts. One of these is alloxan. What’s that? It’s a substance that scientists use to degrade the pancreatic beta cells in laboratory mice.3 Researchers have found trace amounts of this stuff in several brands of bleached flour. Why is it so bad for human health? Your pancreas is where you make your insulin, particularly your beta cells. That’s right. Each time you eat bleached flour, not only do you spike your blood sugar, predisposing you to Type 2 diabetes. You also consume a chemical that damages the organ responsible for combating these spikes. Statistics suggest the results are not good, leading to increased disease. How to Recognize Flour on Food Labels One problem with avoiding bleached flour is you’ll seldom see those two words used on nutrition labels. Instead, you’ll see “wheat flour.” What happens when the average consumer reads, “wheat flour?” That’s right. They think it’s healthy. Not you. Like Jellystone’s Yogi, you’re smarter than the average bear. But what should you look for? Instead, look for the words “whole grain” or “whole wheat” on the label. Pro-tip : The words “contains whole grains” can be misleading. Read the label. It might say wheat flour and then whole wheat flour, indicating that you have a mix of bleached and unbleached stuff in there. You’d have to write to the manufacturer to discern the precise ratio. Stick to whole grain only. Where Flour Lurks in Food Bleached flour is everywhere in Western diets. The statistics begin to make sense. Unfortunately, you have to read the labels of more than your loaf of bread. Bleached flour may lurk in the following: Baked goods Snack foods like pretzels and crackers Breading: Processed convenience foods are often full of the stuff — more on this in the FAQs section. Pasta Gravies Cereal Sauces Meat Substitutes: Pay attention, vegans and vegetarians. 14 Alternatives to Bleached Flour to Experiment With Fortunately, there’s a wide variety of alternative flours to play with when you cook at home. You’ll also find these used in more healthy convenience foods as people educate themselves and demand alternatives, although you might pay a steeper price. The DIY method keeps your costs low and doubles as a valuable prep — it’s much easier to store flour than fresh bread. How to Use Flour Substitutes Please note that alternatives to bleached flour will vary slightly in taste and texture from what you’re used to. However, change can be a good thing. You might find that you like these alternatives better! Plus, you get another bonus. Remember, bleached flour removes the filling fiber that keeps your appetite at bay. Switching to alternatives will keep you fuller longer, which can stretch your food budget and maybe even help you drop a few unwanted pounds without trying. Your best method? Experiment! Play with different alternative flours to find your favorites or create a signature blend of two or three favorites. Start with easy swaps, like the breading on oven-baked chicken, and progress to baking. Here are 14 alternatives to consider. 1. Whole Grain Flour Whole grain flour doesn’t strip away the bran and germ, giving you much more nutrition. You also maintain the filling fiber that keeps your blood sugar under control, lowering your Type 2 diabetes risk. 2. Almond Flour If you want to eat more nuts and seeds for your mental health, consider doing so by substituting almond flour. Bleached flour can increase systemic inflammation, which researchers consider as a factor in some anxiety disorders.4 However, that’s not the only reason almond flour benefits mental health. Nuts are high in magnesium, a mineral that may ease symptoms of anxiety and depression.5 3. Spelt Flour Spelled flour comes from an ancient grain. However, it still contains gluten, so pay attention if you have celiac disease or an intolerance. It’s a primitive relative of modern wheat. 4. Brown Rice Flour Brown rice is a whole grain while white rice is not. Read labels to ensure you get all the nutrition and fiber. 5. Amaranth Flour Amaranth is another ancient grain, one preppers in the southwest rejoice over. It grows well and quickly and the leaves are also edible. However, manufacturers grind the grain into a slightly flowery, nutty flour. 6. Oat Flour Oat flour may or may not be gluten-free, depending on the manufacturing process. If you have a severe intolerance or celiac, look for the words “manufactured in a dedicated gluten-free facility” to protect yourself. 7. Chickpea Flour Are you a vegetarian or vegan who needs a protein boost? Look to chickpea or garbanzo bean flour. It’s chock-full of the muscle-building macronutrient. 8. Rye Flour Rye flour has a slightly more bitter taste than wheat. It’s a great source of multiple B vitamins. 9. Coconut Flour Coconut flour is popular for baking and frying. It has a slightly sweet taste that’s heavenly in muffins or panko breading. 10. Buckwheat Flour Buckwheat is another alternative to bleached flour that vegans should embrace. Why? It’s one of a handful of plant-based foods that’s a complete protein, giving you all nine essential amino acids your body can’t make itself.6 11. Sorghum Flour You might recognize this flour from gluten-free labels. It’s a popular alternative to wheat in commercial products prepared for this crowd. 12. Millet Flour Millet is a small, yellow grain that tastes vaguely reminiscent of corn. As such, it’s great for baking and breading and makes a lovely blend with other alternative flours. 13. Cassava Flour Cassava is a South American tuber that’s somewhat similar to a sweet potato. It’s used as a staple in many countries and makes flour akin to potato flakes — but more finely ground. 14. Nut Flour Various nut flours abound, such as hazelnut, macadamia, walnut, and pecan. Although they can be pricey, they’re also full of magnesium and other minerals like zinc and selenium to boost mood and mental health.7 FAQS Here are your answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about alternative flours. 1. Do Alternative Flours Taste the Same as Bleached Flour? Bleached flour is bland because manufacturers strip away the stuff that provides flavor. Alternative flours each have their own unique taste. Some varieties, like sorghum, have more of the neutral taste preferred in baked goods, but others add a new twist. Your best bet is to experiment. You can blend several alternative flours in varying ratios until you find a taste and texture you fall in love with. You might even create unique combos for different dishes, such as almond flour, millet, and sorghum for baking and a coconut-spelt blend for coating fried chicken. 2. Do You Substitute Alternative Flours in the Same Ratio in Recipes? In general, alternative flours measure up scoop for scoop with unbleached flour. There’s no need to adjust your recipe. You can swap them out cup for cup. 3. What’s the Healthiest Alternative Flour? Is this a trick question? Just kidding. The healthiest alternative flour for you depends on your unique body and needs. Some blends are higher in protein, making them attractive to vegans, while others contain trace minerals your body needs.8 4. How Do I Avoid Bleached Flour If I Rely on Convenience Foods Because of My Busy Lifestyle? It’s a tough question. More healthy convenience foods now contain whole grains, but you must read labels. While microwaved meals might cost more, you can often find bread, crackers, and pasta made from whole grain. Combine that option with snack foods that resemble their natural forms. For example, nearly every convenience store sells mixed nuts, string cheese, and a few assorted fruits. Hit up bulk health food stores when you have time to stock up on non-perishable, natural snacks like trail mix and dried fruit and veggies. These cost more upfront but won’t go stale. Resolve to Try These Bleached Flour Alternatives You now know that alternatives to bleached flour play a valuable role in the fight against Type 2 diabetes. One possible reason the condition has reached epidemic levels is because of the adverse health effects of the white stuff. The sooner you experiment with whole grain and alternative flours, the more quickly you’ll find the varieties you love. Resolve to try these bleached flour alternatives this year and slash your risk of what may be America’s number one health threat. References: 1. About Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes | National Diabetes Prevention Program | CDC . 15 Nov. 2023, https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention/about-prediabetes.html 2. “Flour Bleaching | Baking Processes.” BAKERpedia , 10 July 2018, https://bakerpedia.com/processes/flour-bleaching/ 3. Ganga, S., et. al. “Dark Side of White Flour — Maida.” Indian Association of Health, Research and Welfare. 2020, 11(1-3), 100-105. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341394368_Darkside_Of_The_White_Flour_-_Maida 4. Guo, Bingqi, et al. “Neuroinflammation Mechanisms of Neuromodulation Therapies for Anxiety and Depression.” Translational Psychiatry , vol. 13, Jan. 2023, p. 5. PubMed Central , https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-022-02297-y 5. Nazarinasab, Masoumeh, et al. “Investigating the Effect of Magnesium Supplement in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder under Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Treatment.” Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care , vol. 11, no. 12, Dec. 2022, pp. 7800–05. PubMed Central , https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1164_22 6. “13 Nearly Complete Protein Sources for Vegetarians and Vegans.” Healthline , 21 Apr. 2020, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/complete-protein-for-vegans 7. Totten, Melissa S., et al. “Trace Minerals and Anxiety: A Review of Zinc, Copper, Iron, and Selenium.” Dietetics , vol. 2, no. 1, Mar. 2023, pp. 83–103. www.mdpi.com , https://doi.org/10.3390/dietetics2010008 8. Barnes, Mia. “What’s the Healthiest Flour Alternative?” Body+Mind Magazine , 6 Oct. 2021, https://bodymind.com/whats-the-healthiest-alternative-flour/.

Our beloved Poe cat ascended to his next adventure on June 26, 2023. We honor his passing and remember this special family member. Poe cat gave Jennifer a reason to continue during her darkest days. You can honor his legacy by buying a copy of his book by clicking here . All proceeds benefit RAICES. ***** How do you write a eulogy for the “person” who saved your life? It doesn’t matter if he had four legs instead of two. Little Poe cat had more humanity than most humans I know. Perhaps it’s best if I keep this as he would have wanted: short and sweet. He was the most loving soul who ever lived, but he was also simple. The smallest things delighted him: the warmth of home, the caress of a caring hand, nourishing food in his wee belly. Many thanks to all of you who offered words of comfort during this time of grief. You have no idea how much it helps to know that Poe cat was so loved. He may have begun his life in this world homeless and alone, but he spent his final moments surrounded by his loving family and a caring veterinarian team. Many thanks, too, to the Universe and the folks I work with for giving me this time to spend with him and grieve. Although his last days contained more pain than I would have wanted, they were also filled with love. Our last Sunday together, we laid in bed the whole day, just being with each other. I can’t tell you how precious the gift of those final hours was. And his legacy will live on. Before he passed, Poe gave me the title of the second book, something I’ve been struggling with since its conception. Poe, Onyx and Squeeks will likely complete sometime in 2024. It will be the second book in his legacy and charitable quest. Poe came into my life when I had nothing to live for. Every day was pain. Still, every morning, I looked forward to seeing him on my porch, to guessing how many cans of Sheba he would devour, to seeing how close I could get without scaring him. Every day, we built a bond of trust, even as the rest of my world collapsed around me. I firmly believe that little angel stayed in my life just long enough to make sure I would be okay. He was a true angel in material form. I don’t know the secrets of life and death — these things remain a mystery to us all for good reason. However, I do know that energy is never created or destroyed, and that little guy powered enough love energy to heal the world. I have no doubt his spirit is off being someone else’s angel at this very moment. I also don’t know what the future will bring for sure. I only know he showed me the way. I have big plans for the nonprofit I’ve been dreaming of building that are all inspired by him, but I don’t know if it will ever come to fruition. I know I’m assembling the parts, with Poe’s love and guidance, and it gives me a reason to go on, a purpose, something to work toward. Poe taught me so much. He taught me how to persevere in the face of overwhelming odds. He taught me how to accept suffering with grace, and how to look for the beauty, the goodness, the compassion and caring in life when it seemed like there was none. He was the gentlest soul I have ever known, and taught me how mildness can in reality be great strength, far more powerful than harsh and angry words. Most of all, he taught me that love is the most binding glue, the real reason we all are here, and the one thing that goes on long after we are gone. If a cat can attain Buddhahood, I have no doubt in my mind. Poe was a Buddha. Safe travels, wise and dear one. Thank you for your many lessons. Your legacy will live forever. So will my love for you, my son.

Written by Jennifer Stanley While everyone is different, a near universal experience as you grow your yoga practice is becoming more mindful in daily life, not just on the mat. It’s one reason talking to the mat is so powerful — it brings about deep change from the inside. Many yogis engage in mindful eating, tuning into what you take into your body and why. Mindful eating can lead to unexpected benefits, like weight loss. It might even help you uncover hidden health issues like food allergies, giving you the power to address them and improve your well-being. Perhaps the most important perk, though, is that this practice enhances your enjoyment of every meal — and shouldn’t life be about feeling good while being kind to ourselves and others? Here’s why mindful eating is yoga at the table and why you should embrace it. What Is Mindful Eating? Think about the last time you ate. Was the urge driven by genuine physical hunger, your appointed lunch hour’s arrival, a special celebration, or a need to distract yourself? Do you remember what you ate, why you chose it, what nutritional value it provided and how the flavor and texture felt on your tongue? You might come up with some of these answers even if your last meal consisted of a bag of chips at your computer. However, you could answer each one in detail if you ate mindfully. The process entails remaining fully present in the moment, treating each dining experience like a rich and joyous celebration of being human — which it is. Mindful eating begins with the selection and preparation of your meal to the enjoyment of the dining experience. It’s your chance to dine like the French, who believe you should savor meals and the human relationships that bond over them. You can even think of it as a small act of rebellion against a world that wants you to hurry up and be more like a machine. Food reminds you that you are a living creature, an integral part of the miracle of creation, not a robot. The Many Benefits of Mindful Eating Mindful eating does much more than serve as a testimony to the human spirit amid a high-pressure world. It also benefits you. Consider the following perks before deciding you simply “lack the time” to tune into your meal. 1. Gain Awareness of Your Body’s Natural Cues Millions of Americans struggle with obesity. One reason for the soaring rates is that far too many of us eat mindlessly, grazing at our work desks and pulling through whichever fast food joint is the most convenient when we’re too wiped out from our busy day to cook dinner. This sacrifice comes at a steep price — losing touch with the ability to tell when we are hungry and when we feel full. Mindful eating rebuilds your relationship with your body’s hunger and satiety cues. Over time, you gradually get better at checking in with yourself before dining. Doing so gives you greater agency over your behavior. When you recognize that you aren’t digging into the cookie tray out of hunger but rather because they look so good, you must try a sample, it’s easier to stop at just one. 2. Develop a Deeper Appreciation of Food You might say grace, but when was the last time you genuinely felt thankful for your food? If you haven’t felt physical hunger for some time, you might have lost touch with the simple joy eating brings. It is participating in the cycle of life. As you tune into your meals, you gain a deeper appreciation for the taste and texture of certain foods. You’ll also learn more about your likes and dislikes. For example, perhaps you always hated the mushy, overcooked asparagus of your childhood but find you love it lightly sauteed with a little olive oil. 3. Cultivate Gratitude and Ease Negative Feelings Around Meal Time The next time you eat, check in with your emotions. What are you feeling? You might be surprised what a bit of mindful exploration unearths. For example, you might notice that you feel vaguely guilty for grabbing that bag of chips instead of a healthier snack, especially if you struggle with weight or medical issues. Mindfully explore how you could manage that emotion. You might: Opt for something healthier, reminding yourself that you aren’t depriving yourself forever, simply making the best choice for you at this moment in time. Remind yourself that life is about balance and allow yourself a small indulgence, resolving to make healthy choices 80% of the time but permitting space for being human. Either way, cultivate a sense of gratitude — you can take your choice of snack. Focus on that abundance and give thanks that you have multiple options. It’s much better than digging in with mixed feelings, mindlessly snacking, then becoming overwhelmed with guilt as you scrape the final salty bits from the bag’s bottom. Becoming aware of your emotions around food may, with time and practice, ease the symptoms of eating disorders and aid in your remission. 4. Enrich Your Relationships With Family and Friends The fabulous thing about the French is they don’t let life’s other demands stand between their celebrations of friendship and family — which inevitably include food. Meals are an event to savor mindfully, often spanning more than an hour, as people take time to put their forks down, engage in conversation and celebrate their connection. One of the biggest drivers of the mental health crisis in American society is loneliness and the lack of a sense of connection. The statistics are particularly dire among younger people, as nearly 50% of those aged 18 to 24 reported anxiety or depression symptoms in the past year. Giving people back the time to gather at the dinner table might combat some of them, helping people reconnect and build community. 5. Recognize Which Foods Work Well for Your Body Guess what? Your physiology is unique, and everything you eat affects your chemistry for better or for worse. Mindful eating allows space to observe how you feel after eating certain meals. Doing so can help you identify food allergies and sensitivities that affect your well-being, even if they don’t quickly lead to fatal illness. Some intolerances surface as little more than a general feeling of malaise, gastrointestinal distress or an altered mood — the only way to notice and identify the culprit is to pay attention and experiment with eliminating problematic versions to see what brings relief. 6. Control Your Health and Weight Without Stress Personal aside: I wish I could have back all the energy I wasted worrying about my weight when I was younger. I tried one diet after another, when what I really needed to do was tune in mindfully to what I was putting in my mouth and its effect on how I felt instead of seeking outside validation that I was “doing it right.” Diet books can be valuable sources of information that provide insight on how various foods affect the human body. However, they aren’t a replacement for knowing yourself, and they aren’t always reliable. For example, we might not have soaring Type 2 diabetes rates had people mindfully tuned into how they felt after overindulging in ultra-processed, high-carb snacks simply because they were labeled “lite.” Furthermore, there’s a lot that goes into what you eat and why you eat it — physical hunger might not even make your top three list. Taking time to listen to these compulsions is a must for feeling more in control over what you choose to eat and why. How to Have a Mindful Meal: A Script Want to make your next meal a mindful one? Here’s a script to follow. Please don’t get too hung up on the details — what matters most is remaining in the present moment and mindfully tuning into each step. Here’s what to do: Start with planning your meal. What’s on the menu? Explore what factors you consider. If you’re like most mere mortals, your cravings probably top the list — what are you in the mood for? How can you satisfy that desire while meeting your nutritional needs and creating a dish that tastes great on your plate? Amass your materials. Pay attention to the ingredients you use and the cooking method. Are you sharing your meal with others? Consider inviting them to help you prepare the dishes. Explain you’re doing mindful eating and why and invite them to explore. As you cook, ask yourself various questions. How does heating change the texture and consistency of the food? How do the colors and flavors blend? Set your table with care when there’s a break in the stove action. How can you make it inviting, so people want to join you at the table? Add aesthetic touches that delight your soul. When you sit down to eat, take a moment to mindfully express gratitude for your meal, either out loud or in your mind by observing a moment of silence. Resist the urge to immediately dig in. Instead, plate your meal as if you were serving it at a fine restaurant. Observe how you feel as you anticipate the first bite. Is your mouth watering? Inhale the aromas of your dish and nibble and sample before digging in. As you progress through the meal, remain in the moment. Savor each bite. Put your fork down between mouthfuls and enjoy the company, too, chatting or genuinely, deeply listening to what they share. You might be surprised at the complexity in a seemingly simple dinner when you treat the occasion with respect and honor, like the French. As you finish eating, give thanks once more. You might want to vocally thank any companions. Tune into how you feel. Hopefully, you are pleasantly sated and also full from the camaraderie you shared or the pure self-love you poured into making a special dish for yourself. Mindful Eating as an Extension of Your Practice The mindfulness you develop on the yoga mat spills over into daily life, making each moment richer. Everything becomes an extension of your practice, including meal time. Mindful eating is like practicing yoga at the table. Although you aren’t doing physical poses, you bring the same energy of awareness and loving-kindness to mealtime, creating a positive ripple effect that may go on to transform your life in other, magical ways.

Written by Jennifer Stanley You don’t need anyone to tell you that the world is an increasingly hostile place. News of war and violence scream at you from headlines daily, even if you do your best to avoid them — they show up in your email, on gym televisions, on your Uber driver’s satellite radio. It’s enough to make anyone feel more than a little hostile themselves. However, yogis know peace begins within, by cultivating mindfulness and taking responsibility for what you can control — yourself. You can calm your body and mind through breath and movement, and in doing so remain serenely courageous through chaos. Better, you can begin to shift the energy within you towards that of peace, creating a ripple effect that spreads to others, as attitudes are contagious. Practice this loving-kindness meditation for yourself and send good vibrations to a world that sorely needs them. Postures for Sitting or Lying in Meditation The best posture for this loving-kindness meditation or any meditation session is whatever makes you the most comfortable. There is no one “correct” meditation posture — it’s highly individualized. However, here are some classic poses to consider: Vajrasana: This kneeling posture is similar to the hero's pose in yoga. Kneel on the floor, allowing the feet to separate. This pose may help with keeping your spine straight if other seated meditation postures Sukhasana: This easy seated posture is similar to the criss-cross-applesauce pose you might have used as a kid sitting on the floor. Simply fold your legs in front of you, legs folded, with one slightly forward. Lotus or a variation: Lotus is an advanced meditation posture that can help with spinal alignment, but it isn’t kind to everyone’s knees. You can also take a half-lotus, crossing only one leg on top of the other with the ankle toward the groin. Savasana: Some people prefer to lie down during meditation (I’m one of them). If taking corpse pose or savasana, try keeping your head straight, as letting it fall to one side encourages sleep. It also helps to place a pillow or bolster beneath your knees, especially if you have lower back, hip, or knee pain. Setting the Mood for Your Meditation Experienced meditators can reach a contemplative state nearly anywhere, but most mere mortals do best in an environment conducive to relaxation. Dim the lights, perhaps using colored LEDs to create a rosy glow. Adjust the temperature and have a blanket handy, as you often become cool when seated or lying for extended periods. A little aromatherapy doesn’t hurt — rose, ylang-ylang and lavender are good scents to use for this meditation, as are any scents you find relaxing and nurturing. Suggested Guided Loving-Kindness Meditation Begin by taking several slow breaths, elongating your exhales slightly. You can center your awareness by counting backward from ten as you count your inhales and exhales, such as this: “Inhale, ten, two, three, four,” and, “exhale, ten, two, three, four, five.” Continue breathing this way until you reach one, repeating if necessary until you feel calm and relaxed. Pro-tip : it sometimes helps to burn off physical energy before sitting in meditation. Going for a run followed by a stretching cooldown or practicing an invigorating vinyasa routine into deeper restorative stretches can mitigate stress hormone levels and get you in a better mindset — try it if you feel too restless to sit. Once you feel a sense of inner peace descend, draw your awareness to your heart chakra, the center of your chest. Explore the sensations there. Can you feel your heart beating for you? Next, visualize someone you love dearly. It may be a pet — I often reflect on the pure love that Poe , and all beloved pets, teach. Let that feeling of love build and grow. As your aura of loving-kindness grows, extend that feeling of acceptance and compassion to yourself. Picture a rosy glow filling every cell of your body, energizing every fiber. Gradually extend this sense to others, beginning with those nearest and dearest to you. Visualize the light of love spreading to your neighbors, colleagues, and even those people you find distasteful. Continue letting this feeling of loving-kindness grow and emanate from you. Visualize it spreading so that it envelops the entire world, entering the hearts of those engaged in war and violence and transforming them with awareness. Imagine a planet in peaceful coexistence as if it were reality. Gradually reconnect with the world around you by wiggling your fingers and toes as you exit your meditation. Take several deep, 3-part breaths, letting first your belly, then your diaphragm, and finally your chest expand before parting your lips and sighing your exhale. Blink your eyes open and smile warmly at the world. Spread Love to Yourself and the World With This Meditation You can repeat this meditation any time the world’s ugliness tears at your soul. Think of it as defensive armor for your soul, safeguarding against the bitterness that can easily creep in when news of death and despair bombard you. Peace and loving-kindness begin within each one of us, and you can’t spread what you don’t feel. By generating compassion for ourselves and others on the mat, we can’t help but carry that emotion forward into daily life, spreading serenity, acceptance, and joy to everyone we touch. Ease Into Your Meditation With a Little Yoga for Peace  Do you need to burn off a little restless energy before meditation? Try this yoga for peace routine to gradually calm your central nervous system and induce a more peaceful mental state in yourself before spreading it to others.

Written by Jennifer Stanley Is there anything more frustrating than tossing and turning? You know it’s going to affect you the next day. Worse is when you can’t sleep for several days in a row, stumbling through waking life like a zombie but cursing the sight of your bedroom ceiling through your open eyelids at night. Although scientists don’t fully understand why living creatures need sleep, they’re certain of how badly it affects you when you don’t get enough. You become more accident prone, and your risk of various diseases increases. Plus, it wreaks havoc on your mood and leaves you snapping at loved ones. As someone who has struggled with insomnia, I understand its impact. While nothing health-related is guaranteed, certain habits and practices can nevertheless make it easier to get your Zzz’s. Try parts or all of this evening ritual the next time you can’t sleep or, worse, suffer a stretch of insomnia. Start With Your Daily Routine How you pace your day influences how well you sleep at night. In general, you want to tackle your toughest mental and physical activities soon after waking, taking on less stressful stuff as you get closer to bedtime. Recently, some people have reported terrific success using the 10-3-2-1-0 sleep rule. What Is the 10-3-2-1-0 Sleep Rule? Dr. Jess Andrade, sports medicine physician, explains the 10-3-2-1-0 sleep rule as a guide of activities to cease at specific intervals before bedtime to encourage more restful sleep. It works like this: Stop drinking caffeine 10 hours or more before bedtime. Caffeine blocks your adenosine receptors , a body chemical that builds up over the course of the day, making you sleepy. Finish your last big meal at least three hours before bed. Digestion can stimulate you, keeping you awake, and lying down too quickly after eating can trigger gastric reflux. Stop all work activities at least two hours before bed and begin your evening ritual. Turn off all screens at least one hour before bed, as it stimulates your mind and the blue light can keep you awake by affecting melatonin. How many times do you hit snooze? Zero! That’s a big goose egg. Studies suggest hitting snooze doesn’t add to quality sleep and may extend morning grogginess , a condition called sleep inertia. The Role of Exercise What about exercise? Doesn’t a good daily workout help you get more rest? Yes, and exercise should absolutely be a part of your routine — with one caveat. Three hours before bed, cease all heavy physical activity. You can still include a gentle, soothing yoga routine, such as the one below, to ease you into dreamland. However, save anything that exerts your muscle power or gets your heart pumping for early in the day, as it keeps your core temperature elevated and revs up your metabolism, which can make sleep elusive. Your 2-Hour Evening Ritual Wind-Down Commit to yourself that the two hours before bed is your sacred time. I know, I know, I know. I’ve been there, too. Sometimes, you work a 12-or-more hour day or have errand after errand keeping you busy until bedtime. Guess what? That’s not a problem if you tumble into bed exhausted. However, if you find yourself unable to sleep after ten to 15 minutes, get up and begin your evening ritual. Why? It’s all about engaging the parasympathetic side of your autonomic nervous system, baby. That’s the part that governs unconscious processes , which has two sides. When the sympathetic, or fight-or-flight side, remains overly engaged, it can keep you counting sheep even when you’re physically exhausted. Your parasympathetic side is your rest and digest, and that’s what you want to engage when you can’t sleep by practicing one or all of the following activities.

Yoga is much more than a practice to many. It's a way of life, a spiritual discipline, affecting multiple decisions, including what to eat. Many yogis opt to become vegetarian — should you follow suit? A plant-based diet has multiple advantages. Many people also consider it more ethical, as it is kinder to animals and treads more lightly on the planet. However, diet is an intensely personal thing, one that involves more than merely staying alive. Food forms an integral part of many family and cultural celebrations and even some Buddhist monks will eat meat offered to them under certain circumstances. Should yogis be vegetarian? The choice is ultimately yours, but here are some things to consider. Yoga History, Religious Origins and Vegetarianism Yoga shares ancient historical ties with both Buddhism and Hinduism, faiths that embrace vegetarianism in some respects. Many members of both faiths refrain from eating meat to practice non-violence toward other living things. Although the Buddha cautioned that the yogi refrain from eating flesh, wandering monks could eat meat offered to them as long as they did not see, hear or suspect the animal was killed for them. For example, it would be acceptable to accept a chicken dinner if the fowl had died of natural causes. Furthermore, many yogis commit to eating sattvic food for the physical, mental and spiritual health benefits. Sattvic food is a part of the Ayurvedic system and emphasizes fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains, while avoiding meat, caffeine, refined sugars and overly spicy or processed foods. Although those who practice a sattvic diet may consume dairy, they exclude eggs. Reasons to Become a Vegetarian Yogi If you’re on the fence about going vegetarian, here are three reasons to consider switching. 1. Practice Non-Violence Toward All Living Creatures Yoga creates a reverence for life. Even if you don’t practice Buddhism or Hinduism, choosing to forego meat can be a highly spiritual decision. The deliberate killing of an animal creates pain and fear and thus, suffering. Many yogis who wouldn’t personally go hunting or fishing choose the vegetarian path, as they recoil at the thought of such violence. 2. Demonstrate Loving-Kindness Toward Planet Earth Food production contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. According to the 2023 Nature Food study, cutting current meat consumption by half would reduce the food industry’s contribution to a changing climate by a quarter. Furthermore, cattle farming contributes to deforestation, especially in the Amazon. The earth needs more trees, not fewer. Plus, acreage used for growing cattle feed could just as easily grow nutritious food for humans, reducing world hunger for a fraction of the environmental cost. 3. Enjoy Impressive Health Benefits Copious scientific evidence supports the health benefits of a plant-based diet. According to the American Heart Association, a diet rich in vegetables and fruits lowers the risk of: Heart disease Strokes Obesity High blood pressure High cholesterol Type 2 diabetes Many forms of cancer The Many Flavors of Vegetarianism Yogis who choose vegetarianism have several options. Vegans are the most restrictive, eschewing all animal products, including clothing made from silk or leather or animal byproducts like honey. Lacto-ovo vegetarians eat dairy and eggs but no meat, while pescatarians enjoy fish and seafood. There are also twists --- some people consume dairy but not eggs, for example. Reasons to Include Meat in Your Diet That said, not all yogis are vegetarian. Many choose a flexitarian option, cutting back on meat but still consuming it on special occasions. Others find that consuming animal products is the most convenient and cost-effective way for them to manage their health. Here are two reasons to keep an open mind. 1. Practice Acceptance for Individual Differences Eating meat has been part of the human experience for millions of years , long before they evolved into modern-day homo sapiens sapiens . Some scientists argue that we never would have evolved such large brains had we not snacked on the occasional antelope leg. However, other scientists refute this assertion — the debate rages on. Whatever evolution may show, many of us grew up eating meat. It’s part of our family celebrations and may play a role in cultural events. Saying no to a slice of mama’s famous meatloaf when you fly home for a rare college break can feel sacrilegious and lead to hurt feelings. Saying yes to certain meals can bring you closer with those you love, bask you in pleasant nostalgia and comfort you like a hot bowl of beef stew on a cold, winter’s day. 2. Support Those With Certain Medical Conditions Everyone’s body reacts differently to various foods. Just as there are some people who are allergic to meat , there are others who could find themselves nutritionally deprived on a purely plant-based diet. It’s not that they’re allergic to every variety of veggie, fruit or nut, but health conditions may limit their options. For example, people with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis may struggle to absorb certain nutrients. Plants can sometimes contain antinutrients that further inhibit digestion, making it tougher to get the nutrition they need from such sources. Furthermore, people with anemia, which depletes iron, or pernicious anemia, which makes getting B12 problematic, should talk to their doctors before starting a vegan or vegetarian diet. It’s harder to absorb plant iron than from a meat-based source, and nearly all naturally occurring B-12 comes from animal origin. Finally, parents should think twice before allowing children to practice a vegan diet, as they need certain nutrients for their growth and development. Those who lack the time or the money to do the homework involved with getting a full array of amino acids should also hesitate, although a lacto-ovo or pescatarian diet may be appropriate. Should Vegetarianism Be a Part of Your Yoga Practice? Many yogis extend their practice well beyond the mat. It is a way of life that encompasses every arena, including what they eat. Many yogis choose to be vegetarian, although not all do. Should you become a vegetarian yogi? Only you can decide for sure. Cutting down on your meat consumption is a good way to practice compassion for animals, yourself and the planet, one that deserves your mindful thought and attention.