Latest news with #anxietyrelief
Vogue
4 days ago
- Health
- Vogue
This Anti-Cortisol Yoga Pose For Better Sleep
If the end of the day brings a rush of heart-pumping anxiety (a packed train platform will do that), this stress-eliminating solution might be for you. Yes, there are supplements and lifestyle tweaks that can help, like avoiding caffeine in the afternoon and managing your blood sugar to avoid the troughs and valleys that bring with them panicky, anxious feelings. The quickest solution I've found, though, is to stick my legs in the air. Really. Instagram content This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from. Popular among both yogis and TikTok wellness fans, putting your legs up against a wall can help calm your nervous system and drain stagnant lymph and fluid that accumulates in the lower limbs. Simple, free, and oddly comforting, there's a reason I haven't skipped a night doing it. What is the legs-up-the-wall pose? 'Legs up the wall—also known by its Sanskrit name viparita karani—is a deeply restorative yoga pose that can help promote lymphatic flow and enhance blood circulation, especially in the legs and feet,' Lelani Loubser, a functional medicine practitioner at The Hvn in London's Knightsbridge, explains. It consists simply of lying with your back flat against the ground and legs at a right angle, flush against a wall. 'It activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes 'rest and digest' and can lead to better sleep quality. It also helps gently decompress the spine, which can provide relief from lower back pain and pelvic tension,' Loubser continues. How long do you need to stay in this position to reap the benefits? The big draw of this method is that you only need to commit between five and 20 minutes a day to see and feel the results. I like to stack it with wearing my red light mask and deep breathing or reading my Kindle. By the time the 10 to 20 minutes are up, I feel calm enough to slip into bed and drift off fairly quickly. Is there a best time of day to do this exercise? There are many 'best times,' says Loubser. 'In the mornings, it can gently wake up the lymphatic and digestive system. In the middle of the day, it can be used to relieve tension from prolonged periods of sitting and standing. And, in the evenings, it can be used to calm the nervous system and promote better quality sleep.' So, there's really not a bad time to do it. A savvy option would be to do five to ten minutes in the morning and the evening. What are the long-term benefits of doing the legs-up-the-wall pose? 'Legs-up-the-wall down-regulates cortisol and adrenaline (two stress hormones), stimulates the vagus nerve and nourishes the nervous system,' Loubser explains. It can, she says, also improve heart rate variability—a key metric when it comes to navigating stress, sleep, and recovery—as well as stress resilience.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
This Simple Back-to-School Hack Eases First-Day Anxiety
Tucking a family photo into your child's pencil box is a small but powerful way to ease first-day nerves and help kids feel supported and confident. The start of back-to-school season brings about a variety of emotions for kids and parents alike—excitement, anticipation, and sometimes, a bit of anxiety. The thought of meeting new people, navigating a different environment, and stepping into an unfamiliar routine can be overwhelming, especially for a young child. I love this super simple trick I saw on Coffee and Carpool's blog about placing a family photo in your child's pencil box to ease those back-to-school jitters and decided to try it out! Why place a family photo in a pencil box or lunch box? Other than the familiar faces your child will see that will provide a sense of peace and calm. Here are some other reasons to use a family photo. Sense of Belonging: A family photo serves as a small but powerful reminder of a loving environment where the child feels safe and accepted. Reduced Anxiety: The photo acts as a tangible piece of home, reducing feelings of separation anxiety. Instant Comfort: A quick look at loved ones can act as an instant morale booster, helping kids tackle challenges with greater confidence. Enhanced Focus: When children feel emotionally secure, they can focus better on their lessons and engage more effectively in classroom activities. Family Photo Pencil Box – Materials: pencil case (hardback not soft pouch works best) school supplies printed photo that fits in the inside lid of your pencil box Instructions The process is as straightforward as it sounds: Choose a Photo: Select a family photo that your child loves. It could be a holiday snapshot, a picture from a family outing, or even a casual photo taken at home. We loved this one hike we did so chose that as a reminder for my child. Size It Right: Make sure the photo fits into the pencil box without taking up too much space. You can print a smaller version if necessary. There are many free tools like Canva you can use to resize an image easily. Discuss: Show the photo to your child before placing it in the pencil box. This can be an excellent opportunity to discuss their feelings about the new school year and remind them that their family is always with them, in spirit if not in person. Place It: Simply place the photo in the pencil box with double-stick tape or for more permanence you can glue it on (however you can't swap out the photo as easily if yoiu do that). You can also use glue dots or removable tape. Final Thoughts This straightforward back-to-school idea is a tiny gesture, but it could make a big difference in how your child perceives and adapts to a new academic environment. So this school year, as you shop for pencils, erasers, and notebooks, don't forget to add a loving family photo to that pencil box. It may be the most valuable 'supply' of all!
UAE Moments
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- UAE Moments
Daily Affirmation for July 22, 2025 to Kickstart Your Vibe
✨ Today's Affirmation: 'I release what I can't control and focus on what lights me up.' 💫 Vibe Check: Feeling anxious? Like you're carrying the whole world on your shoulders? We get it. Some days, the weight of uncertainty can feel extra heavy. But here's your cosmic reminder: you don't have to hold it all together. You're allowed to breathe, to pause, to let go. Today's energy says — let that sh*t go and make space for what brings you peace. 🧘♀️ Why This Works: We live in a hustle-heavy world that celebrates burnout and busyness. But control is an illusion, and peace comes from within — not from having everything figured out. This affirmation calls you back to your center, reminding you to nurture what's in your power: your joy, your purpose, your presence. 🌿 Your Mini Mission: Let go of the pressure to micromanage every outcome. Try this instead: – Make a 'let it go' list: write down 3 things stressing you that you can't control — then tear it up. – Schedule 15 minutes for something that sparks joy: dancing, doodling, or just doing nothing. – Say this when anxiety creeps in: 'This moment is mine. I choose peace over panic.' 🎧 Peace Mode Playlist: For the days you need to exhale and come back to yourself: 'Let Go' – Frou Frou 'Breathe (2 AM)' – Anna Nalick 'Peace' – Taylor Swift 'Good Days' – SZA 'Gravity' – Sara Bareilles 🔮 Bonus Energy Tip: Light a candle or incense. Watch the flame or the smoke rise. As it moves freely, let it remind you: your energy flows best when it's not being boxed in. You're allowed to surrender. You're allowed to shine.
CNET
11-06-2025
- Health
- CNET
The Benefits of Morning Sunlight and How It Transformed My Sleep
There is a lot going on in the world right now, so it's not surprising if you find it difficult to manage your stress levels properly. When we feel stress, finding a coping mechanism can be difficult for some, if not overwhelming or impossible. If that's the case, then this can also lead to anxiety, which further disrupts your sleep. And we all know how important it is to get good rest for your overall health and well-being. According to a recent CNET survey, US adults are willing to spend around $1,000 a year ($78 monthly) to improve their sleep quality. More than half of those adults, around 56%, have some kind of coping method to deal with their sleep-related challenges. And one in four (22%) use some kind of sleep tech to help them get a good night's rest. While a new mattress and bedding can certainly help, there are other ways to help you get better sleep that won't be too expensive. Personally, I've never had trouble falling asleep; staying asleep is my issue. I often wake up at ungodly hours to racing thoughts about everything I have to get done and everything I'd failed to accomplish the day before. I'd done all the "right" things to manage anxiety, like reducing my coffee intake, intentional breathing, meditation and eating balanced meals. Although I saw small improvements, the results weren't long-lasting. That's when I spoke to Andrea Micheo, a certified holistic health coach from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, to find natural remedies for anxiety. Nasha Addarich Martínez/CNET Read more: Best Mattress for 2025 How morning sunlight affects your circadian rhythm A good night's sleep is essential for our health. One often overlooked factor in achieving quality sleep is exposure to sunlight in the morning. There are multiple benefits of getting sunlight first thing in the morning, such as boosting your mood and improving your quality of sleep. How? Great question. Let's get into it. We can't talk about morning sunlight and improved sleep hygiene without first addressing our circadian rhythm. This is the body's 24-hour sleep-wake cycle. It naturally responds to light and darkness, and it dictates when we get hungry, sleepy and ready to wake up. Think of it as an internal clock. According to Johns Hopkins, the SCN (or suprachiasmatic nucleus) is the area of your brain that controls your sleep-wake cycle. In the morning, your eyes sense the sunlight, and then the SCN triggers the release of cortisol to help wake up your body. Getting sunlight in the morning helps regulate your circadian rhythm as the light signals to your body and brain that it's time to start the day. When it gets dark at night, the SCN triggers the release of melatonin, which makes you sleepy. "About a year ago, I started getting sunlight first thing in the morning and at sunset as a means to regulate my circadian rhythm. Since then, I've ditched the melatonin and have been getting more quality sleep," said Micheo. nambitomo/Getty Images Our internal clock is most sensitive to light during three specific times of the day: During the first hour after waking up : In the morning, as you get exposed to sunlight, your body starts to suppress its melatonin production (sleepy hormone). : In the morning, as you get exposed to sunlight, your body starts to suppress its melatonin production (sleepy hormone). Approximately two hours before your bedtime : As it starts to get dark outside, your brain receives the signal that it's time to wind down and go to bed. : As it starts to get dark outside, your brain receives the signal that it's time to wind down and go to bed. During the night: The darkness continues to signal to the brain to keep us asleep. You can leverage these three stages of light to synchronize your circadian rhythm. Studies show that exposure to daylight not only improves sleep quality but can also help you fall asleep earlier. "I always recommend this time-efficient and cost-effective behavioral tool to all my clients and continue getting positive results and feedback," added Micheo. Read more: Circadian Rhythm: Here's How to Reset and Get Better Sleep Nasha Addarich Martínez/CNET My sleep quality before and after getting morning sunlight I'm a decent sleeper: I prioritize sleep and usually get enough quality rest to wake up feeling refreshed the next day. When looking at the data from my Oura ring (a cool health and fitness tracker), my average sleep score is around 80, which Oura labels as "good." Here's my sleep data from the night before I incorporated getting sunlight into my morning routine. As you can see, I got almost 8 hours of sleep, but I had more wakeups than usual (restfulness). It took me 28 minutes to get to sleep (10 to 20 minutes is normal for most adults), and I didn't spend an ideal amount of time in deep sleep. The only thing I switched up in my morning routine was going for a 30-minute walk outside briefly after waking up. I didn't wear sunglasses or a hat to expose my eyes to the sun's first morning rays, but I did protect my skin with sunscreen. If you go outside later in the day, it's best to wear a hat and sunglasses and use sunscreen. Read more: Best Sunscreen I didn't change anything else in my daily or night routine, and this is what I woke up to: The first thing I noticed was that I slept a whole hour more and that I experienced fewer wakeups during the night. I also spent more time in deep sleep, and it only took me 9 minutes to fall asleep. Nasha Addarich Martínez/CNET Did I feel any different? Besides feeling a little more energized, I didn't experience a huge shift. I am surprised that I noticed such a difference in my sleep quality in just one day of exposing myself to the morning sun. The initial results are pretty promising, and I plan to get sunlight most mornings to see if I see significant improvement in the long run. Guide to sunlight therapy in the morning There isn't a single right way to get sunlight in the morning; these general guidelines can help you maximize your time in the sun: Go outside within the first hour of waking up: Since your body is most sensitive to light right around when you wake up, it's a good idea to soak up some sunshine first thing in the morning. Since your body is most sensitive to light right around when you wake up, it's a good idea to soak up some sunshine first thing in the morning. Aim to spend at least 30 mins in the sun: According to Harvard Medical School, 30 minutes is the optimal time to spend in light. According to Harvard Medical School, 30 minutes is the optimal time to spend in light. Be sure to wear sunscreen: While the sun's UV radiation is less harmful in the morning than during the day, it's still a good idea to protect yourself with sunscreen. While the sun's UV radiation is less harmful in the morning than during the day, it's still a good idea to protect yourself with sunscreen. Talk to your doctor: Before trying out light therapy with the morning sun, be sure you talk to your healthcare provider to ensure it's safe for you. Tips to get more sunlight in the morning Now that we've discussed how morning sunlight can affect sleep quality, let's explore ways to get more sunlight. PeopleImages/Getty Images Rise with the sun: Waking up around sunrise can be a game-changer for your sleep. Aim to wake up early and catch the first rays of sunlight to help regulate your circadian rhythm. Waking up around sunrise can be a game-changer for your sleep. Aim to wake up early and catch the first rays of sunlight to help regulate your circadian rhythm. Open your curtains and blinds: One easy way of maximizing natural light in your home is to open your blinds and curtains. This allows the sunlight to provide a natural wake-up signal for your body. One easy way of maximizing natural light in your home is to open your blinds and curtains. This allows the sunlight to provide a natural wake-up signal for your body. Do outdoor activities in the morning: Whether it's going for a brisk walk or just stretching on your patio, exposure to natural light and physical activity can help you wake up naturally. Whether it's going for a brisk walk or just stretching on your patio, exposure to natural light and physical activity can help you wake up naturally. Eat breakfast by a window: If your mornings are limited and you can't find 15 extra minutes to get sunlight, try having your breakfast or coffee near a window. If your mornings are limited and you can't find 15 extra minutes to get sunlight, try having your breakfast or coffee near a window. Invest in a light therapy lamp: If you have limited access to natural sunlight or live in a region with overcast weather, consider a light therapy device that mimics the spectrum of natural light. Morning sunlight FAQs What is the best time to get sunlight for your body? If you're looking to reset your internal clock, the best time to get sunlight is 30 minutes to an hour after you wake up. This should generally be around the same time since a consistent sleep schedule gives the best results. Studies have found that anywhere between 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. is a great time to get sunlight to obtain vitamin D. How long should you get morning sunlight? You should aim to get anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes of sunlight in the morning. You can start with 5 minutes on a very sunny day and work your way to 10. On cloudy days, you may need closer to 20 minutes. It is up to you and how your body feels.
Associated Press
09-06-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Divine Guidance Institute Unveils The Ancient Way of Knowing, Featuring 1-Magic Word, to Address Mental Health and Misinformation Crises
In response to the escalating mental health crisis and widespread deception affecting millions, Divine Guidance Institute and Wellness Center Inc. introduces The Ancient Way of Knowing, a groundbreaking system designed to empower individuals with clarity, resilience, and intuitive insight. United States, June 9, 2025 -- At the core of this approach is 1-Magic Word. Just Say HU—a 5,000-year-old technique that offers immediate relief from anxiety, stress, and misinformation overload. The Growing Mental Health Crisis and a Solution Rooted in Ancient Wisdom Mental health challenges have reached an alarming scale, with 42.5 million U.S. adults experiencing anxiety disorders each year, suicide claiming a life every 11 minutes (as of 2023), PTSD affecting 30% of individuals in 2024, and depression remaining one of the most widespread mental health conditions, impacting millions annually. These staggering figures highlight the urgency for accessible, effective, and holistic tools for mental well-being and informed decision-making. 1-Magic Word—a vibrational sound technique dating back to ancient Egypt—provides a drug-free, therapist-free approach to achieving mental balance and intuitive clarity. This method allows users to meditate effortlessly, whether spoken aloud or silently, eyes open or closed. Unlike conventional mental health strategies, HU can be practiced discreetly, even in social settings, offering an immediate sense of calm and focus. The practice is scientifically supported, backed by: 'Our mission is to equip people with tools that enhance mental well-being, clarity, and intuitive awareness,' explains psychologist, Dr. Rev. Nicole Sebastian. " 1-Magic Word isn't just for managing stress—it's a life tool for overcoming addiction, improving sleep, and handling everyday challenges. " Addressing Misinformation and the Blindsided Crisis The rising deception epidemic has affected financial security, relationships, and career decisions, leaving individuals vulnerable to misinformation. Consider: The Ancient Way of Knowing system incorporates sound, dreams, intuition, and synchronicity to strengthen individuals' ability to navigate today's complex world. Through this approach, individuals develop intuitive discernment and decision-making resilience to Never Get Blindsided Again. 'As deception grows, it clouds people's ability to judge situations accurately, leading to life-altering consequences,' says sociologist, Professor Rev. Michael Sebastian. " Our program restores people's confidence in their ability to distinguish truth from manipulation. ' Origins and Mission of Divine Guidance Institute The Divine Guidance Institute was born from personal transformation. Following experiences of being blindsided, Dr. Nic had a prophetic dream providing clarity, while Professor Mike's intuitive signs led him to Nicole despite a significant age difference. Dr. Nic's profound spiritual experiences and Professor Mike's discovery of an ancient vibrational sound technique to alleviate PTSD converged into a shared mission. Now married 30 years, they founded the Divine Guidance Institute as a modern-day learning center focused on teaching The Ancient Way of Knowing. This system empowers individuals to navigate relationships, careers, finances, and personal safety with increased awareness and insight. Unique Approach Blending Modern Techniques with Ancient Wisdom Leveraging their backgrounds in psychology and sociology, the Sebastians have created programs that combine ancient spiritual practices with modern psychological principles. As authors of 'TRUST YOURSELF: Master Your Dreams, Master Your Destiny', the Sebastians have long advocated for self-awareness as a key to personal growth. Their nonprofit's approach empowers individuals with methods rooted in ancient wisdom yet tailored to today's mental health and societal needs. Commitment to Never Get Blindsided Again At the core of Divine Guidance Institute is the pledge: Never Get Blindsided Again. Through education, practical application, and ongoing support, the Institute strives to equip people with the skills to face uncertainty with confidence, clarity, and resilience. The Institute's resources are accessible online, offering guidance for those seeking to regain control over their lives amid pervasive misinformation and deception. About Divine Guidance Institute Dr. Nic and Professor Mike Sebastian, both recognized for their work on VH1, A&E, E!, and XM/Sirius, respond to this pervasive issue through their nonprofit, Divine Guidance Institute. This 501(c)(3) organization introduces The Ancient Way of Knowing, a systematic approach aimed at helping individuals uncover truth, reduce deception, and make informed decisions to avoid life's unexpected pitfalls. DGI offers courses, coaching, DIY books, and seminars designed to improve mental health, discern truth, and support informed decision-making in complex life situations. Media Contact: Dr. Nic and Prof. Mike Sebastian Divine Guidance Institute and Wellness Center Inc. Email: [email protected] Website: Additional resources: Mental health challenges have reached an alarming scale, with 42.5 million U.S. adults experiencing anxiety disorders each year, suicide claiming a life every 11 minutes (as of 2023), PTSD affecting 30% of individuals in 2024, and depression remaining one of the most widespread mental health conditions, impacting millions annually. Contact Info: Name: Dr. Nic and Prof. Mike Sebastian Email: Send Email Organization: Divine Guidance Institute and Wellness Center Inc. Website: Release ID: 89161893 In the event of any inaccuracies, problems, or queries arising from the content shared in this press release, we encourage you to notify us immediately at [email protected] (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). Our diligent team will be readily available to respond and take swift action within 8 hours to rectify any identified issues or assist with removal requests. Ensuring the provision of high-quality and precise information is paramount to us.
