Basically, step out of the "fast lane", learn to smell the flowers, see the colors, etc.

I learned as a teen when I played relaxing music in the dark, that the dark greatly heightened my awareness of the pleasure of the music. My favorites were harp music and Hawaiian music (listening to the waves come gently in to the shore-type). We often spend too much time in the fast lane and are not aware of how to step out of that pace at the end of the day. I have simple, wholesome meals I can prepare quickly, and then relax and "reset" for the rest of the evening. Parents with children, even young ones, can help them learn this. Time for "cuddling" and learning to listen to the music. Patience pays off - the children learn to enjoy it as well.

I knew the value of relaxation to renew my energy, and I knew the value of massage to release toxins, but I had no idea how many other effects and benefits these two techniques had on my body! And while I know from personal experience that attitude has a profound effect on the health of longterm caregivers, I didn't realize that it can affect your mitocondrial health permanently. More people should be made aware of all that you learned at this unique conference. It just reinforces something I learned as a child: Pay attention to your body and what it is telling you!

excellent article. SO true. I have seen it work, relaxation, taking care of stress can work wonders. I have seen people age before my eyes with letting stress " kill them"
Keep us updated and informed with all the info ..Thank you so much! NJW

As a working mother of 3 teenagers, I have seen how attitude can affect my ability to deal with such a busy life. As long as I FEEL on top of things I'm fine, but when I FEEL out of control I get stressed out, sick etc. It is not the amount of busy-ness, but my attitude towards it that makes the difference. It is amazing that the same event can be approached with an attitude of calm or stress. I really enjoyed this item.

I just want to tell you that the Holosync Solution of www.centerpointe.com has helped me a lot in healing my stress related health problems such as insomnia and constipation. I'm only on my first level and it has already done wonders for me.

Leticia Lim
Diamond Circle
St. Michael Village
Banilad, Cebu City
Philippines

Through a generous gift from my daughter, I had a maasage last week. I had been tired, feeling hurt from various illness and had been carrying around this gift certificate for three months. I finally made up my mind to just do it. The next day my husband and I went to the state fair and walked five miles (many sit-downs of course) The day after, I housecleaned the kitchen and bathroom. Do I think the primary mover of 'me' was massage? Yes, indeed! I now plan to take up yoga. I have DVD's and need to learn how to use the player. I also have enough left on gift to have another massage and will ask for that kind of gift when prompted. It is true--we must 'just do it'. That also applies to my ongoing battle with weight loss and the 'Ultra'good hints and what I need to do from Dr Hyman's book will, I am sure, aid me in this venture to health also.

I noticed that
when I am under stress, I become much more angry in my responses to EVERYTHING, large or small, wishing that stress and all of its triggers (ie..family life, alot to do, etc..) would just leave me alone. I DO appear older to myself and others often comment upon how tired I look. All of the energy that's being put into reacting is being used up and I don't have anything left. I don't know how to relax and it's killing me.

I just want to thank Dr. Mark for his emails. I have enjoyed each one and I appreciate that they are written in a quick easy to read style. You always give me something to think about. I have lost about 24 pounds in the last couple years- 13 of those this year. Everyday I work at it! It's coming off slowly but it seems like when it's gone it's really gone! Thank you for the support and information. Deb

I agree with stress being the number one cause of illness, aging and emotional disease. I was diagnosed 4 years ago after being bedridden with severe pain and fatigue with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Severe Fibromyalgia. I became dis-eased after working in a very high stress and toxic environment of 60+ hours a week in management. My ability to get up in the morning with a positive attitude and return to the dis-eased workplace caused my body to breakdown and my emotional well-being to became negatively compromised. My body took the hit for all of the abuse that I suffered for 3+years at my company. I was trying to change the toxic environment with my upbeat and positive outlook which only further took a toll on my health. The company was not going to change the way it operated as the culture had already been created to impact its employees negatively. I have spent the last 4 years trying to rejuvenate the cell messages to my body and brain in order to heal the emotional and physical pain that I suffered while working there which ultimately manifested as "disease." I have had to become mentally tough and to focus on visualizing positive outcomes in my health and mental awareness in order to progress in my healing.
Journaling, meditation, visualization, exercise and eating healthy foods has directly impacted my daily level of functioning in a positive way. After struggling with high level doses of medication including morphine, I chose to get my act together by the power of the mind/body connection. I still struggle with pain and fatigue at times, but I am seeing positive results in my energy levels and pain on the days that I am implementing the above strategies to get well.Thank you Dr. Hyman for telling the world how powerful the brain is on recovery from illness, depression and disease. We who are sick. are not powerless to make positive changes in our diseases.......it's all in the mind!

In addtion to the steps you've mentioned to prevent aging, I find visualization very powerful. I created a scene I find very relaxing and go back to that place whenever I feel stress. The results are incredible!

When I had a job that seemed very stressful and I felt myself starting to react to the stress, I would take a deep breath and say, "My Divine career is manifesting now." Suddenly, everything would seem different and the things I would accomplish that day seemed to be a part of the Divine plan. I taught it to some fellow employees, and it worked for them, too. I eventually moved on to a different (more Divine) career. Whenever I might feel that I'm reacting to stress, I just take a deep breath and think and/or say something like, "My Divine plan is manisfesting now," and let myself flow into the moment.
Stress is just a reaction--and reactions can be choices. Relaxation is a choice, too. And it's wonderful having this choice.

Found this article particularly interesting and useful.. as a military family who are separated often, our stress levels seem to be at a constant high, manifesting in all sorts of behavior, sleeping, and health issues...
we often joke that one year of a tour to iraq ages us 10, with all the stress and worry. After reading this, maybe its not such a "joke" and we DO constantly work on thinking the glass is half full and not half empty, it is something that is discussed OFTEN!
Thanks for confirming and guiding our need to be MUCH less stressed out!

Just want to know if anyone has read "The China Study" by T. Colin Campbell. And what is your take on it? I'm so impressed that I'm trying a vegan diet on for size.

Help! I think I have tried everyway possible to manage stress. I am a cronic grinder and clencher of my teeth especially in my sleep. I have tried every possible mouth piece and now I'm using an NTI that helps but I still clench and grind. I have tried all kinds of meds and I hate that drugged feeling. Massage and relaxation seem to help before sleep but isn't always possible. I know I don't sleep enough because of it and it causes lots of migraines, muscle tension and I know it is aging me. Suggestions?

Thank you for the opportunity to respond. For an extraordinary opportunity, Dr. Barry Morguelan is an excellent contact for enlivening of/ rejuvenation of one's life - a remarkable man in ENERGY, see the site at This pertains to all aspects of life, not just, but including, physical well being. charlotte's web

energyforsuccess.org

Dear Mark,
What a refreshing article. I am a psychotherapist and also teach about practices of the mind that affect the body at many levels. May many blessings flow for all from these teachings,

Peace, Sue

I think it's interesting how much credit is given to the Dalai Lama for truth that was spoken long before he ever existed. All these things were spoken by God many years ago and we have had access to them long before now. ~Psalm 119:99 "I have more INSIGHT than all my teachers, for I MEDITATE on your statutes.",~Psalm 48:9 "Within your temple, O God, we MEDITATE on your unfailing love."~Proverbs 10:27 "The fear of the Lord ADDS LENGTH to LIFE, but the years of the wicked are cut short."~Proverbs 14:30"A heart at PEACE gives LIFE to the BODY, but envy rots the bones."~Proverbs 17:22 "A CHEERFUL HEART is GOOD MEDICINE, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." 1Peter 3:10-11 "For whoever desires to LOVE LIFE and SEE GOOD DAYS, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him SEEK PEACE and pursue it." These are truths that God gave us long ago, He deserves the glory for them not a man! Thanks for reading :) In Christ, ~HOlly~

My husband & I are in our mid 60's and up until a year ago we were taking care of his elderly parents (both had Alzheimer's). They lived with us for three years until both passed. This was very stressful-mainly just the intensity & constant fatigue. I began singing old hymns & songs to them as that was about the only way to reach them. After their deaths, I have continued to throw myself into singing. It relaxes me and is something I'd rather do than eat. I would like to know if this has the same beneficial effects as meditation (which I am not good at). All I know is that I'm happier than I have been in years.

Hey all! So true... I've been detoxing myself from stress a little more each day. Some days are more difficult than others. But, I've found painting, singing, yoga and cooking to lovely music to begin the process. I like to meditate too, but I'm not very good at it. The only time it really worked for me was about 14 years ago I went on a guided meditative hike in Sedona, AZ. I was able to let go of an enormous amount of emotional baggage. It helped charge me up for some of my most productive years of my life.

I recently visited Sedona this last summer and left feeling renewed all over again! Maybe I'm so wound up I need to be on vacation, relaxing and then try to meditate? Who knows.

I think you have to try everything you can and see what makes the biggest difference in different situations. Yoga on an airplane isn't an option, but I've found those resistance bands and deep breathing to have helped me destress my fear of flying.

I have also found essential oils to be a huge benefit too. They're tiny and they travel well.

Thanks Dr. Mark for showing us the many avenues to better health. It's like my mom always said, "All your systems are connected, like it or not. You have to start somehwere to see the results everywhere else."

Thank you Dr. Mark for your timely insights on the benefits of reducing stress.

I want to share with everyone the practice of T'ai Chi Chih. This form of T'ai Chi is easy to learn (just 20 movements) But it is great at helping to manage stress and improves imune function - as shown in a study done at UCLA.

The study "Mind over Matter: Tai Chi Class Boosts Shingles Immunity, Improves Physical Functioning in Older Adults" was done by Jennifer L. Pike and Jason C. Cole of the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute and Department of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and Dr. Michael N. Oxman of the University of California at San Diego and the San Diego Veterans Affairs Healthcare System.

An article on the study is avaialble at the T'ai Chi Chih website www.taichichih.org. There is also a link on how to find a teacher.

I've found it helps me.

I have found that water activities are amazing relaxers. Water aerobics, swimming or just splashing around with family and friends are all refreshing and rejuvenating. When you are older, like me, it is one of the only ways you can get full range of motion, non-impact, strengthening and stretching work at the same time you are at good cardio levels of exercise. Last, but certainly not least, is the calming and de-stressing influence of the fluid stuff.

This lession really help me, I need to started back, relaxing, Now that I have more imformation about what it can do for me.

Thank You
FC

Thank you Dr. Hyman for "UltraMetabolism". You're the first I've found to organize everything in a useful way.

Life has its ups and downs so I shed some stress by bouncing on my Rebound trampoline. I hope it's helping the lymphatic system. I also try to hate nothing (although okra is sometimes difficult).

Great information. I will set aside more time for meditation. I find that pleasent aromas can also immediately relieve any stress. Meditation and pure orange based aromas send me to heaven!

Thank you for this emcouraging report.

QiGong ("The Healing Wave" technique) has been my centering activity for several years, just a 20 minute morning stretching, breathing and relaxating routine. The National QiGong Association's website: www.nqa.org

My comment regarding your Oct.4th article about reducing stress is to get into the NOW. I will get so fussed up about something (anything really) that I have to stop myself and say- stay in the NOW.
Yesterday has come and gone.
Tomorrow is not here yet.
Do what is in front of you and take one thing at a time - sometimes one moment at a time. We (I) all tend to worry too much about so many things.All we REALLY have to do is BREATH. (and calm down).One small step at a time which is sometimes hard to do.

Just want to say how much I am enjoying and benefitting from your news letters.

Thanks,
Ann.

I use an "Attitude of Gratitude" to help manage stress. I am a constant silver-lining seeker! My other major de-stressor? My animals! Listening to one of the cats purr, or hearing the horses munch their hay in the evening, petting my rabbit, playing with the dogs - they form a wonderful part of my support network!

Hi Mark
We (Jane Chappell& I)have the books Ultra Prevention and Ultra Metabolism. I read Ultra Preventation months ago, and while I found it fascinating I didn't follow the program. I have been diagnosed with Ross River, Barmah Forest and Glandular Fever. I have seen 4 Natropaths the past 12 months. My current natropath claims he can cure these fevers. He has very good results curing people of these viruses but has not worked for me. I recently saw another natropath and he tested me for allergies with wheat, milk and soy. All came back positive. I am now avoiding these items in my diet. I hope this works as I am now currently on sick leave. I find it very difficult to eliminate sugar from my diet but I have found that avoiding foods with milk and wheat eliminates a lot of sugar from my diet. I would like to be on your mailing list.

Regards
Richard Joll

I read your book, thank you for the info-it's great. I just wanted to find out where to get the konjac. I live in Honolulu, Hi. and can't seem to find it. Is there another word for it?

Don't forget to laugh. Seeing the humor in life's trying situations can get us through almost anything. There is medical evidence that those who laugh easily have significantly less physical and emotional problems. So turn off the news and get goofy with someone.

Where do I go to get the metabolic testing done? I was suppose to get a link after I purchased the audio and book but can't find the information.

Love your e-mails. All of it resonates - I think you're brilliant. Do you have any diet advice for clear skin?

Hi Judy,
I have found konjac on-line from multiple sources. It is also known as Glucomannan, so you can try using that name. The best prices on-line can be found at www.iHerb.com. I hope this helps!!

I really enjoyed reading this blog; what a great meeting of helpful people in our time. I am grateful you are sharing this with us Mark!!

The Tibetan Monks of the Drepung Loseling Monastary came to Canada once with an interactive lecture tour on Ancient Tibetan Healing. It was life changing. Try: www.drepung.org.

A funny thing - that gut feeling that people use as a source of knowing is really the vagus nerve!

Something new - the origin of the vagus nerve has been the proposed site of an implant to ward off anxiety!

I just wanted to say that I am noticing a trend with this rating system and I find it a little perplexing why we are rating people's comments. There was nothing "wrong" with thanking Mark or providing us info. on a practice that sounds very complimentary. I hope you were not discouraged by the -1 rating that then appeared. Sincerely, someone from Canada. (typically Canadian, eh?)

Thanks Jennie!!

I so enjoyed reading this article regarding food and the Chinese. I found the same thing to be true when I visited China last year.It was so fun reading the menu in restaurants because you could learn what to eat depending on your medical needs. The only foods that were not too apealing to me were Fried Scorpion and Chicken Feet. I kept a journal of my travels and food was at least 50% of that journal.
Thank You so much
Marylin Kitchen

Re.: Eating Color
My recipe for 'Singing Vegetables' wrap

Fill 1 slice wholegrain flatbread with:
thin slices avocado, thin slices red bell pepper, small handful of broccoli slaw with carrot mix, 1 heaping tbsp feta cheese or blue cheese crumbles for taste, small handful of mushrooms, thin slice onion pulled into rings, 1 slice dk green lettuce, all topped with 1 tbsp asian salad dressing for additional flavor. Optional tsp soy bacon crumbles. Diced tomato optional.
This lunch will fill you up and make you happy and feeling energized. Goes good with 1 cup warm pumpkin or tomato soup or a chicken vegetable broth.

So refreshing and delicious to see an MD interesting in the healing properties of nutrition! Thank you, from the world of nutrition and physiology. (Duck when the pharmaceutical reps visit...

Chrys

Dear Mark,

I so enjoy your reading. I'm now reading UltraMetabolism and am learning so much! This particular reading on relaxation, meditation and compassion and its effects on our health, was particularly interesting. As a Christian, the reading does not suprise me. Jesus Christ was compassionate to everyone He met. God was compassionate when He sent His son Jesus to teach us how to live and later die on the cross for our sins, so that we could have hope for eternal life. If we accept Him as our Savior, He comes to live inside us. When that happens, He transforms our inner soul and guides us through the Holy spirit. The idea is to be more like Him every day by loving our neighbors as ourselves, being compassionate toward others and living a wholesome life. When we realize life is not about us, it's all about Him, we become less stressful, becaise we do not have to compete with things or other people. Instead, we love others as Christ loved us. This life is temporary, but eternal is forever. I believe living a healthy lifestyle has a lot to do with how we view life in general. If we're sick, then it's hard to be compassionate for others and to be the way Christ would want us to be. Thank you for what you do to help others transform their physical bodies. That's a great start. But what happens after that? Then, what is there? A goal to be more like Christ every day can never go away. We will always be striving to be better for Him. That way, our true meaning in life never goes away and we're not at the world's mercy to fall to everyone's belief. We keep striving towards the goal - to be more life Him and to serve Him everyday. How wonderful it is not to have the pressure to think life is about me and my happiness. No,it's about Him and His happiness. When we realize that, we experience true joy. Hopefully, when others get physically healthy they can find the true meaning to life, which is to serve the Lord with our talents and gifts and lead others to Him. I pray you know Him. Thank you.

Robin

I actually wanted to know if you had any advice for me. I have Neurofibromatosis and I have a tumor on my vagus nerve and the Dr. said that he would have to take the nerve. He said I have two vagus nerves and he didn't show much concern about it. How do you think I could be affected by this?
I thought that the vagus nerve was the most important nerve of the body. If you don't mind I would like to know what your thoughts are on this.

The connection between anxiety disorder and diabetes Type II is in the gene and the main causation is chronic or acute stress over time. Therefore, to do pancreas qigong, the first thing is to release and let go of the anxiety, stored by the Beta cells in the pancreas.

For some unknown reason, the genes causing these two conditions must be in a very close locale in the genome as dictated by heredity

The connection between anxiety disorder and diabetes Type II is in the gene and the main causation is chronic or acute stress over time. Therefore, to do pancreas qigong, the first thing is to release and let go of the anxiety, stored by the Beta cells in the pancreas.

For some unknown reason, the genes causing these two conditions must be in a very close locale in the genome as dictated by heredity

Dear Mark Hyman, thankyou for your blog. I really enjoyed reading it, and it inspired me.

The way I feel calm is realizing that I am part of this great, beautiful, extraordinary universe we live in. It fills me with love and compassion for everything and everybody. And I feel connected to everything. For some reason this gives me the deep impresson that there is nothing to worry about, because the answers to everything we may need or want are all out there. Which brings joy and peace.

I am trying to find this food. In the book, Ultrametabolism, it was suggested noodles are made of this. What are they called? Where can I buy them? I have tried an Oriental market and they didn't know what it was. Thank you.

Stress affects everyone differently. When I'm under heavy stress, I begin to worry excessivly which leads to even more stress. But I have found that exercise greatly helps regulate and reduce my stress. I would make about 30-45 mins everyday to exercise outside while listening to music. A lot of people I know hate exercising and rarely exercise, only when they have to. But exercising has become one of my favorite activities in my day. Reducing stress and knowing that I'm helping my own body repair itself feels good. Also, I write in a journal like stated above.