Winter is the time of year when weather conditions and limited daylight hours may lead us to spending more time cooped up in our homes, and more time indoors away from sunlight exposure can cause many people to feel the blues. Although some people look forward to the cooler temperatures, the leaves falling off the trees and rainy days by the fire, many begin to notice they are feeling down, uninterested in activities, a lack of motivation and less desire to take care of themselves.

Though the body burns more calories in the winter because it works hard to keep warm, many people will eat up to an additional 200 calories a day during these months, causing weight gain and further contributing to bad feelings. The cooler weather also adds stress to the body, throwing our immune systems off and leading to irritating coughs, runny noses and fevers.

There was a time when eating an apple a day could actually keep the doctor away. These days an apple a day could land you right in his office. In order to keep up with the growing population, food is produced at a rapid rate, often with the use of pesticides, antibiotics and hormones.

Most of the food we buy today is processed, which eliminates most vitamins, minerals and fiber that our bodies need. Because we are not getting a sufficient supply of nutrients from our food, our bodies turn to our organs to supplement, placing a burden on them. Over time, all this can lead to health problems, disease, infertility and birth defects. 

Maintaining a youthful body has everything to do with staying healthy. And staying healthy has everything to do with what we consume, so is it possible to enhance the quality of your life simply by choosing the right foods to eat? Most Americans have diets that consist of foods high in sugar, fat, cholesterol, preservatives and even hormones and pesticides among other toxins. It’s an unfortunate fact that fruits, vegetables and meat are not what they used to be.

Ohm. When you think of meditation, maybe you imagine a peaceful monk sitting cross-legged in a temple somewhere in Asia.

Meditation is something everyone can benefit from and you don’t have to study for years to achieve the state of calm and nothingness to your path to Nirvana to understand its value. Meditation requires mental discipline and the practice is all part of the journey. There are dozens of types of meditation and several ways to practice, but the roads all lead to the same place - tranquility, clarity and focus. If you have ever noticed a professional athlete before a big game, you often find them in a sort of laser-focused daze; even that is a form of meditation.

The benefits of meditation affect mind, body and soul. Mentally, meditation increases serotonin levels, which make up feel happy and balanced. It decreases anxiety and stress, allowing us to open our minds to positive things. Depression is often lessened and even the most stressful situations are more easily tolerated by those who practice meditation regularly. Physically, meditation has been known to decrease blood pressure, increase oxygen flow, relieve muscle tension and improve sleep and the immune system. Many people who meditate experience an “inner peace” and understanding of the world around them, as well as a heightened awareness of inner self.