Dream Away Those Extra Pounds

According to a recent Kaiser Permanente study has discovered people who have the lowest stress levels and who have more than six hours of sleep each night, but no more than eight hours, had a greater chance of losing a minimum of ten pounds. However, those people with high stress levels and poor sleep quality were less apt to lose those ten pounds.

The study was headed by Dr. Charles Elder of the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research located in Portland, Oregon. The study consisted of 472 obese adults (having BMIs ranging from 30 to 50) and over age thirty. Among the participants 83% were women and one quarter were seniors over the age of 65. Participants were enrolled in a weight loss program that had included group counseling, maintaining a food diary, moderate exercise (most each day having a minimum of three hours each week) decreasing daily calorie intake by 500 and maintaining a low-fat, low-salt diet which was high in vegetables , fruits, whole grains and lean proteins.

Researchers had observed particular lifestyle measures such as stress levels, nightly sleep quality and depression. This was done at the start of the study and six months later.

During the study period, 60% of the participants had lost a minimum of ten pounds. Researchers had discovered that factors such as exercise and maintaining a food journal along with behavioral counseling sessions were associated to weight loss. On average the participants had lost around fourteen pounds.

Researchers also discovered some significant indicators for success which were sleep quality and stress. Among the participants those who had noted sleeping less than six hours but no more than eight hours each night at the beginning of the study, had a greater chance to achieve the ten pound weight loss goal in comparison to those sleeping six to eight hours each night.

Stress complicated that link, those who slept to little or too much and noted high stress levels had only a 50% chance of making it to the second phase of study in comparison to those who had got six to eight hours of sleep and had low stress levels. Weight loss was linked to decreased stress levels. Researchers suggest that those who are trying to lose weight should concentrate on obtaining quality sleep and decrease stress.

There are numerous alternative therapies in which aide in stress reduction leading to quality sleep.

Here are just a few:

Chiropractic

When you are stressed your body does not function properly. When the body is healthy all systems are go for optimal performance. Chiropractic care can address those issues of stresses that interfere with the bodies performance.

Adjustments done by a chiropractor of the human spine and extremities let de-stressing occur by reaching deeply into the bodies organs, muscles and nerves.

Regular chiropractic adjustments affects the electrical impulses in the brain which produces high intensity alpha waves. These waves are linked to deep relaxation and mental alertness. Therefore, when adjustments are done and regular chiropractic care is maintained your body reduces the stress levels leading to a more relaxed body, improved sleep quality, lower blood pressure and pulse rate, lower stress hormones in the blood and improves the circulation.

Trigger point therapy often is used. Trigger points are those knots in muscle tissues where there has been a build up of toxicity due to chronic muscle spasms. Common causes of these trigger points include poor sleep quality and high stress levels. When these trigger points are corrected through adjustments all interferences to the brain's control of the body are removed. Allow the body once again to function normally and giving you once again restored health.

Acupuncture

You just may want to try this form of traditional Chinese medicine to reduce your stress. This therapy is based upon the belief that qi (energy) flows through the meridian of the body. The body contains 12 main meridians each is related to a different organ system in the body. It is believed that stress and anxiety is caused by a disturbance in the energy flow.

Commonly for treatment the acupuncturist will insert six to twelve needles along the meridians and yes there will be a very tiny pinch. Treatments commonly take 30 to 45 minutes. Acupressure may also be used in the same way the only difference is pressure is applied instead of needles.

There have been a few studies demonstrating that regular acupuncture treatments can increase relaxation and reduce stress levels.Sources:

Times of India

Healthland

Bahama's Weekly

A & L Chiropractic Center

Dann