Happy Therapy Art

The weight and warmth of a blanket can provide comfort and help you feel more relaxed, making it easier to fall asleep.  A weighted blanket is an especially heavy blanket usually one that weighs between 4 to 30 pounds, that is used as an alternative therapy for several conditions: Sleep aid, reduce anxiety, insomnia, tossing and turning, or other sleep problems.   The pressure of weighted blankets puts your autonomic nervous system into “rest” mode, reducing some of the symptoms of anxiety, such as a quickened heart rate or breathing. This can provide an overall sense of calm.  The reason weighted blankets are beneficial for sleep is due to the fact that deep pressure can help facilitate the release of serotonin (the happy neurotransmitter), and then serotonin helps in the production of melatonin (our sleepy hormone). 2020 research reported that weighted blankets may be helpful in relieving anxiety by helping with emotional and physical regulation. In another study, 63 p...

The Om mantra is a sacred sound that can help reduce stress and promote relaxation . Om chanting is an ancient practice that has been used for thousands of years in many Eastern religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Chanting Om can also help with anxiety and depression . It calms the nerves, reduces the release of stress hormones and promotes relaxation.  Om chanting has also been found to have a positive effect on anxiety. A study conducted by the National Center for Biotechnology Information found that chanting Om on regular basis, for just five minutes, can significantly reduce anxiety levels. The vibrations created by chanting Om have a calming effect on the nervous system.The vibrations of Om resonate not only in the vocal cords but also within the body. SIGNIFICANCE OF OM IN HINDUISM Om is often referred to as the prime symbol of Hinduism and is said to be the primordial sound from which the universe was created. The three syllables A-U-M are said t...

Passiflora,  also  known  as the passion flowers or passion vines, is a genus of about 550 species of flowering plants, the type genus of the family Passifloraceae. Passion flower (Passiflora incarnata) is a climbing vine with white and purple flowers and has documented therapeutic properties.  The chemicals in passion flower have calming effects.   The literature data suggest that the passionflower itself, as well as its preparations, helps reduce stress and can therefore be helpful in the treatment of insomnia, anxiety, and depression.  HISTORY OF PASSION FLOWER  Passionflower is native to the Southeastern United States, Central America and South America. The “passion” in passion flower actually refers to the passion of Christ. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Spanish missionaries in Peru saw the unusual flower as a symbol of the crucifixion. The blue and white colors of the flower were thought to stand for heaven and purity, the radial filaments symb...

Eating just half a cup of walnuts reduced stress, anxiety and depression. There are several nutrients in walnuts that could be responsible for the reduced risk of depression and improved mood.  The polyphenols in walnuts can help fight oxidative stress and inflammation.  Walnuts are known to lessen the symptoms of depression, as they are the richest plant-based omega-3 fatty acids.  Walnuts are different from other tree nuts because of their greater antioxidant capacity, polyphenols and ALA content.  Consuming a handful of walnuts reduces cortisol levels related to stress, especially in hypertensive people. Bedtime is a great time to eat walnuts because they have numerous compounds that are tied to healthy sleep patterns.  Magnesium is an essential mineral that helps your body relax, improving sleep quality .  Walnuts may help improve your shut-eye as they have high magnesium content. A 1-ounce serving contains 11% of your daily magnesium requirement. ...

Butterfly pea has been used for reducing stress and anxiety from ancient times. Drinking blue tea will help you feel relaxed and get a good night's rest. Butterfly pea tea or blue tea is an herbal drink that is very popular in Thailand. Butterfly pea tea contains an amino acid called tryptophan, which can help to promote the production of the sleep hormone melatonin. Drinking blue tea before bed can help you to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Shankhpushpi in hindi or Butterfly pea (Clitoria Ternatea) in English, is called 'Medhya Rasayana' in Ayurveda - meaning a drug which rejuvenates, maintains and potentiates intellect and memory. It is also known as Asian pigeonwings or cordofan pea.  Butterfly pea is a crawler type of plant. Mostly Butterfly pea varies in color like blue, pink,  purple and white also. Butterfly pea  also helps improve brain function and memory. Blue Pea flower tea is rich in melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep cycles. Drinking a cup ...

Beetroot is a root vegetable with the ability to help us feel relaxed and calm.  Drinking beetroot juice regularly for 7 days may help reduce blood pressure in people with the problem of hypertension.  Beetroot has a soothing secret called betaine. Betaine was first discovered in the juice of sugar beets in the 19th century and these days the amino acid derivative betaine is recognized as being potentially helpful in treating clinical depression.  Beetroot (Shaljam or Chukandar  in Hindi) is a winter vegetable that helps you stay healthy and warm during the cold months. The root veggie can be eaten raw in the form of a cooked, raw salad, boiled or roasted.  SPIRITUAL USE OF BEETROOT  Beetroot symbolizes love and beauty and is sacred to the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite. Romans used beets as an aphrodisiac. The beetroot corresponds to the heart chakra. Beetroot also balances your root chakra that is responsible for keeping you centered, foc...

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter made in your brain. Dopamine acts as a chemical messenger, communicating messages between nerve cells in your brain and your brain and the rest of your body. Dopamine acts on areas of the brain to give you feelings of pleasure, satisfaction and motivation. Anything that gives you pleasure will trigger the release of dopamine. This can range from a fun activity you enjoy, like dancing or cooking, to sex, shopping , and even certain drugs.  Dopamine often called the as Happy Hormone or Feel Good Hormone. Dopamine also has a role to play in controlling memory, mood, sleep, learning, concentration, movement and other body functions.  As a hormone, dopamine is released into your bloodstream. It plays a small role in the “fight-or-flight” syndrome. The fight-or-flight response refers to your body’s response to a perceived or real stressful situation, such as needing to escape danger. Engage in activities that make you happy or feel relaxed. This is ...

Sesame seeds are a rich source of the amino acid tyrosine, which is used to produce dopamine , a neurotransmitter responsible for keeping the brain alert and memory sharp. Black sesame seeds may help with stress relief due to their high levels of magnesium and calcium, as well as their content of tryptophan , an amino acid that helps produce serotonin . Black sesame seeds contain magnesium, a mineral that plays a crucial role in relaxing blood vessels and reducing stress. You can even use sesame seed oil to massage to reduce headache. Including magnesium-rich foods like black sesame seeds in your diet can contribute to a sense of calm and relaxation . Tryptophan:  Black sesame seeds contain Tryptophan which is an  amino acid that helps produce serotonin, which can help you feel calm and relaxed, and improve your mood and sleep.  Antioxidants: Black sesame seeds contain antioxidants like sesamin, sesamolin, and sesamol, which can help reduce oxidative stress . Oxidativ...

Forest therapy is a form of activity used to pursue health benefits from the forest. The term "forest therapy" is often used reciprocally with the terms "forest bathing" and "Shinrin Yoku", which was coined in Japan in 1982 based on ancient traditions, an effort to help Japan's stressed out office workers with an aim to reduce blood pressure, stress hormones (cortisol) , improve concentration , focus and memory, and boost the immune system.  Urban city life doesn’t really give us a lot of opportunities to be completely present in the moment. The concrete jungles that we built for ourselves, silently took away that liberty. Time and again, our body and mind give us signals, to slow down a bit, maybe even take a pause and understand the power of now, the benefit of mindfulness. After Various scientific researches it has been proven that Forest Therapy or Forest bath is a wellness path to prevent disease, by simply visits to a natural area. They are Mindf...