Stress and Skin Conditions

Meditation Helps to get rid of Psoriasis.

 

Causes of psoriasis 

Psoriasis occurs when skin cells are replaced more quickly than usual. It's not known exactly why this happens, but research suggests it's caused by a problem with the immune system. (NHS Choices)

 

Body Skin Replacement Accelerates

Your body produces new skin cells in the deepest layer of skin. These skin cells gradually move up through the layers of skin until they reach the outermost level. Then they die and flake off. This whole process normally takes around three to four weeks. In people with psoriasis, this process only takes about three to seven days. As a result, cells that aren't fully mature build up rapidly on the surface of the skin, causing red, flaky, crusty patches covered with silvery scales.  (NHS Choices)

 

Chronic Stress Changes Immune Cell Genes, Leading To Inflammation: Study

Researchers found that chronic stress changes gene activity of immune cells before they enter the bloodstream so that they’re ready to fight infection or trauma — even when there is no infection or trauma to fight. This then leads to increased inflammation. (Huffington Post)

 

Vagal Tone Training

Richard Davidson, who directs the Laboratory for Affective Neuroscience(link is external) at the University of Wisconsin, has done seminal research on the left versus right prefrontal areas. His research group has found that when we're in the grip of a hijack or under the sway of distressing emotions, there are relatively high levels of activity in the right prefrontal cortex. But when we're feeling great - enthused, energized, like we could take on anything - the left prefrontal area lights up. (Psychology Today)

 

If you want to cultivate greater strength of activity in the left prefrontal areas that generate positive emotions, you can try a few strategies. For starters, take regular time off from a hectic, hassled routine to rest and restore. Schedule time to "do nothing": walk your dog, take a long shower, whatever allows you to let go of leaning forward into the next thing in your on-the-go state. You can also try mindfulness to cultivate an even-hovering presence to your experience in the moment, an awareness that is non-judgmental and non-reactive to whatever thoughts or feelings arise in the mind. It's a very effective method for decompressing and getting into a relaxed and balanced state. (Psychology Today)

 

Why Yoga Works

Researcher Chris Streeter, PhD, associate professor of psychiatry and neurology at Boston University School of Medicine, recently released an article, “Effects of Yoga on the Autonomic Nervous System, Gamma-aminobutyric-acid, and Allostasis in Epilepsy, Depression, and Post-traumatic stress disorder,” detailing what are believed to be the underlying physiological mechanisms, or, simply put, yoga’s impact on the body and brain. (Kripalu.org)