Are You Moving Too Fast?
Slow Down With Meditation
improvement provided by meditation is exploding. In 1980, three papers were published on the topic. By 2014, that number had ballooned to 535.
It seems that in all aspects of our lives, we’re being asked to move faster. Items appear at our doorstep mere hours after we order them online. Fast-food restaurants dot every corner. News alerts and messages from our friends buzz our phones hundreds of times throughout the day. It’s a lot to keep up with, and sometimes it gets overwhelming. The best remedy for this stress is to simply slow down for a few minutes. If you are feeling stressed or fatigued by a constant barrage of information, meditation may be the perfect antidote. For many years, meditation has been stigmatized as New Age hippie-dippy mysticism, but scientific studies have found that the benefits are real. The aptly named neuroscientist Richard Minds, founder of the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds, describes how meditation “rewires the brain.” “Research indicated we can actually influence the functional and structural changes in our brains,” Minds says. A UCLA study found that meditators can develop faster mental processing. Other studies have found a correlation between meditation and memory retention. The research into the cognitive
There are many different methods of meditation, but mindfulness meditation is a great starting point. To practice this method, sit comfortably on the floor with your back straight and your legs crossed. Focus on your breathing and note the thoughts that pop into your head without judging them. As you enter a meditative state, you’ll find your thoughts slowing down and your stress dissipating. You can start meditating for short periods, even as little as one to two minutes. With continued practice, you’ll find that you’re able to sit for longer stretches of time. Most experts recommend five- to 10-minute sessions for beginners. Dr. Stacey Raybuck Schatz practices meditation herself and has found it incredibly helpful in allowing her to remain centered and focused. She’s even turned a few ProPT staffers into avid meditators. If you find yourself struggling to keep up with the pace of modern life, you might be surprised to learn that slowing down for a few minutes each day can help.
Roasted Asparagus With Lemon Breadcrumbs
Recipe inspired by Food and Wine Magazine
Ingredients
My mother suffered from Alzheimer’s for many years, and I saw how much this disease affected her quality of life and the impact that it had on my father as the primary caregiver. Unable to enjoy their golden years as they had planned, they became isolated and did not socialize anymore. Eventually, Mom became very bitter about losing her short-term memory and executive functions, and she took out her frustration on the rest of the family. Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease that impacts an entire family. While scientists work hard toward finding answers, treatments, and eventually a cure, people living with Alzheimer’s and their families need all the support they can get to take care of individuals with dementia every day of the week. The Steinka family will match Professional Physical Therapy’s generous donation to this charity. They look forward to the day when a cure for this awful disease is finally realized. When choosing a Patient of the Month, we often look at the journey the patient went through to get to where they are now. Brad has come a long way in his rehab and is now performing activities that he has not been able to do for years. Brad always stayed focused on his goals, even through the discouraging times. His positive attitude, persistence, and outcome made Brad our choice for patient of the month.
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
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2 pounds asparagus
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1 tablespoon flat-leaf parsley, chopped
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1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
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2 teaspoons lemon zest
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Kosher salt
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Juice of one lemon (not packaged lemon juice)
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Freshly ground pepper
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2 garlic cloves, minced
Directions 1. Heat oven to 425 F. Toss asparagus with 2 tablespoons olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place on baking sheet and bake for 20–26 minutes, turning asparagus halfway through. 2. When asparagus is nearly done, heat remaining olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add breadcrumbs and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and fold in parsley and lemon zest. 3. Transfer asparagus to serving platter, drizzle with lemon juice, and top with breadcrumb mixture.
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