Mindful meditation, according to Schalbach, helps people remove the subjective filter of the mind so that they can have a direct experience with the situation at hand.
“What I’ve seen in my own practice, is an increased capacity to be with the difficult parts of life and not have the need to make those difficulties go away,” Schalbach says.
If soldiers can assess a stressful situation objectively, and not interpret it through a filter of fear, doubt, memory, they can perform better in the field. Or, if you’re an ultra runner overwhelmed with fatigue, but you have the tools to detach yourself from that stressful situation enough to look at it objectively, success could be a more likely outcome.
And the more you practice mindfulness, the easier it is to concentrate. New studies in neuroplasticity even suggest that the brain can “grow” the ability to concentrate.
“Within the last year, these studies have shown that each time we do one of these mindful exercises, it’s like doing a rep in the gym,” Schalbach says. “When you practice mindfulness, you’re slowly changing the structure of the brain, making it easier to concentrate. This sort of meditation actually changes the way your mind is wired.”
FIT BONUS
Ring Your Bell
Kettlebells are the crack rock of the fitness world. Dabble in this workout imported from ancient Russia, and you may never look at a set of dumbbells or a treadmill again.
“Kettlebells are addictive because they’re so efficient,” says Karen Smith, owner of Kettlebell Elite in Virginia Beach. “These exercises give you the cardio and strength training you need in a fraction of the time.”
The fast results come from ballistic movements that incorporate the whole body. The kettlebell swing, for instance, is more of a hinge than a lift, where the weight is propelled by your hips, engaging your core and cardiovascular system in the process.
Consider incorporating some kettlebell movements into your workout, but make sure you learn basic form from a kettlebell certified instructor first.
Cherry Good
Add Cherry Juice to your next recovery smoothie. A new study published in the journal Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise shows a couple of ounces of cherry juice reduces muscle damage and boosts recovery after a hard workout. How? Cherries are high in anthocyanins, an antioxidant that likely decreases oxidative damage to muscle.
Cardio Weight Training?
A new study from Appalachian State University shows resistance exercises result in a greater increase in blood flow to the limbs than aerobic exercise. They also result in a longer-lasting drop in blood pressure after exercise, suggesting that weight training could be just as good for your heart as running.
