Monday, July 2, 2007
Q: For years people have said, that getting angry can raise your blood pressure, but I recently heard that it can also raise your cholesterol. Sounds crazy. Is there any truth to this?
A: Yes, it's true.
A study with 103 healthy mid-aged women conducted by the University of Maryland and published in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine found that women with angry dispositions, given to frequent outbursts of temper, had higher cholesterol levels than those who were more even-tempered. What all these women had in common besides having a short fuse is they were all sedentary and deconditioned.
Neck Stretch
But what I found most interesting is the study also found that having a short fuse didn’t elevate the cholesterol in women who were physically fit.
So the message here is if you are not already exercising on a regular basis, its time to get going. Even 30 minutes most days of moderate exercise can do the trick.
Then go and scream to your heart’s content.
Q: Like many people nowadays, I have been doing a lot of weight training particularly for my upper body.
Though my upper body has become more defined, I’m becoming less flexible.
I want that flexibility back. What kind of stretching should I be doing?
Diamond Stretch
A: The worse offenders are the neck, and shoulders.
The best time to stretch is right after you workout while your muscles and joints are still warmed up. Here are a couple of exercises you can do to stretch those problem areas.
Neck Stretch
Place right hand on top of head. Gently pull head sideways, stretching neck towards the right shoulder. Repeat on other side. Hold for 10-20 seconds.
Diamond Stretch
Shoulders, chest, upper back
Raise arms over head linking hands together. Slightly bend elbows.
Gently move elbows back. Hold for 10-20 counts
Send your Moving Free with Mirabai questions to askmirabai@movingfree.com.
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