The human mind loves to focus on the negative. In fact, there is something called the negativity bias or negativity effect which basically states that the negative influences our cognition and behavior more deeply than the positive. But don’t take it personally, it is a human condition resulting from evolution and our inherent survival instinct. [...]

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The rising popularity of mindfulness in today’s world is proving the need for humans to disconnect from the daily stress of life and tune inward. Many have discovered mindfulness as a useful tool for lowering stress, managing anxiety, improving mood and creating a sense of calmness through meditation. During this time of year, finding mindfulness [...]

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Mindfulness is the practice of being aware of the present moment. Mindfulness is a very useful tool for lowering stress, anxiety, improving mood, and creating a sense of calmness through meditation and other techniques. One area of our lives where mindfulness can be extremely useful for our health is when we are eating. Think about [...]

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Many of us enjoy going on vacation or taking a break from working to relieve stress and feel rested. But did you know that in addition to regularly taking time off from your job, practicing daily meditation and spending time in natural surroundings are also directly correlated with better overall health and stress reduction? Studies [...]

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The human body is fascinating in how interconnected each organ, function, and cell are. Researchers and medical professionals continue to learn more about how our bodies are interconnected each day. One especially incredible relationship is the ability of your mind to impact your physical health through the method of mindfulness. Mindfulness takes many forms and [...]

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Happy New Year! While many people began 2021 setting new goals to be more active, our way of life is still limited as we work to stop the spread of COVID-19. Depending on where you live, gyms and fitness centers are not open. This may affect your access to fitness equipment. But does it actually [...]

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The breath, it slows. The heart, it beats with ease. The mind—the restless mind—it is at rest. This is the common experience of the individual who combines exercise with meditation. They aim to raise their heart rate through exercise in order to experience the bliss that follows. They have mastered the ability to exist moment [...]

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Over the last weeks we have explored our human capacities for acceptance, adaptation, and appreciation. As we round out Yoga Month 2020, we have an opportunity to take all of these concepts—and any others that came up for you along the way—and continue to put them into action. One of the most precious gifts of [...]

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In a time of so much uncertainty and turmoil, we turn to our UW experts for guidance on exercise, nutrition, finances, and resilience. One practice with many benefits is meditation. While it can be intimidating to those with little to no experience, meditation has no set rules and is a simple practice that can overtime [...]

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Progress through Winter quarter with improved mental and physical well-being by signing up for any of these yoga and meditation series with The Whole U and UW Recreation. Each series offers a unique path to wellness. To learn more about each and register click the title! Yoga Classes Yoga Series at the UW Tower Starting [...]

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When it comes to wellness, physical health is often prioritized over mental health. While physical health is an important component of our overall wellbeing, mental health is another large aspect that at times is considered as an afterthought, if even at all.  Speaking of mental health, mindfulness is one method that has been shown to [...]

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Katie Querna M.S.S.W. is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Washington School of Social Work. She is an intersectional feminist social welfare researcher, focusing on the ways in which gender and sexuality norms impact health. Through her research, she hopes to reduce violence and sexual risk by advocating for gender and sexuality inclusive policies. The following [...]

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