A cup of black tea really works wonders
Stress for Success
August 26, 2008

According to Psychology Today (October 2007) caffeinated tea is good for your health, because of the medicinal properties of flavonoids. Here’s how:
§ Green tea inhibits inflammation, bone erosion, and joint damage from rheumatoid arthritis. Its “EGCG” combats free-radical cell damage, activates a protein that protects healthy cells so is believed to fight cancer. EGCGs’ powerful anti-inflammatory properties may also treat inflammatory bowel disease. Green tea may also protect men’s livers from alcohol’s damaging effects. Finally, EGCG mitigates sunburn reaction, therefore protects against skin cancer.
§ Black tea seems to increase bone mineral density and reduce the risk of many cancers by acting as a Cox-2 inhibitor to suppress cancer cells. If you can drink five cups a day it also lowers total cholesterol and bad LDL cholesterol. Black tea helps lower blood pressure and helps you recover from stressful events by reducing cortisol levels and diminishing blood platelet activation.
§ Drink both green and black tea: Catechins found in both teas, although more concentrated in green tea, protect against build-up of amyloid deposits implicated in Alzheimer’s and other age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Both also improve glucose tolerance in those with borderline diabetes. Because they’re rich in fluoride they protect against cavities even better than fluoride itself while strengthening teeth. Added to chewing gum, green tea extract protects gum tissue and stimulates salivary glands. Catechins also boost fat metabolism and calorie outlay, therefore are good for weight control.

Weight gain: Did you hear about Harvard Medical School and the University of California, San Diego’s study that found obesity is contagious? 12,000 people were followed for more than 30 years. Researchers found that the chance of becoming obese was greatly increased if siblings or a spouse gained weight. Scientists theorized that people may become more accepting of fat if someone they respect gains weight. To fight the battle of the bulge, don’t allow others’ weight to determine yours.

Get enough sleep: research from Harvard University and the University of California, Berkeley, kept adult volunteers awake for about 35 hours. They found through MRI scans that sleep deprivation impairs the rational prefrontal cortex’s control over the amygdala, the brain’s emotional center. Subjects became moody, understandably fatigued and had greater difficulty making logical decisions.

Breathe for relaxation (from Yoga instructor Shakta Kaur):
§ Blow your nose.
§ Sit in a comfortable, cross-legged position and close your eyes. Focus on the point between your eyebrows. Rest your left hand on your left knee.
§ Raise your right hand to your face with the palm facing left and pointing straight up.
§ Close your right nostril by pressing gently with your thumb. Inhale a long, deep breath through the left nostril and hold comfortably for 10 to 30 seconds.
§ Exhale through the left nostril and relax.
§ Do this for three minutes.

Always look for ways to improve your health and life. There are thousands of helpful tidbits of information around. All you have to do is look for and try the ones that are pertinent to you.

Jacquelyn Ferguson, M. S., of InterAction Associates, is a trainer and a Stress Coach. E-mail her at www.jackieferguson.com with your questions or for information about her workshops on this and other topics and to invite her to speak to your organization.