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During yoga pranayama exercises, people practice controlling the breath, or prana, to induce a state of calm and focus. Paying attention to breathing and slowing down respiration constitute a core component of many mindfulness practices. Research suggests the practice has multiple benefits-it induces an overall sense of well-being while reducing anxiety and improving sleep.

But what exactly is going on in the brain during meditation? Imaging studies of humans have shown that brain regions involved in mind wandering, attention and emotion play a partin various stages of mindfulness practice. A new mouse study, published recently in Science, shows that neurons in the brain stem may also mediate the link between breathing and inducing a state of meditative calm.

The basis for the new study dates back to 1991, when a group of neuroscientists at the University of California, Los Angeles, discovered the pre-Bötzinger complex, an area containing neurons that fired rhythmically in time with each breath. "Quite different from the cardiac pacemaker, the breathing pacemaker has a whole variety of different rhythms-for example, a yawn or a sigh or a gasp," says study co-author Mark Krasnow, a biochemistry professor at Stanford University. Rather than simply providing air to your lungs, these types of breaths are also associated with social and emotional signals.

Recent evidence suggests that the pre-Bötzinger complex can control different breathing behaviors. In a study published last year in Nature, Krasnow and his colleagues reported on a subset of neurons within this brain region that is solely responsible for generating sighs. When the researchers stimulated these neurons in mice, they sighed continuously. But when the team removed those nerve cells, the animals kept breathing, never sighing. Now the team has uncovered a separate group of neurons in this area that appear to have another specific function: regulating states of calm and arousal.

Krasnow's team genetically engineered mice to remove a specific subset of neurons that contains two genes: cadherin 9 ( Cdh9), a gene that is expressed in the pre-Bötzinger complex, and developing brain homeobox protein 1 ( Dbx1), which prior studies had demonstrated are necessary for respiration-without it, mice do not breathe.

When the team removed these Cdh9/ Dbx1 neurons from mice, the animals still breathed normally with one slight difference: breaths came more slowly than in normal mice. The rodents were also unusually calm-they spent less time exploring their surroundings and more time sitting still. "We were totally surprised," says study co-author Kevin Yackle, a professor at the University of California, San Francisco, who conducted the study while he was a postdoc at Stanford. "It certainly wasn't something we expected to find."

The researchers also discovered these neurons form connections with the locus coeruleus, another area in the brain stem involved in modulating arousal and emotion. "[One] thing that's interesting about this, and surprising, is that this small group of neurons is not involved in producing the inspiratory rhythm per se," says Jeffrey Smith, a neuroscientist at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, who was not involved in the study. Smith, along with one of the recent Science study's co-authors, neurobiologist Jack Feldman of U.C.L.A., discovered the pre-Bötzinger complex. "It's now becoming apparent that there's a lot of structural and functional complexity to the pre-Bötzinger complex itself that we hadn't really anticipated."

Evidence from human research also suggests that meditation and respiration are closely connected. In another study, for example, Antoine Lutz, a scientist who researches the neurobiology of meditation at the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research, and his colleagues at the University of Wisconsin-Madison discovered that long-term meditators develop slower breathing patterns than those who did not practice on a regular basis. The slower breathing in long-term practitioners may "activate this ascending pathway less," says Lutz, who was not involved in the Science study. "Maybe it's a signature of a different level of stress."

According to Lutz, the findings from the Science paper raise the possibility that "any form of practice-from yoga pranayama to meditation-that is actively manipulating respiration might be using this pathway to regulate some aspects of arousal." He points out, however, that this pathway may not be as relevant for forms of meditation that do not involve directly controlling respiration. For example, in some types of mindfulness training, individuals simply observe their breath rather than control it.

"Breathing is about staying alive on one level, but it's also connected to emotional life," says Christopher Del Negro, a neurophysiologist at the College of William & Mary, who was not involved in the work. The studies showing that different neural populations in the pre-Bötzinger complex can also control sighing and regulate arousal "begin to break that next level of not just talking about breathing for physiology but breathing for emotional well-being," he adds.

Understanding how the brain controls breathing could also help develop new therapeutic targets to treat conditions such as anxiety, panic disorders and arousal-related sleep disorders. "[Cardiologists] have ways of pharmacologically controlling the heart rhythm," Yackle says. "But a similar type of pharmacological approach for breathing doesn't exist, and I think it could be important in multiple fields of medicine."

Before that happens, however, neuroscientists will first need to uncover how this brain region works in people. Researchers have found a pre-Bötzinger complex in humans, but its anatomy and physiology are much less understood. For now Krasnow, Yackle and their colleagues plan to investigate the other populations of neurons in the breathing pacemaker of rodents to see what other functions they might find. The present study, though, holds promise of eventually furnishing at least a partial window on the physical underpinnings of an ancient practice.

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Meditation's Calming Effects Pinpointed in the Brain

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During yoga pranayama exercises, people practice controlling the breath, or prana, to induce a state of calm and focus. Paying attention to breathing and slowing down respiration constitute a core component of many mindfulness practices. Research suggests the practice has multiple benefits-it induces an overall sense of well-being while reducing anxiety and improving sleep.

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Try to watch less T.V and go outside more, since I'm always inside 

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Try to watch less T.V and go outside more, since I'm always inside 

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If you spend most of your day inside, this is for you! Check out SQUARESPACE: http://bit.ly/1bTW5gL SUBSCRIBE - http://bit.ly/10kWnZ7 Join the fun! TWITTER - http://bit.ly/16mYsWW FACEBOOK - http://on.fb.me/12fEcFg Co-written by Anne Medlock. Written and created by Mitchell Moffit (twitter @mitchellmoffit) and Gregory Brown (twitter @whalewatchmeplz).

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Cook more often at home and try to eat Healthy

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Cook more often at home and try to eat Healthy

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"When cooking at home, you have full control over what's going into the food you eat, so if you have any special needs, you can assure they are being met -- and even if you don't have particular requirements, you can make sure you are using the best possible ingredients," said Jackie Newgent, a registered dietitian, culinary nutritionist and author of "The All-Natural Diabetes Cookbook."

Cooking at home allows you to use fresh ingredients, produce that is seasonal and foods without artificial ingredients, according to Newgent. "It also allows you to use only the amount of added ingredients -- like sodium -- that your body really needs."

To get started, create a cooking plan, which includes gathering recipes, necessary equipment and ingredients, as well as determining the number of times per week you might plan on cooking. "If you don't cook at all, start with one meal per week," Newgent said. "This month, it might be one meal per week, and next month, it might be two meals -- but be realistic."

For basic cooking equipment, Newgent recommends the following essentials: a large cutting board, a sharp chef's knife, a large saucepan with a lid, a silicone spatula and cooking spoon, and a large stick-resistant skillet.

In terms of pantry staples: "Salt, pepper and extra virgin olive oil are my three basics I can't live without," Newgent said. She also recommends canned beans, whole grains, nuts, dried fruit and vinegars, which add flavor when cooking.

When it comes to selecting recipes, choose ones you will enjoy and have time to make. "Sometimes, recipes can be overwhelming with long ingredient lists ... and with cooking techniques that are unfamiliar to you. But a simple recipe can be just as delicious and impressive as a complicated one," Newgent said. A basic omelet, a grilled-cheese sandwich and a basic spaghetti dish are good dishes to start with.

For someone who cooks on occasion but wants to start doing more, Newgent recommends taking a knife skills class. "Good knife skills are integral to preparing recipes, especially healthier recipes, where there can be a lot more slicing and dicing with more plant-based ingredients," she said.

Mark the days you will cook on your calendar -- and designate a day ahead of time for shopping. Whatever you decide, it's important to be flexible.

"Allow a little wiggle room in a cooking resolution, because there are life factors outside of the home that will affect it, like celebratory gatherings and holiday meals. The number of meals you plan to cook each week may vary, but do check in with your cooking plan every few weeks to see that you are doing more than you did in 2017," Newgent said.

Lisa Drayer is a nutritionist, an author and a CNN health and nutrition contributor.

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A New Year, new food resolution: Cook at home

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"When cooking at home, you have full control over what's going into the food you eat, so if you have any special needs, you can assure they are being met -- and even if you don't have particular requirements, you can make sure you are using the best possible ingredients," said Jackie Newgent, a registered dietitian, culinary nutritionist and author of "The All-Natural Diabetes Cookbook."

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How to Keep Your Room Clean (with Pictures) - wikiHow

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A clean room can help you feel calm and relaxed and at peace when you’re at home-- and keep your parents or roommates from bugging you to clean your room! Although keeping your room clean might seem like a hard chore, adapting the right...

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After saving enough money, move to Hawaii

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After saving enough money, move to Hawaii

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(sounds unrealistic but I have family that lives there so it'll be easy to move in)

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Lilo & Stitch - Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride (lyrics) [HD]

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Get a job in a restaurant and save money 

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Get a job in a restaurant and save money 

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The first job I ever had was working at a small, family-owned custard shop in Minneapolis. I was a sophomore in high school, and I made less than $5 an hour when I started. Maybe it was too many brain freezes on the job, or maybe it was that I actually had fun, but there was something about the experience that made me want to work in restaurants throughout college and beyond.

I consider the time I worked in the food service industry to be fundamental to who I am today. Whether you were flipping burgers, or serving tables, you learn a lot of invaluable life skills that someone outside of the industry might not understand. Here are a few things The Kitchn editors and contributors feel we have learned from working in the food service industry.

More so than any other job or internship I've ever had, working in a restaurant throws you into a very intense community of people. When the restaurant is in the weeds and everyone rallies together and manages to rock service without any of the patrons guessing something is off, well, that just feels awesome.

It's the fast-paced nature of restaurants combined with service aspect and something as enjoyable and passionated as food, that sets restaurants apart from other service industry jobs. Things get heated, you need to think on your feet, and you need to smile the entire time - it can be a draining job, but the things you learn and the people you meet are worth your time.

Here are the most important life skills I learned from working in five restaurant and food service jobs in the last ten plus years.

1. I learned how to gracefully deal with unpleasant people.

This holds true whether it's the people you work with or the customers themselves. You are going to have to deal with people who are rather unpleasant if you work in a restaurant. There were a couple of times when, as a maître d', I'd have to stand there and listen to someone scream at me because they were over an hour late for their reservation and I gave their table away on a Saturday night. You do it with a smile and you have to think of a solution, even if it's the last thing you want to do.

2. I learned how to multitask like a mad woman.

Working at a restaurant is all about multitasking. In any given minute, you could take someone's order, fold a napkin, direct someone to the bathroom, pour more water, and talk to the chef about a guest's dietary restrictions. Trying to keep all of that in your head while smiling is what makes restaurant workers just good workers, generally.

3. I learned not to take my mistakes too seriously.

You will undoubtedly make mistakes working at a restaurant that will either affect the customer or your colleagues. You might forget to fire an order, or add the wrong garnish to a dish, or seat someone at the wrong table. People will be mad at you, but you learn to say you're sorry and try not to do it again.

4. I learned empathy for other people who work in service industry jobs.

If you work front of house and are basically living off of tips, you know how important it is to tip when you go out and receive great service. Similarly, if your food is slow at a restaurant or the order is wrong, I always try to remember that it's not one individual's fault at the restaurant. Don't yell at your server.

5. I learned the importance of being on time and working hard at any job position.

You know how stressful it is when one of your colleagues is late to a shift because their alarm didn't go off, or they're too hungover, and you have to cover their tables or station. And if someone is slacking during a busy shift at work, you feel it - it doesn't matter the position. You learn from these experiences and try to work hard and be on time for work so things go smoothly.

10 More Food Industry Life Lessons

Here's what the other Kitchn editors and contributors had to say about what they learned while working in the food service industry.

Hones your edge Working on the line forces you to multitask and focus through noise of the relentless ticket machine, sadistic demands of a lunatic chef, exhaustion/adrenaline of back to back shift work, confusion from language barriers, requirements from diners that range from reasonable to absurd. (Turns out, sweating it out in a resto kitchen hones an edge useful in parenthood, too.)

Understanding the workforce: My experience working in an American restaurant will forever influence my view of the entire US work force and inform my political and basic human opinions on fare pay and American immigration policy. I have worked in corporate America, television, print media, and other industries and it'd be tough to say there is a collection of harder working, more creative and inventive people than those who make our restaurants run. Getting in the mix of a kitchen is one of the most eye-opening, and impacting experiences of my life. Also one of the hardest- Tara Mataraza Desmond

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15 Reasons Why Everyone Should Work in a Restaurant at Least Once in Their Lives

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The first job I ever had was working at a small, family-owned custard shop in Minneapolis. I was a sophomore in high school, and I made less than $5 an hour when I started.

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Arizona Culinary Institute | A Premier Cooking School in Scottsdale, AZ

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ACI's Diploma program can be completed in as little as 8 months. Receive personal attention with hands-on learning from Chef Instructors. Learn more.

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Thinking of dropping out? Our list will change your mind.