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Weight Loss Through Hypnosis

weight-loss_hypnosis

 

A unique method to lose weight naturally is through an age-old process called the process of hypnosis. Find out more and even get a free hypnosis program below.

Everyone who is overweight would want to lose weight and what’s better than shedding off those pounds naturally without any medication, surgery, hard work or side effects.

Being overweight can cause serious health implications to an individual.

From diabetes, cancer, hypertension, heart diseases to arthritis, digestion problems, and insomnia, there is no end to the way in which obesity can affect your health.

There are many procedures available for weight loss, from exercises to following a proper diet chart, medication, surgery, herbal products, and pills.

Hypnosis too falls among one of the best known natural weight loss procedures.

If you look at hypnosis for weight loss then the reasons behind the success of this method become clear.

Or if you suffer from weight problems – whether you yo-yo diet or can’t seem to find the motivation to get on a diet that suits you.

Then, you probably already know that your problem isn’t really your weight at the end of the day. The problem is more likely to rest with you.

The majority of cases, people cannot lose weight effectively because of some psychological issue that prevents them from achieving their goal.

Many people find it hard to lose weight simply because they view food in the wrong way.

They may, for example, view sweet and fatty foods as desirable because they were rewarded with these kinds of foods when they were young and behaved well.

Or, they may associate the short rush you get with certain foods with feeling good so they reach for candy when they feel low or stressed.

You may, for example, naturally crave unhealthy foods rather than healthy ones. Eating unhealthy foods here may make you happier and more comfortable.

Or, you may eat the wrong foods or the wrong amount of food whenever you are stressed, unhappy or uncomfortable. In either case, hypnosis can help.

eating_dining out

Hypnosis helps here because it goes straight to the root of the problem – your unhealthy eating patterns – and helps modify your behavior.

So, after this kind of treatment, your mind won’t tell you to eat sugary or fatty foods – it will tell you to eat healthy ones.

And, your mind won’t tell you to reach for a snack when you’re worried or stressed but instead will give you an alternative way to manage stress.

This behavior modification is the key to successful weight loss – and keeping it off.

Hypnosis can simply help you re-program the way your brain feels about food.

It can stop your cravings for the wrong food types and introduce cravings for healthy food instead.

It can give you the confidence to stick with a healthy eating and exercise plan and it can help you manage the issues you may have with the food you eat.

Hypnosis is such a popular solution to weight loss nowadays simply because it helps you to subconsciously accept the eating habits that will get you fit and healthy.

A good hypnotherapist, for example, will help your brain reject unhealthy foods and actually crave healthy ones.

They can also help you conquer eating issues such as stress and comfort eating and can give you the confidence to believe that you can lose weight.

So, all you need to do is to relax, let the hypnotherapy do its work and then immediately start a new life with the kind of attitude towards food and healthy eating that will ensure a healthy weight loss.

And, most importantly, because your hypnotherapy will work on core issues, the weight will stay off once you start to lose it.

You don’t even need to leave your home to achieve your goals here as this kind of solution can be successfully delivered anywhere.

Hypnosis Works

Hypnosis is a scientifically accredited method of helping people overcome all kinds of difficulties.

For example, in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (Vol.64, No.3) in 1996 a study showed that the average weight loss without hypnosis was 6.03 pounds.

With hypnosis, average weight loss came in at 14.88 pounds. You can double your weight loss with no extra effort.

And, because hypnosis modifies your behavior at source then you stand a far greater chance of keeping the weight off rather than putting it on again.

A study that appeared in the Journal of Clinical Psychology (41) in 1985 tested a group of people who used hypnosis to lose weight and a group who did not.

Whilst both groups lost weight during the study the hypnosis group continued to lose weight after the study had finished and achieved their weight loss goals.

The group that did not have the behavior modification benefits of hypnosis did not achieve this.

prcvir_hypnosis

Hypnosis Misconceptions

Hypnosis is considered safe as it requires no medical intervention or procedures that may cause any side effects.

However, they can be harmful if they are not performed by experienced personals who know how to handle the process of hypnosis.

The person performing hypnosis must be well trained in the art to be able to conduct a successful hypnosis to bring about a weight loss.

Nevertheless, one must remember that hypnosis by itself cannot bring about a weight loss and must be accompanied by a healthy diet chart, a regular lifestyle, exercises, and medication where required.

Do not depend on hypnosis solely for complete weight loss. A single hypnosis session for weight loss will have negligible or no viable results of weight loss.

So, do not get disheartened and lose hope if you do not see yourself reducing after your first hypnosis session.

Many misconceptions have come up with regards to the application of hypnosis in losing eight.

And because it does not involve drugs or any kinds of medications and surgery, many people tend to think that losing weight through hypnosis seems to be one of the safest weight loss programs.

 

To know more about hypnosis and its effects on losing weight here is a list of some facts that will give you an insight about what it can do to your body weight.
  1. Hypnosis can be an imminently risky if not done properly and not utilize by people who are highly trained with the real concept of hypnosis.

Even if many people tend to think that hypnosis will not pose imminent danger to their health.

Still, it is important to know that the person who will do the procedure is skilled enough and that he or she knows what factors to consider before doing the procedures.

 

  1. Hypnosis alone cannot eliminate excess fat from the body and, therefore, make somebody lose weight.

Most health experts contend that hypnosis should only be a part of a whole assimilated process. It should never be used as the sole weight loss procedure.

Moreover, one session of hypnosis will only have very minimal results on an individual’s weight.

When losing weight, hypnosis matched with psychotherapy will be more effective than hypnosis alone.

This is because hypnosis is only a state of deeply relaxing the mind, in which one can still be in control of his or her own body.

 

  1. Hypnosis is one way of getting into the subliminal state of a person.

When a person is on the “hypnotic stage,” the body is more responsive to suggestibility because of its intensified state of concentration.

However, this does not necessarily mean that through hypnosis, one can already “reprogram” the mind of an individual.

In reality, hypnosis can only run the range from trouble-free relaxation condition to proper initiation managed by a professional hypnotist.

Hence, it should not be considered paranormal and magical in its upshots.

Boiled down, people should be more aware that hypnosis is not a sole effective process in losing weight. It is more of a facilitator of various treatment techniques.

Therefore, it should be combined with other weight loss management program to be effective in making people lose excess weight.

In this manner, people will be able to lose more weight with a more relaxed and refreshed state of mind.

Most practitioners of hypnosis also believe that the process is best effective when combined with psychotherapy.

After all, hypnosis is a state of your mind. It helps you control your mind in a way that it is able to control your body. It enters the subliminal state of a person’s body and controls it.

They say a healthy mind leads to a healthy body. Hypnosis too works on this concept of controlling the mind and infuses in it that one needs to undergo weight loss in order to cure obesity.

It also strengthens the mind in a way so that it is better and more easily responsive to the various other weight loss treatment procedures that would follow.

This is the reason why it has always been advised to follow the process of hypnosis for weight loss in addition to regular weight loss programs to bring about complete success.

Steps in Performing Hypnosis

The first step towards getting into shape through hypnosis is to understand what really the problem is.

What is the root cause of your binging? Why can’t you help but reach out for dollops of ice-cream every time you are down?

Through the use of analytical hypnosis, we can figure out the underlying issue and then work the hypnotherapy sessions around it.

Yes, hypnosis for slimming is customized depending on the client’s situation.

A therapist will need to understand what sends you gravitating towards food.

Is it low self-confidence, self-image, depression, reward eating, or comfort eating?

Based on the analysis, a suitable hypnosis routine can be worked out for you.

The second stage here is called suggestion therapy, where you will put the power of positive suggestion to good use.

By suggesting to your subconscious what’s good for it and what isn’t you will be shaping your own future, which will definitely be leaner and fitter than your past.

Through making positive reinforcements about yourself and your eating habits to your mind you will be gently molding it to follow a healthier diet and better eating habits.

Hypnosis for weight loss is one of the easiest and most long lasting ways of losing weight and keeping it that way.

So go ahead, try hypnotherapy and lose those kilos simply by relaxing!

weight loss_hypnosis_prcvir

FREE Hypnosis: Beach Body System

But for now, we would like to share the amazing power of hypnosis.

Just 18 Minutes a Day!

All you need to do with this system is to focus your mind for just 18 minutes a day…

Imagine now you have reached the weight and size you want to be… what would that feel like?

It’s Like Having a Hypnotist in Your Own Home

It’s like having a one to one session with a hypnotist every day of the week, without the cost or leaving the comfort of your own home.

With ‘The Beach Body System’ you can now shed those excess pounds and get the body you really want.

Feel Better about Yourself
Make Your Body Feel Great
Look Fantastic on the Beach
Get into those skinny jeans

download prcvir_beach body system_hypnosis

 

 

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How To Effectively Develop Self-Confidence?

effectively develop self-confidence

The development of self-confidence begins properly with intelligent self-examination.

Pause for a moment… Do you examine yourself?

The mind must be closely scrutinized, checked undesirable tendencies, faults eradicated, and correct habits of thought and conduct firmly established.

To achieve the best results this personal overhauling, or house cleaning, should be thorough and fearless.

Fearful thought is a disease, to be diagnosed as carefully as any other illness.  It comes largely from perverted mental habits.

The mind is permitted habitually to dwell upon thoughts of doubt, failure, and inefficiency.

So great does this power become, when permitted to rule unchecked, that it affects to greater or less degree almost every act of one’s life.

The extremes to which a fearful person will sometimes go are as amusing as they are absurd.

People fear poverty, darkness, ridicule, microbes, insomnia, dogs, lightning, burglars, cold, solitude, marriage, Friday, lawyers, death, thirteen, accident, and ghosts.

The catalog of dreaded possibilities might include black cats, mice, ill luck, criticism, travel, disease, evil eyes, dreams, and old age.

It’s true there is legitimate and honest fear, like that of the young soldier who, upon being asked after his first battle how they felt, replied: “I was afraid I would be afraid, but I was not afraid.” 

It’s right and proper that one should fear to do a mean or cowardly thing, to injure another, or to commit any kind of wrong. This fear, however, instead of weakening personal character, imparts to it new and manly force.

So, acknowledge your fears, then know what to do with it. Will you let it stay with you? Will you let it go? Will you still have self-confidence in spite of the fears?

self-confidence

To walk straight up to the thing feared will often strip it of its terror. In one of the old fables we read that when man first beheld the camel its huge size caused him to flee in dreadful fear.

But later, observing the animal’s seeming gentleness, he approached him less timidly, and then, seeing the almost spiritless nature of the beast, he boldly put a bridle in his mouth and set a child to drive him. We can in like manner conquer fearful thoughts of the human mind.

Fear has well been called our most ancient enemy. Primitive humanity was unprotected against more powerful animals, and in those early days they had good reason to be fearful, but it is difficult to justify the widespread fear that exists today.

Thousands of persons can say truthfully:  “I have all my life feared things that never happened.”

The danger of this fearful attitude is that it frequently attracts that which is dreaded most, and the words of Job are literally fulfilled: “For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.”

We are told that one of the bravest of African chiefs was driven into a cold sweat of agonizing fear merely by the constant ticking of a watch.

If worry is due to lack of self-reliance, fear is an acknowledgment of inferiority.

It does not stand still, and unless throttled will gradually overwhelm its victim, making him at last “Like one, that on a lonesome road Doth walk in fear and dread, And having once turned round walks on, And turns no more his head; Because he knows a frightful fiend doth close behind him tread.”

Timidity is quickly recognized by the world, and not only argues an ignoble mind, as Virgil says, but actually invites pursuit and imposition.

John Foster observes in his splendid essay “On Decision of Character”: “Weakness, in every form, tempts arrogance; and a man may be allowed to wish for a kind of character with which stupidity and impertinence may not make so free. When a firm, decisive spirit is recognized, it is curious to see how the space clears around a man, and leaves him room and freedom. The disposition to interrogate, dictate, or banter, preserves a respectful and polite distance, judging it not unwise to keep the peace with a person of so much energy.”

It’s surprising how confidence breeds confidence. Courage in danger is sometimes half the battle, while self-reliance will often safeguard a person’s interests and give him an abiding sense of security.

It makes them feel equal to almost any undertaking, however difficult, leading them to think with Dryden “They can conquer who believe they can.”

The building of self-confidence is not difficult, but it requires patience and intelligent effort. There should be no straining, no anxiety, and no haste.

The story of the person who tried to jump over a hill should be kept in mind.

He went a long way back, and then ran so hard toward the hill that when he got there, he was obliged to lie down and rest. Then, he got up and walked over the hill. Many men are always preparing, but never achieving.

It is said that with regard to any final or definite end, most people live without purpose, and without any fixed star to guide them.

Do not let it be you. Find your reason and live the life that you’re suppose to be.

So, as a writer has expressed it, “To him that knoweth not the port to which he is bound, no wind can be favorable; neither can he who has not yet determined at what mark he is to shoot, direct his arrow correctly.”

Indecision is a frequent cause of the fear. People hesitate to take a step one way or the other for fear that they might do the wrong thing, and this spirit of irresolution and hesitation often leads them into the very mistakes they would avoid.

It’s like a person on a bicycle, endeavoring to steer clear of an obstruction on the road, but all the while keeping his eye fastened upon it so that a collision is inevitable.

There is nothing more disastrous to success than lack of purpose. “He who hesitates is lost,” while he grows great who puts on “the dauntless spirit of resolution.”

The world generally accepts a person at his own value. If you give an impression that you are afraid, you will elbowed aside and imposed upon at almost every turn.

develop self-confidence

Here’s an illustration:

There was a dog leisurely pass a cat on the street, and to all appearance there was no ill feeling on either side. The cat looked him straight in the eye as they approached, and the dog returned her confident glance and quietly passed on.

Then the cat, seeing a good chance for escape, bolted across the street, but the instant the dog saw her running he turned and followed in hot haste.

It was cat and dog for some yards, when suddenly the cat stopped, humped her back and looked defiantly at her adversary. He stopped, caught his breath, blinked uncertainly, turned up his nose, and walked off.

As long as the cat showed fear and ran, the dog chased her. But the moment she took her stand, he respected her. When a person stands up boldly and self-confidently for their rights, fear slinks tremblingly into the shadows.

If you want to learn how to be self-confident, resolve to follow it to completion with bulldog tenacity. Realize that no weak-hearted, intermittent efforts will achieve your desired purpose.

Hold in your mind the supreme assurance that you can and will achieve this indispensable power, and your reward for your energy and perseverance will be great!

30 Strategies To Develop Self-Confidence

Try these strategies to boost your confidence

  1. Stick up for yourself.

Instead of allowing others to overpower you, stand up for your rights and your beliefs.

 

  1. Believe in yourself.

Make an extra effort to look at yourself in the mirror and truly believe that you can accomplish anything.

 

  1. Ask for help.

Seek help from others when you’re struggling. Draw from the expertise of others when you lack the knowledge you need. The ability to admit you need help is a sign of strength.

 

  1. Pick a new outfit.

Concentrate on your appearance. If you feel that you look good, you’ll begin to feel more confident with yourself on the inside as well.

 

  1. Think positive thoughts.

Challenge yourself to think positive thoughts each and every day. If you stay positive, confidence will come.

 

  1. Stop negative thoughts.

When negative thoughts enter your mind, notice them and replace them with more productive ones. Dwell on thoughts that lead you to success.

 

  1. Prepare yourself.

Sometimes, a lack of confidence comes from lack of preparation. Ensure you properly prepare yourself for the challenges you face.

 

  1. Focus on the smaller things.

Tackle one thing at a time in a step-by-step manner. Little by little, each success you experience builds a reservoir of confidence inside you.

 

  1. Express gratitude.

Express gratitude for the things that are important to you. You’ll experience renewed energy and enthusiasm.

 

  1. Take control.

Choose to seize the steering wheel, instead of sitting in the passenger seat. Instead of letting life happen to you, live your life with purpose. Pretend you’re confident and the feelings will follow.

 

  1. Get to know yourself.

Delve deep and find out who you are. You’ll be able to point out and work on your weaknesses better. Your strengths will give you confidence.

 

  1. Engage in a kind act.

Do what you can to bring about more joy in the lives of others and enjoy the feeling it gives you.

 

  1. Practice.

Practice makes perfect. If you’re struggling at a task, keep trying until you get it right. This may take time but the effort is worth it.

 

  1. Relax.

When you feel pressured to accomplish too much at once, slow down and take a few breaths. Sometimes, all it takes to feel confident is a few seconds to relax and refocus your mind.

 

  1. Smile more frequently.

Put a smile on your face and you’ll be surprised at how you end up feeling as a result.

 

  1. Look at the big picture.

Keep the bigger picture in mind as you attempt the trials of life. It will keep you from getting caught up on the smaller issues that detract from the important ones.

 

  1. Concentrate on your self-image.

Everyone has both strengths and weaknesses. Find out what you like about yourself and focus on enhancing those characteristics

 

  1. Change your behavior.

If you’re feeling down on yourself, change your approach. Continue to change your approach until you start getting the results you deserve.

 

  1. Fight boredom.

Sometimes a lack of confidence is simply a sign that it’s time to leave your comfort zone in favor of something more exciting.

 

  1. Strive for excellence instead of perfection.

If you continue to try your best and change your approach when things seem to be headed in the wrong direction, your confidence will grow naturally.

 

  1. Accept compliments.

Learn how to accept compliments. People are likely being genuine with you and telling you what your strengths are.

 

  1. Try hypnosis.

Hypnosis is a great way of communicating with your subconscious mind. Program your subconscious with productive thinking about your capabilities and strengths.

 

  1. Start the day right.

Get everything off to the right start by getting into a positive mood right from the beginning of the day. Plan your day the night before and develop a morning routine. Get enough rest and eat a healthy breakfast.

 

  1. Fake it.

Go through the motions of confidence even when you feel down in the dumps. You’ll be surprised how much more confident you feel when you pretend that you are.

 

  1. Talk to yourself.

Use positive self-talk to boost your confidence. Use personal, positive, present-tense affirmations that speak words of encouragement to your heart and mind.

 

  1. Find a physical activity you enjoy doing.

Whether it is jogging, aerobics, or yoga, exercise is a sure-fire way to boost your self-confidence.  If you are starting to feel low, take 15 minutes out of your day to exercise your worries away.

 

  1. Take a second to be silly whether you need a hearty belly laugh or a moment to dance by yourself.

A second is enough time to feel good about yourself again.  Many websites will send jokes to your inbox on a daily or weekly basis.  Sign up for this free service and open the e-mail when you are feeling low.  There is nothing like a good laugh to remind yourself what a great person you are.

Put on your favorite song and dance like there is no tomorrow.   In addition to easing your stress, your self-confidence will shoot through the roof as the music brings back favorite memories.

 

  1. Allow yourself a luxury.

Remind yourself you are important and worthy of the world on a silver platter.  When things are not going your way and you begin to question yourself, take time to reward yourself.  Whether it is a chocolate kiss or a pat on the back, your spirits-and self-esteem-will be lifted.

 

  1. Write down your goals that you have achieved and look back at them when you are feeling low.

Maybe you were the first person to graduate from college in your family.  Perhaps you just closed on a fantastic house.  Maybe you made president of your organization.

Whatever your accomplishment, allow yourself a minute to remind yourself of your worth.

Keep of your family and friends to remind yourself all these people are rooting for you to succeed. Make yourself notes that congratulate yourself on handling a situation or completing a goal.

 

  1. Make the necessary means to rid the guilt, learn from your actions, and move on.

Learn from your mistakes as the old adage goes, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

Acknowledge where you made your mistake and forgive yourself. That constant nagging guilt will ruin your self-esteem.

Think of mistakes as happy accidents or learning experiences.

However, you choose to boost your self-confidence, know that by doing so you approve of yourself as a person.  Allowing issues to get you down will only lower your self-confidence further.

By keeping a positive attitude, you will have the ability to turn around unsavory situations and make them positive ones.  Keep in mind you are a worthy person who has a bright future.

 

TAKEAWAY QUESTIONS

What hinders you to develop your self-confidence?

What are your fears? An how are you going to deal with them?

Have you check the strength or the level of your self-reliance?

Do you have enough patience and willingness to exert intelligence effort to develop your self-confidence?

Are you decisive?

What are your strategies to develop your self-confidence?

 

 

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How To Use Cucumber For Your Skin Care?

cucumber for your skin care

Is cucumber good for your skin? Let’s find out.

First, our skin has many other purposes other than being beautiful and serving as an eye candy for everyone. It protects our internal organs from any of the external adversities as far as possible.

 

Whenever you are running down with fever, due to sweating skin tries to bring down the temperature.

 

Entry of foreign object or any other unwanted material is disallowed by the skin.

 

Even with all these uses, if we tend to disregard skin’s importance then it would be a real shame.

 

Cucumber is a very edible fruit which comes from the cucumber plant cucumis sativus, which is part of the gourd family.

 

It is being used for different purpose as it can be eaten raw or cooked.

With so many health benefits it becomes one of the most important parts of food diet as well as skin diet.

cucumber

Cucumber can claim to be a water body as it has 90% water. It is known to be a cooling agent due to the water in it.

 

It is believed that cucumber helps in reducing swelling around the eyes or the big dark circles under your eyes.

 

This is world-wide treatment which is being used to its maximum extent.

 

These also can be one of the most wonderful and natural eye pads you can find for yourself.

The puffiness and the tiredness in your eyes may just leave you, if you do this in a relaxed fashion.

 

These natural eye pads do wonders after a long day’s work.

If you want a happy skin, then cucumber is the answer. As cucumber and the skin share the same level of hydrogen, it becomes easier for cucumber to mask all the problem areas.

 

It helps in soothing and softening your skin which can get you relaxed in no time.

With so many useful ingredients in cucumber it can help you in treating so many skin problems.

 

It has become part of daily beauty product into face packs, facials, juice and many other things which can affect your skin.

 

Due to its cooling effect it can be termed as a magic wand for all your skin problems. The cleaning and cleansing property helps your skin tremendously making it soft and supple.

 

Likewise, the regular intake of cucumber juice is very useful both internally and externally. So, why not try it?

 

To have a glowing and smooth skin you can use this recipe:

Blend 4-5 leafs of fresh mint. Peel and de-seed the cucumber.

Add mint leaves to the cucumber to make a puree.

Beat egg white and keep it separate, then add this egg white to the cucumber mixture.

Apply this evenly on your face for 20 minutes and then rinse it with water and pat it dry.

Take note to exercise all precautions while following instructions on this recipes. Avoid using if you are allergic to something. 

 

14 Cucumber Beauty Recipes

Now, here are other 14 skin care recipes using cucumber as one of its ingredients.

Cucumber Wrinkle Cream

You will need:

1/2 cucumber

1 egg white

2 tbsp. mayonnaise

1/2 cup oil*

* Use wheat germ, olive or avocado oil.

You have to:

Wash the cucumber, but do not peel.

Cube and blend with remaining ingredients.

Apply morning and evening, and gently wipe off with tissues.

 

Cool As A Cucumber Yogurt Facial (For Normal/Oily Skin)

You will need:

1/2 cucumber

1 tbsp. plain yogurt

You have to:

Puree cucumber in blender.

Mix in yogurt, and then apply to the face.

Leave it on for 30 minutes.

Rinse well.

 

Cucumber Mask (for oily skin)

You will need:

1/2 cucumber

1 egg white

1 tbsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. mint

You have to:

Purée ingredients in a blender and refrigerate for 10 minutes.

Apply the mixture to your face and leave on for 15 minutes.

Rinse with hot, then cool water.

 

Cucumber Masque

You will need:

1 cucumber, cubed

3 oz. milk

You have to:

Blend together.

Apply to face, and leave on for 5 minutes.

 

Cucumber Mask 2

You will need:

1/2 cucumber

1 egg white

1 tbsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. mint

You have to:

Puree everything and refrigerate for 10 minutes.

Apply the mixture to your face and leave it on 15 minutes.

Rinse with hot then cool water.

 

Cucumber Facial Mask (Cleans and Moisturizes)

You will need:

1 tbs. instant nonfat dry milk

1/2 peeled cucumber

1 tsp. plain yogurt

You have to:

Put all ingredients into a blender and mix well until smooth.

Apply to your face (avoid your eyes).

Leave on for 15-20 minutes, then rinse off.

Mix a fresh batch for each use.

 

Cucumber-Lemon Tonic (soothing astringent for oily skin)

You will need:

1 cup witch hazel

Juice of 1 lemon

3 tbsp. coarsely chopped cucumber

You have to:

Mix in a clean glass bottle, then let set for 2 days.

Remove the cucumber.

Keep lotion in a cool place or the refrigerator to use as a splash.

This tightens pores, soothes sunburn, and can be used as a natural deodorant, also.

 

Cucumber-Rose Refresher 

You will need:

3 oz. cucumber juice

3 oz. distilled witch hazel

1 1/2 oz. rose water

You have to:

Combine all the ingredients.

Place in a pump spray bottle and spritz onto the skin.

 

Soothing Cucumber Cream

You will need:

1 whole cucumber, unpeeled

1/2 oz. white paraffin

2 oz. sweet almond oil

You have to:

Cut the cucumber into chunks and purée it in the food processor or blender.

Strain the pulp through a strainer lined with cheesecloth.

Melt the wax in a small bowl in the top of a glass or enamel double boiler over medium heat.

As soon as the wax is melted, slowly add the oil, stirring gently.

Add strained cucumber and blend thoroughly.

Remove the pot from the heat and cover with a clean towel.

Let the mixture cool very slowly to prevent crystals from forming in the wax.

Stir mixture once or twice until cool. When the mixture is completely cool and smooth, store it in a tightly capped glass container in the refrigerator.

It will keep for two months.

To use, smooth a bit of cream every night around the tender skin of your face and neck.

 

Silky Smooth Facial

You will need:

1 cup fresh cucumber juice

1/4 cup honey

1/2 cup plain yogurt

6 drops Lavender

4 drops Geranium

You have to:

Mix well and apply to face just before bath…

 

Silky Smooth Bath

You will need:

8 drops Jasmine

8 drops Fennel

2 tbsp. Coconut or Jojoba

You have to:

Mix the essential oils in the bath water.

Light a candle and relax…

 

Vegetable Mask (for troubled skin)

You will need:

1 tbsp. cucumber

1 tbsp. parsley

1 tbsp. yogurt

You have to:

Whirl in the blender until fluffy.

Apply to clean skin

 

Cooling Summer Body Spray

You will need:

1 tbs. witch hazel

1 tsp. lemon extract

1 tsp. cucumber extract

1 cup water

You have to:

For a refreshing cool feeling, make an after shower spray by combining all the ingredients.

Place in a pump spray bottle and spritz onto the skin.

 

Cucumber Loofah Soap

You will need:

3 oz. opaque soap

2 tsp. powdered loofah

15 drops cucumber fragrance oil

1 tbsp. Aloe Vera gel

green coloring

mold

You have to:

Shred the soap in a food processor and set aside.

Boil 1/2 cup of water over low heat and stir in the shredded soap.

Continue stirring until the mixture becomes a sticky mass, approximately 4 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in the aloe vera gel, the fragrance oil and the coloring until well blended.

Spoon the mixture into a mold and let it set for 6 hours or until hardened.

Wrap finished soaps in cellophane.

 

TAKEAWAY QUESTIONS

Do you like cucumbers?

What are your favorite recipes with cucumber?

Have you tried putting cucumber pads on your eyes?

Have you tried any of the beauty skin care recipes with cucumber?

Are you aware of other health and beauty benefits of cucumber?

 

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What Are The Causes Of Rheumatoid Arthritis?

causes of rheumatoid arthritis

 

Rheumatoid arthritis is the second major type of arthritis – exceeded in number of cases only by osteoarthritis. That’s why let’s find out its causes to avoid it.

Take note, it is a very serious ailment caused by inflammation of the joints. The pain associated with the disease is at times so severe that it almost completely disables sufferers. Also, it affects women more often than men.

Remember, rheumatoid arthritis advances in three stages starting with painful swelling and stiffness of the joints.

In the second stage, the pain aggravates and the bones and cartilage are severely affected thereby restricting the movement of the person altogether. By this time the diseases becomes chronic and just defies all treatment.

Thus, it is in your best interest to immediately consult a doctor as soon as you have pain in the joints. This means that don’t wait for any other symptom appear.

Also, you should never try treating the disease by taking over the counter medicines. Chances are that you may aggravate the ailment.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, which means that your body has made antibodies in the immune system that attack the tissues that line the joints.

The synovium (synovial membrane) or joint lining becomes inflamed and thickened. Eventually, the cartilage becomes destroyed, leaving bone to rub on bone. In the most severe cases, the bone itself will erode as well.

arthritis

The ligaments and tendons that connect the joints to other tissues will stretch out and weaken so that the joint itself begins to become deformed. Exactly how this autoimmune process works is not clear.

There may be both environmental and genetic factors playing into who gets rheumatoid arthritis and who doesn’t.

It’s possible that genetics interacts with environmental things like infections to result in the disease.

The self-destructive immune response of rheumatoid arthritis may be caused by a combination of genetic susceptibility and an environmental trigger.

Changing hormones also may play an important part in the disease, possibly in response to an infection from the environment.

More than one gene has been linked to risk for rheumatoid arthritis. Specific genes may increase a person’s chance of developing the disease, and also could partially determine how serious his or her condition is.

However, since not all people with a genetic predisposition to rheumatoid arthritis actually have the disease, other factors must be important.

A specific environmental trigger has not yet been found, but some research suggests that infection by a virus or bacterium leads to rheumatoid arthritis in genetically susceptible people.

This does not mean that rheumatoid arthritis is contagious. People with rheumatoid arthritis appear to have more antibodies in the synovial fluid in their joints, suggesting that there may be an infection.

Low levels of hormones from the adrenal gland are common in people with rheumatoid arthritis, but how hormones interact with environmental and genetic factors is unknown. Hormone changes may contribute to the progression of the rheumatoid arthritis.

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Conditions That Can Cause Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis can occur independently from other conditions, but its causes and relationship to other diseases are not well understood. A different form of chronic arthritis can sometimes develop into rheumatoid arthritis.

It also is possible that infections or other environmental triggers exist that can cause rheumatoid arthritis in people that already have a gene for the disease.

Diagnosing Rheumatoid Arthritis

It often is difficult to rule out alternate causes of joint pain during the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis.

A diagnosis is based on the symptoms you describe, your medical history, and a physical examination.

An X-ray, a blood test for rheumatoid factor, and other laboratory tests also may help your doctor to distinguish between other conditions and rheumatoid arthritis.

It is important that you ask your doctor to diagnose whether you are actually afflicted with Rheumatoid arthritis and if so, start taking the treatment that he prescribes.

If you go by your doctor’s advice you can save yourself a lot of damage by reducing the severity of the attack of the disease.

Any delay in diagnosing and treating the disease may aggravate to an extent that you may have to undergo surgery. This will not only entail great pain, but also require huge costs of treatment.

Besides seeking a doctor’s advice early, you may take general precautions like protecting your affected areas from stress of exertion. You should also try to reduce your weight if you are obese.

Also, contact your physiotherapist. Seek his or her advice about certain kind of exercises that may be specific to your kind of rheumatoid arthritis and take these exercises regularly as per the expert’s advice.

treatment

When To See a Doctor

As we get older, many of us will feel occasional joint pain or discomfort that comes and goes. This does not usually require professional treatment.

But you should see a doctor if:
  • you regularly have morning stiffness in your joints
  • you experience persistent joint pain that does not improve with self-care
  • the joint pain is increasing
  • the joint is swollen, red, hot, or tender to the touch
  • it is difficult to move without pain
  • you also have a fever
  • several joints on the left and right sides of your body are affected

 

Rheumatoid arthritis advances in three stages starting with painful swelling and stiffness of the joints.

In the second stage, the pain aggravates and the bones and cartilage are severely affected thereby restricting the movement of the person altogether. By this time the diseases becomes chronic and just defies all treatment.

It is in your best interest to immediately consult a doctor as soon as you have pain in the joints. This means that don’t wait for any other symptom appear.

Also, you should never try treating the disease by taking over the counter medicines. Chances are that you may aggravate the ailment.

It is important that you ask your doctor to diagnose whether you are actually afflicted with Rheumatoid arthritis and if so, start taking the treatment that he prescribes.

If you go by your doctor’s advice you can save yourself a lot of damage by reducing the severity of the attack of the disease.

Any delay in diagnosing and treating the disease may aggravate to an extent that you may have to undergo surgery. This will not only entail great pain, but also require huge costs of treatment.

Besides seeking a doctor’s advice early, you may take general precautions like protecting your affected areas from stress of exertion. You should also try to reduce your weight if you are obese.

Also, contact your physiotherapist. Seek his or her advice about certain kind of exercises that may be specific to your kind of rheumatoid arthritis and take these exercises regularly as per the expert’s advice.

What To Expect During The Exam

There are many sources of joint pain, and in early rheumatoid arthritis it is often difficult to rule out other causes of your symptoms.

Your doctor will try to determine the causes of your symptoms based on your description, your medical history, and a physical examination.

They also may use x rays and laboratory tests to distinguish between other conditions and rheumatoid arthritis.

A blood test can be done for rheumatoid factor, which is present in 80% of people with rheumatoid arthritis, but it may not be visible early on. In addition, not everyone with rheumatoid factor has arthritis.

The initial exam is also important in monitoring changes in your health over time. If rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed, regular doctor visits will allow you to adjust treatments as needed.

 

TAKEAWAY QUESTIONS

– Do you know someone who has rheumatoid arthritis or other type of arthritis?

– Are you aware of other causes of arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis?

– Are there any environmental triggers that surrounds you?

– How does knowing the causes inform and empower you?

– How could you avoid or delays rheumatoid arthritis or other type of arthritis?

 

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Uncover The Myths, The Science, And The Mystery Of Hypnosis

mystery of hypnosis

As we know, media, entertainment, literature and culture spread of hypnosis is not pretty accurate as it should be.

Now, let’s find out some myths of hypnosis, some mysteries of hypnosis and the science of hypnosis.

Common Hypnosis Myths Dispelled

The entertainment shows in Vegas and on television that show “regular” people in a so-called hypnotic trance clucking like a chicken is really just a show. These people are not hypnotized.

There is so much misinformation out there about hypnosis that it is time to set the record straight and dispel some of the many common myths about this valuable treatment.

Myth #1: You lose complete control of your mind and body.

Not true. You will not lose control over what you do and say, as the fictionalized people on TV do.

Hypnosis is simply a more focused and heightened state of consciousness. You are actually more attuned to your surroundings.

You WILL NOT lose control over your personality and your WILL maintain your integrity.

Myth #2: Your therapist will control you like a puppet.

False. Hypnosis is complete voluntary. The hypnotherapist simply uses the power of positive suggestion as the vehicle for change.

To cause change, the hypnotherapist uses suggestion to influence the subconscious mind.

Myth #3: You will forget everything that happens under hypnosis.

A majority of people that go under hypnosis remember everything that is said and done during the session.

In rare cases, people who are susceptible to deep hypnotic states will experience some level of lack of memory. However, this is rare.

Myth #4: You can be sent into a hypnotic trance against your will.

This couldn’t be farther from the truth. For hypnosis to work at all, you need to be a willing participant in allowing it to work.

The Mystery Unveiled: What Does it Feel Like?

Are you reluctant to try hypnosis for fear that you will lose control of yourself, and the hypnotist will get you to say or do things that you normally wouldn’t do?

Not to worry – that is only done for entertainment purposes, not in real, professional hypnotherapist offices.

Being hypnotized is like daydreaming.  You will be very aware of what is being said and done around you; however you will be very relaxed and focused.

Usually, when going through hypnosis you will be lying down on a comfortable couch and start relaxing. You will probably fee light, weightless, and calm.

You may not realize that you are hypnotized in the early stages of it, called pre-induction.

That is why it is very important to work with a trained professional that understands this early part of hypnosis and can use it as part of the overall treatment.

Hypnosis is completely safe! It is just an efficient quick method for entering a deep relaxed, natural state of mind and body.

There are no drugs involved, no unpleasant or unwanted side-effects and it is in no way addictive.

You just need a comfortable chair, couch or bed, a willingness to relax and let go and a trained professional or professional recording to listen to.

You are always in control of yourself before, during and after a hypnosis session.

If you are a particularly “good subject” you may forget the experience afterward but during the hypnosis session you are always aware of what is happening!

You cannot be made to do nor say anything that is against your moral or ethical codes not matter what Hollywood may tell you in “The Manchurian Candidate”!

You will be able to hear everything that is being said to and everything that is happening around you.

There are many people who actually become very sensitive to their environment.

Their 5 senses become heightened and they are even more aware of the smallest of details while in trance. Of, course you go back to normal upon “wakening”.

The vast majority of people remember everything that was said to them by the therapist when the hypnosis session is over.

In fact, it’s a pretty good bet to say that everyone who reads this article will be in that group.

It is the job of a hypnotherapist to make you feel comfortable before, during and after a session so if, at any time, you feel uncomfortable with what the therapist is doing or saying tell them to stop!

In order to get the most from any hypnosis session, you must be able to relate to the hypnotist or hypnotherapist and trust them.

For this reason, all reputable hypnosis professionals give a free consultation before you ever enter a trance state.

Seek out a hypnotist you feel comfortable with and who makes you feel that they can get the results that you are looking for – after all you are in charge!

Hypnosis is merely a tool. It is a highly effective method for producing inner change that is permanent.

Some religions forbid their followers to take part in anything that may cause them to lose control of their mental, emotional and conscious functions but believing that hypnosis or a hypnotist can do any of these things is just a misunderstanding of the process.

Hypnosis in no way interferes with your free will. You will not do anything that is against your ethics.

Under no circumstances will you ever do anything that is totally unacceptable to you or goes against your personal code of conduct.

Neither will you do anything that is against your moral code or which feels wrong to do.

If strutting around like a chicken would cause you serious embarrassment then you just won’t do it!

There is no danger of becoming trapped in a trance state. This is another Hollywood myth designed for entertainment purposes and has absolutely no basis in fact.

The real fact is – you can terminate the hypnotic session at any time you wish just by opening your eyes and stretching!

If a hypnotist, for any reason, were to leave you in a hypnotized state or a hypnotic recording stopped unexpectedly, you would either wake immediately or fall into a natural, light state of sleep and wake after a very short space of time – and this would only happen if you wanted to stay in the relaxed state!

The Science Behind Hypnosis

There is more to hypnosis than just self-induced hypnotic tapes or the receiving of suggestions from a hypnotist.

While these are both valid parts of hypnosis, there is more science behind the practice.

Brain waves are influential in the effectiveness of hypnosis. The brain has several states.  They are:

Beta: Waking state

Alpha: Focused concentration*

Theta: Deep meditation*

Delta: Dream state

When the brain is in the alpha or theta state, hypnosis is effective.

The mind is influenced while at the delta and theta states. In this situation, the voice is a powerful tool. Hence, the hypnotherapist is invaluable here.

The subconscious mind can be seen as the connection between the nervous system and the conscious mind. This is why hypnosis is often used to unblock a memory.

brain_hypnosis

How It Works

How does hypnotherapy work? A hypnotherapist will offer suggestions that the subconscious mind will accept.

Once these suggestions are accepted and implemented, the mind begins making different choices.

For example, for a patient that is trying to shed pounds, the hypnotist might suggest that food is not as appealing or tasty.

As your mind accepts the suggestions given when hypnotized, you will find that next time you are presented with a food that is not good for you, your subconscious mind will tell you it is unappealing.

Recent research lately explores more information about how hypnosisworks and how it becomes an effective therapeutic tool.

Psychodynamic Theory & Philosophy

The theory of psychodynamics focuses on people and their relationship with their surroundings and the rest of the environment.

It is believed that a majority of your world can be influenced by your mind.

The brain takes cues and suggestions as subliminal communication, and when using scientifically proven concepts change can occur rather quickly.

The change is often quite effective and long-lasting.  Overall, the psychodynamic theory of hypnosis tells us that when offered suggestions; the subconscious mind can make positive change.

Types of Hypnotic Induction

How do you get into a hypnotic state? Trained professional hypnotists use several different methods to induce hypnosis. They are:

  1. Fixed gaze – eye fixation
  2. Imagery – progressive relaxation
  3. Mental confusion
  4. Mental misdirection
  5. Loss of equilibrium
  6. Nervous system shock

The Difference Between Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy is the clinical term used to describe treatment with a trained professional hypnotist.

This is typically used to treat a specific problem such as shyness, smoking cessation, or weight loss.

Hypnotherapy is usually done in a practice office with deliberate planning and treatment.

Often hypnosis is done in conjunction with other treatments to solve a person’s problem.

Hypnosis is the looser term for the same thing. However, it usually involves non-scientific treatment.

This can include self-hypnosis at home, and hypnosis for entertainment purposes.

How to Use Hypnosis to Your Advantage

If your life is not what you would like it to be, perhaps hypnosis can help.

It is especially helpful if you are doing things that you do not want to do (so the subconscious is ruling over the conscious mind).

For example, issues such as smoking and eating disorders.

Self-hypnosis can be used as a tool when attempting to improve yourself. Its main function is to help you be more patient while working on your self-improvement efforts.

In order for self-hypnosis to work, you must first identify the real source of the problem.

Once this is identified, you will need to truly believe that hypnosis can, and will, work for you.

To make lasting positive change in your life, you need to identify the root of the problem. Once the source has been found, you can fix it.

For example, if your problem is overeating, it is highly likely that the root of the problem actually has little to do with the food itself, rather it is something emotional.

Therefore, the goal of hypnosis should be to find the emotional issue that is causing you to eat.

Once found, you can address it head on. Hypnosis will not work if you are trying to fix symptoms instead of the real reason for the problem.

Perhaps your issues involve “passive dysfunction.” Passive dysfunction is like a mental block and is when the subconscious gets in the way of change.

Using hypnosis to uncover the real reason for the problem will help you, and your hypnotherapist, to create suggestions that will eradicate the issue.

In discovering your subconscious, ask yourself probing questions that involve the who, what, when, where, and why.

Here are a few sample questions:
  1. Who is associated with the problem?
  2. Is there a location trigger that could be associated with the source of the problem?
  3. When did the problem first start in your life?
  4. What, in particular, sparks the behavior?
  5. Why this behavior?

The answers to these questions can provide valuable insight into your dysfunction, and will be helpful when working on your problem using hypnosis.

What Are the Types of Hypnosis?

Hypnosis is broken down into three categories:
  1. The most common type of hypnosis is unconscious hypnosis. Most professional like to use the term “self-suggestion” instead because hypnosis is simply suggestions being made to the subconscious. Before unconscious hypnosis will work, the individual must believe that it will work. This positive thinking and the belief that something WILL happen can make it possible.
  2. The second type of hypnosis is conscious hypnosis.  To change your life and the way you live it, you must be aware that change is required.
  3. Lastly, there is self-hypnosis. You can use self-guided audio tapes or books to help you hypnotize yourself. Of course, as previously discussed, no one can be hypnotized unless they want to be, which is also true with self-hypnosis.

The image of hypnosis has been abused for entertainment purposes for a long time, which has damaged the reputation of a reliable and helpful tool.

Once the stigma of hypnosis has gone away, the true benefit will come into view.

POINTS TO REMEMBER

Common Hypnosis Myths Dispelled

  1. You lose complete control of your mind and body
    Hypnosis is simply a more focused and heightened state of consciousness. You are actually more attuned to your surroundings.
  2. Your therapist will control you like a puppet
    Hypnosis is complete voluntary. The hypnotherapist simply uses the power of positive suggestion as the vehicle for change.
  3. You will forget everything that happens under hypnosis
    A majority of people that go under hypnosis remember everything that is said and done during the session.
  4. You can be sent into a hypnotic trance against your will
    For hypnosis to work at all, you need to be a willing participant in allowing it to work.

The Mystery Unveiled: What does it feel like?

  • Being hypnotized is like daydreaming.
  • It is just an efficient quick method for entering a deep relaxed, natural state of mind and body.
  • You are always in control of yourself before, during and after a hypnosis session.
  • It is a highly effective method for producing inner change that is permanent.

The Science Behind Hypnosis

  • When the brain is in the alpha or theta state, hypnosis is effective.
  • The subconscious mind can be seen as the connection between the nervous system and the conscious mind.
  • Once these suggestions are accepted and implemented, the mind begins making different choices.

Types of Hypnotic Induction

  1. Fixed gaze – eye fixation
  2. Imagery – progressive relaxation
  3. Mental confusion
  4. Mental misdirection
  5. Loss of equilibrium
  6. Nervous system shock

The Difference Between Hypnosis & Hypnotherapy

  • Hypnotherapy is the clinical term used to describe treatment with a trained professional hypnotist.
  • Hypnosis is the looser term for the same thing but it usually involves non-scientific treatment.

Examples of probing questions to ask in discovering your subconscious:

  1. Who is associated with the problem?
  2. Is there a location trigger that could be associated with the source of the problem?
  3. When did the problem first start in your life?
  4. What, in particular, sparks the behavior?
  5. Why this behavior?

What are the types of hypnosis

  1. unconscious hypnosis
  2. conscious hypnosis
  3. self-hypnosis

TAKEAWAY QUESTIONS

– What other myths you know about hypnosis?

– Have you experience any hypnosis or hypnotherapy session before?

– If so, what does it feel like? Are you having difficulty going into a trance?

– What are behavioral adjustments you would like to change through hypnosis or hypnotherapy?

 

 

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How To Consume Calcium?

consume calcium

In this article, find out what is the best way to consume calcium. But before that, find out first the significance of calcium, and then some clarification about calcium confusion.

The Importance Of Calcium

Calcium is one of the most important nutrients your body needs to maintain health. It is essential to meet many of your body’s needs. Calcium plays an important role in many body functions and development.

Knowing how much calcium you need daily and where to get it can ensure that your body will reap the benefits of this great nutrient.

Calcium does many things for your body. Everyone knows calcium is beneficial to bones and teeth. It is also important to keep your muscles and nerves working properly.

It helps blood clot and keeps your heart beating properly. Lacking calcium in your diet can greatly affect your health now and in the future.

When your body does not get enough calcium it begins to take it from the bones. When this happens, if the calcium is not replaced through your diet the bones become deficient in calcium. This can lead to osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a disease where the bones get thin and brittle. It is fast becoming a major disease among older adults.

Calcium is important at any age. For children calcium is essential to ensure proper bone growth.

In pregnant women calcium intake is also important. The baby needs calcium to grow and takes this calcium from the mother, so increased calcium intake is important during pregnancy.

Some guidelines for calcium are 1,200 mg. a day for children age 1-10, 1,500 mg. a day for age 11-24.

Pregnant and breast feeding mother should get 1,400 mg. a day and older adults should have 1,500 mg. a day.

It is very difficult to take too much calcium and intakes of up to 2,500 mg. have proven safe. Excess calcium is easily removed from the body through waste.

To get a good daily intake of calcium diet choices are important. At least three servings a day of dairy products is essential to maintaining good calcium levels. Broccoli is another great calcium source.

Today, many products like orange juice have calcium added. Making simple choices when buying foods with added calcium can help you to make sure you are getting enough calcium daily.

Calcium is often overlooked in its importance. Fortunately it is quite easy to add calcium rich foods into your diet. Preventing future problems is important.

Frail bones are most often contributed to a lack of calcium. To keep your body functioning properly today and in the future make sure your calcium intake is sufficient.

 

Did You Know Calcium Needs Magnesium To Be Absorbed?

For all the people suffering from bone loss, did you know that calcium requires magnesium in order to be utilized by the body? Magnesium by its self doesn’t need calcium to function in the body.

Calcium should never be taken without magnesium. If you are supplementing just calcium you are actually reducing the amount of magnesium in the body which can be a bad thing.

Few people realize the importance of the mineral magnesium. Magnesium influences many of the body’s processes such as digestion, energy production, muscle function, bone formation, creation of new cells, activation of B vitamins, relaxation of muscles and helps in the function of the kidneys, heart, adrenal glands, the brain and nervous system.

Every day, one looses magnesium due to mental stress, caffeine, sugar intake, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, high perspiration, low thyroid, diabetes, chronic pain (causes stress), diuretics, and diets high in carbohydrates, sodium, and calcium.

The most common symptoms of magnesium depletion that millions of people suffer from every day are low energy, fatigue, PMS and Hormonal imbalances, inability to sleep (insomnia), body tension, headaches, muscle tension, muscle spasms and craps, backaches, calcification of organs, weakening bones, heart related difficulties, anxiousness, nervousness and irritability. Everybody needs magnesium.

What country has the highest rate of pasteurized milk consumption and what country has the highest Calcium supplement consumption? The United States!

If this is true, wouldn’t you think this country would have the lowest rate of osteoporosis caused by calcium loss making bones fragile? False!

More calcium does not eliminate a calcium deficiency. Only by adding magnesium to your diet will your body be able to handle a calcium deficiency and provide adequate magnesium for the body to dissolve excess calcium from the body like bone spurs while helping the body absorb more calcium all at the same time.

Magnesium is needed for major biochemical process such as digestion, energy production, and the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

According to Carolyn Dean, MD. ND., “calcium has been called the major mineral or the major nutrient mostly because there are a lot of books on osteoporosis (bone disease especially common in the elderly), and everybody thinks calcium is the major treatment for that. But if you don’t have magnesium, calcium doesn’t even work in the body.”

Milk contains 8 parts calcium to 1 part magnesium per glass. In order for the body to absorb the calcium in milk, the body has to make up for the missing magnesium.

Milk will rob the body of vital magnesium in order to process its calcium. Heavy milk drinking can cause a magnesium imbalance in the body and lead to the negative effects associated with a magnesium imbalance that was listed above.

In many countries, calcium is now added to cereals, crackers, juice, antacids and much more. None of these products add extra magnesium to bring balance back. If you’re eating dairy products and eating lots of organic yogurt, kefir, and green vegetables you’re getting a plenty of absorbable calcium.

Yogurt does not contain magnesium and if you cook your vegetables the magnesium found in the veggies will be destroyed. So, what you need is just a basic magnesium supplement to help maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Clearing The Calcium Confusion by Miriam Nelson, Ph.D.

Recent news reports about taking calcium may have confused women, but it is important to go beyond the headlines for your health care.

Two recent studies confirmed that women who consistently took Calcium and Vitamin D reduced their risk for fractures, reinforcing the importance of optimal daily calcium intake.

It is recommended that adults over the age of 19 should consume between 1,000 and 1,200 milligrams (mg) of calcium each day.

While peak bone mineral density (BMD) in women is reached around age 30, it is extremely important for women of all ages to make sure they are getting their recommended daily allowance (RDA) of calcium and vitamin D.

During pregnancy and through menopause, women’s calcium needs increase and lifelong supplementation is beneficial to overall health.

Additionally, bone-building exercises are a key component in building and maintaining bone health and preventing harmful bone-deteriorating diseases, such as osteoporosis.

Q: There has been a lot of talk about calcium-is it still good for me?

Yes! Calcium is an essential nutrient to the basic functions of the body. Not only is calcium a key component of bone development, but it is needed for the heart, muscles and nerves to work properly and for blood to clot.

Everyone needs calcium but as many as 75 percent of women don’t get the RDA in their diet, although they could through a combination of food and supplements.

Q: Should I do any specific exercises to help my bones?

Weight-bearing workouts and resistance training are two different types of exercises shown to improve bone health and they are explained in my updated book, “Strong Women, Strong Bones.”

Jogging, stair climbing and sports such as tennis are weight-bearing activities and weight lifting or strength training are resistance exercises.

Most recently, a study from the University of Arizona found that women who did a specific routine of six weight-bearing exercises and took Citracal® calcium citrate supplements gained 1 to 2 percent of their BMD, even though women typically lose 1 to 2 percent per year at that age.

A healthy diet and lifestyle that includes weight-bearing exercises are the first defense against osteoporosis.

The statements in this article are not intended to diagnose, treat and cure or prevent disease please consult your health care physician before discontinuing medication or introducing herbs into your diet if you are currently on medication of any kind.

 

POINTS TO REMEMBER

The Importance Of Calcium

  • Calcium is one of the most important nutrients your body needs to maintain health.
  • When your body does not get enough calcium it begins to take it from the bones.
  • To get a good daily intake of calcium diet choices are important.
  • Calcium is often overlooked in its importance.

Did You Know Calcium Needs Magnesium To Be Absorbed?

  • Calcium should never be taken without magnesium.
  • Magnesium is needed for major biochemical process such as digestion, energy production, and the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins.
  • More calcium does not eliminate a calcium deficiency.
  • Milk contains 8 parts calcium to 1 part magnesium per glass.
  • Heavy milk drinking can cause a magnesium imbalance in the body.

Clearing The Calcium Confusion

  • Two recent studies confirmed that women who consistently took Calcium and Vitamin D reduced their risk for fractures, reinforcing the importance of optimal daily calcium intake.
  • Calcium is an essential nutrient to the basic functions of the body.
    Calcium is needed for the heart, muscles and nerves to work properly and for blood to clot.

 

TAKEAWAY QUESTIONS
  • Do you realize the importance of Calcium to your body?
  • Are you aware of the benefits Calcium gives to your overall health?
  • How much Calcium you are consuming daily?
  • Are you taking Magnesium along with Calcium?
  • How do you take care of your bones?

 

 

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How To Calm Yourself With Visualization Technique?

calm yourself using visualization_c

There are many ways to use visualization but in here discover how it can be used to calm your mind and let it be your stress-buster.

 

The purpose of visualization is to enable you to quickly clear mental stress, tension, and anxious thinking.

 

The visualization can be used when feeling stressed and is particularly useful when your mind is racing with fearful, anxious thinking.

 

This visualization process, when practiced frequently, is very effective for eliminating deep-seated mental anxieties or intrusive thoughts.

 

To gain maximum benefit, the exercise must be carried out for longer than 10 minutes at a time, as anything shorter will not bring noticeable results.

 

There is no right or wrong way to carry out the visualization. Be intuitive with it and do not feel you are unable to carry it out if you feel you are not very good at seeing mental imagery. As long as your attention is on the exercise, you will gain benefit.

 

It is best to do this exercise in a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed, and then when you are more practiced you will be able to get the same positive results in a busier environment such as the workplace.

 

enjoy nature_rid of stress 

You should notice a calming effect on your state of mind along with a sensation of mental release and relaxation.

 

Either sitting or standing, close your eyes and move your attention to your breath. To become aware of your breathing, place one hand on your upper chest and one on your stomach.

 

Take a breath and let your stomach swell forward as you breathe in and fall back gently as you breathe out. Take the same depth of breath each time and try to get a steady rhythm going.

 

Your hand on your chest should have little or no movement. Again, try to take the same depth of breath each time you breathe in. This is called Diaphragmatic Breathing.

 

When you feel comfortable with this technique, try to slow your breathing rate down by instituting a short pause after you have breathed out and before you breathe in again.

 

Initially, it may feel as though you are not getting enough air in, but with regular practice this slower rate will soon start to feel comfortable.

 

It is often helpful to develop a cycle where you count to three when you breathe in, pause, and then count to three when you breathe out (or 2, or 4—whatever is comfortable for you).

 

This will also help you focus on your breathing without any other thoughts coming into your mind.

 

If you are aware of other thoughts entering your mind, just let them go and bring your attention back to counting and breathing.

 

Continue doing this for a few minutes. (If you practice this, you will begin to strengthen the Diaphragmatic Muscle, and it will start to work normally—leaving you with a nice relaxed feeling all the time.)

 

Now move your attention to your feet. Try to really feel your feet. See if you can feel each toe. Picture the base of your feet and visualize roots growing slowly out through your soles and down into the earth.

 

The roots are growing with quickening pace and are reaching deep into the soil of the earth. You are now rooted firmly to the earth and feel stable like a large oak or redwood tree.

 

Stay with this feeling of grounded safety and security for a few moments. Once you have created a strong feeling or impression of being grounded like a tree, visualize a cloud of bright light forming way above you.

 

A bolt of lightning from the luminous cloud hits the crown of your head, and that ignites a band of bright white light descending slowly from your head all the way down your body, over your legs, and out past your toes.

 

As the band of light passes over you, feel it clearing your mental state. It is illuminating your mind and clearing any disturbing or stressful thoughts that you may have been thinking about. Repeat this image four or five times until you feel a sense of clearing and release from any anxious thinking.

 

In finishing, see yourself standing under a large, luminescent waterfall. The water is radiant and bubbling with vitality and life.

 

As you stand under the waterfall, you can feel the water run over every inch of your body, soothing you and instilling within you a sense of deep calm.

 

how to respond to stress

 

Try to taste the water. Open your mouth and let it run into your mouth, refreshing you. Hear it as it bounces off the ground around you. The water is life itself and it is washing away stress and worry from your mind and body.

After a moment, open your eyes.

Try to use all of your senses when carrying out the visualization. To make the pictures in your mind as real as possible, use your senses of touch, taste, and hearing. Feel the water trickle down your body; hear the sound it makes as it splashes over you.

 

The more realistic the imagined scenarios, the more benefit you will gain. Many people report very beneficial and soothing results from using these simple visualizations frequently.

The mind is much like a muscle in that, in order to relax, it needs to regularly release what it is holding onto.

 

You can use any situation or location that will help calm you.  We liken this to “finding your happy place”.  Maybe you feel relaxed in a swimming pool or on the beach.  Imagine yourself there.  Just make sure wherever you go in your mind is a place where you can be calm and rested.

 

water exercise

 

By visualizing the different situations, you are allowing your mind to release. It is like sending a message to your brain that when you close your eyes and begin this process it is time for letting go of anything that it has been mentally holding onto, including anxious thinking.

 

In order to train your mind how to let go of the stress, it is important to practice this daily. With practice, you can learn to release all stress within minutes of starting the exercise. Your daily practice should take place before going to bed, as that will enable you to sleep more soundly.

 

Many people do not do these visualizations in the bedroom but some other room before going to bed. That way, when they enter the bedroom and close the door, they are leaving the mental stress and anxious thinking behind them.  Just be sure you have the opportunity to totally concentrate on your mental images.

 

Visualization as a tool for dealing with mental stress is very effective.

If such visualization is carried out properly, you can reach a deep feeling of inner calm.

 

This technique probably will not work in helping to end an anxiety attack, but it can help that attack from beginning.  It is a very powerful support tool for ridding yourself of general anxiety sensations.

 

With practice, you find you go days without having anxious thinking interrupt your life, and importantly, this significantly reduces the level of general anxiety you feel.

 

Visualization is simply a tool you can use to overcome anxious thoughts and feelings.

 

TAKEAWAY QUESTIONS
  • How do you handle stressful situations?
  • How do you take care of yourself during stressful situations?
  • Have you tried visualization technique to calm and center yourself?
  • Would you like to try the visualization technique to calm and center yourself?
  • What other calming techniques do you do?

 

 

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Why Calcium Matters?

why calcium matters

 

Are you taking enough calcium? What are the health and fitness benefits of calcium? Let’s find out here.

Calcium: When You Take It, It Works

Calcium has been recommended and widely accepted as an essential mineral for bone and skeletal health and numerous body functions-regulating heartbeat, conducting nerve impulses, stimulating hormonal secretions and clotting the blood.

Now, some conflicting and potentially misleading research is threatening to negate the efficacy of this vital mineral.

One factor that the study, published by the Women’s Health Initiative got right was that the government’s recommended daily dosage is necessary to receive the benefits associated with calcium consumption and supplementation.

Yet, more than half of the study participants did not adhere to the recommended calcium supplementation, making improvements in bone density a nearly impossible result.

Meanwhile, those that did comply experienced a whopping 29% lower risk of hip fractures.

Many people, both young and old, are failing to meet calcium intake requirements and the incidence of osteoporosis is climbing. During adolescent and teenage years, when 45% of bone mass is formed, meeting calcium requirements is essential.

According to the Journal of Pediatrics, however, only 10% of teenage girls and 30% of teenage boys are meeting adequate Calcium intake, which places them at serious risk for stunted growth, bone disease and, eventually, osteoporosis.

Calcium is available through dairy products and green, leafy vegetables-yet incorporating adequate amounts into a modern, hectic lifestyle, regardless of age, is often unrealistic. Calcium-fortified foods and supplements, however, can fill the gap.

“It’s very important that people do take a supplement if they’re not getting enough calcium in their diet,” says Nicholina Galinsky, R.N. “Unfortunately, most of us are not aware that we have osteoporosis until we break a bone.”

How Calcium Supplementation Can Affect Your Health Outlook

It seems more emphasis is placed on the importance of vitamin supplementation. While there is some information available about minerals, it is not as prevalent as what is published about vitamins.

Despite the reports that recommend vitamin and mineral supplementation for people who need them, many people don’t consider supplementing their diet with minerals.

Since it’s difficult to know how much of a particular mineral your body is lacking, many people are afraid they may take too much and become sick.

While taking minerals in excess can cause problems, a lack of sufficient minerals in the body can also have an effect on your general health.

Calcium is by far one of the most essential minerals in the body. The parts of the body that are most associated with sufficient calcium are healthy teeth and bones. Calcium also plays a vital role in blood clotting and muscle contraction.

An individual who has a calcium deficiency has an increased risk of developing osteoporosis, a condition characterized by weak bones that makes the individual prone to breaks.

Signs of muscle weakness, such as muscle spasms or cramps or also caused by calcium deficiency. Pregnant and postmenopausal women, young children, and the elderly have the greatest need for calcium.

In addition, anyone who does not consume at least 1200 milligrams each day should consider supplementation.

Calcium supplementation may be particularly important to individuals who are overweight. Recently, there have been reports that consuming the recommended daily amount of calcium can assist with weight loss.

The reports contend that the more calcium that is in the body, the better the body is able to metabolize fat. When there is an insufficient amount of calcium, the body stores more fat.

Although the studies are still relatively new, calcium has also been found to lessen the risk of colon cancer and heart disease.

If you discuss your health concerns with your medical doctor and it is determined that calcium supplementation is right for you, your doctor will probably recommend that you take vitamin D and K. Vitamins D and K assist with calcium absorption and are also beneficial to healthy bones.

It is very important that you do not take more calcium and vitamins D and K than recommended by your doctor. Excessive amounts of any of these can result in serious side effects.

 

Calcium helps the heart, nerves, muscles, and other body systems work properly.

Common Forms:   calcium citrate, calcium carbonate, calcium gluconate, calcium lactate, calcium chloride, calcium malate, calcium aspartate, calcium ascorbate.

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. It is essential for the development and maintenance of strong bones and teeth; roughly 99% of calcium in the body is deposited in these two places.

Calcium also helps the heart, nerves, muscles, and other body systems work properly. To function correctly, calcium must be accompanied by several other nutrients including magnesium, phosphorous, and vitamins A, C, D, and K.

The best sources of calcium are foods (see Dietary Sources), but supplements may be necessary for those who cannot meet their calcium needs through diet alone.

In fact, according to the National Institutes of Health, many people consume less than half the amount of calcium recommended to build and maintain healthy bones.

Heavy use of caffeine can diminish calcium levels. Therefore, higher amounts of calcium may be needed if you drink a lot of coffee.

Also, a diet high in protein can increase loss of calcium through the urine. Excessive intake of sodium, phosphates (from carbonated beverages) and alcohol, as well as the use of aluminum-containing antacids also contribute to increased excretion of calcium.

Calcium deficiency can be found in people with malabsorption problems, such as Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, and surgical intestinal resection. Prolonged bed rest causes loss of calcium from the bones and the elderly are less able to absorb calcium.

Symptoms of calcium deficiency include muscle spasm or cramping, typically in hands or feet, hair loss (alopecia), dry skin and nails, which may also become deformed, numbness, tingling, or burning sensation around the mouth and fingers, nausea and vomiting, headaches, yeast infections (candidiasis), anxiety, convulsions/seizures, and poor tooth and bone development.

Uses

Obtaining adequate calcium can help prevent and/or treat the following conditions:

Osteoporosis

An inadequate supply of calcium over the lifetime is thought to play a significant role in contributing to the development of osteoporosis. Calcium is necessary to help build and maintain healthy bones and strong teeth.

Studies have shown that calcium, particularly in combination with vitamin D, can help prevent bone loss associated with menopause, as well as the bone loss experienced by elderly men.

If adequate amounts of calcium are not being obtained through the diet, calcium supplements are necessary.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Calcium levels often measure lower the week prior to one’s menstrual period compared to the week after.

Studies suggest that calcium supplementation helps relieve mood swings, food cravings, pain or tenderness, and bloating associated with premenstrual syndrome.

High Cholesterol

Preliminary studies in animals and people suggest that calcium supplements, in the range of 1,500 to 2,000 mg per day, may help to lower cholesterol.

The information available thus far suggests that keeping cholesterol levels normal or even low by using calcium supplements (along with many other measures such as changing your diet and exercising) is likely to be more beneficial than trying to treat it by adding calcium once you already have elevated cholesterol. More research in this area is needed.

Stroke

In a population based study (one in which large groups of people are followed over time), women who take in more calcium, both through the diet and with added supplements, were less likely to have a stroke over a 14 year time course.

More research is needed to fully assess the strength of the connection between calcium and risk of stroke.

Colon Cancer

Although some studies are conflicting, mounting evidence suggests that people who consume high amounts of calcium, Vitamin D, and milk in their diets are significantly less likely to develop colorectal cancer than those who consume low amounts of the same substances.

Although it is best to obtain calcium from the diet, the suggested amounts for the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer (namely, 800 IU/day of vitamin D and 1,800 mg/day of calcium) will most likely require supplementation.

Obesity

Both animal and human studies have found that dietary calcium intake (from low-fat dairy products) may be associated with a decrease in body weight.

These effects cannot necessarily be attributed to calcium alone since dairy sources of calcium contain other nutrients (including magnesium and potassium) that may be involved in the weight loss.

A review of all studies up to the year 2000 did conclude, however, that supplementation of 1,000 mg of calcium can facilitate as much as 8 kilograms (17.6 pounds) of weight loss and 5 kilogram (11 pound) loss of fat.

Dietary Sources

The richest dietary sources of calcium include cheeses (such as parmesan, romano, gruyere, cheddar, mozzarella, and feta), wheat-soy flour, and blackstrap molasses.

Some other good sources of calcium include almonds, brewer’s yeast, bok choy, Brazil nuts, broccoli, cabbage, dried figs, kelp, dark leafy greens (dandelion, turnip, collard, mustard, kale, Swiss chard), hazelnuts, ice cream, milk, oysters, sardines, canned salmon soybean flour, tahini, and yogurt.

Foods that are fortified with Calcium, such as juices, soy milk, rice milk, tofu and cereals, are also good sources of this mineral.

Calcium may also be obtained from a variety of herbs, spices, and seaweeds. Examples include basil, chervil, cinnamon, dill weed, fennel, fenugreek, ginseng, kelp, marjoram, oregano, parsley, poppy seed, sage, and savory.

New Life Health Centers has no means of independently evaluating the safety or functionality of the products offered by their suppliers and affiliates and thus can neither endorse nor recommend products.

Information presented is of a general nature for educational and informational purposes only.

Statements about products and health conditions have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration. Products and information presented herein are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.

If you have any concerns about your own health, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional.

 

TAKEAWAY QUESTIONS
  • Are your dietary consumption includes enough Calcium?
  • Or do you take additional calcium supplementation?
  • What are your favorite high-calcium foods?
  • Are you aware of the importance of Calcium to your body processes?
  • Are you aware of the health benefits of Calcium?

 

 

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What Are The Best Tips Before A Detox Program?

tips before detox program

Detoxification For Health!

How do I choose a detox method?

If you are trying a detox for the first time, it is best to take a gentle, gradual approach. The detox diet plan is a basic detox diet that many people recommend.

Detox diets can target the different organ systems involved in detoxification: the skin, liver, kidneys, colon, lungs and lymph system.

A natural health care practitioner can design a program that suits your needs by targeting specific organ systems.

For example, a person with a skin condition may benefit from a program that addresses the liver, intestines, and skin.

Other forms of detox include juice fasts, macrobiotic diet, colon cleanse, and liver flush. If you can’t go without meat, at least avoid red meat, and consider steering clear of dairy and wheat for maximum benefits.

If you are a heavy smoker or take drugs regularly, it will be a huge shock to the system to give up at the same time as detoxing. Take one step at a time – giving up your particular vice will be a detox in itself.

Headaches?

Food additives, sugar, alcohol, caffeine withdrawal, constipation, hormonal imbalance and exposure to irritants such as pollution, perfume or after-shaves are all causes of headaches that can often be relieved by detoxification.

Sauna

Saunas enhance circulation and oxygenate the tissues. They open the nasal passages and assist the sinuses to drain. A major eliminative organ, most people’s skin is very inactive. Many do not sweat. This may be due to synthetic or tight clothing that does not breathe.

Sedentary living and sun damage also inactivate the skin. Hundreds of chemicals affect the skin from lotions, soaps, and creams to deodorants. Others are cleaning solvents, detergent residues and chemicals from bathing water.

There are tons of detox diets out there. Typically they involve 1 or 2 days on a completely liquid diet and another 4 or 5 days adding brown rice, fruit, and steamed vegetables (all organic) to the diet.

After a week of eating only these foods, you gradually reintroduce other foods – except for red meat, wheat, sugar, eggs, and all prepackaged or junk foods – into your diet.

Detox To Lose Weight

Detoxification programs have been promoted as the remedy to today’s unhealthy lifestyles for years.

Proponents of detoxification note that a good detox can help increase energy, slow the aging process, aid the digestive system and help relieve the symptoms of diabetes and asthma. One of the greatest benefits of a good detoxification program is weight loss.

Your body is equipped with several systems to help it naturally detox. However, today’s stressful lifestyles and unhealthy eating habits often overburden your natural systems.

As your body struggles to keep up with the toxic matter flowing through your systems it often falls behind. Toxic waste begins to back up and the balance of your body is disrupted.

A good detox will help restore the body’s balance, eliminate the waste building up and make your systems run much more efficiently. During autopsies, coroners often find colons that are more than 75% clogged with waste matter.

This causes the systems that clean your blood and intestinal tracts to back up. Nutrients can’t be absorbed as efficiently and we gain weight, become tired and irritable. Health issues often follow.

Cleaning the colon and the liver often completely relieves these clogs and allows  your body to return to optimum functioning.

Nutrients are used efficiently and many find that the detox program has such great results that they simply don’t crave sugar and fried foods after the detoxification.

Many report feeling so good after detoxifying that they are motivated to eat more carefully.

With the toxins being flushed out of the body, many report a dramatic increase in energy level, encouraging many to exercise and further assist their detox in reducing weight.

Researchers have found that as the level of toxins in the body rises, more fat is manufactured to protect the body. Weight gain is a natural by-product of toxin buildup.

Removing the toxins from the body allows the body to release the excess fat, resulting in a natural weight loss.

There are many detoxification programs on the market. Choose a gentle, well researched program that includes a parasite remover as well. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at your increased energy and amount of weight loss!

healthy and fit

Detoxify Your Body and Treat Your Ailments

If you are like many people, you’re tired, maybe overweight, caffeine addicted and stressed out. You just don’t feel your best.

You may even have more serious health problems like irritable bowel system or high blood pressure.  Want a natural alternative to more over-the-counter and prescription drugs?  Try detoxifying your body.

An internal body cleansing can have many great benefits.  Cleansing your body of toxic buildup can provide relief from fatigue, tension, headaches, constipation, skin problems and acne and PMS, just to name a few.

By assisting your body in this natural process, you’ll be strengthening your organs and boosting your immune system.

Substances that are potentially toxic to your bodies are everywhere.  Pollution, petroleum based products, pesticides and other compounds are harmful to your bodies.

Your organs, including the colon and liver, are responsible for removing the toxins and waste materials from your body.

But when these organs aren’t functioning up to standard you become tired, break out, and have digestive problems.  More serious illnesses may result.

In your body, enzymes attach themselves to certain toxic substances.  The resulting material is processed in the liver and colon to be eliminated.

Unfortunately, sometimes the liver and colon cannot process all of the waste that is present, either because they are just overwhelmed, or there is a lack of required nutrients.  The toxic compounds can’t be processed, so they build up to unhealthy levels.

Detoxification provides the liver, colon and other organs with the enzymes, nutrients and support that they need to eliminate the waste build-up and to function efficiently again.

Don’t procrastinate any longer.  Detoxify your body and reap the benefits of a clean engine!

healthy colon

When You Are Ready To Detoxify Choose A Herbal Cleanse

Deciding upon a cleansing program can be confusing, for every program there are drawbacks and benefits that will affect every person differently.

Certain steps must be followed. Strict diets must be adhered to as well as the importance of maintaining the proper amount of fluids daily.

The herbal cleanse program is probably the most user friendly because you have the freedom to choose from a wider variety of foods and supplements.

Cleansing the body can be, accomplished in several ways.  You could go to your family doctor and get a prescription.

You will most likely receive strong laxatives, enemas, or a pill.  This method is not only expensive but brutal on your system.  During the process it’s wise not to stray more than 20 feet from the bathroom.

Another option is a diet comprised solely of fluids.  These are acceptable for short term (less than a week) but the human body was designed for solid food.  Go long enough without and you run the risk of dysentery or diarrhea.

Just imagine, how difficult it would be to maintain these liquid only diets, in addition to getting used to lack of solid food having diarrhea and cramping makes maintaining any program almost impossible.

This is also very dangerous and not recommended. Your body must have the major, healthy food choices to survive.

However, the herbal cleanse is the solution to your body cleansing situation.  Using natural herbal supplements and whole fresh foods you can detoxify using a safe and effective method that is healthy for your body.  Allowing you to eat and still cleanse your body at once.

Remember that to see results from your herbal cleanse you must maintain strict adherence to the program so before committing to any particular program walk through the entire process from the beginning to the end to ensure that you’re comfortable with what will be required.

Most herbal cleanses can be completed in less than 2 weeks and are simple to follow.

The best herbal cleanses are supplemented with fresh, nutritious fruits, vegetables, juices, and water to ensure your body has everything needed to survive and flourish during the cleansing process.

You may feel tired at the beginning of any cleansing program, but you’ll begin to perk up as your body begins to dispose of the gunk in your system.

The cleanse helps your body run properly again and will boost your energy levels drastically.  After only a few days, you’ll notice a feeling of lightness and increased energy.  Take advantage of this and use it to get things done.

vegetable-salad_vegetarianism

 

Detoxification: 8 Starter Tips

You have been experiencing frequent headaches, weight gain, constipation and skin problems, amongst a whole host of health problems.

And you are pretty convinced that some of these problems are due to a diet of high in saturated fats, environmental pollution and a stressful lifestyle.

These factors have inadvertently contributed to a toxin build-up in your body and you would like to cleanse your body through a detox program.

But before you plunge right into just any cleansing technique, here are some general tips that you must first consider:

 

  1. Start with a cleansing technique that is not too drastic or extreme for your present condition.
  2. On the other hand, do not choose a technique that is too mild and would therefore be ineffective. You can always start with a gentle cleansing program but build it up gradually.
  3. If you are a female, do not detoxify when you are pregnant or having your period.
  4. Always budget enough time for the cleansing process to take place. For instance, in a bowel cleanse, you may have to allow about 4 hours for purging to take place.
  5. Do not rush into a cleansing technique. As in the above example, during the 4 hours, plan to take things slowly.  No heavy tasks! Be near a toilet if necessary.
  6. Before starting on cleansing, make sure you go through all instructions and have all the foods necessary for your detoxification. You don’t want to have to rush out to the supermarket in the middle of a cleanse.
  7. Work closely with a trained health practitioner, giving him or her full details of the health problems that you are facing.
  8. Most importantly, decide with your health practitioner the order in which you should cleanse your body. Cleansing of the different parts of the body can include colon cleansing, liver cleansing, kidney cleansing, lung cleansing and skin cleansing. The right order will result in a more effective and complete detoxification for your body.

 

Now, what are you waiting for, plan your detox program and take the necessary actions for you to be fit and healthy, well and great!

 

POINTS TO REMEMBER

How do I choose a detox method?

  • Detox diets can target the different organ systems involved in detoxification: the skin, liver, kidneys, colon, lungs and lymph system.
  • Other forms of detox include juice fasts, macrobiotic diet, colon cleanse, and liver flush.
  • Saunas enhance circulation and oxygenate the tissues.

Detox To Lose Weight

  • A good detox will help restore the body’s balance, eliminate the waste building up and make your systems run much more efficiently.
  • Cleaning the colon and the liver often completely relieves these clogs and allows your body to return to optimum functioning.
  • Researchers have found that as the level of toxins in the body rises, more fat is manufactured to protect the body.

Detoxify Your Body and Treat Your Ailments

  • Cleansing your body of toxic buildup can provide relief from fatigue, tension, headaches, constipation, skin problems and acne and PMS, just to name a few.
  • Detoxification provides the liver, colon and other organs with the enzymes, nutrients and support that they need to eliminate the waste build-up and to function efficiently again.

When You Are Ready To Detoxify Choose A Herbal Cleanse

  • Using natural herbal supplements and whole fresh foods you can detoxify using a safe and effective method that is healthy for your body.
  • The best herbal cleanses are supplemented with fresh, nutritious fruits, vegetables, juices, and water to ensure your body has everything needed to survive and flourish during the cleansing process.

TAKEAWAY QUESTIONS
  • Are you aware of the benefits of detoxification?
  • Are you planning to go through a detox program soon?
  • Have you chosen the best detox program that would best suit your needs
  • Have you tried the herbal cleanse option?
  • How are you going to prepare for an upcoming detoxification process?

 

Posted on

How To Beat Financial Worries And Be Financially Empowered?

financially empowered

In this article, find out how to overcome financial worries and frustrations, but to be financially empowered instead and check your financial fitness to get you informed and be confident in handling your finances.

 

Financial worries may induce much stress for people and families. Particularly in today’s economic system, concerns about career loss, cutbacks, securities market figures and rates of interest may give even the most tranquil and most relaxed among us a headache.

 

For a few however, financial stress may lead to more serious types of ill health and anxiousness.

 

Financial troubles are forever stressful, but when you’re hearing about the state of the economic system daily in the news, and the bad news simply keeps getting worse it might be time to take action.

 

Financial stress may yield significant amounts of fear and anxiety particularly when the media is having a field-day with it.

 

If you wish to quit worrying here are a few helpful tips that will hopefully keep you sane through this fiscal and economic calamity.

 

antianxiety_1

 

The Money Worries

All right, so it’s significant to keep up to date with the goings on in the world, but when daily it breeds new disasters it may be more useful to take a step back and simply close it out awhile.

 

Taking a break from watching, hearing to, or reading the news is scary for many individuals as they may tend to feel out of touch.

 

It may even be embarrassing if you’re used to talking about the latest disasters over the water cooler with colleagues.

 

But, researchers know that stress may be really harmful for our mental and emotional welfare and the news by far is among the worst anxiety producers around.

 

Occasionally, our fears and anxieties over cash may cause us to ignore issues we have to deal with.

 

If you’re having trouble paying your bills, or discover that you’re getting further and further into debt, but are obviating dealing with it, quit right now and just be courageous.

 

There are tools out there that may help you consolidate your debt, or do whatever has to be done to get you back on track.

 

But, if you don’t have a clue about where you stand, you won’t be able to make the necessary changes to get yourself back on track.

 

After you’ve got a solid grip on your fiscal situation, if you feel that you can’t handle it yourself seek out a little assistance. Your financial organization or a debt counselor may be good places to begin.

 

Debt counselors may help you feel you’ve won back control of your situation. They’re there to help you manage what may appear unmanageable.

 

Acquiring sound financial advice is the correct way to go and may relieve much of that anxiousness and worry.

 

All right, so we’re always hearing about cut backs in the career market, but maybe it’s time to make a few of your own. Living beyond your means and going in debt causes substantial amounts of stress.

 

Financial tension is in fact among the main causes of marital discord. Making a few easy changes to your spending habits will help you look more in control and will prevent some of the disharmony that comes from these sorts of worries.

 

Start by making some easy changes like cutting back on those morning lattes by making your coffee at home, or taking a lunch to work rather than eating out daily.

 

If you bring a car to work, attempt to make arrangements to take public transit, bicycle or walk to work rather to save on parking and fuel fees. These easy changes may make a huge difference to the bottom line.

 

Attaining a strategy for your cash is an excellent way to relieve some of the anxiety surrounding it. Dreads of the unknown and of those accidents that may arise may keep you awake at night.

 

If you’ve a little extra cash monthly, then, consider putting it away in an emergency fund. This may go a long way to relieving your mind.

 

And, if something should surface, then you won’t have to stress out so much.

Little sacrifices here and there are really themselves small prices to pay for peacefulness. As financial stress breeds worry, discord, and family infighting, taking control of your state of affairs may go a long way to relieving it.

 

Although the economy might appear to be falling apart at the seams, you are able to still work toward keeping your own finances in line. Most especially, try to consider what’s of most value to you and your loved ones.

 

You might not actually need that new auto, that new expensive gadget, or even that extra 5 dollar cup of Joe.

 

These matters may all be sacrificed without sacrificing what’s really crucial: your own peacefulness, happiness, and security.

 

empowering emotional health

Financial Empowerment In Your Environment

 

Financial stability is something that we all crave to achieve. But, somewhere along the way we lose the track of what is happening and we overspend or we get steeped in debt that we falter very badly with the financial state of affairs.

What will help us overcome such situations and help us gain control of our finances?

Financial empowerment! All you need is the will to succeed and the mind to apply it in your day-to-day affairs and environment to help you gain freedom from financial worries.

 

But, how can financial empowerment be the answer to your worries?

The main thing that is lacking in most of us is that we have no awareness of our current financial position.

 

Many people do not know where we stand. This is the basis for most of the overspending, over-borrowing, debts, and other problems that are generally face on the financial side.

 

Financial empowerment will help you understand where you stand in terms of finances. You will understand what you are spending your precious money on and what your savings at the end of the month is.

 

You will also gain insight into valuable information like where you are doing unnecessary spending so that you can work such things out of your budget and thus help save extra money that can be utilized for other purposes.

 

Financial empowerment will not only help you understand your current financial position, it will also help you assess how best you are utilizing your time and managing it.

 

It will also help you understand how better you can plan time management so that you can have better output and thus earn a much better income.

 

Having financial empowerment on your side, you are not only saving that extra bit of cash that can be used for some useful purposes, it also helps in the better allocation of funds to things that are important and vital.

 

If you incorporate the concept of financial empowerment, you are not only taking control of your financial situation, you are entering a win-win situation that will help you plan your finances much better, it might also help you get out of your debt-ridden condition more easily than you thought was possible.

 

So, make the necessary changes to incorporate financial empowerment into your current environment and see the transformation that will happen when you take charge of your finances. You will soon take charge of your life too!

 

antianxiety_3

 

Achieve Total Control With Financial Empowerment

 

Are you suffering from financial instability? Are you concerned that your debts are riding your life and ruining it? Is your personal life suffering due to your financial constraints?

 

Maybe you should look at financial empowerment in your environment to help you rise above your problems and attain financial strength and get the much awaited peace.

 

But, you are feeling that you have done whatever was possible in your hands to try and come out of your financial problems. That might not be entirely true.

 

While most of us in financial problems only sit and crib about it, only a few of us actually take charge and try to sort out the financial problems currently being faced.

 

These are the few who have incorporated control over their finances through empowerment.

 

What does one have to do to incorporate financial empowerment in their environment on a day-to-day basis?

 

Check on Spending

 

While many of us feel that there is no way we can curtail the current spending, you will be amazed at how much of money we are actually spending on many unnecessary things.

 

If you have a tab on your current expenditure, you will notice some many red areas where you can put a foot down and say no to that spending.

 

By putting a stop to excessive unnecessary spending, you will be able to save that money and utilize it for reducing your debts or for using it for more useful purposes like paying off bills, or for funding education, etc.

 

Develop the Habit of Saving

 

There are many ways you can save money. You can cut off from impulsive purchases by putting reserve funds into a separate account away from the account that has an active card for use, avoiding carrying a credit or a debit card, building up a reserve fund that is only touched for emergencies, and so on.

 

But, it is important that you utilize the saved amount periodically to help clear off as much of your debt as possible as amount lying with you in the bank does not get as much interest as you might be paying to clear off your debts. This will in turn be a saving for you in reducing your interest amount paid.

 

Debt Consolidation

 

It makes sense to consolidate your debts into a single loan if you can arrange one to help reduce the interest rates.

 

You might be paying a high interest rate especially if you owe money on your credit card. It is best to talk to your lenders at the earliest and see if you have any option for debt consolidation.

 

These are some of the suggested techniques one can adopt in order to help reduce financial burden and to take charge of your financial situation.

 

There are many more aspects to attaining financial empowerment like time management, improved motivation, avoiding habitual spending, and the likes that can reinforce your financial situation and help you do wonders to your financial status.

 

Financial Fitness Checklist

 

To find out just what kind of financial shape you’re in, answer the questions in the following Financial Fitness Checklist.

 

If you’re married, print this out and take it home so that you and your spouse can work together to answer the questions.

Make a note of how many questions you answer yes to.

 

  1. Are you using more and more of your income to pay your debts?
  2. Do you make only the minimum payments due on your loans and credit cards each month?
  3. Are you near, at, or over the credit limit on your credit cards?
  4. Are you paying your bills with money intended for other things?
  5. Are you borrowing money or using credit cards to pay for things you used to buy with cash?
  6. Do you often pay your bills late?
  7. Are you dipping into your savings to pay current bills?
  8. Do you put off visits to the doctor or dentist because you can’t afford them?
  9. Has a collection agency called recently about overdue bills?
  10. Are you working overtime or holding a second job to make ends meet?
  11. If you or your spouse lost your job, would you be in financial trouble right away?
  12. Do you worry about money a lot?

 

If you answered “no” to all questions on the Financial Fitness Checklist, you’re the picture of financial health.

 

One or two “yes” answers, while not necessarily a sign of impending doom, can be a warning sign of potential problems.

 

Before things get any worse, take time now to draw up a realistic budget (including a savings plan) or to revise your spending plan.

 

Cut back on your use of credit cards, and watch closely for other signs of financial trouble.

 

Three to five “yes” answers could mean that you’re heading for financial trouble. It’s imperative that you get your spending under control right away. If you don’t have a monthly budget, draw one up and follow it.

 

Put away your credit cards and cut out all unnecessary spending until you can answer “no” to all the questions on the Financial Fitness Checklist.

 

If you answered “yes” to more than five of the questions on the Financial Fitness Checklist, you may already be in serious financial trouble. But don’t despair. Financial counseling can start you on the road to financial recovery.

 

POINTS TO REMEMBER
  • Be courageous to deal with financial issues
  • Have a clue where you stand
  • Seek out a little assistance
  • Acquire sound financial advice
  • Cut back on unnecessary expenses
  • Attain strategy for your cash
  • Consider putting an emergency fund

Financial Empowerment In Your Environment

  • Understand your current financial situation
  • Gain insight about spending
  • Enter in a win-win situation
  • Take charge of your finances

Achieve Total Control with Financial Empowerment

  • Check on Spending
  • Develop the Habit of Saving
  • Debt Consolidation
  • Financial Fitness Checklist

 

TAKEAWAY QUESTIONS
  • Have you experienced any financial problems?
  • How did you deal with them?
  • Who help you deal with them?
  • Are you financially empowered?
  • Are you financially fit?
  • Have you check your spending and saving habits?

 

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What Are The Natural Ways To Get Rid Of Acne?

natural ways to get rid of acne_c

Here are 25 consolidated tips on what to do to avoid and treat acne.

What Is Nature’s Best Acne Skin Care Product?

 

What is acne and does nature have an answer on how to treat this condition?  Acne occurs when the pores in your skin become blocked and they can become infected.

 

They can be quite red and sore and will often have a white head.  Although there is no cure for acne there are things that you can do to help alleviate the symptoms.

 

1. When you do get pimples try not to squeeze them.

It is very tempting to squeeze them and get rid of the white head, but squeezing them can actually make them worse.

It is possible to squeeze out all of the bacteria and the pimple will clear up, but more often than not you will actually squeeze the bacteria further into the skin causing more breakouts.  It is better to treat the spots with an acne skin care product instead of squeezing them.

 

2. Have a look at the type of makeup that you are using as your skin may react to certain cosmetic brands.

Try using cosmetics that are suitable for acne sufferers. Many people try to cover up their acne with makeup but they are usually making it worse.  Makeup can clog up the pores and cause acne, especially if you don’t wash it off thoroughly.

 

3. Shampoo, conditioner, and hairsprays can also contribute to acne if you react to them.

Even though they are not directly touching your face, when you sleep and sweat they can end up on your skin.

 

4. If your acne develops into a cyst then you may need to visit a dermatologist to receive specialist treatment.

You may need cortisone injections for large cysts.

 

5. Try some over the counter medications before moving on to stronger medications.

Long term use of strong medications can be harsh on your skin and have a negative effect over time. Quite often the more gentle products  can be just as effective.

 

6. Face masks can also be very effective at reducing acne, particularly clay based face masks.

 

7. Acne can be worse for people who are under a lot of stress.

Thus, take a look at the stress in your life and see if you can reduce it or find ways to manage it better.

 

8. Eating a healthy diet will help to reduce or get rid of acne.

Some foods may trigger acne so pay attention to what you eat so you can see if any particular foods make your acne worse. Common acne trigger foods are foods high in sugar and saturated fats.

 

9. Make sure that you are getting all the necessary vitamins and minerals in your diet.

Many acne sufferers are low in vitamin A, E and Zinc so if you aren’t getting enough of these then you might want to take a multi-vitamin supplement.

 

10. There are some foods that can help reduce acne.

Berry fruits like strawberries, cherries, blackberries, black and red currants are all great for acne as they contain natural anti-inflammatory agents which can help to reduce acne breakouts.

 

It is often the natural things that you do that give the best results.  Even some simple fruits can be the best natural acne skin care product.

 

turmeric_1

10 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Acne

1. Do not pick, press or rub your pimples.

These actions actually increase the sebum production and rupture the membranes below your skin. The infection and sebum will spread underneath your skin and cause more pimples. Also, you risk increasing the chances of leaving scars on your face.

 

2. Wash your face twice a day using a mild soap.

It is even better if you can buy sulfur-based soap especially for acne. If your skin is too oily, use soap with benzoyl peroxide.

 

Do not use rough sponges, brushes, or anything similar on your face. You shouldn’t, however, over-wash your face because it will actually stimulate your sebaceous glands to produce more sebum which will increase your acne.

 

Washing away the outside layer of the skin with natural oils is not really helpful preventing or curing acne, or pimple for other people, for it develops under the skin. Although it’s a belief the people develop acne due to the fact that they don’t cleanse their skin thoroughly.

 

For everyone’s information, washing the skin too much can cause irritation and produces more whiteheads and blackheads that turn into pimples after being infected. Gentle washing is only needed.

 

3. Check if it is because of the food.

For many people, food allergy can cause very serious acne condition. You should avoid eating too much oily and spicy food. Recent studies have shown that acne can also be caused by milk which contains hormones as well as seafood with relatively high levels of iodine.

 

If possible, cut down on those foods. Other foods you may consider avoiding are: sugar, dairy products, deep-fried food, meat, nut butters, etc. On the other hand, it is believed that green vegetables, vegetable juices and foods rich in zinc can help alleviate acne condition.

 

4. Drink more water every day.

“Eight glasses of water a day can keep acne away.” says Jennifer Thoden, a respected acne expert. The reason is that water can carry waste material out of our body and it really helps heal and prevent acne flare-ups.

 

5. Do not wear makeup if possible.

Makeup products can clog your pores, cause more blackheads and pimples. If you have to wear makeup, make sure it is water-based.

 

Also, make sure that all cosmetics such as powder, lotion, blush on, foundation, and even sunscreen are oil free. Be sure to clean your makeup brushes regularly and cleanse your skin before you sleep.

 

6. Do not use oily products.

Avoid products such as hair pomades, intense oil-based facial moisturizers, and oily cleansers. Always watch for labels with the term non-comedogenic, which means they don’t cause pores to be clogged.

 

7. Keep your face clean.

Do not rest your chin on your hands or constantly touch your face. Regular shampoo your hair and keep it off your face, especially when you sleep.

 

8. Exercise moderately as it helps in blood circulation and elimination of toxins.

 

9. Stay stress-free.

Studies have shown that stress not only worsens acne flare-up, it also worsens the overall skin condition. Talk to your friends, listen to your favorite music, or take a walk in the park. There are many things you can do to be stress-free.

 

10. Get Sunshine and fresh air.

Sunshine stimulates vitamin D in the body, an essential vitamin for healthy skin. Fresh air and sunshine can also reduce stress (tip #9) and increase oxygen to the skin. Don’t get burnt in the sun though. Burnt and heavily tanned skin forms a layer on the skin that doesn’t exfoliate quickly enough and can lead to blocked pores.

 

essential-oil-

Home Acne Treatments Tips

Over the counter and prescription acne treatments often contain chemicals that many people do not wish to use.

 

Instead, these people search for home treatments for acne. There are many home treatments for acne that actually do work.

 

Here are some things you can try.
  1. Apply essential oils, such as Tea Tree Oil, Bergamot Oil, Clove Oil, Lavender Oil, and Rosewood Oil. For sensitive skin, dilute the oil with grapeseed oil. Apply the oil before going to bed at night, then wash it away in the morning with a pure soap, such as Ivory, and clean water.
  2. If you are not taking any medications that could cause you to be overly sensitive to the sun, try getting some sunshine every day. The purpose is not to tan to hide the acne. Instead, the sun actually kills the bacteria, and dries up the sebum oil that produces acne. This is a common home treatment for acne that doesn’t cost anything.
  3. Acne begins on the inside of the body, not on the surface of the skin. Drink plenty of water – at least eight glasses per day – to help detoxify your body and cure acne. Also, eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
  4. For home treatment for acne, apply an oatmeal mask at least once or twice a week. Cook oatmeal, and while it is still warm (not scalding hot) apply it to your entire face. Allow the oatmeal to dry, and then wash it away. You can also use dried oatmeal, dampened – but not cooked – with warm water as a facial scrub to exfoliate the skin and clean the pores.
  5. Avoid eating processed foods, and stick to more natural fruits and vegetables. No food has ever been scientifically proven to cause can. However, if you have a food allergy, the allergy often results in acne. Many people have food allergies, and go their entire lives without knowing it. Don’t assume that a food allergy will leave you unconscious on the floor – the allergic reaction can appear in many forms, like acne breakouts. You can visit an allergist for a simple blood test to find out if you have any food allergies.

 

There are many other home treatments for acne, some of which work, and some of which do not work.

 

The important thing is to drink plenty of water, eat fresh fruits and vegetables, get plenty of sleep, wash your face at least twice a day, and take vitamins – especially vitamin A and vitamin E.

 

Indeed, these are loads of tips that you can do at the onset of acne, for preventing it and how to avoid it.

 

POINTS TO REMEMBER

Things that you can do to help alleviate the symptoms.

1. When you do get pimples try not to squeeze them.

2. Have a look at the type of makeup that you are using as your skin may react to certain cosmetic brands.

3. Shampoo, conditioner, and hairsprays can also contribute to acne if you react to them.

4. If your acne develops into a cyst then you may need to visit a dermatologist to receive specialist treatment.

5. Try some over the counter medications before moving on to stronger medications.

6. Face masks can also be very effective at reducing acne, particularly clay based face masks.

7. Acne can be worse for people who are under a lot of stress.

8. Eating a healthy diet will help to reduce or get rid of acne.

9. Make sure that you are getting all the necessary vitamins and minerals in your diet.

10. There are some foods that can help reduce acne.

 

10 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Acne

1. Do not pick, press or rub your pimples.

2. Wash your face twice a day using a mild soap.

3. Check if it is because of the food.

4. Drink more water every day.

5. Do not wear makeup if possible.

6. Do not use oily products.

7. Keep your face clean.

8. Exercise moderately as it helps in blood circulation and elimination of toxins.

9. Stay stress-free.

10. Get Sunshine and fresh air.

 

Home Acne Treatments Tips

1. Apply essential oils, such as Tea Tree Oil, Bergamot Oil, Clove Oil, Lavender Oil, and Rosewood Oil.

2. If you are not taking any medications that could cause you to be overly sensitive to the sun, try getting some sunshine every day.

3. Acne begins on the inside of the body, not on the surface of the skin.

4. For home treatment for acne, apply an oatmeal mask at least once or twice a week.

5. Avoid eating processed foods, and stick to more natural fruits and vegetables.

 

TAKEAWAY QUESTIONS
  • Do you have any acne problem?
  • What are your solutions to get rid of them?
  • Have you tried any of the tips mentioned?
  • How do you take care of your skin to avoid acne breakout?
  • How do you take care of your health and nutrition to avoid acne breakout?

 

 

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20 Amazing Granola Recipes To Try

granola recipes

Are you fond of granolas? Great!

Then, check these 20 granola recipes here that you could have for your breakfast or snack.

Sugar Free Granola

Ingredients

1 cup chopped dates

1 cup water

8 cups rolled oats

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1 cup raisins

1 cup wheat germ

1/2 cup sunflower seeds

1/2 cup slivered almonds

2 cups shredded coconut

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup frozen apple juice concentrate, thawed

 

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the dates and water.

Cook stirring occasionally until the mixture forms a thick paste.

Remove from heat and set aside.

In a large bowl, mix together the oats, walnuts, raisins, wheat germ, sunflower seeds, and coconut.

Spread out in a thin layer onto a baking sheet.

If your baking sheet is small, this can be done in batches.

Bake for 7 minutes in the preheated oven, or until lightly toasted.
Transfer the mixture back into the bowl, and mix in the date paste, apple juice concentrate, and oil.

Return to the baking sheet and bake for an additional 7 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until lightly browned.

Granola will become more crispy as it cools. Store in an airtight container.

 

Coconut Granola

Ingredients

8 cups quick-cooking oats

1 cup oat bran

1 cup unsweetened flaked coconut

3/4 cup chopped almonds

1/2 cup coconut milk

1/4 cup virgin coconut oil

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup barley malt syrup or maltose syrup

1/2 cup honey

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup dried cranberries

 

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

In a large bowl, stir together the oats, oat bran, coconut and almonds.

Divide between two large baking sheets, and spread into an even layer.

Bake for 7 or 8 minutes in the preheated oven, until lightly toasted.

Allow to cool for a few minutes, then return to the large bowl.

While the oats are toasting, combine the coconut milk, coconut oil, vegetable oil, malt syrup and honey in a saucepan.

Cook over medium heat, stirring until it comes to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes.

Remove from heat, and stir in the vanilla.

Pour the syrup over the granola in the bowl, and stir until the dry ingredients are fully coated.

Divide between the two baking sheets, and spread evenly.

Bake for 8 minutes in the preheated oven, or until fragrant and toasted.

Cool in the pans, then mix in the dried cranberries.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Granola-Chocolate Cookies

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup white sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 3/4 cups granola

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped, unsalted dry-roasted peanuts

 

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar and white sugar.

Beat in the egg and vanilla.

Combine the flour, salt and baking soda, stir into the creamed mixture.

Finally, stir in the granola, chocolate chips and peanuts.

Drop dough by heaping teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets, about 2 inches apart.

Bake 12 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until cookies are lightly browned around edges.

Remove cookies to wire racks and allow to cool.

 

Honey Peanut Granola

Ingredients

3 cups quick cooking oats

1/2 cup chopped peanuts

1/4 cup wheat germ

1/3 cup honey

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup vegetable oil

2 tablespoons warm water

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

Directions

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).

Lightly grease a baking sheet.

In a large bowl, combine oats, peanuts, and wheat germ.

In a separate bowl, combine honey, brown sugar, vegetable oil, water, salt, and vanilla. Stir well; then pour into the oat mixture, and stir.

Spread out on a cookie sheet.

Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

Remove from oven, and cool before serving.

Granola Cereals Bar

Ingredients

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1/4 cup light corn syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups old-fashioned oats

1 1/2 cups crisp rice cereal

1/4 cup miniature chocolate chips

 

Directions

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the brown sugar, peanut butter and corn syrup.

Cover and microwave on high for 2 minutes or until mixture comes to a boil, stirring once.

Stir in the vanilla; add oats and cereal.

Fold in chocolate chips.

Press into a 9-in. square pan coated with nonstick cooking spray.

Cool and cut into bars.

 

Crunchy Honey Wheat Bread

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

3 tablespoons honey

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

2 cups bread flour

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1 tablespoon vital wheat gluten

1/2 cup granola

1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast

 

Directions

Place ingredients in bread machine pan in the order suggested by the manufacturer.

Select whole wheat or dough cycle on bread machine. Start.

To bake bread in oven: select dough or manual cycle.

Once cycle is complete, shape dough and place in a greased loaf pan.

Allow to rise in a warm spot until doubled in size.

Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven for 35 to 45 minutes or until a thermometer inserted in the center of the loaf reads 200 degrees F (95 degrees C).

 

Honey Nut Granola

Ingredients

4 cups rolled oats

1 cup sliced almonds

1 cup chopped pecans

1 cup raw sunflower seeds

1/3 cup canola oil

1/2 cup honey

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

 

Directions

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).

In a large bowl, stir oats, nuts and sunflower kernels together.

In a separate bowl, mix together oil, honey, vanilla and cinnamon.

Add to dry ingredients; mix well. Spread mixture onto two ungreased baking sheets.

Bake in preheated oven, for 10 minutes, remove from oven and stir.

Return to oven and continue baking until golden, about 10 minutes.

Remove from oven and let cool completely before storing.

 

Easy Granola Bars

Ingredients

3 cups quick-cooking oats

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1 cup flaked coconut

1 cup sliced almonds

1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries

 

Direction

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Grease a 9×13 inch pan.

In a large bowl, mix together the oats, sweetened condensed milk, butter, coconut, almonds, chocolate chips and cranberries with your hands until well blended.

Press flat into the prepared pan.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, depending on how crunchy you want them.

Lightly browned just around the edges will give you moist, chewy bars.

Let cool for 5 minutes, cut into squares then let cool completely before serving.

Strawberry Granola Square

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups granola without raisins 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

5 tablespoons cold butter

1 cup strawberry preserves

 

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the granola, flour, brown sugar and
cinnamon.

Cut in butter until crumbly. Set aside a third of the mixture for topping.

Press remaining mixture into a well-greased 9-in. square baking pan.

Bake at 375 degrees F for 10 minutes.

Spread preserves over crust; sprinkle with reserved granola mixture.

Bake 15 minutes longer or until filling is bubbly around the edges.

Cool on a wire rack. Cut into squares. Store in the refrigerator.

 

Sweet and Salty Granola

Ingredients

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup water

3 cups rolled oats

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup chopped walnuts

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 tablespoon honey

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

 

Directions

Preheat an oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C).

Cover a 10×15 inch pan with wax paper.

Mix brown sugar and water in a microwave safe bowl.

Cook in microwave to dissolve the sugar, about 1 minute.

Combine oats, salt, walnuts, and cinnamon in a large bowl.

Stir in sugar mixture, honey, and vanilla extract. Mix well.

Pour mixture onto the prepared pan, spreading evenly.

Create clusters by squeezing small handfuls of the oat mixture together.

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Remove from oven and gently stir granola using a spoon.

Return to the oven and bake for an additional 25 minutes.

The granola will be slightly browned and will continue to harden as they cool.

 

Good Morning Wrap

Ingredients

2 (10 inch) flour tortillas

1 cup cottage cheese, divided

1 cup chopped fresh pineapple, divided

1/2 cup granola cereal, divided

2 tablespoons brown sugar, divided

2 bananas, sliced lengthwise

 

Directions

Place the tortillas into a microwave oven, and heat on high until warmed and pliable, 10 to 15 seconds.

Spread each tortilla with cottage cheese and pineapple, sprinkle with granola cereal and brown sugar, and top with a sliced banana.

Fold the top and bottom of each tortilla down, enclosing the filling, and roll the wrap tightly into a compact cylinder.

Slice each wrap in half across the middle to serve.

 

Granola Peach Bread

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) can sliced peaches

2 cups all-purpose flour

2/3 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons cold butter or stick margarine

2 eggs, beaten

1 cup granola without raisins

 

Directions

Drain peaches, reserving 1/2 cup syrup (discard remaining syrup or  save for another use). Chop peaches; set aside.

In a bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, cloves and salt.

Cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Stir in eggs and reserved syrup. Fold in granola and peaches.

Pour into a greased 9-in. x 5-in. x 3-in. loaf pan.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 60-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.

Honey-Lime Granola with Almonds

Ingredients

3 cups rolled oats

1 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup wheat germ

1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut

1/2 cup oat bran

3 tablespoons flax seeds

1/2 cup honey

1/4 cup vegetable oil

2 tablespoons frozen limeade concentrate

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 small lime, zest and juice

 

Directions

Preheat an oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).

Lightly grease a foiled-lined baking sheet.

Mix oats, almonds, wheat germ, coconut, oat bran, and flax seeds together in a large bowl.

Whisk together honey, vegetable oil, limeade concentrate, salt, vanilla, lime zest, and lime juice in a separate bowl.

Pour lime mixture into the oat mixture and stir well. Spread oats on to the prepared pan.

Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and lightly crispy, about 1 hour and 30 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

 

PB&J Bars

Ingredients

1 (18 ounce) package refrigerated sugar cookie dough, divided

2/3 cup strawberry jam

3/4 cup granola without raisins

3/4 cup peanut butter chips

 

Directions

Line a 9-in. square baking pan with foil and greased the foil.

Press two-thirds of the cookie dough into prepared pan.

Spread jam over dough to within 1/4 in. of edges.

In a mixing bowl, beat the granola, peanut butter chips and remaining dough until blended.

Crumble over jam.

Bake at 375 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool on a wire rack. Using foil, lift out of pan.

Cut into bars and remove from foil.

 

Cinnamon Maple Granola

Ingredients

1 cup old-fashioned oats

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1/4 cup flaked coconut

1/4 cup pure maple syrup

1 tablespoon corn syrup

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

Directions

Combine oats, walnuts and coconut in a greased 13-in. 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan. Set aside.

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine syrups and cinnamon; bring to a boil.

Cook and stir for 1 minute.

Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Pour over oat mixture and toss to coat.

Bake at 275 degrees F for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown, stirring every 10 minutes.

Cool, stirring occasionally.  store in an airtight container.

 

Vanilla Granola

Ingredients

6 cups quick cooking oats

1 cup chopped walnuts

1/2 cup flaked coconut

1/2 cup sesame seeds

2/3 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

2 tablespoons water

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

 

Directions

In a large bowl, toss oats, walnuts, coconut, and sesame seeds.

In a saucepan over medium heat, cook oil, honey, brown sugar, water and vanilla until well mixed.

Pour over oat mixture and stir to coat evenly.

Pour into two greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pans.

Bake at 275 degrees F for 50-60 minutes or until golden brown, stirring every 15 minutes.

Cool, stirring occasionally. Store in an airtight container.

 

Granola Muffin Frittatas

Ingredients

8 eggs

2/3 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 1/2 cups granola with nuts and dried fruit

 

Directions

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

Generously coat inside of 12 paper cupcake liners with cooking spray.

Place liners in the muffin pan.

Beat eggs, milk and salt in bowl until blended.

Add granola and mix well.

Spoon into cupcake liners.

Bake in 350 degrees F oven until wooden pick inserted in centers comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes.

Remove cups from muffin pan; cool on wire rack. Serve warm.

 

Crunchy Berry Parfait

Ingredients

1/3 cup reduced-fat granola cereal

1 (8 ounce) carton reduced-fat vanilla yogurt

1/2 cup fresh raspberries

1/2 cup fresh blackberries or blueberries

 

Directions

Place 2 tablespoons of granola in each of two parfait glasses.

Top each with about 2 tablespoons yogurt.

Combine the berries; divide a third of the mixture between the two glasses.

Repeat yogurt and berry layers.

Top with the remaining yogurt, berries and granola.

 

Homemade Chewy Granola

Ingredients

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/3 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup corn syrup

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats

1/4 cup sunflower kernels

1/4 cup raisins

3 tablespoons toasted wheat germ

1 tablespoon sesame seeds

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

 

Directions

In a small mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, peanut butter, corn syrup, butter and vanilla.

Stir in the oats, sunflower kernels, raisins, wheat germ and sesame seeds.

Fold in chocolate chips.

Press into an 8-in. square baking dish coated with nonstick cooking spray.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until set and edges are browned.

Cool completely on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

 

Vegan Granola

Ingredients

cooking spray

3 cups rolled oats

2/3 cup wheat germ

1/2 cup slivered almonds

1 pinch ground nutmeg

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/2 cup apple juice

1/2 cup molasses

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup dried mixed fruit

1 cup  quartered dried apricots

 

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).  Prepare two cookie sheets with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine oats, wheat germ, almonds, cinnamon and nutmeg.  In a separate bowl, mix apple juice, molasses and extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring to coat.

Spread mixture onto baking sheets.

Bake for 30 minutes in preheated oven, stirring mixture every 10 to

15 minutes, or until granola has a golden brown color.  Let cool. Stir in dried fruit.  Store in an airtight container.

 

 

 

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What Is The Right Hair Style For You?

hairstyles

What’s the Right Look?

There are so many different hairstyles for different people and different occasions.  If you do an internet search online, you will find an amazing number of websites and articles dedicated to that very topic.

You can find everything from articles on wacky and wild hair styles, to specific and serious articles on what kind of style for what shaped face you have.  The possibilities are nearly endless.

One of the most common desires for people seeking information about hair styles is what to do when you have a “long” face.

This is particularly an issue with some people who have really proportionately large foreheads.  There are a lot of options for someone who has this particular problem.

Someone with straight hair can create the appearance of more width by using bangs.  Chin-length bobs and cuts can also be effective options because they also work well to create an effective illusion of width.

Curls and waves also add width, but for general appearance sake it might be wise to avoid short layers that add volume on top.  Bangs can make your face appear shorter because they cover up large foreheads.

While these are all positive options, there are some styles that you will need to avoid.

Any type of style that involves extremely long hair or extremely short hair will end up elongating your face, which you are looking to avoid in the first place.

If a long face is not a problem, you may want to consider looking for a style that involves long, curly hair.

There are very few looks that turn the head more than long, curly hair.  If you are a girl with long curly hair, and you are having trouble with “frizzing,” one way to stop that is to not brush your curls.

Take the time to use your fingers to break up curls, or you will continue to have the problems you are already facing.

There are many magazines and e-zines dedicated specifically to these types of hair care topics.  For each person, there is a different style.  Find pictures, and try to imagine each look on you.

Does it accentuate your best features?  Does it hide the worst?  Do you like it?  That is the best and most important decision.

If you like your hair, your attitude will show and it is attitude that attracts other people’s attention more than anything else.  Remember that, and if you find a style that works in your eyes, it will work for everyone else, as well.

attractive_hairstyle

Hairstyle Software Is All The Rage

Go to a professional hair stylist and chances are – for a fee – you can get them to input your image to their fancy computer, and show you just how you’d look if your hair was cut and styled in a variety of different ways.

The professionals pay big money to provide that service, but maybe not for much longer. Virtual hair styles and hair imaging have now become cheaply available to you on the Internet.

Now, for not much more than the price of a coffee or two, sites such as

Hair Cuts and UpDos allow you to ‘try on’ up to 4000 different hair styles – all at the click of a button. The cheaper end of the market uses photos or drawings of models wearing the hair styles, but with others, the sky is the limit.

Upload your own photo into their software and know precisely how you will look in short hair styles, celebrity hair styles, long hairstyles, curly, straight, punk or celebrity hairstyles, highlights, layering – you name it.

With your own photo in the computer, you can try them all to your heart’s content!

Have you ever become lost in your own little dream world and never wanted to come out? That’s what it’s like. All the styles and ideas you never had the courage – or the patience to explain to a hair stylist – can now be yours.

Imagine a role, or an environment or a setting … and instantly transform yourself into the appropriate persona. Or not! Sometimes you get excellent feedback on what you really should avoid! But that’s the fun of it. No risks! All thoughts catered for!

Most of the services get you to take a digital photo of yourself or scan a color photo and save it as a .jpg file (scanning software does that for you automatically).

You can do it yourself, or use a photo processing store will often do it for a small fee. Each website is a little different, but generally, the upload process is simple and well-explained, and with a few quick clicks your photo travels to their computer, and becomes ready for you to play with.

Most sites allow you to upload a number of photos, so don’t worry if you mess up the first one. Just click on ‘refresh’ and back to the original. Most sites also have time-based subscriptions, so you’ll probably have from 6 months to a year to play as often as you want.

Now, how do you get from beginner to pro in the shortest possible time? Probably by taking a bit of care in preparing. Get someone to take a fresh photo of you.

Make it full face-on (take advantage, though, if the software you intend using allows more than one angle).

Once the photo is in the software you’ll use their tools to blank out all your existing hair, so make that as easy as possible by wetting your hair and slicking it back for the photographer, or tying it back in a ponytail before you take the photo.

The aim is to leave your face clear of hair so it’s easy to produce a clean line around your face in the online photograph.

Now … give yourself plenty of time, because this can become addictive! Do it alone, or with friends – and have a hairstyle ball!

have a straight hair

Hairstyles In A Hurry: Fast Tips For Fast Living

It can be hard to get your hair to look like you want it to, especially when you’re in a hurry.

Now you can relax with 2 great looking hairstyles you can create without spending much time.

Fast Forward Curl

This sophisticated looking style is quick and easy.

Begin by making sure you have everything handy: a blow dryer and light hand-held diffuser, a small barreled curling iron, misting bottle (if you have natural curls), curl enhancing balm or mousse (if you need it), and a non-stiffening hair spray.

  1. Apply the curl enhancer / mousse to help enhance any natural curl. If you have a lot of natural curl, a misting bottle might be enough.
  2. Gently untangle your hair and create a part in it.
  3. Air dry your hair about 80% (use a towel if you are in a hurry).
  4. If you have a lot of natural curl, begin scrunching your hair with your fingers (misting frequently if you are using water).
  5. If you are using a blow dryer, push your fingers into the hair to lift at the roots.
  6. To add more volume, dry your hair upside down while continuing to scrunch with your fingers.
  7. If you have less natural curl, use a small barreled curling iron.
  8. Once you have it the way you like it, spray with a non-stiffening hairspray.
The Messy Up Do Hair

A popular hair style that is quick is the trendy messy up do.

To accomplish this look:
  1. Brush out your hair to remove the tangles.
  2. Pull some of the hair up from the front of your face and secure it with a covered ponytail holder.
  3. Cover the holder with a hair clasp.
  4. At the nape of your neck, gather your hair into a loose ponytail and hold it in place with a hair tie.
  5. Twist the ponytail up to the crown of your head and secure the twist with long hair pins.
  6. Leave several (however many you like to see) of the ends of the twist loose and arrange them as you like.
  7. Pull some of the whippy ends loosely around your jaw to soften your jaw line.
  8. Hold the do in place with a non-stiffening hairspray.
Practice

Practicing these and other styles will allow you to change hair styles quickly. Before you know it, you will be able to race in the door, change hair style, and dash back out to your next appointment looking fresh and stylish in a matter of minutes.

To give a different look to these styles, change the color, size, or style of pins you use, and also vary the other accessories. In the same amount of time, your hair style can look new and different.

Memorize these and other quick hair styling methods, so that you can look your best without spending a lot of time on your hair.

Practice is the key that will allow you to quickly create hairstyles in minutes that are fresh and stylish every time.

 

TAKEAWAY QUESTIONS
  • How do you find the right hair style for you?
  • How do you judge if it is the right hair style for you? What are your considerations?
  • Have you tried using hairstyle software?
  • What is the best hair style for you? Is it long, short, curl?
  • How do you take care of your hair style if you are in a hurry?
  • Are you adventurous to try different hair styles?

 

 

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7 Step Program To Stress Management

stress management_c

As we know, stress is a part of life.  There’s no getting away from it.  In fact, some stress is good stress.

You may not believe that, but sometimes stress can motivate us to do things we may not normally do in a relaxed state.

Stress can make you brave enough to go forward when normally you might hesitate.

You have to be resilient in order to effectively cope with stress and help it enhance our life instead of control it.

How do you get strong and resilient?

By learning how to take control of your stress and make it work FOR you instead of AGAINST you.

Recognizing stress symptoms can be a positive influence in that we’re compelled to take action – and the sooner the better.

It’s not always easy to discern why you have the stress in each situation but some of the more common events that trigger those emotions are the death of a loved one, the birth of a child, a job promotion, or a new relationship.

You might experience stress as you readjust your lives. Your body is asking for your help when you feel these stress symptoms.

There are three major approaches to manage stress. The first is the action-oriented approach. In this method, the problems that cause stress are identified and necessary changes are made for a stress free life.

The next approach is emotionally oriented and in it, the person overcomes stress by giving a different color to the experience that caused stress. The situation, which causes stress, is seen humorously or from a different angle.

Sometimes if you don’t laugh at a situation, you’ll cry – uncontrollably.  That’s no solution.  Learn to see the humor instead of the doom.

The third way is acceptance-oriented approach. This approach focuses on surviving the stress caused due to some problem in the past.

The first stress management tip is to understand the root cause of your stress.

No one understands your problem better than you do. A few minutes spend to recognize your true feelings can completely change the situation.

During this process, identify what triggered the stress. If someone close to your heart is nearby share it with the person.

If you are over-stressed and feel you are going to collapse, take a deep breath and count till ten. This pumps extra oxygen into your system and rejuvenates the entire body.

When under severe stress meditate for a moment and pull out of the current situation for a little while. Stand up from your current position and walk. Stretch yourself. Soon you will find that the stress has lessened.

This is because you have relaxed now and relaxation is the best medicine for stress. Smiling is yet another way of stress management. If you are at the work place, just stand up and smile at your colleague in the far corner.

You will see a change in your mood. Learn some simple yoga or mediation techniques.

You can also invent your own stress management tips. The basic idea is to identify the cause of stress and to pull out from it for a moment and then deal with it.

Taking a short walk and looking at objects in nature is another stress reliever. Drinking a glass of water or playing small games are simple stress management techniques.

The whole idea is change the focus of attention and when you return to the problem, it does not look as monstrous as you felt before.

They say there’s more than one way to skin a cat. The same goes when you start tearing your hair out with all the frustration, grief, anxiety, and yes, stress.

It’s a state of mental conditioning that is like taking that bitter pill down your throat, causing you to lose your sense of self, and worse your sanity. Just thinking about it can drive anyone off the edge.

And they say that the proactive ones are already living off the edge.

As one stressed-out person to another, I know how it feels, and believe me there are many variants when it comes to stress.

Coping with life, and carrying the problems that may or may not belong to you can scratch away the little joy and happiness that you can carry once you head out that door.

You can’t blame them for being like that. They have their own reasons, so much like we have our reasons to allow stress to weigh us down. They say that stress is all in the mind, well, what’s bugging you anyway?

There are several ways to manage stress, and eventually remove it out of your life one of these days. This is divided into a seven-step course for you and it’s not going to be too taxing on the body, as well as on the mind.

1. Acknowledge stress is good

Make stress your friend! Based on the body’s natural “fight or flight” response, that burst of energy will enhance your performance at the right moment.

Have you seen a top athlete totally relaxed before a big competition? Use stress wisely to push yourself that little bit harder when it counts most.

2. Avoid stress sneezers

Stressed people sneeze stress germs indiscriminately and before you know it, you are infected too!

Protect yourself by recognizing stress in others and limiting your contact with them. Or if you’ve got the inclination, play stress doctor and teach them how to better manage themselves.

3. Learn from the best

When people around are losing their head, who keeps calm? What are they doing differently? What is their attitude? What language do they use? Are they trained and experienced?

Figure it out from afar or sit them down for a chat. Learn from the best stress managers and copy what they do.

4. Practice socially acceptable heavy breathing

This is something I’ve learned from a gym instructor: You can trick your body into relaxing by using heavy breathing.

Breathe in slowly for a count of 7 then breathe out for a count of 11. Repeat the 7-11 breathing until your heart rate slows down, your sweaty palms dry off and things start to feel more normal.

5. Give stressful thoughts the red light

It is possible to tangle yourself up in a stress knot all by yourself. “If this happens, then that might happen and then we’re all up the creek!” Most of these things never happen, so why waste all that energy worrying needlessly?

Give stress thought-trains the red light and stop them in their tracks. Okay so it might go wrong – how likely is that, and what can you do to prevent it?

6. Know your trigger points and hot spots

Presentations, interviews, meetings, giving difficult feedback, tight deadlines…. My heart rate is cranking up just writing these down!

Make your own list of stress trigger points or hot spots. Be specific. Is it only presentations to a certain audience that get you worked up? Does one project cause more stress than another? Did you drink too much coffee?

Knowing what causes you stress is powerful information, as you can take action to make it less stressful. Do you need to learn some new skills? Do you need extra resources? Do you need to switch to decaf?

7. Burn the candle at one end

Lack of sleep, poor diet and no exercise wreaks havoc on our body and mind. Kind of obvious, but worth mentioning as it’s often ignored as a stress management technique. Listen to your mother and don’t burn the candle at both ends!

Having stress can be a total drag, but that should not hinder us to find the inner peace of mind that we have wanted for a long time. In any case, one could always go to the Bahamas and bask under the summer sun.

cause of stress

5 Minute Daily Program to Stress Management

“Relaxing with a Mental PDA” Your 5 minutes daily program to stress management.

We all have this favorite expression when it comes to being stressed out.

But when it comes down to it, it is how we work or even relax, for that matter that triggers stress.

Ever been stressed even when you’re well relaxed and bored?

Since Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. is unavoidable in life, it is important to find ways to decrease and prevent stressful incidents and decrease negative reactions to stress.

Here are some of the things that can be done by just remembering it, since life is basically a routine to follow like brushing your teeth or eating breakfast.

You can do a few of them in a longer span of time, but as they say – every minute counts.

Manage Time

Time management skills can allow you more time with your family and friends and possibly increase your performance and productivity. This will help reduce your stress.

To improve your time management:
  • Save time by focusing and concentrating, delegating, and scheduling time for yourself.
  • Keep a record of how you spend your time, including work, family, and leisure time.
  • Prioritize your time by rating tasks by importance and urgency. Redirect your time to those activities that are important and meaningful to you.
  • Manage your commitments by not over- or under-committing. Don’t commit to what is not important to you.
  • Deal with procrastination by using a day planner, breaking large projects into smaller ones, and setting short-term deadlines.
  • Examine your beliefs to reduce conflict between what you believe and what your life is like.
  • Build healthy coping strategies

It is important that you identify your coping strategies. One way to do this is by recording the stressful event, your reaction, and how you cope in a stress journal.

With this information, you can work to change unhealthy coping strategies into healthy ones-those that help you focus on the positive and what you can change or control in your life.

Lifestyle Choices

Some behaviors and lifestyle choices affect your stress level. They may not cause stress directly, but they can interfere with the ways your body seeks relief from stress.

Try to:
  • Balance personal, work, and family needs and obligations.
  • Have a sense of purpose in life.
  • Get enough sleep, since your body recovers from the stresses of the day while you are sleeping.
  • Eat a balanced diet for a nutritional defense against stress.
  • Get moderate exercise throughout the week.
  • Limit your consumption of alcohol.
  • Don’t smoke.
Social Support

Social support is a major factor in how we experience stress. Social support is the positive support you receive from family, friends, and the community.

It is the knowledge that you are cared for, loved, esteemed, and valued. More and more research indicates a strong relationship between social support and better mental and physical health.

Change Thinking

When an event triggers negative thoughts, you may experience fear, insecurity, anxiety, depression, rage, guilt, and a sense of worthlessness or powerlessness.

These emotions trigger the body’s stress, just as an actual threat does.

Dealing with your negative thoughts and how you see things can help reduce stress.

  • Thought-stopping helps you stop a negative thought to help eliminate stress.
  • Disproving irrational thoughts helps you to avoid exaggerating the negative thought, anticipating the worst, and interpreting an event incorrectly.
  • Problem solving helps you identify all aspects of a stressful event and find ways to deal with it.
  • Changing your communication style helps you communicate in a way that makes your views known without making others feel put down, hostile, or intimidated. This reduces the stress that comes from poor communication. Use the assertiveness ladder to improve your communication style.

Even writers like me can get stressed even though we’re just using our hands to do the talking, but having to sit for 7 or 8 hours is already stressful enough and have our own way to relieve stress.

Whether you’re the mail guy, the CEO, or probably the average working parent, stress is one unwanted visitor you would love to boot out of your homes, especially your life.

 

POINTS TO REMEMBER

7 Step Program to Stress Management

1. Acknowledge stress is good
2. Avoid stress sneezers
3. Learn from the best
4. Practice socially acceptable heavy breathing
5. Give stressful thoughts the red light
6. Know your trigger points and hot spots
7. Burn the candle at one end

5 Minute Daily Program to Stress Management

  • Managing time
  • Lifestyle choices
  • Social support
  • Change thinking

TAKEAWAY QUESTIONS
  • How do you make stress work for you instead of against you?
  • How do you understand the root cause of your stress?
  • What are your own stress management tips?
  • How can you make stress your friend?
  • Who are your models when it comes to stress management?
  • How are you guarding your mind against negative thoughts?

 

 

 

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Learn The Basics Of Vipassana Meditation Technique

vipassana meditation

 

Vipassana meditation technique is another well-renowned technique in meditation. It is one of the oldest techniques, as well.

There are a lot of people around the world who are following this Buddhist’s technique of meditation.

Vipassana meditation technique can bring peace of mind, and allows the interaction between mind and body, as well.

It teaches human beings to see life just the way it is in all its reality without being affected by it. In addition, it teaches patience and benevolence towards all humans and things.

But to understand Buddhist Meditation, you have to know the Buddhism itself is centered on the Four Noble Truths.

First, you have to realize that there is suffering in the world which happens because of ignorance and desires.

When you do understand yourself, you can finally find a way to end this suffering. Those who find the answer have reached a state of Nirvana.

This then leads to the core of Buddhist meditation which is the practice of the eight fold path.

These virtues namely are the right action, right concentration, right effort, right livelihood, right mindfulness, right speech, right thought, and right view.

The proceedings of Buddhist Meditation are based on two things. The first is called “Samatha” which means tranquility and the second is called “Vipassana” which means mindfulness.

Let’s talk about this a little further. “Samatha” meditation involves a lot of breathing which is designed to develop concentration, detachment, equanimity and happiness.

There are 40 samatha meditations and each teaches the mind to focus on a single object to produce various states of tranquility.

Vipassana meditation on the other hand develops self-understanding by being able to comprehend the things that are going inside one’s head.

By practicing this regularly, you will soon develop wisdom which makes you free from all suffering.

But do you have to be a follower of Buddhism in order to practice this kind of meditation? The answer is no even if this technique is based on the doctrines of this religion and revolves around concentration and mind control.

Vipassana technique is one of the meditation techniques, which brings integration of mind and body.

Followers of Buddha are following this technique for many years. This is the technique which brings clarity of mind and assists in reaching to the truth.

meditation

Introduction to Vipassana Meditation Technique

Vipassana is the technique which roots back to 2500 thousand years when Buddha invented this technique.

This is the technique, which gives the power to see things clearly. The other important thing is that this technique brings a high level of self-insight, which is not possible with other techniques.

Learning Vipassana Meditation Technique

There are different methods of carrying Vipassana Meditation technique and the one discussed here will bring the highest level of insight after experiencing meditation.

One of the important techniques in Vipassana is impermanence.

This technique shows that everything in this world is impermanent, means that things come and go away.

Through this practice, an individual learns to see the things without emotional attachment, and in an objective manner.

The first thing you have to do is find a quiet place where you can do this without being disturbed. Next, get a nice soft pillow or cushion to sit on if the floor is not that comfortable for you.

Now, let your hands rest on your lap with the palms facing upward. It’s hard to stay in this position for 5 minutes or more so don’t be afraid to make a few slight adjustments. The important thing is that you are comfortable the way you are.

Try to concentrate on anything happening at that moment.

The root of the technique does not have to attach to the things and ideas during such kind of meditation session.

You just have to observe things as they passing by your mind.

The first step is to concentrate on your breathing.

Then it is time to close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing. Anybody can do this but there are 4 proper ways of doing it. You can inhale and exhale long, inhale and exhale short, inhale short and exhale long or inhale long and exhale short.

You don’t need to control or manage your breathing.

Just need to feel the rhythm of your breathing as it is happening.

The second step to concentrate on your feelings and sensation.

Again, you don’t have to describe and label your feelings and sensations.

You have to just feel them and accept them as they are. The third important step is to concentrate on your own thoughts.

You don’t have to stick to those thoughts. Just observe them objectively, and don’t try to attach your emotions with those feelings.

This is the root of this technique that, you don’t have to get involved in anything.

You have to experience things while they are approaching and leaving.

After going through all these experiences, you have to conclude your meditation session.

You will complete it by taking a break after this fascinating session.

And you will prepare your mind to get back to your routine work. Attaching our own meaning with everything in the world is a human tendency.

Through this tendency, we try to understand the meanings of different things in our surrounding.

That is why; every person perceives things according to his own experiences and emotions.

The best thing about this technique is that it builds a tendency to observe things without attaching personal emotions and meanings.

In this way, a person practicing Vipassana Meditation becomes able to see things objectively that is, they become able to see the truth hidden in different things.

Learn how to practice Vipassana Meditation Technique:

There are some basic steps to start doing this form of meditation.

– Sit in a quiet place in a fairly dark room

– You will need to be undisturbed for at least 20 minutes

– Keep your head and spine straight

– You may sit on the floor or on a chair if needed

– Close your eyes to cut out any external influences

– Start focusing on your breathing

– Observe the length of each breath – whether short long or heavy

– Do not judge or try and control your breathing

– The key to Vipassana meditation is to act as a neutral spectator to your breathing

– Try to avoid your thoughts from being distracted

– In the beginning, your thoughts may get distracted. Just gently shift your focus back to the breathing

– With practice, you will be able to focus on the breathing for long periods without distraction

– If questions and thoughts do arise, do not attend to them during the meditation

– Only once the meditation is over focus on these thoughts

Benefits of Vipassana Meditation

There are several benefits of practicing Vipassana Meditation on a daily basis.

Brings Objectivity

The most important thing about Vipassana Meditation, it helps an individual to reach to the hidden truth of different things.

We have seen that this meditation practice enables an individual to see things objectively, without attaching his own emotions.

In this way, a person learns to experience things as they are without molding their meanings through his own thoughts and emotions.

Makes Life Enjoyable

In your normal routine, you will try to take a break and go for outing to enjoy your life, but you have to return to the same hectic routine after that enjoyment, in any case.

These mentioned ways of getting enjoyment are temporary. If you develop a habit to practice Vipassana meditation daily, it will be viable for you to take pleasure in your life and get relief from daily pressure.

Helps in Developing a Sound Mind

Vipassana meditation helps an individual in remaining calm and peaceful.

There are certain thoughts that disturb our emotions and produce odd reactions in ourselves.

Once, your mind becomes sound and stable through practicing meditation, such feelings lose their potential to disturb your mind and emotions.

Brings Inner Creativity Out

This is another important effect of practicing Vipassana meditation that it extracts out your hidden talents and potentials.

During meditation, you can get a chance to meet your inner self and realize you talents. Most of us have many talents, but in our busy lives, we remain not capable of using these talents.

Meeting with ourselves in silence makes us realize and finally utilize those talents and abilities.

This is one of the best techniques to realize the truth about yourself, your thoughts, your sensations and your emotions.

You will be better able to understand the world after understanding yourself.

You cannot understand anyone’s emotion until you understand your own.

 

POINTS TO REMEMBER
  • Vipassana meditation technique can bring peace of mind, and allows the interaction between mind and body
  • Vipassana meditation on the other hand develops self-understanding by being able to comprehend the things that are going inside one’s head.
  • Vipassana technique brings integration of mind and body.

Learning Vipassana Meditation Technique

  • One of the important techniques in Vipassana is impermanence.
  • You just have to observe things as they passing by your mind.
  • The first step is to concentrate on your breathing.
  • The second step to concentrate on your feelings and sensation.

Benefits of Vipassana Meditation

  • Brings objectivity
  • Makes life enjoyable
  • Helps in developing a sound mind
  • Brings inner creativity out

TAKEAWAY QUESTIONS
  • Are you familiar with Vipassana Meditation?
  • Have you tried practicing Vipassana meditation?
  • What are your experiences with Vipassana meditation?
  • What are the benefits of practicing Vipassana meditation in your life?