Archive for April 2014

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Hypertension

Hypertension is a medical disorder in which the blood pressure is raised to high levels. It is one of the signs that an individual may have a stroke, heart attack, or heart failure. Some patients who have hypertension have been known to have aneurysms as well, and this can lead to serious kidney problems. The level of a person's blood pressure will determine their risk for developing a number of diseases. Because the blood pressure of a patient may vary greatly, a diagnoses for hypertension should not be made unless two or more readings have been taken.

If a person has a blood pressure level that is at 120/80 or 139/89, they are considered to be at a prehypertension level. Prehypertension is not a condition, but is a category which can help identify patients who are greatly at risk for getting hypertension. If a person is suffering from diabetes, a blood pressure level which is higher than 130/80 will put them at risk for developing hypertension. There are a number of factors that will determine the risk of a person getting hypertension. The age is one of the primary factors. Older people have a higher likelihood of developing hypertension compared to those that are young.

Individuals who consume excessive amounts of salt are greatly at risk. People who live a sedentary lifestyle and don't get sufficient amounts of exercise may also have a high risk for getting hypertension. The use of cigarettes or large amounts of alcohol will also play a role in a persons risk. In addition to this, obesity, stress, and saturated fat are important factors as well. The underlying structures that are connected to these factors and hypertension are well understood by doctors and scientists. There are three common causes that most experts believe is connected to hypertension.

The first is the failure of kidneys to get rid of excess sodium. The second is a highly active renin that causes the vasoconstriction of water and sodium. The third cause is believed to be a sympathetic nervous system which is too active, and causes an abnormal amount of stress. Hypertension is a condition that produces virtually not symptoms. Patients who are at an advanced stage of this disorder may have headaches and their vision may be blurred as well. Advanced levels of hypertension can also cause kidney failure,and this is one of the most serious symptoms. When a patient is suffering from renal failure, the term accelerated hypertension will often be used.

While young women don't generally have high levels of blood pressure, many of them will get hypertension while they are pregnant. These women will need to be given medication, as hypertension can lead to a number of complications with their pregnancy. A diagnosis for hypertension will often be made based on the blood pressure levels of the patient. Multiple measurments should be taken, and they will all need to be spaced weeks apart. However, if organ damage has occured, the diagnosis and treatment may need to be made quickly.

Healthy Eating To Cure Insomnia

Not being able to fall asleep is a problem that has plagued almost everyone at some point in their lives. You toss and turn while you watch the clock slowly tick the minutes away. Just as you feel the tug of sleep, you hear the sound of the alarm clock and you have to get up and face your day without any rest.

There are many contributing factors to the problem of insomnia. One of those factors might be what you are eating during the day. Your breakfast, lunch or dinner could be the culprit behind that insomnia. Our bodies absorb certain foods and those foods could be working against your desire to sleep.

Changing our diets is one of the healthiest ways to fix a sleeping problem. Choosing foods that enhance the body's ability to relax and fall asleep is the most natural cure you can find.

There are foods that naturally work with the body's chemistry to promote sleep. If you find yourself struggling to get a full night's rest it might be worth considering adjusting your diet to incorporate some of the foods listed below.

Fruits - one fruit that seems to have a stronger effect on treating insomnia is lemons.

Breads - any type of bread including muffins and bagels seem to be effective, but whole grain breads are preferable over other types.

Milk - a glass of warm milk has been said to help a person fall asleep and that is true, there is a chemical found in milk that actually promotes sleep.

Everyone's body chemistry is different. Therefore each individual person has to do their own research into what foods work for them. If having a bowl of strawberries before bed makes you sleepy, than you need to consider that strawberries might be a trigger for you. If however, you have an apple and two hours later you are tossing and turning in bed, the natural sugar in the apple might be the reason you are suffering from insomnia.

A good way to keep track of what foods you are eating and how they impact your sleep pattern is to keep a journal. The premise is simple - you just write down each thing that you eat during the day and the time that you ate it. Then each night you mark down what time you go to bed and after waking jot down a quick note or two on how you slept and how long you slept.

Before long you will probably notice a pattern developing - your body will react to certain foods and after consuming them, you may experience insomnia. At the same time you will see clear patterns developing that tell you what foods are helping you to sleep better. With this knowledge you'll be able to carefully plan your meals and snacks while taking into consideration what foods you need to avoid and which you should include in your diet so that you get a full and restful night's sleep.

Pregnancy Exercise Guide

Many women enjoy a healthy lifestyle that includes regular work out and a balanced eating. It can be difficult to keep up that lifestyle when she becomes pregnant, particularly throughout the later stages. But it is possible, and actually preferable, to maintain an exercise regime at least up until the last stage. This routine will pay off with a healthy baby Here are a number of exercises that you could do in the course of your pregnancy. Remember to consult you doctor before starting any of these activities.

Biking through pregnancy

By and large, riding a bike through pregnancy is not a problem. Nonetheless, you fall into a risk category if you are carrying more than one child or have high blood pressure, diabetes, or some other complications, your doctor might give you explicit exercise guidelines. Some high-risk women will be recommended against exercising at all. But if you are not in the high-risk category then start cautiously. even if you ride a bike regularly. Bear in mind, it’s not just you cycling anymore. Pay close attention to how you feel. If you start to feel tired and dehydrated cease cycling.

Swimming in the course of your pregnancy

Swimming is a invigorating and comforting exercise that has outweighing benefit for non-pregnancy women and especially a particularly woman. Swimming is great exercise since it uses both large muscle groups (legs and arms). Although low-impact, it provides good cardiovascular benefits and allows expectant women to feel lighter in spite of the extra weight added by pregnancy. Swimming also poses a low risk exposure to your baby.

Safety when swimming

Even though swimming poses a very low risk of injury it is always safe to see your doctor before you start any swimming exercise. If your doctor give you green card then start slow if swimming is not an exercise that you regularly take. If swimming was a regular activity then you should not have to modify your routine. Just be prudent.

Practicing Yoga through pregnancy

Yoga is by far the most adaptable fit pregnancy activity catered to the requirements of women, both during and after pregnancy. The mellow exercises can put you in synchronization with your changing body, and ease you back into fit condition after the baby is born. Yoga is considered perfect for learning breathing exercises that ease stress and increases flexibility in preparation for birth. By using, stretching and cultivating the muscles for birth, you basically make birth easier. Not to mention the superb relaxation skills that you can bring to your birth after the months of practicing.

Exercising is very important for a healthy baby and has tremendous rewards for the baby through pregnancy. Work hard and keep that blood circulation going. Add the exercise rewards to your life as well as to your baby.

Baby in the Boardroom : How to Juggle the Demands of Pregnancy and Your Job

Largely because of the huge financial impact of bringing a child into the world, more women are now choosing to work well into the last trimester of their pregnancy. But financial reasons aside, many women place equal importance to their careers as they do their families, believing that they can fulfill the roles of mother, wife and career woman all at the same time. In fact, some women continue working until they actually deliver their baby. This is a departure from the old practice of women resigning immediately after finding out that she is pregnant, which for many years is believed to be one of the reasons why women should not advance as high as their male counterparts do in the workplace hierarchy.

   The truth is, its not impossible for a woman to continue working during pregnancy, as long as she remains healthy during this period. However. this can present some challenges especially since pregnancy has its share of aches and pains. Take morning sickness, for example. Its name may be misleading some women into thinking that it only strikes at a particular time of day, but the feeling of nausea may actually threaten to overwhelm a pregnant woman at any given time of the day especially during the first trimester, but it may continue throughout the pregnancy. Women are also more easily tired and uncomfortable as their bodies cope with the increasing demands of carrying the baby, and the stress of being pregnant is often aggravated by job stress. Certain work conditions may also aggravate job stress or be dangerous for both mother and unborn child such as frequent shift changes, strenuous physical tasks, hot or cold working environments, long commutes, prolonged standing, repetitive lifting of heavy objects, heavy vibrations such as from large machines and exposure to harmful substances.

   Even if the job doesn't present any obvious threat, there will still be a need to make some changes to a pregnant woman's working conditions. These changes must be made to ensure the continuing good health of both mother and child. Here are some ideas that the pregnant woman may want to follow for a trouble-free pregnancy at work:

l   Avoid anything that may trigger an attack of nausea, and drink plenty of fluids. Keep a supply of crackers, bottled water, hard candy, lemon drops, ginger ale, ginger tea and other bland foods handy in the office to help ease the nausea in case it attacks.
l   Pregnant women tire easily, with their energy level fluctuating throughout the day. During this time it is extremely important that a woman gets an adequate amount of sleep at night and opportunity to take short, frequent breaks during the day to recharge. This may mean rethinking your work schedule and scaling back on activities both inside and outside the home such as doing chores. It may also help if you have a comfortable chair and enough pillows to support your back, and a place to put your feet up.
l   Exercise does wonders during pregnancy, because it greatly improves your overall health and wellbeing. It boosts mood, enhances the quality of sleep, reduces pregnancy aches and pains, and prepares you for childbirth by strengthening muscles and building endurance. This is especially important because during pregnancy and childbirth, a woman's body is subjected to a great deal of stress. Exercise also makes it much easier to get back in shape after your baby's born, and helps ease constipation, backache, fatigue, varicose veins, circulation problems and other health issues related to pregnancy. The most recommended exercises for pregnant women are walking, swimming, yoga, stretching, and low-impact aerobics. Pelvic exercises called Kegel exercises are also beneficial to the expectant mother, helping to strengthen the pelvic floor. The pelvic floor muscles support the uterus, bowel, and bladder; these body parts are put under pressure during pregnancy and childbirth.
l   Bending and lifting. Proper form can spare your back, even if you're lifting something light. Bend at your knees, not your waist. Keep the load close to your body, lifting with your legs — not your back. Avoid twisting your body while lifting. If a load is too heavy to handle easily, ask for help.

A Quick Guide to Stress Management with Reiki

Stress is overwhelmingly affecting people in our society today. Busy with work, home, family, and many other daily tasks - stress piles on without our realizing it. That's why so many people are turning to the stress-reducing techniques used in Reiki, a spiritual energy used with healing, meditation and spiritual growth.

Introduction to Reiki

When a person is introduced to Reiki, an initiation takes place called "Reiki Attunement." This brings the person into a relationship with Reiki energy, and is usually activated by a trained Reiki master-teacher. During a Reiki Attunement, the person's dense energy is cleared and released, and etheric and chakras fields are strengthened so the person will be able to receive and transmit high frequency healing light. The person can become familiar with Reiki healing and Reiki symbols as well.

Learning to Relax

Stress usually takes over when a person is fearful, doubtful, or full of worry about things that are happening around them. The person often lives in a constant tense state without realizing what is happening. The body naturally reacts with fatigue, moodiness and sometimes, disease. To relieve stress, one must learn to relax and overcome the fears and worries of everyday life.

Reiki helps a person to relieve the emotional and physical strain of stress and to restore balance to the body, soul and mind. The person can return to a relaxed, peaceful state of being by clearing energy bodies and unblocking meridians, chakras and nadas.

Methods of Stress Reduction and Elimination

There are several methods used in Reiki to reduce and eliminate stress. One method is crystal healing, where crystals or crystal bowls are used to create sounds of healing and relaxation. The crystalline sounds carry Reiki energy deep into the body to enhance the relaxation process. Tension is released and the body begins to relax and respond to the Reiki energy. The crystal sounds promote deep tension release in the very cells of the body to create stress reduction from within. Crystal bowls are available in different sizes and can be tuned to any note desired - flats, sharps, or pure tones.

Another method of Reiki stress management is through healing drumming. Healing drumming introduces Reiki energy to a person's body by the use of a drum beat. The drumming helps to create a deep, relaxing state as stress is relieved.

There is a deep connection between the physical body, spiritual being, and the mind. Stress affects all three in a negative way. Using Reiki techniques for stress management is one way a person can lead a more relaxed, peaceful life.

A better “help-sleep” drug

Have you been tossing and rolling in bed lately? Staring endlessly in the ceiling till the wee hours of the morning while counting sheep? Then you are suffering from sleeping disorder or insomnia. Insomnia can also be defined as difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, waking up too early, or waking up feeling worn out. Almost everyone has brief encounters with insomnia. Studies show that about 10% of Americans suffer from insomnia.

Though there are really no concrete causes of insomnia. Experts claim that conditions that may cause it may vary from person to person. Health factors such as heart ailment, sleep apnea, asthma can result in insomnia for some individuals. While environmental factors like a simple sound, an uncomfortable mattress or pillow may cause a difference in the sleep patterns for a few. Diet also plays a role in the development of insomnia. Excess caffeine or food consumed close to bedtime may affect the quality of sleep. Other reasons of insomnia are anxiety, depression, and stress. Be sure to evaluate yourself of the factors mentioned if you are having difficulty in your sleep. However these episodes of sleeplessness usually last for a few nights and the sleep pattern returns to its normal. This happens when the cause of the sleep disturbance is settled. If an individual suffer from insomnia for a month or more, treatment is required to restore the sleeping pattern back to normal

The effects of insomnia are alarming. Poor health, fatigue, impatience, diminished mental alertness and memory, and irritability are some of the common effects of insomnia. Because of the harmful effects of sleep disorder a number of individuals are sometimes forced to miss work or school days. Others often feel exhausted in social gatherings because of lack of sleep.

    Several medications have been developed to treat insomnia. Ambien is taken orally immediately before bedtime on an empty stomach or as directed by a physician. Ambien is not intended for long term use and is usually taken for duration of 7 to 10 days. Ambien intake should never be increased or taken for extended periods unless prescribed by your doctor

Common Ambien side effects are daytime drowsiness, dizziness, headache, nausea, upset stomach, vomiting, and dry mouth. When you are rising from a seated or lying position, get up slowly to avoid dizziness. The use of alcoholic beverages may aggravate the harmful effects of Ambien and should therefore be avoided.

Because Ambien causes drowsiness, it should be used with caution. One should refrain driving or other similar activities while under medication. If other effects of Ambien are noticed other than the ones listed, inform your doctor or pharmacist.

    Ambien is available on line through drugstoretm.com. Be aware of your body’s physical response to sleep medications. Ambien does not promise normal sleeping patterns after a week or ten-day intake. Immediately discontinue use if acute adverse effects are experienced or if you are unhappy with the result.

    Since small amounts of Ambien are found in breast milk, breast feeding mothers are not encouraged to take this drug.

A Guide To Hypnosis

There are many stories about <a href=http://basic-selfhypnosis.blogspot.com>hypnosis and hypnotherapy</a> being dangerous, turning people into chickens, people not being able to wake up, and unscrupulous hypnotists exploiting their 'vulnerable' patients. However there are many people who are adamant that it has helped change their lives, helping them succeed in their goals. Millions of people swear that it has helped them with many issues such as weight loss, quitting smoking, other addictions, confidence, phobias, stress, success, IBS, and many more issues.

Many people are missing out on this powerful yet safe therapeutic tool because they are too afraid to use it. I hope to dispel these fears by answering these common questions about hypnotherapy.

Can I be hypnotized? Most people can go into a hypnotic trance. The only types of people that cannot be hypnotised are ... 1. Those suffering from psychosis or a thought disorder 2. A person with a low IQ 3. A person does not want to be hypnotised. It is very easy to resist hypnosis if you want to. What is a hypnotic trance? It is a normal and natural state that most of us experience several times a day. It commonly happens when people are driving. Have you ever driven somewhere and not really remembered the journey? It also often occurs when reading a book or watching TV. Sometimes you can be so absorbed in the book or TV programme that you are not consciously aware that someone is talking to you. Hypnosis is the focussing of the conscious attention in such a narrow corridor of influence. The conscious mind is so intensely focussed that other influences are not being critically analysed by the conscious mind. We still hear them, although we are not always aware. A good example of this is when you are in a place where there are several conversations going on at once. They may all sound like a mass of background noise. However if someone in one of those conversations mentions your name, you then consciously focus on that conversation. How did you know someone said your name? Your subconscious mind (which is far more powerful than your conscious mind) was listening to EVERY conversation AT THE SAME TIME! That is perhaps a reason why you can sometimes "just know" something. Your subconscious mind has absorbed it without you consciously being aware.

What does hypnosis feel like? When in a trance you feel more mentally and physically relaxed. It is a very pleasant experience, and you can tell that you are still in control. You can still hear exactly what is going on around you, unless you choose to drift your attention away. You become aware that you can easily stand up, talk, or move whenever you want. A lot of people (me included) when they first experience a hypnotic trance move their fingers or hands in order to test whether they can move at will. Sometimes a patient can be a little difficult to wake up. This is not a sinister thing as it has been portrayed. No one has ever been stuck in trance. It is more a case that a patient just "can't be bothered" to wake up as it feels so pleasant. However they soon become bored and will wake up pretty soon. One trick the old hypnosis pro's use is to tell the patient that they are charging for the time. It's amazing how quickly they then wake up!

Is hypnosis dangerous? A hypnotic trance is actually a very natural state that almost everyone goes into several times per day. In 1955 the British Medical Association set up an inquiry which favourably reported hypnosis as a therapeutic tool. It even recommended that it should be taught at medical schools. Hypnosis was also approved by the Council of Mental Health of the American Medical Association in September of 1958 as a safe practice with no harmful side effects. Since then there has been acceleration in the establishment of hypnosis societies for doctors, dentists, and psychologists. No one has been seriously hurt with hypnosis.

Can I be made to do things against my will? You could never be made to do anything against your will or contrary to your value system. If this was actually possible, would there not be criminals learning the art of hypnotherapy in order to hypnotise their bank managers to opening the vaults and handing over a large sum of cash?! In a trance, you would not unknowingly reveal your deepest secrets. You can even lie when in a trance, which is one reason why testimony in hypnosis is not permissible evidence in a court of law. It is only used by police to help with the investigation. A person will only act upon suggestions that serve them in some way or reinforce an expected behaviour, anything else their subconscious will just ignore. Most people develop these misperceptions from seeing or hearing about a Stage Hypnosis show. However they largely achieve their results from showmanship, selection of the more extrovert people, and peer pressure.

How long will it take before I notice a change? In one session, you can expect to become more relaxed than you are right now. Most people do not relax enough, and some people never seem to relax! Being more relaxed can help most mental and physical problems that you may have. I have often had patients report back to me that people noticed that they seemed more relaxed after just one session. In the past I have significantly helped problems such as IBS, skin complaints, and addictions, simply by doing relaxation work. Hypnosis can bridge the gap between your head and your heart, making your goals much more emotionally compelling, and therefore increasing your chances of permanent change. Depending upon the intensity of your session and the number of times you have listened to the recording, you will notice suggestions for the desired behavioural changes spontaneously popping into your conscious mind almost immediately.

A Detoxing Cleansing System is the Key to Weight Loss

If you're like most people who have a weight problem, you've been on every diet imaginable. Chances are, you've lost plenty of weight over the course of your lifetime. The problem is, you most likely gained back all of the weight you lost - and then some. Like many people, you were probably looking for a quick fix - that magic bullet that would cause instant weight loss and that would keep you slim for life.

As you no doubt have realized, no such magic bullet exists. The key to successful weight loss is acknowledging that you need help, having the determination to learn new habits and adopt them for life, and finding the right tools to help you get the job done.

Detoxing

Because the typical American diet is high in substances that act as poisons to our bodies - things like saturated fats, sugars, and food additives and chemicals - the first step in any successful weight loss program is detoxing. This detoxification process is a cleansing process that gets the harmful substances out of your body's blood stream and tissues. Such a cleansing process has the added benefit of weaning you off of the toxic substances you may have been consuming for years. It breaks the addiction to sugar, caffeine, and the insidious preservatives that are so much a part of the American diet.

There are many cleansing system products available that can help you in the detoxing phase of your weight loss plan. It's important to find one that is natural and organic, and that does not contain some of the potentially harmful substances found in many over the counter products. Read the labels carefully, and choose one that has vitamins, enzymes, and ionic trace minerals.

Jump Starting Weight Loss

While there's no magic bullet that will cause you to lose weight and keep it off, there are products available that will help jump-start your weight loss. Often in the form of meal replacement shakes, these products are helpful for three reasons. First, the best shakes are natural, and are chock full of organic whey protein, enzymes, vitamins and minerals. While you're reducing your caloric intake, these shakes can help speed up the fat burning process. Second, they're easy. Learning new dietary habits is fraught with the perils of temptation; having an easy-to-prepare shake makes it easier for you to keep temptation at bay. Third, it's heartening to see immediate results. If, for example, you were to lose ten pounds in ten days, you're more likely to continue on with your weight loss plan. The power of success can't be underestimated.

Staying With the Program

Quick weight loss may be emotionally satisfying, but remember that, in order to actually keep the weight off this time, you'll need to make a commitment to changing the habits that caused you to gain weight in the first place. A regular exercise plan, a support group, and a food diary are all helpful tools in staying with the program.

Success for Life

For many people, weight loss is the first step on the path to health, energy, and wellness. This natural healing journey can and should begin with a detoxing cleansing system that rids your body of its toxic build-up.

2 Steps To Six Pack Abs

First off, I want to mention that, for most people, getting six pack abs is not an easy task. It requires dedication, but it is possible! Below is a general 2-step guide that, if followed religiously for 3 months, will produce results.

Step 1: Nutrition

This is the single most important part of the puzzle, hands down. You can have the most impressive set of abs, but if they're covered with a layer of fat, you won't see them! Break up your day with 5 or 6 mini-meals because this jump starts your metabolism. And stop eating the food that is preventing results: white bread, loads of pasta, soda, candy, fast food, hydrogenated oils, sugars and fructose corn syrup.

Instead, replace them with foods that will help you reach your goal: oatmeal, olive oil, whole grain breads, fruits, vegetables, nuts, eggs, natural peanut butter, chicken, fish, protein and water. Be realistic- you'll slip here and there, but make a conscious effort to radically improve your eating habits because getting a six pack will be impossible if you don't.

Step 2: Exercise

You need to concern yourself with 3 different exercises: cardio, weightlifting and ab exercises. And aim to workout 3- 4 times a week.

The cardio you do can be anything: walking, running, biking, swimming....whichever cardio you don't mind doing so that you'll stick with it. Aim for 30-45 minutes, a minimum of 2 times a week.

Weightlifting is important because 3 pounds of added muscle burns as many calories as a 1 mile jog...and this is while you're just sitting around! Aim for 30-45 minutes, a minimum of 2 times a week. If you're confused as to what exercises to do for each body part, check out out the following website. It features professional bodybuilders, but the information is great and can be used by anyone.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/exercises.htm

The last exercise you need to incorporate into your workout is ab exercises. Aim to work your abs a minimum of 3 times a week. There are a ton of different ab exercises you can do so try to find 3 or so that you enjoy doing so you can mix it up. A good database of different ab exercises is:

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/exername.php?MainMuscle=Abdominals

Tip: mix up your workout routine every 2 weeks to keep your body guessing and changing. Add or take away different weight or ab exercises, or at the very least, vary the weight, reps or form of cardio you do.

Well, there you have it. Follow the above for 3 months religiously, and while results will vary from person to person, you will experience improvement.

It will take dedication on your part, but imagine the feeling you'll get when you look in the mirror and like what you see.

8 Energy Saving Tips

Our environment is suffering and our resources are depleting because we use too much of everything. Did you know that taking small steps to save our environment can also help you save money? If you follow one or all of the tips below, you can actually see real savings on your energy bill. You don't need to do everything but you can do something.

In a typical U.S. home, appliances and electronics make up about 20% of energy use. The first step is to look for Energy Star labels when buying appliances and products. Energy Star labels are strict guidelines created by the U.S. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency for energy efficiency. Follow some of these tips to help make the environment better for our future generations and save money at the same time.

Light bulbs: Use energy saving CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs) instead of the conventional incandescent light bulbs. Although CFLs cost 3-5 times as much as the incandescent light bulb, CFLs only use one-quarter of the electricity and lasts years longer. Each CFL bulb contains 5mg of mercury so you will have an extra item to sort in the recycling bin.

Dishes: Never load your dishes in a dishwasher unless they are a full load. Air-dry dishes instead of using a dryer.

Laundry: Wash clothes with warm or cold water instead of hot water when you can. Instead of using a dryer, air-dry or hang your clothes on a clothes line. Don't use the dryer unless it houses a full load.

Refrigerators: Think of what you want to take out before you open the refrigerator. Leaving the door open will waste extra energy.

Take Showers, less Baths: Taking showers instead of baths will reduce water usage and also lower your heating bill.

Turn Off all Appliances Not in Use: Turn off all lights, computers, and electronics when they are not in use. Plug all your electronics such as computers, TVs, and DVDs into power strips. Using a power strip can reduce electricity used to power home appliances. Even when your appliances are turned off, energy is still being consumed from the outlet. To avoid extra energy costs, unplug the appliance or use a power strip. The power strip has an off button to cut all the power from the appliance.

Weather-Strip Windows and Doors: Check windows and doors for air leaks. Air leaks can be sealed by caulking or weather-stripping. By securing the leaks in your home, hot and cool air will be kept in your home longer. Less heating and cooling will help you save on energy costs.

Look for Energy Star label: Energy Star labels are only given when appliances and products meet strict guidelines of energy efficiency from U.S. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency.

6 Truths about Ayurveda

#1 Ayurvedic medicine is less effective.

Truth: It is true that this method of treatment calls for more patience and endurance. The effectiveness can be cited by this example.

Whenever there is a tear in a cloth or a hole in a pitcher, we intend to rectify it using the similar material that it is made of. Similarly any fault in human body also calls to be corrected by use of natural resources, as much as possible.

#2 Ayurvedic medicines are slow in showing results.

Truth: The irony lies with the delay from patient’s side. Most patients visiting holistic practitioners take their time in trying other systems of medicine so as to derive a faster result. This not only delays the effect of medicine, it also hampers the working of the drug. This is because the patient has either tried much more complicated and powerful combination of drugs, the effect of which needs to be neutralized first. Or in the mean time, his malady has substantially become deep rooted and taken chronic form. It may at times show to work slowly, but as the fable goes slow and steady wins the race.

# 3 Ayurvedic medicine has side effects.

Truth: Any side effect from medicine, of any therapy, may result from the misuse of drug, either in processing or in prescribing. As far as side effect or after effect is concerned, I believe time tested medicines are safer provided the former two factors are precise. The safety of Ayurvedic medicine and mode of treatment may be advocated in 3 pints.

1. In Ayurveda the very first principle in treating a disease is to do away with the basic cause, and also to see that no new ailment emerges as a consequence. A disease is eradicated from its roots.

2. Ayurveda insists that medicine be centered at the patient, than on the disease. The mind, body and soul are considered a tripod and medicine is prescribed for overall health augmentation.

3. Since Ayourvda deals with preparations mainly from herbs and natural resources, it is a harmless therapy with least or no side effects.

#4 Ayurvedic medicines are for older patients.

Truth: There is no known limitation in this form of treatment. It is equally suited to all age groups. Ayurveda could be considered a boon for children when their body system is yet tender and in process of immunity building. The natural products do not interfere with their body resistance and at the same time tends to be more safe and comforting.

#5 Ayurvedic medicines are just an alternative.

Truth: Ayurvedic system of medicine is incorrectly quoted as an alternate therapy as this has always been the most ancient and complete system of medicine. It’s been existing before the birth of other medical therapies. The word Ayurveda is itself derived from ‘Ayush’ which means life and ‘Veda’ which means science. There fore, Ayurveda is the complete science of life. It is a treasure to provide every individual a life full of health, vigor and vitality.

5 Sensitive Skin Care Tips

A lot of people claim that they have sensitive skin when they break out after using a certain product or were exposed to the sun. However, most of than not, the culprits behind the blotchy skin and zits are using inappropriate products for one's skin type and bad skin habits. If you are one of the many who break out or itch after sun exposure or using a product, it is a good idea to determine if sensitive skin is really the cause or something else.

How to tell if you have sensitive skin?

Generally, sensitive skin is thin with visible broken capillaries under the skin's surface. Sensitive skin also has fine pores. When exposed to moderate changes in temperature, sensitive skin reddens easily, whether from cold or heat. Sensitive skin tends to rash easily when exposed to dirt or even moderate strength skin care products. If your skin manifests these signs, chances are high that you really have sensitive skin. For a thorough skin assessment, a visit to a dermatologist is in order.

Since caring for sensitive skin can be quite difficult, it is advisable to limit the use of skin care products. Generally, simple skin care regimens are more effective on sensitive skin since it prevents product overload. Sensitive skin care relies on strengthening the skin to reduce sensitivity and increase tolerance.

How to care for sensitive skin?

1. Hydrate your skin.

Sensitive skin is prone to dryness which can lead to increased sensitivity. Drinking eight or more glasses of water and applying a lightweight and hypoallergenic moisturizer a day can help restore your skin's moisture or lipid barrier that acts as defense mechanism against allergens.

2. Eat skin-friendly food.

Fruits, vegetables, and other water-rich foods are essential in correcting skin imbalances. The vitamin, mineral, and water content of these foods hydrate your skin and restore its health. On the other hand, eating spicy food and drinking alcohol and caffeinated drinks can increase your skin's sensitivity.

3. Limit sun exposure.

Sun exposure can cause sensitive skin to redden and burn easily. Before going out, apply sun protection on your face using sunscreen and on your body with sunblock lotion. You can extend the protection to your lips to prevent them from darkening. Applying an SPF-rich lip balm under your lipstick or gloss can help protect your lips. Umbrellas, sunglasses, and hats protect your body, eyes, and face from overexposure to the sun.

4. Protect skin at all times.

Even when you are indoors, your skin still needs protection. If you are staying in an airconditioned room or one with forced heating, apply a lightweight moisturizer frequently. this will prevent your skin from drying out due to the extreme temperatures.

5. Avoid products with artificial colorants and synthetic fragrances.

Colorants and fragrances are added to skin care products only for increasing marketing appeal. Your skin do not actually benefit from these additions. Often, they even cause allergic reactions and increase your skin's sensitivity.

Aside from these tips, it is also a good idea to switch to skin care products that are specially formulated for sensitive skin. A thorough skin assessment and consultation with a dermatologist can reveal to you skin care techniques and products that can help strengthen your skin and minimize its sensitivity.

3 Steps to Managing Skin Allergies

An effective approach to managing skin allergies has three components. Firstly you must understand the condition, then you must discover if anything is triggering your skin reaction, and thirdly you must look after your skin.

Many people think that allergies only affect the respiratory or digestive systems, but they can also affect your largest organ- your skin. As with other allergies the immune system overreacts to the presence of certain substances and releases inflammation-producing chemicals. Do some research and talk to your doctor. You can be confident of controlling your skin condition better if you are sure you understand what causes it.

The second component in managing a skin allergy is identifying then eliminating the allergens and irritants that start the itching/scratching cycle. There are over three thousand known triggers for skin allergies. Many are natural, but there are plenty of man-made ones too.

A common man-made trigger is latex, which comes from the sap of the Brazilian rubber tree. The natural proteins and those added in the manufacturing process can trigger an allergic reaction. Most people are aware that this can lead to reactions if you wear latex gloves. However latex is also present in baby pacifiers, balloons, pencil erasers and elastic bands in undergarments. There can also be problems when latex particles become airborne and are inhaled. If you have a latex allergy try to avoid the material and use vinyl or plastic where possible.

Nickel is another trigger. In addition to the obvious nickel-containing metallic objects like coins and jewelry, nickel is also present in everyday objects like scissors, bathroom and kitchen cabinet handles, and zippers. Mascara, eye shadow and eye pencils also contain nickel. Experts estimate that the number of people suffering from a nickel allergy has risen about 40% in the last decade. Much of this is believed to be due to the popularity of body piercing. Some foods also have natural nickel content and people who suffer severe symptoms may need to restrict their diet under medical supervision. At present there is no way to desensitize a person with a nickel allergy. Avoidance is the best strategy.

The third component of effective management is looking after your skin. The easiest thing to do is to keep your fingernails short to reduce the damage caused by scratching.

Managing your skin's condition means firstly moisturizing and softening the skin to ensure it does not dry out. Your doctor may recommend you use topical corticosteroid preparations to control the inflammation.

When you take a bath soak in lukewarm water for 20 to 30 minutes. Do not have hot baths or showers, as the heat will increase skin dryness and itching. You can add oatmeal or baking soda to the bath for a soothing effect, though it does not help moisturize the skin.

Use a mild soap or a non-soap cleanser with neutral pH (pH7). If you wish to add bath oils do so after you have been in the water so that it can seal in the moisture. Do not use bubble baths as they can form a barrier that stops the bathwater moisturizing your skin.

After the bath dry yourself by patting your skin with a soft towel. This helps retain moisture. Immediately after drying your skin apply a lotion or emollient cream to help your skin retain the moisture.

To look after your skin you will also need to avoid situations where you will experience extreme physical contact, heavy perspiration, or heavy clothing. This may mean avoiding some sports. Swimming is permissible if you rinse the chlorine from your skin as soon as you leave the pool, and use a moisturizer after drying yourself.

Follow these three steps and you will be able to control your skin allergy and minimize its impact on your everyday life.

5-HTP - Nature's Anti-Depressant

What is 5-HTP?

The Griffonia Extract is rich in 5-HydroxyTryptophan (5-HTP), which comes from an African vegetable, the Griffonia simplicifolia seed, and contains 30% 5–HTP. 5-HTP is an amino acid that is a direct precursor of serotonin, an important neurotransmitter having pain soothing and relaxing effects. 5-HTP is not present in significant amounts in a typical diet. The human body manufactures 5-HTP from L-tryptophan, a natural amino acid found in most dietary proteins. However, eating food that contains L-tryptophan does not significantly increase 5-HTP levels.

5-HTP and Serotonin

5-HTP is the precursor to serotonin. It improves mood, anxiety and is beneficial in weight loss. 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is an amino acid that is the intermediate step between tryptophan and the important brain chemical serotonin. There is a massive amount of evidence that suggests that low serotonin levels are a common consequence of modern living. The lifestyle and dietary practices of many people living in this stress-filled era results in lowered levels of serotonin within the brain.

5-HTP and Carb Cravings

Researchers believe that inadequate serotonin levels are in part responsible for the desire to overeat. Not surprisingly, obese individuals who crave carbohydrates usually show abnormally low levels of serotonin. Taking a 5-HTP supplement half an hour before a meal can " turn off" cravings and hunger pangs by feeding the brains carbohydrate satiety center. In this way 5-HTP can be a great asset as part of a weight-loss regime.

5-HTP and Addiction

The use of many addictive substances, such as tobacco, alcohol, caffeine and certain narcotics, elevates serotonin levels. When these substances are eliminated, serotonin levels drop drastically, causing anxiety and cravings. Taking 5-HTP can stabilize serotonin levels and help minimize the symptoms of withdrawal.

5-HTP and PMS

PMS sufferers report pain relief, as well as decreased irritability and mood swings from using 5-HTP. The supplement works by countering the hormone-induced decrease in serotonin levels that occur naturally during menstruation.

5-HTP and Sleep

Because of its calming effect, many rely on 5-HTP to alleviate stress-attacks, as well as to encourage restful sleep. Unlike sedative drugs, 5-HTP is not associated with unwanted side effects, such as disturbed sleep patterns or grogginess. It can be taken regularly one hour before retiring as a remedy for insomnia.

Side Effects

Very high intakes of 5-HTP have caused muscle jerks in guinea pigs and both muscle jerks and diarrhea in mice. Injected 5-HTP has also caused kidney damage in rats. To date, these problems have not been reported in humans. “Serotonin syndrome,” a serious but uncommon condition caused by excessive amounts of serotonin, has not been reported to result from supplementation with 5-HTP; in theory it could be triggered by the supplement. However, the level of intake at which this toxic effect might potentially occur remains unknown.

Warnings

5-HTP should not be taken with antidepressants, weight-control drugs, other serotonin-modifying agents, or substances known to cause liver damage, because in these cases 5-HTP may have excessive effects. People with liver disease may not be able to regulate 5-HTP adequately and those suffering from autoimmune diseases such as scleroderma may be more sensitive than others, to 5-HTP. These people should not take 5-HTP without consulting a knowledgeable healthcare professional. The safety of taking 5-HTP during pregnancy and breast-feeding is not known at this time.

Conditions with low serotonin levels helped by 5-HTP:

• Depression

• Obesity

• Carbohydrate craving

• Bulimia

• Insomnia

• Narcolepsy

• Sleep apnea

• Migraine headaches

• Tension headaches

• Chronic daily headaches

• Premenstrual syndrome

• Fibromyalgia

5 Healthy Benefits of Following a Mediterranean Diet Plan

The Mediterranean diet has been around for centuries, but if you don't live in countries where this diet is prevalent such as Greece or Italy, you may not realize the many benefits of eating healthy foods "Mediterranean" style. According to studies, the Mediterranean diet encourages healthy weight loss and helps to reduce risks of many life-threatening diseases. Below are five of the top benefits of following this diet.

1. Fast Weight Loss

One of the key benefits of the Mediterranean diet is fast weight loss. This is not from the results of a diet pill or a crash starvation diet, but from healthy, portion-controlled eating. Weight loss rates will vary, but some have reported losing an average of 10 pounds per month. Delicious diet recipes are often provided when following the Mediterranean diet that help to speed up the weight loss process without depriving you of much needed vitamins and nutrients. Losing weight alone can offer many health benefits.

2. Good Heart Health

The delicious diet recipes provided while following a Mediterranean diet are all designed to promote good heart health. The Mediterranean diet consists of healthy doses of olive oil, fruits and vegetables, and oily fish. With some participants, a moderate amount of wine is consumed with meals. All these help to lower cholesterol and keep the blood flow to the heart at a normal level, thus, reducing the risk of heart disease tremendously.

3. Lower Cancer Risks

Having too many toxins in the body can cause some types of cancer, such as breast cancer. Eating the types of healthy foods promoted in the Mediterranean diet such as fruits and vegetables will lower the amount of toxins in the body because these foods are natural antioxidants.

4. Prevent Gallstones

Those who have fallen victim to gall stones realize how painful they can be. With around 639,000 people being hospitalized per year with gallstones, many studies are being conducted to help find a cause and cure. The Mediterranean diet is rich in nuts, vegetable oil, and fish. Though gallstones are not always diet-related, consuming these foods can help to reduce the risk of gall stones or eliminate them altogether for some according to recent studies.

5. Lower Blood Pressure

The healthy foods in a Mediterranean diet can also work to lower and regulate blood pressure. Blood cholesterol levels can return to normal when eating less fatty foods and salt, and more healthy vitamins and minerals. Cooking procedures on a Mediterranean diet usually involve roasting or grilling rather than frying, so more nutrients are retained in the food during preparation, and there is much less fat consumption.

These are only a few of the benefits. The Mediterranean diet also offers many other benefits such as reducing the risks of blood clotting, diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome, and other life-threatening diseases. Don't deprive yourself. Start eating delicious diet recipes on the Mediterranean diet for healthy weight loss today.

4 Steps To Better Health

It's possible to learn HOW to better your health in only 4 steps and this article will show you how. Each step is a bite-sized nugget of healthy living information you can actually use.

Let's get started...

Step 1: Nutritional Supplements

In my opinion, they are very necessary and very beneficial- especially when combined with healthy eating habits. It's very difficult to get all the nutrients your body needs through food alone, but combining proper nutrition with nutritional supplements is very powerful.

That being said, the one supplement everyone should be taking is a good multi vitamin/mineral. Look at it as added insurance- eating well is crucial, but now that you're also taking a multi, you can rest assured you're getting the nutrients your body needs.

Step 2: Nutrition

Good nutrition is SO important. You are what you eat...remember that. Make a conscious effort to gradually improve your eating habits, eating more of the good foods (nuts, berries, peanut butter, olive oil, greens, chicken, whole grains, etc.) and less of the bad foods (fried food, saturated fat, fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, etc.). Reading the label of what you're eating will tell you a lot.

You may think you lack the needed will power, but you'll be amazed at what happens when you start to gradually improve your eating habits.

Step 3: Exercise

Exercise is the missing piece of the puzzle when it comes to better health. There are so many benefits of exercising, including stronger bones and improved libido- it's a no brainer to start doing it. Your goal should be to exercise 3-5 times a week with a combination of cardio exercises and strength training (but no more than 1 hour per workout session).

It's been measured that if you add 3 pounds of muscle to your body, this added muscle will burn as many calories as if you ran 1 mile. Muscle burns calories!

Step 4: Stress Management and Sleep

Stress management and getting good sleep each night round out your path to better health. Until you find a way to manage your stress, it will continue to do damage to your body. Two tips you might want to implement include prioritizing your day each morning and practicing deep breathing exercises (yes, you probably already knew this, but have you tried it?).

Getting enough sleep each night is equally important when you consider your body uses this time to repair itself. You should aim for 7-9 hours each night. Two tips you might want to implement include exercising and avoiding late night eating.

Now that you have the basics, expand on this information. Step 1 research more about Nutritional Supplements, Step 2 research more about Nutrition and so on. I guarantee after the 4 steps you'll feel more confident about reaching your health & fitness goals.

5 Steps to Successful Self-Hypnosis

1. KNOW WHAT YOU WANT

In this step you need to consider what you want vs. what you don’t want and you need to be able to distinguish between the form and the essence.

Instead on focusing on what you don’t want, it’ important to focus on WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE to experience instead, because your subconscious mind says “YES” to whatever you focus upon. If you don’t want illness focus on perfect health, if you don’t want lack, focus on abundance, if you don’t want to experience stress, focus on experiencing peace, etc.

Sometimes people focus on the “form” (the physical thing instead on the “essence”

(the feeling they would like to experience). If you desire to create or attract a specific thing into your life, ask yourself what feeling do you believe this thing would give you.

By focusing on the “essence” of what you want, you expand your options.

You may find that there are many other ways to experience that desired feeling even now, and by experiencing that feeling now, you further open yourself to attract the thing you desire.

Many times we chase certain things, only to discover that they didn’t give us the feeling we expected to get by having them. And even if the thing you originally had it mind does indeed bring you the desired feeling, this process may bring you further insight into many different ways to enrich your life, to open yourself to many different opportunities that will allow you to experience even more of that desired feeling.

2. CLAIM IT AS YOURS

Once you know what you want, imagine and FEEL that you already have it. Engage as many of your senses as you can and while in a trance state (in a state of hypnosis) vividly imagine yourself as if you are already enjoying the desired state, thing, circumstances. You may also re-live your life, in your mind, imagining that you have always had this resource, quality, thing you’d like to experience.

The whole point of the “depth” of hypnosis is to allow you to put your conscious mind and the awareness of the outer world aside, long enough that you are able to fully experience your desired experience as REAL for you NOW.

It is good to remember that your subconscious mind does not distinguish between what is outside of you - what you may interpret as “real” - and what you experience only in the realm of your mind. The subconscious mind concludes that something is REAL, if it FEELS REAL to YOU … NOW.

3. CLEAR THE OBSTACLES

Successful self-hypnosis is very much alike planting seeds. You decide what you would like to grow, you plant the seeds by imagining and feeling that you already have the desired outcome. You don’t have to concern yourself with how is the plant going to grow – it is endowed with intelligence to fulfill its purpose. What you do need to do is pull out the weeds if you notice any.

When you plant seeds of your outcome in your subconscious mind, your doubts, fears, anxieties, conflicting beliefs etc. are weeds you have to uproot. If you believe that it is impossible for you to reach your goal, but you just want to try it, forget about it – it’s not going to work.

If the goal seems to overwhelming, cut it down into smaller, achievable goals – goals you believe are attainable for you now. It doesn’t matter what anyone else has accomplished. The only thing that matters is what you believe is possible for you.

Other people’s accomplishments may inspire you – but whether you’d be able to accomplish the same, or less, or more, depends only on what you believe to be possible for you, and on the action you're willing to take.

Sometimes people look for “proofs” and assurance outside of themselves, asking other people for their opinions as to whether something is possible or not, yet this only tells their subconscious minds that they are still filled with doubt – they don’t really believe that they can experience the results they desire, so they usually don’t.

The best place to look for “proofs” when using your subconscious mind is in your own experiences – conducting your own experiments.

There is a way to get and create absolutely anything you may ever want to create through the power of your mind. However to overcome your own limitations you either have to have limitless faith, or even better, to do some research and gain understanding why YOU CAN be or have whatever it is you set your heart upon.

This also brings me to the POWER OF DECISION. If you have ever DECIDED to experience something and if you can recall how that feels, you may become aware that at such times your mind was fully focused on your GOAL and even though you might have been aware of possible obstacles on the road, they have not prevented you in reaching your outcome. When you truly DECIDE that you want something, you “cut yourself off” any other possibility and you COMMIT yourself to having the experience you desire.

You may be already familiar with a poem by Goethe:

Until one is committed

there is hesitancy,

the chance to draw back,

always ineffectiveness.

Concerning all acts of initiative

there is one elementary truth

the ignorance of which kills

countless ideas and endless plans:

That the moment one definitely commits oneself,

then providence moves, too.

All sorts of things occur to help one

that would never otherwise have occurred.

A whole stream of events issues from the decision

raising in one’s favor all manner of

unforeseen incidents and meetings and

material assistance which no man

could have dreamed would come his way.

Whatever you can do or

dream you can, begin it!

Boldness has genius, power

and magic in it.

4. LET GO AND TRUST

This is probably the hardest step for most people – and it may take some practice to totally and completely trust in the wisdom and power of your mind, universe, God, your Higher Self (pick the term you prefer) to be able to bring into your experience what you asked for.

You may notice that sometimes when you think about something and then you completely forget about it, not even giving it a second thought whether it’s going to pass or not – the thing you thought about, just happens. That’s because you have spontaneously let go – by forgetting about it, your subconscious mind was able to take over and create that experience in your life.

Other times you may feel that you want or need something really badly, so badly as a matter of fact, that you can’t let it go – and as much as you want it – you are not allowing it to manifest for you.

When something is really important for you to have and you have no idea where what you need is going to come from, trusting may feel as if you were walking on a tight-rope. With practice, it does get much easier.

Practicing gratitude – expressing gratitude for what you need and/or desire as if you have already received it will help you to get your mind off the worry, and keep it focused on your goal.

I have written before about gratitude, but I’d like to repeat that gratitude will dramatically cut the time it takes to get what you desire, and it will dissolve a lot of obstacles toward getting the results you’d like to create using self-hypnosis.

You can thank your subconscious mind, your unconscious mind, God, universe – or whatever you like to refer to the power and intelligence within you and all around you that is able and knows how to bring into manifestation every one of your heart’s desires.

5. RECOGNIZE WHEN YOU GET WHAT YOU ASKED FOR

Sometimes what you ask for may come into your life in a slightly different form than what you envisioned. It is important to notice and acknowledge that what you asked for has in some form manifested for you.

Sometimes what you ask for may be even better than what you asked for (vividly imagined in self-hypnosis).

Sometimes what you ask for may be a far cry from what you wanted. It may be just a signal that what you asked for is on its way. Now is not the time to give up, but to keep on thanking that what you desire or even something better is on its way.

You may also want to re-examine your beliefs, doubts, worries, insecurities, feelings that you don’t quite deserve what you asked for, that it would be too good for you, or perhaps that after all, you don’t really want what you asked for.

Remember that your outer-world experiences only reflect what’s in your mind, so if you don’t like what you’re experiencing, all you need to do is change your mind about it. If you expect only the best in life, and keep on thanking your mind and the universe (God) for giving you the best, in joyful expectation of these experiences – your outer-world experiences will reflect this.

Acknowledge that everything that happens in your life is forever moving you toward the realization of your goals.

Health and Fitness