STRESS INFORMATION!

Mom's Job Stress May Spread to Kids

2008-08-30T01:25:00.002-07:00

by: Rita Jenkins
Low job satisfaction in working mothers increases the stress levels of their children, but allowing them to spend more time in childcare can help overcome these effects, according to new research published in Developmental Psychobiology.
Children whose mothers found their jobs emotionally exhausting or otherwise less rewarding had higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol than children whose mothers reported more enjoyment from their jobs, researchers found in a study involving more than 50 nursery school children.
Levels of cortisol in the evening were more than double in the children whose mothers experienced less job satisfaction. Placing those children in childcare would help to significantly reduce their stress, the research suggests.
The researchers also found that children from families that were either highly expressive or very reserved exhibited higher than average cortisol levels.
Greater support is needed for working mothers to help improve their job satisfaction and increase the availability of affordable childcare options, says the report.
More Time in Childcare
Dr. Julie Turner-Cobb, a health psychologist and senior lecturer at the University of Bath, Dr. Christina Chryssanthopoulou from the University of Kent and Dr. David Jessop, a neuroimmunologist at the University of Bristol collaborated on the study.
To measure cortisol levels, they took saliva samples in the morning and evening from 56 children aged three to four years old. They also surveyed mothers about their workplace conditions and home life over a six month period.
"Spending more time in childcare makes a big difference to the stress levels in children whose mothers have low job satisfaction," says Dr. Turner-Cobb.
"It can help protect children from the effects of their mother's low job quality and emotional exhaustion. Ensuring that mothers of young children have good support in the workplace is essential for supporting both mothers and their children," she adds.
"Improving the job satisfaction of working mothers means that they are less stressed themselves," says Dr. Jessop, "and extending the availability of affordable and adequate childcare may not only improve the quality of life for the mothers but, in doing so, may improve the long term health of their children."
Healthy Adaptation to Stress
Cortisol is a steroid hormone that regulates blood pressure and cardiovascular function and immune function. It also controls the body's use of proteins, carbohydrates and fats.
Cortisol secretion increases in response to stress, whether physical -- such as illness, trauma, surgery or temperature extremes -- or psychological. It is a normal and essential response without which we would not be able to function in everyday life.
When these levels remain high or become disrupted in some way over a prolonged period of time, however, they may have consequences for health. It is important to promote healthy adaptation to stress in children, and good quality childcare is one way of doing this, say the authors.

Set Yourself Stress-Free

2008-08-30T01:25:00.001-07:00

by: Joy Fisher-Sykes
Stress in our personal and professional lives is everchanging and constantly on the rise. Everyday we’reexpected to do more and more with less and less - lessresources, less energy and less time. In order to master theability to manage stress, it’s important to first remove one ofthe biggest obstacles that stands between chaos and calm -SELF. Often we are one of the biggest contributors to thecalamity and chaos we experience in our lives. Stressmanagement is the recognition that life is all about thechoices we make. Starting today, choose to take control andfollow these simple tips to help you lead a stress-lesslifestyle.* Choose To Be Short on Complaints, Long on PraiseFar too often, we are quick as a whip to complain when wefeel we have been wronged, yet we are not as quick tolavish praise. Complaining about every little thing is verystressful and draining. Instead of complaining, why notcontribute. Starting today, make a point to praise thosewho have had a positive impact on your life – from thecashier who didn’t pack your bread on the bottom of thebag, to the mechanic who didn’t scare you into anunnecessary repair, to the neighbor who is willing to babysit on ten minutes notice. Doing so will not only make youfeel good, but will make a difference in a positive way andmake someone else feel great.* Choose To Love The Skin You’re InActress Jamie Lee Curtis, known for her acting talents andphysical beauty, recently took a bold step many of uswould shutter at the thought of – she posed for a magazineminus make-up in a crop top and shorts. She posed for allthe world to see the “real” beauty she is – a confidentwomen who doesn’t define herself by other people’sstandards.Chasing after beauty defined by others (media, family,friends, spouse, co-workers and others) is detrimental toyour peace of mind. Be bold and love the skin you’re inright now – crooked nose, warts, corns, receding hairline,wrinkles, sags, bulges and all. Appreciate your naturalbeauty and love yourself just the way you are.* Choose To Pass On PerfectionThink of how many things don’t get done becausesomeone is waiting for the perfect time, place andcircumstance. Working with perfection as your standard isboth a mental and physical drain. Lose the need to geteverything done “perfect.” Know that it’s far better toaccomplish a task at 85% perfection than to procrastinateand wait for 100% perfection.Remember that a stress-less life is all about choice – what areyou going to choose today?

What is a Body Massage?

2008-08-30T01:24:00.001-07:00

by: David Chandler
The holistic application of physical touch to affect the systems of the body-the muscular, skeletal, elimination, digestive, circulatory, respiratory, endocrine, lymphatic, emotional, mental and nervous systems is called Body massage. Body massage is the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body with the hands for healing, therapeutic, pleasurable and relaxing effects. Body massage is the loving touch of the heart expressed through the hands. Professional therapeutic massage originated in China, is an age-old healing art, which can alleviate mental, physical and emotional ailments. Let us study about the healing powers of body massage.STRESSBody massage helps releasing stress and tension in our bodies by increasing oxygen flow and blood circulation in the body. Excessive unresolved tension and stress in our daily lives could cause continuous muscular tension. This type of mental tension or stress diminishes the flow of oxygen and blood to the muscles and organs causing pains and aches, feelings of fatigue, symptomatic heaviness, tightness of muscles and stiffness. This can even increase the chance of strains and injuries. . Tension creates a tendency for a build up of toxins in the body, and reduces the flow of the more subtle energy or life force (Prana or Chi). Muscular stress also deforms the skeletal anatomy, which further compounds present problems and develops new ones.Benefits of Body massage1. Assists weight loss 2. Improves and increases blood circulation and the flow of tissue fluid (lymph)3. Nourishes the skin (with the right oils) 4. Soothes and relaxes nerves 5. Assists in removal of deposits of tissue6. Releases emotional and mental tension7. Creates a feeling of well-being 8. Gives pleasureIf you have any illness it is always advisable to inform a doctor before you go for a body massage.

Beating the Freshman 15

2008-08-30T01:23:00.002-07:00

by: Paul Buckley
Copyright 2005 Ardmore Internet Marketing, Inc.It's a fairly accepted 'fact' among college age women that they will gain weight their first year away from home. It's so well accepted, in fact, that nearly anyone will know immediately what you mean when you refer to the 'Freshman 15'. The research doesn't quite bear it out, though. One study conducted 15 years ago found that incoming freshman did gain weight at higher rates than their peers who did not attend college, but the average weight gain for the stressful freshman year was 7 pounds, less than half the mythical 15 pounds they'd been told to expect. Even more encouraging is that a more recent study of college weight gain monitored the weight and body fat of freshman women. More than half the students put on weight, but for most it was less than five pounds. One third of the students lost weight. Interestingly, those students who most worried about gaining weight believed that they had gained weight even when the scales showed that they hadn't. If you're concerned about gaining weight in that first year away from home, here are some concrete suggestions that can help you avoid the dreaded Freshman 15. Adopt a Healthy Attitude Toward Food.Researchers place part of the blame for the Freshman 15 on the tendency to turn to food for comfort. In an unfamiliar setting, with new stresses and new worries, students may turn to the familiar foods that make them feel good to help them get through. Train yourself to eat when hungry - and deal with stress through other means. De-stress.The corollary to the statement above is that the less you allow changes and worries to affect you, the less stress you'll have to deal with. One of the best ways to stress-proof your body is by eating a healthy diet. Regular exercise and making sure you get enough sleep play a big part, too. When you're body is well-nourished and well-rested, you'll find it much easier to deal with stress without resorting to major snacking. Watch out for the parties.Away from parental supervision for the first time, many college age students give in to the urge to party. Try to keep in mind that beer, even light beer, has 100 calories per every 12 ounces that you drink. You're also a whole lot more likely to snack on high fat junk food like chips when you're drinking. As for other drugs - there are all sorts of reasons not to smoke. Add the fact that it's fattening to the list. Exercise.Take advantage of the gym facilities and any student privileges you might have by getting regular workouts. Swimming, tennis, aerobics - any sport that you play, any activity that you do will both burn calories, and help reduce the stress of your first year at school. Socialize.Find a group of friends and be a part of it. The more you feel like you belong, the less you'll be missing home, and the less you'll be snacking to make up for it. The Freshman 15 isn't inevitable. Just remember to eat healthy, exercise, sleep well and have fun. The weight loss will take care of itself.

5 Top Tips To Boost Your Spirits

2008-08-30T01:23:00.001-07:00

by: Christopher Green
Copyright 2005 Christopher GreenIf you’re feeling like everything is getting on top of you, or you’re finding it difficult to cope or function, or you’re feeling down in the dumps, then try these 5 easy-to-do tips to relieve tension and stress and boost your spirits:1. Take a relaxing bath. Add music, candles and a glass of your favourite drink: beer, tea, hot chocolate, wine or even champagne. Close the door and forget about everything else for an hour or so. This helps to increase levels of calmness and the calmer we feel, the less likely we are to get stressed out or depressed.2. Comedy night: get in your favourite nibbles: chips, tortillas, salsa, crackers, cheese, pizza, chocolate, cookies, ice cream etc. Crack open a bottle of wine or pour yourself a beer or two and spend a full evening watching your favourite funny films or comedians. Laughter raises our spirits and is a great antidote to the stresses and trials of modern living.3. Get out of the firing line: Take off for some peace and quiet for a day or better still a weekend or a week. Take a journal, relax and gather your thoughts. When we’re under pressure or struggling to cope with a major situation or event in life, seeing solutions to our problems can be really difficult. Distance from problems can bring clarity and relieve tension. I love going to the coast when I feel like this and it always, without fail, helps me to calm down and find solutions. I don’t know why but there’s something really soothing about being near the ocean. Being near water, come to think of it.4. Increase calmness and feel great by indulging in massage. Share a massage with your partner – create a relaxing atmosphere by softening the lights and have oils and towels to hand. Lavender oil is particularly relaxing. Or, treat yourself to a massage from a professional masseur or masseuse. For a really invigorating massage, visit a Turkish baths if you’re fortunate enough to have one nearby. Massage is very relaxing and increases intimacy between lovers. It’s one huge stress buster as well but be warned, it’s addictive! Not a bad thing to be addicted to though, and it will do you no end of good.5. Spend a week without watching any television. Television can fill your mind with negativity, bombard you with image manipulation via commercials and give you a distorted view of reality by showing you everything that’s bad about the world. Famines, disasters, murders, violence, war – the list is endless – and news programmes and soap operas are full of such events. So give your mind a break from this assault on your senses. Abandon the television for a week and do something more rewarding instead: Read a book, listen to music, socialize, workout, go for a walk or try your hand at something new. If you need to hear the news, listen to a radio news bulletin once a day. But try and avoid them for one week, replace them with something more life enhancing and see how you feel.The above ideas are very simple to implement but they are also very effective in helping to relieve stress and tension. Give them a try and watch your mood levels rise!Until next time.

Discover the Hidden Power of Self Motivation

2008-08-30T01:22:00.002-07:00

by: Emily Clark
Many studies have been done to research the effects of motivation and mental health. As the implications of helping those with negative self-esteem, depression and anxiety are immense this is certainly an area of research that deserves a great deal of attention. Psychology Online reports on a study investigating the differences between INTERNAL and EXTERNAL MOTIVATION. The report states that "Although our society is largely extrinsically-motivated by external rewards such as money, fame and power, research has indicated those who are intrinsically-motivated by inner desires for creativity, fulfillment and inner satisfaction are psychologically healthier and happier." How can this help you? The study of health psychology seeks to understand how our ability to cope with stress can help us to prevent illness and promote health. Some of these coping mechanisms are naturally inborn but may be taught to those who lack them. Motivation is one of the tools that researchers are trying to use as a combatant of negative stress reactions. Motivation is something that we use every day. It's what enables us to survive - to get food because we're hungry, to go to work to pay the bills or to educate ourselves in order to pursue a higher goal in life. How we respond to life's demands can affect our overall health. How are you classified? The same report on Psychology Online identified those who respond to life with negativity or anxiety as most likely to deal with the physical affects of anger, guilt, nervousness, frustration and fear. These emotions can cause hypertension and high blood pressure which can lead to heart attack or stroke. Other complications include ulcers, arthritis, asthma and kidney disease. Some therapists suggest that by using positive self-talk and trying to restructure the WAY we look at events can offset the physical and mental effects of dealing with negative or stressful events in life. Interestingly, people who tend to focus on themselves as the controller of their fate - in fact 'self-motivated' - are more likely to feel a sense of control when stressors affect them. Instead of blaming something or someone else they have the motivation to deal with a problem and look for a reasonable solution. This positive behavior helps them to achieve goals and find personal contentment. Therapists try to teach patients how to emulate this positive reaction to stress and use their motivation as a source of empowerment. Learning to manage stress and using motivation to set goals, work through a problem or fix it can in turn promote better mental and physical health. The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any health care program.

10 Ways to Reduce Commuting Stress

2008-08-30T01:22:00.001-07:00

by: Rachelle Arlin Credo
Do you get out of your car with a queasy stomach, a headache and your blood pressure registering through the roof? If you do, that energy vulture called stress may have sent your pulse skyrocketing. In a study conducted at the University of California at Irvine, researchers found that the stress of commuting takes a major toll on health. According to the study, it has direct physiological effects of raising blood pressure and releasing stress hormones into the body. Not only that, long commutes (more than 18 miles one way) may also increase the likelihood of having a heart attack due to exposure to high levels of air pollutants, which appears to be a risk factor for heart disease.Although there is no antidote to stressful commuting, there are lots of ways to shoo off the energy vulture. Here's how to thrive while you drive.1. Prepare in advanceOne of the best ways to lessen the strain of road rage is to prepare everything the night before. Clothes, documents, attache cases, and even packed lunches should be set the day before to avoid the morning rush. With everything champing at the bit, you'd save plenty of time to do your morning routines, devour a good breakfast and enjoy special moments with the family. Best of all, you can dash out the highway free of traffic congestion.2. Sleep well and wake up earlyA good night's sleep rejuvenates the body. Make it a habit to have enough sleep and to rise early. If you are already stressed out the day before, an incomplete repose takes over cumulative stress effects into your life at work and at home. Your frustration levels at work eventually rises, your brainpower falters, and your mood at home sours. You have no energy left for enjoying life.3. Juggle your work hoursWhy pack the freeways with all the other "9-to-5"ers when you can try a ten-to-six or an eight-to-four shift? Depending on your company's work policy, try to check out other shifts that fit your lifestyle. Choose one that would help you get rid of energy-depleting stress and allow you to lighten your highway woes. 4. Share your rideIt may be a hassle to coordinate your arrival and departure with another person or two, but carpooling is worth it. Studies show that ridesharing lowers commuter stress significantly. With carpooling, there is less air and noise pollution, less traffic congestion, and you can relax more while someone else does the driving. 5. "Cocoon" in your carInstead of getting worked up when traffic is at a standstill, utilize your time wisely. Listen to the radio or pop in some music tapes to take your mind off the stop-and-go driving and traffic tie-ups. If you like to read but just can't have time to flip pages of a book, check out books on cassette. Many libraries have full-length books on tape as well as abridged versions. You can even learn a new language or do some car exercises like shoulder rolls, neck extensions and tummy tucks to help you stay awake and relax. 6. Pillow your back and squirmWhen you're standing, the lumbar area of your spine (the lower portion) normally curves inward, toward your abdomen. However, when you're sitting, it tends to slump outward squeezing your spinal disks and putting stress on them. According to back expert Malcolm Pope, Ph.D.,director of the Iowa Spine Research Center at the University of Iowa, it helps to support your back by tucking a rolled towel or a pillow in that lumbar section. In cases of longer drives, since sitting in one position for longer than 15 minutes gradually stiffens you even with a back pillow, make necessary adjustments for a comfy ride. For instance, you can try putting most of your weight on one buttock and then the other. Then, shift the position of your seat or your buttocks slightly. You may even try sliding down in your seat and sit up again for fun. 7. Work out after workSince the evening rush is worse than the morning rush because of the compounded fatigue from the workday, it is best to wait out the traffic. Work out at a gym near your office or take meditation classes to relieve your stress. If you plan to go to dinner, see a movie or go shopping, try to do these things near work, delaying your departure enough to miss the maddening rush. 8. Give yourself a breakIt may be a good idea to give yourself some day off from work. Many companies today offer compressed working hours or longer working days to give way to work-free days for you to unwind. 9. Move your officeIf your job is a long drive ahead everyday, inquire at work if the company would allow you to work at home some days of the week or if you can work near your place. An alternative work schedule would make you feel less tense and in control thereby reducing stress. 10. Occasionaly change your routineAn occasional change of commuting habits may be advisable too. Try walking or bicycling sometimes for a change. There's nothing like a good walk to ease tension especially when it means you don't have to get in your car and fight rush hour traffic.By lessening the stress of getting to work, you are conserving enormous amounts of energy that may be lost over stressful commuting. It doesn't only leave you a lot more energy to do your job and become more productive but it also makes you feel good and gives you a good reason to always start your day right.

Quiet Time

2008-08-30T01:21:00.001-07:00

by: Mike Stanton-Rich
Do you remember what it was like when the three year old was screaming bloody murder, the TV was blaring Barney songs at levels that could break glass, and you were hanging by your last thread of sanity? (Parents of teenagers say the same thing happens in their household now, except it is another cartoon character called “50 Cent”)When the levels of stress got so bad, we would declare that it was quiet time. For fifteen or twenty minutes, Barney was switched off, we moved to our inside voices, and we played quietly with books and toys. There was a brief respite from the noise and confusion, and for a moment everything was good, peaceful. It made a difference in our day. We even looked forward to the next quiet time.Consider incorporating quiet time into your stressful day at the office. Life there doesn’t have to be chaotic and bustling with activity. You can take control of your day by declaring quiet time at work. Here are some suggestions that are actually practiced by people who know stress all too well:Turn off all electronic goods for 15-20 minutes- You will not miss your emails, people will call back, and you will feel better having the break from electronic pressures.Get out of the office for 15-20 minutes; take a brisk walk without a cell phone or iPod- A little exercise is always good for you. The mental benefits will far outweigh the physical.Sit comfortably, close your eyes and breathe deeply for 15 minutes- Deep breathing helps relieve all kinds of stress, reduces blood pressure, and is great for relaxation. A relaxed body can calm a racing mind.Carry a book that has nothing to do with job or career with you to work. Take quiet time and enjoy some fiction (or cartoons)- Japanese businessmen are notorious for carrying around manga (cartoon books). One of the reasons that the Japanese work day is so long is that they spend time managing the stress of the day.Take your lunch to a park or a quiet place away from colleagues and co-workers--enjoy the quiet- Eat lunch with your colleagues, and work never ends. If you are in need of a break, spend lunchtime alone. You will be more ready to tackle the afternoon, your head will be clearer, and you might just eat healthier.Remember how great it was when the three year old collapsed for a nap after instituting quiet time? Here is a last suggestion for quiet time at the office:Set an alarm (you may be surprised that you can fall off to sleep easier than you expected).

How To Stress Less and Smile More

2008-08-30T01:20:00.004-07:00

by: Lisa Branigan
Stress has become an epidemic in our modern society with more than two-thirds of visits to doctors’ surgeries being for stress-related illnesses. While a certain amount of stress is needed to motivate individuals into action, prolonged stress can have a huge impact on overall health. Stress has been linked to headaches, backaches, insomnia, anger, cramps, elevated blood pressure, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and lowered resistance to infection. For women, stress is a key factor in hormonal imbalances resulting in menstrual irregularities, PMS, fibroids, endometriosis and fertility problems. Stress can also be a factor in the development of almost all disease states including cancer and heart disease; the leading cause of death in Australian women.More often than not stress is a result of letting our life get out of balance. This happens by putting all our energy into only one or two areas of our life (usually work) and ignoring the rest. We overload our plate of life that high, things begin to drop off and these are usually the things that are important to us like time for our own interests and time we spend with our family. We take on too much, over promise, don’t delegate and push our own wants and needs into the background.So what can you do? How can you restore your balance so as to stress less and smile more? Step One: Practice extreme self-careMost people suffering stress have become quite good at practising extreme self-neglect! They don’t eat well, rarely exercise or take timeout and probably can’t remember the last time they had a holiday. The first thing that needs to be done is to become ‘extreme’ about your self-care. I’m not talking about jumping of cliffs or skydiving (unless this is what you consider timeout) but I am talking about the principle of extreme, that of taking your self-care to new heights, above and beyond ‘your’ normal limit. When we truly care for our own needs first, we build a reserve of energy and resources that enables us to sustain extreme self-care in our own life with enough left over to care for others.A great place to start is by creating ten delightful daily habits. These habits include all the things that bring us enjoyment and delight. What are some daily habits that we could perform? Here are some suggestions.• Stretch for 2 minutes.• Laugh for 5 minutes• Floss your teeth• Read to your children• Hug a loved one• Go for a 10 minute walk in the park• Listen to your favourite song• Write in a journal• Eat 3 fruit and 5 veg• Read a chapter of your favourite book• Drink 2 litres of water• Going to bed earlyThe key to benefiting from your daily habits and practising extreme self-care is to do just that, make them “daily” habits. Start with one of your habits and commit to practicing it for seven days then add another habit and practice them both for another seven days. Continue this way until you are practicing all ten items on your list daily.Step Two: Eliminate your tolerations. Tolerations are things you are putting up with that drain you physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually. They include things like crossed boundaries, unfinished business or projects, others bad behaviour, frustrations, unwanted commitments as well as things like clutter, mess, broken items, being over weight, weeds in the garden, debt and so on. Start by making a list of 5 things that are driving you nuts about your job, life, health, home etc and then devise a plan to get rid of the first thing on your list this week. Notice how this makes you feel, how it lifts a weight off your shoulders. Now think about how much better you will feel when you get rid of the other 4 things on your list!! When you’ve completed your list, start a new one and keep working until you have zero tolerations in your life.Step Three: Get your needs met!We all have personal needs that when met make us feel satisfied and complete. Unmet needs cause us to become upset, angry, stressed and depressed. The key to satisfying our personal needs is to identify them. Identify needs that feel true, not ones that look good or are superficial. You need to be careful that what you consider to be a need (e.g. to be loved) is not covering a true need (self-esteem). Ideas of personal needs are:• Calmness• Freedom• Be listened to• Independence• Feel valued• Stability• Respect• A life purpose• Satisfying work• Honesty• Loyalty• Be busy• Security• Be loved• Balance• Responsibility• A career• Children You may need to tell others what your needs are and learn to ask for support.Step Four: Smile often and laugh more!Scientists have found that laughter stimulates the release of beneficial brain neurotransmitters and hormones, which can reduce stress, improve our immune system and give us a general sense of wellbeing. Some doctors are using laughter therapy to replace anti-depressants and to reduce the use of painkillers. According to researchers faking laughter will also produce the same health and wellbeing results as real laughter. Do you need to improve your ability to laugh more?Well here are some tips from Family Scientist, Herbert G. Lingren to help all of you, who are humour impaired, to add laughter and humour to your everyday life.1. Hang around funny friends, or better yet, marry a funny partner. 2. Start looking for the absurd, silly, incongruous activities that go on around you each day. 3. Take a 5-10 minute humour break each day. Read jokes, add to a humour notebook, and listen to a funny tape. 4. Rent a comedy video, go to a funny movie, and watch humorous programs on television. 5. If you hear a joke you really like, write it down, or tell it to someone else to help you remember it.Step Five: Set GoalsWithout goals we have no direction in life. We are lost! When we are lost we get stressed and overwhelmed. Goals are a tool we can use to have what we want and need in our personal and professional life. When you set a goal, it tells your subconscious mind what is important to you and to be on the lookout for things, people, opportunities or situations that will enable you to move towards your goal. Goals help us navigate our life with greater ease and reaching goals can make our life more fulfilling and happier. One way to find out what your real goals are is to write a list of 100 things you’d like to accomplish before you die and then start working on your list today!Step Six: Create a supportive environmentOur surroundings can be supportive and give us energy or drag us down and leave us stressed and tired. Surrounding ourself with inspiring, fun, positive things and people can energize us and add joy to our life. We need good support structures to effortlessly flow through life and remain balanced. We can break our life support structures into five basic categories: 1. People-family, friends, life coach, accountant, doctor, housekeeper etc.2. Places-your office, desk, car, home3. Things-your phone, computer, home decor4. Processes-filing system, record keeping, time management program, 5. Inner Environment- your outlook on life, self-esteem level, thought processesExamine the above five categories and look at who or what you use to support you in each area. Are you truly being supported? What do you need to change to feel more supported in all areas of your life? Start making the easiest changes first.Just as it can take to time end up stressed, overwhelmed and out of balance, it also takes time to make positive changes in your life. Sometimes trying to implement change (even for the better) can itself cause stress and prevent a person remaining motivated. Work on one step at a time until you master that step in your life and then move on to the next area you need to change. If you can’t do it on your own get support from a counsellor, doctor, naturopath, friend, peer or life coach who specializes in stress issues.Above all remember the benefits you will feel when you’ve mastered the steps to stress less and smile more!

10 Unusual Ways to Reduce Stress

2008-08-30T01:20:00.003-07:00

by: Dr. Nancy Olthoff
You may think some of the ideas below are pretty far out and perhaps downright Weird... But that's okay. These are ways Real people have used to cope with Stress.Here's the thing...just read through these and choose one or two and see how they work for you. You know what they say. Different strokes for different folks. So just pick a couple to start with, and see how they help you. They're not in any particular order. Simply read through the list. See what "jumps out" at you. Don't try to do too many at once. (You may stress yourself out even more.)1. Hide a Toy in Your Pocket What? How will that help you say?It will remind you each time you stick your hand in your pocket, not to take life too seriously.Remember how you felt when you were a child and life was carefree? Grab on to that feeling each time your fingers touch that toy. 2. Schedule Your WorryIf you have stress that comes from worrying, do this: When you start to worry, tell yourself you're not going to worry about it now, that you've set a time to worry. Say, each day between 7 and 7:30 pm, you've scheduled as Worry Time.When it's 7, then sit down. Better yet ---- Pace the floor! Then WORRY!Really get into it! Worry BIG! Catastrophize! Awfulize! (I don't think that's a word, but you get the picture.)Worry like you've never worried before! You'll feel really odd doing this, but go at it.I know it sounds crazy, but trust me. I've recommended people do this and it helped them. No kidding! 3. Do Something Silly :0)Eat Twinkies for breakfast or something.I know, Twinkies are junk food, but break your routine once in a while. It's good for you.4. Curl Your ToesHuh? Yes, tighten your toes for 15" as tightly as you can, then relax. Do this with all muscle groups up through your body. All the way up. Finish with wrinkling up your face. It works.5. Grab Your Pillow and Beat the Heck out of the Bed (If you've got a feather pillow, be sure to check for holes first!) Beating on the bed is good for releasing stress that comes from anger. I knew a lady who actually put a punching bag in her basement just for getting out her anger!She swore by it.6. Don't Answer the Phone/Door/Cell Phone/ Pager...(Say, Does anybody out there still have a pager?)Sometimes you don't feel like talking to anyone, right?Give yourself a break and don't. 7. Nuts -- Eat Nuts!Good for "anger stress" to crunch on something.Go ahead. Take out all your aggression on the Nuts. They won't mind!You could eat crunchy raw veggies, but the nuts are better.8. Get good at Procrastinating Egad! Heresy? Sometimes it's the very best thing you can do for yourself.Ask yourself, "Will something Awful happen if I put this off til later, to cut myself some slack?" If you answer No, then put it off, as long as possible.9. Act Like a 2 Year OldThey're Real Good at saying No, aren't they?You gotta take care of yourself.If you don't, who will?Say No more often to the demands others want to heap on you. 10. Act Like an 84 Year Old Now wait a minute!You just told me to act like a 2 year old.Now you're saying act like an 84 year old?What's up with that?Well, here's it is.When you're in stressful situation, ask yourself..."How would my 84 year old future self handle this or say about this?"See what wisdom surfaces from within you. So there you have it, the 10 unusual stress tips.I sincerely hope these ideas will be helpful to you. To Your Health,Dr. Nancy Olthoff

A Simple Tip For When You're Stressed

2008-08-30T01:20:00.001-07:00

by: Jane Thurnell-Read
This is a fantastic tip from Touch For Health to help you when you're stressed, angry, anxious or upset. Try holding your frontal eminences. These are bumps on your forehead that many people hold instinctively when they're upset.For those of you who don't do this naturally, let me help you locate them. Feel up from the middle of your eyebrows going towards your hairline. Your forehead comes outwards before it curves back in towards the hairline. Hold your forehead at the points where it is furthest out - about 3cms (1.25 inches) above the middle of each eyebrow.While you hold these points think about the stressful event. It can be something that has already happened, something that is about to happen, or something you fear may never happen! Gradually you should find that the stress lessens.You can use it for small things, but you can also use it for more traumatic events too. If the thoughts/images are too overwhelming initially, imagine you are watching it on a TV - you can always switch it off if becomes too stressful - you're the one in charge. You can watch it in black and white if that feels easier too. Use it to defuse anything that you feel anxious, stressed, angry or fearful about.You may want to do it several times covering different aspects of the problem. You can do them one after the other, or at different times, whichever feels best for you.As you hold the points and think about/imagine the event, you will probably start to feel calmer - you may even find that you start to feel a little bored thinking about this scenario that previously stressed or angered you so much.Why does it work?These particular points on the forehead, known as frontal eminences, are reflex points with connections to the central meridian (involved with the brain), the stomach meridian (and your stomach often churns when you're anxious or angry), and the bladder meridian (trips to the loo/bathroom are often necessary when we're apprehensive).I recently explained this self-help technique to a business colleague - a keen mountain biker who'd had a serious bike accident at 30 miles an hour and had broken his skull and collar bone. His bones had mended, but he was now sometimes fearful of the sport he loved.This is what he wrote to me later:"I don't know how to thank you enough for the technique you described to me over the phone the other day, it helped me enormously!"The following week he sent me this message:"Your tip worked once again last night - went out (in the pitch black with my Light&Motion 'daylighter' light) and did some serious single-tracking and downhilling!!! I never thought I'd be doing that again - ever! Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was brilliant!!!!!!!"It may be hard to believe that something this simple could be effective in removing anxiety and stress, but try it and see.

A Guide to Female Hair Loss

2008-08-30T01:19:00.004-07:00

by: Josh Riverside
Hair loss usually occurs because of hormonal factors. As a consequence, biological events like puberty, pregnancy and menopause that effect female hormone levels can also cause female hair loss. In the case of pregnancy, hair loss is simply a consequence of the stress the body undergoes during labor and should stop approximately 6 months after birth. Discontinuation of taking birth control pills can also cause temporary female hair loss.The most common type of female hair loss is androgenetic alopecia or female-pattern baldness. This type of hair loss is associated with hair thinning predominantly over the sides and top of the head. Female hair loss affects about one-third of all susceptible women and usually onsets after menopause although it can begin earlier. Other causes of female hair loss include dieting. Rapid weight loss over a short period of time promotes hair loss and some supplements such as excessive vitamin A also contribute to hair loss. Physical and emotional stress can cause hair loss but this usually only occurs when the trauma is excessive and of a long duration. Everyday stress does not promote hair loss. Some common myths related to female hair loss are that frequent washing and shampooing, and wearing of wigs and hats all cause hair loss. In addition, rumors abound that permanents, coloring, and other cosmetic treatments can cause permanent hair loss. Other myths are that brushing your hair everyday will create healthier hair, that shaving your head will cause hair to grow back thicker, and that stress causes permanent hair loss. Finally, other myths are that there is a cure for female-pattern baldness and that dandruff causes permanent hair loss.These are just a few common myths associated with female hair loss. If you experience excessive hair loss, you should see a licensed dermatologist for a thorough diagnosis and treatment options.

The Social Web of Stress - Simple Solutions

2008-08-30T01:19:00.003-07:00

by: Bill Douglas
Copyright 2005 Bill DouglasCould simple stress reducing solutions be the answers to our myriad modern problems?Urban sprawl and suburban flight are causing massive traffic jams on freeways nationwide, as individuals are working longer and longer hours. The invisible effect is a nation buckling under accumulating stress that affects parents, children, and society in budget busting and heart wrenching ways.70% of all illness is due to unmanaged stress according to the National Institute of Mental Health (US). Longer work hours and thickening traffic are part of the problem, but it goes deeper. Family stresses are piled onto this work/traffic stress. Children are often left on their own between 3 PM and 7 PM, after they get out of school and while their parents are working or fighting traffic. Tragically, and not coincidentally, this is when most crime is committed.Our national crime costs are near $500 billion per year, while our health care costs are $1 trillion per year. Our system's buckling from trying to repair damage that is already done to our bodies, our children, and our society, through backend spending on health problems and prison/court/enforcement costs. How can we deal with the front end, before these problems occur?What if we went to the root of these stress related problems. Many children turn to the drugs and alcohol, which is behind most youth crime, for "stress management." Their lives are increasingly stressful in a rapidly changing world, and their parents are unavailable, battling their own stress issues and the lives that cause them. So, how could we affect the root problem, or stress? Government can play a powerful role in affecting this deteriorating situation, by affecting the direction of our economic development.Tens of millions of Americans could begin working several days a week at home, telecommuting via the Internet. The technology is there, yet companies and employees do not utilize it. Government could provide tax incentives to companies to establish telecommuting days for employees. Dollars would be saved immediately on traffic costs, road wear, and emergency care as millions are taken off the hi ways daily. Air would immediately become cleaner, reducing the alarming increase in asthma problems nationwide. But, the most important benefit would be a national sigh of relief as parents and children can relax more around the demands of job and family. A parent who works 8 hours from home, rather than fighting an hour or two of freeway traffic, working 8 hours, and then fighting the same traffic to get home too late to truly relax, brings an entirely different parent home to the children. This may help a parent be one who has time to "be there" to help with the challenges of life our children face.This would not only affect telecommuting parents, but others who must drive or bus to work will find the roadways much clearer and less polluted, leaving them healthier and less stressed when they get home much earlier than before. However, the other issue affecting all is the one of hours worked. Too many Americans are skipping breaks, and working way past the 8 hour work day that our ancestors sometimes fought and died for. Breaks and 8 hour work days were not fought for because our forefathers and mothers had nothing better to do. They were established because this limitation of work to find balance in life is "essential" to our quality of life. Again, when most crime is committed between the time school lets out and the time parents get home and we are building and filling prisons faster than ever before in our history, it is time to "take a deep breath." It is time to reevaluate how we are living.We must decide whether human beings should be squeezed into a matrix that does not nurture us or our children, or whether we use the emerging technology to redefine our lives to flow around us like a soothing healing balm. We are entering an age of technological miracles that can provide an extraordinary quality of life -- if we choose to use these tools for that. However, right now the opposite is occurring, as stress overwhelms us and 70% of illness and the six leading causes of death are the result of stress. With the dawn of the information/computer age the average worker is many times more productive than their counterparts decades ago, yet we are working longer hours for little more money. How do we change this? First of all by lifting our heads up to see beyond "what is" -- to see what "could be."There is an extraordinary book called Flatland. The main character is a one-dimensional worm who crawls through a groove seeing only the butt of the one-dimensional worm in front of him. This is his world. But, then one day he suddenly on impulse turns to the side, and finds a whole new two dimensional world expanding outward, left, right, front and back. This blows his mind and he goes wild and discovers that he can "lift up" off the two dimensional plane his expanded world had become into a "three-dimensional" reality. He can look DOWN, and look UP, and see LEFT, and RIGHT, and a whole new world expands all around him. But, when he goes back to his one-dimensional world, his peers think he's gone crazy dreaming up these ridiculous possibilities of an "expanded world."Our society is at a point with the level of technological development to lift up from "the way we are doing things." We can literally redefine our society to fit human needs. A compassionate economy can unfold within, throughout and all about us, until we see crime and health care costs whither, and surpluses growing, effortlessly and simply by learning to live in ways that "feel good."

Discover Yoga's Healing Power

2008-08-30T01:19:00.001-07:00

by: Gavin Dye
There are several medical conditions that can be improved by practicing yoga. It can be used to lessen the negative effects of infertility, lung disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, insomnia, cancer, high blood pressure, and joint pain. The beneficial effects of yoga practices are well recognized not only by the yoga community but also by medical doctors.One of the main elements that lead to an illness is stress. Being responsible for a huge number of sicknesses, this item, which we develop in our minds, can be reduced through a good usage of yoga techniques. Here are just some of the problems that are related to an over active stress response: depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, some types of diabetes mellitus, cardio-vascular disease, several autoimmune diseases, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, reproductive problems, and an aggravated suppression of the immune system.The response of the sympathetic nervous system can trigger stress in our metabolism. The reaction to various outside stimuli is also known as the “fight or flight” response – the mind and body, faced with an endangering or disturbing element, prepare for one of the two options. Physically, this is manifested through an instantaneous heart rate increase, together with a high ascent of blood pressure. Breathing gets shallow and the muscles tense in anticipation to the following action. Internally, this response reduces the blood flow to internal organs and processes that are not essential in that particular moment (such as digestion and elimination) are shut down. This state of increased awareness and readiness is beneficial on a short term, preparing our body to react to the outside interventions and stimuli. Both in a “fight” and in a “flight” situation, the body is physically and mentally prepared to act. The problem arises when long-term exposure to similar stress takes place. This “fight or flight” response is only meant to help on short periods of time – the longer it is activated the less resources will the body have to function normally. There is a natural countermeasure for the “fight or flight” response. It is called the parasympathetic nervous system or the “relaxation response.” It is automatically activated when the elements that caused the stress are gone but it is also possible to increase its effects by breathing deeply and relaxing your muscles. By increasing the length of this process we allow our body to recover faster, enabling it to eliminate the harmful effects of stress in a prompt and efficient manner.Yoga highlights the idea that by using breathing and relaxation techniques you can reduce the harmful effects of stress factors on your body. A lessened “fight or flight” response can also be achieved by looking at adverse factors as challenges rather than threats. This approach allows your mind to focus on finding a solution, rather than creating an abrupt response. Another concept employed by this technique is that of acting versus reacting, of taking initiative versus responding to outside factors.The positive effects of yoga during a healing process are undeniable. However, these techniques should only be used as a form of support and the healing shouldn’t rely solely on them. The best results are achieved by combining yoga with traditional and modern medicine and by addressing a problem both from a mental and physical point of view.

Stress, Anxiety and Depression - What is the difference?

2008-08-30T01:18:00.004-07:00

by: Anne Wolski
Copyright 2005 Anne WolskiLooking after your feelings and emotions is as important as taking care of your body. Most of us take care of our physical health far better than our feelings.Stress is a normal reaction to what is happening in your life, and it can be caused by good, as well as bad events. A little bit of stress isn't always a bad thing; but being over-stressed may cause a range of health problems including headaches, upset stomach, high blood pressure - even strokes and heart disease.The changes that commonly follow a traumatic event can affect your emotional wellbeing and your ability to cope. If stress is disrupting your life in a bad way, it may be time to learn new coping skills or to get extra help.Anxiety is a normal feeling that everyone experiences in day-to-day life. I can develop more strongly when faced with something uncertain, difficult, embarrassing or stressful. Anxiety feelings can range from being mild or moderate to severe, and can bring on extreme physical symptoms.If your feelings of anxiety are causing disruption in your daily life, you may have a more severe form of anxiety called an anxiety disorder. If this is the case, you need to seek professional help.Depression is a common illness like diabetes or arthritis. Many people suffer from depression at some stage of their life and it can occur at any age.A lot of people use the word ‘depression’ to describe feelings of sadness and loss. These feelings often pass within a few hours or a few days. During this time, people are able to carry on much as usual. However, if you feel sad much more intensely and for longer and your feelings start to interfere with your work, social life and family life, you may need to seek professional advice.There are a number of symptoms of depression and it’s very rare for all symptoms to occur in one person all at once. You might feel it come on slowly, from sometimes feeling blue to deeper feelings more often. It is hard to accept that symptoms like sleeping badly or feeling worthless are depression. After all, don’t we all feel that way sometimes? That’s the key – sometimes. It’s not normal to feel that way for a long time.There are a variety of treatments for stress, anxiety and depression available to assist you in getting through the physical and emotional issues.To live your life as you want, and be able to give to your family, friends and work – it’s important to look after yourself. Don’t be frightened to ask for help if you need it. We all need someone to talk to at some stage of our life.

4 Steps for You to Help Yourself During Chemotherapy

2008-08-30T01:18:00.003-07:00

by: Dave Saunders
Chemotherapy is a word that causes dread in most who hear it. It is a time of stress as well as risk. If you, or someone you know, are facing chemotherapy, these four simple steps may help get through the process with better spirits and better results as well.1. Tell your doctor if you get side effects from treatmentYou can't expect the possibility of relief from side effects if you do not share them with your doctor. Be sure to communicate with your doctor. Some people keep a health journal during and after treatment to improve the information you have to present to your doctor if problems arise more gradually. Discuss what you might keep in a health journal that might improve the effectiveness of your treatment.2. Ask your doctor before you take any other medicineAll drugs operate by manipulating some normal cell function. This includes the chemotherapy drugs as well. These manipulations may conflict with the intended effects of your chemotherapy treatment. Even herbals, or an over the counter pain reliever can lead to unintended consequences. Always inform your doctor before taking any other medications.3. Take care of your healthThere are many things you can do to support the natural ability of your body to restore, protect and defend itself from the effects of injury and disease. Seek to improve your diet, find ways to reduce other sources of stress in your life and be thankful for the hope and opportunity you have because of your treatment. These things can have a remarkable affect on your body and your feeling of good health.4. Talk about your feelingsThese are stressful times. Don't keep your feelings bottled up. People you know and love are probably feeling stress too. Help each other by being open about what you are going through. By being open with others, you can feel more in control of the stress and trepidation you're feeling, instead of those things being in control of you.Self-help can never take the place of professional health care. Ask your doctor and nurse any questions you may have about chemotherapy. Also don't hesitate to tell them about any side effects you may have. They want and need to know.

Food for Thought

2008-08-30T01:18:00.001-07:00

by: Debra S. Gorin, M.D.
Depression is a disorder marked by sadness, low energy, impaired concentration, and feelings of dejection. Some people believe that depression is normal. Hectic daily activities and the conflict between family and career cause constant stress. Yet depression and anxiety as a response to stress are not normal. They can be signs of illness, which may worsen and result in physical symptoms or an inability to function. Life was much simpler for the last two generations. Father worked; mother stayed home. This is no longer the model. Some now view families as an “endangered species.” There are more single mothers working than ever before. There is greater stress and competition for well-paying jobs. The result: long hours at work, away from the family. Children are raised with limited supervision. Thus we see more children with emotional problems derived from a lack of knowledge as to who they are and what their role is in today’s society. Similarly, adults suffer from the loss of nurturing that family time should provide. Until recently, mental health was not discussed openly. However, there is a growing awareness that choosing therapy can be helpful, even necessary, to cope with today’s life. Psychiatric help is often sought for the entire family. Today, being healthy means not only having a sound body, but also a sound mind and spirit. People exercise their bodies daily, yet they neglect to “exercise” their feelings and emotions. Young men are taught to hide and deny emotions. Women are reluctant to seek help in coping with their depression, anxiety, or distressed relationship. The same fitness fanatic who exercises daily, eats right and has two physicals a year will neglect the mind until a crisis is reached. Emotional problems don’t just happen, but are cumulative and they can be avoided at times with the same “daily fitness” and “annual physical” approach we use when caring for our bodies. The Chinese say “the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Just like it’s better to maintain a healthy heart than recover from a heart attack, dealing with emotional issues is easier before the chaos of a crisis breaks. Think about “exercising your emotions" and give your mental health professional a call.

Myth Busting: What Causes Mental Breakdown?

2008-08-30T01:17:00.002-07:00

by: Chris Green
Are you one of over 40 million people suffering a personal nightmare caused by stress, depression and anxiety? These illnesses are the modern plague and they ruin lives. And year in, year out, more and more people are affected. And most of them will never understand exactly why they’ve become ill. I came out of a nightmare 5-year period of anxiety and depression and I did it without taking any drugs. What frustrated me is that despite advances in understanding as to why people become stressed, depressed and anxious, sufferers are still told numerous myths about what causes their illness. This raises an important issue: How can people rid themselves of the pain of these illnesses if they don’t know what is at the root cause? Surely, if progress is to be made, understanding must come first? Well in this article, I’m going to bust the myths and reveal what, EXACTLY, is at the root of these illnesses! The first myth I want to bust is that a period of serious illness can cause you to become depressed. This could be anything from a nasty virus which confines you to bed for a month or something far more serious such as loss of a limb, cancers, injury, heart attack to name but a few. None of these illnesses can cause depression, anxiety or stress. It’s very easily proven. Because millions of people suffer from serious illnesses each and every year but only around 20% of them will develop mental illness. If illnesses cause mental breakdown, EVERYONE who becomes seriously ill will enter into an episode of depression, anxiety or stress. They don’t. Why?Similarly, we can assign the same explanation to traumatic experience. This could be death of a loved one, loss of a job, divorce or moving house for example. Again, every single one of us will experience traumatic times such as these in our lifetime. Yet not everybody enters into a mental illness, even amongst people who have suffered extreme trauma. So we can discount traumatic experience as being at the root cause. Next on my bust-list is genetics. This is another frequently given reason as to why people suffer from stress, depression or anxiety. But it’s completely untrue. There is no proven link between genetics and these illnesses. In fact, rather than genetics, learned behavior from family members who suffer themselves is the only real link to a family-inherited disposition to stressful illness. I’ve saved the most widely accepted myth until last and I’ll bet my bottom dollar this is the myth you are not just familiar with but believe to be at the cause of your illness. This is the reason given by the medical community and which has spawned a $12 billion drugs industry to combat it. The myth I’m referring to is of course depletion in neurotransmitters – the so-called “chemical imbalance”.Neurotransmitters are “happy chemicals” which help to regulate our moods. So, if levels are low, we feel low. To boost these levels, powerful antidepressant drugs are prescribed to sufferers. Sure, they boost levels. But let’s ask a question:Are low levels of neurotransmitters a cause or a symptom?Well, every single human being on this earth right now will experience many occasions in their lives when things go wrong, when bad things happen, when times are trying – in short, times when they won’t be their usual happy selves.Now, during these times, their levels of “happy chemicals” will drop, and life will seem a bit of an effort. So, does this mean that everybody on the planet will descend into an episode of stress, depression or anxiety? Of course not!And do we just wake up one day and feel depressed because the levels of neurotransmitters has “dipped below the critical level?”. No. Because that would mean we’d wake up one day and feel great because the level has risen above the critical point. You know this just doesn’t happen, even after taking antidepressants.What’s interesting to note is that when we are in an episode of mental turmoil, we also experience physical pain, we cannot sleep or we sleep too much and the feeling of overwhelming exhaustion is also present. But if a chemical imbalance in our brain is at the root, how come you experience physical pain in your legs, arms, and more commonly, your back? You can see that this is too simple an explanation. This is borne out by the fact that 70% of people who take antidepressants will descend into second and even third episodes of mental breakdown if they stop taking the drugs. This is because antidepressants treat ONE of the SYMPTOMS of mental illness – depleted levels of neurotransmitters.It’s nearly time for me to say adios, but before I do, I will reveal what, EXACTLY, is at the root cause of mental breakdown. It is all down to flawed modes of thinking. Because the only difference between people who experience an episode of mental illness and those who don’t is all down to flawed perceptions, assessments, explanations and habits performed by sufferersThe following example will describe this more clearly:Two people suffer the death of a parent. One is absolutely distraught and finds it very difficult to cope and descends into a depressive episode. The other, although sad at the loss, is coping and doesn’t descend into depression. The only difference lies IN THE WAY THEY MAKE SENSE OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THEM. The actual event has no meaning by itself. The meanings only lie within the minds of the individuals affected. To beat mental illnesses such as anxiety, stress and depression, what’s needed is to learn the powerful and effective mental skills – modes of thinking – used by people who don’t become stressed, depressed or anxious no matter what happens to them and which stop these illnesses dead in their tracks. Once you learn them, you will rid yourself of the pain once and for all.Something a bottle of prozac will never achieve.

Plan To Succeed!

2008-08-30T01:17:00.001-07:00

by: Lisa Branigan
To get what we want in life we need to have a plan. Goals are an important part of making plans and being successful. If we want to lose weight, we need to set goals and have a plan. If we want to be fit, we need to set goals and have a plan. If we want to have less stress, we need to set goals and have a plan. You’ve heard that saying? “She that fails to plan plans to fail.” So how can you plan to succeed? You need to start by setting goals following the S.M.A.R.T. formula.Most people say things like, “I want to be thinner” or “I want to get fit” or “I want to be healthier, happier, less stressed etc.” These are not goals you can plan to achieve. They are wishes or desires. S.M.A.R.T goals are:S = SpecificM = MeasurableA = Action BasedR = RealisticT = Time BoundBe specific about what thinner, fitter, healthier or less stressed means to you. Make your goal something you can measure. Being thinner means losing how much weight or being fitter means running how many kilometres? What does less stress involve for you?Make sure you will get into action about your goal by basing it on a true desire. If you are not excited about your goal, find ways to make it more fun. If you’re trying to lose weight then save all the money you usually spend on chocolate and put it towards the reward of a holiday or new clothes. Be realistic about your goal. Losing two or three kilos a week may be difficult and unhealthy, so plan to aim to lose a half a kilo or one kilo a week instead. If the goal is realistic you will stick to it. Lastly make your goal time bound by giving it an end date. This gives your goal a sense of urgency and makes you get into action about it. Keep this date realistic.This week look at your goals and make them S.M.A.R.T. “I will lose 20 kilos by January 28th 2006” “I will be able to run 5 kilometres in 15 minutes by February 16th 2006” Above all don’t fail to plan. Plan to succeed!

The Curse of Work

2008-08-30T01:16:00.002-07:00

by: Mark J
The next time you say that your job is killing you, you may just be on to something.The UK currently has the longest average working week in Europe and there is mounting evidence that overwork is taking its toll on the British workforce. For example:• Approximately 106 million working days are lost through back pain, costing the UK economy £5.2 billion• Approximately 90 million working days are lost across the UK as a result of stress-related absence.• Stress experts state that consistently working more than 45 hours a week can damage your health, physically and psychologically.The irony of us becoming a nation of workaholics is that in long term it has adverse effects on businesses. Recent research has indicated that lower and not higher working hours relate directly to higher productivity.One of the sacrifices of over-working is that less time is devoted to leisure or recreational activities, the very thing that can combat stress and give increased welfare that would allow us to work harder and for longer.One such leisure activity is exercise. The benefits of exercise are long established. It has a direct effect on preventing or helping a range of illnesses including diabetes, heart disease and osteoarthritis. For the young it is an important means in helping build healthy bones, muscles, and joints. For the old it is a vital means in reducing the risk of major illness and premature death. For everyone in between, regular activity reduces the risk of disease, controls weight gain, slows ageing and increases psychological well-being.For those who prefer activities a little more daring than an hour on the treadmill, there are a range of extreme sports and activities that are a fantastic means of expelling all that pent up work-related stress. An extreme sport is any activity that has an element of danger attached to it. Apart from the risk element, many of these sports have a positive effect on your well-being and are great for shaping up physically.So what is stopping us? There are countless organisations and clubs out there with ideas and activities from the easy to the extreme. All of us need to find the time to relax and unwind after a long day’s work. We live in such a fast paced society. Our world is one filled with endless tasks and demands. If we are feeling overwhelmed with too much stress and pressure, we will not be able to cope with all that life presents before us. These factors make it extremely important for all of us to find time for leisure.

Rio Light Mask Photic Stimulation Therapy For Migraines, Headaches and Stress Relief

2008-08-30T01:16:00.001-07:00

by: Tzaf Barak
Photic Stimulation - Not science fiction but science fact! British doctors at the Hammersmith Hospital, London have developed an exciting and revolutionary new drug free treatment that uses photic stimulation in the form of programmed patterns of gently pulsating light shone into closed eyes. Clinical studies have shown that the Rio Lightmask can stop 3 out of 4 migraines and headaches in their tracks and the average symptom reduction for PMS was a staggering 76%! Clinically and statistically significant positive benefits have also been achieved for insomnia, depression, stress and anxiety, low confidence and low self esteem, irritability, fatigue, poor concentration and food cravings and research into other benefits are ongoing. This truly amazing product offers fast action with no side effects. The Rio Lightmask is deeply calming and relaxing and easy to use - the ultimate chill-out/de-stressing experience! In fact most users report they drift into deep and refreshing sleep by the end of its unique 15 minute photic stimulation cycle - waking up with a clear head - alert, refreshed, brimming with life energy and ready to take on the world! http://www.livingiseasy.co.uk/products/cat151/cat161/cat165/Rio_Light_Mask_Photic_Stimulation_Therapy_For_Migraines,_Headaches_and_Stress_Relief/index.htmlRio Light Mask Accessories:Rio Light Mask 6V Replacement BatteryBattery for the Rio Light Mask. http://www.livingiseasy.co.uk/products/cat151/cat161/cat165/Rio_Light_Mask_6V_Replacement_Battery/index.htmlRio Light Mask Adaptor EU MainsEU (Europe) mains adaptor for the Rio Light Mask. http://www.livingiseasy.co.uk/products/cat151/cat161/cat165/Rio_Light_Mask_Adaptor_EU_Mains/index.htmlRio Light Mask Adaptor UK MainsUK mains adaptor for the Rio Light Mask.http://www.livingiseasy.co.uk/products/cat151/cat161/cat165/Rio_Light_Mask_Adaptor_UK_Mains/index.htmlRio Light Mask Adaptor USA MainsUS mains adaptor for the Rio Light Mask.http://www.livingiseasy.co.uk/products/cat151/cat161/cat165/Rio_Light_Mask_Adaptor_USA_Mains/index.htmlhttp://www.livingiseasy.co.ukinfo@livingiseasy.co.uk02074831991

Alternative Therapies for Acid Reflux Disease

2008-08-30T01:15:00.004-07:00

by: Jeff Lakie
Acid Reflux Disease, or GERD, is a common disease which affects approximately 5-7% of the population. It occurs when acid from the stomach backs up into the esophagus, a long, thin, muscular tube, which connects the mouth and the stomach. This often causes a constant burning sensation behind the breastbone, which is commonly known as heartburn. Long-term or persistent heartburn should be evaluated by a doctor, as heartburn can imitate the symptoms of heart disease. Once you have been properly diagnosed as having Acid Reflux Disease, there are a variety of treatment options available to you. Many doctors recommend over the counter medications, developed to reduce stomach acid, such as antacids or prokinetic agents. Some patients who are unable to control their symptoms with non-prescription medication may either choose prescription antacids or surgery, or opt for a combination of the two. There are other options available, however, to help you manage your symptoms. Many patients are able to control their disease by simply by making lifestyle changes. Here are a few tips, to get you started.Probably the most important lifestyle change that you could make to help you manage your GERD symptoms is the simplest- avoid the foods and drinks that make you uncomfortable! While this may sound like common sense, many sufferers find it difficult to make dietary changes. Try replacing fatty, deep-fried foods with healthier options, such as tasty summer salads and steamed vegetables. You should also try to limit your intake of caffeinated beverages, as caffeine is a known contributor to GERD, so opt for decaf teas and coffees instead. Stress reduction is also key to the management of acid reflux disease. The body manufactures more stomach acid when under stress, so it is important to learn to relax. Meditation is a very useful tool for effectively reducing stress levels, so incorporating one or two short meditation sessions into each day can help you to relax. Likewise, yoga is also recommended as being an effective way to manage stress, so try to find a class near you.By incorporating simple changes into your life, you can not only better manage your GERD symptoms, but also enhance the overall quality of your life.

T'ai Chi in the Information Age – Ancient Cure for Modern Problems

2008-08-30T01:15:00.003-07:00

by: Bill Douglas
Copyright 2005 Bill DouglasAccording to a twenty-year study by Kaiser Permanente, between seventy and eighty-five percent of illness is caused by stress, meaning that in the U.S. alone stress is costing us about one-trillion dollars per year in healthcare costs. Since most absenteeism is due to stress, US business is losing upwards of $300 billion per year. On a more personal level, it is disturbing to realize that aging is accelerated by stress, and stress is a growing issue with all of us. Studies show that change is stressful, even "good" change. So as we computer jockeys settle into the saddle of a new age of rapidly changing information, we need an edge that can help us stay healthy, sane, “younger” and more vibrant, even as we are often at the very center of the hurricane of modern change, such as keeping up with new hardware and software.Ironically an ancient mind/body tool provides the perfect balm for our generation's modern problems -- it is called "Tai Chi" (pronounced tie-chee). T'ai Chi is a gentle series of relaxing motions that cleanse the body's tissue of accumulated stress and, by doing so, boosts all aspects of our health systems. According to emerging research boosting the immune system’s strength dramatically, while reducing the incidence of depression, anxiety, and even reducing chronic pain conditions, are just a few of T’ai Chi’s myriad benefits.What makes ancient T’ai Chi the perfect modern balm is that it doesn't require special facilities or clothing, and doesn't even make you break a sweat, meaning you can do it in office attire in an empty boardroom just by kicking off your heels. Yet, it provides the same euphoria of a long run, the cardiovascular benefit of moderate impact aerobics, and burns nearly as many calories as downhill skiing.Our time is filled with paradox. A problem in this modern age stems from the great promise of the information age -- a tidal wave of data being created by and offered to our "left brain"; that part of our minds that is analytical, calculating, and categorizing the world. Of course, this is a powerful and important part of who we are. This is the part of the mind that gets things done, pays the rent, builds the houses, and makes the cars. Our "right brain," however, is getting left behind in our rapidly changing techno-world, and this imbalance of thought processes is at the heart of modern stress. Our right brain is the feeling, smelling, sensing . . . enjoying part of the mind. This is the part of the mind that smells the flowers, not to analyze the smell, but to be filled with its beauty -- and this is the part that has been left behind in the digital world. When we go to the cyber mall, for example, our right brain doesn't get to play. The cyber mall is a wonderful thing that saves us time, money, and gas for our cars (and thereby saves the environment), but there are no Auntie Anne's Pretzels to smell in cyberspace, or warm sunlight streaming in through the big skylights. So what do we do? We get the best of both worlds. T'ai Chi is a series of exercises to balance the mind. T'ai Chi teaches us to experience life for sheer pleasure, thereby creating balance in our busy "get things done yesterday" world. If you learn T'ai Chi and practice in the morning before you sit down at your computer, your right brain (the sensing and enjoying brain) will be turned on more. You will feel the texture of your computer keys. You will remember to take the time to get a nice cup of green tea or herbal cinnamon spice tea, and you'll interrupt your staccato keyboard occasionally to smell the tea's rich aroma, feel the warmth in your hands, and breathe the breath of life deeply into your lungs. Although you are at the cutting edge of the information age revolution, you are also in the garden of life. This will give you an edge in the long run. Why? Because chronic stress diminishes our cognitive skills and therefore, our creativity. Einstein said, "Creativity is more important than knowledge." Even if we have the world's knowledge at our fingertips, if we are too stressed out to use the knowledge "creatively,” we are much less effective. Plus, we're not as much fun!The bottom line is T'ai Chi is a set of exercises to practice enjoying life. It's not enough just to say, "I'm going to enjoy life more." We actually have to practice mind/body tools that can positively affect our brain wave activity, in an integrative way, as T'ai Chi is proven to do. T'ai Chi is an extremely sophisticated mind/body science that evolved over millennia, and is now being made available to all of us after centuries of being closely guarded secrets in China. Even though the practices are ancient, they are in many ways just as cutting edge as the multi-gigabyte computer.Don't just be "cutting edge" with your left-brain. Go all the way and stretch the envelope with your right brain, too, by weaving T'ai Chi into your life. You will be forever glad you did, as you discover balance and calm in the eye of the modern world’s ever accelerating storm of changes rushing at us.

How to Increase Your Energy Naturally

2008-08-30T01:15:00.001-07:00

by: Adam Short
Are you out of fuel by 3pm? If you are like many American’s you find yourself struggling to finish out the day. You are tired, lethargic, and out of energy. If you suffer from low energy levels, there are many things that you can do to help boost your energy levels naturally. These include exercise, diet, and avoiding energy zappers throughout the day. So spend a few minutes reading through the natural energy boosters- and start living life to the fullest again!1. Catch up on your Z’s. How much sleep do you get every night? Many adults get less than the necessary 8 hours a day. Whether it’s due to small children, stress, or illness limited amounts of sleep can wreck havoc on your internal systems. Your body will essentially turn into an energy saving model in the afternoon to make up for the lack of sleep the night before. Uninterrupted sleep is just as important as the amount that you get. Waking several times a night to use the restroom or toss and turn can mess up your REM cycles and leave you feeling tired come sun up. So limit fluid intake after 4pm and try adding a body pillow or feather bed to improve your sleep quality. Continual sleep deprivation will lead to a wealth of health problems and concerns. So forgo the evening news and turn in early. Consider eating breakfast on the way to work to sleep in a few extra minutes a day. Within a few days- you will be amazed at how much more energy you have. 2. De-stress your life. Stress comes in a variety of sources and can creep up on you when you least expect it. Work, kids, and family are all major stressors in your day to day life. It is widely known that prolonged stress can lead to health problems, but they can also be a major zapper of energy. Spending time and energy worrying about a presentation at work or your child’s report card will only lead to energy depletion. So take control of stress early on. Focus on problems as they come up, and solve them quickly. Bottling up emotions and stress make it harder to get a good nights sleep. Finally, decompress before you call it a night. Take a warm bath, read a good book, or listen to a favorite CD to help take away the pressure of the past day. You will sleep better and wake up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.3. Avoid artificial energy sources. Many people turn to caffeine and sugar for energy boosts, only to find themselves wiped out a few hours later. Such artificial energy sources are great for quick pick me ups, but lead to crashes later on in the day. So skip them all together. They are bad for your diet and offer you little or no nutritional value. Instead skip with caffeine free beverages and fruit juice.4. Get moving. Many people are surprised to find out that one of the best ways to beat energy depletion is to exercise. Avoid exercising right before bed, because you will find yourself too hyped up to actually sleep. Instead take the time to exercise in the afternoon when your energy is at its lowest point. Consider taking a walk around the block or the parking garage for a quick and easy boost of energy. 5. Eat healthier. What did you have for lunch? Processed foods full of chemicals and sugar can lead to energy depletion. Stick with healthy choices like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. After a few days, you will be amazed at the new level of energy that you now have. 6. Drink plenty of water. The human body consists mostly of water, so it is imperative that you stock up daily. Dehydration is one of the main energy zappers, and most ignore the signs until it is too late. So whenever you pass the tap, fill your glass up. Most doctors will recommend drinking 8 glasses a day, which may sound like a lot. But if you replace your morning coffee or cola for water, you can easily meet this requirement. If plain water isn’t appealing consider adding a splash of lemon or lime for a quick pick me up.7. Take a multi-vitamin. There are hundreds of different energy boosting products on the market today. Don’t fall for the hype. All you need is a good multi-vitamin that helps balance out your diet. If you follow these tips, you will begin to experience more energy within a week or so! So have fun and start making a list of all the things you will do with your new source of energy.

Plantar Faschitis And Heel Bone Spurs Causes

2008-08-30T01:14:00.002-07:00

by: David Buster
are related to several common reasons. Plantar faschitis occurs when the connective tissue on the bottom of your foot that attaches to your heel becomes inflammed. When repeated stress and strain occur on the heel bone and surrounding soft tissue, the body attempts to protect itself by forming heel bone spurs. This kind of pain is usually felt at the bottom of your heel. Quite often, the heel pain is worse in the morning because of tightness and stiffening that happens during the night.The heel bone spurs causes can be related to:1. Injury to the Foot, Arch or Heel - physical injury can occur while running, jogging or even walking and inflammation results.2. Repetitive Pounding of the Foot - jogging and running, especially running downhill or on uneven surfaces, can result in tearing and plantar faschitis inflammation. And being on your feet more can lead to additional tearing in the fascia which results in more inflammation and pain.3. Poor Fitting, Hard-Soled Shoes - shoes not providing adequate support can be one of the heel bone spurs causes. Supportive rubber-soled shoes that fit well cushion the impact of the heel striking the surface and can help reduce heel pain.4. Tight Muscles in the Calf - tight muscles in the calves place additional stress on the foot muscles and tendons, and tight muscles are more prone to injury and/or inflammation. 5. Being Overweight - excess weight transmits more stress to the plantar fascia area, which can lead to plantar faschitis inflammation and pain. Plantar faschitis pain can become serious enough to be disabling. There are natural ways to treat heel and foot pain without resorting to foot surgery, which should be considered the very last option for foot pain and heel bone spurs. Learn about the things you can do to treat plantar faschitis and reduce heel pain.

Even Dogs Get the Holiday Blues: Meditation Can Help

2008-08-30T01:14:00.001-07:00

by: James Jacobson
Although your dog may not dread the family dynamics of Thanksgiving dinner or pout if you get him the wrong flavor chew toy, the approaching holiday season can cause stress for your dog. A different schedule than usual, travel or separation from you, too little attention, or even too much from Aunt Helen can all give your dog the holiday blues. There is a simple way to ease your dog's anxiety during the holidays: meditate together. Meditation is great for dogs. It relieves their stress and promotes better health and well-being. Meditation is great for you also, especially during the holidays. Meditation helps you slow down and stay in the present moment, while at the same time lowering both blood pressure and heart rate. Meditating together helps you and your dog deepen the connection that you already share. It soothes your dog and helps your pack life run smoother. You can also meditate before times you know will be extra stressful for your dog, such as before a plane trip or prior to all the relatives piling into your house. Meditating together lets your dog know that you love him and that he is foremost in your mind. This will help your dog stay calm in difficult situations.How do you start? James Jacobson, author of How to Meditate with Your Dog: An Introduction to Meditation for Dog Lovers, and his dog Maui, show you how to transform the love you have for your dog into the heart of a meditation practice. This simple method is non-dogmatic, a lot of fun, and a great way to turn the holiday blues into tail-wagging holiday bliss.

The Benefits of a Memory Foam Mattress

2008-08-30T01:13:00.004-07:00

by: Thomas Jay Wacker
On the quest for a more productive day, research has shown that a more productive sleep at night can be one of the healthiest solutions. A Memory Foam Mattress could be just what researchers have been looking for. Concentration, Observation and even Creativity, are all qualities that can help us on our everyday journey through work, and life. The key is relaxation. Any quality that enhances our daily productivity is welcome, but with a calm mind and rested body, do we find the most precious resources, that is, through our sleep. Sleep provides us with an infinite number of possibilities. Possibilities, which are most efficiently cultivated, while having deep restful dreams in a peaceful bed. And mattresses made from memory foam are ideal in this respect.Ever since the invention of the first electroencephalogram, the machine that registers brain waves, back in the first part of the 20th century, scientists have known that sleep is not just an unproductive time in which we are forced to stop working. Wonderful things occur at night while we sleep. During an average night of sleep of eight hours, our bodies move in and out of consciousness through cycles, determined by brain wave activity. If these cycles are disrupted by stressing muscles in certain points, the sleeper, could actually wake up without fulfilling the full sleep cycle. This means time and relaxation, are needed to achieve the proper depths of a good nights rest.Suppose an average sleeper, gets eight hours of sleep, on a good mattress. Then she or he, would plunge into the realm of sleep for about 90min. then slowly come back out, and on return to the waking world, would have about 10 min. of dreams, almost wake up, roll over, and plunge back into another 90min. cycle. If the conditions are good, such as in using the proper kind of bed, the second sleep cycle will have something like 20-30min. of dreams, followed by 45-60min. in the third cycle. The longer we sleep, the more dreams we have.Maybe, not everyone remembers what they dream, all the time, everyday, but that doesn’t matter, as much as the fact that dreaming is, in and of itself the place where we let our worry and stress of the day to day go free, preparing, for the day to come. If we don’t value our sleep enough, we carry all that stress and anxiety from the day before, into our morning, and consecutively throughout the day, until we finally sleep again, to give our dreams another chance at freeing themselves.In a stressful modern day to day, race for time and money like ours, it’s a wonder why we don’t value our sleep more. Sleep requires relaxation, and that means sleeping a good night's sleep. Pressure on muscles must be evenly distributed throughout the body in a way that keeps our bodies fully relaxed.That means keeping the joints well accommodated. Memory foam does this in a very natural and relaxing way. When the body heat hits the mattress, it allows the foam to conform to the body reducing all that tension on the pressure points. No pressure points, no stress, no stress, means getting that good night’s sleep that we need so badly to be more productive and happy individuals. Mattresses made from memory foam keep the load properly supported, so that no one point is favored over any other. Relaxation is the road to a good nights sleep. And memory foam can help the sleeper achieve the ideal nights rest. While getting tensionless, deep and well relaxed sleep, the individual can produce more and feel great doing it.

Adult Acne Solved!

2008-08-30T01:13:00.003-07:00

by: Kirsten Hawkins
Acne has always been a dreaded occurrence in our life. Most of us have carried this burden in our teenage years and after almost seven teenage years we think we are finally home free. Then one morning in your twenty sixth, twenty seventh or even twenty eighth year of your existence you wake up with a huge zit on you face. And even worst, sometimes it is not just one but two or even three or even four! And they just keep on sprouting like weeds in an inhibited garden! So you wonder, I’m already an adult so why, why, WHY?Adult acne is more common than we thought. Almost five percent of adults have adult acne mostly in their twenties, thirties and even forties and beyond. Adult acne can be found in the face and sometimes even on the neck and on the chest and back area. There are many reasons for the occurrence of these devils incarnates and we will enumerate them here plus ways on how to outsmart them.Adult Acne Source Number 1: those pesky hormonesAnd we all thought we are done with having problems caused by them! Apparently, they still have a last attack. Experts still can’t pinpoint the main reason why our oil glands are more prone to breakouts because of hormonal shifts in this age line. Unfortunately, these up and down hormonal shifts are the main culprit in adult acne. But fortunately, there’s an easy cure for these shifts and that is the common birth control pill. But take note that this is not applicable to you if you are pregnant. For stubborn and hard to kill zits, you may also use medication that has the ingredient retinoids that can help unclog those pores. If still doesn’t work then it’s high time to up your ammunition. Use antibiotics (may be topical or even oral) to reduce the swelling.Adult Acne Source Number 2: stressStress is also a major source of adult acne. But we can’t help it, can we? Our world is full of stress inducing situation and things that it is already a part of our daily lives. We have bills to pay, kids to feed and a house to clean. So much stress we endure in a day that it results to the dreaded adult acne. This happens because stress triggers the body to secrete cortisol that results in the secretion of more hormones thus resulting to zits. So what do we do when the bump pops? Relax! Do some de-stressing. Go on a vacation or just spend a day doing nothing. Eat right, sleep right and do your exercise routine regularly. If your darn acne are still there after doing these things for a month or two then it is high time to see your dermatologist for some treatment and prescription.Adult Acne Source Number 3: Daily Grooming ProductsIt is a fact that as we grow older we tend to become more vain especially in our twenties to thirties when we are still finding our ideal mate. We tend to use a lot of products to make ourselves more attractive to the opposite sex. Unfortunately, this only results to adult acne as these products tend to block pores which can result to zits erupting like crazy in our pretty little faces. How ironic, isn’t it? We bought and used these products to make ourselves more pretty only to have these little craters embed in our face. So what to do? Simplify! You don’t need all these products to make yourself pretty. Just use basics like moisturizer, cleanser and sun block. Purchase cosmetics that are noncomedogenic and make sure that they are oil free especially your moisturizer. And always remember your acne 101: do not touch your face or rest your pretty little chin in your grubby little hands!

Skin Care Secrets – You can have Beautiful Skin

2008-08-30T01:13:00.001-07:00

by: Chileshe Mwape
Your skin is the largest organ of your body, just like your heart or your kidney. Its job is to protect your insides so it is important for it to be healthy. If you eat a healthy diet, drink lots of water, keep it clean, and protect it from the sun, your skin will stay healthy all your life.A skin care program is the combination of skin care products and a routine that will be most beneficial to the skin. You will first need to consider your diet and type of life-style since these two factors play an important role in the health of a person's skin.Diet - Eat WellWhat you put into your body has a huge effect on how the outside looks and feels. Eating healthy foods is important. Remember to feed and nourish your skin by eating the proper foods. Give your skin a drink too. Eight glasses of are essential to maintaining your skin's elasticity and suppleness, say experts. The water you choose can be sparkling water, mineral or straight from the tap. You still can't beat the old fruit and vegetable diet when it comes to good health and a good complexion.Hygiene - Keep your skin clean.You need to give some thought and consideration to the type of makeup you use. And be sure to clean your tools regularly. Things such as cosmetic brushes get dirty and can carry bacteria and germs and may cause skin irritations and breaking out. A good way is to soak brushes for about 10 minutes in a dish of warm, soapy water using mild liquid detergent or baby shampoo. Rinse and blot excess moisture with a towel and stand the brushes, handle end down, in a tall glass until they are thoroughly dry.Keep environmental pollutants from being absorbed into the skin with a good moisturizer that also acts as a skin barrier. Check the labels for those with added Vitamin A, C and E, which help block the penetration of pollutants.Exercise - keep fitA good exercise program such as aerobics can activate and rejuvenate the skin and improve circulation and blood flow. Also, body sweat triggers production of sebum, which is the skin's own natural moisturizer.Sleep - get an adequate amount of quality sleepBe sure to get enough sleep. An adequate amount of quality sleep can help recharge and rejuvenate the body, making it more resilient. Lack of sleep can lead to tired lifeless skin and circles under the eyes. To avoid morning eye or facial puffiness, sleep on your back so fluid doesn't collect there. And, you can keep the oil from your hair away from your face by wearing a head covering or a soft headband when you go to bed. De-Stress - RelaxGet serious about stress reduction. Skin conditions such as acne appear on many people who are stressed out, and chronic skin conditions then to get worse. Set aside quiet time to meditate or daydream. Breathing exercises are excellent for reducing stress. And keep in mind that too much stress can affect your overall health as well as your complexion. A more detailed version of this article is available at: http://hair-removal-tips.blogspot.com/

The Cause of Hair Loss

2008-08-30T01:12:00.003-07:00

by: Josh Riverside
Normally, about 10 percent of the hair on your head is resting (not growing). After a few months, the resting hair falls out and new hair begins to grow in its place. The growing phase can last from 2 to 6 years. While in the growing phase, hair will gain approximately 1 centimeter a month. It is normal to experience hair loss every day as part of this normal resting/growing cycle. Some people experience excessive hair loss from a variety of causes.The cause of hair loss is multi-variable. Most people erroneously believe that hair loss is caused by things like bad circulation, stress, sweat and dirt on the scalp, or wearing hats. With the exception of stress, none of these factors has been proven as a cause of hair loss. Stress is also not very likely unless you have undergone extreme physical or psychological torture. This hair loss is also temporary. The real cause of hair loss lies with hormonal problems. Hair loss occurs when male or female hormones (androgens and estrogens) are out of balance. An imbalance of hormones is usually a genetic trait that as of yet, cannot be cured. Male and female-pattern baldness is the most common form of hair loss. This is caused by a hormone called DHT, a naturally occurring hormone that helps in sexual development. After puberty, an increase in DHT causes an increase in binding at hair follicle protein receptor sites which throws the process of healthy hair growth off. Other causes of hair loss may be medicine. Blood-thinners, medicines used in chemotherapy, an excess of vitamin A, birth control pills, and antidepressants have all been shown to promote hair loss in certain people. Infections of the scalp can cause hair loss as well as certain diseases like lupus and diabetes.

WONDER PILLOW Memory Foam Pillow For Orthopaedically Perfect Support Comfort and Sleeping Posture. Your best nights sleep!

2008-08-30T01:12:00.001-07:00

by: Tzaf Barak
This revolutionary pillow provides perfect support and maximum comfort – two essentials for a great nights sleep. It automatically creates an orthopaedically correct sleeping posture that aligns your spine and neck and shoulder muscles to relax completely.Better still the WONDER PILLOW is a memory foam pillow. It actually reacts to to your bodys heat and shape and moulds itself to distribute weight and pressure evenly. In fact the WONDER PILLOW never loses its shape. It bounces back into its original position every time you use it. Thats how the WONDER PILLOW can help prevent tossing and turning, insomnia and stress, reduce morning aches and pains, protect the spine and prevent pressure sores even accelerate blood circulation. The WONDER PILLOW comes with its own protective luxurious velour zipped cover. (Size: 510 x 310mm) In addition the WONDER PILLOW is a memory foam pillow. It actually reacts to your body’s heat and shape and moulds itself to distribute weight and pressure evenly. In fact the WONDER PILLOW never loses its shape. It bounces back into its original position every time you use it. That’s how the WONDER PILLOW can help prevent tossing and turning, insomnia and stress, reduce morning aches and pains, protect the spine and prevent pressure sores even accelerate blood circulation. “I have often had problems getting a good nights sleep due to the stress of modern life and occasionally suffer with insomnia. The comfort of the WONDER PILLOW has helped me to get that little bit extra out of my sleep which has really made a difference to me” Lucy Birminghamhttp://www.livingiseasy.co.uk/search/?search=pillowhttp://www.livingiseasy.co.ukinfo@livingiseasy.co.uk02074831991

Treadmill vs elliptical: A never ending argument

2008-08-30T01:11:00.004-07:00

by: Atanu Ghosh
The treadmill vs elliptical debate has been prevalent for some time. The treadmill vs elliptical debate isn’t valid since selection of either one depends upon the needs, wants and desires of users in terms of workout programs. The treadmill has its own set of benefits and elliptical trainers have its own set of benefits so it can be a tough decision.The question arises in regards to which is better. The treadmill vs elliptical superiority question is not answerable because both serve different purposes and are beneficial to a workout program.The most asked question by everyone is which one burns more calories? The difference between the treadmill and elliptical trainer during workouts and exercise is very obvious. The elliptical trainer has a smooth natural motion machine with foot pedals that contact at all times with the feet as they walk. In treadmill vs elliptical, treadmill offers to run, walk and jog on the flat or inclined surface. The treadmill causes high impact to the ankles, knees and hips.On the issue of burning more calories, studies and practical exercises have shown that treadmill burns more calories for a person during workouts. The treadmill causes more weight bearing than elliptical trainers. The user can generally set different intensity levels for both, but because working with both the upper and lower body with an elliptical, the user effectively increases heart rate at a faster pace which will burn more calories. In weight loss measure, more weight loss and fat burning takes place using the elliptical trainers. Workouts yield results which compliment elliptical trainers. Elliptical trainer workout for 20 minutes achieves results which treadmill accomplishes in 35-40 minutes.On issues relating to popularity of treadmill vs elliptical, the answer comes from the usage level. The elliptical trainer is a low impact machine and easy on the joints and back. The treadmill has become a household product and lets person perform workout in the same spot.In treadmill vs elliptical the question arises relating to the working superiority between the two. Superiority in terms of working cannot be answered for the reason that both work differently and have a different working principle. The elliptical combines movements and benefits of biking, cross country skiing and hiking. Elliptical exercise offers an elongated circular motion and makes the feet to move back and forth around in an oval pattern. On the treadmill a person can jog, run or walk in the same spot on a conveyor belt.Treadmills have been around for much longer than elliptical trainers. In the treadmill vs elliptical issue, treadmill remains hugely popular for cardio exercises, since it simulates jogging and walking.In terms of variety, the treadmill allows people to add variety and challenge to workouts by increasing the incline on many treadmills and targets other muscles in their lower body more directly. Elliptical trainers in relation to variety in treadmill vs elliptical don’t offer much variety in terms of inclination or workouts.Treadmill vs elliptical in terms of stress comparison offer different stress functionality. Elliptical trainer in treadmill vs elliptical stress measure offers more grace and less stress during exercising. Treadmill in terms of stress measure in treadmill vs elliptical offers more stress and exertion during exercising. Many people agree that in treadmill vs elliptical, elliptical trainer is less boring than treadmill.The treadmill has more exposure in the marketplace than elliptical trainers. Elliptical trainers don’t sell much since they have less exposure in the treadmill vs elliptical race. In terms of space consumption in treadmill vs elliptical race, both acquire enormous amount of space.Body workout results favor elliptical trainers in the treadmill vs elliptical, but the treadmill offers a full and effective body workout that give great results. Treadmills offer workouts that give only a lower body workout.In treadmill vs elliptical race, personal preference is what decides which of the two machines fit personal needs more.

Understanding Depression

2008-08-30T01:11:00.003-07:00

by: Martin Myers
Everyone can agree on the fact that depression is a debilitating disease. What we can’t all seem to agree on however, is what this disease does to a person’s ability to think reason and perceive. The problem in coming to an agreement here lies in the many causes and physical reactions to depression.Common cause of depression include biochemical factors, severs stress, a sense of hopelessness, lack of sunlight and illogical thinking. The biochemical factors and sunlight are physical and environmental conditions that can be corrected with prescribed drugs or light exposure. What however can a person do about stress and feelings of hopelessness, and are these conditions causes of depression or symptoms of depression. It is within the confines of the medical profession that conversations such as this have raged for years.Some researchers believe that stress and feelings of overwhelming hopelessness are the causes of depression, while others believe they are symptoms of depression. Research conducted supports both conclusions. Further studies have supported lent even more support to the evidence that stress, changes in expectancies, and irrational or hopeless thoughts are a result of depression, not a cause.But what effect does depression have on our ability to think and reason? Do all our thoughts become illogical and negative? Not all depressed persons experience the same changes in their thoughts, but do all depressed persons experience some change in the thought process? Questions such as these are hotly debated even now, with all the wealth of information available to scientists and doctors. The brain is such a complex machine, that understanding of the processes and the ability to relate certain processes to the application of the masses is slow to come.In general the depressed person sees the cup as half empty, not half full. That’s not to say that some of the population, without any evidence of depression will still see the cup as half empty. Can you see the difficulty of the situation here? There are many symptoms of depression that exist even within the thoughts of people with no evidence of depression. How do scientists and doctors distinguish, for the purpose of setting clear guidelines? I don’t believe they can.I believe our thought process is like a fingerprint. Everyone’s is different in some way. No two people will be the same in their thoughts, or in their ability to act on those thoughts. Treatments for illogical and depressed thoughts will always be a tailor-made situation.

Causes of Canker Sores

2008-08-30T01:11:00.001-07:00

by: Charles Kassotis
Millions of people get canker sores every year. These painful and unsightly lesions that form in the mouth and on the lips are small white ulcers that can make life very uncomfortable for a day or two. More annoying than truly harmful, a canker sore is usually not serious enough to warrant a doctor visit, yet you may need to apply medicinal cream to ease the discomfort of this small but powerful sore place. If your sore stems from the Herpes simplex virus, your doctor can prescribe an ointment to address prevailing symptoms. You also can buy over-the-counter medications that will help to control the discomfort associated with the sore. Although the herpes virus is the most common and likely culprit, many people believe that exposure to certain elements spur the development of these lesions at certain times. Here is a rundown of the most popular sources of blame:1. Sunshine. Those with sensitive skin may prefer to avoid sun exposure during the peak hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., as this is when the rays have their most direct effect on the earth’s surface. Sunbathers sometimes get a canker sore after several hours on the beach or poolside. Swimmers comprise another likely target group. While in the sun, wear sunscreen to protect your face and skin from the worst of the hot rays. 2. Acidic foods. Tomatoes, citrus fruits, chocolate, and other tangy food items may help to encourage a canker sore’s development. If you discover a link between your consumption of these foods and the emergence of a canker sore, reduce your intake of these items or make health-conscious substitutions. For example, have pizza or pasta with white sauce instead of tomato sauce occasionally. 3. Stress. Many folks feel that undergoing significantly stressful events can bring out a canker sore. Try to balance the stress in your life with periods of rest or relaxation, perhaps listening to classical music or keeping a journal. Learning to manage stress in your life can help to guard your health from a number of adverse conditions and diseases. Canker sores can grow or spread, so don’t puncture them in hopes of making them disappear more quickly. Some people who have canker sores dislike kissing others for fear of spreading the sore. It might be a good idea to refrain until the sore goes away. If you have a sore on your mouth, wash it gently with warm water and mild soap. Avoid using the same washcloth on other parts of the face or body unless it has been rinsed out thoroughly. You may prefer not sharing drinking glasses with another person until a sore has disappeared completely. If a sore persists for more than two weeks, see your doctor, as it may be something other than a canker sore.

Environment - Anxiety & Panic

2008-08-30T01:10:00.002-07:00

by: Joanne King
Can the environment that surrounds you agitate and prolong your wellness?The answer is definitely YES!If you’re living in stressful, negative and or cluttered conditions you can expect this to take a toll on you and how you feel on the inside and out.Take for example in part of my Anxiety & Panic days; I was living with my in-laws. Now they are very lovely people and I appreciate that they allowed my husband and I stay with them. But that didn’t prevent the fact it was very stressful (no doubt for them too). Our beliefs were very different from one another and with two women under one roof (both wanting to rule and make decisions in the cleaning and cooking areas) there was definitely some friction there.Then I was working in a negative environment, the thought of having to walk in there everyday knowing it was going to be one uphill battle with one of my colleagues, it just made me feel sick. Eventually I did eliminate both of these environments. Losing my job wasn’t particularly by choice but when I realized the difference in my mental health it was DEFINITELY worth losing!So what can you do to improve your environment?Start by looking at what makes you feel unhappy? What is making you feel worse?Once you figure that out, you’re halfway there. Maybe quitting your job isn’t realistic in your circumstances. But that doesn’t mean you can’t start looking for jobs else where. Or maybe your completely happy with your job, but your living arrangements is causing a great strain. If the mortgage repayments are causing you great stress and toying with your anxiety and panic then look at downsizing. Maybe it’s just a cluttered environment? Move furniture around then. Stick to a cleaning schedule to keep everything as clutter free as possible. One thing my mum has always told me…“If your home is organized then generally you feel organized and happier in life”

Conquering Your Acne - A Few Helpful Tips

2008-08-30T01:10:00.001-07:00

by: Alan Cabito
Acne is the all-encompassing term that refers to blemishes, blackheads, whiteheads and lumps on the skin. While it’s mostly associated with teenagers it is not necessarily restricted to any one age group. People of any age can suffer from acne. While it’s true that acne is not a life-threatening ailment, it can be uncomfortable and can leave nasty acne scars. There has been a lot of debate on the cause of acne. One of the most recently discussed causes is milk. That’s right, the same milk that is good for our bones, teeth and hair is now apparently causing acne. Is There a Cure for Acne?It’s very difficult to find a definitive answer to this question. There are many miracle creams and facial wipes that claim to be the answer on how to get rid of acne but many are simply soap. A cursory glance down cosmetics and personal health aisles at supermarkets will undoubtedly furnish you with many acne brands and acne treatments, all of which are aimed at the teenagers.Most Acne treatments take time to work. Roughly six to eight weeks is the usual time for acne to clear, and cosmetics that claim to be an overnight cure are advertised to catch the attention of sufferers who don’t want to wait that long. Once acne has cleared up, it is important to continue with the treatment to prevent its return. Probably the most effective cure for acne is to consult a dermatologist, although this may only be necessary with the most severe cases. You should bear in mind that just because one treatment has worked on your friends or family, it doesn’t mean it will work on you.Teenagers and Acne.While it is true that almost anyone can suffer from acne, it is also true that nearly every teenager between the age of 12 and 18 suffers with acne. Nearly 40% need treatment from a physician.As with many illnesses or ailments, early treatment is essential. Leaving it too late can cause severe acne scars that may last for many years of a person’s life.It is important to know what type of acne you have. The following information gives you insight as to what may have actually triggered your acne. Once you know your acne trigger, you are a step closer to removing the acne activator and living acne free.Adult Acne Sudden onset, or continuation of acne, during adulthood may be caused by hormone imbalances, stress, pollution or medications. Studies have shown a direct link between hormone imbalances and the onset of acne in women ages 30 to 40 years old.Acne fulminans (too much testosterone acne) is an abrupt onset of acne which is seen in males. This type of acne causes acne on the chest and back, severe acne scarring, fluctuating fever, painful joints, loss of appetite or weight, and a high white blood cell count. This acne is caused by the use of testosterone legally or illegally to enhance muscle growth. Over the counter treatments for this type of acne are not effective.Acne keloidalis nuchae. This form of acne occurs with people of African descent. It is characterized by firm papules and pustules at the nape of the neck.Acne medicamentosa (drug induced acne). This is acne which is caused by medications. Common culprits include phenytoin (Dilantin), isoniazid, lithium, bromides, iodides, androgens and corticosteroids. Lithium worsens acne vulgaris and can cause acne in persons who have never experienced acne before.Ways to Conquer AcneThe most effective methods to combat acne include a combination of prevention and better skincare. 1. Exercise Regular exercise can help fight acne by fighting off negative stress levels that can come from negative self-esteem and depression. Avoid wearing tight lycra and nylon exercise outfits. These types of fabrics tend to trap body moisture and heat, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. Stick to loose clothing made of cotton or natural blends, and keep your sports gear and equipment clean. 2. Safe CosmeticsAvoid pore-clogging and skin irritations that can contribute to acne, try perfumes and cosmetics that are "hypo-allergenic" and comodogenic or “oil free”. Coal tar derivatives, carmine and heavy cream in blushes can cause reactions. Shimmering facial colors can contain a flaky mineral called mica that can also cause skin irritations and clogged pores. Try a lip gloss with a matte finish for less pore-clogging. The more the shine, the more comedogenic content which causes pores to clog. 3. Healthy Diet What is best for your body is best for your skin. A good quality multivitamin will probably have the recommended vitamins and minerals that you need to help with acne prevention. Drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day and making good, healthy dietary food choices including plenty of fruits and vegetables daily will help you maintain optimal health. 4. Hormonal Treatment Hormones (or a lack of them) during later years - especially for women - can play a role in acne flare-ups and prevention. Studies show that about 50 percent of women have acne, which is referred to as hormonal acne, during the week before their menstruation. Treatment options include topical retinoids, oral antibiotics and Benzoyl Peroxide for teen years. Oral contraceptives or hormonal birth control pills and hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) may be helpful for women, combined with systemic or topical treatments, prescription or over-the-counter products and medications.5. Healthy Skin Regimen Avoid harsh scrubbing or over-washing, because this can cause possible skin irritation and can contribute to an over production of oil to replace what's washed off, clogging pores in the process. Use products with gentle exfoliation ingredients and avoid products that contain alcohol. 6. Shaving Shaving is actually an excellent way of exfoliating or removing dead skin to help with the prevention and spreading of acne. Shaving can also help to get rid of whiteheads and blackheads. Do not shave areas that are sore or infected. Use a shaving cream for sensitive skin. Use a sharp blade. Gentle swipes instead of heavy pressure are better and also go with the flow or "grain." A single-edged blade is better than a twin-blade razor. Electric razors may not shave as close to the skin, but they may be a better choice for the prevention of acne and other skin breakouts. 7. Stress Stress includes external and internal stressors. External Stressors are those that compromise your skin's ability to heal, like oily make-up and too much sun. Internal stressors like anxiety, fear, low self-esteem, depression and a variety of other internalized emotions, can trigger chemical reactions inside your body that can result in acne flare-ups and other skin irritations. To combat internal stressors and prevent acne problems, get plenty of rest and sleep. Try to maintain regular hours. Keep a check list of "Things that Calm You" handy for stressful times, like reading a book, resting, listening to music, taking a walk, going out for an ice cream cone, etc.

Press Release "Is Spike in pain?"

2008-08-30T01:09:00.004-07:00

by:
"Is Spike in pain?"
Former childhood cancer patient creates an easy-to-use device to help determine if an animal or person is in pain.
Columbus, OH July 12, 2004 -- As a five-year-old childhood cancer patient in 1962, Sue Benford bristled every time a nurse or doctor asked her "How much does it hurt?" There was no easy way for a young child to describe the intensity of her pain – either then or now. The situation is even more difficult for animals that can't speak. "One of the most common questions in veterinary medicine is: 'Is (s)he in pain?'" says Dr. Kriston Sherman, DVM, veterinary acupuncturist and private practitioner in Columbus, Ohio. According to the 2002 U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographic Sourcebook, in 2001, over 67% of Americans owned either a dog or cat. At one time or another, most of these animals will experience some degree of pain. This is especially true for those animals that develop chronic conditions, such as hip dysplasia, which afflicts between 20-40% of large breed dogs (source: Orthopedic Foundation for Animals). In 2003, Benford, now a registered nurse and the President of Public Health Information Services (PHIS), Inc. created a simple tool to help animals, and non-verbal humans, communicate their pain. Called the Pain Gauge®, the hand-held, computerized device uses Galvanic Skin Response (GSR), best known for its role in lie detection, to record the level of stress and/or pain the animal or person is in. Touching a non-fur/hair area of the body will generate a digital 0-9.9 reading in only one-second. The reading corresponds to the standard 0-10 pain scales being used in both human and veterinary medicine. Benford is quick to point out that the Pain Gauge is an "assessment tool" not a "diagnostic tool". "The Pain Gauge is like a thermometer in that it only tells you what the body is experiencing and not what is causing it." Heightened levels of stress and pain will register the same way. The device was introduced by The Ohio State University Professor of Anesthesia Section, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Dr. William W. Muir, III, at the recent Assessment and Treatment of Pain and Distress in Animals conference held in Columbus, Ohio. Muir, who has tested and used the device, recognizes the Pain Gauge’s potential as one of the few objective tools available for assessing pain and stress in a variety of animal species. He’s not alone. According to Dr. Donya Dunlevy, a veterinarian with Animal Care Unlimited in Columbus, Ohio, "We have sent it (the Pain Gauge) home with owners to monitor pain in their animals, employed it to assess post-operative, hospitalized patients, and included it during outpatient examinations. We have just recently added the Pain Gauge to our permanent exam checklist so that every patient that gets an exam will get a Pain Gauge reading." For more information visit www.paingauge.com . Contact information:For veterinarian interviews/photos please contact M. Sue Benford.

Suffering From Constant Headaches - 3 Proven & Effective Ways For Relief

2008-08-30T01:09:00.003-07:00

by: Emily Clark
headaches, migraine, tension headaches, cluster headaches, sinus headaches, trigger, causes of headchestitleAre you suffering from constant headaches? Headaches are a commonailment, but research has uncovered treatments that may help yourproblem almost disappear. According to the National Headache Foundation (NHF) tensionheadaches affect nearly 78% of the adult population. 13% of thepopulation suffers from migraines. Because the causes ofmigraines varies greatly, what relieves a migraine in one personmay trigger an attack in another. The suggestions here areguidelines for those who suffer regularly from tension headacheswhich may have an identifiable physical cause. WATCH WHAT YOU EAT Some headache sufferers notice a connection with eating ordrinking foods with aspartame. For those who are sensitive to thechemical it may cause blood vessels to expand in the brain andtrigger a headache. Caffeine is used to treat headaches. It's proprieties can assistpain medication in providing relief and can be found inmedications to treat migraines. However, too much caffeine canhave a 'rebound' effect and actually cause headaches. If yousuffer from regular headaches you should avoid daily use ofcaffeinated beverages such as coffee and certain sodas. According to the McKinley Health Center, avoiding tobacco canalso reduce headaches. Skipping meals may cause headaches in some people, so eatingregular meals may prevent headaches in these individuals. REDUCE THE STRESS Getting enough sleep is important for everyone. If you sufferfrom tension headaches you may find getting your eight hoursevery night reduces the amount or intensity of your headaches. Onthe other hand, oversleeping can bring on a headache if you don'tget up at your regular time (such as on the weekend or duringholidays). Some headaches also seem to be aggravated by too much sun.Excessive exercise outdoors and lack of hydration can lead toheadaches. Keep eyes shaded and be sure to drink plenty of waterwhen outdoors. Not surprisingly it was recently found that women wearing tightponytails had an increased risk of tension headaches. Releasingor loosening the hair and performing a brief massage to the headcan bring almost immediate relief. MEDICATE What you may think is a sinus headache may actually be amigraine. A consultation with your doctor may determine if youshould switch to a migraine medication. According to the NHF, tension headaches caused by stress shouldrespond to reducing the stress or use of over-the-counteranalgesics. However, if headaches occur almost daily you need tolook for ways of dealing with the stress and discuss otheroptions with your doctor. As with caffeine, regular daily use of over the countermedications can actually cause headaches. If headaches occur for long periods, are unusually intense or donot respond to pain medication after several days you should seektreatment and diagnosis from a health care professional. Leading a healthy and active lifestyle has many health benefits,including a reduction of tension-type headaches. Combining ahealthy lifestyle with avoidance of triggers may help you findrelief from tension-type headaches. The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any health care program.

The Truth About Acne

2008-08-30T01:09:00.001-07:00

by: Michael Raetford
Let's take a look at some other popular beliefs about acne to dispel any other rumors; for example, stress. Is it true that increased stress spreads acne? Not exactly. What is true is that ultimately stress can have a very minimal or minor influence all by itself. It cannot actually cause acne, but it can influence reoccurrences of acne as stress increases the body's creation of a substance called cortisol that in turn causes your sebaceous glands to produce increased amounts of sebum oil that can be blocked in pores. Note, however, that some medications people take when trying to deal with or treat stress can have a large influence on acne as the result of medication side effects.Acne is contagious, true or false? Not! No one can "catch" acne; it is non-communicable.You'll outgrow acne, so just leave it alone; myth or truth? This is false. Acne strikes all ages and is treatable, but shouldn't be left alone to possibly worsen.Being out in the sun helps acne, right? In the long run, no. The sun may appear to help clear up your blemishes and redden your skin, thus lessening the overall reddish effect of the targeted acne area when it was outstanding. However, rays from the sun can cause skin damage and actually irritate skin more, worsening any existing acne problems in the process and clogging more pores as skin cells dry up and slough off quicker than normal. So use caution (and sunscreen) here!Sweating helps clean out your hair follicle areas, myth or reality? Another myth. In reality, strenuous activity can temporarily increase your body's oil production that can actually worsen acne problem areas, causing recurrence or intensification.Acne problems are directly proportionate to sexual activity, or lack thereof; true or false? False, another myth. Just because teenagers are going through hormonal changes, does not mean that this has anything to do with acne. Both are separate issues. Same with adult acne and sex; two entirely different issues.People with acne are dirty and don't wash enough. Not! This is another myth. Acne is the result of a build up of oil, dead skin cells and bacteria in a closed pore. Period. Dirt is not even a factor in the equation.Acne is only on external issue or surface deep; i.e. people shouldn't make such a big thing out of it, myth or reality? Myth. In reality, yes, it basically is only on your skin (and underneath the surface a little bit). However, the effects run much more deeper than that in many instances. More than 50 percent of those suffering acne problems reported negative comments and other feedback from members of society, regardless of whether or not there was any scarring left for others to see afterwards. And resulting internal depression and low self-esteem can be harmful emotionally not only short-term but over a person's lifetime. So acne can indeed be a very big issue requiring healthcare treatment and support.OK, myth or reality: there is a cure for acne? Myth. Although there is no cure at this time, there are many treatments available that do a great job. As the saying goes, "Prevention is the best medicine;" however, there is no need to suffer in silence with all the options available on the market today for all price ranges.Certain cosmetics or spot treatments will help acne, myth or reality? Myth again. By the time a blemish appears, it has been in the works for a good couple of weeks.Myth or not: people with acne should not use moisturizers or other make-up products on their faces? Myth! Today there are many noncomedogenic cosmetics out there specially formulated to NOT clog pores.

Acne and Skin Problem Myths Debunked

2008-08-30T01:08:00.002-07:00

by: Dennis Becker
Isn't skin a wonderful thing to have?An obvious benefit of skin is that it protects our bodies' internal organs from harmful elements like dirt, insects, bites, toxic chemicals, nasty weather, and the like, and it certainly is more attractive than what's underneath.When skin is healthy it's nice to look at, but when it's diseased, it can not only affect you physically, but more painfully can cause stress and social problems.Like the common cold, acne and similar skin diseases can be treated and covered up, but cannot really be cured. The best treatment is prevention and knowledge about what makes your skin happy, so that you can avoid skin care enemies and breakout triggers.The real cause of acne can vary from individual to individual, but some factors can be stated with relative certainty:1. Acne occurs when pores or hair follicles become blocked or clogged.2. There are basically 4 types of acne manifestations: whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, and nodules.3. Acne can appear pretty much anywhere on the skin, though it causes the most concern when it shows up on the face. The worst forms of acne break out, however, on the chest and back, and most commonly on males rather than females because of hormonal differences.4. There are many common myths and untruths about acne, rosacea, and other skin care problems.Some acne myths include "you'll outgrow it, so leave it alone", "being out in the sun helps acne", "acne problems are directly or indirectly proportionate to sexual activity", "acne visits dirty people", "acne is contagious", and too many more to list in this short article. The sad thing is that belief in the myths can be devasting, in that proper treatment is avoided, and lifestyle changes that don't need to be made can take away pleasure unnecessarily.For example, at one point in my life, I truly believed that I was allergic to chocolate and that it caused my breakouts. Whenever I would succumb to the temptation and have "just a little" I would stress out waiting for the red spots, and sure enough they would appear. After several years and much experimentation, I learned I had no allergy, the stress was a trigger for me, and a new over the counter face scrub has kept me in the clear ever since.Knowing what triggers your breakouts can be the difference between constant battles and healthy skin. The Internet is a wonderful place to get the information you need, so stop stressing out and learn what it takes to put your best face forward.

Don’t Let a Headache Keep You Down

2008-08-30T01:08:00.001-07:00

by: Charles Kassotis
Millions of people visit their doctor for relief from common headaches. In fact, this is possibly the most prevalent reason for people to see their doctors. Headaches come in a variety of types, intensity, and duration. Some are hormonally driven for women in relationship to their monthly cycles. Other types of headache pain may stem from sinus problems, medication use, or even food allergies. Stress, caffeine, and alcohol consumption may trigger head pain. Your head may ache on one or both sides, at the crown, or even around the neck and shoulder areas. There is no single source of headache pain, and they may even occur in clusters and form migraine patterns, including blurred vision, odd scents, and dizziness. So what can a person do for a bad headache? The best thing is to prevent one, if possible. Start by keeping a small diary of when your headaches come, the circumstances surrounding them, and how long they last. Take note also of the things that make them seem better or worse, along with any treatment you use that is successful. Some headaches are illness-borne and thus cannot be avoided, but many are due to lifestyle issues that can be successfully managed.For example, if your diary suggests that you often get a headache after eating Chinese food, you might be sensitive to MSG, a common ingredient found in Chinese dishes that sometimes causes headaches or other disturbances in certain individuals. Or, if you experience a headache upon arising certain times of the year, especially when sleeping with the windows open, you may have a sinus-related condition that will benefit from closed windows or medication. If stress is causing headaches, learn what your triggers are and take steps to avoid them. It may be that dealing with an argumentative coworker often brings on one of your spells. Take steps to avoid that person or play down the conflict. When the opportunity comes up, ask for a transfer to another department. Take similar steps to offset stressful situations in your life that can be downplayed in ways like this. Your doctor may be able to recommend lifestyle changes that may reduce the frequency or intensity of your discomfort. For example, daily exercise may improve circulation and reduce stress, thereby helping to prevent headache pain. Eating healthier foods that contain few preservatives is another common recommendation that seems to help a lot of people. Keeping a journal and writing about negative events several times a week keeps you from bottling them up where they can play havoc with your nerve impulses and possibly contribute to the development of headaches. When you take a proactive stance in identifying headache sources and learning how to head them off, you will soon feel better and experience fewer symptoms. Ask your doctor for more information on preventing or reducing headache pain.

The Modern Steam Bath -- A Healing Remedy for Stress

2008-08-30T01:07:00.004-07:00

by: ARA
(ARA) - One of the oldest healing remedies in the world, steam baths have been used for centuries to promote health and vitality. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, encouraged the practice saying “Give me the power to create a fever, and I shall cure any disease.” “The therapeutic effects of steam have been well documented,” says Alex Garkusha, of Steamroom USA, an importer of state-of-the-art bathroom fixtures and accessories. “Today, more than ever before, the stress management and general wellness benefits provided by steam are very important for overall health.” Steam bathing will not only help you relax and relieve stress, but also relieve tired, stiff muscles and can be used in the rehabilitation of certain sports injuries. It can even reduce the stiffness and pain associated with a sedentary lifestyle. Steam stimulates the immune system by causing the body to produce more white blood cells, which helps the body to fight against common colds and other diseases. Steam also stimulates lymph systems by increasing blood circulation in your body, which helps with weight loss and tones and improves the function of all of the body’s organs. It has a positive effect on the skin by purging toxins out of the body by sweating, leaving your skin cleaner and looking younger inside out. The moist heat also increases the effect of certain body treatments, enhancing ayurvedic and mud treatments. Essential oils are atomized with the steam and are absorbed into your body through the skin and by inhalation, increasing the healing benefits of steam. SteamRoom USA offers a range of affordable steam shower houses you can easily install anywhere. Whether you are building or remodeling your home or finally finishing your basement, a SteamRoom USA steam shower is an affordable luxury. A great complement to a new basement gym, entertainment room, or even a master suite, a steam shower can be added wherever you want it. It provides a much more versatile option than many conventional showers and whirlpool tubs and gives you a world of bathing options at your fingertips. In one compact unit, the size of a typical shower, you can take a luxurious steam or whirlpool bath, enjoy a multi-head shower, and get a full-dimensional back massage. Steam shower units have a contemporary and elegant look, and come equipped with a radio and telephone, a remote control, and connections for your CD player. The showers can be easily moved and will fit through a standard 36-inch door; they are self-contained units that only require water and sewer hook-ups and an electrical connection. “In today’s stressful world, a steam shower is not a luxury, it’s a necessity,” says Garkusha, who adds that Americans today live with high levels of stress that can be managed with a daily dose of steam relaxation. “SteamRoom USA did not invent bathing, they modernized it,” he adds. Indulge yourself in luxury and health. For more information about the benefits of steam and about steam showers, call (800) 909-9USA or visit www.steamroomusa.com. Courtesy of ARA Content

Top 10 Causes Of Acne

2008-08-30T01:07:00.003-07:00

by: Susan Ferguson
Here’s my top ten list of the causes of acne. I hope that from the list you can identify what might be causing your acne.HORMONE LEVELSYour hormone levels fluctuate at different stages of your life, such as puberty and pregnancy.TOXINSAcne can occur if your body contains more toxins than the kidneys can remove.STRESSIf you are under any sort of stress this can give you acne.SEBUMYour own oil glands can produces excess of sebum. This can accumulate and cause blocked pores.FOODFood can significantly affect your acneYou should avoid foods that have been processed or refined. You should also reduce your intake of fried foods and foods containing a high level of sugar.COSMETIC MAKE UPIf your make-up contains comedogenic ingredients this can lead to acne. Such ingredients are usually derived from petroleum. Make-up can also contain dyes than can contribute towards acne.SMOKINGYes, smoking can increase your risk of acne. If you need another reason to quit smoking here it is.SKIN TONERS.If your skin toner contains acetone or alcohol this will lead to the drying of your skin and this could cause acne.HARSH CLEANINGCleaning with soaps that contain chemicals such as detergent and fragrances will cause acne.THE SUNAlthough sun bathing seems to initially improve your acne, it actually dries your skin which leads to more acne.

Acne Myths, Finally Some Facts

2008-08-30T01:07:00.001-07:00

by: George ForganSmith
Copyright 2005 George ForganSmithAcne is a common skin condition, which can be extremely mild or quite disfiguring. Having had a rather bad case as a young adolescent, I know the kind of socially embarrassing consequences it can have for the victim but I also remember it being sore and painful, filling my life with discomfort. It lingered a long time until I went to a dermatologist who used a type of freezing process, mechanically removing excessive puss from the lesions in relatively non-painful way. There were also topical notions. The result was total success, without scarring.Until I went to a dermatologist, though, there was little or no gain in getting rid of this foul condition. I, like other children, were subject to disturbing concepts of its origins. Although this was a long time ago, these myths have stayed around- often causing grave delays in seeking treatment. One of the myths is that acne is caused by everyday dirt and surface oil on the skin and that the solution is frequent and vigorous washing of the skin. Vigorous washing of the face to cure acne is a myth. The fact is- the problems that have caused chronic acne are deeper, beneath the skin’s surface and that only a mild washing of the face is in order, often accompanied with specific solutions prescribed for treating the acne by a dermatologist. Vigorous washing of the face, particularly with harsh soaps, can lead to a further irritation of the tissue. There is, in part, a bacteriological condition that contributes to acne and it is below the surface. Another idea is that acne is caused by stress. Scientific research seems to indicate that stress alone probably does not lead to acne, but it may be aggravated by stress. But, unfortunately, acne can result from certain prescriptions that are used to treat stress. So, if you are on certain drugs related to stress, you should certain talk to your dermatologist, the appropriate type of physician for dealing with this problem. According to Doctor James Fulton, a pioneer in the treatment of acne, lithium, a substance sometimes used in profound psychological disorders, can aggravate an acne condition. Another myth that can lead to profoundly unpleasant consequences is that one should let acne run its course, “grow out of it.” As I myself know too well, acne can linger for years and get worse and worse. At the end of my experience, my acne was very disfiguring and covered my whole face and part of my neck. It was hard to keep my hands off this uncomfortable, scaly, itchy and sore condition. I was certainly a candidate for scarring. I had a kind of skin emergency and I am glad that my parents were smart enough and lucky enough to get me to the right place at the right time. Can acne be the consequence of poor nutrition? I think the jury may be out on this one, but, for myself, I came to believe that my excessive eating of chocolate and a lot of sugar products were contributing factors to my acne. But, in my case, I did not see any correlation before my medical treatment and it was clearly medical intervention that helped me. There are certainly many naturopathically oriented practitioners and some medical doctors that share this view, though. Not everything in medicine is a hundred percent clear cut and every acne victim should certainly research all the alternatives.

Viagra Is Good for the Heart

2008-08-30T01:06:00.002-07:00

by: Rita Jenkins
Copyright 2005 Daily News CentralViagra (Sildenafil citrate), which millions of men take for erectile dysfunction (ED), reduces the effects of hormonal stress on the heart by half, according to a study published online in the journal Circulation.Viagra causes genital blood vessels to expand, which helps in maintaining an erection. Recent research also has pointed to its potential usefulness in treating pulmonary hypertension. Prior to the latest findings by a team of Johns Hopkins researchers, it was thought to have little effect on the heart.Viagra, or sildenafil, blunts the strengthened heart beat caused by chemically induced stress, according to study senior author and cardiologist David Kass, MD, a professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and its Heart Institute. It thereby lessens both the excess amount of blood and the force used to pump it to the body."Sildenafil effectively puts a 'brake' on chemical stimulation of the heart," says Kass.Prevents and Reverses Effects of High BPThese findings are believed to be the first confirmation in humans that Viagra has a direct effect on the heart. In earlier research, Kass and his team observed a similar effect in mice; Sildenafil blocked the short-term effects of hormonal stress in the heart.Related studies by the group show that sildenafil also prevents and reverses the long-term effects of chronic high blood pressure on the heart.Sildenafil reversed the negative effects on heart muscle weakened by heart failure and enlargement -- a condition called hypertrophy -- in mouse experiments Kass and his team carried out earlier this year. They reported their results in the journal Nature Medicine."But we had no firm evidence as to whether or how this therapy might work in the human heart," says Kass. "Our latest research provides firm evidence this drug does indeed have an important impact on the heart."Increased Heartbeat Was SlowedThirty-five healthy men and women, with an average age of 30 and no previous signs of coronary artery disease, participated in the six-month Johns Hopkins study. Within a three-hour timeframe, each participant received two separate injections of dobutamine (5 micrograms per kilogram for five minutes), a synthetic, adrenaline-like chemical that increases heart rate and pumping strength.Between injections, study participants were assigned randomly to a group that was treated with sildenafil (100 milligrams taken orally) or to a group given a sugar pill placebo. All participants then were given the second dobutamine injection to see what effects sildenafil or placebo had on the heart.Measurements of heart function were made before and after each injection. These included blood pressure readings, electrocardiograms and echocardiograms. Blood samples confirmed relatively equal levels of sildenafil and other enzymes.Each dobutamine injection stimulated heart function, increasing heart rate and the force of each heartbeat used to pump blood throughout the body, results showed."This stimulation is similar to the way the nervous system normally increases heart function when triggered by emotional or exercise stress, or in diseases such as heart failure," notes Kass.After the first injection of dobutamine, the force of heart contraction increased by 150 percent in both groups. In the placebo group, this increase repeated itself after the second injection. However, in the group treated with sildenafil, the increased heartbeat was slowed by 50 percent, resulting in a smaller increase in blood flow and blood pressure generated by the heart in response to chemical stimulation.Between injections, heart function was not altered in the sildenafil group, demonstrating the absence of adverse side effects on the resting human heart.Stops PDE5A Action"Knowing more about the effects of sildenafil on heart function will allow for safer evaluation of its use as a treatment for heart problems," says Kass."Our results set the stage for further studies of sildenafil's immediate and long-term effects on the heart and its ability to modify other neurohormonal and stress stimuli, including adrenaline and hypertension," he adds.While the precise biological actions of sildenafil in the heart are not fully understood, the drug is known to work by stopping the action of an enzyme, called phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5A), Kass explains. This enzyme is involved in the breakdown of a key molecule, cyclic GMP, which helps control stresses and limit overgrowth in the heart.PDE5A is also the biological pathway that sildenafil blocks in the penis to prevent the relaxation of blood vessels and thus maintain erections.

"Your assigned character in life"

2008-08-30T01:06:00.001-07:00

by: krishnan.c
What do we need mostly to live happily in this world?
If we ask this question to anybody what will we expect the answer from them? The answer we expect from them will be definitely money. This is the answer we expect mostly from anybody. Can the money will be dropped from the roof if anybody sit idle in their home? Let us imagine what are the ordeals we are encountering daily to acquire this money. The first qualification we must have to acquire this money is to be more busy than a bee. For acquiring this money we have to fly like a bee from morning to till we retire in the night. In this connection please just imagine about our routine for acquiring this money. When the morning came we have to fulfill our and family immediate needs other wise the starting of the day itself become a trouble for us.Then we have to expect this trouble's velocity in our work. After that we have to prepare for our journey to the work spot and we will get a shy of relief only if our public transport reached in time to our work spot or we have successfully crossed the floods of signals and traffic on the way to our work spot if we own conveyance. There at our workspot,whatever may be our mood or health we have to show our excellence in the drama(your work)through the character we have been assigned.If we have been assigned the role of comedian we have to act as a comedian in front of the customers or colleagues or chief executive. Even if we have the talent to act as a hero we cannot outbound our assigned character. When the evening came and after we come out of our work spot we have to prepare for another ordeal what we have started in the morning.The same thing getting the public transport or crossing the floods of signals and traffic. This is the routine most of us experiencing daily.Why this routine?Because to earn money for maintaining our family and for other purposes. We must remember that money is necessary in this world for our survival.But money alone cannot make us to survive in this world happily. We may have seen in our real life that there are many people who may have millions and millions of dollars of assets but they cannot eat whatever they like? Because they have to be under strict diet control.Whether the money they have the power to break their diet control or free them from their disease?Absolutely it is not possible. In the present fast world we are also concerning only with the earning of money alone but it is doubt whether we know how the means of earning money directly or indirectly affecting our health. Is it necessary for us to earn this money after sacrificing our health directly or indirectly. Can we have any solution in this world to enjoy the money we are earning without sacrificing our health directly or indirectly. 'If you have a fine board,then only you can paint' Like this,if you have a good health then only you can enjoy the money coming out of your earning. Then what we have to do to have a good health at the same time without letting our money earning capability also?It is very easy. Good health can be achieved only if we have a calm state of mind. Good health and calm state of mind are closely interlinked. How good health is interlinked with calm state of mind? If there is no peace or calm state of mind then there will be storm like feelings in our heart.Psychologists are calling these feelings as stress. The basic reason for this stress is due to the accumulation of thoughts and feelings in our heart caused out of our routine life. These stresses makes us like a patient and some times later it will really makes us a patient. If we don't have any stress in our mind we will have a good health and thereby we can really enjoy the happiness coming out of our earnings,otherwise we have to spend all our earnings to the physician. Not only that we have to waste your time also for waiting at the clinic.Waiting is something horrible than spending money. If we keep our mind intact then every thing will be in order.When our mind is intact we can earn more wisely at the same time giving sufficient rest and strength to the body. When the body have sufficient rest and strength there is no place for tension,dejection and depression.We can also approach any problem in the real sense and find out solution quickly and effectively,find a satisfactory relationship with our family also. When all these things are coming together real enjoyment of life can be possible whatever may be the profession or the strain. So this calm state of mind is the origin for all of our happiness.Whether it is possible to have this calm state of mind? Yes it is possible. Through a mind relaxing technique anybody can get this calm state of mind. This mind relaxing technique is not the technique which has been invented by great scientists of recent century. It has been in existence for thousands and thousands of years in this universe which has been followed by our ancestors. The mind relaxing technique is nothing but refining the mind. The feelings in the form stress are recorded deeply into our heart and will run like a motion picture when we close our eyes.Sleeping is not possible with all these garbage in the heart in the form of feelings otherwise called stress. Stresses are the origin for all diseases. To get rid of the ill effects of the stress we should practice this mind relaxing technique in our daily life as a part of our routine. What is a mind relaxing technique and how it should be practiced.? If you are interested to learn this mind relaxing technique email to me,I shall explain in detail about this technique. krishnan.c author email:krishnan144@gmail.com

Breathing And Relaxation Techniques To Sleep Better...

2008-08-30T01:05:00.003-07:00

by: George Lesco
There are many breathing and relaxation techniques that you can learn to use to promote relaxation and relieve stress. The deeper and slower that you breathe the more relaxed and sedated you will become.Sleeping with the window open will help the air to circulate in your bedroom and fill your lungs with fresh air. Relaxation techniques will help your body to wind down and prepare for the sleep cycle.Try this breathing technique when you first get into bed:1.Take a deep breath.2.Breathe in through your nose and visualize the air moving down to your stomach.3.As you breathe in again silently count to four.4.Purse your lips as you exhale slowly.5.This time count silently to eight.6.Repeat this process six to ten times.The results of this breathing technique are immediate. You will feel your shoulders and arms relaxing. Your chest will feel less constricted and you will feel less stress and tension.Practice this breathing technique on a daily basis so that it becomes a natural routine for you and helps to induce natural sleep.As well as using breathing techniques to encourage natural sleep you can try several relaxation exercises. The goal is to relax your mind and let your body unwind and surrender to sleep.Try the following relaxation exercise before you get into bed:1.Lay on your back on the floor with your feet slightly apart, your hands by your sides, and your palms turned upward.2.Close your eyes and concentrate on every part of your body.3.Begin at the top of your head and work your way down to your toes.4.Start by feeling your forehead tense, then your eyes, face, and jaw.5.Tense and release each muscle group, such as your shoulders and neck.6.Give attention to each area of your body from the top of your head, down through the trunk of your body, down along your legs, and ending at the tip of your toes.7.Stay in this relaxed condition for a few minutes. Concentrate on your breathing and let all worry and stress dissipate from your mind and body. Make sure that your breathing comes from deep in your stomach and flows slowly and evenly.8.Stretch slowly before standing.The above exercise will tell your body and mind that it is okay to settle down, leaving behind thoughts of worry, fear, and stress.There are many more techniques and exercises available to promote deep breathing and relaxation. You will have to find what method works best for you.Your goal is to recognize that deep breathing and concentrated relaxation are tools available for you to achieve natural sleep.

Research Confirms Drinking Relieves Stress

2008-08-30T01:05:00.001-07:00

by: Art Turner
The results are in, the clinical trials have spoken. Drinking relieves stress--drinking green tea, that is. There's something in green tea that helps us relax. And it may start turning up in other foods soon.The legendary benefits of green tea--weight loss, cancer prevention, immune system boosting, and more--have put green tea on everyone's top ten superfoods list. Now the teacup's relaxation effect has been proven in the lab.An amino acid called theanine (or L-theanine) is responsible for green tea's magic. First discovered in 1949, theanine is found almost exclusively in tea leaves. (It's also found in one type of mushroom--but who wants to relax with a plate of mushrooms?)Clinical trials testing the relaxation effect of theanine produced remarkable results. Japanese researchers found that human volunteers became more relaxed about 30-40 minutes after taking up to 200mg of theanine. That's six cups of tea to you and me.Once the theanine is flowing, a couple of things happen. Your brain waves start to shift into the alpha range. That's a good thing. Alpha brain waves occur when you are relaxed and peaceful, but still awake--like after a massage or a hot bath, or during meditation.At the same time, theanine increases the GABA levels in your brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter that is linked to dopamine and serotonin levels. This complicated-sounding chemical cocktail results in a relaxation effect. And what's more, theanine also lowers your blood pressure. Well, OK, the blood pressure part is only proven in rats. But testing continues.So if you're stressed and anxious, relax with a few cups of green tea. You should begin to feel relaxed and alert in about half an hour. Theanine won't make you drowsy, but if it happens to be bedtime, studies have also shown you'll sleep better and awake more refreshed. By the way, if you're already relaxed when you start, it doesn't matter how much theanine you get—you won't get any more relaxed.If you would rather get your theanine in a pill, you're in luck. Supplements containing theanine are readily available. One of the Japanese firms heavily involved in theanine research went beyond simple green tea extracts and developed Suntheanine, which is a synthesized, ultra-pure theanine. A company spokesperson stated there is “a tremendous opportunity for designing foods and medical foods targeting relaxation and the reduction of stress.”I'm not sure what they have in mind, but the possibilities are wide open. More than 50 food items containing Suntheanine, including ice cream, candy, and beverages, are currently sold in Korea, Japan, and Europe. In America, it's only available in supplements right now. But I'm looking forward to seeing it in something that goes with my cup of tea. Relaxation muffin, anyone?

A Cure For Erectile Dysfunction And Impotence - Fact Or Fiction?

2008-08-30T01:04:00.004-07:00

by: John Lim
Sometimes erectile dysfunction is also referred to as impotence. Having erectile dysfunction means that you are having problems achieving and maintaining an erection for sexual intercourse.If you have such a problem, you should not be ashamed of it because it is actually quite natural and erectile dysfunction affects more men than you would expect. However, it is not commonly discussed because men view it as a source of embarrassment. Erectile dysfunction or impotence can be caused by many things including prostrate cancer treatment, diabetes, drinking and stress.There is in fact nothing to be ashamed of if you have erectile dysfunction because it isn’t a disease. It is just a condition of the body that can be cured. In fact, many treatments used to cure erectile dysfunction have proven to be effective. Studies even show that the more you do not seek out treatment, the larger the likelihood that your problem with erectile dysfunction can cause even more psychological problems.There are many ways to cure and treat erectile dysfunction including drugs, medication, therapy, natural aids and even surgery. Some of these are temporary erectile dysfunction cures and others will help you out permanently but they could take longer. The main thing is that erectile dysfunction can be cured and it is best to seek out help in the early stages of your problem to avoid even more mental stress and psychological problems.

Hypnosis: Benefits You Can’t Live Without

2008-08-30T01:04:00.003-07:00

by: Teri Clark
Hypnosis In The Real WorldWhen you think of hypnosis, do you get the image of a Freud-like doctor swinging a pocket watch to and fro in front of someone in deep emotional trouble? If so, you are not alone. However, this Hollywood image of hypnosis is far from true! You don't have to be a nut to use hypnosis. Ordinary people, those you see every day, use hypnosis for typical problems. Ask yourself the following questions:* Do you have a problem with weight loss? * Do you find it difficult to quit smoking? * Do you have other addictions you just can't break? Then hypnosis is for you! * Are you lacking in confidence?* Are you stressed out?* Are you fearful?Then hypnosis is for you. Hypnosis can help you with an unlimited number of personal issues, big or small. If you have a phobia, then hypnosis can help you eliminate it. If you have an addiction, then hypnosis can help you kick the habit. If you have a goal, then hypnosis can help you achieve it.Mental and Physical Benefits of HypnosisBut that is just the tip of the iceberg. Even if you don't have a pressing issue, hypnosis has extraordinary benefits - both mental and physical. Simply going into a hypnotic state on a regular basis is good for you and the hypnotist doesn't even have to suggest anything at all.Let's take a look at some of the benefits that hypnosis offers:1. Hypnosis Induces Deep Breathing: Stop reading for a moment and check your breathing pattern. If you are like most people, you will be breathing in short quick breaths. When you breath in this manner, you feel stressed out and tense. Not only that, fast breathing can make you feel dizzy, irritable, and foggy. After being hypnotized, you will find that you breathe deeper and thus feel more relaxed and calm. 2. Hypnosis Reduces Illness: There is no doubt that stress causes physical illness. Stress causes sleep disorders, increases our pain sensitivity, and can even increase our cholesterol. Since hypnosis is a state of deep mental and physical relaxation, being in this state on a regular basis is a way to reduce stress and thus illness. 3. Hypnosis Increases "Feel Good" Chemicals: Whenever you are deeply relaxed, your brain naturally releases chemicals that cause you to feel good. These chemicals are often in short supply as we rush about our day. Hypnosis causes deep relaxation, allowing these "feel good" chemicals to flow and create a sense of control and well-being.4. Hypnosis Promotes Good Sleep: As you get your body used to deep relaxation during hypnosis, you will find that you can get more restful sleep. It is as if your body "learns" how to sleep more peacefully due to the hypnotic state.5. Hypnosis Strengthens the Immune System: Stress causes the body to produce chemicals of the "fight or flight" variety. This aroused state actually affects the immune system by using up the chemicals needed to keep it functioning! Regular relaxation, the kind you get in hypnosis, can help prevent this from happening.Whether you have an issue or just need to relax, hypnosis can help you achieve your goal. You will feel stronger, more in control, more relaxed, and better able to handle your life. Hypnosis is, quite frankly, good for your body.The Hypnosis Network - http://www.hypnosisnetwork.com/ - is THE place to learn how hypnosis can help you in your life. Not only will you find exceptional audio programs by only the most qualified and educated psychologists, but you will also find research, information, resources, and sample sessions. The Hypnosis Network is dedicated to bringing you the best that hypnosis has to offer. Whether you have a pressing concern or simply want to feel better on a daily basis, you will find what you need at The Hypnosis Network. Free samples of the programs are available at the above linkThis article is free for use on web sites, blogs, and newsletters, with the condition that it is not changed in any way.

Menopause and Weight Loss

2008-08-30T01:04:00.001-07:00

by: Cathy Taylor
During menopause, many women report that the challenge of weight loss becomes even more difficult. The need to lose weight haunts women most of the time, and now more men are reporting the same struggle. When women hit menopause, weight gathers around the waist and hips; despite our best efforts to diet and exercise. What we know is that this additional body fat is linked to your hormones. Most women follow a conventional low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet with lots of processed foods. Eventually this diet creates a condition known as insulin resistance; see Dr. Schwarzbein's book on the book list. When you are insulin resistant, your body converts calories into fat even when you are dieting. Menopause feels like a losing battle, but it doesn't have to be. When you are stressed, as the body typically is during menopause, stress hormones block weight loss. Despite adequate food, the body acts as if it's in a famine and stores all spare calories as fat. This leads to a metabolic disorder called adrenal fatigue. Many women combine a high-stress life with a low-fat, high-carb diet which creates a powerful hormonal imbalance which causes us to gain weight. Yo-yo dieting exacerbates the problem. Also, when a woman is on a high-carb diet she is often barraged with a craving for sweets. The body can't maintain optimal blood sugar and serotonin levels, so you snack and drink caffeine to feel better. That makes your insulin resistance worse and the vicious cycle of gaining weight is accelerated. During perimenopause, women lose estrogen which is an added factor to this problem. As estrogen decreases, the body needs extra fat resources. Other factors that play into this problem, are unresolved emotional issues, food sensitivities, digestive issues such as yeast, and even heavy metal toxicity. So what do we do? The most important step is to GET HEALTHY! Follow an eating plan like the one in the Schwarzbein Principle or the Zone Diet You need protein at every meal, low carbs, very little to no processed food, and lots of fruit and vegetables Drink plenty of water Take nutritional supplements Try Supplements Designed for Menopause Stop weighing yourself, use your clothes as a gauge (focus on your health not your weight) Start exercising - walk 4-5 times a week for 30 minute (it boosts metabolism) Get help for emotional eating - you have to face your fears to get through them Reduce the stress in your life, make time for fun and relaxation - strive for BALANCE Learn to love yourself during menopause and accept who you are and at what stage in life you find yourself Menopause can make weight loss even more challenging for both women and men. But with the right knowledge and some hard work, it can be done. The information in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice.

Gearing Up for Flu Season

2008-08-30T01:03:00.003-07:00

by: Dr. Tara Barker
!Well, flu season is coming upon us quickly, and most people would love to skip getting sick this year. The biggest question is…How? Here are the easiest ways to keep yourself and loved ones free of the nastiest of colds this (and every) year.First of all, the flu is a virus. A viral infection cannot be treated with antibiotics. A virus can only overwhelm your defenses and multiply in your body if your body’s defenses are not adequate to begin with. If you are strong, vital, and have a health immune sysytem, your body will most likely be able to stave off most colds, flus, and bacteria. The problem comes when you are stressed, eating poorly, not taking a good multivitamin, or have been recently sick. The traditional holiday season, with its stress, gift buying, wrapping, travel, visiting, and overeating, is a perfect occasion for you to fall ill with the flu. Here is what you can do.1. Take a quality multivitamin. If you are not eating in the most stellar fashion, chances are you are low on many nutrients. This is just a fact in today’s world. A good, quality supplement will provide you with the immune enhancing and flu fighting nutrients like zinc, vitamin A, selenium, vitamin C, and the B vitamins. Keeping your defenses up and your body healthy is the first line of defense.2. Do your best not to become stressed. Stress threatens your immunity immensely. It’s just not worth it to become stressed and sick. Try to remember what your goal is in the highest regard. Instead of thinking, “Oh no! I’ll be late!” think “My goal is to arrive and do my best. I will take control and responsibility over what I can and do my best.” If you show up authentically and remain true to your ideals while not getting bogged down in the stress of every event in the moment, you can truly do your immune system (and psyche) a service.3. Eat well as often as you can. Now, we all know that fudge, pies, yams with marshmallow, and loads of rolls and butter may show up on our plates. They just tend to do that. But as often as you can, eat your veggies. Lots of veggies of all varieties. Eat whole fruit. If you eat grains, eat mostly whole grains instead of flour products. Don’t overdo dairy products as they are mucus producing and hard to digest for some people. Drink lots of water throughout the day and go easy on the coffee, black tea, and try to avoid sodas altogether. Even diet sodas cause an immune lowering effect for hours after you consume. Sugar inhibits your immune system for hours after you eat it (or drink it) and is an invitation to all sorts of viral and bacterial nasties. So unless you are serious about inviting them in to stay, don’t open that door too often. 4. Exercise daily. Even if you just go for a walk for 20 minutes, get in exercise every day. Your body needs it. It is good for the soul. Make it fun by going with a friend or your partner and talking. Or go alone and enjoy your thoughts. Go at sunset or sunrise for an enhanced experience.5. Wash your hands. Most people get the flu by shaking hands, touching a doorknob, or picking up a phone in which the virus has been on and then touching their eyes, nose, hair, or mouth. The virus typically enters by the mucous membranes of the nose or mouth, but could enter through any mucous membrane of the body. During flu season, be sure to remain conscious of touching your mouth, nose, or eyes, especially if you recently touched an object that others may have touched. Wash your hands if in doubt.6. If you do get the flu, see your naturopath immediately for a quicker resolution. Homeopathic remedies, herbs, hydrotherapy, and other treatments often help your body to more quickly eliminate the virus than over the counter products or doing nothing. Some remedies, if begun when you notice the first symptoms, can even prevent the flu from a full attack. You could also take home treatments that your family could take in order to prevent them from contracting the virus.

Fit for What?

2008-08-30T01:03:00.001-07:00

by: Tanja Gardner
Copyright 2005 Tanja GardnerUnless we’re talking about our bodies, and the amount of exercise they can do, we usually talk about being fit in relation to something. An object is ‘fit for use’, clothing is ‘fit to be worn at work’, and food is ‘fit to be eaten’. My parents used to have a running joke that they were fit – fit to drop! Everything else is fit 'for something'. So why do we insist on describing ourselves as ‘fit’ or ‘unfit’ without relating the concepts to anything else?GENERAL PRINCIPLESIt’s a basic truth that the human body wasn’t made to sit still for any length of time. We spent tens of thousands of years evolving in an environment that required us to move – to find shelter, to catch food, and to keep ourselves safe from predators. We’ve only been living lifestyles that allow us to be sedentary for the lesser part of a hundred years – not nearly enough time for evolution to adapt our bodies to this new environment. We see this constantly reflected in modern rates of heart disease, atherosclerosis, chronic aches and pains, and muscular and bone deterioration in people who have become inactive as they age.On top of this, activity has a very real effect on both stress and energy levels. Our bodies have a ‘use-it-or-lose-it’ way with energy – if we don't constantly use and then replace energy (with activity, followed by rest and good nutrition), we start noticing our energy levels gradually draining away. We feel tired, lethargic, and as though any amount of effort is just too much to be worth it. And if we’re also under stress – for example, at work, or in a difficult relationship – we feel the energy loss and the stress even more intensely.These are general principles that seem to be true whoever we are. But different lifestyles require different amounts of energy, and exact different prices in terms of stress. We enjoy doing, and our bodies are suited for, different kinds of activity. It makes sense then, that the amount and type of activity that will help us reach our optimum fitness, will be different.DIFFERENT STROKESIf that’s the case, then getting ‘fit’ without a frame of reference seems like a meaningless concept. Unless we know what we want to be ‘fit for’ – what fitness means to us – there’s no reason for us to get or stay that way. If my life is basically calm, quiet and easy-flowing, and I’m quite happy to keep it that way, my ‘optimum fitness’ is going to be very different to someone who’s discovered a deep fulfillment in setting themselves a goal and achieving it. Someone who’d just like to go for a walk with friends without getting puffed is going to have a different optimum fitness level to someone who wants to discover how it feels to finish a marathon.On top of this, what people want often changes over time. Perhaps at one point in your life, you enjoyed spending a couple of hours a day exercising, but now you’re finding there are things you’d like to do far more with that time. Alternatively, when you first started creating your optimum life for yourself, it might have been enough for you to just keep your body healthy. As you tried new activities though, you might have discovered you were actually enjoying some of them for their own sake, and wanting to get fitter so you could do more of them. So at different times in your life, you’d have a different optimum fitness level.WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE “FIT FOR”? Which brings us back to our original question – can we talk about being fit, without knowing what exactly we’re ‘fit for’? The way we see it, your optimum fitness level depends completely on what you want to be able to do in your daily life, how you want to be feeling, how much energy you’d like to have and how exercise fits in with the rest of your life. So your first step in moving closer to optimum fitness needs to be to make that all-important decision “What do I want to be fit for?”

Seven Easy Ways To Do Aromatherapy Skin Care At Home

2008-08-30T01:02:00.004-07:00

by: Martha Stewart
When there is easy way to do your aromatherapy skin care at home, why do you have to do it outside your house. You can save money and you can treat your skin properly. You will look fresh and your skin will be healthy although you do it at home.The important message is that you must not careless with your skin. Although you feel you have complexion and glowing skin, you must understand that’s not forever. You still need to care your skin in order to be healthy because the longer you allow your skin to go without caring, the longer it will get damage. Well, aromatherapy skin care is a good choice.Why do skins get damage? There are different causes, but generally your skin gets damaged because of allergic, make-up you wear and the sun exposure you endure or maybe stress. In order to control your skin, better you do your aromatherapy skin care since early age so your skin will last you a very long time.You can do it at home using your aromatherapy skin care or other natural stuffs. Without leaving the comfort of your own home you can relax your body and mind, and also makes your skin better and healthy. Let go of stress. Stress can show up on your face, no matter how well you take care of your skin. Escape from everyday stress with these great home spa ideas that promise to rejuvenate, and renew your natural beauty.Okay, here are a few tips of aromatherapy skin care that you might want to try at home:- Use herbs or essential oils for a scent-sational soak in the tub that will melt away your worries and get you ready for your day of pampering.- Use skin softener and lubricant of sweet almond oil for massage or otherwise applied to the skin. It contains vitamins A, B1, B2 and B6 and some vitamin.- Steam your face before you do treatment to your facial skin by just standing in the shower for an extra minute or two. This will help to open your pores and improve the effectiveness of your chosen facial treatment.- Cleanse your face to remove bacteria with aromatherapy skin care that give you natural herbal scent.- After you are ready, put masker on your face. There is one great fruit masker for all skin types, the papaya facial. You can just mash up a fresh papaya and sieve into a bowl. Pat onto clean skin, leaving on for 10-15 minutes and then rinse with warm water, followed by cold water to close pores.- To relieve puffiness, reduce fine lines and revitalize the sensitive skin around the eyes, you are suggested to use cold compresses. Anything cool will work well.Everything is so easy. You can do all your aromatherapy for your skin care just from your house. This will be more convenience since you can order your aromatherapy stuff from the Internet. Life has spoilt you, isn’t it?

The Benefits of Taking a Daily Multivitamin

2008-08-30T01:02:00.003-07:00

by: John Gibb
The human body needs vitamins to function properly. Each of the 13 essential vitamins (A, C, D, E, K, B12, and the 7 B-complex vitamins) provides the regulation of a crucial function. We acquire a majority of the vitamins our body needs from food. When there is a deficiency, we are in danger of becoming seriously ill or even dying. Vitamin supplementation can reverse illness caused by vitamin deficiency, sometimes miraculously. Nowadays, it is very rare to find someone who isn't taking a daily multivitamin. Since there is a good chance that most of the individuals who take a daily multivitamin are eating a variety of foods, is it really necessary that they take a multivitamin? It may not be necessary, but everyone can benefit from taking a multivitamin. The obvious benefit of taking a multivitamin is to prevent deficiency. In some situations your dietary needs may increase. Pregnant women, for example, are generally advised to start taking multivitamins in their first trimester. This is to ensure that they receive the proper nutrition and pass it on to their unborn child. By taking a multivitamin every day a pregnant woman can decrease her risk of passing malnutrition on to her baby. However, the benefits of taking a multivitamin every day go beyond replenishing nutrient stores. With so many advancements, the world is moving at a pace that just gets faster and faster. People often feel like they can't keep up. They try to do too much and wind up in a stressful condition. Another benefit of taking multivitamins is that it combats stress. There are numerous stress formulations that can keep you mental healthy as well as energize you. In addition to these short-term benefits, taking a multivitamin every day can also reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. While taking a multivitamin on a daily basis makes good nutritional sense, it is not a magic bullet. It is often the case that people who suffer symptoms of illness attempt to cure themselves by taking multivitamins. This can be a serious problem. Some health conditions require special attention. If you have symptoms of illness you should seek medical attention.

9 Tips to Stop Food Cravings and Help You With Your Diet

2008-08-30T01:02:00.001-07:00

by: Emily Clark
Most of us are "regular" people. We don't eat the perfect diet all the time and have our struggles with food, same as everyone else. But having an awareness of this fact and knowing a little bit about our health and food nutrition can help when it comes to making wise decisions. Many people struggle with food "cravings." Studies tell us that it's fairly common for food cravings to happen at certain times, quite often at around bedtime. Your guard may be down, you may have had an unusually hard day, and off you go on your not-so-merry way to find that tasty treat. Fatigue and stress often combine to take their toll on the best of intentions. When food cravings are unconstrained, what starts out as a bedtime snack quickly turns into a full blown feeding frenzy...not something most of us fully understand or appreciate. We head to kitchen and every other place where food can hide, clearing a path as we go. Most food cravings are not about satisfying a nutritional need or imbalance. They seem to be more emotionally related, or God forbid, are caused by plain old gluttony. Exactly why we over-indulge is not completely understood, however our knowledge about this subject continues to grow. Listed below are some thoughts and ideas about food cravings: - If the food isn't available, you can't eat it! Empty the cookie jar and keep it that way! Keep healthy food choices on-hand. - Recognize the feelings and emotions that lead-up to a food craving. Do you have food cravings when you’re bored, lonely, or stressed? If you can identify a trigger, you can deal with the emotion that’s making you desire a certain food. Try to deal with the triggers in the best way you can. - Sometimes, even recognizing that a craving is about to happen doesn't seem to help. Don't beat yourself-up. There is always tomorrow. Call a friend, make good use of your support network and share your feelings with someone. - Get enough sleep. When you’re tired, you’re more likely to crave things. - Never give-up. When you "slip", press-in, bear-down, get a grip, do whatever is necessary to re-gain control. Try to practice restraint most of the time, but don't get legalistic and un-balanced in your weight loss approach. Think moderation and not abstinence at all times! - Understand that self-control and discipline by themselves, won't cut it! If you depend totally on yourself for control, you will fail. Forming caring and supportive relationships is required. If you do not currently have a support network, start building one TODAY. - Exercise. It increases feel-good endorphins that cut down on your cravings. Try to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day. - Use moderation. Instead of stuffing yourself with every kind of food hoping that your craving will go away, eat 100 to 200 calories of your "craved" food. - Substitute with low-fat foods and complex carbs. If you’re hungry for chocolate, eat non-fat chocolate yogurt. Try fig bars or raisins for a sweet craving. - Never skip a meal. Eat every three to five hours. Try six smaller meals or regular meals with nutritious snacks. - Understand that hunger craving are oftentimes stress related. Practice other ways to treat chronic stress – a walk in the park, spiritual connections, a cozy fireplace, baths...all these stimulate neurochemicals that activate regions of the brain that stimulate pleasure. Relaxation techniques may work by reducing the psychological drives on stress output, which can be the root causes of stress. Bottom line, substitute pleasurable experiences for comfort foods. - Beware of certain medications. They can stimulate appetite. Drugs used for the treatment of depression and bipolar disorder can be appetite stimulants. Other drugs, both prescription and over the counter, may influence appetite as well. If you are on a medication, and troubled by food cravings, discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist. You may be able to find an alternative that doesn't send your cravings out of control. - Distract Yourself. What's that old expression...idle hands are the devils workshop? Get busy. Do anything other than cave-in to your desire for food, and keep doing it until the cravings subside. - One final thought, take a look inside your refrigerator and kitchen cabinets and do some general "house cleaning." Throw-out all that unhealthy stuff that is waiting to sabotage your diet, and start shopping more wisely. A little forethought and careful planning will go a long way for improving your chances of success. Eat wisely, be happy, and live long! The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any health care program.

Do Cellulite Creams Actually Work?

2008-08-30T01:01:00.002-07:00

by: Burke Jones
No cellulite cream can counteract the effects of a sedentary lifestyle, for instance. Neither can a cream magically restore circulation or drop excess weight from a body that does very little and takes in more than it needs. The best lotions, the most evolved lotions, cannot make up for diets composed of fast foods eaten on the run and deep fried fatty concoctions with little or no nutritional value. Neither can lotions reduce stress for a body rigid with it and stress is often an element in the problem of cellulite. Stress does not have to be physical to have very physical effects. No lotion exists that can reverse genetic inheritances or balance hormones reliably. These are all factors in the formation of cellulite. So, now that we are clear on exactly what cellulite creams cannot do, we can move on to what they may be useful for. Now you have them in perspective you may be less likely to believe advertising that tells you that you needn't move off the sofa. That all you have to do is languidly stretch out your hand and apply this miracle lotion and you will look like the model in the picture who is often impossibly beautiful, prepubescent and photographed in a good light. What some cellulite creams can do rather nicely is supplement your treatment program. In this support capacity they can even be quite impressive. Some creams will ardently claim to be all things to all women with cellulite. Personally, I'd still watch the diet, do the exercise and keep the stress levels down. Broadly speaking the creams on the market can be divided into those whose ingredients are botanical and those that are chemical. Caffeine, and its derivatives, are natural tissue decongestants used in a number of cellulite creams. Many prefer the "decaffeinated" versions that use potent herbs like horse chestnut, gotu kola, ivy and seaweeds to achieve the same results. Many ingredients not only assist in the sloughing off of toxins but also in the stimulation of circulation. Not, of course, as much as a good run around the block would do. Many cellulite creams claim to contain patented transport systems that facilitate the delivery of ingredients through the outer layers and into the actual site of the damage. This, they say-- and it makes sense--is a principal reason for the success of their particular product. How a cellulite cream is applied is also an important factor. Methods of application vary from the quick rub at home to high tech patented processes that use light frequencies along with specially designed rollers and suctions that help to mobilize the tissue and transport the good stuff deep down into the cellulite stricken areas.

Busting Acne Myths Requires Individualized Treatment and More Research

2008-08-30T01:01:00.001-07:00

by: Naweko San-Joyz
If you have acne, you know the deal- everybody has a cream or suggestion to help you get clear skin. But how do you separate myth, medicine and folklore to find an acne treatment that works for you? That’s what researcher Parker Magin set out to do in a study entitled, A systematic review of the evidence for ‘myths and misconceptions’ in acne management.Magin and co-researchers from the University of Newcastle, New South Wales, conclude that clinicians cannot be “didactic” when making acne treatment recommendations that are based on diet, hygiene and sunlight exposure. According to Magin, acne treatments should be individualized. Meanwhile, the Academy of Dermatology has published a press release touting, The Stubborn Truth About Acne: Myths and Misconceptions. Though this article discusses a recent Stanford University survey that examined acne myths held among young adults, it offers no solid advice for securing an acne antidote. Moreover, its meaning is paradoxical. For example, the article headlines Alexa Boer Kimball, M.D. who is an assistant professor of dermatology at Harvard University. Dr. Kimballs sums up the survey on acne by saying “that substantial differences still exist between popular belief and scientific support, yet this does not change the way patients attempt to care for their acne.”Dr. Kimballs’s comments at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology casts a discrediting shadow over her groundbreaking research that aimed to separate acne fact from fiction. Just two years ago in 2003, Dr. Kimball was apart of a Stanford University study investigating the effect of stress on acne. Then, Dr. Kimball concluded that, “increased acne severity was significantly associated with increased stress levels… while self-assessed change in diet quality was the only other significant association.” The results of this study suggested that the link between acne, and diet and stress are no longer hypothetical but warrant further examination.Another investigation aiming to demystify acne came for Dr. Loren Cordain. Cordain and his associates explored the link between diet and acne in a study called Acne Vulgaris: A Disease of Western Civilization. Cordain noted that Kitavan Islanders of Papua New Guinea and the Aché hunter-gatherers of Paraguay had no active cases of acne. This prompted the question, “So why does acne vulgaris affect 79% to 95% of the adolescent population in westernized societies?” Cordain found that genes alone do not cause the disparity of acne incidences between non-westernized and modernized societies. Other factors must enter the equation. Acne can arise from hormonal shifts, stress upheavals and a host of other causes. Your best defense against acne is observing yourself and noting what conditions, foods and emotions aggravate your acne situation. From there, you can use self-care to reduce acne flare-ups.