Friday, October 03, 2008
Natural Supplements article
Unfortunately the effects of mental illness on health, social life and productivity in the United States and throughout the world has long been absolutely underestimated. Studies in many different countries all over the world have shown that mental illness is becoming one of the most often illnesses in our modern life.
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.
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.
Here are eight tips to assist in living a more stress free life.
1. Determine, no matter what, to create time for self. For some people, maybe it's a soothing bubble bath at the end of the day. For others, it could be a quick trip to the local gym. The activity really doesn't matter as long as they take some time for themselves.
2. Listen to calm, soothing music on the way to work, while at work, and while going to sleep. Music has a way of calming and soothing the mind body.
3. Practice deep abdominal breathing periodically throughout the day. Breath in deeply through the nose pulling the belly button toward the spine, hold for a few seconds, and then slowly release. People will be pleasantly surprised at how this simple technique can result in a more relaxed body and mind. This can be done in any environment.
4. Take time to exercise. Exercise helps to increase self-esteem, decrease depression, increase concentration and energy, and gives one a greater sense of control over stress. Hitting the local gym is not always necessary. Taking a 15-minute walk around the neighborhood, taking walks on lunch breaks, taking the steps instead of an elevator, and parking farther away when shopping are examples of how someone can squeeze in exercise during the day.
5. Eat Healthy. There are foods that promote calmness and foods that increase stress levels. People can ask themselves if they are eating too much sugar and caffeine, and if they are getting enough protein. They can also evaluate if they are eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and staying away from refined and processed foods. Healthy eating is very important for any human being. Taking a look at diets and making the necessary changes can result in increased optimal health.
6. Call a friend. For anybody, it is always important in life to have at least one relationship where they can just vent and know that a listening ear and unconditional acceptance will be given.
7. Practice Thinking Calmly. Everyone has a favorite place that is peaceful, soothing, and calm. When stress levels increase, people can take a mental break and visualize that special place. They can take note of the sights, sounds, and smells. It is important to continue to do this until relaxation is felt. People will notice that the stress they are experiencing will be less and more manageable.
8. Have a sense of humor. We all are familiar with the saying, "Laughter is the best medicine." This is so true. Be willing to laugh at personal mistakes. Watch a funny movie. Share a joke with a friend. In other words, lighten up. It will make such a difference.
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Natural Steps for Menopause (check the Evidence rating) - Health 24
Wed, 10 Sep 2008 23:50:00 GMT
*** Good Evidence of a health benefit. ** Some Evidence of a health benefit. * Traditionally used with only anecdotal evidence. Women usually go through menopause between the ages ...
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Snacking doesn't have to be unhealthy. This article will give you lots of ideas for healthy snacks that will fill you up, give you energy and satisfy your cravings.
Most experts agree that snacking is a part of a balanced and healthy diet, as long as the snacks dont pile on empty calories. Like any other part of your diet, its important to put some thought into what kind of snacks to have on hand; otherwise its all too easy to pick something high-calorie, high-fat, or high-sugar.
Its a good idea to not let yourself get too hungry before eating a meal or snack, since this is a surefire way to encourage overeating. Drinking sufficient water throughout the day (8-10 glasses is generally recommended) will not only serve to keep you well-hydrated, but will also help you feel less hungry. Another good idea is to include some protein with your snacks, as this will help keep you feeling full for a longer period of time.
Following are some ideas for different types of snacks. You may be hungry for different kinds of snacks at different times, or on different days. Pick what sounds best, what you have on hand, and what fits best into your eating plan or strategy.
Crunchy/Salty:
* Flavored popcorn or rice cakes * Pretzels (with or without some honey mustard dip) * Light microwave popcorn * Baked tortilla chips with salsa
Fruits& Veggies:
* An apple (with or without some caramel dipping sauce) * Sliced strawberries with fat-free half and half * Raw veggies (try a dip with ranch seasoning and fat-free sour cream) * Frozen grapes
Dairy:
* String cheese * Light yogurt * Chocolate milk (made with lowfat milk) * Cottage cheese with canned pineapple
Drinks:
* Banana-chocolate whip (In a blender, combine 1 cup fat-free milk, 1 small banana, and a squeeze of chocolate syrup. Optional: toss in a few ice cubes for a frostier concoction) * Orange whip (In a blender, combine, 1 cup orange juice, 1 carton orange nonfat yogurt, and a few ice cubes) * Light Root Beer Float (Diet root beer with 1 cup lowfat ice cream * Steaming mug of fat-free hot chocolate/cocoa (with added calcium)
Sweets:
* 2 whole wheat fig bars (look for these in the organic food section) * 2 lowfat graham crackers spread with 1 T. chocolate frosting * 3 Hersheys kisses * Animal crackers (1/2 small box) and a cup of lowfat milk
I recommend keeping a list of your favorite healthy snacking ideas, either on your refrigerator, in your purse, on your computer, or even your PDA. Sometimes its hard to think of a good snack option. With your list, youll never have to worry again and it will help with shopping, too!
About the Author
Erin Rogers, a work-at-home mom of two, is the founder of Health-E-Meals.com, providing practical healthy living resources for busy people. She's also the author of the Healthy Express Cookbook: 101 Fresh, Light & Quick Dinners (http://www.health-e-meals.com/ebook.html). Visit her website (http://www.health-e-meals.com/DOTD.html) to sign up for her FREE electronic newsletter, 'Dinners on the Double' - offering a quick and healthy, no-recipe dinner idea and more each week. Erin can be reached via email at erin@health-e-meals.com.
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Combating Food Cravings
Food cravings can sabotage your weight loss efforts. Experts indicate that the most commonly craved foods are those with a high sugar and fat content, such as:
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Certified Organic Wheatgrass Powder - 125g
Supplements
One health benefit of green tea is that it lowers the risk of heart diseases. A study has showed that regular green tea drinkers reduced their risks of developing hypertension by 46% - 65% compared to people who did not drink tea. It has been considered that the antioxidant chemicals in green tea are partly the reason for a reduction in heart-related diseases.
Antioxidants have been regarded as a major factor in decreasing the risk of atherosclerosis. By drinking green tea, oxidation of lipid in the blood is prevented. This, in turn, lessens the probability of lipids from sticking to the walls of the artery. Also, another recent study has shown that consuming green tea apparently enhances the function of the lining of the blood vessels. This allows arteries to become more capable of expanding and contracting when they need to. And, the enhanced function also reduces the arteries chances of forming plaques and lesions linked to heart diseases. The antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in green tea also prevents the unnatural formation of blood clots known to cause thrombosis, one of the major causes of heart attacks and strokes.
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Bladder and Urinary Tract Health
Raw foods such as fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, cereals are thermic in nature, meaning they take energy to digest. If you are looking to lose weight then the best way would be to fill up on raw foods so the metabolism has to burn extra calories to metabolize or digest these foods.
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Bladder and Urinary Tract Health
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Proper nutrition is crucial to a healthy pregnancy and in producing a healthy baby - but it's also an important factor in balancing your hormones to make it possible and probable that you'll conceive....
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This interview is an excerpt from Kevin Gianni's Fountain of Youth Summit, which can be found at http://fountainofyouthworldsummit.com. In this excerpt, David Wolfe shares on foods that speed up m...
Adina World Beat Beverages - CSR Wire
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Our mission is to create the magical experience of connecting people beyond borders by providing healthy, exotic and delicious beverages, original music, and lifestyle products ...
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The BIG Book of Juices & Smoothies - Natalie Savona
Eczema
