Health Fitness and Diet

Happy New Year 2012

Stay healthy, keep fit, be happy!

Don’t be too hard on yourself

Be yourself

Does cafeine has any benefits?

Caffeine, like chocolate, often receives bad publicity. Whilst in some instances, and in excess, these can have negative effects on our body, they can also be quite beneficial.

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I am not disputing that some people are more sensitive to the negative effects of either caffeine or chocolate. For example, excess caffeine can create anxiety, nausea (particularly if taken on an empty stomach), an increase in heart rate, and even depression in some people. And chocolate is certainly not something that should form the mainstay of one’s diet. If struggling with sugar addiction, or wanting to lose weight, there are more nutritionally complete foods that are available.

But scientists have turned up some interesting facts on caffeine. For example, caffeine actually blocks the effects of a neurotransmitter in the brain (adenosine) that otherwise makes us feel tired. This is why it works so well to keep us awake. It also encourages the release of another brain chemical, dopamine (as well as adrenaline). Dopamine contributes to a feeling of well being.

Two studies, one a population based study (which are not as specific or rigorously defined as other types of studies, but nonetheless valuable indicators) found that drinking caffeine containing drinks like coffee and tea had a protective effect for those at risk of developing liver disease. Issues that the study participants had that increased their risk of liver disease included alcoholism, hepatitis B or C, obesity, or other complications.

And the results indicated that people who drank more than 2 cups of coffee a day had a 44% lower chance of showing actual liver damage compared to those who drank no caffeine. This was not a clinical trial, and the reason why coffee and tea had such an effect is not known. Coffee and tea contain a range of plant chemicals (phytonutrients) that could be responsible for this. A 2005 Norwegian study also found similar benefits for coffee with regards liver disease. This study found that drinking 3 cups of coffee a day could lower the risk of death from liver cirrhosis.

Even if you’re not at risk of liver disease, caffeine still has some advantages. Recent research from Austria showed that caffeine may actually enhance short term memory. Researchers found that there was an increase in brain activity (as measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging) in the parts of the brain that were associated with memory and attention. These parts of the brain were the frontal lobe and the anterior cingulum. This was a placebo controlled study, meaning that some people were not given any caffeine. Another, earlier study (2004) found that caffeine did support short term memory, but only when it was in relation to a topic that people were already thinking about. This study found that when testing coffee’s effects on unrelated subjects, short term recall was actually inhibited.

Everything does have a flip side though. Adenosine, which is blocked by coffee, is also calming. This could be why it can also cause anxiety in excess, and in some individuals. After all, the balance of our brain chemistry is unique. And when we are addicted to stimulants like caffeine, we lose the sensitivity to our own natural stimulants (dopamine and adrenaline).

Health, Safety and comfort

Image by roger_mommaerts via Flickr

Wheat bags can be safe if used properly, but can be dangerous if overheated. You can use hotties microhottie as an alternative; it’s safer than gel pads, wheat bags and hot water bottles.

Hotties use unique patented technology which avoids tricky stoppers, no filling with boiling water avoiding leaks, splashes or spills and no dangerous gels or waxes or overheated wheat or lavender aromas.

Watch the video below, about wheat bags

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A pet for a happier life

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Consider adopting a pet. Studies have shown that individuals who own pets, including cats or dogs, live a happier and healthier life. The reason is because pets provide companionship and unconditional love, which is one of the reasons that they may help to eliminate minor cases of depression and/or stress.

A regular fitness regimen may help to treat depression, including walking or a leisurely jog. Experts believe that walking for 30 minutes each day may help to ease stress and anxiety, which often lead to depression, and may also improve cardiovascular health.

Find a hobby that you enjoy. If you have too much time on your hands, consider volunteering at a local hospital or becoming involved in some type of community activity that offers you personal satisfaction and enjoyment. After all, busy hands are happy hands.

The loss of sleep is one of the leading causes of stress and anxiety, which are directly related to depression. In order to improve the quality of your sleep, make sure that your mattress is comfortable, along with your pillow. It may also help to keep your bedroom at a comfortable temperature so that you can sleep soundly through the night without being disrupted by hot or cold temperatures. And finally, the use of portable air filters will help to remove allergens in the air and will leave your room with a feeling of cleanliness. This may help to ease allergies, which often disrupt sleep and can lead to anxiety throughout the day.

Consider the cause of your depression and try to remove it from your life. Whether it be a job or a relationship, you may be able to effectively eliminate the depression by getting away from the cause. If your work is stressful because of the amount of hours spent on the job, consider cutting back on overtime in exchange for more enjoyment at home and with family. If your schoolwork is too demanding, consider evaluating your courses and which are most important for your education. If a relationship is what has you in a rut, consider a counseling session for couples or talk with your partner about whatever it is that

Loneliness

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Did you know that being lonely is a normal part of our everyday lives.

Lets face it, we’ve all been there.

We get depressed when we fail in our exams, when we’re rejected by the person we love, or when someone very close to us passes away.

That’s just part of life.

But, depression, however, can be more fatal than just plain loneliness. It could render Life-Long consequences that could ruin your Self-Esteem, Health, and Well-Being in the process.

Well today is your lucky day because I’m going to share with you some great tips to help you conquer the ‘Melancholy Mood’ so you can get the MOST bliss out of your daily activities.

So, with that said, lets go to Tip #1.

Tip #1. Do you get enough Light and Sunshine?

Did you know that lack of exposure to sunlight is responsible for the secretion of the hormone called Melatonin, which could trigger a dispirited mood and/or a lethargic condition.

Melatonin is only produced in the dark. What it does is it lowers the body temperature and makes you feel sluggish.

So, if you are always cooped up in your room (with the curtains closed), it would be difficult to restrain yourself from staying in bed.

This is the reason why many people suffer from depression much more often in winter than in the other seasons.

It’s simply because the nights are longer.

If you can’t afford to get some sunshine, you can always lighten up your room with brighter lights to help offset the darkness.

Or…

You could go have lunch outside the office for a change and take frequent walks in the early afternoon instead of driving your car over short distances.

The choices are endless. It’s really up to you.

Tip #2. Keep Busy and Get Inspired.

You’ll be more likely to overcome any feeling of depression if you keep your mind busy doing the activities you like doing the most.

Do the things you love.

If you’re a little short on cash, you could engage in simple stuff like taking a leisurely stroll in the park, playing sports, reading books, or engaging in any activity that you have passion for and would love to pursue.

Also, set a Goal.

No matter how difficult or discouraging life can be, remain firm and have an unshakable belief that you are capable of doing anything you desire.

With this kind of positive attitude, you will attain a cheerful disposition to beat the blues.

Tip #3. Take a Break. Sit back and Relax.

I mean it.

Listen to some soothing music you like. Soak in a nice warm bath. Simply take a break from your stressful workload and spend the day just goofing around doing the things you love.

In other words, go have fun. Life’s to short as it is.

Tip #4. Maintain a healthy diet and Stay Fit.

Avoid foods with lots of Sugar, Caffeine or Alcohol.

Sugar and caffeine may give you a brief moment of energy; but they will later bring about Anxiety, Tension and Internal problems.

Alcohol on the other hand is a depressant. Many people would drink alcohol to simply “forget their problems.”

All they’re doing is aggravating their conditions in the process.

Also, did you know that exercising regularly is a vital depression buster.

Why you ask?

Simply because it allows your body to produce more Endorphins than usual.

Endorphins are sometimes called “the happy chemicals” because of their Stress-Reducing and Happiness-Inducing properties.

Tip #5. Get a Social Life outside of work.

No man is an island. Your inner circle of friends are there to give you moral support.

Spending time and engaging in worthwhile activities with them could give you a very satisfying feeling.

And we all now… nothing feels better than having group support.

And… never underestimate the power of Touch.

What I mean is… doesn’t it feel so good when someone pats you on the back and gives you words of encouragement during your most challenging times?

Hug or embrace someone today.

Get intimate.

Establish close ties with your family and friends.

The love and care expressed by others could tremendously boost your immune system and fend off illnesses.

Best of all, you’ll live a more secured and happy life.

Now go give those 5 Tips a try and see how they pan out for you.

Depression or tiredness

Depression has become one of the most widely increased diagnosed disorders in this country over the past few years. Things like the falling economy causing a decrease in personal finances, in addition to life.

You may have seen advertised television commercials offering depression testing. Depression not only saddens an individual ’s state of mind, but also causes symptoms like fatigue, anxiety and loss of motivation, even in the simplest of daily activities.

NB: Going to bed late every day, doesn’t automatically mean being depressed.

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Behaviour and mental imperment in Autism

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Autism is a complex neurological disorder that dramatically affects people behaviour and social interactions. The disorder can be revealed in early childhood, by the age of 3. Although the first signs of autism can sometimes be identified in infants, the disorder is usually discovered at a later stage of life. Autistic children present a wide range of? behavioral abnormalities, and they can be easily identified among normal children. While normal young children long for the presence of their parents and love to play in the company of other kids, autistic children are very indifferent, showing no interest to the people around them.

Egocentrism is a major behavioral characteristic of children with autism, who may even ignore the presence of their mothers or caretakers, avoiding any form of interaction with them. In early childhood, autistics develop repetitive, stereotype behaviors and become very upset if their routine is perturbed. In many cases, autistic children may also engage in self-harm activities such as head-banging.

The communication skills of autistic children are also impaired. While some children with autism may refuse to speak at all, others experience pronounced difficulties in expressing themselves. Autistics are generally withdrawn, passive, and low-responsive. In many cases, they even avoid making eye contact with other people.

Autism can be anywhere from mild to very pronounced. Children who suffer from milder forms of autism are usually very intelligent. For this category of children, the disorder only affects their emotional intelligence and their social interaction skills, leaving their judgment intact. Hence, while these children may have poor adaptation and social interaction skills, they may have a very good logic, excelling at math or in other similar areas. In many cases, autistics may even have remarkable talent for visual arts or music. At the opposite pole, children with severe autism also suffer from mental retardation. The development of mentally retarded autistic children is very slow and these children rarely make any progress. Although the exact causes of autism havenAlthough the exact causes of autism haven’t yet been identified by medical science it is believed that genetic factors have a very important role in the occurrence of the disorder. Autism involves abnormalities at the level of the central nervous system which are suspected to occur on the premises of genetic dysfunctions.

Autism and education

Cover of When Words Are Not Enough

Have you ever felt difficulty in expressing yourself? Have you ever come across a point in your life when words are not enough to give justice to what you feel?

Education

They say that knowledge is power. This is one power that cannot be divested or taken away from you. It is also only through proper education and training that a person can get hold of knowledge.

A person equipped with the knowledge and enough drive to pursue a field or goal can easily fulfill his or her potential. You can climb the corporate ladder. You can influence people. You can gain enough respect and reputation.

If knowledge is really the key, what about the others whose conditions would not allow it? Take autism for example. Its cause up to now is still not definite but it has been perceived by many people as disabling.

Autism

Autism is actually a condition that involves nerve development. The discrepancy of the development manifests in the behavior of the kid: communication, social skills and repetitive mannerisms. Autistic children often fail to respond to the world around them. As such, they are regarded for having a world of their own.

However, this is not to be regarded as a disease or ailment that will render the person entirely incapable. Some families that have a child diagnosed with autism undergo depression, withdrawal or despair. Parents get too engrossed with the problem that they overlook the alternatives. The special conditions or the limitations of a child with the autistic syndrome may be addressed properly.

The worry over providing the proper care and education to an autistic child is one of the many obstacles that will have to be confronted. As such for any family dealing with the condition, it is important to provide early interventions so as to facilitate a faster progress.

Providing Education to Autistic Children

There are many teaching methods that have been developed to address the situation of autistic children. The method would of course depend on the needs and capabilities of the child, whether the autism is mild or not.

Primarily, the parents think it is best to send the child to a special education institution if the local school does not have a special program. Institutions focusing on autism will also help in providing autism-specific classrooms. In such instances, the teacher will focus to the needs of the autistic child. There would be no other disorders to be addressed. It is also best to keep the teacher from being stressed or overworked. The teacher must be emotionally and physically up and about.

Also, there are cases of autism that will still make it helpful to attend regular schools. Some school districts have provided support to make the teachers and student body more aware of such situations. Some parents of autistic kids also work together to ensure that the needs of the kids will be met within the school boundaries.

Finally, we should constantly remind ourselves that education starts at home. The parents must properly comprehend and grasp the situation of the child. They should also consider the aspects and effects of the autistic condition and how they can properly address the development of the child. These are some of the few things that must be aimed for: understanding the behavior, knowing the proper response, encouraging new ones, dealing with the social problems, working and playing together.

There should also be considerable cooperation between the parents and the teachers or professionals to ensure that the problems of the child will be addressed. Parents should know the learning styles of the child and keep themselves informed of the various strategies that would help the child succeed.

Getting the kid in the appropriate educational institution would be very helpful. Still it is the family that will reinforce and support the child to progress.

We are living in a very fast world. The world keeps getting smaller and smaller as technologies are improved and knowledge is progressed. It is very easy to amuse ourselves, to fulfill our needs and even get what we want. However, in this fast-paced life not everyone will be able to catch up. Some may be left behind, not because they choose to be, but because their conditions limit them.

We should not limit this world only to the able. We should also learn to embrace and enable those who are limited by their existence.

Home Made Detox

Ginger Healing Detox Tea with Turmeric

There has been a lot in the news lately about the amazing healing properties of turmeric, a free-radical-fighting antioxidant-rich curry spice that has been hailed as a defense against both cancer and Alzheimer’s. When we found this tasty recipe for a warming, detoxifying ginger-turmeric tea, we were thrilled: after the holiday season, we figured we could use some detoxing and healing!

Then we tasted it, and were totally hooked: it’s delicious! Ginger and turmeric combine with citrus and maple syrup to make the perfect blend of healing nutrients. We streamlined the recipe to make it ultra-easy, too:

INGREDIENTS
2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon powdered ginger
1/2 teaspoon powdered turmeric
1 tablespoon maple syrup
Juice of 1/2 lemon

1. Bring water to a boil, then add powdered herbs. Simmer for 10 minutes.
2. Strain tea into a mug, add maple syrup and lemon, stirring to combine. Drink warm.
Makes 1 serving.

Spa Cuisine: Peachy Iced Green Tea - Recipe

Drinking green tea may help you lose weight. According to clinical studies conducted by Dr. Abdul Dulloo, of the University of Geneva in Switzerland, green tea raises metabolic rates and speeds up fat oxidation. Green tea is also a great immune-enhancing health-booster and anti-cancer agent, with flavonoids and polyphenols thought to inhibit tumor formation.

So here is our easy-to-make recipe for green tea, but this one tastes so good you’ll never guess how good it is for you! A great, healthy thirst-quencher for hot summer days.
Simple Solution:

INGREDIENTS

6 green tea teabags
6 cups cold water
2 ripe peaches, pitted and sliced
1. Place teabags in a large teapot or pitcher.
2. Put sliced peaches in a saucepan, add cold water, and bring to a brisk boil, then pour water and peaches over teabags.
3. Steep for 6 minutes, then add sweetener (maple syrup, honey or Succanat are recommended). Allow tea to cool, then refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.
4. Include a few peach slices in each glass and serve with a spoon, garnished with a sprig of mint, if you like.

Even Easier Alternative Method: Make a pitcher of green tea and add the contents of a can of organic sliced peaches. Chill thoroughly.
Makes 6 servings.