How to fight Stress?

Stress doesn't mean it always has to be negative.A certain amount of tension is helpful for a productive and interesting.After all,stress can help us to perform better.There are 2 types of stress.The good stress is called the eustress and on the other hand the bad stress is called as distress.Eustress invigorates the mind and body and produces positive effects whereas distress produces tension that can harm your body and cause illness.Research has found that workplace stress has lead to attrition.So its important for the employers to see to that the employees find time to de-stress and relax.Its really important to find out whether you are really stressed out or not?These are some of the common symptoms that are associated with stress.

• You feel very irritated
• You have trouble concentrating
• You can't rest.A lot of thoughts keep spinning through your head.
• You find it very hard to make important decisions.
• You become very moody and confused.
• You are restless and lack energy to get things done.

Let me suggest some ways through which you can alleviate the effects of stress.
Believe it or not,Yawning can help you relax by stretching the muscles,increasing oxygen intake and releasing tension.Yawn loudly and stretch your arms several times a day.Waling can also help to reduce the stress levels and improve overall quality of life.Walk whenever you can.Laughter lowers blood pressure and and reduces hypertension.It also reduces stress hormones and triggers the release of endorphins-body's natural painkillers.Lavender helps you relax.Before drying off after a shower,place a 3 drops of lavender essential oil on a damp washcloth and rub it gently over your body.The soothing active agents in the lavender oil will enter your body through your skin and nose.You diet also plays a vital role.A balanced diet is essential to maintain a healthy life.Nuts that are good sources of vitamins and minerals soothe the nerves and helps to combat stress and increase concentration.Exercise regularly as it can help to beat stress.Take a break.Take some time off and plan a short vacation as it can help you to achieve real relaxation.So guys fight stress to lead a healthy and happier life.

Ayurveda tips for fabulous skin

I reckon that most of the people are beauty conscious in today’s world. Ayurveda offers the best skin care solutions and is much cheaper than most of the expensive cosmetic products.Ayurveda is a combination of two words, ayur, which means life, and Veda, which means knowledge. Hence, Ayurveda can be described as the Science of Life. It is an ancient 5000 year old tradition which originated in India and is now being practiced in many parts of the world for the best skincare solutions. Let me give you some tips which can help you to maintain a glowing skin.

· Mix equal quantities of cucumber juice, rose water and lime juice. Wash the face and apply it overnight. Rinse off in the next morning with lukewarm water. This helps to clear the complexion and keep it healthy.

· Mix equal quantities of lime juice, glycerin and rose water. This lotion if applied to the face regularly at bed time is very useful in removing pimples, blackheads and other stains of the skin. It makes the skin soft, and can also be applied to other parts of the body (hands, feet etc.).

· Regular application of orange can ensure smooth and soft skin. Mint juice can be applied to remove the stains.

· Take 50 ml. of tomato juice and mix with one teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply this mixture to the face. It helps to make the skin soft and glowing.

· And most important of all ensure that you get proper sleep (at least 8hrs a day) and have a good balanced diet. Exercise regularly to keep yourself fit and improve your overall fitness.

These tips, if followed can keep your skin away from blackheads, pimples, blemishes and pigmentation and can ensure healthy and glowing skin.

Stop smoking for your own good

Every year hundreds of thousands of people around the world die from diseases caused by smoking. Smoking is a killer disease which is found to be the prime cause for numerous deaths around the world. On an average, people who smoke die 5 to 8 years earlier than people who don’t smoke. Smoking affects lung and causes lung cancer. Smoking also increases the production of acids in the stomach, which often leads to ulcers and heartburn. Smokers are also at risk of developing mouth ulcers and dental problems such as teeth discoloration, gum bleeding, bad breath, and tooth decay. Heart disease and strokes are also more common among smokers than non-smokers. Currently it has been estimated that smoking kills one out of every ten adults. If the same trend continues it may kill one out of every six people by 2030. The government of India has launched many anti-smoking campaigns to elaborate the harmful effects of smoking but to no avail. So before it’s too late, before you deeply regret please stop smoking. Quitting smoking requires a lot of hard work and determination but you can quit smoking if you very optimistic. Quit smoking to live longer and lead a happier life. So when are you planning to quit?

Coffee addicts...Beware

Have you been consuming a lot of coffee lately? Then you better avoid it and restrict yourself to maximum 2-3 cups a day.Caffeine, a main ingredient of coffee acts as a stimulant the brain and central nervous system. Caffeine is present in almost all the food products ranging from tea, carbonated drinks, chocolate etc in varying concentrations. Caffeine intake for a prolonged period can lead to addiction and the withdrawal symptoms are mainly headache, irritability, anxiety, interference with sleep etc. Caffeine consumption has been linked to short-term increases in blood pressure, heart rate, and to occasional irregular heartbeat. Being a coffee addict myself, I find it to be very useful to relieve migraines.But I restrict myself to 2 cups a day. Coffee consumption has some of its advantages also. It lowers the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, increases mental alertness, reduces drowsiness, speeds up metabolism etc.Some of the recognized harmful effects of coffee are lack of sleep, leads to heart attack(if taken in excess),insomnia, nausea etc.So it’s better to moderate coffee intake. If you found this article useful why don’t you buy me a cup of coffee?

Better living through Yoga

If you think Yoga is still not popular, let me tell you something. Yoga is being practiced by 20 million Americans and number keeps growing every day. First of all let me introduce you all to the benefits of yoga

• Brings down stress and enhances powers of relaxation
• Boosts physical strength, stamina and flexibility
• Bestows greater powers of concentration and self control
• Helps in rehabilitation of old and new injuries
• Intensifies tolerance to pain and enhancing mental clarity
• Boosts functioning of the immune system
• Improves blood circulation
• Results in healthy, glowing skin
• Cleanses and improves overall organ functioning
• Bestows peace of mind and a more positive outlook to life
• Infuses a sense of balance and internal harmony

There are a number of books on yoga. You can also search for yoga in the web to find more information on the benefits of yoga. I have provided a link below through which you can download a copy of a e-book on yoga. It has been of great use to me and I use it as my reference to know about different asanas in yoga. I am sure it will be useful to you.

http://www.esnips.com/web/raju232007-Yoga/

Some Essential Health Tips

1. Shake your Body!

Every day find new ways to move your body. Use the stairs rather than an escalator or elevator. Walk your dog (or a neighbor’s dog if you don't have one!) , chase your kids, play ball with friends, mow the lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it's a stress buster.

2. Cut the Fat

Don't eat fat rich foods such as fried foods, burgers and other fatty meats. Eat dairy products like cheese, cottage cheese, milk and cream having low fat versions.

3. Reduce Stress

Stress busters come in many forms. Some techniques recommended by experts are to think positive thoughts. Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like. (i.e., go back to number one above!, exercise is a great stress reducer, Soak in a hot tub; walk on the beach or in a park; read a good book; visit a friend; play with your dog; listen to soothing music; watch a funny movie).

4. Stop Smoking

All the experts agree on this one. Ever since 1960 when it was announced that smoking was harmful to your health, people have been reducing their use of tobacco products. Just recently, we've seen a surge in smoking in adolescents and teens.

5. Reduce your exposure to Pollution

Not everyone can live in a smog-free environment, but we can all avoid smoke-filled rooms, high traffic areas, breathing in highway fumes and exercising near busy thoroughfares.

6. Take precautions

Statistics show that the wearing of seat belts add to longevity and help alleviate potential injuries in car crashes.

7. Don't drink too Much Alcohol

It is true that a glass of wine or one drink a day (two for men) can help protect against heart disease, more alcohol than that, or binge drinking on a night out, can cause other serious health problems such as liver and kidney disease and cancer.

8. Floss Your Teeth

Harvard Medical School studied longevity and found one of the most important contributing factors was daily flossing! Flossing and brushing your teeth daily can make your real Age as much as 6.4 years younger.

9. Maintain a Positive Mental Outlook

There's a definitive connection between living well and healthily and having a cheerful outlook on life. Yes, keep on smiling and laughing!

10. Pick Your Parents Well!

The link between genetics and health is a powerful one. You can't pick your parents, but just because one or both of your parents died young in ill health doesn't mean you can't counteract the genetic pool handed you. So follow the first 9 tips above

No Fizz for Kids

If your child loves sweet drinks and avoids water, it’s time to take action. A study published in US magazine Pediatrics suggests that a fizzy drink a day could equate to about 6 kilos a year in weight gain.”Swap sugary drinks for pure fruit juice, says Annie Seeley, registered public health nutritionist.Dilute the juice until its just water. Avoid juice drinks as these can contain as little as 5% fruit juice. And remember, you decide what goes in the fridge, so if you don’t buy fizzy drinks they can’t have them.