10 Easy Ways to Reduce Stress

While stress is the leading cause of serious health conditions, there are ways in which we can alleviate the every day stress in our lives.  Here are some stress relievers you can incorporate into your daily life.

* Meditation.  Utilize a room in your home that is quiet and void of distractions.  Sit on a floor mat with legs folded, back straight, hands palm up on legs.  Clear your mind.  Begin breathing in and out slowly.  Focus only on your breathing.  Before you know it the stress will leave your body and you will become relaxed and energized.

* Exercise.  Any form of exercise will release endorphins in your brain and alleviate any ongoing stress.  Stretching, however, can relieve stress by engaging in a few exercises in your home.  For example, stand with knees slightly bent, arms out-stretched, and then slowly bring your arms in toward your body in a circular motion.  Think of carrying a large basket in your arms and moving it close to your body.

* Walking.  20 minutes of walking can create a wonderful and relaxing state of mind.  You can literally work off the stress and feel relaxed and full of energy after a brisk walk.  Walking in the park also affords you the opportunity to commune with nature and the environment.

* Writing.  If you are not into exercise, another way to get rid of whatever is causing the stress is to keep a daily journal.  Write down your thoughts and feelings as a way of releasing the negativity within.  It is a catharsis that does dissipate stressful thoughts.  There is another way to relieve the stress, and it does work.  Write down a stress-induced feeling on a piece of paper and then put it into an ashtray and burn it.  Dissolving it into ashes releases the burden.

* Music.  Music does calm the savage beast.  Whether you are driving, at work or at home there is nothing that can alleviate stress more than soothing music.  Whether it is classical, instrumental or sounds of the waves.  Utilize this stress-relieving technique as often as you can.

* Yoga.  There are many forms of yoga available today.  There is, however, a new method called Qi Gong (pronounced Chi Gong), which has become very popular.  It encompasses slow movements, which allows you to focus on your breathing and relaxes you immediately. 

* Playing.  Take some time to play with your children.  Hide-n-seek will surely pass the time away, relieve stress and keep you active.  You’ll find yourself laughing right along with your children and this will great reduce your stress.

* Shopping.  This may sound a bit odd, but a trip to the mall can help reduce stress.  You become so busy looking at the latest fashions that you forget about you and concentrate on what you can purchase.

* Play, Musical or the Opera.  Perhaps the one thing you haven’t done is treat yourself to a night on the town.  Everyone needs a break once in a while, and one of these forms of entertainment can put you in a great mood immediately.

* Tea.  Sometimes, making a cup of brewed tea such as chamomile can alleviate stress.  Its properties will calm and soothe and it does reduce stress levels.  Have a cup during the day or before going to bed. A peaceful sleep awaits you.

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6 Benefits of Using Coconut Oil

We’ve all heard of coconuts, but you may or may not have heard of coconut oil. Usually we get coconut dried, shaved, and thrown on a cream pie. But when we just eat the dried flesh of the coconut, we’re missing out on the best part. Coconut oil was once used regularly for cooking, but has now disappeared in favor of oils containing unsaturated fats.

Here are six benefits to consider when choosing to cook with coconut oil:

*It lowers cholesterol. We’ve always been told to avoid saturated fats because they raise your cholesterol. This is the primary reason coconut oil, which is mostly saturated fats, has been used less and less recently. However, coconut oil has been shown to help metabolize cholesterol faster, reducing overall levels. A study was done in a culture where coconut oil was used on a regular basis. When these people were moved to a different area and their coconut oil intake dropped, their cholesterol levels got much higher.

* It can keep you young. Coconut oil lowers cholesterol because it stimulates the thyroid gland. When the thyroid works properly, it uses cholesterol to make chemicals that are vital for preventing disease and keeping you from aging.

* It can help you lose weight. As I already mentioned, coconut oil helps improve thyroid functioning. Improper functioning of the thyroid is a major cause of obesity. Cultures that use more coconut oil have less incidence of obesity.

* It can prevent cancer. Increased thyroid function has also been shown to reduce the incidence of cancer. Studies have shown the occurrence of cancer to be lower, and in some cases nonexistent in areas that rely on saturated oils. They have also shown that the number of cancer cases increases with the addition of unsaturated oils to the diet.

* It can prevent infections. Coconut oil has been found to contain 40% lauric acid. This is a fatty acid that is found in breast milk. The body converts it into a substance that fights bacterial, viral, and protozoal infection in infants. When your body has these chemicals, your immune system does less work and you stay healthy.

* It can lead to fewer health problems. Coconut oil has been used in tropical areas and even modern cultures for many years. Only recently have people started switching to unsaturated oils for cooking. In areas that have made this switch, obesity, high blood pressure, cancer, and other problems have increased. Cultures that still use coconut oil have fewer of these problems.

As you can see, switching to coconut oil for your cooking needs is a great decision. It can help you live longer, and look and feel better. So why not go buy some coconut oil today?

 

Healthier Alternatives to Coffee 

Ready to kick your coffee habit? Making the decision to give up that regular morning cup of coffee can be difficult. Thankfully there are healthier alternatives that can still give you that morning pick-me-up without the negative side effects. As you might have guessed, tea is a popular alternative to coffee. The caffeine in tea does not bind to your system the way coffee does which allows it to move through your body more efficiently.

Black tea tends to have the strongest flavor and the most caffeine of all teas. This rich tea has plenty of antioxidants and flavonoids which help prevent heart disease and strokes. The flavor of black tea differs from spicy and nutty to flowery and fruity. Some of the most popular black teas are Darjeeling and English Breakfast.

Green tea comes in many varieties and is high in nutrients and minerals. Specifically this tea contains Vitamin C and fluoride which helps strengthen our immune system and bones. This tea has a subtle bitter flavor that has slight grassy hints of the fresh plant.

Yerba Mate is widely consumed by South Americans as a healthy alternative to coffee. This non-caffeinated tea has plenty of vitamins and minerals along with saponins which are phytochemicals that are known to boost the immune system. Yerba Mate has a refreshing sweet and spicy flavor.

Rooibos is a non-caffeinated red tea that energizes and is a great thirst quencher. The flavor is often described as sweet and nutty. It is popular in South Africa because of its high levels of anti-oxidants and its ability to aid in hypertension, headaches and irritability.

Ginseng tea both relaxes and energizes and can be consumed at any time of the day. It is know to enhance stamina and mental alertness. Several vitamins and minerals are found in this tea such as folic acid, niacin, copper and manganese. Adding sugar or honey is recommended as it has a bitter taste.

Kicking your coffee habit might take some time due to the effects of caffeine withdrawal. Slowly cutting back on your coffee dependence by alternating with substitute beverages can help alleviate the symptoms of headaches, irritability and fatigue. Experimenting and evaluating different alternatives will assist your search in a healthier replacement.

About The Author:  Vanessa Lujan is a holistic health educator and massage therapist. She helps others start home based businesses and currently owns and operates, www.glowtopia.com which sells vegetable/soy based candles and all natural bath products.

 

 Seven Myths About Good Eating Habits

Your body can be thought of as a precision machine. It comes with thousands of intricate parts that combine to make an amazingly functional team. Like any machine, your body needs regular maintenance and fuel.

Your body needs to be fueled with the right nutrients in order to run at its maximum capacity. Following good eating habits is important to your overall health, but you also need to be able to sift through the layers of poor information.

Here are seven myths — busted — about good eating habits:

1. “You should work out on an empty stomach.” This is definitely a myth. The rumbling in your stomach is trying to tell you something, and it’s not that you need to dash to the gym. Ignore those tummy rumbles and you’re forcing your body’s engine to run on empty. Always be sure that you have a light snack, such as a piece of fruit, before any physical activity.

2. “Meal replacement bars and drinks are good for you.” Sorry, another myth. Meal replacement bars and drinks can offer a small benefit if you are traveling or in a real pinch, but they are nowhere near the same as eating real food. Vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, fiber, and plenty more is available in fruit and vegetables, and is much better than bars.

3. “Breakfast isn’t important.” Of course, your mother was right about this one. Breakfast is and will always be the most important meal of the day. Eating a healthy breakfast gives your body the supercharge it needs to meet the challenges of the day. Skipping breakfast robs your body of precious fuel, and will leave you feeling tired and hungry all day long.

4. “Low-carb diets provide all the nutrients we need.” Another myth. For temporary weight loss, low-carb diets may work, but in terms of overall good health, they come up short. We need carbohydrates for our very survival, and they start by developing muscle tissue, and storing energy for later use.

5. “Eat what you want, when you want.” If only life were that easy. Just because you’re making some good food choices and exercising regularly, doesn’t necessarily give you license to eat everything you want. Balance is the key. You can’t eat only cheese and no fruit or vegetables and expect to lead a healthy life.

6. “Chop as many calories as you can.” Cutting calories is part of losing weight, but running too low on fuel can harm you, too. Trim those calories gently, aiming for a weight loss of about 1-2 pounds per week. Much more loss than that means you should add some more food to your diet.

7. “Forget soda pop and alcohol.” This one’s true! Good drinking is a big part of good overall eating. Why add to the profits of companies selling sugar water with artificial flavor and color added? Tap water is healthy, and juice and milk are also great choices. Drink small amounts all day and evening long, as much as you can comfortably ingest. (But note that the “rule” of 8 glasses a day is not really based on scientific research, but is another myth that has been repeated millions of times.) Avoid dehydration by sipping frequently.

Good eating habits begin with a solid understanding of proper diet. When you change what you eat, you’ll be taking an important step toward improving your overall wellness. Fuel up and keep your motor running for optimum performance today, and down the road.

About The Author:  Author Sheila Ffloyd writes for several well-known web sites, on health and wellness and health product subjects.

 

Dangers of Overusing Antacids 

With expanding waistlines and worsening diets, heartburn seems to becoming more prevalent. T.V. commercials and supermarket shelves are covered with various product to relieve your heartburn symptoms. That is why it’s so important to know the possible dangers of antacid medications and the safe and effective alternatives.

Like any drug, it is possible to overdose on the medicines in antacids, specifically magnesium. A magnesium overdose can present with symptoms ranging from clumsiness, weakness, drowsiness and confusion, to more serious symptoms including paralysis and coma. While rare, magnesium poisoning has taken lives. Be sure to never exceed the recommended dose if you do take antacids.

Even if you aren’t taking enough to overdose, too many antacids can disturb the natural balance in your digestive tract. There’s acid in your stomach for a reason. It helps properly digest food and also kills dangerous organisms that attack your stomach lining. If you neutralize too much stomach acid, you are hurting your body’s ability to digest and protect your stomach. To keep acid levels from dropping too low, it’s best to control them naturally.

The easiest way to prevent mild heartburn is to avoid specific foods that trigger it. While some foods can cause heartburn in many people, not all sufferers have the same trigger foods. The best way to find the culprits is to keep a diary of what food you eat and how severe your heartburn is. You should start to see a pattern of foods that are best for you to avoid.

There are other dietary changes you can make. You should cut back or eliminate alcohol and caffeine consumption. If you choose to drink alcohol, don’t drink with a meal. Increasing the amount of fiber and water in your diet has also been shown to reduce symptoms.

In addition to diet changes, you can also reduce heartburn by making small changes to your daily habits. These changes include:

• Cutting back or quitting smoking. Never smoke while you’re eating
• Avoiding tight clothing.
• Eating at a slow, comfortable pace while sitting at a table.
• Taking a short walk after each meal.

If diet and habit changes don’t alleviate your heartburn, there are herbal alternatives that may be helpful. Some supplements that may relieve your symptoms are ginger, papaya enzymes, green tea, peppermint, chamomile, licorice, or catnip. Many of these remedies are available in several forms so you can use what’s convenient to you. Often a cup of herbal tea after a meal is best. The best part about these remedies is that some may be able to repair esophagus damage from frequent heartburn.

Just remember, just because herbs are natural, doesn’t mean they’re safe. Consult a doctor before taking any medications, herbal or otherwise.

If you have severe, persistent heartburn, or don’t improve after implementing the above changes, please see a doctor. You may have a more severe condition and require medications for full relief.