There are other methods as well. Some detox systems guarantee results in 3 days. Then there is some that promise results in 28 days.
It all depends on what you do and what you consume as far as how your body will respond to a detox. The fact is... you WILL NOT get a "total body detox" in a quick fix, three-day program. The point of the detox is to TOTALLY clean out your system. So there are ways that you can completely reap all of the benefits of a detox.
The Secret?
Take it slow. There are many things that you need to consider when you start a detox. In order for your body to gain the full benefits of a good detox, you will have to start out slow. Decrease your toxic intake. I mean slow down on the smoking, drinking, and caffeine.
Start by drinking juices and water, while cutting down on junk food. From there you can start adding raw vegetables and get yourself down to one regular meal. This makes it so much easier on your body to where you can finally be well on your way to a detox.
The first couple of days are crucial and they are the hardest. Your body is adjusting to the new eating style. You may notice some things like frequent visits to the bathroom and decreased appetite. This is good and it is normal as well.
Another way to take full advantage of a total body detox is to make sure that you accompany the diet with a good vitamin supplement. It is good for your body to get all of the nutrients and vitamins that it needs in order to properly detox and restore all of what it needs to function properly.
Avoid vegetables that are laden with pesticides. The best thing to do is purchase them from a private farmer verses a grocery store. Buy drinking water, because tap water is already full of toxins like chlorine. Make sure that the juices that you get are pure and not concentrated.
A total body detox is the first step to a healthier new you. However, there are things that you must remember. Try to keep with proper eating on a daily basis to ensure that your body stays rid of these chemicals and toxins. It is also recommended that we detox at least two to four times a year. This ensures that our bodies are healthy and free from toxins. IT gives our main organs a break as well and enables them to function properly.
As with any new diet trend, it is important to talk to your health care professional. They will know the proper total body detox method for you and your body.
Wednesday, 31 August 2011
Common relationship problems see in today’s lives
In everyone’s life personal relationships matter a lot. But often relationships hurt and compel us to break up a relationship. According to a recent survey it is revealed that there are millions of people out there who are suffering from different kinds of relationship problems and the cases of break up in relationships are increasing day-by-day.
The study has revealed that most of the relationship problems arise in the US and UK and the cases of remarriage are much higher than other countries of the world. The social scientists have divulged the most common relation problems as:
* Lack of communication
* Jealousy
* Lack of desire to spend time together
* Frequent quarrel over a number of things
* Refusal to stay together
The psychologists and social scientists have revealed the most common reasons behind all these types of relationship problems as:
* Less spending quality time together. It is often seen that when a couple is unable to spend quality time with each other then the affection for each other begun decreasing which leads to break-up.
* Extra-marital relationship is a very common reason of raising problems in relationships.
* Sexual dissatisfaction is another quite common reason behind relation break-ups. As sex acts a major role in a married relationship, dissatisfaction in this act often leads to extra-marital relationships and break-up.
* Jealousy has been seen as a very common reason of relationship problems and break-up. It is always experienced in the mind and heart of a person feeling the emotion. According to the psychologists the feeling of jealousy comes from the feelings of low self-esteem and personal inferiority. It has been noticed that in a relationship when a person feels that no one could ever give him affection for being the kind of person he is.
* Negative expectations are another very common reason of relationship break-ups. This is when someone expects his/her partner to do something to disappoint you. According to the psychologists, in our lives our expectations are either positive or negative; whenever in a relationship negative expectations enter ten serious problems arise.
So, now you must have understood the most common relationship problems noticed today. If you are suffering from any of the relationship problems then without any delay go for a relationship councilor today.
The study has revealed that most of the relationship problems arise in the US and UK and the cases of remarriage are much higher than other countries of the world. The social scientists have divulged the most common relation problems as:
* Lack of communication
* Jealousy
* Lack of desire to spend time together
* Frequent quarrel over a number of things
* Refusal to stay together
The psychologists and social scientists have revealed the most common reasons behind all these types of relationship problems as:
* Less spending quality time together. It is often seen that when a couple is unable to spend quality time with each other then the affection for each other begun decreasing which leads to break-up.
* Extra-marital relationship is a very common reason of raising problems in relationships.
* Sexual dissatisfaction is another quite common reason behind relation break-ups. As sex acts a major role in a married relationship, dissatisfaction in this act often leads to extra-marital relationships and break-up.
* Jealousy has been seen as a very common reason of relationship problems and break-up. It is always experienced in the mind and heart of a person feeling the emotion. According to the psychologists the feeling of jealousy comes from the feelings of low self-esteem and personal inferiority. It has been noticed that in a relationship when a person feels that no one could ever give him affection for being the kind of person he is.
* Negative expectations are another very common reason of relationship break-ups. This is when someone expects his/her partner to do something to disappoint you. According to the psychologists, in our lives our expectations are either positive or negative; whenever in a relationship negative expectations enter ten serious problems arise.
So, now you must have understood the most common relationship problems noticed today. If you are suffering from any of the relationship problems then without any delay go for a relationship councilor today.
Travel Bugs and Bother
The number of international travelers has dramatically increased in the recent years. In the mid-1900s, 31 million international air travelers were recorded. By the year 2000, the figure shot up to more than 2 billion passengers. With such number, it is inevitable that some portion of this population of travelers will become ill or have health accidents while they are abroad. Most of the travel-related illnesses and accidents are preventable, at least to some extent. This article tackles common ailments that could ruin your trip and some practical advice on how to minimize the risk of acquiring them.
Altitude Sickness
By traveling by air, people are more likely to encounter altitude sickness particularly at heights greater than 2400 meters (8000 feet) and if you have ascended too quickly without allowing the body to adjust for lower pressure of oxygen. It often presents with headache, and a feeling of listlessness. Even some activities would be very strenuous, and a person may feel nauseous and breathing may become irregular. Some may experience flu-like manifestations. The symptoms may appear within six to ten hours following ascent, and may last for three days. Occasionally, altitude sickness can progress to a difficulty in breathing accompanied with unusual behavior, unsteadiness, pulmonary and cerebral edema, coma, and even death.
In order to prevent altitude sickness, it is advised to ascend slowly. The person experiencing this should also avoid doing strenuous activities, rest, and take plenty of fluids as well as alcohol since dehydration is also thought to be a contributing factor.
Dehydration
All too often, traveling by air, sea, or land will leave you dry and thirsty probably because of the lack of humidity inside the cabin, or the temperature of the place you are traversing especially in hot countries. People with diseases of the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract should have extra precautions because they are easily dehydrated. So before traveling, always maintain an adequate fluid intake. Or wherever you may go, ensure that you always have enough water on hand as there is always a risk that water in some areas may be unsafe.
Diarrhea
Traveler’s diarrhea is probably the most common illness among people going abroad or to a different place. This may be a result of a change in eating habits as well as being unaccustomed to the food and drink of a particular place. More often, it is caused by poor hygiene and sanitation in food storage and preparation. Water may also be contaminated with bacteria. So, to reduce the chance of acquiring the disease, it is advisable to drink only from purified bottled water. Also, take additional precaution when it comes to food. Symptoms are usually mild which may include abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and sometimes a low-grade fever. It will usually last for only 3 to 4 days.
Mosquito-borne illnesses
People traveling to some areas like the tropics should be careful with mosquito-borne illnesses. Dengue fever, a viral disease, is more common in the tropics and may cause symptoms such as fever, rashes, headache, and muscle and joint pain. When left unmanaged, dengue fever could progress into dengue shock syndrome which could be fatal. Treatment for dengue is mainly supportive but prevention is still the best measure against it. So, while on a trip, make sure to use insect repelants and wear long and protective clothing.
Another mosquito-borne illness is malaria. Although there is no known vaccination against the disease, those who are traveling to malarial areas should consult with their doctor whether any preventive medications should be taken.
Sunburn
A trip to sunny destinations increases the risk for sunburn and subsequently skin cancer. Hence, remember to apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outdoors, even on cloudy days. Re-apply whenever you go swimming. If you do get sunburn, take a cold shower and apply cold packs on the area. If necessary, take pain relievers to reduce pain and swelling. Severe sunburns that are blistered may need proper treatment from a physician.
Frostnip and Frostbite
Extremely low temperatures could also lead to frostnip and frostbite which is indicated by numbness and whitening of the skin. Affected areas such as the hand must be re-warmed by placing them in warmer areas of the body such as the armpit. Do not rub the area in the attempt to warm it. Seek professional help as frostnip may progress to second, third, or fourth degree frostbite where there is a risk of losing the affected part temporarily or even permanently.
Altitude Sickness
By traveling by air, people are more likely to encounter altitude sickness particularly at heights greater than 2400 meters (8000 feet) and if you have ascended too quickly without allowing the body to adjust for lower pressure of oxygen. It often presents with headache, and a feeling of listlessness. Even some activities would be very strenuous, and a person may feel nauseous and breathing may become irregular. Some may experience flu-like manifestations. The symptoms may appear within six to ten hours following ascent, and may last for three days. Occasionally, altitude sickness can progress to a difficulty in breathing accompanied with unusual behavior, unsteadiness, pulmonary and cerebral edema, coma, and even death.
In order to prevent altitude sickness, it is advised to ascend slowly. The person experiencing this should also avoid doing strenuous activities, rest, and take plenty of fluids as well as alcohol since dehydration is also thought to be a contributing factor.
Dehydration
All too often, traveling by air, sea, or land will leave you dry and thirsty probably because of the lack of humidity inside the cabin, or the temperature of the place you are traversing especially in hot countries. People with diseases of the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract should have extra precautions because they are easily dehydrated. So before traveling, always maintain an adequate fluid intake. Or wherever you may go, ensure that you always have enough water on hand as there is always a risk that water in some areas may be unsafe.
Diarrhea
Traveler’s diarrhea is probably the most common illness among people going abroad or to a different place. This may be a result of a change in eating habits as well as being unaccustomed to the food and drink of a particular place. More often, it is caused by poor hygiene and sanitation in food storage and preparation. Water may also be contaminated with bacteria. So, to reduce the chance of acquiring the disease, it is advisable to drink only from purified bottled water. Also, take additional precaution when it comes to food. Symptoms are usually mild which may include abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and sometimes a low-grade fever. It will usually last for only 3 to 4 days.
Mosquito-borne illnesses
People traveling to some areas like the tropics should be careful with mosquito-borne illnesses. Dengue fever, a viral disease, is more common in the tropics and may cause symptoms such as fever, rashes, headache, and muscle and joint pain. When left unmanaged, dengue fever could progress into dengue shock syndrome which could be fatal. Treatment for dengue is mainly supportive but prevention is still the best measure against it. So, while on a trip, make sure to use insect repelants and wear long and protective clothing.
Another mosquito-borne illness is malaria. Although there is no known vaccination against the disease, those who are traveling to malarial areas should consult with their doctor whether any preventive medications should be taken.
Sunburn
A trip to sunny destinations increases the risk for sunburn and subsequently skin cancer. Hence, remember to apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outdoors, even on cloudy days. Re-apply whenever you go swimming. If you do get sunburn, take a cold shower and apply cold packs on the area. If necessary, take pain relievers to reduce pain and swelling. Severe sunburns that are blistered may need proper treatment from a physician.
Frostnip and Frostbite
Extremely low temperatures could also lead to frostnip and frostbite which is indicated by numbness and whitening of the skin. Affected areas such as the hand must be re-warmed by placing them in warmer areas of the body such as the armpit. Do not rub the area in the attempt to warm it. Seek professional help as frostnip may progress to second, third, or fourth degree frostbite where there is a risk of losing the affected part temporarily or even permanently.
Stress and Health Problems: Is There a Link?
A comparison of health problems in this generation versus those of a few centuries ago seems to indicate a greater number of sicknesses nowadays, albeit more curable, than they were that lifetime ago. Cancer, especially, has become almost as commonplace as the common flu. It seems that nearly every family has someone who has cancer. But why is there such an increase in health problems?
1. Environmentalists would attribute it to the rising pollution levels as well as global warming or other atmospheric factor
2. Health buffs may point to the increased consumption of fatty junk food from fast food restaurants and the increasingly sedentary lifestyle of couch potatoes
3. Vegetarian-fanatics will blame the higher intake of red meats and its related by-products, pushing the world to go all green.
But are any of these to blame for the recurring health problems across the world? Or is there something else that has a subtle but sure connection with all these sicknesses? It was only in this decade the medical science has proven a link, albeit still largely unexplored, between stress and these rising health problems. The Mayo Clinic itself warns that stress can disrupt much of the body’s natural processes, making a person more vulnerable to serious, life-threatening health problems.
Does that mean stress levels nowadays are indeed higher than it was a hundred years ago? It is highly likely, since a lot of the conveniences invented for this generation have not exactly made things easier. Yes, automated machines and other innovations have made things convenient for a particular task, but have instead resulted in an overly hectic, and therefore stressful, schedule for nearly everybody. So what kind of effects does stress and other negative emotions have on the human body?
1. Stress results in an overproduction of acids in the digestive track. This has been proven among internal medicine physicians, and has resulted in stress being indirectly related to hyperacidity, stomach ulcers, allergy, coughs, and colds. The interesting thing is that sometimes, the cough or cold appear to be stubbornly there for weeks on end, and the patient has a hard time figuring out why medication does not seem to work. More experienced doctors would usually link the cough and cold to an overactive acid level in the stomach and therefore treat that first with an antacid.
2. Some people complain of migraine headaches that never leave, or night-after-night of insomnia. Checkups may reveal nothing wrong with the person’s head: no tumor, nothing alarming found in the X-ray or CT scan, nothing at all! But if someone checks that person’s emotional state of mind, most likely he is stuck in a cycle of worry and anxiety – two emotions best known for causing sleeplessness and
3. Fear is an emotion that the medical world identifies as a major cause of stress. When fear is prevalent in a person’s life, no matter what the object of the fear is, several effects happen, such as a panic attack and other times, it can even cause severe diarrhea. Unfortunately, fear is one emotion that is very difficult to avoid, especially for the more unreasonable things, like fear of the future, fear of not having enough, and similar thoughts that you cannot just “face” head-on like you would tangible things.
4. Research studies by scientists these recent years have discovered an interesting link between feelings of guilt and condemnation to more life-threatening sicknesses. A serious example is cancer. Apparently, in studies of the cells of people who have perpetual condemnation ringing in their heads, the cells appear to be fighting one another or others self-destruct. If this connection is indeed true, the human race may well be one step closer to finding a better cure for cancer than the current medications and chemotherapy. Of course, that would mean dealing with the issues of guilt and condemnation, a feat not easily done since these deep-set feelings usually come from years and years of struggling with blaming oneself.
These are but a few examples of the negative effects that stress and these other related heavy emotions have on the human body. In any case, the connection seems clear enough, indicating the need for a holistic view of health, taking into account one’s emotional needs in addition to the physical, medical necessities. At the best case, one can try to avoid stress as much as possible, while dealing with other negative emotions in the best way possible, on his way to lesser health problems and improved overall well-being!
1. Environmentalists would attribute it to the rising pollution levels as well as global warming or other atmospheric factor
2. Health buffs may point to the increased consumption of fatty junk food from fast food restaurants and the increasingly sedentary lifestyle of couch potatoes
3. Vegetarian-fanatics will blame the higher intake of red meats and its related by-products, pushing the world to go all green.
But are any of these to blame for the recurring health problems across the world? Or is there something else that has a subtle but sure connection with all these sicknesses? It was only in this decade the medical science has proven a link, albeit still largely unexplored, between stress and these rising health problems. The Mayo Clinic itself warns that stress can disrupt much of the body’s natural processes, making a person more vulnerable to serious, life-threatening health problems.
Does that mean stress levels nowadays are indeed higher than it was a hundred years ago? It is highly likely, since a lot of the conveniences invented for this generation have not exactly made things easier. Yes, automated machines and other innovations have made things convenient for a particular task, but have instead resulted in an overly hectic, and therefore stressful, schedule for nearly everybody. So what kind of effects does stress and other negative emotions have on the human body?
1. Stress results in an overproduction of acids in the digestive track. This has been proven among internal medicine physicians, and has resulted in stress being indirectly related to hyperacidity, stomach ulcers, allergy, coughs, and colds. The interesting thing is that sometimes, the cough or cold appear to be stubbornly there for weeks on end, and the patient has a hard time figuring out why medication does not seem to work. More experienced doctors would usually link the cough and cold to an overactive acid level in the stomach and therefore treat that first with an antacid.
2. Some people complain of migraine headaches that never leave, or night-after-night of insomnia. Checkups may reveal nothing wrong with the person’s head: no tumor, nothing alarming found in the X-ray or CT scan, nothing at all! But if someone checks that person’s emotional state of mind, most likely he is stuck in a cycle of worry and anxiety – two emotions best known for causing sleeplessness and
3. Fear is an emotion that the medical world identifies as a major cause of stress. When fear is prevalent in a person’s life, no matter what the object of the fear is, several effects happen, such as a panic attack and other times, it can even cause severe diarrhea. Unfortunately, fear is one emotion that is very difficult to avoid, especially for the more unreasonable things, like fear of the future, fear of not having enough, and similar thoughts that you cannot just “face” head-on like you would tangible things.
4. Research studies by scientists these recent years have discovered an interesting link between feelings of guilt and condemnation to more life-threatening sicknesses. A serious example is cancer. Apparently, in studies of the cells of people who have perpetual condemnation ringing in their heads, the cells appear to be fighting one another or others self-destruct. If this connection is indeed true, the human race may well be one step closer to finding a better cure for cancer than the current medications and chemotherapy. Of course, that would mean dealing with the issues of guilt and condemnation, a feat not easily done since these deep-set feelings usually come from years and years of struggling with blaming oneself.
These are but a few examples of the negative effects that stress and these other related heavy emotions have on the human body. In any case, the connection seems clear enough, indicating the need for a holistic view of health, taking into account one’s emotional needs in addition to the physical, medical necessities. At the best case, one can try to avoid stress as much as possible, while dealing with other negative emotions in the best way possible, on his way to lesser health problems and improved overall well-being!
Rest for Good Health
Some people become so preoccupied with exercising to improve their health that they forget to take adequate rest. Anytime they wind up doing nothing, they would want to think up ways to fill up that time to make the most of their workout routines. However, the importance of rest in good health cannot be underestimated. Perhaps you are, even now, raising your eyebrow at the idea I am presenting. But there are several reasons and examples that I can give you wherein rest is actually a key ingredient for an overall good health.
1. Rest allows cells to rebuild. This is especially true for those who are undergoing strength training to build up muscles or to tone them up. Studies show that unless muscles get at least one day to rest in between workout sessions, they will wind up damaged. In contrast, the 24-hour time period in which they are not being worked will result in their recuperating and repairing themselves for maximum output. Other than muscles, even ordinary cells are found to be repairing themselves while a person sleeps, and not otherwise. That is why doctors usually recommend at least eight hours of sleep a night, in order to allow one’s cells maximum time to repair themselves.
2. Rest energizes you for the tasks ahead. Obviously, when you are tired, you will need to rest, sometimes in the form of sleep, other times simply by becoming still. Instead of pushing yourself to reach a goal without resting, you may wind up more energized if you took a few minutes of shut-eye. Studies have estimated the best length of a nap to take during the day to recharge is between fifteen to thirty minutes. Anything longer than that may actually make you feel more sluggish.
3. Rest results in greater productivity. Ancient writings such as the Bible and the Torah emphasize this principle, and the Jewish community even stretches the principle further to their farm lands. In obedience to God’s instructions given to them through the Torah, they not only physically rest themselves every seventh day, even their farm lands are given a one-year rest every seven years! Interestingly, while we may expect them to lose one-year’s worth of crops, the opposite actually happened.
The well-rested land wound up re-nourishing itself that year when it was not cultivated, and the land turns up a greater harvest in the years when it is in operation than it would have without that rest period. Now, Israel has the best bumper crops throughout the whole world. I wonder if that is just a coincidence? If that works for something inanimate as land, would you not agree that your living body will benefit just as well?
4. Rest allows us to think over things. Not only do our physical bodies get to recharge, we also get a chance to mull things over that we may not have time for while being very busy with many things. This makes us more clear-headed to make important decisions, which is vital for the many aspects of life. After all, someone who is groggy from lack of sleep tends to be cranky and can make many poor decisions he may later regret.
Once you realize the importance of rest for your overall good health, you will find it easier to incorporate it into your week and not feel guilty about not being active. Just remember that the whole cycle of working out and resting is to be taken as a whole, and you cannot have one without the other. Now you feel you have permission to take it easy one day a week and enjoy the other recreational activities you have missed, such as reading a good book or just taking a long nap.
1. Rest allows cells to rebuild. This is especially true for those who are undergoing strength training to build up muscles or to tone them up. Studies show that unless muscles get at least one day to rest in between workout sessions, they will wind up damaged. In contrast, the 24-hour time period in which they are not being worked will result in their recuperating and repairing themselves for maximum output. Other than muscles, even ordinary cells are found to be repairing themselves while a person sleeps, and not otherwise. That is why doctors usually recommend at least eight hours of sleep a night, in order to allow one’s cells maximum time to repair themselves.
2. Rest energizes you for the tasks ahead. Obviously, when you are tired, you will need to rest, sometimes in the form of sleep, other times simply by becoming still. Instead of pushing yourself to reach a goal without resting, you may wind up more energized if you took a few minutes of shut-eye. Studies have estimated the best length of a nap to take during the day to recharge is between fifteen to thirty minutes. Anything longer than that may actually make you feel more sluggish.
3. Rest results in greater productivity. Ancient writings such as the Bible and the Torah emphasize this principle, and the Jewish community even stretches the principle further to their farm lands. In obedience to God’s instructions given to them through the Torah, they not only physically rest themselves every seventh day, even their farm lands are given a one-year rest every seven years! Interestingly, while we may expect them to lose one-year’s worth of crops, the opposite actually happened.
The well-rested land wound up re-nourishing itself that year when it was not cultivated, and the land turns up a greater harvest in the years when it is in operation than it would have without that rest period. Now, Israel has the best bumper crops throughout the whole world. I wonder if that is just a coincidence? If that works for something inanimate as land, would you not agree that your living body will benefit just as well?
4. Rest allows us to think over things. Not only do our physical bodies get to recharge, we also get a chance to mull things over that we may not have time for while being very busy with many things. This makes us more clear-headed to make important decisions, which is vital for the many aspects of life. After all, someone who is groggy from lack of sleep tends to be cranky and can make many poor decisions he may later regret.
Once you realize the importance of rest for your overall good health, you will find it easier to incorporate it into your week and not feel guilty about not being active. Just remember that the whole cycle of working out and resting is to be taken as a whole, and you cannot have one without the other. Now you feel you have permission to take it easy one day a week and enjoy the other recreational activities you have missed, such as reading a good book or just taking a long nap.
How a Spiritual Life Can Affect Your Health
The human race is plagued by many sicknesses, with an apparently higher number towards these recent times than ever. For example, whereas cancer used to be a very occasional disease many generations ago, now it seems that every family has at least one relative that has it. Interestingly, in the midst of all the medical advancement in terms of cures and medication, some people are turning more into something less tangible. More people are looking into the spiritual side of things to deal with diseases, especially with the more serious cases.
Does spirituality really affect one’s physical health? Or is it more of a comfort zone for those who are already struggling physically? Science has actually performed several studies to look into the effects of having an active spiritual life on one’s physical health, and here are the top findings.
1. Those who go to church regularly tend to cope better with sickness. It could likely be that the spiritual side of things broadens their perspective in accepting the illness, as well as in believing for a possible cure. This perhaps explains why many people flock to pranic healing or any other spiritual healing gatherings or crusades. Deep within each of us is an inherent need to believe there is something out there bigger than ourselves.
2. The practice of glossolalia, or known in Christian circles as speaking in tongues, has been studied in terms of its effects on the brain and the immune system. Christians believe that it boosts the immune system, and a non-Christian group of doctors placed sensor devices on a person while he was speaking in tongues. The graph showed an active movement on one part of the brain that does not get activated under other known circumstances. Interestingly, medical science also acknowledges that it does boost up the immune system for some strange way.
3. People who believe in a Supreme Being find it easier to believe for a miraculous healing, compared to those who do not believe in any deity. For example, a person who believes in the Bible will find hope when he reads things in it that describe how his sickness has been transferred to another person who took his place on the cross. This gives him a visual picture to believe that he can indeed be healed. These people will also tend to encourage one another with quotations from the Bible, which other people may find weird or crazy, but for them, it alleviates their emotional pain and will actually eventually have an effect on their health.
4. The issue of condemnation is usually dealt with when a person comes to terms with spirituality. Inside every human being is the knowledge that he has done wrong and he needs to pay. This condemnation has been cited as the main cause for cells to self-destruct or to fight against one another. These may result in illnesses such as cancer or other cell-destroying sickness. When someone explores his spirituality and finds that he is already forgiven by this Supreme Being because God Himself made a way to provide for that forgiveness, he is released from the feeling of guilt and shame, setting him free from ailments caused by these negative feelings. The result may usually be gradual, as his spirituality takes effect first on his emotions and finally on his physical health.
These are just the main ways in which a spiritual life can eventually affect one’s physical health. Of course, it still depends on the person, as nobody can insist his views upon another. It is only by personal revelation that things like spirituality can be accepted and believed in by another person.
Does spirituality really affect one’s physical health? Or is it more of a comfort zone for those who are already struggling physically? Science has actually performed several studies to look into the effects of having an active spiritual life on one’s physical health, and here are the top findings.
1. Those who go to church regularly tend to cope better with sickness. It could likely be that the spiritual side of things broadens their perspective in accepting the illness, as well as in believing for a possible cure. This perhaps explains why many people flock to pranic healing or any other spiritual healing gatherings or crusades. Deep within each of us is an inherent need to believe there is something out there bigger than ourselves.
2. The practice of glossolalia, or known in Christian circles as speaking in tongues, has been studied in terms of its effects on the brain and the immune system. Christians believe that it boosts the immune system, and a non-Christian group of doctors placed sensor devices on a person while he was speaking in tongues. The graph showed an active movement on one part of the brain that does not get activated under other known circumstances. Interestingly, medical science also acknowledges that it does boost up the immune system for some strange way.
3. People who believe in a Supreme Being find it easier to believe for a miraculous healing, compared to those who do not believe in any deity. For example, a person who believes in the Bible will find hope when he reads things in it that describe how his sickness has been transferred to another person who took his place on the cross. This gives him a visual picture to believe that he can indeed be healed. These people will also tend to encourage one another with quotations from the Bible, which other people may find weird or crazy, but for them, it alleviates their emotional pain and will actually eventually have an effect on their health.
4. The issue of condemnation is usually dealt with when a person comes to terms with spirituality. Inside every human being is the knowledge that he has done wrong and he needs to pay. This condemnation has been cited as the main cause for cells to self-destruct or to fight against one another. These may result in illnesses such as cancer or other cell-destroying sickness. When someone explores his spirituality and finds that he is already forgiven by this Supreme Being because God Himself made a way to provide for that forgiveness, he is released from the feeling of guilt and shame, setting him free from ailments caused by these negative feelings. The result may usually be gradual, as his spirituality takes effect first on his emotions and finally on his physical health.
These are just the main ways in which a spiritual life can eventually affect one’s physical health. Of course, it still depends on the person, as nobody can insist his views upon another. It is only by personal revelation that things like spirituality can be accepted and believed in by another person.
Lifestyle Change for Permanent Weight Loss
One of the most common problems in today’s generation of greasy restaurant food and busy lifestyles is not only how to lose weight, but how to keep it off. Many people can easily lose weight by starving themselves, but the weight lost usually comes back on within a few months. This is called yoyo-dieting and is actually an unhealthy lifestyle, because the body can only take so much strain in terms of losing weight and gaining it back in a short period of time.
So how does one lose weight and keep it off permanently? Is it really possible to lose weight and keep it off for the long term? Yes, it is truly possible, because this is the true weight loss that really counts. After all, temporary weight loss would not really count towards being healthier if you revert to old habits within a couple of months and gain it all back, sometimes even more. To simply things, what is required is a change in lifestyle. But what does this change of lifestyle look like in practical terms?
1. First, the way you view food will have serious repercussions. For example, it does not only refer to a present-tense decision when you choose to eat chips or ice cream while watching TV, but it says a lot about how you think of food. If you consider food a comforting option when you are stressed, chances are, anytime you feel upset you will wind up eating, and overeating at that. As such it is important for you to learn to find other ways to deal with stress, such as exercise, talking with friends, or finding other outlets like writing journals or even spiritual activities.
2. Next, learn all you can about health and nutrition. This includes being able to identify which foods have the most calories, which ones are healthier and similar things. You will need this knowledge in order to make informed choices that could spell the difference between fitness and fat. You can start to develop this habit by listing down everything you eat for the first few weeks and then researching the calorie content. Instead of counting calories, when you learn how much is in every food item on the average, you can automatically reduce servings or choose healthier options without needing the painstaking process of calculating calories.
3. Now, when you do choose what to eat, you have to develop new habits of choosing healthier food choices, such as whole-wheat or whole-grain bread instead of white bread, complex carbohydrates instead of processed foods, and sweet fruits instead of other sugar-rich sweet treats. You can develop this habit by training yourself to get used to the healthier foods on a regular basis. For example, even when you eat at fatty fast foods, when you have gotten used to choosing healthy options, you can find yourself enjoying salads or burgers without the extra helping of cheese and the extra large drinks. At first it may be difficult to get used to new food choices, but in time, it will become like second nature.
4. Incorporate extra movements into your daily routine, and view it not as a temporary strategy to lose weight but see it as a healthier improvement to your life. For example, you can learn to walk longer distances from the parking lot to the shopping mall, or you can add hobbies like gardening and bicycling. After all, including one hour of exercise a day may be intriguing at first, but unless you are really serious about continuing it for the rest of your life, it is usually more difficult to maintain. In contrast, adding little extra physical activity throughout a regular day is more realistic to maintain, resulting in an overall improvement in your physical health for the long term.
Once you understand that losing weight and keeping it off depends on a permanent lifestyle change, you will have a different way of looking at diet. It is no longer about cutting back on fat for the time only whenever you want to fit into a particular sized dress for a party, but a lifestyle change that will bring about permanent change not only in one’s physical appearance but also in one’s overall physical health.
So how does one lose weight and keep it off permanently? Is it really possible to lose weight and keep it off for the long term? Yes, it is truly possible, because this is the true weight loss that really counts. After all, temporary weight loss would not really count towards being healthier if you revert to old habits within a couple of months and gain it all back, sometimes even more. To simply things, what is required is a change in lifestyle. But what does this change of lifestyle look like in practical terms?
1. First, the way you view food will have serious repercussions. For example, it does not only refer to a present-tense decision when you choose to eat chips or ice cream while watching TV, but it says a lot about how you think of food. If you consider food a comforting option when you are stressed, chances are, anytime you feel upset you will wind up eating, and overeating at that. As such it is important for you to learn to find other ways to deal with stress, such as exercise, talking with friends, or finding other outlets like writing journals or even spiritual activities.
2. Next, learn all you can about health and nutrition. This includes being able to identify which foods have the most calories, which ones are healthier and similar things. You will need this knowledge in order to make informed choices that could spell the difference between fitness and fat. You can start to develop this habit by listing down everything you eat for the first few weeks and then researching the calorie content. Instead of counting calories, when you learn how much is in every food item on the average, you can automatically reduce servings or choose healthier options without needing the painstaking process of calculating calories.
3. Now, when you do choose what to eat, you have to develop new habits of choosing healthier food choices, such as whole-wheat or whole-grain bread instead of white bread, complex carbohydrates instead of processed foods, and sweet fruits instead of other sugar-rich sweet treats. You can develop this habit by training yourself to get used to the healthier foods on a regular basis. For example, even when you eat at fatty fast foods, when you have gotten used to choosing healthy options, you can find yourself enjoying salads or burgers without the extra helping of cheese and the extra large drinks. At first it may be difficult to get used to new food choices, but in time, it will become like second nature.
4. Incorporate extra movements into your daily routine, and view it not as a temporary strategy to lose weight but see it as a healthier improvement to your life. For example, you can learn to walk longer distances from the parking lot to the shopping mall, or you can add hobbies like gardening and bicycling. After all, including one hour of exercise a day may be intriguing at first, but unless you are really serious about continuing it for the rest of your life, it is usually more difficult to maintain. In contrast, adding little extra physical activity throughout a regular day is more realistic to maintain, resulting in an overall improvement in your physical health for the long term.
Once you understand that losing weight and keeping it off depends on a permanent lifestyle change, you will have a different way of looking at diet. It is no longer about cutting back on fat for the time only whenever you want to fit into a particular sized dress for a party, but a lifestyle change that will bring about permanent change not only in one’s physical appearance but also in one’s overall physical health.
The Role of Recreation in a Balanced Life
Human beings are created unique. Even babies start to show preferences at a very young age, an indication that we were designed to have our own interests. As the baby grows up, these interests become more visible and defined. Perhaps as a child, his parents encourage him on some extracurricular activities such as sports or piano, but other than the adult-influenced interests, most likely he will have his own desires. These are called hobbies when the person pursuing them is relatively young, but adults call it recreation.
Adults are required to work at least eight hours a day. Unlike kids who can just play all day, at least after coming home from school, we are normally too busy to pursue those interests, and put them off the calendar as something to do only when everything else is done. For example, someone may enjoy golf but never has time for it because his job requires him to work everyday of the week. Another person may find pleasure in gardening and enjoying beautiful flowers, but could find no time in between plentiful chores. Perhaps this is the reason why many adults get burned up from their jobs. Do you know that recreation plays a vital role in living a balanced life? What does it do to one’s overall well-being?
1. Recreation is called that for the reason that it actually revives us. When we spend time doing something we actually enjoy, our hearts come alive and even our physical health appears affected. This indirect effect may be linked to the reduced stress levels. After all, when we are immersed in something that excites us, we feel happy and less prone to feel irritated or annoyed. For example, a person wound up tight at work will feel relaxed when going bowling or fishing even just once a month. Older people who enjoy collecting stamps and other historical memorabilia will take great pains maintaining their collections and may feel energized even when working through the nigh. The reduced stress levels will result in healthier systems overall.
2. Spending time on casual pursuits that do not come with added pressure clears our minds. When you spend an entire day troubling or worrying about stuff, you will wind up feeling tired, frustrated, and sometimes even get a persistent headache that does not go away even when you take painkillers. Once you shift your focus to things that you enjoy, you may notice that anything uncomfortable just naturally fades away. Our memories also become sharper and we can concentrate on tasks better. This means recreation actually benefits our mental health.
3. Recreational activities can also boost your social life. When you find other people who enjoy the same things you do, you wind up not only relaxing from a tiring day, your emotional life also gets a recharge from relating with other people and enjoying their company. It would be an added perk if your life partner can share the recreational pursuit with you. This means it can be something as simple as taking a walk through the woods, riding a bike together for as little as fifteen minutes, or cooking together in the kitchen for one meal per week.
4. The relaxation that recreation brings you results in greater productivity in your work as well. When you push yourself too much, your effectiveness and efficiency decrease. As such it will be very beneficial not to spread yourself too thin, spend some time to recharge, and then get back to work more fully alive than before. Your colleagues may wonder what got into you that you can suddenly finish more work than usual and even produce better quality outputs.
Now that you realize the important benefits that recreation does in your life, you will feel like you have permission to spend time on the things you enjoy instead of drowning yourself in work. You will realize that it does not distract you but rather works for your benefit in reducing stress, relaxing your mind, stimulating your senses, improving your relationships, and even enhancing your work output. All this translates into an improvement on your overall well-being not easily achieved by any other means. Besides, you even enjoy yourself in the process!
Adults are required to work at least eight hours a day. Unlike kids who can just play all day, at least after coming home from school, we are normally too busy to pursue those interests, and put them off the calendar as something to do only when everything else is done. For example, someone may enjoy golf but never has time for it because his job requires him to work everyday of the week. Another person may find pleasure in gardening and enjoying beautiful flowers, but could find no time in between plentiful chores. Perhaps this is the reason why many adults get burned up from their jobs. Do you know that recreation plays a vital role in living a balanced life? What does it do to one’s overall well-being?
1. Recreation is called that for the reason that it actually revives us. When we spend time doing something we actually enjoy, our hearts come alive and even our physical health appears affected. This indirect effect may be linked to the reduced stress levels. After all, when we are immersed in something that excites us, we feel happy and less prone to feel irritated or annoyed. For example, a person wound up tight at work will feel relaxed when going bowling or fishing even just once a month. Older people who enjoy collecting stamps and other historical memorabilia will take great pains maintaining their collections and may feel energized even when working through the nigh. The reduced stress levels will result in healthier systems overall.
2. Spending time on casual pursuits that do not come with added pressure clears our minds. When you spend an entire day troubling or worrying about stuff, you will wind up feeling tired, frustrated, and sometimes even get a persistent headache that does not go away even when you take painkillers. Once you shift your focus to things that you enjoy, you may notice that anything uncomfortable just naturally fades away. Our memories also become sharper and we can concentrate on tasks better. This means recreation actually benefits our mental health.
3. Recreational activities can also boost your social life. When you find other people who enjoy the same things you do, you wind up not only relaxing from a tiring day, your emotional life also gets a recharge from relating with other people and enjoying their company. It would be an added perk if your life partner can share the recreational pursuit with you. This means it can be something as simple as taking a walk through the woods, riding a bike together for as little as fifteen minutes, or cooking together in the kitchen for one meal per week.
4. The relaxation that recreation brings you results in greater productivity in your work as well. When you push yourself too much, your effectiveness and efficiency decrease. As such it will be very beneficial not to spread yourself too thin, spend some time to recharge, and then get back to work more fully alive than before. Your colleagues may wonder what got into you that you can suddenly finish more work than usual and even produce better quality outputs.
Now that you realize the important benefits that recreation does in your life, you will feel like you have permission to spend time on the things you enjoy instead of drowning yourself in work. You will realize that it does not distract you but rather works for your benefit in reducing stress, relaxing your mind, stimulating your senses, improving your relationships, and even enhancing your work output. All this translates into an improvement on your overall well-being not easily achieved by any other means. Besides, you even enjoy yourself in the process!
How to Improve Your Memory
Trying to remember things and failing miserably every time is one of the surest causes of extreme stress. After all, a lot of the time, we need to remember important things and wind up forgetting them. Interestingly, this recent generation is certainly faced with much more information than previous years, thanks to the onset of the information revolution.
This is perhaps a major reason why everyone seems to be struggling with information overload! How many people ten years ago had to remember ten usernames, ten different passwords, all used in different combinations, as well as four personal mobile phone numbers? No wonder mobile phones are so popular, thanks to their help of no longer needing to memorize other people’s phone numbers! Could it be that the increased amount of information and the numerous ways of keeping track of them has deteriorated our brains?
Anyway, it is still possible to get around the overload and remember the things that really matter. Perhaps you can try these research-proven ways to boost your memory, so that when the need arises, you will have a breeze spouting off the necessary information.
1. The first trick that people swear by that helps them remember things is by repeating the information as soon as they hear it. For example, remembering a person’s name would be much simpler if they could repeat the name a few times instead of just hearing it once. Also, saying the name or something out loud is also proven to improve data retention.
2. Biting off bigger pieces is also known to enhance retention. For example, remembering a phone number becomes easier when you divide the individual digits into groups. This is because the brain can apparently only accept a limited amount of information. Taking them as chunks means you actually need to remember less.
3. Getting enough sleep is also an important aid in improving your memory. Apparently, different parts of the brain are in charge of creating different kinds of memories, such as a name, a face, or even the thought that you have just met someone. Sleep helps knit those memories into one coherent whole. Research also shows that long-term memory is improved when the subject gets enough sleep consistently. For example, a study on people who are given a list of words to memorize showed that those who were then allowed to sleep remembered more compared to the group that did not doze off.
4. Keeping stress levels at bay is also one tip of improving the way you remember things. The stress hormone cortisol possibly interferes with information encoding or retrieval in one’s brain, which is the scientific reason why somebody who is under a lot of stress will normally be absent-minded. In fact, doctors pinpoint this hormone on why people forget more easily as they grow older, since chronic elevated levels of cortisol are linked to memory impairment.
5. Eating brain food is not just a joke; there are indeed some foods that are good for the brain. The most common is fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as tuna, salmon and sardines. Walnuts and berries are also good, with the latter containing much anthocyanins, which are potent antioxidants that keep protect cells, including those in the brain.
6. Playing mind games are apparently only good for improving memory. This includes puzzles and even learning to play an instrument. Interestingly not only is music known to improve brain function, such as the recommendation of classical music for babies, it is also known to reduce stress. As such taking up music as a hobby may actually hit two birds with one stone.
7. Finally, doctors usually tell their patients to stop trying so hard to remember things. What happens is that the more you struggle, the more agitated you become, causing you to forget even more things. The key is to relax and just let your brain do the work. For example, you may find yourself trying to remember something at a particular time, such as the name or a date. If you rest on it, chances are, you usually remember that information after a while, not at the time you will it up.
Here you can see that memory loss is not a done deal, that you can still do something to improve your chances of remembering things. Your brain will thank you for it, and your reduced frustration will be the end result.
This is perhaps a major reason why everyone seems to be struggling with information overload! How many people ten years ago had to remember ten usernames, ten different passwords, all used in different combinations, as well as four personal mobile phone numbers? No wonder mobile phones are so popular, thanks to their help of no longer needing to memorize other people’s phone numbers! Could it be that the increased amount of information and the numerous ways of keeping track of them has deteriorated our brains?
Anyway, it is still possible to get around the overload and remember the things that really matter. Perhaps you can try these research-proven ways to boost your memory, so that when the need arises, you will have a breeze spouting off the necessary information.
1. The first trick that people swear by that helps them remember things is by repeating the information as soon as they hear it. For example, remembering a person’s name would be much simpler if they could repeat the name a few times instead of just hearing it once. Also, saying the name or something out loud is also proven to improve data retention.
2. Biting off bigger pieces is also known to enhance retention. For example, remembering a phone number becomes easier when you divide the individual digits into groups. This is because the brain can apparently only accept a limited amount of information. Taking them as chunks means you actually need to remember less.
3. Getting enough sleep is also an important aid in improving your memory. Apparently, different parts of the brain are in charge of creating different kinds of memories, such as a name, a face, or even the thought that you have just met someone. Sleep helps knit those memories into one coherent whole. Research also shows that long-term memory is improved when the subject gets enough sleep consistently. For example, a study on people who are given a list of words to memorize showed that those who were then allowed to sleep remembered more compared to the group that did not doze off.
4. Keeping stress levels at bay is also one tip of improving the way you remember things. The stress hormone cortisol possibly interferes with information encoding or retrieval in one’s brain, which is the scientific reason why somebody who is under a lot of stress will normally be absent-minded. In fact, doctors pinpoint this hormone on why people forget more easily as they grow older, since chronic elevated levels of cortisol are linked to memory impairment.
5. Eating brain food is not just a joke; there are indeed some foods that are good for the brain. The most common is fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as tuna, salmon and sardines. Walnuts and berries are also good, with the latter containing much anthocyanins, which are potent antioxidants that keep protect cells, including those in the brain.
6. Playing mind games are apparently only good for improving memory. This includes puzzles and even learning to play an instrument. Interestingly not only is music known to improve brain function, such as the recommendation of classical music for babies, it is also known to reduce stress. As such taking up music as a hobby may actually hit two birds with one stone.
7. Finally, doctors usually tell their patients to stop trying so hard to remember things. What happens is that the more you struggle, the more agitated you become, causing you to forget even more things. The key is to relax and just let your brain do the work. For example, you may find yourself trying to remember something at a particular time, such as the name or a date. If you rest on it, chances are, you usually remember that information after a while, not at the time you will it up.
Here you can see that memory loss is not a done deal, that you can still do something to improve your chances of remembering things. Your brain will thank you for it, and your reduced frustration will be the end result.
The Science behind Health Provisions in Ancient Writings
Among the many sacred writings spanning all religions, the Bible stands out as being the most unique in having a huge chunk of one section devoted to health provisions, which include various dietary requirements that seem strange to untrained eyes. In fact, many people, both historically and in the modern day, believe that the Old Testament provisions, which are still followed by modern Jews today, were set forth simply to differentiate God’s chosen people from their neighboring nations.
But modern day science has a different opinion about the health provisions, ranging from diet to hygiene, and even to treatments for various contagious sicknesses. Many physicians are baffled to find out that generations before blood was first discovered as the life-giving component of living things, the Bible already mentioned it as the life of an animal. Before scientists discovered the idea of quarantining sicknesses, the Bible already gave strict provisions about the process in terms of dealing with people who had contagious skin diseases.
To illustrate, we will be looking at some of the health laws listed out in the Bible. They are found in what is known as the Laws of Moses. For example, in the writings, there is a distinction made between clean and unclean animals. Some believe that the animals were categorized arbitrarily, or at least by some irrational method, and that they were merely for cultural purposes. Interestingly, the book goes on to explain that if the people followed those laws, they would be spared from the diseases that were so common in other nations. As such, their good health would serve as an example to other peoples as a testimony to a God who loved them enough to teach them how to be healthy. Basic examples and their scientific explanations are:
1. The Old Testament lists out clean and unclean animals that may and may not be eaten, respectively. The clean animals are described as those who chew the cud and who have split hooves. Technically, this refers to animals known as ruminants, or those who graze, and whose digestive tracts have been designed to turn grass into meat for humans. Meanwhile, the unclean animals are typically carnivores and scavengers, which can transmit dangerous diseases to men.
In terms of fish, the writings allow those that have fins and scales while prohibiting anything that does not have one or the other. This is because the scales actually keep harmful substances outside of the fish’s body, while fins allow the fish to swim away should they find themselves in an environment with toxins.
In contrast, fish that do not have fins and scales are actually cleaners, such as the catfish. Shellfish are also excluded for not having fins and scales, because they are generally filter feeders that work to purify water, which means that their tissues generally contain bacteria and viruses, if not poisonous chemicals! In terms of birds, those that are prohibited are also generally scavengers. In summary, it would seem that the writings prohibited human beings from eating the organisms designed to do clean-up duty to make sure we don’t ingest the harmful chemicals!
2. The Bible also tells the people not to eat fat or blood, while encouraging plant foods intake. Interestingly, the health risks of too much fat in one’s system have only been discovered this last century. Also, the leaning towards grains pointed to the positive effects of complex carbohydrates for energy-formation as well as supplying us with ample fiber and amino acids for our bodybuilding needs!
3. There are even instructions concerning childbirth, which gives days wherein the mother is deemed “unclean.” They turn out to fit very well into modern scientific discoveries about disease prevention following childbirth. Calling a woman unclean after having given birth meant that whoever touched her was required to go through a thorough “ceremonial” washing, which obviously benefited the midwife, as washing meant she was keeping proper hygiene and prevented transferring disease-causing pathogens to the baby. During the period of “uncleanness,” the mother also got time to regain her strength and to develop a feeding routine!
There are still many more “coincidences” as science finds more links towards better health outlined in sacred writings, and it would perhaps benefit us as well to apply them, especially those that have also been proven by science.
But modern day science has a different opinion about the health provisions, ranging from diet to hygiene, and even to treatments for various contagious sicknesses. Many physicians are baffled to find out that generations before blood was first discovered as the life-giving component of living things, the Bible already mentioned it as the life of an animal. Before scientists discovered the idea of quarantining sicknesses, the Bible already gave strict provisions about the process in terms of dealing with people who had contagious skin diseases.
To illustrate, we will be looking at some of the health laws listed out in the Bible. They are found in what is known as the Laws of Moses. For example, in the writings, there is a distinction made between clean and unclean animals. Some believe that the animals were categorized arbitrarily, or at least by some irrational method, and that they were merely for cultural purposes. Interestingly, the book goes on to explain that if the people followed those laws, they would be spared from the diseases that were so common in other nations. As such, their good health would serve as an example to other peoples as a testimony to a God who loved them enough to teach them how to be healthy. Basic examples and their scientific explanations are:
1. The Old Testament lists out clean and unclean animals that may and may not be eaten, respectively. The clean animals are described as those who chew the cud and who have split hooves. Technically, this refers to animals known as ruminants, or those who graze, and whose digestive tracts have been designed to turn grass into meat for humans. Meanwhile, the unclean animals are typically carnivores and scavengers, which can transmit dangerous diseases to men.
In terms of fish, the writings allow those that have fins and scales while prohibiting anything that does not have one or the other. This is because the scales actually keep harmful substances outside of the fish’s body, while fins allow the fish to swim away should they find themselves in an environment with toxins.
In contrast, fish that do not have fins and scales are actually cleaners, such as the catfish. Shellfish are also excluded for not having fins and scales, because they are generally filter feeders that work to purify water, which means that their tissues generally contain bacteria and viruses, if not poisonous chemicals! In terms of birds, those that are prohibited are also generally scavengers. In summary, it would seem that the writings prohibited human beings from eating the organisms designed to do clean-up duty to make sure we don’t ingest the harmful chemicals!
2. The Bible also tells the people not to eat fat or blood, while encouraging plant foods intake. Interestingly, the health risks of too much fat in one’s system have only been discovered this last century. Also, the leaning towards grains pointed to the positive effects of complex carbohydrates for energy-formation as well as supplying us with ample fiber and amino acids for our bodybuilding needs!
3. There are even instructions concerning childbirth, which gives days wherein the mother is deemed “unclean.” They turn out to fit very well into modern scientific discoveries about disease prevention following childbirth. Calling a woman unclean after having given birth meant that whoever touched her was required to go through a thorough “ceremonial” washing, which obviously benefited the midwife, as washing meant she was keeping proper hygiene and prevented transferring disease-causing pathogens to the baby. During the period of “uncleanness,” the mother also got time to regain her strength and to develop a feeding routine!
There are still many more “coincidences” as science finds more links towards better health outlined in sacred writings, and it would perhaps benefit us as well to apply them, especially those that have also been proven by science.
Unconventional Root Causes of Stress
Medical science has admitted to the effects that stress can have on our physical health. For example, studies have shown that stress plays a major role in certain heart conditions such as stroke and cardiac arrest, perhaps a larger role than even diet or other aspects of lifestyle like having regular exercise. But how does one find the main causes of stress in his life if it seems that everything already feels very stressful? There are actually root causes of stress that can be identified in nearly every individual:
1. The first root cause of stress is fear. Experts believe that babies are born with only two fears, the fear of loud noises and the fear of falling. So where did adults get all the hundreds of fears that they have? Of course, the type of fear that really induces stress is not necessarily phobic fears, such as fear of the dark or claustrophobia, because these would only happen when the trigger is present. Much more dangerous is the fear of intangible things, such as the fear of failure, fear of not having enough, and fear of an uncertain future.
These things can eat up inside of you because they can accompany you everywhere, even as you are trying to fall asleep. If they succeed in causing you to worry so as to suffer insomnia, your stress issues will only be compounded! As such it is important to deal with these fears that you may already know intellectually as unreasonable. Many people have found relief from them by entrusting their lives to a Divine Being who loves them enough to give Himself for them.
2. Another root cause of stress is condemnation. Even if you do not consider yourself highly conscientious, there will always be certain areas in your life that you feel you have failed, whether by your own standards or on other people’s standards. Or perhaps, you may wind up hurting other people and feel bad about it. This feeling of guilt is very difficult, if not impossible, to shake off unless you feel that it has been paid for.
It is inherent in every human heart to know that every wrongdoing deserves punishment, and until you accept that it has been paid somehow, you will unconsciously demand punishment for yourself, whether by believing you deserve bad things to happen to you, or actually doing those bad things to yourself, such as ruining relationships or even afflicting personal harm to yourself. This is, in large part, a reason why many people resort to slashing. Many people are set free from this harmful cycle when they believe that the Supreme Being in charge of everything already paid the price by being cursed in your place.
3. A third lesser known root cause of stress is placing unnecessary demands on oneself. When the pressure comes from outside forces, such as work deadlines, peer pressure, family problems and other things, they may be easy to pinpoint. But if you are the one unconsciously putting undue pressure on yourself, it may not be as easy to identify.
For example, you might have certain goals for yourself that are really unrealistic. When you fail to meet them, you may wind up beating yourself up over it. These goals can be achievement-based or perhaps behavior-based, such as not getting angry at your toddler son. When you blow it, you wind up feeling like you are not a good parent. This will also lead you down to the condemnation road, which you will also need to deal with. Even if it doesn’t lead you to condemn yourself, constantly putting demands on yourself will result in a very stressed life; as such you need to learn to loosen up and just enjoy life.
These root causes of stress may not be the conventional ones you hear about in science class, but once you pinpoint them, you will understand that a lot of the main stressful factors in your life are actually related to them! At least now you will have some idea how to deal with them and get to enjoy more of your days without the unnecessary stress, and you will see yourself becoming healthier too!
1. The first root cause of stress is fear. Experts believe that babies are born with only two fears, the fear of loud noises and the fear of falling. So where did adults get all the hundreds of fears that they have? Of course, the type of fear that really induces stress is not necessarily phobic fears, such as fear of the dark or claustrophobia, because these would only happen when the trigger is present. Much more dangerous is the fear of intangible things, such as the fear of failure, fear of not having enough, and fear of an uncertain future.
These things can eat up inside of you because they can accompany you everywhere, even as you are trying to fall asleep. If they succeed in causing you to worry so as to suffer insomnia, your stress issues will only be compounded! As such it is important to deal with these fears that you may already know intellectually as unreasonable. Many people have found relief from them by entrusting their lives to a Divine Being who loves them enough to give Himself for them.
2. Another root cause of stress is condemnation. Even if you do not consider yourself highly conscientious, there will always be certain areas in your life that you feel you have failed, whether by your own standards or on other people’s standards. Or perhaps, you may wind up hurting other people and feel bad about it. This feeling of guilt is very difficult, if not impossible, to shake off unless you feel that it has been paid for.
It is inherent in every human heart to know that every wrongdoing deserves punishment, and until you accept that it has been paid somehow, you will unconsciously demand punishment for yourself, whether by believing you deserve bad things to happen to you, or actually doing those bad things to yourself, such as ruining relationships or even afflicting personal harm to yourself. This is, in large part, a reason why many people resort to slashing. Many people are set free from this harmful cycle when they believe that the Supreme Being in charge of everything already paid the price by being cursed in your place.
3. A third lesser known root cause of stress is placing unnecessary demands on oneself. When the pressure comes from outside forces, such as work deadlines, peer pressure, family problems and other things, they may be easy to pinpoint. But if you are the one unconsciously putting undue pressure on yourself, it may not be as easy to identify.
For example, you might have certain goals for yourself that are really unrealistic. When you fail to meet them, you may wind up beating yourself up over it. These goals can be achievement-based or perhaps behavior-based, such as not getting angry at your toddler son. When you blow it, you wind up feeling like you are not a good parent. This will also lead you down to the condemnation road, which you will also need to deal with. Even if it doesn’t lead you to condemn yourself, constantly putting demands on yourself will result in a very stressed life; as such you need to learn to loosen up and just enjoy life.
These root causes of stress may not be the conventional ones you hear about in science class, but once you pinpoint them, you will understand that a lot of the main stressful factors in your life are actually related to them! At least now you will have some idea how to deal with them and get to enjoy more of your days without the unnecessary stress, and you will see yourself becoming healthier too!
Walking Your Way to Optimum Health
Walking is referred to as the simplest form of exercise. But do you know that a simple routine as walking can deliver countless benefits to the human health? You may not realize it but there is more to walking than just building your calf and leg muscles. Some people love walking but there are others who don’t even bother to take a few steps to get something from the refrigerator.
For your information, walking is key to optimum health. If you look back through time, you will see that people in the past used to live longer lives, and this has something to do with them using walking as a primary means of traveling.
There is an ancient belief that claims the feet are the reflection of the entire body. According to this belief, there are nerve endings in the soles of both feet that are connected to the bodily organs, and when you apply pressure to these points, you are actually promoting healing to organs that correspond to it. This belief has been popularized by a method called reflexology, which works by stimulating the feet with certain amounts of pressure to bring healing and relaxation to the body.
Aside from that there are other several health benefits of walking that might just convince you to make a habit of it yourself.
First, walking at least thirty minutes a day does not only reduce your risk for coronary heart disease but it also cuts down your chance of having a stroke. In one study, people who made walking a habit have been found to have cut down their risk for both the deadly diseases. Walking promotes circulation in the body. It even helps clear up clogged arteries that are usually the cause of hypertension. According to experts, a daily routine that consists of a 30-minute brisk walk can boost the heart’s glucose intake and make the arteries more flexible. Adding fifteen more minutes to the same routine will also increase the elasticity of your carotid by up to 50 percent!
If you’re a heart patient, doctors advise that you walk long and walk hard regularly. Doing so will not only help you reap plenty of heart healthy benefits but will also make you lose weight, an important factor to having a healthy heart.
Walking is also good for the brain. Some experts discovered that besides regular exercise, walking alone can help boost the brain’s health. People who walked at least five miles a week were found to have bigger brains, which means they have better memory and increased mental ability compared to people who don’t. This is because the walking helps build up the connective circuits that make up the brain’s network.
When you grow old, the connectivity of the circuits in your brain slowly diminishes which is why your body doesn’t function the way it used to when you were younger. With walking, these deteriorating brain circuits are revived, and the onset of degenerative brain diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s are delayed.
Walking is beneficial for type 2 diabetes patients as well. Study shows that men and women who incorporate walking and physical activities into their lifestyle are 50 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than people who are sedentary – and this applies to people of any weight. Walking helps regulate sugar levels in the body, which is an important factor when you’re fighting diabetes.
Not only is walking good for the health, it is also good for your budget. When you make walking as a means of transportation when going to work or school, you are actually saving on energy and money. And since walking helps you delay the onset of several chronic diseases, you are also saving on medication when you walk regularly.
Finally and most importantly, walking helps reduce stress, which is the root cause of all diseases. When you walk or perform other forms of exercise, your body releases “feel good” chemicals called endorphins. These substances help boost the mood for long periods of time. When you walk, you’re actually allowing yourself to relax and get rid of stress from your life, lowering your chances of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke, and even cancer. So from now on, walk your way to maximum health!
For your information, walking is key to optimum health. If you look back through time, you will see that people in the past used to live longer lives, and this has something to do with them using walking as a primary means of traveling.
There is an ancient belief that claims the feet are the reflection of the entire body. According to this belief, there are nerve endings in the soles of both feet that are connected to the bodily organs, and when you apply pressure to these points, you are actually promoting healing to organs that correspond to it. This belief has been popularized by a method called reflexology, which works by stimulating the feet with certain amounts of pressure to bring healing and relaxation to the body.
Aside from that there are other several health benefits of walking that might just convince you to make a habit of it yourself.
First, walking at least thirty minutes a day does not only reduce your risk for coronary heart disease but it also cuts down your chance of having a stroke. In one study, people who made walking a habit have been found to have cut down their risk for both the deadly diseases. Walking promotes circulation in the body. It even helps clear up clogged arteries that are usually the cause of hypertension. According to experts, a daily routine that consists of a 30-minute brisk walk can boost the heart’s glucose intake and make the arteries more flexible. Adding fifteen more minutes to the same routine will also increase the elasticity of your carotid by up to 50 percent!
If you’re a heart patient, doctors advise that you walk long and walk hard regularly. Doing so will not only help you reap plenty of heart healthy benefits but will also make you lose weight, an important factor to having a healthy heart.
Walking is also good for the brain. Some experts discovered that besides regular exercise, walking alone can help boost the brain’s health. People who walked at least five miles a week were found to have bigger brains, which means they have better memory and increased mental ability compared to people who don’t. This is because the walking helps build up the connective circuits that make up the brain’s network.
When you grow old, the connectivity of the circuits in your brain slowly diminishes which is why your body doesn’t function the way it used to when you were younger. With walking, these deteriorating brain circuits are revived, and the onset of degenerative brain diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s are delayed.
Walking is beneficial for type 2 diabetes patients as well. Study shows that men and women who incorporate walking and physical activities into their lifestyle are 50 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than people who are sedentary – and this applies to people of any weight. Walking helps regulate sugar levels in the body, which is an important factor when you’re fighting diabetes.
Not only is walking good for the health, it is also good for your budget. When you make walking as a means of transportation when going to work or school, you are actually saving on energy and money. And since walking helps you delay the onset of several chronic diseases, you are also saving on medication when you walk regularly.
Finally and most importantly, walking helps reduce stress, which is the root cause of all diseases. When you walk or perform other forms of exercise, your body releases “feel good” chemicals called endorphins. These substances help boost the mood for long periods of time. When you walk, you’re actually allowing yourself to relax and get rid of stress from your life, lowering your chances of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke, and even cancer. So from now on, walk your way to maximum health!
Are You at Risk for High Cholesterol?
High cholesterol level in the body can eventually lead to clogged arteries, which in turn can result to complicated heart problems. When left undiagnosed, cholesterol can build on the walls of the arteries and hinder the flow of blood to the heart and other organs of the body. Not all people are at risk for high cholesterol. However, it is easy to determine whether you have high cholesterol levels in your body or not simply by understanding what its risk factors are. Studies have proven that several groups of individuals are more prone to the negative effects of cholesterol in the body than others.
Knowing your family medical history is a good way to find out whether you are at risk for high cholesterol or not. Many people are diagnosed with high cholesterol but there are just some who are more prone to the condition much earlier in their lives. Having a parent or both parents with high cholesterol levels can increase your risk for having it too. It may also be harder to treat if you have a family history of the condition according to medical experts. Since you can’t change the fact that you are carrying the genes of your parents, the best thing you can do is to have yourself checked and diagnosed if you have high cholesterol level at the moment or not.
Your age and gender are also another factor that can contribute to high cholesterol levels. The body’s cholesterol level rises naturally as a person reaches 20. In men, cholesterol levels usually increase after the age of fifty. In women, it is during menopause that cholesterol levels begin to rise. Women also have a higher risk for high cholesterol during their pregnancy as a result of fluctuation of hormones progesterone and estrogen.
Among the risk factors for high cholesterol, a poor diet is perhaps the one that can contribute the most. A diet high in saturated fat, trans fat, and bad cholesterol is one that can raise up your cholesterol level significantly. If you are a person who loves to eat processed food and food high in sugar and salt, you are a good candidate for high cholesterol. If you want to maintain a healthy level of cholesterol in your blood, you have to eliminate of these types of food or at least regulate your intake of them.
You can do this by limiting the frequency of eating outside, especially in fast food restaurants that serve food high in sodium, sugar, and saturated fat such as hamburger, fries, and donuts. At the same time, increase your intake of foods that are rich in fiber and good cholesterol such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Almonds, oatmeal, soy, fish, and red wine are also essential for fighting bad cholesterol in your body so make sure you include them in your regular diet.
Moreover, find more time to exercise if you want to regulate your cholesterol levels. Living a sedentary lifestyle is key to increasing your risk for cardiovascular diseases so if you don’t want to die young of a heart attack or stroke, limit your time in front of the computer and the television. Instead, go outside and engage in physical activities like sports and the like. You don’t necessarily have to go to the gym and have a good workout in order to maintain your health. Simple activities such as walking your dog in the park or cleaning your house can already be considered as forms of exercise. The point is to stop being inactive and to start regulating your cholesterol levels through physical activities.
While having a high level of cholesterol in the body can sometimes be inevitable, doing some major lifestyle changes can actually delay its onset. Quitting bad health habits like smoking and drinking can greatly help lower your blood cholesterol. Going early to bed and getting as much rest as your body needs also helps. Furthermore, since stress is considered the root cause of any health condition including having high levels of cholesterol, do your best to eliminate stress in your life or at least put in a manageable level. Finally, monitoring your health is an excellent way to stay fit and healthy so have yourself regularly checked by your doctor.
Knowing your family medical history is a good way to find out whether you are at risk for high cholesterol or not. Many people are diagnosed with high cholesterol but there are just some who are more prone to the condition much earlier in their lives. Having a parent or both parents with high cholesterol levels can increase your risk for having it too. It may also be harder to treat if you have a family history of the condition according to medical experts. Since you can’t change the fact that you are carrying the genes of your parents, the best thing you can do is to have yourself checked and diagnosed if you have high cholesterol level at the moment or not.
Your age and gender are also another factor that can contribute to high cholesterol levels. The body’s cholesterol level rises naturally as a person reaches 20. In men, cholesterol levels usually increase after the age of fifty. In women, it is during menopause that cholesterol levels begin to rise. Women also have a higher risk for high cholesterol during their pregnancy as a result of fluctuation of hormones progesterone and estrogen.
Among the risk factors for high cholesterol, a poor diet is perhaps the one that can contribute the most. A diet high in saturated fat, trans fat, and bad cholesterol is one that can raise up your cholesterol level significantly. If you are a person who loves to eat processed food and food high in sugar and salt, you are a good candidate for high cholesterol. If you want to maintain a healthy level of cholesterol in your blood, you have to eliminate of these types of food or at least regulate your intake of them.
You can do this by limiting the frequency of eating outside, especially in fast food restaurants that serve food high in sodium, sugar, and saturated fat such as hamburger, fries, and donuts. At the same time, increase your intake of foods that are rich in fiber and good cholesterol such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Almonds, oatmeal, soy, fish, and red wine are also essential for fighting bad cholesterol in your body so make sure you include them in your regular diet.
Moreover, find more time to exercise if you want to regulate your cholesterol levels. Living a sedentary lifestyle is key to increasing your risk for cardiovascular diseases so if you don’t want to die young of a heart attack or stroke, limit your time in front of the computer and the television. Instead, go outside and engage in physical activities like sports and the like. You don’t necessarily have to go to the gym and have a good workout in order to maintain your health. Simple activities such as walking your dog in the park or cleaning your house can already be considered as forms of exercise. The point is to stop being inactive and to start regulating your cholesterol levels through physical activities.
While having a high level of cholesterol in the body can sometimes be inevitable, doing some major lifestyle changes can actually delay its onset. Quitting bad health habits like smoking and drinking can greatly help lower your blood cholesterol. Going early to bed and getting as much rest as your body needs also helps. Furthermore, since stress is considered the root cause of any health condition including having high levels of cholesterol, do your best to eliminate stress in your life or at least put in a manageable level. Finally, monitoring your health is an excellent way to stay fit and healthy so have yourself regularly checked by your doctor.
Healthy Eating: What It Really Means
Many people are familiar with strict dieting as a means to lose weight, but most have never really heard of healthy eating. While both may seem to be the same thing, healthy eating is far different from strict diet programs that require you to cut back on certain types of foods in order to maintain a healthy weight. In fact, healthy eating doesn’t restrict you from eating any type of food that you want. This may sound too good to be true but there is actually a way to stay fit without starving yourself to death.
Simply put healthy eating this way: during breakfast, try to eat like a king, filling your plate with every nutritious and delicious food you can feast on. At lunch time, limit your meals as if you’re a prince. And when dinnertime comes, eat as if you’re a pauper and there’s very little food left for you to eat. This way, no matter how much and what type of food you eat, you will have very little chance of becoming obese or even sickly. Healthy eating doesn’t require you to cut back on all food; however, you still have to make sure you’re eating the right type of food at the right time of the day.
Do your best not to skip meals during breakfast. Most people think that by not eating in the morning, they can actually lose weight fast. Nothing could be further from the truth because studies show that skipping breakfast can actually increase a person’s risk for becoming obese. The reason is that when you miss your breakfast, there’s a huge chance that you’ll get hungry even before lunch time comes, and when that happens, you will be tempted to snack on junk food and consume more calories than you should. Again, eat breakfast like a king, filling your plate with eggs, oats, mushroom, bacon, and a piece of fruit. These types of food contain all the essential nutrients and energy you need throughout the day.
When lunchtime comes, you can limit your eating since you’ve had a huge breakfast. There’s no need for a heavy meal during this time so you can basically go for fruits, vegetables, and fish. There will also probably not be many healthy choices of food in your office pantry or cafeteria so it would be a good idea to pack your own lunch especially if you don’t have time to look for a restaurant that serves nutritious dishes. In the same manner, instead of drinking coffee or soda during your break in the afternoon, why not try some fruit juice or shake instead? Coffee can indeed give you a boost but only for a moment, while fresh orange, pineapple, or mango juice can not only quench your thirst but also replenish lost bodily energy. If you want to snack out, go for fresh fruits or nuts. This, too, will help you eliminate the urge to eat more at dinner.
Since you’ve had a well-balanced meal during the day, you won’t feel as hungry anymore when nighttime comes. During dinner, try not to overeat, as having a full belly a few hours before going to bed might give you some hard time falling asleep. At the same time, having too much to eat at night will give your body some difficulty to digest food and your metabolism to function properly. Perhaps the best time to eat dinner is three to four hours before bedtime, so that your body will have enough time to digest your food and burn some unwanted fat.
It’s not easy to adjust to this kind of practice especially if you’re used to indulging your every food whim. However, once you get use to it, you will realize that the rewards your body will reap will surpass any difficult things you will undergo in the whole course. So what does healthy eating really mean? It means simplifying your eating habits; choosing the right kind of food, and eating them at the right time during the day. Not even the strictest of diet can help you achieve a healthy mind and body, but if you can provide your body with the nutrition it needs through healthy eating, you can enjoy a quality kind of life for a very long time.
Simply put healthy eating this way: during breakfast, try to eat like a king, filling your plate with every nutritious and delicious food you can feast on. At lunch time, limit your meals as if you’re a prince. And when dinnertime comes, eat as if you’re a pauper and there’s very little food left for you to eat. This way, no matter how much and what type of food you eat, you will have very little chance of becoming obese or even sickly. Healthy eating doesn’t require you to cut back on all food; however, you still have to make sure you’re eating the right type of food at the right time of the day.
Do your best not to skip meals during breakfast. Most people think that by not eating in the morning, they can actually lose weight fast. Nothing could be further from the truth because studies show that skipping breakfast can actually increase a person’s risk for becoming obese. The reason is that when you miss your breakfast, there’s a huge chance that you’ll get hungry even before lunch time comes, and when that happens, you will be tempted to snack on junk food and consume more calories than you should. Again, eat breakfast like a king, filling your plate with eggs, oats, mushroom, bacon, and a piece of fruit. These types of food contain all the essential nutrients and energy you need throughout the day.
When lunchtime comes, you can limit your eating since you’ve had a huge breakfast. There’s no need for a heavy meal during this time so you can basically go for fruits, vegetables, and fish. There will also probably not be many healthy choices of food in your office pantry or cafeteria so it would be a good idea to pack your own lunch especially if you don’t have time to look for a restaurant that serves nutritious dishes. In the same manner, instead of drinking coffee or soda during your break in the afternoon, why not try some fruit juice or shake instead? Coffee can indeed give you a boost but only for a moment, while fresh orange, pineapple, or mango juice can not only quench your thirst but also replenish lost bodily energy. If you want to snack out, go for fresh fruits or nuts. This, too, will help you eliminate the urge to eat more at dinner.
Since you’ve had a well-balanced meal during the day, you won’t feel as hungry anymore when nighttime comes. During dinner, try not to overeat, as having a full belly a few hours before going to bed might give you some hard time falling asleep. At the same time, having too much to eat at night will give your body some difficulty to digest food and your metabolism to function properly. Perhaps the best time to eat dinner is three to four hours before bedtime, so that your body will have enough time to digest your food and burn some unwanted fat.
It’s not easy to adjust to this kind of practice especially if you’re used to indulging your every food whim. However, once you get use to it, you will realize that the rewards your body will reap will surpass any difficult things you will undergo in the whole course. So what does healthy eating really mean? It means simplifying your eating habits; choosing the right kind of food, and eating them at the right time during the day. Not even the strictest of diet can help you achieve a healthy mind and body, but if you can provide your body with the nutrition it needs through healthy eating, you can enjoy a quality kind of life for a very long time.
Basic Time Management can Reduce Stress
Among the most stressful things facing people in this generation is being swamped with too much to do in too little time—and this coming from people who actually have so many time-saving equipment and convenience-laden products and services in their daily lives! But do you know that the pressure of not having enough time is among the most common problems faced by busy individuals these days? This is why proper time management is a must, especially if you want to reduce your stress levels.
Whether you are a busy homemaker or a full-time professional, these simple time management skills can help you make your life a bit more manageable, breathable, and therefore have a greater chance of kissing stress goodbye.
1. The first thing you need to learn is how to prioritize. To elaborate on this seemingly simple word, you need to learn the difference between urgent and not urgent, important and not important. When you make a habit of looking at a task and checking whether it’s urgent or not, important or not, you can easily set some tasks aside to do later while others can earn your undivided attention. This way you will be striking off the possibility of getting chased for a deadline that you have not devoted enough time to simply because you had spent your time on less important, less urgent things.
2. In line with prioritizing, you need to learn to say no. If a task demands your time, but you realize it is neither urgent nor important, you need to be firm with a decision: do you put it off, or can you cancel it altogether? Examples of these might be doing a favor for a friend that you really cannot afford to do anymore. If you are too embarrassed to say no, you will either have to do it and sacrifice a more important task, or risk disappointing your friend by not showing up at the time stated without having given him prior warning. As soon as you decide to turn down something, it would be best to get on to tell the other person so that he does not expect anything from you, and you can easily get it off your to-do list.
3. Being organized may not always be an inherent personality trait for you, but it may be developed. If you are not naturally organized, making use of lists and calendars may be helpful. For example, you can have a calendar on your desk where you list the appointments you have for the week. This not only makes sure you make it to each one in time, it actually saves you the time of scrolling through your phone to check the time and date of a particular appointment with a certain person.
4. Take time to rest. In the midst of your busy schedule, perhaps you might need to write down a quick nap as part of your day. If you can do this, at least you will see how it factors into your schedule and still have enough time to do everything else. Do not be afraid to take some rest, because when you are well-rested, you will definitely be more productive in the long run. Spreading yourself too thin thinking you can get everything done faster that way only means fooling yourself, because the more tired you get, the slower you can work.
5. Include important events in your schedule. Perhaps you are too busy to think about going out to dinner for your birthday or anniversary, but if your wife expects that of you, it would be best for all concerned that you already include it in your planner. That way you will not be surprised when the day rolls around and your wife calls you from your favorite restaurant, and you wind up pressed for time because you had expected to be able to bail out of it. Besides, spending a little time with loved ones can do wonders for your sanity and your overall productivity.
With these simple tips in mind, you will likely be able to make better use of your time, and thus eliminate stress in the long run.
Whether you are a busy homemaker or a full-time professional, these simple time management skills can help you make your life a bit more manageable, breathable, and therefore have a greater chance of kissing stress goodbye.
1. The first thing you need to learn is how to prioritize. To elaborate on this seemingly simple word, you need to learn the difference between urgent and not urgent, important and not important. When you make a habit of looking at a task and checking whether it’s urgent or not, important or not, you can easily set some tasks aside to do later while others can earn your undivided attention. This way you will be striking off the possibility of getting chased for a deadline that you have not devoted enough time to simply because you had spent your time on less important, less urgent things.
2. In line with prioritizing, you need to learn to say no. If a task demands your time, but you realize it is neither urgent nor important, you need to be firm with a decision: do you put it off, or can you cancel it altogether? Examples of these might be doing a favor for a friend that you really cannot afford to do anymore. If you are too embarrassed to say no, you will either have to do it and sacrifice a more important task, or risk disappointing your friend by not showing up at the time stated without having given him prior warning. As soon as you decide to turn down something, it would be best to get on to tell the other person so that he does not expect anything from you, and you can easily get it off your to-do list.
3. Being organized may not always be an inherent personality trait for you, but it may be developed. If you are not naturally organized, making use of lists and calendars may be helpful. For example, you can have a calendar on your desk where you list the appointments you have for the week. This not only makes sure you make it to each one in time, it actually saves you the time of scrolling through your phone to check the time and date of a particular appointment with a certain person.
4. Take time to rest. In the midst of your busy schedule, perhaps you might need to write down a quick nap as part of your day. If you can do this, at least you will see how it factors into your schedule and still have enough time to do everything else. Do not be afraid to take some rest, because when you are well-rested, you will definitely be more productive in the long run. Spreading yourself too thin thinking you can get everything done faster that way only means fooling yourself, because the more tired you get, the slower you can work.
5. Include important events in your schedule. Perhaps you are too busy to think about going out to dinner for your birthday or anniversary, but if your wife expects that of you, it would be best for all concerned that you already include it in your planner. That way you will not be surprised when the day rolls around and your wife calls you from your favorite restaurant, and you wind up pressed for time because you had expected to be able to bail out of it. Besides, spending a little time with loved ones can do wonders for your sanity and your overall productivity.
With these simple tips in mind, you will likely be able to make better use of your time, and thus eliminate stress in the long run.
Fight Stress and Improve Your Health
This world we are living in is filled with stress. Regardless of who you are and what you do, there’s simply no way you can get away from the pressures of life. Whether you are in the office, at home, or in school, there are things that will rob you of your cool, raise your blood pressure, and increase your heart rate. Stress is just inevitable, so even though you’re feeling good right now, expect to feel the opposite a few moments later. But even if that is the case, it doesn’t mean that you just have to succumb to stress and let it take its toll on you and your health.
In recent studies, scientists have found out that the root cause of most of the deadly diseases that are killing men and women is stress. The good thing is, while stress is unavoidable, there are many things you can do to at least put it in such a level that it doesn’t affect your health in a negative way. Stress can be controlled, and believe it or not, it can be done even through the most unusual of ways.
One of the most common causes of stress is sleep depravity. You will notice that you feel cranky and grumpy each time you fail to get a good night’s sleep. That’s because sleep is designed to give the body the opportunity to repair itself. If you only afford to get four hours of sleep, chances are, your bodily organs will fail to function at their maximum level, your brain becomes foggy, you lose your focus, and you easily get stressed. Obviously, the best solution to this problem is to get to bed early. According to studies, the period between 10pm and 6am is the time where the body can function fully to repair damaged tissues and cells. Therefore, make it a habit of going to bed on or before 10pm to give your body the adequate amount of time it needs for sleep and rest.
Another factor that affects how you deal with stress is your diet. For your information, there are certain types of food that can actually help you put stress at bay. Eating omelet for breakfast, for example, can help clear your brain and improve your focus and concentration. This is because eggs, along with milk, cheese, and nuts like almonds are high in tyrosine. Tyrosine is a type of amino acid that helps improve focus and increase alertness. Not only that, it also helps increase your ability to do multiple tasks at the same time. Another type of food that can help you fight stress is sesame seeds. During a hard day’s work, try to snack on some sesame seeds. Sesame seeds are found to help relieve stress because they contain a form of amino acid called L-arginine. This form of amino acid helps the blood vessels relax, so if you are having a bad day at work, try sesame seeds, as well as cashew nuts, soybeans, and peanuts, as these contain L-arginine too.
Do you know that an apple a day keeps the stress away? You have heard that apples are an excellent choice for boosting one’s health, but it is actually because of the apple’s ability to combat stress and fatigue that makes it a favorite of many. Apples are rich in antioxidants, which can help jump-start your system every time you feel too tired because of stress. Not to mention its tastiness that will surely help you forget anything that causes you to stress.
Aside from getting enough sleep and snacking on stress-fighting foods, perhaps one of the most excellent ways to beat stress is through exercising. Exercise, no matter how simple the routine, is not something that’s pleasing to do. However, you have to understand that there are many benefits to exercising than burning fat and building huge muscles. For your information, exercising is the fastest way to improve your mood and eliminate your stress. Each time you stretch those arms and swing those hips, your brain releases a form of chemical called endorphins. Also referred to as “feel good” chemicals, endorphins have the ability to boost your mood so that you feel good just about anything all throughout the day.
Don’t let stress beat you, instead, overcome it with these simple yet effective stress-busting methods.
In recent studies, scientists have found out that the root cause of most of the deadly diseases that are killing men and women is stress. The good thing is, while stress is unavoidable, there are many things you can do to at least put it in such a level that it doesn’t affect your health in a negative way. Stress can be controlled, and believe it or not, it can be done even through the most unusual of ways.
One of the most common causes of stress is sleep depravity. You will notice that you feel cranky and grumpy each time you fail to get a good night’s sleep. That’s because sleep is designed to give the body the opportunity to repair itself. If you only afford to get four hours of sleep, chances are, your bodily organs will fail to function at their maximum level, your brain becomes foggy, you lose your focus, and you easily get stressed. Obviously, the best solution to this problem is to get to bed early. According to studies, the period between 10pm and 6am is the time where the body can function fully to repair damaged tissues and cells. Therefore, make it a habit of going to bed on or before 10pm to give your body the adequate amount of time it needs for sleep and rest.
Another factor that affects how you deal with stress is your diet. For your information, there are certain types of food that can actually help you put stress at bay. Eating omelet for breakfast, for example, can help clear your brain and improve your focus and concentration. This is because eggs, along with milk, cheese, and nuts like almonds are high in tyrosine. Tyrosine is a type of amino acid that helps improve focus and increase alertness. Not only that, it also helps increase your ability to do multiple tasks at the same time. Another type of food that can help you fight stress is sesame seeds. During a hard day’s work, try to snack on some sesame seeds. Sesame seeds are found to help relieve stress because they contain a form of amino acid called L-arginine. This form of amino acid helps the blood vessels relax, so if you are having a bad day at work, try sesame seeds, as well as cashew nuts, soybeans, and peanuts, as these contain L-arginine too.
Do you know that an apple a day keeps the stress away? You have heard that apples are an excellent choice for boosting one’s health, but it is actually because of the apple’s ability to combat stress and fatigue that makes it a favorite of many. Apples are rich in antioxidants, which can help jump-start your system every time you feel too tired because of stress. Not to mention its tastiness that will surely help you forget anything that causes you to stress.
Aside from getting enough sleep and snacking on stress-fighting foods, perhaps one of the most excellent ways to beat stress is through exercising. Exercise, no matter how simple the routine, is not something that’s pleasing to do. However, you have to understand that there are many benefits to exercising than burning fat and building huge muscles. For your information, exercising is the fastest way to improve your mood and eliminate your stress. Each time you stretch those arms and swing those hips, your brain releases a form of chemical called endorphins. Also referred to as “feel good” chemicals, endorphins have the ability to boost your mood so that you feel good just about anything all throughout the day.
Don’t let stress beat you, instead, overcome it with these simple yet effective stress-busting methods.
The Wisdom of a Seventh Day Rest
Throughout the ages, human society has always seemed to allocate one day per week as a rest day. For Jews, it’s Saturday; for Moslems, Friday; and for Christians, Sunday. Even those who do not adhere to any specific religion seem to take it as a given that they work six days a week, and one of those days will be a “day off” from work. Is it a mere cultural belief, or is there truly wisdom behind this routine?
What does this have to do with the one-day rest per week? Perhaps we can look at the different aspects of our lives:
1. Physical
It is interesting to note some things about the human body. Science tells us that everyday, millions of cells die and are replaced by new ones. Since that is the case, we would be tempted to think that there is no need for a day’s rest of any sort, as the body is fully capable of rebuilding itself.
But do you know that muscles rebuild themselves during rest period? Take the example of people who undergo strength training. Whether they desire to build up bulk or simply to tone down their bodies, trainers would always tell their clients to do strength training every other day. The minimum rest period is 48 hours between training sessions. Why? This is because when you work out, muscles break down. The process of bulking up and toning down happen during the rest period, as the muscles repair themselves.
2. Mental
The human brain is only capable of so much. Perhaps you have experienced what experts call sensory overload: when you cannot seem to retain any more information after a full day’s work. This is best exemplified in infants, who are only capable of staying awake a few hours each time. When a baby is over-stimulated, he has trouble falling asleep, although he seriously needs that rest. Although adults definitely have greater brain capacities than babies, pushing it to its limits will still give you the same trouble. Have you ever experienced being so exhausted that all you want to do is fall on your pillow and doze the day away, but sleep won’t come? You’ve just experienced what a baby goes through when he’s over stimulated!
3. Emotional
As human beings, our emotional health is one of the most important aspects that affect our lives. An old proverb goes, “Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” A different translation of the same proverb describes the heart as influencing everything we do. Truly, when you are tired, you tend to be cranky and emotional, and you wind up longing for rest, but more so, you wind up longing for the affirmation of being loved. This means that working everyday with no rest makes you very vulnerable and more prone to frustration and disappointment should your emotional needs not be met, resulting in a very sad emotional state. This is also largely why psychiatrists pinpoint physical fatigue as one factor that contributes to the possibility of depression.
4. Social
Whether you are an introvert or not, as a human being, you will normally thrive on social interactions. This may be the reason why many professionals, despite going off work in overtime, would still spend time till the wee morning hours just to catch up with friends. Of course, this does not mean they do not get exhausted. The point is, working throughout the week with no break means that even one’s social life tends to suffer, which also contribute to the person’s emotional health.
5. Spiritual
If you believe that a person has a spiritual side to him, you will likely understand how the spiritual life can be affected by setting aside one day to rest. For those who go to church or participate in spiritual activities one day per week, they report feeling refreshed and re-energized to face the coming week. This is especially true for those who believe that they get to interact with a personal God during worship services on their rest day.
As you can see, the one-day rest day per week has its merits. Even though you might think it sacrifices productivity, once you understand how it affects these different aspects of life, you will likely be more willing to opt for a day off!
What does this have to do with the one-day rest per week? Perhaps we can look at the different aspects of our lives:
1. Physical
It is interesting to note some things about the human body. Science tells us that everyday, millions of cells die and are replaced by new ones. Since that is the case, we would be tempted to think that there is no need for a day’s rest of any sort, as the body is fully capable of rebuilding itself.
But do you know that muscles rebuild themselves during rest period? Take the example of people who undergo strength training. Whether they desire to build up bulk or simply to tone down their bodies, trainers would always tell their clients to do strength training every other day. The minimum rest period is 48 hours between training sessions. Why? This is because when you work out, muscles break down. The process of bulking up and toning down happen during the rest period, as the muscles repair themselves.
2. Mental
The human brain is only capable of so much. Perhaps you have experienced what experts call sensory overload: when you cannot seem to retain any more information after a full day’s work. This is best exemplified in infants, who are only capable of staying awake a few hours each time. When a baby is over-stimulated, he has trouble falling asleep, although he seriously needs that rest. Although adults definitely have greater brain capacities than babies, pushing it to its limits will still give you the same trouble. Have you ever experienced being so exhausted that all you want to do is fall on your pillow and doze the day away, but sleep won’t come? You’ve just experienced what a baby goes through when he’s over stimulated!
3. Emotional
As human beings, our emotional health is one of the most important aspects that affect our lives. An old proverb goes, “Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” A different translation of the same proverb describes the heart as influencing everything we do. Truly, when you are tired, you tend to be cranky and emotional, and you wind up longing for rest, but more so, you wind up longing for the affirmation of being loved. This means that working everyday with no rest makes you very vulnerable and more prone to frustration and disappointment should your emotional needs not be met, resulting in a very sad emotional state. This is also largely why psychiatrists pinpoint physical fatigue as one factor that contributes to the possibility of depression.
4. Social
Whether you are an introvert or not, as a human being, you will normally thrive on social interactions. This may be the reason why many professionals, despite going off work in overtime, would still spend time till the wee morning hours just to catch up with friends. Of course, this does not mean they do not get exhausted. The point is, working throughout the week with no break means that even one’s social life tends to suffer, which also contribute to the person’s emotional health.
5. Spiritual
If you believe that a person has a spiritual side to him, you will likely understand how the spiritual life can be affected by setting aside one day to rest. For those who go to church or participate in spiritual activities one day per week, they report feeling refreshed and re-energized to face the coming week. This is especially true for those who believe that they get to interact with a personal God during worship services on their rest day.
As you can see, the one-day rest day per week has its merits. Even though you might think it sacrifices productivity, once you understand how it affects these different aspects of life, you will likely be more willing to opt for a day off!
How a Spiritual Life Affects a Person’s Health
A person’s life has several aspects that constitute a healthy whole. Generally, despite the desire to have a well-rounded life, people consider one or several aspects as the topmost priority. For example, there are those who feel that their physical health is the most important; as such they spend all their days with several workout routines and healthy eating. Meanwhile, those who prioritize their social life cannot go through a week without meeting up with several friends. Those who feel that their emotional health is most important would not think twice about sacrificing meals or even a job if only to get the love of his or her life back after a dramatic fight.
But how about the people who believe that the spiritual aspect supersedes all others? How do people who spend their entire week working at 8 to 5 jobs have the energy to attend prayer meetings or other religious activities during the weekend while other people are flat on their beds recuperating? How does a spiritual life affect a person?
1. Physical health – People who believe in a Supreme Being have a higher sense of hope for anything they are feeling physically. For example, when two people are diagnosed with the same sickness and one of them believes in a Divine Being and the other doesn’t, the former is more likely to have the confidence that he will get well. This results in the physical realm being subject to whatever that person believes in the spiritual. This is also largely why those who go to church and spend their time listening to sermons instead of catching up on sleep can regain their energy as well: they claim that the truths they learn in church are “food” for them.
2. Emotional life – Those who have a strong belief in a Great God who cares about them are less likely to succumb to depression or a sense of hopelessness even when everything else falls apart. This is because they have an anchor that everything else will work out OK. This also means that they can handle stress much more easily.
3. Social life – People who go to religious gatherings typically have a greater source of wisdom when it comes to relating to other people. For example, ancient Chinese principles teach the importance of treating others as we would like to be treated. Christian principles emphasize the importance of loving other people, including one’s enemies. These kinds of mindsets set the tone for one’s social interactions.
4. Professional life – People who have strong beliefs in terms of their spiritual life tend to act out those beliefs in their professional life. For example, those who work or are involved in a business may adhere to certain principles such as honesty and integrity much more strictly when they believe that they are expected to be so on the premise of their religious beliefs. Those who do not have such beliefs are more likely to succumb to pressures of what other people do in the workplace.
5. Mental life – People who go to religious gatherings and are refreshed typically have their mental health in a much improved state. Studies have checked people who believe in certain religious rituals like glossalalia: when they perform this ritual of speaking in other languages they haven’t learned, scientists have found a certain portion of the person’s brain working when it reportedly does not function during other activities. Also, the person’s immune system reportedly shoots up, tying it not only to mental health but also to the person’s physical health as well.
As we can see, there are certain advantages that a person experiences when he has something to hold on to in terms of his spiritual life. Of course, it still depends on the person’s beliefs that dictate which aspect of his life that he chooses to prioritize. In the end, the results will just show in terms of how it affects all the other aspects of one’s lifestyle.
But how about the people who believe that the spiritual aspect supersedes all others? How do people who spend their entire week working at 8 to 5 jobs have the energy to attend prayer meetings or other religious activities during the weekend while other people are flat on their beds recuperating? How does a spiritual life affect a person?
1. Physical health – People who believe in a Supreme Being have a higher sense of hope for anything they are feeling physically. For example, when two people are diagnosed with the same sickness and one of them believes in a Divine Being and the other doesn’t, the former is more likely to have the confidence that he will get well. This results in the physical realm being subject to whatever that person believes in the spiritual. This is also largely why those who go to church and spend their time listening to sermons instead of catching up on sleep can regain their energy as well: they claim that the truths they learn in church are “food” for them.
2. Emotional life – Those who have a strong belief in a Great God who cares about them are less likely to succumb to depression or a sense of hopelessness even when everything else falls apart. This is because they have an anchor that everything else will work out OK. This also means that they can handle stress much more easily.
3. Social life – People who go to religious gatherings typically have a greater source of wisdom when it comes to relating to other people. For example, ancient Chinese principles teach the importance of treating others as we would like to be treated. Christian principles emphasize the importance of loving other people, including one’s enemies. These kinds of mindsets set the tone for one’s social interactions.
4. Professional life – People who have strong beliefs in terms of their spiritual life tend to act out those beliefs in their professional life. For example, those who work or are involved in a business may adhere to certain principles such as honesty and integrity much more strictly when they believe that they are expected to be so on the premise of their religious beliefs. Those who do not have such beliefs are more likely to succumb to pressures of what other people do in the workplace.
5. Mental life – People who go to religious gatherings and are refreshed typically have their mental health in a much improved state. Studies have checked people who believe in certain religious rituals like glossalalia: when they perform this ritual of speaking in other languages they haven’t learned, scientists have found a certain portion of the person’s brain working when it reportedly does not function during other activities. Also, the person’s immune system reportedly shoots up, tying it not only to mental health but also to the person’s physical health as well.
As we can see, there are certain advantages that a person experiences when he has something to hold on to in terms of his spiritual life. Of course, it still depends on the person’s beliefs that dictate which aspect of his life that he chooses to prioritize. In the end, the results will just show in terms of how it affects all the other aspects of one’s lifestyle.
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