10 Signs You Obsess Over Raw Foods

10 Signs You Obsess Over Raw Foods

There's no doubt about it, a low fat raw food diet is definitely the healthiest out there. But what if you have become obsessed with your restrictive diet?

Here are 10 signs to help you find out if you are obsessing over raw foods:

Are You Obsessing Over Eating?

Answer true or false to the following statements to see if you are an obsessive eater:

#1: You worry about food all the time.

#2: You worry about your weight constantly.

#3: You measure every little bit of food before it goes into your mouth.

#4: You severely restrict your caloric intake.

#5: You refrain from participating in activities you love because of your diet.

#6: You feel superior to others because of your strict diet.

#7: You measure your own self-worth based on whether you stick with your diet or not.

#8: You have a really hard time sticking with your diet.

#9: You try to convince everyone that they should eat the way you do.

#10: Your diet makes you unhappy.

If you can relate to any one of these statements, then you should definitely take a step back and reanalyze

I threw in number two because most often food obsession can be traced back to an obsession over one's weight. Let's face it, people who don't fret about the number on the scale don't weigh their food at every meal or severely restrict their calories.

Number nine may seem strange, being that this is a site dedicated to convincing others to eat the way I do, but there is a difference. I don't go out into the world trying to convert anyone and everyone. I let those who are interested come to me.

If you think raw is the way for you, then you're in the right place. If not, that's fine. I won't waste my time or yours trying to convince you of something that doesn't interest you, even if taking my advice would be in your best interest health-wise.

Number ten may seem strange as well, but it is definitely not uncommon. In fact, I would say that most people are ultimately unhappy about sticking with their diet. For raw foodists, it comes down to the social aspect. Sure, the health benefits are great, but going to restaurants, visiting family, and the feelings of isolation can be tough.

You have to decide if being raw in a cooked food world works for you and makes you happy in the long run. You and ONLY YOU can make this decision.

Being Organized is NOT Obsessive


I do want to be clear that being prepared and organized when it comes to your food is NOT obsessive. There is nothing wrong with knowing the amount of calories that are in the foods you eat or exactly how much food you need to buy when you go shopping.

As I've said time and time again, preparing and being organized is what success is all about when it comes to going and staying low fat raw vegan.

Go raw and be fit,

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Top 10 Health Tips

Top 10 Health Tips

Follow these Top 10 Health Tips in your daily life to stay beautiful on the inside and outside:

1.Follow A Healthy, Balanced Diet: A balanced diet is the first step towards a beautiful, healthy body. Follow a healthy balanced diet that complements your lifestyle. An ideal diet should be high on fiber, low on fat, and must be supplemented with adequate amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables. Besides knowing what to eat, it is equally important to know the right proportions, meaning how much or how little to eat. Talk to a fitness expert and find out what's your daily calorie intake. Make food choices that have high nutritional value but are low in calories.

2.Eat Different Types Of Foods: According to Ayurveda, the Ancient Indian science of healing, rotating your food habits not only strengthens your immune system, it can also protect you from most illnesses. Try to eat vegetables and fruits of different colors each day. Try eating a different food at least thrice a month. Begin your day with an apple a day as the apple pectin cleanses the body's digestive system by removing toxins and therefore preventing degenerative health problems such as cancer.

3.Don't Skip Your Breakfast: Are you surprised to see how some people manage to stay so fit, energetic and active the whole time and are able to stabilize their weight while you continue to put on weight and feel exhausted most of the time? Well, chances are, they eat a good breakfast and you don't! According to nutritionists and health experts, breakfast is the most important meal of the day and skipping your breakfast can lead to serious health problems besides adding those extra pounds as a result of binging on unhealthy snacks later in the day. Besides re-charging your energy levels, eating regular breakfast has several long-term benefits like:

It results in faster weight loss
Your body get more nutrients everyday
Breakfast rich in fiber foods and wholegrain helps keep the heart healthy especially if you suffer from metabolic disorders like fluctuating blood pressure, obesity and cholesterol. It also helps stabilize blood sugar levels
A good breakfast early in the morning sets your mood right and enables you to handle stress better
You stay overall healthy! So begin your day with fresh fruits, fruit juices, hard-boiled eggs, wholegrain cereals and breads and stay healthy all day!


4. Drink Lots Of Water: Drinking a minimum of 7 to 8 glasses of water everyday cleanses all the impurities and toxins from your body and helps to get healthy, flawless skin.

In addition, the fluid in your body is responsible for the functioning of your internal organs including the metabolic processes. So if you're dehydrated, this whole process gets affected and your body tends to slow down leaving you feeling low and lethargic.

5. Exercise Regularly: Who does not dream of getting those six-pack abs? Besides making you look sexy and popular, regular exercising is also the best natural "anti-aging" recipe because it helps you stay and feel young by raising your energy levels, stabilizing your body weight, and enhancing flexibility, which reduces the wear and tear in your body.

You don't need to exercise for hours everyday, just take 15-20 minutes off your busy schedule everyday to sweat out that pot-belly or burn those extra-pounds that have been making it difficult for you to get into your favorite outfit! If you can't, make one of these a part of your routine: take the stairs instead of elevators and escalators to climb; Make it a habit to walk about 15 minutes everyday. If holistic healing is your thing, enroll yourself for yoga classes. If not, go swimming, take aerobics lessons or start shaking a leg or two at the local dance academy-whatever keeps you going, juts do it! If you're into sports, you can make it part of your fitness routine.

Remember, your external fitness is only a reflection of your inner fitness and a beautiful, healthy body reflects a fit, healthy mind.

6. Quit Smoking: Okay, so you've heard this countless times from your doctor, but here it comes again as one of our most important health tip-Quit Smoking! If you're one of those people who smoke to lose or gain weight, we'd stay think again! While smoking may have been related to an increase in metabolism, it is certainly not a good enough reason to substitute it with the huge risk of dying from lung cancer!

If that doesn't make you change your mind, this will. Recent studies have proved that smoking is also one of the leading factors that stimulate the process of aging in both men and women. So say no to cigarettes and stay young and healthy for the rest of your life!

7. Say No To Stress: We know what you're thinking-easier said than done! Agreed, but leading a stressful life can only make matters worse. On the other hand, leading a relaxed, stress-free life will not only reduce the risks of health related disorders, it will also calm you down and let you enjoy your life better.

While planning your day, strike a balance between home and work. If you have trouble remembering things-make a list of all the "things-to-do" before going to bed each night or simply set a "reminder" in your cell phone so you don't have to run around at the last minute. Staying positive and thinking happy thoughts is one of the most effective stress buster technique you can easily follow in your daily life.

Spend atleast 15 minutes doing something you love and enjoy each day. It could be a simple activity, like cuddling up in bed by yourself and watching a funny movie, enjoying a glass of your favorite wine, socializing with friends, reading, sweating it out at the gym, pampering yourself with a stress-releasing body massage, soaking in a hot tub, taking a stroll on the beach, playing with your dog, listening to your favorite music or simply lazing around and doing nothing!

8. Take Care Of Your Teeth: Remember the phrase "million dollar smile?" Well, your teeth have a lot to do with your smile and they can make or break your looks depending on how much or how little you've cared for them over the years! Dental health is an important aspect of your overall heath. One of the best ways to have healthy teeth, prevent gum-related infections and protect your heart is by flossing your teeth every day. Few of us know that gum infections if left untreated can cause inflammatory reactions in the body, which can lead to stroke and heart ailments.

9. Sleep Well: A good 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep is a must for our body to reboot itself and feel energetic next day. Lack of sleep affects our hormone levels and slows down metabolism often resulting in weight gain. Studies have shown that deep, uninterrupted sleep helps cell growth and cell repair, which can increase the metabolism and help in burning calories. If you suffer from sleeplessness, try some of these simple remedies:


Avoid alcohol before going to bed
Stay away from stimulants like coffee, tea and chocolates before going to sleep
Regularize your sleeping habit
Keep your bedroom clean and uncluttered; Use decors and furnishing with peaceful and soothing colors
Avoid taking longer daytime naps
Follow relaxation techniques (for ex-meditation) to reduce stress



10. Keep Your Brain Active: Keeping your mind in "good shape" is just as vital as taking care of your physical health, so be sure to indulge your brain on a daily basis. An idle mind is not only the devil's workshop, often the feeling of "aimlessness" or "nothingness" can cause boredom and can lead to depression and anxiety-related disorders.

One way to keep your brain engaged and busy is to constantly challenge yourself with new ideas and by learning new skills. Studies have shown than an active brain makes new connections between nerve cells that help cells communicate with one another. This allows our brain to store and access information easily, regardless of our age. Try some of these activities to keep your mind active and free from boredom:


Learn to play a new musical instrument
Learn a new language
Indulge in crossword puzzles
Play scrabble with a friend
Participate in discussions and forums
Maintain a blog and update it daily
Switch careers or make a new beginning
Read books on unfamiliar topics
Pursue a new hobby
Stay aware about what's going on in the world


Follow these "Top 10 Health Tips" to stay physically and mentally beautiful for the rest of your life. Remember-"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away!"

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Diet for Diabetes - daily dose for disordered metabolism

Diet for Diabetes - daily dose for disordered metabolism

Diet for diabetes is regarded as a significant way of controlling the disease. It can be taken as a standalone diet or can be combined with oral hypoglycemic drugs or insulin doses. The main objective as to why the doctors prescribe a particular diet for diabetic patients is to maintain a standard body weight as well as to make provisions for adequate nutrition within the system. Diet for diabetes takes many factors into consideration, the prime ones being age, sex, weight, height, physical activity and last but not the least, nature of diabetes. During the diabetic diet planning stages, the medical practitioner or the dietician also takes into consideration particular aspects like high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure.

Factors associated with Diet for Diabetes

A diabetic person must always stick on to certain factors while moving on with his diabetic diet plan. These factors would not only help him to bring his diabetes under control but also allow him to reduce his life hazard. See for yourselves the most important factors associated with diabetic diet.
• The fiber content in your diet must not be less than 1.4 oz a day.
• Try to avoid bakery items and fast food as much as you can. Instead opt for whole cooked cereals.
• You must not consume any kind of carbohydrate items 2 hours prior to bedtime.
• Eat as much fresh vegetables and fruits as you can.
• For those who are used to three heavy meals a day, try to break them into four to five small portions scattered throughout the day.

Special Diet for Diabetes

Bitter Gourd: This green vegetable comprises of a high ‘plant insulin’ dosage and helps in lowering the levels of blood-sugar considerably. Drink the juice of at least three to four bitter gourds early morning on a regular basis. Also you can consume it in the form of soup or curry.

Indian Blackberry: This fruit is an ultimate solution for controlling diabetes. You can very well dry the fruit and grind it to the form of powder and then consume it. Being high in glucosidal content, it converts the starch into sugar.

Garlic: It is another effective diet known to prevent and control diabetes. Being high in potassium content it brings about an effective replacement of potassium which usually gets lost in metabolic wastes. Crush at least 3-4 flakes of garlic regularly and consume it in raw form.

Other special diets for diabetes include flaxseed, cinnamon solution, fiber, antioxidants, onion and fenugreek.

Diabetic Diet Don’ts

• You must not ever eat food directly after workouts.
• You must never overeat.
• You must not eat very fast and munch your food slowly before swallowing it.
• You must never indulge in fast food or fried food items.

Tips on Diet for Diabetes

You should have your meals at fixed hours.
You should drink at least 8-10 glasses of water daily.
You should include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet.
If you are taking insulin, then try to have 3 proper meals with some snacks in intervals.

With this diet plan, you are sure to control further diabetic attacks in your life.

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Cancer- talking of cell malignancy and despair

Cancer- talking of cell malignancy and despair

Cancer, in medical terms, can be explained as an abnormal growth or multiplication of cells that are extremely harmful to the body. It is the most dreaded disease since the 18th-19th century. This is because the disease until recently did not have a treatment. Cancer goes through a number of stages, out of which the first stage in now curable.

‘Oncology’ is the term used for studies related to medication, treatment, diagnoses and other aspects related to Cancer. It is a known fact that cancer can affect not only people of older ages but even children. In fact, a fetus can also be affected by cancer. Not only humans, but also animals suffer from this disease.

Causes of Cancer

Cancer is a vast division of ailment. The causes are numerous and can occur in any form. Before diagnosing or predicting the cause of cancer, it is important to study the three areas related to the study. There are certain cells that differ from genetic cells and the formation of these cells is the first area. The second refers to the genes that are affected due to this genetic injure. Of course, the third area concentrates on the consequences of these damaged cells.

The main causes of cancer are as follows:

• Viral or bacterial: Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are the most common virus attacks that cause cancer.
• Hormonal imbalances
• Heredity
• Mutation: DNA mutations impact cell growth. These DNA mutations cause mutagens in the body, which are responsible for causing cancer. This is known as carcinogens. Smoking is one of the causes for cancers due to carcinogens contained in tobacco smoke. Also, radiation from the sun or bad rays can cause cancer. This is due to excessive exposure.

Prevention is better than cure!

This is an age old saying. However, it is true in every sense. Especially Cancer is a disease one must be extremely careful of, as only the first stage is recoverable. Routine check ups or at least check ups at the earliest sign of a symptom is crucial. A change in the lifestyle might also do one good. Environmental factors play a major role in the disease. Smoke, fumes and pollution can lead to major health disorder.

Obesity too increases the risk of cancer. Vitamin D is a must to avoid cancer risks. Other than dietary and lifestyle precautions, vaccines for cancer, just like many other diseases have been created quite recently. Prophylactic therapeutic vaccines are developed to fight oncogenic diseases. Hepatitis B, is surprisingly a vaccine that fights liver cancer.

Screening of Cancer

Screening tests are imperative. In today’s day and age one must be aware of the various diseases doing the rounds. Cancer can happen to anyone anytime. People might look at it as dreadful and want to avoid the screening tests. However, detection of cancer at early stages can cure a person totally. Therefore, a number of venues hold cancer-screening tests at low costs and safe approaches. Even if signs of cancer are perceived, they are followed up intensely to avoid further disruptions.

Canine cancer screening is fast gaining popularity in the west.

Types of Cancer

In the present era, almost everyone is aware of the risks of cancer. There are numerous causes as well as plenty in kinds. The most common ones are lung cancer and Breast cancer. The others are:

• Bladder cancer
• Endometrial cancer
• Skin cancer
• Leukemia
• Thyroid cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Kidney cancer

Symptoms of Cancer

Breast cancer has the earliest signs related to formation of lump or thickening around the breast area. Changes in bowel or urine routine can also lead up to bladder cancer. A nagging cough, sores and unpleasant moles or warts are other causes related to cancer.

However, not always do these symptoms relate only to cancer. Therefore a routine check up and screening tests can be the best ways to stay pre-cautioned.

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Bladder Cancer - Malignancy in the urinary tracts

Bladder Cancer - Malignancy in the urinary tracts

Bladder is an organ present in the pelvic area, which is similar to a balloon in shape. It is responsible to store urine. Bladder cancer usually starts in cells that are found in the inner linings of the bladder. Generally, older adults are affected by this problem. However, it may occur in people belonging to any age group.

In most cases, bladder cancer is diagnosed in the initial stages when it isn’t very difficult to treat it. However, it is quite possible that bladder cancer may reoccur in patients. This is why most sufferers of this disease prefer going for follow-up screenings even after years of their treatment of the disease.

Symptoms of Bladder Cancer

This is the sixth most common cancer type in USA. Some of the symptoms of bladder cancer are:
• Blood in urine
• Lower back pain
• Feeling the frequent urge for urination
• Pain while you urinate

Not to forget, smoking is a big risk factor. Exposure to some specific chemicals at the workplace is another factor that increases the risk of patients suffering from bladder cancer and worsens their condition even more. Elder white people and male of any skin type are also at a higher risk for suffering from this kind of cancer.

Reasons for Bladder Cancer

The bladder that contains urine grows smaller or larger according to the quantity of urine that it is holding. Urine flows from kidneys into the bladder via ureters. From here, it is excreted from the body with the help of a narrow tube known as urethra.

Bladder cancer takes place when healthy cells does not behave in their normal way and instead of growing and dividing in a systematic way, they develop mutations and thereby grow in an unmanageable way and do not die. As a result, these unmanageable cells further forms tumor.

Different Bladder Cancer’s

There are various kinds of cells present in the bladder that can become malignant. So, it is important to know the kind of cell that has caused the bladder cancer so as to know the treatment which would suit the patient in his current condition. Some of the bladder cancers are: squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and transitional cell carcinoma.

Diagnosis and tests

Some of the common procedures and tests that are advised by doctor’s to the bladder cancer patients are: test for urine to observe the presence of cancer cells in it, looking inside the bladder with the help of a scope and imaging tests.

Stages of Bladder Cancer

Once it has been confirmed that a patient has bladder cancer, addition tests such as bone scan, CT scan, chest X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging may be suggested by the physician to know the stage of the disease of the patient. Stages of bladder cancer are as given below:

• Stage I – In this stage, the cancer has only developed in the inner lining of the bladder and hasn’t involved muscular bladder wall as yet.
• Stage II – Here, the bladder wall has been invaded by the cancer.
• Stage III – This stage involves the spread of the cancer cells to the tissue that surrounds the bladder wall. They may have spread a little further to vagina or uterus in women or prostate in men.
• Stage IV – Lymph nodes and organs like liver, bones and lungs are also invaded by the cancer cells at this stage.

Surgical procedures are the most common treatments available for bladder cancer patients and are determined in accordance with the stage of the cancer of the patient.

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Asthma – All About Life Threats and Physical Reverses

Asthma – All About Life Threats and Physical Reverses

Asthma or AZ-ma is the inflammation of airways, which causes shortness of breath, cough, wheezing and tightness of chest. Airways are tubes carrying air in and out of lungs. When these are inflamed, they even react to the substances that enter the region while breathing in. With this reaction, the airways constrict and so air supply to lungs is reduced. Eventually there is difficulty in breathing. This can grow worse with mucus formation, as it further contracts the airways. Symptoms of asthma can happen each time when the airways will be affected.

Origin of Asthma:

The specific cause of asthma is still not known, but it is a combination of various factors that cause it. The factors are:

• Hereditary factors- if parents have a history of asthma
• Infections in the respiratory system during early phase of life
• Developing allergies known as atopy, which is also inherited
• Exposure to airborne allergens during childhood
If history of asthma is prevalent in the family, then exposure to house dust mites, dog or cat dander, smoke or tobacco can turn the airways reactive to the stuff when we breathe.

Different symptoms of asthma:

• Coughing makes it very difficult to sleep as it generally strikes during the night or dawn.
• Feeling out of breath is another symptom of asthma
• Chest tightens giving a feeling of uneasiness
• While breathing a whistling sound may appear

Not all asthma patients exhibit these symptoms. These symptoms can worsen due to factors like allergens, certain medicines, common cold, pollution and presence of sulfites in food and drink. Asthma can get worse due to some other factors like reflux disease, sinus infection or even psychological stress.

Diagnosis of Asthma:

Asthma can be diagnosed by certain physical exam, medical history and some other tests. The doctor detects whether the asthma is mild, intermittent, reasonable or severe. If one has a family history of asthma and the symptoms of asthma occur, doctor asks a series of questions regarding the occurrence. Various signs of asthma are diagnosed by listening to breathing or spotting allergies. A lung function test is also carried out to check the density of air breathed in and out. If the results improve by taking medicines then the patient is diagnosed with asthma. Some other tests include a bronchoprovocation test, chest x ray or EKG or allergy test.

Treatments of Asthma:

Asthma can be controlled if the patient avoids factors that can aggravate the condition. There is no sure shot cure of asthma but still regular medicines can keep a check on it, if taken properly. Two types of medicines that help to treat asthma are long-term control and quick relief medicines. Long-term medicines are helpful in decreasing inflammation of the airways, while avoiding asthmatic symptoms. Whereas, quick-relief medicines are rescue medicines that immediately help to reduce asthma symptoms from flaring up. These can be carried along as inhalers. If asthma symptoms are due to allergies, then allergy shots are administered though that does not guarantee cure.

Manage and prevent asthma:

Living with asthma can get difficult, as it is a long-term disease, which needs a lot of care. In order to manage asthma, you can chalk out an asthma action plan that will help you take medicines properly and also tackle with it during worse situation. Regular checkups help monitor the various levels of asthma and accordingly the doctor can adjust the treatment. If you see that your symptoms of asthma are recurring quite often then you should start taking care. Various age groups of people are treated differently in asthma and they can lead normal lives as well.

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How to breathe properly while running

How to breathe properly while running

1. Breathing properly will make your body efficient to bring oxygen to your muscles, which will increase your endurance.



2. Try going through one full breath-cycle - inhaling and exhaling every six to eight steps you take. Pick a foot. Choose to begin your breathing cycle with your left or right foot, whichever you prefer, when it strikes the ground.



3. Keep in mind that different things work for different people. You may find that this technique doesn't quite work for you, so tweak the above steps as needed to find what does work.



4. If you find that your breathing pattern breaks at some point, don't get discouraged - start again.

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How to cure a muscle injury

How to cure a muscle injury

A muscle injury or a sprain is often viewed as a minor medical event. A sprain is an acute medical injury to a liagment. It should be rested in order to decrease the amount of inflammation. Hence it is important to follow tips to allow the muscle to heal:



1. Ice is also used to decrease the amount of inflammation. Ice, wrapped in a wet towel, should be placed on the area of injury until that area has become numbed. This can be pepeated every half hour upto two hours. Afterwards. an hour of cessation should be observed before beginning again.



2. Hot water compression is also used to decrease the amount of vascular leakage in the area of the muscle injury. Compression helps to decrease the amount of fluid in the tissues known as swelling.



3. Elevation is also used to decrease vascular pressure in the area of injury which reduces the amount of muscle swelling.



4. Anti-inflammatory medication and painkiller can be advantageous in the treatment of injured area, but must be used according to the physician's instructions and only if necessary.

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Why should you stretch those muscles

Why should you stretch those muscles

1. Stretching is highly recommended either before or after your workout but can really be done any time.



2. Corrective stretching is done before exercise but after a warm-up to lengthen chronically short muscles and help your body remain aligned properly.



3. Relaxation stretching is done after exercise to lengthen muscles and help them return to their pre-workout length.



4. It should only be done when muscles are warm. Further it will make you feel more comfortable and relaxed.

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How to decrease pain in your heel

How to decrease pain in your heel

Decrease your activity level: THe more you are on your feet, the more tearing that occurs in the fascia. Stop running or walking and try biking or swimming. Avoid the treadmill and the stairmaster at the gym.



Try an ice massage: Freeze a sports water bottle and place it on the floor. Roll your arch over the water bottle for 20 minutes twice a day.



Stretch your calf: In the morning, before you get out of bed, wrap the towel around the ball of your foot. Pull the foot towards you, keeping your leg straight. You should feel a stretch in your calf. Stretch for 30-60 seconds. This will help to decrease your pain once you step down.



Wear supportive shoes: You should wear supportive shoes at all times. Don'r go barefoot. Many of the shoes have light weight designs and tend to breakdown in the middle of the shoe after two or three months. Always test all of your shoes before wearing them.

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How to save yourself from panic attack

How to save yourself from panic attack

1. When panic attack sets in, sit down. Breathe deeply. Sip tea, hot chocolate or even coffee. Enjoy a moment of calm. Then begin to focus on how you need to accomplish your goals.


2. Even if lists make you crazy, write down everything you need to do. This will help you get everything out in the open and give you a place to start.


3. Avoid eating junk food, it contributes to stress. Drink lots of water and eat some fruit.


4. Find someone to talk to about all that you are going through. Vent when things become overwhelming, but share your accomplishments as well.


5. Even if you aren't a distance runner, your body will benefit from a brisk walk, time on the treadmill, or a rollerblade around the neighbourhood. So be active to beat the stress.

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Physical Activity for Absolute Health and Fitness

Physical Activity for Absolute Health and Fitness

1. Make an appointment to exercise - and write it in your diary. You could also record what you did in your workout, so you can keep track of your achievements.



2. Keep some exercise kit handy in the places you spend most of your time. This might mean leaving clothes at college, work, with friends or relatives, or in the boot of your car.



3. Practice saying no to people who ask you to do things that aren't your responsibility, or don't even need doing, yet take up valuable time.



4. Find ways of working, caring for others or working smarter rather than harder. For example, use your computer skills to save time on a range of mundane activities, then use the free time you've created to be physically active.



5. If you're in employment, make sure you take all your holiday entitlement. Consider taking active holidays such as a cycle tour or trekking trip.



6. If you own a car, leave it at home as much as possible and walk or cycle to the shops for those small things such ass milk or a newspaper.



7. As an experiment, don't wear a watch for a weekend to see if being released from this 'jailer' liberates you to do more physical activity.

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How to combat stress

How to combat stress

Stress amongst youngsters and adults is common for different reasons. Some of the causes are, intense work load, guilt and worry because you feel you are neglecting some work in order to keep up with or complete another. The following ways can help you overcome stress:



1. Design a timetable in correlation with deadline dates. This will help you plan your work and also keep up with it.


2. Don't hesitate in asking for help if you have trouble understanding something. Don't give up if the first or second attempts at asking yield no results.


3. Lack of self-confidence can lead to feelings of isolation and depression. Anxiety at the thought of approaching others may block the ability to make friends, but it is surprising how approachable and friendly most people are. Be the first to strike a conversation.


4. If you are unsure of your work, ask a friend to take a look at it and give some helpful tips. The more you practice something, the easier it becomes. Remember learning from past mistakes and understanding one's own weaknesses enables improvement.


5. Talking to a counsellor helps in expressing feelings of anxiety. Never feel ashamed of expressing these feelings. Another method is to sit back and think about how many people have not achieved what you have achieved till date.


6. Lastly take time out from your hectic schedule and plan outings with family and friends. This will rejuvenate your spirits.


To cope with stress effectively, start keeping a detailed diary. This will help you identify the situations that cause the most stress. If there are certain patterns, they will be pinpointed. You will also understand whether they do or do not work for you, you can plan alternative strategies to avoid similar feelings of stress in the future. You must be honest and look at your responses objectively. Carry your diary with you all the time and, as far as possible, record your observations periodically, as soon as the stressful event has occurred. That will make your assessment more accurate. Check your records after a week. With this information, you be able to chalk out your stress-busting campaign.



Find Out:


1. Which situations caused you the most stress and why?

2. Are the stress factors internal or external?

3. Has change caused the stress or has it been because of something you felt was imposed on you?

4. How do you look at events that caused the stress?

5. What is your preventive defence mechanism against stress?

6. Do you think your responses were right?

7. Do you think you could have coped better had you adopted a different method?

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How to cure prickly heat

How to cure prickly heat

Prickly heat is a very common condition during the hot summer and rainy season when there is profuse sweating. Small red pustules appear on the body, especially on the chest, back and the abdomen. There is intense itching. So what to do to get some relief?



1. Try not to scratch the affected area, as it could lead to the pustules becoming septic.


2. Avoid heavy garments and try to expose the affected area to air.


3. Take a cold water bath twice daily.


4. Dissolve Fuller's earth (Multani mitti) in water to make a thin paste. It should be smeared over the affected parts. When the paste dries, wash with cold water. Alternately, try a ground mix of green henna and neem leaves on the affected skin. The most effective remedy for treating prickly heat? Applying a mixture of sandalwood paste, rose water and powdered alum.

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How to beat a heat stroke

How to beat a heat stroke

Summer time brings with it tall icy drinks and light playful clothes but when the heat is on, there is no respite.



1. A person suffering from a heat stroke should be moved to a cooler spot. His/her clothes should be loosened.



2. A cold-water sponge should be given and the person's palm and feet should be rubbed for better blood circulation in the body.



3. To avoid a heat stroke, one should have long cooling baths frequently in the day and let children play in swimming pools. A body immersed in water and hydrated has less chances of getting a heat stroke.



4. And for those who believe that prevention is better than cure, drink a lot of water, binge on lemonade, buttermilk, juice and evn coconut water. Avoid coffee and alcohol and heavy exercises.



5. Increase the frequency and duration of rest breaks to help you stay hydrated and cool.

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Dental regimen for kids

Dental regimen for kids

To help ensure good dental hygiene in your child, follow thes tips:



1. Your child can start to use toothpaste when he or she is two or three. Your son or daughter only needs a small amount of toothpaste on the toothbrush, and he or she should spit the toothpaste out, instead of swallowing it. So, you got to keep a watch!



2. Beware of frequent snacking. Your child releases more saliva that helps prevent acids from staying on teeth during meals.



3. Brush effectively twice a day with a flouride toothpaste. This will prevent the germs from decaying the gum.



4. Have your child follow a balanced diet that consists of many different foods and vegetables.



5. Snack on nutritious food, this will strengthen the tooth.



6. Floss once a day for a better hygiene.



7. Seek regular dental check-ups.



8. Make sure your child gets enough flouride through drinking water, flouride products or fluoride supplements.

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Stop Smoking - Easy Effective Ways to Quit Smoking

Stop Smoking - Easy Effective Ways to Quit Smoking

1. The most important thing you can do to help yourself give up smoking is to decide firmly that you really want to stop and be confident that you can succeed.



2. You may find it useful to think about 'why' to smoke. Each time you reach for a cigarette, ask yourself, 'why'. Once you have worked these out, you can look at ways to overcome the urges that make you want to smoke.



3. It is advisable to write down a plan of possible actions to avoid the temptation to smoke when the urge comes; for instance when you are feeling down. Alternatives to smoking include listening to music, calling a friend, surfing the internet, going shopping, exercising, reading a magazine or any other activity that can cheer you up and stop you from wanting to smoke.



4. You may also find it useful to write down a list of your main reasons for quitting and remind yourself of the reasons whenever you feel like smoking. Some possible reasons are to save money, to improve health, smell better, and to feel better about yourself.



5. Make cigarettes less readily available. Whenever possible, avoid buying cigarettes.



6. If you gave in to your craving, do not be hard on yourself. Work out why you smoked and how you can prevent it the next time. You can learn something valuable from each succumb but don't use it as an excuse to go back to smoking.

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How to beat the blues

How to beat the blues

1. When you're feeling just tired, a hot bath or shower and bed might be just what you need.



2. Raid the fridge. Sometimes a bit of fruit or a sandwich might just be what you need to cheer you up.



3. Phone a friend, Make it someone who is a good listener.



4. Do some exercise. Exercise does put you on a high - and it costs you nothing.



5. Go for a checkup. You may have some mineral shortage or slight chemcal imbalance causing you to feel like this.



6. Buy yourself something nice - a new magazine, cheese, soap, coffee, or a muffin at your favourite coffee shop.



7. Untidy homes are depressing - do a cleanup.



8. Just go the movies - a feelgood one or a thriller will be the best.



9. Go for shopping - buy some new clothes for yourself. Experiment on trying out new outfits for yourself.



10. Have a funtrip - preferably visit a hillstation or try out some adventerous sport like river rafting or trekking. You may feel more relaxed and fresh.

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Improving Memory Techniques - How to sharpen your memory

Improving Memory Techniques - How to sharpen your memory

1. Maintaining a well balanced diet is not only important for your body, it's also essential for your brain and memory.



2. Some studies have suggested that there is a relationship between the severity of the memory impairment and the amount of alcohol consumed; the more you drink, the worse your memory loss is.



3. You don't have to run a marathon to keep your mind sharp- mind- body exercises can also help you in the battle against memory loss. Cardiovascular exercise can help prevent memory loss.



4. Giving your mind a workout can literally help your brain grow. There are many things you can do to exercise your mind; some of them are activities as simple as doing a crossword puzzle, playing chess, reading, and staying active.

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Stop worrying - How to win over your worries

Stop worrying - How to win over your worries

We all worry from time to time, but when it starts to affect your enjoyment of life, it's time to take action. Whatever the causes, it's high time you stop worrying. Here ae some tips on how to stop worrying and start living.



1. If you are constantly worrying, it's important to not try to argue yourself out of anxious thoughts during your worry slot.



2. Physical relaxation and slow, calm breathing are great ways to help you stop worrying. By concentrating on feelings of physical relaxation you also allow your mind to relax and let go of what is troubling it.



3. Physiacal activity is a great worry buster, partly because it's hard to eorry when you're doing something physical and partly because activity helps release endorphins, natural calming chemicals produced by the brain that help you yo feel happier and more relaxed.



4. Sharing your worries with a friend or relative helps put them into perspective and can often throw a new light on them.



5. Write down your worries as they occur either in a notepad or personal diary. Write down exactly what you are thinking and if the same worry recurs, write it down again in the same way. Doing this will help you put your worries in perspective and see them for the repetitive thoughts they are.



6. You can make your worries less threatening by changing the way you think. Positive thinking techniques are the basis of what is known as 'cognitive therapy'. It concentrates on helping you look at any unrealistic ideas you may have that are undetrmining your confidence and making you feel worried.

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