Health Tips

• One has to have a positive mind and realise that one's thoughts and attitudes create one's feelings.
• Regular breakfast. Nutritious food improves one's mood, boosts memory and immunity.
• Regular physical exercise (at least 30 minutes) everyday. Endorphins — feel good hormones — which are released by the brain in response to exercise, improve mood, relieve stress and produce an overall feeling of well being.
• Exercise the brain by doing crosswords/puzzles, hobbies. Learn problem-solving techniques.
• Spend time in silence.
• Make friends, make someone feel good.
• Learn to recognize and handle stress.
• Take breaks/holidays.
• Self-appreciation — reward your achievements.
• Accept responsibility for your health — be regular with health checkups, modify lifestyle as advised by professionals.
• Smile — a happy face has a positive effect in forming and maintaining relationships.

No one can live for more than a few minutes without breathing, yet how many of us are aware of the importance of proper breathing? We need to breathe slowly and deeply. Then the body cells work in unison and bring back harmony and health to the system. Here are three breathing techniques to destress. One should practice all of them everyday as many times as one can. But minimum one should do 11 times each of these techniques to be able to feel the benefits. If one is doing after meal, there should be a gap of two hours. Otherwise, one can finish the technique and immediately sit for food.

Yogic breathing
(the complete breath) This breathing exercise uses the lower, middle and upper part of the respiratory muscles. Start with abdominal breathing, followed by thoracic breathing and finally clavicle breathing. Reverse the order when you exhale. Benefits l Increases lung capacity l slows respiration rate l calms the mind.

Nadi Shodhana
(alternate nostril breathing) This is a simple form of alternate nostril breathing. Nadi means channel and refers to the energy pathways through which the prana flows. Shodhana means cleansing. Nadi shodhana means purification of nadis or channels. Inhale through the left nostril, exhale through the right; inhale through the right and exhale through the left. This is one round of breathing. Benefits l Strengthens the nervous system l helps conditions such as anxiety, depression, hypertension, and hypotension.

Bhramari
(humming bee) Bhramari means bee. The exhalation sound is similar to a bee. Place the thumb on your ears; shut your eyes and inhale, then exhale making the sound of the humming bee. Benefits l Nourishes and calms the brain cells l soothes the nerves l helps in treating insomnia.

• Aloe vera helps in healing the scalp, balances the PH level of the scalp and cleans the pores. A mixture of Aloe Vera gel with wheat germ oil and coconut milk promotes hair growth and reduces dandruff.
• Amla or the Indian gooseberry is an excellent tonic for premature graying of hair and preventing hair loss. Cut a few Amla fruits into pieces, dry it in shade and boil in coconut oil until the solid pieces appear dark in color. This oil when massaged into the scalp every day, is the best medicine for premature graying of hair. Even the water in which a few dried pieces of Amla are soaked over night can be used for rinsing hair. This is very nourishing and helps prevent premature graying. Also massaging Amla juice, mixed with almond oil and few drops of lime juice every night is found to be beneficial in treating premature graying of hair.
• Adding curry leaves to one’s regular diet has proven to be beneficial in treating premature graying of hair, as the curry leaves add strength and vitality to hair. Curry leaves can also be boiled in coconut oil and applied regularly for healthy hair.
• Finally, Henna, the traditional herb found in India is a good hair conditioner and is the best way to healthy hair. Apart from conditioning the hair, it protects against breakage of hair and gives back that natural shine to the hair.

If you spend most of your weekday sitting in front of a video display terminal, you've probably noticed that using a computer can be a pain in the neck, the eyes and almost every other part of your body! It's no wonder computers cause eye strain. Studies have shown that computer users tend to stare at a glowing screen without blinking for much longer periods than do people who use typewriters. This is why many people using computers experience dry eye problems. In addition, computer screens reflect a great deal of glare - from windows, overhead lights and even the user's own bright clothing. Finally, many computer users sit practically face-to-face with the monitor.

Whether you spend every day or only a few hours a week using a computer, there are steps you can (and should) take to reduce the physical strains from computer use. Steps to follow, when using a computer:

Have a thorough eye examination. While everyone should have their eyes checked once a year, annual eye exams are especially important for computer users. Follow the "20/20 rule." Keep your face at least 20 inches from the screen and pause every 20 minutes or so to look around the room, so your eyes can focus on distant objects. Regular eye exercise helps prevent eye strain. Place all materials you are working with at the same distance as the screen. This reduces strain of your eyes and neck. Make sure you have a glare screen, which should block glare without making the characters on the monitor appear fuzzy. Also if possible, move or adjust the computer screen to avoid reflections from windows or indoor lights. Sit on a stable, comfortable, adjustable chair. If it is possible to put the keyboard a few inches below the desktop, for example, with an adjustable table, or by using a center drawer of a desk for a pullout keyboard rest, do so. This will keep your arms at a more comfortable angle. Place computer monitor at a 35-degree angle below your eyes. This reduces incidence of Dry Eye. Use preservative-free artificial tears intermittently when on the computer if your eyes get red and irritated. Much of computer fatigue is caused by Dry Eye. Finally, take periodic breaks from the computer during the day, walk around and do some non-computer tasks for about 15 minutes every two or three hours.

This is the famous Scarsdale Diet based on chemical reactions rather than on quantities of foods. You should be able to maintain normal energy levels while losing up to 20 pounds in 14 days. This diet is not recommended for cardiac patients, and no one should stay on it for more than 14 days at a time.

Use lean meat only. Prepare all foods without oil or mayonnaise. Both lemon and vinegar should be used on salads. No substitutions, or alcohol and no between meals snacks except raw carrots and celery. Drink coffee black and tea plain. Sugar substitute and diet drinks are permitted.

BREAKFAST - The same every day: One half grapefruit, one slice dry protein toast, coffee or tea.

MONDAY - Lunch: Lean cold cuts, tomato slices, coffee or tea. Dinner: Broiled fish, salad, one slice toast, grapefruit, coffee or tea.

TUESDAY - Lunch: Fruit salad (any kind and as much as you like). Dinner: Plenty of steak, tomatoes, lettuce, celery, olives, brussels sprouts or cucumbers, coffee or tea.

WEDNESDAY - Lunch: Tuna fish or salmon salad with lemon and vinegar, grapefruit, coffee or tea. Dinner: Two lamb chops, celery, cucumbers, tomatoes, coffee or tea.

THURSDAY - Lunch: Cold chicken, raw or cooked spinach, coffee or tea. Dinner: Two eggs, cottage cheese, cooked cabbage, one piece protein toast, coffee or tea.

FRIDAY - Lunch: Assorted cheese slices, raw or cooked spinach, one piece protein toast, coffee or tea. Dinner: Broiled fish, salad (as many vegetables as desired), one piece protein toast, coffee or tea.

SATURDAY - Lunch: Fruit salad, coffee or tea. Dinner: Cold chicken, tomatoes, grapefruit, coffee or tea.

SUNDAY - Lunch: Hot or cold chicken, tomatoes, carrots, cooked cabbage or broccoli or cauliflower, grapefruit, coffee or tea. Dinner: Plenty of steak, celery, cucumbers or brussels sprouts, tomatoes, coffee or tea.

In addition, the diet provides an alternative meal to be substituted for any lunch. It consists of one-half cup low fat pot cheese, one tablespoon low-fat sour cream with sliced fruit, six walnuts or pecans and a diet drink.

Dieters who wish to lose more weight may return to the 14 day diet after two or three weeks. During the interim period, eat no more than two or three slices of protein bread daily and avoid sugar, diet gelatin or sherbet. Alcohol should be restricted to one and one-half ounce a day.

By zensearch

• Listen to soothing music.

• Set up a routine. Go to bed at the same time every night.

• Read a book of your choice.

• Do some light exercise.

• Consider aromatherapy.
  

• Shower before bed.

• Don’t eat sugar or caffeine before you sleep.

• Try to avoid heavy meals before bedtime.

• Don’t face the clock while you try to sleep so it doesn’t distract you.

• Use breathing exercises to relax you.
  

If you have oily hair, and don't have time to wash your hair you can put some powder on your roots and it will absorb the oils and your hair will look and smell great.

Submitted by:
Michelle
Toledo, OH

use white vineger and baking soda. After it fizzes, you can put it on a bite or bee sting after the stinger is taken out for no more itch.

Submitted by:
Millie
Seaford, DE

The next time you get sunburn get some strawberries, cut them in half and rub them all over the sunburn. The sting is 100% gone, and it lasts for a long time. Sure it's sticky, but you smell great and you're in no pain!

Submitted by:
Kathy
Wickliffe, OH

Take a leaf from an aloe plant, split it down the middle and apply the open leaf to the burned area. If you have the Aloe Vera Gel for sunburn that also is great to use.

Submitted by:
Melanie
Easton, MD

Put lemon-scented dish soap in a white plate outside your door, or in the yard where mosquitoes might be. By the next day, the mosquitoes will be dead around the plate. They like the smell of the dish soap, but it kills them.

Submitted by:
Merrily
Sunnyvale, CA

Rub cream rinse on arms and legs in the shower pat dry for soft smooth skin.

Submitted by:
Jenny
Carthage, TN

For a homemade hair gel, try dissolving one package of unflavored gelatin into two cups of hot water. Store in a glass jar in the refrigerator.

Submitted by:
Jamie
Carteret, NJ

For a natural hair conditioner, work a small amount of olive oil into your hair until it is coated. Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave on for 30 minutes. Shampoo and rinse as usual.

Submitted by:
Jamie
Carteret, NJ

A clever way to serve tuna, chicken, or egg salad to youngsters or picnicers is in ice cream cones instead of bread.

Submitted by:
Carol
Rhinelander, WI

For puffy eyes, put hemorrhoid cream around your eyes the night before. You will go to work looking refreshed.

Submitted by:
Sherisa
Pleasant Hill, CA

Mix 1 cup granulated sugar with 1 cup raw sugar, and moisten thoroughly with baby oil. Store in a plastic container.

Submitted by:
Julia
Nineveh, IN

Take two teaspoons of olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon of salt and mix it well. Scrub it on your face and body. The olive oil brings a glow to your skin and the salt works as scrubber.

Submitted by:
Zainab
Taiyebi, NJ

When shaving legs use hand lotion instead of soap. Leaves legs feel soft and smooth.

Submitted by:
Ann
Grand Chute, WI

Vinegar is a very useful product for cleaning and for the elimination of ants. Just spray regular white household vinegar on surfaces around the house where ants are coming in. The vinegar not only drowns them, but helps get rid of the scent trail they leave for other ants to follow.

Submitted by:
Vicki
Trenton, TN

Eat fresh raw garlic on toast with cream cheese to aid in curing cold symptoms or lung congestion. Also honey on a spoon once a day helps ward off colds.
Submitted by:

Shirley
Green Bay, WI

Mix equal amounts of petroleum jelly and any regular lotion in your palm, apply it on dry and rough spots, and you will have super-soft skin. This saves you lots of money by not buying expensive hand or foot cream.

Submitted by:
Ekta
East Windsor, NJ

Dark circles under eyes are a common beauty problem. These under eye dark circles give us an appearance of tiredness or illness. They make us to feel worse and are rather detrimental to our self esteem.

What are dark circles under eyes ?

The skin below our eyes is very thin and is sparsely dotted with oil glands unlike the skin on rest of the body.
Due to various reasons the skin under the eyes becomes thin and dry. Veins below eyes appear prominently when the under eye skin becomes dry and thin. This lends the area a dark appearance.

What causes dark circles under eyes?

There are various reasons which cause dark circles. Few of them have been listed below.
Heredity:

If others in your family have dark circles then there are fair chances of you getting dark circles under eyes.
The thinness of under eye skin is a hereditary character. The thin under eye skin reveals dark veins underneath and appears as dark circles under eyes.

If you are more prone to allergies like itching of skin which is inherited then dark circles under eyes may be caused due to rubbing and inflammation of under eye skin.

Lack of Sleep and Fatigue:

Partying all night, lack of sleep, fatigue, sinus infections, pregnancy all these may cause paleness of skin. Pale skin makes blood vessels to appear prominently and give an appearance of dark circles.

Structure of Bone

Eyes set deep in skull bones may develop ark shadow under them.

Exposure to Sunlight

Exposure to sun light increases the level of pigmentation and cause tanning. Same thing applies well for the skin under eyes. When skin under eyes gets exposed to sun it tans and appears dark.

Medications:

Medications which cause dilation of blood vessels cause dark circles under eyes. Dilated blood vessels allow more blood to flow through them and these blood vessels look prominent through under eye skin which is very thin.

Nutrition

Poor nutrition leads to paleness of skin under eyes. Lack of essential nutrients in diet or poor diet causes discoloration of under eye skin.

Hormonal Imbalance

Hormonal Imbalance during pregnancy, menstruation, menopause etc cause paleness of skin and this leads to appearance of dark circles under eyes.

Age:

As we grow old the skin under eyes become more dry and wrinkled. The wrinkled skin below eyes appears as dark circles around eyes.

Tips for Dark eye Circles

How to get rid of dark circle under eyes is the question that arises in your mind when you are suffering from under eye dark circles. Here are solutions for under eye dark circles

1. .Concealing the dark circles around eyes through make up techniques.
2. Avoiding use of bleach or peels to make the dark circles around eyes light.
3. Treat the cause of illness mentioned above.
4. Sleep for sufficiently long hours to prevent formation of dark circles under eyes.
5. Do not scratch the under eye skin.
6. .Diet, which is rich in nutrients helps to remove dark circles around eyes.
7. Lightly tap the under eye skin with one or two fingers to increase blood circulation.

Ayurveda treatment for dark circles under eyes

Accumulation of toxins in body cause dark circles. The ayurveda treatment for dark circle consists of two steps.

1. Body detoxification.
2. Skin rejuvenation .

Top Ten Home remedies for Dark circles under eye

1. Grate cucumber and squeeze fresh juice out of gratings. Dip two cotton balls in it and keep these cotton balls on eyes. This relaxes eyes and relieves tiredness of eyes. Considered as the best remedy for under eye dark circles.

2. The above process has been found to be effective when done using potato.

3. Apply a paste of lemon juice, tomato puree, orange lentil flour (masoor dal ) and turmeric powder (if you are not allergic to it) on under eye dark circles. Leave it for 15 minutes and wash it off.

4. Drink plenty of water (more than 15 glasses)

5. Eat fresh fruits, green vegetables which are rich in fiber.

6. Sleep well at least for 7-8 hrs daily.

7. Reduce stress levels by practicing yoga and meditation. Pranayama reduces dark circles and increases glow of skin.

8. Avoid sweets and chocolates.

9. Dip two cotton balls in rose water and place them on your eyes, covering dark circles.

10. Keep thin cold cucumber slices on eyes when your eyes are too tiered.