How to be happy in life

 

 

The definition of happiness

Happiness is much more than what an article could describe, some people describe happiness as the feeling you experience when you realize that everything is exactly as it should be, some define it as the state of feeling that you experience after reaching your goals while others define it as a having inner peace.

Defining happiness is something that is not so easy, but what’s more important is that you have already experienced it, and so the aim of this article will be to teach you how to be happy rather than giving you a philosophical definition of happiness that won’t help in changing your mood.

Happiness is perspective dependent

Happiness is a perspective dependent emotion; this means that what could make someone happy may not be of any importance to someone else. I may become happy if I became rich but for someone else money may make him feel happy. You usually become happy when you get something that satisfies an unmet need, for example if you were suffering from a financial insecurity nothing could make you more happy than earning money, while if you were lonely nothing can make you happy more than an intimate relationship.

But what if you were in need of more than one thing? What if you were lonely and at the same time feeling financially insecure? In that case finding an intimate relationship will still make you happy but as time passes you will get used to it then feel unhappy because of the financial insecurity.

That's why in my book, The ultimate guide to getting over depression I explained how people who give advices like "learn to love life" or "take few days off" misguide the person who is seeking happiness simply because each one of us has got certain things that can make him/her happy and other things that can make him/her depressed. Giving apples to a person who wants meat will never make him happy and vise versa.

How to be happy in life

The following is not a magical formula for happiness or a guarantee to feel happy, however if you followed these steps they could have a dramatic change on your happiness levels:

• You can only experience one emotion at a time: A general rule for emotions is that you cannot experience more than one emotion at a time, for example if you were stressed you can’t feel happy and if you were depressed you can’t feel motivated. So based on that information one of the main tasks you should be doing if you want to be happy is to eliminate all your bad or unwanted emotions. Just write down the emotions that are currently preventing you from feeling happy then read about them as much as you can, seek someone’s help if you couldn’t get rid of them alone and do your best to eliminate them. By getting rid of these unwanted emotions you may not feel happy immediately but you will be opening the door to happiness by removing the first barrier(s) to it.
• Know what makes you happy: As I said happiness is perspective dependent, so if you want to be happy you should first know what makes you happy, just try to visualize the thing that if actually became true you would be happy, and upon finding that thing fight for it, and I really mean it, fight for it until you get it.
• Positive thinking and optimism: You may have asked yourself, could I feel happy while having a major problem that I don’t have a solution to? Yes you can, by knowing that one day this problem will be solved, this is what is called positive thinking, optimism or hope. Learning how to be a positive thinker will open the door to hope and so to happiness.
• Happiness and religion: This point is just a sub point of the previous one, simply because nothing could make you become an optimist or a positive thinker more than believing in a higher power that is there to help you. This higher power is God, if you have the belief that someone will save you then you will be a positive thinker and your big problems will seem to be a temporary issue.
• Happiness and life purpose: Having a life purpose may not make you happy on its own but not having a life purpose could make your life a misery. Many people commit suicide because they don’t know why they are here or what they should do in this life. If you want to be happy then seriously consider finding a life purpose
• Happiness and Love: Having loving friends, a loving partner or a loving family could dramatically affect your happiness levels. When surrounded by love your big problems tend to be smaller and your life is filled with more happiness. Social relationships in general could act as a healthy escapement from the storms of life, however don’t just escape without taking actions to solving your problems, dampen your bad feelings by these beautiful relations and at the same time work towards solving your real problems
• Increasing your happiness levels: If you already know what makes you happy and if it is something that is within your reach then know that sharing this experience with someone else will make you feel even more happier. Have you tried to compare the feelings you experience when watching a comedy movie alone with the feelings you experience when watching the same movie with close friends? Most probably you will discover that when you watched it with your friends it increased the level of happiness, so share your experiences to experience more happiness.

Eat healthy, lose weight

Sounds too good to be true? There are ways that will help you eat healthy, and lose weight at the same time. Read on to know how...

- A close look at food labels is extremely essential as it provides you with the exact calorie count. Comparing labels among different foods and beverages will also result in healthier weight loss options.

- Make sure you consume small meals every three hours to avoid overeating and inconsistency in blood sugar levels. When you starve your body for long periods, it stores fats. Too much hunger could lead to unhealthy eating as well as consuming large portions. Instead aim for a healthy snack such as a fruit to eat in between meals.
- Intake of whole grains, fruits and vegetables is a must for staying healthy since they’re low in calories and high in fiber, which will help you feel full for a longer time. This in turn makes you eat less and lose weight as well.
- Skipping meals is not an advisable option as you’re more likely to over eat or binge when you finally eat after that long hunger break. Starving your body will lead to weight gain rather than weight loss.
- Water also helps you lose weight. Consume enough water to keep yourself hydrated. Don’t wait to feel thirsty to drink water, your thirst at times could be mistaken for hunger, leading to overeating. Keep sipping water throughout the day.
- Exercise daily to keep the flab off and stay in shape. Exercise also helps you boost your metabolism, which makes it easier to lose weight.
- Maintaining a food diary will help you keep track of your current food habits, which will make it easier for you to identify changes in your daily diet in accordance to your weight loss regime.

source:timeofindia

Special Precaution in Summer

With the weather in the city turning hot and sultry, it is a good time to increase your intake of fluids and take special precautions if spending long hours outdoors.

 

Drinking the right kind of fluids is important. Water is the best option and carrying a bottle with you while travelling will prove beneficial. While we all love our daily cup of chai and coffee, try to keep caffeine drinks to a minimum. They may quench your thirst but do not give the necessary salts and nutrients the body needs. Further, energy drinks are full of sugar. Stick to nimbu paani or fresh fruit juices.
Keeping yourself well-hydrated throughout the day is important. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty, keep sipping on liquids in between. For those who indulge in rigorous outdoor exercises, taking a water break every twenty minutes is essential.
Be aware of the signs that your body is giving out. Notice if your heart rate is increasing or if the color of your urine is darker than before. If yes, get out of the sun and start consuming the right foods.
Dehydration usually happens when the body has lost too much fluid and electrolytes (the salts potassium and sodium). Keep your electrolyte levels in check, by consuming chicken broth or soups. Eating salads rich in fresh fruits, and vegetables can help. Coconut water and aam panna is good too.
Salty snacks can help. Try adding some salt or chaat masala to sliced apples or cucumbers as a refreshing snack.
It’s also low in fats and carbohydrates and makes for a healthy option. What you wear also plays a role. Light clothing is important to help the skin breathe. Cotton or light fabrics like linens are a good option. Such materials let the body sweat, yet keep it cool and airy. Save all your silks and satin outfits for the night.

source:Times of India

Long life’s secret : Broader Smile

The broader your smile and the deeper the creases around your eyes when you grin, the longer you are likely to live, according to a study published in Psychological Science this week.

Researchers led by Ernest Abel of Wayne State University in Michigan studied 230 photographs of US major league baseball players who started playing before 1950 and grouped them according to their smiles.
The players were rated as "no smile" if they were just looking deadpan at the camera; as "partial smile" if only the muscles around the mouth were involved in their grin; or as "full smile" if the mouth and eyes were smiling and the cheeks were both raised.
The players' pictures were taken from the 1952 Baseball Register, a listing of professionals that is packed with statistics such as year of birth, body mass index, marital status and career length, which reflects physical fitness.

source: timesofindia

Shortcuts to good health

Everyday, without our knowledge, a faint little feeling in the stomach prompts us to involuntarily look at the clock.
Then the revelation hits us – it is evening and we have not had the time to eat our lunch. In today’s times, where a sedentary lifestyle is the rule, it’s observed that the health of people is deteriorating day by day. They have started taking themselves and their body for granted. They don’t even remember when they last had a proper meal. Eating healthy just requires a little planning. Here are some shortcuts to achieve a healthy body:
Breakfast is a ‘must’
Start your morning with some breakfast, be it a piece of fruit or a whole wheat bread. Put oatmeal into a thermos of hot water, and you could even let it sit overnight. In the morning, you shall have hot cooked oatmeal ready to eat. Similarly, a hard boiled egg can be eaten. This will prevent your body from going into starvation mode. Eating breakfast everyday will also help increase your metabolic rate.
Five meals a day
Have at least five meals a day in which three can be the main meals – breakfast, lunch and dinner, while other two meals can consist of foods which are handy and nutritious at the same time. Eating frequently prevents hunger pangs, provides consistent energy, and maintains metabolism efficiency. Grab healthy foods such as fruits that are high in fibre like apple, watermelon, muskmelon, orange, sweet lime, papaya and peaches.
Ask for healthy food
Some people’s work demands frequenting restaurants for dinner. Always watch out for hidden fats. Creamy soups, white breads, flaky pastries and mayonnaise-based salad dressings add unnecessary fats to the food. Try consuming broths instead of creamy soups. Instead of mayonnaise dressing, use variety of condiments and flavoring agents such as lemon, vinegar, herbs, onion and garlic to improve the palatability of your salad. Remember, a gram of fat contains more than twice as many calories as a gram of protein or carbohydrate. Ask for grilled, baked, boiled or broiled food rather than fried foods.
Hydrate when you’re traveling
Your work might involve a lot of traveling in which air travel is one of the most dehydrating experiences. Because of this, people often complain of sore throats and other respiratory illnesses. To avoid these, one should not drink caffeine, cola or alcohol before or after the flights as these are diuretics and can increase the water loss. Avoid salted snacks like salted peanuts or fried foods in order to minimize dehydration. Try consuming lots of fluids in the form of water, fruit juice, coconut water, lime water, etc. In any case, one should drink at least 12 to 15 gasses of water everyday. The stress associated with travel may slightly increase the protein requirement, so one should make an effort to consume a little more protein each day.
Good quality of food
Always remember that the quality of food you eat determines your efficiency at work. Avoid refined foods like white rice and those used to make white bread and sugary breakfast cereals as most of their vitamins and minerals are stripped away. They turn into blood sugar (glucose) so fast just like sugar; they can cause a spike in our insulin level. Alternate refined flour with wholegrain flour. Substitute white sugar with honey and jaggery. Remember, all this will help us to remain healthy.

source:timesofindia.com

Recipe of Green Tea

Green tea is a wonderful beverage with potential health benefits. But if you're not familiar with a few basic techniques, you can wind up with a tea that's grassy, bitter, or just too strong. Here's how to get a perfect cup of green tea:

 

Steps
1. Determine how many cups of green tea you want to make. The original guideline for brewing is one teaspoon (5 ml) of green tea leaves (or pearls) per one cup of water. This will yield one cup of brewed tea.
2. Measure out the desired amount of green tea leaves (or pearls) and place them in your tea strainer or sieve.
3. Fill a non-reactive pot or pan (glass or stainless steel) with water and heat it to about 180 °F (80 °C). You can use a candy thermometer to watch the temperature, but if you don't have one, then keep an eye on the water so that it doesn't boil.
4. Place the filled tea strainer or sieve into an empty mug.
5. Pour the heated water into the mug, over the tea leaves.
6. Steep the tea leaves for 2 - 2 1/2 minutes but not any longer, or else your tea will become bitter.
7. Let your tea cool a few moments and enjoy your perfect cup of green tea.

 

Tips
* Filtered water is especially recommended, especially if your tap water has a distinct taste or smell.
* You can shorten your preparation time by heating your water in your microwave.
* A glass coffee press (if you're making more than one cup) or a glass mug (if you're making one cup at a time) will allow the tea to cool quickly, minimizing bitterness.
* If you drink a lot of green tea, consider installing a hot-water dispenser on your kitchen sink. The temperature is perfect for green tea.
* To re-use your tea leaves (or pearls) just plunge the tea strainer into a cup of ice water immediately after the steeping process. Depending on the type of tea you're using, you should be able to get at least one additional use of your leaves or pearls.
Warnings
* The biggest mistake you can make with green tea is to steep it in water that's too hot. Green, white or silver teas are different from black teas in that they need water that's only about 180° to 185° (80 °C to 85 °C).
* The second biggest mistake is to steep for too long. Green tea shouldn't be steeped for more than 2 to 2 1/2 minutes. White or silver teas should be steeped for even shorter periods--a minute and a half is usually perfect.

Chinese Green Tea

This article details the art of making a cup or pot of green tea using leaves, not bags, by following traditional Chinese methods. Buy some tea, a teapot and some cups. You really don't need to bother with anything else.

Things You'll Need

* Teapot
* cups
* kettle
* water just under boiling(190°F)
* tea
Steps
Method 1
1. Put a hand full of tea leaves in the pot.
2. Add warm water. Leave for a minute - Boiling water releases a chemical that make the tea sour.
3. Add some sugar to it (optional, real Chinese tea rarely has sugar added and for only some types)
4. Wait a few minutes, then serve. You will get a few cups of tea.
Method 2
1. Add a lot of tea into the pot.
2. Add not-quite-boiling water. Leave for a minute and then pour out to wash the leaves.
3. Add more water.
4. Wait about 30 seconds to a minute and then pour to serve.
Tips
* You will get the same ratio of tea to water whichever method you choose.
* Try to buy good quality tea. It will last longer and have a more pleasant taste. Teas all have different unique tastes. instead of buying just one (because the name sounds good), buy a few (but in smaller quantities).
* Using more tea is a sign of respect to a guest. The more tea you put into the pot, the higher the level of respect.
* Having the spout of the teapot facing anyone is a show of bad manners and disrespect.
* Boiled water is too hot for tender green tea leaves. Pouring boiled water upon the leaves will cause the immediate release of tannins, resulting in a bitter brew.
Warnings
* Watch out for old, out-of-date tea. Check the tea. Smell it. Look at it and check for dried-out leaves. Taste a piece (but dont taste it if is has been wet and in a container for a long time, or smells completely different from its original scent; if it smells a sickly sweet [rotted]).
* It helps to know how a specific tea will smell before you buy it. If you happen to buy a tea frequently, then you can check at the store if it has gone bad before buying it.
* If you are buying loose leaf tea, make sure you examine what you are putting in the pot. Rarely small objects, such as twigs, foil(depending on the wrapping), or insects can make their way into tea accidentally.

Yoga mudras for joint relieving pain

Using yogic practices for pain relief is now recommended even by conventional medicine. While incorporating yogic poses from the joint-relieving series for pain management and healing you may accelerate by adding on the practice of yogic hand gestures or mudras.
In this feature, we look at some practices that may be done anywhere, through the day, for healing. Though mudras are most effective when you hold them meditatively, you can hold these during other activities such as watching TV, a film or while commuting. Increase the duration to up to 45 minutes daily, by spreading it over the day or doing it all at one go while meditating. It is advisable to stop practicing these mudras once your problem has been brought under control.
Here, Shameem Akthar, yoga acharya trained with Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center, instructs you on five mudras that can help you deal with chronic joint pain
Jal vardhak (Water increasing mudra)
To do this mudra, also referred to as the Varun mudra (or rain hand gesture) sit in a meditative pose. Lightly touch the tip of your little finger to your thumb.


Do this for each hand. Hold for five minutes, thrice daily. This may be done anytime through the day.
Avoid: If having excess water element in the body (oedema or water retention, for instance).
Benefits: Improves the water element, removing conditions of dehydration, dryness that cause indigestion. Helps treat anemia or weak iron absorption. This is useful in joint pains caused by joint dryness, like osteo-arthritic pain.

Vata naashak mudra (Controlling air hand gesture)

Sit meditatively with your eyes shut. Press down your index and middle fingers firmly with your thumb. Do this for each hand. Hold for three to five minutes and release.
Benefits: Controls nervous tension; relieves dryness of eyes, skin and hair. Promotes metabolism. Sweetens voice. Used as therapy for pain caused by dry joints, arthritis and degenerating tissue

Kapha kaarak mudra (Promoting earth element hand gesture)

Sit meditatively with your eyes shut. Touch the tips of your little finger and ring finger with the tip of your thumb. Do this for each hand. Hold for three to five minutes. This may be done several times during the day.
Benefits: Reduces excessive dryness of skin, hair and eyes. Reduces fever. Controls premature aging. Useful in arthritis and degenerating tissue.

Apan mudra (Hand gesture of downward energy)

mudra is to be done while seated. Shut your eyes. Press your middle finger and ring finger to your thumb. Stretch out the other fingers. Do this for each hand. Hold for three minutes for proper impact.
Benefits: An instant energizer. Boosts the efficiency of systems dealing with digestion, excretion, and toxic removal to make you feel fresh and alive. Useful in controlling inflammatory conditions of the joints.

How to treat puffy eyes

Puffy eyes are typically the result of a lack of sleep, but your eyes don't have to give it away.
Follow these steps to looking bright-eyed no matter what time you went to bed.

*Place a cooling agent on your eyes. Wrap a bag of frozen vegetables in a thin towel (you want to be able to feel the cold through it). Place it over closed eyes for 10 minutes. (Keep your head upright so gravity has a chance to help remove the fluid you’re retaining.)

* Soak a washcloth in cold chamomile tea and place it on your eyes for 10 minutes. The anti-inflammatory properties in chamomile will help reduce the puff.

*The old tried-and-true cucumber trick works, too. Keep cool cucumber slices (put them into the freezer for a few minutes) over your eyes for 10 minutes.

*Apply eye cream. With your ring finger, lightly dab a firming eye cream under your eyes, working from the inner corners outward. Look for a cream with caffeine, which is a vasoconstrictor that helps dispel fluid from your eyes, quickly reducing puffiness.

*To prevent puffy eyes in the future, drink plenty of water. And when you go to bed, prop your head up with two pillows. The force of gravity will help keep the fluid from moving toward your eyes.

Interesting Human Body Facts

- A full bladder is roughly the size of a soft ball.

- Approximately 75% of human faeces is made of water.

- It takes the food seven seconds to get from your mouth to your stomach.

- One human hair can support 3kg.

- Human thighbones are stronger than concrete.

- The attachment of human muscles to skin is what causes dimples.

- Your thumb is the same length of your nose.

- A woman's heart beats faster than a man's.

- If the average male never shaved, his beard would be 13 feet long when he died.

- Men without hair on their chests are more likely to get cirrhosis of the liver than men with hair.

- There are about one trillion bacteria on each of your feet.

- Side by side, 2000 cells from the human body could cover about one square inch.

- Women blink twice as much as men.

- The average person's skin weighs twice as much as their brain.

- When you are looking at someone you love, your pupils dilate, they do the same when you are looking at someone you hate.

- It takes twice as long to lose new muscle if you stop working out than it did to gain it.

- You're ears secrete more earwax when you are afraid than when you aren't.

- Your body uses 300 muscles to balance itself when you are standing still.

- If saliva cannot dissolve something, you cannot taste it.

- The average woman is 5 inches shorter than the average man.

Enjoy glowing skin this monsoon season

Monsoon is the time where your skin behaves a little strangely and is often unstable; it can suddenly get oily and then turn dry and dehydrated. Hence, it is necessary that you properly take care of your skin during this season in order to look your best through the rains.

High humidity can cause eruptive skin problems, and make you look very dull. More so, if your skin is oily. Sweat and oil secretions are deposited on the skin, making it look dull, and this attracts dirt and pollutants from the atmosphere more easily. This is the reason why eruptive conditions like rashes, spots and pimples are common during the monsoons. Additionally, during monsoons, one is prone to patchy hydration and poor cell cycle turnover.

During monsoons, we tend to ignore our skin. There is no visible Sun, hence sunscreen is not used; due to increased humidity we do not feel it necessary to moisturize our skin. However, skin care is critical in monsoons to maintain a healthy glowing complexion.

Summer is the season for growth - our skin cell turnover increases; this leads to piling up of dead layers of skin by the time monsoon begins. Also, the UV rays that harm the skin are invisible and do penetrate the clouds. And without right skin care, our skin starts looking dull and lifeless.

While monsoons spell pleasant weather and respite from the sultry summers, what would make this season ever better is an effective skin care regime that will keep you glowing.

Simple treatments can be used to replenish the skin glow, and keep the skin healthy

1.Anti-oxidants (e.g. Citric acid) – this takes care of the dullness, patchiness and imparts an even tone to the skin,

2.Gentle exfoliating milk peels (e.g. lactic acid peel) – this removes the dead and dull skin, and stimulates skin regeneration,

3.A hydrating, lightening mask to add up to the glowing skin

For optimal skin health, this treatment needs to be repeated once in 4-6 weeks, however if your lifestyle includes a lot of outdoor activities and travelling, it may be advisable to go for the above suggested treatment once in 3 weeks.

This treatment complemented with the right daily skin care would be the ideal recipe to keep your skin radiant and glowing even in this dull weather.

Swine Flu Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

Transmission of Swine Flu (How is Swine Flu spread?)

As with other flu like illnesses, Swine flu is spread as follows:

• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Kissing
• Touching infected objects
• Touching nose, mouth and/or eyes with infected hands

Swine Flu Symptoms

Symptoms of Swine flu may including all or some of the following:

• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Lethargy
• Coughing
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Lack of appetite

Complications of Swine Flu and Higher Risk Individuals

Those at higher risk include those with the following:

• Age of 65 years or older
• Chronic health problems (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease)
• Pregnant women
• Young children

Complications (for all patients but especially for those at higher risk) can include:

• Pneumonia
• Bronchitis
• Sinus infections
• Ear infections
• Death

Diagnosis And Treatment Of Swine Flu

1. A respiratory sample collected within the first five days of illness will be collected.
2. The sample is sent to the CDC for laboratory analysis and confirmation.

At this time the CDC is recommending the use of oseltamivir (Tami flu) or zanamivir (Relenza) for treatment and/or prevention of Swine flu.

Prevention of Swine Flu

• Covering nose and mouth with a tissue upon coughing and sneezing followed by proper disposal of the tissue.
• Avoiding contact with ill persons.
• Avoiding the urge to touch nose, mouth and eyes in general.
• Staying home form work and/or school upon onset and for the duration of symptoms.
• Assuring adequate and thorough hand washing and use of alcohol based hand cleansers (in the absence of proper hand washing facilities).
• Providing tissues in common areas of homes, common and public areas.
• Encouraging pursuit of medical evaluation at earliest onset of symptoms.
• Use of masks to those who are exhibiting symptoms or who are ill.
• Maintenance of a 3 to 6 foot perimeter around a coughing patient.

Your hand & feet are beautiful : Care for them | Health Tips

Hands and feet are often the most neglected areas, yet the way they look gives our inner secrets away. Cared-for nails are a sign that the rest of our body is well looked after too. Vitamin deficiencies show up as weak and splitting nails; insecurity appears as nail biting; stress can slow growth; Spend a little time and effort sorting our dry, flaky nails, and hard, rough skin, and thanks to the latest technical advances in nail care, a perfect set of strong, healthy nails in now within reach.




Home Manicure


Remove old nail polish with a single stroke by soaking a cotton wool pad with nail polish remover. Wipe away traces of polish around the cuticles stick dipped in remover.


Using an emery board, shape nails lightly, working from both edges towards the centre. Avoid moving the board back and forth quickly, which produces heat that dries out the nail and leads to splitting. Try holding the emery board at a single angle under the nail. Don't file down the sides- the nail tip needs the sides as support, otherwise it will weaken and nicks form.


Apply a cuticle remover around the nail contours. Using the tip of a cuticle stick wrapped in cotton wool, gently push back the skin. Work away dead tissue before carefully passing the stick under cuticles.


Wash your hands in warm soapy water, and brush nails with a soft manicure brush so that polish will adhere to them properly. Pat hands dry with a towel.


If nails are weak, apply a strengthening or hardening product, paying special attention to the tips. Allow to dry.


Apply a protective base coat, covering the entire nail but stopping short of the cuticle.


Apply two coats of polish, starting with a single stroke down the center of the nail, then across the cuticle base and down the two sides without touching the cuticle. Allow each coat to dry.


Finish with a top coat for extra gloss and the shield against chipping.


For optimum skin and nail health, check that your diet includes plenty of vitamin A, E and B complex, and the minerals calcium, Zinc, magnesium and iodine. If need be, take nail-fortifying vitamin and minerals supplements.





Thirty-minute pedicure


Clean toenails and remove all traces of polish with a conditioning remover, as described for the manicure.


Cut toenails using a nail clipper and file into the desired shape using the rough side of an energy board. Hold the board slightly angled down over the edge of the nail. Smooth the edges towards the center with a light motion; don't cut or file them always as this weakens the nail and can lead to in growing toenails.


Lightly massage the nail contours with a cuticle oil or cream.


Place both feet in a bowl of warm water into which you have added a handful of bath salts or a few drops of pure essential oil such as peppermint. Soak feet for five to ten minutes.


Dry feet thoroughly with a towel and apply a drop of cuticle remover to the nail contours. Leave it on for a few minutes while you smooth away any hard skin or calluses on the soles of your feet using an exfoliating cream. Then gently 'roll' the cuticles back with a manicure stick covered with cotton wool. Massage hard skin again with the scrub, then rinse off in the warm water.


Rinse your feet in cold water to boost circulation. Dry them again with a towel, paying special attention to the skin between your toes.


Clean your toenails again with a cotton pad soaked in remover to take off any oily film.


If required, apply a hardening formula to the toenails, taking care not to let it touch the cuticle or the surrounding skin.


Apply a base coat, followed by two coats of polish, ans finally a top coat, as described for the manicure. Placing cotton wool between your toes separates them to make applying polish easier.


The cuticles on toenails are so tough, it's important to work on them with a cuticle remover at least once a month, paying particular attention to the little toe, which usually suffers the most. If you have a dry skin on your feet, the best way to remove it is with a scrub cream, which will leave your feet smoother and well conditioned, or best of all, use pumice stone for smoothing those rough patches.


For lovely hands always use gloves for washing clothes and utensils.

Soak hands in a bowl of warm water to which 1 tsp of corn starch has been added for 5 minutes daily after finishing the house-hold chores.



Massage hands once a week with olive oil and a little table salt added to it.


Remove ingrained dirt from hands with a 10 minute massage of sugar' and butter.


Glycerin, rose water and lemon juice rubbed on the hands every night during winter months keeps them soft and prevents ugly cracks forming.





For chapped hands in winters, wash with lukewarm water (before going to bed), apply milk-cream and put on a pair of gloves; wash hands the next morning.





To remove stains from hands ' rub with a slice of lemon or a raw potato. For nicotine stains, apply lemon juice and leave for 10 minutes before washing.





A drop of Witch Hazel in the palms is an effective antidote for hands that perspire a lot.


To keep hands clean and soft, soak 250 grams oatmeal in 11-12 cups water and leave overnight. Strain it through a thin muslin cloth the next morning and add 1 tsp lemon juice and 1 tsp each. of olive oil, rose water, glycerin and diluted ammonia. Bottle and apply on hands 3-4 times daily.





Knees, Heel and Feet





Keep knees smooth by rubbing them occasionally wit. fresh lime juice or massage with a nourishing cream.





The winter itch that cracks the skin of the heels due to excessive dryness or the use of an alkaline soap can be treated by washing the feet at night in warm water and mild soap and applying a lanolin rich cream or mixture of glycerin and rose water.





Tired feet should be soaked alternately in hot and cold water.





Before applying paint on your toe-nails, cut triangular shapes of sponge and place then between toes to keel them separated, and save the hassle of cleaning the skin on the toes.

Health Tips for IT Professionals

During a recent visit  to an Optician, one of my friend was told of an exercise for the eye by a specialist doctor in USA which he termed as "20-20-20". I found it apt for all of us, who spend long hours at our desks, looking at the computer screen. Thought I'd share  it with you.
20-20-20

Step I :

After every 20 minutes of looking into the computer screen, turn your head and try to look at any object placed at least 20 feet away. This changes the focal length of your eye, a must-do for the tired eye.

Step II :

Try and blink your eyes for 20 times in succession, to moist it.

Step III :

Time permitting of course, one should walk 20 paces after every 20 minutes of sitting in one particular posture. Helps blood circulation for the entire body. Please circulate among your friends for their benefit
 
Some the of the generalized difficulties in daily lives due to the kind of work profile or basic nature of jobs are accepted world wide, such as:
o    difficulty in waking up to get ready for the day start 
o    feeling fatigued whole day
o    not feeling an appetite in the morning
o    a sensation of acidity when you wake up
o    stiffness in the body
o    irritating aches and pains in some parts of the body
o    frequent head aches
o    losing temper  quickly and being intolerant
o    munching at intervals rather than having sumptuous meals
o    weight gain in a short period, feeling of boredom and emptiness
o    difficulty in falling asleep.

In case some of these symptoms are identified then we have to start working on the same. There are some solutions that corporate can start doing without wasting time.

Try to identify your symptoms or the signals of the body and pay heed to them. One should start doing exercises regularly, at least 15 minutes or walk in the morning anytime when you wake up at least 10 minutes. Try to leave office under fixed hours. Do not spend the precious free time playing with the TV remote. Do practice your hobby and take out time for it. Learn and follow some stretching exercises in the work place. Eat a light dinner to ensure a proper breakfast next day. Make it a habit to go for a post dinner walk. Learn some eye exercises to protect and relax your eyes from over work.

Health | Personality | Community | Life – Do’s and Don’t

Health:

1. Drink plenty of water
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants, and eat less food that is manufactured in plants (factory)
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy
5. Make time for prayer
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2008
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day ---- and while you walk, SMILE !!

Personality:

11. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do ; keep your limits
14. Don't take yourself so seriously ; no one else does
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and Laugh more
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Community:

25. Call your family often
26. Each day give something good to others
27. Forgive everyone for everything
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day
30. What other people think of you is none of your business
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your family and friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

32. Do the right things
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful
34. GOD heals everything
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up !
37. The best is yet to come
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be HAPPY !!!!!!

12 most unhealthy beauty ingredients

Are your beauty products doing more harm than good? Today, there are tons of beauty products on the market, all touting miracle worthy results. Whether the product erases fine lines, plumps lips or makes skin appear younger, you can bet there is a skin care product that promises to take care of those unsightly 'imperfections.' Unfortunately, some of the same products that claims these results can also do great damage to your skin and your health.
Truth be told, the FDA doesn't approve beauty products. And, many beauty products contain ingredients that are less than healthy for you. Many ingredients used by the beauty industry are manufactured, are synthesized in a laboratory or are toxic...none of which are great for your skin.
Here is a list of ingredients worth avoiding:
1. Benzyl Peroxide
2. Diethanolamine (DEA), Monoethanolamine (MEA, Triethanolamine (TEA)
3. Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate (DLS)

 4. DMDM Hydantoin & Imidazolidinyl Urea
5. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS)
6. Sodium Laureth Sulfate & Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES)
7. Parabens (Butyl, Ethyl, Methyl, Propyl)
8. Petrolatum (Petroleum jelly)
9. Phenoxyethanol
10. Phthalates
11. Polyethylene glycol & Polyethylene (PEG)
12. Propylene Glycol (PG) & Butylene Glycol

Your skin, just like your heart, is an organ...it is your largest organ, as a matter of fact. It is living, it is breathing and its primary function is to protect your body against infection and excessive water loss. Your skin is also instrumental in insulating your body, as well as synthesizing and protecting the vitamins you absorb. So, just like you wouldn't want to put chemicals or preservatives directly into your heart, you don't want to put them on your skin.
When in doubt, if you can't pronounce the ingredient or if it looks 'chemically' or manufactured, there is a good chance it might not be the best. Although the FDA does not regulate these companies and their products, do look for labels that state that they don't contain these chemicals and opt for those that claim that they are 'all-natural'. You can also use EWG's Cosmetic Database to check up on the products you buy to be sure.
Have you found products containing these chemicals bother you? Do you have any stories of bad reactions to these ingredients?

Unlock The Secrets of Beautiful Skin For A Much Younger Look

Apart from a healthy diet, plenty or water and some exercise, there are also some secrets of beautiful skin that are missed by most people as they don't know where to look. Let me show you.

To reveal the much younger you it is essential to use only natural skincare, free from harmful chemicals. The ingredients I am going to show you will change the way you look at skin care forever, at least that is my hope.

Traditional beauty care is packed full of chemicals, rarely lives up to its promises and is always short term. In addition they can harm your long term health, affecting your immune system among others.

The secrets of beautiful skin begin with ingredients like Cynergy TK from New Zealand sheep's wool. This can do what no other has done up to now as it increases the body's production of collagen and elastin to levels not seen since your twenties, removing lines and wrinkles in weeks.

Collagen and elastin are the keys to youthful skin and their production decreases as we age. Be aware that if they are contained in a cream they can offer no benefit as their molecules are too large to penetrate the skin!

Phytessence wakame from Japanese sea kelp will moisturize and smooth, returning the elasticity and firmness from your youth, while healing and nourishing deep down. It is full of antioxidants and vitamins to literally drench your skin in goodness.

Others like Babassu wax and Maracuja from the Amazon rainforest and natural oils like Jojoba, Avocado and Grapeseed help to build a solid foundation on which to build your skin care regime.

When combined they will not only leave you with beautiful soft and smooth skin, but also help to maintain it and boost your immune system and your overall health in the process.

These are the lesser known secrets of beautiful skin waiting to be discovered.

Copy Three Healthy Habits of Slim Fit People

If you are having a struggle with getting into better shape why not take a leaf out of a slim, fit person's book to give you a leg up to losing some weight and getting into better physical shape. What are some of the healthy habits these people have established that could help us?

Healthy Habit No 1 
People who seem to be always in good shape move a lot. This seems pretty basic, but in a sedentary society, we are moving less than ever before. So we often have to make an effort to move more both at work and at home.

Slim, fit people don't shy away from physical activity in their daily lives. They will walk if they can rather than drive and will take the stairs rather than use an elevator. They consciously go out of their way to find opportunities to move. Whether that is parking a greater distance away from the shopping mall, taking the stairs at work, or even picking up their pace when walking from meeting-to-meeting at work. They always seem to be on the move and moving fast at that.

They also find ways to be active in their leisure time and regard recreation activities as just part of an active lifestyle and not a replacement for a proper exercise program that will always contain strength building and maintaining exercise.

Whether they are involved in a sport, walking the dog, swimming, running, or stretching at their desks, they understand that staying in-shape is a lifestyle, not just a "kick" you go on. They will admit to exercise as something 'you become' rather than 'something you do'.

Healthy Habit No 2 
They do not diet, slim fit people do not 'go on diets'- they are on a diet every day, lots of healthy food to fuel their activity and support their exercise regime.
They do not restrict calories and understand that long term health and fitness requires consistently eating 5-7 small meals each day spaced every 2-3 hours throughout the day.

Each of these meals contains at least 20 grams of protein and lots of raw and cooked vegetables to nourish and sustain them. You can often spot a slim, fit person because they don't skip breakfast, they will often bring their own lunch to work and they seem to always be snacking on healthy foods like fruits, vegetables and nuts.

It's also rare to see them eating fast food or drinking soda and they avoid the 'fat free food trap'. The result is that they have more stable blood sugar levels along with plenty of natural energy. And what's more they are less likely to store body fat because they rarely eat more calories in any given meal than their body can utilize.

Healthy Habit No 3 
They record their progress. Slim, fit people keep track of their workouts so they can determine whether they are actually making progress toward their goal. You can not improve what you don't measure.

By keeping track of the details of a diet and workout regimen, you can have better visibility into potential stumbling-points and are then able to work and improve them. Fitness conscious people understand this, since meeting their goals means understanding that progress from the small steps of improvement you make each workout. Unless you are tracking those improvements, you will find yourself stalled and frustrated.

Try copying these three healthy habits and maybe you will experience a surge of progress towards your health and fitness goals. It is not necessary to reinvent the wheel. So, let us all learn from the people who have made great progress towards their goals and are envied for their slimness, fitness and healthiness.

White Teeth

Brush your teeth with salt; put the salt on the toothbrush instead of regular toothpaste.

Mix baking soda into your regular toothpaste and brush your teeth with this mixture. You should see results within weeks.

Use lemon juice to brush your teeth.

Hydrogen peroxide is an effective chemical used to whiten teeth.

Brushing your teeth daily for one minute will give quick results.
Take some foil and fold it to form to your teeth. Take a little toothpaste and baking soda and mix together really well. Put some of the mixture into the foil and place on your teeth. Leave on for one-hour everyday. Brush teeth normally afterwards. You will notice whiter teeth in just a few days.

Beauty myths busted

 

Be it health or sexual fallacies or wrong perceptions about beauty, once accepted, myths are tough to be dumped. Here are some of the most common beauty myths that we get experts to bust.
Myth #1: Sun screen isn't required during winters/cloudy days
We believe in what we see and accordingly perceive a myth as the gospel truth. As the name suggests, sun screen doesn't imply that it needs to be applied only when Sun is shining bright. Experts say that the harmful UVA and UVB rays continue to render their damaging effects even when it's cloudy.

Fact : "Ultra violet (UV) rays are even stronger on cloudy days and they easily penetrate, even more so, through the clouds. These rays can infiltrate the skin and that's the reason why we get a tan even while sitting in an air-conditioned car. We don't feel the burn because it's cold inside, but our skin gets damaged significantly. All air hostesses and flight crew should wear UV protection on an aircraft because at the altitude at which they fly, the atmosphere is much thinner and the harmful rays penetrate through the windows of the aircraft," warns ace make-up artist Cory Walia.
Myth # 2: Chocolates and fried food causes pimples and acne
Denying the notion that eating chocolates and fried food leads to pimples, medically supported studies have shown that the prime cause behind pimples is extreme stress or dead skin cells blocking the skin's pores.
Fact : "Formation of pimples is an allergic reaction attributed to certain factors that the body is unable to process. It's basically an interaction between digestive fluids from the liver and the hormones in the body and when there is a clash between the two, excessive toxins and amino acids are pushed into the blood stream. These fats accelerate the growth of pimples. You will see very beautiful people who eat two bars of chocolate every day and still their skin keeps glowing," explains Walia.
Myth #3: Drinking lots of water makes the skin beautiful
Excess of anything is bad and the same holds true for this age-old belief that states that drinking lots of water makes the skin glow. Though water intake does contribute towards the betterment of our skin's texture, too much of it will only result in bloating and leading to several trips to the restroom.
Fact : "Water helps flushing out the toxins from our body, but one need not go overboard. It's a good idea to go on a Deter program once in a week where you should ideally consume 4-5 liters of water and this can include a liquid diet of vegetable and fruit juices. When you are eating wrong, doing no exercise etc, then there can be radical damage that causes ageing and disease, as it is thinning the collagen in our skin, so the water enters the body only in a limited quantity," shares skin care expert Jamuna Pai.
Myth #4: Cocoa butter and olive oil prevent stretch marks
All mums would heave a sigh of relief believing this statement, but alas this beauty fad lacks medical backing. Stretch marks occur when the skin expands quickly (as in the case of pregnancy), breaking the collagen and elastic fibers that normally support it. In some cases, it's the elasticity factor that contributes to the formation of stretch marks, in others it is caused by a woman's genes that are a hereditary attribute.
Fact : "Cocoa butter and olive oil help in the superficial softening of a woman's skin and the affected area for a shorter time period. Whether the skin breaks into stretch marks or not will depend on its elasticity. Applying these ointments help a bit on the external skin, but you need to have something that penetrates deeper into the other layers of the skin where these stretch marks are formed," clarifies Jamuna.
Myth #5: Soap is harmful for the skin
It's incorrect to say all soaps contain the same chemical mixtures that cause irritation on the one's skin.
Fact : "Using soap totally depends on the skin type a person possesses. So, whether a woman's skin is dry, oily or sensitive, one should choose the right kind of soap. It's preferable to use soap that possesses moisturising effects which helps making the skin soft," states Jamuna.
Myth #6: Conditioner is bad for the hair
One of the most prevalent myths related to hair care is about the usage of conditioner, as most people believe that using it regularly after every head wash damages the hair badly. It's also wrongly believed that using conditioner makes hair break easily, making hair dry after a point of time.
Fact : "Conditioner can and should be used after every shampoo. It not only helps getting rid of tangles, but also coats the hair and protects it from outside elements like Sun, dust and heat. Once you've applied the conditioner, there is no need to brush your hair hard as this prevents hair breakage. Preferably, if your hair has undergone chemical treatment, opt for a stronger conditioner, using a mild one for oily hair," shares celebrity hair stylist Coleen Fernandez.
Myth #7: Henna is a great conditioner
Another most common belief is that henna is one of the best natural conditioners. But not too many people know about the damage it does to your hair.
Fact : "While using henna, you're coating the hair and in the long run it makes hair fragile and brittle. The hair becomes heavy, extremely dry and suffers long term damage in other ways. If you think that it's fine to use henna once a month, I would say that it's not okay even once in a year. For those who still want to the henna effect, they can opt for ammonia free hair colour," suggests Coleen.
Myth #8: Rinsing hair with beer makes it thicker
This is a typical modern day formula, which believes that using beer will add a glow, making the hair thicker. Though a final rinse of beer at the end of a shower does lead to more voluminous strands, as beer builds up the circumference of the shafts, but the scent is a strong deterrent.
Fact : "Beer contains certain glycols (sugar) that coat the hair, making it look thicker. About using beer during a head wash, it has the same effect as vinegar or eggs adding a little shine. But the effect doesn't last long because the scalp doesn't absorb anything," asserts Cory Walia.

Increase Your IQ Right Now

Throughout this site, there are many brain power exercises and techniques designed to help you long-term, but what if you need a quick brain fix right now? What if there is an important meeting coming up, or a crucial test, or just a chess game you don't want to lose? Can you really boost your IQ quickly? If what you want is results, and not an argument about the definition of intelligence, the answer is absolutely yes.Try some of the following.


Breath deep. This is one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve the functioning of your brain immediately. By breathing deeply we relax and put more oxygen in the blood (therefore in the brain), both of which help. Relaxation has been proven to improve brain function. Low oxygen levels in the blood have been shown to decrease it. Since most of us are in the habit of breathing too shallowly, this is a quick way to increase IQ. By the way, if you breath through your nose, you are more likely to breath deeply.

Meditating also helps, primarily because of the deep breathing aspect. The state of mind achieved through a simple breath-watching meditation allows true relaxation, and is conducive to creative problem solving. Just close your eyes and breath through your nose, deeply at first, then in whatever way is comfortable. As thoughts arise, dismiss them and return your attention to your breath. Do this for at least a few minutes.

Self-Hypnosis may help you increase you intelligence quotient.


Move Your Body To Increase IQ

Sit up straight, and close your mouth. Good posture affects our state of mind, and helps us to think more clearly. Try an experiment to prove this to yourself. Do math problems in your head; first while slouching, with your mouth open; then while sitting up straight with your lips together. You'll get the point.

Exercise a little. Physical activity-just enough to get the blood pumping-can "wake up" your brain enough to help you think better. Walking seems to work best, but any aerobic activity can help increase your IQ.

Sleep well. You knew this one, right? Just remember, the evidence shows us that the quality of sleep is very important, not just the quantity.
What You Eat Can Increase Or Decrease Your IQ

Consume ginkgo biloba. Whether in capsules or tea or off a neighbors tree, ginkgo leaves have been shown to increase blood flow to the brain, helping memory and concentration. The effect is quick, and doesn't seem to diminish with regular use.

Drink coffee. Everything from test scores on college exams to chess games have been shown to improve after a cup of coffee or other drink containing caffeine. It is a temporary effect, however, and caffeine may have adverse long-term effects for regular users.

Avoid Sugar. Actually any simple carbohydrates taken in large quantities can give you that sluggish feeling that makes it difficult to think. This is due to the insulin that is dumped into your veins after the sugar is. Don't eat white flour, sugar, potatoes, and other carbs before an important meeting, or anytime you need full use of your intelligence.
Results - Not Definitions

Let the "experts" argue about whether you can increase IQ or not, in any absolute sense. We know the tests measure your intelligence at a moment in time, and you know that there are times when you would score higher or lower. What you want is a real improvement in brain function. If you slept well, exercised, drank coffee and ginkgo tea, then sat up straight and breathed deeply as you took the test, don't you think you would score a few points higher on an intelligence quotient test? More importantly, wouldn't you be better prepared for whatever mental tasks you faced?