By Blue Rose on Tuesday, 25 of August , 2009 at 3:38 pm
Body hair – “what’s normal” – stray hairs on breasts, toes and belly are common. The best way to remove them is by plucking. But if you notice a sudden growth of 10 or more hairs in one area, see your doctor – it may be caused by polycystic ovary syndrome (a treatable hormonal condition).
Tattoos – “are they safe?” – Usually, if done properly. But if the needle isn’t sterilized, there is a risk of getting blood-borne infections (like HIV or hepatitis C). Also, always make sure the tattoo artist uses new packaged needles.
Zits – “what causes them?” – Acne starts at puberty. As your hormone levels change, they trigger excess oil production that can clog pores and lead to zits. Pick products with salicylic acid to keep oil from building up. If that doesn’t help, consult your dermatologist for a stronger treatment.
Bumps – “why are they on my arms?” – It’s a condition called keratosis pilaris, which looks like chicken skin and is caused by dryness and sensitivity. To help get rid of it, use an alpha-hydroxy-acid cream and an exfoliating scrub twice a week.
Whitening – “my skin tone is uneven. How can I get radiant skin?” – Use whitening facial foam that contains important vitamins is skin needs (B3, B6, C, and E). This will gently wash away melanin (cause of dark spots) contained in dead cells, while retaining natural skin moisture.
Acne – “is it contagious?” – No, but staph bacteria (which can cause boils and sties) and the herpes virus (which causes cold sores) are contagious. These can be invisible, and both can be spread by sharing makeup – so use only your own.
Facials – “should I get one at a spa?” – They aren’t necessary for clear skin, but they can help unclog pores and get rid of flaky patches. Try a facial at home.
Stretch marks – “why do I have them?” – During a growth spurt or sudden weight gain, your body grows faster than your skin can keep up with, causing the elastic tissue under it to overstretch and leave a mark. A prescription Retin-A cream will fade the mark but wont totally erase it.
Itchy skin – “why do I get this?” – When the natural oils in your skin dry up, they create an itchy sensation. Scratching makes skin drier and even itchier. To get relief, take a cool five-minute shower daily, then use a rich cream on damp skin to seal in moisture.
Bacne – “what causes it?” – trapped sweat. But fluctuating hormones from your period can make bacne even worse. To prevent it, try wearing breathable fabrics (like Nike’s Dri-Fit) when exercising. If you still break out, try washing with an antibacterial soap, like safeguard or dial, and then use an acne treatment after showering.
By Blue Rose on Saturday, 15 of August , 2009 at 8:00 pm
Add these foods into your diet to boost your brain with zen-like concentration…
As you mull over your tax returns your brain greedily chews through calories. But it’s a very picky eater so those croissants won’t help you find the extra deductions. By eating the right nutrients you’ll think quicker, get an elephantine memory and improve your concentration without having to bury your snout in books. Here are the best foods to help you flex your grey matter.
Blueberry hill – don’t revere blueberries solely for their antioxidant levels. The buffs at Tufts University in the US found that snacking on these super foods everyday slowed, even reversed, age-related brain decline, as well as improved short-term memory. Add one to two cups of blueberries to your diet each day or drink unsweetened blueberry juice.
Bean working all day – scoff your way to genius by eating baked beans for brekkie. Research at the University of Ulster discovered that eating toast alone boosted scores on cognitive tests, but when the tests got tougher; toast and beans got the best scores. The beans are also rich in fiber and protein which gives your brain a long lasting energy supply.
Red devil – roll out the pizzas because tomatoes harbor the powerful antioxidant, lycopene. In addition to fending off prostate cancer it boosts cognitive ability, according to research in the Journal of Gerontology. It’s also rich in vitamin C, which is used to make the neurotransmitters vital for securing you more answers in the pub quiz. Eat one a day – Bloody Marys don’t count.
Sharp shooter – yoghurt’s rich in vitamin B12 – the mechanic of your nervous system which repairs any damage to your nerves. This vitamin also helps your brain absorb energy from food and a deficiency is linked to depression and poor memory. Lathering your breakfast cereal with two small cups will give you half of your RDA of B12.
Happy fatty – chocolate gets a bad rep by running with a bad crowd, namely sugar and fats. But the cacao bean itself is a powerhouse of cognitive enhancement. It contains serotonin, tryptophan, anandamine and dopamine which all have a positive effect on your brain’s chemistry by promoting an overall sense of well-being and leave your thoughts sharper then a two-edged sword. Cram in a few blocks a day.
Happy to rise – when we say get some cereal down you, we don’t mean Sugar Puffs but anything with whole grains. These are fortified with vitamin E, which a study in the American Journal of Epidemiology found helps to prevent goldfish-like memory. They are also a good source of serotonin, the chemical responsible for pleasure – a happy brain is a more efficient brain.
Nut case – they resemble our brains for good reason. Rich in protein, nuts also have high concentrations of omega-3s, vitamin E and serotonin. A recent study found that a diet that included walnuts improved people’s mental abilities and fought off Alzheimer’s disease. Eat one to two handfuls a day to keep your nut in nick.
Hydro-power – water delivers nutrients to your brain while dehydration prevents your brain circuitry from speeding in top gear. A study at Leeds University proved this by discovering that schoolchildren with the best results in class were those who drank up to eight glasses of water a day. Drink at least two liters of water every day to keep your thoughts ‘lubed’ for performance.
Something fishy – it’s no secret that the omega-3s in salmon boost brain power, but munching the wild version could mean the difference between being the dunce or the dux. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that farmed salmon have two to three times fewer fatty acids than their wild counterparts. Your noggin is made of 60% fat and a lack of omega-3s can lead to depression, a Honey Monster-battling low IQ, learning disabilities, dyslexia and ADD. Get plenty of this fat for the skinny on getting smart.
Tea, please – the British Empire was won and lost on cups of tea for a good reason. Researchers from the University of Innsbruck in Austria found that the caffeine in two cups of coffee increased brain activity in the memory-rich frontal lobe and the attention-controlling anterior coagulum. The best decisions really are made with a brew in hand.
Right said egg – eggs are rich in the proteins used to make neurotransmitters – your brain’s messenger boys. They are also rich in chorine who researchers at Boston University found enhances memory and minimizes mental fatigue. Other studies found that low levels of this chemical are linked with Alzheimer’s disease. Crack onto at least two eggs a day to break your brain out of its shell.
Think green – avocados are on par with blueberries at boosting your grey matter. They are extremely rich in all the nutrients needed to be your neighborhood Einstein. They also lower blood pressure which is good because high blood pressure makes your cognitive abilities decline. If you’re after one fruit for a hole-in-one brain injection then have an avocado each day.
Energy boost – Go for beans on toast in the morning. The iron in the beans will help stop that afternoon crash. Gym pain? Eggs are the answer: they contain chorine, a nutrient vital for reducing inflammation.
By Blue Rose on Monday, 3 of August , 2009 at 4:48 pm
Do favors to your body – stop crimping on the sleep you deserve
In the same light as time, love, and chocolate, sleeps has become one of many luxuries in life a lot of people long to have more of. But nowadays, people are sleeping 20 percent less compared to the last century. Does this mean we are making better use of out time because we don’t sleep as much anymore? Apparently, the answer is no.
8 is the magic number – It’s been stated time and again that, eight hours is the ideal length of time for a good night’s sleep. But there are natural born short sleepers who will survive just fine with four to five hours of sleep (Martha Stewart, for example), just as there are natural born long sleepers who will need more than eight. The right amount of sleep should be able to accommodate protein synthesis in the most efficient way. It is during our sleep that the growth hormone is secreted and protein anabolism occurs for our skin repairs, nails, bones, cartilages, ligaments, and hair growth – making it vital that we are all sleeping soundly at night. That is why most of the men and women ages 40 and up are losing hairs, because during that age gap they can’t sleep normal as before. Reasons, well it’s up for you to think.
Shattering sleep myths – many myths tends to get in the way of a healthy attitude towards sleep. The paradigm must be shifted to make the most of the one-third of our lives spent under the comforter – making it important to set the following misconceptions straight:
- Sleep is a waste of time. Many people complain that they could accomplish so much if they used the time they spend sleeping for something else. But it is through a good night’s sleep that we can repair and recharge our minds and bodies to function efficiently and creatively during the day when we are awake.
- You can learn to need less sleep. If one can wear contacts to change the color of their eyes, or wear a girdle to keep love handles in place, it’s not the same for sleep. Just like DNA, we are all born with a sleep capacity and need. “Training” one-self to get by on less rest equals walking through life like a sleep-deprived zombie.
- Falling asleep quickly means you have well sleep habits. According to specialist Michael Thorpy, director of the Sleep-Wake Disorder Center at New York’s Montefiore medical Center, people who say “I can sleep anytime, anywhere”, actually have a pathological tendency for sleep problems. “Most people take about 12 minutes to drop off at night. Anything less than five indicates serious sleep debt,” says psychologist Donald B. Weaver of Dallas’ Sleep Medicine Institute at Presbyterian Hospital.
- Afternoon naps are sign of laziness. Our body’s alertness level naturally hits a low between two to four o’clock in the afternoon. Like taking an aspirin for headaches, naps are a good solution to feeling tired.
- A heavy lunch will bring on the urge to nap. The notion that a big meal will lead to a sleeping spree is false. This is so, though not because of the meal, but because of the natural dip of alertness during the mid afternoon hours and the craving to make up for overall sleep deprivation.
- Spicy food causes bad dreams. According to Rosalind Cartwright, director of the Sleep Disorder Service and Research Center at Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago, “There is no relation between food and dreams.” Indigestion, however, can easily wake one up abruptly from sleep and if this happens right after a specific dream, you will most likely remember it. (Though an uncomfortable stomach plus an extreme dose of dreaming can, indeed, feel like a nightmare).
Sleep doesn’t have to be an indulgence or a weekend treats. We must alter our perceptions and re-educate ourselves on the value of sleep as a necessary part of our daily lives. Just like exercise and eating right, sleeping is an integral part of the entire wellness cycle – and vital to living our waking hours to the fullest.
By Blue Rose on Sunday, 1 of March , 2009 at 4:46 pm
Yes to healthy life with the help of sex!
Why sex is good for you?
Many experts say that life rich in sensual pleasure and sexual passion can protect against disease, fight depression, relieve pain and enhance your creativity.
Scientists believe regular, satisfying sexual activity can improve circulation, block pain and even boost immunity. And the emotional benefits are just as good. Men and women who eagerly pursue carnal pleasures suffer less stress, have better slef-esteem and a more possitive outlook than those whose sex life is more conservative. Apart from the sheer joy of it, you still need some excuses, here are the ways on how regular sex can make your life happier and healthier.
The Blooming Look
Many women notice their skin and hair looks clear and radiant when they are having sex on a regular basis. Why? Physical arousal not only boosts the flow of blood to the body’s extremities but it also raises the level of oestrogen, the hormone partly responsible for a creamy, silky-looking complexion and full, lustrous hair.
A single sexual encounter also provides modest aerobic benefit: about the same as you get from climbing two flights of stairs. When you get an entire evening of lovemaking, makes an excuse in going into a gym the next morning. It is also as good as having your daily exercise that empowers you and enhances your body image. We can also get the feeling of self confidences when we know that we satisfy our partners. And men are attracted to women who looks as if they enjoy sex and make love regularly.
The Monthly Period
An excellent practical reason to pursue the pleasures of the flesh: regular sex also helps regulate your periods. Winnifred Cutler, US research biologist and founder of the Athena Institute for Women’s Wellness, discovered that women who have sex every week are more likely to have a perdictable, 29-day menstrual cycle than those who are either celibate or make love less frequently. They also tend to be more fertile. “Having a regular cycle is the best way for a woman to be in control of her fertility “. Cutler say’s “If she knows when she’s ovulating, she knows when to tryto get pergnant, if ahe wants to”.
The 3B’s(better bone builder)
Regardless of age, women who have sex at least once a week can register oestrogen levels twice as high as women who are less active. Oestrogen helps you maintain a strong skeleton, so young women with even slightly deficient bonemass levels are at risk of falling prey to osteoporosis after menopause.
Winnifred Cutler came to a surprising conclusion: women with the lowest oestrogen levels weren’t celibate but had sporadic, feast-or-famine sex lives. “The more sex during the feast, the more the famine upsets the endocrine system,”she says. “A woman who has eight hot days in a row, ten cools off for three weeks generates a massive force, then lurches to a stop. “Our body doesn’t respond well to such a pattern.” In fact, she says, young women who only have the occasional sexfest “may be walking around with a post-menopausal level of oestrogen.”
Masturbation, she adds, may benefit vaginal tissue but it doesn’t oestrogen levels; for that, you need a partner.
“One orgasm can give some people six pain-free hours, whether they have arthritis or whiplash”
The Pain Killer
Sally decided to get on start again with her boyfriend Dan. But before she get into his flat, she strained her back playing squash. Dan was very sympathetic- he even did the washing-up – and, afterwards, as she lay on ice packs, they very carefully made love.
As their lovemaking progressed, they grew less cautious. Two hours later, Sally’s backache was just a memory, and she was still free of discomfort the next day when she got up for work.
So what happened? Sex releases a rush of endorphins, the body’s natural pain-killers. “one orgasm can give some people six pain-free hours, whether they have arthritis or whiplash,”says Judith Sachs,author of The Healing Power of Sex (only available in the US). Such relief, combined with post-orgasmic muscle relaxation and a good night’s sleep, may just have given Sally’s back the time – or at least the time free of pain – it needed heal. Endorphins released during sex usually provide only a short reprieve from discomfort but Sachs believes our subconscious remembers how erotic activity gives pain relief. “So, next time, relief arrives more quickly because you expect it,” she says. The subliminal mind may respond similarly to the opening of a paracetamol bottle, but which do you think it finds more fun?
The Anti-stress
Many researchers think stress is at the root of a range of ailments from tension headaches, stomach upsets, ulcers, job burn-out and neck pain to low fertility and cardiac problems. Many anti-stress therapies emphasise muscle relaxation: release the tension stored in body tissues and you also get rid of the symptoms it causes. The good news is, sex is one of the most powerful muscle relaxants known to physiologist. “Anything caused by stress-even a headache – will benefit from a good, satisfying sexual eperiences,” says US sex expert Dr Ruth Westheimer.
Susie is working as a trader in an international investment bank, so she got one of the most pressurised jobs in the city. She also gets the worst kind of headache – a migraine. Then she started pounding pain, nausea and an overwhelming desire to curl up in a dark room.”
Sex used to be the last thing on Susie’s mind during an attack. Then her boyfriend convinced her to try the last resort. The result have amazed her, its like all the stimulation of other parts of the body helped draw the blood away from her head. Now whenever she feel a headache coming on, instead of teeling her boyfriend , “oh not tonight, darling”, she tells him “Come on, get ready. This is the night!”.
The Body Defence Booster
Expert say sex may also stimulate our immune system. “When we are being caressed, we get a wonderful, tingling sensation from a whole variety of endocrine messages,” says Judith Sachs. “These chemicals also resonate in the immune system, spurring the production of white blood cells.” A University of Pittsburgh study of women with breast cancer found that patients with a full sex life had more disease-fighting T-cells than those with no sexual relationship, or an unfulfilling one.
Does this mean frequent fleshly pleasures can ward off a cold or help protect against flu? Not on their own, since diet, exercise and sleep haabits also have a big influence on our susceptibility to disease. But can you think of a more entertaining way of trying to improve your health?
The Sleeping Pill
Even insomniacs aren’t immune to the soporific effects of sex. Orgasm provides an “optimal balance of blood and lymph chemicals that signals portions of the brain to shut down for several hours,” says Judith Sachs. And, of course, the worries that cause insomnia just don’t seem so important after a Richter-scale climax….
The Self-Esteem Booster
Yes, sex does provide physical pleaure, but have you ever thought about how good it can make you feel about yourself? Few activities can have more positive effect on a flagging self-image than a marathon lovemaking session with a man who totally reveres your body. Discovering and harnessing the energy of Eros – and its ability to fucos a man’s attention on you – can be wildly empowering.
Jane went through secondary school convinced that she was overweight and unattracted, a feeling confirmed for her when a boy – no Tom Cruise himself – teased her one day during assembly. Her extra pounds were mostly baby fat that had melted away by the time she reached college. But, even then, she still didnt believe men could find her desirable.
Then, when she was 19, she slept with a man and discovered within herself a deep reservoir of passion, an almost frightening sense of sexual power. She was still not convinced men liked her for herself – old beliefs die hard – but her newly sensual self-image made many men fall in lust, and sometimes in love, with her. And, as Jane became more sexually experienced, so her self-esteem grew. While she was at college, she met Arthur, a man who made her feel lovable, both in and out of bed. They decided to get married two years ago, and now they have a little girl called Angel. And Angel has the cutest baby fat in the world.
The Emotional Pain Reliever
Emotional difficulties often manifest themselves as pain, particularly if you continually try to repress them. And where you experience the discomfort often has a lot to do with what’s bothering you, as William recently discovered. He sufferedd painful spasms in his shoulders that made him feel as if he were constantly preparing himself to a thump from a rugby forward. He confessed to his new girlfriend Lorraine that, not long before they had met, his former lover had ditched him for someone richer, younger and, as he put it, “noticeably less intelligent.” The feelings of abandonment and betrayal eventually subsided, but the physical pain lingered and throbbed – except when he was making love with Lorraine. Then, the tension would magically disappear and he would remain pain-free for hours afterwards – but the spasms would always return the next day.
After months of a deepening, trusting and passionate relationship with Lorraine, William gardually felt his pain ease. The more he open himself uo to his new partner, the more he realised that she was not about to leave him.
Finally, the pain drained away from his shoulders for good – William had found he just didnt “need” it anymore. There was no longer any threat of attack, no pending emotional storm to brace himself against.
The Sense Stimulator
When the desire for sex hits us, our senses start to hum like a power station. Odors may be particularly arousing because nerve pathways lead from the nose to an area of the brain close to our “pleasure center”. The most bewitching smells may not be the obvious perfumes and colognes, but subliminal attractants called pheromones. Researchers think our acceptance of a potential mate depends largely on pheromone comparability: you may love his mind, his earning power, his walk but, if your sense of smell gives him the thumbs-down, he’s history.
In some cultures, the aim of sexual union is to stimulate the senses into a trance-like state. Practitioners of tantric sex remain indefinitely pre-orgasmic by aligning the rhythm of their breathing with that of their lover. “When it works,” says Sachs, “you hit this wave-like state that’s even bigger than that produced by orgasm. You feel part of the universe.”
The Creativity Enhancer
Why do so many poets write about love an desire, rather than say, finance? One reason must be that the impulse to express ourselves creativity in lovemaking translates easily into broader forms of expression. Of course,creativity doesn’t have to be confined to the page: the most imaginative, best-laid career plans often come from the best-laid employees!
Bunny found her job as marketing director opened up when she found her perfect partner and started having frequent, passionate sex. “I couldn’t leave that part of at home,” she says . “I don’t mean I was flirting with people, I was more open to their input, and no longer felt I was competing with them. Now we’re generating I ideas and nobody’s shouting at anyone.
The sexual urge is part of a wonderfully human impulse to connect and communicate with others. Research into the brain shows that, in peak erotic moments, we may be able to bridge the gap between gender-related differences in perception. Even when pondering the same subjects, men tend to favor the left side of the brain, while women use both sides. But, during sex, things seem to even up. “feelings of pleasure come from our limbic system, near the bridge between the hemispheres of the brain,” says Judith Sachs. “It may be that, at orgasm, both men and women are best able to connect the two sides.” This may explain the pleasure each partner gets from witnessing the other’s climatic joy.
The implications of sexually induced whole-brain thinking are mind-boggling. But, even if it doesn’t make us more creative, we’re sure to have more fun!
Please leave a comments, I gladly appreciate if I will hear something from you about this article.
