How To Age Gracefully – Getting Older Is A Fact Of Life

Getting older is a fact of life. From the time you are born, you are getting older, and there's nothing you can do about, at least not when it comes to your chronological age. You can, however, do a lot to slow down the aging process, but at the same time, you will be much more content when you discover how to age gracefully.

An endless series of plastic surgeries is not what aging gracefully is all about. Perhaps you are familiar with a few actors and actresses who have had so much plastic surgery that they now look awful. Despite their best attempts to look younger, they still look older, but they also look worse than if they would have let themselves age the way nature had intended. Does that mean you should never get any form of plastic surgery? Not at all, but you should be very choosy about what you get done, and be sure that you don't overdo it.

Another key aspect of aging gracefully is acting your age, or at least close to it. Few things are more unsettling than somebody trying to dress and act like they are decades younger than they really are. You may think that you are fitting in with younger people by doing this, but you will make yourself look ridiculous. Now, it's okay to dress well, and to hang around with younger people, but don't be phony about it; be yourself.

Your skin is one of the most important aspects of your appearance. Having younger looking skin is fair game when it comes to aging gracefully. Your skin needs to be properly moisturized for it to be healthy. You can use moisturizing creams on the outside (look for those that contain humectants) of your skin, but remember to drink plenty of water so your skin gets moisturized from the inside. Using a toner will help to tighten your skin, but avoid those which contain alcohol. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells that have accumulated on the surface. However, don't exfoliate too often, and use a product that is gentle.

If you smoke, quit. Period.

How you look is only a part of aging, so don't forget to take care of yourself spiritually as well. Frequent prayer, attending worship services, reading holy books, and meditation all help to give your life a sense of purpose. Having a sense of purpose as you get older is vital because it lets you enjoy each moment with a fuller sense of what life is all about. You are no longer fighting life, but rather embracing and enjoying it for what it is.

Yes, we are all getting older, but this isn't a bad thing when you know how to age gracefully. Taking it all in stride and doing a few basic things is all it takes to not only look better, but to feel better too.


 

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Humor To Relieve Stress – Can Take Its Toll

If it is left unchecked, stress will take its toll on your health. While it isn't possible to completely eliminate all forms of stress from your life, you can feel a lot better when you use humor to relieve stress.

It has long been said that humor is the best medicine, and there have been several studies that have shown this to be true, at least to some degree. The full effects of humor are not completely understood, but laughter appears to release certain chemicals in the brain, and these chemicals make us feel better and relieve stress.

Before we get to ways to add humor to your life, it's important to mention that you should always discuss any health concerns with your doctor. Your stress may be the result of an underlying medical condition, and your doctor can also give you additional suggestions for relieving stress.

Now, on to the funny!

Your goal should be to laugh as many times per day as possible and then a few more on top of that. Free your funny bone and look at the lighter side of life. Stress is the result of your perceptions. You can't always control what happens to you, but you can always choose how to respond to it. There are times when stress is a good option, but those times don't happen all that often.

Television and movies can be good sources of comedy. Maybe you don't like the most popular show, or romantic comedies may not be your thing, but that's okay. The key is to watch whatever makes you laugh. If you're the only one in the room laughing hysterically while everybody else sits there with a straight look on their face, then you can laugh at that too. Humor is a subjective thing, but that's no excuse not to laugh.

The internet is a practically endless source of humor to relieve stress. There are tons of funny people online, though some of them are unintentionally funny. Log on to the internet and you can find funny videos, cartoons, pictures, quotations, jokes, and just about anything else you can think of.

Surround yourself with as many things that bring a smile to your face as you can. A calendar that has a new joke every day, a T-shirt with a goofy picture on it, or even a humorous bumper sticker are just a few ways to add more humor to your life.

Starting your own personal "humor file" is another way to get a much-needed chuckle when you need one. Cut out funny comics from the newspaper, stories from magazines, pictures, and so on, then put them into a folder that you can access whenever you need to. It's a good idea to have a one physical file, as well as a file on your computer dedicated to humor.

One of the cool things about using humor to relieve stress is that it doesn't require a prescription, so there are no side effects to worry about.


 

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Anxiety And Nervouse Breakdown Tie In Together

How do anxiety and nervous breakdown tie in? The term anxiety is an umbrella term which encompasses panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, phobias, and generalized anxiety disorder. The term nervous breakdown is no longer used by the medical profession. It is now referred to as situational depression or anxiety disorder.

While clinical depression and anxiety disorders can be triggered by something that happens in your life, their causes can often be linked to something biological, genetic, neurological, or that occured in your childhood. In contrast, a nervous breakdown could describe the sudden onset of a mental illness, or it may just be your way to process something that happened in your life. The term nervous breakdown conjures up terrible, scary images. But while it is upsetting, it's important to keep in mind that this anxiety disorder is just your body's way of saying "Hey, you're ignoring some feelings here that need to be dealt with." Panicing in the face of anxiety and nervous breakdown only makes matters worse.

One key to getting through a nervous breakdown (or preventing one) is to stop fighting it off. If you're starting to feel that everything is just getting to be too much, just try to identify some areas in your life where you can reduce some of your stress and causes of anxiety. The typical reaction when you feel like your are losing control is to get it back again. But getting it back by ignoring what you are feeling is not the way to go about it. In the case of a nervous breakdown, taking back power means actively seeking out rest and peace. If you try to just push through and force yourself to continue beyond what you can mentally or physically take, you actually give your anxiety more power. If you can allow yourself a little patience and space to actually feel what you need to feel, you offset the reasons your mind and body brought you to the point of a nervous breakdown in the first place.

Seek help. Many people look at getting help as a sign that they have lost the battle with their anxiety and nervous breakdown. It is actually the opposite. The fact that you are seeking help means that you are taking a step to being able to take care of yourself and others if necessary. Look at it this way: if you were physically hurt one day and bleeding profusely, you would run stratight to the emergency room. It's the same with whatever anxiety you're going through. Professional help and therapy does not have to be a lifelong commitment. Once you have worked out the cause for your pain and suffering and have the tools to prevent it from happening again, you no longer need the help of professionals. But if you avoid seeking them out in the first place, the anxiety and nervous breakdown may have already caused permanent damage.

This information does not substitute medical advice given by a health professional.


 

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Contracting Warts: The Basics

How likely are you to acquire warts? Do you know the answer to that question? If not, you can get an estimated answer by assessing your own personal risk factors. Never mind statistics; instead, simply get a clear picture on how this subject relates to you and to your lifestyle. After doing so, you can decide whether you wish to take the steps necessary in order to decrease your risk. Prevention is more sensible than treating warts after one already has them; and knowing where you yourself stand is the best defense.

One of the most annoying forms of warts are plantar warts. Assuming you probably do not wish to find out exactly how troublesome they actually are, you can simply take some measures to safeguard yourself against these pesky warts. As the usual way in which a person contracts plantar warts is by having one's bare feet come in contact with infected surfaces, you can greatly reduce your chance of getting plantar warts by wearing protective covering when in public areas where the virus is likely to be present. Not wearing someone else's shoes or socks is also a good preventative measure. Some products designed especially for foot and shoe care contain the type of disinfectant which will kill the wart-producing virus on these surfaces; others do not. Check the label on the products you wish to use to see if this is included.

One of the main factors which contribute to seed warts is direct sunlight. Although it is rare for young people to acquire this type of wart, the potential for it increases with age. In addition to exercising common sense in limiting your exposure to the sun for reasons such as avoiding skin cancer, it will also go a long way in helping you to not acquire seed warts when you are older. The more time you spend in the sun on an everyday basis, and the longer you do so, the more likely you are to eventually have seed warts as a result.

Genital warts are spread by sexual contact. Although it is possible to contract them from an infected partner, the two main factors assessed as being most relevant are sexual activity at a young age, and having multiple partners. These factors are generally within one's own control, and therefore it is not difficult to both assess one's degree of risk and alter one's own lifestyle to reduce the risk.

As a compromised immune system places a person at a much higher risk of contracting warts due to having a lesser immunity against the virus which causes them, Although those who have serious medical problems which affect the immune system do not have as much control over it, the average person who is in good health does. The simple basics of having a healthy diet and getting a proper amount of sleep are well within the range of most people's capabilities; and these two basics are two of the strongest contributing factors in gaining and keeping the immune system functioning at its best.

Most warts can be spread by a healthy person using personal items of an infected person, such as towels, washcloths, and intimate clothing. In most cases you have the option of either making sure such items are clean and sterile, or else to not use them at all.

Checking to see which risk factors are relevant to you is the first step in determining how likely you may be to contract warts. The next step is to turn that awareness into action, and reduce your risk.


 

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Active Or Under-Active Thyroid and Hormones

Hormones and Thyroid are what control your metabolism and help keep your body running efficiency. If your thyroid is not operating as it should, this can lead to a host of problems. The two main issues with your thyroid are hyperthyroidism, where it is over active, and hypothyroidism, where it is under active.

While hyperthyroidism is not as common as hypothyroidism, both conditions stem from iodine. Iodine is a crucial element in thyroid function as it acts as a fuel for your thyroid gland. Hyperthyroidism is generally caused when you take in too much iodine and hypothyroidism is generally caused by not getting enough iodine.

A slew of symptoms can occur from both over active and under active thyroid glands. From gaining weight and being unable to shed it to losing too much weight and putting your health at risk. There are also mental symptoms such as depression and anxiety that can be caused by these conditions.

These problems are why it is important to maintain a balanced intake of iodine so that your thyroid can function normally. The problem with this is that most people do not even know whether or not their thyroid is acting up.

All the symptoms caused by your Hormones and Throid gland acting up can also be caused by a variety of other things, which makes it incredibly difficult to determine whether or not your thyroid is to blame. It is actually because of this that most cases of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism go untreated for a long time.

If you think that your thyroid is to blame then it is advised you go to your doctor and ask them to check it out for you. A simple blood test is all it takes to determine whether or not your thyroid is the cause.

While these conditions are pretty mild and easily treated, they are not something you should ignore if you can help it. They can lead to more serious problems down the road if left untreated and there is always the chance that it is something more serious that is causing your thyroid to go out of whack such as cancer.

If it turns out that your thyroid is the cause and you are suffering from hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, do not be all that concerned. As I already said, these are fairly mild conditions and are easily treated. In most cases simply adjusting your intake of iodine can do the trick.

While this is a lifelong problem you will have to live with, it will not have all that much impact on your daily life. Simply taking medication and maybe adjusting your diet is all that is required to get your Hormones and Throid back in working order.

If, in the unlikely event that your thyroid problems stem from something else you might have to take more drastic measures. As always you should talk to your doctor and get all the facts from them. They will tell you what you should do in order to deal with any condition you may be suffering.


 

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What Are Physiotherapy Costs and Will Insurance Pay?

If you are referred to a physiotherapy clinic for an injury or condition, you might be wondering about the physiotherapy costs. More than that, it is important to find out if insurance will pay for treatment and procedures. These are questions to answer before going to the clinic for help.

The simple answer is that no one can pinpoint the exact amount of treatment a person will need, so overall physiotherapy costs are just an estimate. It is possible for an experienced and skilled physiotherapist to make a fairly accurate approximation of how long treatment will take.

There will usually be a flat clinic or office visit fee. This covers only the basic services of the team. If one does not provide adequate notice of cancellation, a fee can be assessed to recoup the fee that would have been taken in for that time slot. Yet, these are just the beginning of the fees. Physiotherapy costs go far beyond the basic fee.

Physiotherapy costs can vary greatly for different treatment sessions. This is because the same procedures are not always performed. Some cost more than others. To get an accounting of the prices for the different methods used, contact the billing department of the clinic or hospital. There should be a list of each type of treatment.

Since many insurance companies give patients a choice of doctors and physiotherapists, it is wise to discuss fees upfront. Physiotherapy costs may affect you even if you have insurance. This is especially true if your physiotherapist has a preference for many short visits instead of fewer longer ones. This will have a bearing on your deductible.

Then, all one has to do is to keep asking at each session what the next session's procedures will likely be. This way, physiotherapy costs will come as little surprise to one. The only question is what kind of payment arrangements will be made. If the patient has no insurance, all physiotherapy costs will be due in full at the time of service.

Clinics often help arrange the payment of physiotherapy costs by contacting workman's comp or insurance companies for one. This makes it possible for the clinic to collect their fees easily. It also takes the burden of phone calls and paperwork off the patient.

Physiotherapy costs may amount to the price of a deductible and a small co-pay for each visit. The number of visits varies, but there is an average to go on. One or two times a week will usually suffice for four to eight weeks. However, a chronic condition may need much more work.

Physiotherapy costs can be financially crippling, or small change. It depends upon the existence of insurance or the ability of the patient to pay out of pocket. Insurance covers most physiotherapy costs, but if there is any doubt, do not be afraid to ask. Physiotherapy is there to make you feel better, not to make you worry about how much it costs. Anything you can do to keep the focus on recovery will help you.


 

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Dry Shampoo – Shortcuts To Everyday Tasks

I guess that it's no surprise that our lives are busier today and we need to find shortcuts to our everyday tasks as much as possible. One of those everyday tasks is washing our hair. Sometimes it becomes necessary to take shortcuts and when that time comes you can turn to dry shampoo to help save the day.

The concept is simple, you apply a little of this powder to your hair, allow it to reach your scalp where it can soak up any excess oils, then you brush it out. Quick and simple.

There are many scenarios in life where having, and using, dry shampoo can be worthwhile. In this article I will give you some ideas of the convenience of this product as well as some pros and cons in regards to using these types of products.

1. For many of us, our days our very long. It simply isn't practical to run home after work, but before the gym, and then again before we meet our friends out for dinner and drinks. But that doesn't mean your look may not need to be freshened up a bit.

That is where the non water method for hair cleaning can come in so handy. The products themselves are light weight and very transportable so you can keep some in a purse, briefcase or gym bag.

Since you don't need water, all you need to do to make the most out of this product is to duck into the nearest rest room and spend a few minutes and suddenly, your look is fresh and clean.

2. One of the biggest pros, is what has been listed in the point above: convenience. You don't have to invest time to washing your hair. Of course, most of us (women at least) know it's not the washing that takes the time it's the drying and styling afterwards that is so time consuming.

So, being able to get the "just washed hair" look without the investment of time is a really nice time saver during the day. That is the biggest pro about this product.

3. The biggest con is the fact that this is only a short term fix. It just isn't the same as actually washing your hair. It is a great stop gap until you have more time, but it won't replace your daily or twice daily shampoo's.

There can also be the argument that your hair isn't really clean after a dry shampoo even though it may look and smell clean.

Some people may have a problem with this. They may prefer to invest the time and know that their hair is actually clean as opposed to just "freshened".

One other point in the "con" column is the fact that you need to be careful about allergies to a certain product that may result in a rash or sensitive area on the scalp.

Also, this product is a case of more may not be better. If you apply too much you may just look worse. It may leave a dusty residue on your hair or scalp that may make your hair look even dirtier than it did before you started!

Using dry shampoo can be a helpful time saver between shampoos but I would recommend that you try a few brands first to see which ones you like and make sure they don't irritate your scalp. Also, knowing how much to use is important so you may want to give it a dry run at home where you can rinse it out if you need to.


 

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Signs Of Stress In Children

When children are showing signs of stress we don't always pick up on it right away. To adults, it often seems that kids have a simple, carefree life with nothing to get stressed about. But if we think back to our own childhoods we may remember that it did not always feel so easy.

It is true that the things that bother kids are different, and may seem unimportant to an adult. The people who scare kids mostly wouldn't scare an adult – they are other kids or maybe very old people. But the fears, anxieties and stresses of childhood have just the same physical effects on the child as adult anxieties and stresses have on an adult, and those effects are just as serious.

Many of the signs of stress in children are the same as for an adult. For example:

– digestive problems
– loss of appetite, or 'comfort eating'
– more attacks of any health problem that they are prone to, like asthma or eczema
– muscle tension which may show as making fists or frowning or other expressions on the face

In addition, many kids under stress will pick up new habits or revert to behaviors that you thought they had left behind, for example:

– thumb sucking
– bed wetting
– nightmares
– grinding teeth
– over-attachment to certain toys
– telling lies
– aggression

Some of the things that cause signs of stress in children include:

1. Believing they are not performing as well as they should be performing.

This can be a question of not living up to parents' or teachers' expectations, or not doing as well as a sibling or friend, either academically or socially. It may also come from having unrealistic expectations in their own mind.

2. Fears of death and physical injury.

These fears may be prompted by physical threats from other kids, or they can be caused by world and local events, either in movies or for real on the news (earthquakes, house fires, kidnappings, murders, etc). Even something like constantly hearing 'Be careful!' can be stressful for a child.

3. Separation anxiety.

Very small children can show signs of stress if they are separated from their main caregiver, even for a short time. Older kids become accustomed to not being with mom all day, but they will still suffer from stress if a parent is in the hospital or if the parents split up. Children can also become very stressed by the fear of abandonment or the fear of the death of their parents, on whom their lives depend.

In other words, although the things that a child is stressed about may be less important on a world scale, the signs of stress are equally severe as for adults, and so are the effects, both physical and psychological.

So how should we handle signs of stress in children?

1. For stress reduction in kids, one of the most important things to focus on is empowering the child so that they feel in control of the important aspects of their lives. Sure there are some bad things that happen that they cannot control, but show them that there is also a lot that they can control.

2. Be sure they have a healthy diet and plenty of exercise. Many of the effects of stress are physical and come from having too much stress-released adrenaline pumping around the body. Sports can help to work that off.

3. Spend time talking with them and truly listening to what they have to say without judging them. Let them know that what they are feeling is OK. Reassure them that you have confidence in them and their special, individual talents and abilities. Never compare them to other children, either in the family or outside of it.

Occasional stress is normal for kids the same as for adults, but excessive or chronic stress should be treated. If you are concerned about any stress that a child may be suffering, it is best to talk to a professional. The signs of stress in children must be taken seriously.


 

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Alcohol Abuse And Depression Statistics – Illusion Of Fixing The Problem

Statistics point out that as many as one in ten people who are depressed also have a drinking problem. Alcohol abuse and depression is an awful combination that makes both problems worse. There are people who use alcohol to "self-medicate" their depression away. While this may give them the illusion of fixing the problem, the truth is that drinking alcohol only serves to deepen the depression.

People with depression are not thinking as clearly as they can, and alcohol dulls the senses as well. Anybody can build up a tolerance to alcohol, but it's much more problematic for someone who is depressed. They are less likely to realize that they are drinking more to get the same effect, and this can quickly lead to alcohol abuse. Not only can the alcohol cause intolerance, but the depressed person is also in a state of mind where they don't care about a lot of things.

It is believed that about 40% of alcoholics exhibit signs of clinical depression, and 10% of people who are depressed abuse alcohol. Those are some interesting numbers, but there is no way to know what the actual cause and effect is. Perhaps people who are predisposed to alcoholism are also predisposed to depression, and vice-versa. Regardless of the accuracy of these numbers, alcohol abuse and depression need to be taken seriously.

The symptoms associated with depression and alcohol abuse can often be similar. Both conditions bring about behavioral changes, though there are some that are more related to one disease or the other. Impulsive acts, impaired judgment, and isolation are common to both diseases; whereas acts of aggression and violence tend to be related to alcoholism, and suicidal thoughts are related to depression. However, there are many lines of gray here, so it's not always easy to tell which condition is causing which symptoms. The main thing is to take all of these symptoms seriously and to seek help from a qualified professional as soon as possible.

There is some evidence that alcoholism may be genetic, or at the very least, a learned conditioned. People who had parents that abused alcohol are more likely to abuse it themselves. Furthermore, they are likely to have a higher tolerance for alcohol, which also puts them at risk. The same basic thing can be said (except for the part about alcohol tolerance) about people who had depressed parents. Their odds of being depressed are also higher.

Alcohol abuse and depression often occur side-by-side, so it can be very difficult figuring out what the root of the problem is. However, because the two diseases are especially bad when combined with one another, it is very important to get help if both conditions are present. Seeking qualified medical advice as soon as possible is the key to an effective recover. There are several treatment options available, and it is worth seeking them out. It doesn't happen overnight, but you can be sure that a happier life waits for those who get these diseases under control.


 

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Alternatives to Assist With Anxiety and Depression

Many who suffer from anxiety and depression take medication to relieve their pain. Doctors may prescribe antidepressants, tranquillizers and sleeping tablets for your condition. But there are healthier alternatives that can be used in attacking anxiety and depression.

Exercise is extremely important for many reasons but even more so if you suffer from emotional stress. Many of you will say that you just don't have the time to exercise. But exercising doesn't have to be done in a gym or health club. It can be a 20 minute walk around your neighborhood or running up and down your stairs. Among other things, regular exercise increases your endorphins, those happy hormones that get the good feelings going in your body. They boost self-esteem, and reduce the symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. The catch is that you need to exercise regularly to benefit from it. Set up a schedule and stick to it. If you can't do 20 minutes every day, try it three or four times per week. And make sure you do something that gets your heart rate up a little bit. Once you get the hang of it, you'll start to feel better and will look forward to your little exercise break.

Social support is crucial during tough times and especially if you're attacking anxiety and depression. It's probable that you want to just be alone when you feel depressed. But try to keep in mind that loneliness is actually one of the causes of depression, and if you already have it, sitting alone could worsen the situation. So think about getting involved in some groups, even if it's the last thing you want to do. You can start by volunteering. Doing something for others is a great way to feel better about yourself and humanity, and it takes your mind off of how bad you may believe things are.

Similarly, talking to someone about how you feel is a great way to alleviate some of your pain. You don't need to go out and join a group to do this. Share how you feel with a close family member, friend or even a professional who will lend an objective ear.

Relaxation and meditation are also very effective when it comes to treating depression. One of the best methods of relaxation is to practice savasana (referred to as the "dead body pose") In this position, you lie flat on your back with your arms relaxed at your sides. This is a position that is often done between yoga exercises. It returns blood circulation to normal and teaches complete relaxation.

Take certain supplements. There is a strong correlation between anxiety/panic disorder and low levels of certain vitamins and minerals. Here are some things that you want to make sure you are getting enough of: Omega 3 fish oil, calcium, magnesium, vitamin c and b-complex vitamin supplements.

The above information about attacking anxiety and depression does not substitute medical advice given by a health professional.


 

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