Health Care Tips

Stress Relief Techniques at Work

2010-03-05T21:45:00.000-08:00

The human body has its own relaxation response that serves to counter stress. This relaxation response can be activated by different techniques, including deep breathing, visualization, progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, and yoga. By practicing these Stress Relief Techniques daily, stress levels reduce. They increase feelings of joy and happiness. Staying calm is a must in the event of stressful situations.

Relaxation Response

Complete elimination of stress is not possible. Its negative effects can be countered through an appropriate relaxation response. This response is a state of rest and relaxation, which is the exact opposite of a stress response.

Stress gives rise to the fight or flight response. A number of chemicals are released at this stage. The stress response serves as a warning sign that something is wrong with the body. This makes it beneficial. However, long durations of stress response will inevitably wear the body down.

The relaxation response helps to achieve a sense of harmony and balance. Deep breathing, reducing stress hormones and slowing the heart rate and blood pressure are some of the ways to relax.

Relaxation response has more than mere physical benefits. Stress Relief Techniques helps to improve focus. Energy levels increase that combat illness. It relieves aches and pains, improves problem-solving abilities, and increases motivational levels. To experience these activities, individuals merely need to practice.

There are several relaxation techniques that help achieve the relaxation response. Stress-reduction techniques are numerous. Some of the most popular include yoga, tai chi, deep breathing, meditation, visualization, and progressive muscle relaxation.

It is easy to learn the basics of these techniques. However, it takes a lot of practice to master these techniques. Often, daily practice is required. Setting aside 10 to 20 minutes of your daily schedule for relaxation is ideal. If stress levels are high, set aside an entire hour.

Get the maximum benefits from your relaxation practice

Allocate appropriate time: Include time for relaxation in your daily schedule. These schedules can occur twice in a day. Practicing relaxation techniques in the morning has unique benefits. There is less pressure in the morning to perform other responsibilities.

Avoid practice when drowsy: Relaxation techniques by themselves induce sleep. Therefore, practice these techniques while you are awake and alert.

Choose a suitable technique: No relaxation technique can be called the best. Choose the one that best fits your preference and level of fitness.

Robert Moore is a health consultant and a guide for Stress Relief Techniques. To know more information about Signs and Symptoms of Depression, signs of marital problems, how to survive a economic depression and Oppositional Defiant Disorder visit www.thehealthprotector.net

Article Source: http://www.a1articles.com/article_1434814_17.html

Delicious Low Fat Banana Bread

2010-02-16T00:56:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking of what to have this morning and for some reason i decided to eat banana bread, a low fat and healthy food for breakfast. I don' know how to bake it so I ask my sister's help. Gee, It's not that hard to do as I imagine.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 egg
2 tablespoons applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
4 ripe bananas, mashed

Methods

Preheat oven to 180 degrees
Place flour and sugar in a large bowl
COmbine egg and other ingredients and mixed well
Pour into 2 greased loaf tin lines with baking paper
Bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean

Lets Talk About Tomato

2010-02-14T06:12:00.000-08:00

Tomato is a mildly acid red or yellow pulpy fruit eaten as a vegetable, that is rich in vitamins A and C and fibre, and are cholesterol free. An average size tomato (148 gram, or 5 oz) boasts only 35 calories. Furthermore, new medical research suggests that the consumption of lycopene – the stuff that makes tomatoes red – may prevent cancer. Lycopene is part of the family of pigments called carotenoids, which are natural compounds that create the colors of fruits and vegetables. Lycopene us the most powerful antioxidant in the carotenoid family and, with vitamins C and E, protect us from the free radicals that degrade many parts of the body. Tomato is good for our health.

The scientific term of tomato is lycopersicon lycopersicum, which mean “wolf peach.” It is a cousin of the eggplant, red pepper, ground cherry, potato, and the highly toxic belladonna, also known as the nightshade or solanaccae. There are more than 10,000 varieties of tomatoes.

Although they’re wonderful fresh off the vine, cooking tomatoes with fat, such as olive oil and cheese, seems to release lycopene in a form more easily absorbed by the body.

Tomato facts:

Americans obtain more of their vitamins from tomatoes than from any other vegetable.
Salsa has replaced ketchup as the top selling condiment in the United States. Now there is a salsa/ketchup combination available.
One ounce of tomato puree has twice the vitamin C and 20 percent more beta carotene than one ounce of fresh tomato.
To peel tomatoes easily, place them in boiling water and remove from heat, allow to stand for one minute then plunge them into cold water.
Another way to peel a tomato is to place a long fork into it and hold it over a gas burner until the skin blisters. The skin should peel off easily.
Tomatoes will keep longer if you store them stem down.
Tomatoes may be broiled and sprinkled with grated cheese for a different taste treat.
Tomatoes should ever be left to ripen in direct sunlight, as they will lose most of their vitamin C.
When slicing tomatoes, it will be easier if you use a bread knife with saw teeth. It will not even tear the skin.
Tomatoes are sometimes picked green and ethylene gassed on their way to the supermarket right in the trucks. This can be accomplished during an overnight run.
There is a big difference in vitamin loss and taste in a gassed tomato and a vine-ripened one.
Americans eat approximately 24 pounds of tomatoes per person, per year.
If you are expecting a frost and have tomatoes on the vine, pull them up by the roots and hang them upside down in a cool basement until the fruit ripens.
The federal government can detect only 55 percent of the 100 approved pesticides.
Green tomatoes will ripen faster if you store them with apples. Both give off ethylene gas when ripening and the extra shot of gas will make them ripen faster.
Green tomatoes will also ripen faster if stored in a cool place wrapped loosely in newspapers. This method may take a week or two.

For those people who always think if what tomato really is.......the tomato is actually a fruit, not a vegetable!

Understanding Hydrotherapy

2010-02-05T08:12:00.000-08:00

We can’t live without water, that’s one fact that we all know and it’s one of the basic needs of man. Water is nature's healer as well. We know from personal experience that water is not just for cleansing, but for making us feel better.

Understanding Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is the use of water to revitalize, maintain, and restore health. It has positive effects on the skin and muscles. It calms the internal organs and the endocrine system by stimulating nerve reflexes on the spinal cord. In general, heat quiets and soothes the body while cold, quite the opposite, stimulates and revitalizes.

Types of Hydrotherapy

Sitz bath - There are 2 adjacent tubs of water, one hot and one cold. You sit in one tub with your feet in the other tub, and then alternate. Sitz baths are recommended for hemorrhoids, PMS and menstrual problems, cystitis, polyps.
Warm water baths - Soak in warm water for up to 30 minutes, depending on the condition. Epsom salts, mineral mud, aromatherapy oils, ginger, moor mud, and dead sea salts may be added.
Sauna - Dry heat
Steam bath or Turkish bath
Compresses - Towels are soaked in hot and/or cold water.
Wraps - Cold wet flannel sheets are used to cover the a person lying down. The person is then covered with dry towels and then blankets. The body warms up in response and dries to wet sheets. This is used for colds, bronchitis, skin disorders, infection, and muscle pain.
Wet sock treatment - Used for sore throat, ear infections, headaches, migraines, nasal congestion, upper respiratory infections, coughs, bronchitis, and sinus infections.
Hot fomentation - For treatment of acute conditions such as chest colds and coughs. It seems to relieve symptoms but also decrease the length of the illness.

Benefits of Hydrotherapy

Reduce stress and relax: Swirling warm water helps your brain to relax while washing away anxiety.

Sleep Better: By immersing yourself in hot water for 15 minutes before bedtime, your body temperature rises and enhances your ability to fall asleep faster (National Sleep Foundation).

Get relief for arthritis, aches and stiffness.

Warm, pulsating water increases blood supply to aching joints, which helps to remove inflammatory particles from the area and relieves pain.
The buoyancy of the water relaxes muscles, and warm water decreases muscle tension that allows for greater flexibility.
Some hot tubs feature specialized jets that move up and down the spine that soothe inflamed tissue and relieve pain.

Breathe and think easier.

Steam rising off hot water can help open up nasal and bronchial passages and improves circulation to aid in maintaining upper respiratory health.
Most people find that soaking in a hot tub relieves headache pain, especially pain from tension headaches.

The power of Moringa (Malunggay )

2010-02-02T17:03:00.000-08:00

In English this green leafy vegetables is called Moringa, popular in Philippines as Malunggay and Sajina in the Indian Subcontinent. Malunggay, known scientifically as Moringa oleifera Lamk, is one of the world's most useful plants. It is used as food, effective flocculant or water treatment, antibiotic, source of oil, and coagulant for turbid waters.

It is also called mother's best friend and miracle vegetable by many who know malunggay's beneficial uses. It is cultivated in all countries of the tropics. It is easy to plant and is available year-round.

Health Benefits:

Malunggay leaves helps strengthens the immune system.
Malunggay can help restores skin condition, controls blood pressure, relieves headaches and migraines.
Malunggay tea can help strengthen the eye muscles.
Malunggay tea can help heal inflammation of the joints and tendons.
Malunggay tea can prevent intestinal worms.
Malunggay can help increase semen count.
Malunggay help normalize blood sugar level therefore preventing diabetes.
Malunggay has anti-cancer compounds (phytochemicals) that help stop the growth of cancer cells.
Malunggay helps relax and promotes good night sleep.
Malunggay tea is used to treat fever and asthma.
Malunggay help heals ulcers.
Malunggay is high in calcium (four times the calcium in milk), therefore lactating mothers are advised to consume malunggay leaves to produce more milk for their babies. The young malunggay leaves are also boiled and taken as tea.
Malunggay contains three times the potassium in bananas.
Malunggay contains four times the vitamin A in carrots.
An ounce of malunggay has the same Vitamin C content as seven oranges.
Malunggay leaves contain two times the protein in milk.
Malunggay seed is used to clean dirty or polluted water.

Today, there is a wide array of malunggay products manufactured in the Philippines and being sold in local and international markets — malunggay tea, malunggay pan de sal, malunggay polvoron, malunggay oil (for cooking and cosmetic purposes), malunggay noodles, malunggay food powder, malunggay supplement capsules, malunggay shampoo and conditioner, and yes, even malunggay ice cream. You name it. The people of the malunggay industry have it, or are currently manufacturing it.