Exercise steady!!!

Regular, moderate exercise is better than occasional bursts. Exercise is healthy - to a degree, Regular physical activity is better than occasional all-out workouts.

A lot of people go way overboard with exercise. In today's society, there are many people who push the envelope, that is who use and abuse exercise to reach even exceed limits. If we look at the recommended physical activity level its is intensive exercise thrice a week. But currently, 75% of the people cannot be persuaded to exercise. They are not interested. They consider physical activity as a strain and don't want to do it. The physical activity recommendation currently is 5 times a week. for 30 minutes. This activity is not to be understood as formal exercising but it can be cycling to work, gardening or performing stretches at office.

Listen to your body and take occasional breaks.

Eye Care Tips

• Wash your eyes with cold water at regular intervals.
• Eat foods rich in vitamins like papaya, egg, fish, milk, green leafy vegetables.
• Increase your water intake.
• Use slices of cucumber and potato regularly to reduce the dark circles under your eyes.
• Blink often or close your eyes to relax the eye muscles.
• Take a short nap to reduce the puffiness in the eyes.
• Get regular eye-check ups done.
• Wear proper sun glasses.
• Foods rich in vitamin A helps reduce the risk of night- blindness and cataract. 

Do not starve to become slim

People who want to slim down should never starve. Several days of starving increases the craving for food. To prevent over eating impulse the stomach must be filled and the body’s requirements of vital nutrients must be met.

The intake and choice of foods should not be restricted too radically because the rapid weight loss creates adverse effects. A basic slimming diet consists of vegetables, legumes, fruit, leafy greens, nuts, saltwater fish, lean meat, poultry and milk or dairy products. The diet should be balanced.

Slight changes in the diet will certainly help in burning the fat in a healthy way. Occasional indulgence in desired low fat chocolates/sweets is permissible. The weight loss should be gradual and should not cut down the metabolic rate.

 
 
Courtesy : The hindu, Wellness, 5/3/2012

Tips to ease mouth ulcers

Here are some tips to ease mouth ulcers:

Gargle frequently with a solution made of salt and warm water.  the saline mixture sterilises the mouth blisters.
Avoid drinking tea or coffee and spicy foods.
Rub a garlic onto the ulcer.  It may sting but the ulcer maybe gone in a while.
Add a teaspoon of honey to a glass of water and gargle.
Mouth ulcers are due to lack of vitamin C.  Drink plenty of orange juice.
Much few raw onions as the sulphur in the onions are good cure  for ulcers.

Beneficial Junk Foods!!!!

Recent studies have proved that certain junk foods can also be beneficial.  Indulging in some of these junk foods of course limited quantities may impart goodness.

Popcorn

A desirable movie accompaniment helps to curb cravings a is very less in calories.

Processed Cheese

The anti-carcinogenic properties found in cheese is an effective antioxidant.

Baked snacks

These are the most recent introductions which contain very less oil and made of whole wheat and dash of spice.  Which is a delight for the taste buds and curb cravings. Whole wheat crackers that are available is the best example for baked snacks and is a preferred tea time snack.

Red wine

Resveratrol in the red wine helps prevent inflammations.  It is also rich in antioxidants that prevent heart disease and cancer.

Dark Chocolates

Dark chocolates help keep blood pressure under control. 

Courtesy: Times of India 7/10/2009

Did you Know??

Cashew has obesity and gallstone-fighting fighting properties.  Magnesium present in cashews ensures healthy bones and teeth.  The copper content in cashew increases the antioxidant defenses.  Cashew is rich in iron and calcium.

Watermelon is a good source of antioxidant lycopene.  This antioxidant travels throughout the body, neutralising the free radicals that cause fat-related health problems.  It also reduces the risks of prostate cancer.

The mucilage and fibre found in lady's finger helps adjust the blood sugar by regulating its absorption in the small intestine.  It helps in reabsorbing water and traps excess cholesterol, metabolic toxins and surplus bile and slips it through the stools.  It helps in propogation of the probiotic bacteria.

Yoga a stress reliever

Yoga not only helps trim your body but also helps to relieve stress.  Breathing exercises has several advantages.  You can do it anywhere and has immediate effect.  Breathing relaxes the muscles and calms the mind.  They help oxygenate the blood stream.  Meditation is the next level once you have learnt the breathing techniques.   Meditation helps increase concentration.  Mediation should be done initially for a few minutes and then increased gradually. Meditation also helps calm the mind.

Once you are stressed start relaxing the different muscles in your body... this may sound difficult as you will have to park the emotions a side for a few minutes.  Start relaxing your facial muscles and then neck, shoulder etc.,  By relaxing you are teaching your body to distress.

Listening to music is also a stress reliever.  When you are tensed start listening to some music and remind yourself of some good memories.  Music can calm your mind and body and also helps lower blood pressure.

Exercising is also a stress buster.  It provides dual benefit of retaining a trim body as well as calms the mind.

For more information on Yoga visit http://www.healthtips.in/yoga_tips_technics.asp

Keep dandruff at bay

Tips to get rid of dandruff

Healthy hair testifies a healthy body.  Following are some tips to have a dandruff free hair

·         Avoid junk and oily food as they are the main reasons for dandruff.

·         Avoid caffine.

·         Avoid hair colouring and applying chemicals if you have dandruff as it will worsen the problem.

·         Oil your  hair regularly.

·         Make a mixture of egg white and lemon juice and apply it on the scalp.  This helps Make a mixture of egg white and lemon juice and apply it on the scalp.  This gives relief from a itchy scalp.

·         Drink plenty of water.

·         Wash your hair regularly in luke warm water.

·         Protect your hair from dust.

·         Consume a balanced diet rich in protein and iron.

Tips to prevent leg cramps

Leg cramps are very painful and often the pain stays for longer periods affecting free movements.  Here are some tips that help preven cramps

 

·         Soothe the pain by dipping your leg in lukewarm water before sleeping.

·         Mildly massaging the affected area with lavender oil could ease pain.

·         Make it a routine to mildly stretch the muscles that are often cramped.

·         Leg cramps at nights can be quiet severe.  Consume a tablespoon of honey before bedtime as honey reduces the chances of muscle contraction.

·         Drink plenty of water.

·         Muscle cramps could also occur due to electrolyte imbalance.  Try to include green leafy vegetables in your diet as often as possible.

·         Potassium intake is very vital, hence consume atleast two bananas daily to keep leg cramps at bay.