Thursday, July 30, 2009

Mascara application tips.

Minimalism is important in summer, like in no other season; the makeup is usually restricted to one product. Mascara is most commonly chosen and the application process transforms into a highly responsible one. Here are some tips which will help you have perfect makeup and make your eyes look ultimately expressive.

Remove Excess Mascara from the Brush
Imagine yourself standing at the mirror, you are holding mascara in your hands, and even have opened it already. Hold it! Check whether there is too much mascara on the brush. If so, remove the excess with a tissue. Do not be greedy since such “generosity” will result in nothing else but clots and weighted eyelashes.

Starting to Apply Mascara
Start from the upper eyelashes first; move the brush from the roots to the tips in a curling manner. While at it, look at first up and then to the side – this way you can cover the corner eyelashes better. Even if you do have some clots left in spite of all the effort you put into the process – remove them with a Q-tip.

Cover Eyelashes from Above
Let the mascara dry up a bit once you are done with the first layer and then carry on. Powder the eyelashes before the “second round” to give them some extra volume. Do not forget to cover them from above, especially if your eyelashes are naturally light-coloured. You may not notice the results of such negligence, but others surely will.

Comb Eyelashes
To complete the process comb the eyelashes with a special small comb. Hold it at the roots from below and then carefully turn it up.

(source:geniusbeauty.com)
stay happy.....
stay healthy...
an000sha!!!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Breathing therapy.

WHAT IS BREATH THERAPY?
Breath Therapy is an original healing art based on ancient Eastern disciplines, as well as modern Western methods. It represents a unique approach to wellness in spirit, mind and body. It was developed over the last 20 years, and it has proven itself to be effective in all psychosomatic illness, and as potent force in the worldwide human potential movement


“Breath Therapy techniques offer quick, effective ways to clear your head, to settle your stomach, to calm your nerves, and to open your heart.”


The nose has a left and a right side; we use both to inhale and exhale.
Actually they are different; you would be able to feel the difference.
The right side represents the sun, left side represents the moon.
During a headache, try to close your right nose and use your left nose to breathe.
In about 5 mins, your headache will be gone? If you feel tired, just reverse, close your left nose and breathe through your right nose.
After a while, you will feel your mind is refreshed.
Right side belongs to ‘hot’, so it gets heated up easily, left side belongs to ‘cold’.
Most females breathe with their left noses, so they get “cooled off” faster.
Most of the guys breathe with their right noses, they get worked up.
Do you notice the moment we wake up, which side breathes faster? Left or right? ?
If left is faster, you will feel tired.
So, close your left nose and use your right nose for breathing, you will get refreshed quickly.
This can be taught to kids, but it is more effective when practiced by adults.
My friend used to have bad headaches and was always visiting the doctor.
There was this period when he suffered headache literally every night, unable to study.
He took painkillers, did not work.
He decided to try out the breathing therapy here: closed his right nose and breathed through his left nose.
In less than a week, his headaches were gone! He continued the exercise for one month.
This alternative natural therapy without medication is something that he has experienced.
So, why not give it a try?
stay happy...
stay healthy...
an000sha!!

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Color therapy.

The effects of color on our moods, health, and way of thinking have been studied by scientists for years. Even an individual's preference for one color over another may be related to the way that color makes the individual feel.
Color can be described as light "visible radiant energy" of certain wavelengths. Photoreceptors in the retina, called cones, translate this energy into colors. The retina contains three kinds of cones: one for blue, one for green, and one for red. We perceive other colors by combining these colors. According to Dr. Alexander Schauss, director of the American Institute for Biosocial Research in Tacoma, Washington, when the energy of color enters our bodies, it stimulates the pituitary and pineal glands. This in turn affects the production of certain hormones, which in turn affect a variety of physiological processes. This explains why color has been found to have such a direct influence on our thought, mood, and behavior; an influence that many experts believe is distinctly separate from psychological and cultural factors. Remarkably, color seems to have an effect even on blind people, who are thought to sense color as a result of energy vibrations created within the body.

Clearly, the color you choose for your clothes and for your home, office, car, and other surroundings can have a profound effect on you.
Colors have been known to ease stress, to fill you with energy, and even to alleviate pain and other physical problems. This idea, it should be noted, is far from new. In fact, the "color your world" concept is part of the ancient Chinese design technique feng shui. When selecting a color to effect a change in mood or to relieve discomfort, it is vital to choose the color suited to your particular objective.

BLUE
Blue has a relaxing, peaceful, and calming effect. Blue lowers the blood pressure, the heart rate, and respiration. In one study, children prone to aggressive behavior became calmer when placed in a blue classroom.
Blue has also been found to make people feel cool in hot and humid environments. To help relieve the pain of ulcers, back problems, insomnia, pain, rheumatism, and inflammatory disorders, surround yourself with blue, and focus your mind on the body part you want to heal while looking at the color. One good place to do this is in the countryside, where the blue of the sky and the water can impart a feeling of calming "oneness" with the universe.

GREEN
As another of nature's most abundant colors, green, like blue, has a soothing and relaxing effect on the body as well as on the mind. People who are depressed or anxious can benefit from green surroundings. Green also helps nervous disorders, exhaustion, heart problems, and cancer. When you are ill, try sitting on a hillside or by a green pasture, and focus on the body part you want to heal. Green may also be a good environmental color for the dieter.

VIOLET
Like blue and green, violet creates a peaceful environment. Violet also suppresses the appetite and is good for scalp and kidney problems and for migraine headaches.

RED
Red The color red stimulates, excites, and warms the body. Red increases the heart rate, brain wave activity, and respiration. The color of passion and energy, red is also good for impotence and frigidity, as well as for anemia, bladder infections, and skin problems. Those who have poor coordination should avoid wearing the color red. In addition, people suffering from hypertension (high blood pressure) should avoid rooms with a red decor, as this can cause their blood pressure to rise.
Conversely, red has a good effect on those with hypotension (low blood pressure).

PINK
Pink has a soothing effect on the body, relaxing the muscles. Because it has been found to have a tranquilizing effect on aggressive and violent people, pink is often used in prisons, hospitals, and juvenile and drug centers. Those suffering from anxiety or withdrawal symptoms can benefit from pink surroundings. Pink is also a good color for the bedroom, where it can help evoke feelings of romance.

ORANGE
Orange is the color of choice for stimulating the appetite and reducing fatigue. Use this color in place mats and tablecloths, for instance; to encourage a finicky eater or to pique the appetite of a person who is ill. This color should be avoided by those who are trying to lose weight. If you are feeling tired or run down try wearing an orange garment to lift your energy level. General weakness, allergies, and constipation may also improve.

YELLOW
Yellow is the most memorable of all the colors. Whenever you want to remember something, jot it down on yellow paper. This color also raises the blood pressure and increases the pulse rate, but to a lesser degree than red does. As the color of sunshine, yellow has an energizing effect; it can help relieve depression. A chromotherapist may use this color to treat muscle cramps, hypoglycemia, overactive thyroid, and gallstones.

BLACK
Black is a "power" color. Try wearing black clothes for a feeling of strength and self -confidence. Black also suppresses the appetite. If you want to lose weight, cover your dining table with a black tablecloth.

(source:secure.earthsaversonline.com )
stay happy..
stay healthy..
an000sha!!

Saturday, July 25, 2009

7 Best Natural Ways To Heal Acne Scars.

Acne is very difficult to deal with and the scars that acne caused can be quite a frustrating and embarrassing problem for any one.
Laser treatment can be helpful for eliminating embarrassing acne scars. But, not everyone can afford to have a laser treatment, so here is the good news for you. There are many ways to eliminate acne scars.
However, you will require lots of patience because it will consume some time to completely get rid off the scars and strong determination is required, followed by conscientious measurements to eliminate the acne scars.


Natural ways to deal with acne scars
1.Drink lots of water: Drinking water is one of the most recommended measures to reduce acne scars. It improves blood circulation in your body and increases the chance of wound-healing-ability to your body. So, you should drink at least 7 to 8 glasses of water everyday, each glass should be around 300ml.

2.Apply honey: It is believed that honey is a great skin builder and wonderfully heals acne scars. You can directly apply honey to acne scars and leave it to settle for about 10 minutes. There after rinse your face with cold water.


3.Eat tomatoes: Tomatoes are rich source of vitamin A and has excellent healing properties to reduce appearance of acne scars. You can eat fresh raw tomatoes everyday to help heal and decrease the appearance of acne scars.

4.Apply Aloe Vera gel: Gel or juice of Aloe Vera is highly useful in fading of acne scars. You can grow Aloe Vera plant in your home and apply freshly taken pure Aloe Vera gel to your scar. Otherwise many branded cosmetic companies manufactures pure Aloe Vera gel, so you can choose the best cosmetic companies to get Aloe Vera gel.

5.Drink lemon juice: Lemon essentially contains good amounts of citric acid, which is a part of AHAs group that has amazing properties to reduce acne scars. Drink lemon juice as often as possible or as much as you want to get rid of acne scars.

6.Apply ice cubes: This is one of the easiest and simplest ways of healing acne scars. Even though it may not give you immediate results, regular application can give you effective results. Apply ice cubes on acne scars for at least 10 to 15 minutes everyday.

7.Reduce stress level: Stress is one of the major causes for acne and it might also disable the healing process of acne. Try to stay away from stress as much as possible. If it is not possible for you, at least explore different stress management techniques to eliminate stress.
Apart from following these particular healing ways, limit your intake of alcohol drinks and include more healthy diet with lots of antioxidant diet along with fruits and vegetables to successfully get rid of acne scars.


(source:skincarebeautyzone.com)
stay happy..
stay healthy...
an000sha!!

Friday, July 24, 2009

First-Aid Kit Essentials

When accident or illness happens having some essential items at your home will make a vast difference. If you have kids or senior people at home then don’t neglect it. So be serious about your first-aid kit & take some time to rearrange all the tools & medicines. Especially for medicines make sure that they have not expired.


• You need to keep a thermometer. For removing ticks & splinters keep tweezers.
• For cutting bandages you need to keep scissors (sharp).
• For measuring liquid medicine keep a spoon or a calibrated cup.
• A hot water bag is very important. It will give relief from pain in joints.
• Keep some peracitamal, medicines to help in digestion, and a few antibiotics. But consult your doctor about the doses.
• Ice pack is an excellent remedy for burns or damage by abrasion or pressure.
• Keep a small but high voltage torch to get a clear look of eyes, ear, throat etc.
• To free an obstruction from stuffed noses, you can keep nasal syringe.
• Make sure that your gloves are in the first-aid box.
• To grease your rectal thermometers keep a bottle of petroleum jelly.
• For sterilization (thermometer & other tools) keep alcohol.
• Keep some pain cure medicines, but consul your doctor about its dose & whether they are applicable for children or not
• You can keep some anti allergic medicines & lotions.
• You must have cough syrup, which is also applicable for children.
• To clean the abraded area & cuts keep hydrogen peroxide.
• To apply on the wound you must keep antibacterial lotion or cream.
• Don’t forget to keep rolling bandage in your first aid kit. Make sure that sterile cotton balls & adhesive tapes are there.
• Last but not the least keeps enough numbers of washable band aid.

(source:coolhealthtips.com)
stay happy..
stay healthy..
anooosha!!

Itch: An embarrassing problem

Itching is one of the most annoying skin ailments. It can make you feel embarrassed in front of others. So remedies are very much required & when you get some easy home remedies then it very easy to reach at a result.

• Aloe Vera is highly recommended for giving you some relief from itch. You can apply directly the gel like liquid coming out from the leaves.

• Make a paste of cinnamon powder & honey (equal quantity) & apply it on the affected area. Leave it for a few minutes & then remove it with cold water.


• Make a hot bath by pouring two cup oatmeal in the water & plunge yourself into it. When you are having itching problem on the large area of your body, this process will help you.

• Sometime coconut oil or liver oil is able to act as useful remedies. You can also use the peppermint bath or add vinegar into your bath water.

• Mixture of water along with apple cider vinegar can give you some effective results.

• Apply a few drop of essential oils like- tea tree or lavender on the area & massage slowly. It will definitely give you some relief. These are so light in nature that you need not make it thin before using.

• If you are experiencing itch because of some insect bite, then create a paste of water & baking powder. Apply it on the affected area & allow it to dry completely.

(source:coolhealthtips.com)

stay happy..

stay healthy..

anooosha!!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Cancer Prevention Tips.

Either we like it or not, cancer affects most of us directly or indirectly. It’s hard to define, who is going to be the patient of cancer.
However cancer prevention is easier than we may think. With slight change in lifestyle, we can minimize our risk of developing any type of cancer.

Avoid smoking
All of us almost daily hear that, the smoking is injurious to health. Eve some packs of cigarettes deliver the warning “smoking causes lung cancer and heart diseases.” Smoking is the most important risk factor for cancers that is in our own control. Except lung cancer, smoking can be the main culprit for many other cancers.

Take good care of your skin
Skin cancer is spreading swiftly, especially among youngsters. Use sunscreen when outdoors, even if it is shady. Try to stay indoor as much as you can, during the sun’s peak hours, from10 am to 2 pm. Uttermost requirement is, to notice your skin’s moles and spots. Any change in your skin needs immediate attention of professional.

Eat fruits and veggies
Fruits and vegetables are the best source of antioxidants, which repair our damaged cells. Green veggies and orange and yellow fruits are well-known in reducing the risks of cancer.

Avoid too much animal fats and smoked or cured foods
Research has proven that, a diet contain lots of animal fat can lead to the development of certain cancers. A diet high in smoked foods, salted fish and meat, and pickled vegetables increases risk factor for cancer.

Cut down alcohol intake
Excessive alcohol drinking regularly increases your risk for cancer. Studies suggest that, men who consume 2 alcoholic drinks and women who have 1 alcoholic drink each day notably increase their risk factors for certain types of cancer.

Exercise
Being obese significantly increases chances of developing cancer. So, exercising to maintain or reach your optimum weight is one of the best defenses against cancer.
Family history
Cancers can be genetic; knowing your family history can be helpful and would let you to make, more accurate decisions about your healthcare. It can also aid in genetic testing or counseling and to find out, whether you carry a mutated gene that can cause cancer.
Chemicals exposure
If you are exposed to fumes, dust, chemicals, during your work, you must know what you are being exposed to. Gasoline, exhaust diesel, arsenic, polyvinyl chloride, nickel, coal by- products, mustard gas, and chloromethyl ethers are all carcinogens and can be easily found in some work environments especially in industry. It’s your right to talk to your employer about limiting exposure.
Safe sex
Unsafe sex can lead to the infection of the HPV virus, an identified cause for cervical cancer. HPV is a virus transmitted through sexual intercourse.
Regular screening tests
Make sure you have regular screening tests like the Pap smear and mammogram, for women, and a DRE (digital rectal exam) for man. The Pap and DRE can detect cellular changes before they become cancerous, and the mammogram may detect breast cancer before time.
(source:coolhealthtips.com)
stay happy...
stay healthy...
anooosha!!

Benefits of Laughter in Stress Management.

Stress happens for several reasons. Excessive stress can even decay your health & without a good health you cannot enjoy the benefits of healthy living. So take it seriously & try to live a joyful life. There are several things that work as a stress reliever. But laughter is something for which you don’t need to do any extra activities. It’s a very common thing for common people.

• It helps to lower the stress hormones (epinephrine, costisol etc). It also strengthens the healthy hormones (endorphins etc).
• Laughter increases the number of cells (antibody producing) & produces a deep or vivid impression of T cells.
• Laughter always provides a means of support, like emotional & physical release.
• A healthy belly laugh works out the shoulders, contracts the abs, exercises the diaphragm & also afterward leaves your muscles more relaxed.
• It always keeps a distance from stress, guilt, anger & other negative emotions. Humour gives us a light hearted prospect.
• Laughter tends to spread from person to person, so help others (around you) to laugh. It lowers the stress level and lifts up your mood.

How to Use Laughter:

• You can watch funny television shows.
• Have a party with friends & have some fun.
• Instead of living a depressed, frustrated life find humour within your life. Be positive all the time .

(source:coolhealthtips.com)

stay happy..

stay healthy..

anooosha!!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Green tea.

Green tea has been enjoyed by people in China and Japan for thousands of years. Over the time it has become widely known in the West.


A lot of people nowadays have heard that green tea benefits the overall health, but not a lot know why exactly. And believe me after I've learned all the health benefits of green tea, I get completely different feeling every time I drink it. I not only enjoy the taste of it but I also get the moral satisfaction knowing that I am doing something right and extremely healthy for my body. I want you to have exactly the same feeling I have, so here are the benefits that you get while sipping delicious cup of tea.

Green tea contains anti-oxidants that:

  • Helps to prevent cancer.
    The is some strong evidence that green tea included in you every day diet can reduce bladder, colon, esophageal, pancreas, rectum, and stomach cancer up to 60%. An antioxidant known as "epigallocatechin gallate" (EGCG for short) is at least 100 more times more effective than vitamin C and 25 times more effective than vitamin E at protecting cells from harmful influence.
    The amazing thing about it that EGCG it not only inhibits the growth of new cancer cells it also kills some of the existing cancer sells without harming the healthy ones.
  • Lowers "bad" cholesterol (known as LDL) and improves the ratio of "good" cholesterol (known as HDL). It explains why tea-drinkers can eat almost twice the foods containing cholesterol as a those who don't drink green tea, but still have an equal cholesterol count.
  • Stops the unnatural formation of blood cloth which if not taken care of will cause thrombosis. It takes on added importance if you consider that thrombosis is one of the main causes of strokes and heart attacks.
  • Reduces high blood pressure by repressing angiotensin II which causes constriction of the blood vessels causing high blood pressure.
  • Lowers blood sugar (polyphenols and polysaccharides are the two main antioxidants are especially effective in lowering blood sugar). That helps prevent and relieve type-two diabetes.
  • Protects liver against toxins like alcohol and chemicals in cigarette smoke.
  • Promotes oral health by suppress the process of plaque formation and destroys the bacteria that forms plaque. It also destroys bacteria that causes bad breath, so after eating something sweet I suggest you drink a cup of green tea.
  • Destroys free radicals that cause aging.
  • Boosts your immune system function ( because of it's high concentration of polyphenols and flaveboids).
  • Possess antibacterial and antiviral properties. Recent studies show that green tea inhibits the spread of disease, speeds up recovery from cold and flu. It also kills seven strains of food poisoning bacteria including clostridium, botulus and staphylococcus (which makes it a good treatment for diarrhea).
  • Helps your body to maintain healthy fluid balance and relieve fatigue and stress often caused by dehydration.
  • Blocks main receptors that produce allergic reactions.
  • Stimulates metabolism, calorie burning process and is wildly being used as an important part of a healthy diet.

    It is important to know that black tea, even though it comes from the same plant as a green tea, will not give you the same benefits. Black tea during fermentation process loses most of its medical benefits.

    The best way to preserve all the disease-fighting nutritions is to drink your tea freshly brewed. All the decaffeinated, ready-to-drink bottled or instant teas will give you very little of natural health compounds. It is better to let your tea steep for about 4-5 minutes before drinking it.

stay healthy..

stay happy..

an000sha!!

Tomato.

The humble tomato is one item no kitchen shelf is ever without, no matter what the season or location. Perhaps this is why most of us take the tomato for granted and do not appreciate the tremendous health and beauty benefits it brings.


Not many of us relish getting pelted on the face with tomatoes, but believe it or not, tomatoes are excellent for the skin. In fact, as far as anti-ageing products go, tomatoes rank high on the list.

Tomatoes are rich in anti-oxidants and so they counter the ageing effects on the skin, by cutting out the number of free radicals in your body. Free radicals break down the support system for your hair and skin, so it makes sense to eat a tomato a day.

In addition, tomatoes help preserve moisture levels in the body. In the summer or winter, when our skin is exposed to artificial heating or cooling, moisture levels in our body fall. We need to constantly replenish this water supply, or our body will start sucking moisture from the skin and the hair. In addition to eating a tomato a day, it makes sense to drink no less than 10 to 12 glasses of water daily.

If your skin is oily, you can apply tomatoes to your face. It counters oily skin by absorbing surplus oil and also helps get rid of pimples and acne. Apply undiluted tomato paste to your face and leave on for 15 minutes. Wash off with warm, not hot, water. In addition, tomatoes also help lighten the complexion, especially if mixed with cucumber juice. This makes a great face mask for oily skin. Place a cucumber slice on each eyelid and cover the rest of your face with the mask, taking care to avoid the delicate under-eye area.

If your skin is dry, you can add some day-old curd to the tomato paste and then apply to your skin. Tomato masks have excellent anti-ageing properties, so start applying them once you cross the age of 25.

If your skin starts burning when you apply to tomato mask, wash it off. You should feel a gentle tingling sensation after applying the tomato but if it stings too much, you could wash it off and add curd before applying the mask.

Do you have a boil or a pimple? Apply tomato paste to it. The acids from the tomato will soothe the pain of a boil and will also speed its recovery.

Slightly red cheeks looks healthy and very appealing. Eating tomatoes regularly gives you a pink and glowing complexion, so eat up!

Hair Tip
If ever your hair has absorbed foul odour which you are not able to lose despite shampooing it, a great way to neutralize this odour and get rid of the smell would be to apply undiluted tomato paste to your scalp. Leave on for fifteen minutes and then wash it off. Your hair should be odour-free, and dandruff free.

stay happy..

stay healthy..

an000sha!!


Monday, July 13, 2009

Foods That Help to Improve Eyesight .

Based on information provided by the U.S. National Eye Institute, results of nutrition and eye health food studies have shown that consuming certain foods provides ocular nutrition. In other words, using food to improve eyesight and nutrition to improve eye health has been proven by studies. Here is a list of food to improve eyesight:



  • Ocular nutrition with collard greens, kale and spinach.

  • Studies show that eating foods rich in carotenoids is associated with reduced risk of developing age-related macular degeneration. Foods rich in carotenoids are leafy green vegetables such as spinach, collard greens and kale. Macular eye nutrition becomes increasingly important as we age.


  • Ocular nutrition with green vegetables and corn.

  • Another study on ocular nutrition has shown a reduced likehood of developing cataracts for persons with diets higher in lutein and zeaxanthin. Foods high in these two carotenoids are broccoli, collard greens, corn, green peas, kale, romaine lettuce, spinach, turnip greens and zucchini. Lutein is also found in egg yolks.

    Persons with diets high in lutein and zeaxanthin were also less likely to need cataract surgery. In another study, persons ages 40-59 with macular eye nutrition diets high in lutein and zeaxanthin may experience reduced risk of developing adult macular degeneration.


  • Ocular nutrition with blueberries, apricots and bilberries.

  • Besides the studies reported by the National Eye Institute above, other studies exist on ocular nutrition and foods that improve eye sight.

    Eating blueberries has been associated with the reduction of eye fatigue. Blueberries are related to cranberries, and both also help the body resist urinary tract infections.

    Apricots are rich in nutrients such as beta carotene and lycopene that help promote good vision. Beta carotene is converted as needed by the body to vitamin A, an important antioxidant that resists oxidative stress damage to cells and tissues, including the eye lenses. Continued oxidative stress may result in the development of cataracts or damage the blood supply to the eyes and lead to macular degeneration.

    Bilberries grow on small bushes and were used by British pilots to improve their night vision and eye health night vision. Fresh bilberries and bilberry jams would be sources of this ocular nutrition food. Bilberry seems to improve eye health by increasing the blood supply to the eyes (smoking, for example, decreases the blood supply to the eyes). The substance in bilberry that nourishes eye tissue is called anthocyanosides.


  • Ocular nutrition with cold water fish and Omega 3 fish oil.

  • Cold-water fish such as salmon, tuna, cod, haddock as well as sardines are rich in the healthy Omega 3 oils. For example, Eskimos have almost no incidence of open-angle glaucoma with their diet rich in Omega 3 cold-water fish which maybe is the best foods for optic nerve. Omega 3 is also associated with numerous other health benefits relating to improving heart health, arthritis symptoms relief and lowering chosterol. It is certainly one of the best foods for clear eyesight and eye health.
    stay happy..
    stay healthy..
    An000sha!!

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Top 5 ways to trick yourself into being happy.

There are a lot of unhappy people running around these days. The 21st century has started out rather unfortunately in a number of ways. It began with the whole Y2K computer scare, followed shortly after by the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York City, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania. Then, much of the world became entrenched in wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, where terrorism techniques have become more sophisticated and effective than ever before. Not to mention the global economic meltdown that's affected nearly every nation on the planet. Yes, there are plenty of reasons for people to be unhappier than ever. However, people continue to crave happiness; luckily, we can actually make our own happiness when our lives and surroundings are short on it.

1: Go Work Out For Once
Even a single workout can have a noticeable effect on your mood. Aerobic exercise triggers the release of pleasure-inducing neurotransmitters in the brain. While exercise has been proven to improve one's mood, its duration has recently been found to last a lot longer than anyone previously thought. A 2009 study presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine found that the post-exercise "glow" can last as long as 12 hours, happily affecting your entire day

2:use your money to do something good for some one else.
People like to congratulate themselves when they commit a selfless, altruistic act, like donating to charity or helping a stranger in need. While these things certainly are nice and make the world a cheerier place, there's actually isn't any such thing as a truly selfless act. It sounds a bit cynical, but MRI studies show that when we do an act of kindness for someone else, we're actually getting something in return -- pleasure. The brain's reward center, the region that's activated when something good happens to us, also comes to life when we do something nice for someone else.This means chemicals that produce happy feelings -- like dopamine -- flood our brains when we cover the toll for the person in the car behind us or pick up an extra cheeseburger for a homeless guy when we're out at lunch.

3: Try the 5 Percent Trick
Sometimes, a lack of happiness comes from feeling overwhelmed by all of the tasks we face in our personal and professional lives. Leisure time is quickly becoming a thing of the past. Even when we're not at work, we devote very little of the time we spend at our own discretion to our passions .. Instead, we spend our time off taking care of all of the things that accumulate in our lives while we're working, like cleaning the house or going to see a doctor. These things still need to be done, however, and when they're allowed to accumulate they tend to look more like a mountain than a laundry list. Taking things a little at a time helps you gain a happier outlook on all the stuff you've got going on in your life.

4: Treat Yourself to a Tasty and Healthy Meal
Simply put, fresh foods are happier foods than processed foods. How would we know? It turns out that the chemicals in your brain that create feelings of happiness are produced by some of the foods we eat. Foods that contain complex carbohydrates -- like legumes and whole-grain breads -- slowly release glucose, which provides lasting energy and protects against chronic fatigue. Folate, which is found in foods like spinach, is a B vitamin that's essential to the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that stabilizes mood. The pleasure-inducing chemical dopamine contains tyrosine and phenylalanine, a pair of amino acids that can be found in protein-packed foods like fish, meat and beans.

5: Hang Out With Smiling People
When you see another person smiling, what emotion do you imagine he or she's experiencing? Is it safe to assume that person is happy? Of course it is. We humans associate smiling with happiness, and if we associate with happy people, we can become happier as well.

(source:howstuffworks.com)


stay happy...

stay healthy...

An000sha!!

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Home remedies for pimple scars.

Acne scarring occurs when the visible remnants of acne are permanently left on the skin after the acne itself subsides. True scarring is to be distinguished from macules, or reddish spots that mark the site of prior acne.



  1. Make a paste of sandalwood powder and rosewater to be left overnight on the scars. Even a paste of sandalwood and black gram paste works wonders in removing acne scars. If you suffer from dark acne scars, you can use lemon juice to remove the scars.
  2. Before applying lemon juice, you just have to clean the scars with warm water. Then dab a teaspoon of lemon juice on cotton ball to be applied on the scars. Leave this for ten to fifteen minutes and see the results.However with this treatment, it is important that you wear some sunscreen before going into the sun as lemon juice can make your skin photosensitive.
  3. A mixture of cucumber and lemon juice, or honey with lemon juice is also effective in removing acne scars. However this option is not advised to those having oily skin.
  4. Another effective homemade remedy to remove acne scars is a paste of gram flour, turmeric, lemon juice and curds. Leave this mixture on for about ten to twenty minutes and you will see the difference.
  5. A mixture of a tablespoon of yogurt, sour cream and grinded oatmeal with a few drops of lemon juice is also effective in treating scars if left on your face for ten minutes and then rinsed.
  6. Paste of Turmeric and lemon works GREAT on scars !!!

stay happy..

stay healthy....

An000sha!!

Natural remedy for stress.

Even though summer is just around the corner and the sun is shining more helping each and every one of us get our happy intake of vitamin D, stress still hides behind the sun’s rays and especially in these terrible economic times, stress relief is going to be hard to come by. Not if you take this highly praised “Queen of Herbs,” say naturalists and nutritionists across the world. The Queen is called tulsi in India where it is used often, but here in America we call it holy basil. This natural remedy is popular for its anti-inflammatory effects and antioxidant properties, but most well-known for its success in relieving stress.

For centuries, holy basil—known scientifically as Ocimum sanctum—has been popular in its native India and revered in the religious tradition of Hinduism. This herb has been the go-to remedy for all sorts of bodily conditions, as well as ailments of the mind and spirit, which is why it is considered so healing for those practicing Hindu, as it is representative of the natural trinity of healing: mind, spirit, and body.

Being stressed out over work, family, bills, or social pressures, can make adhering to a normal and healthy diet more difficult. The mix of multi-tasking, constantly worrying, and trying to maintain your body with added stress and time constraints often implodes in a cloud of emotions. If you feel your stress level is about to implode, think about adding a little holy basil to your everyday life. Holy basil comes in liquid extract form (that can be dropped into water, tea, or juice) as well as liquid capsules for easier consumption.

Not only will holy basil reduce your stress level and help to calm those possibly- mploding emotions, this helpful herb will add to your immunity levels and protect you from other serious bodily complications in the future. An herbalist from Planetary Ayurvedics, Roy Upton, explains how stress influences your body in negative ways resulting in pain and general suffering, “Stress can elevate cortisol levels, which triggers the production of inflammatory COX-2 enzymes. This cascade effect then influences blood sugar changes and increases metabolic inflammation. Research has shown that ursolic acid and the triterpenoic acids, isolated from holy basil, effectively improve the body's response to stress.”
stay happy.....
stay healthy..
An000sha!!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Skin Care: Facial Steaming.

Our search for a more youthful appearance seems a constant quest, and how ironic that we find answers in practices from ancient times. For instance, using steam to cleanse the body dates back to Roman times when baths featuring a combination of steaming, cleaning, and massage appeared wherever the Romans made conquests. In our more modern times, steaming is used as part of a beauty salon facial.

Facial steaming has many benefits:
• Opens your pores
• Removes dead skin cells
• Improves circulation
• Allows for deep cleansing
• Is helpful for acne and blackheads

Facial steaming can be done on a weekly basis as part of your beauty routine and is an excellent precursor for your facial mask.

Reaping all the benefits, without the high cost of a beauty salon treatment, you can easily perform the steam at home. All you need is your face, cleanser, a pot, water, and a large towel.

1. Remove make up and cleanse your face using soap and water or your preferred cleanser. Gently pat skin dry after rinsing.
2. Fill pot with approximately three cups of water and bring to boil.
3. Transfer the water to a shallow wide bowl.
4. Keeping your face at least one foot away from the steam, place the towel over your head to form a tent around your head and the bowl of water. The steam should feel warm and soothing-NOT HOT! If the steam is too hot or you are uncomfortable at any time, STOP IMMEDIATELY!
5. Remain under the towel for 5-10 minutes, then rinse with cool water to close and tighten your pores.
6. Follow with a facial mask or a light moisturizer.

You might also try adding skin friendly herbs such as green tea, chamomile, lavender, or peppermint in your steaming water. Steep one herbal teabag in a cup and add to the hot water. BEFORE USING ANY HERBS ON YOUR SKIN, be sure that you are not allergic or have skin sensitivities.

Another facial steaming method is:

1. Cleanse your face.
2. Thoroughly soak a clean washcloth under hot, running water. Wring out the excess water and place over your face.
3. When the cloth becomes cool (usually less than one minute), remove and repeat step two again. To get the best results, you may need to repeat between 5-10 times.
4. Rinse with cool water and follow with a facial mask or light moisturizer.

Remember that using too high of a temperature, for either facial steaming method, can do more harm than good. Excessive steam can burn your skin; be very careful and only do what is comfortable for you. Check with your doctor before facial steaming if you have sensitive skin or any skin condition.

Since the steam releases impurities in the skin, it is normal for a few blemishes to pop up. However, for normal skin, the number of blemishes that appear after steaming will lesson over time. Your skin’s appearance will improve with the regular use of facials.

Foods that steal your sleep.

Sleep is one of the most important necessities of life, as is evidenced by the plethora of studies and articles recently published about this daily occurrence. Whether it is the comforts necessary for a good nights sleep or the fact that many people find that good sleep helps them keep their personal and professional dreams, what I have found is that sleep acts much like a nutrient, vital for keeping you healthy, just like the foods, beverages, and supplements people consume everyday.

If you don’t like to skip meals, why would you want to skimp on sleep? Believe it or not there are foods that should be avoided at or near bedtime. The following is a list of those foods which can rob you of precious hours of shut-eye.

Anything Spicy
Foods with cayenne pepper, chili flakes, curry powder, large amounts of garlic, jalapenos, and other spices may flavor your food, but they can keep you up at night by irritating your stomach and intestines with ailments like heartburn, indigestion, and acid reflux. Also, MSG can cause you to have intense dreams that can also wake you up in the middle of the night.

Too Much Food
An evening meal over 500 calories can cause you to bloat and become overstuffed. Also, eating late can cause problems as your digestion could upset your sleep routine and cause you a fitful night of unrest. Experts say that lunch should be your heaviest meal because you have the rest of the day to digest. Eating too late at night can also spark unhappy dreams and late night informercial watching because your upset stomach is keeping you awake.

Alcohol & Caffeine
Alcohol is a downer, causing you to become sleepy a little while after you imbibe, but over a few hours you are sure to wake up if you had a few drinks and went right to sleep. Coffee, on the other hand, is known as an upper and drinking caffeine late in the day can cause you to become an insomniac and unable to fall asleep at night. Since every person has their cut off point, some can stand to drink caffeine all day while others can only have one cup in the morning. Experiment going without caffeine and having coffee, tea, or your favorite caffeinated product at different times during the day to determine your personal caffeine limit.

Eating Too Fast
Hunger can be a terrible enemy and waiting too long between meals or eating too little during the day can make people aggravated. When you eat too fast you end up swallowing a bunch of air. With air trapped in your stomach, sleeping can be a problem.

Gas-Producing Foods
Beans, cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts, are all healthy and great for nutrition, but eating them too close to bed time can cause gas to get trapped in your digestive system and are sure to disturb your REM cycle.

If you succeed in avoiding all of these steps to a good rest and still have trouble sleeping, another option is to keep a food journal in order to track what you eat on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. You can also record successful sleep this way and find out which food and drink routines are best for keeping you dreaming for longer. Stay tuned for another article on the foods that help you sleep easier.

stay happy..
stay healthy.....
an000sha!!