Mind Body Spirit and Soul

Healing with Tea

2009-07-03T23:46:00.000-07:00

Want to think straighter or breathe easier so that you will be happier? It is easy, just that the next time you need caffeine fix, opt for tea rather than coffee.

Tea creates a state of relaxed alertness, which seems to me like an oxymoronic term but is actually true as it is the only plant that contains both brain stimulants and muscle relaxants! What that meant is that it makes us think straighter!

We may not know that tea also contains the amino acid, L-theanine that wakes the part of our brain that deals with wellbeing, and inhibits the part that causes anxiety, in short, we will be happier!

Besides, the chemicals in tea stimulate the lungs, helping us breathe deeply and take in more oxygen to the brain. That also explains why sitting down with a cuppa helps us take a step back and get our priorities in order.

Scent Shopping

2009-07-01T13:44:00.000-07:00

I believe if we are buying fragrance for ourselves, we would want those that only bring out our best scent, right? No worries, here is a quick list on how to pick the perfect perfume at the counter when does our scent shopping:

Do spray the fragrance on a scent strip first. If you like it, dab it on and take a walk to see how it wears on you.

Do block your left nostril and sniff through your right nostril when trying out a scent. Know why? This helps to heighten the pleasure factor.

Don’t test out more than three scents at a time when do our scent shopping, because the scent will be missed together in the air and will only confuse our nose!

Don’t be afraid to ask questions at the fragrance counter, such as about the ingredients used, the inspiration for the product and so on. It is good to let the salesperson know a little about our preference, whether we like romantic, sporty or classic scents.

Fact – Eating antioxidants to Save Skin

2009-06-30T14:55:00.000-07:00

According to American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, i.e. eating antioxidants may not be enough to save our skin.

Eat smart, certainly. But know that when it comes to benefiting from all that goodness, skin is at the back of the line.

Add the stress of dehydration, pollution, sun, and it’s no wonder skin needs sustenance against the eventual damage, what we commonly referred to as lines, wrinkles and uneven skin tone.

Clinique has this daily moisturizer, i.e. New Continuous Rescue™ Antioxidant Moisturizer that contains a complex of eight antioxidants, both rapid and delayed-release, dedicated to our skin that helps keep it strong, and at the same time helps prevent visible signs of aging.

I would say this is great news for undernourished skins everywhere.

Better still, Clinique, is allergy tested, and 100% fragrance free.

My thoughts to unwind the Powerful Sense of Smell!

2009-06-20T05:46:00.000-07:00

Do you think the sense of smell is a powerful thing? Have you ever gotten a whiff of something and a past memory kicked into gear? Think that you have the experience of sitting next to someone wearing the wrong perfume, and just wanted to get away as fast as you can, right?

Frankly, I don’t know much about perfumery and smell, but do love a massage, and to take baths in products which contain essential oils. In fact, the feeling of soaking away muscle tension, body aches and pains, and the benefits of the essential oil fragrance being released into the moist air from the bath get me addicted to it, I guess!

I believe the sense of smell is powerful, if not guys wouldn’t go and find fragrances that enhance the qualities that describe an aphrodisiac, agree? Also, many may not know that the smell from aromatherapy products can actually turn our home (or home fragrance, depend on how you want to word it) into a private spa, some even said a romantic hideaway! Say for example, Lavender, one of my favorite fragrances that have very soothing properties for relaxation, can be used to relieve headaches. Studies have shown that the fragrance of Lavender sends a calming message to our brain that counters adrenalin producing stress signals.

How does one get therapy from the powerful sense of smell? Not that complicated as we think, we can usually achieve this using selected essential oils, or by walking through an herb garden and gliding our hands over certain herbs such as Lavender, Rosemary, or Lemon Balm. Who knows, you are like me love the smell left on my hands after touching Lavender! Well, one can always get this powerful sense of smell from popular stores like Sabon NYC, an bath & body store that one can find handmade soap and much more..."

Men and Sexy Lingerie

2009-04-04T19:00:00.000-07:00

Men, have you ever thought of buying sexy lingerie for your wife, partner or girlfriend? If so, I guess you are like many men and wanted to know how to navigate this minefield, right?

In general, choosing something sexy does not always mean excessively lacy. What this means is that, smooth fabrics such as silk and satin will make her feel luxurious and will look better under blouses and fitted tops.

Frankly, men may not know that lingerie can actually bring to the mind a whole lot of ideas, as some are simply comforting whereas others can make our life a little more interesting, exciting and perhaps passionate. For example, if you like to see your lover in different avatars every time, or dress your lover as a baby doll or as a sexy nurse, then baby doll or fantasy lingerie which contains stunning color range, is something you may want to consider. On the same note, you will find more costumes that will brighten up your imagination too.

Well, as far as famous and sought after sexy lingerie is concerned, it basically boils down to: Sheer lingerie, G-Strings-Thongs, Lace Lingerie, Corsets and Baby doll or Fantasy lingerie.

Worries about the size? Never, as you will find plus size lingerie in all the above famous and those sought after lingerie. Confused on which type of sexy lingerie to buy? The best is don’t be afraid to ask, in fact, women ask many questions when come to buy sexy lingerie, but men usually tend to ask even more, to what I know!

Customers and New Businesses through Good Trade Show Display

2009-02-27T17:46:00.000-08:00

Wanted to reach a large number of customers? Then think about it through good trade show exhibitions. In fact, I just realized that it is not that difficult, what we need to have is some attractive trade show displays that can vividly describe our products or services. To learn more about different kind of displays and their features, we should research various trade show display companies on Internet or through the yellow pages. One such company that I can think of is Camel Displays, a one stop supplier of exhibits and complete accessories to all types of companies who have exhibiting or event needs. You may want to take a look of what they have in store for truss, logo floor mats, exhibit booths, and lot more here.

Nevertheless, it is good if we have some basic knowledge of different types of displays and their advantages. In fact, I was told that to do well, we have to depend on having the right displays at the tradeshow. In addition, a good display should clearly show our business identity and the nature of our products or service.

Before choosing a display for our trade show, it is advisable to approach those professional with expertise in constructing displays. Bear in mind that the best display should present the products, services, and company image that we want to communicate with our target audience. Over here, the designs and graphics are considered to be the two most important things we have to check before hand.

Usually those trade show display manufacturing companies will offer design samples on their websites to give their customers an idea of what their products are like, as well as providing full support with all their accessories and parts to work with the designer of our choice in order to give our exhibit the maximum impact. What is important here is to have a company that give us reasonable prices with good service and upgrade quality.

Can shoes help to attract women for love, romance and relationship?

2009-02-23T14:02:00.000-08:00

Hi guys, do you know that shoes are very important to single women? Do some research or ask around, you will know that women spend a lot of time shopping for them, talking about them, and of course spend a lot of time trying to figure out which shoes to wear with each outfit. In short, they are obsessed with shoes, right? (Just look in their closets and I'm sure you will find varieties of shoes for every occasion, if not tons of shoes!)

Will it present a good opportunity for guys? The answer is definitely a “Yes.” This is simply because they will judge you by the shoes you wear and how they look in appearance.

For example, if a guy wears scuffed, unpolished, or out of date shoes, he is going to make a bad impression and that's the last thing he wants to do. Well, we may not know that part of the art of attracting women for love, romance, and a potential relationship is making a good impression on them.

On the other hand, if a guy wants to really turn women off, the best advice is to wear dirty sneakers or perhaps to wear old unsightly golf shoes on dates. Sound not a bad idea, right?

Try it, you will see the effects on how shoes can help (or otherwise) to attract women for love, romance, and relationship!

Mind Body Spirit connection to Wealth and Success

2009-01-12T15:38:00.000-08:00

Is it worth to grow wealth in the mind body spirit?
Do we view a healthy trinity of mind body spirit as wealth in and of itself?
Do we think wealth and success could be achieved as an outcome of the improvement and augmentation of our mind body spirit?
Do we think if our mind, our body and our spirit are not in proper alignment, we will not find satisfaction in our success?
Do we think a strong body and a peaceful mind can make us strong in spirit?
Can being sound in health make us wealthy or vice versa?

I look at it this way, our mind plays its role on our overall health of our body as it receives messages from other parts of our body regarding aches, appetite, exhaustion and others. At the same time, it prompts and directs our body to perform tasks such as breathing, running, act of caring and love and so on.

After the mind, comes our body which is another significant part of the human structure. I believe you would agree with me that being depressed and anxious can lead to reduced levels of energy while mental exertion will lead to a weak body immune to fight off maladies and sicknesses.

For spirit, I would think that it enable us to act beyond our intellectual capacity, i.e. comes to our rescue when we are down and in need of a savior. Spirituality indeed has a deep impact on both our mind and our bodily health.

Whether we like it or not, wealth accumulation is usually a slow process. But for us and our body, life is a long journey and the health of the mind and spirit must travel within us. If not, we will come to a point to be frustrated by an unsound body or a mind that won't support healthy living! Isn’t wealth does not exclude ill health or an unhealthy mind? Does it make sense that the best way to grow wealth is to grow our mind body spirit?

However, like others, it is always easier said than done to create wealth in our mind body spirit, though many of us do appreciate and learn about the positive effects it has on human. I think the toughest part to create wealth in our mind body spirit is that it required us to maintain a positive balance between enjoyment of life and behaviors as well as commitment to issues and projects that often mean more than just monetary values, or put in another way, to follow some sound principles of living, i.e. something that can help us have balance, peace and truth, in return this helps us have a strong body, a peaceful mind that go for a strong spirit; and to know ourselves and observe how the world works.

I agreed that create wealth in our mind body spirit requires hard work and dedication and often sacrifice. It is known that hard work and dedication can contribute to wear and tear on our body and mind and the pursuit of wealth can wear down our spirit. But often we will notice that our spirit can inspire the body, and mental strength can inspire even weak-minded people to reach their goals. Therefore, can I say that a healthy trinity of mind body spirit as wealth in and of itself? If not, why many wealthy people would give everything they have to be healthy again, and why many people with great intelligence wish their bodies were healthy enough to sustain longer life. Can we say that those in possession of a healthy mind body spirit can be considered already wealthy?

What about mind body spirit on success? I think if we are not taking good care of ourselves, we will come to a point not be able to celebrate our accomplishments when it comes. Without self care, we will create situations and responses that will distract our mind from the focus attention we require to build long-term success. For instance, anxiety, stress, feeling overwhelmed, depression, communication problems, relationships issues and substance abuse can be serious challenges when our mind body spirit is not in focus or not in alignment, in fact it can sabotage our path toward success and ruin our celebration of accomplishment. Can I say that if we do not have our mind, our body and our spirit in proper alignment, we will not find great satisfaction in our success?

What I find interesting about the connection is that by learning to take better care of our mind and our body, we help connect them in a positive way with our spirit. When our spirit is strong we are more tolerant and accepting, even of ourselves. In short, our passion for our life can be amplified and our life can find better balance and we are less a victim to internal and external influences and distractions. With the positive connections of mind body spirit, we are sure to achieve greater productivity with less effort and discomfort, what that means is that our successes can flourish and satisfy us more.

Can I say that the more we strive for wealth in our mind body spirit, as a balanced whole, the more we will get from our life?

Thoughts on Valentine Gifts

2009-01-08T15:03:00.000-08:00

Think you will agree with me that gifts constitute the nitty-gritty of a Valentine’s Day. In fact, gift giving on Valentine's Day is a symbolic gesture and a token of love and appreciation for the people or perhaps special people that ignite and brighten up our mind body spirit and soul in our life.

Believe you would agree with me that Valentine flowers are one such popular item amongst all the gifts option that we could think of, right?

To me, Gifts for your Valentine are not only meant for those who are married, engaged or in love, we could also send the Valentine flowers to our parents, grandparents, favorite aunt or uncle, our kids, those who are in care facilities, or perhaps even our boss as it is indeed a good time to thank and to show our appreciation towards others that deserved it.

What Valentine's Day flowers to send? My top pick would be Roses, however, you might want to choose tulips, lilies, orchids or a stunning combination of exotic flowers whichever suit you and your recipient. Whatever it is, I think the essence of gift giving should override the lavishness of the gift itself.

As for the containers, there are also many for us to choose from, for example, there are vases, baskets, bowls as well as others that we could creatively come up with. For lovers, who knows they may come up with something like a heart-shaped pendant embossed with a Valentine’s Day message or a red rose preserved in gold! (Oh, this does not seem happen to me!)

Wherever we place our Valentine's Day flowers, make sure we do it several days before Valentine’s Day and that it can be delivered by Valentine’s Day.

Cheers and may the Valentine’s Day brighten up our mind body spirit and soul!

How small steps can make us eco-friendly

2009-01-06T16:19:00.001-08:00

Does this help us in terms of better body mind spirit? Is it difficult to do?

Designer Anya Hindmarch created a stir with her canvas tote bag, printed with the words "I'm Not A Plastic Bag." How does this help? It encouraged people to use less plastic bags. In fact, this became a cult hit after celebs like Keira Knightley were spotted carrying it. Well, I think we don't need to get a designer handbag, just bring our own cloth bag to the supermarket!

Guess many do not know that plants do store carbon dioxide (CO2), so if a plant dies, all the CO2 locked away will be released. What this means is that, if we want to start a planting project, be sure we are committed to tending to our garden and maintaining the plants. If don’t, they may die and release more CO2 into the atmosphere. Just another small knowledge and we will on our way to have better mind body spirit, right?

What Leonardo diCaprio, an avid environmentalist said about a better environment, i.e. He says, "Global warming is one of the most important issues facing humanity. It's something that's going to affect us, our children, grandchildren... and generations to come."

I believe he acted on what he said by driving fuel-saving electric car around Hollywood as well as established the Leonardo diCaprio Foundation in 1998 to foster better awareness of environmental issues. Don’t you agree with me the above small steps are something that we could model for a better mind body spirit and perhaps soul?

The Laugh Therapy

2009-01-03T20:44:00.000-08:00

Want a better mind body spirit or perhaps firmer skin? I think one of the best ways is to "Laugh" more! Dr. Madan Kataria, author of Laugh for No Reason, says that having a good stitch-in-the-sides chuckle often, can help us tone up to have a better mind body spirit, needless to say this includes our facial muscles as it helps improve our blood circulation thus leaving us feeling the glowing of oh-so-naturally!

Dr. Kataria is known for inventing the "laughter yoga therapy" 12 years ago with the premise that we can actually laugh without the traditional jokes or funny occasions. The thing is why must we put up such an act?

Studies showed “Laughing” will get us release our "happy hormones" called endorphins that inadvertently allow us to release stress and strengthen the immune system and our facial muscles as well. Since our body cannot distinguish a fake laugh from a real one, and will transmit signals to the brain to release endorphins regardless, thus leaving us in a good mood.

To have this, strive to engage in mindless giggles for at least 10 to 15 minutes a day, and in no time, we will feel lighter on our feet and our mind body spirit in good shape too!

Thoughts on Relieving Stress and Stress Management

2009-01-03T20:42:00.001-08:00

It is probably fair to say that the greatest threat to our health today, i.e. mind body spirit, at least in the developed countries, is having more stress than we are able to handle or on how to naturally relieving stress. The increasing pace of lifestyles, the complexity of many professions, not to mention changes and added strains in relationships due to greater mobility and thus distance from others, has put considerable burdens on our body natural stress relief systems.

Nearly all natural health therapies place great importance on stress as a probable factor in ill-health, and yet people need a certain amount of stress in order to become motivated and develop; so what is the problem?

Our internal stress management coping mechanisms was originally developed to cope with potentially life-threatening situations, the so-called “fight or flight” adaptation. However, these biochemical changes are all too often brought into play by other factors nowadays, from meeting deadlines or work crises to receiving the latest bill. When the body is placed in an almost constant state of alert, the adrenal glands become tired eventually and people are depleted and panicky rather than stimulated and awake.

These problems have been recognized for a long time, and most natural stress management therapies will offer some help with stress relief related techniques and one of the natural stress relief techniques is to keep reminding ourselves to take time to relax and allow our body to rest during busy periods of life. Don’t you agree that this will be the easiest way for us to have a sound mind body spirit and soul!

Energy Healing - What are the top Fatigue fighters?

2008-12-29T05:21:00.000-08:00

Do you often wake up tired or perhaps find your energy flagging (or need energy healing)?

What follows are some proven ways based on the latest research that will help us charged up and alert throughout the day.

Rub Our Ears
According to practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), that stimulating certain pressure points on our body can help boost our blood circulation, and thus our energy healing. The principle behind this is that energy moves throughout our body and can become blocked, weak or stagnant. By stimulating particular points in our ear, our energy will flow naturally. How to do: with our thumb and index finger, massage along the outer ear from top to bottom and back up until our ears are warm and tingly. Alternatively is to gently rub the ear lobes for about three minutes and by increasing the strength gradually. Do you feel you are more alert now?

Arise & Shine
Do you believe that keeping our curtains drawn so we can sleep only gets our circadian rhythm out of whack? Studies have shown that when light is absent, our body's sleep-wake cycle will want to delay by an average of 12 minutes a day, i.e. our body will want to push our bedtime later, what this means is that to keep our body rhythms in check, head to the light as soon as we arise, and if possible take an outdoor stroll for 20 minutes or have breakfast by a sunny window.

Take Three
According to Dr Judith Orloff, UCLA psychiatrist and author of Positive Energy, just three minutes of meditation can help us decrease the stress hormones that tense our body muscles. What she suggests is to sit in a quiet spot, closing our eyes while we breathe deeply and relaxing our body. The important thing is to have happy thoughts such as a vacation spot or someone we love. In short, this will provide quick time-outs to calm down so we could replenish and take control of our energy healing.

Drink Green Tea
Think we have heard that green tea is packed with disease fighting and anti-ageing antioxidants, but what many do not know is that green tea also contains Theophyllin, i.e. a stimulant that can actually improve our blood circulation and oxygen flow in our body. It was reported that for every cup we drink, we will get about 40mg of the amino acid L-theanine, this in return can help us stay calm and focused. I have tried it before and feel a lift after just one cup. However, some may need more cup and usually four cups is a good daily limit.

Pump Up The Protein
While we may be thinking candy bar, but a sugar boost will just leave us lagging in an hour. In fact, too much carbohydrates can drain our energy healing. A study conducted by University of Illinois showed that women who took less carbs and more protein felt more energetic. If we want an instant and lasting energy boost, eat a healthy snack that contains protein and a complex carb should be the way. It is suggested to try a whole grain cracker with low-fat cheese, or a peanut butter sandwich on whole wheat bread.

Think the above will set us for a better mind body spirit and soul, right?

Do you fall in love too quickly?

2008-12-22T21:29:00.000-08:00

Do you fall in love too quickly? Is it wise? Can the intensity be sustainable for a long run relationship?

According to relationship counselor, Allegra Tripodi, “Rushing a relationship can cause lots of problems. For example, it can prompt us to make bad decisions, misread signal and exaggerate feelings. It can also let us give more than we receive and at the same time create an impression that we are desperate when in fact we are just keen. In short and in the long run, taking a romance too fast will usually result in us being let down, used or mistreated and ending up nursing a broken heart.”

To make sure we don’t get burned, we will need to put the brakes on our emotions. Here are the experts’ advices on how to put the breaks on our emotions:

Don't tell him or her you love him or her too soon.
Go for a few days without calling him or her, just to see if he or she calls you.
Don't have sex with him or her the first time you're alone, hold off as long as possible and explain to him or her: "I only like to get intimate when I'm sure I'm with someone I can really trust."
Get your hands off him or her, at least at first. Kiss him or her if you feel like it but don't overwhelm him or her with kisses, if not he or she will feel like he or she is dating an octopus!
If you feel the urge to gush in those first weeks of dating say something less intense like, "I'm really enjoying getting to know you better."
Never contact him or her by phone, email or SMS more than once in a day, unless you're making plans for the night that require a little to and fro.
Every time he or she rings you, wait at least half an hour to call him or her back.
If he or she wants to see you every night of the week, try to pull back a little and have some space for yourself, explain that you'd love to be with him or her, but you need to catch up with a close friend, do some study or need to work overtime for office work.
Don't take him or her to meet your family until you've been dating for at least three months.

The point is: if the one you like is as great as you think and as interested as you look for, then he or she is not going anywhere. In short, if he or she likes you, he or she will want to get to know you better and encourage the relationship to develop and grow. Therefore, we should not rush ourselves, i.e. fall in love too quickly, but enjoy the wonderful, heady process of getting to know each other.

Don’t you think we have plenty of time for saying ‘I love you’ and ‘I do’ down the track for a better body, mind and spirit and soul?

An easy guide to Celebrity Hair Styling

2008-12-22T21:12:00.000-08:00

As a real woman, i.e. with real jobs, real kids, real chores and really no time, how could we find time in order not to look nasty walking on street? No worries, here are three great celebrity hair styles that are so easy for us to copy when time just isn't on our side.

Simple Beehive Hair Style
Good for oval face shape and to lengthen round faces. It is easy and suitable for long haired ladies.

The how to: Mix some hair gel with some water on our palms and then grab all of our hair and simply tie it up into a sleek, high pony tail. Take the narrow end of our comb and pull up the top part of our hair for it to look higher. Then just blow dry the pony tail inwards and tidy up with hair gel.

What to avoid: Adding on a hair band. That's a bad hair faux pax.

Middle Ground Hair Style
Easy for straight, wavy hair. However, this middle ground hair style also good for oval faces and help to lengthen the round face.

The how to: Two choices for us to choose, i.e. to flat iron our hair Or leave it naturally wavy like Jessica. After combing or flat ironing, make a middle parting. Then take a section of our front hair and blow dry or iron straight. Bring it all the way to the back and secure with a clip.

What to avoid: Don't use heavy hair clips as they tend to slide down.

Straight Up Hair Style
Especially suits square faces and can slim down round faces too.

The how to: If our hair isn't straight, just use a flat iron to get that sleek look. Simply take one section of our hair at a time and run it through the flat iron. Emphasise on the top layer for it to look neat and sleek.

What to avoid: Good to know that water can cause our hair to go back to its original state.

Can we give skin a lifeline?

2008-12-18T05:12:00.000-08:00

Think we all know that no skin care product can protect our skin 100 percent, but what are the things we could do to give our skin a lifeline?

Antioxidants has been the magic word in the last few years in both the health and beauty industry. From cancer to heart disease and immunological disorders to skin damage, in fact, it has become the new savior everyone is looking towards for answers to these problems, right?

Shall we say that it is just a new buzz word to sell more tablets and more creams? The answer is definitely “No”. Research findings have proven that antioxidant does play a role on our body and skin (perhaps on mind body spirit and soul!).

Oxidation or the loss of an electron will produce reactive substances known as free radicals that can cause oxidative stress or damage to our cells. Think of an iron bar rusting or an apple browning when exposed to air. Antioxidants are the rescuers capable of stabilizing free radicals before they can cause harm and they are acting just like a buffer.

While our body can defend itself to some degree against oxidative stress, it becomes less capable as we grow older. And with the increasing pollution around us, the thinning of the ozone layer and the lower quality of our food, we now need outside antioxidant help more than ever. We can indeed get some antioxidant help by eating food rich in antioxidants, such as vitamins, minerals, carotenoids and polyphenols. For this purpose, many can be identified by their colors, i.e. the deep red of cherries; the orange of carrots; the yellow of mangoes; and the blue-purple of grapes.

But the problem is, if we are looking to improve our skin condition, research indicates that the transfer rate of ingested antioxidants to the skin is only one percent. Nevertheless, beauty brands such as Clinique are responding to this problem through its new Continuous Rescue Antioxidant Moisturizer. This topically applied version will target four of the most prevalent free radicals, i.e. singlet oxygen, hydroxyl, superoxide and peroxide. These free radicals are the first to appear when there are environmental aggressors that make them the most dangerous.

Clinique’s comes with the power of eight rapid and delayed release antioxidants which put up a strong fight against these free radicals that not only damage our skin quickly, but have the influence of a delayed effect and might damage our skin later.

Another feature about Clinique’s Continuous Rescue Antioxidant Moisturizer is it uses an unusual "catalytic" antioxidant called Eukarion 134 to happily recycles itself, what this means is that, the antioxidant protection we get is kind of continuous. Therefore, damage is fast mopped up before it visually appears on our skin. In short, it throws our skin a lifeline and gives us a continuous insurance towards a better body, mind and spirit and soul!

What Debbie D’ Aquino, global Vice President of Clinique Product Development for Treatment shares on Clinique's Continuous Rescue Antioxidant Moisturizer at the time of the product launched was as follows:

"Clinique isn't hope in a jar but products that deliver visible differences to the skin. It protects our skin from what is mostly invisible to the naked eye, i.e. the daily cumulative damage cause by exposure to skin oxidizing free radicals. By using a new and unique to Clinique A/08 Antioxidant Complex, which was designed by combing eight rapid and delayed action antioxidants, we are sure it can combat the daily assaults on our skin that cause damage and make our skin look older than its time.

We logically think of the sun first but there are other less obvious ways the environment can damage our skin like air and water pollution in the form of smoke, smog, dust and germs and it's the daily accumulation of these assaults that lead to skin issues such as lack of moisture, rough texture and looking and feeling less supple. That's why a daily moisturiser like Clinique's Continuous Rescue Antioxidant Moisturizer can help protect, replenish, nourish and keep our skin strong and healthy is what we envision."

Clinique's Products Reference

Natural Stress Relief and Autogenics

2008-12-13T15:55:00.000-08:00

Autogenics is a system of stress relaxation exercises developed in the late 1920s and 1930s by a German psychiatrist and neurologist, Dr. Johannes Schultz. He used hypnotherapy on many of his patients and became aware of the great benefits they gained from the deep state of stress relaxation brought about under hypnosis. This led him to try to devise a set of stress relief relaxation exercises to enable people to induce a state of relaxation themselves. Over here, the word autogenic means self-originated, or coming from within.

The aim of these stress relief relaxation exercises is to help switch off the part of the nervous system that produces the “fight or flight’ response to natural stress relief, and to help us switch on the relaxation mechanisms from our body. There are essentially six exercises, each focusing on a different sensation, and they may be carried out either lying down or sitting in one of two different ways. No special equipment is required, just the time and space to allow for natural stress relief. The simplicity and effectiveness of autogenics have led to it spreading throughout Europe and America, Japan and even to many countries in the world.

What follows is a very basic autogenics exercise which can be used as a simple and natural stress relief technique:

Focus your attention on feelings of heaviness and relaxation in the neck, shoulders and limbs.
Develop an awareness of a growing sensation of warmth in the limbs.
Concentrate on the heartbeat, and help to regulate it.
Build an awareness of your breathing patterns.
Create a feeling of warmth in your abdomen.
Create a sensation of coolness across the forehead.

Autogenics training is normally carried out by a health practitioner with a group of people, with the natural stress relief and management exercises being learned over several weeks. A feature of the training process can be a so called autogenics discharges, temporary sensations or emotions that can be quite intense and are often followed by a feeling of greater energy. However, these do not happen to everyone, but are one reason for training with a qualified practitioner, who can explain what they mean.

In a training session these stress relief sensations and relaxation are enhanced and strengthened by the silent repetition of certain phrases, which, when carried out on a regular basis, can have remarkable effects in relieving stress and fatigue symptoms. The release of long standing stresses can be the reason for the autogenic discharge phenomena.

In a group training situation, an autogenic trainer will probably focus on the first of the above exercises for a natural stress management and stress reduction, i.e. inducing heaviness and relaxation, for a few weeks so that everyone is confident at performing the exercise. Most autogenics trainers encourage their group members to keep detailed diaries of home practice, and the weekly sessions may begin with a discussion of how everyone has got on in the previous week. This also allows for any individual adjustments that may need to be made to a member’s programme.

Initially, repetition of these stress relief relaxation exercises at home should be just for a couple of minutes, perhaps repeated twice a day; during the course of the stress relief session, the trainer may suggest us to increase the length of home exercises to around 15 minutes, two to three times a day. It is important to fit our exercises into our daily routine so that they become part of our life.

So far, more than 3,000 scientific articles have been published describing the beneficial effects of autogenics as a natural way for relieving stress, although no one can say for certain how the therapy works. Stress related disorders such as stomach ulcers, migraine, asthma and so on can be improved by these simple stress relaxation exercises and techniques. Autogenics are a good example of how mental, emotional and physical healths are inextricably intertwined. Repressed emotions or stresses may be responsible for later physical disorders, and this training can help us to break the pattern and release the trapped feelings.

The above natural stress management exercises can be practiced in various places and situations, such as at work, on the train or sitting in a park in our lunch hour. It needs no special clothing or adoption of difficult and awkward positions, and is sometimes compared to learning to drive. This is just like, firstly, make ourselves comfortable behind the wheel; start off calmly and slowly without any jerks or jolts; next change gear or alter our physical and mental states, and finally come to a smooth, safe halt. The above natural stress relief exercises are designed to relieve stress and help our body cure itself.

For further exploration into autogenics we should consult a practitioner who are able to give us a brief check-up to make sure the stress relief training is suitable for us. It is good to know that some patients will only be treated under appropriate medical supervision and modified treatment is given to asthmatics, diabetics, pregnant women and epileptics. Therapists claim that autogenics stress relief exercises can help us with a variety of ailments such as irritable bowel syndrome, AIDS, depression and eczema.

In fact, many practitioners of autogenics are professionals already involved in healthcare, such as doctors, psychotherapists and psychologists. This probably reflects the depth of research into this autogenics stress management training, and has meant that apart from private autogenics practitioners, autogenics may be available through hospitals or general physicians for the benefit of naturally relieving stress and for disseminating this remarkable natural stress management technique for a better mind body spirit and soul.

Natural Stress Relief through Psychotherapy

2008-12-11T05:07:00.000-08:00

The basis of psychotherapy is the natural desire of someone with problems such as want to relieving stress to talk to someone else about them, and it is often called the talking therapy. Practitioners generally refer to the people they see as clients rather than patients, to emphasize that psychotherapy is not just for sick people but anyone including those with stress related problems.

In fact, there are a number of schools of thought about the processes involved in psychotherapy as a natural stress relief technique, and this stress management technique range from simple supportive counseling to complex psychoanalytical theories about the underlying feelings behind current stress problems, and how to release them.

At its most basic level, psychotherapy is the creation of a space for somebody to air their stress related problems in a caring, non judgmental and confidential atmosphere. Many think that this is almost an extension of a chat with a good friend, and the skill of the therapist lies not so much in what they might say, but in acting as a support for the client to unburden whatever is troubling the mind body spirit at the time. This kind of caring listening is often part of the ‘natural stress management treatment” given by many different skilled natural therapists.

Much of psychotherapy builds upon this passive listening to overcome stress, with somewhat more active interjections to point out areas of evasion, inconsistency or neglected issues. This helps us to break out of negative or destructive thought patterns, to develop a better sense of our own identity, and to be happier in our relationships.

This natural stress relief therapy can be short or long term. With relatively simple problems, for example, a phobia or single-issue problem, techniques such as behavioural or cognitive therapy may be used. These aim to change behaviour and attitude by respectively facing us with the feared experience or object, or getting us to try acting and thinking in a more positive way, in order to overcome the stress, tear or anxiety. Such disciplines can be quite directive, requiring us to initially following instructions. Often, however, such apparently simple problems have deeper causes and a more long-term approach such as analysis may be beneficial.

In fact, Psychoanalysis is a distinctive, long term approach to natural stress management, requiring a considerable period of training to become a practitioner, who therefore may be considered something of a specialist. The father of psychoanalysis was Sigmund Freud, an Austrian psychiatrist who developed theories of human experience that related psychological problems to our early childhood relationships with our parents and whose research revolutionized the way humans regard themselves. Dreams, stress, fears and desires, both conscious and unconscious, and suppressed emotions are all investigated as factors in present problems. One of Freud's most brilliant pupils, Carl Jung, developed his own theories based upon archetypal symbols and myths, rather than childhood traumas, and numerous others have since added their own ideas to this complex field.

'Thoughts and feelings are particularly significant in psychoanalysis, while other approaches also look at behaviour. Gestalt therapy, for instance, which was developed in the US by Fritz Perls in the 1950s, seeks to place client's symptoms within the wider context of normal emotional responses; literally, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Changes in behaviour can affect feelings and thoughts and the stress level. Trying to choose a suitable psychotherapist can therefore be something of a minefield for those who are unaware of the differences between the various schools. In the first place, decide how much change we want to relieve stress. Do we want to relieve stress on a short-term basis, or undertake a complete overhaul of our attitudes and lifestyle towards relieving stress?

Perhaps more than in any other therapy, the relationship between the client and the therapist is of great significance in psychotherapy and some time needs to elapse to build up confidence and rapport. Since people often gravitate towards therapies that suit their own personality, there can be a case for looking wider and experimenting a little for an effective stress management technique.

It is good to note that a psychotherapist will listen to what we have to say with a non judgemental approach. Their detached interest is very important, allowing us to express feelings which would be difficult to express to friends or relatives who are unable to maintain the same objectivity.

Think this should help us for a better mind body spirit and soul!

The Positive and Sunny Side of Sunscreen

2008-12-05T14:20:00.000-08:00

I am sure you will agree with me that we cannot go anywhere these days without hearing about it, right? A reason I can think of is due to the threat of skin cancer forever looming in the rays of the sun, hence, sunscreen has become a staple of a good skin care regimen.

But the confusing factor is that there are so many different sunscreens out there to choose from, further, questions such as when should we put on sunscreen? What if my skin is darker? Is waterproof sunscreen really waterproof? I believe these are some of the few questions we may have.

It is good to know that while some of our cosmetics, such as foundation may contain sunscreen but the SPF power they contain is not going to be anywhere near to what a typical sunscreen can offer us. Obviously we are not going to apply a nice thick layer of foundation, right? Therefore, it is good to use a moisturizer that contains a high SPF sunscreen.

One thing for sure is that sunscreen does have a shelf life, i.e. the bottle we bought last summer will probably not be as good as we need it for today. If we find that our sunscreen is in a different color, become drier, or has a different consistency, then we should not hesitate to buy a new sunscreen and toss out the other one.

Usually people with sensitive skin will have trouble using some sunscreens. Fortunately, chemical-free sunscreens have begun to grace the market shelves. In fact, the ingredients that they contain such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide can help keep our skin from becoming irritated while still effective in deflecting the rays of the sun.

For those who have dark skin, and to keep their skin safe, it is advisable to put on some sunscreen, even if they have no burn worries. This is because people with dark skin can still get skin cancer even if they do not burn.

Do get ourselves protect by using sunscreen for a better mind body spirit and soul!

Ideal Sunglass Search?

2008-11-24T17:56:00.000-08:00

Wanted to find the best place to search for your ideal sunglasses? Well, we think ShopWiki may provide you with a solution for this. What distinguish ShopWiki is that it shows you stores that you possibly could not find in one web site alone, it is much like Google finds every web site on the web.

For example, what brands of the sunglasses that you could find from ShopWiki? A lot more than other sites that we could possibly find from one site, right?

We may or may not know that sunglasses these days are no more used as a stylish stuff only, i.e. are used for eye protection too. Therefore, the best place to start our sunglasses search is to look at all the hot and the best sunglasses that are being offered by some of the leading brands like Gucci, Rayban, Versace and others.

Do note that sometimes special offers are available on purchase of sunglasses, what that means is that, we must grab such kind of offers immediately to save some money for buying the best sunglasses. Not to forget that, discounted sunglasses are also available form various brands that encourage users to buy sunshades of their choices at an economical rate.

Perhaps, ShopWiki can be considered as our buddy for a better mind body spirit and soul!

Are you at Risk of Photo-ageing?

2008-10-27T19:02:00.000-07:00

We are born with a different skin type, a fact that we should not deny. But do you know that the fairer our skin is, the higher the risk of photo-ageing? One thing that I find is important to know is that skin that has more melanin, or discoloration tends to provide more natural protection from the sun, hence lower risk of photo-ageing, thus a better mind body spirit and perhaps soul!

Usually to minimize the risk of photo-ageing, we tend to ensure our skin is smothered with sunscreens of SPF 15 or higher, however what I know is that it is also good to supplement our diet with a well-balanced combination of antioxidants. In fact, study has found that taking an anti-oxidative combination of beta-carotene, lycopene (tomato extract), vitamin C and E, selenium and proanthocyanidins (grape seed extract), along with the use of topical sunscreens, will provide our skin with some degree of protection from the effects of photo-aging too.

Besides, I do find that by identifying our skin type, it does help us to better understand the risk factor involved with regards to photo-ageing and take the necessary step to prevent from further damage.

Well, there are six types of skin, ranging from light to dark:

Type I
The skin is very fair and freckled and hair is usually red or blond in color. If you always burn and never tan in the sun, you are extremely susceptible to photo-ageing and are at very high risk for melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer.

Type II
Fair skin that burns easily and rarely tans in the sun, and have blond to sandy-colored hair. If this describes you, then you are also highly susceptible to photo-ageing as well as skin cancer.

Type III
Skin is fair to olive and hair color ranges from light to dark brown. If you sometimes burn and sometimes tan in the sun, you are susceptible to skin damage as well as skin cancer.

Type IV
Brownish skin and dark brown hair, and if you tend to tan easily and are less likely to burn, then you are not as vulnerable as skin type 1 to 111 above.

Type V
If your skin is darker than skin type IV and your hair is dark brown to black, also if you tan easily and rarely burn, if so then you are at lower risk of developing photo-ageing skin compared to skin types I to IV.

Type VI
If you have very dark skin with curly and black hair and if you never burn and have the lowest tendency to react to sunlight, then congratulate as this will make you the least vulnerable to photo-ageing!

Based on the above skin type analysis, you will notice that skin type I to III face the highest risk of developing photo-ageing skin while skin types IV to VI are at the lowest risk.

I would think no matter what your skin type is, it always pays to take extra precaution to reduce the effects of photo-ageing, which ultimately this will help us towards a better mind body spirit and soul!

For reference: Natural Biodegradable Suncare Products

An Actor’s Philosophy on Marriage?

2008-10-22T22:24:00.000-07:00

Do you agree with me that in order to maintain the commitment known as marriage, a certain amount of love must be present and that when we marry, we are in a bonded spiritual partnership which must be respected as much as possible as marriage is not a light promise, and to me it is the promise to our soul that will lead to a better mind body spirit.

Well, to me, actor Anthony LaPaglia aged 49 (if not mistaken), seems to know a thing or two about how to have a happy marriage. I think you will agree with me not many actors or stars will be like him, from those divorce cases that we often came across.

This “Without a Trace” star had once said, “The thing about marriage is that it requires work from both parties. There is a romantic notion that you fall in love and it all just works magically. Now, that is true to some degree but then there will come to the point in the relationship where it is difficult, and those are the times where you put to test and you have to make the decision that you want to work on it.”

I believe his marriage philosophy has worked wondered for him for his ten years of marriage to his actress wife, Gia Carides and they have a lovely 5 year-old daughter, Bridget.

What is your philosophy of marriage?

Happy journey to a better body, mind and spirit and soul!

For reference only: Women Health, Men Health. For other beauty and health related info and stuff please refer to the resourecs section on the side menu of this blog.

Ordinary Milk vs Organic Milk?

2008-10-22T19:39:00.000-07:00

I believe some of you may think that there isn’t much difference between ordinary and organic milk, based on what I know, there certainly is. In fact the milk that your child drinks affects his health!

Well, ordinary milk and organic milk are both come from cows, except for the following points which help to differentiate them:

Ordinary Milk

Usually comes from cows that:

Are routinely injected with antibiotics. (For info, antibiotic residues in milk are not good as it contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance among bacteria, which means the antibiotic in the body that used to be effective in fighting bacteria may not be that effective anymore).
Are fed with non-organic cattle feed.
Are commonly injected with rBGH. rBGH is short for Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone, which is used to help cows to produce milk in much larger quantities. However, research has shown that milk from rBGH treated cows might lead to some types of cancer in human milk drinkers.
Have grazed on land where chemical pesticides may have been used. Zahm and Ward from National Cancer Institute, USA had in 1998 reported that reducing or eliminating pesticide exposure will help to prevent some childhood cancers.

Organic Milk

Do not have what was mentioned for ordinary milk. In addition, organic milk are comes from cows that are fed on 100% certified organic feed for at least a year before the milk was produced.

So, which one would you choose? I believe the answer is obvious, right?

After all, health is wealth and don’t all mothers want their children to have something good in order to have a better body and mind!

For reference only: Life Health, Vit Direct

Ever Think of Feng Shui Your Handbag?

2008-10-21T06:10:00.000-07:00

You are likely to ask me what is feng shui first, right? Feng shui is actually an ancient Chinese system of belief that utilize the Laws of both heaven (astronomy) and earth (geography) to help one improve life by receiving positive Qi, in short if you have good feng shui, you have everything good in life, i.e. love, money, wealth, success, happiness, health and so on.

So is bad feng shui in you handbag blocking you for a better mind body spirit and soul, i.e. your success in life?

Perhaps, you want to follow me to find out by just answering some simple questions. After answering those questions you should refer to the points that you have scored as well as the result interpretation on how is your handbag feng shui for a better mind body spirit and soul!

1.	The outside of your handbag looks: Battle-worn and way past its expiry date. A little weary. Well cared for, trim or new.
2.	How do you feel about your handbag? I love it! Indifferent. Groan and I hate it. I think it is OK.
3.	When you get home, your handbag... Is tossed wherever you happen to find space. Goes in its regular special spot.
4.	The inside of your handbag looks... Like an explosion in a junk room. Immaculate. Fairly tidy.
5.	Your handbag... Weighs kilos and is a chiropractor's nightmare. Feels light and is easy to carry. Is of average weight.
6.	Which best describes the color of your handbag? Black, red or plum. Brown, grey or white. Animal print (snake-skin, for example). Cream, green, yellow, blue, purple or orange.
7.	The shape of your handbag most closely resembles a... Square or rectangle. Heart or circle. Triangle. Formless and squishy and is an indefinite design.
8.	Your handbag... Enjoys regular holidays, i.e. you swap them around. Resembles a tired soldier on daily duty.
9.	Your handbag is made mostly from... Natural material such as leather, denim, cotton, raffia, string or wool. Synthetic material. Metal.

Scoring:

a – 0, b – 1, c – 3
a – 4, b – 1, c – 0, d – 2
a – 0, b – 2
a – 0, b – 3, c – 2
a – 0, b – 3, c – 1
a – 4, b – 0, c – 2, d – 1
a – 3, b – 4, c – 0, d -2
a – 2, b – 1
a – 4, b – 0, c – 2

Up to 11: Bad Feng Shui
It is time for you to let the cat out of your bag and confess that your handbag vibes are frightful. You should invest in a new handbag as it would not cost you a lot though!

12 – 16: Room to improve
It shows that your handbag is your everyday companion and it is shabby and tired. It is good to wise up on your handbag feng shui and tidy it up.

17 – 24: OK Feng Shui
Your handbag is a worthy friend and it contributes good vibes to your immediate energy field.

25 – 29: Fab Feng Shui
Congratulate! Your handbag radiates plenty of positive vibes and you are on your way to a better mind body spirit and soul!

For reference on other handbag choices and other fashion accessories, please visit this page here.

How often you need to Visit Pharmacy for a Better Body, Mind and Spirit and Soul?

2008-10-18T19:32:00.000-07:00

Do you need to rush off to pharmacy often? I believe if we can find the remedies right in our kitchen that will definitely help to minimize this, right?

Here are the quick homes cures tips as the food mentioned below will help us to cure for some common health woes:

Headache
The wonder of a hard-boiled egg is that by eating the protein it has, it helps us stop the pounding before it starts. And since it takes longer to digest, protein will raise the sugar level slowly, that means unlike the rising and crashing that carps cause that will usually resulting in headaches.

Stinky Breath
If you have run out of mouthwash, I would suggest you to chew on a sprig of parsley instead. In fact, The Green Pharmacy author Dr. James Duke has said that fresh parsley is rich in chlorophyll, a powerful breath freshener for us to chew on.

Brain Drain
Do you experience this often? To your surprised, according to a Wheeling Jesuit University study, milk chocolate can actually help to boost our brain activity. At the same time, scientists also believe that the nutrients that chocolate released while we are indulging in our Godiva habit will enhance our cognitive performance, sound great, right?

Cheers to a better mind body spirit and soul health!

For reference only: Life Health, Vit Direct