The Best Anti Aging Tips - Your Search Ends Here

"Over the Hill and Loving It: Birthday Cheers to the Years...

2025-01-07T22:50:00.000-08:00

It was truly a surreal experience to visit my school after a few decades...When I introduced myself to the Principal she said, "Oh my, you are the oldest old student I've met!" "Now I feel ancient," I quipped. She replied, "But you hardly look so old." Though it was probably a conciliatory remark to make me feel better, it did help me feel good and I returned with great memories.

The Principal's words stayed with me, sparking thoughts about how we perceive aging and its implications. When time pulls you along the wrong side of every decade ...does the burden of age fall heavily on your shoulders? Are you the kind who feels - Ohhh I want to live long for sure, but who wants to grow OLD? Or the kind that thinks like George Burns who said, "You can't help getting older, but you don't have to get old."

I feel both when my birthday looms up on New Year's Day. 😊 New year, new month, new day, and a new age.....

Birthdays are fascinating because they carry a duality - celebration and introspection. It's the joyous occasion of another year lived, filled with experiences, relationships, and growth. It's a day when people around you express their love and make you feel cherished.

Parents, siblings, spouse, children, grandchildren, extended family, and all those friends rush in to envelop you with their abundant warmth, affection, and beautifully thoughtful gifts.

Yet, the concept of aging often brings mixed emotions. While birthdays symbolize wisdom and the stories we've accumulated, they remind us of time's fleeting nature. Society often frames aging as something undesirable, but it’s worth remembering that each year adds depth to who we are and the lives we touch.

Perhaps the secret is to celebrate the milestones, embrace the wisdom, and focus on living vibrantly, no matter the number of candles on the cake. Actually, it's beautiful to see another chapter unfold in your life.

Feel Good About Aging

Wisdom and Growth: Lessons were learned, weren't they? And you built resilience, didn't you? And now maybe you've grown emotionally stronger.
Remember: Aging is a privilege denied to many. Each birthday is a reminder of the gift of being alive and embarking on a new adventure for the next 365 days....
Focus: Priorities become clearer with age .... trivial things stop bothering you and you know what exactly is going to keep you happy and motivated.... you do just that...be it your relationships, your passion, or looking after yourself
Accountability: External validation doesn't matter anymore...you have established your own path of life as ethically and as contentedly as you would like it to be....embrace your authentic self with pride.
Mentor: People start coming to you for insights, advice, and direction about how they can get on with their lives.... enjoy the mentorship... share your stories and create your own unique legacy! Believe me, being the go-to person for those seeking your advice or guidance, is a richly rewarding experience!

Aging woe and how it can go

As age catches up, there are some adjustments and compromises that can help you not feel overwhelmed ...

Physical: Wrinkles - you have rejuvenating products that are safe for your skin, facial exercises, and a healthy diet to keep that complexion glowing...Slower energy - Stay active with age-appropriate exercises and supplements, guided by your physician."...Health concerns - Regular checkups, addressing issues sensibly and effectively, enjoying meals that are as delicious as they are nutritious, and optimum physical activity keep you healthy at any age. ....
When youth is glorified: Do you feel a sense of loss? Don't! Learn to be content and find joy in everyday little things, the luxuries you can afford now... working at your own pace, tete-a-tete with friends, family get-togethers and celebrations....the absence of feeling rushed and stressed to reach deadlines... it's now time for leisure, comfort, and activity on your terms! When a good friend turned 68 she decided she would run to keep active. So far she's run three marathons, gearing up for 4th ... and no she didn't trail behind! ... If she can, you can!
Time Running Out: That's daunting indeed!.. But then it's all in your mindset, look back at your achievements with pride, and look forward to the coming days without the fear of having to prove yourself...believe me... the anxiety will eventually wither away!

Balancing the Two

It helps to focus on the positives while addressing the negatives with care. Staying active, cultivating hobbies, and building meaningful relationships can ease the journey. Aging is less about the years you've lived and more about how you choose to fill them with purpose and joy.

How do you plan to look at 60? Like the 'girl' on the left? Or the harried old lady on the right? So...Start feeling good and looking good ... don't let yourself be bogged down by pessimism, and a feeling of hopelessness...reach out and there's always someone ready to get you back on track to remain awesome and fulfilled!

Happy Women's Day!

2022-03-07T08:05:00.038-08:00

Swapna Soundarya - The Beauty of Dreams

New Delhi: My Home - the Agarwal Mansion

I looked down from above, while she worked. The table was fully laid. Swapna, our domestic help, ran around, placing a plate here, a fork there. She looked up suddenly and smiled at me.

“Didi,” she said, “come down. Breakfast is ready. I’ve made a new kind of pickle for gobhi paratha. You’re going to love it.” She flashed her smile again and disappeared into the kitchen. My mother was yelling there.

“Why don’t you just do your work? Jabbering away when there’s so much to be done! Because of you, I’ll be delayed again.”

Swapna said, “I’m sorry! No aunty; you won’t be delayed. Everything’s done.”

Fifteen minutes later, we were all seated around the table. Super delicious parathas, spicy chutneys, Swapna’s special tangy pickle, perfectly flavored yogurt, hot beverages, cold fruit juice; everything was being relished by my family of 10. Swapna fussed around, refilling the glasses, and serving the parathas.

All of us were in a hurry to rush to schools, colleges, offices. There was hardly any conversation until my dad spoke. “Swapna, when are your results due?”

“Tomorrow uncle.”

“How have you fared? “

“I will get above 60%, I’m sure of that,” she declared triumphantly!

My cousins and I looked up in surprise. Here we were, slogging to score 10 GPAs and maximum percentile, while this girl seemed to be jumping for joy, for her 60 marks! She could not enroll in any college! How would she manage?

But Swapna wasn’t worried. Her neighbor ran a DTP Centre, where she had been promised a job. His only condition was that she scored a 60% aggregate.

🌺🌻🌼🌾🌿🍁🌺🌻🌼🌾🌿🍁🌺🌻🌼🌾🌿🍁

She came over, a fortnight later, laden with a red cardboard box filled with bright yellow laddoos; because she had scored an unbelievable 67% in her exams! She smiled broadly and went around coaxing everyone, to pick up a laddoo. My people balked at the idea of touching the gooey laddoos, but Swapna hardly realized it. It was the most expensive treat her parents could afford and had sent over a huge box of it, just for my family.

Later, while I sat on the rosewood swing in our patio, she sat at my feet and told me about her dreams...

The neighbor would be paying her 6000 rupees a month, to work as his assistant in the DTP center. Her eyes shone as she ticked off the wonderful things she would be doing with all that money. It would take care of her brother’s school fees, help her dad in running the house and enable her to set aside a nest egg for some awesome jewelry she’d seen at the goldsmith’s shop near her one-room apartment...

I was dumbstruck. Here I was, grumpy that my new party wear wasn’t classy enough (it had cost a little over one lakh rupees); and there was Swapna, so happy with so little!

Was it time for a reality check? I didn’t know. And I didn’t have the time to ponder about it, because, right then, there was a shout. “Hey! C’mon! We are waiting. You don’t want to miss the beginning!” My cousin Roshan called from the car.

I hurriedly patted Swapna on her back and dashed out to join him and a dozen other friends and cousins; we were off to a movie and later, dinner at the newly opened snazzy restaurant nearby... Swapna was forgotten.

Five years later...

I had got busy with my studies and was hardly in the country. I had come home for a holiday, before going back for my Master’s. I needed to buy gifts for my classmates, Kundan jewelry, Bandhini stoles, Lucknowi Chikan apparel, and other such ethnic stuff. I had accompanied my mother to the nearby mall and was busy digging into a shelf of colorful scarves when someone tapped my shoulder.

For a second I couldn’t recognize her. Then I realized it was my former maid, Swapna. She was plumper; and she wore more ornaments, including a nose-stud. The unmistakable black bead necklace indicated she was married. Her hair was held in a knot encircled with jasmines. She looked all prim and matronly in a starched cotton sari.

“Didi!” she said delightedly, when did you come back? How is America?” I wanted to tell her that I was studying in Switzerland, but restrained myself. For Swapna, probably, anyone going out of the country meant ‘going to America’.

“It's fine,” I said and asked, “tell me, how are you? When did you get married?”

Instead of replying, she walked up to my mother; she seemed to be asking for something; entreating in fact, and pointing in my direction. My mother smiled and nodded. Swapna hurried back to me and said, “Aunty said yes! Please come. Come home! I stay very close by. Come and have a cup of coffee.”

I hesitated. She said in a soft voice, “My daughter’s name is Latika!” I stared at her, astonished. She had named her daughter after me! Why would she ever do that?!?

She held my hand and hurried along the aisles. She walked up to the cash counter and spoke rapidly, to the girl on duty there. The girl smiled, nodded, looked at me, and smiled again. She said “Hi!” shyly to me. I said “Hi!” too. Whoever was she? Some relative of Swapna? Did I know her?

As we stepped out into the bright sunshine, she said, “I’ve got to get back in 45 minutes. Vani, my friend back there, will stay on a little extra time if I’m late.”

“How does she know me?” I asked curiously.

“All my friends know about you, Didi! I have told them.”

I hadn’t given a thought to this girl, since I had last seen her five years ago; and she not only remembered me - her friends knew me too!

Her Home

We walked into a narrow by-lane that led to a narrower by-lane. Little children scampered in and out of houses. Stray dogs rushed around, barking intermittently, women squatted on stone slabs, outside their homes and washed clothes piled in tubs, while others washed pots and pans.

Soapy water flowed onto the road and I gingerly walked ahead, careful to avoid getting my feet dirty. Suddenly, an apartment complex loomed up and we were soon climbing up the steps.

Dust and grime adorned walls that badly needed a coat of paint; plaster seemed to be peeling off everywhere... The aroma of spicy, pungent food, shouts of children, raised voices of adults, and the cacophony of TV channels, emanating from the tiny flats, made me nauseous.

“Third floor,” announced Swapna, “we don’t have elevators here.” Her voice was embarrassed.

“That’s okay,” I said smiling at her.

She rang the bell of her flat. A tall, slim man opened the door saying, “Hey, you are early!” and smiled. Swapna giggled and said, “No, I have to go back. Madam’s daughter has come. She is Latika!”

The man seemed awestruck. He folded his hands and said, “Madame, so glad to meet you. Swapna admires you so much. We named our daughter Latika, hoping she would grow up to be like you.”

I was speechless! What did Swapna see in me? I looked around...

A tiny, squeaky clean apartment - the drawing-room was hardly a 9-foot square. Cane furniture crowded the area. Prettily embroidered covers and table cloths could be seen all around, making the room appear bright and cheerful. Yellow curtains with huge blue flowers covered the pelmet-less windows. On a tiny table in the corner, were several framed pictures; but holding the pride of place was a group photo of my family, taken five years ago. Swapna was in the picture too, standing slightly apart from all of us, hands behind her back and smiling, as always.

Swapna looked expectantly at me. Evidently, she was proud of her lovely home.

“Nice!” I said and meant it.

“This is my husband, Raghu,” she introduced the man who hurried away to the kitchen. “The factory, in which he was working, closed down. He’s looking for another job. He’s quite optimistic that he will get one soon; within a month, in fact! Thank God for that! Anyway, we are able to manage because I earn reasonably well.” She lowered her voice conspiratorially, “I get 15000 rupees! And until he starts working again, he has taken over the housework.”

She winked at me and said, “What a relief for me!”

Swapna raised her voice, “Latika come here!”

A chubby three-year-old walked out of the microscopic bedroom. “Say hello to Latika aunty. You must be like her. Study well. Go to America and be a good girl.”

The kid looked up at me. She kept staring, two fingers in her mouth. Then she walked into the kitchen, completely ignoring me. Raghu, by the time, had prepared a cup of steaming, hot coffee, just the way I liked it, and brought it along with a plate of glucose biscuits.

For the next 20 minutes, both of them treated me as their guest of honor. Though it was uncomfortably warm in the ill-ventilated room, I hardly noticed it - with the attention and adulation that was being showered on me! When it was time to leave, Swapna led me to her kitchen.

On the left was a high shelf, crowded with pictures of every god and goddess. A small steel box contained vermillion powder.

She dipped her ring finger in the powder and placed a spot on my forehead, saying, “I am extremely grateful that you agreed to come home. May you be as happy as I am!”

While we walked back to the mall, where my mother was waiting, I stole a glance at Swapna. She was humming a little tune to herself, as she walked. When I bid her farewell she said, “Please let me know when you come to India, next time. We can go to the park with Latika Junior and have lots of fun!”

I nodded, smiled and impulsively hugged her, and said “Thank you!” before joining my mother.

I guess Swapna could not figure out why I thanked her. It was not for the coffee and biscuits.

Perspective

What did she see in me that I didn’t? What was so special about me? Yes; wonderful offers were waiting for me, as I had been a consistent topper. My dreams were big - multinational companies, prestigious appointments around the globe, and eventually, a CEO position... I had the drive, I had the guts.

But those dreams suddenly seemed to be disintegrating after meeting Swapna again. I felt strangely empty. Here was a woman, so happy with what life threw at her. Her optimism was infectious.

All of a sudden, I knew exactly what I wanted to do...

I no longer wanted to travel the world, nor hobnob with the who’s who of the international management scene, nor shop at the trendiest outlets...

I just wanted to create more Swapnas. I wanted to create opportunities for women, here, in India - in my own country - for my own people... I wanted them to come up in life, I wanted them to send their children to schools, good schools, and I wanted them to realize their dreams...

I felt exhilarated. I did the required research, discussed my ideas with my slightly skeptical, but nevertheless supportive family... And that was how the concept of ‘Swapna Soundarya’, the areca plate-making unit, was conceptualized...

It’s been three years, now, since I started this unit.

🌺🌻🌼🌾🌿🍁🌺🌻🌼🌾🌿🍁🌺🌻🌼🌾🌿🍁

Hexagonal, rectangular, circular, triangular, small, medium, large - the areca leaf plates were arranged according to shapes and sizes. The orders had been completed on time. I was relieved. The workers had been paid and were leaving the factory.

I locked the premises and walked out into the late afternoon sunshine.

“Didi!” I heard a familiar voice.

I turned to see Swapna standing behind me. When did she come here? She hadn’t informed me about her visit. She hugged me warmly and said, “I knew it, Didi, I knew it! You are so special. And today the world knows it too.”

Whatever was she talking about, I wondered. She saw my bemused expression and said, “Oh! You haven’t heard yet! I’m sure your phone was switched off, while you were working. Oh my goodness! Didi, you have won the ‘Woman of the Year Award!! I took a bus as soon as I heard the news; wanted to congratulate you in person.”

I was stunned! This was so unexpected.

Yes, I had given a couple of interviews; I’d explained about the alarming levels of poverty and illiteracy, the lack of basic amenities, the absence of a good school - all of which had convinced me to choose this village for my small-scale unit.

After my master's degree, I’d got plum offers, from around the world; I had turned them all down and had opted to come down to this village, to do what I felt compelled to do - much to the amazement of my family. I must have succeeded to an extent; going by the award that had just come my way.

I sent a silent prayer up to God, feeling grateful for the peculiar circumstances that had brought me here. A few years ago, it was unimaginable that I would be working in India, and that too in a remote village!

Yes, ten years ago, if you’d told me that I would be running a non-profit organization to help underprivileged women in the most backward of villages, I would’ve scoffed at the very thought of it. But here I was, doing just that.

I realize today, the undeniable truth - The most unexpected challenges come your way and how you accept them - that’s what Life is all about. Unexpected circumstances tend to rock you out of complacence and yet, you realize eventually, that it’s all for the best!

‘Swapna Soundarya’ - The Beauty of Dreams (in Sanskrit) - an apt name, I felt, for my dream project! Every new day brings new hope for someone out there and I am blessed to be a part of a movement that makes life more beautiful for so many women.

And it is the nondescript Swapna who somehow made it happen... She, however, has no inkling about that. There she stands, so happy for me, so proud of me...As always...

🌺🌻🌼🌾🌿🍁🌺🌻🌼🌾🌿🍁🌺🌻🌼🌾🌿🍁

(Extract from "The Statuette and Seven More Stories" by Radha Deep)

The Never Say Die Club

2022-02-15T21:20:00.000-08:00

To feel good you've got to think good! A positive upbeat happy outlook goes a long way to rejuvenate you not just emotionally, but also alters your demeanor, your expression...it makes you 10 times more attractive! And the never say die attitude is one of the strongest premises to build on your emotional strength!

here's a poem I penned a few months ago that tells you what I mean in a better way...

A little seed carried away

Flying - flying... at the mercy of strong winds

And here she was dropped in a verdant forest

Trees everywhere...trees towering into the sky...

Their thick trunks so huge... nothing to see beyond...

Grass so green and tall you couldn’t see the wet black slippery ground below

Why are you here? ...The trees asked. Why are you here?

Neither will you grow...

Nor will you flower...

And no fruits in you, that taste sweet and luscious

We have them! We are manna of the forest

You... a diminutive seed...Hah!!!

Go sit in clay pots that decorate people’s houses...

This forest is for us... monarchs of flora...

The seed was sad

She cried

Silent tears rolled down her smooth raindrop shape and moistened the ground...

At night, the eerie winds scared her... the animals hurt her...

There she lay forgotten, neglected, trampled by animals, ridiculed by towering flowering shrubs...

She was powerless and unprotected by the very forces that had flung her there...

But one fine day in her sleep, a gentle breeze seemed to whisper in her ears... “Stay, I will come for you!”

The first raindrop of monsoon bathed her and crooned, “Little one, live on!”

A tiny ray of happiness flickered from her very soul... It permeated her being...

She suddenly felt stronger, she suddenly felt hopeful;

She looked up as the gentle drops of rain splattered her

And then it happened!

A shiny green shoot leaped out of her being in search of sunlight... and the little seed settled firmly into the soft moist earth...

And from that day on she feared none... the big plants laughed, she laughed too

The trees scoffed, she didn’t mind them too

And the days rolled into weeks... the leaves spread out... taller...taller

And the weeks rolled into months... the plant became stronger ... stronger

And today here she stands, her huge yellow flowers flirting with sunlight... their gentle swish... a dance to catch the glistening sunrays

The trees stared in awe... The seed had stayed on...

Now she lived on... a pretty yellow diversion,

The Sunflower Queen in the green!

I would like you to suggest a name for my poem!

Waiting...

Anger Ages!!

2016-11-07T19:07:00.000-08:00

Paul yelled at the top of his voice, “Are you totally deaf?” He flung the cup he held, spilling coffee on the carpet.

Paul actually was caring, generous, full of fun and ever so helpful. But anger, he could not control. His children loved to spend time with him, but were wary of what they spoke lest they provoked him. Laura, his wife avoided discussions with Paul for the same reason.

Life was a see-saw of emotions for the whole family, pivoted on Paul’s disposition. Besides creating unpleasantness all around, the emotion which engulfs an angry Paul, and thousands like him, rings scores of warning bells.

What happens you get angry? You stand at a higher risk to develop symptoms of

Hypertension
Cardiac problems Acidity and heartburn
Damage to the lungs
Eczema

There are other concerns too. If you don’t do something about anger, it is likely you will fell prey to problems like

Eating disorders
Depression leading to actions of self destruction
Substance abuse

With these and many more issues to tackle, you will start aging prematurely. Yes, that’s what anger does. The intensely negative influence of anger ages you irreversibly.

The physiological stress that results from chronic anger will speed up physical deterioration. Wrinkles appear before they ought to, there is a likelihood of hair loss, your health parameters take a beating -

In short, you start growing old much earlier than you really ought to.

So how do you manage anger before it gets the better of you. Here are 10 simple steps for successful anger management

1) The much written about, quite clichéd advice is truly the most practical one! Yes! Count till 10 before you react in anger

2) Breathe in and breathe out slowly, while counting

3) Identify the parameters that make you angry. Learn to manage them. If you are angry because of your failure to complete a task, then plan on how you should react when you face failure again

4) Indulge in actions/activities that help you calm down and make you feel more relaxed and less angry

5) Look out for physiological indicators which indicate that you will soon lose your temper. It may be quickening of breath, or it may be a faster heartbeat -

6) Controlling the outburst by keeping the feelings locked inside your mind leads to stress too – sometimes this causes more harm; you can take up a rigorous physical activity like cycling, trekking and so on to take your mind away from anger. The adrenaline flowing through your body will quell the negativity and make you feel good!

7) Eat healthy! Include generous portions of fresh fruits and vegetables in your meals and snack.

8) Own up responsibility for your outburst. Be genuinely repentant and reach out to those who have been affected by your anger.

9) Assure them and yourself that you are working on your problem and will definitely conquer it soon

10) Get professional help if required

8 Ways in which Sleep aids Anti-aging

2015-04-03T09:11:00.000-07:00

(And 8 Tricks to Help you Sleep Better)

The Dalai Lama accords a lot of importance by saying, “Sleeping is the best meditation”. Anti-aging never had a better ally than a healthy sleeping habit! Sleep creates an automatic shield against skin aging and strengthens your immune system in several ways. Want to know how?

Good sleeping habits help in giving you

1. Skin rejuvenation by keeping at bay

a) Puffy eyelids

b) Wrinkles and fine lines

c) Dark circles around the eyes

d) Acne

2. A glowing complexion

3. Alert, calm and refreshed on waking

4. Less mood swings, more optimism and enthusiasm

5. Motor skills and memory improved

6. Cellular regeneration that helps in keeping you looking good and feeling good

7. Inflammation, if any, is reduced

8. Increased life span due to improved

a) Endocrine levels and glucose tolerance

b) Immune system

c) Blood pressure levels

d) Memory power, alertness and performance

e) Body fat levels

It is ever so important that you sleep well and sufficiently so that you can avail all these benefits. So, here are some easy to follow ideas that ensure a good night’s sleep.

1. Inculcating an ‘early to bed early to rise’ habit improves efficiency and boosts immunity

2. Maintain the same sleep schedule; getting up at the same time and going to bed at the same time

3. Have a meal of less calories at night – about 400 to 500 calories

4. Abstain from alcoholic drinks for about three hours prior to bedtime

5. Avoid caffeinated drinks after lunch and onwards

6. Avoid desserts before bedtime

7. Do not apply anything greasy on your face when you go to bed.

8. Other simple ways to induce a good night’s sleep are

                      a)      Listening to soothing music
              b)      Having a glass of warm milk just before turning in
                      c)      Meditation
                      d)      Reading
                e)      Writing your diary
               f)        A massage and/or hot bath

The Wondrous Lemon - Keeping you Young and Fit!

2015-03-10T09:20:00.000-07:00

There are umpteen ways, in which you can look and feel younger. A huge array of cosmetic aids (ranging from rejuvenating creams to botox shots to sophisticated microdermabrasion procedures) can chip away years from your appearance . . .

Yet, from time immemorial, there have been some simple, ingenious practices that, people claim, have helped maintain both their glowing complexions and general good health…,

The simple lemon is nature’s gift to humanity. Its health and beauty enhancing properties are countless and invaluable.

Here are two simple daily routine practices that can make you look and feel good. Include these in your daily health/beauty regimen.

The pre-bath face lotion

In a dish containing a tablespoon of very hot milk, squeeze in drops of fresh lime juice. Keep adding drops of lime juice until the milk curdles. Allow the curdled milk to cool. Now dip fingertips into the milk and apply it all over your face and neck.

After fifteen minutes wash your face with lukewarm water and pat dry. Within a week or two your complexion will acquire a glow.

Why is this good?

Lemon and milk are both rich in alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) in its natural form. AHA is good for your skin because it can help

· Exfoliation: removing the outermost layer of dead skin cells

· Makes skin smoother and even, and reduces wrinkles

· Stimulates collagen and elastin (Collagen makes your skin firm while elastin keeps it taut) content in your skin structure

Drink water as soon as you wake up

Add freshly squeezed lime to a cup of warm water and drink it first thing in the morning, before that refreshing cuppa. You can have up to three glasses of this lime water.

Why should you?

There are a dozen or more invaluable benefits of this simple ritual. Warm lime water

· Acts as a diuretic and in the process of cleansing, removes the toxins from your body

· Stimulates the digestive organs to produce the right juices that aid better digestion

· Acidity affecting digestive system is reduced and the right pH levels maintained

· Helps in weight loss due to presence of the enzyme pectin

· Antioxidants present in lime juice help firm the skin, give it a natural glow and keep wrinkles in

abeyance

· Reduces the risk of kidney stones

· Immune system gets a booster dose of nutrients that helps

1. Resistance to cold and other respiratory ailments

2. Improved nerve functioning

3. Control blood pressure at optimum level

4. Increased absorption of iron by your body

5. Act as an anti-inflammatory agent

6. Replace lost fluids in lymph system and hydrates whole body optimally

So, next time you visit this page, it will be a healthier, younger looking you!!

Dance, Dance, Dance your way to Fitness!

2011-01-20T03:22:00.000-08:00

Millions of people have resolved to lose weight and remain trim this year. The resolutions come and go but do you manage to maintain your ideal weight.

Does it not become too cumbersome to follow strict schedules day after day in order to keep away that flab? Well here’s what you can do to bid adieu to the worrisome exercise regime.

Dancing is a fun way to lose weight. And here is how you can reach your ideal weight and maintain it- - - - - by dancing. Make sure you set aside some time for dancing at least five times a week

If you lead a very busy life and can hardly spare more than three days for the dance, then set aside only three days – there is no point in making schedules that cannot be adhered to
Pick a time that is convenient for you, preferably when you are alone at home so that you have the privacy to dance freely without feeling self conscious or inhibited
Make a list of your favorite numbers – those peppy, racy tunes that compel you to start dancing spontaneously
Only choose those numbers that have a nice upbeat sound to it; for variety, you can team up with a friend and make the session even more enjoyable
Try to dance continuously for twenty minutes
If it is not possible the first time, start with a five minute session and then gradually increase it to 20 minutes
Your song selection should be such that you enjoy every second of the music and alleviate the boredom of repetitive exercises
When you dance, you should be wearing comfortable clothing that allow you the freedom of movement
If there is always someone at home, then you can dance in the privacy of your room, wearing headphones so that other sounds do not distract you
Dance just as fast as you can so that you can talk without losing your breath while dancing
Remember not to dance too hard as you may harm or hurt yourself and get tired before you start burning the calories
If you want professionals to guide you, you can always join a dance class that specializes in helping you lose weight

The benefits

You can lose calories by dancing, just as you would lose them by walking, swimming or cycling
Dancing automatically tones your muscles
It keeps them taut and reduces flabbiness
You can stay away from those dubious wonder pills that claim to help you lose weight without lifting a finger; wonder pills may often turn out to be quite harmful and lead to adverse side effects that cannot be reverted
Do not forget to drink lots of water everyday tomake up for the toxins flushed out effectively every day

There are many resources on the Internet that can take the tedium out of weight-loss programs. And here is something that will put a smile on your face and help you look fab without the flab... Check out

Lose Weight by Dancing

Tips and Techniques for Great Looking Skin

2010-11-04T01:00:00.000-07:00

The skin is the first part of the body that physically changes to show age, wear and tear. The choices we make in our early life are the choices our skin will reflect later in life.

Don’t you want to look younger? Let’s try some simple techniques like

If you want to look and feel younger exercising daily can prove to be better for body better that any bottled anti aging products.

Protect your skin from sun as it can cause wrinkles and age spots. So try using sunscreen that is free from toxic chemicals.

Stop smoking as it accelerate the normal aging process of your skin and contribute to wrinkles.

Eat foods rich in antioxidants, essential fatty acids such as fruits, vegetables etc.

Get your proper sleep as your body needs to produce human growth hormone an essential ingredient for skin that’s thick and less prone to wrinkle.

Exfoliate your skin a few times a week as it takes off dead skin cells.

Remove your stress by following meditation and yoga. Yoga relaxes the muscles and imparts a natural glow and fairness to the skin.

Drink plenty of water, as it will help to flush out the toxins from your body and cleanse them.

Expose yourself to early morning sun for a short time daily, it is heliotherapy or sun treatment. Sun is the source of power and energy.

Avoid alcohol as this dehydrates the body which is not good for the skin.

Home remedy for anti aging

• Vitamin E is well known home remedy for anti aging. Apply this daily on age spots it will fade away gradually.

• Try getting a proper facial massage as it increases blood circulation which results in tightening of the muscle and tissues and will help in restoring a younger look. Massage should start from neck upwards and end at the forehead.

• For a chemical free cleanser raw milk can be used. It cleans unseen dirt and goes down into your pores.

• Simple yoga practice like pranayama, siddhasana and sarvangasana can improve the blood circulation to your skin and will make you look young.

Reach for That Chocolate and Remain Young!

2010-09-22T11:42:00.000-07:00

Yes eating dark chocolate in moderation helps fight anti-aging. Just like spinach, olive oil and tomato chocolate, studies claim, can actually retard aging. The key word here is MODERATION.

What does chocolate contain that makes it so healthy? For one, chocolate contains flavonoids that reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease.

The flip side is, it's not that only chocolate contains flavonoids, lots of fruits and vegetables contain this health promoting substance too. So add a lot of fruits and vegetables to your diet, besides a little chocolate.

Yet, you'll be happy to know that the flavonoids in chocolates contain two substances called procyanidins and flavanols that are wonderful antioxidants. The same antioxidants are found in grape juice and green tea.

Did you know that optimum antioxidant levels in the bloodstream can help reduce risk of cancer by protecting DNA, protect your body against inflammation, besides helping keep blood vessels and heart in good condition?

Another point in f(l)avor of chocolates - lab tests have proved that antioxidant property of chocolate is more effective than that in green tea, black tea or red wine!

Here is some more good news about chocolates. Scientists have proved two anti-chocolate myths wrong.

Myth One: Chocolates cause migraine: Oh no! They do not

Myth Two: Chocolates rot healthy teeth: Oh no! Too much of anything sweet is harmful to teeth, if you do not maintain a healthy brush-floss-mouthwash regimen. Bitter chocolates, in moderation, do not harm teeth In fact they work against the harm sugar causes to teeth

Are you in pain? Have a chocolate! Yes chocolates are capable of helping release endorphins in the brain that are pain relievers. Research has also shown that stress levels are much lower in people who consume cocoa beans regularly. That is because chocolates have chemicals that can promote healthy blood flow and hence prevent blood clots and heart attacks.

Chocolates have important nutrients like magnesium, calcium, iron, a load of Vitamins (A, B1, C, D, and E) and other important nutrients like nitric oxide that can keep you healthy. So when you want to eat this delicious health bar here is what you should remember

Dark chocolates are healthier than milk chocolates
Chocolates from reputed and well endorsed companies are preferable to brands you do not know much about
Avoid chocolates that are rich in saturated fats and sugars

The latest on chocolates: Scientists have sequenced the genome of two cocoa trees. Cocoa being the basic ingredient in chocolates, this endeavor will create a premise for developing high quality cocoa beans from disease free trees.

Secret to Age Retarding – Facelift without Surgery!

2010-08-18T05:21:00.000-07:00

Aging is a common natural process which can be delayed, if not prevented completely, by age retarding facial exercises. Exercising save you’re the trouble of going for expensive cosmetic surgery which can also be painful and may not provide the desired results.

These exercises if done systematically and consistently can help remove aging effects like muscle atrophy and make you look younger. These exercises have the power to revitalize your facial tissues and shape and contour your face easily. The other advantage is that you can perform these exercises at home or anywhere by using an anti-aging face roller whenever you find it convenient. The benefits are immense as you can look and feel good as you age.

Here are some simple exercises that help to rejuvenate your facial skin and tissues as facial skin is the first to show signs of aging.

• Face tone exercise is an effective age retarding exercise, where the facial skin is extended and pulled upwards. This helps in tightening of the skin. For this, mechanical gloves are used. Lotions, creams, or gels are applied to pads which are rotated over the face using a machine.

• Chewing a gum is a recommended anti aging facial exercise of the cheeks. The repeated motion will help in tightening your cheeks.

• Age retarding exercise for lips requires you to push your lips out and make a round shape, stretching them forward in the process. Now smile as wide as possible, hold for a second and resume the round shape again. This needs to be repeated 10 times a day.

• For the eyes, shutting them tightly and then opening them as wide as you can, helps in relaxation of the eyes.

• Another eye exercise is to press a finger on each side of your head at the temples and keep opening and closing the eyelids rapidly a few times. This is to tone up the eye muscles.

• Close your eyes and sit in a relaxed pose. Keeping your eyes closed, look up and down repeatedly for about 10 times.

• Look straight while sitting upright. Keep your eyes wide open and look up and down ten times. Then look left and right without moving your body or head. Repeat this for ten times.

• For the forehead frowning is a good exercise. Frown by bringing your eyebrows close to each other. Lifting your eyebrows, open your eyes as wide as you can. Repeat this 5 times.

• The other effective facial exercise is to repeatedly lift your eyebrows as much as you can then bring them down. This helps in keeping the forehead wrinkle free for a longer time by distressing it thereby retarding the aging process.

• Lines on the forehead are clearly visible. They can be removed with a simple exercise. Keep the pads of your middle fingers at the top of the nose bridge. Now place your index fingers each side of the bridge of your nose, just below your middle finger. Hold both fingers gently but firmly and gradually move the muscles under the fingers in an upward direction. Make four or five upward movements, holding 15 seconds and then return in four slow steps. Repeat this three times.

• To remove the sagging of eyelids, lie on the bed with your head hanging over the edge. Raise your eyebrows keeping your eyes wide open. Repeat this ten times.

Anti Aging Facial Exercises to Look Younger

2010-06-14T08:53:00.000-07:00

Aging is a natural phenomenon. As we age, the facial skin develops wrinkles, fine lines, sagging, and other aging symptoms. Everyone tries to look younger in some way by reducing wrinkles or by coloring the gray hair and wearing contact lens. There are expensive solutions offered by the beauty salons and medical solutions such as a cosmetic or plastic surgery. Eating healthy food and a good exercise program are the natural and cheapest ways to improve your skin to prevent or retard aging. The least expensive and practical way within the reach of all is through Anti Aging Facial Exercises.

Anti aging facial exercises increase the blood circulation which makes your face stress free and relaxed. These exercises can be performed even at home by buying yourself an anti-aging face roller which you can use anytime and anywhere. These exercises help to shape and contour your face easily and without the high costs of going for a cosmetic or plastic surgery.

Following are some simple exercises that revitalize your facial skin and tissues to ensure that you are on your way to a healthier and more beautiful skin, looking younger for a long time.

• An easy facial exercise is to repeatedly lift your eyebrows as much as you can then bring them down. This is one of the highly effective anti aging facial exercises that helps in keeping the forehead wrinkle free for a longer time by distressing it

• For the eyes, shutting them tightly and then opening them as wide as you can, helps in relaxation of the eyes

• Chewing a gum is a recommended anti Aging facial exercise of the cheeks. The repeated motion will help in tightening your cheeks

• Face tone exercise is an effective anti aging facial exercise, where the facial skin is extended and pulled upwards. This helps in tightening of the skin. For this, mechanical gloves are used. Lotions, creams, or gels are applied to pads which are rotated over the face using a machine. This helps in minimizing the wrinkles from aging and weather beats.

• Anti aging facial exercise for lips requires you to push your lips out and make a round shape, stretching them forward in the process. Now smile as wide as possible, hold for a second and resume the round shape again. This needs to be repeated 10 times a day

• To remove frown lines, place the pads of your middle fingers at the top of the nose bridge. Now place your index fingers each side of the bridge of your nose, just below your middle finger. Hold both fingers gently but firmly and gradually move the muscles under the fingers in an upward direction. Make four or five tiny upward movements, hold for 15 seconds and then return in four slow steps. Repeat this three times.

• Aging causes the eyelids to droop. To help you to get rid of this, curve your index fingers and place them under each eyebrow, following the eyebrow shape. Now push up with your fingers, raising your brows slightly in the process. Hold in that position and close your eyes without moving your fingers or eyebrows. The upper eyelid now needs to be moved downwards over your eyes in small movements. Doing this, you will feel a gentle stretch on the upper lids. When your eyelids are fully closed over your eye at full stretch, hold them for 15 seconds and then gently release the stretch and open the eye. Repeat this three times.

Anti aging facial exercises can systematically and consistently help your face avoid aging effects and look healthier, prettier, and younger.

here is an excellent resource that can really help you look younger in 7 days flat! Just with some Facial Gymastics Give it a try right now!

4 Best Fruits that Fight Aging

2010-06-10T07:07:00.000-07:00

An ideal anti aging diet should contain a lot of whole grain foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, plenty of water, while minimizing the saturated fat foods. The more fruits and vegetables you include in your diet, the better you will look and feel.

So, is it not important to know which fruits and which vegetables will bring in the shine in your eyes, the glow in your cheeks that keeps you looking youthful and feeling healthy?

Here are some fruits that will help fight signs of ageing the smart way!

Avocado: reduces cholesterol, keeps your skin looking young and helps reduce symptoms of high blood pressure.

Blueberry: This fruit has the ingredient to safeguard brain cells from memory loss problems that usually surface in old age. Regular consumption of the fruit also helps prevent urinary tract infections. Blue berry keeps your skin looking young and healthy.

Orange:This citrus fruit is filled with goodness. It helps retain water content in your body and provides for a healthy glow in your skin. Oranges help keep down the bad cholesterol level.

Watermelon: This fruit is a storehouse of vitamins containing rich quantities of Vitamins A, B, C and E. The fruit is a rich source for both zinc and selenium, which together fight aging, and make your skin look young and glowing!

Other fruits, the regular consumption of which will ensure an excellent skin condition, are cherries, purple grapes, currants, strawberries and raspberries.

15 Best Ways to Enhance Cognitive Fitness and Fight Aging

2010-06-09T08:01:00.000-07:00

Exercising your brain the fun way, that is, by playing games helps rejuvenate the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain that is responsible for significant tasks like mental imagery and memory. Here are the top 15 ways to do it regularly and systematically.

Enroll for a new language course and/or a classical music course
Enroll for a Speed Reading course which will help improve memory and concentration.
Read more often, a lot of different types of books, newspapers or magazines to keep up with the current news and trends.
Attempt creative writing; create your own blog and/or contribute periodically to article directories on topics that interest you.
Planning meals rich in Omega 3 Fatty Acids will provide the right nutrition for the brain. Never miss breakfast as it is essential for efficient functioning of the brain.
Plan your day in a way that you have set some time apart for playing games like chess, crossword puzzles, Sudoku and Scrabble. (A friend of mine starts working on her writing assignments only after an online game of scrabble.)
Play a variety of games, starting off with the one you good exposure to; if you are good at chess start off with that. Increase the level of difficulty of the games gradually.
Play some computer games that sharpen your cognitive skills; take online tests for the same too.
Solving mathematical problems for fun is a good way to keep mentally alert
Organize mini contests within your friends/family circles.
Help your children solve complicated jigsaw puzzles; the exercise sharpens analytical and perceptive skills. Solving the Rubik cube is an excellent way to exercise the brain too.
Try and use your left hand more if you are a right hander and vice versa if you are a left hander
Try to remember the various things you have to shop for rather than carrying a shopping list along; Play memory games with your family and friends
Take long walks in fresh air and where there is a lot of greenery.

Meditation improves concentration and helps you focus better on what you really want to do.

Anti Wrinkle Creams – Myth or Magic?

2010-06-09T02:47:00.000-07:00

Where is my anti-wrinkle cream?

Seeing lines appearing on the forehead and neck can be really annoying for anyone especially those who are conscious about their looks. According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, the exposure to sun rays, habitual smoking and a poor diet are the biggest contributors to wrinkles.

The only way people could get rid of their wrinkles or age spots was only by visiting a doctor not so long ago. Anti Wrinkle creams allow you to treat your problem areas in the privacy of your homes. The effect of the anti wrinkle face cream products can last anywhere from eight to ten hours so you stay fresh through out the day. But, there are some products promising you lasting or permanent results.

Ads with good hype on their efficacy and magical results are seen in every medium promoting one product or another. However it is your own responsibility to look at the ingredients of the anti wrinkle face cream and make sure it is safe to use. You can use the products prescribed by your doctor or dermatologist who knows what would work for your skin type.

Myths surrounding anti-wrinkle creams:

1. Anti wrinkle creams are used only by women – The statistics say the opposite. 50 percent of anti wrinkle cream buyers are men.

2. Anti wrinkle creams give instant benefits – It would take at least 30 days with constant application of proven ingredients to see a positive result.

3. No supplement of hydration needed for anti wrinkle creams with that contain hydration ingredients – Drinking plenty of water everyday is critical for any anti wrinkle cream to work or else their power is reduced to half.

4. Only old people should use anti wrinkle creams – Wrong. In fact people belonging to the age group of 35 and above can benefit to retain their young looking skin that way for longer years.

What is magic about anti wrinkle cream?

There is nothing magic as far as anti wrinkle creams are concerned. It is up to you to dispel all myths and find a suitable anti wrinkle cream. There is no magic about getting rid of wrinkles and you must understand that the process takes time.

There are many reliable products with breakthrough ingredients that are highly effective available in the market though they may be expensive. New developments in skin care and anti aging fields have made it possible to retain youthful skin with the use of these creams. Natural ingredients like essential oils, vitamins and minerals and emollients are very effective in fighting wrinkles.

The effective and harmless anti wrinkle ingredients were discovered through years of scientific research. Today the anti wrinkle cream is part of the most happening industry in the world.

Olay Professional Pro-X Anti-Aging Starter Protocol, 1 Kit

Onions, Tomatoes and Garlic -Delicious Ways for Longevity

2010-06-08T19:46:00.000-07:00

Onions, tomatoes and garlic are indispensible when you want to make meals spicier and tastier. The good news is, not only do these vegetables enhance taste; they are also storehouses of rich nutrients. Here is what is good about them.

Onion

This is the wonder vegetable than help you keep fit and young by acting as an anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal agent!

Not just that, by regular consumption of onions you help reduce risks of tuberculosis, pneumonia, obesity, asthma, influenza, sinusitis and hypertension.

Other little known benefits of onion are

It helps in longevity
It helps maintain healthy eyes, nails and hair
Helps reduce symptoms of vertigo

Onion contains Vitamins A, B and C, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, proteins and carbohydrates. the benefits.

Tomato
As the richest natural source of lycopene, this delicious fruit/vegetable effectively helps older people remain physically and mentally fit. If you want that natural glow to you skin, add lots of tomatoes in your diet. As an excellent blood purifier, this little vegetable improves both skin texture and complexion.

An effective antiseptic, tomato also helps reduce cholesterol and can also dissolve gall bladder stones. Studies have shown that in countries where tomato is a significant part of cuisine, a lesser percentage of people are susceptible to heart problems!

Tomato has in it Vitamins A, B, C and K, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron and proteins.

Garlic

A clove of garlic a day keeps cancer away – so goes a well known health adage. It has been seen that people who consume garlic daily, whether raw or cooked, are at a lower risk for cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.

In fact, a study conducted a decade ago proved that middle-aged women who consumed garlic everyday were 50% less likely to contract colon cancer! Garlic is also known to be effective against the common cold and phlegm.

Health Tip: Boil 150 ml of water with a teaspoon of garlic paste for 10 to 15 minutes on a low flame. Cool and store it. Take one teaspoon of the mixture two-three times a day to cure the common cold and reduce phlegm.

Nutritive goodness of garlic is because of the presence of Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9 and C, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, iron, zinc and magnesium. Garlic also contains carbohydrates, dietary fiber, proteins and folates.

Carrot, Pumkin, Sweet Potato can Fight Aging!

2010-06-08T08:36:00.000-07:00

Vegetables, like fruits , provide a lot of goodness and have excellent anti-aging properties. Given below are the virtues of a few vegetables which provide the right kind of nutrition that keeps you fit and young.

Carrot
The carrot is like Superman fighting away the evil effects of cholesterol! Basically carrot contains Alpha carotene, Beta carotene, nitrogenous composites, gluthathione, carbohydrates and phytochemicals. Carrots are also rich in potassium, calcium and vitamins A, E, C and Bi & B2. Other minerals found in carrots are magnesium, copper, iron, sulphur, phosphorus and manganese!

A powerhouse of nutrients, carrot is instrumental in reducing cholesterol levels besides providing excellent nutrition for eyes and skin. Both are safeguarded to a great extent from age-related problems with regular consumption of this vegetable.

With a high level of Vitamin A nutrient, carrot provides the necessary fiber for digestion, besides doing great things for the immune system. Beta carotene is a great anti-aging substance that is a good antioxidant and an essential factor, possibly responsible for reducing the risk of lung cancer.

Health Tip: Carrot is more nutritious when cooked rather than when consumed raw.

Sweet Potato

The humble sweet potato is rich in nutrients and has in it naturally occurring sugars, complex carbohydrates, minerals (iron, potassium and calcium) and Vitamins (A, B6, C, and E). The iron enables maintaining good hemoglobin levels in the blood and calcium ensures preserving bone density. The complex carbohydrates provides energy for hard physical labour

Did you know that sweet potatoes are almost fat free? Most Vitamin E sources like vegetable oils or fruits like avocado supply the nutrient along with a good dose of fat. Sweet potato is one rare vegetable that can supply Vitamin E to your body without adding on the fat content!

The fiber content in this vegetable decreases

Risk of rectal cancer
Risk of colon cancer
Diverticulosis (small bulging sacs of tissue that create pressure within the colon)
Complaints of constipation.

Pumpkin
This vegetable supplies Vitamin A for that healthy glowing skin and sparkling eyes, Vitamin C helps keep your skin looking good while strengtheneing the immune system. The rich supplement of Vitamin E keeps your heart young and trouble free. The minerals present in this ubiquitous vegetable are niacin, potassium, iron, calcium, zinc, magnesium and selenium. The fiber content in pumpkin is packed with essential nutrients.

Is Aging Skin Your Problem? Regain Your Youthful Skin in 7 Days Flat!

2010-06-05T22:57:00.000-07:00

Isn’t it unbearably annoying to see your aging face in the mirror and seeing your glowing youthful face in the photograph taken years ago? The process of aging is the monster that can sabotage your facial beauty.

But no need to panic! It is still possible to get back and retain your glowing facial skin. It is no magic, but a practical solution that anyone can put to use.

The market is overflowing with highly effective creams and lotions that you can apply on your face. Even skin specialists suggest many creams that can help you in retaining your flawless and glowing skin that defies your age. As each skin type is different you must be really careful in choosing your skincare product. As you may be aware, there is no “fits all sizes” solution here.

You should know how much, how long and how to use these products to get the desired results. Though years of research and genuinely helpful and safe ingredients and highly careful processes have gone into their making, these beauty care solutions do have limitations. And beware, these products come with no guarantee of serving your purpose and yes, the danger of further damage is not ruled out.

The other way is to make changes to your diet regimen and the way you protect your skin. This is a good way to retard aging by slowing down the degeneration of cells and tissues inside the body. A healthy glow of the face comes from a healthy internal system and you can ensure that by consuming foods that are beneficial for the skin and avoid that are not.

This is an excellent way to protect your skin damage due to aging. You may even combine these efforts with practices like yoga and meditation to calm and serenity ingrained in your system to maintain your overall good looks. This is easier said than done as continuity holds the key here.

There is the need for protecting your skin from the onslaught of harsh weather conditions and exposure to direct sunlight or unsuitable and unhealthy environment for the health of your skin.

You may be taking all the precautions of not exposing your skin to direct sunlight and harsh atmosphere by wearing hats and sunscreen etc. You can apply cold packs and wash your face as often as possible to get rid of grime. This too is limited when it comes to practicality.

The next question is how much time you can afford to spend for your beauty care regimen. Most people put the blame on the time factor for not taking proper care of their skin especially the facial skin. The competitive world robs us of the very valuable time to spend on things close to our hearts.

Now where do all the above factors lead us to? I said there is a way – that anyone can have young, healthy and glowing skin.

No, it’s not surgery. Not even a cream or a lotion!

Yes, you guessed it right! Facial Exercise is the easiest, fastest and only solution that suits one and all irrespective of your skin color or type. It requires just 30 minutes a day for doing these facial exercises. You will see the delightful difference in only 7 days.

Curious? Get ” Facial Gymnastics” and see for yourself.

Best Anti-Aging Therapy

2010-06-05T22:40:00.000-07:00

Do you want to know what the best anti-aging therapy is? Firstly let us see what aging is all about. Aging brings along with it skin deterioration, weakening of muscles, increased mental anxiety and several health problems. What if all these problems have only one solution? It does! And the answer to all these problems is Yoga!

Yoga is the ancient system of relaxation, healing and exercise. Yoga in short is the unification of the soul, the mind and the body. It is an exercise that increases flexibility and general health of a person.

Here are some reasons why you should opt for yoga

• Yoga ameliorates the feeble body postures

• Strengthens abdominal muscles

• Increases flexibility of the spine and efficiency of loose muscles

• Rejuvenates the mind; at old age, the mind is anxious and even a small problem can be worrisome

• Yoga helps in making a person feel positive, enthusiastic, confident and relaxed.

From a common cold to a life threatening diseases like cancer, Yoga helps in providing resistance to the body.

Moreover, yoga provides the face with a natural face lift and reduces wrinkles, as the inverted positions in yoga firms up the skin.

These inverted positions also retard graying of hair! Increased blood supply to the hair follicles in the scalp, due to yoga postures, reverts graying of hair.

Yoga also provides a lot of benefits to internal organs, brain, spine and glands giving you a longer and healthier life. Be it hearing, vision or concentration, yoga helps maintain its efficacy!

There is a famous saying in yoga philosophy that a man’s age is determined by the flexibility of his muscles rather than amount of years he lived. Ageing is inevitable, but the art is to postpone it in the best manner- and what better means could we recommend than yoga?

30 Minutes to a Younger You!

2010-06-05T11:33:00.000-07:00

It is true! Just 30 minutes of exercise a day can make you feel much younger and healthier. A consistent daily routine of exercise can actually slow down the aging process! There are some specific exercises that can stop the aging clock!

The benefits of exercising are innumerable, and I am sure you know that only too well! Yet I will list some of the benefits here. Exercise

• Provides resistance to diseases

• Provides relief from stress and tension

• Gives relief from joint and back pains

• Rejuvenates the skin and prevents sagging of skin

• Helps in giving better posture and balance and decreases the chances of rheumatoid arthritis.

There are basically 3 types of exercises for anti-aging-

Strength building: It type of exercise gives your muscles and bones sturdiness. This also lessons the chances of a incapacitating injury.

Cardiovascular: These exercises are for a healthy heart. Brisk walks, aerobics, jogging and other exercises increase the heart rates leading to a healthier lifestyle.

Flexibility: This is maybe the most important type of exercise for anti-aging, as it increases blood circulation and gives out serotonin. This chemical is a necessity for the overall welfare of the body.

The exercise does not have to rigorous and exhausting. A simple walk or gardening can do the job. A regular walking routine can give you more energy and make you healthier.

A research showed evidence that golf players lived longer than non golf players. Thus golf can be played for increasing life expectancy.

But over exercising can counter the benefits and even turn harmful. A study has revealed that the burning up of more than 3500 calories a day increases harmful effects of free radicals and cellular oxidation. Further, it can cause depression and sleeplessness.

Inactivity in old age is possibly the biggest cause of aging. Exercise and an active lifestyle can help you look younger and most importantly, feel younger!

Hair Dy(e)ing?

2010-05-27T07:53:00.000-07:00

hair

It was Eugene Schueller, founder L’Oreal who is credited with the manufacture of the first artificial hair dye.

After that there have been hundreds of products that can change your hair color. The old could look younger by camouflaging the grayness, the young could look different the blond becoming a brunette and vice versa.

Synthetic hair dyes essentially remove, substitute or camouflage pigments that are found inside the normal hair shaft.

There are different kinds of dyes, temporary, semi permanent and permanent. Temporary dyes do not permeate into the inner layers of the scalp and can be removed with one shampoo wash.

Semi permanent hair dyes partially penetrate into the cuticle layer and so the artificial color stays on until you have shampooed your hair four or five times.

Permanent hair dyes allow the chemical ingredients to reach deep into the scalp through follicles, by means of which the cortex is reached and the color of the melamine lightens, changing the color of the hair.

There are also products available that can bleach or lighten the color of the hair.

However, all these synthetic dyes have several additives that may or may not suit your scalp. For instance, Paraphenylenediamine (PPD), an ingredient found in permanent hair dyes, (because it lends a natural look to the dye) may cause swelling and redness of the face and scalp for those who are allergic to it.

Allergic reaction to dyes or prolonged use of dyes can lead to several adverse symptoms like

a. Permanent discoloration of the hair

b. Irritation and itching on the scalp

c. Breaking of the hairs

d. Some studies also point to a link between synthetic dyes and various forms of cancer. In fact the studies indicate that consistent use of synthetic hair dye increases the risk of blood cancer

It makes sense if you can dye your hair out of natural ingredients to keep it healthy, shining and looking young! Here are some tips for covering the grey naturally

Make a decoction using (1) a cup of water (2) a teaspoon of tea powder (3) 4/5 leaves of the hibiscus plant. Boil well and filter. To the water add pure henna powder until a thick paste is made.

After six hours, apply the paste on the hair evenly. Wash the henna off the hair using a very mild shampoo.

How to Stop Your Hair Loss &
Grow Back Your Hair - Naturally!

11 Best Tips for a Glowing Skin

2010-05-26T11:42:00.000-07:00

Skin it the largest organ in the body and like other organs we need to take adequate care of it to keep it healthy and glowing. Any type of skin care routine starts with cleaning the skin.

Cleansing
The simplest cleaning routine is washing with mild soap and water. Skin should be washed gently and moisturized regularly. There are different skin types and which determine how, how much and how often the cleansing routine should be followed. Most people clean their skins 2-3 times a day. If the skin is oily the cleansing routine should be done 4-5 times a day to wash away the dirt and unclog the pores.

People with dry skins should avoid using harsh cleansers and soaps which will have a drying effect on the skin. They need to use oil based cleansers instead of soap. Combination skins need cleansers with a balancing formula for avoiding moisture loss.

The Best Tips

• A face mask of egg and honey gently removes tan from your face
• Cucumber juice mixed with milk can be used as a cleanser
• For a oily skin, cut a lemon and apply the juice over your face. Leave it for 20 minutes before washing off with cold water
• Mix honey and milk and apply it on your face for 15 minutes. It will make your skin glow
Apply buttermilk on skin for 15 minutes to soak up the excess oil.
• Carrot juices , if applied daily on the skin will lighten blemishes
• Orange Peels mixed with milk act as a natural bleaching agent. Apply for 25 minutes and wash it off
• Sandalwood paste if applied everyday on the skin will make it glow.
• Mash a banana/papaya and apply the paste on your face for 20 minutes to make your skin glow
• Use olive oil as a moisturizer. It can be also used on a sunburn.
• Cotton pads dipped in chilled cucumber juice will reduce dark circles under the eyes.

Foods rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin A , Vitamin D and anti-oxidants such as tomatoes, oranges, lemons, papaya, broccoli, Amla (Indian gooseberry) will provide the nutrients required to make your skin glow and free from wrinkles.

Apart from the above mentioned tips, protect your skin from the ultra-violet rays of the sun by using creams/lotions with Sun Protection Factor (SPF). UV rays will make your skin age faster causing wrinkles. Drink plenty of water (8-10 glasses per day) and fresh fruit juices. Avoid carbonated drinks. Sleep for a minimum of 8 hours. Avoid alcohol and smoking. Following these simple guidelines reward you with a permanently glowing skin!

Why does it seem like Celebrities don’t Age?

2010-05-24T20:07:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered about this question before? Have you wondered why celebrities have wrinkleless faces? They may call it power yoga or a healthy lifestyle but here’s your real answer – Botox.

Botox or botulinum toxin A is used in weakening the muscles which form wrinkles. In today’s time people use it to write off the crow’s feet, wrinkles and frown lines. The insertion of this toxin to the muscles paralyzes these muscles resulting in lesser contractions which in turn give a youthful appearance. The results can be seen for 3 to 6 months and the treatment can be done till the age of 65.

Botox treatments are physician-administered, uncomplicated and non-surgical. In fact it has been permitted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the only approval for its type in the US

The questions which arise about Botox treatments are- Does our face look natural after the procedure? Does it work? Can the treatment be stopped abruptly? Does it have side effects? … and so on

Let us try to answer some-

Firstly botox doesn’t drastically change your facial expressions. You can still look surprised or frown, just like you did before!
In a survey conducted nearly 90% people said they saw a reduction in wrinkles after the treatment. However this doesn’t happen in every case.
Yes, the treatment can be stopped after a session or two. The only difference is that the wrinkles will be back.
Like every other artificial procedure this too has wide ranging side effects like-
Swelling, numbness, redness, pain in the injected areas
Headaches, allergic reactions due to Botox
Respiratory infections and drooping of eyebrows and eyelids
Sometimes the consequences can be hazardous also. In case of overdose or a wrong a muscle getting injected, seek medical help immediately.

It is advisable to visit a well qualified health care professional and get a clear picture of what the procedure entails, before you opt for the procedure

Trying to slow down the aging process is a challenge. Everyone wants to look young. But those who do it in a healthy and sustaining manner are the real winners.

Be well informed before you you do anything your face – Just educate yourself !

Visit the Facial Gymnastics web page to get an equally fine face lift without surgery and that too in seven days!!

Anti Aging - Beyond Creams or Cosmetic Surgery

2010-05-24T03:37:00.000-07:00

Are skin firming creams and cosmetic surgery (plastic surgery) the only solutions to stop aging?

When it comes to aging you think about the time you spent in the sun with no sunscreen as a kid, those late night parties as young adults. Later years of never ending nights spent worrying about careers, family and financial issues along with life’s trial and tribulations wreak havoc on your skin and general health that reflects on your appearance. Suddenly you realize the need to exploring the ways and methods of stopping those annoying signs of aging in the hope of combating ‘Mother Nature’.

You begin with applying Anti ageing creams and go through a long process of finding the right product by making your skin a testing ground for every product that someone recommends. Some impatient souls might consider undergoing a plastic surgery if you are not worried about the cost as this is seen as a popular method of defying age.

However there are various other ancient therapies like Ayurveda and modern treatments that effectively reduce the effects of aging. These therapies provide natural supplements to correct the deficiencies through lifestyle changes such as proper dieting, avoiding fat-rich foods, taking adequate rest, exercising regularly. You can also chose from a variety of conditioning therapies like spa, massage, aromatherapy, hydrotherapy and acupuncture.

Home remedies using face packs, scrubs and the more advanced and sophisticated facials using special preparations by trained beauticians also help in fighting aging to some extent. They involve the use of medicinal herbs and natural supplements such as Aloe Vera, sandalwood paste, lemon, jojoba oil, fagus, silvatica extract, lecithin, niacinamide etc. They are rich in antioxidants that rejuvenate the skin, reduce free radical hits, remove dead cells and minimize cellular damage and formation of abnormal cells.

The truth is there is no overnight magic solution in anti aging. Here are some indirect ways in which you can benefit in keeping the skin ageless:

Proper Diet
Low calorie diet with a balance of all nutrients with plenty of water intake is the ideal menu for all. Raw food rich in vitamins and minerals act as rich sources of anti aging agents.

Exercise
Regular exercise keeps you fit and stress free, and thus reducing your aging process.

Restful Sleep
No anti aging or beauty regimen is complete or effective without a disciplined lifestyle of adequate restful sleep.

Meditation
Meditation and yoga are beneficial for anti aging in terms of pacifying the mind and nervous system and promoting the supply of oxygen to the cells and improving blood circulation.

Environmental factors and stress further contribute to the aging process. While you cannot entirely escape aging, you can definitely slow down the aging process by limiting the damage to your skin.