Healthy Living

A Diet Buddy Can Help You Lose Weight

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 13:06:00 +0000

By Allison Preston

Are you looking for a diet plan that helps you lose weight, then you should look for the help of a diet buddy. A diet buddy is a friend or co worker who your partner with to help each other lose weight. Many fitness experts know that if you have to account for your actions to a friend and yourself you are much more likely to stick to it and successfully lose weight.

Picking a diet buddy isn’t hard but it isn’t easy either. You need to find someone who you can trust and who is honest with you. You need someone who will tell you the two big Macs you had for dinner last night wasn’t a good choice, but won’t tear you apart either. You should find a person who has similar weight loss goals. If you want to lose 15 pounds and your buddy wants to lose 65 you aren’t that compatible. You should avoid choosing someone you live with if possible. The constant interaction and monitoring will make you feel like your every move is being watched. Instead try to choose a co worker or close friend to help you out.

You should also choose a diet buddy who you will see regularly. A really great strategy is to meet at the gym every morning and go for breakfast afterward. This way you can compare and talk about what’s going on and how you are progressing. If breakfast doesn’t work lunch is another good alternative. If you have a regular lunch date it will be much easier for you to say no when the office goes for Buffalo wings and nachos every Friday.

You and your diet buddy should set goals and rewards for each other. When you hit a weight goal go out and celebrate. Celebrate by shopping for a new outfit that shows off your weight loss, not by going out for a cheeseburger and milkshake. Remember you and your buddy are working together to help each other reach your goals you aren’t competing with each other. If you can shop for a new dress size or bathing suit don’t be smug about it to your diet buddy. Be supportive and help them, realize everyone’s body is different and some people take longer to lose weight.

Acupuncture Eases Tension Headache Pain

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:05:00 +0000

By Rita Jenkins

Copyright 2005 Daily News Central

The ancient Chinese practice of acupuncture has proven to be an effective treatment for tension headache. It not only relieves pain, but also cuts rates of recurrence by almost half, a recent study indicates.

Traditional Chinese acupuncture therapy involves insertion of needles up to 3 inches deep into the body at prescribed acupuncture points, according to licensed acupuncturist Rong Zeng of the New York Good Health Clinic in Manhattan.

However, a new, randomized blind study in Germany involving 270 patients with a similar severity of tension headache has shown that a minimal course of acupuncture works almost as well as the traditional method.

Fewer Headaches After Treatment

Researchers divided the patients into three groups. Over an eight-week period, one group was treated with traditional acupuncture, another received minimal acupuncture (needles inserted only superficially into the skin at non-acupuncture points), and the control group had neither treatment.

The subjects were monitored for four weeks after their period of treatment. Those who had received traditional acupuncture care subsequently experienced seven fewer headaches. The group that had been given minimal acupuncture therapy had surprisingly similar results -- 6.6 fewer headaches.

The control group did not fare as well, with only 1.5 fewer headaches.

Improvements in headache rates continued for months after the acupuncture treatment, though they began to rise slightly as time went on.

Results Subject to Interpretation

Such a negligable difference in results between traditional and minimal acupuncture treatments possibly indicates that the location of acupuncture points and depth of needle insertion do not make a major difference for treatment of tension headache, the authors of the study suggest.

However, they caution that the possibility of placebo effects should not be overlooked.

"Placebo effect is a factor in all types of medicine," Dr. Zeng noted. In western medicine, for example, blind tests may reveal placebo effects that are similar to responses to trial drugs, she explained.

In any case, it is clear that the patients who received acupuncture treatment experienced fewer headaches. The possibility that placebo effect plays a role in acupuncture does not detract from its efficacy.

Acne Treatments For Black Skin

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 13:04:00 +0000

By Kirsten Hawkins

Your Guide to

Acne irritates and worries all kinds of people, especially the teens and young adults, all over the country. Acne actually does not choose a certain type of skin color to spread on. Thus, not only white American are prone to suffer this unbearable skin disorder. Black Americans are also at risk of having acne problems. And, this can be highly observable to many black skinned people, especially in the adolescence age. Thus, there is a need for acne treatments for black skin.

You should not however despair in anyway if you’re black skinned. There is always a cure to all your acne problems. There are actually so much acne treatments for black skin for you to choose from and fight that unwanted skin problem. In fact, there is almost no difference at all on acne treatments for black skin or white skin. You can even prepare one by yourself! Or, you can just buy a remedy right on the nearest store! In case you have an extreme acne problem, you are advised to consult your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor should have one acne treatment for black skin that will truly exterminate that unwanted acne.

Black beauty maintenance
Sometimes the best way to cure something is to prevent it from coming in the first place. And, this actually holds true with curing acne. One of the good ways of acne treatment for black skin is to practice good hygiene. This comes with making it a habit to clean your face with a cleanser or a soap once or twice everyday to keep it clean and oil-free. However, you should not mistaken frequent washing as a good practice. This will actually expose your skin more with the harsh environment. In addition, you should choose carefully what things you'll apply on your skin. You should put down products that contain huge amount of isopropyl alcohol. This makes the skin dry and in turn will make your glands to produce more oil!

Let's Paste It!
Acne treatments for black skin can just be right at your home! Many fruits and vegetables are known for curing acne! Some of the most commonly used includes cucumber, lemon, lime, tea tree oil, honey, oats, tomatoes, orange and turmeric. All you have to do is to apply it as a paste or mask on your face and let it stay on for about 15-30 minutes then rinse. These will either help you take away excess oil or kill the bacteria that causes your acne. An enjoyable, light acne treatment for black skin!

It's all in the counter
You might be thinking that it is more safe and effective to just buy something as acne treatment for black skin. Like home-made remedies, there are so many non-prescription products that are out in the market. One of the most popular treatment is benzoyl peroxide that helps you kill that bacteria that gives you acne. It first dries the skin and then helps in shed to produce a new, healthier layer. Salicylic acid also helps you get rid of that unbearable skin problem. This time your pores are unclogged to encourage skin peeling.

Doctor, My doctor!
When it seems that all you’ve tried as acne treatment for black skin did not work, you should see and consult your doctor for some advice. This is especially advisable to those who had severe acne problems. Your doctor will surely give you more potent acne treatment for black skin! These maybe either topical or oral treatment. These will include azelaic acid, a good alternative to benzoyl peroxide, antibiotic lotions and oral antibiotics. He or she might also suggest LASER treatment as an effective acne treatment for black skin.

Acne Skin Care Products

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 13:03:00 +0000

By Kirsten Hawkins

We all need to follow a skin care regimen to keep our skin healthy and in top shape. Our skin can reflect on how we take care of our body. At some point of our lives, it is almost inevitable that we experience having minor forms of skin infections caused by acne like pimples and blackheads. Teenagers are more prone to it as the body undergoes different hormonal changes. As the body continually grows towards adulthood, individuals really have no way of stopping it and can only lessen its effects. By using different methods and acne skin care products person’s that are more prone to it can control its growth.

Acne skin care products performance can greatly depend on how an individual's skin type reacts to it. It must conform to the skin’s characteristics, which may include skin sensitivity, tone, ethnicity and gender. There are many acne skin care products in the market with different active ingredients and solutions for different skin types. Acne prone skin can be very sensitive to different chemicals and must be very careful in using different products. There are different tips and techniques for mild to severe cases of acnes. Some acne skin care products may not work for some people in helping them improve the look and condition of their skin.

Among the commonly used acne skin care product is the facial cleanser. There are many types of cleansers available that are good and gentle for the skin. It is easy to find a cleanser that is made specifically for a person’s skin type. Using a different soap for your face is also important since bath soaps can be harmful to acne-prone individuals. Testing different acne skin care products may do more harm than good. Skin toners contain ingredients that can dry skin making it susceptible to acne.

A moisturizer is well recommended for individuals that are using benzoyl peroxide to keep the skin from becoming too dry. Upon using acne skin care products for treating blemishes, using moisturizers can keep the skin in balance and helps prevent some of the dryness on its initial stages. Benzoyl peroxide can be harmful to a few individuals. When it exceeds the reasonable quantity and concentration, it can cause severe swelling and flaking. Testing acne skin care products and starting at lesser amounts of dosage is advised to keep track of your skin’s reaction.

Manual razors are better than electric razors since it can give you more control as you shave. Quality safety razors are not hard to find, it can make shaving easier. Changing the blade more often can lessen the skin irritation for acne prone individuals. Blunt and uneven blades can cause accidents like cuts. Unclean blades can also infect open scars and pimples. Opening a scar or blemish can cause a secondary bacterial infection and a permanent scar. Using a shaving cream can prevent burns acquired from shaving and it can also lessen the possibility of bacteria from entering cuts.

Aside from acne skin care products you can also rely for health supplements like vitamins. Vitamins A, B6, C and E can be good for acne treatment and are essential for a healthy skin. Being watchful on your diet and sugar intake can also help minimizing acne problems. Foods rich in sulfur like garlic and onions can be use to cure acne. Consulting a dermatologist for the right acne skin care product can save you the time and effort in reaching the desired results. Skin experts can give you a proper advise on how to treat your skin well.

Acne Skin Care For You

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:03:00 +0000

By Kirsten Hawkins

A high percentage of individuals have been tormented by skin problems like blemishes, rashes, pimples, blackheads and acne. These problems are commonly experienced during puberty or an early stage in life where people tend to be most socially insecure. Aside from being physical, the effects can also be psychological. It can drain an individual’s self-esteem and confidence. Some individuals may continue experiencing acne related skin infections decades later and it may eventually diminish during early adulthood for most people. There is now way of predicting when it will gradually decrease or fully disappear. Pimples, blackheads, and blemishes are among the most common skin infections caused by acne. The infection is a result of excessive secretions of oil from the skin glands and its buildup when a skin pore is blocked. Upper regions of the body like the face, chest, back and upper arms are commonly infected.

Acne can be irritating for most people since it can almost be unpredictable and uncontrollable once it strikes. The exact causes of this skin disease are not known and there have been no guaranteed measure in averting it. Diet, hereditary reasons, vitamin deficiency and stress are among the factors that have been closely attributed to acne infections. Still, it is best to find a good acne skin care regimen to ease and control its growth. An average person can make use of typical acne skin care methods. For severe forms of acne, consulting dermatologists is advisable in finding ways to lessen swelling and prevent scarring.

Perhaps the best acne skin care regimen is to regularly wash your skin twice a day. Using a mild natural facial cleanser and warm water in washing your skin regularly can help remove dirt and pollutants. Using strong detergent soaps and scrubbing your skin can only worsen your acne problems. Too much scrubbing can aggravate acne and it can also open up blemishes. Popping pimples can make the blemishes to spread up causing more infection. Some astringents are too strong and can cause more skin irritation. Using astringents are only advisable for oily skin. Washing your hair regularly can also help in acne skin care. Washing hair, especially long ones, can help remove excess oil and dirt that might come in contact with the skin.

Proper acne skin care also involves shaving and using the right razor. Choosing and testing for a comfortable safety razor is important when you have acne. Before applying the shaving cream, the beard can be softened by washing it with soap and water. Using a sharp blade and shaving lightly helps avoid cuts and rupturing pimples. Many acne skin care products and medicines for treating skin diseases can make your skin more prone to sunburn. Exposing your skin for a while to the sun may help dry up acne blemishes in the surface. Too much exposure to the sun can cause rapid skin aging, skin cancer and can make your skin drier.

Individuals that are prone to acne and are being treated for it should use oil free cosmetic products. Benzoyl peroxide and other acne skin care treatment can redden the skin so applying regular cosmetics products might be difficult. Regular cosmetic products usually contain more fatty acids that are harmful to acne prone individuals. Looking for organic and acne skin care products that will match your skin tone can help avoid more infections.

It is still best that one should consult a dermatologist before applying any acne skin care product or using different methods. Exerting more effort is needed for serious cases of acne infection to keep it from recurring. Observing proper acne skin care is important especially for younger individuals since blemishes and rashes tend to heal faster at a young age. Keeping a healthy lifestyle and diet can help restore the body’s vitality easily.

Acne Scars – Cause, Prevention And Treatment

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 13:02:00 +0000

By Kirsten Hawkins

Acne affects as much as 80 f teenagers and others in their early twenties, while most get out with only a few minor acne scars, some even without any at all; there is also a notable percentage that suffers from acne scars.

There are two types of skin problems caused by acne that can be recognized as acne scars, one is the red pigmentation that appears after acne has healed. These contrary to popular belief, are not scars, rather, these are post-inflammatory lesions which occurs as the acne heals, and these can be present for up to 6-12 months. If however the pigmentation that you see lasts longer than the said period, you may be facing acne scars.

Acne scars come from connective tissue that the body uses to repair damage done to a certain area. Together with antibodies and white blood cells, they work together to heal the wound. After the healing process, you are left with a scar.

Acne scars can develop as long as acne is present, so one good form of prevention is actually preventing acne. However, Acne scars can also be prevented even with the presence of acne. This is done by facilitating the healing of the acne, the faster it heals, the shallower the acne scar will be, making it easier to treat, or may need no treatment at all.

There are two dermatologically tested ways to facilitate the healing of acne, one is the use of Tretinoin, it’s a form of vitamin A, which speeds up the skin’s healing and renovation process shortening the inflammation period, thus preventing Acne scars.

The other treatment used by most dermatologists for Acne scar prevention is the use of Aplpha-Hydroxy Acids of AHA’s and Beta-Hydroxy Acids or BHA’s. These help the skins remodeling process, with the right concentration and proper application; these can also prevent acne scars.

Without the complicated chemicals and difficult dermatological treatments, you can also help prevent acne scars by treating your skin righteously. Avoid sun exposure, this can cause even more skin damage and may hamper the healing process of your skin. Wear sunscreen that has SPF 15 or higher. Picking at scabs never helped either. Never pick on acne as it heals; it interferes with the healing process and might worsen the resulting acne scar.

Of course, not even the most rigorous person can prevent acne scar, with the stress of everyday life, facial and other skin problems are really hard to avoid, there are however treatments available for acne scars, here are some of them.

Dermal Fillers
Collagen or other fillers are injected into the acne scar to raise is just a bit, so that it will be the same level as your skin, these treatments aren’t permanent though. They mostly last 3-6 months and you’ll need additional injections after that.

Punch Excision
This method is effective for some types of scars. It includes the surgical tool that matches the size of the scar; it can be compared to a cookie dough cutter. This tool cuts the scar out and the remaining wound is then sewed back together. The resulting scar will be unnoticeable, but if it is, it’ll be easier for laser resurfacing to treat it. Other types of this treatment include the use of skin grafts.

Laser Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing is a very popular and fast treatment for acne scars. Laser resurfacing basically works by burning a measure upper layer of the skin, and then letting it heal, leaving a newer looking skin. However, care must be taken after the procedure; the correct post operative procedure determines the success of the operation.

Acne Program - Step 9 Protein and 0ther Food to Eat

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 13:01:00 +0000

By Rudy Silva

Eating the right kind of food is what can give you a strong immune system and help you prevent sickness and all kinds of skin blemishes including acne.

Here are some of the foods that can help you overcome the acne on your face or throughout your body.

Protein

Eating excess meat is harmful to your health. Eating too much meat, more than 2-4 ounces per day, has been found to contribute to narrowing of the arteries.

If you do physical labor and are involved in a lot of movement in your work, then you should eat more than 2-4 ounces of protein per day. Just make sure that the meat has a minimum of additives and preservatives.

Remember, meat is high in saturated fat, which blocks the activity of EPA and DHA, which produce prostaglandin and control the activity of your hormones.

Meat and bread is a big contributor to creating constipation. Meat is difficult to digest and many times it will get into the colon partial digested. This condition benefits the bad bacteria and allows them to dominate the colon and create constipation.

Because meat and bread have little fiber, they move slowly in the colon, which leads to constipation and eventually to some type of colon inflammation.

Bad bacteria, decaying meat and other undigested food contribute to the build up of toxic matter in the colon. This is the type of condition you should try to avoid, if you have acne. You need fecal matter in the colon to move regularly and out the rectum, otherwise, toxic matter will build up and end up in your blood stream

Here are the grains you should be eating:

* Brown rice - contain many amino acids that help rebuild skin tissue
* Whole grains - contain folic acid, magnesium, and vitamin E, B vitamins, minerals, and fiber
* Oats - use them in the morning with honey or raisins. Oats have an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin and help to keep you regular.

Seeds and nuts

* Almonds - Almonds contain protein, the B vitamins, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Use them as a snack. These small nuts help to build muscles and tissue.
* Flax seeds - These seeds are known for containing plenty of omega 3 oil, an essential oil for life. They also contain fiber when used ground up and put into smoothies. Omega 3 is also an anti-inflammatory oil, which is good for acne.
* Pecans - This is one of the good nuts to eat. It contains Vitamin A, B's, C, calcium, iron, phosphorus, and potassium. Use them as a snack.
* Pine nuts - these nuts also one of the best to eat. They contain vitamin A, C, B's, protein and iron.
* Sesame seeds - They are high in calcium, phosphorus, and potassium. They are helpful in relieving various skin diseases such as acne by reducing the swelling.
* Sunflower seeds - These seeds should be used as a snack. They are high in protein, calcium and vitamin A. They provide nutrients for building the whole body and are good for dry skin.

All of these nuts and seeds should be eaten raw. Heating and other processing will kill the life force of the nut or seed and also reduce the quantity of the vitamins and minerals.

Eat these nuts and seeds as snacks. Sesame seeds, sunflower, and flax seeds can be put directly into your blender as you make your smoothies.

Acne Program - Step 8 Vegetables to Eat and Drink

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 12:59:00 +0000

By Rudy Silva

Eating and drinking vegetables is necessary for good health and for keeping your skin free from acne. Most people don't eat enough vegetables and seldom drink their juices. Here is a list of vegetables and their juices that you need to eat and drink daily to help eliminate your acne.

Vegetable juices

Vegetable juices are absorbed quickly into your bloodstream. As a result, your cells are quickly provided with nutrients that feed them and that wash away waste. Vegetable juices give you the opportunity to get quick relief from various body conditions such as acne, skin disorders, and constipation.

Eating and drinking vegetables provide you with minerals and nutrients that build your blood, tissue, bones, and cells. It is minerals that build every part of your body. It is minerals that keep your body's pH at the required level. It is minerals that keep your body alkaline by neutralizing body acids. Concentrate on putting minerals into your body by eating and drinking plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Carrot apple juice

Drink carrot juice every day. I like drinking carrot juice mixed with apple juice. My stomach can handle this combination better.

Carrot juice contains many vitamins and minerals. It is high in beta-carotene. Carrot juice will enhance your skins health and help you eliminate acne.

Carrot, spinach, and apple juice

A combination of carrot, spinach and apple juice is a powerful drink for cleaning the colon, relieving constipation and improving your skin conditions.

To make this drink, juice 3-4 carrots and a bunch of spinach. Then add juiced apples to make this drink more drinkable.

Vegetables

The word phytochemicals is used frequent here. Phytochemicals are all of the chemicals that exist in vegetables and fruits. There are so many phytochemicals that scientists have yet to investigate and learn about all of them.

Here are the vegetables that you should be eating the most of, so you can support the cleansing of your face and eliminating acne.

* Carrots - contain a rich source of vitamin A-like carotenoids. These phytochemicals have been shown to enhance the health of skin and repair it when it is damaged.
* Cabbage - helps to detoxify the body of harmful chemicals from the air and food additives.
* Celery - helps to reduce nervous tension. It contains many minerals that help to neutralize body acid waste and is high in fiber
* Cucumber - helps to reduce acne problems because it is high in silicon and sulfur. It is also a diuretic which helps flow more water through the kidney to clean out your blood
* Broccoli - is rich in beta carotene, a precursor to vitamin A, which is good for the skin
* Garlic - is a natural antibiotic and will help relieve skin bacterial infections
* Green pepper - The nutrients in green peppers are good for liver health and constipation. Its minerals are good for neutralizing acid waste.
* Radishes - help to digest your food. Good digestion is necessary to avoid constipation and to keep the liver and pancreas strongSprouts - provide plenty of vitamins and minerals, which help to reduce body acids
* Watercress - helps to prevent vitamin and mineral deficiencies at the skin surface. It provides Vitamin A, B1, B2, C, iron, manganese, copper, and calcium.

Look this list of vegetable over, make a list of them, and head for your favorite store, or farmers market. Concentrate in eating and drinking these natural products and you will see results in your health and a decrease in your skin disorders.

Acne Products Just For You

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 12:56:00 +0000

By Kirsten Hawkins

Since acne is considered a universal problem of all kinds and ages, there are a lot, as in A LOT, of products out there designed to eradicate those pesky pimples. Here, we have outlined them for your picking.

Acne Product Number 1: Astara Blue Flame Purification Mask

Masks are originally made to hide the face but this mask is just the opposite of that. Wear this mask and your pimple dilemmas are soon over! This mask eradicates pimples and even helps in preventing them. Soothing and refreshing, this mask takes only 15 minutes of your time and you’re on your way to healthy skin.

Acne Product Number 2: PhytoMe Acne Gel

The acne product that effectively tackles pustules, whiteheads and even blackheads! It has a non-drying component that helps that skin relax. This super acne gel can take even the hardest and badest pimples ever to exist in your face. Just use regularly to help even avoid breakouts in the future.

Acne Product Number 3: Neutrogena Cooling Gel Mask

This mask is not intended to cure exciting break outs. This cooling gel mask is designed to rejuvenate and clean the skin and if used regularly will help minimize the pores thus helping in controlling acne. It feels refreshing and soothing to the face and it really does a good job of cleaning the skin.

Acne Product Number 4: Acne Dry Spot

This acne product is a night worker. Applied in the inflamed area before going to bed, it zaps those pesky zits as you sleep. Especially made for those existing zits only so don’t make a mistake of applying them on unaffected areas or else ending up damaging your skin. If you see a zit about to be born, put a little amount of this baby and the zits would be aborted even before they are fully born.

Acne Product Number 5: Biore Blemish Bomb

True to its name, this acne product truly is a bomb. For only as little as two days you can now zap your problem zits into oblivion. Applied as a liquid then dries up to form a protective cover around your acne for overnight “bombing”. Once morning come, peel away the protective patch to uncover a much smaller version of your problem.

Acne Product Number 6: pHisoderm 4-Way Daily Acne Cleanser
Get your money’s worth in this acne product. A four in one combination, it is a toner, cleanser and a zit fighter to boot! Will clear the problematic area in just a few weeks if applied twice daily. It also helps reduce the recurrence of having pimples again by unclogging pores. Compatible for all types of skin and will not cause dryness and irritation.

Acne -- Prevention And Treatment

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 12:55:00 +0000

By David Perzman

Acne is a non-lethal but very uncomfortable skin condition that mainly effects people aged between 12 and 24 but which can effect adults also. It is the most common skin affliction in the United States, it has strong psychological effects as it is highly visible and can cause permanent scarring.

Acne is most common among teenagers. It is caused when excess oil on the skin (which is ordinarily absorbed or let out of the pores) clogs the pores causing sores which are often called pimples, zits or spots. Teenagers often suffer from hormonal imbalance in the oil producing glands during puberty, this can cause too much oil to be produced leading to acne.

Unfortunately acne is most likely to occur on the face, where is very visible and often embarassing. However it also occurs on the neck, back, chest and shoulders.

It is not clear what combination of factors play role in developing acne and why some people never have it, while others seem "subscribed" to it. The main reason for acne is the increase in androgens (male sex hormones), which occurs naturally in both boys and girls during puberty. Pregnancy and contraception pills also affect hormones and can cause acne.

Hormones are not the only factor present in acne formation.
Surpisingly, while not really inheritable, acne can be traced along hereditary lines. So a family history of acne can raise the chance of young people in that family contracting it at some point in their puberty. One good measure you can take to prevent acne is to ensure you keep clean. Uncleanliness can be a factor in acne development (although by no means is it the only factor). Humidity and pollution can lead to acne also by blocking pores.

On the other hand, there are many popular myths and delusions about what causes acne. Acne does not occur as a result of stress, or of eating chocolate and greasy food.
Also, acne is not an infectious disease, i.e. it cannot be transmitted by touch or through a sexual intercourse (like Chlamydia ~ which is also a skin disease but is transmitted sexually).

There is no real way to prevent acne -- if it's going to form, it will. Generally all one can do is take steps to stem its development. A visit to a dermatologist is crucial, they can prescribe a solution (which may or may not involve medication).

There are a few rules for coping with acne, firstly it is crucial to keep your face and indeed any areas afflicted by acne clean. It is also important not to squeeze the pimples that form. It may seem like this removes them, but it does not remove the cause of the acne and in fact it leaves the lesions open to infection.

As already mentioned, hygiene is very important for keeping acne under control. When skin is dirty, this places an additional burden on the pores, thus making oil secretion even more difficult. Therefore, it is recommended always to use clean towels (preferably paper ones, since they cannot have been used by somebody else before you) to wipe one~s face. Also, often change your pillowcase, because it is another item that frequently comes into contact with the face.

Using specially designed cleaning lotions can help to remove oil, sweat and acne-producing bacteria from the face, just take care not to scrub your face too hard as this can irritate any pimples on your face and make the acne worse.

Acne Control The Natural Way!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 12:54:00 +0000

By Kirsten Hawkins

Want to get rid of those zits in your face but you are currently low on budget? How about looking for acne control to avoid the sudden appearance of acne in your skin? So how do we do this?

First, what is acne? Acne is a skin disorder caused by the hormones action on the oil glands of the skin which is called the sebaceous glands. The excretion of oils from this glands can lead to congested skin pores. This is when acne occurs. The face, neck, chest, back and shoulders is where the glands are most profuse, that is why most acne are found on this locations. People who are with this kind of disorder often tends to be depressed, and humiliated.

There are a lot of factors that can generate acne to transpire. First is our Genes. Genetics can't be changed but other factors like our daily routine and the way we take care of our skin can be improved to make acne control no problem at all. Don't feel so sad about your acne because there's lots of things you can do. This acne control tips will help you say bye-bye to those zits.

1. Include Fruits and Vegetables in your daily Diet. A healthy diet consists of at least four to five servings of fruits and vegetables. Acne control will be a lot easier if you start including this in your daily habit.

2. Rose water can be used as a facial cleanser. Dipped in a cotton, clean your face using this everyday for at least two to three times each day.

3. Don't wait for your pimples to form. If you see a bit of it in your face, do something. Acne control is best done early. Pat some ice on the affected area for this will make it less swollen.

4. Acne control is easier when accompanied with multivitamins. Start taking vitamins that contains zinc supplement. Zinc helps in making your skin stronger and acne resistant.

5. Cucumber can help in acne control. Blend it with some water to form a mask. Put it in your face and leave it for about half an hour before rinsing it off. This is a good and affordable acne control remedy that can also refresh your skin.

6. Use only mild soaps and avoid soaps that contains petroleum based products and animal based ingredient for this causes your skin to get dry and irritated.

7. Using alcohol free facial cleansers makes Acne control trouble-free. Alcohol tends to dry your skin more.

8. Makeup also prompt the occurrence of acne. Choose your makeup wisely. Most of the makeup available contains petroleum based ingredients that makes skin dry. An all natural makeup helps acne control become more effortless.

9. Lastly, Drinking loads of water is very important. It flushes out the dirt in our body, Making acne control more natural.

Now you have a list of some helpful tips in acne control. It is your choice if you are to do these methods. There are lots of ways in acne control, be it naturally or by technology. Skin products are always around for you to pick your choice. The thing is, these products are very costly. If you are the innovative type of person, better try this methods in acne control. It is all natural and wont do any harm in your body. No side effects of course! Plus, you can really save a bunch out of this. There's no harm in trying! Saying goodbye to those acne is just a step away!

Acne - a nightmare!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 12:53:00 +0000

By Luna Sol

Saturday night is coming and you are planning with your friends what to do during the weekend. You don't know if you go to the movies or if you go to that brand new dance club in that fancy neighbourhood. The thing is that all of you have plenty of things to study and because of that you decide to go to the movies. However, the cutest guy from the football team comes to you and asks you out. It is obvious you accept that invitation that you have been waiting for so long.

You and your friends spend the rest of the week planning this date. Everything seems to be ready and perfect. Saturday finally comes. You wake up happy and as soon as you got up and walk to the bathroom... Ahhhhhhhh! A big pimple is there! In the middle of your forehead! And you are not havig a nightmare: the pimple is really there.

Just who had been through something like this can describe the feeling. That's why learning about acne is so important. Keeping skin healthy can be the difference between being gorgeous on the date of your life or being noticed due to something on the forehead.

But acne doesn't have to be a nightmare. If everyone learns about this skin condition, many problematic stuff can be avoided. And every body will be able to live their dream life without worrying if a flare up will occur.

An important thing about acne is anxiety. It's not that you'll have acne everytime you get anxious, but this can increase the chances. Since acne is related to stress, it sounds common that it is also related to anxiety, which is a sort of stress manifestation.

Many are the option for someone to treat acne. However, nothing is more important than knowing how it develops and why are some people more affected than other. And it is not just a matter of poor higyene as many people think. Acne is far beyond that. In fact, hygiene does not play a major role when it comes to acne.

A healthy diet habits is another thing that should be taken into account. Some people say that "we are what we eat" and if it is true and since skin is considered to be the largest organ of human body, it is not impossible nor abnormal that a lack of nutrients can be noticed by a sign on the skin. This sign can be acne.

Squeezing your pimples is not the right way to get rid of that. In fact, when you squeeze you may help o spread the inflammation over the skin. It is not necessary to say that it can get worsen acne.

Besides all of these, some extra care are needed, some products have to be used in order to keep acne under control and to restablish the skin balance and health.

Acne

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 12:53:00 +0000

By John Moore

Remedies For A Smoother Skin.

Do you have acne ? Acne maybe the scourge of adolescent years, but it can follow people into middle age and beyond.

Acne is really a catchall term for a variety of symptoms such as pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads. It's a condition where the pores of skin become clogged and the person gets inflamed and non-inflamed lesions.

So what's the cause of all the clogging ?......

Heredity - at least for the most part. Acne is genetic - it tends to run in families, it is an inherited defect of your pores. If both your parents had acne, three out of four of your brothers and sisters will get it too.

Factors that can aggravate an acne outbreak are :-
Stress, sun exposure, seasonal changes, and climate can all precipitate an acne attack. Certain types of makeup and taking birth control pills can also cause a breakout.

Change Your Make-up
In adult women, make-up is the major factor in acne outbreaks, especially oil based products. It's the oil that causes the problem. The oil is usually a derivative of fatty acids that are more potent than your own fatty acids. Use a non-oil-based make-up if you are prone to acne.

Read The labels.
Cosmetic products that contain lanolins, isopropyl myristate, sodium lauryl sulphate, laureth-4 and D & C red dyes should be avoided. Like oil, these ingredients are too rich for the skin.

Wash Properly.
Wash your make-up off thoroughly every night. Use a mild soap twice a day and make sure you rinse the soap entirely off your face. Rinse six or seven times with fresh water.

Use Less Make-up.
Whatever make-up you use, try to cut down on the amount you put on.

Leave Well Alone.
Don't squeeze pimples or whiteheads. A pimple is an inflammation, and you could add to the inflammation by squeezing it, which could lead to an infection. A pimple will always go away in one to four weeks if you leave them alone.

Know When To Squeeze.
Most pimples are best left alone, but there is one kind that you can squeeze to help get rid of it. If the pimple has a little central yellow pus head in it, then a gentle squeeze will make it pop open very nicely. Once the pus pops out, the pimple will heal more quickly.

Attack Blackheads.
You can also get rid of blackheads by squeezing them. A blackhead is a very blocked pore, and a gentle squeeze will help rectifty this.

Give Dry Skin Extra Care.
Dry skin can be sensitive to some over the counter skin treatments, so please use these treatments with care. Start with the lower strength products first, and then increase the concentration slowly.

Stay Out Of The Sun.
Acne medications may cause adverse reactions to the sun, so minimize you exposure until you know what the reactions going to be.

Use One Treatment At A Time.
Don't mix treatments, use only one at a time because they may cause an adverse reaction if mixed together.

Stop The Spread Of Acne.
Apply acne medication about half an inch around the affected area, to help keep the acne from spreading. Acne moves across the face from the nose to the ear, so you need to treat beyond the inflamed area. Most people make the mistake of treating only the pimples and not the outlaying areas of skin. This is wrong.

A Career in Sports Medicine

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 12:52:00 +0000

By Jay Moncliff

Do you want a rewarding career that also lets you work with a lot of people? Do you enjoy sports and physical activity? Do you want to be a doctor? If you answered yes to any of these then you may be interested in a career in sports medicine. A career in sports medicine has many advantages for you. Not only is it an excellent career, but people educated in sports medicine are always needed. You know you will always have a job in the field of sports medicine.

Sports medicine has two fields of expertise. Sports medicine first focuses on injury treatment and injury prevention for athletes. The second focus of sports medicine is to provide an athlete or athletes with performance enhancement. This can be for any type of athlete. In sports medicine you can treat: runners, bicyclists, football players, soccer players, hockey players, baseball players, and many other types of athletes. Sports medicine is open to many fields. The goal of a person who works in sports medicine is to make sure the athletes he or she treats achieve top performance and optimal health at all times.

There are many careers in sports medicine. One is called a sports medicine physician. A sports medicine physician goes through medical school first and then gets educated in sports medicine. This is when they learn to diagnose and treat sport related injuries that athletes have incurred. A second career in sports medicine is called a sports medicine physical therapist. A sports medicine physical therapist works with athletes to rehabilitate them from sports related injuries, muscle problems, joint problems, etc. For A career as a sports medicine physical therapist you will need to get certified as a physical therapist after your initial medical school training.

Many college campuses offer courses in sports medicine. Some even have job placement for people that wish to start a career in the field of sports medicine. One great school to look into is The American College of Sports Medicine. They offer certification in this field and are world renowned. For more information about sports medicine you can check out a book called The American Journal of Sports Medicine. It has details on sports medicine education and articles about sports medicine.

This career is an excellent choice for many of you out there. It's great to know when you are the one that helps an athlete perform his or her best. If you are really good at it you may even get to treat the athletes that are in the Olympics! Perhaps you will get to treat some of the world famous basketball stars or football players! Then you too can world famous!

11 Hot Tips For Lasting Longer in Bed

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 12:51:00 +0000

By Mukee Okan

Copyright 2005 Mukee Okan

Ever wanted to achieve more sexual pleasure for you and your partner?

Have you ever felt like your sexual patterns are preventing you and your lover from experiencing sex as blissfully as you know it can be?

Does the prospect of having sex sometimes seem too daunting just because of a history of unsatisfying experiences?

Changing your sexual patterns may be a burning issue for you, a passing curiosity or perhaps you know someone that could benefit from this information.

In any case I am sure you will find the following informative and interesting.

1. Slow down.

It may seem obvious, but the number one way to make sex last longer is to do everything slower.

Breathing, feeling, foreplay, kissing and intercourse are all parts of the sex act that do not need to be rushed.

2. Give everything time.

Every moment in sex is worth experiencing fully.

Let things unfold in their own time and you will be rewarded with richer experiences during sex and more learning and satisfaction from sex.

3. Deepen your breathing.

Our breath connects us deeply to our body and its rhythms, as well as the rhythm of other bodies near us.

Focusing on breathing also helps to quiet the mind and sooth any internal dialogue that may be interfering with our natural enjoyment of the sex.

Here's a hint, try synchronising your deep slow breathing with your partner's.

4. Let go of expectations.

Without expectations around sex, we are free to more naturally savour the experience … however it is!

We can be more open to the experience and learn more as a result.

Without expectations we free ourselves from disappointment.

Here's a trick … see if you can implement these techniques to improve your sex, without caring whether they work!

5. Focus on pleasure in sex rather than the sex act or outcome.

Regardless of certain ideas of sex perpetuated in the world, sex is not about the ending, it is about the whole experience.

Getting the girl, having an orgasm, giving an orgasm … these are all important aspects of sex.

But the most important element of sex is pleasure!

When you start enjoying every moment of sex … it will go on as long as you want!

6. Increase knowledge of your body.

Take the time to understand what brings you pleasure and learn how to pleasure yourself better. Don't forget to share your new knowledge with your partner too.

Read up about anatomy. The human body is amazing!

7. Increase knowledge of your partner's body.

Don't be afraid to ask questions and always be open to trying new things in bed. Explore every part of your partner's body like you have never seen or touched it before.

Every time you engage in sex it is a perfect opportunity to expand your sexual knowledge.

You can learn a lot about the human body by asking friends about their experiences too.

8. Reframe sex as a nurturing healing act.

When we attach shame and guilt to sex it is no wonder that it doesn't flow naturally. Adjust your mindset around sex to reflect only positive aspects.

Sex feels so good, how could a gift like this be anything other than healing!

9. Let go of performance anxiety.

Performance anxiety is unnecessary. Be kind to yourself. Learn to forgive yourself if things don't go perfectly, and then learn to stop caring about perfect anyway.

10. Feel your body from within.

Our sensual experience can be deepened dramatically by focusing on our experience from within our body.

Get out of your head and let your consciousness move to the centre of your body.

11. Be present.

Don't let the mind wander or engage in pointless internal chatter. Don't let your fantasies and thoughts take you further from the experience at hand.

Be in the present experience and the present moment.

So there you have it. Any of these tips individually can start to impact on your sexual performance right now. If you learn them all, you will be a master of your body in and out of the bedroom.

Don't be daunted if it takes a little time though … these are life changing techniques and may take a bit of practice.

And most importantly of course, enjoy yourself practising!!

10 Tips For Depression

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 12:49:00 +0000

By Christopher Ruane

Being lonely is a normal part of our everyday lives. We get sad when we fail in our exams, when we're rejected by
the person we love, or when someone very close to us passes away.

Depression, however, could be more fatal
than just plain loneliness. It could render life-long consequences that could ruin your self-esteem, health, and well-being.

Here are some superb tips to conquer the mood and get the most bliss out of your daily activities.

1) Get Enough Light and Sunshine.

Lack of exposure to sunlight is responsible for the secretion of the hormone melatonin, which could trigger
a dispirited mood and a lethargic condition.

Melatonin is only produced in the dark. It lowers the body temperature and makes you feel sluggish. If you are always cooped up in your room (with the curtains
closed), it would be difficult to restrain yourself from staying in bed.

This is the reason why many people are suffering from depression much more often in winter than in the other seasons. It's because the nights are longer.

If you can't afford to get some sunshine, you can always lighten up your room with brighter lights. Have lunch outside the office. Take frequent walks instead of driving your car over short distances.

2) Get Busy. Get Inspired.

You'll be more likely to overcome any feeling of depression if you are too busy to notice it. Live a life full of inspired activities.

Do the things you love. If you're a little short on cash, you could engage in simple stuffs like taking a leisurely stroll in the park, playing sports, reading books, or engaging in any activity that you have passion for and would love to pursue.

Set a goal - a meaningful purpose in life. No matter how difficult or discouraging life can be, remain firm and have an unshakable belief that you
are capable of doing anything you desire. With this kind of positive attitude, you will attain a cheerful disposition to beat the blues.

3) Take a Break.

Listen to soothing music. Soak in a nice warm bath. Ask one of your close friends to massage you. Take a break from your stressful workload and spend the day just goofing around. In other words, have fun.

4) Eat Right and Stay Fit.

Avoid foods with lots of sugar, caffeine, or alcohol. Sugar and caffeine may give you a brief moment of energy; but they would later bring about anxiety , tension, and internal problems. Alcohol is a depressant. Many people would drink alcohol to "forget their problems."
They're just aggravating their conditions in the process.

Exercising regularly is a vital depression buster because it allows your body to produce more endorphins than usual. Endorphins are sometimes called "the happy chemicals" because of their stress-reducing and happiness-inducing properties.

5) Get a Social Life.

No man is an island. Your circle of friends are there to give you moral support. Spending time and engaging in worthwhile activities with them
could give you a very satisfying feeling. Nothing feels better than having group support.

Insomnia is a feature of depression but the consequences brought about by this disorder may not be as ordinary as
it may seem. Of course people may have sleep problems and not have depression at all.

6) Wake up and go to bed at the same time everyday, even during the weekends. Some insomniacs tend to sleep at any time of the day to catch up on some sleep they lose
during the night. Now this is the biggest mistake you can make. It ruins your body clock and will only worsen your insomnia. If you can't sleep one night, get up the
usual time the next morning. You'll be sleeping soundly like a baby the next night.

7) Don't eat within 4 hours before you go to bed. If in case you went hungry, try some crackers or light snack. But don't indulge in an "eat-all-you-can"
feast right before bedtime. Your food won't be digested well, resulting in poor and uncomfortable sleep.

8) Don't drink caffeine or alcohol. Caffeine can obstruct your ability to sleep. Alcohol can make you drowsy, but it can wake you up in the middle of the night and bring you side effects that will hinder a continuous sleep process.

9) Relax and stay fit. Avoid having a stressful lifestyle. Exercise daily to release tension. Engage in breathing exercises to relax your body. Most important of all, don't carry your problems or emotional baggage to sleep with you.

Forget about it for the mean time. You can go back and solve your dilemma better the next day after a restful sleep.

10) Never force yourself to sleep. Trying your best to sleep requires some work. You don't want to work when you want to doze off.

Sleep comes best if you are in a relaxed and comfortable state. Just lie down, relax, and let the sleeping fairy cast its
spell upon you.

9 Allergy Signs In Children

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 12:48:00 +0000

By Jane Thurnell-Read

Sadly more and more children are suffering from allergies, and there are certain signs that indicate when allergies are causing or significantly contributing to health problems. Here's a short checklist of what to look out for. The more of these your child has the more likely they are to be suffering from allergies:

1. Dark circles or bags under the eyes making the child look permanently tired. In Chinese medicine this area of the face is linked to the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are one of the main organs of the body involved in stress reactions, and exposure to allergens certainly produces stress in the body. Sometimes there is also a crease seen under the eyelids.

2. Dry, flaky lips Often the edge of the lip is an indistinct blur rather than there being a definite line between it and the rest of the face. Michio Kushi in his book Oriental Diagnosis says that different parts of the lip correspond to different parts of the digestive system. The upper lip represents the stomach. The lower part corresponds to the intestines. These parts of the body are often involved with allergic reactions particularly if the problem is with foods.

3. Sweaty feet The liver is the main detoxifying organ of the body. When it is not functioning properly or has to work overtime then the feet tend to be very sweaty. In allergic reactions the liver is coping with an overload of toxins.

4. One or both ears sometimes red and/or burning The reaction usually starts about one and three quarter-hours after exposure to the offending substance and lasts for about half an hour. I do not know whether it is significant if it is one ear or both ears, but the timing seems very precise. The redness usually lasts for about half an hour. This particular reaction can become a very useful self-help diagnostic technique if you pay attention to your child's ears!

5. Children with a tendency to allergies are often blond hair. They are usually pale; in fact so pale that sometimes they are suspected of suffering from anaemia. In some children this paleness is not at first sight evident, because they have very rosy cheeks either all the time or some of the time. Sometimes if you feel the child’s cheek it will be hot and burning, or papery and dry.

6. A child with a lot of food sensitivities will often be a fussy eater. The parent will often say: ‘My child would be happy if he could live on X.’ The child is probably allergic to X, whatever that is. Frequently they become irritable and bad-tempered if they have to go without their favourite food for even a short period of time Breast fed babies are either difficult feeders or need to be constantly fed both day and night and may be difficult to wean.

7. Babies and children with food allergies are usually either very good tempered or very bad tempered first thing in the morning.

8. Very often there is a family history of allergies with near relatives suffering from eczema, hay fever, etc.

9. Allergic children (and adults) often like peculiar smells: they sniff felt tip pens or enjoy the smell of petrol (gas) at petrol stations. They are nearly always allergic to the smell they like so much and, like a drug addict, are seeking out a fix!

So what to do about it? Try visiting a therapist with a particular interest in allergies. I particularly recommend health kinesiology, which has a lot of success not only detecting allergies but also correcting them, so the child does not have to avoid the things he/she is allergic to.

7 Ways To Lose Weight Without Dieting

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 12:47:00 +0000

By Jane Thurnell-Read

1. When you have finished your meal, say an affirmation out loud several times. Here’s some suggestions: “I’ve now finished eating till lunch/dinner/6.00 pm.” (whatever is suitable given the circumstances) or “I have eaten enough food to last me till ….” or “I’m full and do not need to eat till …” Experiment to find the format that's right for you, and then say it with conviction several times preferably out loud at the end of the meal.

2. If you comfort eat to suppress emotions and stay cheerful, take the Bach flower remedy Agrimony. These simple, safe remedies based on flowers have been in use for over fifty years. They're safe to take even if you're taking medication.

3. Put your fork or your sandwich down between mouthfuls. This way you are likely to eat less and enjoy your food more - your stomach has time to register that it's full, which it doesn't have if you gobble your food down.

4. If you crave chocolate, try taking a zinc supplement or eating foods that are rich in zinc (e.g. seeds, leafy green vegetables and seafood). This is a magical tip for lots of people who thought they would never master their desire to eat chocolate.

5. Sit at the table to eat, but clear the table of bills, things to do, etc. It doesn’t help you to control what you eat if you’re looking at unpaid bills.

6. Drink more water – we often misinterpret the body’s thirst request as a food request. When you feel hungry, drink some water and wait a while to see if you really are hungry.

7. Use a smaller plate, so that it looks as though you have more. We eat with our eyes as well as with our mouths and stomachs.

7 Tricks How To Stick To Your Decision To Lose Weight

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 12:45:00 +0000

By Arina Nikitina

Copyright 2005 Arina Nikitina

So, you’ve decided to lose weight. You're changing your eating habits, you began to exercise... But do you know what the most difficult part is?

It's ability to stay on track. Here are few tips that will help you to stay on track:

1. Remind yourself about your reasons.

Write down all the benefits of loosing weight and review it on a daily basis. It doesn't take long, and it will keep you motivated through the day.

2. Use affirmations

Repeat the positive phrase to yourself whenever you have chance to or if you need inspiration.

3. Use visualization

Visualize yourself being slim. Imagine how you feel… Imagine what your friends will say… Use the power of your imagination to stay on track.

4. Form a success habit.

First, ask yourself what habits it will take to lose weight. Exercising on a daily basis? Cooking healthy food?

It is the fact that in 30 days you can turn almost anything into a habit!
ALL of our habits are formed the same way. By doing something over and over again until it becomes second nature. So all you have to do to form a new habit is to repeat the same action over and over again every day during 30 days. After 30 days it will become a habit.

But here is a catch: you can't afford to skip a single day. If you do you'll have to start over again. During first thirty days, if you miss even a single day of practice reset your 30-day clock to Day One and start from the beginning.

5. Find more time for cooking and exercising

If you think you don't have time for loosing weight, think again. Do you have time for watching TV? Reading newspapers or magazines? Chatting with friends? Well, if "yes" than you definitely have time for weight loss.

You don't have to eliminate all your activities; you can just cut back on them. Just trim by 10% the amount of time you spend on each of your daily activities. And invest the extra time in loosing weight.

6. Fight the temptation.

It is really very easy. All you have to do is prioritize. For example, if you see a pack of delicious cookies in the store and suddenly start craving one, ask yourself: "What do I want more: to eat this cookie or to have a beautiful slim body?" Listen to yourself. Is this cookie really so important to you?

If you're still craving it use the 10 minute rule. Take your mind off food for the next 10 minutes. If you're in a grocery store go to the book section and pick a very interesting book instead. Most of the time your craving will stop.

If not, you can take one serving and give the rest of the cookies to your neighbor. Or put them somewhere where it would be a problem for you to get them.

5 Tips For Getting The Most Out Of Your Lomi Lomi Treatment

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 12:44:00 +0000

By Tania Hodder

Anyone who's had a hawaiian lomi lomi massage from a skilled and caring practitioner knows very well the deep levels of relaxation and rejuvenation that can be achieved.

However, as powerful as lomi lomi massage is, there are specific things that we can do before and after the lomi lomi treatment to ensure that we get the absolute most out of the experience.

Here are my top 10 tips for getting the most out of your lomi lomi treatment.

1) Make your lomi lomi treatment your number 1 priority.

On the day of your lomi lomi booking, make sure that you organize yourself so that the most important thing in your day is your lomi lomi treatment. This means making sure that you clear your schedule so that you are free 1 hour either side of your lomi lomi treatment.

This will give you enough time to slow down and relax before your treatment, it will ensure you arrive on time without stress, and at the end of your lomi lomi, it will give you time to more slowly integrate back into your world, without having to rush back in.

2) Make sure you are clean and comfortable before your lomi lomi.

When we get onto a massage table, it's only natural that we can become a little self-conscious about our bodies.

In order to be able to relax, it's a good idea to shower before having a treatment. This will not only make sure that you are clean, smell nice and feel comfortable on the table, but will also begin the process of warming up your muscles and relaxing your system.

It is also a good idea for men to have a shave a couple of hours before-hand, so that the face massage is enjoyable (i.e. not rough) and for women, you may feel more comfortable if you have performed your hair removal routine a day or two before your lomi lomi treatment.

3) Make sure you are well hydrated before your lomi lomi.

As lomi lomi can be a fairly intensive treatment in terms of detoxifying the body, you will need to make sure that you are
well hydrated before your treatment.

Now this doesn't mean that you need to flood your body with water, but rather it means keeping a water bottle with you all day, and taking regular mouthfuls to keep your water levels topped up.

However, you shouldn't drink anything at least 3o minutes prior to your lomi lomi treatment, otherwise you may find yourself
needing to go to the bathroom in the middle of your lomi lomi.

In regards to food, it's good idea to avoid eating heavy food, such as meats, pastas and dairy at least an hour befor your lomi lomi treatment, this will help your system relax and ensure that your body's energies are free for healing and not spent in digesting food.

4) Create an intention for your lomi lomi treatment.

As lomi lomi works on treating the whole person, and we each create our own reality with our thoughts, creating an intention for how you would like the lomi lomi to help you is a powerful way to actually 'make it happen'. In fact, it turns the lomi lomi into a powerful 'prayer' for calling what you want into your life, whatever that may be.

"Ask, believe and you will receive!"

5) During your lomi lomi, breathe into your tension.

A skilled and intuitive lomi lomi practitioner will naturally be drawn to your areas of tension and although they will never 'force' their way into these areas, you may feel your body/muscles wanting to 'resist', which can result in some pain/discomfort.

The way to alleviate this is simply to breathe. When your lomi lomi practitioner finds an area that is particularly tense/painful, you should take a deep breath, and visually your breath going into that area.

Then, as you exhale you will feel the tension/pain dissolve as that area relaxes.

The key is to work with your practitioner and let them 'into' your body as they peel back the layers of tension, like removing the layers of an onion.

The philosophy of lomi lomi is where there is 'relaxation' there can be no illness!

After your lomi lomi, it's really nice to have a cleansing warm shower to wash away any lingering 'energy'.

It's also a good idea to go and sit somewhere peaceful, preferably in nature and allow yourself some time to 'come back to earth' and integrate the lomi lomi experience. This is especially so before getting behind the wheel and driving anywhere.

It's also a 'must' to drink plenty of water afterwards as the effects of the lomi lomi in detoxifying/healing your body will continue to work well after the treatment.