Healthy Living Today

Music for the mind

noreply@blogger.com (wanwarlock) — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 20:48:00 +0000

Whether it's the Beatles or Beethoven, people like music for the same reason they like eating or having sex: It makes the brain release a chemical that gives pleasure, a new study says.

The brain substance is involved both in anticipating a particularly thrilling musical moment and in feeling the rush from it, researchers found.

Previous work had already suggested a role for dopamine, a substance brain cells release to communicate with each other. But the new work, which scanned people's brains as they listened to music, shows it happening directly.

While dopamine normally helps us feel the pleasure of eating or having sex, it also helps produce euphoria from illegal drugs. It's active in particular circuits of the brain.

The tie to dopamine helps explain why music is so widely popular across cultures, Robert Zatorre and Valorie Salimpoor of McGill University in Montreal write in an article posted online on Sunday by the journal Nature Neuroscience.

The study used only instrumental music, showing that voices aren't necessary to produce the dopamine response, Salimpoor said.

It will take further work to study how voices might contribute to the pleasure effect, she said.

The researchers described brain-scanning experiments with eight volunteers who were chosen because they reliably felt chills from particular moments in some favourite pieces of music. That characteristic let the experimenters study how the brain handles both anticipation and arrival of a musical rush.

Results suggested that people who enjoy music but don't feel chills are also experiencing dopamine's effects, Zatorre said.

PET scans showed the participants' brains pumped out more dopamine in a region called the striatum when listening to favourite pieces of music than when hearing other pieces. Functional MRI scans showed where and when those releases happened.

Dopamine surged in one part of the striatum during the 15 seconds leading up to a thrilling moment, and a different part when that musical highlight finally arrived.

Zatorre said that makes sense: The area linked to anticipation connects with parts of the brain involved with making predictions and responding to the environment, while the area reacting to the peak moment itself is linked to the brain's limbic system, which is involved in emotion.

The study volunteers chose a wide range of music - from classical and jazz to punk, tango and even bagpipes. The most popular were Barber's Adagio for Strings, the second movement of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and Debussy's Claire de Lune.

Since they already knew the musical pieces they listened to, it wasn't possible to tell whether the anticipation reaction came from memory or the natural feel people develop for how music unfolds, Zatorre said. That question is under study, too.

Dr. Gottfried Schlaug, an expert on music and the brain at Harvard Medical School, called the study "remarkable" for the combination of techniques it used.

While experts had indirect indications that music taps into the dopamine system, he said, the new work "really nails it."

Music isn't the only cultural experience that affects the brain's reward circuitry. Other researchers recently showed a link when people studied artwork.

- AP

Tips for a stress-free holiday season

noreply@blogger.com (wanwarlock) — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 21:45:00 +0000

The holiday season: a time of fun, relaxation and family. Or is it how Collins Dictionary describes stress - as mental, emotional or physical exhaustion.

Mention this season and there will be varying responses. Some love it, some hate it. It's a time when we may experience exhaustion, expectations, isolation, disappointment, aloneness, inferiority, being overwhelmed and at times misunderstood.

Most of us are just plain worn out, yet we long to create and achieve the kind of holiday time sold to us by the media. Images of perfection, happy families, designer settings and gourmet food goad us on - if only we had the luxury of a limitless budget, an events organiser and a chef.

Many of us arrive at year end worrying if there is enough food and champers, about the credit card bills coming in January, and experiencing shame and disappointment that perhaps the Christmas we wanted for our children we couldn't give.

Many people find this time of year stressful. More than half of us are likely to experience some form of stress-related depression now and this often forces us to look at ourselves and our partners. Just when we want everything to be perfect and for our respective families to see how well we are coping, stress, fatigue, relationships, hidden fears and worries often surface.

Here are 10 relationship tips to make the holiday season as happy as you want.

1. Remember what's important. A young boy once said: "Love is what's in the room at Christmas, when you stop opening presents, and listen." Let go of perfection; go back to basics.

2. Value your relationship as the central pivot for your family. Put it first, over the tasks, the trappings, even the traditions of the New Year. None of it has value unless you and your partner can provide the atmosphere you want. Your children will take the cue from the two of you.

3. Talk to each other. Say to your partner, "I'd like to talk about what we would like this year. Is this a good time?" If it's not, try to find a mutually okay time within the next 24 hours. Set a time limit so you both know the time frames. Half an hour is a good start. Sit down and talk about your hopes, dreams, fears and expectations. Tell them what you remember as a child about holidays and why you want it to be a particular way. For many of us, our parents' daily patterns are magnified at get-togethers, for example, a mother's desire for perfectionism and need for approval and a father's silence and veiled criticism of her. Then swap and listen to your partner's experience.

4. Be there for each other. In most relationships one of you will want to talk and one of you will avoid talking. Take a deep breath. It is your relationship with each other which will have more impact than any present/meal/and so on. Say when you feel overwhelmed. Just knowing that your partner is willing to really listen and make sense of what is important to you can help to ease the tension and increase a sense of connection. Don't expect your partner to be able to mind read or know what you need - tell them.

5. Identify together the specific causes of your holiday stress. What causes the most stress and anxiety for you? Money worries? Tension with certain family members? Work out how to manage those issues together.

6. Share at a family meeting. Once you and your partner know how you would like this time to be, consider having a larger family meeting with your children so that your whole family can plan the New Year with some give and take that can make everyone happy.

7. Be on a team. Know that it's quite normal when you get together with your siblings and parents for some of the old family patterns to re-emerge. Share with your partner what you notice you do when you are around your family. They may be able to help you be different so you don't have to feel smaller or less of who you are. If you see your partner collapsing into old behaviour around their parents, feel compassion and empathy for how it might have been for them growing up in that environment. Reach out to them and remind them you are a team.

8. What do you need for yourself? Try to do one thing each day that is looking after yourself. Try to do one fun thing each day that connects you with your partner. It can be as simple as sharing the morning paper cartoon.

9. Take time out. Have an agreement between the two of you that it's okay to ask them to hold the fort while you have five minutes' time out. Find a quiet place, even if it's the bathroom. Stress, anxiety and depression are common during the festive season. Reassure yourself that these feelings are normal. Make a pact with your loved one to give you a sign that says, "I'm here. You're okay."

10. Look for longer-term solutions. Remember that people under stress tend to "self-medicate" with alcohol, cigarettes, other drugs, or even food or exercise. These ways of shutting out what is going on in your relationships won't solve the problem.

Aim for the good times and have a Happy New Year.

Source: NZHerald

NZ Cancer Survival Rates Up

noreply@blogger.com (wanwarlock) — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 21:29:00 +0000

Cancer survival rates improved in the 10 years to 2007, according to a Ministry of Health report released today.

The report, which looked at cancer survival rates between 1994 and 2007, found that between 1998 and 2007 survival rates for adults with cancer improved from a ratio of 0.576 to 0.623 after five years of follow-up.

"Although survival in both males and females improved, survival ratios differed in terms of sex, ethnicity, extent of disease at diagnosis, and level of deprivation," the ministry's cancer programme's national clinical director, John Childs, said.

"In general, males had slightly lower survival ratios than females, and Maori had lower survival ratios than non-Maori. Extent of disease at diagnosis also impacted greatly on patient survival."

Of the 24 adult cancers the report looked at, cancer of the pancreas had the lowest survival outcomes over five and 10 years of follow-up. Testicular cancer showed the best survival ratios.

"Prostate cancer, with a five-year survival ratio of 0.862, also had one of the highest survival gain of the adult cancer sites," Dr Childs said.

Survival from childhood cancers improved between 1998 and 2005, but dropped in 2006 and 2007, which Dr Childs said was possibly due to changes in the system for registering cancers.

The survival rate was calculated by comparing the number of people who died with cancer with the number of people in the general population who would have been expected to die over the same period.

Aspirin: the little pill with a big impact on cancer

noreply@blogger.com (wanwarlock) — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 02:06:00 +0000

It is not yet a panacea for all ills, but it is getting close. Yesterday, researchers announced the first proof that aspirin can cut the risk of a range of cancers by up to 50 per cent.

It is already taken by millions to protect against heart attacks and strokes and has an established role in preventing diabetes, dementia, pregnancy complications and pain.

Scientists stopped short of recommending it be added to the water supply but declared it was "the most amazing drug".
The latest positive findings on cancer had shifted the balance in favour of mass medication, but it was still too soon to recommend everyone take it, they said.

The study of eight trials involving 25,000 patients taking a low daily dose of aspirin to ward off heart disease found the drug reduced deaths caused by all cancers by 21 per cent.

If a new medicine were launched tomorrow with a similar effect it would be hailed as a miracle cure. But instead of being priced at tens of thousands of dollars, aspirin costs a few cents a tablet.

After five years on the drug, cancer death rates fell further - by a third overall and by 54 per cent for cancers of the digestive tract (including oesophagus, stomach and the bowel).

The benefit did not improve with higher doses of aspirin but increased the longer it was taken. It was also greater in older people because of the higher incidence of cancer. Over 20 years, the reduction in risk ranged from 10 per cent for prostate cancer to 60 per cent for oesophageal cancer.

The findings, published in The Lancet, follow a report in the journal last October showing that low doses of aspirin cut the risk of bowel cancer by a third.

Peter Rothwell, Professor of neurology at Oxford University, who led both studies, said the benefit of taking aspirin was consistent across the trials, "suggesting that the findings are likely to be generalisable".

PRECIOUS PILL

* For maximum benefit, a low dose 75mg of aspirin should be taken daily from late 40s or early 50s and continued for 20 to 30 years.

* After five to 10 years overall deaths from all causes are 10 per cent lower, and benefits grow as the years advance. However, research leaders advise against taking a daily dose except on the advice of their GP, as there could be other health complications.

Festive fitness

noreply@blogger.com (wanwarlock) — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 21:02:00 +0000

Mark Walton-Cook offers a series of simple and sometimes surprising hints to help keep you trim throughout the party season.

* Raise a glass: British scientists recently reported that bubbly can reduce the risk of heart diseases. Despite its light colour, champagne includes red grapes rich in polyphenols, plant chemicals that dilate blood vessels and improve circulation.

* Tuck into Rudolph: Like venison, reindeer steaks are lower in calories, cholesterol and fat than most cuts of beef, pork or lamb. They eat loads of reindeer meat in Finland, home of Father Christmas.

* Update your iPod with festive songs: 'Tis the season to swap Eye of the Tiger for Ding Dong Merrily on High - both tracks have a similar number of beats per minute (bpm) to spur you on while you train. Experts say the ideal workout music tempo is about five beats per minute above a working heart rate, so if you jog at 120bpm you should opt for music of about 125bpm - such as Mariah Carey's
All I Want for Christmas is You.

* Add protein to your drinks: The bloody mary is regarded as a healthy king among cocktails: it's packed with vitamin C. The lycopene in the tomato juice strengthens your heart, and the fructose helps metabolise alcohol. But upgrade to a lobster bloody mary - a Southern US favourite with a lobster skewer in it - and you'll add omega-3 fatty acids, and you'll get some muscle, too. "Lobster contains more lean protein per ounce than any other meat," says nutritionist Nell Nelson.

* Eat more, buy less: Hunger makes you spend more, according to a University of Cambridge report. So have a square meal before you shop.

* Make a date with dates: A handful of dates can reduce fats in your blood by a sixth, according to the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Although the dried variety is high in sucrose, it is low-GI so won't spike your blood-sugar levels.

* Get a good night's sleep: Plan one or two evenings each week during the party season for an early night - it could help you lose weight, according to a study of nurses in the US. Those who regularly had a good night's sleep were slimmer and had a lower body mass index (BMI) than short sleepers.

* Ask Father Christmas for socks: They're hardly the most stylish addition to your running kit, but compression socks support your calf muscles and could help you to a personal best. A study in the Journal of Strength And Conditioning Research suggested that they improve circulation and blood flow, enabling you to run longer.

* Train with your reflection: Running in front of a mirror at the gym helps make you more co-ordinated and, according to one UK university study, can make your work rate less energetically demanding.

* Go for a dawn run: Watch your weight come down as the sun comes up. Sunshine is a great source of vitamin D, which researchers believe can help keep you trim. A Minnesota study has linked low levels of vitamin D to sluggish weight loss in slimmers.

* Pull a cracker: Researchers at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee found that giggling for a few minutes a day uses enough calories to burn about 2.2kg of fat a year.

Study says even being a bit overweight is risky

noreply@blogger.com (wanwarlock) — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 21:45:00 +0000

Lugging around a few extra kilos? One of the largest studies to look at health and weight has found you don't have to be obese to raise your risk of premature death. Merely being overweight carries some risk, too.

Obesity increases the risk of death from heart disease, stroke and certain cancers. But whether being merely overweight contributes to an early death as well has been uncertain and controversial. Some research has suggested being a little pudgy has little effect or can even be a good thing.

The latest research, involving about 1.5 million people, concluded that healthy white adults who were overweight were 13 per cent more likely to die during the time they were followed in the study than those whose weight was in an ideal range.

"Having a little extra meat on your bones - if that meat happens to be fat - is harmful, not beneficial," said Dr Michael Thun of the American Cancer Society, senior author of the study.

The study's conclusions, published in today's New England Journal of Medicine, are similar to three other large studies, said the lead author, Amy Berrington of the National Cancer Institute.

"Now there's really a very large body of evidence which supports the finding that being overweight is associated with a small increased risk of death," Berrington said.

For their government-funded analysis, the researchers pooled 19 long-term studies of mostly white adults.

They used each person's body mass index - a measure of height and weight - and checked to see who died during the follow-up periods, which ranged from five to 28 years.

They focused on people who were healthy at the beginning of the studies, excluding smokers and those with heart disease or cancer because those factors affect death rates and researchers wanted to see the impact of weight alone.

The lowest death rate for healthy women who had never smoked was in the high end of the ideal body mass index range - between 22.5 and 24.9.

Compared with that group, those who were overweight had an increased risk of death of 13 per cent. The increased risk ranged from 44 to 88 per cent for those who were obese.

The morbidly obese were 2½ times more likely to die prematurely. The results for men were similar.

Most of the participants in the studies were white so the research focused on them. Results may be different in other ethnic and racial groups, Berrington said.

She said evidence suggests that for the same BMI level, African-Americans might have a lower risk of death and Asians a higher risk.

Two-thirds of US adults are either overweight or obese. Overweight begins at a BMI measurement of 25, obesity is at 30 and morbid obesity is at 40.

A 1.68 metre-tall person is considered overweight at 70 kilograms, obese at 84 kilograms and morbidly obese at 112.5 kilograms.

Because of its size and the diversity of studies included, the research "provides strong evidence against the position that it's a good thing for health to be overweight," Thun said.

The notion that a "bit of reserves" would help keep you from getting sick probably stems from the days when food was scarce, he said.

The latest research was launched after a controversial 2005 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that concluded being overweight didn't raise the risk of death; that report included smokers and those with pre-existing illnesses.

University of South Carolina obesity researcher Steven Blair said the results were consistent with other studies and the "massive effort" was commendable.

But he said there wasn't enough information available about fitness level or physical activity.

A proponent of the "fit and fat" theory, Blair said his research has shown that obese people who are tested and deemed fit did not face increased risks of dying.

"If we want to get to the bottom of the health hazards of overweight and obesity, we have to have better data on physical activity," Blair said.

"Until we do that, there's uncertainty of how important BMI is as an important predictor of mortality."

Amazon Earth Day 2010

noreply@blogger.com (wanwarlock) — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 09:02:00 +0000

Earth Day 2010 is on 22nd of April and Amazon.com is launching an Earth Day Store. Click on the picture below for discounts on all "green" products from Amazon.com

Spending Time with our young children is Love

noreply@blogger.com (wanwarlock) — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 01:46:00 +0000

Practically all parents consider their children as their most important asset. So we send them for additional lessons in music, art,computer, speech and drama, dance, ballet, tennis, etc. We also buy for them expensive toys, computer games, etc. to keep them occupied.We think that by doing so we are giving them a head start in life. But we seldom stop to ask ourselves whether we have equipped them for a life of self-worth and confidence. Why do I say that?

It has been said that by the time a child is seven years old; his attitude is set for life. And when our young child constantly pelts us with his questions, (and we are hard pressed by our furiously competitive jobs) how do we normally respond? Have we stopped and reflected on our attitude towards his insatiable questioning? Now consider for a moment, a child coming into a room to ask Dad or Mom questions or to invite Mom or Dad to play with him or to request spending time with Dad or Mom, but the parent frequently says,“I’m too busy now.” What does that signal to the child? To the child the message is perceived as. “To Dad, I’m not as important as the newspaper he is reading or the time he spends doing his work at the computer. To Mom, I’m not worth as much as her soap opera on television.”

We forget that children rarely want to spend much time in conversation with their parents. Yes, they ask lots of questions and when they get the answers, they then move on to the next thing that captures their attention. They may sit close a while, perhaps give or receive a hug, and then they are off.

If you are a parent, I would encourage you to make time for your child when your child needs a moment. Most chores can be postponed for a few seconds or minutes. Most activities can be interrupted without you suffering harm or losing out on important information. If you must delay your response to your child for a minute or two, call your child to your side and put your arm around him so that you convey the message, “I want you close to me. I like being with you. I’m not rejecting you, merely delaying my response to your question for a few moments.”

We don’t think of the harm we are doing to their adult life when we fail to give them the time they need. Imagine what it is like whenever we go and talk to our boss and our boss frequently has no time for us. Our confidence will be shattered and our self-worth will plunge drastically. What about the child when we unthinkingly do the same? Have we spent time reflecting on this? Have I unconsciously sent a message to my child that might be summed up, “What I want to do is vastly more important than whatever pain I cause you.” This message will be internalized by the child as “I am not worth being around” “I am not worthy to be appreciated and noticed” and it will show up later in his life as a lack of self-worth.

Parents, who make time to informally tutor their child and not scold them whenever the child asks question, will give the child a very strong sense of self-identity and self-worth. Parents, who read books to their kids, play ball with them when they want you to, read stories they write, watch games they play, hear every recital in which they perform, will give their kids a strong sense of their worth to their parents. They affirm their child. They give their attention to their child. They acknowledge to the child that he is important and worth listening to.

The child will have this intuitive sense that, “I am important to my parents. I am so important that they want the very best for me, including the very best education they believe they can give to me. I am so important that they are willing to spend time and energy with me. My parents believe I have the ability to learn and are willing to teach me, and therefore, I must be able to learn well.” A cycle is created: the child is encouraged, the child feels worthy, and the child makes an even bigger effort in learning as a result of the feelings of self-worth. So the child achieves more and learns more. Through his accomplishments and the resulting praises and cheers from the parents, the child has an enhanced feeling of self-worth and the cycle goes round again.

Unfortunately today, we have a mantra that many parents repeat by saying, “I spend quality time with my child and I don’t need quantity time with my child.” They delude themselves! A child instinctively spells your love with the four letters word: T-I-M-E. Not just quality time, but hang-out time, downtime, anytime, all the time. A child, who often does not feel he has access to his parents when he needs the access, does not feel he is loved. He will feel ignored, shunned, insecure and of less worth. Such a child will inevitably have problem with his sense of self-worth later on in life. The essence of our love for our children is not what we provide for them, but how much TIME we give of ourselves to them. Men, in particular, often don’t understand this. Many have said, “I don’t understand my children. I provide them with everything they need. They don’t appreciate my hard work for them. What more do they want?” They want you! Your ears, your attention, your presence--- Yes your time. “What that must be a joke. Where do I find the time in my stressful life?” you say. Your most precious gift is your time. Only when you give up your (leisure, computer, game, social, TV, etc) time, do you truly prove your love for your children. Whenever you give your time, you are making a sacrifice, and sacrifice is the essence of love.

Thus, you show your love in action and not in words only

People with fat sensitive tongues likely to be slimmer - study

noreply@blogger.com (wanwarlock) — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 07:51:00 +0000

People more sensitive to tasting fat in their food are less likely to be overweight, a group of scientists, including a New Zealander, has discovered.

The team from Deakin University in Australia, has found the tongue can detect a fat taste as well as the sweet, salty, sour, bitter and savoury, The Dominion Post reported.

Massey University Associate Professor Matt Golding, who was part of the research team, said there were variations around how sensitive people were at tasting the fat element in food. Those with a high sensitivity tended to eat less fatty food and be slimmer, he said.

The research involved testing 33 people with a range of fatty acids by inserting small doses into milk and then custard.

"There was no difference in texture between the samples and yet we found a number of people were able to quite clearly detect the presence of 'something else' within the samples."

The research could lead to the development of solutions for tackling obesity by promoting the taste of fat in foods, he said.

The results are published in the British Journal of Nutrition.

Older women need one-hour workouts to fight flab - study

noreply@blogger.com (wanwarlock) — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 00:41:00 +0000

CHICAGO - Rev up the treadmill: Sobering new research spells out just how much exercise women need to keep the flab off as they age - and it's a lot.

At least an hour of moderate activity a day is needed for older women at a healthy weight who aren't dieting. For those who are already overweight, even more exercise is called for to avoid gaining weight without eating less, the study results suggest.

"We all have to work at it. If it were easy to be skinny, we would all be skinny," said John Foreyt, a behavioural medicine expert who reviewed the study but wasn't involved in the research.

Brisk walking, leisurely bicycling and golfing are all examples of moderate exercise. But don't throw in the towel if you can't do those things for at least an hour a day. A little exercise is good for your health even if it won't make you thin, the researchers said.

Their findings are based on 34,079 non-dieting middle-aged women followed for about 13 years.
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The women gained an average of almost 6 pounds (2.7kg) during the study.

Those who started out at a healthy weight, with a body mass index of less than 25, and who gained little or no weight during the study consistently got the equivalent of about an hour of moderate activity daily. Only 13 per cent - were in this category.

Few already overweight women got that amount of exercise, and the results suggest it wasn't enough to stop them from gaining weight.

The results echo what gymfuls of middle-aged American women see every time they step off the treadmill and onto the scales.

"Talk to any group of women and they all say the same thing," said Janet Katzin, 61, a "slightly overweight" marketing director from Long Island who exercises for an hour twice a week.

Thin as a younger adult, Katzin said the pounds started creeping up after she had her two children in the 1980s, despite exercising and watching what she eats.

"It's just extremely frustrating and discouraging."

The study appears in today's Journal of the American Medical Association. Only women were studied, so the researchers from Harvard's Brigham and Women Hospital said it was uncertain whether the results would apply to men.

The research "reinforces in a nice, clear way the idea of how difficult it is to maintain a healthy weight in our society," said Foreyt, of the Baylor College of Medicine in Texas.

The results bolster a 2002 Institute of Medicine report that emphasised the importance of balancing diet and exercise and recommended at least 60 minutes of moderate activity for adults and children every day.

But the study also indicates that the 2008 US guidelines urging about half an hour of exercise five days a week won't stop weight gain as women age without them also cutting calorie intake, said Dr I-Min Lee, the study's lead author.

The study underscores some inevitabilities about ageing.

Men and women often put on weight, partly because their metabolism slows down. But that probably has less to do with it than people's natural tendency to become more sedentary, without changing their eating habits, Lee said.

Hormonal changes in menopause also can make women prone to weight gain, especially around the belly.

Still, Lee emphasised that the benefits of exercise extend beyond what you see in the mirror, helping keep the heart healthy and protecting against chronic disease even if you don't get enough activity to lose weight.

The researchers analysed data on women who took part in a long-running federal study.

Participants were 54 on average at the start and periodically reported how much they exercised and weighed.

They also reported eating habits at the start, but not throughout, a limitation the authors acknowledged.
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Lee said the women's eating habits were thought to be typical of American women who aren't dieting.

Dr Howard Eisenson, who heads Duke University's diet and fitness centre, said it's likely some women underestimated what they ate and overestimated how much they exercised, which could have skewed the results.

Still, Eisenson said he doesn't encourage anybody to try to lose weight by exercise alone.

To combat age-related weight gain, "you're fighting in many cases a losing battle" if you don't also cut calories, he said.

That doesn't mean you have to starve yourself, but it does mean watching what you eat and avoiding frequent indulgences. People often don't realise how quickly a bag of chips, an extra piece of cheese, a few glasses of wine or a candy bar add up.

"You can eat a candy bar in two minutes. Most are at least 200 calories," and to burn that off requires walking for about an hour, Lee said.

Knowing that equation can help people make wise decisions about activity and food choices, she said.

- AP

Millions wasting their time trying to get fit, says study

noreply@blogger.com (wanwarlock) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:11:00 +0000

Millions of people who strive to keep fit by jogging, swimming or going to the gym are wasting their time, scientists say. Researchers have discovered that the health benefits of aerobic exercise are determined by our genes - and can vary substantially between individuals.

About 20 per cent of the population do not get any significant aerobic fitness benefit from regular exercise, according to an international study led by scientists at the University of London. For these people, regular jogging and gym work will do little to ward off conditions like heart disease and diabetes which aerobic exercise is generally thought to resist.

Researchers say they would be better off abandoning their exercise regime and focusing on other ways of staying healthy - such as improving their diet or taking medication. James Timmons of the Royal Veterinary College at the University of London, who led the study, said that the discovery would pave the way for more personalised treatments, with patients able to take DNA tests to find out the most effective way of keeping their own hearts healthy.

It could also be used to root out would-be recruits to the Armed Forces who would never be able to reach the required fitness standards. Dr Timmons said the research broke new ground by using the human genome - the genetic map of the body which was decoded by scientists 10 years ago - to suggest improvements to healthcare. "This would be one of the first examples of personalised, genomic-based medicine," he said.
As part of the research, published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, more than 500 participants in Europe and the US were asked to undergo various aerobic training programmes in line with government advice to do 30 minutes of exercise five times a week.

By the end of the 20, 12 and six-week programmes the majority of people had shown a measurable improvement in how much oxygen their body consumes during exercise, a key indicator of aerobic fitness.
But 20 per cent saw their maximum oxygen increase by less than 5 per cent. Around 30 per cent showed no increase in insulin sensitivity, meaning that the exercise did not reduce their risk of diabetes.

An analysis of muscle tissue samples taken from the participants revealed a set of about 30 genes that predicted the increase in oxygen intake. Of these, 11 were shown to have a particular impact on how much a person could benefit from aerobic exercise.

Make some money online with Paid-To-Promote.Net

noreply@blogger.com (wanwarlock) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:10:00 +0000

I've joined some crappy sites that promised payment - Bux.to paid me once in 2008 and none since, which annoys me. Other ptc sties I've joined went bust in 2008 as well.

The only good way of making money - more like pocket money, can't really make a living off it, is via adsense, chitika & bidvertiser. Do click on the links on the right there to learn more.

One such site that a friend pointed out to me today was Paid-To-Promote.Net. You install a code on your blog/website whatever and the more people visit your site, the more money you make. So far since I put in the code, I've 'received' 0.012c. Not alot but in the span of approx 1 hour, this is what I got and just for people surfing your site and staying for at least 10 seconds.

A quick search online shows that they do pay. Minimum payout is 10c, and they pay twice a month. So, not bad so far.

Do check it out:

Get Out Of Debt – What Are The Best Options For Consumers Who Are Massively In Debt?

noreply@blogger.com (wanwarlock) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 09:34:00 +0000

If you want to get out of debt fast, it can be a little confusing for you which option to go for. There are many ways in which you can get rid of your heavy debt but what you need to focus on is the means that would suite you the best. Not all of them work for massive debts.

The options...
-Balance transfer cards are the latest savior of the people who are burdened with debts. These cards allow you to transfer it into a 0% interest credit card. These cards help you to get out of debt by giving 0% for maximum one and a half years (varies from company to company) for a nominal transfer fee of just 3%. But if your debt amount is more (-$1500) the transfer fee gets enhanced. So this is always a convenient option for those in smaller debts.

-But when you are massively in debt, you can hire a lawyer to file for bankruptcy. But here too there are limitations. It is valid for only credit card debts, car loans, mortgages.

- In case you have your own home there is another valid option to be debt free. You can refinance your home and use the equity to pay off the debts.

- Try to negotiate with your creditors most dramatically. Since you have a better knowledge of your situation you are the best one to explain it. Present it in a very dramatic way so that on humanitarian grounds you get a debt relief. This option is wholly based on luck.

- Cutting down expenses, leading a simpler life, increasing income are some of the ways in which you can always be out of debt but slowly and steadily.

- The best way to get rid of debt is hiring loan consolidation companies. These companies have experienced attorneys who negotiate with your creditors as well as give you solutions to get rid of your massive in the most effective way.

- Another way in which you can get out of debt is when you approach debt settlement companies do it through a debt settlement
network of which the company is a member. This will help you to get hold of the best debt settlement companies.

How to beat the festive fat trap

noreply@blogger.com (wanwarlock) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 09:17:00 +0000

The silly season can be the downfall of many a dieter, with boozy parties and fatty festive food all but ruining the abstemious existence of the past 12 months.

But it doesn't have to be that way. Common sense and a few top tips from experts will get you through Christmas with your figure intact.

Nutritionist Sarah Hanrahan says there's no point trying to diet at Christmas time, so give up any hope of fitting into a swimsuit in January that was too small in December.

"Trying to diet through Christmas is almost impossible unless you've got iron willpower," says Hanrahan, of the New Zealand Nutrition Foundation. "People get so depressed when it doesn't work, but if they can get over that whole thing about feeling bad about what they eat at Christmas and just enjoy appropriate-sized portions, they'll pop out the other end ready to get on with it, rather than setting themselves back by gaining weight or fighting a losing battle to lose weight."

Avoiding the fat trap is about common sense, says Hanrahan.

Parties can be a minefield of fattening nibbles and calorie-laden booze, but Hanrahan advises having a healthy snack at home before you go.

"If you arrive with food your focus, you'll have half a dozen sausage rolls before you realise it," she says. Making an effort to mix and mingle is also a good way to avoid diving into the snacks, she says.

Booze is often a pitfall and is hard to avoid during the festive season. "You can easily knock back drinks without thinking about it," says Hanrahan.

Unfortunately, most of our favourite alcoholic drinks are laden with calories. Hanrahan suggests diluting drinks, such as adding soda to wine to make a spritzer, opting for diet mixers or ensuring you alternate each glass of wine with a glass of water.

When it comes to the traditional Christmas dinner, don't deprive yourself, but don't go crazy.

Make sure half your plate is vegetables and load up on berries for dessert.

Moderation is the key. "Don't go without," says Hanrahan. "The worst thing to do is cut yourself off from everything around you. Then you'll just really resent it and ultimately you won't succeed."

Personal trainer Scott Wadham agrees. Load up as much as you can on salads, and take small pieces of everything so you don't feel like you're missing out. Wadham, of Auckland gym Corpo Bello, says in mid-January he is inundated with people wanting to lose their Christmas flab.

But the festive season is no excuse for letting exercise habits slip, especially if the summer weather holds up.

"I always tell people that if they are going to indulge, do the groundwork before," says Wadham. "Go for a big run and give yourself some credits, or burn it off afterwards."

Exercise should be incorporated into your holiday as part of the family fun, rather than avoided or seen as a chore. "Anything that gets you puffing is great - a game of touch on the beach, throwing the frisbee around, mowing the lawns, going for a swim. Whatever it takes to get your heart rate up."

Dietitian Angela Berrill suggests starting Christmas Day with a bout of exercise and a good breakfast. "It's good to go into Christmas lunch hungry, but if you are ravenous you'll end up gorging yourself," she says.

Dietitian Sarah Ley says traditional Christmas foods are designed to be eaten in cold weather and have a high energy value. One option is to ditch them in favour of lower-energy summer foods like salads and cold fruit desserts.

If all else fails, physically distance yourself from high-fat treats, says Berrill. "If you're a picker, it's best to stay on the other side of the room from the chocolates and nuts."

All our experts agree that changing day-to-day eating habits should be the focus, not a once-a-year festive blow-out.

Hanrahan says "enjoy Christmas for what it is. The reason people are overweight is because of their everyday habits, not because of a week over Christmas."

Get back in shape

Alex Flint, 31, is like everyone else. He too gets tempted by glazed ham and the mountains of pavlova abundant at Christmas.

However, as a personal trainer at the Netfit Training Room in Ellerslie, his self-control is better than most.

For those wanting to get rid of their festive fat, the gym offers boot-camp style training.

"Basically we do a lot of different types of fitness training . We do boxing, use kettle bells, skipping, a lot of running and play a lot of tag based running games."

The combination of cardio and weightlifting has some huge results, says Flint.

"Some of the girls have lost incredible amounts of weight. When they started they'd never done any exercise. Now they've lost almost 20kg."

Another novel way to lose weight is through the modified strongman training program.

"You basically run and throw things around."

Different types of training often help people stay committed as they don't think of it as hard work.

While many join gyms in the New Year saying they will get in shape, doing circuit training with friends and family makes it more likely you will continue.

Avoiding the trap

* Don't diet at Christmas
* Eat regular meals with lots of veges
* Don't go to parties hungry
* Mix and mingle
* Think about your drinks
* Eat small portions
* Cut fat and skin off fowl
* Eat slowly
* Exercise on Christmas day

Warming up before exercise

noreply@blogger.com (wanwarlock) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:54:00 +0000

WARMING UP

Everyone has their own idea about warming up so I have avoided telling you how to. Instead I have answered the following questions in detail giving you the information to ensure your personal warm up is effective.

Most common questions:

1.   What is a warm up?

2.   How long should I warm up for?

3.   What's best, a specific or general warm up and what's the difference?

4.   What's the difference between an internal and external warm up and which is better?

1.   WHAT IS A WARM UP?

A warm up allows the body to prepare itself for an activity or movement that you may perform, without putting it into a high state of stress. It ensures that your muscles can be stretched effectively; it prepares your joints by producing fluid to help absorb shock and increases blood flow to the organs and muscles allowing them to work at a higher rate.

Add these factors together and you have a body that is more capable of operating injury free during and after an activity.

2.    HOW LONG SHOULD I WARM UP FOR?

This depends on the activity you want to do. For example, in the home gym or in a studio, you may spend anything from 30minutes to 1hour working out so it may be preferable to limit your warm up to 4-5 minutes so as not to tire your body. This ensures you have enough energy to work out at a higher intensity.

If however you were going for a run (long or short), the decision would be when you feel that you can stretch easier as opposed to when you started.

There are also some easy indications you can look for like a higher heart rate, a slight sweat or just feeling warmer. I would suggest anything between 5-10 minutes of light jogging or brisk walking.

Remember trust yourself you know your body better than anybody else. If you feel you haven’t warmed up adequately then you probably haven’t.

3.    WHAT'S BEST, A SPECIFIC WARM UP OR A GENERAL WARM UP AND WHATS THE DIFERENCE?

A specific warm up is using the movement you are about to perform at lesser intensity. An example of this is if you were to perform a bench press (lying on your back pushing a bar up with two hands) you could warm up by performing a push up on your knees or toes, warming up the same muscles that are used in both movements.

A general warm up is using a bike, treadmill, rowing machine or a walk before a swim, before performing any specific or non specific movement.

Research shows there is no real difference in effectiveness between the two, generally if you honestly feel warmed up you are.

4.    WHAT ARE INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL WARM UPS AND WHICH    IS BEST?

An internal warm up is when you use an activity or movement to warm up your body. For example; a walk before you run. An external warm-up is using heat from the outside. For example, having a hot shower, a massage, a sauna or heat lamp.

Both warm ups increase blood flow to the muscles and skin? However an internal warm up is preferable for strenuous activity as it increases your heart rate delivering oxygen and nutrients to the muscles and organs, also providing protection to your joints.

Here are some physiological and psychological benefits of a warm up.

Physiological

1      Gradual increase of blood flow and heart rate.

2      Increased oxygen to the muscles.

3      Helps to avoid the build up of lactic acid.

4      Increases muscle elasticity, which in turn increases the range of movement decreasing injury.

5      Helps coordination.

Psychological

1      Prepares you mentally for what you are about to do.

2      Psyches you up, which increases the adrenalin production to keep you alert and helps to speed up your reaction times, reducing the chance of injury.

Warming up is an essential part of exercise, if in doubt contact a fitness professional.

Tips to Burn Fat and Build Muscle

noreply@blogger.com (wanwarlock) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 22:41:00 +0000

A lot of people I talked to in the gym are so obsessed with fat burning and building muscles. However, 90% of them seem to be in the dark of what they are doing and why they are not achieving the results they want.
Here are 4 tips how to burn fat
and build muscle for you to begin with.

Tip #1 - Do Cardio, Lots of It

Always do cardio, lots of it! You will almost never burn fat and build muscle if you don't do any cardio at all. Cardio will help you burn the excessive fat that you have in your body. Doing cardio the right way with the correct amount of strength/resistance will help you build muscle without you even realizing it.

Tip 2 - Weights

You can burn fat and build muscle by varying the amount of weights you life during your workouts. This will help you develop good muscle mass which will burn even more fat when you are not working out. Another alternative is to go for lighter weights with a higher number of reps, which is an even better fat burner. This will also tone your muscles.

Tip 3 - Circuit Training

Another method to burn fat and build muscle simultaneously is to do some sort of circuit training. This type of training is usually not available in your local gyms, but if you can find them, you should be part of it.
One example of circuit training involves a running track with a weight lifting equipment. You have to run, life the weights, run, and life the weight again, in a circuit. It will be very tiring for beginners, but very rewarding.

Tip 4 - Diet

A healthy diet will help you to burn fat and build muscle. Many people have the wrong understanding about this which leads them to burn fat and lose muscle mass. Therefore, you should be very careful of what you eat. A good and healthy diet should consist of 40% carbohydrates, 30% protein and 30% fat.

How to shop online without losing your identity

noreply@blogger.com (wanwarlock) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 06:46:00 +0000

Next month promises to be the busiest so far for online retailers as more Christmas shoppers than ever shun overcrowded shopping malls in favour of buying gifts over the web.

New Zealanders have been comparatively slow to embrace e-commerce, but growth in the number of local retailers offering the service - such as The Warehouse, which finally launched an online sales portal this year - should encourage record numbers of us to shop online with our credit cards.

But what about the security risks of passing financial information across the internet? Lloyd Borrett, Australia and New Zealand marketing manager for IT security software vendor AVG has six tips to help keep online shopping safe.

1. Look for the "S" for security - make sure the websites you are shopping from are secure and have "https" in the URL when you are in their checkout/purchase process. The "s" ensures security. When you are in the secure section of a website, you will also see an icon for a locked padlock on your browser, either on the address bar or on the bottom right corner.

2. Stay current on security software - this means making sure you have the latest virus protection software updates from your security software provider.

3. Think before you link - use security software with a URL (web address) scanning tool to ensure you will be warned if you click on links that lead to web pages infected with dangerous malware.

4. Keep your private information private - when shopping online, create a separate email account that is just for shopping. Use a unique password, different from any other accounts you have. Your dedicated shopping email account should be in no way affiliated with your personal, everyday email account. Keep records of your online shopping - print confirmation pages and email confirmations.

5. Mix up your passwords - each shopping account, bank account, credit card account, and email account should have a unique password. Write them down and keep the information in a secure location. Unique passwords for each account make it tougher for a thief to steal your personal information.

How To Tell A Liar - 3 Rare Ways

noreply@blogger.com (wanwarlock) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:10:00 +0000

Learn how to tell a liar by watching different movements and noticing the situations below will help you figure out if you are being told a lie. The techniques have been used by policeman, military and the government. You can use these in your personal life or at the work place and with friends. If you know the suspected liar, it will be much easier to tell if their doing things differently than normal.

1. Conversation Change - Most liars will often try to change the flow of the conversation. He tries to get of the subject so he can not be challenged on some of his answers. You will notice he or she will be more comfortable and relaxed after they have had the conversation going in another direction. While before they were more tense and tight lipped. You will know it was a lie based on the quick change in conversation for no good reason.

2. Fiddling - How to tell a liar is pretty easy if you pay close attention to detail. They typically play around with things when lying. Things such as a pencil, twisting a bracelet or watch
, touching nose or mouth to name a few. They may fold their arms or put something between you and them, such as their briefcase or notebook. Subconsciously, this is their way of distancing from the lie.

3. Facial Expression - Check out the suspected liars facial expressions. Especially around the mouth. A liar who has a fake smile only uses certain muscles in the face that doesn’t look normal. A real smile consists of all facial muscles looking more natural.

These are just a few ways on how to tell a liar who thinks he can go undetected with his deceiving ways.

The 5 Easiest Ways To Reduce Your Suffering To Allergic Reactions

noreply@blogger.com (wanwarlock) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:26:00 +0000

Nobody enjoys suffering the effects of allergies even the smaller ones. The frequency that people are experiencing allergic reactions such as a runny nose, itching, and so on is increasing dramatically in today's industrialised world. Should you not know the cause of these symptoms they can be hard to eliminate, although they are not going to kill you the symptoms certainly are not pleasant.

Three common ways to find out if a particular substance (known as an allergen) has caused your reaction is to:

1. Apply the suspected allergen to your skin and fasten it there with a plaster, now you need to wait for 48 hours to see the outcome. A rash, bubble or other form of irritation will occur if it is the allergen.

2. Have an injection into just the upmost level of the skin of the allergen and wait to see what happens

3. You will get the fastest feedback however from having the allergen droplets placed directly on to your skin.

If you do not know what the allergn is and wish to reduce your suffering then try a few or all of the following:

Make sure you are washing your linen regularly and that it is not the washing powder causing the reaction. See if the symptoms ease after changing to use a different washing machine powder.

You maybe suffering from the affects of outdoor pollutants drifting indoors if you are prone to leaving doors and windows open commonly. After giving them a try for a few days jot down any differences you notice.

Do you notice that after visiting certain locations your reactions get worse or after you have eaten certain things. It would be a great help to keep a short log of these things which you can review after a few weeks. This one simple tactic could be highly significant as to what is causing the symptoms.

Drink green tea as it contains high levels of phyto nutrients and also anti-oxidants both of which help to fight allergens at a cellular level. The herbalists approach is also worth considering too whereby you increase your garlic and onion intake. This is because they contain the ingredient Querticin that is supposed to significantly fight and ease allergic reaction symptoms.

A superb starting point would be to start making use of a dehjumidifier. These are fantastic at removing moisture from the air which contributes greatly to build up of allergens. They are a great preventative measure and cure for damp mouldpatches. Having a look around your home to search for any potential damp patches would also be a wise idea. These are a very nasty source of disruptive allergens. In such a case a crawl space dehumdifier can be used to be set up and run in a small space and they are very effective. The Comfort Aire dehumidifier range a re partricularly reputable.

None of the above tips are particularly revolutionary but any single one of those could help significantly in reducing allergic symptoms. try each of the strategies and see what responses you get, of course a quick trip to the doctor is always a wise thing as well they may provide you with a nasal spray or other suitable medication. However remember that getting to the root cause will always be better in the long run.

Surviving Relocation – Most Helpful Tips in Moving Hassle-Free

noreply@blogger.com (wanwarlock) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:29:00 +0000

The contemporary world is truly amenable to different things and realities such as the trend of relocation. In fact, a whopping half a million individuals relocate every year for various reasons. Some do it for job privileges in other states or venues, others have new home acquisition that requires them to leave their previous homes and neighborhood. In the course of moving, it is essentially important to know the fundamental things to do in order to survive the tedious and demanding endeavor of moving.

It helps a lot to be totally prepared for the big day and not waiting for it to come and make your move. Preparation is basically the key to a successful relocation activity. Hence, the moment you have fully decided that you are moving, alone or with your family, make your checklist of the things to do and accomplish prior, during and after settling down in your new house. These are proven and tested tips that surely make moving a less stressful and more anticipated event in your life.

Months before relocating, make a complete and thorough inventory of all your items and belongings. Find out if there are things you can actually forego and separate them from the ones you are bringing along with you when you move. You will just be amazed that there are a lot of things that are not useful anymore or you can do without. You can keep them away in storage or you can earn extra money by putting them on garage sale.

After finalizing the things you need to bring, provide boxes and packaging materials in order to safely store your belongings. Be careful with packing fragile or breakable items by putting cushion inside the box. Organized and label your things according to importance or use such as putting all kitchen wares in one box together and the like. This will make it easier for you to find them or facilitate movers where to place the boxes when you arrived in your new home.

Be prompt in making the truck reservation whenever you need one to transport and move your items or possessions. This is actually a more economical way of availing the vehicle you need to relocate because most companies give discounts and other incentives to clients who make early reservation. You also have time to choose which truck is best suited for your moving needs.

Adjustment period is an inevitable reality when you change location and home, hence be prepared for relocation depression attacks. This usually happens after you have moved in and a pang of sadness lurks in because you are missing your previous homes, neighbors and friends. Make sure you keep in touch with old neighbors and friends to lighten up your load and stress in moving. Talk to your family and loved ones who may also experience the same sadness or emotions as you do.

There are innumerable ways to survive relocation so long as you have the determination and strong will to overcome the stress and make your new life productive and more enjoyable than the former.

Turning Your Washing Machine Green

noreply@blogger.com (wanwarlock) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:58:00 +0000

Traditionally, the chromatic spectrum of laundry has been very limited; clothes to be washed were simply divided into color garments or white ones. However, that isn't the case anymore. As in every other aspect of everyday life, another color has entered the mix - green. As the realities of global climate change become increasingly evident, green-friendly products are gaining momentum in the marketplace. Some opportunities for economically-friendly products are obvious; ditching gas-guzzling automobiles, for example. On the other hand, some eco-friendly opportunities are less obvious but can be just as significant, such as washing machines.

You may not think about it, but washing machines can have a big impact on the environment. The first factor is the amount of water used by the machines - they are the second highest source of water use in the home, outranked only by toilets. The amount of water used can vary greatly by model, meaning that some washers are wasting water that could be used for other tasks. In addition, washing machines can be one of the most energy-demanding appliances in your home, and if you have a large family, the washers can be in operation nearly all day. Because fossil fuels persist as a common energy source, this means washing machine operation equates to green house gas emissions. Thankfully, companies have responded to the need for efficient washing machines, and some of the best models are below.

LG Electronics WM3001HWA - 27" Front-Load Steam Washer

You might think that a washing machine focusing on creating a small environmental impact would be small in size as well, but that's not the case here. This LG model has an enormous 4.5 cubic foot capacity, which will save you time and energy. But the washer will also save electrical energy as well; the LG WM3001HWA is Energy Star approved, meaning it has met the stringent standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency; this can translate into savings of up to $110 annually on utility bills. In addition, it is a front-loading washer; these models tend to be more efficient than top-loading washing machines. But being friendly to the environment isn't all this can do - the WM3001HWA washing machine has nine wash cycles including a time-saving steam cycle and five temperature settings, all configured with digital controls.

Kenmore Elite HE5t Steam

With a 4.4 cubic foot capacity, this durable washing machine will be able to handle even the largest loads. And that's not all - it will handle them with elite efficiency. The Kenmore Elite HE5t exceeds Energy Star standards so it won't be a major drain on electricity. In addition, the washing machine saves up to 77 percent of the water consumed by older, more traditional models. And as if that wasn't enough, the Kenmore Elite HE5t also has a "Save Energy Plus" mode that allows it to be even more water and energy-efficient by lowering water temperature and extending cycle time. There are also plenty of other features to keep your clothes clean and bright, including a Steam Treat option to eliminate the need for pre-treating; Timed-Oxi for superior stain-fighting power; and Steam Sanitize, which eliminates harmful bacteria.

Samsung WF218ANW - 27" Front-Load Washer

Though slightly smaller than the other two, with a 4 cubic foot capacity, the Samsung WF218ANW washing machine does provide some perks of its own. First is the inclusion of Vibration Reduction Technology, which eliminates so much noise that Samsung says it can be run next to your bedroom without interfering with sleep. Not making a fuss is what this washing machine does best; the Samsung WF218ANW also meets or exceeds Energy Star standards and was also selected for inclusion in National Geographic's Green Guide. This Samsung model offers a sleek way to get more done in less time, all while minimizing environmental impact. Now that's smart.

Avoiding the Holiday Stress Meltdown

noreply@blogger.com (wanwarlock) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:27:00 +0000

It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the holiday season without thought to our daily needs. This easily and quickly leads to stress that can completely ruin the holiday spirit. Thankfully there are ways to avoid the holiday stress meltdown that accompanies too much money spent, not enough time to shop and rude customers flooding the malls. If you are looking to get through this Christmas without the huge headache of what to buy, where to go and when to be there, use the following simple tips for staying calm and collected.

This New Year’s, you are going to be refreshed, instead of simply ready for it to all be over.

Make a List, and Yes -- Check it Twice

What’s the first thing you instinctively do when you need to get organized? That’s right - make a list! Taking the time to sit and make a thorough list will help you get through the holiday. Use a spiral notebook and make note of all you will need to keep track of, and cross it off as it gets done. Writing things down as you think of them will keep you from forgetting until the very last minute, which is typically what leads to stress.

A few ideas include:

•   The people you need to buy gifts for
•   The parties you get invited to
•   The stores you need to visit for gift buying
•   When you will get and decorate your tree

Calendar and Budget Your Time

Be sure to keep good track of your time. It’s easy to say you will do your gift shopping on a certain date without looking at the calendar. During the holiday season, days fill up with activities quickly and they can easily be forgotten. Think of the parties at work and get-together with friends and family. Don’t forget time to address and write out holiday cards, as well as some time to take the yearly family portrait. Try not to schedule yourself to thin. You may think it all sounds like fun at the time, but when you become stressed and overloaded, you will begin to regret some of the commitments you made.

Hire a “Mother’s Helper”

If you have children at home who are old enough to help around the house with chores, they would probably love to help you get ready for the holidays. Allow them to put labels on Christmas cards, punch out the sugar cookies, or put tape on the packages as you wrap them. If you don’t have anyone around who can help you, consider spending a few dollars on a mother’s helper. Junior high or high school students who are home on holiday break would likely be happy to help you run errands or help with chores around the house so you can get your holiday planning in order.

Hypnosis Techniques for Relaxation that you can do yourself

noreply@blogger.com (wanwarlock) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:16:00 +0000

Do you find that you are suffering from a large amount of stress in your daily life? Is anxiety too frequent during your day? Do you ever wish that there was a way for you to relax and it wasn’t going to eat up a huge amount of time or completely empty out your wallet?

If yes is the answer to any of these questions then you owe it to yourself to learn the ways of self hypnosis relaxation techniques.

Now let’s discover the best ways to learn about self hypnosis relaxation techniques.

The very first thing that you need to do is make sure that you can set aside a block of time that you will be undisturbed. You should have at least thirty minutes of free time but if you can set aside an hour’s worth of time that would be even better. After you have your time set aside you then need to find a great place to relax. This place should be nice and clean, you could maybe light a few candles of your favorite scent. Make sure that the room is at a comfortable temperature. You can choose to sit down or even lay down during this process whichever makes you most comfortable. It is incredibly important that you do not cross your legs during the hypnosis relaxation process.

Now sit or lie down and close your eyes. You should then take several slow, deep and soothing breaths; you should be taking in air from the nose and release the air through your mouth. Think in your mind the word relax every time you take in and release air.

Another method to implement is to picture yourself at the bottom of a set of stairs that has a doorway at the top. With every step you take as you ascend up the stairs you should start to begin to feel like a bigger and bigger sense of relaxation. This can be hard to get the hang of at first but as you practice you will be getting better and better. As soon as you have reached the top of the stairway then you can open the door.

As the door opens you should be looking at a place that is utter a total relaxation. It could be a gorgeous castle, a beautiful well maintained garden with bright sunny weather. You should decide on the most relaxing destination that you can think of as you want to make sure that you choose the most charming and relaxing place that you can think of.

As soon as you have chosen the most relaxing place that you picture you will want to fill your senses with everything around you. You should enjoy all of the colors and sounds and just immerse yourself in the entire world that you have created in your self relaxation hypnosis. Are there beautiful flowers to smell? Can you run through some crystal clear waters and run your hand over sea shells and neat looking rocks. You want your imagination make your relaxation destination as real as you possibly can to get the best relaxation effects.

Next in the self relaxation hypnosis process is that you should take your time and enjoy every last aspect of the scene that has been created in your mind. Once you get to that “Happy Place” if you will you want feel like you have spent enough time there to have fully relieved the stress of your day. You may not have a lot of time to do this everyday but you will see benefits no matter how long you are able to relax and how often you are able to use your self relaxation hypnosis.

Now there you go, you are able to equip yourself with all that you need to start removing some of the stress of your daily life. If you are suffering from really bad stress and anxiety then learning self relaxation hypnosis can be a way to manage your stress levels and assist in relaxing yourself during times of stress that may come along in your life.

How to Feng Shui Your Home Office - Feng Shui Tips

noreply@blogger.com (wanwarlock) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:46:00 +0000

From my own experience as a feng shui consultant, as well as from the experience of numerous home and business feng shui clients, working from home presents two major challenges:

    * Separating business and home life,
    * Lack of stimulating social (business-related) interaction.

At the same time, working from home brings numerous benefits to one's lifestyle, and feng shui can help you make the best of it. If this is the path you've chosen for yourself, I would like to help you create a harmonious and successful feng shui office by sharing some basic feng shui home office tips.

   1. Use feng shui to create your home office as far from the bedroom as possible. If the layout of your home allows, having a separate entry to your home office is ideal.

   2. Plan your home office with your well-being and productivity in mind. What feng shui colors, images, items make you feel happy, appreciated, successful, creative? Depending on your chosen field, you need to make your home office reflect the energy you want to project into the world.

   3. Be mindful of the quality of air and the quality of light (natural and artificial) in your home office, as these are two of the good feng shui must-haves. If your brain is starving for oxygen and your body does not get enough natural light, you will not enjoy working there no matter how much you love your job. Consider investing in full-spectrum lights and do bring at least a couple of air-purifying plants into your home office.

   4. Position your desk so that you do not have your back to the door. This is the minimum feng shui requirement for the office desk. Be also mindful of not facing a wall while working at your desk. If you have to face the wall, use feng shui to make the wall "disappear" with vibrant images, beautiful art, etc; whatever brings a smile to your face and makes you breathe deeper and calmer.

   5. Feng shui-wise, there are several important feng shui areas in your home office that need to be treated right.

          * South area (Fame and Reputation), or, a more exact translation, your "Light in the World." Its feng shui energy is Fire, so be mindful about nor having color blue, mirrors, fountains or images of water in this area, as Water element puts down the Fire energy.

          * North area (Career or Path in Life). The feng shui element here is Water, so this is the feng shui area for items representing water, as well as Metal (Metal creates Water in the feng shui cycle of 5 elements.) Without making it sound too complicated, you can place inspiring images related to your career in black or white frame colors in the North area of your home office.

          * Southeast area (Prosperity and Abundance). Bring images or items that speak to you of abundance and prosperity. The feng shui element here is Wood, so you need to avoid Fire images, as well as too much Metal.

   6. Use feng shui to deal with clutter in your home office on a regular basis. As clutter drains your energy and dampens your best intentions, you need to create a clear system, and not let clutter ruin your health and your business. Mark a feng shui clutter clearing day on your calendar and you will be surprised how much better, more enthusiastic and energetic you will feel the next day. That is, provided that you have actually dealt with your clutter, rather than just contemplated it!

These are just a few basic feng shui priorities to guarantee a much higher level of energy in your home office environment.

Article from About.com

Guide to Natural Way of Acne Control!

noreply@blogger.com (wanwarlock) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:08:00 +0000

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!