High Heels: Friend Or Foe

High heels became a fashionable accessory which fascinates women of all ages. They can certainly add striking elegance to your persona but at the same time they contribute to many serious health problems.
         According to American Podiatric Medical Association high heels are biochemically & orthopedically unsound.

Source:http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2007/05/07/GR2007050700484.html
Unnatural Posture
       High heels deform your natural posture. It places your heel unnaturally above your toes which causes your lower part of the body to lean forward and to keep the balance your upper body leans back. It puts your body out of its natural alignment.
Back pain
       Wearing high heels requires throwing your weight forward which changes the position of spine putting pressure on nerves in the back causing pain, tingling & numbness
Fall
       High heel makes your feet is in supinated position which puts you at risk for losing your balance causing broking ankles & other disabling injuries.
Osteoarthritis
        Osteoarthritis is twice as common in women because high heels increase the pressure on the inside of the knee by 26% which elevates the risk for this very painful disease.
Foot Problems
       High heels put greater pressure on the ball of the foot which causes metatarsalgia which is pain in the ball of the foot. The pressure increases with the height of the heels. Wearing a 3inch heels increases 76% pressure on forefoot than a flat shoe.
       The increased pressure leads to Morton’s Neuroma which is 10 times more common in women than men. A narrow toe box of high heels cause thickening of tissue around a nerve between the third & fourth toes, which can lead to numbness & pain in the toes.
It can also lead to Sciatica which is triggering pain & numbness down the feet.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
        There is a risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis if you stand for longer period of time in high heels causing blood clots form in deep veins, mainly in legs.
Hammertoes

        A narrow pointed toe box that often found in of high heels force the second, third or fourth toe into a permanently bent position at the middle joint that resembles a hammer which can’t be strengthened even when barefoot.
Bunions
       The narrow toe box of high heels cause painful swelling and bone enlargement at the base joint of the big toe which bends towards other toes leading to redness & pain.
Pump Bump
        Pump Bump also known as Hugland Deformity is a painful bony enlargement on the back of the heel resulted by straps and rigid back of the pump style high heels.
Contraction Of Calf Muscles
        Calf muscles contracts when you walk in high heels. Long term wear lead to permanently stiffening and shortening of the muscle which cause them fatigue faster & decrease flexibility during running.
Headaches
       Wearing high heels put the spine out of its natural alignment causing muscles behind the neck stiff & putting pressure on nerves that can lead to chronic headache.
Achilles Tendonitis
        Walking in the high heels results in shifting body’s natural alignment forward putting pressure on the Achilles Tendonitis which runs up the back of the leg from the heel. The higher the heel the shorter the tendon becomes. Wearing high heels constantly shorten & tighten the tendon permanently making you unable to wear anything but very high heels. You’ll get a lot of pain at the back of the heel when you try to put your foot into a flat shoe.
      When the heel is constantly elevated, Achilles Tendonitis which runs up the back of the leg from the heel, shorten & tighten permanently The higher the heel the shorter the tendon becomes,making you unable to wear anything but very high heels. You’ll get a lot of pain at the back of the heel when you try to put your foot into a flat shoe.
In-Grown Toenails
         Incidence of in-grown toenails & nail infection is higher in high heel wearer as it squeezes and squashes the toes.
                  You may not have these problems in your teen or early twenties but after reaching 30 or 40 years of age, you’ll suddenly experience all the pain, deformation & several types of health problems.
              The best way to avoid these problems is to stop wearing high heels. If it’s not possible than wear it on special occasions & no longer than three hours at a time. Whenever u get opportunity slip those high heels off & give some rest to your feet & massage it with your hands. Spend time daily to stretch & exercise your muscles to increase stability & flexibility. 
                                      By using it in moderation & taking care of your feet you can avoid the ill effects of these Killer Heels.

Golden Rules Of Eating Fruits

Fruits are the manifestation of nature’s love for men. They are excellent for keeping our bodies hale & hearty. To derive the maximum benefits we should follow some guidelines

Eat With Skin

Apple, guava, peaches & other thin skinned fruits have their nutrients just below their skin which will be eliminated if we skin them. So we must eat them with their skin on.

Cut & Eat Immediately

If we leave fruits after cutting they react with oxygen & lose their vital elements & become breeding ground of a lot of germs. So eat fruits immediately after cutting them.

Eat Before Sunset

According to the Ayurveda there is certain type of fruits like banana, guava, papaya & all those fruits which have their pulp somewhat watery should not be eaten after sunset because by the dusk they become heavier & difficult to digest. The ideal time to eat fruits is the breakfast time.

No Knife

The use of knife in cutting fruits should be minimal so as to preserve the vital nutrients which get destroyed by the sharp edge of the knife.

Carpal Tunnel Begins in Your Neck Not in Your Wrist

Carpal Tunnel Begins in Your Neck Not in Your Wrist
by Pamela Adams D.C.
If Carpal Tunnel Syndrome comes from typing on the computer
all day, why didn't people who typed on typewriters get Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome? Because there was no computer screen to
draw their heads forward, their chins tilted up, necks strained.
Typewriters were placed lower than desks and typists tilted their
heads down not forward.
The culprit in Carpal Tunnel pain, the Median nerve, exits the
spinal cord from the lower part of your neck, travels through neck
muscles under the collar bone to the front of your shoulder bone,
then makes its way down your arm, past your elbow to your wrist
where it passes through the Carpal Tunnel and into your hand.
That's a long way to go, and the nerve can be pinched anywhere
along the route causing pain in your wrist and numbness in your
hand and fingers. The very first and most common place it gets
pinched is in your neck. You can wear a wrist brace, buy wrist
rests, get an ergonomically correct keyboard, take painkillers, or
have surgery and it won't help until you change the position of
your head when you work at the computer.
Of course, it's not only computer workers who suffer from Carpal
Tunnel symptoms. According to research from the Occupational
Health Project at the University of Maryland, workers in the
following occupationsare most likely to develope the syndrome:
1. Assembler
2. Laborer--non-construction
3. Packaging-and-filling-machine operators
4. Janitors and cleaners
5. Butchers and meat cutters
6. Data entry keyers
What is the common-denominator among these occupations?
Workers must hold their heads forward and down and reach
forward with one or both arms repeatedly.
Learn to keep your head on straight, whatever you do. If your
head is supported by your spinal column and not the poor,
overworked muscles of your neck and upper back; if you position
yourself so that you don't have to reach with your arm, you'll go
along way towards relieving and preventing symptoms.
Here are some suggestions for computer users:
1. The computer monitor must be placed directly in front of you.
The top of the monitor should be no higher than eye level.
2. Keyboards should be placed low, so that arms can hang at
your sides with foreams at right angles to upper arms and wrists
straight.
3. Feet are flat on the floor; weight is on the sitting bones.
There should be a slight arch in your low back.
4. Your breastbone should be lifted, creating a lengthened
space between the navel and breastbone. This brings your head
back to an aligned position.
5. Placement of the mouse should be a close to the body as
possible so there's no reaching. It's better to use a ball,
because fingers are designed for small, precise movements,
shoulders are not.
6. A timer set to ring every fifteen minutes or half-hour is a
good way to check on your posture.
7. Sleep on your back, not sides, until symptoms subside. Use
a flat, thin pillow.
The following exercise is meant to be done once every hour
during the day, and, lastly, in bed just before sleep: Lying on
your back with hands clasped behind your head, elbows resting
on the floor or bed, tuck your chin into your neck as if to make a
double chin. Keeping the chin tucked in,
gently press your head back into your hands. Hold for a count of
ten. Then relax your chin and neck and take a couple of deep
breaths. Do a total of three presses in a set. Do one set only
every hour


About The Author
Dr. Pamela Adams helps undo the habits that cause you pain. She is the author of "Dr. Adams' Painless Guide to Computing" and a complimentary ezine, Self Health News. For more health tips and information, visit her website http://www.PainlessGuides.com



http://www.safecomputingtips.com/articles/carpal-tunnel-begins.html

Keep Your Heart Healthy

 Heart disease is America's number one killer of both men and women. Regardless of gender, high cholesterol puts everyone at increased risk for heart disease. But there are some important and simple steps you can take toward keeping cholesterol in check and improving overall health.
Start with food. Your diet is an important factor in controlling cholesterol. A healthful low-fat eating plan, combined with regular physical activity, is key to heart health. In fact, new National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines recommend that one in three Americans need to make diet changes to lower their risk for heart disease.
Foods high in soluble fiber, like oatmeal, beans and peas, barley, and many fruits and vegetables (such as apples, oranges, and carrots) are now recommended to help lower cholesterol levels.

Get to Know Cholesterol -- The Good and the Bad

The "bad" LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol is like a one-way bus. It carries cholesterol from the liver (where cholesterol is made and recycled) and deposits it in the arteries where it can cause blockage that leads to heart disease.

The "good" HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol is like a second one-way bus. It picks up cholesterol from the arteries and brings it back to the liver so the cholesterol does not harm arteries.

Beyond the basics. Don't forget snacks! Everyone enjoys a little boost between meals, so stock the kitchen with nutritious, great tasting options such as low-fat popcorn, nuts and pretzels.

Boost the Good and Lower the Bad

Bottom line? The less LDL you have, and the more HDL cholesterol you have, the lower your risk for heart disease.

The best way to increase your HDL, "good" blood cholesterol, is to stay active and trim away excess pounds if you are not already at a healthy body weight.
When it comes to LDL, the "bad" cholesterol, your food choices are key. A heart-healthy eating pattern -- a diet that's high in soluble fiber with moderate amounts of fat and cholesterol -- can make a difference and can help reduce LDL levels.
To lower LDL, try eating more foods high in soluble fiber. Studies have shown that oatmeal helps to lower LDL cholesterol, without lowering HDL.
Eat foods from all five food groups -- And eat a variety of foods within each food group. That way you will get a full benefit package from food.
Remember breakfast -- A perfect time to enjoy fiber-rich foods and fuel your body for the day ahead. Enjoy oatmeal, or other whole-grain cereals. Top a bowl of whole-grain or fiber rich hot or cold cereal with fruit and nuts for additional fiber.
Pick high-fiber snacks -- When you need a quick energy boost during the day, reach for a high-fiber treat. Popcorn, fresh fruit, raw vegetables, or nuts are convenient and healthful choices.
"Fiberize" your cooking style -- Substitute higher-fiber ingredients in recipes. Swap up to one-third of the flour with quick or old-fashioned oats when you bake. Add extra vegetables to casseroles, soups, salads and pasta dishes. Use brown rice instead of white rice.
Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily -- When possible, eat the skin -- it provides fiber, too!

source:http://www.fitnessandfreebies.com/fitness/cholesterol.html

5 Natural Common Cold Beaters

5 Natural Common Cold Beaters
by: Jacob Mabille
The aptly named common cold hits nearly every one of us on a regular basis and once a single family member has it, it can spread quickly and viciously. While the cold itself is relatively harmless it still presents almost crippling symptoms. The common misconception is that you can fight a cold, essentially getting on with your life and trying to ignore the problem. This is much more likely to prolong the agony as a pose to beating it. In preference to turning to the pharmacist there are natural ways to reduce the recovery time and relieve the nagging symptoms of a cold.

Rest

The misconception that exercise will help to sweat out a cold is misleading. The body needs to be able to fight the cold infection and by exercising or being excessively active you are reducing its capability to do this. Resting allows the body to fully combat the cold virus. The immune system and various immune functions within the body are strengthened or generated during sleep. It is these that will help your body beat the cold.

Water

When suffering from a cold the body is susceptible to becoming dehydrated. In order to prevent this it is absolutely essential that sufferers drink plenty of water. The recommended eight glasses of water a day is the absolute minimum that you should be aiming to drink when suffering from a cold. For this reason, water can help to further strengthen the immune system and subsequently beat the infection.

Vitamin C

It may sound something your mom or your grandmother would try to convince you but it is widely believed to be true. However, too much vitamin C can cause diarrhea and possible even kidney stones. Many proponents of vitamin C as a cold remedy would argue that 1,000mg every hour is not damaging and will help to reduce the time a person suffers from a cold. However, it has been medically proven that 250mg has the same positive effects as any larger dose with fewer and less severe side effects. The best way to obtain this level of vitamin C is through fruit juices because this also provides a good source of extra fluid.

Garlic

Garlic is another age old herbal remedy for colds. It helps to strengthen the immune system and is also a good antiviral. Putting garlic in meals will help to prevent colds and can also reduce the suffering time of patients. The best way to consume the garlic is freshly ground and raw. Many people would find this a struggle, especially because a lot of people eat as many as three or four cloves as soon as they show symptoms of a cold.

Elderberry Extracts

Elderberries may look harmless but to the cold virus they are far from it. It is a powerful antiviral as well as being a highly effective prophylactic. As an antiviral it can help to stave off the actual infection causing the cold, and its prophylactic properties strengthens and rejuvenates the immune system. Elderberry and blueberries are among the best varieties of fruit a cold sufferer can eat for these very reasons.

The Immune System Role

You will have probably noticed that almost all of these remedies are strongly based around the strengthening of the immune system. This is because there is essentially no cure for the common cold and we are forced to rely on our bodies to fend off the infection. In order to do this, the immune system needs to be as strong as possible and the stronger it is the less suffering will be required.


source:e-healtharticles.com

The Stiff Knees of Osteoarthritis

The Stiff Knees of Osteoarthritis
Kathy Crawford

Stiff Knees are generally a symptom of osteoarthritis.  The simple act of walking seems to help improve the stiffness and it can help relieve the pain of osteoarthritis of the knees.
If you have been suffering from the stiffness of osteoarthritis, you can relieve your pain and stiffness with just a few steps.  The simple act of walking seems to help improve the stiffness and it can help relieve the pain of osteoarthritis of the knees.
This is a disease that over 16 million people who live in the United States have.  It affects your joints which causes them to become stiff and painful.
The actual knee joint can be affected and it makes it very hard for some people to even walk.  But actually the simple exercise of walking is one thing that can help loosen the knee joints of people with osteoarthritis.
A test group of 102 people who had osteoarthritis in their knees and all over 40 years old were divided into two groups.  One of the groups walked 30 minutes three times a week for eight weeks and also attended special classes on osteaoarthritis along with being in support groups.  The other group did no exercise program but did have classes and support groups.
After eight weeks the exercise group showed improvement in the pain they had and were able to move around easier.  None of them said that the walking made the pain or stiffness worse.  Most of them could actually walk quite a bit farther than they could at the beginning of the study.  The other group that didn't do the weekly walking reported little or no improvement.
This goes to show that even if you feel you can hardly walk now with the pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis knees that by doing just that (walking) you will get better. So make the decision now to get up and get moving knowing that in the long run it will help you feel better.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
 Kathy has been writing articles off and on for almost 2 years. Come visit her latest website over at www.carpetshampooer.infotipguide.com which helps people find a hoover carpet shampooer and information on various carpet shampooers.


source: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/the_stiff_knees_of_osteoarthritis.html

14 Sleep Tips: Overcoming Insomnia

by Kellen Von Houser

Do you stay awake all night and sleep all day? Do you lie around all the time but never get rested? Do you have trouble getting to sleep? Are you able to get to sleep, but wake up frequently throughout the night? Do you believe you are sleeping long enough, but you still wake up tired?

We are continually stressed and running short on time and it would seem logical that after running around all day we would have no trouble getting to sleep at night. But that is not the case. Many of us are finding it increasingly difficult to get to sleep at night. To further complicate matters, we tend to depend upon caffeine, cigarettes and sugar as a substitute for what only a good night's sleep can provide. Sleep patterns, thinking processes and mood are intimately related. Sleep deprivation makes us irritable, unable to think clearly and depressed. Many of us become so desperate to get a good night's sleep that we resort to medications, but are they really necessary? Perhaps the best medicine of all is to start really listening to your body instead of working against it.

How to Establish Good Sleep Patterns:

1. Establish a sleep schedule. Calculate a bedtime that will allow you to get this many hours and wake up at a reasonable hour (for example, when you need to get ready for work). Determine the number of hours you need to feel rested. Don't worry if you don't fit into the "norm" of eight hours. A good guideline to start with is how many hours you sleep when you "sleep in" on the weekends. The first day, wake yourself at the time you would like to be your usual waking time, whether you are rested or not.

2. Exercise. With many of us working in offices all day, we never actually do enough physical labor to tire our bodies so they can get a good sound night’s sleep. A good hard work out will make you tired a few hours later. Admittedly, most people find it easier to fit a workout into their morning schedule and be consistent about it. But if you can manage to workout a few hours before bedtime, it may help “wear you out” and make you tired. Weight lifting and swimming, or a really tough cardio workout can be great for inducing sleepiness afterwards. If you belong to a gym, indulge in a few minutes of sauna time after your workout. This will warm up and relax your muscles and further relax you and prepare you to rest.

3. Establish a bedtime ritual. A couple of hours before bedtime begin to allow you to wind down. A regular evening ritual can help you relax and will signal your body that it's time to rest. (By the way, this works great with small children too.)

4. Avoid naps. Do not take a nap during the day, no matter how tired you get. This only makes it harder to get a good night’s sleep at night. It may also offset your nightly routine and sleep schedule since you won’t get tired until much later.

5. Avoid caffeine. Limit your intake of caffeine. Do not consume any caffeine after mid-afternoon. Its effects can take hours to wear off. You will eventually find that you are getting enough rest and don't need an extra boost in the morning to wake up.

6. Try natural sleep aids. Melatonin supplements taken near bedtime help the body fall asleep. Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone associated with the sleep cycle. Your body starts to produce it when the sun goes down to signal the system that it’s time to sleep. As we age we produce less and less melatonin. Melatonin supplements work best if you take them about 30 minutes before you want to go to sleep, then lie down in a dark room to replicate the natural processes. If you continue to move around in a lighted room they will not be as effective. Melatonin can be purchased rather inexpensively over the counter at most pharmacies.

Kava Kava, Valerian or chamomile tea produce calming effects. A hot bath or a massage is great for warming and relaxing the muscles. This can be particularly helpful for someone who can’t sleep due to stress or anxiety.

7. Avoid sleeping pills. Avoid artificial sleep medications, tranquilizers, or alcohol. Although you may fall asleep, your sleep will not be gentle and natural. You will feel groggy in the morning. Many of these aids produce only light sleep, not the deep, RAM sleep that we need in order for our bodies to repair themselves and to feel rested in the morning. Most tranquilizers and alcohol have a tolerance effect – it takes more and more of the chemical to get the same effect.

8. Get up. If you are unable to get to sleep, get up and do something else until you become tired. Lying in the bed tossing and turning just frustrates you further and reinforces that the bed is for tossing and turning instead of sleeping. If you are troubled by racing thoughts that just won't stop, get up and do something to keep you occupied until the thoughts subside. They'll pass much more quickly if you don't lie in bed worrying about worrying, or worrying about not getting enough sleep.

9. Only use the bedroom for sleep. Try to do other activities in another area of the house so your body learns that the bed is for sleeping and nothing else.

10. Practice yoga, meditation and other quiet practices. Yoga not only calms the mind, but exercises the body so both are ready for a good night's sleep. Meditation also quiets the mind and slows it down, preparing it for sleep.

11. Try to sleep with the sun. When the sun goes down, so should you. When the sun comes up, so should you. Read #6 above more information about Melatonin production. Your body was made to rise and sleep with the movement of the sun. If you are staying out all night then sleeping until noon to compensate, this may be disturbing nature's sleep rhythms. (This is why they pay extra for working the graveyard shift. They know how hard it is on you.) This is also another reason to maintain the same sleep pattern on the weekends.

12. Use sound. Sounds strongly affect mood. Soothing music or natural sounds of rain or rhythmic ocean waves can quiet your mind and signal to your body that it is time to sleep. White noise can also be used to drown out street noises, the neighbors, the dripping faucet and other distractions that can annoy or irritate your mind. You don't have to buy a white noise machine. Turning on a fan, vent or other humming noise can sometimes do the trick.

13. Make sure the bedroom is dark. Use draperies or curtains which darken the room. This further communicates to the body that melatonin production should increase in preparation for sleep.

14. Avoid graphic movies, television shows or video games just before going to bed. If nightmares are a problem, check what you are watching. Computer programmers have an acronym, GIGO, which means "Garbage In, Garbage Out". I once had a client who was experiencing nightmares every night. We eventually determined that she was watching horror flicks every night before bed. When the horror flicks stopped, so did the nightmares.

Tips:
1. Don't despair if you have to go sleepy for a couple of days to get back on track. For most people, these steps will work if followed faithfully.

2. Keep a regular schedule, even on weekends. If you do, every day will feel as glorious as "sleeping in" on the weekends.

3. If keeping a regular sleep schedule is not working for you, consult an expert for further assistance. Certain sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, have been associated with depression.

source : http://www.intent.com/blog/2009/04/22/14-sleep-tips-overcoming-insomnia

Keep Backaches Away With These Tips

The muscles of the back support it much like a tent pole that is supported by ropes. Any slackening in the ropes and the pole tilts. Our lifestyle also plays a detrimental role resulting in many young people suffering from low back pain. Prolonged periods of working with the computers at the workplace, incorrect postures, lack of physical exercises, long hours spent in driving - all these factors contribute to backaches. Here are a few ways to keep backaches away.

• Always keep your back strong. Regular exercises for muscles of abdomen and back are important. Swimming is an excellent way to keep fit. Gym exercises and sutiable yogasanas under supervision are also effective.
• Posture is important. Do not maintain stressful postures for long, like sitting with a stoop or standing for long in a twisted position. Let slouching while sitting and stooping while standing not become a habit with you. Habitual bad posture can weaken the supporting muscles. Remember straight erect postures are the best.
• The type of shoes you wear can also affect your posture. High heels may put more stress on your lower back by changing your posture. You might find it more comfortable to wear low or flat heels.
• Never twist around to pick up anything. Stand up and turn and then pick it up. Your back does not have any springs. Hence avoid sudden and abrupt movements of the body.
• While bending down to lift an object, bend with your knees instead of your back. Hold the object close to you. Straighten your legs to lift the object.
• Lifting very heavy weights are likely to injure the back and it must never be carried out while bending over the weight. Seek help from others to lift heavier objects.
• Your bed should be firm and hard bed with a board underneath and 2-3 inch mattress over it. It should support the spine while you sleep. Beds which sag in the middle or the softer ones can cause back pain quickly. If you take a pillow, then take a thin one.
• How long you sit, where you sit and how you sit make a substantial difference in your risk for backache. Avoid chairs that abuse the back. Use chairs which do not slant much and which have a firm back support. Use footstools also.
• Take short breaks if your work requires long hours of sitting. Stand up and stretch.
• In tense situations, spare a thought for your back, check your posture. A hunched posture and tense muscles at the nape of your neck is sure to finally lead to aches and pains. So relax, take a break.

source : http://myblogonbeauty.blogspot.com/2006/11/keep-backaches-away-with-these-tips.html

For A Good Night's Sleep

Everyone of us, at one time or the other has been pestered by sleep problems. Sleeplessness could be transient and short-term or chronic. When it becomes a chronic problem it takes the form of insomnia and requires special attention. The first noticeable signs of poor sleeping habits are dark circles under the eyes pale skin, hair loss. Getting enough sleep is a must. Without proper sleep, your mind does not work as clearly and efficiently. You feel drained physically and mentally. Exactly how much you need to sleep depends on your own individual internal system. While some can do with 4-5 hours; most of us need 7 to 9 hours of sleep. But instead of reaching for a pill or a glass of wine, it's wise to try out these time-honoured remedies and lifestyle changes.

* See a doctor to find out if you are suffering from any physical or psychological ailment like depression, which may be the root cause of your insomnia.

* Regular exercises are a must for a good sleep. But don't overdo it.

* Try to relax in the last hour or two before bedtime. Do not do any stimulating, tiring or exciting work at that time. If you have a favourite relaxation exercise, do that instead.

* Get your internal clock in good working order. Start by keeping a fixed time to go to bed every night. Get up at the same time everyday, even if you went to bed late, did not sleep well or want to sleep in. Getting up at the same time is an important part of getting your internal clock to work properly. When you get your internal clock to function well, it will make you sleepy at bedtime and wake you up at the proper time every morning.

* If you want to take an afternoon nap, do not let it last more than 20 to 30 minutes. If you nap longer you may have trouble sleeping that night.

* Soak in a warm, relaxing bath before going to bed, or drink a glass of warm milk. The tryptophan in milk elevates the important chemical serotonin in the brain, with the result that you fall asleep naturally and quickly.

* Don't eat a heavy meal in the evening, especially late in the evening

* Don't drink any alcoholic beverages after your evening meal. Also don't drink any tea, coffee or colas late in the day. Especially if you are sensitive to caffeine, avoid it completely.

* Don't worry about not going to sleep. As a matter of fact don't worry about anything, just tell yourself that you will deal with it in the morning only with a fresh mind.

10 Reasons Why Sun Is Good for Our Health

Even the Stone Age people knew the Sun brought life on Earth and that is why they used to worship it. But the sun waves can heal and destroy, they can be the kiss of life or death. It depends on the way we use them.

1. The sunlight kills microbes. That's why it is important to put out in the sun carpets, blankets and eiderdowns that cannot be washed regularly. Exposure to the sun confers the skin a bright, healthy look and increased elasticity.

A moderately tanned skin is more resistant to infections and sun burning than an untanned one. Many skin diseases (dermatitis) can be
controlled and even cured through controlled exposure to the sun.

The sun rays are proven to strengthen the immune system.

2. Due to the sun our mood and morals improve. Sunlight helps in cases of chronic or acute depression, by stimulating the synthesis of endorphins (good-feeling hormones). That's why we get depressed in the cold and dark days of the winter.

3. The sun is good against insomnia. Daytime exposure to sunlight increases the melatonin production during the night. This hormone helps regulate the sleep.

4. Under the action of the sunlight, the skin synthesizes vitamin D, which makes possible calcium absorption in the intestine, helping the organism grow strong bones. This way the sun prevents rachitism in both children and adults and osteoporosis in elders.

5. As vitamin D and some related compounds impede the development of some cancer cells, we can say the sun fights off this disease. Regular and controlled exposure to the sun has a preventive effect against cancer of colon, breast, leukemia and lymphomas.

6. Exposure to the sun strengthens the cardiovascular system. Blood circulation is improved, the pulse, arterial pressure, moderately high glycemia and cholesterol levels can be normalized.

7. Sun rays improve liver functioning, being effective in treating jaundice.

8. They help the kidneys with a part of their job, as the sun waves favor the elimination of waste products through the skin, when we sweat.

9. The sun also helps losing weight by increasing the metabolic rate through the stimulation of the thyroid. It also eases symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.

10. The sun rays also ease the healing of the swollen joints during peaks of inflammation in cases of arthritis.


source:http://news.softpedia.com/news/10-Reasons-Why-Sun-is-Good-for-Our-Health-64327.shtml

Natural Cold And Flu Relief

Rely on home remedies to alleviate the discomfort of nasty cold and flu symptoms.

By Elizabeth Cole 

Whether you're looking for drug-free alternatives or you simply prefer brewing home-made concoctions, find out why many swear by the following natural home remedies to fight cold and flu symptoms:

Spicy kick
Your favourite spicy dish might help you to breathe easy when you're congested. That's because the best mucokinetic (mucus-moving) foods are those that are spicy. These foods trigger a release of fluids in air passages that breaks up congestion by thinning mucus and flushing out sinuses. The mouth-burning agent in chilli peppers is capsaicin, which is similar to a drug found in many over-the-counter cough syrups and expectorants. Garlic, onions and horseradish also contain agents that have a chemical resemblance to drugs found in drugstore medications. For a strong � but nearly instant � method of breaking up chest congestion, try the following recipe from Jean Carper's book, Food, Your Miracle Medicine (Harpercollins, 1993): Mix a half teaspoon of hot sauce in a small glass of water and drink the mixture quickly.

Garlic power

According to research by Dr. James North, at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, garlic can prevent cold and flu viruses if taken early enough. North's findings show that garlic is effective in killing the human rhinovirus, which causes colds. Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D. and author of Natural Health, Natural Medicine (Walker & Co., 1998) also believes in the cold-fighting benefits of garlic: "The best home remedy I have found for colds is to eat several cloves of raw garlic at the first onset of symptoms... Cut in chunks and swallow whole like pills... I recommend one or two cloves a day."

Onion it out

From Michael Murray, author of Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine (Prima Health, 1998) comes this recipe for Onion Cough Syrup: "Put six chopped white onions in a double boiler and add half a cup of honey. Cook slowly over low heat for two hours and strain. Take at regular intervals, preferably warm." A simpler suggestion, if you can manage it, involves eating one large, Spanish onion before going to bed. Raw or roasted, it doesn't matter - your cold should be much better, if not gone, by morning because onions contain the same antibacterial components as garlic.

Honey helps

"Raw, unpasteurized honey soothes sore throats and raspy voices," says D.C. Jarvis, M.D., and author of Folk Medicine (Ballantine Books, 1982). He suggests eating a spoonful or two as needed, or mixing it with fruit juice, herbal teas or pure water. 

Ginger zapper

Ginger is particularly valuable for flu-fighting, as it has been proven to attack and destroy influenza viruses. Try swallowing raw ginger, in the same manner as garlic, or making a strong ginger tea. To make ginger tea, grate about half a cup of fresh ginger root, place in a glass or ceramic container, cover with two cups of freshly boiled water and let steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Then add a dash of hot sauce, or the juice of one lemon, or two tablespoons of raw honey, depending on your preferred taste. Sip throughout the day. 


source:http://www.homemakers.com/homemakers/client/en/Home/DetailNews.asp?idNews=1721&bSearch=True

Water Some Health Benefits Of Drinking It

Staying properly hydrated is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to stay in good health. 


DAILY WATER CONSUMPTION

For normal metabolism, a human body releases 500ml of water in the form of urine every day. Through breathing and sweating, the body releases another 500ml-800ml of water. Therefore maintaining a content of 1000ml of water in one's body is of utmost importance at all times.


IMPROVES BLOOD CIRCULATION

Water helps the blood in transporting nutrients, antibodies and blood cells to infected areas when sick and it removes toxin and waste from the body. With this, it smoothens metabolism and at the same time increases the immunity of the body

WATER SHORTAGE AND CONTROLLING ONE'S URINE CAN CAUSE KIDNEY PROBLEMS LIKE FORMATION OF STONES

If one hardly drinks water and controls the urine often, this will thicken the urine, making it easier for bacteria to propagate and cause kidney problems. Therefore one should consume much water in order to increase the volume of urine and cleanse the urethra. Drinking pure water regularly will also prevent the formation of stones

DRINKING WATER WHEN YOU WAKE UP AT MIDNIGHT PREVENTS STROKE

The blood is at its thickest at midnight and in the early hours of the morning; hence blood pressure is also at the highest. So if you happen to wake up during these hours, drink a glass of water and then go back to sleep. This lowers your blood pressure, lessens the thickness of your blood and at the same time prevents strokes.

WATER IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE BRAIN TOO

It is important to drink sufficient water as even slight dehydration can activate the stress hormones, which, over time can damage your brain. Dehydration also decreases alertness

Diabetes and Food Style: Turn Your Food into Your Medicine

by: Dev Sri

  Fast paced life of modern world has necessitated us to give only lower priority to nutrition. This is at a time when nutrition awareness of everyone is high. Instead of taking well cooked food items, fruits and juices, people go after carbonated drinks, fast 'junk' food, frozen and preserved food, microwave food. People also don’t take the time to enjoy and appreciate the food they eat. Today most of us just need any food that fills the belly for sometime.

This food habits have given rise to a variety of health problems. Significantly important one among them is diabetes.

Ayurvedic principles tell us food is one important element that keeps a person in a balanced state of body, mind and soul. Taking healthy food translates into healthy body.

Ayurvedic view on diabetes is no different. There are times when diabetes can attack without any warning sign. Ayurvedic food style combined with certain herbal applications helps one effectively manage his or her condition of diabetes.

High sugar level is the most dreaded thing about diabetes. Ayurveda recommends food items that don't release excess sugar into the blood. Food items that are too sweet, ice cream, chocolate, friend food items, white flour, preserved food, fast food, junk food etc are to be avoided. Bad habits like smoking and drinking should be given up.

Ayurveda recommends Ayurvedic herbal tea for diabetic patients. Replace sugar with honey or jaggery (thickened molasses - sarkkara) or better still palm jaggery (thickened palm molasses - karippatti).

The advantages or drinking more than eight glass of water everyday is not easily told in an essay. Drink a minimum of 8-15 glass of water in the day time. After sunset take only minimal quantities of water. Another thing is to drink plenty of water an hour before a meal and an hour after the meals. Drinking water close to meals dilute the digestive fire (in Ayurveda it is called pitta) and makes the process of digestion difficult.

Take fruits like grapes, fig, pomegranate, citrus fruits etc. Bitter melon (bitter gourd, karela) is used as medicine for diabetes.

The point about Ayurvedic management of diabetes is never a hard task. All you will have to do is to incorporate Ayurvedic principles as your daily routine. Having healthy food and exercise regime itself can help one control his or her diabetes to a great extent.

Include turmeric and garlic as spices, bitter gourd as vegetable, triphala as a laxative and drinking lot of water as daily habit. These are not very difficult to follow. You can't eat or drink all the food items you have. But living a sweeter life sometimes means giving up some sweet for tongue food items.

http://www.icopaxi.org/35-diabetes-and-food-style-turn-your-food-into-your-medicine

Exercise With Your Kids

Performing any type of exercise on a routine basis is a good way to keep your body in shape. It is also a good way to burn fat and calories in the body that come from the food that is eaten on a day-to-day basis. Exercise is one of the ways that people have to keep the body healthy and fit. But who says you have to exercise by your self. People can always ask a friend to join them and parents can most certainly invite all of their kids to join them whenever they choose to exercise.

By taking the kids along while a parent is exercising, they will find that it is a good way to keep everyone at home in shape. Kids can be good company on long walks and there are always things that a parent can find to discuss with their children while they are out of the house. Everybody needs someone to talk to while exercising because it makes the exercise seem effortless.

Children enjoy going to the park or riding their bicycles for long periods at a time. These are some of the things that a parent must consider when they ask their children to join them in an exercise program. They may just switch the tables and invite the parents for a ride or a walk through a park.

Some parents take these invitations one step further and take their kids to a park that they have wanted to see for some time. There are many amusement parks throughout the United States and all of them require families to do a lot of walking to get from one attraction to another. A parent might have to bring some walking shoes with them on vacation but for serious family time, it is quite possible that the whole family will too.

Some of the daily exercise programs could involve bike riding with the kids. Parents could show how tough they are by peddling up hills that have steep inclines to them. Then the whole family could be invigorated by the brisk ride back down them, and have fun while do it. The kids might even decide to challenge the parent to do it again just to see if they are in good enough physical shape to climb that steep hill all over again.

The exercise with the kids does not have to be the same every day. Some days the family could walk briskly through a park and ride the bus back home. At other times, the entire family might head to the local mall and make it a point to walk around the entire shopping complex inside and out a few times. This form of exercise if very popular with senior citizens and the indoor environment makes them feel safer than they would in a local gym.

When you are exercising, always make sure you have plenty of water to drink. All exercise participants need to know the limits that they can reach and they never want to exceed them at any time during their exercise period. People also need to pace themselves through the various courses, because kids are younger and might have more tolerance than their parent does when exercising with their kids. 

The Importance of a Heart Healthy Lifestyle

by: Mary Watson

Does it really make a difference to your heart?

In today’s world there is a great deal of talk about eating heart healthy foods and living a lifestyle that promotes a healthy heart. Although this doesn’t tend to be problem for the older generation who understands the importance of keeping their hearts healthy, questions regarding the importance of the under 40s worrying about the health of their hearts tends to bring some controversy to the table. It raises the question about why someone in their 20s and 30s should have to concern themselves with something that will not affect them for ten or twenty years if at all.

Heart Problems Are Not Just for Those Over 40

One misconception many people have is that they don’t really have to worry about the health of their hearts until they reach middle age. Unfortunately this misconception is what causes many people to neglect their heart’s health and increase the chances of a heart attack early in life. This is especially true if you are in the high risk category for heart disease such as having high cholesterol, a history of heart disease, or suffer from obesity. All of these factors tie into the health of your heart, and in order to prevent heart disease, you need to take care of your heart regardless of your age.

Factors that Contribute to Heart Problems

Many factors in our lives can cause early onset heart disease, but the most common factors are diet, lack of exercise, and weight. For those who are genetically prone to early onset heart disease, lifestyle is even more important. It’s important to make lifestyle changes in order to prevent heart disease no matter how old or young you are. However, you do not want to wait until you are a high risk candidate for heart disease because by then it may be too late to undo any damage you have already done to your heart. Let me address these issues briefly one at a time.

Diet

One of the major contributors to heart disease is diet food we eat. High fat foods cause high cholesterol which in turn blocks the arteries to the heart. Although this problem doesn’t usually cause problems until we are older, by then it is very difficult to change our eating habits. After you have eaten greasy, high fat foods for many years, the adjustment to healthier eating is more difficult.

Lack of Exercise

Leading a sedentary lifestyle is another cause of heart disease. Over the years there has been an increase in the number of reported cases of early onset heart disease, and cardiologists tie this into the sedentary lifestyle that many of us lead today. There is a need to increase the heart rate in order to stay healthy, and we cannot do this sitting in front of the television or the computer. Most of us won’t even walk to the corner store for a loaf of bread let alone perform any heart healthy exercises. Sadly for many, exercise is limited to pushing buttons on the remote control.

Weight

The problem of obesity in both North America and Europe is on the rise, and as a result heart disease is on the rise as well. Nutritionists believe the problem lies in the fast food industry with the problem beginning in childhood. With two income families a necessity today, fewer children are eating healthy meals at home. The sad part is that quick meals can be healthy meals if you choose carefully. The choices you make early in life will affect you later in life. Prevent obesity from the start by making healthy eating choices, and you have battled one of factors that will affect the health of your heart.

About the Author:


Mary Watson writes weight loss, diet plan, health, beauty and general well-being articles for the Slim Eazy website at http://www.slimeazy.com

How To Boost Your Metabolism

By: Jan Richards 

There are a lot of people who would give a lot to grow their metabolism. Having a high altitude of metabolism enables one to retain burn fat and exhaust gathering gaining with the least total of activity. Metabolism is the figure by which the body produces and consumes energy and calories to verify life.

There are several factors that move the metabolism of a role, such as the quantity of muscle bandanna, the frequency of the meals one consumes, genetics, stress levels, private diet and activity levels. Metabolism slows done due to the next: debit of muscle because of not enough corporeal activity, the leaning of the body to cannibalize its own tissue because there is not enough food energy to sustain it, and the shrinkage of rude activity that comes sincerely with old age.

Build up on slender, mean body mass. It is only normal that metabolism decreases along with age, but it is viable to offset the things. The quantity of muscle a persona has is a very potent cause in the ability to burn calories and shed fat. So it goes lacking saying that effect is elemental. Build power and resistance by effective out at least twice a week, preferably with weights. Do relax exercises between workouts. Simple errands such as walking the dog and with the stairs in place of the elevator can already take off calories. The key is to tally the quantity of intake to the total of activity one has. Here are some guidelines in receiving the right essay:

For forte teaching, Increase the quantity of repetitions of build. Add the parallel of resistance. Use proceed essay techniques if potential. For cardiovascular exercise. Insert intervals between exercises. Perform irritable-training and harvester the exercises. Add up on resistance and rapidity

Eat breakfast. A lot of people are ignoring the truth that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Surprisingly, the ones who eat breakfast are thinner than the ones who do not. Metabolism could lengthy down considerably if breakfast is full during mid-morning or if one waits awaiting the afternoon to eat.

Avoid baby. Sugar enables the body to stockroom fat. It is recommended that a, someone consumes food that helps sustain an even direct of blood-sweetie. Additionally, progressive execerise 2-3 epoch a week should be to soothe blood darling. Eat spicy foods. Hot cuisine with peppers can enlarge metabolism. Sleep more. According to research, it is riskier for people who do not get enough sleep to reward burden. Also, muscles are regenerated during the last connect of hours of slumber.

Increase water intake. Water flushes out toxins that are produced whenever the body burns fat. Majority of corporal functions involves water, and require of water causes the body structure's operations to shrinkage its alacrity, and produces unneeded stress as an effect. Eat slighter meals. It is advisable to consume 4 to 6 small meals that are timed 2 to 3 hours apart. Never skip meals. People cultivate to skip meals to drop influence, which is a big confuse since it slows down metabolism.

Plan meals in element. Always plan the right amount of food to be consumed at the designated intervals. Do not commit the fault of intake meals in periodic patterns. Ditch the stress! Stress, be it physical or emotional, triggers the release of a steroid called cortisol, which decreases metabolism. Also, people lean to eat excessively when stressed. Guzzle up on green tea. It could be used as a substitute for russet. Tea can stimulate metabolism, and distinct brunette, it has no undesirable surface effects when too much is consumed.

Include more energy foods in the diet, such as fruits and vegetables, beans and full grains. Achieving the beloved body power is never impossible if one has the determination and patience needed to steady the metabolism glassy, which acting an important role in weight thrashing. The guise wants to attain that ingestion right and working out is not just a death swanky, but a way of life. 

Flossing - Remove Your Plaque With Few Hassles

by: Felicia Williams

How Important Is Flossing?

In one word...very! Flossing not only cleans areas of the teeth where ordinary toothbrushes can't reach, it is a key factor in preventing gum disease. Brushing is an excellent beginning, but flossing is a crucial factor when it comes to keeping healthy teeth. The bacterium that gets caught in the nooks and crannies between teeth and in the tight spaces that toothbrushes can't reach is removed by flossing.

Bacteria, if not removed regularly, may cause a host of problems in a person's mouth. For instance, a byproduct of the bacteria is acid; this acid eats into the enamel of otherwise teeth and creates cavities. Another byproduct of the bacteria is a sulfur compound which causes halitosis.

Remnants of food, combined with remaining bacteria turns into plaque. Plaque, left hanging around between the teeth will become a stronger more toothbrush resistant substance called tarter. Tarter is not removed by normal brushing. Tarter remover requires the professional services of a dentist.

Tarter left alone allows the bacteria to breed and cause a more serous condition called gingivitis. Gingivitis occurs when the bacteria emits toxins that irritate the gums and causes redness and swelling. Left alone, it worsens and causes periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease occurs when the bacteria have been allowed to manifest and invade not only the gums, but also the bones. This is dangerous because the bones are the very support structure that holds teeth in place. Left untreated, teeth will fall out.

I Haven't Flossed In A While. What Should I Expect?

If you haven't flossed in quite a while, there is a possibility that you may see a hint of blood on the floss and in your mouth. This means that your gums are somewhat irritated and are really in need of flossing. Don't give up. Keep flossing. Over a period of time, with regular flossing and brushing, the red should diminish and eventually go away. If it does not, pay a visit to your dentist.

How Often Should I floss?

According to the American Dental Association, you should brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and floss at least once a day.

What About My Children? When Should They Start Flossing?

The minute two teeth are able to rub together, thus creating a condition whereby food and bacteria can hide and grow, start flossing. Of course when they are young, they will require parental guidance. Continue to do so until you feel comfortable that your child can properly floss unaided.

How Do I Floss?

1.) Use about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around the middle finger of one hand and the rest around the middle finger of the other hand.

2.) Gently guide the floss between your teeth with a rubbing motion.

3.) Once the floss nears your gum line curve the floss against one tooth in a 'C' shape. Slide it gently in the space between you tooth and gum.

4.) While keeping the floss against the tooth, gently, with an up and down motion, move the floss away from the gum.

5.) Repeat as needed.

6.) Remember to floss between all of your teeth, even the hard to reach ones in the back of your mouth. Also floss the back of the last teeth.

7.) Remember this is a gentle motion. Do not use a frontward, backward sawing motion. That can cause injury and prove to be painful.

About Auther
Felicia Williams  is a Freelancer Writer and owner of tidbitsandstuff.com.


http://www.e-healtharticles.com/Detailed/1926.html

How Serious Are You About Your Weight Loss Goals?

By: Janice Willingham

Are you serious about weight loss? If you want permanent results, being able to follow a healthy and natural weight loss plan is the only way. There are no shortcuts. Ask most of the experts and they will recommend that you starve yourself, drastically decrease your food intake and exercise until you drop! What people don't know when taking in all this information is that these three weight loss methods can be very unhealthy and could complicate your health.

The goal of weight loss is to become slimmer, to look good and most importantly to become healthier. When you participate in unhealthy weight loss methods you might lose some pounds, but you also have to consider whether your choices are healthy and making your life better.

Any diet that sounds too good to be true because of claims of quick weight loss or being easy or not very challenging to achieve success is usually categorized as a fad diet. You can find fad diets without having to look for them. They are on the Internet, in periodicals and if you can't find them they are sometimes delivered by word of mouth!

Most fad diets become about survival because the requirements to participate can push you to your breaking point. Instead of being focused on your weight loss goals, you find yourself wishing for your next meal. Those thoughts do nothing for you but sabotage your efforts. Remember, weight loss is about moderation without having to take it to the extreme.

Once the decision is made to begin a weight loss plan it is usually as a result of health issues or because you have decided it is about time to lose the extra weight which will not only affect your outer appearance, but your quality of life also. Before embarking on a rigorous weight loss program, there are two things you should consider:

1. Ask yourself the question, do I really need to lose weight? Sometimes we enter into a weight loss plan because a friend has told us we are gaining a few pounds or even we may have noticed some extra pounds while looking in the mirror or even those favorite jeans don't fit anymore.

All this doesn't mean you are grossly overweight and need to lose weight immediately, it just means that you might need to be more cognizant of what and how much you eat. And, maybe you need to be more active than your normal daily activities and getting in and out of the car.

The best way of determining if you are overweight is to use a BMI (body mass index) calculator. Based on your age and height, the BMI calculator is a tool used to estimate what should be your healthy weight as it relates to your height.

People sometimes believe that the BMI measures the percentage of body fat that one has, but that is not correct. The BMI basically determines your overall fitness, identifies any issues regarding obesity and will give you an idea on how many pounds you need to lose in order to become healthy.

The obsession we have for becoming thin is promoted by the ultra thin celebrities or models. Our obsession with thinness More and more people want to become as slim as their favorite celebrities, and often they end up with fatigue, nervousness, bulimia and anorexia. Remember that you should lose weight only if there are valid medical reasons for it, not because you "think" that you are overweight!

2. Following a healthy eating plan is the key. A lot of people get involved in fad diets believing they are the answer due to the ease of getting started and the promises of quick and easy weight loss. The right dose of weight loss consists of healthy meals and exercise. When you starve yourself in the quest of losing weight with fad diets, your body goes into protect mode. Your body will start to make more fat and fight to hold on to the fat you're trying to lose.

Weight loss is a serious business because you really have to be prepared mentally and emotionally. The other aspect of embarking upon this journey is willpower and commitment to work towards your weight loss goals.

Article Source: http://www.cywires.com

7 Highly Effective Habits of Happy People With Illness

By: Lisa Copen

As I sit here working on this article my 4-year-old son hangs out with me with a little cold and fever. I keep telling him he needs some medicine but all he has said since he got out of bed is "I'm better now. I'm all better." How much does our attitude effect how well we deal with our illness and our level of happiness?

Everyone copes with challenges in their lives in different ways. For those who are diagnosed with a chronic illness they may put on a happy face and literally decide they will use this as a dare to succeed, constantly trying to overcome any limitations it sets forth. Others will drive home from the doctor's office wondering how much longer they will be able to drive because of the pain. They'll flop down on the couch and rarely roam from it for years. What is it that makes some people thrive despite their chronic illness and others simply survive and use it as an excuse for everything that goes wrong?

People who live with an illness and still radiate happiness and joyfulness for life have some things in common. None of us cope with our illness perfectly, so even if we tend to deal with it well, there is likely a tip below that we could use to improve our outlook on life.

Happy people who live with illness have the following in common:

[1] They possess hope. Research has shown that hope actually increases the speed at which people recover from surgery. Hope is vital and a necessary step in finding contentment despite our circumstances. The 2006 theme of National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week was "My illness is invisible but my hope shines through." We all should live with this attitude.

[2] They persevere and keep going no matter what. Living with a chronic illness is painful! Emotionally, physically, and spiritually it has the ability to quickly drain our strength and spirit. Our health is one of the main things we depend on to help us conquer our dreams, even referring to the saying, "At least you have your health!" But people who live with chronic pain and still are happy have learned to persist in reaching for their dreams, or even re-examining their dreams in order to create new ones. At times, the news goals can be more exhausting than the original ones, but passion can create a lot of adrenaline.

[3] They are good advocates of their own health. Paul J. Donoghue and Mary E. Siegel, authors of "Sick and Tired of Feeling Sick and Tired," write "Getting this help in a consistently satisfying manner is as essential as it is challenging. You will need perseverance, courage and skill. You will need to understand your needs and be committed to getting them" (p. 160). People who take part in the decision making process on the topic of their care and treatment, and who actively hunt for out doctors who will partner with them, are more happy than those who feel out of control. For example, if it's one's desire to have children it's important to have a medical team that will understand this desire and provide good treatment even if they don't agree with your decision, rather than reprimand you by giving you poor care.

[4] They don't play the victim role. They say "Why not me?" rather than "Why me?" To form this attitude can take time if it doesn't come naturally. But by being involved with organizations that serve people who are ill, have cancer, or who have left abusive homes--whatever your passions are--you will begin to understand that this world is not perfect. When things are going right in their lives, they recognize it as a blessing, not a right.

[5] They understand who they are and so aren't overly sensitive, taking other's comments too personally. If one has a strong faith this can make everything much simpler because one understands her value and worth as a person doesn't count on what she can accomplish with her physical strength. She learns what she is accountable for (like an attitude) and not (like an infection that keeps returning). This can help keep away unnecessary guilt for things out of her power.

[6] They communicate adeptly. Being able to talk with others, explain your feelings, learning to listen effectively, and watching your words carefully, can help you avoid a lot of troubles. Misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and arguments can affect your whole life and your body's capacity to cope with an illness. One must learn to manage bitterness and focus on healthy relationships. Happy people with illness are good at understanding when to talk about their illness and how much to share about their personal lives.

[7] They sincerely care about other people. Your illness may not have been the education you had hoped to get, but people who are happy see their experiences as a gift of knowledge. They can share their ups and downs, and struggles and successes with others who are going through challenging experiences and need a friend or mentor. To truly find happiness, we must search outside of ourselves and reach out to other people.

J.K. Rowling, author, once said, "It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." This quote is perhaps one of the most wonderful examples of a good attitude for those with chronic illness.

http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/49031