Drinking kills too

Similar to smoking drinking is also a killer over time. Alcohol consumption in limited quantities will not harm the body; it is when it goes way beyond control and don’t know how to put a stop to it is where the problem starts. A drinking problem can become perennial if not kept under check. Over consumption of alcohol leads to numbing of the nerve ends in the brains shutting the mind off completely from sanity and the person is transported to a murky world of which they have no remembrance when they get back to their senses after a short bout time (this is called a ‘hang over.’) or worst it could lead to seizures. Drinking can cause grave damage to a person’s health as the chemical composition in the body starts to face imbalances, which are gaining weight, slurred speech, skin starting to break outs, stomach breaking out in ulcers which could lead to vomiting blood and all of the other sorts and the worst of all is a condition called Cirrhosis of liver (liver damage)which poisons the body as the liver is not able to rid itself of the toxins. This condition damages the blood vessels and if medicines are not able to cure it then surgical options are considered.
Drinking can change the way you think and act and can play with emotions which could result in something really uncalled for. It is very addictive as well. Alcohol abuse can be put an end to by first realizing the mere fact that the person has a drinking problem and that it needs to be acted upon immediately. Consulting a doctor could help and if it helps there is no shame in joining the rehab center. There are various organizations and clubs online which help alcoholics discuss their problems and how they can look for redemption. Saying no to alcohol is difficult and will take a long time for the alcohol levels to subside in the blood stream, but it takes all what it has to make the first move- Saying no to alcohol even under peer pressure. Social drinking could be excluded but if you are someone who is coming out of drug abuse then think twice before picking up a glass! People often misconstrue that coffee can help bring things back to normal being a stimulant it alerts the mind but the mind only cheats the body by telling itself that its fine. And never drink and drive or you might find yourself never waking up other than in a six by six coffin.

Stress Busters

We give a lot of importance on how we look in front of the mirror. But we need to also think beyond the mirror and look into the inner self to fit mentally as well. In today’s busy and hectic life stress takes top priority in every individual’s life. Everybody has problems and tension; the trick lies in how we look at it and deal with it. There are various ways we can relieve stress. Listening to some soothing soulful music, reading your favorite book, taking your dog out for a walk, chatting with someone or just sitting on the beach sands listening to the sound of the waves lashing on the shores would be my way of de-stressing. Stress can be potentially lethal if left unattended. In the worst cases anything can be stress induced from a stroke to a heart attack or can change gene characteristics and disrupt the DNA chain which can go the extent of causing a stress induced cancer or tumor to be developed. Stress sometimes need not reveal itself, it can be a sudden outburst of bottled up emotions. Stress destroys the self slowly and silently and so it is always better to let go of yourself once in a while and take a chill pill!!..

Say no to Smoking!!!

We have all noticed the disclaimer on any cigarette carton that says “Smoking is Injurious to Health” and to this day I my thoughts race against as to why people still end up wanting to puncture their lungs with big gas holes!. Some say it relieves stress (which I think is just a mere excuse to get a tobacco stick flaming red). To me I have always seen a cigarette as “Flame at one end and a Fool on the other end.” I have experienced personal loss to cancer which was due to smoking. Smoking has become more a fashion statement amongst teenagers and find it really ‘cool’ holding one. But seeing the dangers right in front of their eyes, youngsters don’t realize the seriousness of the issue. Once an addict it is very difficult to turn back and the ones who really want to quit resort to using nicotine patches and chewing smokers’ gum control their urges to smoke. The gum helps prevent urges to smoke but it helps only for a few hours and the person goes back to smoking more cigarettes than the usual, while the patches help to maintain the nicotine level in the bloodstream because smokers feel the urge to smoke when the nicotine level drops in the blood. Trying to quit smoking is hard but perseverance pays!
I do not deny that there have been success stories of smokers quitting but it has taken time and a lot of courage and determination to do it. During the course of quitting, I have noticed that the person gets very restless and nervous during the initial stages of quitting and the urge to smoke driving the person to insanity. Their hands tremble and the mind is disturbed because it has been psyched with the fact that a smoke could relieve it of all the worries. There are rehabilitation centers for smokers who want to quit but don’t know how to control their urges. Doctors and Psychiatrists often counsel their patients against the ill effects of smoking showing real life inspirational stories and tapes of people who have been able to ‘Say No to Smoking.’ They are also put under medication to reduce the nicotine level slowly in the body and also during the whole process, they are monitored for mental health and also physically how they are coping with the situation. Distractions of all sorts are provided to keep the mind occupied because it is believed that if you are able to tune the mind to think the way you want to you can get to what you want.

Garlic and Lemon the saviors?

The two wonders which naturally aid in shedding some extra pounds are the garlic and lemon. Garlic is very popular condiment used widely around the world in almost any kind of recipe.People who consume a lot of meat are advised to eat a good amount of garlic as it aids in digestion. It is a bulbous vegetable considered more of an all rounder and has a long list of health benefits which includes preventing common cold, allergies and influenza, treating acne in some cases and reducing cholesterol levels in the body. The garlic has a good amount of sulphur and the higher the medicinal value it has. Garlic is widely used in natural medicines and is known for relieving gastric trouble. It is a huge favorite in Naturopathy as it is a powerful antibiotic. It is well known that garlic has a very repelling odor and causes bad breath. Garlic supplements take to their advantage of providing the benefits of chewing on raw garlic minus the bad odor. Having said this garlic has its own fair share of side effects. Raw garlic can damage the digestive tract because of the sulphur content and people allergic to garlic can develop a fever, or can cause irritation and headaches. Rashes could also appear sometimes.
Lemon or Lime which is from the citron family is laden with ascorbic acid (more commonly Vitamin C) which also aides in breaking down fats into soluble glucose which when absorbed by the cells are used to release energy. Lemon is also known widely for its therapeutic properties and the all famous formula of warm water and lemon has its own benefits. It ensures proper bowel functions and boosts the immune system of the body. It is an amazing remedy for digestive problems as well. It works great for the skin curing acne from within because purifies the blood and flushes out toxins from the body. It is an amazing weight loss remedy as well. Lemon is also rich in potassium which is great news for people who have heart problems. Lemons also contain flavonoids that have cancer fighting properties. It is a great antibiotic and antiseptic and hence another favored ingredients in natural and Ayurveda medications. Lemon leaves can be chewed on to relieve tooth ache. They help in curing arthritis and diabetes. This wonder fruit is no wonder top priority on every body’s grocery list. And believe me there is nothing like a warm glass of lemon juice with a dash of honey to kick start your day and enjoy the benefits of it.

Exercises for the Abdomen

Looking around for a “looks to kill for” washboard abs or a “cool and rugged” six pack look, then your answer will be to start working around your waist. This is by focusing completely on your abdomen. There are various kinds of exercises for the upper abs and lower abs. Short and long haul crunches work the muscles around the stomach while twists and side steps aiding in fighting fat around the waist. Core abs exercises and workouts are the most strenuous of all the abs workouts because they target the middle part of the abdomen and help toning the stomach to get rid of the belly fat around it. Most of the gymnasiums have an abs lounge which are equipped with leg-raises, abs curlers, toners, sculptors and rollers which deliver a complete abdominal work out and reducing the stress and strain involved around the neck and back and exercise mats for floor exercises, sit-ups and squats which are little more demanding but highly effective. These help in strengthening and tightening the abdominal muscles and thus indirectly aid in weight loss as well though it may not be a hard core weight loss session. The internet has now become a great resource for hunting for great abdominal workout sessions and these generally are not very time consuming.

A natural way to lose weight

The newest natural way of losing weight which has be propagated and prophesized by Oprah Wimfrey on her show is the Acai Berry. The acai fever caught on in the U.S in the late 2007 – 2008. These berries are from the acai palm tree which is seen in the swamps and flood plains of Central America concentrated around Amazon region of Brazil and Peru and they formed the major of the diet for the locals around the area and was also source of income because of its local economic value . The acai berries are known for its high anti-oxidant content (even higher than that present in cranberry, cherries, grape and oranges) because of the high content of anthocyanins present in these berries. The fruit is now more commercially grown and can be bought off the shelf in any pharmacy or grocery store which are available as smoothies, juice, pulp and tablets ( it is one of the most highly recommended dietary supplements). The acai berries claims to cure diabetes and insomnia, an excellent weight loss tool, cure skin problems to an extent, a great detoxifying agent for the body, good for the heart and its related disorders.

Dehydration is a serious problem

Drinking plenty of water is always good or so my mother keeps telling me. A good 70% of the human body is composed of water. It helps in proper digestion of foods and also helps in easy assimilation. The body needs at least 3 to 6 liters of water every day to keep it hydrated and doctors and nutritionists recommend people to eat foods laden with water which are majorly from leafy vegetables, cucumbers and fruits. This helps in flushing out most of the toxins from the body. And how this done?- toxins are thrown out of the body when we sweat and urinate. We generally rush to grab a bottle of water when we feel thirsty, but this is more of a sign that the body is already dehydrated. Water helps in diluting the glucose and salts in the body. Water is most essential for maintaining the pH balance (that is the water –electrolyte balance) in the body. It also aids in burning fat in the tissues and acts an excellent coolant for the body thereby maintaining the heat generated. Water in its purest form is from rain and snow. But the more commonest forms of water that the common man consumes is from the rivers and springs which have good amount mineral content in them.