How You View Yourself

The way we view ourselves can either add to, or take away from our health and overall well-being.

Eating disorders and depression seem to be on the increase. Not all are related to the way we view ourselves, but some start out that way. A person may view themselves so negatively that they will go to the extreme in having multiple surgeries and diet in a very unhealthy way and wreck havoc on their body. They want to have that “perfect” look.

If what’s on the inside of a person isn’t corrected, surgery and crash dieting isn’t going to help. Unless you change your negative views of yourself into positive views, you will have a continuous battle with yourself.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to enhance one’s looks, but when it becomes an obsession or goes to the extreme because a person views themselves so negatively, it will eventually backfire.

If you feel obsessed with perfecting the exterior of yourself by going to the extreme - STOP in your tracks and ask yourself…how are you viewing yourself? How are you viewing yourself from the inside out, not the outside in? Look inward first to understand what is going on before ruining your health with an eating disorder or countless

Natural Energy

Have you noticed all the energy drinks that are available? They may have their purpose occasionally, but maintaining and increasing energy naturally, adds to your overall health.

You can maintain and boost your energy naturally without resorting to energy drinks:

* Get active. Activity increases energy. If you have a job where you sit a lot, be sure to take breaks as often as possible and walk around. This decreases lethargy. Being active doesn’t have to mean an hour at a time, but you can break it down into minutes at a time.

* Get enough liquids. Drinking water keeps your body hydrated, which helps maintain natural energy. Dehydration will give you the opposite effect. If your body doesn’t have enough fluids, you’ll feel much more drained.

* Eat light and healthy. Foods with lots of fat and sugar can make you feel so drained and sleepy, you’ll wonder if you’re heading for a coma. Fruits, vegetables, salads or healthy sandwiches in moderate portions will give you more energy. A banana is great for boosting natural energy. Instead of eating three large meals a day, eat more frequent meals, but lighter.

Maintaining or boosting energy levels the natural way takes active participation, but the efforts aren’t that difficult and the results are well worth it.

Men & Fibromyalgia

We often hear about Fibromyalgia being a “women’s disease” but there are still many men who are afflicted. I would think that it would be harder for a man to have an illness like Fibromyalgia because men like to be in control and it’s harder for them to admit when there is something wrong with their bodies. I think men complain more than women about aches and pains (to their spouses anyway) but I think it is harder for them to deal with the fact that they have something chronically wrong with them.

Another reason it can appear that Fibromyalgia is more of a “women’s disease” is because men probably are not as likely to go to the doctor for their symptoms. It is thought that more women may have Fibromyalgia then men because of certain hormones that differ among the sexes.

Fibromyalgia in men can begin differently than it does in women. Men may have fewer obvious symptoms to begin with, but in some cases, may go on to develop a worse case of the condition - this may, in part, have something to do with the heavier psychosocial impact that a hidden disability has on the men - for them their job is not only their primary role in life but in many cases also their identity.

Self-Help Tips for Depression

Depression is real. It can be mild or severe. It can cause a few disruptions in life or cause one to completely shut down. Depression can be derived from a variety of factors and cause a variety of symptoms. Those suffering from depression may have a decreased appetite, lose interest in activities they normally love, lack energy, sleep excessively, have suicidal thoughts or suffer from insomnia. The list goes on.

For those suffering from chronic or severe depression, guidance from your doctor is needed, but there are ways you can help with the battle against depression.

Tips:

*  If you are on any kind of medication, check with your doctor to see if it may be causing depression. Depression can be a side effect of many medications.

*  Keep your mind active. An inactive mind allows a breeding ground for negative thoughts. Share your thoughts and ideas with others. Read uplifting and inspirational books, poetry or articles. Keep a journal or write about interesting things you’ve experienced through the years.

*  Become aware of negative thoughts that add to your depression. When you are depressed, negative thoughts come with the territory, but doing everything you can to ward off negative thoughts is helpful. Don’t minimize your accomplishments, your purpose or what you have to offer to others. Place value on yourself and even the smallest of accomplishments.

*  Turn to your Higher Power. For me that is God. Knowing there is a Higher Power that offers strength and comfort beyond what any mortal can offer is very helpful.

*  Be realistic with your expectations. Maybe you feel like a failure because you don’t have what you want or aren’t where you feel you should be in life. Learn to focus on what you can control and let go of what you have no control over.

*  Don’t isolate yourself. Depression can make you feel like hiding from the world. You may feel like no one cares, but this isn’t true. Reach out. Keeping secret what you are going through only makes it worse.

*  Eat nutritious meals and eat regularly. Having the right nutrients will help your body fight whatever causes it to be under stress. You may not have much of an appetite, but try to eat something or maybe vitamin-enriched drinks like Ensure.

*  Get outside more. Depression can make you feel paralyzed to the point going outside may seem a world away. Do a little at a time. Even if you sit outside for a few minutes, it will help. Being among nature, even if in your back yard can be uplifting.

*  When everyday tasks feel monumental, break them down into small steps. Prioritize what you need to take care of. Embrace the sense of accomplishment instead of focusing on what you haven’t accomplished.

*  Exercise. Getting motivated to exercise can feel impossible when you are suffering from depression. But, by breaking exercise down into small steps, it becomes a bit easier. Enlisting an exercise buddy can be a great motivator.

* If at all possible, help others. By helping others, we feel a sense of purpose and value. It also allows us to get outside of our own problems, even if temporarily.

While these methods might not be a cure for depression, they can help win the battle!

The Importance of Hand Washing

So many germs are picked up by what our hands come in contact with. Sometimes we may not be aware of when our hands need washing in our daily routine. It’s not just when they are obviously dirty. It isn’t just before preparing food or after using the bathroom.

If you see a friend out in public and shake their hand and then go out to eat without washing, you may be spreading bacteria from whatever your friend came in contact with onto your hands and into your mouth. While your friend may be and look very clean, you have no idea what they have touched.

In our daily routine we come in contact with many things. We touch money. We set our purses down, not knowing what kind of germs they may be picking up. We play with our pets. Even though something may feel and look clean, chances are there are lots of germs we are being exposed to.

The way to wash:

* use soap and warm water
* rub hands vigorously until you work up a later
* scrub between fingers, under nails, top and bottom of hands
* rinse well
* dry with disposable paper towel or let air dry
* use the towel to turn off the faucet

Alternatives:

If you are in a situation where soap and water isn’t available, carry alcohol hand sanitizers.
Washing hands is one of the most effective ways to prevent spreading germs and diseases. I believe this to be true because I wash my hands diligently and often and rarely have a cold or other viruses. In cases where I handle something obviously germ-laden, I rub my hands with alcohol first and then wash.

Healthy Hair

Shiny and healthy hair isn’t just a beauty asset, but can be an indication of overall health. Poor health of your hair can be brought about by many factors. Too much attention to hair, a poor diet, air pollution, heat and air-conditioning can have adverse affects on your hair.

There are many types of hair from frizzy and out of control, heavy and coarse, , thin, oily or dry and in-between types. There are also problems that can affect hair such as dandruff, split ends, hair product build-up, itchy scalp and even lice.

Start from the inside:

It’s important to drink plenty of fluids, especially water since moisture makes the hair supple. For best results, drink 8 - 10 glasses of water per day.

The building block of hair is protein. Protein is what strengthens your hair and helps reduce split ends or breakage. Protein comes from foods such as meat, milk, cheese, fish.

It’s also important to have enough minerals in your diet. Without iron, hair and its follicles are deprived of oxygen. You can get iron from foods such as red meat, dark green vegetables or iron supplements. Zinc helps to prevent hair loss. Seafood and meats offer a good source of zinc. Vitamins are also important for healthy hair, especially vitamins, A, B, C and E. You can get these vitamins from fruit, vegetables, cereals, eggs, milk and bread.

Hair care:

It’s important to use the appropriate products for your type of hair. This helps to manage your hair much more effectively.

Start with a hairstyle that makes the most of your hair type and is easy to manage.

Look carefully at product labels and choose what works best for your hair. Don’t overuse products. Some have a drying effect, which can also lead to breakage.

Avoid overexposure to sun, heat, air conditioning or pollution.

Deal with problems as they happen. Take care of dandruff, itchy scalp or anything that will have an adverse affect on your hair.

With the proper steps, your hair will look healthier, but it will probably take a couple of months before visible results can be seen. The effort is worth your while because healthy hair is a beautiful asset.

Losing Weight: It isn’t Just for Looks

Some people want to lose weight in order to look better. Some people get in a hurry to lose weight the wrong way for this reason, which can be as detrimental to health as being overweight. Losing weight for looks should be the secondary focus. Losing weight should be about health. Extra weight can put you at risk for many health issues, such as:

• high blood pressure
• stroke
• heart disease
• some forms of cancer
• type 2 diabetes
• gallbladder disease
• liver disease
• osteoarthritis, which is a wearing away of the joints
• sleep apnea (breathing stops during sleep for short periods)
• irregular menstrual periods

Especially as we age, these risks are even higher. It’s best to start an exercise program and a healthy eating lifestyle early in life and maintaining it. But, it’s never too late to start. The key is to start slow and be consistent. Make changes that are lasting. The reflection you’ll see in the mirror may be smiling back at you, but more than anything, your risks for health issues will be decreased.

Healthy Skin

Not only does what we eat affect our body, but also our skin. What we put on the inside can make our skin dull or give it a bright and healthy glow. Making the right choices can offer good results and at the same time you can enjoy delicious foods.

Some foods to add to your diet for healthy skin:

Fish - salmon, sardines and trout are said to help maintain and repair skin at the cellular level. Salmon contains an anti-oxidant with powerful anti-inflammatory elements.

Berries - most everyone likes berries because they taste so good, but berries such as raspberries and blueberries are also rich in compounds that can ward off UV damage.

Red, orange and yellow fruits and vegetables - lemons, tomatoes and the like, have carotenoids, which are cancer-fighting antioxidants.

Honey - it isn’t just sweet tasting, but contains a good amount of antioxidants and antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. A wound-healing product has been approved from the FDA that contains Manuka honey, which is a dark variety from New Zealand.

Olive oil - there are bad fats and fats that are good for you. Olive oil is one that is good and contains oleic acid, which helps keep the outer part of our skin supple.

Yogurt - yogurt contains a form of beneficial bacteria that can help calm inflammatory skin conditions. It’s best to stay away from sugary types of yogurt and sweeten with honey or fruit.

Chocolate - dark chocolate contains anti-oxidants that protect skin and can also increase skin hydration and decrease roughness

Nuts - almonds contain vitamin E, walnuts are rich on omega-3 oils and peanuts contain a cancer-fighting antioxidant.
With so many good-tasting choices, it should be easy to include foods that will help your skin be more healthy.

Middle-Aged Men Should Limit Egg Consumption

Researchers have found that men who eat seven or more eggs per week are at an increased risk for dying at an earlier age. The study was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. During a 20-year study period it was also found that men who are diabetic who ate any eggs at all are at an increased risk of an earlier death. The study found that the risk of heart attack and stroke was greater.

This study did not determine what it is about the eggs that might increase the risk of death. I think it is common knowledge to most people though that eating too many eggs can increase cholesterol, which can also lead to clogged arteries and health problems. It just adds more fuel to the controversial fire surrounding whether or not eggs should or should not be part of our diets.

Eating up to six eggs a week did not show any increased risk of death. Once study participants started eating seven eggs a week, their risk of early death increased by 23%.

The Harvard Team studied over 21,300 men during the 20-year period for their study. Out of these men, 1,550 of the men had heart attacks, 1,342 had strokes and more than 5,000 men died. The study also determined that men who ate the most eggs were fatter, older, ate more vegetables and ate less breakfast cereals. They were also more likely to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes and less likely to exercise.

That sounds to me like it was a lot more than just the eggs working against them!

Gallbladder Health

The gallbladder isn’t often thought about until someone gets an attack. The symptoms of a gall bladder attack may be mild to severe and include vomiting, sweating and inflammation or fever if more severe. The attack may last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. In some cases, surgery is necessary. Some people have gallstones, yet no symptoms. Some people have one attack and never another and some may have several.

The gallbladder is a tiny sac, lying under the liver and located in the upper right part of the abdomen. The gallbladder stores bile, which is produced by the liver and the bile helps to digest fat and aids the liver in getting rid of waste products. The gallbladder releases bile into the intestines after a meal. Bile consists of salts, bilirubin and cholesterol and the cholesterol and bilirubin can forum gallstones. These stones may be very small or large.

Those who have a higher risk of gallstones:

* Native Americans
* men and women who are overweight
* those who lose weight quickly
* women between the ages of 20 and 40
* men over the age of 60
* pregnant women
* women on birth control or hormone replacement therapy
* Mexican-Americans

For a healthier gallbladder:
* find ways of reducing stress
* get plenty of exercise
* eat small meals
* strongly avoid greasy or fatty foods
* don’t lose weight quickly. Aim for slow, but consistent weight loss
* substantially decrease meat and dairy products with high fat and cholesterol content
* drink plenty of water
* avoid fast food and processed food
* increase consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables
* avoid alcohol and carbonated beverages
* apple juice, beets, lemon juice and olive oil are said to be beneficial

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