Make Positive Life Changes! Tips For Living a Healthy, More Enjoyable Life!

Life expectancy for Americans has risen dramatically in the last century. Now we can expect to live 77 years, which is 30 years longer than formerly. By taking care of our bodies we could easily live a long, healthy life.

People are Living Longer

There are more people in the United States over 100 years old than ever before, approximately 50,000. There are three times as many centenarians as there were 20 years ago. Since all of these people are not related, they do not have the same genes. Some have thought that was a big factor in longevity, but it only plays a small part. Other factors that play a big part in our life are environment, jobs, exercise, family relationships, social contacts and emotional health. Of course, living longer does not always mean a healthy, happy life.

Make Some Positive Life Changes

There are no pills to make us live longer, or guaranteed treatments. For many people, the way their body ages is up to them. There are practical steps you can take to make yourself feel better as well as live longer. People who age gracefully are not just lucky - they work at staying healthy! You must have the motivation to take these steps and be consistent.

Many times people wait until they are past middle age and in a health crisis before taking steps to insure a healthier life. For some, this is too late. Others can benefit from a drastic change and give themselves a chance to enjoy the golden years. Alternative medicines are also available to help combat many common illnesses.

Practical Steps for Everyone

Doctors have told us for years to exercise. As a whole we do not get enough exercise because of higher technology and improvements in all aspects of work. For better health, it is recommended to have 30 minutes of exercise a day. This helps with many health issues such as keeping weight down and strengthening the heart and other areas of the body. If you don’t like to exercise alone, get a friend to walk or go to the gym with you.

Eating the right foods, high fiber, low fat with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables has been a big factor in civilizations where people have a longer life span. Don’t smoke, or stop smoking if you do to prevent diseases caused by tobacco. Drink plenty of water and less soft drinks or alcohol.

Mental and emotional health contributes to general health too. People with large extended families or many social contacts don’t have much time to feel alone or hopeless. Others volunteer their time or service somewhere to feel useful and productive. Someone who is always looking for new things to learn will be active and more likely to stay involved in life. People with a sense of fulfillment and purpose are generally healthier and happier.

Be Healthy Now

Watch for signs of health problems. If you are having a problem, go to the doctor and have it checked. If you let something go you will have less chance of a cure. Have regular checkups so issues can be dealt with early. Start changing your habits now - don’t wait. If you are overweight, change your diet. If you do not get any exercise, make yourself start exercising.

If you have a health issue, see a doctor and get treatment. If you are lonely find a way to meet or help people. If you have bad habits, start changing them today. Someday you might be able to join the other centenarians as they enjoy a long, healthy, fulfilled life!

Mind Tripping: Common Psychoactive Medications Used in the Treatment of Psychological Disorders

Among the sub-disciplines under the fields of medicine and science, the most dynamic areas include the studies on “diseases of the mind.” This is not so much caused by neglect, but by a lack of true understanding of the basic goings-on of the brain and the central nervous system. Modern medical science has come a long way in this field, however, with the introduction of psychology and psychoactive medication. We now have a better understanding of how the mind works and what can happen when it doesn’t. With scientific approaches, it is no longer acceptable to just thoughtlessly assume that people are possessed by demons or used as mouthpieces of the gods.

At the moment, there are several common psychological problems that can be treated or alleviated by using the right psychoactive medication. Anxiety, for example, is often treated with a variety of medications available via prescription. Among the more prominent types are chemicals from the benzodiazepine family of compounds, which has also been used as components in the production of tranquilizers and muscle relaxants. They act by “depressing” the central nervous system, triggering a release of biochemicals that cause sedation and relaxation. This alleviates both the mental and physical symptoms of an anxiety attack. Aside from anxiety, benzodiazepine compounds can also be used to treat problems like insomnia.

Serotonin, which is often linked to depression, has also been targeted by psychoactive drugs. Generally, serotonin uptake inhibitors are used to help alleviate clinical depression. Fluoxetine and setraline are widely used for this purpose, which are by no means the only ones that are available. Antidepressant drugs, regardless of the core ingredient, tend to be slow-acting. This is mainly because they need time to break down the chemicals being produced by the brain that cause the disorder. The process can often take hours, so antidepressants need to be taken during certain intervals, rather than being taken on an as-needed basis. It is not unusual for the initial dose to have appreciable and observable effects only after several days have passed, with the full brunt of the medication only being apparent after several weeks.

Based on statistics, there has been a sharp rise in the number of cases of psychosis. The precise cause of this condition is currently unknown but stress, environmental factors, hereditary traits, and cranial injury have all been speculated. Phenothiazines are the class of medications often used as anti-psychotic drugs, with the “relief” the drugs are able to provide tending to vary. Unlike most of the other medications listed here, anti-psychotic medications focus more on blocking the receptors in the brain rather than breaking down or preventing the productions of the biochemical “messengers.”

Generally, any medication that makes it to the market has been thoroughly tested and is unlikely to cause a large amount of dangerous effects. However, there will still be other things to be considered when dealing with drugs of this nature. Due to the effects they have on the brain and the lack of concrete knowledge on how some of them actually function, it is advisable to use them with caution. Most of these drugs would be prescribed with a specific schedule of when the doses should be taken. These schedules are made for a reason and should be followed near-religiously.

Identifying Social Anxiety in Teens

Often regarded as the most unrecognized mental disorder in teens, social anxiety disorder can take many forms and manifest itself differently per person. Most parents and adults dismiss symptoms as merely shyness or teen angst that their children will eventually outgrow. However, social phobia, as the disorder is sometimes called, can grow worse if left untreated and be debilitating over time. Recognizing social phobia in teens is crucial for their transition to adulthood and you, as adults and parents, have the responsibility of ensuring that they get help. Here are several ways of recognizing symptoms of social phobia in teens:

1. Look out for extreme shyness or discomfort in your child when put in the center of attention.

First-time performers normally get stage fright but excessive discomfort, passivity, or inactivity when put on the spotlight should merit further investigation. Although most people will attribute this situation to most teenagers’ fear of embarrassing themselves in front of their peers, do not be complacent. Talk to your child about why he or she was unable to perform. Just remember to avoid using an accusatory tone to prevent putting your child on the defensive.

2. Observe your child’s academic performance.

When your straight-A child starts bringing home B or C-graded homework and exams, you immediately worry that something is wrong. But social phobia is not that obvious. In fact, social phobia leaves little clues like hesitance to recite in class, fear of being asked to report, or even downright refusing to be part of class activities. If possible, talk to your child’s teacher about these matters and ask him or her to inform you if your child exhibits these behaviors.

3. Keep track of your child’s friends or lack thereof.

You know it; teens will spend hours on the phone, go to parties, or hang out after school. Most teens will be part of a large group or at least have a couple of friends. But teens with social phobia often isolate themselves from other people or minimize contact. They would rather attend class without homework than ask a classmate about it. They often have trouble making eye contact, initiating or joining conversations, and being part of school organizations.

4. Check your child’s confidence level.

Most teens suffering from social phobia often doubt if they are good enough for other people or worry excessively about how others see them. Their fear of being ridiculed, boring, or rejected are basic in their minds and they often look for signs of negative perception in others. This negative attitude towards meeting other people are so pervasive in their minds that it can lead to low self-esteem and inferiority complex.

5. Take note of your child’s reaction to social situations.

People suffering from social phobia exhibit physical symptoms as well, especially if they are in a social situation like family gatherings or school functions. Signs to look out for include diarrhea, nausea, excessive sweating, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath. If your teen experiences any of these symptoms during or prior to a social event, he or she may be reacting to social phobia.

If your teen exhibit all or any of these symptoms, take him or her to a psychologist for a consultation and thorough examination. Chances are high that your child knows that his or her reactions to social activities are irrational but does not know where to ask for help.

Stress, Depression, And Their Impact on Intelligence

Stress and depression are two of the things in modern life that you have to deal with at one point or another. The former is an everyday thing, one that can stem from something as difficult as social anxiety to something as mundane as tripping over your own shoelaces. The latter, depression, is not quite as easy to develop in the clinical sense, but most people will end up experiencing a point in their lives that comes dangerously close to being depressed. For the most part, these two problems are considered to be threats to one’s physical and mental health. However, recent studies show that these two conditions also have nasty side effects on one’s intelligence.

According to recent findings, it is untrue that the human brain ceases production of neurons and other critical brain cells later on in life. In fact, there are some things that imply that the brain regenerates the aforementioned cells on an as-needed basis, generating more to suit the needs of the individual. This is in direct opposition to long-held medical doctrine that human brain cells do not regenerate after a certain point and instead begin to enter a state of slow decay. However, as recent studies have shown, the more primitive areas of the brain are capable of regenerating lost cells. This has subsequent effects on a wide range of mental functions, including memory, reaction time, and comprehension. Now, what does this have to do with stress and depression, you ask?

A whole lot, apparently. The two conditions states above put the more primitive parts of the brain into “survival mode.” Upon entering that state, the brain naturally attempts to minimize anything that could be seen as frivolous or unnecessary, instead focusing all energies on the basics. This not only accounts for the apparent reduction of brain activity during periods where an individual experiences the aforementioned problems, but it also starts to kill the currently existing cells. Basically, the brain cells are slowly dying when subjected to excessive stress and depression, burning out neurons at a faster rate than normal. This would explain why some normally intelligent people seem to be mentally slower and less adept when put under emotional and psychological pressure.

Another consequence would be the fact that the two aforementioned disorders can actually prevent the brain from regenerating new cells to replace the old ones. Trophic factors, chemicals that are known to stimulate the brain, are not produced properly when a person undergoes prolonged periods of the above conditions. Studies show that trophic factors are actually the chemicals responsible for telling the brain to regenerate new cells. If the chemicals are cut off or if the flow is disrupted, it can result in a rapid decline in the human brain’s ability to repair itself over time.

While these findings are still controversial and questionable, it does provide an interesting look into just how the brain works on a physical level. The long-held belief that the brain is incapable of fixing itself once a person reaches adulthood may just be put into question. These findings are still subject to further research, but there are already several avenues being opened by the concept. For example, there are studies now being conducted devoted to finding out whether or not serotonin, a chemical used to combat a variety of mental disorders, has an effect on neuron regeneration.

HEALTH EFFECTS OF DRINKING TEA

1. Tea helps prevent two of the most common types of dreaded diseases: heart disease and cancer.

2. It aids in digestion.

3. It is helpful in combating arthritis and rheumatism.

4. It is a natural source of fluoride, which prevents cavities.

5. It can be used for kidney and liver detoxification.

6. It soothes sore throat.

7. It settles an upset stomach.

8. It helps relieve headache.

9. It reduces fatigue and improves concentration.

10. It relaxes and revives the body and mind.

11. It aids in weight loss.

Did you know? The low death rate in Japan and China can be partly attributed to the tea-drinking habit of their people. Certain regions in the two countries have lower death rates compared to other regions. Upon investigation, researchers found out that the tea-drinking habit of the people within those regions is apparently higher than the other regions with higher death rates.

THE REWARDS PLUS

Apart from the physical benefits of tea, it also offers mental and emotional rewards. The small amount of caffeine in tea boosts concentration and energy, since caffeine is known to stimulate the nervous system. Unlike with coffee, however, the content of caffeine in tea is very minimal that it does not pose a threat to one’s health.

Self-Care Measures on How to Prevent another Migraine Attack

KEEP A DIARY. It can help you determine what triggers your migraines. Note when your headaches start, how long they last and what, if anything, provides relief. Be sure to record your response to any headache medications you take. Also pay special attention to foods you ate in the 24 hours preceding attacks, any unusual stress, and how you feel and what you are doing when headaches strike.

TRY MUSCLE RELAXATION EXERCISES. Progressive muscle relaxation, meditation and yoga do not require any equipment. You can learn them in classes or at home using books or tapes. Or spend at least a half-hour each day doing something you find relaxing like listening to music, gardening, taking a hot bath or reading.

GET ENOUGH SLEEP, BUT DO NOT OVERSLEEP. The average adult needs seven to nine hours of sleep a night.

REST AND RELAX. If possible, rest in a dark, quiet room when you feel a headache coming on. Place an ice pack wrapped in a cloth on the back of your neck and apply gentle pressure to painful areas on your scalp.

These tips may not work for everyone, but when your headache is so painful that it completely disrupts your normal routine, anything that promises to help relieve the pain will always be welcome.

DRUG DAZE

DIPHENHYDRAMINE. You may not recognize the name, but you have probably taken this drug. It is an ingredient in many over-the-counter medications because it calms allergic reactions and puts the snooze in sleeping pills. It may also trigger delirium in older people.

When Joseph Agostini and colleagues at Yale University School of Medicine investigated 426 hospital patients aged 70 or older, they found that diphenhydramine increased the likelihood of delirium by 70 per cent, causing symptoms such as garbled speech and confusion. Patients were also more apt to become aggressive, climb over bed rails and pull at tubes.

The drug is generally safe for healthy people. However, it works by interfering with acetylcholine, a chemical messenger in the nervous system, and older people are sensitive to such interference, especially when ill.

If you or a loved one fall into this category and are on diphenhydramine, check with a doctor. “Because it is available over the counter, doctors may be lulled into a false sense of security,” Agostini says. “But we think we have shown that the risks may be greater than the benefits.”

Note: Diphenhydramine hydrochloride is a first generation antihistamine that is mainly used to treat allergies. This drug, like most other antihistamines, has a powerful hypnotic effect, that is why it is often used as a non-prescription sleep aid and a mild anxiolytic. It is produced and marketed under the trade name Benadryl by McNeil-PPC in the US and Canada.

Using Internet a big reason of Depression

Today the usage of Internet has spread-ed a lot
Where internet is providing us so much benefit we can do shopping sitting in our house, can do business on internet, can know whats happening around the Globe it has also some demerits. according to a latest research using Internet can bring disease of Depression in you. specially women can be effected by depression due to use of internet. i have already discussed few days ago one of my post how dangerous depression is and how much it effects human health and his life.

The research was done in American university in which it proved that internet can effect our mind because it is an unusual, unconfirmed and comparatively slow way of providing us information which can bring depression in a human. this research also proved that women are more effected by internet as compare to men. internet effects nervous of human mind which cause depression in them while surfing the internet. i myself use internet many hours daily and it really effected my health. there are more steps needed to be taken to make Internet safe for human health. i hope that my post was useful for all the readers.

Herbal Remedies for Anxiety Disorders - Relax and Fight Against Depression

From the past decade, it has been observed that the lifestyle for every person around the world has been changed and most of the people are suffering with some anxiety disorders during their work and their day to day life.Every person around the world is suffering with too much work tension and there is not time for relaxation. When it comes to the weekend, this one is allotted to take a rest, but so many people are using this time with the household chores and children work. With these works, there is no time to take a rest.If you are continuously working like this, the result will be the stress gets and there is a chance of getting depression. With these anxiety disorders, you are not able to concentrate on career and this will shows a negative impact on your daily life.To resolve this issue, you need allot some sufficient time for relaxation during the weekend if it is possible, you need to allot the time during the day also. For this instance, you need to remember the great saying that where a will there is is way.And also you need to have some essential herbal remedies as in take. There are so many herbal remedies are available in the present market, and as well you can obtain these medicines from web sites as well.Apart from this, you need to a lot at least ten minutes in the morning to meditate. The yoga meditations have been found to be extremely effective. If you are working on that time, you need to relax for at least ten minutes and the result will be definitely good for you.

When it comes to Herbal remedies, most of the people are using and treating these remedies as best one for your needs.In earlier days, so many people are using these prescribed drugs for these anxiety disorders and these drugs are treating only for symptoms, and they are not underlying issue itself.After introducing the herbal remedies, most of the people are changing their treatment methods to herbal remedies.Most of the people who are suffering with anxiety disorders are saying that these herbal remedies are working great, and they are getting some essential relief from these depression disorders.Most of these remedies are available in the form of capsule or tea, and also they are available depending upon your choice.

You need to consider so many important things before selecting the herbal remedies for your needs.First of all, you need to consult the experienced medical practitioner to get some essential suggestion regarding how much quantity of medicine are allowed to take and some other information. Finally, there are some well established and experienced organizations are selling these medicines to their clients. For more information and details, please visit their valuable website.

Mental Exercises

Could mental exercises be what you do in counseling? Or could it be what you do in the exercise gym? What you do when you learn something new? What about memory training, is that mental exercise?

What about stomping on all those ants, or automatic negative thoughts, practicing prayer, and meditation, or biofeedback skills, or creating art or writing your journal.

They are all mental exercises, and according to Sharon Begley, author of Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain, they change your brain, can make it bigger, like working out at the gym can do for your biceps.

In fact, regular physical exercise is an important aspect of mental exercise, it turns out.

The best kind of mental exercises, according to the brain fitness writers, are the kind that we do when we are learning a new language or learning to play a new instrument.

Language and music learning involve an increasing level of complexity and the opportunity to get about 80% of our challenges correct.

Mental exercises which do not meet those criterion are not the most effective mental exercises, so as a counselor, reading another counseling book will not be a mental exercise.

I know that we have been told for decades that cross word puzzles and vocabulary practice are the keys to mental sharpness across the life span, but new research is saying not so fast.

If we want to make sure that our mental exercise pays off over the entire course of our lives, perhaps it is important to take a look at what the brain fitness folks are saying about how to generate neurogenesis and neuroplasticity, tow capacities of the human brain which were unknown not too long ago.

I and all of us can grow new neurons on a daily basis, which enhance mental exercises, if I take care of the pillars of brain fitness, which are physical exercise, nutrition, (omega 3’s and dark chocolate?) sleep, stress management, and novel learning experiences, which can mean learning a new language, learning how to play a new instrument, or even using one of the emerging computerized brain fitness programs.

So maybe before I worry about memory exercises for example, I do the work necessary for neurogenesis, build the platform for mental exericses, so to speak.

So if you are interested in knowing more about the pillars of brain fitness, then please check out a very well written e-book called Brainfit for Life by Simon Evans,Ph.D. and Paul Burghardt,Ph.D,neuroscientists at the University of Michigan. Their work is written for the layperson, with a sly sense of humor, though, so do not be intimidated by the credentials. Evans and Burghardt go through the pillars of brain fitness in some detail, beginning with the most important pillar, physical exercise.

The good news about the pillars of mental exercises is that we achieve the necessary progress for neurogenesis and neuroplasticity without having to undertake an Olympic kind of training regimen.

After all, our body is doing this for us everyday. But if I do not make some effort to address the pillars, then those new neurons emerge into a brain not prepared to fully maximize their use, so do exercise, eat lots of antioxidants and omega 3 fatty acid, get good sleep, manage your stress, not just once a day, but perhaps heart beat by heart beat, and learn a new language, or a new instrument.

And if you do not have the time for an instrument, or a language, then check out some of the emerging computerized brain fitness tools designed to keep us developing neurons.

There are a couple which have some very interesting research associated with them.

If your are like to double check the marketing claims, then read the IMPACT study published in April of 2009, and look at the PNAS research in regards to the dual n back task, which is very exciting.

It appears that we are going to be able to do mental exercises of the appropriate kind right at our computer, between piano or French lessons, and increase our IQ while increasing visual acutity and cognitive reserve.

That all means that your 62 year old brain will still be sharp.

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