By Alexis Girvan
Grains were not meant to be consumed by humans. Actually, grain products can be quite problematic when digested in the human body. And, you may need to sit down for this one: Grains are largely responsible for the diseases of civilization. Chronic diseases, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, auto immune disorders, strokes, and cancer all can be tied back to the consumption of grains.
Now, take a deep breath and keep reading because this is where it will start to make sense. We have to go back quite a ways to understand the problem with grains, about 10,000 years to be exact. You see, before then all human beings were hunter-gatherers. The spent their days hunting animals and gathering fruits, veggies, seeds, nuts, bugs.
Why should our Hunter-Gatherer Ancestry Matter to us today?
You are the same as them. That's right, our genes (the info in our cells that makes us human) haven't changed really at all for the last 40,000 years. Therefore, you are designed to eat those same things that our hunter-gatherer ancestors were eating - things from the earth and in their natural state.
Now, have you ever tried to eat a grain in its natural state? Chances are you have, in the form of corn. You'll notice if you are observant, that not much is digested. Other grains such as wheat, rye, and barley are also hard to digest in their natural state and much harder to collect which is a major reason we were not created to eat them. It would have taken hours to collect just a few handfuls of wheat kernels and then eating them wouldn't have netted many calories or nutrients.
About 10,000 years ago, with the help of agriculture and stones tools, humans began harvesting and grinding grains. This in a sense was our first processed food and it allowed us access to the calories in the grains. Now, technologies have advanced to allow us to produce processed grains on a large scale, enabling new "Whole Grain" foods to pop up on our grocery store shelves every month. Items like whole grain pasta, cereal and whole grain bread have become staples in the American diet. But because humans really have no evolutionary history with them, society has encountered major problems due to their consumption.
What is pH Balance?
There is something called a pH balance that your body strives for in different tissues, and it has to do with how acidic an environment is. For example, your stomach needs to have a very low pH (or high- to be able to digest your food. Your blood however, needs to have a much higher pH, slightly basic (alkaline) environment for you to continue living; in fact, your blood is one of the most tightly controlled environments in your body. Your body will fight and sacrifice other systems to keep it's pH in the range of 7.35-7.45 (water is 7).
The Acidity of Grains
Grains, unlike fruits and vegetables, produce a large amount of acid when digested by the human body and allowed to enter our bloodstream. This means that your body must buffer that acidity to keep the blood pH in its narrow range, and the major way your body deals with this acidity is to draw calcium from our bones. Calcium is a basic (alkaline) element and if forced to, it will exit our bones to buffer our blood with a cost to our bone health. Your body has a hierarchy, and within that hierarchy blood health comes before bone health. This calcium loss due to buffering our grain laden diet is a major factor in the pain, suffering and millions we spend each day on osteoporosis in our country.
There are a few other ways your body can deal with this extra acidity.
First, it can be stored away from our blood in our adipose tissue (fat), making it very difficult to lose unwanted pounds because your body does not want to have that acid back in the blood stream
Second, it can be excreted through your skin, producing acne, boils, eczema and a host of other symptoms.
Third, microforms also known as yeast, viruses & unhealthy bacteria thrive in acidity, so the more grains in a person's diet, often the more susceptible they are to low grade or repeat infections as well (The pH miracle. Warner books, NY 2002 by way of Chestnut Innate diet p 56-58).
To live a healthy lifestyle, it important to consume a diet like our hunter-gatherer ancestors would have, one that is rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, lean healthy meats and if your daring, the occasional bug.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
The Benefits of Drinking Water - Healthy Living Information We All Need
By Greg Meggs
The benefits of drinking water seem to be so incredible that it's been labeled the forgotten strategy of health. Benefits of drinking water are nearly every health problem known to man. Water helps with transporting minerals, vitamins and other essential nutrients within your body. Water is critical with the sustenance within your body.
Among the specific benefits of drinking water is healthy digestion and metabolism. The benefits of drinking water are endless. Water is definitely the holy grail of the human body and the benefits of drinking water are many, and even then, knowing just a fraction of its importance, a great number of people today do not sufficiently hydrate their body but will only drink water after they are usually very thirsty. Water is essential for life. The benefits of drinking water are an important factor in the adequate well being of the human body. Water helps sustain body temperature, metabolizing extra fat, aiding with digestion of food, lubricating and cushioning internal organs, moving vitamins and minerals, flushing toxins from the system and assisting you stop a lot of illnesses. Preferably, by the time you are finished reading, you'll then reach and get a glass of water and soak yourself in the benefits of drinking water.
Drinking water can be useful for keeping your skin layer vibrant and glowing. The cosmetic benefits of drinking water consist of firmer skin and much healthier appearing hair. So you see, water is highly important to keep wholesome, vibrant-looking skin and hair. Adequately hydrated skin could possibly be the most effective answer to healthier, more youthful-looking skin. Without the benefit of hydration the skin would most likely turn out to be dry and flaky, particularly in wintry climates or our typical air conditioned workplaces. Human skin consist of 90% water.
The largest single organ on the human body, our skin, benefits through sustained hydration. Increasing your intake of healthful water will definitely boost digestion, nutrient absorption, skin hydration, detoxify and virtually all facets of more desirable health and fitness. It really is the desire of everyone to have refreshed as well as revitalized skin. Very soft and smooth skin is often an indication of healthful and vibrant skin. The benefits of drinking water in sufficient quantities start with skin, but they're absolutely a lot more than skin deep. Water is critical to maintain skin moisture and it is the vehicle for giving you vital nutrients to your skin tissue.
Just like additional health supplements, our bodies can't create its own water. Like taking supplements to get an immune system improvement, concentrate on drinking plenty water. Water is a very important natural supplement in the creation of health and well being.
If you do not drink sufficient water, you will experience habitual weariness, dry skin, severe headaches, bowel irregularity, and also a decline in typical bodily function.
This calorie-free health supplement can be described as amazing fat burning device. When you begin experiencing results with your weight loss, with thanks, in no small part to the benefits of drinking water, you can expect to lose body fat. A good way to determine your personalized water requirements are to consider your present body weight in lbs. and divide this amount in half, the number you obtain will be the quantity water you ought to consume each and every day in ounces.
The benefits of drinking water are clear and well known, but sadly many people still don't bother with knowing what amount of water they consume daily. You also need to remember that the benefits of drinking water are generally closely linked to the quantity of water we take in. So go get a glass of water soon and make it a habit to consume, at minimum 8 glasses a day to make you healthy and strong. Condition your self to reach for water; here's to your health.
The benefits of drinking water seem to be so incredible that it's been labeled the forgotten strategy of health. Benefits of drinking water are nearly every health problem known to man. Water helps with transporting minerals, vitamins and other essential nutrients within your body. Water is critical with the sustenance within your body.
Among the specific benefits of drinking water is healthy digestion and metabolism. The benefits of drinking water are endless. Water is definitely the holy grail of the human body and the benefits of drinking water are many, and even then, knowing just a fraction of its importance, a great number of people today do not sufficiently hydrate their body but will only drink water after they are usually very thirsty. Water is essential for life. The benefits of drinking water are an important factor in the adequate well being of the human body. Water helps sustain body temperature, metabolizing extra fat, aiding with digestion of food, lubricating and cushioning internal organs, moving vitamins and minerals, flushing toxins from the system and assisting you stop a lot of illnesses. Preferably, by the time you are finished reading, you'll then reach and get a glass of water and soak yourself in the benefits of drinking water.
Drinking water can be useful for keeping your skin layer vibrant and glowing. The cosmetic benefits of drinking water consist of firmer skin and much healthier appearing hair. So you see, water is highly important to keep wholesome, vibrant-looking skin and hair. Adequately hydrated skin could possibly be the most effective answer to healthier, more youthful-looking skin. Without the benefit of hydration the skin would most likely turn out to be dry and flaky, particularly in wintry climates or our typical air conditioned workplaces. Human skin consist of 90% water.
The largest single organ on the human body, our skin, benefits through sustained hydration. Increasing your intake of healthful water will definitely boost digestion, nutrient absorption, skin hydration, detoxify and virtually all facets of more desirable health and fitness. It really is the desire of everyone to have refreshed as well as revitalized skin. Very soft and smooth skin is often an indication of healthful and vibrant skin. The benefits of drinking water in sufficient quantities start with skin, but they're absolutely a lot more than skin deep. Water is critical to maintain skin moisture and it is the vehicle for giving you vital nutrients to your skin tissue.
Just like additional health supplements, our bodies can't create its own water. Like taking supplements to get an immune system improvement, concentrate on drinking plenty water. Water is a very important natural supplement in the creation of health and well being.
If you do not drink sufficient water, you will experience habitual weariness, dry skin, severe headaches, bowel irregularity, and also a decline in typical bodily function.
This calorie-free health supplement can be described as amazing fat burning device. When you begin experiencing results with your weight loss, with thanks, in no small part to the benefits of drinking water, you can expect to lose body fat. A good way to determine your personalized water requirements are to consider your present body weight in lbs. and divide this amount in half, the number you obtain will be the quantity water you ought to consume each and every day in ounces.
The benefits of drinking water are clear and well known, but sadly many people still don't bother with knowing what amount of water they consume daily. You also need to remember that the benefits of drinking water are generally closely linked to the quantity of water we take in. So go get a glass of water soon and make it a habit to consume, at minimum 8 glasses a day to make you healthy and strong. Condition your self to reach for water; here's to your health.
Cell Phone Radiation - What to Do About It
By Paul Inkpen
Are you worried about the radiation you are getting from your mobile phone? You should be. Science has proven that bioelectric impulses regulate our bodily functions. Dangerous frequencies of radiation are emitted by cellular and cordless phones. These frequencies can imitate the frequency of a hormone, antigen, or other signal molecule at the cellular level. The resulting symptoms from this mis-information vary for each individual. What are the threats?
Long-term exposure can produce mutagenesis and oncogenesis (cancer).
Short-term exposure affects many biological functions. It can decrease the effectiveness of therapeutic drug treatment, produce affective mood disorders, decrease mental and physical well-being, and impair immunocompetence (our immune system). Headaches, dizziness, and lack of concentration are common findings.
These environmental factors provoke growing concern due to the significant impact on human health. What is even more disturbing is the fact that cell phone manufacturers have targeted younger consumers. A survey done by "The Toronto Star" found that cell phone use by children was up 140% since 2001. Manufacturers market these phones as a way of staying in touch with mom or dad, which is great from a personal safety standpoint, but what about the health risks? The impact on children is even greater than that of adults since their brains and immune systems are still developing.
Scientists have discovered that a mobile phone call lasting just two minutes can distort the normal electrical activity of a child's brain for up to an hour afterwards.
"Mobile phone manufacturers should take seriously a Swedish finding that their products are dangerous for children and teenagers, and work on developing safer phones. We cannot exclude the fact that after some decades of daily use, a whole generation of users may suffer negative effects. Even though science shows that cell phones are more dangerous than tobacco, they use the fact that radiation is invisible, and can't be seen or smelt like smoke". Quote from Dr. Neil Cherry, Scientist.
So the BIG question is, What To Do About It?
Here are some things you can do about Cell Phone Radiation:
1. Buy Dowsing Rods to test for cell phone and computer radiation. A professional pair runs around $75.00. Dowsing rods haven proven in controlled tests to pick up weak electromagnetic influences as accurately as any scientific instrument. There are quite a number of devices on the market that claim to protect you from EMF's and Cell Phone Radiation. Once you learn how to test with dowsing rods, you can use them to test the effectiveness of EMF protection devices. For example, you should be able to see the "before" and "after" effects if these devices really work. You can learn how to make and use these tools for free on my website.
2. Limit the level of exposure of children and teenagers to cell phones. Tell your kids not to talk for extended periods of time. Tell them not to carry their mobile phone on them if they don't have to. This applies to cordless phones also. (For example, put it down on a table or desk whenever possible). If they must use a cell phone, then get some protection for it, in the form of a chip. These chips will eliminate the low frequency radiation, and make the phone safer to use.
3. Some people believe that wearing a "hands-free" or "Bluetooth" headset will protect them from radiation. Even when Bluetooth devices are used to keep the cell phone away from the ear, the radiation is magnified because the headset serves as an antenna to receive all electromagnetic waves in the vicinity of the user. A better solution is to get a "Bluetooth" device that mounts to the windshield or dashboard of your vehicle. Keep the cell phone and "Bluetooth" device away from your body. Radiation eliminator chips are still recommended.
4. Buy a pendant which will protect you from all forms of Electromagnetic Radiation. This includes cell phones, cordless phones, computers, wireless devices, cell phone towers, wi-fi networks, and hydro towers.
Are you worried about the radiation you are getting from your mobile phone? You should be. Science has proven that bioelectric impulses regulate our bodily functions. Dangerous frequencies of radiation are emitted by cellular and cordless phones. These frequencies can imitate the frequency of a hormone, antigen, or other signal molecule at the cellular level. The resulting symptoms from this mis-information vary for each individual. What are the threats?
Long-term exposure can produce mutagenesis and oncogenesis (cancer).
Short-term exposure affects many biological functions. It can decrease the effectiveness of therapeutic drug treatment, produce affective mood disorders, decrease mental and physical well-being, and impair immunocompetence (our immune system). Headaches, dizziness, and lack of concentration are common findings.
These environmental factors provoke growing concern due to the significant impact on human health. What is even more disturbing is the fact that cell phone manufacturers have targeted younger consumers. A survey done by "The Toronto Star" found that cell phone use by children was up 140% since 2001. Manufacturers market these phones as a way of staying in touch with mom or dad, which is great from a personal safety standpoint, but what about the health risks? The impact on children is even greater than that of adults since their brains and immune systems are still developing.
Scientists have discovered that a mobile phone call lasting just two minutes can distort the normal electrical activity of a child's brain for up to an hour afterwards.
"Mobile phone manufacturers should take seriously a Swedish finding that their products are dangerous for children and teenagers, and work on developing safer phones. We cannot exclude the fact that after some decades of daily use, a whole generation of users may suffer negative effects. Even though science shows that cell phones are more dangerous than tobacco, they use the fact that radiation is invisible, and can't be seen or smelt like smoke". Quote from Dr. Neil Cherry, Scientist.
So the BIG question is, What To Do About It?
Here are some things you can do about Cell Phone Radiation:
1. Buy Dowsing Rods to test for cell phone and computer radiation. A professional pair runs around $75.00. Dowsing rods haven proven in controlled tests to pick up weak electromagnetic influences as accurately as any scientific instrument. There are quite a number of devices on the market that claim to protect you from EMF's and Cell Phone Radiation. Once you learn how to test with dowsing rods, you can use them to test the effectiveness of EMF protection devices. For example, you should be able to see the "before" and "after" effects if these devices really work. You can learn how to make and use these tools for free on my website.
2. Limit the level of exposure of children and teenagers to cell phones. Tell your kids not to talk for extended periods of time. Tell them not to carry their mobile phone on them if they don't have to. This applies to cordless phones also. (For example, put it down on a table or desk whenever possible). If they must use a cell phone, then get some protection for it, in the form of a chip. These chips will eliminate the low frequency radiation, and make the phone safer to use.
3. Some people believe that wearing a "hands-free" or "Bluetooth" headset will protect them from radiation. Even when Bluetooth devices are used to keep the cell phone away from the ear, the radiation is magnified because the headset serves as an antenna to receive all electromagnetic waves in the vicinity of the user. A better solution is to get a "Bluetooth" device that mounts to the windshield or dashboard of your vehicle. Keep the cell phone and "Bluetooth" device away from your body. Radiation eliminator chips are still recommended.
4. Buy a pendant which will protect you from all forms of Electromagnetic Radiation. This includes cell phones, cordless phones, computers, wireless devices, cell phone towers, wi-fi networks, and hydro towers.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
3 Tips to Better Health by Walking Every Day
By Andy De Ronda
The human body is an amazing machine, in fact even after years of attempts, scientists still haven't even come close to creating an artificial human, but our bodies do need to be maintained with a good diet and regular exercise otherwise they start to fail just like machines.
Even minimal exercise is better than none, though just 30 minutes brisk walking every day is enough to help the body burn calories and keep muscles toned. Walking 30 minutes isn't very much, most of us will easily walk 30 minutes ding regular chores, but sadly too many of us use the car far too much when a quick walk would be just as convenient.
Fitness experts recognize that short walks of 10 minutes done three times per day are just as good for us as a half hour walk, and how many of us can't find 10 minutes? The key of course is that the walk needs to be reasonably brisk, ideally you don't want to saunter around like you're looking in shop windows. Instead walk with purpose, pick up your speed a bit.
The great thing about walking is that you don't need any special equipment aside from a pair of running shoes, you could even walk barefoot if you have a large enough space where you won't cut your feet on stones. A local high school running track is ideal, or if the sidewalk in your neighborhood is well maintained consider walking a couple of blocks.
Walking also has the advantage that a brisk pace elevates your heart rate so helps burn fat and calories, and also strengthens leg and stomach muscles, and if you use a small weight in each hand whilst moving your arms forward and backwards as you walk you'll also tone arm, chest, and back muscles.
To get for most from walking consider these 3 great tips to help you maximize the effectiveness of your walking regime.
1. Schedule time in your calendar for 'me time' when you can go for a brisk walk without being interrupted. Try leaving your cellphone in the office or at home. you'll find a few minutes of brisk walking will release endorphins that make you feel better and more motivated. Instead of sitting at your desk during your mid morning coffee break, grab a bottle of water and walk for 10 minutes. You'll have more energy, and you'll be helping your body stay in shape.
2. Buy a pedometer or step counter to track how many steps you take every time you go for your 10 or 30 minutes walk, then try to increase the number of steps every time. See if you can take 10,000 steps per day. It sounds like a huge number, but actually it isn't and you'll be surprised how easy it really is. Your body will thank you, and you'll be thanking your body when you look in the mirror and see a slimmer healthier you smiling back.
3. Try to walk where there are steps or sloping terrain so your muscles have the chance for a little extra workout. A brisk 10 minute walk that also includes 30-40 steps that you have to climb is great news for your heart. A healthy heart carries more blood around your body, that means more oxygen to vital organs, and helps your body fight infection.
The human body is an amazing machine, in fact even after years of attempts, scientists still haven't even come close to creating an artificial human, but our bodies do need to be maintained with a good diet and regular exercise otherwise they start to fail just like machines.
Even minimal exercise is better than none, though just 30 minutes brisk walking every day is enough to help the body burn calories and keep muscles toned. Walking 30 minutes isn't very much, most of us will easily walk 30 minutes ding regular chores, but sadly too many of us use the car far too much when a quick walk would be just as convenient.
Fitness experts recognize that short walks of 10 minutes done three times per day are just as good for us as a half hour walk, and how many of us can't find 10 minutes? The key of course is that the walk needs to be reasonably brisk, ideally you don't want to saunter around like you're looking in shop windows. Instead walk with purpose, pick up your speed a bit.
The great thing about walking is that you don't need any special equipment aside from a pair of running shoes, you could even walk barefoot if you have a large enough space where you won't cut your feet on stones. A local high school running track is ideal, or if the sidewalk in your neighborhood is well maintained consider walking a couple of blocks.
Walking also has the advantage that a brisk pace elevates your heart rate so helps burn fat and calories, and also strengthens leg and stomach muscles, and if you use a small weight in each hand whilst moving your arms forward and backwards as you walk you'll also tone arm, chest, and back muscles.
To get for most from walking consider these 3 great tips to help you maximize the effectiveness of your walking regime.
1. Schedule time in your calendar for 'me time' when you can go for a brisk walk without being interrupted. Try leaving your cellphone in the office or at home. you'll find a few minutes of brisk walking will release endorphins that make you feel better and more motivated. Instead of sitting at your desk during your mid morning coffee break, grab a bottle of water and walk for 10 minutes. You'll have more energy, and you'll be helping your body stay in shape.
2. Buy a pedometer or step counter to track how many steps you take every time you go for your 10 or 30 minutes walk, then try to increase the number of steps every time. See if you can take 10,000 steps per day. It sounds like a huge number, but actually it isn't and you'll be surprised how easy it really is. Your body will thank you, and you'll be thanking your body when you look in the mirror and see a slimmer healthier you smiling back.
3. Try to walk where there are steps or sloping terrain so your muscles have the chance for a little extra workout. A brisk 10 minute walk that also includes 30-40 steps that you have to climb is great news for your heart. A healthy heart carries more blood around your body, that means more oxygen to vital organs, and helps your body fight infection.
5 Natural Methods to Fight Clinical Depression at Home
By Kriti Arora
Beating depression naturally is the best way to fight it. When psychiatrists around the world are recommending the usual routine of psychotherapy and anti-depressant drugs, why not try proven natural treatments to fight the illness? Depression is a state of the mind which affects the way a person feels and communicates with the world around him. There are various journals and websites which site one study after another crediting various natural treatments. But it is your task to separate the grain from the chaff to find out the real natural depression cures. The following are 5 methods of how you can fight depression naturally.
1) Exercise:
This tried and tested method of treating depression is extremely effective and works for everyone no matter what the severity of their condition is. It is one of nature's most potent mood-boosters and the good news is that it does not matter what kind of exercise you are doing as long as you do it. You can choose from a brisk walk, jogging, running, swimming, riding a bike, tennis, badminton, weightlifting, kickboxing, yoga, Pilates or tai chi. The idea is to invest at least 30 minutes a day in working out. Make sure you do something you enjoy doing and watch your blues disappearing.
2) Diet:
You are what you eat. How many times have you heard that adage before? Eating a well-balanced diet is a proven natural way to fight depression. Your meals should have everything in it, proteins, carbohydrates and fat. You can even have a multivitamin tablet everyday if you feel you are missing out on essential nutrients. But don't overeat. Instead of reaching out for that bag of chips whenever you are feeling hungry, have a piece of fruit or a slice of cheese. Avoid alcohol, tea and coffee.
3) Natural supplements:
These seem to be as effective as anti-depressant drugs in fighting depression and anxiety. St. John's Wort is one of the most well-known natural depression treatments with almost no side effects. Another natural supplement is SAM-e. Though it's a bit on the expensive side, this supplement is known to work wonders for depression.
4) Socializing:
The most common inclination of someone who is depressed is to isolate himself from everyone. This has a worsening effect on the symptoms of depression. If you are depressed, make an effort to go out and meet people, make new acquaintances and spend time with them. Talk to friends and family regularly about the problems you are facing. The love and support you will get from people who care about you is the best way to beat depression.
5) Self-help groups:
Find out whether your neighborhood or city has a self-help group for people in the same condition as you are. Sharing your emotions and feelings is going to have a therapeutic effect on you. Attend their meetings regularly.
Take each day as it comes if you want to beat depression. With time and effort, you can surely get over this phase of your life.
Beating depression naturally is the best way to fight it. When psychiatrists around the world are recommending the usual routine of psychotherapy and anti-depressant drugs, why not try proven natural treatments to fight the illness? Depression is a state of the mind which affects the way a person feels and communicates with the world around him. There are various journals and websites which site one study after another crediting various natural treatments. But it is your task to separate the grain from the chaff to find out the real natural depression cures. The following are 5 methods of how you can fight depression naturally.
1) Exercise:
This tried and tested method of treating depression is extremely effective and works for everyone no matter what the severity of their condition is. It is one of nature's most potent mood-boosters and the good news is that it does not matter what kind of exercise you are doing as long as you do it. You can choose from a brisk walk, jogging, running, swimming, riding a bike, tennis, badminton, weightlifting, kickboxing, yoga, Pilates or tai chi. The idea is to invest at least 30 minutes a day in working out. Make sure you do something you enjoy doing and watch your blues disappearing.
2) Diet:
You are what you eat. How many times have you heard that adage before? Eating a well-balanced diet is a proven natural way to fight depression. Your meals should have everything in it, proteins, carbohydrates and fat. You can even have a multivitamin tablet everyday if you feel you are missing out on essential nutrients. But don't overeat. Instead of reaching out for that bag of chips whenever you are feeling hungry, have a piece of fruit or a slice of cheese. Avoid alcohol, tea and coffee.
3) Natural supplements:
These seem to be as effective as anti-depressant drugs in fighting depression and anxiety. St. John's Wort is one of the most well-known natural depression treatments with almost no side effects. Another natural supplement is SAM-e. Though it's a bit on the expensive side, this supplement is known to work wonders for depression.
4) Socializing:
The most common inclination of someone who is depressed is to isolate himself from everyone. This has a worsening effect on the symptoms of depression. If you are depressed, make an effort to go out and meet people, make new acquaintances and spend time with them. Talk to friends and family regularly about the problems you are facing. The love and support you will get from people who care about you is the best way to beat depression.
5) Self-help groups:
Find out whether your neighborhood or city has a self-help group for people in the same condition as you are. Sharing your emotions and feelings is going to have a therapeutic effect on you. Attend their meetings regularly.
Take each day as it comes if you want to beat depression. With time and effort, you can surely get over this phase of your life.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Five Natural Ways to Beat Depression
By John DeProspo
While there are many different ways to treat depression without antidepressant medications, some are more popular than others. Why are people looking for natural remedies for treating this problem? Because it has been proven that the drugs that supposedly treat this disease are not only ineffective in over fifty percent of patients using them, they are highly addictive, have many adverse side-effects, and can actually cause more mental pain and anguish than help.
Many people are turning to meditation as a natural way to help them overcome the effects of depression. Meditation has been used for thousands of years, in a variety of healing applications. You do not need to spend hundreds of dollars learning these methods, many are available for free. It has been said that most diseases and problems are simply mind over matter, and using these methods are quite effective, but they do take time to work. You should not expect miracles over night.
Another alternative to antidepressants are herbal remedies. These can be herbs like St. John's Wort, Green Tea, and fish oil supplements. There are also herbal remedies that can actually clean your body of toxic buildups, like eliminating free radicals. In a lot of cases, by simply flushing your system of toxins, you will find that your symptoms of depression can be alleviated. There are also other herbal supplements that can stimulate your brain into making natural endorphins and serotonin, which can make you feel better.
Some people often turn to counseling as a form of natural relief. Sometimes people are depressed because of traumatic experiences that have happened in their lives. Whether it is abuse, or a death in the family, or a wide range of others, not addressing these issues, burying them in your subconscious, can be more harmful than not confronting them right away. Therapy does not have to be expensive, there are mental health clinics around the country that are free, or on a sliding fee schedule.
Another natural way to beat depression without antidepressants is through a change of diet. There are many different ways to do this. One is to cut out refined sugars, and processed foods. This also means eating more healthy like fresh vegetables, lean meats and lots of fruit. All of these can improve your mood, by reintroducing vitamins and minerals that help make up the chemicals in the brain responsible for elevating your mood. It also means cutting back or completely eliminating foods and drinks that are fueling your symptoms as well, like caffeine, alcohol, and to many fattening snacks.
Exercising is another natural way to beat depression without antidepressants. Getting out and going for a walk, riding a bicycle or hiking in the woods, all of these release natural serotonin and endorphins that help elevate your mood. It is also a cardiovascular exercise, which helps to pump oxygen to your cells, making them healthier. It does not need to feel like exercise, and you do not have to go to the gym, or lift a bunch of weights, just walking around your neighborhood at least once a day can be a great help. It also gets you out of the house, and soak up some vitamin D from the sun.
While there are many different ways to treat depression without antidepressant medications, some are more popular than others. Why are people looking for natural remedies for treating this problem? Because it has been proven that the drugs that supposedly treat this disease are not only ineffective in over fifty percent of patients using them, they are highly addictive, have many adverse side-effects, and can actually cause more mental pain and anguish than help.
Many people are turning to meditation as a natural way to help them overcome the effects of depression. Meditation has been used for thousands of years, in a variety of healing applications. You do not need to spend hundreds of dollars learning these methods, many are available for free. It has been said that most diseases and problems are simply mind over matter, and using these methods are quite effective, but they do take time to work. You should not expect miracles over night.
Another alternative to antidepressants are herbal remedies. These can be herbs like St. John's Wort, Green Tea, and fish oil supplements. There are also herbal remedies that can actually clean your body of toxic buildups, like eliminating free radicals. In a lot of cases, by simply flushing your system of toxins, you will find that your symptoms of depression can be alleviated. There are also other herbal supplements that can stimulate your brain into making natural endorphins and serotonin, which can make you feel better.
Some people often turn to counseling as a form of natural relief. Sometimes people are depressed because of traumatic experiences that have happened in their lives. Whether it is abuse, or a death in the family, or a wide range of others, not addressing these issues, burying them in your subconscious, can be more harmful than not confronting them right away. Therapy does not have to be expensive, there are mental health clinics around the country that are free, or on a sliding fee schedule.
Another natural way to beat depression without antidepressants is through a change of diet. There are many different ways to do this. One is to cut out refined sugars, and processed foods. This also means eating more healthy like fresh vegetables, lean meats and lots of fruit. All of these can improve your mood, by reintroducing vitamins and minerals that help make up the chemicals in the brain responsible for elevating your mood. It also means cutting back or completely eliminating foods and drinks that are fueling your symptoms as well, like caffeine, alcohol, and to many fattening snacks.
Exercising is another natural way to beat depression without antidepressants. Getting out and going for a walk, riding a bicycle or hiking in the woods, all of these release natural serotonin and endorphins that help elevate your mood. It is also a cardiovascular exercise, which helps to pump oxygen to your cells, making them healthier. It does not need to feel like exercise, and you do not have to go to the gym, or lift a bunch of weights, just walking around your neighborhood at least once a day can be a great help. It also gets you out of the house, and soak up some vitamin D from the sun.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
5 Strategies For Boosting Your Mood Through Exercise
By Kriti Arora
Beating depression may actually be just a jog away, recent research suggests. Yes, exercise can actually solve quite a lot of ailments, including those of the mind. Depression is a mental illness which affect the way a person talks, feels, behaves and communicates with the world around him. For a lucky few, a depressive episode may last for a few days but in some, it can last for weeks, months and even years. Exercise is a natural depression cure. Here are 5 strategies with which you can boost your mood through exercise.
Strategy #1
What kind of exercise are you comfortable with? If you are a beginner, walking and cycling are great. If you already have an exercise routine, great! Continue with it and in time increase its intensity. You can also go to the gym and take the help of a fitness instructor. After planning your workout session, make sure that you stick to it.
Strategy #2
What time can you devote to your workouts? If you are a harried housewife or a busy executive with little time on your hands, a brisk 10 minute walk is a good way to fight depression naturally. If you have a little more time, go for a 30-minute aerobic session. Choose from jogging, cycling and swimming. But make sure you exercise at least 5 times a week.
Strategy #3
It's a great idea to exercise in a group. Not only does it give you a chance to interact with other people, it also sets up the pace for healthy competition. When you are exercising with a group of people, a sense of competition (regarding achieving a health target or a particular body weight) is actually helpful. Also, you are less prone to miss out on the workout sessions because of peer pressure. Socializing with other people will also act as a mood-booster which ultimately will cure your depression.
Strategy #4
True, keeping yourself motivated to exercise everyday is not easy for people who are not depressed and is doubly difficult for people who are. Thinking about going to the gym for a strenuous workout session is difficult, but taking a smaller step is a lot easier. If your mind tells you not to go, tell it that it's okay to walk down the street at a leisurely pace. Once you do walk down the street, you will feel like going to the gym a lot more than before. The idea is to fool the mind to believe that it has to do a lot less. This strategy is something that works with most depressed people.
Strategy #5
Exercise is great for curing depression naturally. But don't fall for any of the magic pills and powders advertised everywhere these days that promise you a body like a fashion model. They are not natural at all and do more harm than good. Stay away from them.
Trust exercise to beat your depression naturally.
Beating depression may actually be just a jog away, recent research suggests. Yes, exercise can actually solve quite a lot of ailments, including those of the mind. Depression is a mental illness which affect the way a person talks, feels, behaves and communicates with the world around him. For a lucky few, a depressive episode may last for a few days but in some, it can last for weeks, months and even years. Exercise is a natural depression cure. Here are 5 strategies with which you can boost your mood through exercise.
Strategy #1
What kind of exercise are you comfortable with? If you are a beginner, walking and cycling are great. If you already have an exercise routine, great! Continue with it and in time increase its intensity. You can also go to the gym and take the help of a fitness instructor. After planning your workout session, make sure that you stick to it.
Strategy #2
What time can you devote to your workouts? If you are a harried housewife or a busy executive with little time on your hands, a brisk 10 minute walk is a good way to fight depression naturally. If you have a little more time, go for a 30-minute aerobic session. Choose from jogging, cycling and swimming. But make sure you exercise at least 5 times a week.
Strategy #3
It's a great idea to exercise in a group. Not only does it give you a chance to interact with other people, it also sets up the pace for healthy competition. When you are exercising with a group of people, a sense of competition (regarding achieving a health target or a particular body weight) is actually helpful. Also, you are less prone to miss out on the workout sessions because of peer pressure. Socializing with other people will also act as a mood-booster which ultimately will cure your depression.
Strategy #4
True, keeping yourself motivated to exercise everyday is not easy for people who are not depressed and is doubly difficult for people who are. Thinking about going to the gym for a strenuous workout session is difficult, but taking a smaller step is a lot easier. If your mind tells you not to go, tell it that it's okay to walk down the street at a leisurely pace. Once you do walk down the street, you will feel like going to the gym a lot more than before. The idea is to fool the mind to believe that it has to do a lot less. This strategy is something that works with most depressed people.
Strategy #5
Exercise is great for curing depression naturally. But don't fall for any of the magic pills and powders advertised everywhere these days that promise you a body like a fashion model. They are not natural at all and do more harm than good. Stay away from them.
Trust exercise to beat your depression naturally.
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