Exercises That Are Good for Your Brain
In today’s world of computers, television, magazines and newspapers all spewing out information to us and overloading our brains, it’s no wonder that we have trouble remembering things.
It’s sometimes difficult for us to concentrate on the task at hand because of bells, whistles and other modern noisemakers.
We’re also under pressure to multi-task – and tax our brains by going from one job to another and expecting to do them all perfectly.
It would be easier if we didn’t have so many outside distractions, but with cell phone and other interruptions, no distraction is a thing of the past.
Our brains, just like the rest of us, can be trained to respond faster and more effectively when called upon and to remember things more easily.
Since our brains are comprised of about 90% water, it’s imperative that we hydrate them regularly and often by drinking lots of water — especially during stressful situations.
Sometimes, memory loss and lack of ability to concentrate is blamed on aging, but if the brain is challenged on a regular basis it remains strong.
The brain can be challenged or exercised in many different ways, including puzzles (crosswords and Sudoku), games and reading.
Memory loss and lack of concentration is sometimes due to a new medication’s side effects.
Be sure and check with your pharmacist or health professional about any prescriptions you take that might be the cause of memory problems.
Diet and physical exercise is also important when fighting memory loss. Eat a diet that’s healthy, including lots of fruits, fish (and lots of protein) and vegetables.
Keeping in shape will also help to keep your brain in working order.
Try something new – like taking a class at the local college or taking up a sport such as golf.
Your brain will react by expanding its ability to concentrate and to take on new projects.
You’ll also feel proud of yourself and in better spirits if you succeed in learning something new.
Suffering from memory loss can be annoying and sometimes devastating, depending on how severe the symptoms are.
If you notice that your memory loss is more abrupt than gradual, see a health professional to get tests that will determine if you’re suffering from a medical problem such as Alzheimer’s or another type of degenerative disease.
If you’re suffering from severe memory loss, it’s important to get a diagnosis as soon as possible.
Embrace Walking Meditation to Double Your Health Benefits
We already know that walking delivers a measured health benefit to your physical self.
It provides cardiovascular benefits, helps you burn calories, and improves blood flow to various parts of your body.
But what you may not have considered is combining your walking time with a mental and spiritual meditation program to enhance the benefits walking has to offer you.
Usually, when most people take up walking, they do it because it’s a form of exercise that minimizes injuries and isn’t complicated to learn.
There’s no special equipment needed. You just put one foot in front of the other and you’re instantly on your way to better health.
But pair this with meditation, or mindful walking, and you get more out of your time spent putting foot to the pavement.
Walking meditation is when you aren’t walking mindlessly, but instead focus on each step.
You don’t have to increase your speed, and in fact, you might even walk slower than usual at first until you get the hang of meditating while walking.
When you focus on your walking, make mental notes of how light or heavy your foot feels as it lifts off the ground and returns to the pavement after each step.
Walking meditation is rooted in the art of Ayatana, a Buddhist concept where you’re in touch with your senses.
When you’re using walking meditation, you’re focused on the experience of walking, keeping your mind focused, not on the troubles of your day, but on the process you’re using – the details of each step you’re taking with your right foot, then left foot.
Traditional meditation often has the person shutting their eyes to concentrate on their mental clarity.
With walking meditation, you have to see where you’re going, so you’re absorbing your outside environment and processing it with mental clarity.
It’s best to conduct your walking meditation in an area that feels calm and inviting, not right in the middle of a downtown construction site.
Try to endure your walk for at least 20 minutes at a time.
Begin walking with a good posture and concentrate on the sensations your feet feel.
Let your arms hand down and keep your focal point about 3-6 feet in front of you as you walk.
Walking itself will help your body in many ways, including providing more serotonin to help boost your mood.
Add meditation to the mix and you have an even more powerful exercise program that improves your mind as well as your body.
Does Magnet Therapy Work for Pain?
Civilizations throughout the ages have used the power within magnets to alleviate pain.
During ancient times magnets were thought to actually drive diseases from the body.
Now, magnets are used in magnetic resonance imaging and some are implanted or used outside the body to convey electromagnetic pulses.
Magnets are also available for use in belts, jewelry, shoes and mattress pads. These static magnets are believed to help bones repair themselves after fractures.
Some practitioners use magnets for treatment of blood disorders such as circulation, decreasing toxic materials and increasing blood oxygen.
Although there’s little scientific evidence today that supports the fact that magnets are useful in managing pain, proponents claim that when you expose parts of the body to magnetic fields, the result is positive.
Alternative health professionals generally agree that magnets work by blocking pain in the body.
Medical magnets are effective for the following illnesses:
- Neuropathy from Diabetes – When neuropathy from diabetes occurs, magnetic foot pads are sometimes used to relieve numbness and pain in the feet.
- Chronic Back Pain – Strip magnets taped to the back or using a magnetic back brace can alleviate back pain.
- Fibromyalgia – This debilitating disease can be helped by sleeping on a magnetic mattress.
- Headaches – Magnetic headbands are available to help rid yourself of headaches – or you can tape magnets to the back of your head.
Some studies suggest that most pain sufferers can be helped by magnetic therapy. Also, magnets are safe and have no risk of side effects.
Magnets can boost the flow of blood to painful areas on the body by calming the capillary wall and can also prevent painful muscle spasms by preventing the “pain message” from being transmitted to the brain.
The search for products to relieve pain has come to the forefront of medical research in the past few years.
Because of the positive results of recent studies using magnets to control pain, more research is being planned for the future.
Magnets used for medical purposes can cost from about $5.00 to $100.00 and come in a wide array of shapes, strengths and sizes.
When Alternative Depression Treatments Cause More Harm Than Good
Depression is a serious illness that causes isolation and withdrawal and sometimes thoughts of suicide.
It’s widely treated today with anti-depressant medications that are highly effective, but can have serious side effects.
Prescribed anti-depressants are very expensive and those who lack health coverage may be tempted to try alternative depression treatments.
CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) treatments such as herbal remedies have been proven effective in treating depression, but can sometimes be more harmful than helpful.
Many people who suffer from depression have vitamin and mineral deficiencies and when corrected, the depression lessens and the person feels better almost immediately.
Fortunately, there is little danger from taking vitamin supplements that help depression, but large amounts of anything can cause serious problems and imbalances to your system.
Below are some common alternative treatments for depression and the dangers of taking them:
- St. John’s Wort – This herb has had much success in treating depression, but it can be dangerous to certain people. It’s a drug that’s regulated in some countries, but not in the United States because it’s considered a “natural” product. St. John’s Wort can be dangerous when it blocks the molecule, “tyramine.” Tyramine affects blood pressure and when blocked, blood pressure can increase and a stroke may occur.
- Ginkgo Biloba – If you’re taking blood thinning medications such as aspirin or warfarin, interaction problems could result from taking Ginkgo Biloba. You might also suffer an allergic reaction if you’re also allergic to mango, sumac, poison ivy and oak.
- Ginsing – This is an herb that could be dangerous if mixed with prescriptions drugs and caffeine drinks such as coffee.
You should always exercise caution when taking any alternative treatment.
Remember, even if a product is labeled “natural” doesn’t mean it’s safe for you to take – especially if you’re taking prescription medications or have a condition that might react negatively to the treatment.
When a Doctor Should Be Consulted Before Using a Home Remedy
Home remedies have been used since the beginning of time to treat both common and serious illnesses.
Those same remedies that once were the only curative to be found may now cause serious problems if not used correctly and wisely.
Today, we take prescription medications that could have harmful reactions if mixed with some home remedies.
For example, the popular herb, Ephedra, has been used for weight loss and asthma, but can also cause liver damage if not used properly.
Many people today are choosing a holistic approach to maintain health — either to avoid the side effects of prescription drugs or to cut medical costs.
But some have the belief that since they’re ingesting natural herbs and using products found in the home, they don’t have to worry about dosage and use.
There are real dangers in using herbal and home remedies arbitrarily.
Your doctor should be consulted if you have a serious condition or if you’re taking any type of prescription drugs or if you’re not sure about the dosage when ingesting herbs.
Herbal and home remedies are increasingly used to cure and prevent illnesses.
The sales of herbal supplements in health food stores have increased tenfold from a few years ago.
If you’re considering using an herbal or home remedy to treat an illness or condition you should remember that some treatments actually do more harm than good.
Avoid the following herbs unless you consult with your doctor and have a clear method of using them:
- Ephedra – Can cause liver damage.
- Comfrey – Can cause liver damage.
- Pennyroyal – Can increase your blood pressure and cause miscarriage in pregnant women.
- Lobelia – Causes coma and possible death if misused.
- Senna – Causes irregular heartbeat.
Just because a medicinal remedy is “natural” doesn’t mean that it’s safe to use. Keep in mind that a small amount of an herb can be deadly if misused.
You should read all labels and instructions for using the herb and if you have any questions, consult your health care professional.
What Yoga Can Do for Your Mind and Body
When you’re starting or switching to a new exercise program, you may want to consider adding Yoga to your regimen.
This workout doesn’t require any special equipment or complicated knowledge.
It’s a form of exercise that anyone can do and it provides a mix of both physical and mental benefits for your body.
Aside from toning your body and helping you gain flexibility, it also improves your mental fitness.
Yoga is a form of exercise that’s been prevalent in various societies for centuries.
In India, it’s been practiced for more than 3,000 years and has since been embraced by other cultures around the globe.
The word yoga is derived from the word yoke, which means “to bring together mind, body, and spirit.”
Many yoga enthusiasts practice this form of exercise for the calming effect it has on them in bringing peace into their lives.
Some people claim it’s more of a lifestyle than an exercise, and in some regards, they’re right!
It helps you gain control of your breathing while meditating and stretching into various poses that improve your cardiovascular functions.
There are different forms of yoga. Some are fast-paced poses that focus on strength-training, stamina, and flexibility.
Others, such as Bikram Yoga, are carried out in extremely hot rooms.
Some use chants in conjunction with meditation, and others employ the use of benches, blocks, chairs, and ropes.
Most yoga participants also have a yoga mat they use during the poses, but it’s not a necessity.
While there are many yoga classes at your local health and fitness centers, you can also practice it at home using a DVD or web-based tutorial.
Regardless of where you participate in yoga training, you’ll want to dress for comfort and not wear shoes.
Yoga is best done at a slow pace – not rushed.
So if you only have 15 minutes t spare in the morning, don’t try to cram a full hours’ worth of exercise into a quarter of the time.
Instead, save the remaining 45 minutes for later in the day as a way to unwind and relax.
The health benefits you’ll derive from practicing yoga will be seen prominently once you begin doing it consistently.
Since much of what’s learned is based on stamina, you’ll gradually see it build and be able to feel the strength you’ve gained from doing a series of poses and practicing flexibility.
Spice Up Your Health!
When starting a healthier lifestyle and looking for alternative ways to better your health, have you ever considered looking into spices that are actually good for you?
There are many of them that have positive health benefits attached to them (and cinnamon sprinkled on your extra large sized cinnamon bun isn’t what we mean here!).
Here are a few of those healthy spices and what they can do for you:
Cayenne Pepper – This is known as a spice with a zing to it. Many hot, spicy dishes contain cayenne pepper, so some tame tastebuds shy away from it. But actually, you should embrace it and use it more often. It’s known to increase your fat burning metabolism so you help shed pounds by as much as 25%.
Ginger – Ginger is well known for its ability to help people with their nausea. It calms the stomach down and helps your acid reflux. It’s good for helping women through the days of morning sickness during pregnancy and for the dreaded motion sickness that some sailors and cruise-ship travelers suffer from.
Cinnamon – This is an excellent spice to help aid in diarrhea attacks and in upset stomachs. It can also help boost your metabolism a little, which is why many people recommend sprinkling it on your oatmeal to help you rev up your body’s calorie-burning furnace for the day.
Garlic – Garlic can help keep your cholesterol levels in check and it can decrease your blood pressure. It’s also reported to be helpful to those who suffer diabetes.
Allspice – Allspice is another healthful spice. It’s a stimulant that can help relieve problems with indigestion and gas.
Mustard – This is an excellent spice for those who suffer from respiratory problems. It’s another stimulant that is a helpful aid in squashing respiratory ailments.
Peppermint – This is a pleasure-filled spice that is tasty and helps with insomnia. As an added benefit, it can help with digestive disorders and also bouts of tension.
Turmeric – This is an antioxidant that defends against free radicals. It makes for an added asset to fight off certain types of cancer.
Spices are more commonly known as methods used to liven up our food dishes.
What most don’t realize is that there are certain spices that actually help you lead a healthy life while making your food taste good.
The next time you’re planning your dinner menu, think to yourself, “What can I be doing for my health when I spice up our favorite recipes tonight?”
Let Lavender Offer the Therapeutic Benefits You Need
Aromatherapy is often used to help treat some minor conditions we face in our everyday lives.
It’s been proven to be effective in many areas that are both physical and mental in their origin.
Different scents help with different conditions. Lavender is one of those scents that actually work for several types of conditions.
It can induce romantic feelings for a couple.
If you’re planning a nice evening at home with your significant other, add a little lavender scent to the mix and spice up your romantic rendezvous together.
It gives you that extra little edge to make your evening a more memorable one.
Lavender is also a scent that helps enhance relaxation and calmness. The light, flowery scent gives almost instant relaxation to a tensed, stressed out mind and body.
It’s perfect to help unwind after a hard day at work.
It can affect the nervous system in a positive way. Lavender encourages faster healing from ailments such as skin burns and wounds.
It also helps heal various conditions from digestion problems to respiratory issues.
Lavender is a scent that can help relieve the toll insomnia can take on your body.
Those who have problems getting to sleep and staying asleep tend to have mood swings from the irritability derived from not catching enough shut-eye.
Because it’s not known to cause allergies, Lavender’s sometimes used in nursing homes to calm agitation episodes and improve dementia conditions with some of the people who reside there.
It’s known as a scent that most people will love – or at least tolerate well – so it can be used in situations like these without being too intrusive to the olfactory.
Lavender is a scent of choice when a person wants to alleviate symptoms of overall depression.
It helps with the anxiousness, tensed feelings, stress, irritability, agitation and even enhances a more pleasant mood just by its aroma.
It comes in many different forms to use in your aromatherapy program. Some people use traditional candles to spread the scent around the room.
There are also dried flowers that give off their natural scent, oils that can be simmered in potpourri pots and even oils that are placed in your bath water.
You can also see it in hand creams, body spray and room air fresheners.
Reaching for Lavender will help you enjoy the instant perks it offers with its light, aromatic scent.
You can combine it with other light scents and enjoy the medicinal effects of a pleasurable aromatherapy experience.
