So often we are surrounded by people, and let's face it, people have germs. It can be especially stressful being around large groups of people during cold and flu season, but there are 5 simple steps that you can take every day to prevent yourself from getting sick. Now, these are not a guarantee, but I've found that they really help me stay healthy.
1) Wash your hands often! This seems really simple and silly, but it's very effective. You should not touch your face, especially eyes, nose and mouth while out and about. We should especially wash our hands before we sit down for a meal. Our skin is our first stage of defense against germs, so, many germs sit on the surface of our skin. If skin is doing its job and keeping germs out, why should we invite them in by ingesting them ourselves?
2) Eat as many anti-oxidant rich foods as possible. Acai berry, strawberries, blueberries, oranges, and pomegranates are some of my favorite. Your body will absorb the nutrients better from food than they will through supplements, plus, these fruits are delicious!
3) Drink 4-8 glasses of water every day. The water will help flush out toxins in your body and keep you hydrated.
4) Get lots of rest and meditation! Stress brings your immune system down, and makes you more susceptible to illness. If you are getting adequate rest and are keeping a positive outlook, you are less likely to get sick. While we're stressed and tired, it's easier for us to focus on how unhealthy and imbalanced we feel, and we will be more open to illness. If you push those thoughts aside and focus on how good and rested you feel, you're less likely to get terribly sick.
5) Use a Neti-Pot before you go to bed. No, it isn't a glamorous sight, but neti-pots are incredible devices to help prevent and get over illnesses - especially sinus trouble. The neti-pot flushes your sinuses and nose with a clean, saline solution to kill germs and clear up mucus. It isn't scary, and it doesn't hurt. Sometimes I use it if I've been surrounded by people, or dust & pollution just to clean out my nose. If you won't use a neti-pot, you should at least be trying to breathe through your nose while you are out. There are more filters in your nose to trap foreign substances and toxins than your mouth has, and by all means, let yourself sneeze them out!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Take Time for You, Ladies
With all the hustle and bustle of work, kids, school, activities and other obligations, there hardly seem to be enough hours in a day to accomplish it all. Because of all this clutter, we often neglect ourselves in the process of getting things done. It is so important to take time every day for yourself, because without good mental health and a piece of mind, we'll slowly lose our self in everything else around us.
You can make a natural, inexpensive, yet effective face mask out of ingredients found in your own kitchen.
You will need:
whole raw rolled oats (oatmeal)
Honey
Hot water
Grapes
Directions: Take about 1/4 cup of oats and grind them into a powder. A food processor works quite well, I use a mortar and pestle to reduce electricity use.
To that, add hot water by the tablespoon until the mask's consistency is that of a thick pancake batter. Then, add a dash of honey and mix well. Dampen skin with warm water to open up pores and while skin is slightly moist, apply your oatmeal face mask. Let the mask stay on your skin for 5-10 minutes, or until dry. Gently scrub off the mask with warm water (you shouldn't need to use a moist towel, your hands will work fine). The fats in the oatmeal are good natural moisturizers, and leave a protective layer over your skin.
After there is no more oatmeal left on your face, cut a few grapes in half. Rub the flesh of the grapes all over your face. It may seem silly to do, but grapes (especially grape seeds) have natural anti-bacterial elements in them.
After you have allowed a few minutes for the grape juice to set on your skin, rinse your face with cold water to close up and tighten pores. Pat dry with a towel and enjoy beautiful, healthy skin!
Take 15 minutes a day to meditate for yourself. Focus on your breathing by taking deep cleansing breaths in through your nose, and out through your mouth. Play soothing music, or just sit in the silence. Enjoy the calmness of the moment, and don't worry about what else is happening in your life.
If you simply can't find the time to try any of this, at least take five minutes a day for yourself. This is most useful before you fall asleep. Lay in bed, in silence, away from your phone, computer, television and any other electronic devices; no worries, try to clear your mind. There is nothing and no one more important than you at this moment. Take a long, slow deep breath in through your nose, and hold it for a second, then exhale slowly through your mouth. Focus on your breathing, and only your breathing. After a few deep breaths, try adding muscle clenches on the inhales. As you take your deep inhale, tighten and clench one of your arms, so tight that it comes up off the mattress. On the exhale, gently release the tension and feel yourself sink deeper into the mattress. Repeat this for each arm, both legs, and even your face and abdomen. Feeling with each exhale, yourself sinking deeper into relaxation. Sometimes, it is effective to think really hard of something or someone that is troubling you as you clench. Picture them right in a bubble then on the exhale, blow it away, and watch it fade into the distance, until it is gone out of sight.
You can make a natural, inexpensive, yet effective face mask out of ingredients found in your own kitchen.
You will need:
whole raw rolled oats (oatmeal)
Honey
Hot water
Grapes
Directions: Take about 1/4 cup of oats and grind them into a powder. A food processor works quite well, I use a mortar and pestle to reduce electricity use.
To that, add hot water by the tablespoon until the mask's consistency is that of a thick pancake batter. Then, add a dash of honey and mix well. Dampen skin with warm water to open up pores and while skin is slightly moist, apply your oatmeal face mask. Let the mask stay on your skin for 5-10 minutes, or until dry. Gently scrub off the mask with warm water (you shouldn't need to use a moist towel, your hands will work fine). The fats in the oatmeal are good natural moisturizers, and leave a protective layer over your skin.
After there is no more oatmeal left on your face, cut a few grapes in half. Rub the flesh of the grapes all over your face. It may seem silly to do, but grapes (especially grape seeds) have natural anti-bacterial elements in them.
After you have allowed a few minutes for the grape juice to set on your skin, rinse your face with cold water to close up and tighten pores. Pat dry with a towel and enjoy beautiful, healthy skin!
Take 15 minutes a day to meditate for yourself. Focus on your breathing by taking deep cleansing breaths in through your nose, and out through your mouth. Play soothing music, or just sit in the silence. Enjoy the calmness of the moment, and don't worry about what else is happening in your life.
If you simply can't find the time to try any of this, at least take five minutes a day for yourself. This is most useful before you fall asleep. Lay in bed, in silence, away from your phone, computer, television and any other electronic devices; no worries, try to clear your mind. There is nothing and no one more important than you at this moment. Take a long, slow deep breath in through your nose, and hold it for a second, then exhale slowly through your mouth. Focus on your breathing, and only your breathing. After a few deep breaths, try adding muscle clenches on the inhales. As you take your deep inhale, tighten and clench one of your arms, so tight that it comes up off the mattress. On the exhale, gently release the tension and feel yourself sink deeper into the mattress. Repeat this for each arm, both legs, and even your face and abdomen. Feeling with each exhale, yourself sinking deeper into relaxation. Sometimes, it is effective to think really hard of something or someone that is troubling you as you clench. Picture them right in a bubble then on the exhale, blow it away, and watch it fade into the distance, until it is gone out of sight.
Concoct a Natural Cure for Asthma/Lung Trouble
With so many allergens floating around, we are quick to rush off to the doctor for special inhalants and antibiotics for our breathing trouble. Although you should not disregard your doctor's advice, there are more natural aids for lung health.
Essential Oils are a lovely alternative. You can mix a blend of essential oils in a little jar, and just smell them when you feel an asthma attack/illness coming on.
Some Oils for good lung health:
Lavender: Naturally relaxing, calming, and a helpful sleep aid; good for asthma and can prevent asthma attacks
Peppermint: Opens airways, helps with sinus congestion, relaxes and soothes muscles, and is also good for headaches
Spearmint: Good aid in vertigo, aids in breathing, asthma, headaches and exhaustion
Eucalyptus: Good for lung health, asthma, bronchitis, coughs, colds, fevers, and flu
You can mix a combination of these oils to what scents appeal to you most. I like to do six drops of peppermint, four drops of spearmint, three drops of lavender, and one drop of eucalyptus oil in a small vile that I keep i my purse. I have asthma, and take a controler medication every day and have a rescue inhaler. I use this bled of oils in addition to my normal regimen, to keep my airways open. Do not replace your normal control medications or inhalers with just this.
Essential Oils are a lovely alternative. You can mix a blend of essential oils in a little jar, and just smell them when you feel an asthma attack/illness coming on.
Some Oils for good lung health:
Lavender: Naturally relaxing, calming, and a helpful sleep aid; good for asthma and can prevent asthma attacks
Peppermint: Opens airways, helps with sinus congestion, relaxes and soothes muscles, and is also good for headaches
Spearmint: Good aid in vertigo, aids in breathing, asthma, headaches and exhaustion
Eucalyptus: Good for lung health, asthma, bronchitis, coughs, colds, fevers, and flu
You can mix a combination of these oils to what scents appeal to you most. I like to do six drops of peppermint, four drops of spearmint, three drops of lavender, and one drop of eucalyptus oil in a small vile that I keep i my purse. I have asthma, and take a controler medication every day and have a rescue inhaler. I use this bled of oils in addition to my normal regimen, to keep my airways open. Do not replace your normal control medications or inhalers with just this.
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