Mindfulness Therapy For Stress Reduction

We all have stress in our lives on a day to day basis. We inevitably all experience pain or worry to a certain degree as a result of this stress. Sometimes the cause of this worry is something small and manageable and other times there are life situations that cause us as individuals to experience pain and worry that is significant enough that it seemingly takes over who we are. In either case when left unchecked these worries can have a negative overall effect on our well-being. Mindfulness therapy can help us deal with these problems weather the stress you may be experiencing is large or small in nature.

The key to mindfulness therapy is learning how to become aware of the present moment in life. All too often we tend to focus our attention on the pain of the past and the worry of the future. When this happens we spend a significant amount of time and energy dealing with our own self talk or mental chatter. Self talk is the internal silent dialogue of thoughts that we have with ourselves throughout the day. When this internal self talk causes us to suffer by strongly resisting pain, sadly it can cause us to miss out on the experiences of the present moment. Sometimes people go through their entire lives in this manner being constantly stuck in the past or worried about the future. This can lead to problems with both depression and anxiety.

Mindfulness therapy can help in both of these situations. Mindfulness practice is best achieved through daily meditation. This practice has been in existence for thousands of years. Many people, particularly in western culture are somewhat skeptical of mindfulness meditation. There are preconceived notions that mindfulness meditation is an unorthodox far eastern religious practice. In fact this practice has nothing to do with religion and has been well adapted to fit the Western Culture. Additionally some are intimidated by the idea of mindfulness therapy meditation because of the misconception that only highly spiritual individuals can practice meditation in an effort to achieve enlightenment or that it is difficult. These ideas simply are not true.

Mindfulness meditation is easy to do and can be practiced by anyone. For beginners guided meditation is very effective at reducing stress, and anxiety. With guided meditation you simply find a comfortable chair to sit in, close your eyes and listen to an audio recording of a meditation instructor. There is usually an emphasis placed on noticing your breathing to help the practitioner become more acutely aware of the present moment.

Additionally there are usually some words that you will be instructed to focus on, also with the goal of decreasing your mental chatter and increasing your awareness of the present. Guided meditation recordings are usually 20 minutes long, and it is recommended that you make time for yourself to do this 2 times a day in order for the practice to be effective.

I have personally found it very rewarding to make it a priority to devote at least 40 minutes a day to my own personal well being. I recommend the guided meditations by Christopher Germer or Tara Brach. They both offer free guided meditations that you can download to your computer or an MP3 device. Christopher Germer also has a book that I found helpful in explaining the principles and benefits of this practice. You can read more such type of health articles on www.newsmicks.com

Negative health impacts of bad teeth and gums

Most people are aware that they should brush their teeth and floss to keep their teeth and gums healthy, but you may be surprised to find out that taking good care of your oral health can also help to reduce your risk of other medical conditions, some of which are very serious and potentially deadly.

How does poor oral health affect general health?

Dentists often say that the mouth is a window to the rest of the body and a healthy mouth often reflects a healthy body. In recent years there have been several studies published in journals, which suggest a link between oral health and general health, with many implying that neglecting your oral health increases your risk of medical conditions. One of the most common associations is oral health and heart health, with some studies suggesting that poor oral health increases the risk of heart disease.

Experts believe that oral health has a significant bearing on general health because bacteria from the mouth can travel to other parts of the body via the bloodstream; the bacteria associated with gum disease can travel around the body, increasing the risk of a heart attack or stroke because they may trigger an inflammatory response. Researchers have found that people who have poor oral health are more likely to suffer from heart disease and further research in this area is being carried out.

Gum disease and diabetes

Diabetes is a very common condition and it can increase the risk of gum disease, as well as other health problems, such as foot problems and issues with vision. Dentists can often spot warning signs of diabetes in people who have not yet been diagnosed by examining the mouth.

Gum disease and pregnancy

Gum disease is more common among pregnant women because pregnancy increases the risk of gum disease as a result of hormonal changes in the body. Studies have suggested that poor oral health during pregnancy can increase the risk of premature birth and low birth weight, as well as complications during labour and birth. Pregnant women are advised to visit their dentist on a regular basis.

Passive smoking causes dementia

While scientists from Moscow State University named after Lomonosov studied the presence of nanotechnology in everyday life, researchers from the University of Melbourne in the state, investigated the effects of passive smoking on people. Despite the fact that the matter was in principle long understood, they were able to make the discovery.

It turns out that passive smoking can cause the development of severe dementia. This study was the first that was able to point out the relationship between passive smoking and neurological diseases.

Previously, passive smoking could cause the development of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, which include lung cancer and coronary heart disease. But until now, no one knew that passive smoking can cause dementia.

Consider the matter lasted more than 11 years. during the survey polled more than 7,000 respondents, who were more than 60 years. teaching a group of volunteers involved in the survey on the subject of dementia in three time periods: 2001-2003, the 2007-2008, and 2011-2012. They also conducted a survey, which was such a sense of "you are subjected to tobacco smoke?". As it turned out, 10% of respondents had symptoms of severe dementia. It is worth noting that most of the people who had seen the signs of the disease, smoking or quit smoking. Therefore, smokers should think, and come to grips with their health.

Asthma Relief at Home

When it comes to asthma inhalators are a must have for anyone suffering its effects, however there are ways to avoid some of what this condition deals to the human body. While asthma care centers exist and they are very good at what they do the bulk part of the asthma relief is usually done in domestic conditions since our lives need to go on as seamlessly as possible. You will need to find ways to avoid stress as well as knowing how to deal with the onset and asthma triggers which lead to attacks since this is a condition which so far requires a lot of care. We have prepared some tips with which we hope to alleviate your situation:

1. Peak Flow Meters

When it comes to asthma these are cheap and useful devices used to measure the exhaled air through your lungs. It is a simple construction which allows you to measure the peak expiratory flow also known as PEF. This small device allows you to have a relatively accurate understanding of the condition of your asthma and whether its worsening or getting better by measuring and monitoring your PEF.

2. Developing a plan

When it comes to asthma you should be aware that special care is needed which will help you prevent and manage your asthma attacks. You should speak to your doctor or health care provider regardless of what country you live in for ways your condition can be alleviated. You will need to provide them with as much personal information as you can to allow your doctors a better chance to understand what is causing your asthma attacks.

3. Keep track

There is a reason for that since it will allow you understand and keep a record of when the attacks occur. You should record the initial time when the attack starts and you should measure your PEF as well as other details which will allow you to collect this data for an accurate understanding and information which your doctor will be able to use to deduce ways to find solutions.

4. Controlling possible asthma triggers

This is a crucial step when it comes to attacks since knowing what onsets the attack will help you prevent it in the future. Most often it is stress and this can help, though sometimes the reasons for an attack are certain allergens of which you will need to be aware so you can treat the problem effectively.

5. Air filtration

This can be very useful in cases of allergens being the prime reason for asthma attacks. They are relatively cheap and they offer a good way of keeping most of these out of the air around your home. There are multiple technologies out there currently being used for air filtration from small, stationary units to larger ones which offer better quality of air. You should consider those if you know the reason for your asthma attacks are airborne allergens such as pollen and other substances.

This guest post has been written on behalf of: www.handymoves.co.uk

Program offers free birth control for men

Men don't have a lot of birth control options, but a Muskegon County donor has offered to pay for nine men to receive the permanent one.

The Peggy Jensen and Gerald Nehra Donor Advised Fund, part of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, will pay for nine low-income Muskegon County men to receive vasectomies if their insurance doesn't cover the procedure.

A vasectomy cuts and seals off the tubes that carry sperm into a man's semen, so he can still have sex and ejaculate but can't get a woman pregnant. It doesn't protect against sexually transmitted infections, so men who are not in mutually monogamous relationships still should use condoms.

The surgery takes about a half hour and general anesthesia isn't typically necessary, making it less complicated then female sterilization.

"Most of the men who've had them have been able to go back to work the next day," Public Health Muskegon County Maternal Child Services Supervisor Gwen Williams said.

Though having an operation may be frightening, it can also be "empowering" for men who are absolutely sure they don't want children, Williams said. Women have multiple reliable birth control options, but men have to use condoms, get a vasectomy or trust that their partners are using female birth control options correctly, she said.

"Of course men cringe when you talk about bringing a scalpel close to their testicles, but the flip side is they're not relying on their partner to be responsible for something that's going to affect the rest of your life," she said. "Think about child support for the rest of your life because of a careless evening."

Planned Parenthood will screen applicants and consider whether they meet the income guidelines, PHMC Health Educator Faith Groesbeck said.

The Affordable Care Act mandated that contraception be covered without co-pays for women, but doesn't provide men with the same coverage, Williams said.

"They're left out of the discussion again," she said. "People lately are not making the connection that birth control is something everyone should care about."

Groesbeck, who monitors fetal and infant mortality in Muskegon County, said despite rhetoric about birth control as a women's issue, it also affects men and society in general. Babies are more likely to be premature, have a low birth weight or suffer other complications if the pregnancy wasn't planned, she said, and they're also more likely to grow up in poverty, which makes them more likely to have health problems later in life and less likely to do well in school.

By Megan Hart mhart2@mlive.com

How To Raise Your Self-Esteem

Things You Can Do Right Away Every Day to Raise Your Self-esteem

Often in both addiction and in recovery or self-esteem can be low. It really is hard to feel good about yourself when you are active in your addiction or testing the waters of beginning recovery. Here are some sobriety tips an helping your self esteem.

Pay attention to your own needs and wants. Listen to what your body, your mind, and your heart are telling you. For instance, if your body is telling you that you have been sitting down too long, stand up and stretch. If your heart is longing to spend more time with a special friend, do it. If your mind is telling you to clean up your basement, listen to your favorite music, or stop thinking bad thoughts about yourself, take those thoughts seriously.

Take very good care of yourself. As you were growing up you may not have learned how to take good care of yourself. In fact, much of your attention may have been on taking care of others, on just getting by, or on "behaving well." Begin today to take good care of yourself. Treat yourself as a wonderful parent would treat a small child or as one very best friend might treat another. If you work at taking good care of yourself, you will find that you feel better about yourself. Here are some ways to take good care of yourself

Eat healthy foods and avoid junk foods (foods containing a lot of sugar, salt, or fat). A healthy daily diet is usually:
1. Five or six servings of vegetables and fruit
2. Six servings of whole grain foods like bread, pasta, cereal, and rice
3. Two servings of protein foods like beef, chicken, fish, cheese, cottage cheese, or yogurt

• Exercise. Moving your body helps you to feel better and improves your self-esteem. Arrange a time every day or as often as possible when you can get some exercise, preferably outdoors. You can do many different things. Taking a walk is the most common. You could run, ride a bicycle, play a sport, climb up and down stairs several times, put on a tape, or play the radio and dance to the music-anything that feels good to you. If you have a health problem that may restrict your ability to exercise, check with your doctor before beginning or changing your exercise habits.

1. Do personal hygiene tasks that make you feel better about yourself-things like taking a regular shower or bath, washing and styling your hair, trimming your nails, brushing and flossing your teeth.
2. Have a physical examination every year to make sure you are in good health.
3. Plan fun activities for yourself. Learn new things every day.

• Take time to do things you enjoy. You may be so busy, or feel so badly about yourself, that you spend little or no time doing things you enjoy-things like playing a musical instrument, doing a craft project, flying a kite, or going fishing. Make a list of things you enjoy doing. Then do something from that list every day. Add to the list anything new that you discover you enjoy doing.
• Get something done that you have been putting off. Clean out that drawer. Wash that window. Write that letter. Pay that bill.
• Do things that make use of your own special talents and abilities. For instance, if you are good with your hands, then make things for yourself, family, and friends. If you like animals, consider having a pet or at least playing with friends' pets.
• Dress in clothes that make you feel good about yourself. If you have little money to spend on new clothes, check out thrift stores in your area.
• Give yourself rewards you are a great person. Listen to a CD or tape.
• Spend time with people who make you feel good about yoursel people who treat you well. Avoid people who treat you badly.
• Make your living space a place that honors the person you are. Whether you live in a single room, a small apartment, or a large home, make that space comfortable and attractive for you. If you share your living space with others, have some space that is just for you-a place where you can keep your things and know that they will not be disturbed and that you can decorate any way you choose.
• Display items that you find attractive or that remind you of your achievements or of special times or people in your life. If cost is a factor, use your creativity to think of inexpensive or free ways that you can add to the comfort and enjoyment of your space.
• Make your meals a special time. Turn off the television, radio, and stereo. Set the table, even if you are eating alone. Light a candle or put some flowers or an attractive object in the center of the table. Arrange your food in an attractive way on your plate. If you eat with others, encourage discussion of pleasant topics. Avoid discussing difficult issues at meals.
• Take advantage of opportunities to learn something new or improve your skills. Take a class or go to a seminar. Many adult education programs are free or very inexpensive. For those that are more costly, ask about a possible scholarship or fee reduction.
• Begin doing those things that you know will make you feel better about yourself like going on a diet, beginning an exercise program or keeping your living space clean.
• Do something nice for another person. Smile at someone who looks sad. Say a few kind words to the check-out cashier. Help your spouse with an unpleasant chore. Take a meal to a friend who is sick. Send a card to an acquaintance. Volunteer for a worthy organization.
• Make it a point to treat yourself well every day. Before you go to bed each night, write about how you treated yourself well during the day.

You may be doing some of these things now. There will be others you need to work on. You will find that you will continue to learn new and better ways to take care of yourself. As you incorporate these changes into your life, your self esteem will continue to improve. You should now have some new sobriey tools in your arsenal.

Effective Ways to Clean Carpeted Floors

BY: Allan Williams

Everyday, the dust and pollution in the air increase. Carpets catch all the dust in the air. It is very important to clean carpets of dust and other particles that can cause health problems. If you have family members who are allergic to dust or asthmatic then cleaning your carpets regularly becomes a necessity.

Most houses with children prefer to have carpeted floors to reduce chances of accidents. Yet houses with children tend to have the dirtiest carpets as it is difficult to stop children from making a mess. Cleaning carpets always seems like a tough job. Below are a few tips to help you clean your carpets.

Vacuum Cleaners
Vacuum cleaners are devised to create a partial vacuum using an air pump to suck up dirt, webs and other dry particles off of carpets. Vacuum cleaners come in many shapes and sizes. They have a dust bag attached to them to collect all dirt into it. These devices facilitate efficient cleaning and can reach all the nooks and hard-to-reach areas of the house. Using it regularly will keep your carpet gleaming and free of dirt and dust.

Steam Cleaners
A steam cleaner is an effective cleaning tool. It can pull heavy stains off the carpet and give the carpet a fresh new look. Commercial steam cleaners are very expensive. Personal steam cleaners for home carpets are available in the range of $100-$500. If you have a small home, getting a basic model for your carpet will be sufficient.

Steam cleaners today, are available with many good features like water heaters, rotating brushes and enhanced spot cleaning to remove thick stains from carpets. They help pull out liquid stains from the carpet fabric without damaging it.

Children tend to drop beverages or walk on the carpet with shoes on. Steam cleaners help remove oil and grease stains effectively giving your carpet its old sheen.

Special Solutions
You can find special solutions in the market for all kinds of stains such as oil, grease, pet stains, food stains etc. You can use a clean towel to dab your carpet with these solutions. They also remove odors from the carpet. Never rub on a stain continuously or use dryers to dry out a carpet. Doing this will lock the stain in the fabric permanently.

On a daily basis, use carpet brushes to brush dirt off the carpet and keep it clean from dust. This will provide a healthy environment for your family to live in.

Allan has been working for an appliances online store for several years, where he manages reviews and product specifications. Aside from blogging, Allan loves gardening and spending time with his children.

Erectile Dysfunction And Its Natural Remedies

BY: Nitin vaghela

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is when a person is having difficulty in getting or keeping an erection. ED is normally seen in persons as they grew older compared to the youngsters.

Certain people have difficulty in talking with their doctors about sex. However if you have ED, you should tell your doctor. Erectile Dysfunction can be a signal of health problems. It may denote your blood vessels are blocked. It may denote you contain nerve damage from diabetes. If you don't see your doctor, these problems will go untreated.

Home Remedies for Erectile Dysfunction

• Take walnuts and honey in equal proportion and mix them well. This mixture is to be taken half an hour after your daily meals with a glass of milk.
• Generally, Vitamin A deficiency can be considered as the cause of erectile dysfunction in men. So you should intake foods rich in vitamin A which helps for enhanced erection.
• You should live a stress free and relaxed life. So the best ways to be relaxed are - stop smoking, eat food having lesser carbohydrates, do exercises everyday for atleast 30 minutes and avoid taking caffeine.
• Zinc is one of the valuable mineral which helps in boosting the sexual desire and strength. It is been noticed that when a person suffers from zinc deficit, there are more flat to sexual dysfunction. In such circumstances you should intake 15-30 mg of zinc everyday along with a copper supplement.
• You should also take rich filament diet like fruits and vegetables which flushes the toxin from the body. The sign of arteries may be the cause of poor circulation.Gingko is a successful herb for the people who experience sexual dysfunction due to side effects of anti drugs. It also makes the muscle smooth and enhances the blood flow in the penis.
• Salads along with onions and raw carrots also provide stamina which helps in curing the Erectile Dysfunction problems.
• You can also take one of the best herbal tonics of 'L Arginine' which will be very effective for persons suffering from ED.

There are many natural remedies for erectile dysfunction but I have listed only those home remedies which I think can be easily done to cure erectile dysfunction in men. If it is prevailing for a longer period; you should consult the doctor immediately and take useful treatments accordingly

Img credits: Sander van der Wel