Apr 11 2009

Sleep & Your Immune System…They Work Together!

People, who catch cold, can recover quicker, and in some cases even prevent catching cold in the first place, as long as they help their bodies to improve its immunity. There are some well-known ways to improve your self-defense system and there are some surprising ways that are less obvious to us. For example, when you inhale a cold virus, it inflames your nasal passages. The inflammation process causes the body to release chemicals, which include histamine. When you have a weak immune system, you are at a higher risk of catching a cold or a virus. Your immune system is responsible for helping you fight off infections; therefore, when your immune system is weak it cannot function properly.

Sleep apnea can have severe effects on your health and has been linked to such problems as heart failure, stroke, high blood pressure and diabetes. Obstructive sleep apnea involves repeated pauses in breathing that occur when the muscles relax during sleep, causing soft tissue in the back of the throat to collapse and block the upper airway.  A number of clinical trials have shown regular exercise to be strongly linked to heightened immunity, with the emphasis on regular.

If you stay inactive, this body temperature pattern will lead to poor sleep, which will prevent you from sleeping deeply. Approaching stress management from a wellness lifestyle approach can give you “money in the bank” when it comes to preventing stress, it can give you the energy you need to handle stress when it happens. The following components are part of a wellness lifestyle approach. The authors suggested that restoring sleep is an important preventative measure and critical component of medical therapy. These findings are underlined by a number of studies, the latest reported in the previous volume of the Sleep Bulletin, demonstrating that adequate sleep is associated with a decreased mortality risk in the general population.

They’re not gaining anything, but are losing a huge amount of their health, you can see it in their social interactions, their ability to learn and think clearly. Sleep is one of the keys to a successful diet and a healthy lifestyle. Other public health hazards, such as poor nutrition, smoking, excess alcohol and lack of exercise is the subject of endless research. On the contrary, little research has been done on the subject of sleep.

- Stage 1 is light sleep. You’ve probably experienced this during boring classes in school. Your body is barely asleep, your eyes move slightly, and you’re easily awakened, usually with a startled “jump.” During this stage, you’ll often have dream-like visuals.
- Stage 2 is when the eye movements stop and your brain waves begin to slow down.
- Stage 3 begins deep sleep, as very slow brain waves, called delta waves, take over the more rapid brain waves, called sleep spindles.
- Stage 4 is a deep state where all muscle movements stop. It’s hard to be awakened during this state, and when you are, you’re often in a groggy, disoriented condition.
- Stage 5 is called REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. In this stage, your breathing becomes shallow, your heart rate and blood pressure increase, your eyes jerk rapidly in all directions, and you have your wildest dreams.
- We sleep in cycles wherein all five stages are completed in around one-and-a-half to two hours. As the cycles increase, we spend less time in deep sleep and more in stages 1, 2, and REM.

Stage three and four, deep sleep, being the health sleep where the brain and heart slow to a resting phase and this stage takes up 50% of sleeping time. Dreaming takes place during stage five with waking off and on. Millions of people suffer with some form of insomnia, resulting in fatigue, lack of mental alertness, and weakened physical and mental health. It also contributes to both minor and major injury accidents.

Physically active people catch fewer colds and other upper respiratory infections, but more exercise isn’t always better. Therefore that makes us vulnerable to diseases from colds to cancer, flu to heart disease. Some studies found that taking vitamin C (about 600 milligrams/day) for three weeks before an ultra marathon reduced post race cold symptoms, yet others have found that vitamin C supplementation made no difference. Getting frequent colds can be a sign of over training or overtaxing your body. Cold and flu viruses are spread by airborne particles, so when you cough, sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue instead of your hands, if possible. When this happens, you can expect to feel weak and run down. To be susceptible to colds and the flu and more likely to be affected by disease, when your immune system is not functioning well, germs can easily penetrate the body and wreak havoc on your organs.

Many natural ways are available in order to boost your immune system. Some of the important tips to boost your immune system are given here. Immune-boosting foods include organically grown fruits and vegetables, wholegrain, beans and other legumes, natural oils such as expelled-pressed olive oil, hemp oil, walnut oil, flax oil and coconut butter. Brazil nuts, a rich source of selenium, are particularly good for the immune system. First, the immune system manufactures antibodies, which identify and fend off invaders. Also, your immune system has a built-in memory, it remembers how it defended your body against those past invaders, and it stands ready to do it again. Adequate restful sleep helps to restore our bodies and refresh our minds. During deep sleep, our bodies release potent immune-enhancing substances that strengthen immune function.

Everyone needs to work at resetting your body clock naturally.

On average, college students today are going to bed 1-2 hours later and sleeping 1-1.6 hours less than they did a generation ago. As a result, sleep complaints and depression have increased dramatically among college students and doctors have discovered that sleeping for nine or more hours a night is not necessarily beneficial, either.

About the Author
Another fine article by Chuck Arnone in regards to our day to day health and your immune system.

http://www.immune-system-healthy.com

&

http://www.provitaminliquid.com

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Apr 09 2009

How To Get Motivated and Stay Motivated

Category: Diet & Exercise, Home Remedies, Motivation, Self HelpDepression Rescue @ 2:17 AM

“Most people ask for happiness on condition. Happiness can only be felt if you don’t set any condition.” Artur Rubenstein

1) Practice patience, perseverance, and prayer. There’s a story of the person who prayed, “God, please give me patience, and hurry!” In this day and age of cell phones, fax machines and instant gratification, it’s easy to want what we want NOW. No one is willing to wait anymore. However, as we mature, we discover that it often takes patience, perseverance, and a lot of hard work to get the things we really want. Whether it’s a promotion at work, losing weight, or having a great relationship.

If you believe in God, pray for patience, persistence and guidance. God sees the big picture. We don’t. Often, looking back, we see that many of the things we just “had to have” weren’t really right for us anyway.

2) Learning how to overcome procrastination helps you get motivated and stay motivated. I believe deep down most people know what they’re supposed to do to improve their lives. But we procrastinate doing that activity. We just don’t want to do it. Whether it’s getting rid of the clutter in our home or office, cleaning up our eating habits or cleaning out the garage. Most of us know there’s something we need to do that we’ve been procrastinating. Yet, by procrastinating a task, we end up cluttering our minds further by thinking about what we should be doing.

Again, if you have certain spiritual beliefs, just ask for the courage to do it. Turn to God. This is not something I discuss in my speaking engagements as my audiences are diverse businesspeople from different backgrounds. But asking for strength works. By admitting your weakness you will often gain strength in overcoming procrastination. And getting help in many other areas of your life as well.

Stop trying to do it all yourself. Give yourself a break. Give up some of the control. Take it in baby steps. For example, clean up just half of the garage. Or, begin that exercise program just three days a week for 30 minutes a day. Too often we fall into the “all or nothing” mentality. If we can’t do it all at once, well, we simply don’t do it at all!

3) Practice positive thinking.Think about what you’re thinking about! I read on the internet that the number one thing people would like to change for the new year is to have a more positive attitude. Thoughts lead to words. Words lead to actions, and your actions determine your approach to your career, relationships, health and just about everything else. Positive thinking is something you often have to practice.

I am a worrier. And of all things, a motivational speaker! It’s my job to help people become more productive, improve morale and stay motivated. In many cases, it’s also my job to help them increase profitability. Worrying is a habit I’ve tried to consistently break. After all, worrying is negative thinking. Worry doesn’t solve anything. It doesn’t add a single day to your life. I make a conscious effort to think about what I’m thinking about. I shift my thinking to the positve whenever possible and it’s becoming more of a habit. Becoming more aware of your thoughts is half the battle.

4) Eat right in order to feel happier, healthier, and stay motivated. We all know what to eat but often need to be reminded. Too many junky foods produce junky negative thoughts. Start your morning with protein to stabilize your blood sugar. Increase your daily intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. Switch to organics whenever possible toavoid exposure to harmful pesticides. If you travel a lot this isn’t always easy. Do the best you can. Remember, moderation is the key. The minute you have that all or nothing approach, you set yourself up for disaster by beating yourself up for not being perfect.

See your doctor to find out what types of vitamins and minerals you should be taking. Studies show that even when we’re eating at our healthiest many of us are still missing vital nutrients. Drink more water. If you’re under a time crunch, and who isn’t these days, try eating raw nuts such as almonds or pumpkin seeds for protein and iron. Dried fruits such as apricots, raisins and cranberries contain vital nutrients and add lots of flavor. I do this all the time when I’m conducting day-long speaking engagements. It’s vital for me in keeping up my energy and blood sugar levels not to mention improved mental acuity. Find out what works for you because everyone is different.

How To Get Motivated and Stay Motivated…Choose To Be Happy In Spite of Your Circumstances

5) Make a decision that you will be happy in spite of your circumstances. Don’t wait until everything is going your way in order to be content. Otherwise you will spend much of your life discontented. Avoid the “when script.” For example, “When I get that promotion then I’ll be happy.” Or, “When I get pregnant and have children then I’ll be happy.” How many times have you heard people say, “Once the kids are grown and out of the house THEN I’ll be happy!”

There’s always that illusive “when script” projecting into the future. And just because you count on something positive to happen, doesn’t mean it always does. People aren’t perfect and can disappoint you. You can lose your job. Your money can disappear. Things won’t always go your way. It’s okay to plan ahead and set goals for where you want to be. Just make certain you’re also happy where you are now.

6) Don’t compare yourself to others. We tend to compare the worst in ourselves with the best in others. Don’t compare your insides to someone else’s outsides. This is especially true for women. In our society, we’re bombarded with magazines and media projecting an unrealistic standard of what we are supposed to look like. Many magazines feature ads with supermodels who are six feet tall. Even worse, the photos have been airbrushed and retouched dozens of times. Focus on developing your own unique gifts and talents. If you’re too focused on trying to be like other people, you will become discouraged, give up, and lose sight of your dream.

7) Rest, relax, and recharge completely. It’s one thing to get motivated, but to stay motivated you need downtime. If you’re sleepy on a weekend afternoon, take a nap. In our fast-paced American society, this is virtually impossible during the work week. America is one of the few countries in the world that doesn’t take an afternoon break. Lots of scientific research has shown that lack of sleep negatively affects mood, stress levels, mental acuity, weight, and overall performance. If you’re tired, you’re more likely to snap. You won’t be a pleasant person to be around.

8) Exercise plays an important role in getting and staying motivated. For example, many participants in my speaking engagements tell me that walking outdoors during a short lunch break is enough to reenergize them. Exercising outdoors is especially beneficial in helping reduce depression during the winter months.

While you’re exercising, and driving to and from work, listen to your favorite music. One of my favorite songs is “It’s On,” from Boney James “Pure” CD. Very upbeat music with lots of saxophone, and serves as a huge energy booster and mood lifter for me! I’ll often play it after finishing a project. It’s a small but very positive reward.

9) Get out of yourself. Be grateful for what you have. Do you have enough clothing, food, and a roof over your head? Probably so. Do volunteer work, or spend time listening to a friend or family member in need. By helping others you realize that whatever your “trauma of the day” happens to be, really isn’t so important after all.

Focus more on what you have, not on what you don’t have. Today, make a conscious decision to be happy in spite of your circumstances.

About the Author
Colleen Kettenhofen is a speaker, workplace expert, & co-author of “The Masters of Success,” as featured on the Today Show, along with Ken Blanchard and Jack Canfield. For free articles, e-newsletter, or to order the book visit http://www.ColleenSpeaks.com Topics: leadership, success, difficult people, public speaking. Colleen is available for keynotes, breakout sessions and seminars. (971)212-2412.

http://www.ColleenSpeaks.com

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Mar 29 2009

Top Depression Treating Techniques Unleashed!

Category: Diet & Exercise, Self Help, Treatments for DepressionEstelleB @ 1:17 AM

by Mr Christopher latter

The roller coaster economy, family concerns and daily life have many people searching for depression treating techniques that deliver real results. Today people find that the harder and faster they work the less satisfaction and happiness they find. It is now more common than ever before for many individuals to complain that they feel sad, tired, stressed out or just “down in the dumps”. These types of feelings affect our bodies as well as our minds and soon we feel so dejected that we begin to believe there is no use to try anymore. Luckily there are some quick techniques for you to use to help turn this kind of attitude and mood around. Depressions can be difficult to handle and the best time to take charge of your emotional and mental transformation is NOW.

Meditation

With our frantic lifestyles today it is little wonder that we are feeling stretched far beyond out breaking point. Too many of us are giving nurturing care and advice to others and not addressing our own needs. This is why one of the top depression treating techniques is Meditation. You do not have to take a formal class to learn how to meditate successfully. Just set aside 15 minutes or more once or twice a day to tune in to your own mind and spirit. Find a quiet, soothing space inside your home or outdoors where you can sit, close your eyes and center yourself. Do not allow your thoughts to drift to all of the outside cares and problems; just concentrate on the tranquility and peace of the moment. This quiet time of meditation will help you find the answers that you need for your daily life and it will also ground you and give you a feeling of rejuvenating energy.

Exercises

Healthy movements and stimulating exercises makes you healthier in the physical sense but it does much more for you emotionally and mentally. Exercises are a great depression treating tip. When you are active you have increased productions of chemicals called endorphins that are being released. Endorphins are better than any medication at making us feel happier and they are completely natural. Even a brisk walk around the block can help your body begin to create more endorphins. The amount of these chemicals will depend on the amount of exercises that you are doing, so you are in complete charge of the process. Imagine how wonderful it will feel to finish up your exercise session with more energy and happiness than when you started. Soon you will find that all of those feelings of depression have been replaced with feelings of enthusiasm and well being.

Sharing Our Feelings

Friends, professional counselors and family members provide many people with a safety net of emotional support. Being able to share our thoughts and feelings with others is another depression treating tactic that has good results. You can turn to religious leaders; community based counseling centers or even anonymous help on line or over the phone. Sometimes just voicing our innermost feelings helps target the reasons that have contributed to the feelings of depression. When we feel down and sad the common response is to avoid facing other people but this only increases our isolation. You will not be judged for your feelings and your loved ones will stand by you and help you get through this challenging, emotional time. If you do not feel as though you can speak the words aloud, write them down and hand the pages to a counselor or friend that you trust. Do not be afraid to speak anonymously with a crisis volunteer on the phone. All of these people are hear to help you and they will listen and understand. This may be your first step from the darkness of depression out into the sunshine of life.

Learn more about Depression Treating or follow the links to an archive of closely related articles to Depression Treating.

About the Author
Christopher Iatter… “I am the auther of this article, i am very interested in helping people with their depression, stress, and anxiety problems as members of my family have suffered severely with some of the symptoms asociated with these mental illnesses. I really hope i can help.”

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Aug 24 2008

Ease Depression by Eating Delicious, Satisfying Foods

Category: Diet & Exercise, Treatments for DepressionDepression Rescue @ 3:40 PM

By Lisa Fyfe

Can what we eat help our depression? I believe it can.

Did you know that during the time period of 1983-2008, outpatient treatment of depression increased by 300%? During that period of time, there was a push to get Americans to lower their fat intake in order to gain greater heart health. While we haven’t seen the great reduction in heart disease that we’ve hoped for, food producers have profited from this new market with lots of “healthy” foods like imitation eggs, low fat milk, and margarine instead of butter.

Now, I know that it’s counter-intuitive to believe that eating foods that are higher-fat diet might be good for you, but I just want you to entertain a few points on this issue:

1. Foods like butter and whole milk contain much more of vitamins A and D than found in the standard American diet. In fact, both of these vitamins are important to brain health, and vitamin D deficiency is linked to depression. Natural vitamin D is found in seafood, in foods like cod liver oil, and in eggs. All of these foods have become out of vogue in the last few decades, especially egg yolks, which contain most of the nutrients in the egg.

2. The brain and neurological system are very dependent on cholesterol. In fact, cholesterol is responsible for the production of serotonin, the “feel-good” chemical that balances our mood. This means that low cholesterol may lead to depression.

3. If we don’t eat fat, then what is there left to eat? Well, lots of grains, processed foods, and protein. Eating a diet high in “whole grains” (in fact, very few of the grains we eat are truly whole, and are in actuality, refined white flour with nutrients added) can cause a cycle of hypoglycemia – low blood sugar – which can cause the mood to shift from jittery, short bursts of energy, to very low, lethargic moods – a.k.a. “sugar crash.” Processed foods are hard to digest, and contain lots of additives and preservatives which are relatively new to our bodies and we don’t know the long term effects they may have on us. And, finally, while protein is crucial to the health of our bodies, a low-fat, high-protein diet depletes us of vitamin A, an extremely important nutrient for health of all tissues, including the brain.

So, what do I eat? Lots of delicious leafy green and seasonal vegetables, some brown rice and some natural true whole-grain breads. I also eat meats that haven’t been treated with hormones or pesticides and have come from animals eating their natural diets – pasture, or grass, mostly. I also eat fish from the cold waters of the Arctic like wild salmon, free range eggs, whole milk from grass-fed cows, and real butter. This keeps me satisfied, and all the nutrients and fats I’m eating, I’ve found, help to keep my mood balanced.

The best part is that I’ve regained my love for food. I no longer have the cravings I used to have when eating low-fat, and, surprisingly, I haven’t paid for all this indulgence with extra weight, either.

Did I mention that I’ve regained my love for food?

Lisa Fyfe, M.S., is a former high school English teacher turned stay-at-home-mom. Her interests include natural health, nutrition, and parenting as a path to spiritual growth. She is a Reiki Master, essential oil healer, and also runs a website that documents her natural recovery from depression, at http://www.holistic-treatment-for-depression.com

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