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5 Reasons You Could Be Struggling With Brain Fog

1/20/2021

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Not feeling your brainy best? Chances are there’s a reason for feeling scattered, confused and foggy.
And if there’s a reason, that means there's a solution.



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Poor Diet

Eating a diet filled with highly processed foods, aka junk foods, will leave you feeling foggy. There isn’t much, if any, nutrition left in these foods after they’ve been stripped of their natural state taking this and that out and adding in more chemicals than we can count to come up with something that will stay on the shelf indefinitely.
You know if you’ve ever gotten bad gas in your car how it makes your car sputter, cut out and just run poorly. Well, think of highly processed foods as bad fuel for your body.
Get more fresh whole foods into your diet to combat brain fog. Eat organic as often as possible and fill your body with the goodness that comes from real food.

Sedentary Lifestyle

Leading a life without much movement can be a cause of brain fog because your brain isn’t getting what it needs to be sharp and alert. 
Your brain needs oxygen and vital nutrients which is carried to it through the blood stream. If you don’t get your blood pumping to increase blood flow through exercise your brain is lacking the very things it needs to do its job properly. Exercise improves brain function, so get off the chair. Even a quick 10-minute walk will go a long way towards improving your brain power.

Toxic Buildup

Our bodies can get polluted from chemicals in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the foods we eat. If you don’t eat healthy and get some exercise, these toxins can build up, causing your body – and your brain – to function at sub-optimal levels.
Detoxifying can be an unpleasant experience the first time because we’re stirring up all the crud that has built up over our lifetime. The more often you do this the easier it becomes and you will feel the effects of having a cleaner body and a clearer mind.
 
Stress

If you’re under a lot of stress on a regular basis this can lead to physical and mental problems. Stress elevates a hormone in your body called cortisol that causes inflammation in your brain and body. Chronic inflammation can cause a host of issues including fatigue, damaged brain cells, depression, weight gain and glucose imbalance.
You need to have an outlet for your stress. Adding an exercise regimen will help you to not only feel better by releasing endorphins in your brain which cause you to feel good. You can also choose to pamper yourself by taking a hot bath maybe add some essential oils, getting a massage, meditating, or trying qigong. Whatever changes your focus and relaxes you.

Dehydration
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If you don’t consume enough water you may suffer from dehydration. The brain needs adequate water to function properly. 
You should consume at minimum a half gallon of water per day. An easy way to incorporate more water into your day is to drink a full glass upon rising and another before each meal. Maybe just keep a glass of water near you to be sipping at all day instead of that energy drink, pop, or coffee.
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If you find yourself feeling foggy on a regular basis, chances are good you’re suffering from one or all of these issues. Get some exercise, eat better, drink lots of water and release your stress, and you’ll feel sharper in no time. 

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Reaping the Benefits of a Gratitude Journal

1/13/2021

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It might seem like wishful thinking that writing in a journal could be so beneficial. But the scientific evidence is in, and gratitude journals do benefit you in big ways if you keep one for the long term and use it daily. 

If you want to be happier, get more done, and experience real joy, a gratitude journal can be the way to achieve it. The guiding thing to remember is that your thoughts cause your feelings, and you are the one in control of the actions you take once you accept your feelings. Accepting that you do have control is half the battle, and your journal will make it clear that you do.



Experience Stronger and More Fulfilling Relationships

It’s so simple, but it can be hard to accept. You are the one who makes yourself happy with your own choices. Another person cannot make you happy or grateful. Only you can do that. But something amazing happens when you express gratitude often – your relationships simply open up and become better. Those that don’t, you start to recognize for what they are and let them go.

Become Physically Healthier 

Being grateful for the ability to move and breathe will eventually cross over into wanting to ensure that you can always do that. Therefore, you’ll be more motivated to go on walks, eat right, stay hydrated, and live in gratitude for every aspect of your life.

Increase Your Mental Dexterity 

The ability to take lemons and turn them into that sweet, delightful state drink of Arizona can be gained by keeping a gratitude journal. The main reason is that you will learn on even a bad day to pick out the good in it. That requires a good imagination and creativity and thinking on your feet. 

Feel Less Aggression in Your Life

It’s hard to feel aggressive if you are happy and grateful. It’s okay to be angry about injustices in the world without being aggressive. But if you feel angry a lot due to your life, it’s really due to not finding the things to be grateful about. There is almost always something for most people. 

Act and Become More Empathetic 

As you write more and learn to forgive yourself as you seek to fill your mind with thoughts of gratitude, you will start seeing others differently. You’ll have more ability to put yourself in their shoes and see things from their way without judgment. It happens when you learn to forgive yourself.

Get More Restful Sleep 

If you’re not anxious but go to sleep each night feeling thankful for everything you’ve experienced (or at least most of it), it’s easier to sleep because you have less anxiety. 

Get More Done Every Day

Due to feeling more rested, less stressed, and more grateful, you’ll have a lot more energy to get things done every day. That’s always going to make you feel even more thankful because good things happen due to productivity.

Feel Better about Yourself 

You can’t help but feel better about yourself when you have improved so many good qualities about yourself. Your self-esteem will go up when you express gratitude for what your mind and body can do for you.




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10 Natural Ways To Help Back Pain

1/6/2021

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Back pain is one of the main reasons people see their local doctor, and it has many potential causes. Despite the varying causes, there are many natural remedies that will reduce the pain and discomfort associated with back pain. 










1. Valerian capsules
The active ingredient in valerian has a soothing and sedating effect on the brain. Whilst this can help you to sleep in a natural way, it can also help soothe the pain of back ache. Not something to be used every day because of the sedating effects, but certainly worth using when the pain is particularly bad. 

2. Devil’s Claw
Devil’s Claw has been studied fairly extensively recently, and has now been shown to be an effective remedy for conditions such as knee pain, osteoarthritis, gout and lower back pain. Whilst it may not provide immediate pain relief in the way traditional painkillers do, if used consistently, it can relieve chronic back pain and have preventative effects. 

3. Ginger
Ginger has so many benefits for different health conditions, and back pain is no different. Ginger has been proven to have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help with any swelling in the back that causes pain. Ginger can either be applied topically to the area in need, or can be taken on a more preventative basis as a supplement. 

4. Massage
Massages have many beneficial properties, and can relax even the most stressed of people. Aside from the relaxation benefits, massages can also help relieve chronic back pain. There are particular points in the back, which sometimes vary by person, that when pressure is applied, can release tension. This release of tension that has built up can have instant positive effects on pain. 

5. Evening Primrose Oil
Another essential oil, evening primrose oil contains pain-relieving compounds such as phenylalanine and has been used to treat conditions such as headaches and back pain. On a wider basis, it has been shown to be effective in acne, weight control, PMS and some mental health conditions. As with other remedies, evening primrose oil contains anti-inflammatory properties and can be applied topically, or taken as a supplement. It has been shown to be particularly effective in back pain caused by arthritis. 

6. Ice and later heat
Ice is a brilliant pain reliever and works in different ways. Firstly, ice blocks the pain receptors, which reduces the pain messages sent to the brain. Furthermore, ice helps to reduce inflammation and swelling when applied to specific areas of the back. Once the initial period of swelling and inflammation has subsided, heat will increase the blood flow to the affected area, thus reducing pain.

7. Cayenne
One of the main ingredients in cayenne pepper helps to manage the pain receptors and messages to the brain. It is the same ingredient that causes peppers to be hot that enables cayenne to alter the pain messages in the brain. Cayenne is recommended for long-term pain management, not as an immediate pain reliever.

8. Acupuncture
The Chinese have used acupuncture to treat a range of conditions, and continue to do so due to its enduring success. By placing thin needles in certain parts of the back, the correct flow of energy is restored to the body. It has been theorized that one possible explanation for acupuncture being so successful is that is stimulates the opioid receptors in the brain, which reduce the pain signals sent out. 

9. Yoga
there are many types of yoga and even more workouts that will help stretch a sore back and reduce current pain, and prevent future back pain. There are a range of simple stretches that can be done from the comfort of your own home, which will strengthen the muscles in your back. This leads to less chance of injuring them and less chance of recurring pain.
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10. Improve your posture
Improved posture can both relieve current back pain, and prevent it from reoccurring. In short, there are right and wrong ways to stand, sit, and bend that ensures minimal damage to the back. One of the quickest and simplest way of improving your posture in an instant is to imagine a straight line going through your body and align your posture to this. This will ensure there is no slouching or leaning over and therefore no subsequent pain.

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​ Journaling For Mental Health

12/30/2020

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Keeping any type of journal will help with improving any mental health issues. However, if you really want to tackle a specific problem you’re having, it will help to determine the right type of journal to keep. Keeping a particular kind of journal may work best for your issue. 

One thing that can really help you make your journaling work is to instill some journaling rules. Journal every day, make it a habit.  Keep it private unless you decide to let your therapist see it or you decide to use it to help others. Journaling is for you.

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Journaling can...

* Boost Your Mood – If you really want to boost your mood, keeping a gratitude journal is where it’s at. All you have to do is once a day, preferably before bed, write down what you’re grateful for today. It might not seem like much but it’s very powerful for going to sleep, thinking positively about your life.

* Increase Your Sense of Well-Being – As you write out your thoughts, you’ll start seeing issues from a new angle just because you’re opening your mind to think about it. This is going to make you feel more capable of dealing with whatever happens.

* Lessen Symptoms of Depression – Understand that depression is something different from sadness, might require a mood journal. Writing it all down can make it seem less horrific so that you can feel better. Plus, you can look back at days you thought life was "over" and see better days after. 

* Reduce Anxiety – The problem with anxiety is that it was designed to help us get away from immediate danger. It triggers the "fight or flight" response. If each time you have that anxious feeling you choose to write in your journal how you are feeling and why, you’ll start to control it better.

* Lower Avoidance Behaviors – Many people who have mental health issues practice avoidance behaviors such as not going to places that cause them anxiety, or not doing the things they need to  due to how they feel. When you write it out, it helps you get the feelings out and go anyway. 

* You’ll Sleep Better – Pouring your heart out into a journal is a great way to get things off your chest. However, for sleep, go to the gratitude journal and write down what you’re thankful for today and go to sleep thinking of that.

* Make You a Kinder Person – Exploring your own emotional state and accepting your own feelings while you work through what makes you who you are in your journal is going to make you naturally more empathetic to others too. Letting go of judgment for self improves your thoughts for others also.

* Improve Your Memory – This is almost a situation where you want to say "duh" but it has to be said. Writing down things helps you remember them because you can go back and read it, but also because the act of writing something down enables you to recall it.




Journaling to Help with Stress

It’s surprising that writing can accomplish so much, but if you go into journaling with the right attitude and a goal in mind, you can achieve a lot. The important thing is that you need to be honest with yourself so that you can find out the true causes of your stress. In this way, the actions you take to overcome it are really effective. 

Stress affects almost everyone at some time in their lives. Here are a few ways to journal to combat your stress. 

Write Daily for 5 to 15 Minutes

The thing about journaling that is important is you need to do it daily long term for it to really work. It takes a lot of writing and insight to figure out why you’re dealing with stress and how to overcome it. 

Write about Your Worries

Go straight to the problem and write about your worries. Describe them from every single angle you can come up with. The more descriptive, the better. Go back to the first time you felt this feeling regarding this topic so that you can get to the bottom of it.

Describe What’s Happening Now

Put out of your mind what you did, what someone else did, or what can be done - right now write about precisely what is happening right now and where you stand with the issue causing your stress. If it's generalized stress, try to make a list of things that might be contributing. 

Document the Worst That Can Happen

As you look at the situation, one thing that often causes stress is the unknown, or the "worst thing" that you think can happen. Describe this worst thing but make it realistic. 

Document the Best That Can Happen

Let’s get serious by thinking about and writing about the very best (realistic) outcome of the situation you’re stressing about. Include potential steps and tactics to achieve this best-case scenario so that you can see it to fruition if you so choose. 

Document What Is Really Happening

As you are writing, be very careful to be realistic and honest above all else. Other than when you imagine the best and worst, ensure that you are also documenting the reality of what is happening to you right now. That way, you can narrow down identifying the stress-inducing situation.

Write a Counter-Argument to Yourself 

A really good way to overcome some stress about a situation is to argue with yourself. First, tell your story as a letter to yourself about what is happening. Then write a letter back to yourself in answer, arguing all the negativity and turning it into positivity. If your best friend wrote that, what would you say back?















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​Improve Your Physical Health by Being Optimistic

12/23/2020

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Being optimistic, of course, has mindset benefits, but did you know there are physical health benefits to being more optimistic? When you think of being optimistic, do you believe that some people are naturally born with it? The good news is that while, yes, some were born with a naturally cheery disposition, others can learn how to be optimistic. Even better news is being optimistic can improve your overall physical health.  There are several benefits to leading a life of optimism. Research shows those with more optimism bounce back more quickly when getting sick, are more resilient in life in general, sleep better and even live longer. 
 
The Benefits of Optimism on Your Physical Health
 
With a framework of a belief system of “I think I can, and I know I will,” your wellness choices will transform before your eyes. With hard work and, more importantly, a committed dedication to achieving your health goals along with an optimistic attitude you can see those goals come to fruition.
 
In the story of “The Little Engine that Could,” the Little Engine (a small, blue engine) takes on the task of pulling a larger train which has broken down, up and over a mountain. With diligence and much effort, the Little Engine tries to pull the larger engine over the mountain. However, without the benefit of an optimistic mindset (“I think I can, I think I can”), the Little Engine might not have succeeded.
 
Once you develop an optimistic mindset and apply it to routines, the benefits include:


  • More enjoyable exercise
  • An increased capacity for a sustained commitment to your health routine
  • The learned skill of creating momentum and reaching your goals
  • An enhanced self-confidence helps you succeed in other areas of your life
  • Reaching goals with more ease by thinking optimistically
  • A willingness to take on other challenges in life
  • Experiencing satisfying results of optimistic thinking and affirming your success
  • A healthier mind and body
  • Improved sleep
  • Building of self-esteem
 
Focusing on how hard things are or how much you dislike doing something keeps your mind focused on what does not work. This will only make you think, feel, and take action steps in the opposite direction of having optimal physical, emotional, and mental health. Optimistically focusing on the thought process of “I think I can, and I know I will,” keeps your mindset in a forward-moving, goal-setting pace where those goals are more achievable.
 
The Mind, Body Connection of Optimism
 
Think about the mind, body connection. Have you ever been disappointed? What does that feel like? It probably feels like a sinking in the pit of your stomach and your shoulders begin to sag. Your emotions, thoughts, and feelings are all stored in your body somewhere. Nervousness can show up as butterflies or an upset stomach. Anxiety can show up as sweaty palms and trembling, while embarrassment shows up with a red flush to your cheeks.
 
If you want a healthier body and a better mental outlook try taking on learned optimism. If you think you can and know you will, your body and mind will begin to show the results. With more effort and less time, you may begin to see better results. Your mind and body will thank you. 

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​Improve Life with Hope, Optimism, and Positive Thinking

12/16/2020

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Sustaining a healthy, happy lifestyle can seem like a juggling act at times. Maintaining a life balance is an art in and of itself. With the power of hope, optimism, and positive thinking, you can keep your balance and do so with ease. Hope, optimism, and positive thinking all sound the same, but there are some differences; however, each of these mindset characteristics have their own built-in benefits. 
While we may not always control our circumstances, we can control our mindset with the possibilities inside of the power of hope, optimism, and positive thinking. That is one choice which is always ours. 
 
The Power of Hope & Why it Matters
 
Let’s look at the meaning of hope. For some, it’s simply “wishful thinking.” For others, there is more power behind being hopeful. We may go through life with an expectation of how it “should” look, yet life delivers us something different.
 
We make plans and then something gets in the way of those plans: the actions of others, circumstances beyond our control like a job loss or divorce. One of the hardest the hardest things to accept is that we are not always in control. However, the beauty of hope lies within what we can control – our reaction.
 
When we take on being hopeful, we take back our power. The art of being hopeful allows us to understand that, while we cannot control the circumstance in this moment, we can take on a hopeful attitude for something better in the future. When we are hopeful, our actions emanate from that positive belief. Being hopeful puts us in the driver’s seat and we can head in a different direction.
 
The Power of Optimism & Why It Matters
 
While being hopeful is essential in maintaining our equilibrium when life throws us a curve, being optimistic is different. The power of optimism is key to sustaining a healthy balance in all areas of life such as relationships, career, and health. What is optimism? The best way to describe optimism is having a positive expectation, a certainty, that all things will work out in your life with the most optimal result.
 
The more optimistic you are, the more you expect to get positive results. When you maintain an optimistic outlook, your brain attempts to produce results that are in alignment with your mindset. Your actions stem from your beliefs; if you believe things will work out for the best, your thoughts, feelings, and, actions reflect that belief.
 
The Power of Positive Thinking & Why it Matters
 
While hope is an intentional mindset for future goals, wishes, and desires and optimism is a way of living life from a habit of being certain of positive outcomes, positive thinking is more of a conscious lifestyle. Some would say positive thinking is a pre-cursor to living with an automatic way of being optimistic in life.
 
Positive thinking is a way of looking at a situation and finding the silver lining. For example, if someone loses their job, they can view it as an ending of something or a beginning of something. The possibility exists of finding an even better job or starting their own company. Reframing something negative with the power of positive thinking and seeing the potential gives you the power to see the possibilities inside of that experience.
 


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​10 Natural Ways to Heal Headaches

12/9/2020

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Headaches are unfortunately a common part of many peoples’ lives. They can vary from a minor annoyance, to full-blown migraines which can be debilitating. 
While is it tempting to reach for over the counter medicines when a headache begins, there are other more natural ways that can ease a headache.
 
Ten of the most popular and widely used options are listed below...


1. Peppermint
Peppermint comes in many forms including oils and tea so everyone can find it useful in some way. Peppermint oil contains anti-inflammatory and anaesthetic properties, which have a number of benefits, including relieving headaches. Peppermint oil is highly concentrated but can still be used in small doses; one possible use is to moisten a washcloth in cool water place a few drops of peppermint oil on and place it directly on the forehead.

2. Lavender Oil
Lavender has been shown to help with a range of health issues, including sleep and headaches. Like with peppermint, the oil is highly concentrated but can still be used on a regular basis. Possible uses for lavender oil in treating headaches include: putting several drops into a hot bath or steamer, placing a few drops on a pillow at night, and using lavender shampoo.

3. Changes to diet
Modern day diets are full of ingredients that our ancestors would never have imagined. It is perhaps no surprise that some headaches can be attributed to our diet and specific foods we consume. By changing our diet to include better choices, we can reduce the incidences of headaches. While this may not bring immediate relief when a headache strikes, there will be longer-term benefits. 

4. Flaxseed
Flaxseed has many health benefits, and relieving headaches is just one of them. Flaxseed contains key ingredients such as Omega 3, which is beneficial in many ways. Flaxseed is relatively easy to introduce to any diet as it can be used in cereals, salads, or desserts. 

5. Almonds
Almonds contain the painkiller salicin, which has been proven to help with headaches, particularly the tension type ones. These can easily be eaten on their own as a snack so are a practical remedy that can be used at any time of day or place.

6. Cayenne
Cayenne pepper has been shown to be beneficial in many ways, particularly regarding headaches and migraines. It contains an active ingredient, capsaicin, which is a natural pain reliever. In this case, hotter really is better.

7. Yoga
Yoga in general is helpful in healing a headache, but there are some positions that are much better than others are. Not only does yoga force you to stop being busy and take a few moments to relax, but the stretches and breathing exercises have many physical benefits. For example, lying against a wall with your legs up against it can stretch the muscles in the neck, which are often the cause of tension headaches.

8. Avoid caffeine and chocolate
Along with alcohol, coffee and chocolate have repeatedly been shown to be headache causing. Caffeine reduces tiredness and increases alertness and muscle coordination. Some other food and drinks, such as energy drinks, also contain high levels of caffeine. However, some people find caffeine can be a treatment for headaches and migraines. You therefore need to be careful in assessing how caffeine affects you and avoid it if you think it might be causing headaches.

9. Drink more water
Many headaches are caused by dehydration and drinking water can relieve this dehydration, and consequently reduce the headache. Some drinks are not refreshing and do not help with rehydrating the body, so pick the drink carefully. Water is guaranteed to rehydrate the body and will heal any headache that is caused by dehydration. 

10. Apples & Apple Cider Vinegar
Apples and apple cider vinegar have a long history of being used in medicine and traditional healing. Apples and cider vinegar in particular, are well known for improving the body’s acid and alkaline balance. It can be taken in many ways, but simply a spoonful in water is sufficient.

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​10 Natural Ways To Help With Sore Muscles

12/2/2020

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There are numerous causes of muscle pain, including sports injury, accidents, exercise, and general wear and tear. Sometimes fatigue and over work or certain types of jobs cause muscle pain, and for some it can be quite severe.
Irrelevant of the cause, muscle pain can be hard to manage, inconvenient and annoying.
While it is tempting to go to the pharmacy or doctor and take painkillers, they just treat the pain. Instead, there are a number of natural ways to heal sore muscles and reduce the pain they can cause.




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1.  Epsom Salt
A few teaspoons of Epsom salt in a warm bath can do wonders for any aching or sore muscles. Epsom salts contain high levels of magnesium sulphate, which is a natural muscle relaxant. Epsom salt works by removing fluid from muscles, and therefore reducing any inflammation and swelling of the muscle. 

2. Essential oils
Certain oils have been recommended for many years as a remedy for all sorts of health issues. For muscle soreness and cramps, lemongrass and peppermint are amongst the favourite. Camomile has many beneficial properties and can help induce rest as well as reduce soreness in muscles. 

3. Omega 3
Omega 3 is regularly proven to be highly beneficial in many ways, and treating sore muscles is just one. Increased levels of omega 3 can reduce inflammation in muscles, and reduce any associated soreness. It also improves circulation in the body, which will help prevent sore muscles in the first place. Either way, omega 3 is essential for a healthy body in many ways. 

4. Heat
Whether it’s a warm shower or bath, a heat pack or hot water bottle, applying heat to sore muscles can help them relax naturally. The heat causes muscles to relax by themselves, therefore reducing the pain associated with tense muscles. 

5. Ice packs
If your muscles are sore from bruising or inflammation, an ice pack or cold bath will be much more effective than heat. Ice packs reduce any swelling or bruising when applied directly to the sore area, and therefore can reduce the associated pain. 

6. Coffee
Research has shown that drinking coffee before a workout can help to prevent sore muscles and the associated pain. The caffeine will also help increase endurance levels and the productivity of your workout. 

7. Magnesium
Magnesium is critical for proper functioning of the body, and muscles are no exception. Low levels of magnesium in the body can cause general aches and pains in the muscles anyway. Add to this general wear and tear, exercise or injury and your muscles are going to hurt. Magnesium levels can be increased either by eating more food that has high levels naturally, such as spinach and seeds, or you can take a supplement.

8. Foam rollers
While more exercise may be the last thing you feel like doing when your muscles are sore, gently using a foam roller can ease the muscle soreness. These rollers work by increasing blood flow to the muscles through pressure applied directly to the problem area. They are a significantly cheaper option than a physiotherapist or medication, and you can control which areas you focus on.

9. Cherry juice
Cherry juice has recently been shown to contain high levels of antioxidants, which contributes to reduced muscle soreness. Research has shown that drinking cherry juice before and during any exercise can reduce post-workout pain and soreness both immediately afterwards, and for a longer duration.

10. Swimming
Swimming is a gentle, low impact exercise that has many benefits. Not only is it a good exercise, swimming is an effective form of physiotherapy that can treat sore muscles. If possible, stick to an indoor pool and one with relatively warm water – this will prevent any further strain on your muscles.



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The Healing And Medicinal Properties Of Rosemary

11/25/2020

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Botanically, rosemary is known as Rosmarinus officinalis and has aromatic leaves as well as evergreen needles. Rosemary is a woody, perennial herb that may have flowers that are white, pink, blue, or purple and is native to the Mediterranean region.
The leaves of the rosemary plant are commonly used in cooking for flavoring in foods such as roast, lamb, pork, turkey, chicken, or salads.
However, rosemary is not only good for use in foods in fact, essential Rosemary oil has many uses in healing.
There are also many health benefits to rosemary including its ability to:

boost memory
improve mood
relieve pain
reduce inflammation
stimulate circulation

Immune System – Rosemary contains active components that are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic in nature. This allows there to be a three-prong attack against many different pathogens and diseases that can threaten the immune system.

Improve Circulation – Rosemary boosts the production of red blood cells and blood flow, which allows it to act as a natural stimulant for the body. This aids in the oxygenation of vital organ systems and areas of the body.

Memory Booster – One of the earliest documented uses of rosemary was as a cognitive stimulant. While many of the claims regarding rosemary and the memory are still being researched, it was said that Rosemary was able to improve memory and increase both focus and intelligence. 

Antibacterial Properties – Rosemary is a powerful digestive aid that can help prevent the growth of H. Pylori bacteria that is the pathogen that leads to stomach ulcers; Rosemary has also been linked to the prevention of staph infections. 

Anti-inflammatory Qualities – Carnosol and Carnosic are two compounds that have been found in rosemary. Both Carnosol and Carnosic are known to be powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds that have linked to reducing inflammation in muscles, joints, and blood vessels. This information tells us that rosemary is an effective treatment for many things including blood pressure, arthritis, and gout. 

Detoxing Properties – Rosemary has been shown to be diuretic in nature. This means that it can help to flush out toxins from the body. Since it increases the rate at which water leaves the body it can help flush toxins. Rosemary has also been linked to lower levels of cirrhosis and a faster healing time of the liver, which is one of the slowest healing organs.

Freshens Breath – Since rosemary is a natural antibacterial agent, it works great as a breath freshener that can also improve your oral health. You can steep rosemary in a glass of hot water and then use the water the same way you would mouthwash. 

Mood And Stress – When Rosemary essential oil is used in aromatherapy, it can help lift your mood, alleviate stress, and clear the mind. It can be especially useful for those dealing with chronic anxiety or stress. There have also been some similar effects found when Rosemary is consumed or applied topically. 

Pain Relief – Rosemary has been used as a paste or salve and applied topically for hundreds of years to treat areas of pain. Rosemary can also be consumed to treat the pain that is caused by headaches. One of the most common uses for rosemary is in the treatment of migraines. To treat migraines, rosemary can be taking orally, applied topically to the temples, or even by smelling the aroma.

Skin Care – Rosemary is well known as having anti-aging properties, and that makes it a common choice for being applied topically to the skin to improve the youthful quality of the skin as well as heal blemishes and increase the natural shine of the skin. 

Stomach Soothing – Rosemary has been traditionally used by many cultures as a natural remedy for upset stomachs, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and everything in between. Adding rosemary to your weekly diet can help you regulate your bowels and your entire gastrointestinal system.
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Precautions and Usage
Be aware that unlike the culinary herb, the essential oil of Rosemary is not intended to be consumed.
If you are looking for something natural to add into your life that can bring many anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-carcinogenic benefits, rosemary is likely the right choice for you.

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Health Benefits of Eucalyptus Essential Oil

11/18/2020

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The leaves of the eucalyptus tree, when dried, offer an oil that comes with an expansive catalog of health benefits. Used to make medicines, lotions, perfumes, cosmetics, a number of other products, eucalyptus essential oil is one of the most useful plants in the world.
Whether you’re struggling with an ailment, looking to boost your hair’s moisture and shine, attempting to soften your skin, cooking, or creating your own products, eucalyptus oil can help you out in some way or another. However, we’ve only just scratched the surface of how helpful this essential oil truly is.

What is Eucalyptus Essential Oil Used For?

The eucalyptus leaf is used for a number of health problems first and foremost. A common ingredient in natural medicines, the uses of this plant span the full gamut. The following are just a few of the illnesses, ailments, and health problems this essential oil is used to treat, soothe, and improve:
  • Infections: An anti-inflammatory, eucalyptus can work wonders when it comes to nasty infections. It is also an analgesic (pain killer), an antibacterial, and it is anti-infectious, meaning it has all the makings of an effective medication for different types of infections that may plague the body. Of course, eucalyptus oil shouldn't be ingested or applied to the skin in its absolute form. It should be diluted until safe. Most medications will do this for you, however.
 
  • Upset Stomach: As a pain killer, diluted eucalyptus oil can assuage upset and sour stomachs, as well as relieve any pain they may cause.
 
  • Coughs: Eucalyptus oil has been known to help loosen tight coughs and clear out phlegm following a cold. As an antiviral, it works well against colds and flus.
 
  • Respiratory Tract Infections and Problems: The leaf and oil are also used to treat respiratory tract infections, asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis, and whooping cough. It can also be used as a preventative measure to maintain sinus health.
 
  • Acne: A natural astringent, eucalyptus oil is also used to treat acne and oil skin.
 
  • Burns: The clean, cooling effect of eucalyptus oil helps to soothe pain from burns and encourage healing of wounds.
 
  • Soreness and Inflammation: For sore muscles, joint pain, and arthritis, eucalyptus oil is a lifesaver. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties help it soothe and reduce pain. When added to a bath, it can soothe sore muscles and melt away stress, stiffness, and tenderness.

  • Fever: The pain killing properties in eucalyptus oil also work well with fevers and the symptoms they bring. Body aches, headache, weakness and tenderness can be reduced and improved with the help of this essential oil.

How to Use Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Eucalyptus essential oil can be applied a number of ways. Depending upon what you’re using it for, how you use it could be different.
  • In the Bath: One of the main ways it is used is in the bath as a shower gel or soap. This means that the oil is already well diluted and ready for direct use. However, you can dilute the pure oil yourself using sweet almond oil or something similar, and add 10 to 14 drops directly to your warm bath.

  • Diffuser: An aromatherapy diffuser fills the air in a room with eucalyptus and is a wonderful way to gain its therapeutic value. Diffusers can be use in living rooms, bathrooms, bedrooms and even on your office desk.
 
  • Massage: Eucalyptus essential oil is also commonly used as a massage oil. It is great for sore muscles and relieving stress and can even help improve blood circulation to the brain, giving you the ability to think clearly and calmly.

  • Incense/Candle: Diffusing eucalyptus oil in an office, classroom, or in the home is a good way to improve the blood brain connection and encourage a clear thought processes.                               

Caution: Side Effects and Possible Poisoning
Eucalyptus oil should never be taken orally or applied directly to skin unless safely diluted. If, however, it has been ingested without being properly diluted, the following problems can occur:
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Upset Stomach
Eucalyptus poisoning presents itself a little differently. Watch out for these symptoms:
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Small pupils
  • Dizziness

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​Happiness Is More Than Thinking Positive Thoughts

11/11/2020

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While the dictionary defines happiness as “the state of being happy” which gives you very little information about the idea or feeling of, or state of happiness. Let’s look at some different things that happiness can be, but realize that in truth, happiness is in the mind of the beholder.



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  • Your Needs are Met – When a person is happy, they usually don’t even have any needs that aren’t being met to the level they want them to be met. It doesn’t mean that someone is not having a hard time it’s all about how you make what you have fill your needs.
 
  • You Feel Satisfied – When you are happy you tend to feel simply satisfied with your life. You think about your life and feel good about it. You feel very satisfied when you look around your life and see all the fortune you have whether it’s where you live, who you live with, or just about yourself doesn’t even matter.
 
  • You Feel Content – A happy person tends to feel really content about the things in their life. They feel content about their job, their home, their things, their health – nothing is nagging at their mind about anything causing stress. But remember happy people do have stress, they’re just better at feeling content even when things aren’t perfect.
 
  • You Are at Peace – A happy person often feels a lot of peace surrounding their life and family. They tend to know that everything will turn out okay and are good at turning negativity around to positivity.
 
  • Your Definition – The truth is, happiness is how you define it personally for you. It’s not about getting tons of stuff unless you want that. It’s not about finding a spouse unless you want that. It’s not about having kids unless you want that. It’s all up to you and how you define happiness.
 
  • It’s a Journey – Happiness is not a destination that you get to one day and stay at. It’s a lifelong journey that will have many ups and downs and struggles. However, overall the ups and downs of life, you manage to feel good about it. 
 
  • It’s How You Act – When you are happy you tend to act in more positive ways over all. When happy, you eat better, you move more, you think differently. You have it in your power to be happy where you are in your life right now.
 
Happiness is more than thinking positive thoughts. Happiness is having your needs met, but it’s not about having everything, or even the best, it’s about being satisfied with what you have while also being able to work for the things you want. While you do have to do more than think positively to really and truly feel happy, it can start with your thoughts. However, it will manifest with your attitude and actions.

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DEALING WITH FRUSTRATION

11/4/2020

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Completely avoiding frustrations is not easy because you can never tell what the day brings. Hence, the only way you can prevent such uncertainties from ruining your day is by being prepared to handle them when they come. If you know how to react when something upsetting happens, it will up the chances of riding the waves with calm.


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A few ways of dealing with frustrations

Expect them to come.
The only way you can start dealing with day to day frustrations is by expecting them to come and accepting that they are inevitable to occur. There is no way of completing tasks without experiencing something that will have you doubting whether what you are doing is right or not. Instead of entertaining frustration, prepare yourself for unexpected events and unpleasant feelings before they come and know how you are going to react.

Minimize triggers.
Some of the things that are causing you to feel the way you feel may have nothing to do with what you are doing. The kind of people you spend your time with, negative comments, or the people you work with may leave you questioning your abilities and feeling irritated about what you do. The best way of handling such negativities is by minimizing them. Avoid people that you can avoid and minimize the time you spend with people you cannot completely write-off.

Shift your focus.
Whenever you start feeling angry or frustrated try shifting your focus. Stop thinking about your source of frustration and concentrate on something else. You could stop working on a certain task if it is the cause and continue with something else that you particularly enjoy. If your partner is the cause, avoid being in the same room with them until you can calmly talk about what you are upset about.

Manage your anger.
As difficult as this may be to hear, most of your frustrations spring from the fact that you are failing to control your anger. If you easily get offended, dealing with frustrations becomes a bit more difficult. Ergo, you have to start managing your anger to avoid anything unpleasant and unplanned for getting the best of you.

Act on what you want to achieve.
Failing to achieve your goals as well as failing to live the life you want is one of the main things that have the power to leave you with hostile feelings. For example, feelings of inadequacy which often lead to rage. You can get rid of the anger that comes with failing to accomplish your goals by acting on what you want to achieve and refusing to give up even when the odds are stacked against you.

Find better ways of doing what you are doing.
​​Overcome daily irritations and annoyances springing up from various activities you engage in by finding better ways of carrying out those activities. Thomas A. Edison one of the world’s greatest inventors once said: “There is a way to do it better, find it.” It still holds today, find better ways of doing what you are doing and begin experiencing more calm.

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Is It Stinkin' Thinkin'?

10/28/2020

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Most people go through times when they have trouble getting their thoughts to align with their intentions.

When that happens, it can hinder your growth, your health and your happiness. It can get in the way because these types of thoughts are focusing on what’s wrong, what’s missing, or the negativity of the situation instead of the positives.
 


  • I Don’t Like People – Many people, especially introverts, tend to focus their decisions on how many people will be around. Try turning that thought around to doing events, but focusing on how you can give yourself care during anxious moments around the people. It’s okay to be who you are.
 
  • I Am Too ____ -- Anytime you start a thought with, I am “too” anything you get into trouble. People often worry about things that no one else ever thinks about, although sometimes one might worry about things that other people do think about. For example, if you find yourself saying you’re too fat, too dumb, too something -- to accomplish a goal that you have, you need to adjust that to setting up real steps that will help you to accomplish that goal.
 
  • I’ll Do That When I ______ -- You’ve probably said it before to yourself. “I’ll do that when I go back to school.” “I’ll do that when I clean the house.” “I’ll do that when I lose weight.” You know the drill. Unless you need to do the thing in the blank, don’t allow that to get in your way. If you do want to do it, just make a step-by-step plan to get it done.
 
  • I Can’t Do _____ -- You may have heard your child, or yourself, or someone else state that “I can’t do math.” Or “I can’t cook.” The truth is, no one can do any of that without learning how to do it. No one just pops out of the womb knowing how to cook, write, read, or do math. Anyone can learn whatever they want to learn given the time and effort to do it.                           YET...another one of those amazing words of power.
 
  • Saying I Should ____ -- Have you ever heard that it’s important not to “should” all over others? Not only is it a bad idea to create “should” for others it’s a terrible idea to create them for yourself. 
 
  • In the Past ___ -- Dwelling on the past and what someone did to you in the past or what things were like in the past is not going to help you overcome self-sabotage. While it’s okay to use the past as a learning example, it’s not okay to use it as an excuse not to move forward. Remember you are only in charge of yourself.
 
  • In the Future ____ -- Just like you do not want to focus on the past you also don’t want to be overly focused on later. Today is honestly all you have for sure. Focus on today and tomorrow will take care of itself.
 
  • If I Was More Like Them – Never compare yourself to someone else in a negative way. It’s okay to look at what someone has accomplished, learn how to do it too, and follow their footsteps but don’t wish yourself away, only you can be you.
 
Whenever you find you’re focused on a negative aspect of any situation, try to turn your mind around to focus on the positives. However, sometimes in life you’re going to experience a sad or negative time, that’s normal. It really is not about the ups and downs of life. Those are natural. It’s about how you comport yourself the rest of the time that truly leads to more happiness.

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Eight Steps to Mastering Self-CONTROL

10/21/2020

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Anyone can master self-control if they really want to do it. Even the process of trying to develop more self-control will make a huge difference in your life, because you learn to control your impulses, desires, and wants so that you can stay focused on achieving your goals.








Here are eight steps that you can start using today to mastering self-control .

1. Know What Self-Control Is

Sometimes it’s hard to have self-control for people because they don’t know what it means. They think it’ll take away all the fun from their life. On the contrary, all self-controlled means is that you don’t allow distractions or short-term temptations or desires to get in the way of reaching your goals.

2. Set Clear Goals

To be successful in anything in life, you must have a reason for doing it. Your reasons, in this case, are your goals. Perhaps you want to start exercising every day. Maybe you want to make better choices in what you are eating. Whatever it is, create the goal using very specific language. Read all about SMART goals so that you set goals the best way. Your goals - the results you are looking for will be your why and your motivation going forward.

3. Know How to Achieve Your Goals

Once you set a goal, write down exactly how you’re going to achieve it. Write down every single step it will take for each goal that you’ve set, then put it in your calendar. Schedule it as if you’re going to do it and schedule it realistically. Keep in mind how long things really take and give yourself enough time - as well as a cushion.


4. Know Your Weaknesses

If there is something that will distract you, now is the time to admit it. For example, if you want to get up an hour earlier each morning so that you can go to the gym before work, but you never can fall asleep before midnight, why not choose to exercise at a different time so that your goal is achievable and works around your weakness?

5. Learn How to Prioritize

The other thing you really need to practice and learn to be good at when mastering self-control is how to put things in the right order so that there are no bottlenecks. It’s sort of like realizing that your toothbrush should be in your bathroom so that you don’t forget to brush your teeth. Things should flow together simply. This takes practice, as well as trial and error.

6. Track Everything

To get better at self-control you might try tracking everything. That’s the only way you know if you’re doing better or not. Get a journal of some kind (the kind you’ll use is the best kind), and write it in each day to record your progress and feelings about various situations.

7. Get Accountability

One thing about self-control is that eventually, you need to be able to provide accountability to yourself. For now, you might want to find a support group or a friend to talk to about your self-improvement goals so that you can work together.


8. Improve

As you track and measure your progress and are accountable for your promises (to yourself and others), you can find areas where you can make improvements. Self-control is a muscle that you get better at with practice.
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Truly mastering self-control is mostly about understanding what it is, what it means, and the benefits of doing it, and then practicing it – every day. You may not be perfect but the more you succeed, the stronger you will become and the better you’ll be at being self-controlled in the healthiest way.

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10 WAYS TO HOLD ON TO YOUR JOY

10/14/2020

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   Life may be full of difficulties, disappointments and uncertainties but there are some positive things you can enjoy and keep looking forward to despite life’s hardships. One of the greatest gifts given to humanity is the gift of joy. Inner joy can get you through a tough day, it can bring you peace in your life, it can give you the strength to go on and keep you believing in yourself.


However, holding on to your joy is not as easy as you may want it to be. There are certain things or happenings that have the power to steal your joy with minimum effort. Hence you have to make a choice to hold on to your joy against all odds. You have to master the best ways of remaining happy at all costs if you are to continue enjoying your everyday life and begin turning your dreams into reality.

Avoid trying to please everyone.
   Nothing good can ever come out of constantly trying to please everyone you meet or everyone around you. Begin retaining your joy by being yourself instead of pretending to be someone you are not just so you can please your friends, your co-workers, or your family.

Take care of yourself.    
   Taking care of yourself and loving the way you are will give you the peace you need to get through any hardships you face in life. If you begin looking after yourself by watching what you eat, exercising, and doing more of what you enjoy, choosing joy over 'anything' else will be easier.

Forget your past and start living in the present.  
  Constantly reflecting on your, unpleasant or pleasant, past will cause you to neglect what you have now. So, let go of what happened in the past and start living in the present. You will begin to experience positive changes in your relationships, your health, and your life in general. The kind of happiness that no one can take away from you.

Forgive more and refuse to hold grudges.
   Forgiving someone who has wronged you is not easy, more so when that person refuses to apologize but you have to forgive them anyway. Why? Because it is about you and not about the offender, forgive them and let it go. It is about finding peace in your life and avoiding anything that will harm your health. The spirit of forgiving is the door into peace and joy after you have been wronged.


Invest in yourself.  
  Doing good for others is great but failing to invest in yourself in the process is an injustice you might be creating yourself. Start investing in yourself if you are to continue experiencing the joy you have found in doing for others.


Get rid of energy-sapping activities that have no reward.
   Holding on to the things you hate or things that leave you feeling frustrated has the power to steal your joy. It is the main reason you feel grumpy all the time. All manner of work is dignified and should leave you in a better state than you were before you began. Hence, begin getting rid of tasks that demand too much of your attention but offer no reward.

Do good for someone else.   
   Concentrating on putting a smile on someone’s face goes a long way towards holding onto your joy. Try doing something good for someone else as often as you can afford to. It will help you realize how much you matter. It is one way of keeping your happiness by realizing how much you can make a difference in the world.

Spend time alone.  
 Taking some time to reflect on what you believe or value, who you are, how far you have come, what you have accomplished, and what you intend to accomplish is a brilliant way of maximizing on things that bring you joy.

Do one thing you have always wanted.
   At some point in life, you may have thought of taking a long trip. Away from everything else but somewhere along the line, you decided it was a waste of resources or time, go ahead and fulfill your wish. Go on that trip because you deserve it. Do the one thing you have always wanted to do and refuse to feel guilty about it because half the time people fail to do what they want to do because they are afraid of how they might be judged. When they decide to go ahead with what they have planned, they spend half the time worrying about whether or not it was the smartest thing to do.
 
Forget about that for a while and go ahead and do what you have always wanted to do. As long as it is something good and not harmful.

Spend more time working towards your set goals.
   The best way of holding onto your joy is by spending more time working towards your goals as well as becoming better and spending less time listening to negative opinions. Working on your goals is a brilliant way of blocking negative emotions or the need to let them 'muck about in your head'.

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The Healing And Medicinal Properties Of Echinacea

10/7/2020

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Echinacea is possibly the most well-known herbal remedy that has been in use for over 400 years. It is a North American cornflower that the Great Plains tribes have long used as a medicine.
Prior to the introduction of antibiotics in 1950, it was Echinacea that held esteemed status in the medical community. However, as the health care industry moved toward antibiotics and modern medicine practices, Echinacea was lost in the fervor. 

There are different chemicals in the root and the upper part of the plant. The root holds high concentrations of oils that are known to trigger immune functions.
Echinacea’s chemical components are highly powerful in stimulating the immune system and provide substantial therapeutic value. It also contains flavonoids, inulin, vitamin C, essential oils, and polysaccharides.
The part of the plant that provides the most medicinal value is the portion that grows above the ground. This could be reflected in the decision of Germany authorities to only approve those portions for human use. In Germany, Echinacea is an approved remedy for upper respiratory infections, colds, urinary tract infections, and slow healing wounds.

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Perhaps the most common use for Echinacea is to battle the cold. What most people fail to realize is that due to its ability to boost the immune system, taking Echinacea regularly can actually prevent you from developing the cold. According to a study from the University of Connecticut, it can reduce your chances of catching the cold by up to 58%. It also reduces the length of your cold by 1.5 days.
In addition to the common cold, and urinary tract infections Echinacea can treat a number of issues. Native Americans used it as a general cure all, but studies have shown it can be effective in treating tonsillitis, streptococcus infections, warts, ear infections, and infections of the bloodstream.
In addition, it can relieve the symptoms of anxiety, migraines, acid indigestion, pain, dizziness, ADHD, arthritis, as well as improving physical performance.
Many people apply it to the skin in order to treat gum disease, boils, abscesses, ulcers, burns, skin wounds, psoriasis, eczema, sunburn, yeast infections, hemorrhoids, bee stings, mosquito bites, and snake bites.
Additionally, there is a suggestion that it can help prevent cancer. While there are limited studies on the subject, the implication is that because it can boost the immune system it changes how the body handles foreign substances.
The stimulation of the immune system eliminates cancerous cells as they appear, thus preventing the development of the disease. While it is not considered an antioxidant, it appears that it may help to eliminate free radicals through its stimulation of the proper immune system cells, such as T cells.


There are no side effects when taking Echinacea, unless you take it in large quantities, which may result in dizziness and nausea. 
While studies into Echinacea’s healing properties are limited, and generally only involve its effect on the cold, it is clear that it has a purpose. The fact that regular use prevents colds from developing shows that the claim it bolsters the immune system is accurate.



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Consciously Choosing A Positive Attitude

9/30/2020

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Do you consciously choose your attitude each day? If you're like most people, probably not. Most of us tend to let our circumstances choose our attitude for us. We're in a good mood as long as we get up on time, the kids cooperate and get to school on time, the car starts without a problem, we don't encounter any traffic jams on the way to work, the boss doesn't yell, our workload is manageable, etc. This system can work fine as long as everything runs smoothly in our lives.

But that's not always the case, is it? Situations don't always adhere to our expectations. Accidents happen. Delays happen. Spouses and bosses can be difficult to please. Vehicles break down. Kids may resist our efforts to keep the schedule running smoothly. What happens to our attitude then? If we don't make the effort to consciously choose a positive attitude, we run the risk of developing a negative one at random.

You may be asking what the point of a positive attitude is. If we'll still experience negative circumstances, why bother with choosing a positive attitude? Ah, that's the true beauty of the creative process. What we choose to focus on the most, we create in our lives.
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How would our lives change if we consciously chose a positive attitude each day? For starters, we'd feel much happier about our lives. We'd feel more motivated about pursuing our dreams because we'd believe in the possibilities for making them a reality. We'd be able to enjoy the time spent with our friends and families more, because we'd want to share our joy with others. We'd feel strong and empowered in our ability to do anything we set our minds to. We'd be able to overcome challenges with ease because we'd have a strong belief in our own skills and abilities. We'd be able to love deeply and completely without fear of rejection or betrayal. We would pause to enjoy the smaller, more precious moments in life, without feeling pressured to do more, be more, or prove our worthiness.

Wow, it sounds awesome, doesn't it? Is it really possible to feel that way all the time? Yes, but probably not in the way you're imagining it. Just because we choose a positive attitude doesn't mean that our lives will transform into smoothly-flowing works of art and stay that way forever. Choosing a positive attitude is a process. We don't just choose it once and expect everything to be perfect from that moment on. We will still experience setbacks, delays, accidents, frustrations, arguments, fatigue, and fear. The secret is how we choose to react to these experiences. Do we want to let them ruin our day, or do we choose to pick ourselves up and look hopefully to the future again? We do have the power to choose.

By choosing a positive attitude each day, we are actually attracting more positive experiences, and reducing the likelihood of negative experiences. You may have noticed that each experience often determines the quality of the next experience, causing a chain reaction in our lives. If one little thing goes wrong, it can throw off our plans for the rest of the day. In this context, it's easy to see how a positive attitude would be powerful. Rather than allowing one little thing to ruin our day, we would be able to shrug it off and continue on without a hitch.

Over time, this resiliency begins to strengthen and empower us, which will show through in our demeanor. We begin attracting people and experiences that more closely match our attitude, and our lives eventually transform into more positive, fulfilling expressions of joy.

And it all begins with a little thing called attitude! Again, this is a process, so go easy on yourself if you're trying to adopt a more positive attitude. Simply focus on developing a stronger awareness of your attitude moment to moment in your daily experiences, and begin choosing a more positive one more often. It takes time to realize the full benefits of this type of mindset, but it is time well-spent.

Before you know it, you'll be one of those people you used to admire for their resilience and strength, and your life and health will transform in amazing ways.

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​Old World Remedies In The Modern World

9/23/2020

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There’s a lot of holistic, natural, old-world remedies people swear by. They swear up and down that these old-world remedies are far safer than the new world drugs and chemicals and more effective to boot.
 
While that isn’t true 100% of the time, some old-world remedies do in fact work well and may even work better than their modern counterparts.    
 
The Secret Lies in Your Gut
Food can be one of the best medicines you’ve ever had. It’s the fuel that gives your body nourishment and gives you the energy to do what it is you want to do. Many people don’t realize how much the food they eat affects their health and how they feel, but they do, dramatically.
 
You can avoid certain foods to minimize your inflammation, eat specific foods to increase strength or help treat anemia. The food you eat affects everything in your body and your overall health. Explore what medicinal powers your favorite foods hold and what pitfalls you might be missing because of your diet.
 
There’s a Herb for Everything
The medicinal power of herbs was one of the most popular and well-known of the old-world remedies. They had an herbal treatment for everything; they made topical ointments, oils, and ground herbs to treat everything from hair loss and rash to indigestion and fatal diseases.
 
While not everything the old world thought herbs could cure is actually true, there are several remedies that actually prove very effective. Things like ginger and a combination of specific herbs to ease nausea or certain herbs to soothe rashes or other skin irritations. If you’re interested in the medicinal powers of herbs,  research treatments that have proved to be effective, keeping in mind there are two approaches to healing with herbs.
 
There’s an Essential Oil for Everything
Essential oils are another great old-world remedy that still has relevance in the modern world. In the old world, essential oils and herbs were used to treat absolutely every ailment, including things like migraines, depression, and stress. They may not be the cure-alls they were once believed to be, they are a very valuable healing tool.
Essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, etc. can help to soothe headaches and pains, ease stress and anxiety, and some can even help promote sleep. Diffusing essential oils and breathing them in deeply is one way they offer their medicinal benefits.
 
Your Mind is Your Most Powerful Tool
The mind is way more powerful than we give it credit for. 
Nowadays, we know that our minds hold the power to overcoming or persevering through many conditions or ailments. A positive outlook and hope can make all the difference in a battle with a fatal illness. Positivity, focus, and determination can all help overcome limitations we once thought insurmountable. Your mind can be one of your most effective tools.
 
While some old-world remedies have been proven ineffective, they aren’t all. Dig in explore, test the old-world remedies that are known to be effective.
I wish you the best in your wellness journey and applaud you on your decision to try a more natural alternative to health.

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Chronic Pain And Depression

9/16/2020

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What has been consistently observed is that chronic pain and depression have been associated: that is, where there is chronic pain, there is depression; and where there is depression, there is usually chronic pain.

Here are some observations:
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Pain is a sensory, as well as, emotional perception of discomfort that may be associated with actual or potential tissue damage. In layman’s terms, pain is something you feel in your body, your mind or your emotions in the face of injury, illness or everyday stresses.
Pain that is chronic is one that persists for three months or more.  When pain persists, it doesn’t mean that it escalates in intensity, it may be low key one day and intense on some other days.  It means that it doesn’t go away or that it keeps coming back.

The first reaction to pain is withdrawal. When you put your finger on a hot stove, you immediately withdraw your finger from the thing that causes the painful sensation. When the cause of the pain is obvious or known, it is easy to withdraw and the pain will stop.  What is more difficult is when the cause of the pain is unknown or when the cause of pain is not one single factor, but, several factors coming together.

The second reaction to pain is immobility. In the example about putting a finger on the hot stove, people will hold the hurting finger to protect it. If they pull a muscle when lifting a heavy object, they will immediately drop the heavy object, sit down or lay down to protect the strained muscle. This is easy to do when there is a specific event, stimulus or cause for the pain.

The third reaction is finding a remedy for the pain. In the example about the finger on a hot stove, we run to the sink and put the finger under running cold water under the tap. In the example about the pulled muscle, we often get an ice pack and put it on that particular part of the body that is experiencing pain.

The fourth reaction is, we take medication for the pain, either to numb the area or to inhibit neurotransmitters from signaling pain in the brain. In acute pain, this often works.  As the wound or injury heals, the intensity of the pain decreases until it is gone.

In chronic pain, people have exhausted the initial reactions and pain intensifies or continues.  The next step that they do is try to find a diagnosis for the pain. This is a very frustrating time as some people have experienced professional dismissal of their experience of pain: doctors think that it’s all in their head. Sometimes the pain is in the head (it may have psychological causes) but it does not make the pain less real. Ignoring the pain or living in denial of the pain is not possible.

If and when the cause for the pain is finally diagnosed, there is the period when a person feels like a deflated balloon – especially when the diagnosis is of some rare disease or condition and there may be no known cure.

It is also a time when a person is sucked into a low mood: first, the pain is present, there is very little that can be done to shoo away the pain, any relief would be short and too far in between to enable them to bounce back to their former selves. The low mood comes with a feeling of helplessness, hopelessness and futility.

Depression feeds on the pain and the pain feeds on the depression sometimes. The presence of pain is all that defines life as people try to manage and cope with the pain; avoid it getting worse and avoid it intensifying. It is a battle a person faces alone; fights alone; and often, loses alone.

Even when there is a family or social support group around the person, the pain is not experienced or perceived by anyone else but the person suffering from it.  This makes the person feel all alone, vulnerable and small.

As pain persists, the depression often persists until the person defines his worth and value in terms of the pain. They wear their pain, they talk about their pain, they eat their pain, they drink their pain and breathe their pain. A life without pain is something so far in the remote past that it becomes impossible to ever go back to that kind of life.
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The good news is that most people, when they reach this stage, re-define their sense of self-worth and self-value.  They re-define their life’s goals, they re-define their concept of recovery, of good health and of wellbeing. They no longer define recovery as the absence of pain: they define recovery as successfully coping and managing the pain.



Sign up for the newsletter at the top of the page, this week I am supplying you with a list of foods that help with pain.
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​Happiness Can Improve Your Health

9/9/2020

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Happiness is an important ingredient in a healthy life. Many studies indicate that happiness plays a major role in your health, whether it’s living a healthy lifestyle or reducing the amount of chronic pain – happiness is the solution to many health woes.

When you are happy, you’re more likely to eat right, drink enough water, and move. It’s mostly because you have more energy to do active things. If you are having difficulty maintaining your happiness, learn how easy it is to change your mindset. Happiness has nothing to do with your circumstances but everything to do with how you choose to react to them.

 
Encourages Healthy Living 
According to studies, happier people are almost twice as likely to eat more fresh vegetables than people who state that they are not happy. Eating more produce will automatically improve your health over eating a diet high in processed food.
 
Provides Energy 
When you tend to eat better, you tend to end up with more energy. It’s hard to imagine it but being negative or sad can literally drain your energy out of your body while being happy can give you more energy.
 
Boosts Immunity 
Eating better, moving more, and feeling happy will also increase your ability to fight off illness and disease because it improves your immunity. A study showed that people who report happiness tend to fight off illness faster than people who report sadness. They literally gave people the cold virus and the happy people were three times less likely to get the cold.
 
Lessens Stress 
If you’re happy, you’ll have a lot less to keep you up at night, to worry about, and therefore you’ll end up with less stress. However, it goes farther than that because happy people tend to report less stress even when they are facing stressful things. Due to the strength that happiness gives you, you’ll experience less stress.
 
Protects Cardiovascular Health 
Because you’re eating better and moving more due to your happiness, you are also protecting your cardiovascular health. You’re less likely to suffer a heart attack, stroke, or other issues related to heart health and the cardiovascular system.
 
Increases Longevity 
Because you’re eating right, exercising more, and you’re feeling great about life, you will likely live longer. According to one long-term study that tracked the lives of 32,000 people to find out who lived longer, the people who report happiness, or the people who report being less happy. It's not surprising that happy people tend to live 14 percent longer.
 
Diminishes Pain 
People who have chronic pain have a right to be mad about it or feel sad about it. However, the fact is people who report being happy tend to deal with their chronic pain (and other illness) better than those who were not happy to start with.
 



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How Diet Affects Your Focus and Concentration

9/2/2020

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Your body is like a machine with many parts working together to make that machine run smoothly.
 
Your brain is the central part of your machine. It’s only 2% of your body weight, but it uses over 20% of your body’s energy.
 
While it may carry out millions of tasks each day to keep your body running smoothly, if you don’t take care of it, it can reach a point where it starts to slow down and affect your memory and focus.
 
Luckily, all your brain needs is a few simple fixes that come in the form of sleep, relaxation and eating the right amounts of the right types of foods. Just as you wouldn’t put just anything in your car and expect it to run, your brain also needs the right types of foods to work efficiently.
 
We all know by now that processed foods are bad for your health. They increase the risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. But did you also know that eating foods high in sugar, salt and bad fats can also have a negative impact on your energy and concentration levels?
 
The Negative Effects Of Diet On Nutrition
 

Poor nutrition 
This can be due to a diet that’s low-fat because the brain requires certain essential fatty acids to work properly. And on the other side of the spectrum, diets high in fat also reduce memory and concentration levels.
It can also be due to eating foods high in sugar in its sucrose form and simple carbs, as white rice and flour, as they result in sugar crashes that greatly reduce concentration levels. In addition, if your diet is lacking in essential minerals and vitamins, especially vitamin B group and vitamin D, your ability to focus will get worse with time.
 

Hunger
The reason we get cranky when we’re hungry is that blood sugar levels drop, so does our energy levels. And when we don’t have enough energy, we feel sluggish, and hence, are unable to focus on the task at hand.
 

Stimulants
While it may sound crazy that caffeine causes lack of focus, it’s true for all of us, especially for those who drink more than 2 cups per day. Over time, your body gets used to the large amounts of caffeine coursing through it and decreases its production of neurotransmitters which are responsible for concentration and attention.
 

Dehydration
People don’t realize how crucial water is to your concentration levels. Even 1% drop in normal hydration levels can have a negative impact on how well you concentrate. Dehydration can also bring on headaches, low moods and fatigue.
 
Just as there are factors that diminish focus, there are many factors that improve focus levels, such as:
 

A good diet
Those who eat a well-balanced breakfast tend to have improved short-term memory than those who didn’t pay much attention to it or skipped it altogether.
 
A nutritional diet should include minerals and vitamins as:

Magnesium which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and soothing effect on the brain
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Zinc is important for the healthy production and performance of neurons; brain cells.  

B vitamins are all known for maintaining good brain health. Thiamine (B1) especially helps boost mental strength and short-term memory. Vitamin B6 is crucial for keeping up focus levels. Vitamin B9 (folate) sustains memory and healthy brain function. If your body is lacking in vitamin B12, it can cause brain fog, confusion and memory loss.
 

Vitamin D could b a helping factor because it aids in the production of serotonin, one of the ‘feel-good’ hormones that help keep you focused and calm.
 

Vitamin E keeps up the brain’s energy and strength.
 

Protein is also very good for concentration because it’s considered the building blocks of the brain. Research shows that a high-protein diet, which includes lean meat, beans, omega-3 fatty acids, beans and nuts, can help improve concentration and focus.
 

Dietary supplements
While supplements aren’t substitutes for real food, they can come in handy, especially when your body is lacking in certain minerals and vitamins, and you’re unable to provide them through your daily diet.
 

Drink lots of water
Your brain is 85% water. It can’t function without it. Neurotransmitters and hormones produced by the brain rely on water. This is why when you drink plentiful amounts of water, you’ll be able to stay focused and alert for longer.
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Knowing what to eat throughout the day can have such an immense effect on your ability to focus and concentrate. It can also greatly impact both your short-term and long-term mental health which can lead to an increase in productivity and efficiency.

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Test Out Magnet Therapy  for Pain

8/26/2020

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Magnet therapy involves using magnetic fields in certain ways to bring relief from pain and other ills to a person’s body. The reason it is thought to work is that the protein in the blood that carries oxygen to the body (called hemoglobin) has either diamagnetic or paramagnetic qualities which may react to the magnets. 

The magnets are usually worn in jewelry around the ankle, wrists, as rings, or as necklaces. You can also get them as inserts for shoes, or incorporated into mattresses and blankets. There are creams and supplements, too. There are also ways to magnetize water. The way you use it depends on what your ailment is and what needs to be treated. 


Many chiropractors and other alternative practitioners swear by the use of magnet therapy.  
The best thing you can do is try it for yourself, see if you might add to the stories of thousands for whom it has worked.

If you are going to try it, consider the following:

* Do not replace current accepted practices with magnet therapy – you want to try it, but don’t replace conventional therapies for the magnet therapy right out the gate. Test how your body responds first. 

* Try one thing at a time – Don’t go all in until you’ve tried one or two things. Try a bracelet, or a blanket, but not everything at once to see how it affects you. 

* Don’t use if you have a pacemaker - If you have a pacemaker or insulin pump or other types of devices, the magnets might interfere with the way they work. 

* Understand how magnets work – They come in different strengths called gauss or tesla units. 

* Ensure that you understand how the different strengths work for various conditions so that you get the right kind. 

* Scientific results are mixed – It’s hard to do a double blind test with magnets due to the fact it’s easy to tell when something is magnetized, so it’s hard to study this area. However, that doesn’t mean they don’t work.

* Buy from respected distributors – Be sure to find a well-respected place to purchase the magnets or supplements that you want to try, to ensure that you’re getting what you think you’re getting. 

* Give it time – You’re not going to notice results in one day for anything you try for any condition you have. Give it at least 30 to 60 days to ensure you’ve tried it long enough. Try keeping a journal of symptoms to ensure you’re getting a true picture. 

Remember that magnet therapy is still just another treatment, and for most people it is completely safe (other than those who have a pacemaker or insulin pump or other types of medical devices implanted in the body.)  For everyone else, it’s safe, and might be effective. You won’t know until you try.

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Using Humor to Relieve Stress

8/19/2020

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The fact is, life is stressful. We have all types of things pulling us in all directions with so many things to get done and so little time. As well as all the confusion and stress in the world today. It’s no wonder that stress is a major problem with most people.


Try humor, see if you can ease your stress and become happier.
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Finding humor in your life is not as hard as you might think. Spend some time at a park people watching and you’ll soon find plenty of people that make you smile and yes, even laugh. Look at funny animal videos, babies laughing, and you’ll soon be laughing and feel less stress too. 

See if any of these ideas can get the laughter ball rolling.

Write It Down – When you see something funny or hear about a funny movie, show, comedy night, etc., write it all down. Keep track of it so that you can pull it out anytime you need to reduce your stress. You may not be able to go to that comedy club right now, but you can go look at a funny video for 60 seconds before you call the boss. 

See It from Someone Else’s Point of View – When something happens to you in your life, it can often be hard to see it as funny. Uncle John’s penchant for spraying "Simple Green" on every cut or scrape and calling it a miracle cure may have been embarrassing to you, but it’s funny to someone. 

Look for Humor Everywhere – Everyplace you go there is humor. Miswritten signs, horrible food at a restaurant, how you acted when going to the dentist, that time you had a big green ink mark on your forehead during an important speech... all can be funny at the right time. Collect these for future reference. 

Watch Comedy – It can help to watch a lot of comedy and observe how they tell the jokes and build up to the punchline. Movies, stand-up, talk shows and so forth are all great ways to learn about comedy and figure out ways to incorporate it into your life more for stress relief. You really cannot be stressed while laughing. 

Smile – This might seem simplistic but if you’re feeling stress, focus on smiling with not just your mouth but also your eyes and your entire body. You can make yourself feel less stressed simply by doing that. If you talk on the phone to someone that makes you nervous, get a mirror and look at yourself talking to them while smiling. Instant stress reduction. 

Take a Class – There are interesting classes out there about comedy. You can take a course in stand-up, in public speaking, and even exercise classes that incorporate laughter and humor into them. Look up laughter classes and you’ll find a lot to work with. Check out these free laughter classes:just google free-laughter-classes 

Put Things in Perspective – Sure, falling and breaking your foot is not funny at the time. But with time you get something called perspective. Most of the things you think and do are from your own way of viewing things. Try looking at any situation and pretending that a couple years have gone by. How will you feel then? Will you laugh about how you almost fell into the smelly city water at the park but your friend caught you?

Surround Yourself with Funny People – Being around people who like to laugh and who are happy is the best solution for anyone who is stressed out. Find more people who want to be happy and want to laugh, and you’re going to reduce your stress substantially. 


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10 Tips To Enjoy A Whole Food Diet

8/12/2020

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Let's discuss 10 tips that might allow you to shift your diet in a way that implements whole foods. This way of eating is ideal to provide your body with the nutrient profile it needs to repair and keep you performing your best in whatever life you are currently enjoying.
 





Start Gradually
As you begin to choose a healthier diet consisting of whole foods, attempting to completely transform your eating habits from day 1 is a mistake. Instead of ransacking your pantry and trashing all of your household food items, gradually eliminate the unhealthy foods by attrition. As you finish a less than favorable item, simply don’t buy it again. Each shopping trip; replace the item with a whole food one by one.

Experiment With New Foods 
Most of us could probably check off our weekly shopping list with our eyes closed. Falling into the habit of buying the same unhealthy food options is easy to do. As you begin to seek out more whole foods, you will discover items at your local supermarket or farmers market completely unknown to you. Instead of passing these items by, start sampling these choices here and there. You may find something wonderful that hits the spot and provides a tasty, healthful option.

Make The Process Enjoyable 
Whole foods are great; filling your shopping cart up with whole foods you can hardly stomach is not. Eating should be enjoyable, and with the huge variety of whole foods available, finding items you like to eat is very achievable. If you purchase something that isn't a hit, don’t get discouraged, keep experimenting until you have a list of go-to whole foods you look forward to eating.

Find Fun Recipes
Just because you begin selecting whole foods, there is no need to eat them exactly the way they came from the farm. Just as you would with any other food item, look up creative recipes that incorporate these new items in tasty and creative ways. Boring, bland meals day after day is sure to derail your attempt at a healthier way of eating.

Visit Local Farmers Markets 
Almost every community has a farmers market that allows you to purchase local foods grown right at home. While these items are usually much cheaper than your local organic supermarket, this is also a great way to support local business and promote fellowship within your community.
 

Don’t Adhere To One Item 
A lot of fad diets today encourage you to base your entire eating pattern around a very limited number of whole food items. Avoid buying into this advice. No single food item provides all the key nutrients your body needs. Vary your meals and food choices to make sure you are getting the adequate amount of nourishment.

Be Cautious Of Advertising 
Given the fact that whole food diets have become increasingly popular as of late, a lot of advertisers are taking advantage of this trend. Just because something says whole food or healthy does not mean this is always the case. When selecting items, spend more time looking at the nutrient information on the back of the container rather than the flashy promises on the front.

Adjust Your Shopping 
One thing you are sure to notice as you begin selecting more whole food is that these items tend to spoil much faster than their processed counterparts. Trust and believe, there is nothing wrong with these items, food isn’t meant to keep in your cabinets for weeks and months on end! With this in mind, you may need to begin buying less during each grocery trip and shop more frequently instead.

Create A List Beforehand 
As you may already be aware, buying whole foods isn’t the cheapest option. The total at the cash register may come as a bit of a surprise at first. To mitigate this discomfort, take the time to prepare a list of only the things you need before you even step into the grocery store.

Be Ready For An Adjustment 
Here’s the thing, changing the way you eat is going to be strange at first. As with anything else, shifting a deeply ingrained habit in any area of your life involves an adjustment period. It is important to keep in mind exactly why you are changing the way you eat and remind yourself of the vast array of benefits that come with fueling your body in a healthy way.

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Get a Better Night’s Sleep with These Herbal Teas

8/5/2020

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Many people have trouble falling asleep at night and want safe effective relief from their problem. 
And a hot drink before bedtime can often be calming and soothing. Certain herbal teas are noted for their calming effects that will just might aid you in getting a restful night’s sleep.
If you are interested to explore here are a few herbs to try.
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Chamomile
 
Chamomile tea will always leave you feeling calm and restful, making it one of the most useful herbs you can use throughout the day to deal with stress, and use at night in order to make you relaxed enough to sleep. Chamomile is also good as a skin wash and wound cleanser, leaving you healthier inside and out. There are many commercial brands of chamomile tea available, or you can use a small quantity of dried flowers and strain them.
 

Lemon Balm
 
Lemon balm is a member of the mint family, so it soothes in general and calms digestion in particular. It reduces stress and anxiety, leaving you in a state of mind that is more receptive to sleep. You can add it to chamomile to enhance its sleep-giving properties and vary the taste.
It has also been used to treat people with Alzheimer’s and ADHD.

 
Valerian Root Tea
 
This is one of the most effective herbal teas you can use. Valerian is commonly prescribed as a sedative and sleep aid that can relieve anxiety and help with insomnia.
It is also used for pain relief and chronic fatigue. Some people also use it to relieve the hyperactivity in Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
 
 
Vervain (Verbena)
 
Vervain is used in for mood disorders ranging from depression to irritability. It can be drunk as a tea several times a day, and used at night as a sleep aid. It also offers pain relief, which can help people fall asleep more easily.

 
Lavender
 
Lavender is recommended by many for mood disorders and feeling “on edge.” It calms nervousness and restlessness and can help with migraines and insomnia.
Lavender can be used as an essential oil in aromatherapy. Many people like to sleep with a pillow stuffed with dried lavender flowers as a relaxation and sleep aid.
 

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Give those amazing herbs a chance, you might be surprised.
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