How to Get Rid of Acidity

Stomach acid helps digest food, activate enzymes, and destroy germs that make it to your stomach. However, stomach acid can also cause “heartburn” that burning or uncomfortable feeling in your chest. Chronic heartburn, also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) or “acid reflux disease,” isn’t due to “too much” acid, but acid in the wrong place (your esophagus instead of your stomach). Excessive production of stomach acid can cause erosions in the stomach and the duodenum (part of your small intestine), called ulcers or "Peptic Ulcer Disease". courtesy: wikihow.com

This article will help you handle your stomach acid problems, whether they’re due to stomach acid being where it shouldn’t be or the overproduction of stomach acid. If you continue to experience problems, see your doctor.

As a immediate measure, Seek Medical Attention.

Here are few symptoms:

Hoarseness or a sore throat

Acid taste in the mouth

Bad breath

Bloating

Burping or feeling like you need to burp

Lack of appetite

Nausea or vomiting

Weight loss

Difficulty breathing

Dizziness or fainting

Sharp, severe stomach pain

Here are some of the easy looking Remediation, you can start them right now!

Implementing Lifestyle Remedies

Reduce your stress - relax, yoga, exercise, sleep, social support

Stop smocking 

Maintain a healthy weight (Lose Weight Fast)

Drink lots of water

Monitor your alcohol consumption (try to gradually reduce it, if you cannot stop immediately)

Reduce/Cut your caffeine intake

Avoid eating before bedtime or lying down

Eat smaller frequent meals

Avoid high-fat foods - avoid fast food

Eat natural fruits and vegitables

Avoid spicy foods

Avoid high-acid fruits

Drink a glass of milk - Cold is awesome

Try some natural food - licorice, ginger, cranberry

And most important, stop worrying about anything!!

Be Healthy

Many people with serious illnesses would give anything for a single day of perfect health. To be healthy and make the most of what you’ve got, follow these recommendations.courtesy:wikihow.com



Stop engaging in risky behavior. Taking unnecessary risks is hard on the body and mind and can have devastating long-term consequences. Serious or established patterns of risk-taking can also be indicative of deeper psychological problems, in which case you should talk to a health care professional who specializes in a relevant field.

Eat well. A light organic breakfast is sufficient and, when combined with a snack mid-morning, will see you through until lunch time. A good time for the evening meal is between 5pm and 8pm depending on your work/study schedule; it is best to avoid late night snacks because they fill you with unnecessary calories and can disrupt your sleep. Once a steady eating pattern has been established, your body will feel more comfortable.

Bolster your immune system. Maintaining healthy habits and a high level of energy is difficult for anyone who constantly battles fatigue, colds, infections, or any other effects of a weakened immune system.

Improve your sleep quality. When you sleep, your body produces cells that fight infection, inflammation, and stress – which means that getting too little sleep or poor-quality sleep not only makes you more prone to getting sick, but also increases the time you need to recover from illness. On top of that, a study conducted by The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition demonstrated that men who slept for 4 hours consumed 500 more calories than they did after sleeping for 8 hours.

Get in shape. In addition to helping you lose weight and gain confidence, exercising has a host of other benefits for your body and mind. For example, having good cardiovascular health has been linked to a decreased risk of Alzheimer’s. Exercising also boosts your immune system; even a change as minor as walking briskly for twenty to thirty minutes a day five days a week can improve your immune system by increasing both your antibody and T-killer cell response. Exercising is also one of the absolute best ways to sleep better at night – which, as previously mentioned, can help you lose weight by keeping you from overeating.

Maintain your personal hygiene. Wash your hands often, especially after visiting the bathroom at home or using the restrooms in a public place. Floss and brush your teeth and tongue after eating; food particles are often the cause of bad breath and gum disease. Visit your dentist regularly for cleanings and to catch any problems before they become serious.

Find emotional balance. Even if you master every other aspect of health, it won’t feel complete if you’re suffering from inner turmoil. Everyone needs a pick-me-up sometimes, and there are many small things that you can do to feel better about yourself. If the problem extends deeper.

Exercise daily or if not possible twice or thrice a week. It will increase your metabolic rate and you'll feel fresh the whole week.

Get Glowing Skin in Just One Week

If you have blemishes on your face and need to get rid of them quick hopefully it will help you.courtesy:wikihow.com


Take off all your makeup using a makeup remover (ponds cold cream works great). just wet your face and rub it in then gently wipe off with a wet wash cloth.


Using a gentle facial cleanser like purpose gentle cleansing wash or Johnson's baby wash. Rub it all over your face then wipe off with a wet wash cloth. After that, splash your face with warm water to make sure all of the product is off.

Get a facial buff (which you can get at any drug store). Add some of your facial cleanser and wet it then exfoliate your face with it. Be careful not to rub too hard. After you've finished, splash your face with warm water again then pat your face dry with a towel.

Get a piece of ice and rub it all over your face and under your eyes then pat your face dry with a towel. This will close up all your pores and get rid of any puffiness you might have.

Witch hazel is a great astringent. Using a cotton ball or a piece of toilet paper put some on it and swipe it all over your face. This will get rid of any remaining dirt that may be on your face and help to clear up any pimples you have. If you don't have witch hazel you can use any mild astringent.

Moisturize. Moisturizing is key to clear skin no matter what type of skin you have including oily. Try to find one that doesn't have have much added fragrance in it. Anything mild will do the trick. A vitamin c lotion would be best if you have any marks or scars on your face because it will help to fade them.

If you have dark circles, fine lines, under eye puffiness, or if you just want to prevent wrinkles, you might want to use an eye cream.


Important Tips:


> If you're currently using anything on your face with a lot of harsh chemicals, it might be breaking you out. Just because something says "acne fighting" doesn't always mean its going to prevent acne. It could actually be drying your skin out causing your skin to produce more oil which then leads to clogged pores.

> Only exfoliate your face once or twice a week! Over exfoliating may cause irritation.

> Always wash your makeup off at night. if you sleep in your makeup over night it will clog your pores.

> Figure out what might be causing your skin to break out, you might be using a new product that could be irritating your skin.

> Get a proper amount of sleep and try not to stress too much.

> Drink plenty of water.

> If you find you breakout on your back or chest it could be your shampoo/conditioner try switching to a milder one or a higher end brand. Also dove white soap is what most dermatologists recommend if you have this problem.

> Don't pick any pimples you have, this will cause them to scar. If your going to pop them get a wash cloth and put some hot water on it and hold it over the blemish for a few seconds then try to pop it, if it wont pop never force it to, just wait till it comes to the surface.

> Never touch your face with dirty hands, always wash them first.

> Eat more fruits and vegetables

> Folic acid and b complex vitamins are great for your skin.

> If a blemish pops up you can use any type of spot treatment, just dab a little on and let it set. Clean and clear advantage acne spot treatment works well or anything with salicylic acid in it.

> And if all else fails you can always fake it by putting some concealer over your blemishes, putting some foundation on, setting it with a light powder, and adding a little bronzer to your cheeks with a light shimmer in it. Never cake on your foundation or concealer, because if you do you might not be covering your blemishes you might just be adding more attention to them.

Overcome Your Fears Through Visualization

Your imagination can be a powerful tool for confronting your fears. Through various methods, you can change a big, overpowering fear into something small and manageable. courtesy:wikihow.com.



Steps:

Find a comfortable place where you can imagine free from distractions. Your bedroom or a quiet location outside on a nice day are some good options.

> Choose the visualization listed below that best suits your fear.

> Imagine your chosen scenario. Go over it again and again until you're satisfied and familiar with what you've imagined.

> Continue imagining your scenario regularly so you don't forget it. Now that you've imagined it once, you can easily bring it up again any time or any place.

> Put yourself in a relatively low stress situation where you have to face your fear.

> Recall your visualization as many times as needed to stay calm.

> Challenge yourself more. When you feel comfortable with the low-pressure situation, start putting yourself in more challenging situations until you have conquered your fear.

Comforting Visualization

> Imagine your feelings of fear as something inside of you that you can see, such as a ball of light.

> Take your fear out of you.

> Change your fear into something you would want to take care of, like a baby animal or a small child.

> Comfort your fear. Pat, soothe, or reassure it. Give it treats or play with it if you want. Whatever you feel like doing to make your fear happy and unafraid.

Hero Visualization

> Imagine your fear as a character, whatever type you think suits it best.

> Now imagine a character to combat your fear. It can be anything, a strong figure like a superhero or wrestler, a character appropriate to the fear (like a stilt walker to take on your fear of heights), or just something you like, such as a kitten or a even a bowl of ice cream.

> Imagine your hero character conquering your fear. The fight can be simple, lengthy, or just plain silly. All that matters is that your hero beats your fear.

Shrinking Visualization

> Imagine your fear as something very large: a monster, an animal, a huge person, or whatever.

> Have your fear say some of the things that go through your head when you start to feel afraid.

> As your fear is talking, shrink it down or change it into something smaller than you.

> Get back at your fear. Yell at it. Make faces at it. Kick it around. Scare it. Put it in a cage. Do whatever it takes to make your fear seem small and ineffective to you.


If you're worried you might get so afraid when faced with your actual fear that you'll forget your visualization, take something with you to remind you of what you imagined. It can be a special piece of clothing or jewelry, a small picture, a few words on a scrap of paper, or anything else that helps you remember.

Feel free to alter the visualization when you need too. If you're feeling really scared of an upcoming event, you can ramp up your visualization and have your hero really pummel your fear.

Though it's a great method for adults too, visualization can be especially good for helping kids overcome fears. A child who's afraid of a scary monster under the bed can imagine a big friendly monster to chase it away. Encourage your child to tell a story or draw pictures to help him or her remember the visualization.

Cure a Headache Instantly Without Medication

ouch! you have a headache. It hurts so bad but you can't cure it fast enough with medication! Is it? Not really, now you can try below and it may cure it instantly wikihow.com.



If you have longer hair, brush it. You may think it won't work but it takes some of the weight off your head. Instead of brushing your hair you can take a bath and wash your hair, anything to help alleviate the stress on your scalp.

Eat. Sometimes your head hurts when you're hungry. Have a small meal and then try relaxing, it may take a little while for the pain to subside.

Drink some water. One of the main causes of headaches is dehydration.

Lay down. Over-stimulation can worse headaches. Laying down in a dark, quiet room can help.

As a last resort take some medication.

Some of the things might make your head hurt worse. If at any point you start to feel concerned or symptoms worsen, seek immediate medical attention from Doctor's.

Predict the Future by Interpreting Your Dreams

This is a useful article for those who do remember the dreams. I truly believe that by exploring the world of dreams you can potentially predict your future.wikihow.com

Just follow the steps:



Try to remember the whole dream - Like places you went, the items, the color. Each detail of the dream matters.Try to figure what where you doing, who else appeared in your dream, what was the interaction between you and other people in your dream, the animals that appeared what they were doing ( dog for instance how the dog appeared in your dream was he : barking, sleeping , sitting in next to you, chasing you etc. ).

Write them down- put these things in a paper and try to puzzle them. Try to figure out what where you doing and what was the relation with others and in what kind of envoriment were you.Is there any message from the dream or it is a random one?

Use dream dictionary - You can find lots of them on the internet. But if in dream dictionary is an explanation for an item that doesn't mean that counts. Try to analyze the whole situation in a long term. See what happens every time you see a bear in a dream for instance. If something good is going to happen then you remember for next time.

Learn general meanings of dreams- Your daily activities and your emotions has a lot to do with what is your state of mind and still ignore that.That's why in your dream will appear your fears,hopes, weak thoughts etc. That's you it is good to know the general meanings like what does it mean when you dream chasing, getting naked,flying etc.

Differ prophetic dreams from the ordinary ones - the prophetic dreams are a really good source of warning you for something bad or good. Try to remember the words that you hear and other things that you saw.

Calm Your Imagination Before Sleep

Having an active and creative imagination is a great gift. However, at night it is sometimes not so great; it can be quite miserable. However, do not despair, as there are ways of dealing with this problem.
In other cases, you may lie awake because you cannot stop thinking about a personal problem, such as trouble at work or an argument you had with a good friend etc..courtesy:wikihow



The most traditional way of dealing with an over-active mind late at night is to count something. Sheep are very popular for this purpose, but most things will do. The logic behind this approach is that it bores you into falling asleep. Thus boring things (such as sheep) are better.

A second method is to focus on one, boring thing, with the purpose of stopping your mind from running so fast. This requires more practice, as your imagination may not be pleased with this. It is particularly useful to focus on something that is far away from your head, such as the tiniest toe on your left foot. Try to feel your toe, and think only about the toe. If you slip up, return to the toe.

Another thing to focus on, is to imagine you are riding a bike. Imagine a particular route in your neighbourhood that you frequently walk, drive, or bike (for example from your house to your work or the city center). Imagine you are biking along this road, and imagine it in exacly the same pace as it would take if you were actually on a bike. While you are "biking", have a look around and imagine all the streets, houses, shops, and other things that you pass along the road. This is a very tiring thing to do for your mind, and you may not get further than a hundred meters the first times you try (because you start thinking about other things or fall asleep). With some practice, you will be able to cover greater distances.

Another great way is to imagine you've won a million dollars, then imagine you're spending it. Calculating how much you'd need to get that boat, dream house, charitable contributions, new wardrobe, etc., can be fun.

It is also possible to try to calm down your mind before going to sleep. Doing a crossword puzzle, sudoku, or reading a little may calm your mind down so that you fall easily asleep. Note: for some people this has the opposite effect, making them more awake, especially if you are reading an extremely exciting book. One of the best choices for this type of bedtime reading is an exciting book that you've read before where you know the ending. The cliff hangers have less impact but the story is just as engaging and just as far from your own worries as it ever was. Trust yourself to know which genre keeps you awake and which one puts you to sleep. Some people read Stephen King to get to sleep well - but it's still often better to enjoy a King reread than to dive into a new one where you don't know how it comes out yet.

Instead of focusing on your mind, you may wish to focus on your body. Doing some exercises (such as running) earlier in the evening, or some yoga right before you go to bed will make your body sleepier. Some people have problems sleeping after running, however.

Take up meditation, and practice before you go to sleep. Meditation calms the mind, and some types of meditation teach you how to clear your mind completely.

Try creating a very detailed story to yourself, something that interests you. You will fall asleep far before you come to the end of the story.

Concentrate on each breath you take. Breathe more slowly, and enjoy each breath, concentrating on how good it feels to be able to breathe. When you slow your breathing, this tends to slow your heart rate as well, which ultimately calms you down.

Clear your head of all thoughts, focus on how good it feels to have your mind completely empty. if a thought comes into your mind, refocus, and just relax

Clear your head by 'throwing away' the thoughts that keep you awake. Imagine a garbage bag. Lift up the predominant thought that keeps you awake from your head, and imagine you put it in the bag. Now that this thought is out of your head, you can notice a previous thought popping up in your head. Throw this in the bag as well. Keep doing this until your head feels clear of thoughts. Then, tie up the bag and throw the bag as far away as you can imagine. You have now let go of the things that keep you awake, and you are ready to start falling asleep.

Eat a small snack and drink some warm milk. Having some food in your stomach can help to keep you from thinking about hunger. This doesn't mean that you should pig out, but eat a banana or some warm bread, but nothing salty. This will make you thirsty and keep you awake.

Keep a water bottle by your bed, and take a sip whenever you are thirsty.

Concentrate on your favorite activity (baseball, a cartoon, eg.) and put yourself "in the game".

Some people have the strange but amazing ability to use a 'backup dream.' What is that? It's a dream that has been repeatedly tested and proven to lull them into sleep. What's yours? Try imagining something like that, where you change one of your flaws using magical powers or something. Don't be afraid to experiment.

Imagine being able to change anything about you (eyes, superpowers, hair etc...) Imagine what you would do if you could do anything.

Go through the alphabet and think of items in a single category, a to z. Animals, Aardvark, Bumble Bee, Crayfish, Dog, etc.

Slowly paralyze yourself starting from your toes, working slowly until you are all the way up to your head. Usually you will be asleep by then. If not, try it again and go slower. If you have an itch, try to ignore it or just start over.

Enjoy the Falling Rain

It's raining outside!! Wat to do now? sometimes really tiring but, No! Learn to love the falling rain, which waters our world and should keep our spirits up.



Open the window in rainy weather. Lie down and let the sound of the rain soothe you. If it is bedtime, drift asleep to the sound of the rain.

Keep warm in colder weather. Don't open the window unless it is bearable; instead, cuddle up under your favorite quilt or blankets and listen to the sound of the rain on the roof. Yes, turn the TV off!

Focus on your senses. Watch the raindrops as they create puddles, listen to the different tones, from the white noise of distant rain to the more melodic large drops that hit puddles when running off the roof. Especially breathe deep, taking in the freshness of the air that only a fresh rainfall provides.

Take children out in the rain in their rubber boots and raincoats. Let them splash around in the puddles and rain (Bring your own rubber boots and join in if you want to feel like a kid again). They can take their rubber ducks and bath toys with them, or they can try and spot where the animals have hidden from the rain (birds, squirrels, possums etc., whatever your part of the world has). If you have an ant hill nearby, let them investigate what the ants are doing. Ask them if the ants come into your house earlier to warn you the rain was coming?

Take out some time from work or play to watch the rain falling through your windows. Relax and breathe deeply. Ask others to appreciate the rain with you.

Cook your favorite meal that you associate with rainy days. It'll bring back memories and cheer you up.

Do all those things you said you'd save until a rainy day. Get out the old puzzles and games; finish that long-forgotten sewing or woodwork project; read that novel; dance with your loved one on the living room floor.

Go on an indoor outing like the cinema or a restaurant. Apart from needing to take an umbrella or raincoat, once you're indoors again, you'll forget about the weather and you won't regret wasting sunshine.

Drink hot tea and enjoy the sip with your near and dear ones.

Enjoy a Relaxing Weekend

People always wonder what to do on an utterly boring and dull weekend with nothing to do and no money to spend. Here's a solution to your dreadful problem! courtesy:wikihow.com



Instructions

Eat a nice hot breakfast such as frozen waffles, pop tarts, pancakes, you name it! Along with that, a cup of hot tea or coffee is recommended. Also, orange juice is a great morning drink, because it will give you all the energy you need for the day of relaxation!

Take a long, hot shower or bath to get you up and awake, then either get in a clean pair of pajamas or a comfortable outfit such as sweatpants and a sweatshirt

Get on the computer, watch your favorite show, listen to music, etc.

Eat again then relax and do whatever suits your interests. Some interesting ideas are to meditate, read, do your hair, dress up for fun, whatever your heart desires!

If you're home alone, then let loose and be yourself completely. Do something silly or stupid, scream, release all the week's stress in some just plain dumb ways. You'll feel much better.

If it's raining outside and your parents or whoever agrees, go walk in the rain; or if you dare, dance in the rain! Just have fun.

Get something to look forward to. Think about that long assembly that gets you out of school/office on Monday or your favorite movie being aired on TV.

Grow Taller naturally

Different people of different ages want to be somehow taller in life boys,girls,even adults. Some people are short and want to be taller sometimes to attract the opposite sex. Some kids want to be taller because it gives them and advantage over shorter players in different sports. While there are people that actually said that growing taller will not happen at a certain age, It is said that you can actually grow taller at any age.

With the right exercises, proper nutrition, proper sleep, you can do it. courtesy:ehow.com



Instructions

Get the proper sleep 8 hours at least at night. Sleep without a pillow.

Proper nutrition eat diet rich in fruits, vegetables, proteins.
> Take a multivitamin.
> Drink lots of water.
> Drink milk, eat dairy products.

Run 5 miles a day. Run with 5 pound ankle weights, increase to 10 pounds over time.

Jump rope 400 times a day, the goal is to do 1000-2000 jump rope a day but that will be done throughout time.

Do sit ups with 10 pound medicine ball start out with 50, do 1000 sit ups over time.

Do pull ups start with 15 pull ups a day. Try to make it to 100 pull ups a day over time.
Hang from the bar for 2-4 minutes a day. Make it to 10 minutes over time.

Play more outdoor sports. Swim, Cycle ....

Stay Awake at Work

Whether you partied all night, stayed up with a newborn, or lost sleep while finishing up a project, now you're at work and you're having a difficult time staying awake. You promise yourself that you'll get more sleep, if you can just make it through the day without being discovered by your boss with your eyes closed. Here's how to have a good sleep. If you want to go to sleep at 8.30. courtesy:wikihow.com



Instruction

Use your sense of smell. A strong scent, good or bad, can make you more alert very quickly. Aromatherapists often recommend essential oils of the following plants to stimulate the nervous system and reduce fatigue (open the bottle and take a big whiff when you're feeling drowsy):

> Rosemary.

> Eucalyptus blue gum.

> Peppermint (a study showed that smelling peppermint can lower fatigue by 15%, increase alertness by 30% and decrease frustration by 25%.)

> Coffee (beans or brewed, study has shown that simply smelling coffee can awaken a person)

> Scots pine oil.

Of course, not all of us have essential oils stored in our file cabinets, but using hand lotions or burning candles with these same scents could help. Herbs like rosemary and peppermint can
often be found fresh or dried at a grocery store; for a little pick-me-up, take a pinch and roll it between your fingertips and smell it. Alternatively, if there's any chili powder around, take a (careful) whiff of that.

Use acupressure. Massaging any of the following points will improve circulation and ease fatigue

> Top of your head (lightly tap with your fingertip).

> Top of the back of your neck.

> Back of your hands (between thumb and index finger) .

> Just below the knees.

> Earlobes

Take a power nap. If you have the time, sleeping for just 15-20 minutes can increase your alertness by leaps and bounds if you have a cup of coffee (or any other form of caffeine) right before you fall asleep.

Expose yourself to bright light, preferably natural daylight. Your body's internal clock, its circadian rhythms, are regulated by your exposure to sufficient light. Even if you're in an environment where there's artificial light, brighter is better. If you can step outside (even on a cloudy day) or look out the window for a full minute, you'll be more alert. Wherever you work, see if you can replace the light fixture or add a lamp that will brighten your workspace.

Keep yourself uncomfortable. Stay on your feet as much as possible. If you have to sit down, get the most uncomfortable chair you can find. Try not to sit in anything that will make you sore if you stay there. Make sure the back is upright, forcing you to sit up very straight. Don't allow your head to rest on anything--your hands, the desk, the wall.

> Stay cold. If it's a little cold, take off your sweater or jacket so you stay on the chilly side. Open a window or put on a small fan, pointed at your face.

Exercise at your computer. Just because you're sitting down doesn't mean you can't use your muscles.

Avoid a full stomach. Munch on snacks all day, rather than having a big meal. The key is to not get a spike of sugar intake (followed by the inevitable crash). The same goes for caffeine. Break your consumption down into small doses.

> Apple - the sweetness and tartness in the flavor, along with the "crunch" will perk you up in a healthy way

> Sunflower seeds still in the husk (put a small handful in your cheek and crack them open one at a time, using only your teeth and tongue; this will require just enough active thought and tongue movement to prevent you from dozing off, and the salt of the sunflower seeds is invigorating and stimulating; spit out the sunflower husks into a paper cup as you go, as quietly as possible so as to not disturb others around you).

> Raisins.

Listen to music that's energizing to you; if possible, dance or sing along, even if you just bob your head or hum. Music that's irritating or jarring to you can also work. Just make sure to use headphones so you don't disturb your co-workers.

Every thirty minutes, do one of the following, Physical activity for 2-3 minutes (jumping jacks, push-ups, jogging in place, or walk around)
Splash cold water on your face

> Drink an ice cold glass of water (the coldness picks you up, and guarantees you getting up every half hour or so to go to the bathroom; you won't fall asleep on a full bladder)

> Brush your teeth

> Chew gum. Chewing gum stimulates muscles in your face, increasing blood flow to your head, helping you stay alert and awake.

Evolve in Your Spiritual Practice

No matter what religious tradition you come from, having a spiritual practice allows you to develop as a person and deal with life's difficulties in a healthy manner courtesy:ehow.com.



Steps to try:

> Keep a spiritual diary. A spiritual diary is invaluable to today's spiritual seeker. No matter what spiritual tradition you follow, a spiritual diary acts as the guru, or guide in keeping you on the spiritual path. Each day keep track of the total number of hours you spend in meditation, japa, pranayama, asanas, sleep, selfless service, etc. By doing this, you become aware of your strengths and weaknesses.

> Practice karma yoga or selfless service. By doing things in an unselfish way for others, we purify the heart and become closer to God. Karma yoga reminds us that we are all connected. By helping others we forget about our own problems, reduce our ego and learn to see things from another point of view.

> Practice asanas and pranayama. These yoga practices keep the body and mind strong and healthy enough to deal with daily stress. They also help us gain control over our thoughts. With a clear mind and more energy, we make better choices.

> Study spiritual books. We all need inspiration during life's trying times. These books teach us how to live in this world. They help develop our powers of discrimination which we need to decide what is good for us in and what isn't. This practice also helps to develop good character and ethical conduct.

Get in Shape at Home

Some people are just born with a perfect figure, super-speedy metabolism, and a lean, muscular build. Unfortunately, if you are not one of those people, you have to work to have the body you desire. The good news is that you do not have to empty your piggy bank and sign up for an out-of-your-budget gym membership. If you know what to do and how to do it, you can get the same results without leaving the comfort of your home.
courtesy:Tielle Webb, eHow.com



Few steps to follow:

Use what is around you. Bottles of laundry detergent, empty water bottles filled with sand, or other heavy objects make great weights. Or use your own body. Crunches, push-ups and calisthenic exercises are simple, straightfoward yet effective ways to get in shape.

Step outside your front door. If you are looking to shed some pounds, cardio is imperative. Lace up some comfortable shoes, put your pooch on his leash and move those legs.

Find an online support group or journaling program. Accountability is a key factor in weight loss and toning for many people. If you know others will be cheering you on and waiting to hear from you, you are more likely to stick with your program. Journaling helps you see how far you have come, and notice any changes you might need to make.

Learn new exercises. Rent a video (or borrow one from the library for free) and follow along with an instructor. Pick up a book or visit a website that can teach you some new toning or fat-burning moves. Many cable channels offer "on-demand" programs that include exercise videos you can watch on your time, and at no extra cost.

Purchase gently used equipment. If you decide you want to invest in a home gym, check out your local classifieds, Craigslist and used sporting goods stores. People often invest in exercise machines and then don't use them, which means you can find a like-new item for a fraction of the price.

Foods For Better Sleep

FOODS THAT HELP YOU SLEEP



What you eat affects how you sleep. One of the keys to a restful night's sleep is to get your brain calmed rather than revved up. Some foods contribute to restful sleep; other foods keep you awake. We call them sleepers and wakers. Sleepers are tryptophan-containing foods, because tryptophan is the amino acid that the body uses to make serotonin, the neurotransmitter that slows down nerve traffic so your brain isn't so busy. Wakers are foods that stimulate neurochemicals that perk up the brain.

Tryptophan is a precursor of the sleep-inducing substances serotonin and melatonin. This means tryptophan is the raw material that the brain uses to build these relaxing neurotransmitters. Making more tryptophan available, either by eating foods that contain this substance or by seeing to it that more tryptophan gets to the brain, will help to make you sleepy. On the other hand, nutrients that make tryptophan less available can disturb sleep.

Eating carbohydrates with tryptophan-containing foods makes this calming amino acid more available to the brain. A high carbohydrate meal stimulates the release of insulin, which helps clear from the bloodstream those amino acids that compete with tryptophan, allowing more of this natural sleep-inducing amino acid to enter the brain and manufacture sleep- inducing substances, such as serotonin and melatonin. Eating a high-protein meal without accompanying carbohydrates may keep you awake, since protein-rich foods also contain the amino acid, tyrosine, which perks up the brain.

To understand how tryptophan and carbohydrates work together to relax you, picture the various amino acids from protein foods as passengers on a bus. A busload containing tryptophan and tyrosine arrives at the brain cells. If more tyrosine "passengers" get off the bus and enter the brain cells, neuroactivity will rev up. If more tryptophan amino acids get off the bus, the brain will calm down. Along comes some insulin which has been stalking carbohydrates in the bloodstream. Insulin keeps the tyrosine amino acids on the bus, allowing the brain-calming tryptophan effect to be higher than the effect of the brain-revving tyrosine.

You can take advantage of this biochemical quirk by choosing protein or carbohydrate-rich meals, depending on whether you want to perk up or slow down your brain. For students and working adults, high protein, medium-carbohydrate meals are best eaten for breakfast and lunch. For dinner and bedtime snacks, eat a meal or snack that is high in complex carbohydrates, with a small amount of protein that contains just enough tryptophan to relax the brain. An all- carbohydrate snack, especially one high in junk sugars, is less likely to help you sleep. You'll miss out on the sleep-inducing effects of tryptophan, and you may set off the roller-coaster effect of plummeting blood sugar followed by the release of stress hormones that will keep you awake. The best bedtime snack is one that has both complex carbohydrates and protein, and perhaps some calcium. Calcium helps the brain use the tryptophan to manufacture melatonin. This explains why dairy products, which contain both tryptophan and calcium, are one of the top sleep-inducing foods.


SNOOZE FOODS

These are foods high in the sleep-inducing amino acid tryptophan:

# Dairy products: cottage cheese, cheese, milk
# Soy products: soy milk, tofu, soybean nuts
# Seafood
# Meats
# Poultry
# Whole grains
# Beans
# Rice
# Hummus
# Lentils
# Hazelnuts, Peanuts
# Eggs
# Sesame seeds, sunflower seeds

BEST DINNERS FOR SLEEP

Meals that are high in carbohydrates and low-to-medium in protein will help you relax in the evening and set you up for a good night's sleep. Try the following "dinners for sleep":

# pasta with parmesan cheese
# scrambled eggs and cheese
# tofu stirfry
# hummus with whole wheat pita bread
# seafood, pasta, and cottage cheese
# meats and poultry with veggies
# tuna salad sandwich
# chili with beans, not spicy
# sesame seeds (rich in tryptophan) sprinkled on salad with tuna chunks, and whole wheat crackers

FOODS THAT KEEP YOU AWAKE (Avoid it)

Caffeine-containing foods top the list of foods that wake you up.

Know your caffeine quota: Some persons are more caffeine-sensitive than others. Many adults can take up to 250 milligrams of caffeine a day (the average amount in 21/2 cups of coffee) and experience no sleep problems. Others get jitters after one cola.

Time your caffeine boost: For most people, the effects of caffeine wear off within six hours, so coffee in the morning will usually not interfere with sleep in the evening. Caffeine-containing beverages at lunch may not affect your sleep, but coffee, tea, or cola in the evening is likely to keep you awake.
courtesy:askdrsears

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