Joy and Happiness – Making Yourself Happy

Joy and Happiness – Making Yourself Happy

So how do you make YOU happy? Well… you simply can’t deny all the research that shows that optimism and gratitude do lead to happiness, and many people find it to be “The Magic Pill” for happiness. Besides, making yourself happy is a lot easier than you might think. I’m living proof that optimism and gratitude do lead to happiness. As my attitude changed, so did my happiness and health 🙂

Since I’m a lot happier now I want to show you that it’s a lot easier than you might think. For an instant jolt of happiness you might want to read a gratitude board. The real secret to happiness though is in writing out your gratitude and optimism for the whole world to see, even if you remain anonymous, because that helps others remember things they are grateful for as well. Which leads to the other secret to happiness, helping others.

Research shows that those who write out their gratitude on a weekly basis feel better about their lives as a whole, and are more optimistic about the upcoming week. Grateful people also tend to be more optimistic overall, a characteristic that boosts the immune system. Grateful people also report higher levels of positive emotions, life satisfaction, vitality, and lower levels of depression and stress. Which is key in making you happy.

It’s VERY important to make YOU happy if you want to make others happy. It isn’t selfish at all, it’s a good thing! Yes, making you happy fits in the good things category 😉 So go ahead and make yourself happy today. Join me and many others who KNOW how to make ourselves happy. I am very happy to share this with you, may all your days be filled with happiness, peace, love, and joy. Make yourself happy today, it’s for the good of the planet 🙂…

Diet Tips To Reduce LDL Cholesterol

Diet Tips To Reduce LDL Cholesterol

Why should you want to reduce LDL cholesterol? Short for Low Density Lipoprotein, LDL cholesterol happens to be the kind that you wouldn’t want to have plenty of. In simple language, LDL refers to the bad cholesterol, and while bad cholesterol is also needed by the body, levels that are beyond the normal range can put you at risk for a variety of heart problems. LDL is bad fat that can collect in the arterial walls. Overtime, without proper management, the walls of the arteries harden, and this is where heart problems can turn serious. If you do not want to face the possibility of strokes, congestive heart failures, heart attacks or premature death, then you must resolve to reduce LDL cholesterol.

How and where do you begin? Make a review of your lifestyle. Draw out a list of foods you eat and the activities you do on a daily basis. This will make you aware how healthy or unhealthy you have been living your life. Sometimes, you think that you are eating all the right foods, but it is not until you have put it in black and while that you will realize that plenty of what you put in your mouth are not in fact good for you. Anyhow, if your list shows food items that are high in saturated fat, such as fried foods, ice cream, full cream milk, buttered sandwiches, and underdeveloped duck eggs, then you have to make a major lifestyle change. You might be eating vegetables like broccoli and carrots, but if you have the habit of eating these with fatty dressings, you are not doing your heart a favor either.

A heart-friendly breakfast treat would include a glass of fresh pineapple juice, apple juice or orange juice, a bowl of oatmeal with a dash of cinnamon, and a glass of skimmed milk or low-fat milk. You can eat eggs on other days but don’t make it an everyday habit, and as much as possible, don’t fry the eggs. For lunch, have a bowl of raw vegetables (broccoli, tomatoes, ampalaya with onion rings and garlic, and vinegar or lemon juice make a great choice) and steamed fish. When preparing raw vegetables, make sure to rinse them well first. In between meals, snack on walnuts instead of potato chips. Walnuts are a healthy source of good fat, the kind of fat your body needs to have more of.

You should be getting plenty of exercise, too. Any exercise, as long as it is able to make you move yourself about and perspire, is good. This means that you don’t have to do anything special, nothing too strenuous. You can be simply walking around your house, doing your usual chores, or you can be out in the garden tending your plants or pulling out weeds, and either way you are increasing your metabolism and helping burn fat. It goes to say that you are helping your heart become healthier.…

Depression Treatment Options – Why You Shouldn’t Give Up

Depression Treatment Options – Why You Shouldn’t Give Up

Depression is one of the most prevalent mood disorders. This is despite the fact that modern medicine provides so many depression treatment options which have effectively been used by many people. Studies indicate that most of individuals suffering from this condition, for one reason or other fail to seek remedial treatment. Fortunately those who look for treatment, in good time, often find quick relief from most of depression’s debilitating symptoms.

Therefore for a person to benefit from any type of treatment they need to make the first move, which is to seek professional help. Apart from depending on medication and therapy, person’s who have been diagnosed with depression need to commit themselves to pursuing the crucial goal of striving to get better. They shouldn’t despair or lose interest even if the various treatments and medications they attempt fail to eliminate depression.

Being aware of the available treatment options helps a lot in determining what can or can’t work for each person’s individual symptoms. Since there are several types of depression, proper diagnosis needs to be carried out to determine the type and level of severity of depression warning signs.

Irrespective of the type of depression diagnosed, patients should know that there are no instant fixes or cures. For some people with depression, complete relief from depression symptoms may take several weeks, months and even years. But this does not negate the fact that in most forms of depression is treatable.

Treatment of depression is crucial since it has adverse effects upon one’s personal life as well as how they relate with others at home and at work. Unless an individual is able to completely eliminate depression symptoms their self-esteem, drive and passion for life will diminish and the quality their life becomes less than it should be.

Depression can severely interfere with a person’s physical and mental performance which often results in personal, social and career problems. It causes untold emotional suffering to the victims as well as those close to them. These are some of the many reasons why treatment needs to be sought in

The most common treatments for depression are the use of medication (antidepressants) and therapy or a combination of these two. Other alternative depression cures exist which include herbs and supplements, adopting healthy lifestyle habits like regular exercise and balanced diet, yoga and meditation.…

The Basics About Blood Pressure and Hypertension

The Basics About Blood Pressure and Hypertension

Do you know what blood pressure is? Blood is pumped under pressure by your heart inside your arteries – this is ‘blood pressure’. Pressure is measured under two conditions so the reading has two numbers, not one.

The top figure indicates how much pressure is produced each moment your heart beats – this is called systolic pressure. Diastolic pressure is given by the bottom number and is the arterial blood pressure felt in-in-between heart beats.

What is normal blood pressure? This is regarded as a reading of 120 over 80 or lower depending upon age, lifestyle and existing medical problems. A reading of 140 over 90 or greater is regarded as high and you have hypertension. You should have your pressure checked regularly especially if you’re 50+ because high blood pressure carries a greater danger of strokes, heart and kidney disease.

Many things can cause hypertension including physical inactivity, tobacco and alcohol use, stress and your diet.

High blood pressure can give rise to certain illnesses some of which can shorten your life. For example you may have a stroke. A stroke is a consequence of blood having bled into the brain through a weakened blood vessel which broke open because of high blood pressure.

One more reason it is best to maintain control on your blood pressure is that it may cause your blood vessels inside your eyes to bleed or burst. If this takes place your sight will be blurred or impaired and might even result in blindness.

Along with a stroke or impaired eyesight, high blood pressure can also trigger a heart attack for the reason that it damages the vessels that bring blood carrying oxygen to your heart muscle. If your heart is not getting sufficient oxygen you will be subjected to chest pain. If the blood supply is obstructed as well you will undergo a heart attack.

Now you appreciate that hypertension is a condition not to be taken lightly, you should also take symptoms such as chest pains seriously and see your doctor. On the other hand, don’t be fatalistic about hypertension – if it is kept under control you will not become ill because of it.

Regular BP checks can ensure you get treatment to avert serious problems developing. You could also get a home pressure monitoring device and do your own checks, particularly if you have fear of doctors, but consult your doctor before you do and confirm you can use it correctly. Do not worry about a single high pressure reading – this can happen for all sorts of reasons.

Keep in mind that regardless of how acute your high blood pressure is, if it is controlled by treatment and/or lifestyle measures, you have an excellent chance of living a long and health life.…

Is High Diastolic Blood Pressure Cause For Concern?

Is High Diastolic Blood Pressure Cause For Concern?

Untreated hypertension is a pretty well publicized topic. Given the serious health problems that can occur (heart attack, stroke etc.), it is not surprising that it has gained such notoriety.

Having also dealt with hypertension at one point in my life, I have researched and written a great deal on the topic myself.

The “bad” or high readings are known to most people who have researched or inquired about their levels. 120/80 to 139/89 is commonly known as pre-hypertension. 140/90 is considered high.

What some people are not aware of however is that a high systolic blood pressure reading even if the diastolic blood reading is low, negative health consequences can still occur.

A high diastolic reading, which measures blood pressure when the heart is at rest, can also create health issues.

After a recent article addressing isolated systolic measure, I received several questions from people asking about the diastolic reading.

Here again, if the diastolic reading is over 90, it is still usually considered higher. A reading between 80 and 89 is normally considered borderline high diastolic reading.

As people age, the diastolic reading will decrease in many cases. A potentially unrealistic idea of healthy blood pressure can then present itself. So, make sure both numbers are taken into consideration to insure a complete understanding of blood pressure is presented.

More than likely, your doctor will want to prescribe medication if high blood pressure is diagnosed. This is not the time to be shy about sharing any concerns you have regarding side effects (including but certainly not limited to extreme muscle pain, internal organ damage, painful headaches, erectile dysfunction, skin rash etc.)

Just ingesting a little pill or (pills) can seem very alluring to many people, but it is paramount that you not end up with a solution that is actually worse than the disease.

I am proud to offer my all natural High Blood Pressure program. With simple exercises, my clients have seen amazing results very quickly. If you have high blood pressure, I highly encourage you give it a try.…

Hypertension – Exercises to Help Reduce Your Risk of High Blood Pressure

Hypertension – Exercises to Help Reduce Your Risk of High Blood Pressure

There is no disputing the evidence that regular aerobic fitness exercises are important for improving and maintaining a healthy heart and body. However, there are many who fall into the trap or have the misconception that doing back breaking workouts are the most effective way to stay fit and healthy. In some cases this degree of intensity can do more damage than good. The best approach is to exercise moderately and consistently. For most people starting out a 15 minute brisk walk or swim each day can provide enormous benefits to their overall health.

As with any form of exercise especially, if you have not trained for a while or you have a medical condition then you need to consult with a medical expert such as your doctor. The doctor can give you an assessment to determine the type and intensity of exercise that is best suited to your situation.

If you have high blood pressure or suffer from hypertension then you need to be aware that physical exercise can increase your blood pressure to a level that could lead to further health complications. The flip side of physical activity is that it can improve your high blood pressure. Numerous studies have revealed that people who exercise regularly have improved fitness and health and this has a direct link to lowering your blood pressure. It is also important to point out that your diet plays an important role. People who have low blood pressure tend to eat a healthier diet of fresh vegetables and fruit, they do not smoke and are moderate drinkers.

In some cases too much exercise or if the workouts are too intense can actually do more harm than good. This is especially true for people who have not exercised for a long time. If you are just beginning an exercise program for the first time you should start off slowly and gradually build up your stamina and strength over time. In this way the body will be able to tolerate the increased intensity of your workouts as you progress. For example, if you choose walking as your form of exercise then start by walking 15 minutes 3 or 4 times a week at a brisk pace, just enough to make you breathless. Do this for 2 weeks and then gradually increase it by 5 minutes until you reach 30 minutes per session.

If you have high blood pressure choose a sporting activity that is low impact and one that you enjoy. These can include walking in the country, cycling or swimming as they are great exercises to begin improving your health. The key is not to overdo it. Become more aware of how your body is reacting during and after the exercise. If something does not feel right then, stop immediately. It is advisable that you seek medical advice from your doctor before you begin any type of exercise.

Joining a gym is another …

Does Salt Really Cause High Blood Pressure?

Does Salt Really Cause High Blood Pressure?

Salt is commonly linked to high blood pressure – but is salt really all that bad for you?

You’ve probably heard something like this more than once:

“Salt causes high blood pressure. Cut down and eliminate salt from your diet and you’ll reduce the risk of high blood pressure.”

Now there’s some truth to that common wisdom – but it’s not nearly as black and white as it’s usually stated.

First off, we need some salt in our diet to stay healthy. Some people go as far as to claim that a no salt diet is worse for you than too much salt diet. That might be true but the point is that when it comes to salt, moderation is the key.

It’s really a question of balance. When it comes to BP it’s the balance between salt and potassium that’s important. Too much salt drives down the potassium levels in our blood. And too little potassium drives up our blood pressure.

In other words, to maintain healthy BP levels, we need salt in moderation, plenty of potassium. Good sources of potassium include bananas, avocados, and orange juice.

It’s true that many of us in Western industrialized society consume far too much salt in their diet. But we do so by default, not intention. The problem is that processed foods, fast food, and most restaurant meals, contain far too much salt. In short, modern diet results in excessive salt intake which in turn results in high blood pressure.

So what’s a fella to do? Go back to basics. It’s really as simple as that. Buy raw basic food stuffs and relearn cooking and preparing food. It’s called “slow food”. Take your time. Stop and smell the roses. Not only will you save a ton of money you’ll find your food tastes better – and you’ll feel better (with lower blood pressure).

Mind you, if you shift to preparing all your own meals from unprocessed food you’ll have to add some salt yourself. Otherwise you won’t get any salt. Our body needs some salt to stay balanced.

One more thing – not all salt is created equal. Far from it.

That stuff you buy at the store, the fine white stuff we put in shakers, is chemically processed sodium chloride. Or in other words, salt with all its natural goodness removed. Beware – many salt products labeling itself ‘Sea Salt’ is just branding, not fact.

Real sea salt harvested by traditional methods comes in larger light greyish crystals. It contains essential minerals and trace elements that form part of a natural wholesome diet. You’ll need a salt grinder to dispense it.

The best sea salt is Sel de Guerande harvested in Brittany, France. They’ve been doing it there for over a thousand years so they know their stuff.

To sum up, it’s fare to say that there’s a connection between high blood pressure and salt . But it would be more accurate to say …

Where Can I Buy Quartz Crystal Silica Supplements?

Where Can I Buy Quartz Crystal Silica Supplements?

Have you heard of the various health benefits the quartz crystal silica is associated with? You surely must have, especially if you read widely on alternative medicine. But even if all you ever read are your local papers, chances are that you would still have come across one or another article on the silica health benefits; for many publications have in recent days run such articles in the wake of this potentially revolutionary idea. And in the period after your hearing about the quartz crystal health benefits, you might have found yourself wondering whether the said quartz crystal health benefits were factual, or whether they were yet another ‘new-age fad’ not worth wasting one’s time on.

Incidentally, what we are looking at in terms of quartz crystal health benefits are physical and psychological. On the physical (physiological) side, we are looking at the quart crystal’s established efficacy in the treatment of conditions like pain (any form of it), convulsions, diarrhea and some kidney problems; to name but a few of the many often-cited benefits. On the psychological side, we would be looking at the quartz crystal’s established efficacy in the treatment of conditions like depression and anxiety, which also happen to be the most common psychological problems that bother people.

So, are these said benefits of the silica factual, or are they just new-age fads?

To answer this question, let us first have a look at the mechanism through which the quartz crystal silica delivers these benefits. As it turns out, the mechanism through which the quartz crystal delivers its associated health benefits is based on the understanding that our bodies are made of energy (as is everything in the universe, according to Einstein). So according to oriental medical philosophy, when the energy that makes up our body is properly balanced, we experience perfect health. But when the energy that makes up our bodies falls out balance, we find ourselves struggling with illness. Connecting the dots, it would follow that the way to restore health, in such a situation, would be by restoring the energy-balance whose distortion is what caused the illness. And this is where the silica makes an entry into the discussion, for it has been known to be effective in the restoration of otherwise distorted energy-balance in bodies. So this is basically the mechanism through which the quartz crystal delivers the health benefits associated with it.

Another way we can answer the question as to whether the health benefits associated with the quartz crystal are factual or just fads is by looking around; to see whether anybody has actually experienced the said benefits. And in this regard, there seems to be indeed quite a large number of people who confidently say that they have experienced the health benefits associated with the quartz crystal. We may be wary of taking their word for it (as they could have vested interests in the debate), but the fact that they continue to …

Knowing More About Hypertension Rather Than Treating It

Knowing More About Hypertension Rather Than Treating It

Treating hypertension requires you to make some changes in your life style, and restraining yourself. Constant monitoring and regulation is required. This disease is characterized by continuously high blood pressure. This entails many problems. Therefore, treating hypertension is very important.

As mentioned before, you need to regulate your behavior. Treatment becomes hard because it demands a person to give upon some food items. When you are asked to restrain yourself from doing something, it becomes all the more attractive. It is very likely for a person to give in to the temptation.

If you are suffering from hypertension, then you will be stopped from consuming a lot of salt. You should follow the advice as it will be harmful for your health and will boost your blood pressure. Secondly, alcohol will be prohibited and if you do take alcohol then only take minimum about which your body can bear.

According to some research, alcohol has been found to have a good effect on heart. Therefore, if you have to consume it for your heart, limit the quantity of the in take.

There are some diet plans available specifically for hypertension. DASH is one of them. On the other hand, like any other diet plan, there are many pros and cons associated with it.

Self-monitoring is very important here. You should consciously try to keep up with the treatment plan. You should resist and avoid eating things that will jeopardize your health condition.

The more informed you are, the better your decisions will be. Therefore, what are you waiting for? Use your internet to search on this topic. Get acquainted with the causes. Learn tips to end this problem.

Researching will also open your eyes to the options that you have. It will prevent you from unjustly restricting yourself. You can better look after yourself once you get the knowledge about the problems you are facing.…

Signs and Symptoms Of Clogged Arteries

Signs and Symptoms Of Clogged Arteries

People at risk for atherosclerosis should understand the signs and symptoms of clogged arteries. Clogged arteries often develop when atherosclerosis is left untreated. What is atherosclerosis? It is a condition wherein the walls of the vessels narrow and harden from too much plaque building up on the opening the arterial walls. Why this happens in the first place is because there is damage to the interior lining of the walls, so much so that fats, cholesterol, calcium, and all the other substances being carried by the blood cannot get out of the arterial walls, thus depositing themselves inside the walls or at the mouth of the arterial walls. Unfortunately, without proper management, these substances harden and narrow overtime. Time will come when these substances will clog the arterial walls. Strokes and heart attacks are likely to happen when the arteries are clogged because there is not enough blood flow to the arteries that supply oxygenated blood to the arteries.

Understanding the first signs and symptoms of clogged arteries can save your life. The thing is, they may not always manifest themselves in the early stages. Moreover, the signs and symptoms are not unique to clogged arteries. In fact, if you are not very keen on paying much attention to detail, you can easily mistake these signs and symptoms as something else. Essentially, these would include chest pain or discomfort in the chest area or close to the chest area such as the arms, neck, and shoulders, if the coronary arteries are involved. The coronary arteries are the arteries that supply oxygenated blood to the heart. On the other hand, if the carotid arteries are involved, you will normally experience signs and symptoms as if you are having a stroke. There may be numbness on the face or extremities. Slurred speech, and difficulty in hearing, seeing and understanding may also occur. You may also find it difficult to balance yourself, and in more severe cases, you may possibly lose consciousness. All these signs and symptoms stem from the fact that the there is not enough oxygenated blood supplying the brain.

When you experience any of these signs and symptoms, don’t hesitate to see your doctor at once, more so if you have every reason to suspect that you may indeed be having clogged arteries, like maybe you are a smoker and not one who is making wise food choices.…