Anti-Aging and the Power of the Mind

Studies by Scientists at Yale University in America have shown that one of the most powerful methods of increasing your life expectancy is through the power of your mind.Simple by thinking positively you can add years to your life expectancy. How many years? Well surprisingly enough they have determined that you can add up to eight years to your life due to the fact that you will be happier, have a more fulfilling life and make better choices throughout your life due to your positive attitude.We are often taught that you will get what you expect and people with a positive attitude tend to think they will live longer and in fact they actually do.It has also been proven that the stress caused by negative attitudes that result in constant or long term worry will reduce your life expectancy. When you consider the benefits of worry, or lack thereof, you will wonder why we ever worry in the first place.90% of what you worry about will never come to fruition and most of the other 10% you can’t do anything about anyway so you should look at your attitude honestly and make a concerted effort to let matters ‘float on by’ without causing you to worry and you will live longer by doing so.Meditation is an excellent method of helping you to break the bad habit of worry and also for reducing other forms of stress.Add as much fun and laughter to your life as this will also help to enhance your immune system thereby slowing down the aging process.Laughter helps to release pain relieving and muscle relaxing endorphins and that reduces the amount of stress hormones cortisol and adrenalin in the body. Anything that you can do to reduce or eliminate stress will help you to live longer.Even refraining from watching the news on television or reading about it in the newspapers or on the Internet can help you to live longer because much of the news that we hear everyday is negative. A study was done on newsreaders that showed they died younger than comparable people who were in alternate professions and it was suggested that the cause of this was the fact they were constantly reading negative news reports on a daily basis.Be positive and live longer and the best way to start is by laughing and smiling right now and understanding that whatever you are currently worrying about right now can’t be changed by simply worrying.

Ways to Handle Impulsivity

Impulsivity is reacting to a situation without considering the consequences. People who are overly impulsive, seem unable to curb their immediate reactions or think before they act. As a result, they may blurt out answers to questions or inappropriate comments, or run into the street without looking. Their impulsivity may make it hard for a child to wait for things they want or to take their turn in games. They may grab a toy from another child or hit when they are upset. The tendency to jump into a situation without thinking or making a plan of attack characterizes the impulsive child. This behavior is evident in approaching academic work and everyday life. Helping the child control impulsivity may require consistent and concerted effort from everyone concerned. Modeling rather than talking through control techniques should be used.When other people do not understand the reasons for this behaviour it often leads to rejection and criticism from others. Impulsivity can therefore lead to social isolation as the person alienates existing friendships and cannot make new ones.Impulsivity often arises in situations where the person is confused or fearful. These can be minimised by a predictable daily schedule. Also any outbursts should not be automatically written off as impulsivity and ignored. It may be indicating a cause of fear or confusion that needs to be dealt with. When lack of awareness is not an issue the person may apologise later. Try to be sensitive to this despite any lingering anger or annoyance on your part. Prolonged complaints about the behaviour afterward are not likely to help as usually their lack of control was not by choice on their part.Try to remember it is the impulsivity that is at fault, not your loved one. Generally they will not be speaking or acting intentionally to annoy you or hurt your feelings. Separating the person from the behaviour can go a long way to coping with the situation. Dealing with impulsivity It is possible that a behavior is a response to something that needs your attention. Don’t be too quick to discount it as an outburst. Stay calm. This will help you remain able to think and not react emotionally and impulsively yourself. In addition, staying calm may help the person calm down. Let the person know that yelling is not the best way to get your attention and offer alternative methods for getting your attention. Remember, although the things being said are hurtful or embarrassing, generally the person is not doing this intentionally. Medications may be helpful for outbursts and physically inappropriate behavior. Talk to your physician. Before starting a new project do your thinking on paper. You will make quicker and better decisions if you write down the pros and cons of a line of action. This doesn’t take time, it saves time. To avoid impulsive purchases at the grocery store, plan your meals out before you make up your shopping list. This will also save time because you will know exactly what you need to buy.

Preventing Stretch Marks during Pregnancy

Nobody wants to develop stretch marks, but when you’re enceinte you know that, along with nausea, backaches, fatigue and frequent urination, stretch marks are a distinct, uncomfortable possibility. In truth, from 75 to 90 percent of all pregnant women (90 percent of white women) develop stretch marks during pregnancy. Look for the angry red lines to show on your bulging abdomen, usually during the sixth or seventh month of pregnancy. Sadly, stretch marks also can show up on other areas that tend to get larger during pregnancy. These include the upper thighs, buttocks, breasts and even arms, varying on the amount of weight gain, your genetic history, and whether or not you make a concerted effort to prevent stretch marks.

So what can you do to beat the chances and prevent stretch marks? Specialists talk about just what you can do for prevention, but one thing is always certain: inheritance do appear to play a role in whether or not you are prone to acquiring stretch marks. However, there are some things you can do to limit the possibility of acquiring stretch marks. Following these tips, all of which are good for your general health and the condition of your skin, will go a long way toward putting the chances in your favor.

Tips on how to get rid of stretch marks

- Eat a healthy, varied and balanced diet that keeps your weight gain within the recommended range of 25 to 35 pounds. Optimal nutritional status is crucial for your developing baby, but it also adds to the strength and health of your body’s largest organ: the skin.

- Use a body brush or wash cloth to massage the areas where you have stretch marks, or want to prevent stretch marks from forming- this will improve circulation to the area, which can be helpful.

- Drink plenty of water. Hydration is important for your general health and well-being as well as that of your new baby, and it is vital to healthy skin.

- Take your vitamins. This is one more method to ensure proper nutritional status, which is vital for your general health and well-being, as well as wonderful skin and a strong baby!

- Keep skin liberally and efficiently hydrated starting in the first or second period and through your returning to your pre-pregnancy weight, perhaps with one of the several oils and creams marketed especially to make stretch marks go away.

Remember that it is important to take care of yourself during the postpartum period as well. The great weight loss makes your skin susceptible to stretch marks; prevent additional scars in this period.

If you do remember all of these tips yet still can’t prevent stretch marks, don’t worry. They will fade in time to small silvery lines, and become much less evident. Yet for the relatively small price of a few minor blemishes in your skin (and perhaps a few lingering bulges in your midsection), you will have the overwhelming privilege of working as mother to the small, helpless little bundle of happiness you hold so gently in your arms. Congratulations on your pregnancy, and best wishes for a beautiful baby!

Safe Sex Waning Amongst Gay Men in Some Communities

Recent news reports from many places across the United States and around the world indicate that in some quarters safe sex amongst gay men is waning. In other words, many gay men are moving away from engaging in safe sex practices, practices that they followed closely in prior times and after awareness of AIDS become more widespread.Because of this change in the treatment of HIV and AIDS today, because of the survival rate associated with AIDS patients, these young men do not have the same fear of AIDS that surrounded their older compatriots. They are far more willing to engage in risky activity, fueled by drugs and without the use of condoms.Los Angeles health officials have particularly studied this trend. For example, syphilis cases have risen dramatically in the city, indicating that people are not engaging in safe sex practices, are not using condoms. Remarkably, and alarmingly, half of all of the gay men who were diagnosed with syphilis in Los Angeles also ended up being HIV positive. While younger gay men are heading the pack in engaging in unsafe sex practices, in not using condoms and in fueling their sexual encounters with drugs like meth, older gay men are also jumping into this unsafe swamp. Indeed, as far as the Los Angeles study is concerned, the average age of gay men contracting syphilis is 36.For more information visit: Safe Sex Waning Amongst Gay Men in Some CommunitiesWhat has been studied and documented in Los Angeles is also beginning to be seen across the United States. This is due in part to so-called circuit parties where participants frequently engage in unprotected sex while high on meth and other types of drugs.Health agencies in different locations are making a concerted effort to reeducate the gay population about risky sexual behavior, the importance of using condoms and so forth. Indeed, a great deal more money is being place in educational programs as well as providing condoms free of charge to the gay community an venues at which the congregate, including bars and nightclubs, bathhouses and sex clubs (both bathhouses and sex clubs making a resurgence in recent years). The hope is that through education and a wider availability of easily accessible condoms, the tide towards a lack of interest and involvement in safe sex practices will turn.

Did you know that your chaotic routine and cluttered physical and mental environments may be making you sick or keeping you sick? Everyone can benefit from a more organized lifestyle which will help your days run more smoothly. Taking care of ourselves, our careers and our relationships can leave us with little time to relax or to do some of the things that are really important in life. Eliminating clutter from our homes, offices and lifestyles will help eliminate undesirable stresses on our bodies. An improved living and working environment will elevate one’s overall well-being. We didn’t learn organizing skills at school and many of us didn’t get an organized model from our parents or guardians so getting organized has to be a more concerted effort. Consider what improved organizing skills can do your you.

1. Reduce stress. Do you regularly spend a great deal of time trying to find things? If each day starts with a mad dash for keys, home work, your purse or brief case think about the undo stress this puts on you and how there could be more pleasant ways to begin you day. It can often become a down hill cycle that leads to increased procrastination and anxiety. Are you chronically late for appointments or do you miss them all together? At work disorganization costs employees and employers over an hour a day in productivity and labour costs by attempting to locate something in your filing system, not finding the number to call someone back and a general lack of skills to get projects and work completed. The costs on the health side equal missed work though stress, high blood pressure, lack of sleep and much more. When you’re organized, you give your mind, body and soul the best chance to be relaxed and reenergized to approach the next day. You prepare for the next day and get to bed at a time and a pace that will give you the rejuvenation you need.

2. Improves relationships. Don’t think that you are the only one affected by disorganization. Improper scheduling and routines affect those closest to you– friends, families and colleagues. It not only is an aggravation but in the worst case scenarios can actually terminate relationships. Friends don’t want to meet you for a coffee because you are always late or constantly canceling, your boss has had it with your work never being on time. At home there can be embarrassment for your children and spousal relationships are often severely strained. Getting organized not only allows you to follow through on the commitments you make to the people in your lives but it also lets you create the quality space required to nurture such relationships. Research shows people live longer that socialize more –keep your network of friends.

3. Breathe better. Ninety percent of the average Canadian’s time is spent indoors, and air pollution is often two to five times greater indoors. Dust, dust mites, molds and contaminants from many of our household products trigger adverse reactions in varying degrees for most of us. A cluttered environment makes it difficult to rid our homes of certain irritants and a simplified and back to basics approach will often help to create a healthier home. Start with your bedroom because this is where we spend most of our time. Declutter, have soft furnishings that are easily washed and think carefully about what you allow to be in this very important space.

4. Exercise more. Being disorganized is exhausting but the trouble is it often doesn’t burn any extra calories or have much aerobic value. Studies show that extra stress could actually lead to holding on to some of those calories in storage. Organizing your daily events allows you to plan when an exercise routine will best suit your schedule. Don’t try to haphazardly fit your walk, sports activity or gym visit into your schedule. To set yourself up for success, take the time to plan your weekly work out schedule. Keep your workout time written down on your calendar so that you stop procrastinating or assume you will just squeeze your workout in.

5. Eat better. When we start to eliminate toxins and irritants in our homes it is easy to continue this pattern by looking at the foods we eat. Education is key- reading labels show you what additional additives are in your food and also makes you more aware of calories, fat and fiber. The fuel we feed our bodies determines how it will operate. Providing our bodies with the proper nutrients, unprocessed food and variety in food sources allows us to function more productively. Getting organized allows improved purchase, preparation and meal planning – the key ingredients to a healthier diet.

6. Reduce accidents. An organized home is a safer home. Lessen minor accidents like spills and drops caused by rushing or not having cleared spaces. More dangerous can be a fall, especially for seniors, and the consequences of too much stuff can create the inability to quickly get out in the occurence of a fire. Also, massive clutter can actually be the root cause of such a deadly event. Car accidents are increased from hurrying because of being late. Studies are also showing the lack of focus while driving and being overtired can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence.

7. Handle loss and emergency. Loss of a loved one or pet, divorce and separation can throw havoc into anyone’s lifestyle. If you are already maxed to the hilt and living in chaos this can become more than one can bear. Being able to access relevant paperwork and important documents is crucial. Also important is emergency planning for storm related consequences like power outages.

8. See clearly. A simplified life allows you see what is really important to you. By eliminating the physical and mental clutter you can focus more, spend more quality time with those you care about and accomplish what might once have only been a dream. No longer will clutter run your life but you will live your life with intent. By organizing and decluttering your living spaces and simplifying your lifestyle you can create a new, improved, healthier you.

Chantix Varenicline – quit smoking medication

There are millions of adult smokers in the US. Some of them make a concerted effort to quit smoking whilst others just wish to quit for personal reasons. Those who are determined to quit this habit can be assisted in this task by using effective anti-smoking medications. By using these products this arduous task is often made easier and the smoker may in fact be able to kick the habit. An effective and popular ‘quit smoking’ medication is Chantix Varenicline.

Chantix is an anti-smoking drug that is only available on prescription and has been proven to help smokers who have decided to quit. The medication is manufactured by Pfizer and has been approved by the FDA, the premier health regulatory body in the US. It is recommended for adults above the age of 18.

What is the availability of Chantix?

Chantix is available in all licensed pharmacies worldwide and is also available online. In order to obtain the medication online you will be required to undertake an online consultation with a licensed online clinic. The online consultation is simple and requires the completion of a few easy questions.

What are the ingredients of Chantix?

The main active ingredient in Chantix is Varenicline. Varenicline helps reduce nicotine cravings as well as withdrawal symptoms after quitting. Chantix does not contain any traces of nicotine in its ingredients which sets it apart from other anti-smoking medications that generally help smokers quit by providing them with small doses of nicotine.

Chantix also includes the following inactive ingredients namely; microcrystalline cellulose, anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate, croscarmellose sodium, colloidal silicon dioxide and magnesium stearate.

Who can take Chantix?

Chantix can be prescribed to adult smokers who are between the ages of 18-65 years old. As it is available on prescription only you would be required undergo a consultation with a registered Doctor. If after this consultation the Doctor decides that you are suitable to be prescribed Chantix you will be given a prescription that can be collected from any registered pharmacy.

It must be noted that although Chantix is an effective drug it may not be suitable for all smokers who wish to quit smoking. For instance, pregnant women or lactating mothers should avoid using Chantix as it could be harmful to their health as well as the health of their babies. Similarly, smokers who take other medications for pre-existing medical conditions, for example diabetes or asthma, may wish to avoid Chantix. Thus, it is advisable to seek the professional opinion of a Doctor before deciding to take anti-smoking medication. This is purely to ensure that you are medically fit and that the respective drug is suitable to your needs.

What are its dosages?

Chantix is available in 0.5 mg and 1 mg dosages. The dosage that you are prescribed will be dependent on the recommendation given by your Doctor. A dosage of 0.5 mg is normally taken once a day for the first three days after commencing the treatment. Thereafter, the dosage is increased to two tablets per day. The 1 mg dosage commences twice a day from day eight until day 14 and is continued until the end of the prescribed treatment period.

Are there any side effects of Chantix?

The most common Chantix side effects of this anti-smoking medication include nausea, unusual dreams, gas, constipation, vomiting and sleep disturbances.