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How Does Stress Affect Your Overall Health Top Seven Ways to Relieve Stress

October 30, 2021

Having stress affect your overall health today is a widespread concern. While, the signs of stress are numerous and worth discussing, of more importance is learning the best ways to relieve stress. This article answers the question, “How does stress affect health?” as well as describes one of the best ways to relieve stress permanently and decrease aging.

SIGNS OF STRESS: At first glance, you may think that having stress affect your overall health is solely limited to your physical body. But it goes deeper than just the physical plane. It also affects our mental, emotional, behavioral and spiritual levels as well. Let’s take a look at answering the question, “How does stress affect health on all levels?”

PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF STRESS: Our bodies are “prisoners” of our minds. So, when our minds perceive danger and signal red alert, our bodies produce stress hormones or chemicals in response to that red alert that make our hearts pound faster, blood pressure rise, breathing quicken and overall prepare us to fight or run!

In today’s society, this physical state of producing stress hormones typically becomes chronic, which in turn produces a chemical addiction inside your body to always wanting and creating the stress hormones, which accelerates having stress affect your overall health.

Having these stress hormones then continually “running rampant” inside your body slowly wears out the internal mechanisms or organs so that diseases such as high blood pressure or heart disease can take hold as well as “keeps your body too busy” for daily immune functions that keep your body overall healthy. This is where the commonly known physical effects of stress come into play such as fatigue, digestive problems, insomnia, muscle aches and pains, including the chest pain stress we feel when we’re under pressure.

In fact, there is a significant correlation between stress and hair loss. Why? Because your body literally sheds everything that isn’t vital to survival when it is kept in a chemically stressful state.

MENTAL, EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL EFFECTS OF STRESS: When coping with stress, it is important to remember that our minds are also affected by the chemicals in our bodies. So, it is reasonable to expect such mental symptoms of anxiety, low motivation, inability to focus or restlessness to show up because our minds are not chemically functioning at their best.

The mental symptoms of stress then lead to behavioral symptoms such as overeating, violent episodes of anger or frequent bouts of escapism through drugs and alcohol because of the body and mind’s inability to cope with the constant bombardment of stress hormones.

Letting stress affect your overall health constantly through too much stress hormone release also takes away your inner peace and trust that there is any spiritual side of life.

WAYS TO RELIEVE STRESS: Once you decide that you want to learn how to reduce stress, there are a few simple things you can do:

TIP #1: GET PHYSICAL: Walk, run, bike, swim, dance or jump up and down at your desk for a few minutes. When you start feeling stressed, do anything that will loosen up your body and break the stress hormone cycle.

TIP #2: GET “MINDFULLY” PHYSICAL: Combining physical stress management and relaxation techniques for the mind together works wonders. Examples of this would be doing mindful exercises such as yoga, Pilates, Tai chi or other mind-body practices.

TIP #3: BREATHE: Our bodies need air, yet the simple act of breathing is forgotten when the body becomes stressed. Become conscious of your breathing all day, regardless of what you are doing otherwise.

TIP #4: TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR MIND: In learning how to manage stress, one aspect is simply to take control of your thoughts. While this is easier said than done, by continually doing this you can create a chemical addiction to positive thoughts, which in turn makes it easier to handle stressful situations.

TIP #5: TAKE TIME OUT: Taking a weekend off or finding a creative outlet can break the cycle of negative hormones. If you can consistently find a way to “forget your worries,” you will soon create an addiction to the peaceful feeling you have when taking time out for yourself.

TIP #6: ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR POWER: Everyone has a significant reserve of internal power. Once this power is found and tapped into, you move from being a victim to being in charge of your life. This toggles your mind’s perspective from “Things are not alright, we have to fight or run” to “Things are okay,” which stops the stress hormone flow.

TIP #7: BRAINWAVE MEDITATION: One of the best ways to relieve stress is to use something called a brainwave meditation audio. It uses electronic frequencies to safely put the mind into a relaxed and calm state within minutes while all you do is relax. It has also been proven to significantly reduce the stress hormones that cause anxiety and aging while at the same time increase the “good” chemicals that counteract stress and anxiety as well as promote youthfulness.

SUMMARY: So, how does stress affect health? It affects every facet of our existence, which in turns affects our health. Identifying exactly what makes stress affect your overall health is second to finding ways to relieve stress. Combine these stress reliefs tips for a balance approach to overcoming stress and aging.

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Swedish Fish Are Good For You

October 23, 2021

Last night as I sat and watched television I opened up a bag of Swedish Fish. As I sat enjoying the delicious flavor of the gummy snack I did not give much thought to the fact that the gumminess of snack food was a potentially rebuilding my skin and adding to the elasticity of my cells. Growing up I was always taught that all snack food is essentially junk food and has no real nutritional value. However,

I recently learned that there are snack foods that are high in protein and contain hydrolyzed collagen which is essential for health bones, cartilage, and skin. Giving the Swedish Fish I was enjoying their gummy consistency the viscosity of the hydrolyzed collagen is what gives not only Swedish Fish, but all sorts of products their gummy texture.

As a parent I often indulge my children with a gummy based fruit snack. The sometimes juice flavored fruit snacks provide about 10% juices from the various flavored fruits that they represent and now that I know my children are receiving the health benefits of having the proteins of hydrolyzed collagen added to the fruit flavoring of their favorite snack treat I can feel good about giving them a treat that has some health benefits to them.

I have also learned that hydrolyzed collagen aids in the regeneration of damaged tissue. As a parent I know how easy it is for my children to suffer injuries and minor cuts and bruises that require a band aid and kiss to help them heal, but I have also discovered that their injuries are healed better with a dose of collagen proteins that are an essential building block for the bodys ability to regenerate cells and tissue that children are prone to.

Found in 30% of all animal proteins hydrolyzed collagen keeps skin looking and feeling younger as is responsible for proper joint function and movement. Because the cartilage within a joint acts as a cushion between the bones, having soft pliable amount of cartilage is essential to the healthy movement of joints throughout the body. As I thought about all of the benefits I and my children were gaining from enjoying a snack of Swedish Fish I could not help but think I was actually doing something good for my body and not filling it with sugar or artificial colors.

By eating a small portion of the gummy snack treat I was actually helping to replace the hydrolyzed collagen that my body needs to be healthy and strong. Who know gummy snacks could actually be good for you?

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E Cig Health Risks

September 17, 2021

Used to an increasing degree over not simply the United States but the entire world, e-cigarettes represent an incredibly fast growing and popular new technology. While on the outside e-cigarettes seem completely safe there is a troubling element to their growth, and that’s the fact no one really knows much about them or what the long-term health implications over smoking them is.

It’s up to each individual to decide what level of risk they’re willing to take on in their life and with the habits they adopt. Still, that doesn’t mean you should start (or continue) to smoke e-cigarettes without having some idea what problems they could potentially cause you.

The Only Real Long-Term Health Risk

There is only one health risk associated with e-cigarettes which we’re absolutely aware of and that’s the fact we are largely ignorant over them. The biggest health risk surrounding e-cigarettes is their uncertainty. They could produce lots of health risks which we aren’t aware of and which won’t come to light for another decade.

On the other hand they may also be completely safe. Consider the example of lazik eye treatments. This form of vision correction met a similar level of public hostility and alarm when it first arrived on the market. People came up with all sorts of horror stories over what lazik treatments could potentially do.

-some people felt lazik treatments would initially work and then your eyes would revert to their initial state very quickly

-some people thought lazik treatments would cause serious problems for the first few weeks after treatment and then not even improve vision

-some people predicted lazik treatments would cause blindness after a few years

So what happened with all those early adopters of lazik, not to mention the millions of other people who have gotten it more recently? Nothing bad. A few people had a bad experience or two but overall the vast, overwhelming majority of people who have gotten lazik received massive vision benefits which lasted. Additionally the treatment itself has improved over the years and become faster, more effective and safer.

It’s easy to think up horror stories for e-cigarettes but chances are most of these concerns are unfounded and won’t stand up to scrutiny over time. Similar to lazik, e-cigarette technology will also improve over the years and minimize any problems which may pop up with their first couple years on the market.

We can speculate endlessly over the health risks surrounding e-cigarettes but at the end of the day the only real risk is using a device whose long-term effects are unknown. Like most new medical technologies there’s a good chance e-cigarettes have no negative long term health effects. Chances are e-cigarettes, like lazik, will prove over time to be harmless.

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Heart Health Hawthorn Berries Natures Tonic for the Heart

August 28, 2021

In the first century, the Greek herbalist Dioscorides wrote about the health-giving properties of the berries of the white-thorn, or hawthorn tree. Thereafter, Romans, Greeks and even Renaissance herbalists utilized the rose-like petals and red berries of the hawthorn tree as a powerful tonic for heart health.

In modern Europe, doctors regularly prescribe hawthorn extract to alleviate a variety of mild to moderate heart related symptoms. Hawthorn is listed as an official drug in the Pharmacopoeias (official drug compendium) throughout China, Europe and South America, as an effective treatment for heart ailments and cardiovascular disease. It is used in cases of angina pectoris (chest pains), arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeat), aged related cardiac insufficiency, arteriosclerosis and to regulate both high and low blood pressure.

European studies indicate that hawthorn can reduce strains on the heart by dilating peripheral blood vessels (lowering blood pressure), while it simultaneously increases cardiac output as it strengthens the contractility of the heat muscle (allowing it to pump stronger). Angina cases are often relieved because it is believed to dilate coronary blood vessels, increasing the oxygen supply to the heart muscle. This may reduce the risk of having a heart attack and increase your chances of survival if one does occur. Studies have also shown hawthorn to speed the recovery of those who have suffered a heart attack.

Hawthorn berries contain cardiotonic amines, polyphenols and vitamin C with significant amounts of bioflavonoids. Universally considered to be safe even in long term use, hawthorn is non-toxic, not habit-forming and does not appear to interfere with any conventional medications. It is sometimes given concurrently with much more toxic allopathic medicines to reduce the dosage and necessity of the drugs. Over a dozen clinical trials have concluded that hawthorn berry extract can be a safe and effective option in cases of chronic congestive heart disease.

Hawthorns valuable clinical effects include:

A powerful antioxidant free-radical scavenger to reduce the plaques of atherosclerosis

An arterial dilator to infuse more oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle, alleviating angina (chest pains) while lowering peripheral blood pressure

An anti-arrythmic (steadies the heart beat by stabilizing the hearts rhythmic contractions) to prevent deadly, vessel-plugging clots

A cardiovascular tonic which increases cardiac output and endurance

Is mildly sedative, reducing some of the nervousness associated with angina or palpitations

Hawthorn taken in conjunction with other heart healthy supplements like vitamin E, Co Q10 and omega-3 fats (from fish oils), is a ideal way to support longevity, endurance and preventive heart health at any age.

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The Secret Of Enema Health Benefits

August 6, 2021

An enema is a procedure in which the colon is washed by water and/or solution squirted into the anus. Enemas have a rich history dating back thousands of years. And although many familiar only with the modern western medical tradition may find the concept of colon hydrotherapy foreign or embarrassing, the truth is that enemas were regularly administered to patients (even in the Western world) up until the 1920s. Following the advent of advanced surgical and drug therapies, however, enemas and similar holistic therapies fell out of vogue and became seen as fringe.

This is unfortunate, since both scientific and anecdotal evidence suggest that enemas provide a number of fascinating health benefits. The main benefit touted by enema advocates is that flushing the colon removes feces, parasites, dead tissue, and other debris. By removing this debris, the enema not only helps restore regular bowel movements, but it also has far-reaching impacts for the bodys physical health. Some claim that enemas clear up the skin, reduce the frequency and severity of common colds, improve sexual vitality, combat irritable bowel syndrome, and even potentially relieve psychological ailments, such as depression or anxiety.

While these far reaching claims may seem somewhat dubious to those schooled in the allopathic tradition, modern medicine has produced evidence to support at least some of these ideas. For instance, it is now known that the gut contains a number of key nerve fibers — thus, it is more than reasonable to hypothesize that a therapy that rehabilitates and reinvigorates the gut could have significant psychological and neurological benefits.

Enemas also massage the colon, hitting what are known as pressure points. These are areas of the muscle tissue which are interconnected nodally with other key muscles, joints, and myofascial tissue in the body. In essence, enemas act like acupressure inside the body, releasing pent-up myofascial energy and thus improving whole body health. Enemas may also act on a more concrete level, eliminating waste built up as the result of constipation.

Some enema therapists believe that different solutions can have different impacts on the health of the colon and the body. Common treatments include coffee, yoghurt, Epsom salt, lemon juice, and even vinegar. While all enemas yield a laxative effect, these specialized enema treatments can have ancillary benefits and potential dangers. Some people believe that yogurt enemas, for instance, support healthy bacteria in the colon and intestine because yogurt contains live bacteria. Some contend that coffee enemas help cleanse the liver by causing it to produce an abundance of bile. Clinicians often use barium enemas to help with X-ray photography of the gastrointestinal tract. The barium solution can light up potentially problematic areas and help with diagnosis.

The health benefits you may gain from enema therapy will likely depend on the frequency of the therapy, the nature of the solution you use, any preconditions you may have, and the manner in which you administer the therapy. Talk to your physician before radically changing your colon hygiene. In some patients — elderly or infirm patients or people suffering from diseases or intestinal disorders, for instance — enemas may be contraindicated. Since enemas can change the pH balance of your intestine as well as the salinity and bacterial levels, you may experience temporary side effects during and after therapy. Cramping is not uncommon. Similarly, you may produce loose stools in the days following the enema.

These precautions notwithstanding, enema therapy has been battle tested, and most practicing gastroenterologists believe that it is safe and probably healthy — when not taken to the extreme. Above all, listen to what your body tells you. If you aggravate your intestines by washing them out too much, cut back on therapy. You can supplement the benefits of enema therapy by taking care of your body. Get eight hours of sleep a night, remove stressful elements from your life, get plenty of low impact exercise, and reduce your intake of simple carbohydrates. An excess of fats, sugars, and starches can stress the liver and pancreas and potentially lead to both toxic buildups in the intestines and obesity, which can cause untold ancillary health problems.

Dont think of enema therapy as a panacea for discomfort or gastrointestinal distress; rather, think of it as a piece in a larger puzzle. Work with your doctor and nutritionist to develop a comprehensive holistic health plan, one that focuses on prevention and reduces the negative influences in your diet, environment, and behavior.

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