Your Body, Your Temple

Victims or office bullying or witnessing such acts are at higher risks of needing to use antidepressants, sleeping pills, or tranquilizers. This is according to a research done by the Public Health department of the University of Helsinki.

Workplace bullying is now related to mental health issues for both the victim or those who witness it. It is not yet clear if it completely translates to the usage of psychotropic drugs. A previous study had looked into the effects of bullying at the workplace to people and experts found out that it does more harm than office sexual harassment.

The proponents interviewed more than 6,600 employees of the municipal government of Helsinki and asked them about their encounters with workplace bullying between 2000 through 2002.

The study summarizes its results:

• About 5% of the workers said that they are being bullied
• Around 12% of the males complained that they were bullied at one point or another at their current or previous jobs while 18% of the females had the same experience
• About half of the respondents said that they have witnessed bullying at the office
• The cases of bullying at the workplace led to prescription of psychoactive medicine for males or females
• The male respondents who were victims of bullying were twice most likely to get prescription medications for mental health issues
• Women who witnessed bullying at the office is 53% more at risk of ending up using medicine to address their mental issues

Other considerations were taken into account. These factors include taking medications before the study, body weight, being bullied when younger, and economic status.

Around 10% to 15% of the respondents were victims of office bullying.

Stress Antidepressant, Office Bullying, Sleeping pills, Tranquillizers, University of Helsinki

Whether you have promised to lead a healthier lifestyle, trying to lose some extra pounds, or just maintaining your current weight, watching what you drink is a must. A lot of us really do not pay attention to what we gulp, but like what you will read below, we really should!

Juice Drinks

If you want to drink fruit juices, make sure you go for 100% juice. Avoid the instant drinks that are mostly loaded with sugar

Energy Drinks

You might be busy and you want a boost, well you can get this from energy drinks but this is only because you are given a high dose of sugar and caffeine.

Coffee with whipped cream

The world has gone loco for coffee. Coffee itself can be healthy but throw in he sugar and the cream and you are talking about 800 calories per serving. Opt for skim milk or even plain cold coffee instead of the syrup and the whip.

Soda

Studies have established the over-consumption of this drink may lead to obesity. Occasionally indulging in diet variants is okay but of course you always have better choices.

Sports Drinks

The electrolytes in this drink are very helpful when you are sweating a lot but read the label and you will find out that they also contain a lot of sugar and worse, more preservatives.

Hard Liquor

Keep your consumption of hard liquor limited. After two shots, you are increasing your risk for a long list of health problems.

Flavored Waters

They taste good, people call them water, they have vitamins, but they also contain a lot of sweeteners. Choose those which are only made from water and flavored from natural ingredients.

Dieting, Drinks Drinks, Energy Drinks, Flavored Waters, Hard Liquor, Health, Juice Drinks, Soda, Sports Drinks

There are health practices that we tend to follow because family and friends say so. But there are health habits that we can drop and nothing bad will happen to you. Here are some of those health habits that you can do without:

Seeing the dentist every six months

The idea of going to the dentist twice a year actually came from a toothpaste ad. There is no scientific explanation behind that. Researchers have looked into the idea and found no evidence which proves the benefits of going to the dentist twice a year. Once a year of cleaning will be enough and according to the American Heart Association, this lowers your risk of heart problem.

Get rid of the milk as soon as it reaches its expiration date

The date you see on the milk carton indicates the date when it cannot be sold anymore. The milk may actually have a week more of freshness. Smell it and proceed if it does not smell funny. And in case you take in sour milk, there is no need to worry, that’s just like how milk cheese goes thru.

Feed your cold

There is also no evidence that this cold remedy works. What you really eat does not matter. Taking in lots of water and a hot soup might help with the sore throat and the buildup of mucus.

Brush your teeth and floss two times a day

Once a day is just fine. Plaque takes about a day to harden up. Once a day of brushing is better than brushing twice or thrice of half-baked tries. This is all about plaque though because you still have to deal with the bad breath in case. Be a good classmate or a co-worker and brush your teeth before going to school or work.

Health Brushing Teeth, Dentist, Health Advice, Health Tips, Milk

Men might wonder why women drool over the likes of Brad Pitt or George Clooney but their attraction might be for the immune system of these guys rather than the pretty faces and six pack abs.

Men who have more testosterone appear to be more attractive hunks, and they too have stronger immune systems. This was according a recent study published in Nature Communications. The research concludes that women are attracted to the macho look because the manly features also signal a very good health.

Researchers from Abertay University had 74 male subjects in their twenties who gave samples of blood for evaluation. The blood samples were collected about a month after getting a vaccine for Hepatitis B which triggers the release of anitbodies. The levels of antibodies and testosterone were measured plus the level of cortisol which is a stress hormone.

The next step of the study involve women rating photographs of the men involved in the research. The photos were rated based on a 10 point scale which ranks attractiveness. The proponents of the study then tried to find links between the ratings and the male level of antibodies, attractiveness, and hormones.

Scientists found out that the higher level of testosterone were found on male subjects with sexier faces and stronger immune systems. The men who were rated by the women as most attractive were those with the best responding immune systems compared to those with weaker immune system. The hotness and testosterone levels of the attractive men were also linked to lower levels of their stress hormones which suggest than stress has bad effects on the immune system and how women rate attractiveness.

This study was the first to establish that looks of men is correlated with their immune system and with how women see them as attractive.

Uncategorized Antibodies, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Immune system, testosterone

As much as we love the Yuletide season, it also brings a lot of stress when we travel, shop, or try to be within our budget. During the holidays, a lot of people are suffering from stress. This negative stress brings a big plate of worries which in the long run may lead to heart disease, anxiety, obesity, depression, or hypertension among others.
Before popping a pill, there are a lot of natural methods you can try to relieve that stress:

Massage

This might be the first thing to come to mind and it has been pretty effective since it has been used for thousands of years by the Chinese, Romans, and other ancient civilizations. It is said to be effective to improve energy channels, decrease pain, relax tense muscles, and improve circulation. Overall, massage does wonders to a stressed mind and body.

Meditation

You only need around half an hour to step back and be aware of yourself. You can do this even with a hectic day ahead. You do not need to spend for anything since all you need is a quiet place and your mind. Spend some time with yourself and just let your thoughts flow. Focus on your breathing and think of a great day ahead of you. This short time of calmness and peace helps you release some stress.

Exercise

Run, do yoga, or maybe join a group doing tai chi and the routine works like meditation. Aside from burning some calories, these activities also gives you some time with your thoughts. Exercising also triggers the release of endorphins which is a hormone that helps us get that good mood.

Organize

Stress is pretty much caused by some form of disorder. You might be stressed because your schedule is a mess, cannot find things at home or in the office, or just keeps forgetting things that you need to do. Organize your life and make everything easier for you. Remove all the clutter. Write down your schedule and things you need to do. Put everything in order and you can see that you have dealt with a ton of stress .

Sleep

We all have a very busy lifestyle but making sure that you have enough sleep is essential to properly manage that stress. The body needs this down time to do all the necessary repairs. Try to find the number hours which gets you to a great mood. Too much sleep and it can mean you will be a bit depressed and sluggish while lack of it makes us a bit cranky.

Natural Remedies, Stress Exercise, Massage, Meditation, Natural Remedies, Organize, Sleep, Stress Relief

Here are simple ways to help improve your health and your life:

Do yoga every morning

Yoga will help you with the stress you encounter everyday at home, at work, and your daily dealings. Do some seven minutes of yoga poses and this will help rejuvenate your day. It helps keep the muscles and joints lose and also help with better blood flow.

Take care of your teeth

You spend a lot of time in the bathroom preparing for your day. Make sure you a lot at least two minutes for brushing your teeth and flossing. Problems with your teeth cause unnecessary aging of your arterial and immune system. Clean your teeth and you might be protecting yourself from heart disease in the future.

Say no to soda

Instead of getting a dose of sugar with your daily soda practice, go for a cup of tea instead. Tea either green, white, or black, hot or cold, is a healthier choice since it contains a lot of antioxidants. If you will make a diet soda as your excuse, take water instead which is the best thing for your hydration.

Enjoy your commute

Instead of reading or listening to the news, listen to your favorite music. Music can help you relax, improve your mood, help with your behavior, and brain function.

Spice up your food

Use those spices on your cupboard. They have a ton of anti-aging magic in them. Cinnamon for example helps lower cholesterol and also helps in controlling blood sugar. Cayenne pepper and paprika aid in controlling high blood pressure.

Have a night ritual for better sleep

A good sleep is the best source of energy and rejuvenation of your body. A lot of us are deprived of good sleep. One way to guarantee a good night’s rest is to prepare a ritual to help you sleep soundly. Create a sleepy ambiance by dimming your lights, avoiding turning on the TV or computer, and set when you want to wake up. Try to slow down as you are about to sleep to help your body and mind relax.

Food, Weight Loss, Yoga Healthy food, healthy living, Toothcare, Yoga

Breakfast today is very different than it was back in the days of the four food groups. With the invention of low-carbohydrate diets and the food pyramid, what we eat has changed. We are no longer eating as many fried foods, fat or pork as we once did. Overall, the amount of food we eat for breakfast is decreasing, but we are focusing more on nutrition. I like to focus on a meal that is high in protein, rich in complex carbohydrates and low in fat and cholesterol. Whenever possible, I buy natural and organic foods that are rich in nutrients and delicious. Below are my choices for my perfect healthy breakfast that will leave you feeling full and contribute to better health.

A breakfast that I eat often consists of two eggs with light cheese, two slices of wheat toast and an apple. I buy organic whenever I can because the food will be free of pesticides, free of hormones and will not be genetically modified. The eggs I buy are from free-range hens that are fed an organic diet of vegetarian food. I also buy organic apples of different varieties, depending on what is fresh and available. My favorite apple varieties are Granny Smith or Pink Lady. I love these varieties for their textures, flavors and colors. The toast and apple provide complex carbohydrates for energy to get you going in the morning, and the eggs and cheese provide protein to build muscle and leave you feeling fuller for a longer period of time. Sometimes I skip the toast and add even more protein by adding two strips of either soy or turkey bacon. Both of these options are rich in protein, have great smokey flavor, a crunchy texture and are low in fat. Breakfasts that are low in fat but high in protein and unrefined carbohydrates will leave you feeling energized and ready to take on your busy day.

Dieting, Food Breakfast, diet, Dieting, Eggs, Food, Fruits, Organic Food

Most likely you have several friends among your circle that suffer from gastroesophageal reflux or what is commonly known as heartburn. If you are suffering from the condition yourself, here are some tips to help you minimize the symptoms:

Take medications as prescribed

Upon consult, your doctor might prescribe some Histamine 2 blockers or antacids to help with heartburn. In case you do not know how to take or when to drink your meds, we are pretty sure your doctor is just a phone call away to give you the instructions.

No sleeping when the stomach is full

After consuming a large meal, it is not advisable to hit the bed immediately after or even after 3 to 4 hours. This habit spells trouble for your tummy and you. You have to refrain from eating large meals late at night and recumbency. In case you encounter regurgitation of the acidic fluid up your throat at night, doctors suggest elevating your head and torso by using more pillows.

Read more…

Heartburn GERD, Heartburn

It is a good time for chest congestion. That is, a lot of people are suffering from it.

If you are not interested in over the counter medications, there are plenty of natural remedies for this problem.

For starters, herbal tea can be extremely helpful, especially if you inhale the steam. By adding apple cider vinegar to hot water and/or herbal tea, you can also get a lot of help.

Eucalyptus oil is another helpful cure. Specifically, again, add it to hot water so you can inhale the steam. Lavender, oregano, and thyme as herbs or essential oils can also be used in this remedy.

Natural Remedies chest congestion, natural remedy

The weather is changing.  That has a lot of people getting sick.

They might just get little colds, but those are still awfully unpleasant, especially as the weather starts to get warmer.

So let’s take a look at some natural ways you can get rid of your chest congestion!

Natural Remedies congestion, Natural Remedies