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Archive for the ‘My Health’ Category

Stress often has very physical consequences, despite that fact that it is mental in origin.

Stress causes the release of hormones in the brain, which triggeran adrenal flight or fight response in the form of adrenalin and epinephrine.  You may feel your heart rate increase and blood pressure go up, as both heart and lungs work harder to increase the oxygen to the brain and to the muscles.

The blood flow undergoes subtle changes to ready the body for the effects of the stress.  You may find that your mouth goes dry as blood flow decreases to areas of the body that are less important, so you might have a hard time talking and eating!  Your skin will also undergo some changes, perhaps becoming clammy or hot as your ability to regulate your own body temperature becomes less affective… 

One of the things I’m really looking forward to doing when we move to the lake house is gardening.  I just know that I’m going to be alot fitter and healthier when I’m able to exercise in the fresh air.  In the mean time, out house is so cramped that I don’t even have room to set up the exercise bike I own.  We just dont have the floorspace!  I have a stepper that I have been able to just make room for, another interim measure might be to get a Chin Up Bar until we make the move.  They don’t take up much room and would be an easy way of me getting some upper body and torso fitness happening.

When we are at the lake house I can kill two birds with one stone, have a beautiful garden and a better looking body!

Having a hobby (such as my tin whistle!) is also important so that you have a way of releasing energy and stress. You need to do something that you enjoy in life so that you are not all about work and there is no play. You will want to do something that makes you feel good about yourself and lets you take some time out for yourself.  When you do this, you are helping yourself grow as a person and to give some relief to yourself when you are looking for a break.

How to Start

You can get audio or video tapes that give breathing instruction and teach relaxation techniques at health food stores, bookstores, and by mail order. It’s probably fine to learn breath and relaxation from a tape or booklet, but don’t try the yoga exercises without a skilled teacher. He or she can make corrections, caution you when necessary, and help you to adapt poses, if you need to.  Make sure you get one or two good Exercise Mats, because you will be working on the floor.

One of the things that has been an absolute lifesaver during my illness has been shopping online.  I’ve managed to clothe myself, feed myself and dose myself up all from stuff I have been able to order over the internet.

The obvious advantage for someone with a chronic illness like me is that you can save alot of personal energy by doing it this way.  You can also get a much bigger range of items that you might be able to get at your local stores.  This is particularly true when it comes to drugs and alternative medicine.  I’ve bought all kinds of stuff (some of which has worked and some of which hasn’t) online, which I would not have been able to get elsewhere. 

One of the best finds was my homeopathics.  I bought them from a pharmacy in downtown Sydney, but there is no way I would have been able to make that journey without expending alot of energy I don’t have.  Drugs can be a bit more difficult due to the fact that you need a prescription, but these days they are even working out ways for this to happen online as well.. at worst you post the prescription in and they send you the drugs back.

Hubby and I have just signed up for $272 per month of health insurance.  I think we get it pretty easy in Australia, apparently in the US it costs $11k a year to insure your regular family of four.  At least in Canada, you can get Medicare HMO Plans that cover the gap between medicare and the total of the bill.  I don’t think they call Australia “the lucky country” for nothing!

President Bush’s expected call Tuesday for more tax breaks for buying health insurance, and more incentives for increasing the use of alternative fuels, falls short of laying out a real, comprehensive plan to address the nation’s growing health care and energy problems, Consumers Union said.

    “Last year the President made health care and energy reform key parts of his agenda, and we’re still looking at record numbers of uninsured Americans and a growing reliance on oil,” said Bill Vaughan, senior policy analyst for Consumers Union.

    “If the President really wants to take the lead on skyrocketing health care costs and securing our nation’s energy future, he must put forth comprehensive strategies that truly help consumers,” Vaughan said.

Bad cholesterol or a bad diet is something we all experience at some point in time. It’s impossible to eat healthy our whole lives, even though we may try hard to do it. Eating healthy for your heart is something everyone should try to do, especially when it comes to restoring health and reducing heart attacks.

Your heart and food We know these things for sure – a diet high in saturated fats will help raise your cholesterol, which is a risk factor for heart disease. People that are obese are more prone to heart disease. A diet high in sodium may elevate your blood pressure, leading to inflammation and even heart disease.

To help prevent heart disease and improve your health, put the tips below to good use.

Eat plenty of fish Herring, sardines, and salmon are all excellent sources of Omega 3 essential fatty acids. Other fish are great to, although Omega 3 may help to get your cholesterol down to a healthier level.

Choosing healthy fats and oils
Saturated fat will increase the risk of heart disease. It’s found in meat, butter, and even coconut oil. You should avoid them until your cholesterol levels are down and you are at a healthy weight. Even those that love red meats can enjoy seafood and nuts for their main sources of protein.

Many Americans still neglect their most vital organ in favor of fast food and television.  The same old advice about diet and exercise just doesn’t seem to be working as more than 64 percent of U.S. adults are overweight, putting them at increased risk for heart disease.  Omron Healthcare encourages people to jumpstart a heart healthy routine by offering a few fun and practical tips to get hearts, minds and bodies in shape.

With the start of the New Year often comes the desire for a new self. Get in shape inside and out while rediscovering the other citrus — the refreshingly healthy grapefruit.

Sweet, juicy and fresh, grapefruit invigorates your taste buds while offering all the health benefits one is looking for this New Year. Naturally loaded with the antioxidant vitamin C, grapefruit juice helps boost the immune system during these winter months when colds and flu are at their peak.

Start the new year off right by committing to a healthier lifestyle. A few simple and practical lifestyle changes can make a positive impact on your health and can also prevent you from experiencing a painful injury in the year ahead, according to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA).  The ACA and your local doctor of chiropractic urge you to adopt the following New Year’s resolutions for a healthier 2007: