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Thursday, January 21, 2010

6 things to make your mind up after Rejection

In spite of the rejection they encountered, these individuals persevered. Each was challenged to believe in himself or herself when others didn't. Each refused to allow someone else's negative opinion to become a roadblock in the pursuit of lifelong dreams.

You, too, can use the inevitable rejection that comes your way to fortify your belief in yourself and fuel your progress. Here are six steps you can take to master the art of being rejected:


1. Let rejection be a signal to go inward, and do some soul-searching. Ask yourself: What do I really desire to create in my life? Am I pursuing this path because it is truly what I want, or is it what someone else wants for me? Then write down your goals.


2. Use rejection as an opportunity to better yourself. Ask for constructive criticism. Take note of any ways you can perform better next time. Would it help to take a class or read a book on the subject? Then do it.


3. Reconnect with your inner guidance. Close your eyes and ask yourself what the next step is for you. Be still and the answer will come--either right away, or in the next few weeks. Your inner guidance is always moving you towards something, rather than away from something. It gently nudges you to take those actions which will enable the fulfillment of your desires.


4. Remember to lighten up and have fun along the way. When you are following your bliss, you are in alignment with your higher purpose. Let your life be a joyful adventure, in which the journey is as important as the destination. Try not to take yourself so seriously.


5. Remind yourself that encounters with those who do not believe in you are an opportunity to strengthen your belief in yourself, and your commitment to following your inner guidance. Only you hold the map of your life territory within you. Others cannot possibly know what is right for you, or what you are capable of doing, being, or having.


6. Visualize the attainment of your dreams. Put your body in a comfortable position, either seated or lying down. Close your eyes, and take some deep breaths. Imagine that it is a year from now, and that all of your dreams have become a reality. Create a movie in your mind, in which you live those dreams. Make it as real as you can. Be lighthearted and playful with your imagination. Get excited about it. Use all of your senses. Don't worry if you can't see things clearly--its okay if you just sense what it feels like to have attained your goals.


7. Celebrate your rejections, for they are a sure sign that you are stepping out of your comfort zone and living your life to the fullest!
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5 Killing ways to Kill depression

Being lonely or sad can be a normal part of our lives from
time to time. We get sad when we fail our exams, when
we're rejected by the person we love, or when someone
very close to us dies. Depression, however, can be much
more serious than just plain loneliness. It could lead to
life-long consequences that could destroy your self-esteem,
health, and well-being.

Here are some excellent tips to conquer the despondent mood
and get the most joy out of your daily activities.

1) Get Enough Light and Sunshine.

Lack of exposure to sunlight is responsible for your
body’s secretion of the hormone melatonin, which could trigger
a dispirited mood and a lethargic condition.

Melatonin is only produced in the dark. It lowers the
body temperature and makes you feel sluggish. If you
are always cooped up in your room (with the curtains
closed), it would be difficult to restrain yourself
from staying in bed.

This is the reason why many people are suffering from
depression much more often in winter than in the other
seasons. It's because the nights are longer, there are more
dreary weather days, and we sometimes go several days
without seeing the sun.

If you can't afford to get some sunshine, you can
always lighten up your room with brighter lights.
Have lunch outside the office. Take frequent walks
instead of driving your car over short distances.

2) Get Busy. Get Inspired.

You'll be more likely to overcome any feeling of
depression if you are too busy to notice it. Live
a life full of inspired activities.

Do the things you love. If you're a little short
on cash, you could do simple things like
taking a stroll in the park, participating in your favorite
sports, reading books, or engaging in any activity
that you have passion for and would love to pursue.

Set a goal - a meaningful purpose in life. No
matter how difficult or discouraging life can be,
remain firm and have an unshakable belief that you
are capable of doing anything you desire. With
this kind of positive attitude, you will attain
a cheerful disposition to beat the blues.

3) Take a Break.

Relax. Listen to soothing music. Soak in a nice warm
bath. Ask one of your close friends to massage
you. Take a break from your stressful workload
and spend the day just goofing around. In other
words, have some fun.

4) Eat Right and Exercise.

Avoid foods with lots of sugar, caffeine, or
alcohol. Sugar and caffeine may give you a
temporary burst of energy; but they later
bring about anxiety, tension, and other
problems. Alcohol is a depressant. Many people
drink alcohol to "forget their problems." Again, this is just
a temporary fix. Many times when the “high” wears off,
you’ll feel even worse.

Exercising regularly is a very important depression beater
because it allows your body to produce more
endorphins than usual. Endorphins are sometimes
called "the happy chemicals" because of their
stress-reducing and happiness-inducing properties.

5) Get a Social Life.

Your circle of friends are there to give you moral
support. Spending time and engaging in activities with them
will give you a very satisfying feeling. Nothing
feels better than having group support.

Never underestimate the power of touch. Doesn't
it feel so good when someone pats you on the back
and gives you words of encouragement during your
most challenging times? Hug or embrace someone
today. You'll never know when you have saved
another life.

Get intimate. Establish close ties with your
family and friends. The love and care expressed
by others could tremendously boost your immune
system and fend off illnesses. Best of all, you'll
live a more secured and happy life.
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In Case of Emergency - ICE - Saves Life

There is a new acronym running around and it is ICE.

No, not that frozen water you put in your favorite beverage. ICE stands for "In Case of Emergency".

What if....

You are in a car accident rendered unconscious?

You're at the mall or work and become incapacitated?

You are on a business trip and something happens?

What happens normally (we hope), the police are summoned or fire department, an ambulance comes and takes you to the hospital.

How is the staff to know your medical history?

Are you allergic to any drugs?

Do you have a history of heart disease?

Do you have a living will that the medical staff needs to know about?

Do you have a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate order)?

Does you're young child know whom to call?


What if you're Cell Phone, yes that little sometimes annoying thing that in a pinch could save your life, yes, save your life?


The idea is that you store the word "ICE" in your mobile phone address book, and enter the number of the person you would want contacted "In Case of Emergency".

In an emergency situation, ambulance, police and hospital staff will then be able to quickly find out who your next of kin is, your emergency contact, and be able to call them quickly and get the information they may need to keep you alive.

You could have multiple ICE numbers in your cell phone so if one does not answer emergency personnel have another contact, for instance, ICE, ICE1, ICE2 and so on.

One could be your spouse, your best friend, and your parents, whom ever know enough about you to be of assistance to YOU.

It's as simple as that, take the time to go and program ICE in your cell phone today, those 3 letters in your cell phone just may save your life one day!
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Getting over the fear of Contact Lenses

If you wear lenses, or even if you don't, chances are you have asked yourself, "how do contact lenses work?” After all, it's just a little piece of plastic. It's amazing that without them, your vision can seem awful. And with a little thin lens, everything is clear. So let's take a closer look; how do contact lenses work?


In their simplest form, contact lenses are nothing more than an optical lens; similar to that in a pair of eyeglasses, only much smaller and of a different material.


For the nearsighted eye, the lens is a minus power. On eyeglasses, this makes for a thin center and thick edge. The same goes for contact lenses, a very thin center and a thicker edge. The variation of the thin to thick makes up the power of the lens. For example, a -14.00 lens has thicker edges than a -2.00.


The inside curve of the lens, also called the base curve, is designed for optimum fitting on the cornea. Base curves are measured in mm of radius. For example, a base curve of 8.6 means that the lens has the same inside curves of a circle with a radius of 8.6mm.

Another major factor in answering how do contact lenses work?, the diameter. Diameter is measured edge to edge, also in millimeters. The diameter is altered for physical fit and comfort. Any time the diameter is changed, the base curve needs to be revised. For example, a lens with a base curve of 8.6 and a diameter of 13.8 will be overall flatter than a lens with a base curve of 8.6 and a diameter of 15.0.

To picture this in your mind, picture a circle and imagine the top quarter of the circle is a lens. Now imagine the top half of a similar circle is a lens. Can you begin to see how different those two lenses would be?

Contact lenses only work properly when they have the proper prescription and they are fit correctly. A contact lens that is too steep will not only be uncomfortable, it will also create a blurry image because of the distance between the front of your cornea and the back of the lens. A lens that is too flat will not center properly and the edges will buckle or lift off the white of the eye.


Once properly fit, the lens must stay hydrated in order to work properly. On soft contact lenses, this is accomplished simply by blinking. Think of your lids as windshield washers that constantly clean the lens. If you wear lenses, you may notice that they blur a little after long term computer use. This is directly related to the fact that a persons blink rate slows when focusing on anything up close, i.e. the computer screen.

As you can see the optical qualities, proper fitting, and constant blinking are the main factors when figuring how contact lenses work.
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Green Tea for Weight Loss - Pro Cons

There’s recently been a LOT in the weight loss news concerning green tea.

Green tea’s weight loss effects have been causing more and more people to start sipping the ancient Japanese brew.

But just how does green tea help you lose weight? And does it really work or is it all just hype? This article gives you the real facts about drinking green tea to lose weight.


Advantages of Drinking Green Tea for Weight Loss:

1) Green tea revs up your metabolism

A study reported on in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that green tea extract resulted in a significant increase in energy expenditure (a metabolism 'boost').


The researchers also concluded that that over a 24-hour period, green tea extract increases the metabolic rate.These effects are probably due to the high concentrations of catechin polyphenols found in green tea. These work to help intensify levels of fat oxidation and thermogenesis (the rate at which your body burns calories).


2) Green tea inhibits fat absorption and helps glucose regulation


Experts tell us that the catechins in green tea help to inhibit the movement of glucose into fat cells. Green tea may also act as al glucose regulator. It helps to slow the rise in blood sugar after a meal. This prevents high insulin spikes (lots of insulin promotes fat storage) and the subsequent fat storage.

3) Green tea may help reduce appetite

Scientists at the University of Chicago found that green tea caused rats to lose up to 21 percent of their body weight. Rats injected with a green tea extract lost their appetites and consumed up to 60 percent less food after seven days of daily injections. This may have something to do with the blood sugar regulating effects of green tea.


4) Green tea can help you save calories on your morning brew.


We are a nation hooked on our java. Be it the regular double-cream, double-sugar standard or that mocha, dappa, frappucinno, the calories we ingest just to get our morning caffeine is wreaking havoc on our waistlines.

If you want to save mega-calories in the morning but still get your caffeine fix, try substituting green tea for coffee. Or have a green tea in the afternoon instead of that 700 calorie mocha-chillate dream. You’ll definitely notice the difference in your waistline after a few weeks.

So there are 4 ways that green tea can help you with weight loss. But how much do you actually have to drink to get these amazing metabolism boosting effects?

Experts vary but the general consensus seems to be that 3 – 5 cups of green tea per day is optimal. Doing this can help you burn an extra 70 calories per day which amounts to 7 pounds per year. Pretty good for not exercising or cutting calories, right?

However, 3 – 5 cups can be a lot for some people, so you might also want to consider green tea extract, green tea pills or a green tea patch.

Disadvantages of Drinking Green Tea For Weight Loss:

1) Green tea is not a magic bullet

While some people will tell you that green tea is the be-all-end-all for weight loss success, I think the keyword here is balance. You’re not going to eat 5000 calories a day, drink a cup of green tea and make it all go away – it just isn’t going to happen. A healthy diet and increased exercise will go a long way in helping you lose weight and keep it off.


2) Be cautious of the caffeine if you have health problems


For some people that have heart troubles, high blood pressure or stimulant sensitivities, the caffeine in green tea may not be the best idea. If you’re worried about the caffeine from green tea, try taking green tea extract. Most green tea extract is made from decaffeinated green tea so you can still get the weight loss benefits without the caffeine.

If you think the caffeine may be a problem, make sure to consult your doctor before starting green tea for weight loss. Also make sure to consult your doctor before starting green tea.

Bottom Line: Green tea helps you with weight loss by boosting your metabolic rate, regulating your blood sugar, suppressing your appetite and giving you something else besides that high calorie, high sugar coffee beverage to drink in the morning. While it's not the magic bullet, it can definitely give you a boost in weight loss and in your overall health!
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Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Some Proven ways to care about Arthritis

Joints can handle some heavy pressure.

For example, knees handle a force of three to four times a person’s total body weight on average when just taking a walk.The force of a deep knee bend during a squat can increase to nine times the body weight.

So just imagine multiplying weight of more than 150 pounds times a minimum of three or four, and then even more.That can sure add up to a lot of heavy work on knee joints over time.


Now for the science of this scenario. Where two bones meet, called the joint, the bone ends are covered with cartilage, also known as gristle. This cartilage is sturdy,elastic and spongy or compressible

,and keeps the bones from moving against each other at the joint.The cells of this cartilage, called chondrocytes,are thought to be the longest living cells of the body.


Surrounding the bones and cartilage is strong, fibrous capsule lined with synovium,a thin membrane that lubricates the joint area with fluid.The end result is less friction or smoother rubbing together of the bones.This fluid also feds the cartilage cells, keeping them healthy, and is pumped into them during joint movement.

Thus lack of movement (activity / exercise) can be unhealthy.


Other parts of the body features involved with this arthritic scenario include muscles, tendons, ligaments, bursea and mental activity. Muscles, attached to bones with tendons and ligaments, move bones by contracting.

They also cushion movement, absorbing impact or shock. Throughout the muscle and tendon areas are bursae or sacs filled with fluid.

These also help cushion movement.And throughout all the coordination of these parts during movement, the brain is a part.

The brain communicates via nerves throughout the body, in particular the muscles for this scenario, to prepare joints for activity. The exact science of what actually causes arthritis is still being researched. For most of the 100-plus forms of arthritis, the causes are unknown.

Injury, overuse of joints and mechanical issues with joints (like skeletal abnormalities, worn out joint muscles) can lead to arthritis. And many point to issues relating to bacteria and germs as some of the problem. Heredity, stress, drugs, food allergies and viruses have also been linked to some forms of arthritis. So have diet, poor circulation and lack of movement.


INFLAMMATION

Arthritic joints can be affected with inflammation when bacteria or a virus (or other undesirable element) enters the joint area or when an injury occurs. What happens is when foreign matter enters this area or the area sustains injury, white blood cells, antibodies and other natural fighting mechanisms automatically kick in internally to help.These fighters cause swelling, redness and heat as the body fluid moves around. Symptoms of inflammation, one of the uncomfortable issues associated with arthritis, are redness, swelling and tender joints.
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