The Benefits of Aromatherapy and Massage

Western-based therapies tend to treat the symptoms of ailments and not the cause. Alternative therapies, such as aromatherapy, take a more holistic, whole-body approach. These therapies work on the assumption that when you have an illness, it affects your entire being physically, mentally and emotionally. Conversely, an emotional or mental problem could cause a physical ailment, as everything is interlinked. Aromatherapy and Massage uses essential oils to aid relaxation and healing. Massage is also used for relaxation, and to rid the body of toxins by increasing blood flow. The combination of the two modalities results in a powerful healing treatment. Here are some reasons why Aromatherapy and Massage is so effective.

1. It boosts the immune system

According to a 2005 study, entitled The Immunological/Psychological benefits of Aromatherapy Massage (Kyoto University), aromatherapy massage was shown to increase immunity. Several healthy subjects were each given the same massage by the same practioner with and without essential oils. They found that after giving massages with essential oils, there was a significant increase in peripheral blood lymphocytes, which indicate immune response.

Aromatherapy and Massage

2. It helps diabetes

According to EssentialOils.co.za, massage improves circulation, which assists in managing diabetes. One of the side effects of diabetes is poor circulation, which badly affects the extremities, such as feet and legs. Massage can ease this side effect, as it increases oxygen to the muscular tissues. In addition, certain essential oils are known to increase blood flow, such as black pepper, juniper, geranium and eucalyptus (EssentialOils.co.za). However, it’s recommended that diabetics don’t use angelica essential oils, as these tend to over-stimulate the nervous system.

3. It detoxifies and encourages healing

Massage is known to promote lymphatic drainage (AllegraLearning.com). The lymph nodes collect toxins from your body and a massage is an excellent way to rid your body of them. Massage also induces a relaxed state, as it just feels so good! When you’re relaxed, you feel less stressed, and you release less cortisol. Cortisol is a stress hormone that is released when you feel anxious. It’s the body’s natural response to danger. However, if you’re stressed your body perceives everything as a potential threat and excess amounts of cortisol can cause health problems. A decrease in cortisol means an increase in healing. Essential oils can further amplify your body’s natural ability to heal, as certain oils induce relaxation, such as lavender and bergamot (AllegraLearning.com).

The combination of massage and aromatherapy results in deep relaxation and an increased ability to heal. An aromatherapy massage is the perfect antidote for any stress or tension and it even increases immunity and relieves side effects. Try an aromatherapy massage and see how effective it is!

Ang Lloyd writes on behalf of Now Learning, which encourages Australian students to further their education by promoting learning opportunities such as project management and aromatherapy courses in Australia.

Juicing: Anti-Aging from The Inside-Out

Many women look in the mirror and find that what they see doesn’t really match up with how they feel inside. Where did these wrinkles, lines and age spots come from? We’ll often turn to fancy lotions and potions to apply to our skin to reverse the signs of aging, and while these can certainly help, amazing benefits also come from working inside out.

Nutrient Absorption Gets Diminishes With Age

As we age, our body’s ability to absorb nutrients is diminished. Supplements can replace some missing nutrients, but even these are hard for our bodies to process.  But the fact is, we need those nutrients to create healthy, new cells that replace the old, dead ones. This process can improves our skin’s appearance and also offers other fantastic benefits such as improved mental clarity, increased focus and more energy, not to mention a better overall mood. The best way to fill your body with those nutrients and minerals is by drinking fresh juice.

Juicing makes the helpful plant nutrients and enzymes present more easily digestible. When the aging cells don’t have to work so hard to assimilate the beneficial compounds, the results are far more profound. Best of all, juicing is quick, easy, and affordable–and it just works, plain and simple.

Juicing for Overall Health

Juicing offers greater resistance to all of the pesky health issues that tend to pop up as we age. Pomegranate and cherry juices, in particular, help to reduce internal inflammation, in turn reducing the risk for heart and cardiovascular disease.

According to the American Dietetic Association, drinking juice made entirely from fresh fruits and vegetables is one of the best ways to maximize your nutritional intake. Most of us don’t get enough fruits and vegetables, but juicing makes it really easy (and fast!) to do so.

It’s so important to get lots of fresh produce in our diets: flavonoids, the plant pigments responsible for colors in fruits and vegetables, help the body fight infections and cancers and even minimize the occurrence of allergy symptoms. Apple-celery juice reduces inflammation and promotes restful sleep. Alkaline vegetables such as carrots, tomatoes, parsley, spinach, kale, and celery help flush the liver, kidneys, blood, and the muscle tissue of toxins which have been accumulating for years.

Alkalizing food is an essential part of our diets – most people tend to be off balance in favor or more acidic foods, causing pH imbalance in the body. pH imbalance is the root of a ton of health issues, like hormone imbalance, weight gain and chronic fatigue, among (many!) others. Drinking alkalizing juice with lots of veggies offers tremendous protection from these issues.

There are as many common reasons to juice for longevity and anti-aging as there are veggies and fruits to juice with! The various nutrients in fresh juice help reduce or eliminate a wide range of health issues, including:

  • acne
  • anemia
  • high cholesterol
  • bladder infections
  • bronchitis
  • canker sores
  • carpal tunnel syndrome
  • constipation
  • gallstone
  • glaucoma
  • headaches
  • hypertension
  • indigestion
  • insomnia
  • kidney stones
  • macular degeneration
  • menopause
  • morning sickness
  • osteoporosis
  • prostate enlargement
  • psoriasis
  • ulcers
  • varicose veins
  • water retention.

Berries: Packed with Antioxidants

Juicing has anti-aging benefits that rival even the top anti-aging skin care products. If your concern is anti-aging, adding berries to your juice is a good start – although berries differ in exact levels of different compounds, they all contain high levels of antioxidants and nutrients that help your body fight the free radicals that wreak havoc on your skin. Fruit and vegetable juices also contain phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals that promote healthy, shiny hair, tight skin and youthful vitality. Berries also contain vitamins and minerals that help protect against various types of cancer. Dark skinned berries like blackberries and blueberries contain the highest levels of antioxidants.

Few people are aware of the incredible benefits juicing has to offer. The best part is, you can tailor your juice recipes to address specific needs and health issues you’re facing.

Melissa Cameron, also known as “mom” to two little ones, is married to her best friend, Dave. She enjoys scrapbooking and spending time with her elderly parents. She loves to learn new things; In her free time, she can be found doing research, reading Zeolite reviews, writing, and surfing the internet.

Playing the Balancing Game

Balance is an import aspect for everyone. Nobody wants to be a klutz or uncoordinated. Yet many people overlook including balance work in their regular training routine. The reason seems to be that people don’t realize that you can easily improve your balance and coordination via exercise.

Activities that involve balancing or things that take coordination are basically neurological issues. Growing up you learned how to do activities based on your body learning how to coordinate impulses sent from the brain through the nervous system to the body. As you learned how to throw a ball, for example, you created new pathways in your neural network. The stronger those connections are, or even making new ones, directly relates to how your body reacts and compensates during certain situations.

Want proof?

Pick up a small ball like a tennis ball or baseball. Use your off hand to throw it at your couch from ten feet away. Try aiming at something like a specific pillow. More than likely the motion feels weird and you can’t easily aim. Do it again. Then do it ten more times. While the motion feels awkward at first, after ten throws it should feel less so and your aim should start to improve. What is happening is new neural connections are actively being created during these exercises and the brain is learning how to coordinate this movement.

This type of training can be brought into the gym as well to help work on coordination and balance which then translates over into everything else you do from sports to daily life.

Balance Training Exercises

Essentially for balance training you will be incorporating movements that put you in an off-balance position and force your body to adapt and compensate. If you want to practice your balance then try incorporating these various exercises into your existing program.

  • One-Legged Squats – Stand on one leg. Your other leg should be bent at the knee with your calf parallel to the ground. Squat down as low as you can and then come back up. At first use no weight. You should aim for 12 to 20 reps. If it becomes too easy then grab a dumbbell or two for added resistance.
  • Box Jumps – Basically you start in standing position, crouch down, and then jump sideways over an object like a box. People jump over cones or benches as well. To start use something simple like a sweatshirt folded on the ground. Jump over then jump back for 1 rep. Aim for 12 to 20 reps total.
  • Balance Ball Crunches – Using a big balance ball for abdominal work adds a degree of difficulty. You can do normal crunches as well as twists for the oblique muscles. The size of the ball creates a stability issue which helps with balance training.
  • Uneven Push-ups – Place a block or medicine ball under one hand creating an uneven stance and perform pushups to exhaustion. Switch positions (object under opposite hand) for a second set to exhaustion.
  • Use a Barbell – On some exercises that you normally use a dumbbell (like bicep curls, deltoid raises, or overhead presses) switch to a barbell with slightly less weight. The extra length will cause a balance issue that your body has to overcome.
  • Use One Leg or Hand – Certain exercises can be done standing on one leg. By the same token some exercises can be done with just one hand or one leg instead of both. The uneven weight distribution will help to train your body to compensate. Make sure to start with less weight than you would normally use.
  • Jumping Rope – This helps with hand-eye and foot coordination. As you get better you can hop on one foot at a time versus two.

Ben Sanderson is an author for Nutribomb Bodybuilding Supplements. Nutribomb’s goal to provide you with information and advice on the best supplements on the internet.

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5 Things You Need to Eat Healthy

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Eating healthy at college can be a tricky maneuver. You’re in a hurry getting to classes, working a part-time job, studying late at night and, of course, keeping up with those hot dates. You’re going to need healthy foods to keep your motor running while keeping your package looking good. Here are five cloak-and-dagger secrets from the underground of healthy college eating to accomplish the mission.

Munchies and Snacks
Whether you’re in between class or having a late study night, you’re bound to get the munchies attack. These munchies attacks come on quick and furious, so you’ll need to be prepared with a healthy snack to fight off the pangs. Before leaving the dining hall, equip yourself with a piece of fruit, such as an apple or banana. Fruits are filled with natural sugar, fiber and vitamins and will quickly satiate you. Keep a stockpile of healthy snacks in your dorm fridge for those late study nights. Include items such as, low-fat yogurts, hummus on whole grain pita breads or low-fat cheese strings. Do not include donuts, Danish or fried snacks like Doritos. These foods are nutritionally empty, high in cholesterol and will pack on the pounds in no time.

Breakfast
Skipping breakfast is like trying to start your car on empty, so don’t do it. It’ll also make you ravenous by lunchtime, and you’ll find yourself chowing down anything within sight. Eating a healthy breakfast will give you energy to start your day and keep you focused in class. While those Belgian waffles with syrup may look enticing in the dining hall, there are plenty of other food choices that are much healthier. Go with a hard-boiled egg and fruit or a whole grain cereal with fruits and nuts. Both are filled with protein and vitamins to get your day off to a good start.

Lunch
Change your opinion about what you’d like for lunch. We’re all creatures of habit and have gotten into the rut of hamburgers and French fries. Go vegan instead. You’ll be eliminating unnecessary calories, unhealthy fats, nourishing your body and keeping in shape. Head for the salad bar in the dining hall and choose a variety of healthy veggies for your afternoon delight. Put together a smorgasbord of leafy greens, mushrooms, sprouts and grated cheeses on top. If you’re really feeling hungry, add some lean chicken to the mix.

Dinner
Think lean cuisine when choosing foods for dinner. Your day is coming to an end, and you’ll be burning fewer calories. Fewer calories burned equals more fat tissue. Choose lean steaks, chicken or fish as your main source of protein for dinner. Include a healthy veggie, such as broccoli or carrots. You also need a portion of carbs for energy, so choose a natural grain rice or pasta.

Moderation
With so much food available in the college dining hall, it’s hard not to over indulge. To avoid this trap, be determined to only fill your plate once and forget that you’re allowed seconds. Try to eat slowly, and you’ll find that you won’t feel the need for a second plate. This will take some discipline at first, but once you establish the habit, it’ll become second nature.

About the Author

JH is a writer for MyCollegesandCareers.com. My Colleges and Careers is one of the best sites to help you enroll in accredited online colleges.

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The Science of Detoxifying Your Body

Most of us lead fast-paced lives because of our incessant drive to be on top of everything. This is further aggravated by unhealthy eating and drinking habits. All of these factors lead us to one consequence — toxin accumulation. This is why a lot of spas, clinics and detox centers have mushroomed in just a few years.

Detoxification is the process of eliminating toxins from the body, so that they will not cause further harm to our body systems. There are several methods of detoxification, although they are fairly similar in concept. This article provides an overview of some of these.

Here are a few of the common classifications of detoxification. The detox would be dependent on your specific problem area and it will be done based on the assessment and evaluation of your provider.

  • Natural Body Detox

There is nothing more natural than eating plenty of nutritious food in the form of raw vegetables and fruits. To spice up your food and to add more detoxifying agents, you can add in your choice of herbs, seeds or spices. Apart from giving your fruits and veggies a different punch, the herbs and spices will help facilitate waste elimination. While fasting is not necessarily required, you should avoid processed and refined food items which add more harmful substances to your system. Additionally, you need to make sure that you are drinking plenty of water to flush out more toxins. Apart from this, other forms of hydrotherapy will be initiated.

Sometimes, it is also up to the individual to choose what he thinks will suit his body. Other approaches include sugar detox, detox body wrap and honey or coffee detox.

  • Colon Cleanse

Colon cleansing employs the same techniques employed with natural body detoxification, that of eating high-fiber, natural food. Some individuals choose to supplement this with enemas which can actually hasten colon waste elimination. In an enema, a cleansing solution (could be a commercial preparation or just a homemade one) is introduced through the colon with the use of a thin flexible pipe to be inserted inside your body through your anus.. The fluid used may be plain water or a specially formulated detoxifying solution.

  • Master Cleanse

One of the much talked about diet these days is really nothing but a formulation of cayenne pepper, maple syrup or honey, lemon juice and tea. It is said that the acidic nature of the lemon and the potency of cayenne helps in the purging process.

  • Detox Diet

The concept behind is, again, to rid off the body of accumulated toxins. In the days or weeks before the detox diet, the individual should avoid nicotine found in cigarettes; caffeinated drinks and alcohol are also prohibited. Water and healthy food is consumed during this period, complemented with adequate rest and sleep.

  • Liver Cleanse

Liver cleanse also calls for the power of healthful foods and hydrotherapy, combined with the total avoidance of substances like alcohol and pharmaceuticals which place additional burden on the liver.

Before undergoing any detoxification, make sure that you consult a physician so that he or she can advice you regarding best practices and precaution. This is very crucial especially when you are pregnant, are taking medications and when you are suffering from chronic health conditions such as hypertension.

The author is a freelance writer. He writes about fax comparisons and electronic fax services.

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Five Tips For A Positive Mental Attitude This Winter

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The weather might be picking up a little bit but we’ve still got a long wait until summer gets here, it’s going to be a while before the daylight hours stretch out into the evening and the sun is up before us in the morning. With the excitement of the holidays over it can seem like a lacklustre time of year and it’s easy to start feeling down or just a bit low but there’s plenty of simple and easy changes you can make to your life to pull that mood back around and rediscover that spring in your step.

Regulate Sleep Patterns

Sleep patterns can be a good indication of your mental state, too much sleep or not enough sleep or even erratic sleep patterns can be one of the major signs of depression. It’s natural for our brain to want a little more sleep in the autumn when the days start getting shorter but by the New Year our body has adjusted and you should be getting seven to eight hours sleep every night. If you’re finding it hard to drift off at night try writing down the things that are on your mind and doing a relaxing activity like reading or a word search to help your brain wind down. Try not to spend too much time lying in bed at the weekends, if you can make sure you’re going to bed and waking up at the same time every day to help your mind and your body get into a routine.

Exercise

We all know the health benefits of regular exercise, it’s good for the heart and it helps with weight management. It’s also very good for people with any type of depression. When we exercise our brains release serotonin and endorphins which create a natural high. This high can also be found by eating too much sugar too quickly but the buzz you get from exercise will last longer and won’t have the sharp come down you experience from a sugar low. If you are feeling down this time of year try getting at least a few hours of regular exercise every week, whether it’s getting off the bus a couple of stops early and walking a bit more or getting down the swimming baths one evening a week and your overall mood will soon start to improve as well as your overall health.

Healthy Eating

Healthy eating goes hand in hand with regular exercise, we know we’re meant to eat healthy and we know the difference between food that’s good for us and food that isn’t. Junk food, ready meals and anything that’s process and full of additives and E numbers can leave us feeling lethargic and sluggish. You’re also going to get a sugar crash if you eat too much junk food so try swapping any snack foods for healthier alternatives and make as many of your meals as possible from scratch so you know what’s going into them. If time can be an issue or your simple don’t feel like preparing a meal when you come home at night try cooking at the weekend and storing your dinner for the week in the freezer or investing in a slow cooker so everything cooks while you’re out each day.

Light Therapy

The science behind SAD suggests it’s the lack of light that brings our mood down. There’s very little natural light this time of year and for those of us that spend most our day in an artificially lit office we don’t see much day light at all. Research indicates that being exposed to short bursts of intense light can improve our mood. Unfortunately standing under the florescent lights in the office don’t have quite the same effect but you can buy a light box that emits almost three times the intensity of natural light on a dull day, obviously you wouldn’t look right into the light but facing it with your eyes closed two to three times a day will increase your overall mood and well being.

Try Something New

It’s often the thought of monotony that gets us down this time of year, everything we were looking forward to has passed and we’ve got a few months until the weather really starts to pick up. If you’re feeling like you’re stuck in a rut find a new hobby or activity, take an evening course, learn a new language, start going to a workout class, find something that appeals to you and make that change. Before long this new hobby will come with its own goals and points to look forward to and this will be enough to outweigh any lacklustre feelings you have related to the time of year.

To help bring a healthy attitude into your home JTX Fitness have a selection of great value home gym equipment including cross trainers, vibration plates and cheap motorised treadmills

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