Stand Up Straight: The Importance of Good Posture

Stand Up Straight

Stand up straight!' Who hasn't had this command barked at them at some time in their lives? Posture is an area that we are often told to be conscious of but in reality it is an area that few of us truly understand. Today we are going to demystify posture and outline 4 steps you can take to ensure you have optimal posture.
Posture can be thought of as the representation of our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual selves. All of our experiences in our lifetime can be viewed through the window to our posture. If the eyes are the gates to the soul, then posture is the map of the journey.
Here are some common influences on our posture:

Exercise programs - a poorly designed exercise program can alter posture for the worse, while a well designed program will consistently improve posture.

Nutrition - poor nutrition leads to organ stress which then carries over and affects the musculoskeletal system.

Muscle balance - When muscles get too strong relative to another muscle on the same joint, they pull posture in that direction. A common example is tight chest muscles pulling the shoulder forward due to the weaker back muscles.

Emotional health - Depression has been associated with a stooped posture.

Stress - Our stress levels will tense our muscular system, altering our postural mechanics.

Injuries - An injury such as a broken leg will shift our posture away from the injured side.

Sleep - a lack of sleep will lower our available energy levels making it harder to maintain good upright posture.

Hormones - Hormones have incredible effects on the musculoskeletal system.

Work environment - Sitting at a desk all day will alter posture towards the position which is been adopted.

Motor Programs - faulty movements encourage over development of certain muscle groups.

Respiration - Breathing through the mouth will generally pull the head forward and collapse the chest.

Vision - Poor vision will often lead to straining of the neck to see clearly.

Jaw mechanics - Altered jaw mechanics will alter the mechanics of the sacro-illiac joint, Occipital/atlantal joint and the ankle joints.

Visceral Health - our organs reflex their stress into our muscles.

Sports and Work activities - This can be dominance of a movement pattern e.g. a golfer being rotated towards the side the swing with.

Flexibility - poor flexibility often leads to poor posture.

Spiritual challenges - This is very similar to emotional stress.

Primitive reflexes - These reflexes are ingrained into our central nervous system from in utero and have a high degree of influence on our motor skills.Underdevelopment of a primitive reflex will generally impair movement skills and thus degrade posture.

Parental influences - Children will observe their parents and copy them.

And many more!

Balanced posture is a very challenging objective to achieve due to the plethora of factors that affect it. Here are some action steps and exercises that will assist you achieve optimal posture and aesthetics.

1. Get your work ergonomics checked. It does not matter how good your exercise program is if you spend 8 hours a day hunched over! An occupational therapist and many others can assist you in setting up an ergonomically sound workplace.

2. Get a personalized exercise program. A program customized for you is one of the most important areas of addressing poor posture. A good program will always result in a move towards better alignment. If your posture has been degrading with your current exercise program, it is time to get a new one.

3. Stand up from your desk every hour - this will not only help your posture it will generally improve your spinal health.

4. Using a foam roller. Doing soft tissue work can help improve posture.


http://goarticles.com/article/Stand-Up-Straight-The-Importance-of-Good-Posture/8219821/ - Stand Up Straight

Natural Ways to Prevent Hair Loss

Vitamins and lifestyle changes have been shown to encourage hair to grow and reduce hair loss. Balding is a genetic trait but good nutrition can play a part in hair growth. Hair products, such as masks, shampoos and leave on conditioners can also prevent hair loss and restore healthy, vibrant hair. Adding nutrients will help regrow hair so here are some natural ways to prevent hair loss.

1. Protein Grows Hair
Because the hair is made of protein, a protein deficiency can cause hair loss. Add protein to the diet by including animal products, such as meat and dairy, or protein shakes made from whey.

2. Vitamin C is Needed for Healthy Hair
Vitamin C is also a component of healthy hair. Citrus fruits, such as oranges and lemons, are especially high in vitamin C, as are green peppers. Suggested dosage is 1,000 to 3,000 mg a day.

3. B Vitamins Increase Hair Growth
Biotin and the complex B vitamins are needed to grow hair. B3 helps increase circulation to the scalp, thereby encouraging hair growth. It is best to take a supplement that includes all of the B vitamins, called a B complex supplement, as the nutrients work synergistically.

4. Iron Reduces Hair Loss

Apricots offer good Iron

The mineral iron helps increase circulation in the scalp as well, which then fuels hair growth. Foods that are high in iron include liver, apricots and raisins.

5. Drink Water to Grow Hair
The hair shaft is comprised of one quarter water. Drink at least 4 to 8 cups of water a day to stay hydrated and grow healthy hair.

6. Reduce Alcoholic Beverages to Reduce Hair Loss
Drinking alcohol reduces hair growth. Reduce or eliminate alcohol from the diet and you will see an increase in hair growth.

7. Hormones Influence Hair Growth
Hormones influence the production of hair. Hormones decrease with age and slow hair growth. Increasing hormones can increase hair growth. Adding bio-identical hormones for women is a possibility, but accurate blood tests are needed to identify and balance the various hormonal components in the body. Natural foods contain some hormones as well, for instance, wild yam is a natural source of estrogen.

8. Vitamin E Grows Hair
Vitamin E is another nutrient needed to grow hair. It stimulates the circulation in the scalp and can be taken internally or applied to the scalp.

9. Smoking Causes Hair Loss
Smoking cigarettes reduces the blood flow to the scalp and this causes a reduction in hair growth. Stop smoking to help hair grow.

10. Vitamin A Feeds Healthy Hair
Vitamin A helps create vibrant shiny hair because it works with the fat synthesis in the hair follicles and spurs hair growth. Foods that contain vitamin A include eggs, kale, squash, and carrots.

http://www.naturalnews.com/028251_hair_loss_balding.html - Natural Ways to Prevent Hair Loss

How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks

People can develop stretch marks on legs, buttocks, abdomen and the upper torso. Of these different areas, stretch marks on legs are some of the more noticeable scars but there are a number of treatments that can help to prevent, reduce or remove these scars from your legs. Here are 8 of them you should try.

1. Focus On Weight Loss 
Women who have recently given birth often find that an easy solution to get rid of stomach, buttocks, and leg stretch marks is to lose the extra weight that they gained during their pregnancy. This can be accomplished through the usual means; regular exercise and eating a nutritious, low calorie diet. People who have stretch marks due to being obese can also use this solution.

2. Skin Strengthening Diets 
Smart diet plans are an important holistic treatment for any skin condition, including stretch marks. Foods that have a high antioxidant and fatty acid content help the body and the skin to fight against damage from free radical molecules and toxins. That gives the skin the nutrients that it needs to be able to repair damage quickly and effectively. Some examples of foods that provide these benefits are products made from whole grains, beans, peas & legumes, cold water fish, lean meats, and of course, fresh fruits and vegetables.

3. Daily Supplements 
A nutritional supplement taken every day will ensure that essential vitamins and minerals -- those of which are EXTREMELY beneficial to the skin -- are available & delivered to the skin. The foods we eat often lack what the skin needs to effectively fight off these nasty scars. These daily supplements correct that issue.

4. Staying Hydrated 
Healthy skin needs to be well hydrated so it stays flexible and supple. That said, drinking a good amount of water every day is important! You might think this is too simple of a remedy for stretch marks -- and in many ways, it is. However, you'd be surprised at the sheer number people who are NOT getting enough water each day.

5. Simple Leg Exercises 
Light stretching exercises can help to break down scar tissue in stretch marks and increase circulation to help nutrient delivery to the skin. Exercise firms and tone muscles while burning off unwanted weight, all of which reduces the appearance of these nasty scars.

6. Leg Massages 
Massage can help to reduce and remove stretch marks in two ways. The massaging action increases the flow of blood in the area and that means that more beneficial nutrients reach the skin. The pressure that is exerted by the masseuse (or by you if you're using home methods) can also help by breaking up scar tissue so it can be removed.

7. Exfoliating Treatments 
Removing a thin layer of the skin through exfoliation helps to reduce the size and visibility of these scars and will eventually remove them altogether. It also cleanses dead skin cells from the surface of the skin so that it breathes better and is more able to protect itself from damage.

8. Natural Oils, Creams, & Gels 
Numerous natural and holistic essential oils, creams and lotions are available that have been proven to be efficient, safe and inexpensive ways to get rid of stretch marks anywhere on the body -- including the legs. These holistic creams can moisturize the skin for better elasticity and flexibility, exfoliate scar tissue and help to rejuvenate the skin if they contain natural body proteins such as elastin and collagen.


http://ezinearticles.com/?8-Great-Ways-to-Get-Rid-of-Stretch-Marks-on-Legs&id=6848159

Top 5 Blusher Tips

Putting on the blusher adds an instant beauty to your entire face. The blusher helps to contour your cheeks and creates a nice natural healthy glow on your face if applied correctly. Since it is such a vital component to the makeup regime, I would like to offer top 5 blusher tips for that perfect glow on your face.

Tip 1

Just like the foundation, never buy the blusher just by looking at it. Test the blusher on your face if you are not applying any makeup or on the insides of your wrist area for a more accurate result. The right color should look natural on you.

Tip 2

Next, the color should match your complexion. If you are fair, you may want to choose more of the beige or pinkish tones or the translucent colors. If you are dark, you need stronger blush colors such as bronze, auburn or apricot shades to bring out your features.

Tip 3

The trick to applying blusher is to make sure it looks natural on you. For small faces, start from the cheek apples and brush slowly up to the sides. Use a wide "U" shape as a guide for that smiley look. If you have a broad face, just spread the blusher nicely on the apples. Avoid spreading it up to the sides as it will make your face even wider.

Tip 4

Always stand in a well-lit area when you are applying your blusher or makeup. White lights are highly recommended when putting on makeup. Avoid application under yellow lights as they give you a false impression that your makeup looks fine when it is not.

Tip 5

The final result should look as if you have just emerged from a great workout. You have that healthy glow shine on your cheeks. The blusher should complement your overall makeup instead of being in the limelight. The bottom line is that the blusher is not supposed to show, it is supposed to be in the backstage, enhancing your features. If you have put on too much blush, just use your fingers to spread it out or use a clean makeup sponge to gently take the color out.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Top-5-Blusher-Tips&id=1955474 - Top 5 Blusher Tips

Dry and Peeling Skin on Feet

Dry and peeling skin on feet
is not a pretty sight

Dry skin and peeling on your feet is a mild-to-serious skin condition and it needs immediate and serious attention. I do not exactly know if you would agree with me on this but our feet are the most stressed and neglected part of the body. Almost every time, they bear the entire weight of our body when walking. And yet, for many people, lesser attention is given to the feet compared to other parts of the body, probably because our feet are not very visible unlike our faces. Well, so much about my litany.

How do you get them?
Drying and peeling of the skin on our feet are results of neglect and lack of proper attention they so deserve. Primary causes for these conditions are lack of moisture and fungal infection. Too many keratin combine with the dead skin cells to constitute the uppermost layer of the skin. It is called stratum corneum. This layer does not contain any capillaries that can supply fresh nutrients, oxygen and moisture. Keratin performs a very important function to augment this situation. Keratin is responsible for retaining moisture and for absorbing the same from the environment to keep the skin surface moist and smooth. When huge amount of skin moisture is lost, dry skin sets in and skin peels soon appear.

Remember these!
If no proper attention is given, the condition may worsen and eventually develop to athlete's foot. Athlete's foot is characterized by the scaling, flaking and itching of the skin layers, mostly found between the toes. Secondary bacterial infection may follow, which already requires the administration of oral antibiotics. Any mild case of skin condition may eventually develop into more severe skin ailments. These may cause lasting damage to the affected skin parts, aside from the embarrassment and social stigma they bring. Here's a simple list of how you can effectively get rid of the dry and peeling skin on feet.

1. Rehydrate. Basically, dry skin is caused by lack of moisture on the skin surface. You need to drink at least 6-8 glasses of water. You may need to drink more during hot and dry weather. Water is essential for the maintenance of proper balance of the dermal system. Dry skin is often the result of massive loss of fluid or the inability of the skin surface to retain moisture.

2. Use moisturizers. Be careful when choosing your skin moisturizers. Some are known to contain a lot of harmful chemicals. Nothing compares to the natural ingredients. Despite advances in the science of cosmetics and nutrition, majority of experts are one in saying that all natural ingredients still remain as the most holistic and effective treatment for varied types of bodily conditions.

3. Keep your feet clean. Remember that the uppermost layers of the skin are made up of dead skin cells, dirt and keratin. Keratin is a protein naturally produced by our body to help keep moisture on the skin surface. Unhygienic feet may provide ideal conditions for the growth of yeast and fungi. When left untreated, this may eventually lead to a severe skin condition on your feet called athlete's foot. This is a highly inflammatory and very contagious skin condition. In fact, in advanced stages, this may lead to bacterial infection which already requires immediate medication, like oral antibiotics.

4. Use natural skin creams and lotions. I like these most, personally. I am an avid fan of everything natural when it comes to diet and treatments. Many all natural creams and lotions contain essential substances taken from plant extracts that help promote good skin condition. These may contain fair amounts of topical oils, such as tea tree oil used for itching. A 20054 study conducted by M. Shams and published in the official journal of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, showed that onion extracts are effective in addressing this condition. Garlic extracts are also helpful in killing various types of bacteria and fungi.

5. Soak feet in water mixture. You can mix water with apple cider vinegar. Aside from keeping your feet moist, this also kills the microorganisms that feed on the dead skin cells.

Maintaining a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle will prevent you from acquiring this. Early detection is necessary but that only happens when you give additional attention to your feet. Live healthily and you will prevent your feet skin from getting dry and flaky.


http://ezinearticles.com/?Dry-and-Peeling-Skin-on-Your-Feet?-5-Natural-Remedies-For-Silky-Looking-Skin&id=2015002 - Dry and Peeling Skin on Feet