20 Things To Make Someone Smile

Here are 20 ways to turn that frown upside down.

1. Send some flowers to your partner at work.
2. Compliment a friend or work colleague on their appearance.
3. Donate something to charity.
4. Take a friend out to lunch.
5. Hug your partner for no reason.
6. Leave a joke on a friends answer machine.
7. Let someone know you miss them.
8. Make a surprise telephone call to your partner at work, just to say hi.
9. Hold a door open for someone walking behind you.
10. Send a card to a friend letting them know what a good friend they are.
11. Give up your seat on the train to someone when there aren't any left.
12. Share your umbrella on a rainy day.
13. Ask a friend if they need anything while you're out shopping.
14. When it's raining, plan an indoor picnic with your children.
15. Leave a love letter somewhere where your partner will find it.
16. Send someone an unusual and unexpected gift like sex toys.
17. Tell your child you're proud of them.
18. Tell someone you thought about them the other day.
19. Cook a surprise meal for your partner one night, especially if they normally do the cooking.
20. Tell your partner you love them.

Did you know it takes only 17 muscles to smile, but 43 to frown. Why waste all that energy frowning when you could just smile.

Here are 5 more facts about smiling.

1. Women smile more than men.
2. Smiling releases endorphins that make us feel better.
3. We are all born with the ability to smile, it's not something we learn from others.
4. A smile is a universal expression of happiness.
5. A smiling person is thought to be a more pleasant, attractive, sociable, sincere and competent than a non-smiling person.
via
Read More..

5 Ways to Get Yourself Motivated to Clean

1. Invite Someone Over To Your Home

How It Helps

Inviting someone to come over to your home, can be a great motivator to get things clean. Knowing that someone will be showing up at your home can give you a deadline to get things done. Suddenly you begin to look at your home as a guest might, and the undone tasks stand out waiting to be accomplished.

How It Might Backfire

If you invite someone to come over and don't give yourself enough time to accomplish the things you need to do, you can end up with an embarrassing situation. Make sure your deadline for yourself is realistic.

2. Try a New Cleaning Product

How It Helps

Trying a new product or cleaning gadget can be a lot of fun. Instead of looking at a chore as work, it can seem like an opportunity to discover a new tool that lightens your load.

The next time you've got a job you are procrastinating, search for a new product that might help you get it done.

How It Might Backfire

Although cleaning gadgets are fun and interesting, make sure you get rid of products or gadgets that don't perform the way you want them to. A cleaning pantry can quickly be filled with unwanted items that create clutter and prevent the useful tools from being easily accessed.

3. Try a New Scent

How It Helps

If you don't want to try an entirely new product, try a new scent. Scent makes a big difference in our mood and attitude. Try a new one and you may find yourself more excited and motivated to accomplish your chores.

How It Might Backfire

Watch out that you don't combine too many different scents. Scents can sometimes trigger irritation from guests and family members. Combining too many different kinds increases the chances that someone may react badly to one, or the combination of several in your home. Change scents slowly to find the right one for your family.

4. Clean Out Some Clutter

How it Helps

Even if you find only a small space or area to rid of clutter, the feeling of watching unwanted items being removed from your home is invigorating and freeing. Even cleaning out a small area can help you get motivated to tackle bigger projects. Use the 4 container method for projects large and small.

How It Could Backfire

Make sure that you limit yourself to a contained area or section of your home at one time. Trying to clear clutter from your entire home in one sitting is liable to be a big job and leave your home messier than when you began. Start in one room, or section of a room and get it clutter free and put back together before you begin a new project. Your motivation will keep you going, and it will be easier to leave off in the middle of a project and pick it back up later.

5. Rearrange a Room

How It Helps

Rearranging a room is a great way to create a fresh perspective and motivate yourself to clean and organize. Do a 15 Minute Cleanup in the room before you begin. Rearrange the furniture, rugs, artwork, and decorative items. Changing up a room often gives you more motivation to keep it clean and uncluttered. Seeing the results can often let your cleanliness spill over into other rooms of your home.

How It Can Backfire

Don't be fooled. To really get a fresh perspective by rearranging items, you'll need to do some cleaning. You'll be surprised what moving furniture around can lead you to find. If rearranging seems like too big a job, consider switching out just a few components of the room. You'll be surprised what just a small amount of changes can motivate you to do.
via
Read More..

If You Think It, It Will Come

Maybe you’ve heard the comment, “People don’t change.”
Well, in my business, people DO change. For the better.

I believe it is a 3-step Process:

1. Becoming aware of the need for change
2. Ready and willing to change
3. Taking action

That is all you need to transform your life. Your willingness to look at the inner working of your own mind, your ability and desire for change, and your commitment to a process and a practice, are the required elements for achieving your goals.

The movie, The Secret has gained a lot of attention and popularity. ”The Secret” that they’re referring to is the law of attraction. Thought is creative. Every thought you think and every feeling you feel is either bringing you closer to the things you want, or keeping them away. On a deeper level, not just your conscious thoughts, but your subconscious beliefs about yourself and what you deserve, is what creates your life situation. That’s where hypnotherapy comes in. Both your conscious and subconscious mind needs to be in agreement for you to see your dreams and desires manifesting in your life.

Hypnotherapy can assist in revealing ideas and beliefs you may not be aware of on a conscious level. If your subconscious belief system does not allow for abundance, love, prosperity or good health, it will block you from attaining your life goals. Most people would say that they want to be healthy, wealthy and wise, loved and understood. But how many of us truly are? Long-held subconscious beliefs are powerfully influencing. And they were established when you were a child, with the mind of a child. With the help of hypnosis and hypnotherapy, old thought patterns can be uncovered, explored and transformed into new, healthy positive beliefs that support you in achieving your goals and dreams.

There are two levels of mind: conscious and subconscious, and they have two separate functions. Your conscious mind is analytical, logical, and rational. It’s your ability to choose, and your will power. It is your thinking, reasoning mind. Your subconscious is your operating system. It’s the belief system you run on, and the seat of your emotions. It is your image and idea of who you are. Everything you’ve ever seen, heard and experienced is stored within your subconscious. Your deeper mind runs your body and maintains your habits. Whatever ideas you accept as truth, and impress upon it, will be accepted into your memory bank and acted upon. For example, if your programming is you’re not very bright, untalented and not good enough, it is highly unlikely that you will go after that dream job, big money, take risks or follow opportunities.

How do we get hypnotized? Hypnotic programming is al around us. The constant repetition of commercials and slogans encourage us to buy a product or service. Authority figures such as doctors, business leaders, or someone we know whom we admire and respect, can be very influential in convincing us what to do and be. In highly emotionalized states, we are open to receiving and creating beliefs about ourselves. This can work either for or against us. Think of a motivational speaker getting the crowd revved up. Excited and inspired, the crowd is susceptible to receiving and internalizing the speaker’s words.

Conversely, in the heat of an argument or traumatic event, negative words can pierce your heart and leave their mark on your psyche. Those words become the internal dialogue we listen to all our lives. Unfortunately, we are conditioned and programmed as young children, with out fully mature reasoning capabilities. Events occur, we interpret them, and make decisions about whom we are. Maybe you’ve heard the phrase, “Show me the child at seven and I’ll show you the man.” Those same ideas, decisions and beliefs accepted as a child, continue on and are reinforced and played out as we grow and develop. Hence, if you’ve decided you can never have what you want, you are “stuck” in a mediocre job, unfulfilling relationships, and a general lack of motivation to go after your dream.

Only once you’ve changed those beliefs about yourself on a deeper level, will you see change occurring in your life. As you modify and update how you perceive yourself, the right people, opportunities and circumstances will present themselves. Positive self-talk and the power of strong emotion, propel you toward attaining your goals. See yourself as you’d like to be, picture it in your mind. Feel yourself having what you want, get excited about what could be, and claim it as your own. The power to be who you truly are is within your grasp and within your own mind. Your ability to choose and reconstruct your life is true freedom and empowerment.
via
Read More..

Children With Cerebral Palsy Have Similar Quality Of Life To Other Children

Professor Allan Colver, Sir James Spence Institute, Newcastle University, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle, UK and colleagues selected 1,174 children with cerebral palsy in seven European Countries, of which 818 participated in the study. Of these, 318 with severe intellectual impairment could not self-report (and will be subject to a separate study later), but 500 children self-reported their QoL using KIDSCREEN, an instrument which assesses quality of life across 10 categories.

The researchers found that for children with cerebral palsy, type and severity of impairments did not affect QoL for in six KIDSCREEN categories: psychological wellbeing, self-perception, social support, school environment, perception of financial resources, and social acceptance.

However they found that specific impairments were associated with poorer QoL in four catgories. Children with poorer walking ability had poorer physical wellbeing; children with intellectual impairment had lower moods and emotions and less autonomy, and children with speech difficulty had poorer relationships with their parents. Further they found that pain reduced children’s QoL across all categories.

The authors say: “Whereas specific domains of QoL with cerebral palsy are associated with specific impairments, QoL on most aspects of life is not associated with impairments and is therefore likely to be determined largely by social and environmental factors, although these might differ between children with cerebral palsy and those with no disability.”

From the point of view of a non-disabled adult, it may seem surprising that children with cerebral palsy view their QoL as similar to children in the general population. However from the child’s perspective, their impairment is incorporated in their sense of self from birth, and they embrace growth, development and living with the same excitement as non-disabled children.

The authors say: “Parents can be upset when their child is diagnosed with cerebral palsy, but they can now be reassured that most children with cerebral palsy who are capable of providing information when 8-12 years old experience similar QoL to that of other children their age.”

They conclude by saying that there is widespread acceptance of the need for disabled children to be integrated fully into society. They say: “The change now needed concerns attitudes. Pity and sorrow should not be directed to disabled children because our findings indicate they experience most of life as do non-disabled children. Therefore, maximum effort is needed to support the social and educational policies that recognise the similarity between the lives of disabled children and those of other children, and that ensure their rights as citizens, rather than as disabled children, to participate in society as fully as other children.”

In an accompanying Comment, Dr Olaf Dammann, Department of Pediatrics, Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston, USA and Dr Michael O’Shea, Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA, say: “The efforts of Dickinson and colleagues to understand quality of life in children with cerebral palsy are commendable. Their findings offer both reassurance to parents of children with this disorder and potential strategies to clinicians seeking to improve the quality of life for affected children.

“Moreover, in their study Dickinson and colleagues provide food for thought for clinicians who offer guidance to parents of newborn babies at risk of cerebral palsy.”

Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by The Lancet.
via
Read More..

Reading Emotions Through Expression and Body Language

Effective communication does not just mean knowing the right words to say. Emotions and body language also play a very important role in getting your message across. In fact, body language says a lot about what you're feeling and thinking as of the moment. People who are transparent could get themselves in trouble.

How do you know if somebody is anxious, angry, happy, surprised, or sad by judging only his body movements? Here are some ways you can read emotions by observing body language.

If a person is happy he...

- smiles a lot. We might even find him doing a little skip as he walks.
- has relaxed facial muscles and fluid movements
- hums or sings to himself

If a person is surprised he...

- suddenly opens his mouth (hence, the expression 'my jaw dropped')
- suddenly takes a step back
- widens his eyes or clamps his hand over his mouth

If a person is anxious he...

- has a pale face and dry lips
- starts perspiring profusely
- fidgets a lot and has shifty eyes
- keeps shaking his leg or tapping his foot
- makes sudden movements after a while of being still
- stutters

If a person is angry he...

- pounds his fist on the table and uses a loud voice to speak
- clenches his fist and leans forward when talking to you
- bares his teeth and appears to be snarling as he talks
- has tense muscles

If a person is sad he...

- has trembling lips
- is not able to look you straight in the eye and sometimes even has tears forming
- slumps his body
- uses a rather flat or weak tone of voice

These are only a few of the indicators of the key emotions any human being feels. Some might even overlap. For instance, a person with shifty eyes may be either lying or just nervous; so, in order for you to effectively interpret what he is feeling, you have to take the context of the conversation in point.

When you think about it, part of body language reading is skill and part is sensitivity. There really is no clear-cut rule as to what kind of body language pertains to what emotion, but there are general signals that can be found in most people.

In short, reading body language does not take knowledge of rocket science. Because body language is part of daily living, anybody who does not exhibit any kind of body language is considered wooden, as with a mannequin that has just one expression and pose all throughout. Because we are humans, we succumb to our emotions sometimes.
via
Read More..

Creating the Elusive “Lunchtime Facelift”

The "lunchtime facelift" has been the holy grail in plastic surgery for quite a while. The idea of providing facial rejuvenation with no downtime appeals to both plastic surgeons and patients. Get your treatment, look improved and freshened, and immediately go back to work, out on the town or, for some of our entertainment patients here in Beverly Hills, head over to the red carpet at an awards show. Who wouldn't want to get their facial rejuvenation and then have no recovery?

Essentially all of the so called "no downtime facelifts" or "lunchtime facelifts" simply did not live up to their billing. As a plastic surgeon, I know that surgery involves recovery. It is just the way the body responds to a surgical procedure. Traditionally, if the body did not react to the procedure, nothing much was really done and few changes were visible when all was said and done.

But now we have many nonsurgical techniques that can create instant facial freshening -- removing or smoothing wrinkles, plumping lips -- with no recovery. Botox, Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse, Sculptra and other new products provide facial rejuvenation and do not create scars or undue swelling. They can help achieve that elusive goal of improvements without downtime. This is perhaps the biggest revolution in plastic surgery in thirty years.

These products work very differently. When we do Botox Beverly Hills we are using the medicine to paralyze some of the tiny muscles in the face. The twitching of these muscles creates a skin wrinkle on the skin that lies above it. If the muscles lay quietly, they do not tense and cause a wrinkle in the skin above.

Botox is extremely safe, its results are predictable, and it can create fantastic improvements in facial appearance. My sister recently had it for the first time, and it dramatically improved and freshened the look of her face – just like I have seen it do for countless other of my patients.

The we use Beverly Hills skin fillers skin fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm we work to provide bulk under the skin to fill in wrinkles from below. They are very effective for both small lines and larger ones, such as the nasolabial folds which run from the sides of the nose toward the outside edges of the side of the mouth and the so-called marionette lines that go along the side of the chin.

Each person's face is different, so each person will do best with a different noninvasive treatment and nonsurgical skin rejuvenation. But the various procedures do provide fast changes with little or no recovery. Where in the past the “weekend facelift” was illusory, it is now possible to create dramatic changes without downtime.

via
Read More..

Methods to cope Insomnia - Rozerem

Sleep is the most mysterious process of body and can be described as a periodic state of rest during which a person remains unconscious of the activities of the world. However, in today's stressful times, many people suffer from inadequate or lack of sleep. This state is also referred as insomnia.

Factors that cause insomnia:

1. Regular use of alcohol and stimulants, waking during erratic hours, changes in the schedule of sleep and wake or inactive behavior lead to unrest sleep.

2. Light, noise, extreme changes in the surrounding environment shall lead to sleepless nights.

3. Insomnia is also known to be caused by depression and contributes to anxiety or post-traumatic stress.

4. Women facing menopause are also likely to face insomnia because of hot flushes that occur during sleep.

5. Other illness and medical problems are also factors resulting in insomnia.

Sleep medications such as rozerem (FDA approved medication) is used as a method of treating the disease. The good part is that this medication has not shown any evidence of abuse or dependence.

Better sleeping habits can help:

Your bed should be large and comfortable: If you are disturbed by a restless bedmate, switch to a queen- or king-size bed. Test different types of mattresses, pillows, or cotton sheets you feel comfortable with.

Your bedroom should be a place to sleep: It is not good to use your bed for paying bills, doing work, etc. Help your body recognize the place for rest or intimacy.

Bedroom should be peaceful: Make sure your room is well ventilated and the temperature consistent. You need to keep it quiet.

Hide your clock. You should place your clock so you cannot see the time when you are in bed. This is because it will distract you from the state where your brain instructs you to sleep.
via
Read More..

How can I relieve stress and anxiety naturally?

First we must examine what exactly stress is and what happens to the body during stress. Stress is something everyone experiences every day and a natural part of life. The body responds to stress by releasing adrenaline and corticosterone giving you the so called “Fight-or-Flight” response, this occurs automatically. Your adrenal glands produce these hormones which include cortisol, adrenaline, and corticosterone which give you an energy boost to fight or run away. These hormones boost energy, increase awareness and focus which happen whether it’s a physical threat or emotional stress. Some stress in life is good for us. Stress helps keep us focused while there is an emergency; however, it’s chronic stress that causes a problem.

When stress becomes chronic, elevated stress hormones can be a problem. These stress hormones effect inflammation, immune system response, and metabolism. When our bodies are continually stressed these hormones are continually high and can affect the nervous system causing anxiety and depression, suppress the immune system which can lead to sickness or disease, or effect the digestive function causing over eating and weight gain. Although we don’t want to turn off the stress mechanism, we don’t want to remain in a state of constant stress. (1-3)

There is hope, Holy basil is an herb found in India used for more 3000 years for medicinal purposes. Holy basil is a member of the mint family. Closely related to the sweet basil we cook with. Holy basil is native to tropical regions of Asia and can now be found throughout the tropical parts of the world. Holy basil is a strong antioxidant that demonstrates antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. (4-6) Holy basil has been used to treat everything from the common cold to bronchitis and even fever. Holy basil has been used as a digestive aid and can be good for ulcers. Let’s examine how modern science has taken a closer look at this herb.

In the past ten years scientific studies have focused on the benefits of holy basil consumed orally. These studies have revealed great promise and suggesting holy basil may indeed provide effective relief of those previously mentioned customary uses. Studies have even suggested that holy basil can be taken with radiation therapy to help fight side effects, and even good for diabetes. (4,5,7-9) Holy basil’s greatest potential is in the area of stress relief and relaxation.

Holy basil is an adaptogen, enhancing the body’s ability to cope with physical and emotional stress. Adaptogenic herbs help the body function at optimal levels during stress with out effecting mood. Several studies examining holy basil have found this amazing herb to lower corticosterone levels. Lowering corticosterone can improve mental clarity and memory and help reduce age related mental disorders. 10 Lets look further to see how this actually works.

Holy basil has various compounds that provide health benefits. Such as, eugenol and caryophyllene which are aromatic compounds that are pleasing fragrant scents said to boost mood and spirit. Studies suggest that eugenol helps combat stress and enhance mental clarity. Triterpenoic acid an isolate of holy basil has been shown to improve the body’s response to stress. Several studies have examined the anti-stress effects of the different components of holy basil. When isolated and examined individually, the eugenol and caryophyllene significantly reduced the corticosterone level and helped the body cope with stress, elevate mood and improve mental clarity. (12-14)

If you are looking for a good brand of holy basil, look for a product that is standardized to the active ingredients eugenol, caryophyllene and triterpenoic acid, in the form of ursolic and oleanolic acid. These components differ significantly in their chemical structure, different extraction methods are needed to get the most beneficial components out of holy basil. There are three extraction methods that are most common, steam distillation, alcohol extraction, and super critical (CO2) extraction.

Steam distillation breaks down plant tissue and pulls out the essential oils and key components released into the steam and collected when cooled.

Alcohol extraction is a bit more complex and the most frequently used form of extraction. The plant is complete dissolved and distilled for purification. Then alcohol is applied to remove the insoluble plant constituents, and then the solution is distilled to remove the alcohol leaving only the active components.

Finally, supercritical extraction has become popular, where carbon dioxide (CO2) under extreme pressure to removed the active components of the herb. This process is executed at low temperature which preserves the components ensuring that the components aren’t damaged by high temperature. High temperatures can alter or damage the components of holy basil and this is why CO2 extraction is becoming more popular.

Stress can be triggered at any time in life both physical stress and mental stress. Over time the negative effects of stress can affect our health through our immune system, digestion, or nervous system. Figuring out what is causing stress in life and working to eliminate this stress can ultimately bring healing to your body, holy basil can help aid in the process by reducing the stress hormones and help in recovery for quick relieve of your daily woes.

References:
1. Dallman MF, Pecoraro N, Akana SF, La Fleur SE, Gomez F, Houshyar H, Bell ME, Bhatnagar S, Laugero KD, Manalo S. Chronic stress and obesity: a new view of "comfort food". Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2003 Sep 30;100(20):11696-701.
2. Sapolsky R. Stress, Glucocorticoids, and Damage to the Nervous System: The Current State of Confusion. Stress. 1996 ;1:1-19.
3. Elenkov IJ, Chrousos GP. Stress hormones, proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and autoimmunity. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2002 Jun;966:290-303.
4. Gupta SK, Prakash J, Srivastava S. Validation of traditional claim of Tulsi, Ocimum sanctum Linn. as a medicinal plant. Indian J Exp Biol. 2002 Jul;40(7):765-73.
5. Uma Devi P. Radioprotective, anticarcinogenic and antioxidant properties of the Indian holy basil, Ocimum sanctum (Tulasi). Indian J Exp Biol. 2001 Mar;39(3):185-90.
6. Geeta, Vasudevan DM, Kedlaya R, Deepa S, Ballal M. Activity of Ocimum sanctum (the traditional Indian medicinal plant) against the enteric pathogens. Indian J Med Sci. 2001 Aug;55(8):434-8, 472.
7. Prakash J, Gupta SK. Chemopreventive activity of Ocimum sanctum seed oil. J Ethnopharmacol. 2000 Sep;72(1-2):29-34.
8. Vrinda B, Uma Devi P. Radiation protection of human lymphocyte chromosomes in vitro by orientin and vicenin. Mutat Res. 2001 Nov 15;498(1-2):39-46.
9. Agrawal P, Rai V, Singh RB. Randomized placebo-controlled, single blind trial of holy basil leaves in patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1996 Sep;34(9):406-9.
10. Montaron MF, Drapeau E, Dupret D, Kitchener P, Aurousseau C, Le Moal M, Piazza PV, Abrous DN. Lifelong corticosterone level determines age-related decline in neurogenesis and memory. Neurobiol Aging. 2005 Jun 10.
11. Sembulingam K, Sembulingam P, Namasivayam A. Effect of Ocimum sanctum Linn on the changes in central cholinergic system induced by acute noise stress. J Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Jan 15;96(3):477-82.
12. Sembulingam K, Sembulingam P, Namasivayam A. Effect of Ocimum sanctum Linn on noise induced changes in plasma corticosterone level. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 1997 Oct;41(4):429-30.
13. Archana R, Namasivayam A. Effect of Ocimum sanctum on noise induced changes in neutrophil functions. J Ethnopharmacol. 2000 Nov;73(1-2):81-5.
14. Sen P, Maiti PC, Puri S, Ray A, Audulov NA, Valdman AV. Mechanism of antistress activity of Ocimum sanctum Linn, eugenol and Tinospora malabarica in experimental animals. Indian J Exp Biol. 1992 Jul;30(7):592-6.
via
Read More..

How can I relieve stress and anxiety naturally?

First we must examine what exactly stress is and what happens to the body during stress. Stress is something everyone experiences every day and a natural part of life. The body responds to stress by releasing adrenaline and corticosterone giving you the so called “Fight-or-Flight” response, this occurs automatically. Your adrenal glands produce these hormones which include cortisol, adrenaline, and corticosterone which give you an energy boost to fight or run away. These hormones boost energy, increase awareness and focus which happen whether it’s a physical threat or emotional stress. Some stress in life is good for us. Stress helps keep us focused while there is an emergency; however, it’s chronic stress that causes a problem.

When stress becomes chronic, elevated stress hormones can be a problem. These stress hormones effect inflammation, immune system response, and metabolism. When our bodies are continually stressed these hormones are continually high and can affect the nervous system causing anxiety and depression, suppress the immune system which can lead to sickness or disease, or effect the digestive function causing over eating and weight gain. Although we don’t want to turn off the stress mechanism, we don’t want to remain in a state of constant stress. (1-3)

There is hope, Holy basil is an herb found in India used for more 3000 years for medicinal purposes. Holy basil is a member of the mint family. Closely related to the sweet basil we cook with. Holy basil is native to tropical regions of Asia and can now be found throughout the tropical parts of the world. Holy basil is a strong antioxidant that demonstrates antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. (4-6) Holy basil has been used to treat everything from the common cold to bronchitis and even fever. Holy basil has been used as a digestive aid and can be good for ulcers. Let’s examine how modern science has taken a closer look at this herb.

In the past ten years scientific studies have focused on the benefits of holy basil consumed orally. These studies have revealed great promise and suggesting holy basil may indeed provide effective relief of those previously mentioned customary uses. Studies have even suggested that holy basil can be taken with radiation therapy to help fight side effects, and even good for diabetes. (4,5,7-9) Holy basil’s greatest potential is in the area of stress relief and relaxation.

Holy basil is an adaptogen, enhancing the body’s ability to cope with physical and emotional stress. Adaptogenic herbs help the body function at optimal levels during stress with out effecting mood. Several studies examining holy basil have found this amazing herb to lower corticosterone levels. Lowering corticosterone can improve mental clarity and memory and help reduce age related mental disorders. 10 Lets look further to see how this actually works.

Holy basil has various compounds that provide health benefits. Such as, eugenol and caryophyllene which are aromatic compounds that are pleasing fragrant scents said to boost mood and spirit. Studies suggest that eugenol helps combat stress and enhance mental clarity. Triterpenoic acid an isolate of holy basil has been shown to improve the body’s response to stress. Several studies have examined the anti-stress effects of the different components of holy basil. When isolated and examined individually, the eugenol and caryophyllene significantly reduced the corticosterone level and helped the body cope with stress, elevate mood and improve mental clarity. (12-14)

If you are looking for a good brand of holy basil, look for a product that is standardized to the active ingredients eugenol, caryophyllene and triterpenoic acid, in the form of ursolic and oleanolic acid. These components differ significantly in their chemical structure, different extraction methods are needed to get the most beneficial components out of holy basil. There are three extraction methods that are most common, steam distillation, alcohol extraction, and super critical (CO2) extraction.

Steam distillation breaks down plant tissue and pulls out the essential oils and key components released into the steam and collected when cooled.

Alcohol extraction is a bit more complex and the most frequently used form of extraction. The plant is complete dissolved and distilled for purification. Then alcohol is applied to remove the insoluble plant constituents, and then the solution is distilled to remove the alcohol leaving only the active components.

Finally, supercritical extraction has become popular, where carbon dioxide (CO2) under extreme pressure to removed the active components of the herb. This process is executed at low temperature which preserves the components ensuring that the components aren’t damaged by high temperature. High temperatures can alter or damage the components of holy basil and this is why CO2 extraction is becoming more popular.

Stress can be triggered at any time in life both physical stress and mental stress. Over time the negative effects of stress can affect our health through our immune system, digestion, or nervous system. Figuring out what is causing stress in life and working to eliminate this stress can ultimately bring healing to your body, holy basil can help aid in the process by reducing the stress hormones and help in recovery for quick relieve of your daily woes.

References:
1. Dallman MF, Pecoraro N, Akana SF, La Fleur SE, Gomez F, Houshyar H, Bell ME, Bhatnagar S, Laugero KD, Manalo S. Chronic stress and obesity: a new view of "comfort food". Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2003 Sep 30;100(20):11696-701.
2. Sapolsky R. Stress, Glucocorticoids, and Damage to the Nervous System: The Current State of Confusion. Stress. 1996 ;1:1-19.
3. Elenkov IJ, Chrousos GP. Stress hormones, proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and autoimmunity. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2002 Jun;966:290-303.
4. Gupta SK, Prakash J, Srivastava S. Validation of traditional claim of Tulsi, Ocimum sanctum Linn. as a medicinal plant. Indian J Exp Biol. 2002 Jul;40(7):765-73.
5. Uma Devi P. Radioprotective, anticarcinogenic and antioxidant properties of the Indian holy basil, Ocimum sanctum (Tulasi). Indian J Exp Biol. 2001 Mar;39(3):185-90.
6. Geeta, Vasudevan DM, Kedlaya R, Deepa S, Ballal M. Activity of Ocimum sanctum (the traditional Indian medicinal plant) against the enteric pathogens. Indian J Med Sci. 2001 Aug;55(8):434-8, 472.
7. Prakash J, Gupta SK. Chemopreventive activity of Ocimum sanctum seed oil. J Ethnopharmacol. 2000 Sep;72(1-2):29-34.
8. Vrinda B, Uma Devi P. Radiation protection of human lymphocyte chromosomes in vitro by orientin and vicenin. Mutat Res. 2001 Nov 15;498(1-2):39-46.
9. Agrawal P, Rai V, Singh RB. Randomized placebo-controlled, single blind trial of holy basil leaves in patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1996 Sep;34(9):406-9.
10. Montaron MF, Drapeau E, Dupret D, Kitchener P, Aurousseau C, Le Moal M, Piazza PV, Abrous DN. Lifelong corticosterone level determines age-related decline in neurogenesis and memory. Neurobiol Aging. 2005 Jun 10.
11. Sembulingam K, Sembulingam P, Namasivayam A. Effect of Ocimum sanctum Linn on the changes in central cholinergic system induced by acute noise stress. J Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Jan 15;96(3):477-82.
12. Sembulingam K, Sembulingam P, Namasivayam A. Effect of Ocimum sanctum Linn on noise induced changes in plasma corticosterone level. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 1997 Oct;41(4):429-30.
13. Archana R, Namasivayam A. Effect of Ocimum sanctum on noise induced changes in neutrophil functions. J Ethnopharmacol. 2000 Nov;73(1-2):81-5.
14. Sen P, Maiti PC, Puri S, Ray A, Audulov NA, Valdman AV. Mechanism of antistress activity of Ocimum sanctum Linn, eugenol and Tinospora malabarica in experimental animals. Indian J Exp Biol. 1992 Jul;30(7):592-6.
via
Read More..

schizophreniadiaries.com - Schizophrenia Stories of Mental Illness

This site was based off the 2 year diary of a real life Schizophrenic, James Caldwell. His True Diary of Psychological Episodes takes you along the journey of a mad man who struggles to get stabilized on medicine. His diaries of psychosis talk about everything he was hearing, tasting, smelling, and seeing during these encounters at the time, Hallucinating. He will take you through his fears, thoughts, and feelings. His original handwritten notebook has been transcribed to digital.

Mental illnesses are misunderstood and stigmatized all too often. SchizophreniaDiaries.com offers insight into what it's like to live with one of the most common mental illnesses of our time. Many regular and great people suffer from this illness. The numbers come out to be about 1 in every 100 people. It is more common than most people think.

If you're looking for a interesting, inspirational stories or have something to contribute to a community taking a unique look at the schizophrenic condition, this is the place.

They want as many people as possible to be made aware of the causes of schizophrenia, how people with schizophrenia survive, and what it's like to be schizophrenic. You really live another life thru the writings of these people.
http://schizophreniadiaries.com/
Read More..

Coping With Stress

Now you must make one more note here is that you must not stop ,decrease or change any medication without consult your family physician because coping with stress by changing your self may take some time and lot effort from your side so you must take medication prescribe to you and gradually start efforts to change your self. In the process regularly consult your physician and change or decrease medication under his able observation

Now come to point about coping with stress what I am going to tell may not mentioned in any books but these are time tested principles which never let you down. Please note that stress can manage via medication, exercise, yoga, meditation we will talk about it in separately but point is exercise may fine with someone and help and no effect on other one same true with medication, yoga, mediation. One more thing they are not helping you to coping with stress permanently.

Now you wonder I have some magic stick to coping with stress but that is not case. It demand much more effort because any change made by us in our habits, schedule, thinking resisted by body and mind. Now let us come to point

Try to remain neutral in every situation arise. Means in happy situation don’t be over exited and in sad situation don’t be so much sad. Accept both situation as a part of life and two side of coin Eradicate every bit of anger you have from life, yourself, spouse, boss, colleagues or xyz. Just say bye to agitation.

Accept principle of high thinking and simple living. You must try your best to achieve you goal but never blame your self or situations around you. If you fail then accept it as a part and parcel of the life.

Money is one of most important factor in life but not only one so tries your best to earn it but never be mad for it.

Never ever blame your self or situation or people around you for failure, accept it in good spirit and never stop trying

To coping with stress you must eradicate every bit of jealousy you have for your friends, colleagues or anyone because it doesn’t harm anyone but yourself. It will eat you.

Helping other who are in need if possible

To coping with stress you must accept that you are unique individual in world and like everyone you have some good and some bad points

To copping with stress you must leave any addiction like cigarette ,tobacco, alcohol ,drugs

Getting early from bad and leave early for bad

To coping with stress you must start from your self. Never demand from world to change for you but you much change for better

Never erase line of other but draw you line big

These are the principles you can trust to coping with stress. One eastern proverb is “control your self and you will be control the world”
via
Read More..