When the person calling the shots is a woman, keep these points in mind:
1. Women are more comfortable with cooperation than with hotdogging."Women are much more into networks of connections and involvement," says Karen Lawson, Ph.D., president of her own management-consulting firm in Philadelphia. "They want input, and they're often interpreted by men as being indecisive, when that's not it at all. They're just being consultative."
2. The boss may nod when you speak, but it doesn't mean she's down with what you're saying."She's indicating, 'Yes, I'm listening,' " and encouraging you to go on, but it's not to be interpreted as agreement," Lawson says. "She'll listen more and talk less in the boardroom, but don't take advantage of her silence," because she's simply taking account of opinions and "weighing all options before verbalizing her own opinion."
3. If she talks about what happened on the golf course last weekend, don't think she's dropping hints."Women often draw on personal experiences to illustrate a point or explain an idea," says Lawson. Don't take it to heart.
4. Be careful about how you oppose her."Women tend to get defensive when challenged because they see it as a personal attack on their credibility," says Lawson, "whereas men see challenging as a sign of respect and equal treatment."
5. When she says, "I'm sorry," it's not necessarily an apology for wrongdoing-she just may be showing that she understands. "Women tend to say, 'I'm sorry,' to express empathy or shared feeling, and men often interpret it incorrectly," Lawson says.
6. If the boss comes to you and presents a problem that needs solving, don't dole out advice until she finishes. "She's using the man as a sounding board, and when he begins to tell her what she should do or how to handle the problem, she gets annoyed because she just wants him to listen, not solve the problem," says Lawson.
7. She's not NECESSARILY a stickler for protocol. "Women will ask for team and individual input, with relationships and impact sometimes more important than rules," says Marilyn Manning, Ph.D., president of The Consulting Team, in Mountain View, California. "A man prefers to decide who's right and wrong, winner or loser, as in all sports games."
Read more at Men's Health: http://www.menshealth.com/sex-women/gender-and-work-how-handle-having-woman-boss#ixzz1nb7F2I8y
2/27/12
Top tips to start every day refreshed and focused
The best ways to get a morning boost
Welcome to the realbuzz.com guide to the best ways to get the most out of your mornings, so that you start every day feeling refreshed and focused.
Your morning ritual is something which shapes how you feel for the rest of the day. If you’re someone who constantly reaches for the snooze button again and again, then chances are you end up prizing yourself out of bed, only to feel rushed and frantic because you're running late.
Okay, some of us are just not ‘morning’ people, but you can make yourself go some way to becoming one just by modifying your morning routine. The following tips focus on how to improve how you feel from the very moment you wake.
Move your alarm clock
You may want to have you alarm clock close to hand so you can constantly keep leaning over and pressing it for a few extra minutes snooze time. The reality is it doesn’t really help. Place your alarm just that bit further away so that you really have to stretch or even get up to reach it — any stretching movement stimulates the waking part of the brain.
Avoid caffeine
It may be through habit that one of the first things we do when we get up is go straight for the caffeine hit, but this should be avoided if possible. Since your body has been several hours without fluid, what you need is a proper rehydrating drink such as freshly squeezed orange or grapefruit juice. A cup of hot water with a touch of lemon and honey is also a good way to start the day. If you can, add some ginger — this acts as an extra boost your circulatory system.
Exercising in the morning
Although many of us probably don’t feel like it, a bit of morning exercise will help. We are not talking about a full-on several-mile run, just some activity to increase your body temperature, and get your metabolism and enzyme activity kick-started. This could involve just doing a few basic stretches or even jogging on the spot. If you do fancy taking on something more energetic in the morning, then ensure that you have thoroughly warmed-up.
Deep breathe
There is often a sense of anxiety ahead of a stressful day and sometimes we are far from relaxed when we get up. To get your body into a state of relaxation, it is important to control the functions of the body, like the beating of the heart and breathing properly. A good method is to try 2:1 breathing, this is easy and really effective — you gently slow the rate of exhalation so that you are exhaling twice as long as you are inhaling.
Surroundings
Your surroundings can have an impact on your mood from the moment you wake. If you wake up surrounded by clutter, then that is hardly going to get you off to the right start. Keep your bedroom as clutter free as possible. You can also pay attention to your décor — certain colours can be good for your mood, choose something that uplifts you. If possible have some green plants in your bedroom — a little bit of greenery can do wonders to enhance your mood and positivity.
Good posture
Your body position is fundamental, bad posture has the effect of limiting the flow of oxygen through your body, meaning you are not getting the maximum benefit, and waking your body up will be a real struggle. Pay attention to straightening your posture, feet flat on the floor, hold your stomach in and extend up through your spine. These small movements will work wonders and act to relieve tension before you get out and face the day ahead.
Breakfast
Is this the most important meal of the day? Yes! After a long sleep, breakfast is responsible for replacing your liver glycogen, which helps you stay focused and switched-on throughout the morning. Choose your breakfast carefully — sugary breakfast cereals only give you a quick hit and can rapidly wear off. The best bet is to eat some protein combined with carbohydrate to help maintain your alertness throughout the morning. If you find yourself hungry before you have even reached work, you might want to consider eating part of your breakfast at home, and then preparing the remainder to have at work.
These simple changes to your morning ritual will be strange at first but they will slowly become habit and then second nature — before you know it bleary eyed, groggy mornings will soon be a distant memory.
To get refreshed and focused
— start tomorrow!
Welcome to the realbuzz.com guide to the best ways to get the most out of your mornings, so that you start every day feeling refreshed and focused.
Your morning ritual is something which shapes how you feel for the rest of the day. If you’re someone who constantly reaches for the snooze button again and again, then chances are you end up prizing yourself out of bed, only to feel rushed and frantic because you're running late.
Okay, some of us are just not ‘morning’ people, but you can make yourself go some way to becoming one just by modifying your morning routine. The following tips focus on how to improve how you feel from the very moment you wake.
Move your alarm clock
You may want to have you alarm clock close to hand so you can constantly keep leaning over and pressing it for a few extra minutes snooze time. The reality is it doesn’t really help. Place your alarm just that bit further away so that you really have to stretch or even get up to reach it — any stretching movement stimulates the waking part of the brain.
Avoid caffeine
It may be through habit that one of the first things we do when we get up is go straight for the caffeine hit, but this should be avoided if possible. Since your body has been several hours without fluid, what you need is a proper rehydrating drink such as freshly squeezed orange or grapefruit juice. A cup of hot water with a touch of lemon and honey is also a good way to start the day. If you can, add some ginger — this acts as an extra boost your circulatory system.
Exercising in the morning
Although many of us probably don’t feel like it, a bit of morning exercise will help. We are not talking about a full-on several-mile run, just some activity to increase your body temperature, and get your metabolism and enzyme activity kick-started. This could involve just doing a few basic stretches or even jogging on the spot. If you do fancy taking on something more energetic in the morning, then ensure that you have thoroughly warmed-up.
Deep breathe
There is often a sense of anxiety ahead of a stressful day and sometimes we are far from relaxed when we get up. To get your body into a state of relaxation, it is important to control the functions of the body, like the beating of the heart and breathing properly. A good method is to try 2:1 breathing, this is easy and really effective — you gently slow the rate of exhalation so that you are exhaling twice as long as you are inhaling.
Surroundings
Your surroundings can have an impact on your mood from the moment you wake. If you wake up surrounded by clutter, then that is hardly going to get you off to the right start. Keep your bedroom as clutter free as possible. You can also pay attention to your décor — certain colours can be good for your mood, choose something that uplifts you. If possible have some green plants in your bedroom — a little bit of greenery can do wonders to enhance your mood and positivity.
Good posture
Your body position is fundamental, bad posture has the effect of limiting the flow of oxygen through your body, meaning you are not getting the maximum benefit, and waking your body up will be a real struggle. Pay attention to straightening your posture, feet flat on the floor, hold your stomach in and extend up through your spine. These small movements will work wonders and act to relieve tension before you get out and face the day ahead.
Breakfast
Is this the most important meal of the day? Yes! After a long sleep, breakfast is responsible for replacing your liver glycogen, which helps you stay focused and switched-on throughout the morning. Choose your breakfast carefully — sugary breakfast cereals only give you a quick hit and can rapidly wear off. The best bet is to eat some protein combined with carbohydrate to help maintain your alertness throughout the morning. If you find yourself hungry before you have even reached work, you might want to consider eating part of your breakfast at home, and then preparing the remainder to have at work.
These simple changes to your morning ritual will be strange at first but they will slowly become habit and then second nature — before you know it bleary eyed, groggy mornings will soon be a distant memory.
To get refreshed and focused
— start tomorrow!
7 ways to spring clean yourself
I really like this and I am doing this now... still in process.. you can do so too...
Clean up your relationships
Many of us cling on to friendships and relationships well past their use-by date, believing that quantity is more important than quality when it comes to the people in our lives. However, if you are holding on to relationships that no longer make you feel good, it may be time to let them go. If you think you may just be going through a rough patch then it is worth talking things through with your partner or friend; however, if they have been bringing you down for a while and there’s no resolution in sight, it may be time to focus on those people who make you happy instead.
Dust off your talents
From ballet classes to music lessons, children are always rushing about from one activity to the next. Yet as we get older, many of us abandon the hobbies and interests we used to love in favour of a growing list of chores and obligations. To add some fun back in to your routine, try starting up an activity again that you used to enjoy or be good at. If you find that your passion is no longer there then move on to something else – with so many hobbies out there to try, you’re sure to find something that you enjoy.
Straighten out your finances
If you want to start afresh with a clean slate and a clear mind, one of the best things you can do is to get your finances in order. While it may be scary to assess your financial situation, going on in ignorance will only cause your worries to eat away at you and may even lead to a worse situation further down the road. Bite the bullet and, if necessary, set yourself a budget for the next few months or so. Make a plan to cut down on anything that you don’t need to be splurging on, such as your morning cup of coffee or that fancy store-bought lunch.
Declutter your mind
Many of us harbour negative emotions over time such as anger, jealousy and hatred; however these emotions are not only worthless, they can also be detrimental to your health and happiness. Try to realise that these feelings aren’t adding anything to your life and let go of any negative emotions or grudges you have been holding. Also, find a method to deal with any anxiety and stress, such as through yoga, meditation or counselling. Remember that worrying won’t change the future; it will only ruin the present.
I heard that by reading books it is much better than watching TV or listening radio. The activities occuring in our brain cells are much higher.
Trying reading some improvement books
Clear your schedule
How are you spending your time? Is it on things worth spending it on? The truth is that many of us go through our lives wasting precious hours on things that don’t matter and then complaining that we can’t fit in things that do. Rather than letting your time slip away unnoticed, mentally go through your week and work out how you spend your time, writing down everything you do and how long you spend on it. Once you have your week written out in front of you, you can identify how to maximise your hours, what to cut back on and how to make room for more valuable activities.
Spruce up your diet
Whether due to lack of inspiration or habit, we often end up eating the same meals over and over with little variation in our diets. However, repeatedly sticking to the same foods may mean that you are missing out on certain nutrients and it will also lessen your enjoyment of meals. To liven up your mealtimes and boost your inspiration for cooking, try experimenting with different foods you have never tasted and interesting new recipes. If you are a snackaholic this may be the perfect time to start sampling some healthy replacements for those biscuits and crisps!
Get rid of clutter
While you’re dusting off the other areas of your life it’s a great time to have a traditional spring clean and clear out any household clutter. Throw away or give to charity anything you don’t use anymore (including clothes you’ve been waiting for years for the “right occasion” to wear!), clear your kitchen cupboards of junk food and re-arrange the furniture to freshen up your home. Not only will this give you space for more useful things, but decluttering your home can also boost your mental health.
Read more on realbuzz.com...Top tips to start every day refreshed and focused10 ways to boost your happinessImprove your health and happiness
Clean up your relationships
Many of us cling on to friendships and relationships well past their use-by date, believing that quantity is more important than quality when it comes to the people in our lives. However, if you are holding on to relationships that no longer make you feel good, it may be time to let them go. If you think you may just be going through a rough patch then it is worth talking things through with your partner or friend; however, if they have been bringing you down for a while and there’s no resolution in sight, it may be time to focus on those people who make you happy instead.
Dust off your talents
From ballet classes to music lessons, children are always rushing about from one activity to the next. Yet as we get older, many of us abandon the hobbies and interests we used to love in favour of a growing list of chores and obligations. To add some fun back in to your routine, try starting up an activity again that you used to enjoy or be good at. If you find that your passion is no longer there then move on to something else – with so many hobbies out there to try, you’re sure to find something that you enjoy.
Straighten out your finances
If you want to start afresh with a clean slate and a clear mind, one of the best things you can do is to get your finances in order. While it may be scary to assess your financial situation, going on in ignorance will only cause your worries to eat away at you and may even lead to a worse situation further down the road. Bite the bullet and, if necessary, set yourself a budget for the next few months or so. Make a plan to cut down on anything that you don’t need to be splurging on, such as your morning cup of coffee or that fancy store-bought lunch.
Declutter your mind
Many of us harbour negative emotions over time such as anger, jealousy and hatred; however these emotions are not only worthless, they can also be detrimental to your health and happiness. Try to realise that these feelings aren’t adding anything to your life and let go of any negative emotions or grudges you have been holding. Also, find a method to deal with any anxiety and stress, such as through yoga, meditation or counselling. Remember that worrying won’t change the future; it will only ruin the present.
I heard that by reading books it is much better than watching TV or listening radio. The activities occuring in our brain cells are much higher.
Trying reading some improvement books
Clear your schedule
How are you spending your time? Is it on things worth spending it on? The truth is that many of us go through our lives wasting precious hours on things that don’t matter and then complaining that we can’t fit in things that do. Rather than letting your time slip away unnoticed, mentally go through your week and work out how you spend your time, writing down everything you do and how long you spend on it. Once you have your week written out in front of you, you can identify how to maximise your hours, what to cut back on and how to make room for more valuable activities.
Spruce up your diet
Whether due to lack of inspiration or habit, we often end up eating the same meals over and over with little variation in our diets. However, repeatedly sticking to the same foods may mean that you are missing out on certain nutrients and it will also lessen your enjoyment of meals. To liven up your mealtimes and boost your inspiration for cooking, try experimenting with different foods you have never tasted and interesting new recipes. If you are a snackaholic this may be the perfect time to start sampling some healthy replacements for those biscuits and crisps!
Get rid of clutter
While you’re dusting off the other areas of your life it’s a great time to have a traditional spring clean and clear out any household clutter. Throw away or give to charity anything you don’t use anymore (including clothes you’ve been waiting for years for the “right occasion” to wear!), clear your kitchen cupboards of junk food and re-arrange the furniture to freshen up your home. Not only will this give you space for more useful things, but decluttering your home can also boost your mental health.
Read more on realbuzz.com...Top tips to start every day refreshed and focused10 ways to boost your happinessImprove your health and happiness
.....Natural Ways to Fight Depression
A depressive or anxious mindset continues to be one of the most common psychological ailments.
People seem hesitant to seek help, afraid that taking psychotic drugs or counseling will make them look ridiculous. If you are one of such folks, reading about natural ways of defeating depression might prove rather useful. Others, who don’t have a severe problem of depression but suffer from phases of low mood too can benefit from the following advice:
Exercise Regularly
Exercising regularly is perhaps the best, daily activity you can indulge in to ensure better mood. Researchers across the world have confirmed that you don’t need to be a gym-junkie or into hardcore weight training to feel the benefits of exercising. Just take upon any kind of physical activity that gets your heart pumping and makes you sweat. This includes running, jogging and a bit of stretching. If you can combine some bit of light-weight training, it is even better but not imperative. Exercise has a direct impact on our mood. It makes the body secrete more endorphins. These biochemicals are responsible for inducing a feeling of goodness that sustains for many hours after exercising. You should exercise for more than 30 minutes to use exercising as an anti-depression tool.
Make Small Dietary Changes
You can make small dietary changes to fight off depression. Ensure that you get your daily quota of vitamins, particularly folic acid and other types of vitamin Bs. For this, regularly indulge in green leafy veggies, bright-colored fruits, potatoes and dairy products like yogurt and cottage cheese. These vitamins are essential for synthesis and release of mood-lifting chemicals within the brain. Vitamin B12 is required for the overall regulation of our nervous system. Combine this with some source of essential fatty acids. This includes flax and mustard seeds. Omega 3 fatty acids are required for release of mood boosters like Serotonin and Dopamine. Thus, increase your intake of walnuts, soybeans, fish and tofu.
Get Sufficient Sleep
All of us suffer from phases of troubled sleep. When this problem starts to surface regularly, it becomes an underlying cause of depression. Lack of good sleep causes irritation. It reduces your ability to handle low mood swings. Trying to catch a nap and staying-up late at night watching TV further reduce the quality of night sleep. Ensure that you get at least seven hours of peaceful sleep each night. Lack of sleep disturbs the body clock, and can push you towards chronic depression.
Take Psychological & Physical Breaks
Boredom and a mundane lifestyle are among the more common causes of depression. Even if you don’t have something really exciting to do, seek regular breaks. Here, a break refers to something that engages your mind and body. This ensures that you are holistically disengaged from your anxiety or depressive way of thinking. For instance, going shopping to the local market, playing a game of soccer outdoors, playing snooker or bowling indoors or washing your car occupy your mental and physical faculties. Try talking more among your friends and family to ensure your mind is engaged in healthy conversations or arguments that help you get rid of feelings of anguish or frustration.
Develop Better Lifestyle Habits
Some seemingly minor factors contribute to depression in a big way. For instance, lack of exposure to sunlight causes Vitamin D deficiency. This vitamin is essential for better mental health. Similarly, people on low-fat diets don’t understand that a basic amount of cholesterol is required for the synthesis of serotonin. Without this neurotransmitter, we cannot sustain that good/happy feeling. This makes us more prone to being anxious. Thus, extreme dieting should always be avoided.
Avoid Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is a condition of lack of sufficient sugar in our bloodstream. This is often found among people who tend to fast for long periods, between meals. Phases of Hypoglycemia aren't good for your mental health. This impairs the release of serotonin. Hypoglycemia is often found among people who tend to consume too much of refined sugars. Such sugars are highly processed and get immediately absorbed into the bloodstream. This causes a surge in the blood sugar levels, inducing a feeling of goodness. However, the surge is soon followed by a sudden fall in sugar levels as refined sugar is metabolized quickly. Thus, a few minutes after eating a sugar-loaded candy, you might suffer from a short phase of Hypoglycemia. These wide fluctuations in blood sugar levels cause a spike in the release of stress hormones like cortisone and adrenalin, making us more prone to nervousness and anxiety. Thus, eat regular intervals but stay away from snacking on processed, sweet foods.
People seem hesitant to seek help, afraid that taking psychotic drugs or counseling will make them look ridiculous. If you are one of such folks, reading about natural ways of defeating depression might prove rather useful. Others, who don’t have a severe problem of depression but suffer from phases of low mood too can benefit from the following advice:
Exercise Regularly
Exercising regularly is perhaps the best, daily activity you can indulge in to ensure better mood. Researchers across the world have confirmed that you don’t need to be a gym-junkie or into hardcore weight training to feel the benefits of exercising. Just take upon any kind of physical activity that gets your heart pumping and makes you sweat. This includes running, jogging and a bit of stretching. If you can combine some bit of light-weight training, it is even better but not imperative. Exercise has a direct impact on our mood. It makes the body secrete more endorphins. These biochemicals are responsible for inducing a feeling of goodness that sustains for many hours after exercising. You should exercise for more than 30 minutes to use exercising as an anti-depression tool.
Make Small Dietary Changes
You can make small dietary changes to fight off depression. Ensure that you get your daily quota of vitamins, particularly folic acid and other types of vitamin Bs. For this, regularly indulge in green leafy veggies, bright-colored fruits, potatoes and dairy products like yogurt and cottage cheese. These vitamins are essential for synthesis and release of mood-lifting chemicals within the brain. Vitamin B12 is required for the overall regulation of our nervous system. Combine this with some source of essential fatty acids. This includes flax and mustard seeds. Omega 3 fatty acids are required for release of mood boosters like Serotonin and Dopamine. Thus, increase your intake of walnuts, soybeans, fish and tofu.
Get Sufficient Sleep
All of us suffer from phases of troubled sleep. When this problem starts to surface regularly, it becomes an underlying cause of depression. Lack of good sleep causes irritation. It reduces your ability to handle low mood swings. Trying to catch a nap and staying-up late at night watching TV further reduce the quality of night sleep. Ensure that you get at least seven hours of peaceful sleep each night. Lack of sleep disturbs the body clock, and can push you towards chronic depression.
Take Psychological & Physical Breaks
Boredom and a mundane lifestyle are among the more common causes of depression. Even if you don’t have something really exciting to do, seek regular breaks. Here, a break refers to something that engages your mind and body. This ensures that you are holistically disengaged from your anxiety or depressive way of thinking. For instance, going shopping to the local market, playing a game of soccer outdoors, playing snooker or bowling indoors or washing your car occupy your mental and physical faculties. Try talking more among your friends and family to ensure your mind is engaged in healthy conversations or arguments that help you get rid of feelings of anguish or frustration.
Develop Better Lifestyle Habits
Some seemingly minor factors contribute to depression in a big way. For instance, lack of exposure to sunlight causes Vitamin D deficiency. This vitamin is essential for better mental health. Similarly, people on low-fat diets don’t understand that a basic amount of cholesterol is required for the synthesis of serotonin. Without this neurotransmitter, we cannot sustain that good/happy feeling. This makes us more prone to being anxious. Thus, extreme dieting should always be avoided.
Avoid Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is a condition of lack of sufficient sugar in our bloodstream. This is often found among people who tend to fast for long periods, between meals. Phases of Hypoglycemia aren't good for your mental health. This impairs the release of serotonin. Hypoglycemia is often found among people who tend to consume too much of refined sugars. Such sugars are highly processed and get immediately absorbed into the bloodstream. This causes a surge in the blood sugar levels, inducing a feeling of goodness. However, the surge is soon followed by a sudden fall in sugar levels as refined sugar is metabolized quickly. Thus, a few minutes after eating a sugar-loaded candy, you might suffer from a short phase of Hypoglycemia. These wide fluctuations in blood sugar levels cause a spike in the release of stress hormones like cortisone and adrenalin, making us more prone to nervousness and anxiety. Thus, eat regular intervals but stay away from snacking on processed, sweet foods.
..The health benefits of antioxidants
The process in which oxygen combines with another material is called oxidation. For instance, unprotected iron will turn to rust when oxidized, fruits will turn brown, and butter will become rancid. A similar process occurs in the body causing it to degenerate and age, and as we get older more oxidation occurs in the body.
When our cells are exposed to free radicals, this process of oxidisation occurs. Therefore, our aging process depends on our ability to protect our cells from oxidation. However, this is no easy task; we are exposed to free radicals every day, introduced to the body from toxic chemicals that are either breathed in or absorbed through the skin.
The body’s oxidative reaction occurs due to the exposure to environmental toxins that are present in the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat and the household products we use. And it is these ‘free radicals’ that contribute to the oxidative reactions in the body and cause tissues to damage and can also affect memory and mood, wrinkling of the skin, hardening of the arteries, stiffening joints — the list goes on.
Exposure to environmental toxins dramatically increases the level of free radicals in the body, sometimes beyond what our body can fight on its own. The human body is capable of handling and neutralising a certain amount, but when the system is overloaded the body’s normal ability to cope with them is compromised and become susceptible to premature aging and disease.
Free radicals can be found in the following:
Junk food
Refined foods, such as sugar and white flour
Processed foods (canned, frozen and ready made meals)
Colourings, preservatives and food additives
Chemotherapy or radiation exposure (X-rays, TV and computer monitors)
Drugs and medications
Coffee and tea
Hydrogenated and saturated fat (margarine and oils)
Fizzy drinks
Exposure to heat or cold
Household chemicals
Tap water
Cigarette smoke and alcohol
Natural antioxidants
Fortunately there are nutritional approaches to protect the body from free radical damage. Antioxidants are powerful nutrients that have shown to be efficient in minimizing the effects of free radicals. Antioxidants are nature’s free radical fighters and occur naturally in plant foods. Therefore, if we are not getting enough variety and quantity of antioxidants, these toxic chemicals will destroy cells leaving the body vulnerable to disease.
The body needs plenty of antioxidants to help destroy free radicals, to promote the growth of healthy cells and protect these cells against premature aging. Much of the damage can be repaired in a short amount of time by simply providing the brain and body with repeated doses of antioxidants. Eating fruits and vegetables at optimal ripeness and consuming them in less processed forms without removing their skins, provides quality antioxidants.
Organic produce is high in antioxidants as well as being rich in flavor and full in nutrients. It is worth remembering that no matter how healthy your lifestyle is, you will be exposed to free radicals. Therefore antioxidant-rich foods are a must to your everyday diet. To help protect your body, nature has provided us with a wide range of different antioxidants. They are found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and seeds, beans and many other natural foods. The more antioxidants the body gets, the better it is able to adapt to stress.
Antioxidants can be found in the following foods:
Whole and unrefined foods
Natural plants (fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, whole grains, beans, raw nuts and seeds)
Raw foods
Cold-pressed oils (olive, canola and flax)
Seaweeds
Sprouts
Free-range meat and eggs
Nutrients that reduce free radical damage
The best sources of antioxidants to fight free radicals are rich in vitamins C, E and vitamins B, flavonoid and beta-carotene. Below is a quick guide to foods that are high in these nutrients, and therefore packed with antioxidants:
Berries (cranberries, blackberries, blueberries) and citrus fruits are potent antioxidants that promote collagen and reduce wrinkles keeping the skin looking young.
Carrots and apricots protect the skin against sun’s ray damage.
Green leaves, vegetables, apples, oranges, cherries, beets, carrots, artichokes and strawberries are rich in the minerals copper, magnesium, and selenium; all needed for healthy hair, nails and bones.
Bee pollen, royal jelly and bee propolis are complete foods. These powerful antioxidants contain 22 amino acids and vitamins D, K and E, carbohydrates and proteins. A human body can survive on bee pollen alone. This is an energy booster and can help alleviate allergy symptoms.
Lycium fruits and liquorice flavonoids are high antioxidants which help counteract effect of chemotherapy and radiography (radiation).
Aloe Vera raw gel (cold-pressed only) contains an abundance of 75 minerals and vitamins including the rare B12 and 12 amino acids which help with digestive and skin disorders. Aloe Vera is a miracle plant and a natural healer.
Raw nuts and seeds, dark fish, seaweed and avocado are rich in EFA, omega-3, alpha- linoleic acid and selenium. These foods can influence against premature aging and enhance your memory.
Chestnuts, papayas, sprouts, squash, sweet potatoes, kiwi, broccoli, cabbage, spinach can help detoxify the liver.
European studies have found that high intake of flavonoid from vegetables and fruits are related to low heart disease and cancer.
Many of these foods improve the functioning of the immune system. When the body is healthy it can cope with free radicals as it has a mechanism into place to ensure their destruction. To achieve a healthy complexion eat plenty of raw food and drink lots of water. What goes into your body reflects your overall appearance!
When our cells are exposed to free radicals, this process of oxidisation occurs. Therefore, our aging process depends on our ability to protect our cells from oxidation. However, this is no easy task; we are exposed to free radicals every day, introduced to the body from toxic chemicals that are either breathed in or absorbed through the skin.
The body’s oxidative reaction occurs due to the exposure to environmental toxins that are present in the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat and the household products we use. And it is these ‘free radicals’ that contribute to the oxidative reactions in the body and cause tissues to damage and can also affect memory and mood, wrinkling of the skin, hardening of the arteries, stiffening joints — the list goes on.
Exposure to environmental toxins dramatically increases the level of free radicals in the body, sometimes beyond what our body can fight on its own. The human body is capable of handling and neutralising a certain amount, but when the system is overloaded the body’s normal ability to cope with them is compromised and become susceptible to premature aging and disease.
Free radicals can be found in the following:
Junk food
Refined foods, such as sugar and white flour
Processed foods (canned, frozen and ready made meals)
Colourings, preservatives and food additives
Chemotherapy or radiation exposure (X-rays, TV and computer monitors)
Drugs and medications
Coffee and tea
Hydrogenated and saturated fat (margarine and oils)
Fizzy drinks
Exposure to heat or cold
Household chemicals
Tap water
Cigarette smoke and alcohol
Natural antioxidants
Fortunately there are nutritional approaches to protect the body from free radical damage. Antioxidants are powerful nutrients that have shown to be efficient in minimizing the effects of free radicals. Antioxidants are nature’s free radical fighters and occur naturally in plant foods. Therefore, if we are not getting enough variety and quantity of antioxidants, these toxic chemicals will destroy cells leaving the body vulnerable to disease.
The body needs plenty of antioxidants to help destroy free radicals, to promote the growth of healthy cells and protect these cells against premature aging. Much of the damage can be repaired in a short amount of time by simply providing the brain and body with repeated doses of antioxidants. Eating fruits and vegetables at optimal ripeness and consuming them in less processed forms without removing their skins, provides quality antioxidants.
Organic produce is high in antioxidants as well as being rich in flavor and full in nutrients. It is worth remembering that no matter how healthy your lifestyle is, you will be exposed to free radicals. Therefore antioxidant-rich foods are a must to your everyday diet. To help protect your body, nature has provided us with a wide range of different antioxidants. They are found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and seeds, beans and many other natural foods. The more antioxidants the body gets, the better it is able to adapt to stress.
Antioxidants can be found in the following foods:
Whole and unrefined foods
Natural plants (fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, whole grains, beans, raw nuts and seeds)
Raw foods
Cold-pressed oils (olive, canola and flax)
Seaweeds
Sprouts
Free-range meat and eggs
Nutrients that reduce free radical damage
The best sources of antioxidants to fight free radicals are rich in vitamins C, E and vitamins B, flavonoid and beta-carotene. Below is a quick guide to foods that are high in these nutrients, and therefore packed with antioxidants:
Berries (cranberries, blackberries, blueberries) and citrus fruits are potent antioxidants that promote collagen and reduce wrinkles keeping the skin looking young.
Carrots and apricots protect the skin against sun’s ray damage.
Green leaves, vegetables, apples, oranges, cherries, beets, carrots, artichokes and strawberries are rich in the minerals copper, magnesium, and selenium; all needed for healthy hair, nails and bones.
Bee pollen, royal jelly and bee propolis are complete foods. These powerful antioxidants contain 22 amino acids and vitamins D, K and E, carbohydrates and proteins. A human body can survive on bee pollen alone. This is an energy booster and can help alleviate allergy symptoms.
Lycium fruits and liquorice flavonoids are high antioxidants which help counteract effect of chemotherapy and radiography (radiation).
Aloe Vera raw gel (cold-pressed only) contains an abundance of 75 minerals and vitamins including the rare B12 and 12 amino acids which help with digestive and skin disorders. Aloe Vera is a miracle plant and a natural healer.
Raw nuts and seeds, dark fish, seaweed and avocado are rich in EFA, omega-3, alpha- linoleic acid and selenium. These foods can influence against premature aging and enhance your memory.
Chestnuts, papayas, sprouts, squash, sweet potatoes, kiwi, broccoli, cabbage, spinach can help detoxify the liver.
European studies have found that high intake of flavonoid from vegetables and fruits are related to low heart disease and cancer.
Many of these foods improve the functioning of the immune system. When the body is healthy it can cope with free radicals as it has a mechanism into place to ensure their destruction. To achieve a healthy complexion eat plenty of raw food and drink lots of water. What goes into your body reflects your overall appearance!
.....5 Habits to Adopt for Perfect Sleep
Sleeping issues continue to daunt most of us from time-to-time.
Our demanding schedules ensure that our sleep is disturbed either in terms of quality or duration-wise. A sporadic incidence of bad sleep isn't that big an issue. However, if you feel that lack of sleep or poor quality-of-sleep is hampering your performance at work or your health, you need to read about the following better sleeping habits:
1. Develop Your Personal Sleep Routine
You don’t need to follow sleep timing-related advice that surrounds us in the form of tabloids and blogs. Just develop a pattern that is suitable to your lifestyle. It doesn’t make sense to follow a routine that inconveniences you and makes you “work” towards getting proper sleep. However, you need to follow some sort of routine. This means knowing when you should switch-off the lights and when you need to wake-up. This is best done by noticing at what time you tend to get a bit heavy-eyed at night. Keep your going-to-bed time around this period. Follow this with a wake-up timing that allows you an extra few minutes to laze in the bed. Ensure a wake-up time with the flexibility of 15 to 20 minutes. Even if you get less than the recommended eight or nine hours of sleep, it won’t matter much if your quality of sleep is good.
2. Eat Lighter & Early Dinner
Ensure that you have had your major meal or supper at least three to four hours before the sleep time. Eating too close to bedtime tends to keep away the sleep. Since the body is actively involved in metabolizing the food that you have consumed, its metabolic rate is up. This means that chances of falling asleep decrease. You might wonder that often after having a heavy meal you get a bit drowsy. However, that is more of a nap that is induced by the body trying to maximize its resources towards digesting the food and slowing down other systems. However, to get a longer and refreshing nighttime sleep, you should eat lighter and a bit early.
3. Exercising Helps
This might sound a bit strange to you but exercise and the quality of your sleep are interrelated. You need to understand that sleeping patterns are essentially a part of your internal body clock. This includes the body’s ability to rest and return to active performance. However, due to issues like stress, anxiety and poor dietary habits, this inherent body clock is compromised. In order to sustain the optimal performance of our bodily rhythm, you need to exercise regularly. This doesn’t mean pumping iron in the gym is compulsory. Any sort of activity where you can dedicate about 40 minutes, combining some stretching, running and jogging is sufficient.
4. Choose Evening/Night Foods with Precaution
Once the evening sets-in, try to reduce your intake of alcohol and caffeine. Even nicotine is known to disrupt the action of biochemicals in our body that induce sleep. There are some foods that help you in falling asleep with ease. For instance, milk and complex carbohydrates found in foods like brown rice contain a higher amount of Tryptophan. This compound is known to assist the sleeping cycle. Avoid foods that are high in sugar before bedtime. These tend to induce the sugar-rush that can disrupt your sleep cycle.
5. Keep Away From Nighttime Distractions
Your pre-sleep routine can include reading a book or watching a bit of TV but ensure that you don’t indulge in something so fascinating that it doesn’t let you switch-off your mind. Shun-out any kind of distracting light coming through the windows by drawing the curtains. Try to avoid watching typical genres on TV that can arouse your senses. This means keeping away from action-packed and thriller movies/serials. Switch-off the cell phone, laptops/tablets or any other gadget that might buzz you. (Health, MensXP.com)
Our demanding schedules ensure that our sleep is disturbed either in terms of quality or duration-wise. A sporadic incidence of bad sleep isn't that big an issue. However, if you feel that lack of sleep or poor quality-of-sleep is hampering your performance at work or your health, you need to read about the following better sleeping habits:
1. Develop Your Personal Sleep Routine
You don’t need to follow sleep timing-related advice that surrounds us in the form of tabloids and blogs. Just develop a pattern that is suitable to your lifestyle. It doesn’t make sense to follow a routine that inconveniences you and makes you “work” towards getting proper sleep. However, you need to follow some sort of routine. This means knowing when you should switch-off the lights and when you need to wake-up. This is best done by noticing at what time you tend to get a bit heavy-eyed at night. Keep your going-to-bed time around this period. Follow this with a wake-up timing that allows you an extra few minutes to laze in the bed. Ensure a wake-up time with the flexibility of 15 to 20 minutes. Even if you get less than the recommended eight or nine hours of sleep, it won’t matter much if your quality of sleep is good.
2. Eat Lighter & Early Dinner
Ensure that you have had your major meal or supper at least three to four hours before the sleep time. Eating too close to bedtime tends to keep away the sleep. Since the body is actively involved in metabolizing the food that you have consumed, its metabolic rate is up. This means that chances of falling asleep decrease. You might wonder that often after having a heavy meal you get a bit drowsy. However, that is more of a nap that is induced by the body trying to maximize its resources towards digesting the food and slowing down other systems. However, to get a longer and refreshing nighttime sleep, you should eat lighter and a bit early.
3. Exercising Helps
This might sound a bit strange to you but exercise and the quality of your sleep are interrelated. You need to understand that sleeping patterns are essentially a part of your internal body clock. This includes the body’s ability to rest and return to active performance. However, due to issues like stress, anxiety and poor dietary habits, this inherent body clock is compromised. In order to sustain the optimal performance of our bodily rhythm, you need to exercise regularly. This doesn’t mean pumping iron in the gym is compulsory. Any sort of activity where you can dedicate about 40 minutes, combining some stretching, running and jogging is sufficient.
4. Choose Evening/Night Foods with Precaution
Once the evening sets-in, try to reduce your intake of alcohol and caffeine. Even nicotine is known to disrupt the action of biochemicals in our body that induce sleep. There are some foods that help you in falling asleep with ease. For instance, milk and complex carbohydrates found in foods like brown rice contain a higher amount of Tryptophan. This compound is known to assist the sleeping cycle. Avoid foods that are high in sugar before bedtime. These tend to induce the sugar-rush that can disrupt your sleep cycle.
5. Keep Away From Nighttime Distractions
Your pre-sleep routine can include reading a book or watching a bit of TV but ensure that you don’t indulge in something so fascinating that it doesn’t let you switch-off your mind. Shun-out any kind of distracting light coming through the windows by drawing the curtains. Try to avoid watching typical genres on TV that can arouse your senses. This means keeping away from action-packed and thriller movies/serials. Switch-off the cell phone, laptops/tablets or any other gadget that might buzz you. (Health, MensXP.com)
2/25/12
bACK PACK REVIEW FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL KIDS
Backpack Review
I was looking for the review of children backpack for my daughter in Primary 2.
I was looking for the review of children backpack for my daughter in Primary 2.
Books are heavy and i am sourcing for reasonable price back pack that is not too heavy.. I am thinking to ship in and buy a reasonable price one for her and myself... anyone interested?
Choosing between types of backpacks
This report covers backpacks for school and commuting, including rolling backpacks and kids' backpacks. We also take a look at laptop backpacks, which include a padded compartment for a notebook computer. ConsumerSearch has a separate report on hiking backpacks for camping and hiking trips, but for short hikes, many of the packs included in this report could be pressed into duty. Related Searches
Leather Backpacks for Women
Backpacks Kids
Kids Rolling Backpacks
Jansport Wheeled Backpacks
Backpacks come in a wide variety of colors, shapes, sizes and prices. Unlike some other consumer products, paying more won't necessarily get you a higher-quality pack. In fact, many of the top-rated backpacks are classic styles from JanSport and L.L.Bean that cost less than $50. These simple backpacks score highly for durability, but they don't feature many of the bells and whistles found on pricier packs, including those from The North Face -- another top-rated brand in reviews. Although you won't necessarily get better quality in an expensive backpack, you will usually get more extras such as internal organizers, mesh bottle holders, key fobs, headphone ports, ventilated back pads and laptop sleeves. Keep in mind that all of these extras add weight to the pack, so it pays to consider whether you really need lots of pockets and zippered pouches.
Backpacks for adults and older children in high school have capacities starting at about 1,800 cubic inches and ranging up to 2,700. Some smaller packs are available at about 1,500 cubic inches, like those designed specifically for women. For younger children, it's important to select a backpack that's appropriate for their size. The smallest packs for kids in preschool and kindergarten have capacities of about 800 cubic inches, while larger backpacks for elementary and middle school children can reach up to 1,200. Experts recommend that children carry no more than 10 to 15 percent of their bodyweight to avoid back strain. See our What to Look for page for more information on sizing and weight guidelines.
We found the best comparison tests of backpacks at ConsumerReports.org, even though the site hasn't updated its review since 2009. Editors test just six packs, rating each one on construction, durability, water resistance, convenience, comfort and safety features. ConsumerReports.org's testing is well-documented and very solid, but there's no analysis to accompany the backpack ratings and we wish more packs were included. Good Housekeeping also conducts a detailed test of backpacks, putting 32 packs to the test using a panel of kid testers. Each pack is tested for practicality, comfort and durability, and only seven earn a recommendation for children going back to school. A similar review, also from Good Housekeeping, evaluates 17 backpacks for storage capacity and organizational features. It recommends just one back for younger children and one for high-school-age kids.
Because backpacks are so frequently used as a convenient way to transport laptops, tech-focused publications also delve into backpack ratings. CNET.com, for example, says of backpacks (after mocking their less-than-sophisticated look when worn by adults), "Despite years of bag evolution, they're still the best way to carry a laptop, books and other assorted gear around campus." A related section on CNET includes dozens of individual product ratings and descriptions of backpacks, but most reviews haven't been updated since 2009. PCMag.com has a similar section, including individual backpack reviews with editors' ratings, most recently updated in 2010.
Owner-written reviews are also valuable when evaluating backpacks. Some of the best parental and kid assessments come from eBags.com, an online retailer that has thousands of reviews on a variety of different packs. Some backpacks attract hundreds, if not thousands, of individual reviews on this site. Likewise, LuggageOnline.com offers hundreds of backpacks, many of which earn a few dozen comments or more. Buzzillions.com, which aggregates consumer feedback from around the web, and Amazon.com are also good sources for backpack reviews.
2/22/12
something interesting about babies ....:)
Babies still too small to speak know how to make jokes and form friendships, say researchers at an Australian university who have spent two years filming the behaviour of young children.
Academics at Charles Sturt University are studying how children interact with other infants while in childcare using footage obtained from tiny cameras strapped to their heads.
The study affords a "baby's eye view" of the world in which even simple objects such as spoons appear oversized, said Jennifer Sumsion, foundation professor of early childhood at the university.
But it also shows that children aged from six months to 18 months use sophisticated but subtle non-verbal means to make friends and make each other laugh.
"We were very, very surprised to see just how sophisticated they were in terms of their social skills, their helping skills, in making sure they were inviting other children to be part of their group," Sumsion told AFP.
Sumsion said babies interacted with each other by making eye contact and with hand gestures and humour.
They used "little social games that you wouldn't necessarily see unless you were looking very closely", she said.
Examples of this included children pretending to hand another child a toy, only to snatch it away at the last minute, or babies sitting close to each other in highchairs playfully switching their drink bottles around.
In another instance caught on camera, a one-year-old girl tried to comfort a baby when she was frightened by gently placing a piece of see-through fabric over her so she could see out but feel protected.
The researchers, who analysed the baby-cam footage alongside other video shot of the children at the same time, did not force the babies to wear the cameras and they were only attached for 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
They hope the research will shed light on the secret world of babies and their experience in childcare.
"What surprised us though was the games that they were playing with each other, even at that age. It's really very positive to see," Sumsion said.
mfc/jah
Academics at Charles Sturt University are studying how children interact with other infants while in childcare using footage obtained from tiny cameras strapped to their heads.
The study affords a "baby's eye view" of the world in which even simple objects such as spoons appear oversized, said Jennifer Sumsion, foundation professor of early childhood at the university.
But it also shows that children aged from six months to 18 months use sophisticated but subtle non-verbal means to make friends and make each other laugh.
"We were very, very surprised to see just how sophisticated they were in terms of their social skills, their helping skills, in making sure they were inviting other children to be part of their group," Sumsion told AFP.
Sumsion said babies interacted with each other by making eye contact and with hand gestures and humour.
They used "little social games that you wouldn't necessarily see unless you were looking very closely", she said.
Examples of this included children pretending to hand another child a toy, only to snatch it away at the last minute, or babies sitting close to each other in highchairs playfully switching their drink bottles around.
In another instance caught on camera, a one-year-old girl tried to comfort a baby when she was frightened by gently placing a piece of see-through fabric over her so she could see out but feel protected.
The researchers, who analysed the baby-cam footage alongside other video shot of the children at the same time, did not force the babies to wear the cameras and they were only attached for 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
They hope the research will shed light on the secret world of babies and their experience in childcare.
"What surprised us though was the games that they were playing with each other, even at that age. It's really very positive to see," Sumsion said.
mfc/jah
Been really busy with my new job... trying hard to catch up with the new pace, new boss, new friends, new environment, new treats, new opportunity, new money :)
Found this article - information interesting...
Perfect spaces
Casually touching a guy's arm or knee while laughing at his joke is a great flirting techniqueit subconsciously tells him you're interested, and makes him feel more connected to you. But, warn experts, the move can sometimes backfire, so it's smart to test a man's personal space first. "
The bubble of air 18 inches around someone's body is their intimate space: a no-go zone when you first meet someone, says Judy Dutton, author of How The Science Of Sex Can Make You A Better Lover. "To see if someone's up for you breaking through this barrier, find an excuse to step briefly into this zone, say, by allowing someone behind you to pass, or to grab an appetizer off a wandering traythen step back out again. If this person is drawn to you, he will respond by stepping in closer after you've backed off, she says.
Found this article - information interesting...
Perfect spaces
Casually touching a guy's arm or knee while laughing at his joke is a great flirting techniqueit subconsciously tells him you're interested, and makes him feel more connected to you. But, warn experts, the move can sometimes backfire, so it's smart to test a man's personal space first. "
The bubble of air 18 inches around someone's body is their intimate space: a no-go zone when you first meet someone, says Judy Dutton, author of How The Science Of Sex Can Make You A Better Lover. "To see if someone's up for you breaking through this barrier, find an excuse to step briefly into this zone, say, by allowing someone behind you to pass, or to grab an appetizer off a wandering traythen step back out again. If this person is drawn to you, he will respond by stepping in closer after you've backed off, she says.
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