15 Golden Tips to Start Living a Better Life

The modern rat race can cause us great stress and leave us with little or no time to take care of ourselves. However, there are quick and easy ways to improve our lifestyle, mood and health, and they only take about 60 seconds each. Even if you only turn some of these into habits, you’ll still enjoy a happy and healthier life with little effort and time.

1. Take a deep breath 

We all get nervous and stressed, whether it be because of work, traffic or even household chores. In our most stressful moments, it’s vital to remember that we have an innate relaxation mechanism. Taking deep, controlled breaths for 60 seconds when feeling stressed or tired can completely alter your state of mind. Deep breaths lower your blood pressure, slows down the production of stress hormones and helps to ease anxiety and internal disquiet. 

 

 2. Hug someone you love 

Hugging feels great on its own, but it also has scientifically-proven health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure and stabilizing the heart rate. Hugging releases dopamine - a natural painkiller and can reduce cortisol levels (a stress hormone). A hug can give you more mental energy, and help you handle most obstacles. 

 

3. Laugh and smile  

There’s a reason laughter has a reputation for being the best medicine. It’s one of the body’s natural painkillers and shares several physiological functions with exercising. William Fry, one of the pioneers in laughter research, claims that using a rowing machine for ten minutes exercises the heart to the same extent as one minute of laughter. Laughter also improves your memory and burns calories. If you’re feeling down or even somewhat depressed, a little smile (even a fake one) can change your mood. 

 

4. Eat some dark chocolate 

Isn’t it great to know that some delicious treats are actually good for us (in moderation)? Dark chocolate is beneficial for your health, it lowers blood pressure, raises the levels of “good cholesterol” (HDL) and reduces the levels of “bad cholesterol” (LDL). Dark chocolate is also known to be beneficial to the cardiovascular system, and some evidence indicates that it can prevent diabetes and even keep your skin healthier. tips for a better life 

 

5. Stand up whenever you can  

Most of us spend our days sitting down: working, driving and watching TV are just a few of the things we do while sat in a seat. A recent research paper found that prolonged sessions of sitting can induce psychological distress. Another study has found that women who sit for 10 hours a day or more are at a higher risk of heart and cardiovascular disease when compared to those sitting for only 5 hours a day. Even standing up for a few seconds will improve your circulation significantly. 

 

6. Wash your hands  

You may think it’s obvious, but this simple and quick action can protect your health more than you can fathom. Most people wash their hands before eating or after visiting the restroom, but washing your hands with soap more times a day will reduce your chances of getting sick by 20-30%. Remember to moisturize your hands from time to time too. 

 

7. Wear a seat-belt  

As trivial as it may seem, this easy action takes about five seconds and saves thousands of lives every year. Think about it: you’re not climbing Everest or running a marathon. You’re simply reaching back, and pulling on a belt. This is particularly important when you have children in the car. So don’t be lazy and think about comfort first, it’s better to “waste” ten seconds than risk your life. 

 

8. Add cinnamon to your breakfast 

Cinnamon has a variety of medicinal properties, including helping with diabetes by reducing blood sugar levels. Cinnamon is also beneficial in fighting obesity, lowering bad cholesterol levels, and it even warms up the body on cold days. You can add cinnamon to your breakfast by mixing it in your yogurt, oats, cereals and even your coffee. tips for a better life 

 

9. Wear sunscreen 

It doesn’t matter if you live in a sunny place or not, UV light is still there, and it’s still harmful. Avoiding the #1 cause of skin cancer takes no effort and very little time – simply put on sunscreen before you leave the house. 

 

10. Use the stairs 

It doesn’t matter if we’re late, busy or even just lazy, most of us don’t engage in physical exercise in our free time. The modern world doesn’t give us many chances to walk: we get in the car or on the bus, use the elevator and sit at our desks. This is why it is vital that we take every opportunity to exercise. Instead of waiting for the elevator, take the stairs and burn some extra calories. It will also help you avoid stiff muscles and joint pain. 

 

11. Take a break from staring at the screen 

If you have a desk job or are just an avid technology lover, it’s safe to say you spend a lot of time in front of a screen. Staring at the screen for so many hours is bad for your eyes, so it is crucial to take frequent breaks. The best method is the “20-60-20”: every 20 minutes look away from the screen at an object 60 feet away for 20 seconds. If you can, take a moment to walk around the office. 

 

12. Add lemon to your water 

Adding a slice of lemon to your water is not only refreshing, but also has many health benefits. Lemons are a super-food and are considered to be one of the most efficient detox agents, making them a great addition to your diet. tips for a better life

13. Clean up your desk 

It doesn’t matter how tidy you keep your desk, it still gets covered with germs. Take a minute to wipe down leftovers and crumbs, which are the main source of bacterial contamination in your workplace. Use an antibacterial wipe on your keyboard and mouse, they are the most used items on your desk that come in contact with your hands regularly. 

 

14. Elevate your feet 

60 seconds of lying  down with your legs raised up and leaning against a wall energizes the body as much as a half-hour nap. Rest your arms at the sides of your body and remain in that position while taking slow, deep breaths. Studies have shown that this position helps the blood in your legs to flow back to your chest and head. tips for a better life 

 

15. Chew some gum 

Researchers from the University of Swinburne, Australia, found that chewing gum improves your levels of alertness and reduces stress. Behavioral specialists recommend chewing gum before an important meeting, a job interview, and while driving. The reason is that chewing gum tricks the body into thinking it’s eating, something we associate with being safe and having nothing to fear.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

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The Truth About Hand Washing and Bacteria

Are you a person that takes care to properly wash your hands? Well, if you answered yes then you are one of a worldwide minority of people who wash their hands.  Surveys conducted in the United States suggest that while 2/3 of people do wash their hands, 95 percent of them are washing them wrong. In Britain, one experiment found that while 99 percent of the people tested admitted to washing their hands after using the facilities, a camera revealed that only 32% of the men and 64% of the women actually washed their hands with soap and water.    You may be asking 'why did the test subjects lie?' Well the only viable answer to that question is that they sincerely believed that their hands weren't dirty enough to spread disease or infect. But after viewing these unexpected places that are dirtier than your toilet, we promise you will never not wash your hands (or lie about it) again!

Keyboards: Your computer keyboard, yes the one you are typing on right now, can have up to 200 times more bacteria than a toilet seat. During a test of the equipment in a busy London office, microbiologists found a few keyboards that were so dirty that they were classified as 150 times the acceptable limit for bacteria.  The most common bacteria found on the keyboards was Staphylococcus, which lives in our noses, throats, hair and skin. This is the bacteria that spreads when we touch our faces or sneeze into our hands, and fail to wash them after. Many of the items on this list are here because they are heavily ridden with staph.

Restaurant menus: Of course, with everyone touching, sneezing or coughing on the menu in front of them, it's no wonder that they usually carry 100 time more bacteria than a restaurant toilet seat. In fact, a large percentage of food-borne diseases like E. coli spread in restaurants when someone has contaminated hands.

Door knobs: It's not secret that hands are one of the dirtiest parts of the body, so when we touch a door knob, we are spreading all of our germs and then some onto the handle for the next unsuspecting person to pick up.

Your Pillow: Believe it or not, but your pillow is dirtier than a toilet seat! Dead skin cells, dust mites, spores, and other body secretions remain on the pillow you rest your head on every night. Therefore, it is important to change pillow cases once a week to ensure optimal hygiene.

Money: In a recent study in the United Kingdom, it was found that 26 percent of hands have fecal matter on them, as well as 14 percent of banknotes and 10 percent of credit cards. That means any of the money you handle could infect you with the common cold, the flu or even stomach poisoning.

Kitchen sponges: Everything that you make or do in the kitchen involves some form of bacteria. Yet what is meant to be a cleaning vehicle may actually be the dirtiest thing in your house! It has 10 million bacteria per square inch, making a quarter of million times dirtier than your toilet seat.

Cellphones: Your cellphone is packed with bacteria from your hands, face and everything in between. Cellphones are about 10 times dirtier than a toilet seat because we are touching them and spitting into them all day long.

Ice: A recent study of fast food restaurants in the United States found that 70 percent of the ice served has more bacteria than the water in the toilet bowl. We'll take our soda lukewarm!

Toothbrush: Although it may only enter your mouth, your toothbrush is ridden with bacteria. Research has found that one tooth brush can harbor more than 100 million bacteria, including dangerous E. coli bacteria, which can cause diarrhea, and staph. Make sure you change your brush on a regular basis!

Light switch: The light switch can have up to 217 bacteria per square inch, which means that every time you turn the light on and off, you could be exposed to dangerous bacteria that has accumulated there over time. Make sure that you clean the light switches regularly at your home and office with bleach! Remember, you should wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap for a total of around 40 seconds to a minute. Make sure the soap reaches a rich lathery consistency before washing it off. If everyone washes their hands the way they should, it is predicted that over a million deaths from disease a year could be prevented. So for your good and the good of all, wash your hands responsibly! PS- THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES. PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO VIEW MY BLOG- HTTP:GSEASYRECIPES.BLOGSPOT.COM/ FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG- HTTP://KNEE REPLACEMENT-STICK CLUB.BLOGSPOT.COM/ FOR CROCHET DESIGNS HTTP://MY CROCHET CREATIONS.BLOGSPOT.COM

Why rest when you start sneezing?

 Once the sneezing starts, it is best to stay at home, or one will be spreading the virus. Rest is important, as it helps one to recuperate faster. Unless you recuperate fully, you get more & more run-down, your immune system cracks & the next little illness spells big trouble.

What one should do to keep healthy?
get enough sleep- 7- 8 hours every night !

get enough Vitamin D #- 1,000 IU a day, 1,200 after the age of 60.

carve out 10 minutes a day for meditation, deep breathing, serene stretching.

walk, as it keeps your body humming & your head clear.

eat & drink like a smart person.

wash your hands 100 times a day !

How to improve your immune system

Manage  Your Stress
Some stress can be a good thing. It's your body's way of preparing for a challenge, such as giving a presentation. But a steady stream of stress can be bad for your health. Studies show it can even weaken your immune system -- your body's system for fighting off disease and illness. Reduce your stress by avoiding whatever stressors you can. Take the time to relax and do things you enjoy.

Enjoy  Sex, as it is good for you
It turns out that sex , it's good for you, too. Studies have shown that a good sex life can be a boost to health.  The researchers found that those who had frequent sex were in better overall health than those who had sex less often.

Pets help to improve your immune system
There's a reason dogs are called "man's best friend." Dogs and other pets can offer us companionship, exercise, and even good health. Studies have found that having a pet can help reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, and improve heart health. One study showed that having a dog can help improve immune system development and may reduce the risks of allergies in children.


Strong Social Network & good friends go a long way
We all know friends are important, but strong social ties can also have a big effect on your health. A recent study found that people with strong relationships were 50% more likely to survive than those with poor social ties. To broaden your social network, try volunteering, taking a class, or joining a group that interests you. And be sure to nurture the bonds you already have.


Positive Attitude Boosts your Immune system
Positive thoughts can give your immune system a healthy boost. One study of law students found that when they were feeling more optimistic, their immune system was stronger. To increase your optimism, take time to savor the things you enjoy, look for the silver lining in difficult situations, and try not to dwell on negative thoughts.

Laughter boosts the immune system
While there's some evidence that laughter may help boost our immune system, overall research results have been mixed. A group of researchers  found that people who laughed out loud at funny videos had higher immune function after watching the video. But more studies are needed to prove whether laughter actually helps prevent or minimize illness.

Eat Your Antioxidants
Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can help you get a healthy dose of antioxidants, which can help protect your cells from free radicals, molecules that can damage cells. To get a wide range of antioxidants, choose fruits and vegetables of different colors, such as oranges, green peppers, broccoli, kiwi, strawberries, carrots, watermelon, papaya, leafy greens, and cantaloupe.

Daily dose of Vitamins are building blocks for healthy immune system
If you have a feeling your diet is lacking, consider taking a multivitamin. A daily multivitamin will help ensure that your body is getting all of the building blocks for a healthy immune system. Some nutrients that may be especially important for immune system health include selenium, vitamins A, C, D, and E, zinc, and magnesium.

Avoid Empty Calories
Processed foods such as fast foods, snack foods, candy, and soda don't provide much in the way of vitamins, fiber, or other nutrients,but often contain other additives and chemicals that may not be good for your body.  These foods  when consumed deplete your body of essential nutrients.

Herbs and Supplements, discuss with your doctor
Many people take herbs or supplements to improve their overall health. Some supplements have been shown to affect the immune system. But more well-designed studies are needed to learn their beneficial effects on humans. These include garlic, ginseng, milk thistle, astragalus, and probiotics such as lactobacillus and bifidobacterium. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about which supplements may be good for you.

Exercises help to strengthen your immune system
 Getting regular exercise can also reduce stress and help lower your risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, and certain types of cancer. You get the most benefit when you exercise at a moderate level a few times a week is helpful, including bicycling, walking, yoga, swimming, or playing golf.

A Good Night's Sleep helps to fight off illness
Without enough sleep, your immune system may not have the resources it needs to fight off illness. Most adults need about seven to nine hours of sleep each night. You can help yourself to a more restful sleep by keeping a regular schedule, getting exercise, avoiding caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime, relaxing before bedtime, and keeping your bedroom at a comfortable temperature.

Limit Alcohol
Drinking too much alcohol can weaken your immune system and cause you to get sick more often. To minimize risk, men should have no more than two drinks per day. Women should not have more than one drink per day.

Kick the Nicotine Habit
Smoking weakens your immune system. Even if you're just an occasional smoker, you're still at risk. Even low levels of exposure to tobacco can cause health problems, including heart attack, stroke, and asthma. If you need help quitting, talk with your doctor.

Wash Your Hands
One of the easiest ways to help your immune system fight illness is to wash your hands regularly. Be sure to use soap and clean, running water, and wash for at least 20 seconds. If you don't have access to soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol.

For more info kindly see-
http://www.webmd.com/diet/