Archive for the ‘Health Nuggets’ Category
Headaches: Is it already a cause for worry?
I found this at Oprah.com and thought I’d share it with you.
Headaches. We all suffer from it. Some of us more frequently than others. But should we start worrying about it already?
It’s probably not cause for worry if…
* The headache comes on after you’ve consumed a large amount of alcohol. You likely have a hangover.
* Your head hurts on days you drink less than your usual amounts of coffee, tea, or soda. You’re probably feeling the effects of caffeine withdrawal.
* You feel a bandlike pain across the front or back of your head or neck. When accompanied by stress or sleep problems, this is most likely a tension headache. If you get one frequently, make an appointment to see your doctor.
* You also have a runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, aching muscles, or fever—indications of a viral infection, such as a cold. If the symptoms last more than two weeks, contact your physician; you could have something more than a simple infection.
If your type of headache is not included in the aforementioned, it’s time to see a doctor already. So take note of the type of headache you are having or just had.
Citronella scent
Did you know that mosquitoes hate the citronella scent?
So what better way to enjoy a moment without the nasty bites of mosquitoes than to light up your citronella candles! Go ahead and use your citronella scented candles to create a relaxed mood at home and drive away mosquitoes as well.
Did you know… (2)
A glass of red wine a day dissolves blood clots that can lead to stroke.
Laugh, laugh and laugh to improve blood circulation by 21 percent.
Did you know…
- A daily serving of three to four tablespoons of ketchup lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Black pepper guards against cancer.
- Cinnamon stabilizes blood sugar levels (so sprinkle it on cereal or coffee!).
Benefits of stress
Did you know that short-term stress is actually good for you? What I mean by that is you get a benefit out of it. Short term stress triggers the production of protective chemicals and increases activity in immune cells that boost the body’s defenses. Just imagine that you have some much-needed tinkering to be done in your body. When you get stressed out, a “repair crew” comes to life tinkering with the parts of your body that needs some “repair”.
Small amounts of stress hormones can also sharpen your memory. That’s the good that we get from short term stress.
Of course, let us differentiate short term stress from chronic stress—the kind that never seems to let up—which can set off dangerous inflammation in the body, increasing your risk for heart disease, obesity, and breast cancer. Now, that’s the evil one!
Let’s balance our lives. Remember, too little stress and you’re bored and unmotivated; too much and you become not just cranky but sick.
Stressed out?
Do you crave food, even though you’re not hungry? Is your heart racing? Are you snapping at the people you care about most? These are just some of the signs that you are already stressed out!
Here are four strategies to release the pressure you are feeling:
1. Phone a friend. Strange as it may sound, stress can increase production of the hormone oxytocin, which helps you connect with others. One theory is that a blast of oxytocin provides a kind of coping mechanism, helping to convert stressful experiences into opportunities for social bonding, which research shows can lower cortisol levels.
2. Take a whiff of lavender. In 2008 Japanese researchers reported that the aroma reduces stress levels in people forced to do tough math problems. Keep a small bottle of lavender oil or lotion in your purse for when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
3. Sip black tea. University College London scientists found that black-tea drinkers had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol after a stressful event than those who consumed other hot beverages.
4. Get some distance. When you’re slammed with something really stressful—a huge work deadline, an unexpected visit from the in-laws—don’t panic. Instead, pretend you’ve been asked to advise a friend or family member in need, and think through the problem systematically. When women distance themselves slightly from stressors, they make excellent problem solvers, in part because of their unique mixture of creative, intuitive, and analytical thinking skills.
There you go. So when you feel stressed out, you already know what to do.
