Wednesday, November 30, 2011

The health benefits of being single

Single life is underrated. When you’re single you can dance like a crazy thing, flirt with your cute colleague and if your friends ask you to go to LA, then (money aside) why not? Not only can the single life be far more fun, it also has some major health perks. So, if you’re feeling glum about not finding The One, cheer yourself up knowing that being single means you have.


Healthier finances

Although marriage can lower costs and create financial opportunities, the event itself costs a huge amount. The average wedding costs £18,500 in the UK – flowers, food and favors certainly add up. However, not only is getting married costly, ending the union is a rather expensive process too. The average cost of ending a marriage through the British courts is about £13,000 per divorce; whilst in the USA the average cost of a divorce is estimated to be around $20,000. And how does this affect your health? The wealthy enjoy significantly better health whilst they are alive, and they live longer than those in low socio-economic groups.

Singletons keep fitter

It seems that when you get married, you not only gain a spouse, you also gain a considerable amount of weight. A poll commissioned by the Department of Health found that only 27 percent of adults met the recommended 150 minutes of physical activity each week. Of those 27 per cent, the majority were married. So how much weight does a pair in couple-kingdom gain? According to US researchers it depends on your gender. 46 per cent of the 5,000 ladies who took part in the US study gained at least 20 pounds. However, for the guys the increased weight risk was not as high. Unlike women, men gained the most weight during divorce.

More friends

Ditching your buddies for cheeky nights in and romantic dates out is a classic sign of a serious relationship. However, friendship is a hugely undervalued resource. A 10 year Australian study found that older people with a large amount of friends were 22 per cent less likely to die during the study than those older people with fewer friends. Also Harvard researchers suggested that strong social ties may promote brain health as we age and another study found that those with high social relationships were 50 per cent more likely to survive during the period of study.  So it turns out friends are not just there for secret sharing and karaoke fun.

Less fights

It’s pretty obvious that screaming until you’re hoarse and yelling at your partner is no fun. However, research has shown that there may be more sinister health risks associated with fighting with your loved one. One recent study concluded that a stressful marriage can be as bad for the heart as smoking. Other research suggests that a stressful marriage can also be worse for women than men. Women who didn’t speak their minds during a fight were found to be four times more likely to die in the 10-year study period than those women who always told their partners their thoughts.

Smaller portions

The fairytale goes… girl meets boy, they fall in love, marry and live happily ever after. What the fairytale doesn’t tell us is that when you meet that someone special you will find yourself feasting on man-sized portions and calorific meals. Women typically gain weight when they begin a relationship because they eat man-sized portions; but men tend to burn calories faster than women. Similarly men gain weight because couples order in more takeaways and eat out too. Considering that the average Indian takeaway contains 1,338 calories and a similar sized Chinese takeaway contains 1,436 calories it is not surprising that couples pile on the pounds.

Healing powers

We don’t mean to imply that if you’re single then you can cure broken limbs and nasty cuts with a wink of your eye and a sprinkle of magic dust. However, if you are in a bad relationship with high levels of hostility then your body will take longer to heal injuries. Research was conducted in America to measure how a bad relationship affects people’s immune system.  The researchers blistered participants’ arms to measure how quickly the wounds healed. They found that the blisters on the couples who had a lot of marital stress took a full two days longer to heal than those of couples who had less hostility. 

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Top 5 Dinner Meals That Will Get You Good Sleep


For remaining mentally sharp and productive throughout the day and for ensuring that you are emotionally balanced, having a sound night-time sleep is critical.
Rather than seeking help in the form of chemically-formulated sleep medications that are often addictive and are known to have serious side-effects, it is better to opt for natural aids. The safest and probably the most undemanding solution to all your sleep problems is food. Following are Five Dinner Meals that will help to optimize your overall sleeping pattern and halt your progress towards serious complications due to sleep deprivation such as insomnia:

1. Whole-wheat Rotis with Potatoes

Top 5 Dinner Meals That Will Get You Good Sleep
Most carbohydrate sources, particularly those rich in complex carbohydrates, like whole wheat are recommended for ensuring better sleep. This can be easily used for dinner by opting for whole-wheat flour. Rotis made from such flour help to promote sleep by stimulating release of insulin. This hormone is a stimulant for ensuring that tryptophan is directed towards the brain. Here, tryptophan is metabolized into serotonin which in turn is the primary biochemical for establishing a general feeling of wellness. It fights stress or anxiety-induced sleep disturbances. Ideally, these rotis should be combined with at least one potato-based dish. Potatoes are known to breakdown the acids that interfere with the metabolism of tryptophan.

2. Spinach Combined with Low-fat Yogurt

Top 5 Dinner Meals That Will Get You Good Sleep
Whether consumed with whole wheat chapattis or brown rice, spinach is a recommended dietary sleeping aid. Most leafy green vegetables like spinach are a rich source of iron that is vital to neutralize a common sleep deterrent referred to as Restless Legs Syndrome. This condition is actually a form of subdued hyperactivity or an anxious reaction to any persistent thought that prevents onset of sleep. A recommended combination with spinach is having low-fat yogurt. This is a proven source of magnesium and calcium. These two micronutrients are essentially sleep-supportive minerals that promote deeper, more relaxing sleep. Eating yogurt with spinach is also recommended to ensure that absorption of iron is comprehensive.

3. Beans With Flax Seed Rotis

Top 5 Dinner Meals That Will Get You Good Sleep
Beans in form of kidney beans are a rich source of B vitamins including Folic Acid, B6 and B12. These are vital, sleep vitamins, i.e. they help in regulating the sleep cycles and assist metabolic process related to serotonin. This is why vitamin B supplements are commonly recommended to people diagnosed with insomnia. Flax seed or Alsi is commonly used as a fiber and nutrition resource in the form of flax seed oil or as a flour ingredient. A bit of grounded flax seed should be added to the whole wheat flour. Flax seeds are enriched with Omega 3 Fatty Acids that help to fight-off sleep disturbances like stress by aiding the complete absorption of serotonin.

4. Cauliflower/Kale (Javi) With Whole Wheat Rotis

Top 5 Dinner Meals That Will Get You Good Sleep
Many green vegetables are a natural source of Tryptophan. Among these, Kale or Javi is recommended for dinner. Javi also contains biochemicals that fight-off anxiety. When combined with tryptophan-boosters like whole wheat bread or rotis, it acts like the perfect sleep-promoting meal. If you cannot find Javi in your area, you can use cauliflower or cabbage.

5. Cooked Lentils With Brown Rice

Top 5 Dinner Meals That Will Get You Good Sleep
Carbohydrate foods that are high in fiber tend to aid the gradual release of Tryptophan, ensuring that the stress-fighting capabilities of Tryptophan are sustained over a longer period. Among these high-glycemic foods like Brown Rice are recommended which can be combined with cooked dals. Lentils are another high-tryptophan food item. These are easy-to-digest and also provide the body with essential proteins. (

Monday, November 21, 2011

How to Slow Down the Ageing Process

It's not just women, men too yearn for eternal youth. And then there's another truth we must reconcile to. There is no 'fountain of youth.' But, there are ways through which you can slow down the process of ageing. Using such ways, you can continue to look and feel younger even as you add years.


Exercise
How to Slow Down the Ageing Process
(image credit: essential-yoga-for-men.com)
Regular exercise is one of the best ways to remain young. People who exercise retain youthful cardiovascular systems and youthful energy. Exercising also maintains blood sugar level, improves stamina and memory, boosts immunity and provides a good night's sleep. You can start by going on walks. Gradually, you can hit the gym.

Avoid the Sun

If you don't want to end up looking like a raisin, stop being in the sun all the time. The sun's rays are known to damage DNA and accelerate ageing in the cells. This leads to wrinkles on the skin. If you need to go out in the sun, do not forget to apply a good sunscreen. Use of moisturizer is also recommended. Click here to find out more about sunscreens.

More Relaxation and Less Stress

How to Slow Down the Ageing Process
Stress can prove to be a big life killer. It is a prominent factor responsible for fast-paced ageing. You must learn to cope with stress because it is an inevitable part of the life. Using relaxation therapies like yoga, meditation, natural spa etc. can work wonders for you. Deep breathing and meditation relieves stress, increases oxygen and blood circulation and improves energy levels.

Eat More Fruits and Veggies

Devour greens and gorge on fruits to stay fit and active. They are the best sources of antioxidants, nature's own youth drug. Compounds found in vegetables can also slow down brain ageing, particularly the ones in green leafy vegetables. While fruits don't have much of such compounds, they are oozing with antioxidants. These antioxidants neutralize oxidants, which are highly reactive natural compounds responsible for the damage of cells and DNA. Try to include at least five servings of fruits and vegetables in your daily diet.

Stop Smoking and Drinking

Really hard to get rid of them but if do actually throw them out of your life, the rewards will be amazing. Cigarettes are known to suck years out of your life along with gifting you with complications related to the lung. And booze is just as bad. Heavy drinking ups the risk of heart diseases, blood pressure issues, and diabetes. Make sure that you drink responsible and within limits. (Health,MensXP.com)
How to Slow Down the Ageing Process

Friday, November 18, 2011

Tame your Blood Sugar


Keep stress at bay and control diabetes with these asanas:

YOGA has wide-ranging therapeutic values, one of the most important being the management of type 2 diabetes. But how exactly does yoga prevent/cure diabetes?

Yoga helps you keep your blood sugar levels under control in three ways: by checking your weight; by relieving stress (a major trigger for escalating blood glucose levels) and by improving the functions of the pancreas (the organ that produces insulin, a glucose-regulating hormone). Even though there's very little scientific data to prove yoga's action on the pancreas, wisdom in the field points to it. I would recommend a few asanas that will help you control diabetes better than before.

BHUJANGASANA

Lie on your stomach with legs and toes together and pointing outward, hands by the side of the body, palms facing upward and forehead on the floor. Now bend hands from the elbows and place palms on the floor near each shoulder. Keeping your thumb under the armpit, raise the chin and turn the head backward over the right shoulder as you inhale. Raise the thorax up to the navel. Hold this position for some time while breathing normally. Come down to the starting position while exhaling. Also good for bronchitis, asthma and spondylitis. It strengthens the spine, lends flexibility to the chest, shoulders and abdomen and firms the buttocks.


DHANURASANA 

Lie on your stomach and bend your knees, holding your ankles with both hands. Inhale and raise the upper body and legs. Hold for some time, breathing normally and come back to the starting position. Also good for digestion, this asana cures constipation while strengthening and improving the function of your spine.

NAUKASANA 

Lie down on your back with your feet together and palms resting on your thighs. Inhale and raise both legs, lifting your upper body off the floor. Hold it for some time and breathe normally keeping your hands parallel to the floor. Now come back to the starting position slowly. Also good for nervousness and tension. Naukasana lends flexibility to your joints and bolsters the capacity of your intestines, while improving the functions of your stomach, liver and pancreas.

BHRAMARI PRANA-YAMA 

Sit on the floor in a comfortable posture with a straight back, eyes closed and shoulder muscles relaxed. Inhale deeply and exhale slowly with a murmuring sound like a bee. Also good for lungs. It enhances your oxygen efficiency by reducing carbon-dioxide in the blood.

VAMANKRIYA 

Add one tablespoonful of salt to one litre of lukewarm water and drink all of it, as quickly as possible, until you feel full to the point of throwing up. Lean forward and insert the middle and index fingers of your right hand deep into your throat. Vomit out the water until your stomach is empty. Relax in the shavasana pose for 10 mins. You need to do this near a wash basin. Also good for gastro-intestinal problems. It also relieves you of headaches, nervous weakness, chronic cold and asthma.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

10 Things Not to do on a First Date


1. Be a braggadocio

10 Things Not to do on a First Date
A braggadocio is a person who boasts about his own deeds irrespective of the response from the other person. Such kinds of empty pretentious bragging can be an anti-climax. So, avoid boasting about yourself in a bid to leave a pleasant impression on your date.



2. Mention past relationships

10 Things Not to do on a First Date
Broaching the subject of a past relationship could prove to be a speed breaker in your rendezvous. You will get ample of time to talk about the past. You needs to realize that the girl wants to move over her past. Don't be a victim of the circumstances instead be a master of it. After all nobody wants to spend his/her first date wiping tears.



3. Eat like a glutton

10 Things Not to do on a First Date
This means: do not end up going on a date when you are ravenously hungry. The objective of a date is to have a pleasant conversation. Eating is an excuse for the date. It is embarrassing and awkward to talk while eating. It is better if you adhere to one activity at a time.



4. Act nervous

10 Things Not to do on a First Date
This could be a tough task; it is crucial to realize that women like confident men. Assertiveness will help you score some brownie points on a first date. An amalgamation of confidence and sense of humour is an ideal recipe for a nice date.



5. Money can't buy love!

10 Things Not to do on a First Date
Talking about money will project your image as selfish and self centered who equates everything in terms of money. It can paint your image as someone who is deficient of emotions. This could affect the equilibrium of a relationship in the long run as your show-off may appear condescending.



6. Fiddle with your phone


10 Things Not to do on a First Date
There are two reasons for this. Talking or texting on the phone can be a hindrance on your first date. It will neutralize the essence of the date. Second reason is that flaunting your phone may not help win her heart. It is advisable to keep the phone on silent mode because one needs to give exclusive attention to the partner.



7. No Touching!

10 Things Not to do on a First Date
Only seeing

 If you get too close to your first date, there are chances that your first date will unequivocally be the last. A woman can determine the intentions of the partner from his touch. Thus, a date does not give the license to touch her figure but to touch her soul.



8. Smoking

10 Things Not to do on a First Date


Smoking is one of the most overlooked aspects which could annoy your date. Smoking can affect the gravity of your conversation. It is advisable not to smoke prior to a date as black finger nails and a smelly mouth can be a deal breaker.



9. Compare

10 Things Not to do on a First Date
A woman hates comparison with the other person. It is crucial to acquiesce that every woman has an identity and you should give due respect to it. Any comparisons to another person can be troublesome.



10. Lie


10 Things Not to do on a First Date

Honesty is the quintessential part of any relationship. Do not base the beginning of what can be a potential relationship on a falsehood since such relationships will be feeble and may not last long.