A kicking start

What motivates you the most and energize you instantly – music of your choice or some motivational speech of your favorite idol? Find it out. Start your day with it. Play it loud while you are getting ready for the day. Else, you can play the same on your iPod or in car while driving to work.

Dress up nicely

Who doesn’t like to see a nice self on the mirror? Every morning take out some time for yourself. Decide what you will be wearing to work. Depending upon the day you may choose your attire. Make sure your accessories go well with your dress. Take bath, dress up, and stand before the mirror. Look how you appear on it. Make sure you don’t overdo it in terms of dress or accessories while going to work. If it’s a holiday for you and you are going out with friends feel free to wear anything. Never forget the occasion and weather when you put on clothes.

Cuddle the affectionate ones

If you have kids at home or a pet that is very close to you and very adorable make sure you don’t miss it in the morning. Even if for five minutes cuddle him, play with him. Smile on the baby’s face and affectionate gestures of your pets will immediately perk up your mood. It’s indeed a nice recreation even after a stressful day.

Hugs and kisses

Always start a day with hugs and kisses. It’s the best way to convey your love to your loved ones. It will keep you feel loved and connected.

Green is truly evergreen

Green is a color depicting youth, life and newness. Once you wake up from the bed, look for some green plants around you. It’s always advised to have some plants in and around the house. Step out to your terrace or balcony and see the green trees in front. If there’s a park in front of you there’s nothing like it. Green rejuvenates, brings lot of freshness in life. It also keeps eyes good.

Little bit of exercise

A healthy and happy mind resides in a fit body only. So exercise every morning. It will not only keep you fit and active but also in shape. If you like yourself on the mirror, naturally you will be happy. You may hit a fitness center or aerobic and dance classes or practice yoga. Do whichever suits you and you like to. You may simply watch some video tutorials of experts and practice at home. Make sure the ambience is good, fosters freshness. If you have a nice backyard garden or terrace, do exercise there. Being close to nature, it will make you feel better all the more.

Breakfast of your choice

If tummy is happy you are happy too. Start your day with a lovely wholesome breakfast. When we rush to work half fed we start a day with negative thoughts already. So make sure you grab a good wholesome breakfast everyday. If you don’t get much time to prepare, you may prepare it before and store in fridge or grab some ready to eat ones. But a healthy nice start will make you happy. Make sure you don’t grab the same breakfast in all days of a week. Treat yourself with different breakfasts each day.

Consume lot of water

Always remember, water is a great remedy for diseases, pains, skin problems, and energy level. Keep your body hydrated; drink as much water as you can. Keep water bottle and glass handy always, so that it becomes your habit. Good intake of water will also remove your body toxins and keep you fit.

Start your day with your favorite tune

Start your day with your favorite tune, which refreshes you and keeps you on your toes whole day long. You may be tempted to read news early in the morning, but it won’t energize you; instead wake up with your favorite singer’s song. If instrumental music revitalizes you, listen to it. On your way to work you may listen to your favorite track.

A relaxing spa massage

A relaxing spa massage is always revitalizing and very soothing. After a hectic day pamper yourself with a professional massage, it will also detoxify your body.

Healthy food

Healthy food will keep you fit and active from within and ward off all physical illness. Healthy food will bring a glow on your face and keep you energetic from within.

Perform meditation

Perform meditation every morning. It will help you to know yourself better and energize from within, sharpen your memory and find into a peaceful mind. Sit straight, shut your eyes, and meditate. Don’t think of anything, concentrate on your breathing, or chant. Few minutes of meditation will refresh you immediately and help you to start your day in a better way.

Build a positive frame of mind

Always heighten your positive emotions like love, hope, happiness, gratitude, humor and abandon or lessen negative and destructive emotions like fear, anger, disgust, jealousy, sadness, greed. Try to control emotions, it won’t happen overnight. But soon you will change and evolve as a better human.

Find a newer you, energized and happier.

Here are few tips for your help.

Don’t carry work to home

Many of us often commit the mistake of carrying pending work home and working overnight on the same. It not only brings stress to us, but also frustrates other family members. They feel deprived of your precious time and company. If you are a family person and have kids in the house, they may feel distant and neglected. Keep your work limited within your office only. Stay late, finish work and come home relaxed.

Mentally switch off immediately after work

Many of us don’t carry work home, but just can’t forget office work even after leaving office. Remember even if you are not physically occupied with work, you may be mentally occupied. Learn to mentally switch off too immediately after work. Don’t come back home with work related worries, office conversations lingering over phone, mails. Just switch yourself off, if not your phone. Don’t overdo your office happening descriptions with family members. They may feel bored.

Pretend to be happy

Your stress and depressed face will make your beloved ones unhappy too. Try to come home with a smile on your face. If it doesn’t come naturally to you, pretend to be happy. Initially it will be frustrating, but slowly your fake smile will turn into your natural smile and you will come back home with a genuinely happy mood. Talk to all, laugh together, eat together, watch television together, and go out for movies or dinner. Soon you will wait for every evening and come back home with sheer energy.

Keep an evening program

Often aimless evening doesn’t motivate us enough to return home on time. Keep a program scheduled for every evening post work, inspiring you to return home as soon as work is finished. It could be cooking, decorating room, dining out with family, watching film at home – anything of your choice.

If you are wondering where to start from, here are some tips for you.

Shed those extra pounds

Too much of weight definitely increases risk of high blood pressure, which may eventually even result into heart problems or cardiac attacks. Even 10 pound loss can immensely affect your blood pressure. Consult a doctor and find out your body’s ideal weight and height ratio. Then work towards achieving it. Go to gym, exercise daily, swim, practice yoga, maintain slimming diet, and do power walk and whatever helps you to shed those extra pounds.

Maintain strict waistline

An increasing waistline is a signal of rising blood pressure and heart disease risks. Globally men should be alert when their waist measures more than 40 inches and 35 inches in case of women. Sit up exercises, bending, stretching can be helpful besides many more exercises.

Physical activities or exercises

Fitness is the key to solve high blood pressure problem. Exercise daily, at least for 30 minutes or get into sports. It also curbs hypertension. Regular exercises will regulate blood circulation and make you physically fit and energetic. Start your day with 30 minutes power packed exercise regime or sports and see the difference in front of mirror. It will make you feel fresh and rejuvenated from within.

Healthy diet

Give up junks and start eating healthy. Include grains, green veggies, fruits, low fat dairy products, and low cholesterol food items in your diet. Reduce intake of sodium – whether in form of salt or salt containing food items like potato chips, frozen meat, processed food. If your blood pressure is very high, it’s recommended to avoid salt consumption, completely.

Drink less alcohol

Too much of alcohol, supposedly, more than one drink a day for women and more than 2 drinks a day for men are considered as highly alarming. Having too many drinks at a row and at a fast pace can cause sudden hike of blood pressure, besides many more health problems.

Avoid tobacco and caffeine

Give up smoking habit. Nicotine in tobacco cause sudden rise of blood pressure. Also avoid passive smoking. It can also increase blood pressure and cause heart diseases. Avoid too much of coffee or other caffeinated beverages.

Avoid stress

Stress is one major cause of high blood pressure. Find out sources of stress in your life. It could be anything – work, study, relationship, illness, finance. Now try to reduce the trouble. Practice deep breathing, yoga, meditation, light exercises. It will keep you fresh and energized from within.

Try these, today!

Divide and remember

At times it’s very difficult to remember names and numbers if they are too long like 9910288479 or Padmaramaswamigovardhan. What you can do is divide these numbers and words into parts and remember them effectively. Like, 99-102-88-479 or Padma-rama-swami-govar-dhan. All you have to do is divide the words or numbers into smaller parts and remembering them in bits and pieces. Breaking them and grouping few together always works. Try it.

Rhyming

Rhyming helps especially when it comes to memorizing names, words or phrases. It not only helps in memorizing, but also makes one creative and increases power of vocabulary. There can also be words which sound similar but carry different meanings like Rome/Roam, Scene/Seen.

Pen down whatever you wish to remember

It’s often said writing makes things memorable and perfect. It’s true. If you tend to forget things, try to jot them down. You will not only remember things, but also your spelling gets better. Try to write many times. It will help you to remember. Carry the writing with you or make sure it’s on the wall before you so that you see it many times. Seeing will make you believe in it and remember it.

Recall and recite it before going to bed

Before you go to sleep at night, recall whatever you were supposed to remember. Recite things and also plan what you have to do next day. In sleep, our mind arranges things, synchronizes into a meaningful and systematic way; making things easier to remember.

Relax

Don’t panic if you tend to forget things. Don’t try too hard to recall. Take it easy. Rather relax and don’t try. When you are relaxing, things will automatically come to your mind and pop up in memory. If you are anxious, stressed or too worried to recall, you tend to forget even more.

Mediate and exercise

Meditation early in the morning, followed by some light exercises not only keeps one fit, but also soothes nerves, mind, body and soul. A relaxed mind stays calm and remembers more.

Practice these and see the difference.

Here are some guidelines regarding how to get rid of depression.

Don’t cry over the spilt milk

One of the main reasons of chronic depression is talking and thinking too much of the unpleasant past or troubling issues. One should stop being unhappy and cry on a sad past. It never heals problems, rather aggravates it. Negative thoughts blown out of proportion can cause severe harmful depression. Rather try to see the beauty of life, find happiness even in small things like a nice meal with the family, a lively sunset, a walk along the beach under starry sky.

Practice your hobby

Under the grilling pressure of work, studies, duties, financial hassles we often forget what keep us happy, we forget what passion or hobby is. Gardening, stamp collection, knitting, writing, drawing, music, dancing – practice whatever amuses you.

Meditate and relax

In this rat race age we have forgotten the meaning of peace and relaxation. Get back your mental peace with meditation and relaxation. Soothe yourself with cool breeze. Breathe in fresh air, meditate, and start your day with a good spirit. Exercising, walking, running also help one to beat depression.

Just step out

Often solitude leads to chronic depression. Whenever you feel low, just step out of the home and let the fresh air and sunshine make love to you. Talk to people, visit friends, and colleagues. If you don’t have anyone in the city, visit a coffee shop or restaurant. The sight of people and their conversations will excite you.

Avoid negative energies

Whatever or whosoever transmit negative vibes, avoid it. Stop talking to negative people, or watching negative films and shows. It will make you pessimist. Replace such negativity with a good book or walk in a park.

Read something inspirational

Read some inspirational texts or books, regularly. Follow your idols. It will foster good energies within you. You will learn and grow every day.

Yes, saying goodbye to depression is that easy.

Take help of anger management programs

Such programs look into anger related problems, find out the reasons behind anger, help people to get a control over their anger and become a calm person. The moderator or facilitator is always an experienced person, who will take you through the course and help in finding a newer ‘you’. Such programs are many in number and highly customized. You will be recommended the program which suits you the best.

Group discussion

Since some people display extreme severity of anger they require additional support like group therapy. Many people find it comfortable as they get to share their problems in front of many who are suffering the same. This process is very healthy and shows immediate result, as people can openly measure their problems, accept them, comprehend them and also realize various ways of dealing with them. Discussion is the key for such therapy. People liking this process are generally extroverts, outspoken and social.

Personal counseling

Contrary to the people mentioned above, there are many people who do not like to open up in public and prefer a one-to-one personal counseling. If you are one of them make sure you are guided by a veteran and renowned counselor who will help you to channelize your anger in the right way. Set yourself loose in front of the counselor.

Self-analysis

Nothing can be better than self help. When you are angry, go to a corner, be alone and ask yourself why you are angry, why you are reacting with anger and if it is worth. Such self-analysis always helps, eases the tension and helps you to control yourself.

Develop Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is all about understanding and dealing with emotions. A person with high EQ effectively manages stress, conflict, and difficult moments. They can evaluate an emotion and also change them into positive ways.

Relax, meditate

Anger is often seen as an outcome of stress, frustration, disgust and sleeplessness. Such causes can be easily handled with meditation, relaxation, enough of sleep and practice of hobby. Find some time for yourself, get into sports, practice your hobby. Start your day with meditation. Breathe deep.

Deal with your anger today and sustain a good life.

Here are some guidelines regarding stress management. Effective stress management can ensure a better life.

Get enough of peaceful sleep

Hectic working schedule, deadlines, too much of caffeine result into insomnia, which is pretty common these days. Prolonged insomnia can be very harmful for human body and mind. But a good peaceful sleep for minimum 6 hours a day can keep us fit and rejuvenated. After a long grueling day, a sound sleep is necessary for our body. Don’t compromise with your sleep.

Eat healthy

A poor unhealthy eating habit like too much of junk food consumption, skipping meals, lack of nutritious food in diet can actually harm body and mind. It slowly aggravates body and weakens immunity power. So make healthy food part of your daily diet and also eat on time. Avoid skipping meals and over eating.

Exercise daily and meditate

Too much of work can weaken your immunity and physical fitness. A sedentary lifestyle also brings in mental depression. Get into physical activities, either work out in a gym or get into physical activities like – basket ball, soccer, tennis, swimming, running. It will not only keep your spirit high, but will also keep you in shape. Try to meditate for at least half an hour a day. It not only takes away stress, but also instills positive energy

Practice your hobby

Do what keeps you happy, entertained, and satisfied. It could be any leisure pursuit – singing, dancing, gardening, writing, painting, making potteries. Don’t let the child within you grow up.

Make friends

Friends not only make life easier, but also comfort us with a shoulder which we can always recline against, lend an ear to our feelings. Most importantly friends we decide by choice, not compulsion. So make the most it. Treasure your friends, meet them often, and spend quality time together. Laugh your heart out.

Firstly, you can control stress with proper time management. Psychologists believe constant staring at clock and coming under the pressure of time is a major cause of stress. The worry of being late, whether in getting up in the morning or reaching office late can cause major stress. When such fear is prolonged, it causes major stress in human minds. So adopt the practice of turning up at work before the time. You will find yourself in a very pleasant and relaxed mood. Your day will start off in a great relaxed way and soon it will become practice.

Exhaustion, sleeplessness, working at a stretch can cause major stress by suffocating your brain. At the end of the day however the day may have been, make sure you grab a good peaceful 8 hour sleep. It’s very essential. If it’s not possible for some reason, manage a 30 minute nap in between work. You will find yourself refreshed and rejuvenated for the whole day.

We may think coffee is a stress buster, but it’s just the opposite. Caffeine cause major stress and depression. Don’t get addicted to this. Just grab a cup of coffee early in the morning and may be one cup more in the evening.

There’s also indirect relationship between stress and weight. If you are always stressed and you have extra weight, you need to shed those extra fats.

Exercise helps a lot in reducing stress. Make sure you exercise daily. Even if for 30 minutes, make exercise part of your life. It could be walk, jogging, gyming, swimming, cycling or any sports. It will not only keep you physically fit, but also at mental ease.

Get back to your hobbies. Even if once in a week, practice your hobby. It could be anything – dancing, singing, painting, photography, gardening, cooking, stitching, poetry. It will keep you happy and entertained.

Practice these yourself, and see the difference. It will certainly lower your stress level.

Enamel Gets Colored Due to:

• Food habits: If your intake of nicotine, coffee, tea, red wine, cola drinks, beetroot, and blackberries is high then it is bound to affect the natural color of your teeth.
• Dental hygiene: Unhygienic dental habits can lead to enamel wearing. Brushing teeth twice daily and regular flossing can keep your teeth white longer.
• Enamel thickness: You should consider yourself lucky if your enamel is thick enough. Your teeth’s enamel is micro porous which needs to breathe. This eventually leads to staining of the teeth.

Teeth Whitening Procedures

• Bleaching: Your dentist provides with bleaching of your colored teeth as the first option to restore its natural color.
• Teeth whitening strips: Using teeth whitening strips can be effective only if the strips are placed evenly over each row of your teeth. After several weeks of exercise you manage to get white teeth, but not evenly white teeth.
• Buy the kit: The kit has swabs and powder which you need to apply on your teeth. Each tooth getting equal attention makes it efficient and the most cost-effective procedure.
• Veneers: The celebrities, whom you admire for sporting a blemish-free glorious smile, use veneers. The natural teeth color can vary for individuals and it cannot be made white (it can be only made whiter) without veneers which is a costly affair.

Laser Teeth Whitening

The more advanced treatment for your stained teeth is the laser teeth whitening technique which produces instant result and works well for everyone.

Teeth whitening methods can bring back your confidence and additional rewards. Still, making a habit of taking care of your teeth is the cheapest way of retaining your pretty smile.

Vital things to be included in your daily diet are – vegetables (for vitamin B2, iron, folic acid, calcium fiber), fruits (for vitamin C, fibers), cereals and grains (for vitamin B, B2, iron, fiber, energy, protein), pulses (for energy, protein), dairy products (for calcium, iron, fat), meat and fish (for protein, fat, vitamin B2), sugar (for energy, fat).

Pick vegetables for your daily diet. They are low in fat and provide fibers, vitamin A and C, iron, magnesium. 3 to 5 servings of vegetables should be part of your daily diet. Choose carrots, tomato, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, asparagus, green beans, bell peppers. These are also extremely good for weight loss. Avoid starchy vegetables like peas, corns, sweet potatoes, squashes.

Fruits are unavoidable. They are low in fat and provide essential minerals, vitamins. Include 2-4 servings in your daily diet.

Your body also needs dairy products. They provide vitamin, protein and minerals. Milk, yoghurt, cheese fulfill calcium requirement of your body. 2-3 servings per day will be good enough for your body. Young women or young mothers can consume 3 servings a day. Milk is very essential for bone density, especially during teenage. Cow milk, buffalo milk, goat milk, cheese, curd, butter – you can choose any of these.

Meat, eggs and fish provide required protein, vitamin B, iron and zinc. Mutton, chicken, eggs, edible birds, crabs, fish, lobster, shrimps are good source of protein. 2-3 servings are fine for daily diet. These provide energy and body warmth.

Cereals provide carbohydrate, vitamins, iron. Choose whole grains over white processed grains. Rice, wheat, corn flakes, corn, bread, pasta are major source of carbohydrates. They also contain major fat, so don’t consume them too much.

Black, red and green pulses are recommended for protein. 2 serving per day will be fine.

Include these ingredients in your daily diet in recommended quantities and discover a healthier body and mind.

It’s always recommended to practice these easy workouts in front of a professional trainer, so that you don’t end up doing mistakes causing damage to your body. At the beginning weight loss may seem a remote possibility, but don’t lose hope and patience. Keep working towards your goal. Regular practice will help you in witnessing the result soon. Stay motivated and keep the hard work going. Motivation is the key to success.

There’s no better substitute than swimming. Swimming is a great exercise to burn stubborn fat and gain a slender and fit body. This shows fast result.

Riding a bicycle is the second best easy exercise. Cycling helps in losing overall body weight, and gain strong leg muscles.

Running is another great way of losing weight. Make sure you sweat while you run or jog or take a power walk. Sweating is the key to weight loss and killing germs.

All you need to do is keep the level of motivation high, practice these or any one of the activities regularly and achieve a slim and fit body with an ease.

15 steps to healthy perfect skin

1. Just get into the habit of taking good care of your skin, and owning a healthy skin will no longer be a dream for you.
2. First of all, use minimum of makeup in your daily life. Harsh chemicals of makeup always damage skin, even if for negligible percentage. Make sure you remove all make-up before hitting the bed. Let the skin breathe when you are resting.
3. Wear a sunscreen lotion when you are out in the sun. Sunrays are very hazardous for skin. Use SPF 15 or above. Protect yourself further with a hat and sunglass.
4. Treat your face gently. Don’t squeeze, poke acne or scars. It will worsen and turn into permanent scar. In worse state consult a dermatologist.
5. Drink a lot of water. It will purify your system, keep you hydrated, and release toxins from body.
6. Use gentle moisturizing soap or cleanser for skin. Avoid chemical based agents.
7. Check your diet. Make sure you have a healthy wholesome diet enriched with vitamin, minerals, protein. Vitamin A, B, C, E keep skin healthy and glowing. Include an apple in your breakfast every day. Lot of fruits, green vegetables, nuts, eggs will keep you healthy from inside. Pick up fruits with more of fiber.
8. Don’t use skin products without knowing your skin type. Find out your skin type – dry, oily, normal, sensitive, or a combination. Each skin type requires different care, different soap and moisturizers, and different sunscreen lotions. If you are not sure get it tested by a dermatologist.
9. Cleansing, toning and moisturizing should be regular regime for your skin, irrespective of your skin type. As per your skin’s nature choose the appropriate product. Wash your skin at least 2 times a day with a cleanser or soap. Moisturize your skin before going to bed.
10. Treat your skin at least once a weak. Start with a good exfoliation of dead skin. Pick up a mild scrubber. It allows skin to detox. Don’t be too harsh. It will also improve the blood circulation. Steaming, peeling followed by a rejuvenating face pack will revitalize your skin.
11. Make sure your digestive system is fine. Check constipation, stomach upsets.
12. Exercise daily. It will cast a glow on your face.
13. Keep yourself away from worries and stress.
14. Avoid excess sugar, it facilitates wrinkles, weakens elasticity and make skin sag causing premature ageing of skin.
15. Derive essential fat from your daily diet, to appear healthy and glowing.

That’s all it takes to wrap a healthy skin. Just maintain the regime and your skin won’t let you down.

Japan, China, India have always remained tea drinking countries. But the buzz about tea drinking and its goodness is new to rest of the world and it is spreading very fast. The ancient drink has enlightened many researchers, who have discovered several therapeutic and beauty values of tea.

Some of the popular forms of tea are – Green tea, Black tea, Herbal tea, Oolong tea, Ginseng tea, Red tea, White tea.

Studies have shown tea-leaves contain antioxidant chemicals called polyphenols, which play a huge role in fighting with cancer and other diseases. Polyphenols reduce cholesterol level, risk of skin cancer, gastric, ovarian cancer, blood clotting, heart diseases. Polyphenols further help in neutralizing enzymes causing growth of tumors, de-activating cancer boosters and building immunity.

Tea has fluorides which strengthen teeth. Zero level calorie of tea and ignorable level of caffeine make it healthier than a cup of coffee. Green tea facilitates weight loss too. Frequent green tea consumption also lowers the level of depression.

Drinking of tea reduces chances of arthritis, increases bone density, lowers chances of cognitive impairment, inhibits bacteria causing bad breath and cavities, increases metabolic rate, reduces chances of Parkinson’s disease.

Black tea helps to fight with flu. Recent study shows drinking half-cup of green or oolong tea every day can reduce chances of high blood pressure by 50%. Green and black tea further helps in preventing diabetes.

Tea-plant component amino acid L-theanine amazingly helps in boosting mental alertness by altering the attention network of brain. Experiments have shown after a stressful day, drinking of a cup of black tea can actually release level of stress hormone Cortisol. Theanine also brings good news for your looks. It certainly delays the ageing process.

Research has shown composition of green tea can fight with HIV virus and it can be used as a complementary therapy of HIV, along with the prescribed drugs. Research doesn’t prove it as a cure or prevention, but shows it should be recommended along with prescribed drugs to the HIV victims.

Three-four cups of tea per day can reduce the chances of suffering from stroke and just a cup of black tea per day can do wonders by preventing cardio-vascular diseases.

Indulge into a cup of tea, piping hot with health benefits.