Living at cul-de-sac and how to overcome the negative effects of it with feng shui rules?

A cul-de-sac is the end of street, forming a round dead-end and is often created in residential neighborhoods. This is believed to have bad luck or "negative Feng Shui" living at such place. This article offers the tips or ideas to overcome bad or negative of living at cul-de-sac following feng shui rules. The reason behind the theory is that 'the house which sits at the very end of a cul-de-sac has all the energy from the street pooling in front of it and pushing on the house, to create more drama or hardship than what the house itself might indicate.'

What is cul-de-sac?

A culdesac or cul-de-sac is a dead end street. It is a street that is not connected to other roads, and it provides both a way in and out of an area. In America or Australia, it is sometimes called a court, which is a cul-de-sac with only one way in and out on the same road. These dead end streets exist around the world, and they have existed for thousands of years. They were first seen in Egypt in an area that was found in the El-Lahun village that was estimated to be built in 1885 BCE.  

In the UK, street signs more often display "cul-de-sac" rather than an English translation, or "no through road". U.S. Federal Highway Administration rules state: "The Dead End sign may be used at the entrance of a single road or street that terminates in a dead end or cul-de-sac.

According to wikipedia "A cul-de-sac" (literally "bottom of bag") is a word of French origin referring to a dead end, close, no through road (UK, Australian and Canadian English) or court (American English and Australian English) meaning dead-end street with only one inlet/outlet. In the United States, a cul-de-sac is notably longer than a court. It is recognized that cul-de-sac and looped streets inherently remove car traffic through them and restrict access to residents only. Culs-de-sac may also be called "no through roads", especially in Australia where they are signposted as "No Through Road".

Geomancy (feng-shui) is the branch of classical cosmology, which gives a blue print for us to build our homes in splendid harmony with the elements of our natural environment. The Chinese exponents of Feng-Shui believe that where you live and how you allocate and arrange the elements of your home or workplace can significantly affect the harmony of your health, wealth, and happiness.

Many feng shui practitioners agree that living at the end of a dead end road is not the most desirable location and it is advisable to try not to get stuck in such a location. To start with, the chi energy coming to a house placed at the end of a road is usually fast, so the energy is pernicious and non-beneficial. Instead of bringing good fortune, it brings misfortune.

Over the years, several major new buildings in downtown Taipei have remained unoccupied and their owners have gone broke because they failed to follow the dictates of Chinese geomancy during construction. People believe that bad fortune comes along the street and hits the last house in the cul-de-sac.

A remedy: The real concern with a cul-de-sac is that usually the homes have pie shaped lots. The remedy is to square off the yard using hedges or trees. As to the "stagnant" qi, in the old days a dead end road in China was truly that. It was a walled off street. Today, there is traffic (although occasional) still moving through the cul-de-sac. It is not so bad. Focus on if the lot needs to be corrected though.

Cul-De-Sac Cure from 'Wofs'
The cure lies in harnessing the energy that flows down the road towards your house. If you can capture the chi and transform it into good sheng chi before it enters your home, you would have effectively transformed bad chi into good chi, and changed bad feng shui into really good feng shui. This is because feng shui is really about capturing and creating good chi. The cure lies in harnessing the energy that flows down the road towards your house. If you can capture the chi and transform it into good sheng chi before it enters your home, you would have effectively transformed bad chi into good chi, and changed bad feng shui into really good feng shui. This is because feng shui is really about capturing and creating good chi.

The best way of transforming chi energy is to first force it to slow down. Chi energy slows down when it meets with an obstacle, which can be a wall, some trees, boulders or any kind of structure. Chi energy also slows down when it encounters a body of water. To force oncoming chi that flows along a road to decelerate, the best way is to build a wall - something about five feet high.

The wall is like a shield that makes the oncoming chi stop, but this is not what we wish to create. The idea is not to make the chi stop altogether - the intention is only to slow it down, after which we need to capture the “slowed down” chi energy, then allow it to accumulate before it enters our house. This way, excellent feng shui chi gets created, bringing good fortune. Chi is transformed in different ways. With a wall, you can create a round or square hole to let the chi flow through and on the other side of the wall, you should have a small courtyard, in front of the door. The courtyard acts as your bright hall where the transformed chi settles before entering the home. Inside this courtyard, you can grow auspicious plants such as bamboo, pine trees or a variety of fruit trees.

Look at the sketches below and let these suggest ways for you to create something similar in your home. These are also well designed landscape features that happen to possess strong feng shui advantages. These ideas reproduced here come from various consultations we have done for clients living at the end of cul de sacs. All had been experiencing some problem or another, mostly associated with setbacks at work, falling victim to office wars, and losing out again and again to competitive colleagues in the promotion stakes.

All three clients went on to enjoy rather spectacular career rises within a year after we helped them create the feng shui remedy for their cul-de-sac houses. One got promoted to a very high and important public position. Another went on to become the CEO of a foreign company with a fairly large presence in Singapore and Malaysia.

They also loved the design features factored into our feng shui cure. As you can see, the cures were not all exactly the same - we used a wall made of bricks for the house where the road was coming from a South direction (fire), a figure of 8 water pond where the road was coming from the Northwest direction (metal) and in the third, a link house with not much space, we created a trellis planted with creeping vines that effectively slowed down the oncoming chi. There was no need for a “hole” in the trellis, as it had been made of soft bamboo with an interwoven design. In this third house, the road was coming from a North direction (water).

Useful links:
* How to Buy a House with Good Feng Shui
* Feng Shui of a House in a Cul-de-Sac: Feng Shui Tips to Attract Better Energy

First published on: 'knoji;

House cleaning tools to make your job easier

A clean house and environment contributes to the health, wellness and happiness of residents. You can keep your house clean and sparkling by maintaining a regular and scheduled plan.
There are a variety of first-time tasks that require extra time and effort. And for this job done you need a helping hand.


I always had a middle aged maid to clean my house but after her sickness I could not arrange to hire a new one. One of my close friend suggested me to contact "Maid Service Rockville MD" as she was lucky to get a professional but hard working maid due to that agency. By the time I was searching the net to get tips and ideas to clean my house properly and in a short time. There were many practical and useful tips which I want to share with my readers.

What you need to start cleaning your house?
There’s a big difference between “old” dirt and “new” dirt. If we don’t get rid of the old dirt, no matter how hard we try, simply removing new dirt isn’t going to make your home sparkling.

To start cleaning old or new dust you need cleaning tools or accessories.
You may keep a house cleaning kit which may contain a bucket, a plastic caddy, a box or whip yourself up a housekeeping apron to stick everything in. Using an apron is especially helpful when decluttering at the same time you’re cleaning since you can free up an arm to cart around an empty box to fill up from room to room.

You kit should hold these items:                                                    

• Small Spray Bottle of Plain Water
• Rubber Gloves
• Clean Rags – I love old terry towel rags
• Feather or Rag Duster
• Window  and Glass Cleaner Spray Bottle
• Nylon Scrubbie or scrub pad
•  Small plastic tube of Baking Soda– (as a gentle abrasive) 
• A small plastic container of softscrub
• Tube of Toothpaste–it’s an amazing spot and mark remover .
• Toothbrush–for scrubbing in tiny places. 
• Detailing Brushes.
• Plastic Bags – To collect bits and bobs to throw out 
• Sponge

Tips source: 'Tipnutcom'

I have collected these tools myself to do the cleaning job properly. And I am happy to say that set of these cleaning tools is enough to keep the house in sparkling condition. 

Memory imporvement tips and techniques

Every one of us can take steps to improve memory with time and practice. Question may arise 'Is is possible to improve memory at any age?' Yes, it is possible! scientific research results say that  most of us can sharpen our minds with proven, do-it-yourself strategies.

The human brain has an astonishing ability to adapt and change—even into old age. This ability is known as neuroplasticity. With the right stimulation, your brain can form new neural pathways, alter existing connections, and adapt and react in ever-changing ways. The brain’s incredible ability to reshape itself holds true when it comes to learning and memory. You can harness the natural power of neuroplasticity to increase your cognitive abilities, enhance your ability to learn new information, and improve your memory.  

10 research-proven tips for a better memory 

Here are some ways to boost your ability to remember as you age.

1. Believe in yourself. Myths about aging can contribute to a failing memory. Middle-aged and older learners do worse on memory tasks when exposed to negative stereotypes about aging and memory, and better if exposed to messages about memory preservation into old age.

2. Economize your brain use. Take advantage of calendars and planners, maps, shopping lists, file folders, and address books to keep routine information accessible. Designate a place at home for your glasses, keys, and other items you use frequently.

3. Organize your thoughts. New information that’s broken into smaller chunks, such as the hyphenated sections of a phone or social security number, is easier to remember than a single long list, such as financial account numbers or the name of everyone in a classroom.

4. Use all your senses. The more senses you use when you learn something, the more of your brain will be involved in retaining the memory. For example, odors are famous for conjuring memories from the distant past, especially those with strong emotional content, such as visits to a cookie-baking grandparent.

5. Expand your brain. Widen the brain regions involved in learning by reading aloud, drawing a picture, or writing down the information you want to learn (even if you never look back at your notes). Just forming a visual image of something makes it easier to remember and understand; it forces you to make the information more precise.

6. Repeat after me. When you want to remember something you have just heard or thought about, repeat it out loud. For example, if you’ve just been told someone’s name, use it when you speak with him or her: “So John, where did you meet Camille?”

7. Space it out. Instead of repeating something many times in a short period, as if you were cramming for an exam, re-study the essentials after increasingly longer periods of time — once an hour, then every few hours, then every day. Spacing out periods of study is particularly valuable when you are trying to master complicated information.

8. Make a mnemonic. Mnemonic devices are creative ways to remember lists. They can take the form of acronyms — such as the classic “Every good boy does fine,” to remember the musical notes E, G, B, D, and F on the lines of the treble clef. For older learners, a particularly helpful system is a story mnemonic — that is, a brief narrative in which each item cues you to remember the next one.

9. Challenge yourself. Engaging in activities that require you to concentrate and tax your memory will help you maintain skills as you age. Discuss books, do crossword puzzles, try new recipes, travel, and undertake projects or hobbies that require skills you aren’t familiar or comfortable with.

10. Take a course. Memory-improvement courses are becoming more common. Choose one run by health professionals or experts in psychology or cognitive rehabilitation. Stay away from courses that center on computer or concentration games, which generally won’t help you with real-life memory problems. Select a course that focuses on practical ways to manage everyday.

Source:  www.health.harvard.edu

Want to read or learn more?

Download free ebook:

'How to develop a super power memory' By Harry Lorayne

Harry Lorayne says:

"Memory is the stepping-stone to thinking, because without remembering facts, you cannot think, conceptualize, reason, make decisions, create. or contribute. There is no learning without memory."
Size: 2.46
No. of Pages: 214
Paperback of this self help book is available at 'Amazon' but you can download ebook format of this amazing book at the following link.

*Download link (PDF file)

More links and resources:

* How to improve your memory? at 'Wikihow'

* 'Improve memory.org'

* 'Tips and exercises to boost brain power' at 'HelpGuide.org'

How to use eye contact body language for success in business?

Focused eye contact display confidence on your part, it also helps you understand what the other person is really saying verbally. Eye contact is one of the most important communication tools we own. This article helps you learn some basic eye contact netiquettes and tips for success in business or at your work space.

Body Language is therefore very relevant to management and leadership, and to all aspects of work and business where communications can be seen and physically observed among people.
To improve body language and begin to project an open presence, the key is eye contact.

Tips to use eye contact body language effectively in business:

By using direct eye contact when interacting with others one can change the way people view them. When people begin to speak directly into a person’s eyes they are seen as confident, trustworthy, and skilled. Maintaining eye contact when talking (or listening) to someone gives an impression that you/they are confident and honest. Making little eye contact can say that the other person doesn’t like you, is nervous or shy, or perhaps believe that they are higher in status and think that eye contact isn’t necessary.

Looking someone in the eye as you meet and talk with him/her also shows you are paying attention. Listening is the most important human relations skill, and good eye contact plays a large part in conveying our interest in others. Someone looking at you non-stop is stressful and in these situations you should throw your hands around a bit more or point to brochures and objects to distract them.

Staring is basically seen as an aggressive act and can also be interpreted as being unbalanced. If talking to people outdoors, avoid wearing sunglasses as this can be very uncomfortable for the other person and can give an image of trying to hide your identity (a shifty salesman, for example). In addition, try to blink as less as possible as this can make it difficult for the other person to understand you (due to being distracted). Blinking less also gives an image of confidence. When to look Begin as soon as you engage someone in a conversation. However, you may wish to start even earlier if you are trying to get someone's attention. Continue it throughout the conversation.

Be sure to maintain direct eye contact as you are saying "good-bye." It will help leave a positive, powerful lasting impression. Where to look Imagine an inverted triangle in your face with the base of it just above your eyes. The other two sides descend from it and come to a point between your nose and your lips. That's the suggested area to "look at" during business conversations. Socially, the point of the triangle drops to include the chin and neck areas. When people look you "up and down," it's probably more than business or a casual social situation they have in mind!

 How long to look?: it should be about 80 - 90 percent of the time. Less than that can be interpreted as discomfort, evasiveness, lack of confidence or boredom. When you stare longer, it can be construed as being too direct, dominant or forceful and make the other person uncomfortable. It's okay to glance down occasionally as long as your gaze returns quickly to the other person.
Avoid looking over the other person's shoulders as if you were seeking out someone more interesting to talk with. try to recognize other people’s body language. By doing so, it could mean that they are/aren’t interested or that they feel threatened by your presence: in which case you can change your body language to make them feel more at ease

 Source: www.sideroad.com/Business_Etiquette

Useful links:

 * 6 ways to dramatically improve your eye contact skills
* Simple Guide to Good Eye Contact 
* Using eye contact for sales, Self Development for Sales People

Suggested diet tips for asthma patients

Alternative therapy, along with your health practitioner's suggested medication and following diet or food tips can help you prevent and heal from next asthma attack. These diet suggestions would trigger the healing process so check the routine diet and make changes accordingly.

Diet tips for asthma patients:

• Eat a healthy whole-foods diet based on lean protein foods, such as fish; fresh vegetables and fruits; and whole grains. Fatty fish such as salmon, sardines, and tuna, which are high in omega-3 essential fatty acid, have natural anti-inflammatory properties. Eating fish three or four times a week can be very beneficial.
• Include onions in your diet. Onions contain diphenyl-thiosulfinate, an anti-inflammatory compound with anti-asthmatic effects. Moreover, some researchers believe that asthma has its roots in infection by an organism known as Chlamydia pneumonia, and onions have natural infection-fighting properties as well.
• Avoid saturated fats, hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils, and simple carbohydrates, such as refined sugar.
• If you have sensitivity to dairy foods, avoid them. Remember that dairy foods tend to increase the production of mucus.
• Beware of foods such as nuts, citrus fruits, whole-wheat products (especially yeasted breads), seafood, and foods containing additives like preservatives or food dyes, as well as contact with animals. Any of these things can cause or exacerbate an allergy-induced asthma attack.
• Certain food additives, especially metabisufite, can be dangerous for individuals with asthma. Sulfites are commonly found in commercially prepared foods such as dried fruits. They are also used by many restaurants to keep fruits and vegetables at salad bars looking fresh and attractive. If you have asthma, it's best to avoid salad bars and to buy only unsulfured dried fruits. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) can also cause problems for some people with asthma, so avoid food products prepared with this additive. You should also be aware of "hidden" sources of MSG. these often show up on food labels as "hydrolyzed protein," "autolyzed yeast," "sodium caseinate," and "calcium caseinate."
• Following an asthma attack, drink plenty of fluids once your condition is stable enough for you to do so. It is important to thin secretions so that they are easily coughed out.
• If you suffer fatigue, hair loss, dry skin, constipation, and have difficulty losing weight, ask your physician to check your thyroid function. Asthma is often exacerbated by low thyroid function.

Source: 'Asthma diet'

More studies:

* Nutritional supplements for asthma are intended to prevent or support recovery from an asthma attack, rather than to treat. Read more at: Asthma Nutritions & Supplements

Why we feel tired and tips to get rid of fatigue?

Most people know exactly why they feel tired. You may know that you're always tired because you work too much, but what about the people who's jobs aren't particularly demanding, they get all the sleep that they need and their lives aren't really that stressful.

So why do they feel tired all the time?

In most cases, the answer is simple – the modern lifestyle is responsible for tiredness. Tiredness is a direct result of the way we live our lives. We eat different kind of foods than our grandparents did, our jobs are different, the way we spend our pastime has changed, as well as the way we sleep… And the result of all this – we feel tired all the time.

If you experience high levels of exhaustion and fatigue in the course of the day there are 2 issues that you may be facing. Either you are not getting enough sleep or you are suffering from a condition like hyperthyroidism or a viral infection.

Often the cause of this condition is also lack of exercise, poor diets and lifestyle. This condition can be hazardous to all aspects of your life and also impact others in your life.

Tips to get rid of fatigue:

If lack of sleep is causing this condition then try and squeeze in a few extra minutes of rest. Ideally you would need to get 7 hours of sleep everyday.
Sleeping in the afternoons over the weekend is a good option if you are suffering due to lack of sleep. During the week you can use your lunch hour to grab a few minutes of rest. Bite into a chicken sandwich quickly and then get a few minutes of rest.

It is important to get a few minutes of exercise everyday. Lethargy can also be the cause of fatigue and constant tiredness. If this is the cause then your only solution is to exercise for a few minutes daily.

Swimming and cycling in the summer season and walking in winter are great ways to exercise. Enroll for a yoga class to help you get some exercise during the week.
Meditating for a few minutes everyday is a good way to reduce stress and induce quality sleep. If you are at unrest then meditate for a few minutes before you head to bed. This is a great way to relax and get quality sleep. You will wake up refreshed and energized.

While resting and exercise is important you also need to focus on your diet. If your meals are high in fat and low on nutrition you are not going to be energized. For this reason it is important for you to eat healthy and nutritious food.
Protein and fiber rich foods are great as they help to increase your energy levels and keep your hunger pangs away thereby preventing any junk food binges.

Add nuts and dry fruits to your diet. These are known to be rich sources of vitamins and minerals that are essential for your body.

Don’t depend on coffee and tea too much to keep you alert; in the long run they will loose their effect on your body and create dependence.

Managing cholesterol level helps reduce depression

University of Montpellier analysts demonstrate us how depression is linked to cholestrerol levels and gender.

Do you know the Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) and University of Montpellier financed scientists suggested that managing 'good' and 'bad' levels of cholesterol can help reduce mood disorders among seniors?

In a newly released issue of the academic journal Biological Psychiatry (http://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com) released in July 2010, leading researcher Dr. Marie-Laure Ancelin of INSERM (Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale http://www.inserm.fr) documented that gender-specific regulation of cholesterol may help stop depressive disorders in the aging adults.

French analysts observed a considerable group of women and men aged sixty-five and older for seven years.

They established that depressive disorder in women was associated with lower levels of "good" high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), which puts them at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, including heart stroke.

On the other hand, depressive disorder in men was associated with low levels of "bad" low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). This association was strongest in men with a genetic vulnerability to depression related to a serotonin transporter gene.

Therefore, proper regulation of HDL-C and LDL-C levels may help reduce depression in the seniors, the study concluded.

The analysis appeared in the July 15 issue of the journal Biological Psychiatry (Reference: http://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/S0006-3223(10)00393-8/abstract).

Major diet sources of cholesterol include dairy products, egg yolks, beef, pork, poultry, and shrimp. Plant products such as flax seeds and peanuts incorporate cholesterol-like substances called phytosterols.

Total cholesterol is described as the sum of HDL (High-density lipoprotein), LDL (Low-density lipoprotein), and VLDL (Very-low-density lipoprotein). Usually, only the total, HDL, and triglycerides are measured.

It is suggested to have cholesterol tested more often than five years if a person has total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL or higher, or if a man over age forty five or a woman over age fifty has HDL (good) cholesterol lower than 40 mg/dL, or exist other risk elements for cardiovascular disease and stroke.

So...what can you do to increase your HDL (good) and decrease your LDL (bad) levels?

These tips can help you increase your good cholestrol and decrease your bad level:

1. Exercising can substantially increase HDL cholesterol while lowering LDL cholesterol.

2. Smoking has been shown to lower HDL while raising LDL cholesterol.

3. Prepared, trans fats at the same time raise LDL cholesterol and lower HDL cholesterol.

4. Monounsaturated fats such as those found in essential olive oil and avocados increase HDL and reduce LDL.

5. Fatty fish like salmon and sardines contain omega-3 fats that raise HDL and lower LDL.

6. Whole, intact grains contain dietary fiber and niacin, both of which raise HDL and may lower LDL.

Now it's all to you...

About the author - Betty Doyle publishes articles for the http://www.depressionpills.net/ blog. It's a nonprofit website specialized in her personal depression journey. The blog focuses on giving energy and hope to any individual who is suffering from depressive disorder and promotes those people to find the energy to fight back against the effects of depression. This way she wants to support alleviate some of the stigma mental illness depression can cause and help the public perception of mood diseases.

Ask your health and diet questions online to Dr.Oz

'Doctor OZ' is a known personality for TV viewers. 'Oprah' has invited Dr. Oz many times, now you can get him online and ask any question.

His site is a source of all information, news, viws, tips and helful diet, health/wellness related issues.

More about Dr.Oz:

Dr. Oz, host of "The Dr. Oz Show", is Vice-Chair and Professor of Surgery at Columbia University. His research interests include heart replacement surgery, minimally invasive cardiac surgery, complementary medicine and health care policy. He has authored over 400 original publications, book chapters, and medical books and has received several patents. He performs 250 heart operations annually.

Dr. Oz was a featured health expert on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" for over five seasons, spanning 55 episodes. He has also served as chief medical consultant to Discovery Communications. In addition to numerous appearances on "Good Morning America," he has also appeared on the "Today" show, "Larry King Live," "The View," guest-hosted the "Charlie Rose" show and appeared on all the evening news broadcasts.

Dr. Oz has been honored as one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People, Esquire magazine honored him amongst '75 Most Influential People of the 21st Century'

At Dr/ Oz's blog you can read about the topics of interest to Dr. Oz's panel of experts and Wellness Warriors.
- Find everything from recipes and tips regarding health and wellness.
- Read stories of successes and struggles and get evaluations of therapies and treatments.

How to get self healing from acupressure

I have completed a short acupressure course from a local expert of this therapy and after some practice I can diagnose myself or use the self healing process for the purpose. Acupressure points of your palm become tender or painful relating to the part of body which is an indication that there is some pain or abnormality at that body system or part.

After diagnose, self healing is a very easy process. You just need to put pressure with the help of your finger tips, thumb or with wooden tool(specially made to apply pressure).

How to Start?

Look for sore areas. If a point is sore, it needs work. You should feel sour or numb, but not knife-cut like pain when pressing. The acupoints are usually between or beside the bones and tendons orligaments, on in a depression, never on the bones or blood vessels. If a point is not sore, leave it alone. Fingerpressure will work but most people get a better Healing Response using acupressure tools. They allow morepressure to be applied with less work, stress and potential damage to the massager.

If a point is very sore,press only as hard as you can tolerate do not overdo it this is not a contest. You must be the judge on this.Light pressure for a longer period will give you the same results. Some people who are larger or less sensitivethan others, may need more pressure to activate the healing response.Treatments have a cumulative effect. Sometimes lasting results are immediate, but most often it takes a while.

Each time you activate the healing response it brings the system closer to normal. If you do not get aresponse quickly you can increase the frequency of treatment. Increasing frequency is more effective thenincreasing the duration of treatment. Three or four times a day or even once an hour is OK. It does not mean that the treatments are not working if the pain comes back. This is normal. Eventually you will reach a point where the pain does not retur

* How to apply acupressure

How long you should apply pressure on effected points?

Firm pressure is the most fundamental technique. Use thumbs, fingers, palms, the side of the hand, orknuckles to apply stead; stationary pressure. To relax an area or relieve pain, apply pressure gradually andhold without any movement for several minutes at a time.

One minute of steady pressure (when appliedgradually) calms and relaxes the nervous system, promoting greater healing. To stimulate the area, applypressure for only four or five seconds. Slow motion kneading uses the thumbs and fingers along with theheels of the hands to squeeze large muscle groups firmly. The motion is similar to that of kneading a large mass of dough. Simply lean the weight of your upper bodyinto the muscle as you press to make it soft and pliable. This relieves general stiffness, shoulder and necktension, constipation, and spasms in the calf muscles.

Brisk rubbing uses friction to stimulate the blood andlymph. Rub the skin lightly to relieve chilling, swelling, and numbness by increasing circulation, as well as tobenefit the nerves and tone of the skin. Quick tapping with fingertips stimulates muscles on unprotected,tender areas of the body such as the face. For larger areas of the body, such as the back or buttocks, use aloose fist. This can improve the functioning of nerves and sluggish muscles in the area. Obviously this type ofmassage would be difficult to apply to yourself. But with the proper tools you can treat most of your body'slocations effectively.

* Use acupressure charts

Tips:
- Pressing too hard and too quickly can damage tissues and create more problems.
- Pressing too soft will do little to relieve the problem.
- Use gentle steady pressure and gradually increase it until the body responds back with a significant pain response.
- The point with pain is telling you something is wrong but not to the point where your body tenses more from the pain.

More at: The right amount of pressure

Bring a change in your life for better health

'Change 4 Life' helps you bring change in your life for better health. You would be able to get helpful information, tools and tips at the site.

How it helps us change our life to better?

The movement will help to make behaviors around diet and physical activity more high profile and will provide accessible, friendly and encouraging support to implement changes.

There are 8 healthy behaviors that can help you live a better life:

The site suggests:

1. Swapping food and drink with added sugar for options that are lower in sugar or sugar-free. We're calling this ‘sugar swaps’.
2. Making sure kids eat at least five portions of a variety of fruit and veg every day. We're using the name that parents are already familiar with: 5 A DAY.
3. 2.3 Making time for regular meals to help avoid unhealthy eating habits. We're calling this ‘meal time’.
4. Setting a limit on the number of snacks and treats kids have each day. We're calling this ‘snack check’.
5. Making sure kids eat the right sized portions for their age and size. We're calling this ‘me size meals’.
6. Taking simple steps to eat less fat by comparing food labels, swapping certain foods for others and changing the way food is cooked and prepared. We're calling this ‘cut back fat’.
7. Making sure kids do at least 60 minutes of physical activity - like playing outside, walking or swimming - every day. We're calling this ‘60 active minutes’.
8. Limiting ‘sitting down’ activities, like watching TV or playing computer games, and encouraging kids to do something more active. We're calling this ‘up and about’.

These all behavior changes are sure ways to bring change in our lifestyle and

The site provides all the stuff for free and registration is also free for all so let's make our life more meaningful and healthier by bringing change in our lives.

Some fragrance tips and facts

This article provides many tips and facts about fragrances, and as it is in question answer format, it would be easy to learn either the theories we believed are true or false?

It is not true that the sense of smell is keener in the morning than it is later in the day. Our sense of smell is not as sharp in the morning as it is later in the day. More upbeat, "bright" scents can be appreciated at the beginning of the day to sharpen the senses. Once you've awakened your sense of smell, choose fragrances that correspond with your mood, fashion or the occasion.

As we get older, can our sense of smell begin to diminish as is does for our eye sight and hearing?
Constant, creative use of all our senses can help to keep them at peak performance well into old age. It may be the time in a person's life to change fragrance type, i.e., one that gives a fast and stronger odor impression.

Can a person's medication, smoking affect how a fragrance smells?
Yes. The wearer may think a fragrance formula has been changed when instead it is a change in diet, medication or lifestyle which has caused the new perception of scent. What one eats on a regular basis can affect the way a fragrance smells and lasts on a person's skin. If one is on a high fat, spicy diet, for example, fragrance will be more intense. If you have recently changed your diet dramatically, skin chemistry may change, causing fragrance to smell differently on you.

Can one improve one's sense of smell after 50?
Many men and women over 50 begin to lose their ability to fully appreciate smell sensations. Though current research reveals that women are less apt to lose their sense of smell as quickly as men at the same age, older people often prefer stronger scents. They must be careful not to overdo their fragrance applications, particularly in warm weather or if they know they are going to be in stressful situations.

Can one lose one's sense of smell?
Yes, particularly if one has a cold, the flu or if you have suffered a head injury. If the condition persists, see a physician.

Can perfume be kept indefinitely?
Once a bottle of perfume is opened it is meant to be used. Otherwise it will begin to fade with time. Long exposure to strong sunlight or extremes in temperature can disturb the delicate balance of the perfume and change its scent. Perfume, to last, should be kept in a cool, dry place away from direct light.

Do women have a keener sense of smell than men?
Yes, but much of it learned. On a day-to-day basis women in our society are encouraged to use their noses more often than men through their interest in cooking, flower arrangements, creating interior environments, and the early use of fragrance products. In addition, according to scientific research, the fluctuation in a woman's sense of smell, during a 24-hour period, is systematically greater than a man's.

Does dry skin require a more generous fragrance application?
Yes, dry skin does not hold fragrances as long as oily skin and it should be reapplied more often throughout the day.
If a person is inclined to perspire, does this affect the impact of fragrance?
Yes, body heat builds up, fragrance intensifies.

If fragrance is applied in the morning, will it last throughout the day?
No, fragrance is not formulated to last all day. It should be refreshed periodically. Approximately every three to four hours.

Is it important to apply fragrance all over the body?
Yes, fragrance rises. If a woman applies her fragrance just behind her ears, or a man his aftershave just on his face, the scent will slowly rise and disappear.

Is it true that a person has his or her own individual "smell fingerprint"?

Yes. Each of us has our own unique odor identity which is the sum total of our heredity (genes), skin type (dry/oily/light/dark), hair color, diet, whether or not we take medications, are under stress, the environment in which we live, etc.
Is it true that fragrance can be kept in the refrigerator for a refresher pickup?
Yes, but only colognes and toilet waters. Perfumes should not be exposed to extreme cold or heat because either may upset its delicate balance.

Is it true that fragrance reacts differently on blondes, brunettes and redheads?
Yes. Blonds -- with a fair skin will be happiest with long-lasting multi-floral creations. Their skin is often dry causing fragrances that are too subtle to evaporate rapidly.

Brunettes -- usually have medium-to-dark skin which contains natural oils, allowing scents to last longer. Dramatic orientals are often favorites.

Redheads -- have extremely fair and delicate skin which may be incompatible with fragrances which have predominant green notes.
Is it true the sense of smell is not as keen in the winter as it is in the summer?
Yes, heat increases the impact of odor. In the summer there are so many fascinating "smell" signals around us, and we are more conscious of our sense of smell and certainly enjoy it to the fullest. In hot weather, each fragrance application goes a long way-so lighter fragrances should be worn.

May fragrance be sprayed on the hair?
Only if the hair is freshly-shampoed. Oils and dirt which accumulate on the hair and scalp intensify fragrance and can distort it. Also, don't spray fragrance on extremely dry or brittle hair.

Should fragrance be applied to clothes?
No, fragrance is formulated only to be applied to the skin. If applied to fabric, the fibers could change the character of the fragrance. The scent might also stain the fabric.

Should fragrance be applied to the palms of your hands?
Yes, it is a wonderful way to enjoy the fragrance for oneself.

When traveling to a "high altitude" will fragrance be affected?
Yes, high altitude decreases the long-lasting effects of fragrance so it should be applied more often. High altitudes also weaken the strength of a fragrance message. Choose stronger fragrances.

Why is it important to test no more than three fragrances at one time?
The sense of smell quickly develops odor fatigue if it is exposed to too many sensations in a short period of time.

Source: The Fragrance Foundation

Drink enough water to keep you safe from back pain

Water is the most important nutrient which we need to live healthy. We all know the bad effects of dyhydration for health but dehydration can worsen your back pain as well. It is strange to hear that water can help you overcome your back pain easily and naturally but it is true.

Low back pain and ankylosing arthritis of the spine are signs of water shortage in the spinal column and discs - the water cushions that support the weight of the body. These conditions should be treated with increased water intake - not a commercial treatment, but a very effective one.

Effects of disc dehydration on back pains:
Like most other body systems, the discs in the back require lots of water to work properly. The body must be well hydrated for water to leave other vital areas, like circulation or the brain & enter the discs. Our body weight is supported by 23 discs & 24 vertebrae along the spinal column.

The discs, in addition to other parts of the spinal column, hold water which stabilizes them & allow them to support body weight. When the weight press squeezes out water from the disc and the water is not replaced disc dehydration occurs. Dehydrated discs are then less able to support body weight.

Dehydration & sciatica:
Dehydrated discs become less stable. So they start to shift in the spine. Eventually they press on the sciatic nerve causing intense, radiating pain, pain that is often felt down one or the other leg.
Sciatic pain is the more serious phase of disc dehydration. It is also a sign of impending chronic pain.

As disc dehydration continues, problem is increasingly exacerbated. Here too, the typical back pain guide fails to include dehydration as involved in the development of sciatica.

In addition to dehydration’s involvement in back problems, muscles that aren’t properly conditioned can result in serious back problems.

Well-developed, flexible back muscles help the spinal column absorb shock and help keep the discs stable during stressful movements.

Our bodies are more than half water. We must replace, on the average 80 to 96ounces of water per day that is used or lost by respiration, urination, and perspiration. We can get some water by eating foods that are high in water. but most of our water will come from drinking eight to ten cups of water per day.

Source: Back pain guide

Related post:

Tips to keep you safe from back pain

Working for long hours beside computers at home or at office is a part of our life but if we don't care about our sitting posture, we can get back or shoulder pain. I am one of those people who work for whole day (half day teaching and sitting for some intervals at chair and half day in front of computer) resulting in aching back and shoulders. I am not alone with these symptoms:

- Every year, 100’s of Millions of people suffer from back pain.
- Between 2 - 6 million Americans suffer serious back pain every year.

At some point in their lives, 4 out of 5 adults will suffer a pain severe enough to warrant medical care.
For many years, surgery was often performed on sufferers. However, surgery has come to be increasingly viewed as ineffective and unneccesary.

Back pain can arise from a number of conditions. The symptoms generally are sharp pain or numbness most often occurring in the lower back or neck causing reduced function and mobility. Common causes can be strained muscle/ligament as a result of lifting or awkward movements or a herniated disk that applies pressure to a nerve. But the prevention is the best way to keep away from this discomfort condition.

The University of Maryland Medical Center has provided these tips to help you safe from back pain:

TIPS to keep you safe from back pain
- Pay attention to your posture, whether you're standing or sitting. Make sure your ears, shoulders and hips all line up.

- Avoid standing for long periods. If you must stand, use a stool and alternate resting each foot on it.

- Wear comfortable, cushioned shoes without heels if you walk a lot.

- Choose a straight-backed, adjustable chair with armrests and a swivel seat for your desk chair.

- Prop your feet up below your desk, so your knees are elevated above your hips.

- Roll up a towel or place a pillow at your lower back while sitting at your desk.

Useful links:
* Exercises for Back Pain

* Back pain treatment

* Osteomedtreat.in provides information about back pain.

Tips to ease your stress/depression

Mostly, whenever we face a physical or mental problem, there is a pharmacological subscription suggested from the doctor. And in most cased, when the problem is related to mind or psychological, only anti-depressants are the first suggestion from the doctor. But we know that the antidepressant medication have many side effects. Moreover it is not the cure for the problem, only a temporary relief.

People are also looking for non-pharmacologic relief of illness, including depression. Unfortunately, the evidence to support the effectiveness of alternative therapies against the disease isn't strong. Alternative or complementary therapies probably won't do much to ease really serious depression, but for mild depression or anxiety, some tips can be helpful.
For any form of mild depression, all of these things can help:

One study released about five years ago, found that exercise could be a major weapon against depression.
"Exercise, at least when performed in a group setting, seems to be at least as effective as standard antidepressant medications in reducing symptoms in patients with major depression," said researcher James Blumenthal, a professor of medical psychology at Duke University.

His team's study found that 10 months of regular, moderate exercise reduced depressive symptoms at a rate equal to that of Zoloft.
Another study, this time by researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, found that 30-minute workouts done three to five times a week could cut depressive sy Even less vigorous activities, such as T'ai chi or yoga, may help lower blood pressure and ease stress, Marsh said. "People who exercise also tend to feel that they have more control over their life," she added. That's important, since a persistent feeling of helplessness is a hallmark of depression.

According to Marsh, the science is much less clear when it comes to the effectiveness of supplements and herbal medicines. For example, there's little good data to support the use of either foliate or the B vitamins in warding off the blues.
Perhaps the most talked-about herbal therapy for depression is St. John's wart, but "the evidence that it can help moderate-to-severe depression is very poor,"
Non-pharmacologic interventions such as massage therapy, acupuncture or aromatherapy are great at easing short-term stress, "but the real issue, when it comes to depression, is what the effect is over the long term?
One thing the science does show, however, is that contacts with others -- friends, family, clubs and group activities -- can boost mood and help ease depression.

These tips can improve your mental well being, as well as your physical well being.

I am including here 2 self screening tests, which are free to use, provided by Department of Psychiatry (NYU Medical Center/NYU School of Medicine)

The Online Anxiety Screening Test

The Online Depression Screening Test

KEEP IN MIND: that these preliminary screening tests are for depressive symptoms that do not replace in any way a formal psychiatric evaluation. It is designed to give a preliminary idea about the presence of mild to moderate depressive symptoms that indicate the need for an evaluation by a psychiatrist.

Related post:
Are you unhappy from your life?

Get allergy informaiton at - 'Food Matter'

Food allergy is a common symptom when we see that a food is not digested and body shows signs of getting rid of it. Sometimes allergic reactions are very serious and we need emergency treatment for it. In most of the cases we can save ourselves by avoiding those foods which are causing allergic reaction to our body. This post would help you learn about an online resouce which specifically offers information about food allergies. You get browse the site and get useful stuff from it.

Allergy can be defined as 'a specific response by the immune system to a substance (inhaled, touched or eaten) which it mistakenly identifies as harmful.'

Many people do suffer adverse reactions to substances, particularly foods, which have not sparked an immune system response. These responses are normally classed as intolerances or sensitivities and have a very wide range of causes, symptoms and degrees of severity.

Food Matter is an online resource for anyone with an allergy or an intolerance. You can find research based articles on allergy, intolerance and sensitivity(inhaled, contact and ingested) and the many health conditions related to them.

You can share your experiences or get in touch with other persons like you via their forums

At left side bar you can see many allergy catagories and you can easily search for the information you need for a specific kind of allergy.

Tips to 'be and stay happy'

If anybody asks me what is the exact formula of happiness, I would only say that happiness comes from inside. If you are thankful to God for what ever He has given you, you are the happiest person on earth.

Fyodor Dostoevsky said: "Man is fond of counting his troubles, but he does not count his joys. If he counted them up as he ought to, he would see that every lot has enough happiness provided for it."

More than 100 years ago, author Robert Louis Stevenson offered the following tips for maintaining a positive attitude. They still apply today.

1.  Make up your mind to be happy. Learn to find pleasure in simple things.
2. Make the best of your circumstances. No one has everything, and everyone has something of sorrow intermingled with gladness of life. The trick is to make the laughter outweigh the tears.
3. Don't take yourself too seriously. Don't think that somehow you should be protected from misfortune that befalls other people.
4. You can't please everybody. Don't let criticism worry you.
5. Don't let your neighbor set your standards. Be yourself.
6. Do the things you enjoy doing but stay out of debt.
7. Never borrow trouble. Imaginary things are harder to bear than real ones.
8. Since hate poisons the soul, do not cherish jealousy, enmity, grudges. Avoid people who make you unhappy.
9. Have many interests. If you can't travel, read about new places.
10. Don't hold postmortems. Don't spend your time brooding over sorrows or mistakes. Don't be one who never gets over things.
11. Do what you can for those less fortunate than yourself.
12. Keep busy at something. A busy person never has time to be unhappy.

Few sayings of famous:

* The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up. ~Mark Twain

* If you want to be happy, be. ~Leo Tolstoy

* Happiness is never stopping to think if you are. ~Palmer Sondreal

* The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it under his feet. ~James Openheim

* Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open. ~John Barrymore
More 'Happiness quotes'

Useful Resource:

* Get a FREE happiness training course.
* Take a happiness test
* Get FREE e-book "The Way to Happiness"

Related posts:
- "How to be happy?"
- "Are you unhappy from your life?"

Tips for a good sleep

I have to get up early in the morning to prepare breakfast for me and my son, then tiffin for both of us. But at night as my husband is a late goer to bed, me and my son can't go for sleep until midnight. So the duration is around 5 hours on average. My daily meditation routine is an effective way to cope with the situation and I don't get easily tired during my whole day job or house chores. I have to take a nap after noon to make up the night sleep. But it is a reality that if you don't get good sleep at night, and this routine continues, you would become sick (metally and physically)

A recent Sealy survey shows 67 percent of Americans are only getting six or seven hours of sleep each night not the eight hours medically recommended to perform during the day.

Dr. Carol Ash, medical director of Sleep for Life Inc., says outside factors like work and family schedules are the main reasons many people aren’t getting eight hours of sleep at night.

When eight hours isn’t possible, it’s important to maximize the sleep you do get to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Quality sleep improves concentration, increases memory function and reduces stress, while keeping diabetes and high blood pressure at bay.

“Although sleep isn’t optional, your sleep environment is, and making sure you’re resting under optimum circumstances puts you in control of your sleep cycle and energy level,” says Ash. “You might not be able to sleep longer, but you can certainly sleep better.”

Ash offers these simple tips for a restful night’s sleep:

Bedtime
Get in the habit of going to bed and waking up at the same time each day. Doing this, along with limiting catnaps, can help set your internal clock so it feels natural to fall asleep at a certain time.

Caffeine
Limit your caffeine intake. The effects of caffeine can last up to 12 hours or more and can prohibit your ability to fall and stay asleep. Anyone who regularly tosses and turns at night should consider removing some or all caffeine from their diet.

Exercise
Get plenty of exercise during the day, but preferably not within three hours before you go to sleep to give your body a chance to unwind and cool down.

Environment
Make sure your bedroom is dark, quiet and cool. Close the curtains and, if necessary, use a sleep mask or earplugs. Lower the temperature in your bedroom before going to bed as cooler temperatures can help maximize sleep.

Routine
Establish a bedtime routine. Doing the same thing every evening can provide a soothing effect best for sleeping. For example, you could have a cup of tea, read a book or listen to music.

Mattress
Choose a comfortable mattress. Update your mattress. Many consumers don’t realize the critical role a mattress plays in a peaceful night’s sleep. Investing in a quality mattress provides both pressure relief and support.

Source: ARA content

Tips to reduce your stress

It is difficult to get rid of stress but there are ways to lower it. Every person has its own personality thus manangement of stress may be different for each one, but these tips can really help you in managing your stress/depression. These tips and ideas look very simple and may be you would think that these can not product good results, but believe me that these has worked like miracal for me.

* Learn better ways to manage your time. You may get more done with less stress if you make a schedule. Think about which things are most important, and do those first.

* Find better ways to cope. Look at how you have been dealing with stress. Be honest about what works and what does not. Think about other things that might work better.

* Take good care of yourself. Get plenty of rest. Eat well. Do not smoke. Limit how much alcohol you drink.

* Try out new ways of thinking. When you find yourself starting to worry, try to stop the thoughts. Work on letting go of things you cannot change. Learn to say “no.”

* Ask for help. People who have a strong network of family and friends manage stress better.

* Exercise. Regular exercise is one of the best ways to manage stress. Walking is a great way to get started.

* Write. It can help to write about the things that are bothering you. (I found blogging a great help in reducing stress for me)

* Let your feelings out. Talk, laugh, cry, and express anger when you need to. (Introvert persons suffer most, so cry or laugh like normal humans)

* Do something you enjoy. A hobby can help you relax. Volunteer work or work that helps others can be a great stress reliever. (It is the best remedy)

* Learn ways to relax your body. This can include breathing exercises, muscle relaxation exercises, massage, aromatherapy, yoga, or relaxing exercises like tai chi and qi gong.

* Focus on the present. Try meditation, imagery exercises, or self-hypnosis. Listen to relaxing music. Try to look for the humor in life. Laughter really can be the best medicine. (Meditation is the first effective strategy, which helped me to cope with depression and stress. I am still a regular meditator for more than 3 years)

- source link

Keep You And Your Family Safe On The Road

Staying alert is very important in case of driving, as keeping some safety tips in mind can save our and our family's life. It is a fact that all accidents are not avoidable, but we can still stay at a safe side by not being a cause of accident, by adopting travel safety tips.

Few statistics of accidents:

- Each year worldwide there are 500,000 road deaths, It is estimated that by 2020 this figure will rise to 700,000 deaths per annum.

- Injuries outnumber deaths 70 times

- 15,000,000 serious injuries each year

- Annual cost of motor vehicle crashes in USA is $70 billion

'Getting Ready For The Road' tips:

Even under the best conditions, driving has its inherent risks. But when special situations or hazards arise, paying attention to driving and making sound decisions become even more vital.
The word “emergency” indicates the unforeseen, the unpredictable. No matter how careful you are, you cannot keep emergencies from occurring. However, as safe and competent drivers, you can deliberately prepare for emergency conditions you might encounter on the roadway — from unpredictable weather to transporting an individual to the hospital.

Travel Safety Tips

* Take your vehicle for a full safety inspection 1–2 weeks before a long trip.
* Be well-rested and alert each time you get behind the wheel.
* Never leave children or pets unattended in your vehicle.
* Never drive if you have been drinking alcohol.
* Never drive if you are using medications that cause drowsiness.
* Wear prescription lenses as appropriate.
* Make sure each passenger wears a seatbelt.
* Make sure child passenger safety seats are properly installed.
* Make sure children are properly secured in appropriate child passenger safety seats.
* Follow traffic safety laws.
* Obey speed limits.
* Slow down in adverse weather conditions or if there are safety hazards present, such as an accident or debris on the roadway.
* Avoid distractions while driving, including eating, drinking, using cell phones, tuning the radio, interacting with other drivers and other passengers and watching sights along the road.
* Use rearview and side mirrors often.
* Avoid prolonged hours of driving.
* Place warning devices, when needed, at least 200 feet behind the vehicle.
* Keep doors locked.
* Do not leave valuables in view.
* Check your vehicle’s tire pressure at least once each month.

Tips provided by: USAA Ed Foundation

Related study:CRASH SAFETY

Saving Money with Online Cash Back Credit Card

You would be noticing that there are lots of companies offering low rate, or 0% interest rate credit cards. But if you are offered to save hundreds of dollars annually by using 'Online cash back credit cards' would you believe?

Yes it is possible! Cash back option is the best credit card's benefit scheme.

How much you can save with cash back credit deals?

With cash back credit deals, your everyday credit purchases may bring you some hundred dollars by the end of the fiscal year.

If in active use - commonly brings 5% on purchases, which are made in some specialized shops like supermarkets, drug stores, gas stations and other trading nets. Moreover the program will add up 1% on any other credit purchases.

Tips:

- The higher your credit score is - the better your chances to get the best credit offer will be, especially Platinum credit card.

- The credit card's options will better suit those who frequently buy goods for housing or are going to make some repairing works.

- Read carefully the fine print terms of your credit application. There are various cards that don't include any kind of cash back limit. It will also depend on some certain trading nets where you will make your purchases. If they have it - then your card will evidently be your best variant!