Back Problems Affecting You? – Chemical Stress could be Culprit

In the field of chiropractic, vertebral subluxation complexes are described by the practitioners as “a set of signs and symptoms of the spinal column.” In other words, they are signs that point to a problem with the spine. The three causes of them are chemical, emotional and physical.

These vertebral subluxations are believed to cause neurological compromise along the spine. An issue that is encountered with the spinal columns can lead to a nervous system dysfunction.

Chemical Stresses that Compromise:

There are numerous types of chemical stresses that can affect your health, without you even being aware of it, until a more serious problem has arisen. Let us look at some of those chemical stresses now.

We all need to clean our homes right? Many of the cleaners we use all of the time may be toxic and very unsafe for your body. Think about the chemicals that are used in these products – the ones that make your sink and bathtub shine and make your wood sparkle. Whether it is dish detergent, window cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner or some other types of cleansers, many of these commercial products are bad news.

Personal care products may make your hair bouncy, your skin brighter and your teeth whiter but do you really know what all of the ingredients on the product labels can do to your health? Many people do not even know what many of the ingredients are. There are dozens of chemicals in hair care products, skincare products and the cosmetics that you use on your face every day. The more products you use on a daily basis, the more chemicals you are being exposed to.

Antiperspirants and deodorants keep you dry and odor-free. You need them when the pressure’s on, right? While these products do serve a purpose, they have a negative side to them. They contain aluminum and a number of other ingredients that are not found anywhere in nature. That makes them chemicals that the body is unfamiliar with.

Aspartame is found in numerous products you consume, everything from soda pop to baked goods to candy. Researchers blame this substance and other artificial sweeteners for playing a role in the onset of several autoimmune diseases. For this reason, you should avoid this these additives at all costs.

Artificial colors, flavors and preservatives are bad for you. Practically every processed food imaginable contains one or more of these chemicals. They are added to foods to extend the shelf life of them. While it is very hard to avoid these harmful substances all together, always read product labels before you buy boxed and pre-packaged foods.

You like the smell of the laundry detergent you use and the fabric softener really makes your clothes feel great, but what ingredients make up these products? Bear in mind that your clothing, as well as your bedding and your towels come in direct contact with your skin. You want as few chemicals near your skin as possible.

Reducing chemical exposure from the everyday products you use can take some effort on your part but it is worth it because you will enjoy better health. All of the chemicals described here put an extra burden upon your immune and nervous systems.

Do what you can to remove some of the burdens that they shoulder.

Becca

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Stress Driving You Crazy? – Ways to Stress Less – Part II

This is the second part of my series on stress, you can read Ways to Reduce Stress in Your Life – Part I here.

Eliminating all forms of stress from your life is not possible but what is possible is finding ways to relax and calm yourself. To fortify yourself against the stressors that come your way and to keep tension at a manageable level you need to find effective ways to cope. In part one we offered some help in this area and now in part two we offer more tips.

If you like to take walks for exercise then you are already doing a world of good for your mental health as well. Walking is an excellent stress buster because it quiets and calms the mind. If you are not a walker but yet you seem to have stress invading your life constantly then adding a 20 to 30 minute walk to your daily life can help you out tremendously when it comes to reducing anxiety and stress.

Walking in general is good even if it is done on an indoor or outdoor track but walking outdoors such as in a local park is even better. According to a recent study done in Japan walking outside, especially in a forest setting can be an excellent way to cope with chronic stress. There is something about nature, trees and streams that can benefit those who are consumed by stressful thoughts.

Having an animal for a companion or a few of them can help to relieve stress. In fact it is one of the many benefits of having a pet.

Whether you have a dog, cat, guinea pig, rabbit or bird he or she can help to reduce the stress you are feeling. Studies have connected owning a pet to having lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels. One study had subjects watch 10 to 15 minutes of cute films about animals. Following the viewing the volunteers were found to have lower heart rates and blood pressure and found to be much less anxious.

Having a room with a view can help to turn stress upside down. Studies have shown that students who have seats near windows recover quicker from performing stressful tasks than do those who sit facing blank walls or even those looking at a  screen or picture of a nature scene. Next time you feel overcome with stress step away from your computer or take yourself away from the problem at hand and spend a little time glancing out the window.

This can also help to clear your mind, relax your body and bring your heart rate down to where it should be. If you do not have a window view from wherever you do most of your work then try to do something to change that. If you cannot then at least do some window gazing during your breaks.

Music is good for the soul. It can also lift your spirits and make your troubles seem thousands of miles away. When stress seems to be winning in your life listen to some relaxing music of your choosing. Everyone has different tastes in music. Listening to tunes that are mellow in nature can slow down your breathing and your heart rate and make you feel so much better. Find what suits your musical style and then listen to it to your heart’s content when stress is building in your life.

Let the music soothe your senses.

Samantha

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Stress Driving You Crazy? – Ways to Stress Less – Part I

Stress. It is one small word but oh what a loaded word! Too much of it is bad for your health and your overall well-being. It can affect your heart, your relationships, your ability to focus and make decisions and even your cholesterol level. Here we look at some simple ways that you can relieve tension and minimize stress in your busy life.

You know that expression, “Stop and smell the roses”? Well when it comes to stress there is some logic in that. It is aromatherapy and stopping to smell the roses that can help to ease stress. Roses contain a chemical called linalool which has been proven through scientific studies to reduce stress.

This is also true of fruits such as oranges, mangoes and grapes, and herbs such as basil, rosemary and lavender. Keep a vase of flowers nearby or some dried lavender or a bowl of fruit and take a whiff of it whenever you are feeling blue.

Here is one you may never have thought of – chew gum. Chewing gum offers a means of busting stress and it is a pleasant treat that will not cause a spike in your cholesterol level. A recent study showed that workers who chew gum reported a lesser amount of stress than did workers who did not chew gum. Putting a piece of gum in your mouth and chomping on it stimulates a nerve known as the vagus nerve. This nerve helps to calm and relax you. Just make sure that you think of the health of your teeth as well.

Naturally, opt for sugar-free gum.

Sipping a relaxing cup of tea is well… relaxing and soothing when you are feeling like a bundle of nerves. Take a hint from the British. The Brits brew a pot of tea when stress threatens to boil over and it helps them to feel calmer and more in control of their circumstances. Black tea has been found to be high in antioxidants that blast stress.

These antioxidants include flavonoids, polyphenols and amino acids. There is also evidence to suggest that green tea can help to lower the bad type of cholesterol in the body, otherwise known as LDL cholesterol. Next time you feel overwhelmed with stress brew yourself a cup and sit down and enjoy it!

Do you laugh a lot? Do you even laugh enough? If you cannot remember when you last cut loose with a hearty laugh then it is no surprise that your health is paying the price when it comes to stress. As far as stress is concerned, laughter really is one of the best types of medicine. When you let go with a hearty belly laugh this brings about the production of endorphins which are the feel-good brain transmitters. It also relaxes blood vessels and thereby increases blood flow. As an antidote for tension laughter is very good indeed!

More ways continue in Part II to stop stress in its tracks.

Samantha

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Keeping Healthy During the Fall Months

The fall months are cooler, the days are shorter and our health is presented with its share of challenges. The immune system must cope with bacteria and viruses throughout all 12 months of the year. However the greatest challenges to staying in good health present themselves in the fall months when temperatures begin to dip.

What can we do to take care of ourselves with all that the fall months have to throw our way to waylay our efforts to stay healthy? Here are some suggestions for you:

Bacteria and viruses surround us and are a part of our environment and our lives no matter what we do. Some of them are good for us but those are the ones we hardly take notice of. It is the bad ones that worry us and threaten our immune systems with the potential for illness. Once autumn arrives we start to spend more time indoors and this can leave us susceptible to germs and the possibility of falling ill.

One of your first lines of defense in the fall is to build up your immune system in a natural manner. You want to keep it as strong as possible throughout the fall and winter months. To do this you need to maintain a healthy lifestyle which is to say eating healthy and keeping physically active. It also helps to make immune strengthening herbs such as Black Elderberry and Astralagus a part of your daily routine.

You have probably heard this many times before and it may sound very cliché but you must pay close attention to what you eat. Your body requires five servings of fruits and vegetables per day.

Eating five servings will support your immune system in doing its best work. The primary sources of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals for the body are fruits and veggies. They contain nutrients that are the building blocks for the immune system. They also build strong cells and encourage cellular integrity throughout every cell of the body.

Antioxidants such as beta carotene, anthocyanidans and other types of carotenoids are what veggies and fruits are all about. Antioxidants have been proven through research studies to improve immune system function and health and also to protect the cells from free radical damage. Antioxidants are particularly prevalent in fruits and veggies with bright colors such as those that are blue, red, orange, purple and yellow.

It is best to consume these foods raw or steamed. Boiling them will destroy many of the nutrients so this method of eating them is not recommended.

Another simple way to keep your immune health where it should be is to make sure that you drink a plentiful supply of water. Keeping hydrated washes away toxins and it helps your red and white blood cells to function at their highest levels.

You also need to get your sleep and deal with the stress that comes your way. This is important all year long but is very critical during the fall months when your immune system is most likely to be assaulted with bad bacteria and viruses. Too much stress can trigger high levels of the hormone cortisol to skyrocket. This can affect your immune system and can render it not as fast to respond to issues as it would be otherwise.

To improve your immune system’s response time when it comes to stress you must find ways to cope with stress that are suitable for you.

Samantha

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Saving Face Every Day

When it comes to your face you need to take care of it because it cannot and will not take care of itself.

Here we offer you some face saving tips that can help you in your quest to save face today, tomorrow and every day!

There are three S’s that are considered to be an evil trio when it comes to your facial skin and the aging process. They include smoke, stress and sun. All of these factors can play a dramatic role in the number of wrinkles that you have on your face as well as the severity of them. If you smoke give serious thought to quitting. If you live with a great deal of stress then find ways to effectively cope with it. Always use sunscreen when you are exposed to the sun.

When it comes to sun protection, choose a SPF of at least 30. If possible avoid direct sunlight, particularly between the hours of 10AM and 4PM. A great deal of skin aging has to do with too much exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays. Not only do you need to wear sun block but you should use a quality antioxidant skin cream that will protect you from the acceleration of the aging process as well as the development of melanoma.

By doing these things your face should not age as quickly.

Exercise on a regular basis as this helps to maintain good circulation. It is recommended that you get at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. Moderate exercise is not only good for the skin but it also improves the health of your cardiovascular system, improves your immune system function, controls your weight and protects you from many age related and degenerative diseases.

Your teeth are not just there for chewing purposes or to give you a pretty smile.

Your teeth, as well as your jaw bone, works in unison to hold your facial skin in the correct position. For this reason you need to take good care of your teeth and gums. Make your oral health care a top priority in your life. Do what you can at home but also see your dentist on a regular basis.

Remember that the basics count for a lot when it comes to the health of your skin. Stay hydrated by consuming enough water every day. Do not allow your body to become dehydrated. In the same way get the sleep you need. Most people need in the range of seven to eight hours on a daily basis.

Eat a balanced diet that includes fruits and vegetables as well as nuts and seeds. Eat blueberries to help your face stay young. Blueberries are choked full of antioxidants that are able to fight free radicals that damage the skin.

Introduce flaxseed oil to your diet if you have not already. Flaxseed oil is one of the richest vegetable sources of omega-3 fatty acids and is important in keeping the skin well lubricated, supple and youthful in appearance.

Say no to alcoholic beverages (or at least cut back on them). Alcohol has a dehydrating effect on the body that can also affect the skin. It also adds toxins to a body that is already dealing with chemicals from the air and from food. If you absolutely cannot go without alcohol then choose red wine which contains some beneficial antioxidants.

Samantha

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