Author:  C. Small

At some point in our lives, 60-80% of all individuals experience lower-back pain (LBP).  The condition is disabling to 1-5% of the population.  Most cases of LBP occur between the ages of 25 and 60 years, but 12-16 % of children and adolescents are LBP suffers.  Males and females are affected equally.

Back in the late nineties, I started having problems with my lower back, and over time the problems increased significantly.  Through my research (I don’t know about you, but I research everything the doctors tell me), I learned from the National Institutes for Health that lower-back pain (LBP) can be acute or short-term low and that it generally lasts from a few days to a few weeks.  Most acute back pain is the result of trauma to the lower back or a disorder such as arthritis.  Pain from trauma may be caused by a sports injury, work around the house or in the garden, a sudden jolt such as a car accident or other stress on spinal bones and tissues.  Symptoms may range from muscle ache to shooting or stabbing pain, limited flexibility and range of motion, or an inability to stand straight.  Chronic back pain, which is what I have, is pain that persists for more than 3 months.  It is often progressive and the cause can be difficult to determine.  Acute or short-term low back pain generally lasts from a few days to a few weeks. Most acute back pain is the result of trauma to the lower back or a disorder such as arthritis.  Pain from trauma may be caused by a sports injury, work around the house or in the garden, or a sudden jolt such as a car accident or other stress on spinal bones and tissues.  Symptoms may range from muscle ache to shooting or stabbing pain, limited flexibility and range of motion, or an inability to stand straight.

According to Sharon A. Plowman and Denise L Smith in Exercise Physiology, for Health Fitness, and Performance, there has been and still is great interest in the link between muscular fitness and the absence or occurrence of LBP.  The interest is high enough that some tests of health-related physical fitness have included sit-and-reach, sit-ups, or curl-ups, and trunk extension tests as a means of testing lower-back function.

One of the things that I learned while going through physical therapy is that in order to have a healthy, well-functioning back, one must have flexible lower-back muscles, hamstrings, and hip flexors, and strong, fatigue-resistance abdominal and back extensor muscles.  The goal is to keep the vertebrae aligned properly without excessive disk pressure, allowing a full range of motion is all directions.  In addition the pelvis must freely rotate both towards the front and back of the body.

Per the therapists I’ve had over the years, individuals suffering from LBP show signs of lower levels of strength in both abdominal and back extensors.  EMG (electromyogram) activity is also increased in the back muscles of individuals with LBP.  These differences, however, are believed to be the result of LBP rather than the cause.  Also, studies measuring strength and muscular endurance have identified back extension endurance as the critical variable.  So, how did all of this new found knowledge help me?  Well, it helped me to understand why my physical therapists developed my exercise plan on a total body workout for strength and muscular endurance, with a focus on exercises for the back and abdominals.  Did the plan help?  Initially, yes it did.  I believe the strengthened back and abdominals muscles, along with other treatment measures have kept my pain level at a minimum.

So don’t wait.  Start protecting your back now. Order Life Without Back Pain in 24 Hours today.

About the author: C. Small is the Owner/Manager of CVS Unlimited, LLC and a health and fitness enthusiast with more than 31 years of military training. The Company’s desire is to educate you on the dangers of obesity and help you achieve a healthy lifestyle by combining good nutrition with the right exercises, and using the right equipment for lasting results.

CVS Unlimited, LLC is a paid affiliate of Botanic Choice.

Author: Paul Purcell

The “Dog Days” of summer are almost upon us and record temperatures are sweeping the country. Unfortunately we have the highest number of elderly and medically fragile people in history, and an aging infrastructure that is feeling the strain of heavy electrical use as our senior citizens struggle to stay cool.

We’re here to give you tips and tricks to help you beat the heat should you be susceptible to extreme temperatures, or should your power be out. Here’s a short list of suggestions:

1. Drink plenty of cool water to keep yourself hydrated and reduce your body’s core temperature. (Warm water won’t do this, and cold water might be a shock to sensitive systems.) Drink regularly, every hour, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid soft drinks and alcoholic drinks that are actually diuretic and rob your body of the water it desperately needs.

2. Eat small, light, non-spicy meals. Eating heavy meals cranks your metabolism and can raise your body temperature. Also, digestion robs you of energy. Since the heat is already robbing you of some energy, you don’t need to add to this drain by taxing the digestive system. However, don’t skip meals since it’s food that replenishes the electrolytes you lose through sweating and increased water consumption.

3. Some sources suggest you wear “light colored, loose fitting clothes.” However, that’s only if you’re going outside. If you go outside, go with that rule and also wear a loose fitting hat or carry an umbrella for shade. Forget the fashion rules, follow the heat rules. (By the way, royal blue and/or white are the best colors to wear for their heat reflective qualities. Ever wonder why most tarps and boat awnings are blue? This is why.)  For indoors though, forget all those rules and go with the “bare as you dare” notion. The more exposed skin you have the more efficient your cooling-by-sweating process can work. Also, be sure to tie up long hair, and if you have a beard, consider shaving in order to remove all that facial insulation.

4. Though “bare as you dare” is the way to go indoors in limited AC, most of us would prefer to have good air conditioning. If yours is out, or if power sources are uncertain, go someplace that has AC like the mall or other places that don’t mind people coming in and hanging around a while. Also, you can “AC pool” with friends just like you’d car pool. Go to a friend’s house who has a good AC system.

5. Failing to find another source of AC, and considering that the power might be out, here are a couple more tips. First, stand-alone floor unit air conditioners aren’t that expensive and can run off regular household current without the need for the special 220 volt outlets. This means that they can be operated using the smaller gas-powered electric generators. Can’t afford a generator? You can probably afford a power inverter which can sometimes be found for under twenty dollars. They plug into your car’s cigarette lighter and, using an extension cord, can power an appliance like your stand-alone AC, or at least some fans. Speaking of your car, if nothing else, if your car has AC you can ride around during the hottest hours of the day, providing you can afford today’s gas prices. If absolutely nothing else, go to your nearest “dollar store” and see if they have any of those little battery-powered fans.

6. Can’t afford a stand-alone AC but you have a generator? Your generator or power inverter can also power your fridge and/or freezer where you should have two-liter plastic bottles full of water filling up every empty space in both the fridge and freezer parts. Having cold water is a great thing. You drink cool water and use cold water to soak towels to wrap around your neck, wrists, and ankles where the veins and arteries are closest to the surface. This is one of the best ways to reduce your body temperature. Also, setting up a few of the frozen two-liter bottles in front of a fan can blow a nice cool breeze your way. (Write us at info@disasterprep101.com and we’ll email you instructions for a homemade AC unit that uses these two-liter plastic bottles.)

7. Now that we’ve talked about keeping you cool in the heat, let’s backtrack a bit and talk about reducing the heat you might experience. Naturally, the first rule is “block the sun.” Do what you can to reduce the sunlight that hits your house or comes in through the windows. Keep the shades drawn, and you might even consider hanging a white sheet or blue tarp as an outside awning on the side(s) of the house that catch the most sun. These tarps are also effective if placed on the roof as they’ll reflect the sun’s rays.

8. Next in cooling the house come ventilation and insulation. If you have an attic, and the power is on, you should have a vent fan that keeps air flowing through the attic. Along with that, we suggest you have roof vent turbines, or a ridge vent (your home supply store can tell you all about these). In extremely hot weather, you might set a garden sprinkler on your roof and let it run for the hottest couple of hours of the day provided your area is not on water restriction. As for “insulation” one way to insulate parts of the house is to close off seldom-used rooms (especially those on the sunny side of the house), and close off their AC vents if any. This blocks heat and also reduces the area that your limited AC has to cool.

While we’re here, we’d be remiss in our duties if we failed to give you the symptoms of sunstroke and heat exhaustion, both of which require medical attention:

Heat Exhaustion: Symptoms include heavy sweating, and skin may be pale, cool, or flushed. The victim will also exhibit a weak pulse, with fainting, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting.

Sun Stroke (sometimes called heat stroke): Symptoms are high body temperature, hot, dry, red, skin (usually with no sweating), rapid shallow breathing, and a weak pulse. Sun stroke is the more dangerous of the two.

The most immediate first aid for either of these is to get the victim into a cool spot, and reduce their body temperature with ice-cold wet towels around the neck, wrist, and ankles. You can also put them in a bathtub of cool water. Don’t use cold water in the tub as that will shock the system. Regardless of your first aid measures, you should seek immediate medical assistance.

Remember, hot weather is nothing to ignore, even if you’re not among the elderly or medically fragile. Heat can affect everyone. Play it safe, stay cool, avoid exertion, and stay healthy. Also, when considering heat safety, don’t forget your pets.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/beat-the-heat-and-survive-the-summer-46638.html

About the Author:  Paul Purcell is an Atlanta-based security analyst and preparedness consultant and is the author of “Disaster Prep 101″ (http://www.disasterprep101.com.) Copyright 2006 Paul Purcell. He’s also a partner / advisor to 1800prepare, LLC.  Permission is granted to reprint this article provided all portions stay intact.

CVS Unlimited, LLC is a paid affiliate of Botanic Choice.

This policy is valid from 12 November 2009.  I am C. Small, the administrator for this blog.  For questions about this blog, please contact cvsmall.small@gmail.com. This blog does not accept any form of cash advertising, sponsorship, or paid topic insertions.  However, since I am an Affiliate of the advertisers in this blog, if you buy something I will get paid, not much but I’m retired and need whatever I can get. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or post made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post may not always be identified as paid or sponsored content.  Even though I receive compensation for the advertisements, I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those products.  The views and opinions expressed on this blog may not be my own, but I agree with them.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.  This blog does contain content which might present a conflict of interest. This content may not always be identified.

Tendinitis is a very common condition that is caused by inflammation of tendons which are flexible bands of tissue that connect bones and muscles. Tendinitis is usually brought on by repetitive injury of one area. This happens more often with age since the body becomes less flexible and more prone to injury. It can also be caused by infection, Arthritis, Gout, Thyroid Disease and Diabetes. Tendinitis is most often felt in knees, elbows, shoulders, wrists, hips or ankles.

Tendinitis effects people who perform repetitive motions or place a high amount of stress on their joints. Athletes, gardeners, musicians, dentists and carpenters are at high risk for Tendinitis. Some names for Tendinitis are associated with the sport where a repetitive motion causes it, like tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow or swimmer’s shoulder. Rotator cuff tendinitis causes pain in the shoulder and upper arm. Jumper’s Knee is also known as Knee tendinitis. Another common type of tendinitis takes place in the tendon connecting the muscle in the calf to the back of the heel. This is known as Achilles tendinitis. Each of these affects a different tendon in the body.

Doctors are able to diagnose tendinitis by considering the location and start of the pain, if it changes in severity through¬ out the day, and the factors that relieve or aggravate the pain are all important clues. Therapists and physicians will use manual tests called selective tissue tension tests to determine which tendon is involved, and then will palpate (a form of touching the tendon) specific areas of the tendon to pinpoint the area of inflammation. X rays do not show tendons, but may be helpful in ruling out problems in the bone or arthritis. In the case of a torn tendon, x rays may help show which tendon is affected. The doctor may also use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to confirm a partial or total tear. MRIs detect both bone and soft tissues like muscles, tendons and their coverings (sheaths). To rule out infection, the doctor may remove and test fluid from the inflamed area.

Flexcin™ is an all-natural Joint Pain Supplement that treats tendinitis. The primary component of Flexcin is CM8™, which relieves joint pain at its source, reduces inflammation and irritation of the joints and tissues. It has been helpful for many sufferers of arthritis, tendinitis, gout, bursitis, sports injuries and fibromyalgia.

Researchers at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics found that women with the strongest quadriceps muscles appeared to be protected against the development of knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Timothy Spaulding, a Top Health Blogger for the Arthritis Community on Well sphere  and author of the  Current Arthritis News and Research Blog  explains the study’s results:

“The team, led by Neil Segal, M.D., M.S., followed over 3,000 women and men over a 2 ½ year period in the Multicenter Knee Osteoarthritis Study (MOST). The participants were between the ages of 50 and 79 years.

The goal of the study was to determine whether knee extensor strength would be a predictor of radiographic OA or symptomatic OA. Radiographic osteoarthritis is OA that can be determined through X-ray. Symptomatic osteoarthritis is OA that is determined by symptoms of pain, stiffness and aching on most days of the month.

Participants were evaluated for thigh muscle strength using a device that measures the strength of different muscle groups. X-rays were taken at the beginning of the study and at the end to determine whether there was evidence of OA. The participants were also surveyed at the beginning and end of the study to establish if frequent pain, aching or stiffness was present in the knee.

By the end of the study 5% men (48 of 680) and 10%women (93 of 937) developed OA detected by x-ray. In addition, at the conclusion of the study 10.1% of women and 7.8% of men displayed signs of symptomatic knee OA.

“Our results showed thigh muscle strength was not a significant predictor of radiographic knee OA,” concluded the authors.

“Women in the top third of thigh muscle strength had a lower incidence of symptomatic knee OA, while men with strong thigh muscles had only slightly better odds of developing OA symptoms compared to men with weaker thigh muscles.”

Details of this study appear in the September issue of  Arthritis Care & Research.

In many cases,   Flexcin   can help alleviate the pain associated with knee osteoarthritis. The primary component of Flexcin™ is CM8™ (cetyl myristoleate). Of all the ingredients in Flexcin, CM8™ is the most powerful. CM8™ functions in three different ways. First, it acts as a highly effective lubricant in the joints, muscles and other tissues, allowing them to move smoothly. Decrease or loss of morning stiffness is commonly noted shortly after commencing treatment. Next, CM8™ functions as an anti-inflammatory. Relief from swollen joints is often seen after the 4th or 5th week of treatment. Third, it is also an immune system modulator, which can be effectual against autoimmune diseases, such as arthritic conditions. CM8™ relieves joint pain at its source, reducing inflammation and irritation of the joints and tissues.

British scientists are conducting the first study on the human genome to determine the genetic causes of osteoarthritis.

Timothy Spaulding, a Top Health Blogger  for the Arthritis Community on Well sphere  and author of the  Current Arthritis News and Research Blog  explains in his recent   article   about The Genetic Link to Osteoarthritis.

The two year study will help researchers find and develop drugs to block the genetic mutations that lead to the disease. 30 scientists at eight centers in the UK are currently seeking out 14,000 volunteers for the study, 6,000 healthy people and 8,000 who are awaiting, or have had, joint replacement surgery due to osteoarthritis.

There are half a million distinct regions in human DNA and it is expected that there are at least 100 genes that have a link to increased risk of OA. In fact, osteoarthritis is nearly three times more inheritable than breast cancer.

It is hoped that an outcome of the study, known as arcOGEN, is that within a few years an inexpensive test will be developed to identify people that are most likely to develop OA. Results of the study will be freely shared with other scientists around the world. The project has received is £2.2 million ($4.5 million) from the Arthritis Research Campaign (ARC).

In many cases,  Flexcin can help alleviate the pain associated with osteoarthritis. The primary component of Flexcin™ is CM8™ (cetyl myristoleate). Of all the ingredients in Flexcin, CM8™ is the most powerful. CM8™ functions in three different ways. First, it acts as a highly effective lubricant in the joints, muscles and other tissues, allowing them to move smoothly. Decrease or loss of morning stiffness is commonly noted shortly after commencing treatment. Next, CM8™ functions as an anti-inflammatory. Relief from swollen joints is often seen after the 4th or 5th week of treatment. Third, it is also an immune system modulator, which can be effectual against autoimmune diseases, such as arthritic conditions. CM8™ relieves joint pain at its source, reducing inflammation and irritation of the joints and tissues.

Read more of Timothy Spaulding’s interesting topics on his Current Arthritis News and Research Blog.

Do you find it challenging to stay motivated when endeavoring to make changes to your health? Are you aware that changes must be made in your daily life but you do not know where to begin? If so then Health and Wellness Coaching might just be the solution you have been seeking.

Health and Wellness Coaching is a service offered by trained professionals who work with you individually to assist you reach your Wellness goals. Health and Wellness Coaching motivates, guides, and supports a person in order to reach sustainable behavioral changes by offering creative solutions to their problems.

Health and Wellness Coaching provides individually designed programs to meet your unique needs by focusing on physical, mental, and emotional health. They assist you become proactive in your life by removing unhealthy behaviors and making Wellness a priority.

Benefits of Health and Wellness Coaching for Your Staff Members

Staff Members can benefit from Health and Wellness Coaching in a variety of ways. Health and Wellness Coaching can assist individuals decrease major health risks in their lives by changing high risk behaviors. Some of the many reasons why employees work with Wellness Coaches are to get in shape, lose a little (or lot) of weight, reduce stress, stop using tobacco, and design balance in their lives. Wellness Coaches aid individuals with current health problems as well as preventing future health issues.

Because each program that a Wellness Coach designs is unique to suit the needs of the individual, they can be sure that it’ll be a program that is right for them. Most busy employees mistakenly believe that they do not have the time for Health and Wellness Coaching. Fortunately Health and Wellness Coaching professionals are able to offer their services in a variety of convenient ways. While electronic Health and Wellness Coaching through the use of e-mails and instant messaging has become a popular method due to its convenience, telephone and face-to-face interactions may also be used. Staff Members have the ability to reach their goals and improve their lives through the assistance of Health and Wellness Coaching.

Benefits of Health and Wellness Coaching for the Company

The overall benefits of Health and Wellness Coaching for a business are remarkable. Staff Member high risk behaviors such as tobacco use and obesity cost companies millions of dollars every year. These high risk behaviors often cause preventable illness and keep employees from coming to work. Health and Wellness Coaching guides, supports, hold individuals accountable, and ensures that they receive continued motivation to assist them reach their Wellness goals and eliminate unhealthy behaviors in their lives.

By implementing Wellness Plans and using Health and Wellness Coaching in their companies, employers reduce the risk of preventable illness in their companies. This improves the overall health of employees, reduces healthcare and insurance costs, decreases absenteeism, and ultimately enhances performance and productivity. When employees experience the benefits of higher levels Wellness in their lives it causes an improvement in job attitude, energy, and morale. Companies that utilize Health and Wellness Coaching for their employees experience the benefits of higher productivity.

Wellness Coach

Wellness incorporates many facets of our daily lives. From the amount of sleep to the water we drink, to the food that we eat and the activity that we maintain, our health is dependent upon many factors of our lifestyle. Working to improve our Wellness can be challenging to reach on our own. That is why we can utilize the assistance of a Wellness Coach.

What’s a Wellness Coach?

A Wellness Coach is a highly educated professional who is trained in behavioral change. Wellness Coaches generally have degrees in Exercise Science, Health Education, Exercise Physiology, Counseling and Education. A Wellness Coach assists individuals in recognizing current health concerns as well as preventing future health related issues. These professionals work with individuals in a variety of ways including; face-to-face, phone, via instant messaging and / or email. The latter of those is also referred to as electronic Health and Wellness Coaching and is the most efficient and cost effective method of working with a Wellness Coach. No matter what method is used for communication a Wellness Coach provides a personalized program specifically designed to address the needs and concerns of each personal client.

In what ways can a Wellness Coach assist me?

Most individuals maintain several healthy habits in their lives. One person may be a fitness enthusiast; another may abstain from alcohol and tobacco; while another may maintain a healthy daily diet. However, overall Wellness is much like a puzzle, and a high level of health is only achieved when each piece of this puzzle is in place. A Wellness Coach will aid an individual in correcting his/her missing piece of the puzzle. An web-based Wellness Coach may address the needs of sleep deprivation, stress management, diet, or any number of health related issues. The Wellness Coach will motivate, guide, and offer valuable resources to offer individuals with the necessary tools to make life changes.

How is a Wellness Coach unique?

A Wellness Coach serves a distinctly different purpose than a personal trainer, a counselor, or a supportive family member or friend. First, a Wellness Coach is an expert in his/her personal field. When a client determines the need for a Wellness Coach he or she will complete a Health Risk Assessment (HRA). based on this assessment the individual will be assigned a Wellness Coach specifically selected to address his/her individual needs. Next, a Wellness Coach is available electronically 24 hours per day. Through web-based communication individuals have the opportunity to contact a Wellness Coach as much or as little as he may like. Communication with a Wellness Coach may range from daily to weekly, and can occur by e-mail, journal or a combination of both. Finally, a Wellness Coach is trained to aid in changing the way that the individual thinks and the way that they view themselves. A Wellness Coach maintains the purpose of helping the individual to work towards achieving a higher quality in life. This happens by addressing the cause of a certain problem rather than simply addressing the effects of a problem. A Wellness Coach will assist individuals recognize their needs, determine goals, and take the necessary steps towards achieving these goals.  While

Wellness are growing concerns in our daily lives, it may seem challenging to make the time to educate oneself and address the needs or our well being. Working with the assistance of a Wellness Coach enables us to emphasis on our personal needs and make progress towards changing.

The most effective treatment for fibromyalgia is exercise. Which seems totally weird, because most people with fibromyalgia hurt worse and are more fatigued after exercise, and they may feel that way for days. The key is the right amount of the right kinds of exercise.

If you are new to exercising within the constraints of fibromyalgia, it may be helpful to enlist the help of a trainer, physical therapist or exercise physiologist to design a program specifically for you. Every person with fibromyalgia has a different exercise capacity, so you need an individualized program.

Another important concept related to exercise is your “baseline.” Each person has a different baseline. It is the level of exercise that you can maintain over time. It does not mean that you are pain-free, but that the pain doesn’t interfere with your lifestyle. You also need to remember that you’ll always have good days and bad days. You don’t stop or reduce your exercise because of a bad day. (Although you may reduce it for a while if you have a bad flare-up that lasts days or weeks.)

Exercise training for someone with fibromyalgia begins with stretching. Stretching reduces the stiffness and keeps ligaments and tendons from shortening over time. Stretching should be gentle and it should feel good. It is usually a good idea to warm your muscles with mild aerobic activity, such as walking, for a few minutes before stretching.

Daily low-impact, gentle aerobic exercise is the next step. Aerobic exercise has tons of health benefits. It specifically helps reduce fibromyalgia symptoms because it improves flexibility, causes your body to release endorphins and other happy chemicals and reduces stress. Walking and bicycling are excellent low-impact exercises. It is important to start at a level suitable to where you are and increase your level of exercise slowly. If you get fatigued after five minutes of walking, start there and increase your time by a minute or two every week or two.

Some activities are especially good for fibromyalgia. Water aerobics and swimming are wonderful. The buoyancy of the water supports your sore muscles and allows you to exercise with less pain. Swimming has a double benefit of gentle stretching along with aerobic exercise.

Tai Chi and Qi Gong and Yoga emphasize slow, gentle movements that are ideal for people with fibromyalgia. All three exercises include breathing and focusing, which decrease stress. You also learn to be aware of your body and learn to recognize signs of stress.

Pilates is another exercise system where you work with your body, stretching and toning it. Pilates is a non-weight bearing exercise, like chair aerobics. It is a gentle way to tone your body, and gentle is the word for exercising with fibromyalgia.

People with fibromyalgia can add some strength training slowly as they build up exercise tolerance. Resistance bands provide plenty of strength training for a while. Strength training must be undertaken carefully and gently, and it might be wise to get help from an exercise professional before adding it. There are many benefits to strength training, and it could be a very beneficial addition to your exercise, especially when you are feeling well.

Whether we are talking about exercise or sleep, pacing and routine are important if you have fibromyalgia. Going to bed and getting up at the same time every day helps with sleep. Exercising at the same time every day helps with exercise. Your body begins to respond to routine.

Exercise must be paced, too. That means starting at a low level, increasing gradually, and incorporating rest into your routine. You exercise, then rest, then exercise some more. Over time, you can shorten the rest periods and/or lengthen the exercise periods. Rhythm and pacing make a big difference in how much exercise you can tolerate.

It is recommended that you consult your doctor before starting any new exercise regime.  To find out more on why exercise can be so beneficial please visit  http://www.FibromyalgiaNaturalRemedies.com .

In our youth-oriented society, we are constantly bombarded with information on how to stay young.  From skin care products that claim to reverse the signs of aging to books that claim to help you eat to stay young, we are a people in search of the fountain of youth.  One solution that truly may be a way of keeping young is Tai Chi.  Tai chi is an ancient form of exercise developed about 2,000 years ago in China which is a combination of both meditation and a series of slow and deliberate movements.  You may have seen Tai Chi performed by older adults in your local park, on TV, or perhaps by someone who attends Tai Chi classes.

The benefits derived from Tai Chi have been well known and documented.  It not only relieves stress, but enhances one’s balance and flexibility as well.  In addition, the movements in Tai Chi are some of the best exercise to help alleviate health problems in older adults.  While anyone can master the art of Tai Chi, this form of exercise is popular with older adults.  Because it is low impact, Tai Chi does not cause major strains on the body or joints and is particularly effective for those who suffer from any form of arthritis.

Recent studies have shown that Tai Chi, when practiced by older adults, offered calm and balance, dissipated anxiety and depression, helped older adults to sleep better, reduced bone loss in menopausal women, decreased blood pressure, helped in alleviating pain, and prepared them for tasks performed on a daily basis.  All these benefits help the body to better combat the stresses of aging.

Considered to be a great form of exercise, Tai Chi requires no equipment, no time table, is very easy to do, has no side effects, and gives older adults the opportunity to meet others who love the exercise as well.  Once you learn Tai Chi and the proper way to move, there is virtually no chance of injury.

Whether you practice Tai Chi in your home by following exercises on DVDs, or whether you go to your local park and practice Tai Chi there, once you begin this form of exercise, you will most likely continue for the rest of your life.  Further, you may also want to incorporate a similar form of exercise known as Qi Gong.  Based on the same principle of slow movements, Qi Gong, while new to this country, has been around as long as Tai Chi and provides the same benefits as Tai Chi.

Often considered to be a form of meditation, Tai Chi also provides the benefits one receives through meditation.  Meditation has long been studied and affirmed to be one of the best forms of relaxation as well as a great stress reducer.  Reducing stress should be the number one goal for anyone who wishes to keep young.  Adding this with exercise and you have an unbeatable combination.  More importantly, not only will you develop a new exercise routine, but you will begin to feel good about it, your health, and your overall well-being.

So we may not have discovered the Fountain of Youth, but performing Tai Chi will definitely help you and your body be fit and healthy so that you may enjoy a long, healthy, and balanced life.

Maybe when you look in the mirror you see a resemblance of your Mom looking back at you.  You probably see more than just sagging or fullness under your eyes; you most likely see jowls, pouches, a downturned mouth, spongy skin, the dreaded wattle, sagging cheeks and more in the mirror.

These conditions – sagging facial features – make us look old and tired.

It is not unusual that a family resemblance is apparent because when aging strikes our faces we definitely have a tendency to remark that this must be hereditary because our Moms or even our Great Aunt Hilda wore the same look when they were a certain age.

Aging in our faces is sneaky; it seems that wrinkles, sags and bags can appear almost overnight.  It is true.  It is not uncommon for a wrinkle to seemingly appear out of thin air.

Seeing a new wrinkle upon arising may be a result of improper sleeping.  These wrinkles that look so cute on a four year old when they awaken from a nap are surely disastrous when they are on the face of a forty year old.  The realization that you have created this hideous crinkle may have you feeling hopeless and ready to succumb to the surgeon’s knife.

Do not despair as there are natural remedies for aging that will not require recuperation or spending your children’s inheritance.

Sleeping on a flat, mushy pillow can wreak havoc on your face, especially if you have a tendency to sleep mostly on your side.  Same goes for those of you who sleep on your stomach.  If you want to enjoy a wrinkle free face without under eye bags and sags, you might want to elevate the head of your bed by placing one inch thick books under the legs of your headboard while sleeping on a large, thick buckwheat pillow.

Bags and puffiness under your eyes can also indicate that you are using too much salt in your diet.  Sodium seems to be hidden in many pre-packaged foods so if you awaken in the morning seeing puffiness you may have consumed salt laden goodies or eaten Chinese food or enjoyed certain vegetable beverages that are well known for their high sodium content.

Drinking water seems to have a positive effect on your face and especially your brain.  Drinking purified water is a real boon to better health.  According to the Mayo Clinic, water is a vital component to flush toxins, carry nutrients to our organs and provide needed energy to enjoy life.  If you are short on water, your brain may act sluggish due to dehydration, you may feel dizzy and experience chills and even vomiting.

Exercise is another positive step that keeps you looking younger.  The choices are wide and varied:  walking, bicycling, Pilates, karate, Kung Fu, tennis, softball, volleyball, surfing, jogging, kick boxing, Jazzercise, weight training.  According to Jackie Silver, author of ‘Aging Backwards’, “Exercise is the fountain of youth!”  It is likely you agree.

Our bodies appreciate the rush of endorphins when we complete a strenuous workout.  The sense of completion and satisfaction usually shows up on our faces as a beaming, broad smile.  We feel euphoric…vital…young…until we look in the mirror and wish that our faces looked as young as we felt right now.

Alas, your face needs exercise just like your body does.  Without it, the once vibrant muscles, the youthful, unlined facial skin is unavailable to you.

Even when you are meticulous and extremely careful about your face, including using the finest skin care, it is inevitable that your face will appear tired and elongated as your skin loses its firmness and its youthful contour.  Exercise from the neck down isn’t enough to sustain or maintain a youthful face.

A pro-active approach to a younger face is not about having surgery or injections; rather, a younger face is possible when you use facial exercise to stop the sagging and to maintain the uniqueness of your face.

Just as exercise changes the shape and contour of the body, specialized facial exercises, using your thumbs and fingers, will gently begin to soften stressed faces while lifting and toning the hidden muscles that support the skin.  If the facial muscles are not exercised, the skin is continuously dragged downward by the elongation of the muscles.

This downward slide is what makes faces look old and that is when you see the resemblance of your mother, your aunts and others who are older than you.

If you are serious about learning the secret to a youthful face, begin a facial exercise program in earnest to lift, tone and tighten those sagging facial muscles.

Obesity today is so common that young people are also suffering from this kind of disease. Normally, obesity is diagnosed during middle age. However today, you will normally hear that young people in their 20’s are now suffering from this kind of disease.

The main cause of obesity is overeating. However, not many people know the causes of overeating. And, the answer to this question is stress. Many people today, especially young people, are now living a hectic and stressful lifestyle. Because they live this kind of life, they tend to eat comfort foods to get rid of stress.

Stress can make you feel hungry even though you just ate. Because of this reason, you will tend to eat more portions and fast food chains are serving food portions that are high in fat, sugar and salt 700 percent larger than what is recommended by dietitians and nutritionists.

Over the past two decades, stress has increased in an alarming rate. Studies also found that along with the increase of stress, obesity also followed closely. Try and ask yourself about being stressed. After eating a hearty breakfast, you set off for work. On your way to work, you experience being stuck in a traffic jam. You will see that it will stress you out and it will also make you hungry an crave for food even though you just ate a big breakfast just less than an hour ago.

As you can see, stress is a large contributor to obesity. Because of this, it is very important for you to live a stress free lifestyle as much as you can. You can consider exercising as it can reduce stress or you can also try to meditate.

There is so much you have to change in your life today in order to avoid experiencing stress and at the same time, avoid gaining weight until you become obese. Through exercise and by eating only when you need to, you will decrease stress plus it can also decrease your risk on becoming obese.

Remember this and you will live a happier and healthier life. Defeat obesity by first defeating stress.