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10 Ways To Release The Pain Of Loving Someone You Can’t Be With

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Loving someone evokes the most powerful and wonderful feelings but being in love might also hurt people almost unbearably. As they say, love is an intense feeling that cannot be tamed. The heart will love anyone it chooses, even if it’s the person you cannot be with.

Anyone who has developed an attraction and fondness for another person might have gone through this painful experience of loving someone they can’t have. A thousand love songs have been written about unrequited love.

According to a study in the Sage Journals, unrequited love is someone’s idea of romantic love and not true love. The pursuit of unrequited love is a high-stakes gamble that often yields unsatisfactory results like embarrassment, failure, and lowered self-esteem.

Unrequited love commonly happens during one’s teenage or young adult years. The pain of this love can be truly intense. However, even mature adults experience the same intensity of rejection and frustration of loving someone they cannot be with. So, how can release yourself from this pain?

10 Ways To Release The Pain Of Loving Someone You Can’t Be With

“It’s hard to admit when you have fallen in love with someone who can’t be yours.” – Unknown

loving someone

1.    Don’t deny the pain, but allow yourself to grieve.

It’s common to feel like you’ve lost someone when it finally hits that you cannot have that person in your life. Loving someone who cannot love you back is still a loss, even if you’ve never had a true relationship in the first place.

So, give yourself the time to grieve, not just for the love you’ve never had but also for the ideals, hopes, and aspirations you formed when you thought this person would be with you. Everything you’ve felt for this person, including the pain you’re going through now, are real, normal, and healthy human feelings. Don’t deny your grief even if you sometimes feel pathetic by falling for someone you can’t have.

You’re likely going through the grief of unrequited love more than once in your life but don’t fret. You’ll be more positive and much better for it because unreciprocated love can teach you a lot about yourself. It can shape you into the best person you can be for someone who will deserve the kind of love you give.

2.    Protect your heart by not giving your all.

If you’re still running in the same circle as this person who cannot love you back, the chances of getting over them might be more challenging. You might tell yourself you can still be friends and keep a platonic and civil relationship. But you must muster the strength to protect your heart and save your sanity.

You might be willing to do anything for this person you cannot be with because of your immense love. It’s understandable to want to show this person that you care for them as a friend. You want to be available if they need a listening ear or when they want to unload their frustrations.

But if all you talk about are the things going on in their life, you’ll open yourself for more pain and hurt by being too accessible. For instance, it won’t be healthy if you’re planning a birthday surprise for the love of their life. It’s like you’ve laid your heart on the road for a herd of animals to trample over.

So, protect yourself and give boundaries. Don’t be too available for this person you cannot have. They will surely not be available when you need them the most.

3.    Avoid situations that will hurt you.

One way to protect yourself from this unrequited love is to avoid situations that you know will hurt and make you unhappy. If you’ve been invited to a dinner party and you know that the person you cannot be with and their paramour will be there, you can choose to turn the invitation down.

If you’re not ready to face them together, why subject yourself to the agony and torture of seeing the person you love with the person they love? There will be other dinner parties you can join if you’re no longer vulnerable about this situation.

You’ve got to isolate yourself from this bubble and limit your interactions with this person. Try to do the following:

  • Stop checking their social media account.
  • Short of unfriending them, you can unfollow or hide them from your feed.
  • Don’t ask common friends about them.
  • Don’t be in places where you know you’ll run into them and their partner unless it’s unavoidable (if you work on the same floor, for example).

Isolation will help to keep them out of your sight. If they’re out of your sight, then it’s easy to keep them out of your mind.

4.    Find a creative outlet to divert all that energy.

The pain of loving someone you can’t have might drive you crazy but you can use that energy in productive and positive ways. Why not look for a hobby or a creative outlet to focus on and keep your mind off the ideals of love running through your head? Instead of hopelessly wallowing at home, wishing things would be different, pursue something you’ve had been planning to do.

Your heart might be crushed to pieces but you can divert your mind to a process that will help with your healing. Some people turn to writing or journaling to process feelings of rejection. Others immerse themselves at work, improve their performance, and impress their bosses.

5.    Accept the situation and give up finding closure.

Sometimes, some things are best left unsaid and unresolved. Your best option is to accept the situation and move on from it. As Grammy-winning singer Adele sang in “Chasing Pavements,” finding closure will be pointless.

It’s difficult to accept that love is unrequited. You naturally want to look for hints that the person was into you. But what if you can’t find the proof? What if there’s really no evidence they loved you? You’ll end up getting crushed again, as the song’s message stated. Choosing to accept this can help you move on.

6.    Look to your support system for comfort.

In times of despair, it helps to surround yourself with a solid group of friends who will lift you up. Friends can bring a positive vibe to your temporary sad state. They help empower you when you’re feeling vulnerable.

  • Talking to your friends about what happened will ease the burden and the pain.
  • Hearing their encouraging words can help you gain life lessons or advice to rationalize what you’re going through.
  • When you understand the situation from other people’s perspectives, you’ll gain more knowledge and insight about yourself and your own experiences.
  • Sometimes, you might not even have to talk about what happened. Simply having your friend’s company helps you not to feel alone.
  • You will also need to experience the crazy antics of your friends to make you laugh.

It’s easy to descend into anxiety or depression if you don’t have a sound support system. It will be hard to release the pain of loving someone you can’t have if you isolate yourself from other people.

Which brings this next tip…

loving someone

7.    Go out on a date.

Going on a date might be the last thing you’d like to do after getting rejected but this is actually a good time to explore your options without feeling the pressure.

You know you’re still vulnerable and not yet ready to get your heart crushed again, so this date isn’t about finding a lifetime partner. Rather, it is about enjoying yourself and having a good time with a new person who could potentially be in your life for the long haul.

Why mope at home when you can have fun? Loving someone you can’t have hurts but your life will truly change if you see this new opportunity as a door to a possibility. You might find your one true love if you opened yourself up to date other people.

8.    Realize that it was not really worth it.

If you’ve already been involved with someone you can’t be with and the affair ended for good, consider this a blessing. The secrecy of your “relationship” might have made it feel right then, but that is not necessarily true.

Passionate sparks can and do fly in relationships that are illicit and forbidden. But what if they decided to pick you and make your relationship permanent? Chances are you could get cheated on too and be in despair all over again.

Besides, if you’re in love with someone you can’t be with, this unavailable partner will unlikely introduce you to their friends or siblings. If you can’t be open about a relationship, then it’s not worth keeping. You won’t be satisfied and happy with this arrangement long-term. It’s a good thing it’s over because the uncertainty of this kind of relationship will hurt more than any heartbreak you’ll experience.

9.    Stop with your harmful self-judgment.

You’ll feel a spectrum of rejection, shame, and maybe even guilt for loving someone you can’t be with. However, choose to let go of the self-judgment so you can heal from this experience.

You might have learned a lesson the hard way but realize that nobody makes perfect choices in their life. So, go easy on yourself, and don’t blame your heart for loving someone.

10. Practice self-care.

Amidst all this, you’ve got to give yourself “me time.” Be generous with that self-care. This will help bring back the positive feelings and confidence that might have been lost when self-judgment took over. Self-care is a great coping mechanism for letting go of the pain.

loving someone

Final Thoughts On Ways To Release The Pain Of Loving Someone You Can’t Be With

Is there hope at the end of the tunnel? When you’re down about love, it doesn’t seem like there’s a bright future ahead. But this isn’t a hopeless situation if you really think about.

Bigger things can still happen when you let go of that person you can’t be with. Now there will be room in your heart for the true love of your life you’re yet to meet.

Researchers Reveal How BPA Free Plastic Is Still Dangerous to Your Health

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Plastic is used in products ranging from shampoo bottles to automotive parts to almost everything in between. Without plastic, we wouldn’t have a lot of the products that we use on a daily basis. However, not only is plastic destroying the Earth, but it’s also harming our health in various ways. BPA free plastic has been marketed as being safer than plastics containing BPA.

Recent research has uncovered, however, why this type of plastic can still harm your health. We’ll go over the various health concerns of BPA free plastic below, as well as some safer alternatives.

What is BPA?

Bisphenol A, or BPA, is an industrial chemical commonly found in resins and some types of plastic. In the 1950s, scientists discovered that BPA, mixed with other compounds, produces resilient polycarbonate plastics. Soon after this discovery, BPA production exploded. Companies started producing reusable water bottles, plastic plates, sippy cups, grocery receipts, liners in canned foods, and even feminine hygiene products using BPA.

However, when people drank from a water bottle containing BPA or microwaved their dinner in a plastic container, small amounts of BPA leached from the containers into their food and drink. BPA is so pervasive that in a 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 93 percent of the 2,517 people tested had detectable levels of BPA in their urine.

In research performed in the past couple decades, scientists have found that BPA can disrupt hormones by mimicking estrogen. Due to its estrogen-like shape, BPA can bind to estrogen receptors. This can affect bodily functions such as growth, reproduction, and energy levels. Since hormones regulate pretty much everything in our bodies, these findings are disturbing, to say the least.

Due to this research, public pressure caused companies to abandon BPA in their products. Many companies started manufacturing BPA free items instead. However, the regulations are a bit lax, as the FDA only bans the compound from use in baby bottles, sippy cups, and infant formula packaging. According to the FDA website: “Studies pursued by FDA’s National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) have shown no effects of BPA from low-dose exposure.”

Many companies have chosen to voluntarily stop using BPA in their products.  The issue is that BPA free plastic can still cause plenty of problems. The following study illustrates what happens to mice exposed to BPA free plastic.

The study

The study led by geneticist Patricia Hunt of Washington State University was originally designed to test the reproductive effects of BPA on mice. The mice were put inside of BPA free plastic cages and separated into two groups. The first group received doses of BPA through a dropper while the second group got nothing.

The experiment didn’t go as planned, as the control group started showing signs of genetic issues. The differences between the control data and the test group disappeared. Though it took a bit of time to discover why this occurred, researchers found that some of the plastic caging got damaged. As a result, it began leaching bisphenol S (BPS), an alternative to BPA.

Hunt recalled that 20 years ago, she had discovered the same problem with BPA in polycarbonate mouse cages. Now her study of the effects of BPA alternatives points to the same reproductive issues discovered in the mice exposed to BPA.

Of course, humans are much bigger than mice, so the impact on us might not be as severe, but the preliminary research suggests that BPA free plastic is not totally safe. The study also uncovers a larger issue in the use of commercial compounds. When chemicals deemed dangerous for humans and other animals are taken off the market, they’re often replaced by other chemicals that act similarly in our bodies and cause comparable health concerns. Researchers believe that chemicals need stricter regulations based on scientific studies about various compounds.

The Truth About BPA Free Plastic

Since manufacturers stopped using BPA in most products, scientists have had a hard time keeping track of all the alternatives: BPS, BPF, BPAF, BPZ, BPP, BHPF, and more. As you can see, all of these alternatives still have the compound bisphenol in their structure, making them only slightly different than BPA. Hunt says that these BPA replacements can interfere with the beginning stages of the reproductive process.

Both mice and humans normally get one copy of genetic material from each parent. They then connect parts of each to form the chromosome they pass down to the next generation. Hunt and her team of researchers found that both BPA and BPA free plastic could interfere with this process so severely that sperm counts in males and egg quality in females could eventually decrease. This would impact future generations as well.

Though more research needs to be done regarding the impacts of BPA free plastic on humans, scientists seem concerned about its effects. Other studies in the past year have also portrayed the possible hazards associated with BPA free plastic.

Alternatives to BPA might be just as ubiquitous. Some studies show that an estimated 81% of Americans have tested positive for BPS. A 2013 study showed that even small amounts of BPS can disrupt cellular functioning.

Some research has also found that BPS may pose even more of a threat than BPA in accelerating embryonic neural growth, which can lead to hyperactivity later in life. Furthermore, BPS has been found to induce heart arrhythmias in female rats and disrupt calcium channels due to its estrogenic properties. Bisphenol-F (BPF), another replacement for BPA, causes many of the same issues as BPA in human and animal research. More studies need to be done on these alternatives.

Common Products That Contain BPA and its Alternatives

Now that you know the risks of BPA free plastic, we’ll go over some common products that contain these harmful plastics.

  • Items in plastic containers
  • Canned foods
  • Toiletries
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Thermal printer receipts
  • CDs and DVDs
  • Household electronics
  • Eyeglass lenses
  • Sports equipment
  • Dental filling sealants

As you can see, steering clear of BPA and alternate forms of it can be challenging. In order to minimize your exposure to BPA, try doing the following:

  • Minimize your consumption of packaged foods. Eat mostly fresh, whole foods that aren’t packed in plastic. If you do eat foods packaged in plastic or cans, avoid those labeled with recycling numbers 3, 6, or 7 or the letters “PC.”
  • Drink from glass bottles instead of plastic ones, and buy glass baby bottles instead of plastic.
  • Limit your exposure to receipts and other products that have BPA such as household electronics. This one is hard to do, we know, but you can opt for email receipts instead of paper ones.
  • Pay attention to kid’s toys. Don’t buy any with BPA, and research the type of plastic used in the toy before purchasing it.
  • Don’t put plastics in the dishwasher or microwave. This can damage them and cause more BPA to leach out of them.
  • Throw away plastic when it looks scratched or damaged.
  • Don’t microwave or store food in plastic. Instead, transfer food to a glass bowl before microwaving it and store food in glass.
  • Buy powdered infant formula. Liquid formula absorbs more BPA from the container.
  • Basically, try to limit your use of plastic as much as possible, especially when food and drinks are concerned. The greatest source of BPA and alternate plastic exposure is through diet.

plastic bottle

The Good News

This might be a long shot, but Hunt says that if we eliminated BPA and its alternatives now, we could go back to having a healthier world. In the latest study, researchers stopped giving the mice BPA alternatives. After doing so, the males returned to normal in just four generations.

Johanna Rochester is a senior scientist at the nonprofit The Endocrine Disruption Exchange. Though not part of the study referenced above, she told National Geographic that the world needs to move away from BPA alternatives. “We don’t really want to wait another 20 years for all these human studies to show that there is a problem,” she said.

Obviously, it would take monumental changes in how we produce and consume in order for BPA and its alternatives to disappear. So, while we wait for healthier options, we can simply lower our exposure to plastic altogether. Utilizing the tips listed above can help greatly with minimizing contact with BPA.

Final thoughts on BPA Free Plastic and Its Potential Health Dangers

BPA free plastic has been marketed as safer than BPA, making consumers feel secure in their purchases. However, the research is clear. Alternatives to BPA are not as safe as companies would have you believe and could be even more harmful to your health than BPA. The best course of action is to do research before buying products and try to limit your use of plastic as much as possible.

15 Weight Loss Tricks That Make You Less Hungry

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Everyone who starts their weight loss journey will tell you just how difficult sticking with the routine can get. With the insane amount of money food companies spend on advertising, we get bombarded with messages about food everywhere. Of course, these ads make everything look so delicious and are shown through so many mediums that ignoring them becomes next to impossible.

Even if you’re able to muster the willpower to say no to these unhealthy foods and stick to a healthy diet, working out is a whole other animal. Sticking to a grueling routine is no easy feat, and many people give up only a few months after they start. Many people find it hard to keep up a workout regimen, whether it’s due to financial, time, or energy restraints.

Even though the odds might be stacked against you, we have some weight loss tricks up our sleeves that might help you lose weight without having to exercise heavily or stick to a strict diet.

Here are 15 weight loss tricks that help curb your appetite:

“Don’t you want to see what happens if you don’t give up?”

1. Eat more spicy foods.

While spicy foods won’t literally melt the fat away, they can help increase your metabolism and decrease your appetite. Things like mustard, black pepper, ginger, horseradish, chilies, cumin, and turmeric will do just the trick when it comes to helping you reach your weight loss goals. The main ingredient in spicy foods, capsaicin, suppresses the appetite and boosts the metabolism.

Don’t worry; if you aren’t a spicy food fan, we have many more tips for you below!

essential oils for weight loss

2. Add chia seeds to your diet.

Chia seeds have a lot of fiber, which will help keep you full and, therefore, eat fewer calories throughout the day. These seeds swell in your stomach to suppress your appetite and help with digestion. If you don’t eat chia seeds regularly, try them out in smoothies, yogurt, oatmeal, pancakes, or even on top of salads as an easy way to add them to your diet.

3. Eat more apples.

Yet another food with a lot of fiber, apples also contain high water content, which can help to keep you fuller longer. Apples also involve a lot of chewing, which means your digestive system will take longer to break it down. You can take an apple with you wherever you go, making them a great mid-day snack to power you through the work or school day.

Apples make a wonderful addition to your weight loss plan, and plus, they taste delicious!

4. Drink plenty of water.

As you already know, water is essential to our well-being. As for how much you need to drink, it really depends on the individual, but some studies have found that drinking water before meals can help curb your appetite. Drinking water also increases the calories you burn, which will help with weight loss. In fact, one study found that overweight women who increased water intake to over one liter per day lost an extra 4.4 pounds over a 12-month period.

Since the women didn’t make any changes other than drinking more water, this is promising for people who have tried everything else and didn’t lose weight.

5. Keep a food journal.

Most people have no idea how many calories they consume daily. Keeping track of how much you eat can help you lose weight by seeing where you might need to make some changes. Of course, you’ll have to take into account how many calories you burn as well, but having a food diary is a great start to your weight loss journey. This tip may not suppress your appetite, but it will help you cut back on unnecessary calories.

If you want to increase accuracy, make sure to buy a food scale to measure your foods.

6. Drink more green tea.

After water, green tea is probably the best thing you can drink for weight loss. Not only does it contain a lot of antioxidants, but the caffeine content can help boost your metabolism and aid in fat burning. One compound in green tea called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is believed to be a key factor in boosting metabolism and decreasing appetite.

Green tea also affects two important peptide hormones – norepinephrine and dopamine – which activate the sympathetic nervous system and promote fat breakdown.

7. Sniff peppermint.

This might seem like a strange way to help with weight loss, but hear us out. Peppermint contains certain compounds that help control cravings and increase metabolism. In fact, a 2008 study conducted by the Wheeling Jesuit University analyzed participants’ appetites after having them inhale peppermint every two hours for five days. Participants who inhaled the peppermint oil had decreased hunger and fewer cravings than those who didn’t inhale the oil.

To do this, you can either get pure peppermint oil and inhale it or put it in a diffuser.

8. Use grapefruit essential oils for weight loss.

Grapefruit contains a powerful compound called nootkatone that has been shown to turn on AMPK, an enzyme that controls metabolism and appetite. Grapefruit oil serves as a natural way to lose weight and control cravings. To use it, add a few drops to your water or tea, diffuse it, or apply it directly on your body.

9. Breathe deeply.

Too many of us breathe shallowly and quickly, which can amp up the production of cortisol. As a result, we grow more anxious and restless. Not only that, but increased cortisol levels have been linked to higher percentages of abdominal fat as well as BMI. Additionally, higher production of cortisol causes the body to become resistant to leptin, a hormone that sends the signal to your brain that you’re full.

So, the more cortisol you produce, the more you become resistant to leptin. This means you’ll have a harder time knowing when you’ve had enough to eat. When you’re stressed, you also tend to reach for high-fat, high-sugar, and high-carb foods because they produce serotonin and increase calm feelings. However, in the long run, these types of foods will only hinder your weight loss goals and possibly produce other health problems.

To prevent this whole cycle, it’s very important to control stress levels. While breathing deeply alone may not eliminate your stress, it can certainly help you manage it better.

You can do deep breathing exercises anywhere, such as in your car on your way home from work or at the grocery store waiting to check out. However, it’s best to carve out some time after you’ve done all your errands and chores for the day and find a quiet place where you can relax. Breathe in deeply through your nose and out through your mouth, close your eyes, and try your best to clear your mind.

10. Drink apple cider vinegar.

Apple cider vinegar can help with weight loss because it contains acetic acid, a short-chain fatty acid. This helps lower blood sugar, decrease insulin levels, increase metabolism, reduce fat storage, burn fat, and suppress appetite. You should dilute it in water and have about a tablespoon three times a day for the best results.

11. Practice mindful eating.

So many people today are distracted when they eat, which can lead to eating more. For example, you bring a whole bag of chips or cookies into your room while watching TV. Most of the bag will be gone by the time you’ve finished your show because you were paying more attention to the TV than your food. To have better eating habits, focusing solely on your food while you eat is important.

weight loss

Enjoy your meal by eliminating distractions such as your phone, TV, and computer. Focus on your food’s flavors, textures, sounds, and smells as you eat it. Bringing mindfulness into your meals will not only make your food taste better, it can also increase your awareness of your body’s hunger cues, which will help you eat less.

12. Exercise before dinner.

Some people say exercising before your day begins is best, but if you want to lose weight, try working out just before eating dinner. Some studies have shown that doing this helps decrease hunger hormones while increasing hormones that act as appetite suppressants.

13. Eat more veggies.

Veggies such as broccoli, Swiss chard, and spinach are packed with nutrients and fiber. These will help keep you fuller longer. Try eating a big salad for dinner consisting of mostly greens; the volume will keep you full, which will suppress your appetite.

14. Brush your teeth after every meal.

This signals to your brain that mealtime is over. This will help you avoid the kitchen (and a lot of extra calories).

15. Drink more coffee.

While coffee can increase anxiety in some people, it also helps boost metabolism and suppress your appetite. This occurs due to a compound called chlorogenic acid, which slows the absorption of carbohydrates and breaks down fat. However, make sure to drink it black with only a little cream and no added sugar for the best results.

Final Thoughts on Weight Loss Tricks to Help You Stick With Your Plan

As you can see, plenty of weight loss tricks can make you less hungry and more satisfied with your meals. It might be hard to stick to a routine, but hopefully these tricks can add some variety to your day and aid you in your weight loss journey.

10 Foods That Reduce Airway Inflammation And Relieve Asthma

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There’s no need to avoid certain foods if you suffer from asthma yet there’s no conclusive proof that those foods increase the severity of asthma attacks. However, it goes without saying that incorporating a nutritious diet can improve your general health and wellbeing.

According to Nutrition Reviews, asthmatic individuals may greatly benefit from a diet filled with fruits and vegetables. These foods can help clear airway inflammation that impacts the symptoms of asthma.

Food can serve as an asthma trigger because it directly relates to allergies and intolerances. Additionally, obesity increases the symptoms of asthma and could make the condition harder to treat, according to the American Thoracic Society.  Thus, eating a well-balanced diet and keeping a healthy weight is vital to the management of asthma attacks. Here are some foods that help reduce airway inflammation if you suffer from this condition:

10 Foods That Will Reduce Airway Inflammation For People Suffering From Asthma

1.    Fish

According to a study in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, airway inflammation significantly decreased among people who ate more fish regularly. Study subjects with mild asthma who had fatty fish two times a week for a period of six months in their diet saw an improvement of their asthma symptoms.

  • Fish contains high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, which are anti-inflammatory.
  • Just eating omega-3-rich fish two times a week can deliver positive results.
  • In some cultures, it’s an age-old tradition to have asthmatic children swallow a live Murrel fish to cure their condition for good.
  • While there’s no science behind this practice, many locals in Hyderabad, India, swear by this treatment.

Some types of fish may also contain mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and other contaminants from the environment. For this reason, regular consumption of certain kinds of fish is not recommended. According to the American Heart Association, it’s better to avoid mackerel, swordfish, shark, and tilefish. Instead, eat tuna, salmon, catfish, and pollock.

2.    Flaxseeds

Like fish, flaxseeds are also rich in omega-3 thus they offer anti-inflammatory benefits. You can add at least two tablespoons of flaxseed daily to your coffee, smoothie, cereals, and salads to gain nutritious benefits.

Flaxseed has been cultivated since 3,000 B.C. Back then, King Charlemagne required its consumption by law because he believed flaxseed offers positive health benefits. However, flaxseed can turn rancid quickly, so never grind it in advance. Properly store it in a dry and sealed container.

If you can’t get fresh flaxseed, you can take flaxseed oil supplements that are usually available at health stores. Supplements are not a substitute for an actual treatment for asthma so don’t make the mistake of taking this without considering other treatments. Be sure to talk to your doctor before taking flaxseed-based medication.

3.    Berries

Regularly eating a mix of berries (cherries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries) can also help clear the airways for people with asthma. These fruits are rich in vitamins and fiber and are also anti-inflammatory foods.

Berries have antioxidants with high levels of flavonoids that can fight bacteria, virus, and toxins in the lungs, as per a study in the National Institutes of Health. Studies have shown that people with asthma reduce their risks of attacks if they consume a variety of these berries every day.

4.    Beans

Beans are considered prebiotics. These contain beneficial fibers that help ferment the gut during digestion. It can aid in the increase of good bacteria in your digestive system. So, when your gut is healthier, your body can manage the asthma triggers better.

But you might wonder what’s the connection between the gut in the stomach and asthma, which impairs your breathing?

  • By definition, asthma is a condition associated with a hyper-responsive immune system.
  • The immune system is centered on the gut. Scientists are just learning how it is crucial to the human body’s overall wellness.
  • If you take care of your gut by eating foods that can produce more good bacteria, you’ll have a better chance of keeping asthma symptoms under control.

5.    Spinach

Leafy green vegetables contain vitamins and minerals that make your body stronger against infections and illnesses. Spinach, however, is particularly beneficial to asthma patients because it has vitamin B. This vitamin is a rich source of folate (folic acid) that’s critical to curbing the asthma epidemic.

Experts at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions found links between folic acid and the regulation of the body’s response to asthma triggers. The study’s subjects from the ages of two to 85, whose folate levels are higher, appeared to be less prone to allergic episodes, wheezing attacks, and asthma.

The researchers recommended an intake of 400 micrograms of folic acid every day. You can complete and meet this daily requirement from eating spinach and other green and leafy vegetables. If you have spinach in your meals regularly, you may curb the asthma attacks and clear your airways by as much as 40 percent.

6.    Ginger

Ginger is a medicinal wonder that the earth has gifted to humans. For centuries, people have benefitted from its curing effects. Ginger boosts the immune system, relieves nausea and vomiting, and cures a host of stomach problems like diarrhea, gas, irritable bowels, and upset stomach. It can also be used to treat burns and insect bites. Ginger may be added to food as a laxative and antacid medication.

As an asthma relief, ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties can result in clearer airways. It has compounds that work like a bronchodilator. For this reason, ginger is actually added to an asthma medication called isoproterenol.

Pharmacists say that the compounds in ginger are as powerful as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It can help smoothen and relax the muscles in the lungs so that asthmatic patients feel more relief after drinking ginger juice or tea.

7.    Turmeric

Like ginger, turmeric has anti-inflammatory effects that may reduce discomfort and obstructions in the airways. This Indian spice contains curcumin, a rich yellow pigment proven to bring positive effects among those who suffer from bronchial asthma, according to a study in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research.

Turmeric’s curcumin compounds also proved more effective against standard asthma drug treatments, according to a research in the International Immunopharmacology journal. Further, curcumin has no side effects that can harm a patient’s health. It cures the airways of oxidative damage and helps control allergic reactions to respiratory bacterial infections that attack the lungs.

Curcumin is effective in protecting patients who suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary distress syndrome (COPD), according to a paper in the Molecular Targets and Therapeutic Uses of Curcumin. Similar to asthma, COPD may cause airway inflammation and obstruction that can lead to breathlessness or difficulty in breathing.

8.    Tomatoes

Here’s another superfood that can help control the asthma triggers, especially during the winter season. Medical experts say that the antioxidants in tomatoes, called lycopene, can fight the bacteria in the airways. It reduces the chances of people with asthma from developing colds and other nasal discomforts.

  • Experts in a study on the journal PLOS One also discovered that tomato can effectively help the airways relax.
  • This decreases the chances of oxidative stress in the lungs that people with asthma often experience.
  • Tomato is also a rich source of vitamins A, B2, C, folate, and chromium.
  • The many nutrients found in tomatoes are vital to the prevention of free radicals from causing cell damage and impairing bodily functions or weakening the immune system.

9.    Coffee

Coffee contains caffeine that breaks down into theophylline during metabolism. Theophylline is commonly found in medications for asthma, bronchitis and lung disease. This may explain why coffee proves helpful for clearing the airways in people with lung problems.

coffee for asthma

However, a study in the Frontiers of Pharmacology journal showed that coffee’s bronchodilator effect reaches its peak at 5 mg/kg within two hours of drinking. So, a person with asthma who is about 90 kg in weight might need at least five to eight cups of coffee (60 to 80 mg) a day to feel the positive effects in the airways.

At best, coffee may help people with mild asthma attacks only. For severe cases, it’s always better to seek a doctor’s help for the best course of treatment.

10.  Apple

You’ve heard of the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctors away,” right? A daily helping of this fruit apparently also keeps the wheezing and asthma attacks down.

A study in the journal Thorax showed that pregnant mothers who ate an apple every day for four weeks lowered their baby’s risks of developing asthma by 27 percent. Drinking fresh apple juice also showed positive effects in curbing the episodes of asthma attacks.

Apples are rich in compounds like flavonoids and phytochemicals that deliver protective effects. So, for moms who want to ensure that their children don’t develop this lung condition, start off right by eating an apple during pregnancy.

Final Thoughts On Food That Reduce Airway Inflammation

People always benefit from following a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables. While these foods and ingredients may be the healthier alternatives to chemically-produced asthma medications, always discuss treatment options with your doctor.

Counteracting the symptoms of asthma with food may be risky if you have food intolerances or if you’re prone to food allergies. Read up on other advantages and disadvantages of these foods before using them as part of your asthma treatment plan.

Also, the effects of your asthma treatment plan will still depend on many factors other than food. Doctors have to evaluate your general health, weight, lifestyle, and physical activities. This is why it’s important to have a good and positive relationship with your doctor; this way, you can be comfortable in discussing your health concerns. Work with your physician to maximize the positive effects of your asthma treatment plan and diet changes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG-G9_LOkLA

Science Explains How Broccoli Is Good For Your Skin & Hair

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“The first wealth is health”—Ralph Waldo Emerson

When you’re pulling your face in the mirror to look at new wrinkles, or despairing about how thin and breakable your hair is, it’s time to do something your parents told you eons ago; eat your broccoli!

Why Eat More Broccoli?

As scientists understand more and more about the role of food in holistic health, they continue to sing the praises of this dark green vegetable. A small bowl of these nutrient-packed vegetables at lunch can give you a huge portion of your daily nutrient needs, and also help with issues like inflammation or a surplus of mucus during a cold.

Researchers have found that the antioxidant enzymes found after chewing the vegetable create stores of vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin E, among many other nutrients.

This new interest in the cruciferous vegetable has been spurred on by holistic health movements and the desire by many to get back to natural ways of taking care of skin and hair. What most people don’t realize is that what you eat goes on to create the structures in your body.

Holistic nutritionist Lindsay Boyers says, “Thousands of years ago, Hippocrates (who is coined the Father of Medicine) said that “all disease begins in the gut,” and I have to agree. Your gut is its own complex ecosystem. It’s home to 100 trillion microorganisms, including about 400 different species of bacteria.”

Because what “goes into your gut” is so important for the health of your skin and hair, it’s important to understand the broccoli health benefits you can reap just by adding a small portion to your diet.

Types of Broccoli

Just like you can choose between cherry, grape, and heirloom tomatoes at your farmer’s market, there are so many different types of broccoli to pick from. All the different varieties offer a slightly different taste or feel, so there is no shortage of healthy options if you’re trying to gain some of the many broccoli health benefits there are.

Varieties

  • Calabrese— Calabrese is an Italian variety that grows through the winter and is made sweeter by the cold. It’s sweeter than most types of the vegetable and more tender.
  • Broccolini— Broccolini looks and tastes very similar the traditional food you know and love, but has much longer stalks and smaller heads. It tastes slightly bitter.
  • Gai-Lan—This is also called Chinese Broccoli, and is bitter and slightly pungent. It goes very well in Asian dishes with spicy flavors and lends itself well to being stir-fried.
  • Broccoli Rabe— While it may look like the leaves of the plant, rabe, or rob in some localities, stands all on its own. The stems, leaves and other outcroppings are all edible and have a bitter, nutty taste that’s reminiscent of turnips.
  • Broccoflower— If you find the green, bitter vegetable to be too strong, this plant that’s crossed with a cauliflower is right up your alley. Broccoflower is sweet and mild like its cauliflower ancestor, but has a subtle kick from its other namesake.

Broccoli Health Benefits

What makes this leafy green such a nutritional powerhouse? Dr. Rangan Chatterjee says that eating the cruciferous vegetable and others from its family aids in the destruction of cancerous cells and offers a whole host of other benefits.

High Protein

While spinach is usually touted as the best way to introduce more plant-based protein into your diet, broccoli is an often overlooked source as well. A one cup serving of the cooked or steamed vegetable offers almost three grams of protein, which is a big percent of your daily needs of the macronutrient.

Researchers connect protein intake with the quality of your hair and skin because it’s the main building block. Eating more of this dinner staple can cut down on hyperpigmentation and promote healthy hair growth.

Vitamin C

If you find yourself thinking of oranges when it comes to vitamin C, it may be time to think again. This flowering vegetable is an ample source of the vitamin that stimulates your immune system and also promotes collagen production.

Collagen is one of the most important building blocks when it comes to beautiful, glowy skin, and getting enough vitamin C is the best ways to encourage collagen production. It also plays a big role in hair fullness and healthy growth. One of the most potent powers of vitamin C is its ability to combat free radicals. Lemon water is a great way to fight these off as well.

Vitamin K

This vitamin is often overlooked when it comes to tracking your nutrients, but one of the biggest broccoli health benefits is that the plant is chock full of them.

Vitamin K is best known for treating common skin ailments, like dark circles, spider veins, or even rosacea. Only one cup of this vegetables, either cooked or steamed, can give you up to 270% of your daily need for this vitamin.

Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN)

This compound is a mouthful, but it’s a huge aid when it comes to the never-ending quest to slow down aging. Nicotinamide Mononucleotide has been found to be plentiful in broccoli.

When implemented in mice, the compound has been shown to make old cells behave as if they were brand new versions of themselves, and this can help your skin produce younger, more healthy cells that behave as young skin does. This can effectively fight off wrinkles, age spots, and types of skin cancers.

Vitamin A

This vitamin is stored in the body’s fatty tissues and aids in:

  • Eye health
  • Bone growth and health
  • Reproductive health
  • Production of healthy, young skin cells
  • Fat elimination

Researchers have found that a healthy level of daily vitamin A can create new skin cells and also fight dry skin and hair. Vitamin A also helps in the production of something called sebum, which is like a natural conditioner for your scalp and can help you grow beautiful, strong, flowing locks.

Eating Your Way to Better Skin and Hair

When it comes to your skin and hair health, your food journey is a deeply personal one. Based on your concerns and typical eating habits, create a plan to “fill in the gaps” using broccoli or one of its family members, like:

  • Bok Choy
  • Cabbage
  • Radishes
  • Brussel Sprouts
  • Cauliflower

There are so many reasons to eat more cruciferous vegetables, even besides the fact that they taste delicious and can be used in so many diverse recipes.

Broccoli health benefits include promoting bone growth and fostering beautiful glowy skin and thick, shiny hair.
If you’re not into the original green machine, be sure to give its relatives a chance. Rabe features a leafier, more bitter flavor profile that goes wonderfully with creamy or acidic tastes.

broccoli

There are also different heirloom varieties of traditional florets that can range from more bitter to much milder. Try a recipe that features the cruciferous vegetable as complementary to a creamy flavor, like tofu or a rich cheddar cheese.

If you still have a picky eater in the family or hate the taste, cauliflower is a great substitute. It tastes nutty and rich when roasted and offers a whole host of similar benefits for your skin and health. Don’t be afraid to experiment with seemingly contrasting flavors or strange combinations. You’ll find yourself much better off in your holistic health journey after eating plenty of cruciferous vegetables, no matter what form they come in.

Even for picky eaters, with the immense benefits of eating these vegetables, it makes no sense to not at least give it a try. For optimal skin and hair health, it’s super important to get enough different macronutrients and have a balanced, healthy diet.

Final Thoughts on Broccoli Health Benefits

Taking care of your skin and hair can be a difficult, counterintuitive process because there’s not just one magic ingredient to eat your way to looking and feeling better.

There are, however, ways to go about eating in a targeted way based on what your skin or hair complaint is. For example, if you’re worried about spots and hyperpigmentation in your skin, vitamin C is the way to go.

If you’re concerned with the strength and thickness of your hair, it’s important to monitor your levels of protein and be sure that you’re getting enough of the macronutrient from varied sources.

When you focus your efforts on eating in a way that makes you feel good, you’ll soon begin to see that you look great, too. Holistic health comes from all-around nutrition and making sure that the body works in the way that it’s supposed to.

Remember, beauty comes from health, and health comes from the combination of foods that we put into our bodies. The old adage still rings true, “Beauty comes from within”!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG-G9_LOkLA

(C)Power of Positivity, LLC. All rights reserved

Yoga For Beginners : 18 Yoga Poses + Tips For Beginners

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For those who are unfamiliar with the practice, getting into yoga for beginners can seem like a daunting task. To a newcomer, there appears to be so much to the culture and the world that it can feel like there’s not really a go-to place to start.

To an extent, there is some truth to this; the world of yoga and the benefits that one can gain from it is a very expansive field that has a long history. However, this certainly does not mean that it is difficult to get involved with. There are plenty of ways to approach yoga for beginners that are intuitive and helpful in the long run.

The Benefits of Yoga

One of the most helpful ways to begin understanding and practicing yoga is to learn about the health benefits. It has been widely shown that yoga can help people develop their flexibility and posture in ways unparalleled by any other type of exercise.

Contrary to popular belief, there isn’t a specified size or level of fitness required to partake in yoga for beginners—all that you need is concentration and the interest to improve yourself. (1)

Another benefit of yoga for beginners is its ability to help you reduce your stress levels drastically. Beginner’s studios and even some general offices have begun to offer midday classes to help people relieve stress while on their lunch hour – something that can help you feel calmer and be more-than-ready to tackle the rest of your day.

It can also help you calm your thoughts and breathe better. This is because an essential part is being able to retain your concentration and calm yourself. This is typically achieved by regulating breathing, something that we often don’t pay much attention to. When you’re experiencing stress, you often don’t have consistent breathing patterns, which can intensify your stress. This makes yoga for beginners a way to promote mindfulness and be more self-aware.

Where Should I Begin?

You’d be surprised at how many yoga for beginners exercises are not only accessible, but completely possible to do in the comfort of your own home.

We’ve compiled a list of our 18 Best Yoga For Beginners Poses so you can know just where to start:

(You should have a mat for all of the following poses, as it makes it easier for your body to grip the ground and makes the exercises much more comfortable.)

1. Plank

One of the most recognizable poses you’ll become familiar with is the plank. To do this pose effectively, tuck your toes and put your hands in front of you. Hold your body up from your shoulders until your body is making a slanted position, similar to a plank of wood (where the position gets its name). Then breathe deeply for 1 minute, keeping track of every breath while holding the position intently. Release the pose, then do it again.

2. Bridge

This pose is similar to the plank in the way that your body makes a similar shape, like a plank of wood. However, with the bridge, you’re facing upward with your head being at the lowest height. So, you must prop your legs up and keep your arms underneath your back, extending your stomach outward to create the pose. Like with the plank, breathe deeply for 1 minute, release the pose, then do it again.

3. Downward Dog

This pose is likely the one people will poke fun at when it comes to yoga for beginners, but the parody is often unwarranted—the reason why this pose is so common is because it’s incredibly effective. To do this, curl your toes back (like the plank) and put your arms out in front of you, holding your body up. Then lift your behind in the air so your body makes a triangle shape, holding the pose for 3 minutes before relaxing.

4. Cow

Keeping in line with the animal theme, this pose has you holding your body up with your arms in front and knees touching the ground, like a cow that is grazing on grass. Make sure that your hands and knees are not too close together and focus on your breathing.

5. Child’s Pose

This pose is important because it allows the body to relax and prepare itself for doing more intense poses down the line. It is recommended that those looking to practice the child’s pose begin the position on all fours, slowly lowering the knees down. Lower your behind back into your heel and lay your arms out forward, bringing your head down with it.

6. Warrior I

Another well-known yoga pose for beginners is the Warrior, a pose that has you extend your right leg outward and your left leg back. Let your right knee extend so it is almost at a 90 degree angle while the left leg is at a slant. Make sure your right foot is facing the direction you are and your left foot is extending 45 degrees outward.

7. Warrior II

For the Alternate Warrior, you do the same exact leg and feet positions as the Warrior, but put your hands alongside each other and raise them upward above your head instead.

8. Seated Forward Bend

The Seated Forward Bend is a pose that will undoubtedly make your body more flexible the more you do it. Your upper abdomen is in the same position it is when you’re doing the Child’s pose, but this time, your legs are underneath you with your toes above your head. It’s similar to sitting down and bringing your head down to your knees, letting the rest of your body follow suit.

9. Cat Pose

Similar to the Cow Pose, the Cat Pose involves you being on all fours with your knees touching the ground. The difference, though, is that with the Cat Pose, you arch your back upward, creating a curve. This is a great move for yoga for beginners.

10. Cobra Pose

In the same manner that you extend your body outward for the Downward Dog, you bring your body down, keeping the entire body on the ground except for the abdomen. Keep your head looking upward, creating a curve like a cobra.

11. Corpse Pose

Another relaxation pose that is deceivingly difficult, the Corpse Pose has you lying down with your arms at your side like a corpse. The tricky part of this is getting your body to stay entirely still, as many find it difficult to keep such a calm position consistent.

12. Mountain Pose

This pose is another basic pose that any beginner can do—simply stand up straight and lift your shoulders slightly higher than usual. Put your hands together facing upward in a praying position and try to stand completely still, regulating your breathing.

13. Low Plank

Similar to the plank, for this pose, you start out in plank, but lower your body closer to the ground to strengthen the muscles that have to hold the pose.

14. Dancer’s Pose

For the Dancer’s Pose, stand up straight before bringing your left leg (knee bent) back with your left hand. Make sure you’re grabbing onto the arch of your foot and raise it until your left knee is the same height as your bottom. Then keep your body slanted and your right arm extended in front of you, looking upward.

15. Tree Pose

Similar to the Mountain Pose, the Tree Pose involves you holding your hands in front of you facing upward, but instead of standing straight, you lift one leg up and press it against the other at an angle. This exercise forces you to maintain strong balance.

16. Extended Side Angle

For this pose, stand up straight and then slide your legs further and further apart from each other until there is a triangle space between the two of them. Then, use your right arm to lower your body to the right (having your right arm touch your foot) while extending your left arm upward, all while maintaining this position.

17. Triangle Pose

The Triangle Pose often goes best with the Extended Side Angle because they’re very similar poses. The difference, though, is that you place an object on the ground near your right foot for your right hand to grab onto, as you want to make your body into a right angle.

18. Staff Pose

The staff pose is another deceivingly difficult pose that requires you to sit down with your back as straight as possible and your feet facing upward. The hard part of this is holding the pose and monitoring your breath to make sure there is an even flow throughout your body.

Other Tips For Beginners

We hope you enjoyed our list of 18 poses!

Three tips for beginners we want to share with you before you begin your journey are:

1. Understand Your Body’s Limits

Don’t try to hold yourself to impossible standards. Understand what you can or cannot do and try to listen to your body to see what it needs.

2. Find A Private Instructor, If Possible

Practicing alone is good, but it can be better to have an instructor guiding you to make sure that you’re doing things correctly.

3. BREATHE!

No matter how you do, make sure that you maintain steady, deep breaths! Once you connect with the flow of your breath, you will connect with the flow of your body and greatly increase your awareness and strength.

yoga for beginners

FINAL THOUGHTS ON YOGA FOR BEGINNERS

Taking your first foray into the yoga world doesn’t have to be difficult. There are plenty of poses on our list that you can start out with to begin your journey to a happier, healthier life.

Though it can be hard to get started, doing a few of these poses at least once a day will eventually get you to a point where your body is much more relaxed and flexible. On top of that, learning to control your breath will undoubtedly help you stay connected with your inner self and promote healthy concentration!

What do you think about our list of poses? Which ones have you done? Which ones are you going to try? Let us know!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFdcCXmGpy4

(C)Power of Positivity, LLC. All rights reserved

How To Get Relief From a Migraine + Tips To Prevent it

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Migraine headaches are not like regular headaches. Most of the time, regular headaches can be eased quickly and easily, and they will not interfere with your daily activities. Migraines, on the other hand, do not go away quickly or easily and can prevent you from living a normal life.

Many Americans suffer from migraines every single day. Unfortunately, many people do not know how to get migraine relief or how to prevent the headaches from occurring frequently.

Luckily, there are methods for relief and prevention. Many of the methods are inexpensive and convenient and can be done anywhere.

15 Ways to Get Migraine Relief

1. Use lavender essential oils.

Lavender essential oil has been proven to help ease the severity and length of a migraine headache. This can be done by inhaling the lavender oil for 15 to 20 minutes, either by holding the bottle under your nose or by diffusing it. Lavender oil can also be applied directly to the temples.

2. Consume ginger.

Commonly known to reduce the feeling of nausea, ginger can alleviate some of the symptoms of migraines. Aside from easing nausea, ginger also lessens the severity and length of migraines. The migraine relief provided by ginger has been compared to popular medications, and ginger has shown to be just as effective.

3. Do some stretching.

Stretching or doing yoga has positive effects on the body that reduce pain, including that caused by migraines. It also allows you to loosen up stiff muscles, which can sometimes be the cause of an episode.

4. Use peppermint essential oils.

Peppermint essential oils contain menthol, which can stop migraines from starting and can ease the symptoms of migraines that have already started. By diluting the oil with a carrier oil (something like olive oil or coconut oil), and then placing the mixture on your forehead, temples, and back of the neck, the symptoms will be lessened. This method offers relief from the pain, nausea, and light sensitivity.

5. Put on sunglasses.

The pain can be heightened when there is light, so if it isn’t an option to sit in a dark room, sunglasses may help. The darker the sunglasses, the better the light will be blocked, resulting in less pain due to light sensitivity.

6. Turn the lights off and lay down.

Many times, migraines are caused by light sensitivity, and more light can make the pain even worse. Because of this, one of the best methods of relief is to turn the lights off and lay down. This will help ease the pain and nausea, and will likely lessen the duration of symptoms.

7. Use a cold pack.

For some reason that is unknown to even scientists, cold packs have been proven to lessen the pain of migraines. By placing one on your neck, forehead, or scalp, you will be given some migraine relief. If you don’t have a cold pack, you can simply use anything from inside of your freezer, or even a washcloth that has been rinsed in cold water.

8. Take a warm bath or shower.

A warm bath or shower will ease tense muscles, which could offer relief as well. Lay back, relax, and close your eyes for the full effect.

9. Put down your electronic devices.

Bright lights can trigger migraines or make them worse if you already have one. Remember to take breaks from electronic devices often so that your eyes can rest and you can avoid the migraines. If you already have a migraine, avoid electronics altogether or it won’t go away.

10. Pinch the pad between your thumb and pointer finger.

This is also known as acupressure. By pinching this pad of skin, a pressure point related to pain relief is triggered. This method can not only make migraines shorter and less painful, but it also helps ease nausea associated with migraines.

11. Focus on deep breathing.

Deep breathing is beneficial because you can do it anywhere and at any time. It reduces stresses and eases pain caused by migraines. By practicing deep breathing regularly, you can even prevent migraines from beginning in the first place.

12. Massage your neck and temples.

Many times, migraines are caused by tension. By massaging your neck and temples, you are relieving some of that tension, which will ease the pain of a headache. It will also get your blood flowing better, which will further relieve migraines.

13. Try a hot compress.

Depending on what triggers your migraines, a hot compress may work better than a cold pack. If you weren’t given relief from a cold pack, put a heating pad around your neck or on the back of your head. This generally works for migraines caused by tension. If you don’t have a heating pad, a warm cloth should work just as well.

14. Consume a small amount of caffeine.

Caffeine can offer relief if an episode hasn’t reached its most severe stages yet. Another reason you can get relief from caffeine is that caffeine causes pain-reducers to work better. It is important to note that too much caffeine, however, can make headaches worse.

15. Take over-the-counter medication for migraines.

This may be your last resort, but if the natural methods don’t offer you any relief, over-the-counter pain medication may be necessary. Tylenol and Ibuprofen may work, or you may need something more specific to migraines. All of these can be found at local drug stores, and usually even right at the grocery store.

How to Prevent Migraine Headaches

1. Pay attention to what you are eating.

Diet can play a big part in the frequency and severity of a migraine. A couple of general tips to help prevent them are to increase the amount of magnesium in your diet and to avoid processed foods.

You should also eat your meals around the same time each day and never skip meals. There are some foods that may trigger a migraine more than others, and it is wise to avoid those foods.

You can begin to determine which foods are triggers by keeping a detailed food journal. This food journal should include what you ate, when you ate it, and how you felt after eating. When you think you have figured out a trigger, eliminate it from your diet and see if you get less frequent headaches.

There are certain foods that are more commonly known as triggers of migraines, so paying close attention to those foods may be the best place to start. Some of these foods include:

  • Hot dogs
  • Deli meat
  • Bacon
  • Sausage
  • Chocolate
  • Cheese (specifically blue, feta, cheddar, parmesan, and swiss)
  • Alcohol (specifically red wine)
  • Foods that contain flavor enhancers or MSG
  • Cold food
  • Pickled food
  • Beans
  • Fruit
  • Sour cream and yogurt

2. Get professional massages regularly.

By having a professional massage your muscles, you will notice an improvement in the stiffness of your body. This reduces the number of migraines you will have, and also improves the quality of sleep you get each night. Since sleep and migraines are closely related, massages work in more than one way to prevent migraines.

Massages also improve your heart rate and lower your anxiety and cortisol levels. If the levels are off on any of these three issues, it could cause migraines.

3. Get enough sleep.

Migraines can be triggered by a lack of sleep, so it is important to get enough sleep each night. Unfortunately, migraines can also prevent you from falling asleep, so it could end up being a vicious cycle.

There are ways to prevent that vicious cycle from ever beginning, however. When you are struggling to get sleep, there are a couple of ways to encourage your body to shut down for the night. These ways include:

  • Start a bedtime routine, and make sure you follow it every night.
  • Take time to unwind
  • Avoid heavy exercise, large meals, caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol before bed
  • Don’t watch television before bed
  • Close the door
  • Don’t do work in the bedroom
  • Read something

4. Avoid stressful situations.

Stress can increase both the frequency and severity of migraines. While stress cannot always be avoided, some stressful situations can and should be avoided.

Instead of constantly adding to your to-do list, find things that can be taken off of your to-do list. Your health and well-being are worth putting something off until tomorrow.

Another way to avoid stress is by breaking large projects up into smaller tasks. This way, you are accomplishing goals, but you aren’t giving yourself the overwhelming task of the overall large project at one time.

Find time to do something you love every single day. You may think that you don’t have time for that, but it is so important that you make the time. Even if you only have 15 or 20 minutes to do something, spend that time doing something that makes you happy.

The best way to avoid stressful situations is to give yourself a break. There will be times when you feel overwhelmed but your tasks aren’t complete yet. Taking a break can actually make you more productive when your break is over, so it is beneficial in more than one way.

5. Exercise regularly.

There are a couple of reasons that regular exercise can help prevent migraines. First, the chemicals released in the body during exercise ease symptoms of anxiety and depression, both of which cause migraines to be more frequent and severe.

Being overweight or obese also cause more frequent and severe migraines, so, by exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight, migraines will be easier to manage.

migraine

There are many exercises that you can choose from, so you should always be able to find some form that you enjoy. Start slow and work your way into more intense exercise regimes.

6. Take prescription preventative medication.

When nothing else helps with preventing migraines, prescription migraine medication may be necessary. There are certain guidelines to determine who can receive a prescription for this type of medication. The guidelines are:

  • You have at least four episodes in one month
  • Migraines last more than 12 hours
  • Over-the-counter pain medications do not help with relief
  • You have noticed that you have regular episodes of numbness or weakness
  • Your migraines often make it so you cannot perform your necessary day-to-day activities
  • Your migraines affect other medical conditions

If you are a candidate, your doctor will decide how often you should take the medication. Depending on your specific situation, your doctor may instruct that you take the medication every single day or that you should only take it when you know you will be experiencing a trigger.

Final Thoughts on Migraine Relief and Prevention

Migraine headaches can be completely debilitating. Those who suffer from them may have issues working, taking care of their families, and completing other daily tasks. It can be hard to live with them, especially if you don’t know how to make it easier.

By trying the methods for migraine relief, you should be able to get back in control of your life. Preventative methods can also be taken to minimize the frequency and severity of the migraines.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKB0jThAfnQ

(C)Power of Positivity, LLC. All rights reserved

Researchers Explain How To Improve The Intimacy In Your Relationship

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Most couples, especially those in long-term relationships, want to improve intimacy. When a relationship is new and fresh, passion is more fiery and everything is exciting. But as couples stay together longer, the flame has a tendency to begin to lose its heat.

Although intimacy and passion certainly aren’t everything in a committed relationship, it’s safe to say that most individuals value these aspects when with a partner. This means you likely consider intimacy fairly important in your own romance life.

You may find it surprising, then, that roughly half the population is unsatisfied in the marital bedroom! This half also believes that their intimate lives aren’t exciting enough and consider their bedroom activities mediocre. Two-thirds would like to have intimacy more often. As such, according to this survey, the need to improve intimacy is certainly present.

Luckily, new research has found ways that are scientifically proven to help boost this passionate connection between partners. Here’s how researchers explain how to improve the intimacy in your relationship.

Researchers Explain How To Improve The Intimacy In Your Relationship

“Secrecy is the enemy of intimacy. Every healthy relationship is built on a foundation of honesty and trust.” – Dave Willis

1.    Harmonious Sexual Passion vs Obsessive Sexual Passion

In order to better understand how intimacy works and what makes it good, let’s take a look at science. Specifically, let’s talk about the research done by Robert Vallerand, Frédérick Philippe, and their team.

These researchers conducted different types of studies that focused on a dualistic model to understand intimacy. Essentially, they were able to categorize the types of sexual passion into two different kinds. Understanding these types could improve intimacy in your relationship, so let’s dive in.

Harmonious Sexual Passion

The kind of sexual passion that is best for a relationship is known as harmonious sexual passion. Simply put, this variety of passion is harmonious with all other aspects of the relationship. This allows that passion to integrate seamlessly into a couple’s lives, and it does not create conflict with other aspects of a relationship.

Supposedly, those who practice this form of sexual passion are able to enjoy spontaneous and less inhibited intimacy with their partner or partners. This also leads to lesser conflict overall and can prevent intrusive passionate thoughts. These individuals also improve their times of intimacy because they have positive control over their typical intimacy drive.

Obsessive Sexual Passion

So, you now know about the good type of sexual passion. But what’s the less favorable one? This is known as obsessive sexual passion. Essentially, this stems from sexualities that are not easily integrated with other aspects of self and the lives of those in relationships.

Those who experience obsessive sexual passion might consider intimacy a prize or a goal to achieve. This is an unhealthy way to think of intimacy and can cause less enjoyment when that goal is finally reached. This type of sexual thought is linked to a number of problems, including:

  • Extreme reactions to rejection
  • Deterioration of long-term relationships
  • An overt sexual interest in others, even when in a monogamous relationship
  • Higher chance of infidelity

It’s important to note that this doesn’t mean you can’t have a high intimacy drive, or that you can’t have many consenting sexual partners. It means that your sexuality should be an integrated part of you, not a ruling motivation or obsessive desire. Intimacy shouldn’t be considered a reward so much as an activity to be enjoyed together!

2.    Openness and Honesty

Of course, the effort to improve intimacy is about more than just what you do in the bedroom or how you think about intimacy. Often, the state of a relationship’s intimate life has roots in the overall health of the partnership.

Being open and honest is crucial for a good intimate life. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to each other with an open heart and mind outside of the bedroom, the connection you forge sexually will feel artificial and closed off.

At the beginning of a relationship, it’s customary to get to know each other. People practice self-disclosure to find out about the other person. This helps those in a budding relationship feel closer.

Research has found that self-disclosure mixed with eye contact can actually lead to an instant bond between two complete strangers. This proves that self-disclosure is necessary to improve intimacy.

But as the relationship goes on, you may find fewer things to talk about. You and your partner will know most things about each other. On top of that, revealing brand new secrets can feel more risky when you’ve been together for a long time.

A good, healthy relationship involves honesty and openness. This includes feeling safe being vulnerable with each other. You should be able to talk about serious or frightening issues. Some examples are:

  • Financial management
  • Parents and families-in-law
  • Having and raising children
  • Emotional baggage
  • Controversial thoughts and opinions
  • Wants and needs
  • Sexual fantasies
  • Finding compromise
  • Death

Take the time to be vulnerable with your partner. Spend an evening sipping wine and talking about deeper issues. It can be daunting, but practice positive thinking! You’ll be surprised how refreshing this open honesty can be. Sharing your feelings and being communicative can lead to positive change in the bedroom.

3.    Communicate About Intimacy To Improve Intimacy

Many couples make the mistake of assuming their partner should inherently know how to please them in bed. These types of assumptions are exactly what cause dissatisfaction in the bedroom.

There also seems to be the idea that giving instructions during intimacy is inherently unsexy, but that is far from the case! Think about it, and try not to blush: don’t you like hearing the words “right there,” “so good,” and so on?

While you and your partner are in bed, don’t be afraid to communicate. Take their hand and guide them, showing them how to touch you. Give directions if needed. Your partner can’t please you if they don’t know how. On the other hand, faking enjoyment will tell them that you like all the things that don’t actually work for you.

On top of that, many women have also been raised to find their sexual desire somewhat shameful. As a result, they neglect to experiment with their bodies and get in touch with what they like. Of course, this can happen with men too, though less commonly.

Regardless of your gender identity, if you’re someone who doesn’t truly know what you want or need in the bedroom, it’s time to find out. Ask your partner if you can discover that together. Or, if you prefer, take some time to lavish love on yourself and find out what truly makes you tick!

In addition, don’t be afraid to bring up sexual fantasies with your partner. Want to try out a new kink or fetish? Enjoy a specific type of intimacy? Thinking of bringing toys into the bedroom? Discuss these ideas! You might be shocked to find out that you and your partner are into the same things.

4.    Switch Things Up

There’s nothing wrong with intimate acts that are familiar and you know you both enjoy. But only doing that and nothing new for years can grow monotonous. When intimacy feels like nothing more than a routine act, you’ll get bored and dissatisfaction will grow.

Even subtle changes to the bedroom can spice things up. For example, you can:

  • Introduce a toy
  • Try roleplay
  • Indulge in fantasies
  • Light some candles
  • Sprinkle some rose petals
  • Wear some sexy lingerie or an alluring outfit
  • Give each other massages
  • Play some sensual music
  • Play a raunchy movie
  • Go to a hotel room

You and your partner deserve better than lazy, boring intimacy. Put energy into making it fun and exciting for the both of you!

In addition, switching things up doesn’t just apply to the bedroom. When was the last time you and your partner went on a real adventure? Here are some examples of fun things you can both do that will get your blood pumping and adrenaline rushing:

  • Exploring a place you’ve never been
  • Eating at a restaurant you’ve never tried
  • Setting aside a weekend for a mini-vacation
  • Rock climbing
  • Rafting
  • Skydiving
  • Hiking
  • Buying new things for your home
  • Playing games together
  • Going dancing

On a personal level, you can also indulge in mini-adventures that change up your routine. This includes:

  • Buying yourself something
  • Going out with friends
  • Singing or dancing to music you love
  • Trying a new class
  • Eating somewhere new

Trying new things boosts the release of dopamine, according to this study. This neurotransmitter actually plays a big role in one’s drive. As such, new bursts of dopamine can improve intimacy in your relationship pretty drastically!

5.    Diet and Exercise

Your lifestyle and overall health always affect your intimate life. If you and your partner spend a lot of time gorging on pizza and junk food, or if you’ve both gotten out of shape, this could play a role in your intimacy.

That’s right, intimacy is about more than just positive thinking. Your state of health can completely change your intimate drive and that side of life. So if you need a reason to work out, this is a fairly good one. Exercising together can make you closer and is an active effort you can both make for positive change.

intimacy

Working out stimulates the body, including the brain and the nervous system, which will make you more receptive to passion and intimacy in general. Plus, you’ll do better in bed, since working out will help boost circulation and keep your stamina and cardiovascular system strong.

The same goes for the food you eat. Unhealthy meals will clog up your system and make it harder for you to perform well during intimate moments, or even feel up to them in the first place.

According to Healthline, the good news is that there are some foods you can focus on that will help you have a better physical relationship and improve intimacy between you and your partner. Whether they act as aphrodisiacs or are just good for circulation or stamina, here are some examples:

  • Oysters
  • Flax seeds
  • Meat
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Avocados
  • Apples
  • Salmon
  • Pomegranate seeds

In short, take care of your body, and your body will ensure that you have the drive and ability you desire.

Final Thoughts On How To Improve The Intimacy In Your Relationship

Intimacy is a valid and valued part of a huge majority of all sexual relationships. Don’t allow your bedroom activities to become unsatisfying. Intimacy is often one of the most powerful ways to form, strengthen, and maintain bonds and connections.

The fact is that intimacy is about more than just physical relations. It’s about love, respect, and trust. If things aren’t going well in the bedroom, research suggests doing more than just focusing on what goes on between the sheets. Work on other areas of your romance, and things might just fall into place as you improve intimacy.

Is Alkaline Water Good For You? Benefits, Side Effects And More

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f you’ve recently perused the bottled water aisle, you might have stumbled across alkaline water. Health claims vary from anti-aging to disease prevention and so forth. Perhaps you have read about it in a magazine or website, but what is it, and do you really need it?

What is Alkaline Water?

Water contains pH levels that vary among sources and processes. Alkaline water must contain a pH of eight or higher as well as alkaline minerals. It must also have an oxidation reduction potential (ORP), which allows water to maintain anti or pro oxidant qualities. It aims for anti-oxidant properties or a negative ORP. Another name is ionized water.

What are the Differences Between Artificial or Naturally Alkaline Water?

Naturally produced ionized water occurs when water moves over rocks and minerals. This is why spring water tends to have a higher pH than tap water and is generally higher in mineral content. In fact, any time water passes over natural or artificial material, its pH and mineral composition can change.

Artificial production involves a process far from nature, and this accounts for the majority of water marketed as alkaline and ionized. Processes can include combining natural ingredients to change the water’s pH. Yes, you can make your own at home by adding a twist or two of acidic fruit juice, which seems counterproductive but isn’t, or baking soda.

Artificial methods can also consist of filtration that removes acidic properties from your water through ionization. However, it’s no closer to nature than swirling in a bit of lemon juice, despite many claims. Their systems first raise the levels of pH in your water before introducing electricity to separate acidic and alkaline molecules.

The problem with water ionizing systems is that the starting water quality matters greatly. Without using a reverse osmosis water system in conjunction with an ionizer, you’re doing little to enhance your water’s natural alkaline benefits.

What isn’t Alkaline Water

  • Spring water: while it contains less acidity than tap water and many consider it to be alkaline, spring water hasn’t been through the proper process to ensure it contains only alkaline minerals
  • Tap water: tap water contains an average pH of seven
  • Filtered water: some filtered waters will have alkaline processes, but generally, the filtering process removes much of the alkaline minerals that companies might or might not re-add later
  • Distilled water: this is the purest form of water and is neutral until air meets it when it becomes acidic.

The acidity and alkaline contents of water vary among brands, according to this study.

Health Claims

Commonly Marketed Health Claims

The majority of health statements centered on alkaline water benefits have no scientific data to back them up. The FDA doesn’t support them. They have no ties to traditional medicine or natural medicine either.

  • Prevents cancer—unfounded claim
  • Increases energy—unfounded claim
  • Detoxifies—unfounded claim
  • Reduces anxiety—unfounded claim based on bodily pH
  • Strengthens bones—studies contradict
  • Reduces risk of diabetes—unfounded claim
  • Weight loss—unfounded claim
  • Colon cleansing—unfounded claim
  • Hydration—supported by science
  • Reduces acidity in the body—studies support this
  • Helps heart conditions, such as blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol—studies support therapeutic use
  • Cures or treats acid reflux disease—studies support therapeutic treatment

The majority of claims become true for some people who make their own lemon or infused waters at home. This is because of the fresh herbs, fruits, and extracts or oils they use. Water is only the carrier.

What Science Says about Alkaline Water Benefits

Research on water pH is still in its early stages with few scientists delving into it. Understand that good clean water is important for drinking and washing dishes.

To date, no definitive or long-term studies have proven the effectiveness of using ionized water over tap water. The exceptions are small studies showing the following alkaline water benefits: improved hydration, lowered blood pressure, decreased cholesterol, reduced blood sugar, and neutralized stomach acid.

A study using 8.8-pH alkaline carbonated water found that some participants showed a neutralized pepsin enzyme. Elevations of this enzyme can be a major cause of acid reflux, so participants saw fewer symptoms (1).

However, a second study compared the use of a Mediterranean Diet and alkaline water against conventional treatments; scientists noted large differences in effectiveness, and they found the combination of diet and water performed better with subjects noting a reduction of their symptoms (2).

Ionized water might be a therapeutic treatment for hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidaemia, according to one six-month study that witnessed notable improvement in blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood lipids.

In an animal study, subjects were fed alkaline water after achieving metabolic acidosis and renal failure. Some improvement occurred, but human studies have yet to be conducted. Results from the animal study could not be replicated.

This study looked at whole blood viscosity after participants enjoyed either a high pH, electrolyte infused beverage or distilled water. Significant and positive changes could be seen in the high pH group. However, the study doesn’t offer information on the added electrolytes to the water, and they weren’t included in the distilled water.

The Truth About the Alkaline Diet

Many websites reference an old theory that does hold some merit since it promotes a mostly vegan diet. It doesn’t mention, promote, or in any way suggest alkaline water benefits your health.

Previous theories from the 1800’s on an alkaline diet and cancer have since been debunked. However, many of the alkaline, whole, plant-based foods recommended then are still suggested today for preventative measures against many diseases.

Concerns and Side Effects

Scientists and health professionals haven’t addressed the chemistry of water in their statements, which chemistry 101 classes have replicated in common classroom settings. Simply breathing on your water will change its pH to be more acidic. No drinking water can be free of acids because water molecules absorb carbon dioxide.

Consumption isn’t without possible short and long term side effects. In fairness, the same would apply to acidic water. However, the general medical consensus is that it’s safe to drink in place of your usual water consumption for most people.

Side Effects:

  • Lowered acidity in the stomach that naturally combats harmful bacteria and pathogens (3)
  • Skin irritations
  • Other gastrointestinal issues
  • Metabolic Alkalosis

Metabolic Alkalosis Side Effects Can Include:

  • Vomiting
  • Hand tremors
  • Twitching muscles
  • Facial and body tingling
  • Confusion

Another concern is that people will drink less water when it isn’t readily available. This can lead to dehydration and other health complications. Unless water contains contamination such as harmful bacteria or fecal matter, drinking regular water when your preferred water isn’t available will not harm your body.

Make Your Own Alkaline Lemon Water

You might be truly better off using the citrus or baking soda method with a clean source of water. The citrus method does offer additional scientifically backed health benefits: vitamin C, supports weight loss, supports your immune system, contains anti-oxidant properties, prevents kidney stones, eases digestive issues, freshens breath, and reduces dry mouth symptoms.

alkaline water

You can also add other kitchen herbs and food grade essences and oils to your water. Fresh ginger root is excellent for digestive issues, for example, and has a warming effect on the body. Add a sweetener of choice as needed.

Whether you drink your water hot, warm, or cold is up to you. If you start your infused water from a boiling or warm state, you might find bolder or bitterer flavors. Prolonged or high heat can damage the delicate oil compounds in plants, including their fruits. Refrain from oversteeping your additives ad use hot but not boiling water. A cold infusion is also an option, as are sparkling waters.

Final Thoughts on Alkaline Water Benefits

Alkaline water requires more research to back many claims. With the exception of treating acid reflux related to an overproduction of pepsin, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure (which the science somewhat supports), you should aim to drink your water however you prefer it.

Considerations before making the switch:

  • Drinking clean water is more important than your water’s pH level.
  • Your body can maintain its own pH balance better than the water you drink
  • You might or might not see notable differences by switching
  • You might have side effects, such as digestive issues
  • Lowered stomach acid to defend against harmful bacteria is a real concern
  • No science or natural medical practice can back most health claims at this time
  • Most benefits are therapeutic only

We understand the value of water in our diets. Our bodies contain more than 50% water, and daily activities, temperatures, exercise, and sickness can deplete us quickly. Whether you make your own infusions, use an ionizer, or buy your water pre-bottled, clean water is more important than its pH when it comes to your health.

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