Health tips for frequent Computer users

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If you find yourself in front of the computer most of the day, you must be aware that your health must be protected. Too much exposure to computers can give you eye strain, headaches and back pain plus other serious injuries such as tendonitis, bursitis or carpal tunnel syndrome. Here are some tips for computer user in order to prevent having these effects.

The most important thing is to ensure that your workstation is set up properly. Your monitor should be an arms length away and the top of your monitor should be at eye level. It is best to have your monitor sit directly in front of you instead of to the side.

You should be seated in a way that your feet are flat on the floor for maximum support. Your back should also be supported in a way that you do not slump or round your shoulders.

The keyboard must be at the same height of your elbows when your arms are down. This is to make sure that your forearms are leveled and that your shoulders do not have to lift when you type. If your chair cannot be adjusted then you can use a cushion to elevate yourself.

When you type or use the mouse, do not rest your wrist on the desk. Your hands and arms should be able to move freely while your wrists should be straight and not bent.

Taking regular breaks is the best way to help avoid injury and eye strain. Stop what your doing for two minutes every thirty minutes so that your arms, hands, and eyes can have a short rest.

For eye strain, it is important that you work in a well-lit environment so that you can avoid the glare of light from your monitor. You should look away from the screen once in a while.

It is impossible to work without computers at this day and age so it is your responsibility to keep yourself healthy with these tips at work.

Dancing towards good health

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If you are not fond of exercising to get a toned body then you should try taking Dance Movement Therapy. Dancing is now being used as a means of restoring and improving mental health. Aside from giving you a toned body, it also restores balance between the body, spirit and mind.

It has been proven scientifically that dance therapy has a beneficial effect when it comes to the treatment of psychological and mental health problems. That way, there is minimal need to use drugs which can have some serious side effects.

Dancing can lift the mood of the patient and can reduce anxiety. In dancing, the movement greatly appeals to one’s emotions which greatly affect the patient’s mood.

Dance Movement Therapy is different from ordinary dancing classes since a dance teacher is more concerned on technique and the appearance of the dance. Aside from that most teachers teach a specific form of dance only. A dance therapist on the other hand does not really care about dance technicalities because he or she usually employs free dance in order for the patient to create their own personal expression. Aside from that, there are no criticisms in dance movement therapy – there is no right or wrong way to dance.

The therapy can help you find within yourselves solutions to your problems while you dance. There is this feeling that the dancers are able to find an answer without putting it into words. Dancing is a right brain activity which allows subconscious and intuitive levels to function more.

This type of therapy encourages you to take a holistic view of yourself and your surroundings. Music does not only heal the soul. Dancing does too!

Home remedies for common health problem

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Going to the doctor regularly can be very expensive especially these days when everyone’s feeling the impact of the economic crisis. Most people do not realize that there are ways to solve the littlest health problems in the comforts of your own home through alternative health treatments.

Back Pain

There are a lot of factors that causes back pain, wearing high heels is one of them. Wearing high heeled footwear can cause the back to arch that can result to back pain. A stiff mattress can also be the cause of you having regular back pains. No matter what the cause may be, a small amount of non strenuous exercise from time to time can help your back’s muscles to relax and work in order. You can try to take up swimming for example or put ice on your back to ease the tension.

Cold

There are a lot of home remedies that you can do yourself to ease the common cold. Aside from Vitamin C supplements, Zinc lozenges have been proven to help you get over a cold at a faster rate. Chicken soup is a common alternative remedy that helps eases the symptoms of a building cold.

Sore Throats

If you have to communicate with a lot of people at work sore throats can be a major pain and hurdle to deal with. You can use garlic supplements when it comes to easing the pain. Or you can drink a glass of hot water with honey and lemon in it. Another way to help ease the pain of sore throats is to gargle with warm salt water.

Nausea

Ginger is the best alternative medicine for nausea. You can prepare tea and add ginger in it or by ginger supplements. Ginger ale will also help at the same way. If you are not exactly fond of ginger, you can use chamomile tea or peppermint tea to reduce the feelings of nausea.

However if you are experiencing serious and excruciating pain, it is best to see a doctor immediately.

Acupuncture

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If you’re looking for ways to relieve stress or alternative methods to heal your sickness then you should try acupuncture. An acupuncturist will be sticking needles in certain areas of your body depending on your condition and it is not painful as it looks like.

Using the theory of Chi energy or life force, Acupuncture is said to have amazing healing and relaxation effects. If there is balance in the body, then the Chi energy will flow in harmony all throughout the body, mind and spirit. Mental and physical traumas, stress, and other sicknesses can stop the Chi from flowing.

Chinese medicine believes that Chi energy flows through meridians in your body. Each acupuncture meridian is associated with a pulse. The practitioner will monitor your pulse and this will inform the state of your Chi. Along these meridians, there are points where needles will be placed to assist in the rebalancing and harmonizing of your Chi’s flow and this will help improve your health and prevent any disease.

Your first acupuncture session will take one and a half or two hours. The acupuncturist will be asking about any symptoms and minor problems that you may have. It’s like a gathering of your medical history to assess your Chi. The acupuncturist will also look at the condition of your nails, skin, hair and tongue. They will also be asking questions regarding your sleep patterns, eating habits, bladder and bowel movements. Based on your answers and information gathered, the Acupuncturist will form a treatment plan based on your individual needs.

Generally you will have to do regular sessions on a weekly basis for five to six weeks then once every two weeks and so on depending on your response to the treatment. Some may need more treatment while others may need less. Generally, the older the sickness, the longer it will take to end the treatment.

This therapy originated in China 5,000 years ago and is now practiced all over the world.

Magnet Therapy – The healing power of attraction

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If you want to reduce stress in a unique way you can give Magnetic Therapy a try. In this type of treatment, specially designed magnets are applied to various parts of your body to relieve pain, reverse illnesses and even improve sleep.

Magnetic therapy is becoming a popular stress reliever and holistic therapy since there have been no side effects found even after 40 years of research related to magnetic therapy. The fact that there is no known harm that this type of treatment brings makes people more open to the treatment.

This type of treatment has been around for more than years. Ancient Egyptians were found to use loadstones for healing. In fact, rumors have it that Cleopatra wore a polished loadstone on her third eye all the time in order to preserve her youth and beauty.

Paracelsus, the father of modern medicine believes that the life force of the body is influenced by the force of magnets. He believes that any injury of the body will heal faster when it is exposed to a magnet.

With all the years of research poured on it, science is still unable to give a solid theory on how magnetic therapy works. Some says that the magnetic fields affect hemoglobin which is the iron component of the blood and increases circulation to the injured area where the magnets are applied. Some say that magnets energize and oxygenate the white blood cells in the body. Over all, most theories attest to the fact that magnetic therapy increases blood circulation which lets the body’s natural healing mechanism to function in a more effective manner.

Tantra Breathing

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You have heard that there are a lot of benefits breathing exercises can do for you. Breathing can affect every cell of your body.

Here is Tantra, another method of breathing exercise that can help you free yourself from stress. This technique should be done in the morning on an empty stomach:

  • While sitting, make sure that your spine is as straight as possible. Keep your feet flat in the floor with your knees directly over the center of your feet. Keep your hands on the top of your legs. Close your eyes gently and visualize your ribs.

  • Begin the Tantra breathing routine by filling your lungs up with air, making your ribs expand. Feel your lungs emptying as you exhale and your ribs coming back down.

  • The first few times you do this do it only for five minutes then eventually do it for ten minutes once you get used to it.

In the ancient Indian language, the word Tantra means “to weave”. Basically, Tantra weaves together your inner energy with your outer energy. They are mostly known for their contribution to improving a person’s sex life.

It is important to get expert guidance from an authentic Tantra teacher before you pursue higher levels of Tantra breathing. This is because you are inviting powerful forces of self realization into your life when you practice Tantra breathing. When these Tantra techniques are practiced with the right supervision, the practice can have the potential to change your life.

Deep Tantra is very calming and you will be feeling a boost in your energy. This is because slow, steady and quiet breathing can deliver a soothing internal massage to your nervous system. Use Tantra breathing to experience relaxation and enhance the natural state of your being.

The Healing Touch

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Shiatsu means “finger pressure” and is a traditional Japanese healing method that uses the palms, fingers, thumbs, knuckles, knees, elbows and feet to work on your body’s meridian or energy channels. This type of massage helps balance your energy flow and strengthens the vital organs. With shiatsu, the main belief is that diseases are a result of blocked or unbalanced energy. Your energy might have been depleted or over-active.

This Japanese form of massage shares the same view as Chinese acupuncture. There are two energy forces – Yin, or the negative force and Yang, the positive force. The meridians vital organs are believed to be governed by the Five Elements and by Yin and Yang. Basically, if you are a healthy person, there is no dominant or deficient element.

If you try this out, a shiatsu practitioner will ask you to lie on a mat on the floor. You will be made to wear loose clothing made out of natural fiber. The practitioner will then use his or her hands, elbows, knees and feet to massage you. The practitioner will be applying pressure to appropriate points in order to correct any injuries or imbalances.

Shiatsu works on your whole being from the physical to the spiritual this is why during the whole treatment, you can be experiencing uncontrolled reactions and feelings such as laughing and crying. These reactions are a sign that the body is breaking through your energy patterns.

The treatments are given for ailments like respiratory problems to digestive problems and simple problems such as headaches and leg cramps. It can also bring relief to a number of everyday disorders that stress can bring.

So if you want to get a different type of relaxation, check out this Japanese treatment and gain your healthy rewards.

Power Nap

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A lot of people experience a natural drowsiness usually about 8 hours after waking up. Studies show that you can help yourself be more alert and reduce stress by taking a nap.

Sleep is cumulative meaning that if you lose sleep in a day, you will feel it in the next. You are building a sleep deficit that can damage your judgment, vision, performance, motivation, patience, vigilance and memory. Aside from that you can be experiencing moodiness and aggressive behaviors since lack of sleep can lead to high levels of stress.

Having a power nap allows you to have more patience, less stress, better reaction time, increased learning and better health. Studies show that at least 20 minutes of sleep in the middle of the day will give you more rest compared to extending another 20 minutes in your sleep. After your nap, give yourself at least 5 minutes to recover from sleep and wake up before getting back to work or your studies.

A lot of experts recommend keeping your power naps between 15 to 30 minutes since any more than that can lead you to a deeper stage of sleep and will give you a hard time from waking up. Having a longer nap can also make you have difficulty sleeping at night. You can use your cell phone alarm to help you get up. Or if you are with someone, let them wake you up.

For deep sleepers, do not sleep in a lying position because this will definitely give you a harder tie getting up. Try sleeping in a comfortable chair.

Remember that too many naps in a day will decrease your productivity greatly so it is advised to take a power nap once in a day to keep you more rested instead of being more lazy.

Yoga for Beginners

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Yoga is becoming a popular exercise regardless of sex and age. This practice does not only promote mental awareness and relieve you of stress but it helps increase flexibility, improve circulation and can help build muscle. Such benefits can help you treat and prevent arthritis and heart ailments. Aside from that, you also get to lose weight.

People from different walks of life can practice yoga and you are not an exception. Here are some tips and pointers that you can use to help you create your Yoga routine:

  • When practicing yoga, you need to have your own comfortable space. A padded space is preferred because it lessens the chances of you slipping while you are doing the exercise. You can buy a yoga mat for this purpose.

  • The next thing you should consider is your attire. You should be wearing loose clothing but not to the extent that it drapes so that your actions will not be limited by your clothes. Plus you have to practice yoga with bare feet – there are a lot of positions that will be uncomfortable when it comes to shoes. Pull back your hair in a ponytail so you do not have to constantly brush it off your face. Lastly, make sure you take off your metal jewelry. Yoga is all about the movement of energy throughout the body and metal can disrupt this flow.

  • Your schedule is the next step. It does not matter how often you do them whether it should be weekly or daily – what’s important is that you do it regularly. But do not put a gap longer than a week between practices because this will definitely limit your progress. If you want the best results, then practicing yoga daily is the best way to do it.

  • Do not forget to think of appropriate warm up exercises. You can do stretches or go for a short work before starting yoga. That way your body is prepared for the practice that you are about to do.

Yoga can be practiced by anyone – all you need is the willpower to commit to doing the practice regularly.

Relax with your own spa treatment

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When your body is tired, the only way to treat it is to start relaxing. But sometimes, you simply do not have the time and resources to go to a spa. Here are some tips and techniques to help you relax and get the rejuvenating benefits of a spa treatment without stepping out of your house:

  • The bathroom can be the perfect place to start relaxing. You can start by taking a nice long bath. You can light candles around your tub or play soft and smooth music while you take a bath. You can also put in bath oils and beads in your tub to enhance your relaxation.

  • You can run your favorite bathrobe and towel through the dryer before you get into the tub so that they will feel warm and dryer when you are done with your bath. Drying off with a warm towel will stimulate your body. After drying up, put lotion all over your body.

  • For facial treatment, you can steam your face by putting it over a bowl of steaming water – the bowl must be covered with a towel. After 15 minutes, you can put a facial mask on your face. While you wait for your face to be treated you can give yourself a manicure or pedicure. By the time your nails are dry you can take off your mask.

  • You can end your treatment with a refreshing cup of tea. This does not only relieve you of any stress or tensions but it also helps your body heal and keep you healthy.

Remember that giving time for yourself can help you release any tensions you’ve been having through the day or over the week. Pick a time where you can enjoy by yourself and make sure that you will not be getting any interruptions so that you can totally enjoy your own spa treatment at the comfort of your own home and you can come out feeling like a totally new person.