Summer Care

Summer is here and its time to enjoy out in the sun. If you follow simple techniques, not only that you will have fun, but also you will stay healthy. Sun is the primary source of Vitamin D. Morning Sun rays are best to get Vitamin D without doing much harm to the skin. In modern days, because of pollution from vehicles and variety of factories, Ozone layer (which screens harmful rays of Sun reaching earth) has got damaged and thus we are exposed to UVA and UVB rays. Following are the tips to keep our body safe from UV rays and still enjoy the Sun shine.

• Apply Sun screen lotion minimum of 20 minutes prior to going out.
• If you are planning to spend more time under Sun, use Sunscreen lotion with SPF 30 or more. Otherwise, you can go with Sunscreen lotion of SPF 15 or more.
• Use lip balm with SPF 15 or more
• Keep body hydrated
• In Summer, you will sweat more and so you need to take more fluids than in other climates.
• If you feel dizziness, drink a glass of water by adding pinch of salt and two table spoons of sugar.
• Now a days, most sunscreen lotions claims to be water proof, these might last longer but might not stop losing cream over sweat or water in the pool.
• Try to apply Sun screen lotion every two hours while you are under the Sun.
• Try to avoid being under Sun from 10AM to 4PM
• Use broad-rimmed hat to cover head
• Wear Sunglasses that blocks UVA/UVB rays
• Use spray sunscreen to cover your scalp.
• Don't forget to apply Sunscreen to your feet and hands

Above tips keep you safe from Sun burns, but if you happen to endure Sunburn,

• Wash the burn with cold water
• Do not use harsh soap to wash the burn
• Apply Aloe Vera gel to sooth burn
• Consult Doctor as soon as possible.

After spending your day going out in the Sun, working at office and coming back, try relaxing in tub with few drops of Lavender essential oil in the water.

tags:Sunburns, skin care, sunscreen

Detox

Okay, I am back from my long weekend trip :-) Here is more about antitoxins.

Plenty of natural foods supplies antitoxins to our body. Foods that are high in antitoxins include fruits, vegetables and fish. In specific, melons, prunes, berries, apples, tomatoes, spinach, broccoli, beetroot, cabbage and sea food contains antitoxins. Using sunflower oil, hazelnut oil or almond oil for cooking adds antitoxins.

Foods with Vitamin A, B6, B12, C, E, folic acid and Carotene also have antitoxins. End your dinner with yogurt and that provides body with antitoxins and also fiber.

Tips for buying foods:

-> Fresher the food, better the benefits.
-> Foods that are less processed will have more nutrients.
-> While buying processed foods, check the ingredients. If number of ingredients are more than 10, food has been processed a lot. As number of ingredients increases processing of food increases.

Tips for eating right:

-> Eat small and frequent meals
-> Drink fruit juices without sugar
-> Snack on fruit and nuts
-> Include yogurt to minimum of one meal regularly
-> Replace white bread or white rice with whole grain foods

Tags: Detox, foods, health

Toxins

What are toxins?

A toxin is a poisonous substance produced by living cells or organisms


Why do we need to detoxify?
Because accumulation of toxins makes body sick

How do we eliminate toxins from our body?
Sweating is the natural way to get rid of toxins

• Do regular exercise to sweat.
• Spend some time in Spa
• Go to Sauna and wash away the toxins as soon as you come out
• Drink more water
• Eat fresh fruits and vegetables
• Fasting or not eating food for some time is one way of detoxification
• Some people drink water this time some people drink milk and some people prefer fruit juices while on fast.
• Eat foods which has got antitoxins

Let's discuss what foods have antitoxins tomorrow.

labels:Toxins, detox, health

YOGA

Yoga is ancient Indian art which keeps body healthy. Yoga is also good for mind along with body. There are many benefits of Yoga.

• Practicing Yoga will help in increasing concentration and reducing stress.
• This is the best way to stretch whole body.
• Asanas will make body flexible
• Keeps muscles strong and active
• Flow of blood will be regulated
• Yoga makes breathing better

- This will fill the body with more oxygen
- Cleanses body by eliminating toxins

• Body and mind will be in harmony.

There are four different types of Yoga.

1. Karma Yoga

Karma Yogi/Yogini aims to eradicate ego and its attachments. They try to serve humanity without expecting any return. They try to see unity in diversity. Karma Yogi practices yoga by doing their daily work/job with right mental attitude.

2. Gnana Yoga

This requires acute knowledge. This Yoga is philosophical approach to spiritual evolution which describes the world as an illusion. Gnana Yoga is generally reputed as most difficult of four.

3. Bhakti Yoga

Bhakti Yoga includes practices like chanting, prayer and repetition of mantra. By these practices, emotional energy will be transmitted to devotion, directing anger, hatred and jealousy in a positive direction. Bhakta Yogi tries to see God in all.

4. Raja Yoga

Raja Yoga is about asanas. Mainly this dictates balancing body in different postures and regulating breath. Raja Yoga is more like doing exercises with regulated breathing and balanced mind.

In modern days, many people refer to Raja Yoga as this includes more physical involvement. In this post, I am referring to the same while recommending classes.

In fitness centers there will be free classes where you can get started. I have been going to fitness center since couple of months. They have classes for yoga every day in different timings. Best timing for Yoga is early in the morning. If early morning is difficult to go, you can practice at any time.

*Reference: Yoga Mind and Body book by Swami Yogananda

Importance of Water

The human body is about 60% water in adult males and 55% in adult females.Blood contains 95% water, body fat contains 14% water and bone has 22% water.Skin also contains much water.

So water is important ingredient in human body. First step for being healthy is to drink required amount of water.

How much water is equal to required amount ?
Thumb rule is 8 glasses(8 ounces) of water per day. If a person is over weight, another 8 ounces of water is required for every extra 25 pounds.

How water helps in reducing weight?

• Lean muscle tissue contains about 75% water and fat contains less than 10% of water*! That explains, to reduce fat and to increase lean muscle, body requires good amount of water.
• By drinking water, you will reduce craving for eating snacks and drinking pop.
• Drinking water purifies body by eliminating toxins and wastes
• Body will be energitic when it gets enough water and also metabolism increases

Good start of the day :

- Drink 4 cups of water as soon as you get up (21.6 ounces or 640ml) then, for 45 minutes do not eat or drink any thing.

This is called water treatment. I have been following this since one year and it is working great for me.


*Percentages of water content in human body has been referred from wiki :http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_water