Do you want to shed some pounds, but have no idea how to do it? you might consider going to a gym and spending at least three to four hours of your day on those machines – but for many, gym memberships are expensive and the time to do it is not there.

The good news is, you are not alone in your struggle. A recent report coming from the CDCP (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), almost half of the adult population in America was trying to lose weight, though having a poor rate of success.

Even though it looks easier to exercise more and eat less in theory, the reality is much different. You are a busy adult, juggling several jobs, you get exhausted when you get home, and you are eating anything that is convenient enough to save time or get quick boosts in energy. The decision to change your lifestyle habits is one you cannot take lightly – it is one that requires commitment.

However, if you are a busy person with no time to join the gym, you do not need to despair. You can make small changes in your lifestyle that can lead to greater benefits. Read on for some of those tips. [Read more…]

Are you sad that you tend to forget about very simple things you shouldn’t be forgetting about? Does it bother you can’t remember the name of a colleague whom you got introduced to just a couple of days? Well, if you are experiencing such memory lapses, you should be concerned because they could be pointers to deep underlying mental issues, including the onset of conditions such as Alzheimer’s. But you should also be aware that you could be doing certain things that are total injustice to your memory. It is imperative that you identify such and keep away from them so that you can have a clean memory, always ready to retrieve information on a moment’s notice. Presented below are some of the things you may be doing that could be hurting your memory. [Read more…]

Cannabis activists have come to expect not getting a fair hearing when discussing the medicinal benefits of the herb, which has been accused of causing mental health issues, reducing motivation and being a gateway to hard, addictive drugs. While no one can deny that abusing cannabis rich in psychoactive THC is likely to bring about problems, the same applies to any substance.

Thankfully, the therapeutic properties of cannabidiol (CBD), another important cannabinoid found in cannabis, cannot be shunned by the naysayers so easily. Since the early 1960s when CBD was isolated from the rest of the plant and had its chemical structure defined by Israeli researchers, a number of potential uses have emerged. As have safer ways of using cannabis – instead of damaging the lungs by smoking, near-instant relief is now possible with CBD vape oil and e-liquid.

But firstly, let’s look at why CBD does not have the drawbacks which have prevented THC’s progression as a mainstream medicine. [Read more…]

Nobody loves being exhausted. It slows life down, makes you dejected, and sometimes makes life boring that you may feel it is not worth living anymore. However, every exhaustion has a course, and the best way to avoid getting exhausted is to understand why you are exhausted and avoid all the causes. Some people are usually conscious when they get exhausted, but others just find themselves tired and unhappy without knowing why.

If you fall in the latter category, we have some good news for you. We have listed the top causes of exhaustion and what you can do for each instance to ensure you avoid the exhaustion or recover from it. Check them out, but if nothing works for you and the feeling of exhaustion persists, be sure to seek medical advice.

You are out of alignment spiritually, emotionally or mentally

When you are not in alignment with your physical, mental or spiritual self, exhaustion is bound to be experienced. You feel stressed, unfulfilled, and unhappy or you are just bored with your whole life or certain areas of your life. The reason for such a feeling may be deep-seated and you may have to embark on a journey to discover yourself.

Of course, there are a lot of books and materials to guide you on such, but the major thing would be to take a step back in your life and try to identify what it is you are pleased with or the specific area in your life where things may seem to not be alright. It will be important for you to try and find out the things that made you feel happy, strong and energetic in the past, and see if there is anything you can do to try and reclaim such passing moments in your life. If you manage to do that, the exhaustion will simply disappear. [Read more…]

Kids are bundles of laughter and joy. And even on your worst of days, one cute smile or a look at those chubby and cute cheeks melt all that stress away. But, as you do your best to protect your kids, are you protecting them from childhood obesity. Is the baby fat sticking around longer than you anticipated and are you worried that the bullying they face is a result of something you did wrong?

Well, the truth is that you will never stop worrying when you have children, but in some cases, you have to be more worrisome. Other than the fear of your child skidding and breaking a few bones, you need to worry about what your child eats and whether or not they are at risk of being obese.

Studies show that obesity in kids aged 6-11 has been increasing steadily since 1980 and that childhood obesity appears to have quadrupled in the past 30 or so years with reports of one-third of children and teens being obese or overweight by 2012. Going by these numbers by the Center for Disease Control, you need to worry about the weight of your child. He or she might look healthy but, are you sure that the extra weight is not doing more harm than good? [Read more…]

By Beth N. Carvin

The Centers for Disease Control reports that one in eight Americans over age 60 complain of worsening memory loss. The problem may be related to a medical condition, emotional problems, cognitive impairment or simply the indignities of aging, but it’s distressing regardless of the cause.

One way to preserve and possibly enhance memory is to proactively revisit your past. Reminiscence therapy is one technique option, with uses ranging from mental health interventions to memory care in nursing homes. But sometimes, simply committing your life experiences to paper (virtual or otherwise) can also be helpful and even therapeutic.

A variety of research studies have explored the health benefits of writing. The American Psychological Association, for instance, published a study indicating that expressive writing reduces “intrusive and avoidant thoughts about negative events,” allowing for better coping and improved working memory. Additionally, work by neurologist Judy Willis MD finds that reflective writing, when well guided, may be a source of conceptual development and stimulate the “brain’s highest cognition.”

Whether you or someone you know is impacted by a memory deficit, or you’re simply seeking a way to tell your own story for yourself and your family, here are five simple strategies for preserving and sharing your memories in writing. [Read more…]

By Martin Domingo

Parenting is as challenging as it is fulfilling, with parents needing to address a host of concerns on a day-to-day basis. In some cases, just getting your children to live a healthy lifestyle can be quite tricky. It is particularly important for parents to monitor what their children consume.

It is well documented that parents should watch how much sugar their children eat, but you should also be keeping an eye on your child’s salt intake, as high sodium consumption levels is fast becoming a health concern.

The US Food and Drug Administration stated that children and adolescents are eating too much salt, with kids 6–10 years old consuming around 2,900 mg per day, and teens aged between 14 and 18, approximately 3,700 mg daily. The recommended limits for children, however, are as follows only:

• Children under 14: less than 2,300 mg daily
• Children age 9–13: 2,200 mg per day
• Children age 4–8: 1,900 mg daily
• Children under 4: 1,500 mg per day [Read more…]

By Dr. Nina Radcliff

Understanding our vulnerability to acute and chronic pain has been the topic for the past several weeks. Everyone, at some point in life experiences the misery of pain. And facts are that when acute pain goes away, a person can generally go on with life as usual. In contrast, chronic pain is ongoing and too many times outlasts the normal time of healing, with no recognizable end-point.

The overarching goal of managing chronic pain is to draw upon the resilience and courage from within to take healthy steps forward, with viable options. And an important part of this process is developing a good support system (including physicians, clinicians, family and friends). While it may not be possible to completely eliminate pain from diseases such as osteoarthritis, there are steps we can take in order to help gain control. This can minimize suffering while improving the level of function and quality of life.

Last week, the focus was on some conservative treatment options that a chronic sufferer can discuss with their physician. This week we continue with more options (medication, surgery and minimally invasive techniques) as well as some key understandings. The therapy of chronic pain should rely on a good support team with a depth of understanding of multidisciplinary approaches which involve more than one therapeutic option.

[Read more…]