Side Sleeping Could Be Aging You

A couple of years ago I noticed that one side of my neck had more and deeper wrinkles than the other . It took me a while to realize why, but one morning as I looked in the mirror it dawned on me. The side that was more wrinkled is the side I sleep on!

Although sleep is a potent anti-ager, 'sleep wrinkles' can be caused by pressing your face into the pillow at night, or in my case, squishing together in the fetal position night after night.

What can be done? The easiest way to keep from getting sleep wrinkles is to learn to sleep on your back. However, since that might be easier said than done, you may want to try an Anti-Wrinkle Pillow like the Eases Gentle Pillow which claims that their stress free facial channel takes pressure off of wrinkle sensitive areas while you're sleeping to ease night time aging around your eyes and ears, or the Cuprotex Copper Pillow Case. The Cuprotex Copper Pillow Case is made with Cuprotex fabric. Cuprotex uses the benefits of copper technology woven into the fabric and, supposedly, reduces the appearance of facial wrinkles, fine lines and liver spots.

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Today Is Diabetes Alert Day

The American Diabetes Alert Day is a one-day, “wake-up” call to inform the American public about the seriousness of diabetes. Nearly 21 million children and adults in the U.S. have diabetes and one-third of those (more than six million) do not know they have diabetes. Could you be at risk? The American Diabetes Association encourages people to take the Diabetes Risk Test and find out.

I scored in the Low-Moderate range. I have a parent with diabetes which increases my risk. So in order to keep my risk low I need to keep my weight in control, be active, and eat low fat meals high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Most people with diabetes have health problems -- or risk factors -- such as high blood pressure and cholesterol that increase one's risk for heart disease and stroke. When combined with diabetes, these risk factors add up to big trouble. In fact, more than 65% of people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke. With diabetes, heart attacks occur earlier in life and often result in death. By managing diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, people with diabetes can reduce their risk.

Don't wait until it's too late. The American Diabetes Association Risk Test for Diabetes can help you determine if you are at increased risk for diabetes or pre-diabetes. A high score may indicate that you have pre-diabetes or at risk for pre-diabetes. Take the test and find out for sure.

Source: http://www.diabetes.org/

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Should You Think Twice Before Eating That Fast Food Burger?

In the video below, you will see Author and Obesity Activist Julia Havey. She has been aging a McDonald's cheeseburger for 4 years. Find out what happens to this old burger. It seems like the point that she is trying to make in this video isn't so much that fast food will make you fat, but that it's not good for you because it's apparently not real food. By real food I mean things that do deteriorate like fresh vegetables, fruits and grains. We all know fast food doesn't help our waistlines, but now we might want to think about what else it might be doing to us. What type of "chemicals" are needed to keep a food from rotting? Along this same line of thought, acclaimed author and journalist Michael Pollan argues that what most Americans are consuming today is not food but "edible foodlike substances." One of his tips is, don't eat any food that's incapable of rotting. If the food can't rot eventually, there's something wrong. (Read more by visiting http://www.alternet.org/healthwellness/76987/) How do you feel about fast food now? Does it change your opinion at all, or will you still pick up a double cheeseburger for lunch tomorrow?

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Smoking Doesn't Make You Happy

Are you a smoker who feels that one reason you must continue lighting up is because it brings you pleasure and happiness? Although you may think so, could it be that you just feel more relaxed only because you are feeding your addiction? According to researchers in Britain, smoking does not bring psychological well-being, especially to those less wealthy.

"We found no evidence to support the claim that smoking is associated with pleasure, either in people from lower socio-economic groups or in the general population," study leader Dr. Iain Lang said in a statement.

For those who are considering quitting but are afraid they will be giving up a major source of enjoyment and stress relief, this study suggests otherwise. You might even be happier. And, in addition, as you probably already know, the health benefits of quitting are numerous. By quitting you can reduce your chances of lung, mouth, voice box (larynx), throat (pharynx), esophagus, bladder, kidney, pancreas, and cervix cancers, heart attack, blindness, stroke, COPD, and more.

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For help to quit smoking visit The American Lung Association.

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Eat Boiled Nuts - They're Better For You!

Boiled Peanuts Pack Big Antioxidant Punch

ScienceDaily (2007-11-01) -- Boiled peanuts, a regional treat from the southern United States, may be as healthy as they are delicious. Scientists report that boiling these legumes imbues them with more antioxidants than roasted peanuts or peanut butter. ... > read full article

That's right! If you're a nut-lover, you can get more bang for your buck by eating boiled peanuts, a Southern specialty.

Studies have shown that peanuts contain powerful antioxidants called isoflavones which may reduce the risk of cancer, diabetes and coronary heart diseases. And now researchers , who included graduate student Yvonne Chukwumah and Lloyd Walker, PhD, of Alabama A&M University, found that the boiled peanuts have up to four times the disease-fighting phyto-chemicals of their raw or roasted counterparts.

Apparently when whole peanuts are boiled in water, the kernels may absorb antioxidants from the shell. Heat may also help release these powerful compounds.

If you don't live in the South, where boiled nuts are traditionally sold, try making your own. Visit http://whatscookingamerica.net/History/BoiledPeanutsHistory.htm, to learn how.

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Stressed? Try this!

A small amount of stress is actually helpful. It can enhance how we function physically or mentally, such as through strength training or challenging work. However, too much stress that is not resolved through coping or adaptation can harm your body, your relationships, and your performance at work or school.

Stress is our #1 aging factor, it can cause depressed immunity, stress hormones have been shown to increase weight gain (enough reason by itself to combat stress!) and it can even hamper our memory by impairing brain areas involved in cognitive processing.

You can't take stress completely out of your life, so the key is to figure out how to manage it. Here are a few tips that you may want to try:

• Breathe deeply. Sounds simple, but when we feel pressured, our breathing becomes shallow, robbing our body of oxygen. Next time you're stressed take a few deep breaths--you'll feel better instantly.


• Exercise. Exercise can help in multiple ways. During stress muscles contract. Bouts of physical activity allow muscles to work, thereby releasing stored energy and allowing muscle groups to return to their normal resting potential. Also, endorphins have been shown to increase during physical activity of twenty minutes or more. Chemically similar to opiate compounds, this morphine like substance has been shown to provide an analgesic (pain relieving) effect and promote a sense of euphoria. A symptom of stress overload for some is the inability to sleep or get adequate rest. Exercise has been shown to be very effective in helping some individuals fall asleep easily and sleep more soundly. Try to fit in at least 20 - 30 minutes of exercise three times a week.


• Drink less coffee. Caffeine in coffee stimulates the production of the stress hormones. This increase is over and above the increased levels you already have and this elevation is present even hours after consumption. Decaffeinated coffee also stimulates the nervous system and associated stress response demonstrating that other components in coffee besides caffeine contribute to coffee’s stimulating effect.


• Drink more orange juice. One glass of orange juice provides all the vitamin C and potassium we need to keep the physical effects of stress to a minimum nutritionists say.


• Speak softly. People who keep their voices down--even when angry--produce fewer stress hormones and report feeling upset for a shorter time than people who shout.


• Share a hug. Hugging stimulates nerve endings under the skin, sending calming messages to the brain. This slows the release of cortisol--instantly reducing stress!


• Think positive. How stressed someone feels depends on how much damage they think the situation can do them, and how closely their resources meet the demands of the situation. Perception is key to this as (technically) situations are not stressful in their own right. Rather it is our interpretation of the situation that drives the level of stress that we feel. Take time to stop and evaluate the endless stream of thoughts that run through your mind. If they’re negative, try to reframe those thoughts in a positive way. Positive thinking enhances immune system function, so stress and disease are less likely to run you down. Not sure if you're an optimist or a pessimist? Find out by taking the Optimism Quiz! And for tips on how to stay positive in any situation see my previous post at http://your-best-life.blogspot.com/2007/01/how-to-stay-positive-in-any-situation.html.

Sources:

Woman's World, March 3, 2008 issue

http://www.teeccino.com/stress.aspx

http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTCS_06.htm

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Which Diet Is Right For You?

When I was signing up for some freebie online a couple weeks ago (I've found by reading blogs such as http://sensetosave.com/ and http://bethriftylikeus.blogspot.com/, that there are a lot of freebies and discounts you can get if you just fill out a form or short survey - I've received two things in the mail just this week!) I checked that I would like to receive a diet newsletter. I always get the health/diet/fitness ones to see if there is anything in them that might be interesting enough to write about. Generally there isn't and after a couple weeks I end up unsubscribing to them. However, I've been receiving one from http://www.chooseyourdiet.com/ that I thought my readers, who are looking for a diet, might want to investigate.

It has ads on it (of course) and then a short tip of the day. Here's an example of the daily tip from the March 6 newsletter:

Get a massage. It seems hard to believe there's actually a correlation between massages and weight loss. However, some experts claim that body massages rid the body of toxins, fight cellulite and increase circulation which boosts metabolism. Massages alleviate sore muscles and relieve stress. Warding off anxiety will help you cope with emotional eating. Treat yourself to a day at the spa or make an appointment at the local massage therapy school.

But the thing I like more than the daily tips, are the daily Diet Reviews. For instance, Curves was the diet program reviewed on March 6. The review said, in part:

Most women complain that they don’t exercise because they don’t have the time or know-how to even get started. With this in mind, the founders of Curves created a woman’s-only gym that requires just 30 minutes, three times a week. With Curves, you get a workout that incorporates both aerobic and strength-training exercises using hydraulic resistance machines.

In the newsletter, if you like what you've read about a diet, you can click on a link and be taken to the site to read more. While there you may find comments from others readers. I thought this was great because it helps you to understand how others, who have tried the diet, feel about it and how well they did on it.

So, if you're looking for a diet, http://www.chooseyourdiet.com/ is a great place to visit. They have over 100 diet reviews. Surely you will be able to find the diet designed just for you here!

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Free Personalized Video Workout

Would you like a video workout that is specifically customized for you? One that helps you work on only those areas you need to work on, one that uses the equipment you already have, and one that will last just the length of time that you have scheduled into your day? This might be your answer!

Fitness Magazine has added a new feature to their site: Build-a-Video Workout. Once you register (it's free!) you will be asked to answer three easy questions. 1) What body parts do you want to target, 2) How much time do you have to workout, and 3) What equipment do you have. Based on your answers, a collection of videos will come up that will target the areas you requested and if you work along with them, your workout will be over in the time frame you specified.

It's also fully customizable. So at any time you can change the length of your workout, the areas you want to target, the order the videos are played in, or even delete a video if you aren't happy with it.

Visit http://www.blogger.com/www.fitnessmagazine.com/videotool to make your own, or see the one I made for myself by clicking the image below.

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