Poonam Dhillon tries out friend’s home remedy for soft, glowing skin: ‘Sabki khoobsurti ka koi na koi raaz hota hai…’ - The Indian Express

Poonam Dhillon tries out friend’s home remedy for soft, glowing skin: ‘Sabki khoobsurti ka koi na koi raaz hota hai…’  The Indian Express

* This article was originally published here

Simple Suggestions ForA Stress-Free Home

Your home – whether big, small or somewhere in between – should be your sanctuary, a place where stress is left at the door and your soul is nurtured. For a more comforting environment, gradually implement the following changes in your home:

1. Bring the outdoors in. Green plants, cut flowers and blooming bulbs, pieces of wood, rocks and other organic elements can create a feeling of nature indoors. In addition, small decorative appliances that provide flowing water, or at least its sound, add peace to a home.
2. Paint a room to suggest a mood. For instance, blue and green promote a relaxed feeling and may be good choices for the bedroom, while warm colors likemaroon, coralor burgundysuggest a cozy environment and may be inviting in a family or reading room.
3. Surround your senses with beauty. Artwork, natural or organic fragrance, smooth textures and calming sounds all provide a pleasant environment in which to relax. Be sure to avoid artificial scents that end up being more irritating and potentially toxic. Opt instead for organic essential oils and invest in a quality diffuser to help spread the mood.
4. Set aside a room or area for peace and calm. A place for spiritual reflection and meditation should provide shelter from noise and distraction. Keep your phone and computer out to have media, news and distraction out and the calm within.
5. Clean out clutter. A low-maintenance home is refreshing after a day of hectic meetings, errands and chores. Fewer items can mean less frustration. Spend time regularly decluttering and following a more minimalistic philosophy by getting rid of items that no longer have any use.
6. Create an atmosphere of love. Display handmade or meaningful gifts from loved ones and photos of family and friends.

See more in the photo album “Creating a Sanctuary at Home.”

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* This article was originally published here

Feeling Stiff And Sore? 4 Foods For Relief

If your mornings begin with stiffness, pain and swollen joints, you may be experiencing symptoms of osteoarthritis. In addition to getting regular exercise (low-impact is the best) and maintaining a healthy weight, consider the following nutritional strategies to help prevent or lessen symptoms of this wear and tear condition that affects most of us at some level.

1. Eat foods rich in antioxidants. A variety of fresh fruits and vegetables are the healthiest and most abundant sources and may help reduce tissue damage from inflammation. Plus, they fill you up, leaving less room for the processed, inflammatory stuff. Try new options and preparations and aim to bring all of the colors of the rainbow into your diet from produce on a consistent basis.
2. Get enough omega-3s. The omega-3 fatty acids, which are directly anti-inflammatory in a way that aids joints, are found at high levels in oily fish (such as wild Alaskan salmon), and a lower, but still beneficial level from walnuts, pistachios and freshly ground flaxseed.
3. Regularly use ginger and turmeric for their natural anti-inflammatory properties. Fresh spices added to cooking and powders thrown into soups or teas are easy ways to get these beneficial spices. Consider an evening mocktail or tea with these beneficial spices to help quell inflammation throughout the night.
4. Collagen protein, generally consumed as a powder or in bone broth, has been shown in studies to support cartilage and bone structure and may be beneficial in osteoarthritis. Look for versions that come from sustainable sources such as grass-fed cows. For joint health, hydrolyzed collagen and undenatured type II collagen are the best-supported forms. Hydrolyzed collagen is ideal for general joint support and pain relief, while undenatured type II collagen is particularly effective for inflammatory joint conditions like osteoarthritis.This is typically a tasteless powder than can be added to your morning tea, coffee or smoothie.

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* This article was originally published here

5 Tips for Better Sleep When You Have Allergies

Do you often find that your allergies keep you from getting a good night’s sleep? If so, you’re not alone. About 50 million people in the U.S. routinely suffer from allergies that can make it difficult to sleep through the night. And that can greatly impact your overall health and well-being.

 

Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to help you sleep better when allergies flare up. In this post, I’ll share five tips that may make a significant difference in helping you get the sleep you need to feel your best.

1. Opt for Natural Bedding

Consider investing in high-quality natural or hypoallergenic bedding. Unlike bedding made from synthetic materials, such as nylon and polyester, which can be abrasive to sensitive skin and make allergy symptoms worse, natural bedding is softer and more soothing on sensitive skin. To help make the switch from synthetic bedding to a natural option easier, look for bedding made from hypoallergenic, 100% natural materials like cotton, hemp, linen, and kapok.

 

Certain types of wool – Merino wool, for example – are also known to have hypoallergenic properties and are extra gentle on sensitive skin. You can find Merino wool in everything from pillow and mattress protectors to other top-of-bed items like pillows and comforters.

2. Keep Your Bedroom Clean and Dust-Free

Another essential step to creating an environment that makes it easier to sleep is to keep your bedroom as clean and dust-free as possible. While dusting regularly, vacuuming, and washing your bedding regularly are all common chores that will help keep dust and dirt from settling, another thing to consider is introducing an air purifier to keep the air in your home as clear as possible.

3. Manage Your Allergies

If you suffer from allergies, it’s important to manage them as best you can. This may mean taking medication, using nasal sprays, eye drops, or herbal and supplement remedies recommended by your doctor. The goal is to minimize your symptoms and ensure that you’re as comfortable as possible. If you’re unsure about how to manage your allergies, seek counsel from a local integrative or natural medicine practitioner who can help you find the best options via lifestyle, supplemental or pharmaceutical.

4. Avoid Certain Foods Before Bedtime

Some foods can make allergies worse, impacting your sleep quality.  Dairy, wheat, and sugar are known to increase inflammation in the body, which can exacerbate allergy symptoms if eaten too often or too close to bedtime. To find out which foods may be affecting your ability to sleep well, ask your doctor to help you determine what foods you should avoid or take the common ones above and give a 3 to 4 week elimination diet a trial while monitoring symptoms.

5. Consider Using Essential Oils

Certain essential oils can be very helpful in reducing allergy symptoms and promoting better sleep. Organic lavender oil, for example, is known for its calming properties and can help you relax before bedtime. For more information on essential oils and their benefits, see my Guide to Essential Oils here.

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* This article was originally published here

3 Reasons New Yorkers Live Longer

According to the New York City Department of Health, a New Yorker born in 2004 can expect to live 78.6 years, nine months longer than the average American. Add this to the fact that the life expectancy of New Yorkers is lengthening faster than that of other Americans, and it’s worth taking a look at some reasons why:

1. Less smoking. The city’s wide-ranging smoking ban of 2003 is estimated to have decreased deaths attributable to smoking by 10 percent.
2. Healthier food options. New York (like other large cities) attracts a critical mass of people who demand fresh, organic or otherwise superior food choices. There are also a large number of farmer’s markets to increase access to locally grown produce and sustainably raised animal protein.
3. Walking. Perhaps most importantly, New Yorkers walk far more than do most suburban Americans, or even residents of other large cities (perhaps due to the fact that New York’s high-density urban amenities make walking uniquely viable for shopping, commuting and other daily tasks). They also tend to walk faster.

The good news is you don’t have to move to New York to avail yourself of these advantages. Anyone, anywhere, can decide to stop smoking, walk more and seek out healthy whole foods. The number of farmers’ markets has doubled in the last decade, and demand on grocery stores has increased their offerings making fresh produce more available everywhere. It is also likely that replicating these three advantages in your personal environment could provide additional advantages beyond New Yorkers due to less exposure to pollution and the stress of big city living.

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* This article was originally published here

7 plant-based home remedies that completely transformed my gut health - VegOut

7 plant-based home remedies that completely transformed my gut health  VegOut

* This article was originally published here