A Happenstance Collection of Helpful Health & Happiness Tips

Guess what ...

... even everyday emotions like tension, frustration, and sadness can trigger ischemia - a drop in the heart's blood supply that is often a precursor to a heart attack! In one study, published in "The Journal of the American Medical Association," negative emotions were found to MORE THAN DOUBLE the risk of ischemia.
- Reduce stress "in the moment" by asking yourself if it's really worth getting upset. If the answer is "No," try using mental manipulation tricks, or relaxation techniques such as meditation, in order to move forward as smoothly as possible.

... changes in diet can lower blood pressure in as little as two weeks. Try to focus on a diet low in fat and rich in vegetables, fruit, fiber, and low-fat dairy.

... dark eyeglasses without ultra-violet (UV) protection may be WORSE than no sunglasses! Dark lenses reduce the visible light, causing the pupils to expand, letting in more UV light. This is particularly important with children, whose eyes are more sensitive to sunlight than adults' eyes, because sun damage during childhood may increase the chance of cataracts and overall vision loss later in life.

... surgery patients recover faster and go home sooner when they share a room, especially with someone who has already had the same operation. If you can't room with someone who has had the same surgery, don't dispair - similar benefits can actually be found by at least visiting with such a person prior to your procedure. Ask the floor nurse if they can facilitate it for you.

... garlic should not be refrigerated. The cold makes it soften and sprout, and gives it a bitter taste. Garlic bulbs should be stored in a cool, dry place with adequate air circulation. Onions should be treated the same way, until cut, although many people refrigerate them to "reduce" the tears caused by cutting them.

... you may be able to retrieve a letter mailed by mistake. A free form called a "Sender's Application for Recall of Mail" should be filed in the zip code where the letter was sent. The catch: your chances are best if you contact the post office BEFORE the mail is collected. Good luck!

... there are some quick tricks for finding a mild-tempered, friendly, healthy puppy. The best time for testing is around seven weeks old.

• Gently lay the puppy on its back on your lap. It should wiggle a little and possibly try to bite your hand, but not wiggle uncontrollably nor continue to bite you.
• With some distance between you and the puppy, clap your hands and make sure the puppy is attracted to the sound. It's a good sign if you walk away immediately afterwards, and the puppy follows you.
• If you throw a ball, the puppy should show some interest.

... washable allergen-proof covers for pillows and mattresses are available just about everywhere those items are sold. The covers can greatly reduce your exposure to allergens from dust mites and significantly relieve nighttime allergy symptoms.
On a similar note, a CLEAN bath towel placed over your pillow each night can greatly reduce acne in affected individuals.

... low fat diets combat migraines. Migraine sufferers who cut their dietary fat intake by 1/3, reported fewer, shorter, and less severe migraines within two months. This is mostly because bloodstream fat alters the amount of serotonin and histamine in the blood in ways that either cause, or make migraines more severe.

... a study of 35,000 post-menopausal women, showed that those who took at least half the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin E - current RDA is 15mg (22.4 IU) for anyone over 14 - decreased their likelihood of developing heart disease.


Here's hoping, that hour after hour, you have a healthy happy wholesome weekend! ;-)

Alternative Medicines You Shouldn't Turn Your Nose Up At

Maybe you've got an ailment that traditional medicine just isn't working for, or you might just be curious about healthier alternatives to the stuff big pharma is cramming down your throat.

DISCLAIMER: Be aware that the following is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness, and you should always consult your physician before changing current treatments.

Like many doctors, most people are under the impression that all alternative medicine is nonsense. It turns out though, with some due diligence, you can separate the actually-beneficial nuggets from the truly inane cult-offered chaff. So let's dive in!

Keep in mind that the stuff that's good for you is usually pretty easy to spot, as things that work, often catch on quickly and become commonplace. They also follow a pretty basic foundational rule for the most part: anything that reduces stress and treats the mind and body as a single entity can have a significant impact on the prevention and management of disease.

There is growing evidence that our emotions can influence resistance and immunity to infection and even canSer. There are numerous studies documenting the fact that positive outlooks by doctor and patient can have a beneficial course on a variety of disorders.


BENEFICIAL THERAPIES
- Acupuncture: can often control chronic pain. I think it should be available at every hospital.
- Aromatherapy: has been shown to be a side-effect-free way to improve sleep, reduce anxiety, and even help sexual performance.
- Biofeedback: manipulates brain waves to help control such "automatic" functions as muscle tension, heart rate, blood pressure, sleep regulation, and blood supply to the skin.
- Hypnosis: can be used to control pain, curb obsessive behaviors, and help you cope with painful memories. It's one of my favorites because through self-hypnosis, many of these issues can be managed by yourself, for free.
- Massage Therapy: varies with the therapist, and you should find one who is most effective for you. Massage therapy is a great way to relieve sore muscles and manage spasms.
- Meditation: reduces stress without any exercise, although a routine that incorporates moderate exercise would provide additional mind/body balance, which leads us to...
Yoga, Tai Chi, and other Oriental techniques: improve breathing, muscle function, and posture, all while producing a calming effect on your emotions. I'm surprised that these seem to just finally be making a break into mainstream workouts.


Q and A
If a doctor dismisses alternative therapies, should I still consider them, or just find another one?
It's not advisable to "go it alone," so before abandoning the conventional route, make sure that you have explored all the options. This may involve getting a second, or even third, opinion. Of course, you'll want to make sure you ask if they are just hesitant to suggest alternative therapies from lack of information/training, or if they are downright opposed to them. If they are completely closed-off to the idea or they tell you "There's nothing more I can do for you," then it's time to try another one.
When dealing with alternative medicines, there are all kinds of quacks and quackery... Are there telltale signs to watch out for?
Be wary of anyone who advertises or solicits you by mail with promises to cure what current medical knowledge says is incurable. If they try to sell you something that can make you "perform" at age 90, as you did when you were 20, make sure you walk away. Nothing short of a wig will restore a full head of hair, there are no magical canSer or chronic fatigue cures, and we can relieve the symptoms of arthritis, but not cure it. Anyone telling you differently is a quack, or at the very least, misinformed. Also be aware that quacks love to use the "conspiracy theory" angle - doctors, the government, or simply "they" are holding back treatments to line their pockets. Paranoia will only take your stress levels in the wrong direction, so stay away from anyone who tries to instill it.
No mention of herbal therapies?
Herbs (and supplements in general) can be a slippery slope. There are several, which are safe and effective, but no one should use them without first discussing them with their doctor. Herbs can interact with other medications that you may be taking. If your doctor has no experience with herbs, he should be able to recommend an herbalist. With that being said...

Beneficial Herbs
-Echinacea: works to prevent recurrent viral infections and reduces the severity of symptoms.
-Evening Primrose, Borage Seed, and Flaxseed Oils: all have anti-inflammatory properties. They contain gamma-linolenic acid, which is converted by the body to a form of prostaglandin, which reduces inflammation, and is the mechanism by which aspirin works.
-Feverfew: has been shown to prevent migraine headaches. It is a preventive only, not a treatment. It works only in 1/3 of all patients, and is a long, slow process, but may be worth trying.
-Garlic: one or two fresh, raw cloves daily, can lower cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, help thin blood, stimulate the immune system, and help control infections. It is less effective when cooked, and in my opinion, more effective raw than in odorless pill/capsule form.
-Ginko Biloba: may improve memory in the elderly. Research has shown that it can improve blood flow to the brain, heart, and legs.
-Saw Palmetto: should be considered by anyone who is troubled by symptoms of an enlarged prostate. If you decide to try saw palmetto, look for the words "fatty acid" or "lipophilic extract" on the label.
-St. John's Wort (hypericum): is an effective, mild antidepressant. It has few side effects, if any, and I always recommend it before considering more powerful agents. Definitely heed the drug interaction warning with this one though.

Now get out there and live a happy and healthy life! I mean it!

Everyday Fitness

You don't have time to work out, but surely you could implement a couple of these suggestions to make you feel better despite that fact (originally posted on Breaking the Silence where you can find all kinds of health and wellness goodies!):

Living Healthy Made Easy

So you're NOT the athletic kind, not even the type who would be found anywhere near an exercise video, much less a gym. Fret not, because a healthy lifestyle is still within reach. According to the "Stealth Health" movement, sneaking healthy habits into our daily living is easier than we think.
Dr. David Katz, director of Yale University's Prevention Research Center and of the Yale Preventive Medicine Center said there are at least 2,400 ways to sneak healthy activities into daily living.
Just do any three of the 12 changes below and incorporate them into your life for four days. When you feel comfortable with those changes, pick three others. Once you've incorporated all 12 changes, you should start to feel a difference within a couple of weeks:

To improve Nutrition:

1. Buy whole foods (whether canned, frozen or fresh from the farm) instead of processed foods.
2. Reject foods and drinks made with corn syrup.
3. Start each dinner with a mixed green salad.

To improve Physical Fitness:

1. Do a squat every time you pick something up instead of bending over.
2. Every time you stop at a traffic light (whether you're driving or riding a car or bus), tighten your thighs and butt muscles and release as many times as you can.
3. Whenever you're standing on a line, lift one foot a half-inch off the ground. Switch every few minutes.

To improve Stress Control:

1. Give your husband/wife/parent(s) a hug every day before work.
2. Have a good cry.
3. Twice a day, breathe deeply for three to five minutes.

To improve Sleep:

1. Sprinkle just-washed sheets and pillowcases with lavender water.
2. Buy a new pillow.
3. Eat a handful of walnuts before going to bed.

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And on a similar note, read about tricks you can teach your body to overcome common "ailments," on my original blog at DABU

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