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Psychologists Reveal 8 Effective Ways To Stop Stress

July 19, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Stress is a common factor in the lives of many people around the globe. In small doses, it can be managed, but when it becomes overwhelming, it can begin to affect your everyday life severely. This kind of unchecked stress can lead to anxiety, depression, decreased efficiency and performance, and similar issues. It’s up to you to stop stress.

But how?

Thankfully, you don’t have to panic if you don’t know how to manage stress. Given how prevalent the issue is, science and medicine have uncovered numerous different ways to get that negative experience under control. Here’s how psychologists reveal eight practical ways to stop stress.

1. Use Water to Stop Stress in Its Tracks

Water is essential for many bodily functions, and it’s something you shouldn’t discount when you’re considering ways to relieve stress. Here’s how to use water to release tension and relax:

· Stay Hydrated

Before you even experience thirstiness, you can become mildly dehydrated. A lack of hydration, even when not severe, can already start to impact your brain power and also your positive thinking. According to The Mindful Living Network and The stress Institute CEO and founder Kathleen Hall, Ph.D., you should be aiming to drink at least eight glasses of water a day (around 64 ounces). You can also try to get your needed liquids from drinks like herbal, tea, and seltzer.

· Gargle With Water

The process of gargling helps to stimulate a nerve in the body called the vagus nerve. That nerve is responsible for triggering a relaxation response in the body. According to the American Institute of Stress executive director Heidi Hanna, Ph.D., when you are under a state of constant stress, the stress response takes over, leaving the vagus nerve underused and less capable of relaxing you later. When you rinse, you exercise the nerve, allowing its effects to take hold.

· Soak Your Face

Dunking yourself in cold water is a common skill used in types of therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy, according to Hanna. Covering your face above your mouth and around your cheekbones activates a reflex in the body called the dive reflex. When the submerged areas drop in temperature from the cold water, the body’s natural relaxation response is triggered, allowing for a drop in heart rate. If you don’t want to get your whole face wet, you can also use a cold pack.

2. Better Manage Daily Tasks

Daily tasks can become quite stressful if they aren’t well-managed. Since they’re things you’d do without fail, that stress can build up very quickly and harm you. Here are some ways to better manage daily tasks:

· Reassess Your To-Do Lists

Take a look at your to-do list (and if you don’t have a physical inventory, write one out now). Are you attempting to squeeze too much into too short an amount of time? Are you leaving room for self-care and relaxation? How are you managing your tasks? It may be time to let go of some of them or delegate them to someone else.

· Don’t Procrastinate

When you leave everything to the last minute, you add countless stressors and issues to your everyday schedule. If you’re able to keep a proud position atop your priorities, you’ll feel much better. If you don’t, studies suggest you’ll suffer adverse effects, such as decreased sleep quality, stress, and more. Plus, you’ll turn in lower quality work at the end of the day, which will add even more to that stress.

· Cut Out The Most Stressful Tasks

If your to-do list is full to bursting, consider which ones cause you the most grief and get rid of them. Of course, we’re not suggesting that you quit work that is essential – simply consider delegating unavoidable tasks or requesting assistance with them. For non-important jobs, it can be a good idea to cut them out entirely, instead.

3. Exercise to Stop Stress

Exercise can provide substantial positive benefits to stress relief. Regular exercise has explicitly been linked to lower the experience of anxiety and its symptoms overall. This is because exercise does great things for the mind, too – not just the body. But why, exactly, does exercise help with stress? Here are some reasons:

When you exercise, the stress hormones in the body are reduced while feel-good endorphins are released. This replaces the stress with a more positive mood.
Certain repetitive muscle movements, such as those performed when exercising, can produce calming effects on the body.
Exercise can help improve the quality of sleep, allowing for a more restorative night. This can reduce stress the following day.
Hall recommends alternating between or mixing in one a number of different kinds of exercises. Possible exercises include:
Flexibility training
Strength training
Stretching
Agility training

Even just going for a short walk for about 15 minutes can help bring down stress, according to research. So if you’re in the office and need a break, go for a stroll during your lunch hour and enjoy the benefits.

4. Cuddle

Acts involving physical touch – if you’re comfortable with them – can be very relieving. Hugging, kissing, cuddling, and engaging in intimacy can all reduce stress levels and make you feel more positive.

According to Elizabeth Scott, MS, hugging a loved one releases something called oxytocin, which is a positive hormone commonly referred to as the “cuddle hormone.” It’s great for improving mood, reducing blood pressure, and bringing down stress hormone levels while triggering relaxation.

5. Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness can be defined as the process of grounding yourself to the current present. It is essentially the act of anchoring yourself to a moment, allowing you to feel more relaxed and calm instead of floating away in your worries. Studies have found that mindfulness can fight anxiety symptoms and improve positive thinking. It can boost self-esteem, too.

There are many, many ways to practice mindfulness. Following guided mindfulness meditation videos, attending mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, meditating, and even practicing yoga can all help. Newton, Massachusetts Behavioral Health and Wellness Center owner and clinical psychologist Sari Chait, Ph.D., recommends a grounding exercise known as the 5-4-3-2-1 exercise. To do it, you simply:

Look around you and name five things that you can see.
Touch around you and name four things that you can feel.
Listen around you and name three things that you can hear.
Sniff around you and name two things that you can smell.
Finally, name one thing that you can taste – even if it means eating or drinking something.

6. Use Aromatherapy to Stop Stress

Aromatherapy has plenty of benefits. Though it sounds fancy, it just refers to the act of calming yourself with scents. According to Scott, aromatherapy can help you to feel more grounded, have higher energy levels, feel more relaxed, decrease stress hormones, improve sleep, and even reduce symptoms of anxiety in favor of a more positive mood.

You can use anything to get your good-scent kick, whether it be through body products, candles, or diffusers.

Some scents are especially soothing. Here are some of the most calming scents:

Bergamot
Frankincense
Geranium
Lavender
Neroli
Orange
Orange blossom
Roman chamomile
Rose
Sandalwood
Vetiver
Ylang ylang

7. Laugh

Laughter is a great way to get rid of stress, says PVD Psychological Associates founder and licensed psychologist Nicole Issa, PsyD. Research has found that those who experience more laughter can receive much more stress relief than individuals who are distracted from their troubles in other ways.

According to Issa, laughter helps the body relax in many different ways:

Relieving muscle tension
Reducing stress response
Boosting mood
Bolstering the immune system

Have trouble laughing? Smile instead for the time being and work your way up to it. Even if you have to fake it till you make it, it’s still an effective technique. The brain doesn’t recognize the difference between people genuinely smiling with positive intent, and those faking a smile, so it releases the same stress-relieving components regardless.

8. Try A Supplement

If your stress reaches frequencies or levels that are difficult to manage, you can opt to try some supplements that may help you out. Here are some scientifically proven options:

· Omega-3 Fatty Acids

These nutrients are essential for everyday health, but they also have positive effects on anxiety. Research shows that these consuming supplements of this kind can reduce symptoms of anxiety by 20%!

· Green Tea

Green tea’s scent is already pretty calming, but its antioxidants provide both benefits to overall health and an increase in positive hormones like serotonin. Combined, this can lower levels of anxiety, according to studies.

· Valerian

Valerian root is well-known for its relaxing effects, making it a commonly used sleep aid. This is due to valerenic acid, one of its components, which is known to change GABA receptor activity to reduce anxiety.

· Ashwagandha

This herb is a staple in Ayurvedic medicine as a treatment for symptoms of anxiety and stress – and there are plenty of studies that agree to its benefits!

· Lemon Balm

Contrary to its name, lemon balm isn’t actually from a lemon tree, fruit, or plant. It’s a part of the family of mint, and lots of research shows that it can combat anxiety and stop stress.

· Kava Kava

This plant is a pepper and has psychoactive effects. For decades, the South Pacific has used it as a sedative. In the right doses, it can boost positive thinking; it’s now being applied to America and Europe as a treatment for mild anxiety and stress symptoms.

Do note that you should speak with a doctor before trying any supplements and that you should ask for your doctor’s recommendation for chronic stress relief before opting for self-prescribed supplementation. Keep in mind that many supplements will have side effects and educate yourself on them beforehand!

Know the ten signs that warn you it’s time to see a psychiatrist about your anxiety.

Final Thoughts On Some Effective Ways To Stop Stress

Stress can be annoying and frustrating to deal with, but it’s a part of life. The best that you can do is try to manage it positively by taking the advice of these psychologists on the most effective ways to stop stress.

If you are struggling severely with chronic levels of stress or the stress impedes your ability to complete daily tasks, speak to a mental health professional, doctor, or similar worker in the field to find solutions. You don’t have to live under that kind of tension!

Yogi Reveals the Most Relaxing Postures of Yoga to Relieve Stress

July 19, 2020 by Power of Positivity

No matter who you are or your socioeconomic situation, stress is inevitable. Without a little pressure, there would be no personal growth or achievement. Life wouldn’t be possible if there nothing to motivate you. Learning the most relaxing postures of yoga can give you a goal to achieve.

You are probably among the countless people in America who battle undue stress. While you can’t do anything about some tense situations, there are others that you can minimize or eliminate your load. Thankfully, it might be easier than you think.

Stress overload can not only wreak havoc on your mental health, but it can also compromise your physical health. Medical experts warn that chronic stress can lead to cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke, and even some forms of cancer. How can you beat the stress before it beats you?

Relax with Yoga

Maybe you can’t control a situation in your life, but you can control how you react to it. When you reduce your stress levels, it often leads to greater mental clarity and creative problem-solving. Did you know that there are postures of yoga that can offer relaxation and stress relief?

When you think of yoga, you may visualize an inaccurate stereotype of a room full of people contorting their bodies like pretzels. Yes, some yoga levels do have complex body positions, but you needn’t be a master yogi to reap its benefits.

The Genesis of Yoga and Ayurvedic Medicine

The human struggle for survival has never been without stress. It’s just that the stressors have evolved over the millennia. The Hindu cultures of Ancient India were well advanced for their time in their understanding of human physiology, psychology, and medicine. Ayurvedic medicinal practices date back to approximately 5,000 years ago.

For these Ayurvedic practitioners, human health required a holistic approach of mind, body, and spirit. They believed that if any of these singular aspects were out of balance, then the whole system is at risk. Like the beliefs of the Ancient Greeks, Hindus equated spirit with breath, so mindful breathing was healthy for spiritual relaxation.

Hindu scholars estimate that yogic practice was developed about the same time of Ayurvedic medicine. Early yogic masters created a system that combined gentle stretches, postures, mindful breathing, and meditation. Yoga goes beyond just being an exercise as an expanding philosophy for holistic well-being.

How Stress Can Affect Your Body

Ancient Hindus and other early cultures may not have had the stressors of our modern world, but they had pressures. Ayurvedic medicine recognized the unbalance that stress caused and introduced postures of yoga to bring harmony back to the individuals’ triune being.

Have you noticed how your body feels when your stress levels are over the top? Medical science explains that stress triggers your brain’s primal survival mode of fight, flight, or freeze. Humans are hardwired to react to stress, whether it be to escape from a saber-toothed tiger or fight through rush hour traffic.

Your mind and body do not categorize stressors. When you are overstressed, your brain perceives a threat and starts pumping your system with adrenaline and cortisol for survival mode. However, this mode was only meant as a temporary energy boost, not as a continuous state.

The rush of adrenaline and cortisol speeds up your heart rate and breathing, necessary for fighting, fleeing, or freezing. Chronic stress keeps your body overloaded with these hormones unnecessarily, and it wears hard on every system, especially cardiac and pulmonary.

Undue stress is also bad for your mental health. The constant barrage of negativity can overwhelm your mind and skew your thought patterns and perceptions. Eventually, high-stress levels can plague you with chronic anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders.

Too much stress can lead to chronic exhaustion and make you prone to illness and disease. It weakens your immune system, and you may be less tolerant of harmful microbes and allergens. If chronic stress is not resolved, it may be responsible for premature death.

How the Postures of Yoga Can Lower Your Stress Levels

Ancient Hindus may not have known the precise chemical and physiological effects of chronic stress, but they saw the negative outcome of their total well-being. Master yogis taught their students how to train their bodies and minds to focus, relax, and stay in the moment.

You don’t need to be an expert in yoga positions or join a monastery to enjoy their benefits. While attending yoga classes with a certified and experienced yoga instructor is helpful, you can quickly learn and use basic postures of yoga at home.

Eastern and Western medical studies have shown positive correlations between practicing yoga and stress relief. Even if you practice just a few minutes a day, you may experience less stress. You may also notice that you feel better physically and have increased mental clarity.

Beat Chronic Stress with Basic Postures of Yoga

No, you won’t be tying your body in knots or standing on your head for hours to learn basic yoga. Like millions of other yoga students around the world, you will probably look forward to your sessions. You will enjoy how it can tone your body, strengthen your muscles, and ease your tension.

Although there are several types of yoga, most use the basic positions, called asana. They are easy to learn and don’t require a lot of effort. There are ways to modify postures of yoga if you find that it’s not comfortable for you to do, such as if you have chronic knee pain.

You don’t need any expensive equipment to get started. Just have a clear space to move and wear comfortable clothing. If you don’t have a yoga mat, simply spread a small blanket on the floor. Feel free to play soft, soothing music and light candles and incense that are conducive to meditation.

You may also enjoy practicing your postures of yoga outdoors with nature as your inspiration. Practice a few minutes each day or whenever you feel your stress levels are too high. While basic yoga poses are safe and simple, talk to your professional health provider if you have back, joint, or other health issues before starting a yoga regimen.

Here are some of the most relaxing postures of yoga:

• Corpse Pose

Aside from its macabre name, this yoga position is probably one of the easiest and most relaxing when you’re having a stressful day. You will need two yoga pillows, or blocks, that you can find inexpensively in most department stores. Place one of these foam blocks vertically tall in front of where you rest your head.

Lie flat on your back with the block in front of your head, your legs slightly apart and your feet naturally pointed up. Place one end of the other block on top of the standing block horizontally and let the other end rest on your forehead. Relax your arms at your side, palms facing up, and be aware of your breathing for 5-10 minutes.

• The Rabbit

Do your head and muscles ache from undue stress? This yoga position may relieve muscle tension and stress headache. Start on your knees with the tops of your feet, pressed gently against the mat.

As you slowly bend and lower your head to touch the mat, interlace your hands behind your back. Slowly bring your interlaced hands above your head, lift your hips slightly, and lower them to your back again. Repeat the arm lifts 3-5 times while mindfully breathing.

• Thunder Bolt & Eagle Arms

Stress can make your back feel like it’s tied in painful knots. Here’s a yoga position that’s easy to do that will benefit your back and shoulders. As you kneel on the mat, sit gently on your heels.

Now, bend your elbows with the right one into your left one and let your hands face each other. Place your right hand in front of the left with the palms together and hold the position for five seconds. Reverse your arms and breathe for another 5 seconds.

• Side Stretches

You may remember this classic yoga position from high school calisthenics. It’s beneficial for your back, neck, and shoulders. These areas are usually painful trigger points for stress.

Sit comfortably on your knees, lean toward the right, and gently slide your ride hand away from your body. As you do, lean to the side until your right ear touches your right shoulder. Continue mindfully breathing as you do the same stretch from your left side.

• Grounding Pose

The next time you feel frazzled from stress and the need to be grounded, try this pose, often called the Tree. Stand straight with your shoulders relaxed and bring your left foot up to rest on the side of your right knee, or as close as you comfortably can. Fold your hands close to your heart and feel safely grounded into the earth while the stress drains away.

Final Thoughts on These Relaxing Postures of Yoga

Once you practice these and other yoga postures to lower your stress level, you’ll probably notice positive changes. Less stress means that your body, mind, and spirit will have a better balance. You may learn how to deal with daily stress better and bring more peace to your life.

5 Ways To Fight Loneliness During Social Isolation

July 17, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Social isolation can sound like an introvert’s paradise. Unfortunately, that’s simply not the reality. Human beings are naturally social creatures. As such, even the most withdrawn individuals need social contact occasionally – and that need is even worse for extroverts!

It’s easy to feel lonely and afraid when you must separate from the rest of the world. Here are five ways to fight loneliness during social isolation.

1. Keep Yourself Wisely Up-to-Date

Self-isolating is necessary to keep ourselves and our loved ones saved in this pandemic, but it comes with the side effect of a lack of contact. This, however, can make loneliness crippling – especially for those of us who are already surrounded by strangers. Here are a few ways to combat this:

· Check The News During Social Isolation

No matter how much positive thinking you engage in, it is easy to feel helpless in these trying times. A recent 2020 study, however, showed that staying updated on the latest precautionary advice and health information can help with your mental resilience and functioning.

· Connect Socially

It can be easy to feel dissociated and disconnected when you can’t check in on your loved ones, much less when the streets are empty, and you’re physically alone. Instead, do your best to check in on friends and family – either via calls, text, or only just seeing their life updates on social media.

· Know Your Limits

With just how much information there is waiting to assault you from the moment you turn on your phone, it is easy to find yourself overwhelmed. Even worse is when most of this news is harmful. In such cases, it’s best to curate your feed and take breaks as needed.

2. Engage Your Mind With Activities

Loneliness can be crippling if you do not occupy that space and silence – no matter who we are or when it happens. During such moments, the best way to combat it is to fill it up with activities that truly engage our mind and senses. (Mindless activities, after all, don’t serve very good distractions either.) Here are a few ideas you can try:

· Sing Along To Music You’re Listening To

There’s something incredibly enjoyable about singing along to the radio while dancing in the kitchen or driving in the car. As it turns out, that enjoyment is now backed by science! While plenty of studies have shown that singing in a group (for example, as part of a choir) can be therapeutic, a study has also shown that these therapeutic benefits still come into play when you’re singing along to a pre-recorded song.

So turn up the volume on Spotify, or watch one of the many virtual concerts now available online and sing along!

· Find Something That Absorbs Your Mind

With the recent pandemic, many of us are now quickly learning just how much time work eats up in our daily schedule. While taking some time to relax is a good thing, it’s best to fill up those empty time slots with absorbing activities – preferably something that can get you into a state of ‘flow.’

Studies define ‘flow’ is a mental state where you find yourself pleasurably focused and immersed in the task at hand. It can keep you occupied – and in the process, keep at bay negative thoughts and rumination. Activities like drawing, knitting, or playing games at พีจีสล็อต are great for this!

· Let Fiction Take You On Adventures

There are plenty of good stories out there, be it via shows, movies, books, videos, streams, or even fanworks. If you haven’t given yourself a chance to be wholly absorbed by a good tale, now’s the best time to do it – especially since studies have shown immersing ourselves in the lives of fictional characters can net us a definite benefit! According to the study, fictional worlds and people can double as social surrogates, which can help combat loneliness during these difficult times.

· Take An Online Or Virtual Exercise Class

In place of our usual activities and social gatherings, it’s easy to find ourselves vegetating out in front of a screen. Doubly so since all forms of entertainment and information now best come through the internet. The need to keep ourselves healthy is essential. Studies show that you can also combat loneliness if exercising is a social activity like a fitness class. Plus, the structure, social support, and group energy you will generally get from a fitness class can help you stay socially connected and grounded.

So consider taking up virtual sessions with a personal trainer, or join a live-streamed workout class. It may be just what you need!

3. Get Your Nostalgia Going

Some may think that nostalgia is the worst thing to experience at this point. After all, is it not generally associated with being sad? Would that not make loneliness worse? As it turns out, that’s not quite the case:

· Nostalgia Counteracts Loneliness

Studies have shown it’s easier to maintain positive thinking if you believe you have an increase in perceived social support – something that nostalgia helps with. Try backing up your photo and video collection, or organize and share them with loved ones. Reminiscing with friends and family over happy memories may just give you the social interaction you need to combat loneliness.

· You Appreciate Them Better

When was the last time you took the time to appreciate all that you and your loved one have gone through? A little positive nostalgia makes one reflect on all the good things that have happened, and it can be helpful. Studies have shown that doing such a thing can create a greater sense of support and secureness in your relationship – which may be just what you need to combat loneliness.

· It Reminds You Of What You Have

Nostalgia is, in a way, a form of meditation and self-reflection. And in these quiet moments, we tend to end up realizing just how we are loved in so many ways, by so many people. This can create a better appreciation of the relationships we have – and in turn, reduce our loneliness.

4. Schedule Social Interaction From A Distance

At the end of the way, there’s no getting around it – we have to get our social interactions somehow. Thankfully, the internet has made it easier to connect to those around us virtually. Here are a few ideas to get you started on growing and expanding your online social network:

· Contact Those You’re Close To

Nothing will ever beat meeting up in person, but studies prove that some kind of contact is better than none. Schedule a virtual meet-up via some kind of video or voice chat about doing something together – like baking cookies, playing games, or watching a movie.

Planning a daily or weekly event can give you and your loved ones something to be excited about and combats time blindness and loneliness. Even if you can’t make it a big event every time, just checking in for 10 minutes can be incredibly helpful in fending off loneliness.

· Adapt To Online Efforts

There’s no reason to bemoan the closing of your monthly book club when it’s still being hosted online. If your usual social events and gatherings haven’t transitioned into online spaces yet, then try hosting them virtually yourself!

· Seek Online Communities

Online communities for specific hobbies or interests have always existed – and now it’s only gotten so much easier to find and join them. And they don’t have to be just forum-based text messages, either. Live-streamed classes covering just about any hobby and subject imaginable are easily available, as are group video-calls for classes and discussions. Just start looking!

· Don’t Mindlessly Scroll Through Social Media – Interact!

It’s easy to think that just scrolling through our social media feed is enough to provide us the social interaction we need. While social media does help us stay updated on current events and the ongoings of our loved one’s lives, the only way we can truly connect with people is when we actively engage with them. Don’t simply like their posts – try leaving comments on both the post and on other people’s comments instead!

5. Be Kind To Yourself And Others During Social Isolation

Loneliness and the negativity it spawns can be very difficult to deal with, even in the best of times. It’s understandable that you will find yourself struggling, no matter what you do to avoid it. Instead, here are a few other things to keep in mind:

· Be Accepting Of Yourself

Trying to deny negative emotions or insisting that you shouldn’t don’t have them doesn’t help matters. In fact, they often make things worse. The best way to handle them is to acknowledge them instead. Don’t linger or cling on to them – let them come and go – feelings, after all, will change over time. If you find yourself struggling to do this, learning how to meditate may help.

· Practice Kindness

It may be harder to do now with the pandemic, but performing random acts of kindness is still possible. Offer to buy groceries for your elderly or disabled relatives, neighbors, and friends. Check-in on your loved ones and ask about what they need. Donate and support local businesses and restaurants wherever you can. Doing your best to volunteer and help others can be a great source of purpose and connection in times of loneliness.

· Be Compassionate

It can be hard to do so, especially when you’re struggling mentally and emotionally. But as it turns out, being an active pillar of support and encouragement might counteract your own loneliness – and the struggles that stem from it. Text or call your loved ones, or reach out to others – friends and strangers alike. If you have the time and energy for it, try sending a letter too! It may help you, in turn, more than you realize.

Final Thoughts On Some Ways To Fight Loneliness During Social Isolation

Social isolation is unpleasant, but for the time being, it is thoroughly necessary. Sadly, that does mean you’ll have to cope with potential loneliness. Still, with positive thinking and by making use of these five ways to fight loneliness during social isolation, you’ll be able to emerge just fine on the other side.

As a final note, don’t be afraid to reach out to friends, family, or other loved ones if your loneliness is especially dire. You can do so through phone calls, texts, or any other method of distant communication during social isolation.

15 Amazing Benefits of Carrots (and carrot greens)

July 16, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Carrots are a common vegetable, but many people do not know that they can also eat carrot greens, too. You may also hear the greens referred to as carrot tops, as they are the same part of the carrot. The vegetable and the carrot tops together offer many health benefits, making them a great option to add to your diet.

This vegetable is delicious, crunchy, and full of nutrients and vitamins. They’re the perfect vegetable to pair with any meal or to eat as a snack. You can use the carrot tops to make broth and many other delicious meals.

The possibilities with carrots are endless, as are the health benefits. You can’t go wrong with this vegetable, and you’ll never run out of ideas for how to eat them.

Since it can be challenging to add new foods to your diet, there are tips for how to eat them, too. Once you’ve read the health benefits, you’ll then learn how to clean the greens and easy ways to eat them.

15 Amazing Benefits of Carrots

Here are some compelling arguments for adding carrots to the menu today.

1. Contributes to Heart Health and Lowers Cholesterol

The high nutrient content in this vegetable promotes heart health in a couple of ways. First, they contain calcium, which can help remove LDL cholesterol. This type of cholesterol is considered bad cholesterol.

This vegetable also contains high amounts of fiber, which also helps remove LDL cholesterol from your body. If bad cholesterol isn’t dealt with, it can build up on the walls of your arteries and blood vessels. When this happens, it causes severe heart disease.

2. Promotes Eye Health

If you have poor eyesight, this food can help improve it. On the other hand, if your vision is perfect, eating them can help keep it that way. This is because this vegetable contains high amounts of lutein, lycopene, and Vitamin A.

Both lutein and lycopene boost eyesight and improve your night vision. Vitamin A contributes to promoting or maintaining eyesight. With the three of them together in such high amounts, adding this to your diet will significantly help.

3. Reduces the Risk of Cancer

The carotenoids found in this vegetable can help protect you from cancers such as prostate, colon, and stomach cancer. Carotenoids are an antioxidant that can also help protect you from breast cancer.

Anthocyanins, another antioxidant found in the vegetable, can also help prevent cancer. They fight free radicals, which are a massive contributor to the development of cancer.

4. Contributes to Oral Health

Since this vegetable contains high amounts of keratin and Vitamin A, it can help promote oral health. These nutrients can fight plaque and strengthen your tooth enamel. Another way it helps is that this vegetable can also act as a natural toothbrush if you have forgotten yours.

5. Aids with Flushing out Toxins

This vegetable contains properties that reduce the amount of fat and bile found in the liver. By reducing the amount, your liver will be able to function better, which can improve your overall health.

6. Helps with Digestion

This vegetable promotes regular bowel activity and helps with digestion. By adding this to your diet, you’ll be increasing your intake of dietary fiber. It helps make stool bulky, which helps it pass more smoothly through your digestive system, preventing constipation.

7. Aids in Weight Loss or Weight Maintenance

This vegetable is full of water, with water making up about 88% of the content. Paired with the fiber, the water content will make you feel full for a longer time. Additionally, this vegetable is low in calories.

With all of those benefits, it’s easy to see why this food helps with weight loss. It can also help you maintain your weight if you aren’t looking to gain or lose.

8. Regulates Blood Pressure

As mentioned before, this vegetable contains nutrients that help reduce the amount of bad cholesterol in your body. By doing this, your blood will be able to flow more regularly, helping to lower your blood pressure.

They also contain high amounts of potassium, which helps relax tension in blood vessels and arteries. This improves blood flow and circulation, which can help lower high blood pressure.

Elevated blood pressure can cause diseases such as strokes, heart attacks, atherosclerosis, and other serious conditions. So, try to increase the amount you consume so that you can avoid these deadly health issues.

9. Supports Bone Health

The vitamins K1 and A, the potassium, and the calcium found in this vegetable can improve bone mass. These nutrients can prevent the breakdown of bones, as well, preventing osteoporosis. The earlier you begin adding these to your diet, the more beneficial the bone support will be.

10. Contributes to Brain Health

With natural anti-inflammatory properties and vitamins K and B, this vegetable can help with brain health. Vitamins K and B, both help with energy production, giving you a clearer mind. This boost in energy will also help you focus.

Another nutrient found in this vegetable that contributes to brain health is luteolin. This nutrient can help reduce short memory issues and aggravation of the mind. You’ll find a boost to your memory, and you will also lessen your chances of developing dementia.

11. Keeps Skin Healthy

Eating this vegetable can help keep your skin radiant and blemish-free. This is thanks to the beta carotene, lutein, and lycopene that this vegetable contains.

Furthermore, carrot greens contain a large amount of silicon, which also promotes healthy nails and skin. You’ll get the most of these nutrients if you eat them raw.

Another health benefit is that this vegetable can protect your skin from the sun. This is due to the beta carotene content. Beta carotene repairs skin tissues and protects your skin from UV radiation. And it is also what gives the vegetable it’s orange color.

12. Reduces Menstrual Cramps and Stomach Problems

If you’re a female and suffer from menstrual cramps, you’ll be happy to hear this. The vegetable regularizes your bloodstream and makes the pains weaker due to the iron and beta-carotene.

You’ll also get a boost of energy during your menstrual cycle if you increase your intake of this vegetable. Many women experience fatigue during this time, so it’s important to feel energized.

In the same way that it helps with the menstrual cycle, this vegetable can help with stomach problems, too. It eases stomach cramps and other stomach pain. You’ll also notice that your stomach can handle certain foods better.

13. Contributes to Gut Health

Fiber plays a significant role in gut health because it cleans up your gastrointestinal tract. As it goes through your system, it picks up things that shouldn’t be there. This can prevent illness and disease and contributes to your overall health.

14. Boosts Immune System

Many of the vitamins and nutrients found can boost your immune system. These nutrients include vitamins B6 and K, potassium, and phosphorous.

The antioxidants found in this vegetable can also protect you from free radicals, which damage the body. Antioxidants also protect your body from harmful bacteria, viruses, and inflammation.

15. Helps Control or Prevent Diabetes

According to the National Institutes of Health, the fiber content helps with blood glucose levels in the body. Fiber can also promote insulin resistance and sensitivity. The alpha and beta carotene content further helps with diabetes, as it lessens your risk of developing the disease.

Easy Ways to Eat Carrots

-Boiled or raw as a snack

-As a healthy side dish

-Juiced

-In carrot cake

-Dice them up and put them on a salad

-Put the diced vegetable in your soups or stews

Carrot Greens

Before eating or cooking with this part, make sure to wash them really thoroughly. They are filled with dirt and sand, and you’ll definitely want to skip that part. Once they are washed, you can use the carrot tops in many ways.

How to Wash the Greens

It is easy to wash them, but it’s essential first to learn how. You’ll start by trimming the stems and leaves. Make sure to leave 2-inches of the stem when you cut them, to ensure getting the best part.

Then, you’ll wash them like you would rinse leaves for a salad. If you have a salad spinner, you can dry them in that.

How to Eat Carrotgreens

-Use it to make pesto

-Make broth for soup

-Use them as an ingredient in veggie burgers

-Add them to a salad

-Use them in smoothies

-Add them as a garnish

Final Thoughts on Amazing Benefits of Carrots (and carrot greens)

These health benefits of carrots are sure to help you live a healthier lifestyle. From preventing diseases to easing current health issues, you’ll get plenty of help from this vegetable.

While it may seem unusual to eat greens if you haven’t before, they contain many of the nutrients. They’re delicious and can be a great addition to the meals you already make. If you’re one who doesn’t like to waste food, you have all the more reason to try them and experiment with them.

With the endless health benefits and the many ways to eat them, carrots should be a staple in your diet. Find your favorite ways to eat them, and make sure to incorporate them often.

15 Health Benefits of Zucchini Never to Ignore

July 16, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Zucchini is a mild-flavored food that is versatile and well-liked. Many people think of it as a vegetable, but surprisingly, it is a fruit. This fruit is in the squash family and is harvested before it is mature.

From adding it to recipes you already make to making noodles from it, you’ll find many uses for this food. Even better, the health benefits of zucchini are extreme, as it is full of essential nutrients and vitamins.

While the inside is full of nutrients, too, the skin is what holds the most benefits. With this being the case, you should always choose to leave the skin on when you are serving this squash.

Read these benefits and ways you can implement zucchini in your diet, and you’ll be all set. Adding it to your diet is easier than it sounds, and the health benefits are well worth it.

Health Benefits of Zucchini

1. Full of Nutrients

This squash is full of many essential nutrients and minerals. In just one cup, you will consume

-1 gram of protein

-1 gram of fiber

-40% of the daily recommended amount of Vitamin A

-16% of the daily recommended amount of Manganese

-14% of recommended Vitamin C

-13% of recommended Potassium

-10% of recommended Magnesium

-9% of recommended Vitamin K

-8% of recommended Folate

-7% of recommended Vitamin B6

Other nutrients found are iron, calcium, and zinc. It’s also important to note that when it is cooked, it has more Vitamin A. When the squash is raw, however, there is more Vitamin C present than Vitamin A.

2. Low in Fat

In one cup of this squash, there is less than one gram of fat. This can aid in weight loss or weight maintenance.

3. Supports Vision

Vitamin A can benefit your vision, which is found in high amounts in this food. Keep in mind that when it is uncooked, the amount of this essential vitamin is even higher. Other vitamins and nutrients that are found here and support vision health are Vitamin C and beta-carotene.

Additionally, the antioxidants found in this food can improve your vision. They can also prevent age-related diseases in your eyes, such as muscular degeneration. This squash contains the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which can prevent cataracts.

4. High in Antioxidants

This food has high amounts of antioxidants in each serving. Antioxidants are plant compounds that can protect your skin and body from damage. This benefits your eyes, skin, and heart, and they can lower your risk of certain types of cancers.

You can find yellow or green zucchini, and the number of antioxidants differs between the two. They both have high amounts, but the yellow ones contain higher values than the green.

5. Aids in Digestion

This food contains lots of water, which will soften the stool and make it easier to pass. It also contains insoluble fiber, which adds bulk to your stool. Softening stool and adding bulk lowers your chance of becoming constipated.

Adding bulk to your stool also helps food move more quickly through your gut. With the extra water and fiber, you’ll have no problem passing stool.

6. Contributes to Gut Health

This squash contains soluble fiber, which is what healthy bacteria live off of in your gut. The healthy bacteria in your gut produces short-chain fatty acids. These fatty acids then nourish your gut cells, reducing your risk of developing certain diseases.

Some of the diseases that can be prevented are irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. Not only can a healthy gut prevent these diseases, but it can reduce the symptoms if you already have them.

7. Can Help Lower Blood Sugar Levels

For people who have type 2 diabetes, this is extremely important. Since this squash is low in carbs, it is also low in sugar. This can help lower your blood sugar and insulin levels.

Often, it is forgotten that carbs, including pasta, can contribute to high blood sugar levels. There are some ways you can eat it when you are on a low-carb diet that may surprise you.

You can spiralize them or just slice them up to substitute for pasta. This is delicious as a replacement for spaghetti, linguini, lasagna noodles, or fettuccini.

Furthermore, it can help lower blood sugar levels because of the amount of fiber it contains. Fiber aids in stabilizing blood sugar, which can be beneficial after meals when blood sugar tends to rise. The fiber can also help with insulin sensitivity, which further contributes to stabilizing blood sugar levels.

8. Promotes Heart Health

The high fiber content reduces the risk of heart disease by lowering the harmful cholesterol levels. Additionally, being high in Potassium, it can help reduce blood pressure, which reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke.

9. Benefits Your Immune System

Vitamin A found in this fruit can benefit your immune system by maintaining your body’s defenses. It keeps the mucus barriers of your eyes, lungs, and guts healthy. This helps stop bacteria from entering your body, and it also helps fight it off if it does get inside.

10. Supports Bone Health

The lutein and zeaxanthin antioxidants found in this food can help strengthen your bones. You’ll also consume plenty of vitamin K and Magnesium, which also aid in bone health. This can prevent bone diseases such as osteoporosis.

11. Promotes Healthy Circulation

Another reason you should eat this nutrient-dense food is because of the benefits it has on your circulatory system. It ties in with heart health because healthy circulation is essential to heart health.

There are other reasons to strive for healthy circulation, though, one of which is healthy blood pressure. This outcome is due to the high fiber and potassium contents, and the low levels of fat and sodium.

12. Boosts Energy Naturally

The B-vitamins Folate, riboflavin, and B6 are known to increase energy production in your body. If you choose unnatural methods of boosting energy, you will notice a crash soon after. With this option, however, you don’t have to worry about the crash as it is all-natural.

With this boost in energy comes less fatigue, a better overall mood, and can help with brain function. You’ll be able to think more clearly and more positively while having a natural boost of energy.

13. Improves the Function of Thyroid and Adrenal Glands

There are high amounts of polyphenols, and vitamin C found in this squash. You can find an even higher content in the peels if you don’t mind eating them. These two nutrients promote better functioning of the thyroid and adrenal glands.

14. Prevents Inflammation

The antioxidants found in this food, along with vitamins A and C, can help with inflammation. Other compounds consumed when eating this type of squash are glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, both of which prevent inflammation.

Most of these compounds are found in the skin. So, if you are looking to prevent inflammation, it is recommended that you leave the skin on.

The less inflammation in your body, the better your immunity is. It can also prevent diseases that are associated with inflammation, such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, and bowel diseases. These bowel diseases could include Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, both of which can be uncomfortable and cause additional problems.

15. Reduces Morning Sickness

If you or someone you know is pregnant, this health benefit is perfect. Vitamin B6 is a natural and safe way to prevent morning sickness. This food contains high amounts of vitamin B6, making it highly beneficial to pregnant women.

How to Add More Zucchini to Your Diet

Now that you know the benefits of this squash, it’s essential to understand how to add it to your diet. It could be as simple as chopping it up and adding it to salads. There are other, more exciting ways to consume it, however.

You can add it as a side dish to any meal, as it is a versatile food that pairs well with most meals. It is also often used as an avocado replacement in dips such as guacamole. Another interesting way to add it to your diet is to shred it and add it to homemade cake or bread.

This squash can also be used to make noodles, making it a healthier option. Noodles are full of carbs, which means more sugar for your body to digest. Using this option as a replacement can make your pasta dishes significantly healthier.

You can also choose to season it in garlic and sauté it in olive oil to make it crispy. Other options are to grill or roast it. Another exciting way to use this squash is to create a veggie burger.

Learn how the pros and cons of water fasting.

Final Thoughts on Enjoying the Many Health Benefits of Zucchini

With all of the health benefits of zucchini, it would be crazy not to add it to your diet. Do not ignore these benefits can’t be ignored, as they can help your entire body in some way.

While it may be intimidating to add a new food to your diet, there are many ways to make it possible. From eating it as a side with a meal to turning it into noodles, there are options for everyone.

10 DIY Hand Cream Recipes to Try for Softer Skin

July 16, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Where would you be without your hands? Think of the countless things they help you do each day. Yet, your hardworking hands are probably the most neglected when it comes to beauty and skin regimens.

Have your hands aged prematurely? Famous and wealthy people may try cosmetic surgery on their face, neck, and body to disguise the effects of time, but there’s a limit to what can be done for their hands. When we try to lie about our age, the wrinkled skin on our hands will usually tell the truth.

You needn’t pay a fortune on hand care products from the department store, that may contain artificial colors, scents, and preservatives. Instead, why not do as your grandma did and use natural ingredients straight from your pantry? You can create luxurious creamy lotions to battle wrinkled skin and for softening dry, irritated skin.

Common Ingredients For DIY Hand Care Remedies

While some ingredients vary according to recipes, DIY hand cream, and lotions all contain natural moisturizes. These usually include oils pressed from plants or nuts, loaded with essential fatty acids that nourish your skin. Natural beeswax keeps the product more solid instead of runny.

Another beneficial ingredient you’ll notice is Vitamin E oil, which you can buy inexpensively in the skincare aisle. Vitamin E helps repair damaged skin and fight free radicals that can hurt your body’s cells. Other hand healing ingredients may include pure aloe vera gel and organic honey.

You can also give your DIY hand lotions a mood-lifting boost by adding your favorite food-grade quality essential oils. These are naturally antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal. If you have sensitive skin, the creams will work just as well without the essential oils.

Storing Your Hand Cream

Unlike the lotions and creams, your purchase in the department store homemade versions don’t contain preservatives and have a short shelf life. Make DIY creams in small batches, so you use them up before they expire. Small glass mason jars are ideal storage containers for your lotions, and they should be kept in a cool, dry place.

If you have been diagnosed with moderate to severe skin disorder, talk to a dermatologist before using any homemade remedy on your hands. Read the ingredient list carefully and note anything that may cause you an allergic reaction. Some essential oils aren’t recommended for expecting or nursing mothers, so talk to your healthcare provider about which ones are safe.

Organic DIY Creams

Are you tired of fighting dry, itchy hands due to environment, eczema, or other skin issues? Pamper your hardworking hands regularly with a rich, fluffy lotion you made in your kitchen. Here are ten easy DIY hand lotions for you to try.

1. Hand Cream for Rough, Dry Hands

•Ingredients

·1/2 cup organic shea butter
·3 tablespoons olive oil
·2 tablespoons cornstarch
·10 drops of pure essential oil, if desired

Directions:

In the bowl of a stand mixer on medium-high speed, add shea butter and whip until fluffy like icing. Add cornstarch and mix again. While still mixing, drizzle in the olive oil, then stop and scrape down the sides.

Add essential oil and continue whipping until light and creamy. Spoon into a sealed container and store in a dry, cool place for up to six months. Rub generously on your hands when they feel dry, chapped, and sore.

2. Honey & Lavender Hand Cream

Here’s how to make lavender lemonade for fast headache relief.

•Ingredients

·Quarter cup of sweet almond oil
·1/4 cup olive oil
·1/4 cup coconut oil
·1 tablespoon shea butter
·2 tablespoons honey
·1/2 cup organic beeswax pastilles
·5-10 drops pure essential lavender oil

Directions:

In a medium-size microwavable bowl, add oils, wax, and butter. Heat in the microwave for 1-2-minute intervals until the wax is melted. Stir until everything is incorporated.

Place in the freezer until slightly firm but still liquid in the center, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in honey and lavender until smooth. Spoon into a resealable container and keep up to three months, remembering to stir each time it’s used completely.

3. Light Hand Cream

•Ingredients

·1/4 cup shea butter
·1/4 cup coconut oil
·1 tablespoon pure aloe juice
·1 tablespoon olive oil
·5-10 drops of your favorite essential oil

Directions:

In a small saucepan over low heat, add shea butter and coconut oil and stir until melted and well-combined. Remove from heat.

Stir in aloe juice, olive oil, and essential oil. Pour into a sealed container and allow the mixture to solidify. Store up to three months.

4. Sunflower Hand Lotion

•Ingredients

·1 cup pure sunflower oil
·1/2 cup shea butter
·1/4 cup beeswax
·10-20 drops of essential oil, if desired

Directions:

In a double boiler over medium heat, add beeswax and stir until melted. Stir in shea butter and sunflower oil and continue stirring until incorporated. Remove from heat.

Add essential oil and stir until combined. Pour into a sealable glass jar and allow the lotion to come to room temperature. Cover and store up to 6-8 weeks.

5. Lemon-Fresh Lotion for Softening Hands

•Ingredients

·1/4 cup coconut oil, liquid form
·1/2 cup shea butter, liquid form
·1 tablespoon Vitamin E oil
·10-15 drops pure lemon essential oil
·2 tablespoon witch hazel

Directions:

In the bowl of a stand mixer on medium-high speed, blend oil, butter, and Vitamin E oil until smooth and fluffy. Add essential oil and witch hazel and beat until incorporated. Spoon into a sealable glass container and store in the refrigerator for up to three months.

6. Mint to Be Beautiful Hand Cream

•Ingredients

·1/4 cup beeswax, grated
·1/2 cup organic coconut oil
·1/2 cup pure aloe gel
·10-15 drops pure essential peppermint or wintergreen oil

Directions:

In a small saucepan over low heat, add beeswax and coconut and stir until melted and combined. Remove from heat.

Add aloe gel and essential oil. With a hand mixer on medium-high speed, whip mixture until combined. Set aside and cool for 2-4 hours, then beat again with the mixer until light and fluffy. Store in a sealed glass container for up to three months.

Put Peppermint In Your Home And Say Goodbye to Spiders, Mice, and Pests

7. Soothing Orange Hand Balm

•Ingredients

·1/8 cup beeswax, grated
·Quarter cup of olive oil
·2 tablespoons shea butter
·20-30 drops pure essential orange oil

Directions:

In a double-boiler over low heat, add beeswax, oil, and shea butter and stir until melted and combined. Remove from heat.

With a hand mixer on medium-high speed, add orange oil and beat until smooth and creamy. Store in a sealed glass jar up to two months.

8. Vanilla Clouds Hand Lotion

•Ingredients

·1/2 cup sweet almond oil, in liquid form
·Quarter cup of organic coconut oil
·1/4 cup beeswax, grated
·1/4 cup shea butter
·2 tablespoons Vitamin E oil
·10-20 drops pure vanilla extract

Directions:

In a double boiler over low heat, add almond oil, coconut oil, beeswax, and shea butter and stir until melted and combined. Remove from heat.

Stir in Vitamin E oil and vanilla extract until smooth and combined. Pour into a sealable glass container. This lotion is shelf-stable for up to six months.

9. Old-Fashioned Oats & Honey Hand Cream

•Ingredients

·1/4 cup old-fashioned oats
·1 cup filtered water
·1/2 cup olive oil
·1/8 cup beeswax pastilles
·2 tablespoons Vitamin E oil
·2 Tablespoons organic raw honey
·10-15 drops of your favorite essential oil, if desired

Directions:

In a small bowl, combine oats and water, cover, and set aside on the counter overnight. Drain and reserve water and save oats for another use. Save ¼ cup of oat water and set aside.

In a microwavable glass bowl, add olive oil, coconut oil, beeswax, and honey. Microwave at 1-2 intervals until completely melted. Stir and refrigerate for about 45 minutes.

With a hand mixer on medium-high speed, add reserved oatmeal water and essential oil and whip until smooth and creamy. Place in a sealed glass jar and keep in the refrigerator for up to six weeks.

10. Cozy Spice Hand Butter

•Ingredients

·1 tablespoon beeswax pastilles
·2 teaspoons organic shea butter
·1/3 cup sweet almond oil
·15-20 drops pure Vitamin E oil
·1/2 cup distilled water
·3 drops pure essential ginger oil
·4 drops pure essential clove oil
·4 drops pure essential cinnamon leaf oil, not bark oil.

Directions:

In a double boiler over low heat, add almond oil, shea butter, and beeswax. Stir gently, until combined, and remove from heat. Set aside to cool, about 10-15 minutes. Stir in Vitamin E oil and essential oils.

In the pitcher of a blender, pour the mixture and refrigerate until thickened but not solid, about 20 minutes. Attach pitcher to a mixer and set at low-medium speed. Slowly drizzle in water then increase speed to high for up to 20 seconds. Pour into a sealable glass jar and keep in a cool, dark place. Use within six months.

Final Thoughts on Making DIY Hand Cream for Softer, Ageless Hands

Show your hands how much you appreciate them and moisturize them generously with these simple DIY creams and lotions. These recipes also make the perfect homemade gift for friends and family. Instead of dry, flaky hands, enjoy the soft, healthy ones you deserve.

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