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Science Explains How LED Light Therapy Reduces Acne and Wrinkles

June 18, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Scientists and doctors have found that LED light therapy can significantly aid in reducing acne and wrinkles using varying wavelengths of light.

LED stands for light-emitting diode therapy and uses primarily red and blue light for anti-aging and acne treatments. NASA developed it originally for plant growth experiments on shuttle missions and later discovered that it could help treat wounds.

Some aestheticians use light therapy to help regenerate skin and prevent aging, and healthcare providers often use it for treating acne. Red light helps with wrinkles and other age-related skin issues, and blue light aids with acne treatment. Luckily, LEDs don’t have UV rays, unlike different types of light therapy, so you don’t have to worry about getting cancer. LED light therapy also doesn’t cause burns compared to other kinds of skin treatments such as dermabrasion, chemical peels, and laser therapy.

However, you should not use light therapy if you take prescription medicines for acne or have skin rashes. While side effects don’t usually happen, some people experience inflammation, redness, and rashes from treatment. Now that you know a little about the procedure, let’s get into how exactly it helps reduce acne and wrinkles.

Here’s how LED light therapy can reduce acne and wrinkles:

Researchers explain how red light therapy boosts your body’s ability to fight viruses.

First, let’s examine the science behind this breakthrough in the skincare industry.

What is LED light therapy?

A light-emitting diode (LED) light therapy can be given both in an office setting or at home. Using varying LED wavelengths, this relatively new skincare technology can help:

treat acne
reduce inflammation
decrease wrinkles and other signs of aging

You may want to check out this skincare technique if you’ve tried over-the-counter creams and medicines and still haven’t seen the results you want. All skin colors do well with LED therapy, and it doesn’t cause any burns like other types of skin care treatments.

However, keep in mind that this treatment does have disadvantages. Here are a few:

LED therapy can be expensive.
The results aren’t guaranteed.
You can’t qualify for it if you take certain medications or have an existing skin disorder.

If this interests you, talk to your dermatologist to see if you’d be a good candidate for the treatment.

How much does it cost?

Unfortunately, insurance doesn’t cover LED skin treatment Costs vary from clinic to clinic, but usually, a single session can range from $25 to $85, according to patients who reported costs on realself.com. It also depends on where you live and if you have any additional treatments. Most aestheticians recommend up to 10 sessions, so make sure to take the total cost into account as you visit with different practitioners to make a decision.

If you choose to do home treatments, they can range anywhere from $25 to $250 or more. Overall, this might save you money in the long run because you can keep the device and use it for more treatments in the future if you wish. However, don’t expect to get the same results as in an office setting. Either way, LED light therapy does not take long and is noninvasive, so you don’t have to worry about side effects.

Here’s how LED light therapy works

LED light therapy helps with a wide variety of conditions. The U.S. Navy SEALs starting using it in the 1990s to help regenerate damaged muscle tissues and heal wounds faster. Since then, aestheticians have made use of it to treat various skin conditions. Mainly, LED light therapy helps to increase tissues and collagen, which can smooth out skin and reduce aging from age spots, acne, and wrinkles.

LED light therapy works on different frequencies or ranges of light. These include blue and red light wavelengths, which don’t have UV rays and get absorbed into the skin fairly quickly.

Red light

Red, or infrared light, treats the epidermis or the outer layer of the skin. When the light gets applied to your skin, the epidermis absorbs it, which then stimulates the production of collagen. More collagen means that your skin will appear more smooth and full, which will reduce wrinkles and lines on the skin’s surface. Red LED light also helps reduce inflammation and improve circulation, which also makes the skin look healthier.

Blue light

Blue LED light therapy targets the sebaceous glands or oil glands. These are located just beneath the hair follicles. Sebaceous glands help lubricate the skin and hair, so they don’t dry out. However, these glands can become overactive, which leads to oily skin and acne. Blue LED light therapy can target these glands and decrease their activity. This will help reduce the occurrence of acne breakouts.

Blue light can also kill bacteria under the skin that causes acne, which helps treat severe acne pimples, including cysts and nodules. Sometimes, a blue LED light can be used along with red LED light to treat acne, reduce scarring, and lower inflammation. One animal study from 2018 found that blue LED light helped improve the healing of third-degree burns on the skin.

The procedure

According to EstheticianEDU, each treatment will last about 20 minutes. You’ll need up to 10 treatments total in some cases, depending on what results you want. Some clinics will have you lie down directly under the lights while others use light-infused wands directly over the skin. If you choose to do it at home, you can use masks or wands that you’ll apply to your face for several minutes at a time.

LED light therapy can work on any part of the body, but most people use it for the face. Skin damage occurs more frequently on the face because it gets more exposure than other body parts. Some treatments include light therapy on the neck and chest, which often show signs of aging more quickly than others.

Risks and side effects of LED light therapy

Studies by the American Academy of Dermatology have shown LED light therapy to be safe and effective for the treatment of acne and other skin conditions. Because it doesn’t contain UV rays, poses few risks, and doesn’t involve surgery, light therapy will not cause long-term damage.

If you require light therapy, your provider may recommend LED, especially if you have sensitive or darker skin. LEDs won’t burn your skin like more invasive and harsh therapies such as laser, and they won’t cause pain. However, LED therapy still comes with risks that you should consider before getting treatment. If you take Accutane for acne, the light may enhance scarring because of the high concentration of Vitamin A in the drug, which increases skin sensitivity to light. Don’t take LED light therapy if you use anything on your skin, which enhances skin sensitivity.

You also shouldn’t get this treatment if you have a skin rash, such as psoriasis. Talk with your doctor if you want light therapy, because in some cases, you can still receive it as long as you continue with your prescribed treatment.

Side effects of LED light therapy don’t occur often and were not observed during some clinical trials. However, if you should experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

inflammation
redness
rashes
pain
tenderness
hives

Post-therapy

Since LED light therapy only takes around 20 minutes and doesn’t require any recovery time, you can get back to your daily activities right after. If you go for in-person sessions, you’ll usually have 10 of them spread out about a week apart. You may start to see results after just one session, although you’ll notice the most significant difference after you complete all the treatments. However, even after you complete the procedure, your results will not last forever.

Skin cells continuously replace themselves. So as your skin regenerates, you may lose some of the collagen produced by the treatment. If you receive treatment for acne, you might start to see breakouts occurring once again. You should go every few months for maintenance treatments, or whenever your provider recommends. If you do the treatment at home, you won’t see as big of a difference as in-person therapy because the light frequencies are lower.

How to prepare for treatment

Each LED light therapy session takes about 20 minutes. Make sure to wear protective goggles so the light doesn’t damage your eyes; your provider should supply these for you. Also, whether you choose at-home or in-person treatment, you shouldn’t wear any makeup during the session as the lights will cause it to melt.

Finding a provider

If you need treatment for acne or anti-aging, call your local dermatologist or aesthetician. Make sure to call around so you can compare pricing and procedures, as they vary from clinic to clinic. Also, since LED therapy is relatively new, it might be limited in your area, so you may have to travel to the nearest big city in some cases.

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Final thoughts on LED light therapy for acne and wrinkles

No one wants to have blemishes or wrinkles on their skin, and luckily, you can now have a relatively easy, harmless treatment to keep your skin young and healthy. LED light therapy works on every skin type and color, as long as you don’t take acne medication or have a skin rash. Talk to your local providers to see how you may benefit from LED light therapy.

Science Explains the Link Between Stress and Gray Hair

June 18, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Researchers now find a strong link between stress and premature gray hair. They believe that graying hair may have something to do with the fight or flight response in our body. However, genetics also plays a significant part in the early appearance of gray hair. A study published in Nature suggests that stress and gray hair go hand in hand.

Melanocytes determine our hair color as they produce the pigment melanin. Melanocyte stem cells that live inside the hair follicle at the bottom of the hair strand produce new melanocytes; however, as we age, these stem cells start to disappear. The hair that regrows from follicles that lost melanin has less pigment and therefore looks gray.

Researchers recently proved how stress could accelerate this process, making gray hair appear far earlier than if just aging had been a factor. Below, we’ll talk more about this study as well as ways to prevent premature gray hair from appearing.

Science explains the association between stress and gray hair:

New research from Harvard University in Massachusetts reveals why stress can promote gray hair at earlier ages. The Harvard research team, under the leadership of Dr. Ya-Chieh Hsu of Boston’s Harvard University, used mice to observe how stress could potentially cause gray hair. They exposed mice to three types of stress: mild, short-term pain, psychological stress, and restricted movement. Scientists observed a significant decrease in melanocyte stem cells and an increase in gray hair from all methods.

They then wanted to discover why stress caused premature gray hair in mice. First, they tested whether the immune system could cause the depletion of melanocyte stem cells. However, they found that even the mice with lower immune systems had more gray hair after exposure to stress. Also, they looked into the role of the stress hormone corticosterone, but adjusting its levels didn’t cause changes in the graying of hair.

The role of the adrenal glands

They finally looked at the neurotransmitter noradrenaline, which increased in mice, and corticosterone. The research team found that this chemical, also known as norepinephrine, caused the most significant increase in the graying of hair in the mice. Scientists injected the mice with noradrenaline and observed a decrease in melanocyte cells and an increase in gray hair.

The adrenal glands mostly produce norepinephrine, but mice without adrenal glands still showed signs of stress-related graying of hair. Noradrenaline plays a considerable part in activating the sympathetic nervous system, which causes the fight-or-flight response when exposed to stress.

The sympathetic nervous system

The team found that when the sympathetic nervous system becomes activated, it plays a significant role in stress-induced graying. Each hair follicle contains these nerves, so, during periods of stress, noradrenaline gets released and depletes the hair of color. Millions of these nerves can be found all over the body, so you can imagine how long-term stress negatively affects the mind and body.

Under normal conditions, the melanocyte stem cells in each follicle remain inactive until a new hair comes in, but noradrenaline activates the cell. Using fluorescent labeling, the researchers observed the stem cells change to melanocytes and move away from reserves in the follicles. When stem cells disappear, no pigment is made, so the hair turns gray and white.

Summary, according to the lead scientist.

The lead study author and an associate professor of stem cell and regenerative biology at Harvard, Ya-Chieh Hsu, Ph.D., said that stress caused more bodily harm than they could’ve imagined.

“After just a few days, all of the pigment-regenerating stem cells were lost. Once they’re gone, you can’t regenerate pigments anymore. The damage is permanent,” he said.

Why do we get gray hair?

Genetics plays the most extensive role in the likelihood of premature graying of hair, followed by stress. Smoking also contributes to gray hair, according to a 2013 study. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, as smoking puts enormous strain on the body’s organs, such as the heart, liver, and lungs. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies, such as protein, B12, copper, and iron, can also cause gray hair.

Aging also causes gray hair due to increased oxidative stress caused by an accumulation of free radicals in the body. These have the potential to damage your DNA, tissues, and proteins. Of course, we can’t prevent aging or gray hair at some point, but we can do our bit to keep our bodies and minds healthy. This will allow us to enjoy a little color in our hair for extended periods, and save money on expensive hair dyes!

Every decade after age 30, people usually have about a 10 percent increase in the likelihood of developing gray hair. If you eat a diet high in fatty acids from foods such as walnuts and oily fish like salmon, plus take a multivitamin and avoid long periods in the sun, you can prevent premature graying of hair.

Future research

Since the Harvard study only involved mice, they want to replicate these results in humans to solidify their research. However, we can use this research to understand how stress impacts the body in various ways. Stress can cause more severe problems in the body than just gray hair, from heart attacks to strokes to impaired mental health.

“By understanding precisely how stress affects stem cells that regenerate pigment, we’ve laid the groundwork for understanding how stress affects other tissues and organs in the body,” said Hsu.

“Understanding how our tissues change under stress is the first critical step towards eventual treatment that can halt or revert the detrimental impact of stress. We still have a lot to learn in this area.”

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Preventing gray hair

So now that you know how stress can lead to gray hair, we’ll talk more about ways to prevent it. Here are just a few:

Destress in whatever way that resonates with you.

Whether you enjoy meditation, listening to relaxing music, doing yoga, gardening, or going on walks through Nature, make sure you take time to destress each day. After a long day at work or school, your mind and body need to recharge and detox from any negative energy you encounter.

Eat a healthy, balanced diet.

As we said above, getting plenty of healthy fats from fish and walnuts, protein from quinoa or meats, and lots of vitamins from fruits and veggies will do your body good. Fruits and vegetables have many antioxidants, which will help keep your hair vibrant and healthy for longer.

Drink plenty of water.

Many people don’t get enough water and suffer from chronic dehydration. Water helps hydrate all of our cells, including the ones in our hair. Make sure you drink at least one gallon a day in order to keep your body functioning correctly and enhance your immune system.

Get a little sunshine each day.

Everyone needs at least 30 minutes of direct sunshine each day to absorb Vitamin D. Go out at sunrise or sunset so you don’t get sunburned, and don’t wear any sunscreen, as this will block absorption of the vitamins.

Keep your mind positive.

Above all else, this may impact your health more than anything on this list. Having a constantly negative mindset can increase your stress levels and eventually lower your immune system. The more you focus on gratitude, kindness, self-love, and peace, the more you will see these qualities reflected in your life.

Surround yourself with positive people.

You want to keep people in your life with noble, positive qualities. You become like the people you surround yourself with, so to keep your frequency high, only associate with those who have qualities you respect. If you must deal with negative people, don’t allow them to lower your vibration. However, please don’t spend too long around them, as they will start to rub off on you after a while.

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Final thoughts on how stress can cause gray hair

Many things in life can contribute to stress. But we each have the power within ourselves to choose how to respond to it. If you remain calm no matter what you encounter outside yourself, you will win against stress every single time. Stress begins in the mind. So resolve today to remain balanced in your mind, and nothing will get to you.

Stress causes gray hair because it activates the sympathetic nervous system, which depletes stem cells that create melanin. When these stem cells decrease in the body, it leads to the eventual appearance of gray or white hair. To protect yourself against gray hair, take care of your mental and physical health.

Eat well, exercise, get sunshine, drink enough water, and get enough sleep. Surround yourself with positive people, and follow a destress routine such as meditation or yoga. We have the power within us to get rid of stress now, if we would only tap into our inner power and wisdom.

Doctors Explain How to Remove Ticks From the Skin + Treat Tick Bites

June 18, 2020 by Power of Positivity

If you have ever pulled a tick off your skin, you know they are positively disgusting. Ticks are more than just gross, though; tick bites can actually be dangerous. In some situations, tick bites can even prove fatal. Because of this, it is important to know how to deal with tick bites properly.

What is a tick?

The tick belongs to the arachnid family and is an external parasite. It lives off the blood of other live organisms. Most commonly, it lives off mammals like dogs and humans, but it can live off birds and reptiles as well.

What are the risks?

The risks posed by a tick bite are substantial. Tick-borne diseases include:

Lyme disease
Babesiosis
Ehrlichiosis
Anaplasmosis
Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever
Tularemia
Rocky Mountain spotted fever

Lyme disease

Lyme disease is perhaps the most feared of all tick-borne diseases. The bacteria of the deer tick is what causes Lyme disease. Early signs of Lyme disease caused by ticks include:

Fever
Chills
Rash
Nausea and vomiting
Facial paralysis
Muscle weakness and soreness
Headache
Hearing loss
Swollen lymph nodes

In the later stages of Lyme disease, sufferers may experience a persistent rash, inflammation of the eyes, and liver failure. In extreme cases, Lyme disease can lead to neurological problems or even death.

If you do contract Lyme disease from a tick bite, eating certain foods might help you recover more quickly.

Babesiosis

Babesiosis is a serious infection of the red blood cells that is caused by tiny parasites called Babesia. Fortunately, this illness is treatable. However, its severity ranges from asymptomatic to potentially fatal.

Symptoms of babesiosis include:

Fever
Fatigue
Sweating
Body aches
Loss of appetite
Chills

In some instances, babesiosis can progress into an even more serious condition called hemolytic anemia. People with hemolytic anemia lose red blood cells faster than their bodies can replace them. Hemolytic anemia can be fatal, but it can be cured if doctors can identify and treat the underlying factors.

Ehrlichiosis

Ehrlichiosis is less severe than Lyme disease and is usually spread by the Lone Star tick. Symptoms usually develop within two weeks; the most common symptoms are fever, confusion, headache, and chills. If you develop these symptoms within two weeks of a tick bite or after visiting an area with a high tick population, visit your doctor.

Anaplasmosis

Anaplasmosis, another tick-borne disease, usually manifests within two weeks of a tick bite. The symptoms of Anaplasmosis include fever, chills, muscle aches, and nausea. Anaplasmosis is treatable, most commonly with doxycycline, which is an antibiotic used to treat parasites and bacteria.

Tick-borne relapsing fever

Tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) is pretty much what it sounds like: a bacterial infection characterized by recurring fever, muscle aches, headaches, and nausea. TBRF is usually treated by injecting two grams of ceftriaxone daily for one to two weeks.

Tularemia

Tularemia is one of the more serious conditions that tick bites can cause. Flu-like symptoms will usually develop within five days, but they can take as long as two weeks to manifest. Symptoms of tularemia are sudden fever, progressive weakness, muscle aches, and other flu-like symptoms. Tularemia is usually treated with antibiotics, but it will get progressively worse if left untreated.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever

Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is rare but extremely serious. Symptoms of RMSF include:

A sudden high fever (up to 103 degrees Fahrenheit)
Nausea
Abdominal pain
Muscle aches
Poor appetite
A red-spotted rash on the ankles, palms, wrists, and feet

The spotted rash is the most telltale sign of RMSF and is exhibited by at least 85% of people who contract the disease. If left untreated, a second rash, which is purple-red in color, develops and spreads toward the torso. This signals the disease’s progression and means the patient is at risk for meningitis, organ failure, and even death.

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How to avoid tick bites

Most would agree that the best cure is prevention. You can help avoid tick bites by:

Covering as much of your skin as possible:

If you are going to be outdoors, cover as much of your body as you can. You should wear long pants and, if possible, long sleeves and tuck your pant legs into your socks.

Steering clear of tick-infested areas:

Ticks do not fly or jump. Instead, they like to wait on the tops of tall grass, bushes, and shrubs and attach themselves to organisms that wander by.

Wearing chemical repellents:

Wearing a DEET repellent can stop ticks from feeding on you. However, there are health risks associated with DEET repellents, and so some states currently ban them.

Checking you and your family members after an outing:

Whenever you return from outdoor activity, check yourself and your loved ones to make sure you did not pick up any ticks. It is crucial that you do this as soon as possible. Strangely, you are extremely unlikely to contract any diseases until a tick has been on your body for 36 hours.

Tick bite first aid

While it is preferable to avoid tick bites altogether, prevention is sometimes idealistic. Generally, bug bites simply have to run their course, but there are things you can do (and should not do) in terms of first aid for tick bites.

Dealing with the itch:

Bug bites are infuriatingly itchy, and tick bites are no exception. There are several good ways to deal with the itchiness associated with bug bites:

Applying cold compresses:

Applying cold compresses, like ice packs or crushed ice wrapped in a washcloth, will reduce inflammation and temporarily numb the area. Cold compresses can be slightly uncomfortable, but they are preferable to wanting to peel off your skin.

Taking oatmeal baths:

Oatmeal eases inflammation and creates a protective barrier around the epidermis. This relieves the itching caused by insect bites and also cleans your skin. People have been treating skin conditions with oatmeal since the 1800s

Resisting the urge to scratch:

This is a hard rule to follow, but the less you scratch an insect bite, the better off you are. Scratching insect bites is likely to cause infection. If the bite is already infected, scratching the area can spread the infection.

Taking antihistamines:

Histamines are natural substances your body produces in response to injuries or allergies. While your body’s intentions are good, histamines are often overproduced in response to bug bites, causing you to itch like crazy. Antihistamines quell this bodily response and relieve itching.

Using holistic remedies:

Not every effective treatment has to come from a drug company. If you like to avoid drugs whenever possible, things like aloe vera, witch hazel, and even onions can be effective.

Safe tick removal

If you find a tick on yourself or a family member, it is important that you remove them properly. According to the advice of the experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these are the steps you should take to extract this parasite:

Sanitize a pair of tweezers with rubbing alcohol.
Use firm pressure to pull the bug straight up and out of your skin. Do not use a twisting motion, as you could break the insect, leaving part of it. If you need to coax it out, a gentle wiggling motion will free its grasp.
Place the parasite into rubbing alcohol to kill it–never crush a tick. You might need to identify the species later. As unappealing as it sounds, you should save ticks you remove from your skin in a plastic bag or similar container. This way, you can show the little bloodsuckers to your doctor if you develop symptoms, which will help with diagnosis.
Clean the impacted area with rubbing alcohol and pat it dry. Generally, bites heal up in just a few days.

Special Note: Do not attempt to burn ticks!

There is a popular myth that the best way to remove these parasites from your skin is to burn them. This is completely untrue.

Obviously, you could accidentally burn yourself, but burning a tick could also cause it to inject infected fluids into your body. Never attempt to burn a tick off your skin.

Final thoughts on removing ticks and first aid for bites

As scary as tick bites can seem, it is important not to jump to the worst assumptions. The vast majority of tick bites do not result in disease or infection. Most people who suffer a tick bite will never experience any symptoms. In fact, many of them will never even know that a tick bit them at all.

Additionally, most tick-borne diseases are curable with antibiotics. That means that if you are bitten by a tick, nothing is likely to come of it, especially if you remove the tick within 36 hours. Even if you do contract a tick-borne disease, it is highly likely that the infection will run its course, and you will fully recover.

The most critical thing to remember about ticks is that they are usually unable to do much harm if they are promptly removed. As such, it is crucial that you are diligent about checking yourself and your children after any outdoor adventures.

Science Explains What Happens to Your Body When You Drink Chrysanthemum Tea Every Day

June 18, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Strolling through the coffee and tea aisle at your local grocery store gives you many options. While you know the chamomile, black, green, and cinnamon teas are all great for your body, one you may not see on that shelf is chrysanthemum tea. Perhaps, it’s the one tea that you need most.

Chrysanthemum tea is often used in Eastern medicine, and the Chinese hold this beverage in high regard. Many love the delicate, floral aroma that is both sweet to the taste and refreshing. However, the impressive health benefits cannot be denied.

The Asian medical community touts this tea can protect your heart from disease, enhance your vision, ease your rattled nerves, boost your immune system, heal respiratory issues, and strengthen your bones. The antioxidant-rich contents are what make this beverage so potent.

What is Chrysanthemum Tea?

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Chrysanthemum tea is made from the flowers of the chrysanthemum plant. When you’re looking for a refreshing glass of iced or brewed varieties, it’s probably not the first one you choose, but it should be. History shows that people indulged in this tea clear back to the Song Dynasty days in China, so it’s been around for thousands of years.

The flavor and aroma can be quite different depending on which of the chrysanthemum flowers you use for your brew. There are many varieties of Chrysanthemum Indicum plants, and they all have substantial health benefits.

Most herbal teas use the leaves to brew tea. However, this tea variety is different. The flower petals are used by infusing hot water with them to form this delicious drink. The full flower is used as the organic compounds of this plant proved to be entirely beneficial for your health.

As the flowers soak in the hot water, the plant releases vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids, and other organic compounds you need to thrive. So by steeping the flowers of the chrysanthemum plant, you are getting a delicious and nutritious drink that is different than anything else on the market.

Initially, China was the only country to produce this elixir. However, word of its fantastic health benefits spread, and now it’s created around the world. The intense floral scent is well known among those who choose holistic medicine and Eastern practices.

Today, you can find four varieties on the market, which each have a unique taste and health benefits. These teas are made from various types of chrysanthemum plants. To make the drink even more healthy, wolfberries, or other herbs, are often added with the flowers as they steep.

Not only is the tea delicious but it has a beautiful yellow color too. The longer you steep the flowers, the more glorious the hue will become. Natural healers seek this tea because of its vast history and medicinal purposes.

The Vast Health Benefits of Chrysanthemum Tea

Other than the delicious taste of this tea, the health benefits cannot be ignored. You will be surprised by all the things this brew can do for you. Here are the top nine things that drinking this tea will do to your body.

1. Heals Your Skin

You’re probably wondering how tea can help with your skin. This elixir is loaded with beta-carotene. Inside your body, this mineral turns into Vitamin A. This vitamin has antioxidant properties that tremendously help your body.

Vitamin A removes oxidative stress and any damaged cells that are in or around your organs. Think of it as a cleanse that flushes toxic damage from the body. Did you know that you can even use this tea as a topic ointment?

While it may sound bizarre to rub tea on your skin, there is proof that using it for painful conditions like psoriasis and eczema can improve these irritations. Not only will it take out the redness, but it can send the disease into remission.

Others say that using the tea on the skin helps with the dreaded signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles. Some teenagers can benefit from their properties because it destroys bacteria and banishes acne. Can you believe one flower can do all this?

2. Relaxes Your Nerves

After a long day of work, there’s nothing better than a cup of tea. It helps to relax and unwind the stressors of the day. When looking for something to relax you, why not try chrysanthemum tea? It’s known to help lower blood pressure, which will ultimately make you feel calmer.

It also has a long history of reducing inflammatory conditions in the body and cooling you off. Some say that the powerful antioxidants and minerals in this drink help your hormones to regulate. When your hormones are in order, it helps with stress and anxiety.

3. Boosts Your Immune System

Chrysanthemum tea has high levels of both Vitamin C and A, which are imperative for your immunity. The C vitamin helps to stimulate the production of your white blood cells, which helps your body protect itself against free radicals.

The mineral properties of this tea cannot be denied. With high levels of calcium, potassium, and magnesium, they can help kick your immune system into overdrive.

4. Keeps Bone Conditions Like Osteoporosis at Bay

When drinking a cup of tea, you probably don’t think about it being good for your bones. However, the high mineral content of this drink does impressive things for your bone health. Chrysanthemum flower extract is known to improve the density of your bones.

If you start drinking a cup of this tea when you are younger, then your bones will still be healthy and allow you to be active when you are older.

5. Enhances Your Vision

Vitamin A or beta-carotene have always been linked with good eye health. Have you ever heard that you should eat carrots each day? As you begin to age, things like macular degeneration and retinal neuropathy become concerns.

Blurry vision is a scary thing that no one wants to deal with, even those of advanced age. Thankfully, drinking this tea will increase your eye health and keep terrifying sight-related problems at bay.

6. Speeds Up Your Metabolism

Vitamin B is another vital nutrient you need in your life, and it’s found within the chrysanthemum plant. Your body needs riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, and choline to function effectively.

Many functions in your body, like hormones, blood circulation, developmental progress, and brain chemical activity, depend on these vitamins, which this tea can deliver.

7. It’s a Powerful Anti-inflammatory Agent

The antioxidant-rich chrysanthemum Tea reduces swelling and inflammation in the body. If you have a sore throat or lung irritation, drinking this tea can combat the common cold or other viruses. Congestion and respiratory conditions don’t stand a chance with this tea. Some say it even gets rid of headaches.

8. Keeps Chronic Illness Away

Oxidative stress within your body can cause a multitude of illnesses. Thankfully, this yellow elixir can help to sharpen your mind and increase your focus. Another benefit of this tea is that it doesn’t contain caffeine, which so many others do.

When you have high levels of antioxidants in your body, it can keep all those dangerous free radicals in check. It can also help to stop any cellular mutations that would prohibit the body from functioning naturally. When your free radicals are in check, your body can easily fight off foreign invaders that cause illness.

9. Enhances Heart Health

Without a healthy heart, your body cannot function and thrive. Coronary artery disease is caused by untreated high blood pressure. If you want to lower your cholesterol and blood pressure, then this tea can be an easy way to do it.

What is it about this tea that can do so many good things for your heat? The potassium content is high, and since potassium is a vasodilator, it helps keep the blood vessels open, and the blood flows freely. Life is in the blood, and you need adequate flow to your heart to keep it healthy.

Chrysanthemum Tea Recipe

Start by warming a pot of water to about 100 degrees for proper steeping. Next, select the teacup of your choice and add 4-5 flowers to the cup. You want to allow the flowers to steep for about 3-4 minutes as it will allow enough time for the health properties to transfer.

The longer you leave the buds in the water, the more robust the flavor and color will be. If you want a bit of sweetness without using sugar, you can use honey or Goji berries to give you the desired sugary flavor. You can serve this tea either hot or cold, as it’s delicious both ways.

Boost your heart health with these natural remedies.

Final Thoughts on Enjoying Chrysanthemum Tea Each Day

Many herbal teas have a variety of health benefits. The chrysanthemum variety has a robust flavor and beautiful color. However, if you have an allergy to daisies or ragweed, you may want to avoid this brew.

Drinking this tea each day can help your skin, heart, and immunity and keep inflammation at bay. It’s better than taking medications with horrible side effects as Mother Nature provides impressive relief for what ails you.

15 Things Never to Say to Someone with Panic Disorder

June 17, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Having anxiety attacks can be scary for a person with a panic disorder. The feeling comes on so suddenly, and they may not be able to think clearly enough to stop it from happening.

Dealing with something like that can be traumatizing. Many of those who struggle with panicking opt to manage symptoms naturally instead of taking the medicines available today.

If you have a friend, family member, or other loved one who is experiencing an anxiety or panic attack, it’s understandable that you want to help them feel better. However, their panic attack can be just as nerve-wracking for you as it is for them. You will probably be wondering what to do or say.

What you say is very important. Most people don’t mean any harm when they’re trying to be reassuring, but certain comments can be taken the wrong way by the person who is panicking. To help you out, here are 15 things you should never say to a person who has a panic disorder.

Never Say These 15 Things to Someone with Panic Disorder

1. Just calm down.

If they could calm down, they would. No one likes being an anxious mess. Your friend honestly can’t control it, and minimizing their inability to calm down will only make matters worse. Telling a person who is experiencing anxiety to “just calm down” is like telling someone underwater to “just breathe.” It’s not helpful at all.

2. Stop it! Everyone is looking at you.

Great. Now they’re panicking because they look like a fool in front of everyone, so they’re “double panicking.”

This phrase is not the right thing to say to someone with a panic disorder. They’re probably already embarrassed enough, and the thought of people watching them can be enough to push them into a panic attack. Just try to connect with them as if no one else is in the room.

3. Oh no, not again!

Saying something like this can make the person feel guilty over something they have no control of. This statement is sure to make the panic attack worse. It can also make the person feel like they are alone or that no one understands what they’re going through.

Try to understand that they aren’t having these attacks on purpose. It’s not attention-seeking. It’s a disorder. You must be understanding and assure them that you’re there for them.

4. It’s all in your head.

Technically, it is all in their head, but you shouldn’t say that to them. They don’t “feel” like it’s all in their head. To them, the anxiety is as real as you are.

A better way to put it is that anxiety is their reality. It’s something that they deal with regularly, and chances are the condition won’t ever go away (although your friend can learn to manage it).

5. You’re embarrassing yourself.

You don’t have to say this because a person that’s experiencing anxiety is already fully aware that they’re embarrassing themselves. Would you tell the drowning person that they’re drowning?

The better thing to do is to reassure them that no one is judging them and that they are in a safe place. Let them know that it’s okay for them to work out their feelings right where they are.

6. It’s not that bad.

You think it’s not that bad. To the person experiencing the anxiety, it’s pretty bad. They have an outburst that they can’t control. They’re losing control of their mental and physical self.

Losing control of your body is a scary feeling, especially if you must deal with it alone. Forget the reason that they’re anxious. The anxiousness itself is bad.

7. Stop overreacting.

Again, stressing the fact that an anxious person can’t control their anxiousness, they aren’t overreacting. When an anxiety attack hits, it’s very sudden. It’s not something that a person “wills” to happen. They can’t stop their anxiety any more than a person can stop an asthma attack.

Sure, there are triggers, but the triggers are usually things that would happen in everyday life. For example, a fender bender would upset most people. For people with a panic problem, this could be a trigger.

So, don’t tell them to stop overreacting. Be more understanding of what they are going through.

8. Just suck it up.

This is an insensitive thing to say to a highly stressed person, whether they have a panic disorder or not. People are entitled to their feelings, and it’s nice to have someone that cares about them enough to help them through it.

For people with panic disorders, they can’t suck it up. They must go through it. The situation may cause their anxiety to last for a few minutes or a few hours, but either way, they will come out on the other side just fine.

9. You are being “extra” right now.

The word “extra” has become a trendy word to describe someone who is being over the top. You should never use this word to describe someone with a panic disorder. Whenever anxiety hits, your friend can’t do anything about it except try to get past it.

They aren’t panicking on purpose. It’s a condition that comes and goes. Instead of calling your loved one “extra,” be a good friend or loved one and try to help calm them down.

10. You’re doing this to yourself.

Everyone gets nervous about different things. You may get nervous about an important interview while someone else may think it’s a cakewalk. For people with a panic disorder, it hits them suddenly and so intense that they may think they’re having a heart attack.

Essentially, they are not “doing” anything to themselves. It’s a part of who they are. They can get help to ease the anxiety and try to lead a normal life, but when the anxiety and panic attacks happen, it is easier if they don’t have someone judging them.

11. Other people have it worse.

Saying this can completely downplay what the person is feeling. Something upset them, panic disorder or not, so why not offer them comfort instead of dismissing the situation? Dealing with an anxiety problem can make a person feel alone and scared as it is. Do not make them feel alienated further by making statements that sound like what they’re feeling doesn’t matter.

12. Why do you do this every time?

This statement sounds like you are blaming them for having a disorder. It also sounds like your being impatient. If you care about the person, you will avoid statements like this. They are not trying to annoy you, and they don’t want to seem weird, but they honestly can’t help their reactions to certain situations. Have a little more patience with them and, instead, ask what you can do to help them through it.

13. There is nothing to be nervous about.

This statement may not be extremely bad, depending on how you deliver it. However, it can come off as dismissive. It depends on how the person takes it. To make sure the person does not take the statement as dismissive, try to say it in a smooth, reassuring tone. However, the best way to avoid them taking it the wrong way is to steer clear of the statement. Make it more about what they need to get through the panic.

14. Just be more positive.

Having anxiety problems does not mean that the person is negative. When the panic isn’t present, they can be a perfectly positive person. However, when anxiety hits, uncontrolled feelings and emotions take over. Their panicky behavior is a learned response to certain stimuli that they encounter. They may feel scared, unsafe, unsure, and even depressed at times. By being supportive, you can help them get through the rocky spell and back to being the positive person they usually are.

15. You are being childish.

This statement is a mean, judgmental comment that will only make the person feel worse than they already feel. They are not having a temper tantrum – they’re facing real feelings of anxiety. They are not begging for attention, trying to get something they want, or being spoiled. If this is the only thing you can think of to say, you are better off not saying anything at all.

Final Thoughts on Supporting Someone with a Panic Disorder

Dealing with a highly stressed person who suffers from anxiety attacks is tough. You may not know the right thing to say, but what matters most is that you are supportive, and you try to calm them down. No one likes to see their loved ones suffer. That is why it’s important to find the right thing to say.

By avoiding the 15 comments in the list above, you will have a better chance of saying the right thing. You should also watch your tone of voice when you speak to them – if you are panicked, you could cause them to panic even more. If you don’t get it right the first time around, it’s okay. Just continue to be there for them, and after a while, you will get used to saying the right things at the right time.

10 Ways to Beat the Urge to Procrastinate

June 17, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Are you a procrastinator by nature? There are two types of people in life, those who strive to get everything done in one day and the others who try to put off as much as they can till tomorrow. Even the most conscientious person can have an unproductive day.

Time management is a problematic issue for many people. For instance, if you have a significant project looming at work, you may push off the job because it brings you massive amounts of anxiety. You may feel overwhelmed, overworked, and exhausted at the thought of completing this project.

However, some people are just the opposite. When the pressure is on, they thrive. These people work best under stress, and they have no problem accomplishing whatever they need to do, even if it’s the eleventh hour.

Sadly, if your procrastination has become worse, then it can affect your life. Your employer may not like your slacking, and your partner might not be too happy about them either. Being a procrastinator can affect many aspects of your day.

What if you didn’t take the trash out all week in your home? You keep telling yourself you’ll get to it and tomorrow’s another day. After a few days, the entire house is going to be affected by your decision. Trash will stink and can cause a putrid aroma in your home.

How long does it take to put the trash on the curb? It may take ten minutes of your time from start to finish. Consequently, your mind and body get to a point where it cannot tackle one more thing. You put off something because you’re tired, you need to rest, and sometimes you’re just a bit lazy.

When your procrastination is affecting you and those around you, it’s time for a reality check. You can and should break the habit of putting things off.

10 Ways to Beat the Desire to Procrastinate

Habits don’t become rituals overnight, and they won’t be broken overnight either. You must take baby steps towards reducing your procrastination tendencies. You need to manage your time more effectively to keep on track.

If you feel like you’re racing around the clock trying to get everything done, yet nothing seems to be completed, then here are some steps to help you conquer this common problem.

1. Understand Why You Procrastinate

Step into the role of a psychologist for a minute and determine why you tend to procrastinate. Write down your observations so that you can understand your thought processes and what triggers these behaviors. The biggest reason why so many people put things off is that they don’t like the thoughts or feelings they have about a situation.

For instance, if your boss gives you a big project that you must share with the board, you may find that the thoughts of public speaking amplify your social anxiety. So the real issues aren’t the project, but the way the project makes you feel is unnerving.

Once you can identify the reasons you put a situation off, you can hold yourself accountable for it. If the real reason is an underlying anxiety disorder, then you can treat the problem.

2. Schedule a Hard Deadline

Some tasks in life don’t come with deadlines, like cleaning out the garage. No boss is looking over your shoulder, and your spouse probably isn’t giving you a time frame either. While there is no hard schedule for this task, it’s something that’s easy to put off.

Did you know that many people who have problems with hoarding come about due to putting off cleaning and sorting? The hoard gets out of hand, and the problem has soon grown to such a massive ordeal that they cannot begin to handle.

Even if no one else is putting you on a schedule, you need to give yourself a hard deadline and stick to it. You should treat the timeline the same as if your boss gave it to you. Make a list, get out your calendar, and put yourself on notice. You have a lot of projects you’ve been putting off that need to be done.

3. Take Small Steps

It’s hard to get motivated to do anything, but if you take small steps towards your goal, then it seems more obtainable. If you continue taking small steps, then you can accomplish what appears to be impossible.

If you were to clean the garage for just one hour each evening, you could have it accomplished in a few nights. By separating it into small segments, your mind won’t be so overwhelmed by the task at hand. Plus, you’re retraining your brain to break things down into doable stages rather than looking at the big picture.

4. Don’t Beat Yourself Up

You’ve made a few mistakes, but you must learn to forgive yourself. Though you tend to procrastinate, remember that you’re human and not perfect 100 percent of the time. Life can be cruel enough without you beating yourself up over blunders.

Rather than speaking harshly when you make a mistake, speak positive affirmations to keep you on track. Remind yourself that you can and will accomplish your goals, even if you only do a little bit at a time.

5. Get an Accountability Partner

It’s always good to have a person to help you with accountability in your personal and professional life. Most people know they have projects looming but won’t ask for help. If you have someone that is your accountability partner, you can ask them when you’re in a bind to help, and they know they can ask you.

Accountability equals commitment, and you will not only let yourself down but also your partner. Having a partner can help you overcome your procrastination tendencies.

6. Turn Off Interruptions

One of the main reasons people have a problem getting things done is they have so many interruptions. Turn off your phone, put down the tablet, and step away from the computer. You will find that you can get things done when you get rid of all the things that obliterate your focus.

7. Reward Yourself

Sometimes, you must treat yourself like a child and put yourself on a reward system. When you set small and obtainable goals, then you should reward yourself when you accomplish the task.

Keep the goals equal to the amount of work. For instance, when you finally get that garage cleaned out, you may treat yourself to dinner at your favorite restaurant. Buying a new car for cleaning out the building isn’t entirely realistic.

8. Set Time to Procrastinate

Putting things off is human. You should allow yourself time to procrastinate each day. You could also call this your downtime.

Let’s assume that you block off from 5-7 pm each evening. You permit yourself to do nothing during that time. Use this as a period where you clear your mind and refocus so that you can get things done. Everyone needs downtime occasionally.

9. Think of the Outcome

Many people tend to procrastinate because they don’t like the overwhelming task. The focus is on the wrong part of the assignment. Think about what you will accomplish in the end?

If you’ve been putting off cleaning the carpets for over six months, imagine how much better they will look and smell when you finally get them cleaned. Sure, it’s an overwhelming task to clean the carpet in every room, but you should focus on the positive result rather than the work.

10. Commit to Non-Negotiable Items

No matter how tired you are from the day, some things are non-negotiable. Things like putting the dinner dishes in the dishwasher, taking out the trash, and taking a shower are inflexible.

What are the things that you need to do daily that are non-negotiable? If you procrastinate on the dishes, a shower, or the trash, the consequences can affect those around you. Set a list of things that you must do each day regardless of how much you want to put them off until tomorrow.

Final Thoughts on How to Overcome the “Procrastinate” Mindset

You’re busy, and life is chaotic. It’s easy to procrastinate things that you just don’t want or feel like doing. Everyone does it, and it’s part of life.

However, your procrastinating habits can cost you a relationship, job, or affect your quality of life. You can take steps to retrain your brain to stop avoiding the inevitable. For many people, it’s as simple as breaking the task down into small, manageable pieces to keep anxiety at bay.

When you stop focusing on the overwhelming big picture, then you will find that taking small bits allows you to get it done better. Remember the old saying, “There’s only one way to eat an elephant; it’s one spoonful at a time.”

Destress in whatever way that resonates with you.

Eat a healthy, balanced diet.

Drink plenty of water.

Get a little sunshine each day.

Keep your mind positive.

Surround yourself with positive people.

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