How to Relieve Stress

Feeling stressed out?  Stress is an emotional and
physical response to pressures from the outside world.
Today, stress seems more pervasive and persistent.
Numerous studies show between 75 - 95% of all visits
to primary care physicians are due to stress related
issues.  Most of us are coping with a great deal of
stress and need to learn how to relieve stress.  Check
these signs of stress against your symptoms of stress,
and see if you need more tranquility in your life.  You
can also try these stress relief tips to help discover
more ways to relieve stress.

For immediate stress relief, try our guided imagery for
relaxation.  Start by traveling through our tranquil cloud
imagery designed to help you relieve stress.  Click the Tranquility Window to the left, and see if the flight
helps you experience a few moments of peace and
quick stress relief.  Just sit back, focus on the imagery,
breathe in and out slowly through your nose, and be
willing to let go of your stress.

What can you do about stress?  First realize that knowing how to relieve stress
is extremely important to your health and well-being, and then begin to focus on
reducing the stress in your life before stress gets the best of you.

You are bombarded with stress on a daily basis.  Stressful news stories on
crime, war, and social struggles.  Even stressful sounds from traffic,
construction, and crowds. Pile on a stressful job and a hectic lifestyle, and you
have plenty of stress.  But just as stressful sights and sounds can induce stress,
you can use soothing sights and sounds to relieve stress.

Most of us are rarely in tranquil environments or even get a chance to notice the
beauty around us.  Remember the old saying, "stop and smell the roses?"  The
true meaning is all about finding peace and tranquility in your life.  Today's
lifestyles are so high-speed, you rarely get a chance to stop and do anything
other than mind-race about your "to-do" list or worry about the things you didn't
get done.  When was the last time you took a moment to gaze at the ocean and
just watch and listen to the waves hit the shore?  It can be a wonderfully
mesmerizing and stress relieving experience.  How about watching an exquisite sunset, or the leaves on a tree blowing in the wind?  These experiences are
natural stress relievers and can provide wonderful moments of tranquility.

When you allow yourself to soak in and appreciate these peaceful moments you
can experience instant stress relief and inner peace.  Try it here.  Try it now.
Concentrate, mediate or just daydream while watching the video clips in the
upper right hand corner of every page here on Tranquility is Yours until you
begin to feel relaxed.  These videos are extremely helpful meditation tools for
reducing stress and can be very effective for quick stress relief.  Just sit in a
relaxing position, focus on the imagery, breathe slowly in and out through your
nose,  and be wiling to let your stress go. 

10 Ways to Sex Up Your Look

10 Ways to Sex Up Your Look

What's sexy without being sleazy?

Adding unexpected touches (a wrapped shirt, a grand exit) and glamorous essentials (red lips, shades).
It's about dressing in fabrics that feel great against your skin.
And it's about choosing more original ways to express your sensuality than by merely donning a micromini.
Our get-sexy looks work for any age or budget: some are after-dark only (shoulder-duster earrings), while others can work for daytime (touchable fabrics, hats).
Here's how to add sizzle to your look without sacrificing your modesty.

1. Wear something ordinary in an unexpected way.
It doesn't have to be a huge statement like wearing a jacket backwards; subtle alterations pack the chicest punch. For example, take a basic man's white shirt (slightly oversized), unbutton it, wrap it so that one side overlaps the over and tuck in.)

2. Do red lipstick.
Pale lips may be trendy, but nothing does the job like red. Use lipliner for a perfect appearance, choose a creamy matte in a red that best suits your skin tone (blue-reds for darker skin tones; orangey hues for olive; true reds for blondes). Use a light hand for the rest of the face because the lips should take center stage.

3. Add a hat.
Nothing attracts attention quite like a hat. First, it takes guts to wear one. Second, it takes panache to carry it off. Combine the two qualities and you get major sex appeal. Stay with classic shapes -- the fedora, the beret -- to make it easier to pull off.

4. Accessorize with shoulder-duster earrings.
Skip every other piece of jewelry, pull your hair back and make sure your makeup stays soft. This look goes great with bare shoulders and updos, too. Definitely an after-dark look.

5. Make it metallic.
Black may be supersexy, but gold, silver, copper and pewter are especially luminous when you're going for vavoom. Look for simple shapes (the story here is the fabric and color, not the line of the outfit) and tones that flatter your skin color. Pass on major jewelry and makeup to let the dress really shine.

6. Adopt an exotic look.
The cheongsam is a classic example of a dress with international allure. Harem pants, sarongs and embroidered items are all borrowed ethnic looks with tons of feminine charm. The mandarin-collar dress from China is flattering, chic and always intriguing.

7. Wear shades.
Perhaps the single sexiest item you can own are a great pair of sunglasses. They add tons of mystery, look cute even on top of your head and actually serve the practical purpose of protecting your eyes.

8. Make a grand exit.
Sexy is all about surprises, so a deceptively simple dress from the front can be a showstopper in the back. Open backs, lace-up backs, great dress trains all make for dramatic effects.

9. Stay soft with touchable fabrics.
Forget everything you've ever heard about hardcore leathers or sparkly sequins being heat-inducing. Cashmere, silky satin, buttery soft suedes are the real scene-stealers. Touchable fabrics not only invite another's touch, they have the added bonus of feeling great against your skin so you feel pampered and sexy.

10. Play peekaboo.
No need to bare your breasts, even with lace. Nude linings, camisoles and slips all keep you covered while the lace itself stays really suggestive.

By Cynthia Nellis

5 Easy Ways to Reduce Stress

In our fast paced world, stress is something we live with - day in and day out. It isn't going away. We need to learn to live with it - and get the upper hand. Or it will take its toll on our health.


Stress is defined as our reaction to the external environment as well as our inner thoughts and feelings. It isn't only what happens to us that creates stressful feelings, but it's how we feel about what happens to us. Learning to control our thoughts through meditation, yoga, and other mind quieting techniques can be very helpful in reducing stress levels. Like the Buddhists say, become the calm in the center of the storm.

No one can live without experiencing some degree of stress all the time, according to Hans Selye, M.D., the father of modern stress research. He writes in his book, The Stress of Life: "Stress is not even necessarily bad for you; it is also the spice of life, for any emotion, any activity causes stress. But, of course, your system must be prepared for it."

During times of increased stress, our body's nutrients are used more rapidly to meet these needs so we require increased amounts of many of these nutrients. The antioxidant vitamins A, E and C, the B vitamins and the mineral zinc, selenium, calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, sulfur and molybdenum are some of the nutrients that are commonly depleted by stress.

Fortunately there are a number of ways to prepare the body for stress. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. Meditate, pray, or do yoga each morning. The simple technique of quieting the mind, following the breath, and relaxing the body can put you in the right frame of mind for getting through a stressful day with a positive mental attitude.
At Work. During the day the stress mounts, whether at home or at your place of work. This can result in tension, headaches, back pain or lack of focus and general unproductivity. A few simple ways to help reduce these stress symptoms is to: Change your position or take a quick walk around the office, drink some water, stretch, or do a yoga exercise. One great way to accomplish this is right on your computer, Reduce Stress at Your Desk on Holistic.com has 4 free different streaming video exercises designed to be done in your chair that target your neck, back, shoulders and upper back. They run from 4-6 minutes each and have proven to be effective. 

  

2. Exercise. Walking 20 minutes per day can change body chemistry in a way that calms the nervous system and reduces stress levels. Aerobic exercise is especially good for producing endorphins in the body - which are natural soothing hormones released during sustained exercise.

3. Make dietary changes. Reducing sugar, carbohydrates, caffeine and alcohol in your diet can go a long way towards getting your body back into a healthful balance. It's now recognized that when we eat carbohydrates, these foods turn directly into sugar in our bodies. The more sugar we eat, the more depleted our B-vitamins become. B-vitamins are essential for a healthy nervous system.  

4. Supplement with vitamins and minerals. Taking a daily multi-vitamin, mineral supplement and B-vitamin supplement can strengthen your nervous system whether you're already depleted by stress or storing up for an onslaught of stressful circumstances. The mineral calcium is especially helpful for calming the nerves and toning up the nervous system. Athletes preparing for a race understand that extreme physical activity can be stressful and boost their bodies with nutrients beforehand. Take 3,000 mg of Vitamin C per day to help maintain a healthy nervous system while under stress.  

5. Use herbs in tincture and tea form to calm yourself:

The Ginsengs: Both Panax ginseng (Korean ginseng) and Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) have been shown in numerous studies to support adrenal function and enhance resistance to stress. Both Ginsengs are adaptogens, which means they restore balance, stimulating a function when it is low, subduing it when high. Both can be used to restore vitality, increase feelings of energy and well being, increase mental and physical performance and enhance the body's response to stress. Valerian: clinical studies have shown valerian's ability to relieve insomnia, decreasing time needed to fall asleep while increasing deep sleep. Kava Kava: European studies have found Kava effective in the treatment of nervous anxiety, insomnia, restlessness as well as reduce heart palpitations, chest pains, headache and gastric irritation. Enjoy a cup of herbal tea at night. Create a bedtime ritual of drinking chamomile tea to relax. Or try an herbal liquid tincture sleep formula containing chamomile. Homeopathic remedies are scientifically proven effective and side-effect free. Try one of the many sleep formulas on the market that contain chamomilla and other sleep inducing remedies.
 
Source:http://www.holistic.com

Do you want to lose belly fat?

Add caption

Try to use the following 5 most effective abdominal exercises that the American Sports Committee recommend. Keep on exercise, there will be unexpected effects!

Action 1: extend legs upright.
Lie semi-supine on the floor. Extend legs upward. Cross knees. Shrink your abdomen. Lift scapula off the floor. It seems to move your chest to feet. Keep your legs on a fixed posture. You can imagine that your abdomen is pressing to the spine. Repeat these 12-16 times.

Action 2: step cycling.
Lying on the floor, hold across hands at back of head. Keep knees close to your chest. Lift two scapulas off the floor. Stretch your left leg, and about 45 degree angle to floor. At the same time turn upper body right so that your left elbow is close to your right knee. After you return to the original position, change right leg immediately so that your right elbow is near your left knee. Change left and right by turns. It’s similar to step cycling. Repeat 12-16 times.

Action 3: Stretch arms and shrink abdomen.
Lie on a cushion. Stretch your arms to the back of head naturally. Hands are together. Your arms are close to ears. Shrink your abdomen. Put up scapular. Repeat 12-16 times.

Action 4: Shrink abdomen and lift the hip.
Lie on the floor. Put hands on the floor or hold across at the back of head. Keep your knees close to your chest and make them form a 90degree angle. Shrink abdomen and lift the hip to move your legs upward. The range of movement is very small. You needn’t shake your legs. Repeat 12-16 times.

Action 5: stretch legs to U-shape.
Lie on the floor. Stretch legs upright to ceiling. Hold around head with hands and shrink abdomen. Put up scapula to the direction of the ceiling. Simultaneously, stretch the foot up to heel to form U-shaped posture. Repeat 12-16 times.

Look And Feel Sexy All Summer Long

1. Put on red lipstick

Though lipstick colors normally get lighter in the summer, red lipstick is always feminine and sexy. In the office, don't wear anything too glossy but a bold, true red is very nice.

2. Wear sexy lingerie

No one will see your lingerie at the office, but it doesn't mean you shouldn't wear it. There's something about a frilly bra or sexy camisole that makes you feel just a bit more confident and powerful.

3. Add a little shine

Most metallic fashions should be reserved for the evening. However, you can add a little shine to your office wardrobe too with accessories. Diamond stud earrings or a metallic handbag will provide a little glitz.

Sexy at the beach

Show off your sexy self at the pool or beach this summer. It's not just about wearing a skimpy bikini.

4. Wear oversized shades

Oversized sunglasses are trendy, sexy and mysterious. A woman in sunglasses is always alluring. They will also protect your eyes from the sun.

5. Choose a flattering swimsuit

Women come in all shapes and sizes, and every one of them can be sexy. Wear a swimsuit that accentuates the positives will hiding figure flaws. If you are body-conscious, add a flowing sarong as a beach cover-up.

6. Put on a hat

Hats add major sex appeal. A big straw hat in white or a bright color is sure to garner some attention. A hat will also protect your face from sun exposure.

Sexy at a summer party

If you are headed to a backyard BBQ or other summer party, it's a great opportunity to show off your sexy side to flirt and have fun.

7. Wear a dress

Sure, a BBQ is casual. But that doesn't mean you have to wear shorts and a T-shirt. Instead, wear a cute summer dress and great pair of sandals.

8. Highlight your hair

Highlight or color your hair and make sure it's in fabulous condition. Your hair will look gorgeous, glistening in the sunshine. There's nothing sexier than a great head of hair.

9. Make eye contact and smile

Sexy isn't all about beauty products and high end fashions. Charm and sex appeal can come from eye contact, a great smile and wonderful conversation. This summer, feel and look confident and sexy wherever you are.

source: http://www.sheknows.com 

How to Protect Your Skin From sun

Minimalist living – 5 Steps To Become A Hip, Sexy, Cool Minimalist

1. Throw, sell, donate 90 percent of your stuff. Clothes, furnitures, shoes, trinkets, sweaters Grandma gave you. Everything! This is the basic requirement of become a minimalist, young grass hopper. Do it. I believe in you.
2. Cut and discard commitments and friends. Yeah! Like your mother in law. Or the friend that always beg for money. Or your co-worker who calls and gossips all the time. Go away, Craig. However, spend more time with your family and people you value.
3. Get away from the computer. Little to no emails, forums, and social network sites. I haven’t check my email with regularity in 10 years. I kid you not. And no, I still don’t care about your Twitter updates, Craig. Turn off your cell phone. My cell is turned on once a day to return text messages. Then I turn it off.
4. We got lots of free time! Hurray. Now pursue your dream. Put that 10,000 hours into the subject to become world class. Some like building a business. Others like walking naked in public. I don’t judge. Pursue your passion. Make life worth living.
5. You became a master minimalist! Congrats. Now belittle people for being consumer sheep. Just kidding! With the money you saved from the frugal lifestyle, spurge it on world travel. See naked women in Thailand. Kick the Tower of Pisa. Visit North Korea’s dictator and shake his hand.
6. The extra sixth step: simplify. Do online banking. Request non-paper bills. Stop buying paperbacks, have a Kindle! Hit the gym. Or go for a run. Create something cool. Share it with everyone! Stop buying useless stuff.

Remember: this is your life and it’s ending 1 minute at a time.

source:http://kennubo.com

Find Your Perfect Dress this Summer

7 tips to turn heads

Whether it's for a weekend at the cottage or a formal dinner party, finding the right dress can be a bit tricky. With summer being the time for ruffles, busy patterns, and bursts of colour, who knows exactly what to wear and when? Here's a few tips so you'll dress to impress this summer.
1. Color-blocking
Usually featuring white or a bright hue on the top and basic black on the lower half, a sleeveless cotton colour-blocked dress is an example of a 1980's trend coming back in full force. It's a bold, simple look (no ruffles or sequins needed here), and the simplicity of the dress makes it easier to accessorize.
2. Floral minidress Shorter babydoll dresses are huge for 2010 and so is anything floral. The cheery, playful print is often combined with a tiered, empire-waisted, or strappy design.
3. Maxi-mum Potential In contrast to its cousin, the mini, the 1970s-inspired maxi dress returned to haute couture two summers ago and is here to stay for now. As the style of the dress is floor-length or just above the ankles, it can easily overwhelm a smaller frame. If you plan on wearing one this year, be sure to find a maxi with a defined waistline so you don't resemble a floating bedsheet! Black halter and bohemian chic styles are common, while wilder patterns like zebra stripes are for a brave few.
4. Off-shoulder trend
The single-shouldered or off-shoulder dress is an alluring, elegant look at the moment. Solid, eye-catching colours such as red or purple look amazing, and the trend is fairly universally flattering. A ruffled neckline, strong structured shoulder, or a cinched waist paired with a belt all add some sophistication.
5. Lovely in Lace Feminine and versatile, white and black lace-accented dresses are a glam look and have been spotted on city streets since early this year.
6. Details, details, details
Cut-out backs and sleeves, ruching, embroidery, and glitzy embellishment turn an otherwise simple frock into a magnificent work of art.
7.Opposites attract
Summer 2010 is a season of contradictions- the mini and the maxi, delicate lace and bold colours, and empire waists versus the drop-waist dress. Characterized by a waistline which is slightly lower than average, it has an A-line skirt and is often made of flowing material. Think this trend is right for you? Make sure the dress doesn't interfere with your body's proportions (since it elongates the torso), and rock it with a pair of high heels.

 Source:  http://www.29secrets.com

Here are some tips to help prevent breakouts and clear them up as fast as possible

• Wash your face twice a day (no more) with warm water and a mild soap made for people with acne. Gently massage your face with circular motions. Don't scrub. Overwashing and scrubbing can cause skin to become irritated. After cleansing, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends applying an over-the-counter (no prescription needed) lotion containing benzoyl peroxide. This will decrease oil and bacteria.
• Don't pop pimples. It's tempting, but here's why you shouldn't: Popping pimples can push infected material further into the skin, leading to more swelling and redness, and even scarring. If you notice a pimple coming before a big event, like the prom, a dermatologist can often treat it for you with less risk of scarring or infection.
• Avoid touching your face with your fingers or leaning your face on objects that collect sebum and skin residue like your phone. Touching your face can spread the bacteria that cause pores to become inflamed and irritated. To keep bacteria at bay, wash your hands before applying anything to your face, such as treatment creams or makeup.
• If you wear glasses or sunglasses, make sure you clean them frequently to keep oil from clogging the pores around your eyes and nose.
• If you get acne on your body, try not to wear tight clothes. They don't allow skin to breathe and may cause irritation. Scarves, headbands, and caps can collect dirt and oil, too.
• Remove your makeup before you go to sleep. When buying makeup, make sure you choose brands that say "noncomedogenic" or "nonacnegenic" on the label. Throw away old makeup that smells or looks different from when you first bought it.
• Keep hair clean and out of your face to prevent additional dirt and oil from clogging your pores.
• Protect your skin from the sun. It may seem like a tan masks acne, but it's only temporary. A tan may worsen your acne, not improve it. Tanning also causes damage to skin that will eventually lead to wrinkles and increase your risk of skin cancer.

If you're concerned about acne, talk to a dermatologist. Dermatologists offer a range of treatments that help to prevent and acne scars. A dermatologist can help you find the treatment method that's best for you and can also give you lots of useful tips for dealing with acne and caring for your skin type. Some salons and spas have trained skin specialists, called estheticians, who can offer advice and skin care treatments.

source:
http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/take_care/skin_tips.html

Health Canada warns of serious skin reactions in patients taking carbamazepine

Health Canada has issued an advisory concerning carbamazepine, a drug commonly used to treat epilepsy, mania, bipolar disorder and trigeminal neuralgia, a facial condition.
Carbamazepine is sold in Canada under the name Tegretol.
The advisory stems from reports of serious skin reactions in patients of Asian ancestry taking the drug.
"Serious and sometimes fatal skin reactions known as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis have been known to occur very rarely with carbamazepine," reads the advisory. "While all patients treated with carbamazepine are at risk of these skin reactions, the risk is approximately 10 times higher in Asian countries than in Western countries."
According to Health Canada, a genetic test is available that can identify a genetic marker in patients of Asian ancestry that has been linked to an increased risk of developing serious skin reactions to carbamazepine. The health agency encourages people who are considering taking the medication to consult with their doctors about this test.
Health Canada said it is revising the prescribing information for Tegretol and is also in the process of revising prescribing information for all generic carbamazepine products to include the possibility of serious skin reactions.
The following generic carbamazepine-containing products, with their makers in brackets, are sold in Canada:

• Apo-carbamazepine (Apotex Inc.).
• Bio-carbamazepine (Biomed 2002 Inc.).
• Carbamazepine (Pro Doc).
• Dom-carbamazepine (Dominion Pharmacal).
• Gen-carbamazepine (Genpharm ULC).
• Mazepine (Valeant Canada Ltd.).
• Novo-carbamaz (Novopharm Ltd.).
• Nu-carbamazepine (Nu-Pharm Inc.).
• PHL-carbamazepine (Pharmel Inc.).
• PMS-carbamazepine (Pharmascience Inc.).
• Sandoz-carbamazepine (Sandoz Canada Inc.).
• Taro-carbamazepine (Taro Pharmaceuticals Inc.).
• Tegretol (Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc.).

It warns patients who are not experiencing any skin reactions not to stop treatment before speaking with their physician.
However, all patients currently taking the drug should consult with a doctor immediately if they experience any signs of serious skin reactions such as a rash, red skin, blistering of the lips, eyes or mouth, or peeling skin accompanied by a fever.
As well, patients who have taken carbamazepine before and experienced skin reactions should not take the drug again, Health Canada said.

Source: http://www.cbc.ca

Top 5: Beauty Foods

1. Carrots are good for your skin too! Beta-carotene - found in carrots is a powerful antioxidant and will help your skin stay young longer. Some studies also show that beta-carotene can repair sun damage.



photo by infowidget at flickr.com
2. Salmon is not only delicious and is my favorite fish, it is also good for your skin as it is rich in the precious Omega-3 fatty acids. They help maintain cell membranes keeping skin healthy, hydrated and supple. According to somestudies Omega 3 helps toprotect skin against sun damage.


photo by rightee at flickr.com
3. Tomatoes contain high levels of Vitamin C and lycopene. Vitamin C is involved in collagen production and protects cells from free radical damage. Lycopene is an effective antioxidant which fights the free radicals that damage skin cells, interfere with cells growth and activity.


photo by fotoosvanrobin at flickr.com
4. Spinach is one of my favorites! It contains luitein. Studies show that lutein increases skin hydration, elasticity and skin lipid content.


photo by xlynx at flickr.com
5. Watermelon, be it a fruit or a plant, is not only the best treat on a hot summer day but the right way to hydrate your skin! Which is crusial to its beauty every day! Remember, hydration is absolutely necessary for the best healthiest function of the cells. According to Dr Murad eating water is much more effective than drinking water because this way fluid gets directly into the cells and is not waisted in our swollen ankles and puffy eyes! And listen to this, watermelons are 97% water!

Sources:
MSNBC
nutraingredients
medicalnewstoday
The Water Secret by Dr.Murad
http://skincarebeautyproduct.blogspot.com

Taking Care of My Skin | eHow.com

 Taking Care of My Skin | eHow.com

Heterosexuality

Heterosexuality is romantic and/or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the opposite sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, heterosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, physical or romantic attractions to persons of the opposite sex"; it also refers to "an individual’s sense of personal and social identity based on those attractions, behaviors expressing them, and membership in a community of others who share them".^[1][2] The term is usually applied to human beings, but it is also observed in all mammals. Heterosexuality, bisexuality and homosexuality together make up the heterosexual-homosexual continuum.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heterosexuality

everything about Bisexuality

 Bisexuality is sexual behavior or an orientation involving physical and/or romantic attraction to both males and females, especially in regards to men and women.^[1] It is one of the three main classifications of sexual orientation, along with a heterosexual and a homosexual orientation, all a part of the heterosexual-homosexual continuum. Pansexuality may or may not be subsumed under bisexuality, with some sources stating that bisexuality encompasses sexual or romantic attraction to all gender identities.^[2][3] People who have a distinct but not exclusive preference for one sex over the other may also identify themselves as bisexual,^[4] and people who lack sexual attraction to either sex or genders are known as asexual.
Bisexuality has been observed in various human societies^[5] and elsewhere in the animal kingdom^[6][7][8] throughout recorded history. The term bisexuality, however, like the terms hetero- and homosexuality, was coined in the 19th century.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisexuality