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Benefits Health Lifestyle People People

10 Simple and Surprising Ways to live healthier and happier

Our team always thinks how to enabling you to live healthily and happily in your own perfect rhythm, that is our ultimate objective.  Therefore I need to think outside the box and surprisingly I found 10 ways that you may not aware.

  1. Singing strengthens the immune system.

You may not realise singing helps us to live healthier. According to the research conducted at the University of Frankfurt, singing improve the immune system. The study included testing professional choir members’ blood before and after an hour-long rehearsal singing Mozart’s “Requiem”. The researchers noticed that in most cases, the amount of proteins in the immune system that function as antibodies, known as Immunoglobulin A, were significantly higher immediately after the rehearsal. The same boots were not observed after the choir members passively listened to music!

So I have started to sing loudly along with my favourite songs when I clean my house! You may also consider singing in the bathroom.

  1. Running adds years to your life.

After my searches, I found even if you meet just the minimum of amount of physical activity, example 30 minutes, 5 times per week, you will live longer.

Studies show that when different types of people started exercising, they lived longer. Smokers gained 4.1 years to their lives. Non-smokers added 3 years. (I don’t know why it is shorter for a non-smoker!!) Cancer survivors extended their lives by 5.3 years! Those with heart disease added 4.3 years!  Therefore go out to run now!!

        Running makes you happier.

Not just added years, running makes you happier. A 2006 study published in Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise, researchers found that even a 30-minute walking could instantly lift the mood of someone suffering from a major depressive order.

  1. Eating vegetable and fruit reduces risk of stroke, heart disease or premature death.

It seems everyone knows eating vegetable is healthier, but I found that you will be benefited even you eat as little as 375g of vegetable. A new research from BioMed Central acknowledges daily intake of just 375g of fruit, vegetables and beans are sufficient to reduce risk of stroke, heart disease or premature death.

I really thank you for this study because my son doesn’t like vegetables.

          Eating vegetable and fruit combats stress

Researchers also found that eating a Mediterranean diet or other healthy dietary pattern, comprising of fruit, vegetables, legumes, and nuts and low in processed meats, is associated with preventing the onset of depression. A large study of 15,093 people suggests depression could be linked with nutrient deficits.

I like to try a new recipe using a superfood to find new favorites to add to your meal planning rotation once a week. For example, you can try preparing foods such as salmon, kale, mushrooms, broccoli, avocados, beans, walnuts, and whole grains!

  1. Sleep boosts mental wellbeing.

Given that a single sleepless night can make you irritable and moody the following day, it’s not surprising that chronic sleep debt may lead to long-term mood disorders like depression and anxiety.  When people with anxiety or depression were surveyed to calculate their sleeping habits, it turned out that most of them slept for less than 6 hours a night.

          Magic Seven “Sleep Number”
For most adults, seven seems to be the magic number of hours of sleep needed a night, according to a study reported in the Harvard Business Review. Getting enough sleep will enable you to do your best work and help you handle daily challenges. If you sleep for less than seven hours per night it can greatly affect your health, even if you are just a little sleep-deprived.

I realized ‘six’ and ‘seven’ hours’ sleep making a difference.

  1. Less sugar.

It’s not new that sugar is bad for you. But do you know there are hidden sources of sugar.

        Hidden sources of sugar

I am not a sweet tooth but I may be eating more than I realize because so many everyday processed foods, from cereals and bread to pasta sauce and soups, contain sugar.

Studies found that ‘Low-fat’ and ‘diet’ foods often contain ‘extra’ sugar to help improve their taste and to add bulk and texture in place of fat. Even ready-made soups and sauces may contain added sugar. Also, a can of soft drink, on average, contains the equivalent of seven teaspoons of sugar.

      High sugar intakes increasing likelihood of mental disorders

Researches show men with high sugar intakes have an increased likelihood of common mental disorders (such as anxiety and depression) after 5 years compared to those with low intakes, according to the University College London research.

  1. Laughing boosts the immune system.

It was found that laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease. People who laugh heartily, on a regular basis, have a lower standing blood pressure than does the average person. When people have a good laugh, initially the blood pressure increases, but then it decreases to levels below normal.  Clinical studies by Loma Linda University have shown that laughter strengthens the immune system by increasing infection-fighting antibodies.

      Laughing reduces stress and enhances learning

Laughter reduces at least four of the neuro-endocrine hormones associated with stress. These are epinephrine, cortisol, dopamine, and growth hormone. Belly laughs result in muscle relaxation. While you laugh, the muscles that do not participate in the belly laugh relax. After you finish laughing, those muscles involved in the laughter start to relax. Therefore, the action takes place in two stages.

Brain Function Laughter stimulates both sides of the brain to enhance learning. It eases muscle tension and psychological stress, which keeps the brain alert and allows people to retain more information.

The Heart Laughter, along with an active sense of humor, may help protect you against a heart attack, according to a study at the University of Maryland Medical Center. The study, which is the first to indicate that laughter may help prevent heart disease, found that people with heart disease were 40 percent less likely to laugh in a variety of situations compared to people of the same age without heart disease.

         Laughing triggers the release of endorphins

Endorphins are one of the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain. Humor and laughter are a powerful emotional medicine that can lower stress, dissolve anger, and unite people in troubled times. Mood is elevated by striving to find humor in difficult and frustrating situations. Laughing at ourselves, and the situation we are in, will help reveal that small things are not the earth-shaking events they sometimes seem to be.

Believe it or not? Some said we can trick your brain to feel happy with a very easy exercise: Just smile. Try it.

  1. Good care of your mouth, teeth and gums is more important than you might realize.

Good oral and dental hygiene can help prevent bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease and oral health is more important than you might realize.According to the Mayo Clinic, highlight some major areas of concern.

  • Cardiovascular disease:In a nutshell, this means heart disease. The bacteria from inflammation of the gums and periodontal disease can enter your bloodstream and travel to the arteries in the heart and cause atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Atherosclerosis induces plaque to develop on the inner walls of arteries which thicken and this decreases or may block blood flow through the body. This can cause an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. The inner lining of the heart can also become infected and inflamed – a condition known as endocarditis.
  • Dementia:The bacteria from gingivitis may enter the brain through either nerve channels in the head or through the blood stream which might even lead to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Respiratory infections:The Journal of Periodontology warns that gum disease could cause you to get infections in your lungs, including pneumonia. While the c onnection might not be completely obvious at first, think of what might happen from breathing in bacteria from infected teeth and gums over a long period of time.
  • Diabetic complications:Inflammation of the gum tissue and periodontal disease can make it harder to control your blood sugar and make your diabetes symptoms worse. Diabetes sufferers are also more susceptible to periodontal disease, making proper dental care even more important for those with this disease.

Some believed that brushing and flossing keep more than your pearly whites healthy, they might also prevent serious illnesses. Poor dental care is also a possible factor in immune system disorders, weak bones, and problems with pregnancy and low birth weight.

  1. Dancing helps you lose weight and reduce stress.

One of my favourite shows like Strictly Come Dancing. If you also like to dance, it’s a great news that dance keep your body and mind healthy. Studies show that dancing can help you lose weight, stay flexible, reduce stress, make friends, and more.

According to a study in The New England Journal of Medicine, dancing may boost your memory and prevent you from developing dementia as you get older. Science reveals that aerobic exercise can reverse volume loss in the hippocampus, the part of the brain that controls memory. The hippocampus naturally shrinks during late adulthood, which often leads to impaired memory and sometimes dementia.

  1. Less TV reduces the chance of developing diabetes.

A research has suggested that each hour spent watching TV daily increases the chance of developing diabetes by 3.4 per cent in high-risk individuals.

Another study between the TV viewing habits and the brain function, it looked at more than 3,200 people, who were 25 years old, on average, at the start of the study. The people in the study who watched more than 3 hours of TV per day on average over the next 25 years were more likely to perform poorly on certain cognitive tests, compared with people who watched little TV, the researchers found.

The results suggest that engaging in physical activity, as oppose to sitting and watching TV, is important for brain health, said study author Tina D. Hoang, of the Northern California Institute for Research and Education at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in San Francisco. “Being physically active at any time in your life is good for your brain,” Hoang said.

Luckily, I am not a TV fan.  I’d rather like sitting in my garden than sitting in front of the TV.

  1. Gardening provides substantial human health benefits.

There is increasing evidence that gardening provides substantial human health benefits. I found the results of a meta-analysis research which have examined the effects of gardening, including horticultural therapy, on health. Most studies came from the United States, followed by Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Studies reported a wide range of health outcomes, such as reductions in depression, anxiety, and body mass index, as well as increases in life satisfaction, quality of life, and sense of community. Meta-analytic estimates showed a significant positive effect of gardening on the health outcomes both for all and sets of subgroup studies. Although the studies’ test indicated the presence of publication bias, significant positive effects of gardening remained after adjusting for this using trim and fill analysis. This study has provided robust evidence for the positive effects of gardening on health. A regular dose of gardening can improve public health.

Would you like to adapt one or two simple and surprising ways enabling to live healthily and happily?  Happy Weekend.

 

 

Categories
Beauty Glowing Skin Tips Health People Product

Blood Circulatory System and Healthy Glowing Skin

Blood circulatory system is very mechanical in nature. In many ways, it works just like a pump circulating blood through a network of unseen vessels.  In the same way that such a pump system would fail if there were wrong with the pump or the vessels became blocked. (Boehike J, 2017)

Most people aren’t aware of how important blood circulation is to your skin health. Your blood circulatory system brings nutrients (oxygen, minerals, vitamins, hormones and other micro-elements) to your skin cells and removes wastes (carbon dioxide, acid, protein by products).   Not only do skin cells require all of these substances, but the cells that comprise the blood vessels also require their own share of nutrients. (Chartie S, 2016)  So blood circulatory system can have a great impact on what you see in the mirror!

When the bloodflow to your dermis is restricted, your skin doesn’t look it best.  Poor blood circulation to your face causes your skin to look pale and pasty.  Also a lack of oxygen and nutrients may cause dark spots, a mottled complexion, slower healing acne wounds, slower cell regeneration, dry skin and leaving you looking aged and more fatigued.

While not all dark circles around the eyes are a result of poor blood circulation but because the skin in the area around our eyes is quite thin, poor circulation results in less oxygenated blood, showing in bluish/ purplish appearance around the eyes.

What remedies that can be used to increase blood flow?

1. Exercise

Exercise improves the oxygen carrying capacity and nourishes the body cells. Daily aerobic activity can improve the circulation of blood and is very essential for healthy body and mind. A rule of thumb is: Getting 20 minutes of aerobic activity at least three times a week helps you to maintain a strong heart. (Tabor, 2017)

2.Eat healthy food

A balanced and healthy diet keeps the good blood circulation. You can include these foods to your diet:- Nuts, Garlic, Ginger, Green tea, Green coffee, Ginseng root, omega-3 fatty acids rich food e.g. avocado & oily fish, Vitamin C-rich fruit and deep green vegetables.

Healthy food helps to maintain the tone of blood vessels and promotes good blood circulation.  In addition, it provides many nutrients and vitamins to leave your skin glowing naturally.

3. Stay hydrated

When you are dehydrated, blood volume and blood output suffer, taxing the heart as it moves blood through your system (Tabor, 2017)

4. Massage

Massage is the most commonly used means of improving bloodflow to your cells.  Massage increases blood circulation as a result of “the physical manipulation of soft tissue and also chemicals released in our face or bodies as part of relaxation response.”  (a) Take both hands and gently stroke your face.  You don’t need to pull on your skin or use a lot of force.  (b) Start at your neck and move up to your cheeks to your forehead.  (c) You can use the back of your hand, i.e. the knuckles, to roll across your face.

Why not take the easier and handy way to massage your face?  The newest Kathleen Facial Sonic Cleansing Device has combined the sonic pulsation with the innovative silicone touch points for a deeper and gentler cleansing.  This handy device also gives you facial massage easily when you bathe because of its waterproofing design.  Enjoy this mini pamper to stimulate the bloodflow and oxygen circulation every day.

5. Use of stimulating skin care products

Using skin care products with Ginseng Root, Green Coffee and Co-enzyme Q10 may help to improve blood circulation.

Scientists studies (Kang J, Lee N, Ahn Y, Lee H, 2013) show ginseng root improves blood circulation and the Chlorogenic acid present in the Green coffee is a metabolism booster which imposes a positive effect on the blood vessel and so improving the blood circulation (Nutrinelifepune, 2017).  Try Kathleen Caviar Enrich Eye Cream, which has infused with Ginseng root and Green coffee that helps to reduce dark circles and puffiness under the eyes.

Co-enzyme Q10 is a natural “powerhouse” for our cells to improve the blood circulation and improve our antioxidant defence system (Byron R, 2014).  Try Kathleen Glamour Ageless Anti-Aging Serum that specifically targets to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, protects against dryness and restores softness.

6. Practicing deep breathing

Deep breathing improves the circulation of oxygenated blood in one’s system. It also helps   decrease stress, lower blood pressure. Deep breathing involves: (a) breathing in slowly until your lungs fill up completely, (b) holding one’s breath for 10-15 seconds and (c) letting out ALL of the air slowly, as this removes carbon dioxide and cellular wastes from the body.

If you found this post interesting, you might also like 10 Benefits of Hyaluronic AcidShea Butter is the skin’s best friendAmazing White Illuminating Serum and the Beauty Shortlist Awards.

Reference

Boehlke, J. (2017). Benefits of Increased Blood Circulation. Retrieved from Livestrong.com

Chartie, S. (2016). Healthy and vibrant skin thanks to your blood flow! Retrieved from avogel.ca

Tabor, A (2017), In Circulation: Facts About Blood Flow and Healthy Skin. Retrived from Healthy Directions

Kang J, Lee N, Ahn Y, Lee H, (2013), Study on improving blood flow with Korean red ginseng substances using digital infrared thermal imaging and Doppler sonography: randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with parallel design. Retrieved from ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nutrinelifepune (2017). Top 9 Benefits of Green Coffee Beans You Should Not Miss

Byron, R (2017), Coenzyme Q10 Remarkably Improves Circulation

 

 

Categories
Beauty People Product

Spritz With Moisture For Flawless Holiday Skin

When it’s hot outside, a refreshing spritz of a moisturising mist can do wonders for dry skin. KATHLEEN® Rebalancing & Soothing Tonifying Mist quenches skin with abundant moisture to maintain balance and helps to relieve dry patches and soothe irritation.

This beautiful mist has also been featured in British Vogue.

It also was one of the shortlists in the Pure Beauty Award 2017. Packed with active aloe vera and glycerin to gently revitalise skin suppleness, and chamomile water and lemon extract which work together to heal and soothe skin irritation, leaving skin more toned, less red and with a radiant appearance.

 

 

 

 

Perfect for a post-cleanser toner or whenever your skin needs refreshing and soothing and leaving you flawless holiday skin.

£ 23/150 ml 

Also available on Love Lula and Beauty Bridge also

BENEFITS

Rebalancing the pH level of the skin

Soothing the skin

Calming and reducing redness or irritation

Preparing the skin for Kathleen skincare boosters

SUITABLE FOR

All skin types including sensitive skin

All ages

 

With the innovative T1 – Intercellular Technology® to improve our quality, allowing active ingredients to be concentrated into the condensed micro-molecules that would coat the entire surface of skin cells which enables the cells to absorb the ingredients more easily and efficiently. The application of this technology has been amazingly successful and it is registered under Kathleen Natural Limited.

 

 

 

If you found this post interesting, you might also like  and 

 

Categories
Lifestyle People

Hay Fever

Who’s affected

Hay fever is a common allergic condition that affects up to 10 million people in England, according to the NHS. The number of sufferers is expected to rise to 30 million by 2035 due to an increase in air pollution and pollen counts soaring.

Research found that hay fever usually begins in childhood or during the teenage year, and it’s more common in boys than girls.  In fact, you can get hay fever at any age. Studies show that a lot of adults will develop this allergy in their 30s, 40s and 50s.  Half a million new “middle-aged” cases are predicted in the next decade, according to the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit.  Therefore, everyone can develop hay fever in life.

If you have a family history of allergies, particular asthma or eczema, you are more likely to suffer hay fever.

How’s affected

Hay fever doesn’t be a serious threat to your health, but it can affect your quality of life.

Pollen is a fine powder released by plant during their reproductive cycle.  As pollen contains proteins that triggers your body an allergic reaction, causes your immune system produces histamine into your blood stream, to protect your body against infection. This histamine causes the nose, eyes, throat and airways to become swollen, irritated and inflamed.

Different types of pollen are released throughout the year in England.

Birch: Second week of March to first week of June (peaks last week of March to mid-May).

Plane: Mid-March to mid-May (peaks last week of April to second week in May).

Oilseed rape: Last week in March to mid-July (peaks mid-May to end of June).

Oak: First week of April to mid-June (peaks end of April to first week in June).

Grass: First week of May to second week of September (peaks first week in June to last week in July).

Nettle: Beginning of May to end of September (peaks last week of June to first week in August).

Mould: Early autumn and late spring. Symptoms are worse inside than outside.

If you suffer allergies all year round, you may allergic to dust, especially notable in winter when the central heating is turned on. Symptoms are worse indoors.

Here is the pollen forecast by Met Office which is up to 5-day ahead.

What’s solution

There’s no cure for hay fever, but most people can relieve symptoms with treatment, at least to a certain extent.

You can relieve symptoms by taking “antihistamines”, which can help to prevent an allergic reaction from occurring and “corticosteroids”, which help to reduce inflammation and swelling.

However, new research has concluded that people regularly taking popular drugs for hay fever and other allergies, did worse in cognitive tests and showed signs of loss of brain cells and connections. Therefore, it suggested there may be a link to dementia.

The most effective way to control hay fever would be to avoid exposure to pollen.  You may prefer to take home remedies and boost our immune system.

Home remedies

  • Close doors and windows during pollen season.
  • Don’t hang laundry outside — pollen can stick to sheets and towels.
  • Use an allergy-grade filter in your home ventilation system and change it regularly.
  • Avoid outdoor activity in the early morning, when pollen counts are highest.
  • Stay indoors on dry, windy days.
  • Use a dehumidifier to reduce indoor humidity and mould.
  • Avoid mowing the lawn or raking leaves.
  • Wear a dust mask when cleaning house or gardening.
  • Use allergy-proof covers on mattresses, box springs and pillows.
  • Wash sheets and blankets in water heated to at least 130 F (54 C).
  • Vacuum carpets weekly with a vacuum cleaner equipped with a small-particle or HEPA filter.
  • Spray insecticide designed to kill dust mites (acaricides) and approved for indoor use on carpets, furniture and bedding.
  • Consider removing carpeting, especially where you sleep, if you’re highly sensitive to dust mites.
  • Wear wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen getting in your eyes.
  • Take a shower and changing clothes after being outdoor to remove the pollen on your body and hair.
  • Apply a small amount of Vaseline to the nasal openings to trap pollen grains.

Strengthen Immune System

Vitamins

Take Vitamin C which is another form of antihistamine’

Take Vitamin E which is an immune booster as well as an antioxidant, so protects you from free radicals like pollution.

Honey

Honey can desensitise your body to other pollens and reduce hay fever symptoms.

Carotenoids

This naturally occurring pigment can be found in foods such as carrots, apricots, pumpkin, sweet potato and spinach and acts as a powerful antioxidant to help reduce inflammation and fortify your immune system.

Fish

Omega fatty acids contained in fish are important for a healthy immune system. The first phase of an immune reaction is an inflammatory reaction – and fish oil is an anti-inflammatory. Not only that, it’s a great booster for your immune system.

Nuts

A great source of magnesium and Vitamin E.  Magnesium helps increase lung function and may protect against wheezing.  Vitamin E is an immune booster and an antioxidant.

Apples, Oranges, Berries and Grapes

Natural source of Vitamin C and antioxidants which reduces inflammation in the body and protects against allergy symptoms.

Do you suffer from hay fever? Tell us your hay fever experiences.