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The Desire For Teeth Whitening and the Benefits

This article hopes to give you the knowledge you need, to feel that you have a firm grasp on the subject.

If you are valuable or stardom, or some form of exemplar, then you will more than liable be free to a great surface dentist to whiten your teeth. Aesthetic dentists are visibly the best variety for teeth whitening. They have all the hottest tools and technologies open to them. This is why they will be able to do the best job for you. Unfortunately most of us don’t have the kind of money it takes to splurge on whitening out teeth at a surface dentist’s function.

If you don’t have the money for laser whitening or other practices open at the dentist’s function, then there are other varieties open. There are oodles of at home teeth whitening systems that are out there on the internet nowadays. The other great thing is that most of them crop sweet actual outcome, as far as making your teeth happen whiter. These technologies have been important at making the teeth whitening rate drop to more of the common broadcast.

So what are your varieties for at home teeth whitening? Well mostly you have three varieties. You have trays, strips and applicators. All of them crop analogous outcome, it comes down to an unusual fanciness. I like the applicator liquid because it only takes a few summaries a day instead of an hour with the strips and trays. You also don’t poverty to sport uncomfortable trays or strips. When you are looking at home teeth whitening crop you should not have to pay more than $25 dollars for a kit. The kit should last for 3-6 months as well. So if you want to whiten your teeth the additional competition has helped certainly have dropped the teeth whitening rate for you.

As we continue, we will take a look at how this new information can be implemented in very special ways.If you’re considering receiving your teeth whitened, you’ve got many varieties open. March into any drug keeps and you’ll see teeth whitening kits, and whitening strips. Advance, there are many dentists donation one hour professional treatments, planned to get your teeth their absolute whitest. Let’s take a look at what you can assume from laser teeth whitening.

Most people who’ve undergone laser incisor whitening fancy the practice to do-it-manually kits. The results are? Outcome is whiter brighter teeth. There’s also the quantity of time, as laser whitening treatments take about an hour. Whitening kits open over the counter or via the internet typically expect manifold applications over a time of weeks.

While the technology is quickly open, you shouldn’t have to interval long for an appointment. Once you come, you’ll typically undergo a degree cleaning to detach any leftover plate. Then, a gel is practical to your teeth with a wash like logo. This gel is analogous to the gel you’d grasp in a take home whitening kit, but it’s more concentrated and stronger.

Then, it’s time for the laser. The laser activates the whitening formula in the gel, and each incisor is alert winning, a few summaries at a time. Of course, the most obvious teeth grasp the uppermost flatten of awareness. The practice itself is painless, while if your teeth are untypically receptive, you may experience discomfort.

All in all, laser teeth whitening takes about an hour. After the laser has done its job, the gel is rinsed off and the practice is whole. You can assume your teeth to be noticeably whiter, typically by 5-7 shades. You may experience some sensitivity for a day or two, greatly like you would after a regular dentist outing.

Overheads for this practice have actually been impending down freshly, doubtless due to competition and the popularity of teeth whitening technology. Beware for unusual offers and fleeting charge reductions, untypically in foremost metropolitan advertises or the internet. Typically, the practice will rate somewhere from £250-£450

We propose wearisome a take home whitening kit first to see if you attain your beloved outcome. If you’re a bit elder and your teeth have unlit more with age, odds are these kits might not deliver to your expectations. It’s an unusual variety while, so clarify what factory best for you while balancing rates and profit. Try searching for a particular teeth whitening keyword from the title of this article on your search engine and you are sure to find a wealth of knowledge.

The author is involved in a Zoom teeth whitening treatment or further information on Laser Teeth whitening

Healthy Ways to Lose Weight

Losing weight can be a difficult endeavor, as it takes a long term commitment and lots of hard work to see noticeable results. Entrepreneurs have taken notice of the frustration that can be caused by trying to lose weight, and thus have developed quick fix solutions. We have all seen the commercials for supplements that enable the loss of weight without any need for diet or exercise. The fact of the matter is, these drugs do not work, and in some cases can actually be dangerous. The only way to properly lose weight is through a well managed eating plan and regular exercise.

Many people are afraid of the word diet, but it does not have to be a scary thing. That is why it is important not to use the word diet, as it has connotations of having to abstain from every food that you once enjoyed. The key is not to give up food, but to simply enjoy it in moderation. Make sure that you have a well rounded eating habit, one that comprises of fruits, vegetables, meats, and breads. As long as you have enough of the good stuff, you can occasionally indulge in sweets and what is considered junk food.

Although it sounds simple, actually following a regiment of this nature can be tough in practice. If you cannot do it alone, do not be afraid to ask for support from friends and family. Some of them are probably going through the same thing you are, and would be happy to lend you mutual encouragement. Why do you think programs like Weight Watchers are so successful? The reason is because they offer participants the chance to network with people sharing their goals. The desire to achieve rises when other people are involved in your activities, so even if you do not initially think you could use support, it is definitely something that should be looked in to.

The easiest way to get access to a consistent means of exercise is through a gym. Gyms have top quality machinery, weights, and equipment. In addition, they are packed with instructors who are willing to help you at every turn, and if you decide to get a personal trainer, the results you see will be even more amazing. They can set up an exercise plan to follow that does not strain you too hard and is flexible.

If you are one of those people who dread the thought of working out at a gym, there are several alternative options. Utilizing home exercise equipment may be the ideal choice for you, and some products are so advanced they can be manipulated to turn in to nearly any machine that a gym would have. This way, you can work out from the comfort of your own home, whenever you want and without having to go out.

You can even play sports, such as soccer or football, which involve high amounts of cardiovascular exercise and work certain muscles. As long as you are getting some kind of physical activity, you are burning calories and losing weight. By engaging in a consistent exercise routine and eating the right foods, you will eventually lose weight. You do not need to be perfect, and it is okay to falter, as losing weight is not easy. With enough motivation, inspiration, and hard work, there is nothing stopping you from reaching your target weight.

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Health Reasons to Stop Smoking

Smoking is one of the most destructive things one can do to their body. The cancer that kills the most Americans is lung cancer, and the majority of people who contract that disease are smokers or were former smokers. In addition to the fatal consequences of smoking, there is also extensive bodily harm. The lungs become damaged, it becomes harder to breathe, and one may cough heavily at sporadic times throughout the day. These facts are all commonly known, so why do people continue to smoke?

The primary answer is addiction. Although most people do not think of it as such, tobacco is a drug with heavy addiction potential. Nicotine is released when tobacco is smoked, and it causes a number of immediate harms. It increases blood sugar levels and alters metabolism and appetite. This is the reason many people smoke to regulate their weight, and while it is somewhat effective, it is the worst possible thing one could do to lose weight. Why try to get healthy one way by doing something unhealthy in another way?

People are not aware just how dangerous smoking is. Smoking has killed tens of millions of people in the twentieth century alone, and it is predicted that the habit will kill over a billion people during the twenty first century. While there are some people who smoke their whole lives without having a single difficulty, these cases are highly irregular, and the majority of people who smoke for long periods of time suffer great complications. Even smokers who only smoke for a few years can experience problems of a terminal nature.

Smoking is not just harmful to the lungs; it damages almost every organ in the body. When one inhales tobacco smoke, carbon monoxide is absorbed through the lungs in to the blood stream. This carbon monoxide, a highly poisonous gas, binds to receptor sites that would normally be filled with oxygen.

Thus, less oxygen reaches your organs, most importantly your brain, and every part suffers. There are hundreds of other chemicals found in cigarettes, including arsenic and even a few radioactive substances. Inserting all of this in to your body is not good, and even if one does not come down with a terminal illness, all smokers are bound to at one time or another experience complications of some sort.

Besides lung cancer, other cancers associated with smoking include kidney and stomach cancer. Smoking also contributes to the number one killer of Americans, heart disease, by increasing your blood pressure and the burden on your heart. This can cause heart attacks as well as strokes. With all of the risks associated with smoking, it seems illogical that one would ever start up. While there is still considerable social influence to start smoking, it is not as appealing as it was decades ago. Although millions of people classify themselves as smoker, there are still many more people who choose not to smoke.

One negative thing that all smokers share from day one is the cost of smoking. Long time smokers can spend tens of thousands of dollars on cigarettes in their lifetimes, and for especially strong users, the cost can even reach six digits. By quitting smoking, you can directly save yourself a year’s worth of salary, while improving your health and feeling better.

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Differnet Ways of Treating Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety is a feeling that all humans experience, and is triggered in response to stressful events. Therefore, it is a perfectly normal feeling that is actually beneficial in helping us cope with problems. For some people, however, anxiety can become so severe that it becomes a problem, and must be dealt with in some way. Anxiety disorder can arise from the result of excessive, consistent stress, or problems in the flow of neurotransmitters within the brain. Whatever the reason, anxiety disorder is not something to be taken lightly, and should be dealt with at the first signs.

Anxiety disorder can be caused from a combination of biological and external factors. Biologically, it may be brought on by increased blood flow to the amygdala, one of the brain’s fear centers. With increased activity in that region, one would feel more generally apprehensive, regardless if there were any serious stimuli. However, since nearly everybody experiences some amount of stress every day, any extra activity in the amygdala would amplify uneasy feelings.

Even though anxiety disorder is thought of as completely mental, there are physical symptoms of having it. One can experience headaches, stomach aches, chest pain, and shortness of breath, all of which also occur when in threatening situations. The most serious event that can happen as a result of anxiety disorder (although in reality anyone is susceptible to it) is a panic attack, in which the person feels like they are going to faint or die. Panic attacks are not fatal, although to anyone who has experienced one, it feels that way.

There are several methods for dealing with anxiety disorder, and thankfully some of the most effective techniques are also the most simple. Many people are often overloaded with responsibilities and work, and their anxiety stems from this. By making more time for yourself and dropping some of the less important responsibilities, anxiety disorder can be successfully managed. Even if it is impossible to give up anything, just being able to find a few minutes each day to relax can be quite therapeutic.

Like with most mental issues, psychologists can be very supportive and curative. Sometimes one just needs another person to talk to in order to feel better, and since psychologists are trained to solve others problems, they will often say exactly what you need to hear. They can help rearrange your life so it is more manageable, and will be there for as long as you need them. There are many psychologists who specialize in anxiety and related disorders, so it is best to find someone with those qualifications so you are given the best treatment.

Anxiety is an interesting malady to tackle, and new drugs are coming out every year to help people cope with it. Depending on the anxiety one has, they might only need to take medications once in awhile, like before doing a stressful activity. For other types, longer term treatment is required. Whatever the case, anxiety medication has come a long way, and is much more effective now than it was decades ago.

Not just one route has to be taken. Different therapies can be combined to create better results. For example, one may talk to a psychologist while taking medication at home. Every individual is unique, and thus a customized regiment must be developed for each patient.

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The Placebo Effect and Its Health Benefits

A just released survey of 679 internists and rheumatologists, chosen at random from a national list, reports that more than half of responding physicians used fake medicines - placebos - to treat patients with tough to treat conditions relying on the placebo effect to make them feel better.

These physicians are drawing on information that for a given medical condition, it’s not unusual for one-third of patients to feel better after being treated with a placebo.

If you believe you will get better, chances are, you will.

“Twenty to thirty percent of the benefit seen in rheumatism drug studies are due to the placebo effect. Real changes in health go along with the belief that patients will get better,” says researcher Jon C. Tilburt of the Mayo Clinic. Thanks to today’s brain imagery techniques, the theory that thoughts and beliefs affect your psychological state, and cause the body to undergo real biological changes has been shown to be true.

Known to science as the placebo effect, this phenomenon has long been observed in clinical trials where patients who were taking an inactive compound reported real improvements, more improvement than patients getting no treatment at all. Placebos can either be a pill made from inactive substances or a sham procedure meant to imitate the real one but with no specific therapeutic activity that a patient accepts as therapy. Any subsequent therapeutic effect is based on the power of suggestion.

Using a placebo is a strategy if a physician is treating a problem that doesn’t have proven treatments. Despite the drug companies’ best efforts, new medications take time to develop, test and get to market. So many conditions aren’t fully understood, or show different symptoms in different people that you can see why treating a chronic problem can be a challenge for your doctor.

According to the American Medical Association, using a placebo without telling the patient undermines trust and compromises the relationship between doctor and patient. The patient should know if a drug is a placebo, and should never be given a prescription just because they are seen as a difficult or demanding patient.

How do doctors explain a placebo to patients? The AMA wants physicians to tell patients that placebos help better understand a condition by allowing them to try different medications. Typically a practitioner will say something about using a medication that’s not often used for your problem, but might benefit you. If you agree, the doctor doesn’t have to identify which medicine is a fake.

If you’re feeling a bit deceived by all of this, the doctors who follow this line of reasoning are quick to point out that they always have the best interest of the patient at heart.

Even so, it’s not surprising patients feel betrayed when they learn that they were given a placebo, A sensitive doctor can explain, “Just because the placebo worked doesn’t mean you’re crazy. You were in distress and thus more prone to reacting to anything with the potential to help.”

It goes to show that use of the placebo effect by an authority figure like a doctor has the power to heal or hurt.

Over 14,000 people have joined Kirsten’s popular (and sometimes controversial) Daily Health Bulletin, so why not join them and find out more about the placebo effect and other health news daily.

You’ll get 5 comprehensive health reports free when you join - giving you all the information you need to treat common ailments, lose weight, look younger and feel healthier.

Government Recommends 2.5 Hours of Healthy Exercise a Week

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued its first-ever Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Think of these as the “Food Pyramid” for healthy exercise and activity level. Experts now recommend two and a half hours of exercise (aerobic and strength training) for adults per week, and an hour a day for children. The plan seeks to offer science-based guidance to help us all improve our health by getting more active.

With a reported 59% of adults (aged 18 to 64) not getting enough physical activity, you can see why the government would be urging us to exercise a bit more.

Regular, moderate exercise has shown many health benefits in study after study. Lowering the risk of heart disease, different cancers, osteoporosis, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, depression and more are just a few of the benefits. Exercise also…

- improves your mood

- helps you sleep better

- boosts high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the “good,” cholesterol while bringing down low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the “bad,” cholesterol

- helps manage your weight

- puts the spark back in your sex life

For children and adolescents, their bodies growing rapidly, the benefit of regular exercise to cardiovascular and respiratory fitness is well known. Active kids:

- have stronger muscles and bones

- have a leaner body and less likely to become overweight

- have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes

- have a better outlook

The good news is that young people can have these benefits without doing formal, regimented workouts.

In fact, the remarkable health benefits come from all those trusted staples of childhood… the jungle gym, tag, tug-o-war, kickball for at least 60 minutes each day.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 16% of children aged 6-19 years old are overweight or obese - triple the number in 1980.

Now more than ever, we need to get kids up and moving… to help them now and in the future.

Of course, getting yourself up and moving isn’t any easier… there are lots of challenges to overcome. The first, and hardest, is getting started. The government provides a guide you can use to help you get more activity into your routine… help you choose the activities to try and ways to schedule workouts into your day.

If you’ve been inactive for a long time, talk to your doctor first before you make any changed. But once you get the okay, there are lots of ways, simple everyday things; you can do to be more active. Try to…

1. Walk as much, and as often, as you can.

2. Trade your sit-down mower for a push one.

3. Take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator.

4. Park at the far end of the parking lot.

5. Take a brisk walk during your lunch hour or break at work.

6. Walk the length of your favorite shopping mall.

7. Get off the bus a few stops before your usual one and walk.

8. Lift weights or use a treadmill while you watch your favorite TV shows.

None of these activities cost any more than your time and if you incorporate healthy exercise as part of your daily like it will increase your life span and the quality of your life.

Over 14,000 people have joined Kirsten’s popular (and sometimes controversial) Daily Health Bulletin, so why not join them and stay up to date with ideas for healthy exercise and other health news daily.

You also get 5 comprehensive health reports free when you join - giving you all the information you need to treat common ailments, lose weight, look younger & feel healthy.

A New Clue to the Link Between Dopamine Receptors and Weight Problems

Science has been searching for the connection between weight problems and our brains for a long time now. New research points to a gene that could prod people to overeat and gain weight. The most recent findings indicate that obese people seem to have fewer dopamine receptors in the brain… giving them less of an ability to feel pleasure in eating and encouraging them to eat more to get the same pleasure.

The research used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the pleasure centers of the brain in a group of 53 female university students and 33 teenage girls, looking at the response to food. Subjects were given sips of a chocolate milkshake, and then a tasteless solution. Participants were also checked for the presence of a genetic variant called Taq1A1, linked to a lower number of dopamine D2 receptors in the brain. The body mass index of the subjects was then tracked for one year.

At the end of the follow up, researcher found that subjects whose brain was less activated by the chocolate milkshake and who had the gene variant, were also most likely to have gained weight during the year of follow up. The increase was 3.6%. “This is the first imaging study which found less activation of dopamine receptors in [some] humans,” said study lead author Eric Stice, a scientist at the Oregon Research Institute in Portland.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that gets released when you eat… bringing that feeling of pleasure. In our distant past, this “pleasure chemical” was a reward to the body for eating a life sustaining meal. The amount of dopamine released is related to the level of pleasure experienced, and it seems that some of us are just genetically predisposed to not have the number of dopamine receptors we need.

Earlier work has shown that obese individuals tend to have fewer D2 receptors than leaner people. This may explain why some can eat anything they want and not gain… and others feel they eat normally and still gain.

This latest work is the result of a collaboration between clinical psychologists from Oregon Research Institute and the University of Texas, and sensory neuroscientists from the John B. Pierce Laboratory and the Yale University School of Medicine. The research was funded by a grant (R1MH64560A) from the National Institutes of Health Roadmap for Medical Research.

“What is new here is that for the first time they have identified the consequences of this genetic polymorphism (type) in how the brain functions,” said Dr. Nora Volkow who has worked to identify the role of the D2 gene (the one missing in the ORI subjects) in overeating. Now the director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, she’s worked hard to make the link between addictive behaviors and the human brain. She also makes the connection between lack of dopamine receptors and other abusive behaviors, instances of people doing things like drinking and drugs compulsively, even when they know better.

And while you can’t change the genetics of your brain right now, there are things you can do to help yourself fight back against weight problems. Eating a healthy diet, and consuming meals more slowly are important first steps. You’ll also want to be sure you’re active - getting two to three workouts per week - to help activate the dopamine pathway and reduce the urge to overeat.

Over 14,000 people have joined Kirsten’s popular (and sometimes controversial) Daily Health Bulletin, so why not join them and stay up to date with natural treatments for weight problems and other health news daily.

You also get 5 comprehensive health reports free when you join - giving you all you need to treat common ailments, lose weight, look younger and feel healthy

St. John’s Wort: A Natural Alternative For Treating Depression Symptoms?

German scientists just completed a research review regarding the effectiveness of the herb St. John’s Wort that pooled data from 29 studies involving nearly 5,500 patients with mild to moderately severe depression symptoms. The team compared the effects of St. John’s Wort to a placebo, as well as to a wide range of the most popular antidepressants.

The numbers of patients who are taking prescription antidepressants is rising steadily throughout the world and has been for years. Between 1995 and 2002, the most recent years for which numbers are available, the use of these medications went up 48% according to CDC figures. Still many patients, uncomfortable with the often disruptive side effects of these prescription medications, and unsure of their safety over the long term, have sought natural alternatives.

“Overall, the St. John’s Wort extracts tested in the trials were superior to placebo, similarly effective as standard antidepressants, and had fewer side effects than standard antidepressants,” the researchers, led by Dr Klaus Linde from the Centre for Complementary Medicine in Munich, Germany reported. There have been other studies that suggest St. John’s Wort is effective for treating mild to moderate depression, but more work is needed to completely confirm this link.

Encouraging… but just what is St. John’s Wort anyway? Used for thousands of years, the herb comes from a beautiful, bright yellow, star shaped flower, and works by keeping a chemical known as serotonin in the brain for longer. This substance is known to be one of the major players in mood, though exactly how it works is still not known. You can get this remarkable little herb in several forms, capsules, as a liquid or in a tea bag for brewing. You should know that there are considerable variations in purity of ingredients, strength and quality between many of the products on the market today.

Generally this herb is well tolerated if you stick to the recommended doses - more is not better. Just because it is natural, does not man that you can’t be hurt by taking too much. Side effects from St. John’s Wort include increased sensitivity to sunlight, as well as dizziness, tiredness, gastrointestinal upset, fatigue, dry mouth and hair loss. Follow the storage and dosing recommendations on any product you buy, and be sure to shop carefully - watching for quality ingredients, consistent manufacturing processes and realistic claims. If it sounds too good to be true… it very likely is.

Another reason so many hope for natural alternatives for treating depression is the alarming stories of teens taking antidepressants with sometimes tragic consequences. During the 1990’s, antidepressants, specifically selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s), were thought to increase the risk of suicidal behavior in children and adults. In 2004 the FDA took an unprecedented step, issuing a black box warning concerning antidepressant use in young people. No one can say for certain that the risks of these drugs outweigh the benefits. This is a highly personal decision between a young patient, the parents and the physician involved.

St. John’s Wort, while natural and effective for mild depression symptoms, does have some problems of its own. Mainly the concerns over drug interactions, especially when it comes to birth control pills, other antidepressants, cyclosporine, digoxin, indinavir (and other meds used in HIV treatment), Irinotecan (and other drugs to treat cancer), wafarin and related anticoagulants. If you take any of these medications, talk to your doctor before you begin using St. John’s Wort to be sure it is safe for you.

Over 14,000 people have joined Kirsten’s popular (and sometimes controversial) Daily Health Bulletin, so why not join them and stay up to date with natural treatments for depression symptoms and other health news daily.

You also get 5 comprehensive health reports free when you join - giving you all the information you need to treat common ailments, lose weight, look younger and feel healthy.

No Surprise Here: Survey Finds the Economy is a Significant Source of Stress Symptoms

A recent Stress in America survey carried out in September found that 80% of Americans felt that the economy was a significant reason for experiencing stress symptoms in their lives. This figure is up from 66% back in April 2008.

The financial downturn is taking its toll on all of us… but women most especially. Not surprising with the way things have been going of late - Wall Street is volatile… layoffs are expected… prices on food are going up, the values of our homes and our 401K’s are sinking like a stone. It’s no wonder people are stressed - we all have good reason.

“People’s emotional and physical health is more vulnerable, given the high levels of stress in our country right now,” says psychologist Katherine Nordal, PhD, the American Psychological Association’s executive director for professional practice.

The data in the survey was collected online by Harris Interactive on behalf of the American Psychological Association between June and August 2008. Participants had to live in the U.S. and be at least 18 years old. According to the survey, the top stressors for Americans who participated include…

- Money – 81%

- The economy – 80%

- Work – 67%

- Health problems affecting the family – 67%

All this takes its toll… whether you acknowledge it or not. In 2008, more people are dealing with stress related physical and emotional symptoms than in 2007. Nearly half of all adults said their stress has gone up in the past year. Stress related fatigue, being irritable or angry and lying awake at night all rose from 2007 levels. Other symptoms listed included lack of interest or motivation, feeling depressed and sad, having headaches and muscle tension.

It’s no secret that stress can be bad for us… that it contributes to health problems, poor relationships and lost productivity, especially if you aren’t able to manage it well. But with all that’s happening around us, plus what we need to deal with day-to-day, it’s no wonder rates of significant stress are rising.

Most of the survey participants thought they were managing their stress well. Less than half used exercise, more often people turned to listening to music (52%) as a form of stress relief. Unhealthy habits were represented in the coping strategies as well, with 48% of respondents admitting to overeating, 18% to drinking alcohol and 16% to smoking cigarettes.

What you must understand is that if you ignore stress, it won’t go away. In fact, the destructive consequences of prolonged stress on the body and mind are worse if you don’t do something about it. Finding yourself dealing with irritability, trouble sleeping, changes in appetite, headaches, stomach aches, intestinal problems, nervousness, excessive worry and feeling sad are signs that stress has the upper hand. You need help to get it back under control.

Of course you can help yourself by paying attention to the news, but not getting too wrapped up in the doom and gloom. Bad news gets attention (i.e. ratings) which is why people are often advised not to watch a newscast just before bedtime. You might also want to incorporate relaxation techniques, daily meditation or other alternative therapies for managing stress into your daily routine.

The current economic climate does bring an opportunity… the chance to take stock of your particular financial situation and what causes you stress. Look for ways to cut expenses… put things on paper so you see exactly where you stand. You might consider this as an opportunity to get more training to improve your job prospects… an unexpected chance to make long term plans that in the end will have you better off. Remember the Wayne Dyer quote, “Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change.”

You’ll also want to think about how you deal with stress over money. Sometimes it’s easy to turn to unhealthy, but enjoyable distractions like smoking, drinking, gambling or emotional eating, to cope. Other times prolonged, serious tension like this will cause arguments between partners or family members. Money is a strange thing… how you handle it comes from a lot of places, your own upbringing included. Ask for help if you need it. There are credit counseling services and financial planners who can work with you to show you how to gain control over your financial situation.

And if you find yourself feeing overwhelmed or hopeless, don’t be shy about getting yourself some professional help. Perhaps there are emotions behind the trouble you have handling stress symptoms… now’s your chance to confront these and get over them. It’s the only way you’ll feel better… and you’ll be modeling good, sound, responsible behaviors for your children, or others in your life, as well.

Over 14,000 people have joined Kirsten’s popular (and sometimes controversial) Daily Health Bulletin, so why not join them and stay up to date with effective ways for combatting stress symptoms and other health news daily.

You also get 5 comprehensive health reports free when you join - giving you all the information you need to treat common ailments, lose weight, look younger & feel healthy

5 Surprising Reasons You’re Putting on Weight

We all know what puts on weight - too much fattening, calorie-laden food, too little exercise. But what if you’re doing all the right things… eating a healthy diet and working out regularly and you’re still putting on weight? Nothing is more maddening, more likely to chip away at your hard won resolve than the number on the scale going up instead of down. Before you give in and give up ask yourself if any of these unexpected reasons could be behind the scale moving in the wrong direction.

Reason #1: You’re not getting enough sleep.

Surprising but true, and it makes sense if you think about it. Your body works best when it is well rested and full recharged. When you don’t get enough sleep, besides feeling the fatigue, you don’t handle stress as well - little things seem to drive you crazy. This makes it much more likely you’ll each for comfort food - we all have our favorites. Not only that, lack of sleep makes our bodies more ready and willing to store fat - not the best thing for losing weight.

If you find yourself feeling fatigued, being irritable, nodding off or just have a lingering low energy level, your body is trying to tell you that it isn’t getting the sleep it needs. What to do? Start by making changes in your sleep habits so that you help yourself wind down and fall asleep. Going to bed and getting up at the same time each day, even on vacation and holidays is critical. You might also work on getting enough exercise during the day (but not too close to bedtime) so that you burn off excess tension. It’s important to pay attention to your sleep environment too - make it dark, quiet and a comfortable, constant temperature.

“Add about 15 minutes to your bedtime and see how you feel,” suggests Michelle May, MD, author of Am I Hungry? What to Do When Diets Don’t Work, “Continue to experiment with additional 15 minute increments until you find the amount of sleep that is right for you.”

Reason #2: You’re under stress.

Stress has become an expected part of modern living. Work schedules. School schedules. Hectic commutes. Rushing everywhere and always ten minutes behind. It’s no wonder we’re all dealing with the effects of this state of constant arousal on our bodies. Stress does harm to both body and mind, and has been noted as a contributing factor to many serious diseases.

What stress does is start a chain of biochemical processes - storing fuel, slowing down metabolism and releasing chemicals like cortisol, leptin and other hormones that are already linked to obesity. Not only that, stress leaves us open to eating things that taste good… that feel good… but are in truth not at all good for the body.

Susan Bowerman, MS, RD, assistant director of the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition, says stress eaters want high-carbohydrate foods because these foods trigger an increase in the brain chemical serotonin. This has a calming effect on the body. “It is almost like self-medicating,” she says. “Many people binge on starchy foods to make themselves feel better.”

I know I’m guilty of this at times. If you think this might be part of your problem, getting more exercise will help. By doing something physical, you help your body to burn up excess energy that might otherwise be turned inward. Relaxation techniques, daily meditation or other practices are also highly effective ways to manage everyday stress.

Reason #3: You’re taking a particular medication.

If you’ve suddenly gained five pounds in a month, without a change in your healthy, active lifestyle, you might want to take a look inside your medicine cabinet. Medicines, prescription or not, have side effects and weight gain can be one of them.

Drugs prescribed to treat depression or mood disorders; seizures, migraines, blood pressure and diabetes come with the potential to have you putting on weight. That weight can be as much as 10 pounds a month. Other treatments like hormone replacement therapy, oral contraceptives and steroids are known to contribute to gaining weight. Even heartburn medications may be to blame for that growing number on the scale.

If you suspect a medication, talk with your pharmacist and doctor to see what your options might be. It’s important to evaluate the few extra pounds in terms of the benefits you’re getting from the drug. Never stop taking a medication because you think it’s making you fat - this can be dangerous. Talk with your doctor first.

“Rarely is the problem solved with a change in meds,” cautions Dr. May “These things can contribute, but rarely are the sole cause of the weight gain.”

What if you must stay on a medicine that is known to put on weight? Be sure to keep your lifestyle - diet and activity level - as healthy as possible. Drink plenty of fluids. Get the rest you need and manage that stress level so your body has the best chance of minimizing the effect of the drug on your system.

Reason #4: You have an (as yet) undiagnosed health condition.

As frightening as that sounds… the weight gain could be your first sign that something’s up, and that you need to take action. Those extra pounds are a wake up call…

One of the most common conditions known to cause weight gain is hypothyroidism -your thyroid gland isn’t making enough of a hormone the body needs. This affects the whole body - you feel tired and weak, your metabolism slows, you’re putting on weight. These and other symptoms of hypothyroidism come on slowly, over time, so that you might miss them at first. But leave hypothyroidism untreated and you raise not only your cholesterol levels, but also the risk of heart attack or stroke.

Less common is a condition known as Cushing’s syndrome. This is an excess of the hormone cortisol and comes along with a long list of symptoms. The weight gain of Cushing’s is typically around your middle and upper back, and you may also notice a rounding of the face (known as moon face).

A visit to your doctor is in order if you’re at all concerned. A physical exam and frank discussion about your symptoms are an important first step. Don’t minimize anything, and write out questions before hand if you think you’ll get flustered or forget them. Blood tests can be run and confirm a diagnosis (or refute one) in a matter of days. Once you know what’s happening, you’ll be in the best position possible to take steps to treat the problem and move forward.

Reason #5: You’re in menopause.

Only a culprit for women, we all reach this milestone at different points, usually at midlife when we’re far less active than we were in our 20’s and 30’s. Beyond the hormone surges (that can have us depressed, overeating and not sleeping) and hot flashes, there is a natural slowing of metabolism that comes as part of aging.

What you need to do to fight this is increase the amount of lean muscle mass you have in your body. This will enhance your metabolism, so that you burn calories more like you did when you were younger. It also helps hold off bone loss that can be crippling if left unchecked. The key is being active so that you can work to build this lean muscle mass. Weight lifting and strength training both can be amazingly helpful and won’t have you looking like a bodybuilder.

Getting more of the right kind of exercise, as well as eating a healthy diet where you watch your calorie intake and include sources rich in calcium and vitamin D is the best way to fight putting on weight that the menopause is trying to give you.

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