Our body is composed structurally of bones as the primary support. Bone health is considered essential for everyone since weak bones make our life miserable. Essential nutrients for healthy bones can be obtained through various natural foods. The following food types promote healthy bones.

1. Milk

Milk has a high calcium content value. Calcium is very necessary for healthy bones since it forms the structural part of the bones. The bones are composed of interlocking calcium crystals performing the role of mechanical support. A glass of fat milk daily can give approximately 300mg of calcium. Females should drink at least two glasses of milk every day for healthy bones. Drinking milk in adulthood often saves one from several bone-related diseases such as osteoporosis.

2. Yogurt

Yogurt has numerous medical advantages. No other food product is better than dairy products in ensuring healthy bones. If you are not comfortable with the taste of milk, then you should try eating yogurt as it contains the same amount of calcium as milk. Therefore, eating yogurt is a good alternative and an ideal approach to meeting the bodies daily need for calcium. 8 ounces of plain yogurt contains roughly up to 450 milligrams of calcium. Additionally, yogurt contains numerous different supplements, for example, vitamin D, B, potassium, magnesium, and proteins. Vitamin D is a key segment and the most beneficial of these supplements for making the bones stronger.

3. Cheese

Cheese is the most well-known in dairy products. It appears worldwide in various food items as well as in bakeries. Cheese has its own unique heavenly taste. Those individuals who don’t consume milk or yogurt can increase the numerous medical advantages they receive by eating cheese. Cheese is loaded with numerous supplements, for example, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin B and D. One ounce of Swiss cheese gives 200mg of calcium. Adding a little cheese to your food assists in strengthening your bones.

4. Sardines

Sardines are rich in calcium, and vitamin D. Calcium gives basic help to bones while vitamin D increases the power of your body to ingest calcium. 3 ounces of sardines results in the calcium equivalent of a glass of milk. Sardines are rich in vitamin B 12, which ensures low levels of homocysteine in the body. Raised levels of homocysteine, generally, can quicken osteoporosis as well as bone degeneration.

5. Sesame Seeds

Eating sesame seeds is a brilliant decision for stronger bones. They contain calcium, phosphorus, vitamin B1, dietary filaments, copper, selenium, and zinc. Calcium and phosphorus help in strengthening the bones. Copper is an antioxidant and plays a protective role by the alignment of collagen fibers within the bones. Zinc helps in keeping osteoporosis at bay.

6. Salmon

Anyone wanting to have stronger bones is advised to take food rich in vitamin D as well as Omega 3 fatty acids. These are abundant in salmon. Calcium deposition and absorption into the bones is done by vitamin D while the omega three fatty acids perform protection of the bones against inflammation and damage.

7. Collard greens

Collard greens also contain calcium, vitamin K, vitamin D and A. All these components help in strengthening bones.

8. Spinach

Spinach is undoubtedly a fantastic source of vitamin K, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium and vitamin A as well as folate. A cup of spinach is estimated to provide 25% of the total amount of calcium required by the body. All the above nutrients are beneficial for bone strength.

9. Fortified Cereals

A good source of vitamin D and calcium. Calcium for strong bones and joints. Vitamin D plays a significant role in bone health.

10. Tofu

Many people describe tofu as tasty. However, they are not fully aware of the nutritious content. Tofu has a high calcium content, making it a perfect alternative food for bone health. Tofu is recommended for consumption due to the high content of calcium in it. This is estimated to be 77%, hence, it is highly recommended for the body.

11. Soybeans

According to research, soybeans promote the health of an individual through fighting osteoporosis which is a disease related to bone thinning. They contain the natural flavones which are antioxidants necessary for bone protection. However, they provide minimal amounts of calcium so they are mostly valuable as an antioxidant to fight osteoporosis.

12. Beans

Beans serve many purposes in the body, including maintaining healthy bones. They are a rich source of protein, as well as calcium, as well as other trace elements. However, they are most preferred because they have a low-calorie value so they can be consumed in high amounts without causing weight gain.

13. Orange Juice

According to studies, bones are composed of collagen proteins at the central core, and this cross-link gives structural support to the bones. This is also aided by the interlocking crystals of phosphates as well as calcium. All these nutrients are found in vitamin C, and orange juice is one of the best sources for them.

14. Nuts

Nuts, such as walnuts and almonds, contain omega three fatty acids, which are polyunsaturated and powerful antioxidants, which provide protection to bones from many diseases. The antioxidants decrease bone reabsorption through osteoclast inhibition, which is a cell that is responsible for bone matrix breakdown. They also help calcium absorption and prevention of inflammation.

15. Leafy Vegetables

Vegetables are known to possess other nutrients needed by the body, especially the green ones. Dark leafy vegetables are a good source of vitamin K, magnesium, folic acid, calcium and potassium hence, they can act as a substitute for dairy products because they provide the same nutrients.

16. Eggs

Eggs are also a necessity for the maintenance and growth of bones. Their contribution is due to the possession of vitamin B complex as well as vitamin D.

17. Tuna

Apart from the sun, one may opt to use other sources of food that are sources for vitamin D. A good example is tuna fish, which has a good amount of vitamin D, necessary for making the bones to be strong.

18. Kiwi

Kiwifruit is a magical food because it is a natural source of vitamin C, which promotes the synthesis of collagen fibers in bones. Similar to oranges, they are also delicious. Sweet prunes also aid the bones in being fracture-free. They are regarded as a super healthy food with research proving that they can efficiently lower the chances of being affected with the osteoporosis infection, as well as fractures, which is good news for women who are in the post-menopausal stage, who usually have a high possibility of suffering from joint and bone problems. The nutrients contained in the prunes include vitamin C, K as well as antioxidants that are essential for maintaining the health of the bones.

19. Meat Proteins

Calcium, collagen proteins, and vitamins are the components of our bones. Hence, proteins are a necessity required for not only proper growth, but also the flexibility of the bones. It is, therefore, a requirement that one’s diet consists of high protein food as well as meat. However, caution should be taken since too much consumption of meat is harmful to overall health.

20. Apples

Apples contain Quercetin, which helps in building collagen, a major component of the cartilage. Apples keep the skin, cartilage and bones healthy and strong.

A healthy lifestyle from the start will decide how you will be in your midlife and beyond. However it won’t happen unless you make the right choices. Work out, eat healthy, sleep well and you will set yourself on the path to success. After about 40, most people have achieved biological adulthood, which is a nicer way to saying you have boarded the slow train to your inevitable mortality. You will start to realize the slow and gradual decline in your response to bodily activities and the resulting resistance in your bodily functions.

Eating unhealthy processed food, irregular sleep pattern and inactivity create low level inflammatory response in your body. This inflammation gradually increases overtime, contributing directly to the germination of every major disease plaguing mankind – obesity, diabetes, heart disease, fatty liver disease, just to name a few.

The first and foremost thing to focus on is Nutrition – what you eat. Add lots of green leafy vegetables, whole grains, organic poultry, dairy and fruits in your daily diet. Keep your body hydrated. Drink plenty of water and raw fruit juice as fluids help keeping body temperature low and removes toxins through perspiration (sweat) and excretion (urine). Keep a balanced share of carbohydrate, protein, good fats and minerals. These small changes in your diet will contribute to your overall wellbeing. Cut back unhealthy fats from your diet slowly and target on stopping to consume them completely. Unhealthy fats include: dark chicken meat, poultry skin, fatty pork cuts, beef and lamb and high-fat dairies include whole milk, butter and cheese. Common ways to cut back on unhealthy fats are listed below:

• Instead of frying meat, Bake / Grill / Broil it. Don’t forget to take the skin off before cooking chicken or turkey
• Instead of butter and cheese on bread, use low fat spreads or slices of tomatoes on it to enhance the flavour
• Instead of scrambled eggs, eat boiled / soft-boiled eggs. Garnish with a pinch of salt and black pepper to taste best
• Instead of using sugar in patisseries and desserts, use organic honey to satisfy your sweet bud and stay healthy

When it comes to a healthy lifestyle, the importance of sleep is worth discussing. Get yourself adequate sleep, because internal healing and tissue repair happen only when you sleep. Sleep deficiency contributes to an increased risk of cardio-vascular disease, kidney disease, brain damage etc. Sleep deprivation lowers the metabolic rate of your body, which is linked to weight gain. Studies show that sleep deprived individuals have higher levels of Ghrelin, the hormone which stimulates appetite and lower levels of Leptin, the hormone which suppresses appetite. Hence, good sleepers tend to intake fewer calories.

The last, but definitely not the least is the importance of regular exercise when it comes to a healthy and active lifestyle. No matter which age group you belong to, it is advisable and wise to include a minimum 30 minutes of workout / physical activity of moderate intensity such as running, brisk walking on most, if not all days of the week. As humans, we spend far too much time in our synthetic environment, disconnected from the outside world. This disconnect poses a serious threat to our health and general wellness. Think of your body as a complex machine, which houses equally complex parts (bones) and sub systems (organs) inside. If you let it sit idle, the parts and the sub systems will lose movement capability and eventually get rusted. A few tips to incorporate exercise in your daily routine:

• Prioritize physical activity
• Make it fun
• Get a partner
• Keep a track of results
• Set milestones

All these factors put together, will bring noticeable change in your lifestyle and wellbeing. Some changes will happen quickly, some will be gradual. But overall, you will feel the positive change in your health – mind, body and soul.

Have you ever been struck by a sudden, painful leg cramp? Most of us have at some point, and it’s not a pleasant experience. All we can think about is how to get leg cramp relief. Most of the time the leg cramp will disappear as fast as it came. But what about those leg cramps that won’t go away no matter what you do? There is relief. Check out the leg cramp remedies below to find out what people have found most helpful. These leg cramp treatments have been tried and tested by millions of people for hundreds of years.

• Stretching

One of the reasons people get leg cramps is that they are overusing a particular muscle. So, if you are working on a specific task, try changing your position or using other muscle groups. If you are stationary or lying down, try to get up and stretch periodically. The key is that you don’t want your leg muscle overworked. At the same time, you don’t want your leg muscles lying idle, such as when you are sitting in a chair all day either.

• Water

Most of the time leg cramps are caused by dehydration. This one is an easy fix, but it’s something that a lot of people neglect. Try to drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially if you continue to have cramps. A lot of people don’t like drinking water, so grab a drink such as Gatorade if you don’t like the taste of water.

• Hot or Cold

For those leg cramps that don’t seem to go away, a hot or cold press is sometimes needed. Take a cold towel or an ice pack and apply it to the area of the cramp. Sometimes a heat pack will work better. You will have to experiment to see what works best for you. You can buy small heating packs or even a small heating pad at Amazon.com relatively inexpensively if you shop around. An ice pack is generally used by most people, but buying a small heating pad could be a worthwhile investment.

• Massage

Massaging the area is the most common technique that most people try. The great news is that it works! Just remember to take it slow, and don’t apply too much pressure. You want to slowly work the leg cramp out. Gently massage the area surrounding the cramp and work your way directly over where it hurts. Don’t try to rush it. Go slow until the muscle starts to relax and you feel relief.

• Vitamins

Your muscles need a lot of different vitamins. Lack of vitamins, such as B12, have been associated with nocturnal leg cramps. You can take a multivitamin to help give your muscles the vitamins and minerals your muscles need. Be sure to talk to your doctor before taking any medication. Allergies and other relevant information are important to let your doctor know.

• Keep Legs Warm During the Winter

Keeping your legs warm in the winter can also prevent leg cramps. No one is sure why the cold causes leg cramps, but many have speculated that the cold could cause the leg muscles to contract. Leg and foot warmers can be found at places such as Amazon or your local department store.

• Foot Bath/Soak before Sleep

If you decide to try a foot bath, make sure you use epsom salt. Epsom salt contains magnesium which will absorb into your skin to help with cramps. You can also try mixing in some apple cider vinegar which is high in potassium. These two minerals are electrolytes, which carry the electric signal to your brain for muscle contraction and relaxing.

• Moving

If leg cramps hit you at night, sometimes it’s good to get up and move around. A cramp is caused by a muscle not relaxing. So, by moving you can reset that process in your brain by causing the muscle to contract and then relax again.

• Calcium

A lack of calcium can cause leg cramps as well. Calcium is an electrolyte, which, when low, will not allow your leg muscles to relax. Eating foods such as milk, cheese, and yogurt, which are high in calcium, can help. If dairy products don’t work for you, eat things like broccoli, sardines, or kale, which are all high in calcium as well.

Most of the time leg cramps are caused by something that is preventing your muscle from relaxing, so you may need to experiment to see what works for you. Just remember to keep hydrated and try to stretch periodically throughout the day. If none of these methods work, then you may need to see a doctor. Sometimes a doctor can prescribe a vitamin that your body is lacking. So, follow up with your doctor if you feel that you may have a more serious problem.

Want to become a very healthy person? Follow these steps and you’ll be on your way to becoming a very healthy person.

Healthy Diet

The most important factor in transforming the body is your diet. You will become what you want to be only when you eat what you ought to eat. Maintaining a poor fast food diet would make you gain fat and lose muscle mass. Follow a strict diet with a lot of fruits, skimmed milk, nuts, a lot of veggies, legumes, lentils, and limit your carbs.Avoid drinking alcohol and don’t smoke cigarettes. Drink lots of water throughout the day and control your urge for food with avocado juice and other fruits.

But first, you need Eggs. Yes! Eggs need additional care and importance on the topic. You have got to eat more eggs and workout a lot to reduce your fat level and increase your protein consumption. Eggs consist of all the nine amino acids for muscle growth (which burns fat more).Cut off your smoothie’s consumption and eat more eggs. White eggs are good for your body. Take that yolk out and use it as a hair product. Eggs give you a testosterone boost which helps you maintain an active lifestyle. As the old saying goes: you just need one hen and cow when asked to choose from a list of animals.

HIIT and Tabata

If you want to see visible results in a few days or few weeks’ time you should work very hard. Sweat is fat crying! And so, get to the gym! After active stretches, hit the treadmill and do a lot of fat burning, circuit training workouts after that. High Interval Intensity Training (HIIT) is the best way to improve metabolism. Burpees, jumping jacks, and high knees will be your best friends. Tabata is the ultimate level of HIIT workouts. Within 4 minutes, your whole body will get tired, and you’ll be gasping for breath.

Strength Training

If your aim is to lose weight as well as an increase in strength, then follow this pro-health tip: Start doing squats, deadlifts, overhead press, bench press, and rows. Your body will thank you for the hardcore workout sessions. Within 45 minutes, you’ll leave the gym but, the benefits these exercises bring to your body is phenomenal. The legendary 5*5 program will create a massive growth of healthy growth hormones. Invest in a pair of good weight training shoes and start killing fat in the rudest of ways ever known to humanity. The Milo of Croton is the best example of strength training.

Active Lifestyle

Sedentary office jobs and online markets have placed a high amount of risk to our body. We should get up and start thinking about the world, walking down the corridors of workplaces. Quit workstations for every one hour and drink more water. Never carry a bottle of water to your workplace. Always get up and take a few steps before quenching your thirst. Never sacrifice your time to do office work. Your body is walking to the grave, and you should delay the journey by all means.

After waking up, drink water and start doing yoga. Get to work. Get up from the seat every one hour. Eat a power packed lunch filled with veggies and scrambled egg whites. Get to your home. Wear your shoes and go to the gym. After a beautiful steaming session, eat your dinner and hit your boozy bed.

Sleep

You can’t get your desired physique by just eating good food and keeping your cortisol levels low. You should get proper sleep for the body to recover properly. Drink milk before bed to stop the intensity of catabolism. A lactose-allergic person can grab a pre-dinner snack and then go to sleep. Most of the people reading this piece will fall into the category of an endomorph (People who have low metabolism and accumulate fat easily). Adequate sleep is necessary to build quality muscles and low-fat levels. Sleep like a child for 7-8 hours and continue your fat burning sessions in the morning.

Life – The most beautiful of all

Remember to appreciate life and don’t be fooled by lame stories of people trying to shut you down. If you want something, you should go and get it. Set the alarm and wake up early in the morning to finish off cardio workouts, HIITs, and killer Tabata. Leave home early to go to the gym. Become confident after seeing your body in the mirror after a week. This arduous journey (if you think that way) shall take you to your fitness goals within six months.

In a year, your friends, relatives, and colleagues will start asking you about your fitness routine. Stay positive and take at least 8,000-10,000 (WHO’s report) steps per day to become healthy and virile. Motivation is the key to succeeding! Stay healthy by reading and working out with these healthy tips.

I recently came back from my own private silent retreat. Over the couple of silent retreats that I have done in the past few years, I have experienced the powerful value of this kind of work. Besides the obvious like switching off from the daily routine, the duties of work and the constant demand of raising children, there is a whole other dimension to it.

I stayed in our off-road, super cool camper on a farm in Robertson, a remote place in the mountains of Cape Town, South Africa. I was nestled in a gorgeous valley with a pristine lake, where I swam daily.

My intention was to experience seven days of solitude and silence, and to water fast, while I was writing my upcoming book “Unapologetically Me”. This is my own private inspirational story of how I dropped guilt, shame, judgment, and blame and became a self-realised, switched on and vibrant woman.

I aimed to close all the exits to the external world so that my energy kept circulating within me, without distractions.

I wanted to sit with my self and watch my inner sky, with the space to notice the patterns of my thoughts and the growing emptiness arising in between them. I wanted to clear and crystallise my mind and my body so that I could become an open channel for the words to flow through me.

The silence part of it, I deeply cherished and I enjoyed the privilege of rooting deeper into my being – listening to the sounds of nature.

As a storyteller, I love talking to people and a retreat is a great occasion for revitalisation. The water fasting was the most challenging part. I had to take each day as it came, being totally present in the current moment and surrendering to the discomfort.

There is a powerful quality of higher spiritual connection when fasting and that was a great motivator to keep me going.

I feel that it is important at times to explore life out of our comfort zone and I chose to select my ways.

I have noticed that people who are too attached to their comfort zone often get shaken out by spirit in a form of an illness, an accident, loss of job, etc.

It is in this uncharted territory of the unfamiliar that our soul gets to expand and explore new qualities of the self.

I am grateful for the opportunity to witness my courage, resilience and utter trust in the guidance that I receive.

How can you leap out of your comfort zone?

I would love you to share your ideas.

Knee replacement surgery has become quite common and more affordable in the last few years. It is now considered as a safe option for people with severe osteoarthritis of the knee joint. This is especially a boon for patients who have end-stage arthritis of the knee.

The constant increase in the number of patients undergoing knee surgery surgery can be attributed to a number of reasons, including the following:

Increased affordability: Now a greater number of patients prefer to opt for knee replacement surgery because the cost of implants has decreased significantly in the recent past.

Range of implants available: Thanks to advancements in medical technology, there are a number of knee implants available today to fulfill the individual needs of the patients. From implants with 180 and 360 degrees motion to 3D-printed knee implants, there is nothing that isn’t available to benefit patients with different severity of osteoarthritis.

Improved surgical outcomes: Open knee replacement is a thing of the past. Now, several new technologies are available that offer greater benefits and ensures positive outcomes. Thanks to minimally invasive technology, surgery is not that painful anymore. Nor does it take weeks of hospitalization for the patient to recover.

But still, the cost of knee surgery in the Western countries continues to remain on the higher side. For patients in such countries who wish to undergo affordable knee surgery, flying to the top medical tourism destination is an option. Some of these medical tourism hotspots for knee replacement include India, Thailand, and Turkey.

The Average Cost of Knee Replacement: Top Countries

The average cost of knee surgery in the Western countries may start from $30000. Further, it is seen that the cost of knee replacement surgery varies not only from country to country but within a country or a city as well. This is especially true about the US.

For example, the knee surgery cost in Dallas, US, may vary between $16,772 and $61,585, depending on the hospital. Paying a higher price for a procedure does not necessarily mean that the quality that the hospital offers to the patient is any better than the hospital that is less expensive.

There are several factors that can be attributed to the disparity between the pricing of the same procedure within the same city. Competition, state taxes, location, and the level of free care provided by the hospital are some of them.

The cost of knee replacement in India, Turkey, Mexico, Thailand, and Taiwan, on the other hand, is much more reasonable than in the Western countries. The cost drops by as much as 50 to 80 percent in these countries. This explains the patient mindset when they decide to travel to the overseas to get knee implants.

Type, Material, and Manufacturer of Implant

There are different types and material of knee implants available today to choose from. Each implant has a specific purpose and is most suitable for a specific patient group. For example, older adults can manage everyday activities with an implant that allows flexion of 110 degrees. However, younger adults may need a high-flex knee implant because of an excessive activity level.

Cobalt chromium alloy, titanium alloy, oxidized zirconium, and polyethylene implants are commonly available nowadays. Each implant material has specific pros and cons associated with them. They vary in terms of pricing, use, availability, and longevity.

Type of Surgery

An individual is either recommended to undergo (TKR) or partial knee replacement. The difference lies in the portion of the knee joint replaced during the procedure. The duration of hospitalization and the recovery period in the case of TKR is greater than that of partial replacement. Therefore, there is a direct impact on the total cost that the patient has to shell out of his pocket for the procedure.

Type of Hospital

Hospitals with the most advanced infrastructure and state-of-the-art technologies tend to charge higher than other hospitals. This is despite the fact that the experience and the qualifications of the surgeon handling the case could be the same. The cost also depends on the location of the hospital. Centrally-located and easily accessible hospitals are expensive than remotely located ones.

Experience of the Surgeon

The cost of knee surgery also depends on how experienced the surgeon is. Surgeons with vast experience are the most sought after. In fact, it has been scientifically proved that surgeons who perform more than 50 TKR a year have less than one-third complications rate as compared to those who perform less than 50 TKR per year.

Most patients prefer to be treated by a surgeon who is experienced. But there is an extra price that they must pay for it.

Rehabilitation Cost

Rehabilitation after surgery includes physiotherapy, which is conducted at an extra cost. The doctors usually advise the candidate to undergo physiotherapy for at least 6 to 12 weeks for better outcomes and pain relief. Each session of physical therapy may cost anywhere between $20 and $350, depending on the country where you are getting treated. Rehabilitation is an important aspect of recovery after knee replacement. Therefore, patients must take into consideration these expenses while planning for the surgery.

Other Costs

• Unanticipated care and management of a pre-existing condition may add to the total bill amount.
• The greater the number of days you spend at the hospital, the bigger is the billing amount.
• Cost of private or single accommodation is greater than shared or multi-bedded accommodation.
• Follow-up visits after discharge from the hospital cost extra.
• Loss of earning resulting out of hospital stay and impact of surgery may add to the financial burden.

Tips To Choose A Hospital Overseas For Knee Surgery

Choose the country wisely. Countries that offer cheaper treatment do not necessarily compromise with the quality of medical services.

Choose the surgeon wisely. Do not choose someone who is experienced but charges a whopping amount.

• Choose a surgeon whose clinic is less crowded. Surgeons who are hugely popular tend to remain busy and spend less time per patient. This may hinder personalized care that you may desire to have.
• Seek help from a hospital or a medical tourism facilitator to arrange for additional needs. This may include accommodation, local travel, translator services, and hospital transfer.
• Check the credibility of the hospital online before selecting one. Look for patient testimonials and Google reviews.
• Check the accreditation of the hospital. Prefer to choose a hospital that is certified by Joint Commission International (JCI).
• Ask for all the information beforehand about the type of implants that will be used. Also, ask for a detailed profile of the surgeon who will conduct the surgery.
• Seek an estimate for potential costs associated with airline tickets, hotel, food, and other expenses.

Have you ever noticed a famous actor, known for their good looks, maybe Brad Pitt, standing stooped over? Of course not! Part of the appeal is their tall, proud posture, whether you consciously notice or not. Perhaps that’s why no childhood is complete without an occasional reminder to “Sit up straight!” Your mom was training you to become a Hollywood star.

While the desire for your own good posture could be due to the effect that poor posture has on your visual appearance, it may surprise you that posture has much more to do with whether you look proper or sloppy. Let’s look at another type of celebrity – a singer such as Adele, and try a little experiment on yourself. Sing your favourite song, or the national anthem with your shoulders rounded forward and head stooped down. Your whole chest caves in and prohibits your lungs from expanding and your voice from belting out those big musical notes. It’s much harder to sing properly without good posture. Remember Usain Bolt, the fastest human? Do you think he’d run as fast and place as well if he kept his head down?

If you’re concerned with your health you should know that the way you carry your body physically can have a major impact on your physical performance and mental sense of well-being. Studies are now showing the connection between poor posture and health problems ranging from weight gain, insomnia, and even depression and mental decline. Chiropractors are well aware of the significance of this connection between posture and health, which makes them a reliable authority on this and how it relies on good spinal health.

There are many causes of poor posture. In some people, unfortunately postural issues are due to other conditions or diseases that involve bone deformity or bone loss, however, in the vast majority of cases, posture is directly related to a person’s habits and daily activities. Here are some of the most common causes of poor posture:

• Looking down a lot during activities such as using a cellphone or playing video games
• Working at a desk or computer for long periods of time (even at a desk with good ergonomics)
• Poor ergonomics at work (chairs, desks, keyboards)
• Improper sleep support (mattress, pillows)
• Obesity
• Muscles weakness
• Poor self-esteem (people with low self-esteem tend to have a flexed/inward posture as a way to avoid being noticed)

As noted, there can be other health conditions and diseases that can contribute to poor posture, but as you can see, most contributors to poor posture are also things that are within your control.

Chiropractors and other health experts have found that people who have a tendency to slouch while standing, sitting, and even walking also tend to experience many kinds of health conditions, which can be mild or even severe. Many health problems such as headaches, muscle stiffness, shortness of breath, susceptibility to infectious illnesses, may actually be indirectly impacted by your posture and the positioning of your spinal column.

Your spine is important because it keeps your entire body in alignment and balance. It also houses and is meant to protect your central nervous system (spinal cord and brain). Your nervous system is responsible for the communication between your body and brain. The better your spinal alignment, the easier it is for your brain and body to share information and maintain good posture. Slouching, and being in poor posture makes it harder for this to happen – signals don’t transmit as well and muscles have to work harder to try to keep you upright. This extra, more difficult work can degrade the health of the spine and nervous system over time. When your brain and body need to work harder on your posture, they work less on keeping your other systems and functions working optimally. As this happens to the nervous system, other functions of the body may begin to have trouble working correctly, leading to inflammation, digestive issues, and more.

How To Keep Good Posture All Day Every Day

If you want to avoid these health problems, you’ll want to focus on maintaining proper posture as often as you can. It may be as simple as reminding yourself throughout the day to keep your shoulders pulled back, your head held high atop your neck and torso, and your spine in a neutral position as much it can.

If you find it difficult to maintain these positions of proper posture, it is a sign you need the professional help of a chiropractor. Your poor posture can be due to a combination of factors that include poor spinal alignment, poor nervous system signal flow, and muscle weakness. In most cases, these problems can all be corrected with a properly designed and executed plan that addresses all three of these issues as needed.

Do You Have Poor Posture?

Here is a simple test than can be an indicator of poor posture:

1. Have someone take a picture of you standing without shoes on a flat surface, looking ahead of you. Think of a side profile of a police mug shot, for your whole body, top to bottom. The person will likely have to stand 10-15 feet away.
2. Draw a straight vertical line from the inside of your ear down to the floor. If the line doesn’t pass through the middle of your shoulder, hip, knee and ankle, it’s likely you have poor posture.

When drifting off is a struggle, it may seem like one of life’s greatest frustrations. It needn’t. In most cases, choices made during the day can have a big impact on whether going to sleep is a pleasure or a nightmare.

At least one in five people have difficulty in getting to sleep at night. A small number of them visit their family doctors for help. Many thousands more suffer in silence.

Sleeplessness is not only one of the commonest – and most worrying – of all medical problems, it is also one of the problems about which there are the greatest number of myths.

That’s simply not true. There is no firm rule about how much sleep we all need. Some people only feel comfortable when they have had 10 hours sleep. Others, like Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, manage perfectly well on four hours’ sleep a night.

It’s also important to remember that we all need less sleep as we get older.

A second myth is that if you have a sleepless night, then you’ll have to sleep twice as along the following night to make up for it – and avoid damaging your health.

The fact is that if you get just two hours sleep before going off to work then the worst that will happen is that you’ll feel tired! And you should be able to recover completely by having an extra couple of hours’ sleep the following night.

Many of the unfortunate millions who suffer from insomnia could solve their problem completely if only they knew a little more about the common causes of sleeplessness – so, here are some of the reasons why people can’t sleep, together with the solutions.

STRESS

If you go to bed thinking about the day’s problems and worrying about the things you have to sort out tomorrow then you’re bound to have difficulty in sleeping.

Writing down your problems will help take them off your mind. So, make a full list of your worries. Then put the list on one side and spend an hour relaxing in front of the TV before you go to bed.

MEDICINES

Prescribed pills often keep people awake. Drugs used for heart disease, high blood pressure and asthma commonly cause sleeplessness. Ask your doctor if he can change your prescription. Remember, too, that 50 per cent of people who can’t sleep are kept awake because they drink tea or coffee last thing at night. Caffeine is a powerful stimulant. Tobacco is another possible cause of sleeplessness and, although a single nightcap might help you sleep, too much alcohol will definitely cause insomnia.

PAIN

If you are kept awake by pain, then ask your doctor for help. If he can’t help you then ask for a second option.

CRAMP

Cramps keep many people awake. You can keep cramp at bay by using this simple exercise. Stand barefoot one yard away from a wall. Lean forward until your hands touch the wall, but keep your heels on the floor. Hold the position for 10 seconds and repeat it once. Do the exercise three times a day for a week and then every night before you go to bed.

DEPRESSION

When depression and sleeplessness go together, it is the depression that needs a doctor’s treatment.

HUNGER

If you are kept awake by hunger, then have a bite. Don’t have anything too hot, rich or spicy. A hot milk drink will probably be best. Remember, too, that if you are slimming you may have difficulty in sleeping. A low blood sugar will keep you awake. A very low-calorie late-night snack might help.

NOISE

If you are kept awake by noise, try soundproofing your bedroom with bookshelves and double glazing. Or try wearing ear plugs. They take a little getting used to, but work very well and are recommended for shift workers who have to try and sleep during the day.

Finally, it’s worth remembering that you won’t be able to get to sleep if you’re not tired.

If you’ve dealt with all these problems and you still have difficulty in getting to sleep at night, then follow this special bedtime regime:

1. Relax your body thoroughly before getting into bed. Take a good brisk walk for 10 to 15 minutes. Think through your day’s problems and write down all your worries in a notebook. Keep it by your side and every time a new problem pops into your head, write it down.
2. Have a soothing, warm bath for 15 minutes.
3. Go to bed with a relaxing book or magazine. Try to keep something relaxing for bedtime reading. And have a spare book ready.
4. When you turn off the light, close your eyes and try to transport yourself to somewhere beautiful, relaxing and warm. Imagine, for example, that you’re lying alone on a peaceful, sunny beach. Try to hear the waves on the shore and the sound of seagulls high overhead.
5. This simple regime will probably send you to sleep within minutes. But if you can’t get to sleep, don’t lie there fretting. Get up, sit in a comfortable chair and read your book again. Make yourself a hot, milky drink. Then go back to bed when you start yawning.

There are millions hits on the internet search drive for Wellness – from mental to physical health, cardiac fitness, cancer, yoga, how to overcome certain ailments such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, stoke, and tips on weight loss and how to grow taller, with many other ideas getting honorable mention. It takes quite a bit of research to find any one site that has so much to offer on all these fronts, let alone one that can combine all the needs for your innermost wellness – joy, bliss and beyond. For wellness’ sake you can stop looking out there, and take some time for yourself, a sort of one-stop-shop: BalancedLifestyleWikipedia.

What is the most beautiful think we possess? It’s life… that needs extra care and love. But, we usually fail to take maximum care of it. Rather emphasize on having an unhealthy lifestyle which naturally leads to complicated health problems. Though, it is a desire of every individual to have a fit body and mind, but we take things for granted. Having a positive mindset along with a healthy lifestyle can surely increase your life span.

We have grown up listening to “health is wealth” but most of us are now running after the materialistic world while ignoring their health. It’s a fact that having a healthy lifestyle would definitely demand a lot of restrictions in life, but isn’t it worth doing?

A well-balanced living

You must have seen the change in yourself when you encounter different emotions. Staying happy can bring a positive attitude in life and can make you capable of handling tasks conveniently. Having stress in your life can restrict from enjoying every moment of life and also have a negative impact on health.

Take out some time for yourself and maintain a healthy schedule. Get indulged into some creative work which can help to reduce stress:

• Every week allot a time for yourself to de-stress and every day spend some time to relax
• Why don’t you devote some time to your hobby? Learn something new that excites you
• Laugh… laugh… and laugh as much as you can! This can definitely help to de-stress, boost up your mind and improve mood
• Wake up early morning and have a cup of coffee. Now spend some time in a quite environment

A few tips to follow

“The groundwork for all happiness is good health” and having an active life is essential to make sure that you live your life to the fullest. But, the question is how can you have an active living? Though there are many people around who might think of having a healthy life, but lack of guidance restrict them from having one. So, here are a few tips which can help you in achieving the target:

• Have a change in routine: Following the same line of exercise can be monotonous, so it’s important that you have a variation in it. Why don’t you try swimming or a bike riding… as this would not only help you in maintaining health, but will also motivate in workout.
• Involve in an activity you enjoy: If you don’t like jogging, just drop the idea of doing so! Take a brisk walk instead or if you are a dance lover definitely give a try to zumba session. You just need to enjoy the workout and nothing else!
• Revive the metabolism: An aerobic session of 30 minutes three times a week will revive your metabolism. Having lack of time can give you option to break up the activity and make it a daily routine.

Maintain a balance in life. Have patience to reach the goal and then you will no longer be a part of unhealthy lifestyle.

Dietary guidelines for a healthy life

A healthy diet can certainly uplift your health and a good health improves mental status. Everything seems to be related and so staying updated with necessary dietary measures can allow having an active and improved life.

• Use salt in moderate amount though it is usually advice to stop the intake of salt and sugar
• Enjoy variety of foods for a balanced diet
• Include lots of vegetables and fruits in your diet plan and these food should be safe and clean
• Do exercise daily so that an ideal body weight is maintained
• Include low-fat and high protein food in diet such as low-fat milk, fish, pulses and lean meat
• Do not overeat as this can lead to obesity

Make sure that you adopt the right cooking style. Make minimum use of oil and avoid having fried food. For elderly people, micronutrient rich foods are the best to keep them fit and active. Say “No” to processed food and animal foods such as butter, ghee etc.

A healthy lifestyle is a need of every individual, but the fast pace of our lives really make things impossible. But, still try to avoid food that is rich in carbohydrates. Office goers sometimes might fail to do workouts, but you can definitely avoid lifts while reaching your office. Use staircase or get down from the cab and have a walk of 2kms to reach to your destiny. You can try out a few things to keep yourself healthy!

It is no secret, small size cashews are loved by everyone. Its salty and sweet taste tingle the taste buds of everyone. They are also the overloaded with essential nutrients, which are the important requirement of the body. The powerful nutrients in it promote the heart health, normal functioning of the brain, maintain digestion, and much more. Again the question that hits in everyone’s mind is how the small size cashews are the powerhouse of many nutrients? Here is the answer.

The cashews consist of minerals like Copper, Manganese, Zinc, and Phosphorus; let’s see how they are essential for the human body.

• Copper: This mineral is very important for the production of haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is the protein in the RBC’s (red blood cell). RBC’s are responsible to carry the oxygen to the tissue in your body. The deficiency of haemoglobin will make the life suffer a lot. You may come across with health disorder like Anemia, Pale Skin, Fatigue, short of breath, Dizziness, Cold Hands, Brittle Nails, and Headache. Taking a hand full of cashews in your daily diet will maintain the number of RBC’s in your body and help you to live a healthy life.
• Manganese: This nutrient is the stem of the normal health system in many ways. Manganese helps enzymes carrying out their normal function in the body. Enzymes activities are very important for the digestion of food in the stomach. This nutrient also maintains the heart health by metabolizing carbohydrates, protein, and cholesterol.
• Potassium: Potassium is very essential for the bone and teeth health. This is true that bone health is maintained with the calcium and phosphorous. Potassium is the mineral that maintains the balance between both calcium and phosphorous. To build up the strong bone system, so that you don’t suffer from the bone-related problem in future, you must eat cashew nut every day in limited amount to strengthen your bone structure.
• Zinc: This mineral is referred by many nutritionists because it is mostly missed in the diet. This mineral aids the immune system. This mineral helps to produce immunoglobulin in the body, which is responsible to fight against the foreign body. Zinc also supports reproductive health among the male.

These are some extravagant benefits that are provided by the small size cashew nut, which can improve the quality of your life. After learning about the incredible health benefits of having cashews, don’t forget to make them a part of your diet, as it may improve your health.