Top 5 ways to stay calm and reduce stress

By:John Halderman

Are you looking for more calm satisfying experience with you daily life?

Do you get frustrated with yourself at the end of the day because you've gotten stressed, unfocused or agitated?

Are you tired of getting over emotional and worn out.

Whether you are experiencing one or all of these feelings here are my 5 best tips on reducing the unwanted feelings so that you will feel calm and satisfied with yourself each day.

1. Catch yourself when you exhibit a feeling of behavior that you don't like and change it.
At first you may not notice the feeling until after you have gone through it, that's fine.
Think about how you would rather have felt.
Think about how you would rather have handled yourself. Decide how you want to do it next time.
As you continue with this process each day you will find that you will notice more easily what you are doing throughout the day.
You will begin to catch yourself earlier and earlier as you do this.
Eventually, you will be seeing yourself while you are doing it, then stop yourself.
At some point you will be able to notice before you even begin to feel and react in the undesirable way.
Here is where you will actually begin to change the way you react to the situations in your life and change your behavior.

2. Stay centered all day by refocusing throughout the day.
Develop the habit of paying attention to your mindset as the day goes on.
Several times a day, step away from what you are doing to get re-centered.
Sit down close your eyes and take several long slow deep breaths while imagining the tension washing slowly out of your body.
Notice your breathing getting slower and calmer.
Just think about your breath.
Try to keep from thinking about anything in particular.
It's ok to not be actively thinking for a while!

3. Watch out for your expectations.
You are setting yourself up for failure, upset and frustration when you set too many standards as to how you think things should be.

Think about what leads you to getting upset?

Why does it upset you?

Notice that you decide how many things should be, based on your own outlook and desire.
The things others do that are not to your liking, even the things you do that don't match your expectations.
Ask yourself, really how important is it that they be exactly that way
Ask, who am I to insist that they are that way?
Does it matter that much?
Is it worth getting myself worked up about?
Choose which expectations are really important for you to hold on to and which ones are not.
Holding on to many expectations just complicates your life, with constant judgment.
Simplify your life and reduce the stress!

4. Delegate.
This applies to your personal life as well as at work.
Most of us think of delegating as a workplace skill, but it can apply personally as well.
We are all very busy these days with our activities and duties.
Trying to fit it all in and get it all accomplished can lead to tension.
For various reasons, many of us have developed the habit of thinking we must do it all ourselves.
Take a look at your situation.
Think about it, really, how important is it that everything must be done perfectly to your standards?
Are you sure there are not other people who can assist you. Are the other people in your life pulling their weight?
Many times we get into habitual ruts that don't need to be as they are.
Look at what has been, with the eye of reducing the pressure on yourself.

5. Accept other people as one.
As you think of yourself as different and separate from the rest of mankind, you unknowingly create thinking and behavior that separates you from others.
This kind of separate thinking leads us to think we are superior to others which leads to judgment then selfish thinking and behavior.
We are then having an internal battle with others, which brings on fear, competition and comparison, ending in frustration and anxiety.
Look to discovering how to see yourself as one with all of mankind, not as separate.
Focus on what we have in common rather that the relatively small uniqueness.

Author Bio
John Halderman is a writer, speaker and trainer, dedicated to helping people with getting real results with their personal development efforts. He supports strategies, methods, tools and information that actually bridge the gap between information and effective results. Go to www.activepersonaldevelopment.com for free information and newsletter.

7 Easy Inexpensive Ways to Take Years Off of Your Appearance

Every time we turn on the television, we are bombarded with commercials and infomercials showcasing the latest and greatest anti-aging miracle products. The products range from cosmetics to plastic surgery. Many people spend small fortunes on products to help them maintain a youthful appearance. However, you don't have to break the bank to look and feel your best. Following are seven inexpensive ways you can take years off of your appearance and keep it that way.

1. Update your hairstyle. Short to mid-length hair tends to be more youthful in appearance. Try adding some short or side swept bangs to highlight your face. You also want to consider having a professional highlight or color your hair in order to brighten your appearance and conceal unwanted grey hairs.

2. Use anti-aging products that help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. There are many great and inexpensive products available today it's just a matter of preference. Also you want to make sure you use moisturizer with SPF 15 or higher.

3. Next, have your eyebrow professionally done. A well groomed set of eyebrows can do wonders for the face.

4. Lighten your lipstick color. Dark lipsticks tend to get stuck in the cracks of your lips and show off your age more. Pink and brown lipsticks are great colors to bring out your lips. Add a little gloss for an even more dynamic effect.

5. One of the most important things you can do to take years off or your appearance and increase your confidence level ten fold is to take care of your teeth. There is nothing more beautiful than a pretty white smile. There are many over the counter products you can use to whiten your teeth. Make sure to also visit your dentist regularly.

6. Exercise at least three times a week. This is key to looking and feeling younger. Exercising will help you maintain good posture, alleviate stress (which causes wrinkles), increases blood flow and keeps you in good shape.

7. Lastly, get a good night sleep. At least eight hours a night is recommended. A good night of sleep works wonders on alleviating dark under eye circles.

Following these steps will immediately take years off of your appearance and leave you looking and feeling fantastic!

Natural Health Secrets

Natural health secrets are out there you just have to know where to look. There are literally hundreds of natural health secrets to help treat many ailments you might suffer with. Natural treatments on the whole tend to be safer then over the counter drugs because they contain no to little side effects. I use the term secret loosely because there are very few "secrets" out there anymore, with the internet all the information on natural health is out in the open now.

Basically when it comes to natural health secrets the majority of them are fruits, vegetables, vitamins, essential oils, herbs, exercise, yoga, meditation, and changing eat habits. With different fruits and all that I mentioned mix together into different formulas you can help treat your skin, and internal systems without having to purchase expensive pharmaceutical drugs for the most part. The same goes for beauty products, the is a high chance you have beauty products already in your home that you don't even know you have. For example lemon juice is a natural facial "tightener", and papaya can be used as a skin softener.

What isn't a secret that whatever you want to do, lose weight, get better skin, clear up infections, manage stress, or sleep better, is that you have to work at it. Whatever fashion you want your life to improve in you have to work at it and continue to work at in until you are satisfied. It's no secret that if you want a great body, or more self esteem you will have to put forth the effort because nobody will had you that 10 body. Natural health secrets are really no secrets anymore.

Swine Flu - From Pigs to Humans

The Swine flu infection which originated in Mexico has caused a worldwide health threat in 2009. The symptoms and treatment associated with this virus are very similar to a typical influenza. However, there is no vaccine currently. Travelers should consult with a travel doctor before departure.

What is swine flu?

Swine flu is a viral infection that typically causes illness in pigs. This virus is a close relative of the common influenza virus. Pigs can transmit the virus to humans, but this is an uncommon event. Until the 2009 outbreak developed, this infection occurred in the U.S. only once or twice per year.

How serious is the 2009 swine flu outbreak?

Epidemiologists, who study worldwide disease patterns, do not know yet how much damage this infection will cause. Health experts around the world are concerned and are following the situation hour by hour. The outbreak, which started in Mexico, has migrated to the United States and has also been reported in Europe, South America and Australia. Governments are bracing themselves for a swine flu pandemic, which means a worldwide plague of illness. However, the disease may reverse course and fade, much as happened with other viral threats, such as the SARS virus in 2003.

Why is the infection attacking humans now?

Viruses, like all germs, are constantly under pressure to mutate in order to adapt to new environments. These mutations, which occur by chance, become permanent if they offer an advantage to the virus. The new strain of swine flu can attack humans and easily spreads from person to person. This has been a very favorable development for the virus at the expense of its human hosts.

How is this infection transmitted?

The new influenza strain is highly contagious. It is primarily spread through the air from coughs and sneezing from infected individuals, but it can also be picked up from contaminated surfaces, such as a doorknob. Although some governments have banned pork products from countries with swine flu activity, health experts state that you cannot contract this infection in this manner.

What are the symptoms?

Swine flu symptoms cannot be distinguished from typical influenza or other viral infections. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, headache, chills, body aches and fatigue. These symptoms are termed non-specific by doctors meaning they could be caused by any of a variety of illnesses. While recovery is generally expected, the disease can become more serious. Fatalities have occurred.

How is it diagnosed?

Physicians suspect this infection based on your symptoms and your own particular circumstances. For example, if you just returned from Mexico City and developed flu symptoms, your physician will certainly suspect swine flu. Most of the worldwide swine flu cases that we are reading in the newspapers have not been confirmed with a diagnostic test. Most of these individuals are assumed to be infected with this infection. There are special tests that can be performed to establish the diagnosis, but these are usually only done by health authorities who need to confirm the spread of the virus.

Is treatment available?

The CDC advises that Tamiflu and Relenza are both effective treatments, particularly if administered early in the disease course.

Can swine flu be prevented?

Although there is no human vaccine for this virus, common sense measures can reduce your risk of infection. Avoid contact with ill people who may have the flu. If you must be in close quarters with an infected individual, then the sick individual and all contacts should wash their hands frequently with soap and water, not hand sanitizers. All sneezing and coughing should be covered followed immediately with a vigorous hand washing. Exercise more caution if you are in contact with an individual who was potentially exposed to this virus. This person could be unknowingly infected and could transmit the virus to others.

Do international travelers need to be protected?

Swine flu has cancelled thousands of vacations in April 2009 and list will grow steadily. Travelers are urged to consult with their travel doctors before departure for the latest information on worldwide swine flu trends. Your physician may advise you to modify your itinerary to minimize your risk. For example, if you absolutely must go to Mexico for an important business trip, then you might postpone watching a bullfight until your next excursion south of the border.

5 Fat Burning Foods

There is plenty of confusion out there about what to eat and what not to eat when trying to lose weight. It seems everyone has an opinion about what is good for you and what is not good for you these days, including doctors, scientists, government agencies, and especially the news media. Just how are you supposed to know what to eat to help you lose weight?

Here is a list of 5 things (OK, I cheated, they aren't all exactly food...) that have a proven history and scientific backing that when eaten consistently, will help you lost weight.

The 5 fat burning foods are:

Broccoli - Broccoli is outstanding for overall health as well as burning fat. It is full of antioxidants and has phytochemicals that strengthen the immune system and is even known to help fight off cancer. Broccoli contains the compound Calcium D-glucarate which helps maintain proper hormone levels and is chock full of fiber. This is a low carbohydrate snack you should include in your diet every day.

Almonds - Almonds are another low carbohydrate snack that is easy to take with you and help keep your appetite under control all day long. They have fat, fiber and protein which are all essential for good health and they will give you energy throughout the day without adversely affecting blood sugar levels.

Salmon - Salmon is another one of those foods that has been "on again, off again" mainly because it does have a fairly high fat content, but is a great source of protein and omega-3 fats which will definitely help you burn fat faster.

Green Tea - Green Tea is a natural fat burner and contains a host of healthy nutrients. It has been shown to help fight cancer, and contains antioxidant, caffeine and a compound called Epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG. The combination of the caffeine and EGCG has been shown through research to aid in burning fat. You will want to drink several cups each day. If you find Green Tea a little bitter, just add a bit of raw honey for a very pleasant drink either hot or cold.

Water - Water is the basic substance of life and makes up over 70% of our bodies, yet most Americans are chronically dehydrated. The body's signal for water is sometimes misinterpreted as hunger, so you can immediately see the advantage of staying hydrated. Water is essential for flushing waste and toxins out of the body, and this is even more important when you are losing weight. Drink at least 8 to 10 (8 ounce) glasses of water every single day.

OK, 2 of the foods are drinks, but each of these is important for your health and has been proven to help you burn fat. Be sure to add these foods to your diet for better health and to start burning fat a whole lot faster.

Foods That Make You Grow Taller

A healthy balanced nutritive diet is imperative for growing tall. Children should eat nutritious foods during their growth years to prevent stunted growth. Adults can also add a few inches to their height long after their growth period is over by eating right.

Main foods that make you grow taller

Proteins rich foods and vitamin and mineral rich foods make you grow taller. Proteins comprise of amino acids which contain enzymes, hormones and antibodies that stimulate growth and effective working of the human body. Whole Eggs, fish, milk and legumes are protein rich diet. Some foods reduce the activity of the human growth hormones that make you taller. So these foods must be excluded from your diet. These foods include carbohydrates and fats. Carbohydrate rich foods like cereals, bread and rice hinder growth. Europeans consume more of proteins in their diet than carbohydrates and hence they are taller than Asians who eat carbohydrate rich foods.

Meats contain a lot of lipids and saturated fats that impede growth. So don't eat too much meat. If you are eating non vegetarian food stick to lean red meats, fish liver or sea food like Pink salmon with long bones, blue crabs, rainbow trouts and clams that are low in fat content. Avoid pastries, sweets, sodas and crispies which are high in fat content. Alcohol, drugs and smoking can also retard growth.

Calcium is a prerequisite for growth of healthy bones. Hence foods rich in calcium like milk and other dairy products like yogurt and cheese should necessarily form part of your diet. Leafy vegetables are another source of calcium.

Citrus fruits like oranges and lemon are rich in Vitamin C that promote absorption of calcium and hence result in bone growth.

Other foods that make you grow taller are whole grains, vegetables, fruits, dried beans like nigari, cowpeas and soybeans. Drinking plenty of water helps you to gain height by promoting muscle growth. Whey protein and boiled chicken can also help. Including foods that enable height gain in your diet is hence very important for attaining full growth mentally and physically.