Health Tips

1. Exercise

It has been found that those who spend at least a half an hour daily doing physical exercise do not get sick often. Exercise boosts your immune system and provides many other health benefits. If you do not have time or money to go to a gym, then try walking, running, jogging or cycling for about half an hour daily.

For better health, aerobic exercise is the best option because it gets your heart rate up and pushes nutrient-rich blood throughout the body. It also helps reduce the number of molecules in the body that lead to inflammatory conditions that weaken the immune system.

Studies also have found that exercise reduces the risk of health problems like cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, dementia and depression. Exercise also slows down the aging process.

2. Eat Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

One of the most important aspects of a healthy diet is eating a variety of fruits and vegetables in their natural, uncooked state. Brightly colored fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of vitamins and minerals along with antioxidants that boost your immune system to fight off diseases and keep you fit.

Try to eat as many foods as possible in their unprocessed state and opt for organic, bio-dynamic foods that have been grown locally, and are therefore in season.

Some of the fruits and vegetables that you can eat in their natural form are cabbage, apples, yellow and red peppers, papayas, spinach, tomatoes and many others.

3. Keep a Positive Attitude

Another secret to living a healthy life is feeling positive about your life, your surroundings and different situations that we all face in life. Having a positive attitude toward life will help you feel more happy, enthusiastic, and calm.

Research done at Carnegie Mellon University found that those with positive outlooks become less sick and are more resistant to developing upper respiratory illnesses. Also, those who don’t always think positively and have a negative attitude toward things suffer from more stress and tension.

Too much tension and stress are factors that contribute to many life-threatening diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, heart problems and others.

4. Follow Proper Sanitizing Habits

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that proper hand washing is one of the easiest ways to avoid becoming sick often.

Try to wash your hands with regular soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. This simple habit lowers your chances of contracting serious colds and the common flu.

Take a bath daily and clean all parts of your body well. Regularly check your fingernails for trapped dirt. Also, keep your home and surrounding area clean and free of germs.

5. Have an Active Social Life

Studies show that people who are active socially tend to have more robust immune systems and are less likely to suffer from infectious diseases. Harvard University did a study in 2008 that found that positive social attachments might protect against memory loss and other cognitive disorders.

Also, those with few friends were more likely to suffer from heart disease, depression and anxiety. So, to remain healthy you need to take time out of your busy schedule and see your family members or friends. If your friends live far away, you can call them up or chat online with them.

6. Keep a Balanced pH Level

The body remains healthy when its systems are functioning midway between completely acidic and completely alkaline. In simple terms, it means a balanced pH level.

When pH levels fall below the midpoint, the body suffers from a condition called acidosis, which can cause fatigue, rapid breathing, stomach problems and confusion. Acidosis can happen when you consume more meat and sugar. But eating more vegetables and fruits with alkalizing properties can resolve the imbalance.

Include a lot of dark leafy greens, green beans, asparagus, carrots, cucumbers, coconuts and avocados in your diet. Also, avoid eating processed foods as much as possible.

Treatment for hair loss

1. Scalp Massage and Hot Oil Treatment

Massaging your scalp helps improve circulation and hence stimulates hair growth, and you only need to do it for about five minutes daily to see results. Just rub your fingers on your scalp in a circular motion, applying gentle pressure and kneading occasionally to open up the blood vessels and increase blood flow.

Massaging can also be combined with a hot oil treatment once or twice a week. Heat some coconut or olive oil in a microwave or a double-boiler. Heating it will help it penetrate the hair shaft easily and also reduce dandruff.

Put the hot oil on your hair and comb it through to ensure even distribution and reduce breakage during shampooing. Wear a plastic cap or wrap a warm towel around your head (use a hair dryer to heat the towel) and leave it on for at least half an hour before shampooing.

Another popular tip is to flip your hair upside down for two to four minutes daily.

2. Rosemary

Rosemary is an excellent herb for your hair. It promotes growth of long hair, strengthens the roots, and eliminates dandruff. The herb has antioxidant properties that boost hair growth. In addition, the sulfur and silica content in rosemary helps reverse hair loss.

Rosemary will help increase circulation to the scalp and unclog blocked hair follicles. Furthermore, it can help darken your hair.

• Mix two drops of rosemary essential oil in two tablespoons of a base oil such as olive, coconut, jojoba, almond or avocado oil. Apply it on your hair and massage the scalp. Leave it on for at least half an hour and then shampoo your hair as usual.
• You can also use rosemary water as a final hair rinse. To prepare it, steep two or three rosemary sprigs in two cups of hot water for about five minutes. If you have the dried form of the herb, boil a handful of it in water. Allow it to cool and then strain the infusion. Rinse your hair with it after shampooing.

You can use both these remedies several times a week.

3. Castor Oil

Castor oil facilitates hair growth because it is rich in omega-9 fatty acids and vitamin E. The thick oil moisturizes your hair, adds volume, prevents frizzing, and also fights scalp infections.

• It is best to mix castor oil with an equal amount of a base oil to get a better consistency and enhance the benefits. Rub it on your scalp and massage. Leave it on for 30 to 45 minutes. Finally, rinse it out and shampoo your hair. If it is difficult to remove, use a clarifying shampoo.
• To make it more effective, mix four drops of rosemary essential oil in an ounce of castor oil and then use it on your hair and scalp.

4. Eggs

Hair is made up of keratin protein and eggs are a great source of protein. Thus, they are highly beneficial in helping your hair grow.

• Whisk two egg yolks and mix in two tablespoons of olive oil. Apply the mixture on your scalp and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse it out with cold water and then shampoo your hair as usual.
• Alternatively, mix one egg and one-quarter cup each of plain yogurt and mayonnaise in a blender. Apply this hair mask and cover your hair with a shower cap. Leave it on for about one hour before rinsing it out.

5. Indian Gooseberry

When dealing with hair loss, you can apply coconut oil infused with Indian gooseberry, or amla, to encourage hair growth. It will help greatly with premature graying as well.

1. Heat some coconut oil in a pan and cook dried amla pieces in it until they are charred. Strain and cool the oil.
2. Massage your hair and scalp with it. Leave it on for at least 30 minutes.
3. Wash your hair with a mild shampoo.
4. Do this on a weekly basis.

Alternatively, you can apply a mixture of one tablespoon each of dried Indian gooseberry powder and lemon juice. Simply applying fresh amla juice is also useful.

6. Lemon Juice

Lemons are rich in vitamin C and vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, folic acid, and other nutrients. Plus, they are loaded with antioxidants. In addition to hair growth, lemon juice promotes smooth, shiny, dandruff-free hair. When applied on the scalp, it stimulates circulation and hence prevents hair loss. Do not use lemon juice in excess though, as it can lighten your hair color over time.

1. Mix one part lemon juice and two parts of coconut or olive oil.
2. Apply it on your hair and scalp and leave it on for 30 to 45 minutes.
3. Wash it out and then shampoo your hair with a mild shampoo.
4. Repeat once or twice a week.