Good Stress Bad Stress

We cannot exist without stress. Stress is the body?s response to a perceived threatening situation. It is meant to protect us. Positive stress allows us to perform at higher levels and to face challenges in life. We have all heard of situations where individuals perform unimaginable feats of strength and courage to save the life of another person. That is positive stress. This type of stress provides us with the extra physical and emotional resources needed when our life or the life of someone we love is threatened. On a smaller scale, positive stress creates great athletes, allows us to ace a test, speak in front of an audience or obtain a job promotion. We can face and overcome all sorts of situations due to positive stress. Normally when the situation ends our stress levels return to normal.

However, negative or bad stress has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. Research has shown that 90% of office visits to the doctor can be attributed to stress related symptoms. Most modern stress can be attributed to how we perceive a situation. Even though we may not be presented with an actual physical threat, our blood pressure rises, our heartbeat quickens and our breathing becomes more rapid. Chronic stress occurs when we are subjected to a host of perceived, constant, little threats. Some of these can be driving in heavy traffic, debt, problems in the workplace, problems at home and unrealistic expectations.

Chronic stress affects our organs and creates a magnitude of health problems. Some of the effects of chronic stress are heart attack, digestive problems, asthma or trouble breathing, ulcers, headaches, muscle tension and hair loss in women. Stress also affects the regulation of insulin levels which can lead to Type II Diabetes. Some of the symptoms of chronic stress are heart palpitations, shortness of breath, back or neck pain, insomnia, skin problems, fatigue, weight loss or gain and high blood pressure. An overload of stress basically upsets the balance in our bodies and weakens our immune system. Therefore, it is important to recognize the symptoms of chronic stress and learn what to do about them.

Constance Weygandt is a speaker, author and balance mentor. For more information on health and fitness or to sign up for Constance's newsletter, visit her website at http://www.balancedwellnessonline.com

Treadmill Exercise 3 More Benefits of Treadmill Workouts

Chances are that you already know your treadmill can help you lose weight, stay fit, and protect you from the ravages of age related diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

But here are 3 MORE benefits of treadmill exercise you might NOT know!

#1 Walking on A Treadmill Helps Alleviate Depression

A recent study at Duke University found that even as little as eight minutes on a treadmill can help to dramatically, although temporarily, reduce symptoms of depression.

While researchers already knew that longer, sustained regular exercise helps to alleviate depression over the long term, this study proves that even short, vigorous workouts can have a similar helpful effect.

#2) Having Trouble Sleeping?

While it?s always been thought that vigorous exercise during the day will help improve sleep, the actual evidence to prove it hasn?t necessarily been forthcoming - until now.

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine conducted a study that included 43 adult volunteers ages 50 to 76. All of them were sedentary and had reported moderate sleep complaints.

They were randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group was asked to exercise 30 to 40 minutes, four times a week. The other group did not change from their non-active ways.

Those who exercised cut the time it normally took to fall asleep in half (while there was no change in the non-active group). The exercisers also rated their nighttime sleep as significantly improved.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association also reports that people who performed regular aerobic exercise or brisk walking slept almost an hour longer than those who did not exercise.

#3) More Efficient Workouts for the Time Pressed

Surveys of fitness professionals by the American Council on Exercise show that one of the fitness trends for 2004 will be workouts that accommodate the time-starved exerciser by being more efficient in a shorter time period.

With their built-in workout programs, controllable inclines and even heart rate monitors, treadmills allow you to custom tailor your workout to your time frame.

How about setting your fat-burning program for 20 minutes in the morning? Or why not do 15 minutes of incline intervals to keep your metabolism elevated throughout the day?

One of the biggest barriers to exercising is the lack of time. By using the tools available with your machine, a treadmill you can pack major cardiovascular benefits into a smaller time frame.

Any way you look at it, a treadmill is a great investment in your health and well being. By using it consistently to work out, you?ll be reaping major health benefits! Enjoy!

Kathryn O'Neill is chief editor for Treadmill Reviews, a consumer oriented website focusing on the home treadmill market.

For more treadmill buying tips, brand reviews and best buys visit http://www.TreadmillReview.net

Discover How To Burn Fat With Reistance Training

You want to lose weight right? What have you been doing so far to get in shape? More than likely you have been doing all the aerobic exercise you can think of.

As a Fitness Expert I see it all the time. Every Monday the gym fills up with endless amounts of people on Treadmills, Ellipticals, Bikes and any other equipment that they can find. Most of these people want to lose weight, but what they don?t realise is that they are missing a serious form of exercise that will get them burning calories when there not even in the gym.

Think of it this way, every time you go to the gym how long do you spend in there? About an hour or less?! So what about the other 23 hours in the day. Aerobic exercise is great for burning calories when you are in the gym but it does very little for you when you?re not in the gym and as a consequence it may take you a longer period of time to lose the excess fat.

Resistance training is the key to revving up your metabolism so that you burn more calories whilst sitting at home.

So how does resistance training help you burn those extra calories? By toning up your muscles you increase the chances of burning extra calories. Muscle is an active tissue unlike fat and as we move throughout the day we use our muscles and thereby burn calories. The more muscle tissue you have the larger amount of calories you will burn

Hold on there though, I?m not saying you should stop your aerobic training. The most effective way to lose excess fat is to use a combination of aerobic and resistance training. For example you could do 2 days of resistance training and 3 days of aerobic training. In between your aerobic training days you could do weights. One weights day could be for your lower body and the other for your upper. This way you will have more focus rather than walking round the gym aimlessly.

What resistance training exercises should you be doing to get the best results? Compound exercises are the most beneficial to you; these are exercises that work your muscles over 2 joint movements. Examples are, Squats, lunges, chest press, pull ups, etc.

To burn those extra calories through the day, when you are not in the gym you need to start lifting those dumbbells and barbells. Tone your muscles and rev your metabolism to help burn that excess fat.

About The Author
Gavin Walsh is a Personal Trainer and Fat Loss Specialist based in London, UK. For more information on Londons only Personal Training service to guarantee results go to www.gavinwalsh.co.uk.

The Causes of Acid Reflux

Acid reflux is a problem that plagues many Americans, causing them pain and discomfort. Commonly referred to as GERD, acid reflux is the term used to describe gastroesophageal reflux disorder. An uncomfortable and often painful condition where a person’s stomach liquid backs up or “refluxes” into his esophagus, acid reflux is the cause for pain, agitation, and discomfort in many Americans.

Although many people recognize that they suffer from this chronic condition, some people don’t really take time to consider where the problem stems from. Perhaps you have already found an over-the-counter drug, a prescription medication, or even a natural remedy to ease your discomfort. The bottom line is that not everyone who suffers from this disorder is aware of the causes. One of the most common causes of acid reflux is abnormal levels of acid. It is important to know that everyone has reflux. It is common and normal. However, in patients with acid reflux, the reflux has a higher acidic content, making it painful and burning as it affects the lining of the esophagus.

Another cause for acid reflux is a weakening of LES pressure or lower esophageal sphincter pressure. This is especially common in pregnant women. Combine that with the fact that the growing baby is putting new pressure on the woman’s abdomen, and it is not difficult to see why acid reflux is so common in pregnancy.

In some cases, acid reflux is caused by esophageal contractions. These contractions can actually cause reflux to back up into the esophagus. This causes pain, discomfort, and irritation for patients. Although this isn’t something that can be magically cured, there are things your doctor can recommend to help you cope with the symptoms.

Another reason many people battle acid reflux is because of hiatal hernias. Hernias occur when the top part of your stomach juts through an opening in your diaphragm, lodging itself up into your chest. This can cause acid reflux in patients. Since the LES (the muscle connecting the esophagus with your stomach) usually keeps your stomach liquids from backing up into your esophagus, it is logical that the weakening of the LES caused by a hiatal hernia can contribute to acid reflux.

Another cause for acid reflux can be the speed at which your body empties your stomach. If this is not done at a normal rate, the result can be acid reflux. There have been a variety of tests and research compiled on this topic, with some interesting information revealed. Medications you are taking could actually contribute to your acid reflux.

Although there are various causes for acid reflux, the good news is that there are also various modes of treatment. You do not have to silently suffer with the uncomfortable, burning sensation that accompanies this chronic disorder. As in the case of any disorder, it is important to consult your doctor for an accurate diagnosis. After doing so, you might want to do a bit of exploring on your own to find natural remedies that can help you tame your acid reflux symptoms.

Kathryn Whittaker has an interest in Acid Reflux topics. For further information on Acid Reflux please visit http://www.naturally-stop-acid-reflux.com/acidreflux.html or http://naturally-stop-acid-reflux.com/blog/2006/08/11/the-causes-of-acid-reflux/

Staying Healthy in Spring

At the outset of Spring, 'Chi' (life-force or energy) has a springy quality to it - outside and inside of you.

The energies associated with the 'Wood' element are peaking, and from a 5 Element Theory point-of-view, your health will benefit if you employ some Chi Kung and Diet & Nutrition to help balance out the seasonal impacts on your Liver and Gallbladder. If you?re feeling particularly ?jittery? (which is common during this time of year), acupuncture, acupressure and Chinese medical herbs will provide relief.

How Are You Feeling?
You may find that during Spring you're more susceptible to illnesses or discomforts, like:

Fatigue. If your lifestyle choices over the past couple of months have not been ones that balance and tone the Liver, you may be feeling tired?especially if you've been experiencing a lot of volatility and stress in your life.

Digestive problems. During Spring, an increased intolerance to foods that include highly saturated fats is common.

Skin problems. Herpes outbreaks, skin problems, like eczema and psoriasis, and others can flare up during Spring.

Lung problems. Spring is hay fever season, so sinusitis, and related Lung conditions can be an entrenched problem by May.

Insomnia. Insomnia is a direct result of Liver imbalances in many people. If you started having insomnia, or if it's gotten worse, Oriental Medicine has methods for balancing Liver energy and mitigating the problem.

High Blood Pressure. Even high blood pressure can result from Liver imbalance. If you're experiencing unusually high blood pressure or if you experience chronic high blood pressure, Oriental Medicine is a low-impact way to alleviate uncomfortable symptoms while beginning the process toward a long-term solution.

Spring Health Tips
There are many things you can do on your own to help balance and tonify the Liver to relieve Spring-related discomforts.

Because the taste of sour is associated with the Liver, Spring is a good time to consider adding sour citrus to your diet. (Oranges are not suggested because they're predominantly sweet.)

Dandelion greens are a good way to detoxify and help soothe the Liver.

Chrysanthemum and chamomile teas serve as nerve tonics, and can help alleviate symptoms associated with an out-of-balance Liver.

Gentle stretching exercises stimulate the tendons, which are governed by the Liver. By stretching you relieve stresses that congest the Liver, thereby providing an internal massage that calms and stimulates healthy Liver function.

Avoid eating heavy oils; use sesame, or an organic olive oil instead. Stay away from greasy, fried foods. Remember that saturated fats, like butter and cheese, make the Liver work harder.

Moderate alcohol intake. And if you're having heat-related problems, like skin rashes and hives, stay away from alcohol all together.

Tonify and Detoxify
A tendency towards irritability and unwarranted anger are directly related to Liver imbalance. So if you tonify and balance the Liver, you should feel calmer and less frustrated. (Anger management techniques are always useful, but if you detoxify your Liver, you'll have to rely on them less.)

How do you know if your Liver is toxic? assume that it is! With the amount of pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides all around us?in the air, water, food, and other products we use, you should assume your Liver is somewhat toxic, and start doing the simple things mentioned above to detoxify it.

Kitty Bradshaw is a licensed acupuncturist, with an advanced clinical degree in Oriental Medicine. Studying and working with Oriental Medicine since 1986, Kitty combines Traditional Oriental Medicine with Taoist healing methods to offer healing possibilities beyond the level of standard health care. Her deep understanding of Chinese medical herbs, combined with her intuitive abilities to diagnose and treat difficult problems, has helped many people regain and maintain their health.

For a FREE phone consultation to find out how Oriental Medicine can work for you, go to http://www.biom.net to contact Kitty and sign-up for BIOM's complimentary newsletter.

Understanding Acne and Its Devastating Results

There are many days that get started off with a frightful scream or heartbreaking dismay from both men and women. The source of this shock and disappointment is an inflamed greasy and oily clogged up skin pore.

Acne is an unwelcome blemish on anyone?s face; it can be quite painful too. If left untreated, acne can leave an unpleasant scar on the face, neck or back. Unlike the common pimple, acne can be inflamed and possibly turn out to be infected.

Hormones that go into overdrive during the teen years of a person cause acne, they produce an excess of oil deposits in the glands resulting to this skin blemish. While they are not particularly life threatening or are they extremely painful and disturbing they can leave permanent scars in the affected area.

Acne usually happens around the teenage years, from 13 to 19, and usually disappears there after. Different people have different levels or seriousness of acne infection. These will all depend on the amount of oils and dirt the face has. While some have minor infections that can be treated by simply washing the affected area, there are those that necessitate the consultation of a dermatologist or a skin expert.

Acne may not seem to be a serious matter for some, but it is an infection that can greatly affect many. There are people with acne who locks themselves up in their rooms waiting for the acne to disappear. It is a serious blemish that they cannot show to the world. Every year, ointments and acne medication has estimated sales of over a hundred million dollars. This just shows how many people are dead serious in eliminating acne.

Article written by Hector Milla, editor of http://www.acnetreatmentstips.com, a website pointing Proactive acne treatments, visit their directory for further resources about acne at http://www.acnetreatmentstips.com/directory/, thanks for publish this article in your website or ezine keeping a live link.

What Causes Women's Hair Loss? A Look at 7 Common Causes of Female Hair Loss

Let?s face it, hair loss for anyone can be a very distressing problem but women?s hair loss can be especially distressing?

Although the causes of women?s hair loss vary from person to person, by understanding the common causes of female hair loss, this can help you find the right potential treatment or solution.

1) Hereditary thinning, or androgenetic alopecia to give its medical name, is the most common cause of women?s hair loss. The tendency to develop female pattern hair loss can be inherited from either side of the family.

Generally this leads to thinning of the hair in women rather than baldness and can start in the teens, twenties or thirties.

Unfortunately, there are no cures for hereditary female hair loss. However, there are treatments which may help some people such as minoxidil, which is a lotion applied twice daily to your scalp.

An alternative solution which women with thinning hair may consider is female hair transplantation. This procedure involves moving hair from areas of your head with normal hair growth to thinning areas.

As with all surgical procedures, you should only undertake this after taking advice from a specialist.

2) Improper hair cosmetic use is another common cause of women?s hair loss. Treatments such as bleaches, tints, hair dyes, straighteners or perms rarely damage your hair if done properly. However, overuse can cause the hair to become weak or break.

If chemical treatments cause your hair to become brittle and leads to hair loss, then it is recommended you stop the treatments until the damaged hair has grown out.

3) Alopecia areata is a type of hair loss which can affect women of any age. This usually results in hair falling out and leaving round coin sized smooth patches on the head. In rare cases there may be a total loss of hair.

Although the cause of alopecia areata in women is not clear, in time the hair usually grows back by itself. Female hair loss caused by alopecia areata can also be successfully treated by dermatologists.

4) Thyroid disease can also lead to female hair loss. Where an under or over-active thyroid condition has been diagnosed, any associated hair loss can be usually be successfully treated by your physician.

5) Severe infection, flu or a high fever can be a cause of women?s hair loss. After a bout of illness, even as much as four weeks to three months afterwards, you may be taken aback by seeing a lot of hair falling out.

This is caused by your hair going into a resting phase to redirect energy at healing. Any hair loss usually corrects itself though.

6) Some medications can also lead to women's hair loss. For example, prescription drugs used for arthritis, blood thinning, depression, gout, heart problems or high blood pressure may cause hair loss. High doses of vitamin A have also been associated with female hair loss.

7) Inadequate protein in a women?s diet can be a cause of female hair loss. If you go on a crash diet or have extreme irregular dietary habits then you may develop protein malnutrition.

As with severe illness, the body will put hair into the resting phase to conserve protein. Significant hair loss can occur two to three months later and be easily pulled out by the roots.

Hair loss can be easily reversed by ensuring you eat the correct levels of protein in your diet.

In conclusion, we have looked at several common causes of women's hair loss and suggested some solutions for treating the problem. However, because there are so many different causes of female hair loss you should always consult your physician or dermatologist to correctly diagnose your problem and the best course of action to treat it.

Still looking for more information on women's hair loss? Discover the 7 other common causes of hair loss for free at: Women's Hair Loss Solutions