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Dementia: Know a little more about it

In Health, Healthcare, Medicine on April 1, 2013 at 7:54 am

adult helping senior in hospital

What is Dementia? What Causes Dementia? Symptoms of Dementia
The word dementia comes from the Latinde meaning “apart” and mens from the genitive mentis meaning “mind”. Dementia is the progressive deterioration in cognitive function – the ability to process thought (intelligence).

Progressive means the symptoms will gradually get worse. The deterioration is more than might be expected from normal aging and is due to damage or disease. Damage could be due to a stroke, while an example of a disease might be Alzheimer’s.

Dementia is a set of signs and symptoms

Dementia is a non-specific syndrome in which affected areas of brain function may be affected, such as memory, language, problem solving and attention. Dementia, unlike Alzheimer’s, is not a disease in itself. When dementia appears the higher mental functions of the patient are involved initially. Eventually, in the later stages, the person may not know what day of the week, month or year it is, he may not know where he is, and might not be able to identify the people around him.

Dementia is significantly more common among elderly people. However, it can affect adults of any age.

What are the symptoms of dementia?

  • Memory loss - the patient may forget his way back home from the shops. He may forget names and places. He may find it hard to remember what happened earlier on during the day.
  • Moodiness - the patient may become more and more moody as parts of the brain that control emotion become damaged. Moods may also be affected by fear and anxiety - the patient is frightened about what is happening to him.
  • Communicative difficulties - the affected person finds it harder to talk read and/or write.

As the dementia progresses, the patient’s ability to carry out everyday tasks diminishes and he may not be able to look after himself.

Diseases that cause dementia

  • Alzheimer’s disease - This is by far the most common cause of dementia. The chemistry and structure of the brain of a person withAlzheimer’s disease changes and his brain cells die prematurely.
  • Stroke (Vascular problems) – this means problems with blood vessels (veins and arteries). Our brain needs a good supply of oxygen-rich blood. If this supply is undermined in any way our brain cells could die – causing symptoms of vascular dementia. Symptoms may appear suddenly, or gradually. A major stroke will cause symptoms to appear suddenly while a series of mini strokes will not.
  • Dementia with Lewy bodies - spherical structures develop inside nerve cells. Brain cells are nerve cells; they form part of our nervous system. These spherical structures in the brain damage brain tissue. The patient’s memory, concentration and ability to speak are affected. Dementia with Lewy bodies is sometimes mistaken for Parkinson’s diseasebecause the symptoms are fairly similar.
  • Fronto-temporal dementia - this includes Pick’s disease. The front part of the brain is damaged. The patient’s behavior and personality are affected first, later his memory changes.
  • Other diseases - progressive supranuclear palsy, Korsakoff’s syndrome, Binswanger’s disease, HIV and AIDS, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). Dementia is also more common among patients who suffer from Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Motor Neurone disease and Multiple Sclerosis. People who suffer from AIDS sometimes go on to develop cognitive impairment.

There are two main categories of dementia

According to most experts, there are two main categories of dementia – cortical and subcortical dementias.

  • Cortical Dementia - The cerebral cortex is affected. This is the outer layer of the brain. The cerebral cortex is vital for cognitive processes, such as language and memory. Alzheimer’s disease is a form of cortical dementia, as is CJD (Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease).
  • Subcortical Dementia - A part of the brain beneath the cortex (deeper inside) becomes affected or damaged. Language and memory are not usually affected. A patient with subcortical dementia will usually experience changes in his personality, his thinking may slow down, and his attention span may be shortened. Dementias which sometimes result from Parkinson’s disease are subcortical dementias, as are those caused by AIDS and Huntington’s disease.

A patient with multi-infarct dementia will have both the cortical and subcortical parts of the brain affected or damaged.

Diagnosis of dementia

Although there are some brief tests, a more reliable diagnosis needs to be carried out by a specialist, such as a geriatric internist, geriatric psychiatrist, neurologist, neuropsychologist or geropsychologist.

The following tests are commonly used:

  • AMTS (Abbreviated Mental Test Score) A score lower than six out of ten suggests a need for further evaluation.
  • MMSE (Mini Mental State Examination) A score lower than twenty-four out of thirty suggests a need for further evaluation)
  • 3MS (Modified Mini-Mental State Examination)
  • CASI (Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument)

It is important that the patient’s score is interpreted in context with his socio-economic, educational and cultural background. The tester must also factor in the patient’s present physical and mental state – does the patient suffer from depression, is he in great pain?

Poor physical performance in the very elderly - researchers from the University of California found that people aged at least 90 years who had poor physical performance tend to have a much higher risk of either having or soon developing dementia. They reported their findings in Archives of Neurology, October 2012 issue. They assessed a sample of over-90s for walking, standing up from a chair, standing and controlling balance, and gripping something.

What is the treatment for dementia?

In the majority of cases dementia is incurable. Researchers are making inroads into treatments that may slow down dementia’s progress. Cholinestaerase inhibitors are frequently administered during the early stages. Cognitive and behavioral therapies may also be useful. Several studies have found that music therapy helps patients with dementia. It is important to remember that the patient’s caregiver also needs training and emotional support.

In the USA, Tacrine (Cognex), donepezil (Aricept), galantamine (Razadyne), and rivastigmine (Exelon) have been approved for the treatment of dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease – some physicians prescribe these drugs for vascular dementia as well. Selegiline, which is used for treating Parkinson’s disease, has been found to slow down the progress of dementia.

In Canada, a country where two languages are spoken, English and French, researchers found that bilingual people who develop dementia do so four years later than monolingual people who develop dementia. The four year difference prevails even after factoring for such variables as cultural differences, education, employment, gender and immigration.

Anti-psychotics - health authorities around the world are becoming concerned about the over-prescribing of anti-psychotic medications for patients with dementia. UK health authorities reported in October 2012 that reducing the usage of anti-psychotics has been much more difficult than originally estimated. In the United Kingdom, up to 1,800 people with dementia die each year due to this type of medication.

Common drugs may treat dementia one day - drugs that are used to treat skin conditions, high blood pressure and diabetes could eventually be used one day for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers from King’s College London reported in the journal Nature Reviews Drug Discovery (issue October 2012):

  • Calcium channel inhibitors, such as Nilvadipine, used for the treatment of hypertension, may considerably reduce the risk of dementia.
  • Diabetes medications, exenatide and liraglutide, activate the brain and inhibit the formation of plaques.
  • The psoriasis drug, acitretin may alter the way proteins connect to dementia structure, the researchers believe.
  • There may also be benefits from minoclycline, a tetracycline antibiotic that is used for the treatment of acne.

How can I help my loved one with dementia?

There are many things you can do to help your loved one be safe at home. For example, get rid of throw rugs, and put handrails in bathrooms to help prevent falls. Post reminder notes around the house. Put a list of important phone numbers by the telephone. You also can help your loved one stay active. Play cards or board games, and take walks.

Work with your loved one to make decisions about the future before dementia gets worse. It is important to write a living will and a durable power of attorney. A living will states the types of medical care your loved one wants. A durable power of attorney lets your loved one pick someone to be the health care agent. This person makes care decisions after your loved one cannot.

Watching a loved one slip away can be sad and scary. Caring for someone with dementia can leave you feeling drained. Be sure to take care of yourself and to give yourself breaks. Ask family members to share the load, or get other help.

Your loved one will need more and more care as dementia gets worse. In time, he or she may need help to eat, get dressed, or use the bathroom. You may be able to give this care at home, or you may want to think about using a nursing home. A nursing home can give this kind of care 24 hours a day. The time may come when a nursing home is the best choice.

You are not alone. Many people have loved ones with dementia. Ask your doctor about local support groups, or search the Internet for online support groups, such as the Alzheimer’s Association. Help is available.

 

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Probiotics: A Friend You Can Count On

In Health, Healthcare, Medicine on February 26, 2013 at 2:23 pm

Hand on belly

It may be unbelievable to think that ingesting bacteria is helpful to your health but in the case of probiotics it’s completely true. Probiotics are good bacteria that are normally found in our body to help keep us healthy. Most people believe that bacteria are only responsible for causing disease but they also play an important role in our overall health. There are more than 500 different types of bacteria that aid digestion, help the body absorb vital nutrients from the digestive tract and stop the growth of harmful bacteria and viruses to boost your immunity.

Amazingly enough, as probiotics enhance the functioning of the digestive tract, they keep the whole body healthy. The medical community is beginning to use probiotics as a treatment for Crohn’s disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome and to treat diarrhea in young children and babies. You may find that your doctor recommends probiotics when taking birth control or antibiotics to keep your good bacteria in balance.

Nutrition is still the best way to get a healthy dose of probiotics. There are many brands of yogurt, cheese and dairy beverages on the store shelves that are a good way to get probiotics. You can also find probiotics in miso, soy beverages and some juices. By 2003 Americans had already spent about triple the money on products containing probiotics compared to previous years. So no wonder food manufacturers are eager to cash in on this trend, so be careful to buy only products that say they contain live and active cultures, otherwise you may not actually be getting any of the probiotics that you are paying for.

Supplements can also provide probiotics in the form of capsules, powders and tablets. These supplements usually contain Lactobacillus acidophilus with other probiotics like Bifidus, which are both species of bacteria found in the digestive tract of healthy individuals.

The health benefits of probiotics vary widely. Some people take probiotics to combat gas, diarrhea, constipation and stomach cramping. These symptoms may be alone or part of an illness like Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Crohn’s disease. In addition there are some probiotics that are less well known that are for a healthy mouth, teeth and gum, as well as some used for treatments of children’s respiratory infections. Many people use probiotics to combat skin infections, skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis or unexplained rashes. No matter what your health condition you may find some benefit from adding probiotics to your diet.

bloating

Studies are showing that we are only at the beginning of understanding probiotics. We will have probiotics in the future for the prevention of most illnesses. For example probiotics are known to strengthen immune defenses and this has implications in cancer and HIV/AIDS treatments.

For the time being, enough is known about probiotics to convince me to consume foods and supplements to get some probiotics daily. A serving of yogurt every day will at the very least make your digestive system run more efficiently and in turn make you feel better.

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VERY EASY GUIDED MEDITATION

In Health, Healthcare, Medicine on February 18, 2013 at 11:31 am

Please make sure you sit in a quite place. Listen preferably with headphones. Do not hear while driving. These 20 minutes will change your world.

Guided meditation is a form of meditation where an individual is verbally guided into a beneficial state of consciousness either by a person’s live voice or by a recording of a voice. This process and practice of meditation requires an individual to follow verbal instructions that teach you how to relax the entire body; clear the mind; concentrate on breathing; and focus one’s awareness and attention.In meditation, one may choose to keep it simple by just sitting quietly every day for five to twenty minutes or one may decide to fully explore the tremendous subtleties and depth for hours on end. What one chooses to explore when meditating all depends on the individual’s intentions, needs, and level of interest and passion.

In the fast-paced 21st century society, individuals’ lives are becoming increasingly busier every day. Whether one’s busy schedule is due to responsibilities for their occupation, education, community, recreational activities, family-life, and/or social-life, the stresses in our daily life can feel suffocating. Evidently, when an individual is so consumed by their daily responsibilities, expectations put on themselves, and obligations needed to be fulfilled for the gain of other’s, one can lose sight of their own personal goals. In order to feel in control of your life and reduce stress, one’s thoughts need to be balanced.Through meditation, one can clear the mind of everyday thoughts and stresses and focus all of their attention on living in the present and simply being, thus creating feelings of tranquility, physical relaxation, and psychological balance.

The first few attempts at meditating by oneself can be frustrating because it is not always an easy task to clear the mind of its daily thoughts and/or to focus all of your awareness on yourself alone. Many individuals decide to use guided meditations, as opposed to traditional meditation, when first learning how to meditate because the latter requires that the individual guide themselves into a focused state of awareness, instead of being guided by someone else.

“No matter what technique you choose, the secret of meditation lies in developing, focusing, and directing your awareness.”
Start by selecting a guided meditation.
Find a quiet place to sit or lie down comfortably, ensuring that your back is straight. Press play on your guided meditation. (Headphones are ideal).
Close your eyes; breathe deeply in and out through your nose; and relax your body. Forget about everything that is on your mind and live in the present.
Pick an object to focus your attention on. (Depending on your preference, you may decide to focus on a word or phrase that has a special meaning to you, a simple geometric object, or your inhale and exhale).
Become more aware of your breathing, feeling and hearing your breath as it goes in and out. In addition to focusing your attention on your chosen object, listen to and follow the instructions verbalized by your guide.
Continue to concentrate on your chosen object and breathing until the guided meditation is finished or until you have had enough.
Once you’ve finished your meditation, open your eyes to reorient yourself and slowly get up and continue with your day.
As long as the above technique (or technique instructed in your chosen guided meditation) is carried out properly, the benefits will be felt instantly.

 

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What is Meditation?

In Health, Healthcare, Medicine on February 11, 2013 at 8:00 am

Acupressure Reflexology Healing Grip magic mat beyond healing tea hypnotherapy (17)

What is Meditation?

Answer:
Meditation is a conscious effort to change how the mind works. The Pali word for meditation is ‘bhavana’ which means ‘to make grow’ or ‘to develop’.

Question:
Is meditation important?

Answer:
Yes, it is. No matter how much we may wish to be good, if we cannot change the desires that make us act the way we do, change will be difficult. For example, a person may realize that he is impatient with his wife and he may promise himself: “From now on I am not going to be so impatient.” But an hour later he may be shouting at his wife simply because, not being aware of himself, impatience has arisen without him knowing. Meditation helps to develop the awareness and the energy needed to transform ingrained mental habit patterns.

Question:
I have heard that meditation can be dangerous. Is this true?

Answer:
To live, we need salt. But if you were to eat a kilogram of salt it would kill you. To live in the modern world you need a car but if you don’t follow the traffic rules or if you drive while you are drunk, a car becomes a dangerous machine. Meditation is like this, it is essential for our mental health and well-being but if you practice in a stupid way, it could cause problems. Some people have problems like depression, irrational fears or schizophrenia, they think meditation is an instant cure for their problem, they start meditating and sometimes their problem gets worse. If you have such a problem, you should seek professional help and after you are better then take up meditation. Other people over reach themselves, they take up meditation and instead of going gradually, step by step, they meditate with too much energy for too long and soon they are exhausted. But perhaps most problems in meditation are caused by ”kangaroo meditation’. Some people go to one teacher and do his meditation technique for a while, then they read something in a book and decide to try that technique, then a week later a famous meditation teacher visits town and so they decide to incorporate some of his ideas into their practice and before long they are hopelessly confused. Jumping like a kangaroo from one teacher to another or from one meditation technique to another is a mistake. But if you don’t have any severe mental problem and you take up meditation and practice sensibly it is one of the best things you can do for yourself.

Question:
How many types of meditation are there?

Answer:
The Buddha taught many different types of meditation, each designed to overcome a particular problem or to develop a particular psychological state. But the two most common and useful types of meditation are Mindfulness of Breathing (anapana sati) and Loving Kindness Meditation (metta bhavana).

Question:
If I wanted to practice Mindfulness of Breathing, how would I do it?

Answer:
You would follows these easy steps: the four Ps place, posture, practice and problems. First, find a suitable place, perhaps a room that is not too noisy and where you are not likely to do disturbed. Second, sit in a comfortable posture. A good posture is to sit with your legs folded, a pillow under your buttocks, your back straight, the hands nestled in the lap and the eyes closed. Alternatively, you can sit in a chair as long as you keep your back straight. Next comes the actual practice itself. As you sit quietly with your eyes closed you focus your attention on the in and out movement of the breath. This can be done by counting the breaths or watching the rise and fall of the abdomen. When this is done, certain problems and difficulties will arise. You might experience irritating itches on the body or discomfort in the knees. If this happens, try to keep the body relaxed without moving and keep focusing on the breath. You will probably have many intruding thoughts coming into your mind and distracting your attention from the breath. The only way you can deal with this problem is to patiently keep returning your attention to the breath. If you keep doing this, eventually thoughts will weaken, your concentration will become stronger and you will have moments of deep mental calm and inner peace.

Question:
How long should I meditate for?

Answer:
It is good to do meditation for 15 minutes every day for a week and then extend the time by 5 minutes each week until you are meditating for 45 minutes. After a few weeks of regular daily meditation you will start to notice that your concentration gets better, there are less thoughts, and you have moments of real peace and stillness.

Question:
What about Loving Kindness Meditation? How is that practiced?

Answer:
Once you are familiar with Mindfulness of Breathing and are practicing it regularly you can start practicing Loving Kindness Meditation. It should be done two or three times each week after you have done Mindfulness of Breathing. First, you turn your attention to yourself and say to yourself words like “May I be well and happy. May I be peaceful and calm. May I be protected from dangers. May my mind be free from hatred. May my heart be filled with love. May I be well and happy.” Then one by one you think of a loved person, a neutral person, that is, someone you neither like nor dislike, and finally a disliked person, wishing each of them well as you do so.

Question:
What is the benefit of doing this type of meditation?

Answer:
If you do Loving Kindness Meditation regularly and with the right attitude, you will find very positive changes taking place within yourself. You will find that you are able to be more accepting and forgiving towards yourself. You will find that the feelings you have towards your loved ones will increase. You will find yourself making friends with people you used to be indifferent and uncaring towards, and you will find the ill-will or resentment you have towards some people will lessen and eventually be dissolved. Sometimes if you know of someone who is sick, unhappy or encountering difficulties you can include them in your meditation and very often you will find their situation improving.

Question:
How is that possible?

Answer:
The mind, when properly developed, is a very powerful instrument. If we can learn to focus our mental energy and project it towards others, it can have an effect upon them. You may have had an experience like this. Perhaps you are in a crowded room and you get this feeling that someone is watching you. You turn around and, sure enough, someone is staring at you. What has happened is that you have picked up that other person’s mental energy. Loving Kindness Meditation is like this. We project positive mental energy towards others and it gradually transforms them.

Question:
Do I need a teacher to teach me meditation?

Answer:
A teacher is not absolutely necessary but personal guidance from someone who is familiar with meditation is certainly helpful. Unfortunately, some monks and laymen set themselves up as meditation teachers when they simply don’t know what they are doing. Try to pick a teacher who has a good reputation, a balanced personality and who adheres closely to the Buddha’s teachings.

Question:
I have heard that meditation is widely used today by psychiatrists and psychologists. Is this true?

Answer:
Yes, it is. Meditation is now accepted as having a highly therapeutic effect upon the mind and is used by many professional mental health workers to help induce relaxation, overcome phobias and bring about self-awareness. The Buddha’s insights into the human mind are helping people as much today as they did in ancient times.

 

Source: www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/qanda06.htm

 

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MANTRA OF SUCCESS AND PEACE: ‘POSITIVE SELF TALK’

In Health, Healthcare, Medicine on January 31, 2013 at 10:01 am

Positive Self Talk is a power tool to take you to the next level of intellectual competence. Say the following to yourself.selftalk

  •  I follow my plan and I reach my goals.
  •  I know how to listen—and I do. I have learned to hear not only the words which are being said, but I also listen to the unspoken thoughts which lie behind them.
  •  I am always prepared. I take the time to do it right.
  •  In everything I do, I am prepared, confident, self-assured, and successful.
  •  I always take care of the details in my work. I enjoy the details of selling and I always tend to them on time and with full attention. I keep myself “up.”
  •  I know that making good impression means keeping myself up, energetic, and in control.
  •  I never avoid confronting a problem or making a sales call of any kind. I keep myself working and that keeps me winning.
  •  I know that success  starts with seeing myself as the capable, productive individual that I am.
  • I know that greatness begins in the minds of the great.
  •  I know that what I believe about myself is what I will become—so I believe in the best for myself.
  •  I am practical and realistic, and I keep my feet on solid ground.
  •  I also give myself the freedom to live up to my fullest expectations. I never limit myself by the short-sighted beliefs of others—instead I open myself up to the broad horizons of unlimited possibility.
  • When someone says I “cannot,” I answer “why not?”
  • When someone says “It is impossible,” I answer that nothing is any more impossible than I believe it to be.
  • And I truly believe that with my individual fortress of faith, with me, anything is possible.
  •  I have drive, spirit, stamina, and endurance.
  •  I have a good strong winning attitude about myself and about everything I do.
  •  I am practical and realistic, but I also believe in the best possible outcome of any situation.
  •  If I have ever had any doubts about myself in the past, today is a good day to put them aside.
  •  It’s a good day to throw out any disbelief that ever held me back.
  •  I know that I am headed in the right winning direction, and I look forward and never look back.
  • I have the ability to focus on one thing at a time, so I concentrate my attention on the job at hand—and I get it done!
  •  Today is one of those days when nothing can stand in my way.
  •  When I need extra determination, I’ve got it! When I need more energy and drive, I’ve got it!
  •  I’ve got the power to get it done and the patience to see it through, no matter what the job or challenge may be.
  • Right now, even while I am telling myself these truths about me, I know that I can succeed and I am succeeding.
  • At this moment, if I think of any challenge in front of me, I know that I will become even more a winner because of it.
  •  I keep my chin up, my head held high. I look, act, sound, think, and feel like the winner I am!
  • Anytime a problem starts to get me down, I get myself right back up! I tackle problems and I solve them.
  • When frustration or defeat threatens me, I just become that much stronger, more positive, better organized, and more determined than ever!
  • Right now, today, this very moment, I am capable of giving myself the gift of absolute self-assurance, self-belief, and powerful non-stop confidence in myself.
  • No matter what it is that requires the very best of me, I can do it and I know I can.
  •  Today is a great day. And I’ve got what it takes.
  •  So I choose to do it right, do it well! I choose to live today with joy and love.
  •  I know it’s all up to me. One hundred percent!
  • Every bit of it. All of it is in how I look at it and what I do about it! That’s what winning is. That’s why I am a winner. I set my sights; I keep my balance. I don’t hesitate. I don’t hold back!
  •  I know that the world is full of opportunities. Look at what I can do; look at where I can go!
  •  Look at what I can do just by saying “Yes!” to myself! Just look at what I can do today! I am incredible…and today is a great day to show it!
  • I can do anything I believe I can do! I’ve got it, and every day I get more of it.
  •  I have talent, skills, and ability. I set goals and I reach them. I know what I want out of life.
  •  I go after it and I get it. People like me, and I feel good about myself.
  •  I have a sense of pride in who I am, and I believe in myself.
  •  Nothing seems to stop me. I have a lot of determination. I turn problems into advantages.
  •  I find possibilities in things that other people never give a chance. I have a lot of energy—I am very alive!
  •  I enjoy life and I can tell it and so can others. I keep myself up, looking ahead, and liking it.
  • I know that I can accomplish anything I choose, and I refuse to let anything negative hold me back or stand in my way.self-talk

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Rules to Balance Life

In Health, Healthcare on January 21, 2013 at 8:00 am
  1. balance-photoIntegrity. What defines our character and our integrity is not measured by what happens to us; but rather by how we react and respond to what happens to us.
  2. Listening. As a human being, one of the best gifts I can give my fellow humans is to listen; to really listen to what they are saying and to be fully present in the moment with them.
  3. Love. The presence of love in our life, the love we have for our families, our friends, our faith and for ourselves, is the single most important source of light and energy we can tap into when we have the need to be filled-up; or when we see the need to fill someone else up with grace, hope and our love
  4. Optimism.  “When God hands you lemons, you make lemonade.” The value of optimism is clear here – take what you have been given and make the best of it.
  5. Patience. Patience is a value which can also improve productivity because it creates a better state of mind, a clearer state of mind, for better decision making.
  6. Respect. We are all different, yet we are all the same in the sense we want to be respected for how we think and believe. When we show the proper respect we are not only validating the other person’s dignity, we are also enhancing our own.
  7. Right Choices. It’s not that we always have to get it right; in fact it’s not reasonable to think every choice we make will be the right choice. But when we have completed our research, performed our discernment, and have listened to our inner wisdom the hope is we are guided to the right choice. Acting on this choice is where the true value exists.
  8. Sacrifice. Sometimes it’s appropriate to put someone else’s needs before your own. This is the meaning of sacrifice. Along with sacrifice comes some discomfort; perhaps even some pain. This is what makes sacrifice a value to live by.
  9. Tolerance. There are people who make us angry and we just can’t seem to see eye-to-eye with on an issue. Rather than showing contempt, tolerance is a better alternative. It shows respects, patience and courtesy – all important values in their own right, too.
  10. Unity. There is indeed strength in numbers. Working together to solve a common problem ensures a greater chance of success. Making the effort to bring people together will always be more effective than finding ways to pull people apart.
  11. Vision. Vision is created by our dreams and daydreams, alike, Vision provides the avenue to take our lives to wherever we want them to go. Our vision reminds us that we are always capable of learning and growing into who we want to be.

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Sexually transmitted diseases

In Health, Healthcare, Medicine on January 4, 2013 at 10:13 am

std

Sexually transmitted diseases are infections that are acquired and transmitted by sexual contact. Although virtually any infection may be transmitted during intimate contact, the term sexually transmitted disease is restricted to conditions that are largely dependent on sexual contact for their transmission and propagation in a population. The term venereal disease is literally synonymous with sexually transmitted disease but traditionally is associated with only five long-recognized diseases . Sexually transmitted diseases occasionally are acquired nonsexually, but in adults they are virtually never acquired by contact with contaminated intermediaries such as towels, toilet seats, or bathing facilities. However, some sexually transmitted infections are transmitted primarily by sexual contact in some settings and by nonsexual means in others

Sexually transmitted disease (STD) is a term used to describe more than 20 different infections that are transmitted through exchange of semen, blood, and other body fluids; or by direct contact with the affected body areas of people with STDs. Sexually transmitted diseases are also called venereal diseases.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are viral and bacterial infections passed from one person to another through sexual contact.

Adolescence is a time of opportunities and risk when many health behaviors are established. Although many of these behaviors are health-promoting, some are health-compromising, resulting in increasingly high rates of adolescent morbidity and mortality. For example, initiation of sexual intercourse and experimentation with alcohol and drugs are normative adolescent behaviors. However, these behaviors often result in negative health outcomes such as the acquisition of STDs. As a consequence of STDs, many adolescents experience serious health problems that often alter the course of their adult lives, including infertility, difficult pregnancy, genital and cervical cancer, neonatal transmission of infections, and AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).

Some symptoms of STDs affect the genitals and reproductive organs:

  • A woman who has an STD may bleed when she is not menstruating or has abnormal vaginal discharge. Vaginal burning, itching, and odor are common, and she may experience pain in her pelvic area while having sex.
  • A discharge from the tip of the penis may be a sign that a man has an STD. Males may also have painful or burning sensations when they urinate.
  • There may be swelling of the lymph nodes near the groin area.
  • Both men and women may develop skin rashes, sores, bumps, or blisters near the mouth or genitals. Homosexual men frequently develop these symptoms in the area around the anus.

Prevention

Prevention of STDs involves primary and secondary approaches. Primary prevention aims to educate individuals about the advantages of discriminate and safe sex (prevention by the use of condoms), about the symptoms of the common sexually transmitted diseases, and about how to seek care for them. It is also important to point out that some conditions may cause no symptoms, so that regular check-ups are advised for those who often change their partners.

Secondary prevention aims to encourage people to seek care without delay once the symptoms of a disease are recognized, to stop sexual intercourse until medical advice has been sought, and to adhere to the advice and treatment given. The final aspect of control is the tracing of the sexual contacts of the infected patient, who may have infection without being aware of it.

STD

 

 

 

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Relaxation technique as a way to reduce stress

In Health, Healthcare, Medicine on December 14, 2012 at 10:19 am

This will help you begin to change the way you think, feel and act.

Visit it any time you want to boost your self-belief, to relax, and to regaimmunityin control of your life and direction.

Print this page and put it above your mirror, above your bed, above your desk, anywhere you’ll see it every day.

Make time – actually schedule some time in your planner or diary to do this. It will dramatically improve your mood, attitude, and approach to life, and therefore what you get from life.

Positive suggestion and visualization, combined with deep relaxation, is an easy way to release/reduce stress.

Just going through this relaxation exercise alone will help to change and improve the way you feel. If you combine the relaxation techniques with a repeated script of positive statements, such as the ‘I am’ script below, you will begin change the way you think, and feel, and act, and all that life offers as a result.

The more you use the relaxation exercise and say or hear the script, then the greater and more sustainable will be the effect.

The time it takes to change depends on different people. Stick with it and it will become easier, more natural, more enjoyable, and it will work.

 

Relaxation, scripts and self-help

The use of scripts while in a deeply relaxed state is an age-old method of gaining and maintaining control over our personal feelings and behaviors.

Relaxation combined with positive ‘self-talk’ enables self-help.meditate

The use of scripts or strong statements while in a deeply relaxed state enables a ‘conditioning’ effect on our subconscious.

Changing our subconscious – our feelings and beliefs – increases our sense of calm and well-being, and also enables change in our conscious thoughts and behaviors. It’s that simple.

Some people find it easier than others to relax deeply. It comes with practice.

If you find it difficult, allow yourself more time when going through the relaxation exercise. Create or put yourself into a quiet relaxing calm environment. Shut out noise and distractions. Lie down rather than sit.

When relaxing and emptying your mind it is natural for thoughts to arise – in which case simply acknowledge them gently and let them go – visualize them floating away like a balloon into the distance. Your ability to empty your mind and relax, free from thoughts, will improve with practice.

When you practice, you will increase the ease with which you can relax, and then you will find that you no longer need such a quiet environment. You will even find that you can achieve a deeply relaxed state in quite noisy, stressful environments. Even sitting at a desk at school moments before taking an exam.

Deep relaxation alone is good for the mind and body, without the use of scripted statements. Combining deep relaxation with good positive scripts is a powerful method of achieving greater happiness and for making positive personal change.

What I’m advocating here is the use of the same basic methodology – deep relaxation, combined with repeating strong statements – to achieve powerful personal change for the good, in this case, stress reduction.

Relaxation exercise

  1. Sit or lie down comfortably. Properly comfortably. Straighten your back, put your shoulders back to open your rib-cage.
  2. Relax your shoulder muscles particularly. Relax your whole body, and empty your mind.
  3. Close your eyes (obviously open them when you need to read the next stage). Take ten deep, slow breaths. Breathe from the pit of your stomach and feel your lungs filling.
  4. Focus on your breathing. Feel it getting deeper and slower. Feel yourself relaxing and any tension drifting away.
  5. Relax your shoulders and neck again.
  6. Visualize yourself being happy, succeeding, winning, being loved, laughing, feeling good.
  7. Relax your forehead, your mouth and your eyes.
  8. Allow a gentle smile to appear on your face as you feel a calmness enter your mind.
  9. Then say (out load ideally) the words below to yourself: (Here is an example of an “I am” statement, but you can make up your own that reinforces the thoughts that are causing you stress and tension)

I am….

I am a good person.

I have integrity.

Whatever life puts before me will be useful experience that will make me stronger, wiser, and more tolerant.

I am capable of handling difficult situations.

I have great motivation. I can do this. (Envision yourself completing the task at hand and doing well)

I am successful. I have been successful before and I will continue to be successful. I deserve to be successful.

I am a hard worker for my achievements.

I am a rightful earner of my accomplishments

I am fair and just.

I am a good person. I am.

 

 

 

 

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Common Questions Asked About Hypnotherapy

In Health, Healthcare, Medicine on December 10, 2012 at 8:00 am

What is hypnotherapy? Acupressure Reflexology Healing Grip magic mat beyond healing tea hypnotherapy (17)

Hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis by a trained hypnotherapist to help a person to make positive changes in their life.  The use of hypnosis allows the hypnotherapist to bypass the critical areas of the conscious mind and access the subconscious mind directly. All our learned behaviors and habits, either good or bad, reside in the subconscious mind. Hypnosis speeds up the process of positive change since the hypnotherapist is working directly with the subconscious mind.  Old unwanted negative associations and patterns of behavior can easily be removed and replaced with positive beneficial ones.

What is the difference between hypnosis and hypnotherapy?

Hypnosis is a natural state of mind in which the subconscious mind opens up, becoming very suggestible to new ideas.  Hypnotherapy is the process of using hypnosis by the trained hypnotherapist to help a person make positive, desired life style changes.

What are the areas in which hypnotherapy is helpful? 

Hypnotherapy can help you to make changes in practically any area of your life.  Any bad habits or unwanted behaviors can easily be changed into more positive ones.  Fears and phobias can be eliminated.  You can easily stop smoking, lose unwanted weight, improve your study habits or become more successful.  It is entirely up to you what issue you want to work on.  You can always contact Kevin to discuss your particular issue and find out if hypnotherapy will help you.

How do I know that I can be hypnotized?

If you are intelligent, able to focus and concentrate and want to be hypnotized, then you can be.  It’s up to you.

How well does hypnotherapy work? _dbs-depression-side300

A comparison study:

Psychoanalysis:  38% recovery after 600 sessions

Behavior Therapy:  72% recovery after 22 sessions

Hypnotherapy:  93% recovery after 6 sessions

-American Health Magazine

Does hypnotherapy work for everybody? 

This depends entirely upon you.  If you are serious and really want to work on the issue and improve your life, then hypnotherapy will work wonders.  If you really don’t want to give up that bad habit or change, and just are not being entirely honest with yourself, then hypnotherapy will not be as effective for you.  You will just end up sabotaging yourself and remain where you are at.  The choice is yours – change and improve your life for the better or don’t.  It’s up to you!

Why use hypnosis when I have my “will power”? 

“Will power” or desire alone is often not enough or sufficient to change a long standing or deeply ingrained habit or behavior.  All habits, learned behaviors, patterns and attitudes reside within the domain of your subconscious mind. “Will power,” along with logic and reasoning resides within your conscious mind. Your conscious mind consists of only about 20% of your total mind power.  The remaining 80% of your mind power is your subconscious mind.  Which of the two is stronger – the 20% conscious mind or the 80% subconscious mind?  If the negative behavior or bad habit is deeply rooted in your subconscious mind or you have had it for many years, then your “will power” alone won’t be strong enough to change or eliminate it.  “Will power” or sheer determination can help you to accomplish your goal, but in some cases,  your “will power”  itself can be detrimental.  Your conscious mind can sabotage your “will power” so you won’t be able to change.  There are many reasons (both conscious and subconscious) as to why we behave the way we do.  Most of us become “comfortable” in our position in life.  Any changes made can be scary – so sometimes the conscious mind will sabotage you – to keep you where you are so you remain in your current comfort zone.  Hypnosis, when used by a trained hypnotherapist, can speak directly to the subconscious mind where all the habits, learned behaviors and attitudes reside, thus bypassing the conscious mind entirely.  This is a very effective, quick, and easy path to success.

Isn’t traditional “talk therapy” just as effective?

This depends upon the nature of the issue you are working on.  If the issue is a behavior or habit you want to change, you will need to access the subconscious mind to affect the necessary changes.  All learned behaviors, habits, attitudes and beliefs reside in the subconscious mind.  “Talk therapy” accesses your conscious mind, not your subconscious mind.  You can make changes using “talk therapy”, but it takes a lot longer to do than using hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy accesses the subconscious mind directly.

Does hypnotherapy replace more traditional practices, like seeing a doctor, psychologist or psychiatrist?

No.  Hypnotherapy is used for behavior modification and life style improvements – like stopping biting one’s fingernails, losing weight or stopping smoking.  It may be an adjunct to traditional medical or psychological treatments, but it is not meant to be a replacement.  If you think that hypnotherapy might help you, contact Kevin to see if you will benefit.

What if I am on medication?  Can I still use hypnosis and hypnotherapy?

Absolutely.  Hypnotherapy and hypnosis can help many areas, including pain control, insomnia, losing weight and stopping smoking, to name a few.  Depending on the nature of the problem and the reasons why you are taking the medication, you may be able to reduce your need for medication.  You can contact Kevin to discuss this and find out if you will benefit by hypnosis.

Why don’t more people use hypnosis or get hypnotherapy sessions?

Up until recently, most of the general public has been in the dark concerning hypnosis and the benefits of hypnotherapy.  There are a lot of misconceptions in circulation about hypnosis – what it is or isn’t.  Many people just are not aware that hypnotherapy is available to help them overcome their issues.  The majority of people who learn about the benefits of hypnotherapy are eager to try it.  Why continue to suffer from an issue when you can change it? When you have a cavity, you go to the dentist.  It’s a matter of educating people about hypnotherapy and its benefits.

I practice meditation and do yoga.  Is this the same thing?   meditate

No.  Yoga and meditation are a form of hypnosis since you are focusing your mind and energies.  People use these to be able to focus, concentrate better and relax.  Hypnotherapy, on the other hand, is goal-orientated.  The state of hypnosis is induced by the hypnotherapist to work on a specific issue to make a particular change in your life.  You are taken into the hypnotic state, and then taken completely out of hypnosis.  Yoga and meditation also take you into the hypnotic state, but the purpose of each discipline is different.

 

Can’t I do this myself?  Why do I need to see a hypnotherapist or have sessions?

No.  You are in your current state because you have created it for yourself.  Most of us would fix ourselves if we knew how.  If your car or computer is broken, do most people try to fix it themselves if they have no working knowledge about cars or computers?  You would only make things worse if you tried to take it apart.  You need to go to someone who knows what they are doing to get the problem fixed.  Most of us may be aware we have an issue in our lives we want to change, but we aren’t born with the knowledge how to fix it.  You need to see a “specialist” – a trained hypnotherapist who can help you overcome your specific issue.

How many sessions will it take and how much will it cost?

This depends entirely upon the nature of the issue, how long you have had it and how serious you are in working on it.  The number of sessions it will take can not be determined until the initial consultation and you are put into hypnosis.  It can vary anywhere from 1 session in average to 12 sessions to change that particular issue.  Sometimes people are so happy with the results they have achieved, that they continue with hypnotherapy and work on other issues.  Cost will be determined based on the nature of the issue and sessions required.

How soon will I see the results?

Depending on the issue you are working on and how deeply rooted it is, the results may be immediate after the first session or it may take several sessions for you to start to see the results you desire.

What if I can’t take time off work to come in for sessions?  I am very busy.

Are you too busy to work on yourself?  Do you value yourself so little?  If you are unable to come in for private hypnotherapy sessions, then Kevin is available for hypnotherapy sessions via the telephone.  You also can take advantage of the Total Power Programming Hypnosis CDs you can listen to at home.  It’s all up to you!

My friends and co-workers say hypnotherapy is bad for you and a waste of time and money, beside it “doesn’t work.”  Is this true?

Your friends and co-workers may mean well, but they are wrong!  Skeptics are only expert in their limited frame of knowledge.  Sometimes others subconsciously want to hold you back and keep you where you are in life.  If you move forward and become successful, it may upset the current status quo – so they sabotage your efforts to change. Hypnotherapy works!  What does it matter if they don’t believe in hypnosis?  It’s you and your life that is important!

Who should not use hypnosis?

Those with any mental illness, injury or disease should not use hypnosis, neither should hose with special needs, who require personal attention. Hypnotherapy is not suitable if you have or have ever suffered from personality disorders, psychosis, clinical depression or epilepsy. If in any doubt, please consult your doctor before using any of these products. 

 

What is it like to be hypnotized?

In experiencing altered states it should be acknowledged that trance (altered state of consciousness) is slightly different for everyone. Most find it extremely pleasant, enjoyable and relaxing, saying they’ve never felt so agreeably relaxed and comfortable before. The altered state of consciousness is an individual and personal experience. Some may feel no difference at all, while others may feel very heavy and deeply relaxed, while still others may feel like they were floating – it is best not to have any preconceived ideas and just experience the sessions in your own unique way.

Who can be hypnotized?

Just about everyone if they choose.

Is hypnotherapy safe?

Yes. It is a safe, natural part of human experience. Always protected by our subconscious, trance (altered state of consciousness) is part of everyday life. We are already proficient in its use, we simply don’t recognise it.  Note: Hypnotherapy is not stage hypnosis.  Important: Because these CDs guide you into a deeply relaxed state, it is very important that you DO NOT listen to them while driving a car or operating machinery; if you listen as a passenger in a car, use a personal CD player with headphones.

Can I be forced into trance?

No. It is a state of mind that needs your co-operation. No one goes against their own unique code of behavior in hypnotherapy

Are there any side effects?

No. After Hypnosis you will feel refreshed, restored and absolutely ready to face any challenges that life may throw at you. There are also many extra advantages to Hypnosis -   many examples of people receiving Hypnotherapy for one particular issue, then finding that not only has that been solved but other health problems have disappeared too -  this includes Vertigo, Tinnitus, High Blood Pressure and IBS.

How long does it take? 

Sessions last for approximately one hour and results can often be seen after just one session. Unlike counselling and many other therapies, problems are usually resolved very quickly with Hypnotherapy. The average number of sessions required is two or three.
What is the difference between hypnosis, hypnotherapy, guided imagery, meditation, visualization, and relaxation techniques?

Hypnosis is the method used to put yourself (or with the help of a therapist) into a relaxed state of consciousness that is common to everyone everyday. Hypnosis may be used just to be put into the state of relaxation only, or to feel pleasant, or as a therapy to help change behavior, etc.  Hypnosis as used by professionals is not to be confused with stage hypnosis, which is entirely different from this discussion and is employed as entertainment rather than therapeutic.  Generally a person who administers hypnosis is a hypnotist, though this term sometimes has bad connotations due to stage and theatrical hypnosis.

Hypnotherapy uses hypnosis as a therapy to help individuals improve their lives whether it be just general relaxation or stress reduction, or for other medical or emotional concerns, such as helping individuals reduce pain, cope with trauma, endure medical procedures when medication is contraindicated, reduce symptoms of functional disorders or just general well-being. Hypnotherapy is NOT however, a substitute for professional medical care, but rather a complement to it.

A person who provides hypnotherapy is a hypnotherapist, and usually has additional professional training, certifications and qualifications in mind sciences and therapy as well as counseling skills in addition to hypnotherapy. The hypnotherapist usually provides in-depth consultation and inquiry sessions prior to the actual therapy sessions in order to provide the best possible care to the patient. Many work in liaison with physicians who refer their patients for further care.

Solely for ease of use, the terms hypnosis and hypnotherapy are used interchangeably throughout this site.

Guided Imagery or visualization are processes used by hypnotherapists to help their patients resolve issues or improve their health. The subconscious mind responds very well to images and metaphor which can represent facets of the individual’s life or problems. By using these visualizations, the subconscious mind makes a mental picture and solves the problem since it cannot distinguish reality, it will take the images as a means to improve and move forward with suggestions made.

Meditation can be a form similar to self-hypnosis where the mind goes to a slower level for inner calm and insight but the individual is not being guided. No specific behavior or change is targeted.  It can also be a form of prayer.

How is hypnosis and hypnotherapy different from psychology or cognitive behavioral therapy?

Both of these methods approach the conscious mind and you have to actively think about what you are doing and learning. You use your intellect and your rational thinking to help solve problems. But when you use your thinking mind, there is a greater possibility of negative thoughts interfering, excuses, or barriers going up that block progress. These negative experiences or negative thinking then goes back into the subconscious mind and gets further reinforced.  This is not to say that these methods cannot be helpful, because they can, but it requires a lot of work on a conscious level, and is not as “easy” as hypnosis can be. Many individuals use hypnosis after failing with other methods, because they are so frustrated and fed up by their failure.

Does hypnosis / hypnotherapy really work? 

Hypnosis and hypnotherapy have many research studies done showing how effective the method can be for many types of problems and conditions. If it was not successful at all, there would be publications saying so. If you do a general search on any of the medical search sites, such as PubMed, (National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health), Medscape, WebMD, etc. you will see professional medical journals full of entries on the successful use of hypnosis and hypnotherapy. For example, for IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), hypnotherapy has proven to have one of the highest success rates over other treatment methods, with most studies being done after all other methods have failed with very severe refractory cases.
BENEFITS OF HYPNOTHERAPY:

The purpose of most hypnotherapy is to alter some undesirable aspect of behavior. The aspect of behavior to be modified can be something like overeating, stopping smoking, anxiety or it can range to more serious personality disorders like psychosis. The therapist, in hypnotherapy, puts the subject into a trance like state in which the therapist can deliver suggestion or talk with the subject’s subconscious mind directly. Basically, the trance allows the therapist to bypass the subject’s conscious.

Inducing a trance is a relatively easy process. There are various techniques like having the subject stare at and concentrate on a spot on the wall or waving a stopwatch or pendulum back-and-forth in front of his face as he follows it with his eyes. The therapist, speaking in a monotone, says things like “you are becoming more and more relaxed”, “you can feel the tension draining from your body”, etc. When the subject is in the trance the therapist then gives the suggestions in the same monotonic voice. The suggestions have to be carefully worded to bring about the desired effect. When the therapy session is over, the therapist brings the subject out of the trance by saying something like “you are become more aware of you surroundings” and “open your eyes when you are ready to”. The subject will then “wake up”. Hypnotherapy directed by a therapist is referred to hetero-suggestion.

If the intention of the hypnotherapy is to modify behavior like overeating or stopping smoking, usually more than one session is required. The effects are not immediate but the behavior should begin to change gradually in days or weeks. Hypnotherapy can make it easier for the subject to lose weight or to quit smoking. Also, hypnotherapy can be beneficial in the treatment of some psychoses. In the trance like state the therapist can talk with the subject and bring up repressed events that are causing problems in the subject’s life. Some things too painful to say in a conscious state may be able to be revealed in hypnotic state. These painful past events may be causing symptoms like dreams or nightmares, phobias, etc. A psychotherapist, having knowledge of these events, is in a better position to help the subject recover.

There are many benefits of hypnotherapy for people who want to modify behavior. It is easy and relatively inexpensive form of therapy, even though it may require several session.

Health Benefits of Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy offers various health and fitness benefits. It is the kind of therapy that allows you to enter a state of profound comfort, often called hypnosis or trance. This technique has been employed to aid in smooth and painless childbirth, surgery and psychotherapy. In addition, hypnotherapy has also been proven helpful for successful weight management.

 

How Can Hypnotherapy Help Me?

Hypnotherapy is effective in working with the following goals:no-stress1

  • Overcome phobias
  • Become a confident public speaker
  • Alleviate stress and anxiety
  • Overcome bad habits
  • Become a non-smoker
  • Change your eating habits, without “will power”
  • Improve athletic performance
  • Remove blocks to intimacy
  • Increase motivation, improve sales
  • Improve memory, study habits and test-taking ability
  • Improve self-esteem and self-confidence;
  • feel good about yourself

Uses for Hypnosis & Hypnotherapy – Healthy Audio

Hypnosis is often thought to be therapy that only affects the mind, but as mind and body are inseparably joined, hypnosis can also help physical ailments. The popular assumption that hypnosis is only used for weight reduction and stopping smoking is very much mistaken; there are many more possibilities too numerous to mention but some are mentioned below:

The following conditions can be treated using hypnotherapy      TWOH

Anger Management Migraine

Self Hypnosis

Anxiety

Nail Biting

Sleep Problems (Insomnia)

Bed Wetting

O.C.D.

Smoking Cessation
P.M.TBereavement

Sport Enhancement

Blushing

Pain Control

Stammering

Confidence Building

Panic Attacks

Stress

Counselling

Performance Anxiety

Teeth Grinding

Depression

Phobia Removal

Tinnitus

Eczema

Post-Operation Confidence

Trauma

Ego Strengthening

Pre-Birth Relaxation

Travel Nerves

Exam Nerves

Pre-Operation Nerves

Victim Recovery

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (I.B.S.)

Relaxation

Weight Reduction

Life Change Development

Restless Legs

Male Sexual Problems

Female Sexual Problems

Self Confidence

 There are MANY current uses for hypnotherapy and these uses cover a very wide variety of problems and disorders.    Some hypnotherapists require a written referral, particularly if the condition has a formal medical diagnosis (E.g. Fibromyalgia, Enuresis, Alcoholism) while most indications do NOT require a referral.  In all cases, it is wise to let your primary care physician know what types of treatment you are receiving for any condition.

This list is by no means all-inclusive, but it gives an idea of some of the types of conditions for which help is commonly sought via hypnotherapy.

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Feel Attractive Now

In Health, Healthcare, Medicine on December 3, 2012 at 11:17 am
“My hips are huge.”
physically-active
“”Oh my God, I can’t be seen in a swim-suit!”
“Why only me?”
If we have low self esteem we may not like how we look or may feel unattractive.This is bad news for our self confidence. We need to think and behave differently to feel more attractive.When we suffer with low self esteem many times we create a poor body image and believe that we are unattractive or ugly- completely unable to see how attractive we are because of our lack of confidence and negative self image.What makes a person attractive and beautiful?
Attractiveness is not just about beauty, it also includes:
Personality
Confidence
A beautiful smile
A great sense of humor
Why do we feel unattractive?
There are several reasons why we may feel unattractive. As I have mentioned the number one reason is poor self esteem and lack of confidence. Criticism from others can make us feel very negative and this can increase our poor self esteem and negative self image.Do you indulge in self criticism and negative self talk? This constant inner negativity can cause us feel inferior and unattractive.Many of us have suffered from abuse and this causes us to have a victim mentality and to feel unattractive because of what has happened.Many have suffered rejection in a relationship and need to deal with this or it can cause us to live in self pity.If you are in a relationship which is abusive mentally or physically you need to do something. Either end the relationship or seek help to end the abuse (counselling).
There are some things we can do today to help ourselves feel more attractive:
Start exercising – exercising will make look and feel better.
Show those pearly whites and smile more. You will feel better and others will respond to you in a positive way. You may even get a compliment that will make your day!
 Take care of yourself.
Keep yourself clean and well-groomed.
Look after your skin. You will start to glow and others will notice!
Lighten up.
Make jokes and laugh. Humor is attractive.
Talk to yourself positively.
Buy something nice to wear that will make you look better. Something that will make you appear more confident.
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