How to be Happy

Hi there, how are you? You coming over for this post suggest you are not doing very well. You may be very successful or you may be not. You may be rich or may be broke. What ever situation you have got yourself into you are not happy with that. Well it’s ok. Shit happens.

We humane beings are among the most confused creatures among all the animal kingdom. You are not sole responsible for all this confusion. There are lot of reasons. Your parents who want you be like them or like someone else they never became. Your friends who always cheered for being or doing something that they never wanted to do for themselves. Your neighbor, your school teacher and there is long list of such persons. Well it was ok to be in confusion till you are a kid and you having no idea what is right for you. But when you grow up whatever decisions of your parents, teachers, friends or anyone else you agreed to it was your choice. You chose to accept those decisions. So after all those decisions if you are still not happy then take some time for yourself to find out what exactly you want. Forget everything for a moment just be yourself and discover the real you. Believe me once you discover yourself, every path you choose will be towards happiness that you have always dreamed about.

Here are 20 ideas to get you started. Choose the ones that work for you.

1. Practice mindfulness. Be in the moment. Instead of worrying about your checkup tomorrow while you have dinner with your family, focus on the here and now — the food, the company, the conversation.

2. Laugh out loud. Just anticipating a happy, funny event can raise levels of endorphins and other pleasure-inducing hormones and lower production of stress hormones.

3. Go to sleep. We have become a nation of sleep-deprived citizens. Taking a daily nap or getting into bed at 8 p.m. one night with a good book — and turning the light out an hour later — can do more for your mood and outlook on life than any number of bubble baths or massages.

4. Hum along. Music soothes more than the savage beast. Studies find music activates parts of the brain that produce happiness — the same parts activated by food or sex. It’s also relaxing. In one study older adults who listened to their choice of music during outpatient eye surgery had significantly lower heart rates, blood pressure, and cardiac workload (that is, their heart didn’t have to work as hard) as those who had silent surgery.

5. Declutter. It’s nearly impossible to meditate, breathe deeply, or simply relax when every surface is covered with papers and bills and magazines, your cabinets bulge, and you haven’t balanced your checkbook in six months. Plus, the repetitive nature of certain cleaning tasks — such as sweeping, wiping, and scrubbing — can be meditative in and of itself if you focus on what you’re doing.

6. Just say no. Eliminate activities that aren’t necessary and that you don’t enjoy. If there are enough people already to handle the church bazaar and you’re feeling stressed by the thought of running the committee for yet another year, step down and let someone else handle things.

7. Make a list. There’s nothing like writing down your tasks to help you organize your thoughts and calm your anxiety. Checking off each item provides a great sense of fulfillment.

8. Do one thing at a time. Studies have found that people who multitask are more likely to have high blood pressure. Take that finding to heart. Instead of talking on the phone while you fold laundry or clean the kitchen, sit down in a comfortable chair and turn your entire attention over to the conversation. Instead of checking e-mail as you work on other projects, turn off your e-mail function until you finish the report you’re writing. This is similar to the concept of mindfulness.

9. Garden. Not only will the fresh air and exercise provide their own stress reduction and feeling of well-being, but the sense of accomplishment that comes from clearing a weedy patch, watching seeds turn into flowers, or pruning out dead wood will last for hours, if not days.Walk on the grass on bare foot, its a great stress reliever.

10. Tune out the news. For one week go without reading the newspaper, watching the news, or scanning the headlines online. Instead, take a vacation from the misery we’re exposed to every day via the media and use that time for a walk, a meditation session, or to write in your journal.

11. Take a dog for a walk. There are numerous studies that attest to the stress-relieving benefits of pets. In one analysis researchers evaluated the heart health of number of couples, half of whom owned a pet. Those couples with pets had significantly lower heart rates and blood pressure levels when exposed to stress than the couples who did not have pets. In fact, the pets worked even better at buffering stress than the spouses did.

12. Scent the air. Research finds that the benefits of aromatherapy in relieving stress are real. In one study people exposed to rosemary had lower anxiety levels, increased alertness, and performed math computations faster. Adults exposed to lavender showed an increase in the type of brain waves that suggest increased relaxation. Today you have a variety of room-scenting methods, from plug-in air fresheners to essential oil diffusers, potpourri, and scented candles.

13. Ignore the stock market. Simply getting your quarterly statement can be enough to send your blood pressure skyrocketing. In fact, researchers found a direct link between the daily performance of the stock market and the mental health of those who closely followed it. Astute investors know that time heals most financial wounds, so give your investments time — and give yourself a break.

14. Visit a quiet place. Libraries, museums, gardens, and places of worship provide islands of peace and calm in today’s frantic world. Find a quiet place near your house and make it your secret getaway.

15. Volunteer. Helping others enables you to put your own problems into perspective and also provides social interaction. While happy people are more likely to help others, helping others increases your happiness. One study found that volunteer work enhanced all six aspects of well-being: happiness, life satisfaction, self-esteem, sense of control over life, physical health, and depression.

16. Spend time alone. Although relationships are one of the best antidotes to stress, sometimes you need time alone to recharge and reflect. Take yourself out to lunch or to a movie, or simply spend an afternoon reading, browsing in a bookstore, or antiquing.

17. Walk mindfully. You probably already know that exercise is better than tranquilizers for relieving anxiety and stress. But what you do with your mind while you’re walking can make your walk even more beneficial. In a study researchers divided 135 people into five groups of walkers for 16 weeks. Group one walked briskly, group two at a slow pace, and group three at a slow pace while practicing “mindfulness,” a mental technique to bring about the relaxation response, a physiological response in which the heart rate slows and blood pressure drops. This group was asked to pay attention to their footsteps, counting one, two, one, two, and to visualize the numbers in their mind. Group four practiced a form of tai chi, and group five served as the control, changing nothing about their lives. The group practicing mindfulness showed significant declines in anxiety and had fewer negative and more positive feelings about themselves. Overall they experienced the same stress-reducing effects of the brisk walkers. Better yet, the effects were evident immediately.

18. Give priority to close relationships. One study of more than 1,300 men and women of various ages found that those who had a lot of supportive friends were much more likely to have healthier blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar metabolism, and stress hormone levels than those with two or fewer close friends. Women, and to a lesser extent men, also seemed to benefit from good relationships with their parents and spouses. Studies also find that people who feel lonely, depressed, and isolated are three to five times more likely to get sick and die prematurely than those who have feelings of love, connection, and community.

19. Take care of the soul. In study after study, actively religious people are happier and cope better with crises. For many people faith provides a support community, a sense of life’s meaning, feelings of ultimate acceptance, a reason to focus beyond yourself, and a timeless perspective on life’s woes. Even if you’re not religious, a strong spirituality may offer similar benefits.

20. Count your blessings. People who pause each day to reflect on some positive aspect of their lives (their health, friends, family, freedom, education, etc.) experience a heightened sense of well-being.

Warning: If you are constantly unhappy or depressed, seek professional help.

Read More August 9, 2011   Posted Under: Emotional Health

How and Why GM Diet Plan Works

About GM Diet Plan

gm diet

 

 

General Motors Diet plan has been developed to help you cleanse your body and as a side effect, lose
some weight too. There are reasons why GM diet plan works. Just have a look at it.

GM Diet Day One

You are preparing your system for the upcoming program. Your only source of nutrition is fresh
or canned fruits. Fruits are nature’s perfect food. They provide everything you could possibly want to
sustain life except total balance and variety.

GM Diet Day Two

Start with a fix of complex carbo-hydrates coupled with an oil dose. This is taken in the morning
for energy and balance. The rest of day two consists of vegetables which are virtually calorie free and
provide essential nutrients and fiber.

GM Diet Day Three

Eliminates the potato because you get your carbohydrates from the fruits. You system is now
prepared to start burning excess pounds. You will still have cravings which should start to diminish by day
four.

GM Diet Day Four

Bananas, milk and soup sound the strangest and least desirable. You’re in for a surprise. You
probably will not eat all the bananas allowed. But they are there for the potassium you have lost and the
sodium you may have missed the past three days. You will notice a definite loss of desire for sweets. You
will be surprised how easy this day will go.

GM Diet Day Five

Beef and tomatoes. The beef is for iron and proteins, the tomatoes are for digestion and fiber.
Lots and lots of water purify your system. You should notice colorless urine today. Your allowance calls
for the equivalent of five “quarter ponders”. Do not feel you have to eat all this beef. You must eat the six
tomatoes.

GM Diet Day Six

It is similar to day five, Iron and proteins from beef, Vitamins and fiber from vegetables. By now
your system is in a total weight loss inclination. There should be a noticeable difference in the way you
look today, compared to day one.

GM Diet Day Seven

Finished off the program like a good cigar used to finish off Victorian meals, except much
healthier. You have your system under control and it should thank you for the flushing and cleaning you
just gave it.

I hope this info will give you more insight to GM Diet Plan, All the best !!!

Read More March 8, 2011   Posted Under: Health

Additional Pointers for General Motors Diet Plan

Everybody has many questions when they read about General Motors Diet Plan. I am just consolidating
the additional pointers about GM Diet which will help you to understand do’s and don’ts of GM Diet Plan.

  • This is not a diet to follow for life. This is more of a cleansing diet, to be done once in a while.
    You have been given a recipe for the WONDER SOUP which can be eaten in unlimited
    quantities. This soup is a supplement while you are on the program and it should be a pleasure to
    eat.
  • You may substitute vegetables in the wonder soup according to your taste. You may add any
    vegetables you like: asparagus, peas, corn, turnips, green beans, cauliflower, etc. Try to stay
    away from beans (lima, pinto, kidney, etc.), however, because they tend to be high in calories
    even though they are very good for you.
  • Vegetables may be taken in the form of a salad if desired. No dressing except malt, white or wine
    vinegar, squeezed lemon, garlic, herbs.
  • No more than one tea spoon of oil in a day during GM Diet Program.
    Beverages you may consume while on the program are as follows:

    • Water (flavored with lemon/lime if desired).
    • Club Soda is OK.
    • Black Coffee. No cream or cream substitute. No sugar or sweetness.
    • Black Tea = Herb or Leaf.
    • Absolutely nothing else except the fruit juices which are part of Day Seven. No fruit juices before day seven.
  • If you are underweight or right weight, you might not lose any weight. But even for others, the
    weight loss depends on the body composition. Generally, physical exercises are the most ideal
    for keeping your weight under check. Such diets act as catalysts to lose weight. Exercises form
    the core matter.
  • Although rigorous exercise is not advisable while on GM diet (as you will not be getting enough
    energy through carbohydrates), you are advised to go for 20-30 minutes’ walk daily.
  • Ideally you should not add salt to soup/vegetables/fruits. But if you cannot live without it, add in
    very limited quantities.
  • If you are suffering from some disease and planning to go on GM diet then it is good to consult
    your doctor first, unless you really know what you are doing.
  • If you are pregnant then please do NOT follow this diet plan.
Read More March 7, 2011   Posted Under: Health

General Motors Diet Plan

I had been looking for weight loss diet plan and also for a full body cleanse. When I was looking for these, I found out a very good diet plan which can serve both these purposes – weight loss as well as body cleanse. I just thought of writing a post on the same.

The following diet and health program was developed for employees and dependents of General Motors, Inc. and is intended for their exclusive use. This program was developed in conjunction with a grant from U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration. It was field tested at the Johns Hopkins Research Centre and was approved for distribution by the Board of Directors, General Motors Corp. at a general meeting on August 15, 1995. General Motors Corp. wholly endorses this program and is making it available to all employees and families. This program will be available at all General Motors Food Service Facilities. It is management’s intention to facilitate a wellness and fitness program for everyone.

This program is designed for a target weight loss of 10-17 lbs per week. It will also improve your attitudes and emotions because of its cleansing systematic effects.

The effectiveness of this seven day plan is that the food eaten burns more calories than they give to the body in caloric value.

This plan can be used as often as you like without any fear of complications. It is designed to flush your system of impurities and give you a feeling of well being. After seven days you will begin to feel lighter because you will be lighter by at least 10 lbs. You will have an abundance of energy and an improved disposition.

During the first seven days you must abstain from all alcohol.
You must drink 10 glasses of water each day.

Day One All fruits except bananas. Your first day will consist of all the fruits you want. It is strongly suggested that you consume lots of melons the first day. Especially watermelon and a loupe. If you limit your fruit consumption to melons, your chances of losing three lbs. on first day are very good.

Day Two All vegetables. You are encouraged to eat until you are stuffed with all the raw or cooked vegetables of your choice. There is no limit on the amount or type. For your complex carbohydrate, you will start day two with a large baked potato for breakfast. You may top the potato with one pat of butter.

Day Three A mixture of fruits and vegetables of your choice. Any amount, any quantity. No bananas yet. No potatoes today.

Day Four Bananas and milk. Today you will eat as many as eight bananas and drink three glasses of milk. You can also have one bowl of vegetables soup.

Day Five Today is feast day (specifically for non-vegeterian who will go for option of beef :) ).

Non-vegeterians will eat beef and tomatoes. Eat two 10 oz. portions of lean beef. Hamburger is OK. Combine this with six whole tomatoes.

In Vegetarian Variant of this diet, you will eat 1 (one) cup of rice. You also have to eat 6 (six) whole tomatoes (raw or cooked).

On day five you must increase your water intake by one quart. Or 12 talk glasses This is to cleanse your system of the uric acid you will be producing.

Day Six Beef or Rice and vegetables.

Today non-vegeterians may eat an unlimited amount of beef and vegetables. Eat to your heart’s content.

For Vegetarians, Today is another all vegetables day. You must eat 1 cup of rice today and eat all the vegetables you want cooked and uncooked to your heart’s content.

Day Seven Today your food intake will consist of brown rice, fruit juices and all the vegetables you care to consume.

Tomorrow morning you will be 10-17 lbs. lighter than one week ago. If you desire further weight loss, repeat the program again. Repeat the program as often as you like, however, it is suggested that you rest for three days before every repetition.

You have your system under control now and it will thank you for all the purging and cleansing you just gave it. Even more than a diet program it is good to follow this diet once in a while to clean your digestive system and remove toxic substances that have a accumulated in the system.

G.M.’s Wonder Soup

The following soup is intended as a supplement to your diet. It can be eaten any time of the day in virtually unlimited quantities. You are encouraged to consume large quantities of this soup.

• 23 oz water

• 06 large onions

• 02 green peppers

• 03 whole tomatoes

• 1 cabbage

• 1 bunch celery

• Add herbs and seasoning as desired.

This program is highly recommended for women and men above 40 for whom excess weight is especially dangerous. Excess weight for women aggravates arthritis problems and leads to rapid joint decay. Pain and joint deterioration can be lessened by weight loss as weight loss removes the stress on the knee joint. Excess weight is the most critical factor in keeping good health and excess weight is responsible for the most problems including coronary diseases, heart problems, arthritis and cancer among other serious life threatening diseases. Most serious health problems can be avoided by the single function of maintaining an ideal weight. Daily mild exercise of 20 minutes is also essential. Do not tire yourself out, but being regular in your exercise and maintaining an ideal weight goes a long way in ensuring a happy, healthy and long life.

Read More March 6, 2011   Posted Under: Health

8 Important Reasons to Drink Water

Water is absolutely essential to the human body’s survival. A person can live for about a month without food, but only about a week without water.

During any normal day, fluid losses occur continuously, from skin evaporation, breathing, urine, and stool, and these losses must be replaced daily for good health. When your water intake does not equal your output, you can become dehydrated. Fluid losses are accentuated in warmer climates, during strenuous exercise, in high altitudes, and in older adults, whose sense of thirst may not be as sharp.

Let us find out some more important and inspiring reasons for drinking more water.

1. Drinking Water Helps Maintain the Balance of Body Fluids. Your body is composed of about 60% water. The functions of these bodily fluids include digestion, absorption, circulation, creation of saliva, transportation of nutrients, and maintenance of body temperature.

When you’re low on fluids, the brain triggers the body’s thirst mechanism. And unless you are taking medications that make you thirsty, you should listen to those cues and get yourself a drink of water, juice, milk or coffee — anything but alcohol. Alcohol interferes with the brain and kidney communication and causes excess excretion of fluids which can then lead to dehydration.

Water leads to increased energy levels. The most common cause of daytime fatigue is actually mild dehydration.

2. Water Can Help Control Calories. For years, dieters have been drinking lots of water as a weight loss strategy. While water doesn’t have any magical effect on weight loss, substituting it for higher calorie beverages can certainly help.

What works with weight loss is if you choose water or a non-caloric beverage over a caloric beverage and/or eat a diet higher in water-rich foods that are healthier, more filling, and help you trim calorie intake.

Food with high water content tends to look larger, its higher volume requires more chewing, and it is absorbed more slowly by the body, which helps you feel full. Water-rich foods include fruits, vegetables, broth-based soups, oatmeal, and beans.

Water helps to maintain healthy body weight by increasing metabolism and regulating appetite.

3. Water Helps Energize Muscles. Cells that don’t maintain their balance of fluids and electrolytes shrivel, which can result in muscle fatigue. When muscle cells don’t have adequate fluids, they don’t work as well and performance can suffer.

Drinking enough fluids is important when exercising. During exercise, fluids should be drunk at regular intervals to replace fluids lost by sweating.

Being dehydrated can severely hamper your athletic activities, slowing you down and making it harder to lift weights. Exercise requires additional water, so be sure to hydrate before, during and after exercise.

4. Water Helps Keep Skin Looking Good. Your skin contains plenty of water, and functions as a protective barrier to prevent excess fluid loss.

Dehydration makes your skin look drier and wrinkled, which can be improved with proper hydration. But once you are adequately hydrated, the kidneys take over and excrete excess fluids.

You can also help “lock” moisture into your skin by using moisturizer, which creates a physical barrier to keep moisture in.

5. Water Helps Your Kidneys. Body fluids transport waste products in and out of cells. Your kidneys do an amazing job of cleansing and ridding your body of toxins as long as your intake of fluids is adequate.

When you’re getting enough fluids, urine flows freely, is light in color and free of odor. When your body is not getting enough fluids, urine concentration, color, and odor increases because the kidneys trap extra fluid for bodily functions.

If you chronically drink too little, you may be at higher risk for kidney stones, especially in warm climates.

6. Water Helps Maintain Normal Bowel Function. Adequate hydration keeps things flowing along your gastrointestinal tract and prevents constipation. When you don’t get enough fluid, the colon pulls water from stools to maintain hydration — and the result is constipation.

Adequate fluid and fiber is the perfect combination, because the fluid pumps up the fiber and acts like a broom to keep your bowel functioning properly.

7. Water Helps in Preventing Many Serious Health Problems. Drinking adequate amounts of water can decrease the risk of certain types of cancers, including colon cancer, bladder cancer, and breast cancer. Water also reduces your risk of heart attack.

8. Water Helps Reducing Joint and Back Pain. For a majority of sufferers, drinking water can significantly reduce joint and/or back pain. Water cushions and lubes your joints and muscles.

Tips to Help You Drink More

If you think you need to be drinking more, here are some tips to increase your fluid intake and reap the benefits of water:

  • Have a beverage with every snack and meal.
  • Choose beverages you enjoy; you’re likely to drink more liquids if you like the way they taste.
  • Eat more fruits and vegetables. Their high water content will add to your hydration. About 20% of our fluid intake comes from foods.
  • Keep a bottle of water with you in your car, at your desk, or in your bag.
  • Choose beverages that meet your individual needs. If you’re watching calories, go for non-caloric beverages or water.

 

Level of Water for Adults

For healthy sedentary adults living in temperate climates:

Men: 125 oz (3.7 liters) of water per day from all dietary sources
Women: 91 oz (2.7 liters) of water per day from all dietary sources

For most people, this amount of water per day is a lot more than they normally drink. The requirement for men is roughly 1 gallon per day. How many of you men out there drink this much water every single day? For the women, 91 ounces is roughly 3 quarts.

However, an exercising athlete can lose enormous quantities of body water through perspiration. The recommendations listed above don’t apply to endurance athletes.

How Much You Need to Drink Water

The optimum amount of water you should drink depends on your body weight. The fatter you are, the more you need to drink.

Take one-half of the amounts of your weight in pounds and convert that to ounces and that is how many ounces you should be drinking. Thus, if you weigh 128 pounds, you should be drinking 64 ounces a day. If you weigh 300 pounds, you need to drink 150 ounces a day. You can’t just categorize any liquid consumption as being adequate to meet the recommended amount– for example, coffee is a diuretic and causes you to lose water, so you wouldn’t want to try meeting your daily water requirements with large quantities of that.

Read More February 26, 2011   Posted Under: Health

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