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By Juandri Buitendag and Prof Margareta James - Psychologists

Self-kindness can boost our mental health and help us navigate stressful situations. This is what we can do to nurture more of it.

Importance Of Practicing Some Self-Kindness - An Absolute Must!

Observing the breeze blow gently through the trees, savoring the delicate taste of a morning cuppa and curling up with a diverting novel in hand: far from being an extravagance, as these acts of self-kindness have sometimes been treated, they are in fact the fundamental building blocks of strong mental health.

In a world that is increasingly time-pressured and an economic model that has an unyielding focus on improving efficiency, it is easier than ever to overlook or de-prioritise your personal feelings and needs.

But according to psychologists, the art of self-kindness, although something that can be honed, is not something that should be optional. Whether it be in the realms of the physical, emotional, spiritual, or indeed professional, being conscious and sensitive towards yourself, they say, is key preparation for everything that life throws at us.

“It can change your life massively,” says Juandri Buitendag, a counseling psychologist who founded JB Wellness Dynamics, a London-based psychology therapy practice.…

By Gemma Curtis – Sleep Matters Club Journalist

Some people can’t sleep without reading, but for others, the bedtime story is left in their child years. Reading before bed is an age-old tradition. Some people can’t sleep without reading, but for others, the bedtime story is left in their childhood. In recent times, reading interest has surged enormously. Whether it’s because people are running out of hobbies to try when they’re stuck at home or because they’re looking to expand their vocabulary is up for debate. Yet, the key question still remains: can the practice of reading before bedtime be beneficial? We explore how it affects the brain and see what the experts have to say.

Bedtime reading reduces stress

Reading before you sleep could relax you significantly. A study highlighted in the Telegraph by the University of Sussex raised a number of participants stress levels and then attempted to reduce them. Cognitive Neuropsychologist Dr David Lewis found that ‘reading worked best, reducing stress levels by 68 per cent’. It was better than listening to music (61%), drinking tea or coffee (54%) and taking a walk (42%). It only took 6 minutes for participants’ stress levels to be reduced.…

I'M RESEARCHING ON ANTI-AGING, OUR BRAIN AND PHYSICAL EXERCISE THIS WEEK AND DISCOVERED THIS FASCINATING NEWS SOME PHYSIOS AND COACHES ARE MAKING KNOWN IN RECENT TIMES. NEUROSCIENTISTS ARE COMING UP WITH SOME INTERESTING DISCOVERIES NOW FOR OUR BRAIN, AND SO ARE SOME PHYSIO THERAPISTS. LET'S SEE WHAT THEY HAVE TO OFFER US. IT HAS OTHER BENEFITS AS WELL. WOULD MAKE A GOOD DISTRACTION TECHNIQUE FOR STRESS - WE WOULD START LAUGHING INSTEAD OF FROWNING AT OURSELVES MAYBE:)

The Health Benefits of Walking Backward, According to Fitness Experts

By Karla Walsh

See the very real physical and mental health benefits of turning your steps around.

You've heard it time and time again: Walking is one of the best forms of exercise for your body and your brain. In addition to being free and easy to do inside your home, on vacation, using poles as part of a hike, with your pup and beyond, walking has been proven to boost mood, promote weight loss, boost heart health and so much more. (And if you've been convinced that only running and higher-impact exercise "counts," we can confirm that walking can be a legit, super-effective workout.)…

I FOUND A REALLY GOOD ARTICLE TODAY, THAT EXPLAINS SEVERAL REASONS WHY IT IS NOT GOOD FOR US, COVERING VARIOUS ASPECTS OF HEALTH. THE INFORMATION IS EXCELLENT, AND I THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE IT WITH YOU WITH THE LINK. SOME OF YOU COULD BE SO PLEASED YOU READ IT BECAUSE IT COULD GIVE YOU ANSWERS ABOUT WHY YOUR METABOLISM OR HEALTH HAS BEEN AFFECTED IN SOME WAY. SHALL WE GO?

9 Reasons Why Skipping Breakfast is the Biggest Mistake of Your Day
Time to eat breakfast like a "King"

Srishti Seth - University of Delhi

"Eat your breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper."

You must often hear or read this valuable and long-known phrase, but have you ever pondered why breakfast is a quintessential meal of your day? Well, the answer in most cases will be no because, somewhere in our busy lifestyles, we've lost the time to actually find the reasons behind all those things that we're told.

So, lets be rational for a few minutes and understand why skipping breakfast everyday is our biggest mistake.

THEY ARE

  1. Causes Weight Gain

If you're dieting or dreaming of a "perfect body", you tend to miss breakfast as a part of your weight loss regimen.…

AS IF WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MISLEADING CHEMICAL PRODUCTS OUT THERE WHEN SHOPPING, PALMOLIVE HAS INTRODUCED A WHOLE RANGE OF SO-CALLED NATURAL PRODUCTS ONTO THE MARKET WITH A 'NATURALS' NAME TAG, AFTER INNOCENT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC and HEALTH CONSCIOUS PEOPLE. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS! AND IF YOU ARE REALLY HEALTH-SAVVY, YOU WILL KNOW THE LURKS AND SPOT THE DIFFERENCE. AS THE ADAGE SAYS: BUYER BEWARE! WHY? BECAUSE BIG COMPANIES LIKE PALMOLIVE DON'T DITCH THEIR CHEMICALS EASY. THEY DON'T DITCH THEM AT ALL. WITH YEARS OF INDEPENDENT NATURAL HEALTH RESEARCH, I OFTEN INFORM PEOPLE: WHEN A COMPANY SAYS "NO THIS, NO THAT" ON THE LABEL, MOST TIMES, THERE ARE OTHER SNEAKY ADDITIVES/CHEMICALS USED. SO THEY MAKE THEIR BEST EFFORTS TO GIVE IMPRESSIVE MISLEADING INFO ON THE LABEL, LEAFLETS and WEBSITE ABOUT THEIR PRODUCTS TO ENTICE YOU INTO MORE CHEMICAL BUYS - THINKING THEY'RE NATURAL.

IF OUR GOVERNMENT WERE TRULY RESPONSIBLE, THEY WOULD PUT A STOP TO THIS. IT'S IN THE INTEREST OF OUR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. WE PAY THEM TAXES TO SERVE US WELL and ADEQUATE PROTECTION SHOULD BE PROVIDED. THEY HAVE MADE A LAW FOR MISLEADING INFORMATION (on products) WHICH THEY DON'T ENFORCE ANYWHERE NEAR ENOUGH.…

IT'S GETTING A BIT MUCH, ISN'T IT? UNSCRUPULOUS MANUFACTURERS STOP AT VIRTUALLY NOTHING, TO COMPETE WITH GENUINE NATURAL CARE PRODUCTS WHEN IT COMES TO PERSONAL SKINCARE PRODUCTS, HAIRCARE PRODUCTS, DEODORANT, HANDWASH AND BODYWASH. IT'S CRIMINAL - REALLY REPREHENSIBLE, I KNOW, AND SINCE WE DON'T HAVE MUCH OF A CHOICE - IN TAKING CARE MEASURES - BECAUSE LIKE THE FDA IN THE USA, OUR GOVERNMENT DOESN'T PUT A STOP TO THIS OUTRAGE EITHER. I WISH TO HELP YOU MAKE SMART DECISIONS WHEN PURCHASING PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS. PLEASE DON'T BE TOO TRUSTING WHEN IT COMES TO COMMERCIAL MAKES - THEY HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CONSCIENCE. I HAVE FOUND A COMPLETE GUIDE FOR YOU, AND RECOMMEND THAT YOU FAVOR COMPANIES IN YOUR PURCHASES THAT ARE DEDICATED TO MAKING GENUINE NATURAL PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS AND EXPOSE INGREDIENTS THAT ARE TOXIC TO OUR HEALTH BECAUSE IT IS NOW PROVEN THAT INGREDIENTS WE PLACE ON OUR SKIN ARE ABSORBED INTO OUR BODY. THIS IS CALLED TRANSDERMAL, AND IS AS SERIOUS AS TOXIC INGREDIENTS WE INGEST - THERE ARE OFTEN MORE SERIOUS IMPLICATIONS.

Toxic Ingredients to Avoid in So-Called "Natural" Personal Care Products

From UbanWellnessMag.Com

Caution needs to be taken when selecting among the wide range of products labeled and marketed as natural.…

A REAL CONCERN - PLEASE READ

By Mona Bapat, PhD, HSPP Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Uninvolved parenting, or neglectful parenting, occurs when parents demonstrate low levels of nurturing, warmth and love toward their child, and little involvement in their life. If you're concerned that you might be a neglectful parent, it can be useful to know the characteristics of the uninvolved parenting style, and how being uninvolved impacts your child. You can also learn how to become more present and engaged in your child's development and activities to help promote their well-being.

Characteristics of Uninvolved Parenting

Neglectful parents tend to be "hands off" in various parts of their child's life and development. This leads to a heavy imbalance between tending to themselves versus their child. Parents who are uninvolved most of the time tend to:

  • Ignore their child
  • Prioritize their needs over those of their child
  • Be consumed with their work
  • Be consumed with their own interests

Reasons Why Parents Might Be Uninvolved

It's easy to wonder why parents can be so neglectful and removed when it comes to their child. At the same time, there is often more than meets the eye when it comes to things parents might be struggling with that can lead to this type of parenting.…

FOOD MANUFACTURERS HAVE ALL MANNER OF EXCUSES WHY THEY USE CHEMICALS IN THEIR PRODUCTS, AND SNEAKY COVER-UPS FOR THINGS THAT ARE DAMAGING TO OUR HEALTH OVER TIME (accumulative) AND SOMETIMES SURPRISINGLY SHORT. I WILL MENTION A VALUABLE WEAPON HERE: THEY RELY ON OUR IGNORANCE FOR SALES and MORE SALES. WHEN WE ARE NO LONGER IGNORANT, THAT GIVES YOU PROTECTION FROM LOTS OF VISITS TO A LOCAL MEDICAL CENTRE. LETS STAND UP TO THIS KIND OF THING IN OUR HOUSE and INFORM THOSE WE CARE ABOUT. YOU CAN MAYBE SEND THEM HERE. I DO NOT LIKE PEOPLE GETTING NASTY LITTLE SURPRISES FROM THEIR GPs THEY HAVE 'THIS OR THAT' WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED OFTEN. AND KIDS SHOULD BE ABLE TO LIVE THEIR EARLY YEARS IN GOOD HEALTH, YES?

By Sara Ding – Integrative Nutritional Consultant – Specialising In Detoxing

Make it a habit to read the ingredient labels and see for yourself what is in your food and if there are harmful chemicals in foods.

IS YOUR FOOD SAFE FOR YOUR FAMILY?

If you dine out often or your larder is mostly stocked with instant or processed foods, then it’s time for you to take a closer look at what you’re eating.…

So many are told to "Stay Away From Sunshine" in Western Countries like USA and Australia. That is based on Flawed Health Science. The Medical Profession is into a lot of that. Many times, if something is GOOD For You, they will tell you it's Bad for you, and Visa-Versa. I've found that through the years. As for taking our beautiful SUNSHINE away, no wonder so many people are feeling Bleak. Let's have Sunshine Inside (of us) and Outside. Both are Healthy, hey!?

Let's Have Sunshine And Brighten Up Our Days!!!

By Dr Al Sears Integrative Medicine Practitioner/International Researcher

Remember the first day of Spring when you opened the blinds to let the Sunshine in? Remember that full-of-energy, ‘happy-go-lucky’ feeling? Have you been missing those Sunny Days?

Many of my patients avoid the Sun like the plague. All they hear is that Sunshine poses serious threats to your health. With all these warnings about the Sun, why wouldn’t they?

Despite the bad rap it often gets, Sunshine is Good for You — if, like everything else, you don’t abuse it. Today, I’ll share some of the benefits of enjoying Sunshine each day – to Lift your spirits and Improve your Health.…

YOU WILL FIND TWO DIFFERENT APPROACHES IN THIS ARTICLE TO HELP YOU AND I WISH YOU WELL.

This Is What Your Food Cravings Really Mean

What do your food cravings really mean? Usually, when you crave something, that is your brain signaling that it is lacking a certain nutrient, and so it will automatically gravitate to the things that are easy, un-healthy and leave us wanting more (since the foods we often gravitate to will momentarily satisfy us, however, our brains will keep on firing, and telling us to eat more – since we didn’t give it the proper nutrients – which leads us into the problem of over-eating).

Our environment is also a major trigger for food cravings. Social situations, visual cues, and smells are ways in which we delve into our deep-rooted food desires. If you want to find ways in which you can battle your cravings successfully, then you need to understand what your brain is telling you it wants. Here is a guide which can help you achieve just that!

Source HERE

How To Use Peppermint Oil To Stop Junk Food Cravings and Instead Burn Tons of Extra Calories

By Carly Fraser

Sugar addiction is real – and the science behind it goes far beyond tastebuds.…