Winter special: 5 natural moisturisers for glowing skin

  

Everyone wants to grab attention and look their best and refreshing, be it any season. But, thanks to our stressful lives, faulty eating habits, pollution and most of all our lethargy, we neglect to take care of ourselves. A healthy skin and perfect radiance top the wish list of every woman irrespective of her age and profession.
It is not possible to rush to the salon to get beauty treatments or spend a lot on expensive cosmetic moisturisers, so we bring to you some easily available natural substitutes that will help you avoid harsh skin conditions caused by winter winds
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Honey: Honey is an excellent moisturiser for skin as it is a natural antibacterial, making it great for acne treatment and prevention. It also has antiseptic properties.

Aloe Vera: Aloe vera has immense benefits when it comes to skin as it has antioxidants and vitamins which will leave a perfect glow on your skin that you always longed for thereby repairing skin cells.

Olive Oil: Olive oil works wonders when it comes to banishing dry skin troubles during winters. The liquid gold contains linoleic acid which helps block the moisture of the skin.

Rose water: Rose water is really good for the skin as it removes skin clogs, blackheads and reduces stickiness on face as it acts as a natural astringent, thereby protecting skin pores.

Avocados: Avocado is one food that has an alkalising factor. Avocados are a rich source of Vitamin E which is essential for glowing skin, retains moisture of the skin, thereby prolonging ageing of the skin.

Skin care: 5 home remedies to cure pimples

 

 

Acne is amongst the most common skin problems that people of all age groups, especially teenagers face. There can be many reasons that attribute to the cause of the acne like stress, puberty, hormonal changes, menopause etc.
A very common myth is that acne will clear on its own once a person reaches adulthood but it may not be true in most cases. So instead of waiting for that good time to come, it is wiser to apply some home grown remedies for a clearer face.
Here are our five tips to cure pimples naturally:

Honey and cinnamon powder paste: Add a little cinnamon powder to some amount of honey and apply this paste on the affected area. Next morning, wash it with lukewarm water.

Egg white: Spread an egg white on clean face. It clears the excessive oil from the skin thereby preventing pimples and prevents bacteria to return.

Orange peels: Orange peels works wonders on pimples. Take some orange peels, grind them and add a little rosewater to it to make a paste. Now, apply this paste on the face and wash it after about half an hour.

Neem leaves: Neem plant has anti-bacterial properties. Boil Neem leaves in some water. Now, wash your face with this water frequently. Neem water prevents clogging of oil in the skin and keep pores clean.

Raw potatoes: Raw potatoes can reduce inflammation caused by acne as it has anti-inflammatory properties. Put a potato slice on the affected area of the face. Later rinse it with normal water.

Quit smoking this New Year with these simple tips

   

 

 

 

 

Don't be disheartened if you are struggling to kick the butt, you are not alone in this uphill battle. In fact, it is among the top five New Year's resolutions people make each year which means there are many people out there just like you. First of all, you will have to deal with the addiction and the habits that go along with it - so start with a realistic plan to see you through this challenge.

1. Plan ahead
A reason or reasons motivated you to make this decision. What you need to do to succeed is to reinforce this motivation with a strong will-power. Go through your planner and choose a stress-free month to quit.

2. Form a support group
The first few weeks will be difficult as you will be going through withdrawal symptoms. Enlist the help of your family, friends, and co-workers. They can be a source of strength and encouragement during this period. You can also try joining a support group.
 
3. Remove temptations
You need to identity the triggers that make you smoke. Try to avoid the situations where you end up smoking and minimise your time hanging out with other smokers. Remove cigarettes and smoking tools and paraphernalia from your surroundings.

4. Stay active
Physical activity can keep you busy whenever you feel the urge to light up a cigarette. Head to the gym or park for a workout if find yourself with too much free time.

5. Consult an expert
You can engage a behavioural therapist to help you quit smoking or see a doctor for prescription medications to ease nicotine withdrawal.

6. Nicotine replacement therapy
This method helps you to gradually ease off smoking through the administration of nicotine to the body through products like nicotine patch, nicotine lozenges, and nicotine gum.

7. Do not give up
Like all addictions, quitting smoking is not easy. You need to persevere and stop finding excuses to smoke again. Even if you relapse, use it as an opportunity to strengthen your commitment and try harder....

Five healthy ways to maintain a steady heart rate

  

Eat healthy and maintain BMI: Eat a diet adequate in vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Minimise the amount of oil, unsaturated fat and cut on intake of red meat. Maintain a BMI between 20 to 25 which is considered to be the optimal weight. Being obese increases the risk of various heart diseases, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Be physically active: Even if you cannot follow all of them together, try implementing one of the practices to enhance your heart's health. If you are unable to take time to exercise regularly, try to be active throughout the day. A 30 minute aerobic exercise improves your heart rate. Take the stairs instead of a lift, mop the floor or try walking back home from work, if you live nearby. Yoga and meditation are also great for your heart as they help ease stress which automatically improves your heart's functioning.
 
Get a good sleep: Lack of sleep worsens blood pressure and cholesterol. Sleep deficiency also leads to increased stress levels, which also raises the level of inflammation in your body, further increasing risk of heart-related problems. A sleep of 7 to 9 hours each night will help your heart stay healthy.

Quit smoking and limit alcohol intake: This needs no explanation, as everyone who consumes alcohol or smokes knows what these products can do to their heart. Cutting on cigarettes or alcohol is rather tough, but killing oneself is not a smart choice either. Try getting out of the addiction slowly but surely.

Manage stress and be happy: If you let stress get on to your head for long you will gradually decrease the number of years in your life. Talk to friends, socialize, slow down a bit and take a break. Enjoying your life to the fullest is the best way to keep your heart healthy and agile. Laughing for just 15 minutes daily can boost blood flow by 22% and prevent arteries from hardening. Being happy is the ultimate mantra to a healthy heart.

5 easy tips to cure cracked heels

  

New Delhi: Cracked heels is a problem which almost everyone encounters. It is very important to take care of your toes to avoid cracked heels as this problem aggravates in winters.
Read on to know the best natural remedies to cure those cracked heels.

Home remedies to treat cracked heels:
- For treating cracked heels, apply a mixture of candle wax and mustard oil and leave it on overnight to see the difference.
- Cracked heel is a common problem but trust me, sesame oil works wonders. Apply it on your cracked heels before going to bed and you will fall in love with your feet the very next day.
- Apply pulp of ripe banana on the affected area. It helps a lot in fast healing.
- Make a mixture of glycerin and rosewater and apply it to your feet for say 15 days and you will be amazed to see the results.
- Make a mixture of turmeric, tulsi and camphor in equal parts and add a little aloe vera gel into it. Now, apply the paste on the heels and see the results.

Simple tips to prevent asthma attacks

  

Although there's no asthma cure, you can take steps to control the disease and help prevent its symptoms from worsening. However, asthma patients should reduce exposure to asthma triggers as they can aggravate the symptoms such as-coughing, wheezing, and difficulty catching your breath.
Below are some simple tips to help you prevent an asthma attack:

• Identify things that trigger asthma attacks and avoid them. While physical activity can trigger asthma, it should not be avoided since it's a part of healthy lifestyle. Instead, one should consult the doctor about the medicines that can help to stay active.
  
  
• Have regular check ups and take medicines as your doctor prescribes.
  
  
• Know your asthma and ways to control it.
  
  
• Avoid all sources of smoke- tobacco, incense, candles, fires, etc. If you smoke cigarettes, quit immediately to avoid the disease from getting worse.
  
  
• Try to stay away from people who have a cold and flu to avoid asthma because symptoms may worsen if you get infected.
  
  
• People who have allergies and asthma should cut down their exposure to allergens. Exposure to allergens can temporarily elevate the inflammation of the airways in asthmatic patients which in turn make them more vulnerable to an asthma attack.
  

Tips to cure dry eye syndrome  

New Delhi: According to the American Association of Ophthalmology, approximately 3.2 million women and 1.7 million men over the age of 50 suffer from chronic dry eyes. So, it's time to react. Experts suggest that use of lubricating ointment and fish oil supplements can help in curing the condition.
The surface of eye is always covered with a thin layer of liquid known as the tear film, essential for health of eye.
Sanjay Dhawan, director, Ophthalmology, at Fortis Hospital, says that chilly winds of winter season affect the eyes, causing dry eye syndrome because of cold, dry outdoor air and dry indoor heat.
People above 50 years are at higher risk of dry eye condition. It commonly occurs among men of 50-plus age and women above 55-60. If menopause occurs at early age, than the chances of developing dry eye syndrome during winter weather gets increased even among middle-aged women, reads a statement.
It is necessary to prevent and manage dry eyes. Some of the steps that one should practise are:
* Patients should wear sunglasses to protect eyes from cold wind and excess light.
* Artificial tears also known as tear substitutes should be applied at least four times a day. It may be used as often as necessary - only once or twice a day, or as often as several times an hour.
* If the condition aggravates, use lubricating ointment at bedtime.
* Run a humidifier to put moisture back into the air.
* Lay a warm, damp washcloth across your eyelids for a couple minutes.
* Add more Omega-3 fatty acids or fish oil supplements to your diet.
* Keep the home environment humid, between 30 and 50 percent. During winter, a humidifier may be used to add moisture to dry indoor air. Additional humidity can be created by wearing special glasses that form a moisture chamber around the eye.
* Drink extra fluids and use a hot- or cold-air humidifier.
* Eat plenty of fish and foods with vitamin A, C, E and Omega-3 fatty acids.
* Drink lots of water and get plenty of rest.
* Green tea and chrysanthemum tea are beneficial for eyes and prevent eyes fatigue.
* Turn down the heat at homes which dries out the eyes. Use a humidifier.