Winter special: Tips to prevent chapped lips  

 

Chapped lips? Yes? That means winters is here in all its glory.
Dry winter air, the sudden blasts of wind, and the low humidity indoors can dehydrate your lips. We take extra precaution and cover our self from top to toe but our poor lips get exposed to the harsh winds. Continuous exposure to such winds makes them very fragile that tiny splits and cracks start to appear. That is quite a miserable thing and your skin peels off constantly leaving you in pain. Well, if you follow some tips, you can help ward off this misery:

Drink lots of fluids:  Just because it is winter, doesn’t mean you should limit your fluid intake. Summer or winter, have 8-10 glasses of water per day. When our body gets dehydrated, the first sign appears in your lips. So have enough water and other fluids and keep your body hydrated.

Stick to home remedies and ointments:  Unflavored lip balm, aloe vera and Vitamin E ointment are quite effective in soothing cracked lips. The best home remedy is to rub a cucumber slice on your lips daily for about 10 minutes. You can also go for almond, olive, coconut, or any other natural oil or even honey and milk juice.

Avoid using costly cosmetics: All the fancy beauty products may promise you a lot and those pictures of luscious lips might tempt you but the truth is different. These cosmetics contain a lot of chemicals and provide temporary relief but can actually dry your lips out eventully.

Use fluoride free toothpaste: Certain people have allergy to the fluoride found in toothpastes which affects their lips. Try switching to a fluoride free toothpaste.

Don't lick your lips: Now this is the most common thing we all do when we have chapped lips. But little do we realise that it aggravates the chapping. Licking lips doesn't moisturize them. As saliva evaporates, it dehydrates the skin further causing more discomfort. So the next time you have that urge, just stop right there.

Moisturize chapped lips : Keep them moisturized as much as possible and avoid as much exposure to the elements until they are healed.

Berries: Perfect for skin health

  

London: Berries like raspberries and strawberries will help to achieve a glow this party season, says an expert.

“Exposure to pollution, tobacco and toxins, consumed in excess at this time of year, leaves us vulnerable to free radical attack. Berries are powerhouses for cell protection and the perfect snack for skin health," femalefirst.co.uk quoted Caroline Hitchcock, one of Britain's leading facialists, as saying.

They contain manganese, which has the ability to convert toxins within the skin cells into oxygen, reducing skin damage.  

You can even prepare a face mask with the fruity ingredient. A ready to glow mask will have a hydrating effect on the skin and also brighten the face. Just follow these three steps:

- Mash four strawberries, half an avocado, a little bit of lemon juice in a bowl and make a smooth paste.

- Apply on face with a mask brush working into skin. Avoid eye area.

- Leave for up to 20 minutes then rinse with cool water.

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.