Tuesday, December 30, 2014

3 qualities found in a good man

There are various qualities that a woman should look for in a man. Good men are hard to find and women need to be able to identify them. Following are three qualities that define a good man in my opinion.

He is very straightforward

A man who is straightforward isn't afraid to tell you the truth bluntly. At first, you may find it hard to deal with this quality but in the long run you will come to admire him for this. An honest and straightforward man may seem intimidating and you may feel that he is belittling you but in reality he’s just trying to help you. It’s great to have such a man as your partner because living in a fool’s paradise is the last thing you want to do. You can trust me on this one.

He is willing to take out time for you

It is important that your man takes out time for you. For example, if it’s your birthday or some other special occasion and he hands you money to go shopping, then it implies that he isn’t willing to take out the time to shop for you himself. This is something very unflattering. Look out for a man who is willing to take you out for shopping himself and also buys gifts for you on special occasions.

He has empathy

One of the most powerful emotions in this world is empathy. Empathy is the ability to understand a person’s condition from their perspective. A man who can comprehend your sorrow and find happiness in your success is not easy to find. This is something that you should look for in your man. If your man has this quality, then you can be assured that you have made the right choice of being with him.

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Tips to encourage your children to read

Encouraging your children to read has always been a challenging task. Reading is not only important in education but it has also become essential in the modern business world. Hence, as a parent you need to inculcate the habit of reading in your children. Here are a few tips to help you do it.

Read stories to your children daily

Take out time every day, to read stories to your children. You can specify a particular time of the day for this purpose such as just before bed time. The more you expose your children to books, the more they will be encouraged to read.

Keep reading material in your child’s room

Children who have a lot of reading material at home, are known to perform better in school and develop a habit of reading. Make sure that you have interesting books and magazines in your child’s room apart from toys.

Let your children choose what they read

Don’t decide what your children should read. Every child has a particular interest and would want to read accordingly. If you force your child to read something, then reading would be viewed as a task. However, if the child is allowed to choose what he or she reads then reading will become enjoyable.

Show your interest in your child’s reading

Make sure that you praise your children when they read and appreciate them for their efforts. Positive feedback encourages the child to read more and boosts his or her confidence. The more interest you show in their reading, the more they will try to become a better reader.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Using Manuka Honey as a Cure for Anti Biotic Resistance

Anti-Bacterial resistance is increasing at an alarming rate in developing countries where community acquired infections are common. The misuse of antibiotics in such regions is mostly owed to a host of behavioral as well as socioeconomic factors. All these factors, combined with unskilled practice and poor accountability have lead to the spread of acquired anti-bacterial resistance in the developing world. Health experts across the globe have repeatedly warned against the growing incidence of the same, suggesting that the magnitude of the problem is too large for our current medical expertise.

One research however, provides some hope, suggesting that the use of Manuka honey, nectar originally derived from honeybees that forage through the Manuka tree found in parts of New Zealand, maybe helpful in reversing antibacterial resistance among individuals. The study highlights that Manuka honey is not only helpful in treating chronic infections but can also fight the bacterial resistance.

The study is based on the findings that  Manuka can interact with three types of bacteria namely Group A Streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), interfering with their growth in a positive manner owing to its antimicrobial properties. Molecular level investigation suggests that Manuka honey plays a role in removing the attachment of bacteria to different tissues which is the main reason why it can play a role in treating bacterial resistance. The same also helps in limiting biofilm development, thus protecting certain bacteria from antibiotics. The findings of the study conclude that the use of current anti-biotic will be more effective if used in combination with the Manuka honey. The use of honey for treating infections dates back to thousands of centuries. Modern medicine however has been unable to fully exploit the hidden potential of this magic item.

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Why You Should Drink More Water despite Dropping Temperatures

People generally tend to drink more water in the summers owing to high temperatures. As the temperatures drop, the average daily consumption of water also decreases. It is important to note however that water consumption is essential for the human body irrespective of the season as it helps prevent dehydration and ensures regulation of essential bodily functions.

Water not only helps to maintain a youthful look but also keeps the skin glowing and healthy and adds a shine to the hair. In addition, individuals who ensure adequate hydration of their bodies are also able to reduce the look of cellulite. Water also plays a massive role in aiding weight loss and in reducing stress levels faced by the body. Drink up to 8 cups of water in a day and you will be surprised by the enhanced alertness levels during your daily activities. In addition, water also plays an essential role in increasing the recovery time from a disease as it flushes toxins from the body.

While the benefits of water are countless, many people are unaware of their daily water consumption needs. It is important to become familiar with one’s body and learn how much water is necessary based on your climate, diet and physical exertion. In addition, the health status of an individual also plays a vital role in ascertaining the daily water intake amount. As per the Institute of Medicine the average daily recommended intake of water for women is 2.2 liters and that for men is around 3 liters. The same excludes beverages, and factors such as one’s physical activity and other health conditions. In addition, our diet too contributes to our daily water needs and may meet as much as twenty percent of our daily requirement. Foods such as tomatoes, watermelon and milk are composed mostly of water and apart from providing other health benefits, also help hydrate the body.

Remember to keep a water bottle with you each time you step out of the house in order to keep yourself hydrated. This will also prevent you from reaching for sugary and frizzy beverages and save calories.

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Understanding the Dangers of Passive Smoke

Passive smoking is the exposure to dilute cigarette smoke which consists of a combination of gas and particle elements that are derived from a lit cigarette while the smoker is not puffing. While considerable research has been dedicated to the detrimental health impacts associated with smoking, there is now even greater and growing focus on the impact of passive smoke on individuals. Passive smoke, in essence contains uncountable cytotoxic substances, poisonous gases, pesticide revenues as well as radioactive elements that are found to be in far greater concentration as compared to mainstream cigarette smoke. Needless to say, the number of deaths due to the diseases caused by passive smoking, such as cancer and cardiac issues, is alarmingly increasing.

Passive smoking is also considered to be excessively harmful for the nervous system, reproductive organs and genetic materials. The acute effects of passive smoking include irritation, impaired lung function, allergies such as late development of asthma and wheezing, increased risks for stroke and neurotoxicity and behavioral effects. Surprisingly, a number of studies have linked maternal smoking (during and after pregnancy) to behavioral changes among women, pointing more towards antisocial behavior. Such individuals also suffer from impulsivity or aggressive behavior. For children, these behavioral changes are more disastrous as they are linked directly to learning difficulties. Lastly, there exists sufficient evidence to support the fact that chronic exposure to passive smoke leads to various malignancies.

The role of health professionals needs to be highlighted in this scenario in an effort to educate individuals regarding a healthy lifestyle. Even though the first step to a healthy life is based on primary prevention which is also the most effective strategy in this case; physicians need to disseminate accurate information based on recent studies regarding the hazards of second hand tobacco smoke. It is one of the basic human rights to be able to live a healthy life. Consequently, the right to not be forced into illness because of factors such as second hand smoke also needs to be considered the same.

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Understanding Dreams As An Evolutionary Process

The psychological impacts of dreams on our daily lives are extremely powerful. While pleasant dreams may improve our mood for the rest of the day; nightmares, on the contrary, may spook us out with their pseudo-real aura. According to recent research, our understanding of dreams is based mostly on EEGs (electroencephalograms) that display the electrical activity of the brain. These electrical signatures vary as a person falls asleep and enters the REM cycle. Interestingly, it has been found that dreaming may hardly be considered as an involuntary process. It is an evolutionary process that is not exclusive to humans alone. And yes, animals dream as well.

What we didn’t know about dreaming is that the process helps build new neuron connections in the brain. The same is also linked to improved memory which in turn helps to recharge the brain. Dreams are processed in the same way as memories, depicting similar activity patterns as memory formation while awake. While most people do not dream lucidly, there are quite a few who are aware of the process and can control it by increasing their brain waves up to 40 Hz.

Dreams may even be considered as the emotional diffusers of our bodies and allow individuals to view things in a more positive light, especially after a tiring day. The reason behind this theory is that dreams are responsible for preparing the body to make a fresher start. This is perhaps the same reason why a lack of deep sleep or REM sleep (hence lack of dreams) detrimentally effects the performance of individuals who find themselves to be unable to process complex tasks and emotions during the day. The adverse impact of this fatigue is so profound that it may even lead to anxiety and depression if not treated on time.