Immune system is your body’s mechanism for fighting various infections and diseases. It consists of cells, cell products like antibodies, tissues, and organs. The main function of immune system is to guard the body from illness by identifying and destroying microbes. A strong system can efficiently perform this task, whereas a weaker one fails to function properly and makes your body prone to infections. Taking some basic steps to improve your immune system can help to keep you healthy.

Many of us don’t pay enough attention to the health of our immune system until something goes wrong in the body. Once the immune system becomes weak, its ability to protect your body from bacteria and infections diminishes. Therefore, you should always take good care of your immune system, regardless of your current state of health.

You can do so many things to boost the immune system. Getting enough exercise, eating a balanced diet, getting adequate sleep, maintaining good hygiene, maintain a healthy weight, and taking good care of your mental health are some ways to strengthen your immune system. Among all these, eating a healthy diet consisting of immunity boosting foods is the most important. Some of the best natural immunity boosting foods include vegetables, fruits, fish, and mushrooms. Herbal ones include ginseng, garlic, sage, and basil. Since there is no single food or herb that can provide your body with all the immunity boosting vitamins and minerals, eating a balanced diet becomes important.

Best Ways to Boost Immunity

Because of today’s hectic lifestyle, most people just don’t seem to find enough time to exercise or eat properly. The stress that comes with pressure and expectations in this modern lifestyle takes a toll on you immune system, causing it to become weak and also making your body prone to various illnesses.

Foods that are rich in vitamins C and E, zinc, bioflavonoids, carotenoids, selenium, and omega-3 fatty acids are believed to be very beneficial for boosting the immune system. However, there are a few vitamins and minerals that require the assistance of other vitamins and minerals to get properly absorbed in the body. For example, the all important vitamin C requires help from calcium and magnesium to be utilized efficiently. Calcium, on the other hand, produces best results in combination with vitamin D. Therefore, getting all the important vitamins and minerals through your diet is a must for enhancing immunity.

Most fruits and vegetables are good for the health of your immune system. Strawberries, papaya, kiwi, guava, orange, cantaloupe, pineapple, and grapefruit are some of the best immunity boosting foods. Besides these, whole grains, most edible mushrooms, vegetable oils, yogurt, red bell peppers, sweet potatoes, spinach, carrots, grapes, cilantro, red berries, blue berries, nuts, cereals, garlic, onion, flaxseed, legumes, seafood, and green tea are all effective for strengthening the immune system. In addition to eating these immunity boosting foods, you should avoid unhealthy foods like processed foods and junk foods. Increasing your daily water consumption is also necessary.

Regular exercise helps to boost immunity by encouraging the production of antibodies. It also eases stress, which is one of many causes of a weak immune system. Getting proper amount of sleep and doing yoga are two other ways of keeping stress levels under control. Since smoking also impairs the functioning of your immune system, stopping it once and for all is necessary for good health.

Anxiety causes a person to feel apprehensive, nervous, scared, self-conscious and worried. This common psychological problem can be accompanied with certain physical symptoms involving the heart, lungs, gastrointestinal system, and the nervous system. Five of the most wide-spread anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and social anxiety disorder.

Causes and Symptoms of Anxiety

Many factors can contribute to the development of anxiety disorder. Some of the most common ones include genetic factors, too much stress over a period of time, major accidents, childhood environment, insomnia, biological factors like chemical imbalance of the brain, etc.

Anxiety disorder usually causes both emotional as well as physical symptoms. Common emotional symptoms include apprehension, fear, nightmares, frequently repeating behavior like washing hands, memories of traumatic experiences, uncontrolled obsessive thoughts, etc. Physical symptoms associated with anxiety disorder include cold hands, shortness of breath, uncontrolled shaking, sleep disturbances, racing heartbeats, chest pain, dry mouth, and gastrointestinal upset.

Treating Anxiety

Anxiety disorder is usually treated with the help of medications and psychotherapy. Relaxation techniques, behavior therapy, cognitive therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy are some of the most popular techniques to overcome anxiety disorders. Medications like antidepressants and mild tranquilizers can also be used to treat anxiousness. However, these anti-anxiety medications should be taken only if you have a doctor’s prescription. Besides these conventional anxiety treatments, you can use safe and effective natural remedies that involve proper diet, regular exercise, nutritional supplements and vitamins, herbs, and stress–reductions techniques.

Natural Cures for Anxiety

Caffeine is known to complicate the symptoms of an anxiety disorder. Other foods that can aggravate anxiety symptoms include refined sugar, honey, maple syrup, and cow milk. If you are prone to anxiety attacks, then you should exclude all these foods from your diet.

The amino acid Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) can be very helpful in reducing the effects of anxiety. Some other supplements that can be used to overcome this psychological issue include calcium, magnesium, vitamin B complex, and pantothenic acid.

Herbal treatments have also proved to be very helpful in controlling anxiety. Kava or Piper methysticum is an herb that is commonly used to cure anxiety, insomnia, tension, nervousness, and agitation. The herb Valerian is often used to overcome insomnia. This herb has a positive effect on the nervous system and also helps to balance mood swings. Some other herbs that help to treat anxiety disorders include chamomile, hops, passion flower, lemon balm, skullcap, and suma. Passion flower contains vitexin, which is a chemical that helps to calm the nerves, relieve tension, and reduce anxiety symptoms.

Regular exercise is one of the safest and most effective ways of managing stress. Cardiovascular exercises like walking along with calming breathing exercise can be very helpful in treating anxiety.

Aromatherapy is another good natural way of overcoming this disorder. Some essential oils that are effective in relieving anxiety and nervous tension include bergamot, lavender, cypress, geranium, rose, jasmine, ylang-ylang, neroli, and sandalwood.

Massage therapy promotes muscles relaxation, stress reduction, and better quality sleep. Some simple techniques that anyone can use to reduced stress and get control over anxiety include breathing exercises, self-hypnosis, massage, physical exercises, yoga, Tai chi, and meditation.

Although all the natural anxiety cures explained above produce good results, it is recommended that you consult your doctor before opting for any form of anxiety treatment.

Hair fall and thinning of hair are very common problems in both men and women. Hair loss can be triggered due to many factors like genetics, inadequate nutrition, poor hair care, stress, bad hair products, and medical problems like alopecia reata. Even though there are many medical treatments available to deal with hair loss, the best and safest thing to do is to opt of natural hair care remedies. Explained below are some of the most effective natural remedies to properly deal with hair loss.

Eat a Health and Well-Balanced Diet

Eating a healthy and well-balanced diet is one of the best natural ways to cure various health problems, including hair loss. To have long and healthy hair, it is essential to eat foods rich in vitamins and proteins. You should also include in your diet foods such as fish, soy and walnuts that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids; broccoli that contains high amounts of iron; eggs, meat and poultry that are good sources of vitamin B12.

Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is an excellent way of combating hair loss. Its high nutritious value makes coconut milk a powerful way strengthening your hair. To promote hair growth, you don’t have to drink coconut milk, but apply it on the scalp. Thoroughly massage your hair with coconut milk in such a way that it reaches the roots of your hair. Once done, use clean water to properly rinse your hair.

Massage Your Scalp Regularly

Regular scalp massage done using hot oils will help to improve blood circulation in the scalp. It also encourages the stimulation of sebaceous glands, which in turn fights hair loss by producing protective oils.

Herbal Cure

Natural herbs and oils are very beneficial in tackling hair loss. Herbs like sage, rosemary, aloe vera, jojoba, and henna are helpful for combating hair loss. Washing your hair with liquid derived from boiling these herbs is one of the most effective hair loss remedies. Besides this, applying jojoba oil to the scalp can help to fight scalp conditions like psoriasis and eczema. Aloe vera is capable of healing an itchy scalp and restoring its pH balance.

Exercise and Physical Activities

Poor circulation is one of the major causes of hair loss. Exercising and performing more physical activities encourage new hair growth by improving circulation throughout the body, including scalp. Regular exercise will certainly help to improve the strength of your hair.

Quit Smoking

Smoking causes various problems that reduce circulation. Stopping smoking is a must to increase blood flow into the scalps and promote hair growth.

Manage Stress

Prolonged stress, depression, and anxiety are a few common psychological conditions that can cause hair loss. Therefore, managing stress levels is an important remedy to combat hair loss. To deal with psychological issues, you should take time out for relaxing activities.

Good Hair Care

Taking proper care of your hair is obviously essential to fight the problem of hair loss. The most important thing to have healthy hair is to clean them regularly with good hair care products. You should be careful with wet hair and avoid overusing the hair dryer. Gently comb your hair by using a good hair brush. You should also limit your use of hair products. This is because chemicals that are present in gels, dyes, and hair colors can cause severe damage to your hair.

Usually it is seen people are unable to maintain what they achieve after putting in so much effort. The reason is, till a desired thing is far away, putting efforts for it sincerely is easy. However, once the dream turns into a reality, the craze fades. When this happens with weight loss, the end result can be disheartening as you will regain weight that is hard to bear after enjoying the phase of weight loss. So, weight loss achievers should be careful about maintaining weight.

Weight loss is easy, but maintaining it is hard. Many fail at it and in sometime gain weight back. Eating temptation is very high in people who lose weight. As during weight loss program many restrictions are posed on them. So, after weight loss they find it hard to resist and binge on. This leads to weight gain again. Following weight maintenance tricks is important. The tricks keep you maintained and do not let you suffer from weight gain ever again. It is easy to keep off those extra pounds that are biggest trouble of your life. Here go the weight maintenance tricks.

1) The best way to remain motivated for maintaining weight after achieving the desired weight is to keep weighing weekly. Regular estimation of weight is a great motivation. As think weight is rising, start following the weight loss procedures strictly. It is one of best tricks. Every week weigh yourself and move further accordingly.

2) Keep a watch over your diet. It is crucial for maintaining weight. Although diet can be increased with fewer number of calories as this is the phase when you need to remain stick on your current weight. Previously you were striving for losing weight. Hence, no need to strictly follow previous diet. Little more can be eaten as compared to before. However, the moment you feel weight is going up, undo the extra calorie intake and start following the previous diet.

3) Exercising is one safest way to keep off the extra flab. It’s a common mistake committed by many to stop exercising after weight loss. So, keep exercising daily. Make physical workout a part of your routine like before. No matter even if you have lost weight, exercising is always a healthy practice for everyone. If don’t want to go to the gym, can do any exercise you are comfortable with.

4) Immodest eating is one biggest reason why people gain weight. At any cost avoid it. Binge eating is the main culprit that makes people gain weight. Having control on diet is highly important.

5) Eating breakfast is of the essence. Skipping it is one of main reasons that increase body weight. Skipping first meal of the day leads to overeating. This is a fact. Hence, never compromise with breakfast. How much busy you are, take out time for breakfast.

6) Reward yourself on losing weight. It is a big motivating factor and help in continuing to stick to the goal.

The above factors are much helpful. Most important triggering factor is to keep in mind that whatever you are doing is for your own good. Not for anyone else. Once you realize this, nothing can stop you from maintaining weight.

Although achieving your weight loss goals is never going to be easy, following a proper weight loss plan can make it a bit easier and facilitate healthy weight loss. Most people fail to achieve desired weight loss as they are not aware of the correct methods to do so. A proper fat loss process is slow but steady. This article explains five of the most effective steps that can help you to achieve your weight loss goals.

Be Absolutely Clear About Your Weight Loss Goals

Before beginning with a weight loss program, it is necessary to be clear about your weight loss goals. For achieving healthy weight loss and making sure that you don’t gain the lost weight back, you need to make a few long term lifestyle changes. To stay focused and determined, you should be clear about the reason why you want to lose weight. For instance, some people might want to lose belly fat to look better and boost their self-esteem while some others might want to prevent themselves from various health problems that are associated with being obese or overweight.

Prepare Yourself and be Mentally Strong

As mentioned above, losing weight and keeping it off requires you to make a few long term lifestyle changes. It is not at all easy to change habits that you have developed over your lifetime. You should be mentally strong and prepare yourself for it. Having a strong willpower and being determined are two qualities that you must possess to lose weight.

Use Cardio Workouts to Speed up Weight Loss

Performing cardiovascular exercises on a regular basis helps a lot in the weight loss process. You can either perform cardiovascular workouts on treadmills or simply go outside for a walk or jog.  To maximize the benefits, it is recommended that you perform interval training with cardio workouts. Interval training involves following short but intense bursts of exercise with short periods of rest, and continuing this cycle for about 30 minutes. Interval training is far more beneficial than normal paced training as it helps to burn fat at a faster pace and also for a longer period of time.

Use Weight Training to Shed Extra Pounds

Majority of workouts focus just on individual body parts. While this is not a bad thing, performing compound exercises can significantly increase the benefits. Weight training consists of exercises like squats, dead lifts and bench press.

Eat More of Healthy Foods and Avoid the Unhealthy Ones

For healthy weight loss, you need to put in a lot of thought to the kind of foods that you eat. Never ever make the common mistake of skipping your breakfast. Breakfast plays a crucial role in increasing your metabolism. You should eat a healthy breakfast that consists of eggs, oatmeal, yogurt, and peanut butter. Skipping breakfast will not allow you to attain your weight loss goals in a healthy way.

You should strictly avoid sodas and all other sugary drinks. These drinks contain a very high amount of calories and hinder your weight loss efforts. The best and healthiest way to quench your thirst is to drink water as it contains no calories at all.

To avoid eating unhealthy snacks throughout the day, you should eat about five small meals each day. Eating small meals but frequently will also keep your metabolism going and therefore help in weight loss. If you still feel hungry, snack on healthy foods like fresh fruits and nuts.