Pampering Treats

Everyone who works hard deserves to go for pampering treats occasionally. It is beneficial to indulge in one of these small pleasures once in a while, to reward yourself for working so hard. Pampering treats do lots of wonders for the body physically and calms the soul as you rejuvenate yourself.

Pampering treats may be in the form of soaking in a luxurious milk bath with rose petals floating and feeling like Queen Cleopatra. This helps your skin to feel smooth and moisturised and you will also feel more mentally and emotionally relaxed after that.

A calming facial which gives you an instant radiance and glow afterwards can also be one of the many pampering treats women adore.  As the dead skin is exfoliated and cells on your face are renewed, you will also tend to feel more confident after the process.

To a lot of people, however, a pampering treat means a wonderful massage.  An effective massage gets rid of stress and aches, aids blood circulation and helps to relax a tensed body and mind. A lymphatic massage helps our body to expel body toxin as well as water retention. Not many people, men or women, would be able to resist a free aromatherapy massage given its extensive benefits and luxurious connotation.  After a good massage pampering treat, one can usually sleep very well as the stress are melt away, muscle  aches are relieved and body feels lighter.

A wonderful manicure, good feet scrub, pedicure and that great foot reflexology may be for some great pampering treats or the best gifts to receive. Those who work manually using their hands and whose feet are tired, would probably loved these treatments more than anything else, as their hands and feet get pampered by the professional manicurist or foot- reflexology masters.

Pampering treats are not just confined to the body. It can also be for the hair in the form of a hair spa, where the head, scalp and hair are focused on. Gently massaging the scalp and head on all focal points, it can be a very relaxing session. Your crowning glory is treated like the most important part of the body as oil are poured and rubbed into it to ensure that it absorbs the nutrients and wrapped up.

Likewise for pampering treats for the eyes, an eye treatment would concentrate on the “window to your soul”.  It promises to improve blood circulation, reduce fine lines, puffiness and revitalise tired eyes. Usually, it comprises of a collagen eye mask and massage.

Whatever pampering treats you opt for, you are discerning in rewarding your body, mind and soul from the pampering treats. Taking care of your body helps slow down the aging process and let it function better as a result. So, find time to reward yourself with a pampering treat this week.

Sense of Humor

One of the best ways to live a better or stress- free life is to have a sense of humor.

Possessing a sense of humor is to be able to see the silver-lining in every dark cloud. It is also often having the capability to provoke laughter in others.

It is important to be able to laugh at one self and not take life too seriously.  Life can be harsh and there will always be people who are critical and judgemental. Though we cannot often control our external environment, we can, however, control our attitude and mindset towards viewing and living our lives, which can then bring about a change and enhance the way we lead our lives. Possessing a sense of humor can help one in many ways, besides living a more fruitful, happier and fulfilling life.

Laughter is known as the best source of medicine and remedy. Medical research has been done on the effects of humor and laughter on our health. The benefits are tremendous and one of them is having a more resilient body. The other benefits include reducing stress, boosting our immune system, lowering blood pressure, increasing tolerance for pain, and hastening our healing process. Our body and mind are connected so our attitude and mindset determines how long we live. That is why people who have a great sense of humor and are positive, usually always make it through a difficult ordeal or medical condition whereas those who are pessimistic or gives up easily barely survive.

Children with a well-developed sense of humor are also found to be happier and more optimistic, have higher self-esteem, and can cope with problems better than those who do not possess this quality. They tend to share humor and are better liked by their friends and peers, are more adaptive to new environment and can handle the adversities of childhood from being teased at or moving to a new school.

When you are optimistic and have a good sense of humor, life will seem more manageable and fun. You will inevitably inject more joy into the lives of those surrounding you including your own. People who have a sense of humor have been known to be popular and charismatic and are often invited to parties. So, one of the benefits of having a sense of humor, would be attracting people like a magnet. Your influence will undeniably be positive and greatly benefit not only yourself but those who work and live with you.

A sense of humor can be cultivated. It’s never too late to start having a good time by sharing some jokes and have a hearty laugh with your colleagues and family. Start experiencing the change physically, emotionally, and socially today!

Vinegar Benefits

Vinegar is a solution derived from the fermentation of a wide range of bases like apple, other fruit juices, wine, beer, barley and rice. The health benefits of vinegar are wide-ranging and date back to ancient times. The ancient Babylonians embraced the benefits of vinegar and inscribed its virtues on stone tablets over 7000 years ago. Even Hippocrates, the father of medicine, used the medical benefits of vinegar for treating his patients in 400 B.C. In the Middle Ages, bands of thieves doused their skin in vinegar in order to protect themselves from germs before robbing dying or the dead.

Here are some of the benefits of vinegar:

1) Kill Bacteria and Cure Athlete’s Foot and Foot Fungus

Vinegar contains agents to help kill bacteria and fungus, so one of the medical benefits of vinegar is that it can help cure athlete’s foot and foot fungus. Soaking your feet in vinegar will change the PH levels in your skin so that fungus cannot grow.

2) Soothe Muscle and Leg Cramps

Another one of the many medical benefits of vinegar is that it can relieve muscle or leg cramps. Muscle cramps are often caused by low potassium levels in our body. Orally taking one teaspoon of vinegar will cause your potassium level to rise and alleviate pain and cramps.

3) Relieve Sunburn Pain

Vinegar can also relieve sunburn pain. You can cool down a painful sunburn by gently apply the vinegar onto the affected area. It is more effective if you do it as soon as you are back from outdoor, before the burning sensation and pain starts.

4) Restore Shiny Hair and Eliminates dandruff

Apple cider vinegar has also been known to many to make hair shiny and healthy. It improves the health of our scalp. Apple cider vinegar not only eliminates dandruff but also slow hair loss. So, it is beneficial to rinse your hair and scalp with a solution of raw apple cider vinegar and water at least once a week.

Now that you are aware of the various medical benefits of vinegar, you will start to look at a bottle of vinegar differently today.

Ginger Remedy

Ginger has many health benefits and is commonly used as a cold remedy. It also boosts the immune system, soothe sore throats, improve digestion and help relieve nausea.

Chinese has long practiced the use of ginger for post natal food for all new mothers after every child birth to get rid of wind and air from their stomach. It is a must for them to have confinement food cooked with ginger for at least 1 month as they believed in the properties of ginger to expel wind and promoting blood circulation.

These are the known health benefits of ginger:

• Improves circulation of blood flow, cleanse the bowels and kidneys
• Relieves bout of flu
• Eases stomach cramps, improves digestion and relieves nausea
• Reduces menstrual cramping and alleviate menstrual discomfort
• Regulate blood sugar
• Boosts the immune system
• Relieve a bloated stomach and get rid of wind

One easy way to reap the health benefits of ginger is drinking ginger tea. A piping hot ginger tea is a healthy drink that will aid digestion, boost your immune system and refresh your soul. Here’s how you can make a cup of ginger tea.

• 6 thin slices raw ginger or 2 teaspoon of freshly squeezed ginger juice
• 1 cup of water
• 2 teaspoon honey or lemon juice or milk (depending on what you like)

Stir the ginger and honey (or lemon juice or milk) into 1 cup of hot water.

Drink up and enjoy the health benefits of ginger tea today.

Note: It is best not to drink on dates as you will expel a lot of gas from your stomach afterwards.

Tea Bags Therapy

We have often heard about the wonderful benefits of tea.

Like- wise, a tea bag, stores all of its amazing properties in a bag. It is rich in vitamin C, tames inflammation and inhibits the growth of cancer cells. It is also well known to reduce cholesterol levels and can help to reduce weight.

Not only that, it is popularly known for its calming properties (especially Chamomile) and being an amazing anti- oxidant. Anti- oxidants are known to slow degenerative diseases by helping to stop free radicals. Free radicals can hurt the body by initiating chain reactions of electron which scavenge and damage the body’s cells. Ranking high in levels of anti-oxidant activity are Polyphenols and flavinoids. Green tea has one of the highest polyphenols in the family of tea.

So, what can a used tea bag too?

There are many usages for a tea bag.

1) It can be used to exfoliate chapped or cracked lips

Gently rub the tea bags over the lips surface. After that, the lips will feel smooth and renewed. You can apply a layer of honey or lip balm over the lips afterwards.

2) Tea bags can also be used to reduce puffy eyes

Place the tea bag on top a thin piece of cotton wool, so it would not stain your skin. Then place the tea bag over your eyes for 5- 10 minutes.  Tannin, which is found in tea, is a natural astringent that constricts blood vessels and pulls the skin taut. It helps to reduce puffiness.

3) Tea bags can also act as a form of cold compress

Just apply it on the cut to stop bleeding.

4) Tea bags can eliminates foot odour

Tannin, which is found in tea bags acts as form of astringent and drying agent. Boil about five tea bags in 1 quart of water for about 10 minutes, then add cold water to make a comfortable soak. Soak your feet for 30 minutes, then dry them and apply food powder. Continue treatment for about a week and you should have no smelly or sweaty feet.

Shallot Remedy for Sore Throat

Shallot belongs to the family of onion. Onion is a major source of both phenols and flavonoids, phytonutrients and shallots was found to have the most phenols. Numerous studies have shown that these protects against cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Shallot is a natural, powerful anti- biotic and anti oxidant and is anti-inflammatory and anti bacterial. It is also an excellent source of vitamin C, dietary fiber, potassium and folic acid. It also contains calcium, iron and has a high protein quality. Sulfur content in shallots also makes skin look younger. Frequent intake of shallots will reap benefit in the long run.

To get rid of sore throat- Peel a piece of raw shallot. Chew it first thing in the morning when you wake up.

Once you swallow, you may experience a tingling sensation at the throat. After a while, you may feel phlegm starting to produce and your throat feeling so pain. Eat another shallot after a few hours and you may be completely well after a day, depending on the severity of your sore throat. If not completely healed, continue the same routine the following day till completely well. Inflammatory should subside shortly afterwards.  Salt water can be used as a form of gurgle too.

Shallot is a natural remedy for sore throat and can be used for people who are opposed to taking anti- biotic or  in the case of pregnant women.