Three Ways to Give Yourself the Perfect Gift of Health

Health is wealth. Good health is the best gift that you can give to anyone. It is also the perfect gift that you can ever give to yourself. Of what use will your perfect gift for her or your perfect gift for him be if you yourself are sick, unhealthy, and not functioning well?

You may search all corners of shopping malls, spend all the spare time you've got, max out your effort, and drain all your energy looking for perfect gift ideas for friends. But, have you ever saved some of that for yourself? When you look at yourself right now, can you say you are on the pinkest side of health? Or do you look stressed, seem out of shape, and/or stuck with an unhealthy lifestyle?

If giving is an act of love--the noblest, if I may add--then you need to give yourself some loving first before you can extend your generous hand to others. Give yourself the perfect gift of good health. Read on for my top three suggestions for giving yourself the best gift of health.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as a complete state of physical, mental, and social well-being. It is not just the absence of disease or infirmity. To achieve optimum health, you have to target three key areas: body, mind, and spirit.

Sweating Your Way to a Healthy Body

Among the three key areas, the body is the primary indicator of your health because it is visible. If you get sick, your body will manifest signs and symptoms related to that sickness. To safeguard your body from sickness, you have to increase your body's defenses and avoid stress. That doesn't sound easy, huh? Sorry to disappoint you, you lazybones, but it is actually very easy to accomplish.

One of the simple things you can do is to exercise regularly. Brisk walking or jogging under the sunshine for 15-30 minutes is a great way to release stress and keep your body fit. Be sure you are properly equipped with running shoes and a comfortable top suitable for running. Have a personal trainer or a buddy to guide you in your routines everyday. If you can, keep track of your progress by using a heart rate monitor watch to keep track of your heart rate and your exercise performance everyday.

A little change in some of your habits could also go a long way towards having a healthy body. Make sure you are eating the right kinds of food and at the right amounts. Get enough sleep--the body needs it to rebuild and recover, as well as boost your immune system. Avoid smoking and control alcohol intake. Stay away from stress. These are some of the easy things you can do everyday. Nothing special, huh? But, who says you can't give yourself the perfect gift of good health from out of these little things?

Sharpening your Mind

The World Health Organization defines mental health as the state of well-being of your mental faculties in which you discover your abilities, are able to cope with stress, are productive, and are able to contribute to the community. If you do not show these characteristics, you are probably mentally unhealthy, and it is important for you to know why and how to deal with it.

Mental illness is something that we deal with daily and at varying levels. Some are less mentally ill, while others are more mentally ill, even reaching severe and debilitating levels. Anxiety is the mother of all mental illnesses. Anxiety towards yourself, your work, your relationships, or your community can cause stress, which, in turn, can lead to mental illness.

Anxiety is not an enemy. Rather, it is your ally. The moment you are able to harness your anxiety, you regain full control of your life. One way to create an alliance with anxiety is to befriend your fears, and own and embrace them without letting them take control. Those fears, whether realistic or not, are part of you. But, give them an inch and they will become your ruler. Fear is a natural emotion, but it can also be a paralyzing emotion, especially if left unchecked.

When you feel the tension caused by fear and anxiety, try to ease it. For instance, laugh your head off. Laughter is still the best stress reliever. Find friends who can make you laugh or whom you can laugh with. Change your environment once in a while. Go out for a quick walk and get some fresh air. Mingle with your neighbors and friends. These are some of the ways to stay sane.

Enlighten your Spirit

Some traditional religious practices have been associated with health. Tai-chi, yoga, and meditation are some examples. These activities have been proven to help your body relax, soothe your mind, and relieve your body of stress. Try them to keep your spirit alive and healthy.

Another way to refresh your spirit is to go on a retreat--either in private or in a group. You can organize a retreat with your family or friends. Go out and commune with Nature, preferably away from the hustle and bustle of your busy city. Do away with all potential distractions. Turn off your gadgets because they will just remind you of your hectic schedules in the city.

In this fast-paced society, it's important to slow down a bit and check whether your body is receiving just enough for it to function well daily. Are you eating right and enough? Have you rested enough? Are you socially active? Are you living a healthy lifestyle? If not, then I think it's the right time to make your move towards the pink side of health. When you have given yourself enough in this way, then it would be the time to extend the perfect gift of good health to your loved ones.

Some Surgeries that Are Often Performed by Women

It cannot be denied that women and beauty become two important things that cannot be separated one to another. Women will do everything to make them look more beautiful and perfect than before. That is why a lot of kinds of plastic surgeries performed these days. Seattle nose surgery is one of the most popular surgeries that are often done by women. This kind of surgery is done by them who are not confident with the shape of their noses, and they want to reshape it to be better. Mostly, women have to pay a lot for this kind of surgery, because it is super difficult to do, and only professional surgeons who are allowed to perform this kind of surgery.

Besides nose surgery, breast implant in another kind of surgery that is very popular these days. Porn industry these days makes the representation of beauty in women changes, from small breast into big breasts. That is why so many women are willing to have big breasts, because they think that having big breasts are sexy and men like to see women with big breasts. That is why breasts implant becomes more and more popular among women. Through this method, women can increase the size of their breasts into the size they want.

Besides breast implant, breast lift is another surgery that is also popular among women. This kind of surgery is very important for women who have been through a labor. When they have finally feed their babies, they will have tendency to have big and fall breasts, which will make them look older and not sexy at all. That is why they need to do breast lift to lift their breasts into its previous position, so that they will look young and sexy like what they look before the labor.

Manage Your Health by Finding Doctors in Washington DC

Having Doctors Washington DC in Washington give many advantages towards people who are living there. There are some tips to find a good doctor in Washington DC. First tip is choosing a doctor that offers the same-day appointments with the schedule that you have. It can be done online if you do not want to go directly to the office. Second, you should find a doctor that wants to offer longer visits in order to build personal relationships with their patients in aiming to know deeper about patients’ personality to ease the healing process and you can have more time with your doctor to talk about your problem.

Then, doctor DC should want to accept your health insurance that comes from different kinds of insurances like Aetna, MultiPlan or United Healthcare. So, the doctor will bill your insurance provider each time you go to him and you should pay the co-payment. Each health insurance offers different health coverage and it determines how much you owe to the insurance. If you have any questions on what kinds of coverage that your health insurance offers to you, you can contact them to ensure it. There are usually three deductible plans from the health insurance: PPO, POS and HMO which each of them offer different coverage of health insurance.

Find physician Washington DC by online to ease you in choosing which physician that you can to choose. Then, you also can compare the cost they is offered from one physician with others by looking it online. Next, finding a physician in Washington DC that has a website is also vital for if they have online website you can make appointment, access your records on personal health, renew your prescriptions, get advice and referrals from your physician directly and you also can fill out the standard medical forms to the site and get updated health records.

Vested Interest in Selling Pharmaceutical Drugs May Be Having an Adverse Affect on Your Health

The major contributor to the big picture of health is the pharmaceutical company's research and development (R&D, where the making of new drugs begins. There are other research institutions outside of pharmaceutical companies, such as universities. The drug companies however, fund many of these.

In spite of all the clinical trials that go on, it is worth remembering it was reported that 106,000 died from adverse drug side effects prescribed by doctors on the advice of pharmaceutical companies in the USA. That, of course, doesn't even take into consideration the numbers that were made ill and lived, or the unreported incidents.

The public at large have no idea how a new drug therapy can be made in R&D and get through trials in a somewhat uncritical manner. We have already seen how vested commercial interest has swayed the outcome when it comes to academia. It also extends to R&D and much further, as I will explain.

From a study, made by Dr E.G Campbell et. al. it was found that advisory panels, which comprise the Institutional Revue Boards, are made up of individuals from medical faculties. Half of the advisors were consultants to pharmaceutical companies. Because of these connections, it was feared that decisions regarding post-clinical trials would be biased in favour of commercialism rather than care.

Following this, 'Health Daily News' released a news report. This was the follow up to the above study from its main author Doctor E.G Campbell who was quoted in the periodical saying: "Our revious research with faculty has shown us that heavy ties to industry can affect scientific behaviour, leading to such things as trade secrecy and delays in publishing research. It is impossible to say that similar relationships with companies could effect IRB members' activities and attitudes."

Considering the above, ABC news came up with some very interesting revelations from a survey on clinical drug trials:

It was found that if a non-pharmaceutical company funded a trial, then there would be a 50% chance of the results being considered favourable, while a pharmaceutical company would favour 90% of the results.

-Clearly this shows self-interest is operating. If clinical trials have so much at stake commercially, where self-interest can affect good science and override public protection then this questions the moral integrity of certain individuals and hinders the progress of health.

Over the recent years, governments have cut down on funding academia and research institutions. -Big Pharma steps in, with its forever increasing funding. For example, the drug industry gave two hundred and ninety two million dollars in 1981 and over two billion in 1991...not out of the goodness of its heart of course, but because of the control it could exert over these bodies.

Health Care Boom Opens Up Huge Demand For Support Staff

Not all of us have what it takes to become a physician or surgeon. These high-paying-and demanding-professions require huge investments of time and money, not to speak of the fierce competition to get into medical school. But, if you've always wanted to work in a hospital or doctor's office, becoming a healthcare support staffer might be just the shot in the arm your career needs. With training from a top-notch career college, in about 8 to 10 months, you can be a valued team member in a lab, pharmacy, physician's office or dental practice.

According to the Department of Labor, health care is the second fastest-growing sector of the U.S. economy, employing over 12 million workers. California, in particular, has a shortage of health care professionals, with vacancies across the state, raising salaries and increasing employment opportunities for high school graduates, career changers and other job seekers.

Although the media has focused on the critical need for registered nurses (RNs), well-trained and competent clinical support staff, such as Medical Assistants and Surgical Technologists, as well administrative support staff, including Health Claims Examiner/Medical Billers, are also an essential component in providing quality health care services.

In the past, on-the-job training might have been sufficient to become a member of a medical/dental office or lab support staff. But today, the bar has been raised: workers need to hit the ground running, with a complete understanding of the advances in medical technology, as well as the knowledge and practical skills necessary to be competent in different environments, whether private, public, governmental or university-based. As a Medical Assistant, for example, you might expect to help out with basic insurance billing, medical records and other office skills, but you might also check vital signs or help set up for physical exams. Medical Assistants have found work in hospitals, clinics, HMOs, and home health organizations.

Other hands-on, patient-oriented careers that have been increasing along with a growing and aging population are Massage Therapist, Pharmacy Technician, and Dental Assistant. If you find you enjoy these roles, it's possible to go on and receive further education to become a registered nurse or physician assistant.

One exciting health care option is a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, an ultrasound professional who performs clinical assessments and diagnostic examinations. Imagine the gratification of being able to track a baby's growth or help diagnose a tumor or organ disease. You can use your love of anatomy and physiology without needing years of intense schooling, while earning a satisfying living.

Optical Dispensing is another field with limitless potential. With a majority of the population requiring eyewear, an optical dispensing specialist who passes the National Optician Exam and Contact Lens Registry Exam can be qualified to work as a ophthalmic lab technician, contact lens fitter, eye doctor's assistant, manufacturer's representative or optical office manager. You can even open your own store someday --an exciting and challenging opportunity to realize your financial and personal independence.

No matter what health care support staff position is right for you, look for a fully accredited college with qualified faculty, modern facilities, and placement assistance. An admissions representative can help you figure out where your aptitude and talents lie. And when the time comes, you can receive help with interviewing skills, resume preparation, and job leads.

The Proven Health Benefits of Riding an ATV or Off-Road Motorcycle

Good news! The "first ever comprehensive probe of the fitness and health benefits of all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and off-road motorcycle (ORM) recreational riding" proves riding is as good as it feels.

The study

Conducted over several years by the York University Faculty of Health, co-supported by the Government of Nova Scotia and 3 riding associations, the study began with a meticulous countrywide survey to determine the 'typical' rider.

That was the entire first phase of this huge experiment.

Then researchers observed 128 riders, divided into 6 groups: 3 age classifications, male and female. After modifying these riders' equipment, they could measure physical effects: heart rate; oxygen consumption; muscle fatigue and exertion, etc.

The findings

Riding an off-road vehicle requires genuine and serious physical effort. According to Canadian government fitness standards, it should positively affect your health.

While riding, riders' use of oxygen increased by 3.5 to 6 times their level at rest. That's 600% more! And according to standards set by the American College of Sports Medicine, that constitutes moderately intense physical activity.

That same moderate intensity taxes the heart and fatigues the muscles. How much? About the same amount as those other individual sports you take at your own pace, like skiing, golf or climbing.

A typical ATV ride was 2-3 hours; ORM was 1-2 hours. The amount of work required in the upper body and arms, if practiced regularly, was enough to increase muscle and skeletal fitness. And how regularly did they need to ride to begin realizing that increase? Just once or twice a week!

The biggie

Researchers also noticed the emotional high that fit people always talk about: "enhanced quality of life and stress reduction". This surprised no riders.

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Hold on a Second What About My Health?

In today's bustling world of high speed rail, light-speed communication and round the clock world-wide trading there is little time for dabbling with anything ineffective. When our world is progressing at an exponential rate it is no wonder that we don't want to waste time with something that hasn't been proven, and less surprising that our measure of truth is efficacy. This is the world which modern allopathic medicine aims to serve. They are born of the same principles which require that methods be proven effective and that they work in time, and in a time which is growing smaller by the day. Although the advances of modern medicine have no doubt proved very effective, having eliminated a number of horrible diseases that once unrelentingly plagued mankind and pioneered new and innovative surgeries and treatments, one is likely to ask, "is it bringing complete health to the individual?"

The successes of modern medicine are extensive, whether you consider the numerous diseases conquered, or on the way to being conquered, ailments greatly relieved, potent pain-relieving or performance enhancing drugs that push us beyond our hitherto perceived limitations, and for the most part all provided with the easy administration of an IV shot or a pill. The effectiveness of these methods is indubitable, but perhaps we should ask a more basic question, are they providing the effects what we truly want?

The answer seems to be both yes and no. Yes, they treat the ailments, kill infections, destroy disease, relieve pain, provide energy etc., but no, they each have a list of side effects which is often too long to recount and more than slightly disturbing. Taking into consideration these counter-effects inherent in the treatments of allopathic medicine, the rise of immune deficient and cancerous conditions might not seem surprising. This method of treatment coupled with the high-paced and arguably unnatural, or at the very least unconventional, modern life style is perhaps a recipe for death which we are just beginning to taste. However, even if this method of medical treatment isn't ideal, is there really a viable alternative?

In medicine, as with anything, form follows function. If quick and indubitable, albeit dangerous, effectiveness is desired, there are few real competitors to the products of the modern pharmaceutical industry. However, if health, i.e. having proper functioning of the body and its processes and the free use of its faculties, is what is desired, then the purpose of medicine is not simply to conquer a single disease or ailment but to restore balance to the whole person and to recover the freedom which is natural to a human being. Such a medicine will take form according to this function, and it is in this way that Ayurveda, the science of life, differs from allopathic medicine of the modern age.

is a holistic and natural medicine which utilizes the bounty of the earth and our inter-personal relationships to treat the individual as a whole, and not simply as a collection of organs and parts. Much as modern medicine draws from the amazing photo-chemical factories of plants, Ayurveda draws from the plants of the world. However, unlike modern pharmacology, ayurvedic medicine does not seek to re-synthesize or isolate particular constituents, but to utilize the plants in their rich diversity and effectiveness. Where the two-dimensionality and myopia of synthetic treatment fails, with its long list of often alarmingly dangerous side-effects, ayurveda's holistic treatments pervade the body treating it in subtle and powerful manners.

Ayurvedic medicine has its roots deep in ancient history, reaching back nearly four millennia. It has taken as long to continually establish and develop itself not only as a science of life, but as a living science. It has not only developed cannons of diagnoses and decoctions for all types of ailments affecting every part of the human person, but also a holistic methodology and perspective which views the person as a whole being, and not simply a co-ordination of chemical reactions. Catalogues of formulations and prescriptions are not enough, however extensive they may be. Ayurvedic medicine holds this as a central principle and views the person as the individual which they are, not simply as a manifestation of a particular disease. It treats the person as a whole, addressing all aspects of their life as potential or actual causes of disease and imbalance. Ayurveda is a living tradition for the betterment of our tradition of living.

Being a living tradition functioning to treat living and dynamic human beings, Ayurveda takes all aspects of human existence into account. Ayurvedic treatments are specially adapted to treat each particular situation, and no two are the same. However, treatments fall into two general categories, there are the cleansing actions of panchakarma which aim to open up the blocked and constricted passageways and allow the body to expel toxins which harbor and complicate disease. Second there are balancing treatments, which aim to restore balance an individual's constitution. These treatments are administered in this order depending upon the necessity of the individual. Taking the simple analogy of a bicycle as an example, one can see it is necessary to first clean the gears and the bearings before tuning and balancing the bicycle.

A wise man once said, "life is like riding a bicycle, in order to keep your balance, you've got to keep moving.", but it's also true that you can't go too fast or you'll lose your balance all the same. Ayurvedic medicine does not administer morphine or penicillin, but there is wisdom in this. Life takes time, and one cannot expect to find true health immediately. Health is not cheap or easy, and patience is a virtue. These are some of the many things which Ayurveda has to teach us.

Why Visiting a Weight Loss Clinic May Be Beneficial to Your Health

Everyone knows that having a little more around the midsection typically makes us feel a little less attractive. Not too mention it can frequently become expensive going to the store every six months for a new wardrobe. While having a little extra pouch around the belly isn't very dangerous, becoming obese truly is.

Obesity occurs when you have a BMI ( Body Mass Index ) that is higher than 30. Your body mass index is an example of your height versus your weight and applies to adult men and women. For example, if you are an adult, and you are approximately 5 foot 6 inches tall, a healthy weight for you would be in the range of 115 pounds all the way up to about 154 pounds, from 155 to roughly 185 is overweight, and anything higher would be considered obese. If you would like to get a rough calculation of your BMI simply search Google for BMI calculator and enter your height and weight in for a rough calculation. If you find that you are overweight or obese, you may want to consider visiting a weight loss clinic.

While weight has always had a place in the minds of the average person, we really didn't start paying attention to weight and proper nutrition until the last twenty years or so. Now, in the modern age of instant communication, computers, internet, and working in the small sedentary cubicles many of us have come to call home more often than our own dwellings, obesity has taken a major turn for the worse and has began increasing in cases of alarming numbers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that in a 2006 survey conducted on American adults over the age of 20 that more than 34 percent suffered from obesity. This consists of more than 72 million people.

Meaning that 33.3 percent of American men, and 35.3 percent of American women suffer from obesity. Obesity is a disease that drastically increases your risk of developing high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer. These are some very severe illnesses that can often result in years of suffering, if not death. You should also note that while these diseases have been confirmed as being related to obesity there are many more including asthma, pregnancy complications, infertility and even Parkinson's disease have been linked to obesity but have yet to be confirmed as having an increased risk of contraction due to obesity.

That's not even mentioning the agonizing pain of basic motion from extra weight being carried, and the humiliation and emotional damage that most obese people suffer from daily. Continuous research is also being conducted on the effects and treatments of this disease and new results are being found constantly. Meaning, there could very well be many more diseases and health risks that obesity could cause that have yet to be discovered.

Knowing what risks and issues can come out of being overweight or obese may leave you telling yourself "okay, I know I need to lose weight, but how?" If you're like many people, you have tried to lose weight numerous times in the past with little, or even worse, no success. This is where weight loss centers come into play. The staff and faculty at these centers are specifically trained to help you get the weight off and keep it off.

If you have struggled in the past they can offer services like proper nutrition management, and even give you custom suited exercise regiments. All of this is performed while being under the supervision of a physician, so you can have tailored advice to ensure that you stay healthy while you are trying to get the weight off.

With the knowledge of what obesity is, as well as, the risks obesity carries along with it, you may now be thinking "okay, what can I do about it?" Visiting a weight loss clinic in Orange County may be your first step to a very healthy life. Health Core Center of Central Florida offers a free, no obligation nutrition and weight loss workshop. For more information on this workshop visit http://www.healthcorecenterofcfl.com. Best wishes on your weight loss goals and enjoy the healthier, happier you!

Benefits of Fish Oil Pills - 5 Ways Omega-3 Fatty Acids Supercharge Your Health

There are many benefits of fish oil pills. In fact, the health benefits of fish oil pills range from the brain, to the eyes, to the heart, to the skin, and to many other areas in the body.

There is no doubt about the benefits of fish oil pills and if you want to start living a healthier life, you should start taking them now.

Omega-3 fatty acids, more specifically docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), are responsible for the various benefits of fish oil pills to the health.

Omega-3 are needed by the body. More so because the body is not capable of producing these and we have to acquire omega-3 through external sources like from the food we eat or through supplements.

Here are five ways that omega-3 fatty acids can help give your health the boost it needs so you can live longer and healthier.

1. Reducing Inflammation

Omega-3 acids are capable of reducing inflammation. This makes it very effective in treating several skin conditions like itching, redness, acne, eczema, rashes, and psoriasis.

If you are suffering from arthritis, omega-3's anti-inflammatory property will also help alleviate the swelling of the joints and the pain associated with arthritis.

Even those with irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis will benefit from a decrease in the inflammation caused by taking omega-3 fatty acids.

2. Heart Health

If you want a healthy heart, you should take omega-3 fatty acids. It is proven to lower triglyceride levels, decrease blood pressure, relax blood vessels, and prevents abnormal heart rhythms. It also helps reduce the risk of blood clot formation which could lead to thrombotic stroke and heart attack.

3. Mental Faculties

Omega-3 also helps promote a sharper mind. It helps keep cell membranes healthy and promotes better communication between brain cells. Omega-3 fatty acids are also known to reduce the risk for several disorders including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ADHD, depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.

4. Insulin

If you are having problems with diabetes, omega-3 fatty acids also help promote secretion of insulin from the pancreas to help keep blood sugar levels in control. This makes omega-3 effective in the prevention and management of diabetes.

5. Smoother Skin

If you are healthy, your skin definitely shows it. With omega-3 fatty acids, you can have smoother, suppler skin. Omega-3 promotes healthy skin membranes to effectively minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Omega-3 supplements also help you to have shinier hair and stronger nails.

Taking Fish Oil Can Boost Your Brain, Your Health and Your Youth!

Taking fish oil is one of the best things you can do for your health. Studies show this oil is great for your heart, your brain and your nervous system.

In fact, my dad says he takes it because his doctor told him, "It's good for what ails you." His doctor is right.

Studies show the Omega 3 fatty acids in fish oil treat high cholesterol, blood pressure, arthritis, heart disease, depression and make you smarter. Or at least make your memory better.

Fish oil supplements are already a $1 billion dollar a year enterprise and expected to grow to $12 billion by 2012 according to The Alternative Health Journal.

Your brain is made up of about 60% DHA fat. Unfortunately, if you eat a lot of processed foods, you're probably deficient in this essential fat. This deficiency can lower your immune system, slow down your mental faculties and even put you at risk for heart disease.

But taking fish oil can help. Fatty fish like salmon, tuna and sardines are known for their high levels of Omega 3 fatty acids. These contain the necessary DHA and EPA nutrients.

These nutrients reduce inflammation and make everything in your body run smoother so you feel better, look better, are better!

A recent University of California study compared volunteers who took regular doses of Omega 3 fatty acids (found in fish oil) with those who didn't and found the Omega 3 takers actually aged slower. Their DNA slowed down. So, taking fish oil can help you look and feel younger!

According to the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, these essential nutrients prevent blood clotting and regulate or lower blood pressure. In fact, many cardiologists recommend fish oil supplements to their patients to prevent repeat heart attacks.

500 mg is recommended for most people. But if you have a history of heart problems, 800-1000 mg a day are recommended by doctors.

Taking Omega 3 fatty acids can even help your memory!

The one thing you do want to be aware of when taking fish oil is the quality of the supplement. You want to find purity at a reasonable price. Unfortunately, some companies don't take care to source their fish carefully and you may be getting toxins like mercury and lead in your supplement.

If you want to learn more about the benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids, visit my website where I share information on the supplements I personally recommend.

Indonesia's Macroeconomic Health: 2012 Prediction

For the past two years, the macroeconomic situation in Indonesia has improved steadily. The economic growth of Indonesia reached 6.9 percent in Q4 of last year, exceeding the initial estimation of 6.1 percent. Meanwhile, the nation's economic growth has already reached 6.5 percent in Q1 of this year, exceeding the initial estimation of 6.4 percent. The improvement is contributed by the growth of almost all business sectors - 13.8 percent growth from the transport and communication sector, 4.6 percent growth from the mining sector, and 3.4 percent growth from agricultural sector. While the country's exports has increased to US$45.31 billion in Q1 2011, imports has increased significantly as well - reaching US$ 38.78 billion or more than 29.46 percent of last year's imports. The increased number of imports, especially of capital goods and industrial basic materials, indicates that Indonesia is undergoing resurgence in the manufacturing sector. Additionally, it is also contributed by the country's enhanced purchasing power, lower competitiveness of local products, and free trade agreement between Indonesia and China which results in floods of imported items from that country. On the other hand, also in the first quarter of the year, Indonesia's Index Harga Saham Gabungan (IHSG) or the composite stock price index went down from 3,684 points ( December 2010) to 3,678 (March 2011). This slow growth is caused by several external factors such as the after effects of the global financial crisis.

However, not all individuals are satisfied with the country's economic growth this year. Faisal Basri, a respected economist at the University of Indonesia, revealed that the 6.5 percent GDP growth in Q1 2011 cannot be considered a good indication of improved macroeconomic health. Basri stated that although the GDP increases, welfare does not improve and unemployment does not lessen. He also said that the business sectors that have undergone significant improvements are those with no direct connection to the people's welfare. Basri noted that that 7.9 percent growth in the hotel and restaurant industry and the 13.8 percent growth in the transport and communication sector have no significant effect towards the people's welfare. Ironically, sectors which are based on natural resources or those which require a lot of man power do not show significant growth. Faisal Basri was confident that significant economic growth which is also beneficial for the people of the country can be reached with the improvement on economic policies from the government.

When asked about the nation's macroeconomic prospects in 2012, Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa was confident that the country will assume to reach 6.6 to 6.7 percent of economic growth while in the future, the growth in 2014 is hoped to reach at least 7 percent. While several parties expect up to 7 percent of growth in the following year, Rajasa, on behalf of the government, stated that the government sets a more realistic approach to the country's macroeconomic condition. Reasonable explanations behind his estimation are none other than the fact that Indonesia this year shows prospective improvement in domestic investments, increase in exports, and sufficient supplies on almost all sectors including agricultural and manufacturing sectors.

Almost similar to Hatta Rajasa's estimation, Indonesia's Finance Minister Agus D. W. Martowardojo also stated that 6.7 percent is a realistic target for the country's economic growth next year. This statement was delivered in front of the member of the House of Representatives during the discussion about the country's 2012 Draft of National Budget Expenditure or Rancangan Anggaran Pendapatan Belanja Negara (Rancangan APBN) on September 7, 2011. To increase the economic growth, the minister said, the government will focus on supporting the development of infrastructures especially in the agricultural, energy, and communication sectors. He also said that the estimated 6.7 percent economic growth has been included in the next year's APBN.

Unlike the two ministers mentioned previously, Executive Director of the Institute for Economic and Social Research and lecturer at the Faculty of Economics, University of Indonesia, Muhammad Chatib Basri was confident that Indonesia can reach up to 6.9 percent of economic growth in 2012 with certain conditions. He stated that that number can be reached if the government succeeds to improve the investment power through improved savings. According to Muhammad Chatib Basri, his economic growth estimation is not impossible to achieve if the government is able to improve the ratio between the country's investment and GDP. The government has been able to achieve a 32 percent ratio, but to be able to achieve the estimated goal, the ratio must be at least 35 percent. However, Muhammad Chatib Basri admitted that Indonesia is not yet ready to achieve a 7-9 percent growth. In fact, it will only overheat the economic situation of the country, and to cope with this, he suggested that the government should renovate the country's infrastructures.

A country's economic growth is determined by its macroeconomic stabilization. Hence, macroeconomic stabilization is a necessary condition for all countries, including Indonesia. Within a stable economy, all established monetary and fiscal institutions and policies can decrease volatility as well as improve welfare-enhancing growth of a country. To achieve this stable state, a country must conduct a set of complicated tasks which include aligning its currency to market levels, developing a national budget, managing inflation, generating revenue, establishing foreign exchange facilities, establishing a transparent system of public expenditure, and preventing predatory actors to protect the country's resources. In addition, to create a healthier macroeconomic environment, a country should also set a strong economic framework which includes the laws and regulations of central bank operations, domestic commerce, budgetary processes, international trade, and economic governance institution.

In general, Indonesia's macroeconomic situation has improved since 2008. The country's natural resources and exports of commodities such as coal, palm oil, and rubber have improved significantly. Other business sectors such as financial services, automotive, telecommunications, plantations, consumer goods, and mining industries have also shown stable growth. Most importantly, the political situation of the country has remained stable for the past five years. However, Indonesia has to tackle more problems to become a stronger country. Issues like religion-based conflicts, decentralization of power, and insufficient infrastructures may disrupt national security at any time. As far as we are concerned, an ideal environment which is conducive to higher economic growth is an environment with small risk of violence.

Leadership Model For A 21st Century Health Care Organization

There is a growing trend for leaders to break the old autocratic model of leadership to newer models using the concepts of shared and participatory leadership. With the every increasing complexity of health care delivery and the new skilled work force, leaders will have to communicate in an atmosphere where a reaching organization objective is a shared responsibility. According to Bennis, Spreitzer and Cummings (2001) in the future the landscape of health care organization will become more decentralized, which will promote agility, proactivity, and autonomy. Future leaders may move away from singular roles to shared leadership networks that may themselves alter the foundations of the organization. The demands for shared leadership or leaders shifting roles on teams will continue to increase. Health care organization will foster the development and empowerment of people, building teamwork and shared leadership on all levels. The leaders of the future will be guides, asking for input and sharing information. Telling people what to do and how to do it will become a thing of the past (Bennis, Spreitzer and Cummings, 2001). In the 21st century the dynamics of health care will offer leaders who have the ability to motivate and empower others a platform to maximize an organization human resources. Leadership will have to be committed to encourage a two way communication in which the vision meets both the organizations objectives and the employee's needs. This assignment will develop a leadership model for the 21st century that addresses the role of commitment model of shared and participatory leadership in health care organizations.

Commitment model of leadership

Fullam, Lando, Johansen, Reyes, and Szaloczy (1998) suggest effective leadership style is an integral part of creating an environment that nurtures the development of an empowered group. Leader effectiveness is simply the extent to which the leader's group is successful in achieving organizational goals (Fullam et al., 1998). In the 21st century health care organizations will need leaders that are committed to developing employees in a team environment. In an environment where leadership is transferable according to objective commitment leadership has a shared purpose. Kerfoot and Wantz (2003) suggested in inspired organizations where people are committed and excited about their work, compliance to standards and the continual search for excellence happens automatically. In these organizations, compliance continues when the leader is not present. This type of leadership requires the team leader to use all available means to create three conditions among individuals: (a) shared purpose, (b) self-direction, and (c) quality work. Leaders who create commitment among their employees believe in creating a shared vision that generates a sense of shared destiny for everyone (Kerfoot & Wantz, 2003).

Involving others in leadership is a unique process which is deeply rooted in individuals believing they are a part of the process of meeting organizational objective and purpose. Atchison and Bujak (2001) suggest involving others in the process is important because people tend to support that which they help to create. People resent being changed, but they will change if they understand and desire the change and control the process. Sharing information promotes a sense of participation and allows people to feel acknowledged and respected (Atchison & Bujak, 2001 p. 141).

Toseland, Palmer-Ganeles, and Chapman (1986) suggest when individual leaders cooperate and share their expertise and skills, a more comprehensive decision making process can be achieved rather than when leaders work independently. For example, in a geriatric team, a psychiatric nurse may lead a group focused on heath concerns, a social worker may lead a therapy group, or a mental-health therapy aide may lead a structured reality-orientation group (Toseland et al., 1986). Shared commitment form the leadership in the future will help to develop, coordinate, and integrate the complex and ever changing health care setting for the 21st century.

Respect for authority and work ethic

Haase-Herrick (2005) suggested shared leadership gives the opportunity to enhance or build trust among individuals. Leadership is mobilized around refining the roles of individuals creating positive health practice environments that support the work of the group (Haase-Herrick, 2005). Leadership ability to lead a team in ways that build morale and reinforce work ethics empowers others to perform to their potential in a group. Leadership is the ability to lead individuals towards achieving a common goal. Leadership builds teams and gains the members shared commitment to the team process by creating shared emotion within the group (Pescosolido, 2002).

Collaboration among leaders in health care

There are new models that are emerging which add a new perspective on how to produce effective collaboration within leadership. Wieland et al., (1996) discussed transdisciplinary teams in health care settings, where members have developed sufficient trust and mutual confidence to engage in teaching and learning across all levels of leadership. The collaborating is shared but the ultimate responsibility for effectiveness is provided in their place by other team members. The shared responsibility for example might be a situation where clinicians on a team each serve in a leadership role regardless of their particular disciplinary expertise (Wieland et al., 1996). The shared commitment model of leadership allows for the independence and equality of the contributing professions while pressuring team members to achieve consensus about group goals and priorities. It is important to emphasize the importance of collaboration in a complex and changing health care environment. The focus on the primary purpose for partnership of leaders will ultimately rest on the shared belief in meeting organizational goals though a collaborative effort. Atchison and Bujak (2001) suggest it is important to reemphasize the importance of keeping everyone informed on the primary purpose of achieving success though a collaborative effort. Clarifying expectations and specifically illustrating how proposed changes are likely to affect the participants is important in achieving commitment leadership (Atchison & Bujak, 2001)

Leadership competency on all levels

The ability to lead in the 21st century requires leaders to be competent in motivating and empowering others to perform to their maximum potential. According to Elsevier (2004) leadership is the ability to lead a team or number of individuals in ways which build morale, generate ownership and harness energies and talents towards achieving a common goal. The leadership competency is all about motivating and empowering others while accomplishing organizational objectives. Leadership is the vehicle in which the vision is clarified though the encouragement of two-way communication on all levels of the organization (Elsevier, 2004).

Leaders in the 21st century will have to be competent in identifying change as they occur and encourage others to adjust to those changes for the mutual benefit of achieving objectives. Elsevier (2004) suggest leaders will have to be comfortable with change because which change comes new opportunities for collaboration among followers and peers (Elsevier, 2004). Improving the results of change initiatives while making sure those changes are fully understood will be a priority for leaders who choice to lead by commitment leadership.

Leadership as a changing agent

Longest, Rakich and Darr (2000) suggest organizational change in health care organization does not occur absent certain conditions. Key are the people who are catalysts for change and who can manage the organizational change process. Such people are called change agents. Anyone can be a change agent, although this role usually is played by leadership. Change agents must recognize that any organizational change involves changing individuals. Individuals will not change with out motivation introduces by the changing agent. The changing agent must create a body of shared values and attitudes, a new consensus in which key individuals with in an organization reinforce one another in selling the new way and in defending it against opposition (Longest, Rakich and Darr, 2000). As health care organizations change in the 21st century successful leaders must have the skills that are necessary to make change possible with in teams of individuals. Longest, Rakich and Darr (2000) suggest one of the important category of change is team building or team development, which "remove barriers to group effectiveness, develop self sufficiency in managing group process, and facilitate the change process (Longest, Rakich and Darr, 2000). A leader who leads by commitment must seek to minimize the resistances to change by building a consensus of objectives with in the organizations culture.

Conclusion

Leadership in the complex health care environment in the 21st century will need individuals to be committed to the promotion of team effectiveness. Sarner (2006) suggest leadership is a "power- and value-laden relationship between leaders and followers who intend real changes that reflect their mutual purposes and goals." In plainer language, leadership is the dynamic that galvanizes individuals into groups to make things different or to make things better -- for themselves, for their enterprise, for the world around them. The essential components of leadership have remained more or less constant: intelligence, insight, instinct, vision, communication, discipline, courage, constancy (Sarner, 2006). In the 21st century leaders must know how to gather, sort, and structure information, and then connect it in new ways to create clear objectives that satisfy both the organization and individuals needs. The important skill that can be learning during this process of leadership is the ability to listen to colleagues and collaborators for the sole purpose of foster a shared consensus. In order to communicate a vision in the future a commitment leader must work with others and sometimes defer some part of the leadership process to ensure organizational objectives are achieved.

Super Living Food for Great Health

Super living food has been a new buzz word to the modern society's healthy conscious person. Super living food includes fresh, organic fruits and vegetables that has great effect to fight radicals in slowing down aging process, with high fiber and essential minerals to reduce sugar level in blood, improve immune system as well as lower blood pressure and cholesterol level in the body. In short, super living food has the ability to energize, improve and enhance healthy lifestyle, cleanse, detox our body and further extend our life span.

As the awareness of eating healthy, organic food has become the center of most people's lifestyle, it is not the intention to restrict or frighten anyone from eating a scoop of ice cream, french fries, chocolate or enjoying the cup of coffee and into the believe that these food will put their health at risk for the next 10 years. It has been very much a concern for those who are obsessed with food that worry about every single spoonful that went into their mouth. Food eaten should be an enjoyable process, satisfactory to the taste bud and at the same time sustaining a healthy body.

Eating organic living food is great for health but in general the believe is to consume less animal fat, salt, alcohol, caffeine, highly processed carbohydrates and sugar. Increase the consumption of raw and living food such as fruits, vegetables, legumes and wholegrain cereals to have a balance and healthy diet. Our vital immune boosters are the natural pro-biotic bacterias that live in our gut. These come from fermented food such as live or bio-yogurts, pro-biotic yogurt like drinks. The good bugs will help digestion and have the strengthening effect on natural defenses.

Exhaustion and low energy level is often the result of a combination of psychological and physical causes. We are responsible of our health and to understand that energy comes from the food that we eat and drink. Apart from having adequate physical activities that play an important role, choosing the right healthy, organic and living food is crucial to maintaining health and vitality. This process is a continuous life long activities and when only with consistency and right mind set applied, the benefits will be reflected from within.

For optimum energy level, having resistance to diseases, protection of the heart, delayed aging process and extension of vital faculties such as reproduction, hearing, sight, memory and most important of all is to enjoy healthy living, we all can always benefit from super living foods.

I am a great believer in healthy living and healthy lifestyles and have involved in conducting classes on health topics for more than 15 years. Sharing the knowledge and information about healthy living with thousands of people worldwide.

How Much Fish Oil Should I Take to Improve My Chances of Maintaining Heart and Brain Health?

As you probably already know, the healthy fats present in fish oil play a big part in reducing inflammation linked to heart disease.

But, apart from being beneficial for the health of your body, they also can keep your brain in optimum condition.

A very important question that you might ask is - how much fish oil should I take each day to do this?

Of course, like everything in life, there is no single definitive answer.

The main factor is the age of the person asking the question. This is simply because young children need more essential fatty acids as they grow to assist in their brain development.

Those of you who are now retired and less active should take more because their bodies are not as efficient as those of young adults and their organs cannot work as well as they used to.

As well as helping their cardiovascular systems, these essential fatty acids also help to maintain their mental faculties.

Having shown that there is no easy answer to the question of how much fish oil should I take that you have asked, many medical organisations differ in their recommended amounts.

For example, the American Heart Association recommend between 650mg and 1000mg each day. Others, such as the World Health Organisation, only quote between 300mg and 500mg each day.

One of the main concerns to help you to keep your mental faculties throughout your life is to keep an eye on the amounts of omega-3 compared to those of omega-6 and omega-9 in your diets. The optimum ration of omega-6 to omega-3 is about 2 to 1.

Unfortunately, in countries like the USA that has increased in modern times by a factor of about 10.

This is mainly due to the amount found in the primary oil added to most processed foods.

Clinical trials have found that the fatty acids of EPA and DHA inhibit high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Since our bodies are not able to produce these essential fatty acids, and you now know the answer to the question about how much oil should I take, you may wonder about the best way for obtaining your daily intake.

Well, to obtain the purest and most beneficial fish oil, have a look at the details on my website today.

Grow Naturally - Achieve Health, Happiness and Peace in Life

It is said that change is inevitable. Everything on this universe is changing every moment. However, if we closely observe the change, we notice that change is not random. It always moves in a particular direction. A person may be changing every movement, millions of cells of his body may be dying every second and millions of new cells may be taking birth every second, yet the changes in the body is not random. A child grows to become adult and then he become old and finally dies. All changes follow a pattern which seems to be pre-programmed. No adult or old man can ever become a child again. This ordered change is often called growth.

Every person is born as a body with a mind and a soul. While body is created using elements from this world, soul is the spark of the Supreme that gives life to the person. Mind of the person connects the body with the soul. While all living creatures seem to have all three attributes, yet the man seems to be specially gifted in the mental and spiritual faculties.

Every person passes through different phases of growth. As per the ancient Indian and western philosophy, body and mind are the physical manifestation of the soul in this world. Thus the growth of a person is actually the growth of the soul. There are limitations of the growth of physical body and mind. The growth of body is limited by the height of the person while the growth of the mind is limited by the intelligence of the person. However, the limit of growth of soul is the Spirit or God, which is infinite. The goal of all human being is to grow in his or her life so as to attain the highest level of spiritual growth and become one with the divine.

Yet man does not want to grow. He has the inherent desire to remain young and defy the laws of change. The result is obesity, boredom and pain. It is for this reason that Buddha said that life is suffering as most people suffer from these ailments due to their inability to channelize their growth in the right direction. Laurens van der Post has stated the perils of not-growing:

"Life is its own journey, presupposes its own change and movement, and one tries to arrest them at one's eternal peril."

The Direction of Growth
Growth of every living being is inevitable in this world. John Henry Newman rightly said, "Growth is the only evidence of life." As every human being consists of body, mind and soul, all three grows in life. Yet in the first phase of life, the growth of the body is most evident. A person of only a few inches grows to become a full man or woman by the time one attains the age of 15-20 years when a person attains his maximum height. Thereafter the physical growth of the person stops.

A person is best fitted to grow mentally, when the growth of his body stops. At this age, a person is at his physical peak, yet mentally he is still a child. However, once the physical growth stops, the entire growth of the person is directed in the direction of his mind. Thus at this age, what a person is able to learn in a year, he could not have learned on a decade of childhood. His memory and intelligence is at its highest growth orbit.

Though the mind of the person continues to grow, yet the rate of growth of mind declines gradually. After the person reaches to the age of maturity and middle age, the mental faculty of the person starts deteriorating. It is at this age, the spiritual growth of the person starts after peaking in physical and mental growth. Soul, that is the essence of the person, is the source of all his feelings. Hence, the spiritually growing person experiences the increase in happiness and peace. There is no limit of spiritual growth as every person has the ability to become divine.

The nature has designed the man to grow always in life yet people often stop growing and become old. A famous quote says, "You don't grow old. You become old, when you stop growing."

Obesity: Lacking the Mental and Spiritual Growth
Obesity is perhaps the biggest problem and challenge of the modern generation. These are more prevalent in the adult than the child. The reason seems to be that a child usually grows physically and mentally in his childhood years. Hence the chances of his getting overweight are quite low. Thereafter, if the person still continues to get education after his has grown fully into adult, the chances of his getting overweight are much less as he continues to grow. However, if the mental growth of the person is stopped for example by stopping his education, the growth in body is inevitable. Since the height of the person can not grow, the only way the body can grow is horizontally which make the person obese.

Scientists have found clear relationship between the obesity and intelligence and educational level. "As per one research conducted by Jytte Halkjer et al [Obesity Research 11(10): 1238-1245 (October 2003)], showed a clear inverse association between BMI above the median BMI and both intelligence test score and educational level. The highest educated group had less than half the odds of remaining obese compared with the lowest-educated group."

Thus obesity can be reduced by continue to grow mentally and spiritually. A person even after his studies can grow mentally by reading new books or taking up new course. One can also maintain his weight simply by becoming more spiritual.

Boredom and Addiction: Restricting the Growth of Body and Spirit
The growth of the body stops by late twenties yet the growth of mind continue for another 10-20 years. Therefore, man can grow mentally by learning new things either by the pursuit of new academic courses of by learning from experiences. Mind like the cells of the body too seems to create new knowledge while forgetting the old knowledge. Thus as far as the balance of the two is maintained, the person maintains his proper mental balance. However, when a man absorbs more knowledge than what his intelligence can handle, then it causes confusion in his mind. An overfed mind is same as an overfed body, which causes obesity and confusion. The capacity of the person to absorb knowledge is different in every person and favourably related to the intelligence of the person.

Therefore, a stage is reached when a person stops growing mentally and any more absorption of raw knowledge creates confusion in his mind. The stage of confusion gives rise to boredom. Mind is like a body which needs filling. Thus curiosity of mind is indication of the hunger of knowledge which can then be easily assimilated into the knowledge of the person. When this curiosity dies in man, the result is boredom.

Boredom often leads to addiction which charges the mind for sometime.

Mind like body needs constant inflow of knowledge to maintain its sanity and virility. The excess of knowledge causes confusion in the mind while the lack of knowledge stunts the mental growth of the person. Boredom is the result of the lack of desire or mental curiosity. Man, in order to remove his boredom, can either move forward or grow spiritually to get rid of boredom or he can attempt to move backward in the direction of body and enjoys physical and sensual pleasure. He can also take intoxicants to find temporary relief from the inactivity of mind.

Spiritualism: Control of Body and Mind
However, those who are wise, even before reaching on the top of their physical and mental growth, realize the importance of happiness and peace that comes not from outside but from the Self. The knowledge of Self or Soul is the beginning of spiritual evolution of man.

Many people start the journey of spiritualism much earlier by the discipline of body and the mind by following the path of meditation and yoga. As a matter of fact, any one who is able to overcome the pleasure of body and develop the ability to rein his mind, automatically grows in the direction of spirit, which is the natural direction of the soul.

Soul, being a part of the universal soul or Spirit or God, is the true source of the joy and happiness as well as pain and miserly. When a person moves in the direction of the spirit, he enjoys the feelings of happiness and peace while the movement on the reverse direction causes pain and miserly.

Thus the people as they grow old moves from the lust of body and pride of mind to the peace of soul. This is the only path of growth which brings happiness in life and eliminates pain.

Grow Rightly and Enjoy Life
Growth of a man is inevitable. However, one can plan it rightly and overcome the various problems of the modern world like obesity, addiction, boredom and pain that arises as a consequence of the attempt of the person to arrest the growth. It is only by growing in the right, direction that one can achieve health, happiness and peace. Thus every pain and suffering is an indication of the restriction of the growth, which must be avoided to lead a healthy, happy and peaceful life.

Circular Breathing - An Ancient Taoist Technique For Health And Longevity

Let us first examine what happens in linear breathing, that is, natural breathing, which is involuntary. As you inhale and exhale in alteration, air fills your lungs and then empties them in succession, without your ever being conscious of the breathing process. On the other hand, voluntary circular breathing, an ancient Taoist technique, uses conscious effort. It promotes all-round health, both physical and mental, if practiced regularly and properly. It is quite different from the more widely prevalent pranayama, an ancient Indian technique involving a wide variety of methods to control and regulate breathing for health and long life. Some types of pranayama require you to hold the breath inside your body after inhaling or keep your body without it after exhaling. Taoist breathing does not advocate holding your breath either in or keep it out. On the contrary, its technique covers your entire being, both body and mind. Circular breathing is therefore whole-body breathing.

The basic principles underlying Taoist circular breathing are really related to enhancing "chi", a Chinese term for both energy and breath. One step in the process of achieving whole-body breathing, according to these principles, is to learn to breathe with the belly. Inhalation expands and exhalation empties the belly. A point to note here is not to hold and control breathing between one cycle and another cycle of inhalation - exhalation. This is because the aim here is to attain relaxation, not to create tension in the body, which is not conducive to physical and mental health. Breathing should therefore be continuous and natural. Breathing from the sides and the back of your belly to the top of your lungs is something you have to learn as another step. Advance learners of the Taoist technique called reverse breathing have to contract the belly while breathing in and expand it while breathing out. Practitioners of the reverse breathing technique believe that it increases the "chi" movement in the upward as well as the downward directions in the body and thereby helps in energizing the whole body at once.

One of the main benefits of circular breathing, like in fact in any other type of sound breathing techniques, is improving oxygen intake, which in turns results in oxygen-rich blood, conducive to better blood circulation, higher energy levels, greater relaxation and lower stress levels. All these combine to contribute to better health overall. Even those suffering from specific heart or lung problems and some other body disorders find relief due to the regular and dedicated practice of circular breathing. They also find their physical and mental faculties to be sharper than earlier. These manifest in better body coordination and improved concentration levels, in short, in better efficiency. With these benefits of circular breathing, its adherents experience a rich and long life.

What you need in plenty for achieving perfection in circular breathing is regular exercise and practice. Taoist meditation that follows circular breathing practices does further enhance the overall "chi" that finally leads to spiritual growth.

Fish Oil For Your Brain - Can You Improve Your Mental Faculties With Omega-3 Fats?

Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in fish oil. It is the best, high-quality source and the health benefits that come from using fish oil for your brain are nothing short of amazing. I have personally been using omega-3 fatty acids to improve my health and happiness.

It has been shown that the human brain is made up of a large amount of fat and unfortunately, many people today are deficient in essential fatty acids, which leads to loss of focus, bad memory and depression.

There are many more symptoms that can be caused for a lack of these fatty acids, but I think you get my point. You see, researchers and scientists have found that when people get enough omega-3 fatty acids, their mental faculties are greatly improved.

I experienced this myself and saw improvements in energy, sleep, joints, happiness and many other areas. The trick is finding a high-quality and properly purified product that can deliver the benefits you are after.

There are a lot of products on the market today that range from a waste of your money and outright dangerous because of rancidity issues and improper filtering. The good news is that you can avoid them easily when you know what to look for.

The first thing I look for in a good fish oil supplement for your brain and mental faculties is that it has been molecularly distilled and purified. This means that any toxins have been filtered on the molecular level.

This ensures a high degree of purity so you do not have to worry about heavy metal toxicity and other health problems down the road. Fish oil can improve your mental faculties quite dramatically. The best news of all is that finding an affordable and effective supplement is easy, because you can do your research online.

If you're interested in learning more about the best fish oil supplements for your brain, visit my website, where I share what products I have personally been using daily for several years.

Good Health Care in Bangkok

Bangkok has a large number of medical care facilities so whether you are a resident, a tourist or an expatriate staying at Bangkok you will be satisfied with the treatment that you will receive in the city. The city has private hospitals that are amongst the best hospitals in world. The government hospitals are also well maintained, with modern amenities and are not very crowded. There are a few charity and military hospitals also in the city. Language is usually not a problem as most of the doctors and nurses are well versed with English. Most of the hospitals in Bangkok also provide interpreters for patients in case the need arises.

Bumrungrad International Hospital (BIH) founded in the year 1980 is the largest private hospital in Southeast Asia. BIH is internationally accredited, has 30 specialty centres, modern diagnostic facilities, four types of intensive care units and a 24 hour emergency room. It is well known throughout the world for its plastic surgery centre. They also specialize in orthopaedic and cardiac surgery. BIH has a wellness, anti-aging, and fitness centre and it also offers therapeutic and radiation therapies. BIH is located in the heart of the city and the address for it is 33, Sukhumvit Soi 3 (Soi Nana Nua), (02) 667 1000. The rates at BIH are high by Thailand standards but much lesser than what you might pay in a developed country for the same treatment. BIH is known to be the best in Bangkok and is frequented by expatriates from within Bangkok, neighboring countries and by patients from over 190 countries of the world.

Bangkok General Hospital is a highly acclaimed private hospital at Bangkok. The hospital is famous for its orthopedics unit which specializes in elbow, knee, hip and spinal surgeries. The treatment at the hospital is affordable. The hospital has a 24 hour emergency care centre, specialized trauma centre and advance ambulance services which include medical evacuation by a helicopter if required. The hospital address is 2, Soi Soonvija 7, New Petchburi Road, (02) 310 3000. Bangkok Hospital Group is Thailand's largest chain of hospitals with 13 centres across the country. All hospitals offer multi-disciplinary and specialized medical care.

The Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital is the oldest medical school and hospital of Thailand. It is the biggest public hospital in Thailand established almost 120 years ago. The hospital provides preventive, therapeutic and palliative medical care. It is one of the busiest hospitals of Thailand and offers excellent medical care to its patients. It is well known for its orthopaedic procedures.

BNH Hospital or the Bangkok Nursing Home as it was originally known was set in 1898. It was the first non-profit private hospital that was set up exclusively for expatriates. Later on the hospital extended its facilities to the Thai people also. The BNH Hospital is known for its high quality medical services which include consultation, diagnosis, planning and executing the treatment, surgeries, post-operative care. The hospital has a team of general practitioners and as well as specialists. They strongly believe in the concept of family doctor. The hospital performs all types of orthopaedic and cardiac surgeries.

Samitivej Hospitals is a leading chain of hospitals of Thailand. Their main facility, Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital at Bangkok is located in the heart of the city. The hospital offers excellent care in various fields of medicine and is equipped with complete range of medical technology and a team of over 400 specialists.

Samitivej Srinakarin Children Hospital is part of the Samitivej chain is and a well equipped and acclaimed hospital in Bangkok. It is the first hospital of its kind that is dedicated to pediatric medicine. However there are standard orthopedic procedures available for adults too. The hospital is cheaper as compared to the other top private hospitals in Bangkok but the services are world class.

Another private hospital in Bangkok that offers services 24 hours a day is Saint Louis Hospital. This facility has a modern operating room, is well maintained and services both outpatients and in patients. As you can see, you have many choices when it comes to quality health care in Bangkok, Thailand.

Before you travel or move abroad, make sure that you and your family have quality medical insurance. Let Good Neighbor Insurance help you find the right international health insurance for your situation.

Five Health Complications That Can Arise After Menopause

At mere mention of the word menopause, women often feel a chill down their spines because they know that when the Big Change comes, which is another term for this stage in a woman's life, there will be a lot of changes in the body along with annoying symptoms. A lot of women actually fear the months and years prior to menopause because this stage is when women feel symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal dryness, weight gain and many others. And all these are brought about by the decline of female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone.

Although majority of women feel challenged by the maddening and irritating signs of menopause, the real problem can actually come after the change. The decline in levels of estrogen in the body can actually lead to several complications and serious conditions. The following are some of the most common menopausal complications.

Urinary Problems

Aside from higher risk of urinary tract infection recurrence, women who are postmenopausal should also be prepared for problems with incontinence. Since the tissues in a woman's urethra and vagina become less elastic at the age of 50 or 60, she might find it hard to hold or control urination. More and more women complain of the sudden bursts of urine while coughing, lifting objects, laughing and similar activities. Some even say that their urge to urinate becomes unbearable after menopause.

Cardiovascular Diseases

One serious effect of the decline in estrogen levels is the increased risk of developing cardiovascular conditions. Aside from being a sex hormone, estrogen plays an important role in women's health. This hormone helps minimize blood pressure by opening and smoothing out the blood vessels. Studies also show that the levels of bad cholesterol can increase as soon as the levels of estrogen dip down. This is the reason why women who are over 51 years old become more prone to stroke, heart diseases and blood pressure problems.

Bone Loss and Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease wherein bones become weak, brittle and more susceptible to fracture. A few years after the cessation of menstruation, women lose bone density at a very quick rate. In fact, over 30% of women at age 65 have osteoporosis, while over 70% have it at age 80. If you want to minimize your risk of osteoporosis when you reach the age of menopause, you better quit smoking now and start exercising and eating healthy.

Mental Decline

Studies have shown that estrogen has a profound effect on the mental faculties of women. It seems that this hormone helps prevent loss of memory and decline in cognitive functions which are associated with aging. In fact, experts say that estrogen prompts the production of serotonin and acetylcholine, two neurotransmitters that are absent or exhausted in patients who are suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

Free radicals are also believed to be responsible for the development of Alzheimer's. Since estrogen is also considered as an antioxidant, which fights the proliferation of free radicals in the body, the decline in the levels of this sex hormone might contribute to the rise of free radicals in the brain and the eventual development of Alzheimer's.

Vision Problems

Scientists have proven that progesterone and estrogen can shield against cataracts. They also believe that estrogen can help minimize the risk of serious vision problems like macular degeneration and glaucoma.

In order to help avert the signs of menopause and deal with the declining levels of estrogen during post-menopause period, you can take supplements that contain phytoestrogen or plant-based substances that mimic the role of estrogen in the body. One product that you might want to try is Menersa.

Easy way to burn your fat

Obesity is one of the annoying health problem for people. Obesity might cause further diseases or even death if it is not treated well. Doing exercises or routines is an alternative to reduce fat inside your body and reduce the risk of obesity. However, diet plays most important role. By combining those two methods you will get the best fatburner method. The problem is making people do exercises and controlling their diet are not easy. People who are affected by obesity are very difficult to do those two things. They tend to not doing those two things because being lazy and eating a lot are already becoming their habit. Thus, obese people need supplement that can make them to do those two activities and diet pill can be the solution.

Basically, diet pill work in three different ways; they are increasing metabolic, giving more energy and controlling appetite. By using one of those three different types of diet pill, you will be able to find the best solution and method to cure your obesity. Burning fat is similar to building body. In order to get the best result, people should do two important thing; they are routines and diet. Similar to body building, diet has most important role in fat burning. It can determine fat burning successfulness up to 70%. It means that controlling appetite is the most important thing in burning people’s fat.

Controlling your diet will increase your chance to be back into your normal life and size. If you are kind of people who like doing exercises, you can take the last type of the pill. However, if you think that you can control your appétit, number one and number two diet pills will be the best choice for you. Two is better than one. Therefore, you have to combine the exercises and diet in order to get the best result in overcoming your obesity.

Health Benefits of Green Superfood

"To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art." - Francois de La Rochefoucauld (French Author, 1613-1680)

The fountain of youth ceases to exist eternally, but with a nutritious diet, eternity can be proclaimed. The agility of the human body can be increased and aging can be graceful, provided the foods that are consumed are extraordinary rich in nutrients, fresh and contain ample dietary fibers. These foods are natural and assist in healing various health conditions. Health experts have coined these amazing foods, "Green Superfood" because of their innate capacity to improve human life.

When referring to green foods images of broccoli, spinach and peas erupt in our minds, and the memory of those wonder years when our mothers used to preach the relevance of green foods and how much we disliked eating the greens. Perhaps, Popeye was created with the sole intention of making spinach palatable and famous amongst children.

Health organizations across the globe recommend five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables each day, for a healthy adult. Yet, most of us eschew the importance of a balanced diet, as we are preoccupied with the hustle and bustle of life. For the human body to serve its innate purpose of existence it must be healthy and a well-balanced diet abundant with nutrients ensures a robust life style.

These miracle foods naturally contain high concentrations of chlorophyll, essential nutrients and phytochemicals, and upon consumption they establish the nutritional benefits received from multiple servings of fruits and vegetables. Add on years to an average human lifespan, combat the signs of aging and protect the body against degenerative diseases like cancer and cardiovascular disease. The family of miracle foods consists of young cereal grasses like wheat, barley, oats and alfalfa as well as spirulina, chlorella, kelp and other sea vegetables.

A research involving, 17 different ointments applied on 1,372 experimentally induced wounds and burns, only the chlorophyll preparation showed consistently significant results. The research indicates; chlorophyll extracts from plants may stimulate the growth of new skin tissue in wounds.

In yet another revealing experiment conducted by the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, at Japanese University, found that chlorophyll neutralizes the body toxins. Fruit flies were fed with a toxic substance along with chlorophyll derived from spinach and chlorella, and they survived.

Cereal grass even if consumed alone, enable animals to continually maintain weight, strength, and optimal health.

Researches conducted on properties of spirulina indicate, a systemic effect it has on the entire body, especially immune function and it possesses anti-viral properties in relation to herpes simplex virus type 1

These findings indicate how correct our mothers were while preaching the benefits of eating the greens from our food plate.

Superfood properties are not only exhibited by fruits or vegetables but also through a famous beverage consumed across the globe- Green Tea. Drinking tea stimulates and refreshes the mind, and enhances the entire body; it contains anti-oxidants, which prevents cell damage, repairs tissues and impedes the ageing process. No wonder, the Asian race is youthful even at 80.

is increasing slowly, but steadily, in the United States; many people have not yet learned of its advantages over black tea. Green tea is the drink of choice in Japan and China. According to Mitscher and Dolby, because tea is so "refreshing, stimulating, and health-enhancing" it is "the most popular beverage in the world (after water)."

So there you have it, no more excuses for not getting your greens. Remember, green foods can be as good as gold when it comes to their role in protecting and preserving our health and well-being, so dig in.

Raja Yoga Offers Mental Health

We need to know how to build our health of mind and assume responsibility, as we must do for our physical fitness. Just as there are physical symptoms that can be corrected by self help by applying natural healing practices, so we are also well equipped to deal with any disturbances of our psychological state of being. But we must have knowledge about methods of self help.

Yoga as a system incorporates methods of self discipline to achieve and maintain physical health through Hatha Yoga. Many of the techniques are now common knowledge amongst exponents in the West. These Ayurvedic methods of self healing are embraced in what is called Yoga Chikitsa.

Raja Yoga extends to self care of our psychological being and includes simple emotional and mind training disciplines designed to help self confidence and independence by encouraging a balanced condition of the psyche.

Self help in these matters demands that to help our own emotions we must identify with our mental self and use our thoughts to effect changes. To help our own mind we must appeal to our own directing soul that can help create different patterns of thought. And when our soul is in danger, feeling damaged, hopeless and devoid of joy in living we must appeal to a higher energy of our own spiritual being and beyond.

Any healing effort to return to a state of wholeness or wholesomeness requires energy from a higher voltage power and battery source. We are provided with a means of raising our energy levels first, by our own use of our lifeline or breathing mechanism; when receiving assistance from a therapist or when communing directly with natural energies abundant in forests, bushland, seasides and outdoors.

There are basic exercises in sensitivity and awareness of our emotions and thoughts and exercises that assist the full development of our faculties. It is this fundamental self awareness that allows us to note any symptoms of disturbance before seeking to correct them.

Although the human psyche with its seven Koshas or layers of consciousness have been the basis of Indian and Asian thought regarding the whole person, the science of psychology is only in its infancy in the western countries. Here in western medicine the philosophy to use drugs for remedial physical ill health, is applied in prescribing psychiatric drugs to relieve inner mental and emotional states. But these artificial chemicals generally prescribed for mental conditions are capable of creating far subtler and yet more powerful inner damage to our being that can extend to self harm and suicide. We need to find alternative therapies to the mental illness that is now assessed as existing in one in four people in Australia.

Raja Yoga practices have been proven already over the centuries. We have this knowledge available and its methods are based on simple, reasonable disciplines that are designed to help us feel confidently seated at the control centre of our being, free to be receptive to healthy thoughts and feelings, free to create wholesome ideas and responses and free to enjoy life in a state of inner peace. This is a simple aim and has simple demands within reach of each of us if we have the will to be in control of our lives.

It begins not with effort, but with an attitude of relaxation and doing nothing but surrendering all activity. This is best applied lying flat on the floor until you find it comfortable, closing your eyes and maintaining stillness of your body, apart from the natural movement of easy respiration.

Together with this position is a mental attitude assumed - that is a surrender not only of a need for effort, but a surrender of your body weight to the floor. Learn to trust that you are safe in yielding to relaxation. Allow yourself to trust nature and its benign aim to restore and assist you to health. Relaxation is practised with no strain or effort or thought activity. You allow yourself to feel. Try it and see how you feel. You may choose to register your feelings and any thoughts that came in the period spent in relaxation as a reminder of how pleasant a self therapy it really is.

The next is to be able to sit still as a prelude to learning the art of meditation when you reach a state of mental stillness and your thoughts are no longer an enemy.

If you find you cannot keep your mind still - if you are anxious and fearful, restless and confused, or if you have unwelcome thoughts, your concentration is poor and faculties not as sharp as before; or if you are suffering strain and fatigue or depression you will certainly find that Raja Yoga will help you greatly and bring back to life your vital thoughts and ideas that motivate your life and its expression towards health and happiness.