November 23, 2009

Fend off the Flu!

Guess what? The flu virus thrives in dry air, which could explain why it runs rampant during the winter season! We all have the heat on in our houses (which is dry), and it's already super-dry outside, so these combine to create the ideal environment for flu viruses to thrive.
What to do? For starters, get a
humidifier for your home and put it in your bedroom, so you can breathe in the benefits of the moist air while you sleep.

To avoid getting sick this season: wash hands frequently, get plenty of sleep, get exercise (moderate-intensity exercise is shown to boost your immune system), get vaccinated (especially if you're younger than 25 or older than 60), and load up on your vitamins, especially Vitamin D and C!

To help other folks not get sick: get yourself vaccinated, cough and sneeze into the crook of your elbow, and PLEASE do not send your child to school or group activities if they are still contagious!

November 13, 2009

An Attitude of Gratitude

Research has shown that people who practice the art of being grateful for the good things in their lives are generally healthier (mentally, emotionally, and physically) than those who only focus on the negatives.

Folks who continually thank God for both the big & small things suffer less from stress, depression, and heart problems like high blood pressure.

These benefits happen because those who live grateful lives are usually optimistic, and more likely to help other people, which produces the extremely positive feelings of happiness and fulfillment.

All these combine to enable those with an "attitude of gratitude" to live positive, meaningful, healthy, and longer lives!

November 6, 2009

The "Chicken Skin" Condition & Treatment

I have tiny red bumps on my biceps & forearms, on the front & back of my thighs, and sometimes even on my bum! Sometimes these bumps are simply the result of sweating from exercising, and then bacteria gets trapped in the skin pore, creating inflammation & acne.

My skin condition has a name, a long, complicated name: Keratosis Pilaris, also known as "KP", and "Chicken Skin." These bumps are caused simply by the body producing an over-abundance of skin cells, which build up, causing these bumps.

Can you guess what the remedy is? Exfoliating! You know, using those cute, round, plastic web-like bath sponges and gently rubbing your body with it!
They also make bath scrub & body lotion called "KP Duty" by DermaDoctor, which aid in the exfoliating and moisturizing process.
These are sold at Sephora, or at www.dermadoctor.com.

I have simply been scrubbing myself down every time I shower, and I have seen SUCH an improvement! The redness and the appearance of bumps is greatly reduced, and I no longer feel the need to "pick" at them, like I used to do.

So, if you have this skin condition (dermatologists say that half of all living people have this condition to some degree) try exfoliating for several weeks, and if you're still not seeing results, try the lotion & bath scrub mentioned above. If all that does not significantly reduce the bumps, then go to a dermatologist for prescribed medication.

But don't worry; you're not alone if you have this skin condition! Millions of people have it and don't even realize it. But, for those of us with more extreme cases, a little extra work is required to reduce the bumps. But you can do it!