According to Psychologists, People Who Cry a Lot Have This Unique Personality Trait

Do you remember the last time you spend the evening crying? Have you recently cried your eyes out?

Crying is not a sign of vulnerability, and you should not apologize for it. Crying is actually a healthy thing which indicates strength and resilience. We give you four reasons to feel empowered after shedding tears:

You Know How to Relieve Stress

According to a 1983 study from the American Psychological Association, crying brings relief of stress due to interpersonal relationships, sadness, and anxiety. Tears help you channel and filter out the thoughts, as bottling them up might cause long-term psychological damage.

Crying actually releases the negative tension accumulated during the day, comforts, and recharges. Plus, emotional tears have hormones that escape the body and could enhance mood.

According to professor Roger Baker from Bournemouth University, crying relieves trauma, as it is the transformation of distress into something tangible.

You Aren’t Afraid of Your Feelings

People can cry for numerous reasons, stress, anger, sadness, low blood sugar, hormonal imbalances, loss, loneliness, and even for trivial things like songs or a sad movie.

Yet, the important thing is that crying makes them accept and confront their feelings. If one ignores these negative feelings, he might turn to alcoholism, drugs abuse, depression, anxiety, and other unhealthy compulsive behaviors.

People often avoid facing the feelings of judgment, fear, and guilt and choking back tears. However, it is important that one acknowledges his emotions and have the bravery to show them and control them.

It Shows You Don’t Care about What Others Think
When not alone, we often try to suppress the feelings of vulnerability and feebleness and not burst out. Our society has imposed a belief that crying in front of others should be avoided at all costs. Yet, our nature is not that controlled, and we cannot always keep up our emotional guard.

According to the findings of a 1964 study, which analyzed the self-reported emotional response of people while in the company of someone crying, people respond less negatively and more compassionately to people who are crying.

Crying made most people feel uncomfortable, but it also means that one is not dependent on the social expectations.

Crying Makes You a Better Friend

Despite showing that you are comfortable in someone’s presence, crying might also show that you are open with your friends.

Sometimes, if you receive bad news with a friend, and you are the first one to start crying, you might help the other to relieve the stress and express his\her emotions too. If you break those walls between you two, you will start building more meaningful relationships.

Crying and Mental Illness

Note that you should talk to a therapist or a counselor if you have frequent urges to cry. These episodes might indicate anxiety and depression. Millions of people around the globe suffer from these conditions, and it is a must to start looking for the solution as soon as possible.

You will find out a lot about these mental illnesses on these three online centers:
-Hope Care
-International Help Lines
-Better Help

Therefore, crying is a healthy mechanism your body uses to cope with the piled up emotions. It improves mood, manages stress, strengthens relationships, and builds your character.

Hence, do not repress the urge to cry, but leave your tears to wash away your sorrow and stress.

Source: theheartysoul.com

 

http://www.healthy-food-house.com/according-psychologists-people-cry-lot-unique-personality-trait/ 

 

 

Your body warns you 1 month before a heart attack - here's the hidden secret everyone should know

By Newsner 5 October 2016

Myocardial infarctions, commonly known as heart attacks affect more than a million Americans each year according to popular medical website WebMD.

Thanks to increased knowledge and intensive research, tens of thousands of Americans survive heart attacks each year, according to the American Heart Association.

But there is still a long way to go in educating and broadening awareness about this common and frightening experience - and becoming better at identifying those at risk is a must. en better at identifying people who are at risk.

But it's also good to know that half of all patients with acute myocardial infarction had in fact had warning signs over the previous days or month - without necessarily realizing it. 

1. Fatigue

We are all tired at times, which is perfectly normal. But if you're so tired that basic activities like grocery shopping suddenly feel like pure torture, then it may be time to investigate.

In addition, if you find yourself getting breathless rather quickly or suddenly, you should see a doctor right away in order for them to check your EKG. If you find yourself in a stressful situation and your heart is not doing well, you may suffer a heart attack.

2. Chest pressure

One of the most common warning signs of a future heart attack is a strong chest pressure or tightness.

Chest pain can also be felt in other parts of the body, sometimes radiating pain into the arm (often the left armpit or arm), but you can also feel the pressure in your throat, neck, jaw, back or stomach. The pain usually lasts at least 15 minutes.

3. Respiratory distress

Before a heart attack, individuals may experience severe shortness of breath. This is most often due to the fact that the lungs are no longer receiving enough blood because your arteries are blocked.

If you suddenly have trouble breathing, you should immediately consult a doctor. 

4. Exhaustion

If you often feel weak and exhausted, it may be because your muscles are no longer receiving enough blood. Fatigue Syndrome tends to be one of the first warning signs of an impending heart attack.
 

5. Dizziness and cold sweats

Excessive sweating can be a first sign of a heart attack. If you experience these symptoms, you should go see your doctor.

The dizziness may be caused by a reduced blood supply to the brain.
 

6. Cold/flu

Are you tormented by a bad cough, cold and fever? Don't panic right away, these are of course not immediately dangerous symptoms. 

However what many are not aware of is that cold symptoms may appear one month before a heart attack. This is thus something worth thinking about - especially if you have also experienced any of the above symptoms.


It's important to remember that the symptoms of heart attacks can be very different from one individual to another, and also particularly vary between men and women.

But by paying attention to these six points, I hope that future we can save even more lives.

Please share this article on Facebook and remember to care for your heart! 

 

 

12 signals our body sends to tell us we are too stressed

https://brightside.me/inspiration-health/12-signals-our-body-sends-to-tell-us-we-are-too-stressed-215805/

Our body is an incredibly complex machine that reacts not only to external changes but to internal ones too. Dr. Susan Babel, a psychologist who specializes in depression, suggested quite an interesting theory about our body signals.

 

Bright Side would like to share some illustrations that demonstrate Babel’s theory, as well as simple recommendations on how to cope with emotional problems.

The psychologist considers discomfort and pain to be the signals of anxiety: secret fears, unresolved issues. Chronic pain is a symptom of stress and emotional problems, especially when there are no physical injuries.

Head

Too much stress is the main cause of any headache. It can happen because of worries about possible failures, little things, or constant rushing.

 

Set aside some time for yourself every day. Let yourself relax, and don’t worry about anything for some time. Just take some rest, and don’t feel guilty about this. Your productivity will only be boosted thanks to this time spent in peace and quiet. And you won’t be suffering from headaches anymore.

Neck

Pain in the neck signifies the burden of resentment towards other people and dissatisfaction with our own imperfections. Our neck hurts when we can’t forgive someone or ourselves.

 

Change your attitude towards yourself and others. People don’t want to hurt you most of the time. And you don’t have to meet your own strict expectations. Take it easy, and learn to forgive. It’s also important to think more about the things you love.

Shoulders

Shoulder pain is caused by emotional burdens and constant pressure. Maybe someone really puts pressure on you. Or maybe you can’t make an important decision and start carrying this heavy burden.

 

Try to share the load with a close friend — you’ll feel relieved. Even if you just talk through your worries, you won’t have to cope with the difficulties only by yourself. And maybe this will help to find a simple solution to your problem.

Upper Back

A lack of emotional support and close people around us can manifest itself in upper back pain. This happens when we subconsciously feel unloved and unappreciated.

 

Communicate more with different people. Don’t focus on yourself — be open and friendly. Meet new people, go on dates. And most importantly, don’t hold back feelings of affection.

Lower Back

If we have any financial worries, our lower back may hurt. Maybe we’re secretly obsessed with the idea of living a rich life, or maybe the people around us make us worry about money all the time.

 

Money can’t buy us happiness. It may sound like a cliché, but it’s the truth. Therefore, just stop worrying! The best things in life are free. Do what you love, and this will bring you not only joy but the profit as well.

Elbows

Elbow pain signifies a lack of flexibility and an unwillingness to compromise. We probably resist some important changes that may occur in our lives, or we’re subconsciously afraid of something new.

 

Sometimes we may think that life is too tough and complicated. But it only feels like this. Maybe we just make things look complicated. Be flexible, and don’t spend your energy on fighting things you’re not able to affect.

Hands

Pain in the hands means someone really needs a friend, to have some rest, and to just have a conversation with good people. If your hands hurt, it’s better for you to come out of your shell.

 

Try to make some new friends. Go to lunch with your work associates. Buy tickets for a sports event or go to a concert. Try to feel that you’re part of the crowd. Don’t hesitate to talk to new people because you never know where you can find a good friend.

Hips

People who are used to comfort and love living a predictable life may suffer from pain in the hips. Fear of change and making big decisions and an unwillingness to bring something new into life are the causes of hip pain.

 

Don’t resist the natural course of life. Life’s moving. It changes, and, therefore, life’s interesting. Think of all life changes as exciting adventures. And don’t put off any important decisions.

Knees

A big ego is probably the cause of knee pain. Our knees may hurt when we think about ourselves too much and don’t care about others at all. And also when we’re absolutely sure the world revolves only around us.

 

Take a look around — you’re not the only person in the Universe. Be attentive to others. Listen to your friend, help your mother, cover for your coworker. Help people more often. You can also spend some time volunteering.

Calves

Calf pain is a sign of emotional tension. Possessiveness, constant worries about a relationship, and crazy jealousy are other causes.

 

It’s important to learn to trust your other half. Relax and stop controlling your partner. It may be time to leave anything that bothers you too much or drives you crazy behind you.

Ankles

Pain in the ankles may mean that we forget about ourselves and need more pleasure in our life. Maybe our work takes all our time, or we don’t take our needs seriously enough and always put our dreams on hold.

 

It’s time to pamper yourself. Buy that expensive thing, have a good sleep, try those tasty goodies. Forget about your work for some time, and think about a romantic relationship, for example. Or plan a dream trip.

Feet

Apathy can be a cause of foot pain. It’s like our body refuses to move forward. It’s like we’re afraid of life and don’t see the point of moving forward. When we subconsciously think that everything goes wrong and our whole life is a big failure, our feet hurt.

 

Learn to pay attention to the little joys of life. Look how beautiful the world and the people in it are! Enjoy different tastes, sounds, the wind, and the sun. Adopt a fluffy pet, or try a new hobby. Fill your life with interesting things. Forget all the bad memories, and smile more. Find something that brings you happiness every day!

The conclusion

The conclusion is simple: love yourself and forgive yourself. Be thoughtful of others, and try not to hold a grudge against other people. Communicate more, smile (because a smile looks so good on you!), and stay healthy!

 

 

 

 

The best times to take vitamins and supplements

Healthspan

When people choose to take their daily doses of vitamins and supplements is likely governed more by convenience than anything else. But this infographic shows that time of day is a huge factor in optimizing these ingredients' effectiveness.

A lot of people understand the crucial role of vitamins and minerals play in helping the body work properly, but did you know timing can boost or diminish their effectiveness?

Research from Healthspan, a UK vitamins and supplements supplier, makes a compelling case for paying attention to the clock when crafting your supplement routine. The company brought together a number of studies to produce this go-to guide on the best times to take certain vitamins and supplements throughout the day.

http://m.newhope.com/supplements/best-times-take-vitamins-and-supplements

20 Sources of Pain In The Body Are Each Directly Tied To Specific Emotional States

Josh Richardson is a healer and constant pursuer of the natural state of human consciousness.

Pain is first energy, second perception, and third physical manifestation. There is no other source of pain but energetic. Physical presentation is always secondary. Every single origin of pain in our bodies can be traced back to a specific emotional state which functions to warn us that there is still work to be done in areas of our lives for which we have yet to integrate lessons. Once we integrate those lessons, the pain disappears. 

The body is extremely literal when it comes to pain. The experiences in your life directly mainfest in your body and when you encounter an emotional stress, your body shows you exactly what the problem is. The only thing you need to do is decode it.

Pain In Your Muscles. Represents a challenging ability to move in our lives. How flexible are we being with our experiences at work, home or within ourselves. Go with the flow.

Pain In Your Head. Headaches are contributed to not making a decision. Migraines are the daddy of headaches of knowing what decision to make and not making it.) Be sure to take time out of every day to relax. Do something that eases the tension.

Pain In Your Neck. Pain in your neck is an indication that you may be having trouble with forgiveness of others, or even yourself. If you’re feeling neck pain, consider the things you love about yourself and others. Consciously work toward forgiveness.

Pain In Your Gums. Like the neck, pain in the gums is attributed to not making a decision for yourself and not sticking to it if you did. Be clear, and go for it!

Pain In Your Shoulders. Pain in your shoulders may indicate that you’re carrying a real emotional burden. That’s where the saying “shouldering a problem” comes from. Focus in on some proactive problem solving and distributing some of that burden to other people in your life.

Pain In Your Stomach. Carries recognition of digesting life, or not. GI distress is about not feeling fulfilled. Leaving a hole and causing grief.

Pain In Your Upper Back. If you’re feeling pain in your upper back, you’re probably coping with a lack of emotional support. You might be feeling unloved or you could even be holding your love back. If you’re single, it might be time to go for a date.

Pain In Your Lower Back. Lower back pain might mean you’re worrying too much about money or you’re lacking in emotional support. It may be a good time to ask for an overdue raise or consider a financial planner to help you utilize money a little bit better.

Pain In Your Sacrum and Tail Bone. You may be sitting on an issue that needs to be addressed. Get to the bottom of it and you will see resolution.

Pain In Your Elbows. Pain in your elbows has a lot to do with resisting changes in your life. If your arms are feeling stiff, it may mean that you’re too stiff in your life. It may be time to think about making compromises and shaking things up a little bit. At the very least, go with the flow.

Pain In Your Arms In General. You’re carrying something or someone as an emotional burden. It may be time to ask yourself why do you keep carrying it?

Pain In Your Hands. With your hands, you reach out to others and connect. If you’re feeling hand pain, it may mean that you’re not reaching out enough. Try making new friends. Have lunch with an associate. Make a connection. It may also represent holding or letting go.

Pain In Your Hips. If you’ve been afraid of moving, that may manifest as a pain in the hips. Sore hips could be a sign that you’re too resistant to changes and moves. It may also show a caution toward making decisions. If you’re thinking on some big ideas, it’s time to make a decision. General pain in the hips relates to support. When they slip out, it generally relates to an imbalance in how you are relating to life. Feeling the lack of love and support.

Pain In Your Joints In General. Like muscles, pain in joints represents flexibility or lack of situations and your attachments to them. Be open-minded to new thoughts, lessons and experiences.

Pain In The Knees. Seeing life as unsupported. Inside knee; Community, job, friends. Outside knee; personal issues. Humble yourself. Spend some time volunteering. Make sure you remember that you’re mortal. You’re just human and although you have an ego, don’t let it rule over your life.

Pain In Your Teeth. Not liking your situation and repeating that dislike in your thoughts and emotions daily. Repeat to yourself that experiences are flowing through easily as you integrate perceived positive or negative experiences with ease.

Pain In Your Ankles. Pain in your ankles may be a sign that you’re depriving yourself of pleasure. It may mean it’s time to indulge a little bit more. Spice up your romantic life a bit.

Pain Causing Fatigue. Boredom, resistance, and denying what it takes to move forward, “What’s next?” Open yourself to that little voice which speaks very softly and nudges you towards a new experience.

Pain In Your Feet. When you’re depressed, you might feel some foot pain. Too much negativity can manifest in your feet not feeling so good. Look for the little joys in life. Find a new pet or a new hobby. Look for joy.

Pain That Is Unexplained In Different Body Parts. The cellular structure is currently being recoded in the human body and in the process it is purging and letting go of predominant resident frequencies that are being eliminated. For this energy to clear, the immune system and actually all systems within the body must be effectively weakened. So while the body may appear to be in a state of illness, it is more or less in a state of clearing. Know that it will pass.

Sources:

sacredreconnections.com

simpleorganiclife.org

preventdisease.com

Refuel to Boost Recovery

After a long run or race, you need to refuel ASAP.

By Pamela Nisevich Bede, M.S., R.D.

No matter how long you’ve been a runner or how far you typically run, it’s likely that you’ve heard about recovery. For most runners, recovery from a workout involves stretching, hydrating, and sometimes a snack or protein shake in the hours following a cooldown and shower. But what you might not know is why recovery, from a nutrition standpoint, is essential, and how you can plan the perfect recovery from your next hard effort.

In the world of sports nutrition, recovery is the act of refueling, and it should be started within 30 to 60 minutes of workout completion, especially if you’ve got another workout lined up in the next eight hours. This 30 to 60 minute window is when your muscles are primed to take in nutrients and glycogen so that they can begin to rebuild from the stress they just endured. When designed right, a recovery meal or snack prevents further muscle breakdown, helps to optimize muscle and liver glycogen stores, and ultimately promotes desired adaptations to training. Omit this recovery meal and your body will remain in a state of breakdown, and muscle soreness in the hours and days following the hard effort is more likely.

Runners have been known to recover with a variety of foods and drinks, often dependent on what they can tolerate. That being said, there are some guidelines that should be followed in order to recover quickly and effectively.

Consider your carb sources. 

For quick and effective muscle restoration, pack your plate with foods that are high in glucose and sucrose rather than fructose. In other words, plan your recovery meal around starchy foods rather than fruits and soft drinks—you don’t have to totally avoid these items; just don’t make them your main source of carbs. As for simple versus complex, either type will promote restoration, but for best health, make your recovery meal count and choose healthy items rather than junk foods.

Choose carbs first. 

It’s difficult to refuel your muscle and liver glycogen stores without any glycogen. So be sure to consume some carbohydrate in the hour that follows your workout. If you want to get technical about it, try to aim for approximately 0.5 grams of carbohydrate per pound of body weight. So if you weigh 150 pounds, you’ll want to consume approximately 75 grams of carbs. You can find this amount in something as simple as a large bagel topped with jam and a side of pretzels. If you just can’t seem to stomach this amount of carbs, consider the next tip.

Don’t forget protein. 

Research has found that adding a small amount of protein—approximately 15 to 25 grams—to a recovery meal will speed your muscle recovery, and protein is critical if you skimp out on the recommended carbohydrate intake of 0.5 grams/pound needed to recover properly. Consuming protein in addition to carbohydrate will help repair muscles, increase the amount of protein in your muscles, and help you adapt to your training (i.e. the next time you tackle the same, hard effort, it will feel a little bit easier).

Remember to rehydrate. 

Any time you cross the finish line dehydrated, it’s important to restore hydration status as soon as possible. By adding fluids to your recovery meal and throughout the hours following exercise, you’ll ensure you recover quickly, both physically and mentally. But don’t reach for water alone—you need electrolytes too. Only when water is consumed along with foods containing sodium, chloride, and other minerals will water be retained in your system and effectively restore your hydration balance. How will you know when you’ve recovered the fluid you lost?

Easy answer: Weigh yourself before the activity and after and determine how many ounces you lost during the event. Drink that many ounces—and then some—until you recover the lost weight. If you don’t have access to a scale, another, easier tactic is to simply drink until your thirst diminishes and your urine runs a light straw color.

11 Ways Dehydration Is Making You Fat, Sick, And Tired

On the day we’re born, 73% of our body weight is water. People who are sick and overweight often are as little as 45% water by weight. An average, healthy adult male is about 65% water. Women are slightly more. Do you see the problem? Some studies have pointed to 3 in 4 Americans as being chronically dehydrated. It makes sense that obesity and poor health impacts approximately the same percentage of people.

What is it exactly that we can expect from chronic dehydration? Not drinking enough water results in skin disease, poor digestive performance, kidney diseases, and even chronic fatigue and headache. You may think that it’s just water, but this is absolutely no joke.

Doing things like drinking 16 ounces of water first thing in the morning (not chugging, but drinking) helps normalize blood pressure and get our internal organs working properly. My rule of thumb is always to drink an ounce of water for every pound of body weight you have. Of course, do not chug 150 ounces of water. You lose water all day through urination, bowel movements, and breathing. So you need to spend all day replenishing that water. Ending your chronic dehydration will do wonders for your overall health. Trust me, you’ll feel like a million bucks. But here are 11 things to watch out for:

5 Facts about Stress (and 17 Ways to Deal with It)

By Lynn Somerstein, PhD, E-RYT

Americans are famous for being a hard-working bunch, taking the fewest paid vacation days off. I, for one, spent the summer studying advanced yoga therapy techniques on weekends, and working during the week, especially during the months of June and August. But I made sure to take some time off at the beginning and again at the end of the season so I could relax a bit, and I’m glad I did. Studying ways to help people relax is hard work, and it can be pretty stressful!

What did I learn at yoga school? I studied what happens to your body when it is subjected to relentless stress, and the importance of learning how to relax and let go. The stress response works great if you’re running away from a hungry tiger, but prolonged stress is bad for you because it weakens the body and the brain.

This is why:

1. Your adrenal glands pump adrenaline, which raises your heart rate, your blood pressure, and increases the amount of sugar in your blood. Your adrenal cortex sends out cortisol, part of the stress response. This helps you run fast when you’re escaping the tiger, but when it becomes habitual and there aren’t any tigers to run away from, it is destructive.

2. Stress kills brain cells; a calm environment permits their growth. It is not true that brain cells stop growing when you’re an adult, they just grow more slowly. So help them out and give them a nice place to live.

3. Stress is associated with depression and anxiety. No fun.

4. Your immune system doesn’t work as well as it should. Ah-choo!

5. The right amount of stress is beneficial, but too much is deadly

That’s why relaxation is as important as eating well and getting enough exercise and should be part of your regular health routine. It’s a way to take care of yourself and show yourself some love. So if it’s not a part of your usual day, you might want to think about adding it to your program. Don’t have much time? I bet you can find five or 10 minutes to call your own if you look hard.

Maybe your family is demanding. Make some demands of your own in return. You need a break just as much as anyone needs anything.

Working hard for a tyrannical boss? Find a way to make your work environment more pleasant. Look around and see if there’s some small thing you can do to make things better for you—adding a foot rest, for example, if your seat is too high for you, or wearing really comfortable shoes if you spend a lot of time on your feet.

One powerful relaxation technique is restorative yoga. Like all yoga, the sequence is based on bending forward, backward, sideways, and twisting. The difference is that these poses are held for a long time—five or even 10 minutes. You place yourself in a pose, child’s pose, for example, but your body is supported by bolsters so that you are in complete and absolute comfort.

I invite you to try the restorative version of child’s pose. Start child pose the usual way, but with the short end of a bolster in front of you, and then fold over it lengthwise so your body is supported by the bolster. There are many such adaptations of yoga poses you may already know. You can get DVDs that will show you how, but I think if you are able, it’s best to visit a class or two and learn directly from a teacher.

Finally, if you absolutely can’t stop the worried, anxious chatter in your brain and you’re always wired, consider seeing a therapist for some help.

Below are some of my favorite ways to relax. Like everyone, I need time out for myself, even if it’s only a few minutes. I don’t always feel like I have to respond immediately to help other people. I need to take care of myself first, and you do, too.

1. Take warm, relaxing baths.

2. Go for a walk in the park.

3. Water and admire your plants.

4. Fill the room with a lovely scent.

5. Take a yoga class, or give yourself one.

6. Meditate.

7. Read.

8. Listen to music.

9. Have a nice visit with someone.

10. Watch television.

11. Go swimming.

12. Breathe.

13. Give yourself enough time to do things, so you’re not always rushing.

14. Laugh. This is very important. Among other things, laughter opens up the airways and pumps fresh air into your lungs. Also, it’s fun.

15. Dance.

16. Jog.

17. Pet the cat, dog, or other pets.

I bet you have many other favorite ways to relax, things you enjoy doing. The secret is to remember to do them. Helping others helps with your stress, by the way, so why not post your favorite ways to relax and give us more ideas? (If you feel like it, that is!)

Top 10 Tips for Running in Malaysia

Johanna Leahy

May 5, 2014

Having taken up running in hot and sticky Kuala Lumpur, I didn’t know any different. While American and British running magazines have offered advice on keeping warm and treadmill training in winter, I have been grateful not to have to worry about layers and shielding fingers from frostbite. Yet, running in year-round heat and humidity isn’t without its drawbacks. Staying hydrated can feel like a constant battle. And anyone who has run Personal Bests in temperate climates can lower their expectations when running in Malaysia; tropical humidity demands that your body uses a lot of energy on regulating your body temperature, energy that would otherwise be directed to your lungs and legs. 

That said, running in Malaysia is booming. Whether you are a recreational jogger or an ambitious racer, a newbie or experienced marathoner, there will be a group of runners ready to welcome you.

Here are some tips for new arrivals, or just new runners, on getting the most out of tropical running.

1. Rise and Shine

Running before sunrise (around 7am in Kuala Lumpur) is standard practice. It never gets cool, but at least before the sun comes up the temperature is only in the mid-twenties celsius. Evenings are also popular. Wear sunscreen and a cap during daylight hours, even when it’s cloudy.

2. Forget Slimming Black

Invest in lightweight, light reflecting, high visibility clothing, especially if road running. A reflector or light is also a must for those early morning weekend LSDs (long slow distance). All the big sports brands have stores here so there’s no shortage of gear.

3. Make Friends with Electrolytes

Electrolyte replacement is a must as no matter what time of day you run, or how far, you will create puddles of sweat. GNC, Athlete’s Circle and the Marathon Shop all sell gels, electrolyte tablets and sports supplements. You’ll have to experiment with what works best for you as the heat and humidity aren’t always kind to the digestive system so what might work for fuel back home, might make you nauseous here. Always hydrate before, during and after a run.

4. Stock Up On Shoes

If you run several times a week, buy at least two pairs of running shoes. Not only does alternating your shoes make them last longer, it also gives sweat a chance to dry before you slip them on again.

5. Always Carry RM10 On Your Runs

Iin case you need to stop to buy a drink or if you twist an ankle and need to hail a taxi home. A wet RM10 note is better than no RM10 note when an emergency thirst or injury situation occurs.

6. Leave the Loot At Home

Avoid carrying phones, MP3 players, jewellery and wallets. Mugging by motorbike is a problem in Kuala Lumpur so the less attractive you look to a thief the better. Being smelly and sweaty simply aren’t deterrent enough unfortunately. It’s also best to keep your eyes and ears on full alert for traffic as even early in the morning, the roads can be busy. Avoid running alone in the dark or in secluded areas.

7. Rinse Your Clothes While You Shower

To minimise the stink that is inevitable from running in the tropics. Anti-bacterial washing powder/liquid is highly recommended if you can get hold of it.

8. Leave a Towel Hanging On Your House Or Condo Door For When You Return

Puddles of sweat on marble or wooden floors are not only hazardous (and kind of gross) but they will not improve relations with your cleaner. If you do your own floor mopping, why make a chore to deal with when you come down from your post-run high?

9. Cool Down With a Cococut Drink

Coconut water is available in most supermarket chill cabinets for around RM3. It is a fantastic electrolyte replacement and a very satisfying, sweet but natural, post-run drink. It always feels very tropical and exotic to drink from a coconut – just in case you were in any doubt about where you were living.

10. Adjusting To The Climate

It takes a few weeks for the body to adjust to running in this climate, but once it does, you can look forward to running all year round. Be cautious on distance and pace to start with. It’s better to build up your humidity miles slowly than bonk on your first day out.

So, you don’t have to hide away from the heat and humidity on a treadmill – unless you really love running on a conveyer belt better than outdoors. The upside of running regularly in Malaysia is that when you head back to cooler climates, running will feel easy; well relatively easy at least.

Baking Soda Does Wonders With Your Skin And Hair

Baking soda is great for cleaning purposes for the kitchen, bathroom, and hair. Yes, you read that correctly, baking soda can work wonders for your skin and hair!

Baking soda has been used for many years and many generations in some families as the cleaning must have for their homes. I have to admit, it is a pretty great thing to have in your home. It has so many uses from keeping your food fresh in the fridge to rejuvenating the skin.

Baking soda can be used in a lot of beauty products like body scrub to toothpaste. We’re going to focus on the skin and hair this time. Baking soda is a slightly abrasive ingredient, but it can do wonder’s for the skin and hair. Why don’t you try out some of these things?

1. Face mask: If you mix baking soda with water you will get a mixture that is great for uprooting dead skin cells from the face.

2. Get rid of skin deposits: Try adding baking soda in with your shampoo, this will get rid of layers that are stored in the hair.

3. Clean those brushes: using baking soda to remove hair from your combs and brushes is like using it for shampooing your hair. Boil some water and add baking soda to it, then soak your brush in the water.

4. Soften the cuticles: Mix baking soda with water and apply it to the cuticles and nails. Gently rub the mixture onto the cuticles and you will get rid of the cuticle issue.

5. Foot care: Mix baking soda with heated water and it will relax the skin and your feet will feel totally loose.

6. Get rid of warts: Mixing lemon juice and baking soda together can uproot undesirable warts. Combine the two together and apply it to the wart and then leave it alone for a while. Then, flush the wart with water.

7. Exfoliation: Mix 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water and rub over the skin to get a smooth feel.

8. Dry shampoo: Mix 1/4 cup of arrowroot powder, 1 tbsp baking powder, and 1 drop of lavender essential oil. Then, dip a large wide brush into the mixture and apply it to the roots of the hair. The arrowroot powder will soak up the oil and the baking soda will also absorb oil and odor.

9. Soothe a sunburn: Mix 4 tbsp baking soda into a quart of water and with a wet washcloth, apply the mixture to the burn.

5 Reasons Running Makes You Happier

By Karen Janos 

Ask anybody who is a regular runner why they run, and they will likely tell you that running improves their lives and makes them happier. Sound strange that running can actually make you happier? Well, here are five reasons that it's true.

1. Physical exercise, running included, is known to release endorphins in the brain. Endorphins act as a natural "drug" that make a person more energetic, more awake and, yes, happier. The endorphins can kick in during run, after a workout or both, and are generally referred to as a "runner's high." Almost every runner experiences an elevated mood after running, and most will tell you that their moods tend to be gloomier when they don't run.

2. Running gets you into better physical shape, which, in turn, makes you feel stronger and better able to handle challenges that come your way. Being in better shape changes you not only physically, but also mentally. It makes you feel more empowered, which leads to a happier mood. 

3. Running and racing allow you to set goals. People are much happier when they are working towards a goal, whether they actually achieve it or not. The act of setting a goal and actively working towards it is what seems to trigger happiness. Reaching the goal, of course, is wonderful, but it is the journey towards the goal that leads to the most happiness. 

4. The running community is a very social group even though running is an individual sport. That fact might seem counterintuitive, but runners are very supportive of each other and are actually very social. Running with friends or interacting with other runners virtually can provide them with a supportive social group. Humans are generally happier (especially women) when they feel strong social connections. This idea does not mean that runners need to have a large social group, but rather a handful of good running buddies is enough to make them feel connected and, therefore, happier.

5. Finally, running improves your self-esteem. Increasing endorphins, getting in better shape, working towards a goal and increasing social connections all work together to increase your overall self-esteem. Increased self-esteem leads you to be happier. Think about it. Have you ever met a truly happy person who didn't have high self-esteem? I doubt it. 

So pull your running shoes on now and head out for a run. Your increased happiness is waiting for you.

My Breakfast & Lunch

Good morning!

A good start of the day needs a healthy breakfast! I think a lot of us will agree with this statement. In Malaysia, we have a lot of choices; nasi lemak, roti canai, oats, fried meehoon, pau, lo mai kai et cetera. However, these food usually carry a lot of calories and if taken too much, will not benefit the body.

As for me, a friend shared with me about a drink mix which contain nutrients and can be filling as well. I started to take it for breakfast in June 2011 and in July, I took it for lunch as well. However for lunch, I just mix two [2] of the "ingredient" instead of three [3].

This month, I am going to have the three [3] mixes for my lunch as well =)

Why?

Please do not get me wrong, I am not here to promote the brand but I am here to share with you how I have benefited from the food I am taking.

The most obvious improvement that I could see, is my skin. Previously I had acne skin and even though I still have the occasional breakout but my complexion has indeed improved a lot. My friend who had not been seeing me for few months could see this improvement.

Just to share with you the photos =)