5 Healthy Foods for the Women of All Ages

Every woman needs to take the required nutrients for good health. Although eating the right diets are good for both sexes, but women have their own specific dietary requirements. According to research, when women eat the right things, they will live better and happier.

Here are 5 healthy foods for women of all ages. They have been tested and trusted to be effective in boosting feminine immune systems.

Cranberries

Studies have proven that the advantage of cranberries can never be overemphasized. Among other things, it reduces the risk of urinary tract infections, heart disease and breast cancer.  Healthcare professionals recommend every woman should take at least one glass of juice daily. It nourishes their skin and boosts their immune systems.

Oats

High cholesterols can give rise to building up of plaque in your artery walls. However, if it is left untreated, it can lead to other ailments such as stroke and heart attack. Stroke and heart attack are among the killer diseases in most American women.

The good news is that it is difficult to combat; you can handle the situation effectively by eating healthy diets that includes oatmeal, fiber-rich whole grains etc. Oats can perfectly protect you against various forms of heart diseases.

Oats are filled with amazing nutritional benefits, and they are truly great for female health. They can aid digestion, stabilize blood pressure, wards off potentially dangerous dips in glucose and derailing hunger and keep your heart healthy.

Oats contains vitamin B6, which aids in the prevention of mood swings, birth defects in children and PMS. Overall, women are recommended to eat oats both during and after pregnancy.

Milk

One of the major health challenges that women face around the world is calcium deficiency. Regular intake of milk is highly recommended in women of all ages. If possible, try and combine the milk with vitamin D, it will help in keeping osteoporosis at bay. Milk prevents women from all symptoms of the killer PMS.

Further studies shows that milk helps in building up a woman’s nerves, muscles, teeth and bones. If you don’t take enough milk, it can lead to osteoporosis, thereby causing brittle and weak bones. Milk is the main source of calcium.

Drinking milk both during and after childbirth helps the woman to remain healthy and energetic. According to research, almond milk is more effective in women than whole drink especially during pregnancy.

Dark chocolate

Dozens of research shows that chocoholics or people who consume more of dark chocolates stay in better shape than those who don’t take it. Another study in the Circulation Heart Failure journal discovered that women that take about one or two servings of quality chocolates per week had 32% risk of developing heart failure than those who bluntly refused to take cocoa.

Further studies shows that cocoa contains anti-inflammatory compounds, flavanols and polyphenols, which helps in protecting the heart. When you are buying dark chocolate, ensure you take the one that contains about 74% or more cocoa solids, due to their flavanol-rich compounds.

Mushrooms

Studies shows that mushrooms are best dietary sources. Women are recommended to take about half cup of it on a daily basis. Mushrooms are rich with potassium; they can offset all negative effects of excess sodium, as well as lowers your blood pressure levels. Another study at the University of Florida says that people who eat at least 4 ounces of cooked mushrooms daily for about 4 weeks, develops increased immunity and boost greatest concentration than those that don’t.

Author Bio:

Ryan Varela is the CEO of Boost Health Insurance which provides customized and affordable health care plans for thousands of customers across the United States. Ryan has nearly a decade of experience in the health care industry and continues to serve the greater need to educate and deliver access to affordable options to those who need health care the most.

The clocks fall back, but you don't have to.

When we turn our clocks back an hour on Sunday, November 5, Canadians get an extra hour of sleep in the morning and a lot less light in the evenings. It's more important than ever to find time for regular exercise, and the week after the time change is a good time to get started.

According to Abby Johnson, team training specialist with GoodLife Fitness, exercise offers many benefits when it comes to adjusting to time changes, sleep interruptions and colder, darker days.

Exercise can:

Reset circadian rhythms – The switch out of Daylight Savings time can interrupt your sleep patterns for up to a week. Exercising at the same time each day can help you get your sleep back on track after the time change

Improve mood – With fewer daylight hours, many Canadians feel their energy and mood decline. In fact, as many as 15 percent of Canadians will suffer from seasonal affective disorder (a form of depression) in their lives. Regular exercise causes your brain to release feel-good hormones that can help regulate and improve mood.

Boost energy – More darkness, colder temperatures, and sleep disruption can leave us feeling distracted and lazy. It’s tempting to stay indoors and watch TV, eat and drink more and be less active. But physical activity increases heart rate, circulation, and mental focus. Regular workouts will leave you feeling energetic, stronger and more focused.

Johnson suggests connecting with a personal trainer or other fitness experts to brainstorm ways to use the fall time change to kick-start your winter health. Here are some ideas.

Use the extra hour to work out. This may be the only time in the year you wake up BEFORE the alarm. Channel the time change to build in some exercise. Commit to exercising in the morning for one week and see if it becomes a habit. Also, it will be light for the first few weeks, and easier to get to the gym or out for a run.

Don’t be deterred by darkness. Increase your exposure to bright light and physical activity during the day until late afternoon/early evening to help compensate for the overall reduction of daylight hours. Take advantage of morning and lunchtime to go for a run, bike to work, or get your co-workers together for a lunchtime walk to enjoy more sunshine and fresh air. During winter months, remember to take a vitamin D supplement.

Change your body and your outlook. Change your posture by pushing your shoulders up and back, take deeper breaths, look ahead. Keep moving, whether it’s walking to work, jogging in the morning, taking the stairs or playing outside with your kids.

Stay hydrated and choose healthy foods. Avoid caffeinated beverages, since too much caffeine can further disrupt your natural sleep rhythm.

Fit in full-body fitness moves. Exercises that use various parts of your body can kick-start your metabolism and give you more energy. Here are some examples of full-body moves to boost energy:

Superman: Lie face down and extend arms and legs. Flutter-kick legs up and down, simultaneously reaching arms toward feet, then back overhead. That’s one rep. Do 2 or 3 sets of 10.

Goblet squat with a press: Hold a hand weight vertically; lower hips, bringing elbows inside knees. Return to standing and press arms overhead. That's 1 rep. Alternate sides with each rep. Do 2 or 3 sets of 10.

Single leg deadlift: Hinge at the hips, lowering torso as right leg lifts. Working balance, try to touch fingertips to the floor, then come back to start. That's 1 rep. Do 2 or 3 sets of 10 on each side.

We can connect you with a personal trainer in your area who can discuss the best way to tackle the time change with exercise, as well as show some quick energy boosting workouts to tone your body, engage your heart and make you more alert. Please let me know if you’d like to book an interview.

Guest Post: Training Tips from Olympic Athlete Steven Benedict

We all know that exercise is important, but what we don’t know is how important other aspects of working out are, such as stretching, recovery, and what to eat before and after. Our muscles need to be treated right for us to build them up and maintain it. These important tips are also helpful to prevent injury. Steven Benedict is a professional track athlete currently training for the 2020 Olympic games. His knowledge in exercise, fitness and health is wide spread, but he has provided some incredibly helpful and easy tips for the everyday person trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Stretching Static vs. Dynamic

“Static stretching is holding a particular stretch for an extended period. Usually the stretch is held in the range of 30-45 seconds or longer. Dynamic stretching is fluidly moving in and out of a stretch with short holds no longer than 5-10 seconds long. The arguments surrounding which one is better or more beneficial. As an athlete, I can tell you that when preparing to perform, you want to prime the muscles to get the most power out of them. Therefore, dynamic stretching is the way to go for the best results before activity. Post-performance is where you would take 15-20 minutes to static stretch. This releases any tightness or acid build-up in the system during the performance time.”

Icing vs. Heat Recovery

“Icing down and moist heat compresses are the most widely used methods for recovery post training and/or injury. The key is knowing which method is for what, and why.”

“Icing tends to involve direct area compresses or ice baths. There is also ‘spot icing’ which is used to focus on a specific area, usually for an injured muscle (i.e. strain, tear, contusion). An ice bath is for a heavy work load day and recovery. The pros of an ice bath are that swelling is brought down and it helps to re-oxygenize the blood and muscles. However, ice baths usually take your body an extra 24 hours to recalibrate due to such a drop in temperature internally. Some tightness may occur as well.”

“Heat compresses and baths, such as moist heating pads, are for spotting areas to loosen up tension in those muscles. On the other hand, Epsom salt baths, which are full body soaks like ice baths, can help tremendously with lactic acid flushing and weight management for performance. This helps keep the body flexible and loose. A con for heat compresses and baths is that dehydration can occur if not used properly which can also lead to cramping.”

Nutrition Pre-Workout and Post Workout

“When planning your day regarding nutrition, my coaches and most high-performance athletes have one thing in common: most of their nutrition intake is done primarily around their most active time of their days. Samples of some good choices for pre and post workout include: oatmeal, granola, fruit, waffles, pancakes, turkey bacon, natural peanut butter, almond butter, eggs, turkey sausage, protein shakes, ground turkey and ground beef.”

“Post training, you want to have two stages. The first is immediately after training and it needs to be fast absorbing. My go-to is some type of high protein shake that includes a waxy maze which is a fast acting carb derived from corn starch. 45 minutes later, have a solid meal consisting of high protein. I usually have chicken or fish but at least 6-8 ounces for men and 4-5 ounces for women. If you are short on time, I highly recommend considering a meal prep company. They are portioned out for you and cater to your specific needs.”

“In conclusion when you are most active that is when you need the fuel the most and you can taper off the other parts of your day by smaller meals to keep your metabolism burning. Which is what we want most, keeping it burning at the highest rate for the longest period.”

About Steven Benedict

Professional Track Athlete & Olympic Qualifier, Motivational Speaker, Published Fitness Personality

In today's ever evolving industry an athlete must not only be athletically inclined but be the epitome of all brands. Enter Steven Benedict, as a two time Olympic qualifier he now sets the bar even higher for himself by establishing his dual citizenship for the Italian national team to break a 37year old 200m record. He carries the torch of hope with his latest company Empowering Movement impacting all walks of life especially adopted, abused and children fighting disease through the platform that has saved him. Sports.

He lends his athletic prowess and impact-full expertise to global brands all while training as a world class athlete.

Off the track Steven continues to spread his reach in the fitness world being published in over 30 magazines writing, interviews and features on him and inside looks at his training, mindset and pure love for what he does.

Non-profits and brands seek him out to speak and host events for his motivational words bringing hope to the masses through his overcoming life experiences. His passion thrives not only as an athlete but also an ambassador of living to the fullest and bringing others to their max potential.

You've seen him in national athlete commercials, print ads and now films to come.

His knowledge, passion and elite talent make him the ideal face for taking your brand to the next level. He excels at major media opportunities, conferences, trade shows and customer engagement. He quotes "It's not to only have exceptional gifts but to use them exceptionally."

Put the News on Snooze… Taking a Break is Healthy

by Dr. Sanam Hafeez PsyD, Neuropsychologist

Overloaded on bad news? You're not alone. When we tune in to see what's going on all we see is suffering from natural disasters, shootings, terror attacks, reports about economic uncertainty and a divided political climate, plus celebrity deaths and just mean people being mean. We hear about a tragedy or disaster and we become glued to our TV’s and news feeds growing more and more anxious as rapid updates flow in.

While it is important to be informed being a “news junkie” can be very damaging. It can cause insomnia, stomach and headaches due to anxiety. It can also lead to mindless eating, alcohol consumption and other coping behaviors that are unhealthy. What’s worse, is constant attention on negativity creates neuropathways in the brain that tell us we are unsafe activating a constant state of fight or flight. This fight or flight conditioning damages our cells depletes our immune systems allowing disease and chronic conditions to fester.

The opposite is taking a self-imposed weekly break from the news, TV and social media. What follows is a list of some benefits of unplugging or “going off the grid” and what we can do to shift our mood from doom and pessimism to hope and optimism.

1. You reconnect with yourself.When you unplug from the outside, you plug into the inside of who you are. You’re able to think of the kind of world you want to live in and assess what you can do within your own life to live well. People make the mistake in feeling guilty, selfish or uncaring if they aren’t commiserating with others on some negative news event. What you are doing is self-preserving and protecting how you feel.
2. You’re attentive to those who matter most.When you watch the news, you get absorbed and tune out everyone around you. Your kids may try to get your attention or worse, may hear the news on in the background while they are around making them anxious and concerned for their safety. 
3. You have time to take action! We have to remind ourselves watching the news helps no one. Some people find it helpful to volunteer in some way. Donating blood, collecting clothing or other supplies from neighbors and organizing a donation gets you away from the TV and into positive action.
4. You become mindful of your mood and make how you feel top priority. When you’re filling your mind with negativity, you attract more of it into your own life. This impacts your work, family, friends, even your pet! When you don’t feel happy and optimistic you can’t possibly be there for the people and things you care about. Substituting negative news for an audio book, a new course or workshop, even a more entertaining uplifting TV show will lift your spirits.
5. You’re less distracted and more focused. When you’re not preoccupied with the constant barrage of negative news, you’re able to be more present and focused. This impacts everything from driving your car to meetings at work. When you’re clearer, tasks are done right the first time with attention to detail.

6. You laugh more and worry less. Taking a break from the news frees you up from worry. You immediately open yourself to more fun topics of conversation and aren’t taking life so seriously anymore.
7. Your energy rises! When people are pessimistic their facial features and posture sags. Their eyes lose their sparkle. No one wants to be around sluggish energy zappers. When you consciously decide to take a break from the news, you aren’t starting your day with negativity but instead perhaps a nice morning walk or some other form of exercise.

Try a no-news is good news approach every weekend and pay attention to how you feel. Create your own good news!

About the Doctor:

Dr. Sanam Hafeez PsyD is a NYC based licensed clinical psychologist, teaching faculty member at the prestigious Columbia University Teacher’s College and the founder and Clinical Director of Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, P.C. a neuropsychological, developmental and educational center in Manhattan and Queens. 

Dr. Hafeez masterfully applies her years of experience connecting psychological implications to address some of today’s common issues such as body image, social media addiction, relationships, workplace stress, parenting and psychopathology (bipolar, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, etc…). In addition, Dr. Hafeez works with individuals who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), learning disabilities, attention and memory problems, and abuse. Dr. Hafeez often shares her credible expertise to various news outlets in New York City and frequently appears on CNN and Dr.Oz.

Connect with her via twitter @comprehendMind or www.comprehendthemind.com 

National Family Caregivers Month is an ideal time to reflect on both the responsibilities and rewards of being a caregiver.

Being a caregiver is deeply challenging. Especially when those we’re caring for cling fiercely to their independence, resisting support and insisting on remaining independent even when this is no longer a safe option.

Melanie Merriman, hospice expert and author of Holding the Net: Caring for My Mother on the Tightrope of Aging, knows this all too well from her experience caring for her fiercely independent aging mother.

Torn between the need to protect her mother’s safety on the one hand and preserve her autonomy on the other, Melanie and her sister struggled every step of the way to find solutions that gave their mother the assistance she needed without wounding her pride or damaging their relationship. Paradoxically, her mother’s desire for independence actually created a greater strain on Melanie and her sister.

In the process, Melanie learned a lot about how to how to strike this delicate balance, and would be happy to share the lessons with your audience:

● Let yourself be human. Start by acknowledging the fact that there is no foolproof recipe for caring for an aging loved one. There is no such thing as perfection. Even professionals such as hospice care experts get caught up in minutiae and bickering when caring for their own family members. All you can do is simply do your best.

● Pay close(r) attention to the signs of aging. Some signs of aging are so small they’re barely detectable. Most of the ones you need to watch out for signal a step back from everyday life. Is your loved one canceling in-person meetings? Is she refusing to drive to unknown places? Is she skipping meals here and there? All of these can be signs.

● Be more realistic about the consequences of aging. This is tough, but crucial. Even though your father is eighty-eight and still wins the annual bridge tournament at the rec center up the street doesn’t mean this will go on forever. It’s easy to sink into rosy thinking about those we love. It’s necessary to remember that aging and decline are universal processes that we must prepare for.

● Start discussions long before it feels like it’s time. Being proactive means talking to your aging loved one months or even years before it feels “right”. As we age, mental faculties can go. Changes in health can happen quickly. It’s best that everyone discuss the game plan long before it’s needed.

Taking these steps can help improve well-being during what Melanie has dubbed “the tightrope of aging”—the stage between active independent living and end-of-life.

About the Author:

Melanie Merriman is author of Holding the Net: Caring for My Mother on the Tightrope of Aging. She is also the co-author of Merriman’s Hawai‘i: The Chef, the Farmers, the Food, the Islands, a cookbook with stories about chef Peter Merriman. Melanie has spent much of her life as a research scientist, hospice consultant, and foundation grant evaluator—driven by a passion to illuminate, understand, and find meaning. Melanie and her husband Klein split their time between South Florida and Cape Cod, MA.

Go with the Gut: 7 Foods to Eat for Better Skin, Hair and Mood

By Dr. Christopher Calapai D.O.

www.drcalapai.net

All symptoms of the body from thin, dull hair, and sallow skin, to acne breakouts, body aches and sluggish energy all point to the gut. Gut health is incredibly important making mindful eating an essential part of longevity and anti-aging. If you want to feel vibrant and maintain a youthful appearance up to 15 years younger than your actual age, start weaving these key foods into your diet.

Garlic:

When we have an overgrowth of candida in the gut we experience things like acne breakouts, bloating, and constipation. Garlic mitigates all of this because it kills candida. Garlic also aids in digestion and immunity. Garlic also has anti-inflammatory properties making it ideal for joint aches. Allicin, which serves as an anti-aging, antifungal benefit to garlic aids in smoothing skin and preventing acne and other skin conditions.

Ground Flaxseed:

Responsible for helping food to travel effortlessly and smoothly through the GI tract, flaxseed keeps us regular. Flaxseed also contains cancer fighters called lignans which also ward off heart disease. Flaxseed helps to minimize rashes, skin flare ups and irritation. When you consume flaxseed your skin becomes more even toned and less sensitive.

Apple cider vinegar:

One of the best ways to address any digestive issues is to combine a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a cup of water or in tea and drink it before a meal. It helps your body to break down food. It helps with to prevent indigestion and stomach issues after eating. Anytime you can aid the digestive process you’ll notice glowing skin and a youthful radiance.

Celery & Celery Juice:

Another anti-inflammatory and cancer fighter celery also lowers blood pressure and rids us of sugar cravings (and sugar makes the skin sallow and leads to breakouts). The natural salts in celery juice maintain a healthy gut pH. The common recommendation is to drink 16 ounces on an empty stomach and improvements to digestion and physical appearance will be evident within 10 days.

Cauliflower:

High in fiber, cauliflower helps the gut maintain healthy microbes. This is important because when microbes or gut flora are out of whack a whole slew of symptoms become evident. These include digestive issues, depression or anxiety, and skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and acne.

Fermented foods:

Kimchi is delicious and sauerkraut or pickled vegetables can make for a nice topping to a salad or mid-day snack. These fermented foods are packed with good bacteria which balances the microbiome, which is the anchor for our health and immunity.

Asparagus:  

Another “prebiotic” fiber that keeps the gut healthy and balanced is asparagus. You can add garlic to it and broil it in the oven offering a 1 -2 punch of gut friendly foods in one delicious side dish. It’s important to note that people who suffer from stomach pain may not do well with prebiotics in larger amounts. If the gut is already inflamed these foods can cause a flare up.

About the Doctor:

Dr. Christopher Calapai, D.O. is an Osteopathic Physician board certified in family medicine, and anti-aging medicine. Proclaimed the "The Stem Cell Guru" by the New York Daily News, Dr. Calapai is a leader in the field of stem cell therapy in the U.S. His stem cell treatments have achieved remarkable results in clinical trials on patients with conditions as varied as Alzheimer's, arthritis, erectile dysfunction, frailty syndrome, heart, kidney and liver failure, lupus, MS and Parkinson's. He has worked with Mike Tyson, Mickey Rourke, Steven Seagal, and Gotham's, Donal Logue; and as a medical consultant for the New York Rangers. Connect with him via twitter @drcalapai or at www.drcal.net

The summer weather is finally winding down, the temperature is dropping and even the best of us can get a little down. The “fall blues” are characterized by mild depression, lack of motivation, and low energy that many people experience during the fall. Luckily, there’s a lot you can do to prevent the overwhelming feeling of fatigue and solutions to get yourself back to normal!

Dr. Christopher Calapai, D.O., an Osteopathic Physician board certified in family medicine, anti-aging medicine and chelation therapy explains, lack of sunlight, diet change and a decrease in exercise are the main reasons people fall victim to this phenomenon.

Here are a few basic recommendations from Dr. Calapai that are easy to implement into one’s daily life to beat the blues:

1. Get sunlight: Due to shorter days and less sunlight, you may begin to lack vitamin D, which increases melatonin and fatigue. Sunlight is one of the best sources of vitamin D, so get it as much as possible.
2. Take your vitamins: Multivitamins are always a great substitution for nutrients you may be lacking.
3. Exercise: Contrary to popular belief, exercise actually gives you energy. Maintaining a weekly workout regimen is a great way to feel better and reap the benefits that come with staying active.
4. Vegetable juicing: This can replace heavier meals people tend to gravitate to, during the cooler months.
5. Don’t forget protein: Fish, turkey and chicken are great sources of protein, which build up your body’s organs such as the brain, heart, liver, kidney, skin and muscles.
6. Drink fluids: Staying hydrated is one of the easiest ways to stay alert and energized.

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Dr. Christopher Calapai D.O.

Anti-Aging Physician and "The Stem Cell Guru"

www.drcal.net

Dr. Christopher Calapai, D.O. is an Osteopathic Physician board certified in family medicine, and anti-aging medicine. Proclaimed as the "The Stem Cell Guru" by the New York Daily News, Dr. Calapai is a leader in the field of stem cell therapy in the U.S.

His stem cell treatments have achieved remarkable results in clinical trials on patients with conditions as varied as Alzheimer's, arthritis, erectile dysfunction, frailty syndrome, heart, kidney and liver failure, lupus, MS and Parkinson's.

Dr. Calapai started his practice in New York City in 1986 and for over 25 years he has hosted nationally syndicated radio shows, including his two weekly call-in shows on WABC 770-AM, where he offers health and medical advice. He has a show on Saturday morning 8-9am and Sunday evening from 6-7pm. He has consulted with numerous high-profile individuals including Mike Tyson, Mickey Rourke, Steven Seagal, and Fox series Gotham's, Donal Logue and worked as a medical consultant for the New York Rangers hockey team as well as various modeling agencies.

Dr. Calapai received his medical degree from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and he consults in Manhattan with practices on Long Island, in East Meadow and Plainview. He has appeared on News12 and in the pages of 25A Magazine and Social Life Magazine.

Dropping the Pounds: 5 Dieting Tips for Getting Healthy

In 2014, more than 2 in 3 adults in America were classified as overweight or obese. That statistic has risen sharply since then. Unfortunately, each year that number continues to grow.

If you feel you need to lose a significant amount of weight, there are five things that you need to know before you start your journey.

Prepare for an Emotional Roller Coaster

The journey to weight loss is hard, especially on your emotions. Human beings tend to associate food with emotion. To deprive yourself of your favorite foods triggers negative feelings. You may have moments where you break down and cry or even hate yourself. Allow yourself these moments, but don’t wallow in them. Push through them in any way that you can. It’s hard at first, but it does get better.

Don’t Turn down Help

If someone offers to do something with you, like exercise or talk to you about how you’re feeling, accept their invitation. Don’t turn down anything positive. Weight loss program clinics have been a boon to many people in this regard. Places like Figure Weight Loss have staff that are set up to support you both emotionally and physically. They can help you deal with the surprises and negative emotions that you may experience in a healthy, positive way.

A Series of Mistakes Doesn’t Mean You Have to Quit

Sometimes you’ll slip up. You may be off your diet for a couple of days or even a few weeks. You may gain weight as a result. When this happens, the most important thing you can do is get up and start your journey again. Don’t quit, and don’t tell yourself you’re a failure.

This Is a Lifestyle Change

If you want to keep the weight off, you’re going to have to realize that this isn’t just a “diet.” a diet is a short-term solution. Getting healthy requires a lifestyle change. Get used to your new routine. You’re going to have to keep it up if you want to be able to stay at your goal weight. This will prevent you from yo-yo dieting, or gaining all of the weight back.

Reward Yourself with Things, Not Food

Reward yourself with something you’ve always wanted. Take a dream vacation. Buy a sexy new outfit. Go experience something new. The memories you make with these positive experiences will last a lifetime, and they will help you to complete your weight loss journey.

Dr. Christopher Calapai, D.O., a New York City Osteopathic Physician board certified in family and anti-aging medicine is sharing his top 10 ways to keep you strong for the transitioning season.

1. Exercise on a daily basis: The minimum should be a half hour of walking continuously so as to increase oxygenation to tissues as well as deliver vitamins minerals and hormones to these cells.

2. Be sure to get good deep restorative sleep: This should be at least six hours every night. Sleep deprivation not only makes us tired, but decreases function in almost all organs.

3. Keep chemicals and preservatives out of the diet: We should eat as organically as possible, with the diet comprised of a variety of vegetables, fruits and good protein sources.

4. Test your blood for vitamins, minerals, and hormones: Thousands of studies over many years have described that vitamin deficiency is correlated with degenerate disease we can give me in response among many others. This test will guide you as to exactly what nutrients you're deficient in, and what you should take. “There is no better test than this,” says Dr. Calapai.

5. Do not smoke cigarettes: This is a no brainer for most, as they contain thousands of dangerous chemicals, which can lead to a low immune system.

6. Be careful with exposure to alcohol: This can have the variety of effects that are hurtful to the body if done in excess

7. Maintain a clean home environment: In areas where you spend the most time, make sure that surfaces are cleaned with products that can kill germs or viruses. Use HEPA filtration systems to capture particulate matter including dust, allergens or organisms that can make you ill.

8. Wash your hands thoroughly and a few times during the day and avoid other people that have chronic infection, flu or a virus.

9. Try to minimize stress, anxiety and irritability: Taking a break for a few minutes during a stressful day can make the stress response much less progressive.

10. Lastly, be sure to visit your doctor for routine testing and physical exam inform: This ensures you are constantly aware of what is going on with your body.

About the doctor:

Dr. Christopher Calapai, D.O. is an Osteopathic Physician board certified in family medicine, and anti-aging medicine. Proclaimed the "The Stem Cell Guru" by the New York Daily News, Dr. Calapai is a leader in the field of stem cell therapy in the U.S. His stem cell treatments have achieved remarkable results in clinical trials on patients with conditions as varied as Alzheimer's, arthritis, erectile dysfunction, frailty syndrome, heart, kidney and liver failure, lupus, MS and Parkinson's. He has worked with Mike Tyson, Mickey Rourke, Steven Seagal, and Gotham's, Donal Logue; and as a medical consultant for the New York Rangers. Connect with him via twitter @drcalapai or at www.drcal.net

                          Will cosmetic surgery actually help my confidence?

In Australia plastic surgery has become commonplace over the past several years, and people are turning to plastic surgeons more and more often now in the hopes of solving their self-esteem issues. Unfortunately, many people do not consider the mental and emotional toll that making a significant change to their bodies can have.

There are instances when plastic surgery can have a positive impact on your self-image, but it is important to be objective when you are deciding whether or not plastic surgery is right for you. This post will cover some of the positive and negative outcomes for people who have had procedures done to help you decide if cosmetic surgery will boost your confidence.

What the Research Says

Because of cosmetic surgery's booming popularity, psychologists have taken a more serious interest in the mental and emotional well-being of post-operative patients.

The American Psychological Association, or APA, conducted an analysis of 37 studies done on people who have had cosmetic procedures. These studies focused on how patients felt and functioned both before and after their surgery.

The research showed mixed results. Overall, many of the participants had positive outcomes, which means that they felt better about their appearance, had greater confidence in themselves and got an overall boost in their quality of life. In fact, one study showed that cosmetic surgery can potentially reduce the symptoms of depression in some people.

However, there were quite a few people who experienced problems adjusting to their new look, and this led to worsening depression, anxiety and social isolation. Many patients underestimate the difficulty of having to spend a significant amount of time recovering, so be sure that you fully understand how your recovery will progress before committing to a procedure. It is also very helpful to have a strong support system in place to keep your spirits up and help you through any difficulties you may experience.

How to Get the Most From Your Cosmetic Procedure

Luckily, all of this research has exposed a common thread between patients who experience the best outcomes post-surgery.

The key factor in all of this research is expectations. Psychologists have found that those with realistic expectations are the most likely to receive the confidence boost they are looking for and experience few, if any, negative feelings.

The Clinical Psychological Science journal has published research that shows that people who have realistic expectations when going under the knife have higher self-esteem, feel healthier overall and experience less anxiety than people who have never had plastic surgery.

Every cosmetic surgeon will do his or her best to help you achieve your goals, but it is also the surgeon's job to keep you grounded in reality so that you can be as happy with your new self as possible.

You should also carefully and honestly consider your emotional state when you are making the decision to undergo cosmetic surgery. In Australia plastic surgery consultations and "cooling-off" periods are part of the process, which can help you make sure that you are in a healthy place mentally before you make a drastic change to your appearance.

Whether you want a Brazilian butt lift, a lip injection or fat reduction, it is important to think through the reasons why you want these procedures. Any change to your appearance should be done because it is what you want and not because of someone else's opinion of you.

If you don't think you can be objective, it is perfectly normal to discuss these things with someone you trust or even with your cosmetic surgeon during your initial consultation.

Will Cosmetic Surgery Actually Help My Confidence?

This is something that you and your cosmetic surgeon must decide together. Remember that changing your outward appearance is usually not going to solve emotional problems or change how a person feels about you, so you must carefully weigh the pros and cons before deciding if changing your appearance is what you want.

If you're hoping that a Brazilian butt lift will help you feel sexier or that getting rid of some stubborn fat will let you fit into the bikini of your dreams, then there is a good chance that those procedures will give you the happiness and confidence boost you are looking for.

Altering your appearance to better fit the mental image you have of yourself can be a rewarding and confidence-boosting experience as long as you are honest with yourself and keep realistic expectations about what a cosmetic procedure can and cannot do for you.

References:

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1851945/

[2] http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-09/crackdown-on-cosmetic-surgery-includes-cooling-off-periods/7394774

[3] http://www.apa.org/monitor/sep05/surgery.aspx

[4] http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/plastic-surgery-boosts-happiness-unreasonable-expectations-article-1.1286078