Articles

They don’t say health is wealth just like that. If you’re among those who take their health for granted, it’s time you change your outlook. In life, there are very few things that are as important as your health. So, look after it well. And these rules will help you do just that... EXERCISE If you aren’t a gym person, there are plenty of exercises that you can do in the comfort of your own home. Try and get a couple of your friends together and workout in someone’s home a couple of times a week. If that’s not possible, then join an aerobics or kick-boxing class together. The motivation you receive from your friend will be an added bonus. Another task that you could do is walk. Walking for 30 minutes everyday has numerous benefits. DANCE It’s okay if you have two left feet. It’s fine if you look funny when you attempt to dance. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. There are innumerable dance classes all over the city that offer to teach you different styles. Not only will you lear...

Dwindling testosterone levels in men reduce sleep At 30 years, male testosterone levels drop by one to two per cent annually. By age 40, a man’s quality of sleep begins to diminish. Could there be a link between decreased testosterone and reduced sleep? Absolutely, according to Zoran Sekerovic, graduate student at the University of Montreal (UM) Department of Psychology. Sekerovic discovered a link between testosterone levels in men over 50 and their quality of sleep — specifically less deep sleep, that is, phases III and IV of the slumber cycle. “Deep sleep is when the recuperation of body and mind is optimal,” said Sekerovic. In young men, deep sleep represents 10 to 20 per cent of total sleep. By age 50, it decreases to five to seven per cent. For men over 60, it can disappear altogether. The study however, didn’t find any correlation with other parts of the sleep cycle: Falling asleep, phases I and II, or paradoxical sleep, when most of dreaming occurs. The UM researcher expla...

Experts tell you how to keep your mind in good shape. Just because you are done with your education doesn’t mean you need to stop learning. Keeping abreast of the latest happenings will help keep your mind agile and memory working well. So many of us get so caught up in our jobs and daily chores that we don’t take time to read anything new or even try a new hobby. BECOME A FREQUENT READER Make it a point to read articles that may be differing with your point of view. This is a great way to challenge your brain. Be open to different people’s opinions. Read or listen, no matter how frustrated you may feel, as a bit of challenging knowledge is good. LEARN SOMETHING NEW This is a good thing to follow no matter what age. Pick something that interests or inspires you and follow it through. If you’ve always wanted to learn salsa, join dancing classes. Have a guitar you bought but never use? Start taking guitar lessons. Playing an instrument also helps exercise some parts of the brain f...

Experts tell you how some of your daily habits could be causing those nagging ache and pains... It is one of the most annoying and common problems. Backaches can give you sleepless nights and disrupt your normal life. Here are some common habits that could be causing pain. SITTING FOR TOO LONG Did you know that sitting for hours on end could be harmful? Experts say that sitting puts 40 per cent more pressure on your spine than standing. When working for hours on end, most of us tend to forget to adopt the right posture. Plus, when there are deadlines to be met, most of us skip meals and coffee breaks and keep working. These habits may cause your back to ache as the muscles weaken when not in use for long periods. Try sitting at a 135-degree angle and make sure your office chair supports the curve of your spine. AVOIDING YOUR EXERCISES It’s important to workout on a regular basis. Some form of movement is necessary, whether it is in the form of a work out at the gym or a dance class or...