The following statistics come from a study performed by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Association in which 4000 students, advisers, and faculty in 200 schools took part.

Illicit drugs

22 percent of surveyed full-time college students ages 18 to 22 used illegal drugs in 2010. Those college-age students who were not attending college or were only enrolled part-time scored slightly higher at 23.5 percent. These numbers illustrate that the image of every college campus as totally drug-ridden is somewhat overblown, but almost a quarter of students is nevertheless a significant portion indeed.

Alcohol Consumption

Five different sources were reviewed to estimate recent levels of alcohol (and other drug) use among college students: the Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study, the Core Institute, Monitoring the Future, the National College Health Risk Behavior Survey, and the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse. Drs. Patrick M. O’Malley and Lloyd D. Johnston not surprisingly found very high rates of alcohol use among college students. Their work showed approximately two of five American college students were drinking two or more drinks several times a week.

From the SAMHSA study of 18- to 22-year-olds in 2010, among full-time college students 63.3 percent were current drinkers, 42.2 percent were binge drinkers, and 15.6 percent were heavy drinkers. The study went on to show that those graduating college tended to consume more alcohol than non-graduates. Alcohol by far seems to be the drug of choice on college campuses, and what should be cause for concern is the threat of short-term danger and long-term health effects represented by the prevalence of binge drinking in particular.

Cigarette Smoking

The SAMHSA study says “Cigarette use in the past month in 2010 was reported by 24.8 percent of full-time college students, less than the rate of 39.9 percent for those not enrolled full-time.” These rates are notably higher than the 21 percent of all Americans 18 or older who smoke reported by the CDC.

Prescription Drugs

ADHD medications like Adderall and Ritalin are relatively easily available because of the increasing number of ADHD diagnoses among young people. Drugs like these are are used by students without ADHD because of the concentration-boosting effects the drugs have on them. These methamphetamines are the equivalent of brain steroids. Often they’re abused by high-performing students looking for a competitive edge. Students feel pressure to maintain scholarships and get excellent grades, and may not realize there are potentially lethal side effects to these drugs. Students may also not understand that possessing these pills without a prescription is a felony.

In addition to SAMHSA’s study, The National Center on Addiction and Substances Abuse at Columbia University characterizes adolescent substance abuse as America’s foremost health problem. Their study illustrates that drug abuse in college is likely to begin earlier:

• Ninety percent of US-born residents who meet the criteria for being addicted began using drugs, smoking, or drinking before age 18.
• A quarter of US-born residents who began using drugs, alcohol, or smoking prior to age 18 developed an addiction, compared to one in 25 Americans who started using after age 21.
• One in five high school students meets the criteria for addiction and three quarters of all high school students have used addictive substances including tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, or cocaine.

Vulnerable Students and Risk Factors

Columbia’s study highlights certain events, situations, and predispositions that may put students at greater risk for serious complications from drug use. These are:

• Genetics;
• Family history or exposure to someone who is addicted;
• Traumatic childhood events (rape, abuse, neglect, abandonment);
• Mental health and physical disorders;
• Low self-esteem;
• Bullying;
• Divorce;
• Difficulty learning, hearing, or seeing;
• Sexual identity issues;
• Eating disorders;
• Athletics.

While students may enjoy the freedom of college life, they may also struggle with the responsibilities of attending classes, getting good grades, eating, taking care of their health, and finding time for simple chores. Additional social factors such as meeting new people, tension between roommates, or having difficult instructors or classes can also increase stress levels for students. Both that increased liberty and high stress can set the stage for drug use and abuse.

Reducing the Risks

There is no magic formula or medical marvel to undo the damage that can be done by abusing illicit or prescription drugs, drinking excessively, or smoking. While some actions and circumstances can certainly help prevent college students from making long-lasting mistakes, there are no guarantees.

• Parental involvement;
• Open communication;
• Positive role models;
• Vision and goals for the future;
• Athletic, extracurricular, or community involvement.

Warning Signs

Parents, faculty, and students should recognize the warning signs of addiction or abuse. The following are majors signs, but this list is by no means exhaustive:

• Missed classes;
• Sudden change in demeanor;
• Lost concern about hygiene;
• Depression;
• Abrupt change in friends.

Risky Behaviors

Substance abuse can lead to other high-risk behaviors, some of which represent real harm to abusers and others. Students who abuse drugs and alcohol often simply don’t consider the very real and very serious consequences of out-of-control substance abuse:
• Murder, rape, robbery, other assaults;
• HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases;
• Burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft;
• Burns, drowning, and suicide;
• Unplanned pregnancy, child abuse, and neglect.

Long-Term Effects of Drug Abuse

According to Columbia’s CASA, those who begin using illegal drugs, smoking, abusing prescription drugs, or drinking before age 18 have a one in five chance of becoming addicted and facing related lifelong hardships:

• Inability to secure and maintain employment;
• Inability to maintain relationships;
• Financial hardships related to damages, illness, treatment, and lost work time;
• Incarceration or probation and related fines;
• Losing children due to negligence or abuse;
• Health problems including heart, liver, and lung diseases;
• AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases;
• Loss of driving license and other civil privileges;
• Loss of life.

With a culture that promotes sex, drugs, and rock and roll and seemingly glamorizes risky behavior, it’s easy to see how students at this critical age can succumb to curiosity and experimentation. Understanding the short- and long-term risks of drug and alcohol abuse can help curb overindulgence and encourage personal responsibility.

Get Help

If you or someone you know is starting to exhibit any of the warning signs or risky behaviors above, it may be time to take a serious look at the reasons for drinking or using drugs in the first place. Help is available in a multitude of places including school health offices, local city clinics, and various organizations online. If you think there is a problem, chances are there is one. It’s never too late to change direction and get help for substance abuse including alcohol, prescription or illicit drugs, or even simply smoking. Be educated, responsible, and understand the risks of college drug use and the effects it can have on your health.

Author

Marina Salsbury planned on becoming a teacher since high school, but found her way instead into online writing after college. She writes for Online College Classes and other sites about everything from education to exercise.

Unless you’re insured however, a visit to the dentist just on the pretense of a checkup alone is going to run you one hundred dollars or more. If the source of bad breath is found, it could just be a matter of giving you some advice or it could require a cleaning process that racks up the bill, or eve surgery. But considering that most causes of bad breath are the result of poor oral hygiene, and therefore are often reversible if the sufferer embraces new habits and abandons dirty ones, it’s worth trying some homespun remedies before you venture to see a professional.

1. Drinking Lots of Water

Bad breath is often the result of a dry mouth and the ability for bacteria and other growths to take advantage of the open real estate. We’re often made to associate wet and dampness with the increased propagation of germs but we have to remember that our mouths have been damp watery caverns for millions of years and we’ve adapted by using saliva as a means to continually flush germs a long with the food particles they’re attached to down into the digestive tract. With the absence of saliva, or water in general, the mouth’s halfway status as a damp-yet-dry destination makes it a haven for germy growths. Drinking sugary sodas and juices as well as alcohol only contribute to the damage, as the sugars will feed bacteria and alcohol dries the mouth.

2. Exercise

The most unlikely and perhaps most unwelcome remedy on this list in aiding an end to bad breath is a good work out. The chain of events that leads from burning calories to stopping halitosis isn’t complicated, and everyone from Miami dentists to Moscow orthodontists are advising their patients on this connection. We lose bone density as we get older, which means our bodies tend to start mining calcium out of our teeth to compensate for it. This contributes to an increased likelihood of tooth decay, which can be a cause of bad breath. Simply working out and keeping vitamin D intake at high enough levels can keep bones strong which means your teeth won’t be victimized and neither will anyone’s nose standing near you.

3. The Right Foods

I’m not going to preach about how destructive sugary sweets, booze, meat, and processed carbohydrates are on teeth. Instead I’m going to talk about the noted link between foods like yogurt and the decimation of plaque and other bad breath-causers. Fruits, while high in sugars, keep the mouth moist and breaks apart those bacteria colonies that have a firm grip on your grill. It’s certainly wise to cut down on foods that are most associated with germy mouths and therefore smelly ones, but if you’re able to maintain a good habit of eating foods that fight the causes of bad breath you can perhaps afford to indulge too.

4. Floss, floss, floss

Research done by the Philippine Dental Association in 2009 has indicated that the benefits of flossing on a daily basis far outweigh the benefits of brushing the surface of teeth as often. More and more dentists and other oral hygiene professionals are in fact lowering their recommended standards of brushing and upping the importance of flossing. The pieces of food that can get trapped between teeth can remain there for days and even weeks at a time, which is more than enough of an opportunity for bacteria colonies to grow enough to cause noticeable odors. If you have to choose, which you definitely shouldn’t have to, choose flossing over brushing, especially after a meal.

5. The Right Nutrients

These don’t have the amount of medical research and professional backing of the preceding options but if you’re still struggling with smelly breath look into the various nutrients and supplements that are suggested to use in the fight against halitosis. Some say taking a ½ tsp. of citric acid mixed with a ½ tsp. of baking soda once a day can combat bad breath. This is apparently a way for you to increase bicarbonate levels inside the body to keep the acid-base ratio in balance and therefore make it harder for bacteria to grow.

6. Giving up the causes and embracing the cures

The best way to keep bad breath at bay is to cut out the causes. That means no smoking, no sugary processed foods, and no alcohol. It also means committing to a daily flossing regimen, drinking plenty of water, and keeping in good physical shape. It’s not exactly as easy as 30-second mouth wash, but consider this interesting tidbit: alcohol dries the mouth, and what is the most important ingredient in most mouthwashes? What’s the number one reason people buy mouthwash? I’m not much into conspiracy theories, but like I said, that’s something to think about.

Only action can eliminate bad breath once and for all. The dentist is definitely there to help you fight the bad breath blues, but you should certainly try home remedies before making an appointment. But don’t think it’s going to be easy getting rid of halitosis without also getting rid of some of the bad habits that go along with it. Anyone who thinks they can otherwise shouldn’t hold their breath.

Vitamin A is basic for normal skin growth. It “flips the switch” for certain genes inside skin cells to start making the collagen that keeps skin smooth. It helps skin cells mature and it helps them fight infection. The fat under the skin collects vitamin A and releases it as it is needed for healthy skin growth.

Vitamin A is the basis for four of the best known medications for acne, Accutane, Retin-A, Differin, and Tazorac. These drugs are chemically potentiated formulations of vitamin A that were originally developed for treating acne. They cause the skin to grow so fast that it literally pulls away from deep, painful, pus-filled acne cysts without lancing or surgery.

These medications can be the answer for otherwise untreatable acne, but they are not without problems of their own. The skin that is cleared of cysts promptly gets filled with blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples. Users have to be very careful to avoid sunburn. Some people experience liver damage or severe depression, and, in the USA, women taking these drugs are required to use not just one but two forms of contraception because of the risk of birth defects.

Since all of these products have been on the market for a long time, the drug companies started looking for new reasons for doctors to prescribe them. About ten years ago, the anti-acne drug Accutane was reformulated and repackaged as an anti-wrinkle cream called Renova.

Renova is a kinder, gentler version of the anti-acne drug. The maker of this medication states that it will remove the kind of wrinkles around the eyes known as “crow’s feet,” but not any larger wrinkles, and that the results may not last more than 12 months after the user discontinues the drug. This 0.02% solution of the active ingredient in Accutane is not dangerous for women who might get pregnant, won’t cause liver damage, and isn’t linked to suicidal depression. On the other hand, nearly everyone who uses it experiences dryness, redness, itching, and irritation.

The Procter & Gamble Company, which makes vitamin products, decided to test the idea that “ordinary” vitamin A might really work just as well for wrinkle reduction without the inflammation that Renova causes.

Medical researchers hired by Procter & Gamble recruited 196 women who had fine lines and wrinkles around their eyes. For eight weeks these women were asked to use Olay Foaming Face Wash as desired for cleansing the skin, and also to use Olay Complete All Day Moisturizing Lotion twice a day in place of their regular skin care products.

After this preparatory period, the women were randomly assigned to two groups. The 99 women in the test group were given a wrinkle cream that contained the amino acid carnosine, two kinds of protein that plump up when they come in contact with moisture on the face, a B vitamin derivative called niacinamide, and a form of vitamin A called retinyl propionate. This form of vitamin A is stronger than the retinyl palmitate that is more frequently used in skin creams, but it is not as irritating as Accutane or Retin-A.

The women in the test group were asked to use this anti-wrinkle product every night. They were also given an antioxidant-enriched SPF 30 sunblock to use during the day.

The 97 women in the control group were given Renova and sunblock. These women were asked to use Renova every other night for two weeks and then to use it every night. These women were given an SPF 30 sunblock made by Neutrogena, which also packages Renova. To minimize the risk of birth defects, women of reproductive age who took Renova were also asked to submit a urine sample for a pregnancy test once a month. Both groups of women were told to use the treatments on any parts of the face they thought needed treatment.

The results of treatment were not immediate. Neither group of women had less wrinkling at the end of two months. Only some of the women in both groups had less wrinkling at the end of four months. About 41% of the women used Renova had fewer wrinkles after four months. About 58% of the women who used the vitamin A and niacinamide cream had fewer wrinkles at the end of the four-month test period.

A few of the women enjoyed dramatic improvement in the appearance of their skin. The disappearance of more than two “crow’s feet” was considered an outstanding result.

About 11% of the women who had used Renova had two or three fewer lines around the lines after four months, but 28% of the women who had used vitamin A had this level of improvement in just four months. Without laser ablation, without chemical peels, without dermabrasion or microdermabrasion.

And what about side effects? Vitamin A benefits clearly outweighed those of the prescription medication. Not only did more women using vitamin A cream enjoy wrinkle reduction, but the vitamin A creams made their skin moister, especially after the first 8 weeks. (These benefits were probably due to the carnosine and peptides in the formula, not the vitamin A.) Women who took Accutane treatment started the experiment with dry skin and ended the experiment with dry skin.

If your dermatologist suggests that you try Renova for wrinkled skin, ask if the doctor can’t recommend a vitamin A cream first. You are less likely to suffer drying, reddening, itch, or irritation, and you are more likely to lose fine lines around the eyes. No wrinkle cream will dissolve deep creases in the skin of the face, but vitamin A creams made with retinyl propionate work as well as much more expensie products. You will save hundreds or even thousands of dollars, and you may have softer, moister, suppler skin.

References:

Bissett DL, Mrowczynski E, Hicks S. Retinyl propionate and niacinamide: reduction in excess dermal GAG’s as a mechanism for their effects in improving the appearance of aging skin. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2004;50:P26.

Bruce S. Cosmeceuticals for the attenuation of extrinsic and intrinsic dermal aging. J Drugs Dermatol. 2008;2(Suppl.):S15–22.

Fu JJ, Hillebrand GG, Raleigh P, Li J, Marmor MJ, Bertucci V, Grimes PE, Mandy SH, Perez MI, Weinkle SH, Kaczvinsky JR.
A randomized, controlled comparative study of the wrinkle reduction benefits of a cosmetic niacinamide/peptide/retinyl propionate product regimen vs. a prescription 0.02% tretinoin product regimen. Br J Dermatol. 2010 Mar;162(3):647-54.

Nyirady J, Bergfeld W, Ellis C, et al. Tretinoin cream 0.02% for the treatment of photodamaged facial skin: a review of 2 double-blind clinical studies. Cutis. 2001;68:135–42.

Voorhees JJ. Clinical effects of long-term therapy with topical tretinoin and cellular mode of action.J Int Med Res. 1990;18(Suppl. 3):26C–8C.

What is unassisted childbirth?

Unassisted childbirth (UC) quite simply refers to the practice of giving birth without the attendance of medical professionals such as midwives or obstetricians. The term was coined by Laura Shanley, the author of a book with the same title. Shanley is known by many in UC circles as the “mother” of the unassisted childbirth movement. On her site, she proclaims that “if you want the job done right, do it yourself”. UC is also known as freebirth, and some people who choose it prefer to call it unhindered or undisturbed birth, or even pure birth.

The word “unassisted” may not be accurate for every woman who opts to give birth without medical assistance because many receive support and assistance from partners or friends. Others opt to deliver their baby completely solo, either while they are physically alone or with only onlookers who do not touch the mother or play any role in the process of labor and birth.

It is probably not necessary to mention that UC is a controversial subject. Even midwife-attended homebirths are uncommon in most of the developed world, and opponents of freebirth see it as unsafe. Judging by internet message boards – like the unassisted childbirth forum at Mothering – and recent articles in the media, UC is on the rise.

Some women who choose to have an unassisted birth receive prenatal care from a midwife or OB/GYN, while others provide their own prenatal care. It is possible to monitor one’s own blood pressure, do urine tests, track weight, and palpate the uterus for fetal position, for instance. Yet others focus instead on the spiritual aspects of pregnancy and birth, and decide to give birth in an intimate environment for religious reasons.

Why choose unassisted childbirth?

Since I first became interested in unassisted homebirth, when I was pregnant with my first child, I got to know many women who had given birth without medical professionals in attendance or were contemplating it. There is one thing that is clear – women decide to give birth unassisted for many different reasons, and it is impossible to make generalizations.

Some people choose to give birth at home alone or with their partner after a traumatic hospital birth. Others would prefer a midwife-attended homebirth but decide to go it alone after they are unable to find the right provider, because midwives are illegal in their place of residence, or because they are not able to attend to women who want a vaginal birth after a c-section (VBAC), or have a breech baby. Some women decide they cannot afford a midwife but still want a homebirth.

Then there are those who believe giving birth is an intimate and sexual act, much like conceiving a child. Some trust God to take care of them during birth, while others place their trust squarely in their own bodies and their ability to give birth normally.

There are those who believe the maternity system has become medicalized to the extent that a natural and healthy birth cannot take place in a hospital, and those who simply prefer to do their own thing. When observers, interventions, and fear enter the equation, the progress of labor and the ability to deliver a baby safely become compromised, according to some who choose UC.

My experience

I spent several years living in the Netherlands, and met many women who gave birth safely and normally at home over there. I am sure that living in the country that normalizes birth more than any other contributed to my views about birth. Fast forward to my pregnancy, and I knew I wanted a homebirth – especially in the developing country I was then living in, with a maternity system so bad that anyone with a choice would run away from it fast. I did not want to have to bribe doctors to give me care, have no patient rights, and have my baby separated from me for days following her birth. Neither did I like the thought of compulsory medical labor augmentation, pubic shaving, episiotomy, and breaking the bag of waters.

Finding a homebirth midwife was tough. There is only one in my country of residence, and I did locate her when I was 36 weeks pregnant. The birth went fine, and I was happy to finally hold my baby girl in arms. But when I was pregnant again, I knew that I did not want the midwife, whose approach was too medicalized for my taste. She shouted at me during birth and attempted to cut an episiotomy, before removing the placenta manually after my daughter was born.

Throughout my son’s pregnancy, I provided my own prenatal care and saw an OB a few times for ultrasounds. After gathering information about the physiology of birth, potential complications and how to handle them, I was comfortable giving birth alone. My son was born after a short, relatively painless labor into my own two hands (while squatting on the bathroom floor!). During labor, I felt peaceful and aware of the processes going on within my body. The experience was powerful and uneventful all at once, and while unassisted birth is clearly not for everybody, it is a decision I would make again in if the circumstances were right.

Olivia blogs about pregnancy, birth and babies at Write About Birth. Her unassisted birth information page focuses on the practical aspects of prepararing for a UC.

Choose to Obtain it

Happiness is no accident. One must seek to obtain it in order to find it. Having a proper attitude that allows happiness to flow into your life will increase your ability to recognize that happiness is yours for the taking. In other words, you need to feel like you deserve happiness before you can let it in your life. If lack of self-worth is holding you back from being happy, that is a good place to start. From there, make a conscious decision to bring happiness into your life.

Choose to Grow

“Happiness,” wrote William Butler Yeats, “is neither virtue nor pleasure nor this thing nor that, but simply growth. We are happy when we are growing.” Those who report feeling happy are those that are involved in activities that stretch their mind and increase their skill-set. This includes parents of young children, executives of large companies, someone training for their first marathon or anyone else who is working on a challenge and learning through that challenge. Gretchen Rubin, the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling book The Happiness Project, explains it this way, “To feel happy, it’s not enough to have fun with your friends, and not feel guilty about yelling all the time, and feel like you’re working in the right job; you also need to feel growth—a sense of learning, of betterment, of advancement, of contributing to the growth of others.”

Choose to be Grateful

In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, clinicians proved that those who make an effort to express gratitude on a consistent basis experience more happiness. They reviewed 51 studies that tested attempts to increase happiness through different types of positive thinking, and found that these practices can significantly enhance well-being. Those who followed through with the assignment to write a letter to someone that had done something significant for them and express gratitude for that act reported a lasting increase of happiness — over weeks and even months.

Choose to be You

This includes many things, but some of the most important are: having confidence to fulfill your dreams, taking care of yourself through exercise and nutrition, meeting the needs of your skin or other special needs and serving others with your natural given talents. This may mean more education, more time to explore your interests or purchasing unique skin care for men or women. You are already good enough, you simply need to be who you are and love it. Happiness will be instinctive once this happens.

Despite the inevitable coming of age, we can choose hope over despair and joy over stress. In other words, your life is yours to live. Make it a good one, no matter what age.

Author: Cam Jarvis
I enjoy snowboarding, and all summer outdoor activities. I am currently going to school with a desire in becoming a dermatologist, specializing in skin care for men.

Eating natural

There are many foods that are considered ‘Natural’. Your focus should be on those foods that contain fewer calories but have high amount of nutrients. These include fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables, sea food, dairy product, oil, olive oils and a lot more. These natural food items can reduce your risk for diseases associated with weight gain and fat intake. They can decrease your chance of having heart diseases, diabetes and even cancer.

Fiber Foods

Natural foods contain a lot of fiber. This is one way of cleansing your body from excess fat, excess calories and toxins. Fiber acts like a digestive tract sweeper. It removes any undigested materials in the tract; it also absorbs water in the process making it perfect for weight loss. Fiber is known to prevent cancer of the colon, due to its cleaning mechanism.

Olive Oil and Fish

Virgin olive oils are good for preventing cancer and heart diseases. It is said to be the best source of monounsaturated fat and it is also rich in anti-oxidative substances. Also it offers good bowel movement and helps digestion and prevents constipation.
Fish oil and fish meat is also essential for your diet and wellbeing. They are rich in omega 3 fatty acids which makes your brain and heart healthy. Recent studies have shown that lack of omega-3 intake is linked to depression, anxiety, mood swings, and even bipolar disorder. Also a good intake of fatty acids on a weekly basis can improve your memory and ability to think fast.

Green Tea

Another natural way to lose weight and cleanse your body is green tea. Green tea decreases risk of certain types of cancers by inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. Also recent research showed that green tea lowers total cholesterol levels something that it is also beneficial for weight loss and dieting. Green tea can also give you a feeling of freshness because it contains caffeine.

Do not forget Exercise

Exercise is still one of the best methods to shed pounds both short term and long term. In addition exercise is a good way to cleanse and remove natural body waste by sweating. It can give you a rejuvenating feeling especially when you do it regularly. In terms of weight loss exercise can help you accelerate the process without having to take weight loss pills or other non-natural treatments.

Similar to the roots of the problem, nail biting trends vary from person to person. Some people only chew them when they grow long, while others chew even when they are small. Along with biting nails a sizeable number of people nibble dead skin too from the tips of the fingers. Not only this is a bad habit, it also promotes the transfer of germs from your fingers into your mouth. Furthermore your hands look filthy which gives a bad impression of your personality. Whether you are going for an interview or a meeting, this habit can easily embarrass you in front of your colleagues.

Some people consider quitting nail biting as being harder than quitting smoking. But this is certainly not the case; in fact it can be much simple if you have the will to stop it. So here in this article we will discuss 5 effective tricks to help you get rid of this old problem.

1. Basic manicure technique:

For this you need a nail trimmer. First trim all your nails to perfect shape so you don’t have any damaged area. Remove any existing bite marks, which may stimulate your mind. You should regularly trim your nails as cleanly as possible such that any further cutting or biting will cause pain. This makes it really difficult for the person to bite nails. This takes a lot of effort and control on your behalf but can be effective if done properly.

2. Wear a nail polish:

Wearing a nail polish alone can be good enough for some people. This depends on the severity of the problem and the willingness of the person. Wearing a nail polish irritates the person and slowly he/she drops this bad habit. If ordinary nail polish does not work, then try a bitter-tasting nail polish, which should easily do the job.

3. Take your mind off Nail biting:

This is an easy and fun away to get rid of the problem. When you get busy in something you will not be focusing on nail biting. There are several ways that will help you take your mind off nail biting e.g. listening to music, reading a book, taking long baths, take part in local community activities etc.

4. Using Emotional Freedom Technique:

EFT is another effective technique to get rid of this problem. This technique is similar to acupuncture, but without the needles. In this, energy spots are stimulated to get rid of the negative energy. Make sure to find a highly qualified practitioner for the cure.

5. Hypnotherapy for ending nail biting:

There are basically three types of hypnotherapy techniques used to stop nail biting. These are association, substitution and anchoring. Depending on the state of the patient, hypnotherapist finds the root causes of the problem and then programs you by one of the above techniques. For less severe patients, association is enough while for others, substitution or a combination of both is used. You will start to see the results only after a few visits to the therapist. Furthermore the cure from hypnotherapy is permanent and requires less effort.

With objective tinnitus, a properly trained clinician can hear a noise actually coming from the ears. It is often caused by muscle spasms around the middle ear. Another type of objective tinnitus is a pulsing or whooshing sound that corresponds to the beat of the person’s pulse. While it is usually not harmful, this type of pulsing tinnitus can rarely indicate a condition like an aneurysm of the carotid artery.

Subjective tinnitus usually results from ear disorders that cause hearing loss. Noise is one of the most common causes of subjective tinnitus. But sometimes there is no obvious cause of subjective tinnitus. In many cases, however, subjective tinnitus can be correlated with certain medications, like aspirin. In fact, more than 250 medications have tinnitus as a reported side effect, though it is more common with some drugs than with others. It is commonly seen in cases of withdrawal from benzodiazepines, and can last for several months with this condition.

Other causes of subjective tinnitus include hearing loss (conductive, sensorineural, or age-related), ear infection, earwax impaction, lead or mercury poisoning, and medical conditions such as acoustic neuroma (a usually-benign tumor on the auditory nerve) and Meniere’s disease.

Treatments vary depending on whether the tinnitus is objective or subjective. With objective tinnitus, treatments range from treatment with botulinum toxin, to flushing the ear of excess earwax, and even gamma knife surgery.  Subjective tinnitus can be difficult to treat, but sometimes tricyclic antidepressants in small doses can help. Cutting out caffeine, salt, and nicotine can help, but suddenly quitting these substances can sometimes cause tinnitus as well. In people with zinc deficiencies, zinc supplements can help. Melatonin is another supplement that can help with tinnitus, as can ginkgo biloba.

In difficult cases, electrical stimulation, sound masking, and vagus nerve stimulation can sometimes help. Tinnitus patients with hearing loss may use a hearing aid to compensate for the frequencies that have been lost. And avoidance of outside noise is recommended, but may not be practical in everyday application.

Perhaps the most preventable cause of tinnitus is exposure to excess noise. Industrial workspaces and loud music can lead to untreatable tinnitus. That’s why it is extremely important even for young people to protect their hearing in loud situations, whether on the job or in a recreational (concert) setting. If you have prolonged tinnitus, you should bring it to your doctor’s attention to rule out any dangerous conditions or help determine whether your medications or lifestyle habits could be contributing to it.

1. Lychees

The lychee fruit is the latest superfood discovery in the UK. This red, rough-skinned, sweet-tasting tropical fruit has been known as ‘the King of Fruits’ in China for thousands of years. This cholesterol-free fruit is rich in vitamins and minerals, with a 100 grams of fresh lychees containing 72mg of vitamin C – which is 40% more than oranges – as well as potassium and other nutrients. Its powerful antioxidant potential helps boost your energy and make your immune system stronger, as well as helping to prevent blood clots, and reducing the risk of a stroke. It has also been discovered by scientists that the flavonoids found in lychees act to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and have the ability to ward off breast cancer. Lychees have proven themselves to enhance overall good health over the centuries in China, and some nutritionists believe that this fruit is destined to become the UK’s most popular superfood in 2011.

How to eat Lychees

Just wash, remove the outer skin and enjoy. Fresh lychees taste delicious and can be found in all leading supermarkets. You can also add them to a dessert or a salad.

2.  Goji berries

The dark red-skinned, sweet-tasting goji berry has become increasingly popular since 2006 because of their excellent health-promoting properties. Research has shown that Goji berries are nutritionally rich, containing 2500mg of Vitamins C per 100 grams, which is up to 500 times more than oranges. They are also rich in beta-carotene, minerals, antioxidants and iron. Goji berries have been used in traditional Chinese Medicine by Chinese therapists for over 6000 years to help weight-loss, improve the memory, prevent winkles, boost sex drive, enhance the immune system and reduce fatigue.

How to eat Goji Berries

Goji berries are delicious when eaten raw as a snack, or you can add in to fruit smoothies, desserts, or salads. Whole goji berries can be found in Chinese herbal shops or leading supermarkets.

3. Green Tea

There is a lot to be said for the green tea, which is thought to be the ‘miracle drink’ capable of treating or preventing physical and mental illnesses. The latest study, by scientists at Newcastle University, claims ‘Regularly drinking green tea could protect the brain against Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia’. According to the study, digestable compounds found in green tea have the ability to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. It also contains certain vitamins and minerals that help to stimulate your metabolism, thereby helping to combat weight-loss. Other benefits that research has revealed include lowering cholesterol levels, controlling diabetes, helping cure bad breath, correcting bladder ailments and even helping you to de-stress.

How to eat green tea

Green tea in tea bag form is easy to find in any supermarket, or you can buy loose leaf green tea. Simply pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 teaspoon of green tea leaves, and allow to brew for 3 minutes, and then a delicious and refreshing cup of green tea is ready to drink.

4. Soy

Soy is widely used in Asian countries, like China and Japan, and is regarded as the most complete nutritionally-beneficial plant food by far. The soy protein has been proven to be far superior to animal protein which is derived from milk and meat. The special ingredient isoflavones, found in soy protein, helps enhance calcium absorption as well as stimulating cell growth. It is cholesterol-free and rich in potassium, which helps to reduce the risk of heart disease and strokes.

How to eat soy

Our everyday diet may contain soy – soya mike, soya yoghurt, miso, soy sauce and so on. But adding whole soya beans to soups or stews is healthier (because there is no added sodium) and tastes delicious. Tofu is also another good choice.

5. Mung bean sprouts

Mung bean sprouts have been widely used in oriental cooking for centuries and have recently become popular in other counties as well. Mung bean sprouts have a silvery-white shoot and small light-yellow leaves, which sprout from the small, green mung bean seeds. The process of sprouting transforms the seed into a superfood with a high nutrient value, providing high levels protein, vitamins and minerals, whilst at the same time remaining low in calories and carbohydrates. It facilitates digestion, decreases your chances of heart disease and cancer, and increases your chances of living longer.

How to eat mung bean sprouts

Mung bean sprouts are popular as an ingredient in Oriental cuisine, stir fries, and soups. It is tender and crunchy with a mild, nutty flavour so you can also add them to salads or sandwiches.

6. Seaweed

The nutrient profile of the seaweed speaks for itself – it is cholesterol-free and high in fibre, calcium and iron. It is rich in vitamins and minerals such as iodine and potassium which help prevent an overactive thyroid and any illness caused by iodine deficiency. The latest scientific study has revealed that seaweed contains more calcium than cheese, more fibre than prunes, and more iron than steak. It has been proven to help detoxify your body, cure weight-loss, reduce blood pressure, prevent heart attacks, regulate hormones, and even offer cancer protection.

How to eat seaweed

Seaweed is available in many health shops and Chinese grocery store. Dried seaweed can be added in a vegetable salad or sprinkled over your dishes to enhance the existing flavors. You can also use seaweed as a snack food.

About the author

Nancy Wu is a therapist at NaturalTherapyForAll.com – an online complementary therapist referral website. Nancy is also a content writer who mostly writes on subjects comprising of acupuncture, hypnotherapy, counselling, search engine optimization advice, etc. She is a fan of complementary therapies, and enjoys sharing her knowledge and experiences of health and fitness with others.

1. Nutrition

The most important building block for getting younger looking skin is what you put in your mouth. If you’re constantly eating junk food, processed sugar, and other unnatural foods, then nothing will save you from premature aging. Those that sell diet books make nutrition seem hard, but it is very simple once you get down to the essentials. And it all comes down to this: eat natural, organic foods as much as possible. That means eating grass-fed beef, organic chicken, wild fish and game, fruits, vegetables, and berries, just to give you a few examples.

2. Sleep

You’re probably familiar with the feeling you get when you haven’t gotten enough sleep, right? When you are deprived of sleep, it can make you look years younger, and it can impact your health. I think you’re well aware of the solution for this. The problem is that most people are looking to do more, which means they need more time, so they skip some sleep. No harm done, right? Wrong. Make sure you get your sleep, because without it your mental performance, overall health, and skin will suffer.

3. Exercise

Exercise relieves stress, makes you feel good, and gives you muscle tone, which in turn firms up your skin and makes you look younger. The best way to get the most out of your exercise routine is something most people aren’t willing to do, especially women. I am talking about lifting weights. Now, they don’t have to be heavy weights, just something that challenges you and your body. A common myth is that you will get big muscles overnight. The real truth is that you won’t look like a bodybuilder even if you tried.

4. Play

We, as human beings, are meant to play, interact, and enjoy life. Sometimes we forget, because we’re busy working and making ends meet, but try to do your best to schedule some time to play with your friends, your spouse, and your children. Deep down all we want is connection, and isn’t that what we’re striving for? We work hard so we can be with our family, when in fact we can be with them right now.

5. Skin Care

Taking care of your skin is important, but nowhere near as important as getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, exercising, and having fun. With that said, it can significantly boost the way you look. But make sure you do your research before you buy any products, because there are a lot of bad ones out there. You can also use foods like coconut oil to moisturize your skin. It’s easy, cheap, and effective. With all these tips, remember to be consistent. While they may seem basic, they are very powerful if applied frequently.

Ingela Johansson is an avid natural skin care researcher. You can find more useful articles from her on her blog, Best Natural Skin Care, where she covers everything from how to get rid of acne to how to find the best anti wrinkle cream.