Eye care

ENHANCE YOUR EYES:

***********************

--* Castor oil can work wonders for your eyes. Massage in some oil on your eyelashes and brows before you hit the sack and get those curling, dream eyelashes in months. 

As for the eyebrows, they will get thick and nice (avoid eyebrows in case you have thick ones).

--* Powdered fenugreek and milk are said to tackle dark circles. Apply a paste of fenugreek mixed in milk on dark circles in the night. Wash off in the morning and watch dark circles vanish for good.

MAKE YOUR EYES RELAXED:

*****************************

Here's some exercise to completely relax the eyes and the surrounding muscles

--* To rest the eyes, lift them occasionally from close work and look into the distance. Give rest to your tired eyes by applying two thin slices of cucumber as cool compress and relax as you do so.

--* Dip gauze. pads in light tea and keep on the tired eye for 15 minutes.

--* Apply gentle pressure on five points. Along the eyebrow, starting at the inner corner trace the pressure to the center of the brows and then the outer corner. The fourth point is located just beyond the outer corner of the eyes while the last point is below the eyes.

--* Splash cold water occasionally to eyes to relax them and bring back the sparkle to tired eyes.

Don'ts of eye care:

****************

** Don't rub eyes frequently as this can cause an eye infection as few of us bother to wash our hands before touching our eyes.

** When you splash water do not do this furiously believing doing this will take away tiredness instead wash gently as splashing may hurtle the smallest dust particles or an allergen which may minutely damage the cornea.

** Use disposable tissues instead of handkerchiefs to wipe eyes, as they are more hygienic.

* Don't sit near than 15 feet from the television and keep your book at least two feet away for stronger eye muscles.

** Avoid using aerosol products like hair spray if you wear lenses.

** Don't use your mascara for more than a year.

To remove puffiness under the eyes:

******************************

A) Causes of Puffy Eyes:

The most commonly observed causes of puffy eyes are:

Lack of sleep

Stress

Improper and poor diet

Heredity

Crying

Allergies

B)Home remedy for reducing puffy eyes:

1) Drink adequate quantities of water to keep your system flushed.

2) Cut down your tea intake and try to avoid coffee from your diet.

3) Sleep is absolutely imperative. Inadequate sleep tells on the eyes more than on any other part of the body. Sleep soothes the eyes and relieves fatigue. So, catch up on lost sleep whenever you can.

4) Thin cucumber slices or potato slices, used as compresses over closed eyes will relieve sore, puffy eyes.

5) Take a metal spoon and run it under cold water. Place the metal on the puffy area for at least 60 seconds.

6) Raise your head with pillows. It will help keep fluids from pooling under your eyes.

7) Splash your eyes with cool and clean water.

8) Soak cotton wool pads in rose water and use them as eye pads, over closed eyes.

9) A few egg whites, stiffly beaten, and applied with a brush to the face and under the eyes will make the skin feel tighter and look less puffy. Add a drop or two of witch hazel which also reduces swelling and will keep the egg whites from drying to rapidly.

10)Use raw potato paste sandwiched between two thin pieces, of (for each eye) and keep on the eyes for 20 minute.

Dos and Don'ts for puffy eyes :

***************************

Please do not rub your eyes, this can lead to redness and irritation.

Avoid or reduce the intake of salty foods, alcohol,coffee, etc.

Potato juice applied on the skin around the eyes helps to reduce puffiness.

11 brain exercises that work

Do you find that it's taking longer to process information as you get older?

 

Research backs this up. There are things you can do, though, to keep your brain fit as you age.
Brain Exercises That Boost Memory — and May Fight Alzheimer's
These tips and mental exercises can keep your brain sharper and may even help prevent the signs of Alzheimer's disease.
By Linda Melone

Like your muscles, your brain needs regular workouts to stay healthy and fit as you age. Why? Just as we lose some muscle as we get older, our brains can atrophy, too. More specifically, your brain's "cognitive reserve"— or its ability to withstand neurological damage due to aging and other factors without showing visible signs of slowing or memory loss — diminishes through the years. That can make it more difficult to perform mental tasks. But, just as weight workouts add lean muscle to your body and help you retain more muscle in your later years, researchers now believe that following a brain-healthy lifestyle and performing regular, targeted brain exercises can also increase your brain's cognitive reserve.

Putting Brainpower "In the Bank"
The bigger your brain's cognitive reserve, the more "backup" brainpower you possess. This reserve can protect your memory and perhaps even delay or prevent the visible symptoms of age-related neurological changes, including the damage caused by Alzheimer's disease. In fact, in a study of retired Catholic nuns, autopsies revealed Alzheimer's lesions in the brains of some 80- to 90-year-old nuns even though they did not exhibit symptoms prior to their deaths. "Leading a life of meditation and continued studying, eating a low-fat diet, and having strong social ties with other nuns created a life that increased their cognitive reserve," says Robert Bender, MD, medical director of the Johnny Orr Memory Center and Healthy Aging Institute in Des Moines, Iowa. "This enabled them to function very well despite the clinical evidence of Alzheimer's disease."

Regaining Lost Brain Activity — Even in Alzheimer's Patients.
In addition to helping you retain strong cognitive abilities as you age, new research suggests that making lifestyle changes and challenging your brain can also help regain lost brainpower. Physicians had previously believed that such loss was irreversible. In a six-month study, Dr. Bender and other researchers found that Alzheimer's patients recovered a significant amount of brain activity after undergoing a program involving drug therapy, physical exercise, low-fat diet instruction, cognitive training, socialization, and meditation. "We now know the brain is plastic, or resilient enough that we can actually make ourselves smarter," says Bender. "Even in cases of Alzheimer's disease, some normal brain cells remain, and research suggests they can be stimulated to create new connections."

The Healthy Brain:

A Multifaceted Approach
Researchers believe that the most effective plan to increase your cognitive reserve is to stimulate your brain in several ways. That includes diet, exercise, and lifestyle factors, as well as the daily flexing of your brain's neurons.

"Approaches to brain health include a well-balanced diet low in fat, low in cholesterol, and high in antioxidants," says Bender. In addition to good nutrition, regular exercise can promote vascular health to help protect brain tissue. And avoiding ruts and boredom is also critical. "The brain wants to learn new things," says Bender, noting that some researchers believe that people are more vulnerable to dementia when they pay less attention to the things around them. "When the brain is passive, it has a tendency to atrophy," he adds. For this reason, sedentary and relatively passive activities, like sitting in front of a TV for hours a day, can be detrimental to brain health over time.

 11 Brain Exercises That Work Exercises to strengthen brain function should offer novelty and challenge — and they can be fun. "Almost any silly suggestion can work," says David Eagleman, PhD, neuroscientist and assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. "Drive home via a different route; brush your teeth with your opposite hand. The brain works through associations [which is why it's easier to memorize lyrics to a song than it is to try and remember the same words without music], so the more senses you involve the better."

Your morning newspaper is a great place to start. "Simple games like Sudoku and word games are good, as well as comic strips where you find things that are different from one picture to the next," says John E. Morley, MD, director of St. Louis University's Division of Geriatric Medicine and author of The Science of Staying Young. In addition to word games, Dr. Morley recommends the following exercises to sharpen your mental skills:

Test your recall. Make a list — of grocery items, things to do, or anything else that comes to mind — and memorize it. An hour or so later, see how many items you can recall. Make items on the list as challenging as possible for the greatest mental stimulation. Draw a map from memory. After returning home from visiting a new place, try to draw a map of the area; repeat this exercise each time you visit a new location. Do math in your head. Figure out problems without the aid of pencil, paper, or computer; you can make this more difficult by walking at the same time. Challenge your taste buds. When eating, try to identify individual ingredients in your meal, including subtle herbs and spices. Take a cooking class. Learn a new way to cook. Cooking uses a number of senses: smell, touch, sight, and taste, which all use different parts of the brain. Create word pictures. Visualize the spelling of a word in your head, then try and think of any other words that begin (or end) with the same two letters. Learn a foreign language. The listening and hearing involved stimulates the brain. Let the music play. Learn to play a musical instrument or study music. Refine your hand-eye abilities. Learn a new skill that involves fine-motor skills, such as knitting, drawing, painting, assembling a puzzle, etc. Engage your senses. Try activities that involve as many of your senses as possible, such as gardening. Learn a new sport. Take up an athletic exercise that utilizes the mind and body, like golf or basketball. Soon people will realize that they can take steps to keep their brains healthy, just as they know they can prevent heart disease by taking certain actions, says Bender. "In the coming decade, I predict brain wellness to be right up there with heart health — now that there's proof that living a brain-healthy lifestyle works!"

Exercises to strengthen the back....(Source:MediFacts)

Benefits of cycling....

Breathing exercises (Compiled)

source:  http://cas.umkc.edu/casww/brethexr.htm

Breathing exercise -

Learn how to breathe completely 
We breathe or die. We do it constantly by the end of our lives. Breathing exercise will help you to enjoy every breath and feel life. When I was a child, other children laughed at my belly, which moved while breathing and I kept wondering why only their chests moved when they breathed in. When we breathe in, the air should reach the diaphragm (an organ in the mid section of the body, where ribs end) so that it remains inside the body long enough to allow oxygen to be absorbed. The stretching of the diaphragm makes a natural massage to the abdomen.

To find out whether you breathe completely, lie down on the floor and make this breathing exercise:
Place your hand on the abdomen. If your hand goes up when you breathe in, it means you breathe completely. If it stands still, you should make a conscious effort to make the air you inhale lift the hand on your abdomen. Lie down for a few minutes, breathe calmly and try to make the hand on your abdomen rise every time you breathe in. You can do it while watching television or reading. Start by consciously concentrating on the way you breathe and if you are able to do it while watching television, it means you have reached the state of subconscious complete breathing.

 

Another breathing exercise:
As a next stage, try to consciously breathe abdominally while sitting or standing. Once again, place your hand on the abdomen and try to make it move up and down while breathing calmly. Concentrate on it; when you notice you are breathing abdominally while standing or watching television, it means it has become a part of your nature and you are fully enjoying every breath.

 

Breathing exercise rule
For physical activity your body needs more oxygen, i.e. you have to take in more air in deeper, controlled, conscious breaths. When I started exercising I used to make 10 repetitions at a single breathing in. I was in a hurry to finish the set before I was out of breath. I was not aware of doing it, until a friend joined me at the gym and noticed I was not breathing while making an exercise. It sounded odd and I began watching my breathing and tried to control it.

BREATHING EXERCISES

--------------------------------

  A 20% reduction in oxygen blood levels may be caused by the aging process and normal breathing habits. Poor breathing robs energy and negatively affects mental alertness. Unless breathing is exercised, aging affects the respiratory system as follows:
  Stiffness: The rib cage and surrounding muscles get stiff causing inhalation to become more difficult. Less elasticity and weak muscles leave stale air in the tissues of the lungs and prevents fresh oxygen from reaching the blood stream.

  Rapid, Shallow Breathing: This type of breathing, often caused by poor posture and weak or stiff muscles, leads to poor oxygen supply, respiratory disease, sluggishness, or heart disease.

---------------------------------

BELLY BREATH EXERCISES
     The following exercises are simple ways to deepen breathing and to cleanse the lungs. These exercises will also increase energy and decrease tension.
  Lie flat on your back to get a proper sense of deep breathing. (Have some small pillows available to reduce strain by tucking them under the neck and knees. The natural course of breathing in that position will create a slight rise in the stomach upon inhaling and a slight fall upon exhaling.)
  Place your hands palm down on your stomach at the base of the rib cage. (The lungs go that far down. What fills them deeper is the pushing down of the diaphragm. The diaphragm creates a suction which draws air into the lungs. the air is then expelled when the diaphragm pushes up. In this process, the life-giving oxygen fills the lungs and gets into the blood stream for distribution to the cells. Carbon dioxide is expelled from the blood into the about-to-be exhaled breath, thus cleansing the body and blood of waste products.)   Lay the palms of your hands on your stomach just below the rib cage, middle fingers barely touching each other, and take a slow deep breath.  (As the diaphragm pushes down, the stomach will slightly expand causing the fingertips to separate somewhat.

  This movement indicates full use of the lungs, resulting in a truly deep breath rather than the "puffed chest" breath experienced by many as the greatest lung capacity. Chest breathing fills the middle and upper parts of the lungs. Belly breathing is the most efficient method. Infants and small children use only this method until the chest matures.

FOR BEST RESULTS, PRACTICE THIS EXERCISE FOR 5 MINUTES.

---------------------------------

COMPLETE BREATH EXERCISES
1. Sit up straight. Exhale.
2. Inhale and, at the same time, relax the belly muscles. Feel as though the belly is filling with air.

3. After filling the belly, keep inhaling. Fill up the middle of your chest. Feel your chest and rib cage expand.

4. Hold the breath in for a moment, then begin to exhale as slowly as possible.

5.  As the air is slowly let out, relax your chest and rib cage. Begin to pull your belly in to force out the remaining breath.

6. Close your eyes, and concentrate on your breathing.

7.  Relax your face and mind.

8.  Let everything go.

9.  Practice about 5 minutes.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HUMMING BREATH EXERCISES
     Follow the instructions for inhaling the COMPLETE BREATH (Steps 1-3 above). Now, as you begin to slowly exhale, make a HUM sound. Keep making that humming sound as long as possible. Pull your stomach muscles in, squeezing out a few more seconds of humming. Then relax. Practice for 2 to 3 minutes.

---------------------------------

Posture Perfect: Standing and Sitting

Posture Perfect: Standing and Sitting

"Sit up straight! Don't slouch!" Mom always said, and she was right (which kind of makes up for the time she told you no one would notice that pimple on your forehead and the kids called you "Cyclops"). But, despite Mom's admonitions, you may still slouch, wedge the phone between your ear and shoulder, slump at your desk, or sleep on your stomach. If you do, don't worry. There's hope for you yet.

First, what is "good posture" and why do we need it? During a live chat on Medicomm, Dr Sudhir Shah defined good posture as proper alignment of the body. "From a side view, your ear, shoulder, hip, and ankle line up," Dr Shah explains. "When this happens, the three curves of the spine are right along the body's center of gravity and there is no uneven pressure on muscles, discs, or nerves."

So, how can we develop better posture? Easy, through awareness and practice! If you train yourself to become more conscious of your posture and practice the habits good posture requires (outlined below), these habits will become second nature and your posture will improve.

* Standing: First, plant your feet firmly on the floor (no jutting your hip out or shifting from side to side), knees straight, but not locked. Next, take a deep breath and roll your shoulders back, expanding the chest. Contract your stomach muscles and press them back to your spine.

Your spine is kind of like an accordion. If yours is squeezed together, lift the spine up as if you were fanning out the accordion. Now, center your head right over your neck and shoulders, chin in (most people stick their heads up and out, like a turtle or a turkey, which strains the neck). Let your arms hang comfortably at your sides.

Take a moment to become conscious of what this proper form feels like. Check yourself throughout the day and, if you're not, take a moment to re-align yourself.

* Sitting: Sit in a comfortable chair with, ideally, back support and arm rests, both feet on the floor. Miss Manners may not approve, but do not cross your legs. Sit up on your "sit bones;" try not to slouch with your back bowed out.

If you're at a workstation with a computer, the upper third of your monitor should be at eye level so that you're not constantly looking down. If you type, use a copy stand to keep notes and memos at eye level.

If you are perpetually on the phone, you might want to invest in a headset, which prevents "Igor" ear-to-shoulder syndrome. Using a wrist rest in front of your computer keyboard, you can keep your wrists aligned to help prevent carpel tunnel (your wrists should be level, not tilted up when you type).

http://www.cbn.com/media/player/index.aspx?s=/vod/DrChaunceyCrandall_091510_WS

Neck and throat facial exercises

Neck and throat facial exercises
Source: http://www.ageless.co.za/facialneck.htm

Facial exercises should be done once a day, and this regimen can be continued for your entire life, or you could scale down to three times a week, after completing a month of daily exercises.

Some people report that minor spots or blemishes appear after starting facial exercises, and yes, it is normal.

The skin is once again stimulated to produce its natural oils and lubricants and these minor spots may appear when starting facial exercises, until the skin is functioning efficiently and correctly again. Skin cells get lazy and stagnate, but with proper exercises these cells are once again activated to work with renewed vigor.Neck and throat facial exercises

# 1
A great exercise is to sit upright, tilt your head back looking at the ceiling while keeping your lips closed and then start a chewing movement.
You will feel the muscles working in your neck and throat area - and will be truly amazed at the results.
Repeat 20 times.

# 2
Sit upright, tilt your head back looking at the ceiling, while keeping your lips closed and relaxed.
Start puckering your lips together in a kiss and stretch the kiss, as if you were trying to kiss the ceiling.
Keep your lips puckered for 10 counts, then relax, bring your head back to its normal position and repeat 5 times.

# 3
Sit upright, tilt your head back looking at the ceiling, while keeping your lips closed and relaxed.
Open your lips and stick your tongue out as if you were trying to touch your chin with the tip of your tongue.
Keep your tongue out in this position for 10 counts, and then return your tongue and head to its normal position.

# 4
Sit upright, tilt your head back looking at the ceiling, while keeping your lips closed and relaxed.
Next move your lower lip over your top lip as far as possible and keep it there for a count of 5.
Relax and repeat 5 times.

# 5
Lie on your bed, with your head hanging down over the edge.
Slowly bring your head up towards your torso and keep it there for 10 counts.
Relax and lower your head towards the floor again.
Repeat 5 times.

# 6
Sit upright and face forward and while keeping your lips together, separate your teeth by dropping your jaw and then push your jaw forward, keep for a count of 10, bring back to starting position.
Repeat 5 times.

Neck and throat facial exercises

Neck and throat facial exercisesSource: http://www.ageless.co.za/facialneck.htm

Facial exercises should be done once a day, and this regimen can be continued for your entire life, or you could scale down to three times a week, after completing a month of daily exercises.

Some people report that minor spots or blemishes appear after starting facial exercises, and yes, it is normal.

The skin is once again stimulated to produce its natural oils and lubricants and these minor spots may appear when starting facial exercises, until the skin is functioning efficiently and correctly again. Skin cells get lazy and stagnate, but with proper exercises these cells are once again activated to work with renewed vigor.Neck and throat facial exercises

# 1
A great exercise is to sit upright, tilt your head back looking at the ceiling while keeping your lips closed and then start a chewing movement.
You will feel the muscles working in your neck and throat area - and will be truly amazed at the results.
Repeat 20 times.

# 2
Sit upright, tilt your head back looking at the ceiling, while keeping your lips closed and relaxed.
Start puckering your lips together in a kiss and stretch the kiss, as if you were trying to kiss the ceiling.
Keep your lips puckered for 10 counts, then relax, bring your head back to its normal position and repeat 5 times.

# 3
Sit upright, tilt your head back looking at the ceiling, while keeping your lips closed and relaxed.
Open your lips and stick your tongue out as if you were trying to touch your chin with the tip of your tongue.
Keep your tongue out in this position for 10 counts, and then return your tongue and head to its normal position.

# 4
Sit upright, tilt your head back looking at the ceiling, while keeping your lips closed and relaxed.
Next move your lower lip over your top lip as far as possible and keep it there for a count of 5.
Relax and repeat 5 times.

# 5
Lie on your bed, with your head hanging down over the edge.
Slowly bring your head up towards your torso and keep it there for 10 counts.
Relax and lower your head towards the floor again.
Repeat 5 times.

# 6
Sit upright and face forward and while keeping your lips together, separate your teeth by dropping your jaw and then push your jaw forward, keep for a count of 10, bring back to starting position.
Repeat 5 times.

Flat Tummy

Crunch in Bed

Before you even get out of bed in the morning, do 10 stomach crunches while lying flat on your mattress. Increase daily by one until you get up to 100. Think you'll never get there? Try it. You may eventually have to set your clock to wake up 15 minutes earlier, a small price to pay for a flatter stomach.

~Breathing Exercises~

Breathing exercise -

Learn how to breathe completely
We breathe or die. We do it constantly by the end of our lives. Breathing exercise will help you to enjoy every breath and feel life. When I was a child, other children laughed at my belly, which moved while breathing and I kept wondering why only their chests moved when they breathed in. When we breathe in, the air should reach the diaphragm (an organ in the mid section of the body, where ribs end) so that it remains inside the body long enough to allow oxygen to be absorbed. The stretching of the diaphragm makes a natural massage to the abdomen.

 

To find out whether you breathe completely, lie down on the floor and make this breathing exercise:
Place your hand on the abdomen. If your hand goes up when you breathe in, it means you breathe completely. If it stands still, you should make a conscious effort to make the air you inhale lift the hand on your abdomen. Lie down for a few minutes, breathe calmly and try to make the hand on your abdomen rise every time you breathe in. You can do it while watching television or reading. Start by consciously concentrating on the way you breathe and if you are able to do it while watching television, it means you have reached the state of subconscious complete breathing.

Another breathing exercise:
As a next stage, try to consciously breathe abdominally while sitting or standing. Once again, place your hand on the abdomen and try to make it move up and down while breathing calmly. Concentrate on it; when you notice you are breathing abdominally while standing or watching television, it means it has become a part of your nature and you are fully enjoying every breath.

Breathing exercise rule
For physical activity your body needs more oxygen, i.e. you have to take in more air in deeper, controlled, conscious breaths. When I started exercising I used to make 10 repetitions at a single breathing in. I was in a hurry to finish the set before I was out of breath. I was not aware of doing it, until a friend joined me at the gym and noticed I was not breathing while making an exercise. It sounded odd and I began watching my breathing and tried to control it.

BREATHING EXERCISES

--------------------------------

source: http://cas.umkc.edu/casww/brethexr.htm

  A 20% reduction in oxygen blood levels may be caused by the aging process and normal breathing habits. Poor breathing robs energy and negatively affects mental alertness. Unless breathing is exercised, aging affects the respiratory system as follows:
  Stiffness: The rib cage and surrounding muscles get stiff causing inhalation to become more difficult. Less elasticity and weak muscles leave stale air in the tissues of the lungs and prevents fresh oxygen from reaching the blood stream.

  Rapid, Shallow Breathing: This type of breathing, often caused by poor posture and weak or stiff muscles, leads to poor oxygen supply, respiratory disease, sluggishness, or heart disease.

---------------------------------

BELLY BREATH EXERCISES
     The following exercises are simple ways to deepen breathing and to cleanse the lungs. These exercises will also increase energy and decrease tension.
  Lie flat on your back to get a proper sense of deep breathing. (Have some small pillows available to reduce strain by tucking them under the neck and knees. The natural course of breathing in that position will create a slight rise in the stomach upon inhaling and a slight fall upon exhaling.)
  Place your hands palm down on your stomach at the base of the rib cage. (The lungs go that far down. What fills them deeper is the pushing down of the diaphragm. The diaphragm creates a suction which draws air into the lungs. the air is then expelled when the diaphragm pushes up. In this process, the life-giving oxygen fills the lungs and gets into the blood stream for distribution to the cells. Carbon dioxide is expelled from the blood into the about-to-be exhaled breath, thus cleansing the body and blood of waste products.)   Lay the palms of your hands on your stomach just below the rib cage, middle fingers barely touching each other, and take a slow deep breath.  (As the diaphragm pushes down, the stomach will slightly expand causing the fingertips to separate somewhat.

  This movement indicates full use of the lungs, resulting in a truly deep breath rather than the "puffed chest" breath experienced by many as the greatest lung capacity. Chest breathing fills the middle and upper parts of the lungs. Belly breathing is the most efficient method. Infants and small children use only this method until the chest matures.

FOR BEST RESULTS, PRACTICE THIS EXERCISE FOR 5 MINUTES.

---------------------------------

COMPLETE BREATH EXERCISES
1. Sit up straight. Exhale.
2. Inhale and, at the same time, relax the belly muscles. Feel as though the belly is filling with air.

3. After filling the belly, keep inhaling. Fill up the middle of your chest. Feel your chest and rib cage expand.

4. Hold the breath in for a moment, then begin to exhale as slowly as possible.

5.  As the air is slowly let out, relax your chest and rib cage. Begin to pull your belly in to force out the remaining breath.

6. Close your eyes, and concentrate on your breathing.

7.  Relax your face and mind.

8.  Let everything go.

9.  Practice about 5 minutes.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HUMMING BREATH EXERCISES
     Follow the instructions for inhaling the COMPLETE BREATH (Steps 1-3 above). Now, as you begin to slowly exhale, make a HUM sound. Keep making that humming sound as long as possible. Pull your stomach muscles in, squeezing out a few more seconds of humming. Then relax. Practice for 2 to 3 minutes.

---------------------------------

11 brain exercises that work (Received by e-mail)

Do you find that it's taking longer to process information as you get older?

 

Research backs this up. There are things you can do, though, to keep your brain fit as you age.
Brain Exercises That Boost Memory — and May Fight Alzheimer's
These tips and mental exercises can keep your brain sharper and may even help prevent the signs of Alzheimer's disease.
By Linda Melone

Like your muscles, your brain needs regular workouts to stay healthy and fit as you age. Why? Just as we lose some muscle as we get older, our brains can atrophy, too. More specifically, your brain's "cognitive reserve"— or its ability to withstand neurological damage due to aging and other factors without showing visible signs of slowing or memory loss — diminishes through the years. That can make it more difficult to perform mental tasks. But, just as weight workouts add lean muscle to your body and help you retain more muscle in your later years, researchers now believe that following a brain-healthy lifestyle and performing regular, targeted brain exercises can also increase your brain's cognitive reserve.

Putting Brainpower "In the Bank"
The bigger your brain's cognitive reserve, the more "backup" brainpower you possess. This reserve can protect your memory and perhaps even delay or prevent the visible symptoms of age-related neurological changes, including the damage caused by Alzheimer's disease. In fact, in a study of retired Catholic nuns, autopsies revealed Alzheimer's lesions in the brains of some 80- to 90-year-old nuns even though they did not exhibit symptoms prior to their deaths. "Leading a life of meditation and continued studying, eating a low-fat diet, and having strong social ties with other nuns created a life that increased their cognitive reserve," says Robert Bender, MD, medical director of the Johnny Orr Memory Center and Healthy Aging Institute in Des Moines, Iowa. "This enabled them to function very well despite the clinical evidence of Alzheimer's disease."

Regaining Lost Brain Activity — Even in Alzheimer's Patients.
In addition to helping you retain strong cognitive abilities as you age, new research suggests that making lifestyle changes and challenging your brain can also help regain lost brainpower. Physicians had previously believed that such loss was irreversible. In a six-month study, Dr. Bender and other researchers found that Alzheimer's patients recovered a significant amount of brain activity after undergoing a program involving drug therapy, physical exercise, low-fat diet instruction, cognitive training, socialization, and meditation. "We now know the brain is plastic, or resilient enough that we can actually make ourselves smarter," says Bender. "Even in cases of Alzheimer's disease, some normal brain cells remain, and research suggests they can be stimulated to create new connections."

The Healthy Brain:

A Multifaceted Approach
Researchers believe that the most effective plan to increase your cognitive reserve is to stimulate your brain in several ways. That includes diet, exercise, and lifestyle factors, as well as the daily flexing of your brain's neurons.

"Approaches to brain health include a well-balanced diet low in fat, low in cholesterol, and high in antioxidants," says Bender. In addition to good nutrition, regular exercise can promote vascular health to help protect brain tissue. And avoiding ruts and boredom is also critical. "The brain wants to learn new things," says Bender, noting that some researchers believe that people are more vulnerable to dementia when they pay less attention to the things around them. "When the brain is passive, it has a tendency to atrophy," he adds. For this reason, sedentary and relatively passive activities, like sitting in front of a TV for hours a day, can be detrimental to brain health over time.

 11 Brain Exercises That Work 

http://www.everydayhealth.com/longevity/mental-fitness/brain-exercises-for-memory.aspxExercises to strengthen brain function should offer n

ovelty and challenge — and they can be fun. "Almost any silly suggestion can work," says David Eagleman, PhD, neuroscientist and assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. "Drive home via a different route; brush your teeth with your opposite hand. The brain works through associations [which is why it's easier to memorize lyrics to a song than it is to try and remember the same words without music], so the more senses you involve the better."

Your morning newspaper is a great place to start. "Simple games like Sudoku and word games are good, as well as comic strips where you find things that are different from one picture to the next," says John E. Morley, MD, director of St. Louis University's Division of Geriatric Medicine and author of The Science of Staying Young. In addition to word games, Dr. Morley recommends the following exercises to sharpen your mental skills:

Test your recall. Make a list — of grocery items, things to do, or anything else that comes to mind — and memorize it. An hour or so later, see how many items you can recall. Make items on the list as challenging as possible for the greatest mental stimulation. Draw a map from memory. After returning home from visiting a new place, try to draw a map of the area; repeat this exercise each time you visit a new location. Do math in your head. Figure out problems without the aid of pencil, paper, or computer; you can make this more difficult by walking at the same time. Challenge your taste buds. When eating, try to identify individual ingredients in your meal, including subtle herbs and spices. Take a cooking class. Learn a new way to cook. Cooking uses a number of senses: smell, touch, sight, and taste, which all use different parts of the brain. Create word pictures. Visualize the spelling of a word in your head, then try and think of any other words that begin (or end) with the same two letters. Learn a foreign language. The listening and hearing involved stimulates the brain. Let the music play. Learn to play a musical instrument or study music. Refine your hand-eye abilities. Learn a new skill that involves fine-motor skills, such as knitting, drawing, painting, assembling a puzzle, etc. Engage your senses. Try activities that involve as many of your senses as possible, such as gardening. Learn a new sport. Take up an athletic exercise that utilizes the mind and body, like golf or basketball. Soon people will realize that they can take steps to keep their brains healthy, just as they know they can prevent heart disease by taking certain actions, says Bender. "In the coming decade, I predict brain wellness to be right up there with heart health — now that there's proof that living a brain-healthy lifestyle works!"

Exercise for the neck...:)

To Get Rid of double chin (compiled)

Hi ....
Try these out it really works.....

Doing some facial or more specifically neck or chin exercises might reduce your double chin. Here are a few easy to do exercises:

1)Press your palm to your forehead for 10 seconds while resisting with your head and neck. You should feel your neck and chin tighten. Repeat the movement with your hand on the back of your head, then on each side, with your hand cupped over your ear.

2)Lift your chin up and open and close your mouth as if you're chewing. Feel the muscles under your jaw and down the front of your neck tighten.

3)Sit up straight in an armless chair, holding the bottom of the chair with your hands at your sides, tilt your head back and alternately close your mouth pushing your chin forward and them open your mouth as wide as you can.

4)Lift chin slightly upward. With flat point of index and middle fingers press against indentation (hollow) formed by the two upper nodules of the larynx located at the curve from chin to neck. Do not be concerned in the beginning as to the precise location of pressure which you will discover through practice. Regard finger pressure as the resistance against the working muscles. Now press your back teeth firmly together and while maintaining this position, press the tip of your tongue against the inside of lower front teeth (gum line) increasing pressure with the tip of tongue in 10 or more gradual and definite steps (Count to 10). Hold end position of pressure for 6 seconds (count slowly to six). Release muscle work for 10 gradual steps (count to 10). Remove finger resistance. Repeat 4 more times.

5)Slap under the chin with the back of your hand. When slapping, start gently and build up speed gradually. Do this for a couple of minutes each time, two or three times a day.

6) Open your mouth wide, and then pull up your bottom lip over your bottom teeth. Move your jaw up and down as if you're trying to scoop something up with it - imagine the movement of the shovel on a digger scooping up earth or debris on a building site. Perform ten repetitions of this exercise each time, and again do this two or three times a day.

Here is more advice and input:

Eat healthily. First, eat an apple or grapes with some whole grain bread or cereal. Have a snack! Like like a salad or something. Exercise lightly at first, then workout a little bit heavier everyday that you work out. This will make you look thinner and muscular too! It will also get rid of your double chin!

Facial exercises will definitely work! also eat a very balanced diet. Don't eat JUNK! because it will make you gain more than you trying to lose

Another exercise....

Say NO: Lie flat on the floor, lift your head SLIGHTLY (such that it is not in contact with the floor) and look to the sides one by one without letting the head rest on the floor. Will look a bit like you are saying NO.

Say YES: Again, lie flat on the floor, and bring your chin closer to your chest and bring it back making sure your head does not rest on the floor. This will look like you are saying YES. You will see the difference within a couple of weeks. No need to over do this. Just once a day ... say 20 reps
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To get rid of belly fat

TO GET RID OF BELLY FAT

Don't you just hat that belly bulge? Come on who doesn't? Millions of people all over the world are looking for the secret to make their belly bulge disappear. But is there a secret to achieve this? With so many diet pills and weight loss products all over the place nowadays it is really frustrating to find a program that actually delivers on it's promises. However, worry not! You are about to discover some stunning tips to help you get rid of your belly bulge and get the body you deserve.

    Tip #1- Drink a lot of water daily. It is no wonder why medical researchers recommend that you drink at least 8-10 glasses of water per day. Your cells are made up of more than 75% water content and therefore it is very important to keep them hydrated. Drinking a lot of water will speed up your metabolism and also help to flush out your system of toxins that can accumulate and make it harder for you to lose weight.

   Tip #2- Eat a balance diet at all times. When you have a balance diet, you body will be supplied with the nutrients it need to get energy and to regulate you metabolism.

   Tip #3- Eat slow at meals- Did you know that your brain takes several minutes after you are full to recognize it? Well that is a fact so it is very important that you slow down at meals to avoid over eating.

Tip #4- To get rid of belly bulge fast, you should do some exercises that target your abdominal region. Exercises such as abdominal crunches or using an exercise ball are very effective to work your abdominal muscles to get rid of the excess fat around your belly.

3 Easy Exercises For Belly Fat :By Jay Osborn

Whether it be because you don't have much time, or if you simply are too out of shape to do an entire, massive workout routine, there are still solutions for you if you're interesting in losing your belly fat. Just remember, you need to be consistent with whatever exercises you do, so that's my only warning. These will work, however you have to be willing to do them around three to four times a week.

Tip #1: The Tummy Tuck.

You'll be surprised, however this is an actual exercise that is quite easy to do and will tighten and strengthen the muscles in your stomach. It doesn't take much time, just try to hold in your stomach for as long as you can, then continue to do so throughout the day when you think about it. You'd be surprised at how much of a difference you'll see.

Tip #2: Modified Push-Up.

I saw and tried this one, and believe me, it actually works. Get into a push-up position however with your knees on the ground, then lift your feet up off theground behind you so that you're only on your knees. Then do the push-up slowly and use your abs to make sure that you stay as straight as possible. You will be amazed by the results.

Tip #3: Simple Crunches.

You may not want to do them, however crunches will really help to sculpt and work your core. There is simply no better way than to do some of the basics sometimes. In this case, you'll want to do a lot of them, however it works with some dedication and when used properly.

How to do crunches http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfqT_3otpeA