Health Tips

Be thankful. It might sound different health tip, but remembering to be thankful for everyday things and forgetting about what you don’t have is a powerful neutralizer & powerful stress reliever. As soon as you wake up, and throughout your day, make mental notes of all of the gifts in your life and the people you are grateful for.

 DR I SYED, M.B, B.S, MBA, CRA, PCQI, CPC 
OpenDoor Team member.  www. OpenDoor.cc
Redditch, Gloucestershire. UK.
LinkedIn: http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/imtiaz-syed/13/89/841

By: Unknown On 8:11 AM

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How to Overcome Sadness and Depression?

Sadness is a totally natural emotional response to certain environmental stimuli. Most of us have support, or systems in place to overcome depression, reach balance, and go on to be happy as quickly as possible. But some people don’t have that support or environment.  I have found that there are two groups of people who suffer from prolonged sadness or depression. One group consists of those that have a severe chemical imbalance, which really requires a doctor/ medical help, and possibly medication to treat.  And other are those people who lack the tools, know how, and support systems to bounce them back from depression and sadness. This article is written for those who don’t have severe medical condition or severe chemical imbalance.

In my opinion, being a doctor, the latter group of people are wise to seek natural treatments instead of simply medicating the symptoms. That's why I am going to show you about how to decrease or overcome sadness, without the happy pills. Below are some suggestions.

Gratitude

Sit down and make a list of 10 things you're grateful for right now (and I dare you not to feel better). Many times when we complain we can cause ourselves to be sad. Complaining is just a factor of not taking into account what we're grateful for.

Set Goals

Something special happens the moment the paper meets the pen and we write down our main goals. Our brain chemistry changes, and we start thinking about how we can achieve those goals.

Sleep

Getting the right amount of sleep is healthy for our body and mind. Some argue that sleep deprivation treats depression, but I don't agree with this, personally.  Get enough rest every day.

Exercise

Try one hour of cardio (or as much as you can) each day. If you're tee-shirt is soaking wet, you're standing in a puddle of your own sweat, and you can feel the endorphins pumping through your body, you did it right. Shower up and try to be happy, I dare you.

Let go

Many times we're making ourselves sad for no good reason at all. People have been known to keep grudges for lifetimes. When you forgive, you remove this weight off your shoulders and put yourself in a position to be happier.

Sunlight

Certain people have “Idiopathic sadness disorder”, due to a lack of sunlight, they experience seasonal sadness (Seasonal Affective Disorder). We all sometimes affected by this in the winter when the days are shorter.

Good Communication

It's not hard to make friends if you put the time in. Everyone wants to be heard, appreciated, and loved. Start off by listening, appreciating and loving, and it will come back your way.

Reading Self-help Books

Take a temporary leave from reality and bury yourself in one of your favourite books. A lot of wise people have been through what you're going through and they made it through to the other side to tell about it.

Dr. Imtiaz Syed

M.B, B.S, MBA, CRA, PCQI, CPC

LinkedIn: http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/imtiaz-syed/13/89/841

OpenDoor Team member.  www. OpenDoor.cc

Redditch, Gloucestershire. UK.

By: Unknown On 2:09 AM

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Health Tips

 Appreciate the Silence. Our fast paced society is evolving at an increasing rate, leaving us with little time to relax and process our environment. The implications of a fast-paced lifestyle are chronic stress and other negative effects on our health and well being. By slowing down & reducing demands, we place on ourselves is an important step towards stress reduction, and a more fulfilling life.


DR I SYED. 
M.B, B.S, MBA, CRA, PCQI, CPC 
LinkedIn: http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/imtiaz-syed/13/89/841
OpenDoor Team member.  www. OpenDoor.cc
Redditch, Gloucestershire. UK.

By: Unknown On 7:00 PM

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The Early Bird Catches The Worm.

What’s the first thought that goes through your mind when you wake up in the

morning? Is it “Oh Noooo, its 7!!!!!! If that’s how you start your day, then it’s likely your day will be filled with stress and frustration.

One question to ask every morning. What am I grateful for? You should start every single day with an attitude of gratitude. This is probably the simplest way to actually do that. If you ask yourself this question enough days in a row, you will wake up feeling on top of the world every single day. As you start to view your life and the world around you as full of things to be grateful for, you’re going to bring more and more of that into your life. We all have lots to be grateful for but we often get caught up in all the things that are wrong with our lives. Hopefully this will enable you shift your focus.

Simple Ways to Change Your Morning Routine

I wish to give some consideration to changing up how you start your day. In addition to power questions I encourage you to start your day in a more peaceful, quiet way then you have in the past.  You’ll find that the impact this will have on you both physically and mentally will quite powerful.

1.     

         Picture an ideal morning.

This is one of those rare situations where you actually can make your fantasy a reality. Picture yourself as the morning person you want to become. What do your mornings consist of? Are you quietly drinking your coffee? Reading a book? Also, what’s the atmosphere like? This will help you lay the groundwork for what will later become your morning routine.

2.      Let go.

Throw away every misconception embedded in your mind, and start this day with a clean ground. The only way you’ll succeed is if your mind remains open and free of negativity.

3. 

         One barrel at a time.

Take note of what time you wake up now and when you’d like to wake up from now on. Set your alarm for 15 to 30 minutes earlier, and once you’re comfortable getting up at that time, set it earlier again, and again, until you’re comfortably waking up at your new early time.

4

  .      Don’t turn on the Computer/ Mobile or TV.

The first thing you would probably be doing every single morning is turn on the computer/ mobile or TV. Starting your brain off with so much information overload right when you wake up can’t possibly be healthy. I would say to just enjoy your coffee or breakfast for about twenty minutes. Turning on the TV is one of the most insidious things you can do. The news can have such a negative impact on you that you might not even realize it. The news is generally about everything that’s wrong in the world and this is the first thing you become exposed to in the morning.

5

   .      Reading Spiritual books/ Soothing music.

Try to find uplifting habits or music that has peaceful melodies. One of the best times to listen to a self-help books or program is right when you wake up. Think about how the effect this will have on you if you do this for about thirty days. If you listen to inspirational/uplifting material right when you wake up, then you will eventually condition that message into your mind and connect it with waking up in the morning.

6.

         Meditate.

One of the most challenging things about meditating is to free you from negative thoughts. Early in the morning your mind is in a fairly quiet state and even five to ten minutes of deep centred relaxation/meditation can make a huge difference in your day.

Dr. Imtiaz Syed

M.B, B.S, MBA, CRA, PCQI, CPC

LinkedIn: http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/imtiaz-syed/13/89/841

OpenDoor Team member.  www. OpenDoor.cc

Redditch, Gloucestershire. UK.

By: Unknown On 10:56 AM

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Fortify Your Knowledge About Vitamins

Vitamins are essential nutrients that contribute to a healthy life. Although most people get all the vitamins they need from the foods they eat, millions of people worldwide take supplemental vitamins as part of their health regimen.

Why Buy Vitamins?

There are many good reasons to consider taking vitamin supplements, such as over-the-counter multivitamins. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), a doctor may recommend that you take them:

• for certain health problems
• if you eat a vegetarian or vegan diet
• if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

By: Unknown On 4:11 AM

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Hypochondria (Imaginary illness): unnecessary worry, fear and anxiety about their own health.

Hypochondriasis is a disorder in which a person experiences unnecessary worry, fear and anxiety about their own health.  People with hypochondriasis are very worried about getting a disease, even after medical tests show they do not. Furthermore, these people often misinterpret minor health problems or normal body functions as symptoms of a serious disease. An example is a person who is sure that his or her back pain is caused by a spinal tumour OR excessive daily work.

Fact is nobody knows exactly for sure what causes hypochondriasis. Researchers believe the problem could originate in the affected person’s belief that they deserve illness because of some wrongdoing in the past. Perhaps they have guilty conscience for some reason, and believe that “karma” has come around to them. Another theory is that the hypochondriac has learned benefits of being sick, such as getting extra attention.

Warning signs:

1.      Continuously doing health research.

2.      Worry of illness for at least six months.

3.      Confusing normal bodily sensations as a serious problem.

4.      Tension and stress in daily life.

5.      Continuously talking about symptoms of suspected diseases with others.

6.      Thinking of a disease after reading or hearing about it (TV/RADIO/INTERNET).

7.      Seeing doctors repeated times.

8.      Continual fear even with doctor’s reassurance.

9.      Frequently switching doctors, if one doctor says that you aren’t sick, he / she may not believe it and seek out other opinions.

Hypochondria are also sometimes a result of other psychological illnesses such as depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. In other cases, it may occur after a stressful or traumatic event, or sometimes in people with a family history of hypochondriasis.

Cyberchondria:

 Is a colloquial term used to describe the hypochondria that results from people self-diagnosing via reading articles on the Internet. The media can contribute with television shows depicting strange illnesses, or after major outbreaks of diseases or illnesses are constantly reported in the news.

How is hypochondriasis treated?

Because hypochondria is a psychological condition, it is important to seek out professional help from a therapist. People who have had many doctor visits with no findings of any malignant symptoms may want to consider that they are, in fact, a hypochondriac. This term is used loosely among friends and family members, but hypochondria is a real disorder that interferes with daily life that should be properly treated by a professional. Treatment for hypochondria includes:

1.      Psychotherapy.

2.      Behavioural therapy.

3.      Stress management support.

4.      Medication (Medication can help also if the hypochondria is a result of another issue like depression)

Few things to feel better:

First, a trained professional can help get to the bottom of what’s causing the fear and anxiety about the health. With proper support, patient can begin to feel unburdened by worry, and go on to live a fully functional, productive life. Because a hypochondriac is constantly worried about their physical health, it’s best to stay as physically healthy as possible. Consuming a healthy, nutritious diet, getting regular exercise, and getting the right vitamins and minerals needed for the age, gender and activity level is also very important.

Complications of hypochondriasis:

A person with hypochondriasis is at risk for repeated episodes of symptoms. He or she also might suffer from reactions or health problems related to multiple tests, procedures, and treatments. In addition to the pain and frustration this disorder often causes to the person and his or her family, repeated episodes also can lead to unnecessary and risky procedures, as well as high medical bills.

Outlook for people with hypochondriasis:

Hypochondriasis tends to be a long-term (chronic) condition that can last for years. In many cases, symptoms can recur. In the past, we believed only a small percentage of patients could recover completely. The focus of treatment was on learning to manage and control symptoms, and on minimizing functional problems associated with the disorder.

In order to successfully recover, it’s also necessary for the patient to maintain a healthy, beneficial relationship with their regular health care provider. This relationship should be supportive, not judgmental, and dependable. Make sure to keep a doctor that patient trust, and that is willing to also work with your psychological therapist. Remember, once patient gets help, he/she won’t have to live in fear any more.

Dr. Imtiaz Syed, M.B, B.S, MBA, CRA, PCQI, CPC

LinkedIn: http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/imtiaz-syed/13/89/841

Redditch, Gloucestershire. UK.

By: Unknown On 11:26 AM

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8 Steps for Breaking Habits

1. Stop—Challenge—Choose

Any time you become aware of an unhealthy thought, feeling, or action, use the Stop—Challenge—Choose Method. Let’s say you’re about to eat a whole tray of appetizers at a party because you’re nervous. First, stop and take a deep, slow breath to help bring your emotions under control. Next, challenge yourself by thinking about why you’re feeling or acting the way you are. Finally, choose the behavior that supports what you really want.

2. Make time your ally.

Time can be a powerful ally as you build optimal health. Your daily choices can, over time, lead you from non-sickness to disease. But conversely, time can serve as your ally as you make choices that lead to optimal health.

3. Avoid peer pressure and toxic environments.

Do your friends and family follow the same Habits of Disease that you do? Are you hanging out in an unhealthy environment? It’s a good idea to avoid, as much as possible, any activities, friends, and environments that are not conducive to healthy behaviors.

4. Keep a journal.

Every time you engage in an activity or make a choice that doesn’t support health, write it down. Make a note of what triggered the behavior and kept you from controlling the unhealthy choice.

5. Exchange a negative for a positive choice.

This technique can help lead you to healthy alternatives. For example, say you’re tired at work in the afternoon. You probably habitually grab a cup of coffee, but, this choice can actually exacerbate your lack of energy by robbing you of sleep that night. Instead, recharge naturally by taking a brisk 10-minute walk or by resting for five minutes with your eyes closed while listening to relaxing music.

6. Avoid giving the bad habit your energy or focus.

The best way to avoid acting in a certain way is to direct your focus elsewhere. If you keep telling yourself you’re not going to overeat or watch a second movie instead of heading to bed, your mind will stay focused on what you don’t want to do. The key is to avoid thinking of the behavior in the first place—which will become much easier if you load your daily choices with healthy habits that support what you really want.

7. Create barriers to the Habits of Disease.

I am absolutely powerless over Hershey's Chocolate KIsses. If there is a bag in the house I go into a feeding frenzy, and 1,000 calories later I’m wondering what hit me. So there are standing orders in my house that it can never come into my house.  Everyone once in a while my husband will put ONE chocolate as a surprise where I will find it  (I am at my goal weight, so one doesn't take me out of fat burning after all) and it is a special treat.

8. Get support.

 If you aren’t sure how to conquer a certain temptation, ask someone who has experienced the same challenge, like your Health Coach. If you don’t personally know someone who has made the journey to optimal health, friend me on Facebook, (Gail Abramowitz Oliver). I will invite you to a secret group of people who are also on the journey to lose weight and get healthy, and ask our wonderful community members for help.  Go to WWW.stopchallengechoose.com  and sign up today.  The daily advice from Dr. A is really fabulous!

Have a great weekend!  Yours in Good Health, Gail

Gail Oliver, Certified Health Coach, Take Shape for LIfe, www.slimtime.tsfl.com 

Source : Tanveer Hussain, MS, RPhI

By: Nadeem Zia On 9:33 AM

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How stressed are you? Try the test

Stress is part of everyday life and can be beneficial. But high levels over a long period can be seriously bad for our health.

The following test has been created with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy for National Stress Awareness Day. It has been designed to help you spot symptoms of stress and find out how well you are coping with the pressure of everyday life. Click: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-24756311

Scoring: never - 0, almost never - 1, sometimes - 2, often - 3 and very often - 4.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-24756311

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By: Unknown On 10:09 PM

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9 EASY WAYS TO BUST WORK STRESS

It’s true that stress affects one in five of the working population. It’s the biggest cause of sickness and more than 105 million days are lost to stress each year. Now question is here’s how to avoid it. Below are tried and tested methods practiced by highly successful people every day to reduce work stress.

Positive mental attitude

A workforce filled with shiny, happy people might not be realistic but a negative outlook will merely make trivial issues seem huge. For the same reason, avoid moaning to colleagues about issues connected with your home life. See your workplace as a space where you can leave these stresses at the door.

Be proactive

Turning a blind eye to problems will quickly send stress levels sky high. If you think the weekly staff meeting should be held on a Monday instead of a Friday, you’re probably not alone. By bottling things up you’re allowing the problem to grow, and at some point you’re going to explode.

Timing is everything

If you’re struggling to meet a deadline, being late will only make things worse. Leaving work on time is equally important, because doing so helps to reinforce the work life balance, and accepting that there are some factors  such as train delays, which are beyond your control is also essential. Understanding what you can and can’t control is key. Maintain punctuality wherever you can, but try not to let other people’s tardiness influence your stress levels.

Take a break

On busy days it’s easy to end up glued to your desk, but regular breaks lower stress levels by providing a change of scene. Also, eating at your desk is not only isolating but bad for your health. Use lunchtime to have a change of scenery and connect with other colleagues in the department.

It’s really good to talk

Good communication is key to reducing stress. People, who open themselves up, sharing their anxiety, are able to spring back more easily from the slings and arrows of corporate life.

Don’t delay

Putting off trickier tasks in favor of easier, more enjoyable ones is a sure fire way to send stress levels through the roof. By prioritizing your workload you’ll achieve more in less time and will be less likely to feel less stressed about your workload.

Tidy desk equals is to tidy mind

If your desk is filled with old coffee cups, carrying out basic tasks will be significantly trickier. A recent study by scientists at University College London revealed that 56 per cent of participants felt an immediate rise in stress levels when faced with a messy desk.

Walk for work

No doubt, exercise has a huge effect on stress levels. It can help improve sleep patterns and increases production of endorphin.  The brain’s feel good chemical. A lunchtime walk around the park is a great way to forget about work related worries and stresses.

Love your job

If you’re not happy about something, change it, and if you can’t remember the last time you had a good day at work, perhaps it’s time to consider a career change. There’s no quicker way to send stress levels through the roof than by dreading going to work. 

Source: Dr. Imtiaz Syed

By: Unknown On 10:19 AM

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