Flawless skin is something that everyone wants to achieve. It’s not very difficult for one to get healthy skin and maintaining it, a few changes to one’s lifestyle can actually work wonders in getting skin that glows with freshness.

Daily Exfoliation:

Dead skin should always be removed by exfoliating daily. Before you jump into your shower every morning, try to exfoliate your skin with a dry brush. This also improves circulation and removes puffiness. You can also exfoliate while in the shower. Use a natural loofah to exfoliate in the shower or you can also use a body brush.

Increase your intake of water

Your body needs to be well hydrated if you want to your skin to get a fresh glow. Dehydrated skin can also increase problems like acne and white heads. You should also moisturize regularly to keep your skin healthy, and avoid carbonated beverages and caffeine.

Eat a balanced diet:

You are what you eat. If you consume more fatty foods and processed breads and junk food, it will start showing in your skin. Add fiber, fruits, vegetable and whole grains to your diet and avoid sugary and deep fried food. Limit your intake of alcohol or avoid it altogether.

Increase your activity level:

Increasing your activity level improves your circulation and also aids in flushing our toxins from your body. This way your skin also looks fresh and your pores open naturally. You can start a regular exercise routine in the gym, or simply take a walk everyday around your block.

Distress:

Soak in a warm tub with some nice soft music, or visit a spa and get a deep tissue massage to remove all the stress from your body. Stress can be the biggest cause of acne and bad skin in some people.

The Hibiscus is an exotic flowering shrub. It is found in tropical, and sub tropical climates all over the world. It has flowers of many colors like pink, red, yellow, white and even hybrid varieties. The Hibiscus has been widely cultivated all over the world for the many medicinal properties and uses of its flowers. Uses of hibiscus leaf ,flower or plant are many. Hibiscus plant are also used fro medical purpose. Mentioned here are a few uses of the hibiscus flower:

Uses in Ayurvedic medicine:

In India, the Red Hibiscus flower has been cultivated and grown for its great benefits and uses in Ayurvedic medicine, which is a traditional Indian medicine involving yoga, meditation and massage.

Herbal tea made from Hibiscus flowers:

The flowers of the hibiscus plant are used all over the word in making herbal teas that are very healthy and aid the digestive system. The tea made from hibiscus is a natural diuretic and consumed by people with kidney disorders and high blood pressure all over the world. Hibiscus tea is also very high in vitamin C and very good to drink if you are suffering from the flu.

Drinks made from the Hibiscus flowers:

In the Caribbean, flowers of the Hibiscus plant are crushed and made into a delicious drink that is widely consumed during festivals and holidays. Rum and many more ingredients are also added to it to give it an exotic flavor.

Food coloring:

Some species of the Hibiscus flowers have been used to make natural food coloring. These are organic food colors and don’t have side effects like the artificial ones.

For paper:

In Asia Hibiscus plants have also been cultivated, to be used in making paper as well.

As a vegetable:

The Hibiscus plant has been grown as a vegetable in the Caribbean and makes a large part of their diet as well.

You can buy hibiscus flower extract or plant or organic hibiscus from many places including some online website.

Natural, homemade ingredients can be utilized to make some refreshing face masks that can work wonders on your skin. If you have oily skin, dry skin or normal skin, you can make face masks that suit your own particular skin type. Here are a few masks that you can use for all skin types:

Egg white face mask:

This mask is very moisturizing and soothing and is made of only two basic ingredients, yogurt and egg whites. Take the egg whites from 2 eggs and mix with 1 tsp natural yogurt. Apply to face for 10-15 minutes and wash.

Yogurt and honey face mask:

This mask is ideal if you have suffered a sun burn, or even if you feel that your skin is feeling too dry. All it needs is one table spoon of yogurt and one table spoon of honey. Mix the two and apply to the face for 15 minutes. Wash for a refreshing and rejuvenating effect.

Homemade clay masks:

This mask is truly one of the best facial masks you can ever make. All you need is 1 and a half tsp green clay, half tsp kaolin, 1 and a half tsp Aloe Vera and 1 tsp rose water. You can also add a few drops of essential oils like almond oil to this mask. Apply the mask for 10-15 minutes and wash.

Oatmeal and yogurt face mask:

This face mask is such a simple and basic mask that it can be easily made and applied weekly at home. Simply mix 1 tsp yogurt, 1 tsp oatmeal and a few drops of organic honey and apply to the face. Leave on for 10 minutes and wash.

Banana face mask:

This mask if for normal to oily skin. Take a very ripe banana, 1 tsp honey and the juice of a lemon. Mix the ingredients and apply for ten minutes.

Most of us live very sedentary lives, and tend to be too caught up in work, daily chores and our kids to have time for a regular exercise routine. This way our body tends to suffer as too much immobility not only makes us gain weight, but is also bad for health. Here are a few tips on how you can increase your activity level:

Skip the elevator:

When you are out shopping, or going up to your floor in the office, skip the elevator once in a while and take the stairs.

Walk or bike ride to your destination:

Go green and either walk or ride a bike to work, school or the mall occasionally, when the weather allows it. This way not only do you save fuel, and thus help in energy conservation, but you also feel fresh and energetic when you reach your destination.

Join a class:

Join an aerobics class, a gym, a dance class, a team sport; join anything that will get you on the move once again! A regular activity like playing soccer with your kids, hiking with your friends or simply running every day will not only tone your body, but will also make you feel more energetic.

Get up, and do it yourself:

Instead of using the remote, manually switch the channels. The remote contributes the most in making our lives more and more sedentary. Start a garden and grow your own crops, mow your own lawn and instead of driving to the car wash, wash your own car. Start a house cleaning frenzy and make sure you have the cleanest house in the neighborhood!

What is Post Partum Depression?

Post Partum Depression, or the “Baby Blues” is the temporary condition that affects some mothers immediately after giving birth to their baby. This condition affects first time mothers more than others, as they are suddenly overwhelmed with the care of a new baby. This condition should last anywhere between a few hours, to a few days.

What you should understand about post partum depression:

If you are a first time mom, and feel completely depressed because of the baby blues, you must understand that this is completely normal. When a woman is pregnant, her body is running full throttle on pregnancy hormones which increase almost a million times more than normal. After giving birth, these hormones suddenly drop down and it is this sudden change in hormone concentration in the blood that may contribute to a woman’s sudden feeling of depression.

How should you cope with the “baby blues”:

Complete rest:

At this crucial time when your body literally feels like it’s been hit by a truck, rest can do you a world of good. Give your baby to his or her father or grandmothers for a few hours and take some much needed rest. Rest usually works wonders and a good night’s sleep is sometimes all that’s needed for that depressing feeling to go away.

Eating well:

Eat a highly nutritious and healthy diet and avoid fatty foods like junk food and sugary desserts. Eating well also contributes greatly to getting rid of post partum depression.

Support groups:

If you are a single mom, or don’t have much family support, you can always join a support group for young mothers. These can help you meet more new mothers and share experiences. If you are still feeling depressed after a couple of weeks of giving birth, you should seek help from a qualified psychologist or therapist.