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stress

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Healthy Lifestyle
January 23, 2019

Practise breathing to improve your health

Breathing is an automatic process driven by the part of your brain that controls other life-sustaining functions like your heartbeat and sleeping patterns. Learning to breathe correctly can benefit your immune system by optimising oxygenation; the addition of oxygen in your body. It can also help to lower your blood pressure, reduce stress and balance your nervous system. By paying careful attention to your breathing and breathing at a different pace, it is possible to engage different parts of the brain. Controlled breathing A 2017 study found that controlling your breathing calms your brain. Researchers stumbled on the neural circuit…
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Healthy LifestyleTravel & holiday
October 22, 2018

How the ocean affects your health

A cool, salty breeze on your skin, waves softly crashing over you and endless sand to squish your toes into... There’s nothing quite like frolicking in the ocean to lift your spirits. But, did you know that taking a dip also has health benefits? Years ago, ancient Greeks bathed in seawater to boost their health, and so can you! Here are some great reasons to dive on in. It heals your skin Unlike a river, seawater has large amounts of important minerals like calcium, chloride, sodium, sulphate and magnesium. These minerals are little health helpers for skin and can help…
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AnxietyMental & Emotional HealthUncategorized
August 29, 2018

Do you have an anxiety disorder?

Being worried is absolutely normal, especially when you’re about to take on a big task like exams or rushing to find that lecture room on time. On the other hand, if your worrying causes constant stress, impacts on your social life, and interferes with classes and work, you may need to seek help. If that’s the case, it’s important to know that millions of people suffer with social anxiety disorder. You’re really not alone. It’s equally common in men and women. If left unchecked, it can drive people into a chronic state of nervousness and fear. Normal anxiety Anxiety is…
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Symptoms, Aches & Pains
July 16, 2018

Nauseous after eating? Here’s why

You’ve just finished a delicious meal and while it’s hit the spot, you’re starting to feel sick. Urgh. Why are you feeling nauseous? Your digestive system is a collection of organs that work together to break down what you eat or drink. When you eat, the food is digested and the nutrients are turned into energy. The process begins in your mouth when you chew and the food is broken down to be swallowed. Food travels down your food pipe and then to the stomach and intestines. Any problems during these processes may cause nausea after eating. Food poisoning If…
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Hormones
July 16, 2018

Under the spotlight: Cortisol

Think of cortisol as your body’s alarm system. It’s the main stress hormone which helps fuel your body’s fight or flight response in emergencies. Cortisol works with certain parts of the brain to help control your mood, motivation and fear responses. What does cortisol do? Triangle-shaped hormones called the adrenal glands make cortisol. Almost every cell in your body has receptors for cortisol, so this means that cortisol is involved in different actions in the body. These include: Managing how your body uses carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Acting as an anti-inflammatory when needed. Regulating your blood pressure. Increasing your blood sugar (glucose). Regulating…
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General knowledge
July 16, 2018

Showers vs. baths: which is better?

Whether your preference is hopping in the shower first thing in the morning or indulging in cosy, warm baths after work, both have perks. But are baths or showers better? Let’s explore the different benefits of baths and showers. If you want to save water A long soak after a hard day sounds great, but the average tub uses approximately 136 litres of water to fill! On the other hand, a 10-minute shower uses just 76 litres. With the Cape Town water crisis, it makes sense for us all to be more water-wise. For example, take two-minute showers. The best…
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Healthy Lifestyle
July 16, 2018

Is massage therapy good for your health?

You might think of a massage as a luxury, but did you know it has health benefits too? Massage therapy is known as “the art of rubbing”. It dates back thousands of years and today, it’s used for different health purposes. Massage therapists use different techniques. They, rub, press and manipulate muscles and soft tissue in the body. These practitioners usually work with their hands and fingers, but may also use their elbows, feet and forearms, depending on the type of therapy. Before you’re given a massage, your therapist may ask you different questions about your medical history and will…
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Autoimmune Conditions
June 13, 2018

What exactly is Lupus?

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can damage any part of your body, including your skin, joints or organs. With lupus, your body experiences autoimmunity. This means that your immune system becomes confused and can’t tell the difference between your body’s healthy tissues and “foreign invaders” like viruses, bacteria and germs. As a result, the immune system attacks the healthy tissues and organs, which harms your body in different ways. It may cause inflammation, pain and damage to different parts of the body. Lupus ranges from mild to life-threatening and if treated, most people can live a full life.…
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Skin
January 5, 2018

Why do I have dark rings under my eyes?

Eek! You have a date tonight and there are dark circles under your eyes… again. You’ve tried sleeping for eight hours every night, but this doesn’t seem to make any difference. What now? A lot of people suffer from these dark rings. The dark rings are basically just the blood vessels underneath the eyes that are visible through the skin. The skin around the eyes are naturally very thin, so depending on hydration, blood flow and the colour and thickness of the skin, these dark rings may be more or less visible. Lack sleep and too much alcohol are the…
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Symptoms, Aches & Pains
December 8, 2017

Could you have fibromyalgia?

You finally crawl into bed after a long and taxing day, looking forward to nothing more than a few blissful hours of sleep. Except, it’s not. Your body and muscles ache in weird ways and you feel odd prickles of pain all through the night. What’s going on? It could be fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition, but it’s not progressive or life-threatening. Nor does it have anything to do with muscle, nerve or joint injury, or any serious tissue damage or disease. People with fibromyalgia are not at greater risk for other musculoskeletal diseases. Fibromyalgia is a muscular pain…
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