Skincare for Women on the Move

Summer is setting in and just travelling to work zaps you. Turning up the air conditioner in your car sadly isn't the solution because the harmful rays of the sun can get to you anyway. From the outdoor heat to air-conditioned offices to polluted streets, our skin goes through so much in one day. But is there any way to protect it?

We give you a complete skincare guide for women on the move. Check it out. 

Hydrate your skin
Continuously exposing your skin to the environment can dehydrate it due to intense heat and sometimes low humidity too, thus affecting the natural ability of your skin to moisturize itself. Furthermore, the skin's natural renewal process or exfoliation is also hampered. This may lead to dry skin, wrinkles and an uneven skin tone too.
That's why it is essential to hydrate your skin by consuming a good amount of water and juices daily. An average of 8 glasses of water each day should do it for you! So if your job requires you to be outdoors for most of the day, make sure to carry a bottle of water with you and refill from time to time.

Wear you sunscreen
It's something you may just ignore in a hurry, but it protects you from most of the skin damage caused by the sun's rays – tanned skin, wrinkles and more. Dermatologists usually recommend the use of a U VA / U VB sunscreen, with SPF 15+ or higher to stay protected. Apply the sunscreen as frequently as possible, especially when you are exposed to the sun for long, like while swimming or jogging.

You could also use a good day time moisturizer like the Olay Total Effects Normal UV which not only fights the seven signs of aging but also protects you from the sun with its SPF 15 ingredients.

Wash your face often
If you're a working woman, you'd obviously be exposing yourself to the polluted air. Ever thought about how much damage it does to your skin? Ensure your skin is free of the dirt by washing your face often. You need not use a face wash each time since that will only dry your skin further. However, remember to splash water on your face throughout the day to keep it clean!

A good cleanser will help you get rid of the dirt that gets deep into your skin. The Olay Total Effects cleansers help you remove dust, dirt, oil and impurities to give you absolutely clean skin.

Treat your skin
The best time for your skin to heal is while you sleep. So treat your skin with a serum before you hit the bed. An anti-ageing one will be preferable for best results.

Try out the Olay total Effects Serum for best results. The product, with its high concentration of Vita Niacin, helps fight the 7 signs of ageing.  Also, fast absorption quality of the serum ensures deeper penetration, and hence better results. What's better is that it doesn't leave you with a sticky or greasy feel.

Try a face scrub
Exfoliating is another key to good skin. Invest in a good face scrub and use it once a week to get rid of dead skin cells and unclog your pores. This is especially good if you use public transport regularly and are exposed to pollution often. Simply apply the scrub on your face in circular motion. Be gentle around the eye area and do not apply it on your eyelids. Wash off and apply a light moisturizer to finish.

Now that you are equipped with this skincare guide, you can stay protected even if you are outdoors all day!

Tips to boost your energy levels!

Almost everyday we observe people complaining about feeling tired. Most of these complains arise post lunch where people feel physically and emotionally zapped.

Unfortunately, leading a hectic life has become a natural part of life, thus, many people cannot afford to be tired. The challenge, therefore, is to maintain health and vitality, which can only be done by preserving the energy we have and be sure that it isn't squandered by situations and behaviors that will ultimately present a challenge to our functionality. Though we are conditioned to expect such vitality to decline with age, there is much you can do to slow that decline by preserving your vital energy reserves.

Ways to increase energy levels

Bananas and watermelon
These revive energy as fast as sugary sweets do. In fact, ripe bananas rate almost as high as table sugar on the energy-upping index. However, unlike sugar, fresh fruit gives you a stamina boost plus the nutritional benefits of fiber, vitamins and minerals. An added bonus is that there's no food quite as portable as a banana. Since watermelon can be a bit messy to eat at your desk, cut some into chunks the night before and stash in a plastic container. (Dates, mangoes, papaya and pineapple also rank high on the energy-revving scale.)

Carrots and potatoes
Just like sugary snacks and soft drinks, carrots and potatoes can up your blood sugar to an all-time high. Unlike junk food, they provide a host of important nutrients (such as vitamins A and C, frolic acid and potassium) along with that energy blast. Keep a bag of baby carrots in your desk drawer and you'll be less likely to make an afternoon trip to the vending machine.

Cornflakes and shredded wheat
Even without adding sugar, wholesome cereals such as muesli, corn flakes, instant oatmeal, puffed rice top the list of breakfast foods that provide quick energy. This morning meal tends to be digested slowly, which means that blood sugar levels stay stable.

Water
If you're not drinking at least 10 to 15 cups of water a day, especially in warm weather or if you work out regularly, you're setting yourself up for dehydration. Don't wait until you feel thirsty because at that point, your body is already suffering. Make a habit of setting a full glass of water on your desk all day long. Drinking nimbu paani is a healthy way to replenish nutrients that are lost after a workout.

Managing your energy budget
When you take the time to consciously rest, relax, meditate and eat well, you are preserving what vital energy you already have and are also taking the opportunity to cultivate more. This is of paramount importance to your quality of life, level of immunity and your physical and mental stamina. It is recommended you meditate at least 20 to 25 minutes daily. Make sure that you sleep for at least seven hours everyday. Try and squeeze in a quick a 15 to 20 minute power nap during the day to help you fight fatigue and low energy. One should also try and stretch for 10 minutes twice a day. When we stretch, we're actually contracting and relaxing our muscles, thus preventing any kind of muscle stiffness. This practice will allow blood to flow freely throughout the body thus giving us energy in minutes. Gently stretch your toes, legs, arms, shoulders, and neck. Make sure you do not have any medical conditions that can cause fatigue. These include low thyroid function, low hemoglobin levels, and a range of other ailments, which can be determined by blood tests. Go for a complete body check- up at least once in two years.

Baby with smoker parent have high nicotine level

A new study has suggested that babies who sleep in the same room as their smoker parents exhibit nicotine levels that are three times higher than those who sleep in a separate room.

It said third-hand smoke - harmful smoke particles that can stick to clothes, skin and furniture - is responsible for the elevated levels.

This is the conclusion of a study carried out in Catalonia, which also shows that ventilating bedrooms is not effective in reducing the levels of toxins from passive smoking.

"Passive smoking is the leading preventable cause of childhood death in developed countries", said Guadalupe Ortega, lead author of the research study.

Known as BIBE (Brief Intervention in Babies. Effectiveness), the study highlights exposure to tobacco smoke among this very vulnerable age group in private spaces, where no specific programs are yet in place", he said.

The study involved the participation of 96 primary healthcare centers in Catalonia.

The experts interviewed the parents of 1,123 babies (under 18 months of age), who had at least one smoking parent.

They analysed hair samples from 252 babies in order to determine their nicotine levels, and carried out follow-up visits three and six months later.

The parents' statements largely coincided with the results obtained from the hair analysis - 73 per cent of the adults said they smoked or allowed smoking in their homes, while 83 per cent of the hair analysed showed up high nicotine levels.

The study is published in BMC Public Health.

An apple a day keeps cholesterol away

An apple a day can really keep the doctor away by reducing bad cholesterol levels in women.

Apples are truly a miracle fruit that convey benefits beyond fiber content.

Animal studies have shown that apple pectin and polyphenols in apple improve lipid metabolism and lower the production of pro-inflammatory molecules.

According to a study randomly assigned 160 women ages 45-65 to one of  two dietary intervention groups:
            -one received dried apples daily (75g/day for 1 year)
            -and the othergroup ate dried prunes every day for a year.
Blood samples were taken at 3, 6 and 12-months.

The results were surprising which stated that incredible changes in the apple-eating women happened by 6 months - they experienced a 23 per cent decrease in LDL cholesterol.
The daily apple consumption also led to a lowering of lipid hydroperoxide levels and C-reactive protein in those women.
Unexpectedly the apple consumption reduced bad cholesterol while increasing HDL cholesterol or good cholesterol by about 4 per cent.
Yet another advantage is that the extra 240 calories per day consumed from the dried apple did not lead to weight gain in the women; in fact, they lost on average 3.3 lbs.
Reducing body weight is an added benefit to daily apple intake.
Part of the reason for the weight loss could be the fruit's pectin, which is known to have a satiety effect.

Treadmill exercise helps Parkinson's patients

People with Parkinson's disease who walk on a treadmill at a comfortable, low-intensity speed for a longer duration may be able to improve their gait and mobility, according to a new study.

The researchers have found that such exercise may be better than walking at faster speeds for a shorter period of time.


They also found benefits for stretching and resistance exercises. The study showed that low-intensity exercise performed for 50 minutes three times a week was the most beneficial in terms of helping participants improve their mobility. Walking difficulty is the major cause of disability in Parkinson's disease.
These results show that exercise in people with Parkinson's disease can make a difference in their function. Exercise may, in fact, delay disability and help to preserve independence.


The study compared 67 people with Parkinson's disease who were randomly assigned to one of three exercise groups:
       -walking on a treadmill at low intensity for 50 minutes,
       -higher-intensity treadmill training to improve cardiovascular fitness for 30 minutes,
       -and using weights (leg presses, extensions and curls) and stretching exercises to improve muscle strength and range of motion.
Participants exercised three times a week for three months under the supervision of exercise physiologists.
The team measured participants' cardiovascular fitness before and after training, and found cardiovascular improvement in both the low- and high-intensity groups. Other measurements included the distance covered in a six-minute walk and timed tests of walking short distances, such as 50 feet.

Nutrition for young women

Women in their twenties need to take special care of their overall health.there are some ways on how to do so - Having a proper healthy diet and exercising is one of the best ways you can take care of yourself and those who depend on you. This is especially true for women because they have unique nutritional needs, whether they are in their teens, pregnant or going through menopause. Young women in their 20's, who are usually working for long hours, sometimes erratic work shifts, often have to meet tight deadlines and face considerable stress. And to top it off, factors like eating out frequently, consuming junk food or hardly eating anything and lack of exercise add to poor health. Managing a boyfriend, friends and preparing to get married cause additional stress for working women. This takes a toll on their physical as well as mental health and so this subject has become an increasing concern for health experts in the city and they share their advice on the matter.

Women who have more than two alcoholic drinks a day are more prone to the risk of Osteoporosis. Also, they need to cut down on their daily caffeine intake. Therefore, they need to avoid more than two cups of coffee and avoid drinking fizzy colas regularly. It is clinically said - "In her 20's, a woman needs extra calcium to build bone, especially if she's physically active. She should also include soy, believed to protect against Cancer and heart disease, in her diet. Studies show that the bone mass index peaks in early adulthood and then declines. This calls for the importance of calcium. Since the muscles are more active, there is a need for higher calories and protein along with vitamins. Also, adequate fluid intake is necessary to balance the acid-base balance in the body."

She says that the thumb-rule for getting all the nutrients in the body, in the correct manner is to:

- Aim for variety in food -eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
      - Eat small meals every few hours.
      - Never starve yourself.
      - Drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Sporting gorgeous hair is every woman's wish. Nutrition is equally important for having healthy hair. As far as hair is concerned,it is said that Deficiency of vitamin A and B can cause undernourishment of hair-follicle cells. For this, the ideal option is the recommended dose of 25 to 50 mg a day, of thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and pantothenic acid. Riboflavin is another name for vitamin B2.

Drinking lots of milk cuts heart disease

Drinking three glasses of milk per day decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease by 18 per cent, says researchers. It is found that Milk and dairy are the most nutritious and healthy foods available and loaded with naturally occurring nutrients, such as calcium, potassium and protein, to name a few. It's about going back to the basics; maintaining a healthy lifestyle doesn't have to be a scientific equation.

An Israeli study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that a higher dairy calcium intake is related to greater diet-induced weight loss.


So drink milk to cut heart diseases and also to lose weight!

whole orange is better

The popular stocking stuffer is known for its vitamin C and blood-protecting antioxidants. There's something about an orange that's better than taking a vitamin C capsule. We think it's the particular mixture of antioxidants in an orange that makes it so good for you.

It is found that every time we eat carbs and fat, we increase the amount of free radicals in our blood. Over time, that increases our chance for hardened arteries and heart disease. But eating fruit protects us from that effect for a few hours after every meal. 

It is noted that supplement companies often mix high concentrations of extracts from blueberry and blackberry and orange and throw them all together and hope it's good. The researchers identified several combinations of antioxidants that were the most synergistic - the compounds hesperidin and naringenin, in particular, appeared to contribute the most punch in the combinations.

Go for your fitness goal

It is very common to start an exercise plan, and then give it up midway due to boredom, lack of time, pressing work deadlines or just sheer laziness.

Tendencies that lead to the abandonment of a healthy lifestyle cause not only weight gain, but also lead to depression, frustration and an acute sense of inadequacy. But adhering to a few simple steps can always help one to maintain an exercise plan or fitness regimen.

Researches have shown that people who exercise first thing in the morning are more likely to adhere to their fitness and diet plans. So it will help to start early to increase motivation levels Exercising with a buddy is also known to help maintain accountability, besides making it harder to shirk that extra set of crunches. If exercise gets boring, it helps to keep oneself distracted with music, television or a magazine.

A zingy playlist of cardio-music is a must. Try mixing up the regimen. Alternate between jogging, aerobics, dance, sports and yoga to make exercising fun. At all times, be realistic and set smaller goals. Set a small target at the start of every week — little successes can play a big role in sustaining motivation levels.

Cereal with milk best way to start the day

A new study has revealed that the healthiest breakfast choice is cereal with milk.

According to the research, breakfast is the key to a healthy lifestyle determining the quality of your whole day's nutrition.

And the best way to start the morning is with a simple bowl of cereal, as it makes people less likely to turn to fatty, sugary food through the rest of the day.

The study, by nutritionist Sigrid Gibson, and published in the BNF Nutrition Bulletin, revealed that cereal is a good source of calcium and numerous other key nutrients, such as fiber, protein and carbohydrate.

The research team analyzed 12,068 food records from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey, which interviewed Britons aged from 19 to 64.

The results showed that one in five adults ate no solid food for breakfast, one third chose cereals and 45 per cent enjoyed a non-cereal breakfast. The most popular item was tea or coffee, taken on 84 per cent of breakfast occasions.

Milk was consumed with 82 per cent of breakfasts, followed by cereal (39 per cent), bread (33 per cent) and fruit (14 per cent).

Women were less likely than men to choose bread, sausage, bacon or eggs and more likely to have fruit instead.

The study found that eating breakfast was associated with a lower fat and higher carbohydrate intake over 24 hours compared with skipping breakfast.

But this was mainly attributable to cereal-based breakfasts as non-cereal meals were associated with a higher intake of saturated fatty acid and lower protein intakes.

"This provides yet more evidence of the importance of eating breakfast and shows the value of making wise choices," the Daily Express quoted Newcastle University's nutrition professor Chris Seal, a member of The Breakfast Panel which commissioned the study, as saying.

"People who eat breakfast cereal generally eat less fat, saturated fat and sugar than those who do not and have better intakes of protein and important micro-nutrients, such as iron, vitamins and calcium."