todojoven.org

Although the tobacco companies would like you to believe otherwise, there is nothing glamorous or chic about smoking. Smoking will accelerate the appearance of wrinkles and ages your skin. Smoking creates many health problems for women: Women who smoke die of lung cancer and other smoking related diseases at twice the rate of women who don't smoke. Women who smoke are sick more often than women who do not. Women who smoke heavily have almost three times as much bronchitis or emphysema, about 75% more chronic sinusitis, 50% more peptic ulcers compared to women who don't smoke. Smoking affects pregnancy and the health of the baby. The risk of serious effects on the heart and blood vessels may be several times greater for women who use birth-control pills and also smoke cigarettes, compared to those who are on the pill but do not smoke. More women die from lung cancer than from breast cancer. So teenage girls and women need to stop smoking. Stop Smoking Tips - The Important 4 D's: Drink water. - It helps flush the nicotine and other chemicals out of your body faster. This also satisfies the oral craving for a period of time. Try using a straw which is the same diameter as the cigarette. Deep breathing. - This is very healthy, but most people do not utilize their full lung capacity. Take 10 deep breaths, and hold the last one while lighting a match. Exhale slowly, and blow out the match. Take a Deep Breath Break instead of a cigarette break. Delay. - Every day, delay lighting your first cigarette by one hour. After the first cigarette, when you have your next craving to smoke, delay for another half an hour. As a smoker you were not in control of your habit; you smoked when your body craved nicotine. Now by delaying, you are calling the shots, you are in control of when you say NO. Do something different. - Don't smoke when you first experience a craving. Wait several minutes (also see Delay above) and during this time change your activity or talk to someone. You have to get out of the situation that makes you want to smoke. For instance, if you smoke after dinner, do the dishes or go for a walk. Change your habits! Stop Smoking Aids Nicotine replacement therapies (NRT), such as chewing gum, skin patch, tablet, nasal spray or inhaler, are designed to help you break the habit while providing a reduced dose of nicotine to overcome withdrawal symptoms. Studies have shown that NRT doubles the chances of a smoker to successfully quit smoking compared to someone using no therapy. Bupropion, (Zyban) works by de-sensitising the brain�s nicotine receptors and has similar success rates to NRT. The course of treatment lasts around 8 weeks. It is only available on prescription under medical supervision. Laser Stop Smoking Therapy - This has been gaining a lot of attention and popularity lately. It is a safe, drug-free method of smoking cessation method. The laser's light is helpful in controlling the smoking addiction and enhancing relaxation. Beneficial health changes when you stop smoking: Stop smoking and your body will start to repair the damage done almost immediately, starting a series of beneficial health changes that continue for years.

Time since quitting	Beneficial health changes
20 minutes	Blood pressure and pulse rate return to normal.
8 hours	Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in blood drop by half, oxygen levels return to normal.
24 hours	Carbon monoxide will be eliminated from the body. Lungs start to clear out mucus and other smoking debris.
48 hours	No nicotine left in the body. Ability to taste and smell is greatly improved.
72 hours	Breathing becomes easier. Bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase.
2 - 12 weeks	Circulation improves.
9 months	Coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve as lung function is increased by up to 10%.
1 year	Risk of a heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker.
10 years	Risk of lung cancer falls to half that of a smoker.
15 years	Risk of heart attack falls to the same as someone who has never smoked.

Dealing with food addiction Anna Lynn C. Sibal Modern society�s image of the beautiful woman is someone who fits a certain size, usually size 6 or smaller, someone with a certain kind of bone structure, someone with a certain kind of face. This image is glorified in many, many fashion magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Elle and Vogue. This image is, unfortunately, not true for the average woman, who has to struggle with size 8 or bigger, who does not have the same delicate bone structure, who does not have the particular kind of face that one would see on a model. Not all of us are born to fit such an image of what is considered the beautiful woman. In fact, very, very few fit that given image at all. And yet, there are so many women out there who try desperately to fit that image, who will try all means available to them and that which they can afford just to be able to fit that image. Sadly, despite whatever measure we might take, some of us are just that: fat. If we are not genetically predisposed to being overweight, there are other reasons why we are carrying around extra flesh on our bodies. It could be because we are addicted to food. And while this is not a general or a blanket statement on why women are fat, it could be because we basically have issues with ourselves that we cannot face, and we hide behind the comfort that food brings us whenever we had to deal with something that we find truly stressful. Examine yourself. Are you fat because your genes have dictated that your body should be formed that way? Are you fat because you are lazy? Or are you fat because you cannot stop eating? That character from the Austin Powers series of movies, the one they have named Fat Bastard, captured it so poignantly with this line: �I eat because I am unhappy, and I am unhappy because I eat.� Is it that case for you too? If you are one of us, one of those women who are afflicted with food addiction, the first step towards recovery always involves recognition. Recognize and admit to yourself that you have an issue that you need to deal with and that you are using food to cover up for the fear, the anxiety and the sadness that you feel whenever you are forced to face something you do not want to handle. Once you have gotten a handle of the situation, the next step would be to determine what gives you so much stress and anxiety, enough to turn to the comfort of food. More often than not, it has something to do with self-image. If it is indeed the case, that your food addiction has something to do with self-image, then the next step would be to embrace what you are and accept that you cannot be what you are not. Most importantly, do not take this journey of ridding yourself with food addiction alone. It is so very easy to fall back into the old pattern of bingeing after being upset with something if you are dealing with it alone. Seek help with a counselor or a support group. There are others like us, like you; you need not go through this all alone.

By Laci Chiodo Dark spots, and freckles, and skin-damage - oh my! Looking to lighten your complexion? Every shade of skin is beautiful, but as we grow older our skin tone can change. Freckles may appear, dark spots can arise, and skin may not be as light as it once was. So, if you're still not ready to embrace your dark side, read on for a few natural whitening tips and tricks. Use Sunblock One of the easiest ways to stay fair is to use sunblock on a daily basis. Find a moisturizer that includes an SPF of 15 or higher and use it every morning after washing your face. Sunblock not only prevents your skin from getting darker, but also blocks harmful UV rays that can cause cancer and premature aging. Remember your hands when applying sunblock, as they are a prime area for age spots. Exfoliate Exfoliating once a week will remove dead skin cells to lighten and brighten your skin. Mix two tablespoons oatmeal and two tablespoons brown sugar with a quarter cup of milk, and stir until a paste forms. Gently scrub your face, rinse, and moisturize. Make a Mask A homemade mask is a great way to lighten your skin and a good excuse to kick back on the couch. Try using one once a week. Use one tablespoon of each of the following: sandalwood paste, lemon juice, tomato juice, and cucumber juice. Mix them all together to form a paste. Spread the mixture on your face and wait until it dries. Rinse and moisturize for a natural glow. Licorice Extract Licorice extract contains glabridin, a component that acts as a natural skin whitener. Apply a thin layer of the extract morning and evening, after you wash your face and before you moisturize. Licorice extract can be found at any health food store or ordered online. Be sure to store the bottle in a cool, dark place to maintain freshness. Note: test a small amount on the back of your arm before using on your face to be sure you do not have an allergic reaction. Remember to love your skin no matter what color it is. It's a part of who you are and that's what makes you beautiful and unique.

By Wenona Napolitano At some point you had acne, now you are left with embarrassing, ugly scars. There are ways to diminish and reduce the appearance of the acne scars. The severity of the scars will determine what you will need to do to diminish them. I would recommend seeking advice from a dermatologist or a cosmetic surgeon to determine the best course of action. For very mild scarring you can try a few at home procedures and products to help reduce the appearance of the scars. At home dermabrasion and chemical peels can help diminish some scarring especially if you also use retinol or alpha hydroxyl acid lotions or creams. For sensitive skin you may not want to apply retinol or alpha hydroxyl products right after dermabrasion or peels because it can cause redness and irritation. Other products you can try are scar reducing creams like Mederma or Rosehip seed oil which is said to be great at reducing scar tissue. Aloe Vera juice and gels and lavender oils are also said to work well on reducing scars. Professional treatments for scarring include Laser Resurfacing which involves the use of a laser to remove skin so new skin can form in its place. Laser resurfacing can cause uneven skin tones in people with darker skin. It is still being studied but shows a lot of promise. After treatment you may experience redness and swelling which may last for several weeks. Dermabrasion has been around for decades. Originally sandpaper was used to remove damaged skin. Now a machine rotates to remove the damaged skin, the skin is numbed or frozen first. After the procedure your skin is raw and scabs will form. After the scabs heal your skin will be reddish for several weeks. Augmentation is a procedure where material like collagen or your own fat will be injected under the scar to bring it to the surface. The treatments last for about six months but they are working on more permanent solutions. Subcision is a technique that detaches the scar from deeper tissue and allows a pool of blood to form under the scar. The blood clots and helps form connective tissue under the scar to level it with the rest of the skin surface. Subcision is usually combined with either dermabrasion or laser resurfacing. The depth and shape of your scars will determine what treatment your doctor will recommend.

By Laci Chiodo Do you long for shiny tresses, but lack the funds for expensive products and treatments? Don't despair - you don't have to be a supermodel to have gleaming locks. Before you mourn your lackluster strands, head to the kitchen and try these simple solutions to lock in shine the natural way. Sun, wind, saltwater, pollution, and chemicals are just some of the shine-depleting elements your hair may be subjected to on a daily basis. They can strip your hair of its natural oils and create build-up leaving it dull and lifeless. Fortunately, Mother Nature has a few remedies to share. The Alluring Avocado Mash an avocado (one avocado for short hair, two for long) in a bowl until it forms a thick paste. Spread the paste on your hair from root to tip and leave on for 20 minutes. Shampoo and rinse. Avocados are high in fatty acids and nutrients. Feed your hair! Amazing Apple Cider Vinegar Mix half a cup of apple cider vinegar with one quart of water and use as a hair rinse after your regular shampoo. Rich in alpha-hydroxy acids, apple cider vinegar helps break down residue build-up leaving your hair soft and full of shine. Rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar and it will be shining in no time. Eggs Over Olive Oil Beat together two eggs for short hair, three for long, and add in three tablespoons of olive oil. Coat your hair from root to tip and leave on for 30 minutes. Shampoo and rinse. Eggs contain eleven essential nutrients and are packed with protein. Combine them with olive oil for conditioning and nourishment and you have one powerful duo. Coconut Craze Warm three tablespoons of coconut oil and gently comb into your hair from root to tip. Wrap your hair in a hot towel and let the oil sit for 30 minutes. Shampoo and rinse. Loaded with antioxidants, coconut oil works to smooth dry and damaged cuticles and lock in shine. Life doesn't have to be dull and neither does your hair! It's time to shine! Open your cabinet and start mixing, then sit back and bask in your natural glow.