Tag Health | resveralife

August 31, 2015 by Mayank

The Cell Transformation that Could Transform Medicine

The treatment and management of diseases and conditions is one of the most heavily studied areas of science. New discoveries are made every day, some of which have the power to transform medical practices. A recent study by molecular and cellular biologists indicates that the way in which personalized medicine is practiced may truly transform. Scientists have been able to use gene insertion to transform one type of cell into another type of cell. Adding genes into the original cells is a highly intricate process that involves a significant time investment. Additionally, when using gene insertion to transform cells, there is the possibility one of the genes meant for insertion could end up on a chromosome and activate a cancer-causing gene. New studies published online by Cell Stem Cell states that scientists have successfully transformed skin cells into neurons without the use of gene insertion.

The Study
The studies published online by Cell Stem Cell assert that scientists have been able to transform one type of cell into another type of cell with a less invasive and time consuming process. The new transforming technique involves the addition of a specific set of chemicals to the cells. Gang Pei, a co-author of one of the studies and a biochemist at the Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences in China explains that the crucial element in this new way of transforming cells is the use of small molecule chemicals. These small molecule chemicals go into the cell and enter the nucleus of the cell, the part that contains DNA. From here, the small molecule chemicals are able to alter the activity of a gene. Pei, and the team he led, spent enormous amounts of time researching the exact chemical concoction that can transform cells; in the study they transformed skin cells into neurons. The specific group of chemicals used by Pei and his team are labeled VCRFSGY and these chemicals work in stages. VCRF, the first four chemicals, begin the process by altering physical traits on a gene known as Tuj1 (a gene that is specifically active in neurons). Without the last three chemicals, the altered cell exists in an ambiguous state being neither a skin cell nor a neuron. The SGY chemicals amplify the neurological development that VCRF initiated which results in cells that looked, and acted like, neurons.In a second study, researchers in China were able to achieve the same results in mice using different chemicals.

Why it Matters
With two separate studies, and two sets of chemicals, producing the same results, molecular and cell biologists believe that this process could compete with gene insertion in order to reprogram and transform cells. They believe that the process of using small molecule chemicals will especially benefit the field of personalized medicine. These study is exciting because with these processes, a patient’s own cells can be used to treat illnesses and other conditions. Pei’s team was able to transform skin cells from an Alzheimer’s patient into neurons that exhibited markers of Alzheimer’s disease. With this process, researchers would be able to safely and accurately research the disease and perform drug tests on the transformed cells without endangering the patient.

These studies indicate that medical research and development continues to reach new and exciting heights constantly, which provides the scientific community with hope that disease study will advance to the point where cures are possible. These studies are just the beginning of the powers of cell-transforming technology and only time will tell what will be possible in the future.

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August 17, 2015 by Mayank

Girl's Nights – What They Really Do for Mental Health

You are busy, it’s as simple as that. Career obligations, social calendars and personal commitments are all vying for your attention and it can become overwhelming quickly. One way to fight back against the constant demands is to set aside time where you focus on you and what you need: to relax and have a bit of fun. However, saying you need to take time for yourself and actually doing it are completely different. You may feel that you don’t have time to just go out with the girls for a fun night, or you may feel guilty leaving your significant other and/or children behind. It’s time you stop feeling guilty about making time for yourself with your girls. Not only do you finally get time to just enjoy yourself, you are also engaging in an activity that has some pretty awesome mental health benefits.

Why Your Mental Health Matters
With the long list of things to do each day come people that depend on your. Your boss depends on quality work, your kids depend on you for a healthy meal and your significant other depends on you for support. It seems counterintuitive to say that you need to take time for yourself when you have so many people relying on you each day but in reality it’s incredibly important and beneficial. Without taking time to take care of yourself, how are you going to effectively take care of those who make up the important parts of your life?

The Office of Women’s Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services very plainly states the benefits of giving yourself some time saying, “[g]ood mental health helps you enjoy life and cope with problems. Just as you take care of your body by eating right and exercising, you can do things to protect your mental health.”

How a Girls Night Out Helps
Spending some time with your girls can:

Boost your happiness and reduce your stress
Encourage you to avoid or change unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as lack of exercise or excessive drinking
Improve your self-worth and confidence
Help you cope with traumas, such as serious illness, divorce, the death of a loved one or job loss
Increase your sense of purpose and belonging

Spending a night out with the girls decreases feelings of depression, stress and anxiety, increase beneficial hormones and can also give your immune system a boost. Research suggests that socializing with people of your gender plays a role in improving mental health. The reason is as yet unknown but there is a theory that bonding occurs due to biological hormone differences between genders and because you may find it easier to relate to the life experiences of members of your gender.

We know it may be difficult to schedule time with friends or that you might feel guilty about doing so, but you shouldn’t. Hanging out with your girls not only gives you a bit of time to relax, it also does provide serious mental (and physical) health benefits. Take care of yourself so you can take care of the people and things that are most important to you.

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August 5, 2015 by Mayank

Resveralife Eat Well: Get Healthy With These Food Pairings

Macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, wine and food – there are some foods that just seem to taste better when paired together. Of course, you have foods that you love to put together, but the food pairings can go far beyond providing a complimentary taste or texture. In fact, there are some food pairings that can actually significantly increase the nutritional value of your meal. Says Elaine Magee, D.R., “[f]ood synergy is when components within or between foods work together in the body for maximum health benefits…by eating foods that have a synergistic effect you can absorb more nutrients, gain control of your appetite and lower your risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke and weight-related diseases like Type 2 diabetes.” We did a little bit of digging to figure out what food pairings not only provide the largest amount of vitamins, minerals and nutrients, but also what food pairings genuinely taste great together. After all, you don’t get the nutritional benefits if you don’t actually eat the food. Resveralife’s favorite healthy food pairings are below.

Onions and grapes.

Onions and Grapes
We admit it, this healthy food pairing sounds pretty disgusting, but stay with us. Onions contain a particularly significant amount of quercetin, a plant-derived antioxidant. Quercetin provides cardiovascular protection by improving circulation. It has also been shown to help relieve or reduce symptoms of allergies. Grapes, a wealth of antioxidants, contain a polyphenol antioxidant called catechin. Catechin is a powerful antioxidant: it helps prevent against cardiovascular diseases, cancer and neurological disorders. An added bonus is that catechin may also help you lose weight. So, on their own these foods offer pretty impressive benefits. When combined they do all of the above in addition to preventing blood clots and providing a boost to your overall health. One of the tastiest ways to combine these two seemingly incompatible ingredients is to make a fresh chicken salad with sliced grapes and diced onions.

Blueberries and oatmeal.

Blueberries and Oatmeal
Grab a spoon and whip up this easy, and incredibly healthful, breakfast. For such a tiny fruit, blueberries pack a serious nutritional punch. Blueberries have a high concentration of ellagic acid, which is thought to fight certain cancers, and include vitamins C and K. Additionally, blueberries are a great source of fiber and vitamins C and K. Oatmeal is a whole grain and has high levels of avenanthramides – compounds that fight free radicals from damaging your LDL (good cholesterol) through oxidation. As whole grains they also help fight disease and inflammation in your body. When you combine blueberries and oatmeal, the vitamin C in blueberries significantly enhances the prevention of LDL oxidation.

Red beans and brown rice.

Red Kidney Beans and Brown Rice
A more appetizing sounding combination, red beans and rice are a great way to give your dinner more nutritional value. Brown rice is a whole grain that is naturally high fiber and magnesium. Red kidney beans have a ton of great nutrients: they contain protein, magnesium, potassium, fiber and vitamin B12. Eating red kidney beans helps to prevent heart disease, reduces blood pressure and stabilizes glucose levels.The reason these two ingredients form a great healthy food pairing is that when combined, red beans and brown rice form a complete protein. A protein is considered a complete protein when it contains certain levels of all nine amino acids. Red kidney beans and brown rice provide you with everything your body needs to function healthily.

Food pairings are nothing new, you’ve been making these decisions for years. However, being a bit more strategic about what foods are served together can not only create new flavors, but also increase your health. Spend some time figuring out the best way to combine healthy foods that you love. For instance, you don’t have to simply top your oatmeal with blueberries, consider making healthy oatmeal bars with fresh blueberries for an on-the-go breakfast. A healthier diet is definitely within your reach as you start creating healthy food pairings.

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July 27, 2015 by Mayank

Healthy Meals for Kids

The end of summer is in sight and the stores are packed full of every school supply imaginable. Back to school time usually means that your schedule is fuller and far more hectic than the relaxed days of summer. With all of the running around from school to karate to dance lessons to buy groceries, meal times can become increasingly difficult. Resist the temptation to give into easy, unhealthy options and consider these great meals that are easy to cook, and are perfect for your kids.

Salmon burgers.

Salmon Burgers
Give red meat a rest and serve your kids the burgers they love with the nutrition they need. These quick and easy salmon burgers are ready in under 30 minutes, making them the perfect busy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

1 can (14.75 oz) salmon – drained and flaked
1 egg
¾ cup rolled oats
½ onion – diced
½ lemon
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon vegetable oil

First, open and drain the can of salmon. Flake the salmon and be sure that no bones remain. Dice ½ onion and squeeze the juice from the ½ lemon. Next, mix the salmon, oats, onion, egg, Dijon mustard and lemon juice. Mix until ingredients until they are evenly combined then divide and separate into 4 patties. Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and fry until salmon is cooked through (roughly 5-7 minutes per side).

Buffalo chicken wrap.

Buffalo Chicken Wraps
Get the taste of wings with serving of veggies with this super quick and easy meal. This recipe is especially great for using leftover chicken in a tasty and fun way.

Ingredients

1 cup chicken breast – shredded
1 cup cooked brown rice
1 cup julienned carrots
1 cup juilenned celery
1 cup shredded lettuce
½ cup sharp Cheddar cheese
¼ cup buffalo style hot sauce
4 whole grain tortillas

Cook rice according to package directions – you can make this step quicker and easier by using a ready rice that takes only minutes to cook. Combine the shredded chicken and buffalo sauce. Place ¼ cup of brown rice on each tortilla and spread across the tortilla, leaving about ½ inch of space. Add ¼ cup chicken to each tortilla and add the sliced carrots and celery. Sprinkle the Cheddar cheese on top of the vegetables and top with shredded lettuce. Fold wrap and roll the wraps and you’re ready to eat. If desired you can serve with bleu cheese or ranch dressing. You can also eliminate the tortillas from this recipe and simply serve a buffalo chicken salad (add more lettuce).

Hummus pizza.

Hummus Pizza
Everyone loves a good slice of pizza, but it isn’t exactly the most nutritious choice to make for your family. For a healthier alternative, make this veggie packed pizza.

Ingredients

1 pre-made pizza crust
1 cup hummus
2 tablespoons black olives – sliced
1 cup sliced bell peppers (any color)
½ cup sliced onions
1 cup broccoli florets
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Preheat the oven to 475 degrees. Place crust on a baking stone or sheet. Spread the hummus evenly across the crust. Arrange the vegetables over the hummus top with the cheese. Bake in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes – until cheese bubbles and crust appears golden-brown.

Healthy meals don’t have to be boring. When you whip up one of these healthy alternatives to food favorites, your kids are sure to enjoy their dinner while you enjoy providing them with added health.

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June 22, 2015 by Mayank

Can You Overdose on Vitamin C?

Vitamin C is an important antioxidant for your body. It serves many functions from helping keep your immune system healthy to improving and encouraging healthy collagen production. However, is it possible to have too much of a good thing? Find out exactly why you need vitamin C and how much you should aim for daily.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C, also known a ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that is important to your overall health because it supports healthy growth and development. The National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements states that in your body “…vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals. These free radicals are compounds which get formed when the body converts food into energy. Additionally, vitamin C is vital to your body because your “…body also needs vitamin C to make collagen, a protein required to help wounds heal.” Moreover, vitamin C is known to help the body in absorbing more iron from plant-based foods, which lets the immune system work properly and prevents diseases from occurring.

When it comes to how you receive vitamin C, most people are able to achieve their recommended daily allowance of vitamin C through diet alone. However, there are those who benefit from taking a vitamin C supplement. To increase the amount of vitamin C that you receive without having to purchase a supplement, consider adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet. Citrus fruits are especially known for their high vitamin C levels. The following fruits and vegetables are great, natural sources of vitamin C:

Kiwis
Oranges
Grapefruits
Strawberries
Cantaloupe
Red/Green peppers
Tomatoes
Broccoli
Sweet potatoes
Baked potatoes

Woman holding her stomach in pin

Too Much of a Good Thing?
In a traditional overdose sense, as in fatality, vitamin C is highly unlikely to be harmful. However, if you do take in too much vitamin C you may end up with unpleasant side effects. Some of these side effects include:

Nausea
Vomiting
Stomach cramps
Diarrhea

While these are certainly uncomfortable, they are highly unlikely to end in a fatal overdose. It is important to note that in periods of extended vomiting or diarrhea, dehydration may be a result. Dehydration leads to extreme thirst, fatigue and reduced blood pressure and urine output. Additionally, prolonged vomiting and diarrhea can lead to other mineral and vitamin imbalances in your body, so it is important to keep an eye on how much vitamin C your body needs and how much you are getting.

The average adult male should aim for about 90mg of vitamin C each day. The average adult woman needs about 75mg of vitamin C each day. People who require more vitamin C include smokers, pregnant and breastfeeding women. Getting vitamin C is easy when you are sure to include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetable in your diet. While you can give yourself some unpleasant side effects if you take too much vitamin, generally speaking it is difficult to truly overdose on vitamin C. If you have any questions about how much vitamin C or what type of vitamin C you should be taking, schedule an appointment with your doctor.

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June 6, 2015 by Mayank

How Long Does it Take to Get Out of Shape

Advertisers selling everything from fake tans to bikinis all welcome the summer season by telling you that you need to “get your body beach-ready.” No matter what that phrase may or may not mean to you, exercise is an important aspect of your overall health and well-being. The terms “in shape” and “out of shape” are relative depending on genetics, age and health. You probably won’t have the same definition of being in shape or beach ready as the co-worker next to you, but in general you know that getting in shape requires a nutritious diet and regular exercise.

In a perfect world, you would fit your daily workout in with no problem, but your life is hectic and busy and sometimes chaotic. So you take a day off from your fitness routine, no big deal. But how many days off does it take before your body is out of shape again?

Fitness Levels
As previously mentioned, the amount of time that passes before you get “out of shape” is dependent of several things and one of these is your starting level of fitness. Again, it is impossible to pinpoint an exact scale of how fit you are, but the components that go into your fitness level include:

Cardiovascular endurance – This refers to what many people associate with general fitness, how well your cardiovascular and respiratory systems endure periods of vigorous activity without becoming winded.
Muscular strength and endurance – These areas of fitness are pretty much exactly what they sound like. Muscular strength refers to your ability to use your muscles to their maximum capacity while muscular endurance indicates how well your muscles perform repetitive tasks over time.
Flexibility

Woman catching her breath while jogging.

In Shape to Out of Shape
Just as it takes varying periods of time for people to get in shape, it takes different people different periods of time to become out of shape. Craig Rasmussen, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist in California, states that after taking a period of two weeks off, “we will probably start to see a decline in general fitness levels.” He adds that “these can occur at different rates in the muscular and cardiovascular systems.” Typically it is your cardiovascular endurance that declines first due to the fact that your muscle memory helps retain a certain level of strength and endurance.

Rasmussen notes that after two weeks it is still probably safe for you to get right back to your normal fitness routines without risking serious injury or damage to your health. However, the longer you remain inactive and the further out of shape you get will determine what intensity you can safely do when you return to working out. The longer you stay away from your fitness activities, the longer it will take to get back to your in shape state. Health professionals recommend at least three to five days a week that include vigorous exercise in order to maintain a level of health and fitness.

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May 14, 2015 by Mayank

The Science Behind Midnight Snacking

You, and probably everyone you know, have enjoyed a treat at night. It’s a totally normal, though not super healthy, habit among many. However, midnight snacking can become a big problem and lead to excessive weight gain. The tendency to graze is a contributing factor to evening snacks, and often the amount of food you consume at night is far greater than the snacks you chow down on during the day. Why do you eat more at night? Resveralife came across a recent study offers scientific research that help explain why you seem to inhale your nighttime snack.

The Study
A study conducted by researchers at Brigham Young University delves into why you are more prone to consuming more food at night than when you snack during the day. Researchers at BYU monitored participants’ brain activity in the morning and again at night. Each participant was shown the same 360 images of food and they used MRI scans to visualize the results. The pictures of food were split into two categories: healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains and junk foods like ice cream, potato chips and brownies. During the course of the day researchers noted that the brain activity of participants did spike when pictures of food were shown. It isn’t surprising that seeing food stimulates a response in your brain, but what is interesting is that when viewed at night, the brain was less stimulated. At both times of day, there was a higher neural response when participants viewed pictures of foods with a higher calorie count.

When you eat a great meal or one of your favorite foods you get a high from that food. At night, the drop in brain activity can leave you scarfing down way more chocolate or potato chips than you meant to. During the evening, our brain does not get the level of reward or “high” that it does when snacking during the day. Because you don’t get the high, you continue to eat well past what you intended to. According to Travis Masteson, the researcher and lead study author, people may over-consume food at night because it is not as rewarding, at least visually, at that time of day. As a result, one needs to eat more to try to get satisfied.”

Girl sneaking into the kitchen to eat a midnight snack.

How to Control Midnight Snacking
The researchers at Brigham Young University are not sure why food is less rewarding at night but believe that the body’s circadian rhythyms may be involved. Your circadian rhythyms dictate your natural patterns during rest and activity.

Even if the reason is not completely known at this point, you can rest assured that you are not the only having difficulty curbing your snacks at night. What do the experts suggest? Masterson says that “[b]eing aware that you are being more influenced visually in the morning and perhaps are being less satisfied by food at night may help you make small but meaningful changes in your eating habits.”

When snacking at night, take a moment to truly taste the food that you’re eating. Ask yourself if you are actually receiving satisfaction or pleasure from the snack you are consuming. If not, put the food down and drink a tall glass of water instead.

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May 2, 2015 by Mayank

Resveralife Live Well: How to Boost Your Mood With Color

A few weeks ago we discussed tips for using color to help you control your appetite and lose weight. If color can affect your weight, why not use color for other areas of your life as well? Colors also have an impact on your mood and can help energize you, make you smile and help soothe you. You can use everything from your clothing to the color of the walls in your home to boost your mood. This Resveralife Live Well Guide from Resveralife highlights how to boost your mood with color.

Woman wearing an orange top jogging with her husband in a park.

When you Need Energy
One of the most energizing colors is orange. Orange mixes the passion and fieriness of red, it also incorporates the positive and joyful associations of yellow. Experts suggest selecting workout gear that features orange because orange is a color that helps with stimulation and enthusiasm. You know there are days when you drag your feet about exercise, so pop on some orange and increase your energy levels.

Woman wearing a beautiful red dress ready for her date.

Another color that ignites you into action is red. Red is a bit more complicated than orange, because there are many moods and feelings that people associate with red. Red is often considered a color of passion and romance. A date is the perfect place for a woman to wear red. It gets the blood pumping and can make a man’s heart race when he sees you. Additionally, red can work in your favor when it comes to energy. Because red is a physical stimulant, as we just mentioned, it is also a great color for working out or increasing productivity. Red can be a bit overwhelming if you wear it head to toe so experts suggest adding in small pops of red. Painting your fingernails red, choosing red shoes or having red flowers on your desk at work are all ways to inject some energy ad passion into your day.

Beautiful green interiors of a home.

When you Need to Relax
Green is a soothing color that is literally easy on your eyes. The color green requires no ocular adjustment and helps reduce your level of fatigue. Green is commonly associated with nature and helps you tap into your psyche on a very primal level. In addition, green can increase mental focus and can refresh your senses. This is currently the most popular color for home decorating and is also a helpful color in offices. Often you have little control about the color of your office walls, but you can surround yourself with this relaxing color. Keep a small green plant, set your desktop to a shade of green or have a few green candles sitting on your desk for a bit of refreshment and relaxation.

Woman wearing a black dress at a meeting in her office.

When you Need to be Assertive
If you have a huge presentation or an important meeting at work, black is definitely your color. You know that black is used a color of mourning and that it is an ever-present color in fashion because it is slimming, but black is associated with more. Black is a color of assertiveness and even aggression. Studies have shown that when a sports team is wearing black uniforms, they have more fouls called on them than a team not in black. You’re not looking to start a fight at work, but black is perceived as a serious and can enhance your professional persona.

Colors work on your mind in a variety of ways. Blue increases feelings of tranquility, yellow helps with cheeriness and purple is associated with nobility and elegance. Experiment with different shades of each color and find new ways to incorporate colors into your wardrobe and spaces. Change your mood as easily as you change your clothes.

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April 30, 2015 by Mayank

Eat Well: Foods for a Peaceful Life

Most of our lives are lived at a breakneck speed rushing from one commitment to another. Sometimes, it seems that the last thing we have time for is to eat mindfully and for our physical health. However, eating not only helps improve our physical health, it truly does affect your mood. A diet high in sugar, fat and junk tend to leave you susceptible to mood swings as your body goes from sugar to sugar crash throughout the day. Not only does your mood fluctuate, but poor diet has been linked to anxiety disorders, depression and lack of energy. Check out the following tips on choosing foods for a more peaceful life.

Drink Your Coffee
Sure, energy drinks and soda are quick, convenient and available everywhere. And in the short term, they seem to be awesome because caffeine triggers the release of dopamine in the brain which increase clarity and focus. However, with the caffeine boost from sugar laden drinks also comes with a mood busting sugar crash. However, you don’t have to go without caffeine, simply switch to coffee. A 2011 Harvard School of Public Health survey found that women who drank at least two cups of coffee daily were at a 15% lower chance of suffering from depression. Additionally, coffee contains plant-based nutrients that work in the body in a manner similar to how anti-depressants work. Like anything, coffee should be enjoyed in moderation as too much stimulation can lead to anxiety and trouble sleeping.

Scarf Some Salmon
Today, people are pretty programmed to avoid fatty foods, but a little bit of fat can go a long way in improving your mood. However, your diet is probably significantly lacking omega-3 fatty acids. Oily fish, such as salmon, is high in omega-3 fatty acids. Your brain contains more omega-3 fatty acids than anywhere else in your body. Research supports the use of omega-3 fatty acids as a part of psychiatric treatment. These may help even out moods and decrease depression. Experts suggest that you aim for two to three servings of salmon (or other oily fish such as sardines or mackerel) per week.

Gobble up Some Turkey
You know that you tend to feel drowsy after a big Thanksgiving meal and you most likely know that the turkey is the cause. Turkey contains tryptophan which is an amino acid that the body does not produce on its own. Tryptophan is important because the body requires tryptophan in order to make the feel-good chemical, serotonin. Experts recommend ingesting about 320 milligrams of trytophan each day. A four ounce serving of turkey or chicken is plenty to receive your daily amount. If you aren’t a big fan of turkey, or you’re vegetarian/vegan, you can find the same amount (320mg) of tryptophan in one cup of soybeans.

Eat Your Spinach
Eating spinach may not result in the immediate muscle-boosting strength that Popeye got, but it does significantly impact your mood. Spinach is high in the B vitamin, folate. Research shows that when you have a high concentration of folate in your blood, you are less prone to bad moods, clinical depression and you think more clearly. In just 1/2 cup of cooked spinach (or 2 cups raw) women receive 33% of the recommended daily allowance of folate. An important thing to note is that folate is water-soluble, which means that you do not store it in your body. Because it isn’t stored, you need to consume it continuously to reap the zen benefits.

Spice up Your Life
Besides not being good for you, lots of salt on food as the sole flavoring can get boring. Instead, experiment with different spices to create dishes that will blow your mind. One of the most highly touted spices is tumeric. The reason experts advise tumeric is that it contains curcumin, which gives tumeric it’s signature yellow color and acts as a natural anti-depressant. Some preliminary research suggests that curcumin also lowers levels of chronic stress and that it also stimulates the release of both serotonine and dopamine.

Foods are not only meant to nourish your body, but to nourish your mind. Improve your mood while keeping stress levels at bay by chowing down on some of these super good mood foods.

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April 28, 2015May 17, 2022 by Mayank

Resveralife Live Well: Make Your Home a Zen Oasis – Vine Vera Reviews

You already have enough stress in your life. From pressure at work to keeping up with kids, you probably spend a fair amount of time feeling drained and exhausted. You do not want your home to be another source of stress. Your home should ideally be a place where you can completely relax, shut out the outside world and feel 100% comfortable. With all of your obligations your house may not be high on your priority list but it should be. Stress is linked with obesity, heart disease, headaches and depression among other illnesses and conditions. This Resveralife Live Well Guide shows you how to transform your home into a zen oasis and finally get the peace you deserve.

A peaceful Japanese styled bedroom

Get Rid of Clutter
There is a tendency today to own too much stuff. You have knick knacks from all your vacations, gifts from friends that you have no use for, papers you’ve kept for documentation but that haven’t been touched in 5 years, baby clothing when your child is 15…the list truly is endless. Often, you keep things for sentimental reasons. The problem is that having so many possessions not only clutters your house up, it also creates stress. And it is completely aggravating to never be able to find anything.

With the amount of things in your home, the idea of going through all of them may seem completely impossible and overwhelming. Experts suggest that taking just a few minutes each day to work on getting rid of clutter makes a huge impact. Additionally, often once you start to see some cleanliness and order, you will be more encouraged to do more. Try to spend 15 minutes at night cleaning things and putting them in in their proper place or removing items that you no longer need.

A bonsai tree used as decoration in a bathroom.

Get Some Green
You know how taking a walk in nature helps your unwind, calm down and refocus? Keeping plants in your home has the same effect. Once you have your clutter under control and you have free space available, add some plants. There are tons of options to match any decor or personal style. Also, there are plants that are totally low-maintenance, such as succulents, geraniums or Boston ferns are all indoor plants that require a small amount of work. Be sure to place your plants in areas of your house where they will receive adequate light. Not only will plants brighten your space and bring you a sense of calm, they actually do help clear your air and rid your space of toxins.

A bedroom with soothing lighting.

Use Soothing Lighting
Most spaces use overhead lighting as the primary source of light. However, these lights are not only unflattering, they also tend to increase the frequency of headaches. Rather than relying on harsh overhead lighting, light your home with plenty of desk lamps, table lamps and floor lamps. To increase the effectiveness of these lamps, use shades that help reduce the brightness of the light.

Be Color Conscious
Think about your favorite relaxing spa. Chances are the colors that fill the space are neutral and light. This is because color has a significant effect on your mood. In order to create a completely zen environment stick to colors that are earthy neutrals: cream, beige and soft shades of blue. If you are a person that craves color, use pastels to brighten your space. Mints, dusty pinks and robin’s egg blue are all shades that work perfectly with a neutral palette and that create a calming atmosphere.

Aromatherapy

Use Your Nose
Scent is a powerful tool in creating a zen ambiance. Depending on the scent, you can help yourself wake up in the morning or fall asleep at night. A linen spray with lavender promotes a peaceful sleep while grapefruit essential oil stimulates your brain and metabolism.

Sure, it’s great to have reminders of the important or fun events from your life, keeping an object from every single moment of your life leads you to forget the good times and focus on how everything is constantly in your way. Reducing the amount of clutter and keeping your home organized are the first steps in making sure that your home is truly your oasis from the world.

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