Reasons Why Keeping a Pet Can Promote Good Health

Only pet keepers know what a blessing pets can be. Pets are a source of endless joy and companionship, and at times, even amused exasperation. However, little do these people know that there are several, tiny changes happening in their life, all of which are being influenced by the presence of a furry/feathered/scaly mate. Wish to know more? We have more information for you...

 

"Such short little lives our pets have to spend with us, and they spend most of it waiting for us to come home each day.
It is amazing how much love and laughter they bring into our lives and even how much closer we become with each other because of them."

- John Grogan, Marley & Me: Life and Love With the World's Worst Dog

True-blue animal lovers firmly believe that pets are God's way of apologizing for the relatives they've got. This may seem a tad extreme to those who've never nurtured a pet, but trust me when I say from experience that there is a lot of truth to that statement. For pet keepers, every grueling day spent outside in the super-crazy world culminates into a happy evening shared with the one and only creature that feels genuinely happy to have them home. All thanks to that godsend idea of domestication, which made it possible for us to share our lives with these angelic creatures.

Why angelic, you ask? Because the way their presence changes our lives is nothing short of a miracle, and what's more, our pets bring about these positive changes, without even being asked for. Now, honestly tell me if you know any human who becomes our true companion without even being asked for?

Reasons Why Keeping a Pet Makes Great Sense

You'll never be stressed
Chilled out Dog
Some may think that I'm abusing the concept of exaggeration when I say that having a pet shift+deletes the stress out of your life. Yes, the stress doesn't even stay in your brain's recycle bin, and is pushed out for good.

Now, scientists have been spending mega bucks on understanding the logic behind how pets lower our stress levels. I guess they've never had their face slobbered with their dog's wet nose. I doubt if they've come home to a parakeet happily screeching a welcome song. You see, happiness is pretty contagious, and our pets are so full of it, that they can't resist passing it over to us. Is it any wonder then, that pet-assisted therapy is gaining steady momentum all over the world? Studies have shown that pet therapy has helped bring happiness to autistic children, along with those suffering from ADHD. The senior populace has also benefited from pet-assisted therapy.

So, whatever your troubles may be, petting your cat or dog, or even looking at your fish calmly swimming about lowers anxiety and lends you a sense of serenity.

You'll have a healthy heart
Puppy holding toy heart
It is true that keeping a pet involves making certain lifestyle changes. For instance, you begin to avoid late working hours as you've got to rush home to walk the dog. You start going to bed early in anticipation of waking up at 6 am to answer the persistent howling of a hungry cat or a screaming lorikeet.

Slowly (and possibly against your will), you heave yourself onto a healthier lifestyle that is far more disciplined. Now, provided you supplement this with healthy eating, your metabolism gets that much required boost. The result? Your cholesterol and triglyceride levels may lower, which in turn, may also lower the risk of cardiac diseases. Didn't I just tell you how these sneaky pets manipulate you into staying healthy?

No more fluctuations in blood pressure
Fishbowl
Our anger, anxieties, mood swings, and pressures, along with all the unhealthy mess that we eat, create a combination so wonderfully lethal, that our blood pressure levels, quite literally, begin to fluctuate at will. Since we believe these things to be beyond our control, any advise that involves meditation, dieting, or exercising is scoffed at, and we choose instead, to fall victim to the malady.

Pets, being pets, come into our lives with utmost concern for our well-being. And you know what? Their mere presence brings about a change in attitude among humans. We pet them, snuggle up to them, even voice our troubles to them, and in return they pass on their calm demeanor and joie de vivre to us, helping us bid farewell to blood pressure troubles.

You will learn to b-r-e-a-t-h-e
True friends
Anti-pet people always think that pets trigger allergic reactions, and in many cases, they do. On further examination, however, it has been observed that the presence of a pet around a newborn can actually boost the level of immunity in the child by virtue of early exposure to various allergens. Of course, the genetic makeup and other external conditions play a major role in the occurrence of illnesses, but the increased exposure to dust and allergens during infancy has its benefits.

Animals don't need a college education or a Nat Geo Channel to tell them that the perfect way to live is to live harmoniously, in sync with nature. Humans, on the other hand, need all of that, plus a few more "studies" to place their faith in this simple rule of nature.

You end up depressing depression
Dog holding rose
Have you ever wondered how the origin of every bout of sadness that we undergo, can be directly traced to a human action? We get depressed when things don't go our way, or find ourselves in a bad situation in life or at work, sinking deeper into a chasm created by loneliness.

If you happen to keep a pet, notice how cathartic your pet's presence can be in such seemingly hopeless situations. Simple activities like walking your pet, grooming him, or just having him around lowers the level of cortisol hormone, known to be associated with stress. These actions also trigger the production of the "feel-good" chemical, serotonin, which may not obliterate our problems, but it at least manages to soften the blows.

You begin to MOVE
Standing dog
Who makes you climb the farthest branch of the tallest tree on a "rescue mission"? Who makes droopy-cute eyes that coax you to go outdoors and play fetch for hours on end? Who makes you clean a tank full of not-so-dirty water, scrub it, disinfect it, and refill it every few days?

It is well-known that dogs make us exercise - they make us run, jump, walk, and indulge in various activities that basically reverse our sedentary lifestyle. One may think of cats as aloof and unfriendly, but cat keepers know that they are no less, and certainly enjoy burning a few calories (no, Garfield is not the universal epitome of all cats).

These cute little beasts have the power to tug at our heartstrings with one look, and we're up on our feet in a minute. What then is a workout, seems like a cakewalk, and ends up disturbing the substantial chunk of fat that we lovingly treasure inside our bodies.

Should we bow to them in reverence by now? I most certainly have.

You may live longer and happier
Lorikeets
Now, with all the exercising, early starts, deep breathing, and a healthy heart, it's going to be really tough to die early, unless you try to act suicidal. Even that is a distant possibility, given the fact that you're sharing your life with this amazing companion who -

• does not judge you
• does not care if you're rich/poor/handsome/ugly
• is always happy to see you
• will never leave your side (unless you're really, really mean)

So you see, our pets not only contribute to stretching our lifespan, they also enrich the quality of our life with their presence.

Comedy Central Live!
A pet keeper, and only a pet keeper can identify with this point, and it is impossible for someone like yours truly (who humbly aspires to be a writer someday) to describe it in words. Regular followers of shows like America's Funniest Home Videos may have an inkling of what I'm trying to say, but for the rest, here's a small pictorial representation.

Cat playing with yarnDog hiding in gramophoneCat in a chestLazy dogs

Now imagine these antics being played out throughout the day, for as long as you are together. Mind you, I haven't even included pets other than dogs and cats here. In fact, hamsters, pigs, even iguanas are notoriously comic creatures to have around.

You see, if left on our own, the only laughter we manage is when we smirk at our pitiful existence during introspection (that is, if we do it). Most mortals also search the Internet for Grumpy cat memes or some such things to get their daily dose of laughter. Having a furry or feathered mate ensures hilarity without an Internet connection, virtually free of cost. Beat that...

You'll have a perfectly synchronized body clock
If you happen to have a pet cat or a dog, you're more or less certain to have a body clock that may rival that of a Maasai warrior. Sleeping "late" on a weekend means that you still rise up at 7 am, completely refreshed with say, an extra hour of snooze time. Those without pets have no clue what I'm talking about, as they've never had a dog or a cat giving them these kinds of "feed-me-right-now" looks (as pictured below) which make the most hardened pet keeper jump out of bed.
Staring catStaring dog

Even those who keep relatively docile pets like frogs, rabbits, iguanas or hamsters, tend to be so attached to them, that the very idea of missing out on the pet's meal times gives them the shivers. The point of the matter is that once you have a pet, it remains constantly on your mind. This attitude synchronizes our body clock with that of our pet, and soon enough, turns us into the early to bed, early to rise kind of people.

Unconditional Love
The vagaries of life usually hassle our best-laid plans in a flash. We covet certain jobs, only to be left drained and disillusioned by them, and begin to hunt for new ones. Friends help us socialize, make life's burdens a little lighter, but at times, our paths may fork. There is nothing in our life that we can be certain of, or rely on.
Man holding catWoman holding puppy

That was an exaggeration, of course. You see, when your heart is paved with paw prints or feathers or even scales, you find yourself in the quiet, steely, and devoted companionship of your one true friend. Someone who doesn't care who you are, but gives you his heart, with no questions asked, as long as you've given him yours. Simple terms? It's that precious thing called unconditional love, that a pet, and only a pet can provide. It may not seem like a lot to those who've never experienced it, but to those who've had, know that their life can never be the same again.

Animal lovers don't really need any reasons telling them why keeping a pet promotes good health. Here's a little something for those who don't keep pets - we'll always have a job that feeds us. We'll always have medicines that cure everything that ails us. We'll always have family and friends, willing to support us. But an inner corner of your heart will always remain untouched until you have a pet to warm it up.
Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/reasons-why-keeping-a-pet-can-promote-good-health.html

How to Get More Energy

For people feeling lethargic and exhausted all day, some tips on getting more energy can be a major help to them. These changes simply involve the realization that lifestyle habits influence an individual's energy levels.If you are feeling tired and spent for many hours during the course of a day, trying out some ways to get more energy may help you overcome this. It may seem like no matter what you do that feeling of exhaustion and tiredness just won't go away. This is due to an inherent lack of energy in your system. There are certain ways to fix this problem, and almost all these ways require a drastic change in your lifestyle and your habits.

The body is a natural source of producing energy, and unhealthy habits can seriously undermine the body's ability to keep producing energy at the highest level. Over a period of time you must have realized that the basics of gaining energy simply lie in improving your diet, controlling the harmful materials entering your body and getting enough rest. Some people are burdened with a feeling of lethargy and apathy right from the time they wake up in the morning. Try out these methods in the morning to deal with this particular scenario.

How to Get More Energy Naturally
There are a lot of natural ways to get more energy level in the body. It would be unwise to rely on external agents and dietary supplements to fulfill this purpose, as there are many side effects and disadvantages of doing so. It is more recommendable to fix the problem with these natural solutions instead.

Sleep
It is said that everyone should get about 8 hours of sleep every night to feel refreshed and rejuvenated. Not getting enough sleep is a major cause of low energy levels, and this is something that can be enforced easily, with a little bit of time management. Getting about a half hour of sleep in the afternoon as well, will also work wonders. Keep in mind that you must not oversleep though, as this adds to the feeling of laziness and lethargy. The best way to get more energy is to simply sleep enough.

Diet
The food you eat also plays a major part in your energy levels. Visit a dietitian and get some advice on what kind of foods you should consume on a daily basis. Some food items are high in their energy quotient, and these are the items you should be consuming. This is especially relevant when you need the extra energy while pregnant, as there are 2 bodies to be fed instead of one, in the case of a pregnant woman.

Water
Anyone. who has experienced dehydration in their lives, will tell you that it is a very energy sapping experience. Lack of water can really make you weak and fragile, and drastically reduce your energy levels. To get more energy, during the day, drink plenty of water. Drinking around 6-8 glasses a day is highly recommended, and if you are exposed to the sun more often, you must drink some more.

Timed Meals
Apart from the simple fact of eating healthy and nutritious food, you must also learn to eat the meal at the right time. Meals that are scattered throughout the course of a day can only deplete energy levels, and in order to correct this scenario you should eat 3-4 small meals at regular intervals. This keeps your body's system moving at all times, and ensures that there is always a constant supply of energy in the body.

Recreation
Many people often wonder how to regain energy after work. This is the time of day that really leaves one feeling extremely tired and exhausted, and it is advisable to perform some recreational activity after work to combat this feeling. Join a gym, or play a sport, or start a hobby or perform any other task that you like doing and that can recharge your batteries. Remember not to overwork yourself though, as this will end up in having an opposite effect.

Increasing energy is not a difficult task, once you have embraced the lifestyle changes that accompany it. It involves a lot of positive thinking and optimism as well. If you are constantly unhappy about your job, your love life or something else, it will obviously pull you down and lower your energy levels as well. You need to rethink your life and then make a conscious decision of change. Soon, you will see that all these methods are simply intertwined and as soon as you start doing one, the others follow suit.
Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/how-to-get-more-energy.html

Proper Hand Washing Techniques

The best way to prevent biological contamination is by adopting proper hand washing techniques. Although, the hands cannot be kept germ-free all the time, frequent washing will prevent transmission of various viruses and bacteria.
'Hand washing is considered the single most important means of preventing the spread of infection' - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Most of the diseases are caused by germs carried on the hands. 99% of the spread of germs traveling through droplets can be prevented by proper hand washing. People using public restrooms are susceptible to being infected by germs left behind by people who fail to practice good hand hygiene. Moreover, germs can also be picked up while handling library material, common keyboards, etc. Every individual needs to wash his or her hands properly, to reduce disease transmission. Hand washing techniques involve washing of the hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Washing With Soap and Water

☞ Turn on the tap and allow running water to wet the hands and wrists. While using a public restroom, one should consider that the faucets are contaminated, thus one should turn on the tap by using a paper towel.
☞ Use a soap bar or liquid soap and apply soap to the hands. Soaps are excellent cleansing agents and work well to remove the dirt. The soap should be worked into a lather.
☞ For at least 15-20 seconds rub the hands vigorously together. It is this friction, along with soap and water, that helps wash off the pathogens.
☞ Scrub the hands thoroughly, including the back of the hands, between the fingers, around the cuticles and under the fingernails and wrists.
☞ Under running water, rinse the hands well. The running water carries away the debris and dirt from the hands. While rinsing point the fingers downwards, thereby allowing the water to drip downwards instead of moving towards the elbows and contaminating it.
☞ With a clean towel or disposable paper towel, dry the hands. If using a public restroom, a paper towel should be used to turn the faucet off.
☞ Soap can become a breeding ground for microorganisms, thus one must thoroughly clean soap dispensers before refilling them with fresh liquid soap.

Washing With Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer

When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based hand sanitizers prove to be an excellent alternative. In fact, these hand sanitizers are more effective in killing viruses and bacteria as compared to soap and water, which only wash them off. Hand sanitizers can help prevent skin dryness, but some of them may lack alcohol content and are therefore not recommended. Only the alcohol-based ones should be used. Washing the hands with a sanitizer simply requires the application of about half a teaspoon of hand sanitizer on the hand and rubbing the hands together till the hands are dry. The hand sanitizer should cover all the surfaces of the hands. For visibly dirty and soiled hands, soap and water is needed.

Dos and Don'ts of Hand Washing
✗ Never touch the sink, while washing your hands, because the sink is contaminated with microorganisms.
✗ Never touch the restroom knob or handle after washing your hands. You will contaminate them again. Use a paper towel to open the door.
✓ Always remove rings and bracelets before washing your hands.
✓ Always use disposable paper towels in public restrooms. Towels house microorganisms and will only pass germs. Even at home, avoid drying your hands on the kitchen towel.
✗ Never let soapy water run down your wrists during hand washing, because it takes germs along with it and smears them on your forearms. Point your hands downwards while washing them.

When Must I Wash My Hands?

• After using the restroom
• After coming from school, playground, workplace, etc.
• Before eating
• After handling garbage
• After touching animals and their waste
• After coughing, sneezing or blowing the nose
• Before, during and after preparing food
• Before and after treating wounds and cuts
• Before and after meeting an injured or sick person
• Before touching a baby
• After changing a diaper
• Before removing or inserting contact lenses
• After handling money
• After driving
• Whenever hands are visibly dirty

The combination of rubbing the hands thoroughly with regular soap and water and rinsing them prevents the transmission of bacteria and viruses. Using pre-moistened towelettes for cleaning the hands cannot be termed as proper hand washing. They cannot be used as substitutes for soap and water. Thus, be wise and wash your hands thoroughly to maintain proper hygiene.
Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/proper-hand-washing-techniques.html

Cold Shower Vs. Hot Showe

The following article will take you through the topic of cold shower vs hot shower by giving you the properties of both and what each of them offers. Continue reading for more details. On a hot summer day all you want to do is have a cold, cold shower and when the winter makes way, the prospect of taking a steaming hot shower is definitely quite appealing. Now while most of us follow this phenomenon of switching over to different temperatures of water according to how the weather is or how one is feeling, it is said that a cold shower is a much healthier choice to make. Is that true? And if so, how and why? To understand this factor in totality and to reach a consensus of the same, there needs to be a proper analysis done of the cold shower vs hot shower factor. Only then will one be able to deduce whether the benefits that are lent by a cold shower are more than a hot shower.

Hot Shower - Advantages
There are many advantages to taking a hot shower, and I mean other than the fact that having streams and jets of hot water traveling down your body makes you feel so, so good. Here are the main advantages that a hot shower has to offer.

Chest Congestion and Respiratory Problems
A hot shower will help to clear out nasal blocks, chest congestion and other respiratory problems. The hot steam, especially if mixed with eucalyptus or any other essential oil, has the capacity to soften the mucus and help get it out.

Sore Muscles
A hot shower helps to relieve sore muscles instantly. It acts as a hot pack over the painful areas and helps to relieve the tension and knots. It also helps to increase the circulation in the body and thereby makes you more healthy.

Sleep Inducing
A hot shower will help to ebb away the stress and tension and calm your frazzled nerves. It brings the heart rate to a slow pace and therefore leads to calm and peace. That is the reason why that hot showers are known to induce sleep.

Skin Care
Hot showers help to open out the pores of the skin and therefore help in softening the skin and leading to healthy skin. It is usually recommended that one takes a hot shower to open the pores of the body such that moisturizing becomes more effective. This also lends to deep cleansing because the clogged pores are open.

Increases Libido
Hot water over the body can have a very sensuous effect on a person. It has been seen that an aromatic hot shower can increase the libido of a person tremendously.

Hot Shower - Disadvantages

While there are some advantages that a hot shower offers, there are also some disadvantages. Here are some of them:

Affects Cardiovascular System
For people suffering from any cardiovascular diseases, a hot shower can prove to be very detrimental. It has been found that a hot shower can lead to hypertension, arrhythmia and other problems.

Depresses Physiological Systems
It has been studied that a hot shower can increase the heat in the body (and therefore the acidity level) and bring the varied physiological systems of the body down. Therefore there is a compromise in the health.

Effects on Skin and Hair
A hot shower will open out the pores and if they aren't closed, they can attract dirt and dust to enter the body and cause acne. Along with that, having a hot shower can lead to making the hair very brittle and weak. Thus the hair can break very easily.

Cold Shower - Advantages

Ayurveda, the ancient science of India, strongly urges the usage of cold showers in place of hot showers. Over the years, the benefits of cold showers have been duly found and studied. Here are some of the benefits of the same.

Improves Circulation
Cold water improves circulation in the body by taking the blood to your organs. And in that way it is different from a hot shower, because a hot shower will rush the blood merely to the skin. A good circulation helps to combat several problems of the skin and heart and allows for overall health. A cold shower will bring the temperature of the body down and therefore help combat the heat.

Heart Health
Since there is improved circulation, the blood is reached throughout the body and the arteries pump out the blood better thus increasing heart health. This helps to keep the heart health in a great condition. It lowers the blood pressure, clears blocked arteries and helps to stabilize the circulatory system as well. As a result it improves the immune system in the body.

Skin and Hair
Cold water allows to close the pores on the skin and scalp and thereby prevents the dirt from getting in and leads to effective skin care. It increases the capacity of the hair follicles to grip the scalp and thereby makes the hair stronger, cleaner and shinier and leads to healthy hair. It also soothes sunburned and inflamed skin, thereby providing relief.

Cleanses the Body
Not only does a cold shower lead to cleansing the external body of dirt and grime, but it also cleanses the internal organs. This it does by contracting all the muscles, which then leads to the elimination of all the toxins and wastes.

Cold Shower - Disadvantages

There aren't many negative effects of cold showers. The only instance when cold showers are not recommended is when a woman is menstruating. This is because, her system is already weakened and under duress. At such a time, the organs and muscles need to be relaxed.

Even though it might not be possible to switch over to a cold shower completely, it has been seen that alternating between a cold and hot shower over finishing the bath with a cold shower also helps remarkably to provide all the benefits that have been mentioned above. Here's to great health and wellness then.
Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/cold-shower-vs-hot-shower.html

Your Health on the Internet

The Internet is the hypochondriac's dream. Ten minutes and a headache can convince you that you're dying - but you're not. There's a ton of good information out there, but you have to use it judiciously - and leave the actual diagnosing to an actual doctor.The Internet is the world's greatest way of disseminating information. That said, a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. In this case specifically, the wealth of medical information available on the internet has spawned "cyberchondria" - the tendency to look up your headache and diagnose yourself with a brain tumor. Or to post a vague health complaint on a forum and find yourself inundated with dozens of different "diagnoses" from not-doctors.

Yes, it's wonderful that there are reliable medical resources on the web. But it is not wonderful to diagnose yourself via these resources, then argue with your doctor's diagnosis, which was made via examination, testing, and, you know, actual medical knowledge.

Don't be a cyberchondriac. Here's how:

Seek Information, Not a Diagnosis

If you are having weird health issues, go ahead and look them up on authentic websites. You can turn toward sites like MayoClinic, WebMD, MedlinePlus and the National Institutes of Health.

Do not go into this expecting to find the final answer to your issue - at best, it may help clarify what's going on and connect your current symptoms to other things you may not have thought of. This can facilitate a better conversation with a doctor in real life.

When you land on a page about your symptoms, read the "Causes" critically. Don't ignore possible causes like caffeine, insufficient sleep and acidic foods and immediately jump on TUMOR! OMG!! Because it's probably not. The reason these reputable sites are reputable is because they are thorough - they list all the possible causes. Now if only they would list the actual probability of each cause...

Don't Argue With Your Doctor

Once you've done your research, go see your doctor. You could always skip the research part and just make the appointment, but the fact that you're reading this speaks to the fact that you won't. So print off your checklists and whatever page has convinced you that you have multiple organ failure because this blister won't go away. Show them to your doctor, describe your symptoms, and submit to the testing.

When the results come back and show that you just need better shoes, take the doctor's word for it. She has many years of training and experience behind her, she is backed up by modern technology, and that combination doesn't miss things that are going to kill you today. If you still have nagging doubts, seek a second opinion. From a doctor, not a forum.

Don't Attempt to Treat Yourself

This one has a caveat - if your symptoms are minor, like the flu or seasonal allergies, feel free to look up some remedies. Drugs.com is a reputable resource that includes all warnings, contraindications and possible interactions. But if you have symptoms that have not yet been diagnosed, don't do the guesswork yourself. See the doctor.

The availability of prescription drugs from online pharmacies and the popularity of "all natural" remedies is tempting - just cut out the middleman and get right to the treatment! Except 'no', don't. Because everything you put inside you interacts with everything else. Sometimes well, sometimes badly, most of the time neutrally. But that's why it takes a doctor to decide what treatment is best for you - it's not a guessing game. You want the most effective, least harmful treatment, and the chances that the one you arbitrarily pick from a list will be the correct one are slim.

Be Your Own Advocate, Not Your Own Doctor

Once your doctor has given you an official diagnosis, you may return to the Internet. Look it up, see what it's all about. If it's a chronic condition, there's probably a foundation with an entire website that can offer coping and lifestyle tips. You might find some alternative treatments and dietary modifications to discuss with your doctor. You might find the stories of other people who have been through it so you know what to expect.

This situation is what the reputable medical information on the Internet is for. It's for finding out more about your condition, not guessing which condition you have. Knowledge is power - use it for good.
Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/your-health-on-the-internet.html

Smelly Feet Cure

Has the lack of a smelly feet cure left you with foot odor that reminds you of the smell of thick slab of cheese? Despair not because you can try these simple steps to treat and prevent smelly feet.Smelly feet is a problem that plagues a large number of people, and can cause a lot of embarrassment. It causes many to dread the moment, in which they may have to kick off their shoes in company, as well as cause families to take desperate measures like banning certain pairs of shoes from the house. However, smelly feet in children and adults who have to wear closed shoes for several hours at a stretch is very common. Thus, if you are looking for a smelly feet cure, the good news is that there are several simple ones.

Causes

The reason why our feet sweat a lot is that they are densely covered with sweat glands. However, the primary cause of foot odor is not just excessive sweating, but the confluence of different factors. Two commonly connected factors are smelly feet and shoes. Sweating problems are experienced when feet sweat in the confines of closed shoes, that lack ventilation. This creates the perfect warm moist environment for bacteria which are naturally present on the skin and helps them multiply. A result of this bacterial growth is a bad odor and sweat rash. Also, the hair on the feet provides an increased surface area for the bacteria to thrive on, thus intensifying the odor.

Socks, and the materials they are made of, also play a role. Polyester or nylon socks, made of synthetic fibers, provide less ventilation as compared to a natural material like cotton. Thus, if you wear polyester or nylon socks, you are creating an environment where your feet perspire more, thereby increasing the odor. However, cotton socks absorb sweat from the feet, and not wearing socks entirely, is likely to increase the amount of perspiration on the feet, leading to increased bacterial activity and odor. The organisms primarily responsible for feet odor are Brevibacteria, which in the process of ingesting dead skin on the feet, convert amino acid methionine into methanethiol, which has a sulfuric odor.

Remedies

If the answer of how to get rid of smelly feet has eluded you, here are some ways that are sure to help:

• Among the many smelly feet solutions, the cheapest and most effective is the use of sodium bicarbonate. Also known as baking soda, if used on a daily basis, it creates an environment where the bacteria responsible for the bad smell cannot thrive. To try this smelly feet remedy you need to sprinkle two pinches of baking soda inside each sock, and two pinches inside the shoe. Your shoes may take a day or two to completely lose their old smell. Some people also find it effective to apply sodium bicarbonate directly to the feet after washing.
• Another remedy for smelly feet is the use of zinc and Castor oil cream. This easily available concoction must be applied everyday after the feet are washed, as it performs the function of a barrier, allowing the skin to recover from the saturation condition, caused by the sweat. The recommended usage period is seven to ten days. Once the problem is eliminated, a weekly application can act as prevention.
• There are a number of natural and over the counter foot deodorants and powders you could try. An age-old natural remedy is the herb allspice. Another product you could try is activated charcoal insoles, which help by keeping the feet dry. Special cedarsoles are another option, as they have antibacterial properties.
• A few other remedies include soaking your feet in a tub of tea. You could also try to wiping your feet with cotton wool, dipped in surgical spirit to discourage the growth of bacteria. Another very important measure is to exfoliate your feet on a regular basis to reduce dead skin that bacteria ingest.

As they say, prevention is better than cure. This leaves us with the question, how to prevent stinky smelly feet? The easiest way is to maintain good foot hygiene. Do this by giving your feet a good wash everyday, and then drying them thoroughly, especially between the toes. Wear a fresh clean pair of cotton socks everyday, and if possible, change them once during the day. Also, dust your feet with powder. Avoid wearing the same pair of shoes two days in a row, which will give them a chance to dry out. You could remove the innersoles so that a good airing can be given to them. If all the above mentioned smelly feet cures fail, you know it is time to visit the doctor.
Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/smelly-feet-cure.html

Is Taking a Shower at Night Bad?

Rejuvenation is one phase that our body loves to indulge in, and a shower is one great way of doing just that. But is it unhealthy to take a shower at night? Let us discuss the answer and some facts, in this article.Most of us love to soak in the shower, the feeling of water cleansing your body and soul is inimitable. Taking a shower is a perfect way to let your body relax in paradise. After a long day at work, your body and mind both need an easy getaway from fatigue and grim to refreshment. Showering at night will help you get back your high spirits and endurance. There is a lot of confusion over the facts on taking a shower at night, some people think it is harmful to the body, while some feel it may lead to illness and diseases. So is bathing at night bad? The answer is 'NO', it is not a bad or harmful practice.There is also no scientific proof that showering at night is harmful for the body. Should you take a shower at night or morning is another question that has confusing answers.

Benefits of Taking a Shower at Night

Well, we all have our own feel good reasons here, you can have a look to find out more reasons to enjoy your shower at night!

• Taking a shower is a fun activity, it gives you a chance to gift yourself a soft, smoothing, energizing feeling.
• Taking a warm shower will cleanse your skin, it opens the pores and cleanses the skin from the inside too. It will flush out toxins from your skin, making you feel fresh and clean, leaving you with a soft and supple feeling at the end of the day. Try a milk bath to get beautiful and supple skin.
• Showering at night will help in lowering blood pressure, relieving you from all the stress, it will relax your body, giving you a power break from your busy routine.
• After a rigorous day, even after you workout, your body muscles can feel tense and cramped. A shower will relax these muscles, and soothe body ache and pain. Indulge in a steam bath to relax your muscles after a hard day.
• A shower at home at night is also a cost-effective way to enjoy a royal feeling. A warm shower will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth, and you will feel younger and fresher once you step out of the bath.
• You will get sometime to let go of your mind, relax, be yourself, and let all your worries take a back seat.
• A warm shower at night with your loved one will bring back the romance, you can relax and be together for charming and inexpensive solitude.
• Apart from feeling fresh and relaxed, showering at night will also leave you smelling fabulous. Sinking in the bed with a soft and clean fragrance is pure bliss!
• Most importantly, it will give you a deep and good sleep for the night. Taking a shower at night is also helpful in treating insomnia.

Taking a bath will allow you to unwind, physically and mentally. You wouldn't want to sleep with all that dirt and sweat on your bed at night. Go for a relaxing shower, continue this for a few days, and you will gradually notice the change.

Tips on Taking a Shower at Night

We need to take care of certain things while taking a shower at night. The following are few tips that you can easily remember.

• While taking a hair shower at night, make sure you have a warm water shower. Dry your hair properly before going to bed, as during the night, the body temperature is cooler than the mornings.
• If you are looking for that good nights sleep, take a shower only once you are ready to sleep.
• Avoid taking shower immediately after workout. The pores in your skin open out due to sweating, (you can observe tiny red dots on your skin). Always allow your body to rest, at least for half an hour, so that the pores close down, and then go for a shower.
• Have a warm shower if it is too late at night.
• Watch the temperature of the water beforehand. Normally the body accepts temperatures with a difference of maximum 5 degrees. The normal human body temperature is 97°F (36°C). Make sure the water is not too hot or too cold.

Taking a shower is a natural way to revitalize the body and mind. You will not only get good sleep but also stay asleep longer after a shower at night. Some of us are too lazy to follow taking a shower at night, or some have myths about the same. Showering at night surely is my belief of a healthy and clean sleep too. I already feel fresh writing about it!
Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/is-taking-a-shower-at-night-bad.html