What is the Culture of a Healthy Lifestyle?
The culture of a healthy lifestyle has been an inseparable aspect of Chinese life for thousands of years. This culture finds it roots in the experience and level levels of understanding that exist in Chinese philosophy and Chinese medical ideals surrounding the human body.
The basis of Chinese Health is seen as a systematic approach to the study of the relationship between humanity and nature, stressing the different systems that exist in the body and the balance necessary to maintain healthy bodily functions.
In Chinese thought there is also the important aspect of recognizing disease or discomfort through the balance or imbalance of " Qi " (pr. Chee), which can be understood as "Life Energy". There are two kinds of Qi, healthy Qi or or Zheng (pr. Jung) Qi, and harmful Qi or Xie (pr. She-ay) Qi; Zheng Qi can be related to a healthy immune system and is something that exists within; Xie Qi can be related to the causes of illness and discomfort and exists without. With this, comes the important idea of preventive medicine or "stopping illness before its sunset".
In Chinese Health Culture one important aspect to preserving health is through the balance and connectivity of the mind, spirit, and body. This idea, when taken one step further, opens us up to recognize the rich relationship between the universe and humankind.
The Holistic
Thousands of years ago, in ancient China, people had already begun to notice the effects and reactions broached about on the human body from outside influences; This was the beginning of a holistic perspective to health. At this time, the ancients of China had concluded on the long road of gathering the secrets to a healthy life while developing the basis of the Culture of a Healthy Lifestyle. The Chinese had already begun moving toward a structured holistic view of the relationship between human life and the universe.
The Yellow Emperor, or "Huang Di", is the one man in Ancient China who is renamed as a man of manyventions and the father of health culture. He was a humble and studious man and invented many useful tools which were very advanced for his day and age. Legend has it that Huang Di invented a compass driven cart which played a large role in the unity of two indigenous tribes, which were to later become the ancestors of the Chinese people. After many years and with the help of numerous schools, Huang Di completed the first work in Chinese health culture.
This work is based on the ideals of the relationship between humankind and the universe as a whole. It is presented from the point-of-view of "Yin Yang" (pr. Yeen Yahng), the all encompassing Chinese theory of universal balance, and Wu Xing (pr. Woo Shing), the interaction between five natural elements to create balance , These two ideals institute the tools used in the achievement of good health in Chinese thought. By mapping out the different …
It’s time for conventional medical experts to prove the science behind their medicine by demonstrating successful, nontoxic, and affordable patient outcomes.
It’s time to revisit the scientific method to deal with the complexities of alternative treatments.
The U.S. government has belatedly confirmed a fact that millions of Americans have known personally for decades – acupuncture works. A 12-member panel of “experts” informed the National Institutes of Health (NIH), its sponsor, that acupuncture is “clearly effective” for treating certain conditions, such as fibromyalgia, tennis elbow, pain following dental surgery, nausea during pregnancy, and nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy.
The panel was less persuaded that acupuncture is appropriate as the sole treatment for headaches, asthma, addiction, menstrual cramps, and others.
The NIH panel said that, “there are a number of cases” where acupuncture works. Since the treatment has fewer side effects and is less invasive than conventional treatments, “it is time to take it seriously” and “expand its use into conventional medicine.”
These developments are naturally welcome, and the field of alternative medicine should, be pleased with this progressive step.
But underlying the NIH’s endorsement and qualified “legitimization” of acupuncture is a deeper issue that must come to light- the presupposition so ingrained in our society as to be almost invisible to all but the most discerning eyes.
The presupposition is that these “experts” of medicine are entitled and qualified to pass judgment on the scientific and therapeutic merits of alternative medicine modalities.
They are not.
The matter hinges on the definition and scope of the term “scientific.” The news is full of complaints by supposed medical experts that alternative medicine is not “scientific” and not “proven.” Yet we never hear these experts take a moment out from their vituperations to examine the tenets and assumptions of their cherished scientific method to see if they are valid.
Again, they are not.
Medical historian Harris L. Coulter, Ph.D., author of the landmark four-volume history of Western medicine called Divided Legacy, first alerted me to a crucial, though unrecognized, distinction. The question we should ask is whether conventional medicine is scientific. Dr. Coulter argues convincingly that it is not.
Over the last 2,500 years, Western medicine has been divided by a powerful schism between two opposed ways of looking at physiology, health, and healing, says Dr. Coulter. What we now call conventional medicine (or allopathy) was once known as Rationalist medicine; alternative medicine, in Dr. Coulter’s history, was called Empirical medicine. Rationalist medicine is based on reason and prevailing theory, while Empirical medicine is based on observed facts and real life experience – on what works.
Dr. Coulter makes some startling observations based on this distinction. Conventional medicine is alien, both in spirit and structure, to the scientific method of investigation, he says. Its concepts continually change with the latest breakthrough. Yesterday, it was germ theory; today, it’s genetics; tomorrow, who knows?
With each changing fashion in medical thought, conventional medicine has to toss away its now outmoded orthodoxy and impose the …
Any fitness plan that we come across in television or print media is very much dependent on the target that we look forward to achieve. Be it weight loss or any other fitness program, choosing the target and the time frame is very important. A fitness plan for losing 20 lbs would be very much different from that of a plan for losing 20 lbs in 7 days. It is because the intensity of the plan would generally be lesser when the time frame is large. So it would be wise to think of a time frame and goal in connection with your fitness plans before actually getting started.
How To Lose 20 lbs In 7 Days
1. One of the best and most trusted ways to lose 20 pounds fast is drinking plenty of water. It might sound very simple and easy so when people hear that drinking helps a lot to lose weight, they do not really believe it.
2. Go on a juice or vegetable fast. Juice usually works best here, because your body doesn’t have a lot of fiber and bulk to process. It can simply extract the nourishment it needs from the juice.
3. Take an herbal supplement. An herb like Chickweed for instance, will help curb your appetite. Kelp is an herb that acts like a diuretic: In other words, it helps you shed extra water weight your body may be holding on to.
4.Cut out all processed foods.
One of the most simple and easy ways to lose several pounds fast is to cut all the processed foods out of your diet. That means no refined sugars, flours, or fats. In general, if it was made by man, don’t eat it!
There are not always false promises of weight loss and losing 20lbs in 7 days that exist. In fact, there are some viable explanations and weight-loss plans that can work. I am living proof that a few tips, utilizing resources, and succumbing to temptation can be all one needs to get started and finish with successful weight loss that is realistically attainable.
Please visit the Lose 20 Pounds in 7 days site for resources and facts on how you too can achieve the once thought of unobtainable.…
The hot trends in allied health point to growth in certain fields that some people may not even consider to be health care careers. Now that alternative medicine and holistic healing have become so popular and accepted as an important addition to Western medicine, even more healthcare professionals have entered the marketplace. Some of the fastest growing jobs in the healthcare field fall into these alternative and holistic categories, and these emerging job markets are definitely a noticeable trend.
Allied health careers were identified as "a cluster of health professions covering as many as 100 occupational titles, exclusive of doctors, nurses and a competent of others" by the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions. This obviously includes a lot of professions. Medical assistants, dental hygienists, opticians, radiologic technologists / technicians, diagnostic medical sonographers, cardiovascular technologists / technicians and paramedics are some of the most well known health care professions. These only scratch the surface of the allied health world, though.
One of the fastest growing allied health care professionals is the field of massage therapy, which is expected to grow by approximately 20 percent in the next decade. More and more people are relying on massages to relieve stress, reduce tension, diminish pain, accelerate healing, promote blood flow and speed the body's detoxification process. Physical therapy is another growing profession, especially as the elderly population continues to increase. Physical therapists help people recover from injuries, which could be work-related, sports-related, accident-related or simply the result of old age. Personal trainers are also considered allied health professionals, and with the popularity of shows like The Biggest Loser, their demand has certainly increased.
Alternative medicine techniques such as acupuncture and oriental medicine are becoming increasingly common as well. The fact is that people are looking beyond the confines of doctor's offices and hospitals to maintain their health and improve their lives these days, which is making a big impact on the medical field. As the hot trends in health continue heading in this direction, jobs in fields like massage therapy, personal training and acupuncture will continue to be in great demand. …
One of the things that is important to consider when you leave corporate America for the freedom of your own business is affordable health insurance. In fact, the reason most often cited for NOT taking the plunge into self-employment is the lack of cheap health insurance alternatives for people who are not employed by a company that can offer more affordable rates on health insurance through a group health insurance plan.
If you do decide to brave it and be your own boss, there are many places where you can cut corners. Letting yourself or your family go without health insurance is not one of them. Here are some common options that can make health insurance affordable if you're a self-employed entrepreneur or crafter.
Coverage under a Spouse's Plan
By far the most common option is to cover the family for health insurance through a spouse's employer. As long as one member of the couple is working for a company that has a group health insurance plan, it's usually the cheapest option for insuring the entire family.
COBRA
COBRA is an option for the beginning of your self-employment. For the first several months after you leave your job, your employer is required by law to give you the option of retaining membership in their health insurance plan. You will have to cover the entire monthly premium paid by your company rather than the amount that you're using to pay as an employee when your employer was covering part of the cost. The true cost of that insurance can come as a shock to you – a family health insurance through a group can easily cost close to $ 1000 a month. It's still more affordable than most plans that you can purchase as an individual. It's also only temporary, so you should be looking for other health insurance options while you're still covered.
A Health Insurance Cooperative with Other Self-employed and Small Business Owners
There are national and local organizations of self-employed workers who have banded together to combine their purchasing power and get affordable health insurance premiums through group policies. You can find more information about groups in your area through the National Association for the Self Employed (www.nase.org) or the American Association of Home-Based Businesses (www.aahbb.org).
Group Health Insurance for the Self-Employed
In many states like Maine, health insurance companies offer affordable group policies for groups of one. You may have to shop around to find a company that does, but there are benefits other than being a cheaper policy. The most important of these is that they MUST cover everyone in the group, regardless of health conditions. This is important for someone who may have been turned down for an individual health insurance policy because of health.
No matter what, it is vital that you insure yourself and your family against the possibility of illness or accident. There are cheap alternatives to individual health insurance plans for the self-employed.
To view our recommended sources for health insurance, …
By the time seniors are considered "seniors," they usually have a nice little retirement nest as well as health and life insurance policies to fall back on. Maybe they are widows or widowers who have pension plans from their demolished spouses. Of course, this is the idea situation for the senior.
Many seniors in American do not have enough health care insurance to adequately cover their medical needs and prescription drug therapies. This is where health care supplemental health care insurance for seniors comes into play, and away from Medicaid and Medicare, there are ways to get affordable health care supplemental insurance for seniors.
Consider these four tips when looking into affordable health care supplemental insurance for seniors:
Those who join at an early age get the best rates. However, that does not mean seniors are not eligible. Actually, seniors are probably the most common health care supplemental policyholders.
Do not lie about your current health condition. Stretching the truth may seem like a way to get more affordable rates for your health care supplemental insurance, and yes, it's true that premiums are usually based on past and current health conditions, but lying will always catch up with you in the end, especially If there comes a time when you need that supplementary insurance and the insurance company refuses to pay because youave false information when applying.
Think of any groups or associations to which you belong. These organizations may be able to help you obtain affordable health care supplemental insurance for seniors.
Once you have a plan, stick to it. You may end up purchasing a health care supplemental insurance plan for seniors that does not quite fit your needs or your budget. That does not change the fact that you need supplementary insurance, though. Stick to it until you've found a better, more affordable health care supplemental insurance for seniors. In other words, never cancel until you have a back-up plan. …
A hot bowl of homemade soup has to be one of the most inviting meals on a cold day. Combine it with a loaf of warm fresh bread, and you have a meal that is sure to please most anyone.
Delicious healthy soup recipes are easy to follow, and will produce surprising results with a minimal amount of effort. A pot of delicious homemade chicken noodle soup is as simple as adding some store bought chicken broth, fresh vegetables, cooked chicken meat, herbs, and spices together in a pot, and simmer on the stove for a couple of hours.
Combine that with a loaf of your favorite bread, warmed in the oven for a few minutes, and a simple dessert, and you have an inexpensive meal, that everyone is glad to come home to.
There are many other soups, such as beef vegetable soup, that can be made just as easy, simply by changing the broth, and using beef for meat instead of chicken.
Soup is a versatile meal that will please just about anyone. Kids love macaroni, and adding their favorite type to their soup is sure to please them. Adding macaroni to any healthy soup recipe is a great way to enhance the flavor of your soup, and make it go further for very little extra money.
Homemade soup also freezes well. If you make a large pot, you can freeze what is left for another simple meal, with practically no effort at all. This can be a real plus for a busy family on the go.
Delicious homemade soup can also take care of lunches for the working family. Soup can easily be put into a container for heating later at the job, or put hot into a thermos ready to eat. Combined with a sandwich, it’s a comforting meal during a hard days work.
It’s been suggested, but never proven that soup may actually be good for you when you are sick. I don’t think anyone can deny though, that when you have a cold or the flu, nothing makes you feel better that a hot bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup.
For people that are vegetarians, there are plenty of vegetable soup recipes that will produce a delicious hot bowl of soup without using any meat.
Another advantage of adding healthy soup recipes to your regular list of meals, are the benefits of weight loss. Soup can be very good for losing weight when you control what goes into the pot. By using low sodium, low fat broth, and eliminating fatty meats, and excessive salt, you can make a delicious low calorie soup using a combination of vegetables, herbs, and spices.
Combine that with a salad, and you now have a delicious and filling low calorie meal.
Soup is a meal that offers many benefits, and making homemade soup extends these benefits by being able to control the ingredients and eliminate unnecessary chemicals, and excessive salt.
The facts are in. Soup is just a meal …
Significance Of Anabolic Steroids
Anabolic steroids are substances that often contain the male sex hormone which is usually responsible for growth of muscles and also increase proteins within the body cells. Anabolic steroids were primarily produced with the aim of enhancing sexual performance in male individuals but over the years it has been known to have additional benefits such as building larger and stronger muscles this is because the steroids contain testosterone hormones which is responsible for building larger and stronger muscles and is also used by sportsmen and women to enhance their muscles as it makes the muscles appear more larger and stronger.
It is additionally accepted to lessen abundance muscle to fat quotients this is on account of the steroid advances quality and perseverance in people along these lines they can have the capacity to work out for a more extended time and this thus comes about to consuming of muscle to fat quotients in this manner shading off overabundance muscle to fat quotients. Anabolic steroids are likewise accepted to expand body mass in sportsmen which is vital for most sportsmen as various games oblige one to have a specific body mass to enable them to viably perform in such games for instance jocks are required to have body mass that will permit them persevere through the sort of games they need to take part in.
Anabolic steroids are additionally accepted to expand red platelets generation this is on the grounds that red platelets are in charge of conveying oxygen to various parts of the body and it is likewise utilized by patients who experience the ill effects of frailty in order to advance course of oxygen inside their circulation system. It also promotes quick recovery in individuals who get hurt especially for athletes and other sportsmen who engage in sports and this is why they often recover from injuries fast as it speeds up the process of healing in body tissues, hence they are able to go back to sports within a short period of time.
It also enhances the visual appearance of individuals especially in men as they tend to appear more bigger, with more muscles and also body weight and this in turn gives a male individual a more manly look as opposed one who does not take the steroid. Anabolic steroids are in like manner acknowledged to update the appetite of people especially the ones who have restorative conditions and they can’t have the ability to eat food for example people encountering HIV as often as possible have poor longings accordingly the association of anabolic steroids ensures that it enhances the craving of a man thusly improving their supporting affinities and this in this manner makes one have a strong body.…
Aerobic exercises are also known for their increase in endurance, and work to increase the functioning of the cardiovascular system to pump oxygen throughout the body efficiently. Regular aerobics increases the amount of oxygen that the cells in the body receive, strengthens the heart to improve its ability to pump blood efficiently, creating muscle tone, increasing red blood cells, and improving mental health concerns related to stress and depression. Some additional benefits are lowering cholesterol, lowering blood pressure, and weight loss. Chronic diseases such as heart failure and diabetes are improved with regular exercise, under the watchful eye of your physician.
Walking
If you’re new to exercise or you are starting aerobic activities when you’re older in age, walking is a great way to burn calories and begin the process to condition your heart to pump better.
Jogging
Indoors or outdoors, jogging is an excellent exercise that provides individuals with a higher impact workout to burn more calories and make a difference in weight.
Jumping Rope
Compared to running and jogging, jumping rope actually provides a better exercise because impact is absorbed in both feet at the same time and 10 minutes of jumping rope is the equivalent of a one mile run.
Swimming
Swimming is an exercise that individuals of all ages can take part in. If you are overweight, the water provides buoyancy to cushion your joints from impact, while helping you to increase your heart rate, burn calories and lose fat.
Outdoor/ Stationary Cycling
Burning fat and reducing the risk of heart disease, as well as lowering blood pressure are some wonderful benefits to cycling. Many people watch television or listen to music while cycling and find it quite relaxing.
Treadmill/ Elliptical Machines
This method of aerobic exercise combines jogging and walking while allowing you to lower or increase your resistance. These can be high intensity or low intensity to aid weight loss.
Step Aerobics
By incorporating dance steps and arm movements in your routine, with or without weights, step aerobics can be the workout you’ve been looking for. It’s fun, helps you burn calories and is a great way to stay fit.
High Weight Reps
If you’re interested in weight training, you will probably be surprised to know that you can actually increase the aerobic impact by using low weights and increasing your reps to get your heart pumping and calories burning.
Cardio Kickboxing
Cardio Kickboxing is an excellent high impact work out designed to help you lose weight, burn calories and learn and introduce you to a type of martial arts.…
“Never underestimate the power of a small group of dedicated people to change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead
This is an unprecedented year for transformational health system change. It is not only important for nurses to be involved – it is Critical!
The illness care system is in crisis. People seek basic health care in hospital emergency rooms, 51% of the American population takes medication, and our greatest killers, obesity and lifestyle diseases are escalating. As treatment costs rise exponentially, the number of people covered by health insurance is decreasing. Often modern illness care results in financial bankruptcy. These trends are disastrous.
Additionally, the current economic down turn requires that solutions be radical, cost-effective and immediate in order to turn the tide.
The system cannot survive if we continue to focus exclusively on a medical model of symptom diagnosis and treatment. The trends demand a radical shift toward helping people learn how to become and stay well.
What profession focuses on helping people become and stay well? Nursing! With the overwhelming mandate for change demanded by our recent election, a window of opportunity is open for health system evolution. Not a revolution that throws out the medical model, rather an evolution that expands the system to include a continuum of care supporting and promoting health from birth through the life-span and transition into death.
There will never be a more critical time for Nurses to Show-up, Speak-up and Step-up to Make a Difference for the Health of America. If you are ready to seize this unprecedented opportunity to influence how the health system evolves, now is the time.
Now is the Time to Show-Up as a Leader.
Nurses led every major health reform in history. Nightingale reformed hospital and battlefield health. Lillian Wald began reforming public health as a nursing student, later establishing the Henry Street Settlement to provide care to the poor and immigrant population. Mary Breckinridge, a nurse-midwife, reformed maternal-child and family health by founding the Frontier Nursing Service, educating and employing nurse-midwives, and establishing family care centers in the Appalachia Mountains. Margaret Sanger reformed reproductive health and Dame Cicely Saunders, known for her role in birthing the hospice movement, emphasized the importance of palliative care.
Today, nurses are showing up to lead by creating innovative health care delivery models and shaping public policy.
Now is the Time to Speak-Up as a Nurse.
Nurses once again rank #1 as the most trusted professionals in the annual Gallup Poll. Talk with your public. They want to know what you think. What nurse has not received a call at all hours from family and neighbors asking for advice or counsel before seeking medical care?
Nurses comprise the largest number of health care providers. The mandate of our license is to serve the public and advocate for safe, effective and accessible health care. Let the public hear your views.
Speak up with other nurses. Share your concerns and ideas as colleagues and team …