Natural Remedies For Dark Circles

Dark circles under the eye are the best expressways of exhaustion and strain. But even after nights when you've got enough sleep, you wake up to find the curse on you. Here are ways how you get rid of them :

1. Ensure that you get enough sleep every night (seven to nine hours suggested).
2. Eat a healthy, balanced diet and ensure that you're eating lots of fruits and vegetables, especially green ones. Also, ensure that you're drinking lots of water every day and avoid salty foods as much as possible.
3. Lie down and place cucumber slices over your eyes for 10 minutes. Research proves that cucumbers help in reducing dark circles.
4. Smoking causes your blood vessels to be more prominent under your eyes, so here's another reason to quit smoking.

These home remedies should be useful as far as skin care is concerned. If any problem still persists, you might want to consult your doctor.

Tips for a Healthy Voice

Do you find yourself not thinking about your voice and only exercise your body? Well, you shouldn't be, say the people of the University of Michigan Health System. Our voice is an important aspect of us. It tells about one's personality and emotions and have a positive impact on people.

Methods to keep your voice in shape :

• Your vocal chords vibrate fast. Keeping them well lubricated is important for your voice. This can be done by drinking enough water and avoiding caffeine. Fruits such as watermelon, peaches, apples, pears, grapes and plums also help in keeping the vocal chords hydrated.
• Take a break between bursts of speech if you're engaged in talking a lot.
• Avoid smoking. Smoking raising the risk of throat cancer tremendously and inhalation of smoke can irritate the vocal chords.
• Speak softly and avoid yelling or screaming even if it is a noisy public place.
• Don't clear your throat too often. You have two vocal chords, which slam against each other when you clear your throat. This can make your voice hoarse. Instead, try sipping a glass of water to clear your throat. In case if this persists, check out with your doctor.

Memory Exercises

Memory plays a key role in our day-to-day life. It's very important that we remember what we're expected to no matter if we're a student, a worker or a businessman. But do you find yourself forgetting things too often or do you think you've got a good memory but you'd like to make it even sharper. Either way, these tip would help.

• Listen to music for a while everyday. Most importantly, listen to what you enjoy. Research has found that music does actually enter your brain.
• Read often, whether it's a novel or a magazine. If you haven't got the time to read novels, then go through your newspaper for at least a little while everyday.
• Research has found ways that improve your memory in ways you would've originally felt guilty of - the computer! It has been found out that surfing the web can stimulate cells and computer games can strengthen your memory.
• Take the bus to a place you've hardly been to and concentrate on the route. Try to get back by the same route without asking for directions.

Your first memory assignment should be to learn these tips so that you can use them as you wish!

Use Vinegar As A Cosmetic

Ever wished that cosmetics and beauty would come cheaper? It actually does. Instead of running to the mall to buy your favourite brand, make your own using an inexpensive tool - vinegar.

There are quite a few methods to care for your skin using vinegar, as you'll see here

• Mixing vinegar and onion juice may help reducing the appearance of age spots on your face. Make sure you mixture contains equal amounts of vinegar and onion juice. It may take a few weeks for results, but just be patient and stick with it.
• Vinegar and water mixed to form a 50-50 solution can be used to a cleanser and toner for your face.
• Apple cinder vinegar can be used an effective aftershave which keeps the trimmed areas soft and free from bacteria.

Vinegar also helps to keep your hands "in touch" with you

• Soaking your finger tips in vinegar for a minute and then dip it in warm water before applying nail polish to help it last longer.
• A mixture of apple cinder vinegar and cool water helps to clean your hands and get rid of visible dirt.

Learn how to keep your hair healthier and better looking using vinegar

• Adding one tablespoon of vinegar to your hair works as a conditioner and keeps your hair shinier and cleaner.
• Massage vinegar into your hair before shampooing to keep your hair dandruff free.

Vinegar certainly proves to be more useful than just for cooking as some of us would have imagined.

Protect Yourself from Pickpockets

It's never easy to protect yourself from a pickpockets. Pickpockets are usually extremely cautious people who camouflage themselves while performing their 'art'. They can dress up like anyone, rich businessmen, mothers with babies or anyone else who is least suspected.

The best you can do is to make it hard for pickpockets to gain access to your valuables. Instead of carrying your wallet in your back pocket where it is easy for pickpockets to sneak up behind you, use your side pocket which is more under your eye. Also, if you've got any valuables which are small enough to fit in your pocket, use the pocket instead of a backpacks. Backpacks are more vulnerable to pickpocketing that pockets.

Pickpockets usually know who is a vulnerable 'target'. They look for people who look confused, lost, distracted or involved in deep conversation with other people. Remember to always be conscious of the surroundings to avoid the pickpockets getting any ideas.

Remember to take immediate action if any important things are stolen. If your credit card is stolen, call your bank straight away and cancel your card. The same thing should be done with your license, your social security card and other important articles. Remember to also file a report with the police.

Examination Tips

The exam fever is here and as always, everyone wants to do well. Here are some ways to achieve your aim.

• Aim for a 100%. Don't leave out anything thinking it to be unimportant. Assimilate everything thoroughly to ensure that you at least get close to your goal.
• Practice Papers are extremely important as well. You can study as well you want to, but it is very much necessary to practice solving other question papers (on the same topics) to get the feel of the type of questions.
• In case you find something difficult to remember, don't waste your time trying to learn it by heart time and again. Instead, writing it down a couple of times with concentration would leave an impression in your mind.
• You might have the urge to study late during the examination times. But make sure you don't do it on the night before the exam. Sleep early and have a full breakfast in the next morning.
• Don't grab your pen and start writing your exam as soon as you get the question paper. Go through the entire paper and write the answers to the questions you know the best. This ensures that you don't forget the ones you know and you don't waste your time on the ones you don't know. You can always solve the doubtful ones at the end.
• In case you don't know the answer to a question, don't omit it. Write down something which is related to the question. You might end up getting a couple of extra marks.
• Even if you've completed your paper, don't hand it in early. Use the stipulated time to read through the answers you've written. Remember, you can't get back to the paper once you've submitted it.

It's natural for everybody to get stressed up and worried during the exam time. But don't worry, there's gonna be a lot of joy around if you do well. Good luck!

Stroke Identification

Just imagine that one your friends falls down. He convinces you that he's fine and nothing is wrong. The next day, you learn that he's in hospital in a serious condition. Guess what happened? Your friend just had a stroke on the previous day! To some people, strokes can also be fatal!

According to neurologists, strokes which are treated with 3 hours can be completely cured with almost no side effects. But the main part is recognizing the stroke.

Always remember the first three letters of the word and follow some steps.

S - Ask the person to smile
T - Ask the person to speak a sentence
R - Ask the person to raise both arms.

If the person is unable to any of these tasks, then urgent action is required. Another way to detect a stroke is to ask the person to stick out their tongue. If the tongue is crooked, then the individual is probably suffering from a stroke.

Next time something like this happens, don't assume it to be something small. You might just be seeing that person for the last time.

Valentine's Day List

Valentine's Day is the best day for impressing your beloved. It's also a chance for people to patch up and get over it. Here are some great ways to have fun on Valentine's Day :

1. Buy a nice long rose. Valentine's Day is only once a year, so don't be stingy on choosing your rose. Make sure it's a bright red one too.
2. A box of chocolates would please the heart. Size doesn't matter in this issue. And make sure you buy one for sentiments sake even if she's on a weight loss diet.
3. Ending the day with a candlelight dinner would be the best ends to a great day.

Strengthen your love life this Valentine's Day. Have fun!

Say No To These Post-Meal Acts

You need to care for your digestive system after you eat because it is the most vital organs for the using up of consumed food. Here are some things you SHOULDN'T do after your meal.

• No Smoking : Smoking soon after a meal is equivalent to smoking 10 cigarettes. This results in higher probability of cancer.
• No Fruits : Eating fruits soon after a meal results in the bloating of your stomach with air. This results in body parts being affected.
• No Tea : Tea leaves contain a high amount of acid which hardens the protein content and minimizes the absorption of protein.
• No loosening of belt : The old theory says " loosen your belt after a meal." But loosening the belt will result in the intestine being blocked and twisted in odd angles
• No Baths : Bathing increases the flow of blood in our arms and legs. This will result in the low circulation of blood in the stomach which will eventually weaken the stomach.
• No Walking : No, walking does not allow food to be digested quickly. The continuous motion prevents the smooth absorption of nutrients.
• No Sleeping : Sleeping of lying 180 degrees will prevent the absorption and even cause infections in the intestine.

So, remember not to do any of these 7 after-meal acts and lead a healthy life.

Get Better Sleep

Insomnia ie. the lack of sleep has been a problem for many. Here's how to get yourself some shut-eye.

• Don't look at the alarm clock at night. It increases anxiety and obsession about time.
• Have a bath in hot water. This helps in putting you to sleep.
• Masturbation or sex is stress reliever at night.
• Don't use your bedroom for anything else other than sleep and sex. Move the television, Cd's and anything else.
• Don't use alcohol to put yourself to sleep. It produces a number of sleep-impairing effects in the long run.
• Avoid forcing yourself to sleep. The very attempt to do so keeps you awake.

Insomnia is not a disease nor is it permanent, so there's nothing to worry about. GOOD NIGHT!

Get Rid Of Acne & Pimples

Here are some remedies to get rid of acne or pimples :

• Don't pick, press or rub your pimples. If you do, you risk spreading the bacteria and increasing the chances of scarring.
• Go easy on your face. Washing removes oils from the surface of the skin, not from within the plugged ducts.
• Wash properly once or twice a day, using a mild soap, and rub lightly with your fingertips and warm water. If your skin is oily, use a soap with benzoyl peroxide for its drying properties.
• Use water-based make-up.
• Don't rest your chin on your hands or constantly touch your face.

Everybody gets acne and pimples, but it's not a permanent worry as long as it's treated.

Two Way Mirrors

What are Two Way Mirrors?

Two Way Mirrors are just like normal mirrors, only to you. They reflect back light only from the side you look at it. From the other side, it's just a plain glass, you can look through them!

What's the big deal with Two Way Mirrors?

Two Way Mirrors are illegally used in toilets, changing rooms, hotel rooms etc. They are usually attached to the wall with the reflecting surface facing us. They look like ordinary mirrors to us but transparent from the other side. People spy on the public in such a way.

How do we detect Two Way Mirrors?

We cannot detect Two Way Mirrors by simply looking at them. Here is a simple test to identify a two way mirror :

Place the tip of your fingernail against the reflective surface and if there is a gap between your fingernail and the image of the nail, then it is a genuine mirror. However, if your fingernail directly touches the image of your nail, then beware, it is a Two Way Mirror! So remember, every time you see a mirror,do the "fingernail test." It doesn't cost you anything. It is simple to do. This is a really good thing to do. The reason there is a gap on a real mirror, is because the silver is on the back of the mirror UNDER the glass. Whereas with a two-way mirror,the silver is on the Surface. Keep it in mind! Make sure and check every time you enter in hotel rooms. Maybe someone is making a film on you.

Prevent Catching Colds

Sniff....sniff....it's a common sign with some of us.We catch a cold, our noses start running, our work comes to a stop, it's a big problem.Who says you can't stay away from it.Here are some home tips.

• Stay away from crowds.Even if you do have to take a longer route, avoid crowded areas if you're prone to cold.
• Wash you're hand regularly even if you aren't affected at that time.It prevents the bacteria from getting into your body by any means.
• If you ever need to rub your eyes because of a problem, do it with your knuckles, don't use you're fingers. This prevents eye entering colds (sounds dumb, but it does exist).
• Before you go to bed every night, gargle warm salt water. It kills diseases forming on your throat.

Those were basic tips for the prevention of cold.
As we all know, "Prevention is better than cure."

Save Money this Christmas

The holiday season is here and you'd expect your wallet to go all out wouldn't you.No,not quite. Here are some ways to keep some cash intact.

• We know something about business in the holiday season - they give out a lot of discounts. Lots! Find coupons or discount offers on everything your looking to buy.
• You'd of course want to have that Christmas tree in your house.Look for one which has a long bark (not too long). They cost less and give the appearance of a big one (Cheeky, yes I know, but it works).
• Those Christmas presents you want to hang out, gift your people 'Do-it-yourself' kits, it adds a more personal touch to the presents and saves you some bucks.

Save cash this Christmas and have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Tackle Bad Breath

Bad breath is something that always gets into our way.We can't talk freely nor can we get close with people.If you've always wondered how to tackle bad breathe,well here are some tips:

• Don't allow your mouth to get dry.Foul smelling bacteria often form in your mouth when it's dry.Whenever your mouth feels dry,drink a glass of water.
• If by any chance you visit the restroom,spit out your saliva in the sink to get rid of any foul smell that may hang on to your saliva.
• Try chewing some sugarless gum before an important occasion.They are made up of sugar particles such as sorbitol, mannitol or xylitol which does not allow oral bacteria to grow easily.
• Eating a sandwich? Well,drop in a layer of cheese.Research shows that cheese fights mouth odour.

Bad breath might be a problem for most of us.But it's no big worry, as long as you take some steps to tackle it.