10 Practical Ways to Stay Healthier By Standing More Often

In the United States, the average person spends anywhere between four and six hours a day standing. With so much of the everyday routine requiring that an individual be seated at a desk or behind the wheel of a car, it’s no wonder that just over a third of Americans are considered clinically obese. Furthermore, when popular means of recreation generally involve a flatscreen, laptop, tablet or smartphone, health deteriorates.

Though time to formally exercise is often difficult to find, by merely spending more hours on one’s feet, studies have shown that lifespan and overall health increase. Seek to implement a few of the following suggestions into your daily routine and you’ll be surprised to see how much better standing can really make you feel.

While Working at the Office

1) Intentionally Park the Car Farther Away

•    The average American commuter already spends 38 hours a year stuck in traffic. With that in mind, there’s little need to look for the closest possible parking spot at the office. Purposefully park far away and allow your legs and feet to do a bit more work. Additionally, opt for using the stairs instead of the elevator.

2) Set a Desktop Timer

•    While working in your office, set a desktop timer to go off every half hour or so. At each half hour interval, take a few brief moments to stretch. Unbeknownst to most, stretching not only improves flexibility and decreases the risk of personal injury, it also enhances blood flow to all of the body’s muscles. Says the Wasatch Foot And Ankle Institute of the very injuries that routine stretching helps eliminate, “Many activities are hard on the feet because of quick repetitive movements, constricting footwear, and/or increased exposure to injury or trauma.” Plus, you’ll have a friendly reminder to tidy up the desk a bit.

3) Talking on the Phone

•    A new study conducted by the Internal Data Corporation recently found that 79 percent ofpeople between the ages of 18 and 44 have their smartphones on them 22 hours a day. Regardless of your age, there’s no need to text or talk on the phone while seated at a desk. When a call comes in or you need to phone an associate, simply stand up by your desk or walk up and down the hallway while engaging in conversation.

4) Personalized Emails

•    Over 100 billion emails are sent and received each day online. Though there’s no data currently available as to the geographic destinations of those daily emails, it’d be interesting to know how many of them are sent to a coworker who’s seated no more than 10 feet away. Instead of a digital message, get on your feet and make it a face-to-face interaction.

5) Drink Plenty of Water

•    Well-known are the reasons for which a person should forego a can Diet Coke for a bottle of water. In order to avoid the sugary temptation, keep a bottle of water atop your desk. As you continue to drink the bottle dry, not only will hydration levels improve, but you’ll be spending more time on your feet heading to both the office water cooler and restroom.

While Relaxing at Home

5) Commercial Breaks

•    As of 2014, the average life expectancy of an American citizen was 78.6 years. Shockingly enough, roughly 9.1 years of that time is spent watching television with two of those years spent purely on commercials. Sure, though you might not be willing to sacrifice a single second of “The Walking Dead,” during commercial breaks, perform a few basic exercises to keep your body active.

6) Lose the Remote

•    Nothing is quite as annoying as losing the T.V. remote. That being said, in an effort to spend a greater portion of your life upright, wedge it between the couch cushions every now and again. If you really want to change the channel or volume level, you’ll have to get on your feet to make it happen. “Discipline” is the name of the game with this tip.

7) Books on Tape

•    It’s true that reading does wonders for the brain; unfortunately, you probably already spend enough time seated comfortably on your living room’s love seat. Multitask with a book on tape as you run errands, pick the kids up from school or take care of some household chores.

8) Be Leery of Your Posture

•    Each year, 31 million Americans experience lower-back pain. In many instances, poor posture is to blame. Identifying perfect posture form can be a difficult task; however, it most certainly doesn’t occur when the spine is slouched over the top of a desk. Follow the instructions on this guide to make sure that your posture is the way it should be.

9) Leave the Cell Phone In a Single, Central Location

•    With the phone on loud, it can be left in a centralized location. Enjoy your weekends with the family. If the phone rings, you’ll be on your feet in no time to attend to whatever demands your attention. Until then, however, there’s no need to be sitting down, fidgeting with a cell phone.

10) Spend Quality Time With Children

•    In 2000, married fathers spent an average of just 6.5 hours a week caring for their children. Married mothers reported slightly better numbers, spending nearly 13 hours a week taking care of their kids. Children are always lively and full of energy. Not only will you be exercising by spending time with them, but further enhancing meaningful relationships which, at the end of the day, is definitely most important.

Lucas Miller is a young, health-conscious college student at Brigham Young University. When not writing, running or studying, he’s working tirelessly to perfect what he claims is the “World’s Greatest Pompadour.” Find him on Google+.

* Image Credit #1: Pixabay

* Image Credit #2: Pixabay

* Image Credit #3: Flickr

5 Unforeseen Ways You’re Destroying the Health of Your Feet

If for some odd reason you were ever in a situation where you needed to defend the importance of feet, you’d have quite a case. Though the average person spends an average of 7.7 hours a day sitting, much of our daily routines are spent on our feet, going about life. From climbing stairs at the office to running at the gym, your feet are always along for the ride, hence the 8,000 to 10,000 steps they generate during the course of any given day..

As a trusty means of constant transportation, feet — when not properly cared for — are bound to weaken with time. Unbeknownst to many are the ways in which we, oddly enough, quicken the process of foot destruction on a daily basis, without even knowing it.

1) Lack of Weight Maintenance

Let’s face it: America has a weight problem. We’ve always known this. Even though Mexico currently takes the crown as the world’s most obese nation, the U.S. has always struggled to keep its weight in check. With more than 34.9 percent of  Yankee adults considered clinically obese, American feet have quite a load to carry. They’re not handling it well.

As carrying capacities increase, feet become subject to harmful conditions like tendon inflammation and osteoarthritis. It’s no wonder that 75 percent of Americans will experience some sort of foot-related issue during their respective lifetimes.

2) Sudden Bursts of Physical Activity

For those who struggle to maintain an appropriate weight, consider gradual changes in physical activity. Contrary to what many so-called fitness “experts” might claim, an abrupt intensification isn’t necessarily the key to sound foot and body health. It can be detrimental.

Instead, opt for low-impact exercises such as swimming, water aerobics and yoga as excellent anaerobic means for minimizing foot damage while keeping active.

3) Going Barefoot On Hard, Unforgiving Surfaces

The 1,502 official members of the Society for Barefoot Living — hailing from 63 global nations and 51 U.S. states and territories — might have an issue with this, but that doesn’t change truth of the matter: going barefoot isn’t always best. When walking over solid surfaces, it can be downright risky.

Said Phil Vasyli, professional podiatrist and founder of Orthaheel, to Reader's Digest, “Our footprint allows the natural ground to accommodate the contours of our feet. The softer ground gives way to our heel at foot strike, allowing the outside of the foot to sink into the surface, which correspondingly supports the inside of our foot and the collapse of our arch.”

Such a scenario is compromised with hardwood floors, sidewalks and kitchen tile. In order to avoid the most typical of foot annoyances — common aches and heel pain — as annoying as it sounds, wear shoes for the majority of the day, whether you’re indoors or outdoors. Additionally, experiment with different shoe inserts or ask your local podiatrist about customized orthopedic options.

4) Not Giving Proper Attention to Calves

Have you ever noticed that even the unfit and overweight often have strong-looking calf muscles? That’s because those muscles are constantly at work. Regardless of whether or not body weight is an issue for you, there’s a strong link between the feet and calves that can’t go unnoticed.

Take care of both nagging foot and lower leg pain by simply stretching your calves throughout the day. For example, the next time you climb a set of stairs, pause for a brief moment atop a step to stretch your calf muscles.

5) Imprudent Footwear: Flip Flops, Slippers and Ballet Flats

Just because something feels comfortable, doesn’t mean that it’s doing your feet any favors. Flip flops, for instance, employ a non-supportive, “spongy” material which is often touted as optimum for foot shock absorption. The reality of the situation is that — for the alleviation of foot pain — nothing is more beneficial than supportive footwear. Bottom line: cushion isn’t everything.

Softer insoles, while enjoyable, cause feet to roll inwards beyond what’s acceptable, forcing the foot to push off almost entirely from the big toe. As a result, heel pain, knee pain, lower back pain, shin splints, plantar Fasciitis and Achilles Tendonitis occur.

The following infographic, produced by Wasatch Foot & Ankle Institute, provides further evidence as to why thorough foot health is of the utmost importance.

Needless to say, feet are key to a peaceful, gratifying lifestyle. Wherever you are on your 150,000 mile journey, keeping feet happy and healthy is paramount.

Lucas Miller is a young, health-conscious college student at Brigham Young University. When not writing, running or studying, he’s working tirelessly to perfect what he claims is the “World’s Greatest Pompadour.”

* Image Credit: Flickr

* Infographic Credit: Wasatch Foot & Ankle Institute

The Ebola Effects

Ebola as a disease is not a new phenomenon. It was first seen or ‘discovered’ back in 1976 when there was a simultaneous outbreak in the African countries of Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. One of the villages where the first outbreak occurred was in the village of Yambuku, which is situated close to the river Ebola, thus showing how the disease got its name.

The current strain of the disease broke out back in March of this year in Guékédou which is in Guinea in West Africa. This current strain has developed into an epidemic which has resulted in worldwide attention. Due to international intervention in the form of health workers, we have seen the disease transcend borders and as a result bringing diagnosis to countries outside of Africa.

This infographic looks at the Ebola effect on the countries that it has permeated. It looks at the costs predicted or forecasted on the West African countries worst hit. Controlling the disease is vital and the infographic looks at methods used in attempting to achieve this. 

10 Surprising Health Benefits of Sex

When you're in the mood, it's a sure bet that the last thing on your mind is boosting your immune system or maintaining a healthy weight. Yet good sex offers surprising health benefits including stress relief, boosting immunity, improving cardiovascular health and more.

Here are 10 surprising health benefits of sex:

1. Helps Keep Your Immune System Humming
“Sexually active people take fewer sick days,” says Yvonne K. Fulbright, PhD a sexual health expert.

People who have sex have higher levels of what defends your body against germs, viruses, and other intruders. Researchers at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania found that college students who had sex once or twice a week had higher levels of the a certain antibody compared to students who had sex less often.

You should still do all the other things that make your immune system happy, such as:
Eat right.
Stay active.
Get enough sleep.
Keep up with your vaccinations.
Use a condom if you don’t know both of your STD statuses.

2. Boosts Your Libido
Longing for a more lively sex life? “Having sex will make sex better and will improve your libido,” says Lauren Streicher, MD. She is an assistant clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.

For women, having sex ups vaginal lubrication, blood flow, and elasticity, she says, all of which make sex feel better and help you crave more of it.

3. Improves Women's Bladder Control
A strong pelvic floor is important for avoiding incontinence, something that will affect about 30% of women at some point in their lives.

Good sex is like a workout for your pelvic floor muscles. When you have an orgasm, it causes contractions in those muscles, which strengthens them.

4. Lowers Your Blood Pressure
Research suggests a link between sex and lower blood pressure, says Joseph J. Pinzone, MD. He is CEO and medical director of Amai Wellness.

“There have been many studies,” he says. “One landmark study found that sexual intercourse specifically (not masturbation) lowered systolic blood pressure.” That's the first number on your blood pressure test.

5. Counts as Exercise
“Sex is a really great form of exercise,” Pinzone says. It won’t replace the treadmill, but it counts for something.

Sex uses about five calories per minute, four more calories than watching TV. It gives you a one-two punch: It bumps up your heart rate and uses various muscles.

So get busy! You may even want to clear your schedule to make time for it on a regular basis.  “Like with exercise, consistency helps maximize the benefits,” Pinzone says.

6. Lowers Heart Attack Risk
A good sex life is good for your heart. Besides being a great way to raise your heart rate, sex helps keep your estrogen and testosterone levels in balance.


“When either one of those is low you begin to get lots of problems, like osteoporosis and even heart disease,” Pinzone says.

Having sex more often may help. During one study, men who had sex at least twice a week were half as likely to die of heart disease as men who had sex rarely.

7. Lessens Pain
Before you reach for an aspirin, try for an orgasm.

“Orgasm can block pain,” says Barry R. Komisaruk, PhD, a distinguished service professor at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. It releases a hormone that helps raise your pain threshold.

Stimulation without orgasm can also do the trick. “We’ve found that vaginal stimulation can block chronic back and leg pain, and many women have told us that genital self-stimulation can reduce menstrual cramps, arthritic pain, and in some cases even headache,” Komisaruk says.

8. May Make Prostate Cancer Less Likely
Going for the gusto may help ward off prostate cancer.

Men who ejaculated frequently (at least 21 times a month) were less likely to get prostate cancer during one study, which was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

You don’t need a partner to reap this benefit: Sexual intercourse, nocturnal emission, and masturbation were all part of the equation.

It's not clear that sex was the only reason that mattered in that study. Lots of factors affect cancer risk. But more sex won’t hurt.

9. Improves Sleep
You may nod off more quickly after sex, and for good reason.

“After orgasm, the hormone prolactin is released, which is responsible for the feelings of relaxation and sleepiness" after sex, says Sheenie Ambardar, MD. She is a psychiatrist in West Hollywood, Calif.

10. Eases Stress
Being close to your partner can soothe stress and anxiety.

Ambardar says touching and hugging can release your body's natural “feel-good hormone.” Sexual arousal releases a brain chemical that revs up your brain’s pleasure and reward system.

Sex and intimacy can boost your self-esteem and happiness, too, Ambardar says. It’s not only a prescription for a healthy life, but a happy one.

How to Lose Belly Fat Fast Doing a Desk Job

The kind of sedentary lifestyle we’re living, it’s beyond obvious to get entrapped in a fat-web. Today, every man hungers after a flat stomach, while the girls remain on the lookout for all those magical remedies transforming their potbelly into a tight one.

Read on to know the things one needs to zero in on to get a size-zero figure, especially those in a desk job.

SMART EXERCISES

You spend the entire day sitting before a computer screen and your every day draws to a close without doing any major physical movement. Meaning, you’re waking up, adding extra kilos in your body every day. Possible solutions are; 

Rise-Early

What it takes to waking up 15-20 minutes before your habit? It’s nothing more than a positive intent. If you feel like sleeping, head straight to the park and start running. Running is not your cup of tea, thanks to the inactive routine. Then, suggest at least walking and it will be more beneficial to press on the accelerator after week or so, starting doing brisk walking. Being consistent in doing around 15 minutes walk, you’re well on the way to burn belly fat.

Cycling

Cycling is an exercise form that not only fires fat, but also adds a fun element. Your office is in the vicinity or a few miles away, you may prefer cycling to driving a car. Even if the distance is too long, you still can cycle to office from there.

Customized gym in the office

Find out the ways to add physical activity in your resting style of working as it’s only you who carry oodles of fat around the belly region. Stretching your body after every ten minutes or so; not only will keep you physically alert; it will also help you keep the stamina intact that can be further used for other physical activities. Act smartly, whenever there comes free time across your way in the office hours. Say, during the mealtime, instead of gossips with colleagues, you can go for a brisk run before having lunch.

Try to add these activities during the brunch and the evening time as well.

 Adding crunches and plank exercises, especially side plank exercise in the free slots created by you, undeniably would be a jelly on the cake. 

Watch what you eat

Don’t go by the above-mentioned idiom. Carrying oodles of flab, you’re expected to have a control on your taste buds. Stomaching more calories in than what you burn means all the efforts for losing belly fat go down the drain. Having a proper diet is as crucial as following a strict exercising regime. The more you study about the food you intake, the more the chance you understand the exact reasons of the belly-puffing. It’s a key to flat stomach- your diet should go in line with the amount of exercise you do. Keep a hawk eye on the calorie meter that otherwise must show calorie burn more than calorie intake. Cutting down on the quantity of the eateries constituting fat, including fast food, can bring the signs of marvel both, to you and the onlookers.

Exercise and Diet are the two corners of a health-fulcrum that needs balancing. How well you balance depends only upon how well you execute things that are a bit easier said than done.

There are various other factors that can play spoilsport in your effort to reduce belly fat. What are the things that should be wired into the equation while going for the fat-killing are:

a)                  Sufficient sleep

b)                  Don’t let the stress get better of you

c)                   Right Posture; Head straight with broadened chest.

d)                  Be active in everyday chores

e)                  Sense possibility to go on feet than car

What if, the idea is not yours, the initiative-bugle needs blowing solely by you. How far you go is what remains to-be-seen.

Now, go figure, what can be done to achieve a dream chiseled figure!

Getting into the poster shape is as important as maintaining your skin, if you are committed to stealing the show. With straight belly, how about getting a fair complexion and spotless skin?

How about using skincare products made from camel milk? Wide range of products is available at Skinue. Yup, you’ll be sure to rob the parties with your fancying beauty.

Tightening and Toning Loose Skin After Losing Weight

If you have recently lost a significant amount of weight, you might have noticed a small amount of loose skin that remains from your former self. It doesn't matter where the loose skin is at, no one wants to see it after they have already worked so hard to lose all of the body fat. Losing weight too quickly can cause all of the excess skin to remain behind and remind you of what you once were before the weight loss. To help tighten and tone all of the skin that remained behind, consider some of the following tips to help you along the way.

What Causes Loose Skin in the First Place?

Since your skin needs to stretch whenever you grow, move, gain weight and lose weight, it is considered one of the most elastic of all living organs. Sure, you might notice your body changing, but most people never think about their skin changing with it. Your skin is like a giant piece of rubber covering your entire body. However, it is still an organ. Like every other organ inside of your body, it contains a number of cells.

Since there are multiple layers to your skin, you have different cell types in each one of those layers. Even though you are constantly shedding the cells on the outer layer of your skin and replacing them with new ones, the cells that lie underneath of that main layer are more permanent. Beyond the epidermis, lies the dermis and sub dermis. In these layers of skin, there are a bunch of fibers, elastic connective tissues, blood vessels and a whole series of components that contract and stretch based on how you are treating your skin.

Your Skin and Losing Weight: What Happens?

Whenever you lose weight, especially if you ended up losing a lot of weight rather quickly, all of the elastic components that make up your skin are going to lose part of themselves as well. Not only will they lose some of the fat layers that have kept the skin stretched to cover your body, but they won’t have a lot of elasticity in them to conform to your new body size and shape.

Beyond losing weight, poor nutrition, age, excessive exposure to the sun, smoking and dehydration are all known contributors to skin elasticity. When all of these components are working against you, it causes you to have an appearance that is less than ideal. You work hard to lose the weight, but then you end up with sagging skin that makes your new shape appear sub-par compared to what it should be.

Consider Getting a Tummy Tuck

Instead of dreading looking in the mirror at all of the excess skin that remained behind, why not opt for a procedure that can help trim and tone those problem areas for you? A tummy tuck can help to eliminate the bulge and leave you with the flat abdomen you have always dreamed of. You worked hard to shed the pounds, so your body should reflect exactly that. Speak with a plastic surgeon today about what they can do for you

Best Herbal Remedies to Cure Severe Acne

Getting rid of acne and maintaining a clear skin is something that is easier said than done, especially for those who suffer from frequent or chronic breakouts. Though, acne is a common problem faced by a large number of individuals, most people easily gets frustrated and lose confidence. Excessive oil production from the sebaceous glands and deposition of dead skin cell tend to block the pores. Many times excessive dryness also causes severe breakouts.

Therefore, the first line of action should be to keep the skin free from impurities, dead skin cell and maintain a proper balance of oil. Herbal remedies are the best way to fight acne as they are milder on your skin and are less harmful as compared to chemicals, which are used in acne medicines.

Here are the best herbs which actually work to cure severe acne:

Burdock

 Burdock roots are used as herbal remedy in treating acne. It cleanses the body from impurities and reduces acne. Because of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, it has been used in treating various skin diseases. Boil one teaspoon of dried burdock root in two cups of water. Let the liquid evaporate to half its volume by setting the stove to low. Cool it and drink half cup of it thrice a day. This preparation can also be applied directly to the acne to reduce the symptoms.

Aloe vera

Aloe vera is used in many skin care products because of its healing properties. It soothes the skin and reduces inflammation thereby curing acne in a natural way. It penetrates deep in the skin to heal the scars left from acne. It acts as an antiseptic agent to protect the skin from bacteria that may cause acne.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is an essential oil, which when diluted and applied on the acne helps in curing them effectively. It acts as an antibacterial agent and kills the bacteria, which contribute to acne. Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with an equal amount of water. Dab it over the problem areas with the help of a cotton wool. Apply it several times a day to attain fast results.

Basil/ Tulsi

Basil is one of the best herbal remedies for curing acne. Since it is anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, it stops the growth of bacteria on the skin. It is also known to purify the blood and provides a clear skin. Crush a few basil leaves and mix it with sandalwood powder to make a paste. Apply it topically on the acne to reduce them. You may also rub some leaves of basil directly on the skin to prevent acne.

Corriander

Coriander helps in detoxifying the body when consumed and may help in curing acne. Make a tea by steeping coriander, fennel and cumin in hot water for 10 minutes and strain it. Drink it three times a day for fast results. Coriander juice can also be applied topically by mixing it with turmeric powder to get rid of acne.

Guggul extracts

Guggul is a flowering plant which is used to treat various ailments and skin problems when taken orally. The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of the herb extracts make it an excellent medicine to treat acne. It also reduces swelling and makes healing faster.

Neem

Neem leaves have long been used in Ayurveda in treating various skin conditions. The antibacterial and antifungal properties of the neem help in combating acne in an easier way. Boil some neem leaves in water and cool it. Apply the mixture over the acne regularly to kill bacteria and get rid of acne. You may also make a paste of neem leaves and mashed cucumber and apply it. It acts as a soothing mask for the irritated skin.

Lemon

Lemon juice is widely used in natural beauty treatments as it helps in removing toxins from the deep pores and keeps skin fresh and beautiful. You may apply lemon juice over the skin with the help of a cotton ball. If pure lemon juice is too harsh for your skin, you may dilute it with some water before applying it.

Garlic

Garlic is an excellent antibacterial agent and is helpful in curing acne. Crush some garlic cloves and apply it directly over the problem area. Let it dry and wash with water. Garlic also helps in reducing pain when applied several times a day.

Olive leaf extract

Olive leaf extract is another great herb which helps in getting rid of acne. When taken orally, it normalizes the production of hormones in the body including androgen, and help in fighting acne. It also aids detoxification of blood thereby reducing the chances of breakouts.

Author Bio:

Sarah Carter is a blogger and Team Member at Dermatend – Natural Mole Removal. She likes to write about health, Skin Care, Beauty and Makeup tips. You can follow her on twitter.

Shiny locks with healthy habits!

To have shiny, healthy and lustrous hair, is every woman’s desire! Yet we seem to overlook the fact that without a proper care regimen, achieving this is impossible. While bad hair days are something that we all dread, following some basic healthy habits can help lessen the hair damage like breakage, dryness and hair loss to a great extent. Especially these days, owing to the increased pollution, poor food habits, and stressful lives that we lead, most of the times our hair does not even get the rudimentary care needed. The absence of regular and natural hair care methods can eventually cause the hair to become dull and lifeless leading to common problems like hair loss, split ends etc. Following the below stated regimen will help you lessen the harmful effects of pollution and the sun.

Washing at the right time

One of the key essentials in achieving luscious hair is to figure out the correct time to wash those tresses. Experts actually stress that while over-shampooing can cause your scalp to become dry, tight and itchy, not shampooing at all is even worse, because the scalp stands a risk of becoming oily which in turn causes dandruff and associated hair fall.

Therefore, do we shampoo everyday or not at all? According to global hair research experts shampooing should depend on the activity level, the scalp texture and the hair quality. The idea is to not allow oil to build up on the scalp because it attracts dirt, hence ideally wash your hair when they start to look oily. For those suffering with the dry hair syndrome, try maintaining a hair-care regimen, was your hair at regular intervals, wherein the levels of activity would be a determining factor. Under no circumstances should sweat be allowed to settle on the scalp!

Wet hair and styling don’t go hand in hand

When the hair is wet, treat it with caution, because it is in its most vulnerable state. Beauty market research experts vehemently advice against the practice; since wet hair stretches it increases the chances of breakage by causing permanent damage to the cuticle. All kinds of hair styling including brushing, perming or straightening when the hair is wet is a strict no-no. The correct method is to blot dry the locks, then blow dry the hair, before any styling is done to the hair. A small hair styling tip that’ll help you save oodles of time - if your hair is 90% dry, it is ready to be styled!

Protect your hair from sun damage

Sun damage to the hair is as bad as sun damage caused to the skin! The harmful rays of the sun not only damage and fade color treated hair, it also leaves the hair brittle and weak making them more susceptible to split ends. Wear a hat if necessary to protect your hair from the harsh sun. Simultaneously, it is also important to take note of the chlorine content in swimming pools - it actually coats the hair and turns it green. While wearing a bath cap will lessen the effects to a certain extent, it is advisable to give the hair a good wash after a swim.

Trim your hair regularly

It is important that you trim your hair every 2-3 months, especially if the hair is prone to split ends. What the hair endures should actually determine how frequently the hair needs a trim. The more chemicals and styling agents you use, the more important regular trims become.

Eating right

Poor nutrition causes hair loss. If the body lacks the necessary amounts of proteins, vitamins or minerals it fails to sustain the necessary hair growth. Lack in the essential food nutrients like iron can also result in severe hair loss. Research on beauty markets has led to the revelation that affirms that crash diets or any other fad diets for that matter, actually contribute significantly to the increasing problem of hair loss women face these days.

Be careful of Colors!

Almost everyone either has or wants to color their hair these days. While coloring your hair, will surely be the key to your makeover, before exposing the hair to the numerous harmful chemicals associated with hair colors, you need to seriously think it through. Remember, that even color stripping involves bleaching the hair, that result in frizzy hair and unwanted tones, roughing the overall texture of individual hair. The color, bleaching and re-coloration process can prove to be very stressful for the hair leading not only to damage but also severe hair loss.  

Tips and Tricks for Stress-free hair

Beauty market research revealed some tips and tricks that will help you attain lustrous hair without much ado. Here are some of them that you can easily follow:

•  Oiling the hair regularly with a good quality coconut oil or olive oil: Not only does the oiling condition the hair, after the wash, you will feel a definite difference - the hair will feel soft and bouncy.
•  Being easy on heating equipments: All heating equipments like the hair perming devices, hair straighteners, and blow dryers stress the hair strands by exposing the delicate hair shafts to bursts of heat. Use them as sparingly as possible!
• Using quality products: Remember that your hair accounts largely for the way you look, so do not use cheap products when it comes to them. Know your hair quality and use shampoos, conditioners etc, which suit your hair type.
• Shampooing regularly: Shampooing every 2-3 days is fine unless you have a very oily scalp that needs regular washing. However, be warned about the ill effects of over-shampooing.

The hair care market is exceptionally huge and cluttered with numerous products. The market is overflowing with hair treatments that help you maintain healthy locks. While it is advisable to stay away from rigorous treatment to your hair, every now and then make sure to pamper your hair. Sometimes, though they may appear cumbersome assigning a few minutes for hair care by following a healthy and natural hair care routine will protect it from the many harmful agents that the hair is exposed to on a daily basis and let you flaunt healthy, beautiful locks!

Author: Aditi Biswas. Aditi blogs for Research on Global Markets which provides global market research reports on Beauty and Fashion industry along with various other industries.