Sight, exercise, depression,meditation,loss of appetite

Tip 109. Relieve stress by meditation, not medication.
Today is an ideal day to be open to spiritual inspiration. Limit the effects of stress in your life. The body and the mind react to any stress factor. A large number of physical changes take place at the time of stress induced arousal. The brain and nervous system become intensely active, the pupils of the eye dilate, digestion slows down, muscles become tense, the heart starts pumping blood harder and faster, blood pressure increases , breathing become faster, hormones such as adrenaline are released into the system along with glucose from the liver and sweating starts.
All these changes take place in a split second under the direction of the nervous system. If the stress factors are immediately removed, no harm accrues and all the changes are reversed. How can you stop the effects of stress? The steps in this direction should include regular practice of any relaxation method or meditation technique, cultivating the art of doing things slowly (particularly activities like eating, walking and talking) limiting the working day to nine to ten hours and five and a half days weekly, cultivating a creative hobby and spending some time daily on this, avoiding working against unrealistic targets and completing one task before starting another.
Tip 110. More insight into insomnia.
If restful sleep escapes you, be sure to detoxify. Do you get enough sleep? Sleep is essential to the detoxification of the body. If you do not get enough sleep, you should be sure to cleanse your body of potential poisons. sleep is the chemical theory. As a result of experiments in the
metabolism of sleeping subjects, it is considered that the fatigue inducing sleep may be a mild form of blood poisoning or toxaemia. This " poisoning" is believed to be brought on by the expenditure of energy during the waking hours. According to this theory, every contraction of a muscle and every impulse passing through the brain or the nerves breaks down a certain amount of tissue. The debris from broken down tissue is then thrown into the bloodstream. In the waking state, much of the waste from broken down tissue is got rid of through the natural eliminating processes of lungs, kidneys, bowels and skin. Be sure to get enough sleep-or if you do not wake refreshed, be sure to detoxify.
Tip 111. Quick tips for dealing with loss of appetite.
Loss of appetite can itself be a serious health condition. Particularly in wasting diseases, such as asthma, AIDS, cancer, emphysema, or chronic degeneration of the central nervous system, a healthy appetite can even make the difference between life and death.
Lack of appetite can result from an inadequate supply of vitamin B, which leads to low
production of hydrochloric acid by the stomach. Hydrochloric acid is essential for the digestion of food and absorption of vitamins and minerals into the blood. It is, therefore, necessary that the daily diet should be rich in vitamin B for normal appetite. Proper digestion and absorption of
foods and regular elimination. Foods rich in vitamin B are all whole grain cereals, blackstrap
molasses, nuts, soybean, eggs and butter. Vegetable oil is of special value to those wishing to gain weight as it is rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids.
Tip 112. More insight into impotence.
Direct physical damage to the male reproductive tract can result in impotence. In most cases, however, there is no obvious reason for this condition.
The main problem of secondary impotence is the apprehension created by failure
which generates a good deal of anxiety for the next time round regarding the likelihood of failure. If, in fact, intercourse is attempted again and the same failure results, then a vicious circle is established. Anxiety of failure is established as an anticipatory reflex which in turn impairs the capacity of the penis.
Tip 113. Insight into underweight, the overlooked threat to health.
Underweight due to an inadequate caloric in take is a serious condition, especially in the young. They often feel easily fatigued, have poor physical stamina and lowered resistance to infection.
Diseases like tuberculosis, respiratory disorders, pneumonia, circulatory diseases like heart
disorders, cerebral haemorrhage, nephritis, typhoid fever and cancer are quite common among
them. The occurrence of the complications of pregnancy in your women may result from inadequate calorie intake.
Tip 114. Quick tips for gaining weight.
Diet plays an important role in building up health for gaining weight. Nutrients which help keep the nerves relaxes are of utmost importance as nervousness causes all the muscles to become
tense and the energy which goes into the tenseness wastefully uses up a great deal of food.
Although all vitamins and minerals are required for a sound health the most important ones are
vitamin D and B6, calcium and magnesium. The richest sources of vitamin D are milk, cod liver
oil and the rays of the sun.
Calcium is also supplied by milk and yoghurt. Magnesium can be obtained from green leafy vegetables such as spinach, parsley, turnip, radish and beet tops. These vegetables should be eaten a salad, lightly cooked.
But what is the real secret to correcting underweight? Underweight persons should eat frequent small meals as they tend to feel full quickly. Meals may be divided into six small ones instead of three big ones. These may consist of three smaller meals and three substantial snacks between them. The weight-building quality of a food is measured by the number of calories it contains. To gain weight, the diet should include more calories than are used in daily activities so as to allow the excess to be stored as body fat.
The allowance of 500 calories in excess of the daily average needs is estimated to provide for a weight gain of one pound weekly.
Tip 115. Quick tips for treating urinary tract infections.
To fight harmful bacteria in the urinary tract, encourage the growth of helpful bacteria. To encourage the growth of healthy symbiotic bacteria in your digestive system, consume fibre.
Dietary fibre increases the bacteria in the large intestines which require nitrogen for their growth. This in turn reduces the chances of cancerous changes in cells by reducing the amount of ammonia in the large bowel. Fibre reduces the absorption of cholesterol in the diet. It also slows down the rate of absorption of sugars from the food in the digestive system.
Certain types of fibre increase the viscosity of the food content. This increased viscosity indirectly reduces the need for insulin secreted by the pancreas. Thus a fibre-rich diet can help in diabetes mellitus.
Tip 116. Ayurvedic Foods for TB
The custard apple is regarded as an effective food remedy for tuberculosis. It is said to contain
the qualities of rejuvenating drugs.
The Ayurvedic practitioner prepares a fermented liquor called sitaphalasava from the custard apple in its season for use as medicine in the treatment of tuberculosis. It is prepared by boiling custard apple pulp and seedless raisins in water on slow fire. It is filtered when about one third of water is left. It is then mixed with powdered sugar and candy and also the powder of cardamom, cinnamon and certain other condiments.
Cardamom, cinnamon, and similar spices are themselves of benefit in treating TB
Tip 117. The Gooseberry for Chronic Lung Conditions
Indian gooseberry has proved to be an effective remedy for tuberculosis. A tablespoonful each
of fresh amla juice and honey mixed together should be taken every morning in this condition. Its regular use will promote vigour and vitality in the body within a few days.
Regular use of radish is also of aid. Consider any spicy vegetables a useful addition to the therapeutic diet for tuberculosis.
Tip 118. Quick tips for curing sinusitis.
Plenty of sleep, adequate rest and fresh air are essential in the treatment of sinus trouble.
Patients should avoid the use of perfumes and strongly scented hair oil.
Correcting the faulty diet is of utmost importance in the treatment of sinusitis. Patients should
take a balanced diet. Most persons with sinus trouble also suffer from acidity. Their diet should,
therefore, veer to the alkaline side. The intake of salt should be reduced to the minimum as salt
leads to accumulation of water in the tissues and expels calcium from the body.
Tip 119. The Key Nutrient for Treating TB
The chief therapeutic agent needed for the treatment of tuberculosis is calcium. Milk, being the
richest food source for the supply of organic calcium to the body, should be taken liberally. The diet for tuberculosis should include at least one litre of milk daily.
Why milk? Milk helps maintain weight.
Appropriate body weight is among the most important physical attributes and has a deep
influence upon the health and personality of an individual. For a healthy body, weight slightly
above the average is favorable upto the age of 30 years, as it serves as a good defense
measure against certain diseases, especially tuberculosis. Between 30 and 40 years of age, the endeavor should be to maintain the weight at the average level as during this period, many
future diseases have their beginning. After the age of 40, it will be advisable to keep the weight
slightly below the average, so as to lighten the burden on the heart, kidney and other vital
organs.
Tip 120. Nature Cure Methodology for Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is no longer considered incurable if it is tackled in the early stages. An all round
scheme of dietetic and vitality building programme along natural lines is the only method to
overcome the disease. As a first step, the patient should be put on an exclusive fresh fruit diet
for three or four days. He should have three meals a day of fresh, juicy fruits, such as apples,
grapes, pears, peaches, oranges, pineapple, melon or any other juicy fruit in season. Bananas,
dried or tinned fruits should not be taken. For drinks, unsweetened lemon water or plain water
either hot or cold may be taken. If losing such weight on the all-fruit diet, those already under
weight may add a glass of milk to each fruit meal.
After the all-fruit diet, the patient should adopt a fruit and milk diet. For this diet, the meals are
exactly the same as the all-fruit diet, but with milk added to each fruit meal. The patient may
begin with a litre of milk the first day and increase by quarter litre daily up to two to two and a half litres according to how the milk agrees. The milk should be fresh and unboiled, but may be
slightly warmed if desired. It should be sipped very slowly. The fruit and milk diet should be
continued for four to six weeks. Thereafter, the following dietary may be adopted:
* Breakfast: Fresh fruits, as obtainable, and milk. Prunes or other dried fruits may also be taken, if desired.
* Lunch: Steamed vegetables as available, one or two whole wheat chapattis and a glass of
* buttermilk.
* Dinner: A bowl of raw salad of suitable vegetables with whole wheat bread and butter. Stewed fruit or cooked apple may be taken for dessert.
* At bed time: A glass of milk.
Tip 121. Water Therapy for TB
Certain water treatments are helpful in cases of tuberculosis. The patient's vital resistance can
be built up by a carefully planned graduated cold bath routine twice a day. The intensity of the
cold applications should be gradually increased to achieve satisfactory results.
However, care must be taken to keep the patient from catching a chill. A short hot fomentation with alternate short cold application to the chest and back, and in the stomach region or a neutral immersion bath (water temperature 98 to 100º F) for an hour just before retiring at night is also beneficial.
Tip 122. Yoga for TB
Certain yogic practices are beneficial in the treatment of tuberculosis in its early stages. These
include asanas like viparitakarani, sarvangasana and shavasana and jalneti kriya. Every patient with tuberculosis can practice shavasana.
Lie flat on your back, feet comfortably part, arms and hands extended about six inches
from the body, palms upwards and fingers half-folded. Close your eyes. Begin by
consciously and gradually relaxing every part and each muscle of the body; feet, legs,
calves, knees, thighs, abdomen, hips, back, hands, arms, chest, shoulders, neck, head
and face. Relax yourself completely feeling as if your whole body is lifeless. Now
concentrate your mind on breathing rhythmically as slowly and effortlessly as possible.
This creates a state of complete relaxation.
Remain motionless in this position, relinquishing all responsibilities and worries for 10 to 15 minutes. Discontinue the exercise when your legs grow numb.
This asana helps bring down high blood pressure, and relieves the mind, particularly for
those who are engaged in excessive mental activity. This exercise should be done both at
the beginning and at the end of the daily round of yogic asanas. During a fast, shavasana
soothes the nervous system.
Tip 123. Add colour to your health with colour-charged water.
For this technique, coloured bottles are needed. These bottles should be cleaned and filled up to three-fourths level with fresh well water, distilled water or rain water. The bottles should be corked and then placed in bright sunlight for three to four hours. After this exposure, the water is said to acquire medicinal properties and this colour-charged water can be used both internally and for external applications. Wounds and ulcers can be washed with this water and it can also be used to massage the affected parts or applied as compress on them. For internal use, an adult can take 30 ml. of colour-charged water as a single dose. The dose can be repeated as required.
Tip 124. A Brief Explanation of the Healing Power of the Sun
Sunlight plays an important role in the recovery from chronic diseases. Judicious use of sunlight can be part of the curing process in almost every affliction. The rays of the sun improve digestion and nutrition, quicken blood and lymph circulation and increase the elimination of impurities through the skin.
The action and effect of various colours on the body and their healing qualities are as follows:
Red:
Symbolic of heat, fire and anger. It is a stimulating and energising colour. It stimulates arterial
blood and brings warmth to cool extremities. Used as a general tonic, it is very valuable in the
treatment of diseases like low blood pressure, rheumatism, paralysis, anaemia and advanced
cases of tuberculosis.
Orange:
Symbolic of prosperity and pride, orange is useful for stimulating blood supply and energising
the nerves. It is beneficial in the treatment of kidney and gallstones, hernia and appendicitis. It is also used to stimulate the milk producing action of breasts after childbirth.
Violet:
Violet is beneficial in the treatment of nervous and emotional disturbances, arthritis, acute cases of consumption and insomnia.
Yellow:
Associated with joy and happiness, yellow is laxative and diuretic. It is a stimulant to the brain,
the liver and the spleen. It is also effective in the treatment of diabetes, indigestion, kidney and
liver disorders, constipation, eye and throat infections, syphilis and impotence.
Purple:
Purple or indigo combines the blood-warming red and the cooling antiseptic blue. It is an
excellent stimulant without being an irritant. It is beneficial in the treatment of advanced stages of constipation, hydrocele, leucorrhoea, many disorders of the stomach and womb, cataract,
migraine and skin disorders. It exerts a soothing effect on the eyes, ears and the nervous system.
Green:
Made up of the blue and yellow, green is regarded as a colour of harmony. It is a mild sedative.
It is useful in the treatment of nervous conditions, hay fever, ulcers, influenza, malaria, colds,
sexual disorders and cancer. It preserves and strengthens eyesight. Being highly medicinal and depressive, it is of great help in the treatment of inflammatory conditions.
Blue:
Cool, soothing and sedative, blue alleviates pain, reducing bleeding and heals burns. It is
beneficial in the treatment of dysentery, colic, asthma, respiratory disorders, high blood pressure and skin aberrations. IN a study at the New England State Hospital in the United States, 25 members of staff with normal blood pressure were bathed in blue light for half an hour. It resulted in universal fall in blood pressure. The blood pressure rose when red light was applied.
Tip 125. Contraindications for Colour Therapy
There are some important contraindications to colour treatment which should be borne in mind
while adopting this mode of cure. For instance, the red colour would be injurious in a naturally
inflammatory condition of the system, and in case of persons with feverish and excitable
temperament. If the red light is employed for too long and frequently, it may produce dangerous fevers. The danger can be obviated by using the red light for a few minutes at a time or by placing a wet bandage over the head.
Similarly, yellow should not be used when the nerves are very active or irritable. Yellow or
orange reddish tones may prove injurious in fevers, acute inflammations, delirium, diarrhoea,
neuralgia, palpitation of the heart and any condition of over- excitement. In cases of paralysis, chronic rheumatism, gout, consumption and in all cold, pale and dormant conditions of the system, blue, indigo and violet may prove too cooling and constricting and should be avoided.
Tip 126. Colour Therapy: Simple Methods # 1
See the world through rose coloured glasses. There are two methods of treating diseases by colour: by the application of light through different coloured glasses, and By external or internal use of colour-charged water.
In the first method, sheets of glass, 30 cm x 36 cm of the required colours are needed. These are placed at the window frames or any other convenient place in such a way that the sun's rays can pass through them and fall directly on the patient's body. The usual duration of the colour treatment is 30 minutes. In case of local application, a pane of glass can be placed in front of the diseased part so that the light passing through the glass falls on the afflicted area. At night lanterns can be used for the purpose. A single lantern can have glass panes of four
different colours and the required colour can be focussed on the patient or the affected
parts.
You can also add colour your health with colour-charged water. For this technique, coloured bottles are needed. These bottles should be cleaned and filled up to three-fourths level with fresh well water, distilled water or rain water. The bottles should be corked and then placed in bright sunlight for three to four hours. After this exposure, the water is said to acquire medicinal properties and this colour-charged water can be used both internally and for external applications. Wounds and ulcers can be washed with this water and it can also be used to massage the affected parts or applied as compress on them. For internal use, an adult can take 30 ml. of colour-charged water as a single dose. The dose can be repeated as required.
Tip 127. Quick tips for curing gum disease.
Any treatment for pyorrhoea, to be effective, should be constitutional. It should aim at cleansing
the blood and tissues of the acid impurities which are at the root of the trouble. The extraction of the teeth affected with the disease will not help clear the systemic toxaemia.
The patient should begin the treatment with a short juice fast for three to five days. The juice of a fresh orange diluted with water on 50: 50 basis, should be taken at two-hourly intervals from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during this period. If the orange juice does not agree, carrot juice may be taken. The bowels should be cleansed daily during this period with a warm water enema. If constipation is habitual, all steps should be taken for its eradication.
After the juice fast, the patient should spend a further three to five days on an exclusive fresh fruit diet. In this regimen, he should have three meals a day, at five-hourly intervals of fresh juicy fruits such as apples, pears, grapes, grape-fruit, oranges, pineapple and melon. If losing much weight on the all-fruit diet, those already under weight may add a glass of milk to each fruit meal.
Thereafter the patient may gradually embark upon a balanced diet, with emphasis on fresh fruits, green salads, whole meal bread, properly cooked vegetables, cheese, nuts, and milk. White bread, white sugar and all refined and tinned foods must be completely given up.
Condiments, sauces, alcohol, coffee and strong tea as well as meat and other flesh foods
should also be avoided. The patient should also keep away from starchy and sticky foods.
The teeth and gum, like other parts of the body require exercise. This can be achieved by eating hard and fibrous foods. Wheat is especially valuable in the prevention and treatment of
pyorrhoea. It takes time to eat wheat chapattis and as it is generally taken with other foods, it
compels the chewing of other foods also. This not only provides the needed exercise for the teeth and gums but is also a great aid to digestion.
Tip 128. Cost-Free Methods of Health Care: Heat, Cold, and Yoga for Sinusitis
Cold application over the sinus will give great relief; alternate hot and cold applications will also
prove beneficial. Take pans of hot and cold water, bathe the whole face with hot water- as hot
as you can bear- and then apply cold water for short duration. Nasal inhalation of steam for five
minutes every hour will also give relief.
Yogasanas such as viparitakarni, bhujangasana, yogamudra and shavasana, yogic kriyas, such as jalneti and sutraneti and pranayamas like anuloma-viloma and suryabhedan will be beneficial in the treatment of sinus trouble.
Tip 129. Health habits for minimizing the pain of psoriasis.
Too frequent baths should be avoided in psoriasis. Soap should not be used. Regular sea water baths and application of sea water externally over the affected parts once a day are beneficial. The hot Epsom salts bath has proved valuable in psoriasis.
Three full baths should be taken weekly until the trouble begins to subside. The number of baths thereafter may be reduced to two weekly and finally to one.
The affected areas should also be bathed twice in hot water containing Epsom
salt. After the bath a little olive oil may be applied. The skin should be kept absolutely clean by daily friction or sponge.
Tip 130. Diet therapy for liver disease.
The simple form of jaundice can be cured rapidly by diet therapy and exercises. Recovery will,
however, be slow in serious cases which have been caused by obstruction or pressure in the
bile ducts. The patient should rest until the acute symptoms of the disease subside.
The patient should be put on a fruit juice fast for a week. The juice of lemon, grapes, pear,
carrot, beet, and sugarcane can be taken. A hot enema should be taken daily during the fast to
ensure regular bowel elimination, thereby preventing the absorption of decomposed, poisonous
material into the blood stream. The fruit juice fast may be discontinued after the severity of the
disease is over and a simple diet may be resumed on the following lines:
* On rising: A glass of warm water mixed with two teaspoons of lime juice.
* Breakfast: One fresh juicy fruit such as apple, papaya, grapes, berries and mangoes . One cup wheat dalia or one slice of whole wheat bread with a little butter.
* Mid-morning: Orange juice.
* Lunch: Two small chapattis of whole wheat flour, a cup of strained vegetable soup, a steamed leafy vegetable such as spinach, fenugreek or carrot and a glass of buttermilk.
* Mid-afternoon: Orange juice or coconut water.
* Dinner: Two whole wheat chapattis with a little ghee or butter, baked. Baked potato and one other leafy vegetable like spinach and fenugreek, a glass of hot milk with honey if desired.
All fats like ghee, butter, cream and oils must be avoided for at least two weeks, and after that
their consumption should be kept down to the minimum. Digestive disturbances must be
avoided. No food with a tendency to ferment or putrefy in the lower intestines like pulses, legumes, etc., should be included in the diet.
Tip 131. Balanced diet for restoring restful sleep.
A balanced diet with simple modifications in the eating pattern will go a long way in the treatment and cure of insomnia. Such a diet should exclude white flour products, sugar and its products, tea, coffee, chocolate, cola drinks, alcohol, fatty foods, fried foods, foods containing additives, that is chemicals for preserving, colouring and flavouring, excessive use of salt and strong condiments.
In the modified eating pattern, breakfast should consist of fresh and dried fruits, whole cereals,
seeds and yoghurt. Of the two main meals, one should consist of a large mixed salad and the
other should be protein-based. A cup of milk sweetened with honey at bedtime is helpful as the amino acid tryptophan contained in milk induces sleep.
Tip 132. Good food for good digestion.
The only effective treatment for indigestion is a thorough cleansing of the digestive tract;
adoption of a sensible diet and a change in the style of living. The best way to commence the
treatment is to adopt an all-fruit diet for about five days. After the all-fruit diet, the patient may
take to a restricted diet of easily digestible foods, consisting of lightly cooked vegetables, juicy
fruits and buttermilk for about 10 days. He may thereafter gradually embark upon a
well-balanced diet.
The use of fruits in general is beneficial in the treatment of indigestion. They flush out the
undigested food reside and accumulated faeces and re-establish health to perfect order. Being
rich in water, they clean body mechanisms thoroughly. The best among the fruits in dyspepsia is lemon. Its juice reaches the stomach and attacks the bacteria, inhabiting the formation of acids.
Lemon juice removes indigestion by dislodging this acid and other harmful substances from the
stomach, thereby strengthening and prompting a healthy appetite.
The orange is another effective food remedy in chronic indigestion. It gives rest to the digestive
organs and supplies nutrition in a most easily assimilated form. It also stimulates the flow of
digestive juices thereby improving digestion and increasing appetite. It creates suitable
conditions for the development of friendly bacteria in the intestines.
Another fruit useful in indigestion is grapes. They are a light food which removes indigestion and irritation of the stomach in a short time and relieves heat.
Pineapple is also valuable. It acts as a tonic in dyspepsia and relieves much of the digestives disorders of dyspeptics. Half a glass of pineapple juice should be taken after a meal in this condition.
Tip 133. Diets for Sinusitis
Those suffering from sinusitis should completely avoid fried and starchy foods, white sugar,
white flour, rice, macaroni products, pies, cakes and candies. They should also avoid strong
spices, meat and products. Butter and ghee should be used sparingly. Honey should be used for sweetening. All cooked foods should be freshly prepared for each meal. Vegetables should be taken in liberal quantities.
All kinds of fruits can be taken with the exception of those belonging to citrus group such as lemon, lime, orange and grapefruit. Milk should be taken in liberal quantities as it contains calcium which has a marked effect in overcoming inflammation of the tissues.
A diet rich in vitamin A is the best insurance against cold and sinus trouble. Vitamin A is the
"membrane conditioner" as it helps build healthy mucus membranes in the head and throat.
Some of the valuable sources of this vitamin are whole milk, curds, egg yolk, pumpkin, carrot, leafy vegetables, tomato, oranges, mango and papaya.
Tip 134. To prevent constipation, get your fibre.
To prevent constipation, consume fibre.
Fibre in the diet promotes more frequent bowel movements and softer stools having increased
weight. The softness of stools is largely due to the presence of emulsified gas which is produced by the bacterial action on the fibre.
A high fibre intake results in greater efficiency in the peristaltic movement of the colon. This helps in relieving the constipation which is the main cause of several acute and chronic diseases.
Tip 135. To prevent diarrhoea, get your fibre.
To prevent diarrhoea, consume fibre.
Recent studies suggest that increasing the dietary fibre intake may be beneficial for patients with irritated bowel syndrome who have diarrhoea and rapid colonic transit, as well as to those who have constipation and slow transit. The high fibre diet, like bran, thus regulates the condition inside the colon so as to avoid both extremes- constipation and diarrhoea.
Investigations have shown that several potential carcinogens are produced in the faeces. Their
production is related to the acidity of the gut content. The greater the acidity in the bowel
content, the less is the production of these carcinogens. The breaking down of the fibre by
bacteria renders the faeces more acidic. This reduces the amount of possible carcinogenic
substances. Fibre also reduces the possibility of formation of harmful toxins in the large intestine by reducing the intestinal transit time of the food contents.
Tip 136. Exercise for Gallstone Relief.
Exercise is essential in cases of gallstones as physical inactivity can lead to lazy gall-bladder type indigestion which may ultimately result in the formation of stones. Yogic asanas which are beneficial in toning up the liver and gallbladder are: sarvangasana, paschimottanasana, shalabhasana, dhanurasana and bhujangasana.
Even walking, however, can assist in the relief of this condition. The only time exercise should be avoided is during the acute attack, or after the internal application of oils to encourage movement of the stones.
Tip 137. To relieve depression, exercise.
Exercise plays an important role in the treatment of depression.
It not only keeps the body physically and mentally fit but also provides recreation and mental relaxation. It is nature' best tranquilliser. According to Dr. Robert Brown, a clinical associate professor at the University of Virginia School of Medicine," Exercise produces chemical and psychological changes that improves your mental health. It changes the levels of hormones in blood and may elevate your beta-endorphins(mood-affecting brain chemicals). Exercise may also improve the function of the autonomic nervous system."
Exercise also gives a feeling of accomplishment and thus reduces the sense of helplessness.
Some form of active exercise, must be undertaken each day at a regular hour. To be really
useful, exercise should be taken in such a manner as to bring into action all the muscles of the
body in a natural way. Walking is one such exercise. It is, however, so gentle in character that
one must walk several kilometres in a brisk manner to constitute a fair amount of exercise. Yogic asanas such as vajrasana, bhujangasana, shalabhasana, halasana, paschomittanasana,
sarvangasana and shavasana and pranayamas like kapalbhati, anuloma-viloma and bhastrika are highly beneficial in the treatment of depression.
Tip 138. Eye exercise can cure defective vision.
The following exercises will loosen the strained and contracted muscles surrounding the eyes:
* Keep your head still and relaxed. Gently move the eyes up and down six times. Repeat the same movement twice or thrice at two-second intervals The eyes should move slowly and regularly as far down as possible and then as far up as possible.
* Move the eyes from side to side as far as possible, without any force or effort six times. Repeat two or three times.
* Hold the index finger of your right hand about eight inches in front of the eyes, then look from the finger to any other large object ten or more feet away- the door or window will do. Look from one to the other ten times. Do this exercise fairly rapidly.
* Move the eyes up gently and slowly in a circle, then move them low in the reverse direction . Do this four times in all. Rest for a second and repeat the movements two or three times, using minimum efforts.
All eye muscle exercises should be performed while seated in a comfortable position.
Tip 139. Exercises for an Aching Neck.
Neck tension arising from long hours at the desk or behind the wheel of the car can be relieved
by certain neck exercises.
These include rotating the head clockwise and anticlockwise, allowing the head to drop forward and backward as far as possible and turning the head to the right and left as far as possible several times. These exercises help to loosen up contracted neck muscles
which may restrict the blood supply to the head.
Neck tension may also be relieved by the yogic discipline pranayama, if the arms are held closely to the body through the exercise. Stand erect with the feet aligned straight and touching each other. Lock the fingers together with the hands beneath the chin and keep them there through the entire exercise.
Slowly raise the arms as you inhale, filling your lungs with air. Feel the action of the breathing through your throat. Then raise your arms above your head as you lean back and exhale, all the while keeping the hands at your chin. When you completely exhale, feeling the movement of the air through your throat, lower your arms and repeat the exercise 20 times.
Tip 140. Saving Sight with Palming.
Today learn the simple exercise for saving sight called palming.
Sit comfortably in an armchair or on a settee and relax with your eyes closed. Cover
your eyes with your palms, right palm over the right eye and left over the left eye. Do not,
however, press down on the eyes.
With your eyes completely covered in this manner, allow your elbows to drop to your knees, which should be fairly close together. With your eyes closed thus, try to imagine blackness, which grows blacker and blacker. Palming reduces strain and relaxes the eyes and their surrounding tissues.