Your body language speaks volumes. It is usually considered a part of nonverbal communication.
Body language can be defined as any kind of bodily movement or posture which includes facial expression, it transmits a message to the observer. It includes gestures, eye movements and facial expressions
Here is a ted talk by Amy Cuddy, a social psychologist on body language!
Probiotics have become so popular these days. The word probiotic comes from a Greek language which means “for life”. It was coined by Gibson and Roberfroid in 1995.
Probiotics can be defined as live microbial feed supplements which have a beneficial impact on the host animal by improving it’s microbial balance.
The role of having a balanced diet is much more than what you think and natural supplements like vegetables and fruits are packed with nutrients that helps in making you mentally healthy.
Here are 3 scientifically proven fruits and veggies facts:
1. Consuming berries might be associated with high level of optimism.
2. Citrus and green leafy vegetables reduces psychological distress, ambiguity and cancer.
3. Carrots, bananas, apples, spinach, grapefruit, lettuce, cucumber, and kiwifruit reduces depressive symptoms and promotes positive mood.
Vegetables and fruits contains important nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, flavonoids and carotenoids that can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.
Most often females experience hormonal imbalance. What about it makes females experience it so strongly?
Hormones are chemical messengers in our bodies. They are produced in endocrine glands, travels through our bloodstream and assign tasks to our organs and tissues. Controls functions such as metabolism and reproduction.
Some symptoms of hormonal imbalance includes-
Weight gain /loss
Fatigue
Muscle weakness /pain / tenderness
Oily /acne prone / dry skin
Brittle/ oily/ thinning hair
Though the word hormonal imbalance mostly associated with females, it occurs in males too – testosterone – a hormone essential in male development.
Potential causes of hormonal imbalance can be – Hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, stress, diabetes, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, cancer, cushing’s syndrome and more.
Check out my blog on blood tests to know how you can rule out hormonal imbalance.
It is sad when people with eating disorders are said – “It’s food, just get over it!” Without even knowing its implications which are not just limited to food.
February, 21-27 is National Eating Disorder Awareness Week in the United States to educate and spread awareness about it.
What are eating disorders?
According to DSM-5 eating disorders are characterized by a persistent disturbance of eating or eating-related behavior that results in altered consumption or absorption of food. It significantly impairs physical health as well as psychosocial functioning.
Eating disorders are serious and sometimes fatal. Eating disorders effect all kinds of people. People with eating disorders may appear healthy even when they are very ill. They sometimes get fixated or obsessed with body weight or shape, weight loss, and become controlling of their food intake.
The most common types of eating disorders are – anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder.
People with anorexia nervosa condition see themselves as overweight. They avoid food, severely restrict eating, or eat in extremely less quantities of only certain foods even when they are dangerously underweight. It leads to numerous dangerous health consequenses, such as – thinning of bones, low blood pressure and brain damage.
People with bulimia nervosa have recurrent episodes of eating unusually large amounts of food. They often feel like they cannot stop eating or control what or how much they are eating. This is often followed by recurrent inappropriate compensatory behaviors in order to prevent weight gain, such as – self induced vomiting, fasting or excessive exercising. In some cases they suffer from ulcers, pancreatitis or esophageal inflammation.
People with binge eating disorders have a lack of control over eating large amounts of food. They tend to eat more rapidly than normal. They don’t tend to purge, fast or over exercise as a result they tend to gain weight or are obese.
There are heath professionals working in the area of eating disorders who can help in adopting healthy attitudes and behaviors about body weight and shape.
There are available helplines which can support and provide resources.
Eating disorders can be prevented by identifying the early signs, encouraging a balanced diet and support instead of judging.