Could These Strange Tricks Help You to Lose Weight?

Losing weight is not always a case of simply eating less and increasing your fitness. There are other things that you can do to improve your wellness and wellbeing by reducing the amount of food that you eat.

 

One trick that many people swear by is sniffing an apple, a banana or a peppermint. This strange tip is actually backed up by science. A research project was run by Dr Alan Hirsch from the University of Chicago, who did a trial involving 3,000 volunteers. During the trial, he found that the more people sniffed these items, the less they felt hungry and the less they ate, leading to increased weight loss. A theory suggests that when your brain smells food it feels like it is eating, and so is tricked into feeling full. This could also explain why people who cook from scratch also tend to be slimmer, as they spend a long time inhaling the smells of the food and so probably eat less in the end.

 

A rather drastic trick is to hang a mirror opposite where you sit at the table. Looking at yourself while you eat reminds you the entire time of your goals, and makes you more conscious of what you are eating and how much.

 

The colour blue is also thought to be very useful in weight loss. Studies have shown that the colour blue acts as an appetite suppressant (which is why you won’t see many restaurants decorated in blue). Use blue dinner plates or a blue cloth to help discourage your appetite. On the other hand, you should avoid the colours, red, orange and yellow in your dining room, as studies have shown that these colours actually encourage your appetite, and so if your décor, plates, tablecloth or even clothes are any of these colours you are likely to eat more food than you would otherwise.

Categories: blue, colour blue, Colours, Food, loss, people, Tricks, weight, Weight Loss

Bored of Your Bedroom Ambience? Feng Shui Can Do Wonders

Do you feel your bedroom needs a makeover? The bedroom is your personal area and has to give you the positive vibes. It should bring peace when you are back home. It is important that you pay detailed attention to the furniture, the layout and the colours you use in your private room.

 

Here’s providing some interesting Feng Shui tips that will bring the charm and make your bedroom a peaceful area to live in.

 

Make it clutter-free

First and foremost, you need to keep your bedroom clean. The books in the book rack, clothes in the closet and things should look neat and tidy. A messy room brings in unnecessary anxiety and thus can make you feel drained. If you have something on your mind that isn’t allowing you to sleep, keep a diary next to you bedside in order to note down the important stuff. This will enable your mind to free itself and take rest.

 

Call for the nature

It’s a known fact that looking at nature can give your mind peace and can also lower down the blood pressure. Pick a plant or a flower pot that you like and place it in your room; this will bring in positive thoughts. A beautiful scenic picture, a mini fountain or a fish tank can also be a good idea.

 

Pamper your senses

By pampering your bodily senses, you can feel fresh and free always. Opt for a nice aroma scent like lavender or rose for your bedroom. Aromatherapy too can be useful. You can also try adding an incredibly plush rug or a chenille throw.

 

Paired up things look good

Any item that you keep in your room can bring in harmony if it’s paired with something else, like a matching pair of lamps or picture frames.

 

Include a metal element

Metal elements bring in qualities of sharpness, clarity, efficiency and precision. A balanced metal presence in your room will allow you to live with clarity and lightness. Feng Shui element of metal should be placed in the north area of your room. The metal can be in the colours of grey and white.

 

Colours do the trick

Colour plays a huge role in Feng Shui. Different colours represent different energy. Each colour is an expression of five elements i.e. fire, earth, metal, wood and water. Each element is used in a specific part of the area as per the Feng shui map. Pick a colour according to the energy you want to flow in your room for any specific part of the room. Play with different colours to spice up the space. Any décor items that go well with the wall color will bring in the vibrancy. Don’t shy away from bright colours. Experiment with different things and place your furniture where it looks good like around a contrasting colored wall.

 

Your electronics

It is noted that the electromagnetic fields from televisions, wireless devices, computers etc. while off, can interfere with the brain and nervous system signals, disturbing your harmonious sleep. The machines can keep you up late night and spoil your body system. Hence choose wisely.

 

A well planned strategy

Move your bed facing opposite the door. Place it against a solid wall painted with your favourite colour. Lock the door before you go to sleep so that your pet doesn’t disturb you in the middle of the night. Choose your bed linen smartly, a circular design works well. Pick bed sheet colours that are soothing to the mind.

 

Soothing piece of furniture or art

Pick a few little things like a pottery barn or anything that brings a smile on your face. A photo frame of your loved ones can also do the wonders.

Categories: bedroom, bring, change, Colours, feng shui, metal, nbsp, room

Dress for Your Body Type – Embracing Your Body

Ever hear the term “inner beauty”? A touch of confidence and self-acceptance really does influence how you are perceived; proudly upright posture and a bold smile can make all the difference when making a first impression. However, today’s society bombards women with images of an idealized body type and, as a result, very few women feel they measure up. Good news is that your physical attributes don’t have to dictate your sense of self-worth or attitude.

 

In actuality, a very tiny percentage of the female population looks like a supermodel and, with the crazy amount of airbrushing most visuals undergo, even supermodels don’t measure up to societal standards. Most women experience changes in body size and shape over their lifetimes due to childbirth, stress, being over-scheduled, illness, hormonal changes, the aging process, and a multitude of other factors. The majority of women feel they are too fat, too thin, or are somehow dissatisfied with their body type. Women have been immersed in programming of what beauty “should” look like since childhood, and many ladies feel as though they do not meet that standard. It’s time for a revolution, and it starts in your mind.

 

Build your foundation. Invest in good undergarments that you enjoy. For starters, you absolutely must have the right bra. If you are a larger lady, you may feel tempted to minimize your body size by choosing a bra without enough support. But a good quality bra that lifts your assets will create a lovely hourglass silhouette and can give the appearance that you dropped ten pounds! If you are smaller on top, you can achieve that hourglass silhouette with a bra that fits properly and has just the right amount of comfy padding. The key is in the fit, and there are trained professionals to help determine the best bra size for you. Be honest with yourself about what makes you feel comfortable – if you’re most at home in sports bras, embrace this instead of consistently readjusting underwire. If you are spilling out over the sides of the bra, do not properly fill out the cups or have the back straining upwards along your spine, you are wearing the wrong size and this will undoubtedly show on your face.

 

When we feel heavy, it is tempting to want to hide under a huge smock, which does no favors to our silhouette or confidence. Instead of shopping with the mindset of “what’s going to cover my flabby arms or round tummy?” ask yourself “what’s going to flatter my favorite asset?” instead. If you’re favorite part of your body is your ladylike neck, your long legs or perhaps the tattoo on your right shoulder, find garments that highlight this feature. Decorative embellishments will guide the eye, and don’t be afraid to show a little skin. Find colours that flatter your warmer or cooler skin tone, and wear bolder, brighter hues to emphasize your beloved qualities while downplaying those troublesome spots with darker tones. If you’re hunting for a dress for a special occasion or wedding (a time in which even the sanest of us can freak out), find a garment that nips the smallest part of your waist or torso. When shopping, the first priority should be comfort – make sure that you can painlessly breathe and move around without the garment falling or threatening to rip. Luckily, more and more retailers like Torrid, Kiyonna and David’s Bridal cater to plus-size so it’s easy to find designs that are meant to embrace your curves rather than squeeze them into larger versions of garments cut for juniors.

 

On the other end of the spectrum, many women look longing at plus-sized women and long for the softness that made Marilyn Monroe a star. If you bemoan being “too skinny”, you can easily make your appearance va-va-voom without having to stuff tissues into your bra. Lighter tints will make areas look more voluminous, horizontal patterns will emphasize your curves and flared articles will do wonders, whether it is with your pant-legs or an A-line dress. As with curvy ladies, use beautifications to emphasize what you have, whether it is with a sparkly neckline that underscores your bust or a colorful scarf around the waist.

 

You know what looks great on every body type? A spectacular pair of shoes! Shoes can give your ensemble a cohesive look by uniting all your elements, or they can be the statement piece that really pops. Whether you find really awesome shoes on clearance at the end of the season, or spend big bucks on the hottest designers and latest trends, few items in your wardrobe will give you a better return on your investment than quality footwear. You don’t need to rock stilettos to put a pep in your step; you can slide on flats that incorporate decorative buckles or a bold design and still feel yourself walking taller and prouder.

 

Treat yourself to the spa as often as you can, or have a spa day at home with your daughters, sisters or friends. Make homemade facial scrubs with natural ingredients like honey and oatmeal, and have fun giving each other pedicures and manicures. Not only are these treatments beneficial for your appearance, they provide a great bonding opportunity and nurture your mind, body and spirit. For a little something extra, consider splurging on a massage that will relax your body and leave you feeling pampered and truly “worth it”.

 

Never compare yourself to anyone else. Admire the unique beauty of the women in your life as you celebrate your own. Learning to love the skin you are in is one of the biggest challenges you may ever face. As you meet that challenge, your life is changed and your relationships are transformed, especially the most important relationship you will ever have: the love affair you have with yourself. You are a one-of-a-kind masterpiece with your own individual beauty. Goddesses come in all shapes and sizes, so learn to compliment your body rather than deny it.

 

 

This article has been written by Joli Anne Osgood exclusively for Yourwellness.

Categories: Body type, Colours, confidence

Baby Blues: Can You Colour Away Your Post Natal Depression?

When you have a baby, your body doesn’t just snap back to normal. Your hormones are trying to regulate themselves again, which means your emotional wellbeing can suffer. Many women go through post natal depression, which can have several wellness-affecting symptoms such as feeling low, frustrated or anxious. If these feelings are intense, you don’t have to struggle through it and, in fact, your family wellness depends on your getting the help you need. However, if it is just the baby blues, then some natural therapies can help.

Choosing the colours that you fill your home, wardrobe and surroundings with can have a direct influence on your behavioural patterns, easing your stress levels and boosting your positive mood. White represents brightness and light, innocence, peace and purity. However, using white in your home can be a difficult task to pull off, as it gets dirty quickly (especially if you have a little one running around!). So use wholesome white on your ceilings and decorative items.

Next, you may be surprised to find brown on this list, as it’s hardly anyone’s favourite colour. However, this earthy colour gives you a sense of safety, elegance and stability. When it comes to choosing a shade, be wary of darker browns as they represent stagnation and sadness. It’s probably wisest to limit your use of brown to furniture.

Blue had to make it on this list; it makes you think of the huge calm ocean and the vast clear blue sky. Lighter blues and aqua blue in particular encourage serenity, relaxation, peace and calm, and it is said that blues even lower your blood pressure, heart rate and respiration. There is also a cooling effect in this colour, which can relax you even when it’s humid, so spread blue hues around your walls, bed sheets and pillows.

Like blue, green can create a calming and cooling effect on your body and mind. You associate it with nature, as, let’s face it, most of nature is green. You can easily add this colour to your home by bringing a little bit of the outdoors indoors, with plants in and around the house, or else keeping a small garden or lawn.

Finally, yellow is the most recommended colour for alleviating your mood, and this sunshine shade gives you energy and confidence. The lighter the colour, the more positive energy, calmness and peace it creates. It goes well with natural lighting, and can be used in anything, from your door mats to your walls.

Google+
Baby Blues: Can You Colour Away Your Post Natal Depression?

Categories: Colours, Decoration, Postnatal Depression