Think Twice While Wearing High Heels!

No matter who you are, if you are lucky enough to born as a female, the most common feminism is to look superbly gorgeous ALL THE TIME! Whether you are a girl or gorgeous lady, what defines glamor and sophistication in the fashion world is pouty lips, shimmering dresses, and of course, high heel shoes. In fact, ladies high heels have long been a symbol of style and sensuality. Marilyn Monroe and Carrie Bradshaw are the best examples of celebs who took to wearing high heel shoes, we buy the concept of high heel shoes but do you know the side effects of high heels? The health risks associated with wearing killer heels? This article gives you good reasons why you should think twice before wearing pencil heels! Because the disadvantages of high heels or 2-inch heels will shock you! Side-Effects Of Wearing High Heels Lower Back Pain It goes without saying that high heel shoes are the ultimate fashion statement for women. They are chic and sexy and instantly up your style quotient. Honey, comfort, and stilettos do not go well together. They never did ‘cos your spine is not in much favor of high heels. It is a fact that high heels never give your feet a perfect support, which will lead to unequal weight distribution that may trigger off pain in the lower back, inflammation, and soreness. Sore Calves Another side effect of wearing pointed heels is sore calves. It can also lead to protruding veins, which not only look awful but are very painful too. So if you wish to flaunt toned legs, stay away from wearing high heels as heels hurt. Foot Pain No doubt, stilettos or high heels have a design which can add a swagger to your stride. But wearing high heels for the whole day can make it uncomfortable. This can lead to foot ache, even sharp pain in your heel, toes, sole, or arch. Ankle Sprain Designer heels are a subject of glamor and attention and wearing high heels is suitable only if you are treading even surfaces, not rugged and rough ones. Potholes, bumps, and cobblestones have the potential to cause a dent in your party spirit making you slip and sprain your ankle in the process. Apart from the ankle sprain, any fall of yours can also lead to aches, bruises, and fractures. Best in your interest is to stay away from wearing your stilettos on a daily basis. If your footwear fetish doesn’t leave you, then wear high heels only on special occasions…that too limited ones. Awkward Spinal Cord Fashionistas have their whims and fancies. Most of them wear stilettos in order to flaunt their hourglass figure. Not knowing that high heels can make the lower back arch out more than it should. The heels’ height is directly proportional to the degree of the arch in your back. The awkward arch can lead to pains in the upper and lower back regions. Why should you tamper with your spinal curve when the side effects of high heels are too many? Constricts Blood Vessels Ladies who are accustomed to wearing high heel shoes know for a fact that ladies high heels usually make the feet appear longer and thinner. However, what is true is that the shoe shape squeezes the foot into a position which is certainly not natural and far from being comfortable. This causes stress on your foot which can result in a constricted blood flow. Crooked Feet One of the most common side effects of wearing high heels is getting a hammertoe. Have you ever heard about it? Well, to those who don’t know about this side-effect, it is the state when your foot’s unnatural position for long hours leads to a strain on the calves, blood vessels, and back. This leads to a deformity of the foot, called “hammertoe”. Weakened Ligaments One of the major disadvantages of high heels is that it can weaken your ligaments. Therefore, you should skip wearing the glam-looking footwear of 2-inch heels or beyond so that your feet remain protected from any injury. Knee Pain While wearing high heels, the awkward curvature of the leg puts unnecessary pressure on the knee joint. This can turn out to be a scary situation as it can lead to “osteoarthritis” in most people. Going by the findings of a study conducted at the Iowa State University, prolonged wear of high heel shoes may increase the risk of knee osteoarthritis and joint degeneration. Osteoarthritis can occur because high heels put an excessive pressure on your knees, which eventually leads to degeneration of knee joints. Don’t feel TOO HIGH Having read the side effects of high heels, do you still want to go in for high heels? If so, then think twice or thrice before stepping into high pencil heels that may enhance your gorgeous look, but surely will come with some unavoidable side-effects that would chill your spine! So do tell us about your opinion on this post or you have something else to share!

Easy Mindful-Meditation Techniques

The act of mindfulness can be briefly defined as “maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations and the surrounding environment.” Consistently practicing mindfulness techniques can reduce the impact of stress on the brain, improve sleep quality, attention and even increase a sense of emotional and physical well-being and you don’t have to be a Zen master to cultivate this awareness. According to experts, mindfulness practice does not mean that you try to act like a perfect person. There are many paths to access our inherent human wisdom and wake up to the essence of our own life. If you’re looking for emotional and physical well-being, give one of these six simple mindfulness techniques a try. Spread the magic of meditation music Turn on the music and get mesmerized in the wavelength of soothing meditation music to take you high emotionally. In order to heal your negative aura or regaining positive energy, instrumental music is something that would benefit you in all terms. Listening to relaxing and soothing music would never block your mind, rather, it would give your thoughts a new level of understanding. Hold to release tension Tightly squeeze your hands into a fist, count to 20 and let go. Take all your awareness to the sensations occurring in your hands. Continue to bring your attention to these sensations for as long as you can. Repeat several times and notice how focused your mind becomes and how calm you begin to feel. This can be done anywhere and anytime, so don’t be afraid, all you need is your mind and your hands to release unwanted thoughts that are blocking your mind unnecessarily. Focus on an object Pick any object in your line of sight on which to focus your attention. Without judgment, sit and watch the object with curiosity. The easiest things to watch are animals, children, waves, trees, and clouds. If you are not in nature, watching the flame of a candle can be a quick, hypnotic way to get lost in the present moment. Instead of using your mind to label, judge and categorize the object, simply bring your attention to it. Observe the object with a heightened curiosity of what it might do next. Sense of smell Smell something strong like coffee beans, lavender or garlic and pay attention to what it does to your nose. Where do you feel it? Does it bring up a memory? An emotion? This will help your mind focus intently on the scent. Taiwanese researchers found that using aromatherapy decreased feelings of stress in the body. Choose a scent that is pleasant: You don’t want the scent of rotten eggs to throw you into a bad mood! Meditative Walk Find a place where you can be alone and walk in nature. If you choose, you can listen to soft, meditative music through your headphones. Begin walking slowly, looking down at your feet to watch each step that is taken. Bring all of your attention to your footsteps. How do they feel with each step? Can you feel the difference in surfaces that you’re stepping on? Zen Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh says, “Walk as if you are kissing the earth with your feet.” You will be absolutely amazed what the simple act of walking can do for your present-moment awareness. A sense of calm contentment will come over you as you begin to become even more aware of what the present moment has to offer you. Finally, find your own zen Now that you’ve done a few of these prescribed techniques, branch out and seek unique ways to bring yourself into this mindful state. According to the experts, we are all different in some ways. We have different dispositions, conditioning, and chemistry. We don’t all need the same ‘medicine’. There are many paths available; it takes experimentation and courage. Take an active role in controlling the incessant chatter that runs through the stream of your consciousness. By doing so, you will bring peace to your life, so share your experience with us! 

6 Heart Attack Signs that Only Crop Up in Women

Nowadays, the heart attack is emerging as one of the chief enemies of our lives and it is one of the prime reasons for early death in the entire world. Even though the world heart day is celebrated with much zeal, a lot of stress and a poor lifestyle are taking a toll on our body and these are the most important reasons why heart attacks occur. But, before heart attack hits you, your body starts sending a lot of messages to our brain. Amid by these messages, a lot of physical problems start to bother us which, we fail to understand. Now, what if I tell you that not all but some of the heart attack symptoms or warning signs occur only in women, and that woman needs to be extra careful about it. So, all the ladies out there, this is for all of you. I request you to go through these symptoms and if you are facing these issues, go to a doctor ASAP because negligence can cost you the most precious thing - your life. It might be that these are mild heart attack symptoms, but it's better to be safe than sorry. 6 Heart Attack Symptoms That Crop up only in Women Well, for how long does a heart attack last, is the most difficult question as it completely depends on the condition of a patient, but what all symptoms can trigger it in women can surely be explained. Let's scroll down to know more. 1. Pain and Pressure in the Chest A feeling of pressure, burning, discomfort, and pain in the chest are symptoms of a heart attack. These symptoms are common for all, be it a man or a woman. But, in the case of women, there is an exception, women experience pain not just on the left side of the chest, but in the entire area. Any woman who is going through such chest pains shouldn't avoid it and consult the doctor, immediately. 2. Augmented Fatigue No matter how long you take rest, you will feel tired and low on energy, all the time. Frequent visits to the bathroom add more weight to the pain. In that case, see a doctor because this is an alarming sign and needs immediate attention. 3. Dizziness and Shortness of Breath These two are the inevitable symptoms of a heart attack. According to a survey, all the women who survived a heart attack experienced these symptoms. It feels like you have been running for a very long time and now you are breathless whereas, in reality, you have been sitting ideal. 4. Cold Sweat This one is yet another very common symptom of a heart attack among women. In fact, it is directly related to anxiety and stress. If you have never experienced these symptoms earlier and it's been just a few times, then see the doctor as soon as you can. 5. Sickness and Sharp Abdominal Pain At times, those who have heart problems, confuse the symptoms of the same with other illnesses like flu, poisoning, heartburn etc. Yes! These symptoms are that unrecognizable. Some women who have been through it say that it feels as if a heavy object is lying on their abdomen and it is certainly not a good feeling. Try to discuss it with your doctor and never take such symptoms or illnesses lightly. 6. Pain in the Arms, Jaw, Neck, and Back These signs might confuse you as according to our understanding, only the left side of the chest and arms pain during a heart attack, but the truth is all the above-mentioned parts of the body ache during the attack. The pain can either be sudden, acute, nagging or progressive and can even wake you up in your sleep. That's the reason why you need to visit your doctor as soon as you see any such signs. Just remember that these heart attack symptoms can trigger at any point and can happen to any woman, so take a very good care of yourself and try to maintain a stress-free and healthy lifestyle. With that, I bid adieu. Share the article as much as you can so that all your near and dear ones can stay away from heart attacks and can get the right kind of medication for their symptoms. Also, don't forget to comment your views on this article.

Say GOODBYE To Bad Habits With Best Yoga Poses

Isn’t yoga all about overcoming bad habits? Don’t you agree? All of you must have a list of bad habits that you need to get rid of, but somehow, unable to dump them. It is a fact that when you practice yoga, you are consistently working towards confronting them. Yoga is a holistic approach towards managing bad habits such as smoking, drinking, lethargy, eating unhealthy food, etc. We think that it is an excellent way to slow down to keep you away from bad habits. There are evident poses in specific that revive motivating qualities to support you to fight off the bad habits. We know that yoga stretches, strengthens and tones your overall body and soul, which is calming and restorative, however which leads to one question that how does it help in overcoming bad habits that have become habitual? Well, the first step towards eliminating any of your bad habit is to slow down and take notice of its effects on your living being. Yoga aids you to pause and make sensible decisions instead of mindlessly going about your day. As you initiate to learn a yoga pose, you don’t necessarily master it at the first go. It takes time and with the consistent practice of the pose, you get good with it. This process trains you to apply the same off the mat- trying till you overcome your addiction. Yoga stresses on prolonged happiness instead of instant gratification. It helps you realize the ill effects of everyday bad habits which otherwise seem to get you through the day. With yoga, you become honest with yourself and avoid what’s bad for you. Yoga reflects your real capabilities. The feeling is empowering pushing you to better yourself and in the process get rid of all the unnecessary negativity.   Let’s have a look at the yoga poses that help you overcome bad habits, shall we? The yoga poses mentioned below activate the energy center in your navel keeping you grounded and increasing the scope of transformation. Practice them every day in the morning for at least 40 days to observe changes in your thinking and behavior. Dhanurasana Dhanurasana or the Bow Pose is an asana that resembles a stringed bow. It is a perfect back stretching exercise.The pose is a beginner level Vinyasa yoga asana. Practice it in the morning on an empty stomach and hold the pose for at least 15 to 30 seconds. Benefits- Dhanurasana helps in overcoming lethargy. The pose keeps you balanced when you are tired or hyperactive. It opens up your chest, neck, and shoulders. Ustrasana Ustrasana or the Camel Pose is an asana that resembles a camel. It is a backbend. The pose is a beginner level Vinyasa yoga asana. Practice it in the morning on an empty stomach and clean bowels. Hold the pose for 30 to 60 seconds. Benefits- Ustrasana heals and balances your chakras. It improves your overall health and well-being. The pose opens up the front of your body and improves your posture. Natarajasana Natarajasana or the Dancer Pose is an asana named after Nataraja, the lord of the dance. It resembles one of his dance moves. The pose is an intermediate level Vinyasa yoga asana. Practice it in the morning on an empty stomach and hold the pose for 15 to 30 seconds. Benefits- Natarajasana is a stress buster. It increases the flexibility of your body. It helps you center your mind and body. The pose improves your posture, concentration, and balance. Bhujangasana Bhujangasana or the Cobra Pose is an asana that resembles the raised hood of a snake. It is an energizing backbend. It is a beginner level Ashtanga yoga asana. Practice it in the morning or evening on an empty stomach and clean bowels. Hold the pose for 15 to 30 seconds. Benefits- Bhujangasana improves your mood and invigorates your heart. It releases stress and fatigue. The pose improves your flexibility and reduces stiffness in your lower back. Balasana Balasana or the Child Pose is an asana that resembles the fetal position of a baby. It is a beginner level Vinyasa yoga asana. Practice it in the morning or evening on an empty stomach and clean bowels. Hold the pose for 1 to 5 minutes. Benefits- Balasana releases tension in the chest, shoulders, and back. It reduces stress and anxiety. It fights dizziness and normalizes blood flow throughout the body. Conclusion All of us have bad habits and it is not right to live with them. You must make sure you recognize what they are doing to you and find a way to get rid of them. Yoga gives you that perfect push and confidence to combat your ingrained bad habits, and you must start now. 

Best Yoga Poses For Chest Pain

Spending long hours hunched over a desk or squeezed into a car can leave your muscles sore and tight? While you might think that your shoulders feel strain, you'll likely feel aches in other parts of your body also which includes your chest muscles. o you often feel stiffness in your chest area? If yes, then it could be for simple reasons that can be fixed easily with a few yoga stretches, however, you must know the right ones. We have put together the best yoga poses in this article that can stretch and open up your chest muscles providing solace to them. Chest pain doesn’t necessarily mean a heart ailment. It could occur for a simple reason like sitting hunched on a chair for long hours. If not fixed at the right time, the problem will grow to a major one causing unnecessary difficulties. Before that can happen, set it with the following yoga poses for chest pain. Any significant and sudden chest pain should be evaluated by a physician to rule out any cardiac events. You can loosen your chest muscles with a few soothing yoga positions. What Actually Causes Chest Pain? There can be numerous reasons for causing chest pain. You can feel it anywhere from your neck to your upper abdomen. Chest tightness often occurs due to poor posture but could also be a sign of something more serious like a panic or a heart attack. If you feel an ache in your chest area, it might not necessarily be a cardiovascular disease. Or it could be. When your heart muscles do not get enough oxygen, it gives rise to a severe form of chest pain called angina. Other heart-related chest pains are a heart attack, pericarditis, myocarditis, cardiomyopathy and aortic dissection. Chest pain occurs due to gastrointestinal problems too. If you have swallowing problems, gallstones, inflammation of the gallbladder or pancreas, then you will feel pain in the chest. Even if you have pneumonia, asthma or blood clots, it leads to chest ache. Chest pain also occurs when you suffer from a fracture that causes pressure on the nerves. Damaged ribs and sore muscles from extreme exertion are also main factors causing chest ache. Yoga For The Chest You must get a physician to evaluate any sudden chest pain you feel and get checked for heart problems. If that’s not the case, then you can soothe your chest muscles with yoga. Yoga helps in reducing chest tightness by opening, expanding and stretching the chest. It counters the effects of poor posture, overuse, and strain of muscles, by fixing the cause of the problem. Yoga improves your range of motion, stretches your pectoral muscles, improves your flexibility which all aid in eradicating your chest pain. Sometimes, even stress, anxiety and tension can cause chest pain, and you know well that yoga is the best solution for it. Matsyasana or the Fish Pose Matsyasana or the Fish Pose is named after the Matsya avatar of Lord Vishnu. It is a beginner level Hatha yoga asana. Practice it in the morning on an empty stomach for best results and hold the pose for at least 30 to 60 seconds to feel the pose effect. Benefits- Matsyasana stretches your rib muscles. It also stretches the front and back of your neck and improves your posture. It is therapeutic for rounded-shoulders and relieves irritation. Bhujangasana or the Cobra Pose Bhujangasana or the Cobra Pose is an asana that resembles the raised hood of a cobra. It is a backbend. The pose is a beginner level Ashtanga yoga asana. Practice it in the morning on an empty stomach and hold the pose for 15 to 30 seconds. Benefits- Bhujangasana stretches the muscles of your chest and shoulders. It increases your flexibility and improves your mood. The pose improves blood and oxygen circulation. Bitilasana or the Cow Pose Bitilasana or the Cow Pose is an asana that resembles the stance of a cow. The Sanskrit word ‘Bitila’ means cow. Bitilasana is a beginner level Vinyasa yoga asana. Practice it in the morning or evening on an empty stomach and hold the pose for 10 to 15 seconds. Benefits- Bitilasana improves your posture and balance by strengthening your neck and stretching your back. The pose calms your mind and relieves stress. It also increases the blood circulation in the body. Chakrasana or the Wheel Pose Chakrasana or the Wheel Pose is an asana that looks like a wheel. It is also an important step in acrobatics. Chakrasana is a beginner level Ashtanga yoga asana. Practice it in the morning on an empty stomach and hold the pose for 1 to 5 minutes. Benefits- The pose is good for your heart and cures asthma. It stretches your lungs and stimulates the thyroid. It cures depression and relieves stress and tension in the body. Last Words Chest pain varies from person to person and the level of it could be sharp or a dull ache. It might be a minor issue that can easily be fixed or a major ailment that needs professional help. Figure out what kind it is and take the appropriate action. If the cause of your chest pain is not life-threatening, then the yoga poses mentioned above work best. Give them a try and don’t forget to comment below to add some valuable suggestions to this article.