Monday, November 29, 2010

How to combat stress?

Stress is something which you can never avoid in your life. It is a part and parcel of life. The only thing is not to let it get you down. So, how to avoid stress and help deal with situations. I have already discussed some of the best ways to beat stress sometime ago. Today, we will talk about some more ways. Just to recount, stress can cause you to lose your appetite, sleep and smile, hair and even skin can become bad during stress. So, combating stress in a natural way is very important. A long term solution is better than a short term. 

Speaking of short term solutions, a short break, a journey, an outing, an indulgence, going for shopping, eating chocolate are all temporary solutions for stress.So, how to start on a long term solution in our hectic lives.
  • Certain changes in your daily life habits go a long way in making you strong enough to deal with situations and keep your mind calm. Changes in attitude is very important.
  • Right foods, regular exercise, good sleep and positive thoughts are a way to beat stress.
  • Let us get a little psychological here. Accept the situation how so ever bad it is and try to learn something from it. I know that it is not easy. But, that is the only way to deal with the situation. Being in denial does not help anyone. The next step can be how to improve the situation. 
  • Many a times we get stressed out without knowing it. We do not know what we want to do. And, that happens to the best of us. So, a little reflection on everything you have done in your life, what you love, what your priorities are is very important. Take time out and think of these things. Most of your solutions are hidden in these questions. 
  • If you are too stressed out to do anything, do something which makes you happy. This is where a hobby becomes important in life. Creativity focuses your mind and relieves it. Achieving something bolsters your confidence how so ever meager the work might be.
  • Crying is not an answer to any problems. It just increases the frustration and then you need to vent out your feelings. Keep a diary. Writing things which are bothering you helps a lot. If you have someone to talk to, of course, it is just the best but not everyone are so lucky. Many times it is just our fears and weaknesses that prevent us discussing our problems with our loved ones.
  • Many people are addicted to emotional eating. You can change this habit or modify this habit by eating stress busting foods.
  • A short walk can also calm you down.
Now, I have repeatedly talked about stress busting foods.
  • Water: helps you coo down when angry.
  • Fruits: Seasonal fruits can help your anxiety and fear levels.
  • Milk and Curd: Helps with insomnia due to stress.
  • Peanuts: Aids with stress during PMS.
  • Cheese: Can help you with stress.
  • Coffee and Cocoa (Chocolate): Calms you mind but only temporarily and anyways it is not good for skin so be moderate with it.
A balanced diet is what you need when you are dealing with stress. A lot of fruit juices an also help you. Proper food controls the stress hormones in the body. And, one very tried and tested method for stress is kissing, cuddling and the act of making love. The act is culmination of number of things including a sense of touch, intimacy and physical exertion which produces a stress busting hormone called oxytocin in the body. The production of oxytocin in the body decreases to a large extent when a person is under stress.
READ MORE - How to combat stress?

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Ponds Face Washes

I have used two major products from Ponds till date. One was good and one was bad. So, lets get on with the one which is bad. 

Ponds Flawless White Deep Whitening Facial Foam
The first thing which comes to my mind is this is a very expensive face wash. 175 INR for 100 gms. I bought it impulsively because I liked the packaging extremely. But, it is more of a hate now because the face wash is not getting over even after my using it daily. I have been using it since a really long time and I am bored now. An extremely small quantity is enough to cover the face and neck completely (it foams a lot and I mean really a lot !!) and the product goes a long way. But, it does nothing to my skin so I have no special reason to want it to stay forever. 

My first experience with the product was that wow, it really works. But, that was probably the only first reaction. Because, from the next day on, it really showed nothing. Instead, it really makes you wonder if the product is really worth it. It has extremely small beads which are supposed to be exfoliating but they are so small that you can not even feel them on your skin after application. It does make your skin extremely clean but then it is supposed to do at least that. It stings if it gets into the eyes. Frankly, I am disappointed with myself for buying it. I could have really got something which I wanted. So, it is like a big no no for me.

Ponds White Beauty Daily Spot-less Lightening Facial Foam
The company claims that the face wash would bring a pinkish glow on the face. I can safely say that it really does that. The product is really good for its price. I had bought it a long time back so I do not remember the price. But, the product is drying for people with dry skin so I guess it would be great for oily skin. Read the review of the same product by an oily skin person. It foams a lot so the product does go a long way. So, people looking for fair skin might want to try the product. Though, I would advise anyone to refrain from using whitening skin products as they have bleaching agents int hem which are harmful and drying for the skin in the long run. They do make your skin look aged when used for very long time.

Disclaimers: I have not been paid by anyone to do these reviews. These are my personal experiences.
READ MORE - Ponds Face Washes

My Blog Awards

This is a long due post of mine. Finally, I got time and recalled that I had to do it. So, here we go.

First of all, I would from the bottom of my heart like to thank to Bhumika from NewLove and BeautyDiva from BeautyDiva for honoring me with the blog awards and mentioning me on their blogs. They both have very interesting blogs.

Now, doing the same honors, I have to pass on the award to other blogs which I like. So, here they go.
  • Vivawoman. This is one of my really favorite blogs and I have linked to it many times in my posts. One of the blogs which motivated me to start blogging on my own. So, if you are reading this, thank you so much, Sesame.
  • Beauty Secrets Revealed. This is again one of my very favorite blogs with great tips. One of my inspirations again. Thanks a lot, Leon.
  • Face Good. Love this blog and would recommend you all to go and visit it. Thanks, Lydia.
  • Skin Care Recipes and Remedies. Again one of my inspirations and has really interesting reads. Thanks, Biljana.
  • Toxic Beauty. Great blog, Robin. Love reading it.
  • Hildablue. Amazing blog, Hilda :) Enjoy it a lot.
  • For the Love of Fashion and Other Things. I came across this blog only a few days back but I really loved it. It is about fashion mostly but I love the way the author writes more than anything else. It is a relatively new blog so I wish her all the best. And, let me also mention this that the gal is really cute too :)
  • Smiling Green Mom. Let me introduce you to this very sweet and really interesting blog. I love your blog, Lynn.
  • Homemade Beauty with Victoria. A really amazing blog from a very sweet person. Victoria looks really cute and she has got a gorgeous skin. Btw, I do love your accent, Victoria :)
  • Addicted to Blush. Love the blog. One of the blog which prompted me to share my experiences with the miniscule number of products I have used. And, love your eyes, Tanveer :)
  • Wiseshe. I am not a makeup person at all. Instead, I have never applied it in my life but have read so many products on your site, Anamika. Want to buy them all. And, want to definitely prepare almost all the dishes you have posted :)
  • Soft, Sweet and Gentle. Really new site but great recipes. Would love to see more of them :)
  • My Future Starts Today. Loved your blog, Sharon :)
READ MORE - My Blog Awards