If you are one of those rare people that are intensely stubborn and strong-willed, then perhaps quitting “cold turkey” is right for you. Nothing could be more natural than just stopping the habit! But the term “cold turkey” comes from the comparison of the looks of a cold, raw turkey to the sweating, goosebumps, and hollowed-out feeling you get when your body is suddenly deprived of the thing it’s addicted to. Most of us haven’t got the self-control to go through that. Instead, there are several natural methods you can try to help the brain cope with the loss of the nicotine as well as increase your willpower.

You can step down gradually by eliminating cigarettes every day until you’re down to none. Sounds easy, but again it takes great self-control. It’s recommended that you make a schedule and stick to it. Choose a day to start perhaps your birthday or the Great American Smokeout. Eliminate one cigarette from that day. Keep eliminating them over time, and you’ll be free.

Herbal remedies and supplements can help you curb those cravings. St. John’s wort is a natural herb that increases levels of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is an antidepressant that can make you feel really good and will help the brain lose its need for nicotine. There are a very great many products and supplements out there that contain St. John’s wort. Be sure to research them thoroughly before you choose, and remember that the effectiveness of herbal remedies is not scientifically proven.

Hypnotherapy is also an all-natural choice. Hypnotists use the power of suggestion through relaxation to influence people’s desire. Subjects are acutely focused on the hypnotist, but are not aware of anything else around them. They have a sense of heightened suggestibility, which means they’re more open to being influenced by what the hypno-therapist tells them. So if the therapist wants them to have less of a desire to smoke, they’re more likely to acquiesce.

Finally, there is acupuncture or laser_therapy. Acupuncture is the practice of inserting sterile, hair-thin needles in to pressure points situated along the body’s meridians. The body’s vital energy, or “qi” as the ancient Chinese term it, flows along these meridians and is influenced by the pressure points. By stimulating these points, the acupuncturist can ease pain, promote a feeling of general well-being, and curb addiction. Laser therapy uses those same pressure points in your hands, wrists, ears, and face. However, it does not penetrate the skin and there is no pain. Instead, the “cold laser” is actually non-thermal photons of light emitted in certain wavelengths and intensities. The cells in your body turn that light energy into chemical energy and stimulate growth. When this stimulation happens at certain pressure points, the same effect as acupuncture is achieved.

Eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise are also key to quitting smoking. The extra oxygen from vigorous exercise can help increase lung capacity and fuel the brain, helping it to heal and lose its need for nicotine.

However you decide to quit is up to you. Seek help and support from family and friends, and visit your doctor. Educate yourself so that you can make the healthiest decision that’s right for you. Remember that what works well for some people may not work well for others. The important thing is that if you’re really ready to quit, don’t stop trying until you do.

Learn more about this author, Doreen Martel.

I live in a small village on the Costa Blanca, with a fairly large expat population. I assumed the class would be full of expats, as I couldn’t imagine the locals going in for something as sensual as belly dancing. How wrong can you be? There’s another English girl, and the rest of the class are Spanish, ranging in age from about 20 years old to around 60. At 57, I’m the second eldest in the class.

It seems the English ladies were put off because the instructor is Spanish, but they don’t know what they’re missing. The classes are held in a studio with mirrors along one wall, so you can follow what everyone is doing. It’s also a fun way to learn the names of various body parts in Spanish!

Each session begins with stretching exercises to relaxing music. This not only prepares your body for the dancing, it puts you in the right frame of mind. Belly dancing is both sensual and spiritual, and even the fast moves should be fluid, so you need to rid yourself of any stress before you start. After a quick run through the steps, it’s into the dance.

The correct posture is vital – tail tucked in, and stand straight and tall, to avoid back problems. Surprisingly, the familiar movements we associate with belly dancing do not involve the belly and hips – the legs and thighs do most of the work. After little more than a month, my once flabby thighs are toned and firm, so I am already seeing the benefits of belly dancing.

Belly dancing is great fun as well as great exercise. The music just carries you along, although some of the moves take a bit of practice before you get them right. My particular nemesis is the ‘figure of eight,’ which involves describing the number 8 with your hips, powered of course by the thighs. It sounds simple enough, but there’s a right way to do it, which annoyingly seems to elude me.

When I show off my new moves to my husband, my figure of eight is perfect. Put me in front of the mirror – which in theory should make the move simpler to execute – and I’m all over the place! Still, it’s early days yet. However, I’m ahead of the rest when it comes to another move – ‘the twist.’ As a child of the 1960′s, I was an enthusiastic performer of the dance of the same name, and won a couple of Twist competitions. The belly dancing move is very similar, but those who are not former Twist Champions – which is everyone else in the class – just can’t get it right.

After an hour and a half of dancing, it’s time for relaxation and stretching exercises, and as we’ve all put so much energy into the class, it’s all we can do not to nod off on our exercise mats! We have an incentive to improve our belly dancing skills, as the class is due to perform a dance at the village fiesta in July, and we all enjoy ourselves so much, we look forward to Monday afternoons and the class.

Belly dancing is great for firming, stretching and toning. After a few weeks, I am much more supple and energetic. Belly dancing is also low impact exercise, so if, like me, you suffer from joint problems, it’s more suitable for you than aerobics or jogging. Although belly dancing is fun, it is also excellent exercise, and you’re much more likely to stick to an exercise programme if you enjoy it. Why not try belly dancing soon, and release your inner, sensual self?

author, Sandra Piddock.

Here are some dietary tips of for better immune:

Give up refined sugar

Refined sugar triggers inflammation process. By giving up refined sugar, you strengthen your immune system. You can find refined sugar in soda, catsup, to cookies and crackers.

Spice up your food

Spices and herbs cannot only add flavor to your foods, it can also help you to prevent cancer. There are many spices which can strengthen our immune system. Some of those spices are basil, rosemary, basil, mint, turmeric and ginger. Add them in your daily food to keep you away from cancer.

Consume anti-oxidant foods

There are so many foods out there which contain anti-oxidant, an important substance to fight cancer. Vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage and omega 3 containers such as mackerel, sardines, and salmons can fight the free radicals which cause cancer cells to grow. The good news is chocolate, red wine, and caffeine also contain anti-oxidant.

Chill out

Stress can weaken our immune system. Keep yourself away from stress condition. Do stress relieving activities for your body and mind such as yoga, meditation, or music therapy.

Exercise

Studies have reported that a brief 30 minutes walk everyday can reduce the risk of developing cancer and other diseases.

The best management for insomnia is treating the underlying cause. Nowadays, yoga is one of the most famous practices to relieve stress, get a good night sleep, and be healthy. “Yoga” is a Sanskrit term which means union. Originated in India, yoga is the union of the mind body and spirit.

According to experts, yoga really helps to get a good night sleep with yoga’s stimulatory effect on the brain and the whole nervous system. Yoga allows better blood circulation in the brain which normalizes the sleep cycle. A minute of yoga practice is equal to a minute of the number of sleep required.

Below are some techniques you can do.

Night Time Goddess Stretch

Lie on your back with your knees bent. Place the soles of your feet together. Now let your knees fall open. Your legs will form a diamond shape. Rest your arms on the bed.

Child’s Pose

Sit up comfortably on your heels. Roll your torso forward. Place your forehead to rest on the bed in front of you. Lower your chest as close to your knees as you can and extend your arms out in front of you.

Winding Down Twist

Sit cross-legged on the bed. While exhaling place your right hand on your left knee and the left hand on the bed behind your tailbone.

Gently twist your torso to the left. Look over your left shoulder. Breathe deeply. Now return to the center and repeat the movements on the opposite side.

Rock-a-Bye Roll

Lying on your back, hug the knees directly into the chest. Cross your ankles and wrap both arms around your shins. Make a loose clasp with your hands.

Inhale and rock your body up to a sitting position. Exhale as you roll back. Continue this motion for about 1 minute. Unroll and prepare for sleep.

One of the great things about this routine is that it can all be done right on the bed. It may seem awkward at first, but within a few weeks the body will adjust and stretches and poses will become easier and more effective. As soon as the last stretch is performed it is easy to slip between the sheets and allow sleep to come.

So go ahead and enjoy a course in yoga. Your sleeping should improve in a short period of time with regular practice!

Try some of the following tips to be fit at your workplace:

• Take a good and healthy diet when you are at work. Fruits keep you active at work and vegetables are good for your eyes and skin. Always include a few walnuts and almonds. Five large human epidemiological studies, all found that nut consumption is linked to a lower risk for heart disease.
• Always take lots of water when you are working. Water provides you essential minerals and oxygen in your body.
• Do not sit idle on your chair for more than 30 minutes. Take a break after every 30 minutes and keep moving to help your blood circulations flowing.
• Have something to eat on your table. Put aside the nuts, some celery sticks and perhaps baby carrots for when you get the munchies. This also keeps you from eating a large meal at one time, which causes discomfort and stretching of the stomach.
• Your eyes also need a break. Turning your head away from your work, slowly shift your gaze from one side to the other several times. Occasionally close your eyes for a few moments to give them a little rest.
• Take a break and listen to good music. Music gives you relaxation.

Try all these above tips. All these things help you to be fit and it keeps balls moving in the right directions.