Archive for February, 2009

Study Finds Sleep Might Help Clear Arteries

Tuesday, February 24th, 2009

The Washington Post reports that a new five-year study has found that more sleep can reduce calcium deposits in people’s arteries. Specifically, the study found that people getting one extra hour of sleep each night were less likely to have “artery-stiffening calcium deposits.” The researchers do not know why there is a link between more sleep reduced calcium deposits but they do have theories involving cortisol and reduced blood pressure.

After adjusting for lots of potential risk factors, such as sex, race, and smoking habits, the researchers found that one more hour of sleep a night decreased the risk of calcification by a third. That’s about as much as a 16.5-point reduction in blood pressure, the researchers said.

“Nothing came out of the study as appearing to explain the association,” Lauderdale said. But she believes that there are three possible explanations.

One is that another factor, such as socioeconomic status, was the connection here. A second is that a stress-related hormone, cortisol, which has been tied to decreased sleep and increased calcification, is the link.

“Finally, sleep is related to blood pressure, and that is a coronary artery disease risk factor,” Lauderdale said. “It’s possible that for people who were sleeping more, their 24-hour blood pressure was lower than their daytime blood pressure.”

It’s already been proven that being sleep deprived can be unhealthy so it is best to try to get a full night’s sleep. It’s disturbing news for those who are unable to get a full night’s sleep because of work or health issues. It’s also confusing because no one knows exactly what a full night’s sleep is and the hours of sleep people need varies in individuals. For more on how much sleep you really need read this article from Time that talks about a study that tried to answer this question.

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Avoid Shyness for Good Sex

Thursday, February 12th, 2009

Shyness is a condition observed in the individual who avoid mixing with others and remains introvert. Shyness is mainly caused by the lack of confidence and self-esteem. Shy individuals found it difficult to express their feelings and think negatively among themselves. Shy people face problems in approaching to the other people and to speak among the unfamiliar individuals. Shyness is a form of excessive self-focus, a preoccupation with one’s thoughts, feelings and physical reactions. Shyness can mean feeling uncomfortable, self-conscious, nervous, bashful, timid, or insecure. People who feel shy sometimes notice physical sensations like blushing or feeling speechless, shaky, or breathless. Shyness affects the social life of the person considerably, but in addition to that it adversely affects the sexual life of an individual. About 25% individuals in the United States are found to be shy and are affected by their shyness.

Shyness is found to be genetically caused in some of individuals. In this case the parents of the child are found to be very shy. Another main cause of Shyness is found to be the negative feeling and inability to talk to other people. Some individuals are shy from their childhood and some get shy as they get young. Sexual performance of the individual who is shy is found to be very low. Shyness is main cause of the unsatisfactory sex life among many couples. Shyness makes both the partners away from each other and both the partners don’t share with each other about their needs in the sex. Shyness creates a barrier of silence between both the partners that creates a distance between both the partners and make them away from each other. Shy men and women are found to be introvert and don’t share there feeling with their partner. This creates a problem in the relationship. Finally the relationship ends with the bad note.

To enjoy sex life to its fullest, it is very necessary for both the partners to avoid the shyness. Men are found to be shy during the sexual encounter when they have no experience of sexual intercourse, if he is a person who rarely goes out socially with women more than just friends, if he is a person who desperately wishes to have a relationship with a woman but does not have one because of shyness, or he is a person who is in no way a homosexual or bisexual. But, only 5% men are found to be shy during the sexual intercourse or in any sexual relationship. The problem of shyness is found to be more among the women. Around 25% of the women are found to be shy during the sexual intercourse or in any sexual relationship. Women are usually shy to show off everything to their partner and so feel shy about it. Women sometimes are also feared of intercourse if it is there first time of intercourse. Thus, these all feelings lead to the shyness among women

Shyness causes fear, social distance, misunderstandings, and deficits of communication among the couples and this leads to the unsatisfactory sex. Shyness can be more troubling for men because the traditional male role requires assertive and competitive behavior. Although our culture might take it easier on women who are shy, we don’t necessarily want it to. Like people who have a specific social anxiety, shy people can be very anxious in informal social situations and also in the bed with their partner. Shyness turns down another partner and leads to the problems in the sex. Shy women are as likely or even more likely due to their shyness feel shy to date, to marry, and to have children. Even the men who are shy are always found to marry late.

Shyness is similar like any mental disorder, and can be tackled by using simple techniques. The first step towards avoiding the shyness is to think positive about ourselves. The next step is to mix with the people and to share your point of view with them. Then learn to face your fears and try to overcome them. Once you overcome the shyness, you will see tremendous change in your social as well as sexual life. Thus, learn to tackle shyness for the good sex.

Cold Cough Photo Using Schlieren Photography

Wednesday, February 11th, 2009

Cold Photography by Gary Settles using Schlieren photography

Above is a frightening photograph of someone with a cold coughing and a thick cloud of cold virus being released and widely dispersed. A technique called Schlieren photography was used by Professor Gary Settles to show how a cough can spread the cold virus through the air. Now you know why the common cold spreads so quickly. (via News.com)

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How to Make Your Breast Look Smaller the Natural Way

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

Women who are well-endowed and carrying excessively large breast are not always proud and happy with their asset. You may think they have the advantage but carrying a large weight on the chest is accompanied by discomfort and health issues. Buying clothes could be a real challenge. Shoulder, neck and back pain are some of the health issues encountered by women who have large breast size. If you want to make your breast look smaller here are some tips:

Bra techniques. Brassieres can help make your breast look smaller. It is important to wear the right size of brassiere that fits you properly. Wearing a minimizer bra is also another way to make your breast appear smaller.

Chest work-out. Chest exercises can help to make your chest muscles firmer and can make your breast look smaller. It is important to work with a trainer to avoid injury and to make sure you are doing the right exercises.

Lose weight. If you are overweight and not comfortable with your large bust size, it will be very helpful to lose weight to make your breast look smaller. Start with your diet and eat healthy food. It is also necessary to have a regular exercise or physical activity. Just be sure to consult with your doctor first before trying to lose weight to know your current health condition.

Herbal breast reduction treatment. Herbal treatment is another way to make your breast look smaller without subjecting yourself to surgery. You can change the look of your breast and make it firmer and smaller using natural treatment.