According to Dr. Billy Goldberg, co-author of Why Do Men Fall Asleep After Sex?, there is little direct evidence explaining why men fall asleep. However, the chemicals oxytocin, prolactin, gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) and other hormones all contribute to “that roll-over-and-snore feeling” because they facilitate sleep.
 |
While other fitness buffs are thinking about toned legs and arms, women doing this plan can revel in their own little secret: Not only will it give you a flat belly, but it'll boost your sex drive—in an hour. Studies show women's sexual satisfaction directly correlates to their exercise quotient.
"Working out boosts endorphins that get you in the mood," says Laura Berman, PhD, founder of the Berman Center, a sexual health clinic in Chicago. She teamed up with Prevention to devise this exclusive libido-boosting routine, based on her new book, The Passion Prescription.
Her Rx: daily Kegels, plus, on alternating days, five more sex-enhancing moves designed to target the pelvic floor and abs. "Increasing the circulation to the pelvic area is a key component of better sex," says Berman. Just be forewarned: The aphrodisiac effect of this plan might kick in immediately.
Pelvic Connecting Crunch
Works your Kegel muscles, transverse abdominals (deeper ab muscles), and inner and outer thighs.
"Combining abdominal and Kegel exercises allows you to squeeze your Kegel muscles in and up and in and back and even side to side—moves that will ultimately help you and your partner experience a broader range of sensations," explains Berman. To begin, lie back with knees bent, feet flat on floor. Place a pillow between knees and let hands rest at sides, palms down. Engage your Kegel muscles, focusing on squeezing them in, up, and back. Engage abs to lift head and shoulders several inches off floor. Hold for three deep breaths, expanding your stomach as you breathe in, contracting as you breathe out. Do 10 reps.
The (Private) Move You Need Daily: Kegels
Improves blood circulation to the genitals, which makes you more aroused; increases vaginal response and bladder control.
To locate your pelvic floor muscles, imagine trying to interrupt your urine stream. Slowly tighten and hold for 10 seconds; then relax for 10 seconds. Repeat 10 times. Next, try a quicker squeeze and release of the same muscles-a faster move that works different muscle fibers. Squeeze and release in rapid succession 10 times. Do one set of fast and one set of slow Kegels each day, working up to three sets of both daily.
The Windmill
Increases flexibility and works abs and thighs. You'll need a scarf or a band to assist with stretching. (Skip this exercise if you have sensitive hips or knees.)
Lying on back, bring right knee to chest and place scarf in middle of foot. Holding ends, extend right leg up toward ceiling. Squeeze pelvic floor muscles while lowering right leg out to side toward floor. Hold for 10 breaths, using inner and outer thighs and pelvic floor muscles to keep pelvis anchored on floor. Slowly return to start, then switch sides.
The Belly Dancer
This move starts with a set of Kegels to help you engage your pelvic floor and then works your butt and abs, giving you full range of motion in your pelvis.
Kneel so torso and lower legs form a right angle. (Place pillow under knees, if more comfortable.) Place hands on hips and do one set of Kegels, keeping butt relaxed. Next, squeeze butt muscles, tuck tailbone in underneath hips, and do Kegels while tilting pelvis forward. Relax rear and allow pelvis to move backward, letting rear come slightly up toward ceiling. Next, move pelvis side to side, engaging Kegel muscles and lower abs. (To move to the right, engage right side butt muscles as you do Kegels.)
Couples Straddle
Increases flexibility.
For this beginner partner move, sit on floor, facing each other, with legs open in straddle position and feet touching, knees and toes facing up. (If he's much taller, press your feet against his legs.) Grasp each other's forearms as you press backs of knees toward floor, lengthen spine, and breathe in and out while holding pose for 1 minute. (To further increase the stretch, scoot slowly toward your partner.
Nighttime Goddess
Teaches you to relax your pelvic floor, which helps with pain prevention and muscle control (you should be able to relax and tighten at will), and loosens your hips, which will give you more flexibility during sex.
Lie on back with knees bent, feet flat on floor, and arms overhead with elbows slightly bent and palms up. Open knees to sides and as they drift toward floor, bring soles of feet together. (If necessary, place a pillow beneath each knee for support. For a deeper stretch, bring feet in closer to groin.) Feel the release in your chest, hips, thighs, and pelvis as you take three deep breaths.
Get sweaty for better sex.
Forget dinner and a movie. Whether you bike, run, or play tennis, aerobic exercise is a great way for couples to connect, turn on—and get in shape. "Watching your partner get sweaty can ignite sparks," says Becky Jeffers, fitness director at the Berman Center in Chicago. Choose a cardiovascular activity you can do for at least a half-hour 3 to 5 days a week.
Scientists have developed purple tomatoes which they hope may be able to keep cancer at bay. |
|
They are also thought to offer protection against cardiovascular disease and age-related degenerative diseases. | |
Pregnancy doesn't just change your body—it affects the rest of you, too.
Many pregnant women experience the nesting instinct, a powerful urge to prepare their home for the baby by cleaning and decorating. Or perhaps you'll want to tackle projects you haven't had time to do, like organizing your garage or closets.
As your due date draws closer, you may find yourself cleaning cupboards or washing walls—things you never would have imagined doing in your ninth month of pregnancy! This desire to prepare your home can be useful because it will give you more time to recover and nurture your baby after the birth. But be careful not to overdo it.
In the first trimester, fatigue and morning sickness can make many women feel worn out and mentally fuzzy. But even well-rested pregnant women may experience an inability to concentrate and periods of forgetfulness. A preoccupation with the baby is partially the cause, as are hormonal changes. Everything—including work, bills, and doctor appointments—may seem less important than the baby and the impending birth. You can combat this forgetfulness by making lists to help you remember dates and appointments.
Premenstrual syndrome and pregnancy are alike in many ways. Your breasts swell and become tender, your hormones fluctuate, and you may feel moody. If you suffer from premenstrual syndrome, you're likely to have more severe mood swings during pregnancy. They can make you go from feeling happy one minute to feeling like crying the next. You may be irrationally angry with your partner one day, then a coworker may inexplicably irritate you the next.
Mood swings are incredibly common during pregnancy, although they tend to occur more frequently in the first trimester and toward the end of the third trimester.
About 10 percent of pregnant women experience depression during pregnancy. If you have symptoms such as sleep disturbances, changes in eating habits (a complete lack of appetite or an inability to stop eating), and exaggerated mood swings for longer than two weeks, you should talk to your doctor.
Unexpected effects of pregnancyAn increase in breast size is one of the first signs of pregnancy. Breasts usually become swollen and enlarged in the first trimester because of increased levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. That growth in the first trimester isn't necessarily the end, either—your breasts can continue to grow throughout your pregnancy!
In addition to the size of your breasts, your bra size may be affected by your rib cage. When you're pregnant, your lung capacity increases so you can take in extra oxygen for yourself and the baby, which may result in a bigger chest size. You may need to replace your bras several times over the course of your pregnancy.
Are your friends saying you have that pregnancy glow? It's only one of many skin changes you may experience during pregnancy due to hormonal changes and the stretching of your skin to accommodate a larger body. Pregnant women experience an increase in blood volume to provide extra blood flow to the uterus and to meet the metabolic needs of the fetus. They also have increased blood flow to their other organs, especially the kidneys. The greater volume brings more blood to the vessels and increases oil gland secretion.
Some women develop brownish or yellowish patches called chloasma, or the "mask of pregnancy," on their faces. And some will notice a dark line on the midline of the lower abdomen, known as the linea nigra (or linea negra), as well as hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) of the nipples, external genitalia, and anal region. These are the result of pregnancy hormones, which cause the body to produce more pigment. The body may not produce this increased pigment evenly, however, so the darkened skin may appear as splotches of color. Unfortunately, chloasma can't be prevented, but wearing sunscreen and avoiding UV light can minimize its effects.
Acne is common during pregnancy because the skin's sebaceous glands increase their oil production. And newly formed pimples might not be the only evolving spots on your face or body—moles or freckles that you had prior to pregnancy may become bigger and darker. Even the areola, the area around the nipples, becomes darker. Except for the darkening of the areola, which is usually permanent, these skin changes will likely disappear after you give birth. Many women also experience heat rash, caused by dampness and perspiration, during pregnancy.
In general, pregnancy can be an itchy time for a woman. Skin stretching over the abdomen may cause itchiness and flaking. Your doctor can recommend creams to soothe dry or itchy skin.
Many women experience changes in hair texture and growth during pregnancy. The hormones secreted by your body will cause your hair to grow faster and fall out less. But these hair changes usually aren't permanent; most women lose a significant amount of hair in the postpartum period or after they stopbreastfeeding.
Some women find that they grow hair in unwanted places, such as on the face or belly or around the nipples. Others experience changes in hair texture that make hair drier or oilier. Some women even find their hair changing color.
Nails, like hair, can change noticeably during pregnancy. Extra hormones can make them grow faster and become stronger. Some women, however, find that their nails tend to split and break more easily during pregnancy. Like the changes in hair, nail changes aren't permanent. If your nails split and tear more easily when you're pregnant, keep them trimmed and avoid the chemicals in nail polish and nail polish remover.
Even though you can't fit into any of your prepregnancy clothes, you still have your shoes, right? Maybe—but maybe not. Because of the extra fluid in their pregnant bodies, many women experience swelling in their feet and may even have to start wearing a larger shoe size. Wearing slip-on shoes in a larger size will be more comfortable for many pregnant women, especially in the summer months.
During pregnancy, your body produces a hormone known as relaxin, which is believed to help prepare the pubic area and the cervix for the birth. The relaxin loosens the ligaments in your body, making you less stable and more prone to injury. It's easy to overstretch or strain yourself, especially the joints in your pelvis, lower back, and knees. When exercising or lifting objects, go slowly and avoid sudden, jerky movements.
Varicose veins, which are usually found in the legs and genital area, occur when blood pools in veins enlarged by the hormones of pregnancy. Varicose veins often disappear after pregnancy, but you can lessen them by:
Hemorrhoids—varicose veins in the rectum—frequently occur during pregnancy as well. Because your blood volume has increased and your uterus puts pressure on your pelvis, the veins in your rectum may enlarge into grape-like clusters. Hemorrhoids can be extremely painful, and they may bleed, itch, or sting, especially during or after a bowel movement. Coupled with constipation, another common pregnancy woe, hemorrhoids can make going to the bathroom downright unpleasant.
Constipation is common throughout pregnancy because pregnancy hormones slow the rate of food passing through the gastrointestinal tract. During the later stages of pregnancy, your uterus may push against your large intestine, making it difficult for waste to be eliminated. Constipation can contribute to hemorrhoids because straining may enlarge the veins of the rectum.
The best way to combat constipation and hemorrhoids is to prevent them. Eating a fiber-rich diet, drinking plenty of fluids daily, and exercising regularly can help keep bowel movements regular. Stool softeners (not laxatives) may also help. If you do have hemorrhoids, see your doctor for a cream or ointment that can shrink them.
Birth day surprisesSo you've survived the mood swings and the hemorrhoids, and you think your surprises are over. Guess again—the day you give birth will probably hold the biggest surprises of all.
Only 1 in 10 mothers' water breaks before labor contractions begin. Some women never experience it—a doctor may need to rupture the amniotic sac (if the cervix is already dilated) when they arrive at the hospital. How much water can you expect? For a full-term baby, there are normally about 2.1 to 5.9 cups of amniotic fluid. Some women may feel an intense urge to urinate that leads to a gush of fluid when their waters break. Others may have only a trickling sensation down their leg because the baby's head acts like a stopper to prevent most of the fluid from leaking out. In any case, amniotic fluid is generally sweet-smelling and pale or colorless and is replaced by your body every three hours, so don't be surprised if you continue to leak fluid, about a cup an hour, until delivery.
Other unexpected things may come out of your body during labor in addition to your baby, blood, and amniotic fluid. Some women experience nausea and vomiting. Others have diarrhea before or during labor, and flatulence (passing gas) is also common. During the pushing phase of labor, you may lose control of your bladder or bowels. A birth plan can be especially helpful in communicating your wishes to your health care providers about how to handle these and other discomforts of labor and delivery.
Lots of surprises are in store for you once you become pregnant—but none sweeter than the way you'll feel once your newborn is in your arms!
ommon cold, with symptoms of sneezing, scratchy throat, runny nose, is probably the most common illness known. |
|
Children are generally prone to common cold. It is said a child generally has about six to 10 colds a year. Adults average about two to four colds a year, although the range varies widely. | |
| Take vitamins. It is always good to take vitamins, but especially when you are sick. Whatever vitamins you take, remember to also take vitamin C as it helps strengthen your immune system. It is good before a cold to help buffer against getting a cold, and during a cold to help boost your immune’s power against the virus. Limit contact with people who are sick. If you don’t want a cold you probably don’t want to intentionally expose yourself to people who have a cold. |
If you must, wash your hands afterwards if you touched them (shaking hands) and it wouldn’t hurt to make sure you take your vitamins that day. | |
| Chicken soup, which has been dubbed grandma’s penicillin for its purported cold-fighting abilities, may also help to lower high blood pressure, a new study suggests. Japanese researchers have found that collagen proteins found in chicken may actually lower blood pressure. These collagens appear to act like the blood pressure medications called ACE inhibitors. |
|
| The salt we put on our chicken and in our chicken soup may offset or even reverse this potential benefit.” | |
|
| When they gave these proteins to rats that replicated a human model of high blood pressure, the proteins caused a significant decrease in blood pressure, the researchers found. |
| Overeating makes the brain go haywire, prompting a cascade of damage that may cause diabetes, heart disease and other ills, U.S. researchers recently reported. Eating too much appears to activate a usually dormant immune system pathway in the brain, sending out immune cells to attack and destroy invaders that are not there, research found. |
|
| It might also offer a way to prevent obesity itself. Obesity is a growing global problem, with 1.8 billion people estimated to be overweight or obese in 2007. Drugs marketed so far to fight obesity have only limited success and, often, severe side-effects. Obesity causes chronic inflammation throughout the body. This inflammation is found in a range of diseases related to obesity, including heart disease and diabetes. | |
|
| "Presumably it played some role to guide the immune defense," they said. "In today's society, this pathway is mobilised by different environmental challenge over-nutrition." |
Posts
All Comments
