Tips for beautiful and HEALTHY skin

We’ve all heard that our skin is our biggest organ. However, with society’s attention focused on maintaining popular organs (i.e., heart, brain, lungs, etc.) we tend to forget about our skin.  The emphasis of this article is on the epidermis, the outermost layer of skin.

Let’s first look at the reason we have skin. Quite obviously, it covers and protects everything within our body, keeps bacteria and disease out, maintains hydration, regulates our body temperature, provides us with sensation and many other functions. Shouldn’t an organ this important be nurtured?

To ensure our skin is at peak performance to properly function, we must eat the right foods, drink plenty of water, get enough exercise, and protect your skin. If you’re not too sure about this statement, give this experiment a try at your own risk…

Eat nothing but fruits and vegetables, drink plenty of water, and exercise three times a week for one week. Your skin will become noticeably clearer and healthier.

Obviously, most of us can’t abide by such a strict regiment for the sole purpose of gaining healthier skin. So what can the average person do to improve their skin?

Incorporate a variety of fruits and vegetables in your diet. Fruits and veggies are rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Antioxidants combats free radicals which wreak havoc on your body including your skin. Some meats contain a healthy dose of Selenium. Selenium is an antioxidant. Chicken, red meat, shellfish and fish are rich in Selenium.

As stated in our recent article, drinking an adequate amount of water will ensure that the vitamins and antioxidants from the nutritious foods you’ve ingested will be carried to your skin.

Exercise, Exercise, Exercise! Exercise increases circulation throughout the body which results in nutrients being effectively carried to the skin. The many benefits of working out (other than making you overall healthier) are reducing acne breakouts and fighting the signs of aging. Acne prone skin improves dramatically with exercise because  testosterone-related hormones such as DHEA and DHT are released. And exercise is a great stress reliever! Consult your physician for the amount and length of exercise necessary for you.
The sun can be your skin’s worst enemy. Overexposure to the sun can result in sun burns, skin cancer, pre-mature aging, and wrinkles. Everyone, no matter your skin color, should wear sunscreen. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends an SPF level of at least 30. Be sure to wear sunscreen everyday! 

These suggestions are not hard to incorporate into your daily life. Start with adding one more serving of fruit, drinking two more glasses of water or walking for 20 minutes every other day, buy an SPF 30 sunscreen. Your skin will thank you for it!

Get more sleep...starting this week!

This article was obtained from http://www.healthfinder.gov/. For more information on this topic and many others, please visit their website.

The Basics

Everyone needs to sleep. A good night’s sleep helps keep your mind and body healthy.

How much sleep do I need?
Most adults need 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night. If you are having trouble sleeping, make changes to your routine to get the sleep you need.
Kids need even more sleep than adults.

• Teens need at least 9 hours of sleep each night.
• School-aged and preschool children need 10 to 12 hours of sleep.
• Newborns sleep between 16 and 18 hours a day.

Why is getting enough sleep important?
Getting a good night’s sleep can have many benefits.

• You will be less likely to get sick.
• You will be more likely to stay at a healthy weight.
• You can lower your risk of high blood pressure and diabetes.
• You can boost your brainpower and your mood.
• You can think more clearly and do better in school and at work.
• You can make better decisions and avoid injuries. For example, sleepy drivers cause thousands of car crashes every year.

Does it matter when I sleep?
Yes. We have a natural cycle for when we feel tired and awake. Sunlight plays a big role in this cycle.
Our “biological clocks” are set to make us feel the most sleepy between midnight and 7 a.m. Our biological clocks also help us stay alert during the day, although many people have a sleepy period between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Our natural sleep cycle is very hard to break or change. When people have to work during the night, they can have trouble getting enough sleep during the day. People who travel to a different time zone can also have trouble sleeping.
Get sleep tips to help you:

• Work the night shift
• Deal with jet lag (trouble sleeping in a new time zone)

Why can’t I fall asleep?
Many things can make it harder for you to sleep, including:

• Stress
• Pain
• Some medicines
• Caffeine (in drinks like cola, tea, or coffee, and in some medicines)
• Sleep disorders, like sleep apnea or insomnia

If you are having trouble sleeping, make changes to your routine to get the sleep you need. For example, try to:

• Follow a regular sleep schedule
• Stay away from caffeine in the afternoon
• Take a hot bath before bed to relax

How can I tell if I have a sleep disorder?
Signs of a sleep disorder can include:

• Difficulty falling asleep
• Trouble staying asleep
• Sleepiness that makes it difficult to do daily tasks like driving a car
• Frequent loud snoring, pauses in breathing, or gasping while sleeping

If you have any of these signs, talk to a doctor or nurse. You may need to be tested or treated for a sleep disorder.
To learn more about sleep disorders:

• Watch this short presentation about sleep disorders.
• Check out this Guide to Healthy Sleep [PDF - 451 KB].

Take Action!

Small changes to your daily routine can help you get the sleep you need.
Change what you do during the day.

• Exercise earlier in the day, not right before you go to bed.
• Stay away from drinks and foods with caffeine (such as coffee, tea, soda, or chocolate) late in the day.
• If you have trouble sleeping at night, limit daytime naps to less than 1 hour.
• If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation. This means no more than 1 drink a day for women or 2 drinks a day for men. Alcohol can keep you from sleeping soundly.
• Don’t eat a big meal close to bedtime.
• Quit smoking. The nicotine in cigarettes disturbs sleep.

Set a bedtime routine.

• Go to bed at the same time every night.
• Get the same amount of sleep each night.
• Make sure your bedroom is dark and quiet.
• Avoid eating, talking on the phone, or watching TV in bed.
• Try not to lie in bed worrying about things. Learn to manage stress.

If you are still awake after staying in bed for more than 20 minutes, get up. Do something relaxing until you feel sleepy.

Check out more tips for getting a good night’s sleep.

If you are concerned about your sleep, see a doctor.
Talk with a doctor or nurse if you have any of the following signs of a sleep disorder:

• Frequent, loud snoring
• Pauses in breathing during sleep
• Trouble waking up in the morning
• Pain or itchy feelings in your arms or legs that may happen more often at night
• Trouble staying awake during the day

Even if you aren’t aware of problems like these, talk with a doctor if you feel like you often have trouble sleeping.

Keep a sleep diary for a week and share it with your doctor. A doctor can suggest different sleep routines or medicines to treat sleep disorders. Talk with a doctor before trying over-the-counter sleep medicine.

January: Volunteer Blood Donors Month

 Each year, blood donors help save the lives of nearly 3 million patients at more than 3,500 hospitals and healthcare facilities across North America. Do your part to save a life by clicking the button below.

 

Find the nearest donation center by clicking the link below:

http://www.americasblood.org/go.cfm?do=NBDR.ShowForm

Helpful Facts:

WHO IS AMERICA'S BLOOD CENTER?

Founded in 1962, America’s Blood Centers is North America’s network of non-profit community blood centers. Recognized by the U.S. Congress for its trusted work in patient care, wartime support of the U.S. military, and disaster preparedness and response, the federation operates more than 600 donor centers that provide nearly half of the United States’ volunteer donor blood supply and all of Quebec, Canada’s blood

supply.

ABC MEMBER COLLECTIONS

• America’s Blood Centers’ members collect more than 8 million units of whole blood – nearly half of the U.S. blood supply.
• America’s Blood Centers’ members provide nearly 10 million blood components (including red blood cells, platelets and plasma) to hospital customers annually.
• America’s Blood Centers’ members also provide hospitals and their patients with the majority of the nation’s tissue, bone marrow, stem cell and transfusion services.
• Corporate blood drives are America’s Blood Centers’ members’ largest source of blood donations, followed by schools, civic groups and the faith community.

Merry Christmas, from Total Life Prosperity!

During this season we often hear ministers reminding us to keep Christ at the center of our Christmas celebrations. But how many of us ignore that suggestion? Whether by ignorance, selfishness, or forgetfulness, most of Christian society fails to recognize the real reason for this and EVERY season...Jesus Christ.

If He was never born, he would've never died, and the world would be lost.

It is as simple as that.

This year Christmas falls on Sunday, the Lord's Day. Maybe we'll be more apt to display appreciation for Jesus' Christ birth. Need some suggestions?

1. Gather up your family and friends and go to church.

2. Before opening up gifts, say a prayer of thanks.

3. Take a moment to explain to your children or grandchildren the meaning of Christmas.

4. Read and meditate on the first and second chapters of Luke.

5. Volunteer for a faith based charity (ie, The Salvation Army) on Christmas Day.

Merry Christmas!

Advertise on TotalLifeProsperity.org!

Total Life Prosperity has ad space available for your business or organization!

Your ad will be displayed on our homepage for all readers to see. Take advantage of the introductory offer of only $5 for the first month for a 250x250 banner. Contact Laurren at mytotallife@gmail.com for more details.

Best regards,
TotalLifeProsperity.org Team

6 Faith Scriptures Every Christian Should Know

Quick! Name one "faith" scripture. Cite where it is found in the Bible. Can you name two? Three? Unfortunately, most Christians can't name one and cite where it is found. However, our faith is the substratum of our relationship with Jesus Christ.

Please be assured, I'm not referring to a head-knowledge, also referred to as mental assent. Mental assent is a knowledge that so-and-so is in the Bible but I am speaking about the faith that God's Word is true and that as a child of The Most High God, you are entitled to all spiritual blessings: salvation, health, prosperity, etc.

How can you have faith and rest that you will be healed of arthritis? How can you be completely sure that God will provide your need for food and shelter?

It is by faith and acting on God's Word that will lead to an abundant life in Jesus Christ. Notice there is another step to faith, acting. Faith is an action word. If you have arthritis and can barely walk, stand on a healing scripture (click here for scriptures) and set a goal to walk around your house, the block, the neighborhood. If you can't provide food for your family, stand on a scripture about God's provisions for you and make a grocery list, set out plates, etc.

In the Gospels, most of the miracles and healings performed by Jesus Christ were proceeded with an action. For example, the woman with the issue of blood reached out to touch the hem of Jesus Christ's garment (Mat 9:20-22); the man by the pool of Bethesda with the infirmity of 38 years was instructed to take up his bed and walk (John 5:1-8).

Meditate on the verses below, declare aloud what Jesus has already done and act on your faith.

Hebrews 11:6 - And without faith it is impossible to please God.

Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Romans 10:17 - So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

Matthew 17:20 - And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Romans 1:17 - For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Matthew 11:22-24 - And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

December 1st is World AIDS Awareness Day

December 1st is Word HIV/AIDS Day. I thought it would be appropriate to provide some startling statistics and resources to further the awareness of this devastating disease. For more information about HIV/AIDS, how you can get involved in this cause, or where to go to be tested, click the widget below.

• 33.4 million are currently living with HIV/AIDS.
• More than 25 million people have died of AIDS worldwide since the first cases were reported in 1981.
• In 2008, 2 million people died due to HIV/AIDS, and another 2.7 million were newly infected.