Is There Any Benefit to Fasting?, Food & Health : Today Indya

Is There Any Benefit to Fasting?

Food & Health

TodayIndya

Sadhguru: It is important that you don’t fast forcefully. If you observe the natural cycle of the body, there is something called a mandala. The mandala means that every 40 to 48 days, the system goes through a certain cycle. In every cycle, there are three days when your body does not need food. If you are conscious of how your body functions, you will become aware that on these days, your body does not food. And without effort, you can go without food on that day.

Once in every 11 to 14 days, you may not feel like eating. On that day, you should not eat. You know, even dogs and cats have this awareness? Have you noticed that on particular days, they will not eat? They are aware of their system. On the day the system says “no food,” it is a cleaning-up day, they will not eat. Since you don’t have this awareness, they fixed Ekadashi. Ekadashi comes once in every 14 days in the lunar calendar. At least every 14 days, you could go without food. If you are unable to go without food, if your activity levels are such and you don’t have the necessary sadhana to support you, then you could go on a fruit diet. Just observe your own system, and you may notice that on certain days, you do not really need to eat. Forcing food on those days is not a good thing to do.

Suppose one wants to fast for a certain period, it must always be supported with the right kind of spiritual practices or sadhana. If you forcefully fast without preparing your body and mind sufficiently, you will only cause damage to your health. But if your body is properly prepared, if you are mentally also in a certain state, if you are prepared energy-wise, then fasting can be of much benefit to you.

If you are constantly drinking coffee or tea, then, if you fast, it will become torture for you; fasting will be very difficult. So if you want to fast, first of all prepare the body by eating the right kind of foods. If it is a great torture when you hold back your urge to eat, you will only cause damage to the system. Maybe you are thinking of performing some kind of a feat “I did not eat for three days,” and you want to go and tell that to the whole world. Please don’t do such things. It is of no benefit to you. You will just make yourself weak, that is all. Just understanding the body and coming to a deeper understanding of how the system functions and what is the best thing to do, is more important than doing something like this.

It may not be a good thing for everybody to fast, but it has many benefits if it is done with proper understanding. So finding the right situation for the system and taking off food at that time will be a good thing to o.

#fasting

Basic Beauty Tips You Should Definitely Follow

Food & Health

stylecraze

For brighter and more beautiful skin, you need to follow some beauty tips religiously to enhance your skin care regimen. These simple tricks will take your beauty regimen up several notches and add a never before seen glow to your face.

We researched and put together the best of beauty tips for your skin. Take a look.

Beauty Tips For Your Face

I. Beauty Tips Based On Your Skin Tone

Different skin types have different needs and different problems. It is important to identify your skin type and take care of it accordingly.

Oily Skin

This is the most troublesome skin type to have. The troubles are countless, but when maintained, this skin type can have a certain glow that other skin types don’t.

Common Troubles: The common problems include enlarged visible pores and a dull appearance due to the overproduction of oil. This, in turn, provides a shiny and greasy sheen. Frequent acne and blemishes, blackheads, whiteheads, and dark spots are also some of the common problems of oily skin.

Simple Tips: Maintain a healthy diet. Eat lots of raw veggies and fruits, and avoid oily and junk food. Always keep your face clean. This helps in keeping excessive oiliness and acne at bay.

Dry Skin

If you think having oily skin is a pain, then let us tell you that having dry skin isn’t a walk in the park either. Dry skin can make you feel very uncomfortable, especially in the winters and in extremely cold temperatures. When not taken care of properly, it results in intense pain and an unsightly appearance.

Common Troubles: Dry skin usually seems to be fine textured and dull, but on a closer look, there may be flaky or granulated skin particularly around the corners of the mouth, eyes, and forehead. If neglected, it may lead to wrinkles.

Simple Tips: Don’t use hot water while taking a shower.

Never leave the shower without applying a moisturizer. Pat dry your skin after a shower, and always use a soft towel.

Combination Skin

With this, we get to suffer from the good and bad qualities of both the skin types! Combination skin usually has a mix of both oily skin characteristics, such as large pores, constant shine, and breakouts especially in the T-zone – the forehead, nose, and chin area and dry skin characteristics i.e., itching, flakiness, and redness on the cheeks.

Common Troubles: You will face the troubles of both the skin types depending on the climatic conditions and also which skin type is more dominant on your face.

Simple Tips: If you have an oily skin type, then your hormones play a great influence over whether or not you will end up with combination skin. Here are a few very basic things you can do to help your skin look and feel better.

Keep your face clean at all times. Hunt for the perfect moisturizer for your skin. These can never be the same for people with this skin type as there will always be variations in the degree of oiliness and dryness. And once you find it, don’t change!

Use the appropriate amount of moisturizer depending on your skin’s reaction to climatic conditions. Too much moisturization will cause problems with the oily zone and less of it will cause problems with the dry zone.

II. Beauty Tips For Daily Skin Care Routine

No matter what your skin type is, making sure that your skin is clean is extremely important. This is where your skin care routine comes into play. Cleaning the skin of the dirt and grime, removing the dead skin cells, and making sure that you don’t leave the pores open for more dirt accumulation are essential. This procedure includes cleansing, scrubbing/ exfoliating, toning, and moisturizing.

Here are some beauty tips and natural beauty products that can be used alone or in combination.

Cleansing

Our skin gets exposed to dust, smoke, and pollution, resulting in dryness, dullness, and more, resulting in basically lifeless skin. Cleansing ensures that the radiance of the skin is maintained. Only if cleansing is done properly will your skin accept different products, like moisturizers and facial masks, with ease.

Exfoliating

Just cleansing and moisturizing regularly will not work any magic on the skin unless you remove the dead skin cells from time to time. Exfoliation should be practiced regularly to eliminate the older dead skin completely, giving you skin that is very smooth and fresh. Scrubbing once a week is a must. If your skin type demands more, as oily skin does, then do it as many times as necessary – but don’t overdo it!

Toning

This is a very frequently asked question – “Is toning really important when I actually cleanse and moisturize my skin regularly?” Yes! Toning is an important element of the cleansing process. A good toner will remove all the remaining bits of oil, dirt, and debris left behind by the cleanser. More importantly, a toner will help soothe, nourish, and hydrate the skin while restoring its pH balance.

Moisturizing

Whatever your skin type may be, it shouldn’t stop you from moisturizing your skin regularly. Moisturizing plays a vital role in skin care – it keeps your skin hydrated and prevents it from getting red or flaky. It also helps you prevent the early signs of aging. If you have oily skin, it doesn’t mean that your skin is getting enough nourishment. This is a very common misconception. Pick a good gel-based moisturizer and use it regularly.

III. Beauty Tips For A Glowing And Bright Face

You cannot change the color of the skin you are born with. But, you can always make it more glowing and youthful-looking by following these tips.

Diet

Vitamin C intake in the form of juices like orange juice/mausambi juice or even a cup of water in the morning with 1 tsp squeezed lime or lemon and half a teaspoon of honey is a great way to start your day.

Vitamin A should be an important part of your diet. To tighten your skin and brighten the complexion, you need to include non-fat milk, egg yolks, and shell fishes in your diet. You should also have foods like carrots, watermelons, and ripe papaya, which are colored foods. The beta carotene in these will make your skin glow.

Drinking 8-10 glasses of water is essential for a hydrated and toxin-free body.

Lessen Sun Exposure

Limit your exposure to the sun. Wear a cap or a hat or take an umbrella when it’s too sunny outside. Apply a UVA and UVB sunscreen at least 20 minutes before stepping out into the sun.

Exfoliate

Scrub the whole body with a natural scrubber or a mixture of sugar and honey, it works really well. Grind the sugar and massage till it dissolves. Everyday exfoliation doesn’t need to be vigorous or for a lengthy time period. Just 3-5 minutes is good enough.

Sometimes (at least once a month) hire someone or ask someone you are comfortable with to scrub your body with castor oil or olive oil and fat sugar granules (not the granulated ones that you use every day).

Exercise

Regular exercise is recommended for people who don’t have an active lifestyle, like homemakers.

Natural Peels

Prefer natural peel off masks over chemical ones. You can also use bleach if that suits your skin. There are a number of mild bleaches available these days in the market. Invest in a good brand. We prefer Dabur Oxybleach, which comes with both pre and post bleach creams.

These homemade beauty tips for face brightening should definitely help you add a glow to your skin.

IV. Beauty Tips For Common Skin Problems

Acne

Inflammation from acne blemishes can overstimulate the skin’s pigment-producing cells and cause them to create too much melanin. Once the blemishes clear, they frequently leave behind small, dark blotches on the skin that are known as post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Due to the higher levels of melanin in darker skin tones, people with dark skin are particularly susceptible to the development of post-acne skin discolorations. While these dark spots eventually fade on their own, several measures can be taken to help speed up the process.

Apply a mask of multani mitti and rose water to combat acne.

Dark Circles

Puffy eyes accompanied by dark circles are an indicator of ill health or extreme lack of sleep. But sometimes, even additional factors like dehydration and allergies can cause it. This is more and more prevalent as one grows older. But, it is not uncommon to find this even in younger people when they are not getting enough rest, or they have a bad diet. Habits like smoking and drinking too much only make matters worse!

Rub a raw potato gently under your eyes to lighten dark circles.

Anti-Aging

Everybody grows older, and with age, the skin loses its elasticity, leaving you with those prominent wrinkles that give your age away. But, every once in a while we all run into people who just don’t look their age. Wondering what their secret is? It’s very simple.

Follow a good diet and keep fit. Avoid habits like smoking as they contribute to dull, dry, and aged skin. Do yoga, meditate, and apply mud masks regularly.

V. Seasonal Beauty Tips For Face Brightening

It is no longer a surprise that seasonal changes affect our skin in different ways, all depending on our skin types. So, let’s go through this on the basis of skin type.

Oily Skin

People with oily skin type have been living with one misconception for a very long time. And that is oily skin doesn’t need moisturization. Whoever told you that is wrong. Just because the skin generates excess oils doesn’t mean that it is receiving sufficient nourishment. Always make sure you moisturize as required, especially in winters, as the skin tends to dry out then. Use a gel based moisturizer for better results.

Oily skin is a magnet for dirt, and the addition of sweat to the equation during the summers only makes it easier for infections to find a foothold. So, cleanse regularly and tone too. This will ensure that the dirt is removed and the pores are closed.

Dry Skin

The most important thing for this type of skin is moisturization. Your skin is dry by default and the dryness in the air can only make matters worse. So make sure that during all seasons you have that bottle of favorite moisturizer at hand and keep your skin hydrated.

Combination Skin

Since combination skin comes with the troubles of both skin types, the key is to keep the skin clean, pores closed, and skin hydrated. These are the requirements for both skin types. So, it is all about finding the right balance.

After having spent so many years ignoring the centuries of knowledge from our ancestors, we have finally admitted that some of the most effective remedies ever are the ones that we concoct from our backyard! So, here some of the simplest and most effective face masks.

VI. Homemade Face Masks

Homemade face masks are the best solution to add life and glow back to your skin.

1. Avocado Mask

Scoop out the avocado and mash it. Combine with one tablespoon of honey and/or plain yogurt. Apply on face, avoiding the eyes.

2. Honey Mask

Combine one tablespoon each of honey and olive oil. Add two teaspoons lemon juice.

Beat in one egg yolk. Apply it to the face and keep it on for 20 mins before rinsing.

Before applying any mask, open the pores by applying a warm, damp washcloth to the face. After removing the mask, rinse with warm water, and then cold water.

These two face masks can be used by anybody, irrespective of their skin type.

3. Papaya Face Scrub

Exfoliation is very important for rejuvenation of skin. The following tip will leave your skin feeling soft and fresh.

Mash the pulp of a ripe papaya with a fork. Add 2-3 teaspoons of ground oatmeal and 1 teaspoon sugar. Blend to form a thick paste. Massage into skin for several minutes; allow it to dry. Wash off.

4. Cocoa Butter Moisturizer

Melt two tablespoons cocoa butter over low heat. Separate one egg yolk and add to the butter. Add two tablespoons lemon juice. Perfect mask for dry skin.

Face Brightening Tips From Beauty Experts

In the present day where most people are busy with their lifestyles, taking care of the skin becomes a huge issue. Concerned about our readers, we compiled data on how to care for your skin from beauty experts and bloggers. Here they are:

Iva

I must start off by saying that I am not a huge believer in whitening and don’t ever recommend using harsh chemical’s on your skin. For me it is all about brightening your complexion and about taking care of your skin.

1. Use an AHA or a BHA exfoliator regular, depending on your skin type. This will help brighten your skin, keep it clear broom blemishes and will take off any dead skin cells.

2. Always use SPF, but especially if you are doing any whitening treatments or any type of AHA or BHA treatments at home. I don’t whiten my skin but I am never out without a SPF 50 on my face. Make sure that your SPF protects from both UVA and UVB rays. I love the Alpha H Daily Essential Moisturiser SPF 50, the Clinique Super City Block Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF 40 or the Clarains UV Plus HP SPF 40.

3. Listen to your skin. We get focused on one problem area or a “problem” that we see that we don’t take a step back to see the broader picture. If your skin is flaking than no matter how bright it is you need to step up your routine. Even oily skin can be dehydrated. I see this lot. Use oil free products but make sure that you are adding back lots of moisture into your skin. Use a serum designed especially for rehydrating oily skin.

Sherrie BerrySherrie Berry

Skin Again has developed a formula called ‘Youth that uses a triple action, natural and safe approach to face whitening:

1. An extract from a plant called Rumex occidentalis which grows in the northern Canadian Prairies region. Rumex extract has a strong inhibitory effect on tyrosinase, one of the main enzymes involved in the pigmentation process. In vitro and clinical data have demonstrated that Rumex extract reduces skin pigmentation for a more uniformed and lighter skin complexion. It also has outstanding results in the reduction of the appearance of age spots.

2. TGF-ß biomimetic peptide inhibits the cellular pathway to decrease pigmentation allowing optimal whitening and lightening effects.

3. Exopolysaccharides that encourage natural cell turnover.

Dr. Hal Simeroth

1. First, exfoliation of the top epidermal layers (the Stratum Corneum) in order to remove the current darkened areas which are primarily due to sun exposure. Ongoing exfoliation will also encourage a more rapid turnover of new epidermal skin cells that migrate from the bottom layers of the epidermis to the top layer of keratin protein on the skin’s surface. This rapid turnover will allow other brightening protocols to be more effective in less time. For best results use both mechanical exfoliators (scrubs) as well as natural exfoliators such as fruit enzymes (gentle but effective) and natural fruit acids (alpha hydroxy acids) which will provide immediate lighter and brighter skin appearance without damaging the skin’s melanin producing cells (melanocytes).

2. Second, in addition to exfoliation, the effects of melanin pigment in our epidermal cells can be mitigated by the use of clinically proven lightening ingredients. Skin lightening products in the past focused on inhibiting tyrosinase, an enzyme that plays a part in melanin production and delivery to the skin cells. We now know there are three ways to inhibit melanin pigment in epidermal cells. First, melanocytes (the cells which produce the pigment) can have their production activity reduced. Second, there are multiple ways of inhibiting tyrosinase; and third, the actual transmission of melanin to the epidermal cells can be inhibited. An ideal skin lightening product will have a combination of ingredients that address all three of these inhibiting methods. Key natural ingredientcombinations to look for to address all three functions are: bellisperennis extract,lemon peel bioferment, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (stable vitamin C), glucosamine, uvaursi extract (natural arbutin), niacinamide (vitamin B3), licorice root extract, ferula foetida extract, &boerhaaviadiffusia extract. Using a lightening product such as this, applied twice daily,will be quite effective in lightening the skin over time. Real results begin to show after four weeks of use when the first new turnover of new epidermal cells begin to externally appear. Ongoing use will continue to lighten skin further over a ninety day period.

3. The third best tip is what to avoid. First, obviously, is sun exposure or artificial tanning methods. These will definitely increase melanin production. Use sunscreen and avoid prolonged sun exposure even with sunscreen. Second, avoid certain treatment ingredients that can be harmful. Topical steroids can give short term results but have definite unwanted side effects. Hydroquinone was popular in the past as a skin lightening agent, but again there are unwanted side effects … about 70% of the users experience a deposition of yellow-brown pigment in the dermis, and it often has a negative impact on collagen and elastin. Hydroquinone is a banned substance in many countries and may also contribute to skin and renal cancer.

Nikitha

1. Drinking water saves you from a lot of skin related problems. Drink ample amounts of water in a day. At least 8-10 glasses in a day (which i try to follow always).

2. Have some fresh fruit juices in the morning 2-3 times in a week. Orange and Apple juices are my favorites here. However you can try your own tasty juices as well which have rich source of Vitamin A considered good for skin. Just ensure they are taken fresh. Try to avoid Soft Drinks, they aren’t good.

3. My final tip for recommendation is to use any natural peels face masks for getting White and glowing skin.

Astrid Lam

1. use sun block everyday, even if you don’t go outside, an spf 30 would be fine.

2. use a slice o tomato and rub it on the skin.

3. take a milk bath- mix 1 gallon of milk in your bath and inmerse there for 30 minutes.

Connie Tai

1. Use a moisturizer formulated with brightening ingredients and sunscreen-We love ingredients that naturally contain actives that brighten complexions such as licorice, mulberry and pearl. We also recommend using a moisturizer with a higher SPF – ideally 30 or higher. Sun exposure not only increases age spots, sunburns and the risk of skin cancer, it ages the skin prematurely – ultimately making complexions appear less vibrant. Sunscreens need to be reapplied in order to effectively protect the skin against sun exposure. The higher the SPF, the longer the amount of time before another application is needed. For example, an SPF 15 will provide 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of sun protection before another application is needed. On the other hand, an SPF 45 will provide 450 minutes (7.5 hours) of protection. Since it is unlikely that many people will commit to reapplying sunscreen every 2.5 hours, it’s best to choose a sunscreen with a higher SPF – ideally something that will last from dawn till dusk!

2. Exfoliate your skin 3x per week–We definitely do not advocate over-exfoliating as this can also be damaging to the skin and cause the skin to harden over time. However, exfoliating 3x a week is recommended to remove dirt, oil and dead skin cells from pores, allowing your moisturizers to absorb more effectively. By both removing dead skin cells and helping your moisturizer absorb more effectively (thus reaping greater benefits from your moisturizer!), you will a enjoy brighter, fresher looking complexion.

3. Fill your diet with fruits and vegetables rich in minerals, vitamins and antioxidants-We especially love figs because they are natural detoxifiers, important because toxins in the body may prevent nutrients from reaching the skin, ultimately causing dull complexions. We also love sweet potatoes because they are rich in carotene and vitamins A and C, all essential for a luminous complexion!

That’s an entire and complete guide of tips that you can refer to maintain your skin well. Make sure you pick the right ones that suit your skin type and needs and follow them regularly for healthier and brighter skin.

Article Original Source : https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/beauty-tips-for-face-whitening/