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Monday, January 9, 2012

Neurobics - Brain stimulation techniques to keep the mind sharp

Neurobics are scientifically based brain exercises that produce natural growth factors called neurotrophins in our brains. Neurotrophins help improve brain performance by activating and building new circuits. Routine activities can become so automatic that they are largely done unconsciously and require little thought. Neurobics challenges us to break our routines and do things differently in ways that make us think. Neurobic exercises call on us to use our five physical senses and our emotional sense in unexpected ways to engage and build new brain pathways. 


 “Neurobics as developed by Dr.Lawrence C. Katz and Manning Rubin is based upon solid scientific evidence that novel activities and exercises using all your senses can enhance the production of growth factors that strengthen synapses and improve mental fitness including memory." Studies have shown that even small changes in daily patterns cause brain stimulation.  People with mental agility tend to have lower rates of Alzheimer's disease and age-related mental decline.                                



Neurobics can be done anywhere, anytime, in of fbeat, fun and easy ways. 


Examples of neurobics:
Try to include one or more of your senses in an everyday task:
Get dressed with your eyes closed 
Wash your hair with your eyes closed 
Share a meal and use only visual cues to communicate. No talking. 
Combine two senses: Listen to music and smell flowers 
Listen to the rain and tap your fingers 
Watch clouds and play with modeling clay at the same time


Break routines: Go to work on a new route 
Eat with your opposite hand Shop at new grocery store

Few more exercises to achieve a fit and flexible mind: 
  • Drive to work a different route  
  • Unlock the door with your eyes closed
  • Use your opposite hand to dial the phone or operate the TV remote
Research has suggested that using your left hand if you're right handed or your right if you're left handed more often, can help stimulate parts of the brain that you don't normally use.


Related: www.emedexpert.com 


 Useful links:


 * Examples of Neurobics 


 * Brain exercises

Friday, December 23, 2011

Amazing street art photos

What is street art? 


In simple words it is the form of art which can be named 'public art' as it is not bound to any limits and it can be seen anywhere around us. It can be a picture drawn on wall, a little color or placing of objects on the pavements, roads or any place around us, which can have some meanings or look like an artistic thing.


This post is about amazing photos of street art, but first learn about the term 'street art': 


According to 'wikipedia' Street art is art, specifically visual art, developed in public spaces — that is, "in the streets". 


The term can include traditional graffiti artwork, sculpture, stencil graffiti, sticker art, wheatpasting and street poster art, video projection, art intervention, guerrilla art, flash mobbing and street installations. 


‘Street’ artists do not aspire to change the definition of an artwork, but rather to question the existing environment with its own language. They attempt to have their work communicate with everyday people about socially relevant themes in ways that are informed by esthetic values without being imprisoned by them.

I am inspired by the photos where artists have transformed the ugliness of the surroundings to piece of art as shown in few pictures.


Enjoy the art scattered around us!











 















You may watch more photos at the following link:

106 of the most beloved Street Art Photos – Year 2011

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Know your birthday tree and what your birthday tree tells you?

Astrology, numerology, palmistry, body language and related subjects are being used from generations to analyze a person's behavior, emotions or happenings in life (suspect) etc. We all know that astrology relates to the zodiac signs and every person belongs to a sign (consisting of 12 zodiac signs) which reveals the characteristic of that person. You may know discover that there is a tree related to your birthday which may reveal your personality type.

Your birthday and its corresponding tree.
Then, see the meaning behind it below.

  • Dec 23 to Jan 01 -- Apple Tree
  • Jan 02 to Jan 11 -- Fir Tree
  • Jan 12 to Jan 24 -- Elm Tree
  • Jan 25 to Feb 03 -- Cypress Tree
  • Feb 04 to Feb 08 -- Poplar Tree
  • Feb 09 to Feb 18 -- Cedar Tree
  • Feb 19 to Feb 28 -- Pine Tree
  • Mar 01 to Mar 10 -- Weeping Willow Tree
  • Mar 11 to Mar 20 -- Lime Tree
  • Mar 21 -- Oak Tree
  • Mar 22 to Mar 31 -- Hazelnut Tree
  • Apr 01 to Apr 10 Rowan Tree
  • Apr 11 to Apr 20 Maple Tree
  • Apr 21 to Apr 30 Walnut Tree
  • May 01 to May 14 Poplar Tree
  • May 15 to May 24 Chestnut Tree
  • May 25 to Jun 03 Ash Tree
  • Jun 04 to Jun 13 Hornbeam Tree
  • Jun 14 to Jun 23 Fig Tree
  • Jun 24 Birch Tree
  • Jun 25 to Jul 04 Apple Tree
  • Jul 05 to Jul 14 Fir Tree
  • Jul 15 to Jul 25 Elm Tree
  • Jul 26 to Aug 04 Cypress Tree
  • Aug 05 to Aug 13 Poplar Tree
  • Aug 14 to Aug 23 Cedar Tree
  • Aug 24 to Sep 02 Pine Tree
  • Sep 03 to Sep 12 Weeping Willow Tree
  • Sep 13 to Sep 22 Lime Tree
  • Sep 23 Olive Tree
  • Sep 24 to Oct 03 Hazelnut Tree
  • Oct 04 to Oct 13 Rowan Tree
  • Oct 14 to Oct 23 Maple Tree
  • Oct 24 to Nov 11 Walnut Tree
  • Nov 12 to Nov 21 Chestnut Tree
  • Nov 22 to Dec 01 Ash Tree
  • Dec 02 to Dec 11 Hornbeam Tree
  • Dec 12 to Dec 21 Fig Tree
  • Dec 22 Beech Tree


APPLE TREE (the Love) - of slight build, lots of charm, appeal, and attraction, pleasant aura, flirtatious, adventurous, sensitive, always in love, wants to love and be loved, faithful and tender partner, very generous, scientific talents, lives for today, a carefree philosopher with imagination.

ASH TREE (the Ambition) - uncommonly attractive, vivacious, impulsive, demanding, does not care for criticism, ambitious, intelligent, talented, likes to play with fate, can be egotistic, very reliable and trustworthy, faithful and prudent lover, sometimes brains rule over the heart, but takes partnership very seriously.

BEECH TREE (the Creative) - has good taste, concerned about its looks, materialistic, good organization of life and career, economical, good leader, takes no unnecessary risks, reasonable, splendid lifetime companion, keen on keeping fit (diets, sports, etc.)

BIRCH TREE (the inspiration) - vivacious, attractive, elegant, friendly, unpretentious, modest, does not like anything in excess, abhors the vulgar, loves life in nature and in calm, not very passionate, full of imagination, little ambition, creates a calm and content atmosphere.

CEDAR TREE (the Confidence) - of rare beauty, knows how to adapt, likes luxury, of good health, not in the least shy, tends to look down on others, self-confident, determined, impatient, likes to impress others, many talents, industrious, healthy optimism, waiting for the one true love, able to make quick decisions.

CHESTNUT TREE (the Honesty) - of unusual beauty, does not want to impress, well-developed sense of justice, vivacious, interested, a born diplomat, but irritates easily and sensitive in company, often due to a lack of self confidence, acts sometimes superior, feels not understood loves only once, has difficulties in finding a partner.

CYPRESS TREE (the Faithfulness) - strong, muscular, adaptable, takes what life has to give, content, optimistic, craves money and acknowledgment, hates loneliness, passionate lover which cannot be satisfied, faithful, quick-tempered, unruly, pedantic, and careless.

ELM TREE (the Noble-mindedness) - pleasant shape, tasteful clothes, modest demands, tends not to forgive mistakes, cheerful, likes to lead but not to obey, honest and faithful partner, likes making decisions for others, noble-minded, generous, good sense of humor, practical.

FIG TREE (the Sensibility) - very strong, a bit self-willed, independent, does not allow contradiction or arguments, loves life, its family, children and animals, a bit of a social butterfly, good sense of humor, likes idleness and laziness, of practical talent and intelligence.

FIR TREE (the Mysterious) - extraordinary taste, dignity, sophisticated, loves anything beautiful, moody, stubborn, tends to egoism but cares for those close to them, rather modest, very ambitious, talented, industrious, uncontented lover, many friends, many foes, very reliable.

HAZELNUT TREE (the Extraordinary) - charming, undemanding, very understanding, knows how to make an impression, active fighter for social cause, popular, moody, and capricious lover, honest, and tolerant partner, precise sense of judgment.

HORNBEAM TREE (the Good Taste) - of cool beauty, cares for its looks and condition, good taste, is not egoistic, makes life as comfortable as possible, leads a reasonable and disciplined life, looks for kindness and acknowledgement in an emotional partner, dreams of unusual lovers, is seldom happy with its feelings, mistrusts most people, is never sure of its decisions, very conscientious.

LIME TREE (the Doubt) - accepts what life dishes out in a composed way, hates fighting, stress, and labor, dislikes laziness and idleness, soft and relenting, makes sacrifices for friends, many talents but not tenacious enough to make them blossom, often wailing and complaining, very jealous but loyal.

MAPLE TREE (Independence of Mind) - no ordinary person, full of imagination and originality, shy and reserved, ambitious, proud, self-confident, hungers for new experiences, sometimes nervous, has many complexities, good memory, learns easily, complicated love life, wants to impress.

OAK TREE (the Brave) - robust nature, courageous, strong, unrelenting, independent, sensible, does not like change, keeps its feet on the ground, person of action.

OLIVE TREE (the Wisdom) - loves sun, warmth and kind feelings, reasonable, balanced, avoids aggression and violence, tolerant, cheerful, calm, well-developed sense of justice, sensitive, empathetic, free of jealousy, loves to read and the company of sophisticated people.

PINE TREE (the Particular) - loves agreeable company, very robust, knows how to make life comfortable, very active, natural, good companion, very friendly, gives up easily, everything disappointments until it finds its ideal, trustworthy, practical. Fun to be around

POPLAR TREE (the Uncertainty) - looks very decorative, not very self-confident, only courageous if necessary, needs goodwill and pleasant surroundings, very choosy, often lonely, great animosity, artistic nature, good organizer, tends to lean toward philosophy, reliable in any situation, takes partnership seriously.

ROWAN TREE (the Sensitivity) - full of charm, cheerful, gifted without egoism, likes to draw attention, loves life, motion, unrest, and even complications, is both dependent and independent, good taste, artistic, passionate, emotional, good company, does not forgive.

WALNUT TREE (the Passion) - unrelenting, strange and full of contrasts, often egotistic, aggressive, noble, broad horizon, unexpected reactions, spontaneous, unlimited ambition, no flexibility, difficult and uncommon partner, not always liked but often admired, ingenious strategist, very jealous and passionate, no compromise.

WEEPING WILLOW (the Melancholy) - beautiful but full of melancholy, attractive, very empathetic, loves anything beautiful and tasteful, loves to travel, dreamer, restless, capricious, honest, can be influenced but is not easy to live with, demanding, good intuition, suffers in love but finds sometimes an anchoring partner.

With thanks: What Tree Did You Fall From?

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Do hobbies make you happy?

There is no specific formula to stay happy and definition or perspective about happiness varies according to personalities. Though it is obvious that staying busy and involving oneself into favorite leisure activities or hobbies helps you get rid of depression, stress etc and thus make you happy. Can we define happiness?

What is Happiness?


Clinical Psychologist Dr. Ellen Kenner says:
'Happiness is not merely a life lived by accumulating moments of pleasure. On the contrary, happiness is a long lasting enduring enjoyment of life, it is being in love with living. It is your reward for achieving a good character and personal rational values in life. Some important values are a productive career, romance, friendship and hobbies.'


Studies show that having a hobby boosts creativity, providing an outlet for your imagination to run free. So to help you stay healthy and happier.

In a recent article '10 Habits That Make You Happier' published at 'fox news' author has suggested to try one new hobby every three months for staying happy. Author says:

'Hobbies are a great way to lift your spirits. Not only does a new hobby give you a chance to set and commit to goals (a key determinant of happiness), but hobbies also offer the opportunity to make new friends and socialize (another important determinant of happiness). By diversifying your hobbies to include larger social activities and more personal, intimate projects, you’ll be able to address both the external and internal factors that determine happiness.'

Read more at: 'Fox news'

One of the most pervasive and widespread is a better mental health. After a hard day's work, relaxing while doing the things you love boosts your mind's health without you ever realizing it. This happens because engaging in your hobby leads to the release of various hormones in the brain, which are associated with reward, satisfaction, happiness and so on. Dopamine and oxytocin are just two examples, and they are both addictive substances. If they are release while you are performing an activity, then you will most likely try to do it again, without being necessarily able to logically explain why. You will only say “Because I like it.”

People develop hobbies for the sheer pleasure of it, as a stress relieving activity, to break the boredom of life or to generate an income from activities that they love to do. It can be one or all of these but hobbies and interests frequently offer a place to escape to, where one can heal the mind as well as the body.

What hobbies do for you?

Hobbies can relax your mind by staying out of work and concentrating on a thing you like. Thus they can help you reduce your stress level. Hobbies are very similar to meditation. Both in meditation and hobby you try to reach a common goal, happiness. There are no rules when it comes to choosing a hobby. It my be gardening or watching good movies or wood carving or listening to music or reading books or even it may be sleeping.

There is no better time than now to renew an interest in an old hobby or start a new one. Immersing yourself in a hobby is a great way to happiness. And, after all, being happy is what it’s all about. Happiness and hobbies also go hand in hand. If you are keen to discover the joy of feeling better and positive every day, then it’s time to start a hobby to keep your body, mind and soul refreshed.

Useful links and resources:

* Your hobby and happiness

* YouTube video: Hobbies Lead To Happiness


* Hobbies and You

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