Arthritis Pain Relief Tips for Wintry Weather

The suspected suicide of world-famous Actor/Comedian Robin Williams has once again raised the question of ‘how well our society is equipped to prevent such incidents from occurring in future’. Suicide Prevention is the need of the hour.

Suicide has since long been a very controversial subject which is why many have refrained from speaking about it in the past. . Hectic lifestyles and mounting stress in peoples’ lives, is sufficient for many have to suicidal thoughts. A suicidal person may not necessarily ask for help on his/her own but that doesn’t mean that help is not needed.

Suicide Prevention starts by identifying the warning signs and taking them seriously. We have discussed a few potential warning signs that a suicidal person may exhibit:

Talking about dying or causing self-harm – Being extremely vocal about wanting to die is one of the most obvious warning signs of suicide. Research shows that about 50% to 75% of people who attempt suicide tell someone about it first.

Suicidal individuals may also seem very eager at times to find ways to kill themselves by seeking access to lethal weapons. Buying dangerous weapons like a gun, knife, poison, harmful medications etc. is another warning sign to watch out for

Depression can also trigger suicidal thoughts in some cases. The first stage is when people lose interest in everything around them and become withdrawn from family and friends. In time their obsession with death increases to an extent that it becomes extremely obvious. For Ex- You may find some people writing letters, stories, poems etc. about their wish to die

Negative Feelings like helplessness, hopelessness, worthlessness, guilt, shame, self-hatred etc. can also be some of the reasons why people may want to give up their life. You may hear such people blurt words like “There’s no hope for me’, “I just can’t take it anymore, I want to put an end to it”, the world would be a better place without me” etc.

Taking care of unfinished business or putting affairs in order can also be a sign that the person wants to make sure that all his/her responsibilities are taken care of before dying. For Ex – Talking to people about the details of their ‘Will’, giving away prized possessions, making property arrangements for family members etc.

Self destructive Behavior – Tempting fate by taking unnecessary risks that could cost their life is certainly something that suicidal person would do. This is because such people basically lose any or all interest to live and thus do not value life. Alcohol/Drug abuse, reckless driving, accepting life-threatening challenges etc. are a few activities that they indulge in

Saying untimely Goodbyes – Such people sometimes tend to make unexpected calls and visits to loved ones and behave in a manner that indicates as if it’s their last conversation or won’t be seen again.

If you know someone who is thinking about suicide, never leave him/her alone. The best option would be to help them get professional help with a counselor/therapist.

3 of the biggest risk factors for a Heart attack or Stroke are: High blood pressure, High cholesterol and Obesity.

The Good News is… Each of these risk factors can be managed comfortably by making healthy food choices. If you pick the right food items starting from breakfast to dinner, your entire day can be heart healthy. Gone are the days when healthy foods were restricted to bland salads and soups. Today, you have a variety of food choices that can be termed as anything but flavorless.

Take a look as we give you the tastiest heart healthy foods ever

Whole grains whether its barley, millet, wheat, pulses and even beans for that matter are good for the heart because they are loaded with natural fibre and vitamins, iron, magnesium and a host of anti-oxidants. Whole grains when consumed on a daily basis are also known to reduce blood pressure.

Soy Protein in the form of Soya chunks and Soya mince can be easily accessed in the market these days. Soy chunks are also referred to as vegetarian meat because when cooked properly it can sometimes create an illusion of having red meat which is high in saturated fats and bad cholesterol.

Apples contain ‘Guercetin’, a photochemical that contains anti-inflammatory properties. It also plays an important role in prevention of blood clots. Make sure to add an apple to your Breakfast Menu. You can also use it as a snack for satisfying your untimely hunger pangs.

Salmon is an oily fish which is also a rich source of protein, B vitamins, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids which effectively reduces blood pressure and keeps clotting at bay. Aim for at least 2 servings per week, which may reduce your risk of suffering a heart attack by up to one-third.

Not a big fan of Salmon fish?

No Problem, you can always replace this fish with other oily fishes like mackerel, tuna, herring, and sardines. They too possess heart healthy properties.

An excellent source of Monounsaturated fats, Olive oil reduces Bad LDL cholesterol and minimizes your risk of developing heart disease. Extra virgin olive oil contains polyphenols and gives even greater health benefits. Use olive oil for preparation of your daily meals and see the difference. If you are planning to go on a strict diet to lose weight, you can also drizzle some of it in your salad as a dressing.

Nuts like walnuts, pecans, almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios, pine nuts and peanuts are packed with vitamins, minerals, heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and low levels of saturated fats. Research suggests that nuts when had in moderation (2 to 4 days a week) can lower the incidents of heart disease.

Researchers suggest that eating moderate amounts of dark chocolate (with 70% or more cocoa content) has a blood-thinning effect, which can boost your heart health and reduce inflammation. So now, you don’t need an excuse to break off a piece of that tempting chocolate bar. Just make sure you don’t overdo it because anything in excess can have a detrimental effect on your health