There are many airborne particles that can interfere with allergy sufferer’s airways. You can’t get away from these particles outside, but ridding your home of a lot of them will allow you to breathe easier.

Stop smoking inside

Cigarettes and second hand smoke acts as an irritant to the lungs. Giving up smoking altogether would be best, however if you do smoke then try to keep the inside of your house smoke free, you will keep it clear of the irritants found in cigarettes.

Wash bedding often

Washing your sheets, pillowcases and blankets at least once a week will keep the dust mite population down in your bedroom.

Choose low irritant flooring

Although thick, luxurious carpet is nice, it also stores more dust mites. Choose wooden, linoleum flooring or low-pile carpeting. Aim to vacuum at least once a week.

Ventilate damp areas

Your bathroom and laundry might be harbouring mildew or mould. Clean these areas frequently while wearing a facemask and try to increase ventilation.

Limit pets

Animals may be a trigger to your allergy. If you absolutely have to have a pet and want it to live inside, limit them to one room, don’t let them in the bedroom and vacuum very regularly.

To have a look at the source or for more information go to Mayoclinic

With winter now upon us and darkness falling sooner, it can be hard to find the time to exercise. But with a few tips for slipping exercise into your daily routine you’ll be able to get a little fitter with minimum of effort.

Walk more

Take some spare shoes to work, put them on at lunch time and power around the block. Or you can try getting off your bus a stop or two sooner. Or if you drive to and from work, make getting the mail a round-the-block event.

Clean more

Housework is a great burner of calories, and you’ll get a clean house as well. Changing sheets, vacuuming and hanging out laundry are all physical activities that will burn more calories.

Talk while standing

Try to make a conscious effort to stand or pace when you’re talking on the phone. It’s a mini cardio workout as you’re talking and moving about.

Deliver messages personally

Rather than phoning or emailing colleagues to give them messages, try walking to their desk and delivering the message personally instead. It will get you up and out of your chair as well as away from the computer screen for a few minutes.

While you will benefit from all these, scheduling regular exercise is highly recommended and could lower your risk of cardiovascular disease. Just remember to check with your doctor before starting any new exercise routine.

Source: Nine MSN Health

Allergy is a word that is used to cover a huge range of spectrums; a rash after coming in contact with a certain substance, the coughing and sneezing pollen brings right through to the possibly fatal reaction to a bee sting. But how are allergies contracted? And do they really run in the family?

The answer is yes – predisposition to allergies may be transferred through genetics. Around a third of the world’s population have genes that could cause them or their children to become atopic; to have an adverse reaction to a generally harmless substance. But it is the environment which is the key factor in deciding whether or not an allergy develops.

If you live in a place with high air pollution levels, you’re more likely to suffer from hay fever; likewise if you live in a country with no pollen, you won’t get hay fever. Children born around spring will be more likely to develop an allergic response to pollen and other similar air pollution. Women may find they get allergies after childbirth or another event which has changed the hormones in their bodies.

Source: Dr Adrian Morris

So you’ve decided you want to reap the lifestyle and health benefits yoga gives; but what kind of yoga will be best for you? Use our quick list of the most popular forms of yoga so you can decide what will be right for you.

Bikram Yoga

Also know as hot yoga, Bikram yoga is named after its founder Bikram Choudhury. A series of poses are performed in a room that is heated to 40 degrees and 40 per cent humidity.

Ashtanga Yoga

Challenging and fast-paced, Ashtanga yoga is more athletic than other yoga practices. Some classes may include push-ups and lunges in the Ashtanga teaching.

Hatha Yoga

Hatha is a general term that covers a lot of different yoga practices. A Hatha yoga class will probably be slow and gentle with a focus on breathing and will provide an introduction to yoga for the uninitiated.

Iyengar Yoga

Putting a lot of focus on poses, Iyengar yoga is slow paced but poised. Achieving perfect body alignment and precise movement is encouraged.

Mantra Yoga

This type of yoga puts a lot of emphasis on sound while practising. Using the spiritual sounds “om” or “hum”, practisers are encouraged to be vocal to improve mental and spiritual health.

There are a lot of other types of yoga out there so take your time settling on one you like. Just remember; it has to be what’s right for you.

Source: Easy Fab Yoga, Yoga Style Guide

Allergies occur when your immune system makes antibodies to counteract something that is generally harmless. Allergies can come on at any time and age, so there’s no way of knowing when they will occur. They can be detected by a simple skin prick test; it’s just a matter of asking your doctor. But how do you know when to ask?

Signs and symptoms of allergies may include:

• Hives
• Rash
• Runny nose
• Itching
• Abdominal pain
• Mouth becoming itchy and swollen
• Throat and tongue swelling
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Difficulty breathing

Some people may not associate these symptoms with the trigger that caused them because they can appear up to two hours after contact. But constantly or consistently having these symptoms may indicate an allergy; and that’s when you can ask your doctor for an allergy test.

Source: Everybody.co.nz

Yoga and Pilates are both exercise techniques well known for their ability to improve health, fitness and general wellbeing. But what exactly is the difference between yoga and pilates and how can their differences be used to decide which one is right for you? Below are a few key indicators about what each technique assists with.

Yoga

• All forms of yoga involve working on physical posture, breathing and meditation
• Flexibility is also another key aim integral to the structure of any yoga session
• Yoga is well known for the poses which are incorporated in order to promote strength, inner balance and the feeling of wellbeing.
• Coordinates breathing and movement is integral to any yoga session

Pilates

• Whether more traditional or more modern versions of pilates, every version is designed to focus on the core of your body. This includes abdominal, back and pelvic floor muscles.
• Control, concentration and precision are the main elements of a pilates workout
• Assists with injury prevention and rehabilitation
• Pilates is based upon 6 principles: concentration, control, centring, breathing, flow and precision
• Physical activity level higher than Yoga

Essentially one of the main differences is that while yoga concentrates highly on mat work, encouraging relaxation and stretching, while pilates emphasises the importance of form, strength and breathing by incorporating mat work and pilates machines.

Sources: Holistic Healing, Oodora