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Hypertension: Top 4 Lifestyle Reasons Why You Have High Blood Pressure

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We need blood pressure, but a growing number of us have hypertension. For some, there is a family history of the condition making us more prone to develop high blood pressure. However, a great many people suffer from the condition because of their poor lifestyle choices.

Here are the top four lifestyle reasons why you have high blood pressure, each of which is a facet of our modern lifestyle:

# 1. Poor Diet: Modern convenience and fast foods form a big part of the diet for most us. They make our life easier by saving time in shopping for ingredients, preparing and cooking our food. On the other side of the coin, they have high sodium content; contain a large amount of saturated fat and trans-fats. Sodium, as we know, causes our blood pressure levels to shoot up rapidly to an alarming level. The high fat content contributes to the problem indirectly by causing us to pile on the pounds. We are also addicted to carbonated soft drinks. Recent research suggests that both the regular and diet varieties contribute to weight gain and indirectly affect out condition.

Improving our diet will have immediate beneficial effect on our condition. Moving to a healthy balanced diet that is low in sodium and saturated fats, but is high in fresh fruits and vegetables and lean meat is the first step in reducing your hypertension naturally. Replacing sodas with cold fresh water will also have beneficial effects that will be noticeable within just a few days.

# 2. Lack of Exercise: In our modern society, leisure activities increasingly involve sitting down to watch a movie, TV or play a computer game. Labour saving devices have reduced the amount of daily exercise we take without even being aware of it. This may have given us more free time, but it has added to our sedentary lifestyle. We spend so much time in these sedentary leisure activities that it is difficult to find time to exercise. Our bodies were made to be active otherwise we put on weight.

Taking regular exercise need not involve joining a gym or buying any special equipment. Just thirty to sixty minutes aerobic exercise each day is all that we need. This type of exercise gets our heart pumping and our lungs working to a better capacity. Brisk walking is the easiest and most convenient form of this type of exercise. Taking the stairs instead of the elevator will also help. Cycling and swimming are also good forms of exercise. The benefit, in the form of reduced hypertension, kicks in soon after completing the exercise and last for almost twenty-four hours. Regular exercise coupled with a healthy balanced diet is the best way to avoid the next lifestyle factor causing high blood pressure…

# 3. Obesity: Often, obesity is the consequence of the combination of having a poor diet and not taking sufficient exercise. Being overweight increases the risk of developing hypertension as well as type 2 diabetes. These lifestyle related and potentially life threatening conditions are often found together, each contributing to the other in a negative way.

Losing weight is an excellent way of lowering your high blood pressure. The best way to achieve this is by having a healthy balanced diet and taking regular daily exercise. Getting to and maintaining the ideal weight for your gender and height could add years to your life expectancy.

# 4. Stress: In the right context, stress is a good thing. Nature intended it as a survival mechanism, which we call “fight or flight”. This focuses the brain and gives you extra energy so you can either fight off or escape the cause of danger. Our modern lifestyle often uses the same mechanism, only that it is ongoing over a much longer period of time than nature intended. This contributes to your hypertension.

The best way to reduce your stress levels is to learn to relax. Twenty minutes deep relaxation each day has an immediate, but short-lived, beneficial effect on your hypertension.

Shoot Stunning Sunsets With a Digital Camera – Digital Photography Tips Complementary Guide

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What draws us to a beautiful sunset? What makes you want to capture that scene? Perhaps the warm colours and tones… and then there are so many variations of sunsets, which adds that extra excitement, so let’s take a look at these digital photography tips on how best to capture a glowing sunset with your digital camera…Timing and ComposureGet set up before the sunset starts, at least half an hour beforehand. A couple of things to consider: the exact time the sun sets, which is the moment the sun drops below the horizon. Note this could be affected bearing in mind your landscape, that is, if there are any mountains which could block the sun, before it has chance to reach the horizon. So it’s worth finding the right location where you have an uninterrupted view of the sun, perhaps from a beach, edge of a lake or cliff edge… anywhere with an uncluttered view. This will greatly emphasise the sun and the sky for a stunning sunset shotYou must also consider as the sun approaches the horizon, this is the time to start shooting, as you should see some dynamic scenes before the sun disappears. Take a couple of shots every few minutes to capture the changing light from the sun’s rays once the sun nears the horizon. If you have a tripod, this will help compose your shot by keeping everything steady for your framing.VIPBe careful when preparing your shot not to look directly at the sun, either through your viewfinder or with a naked eye, to avoid damaging your eyes. Your digital camera will have an LCD panel, so use this to frame your shot for safety. It will help you with more accurate framing.Can Dust Particles affect my shot… True or False?True… Dust particles and humidity from clouds can have a great effect on how the light from the sun’s rays will give you that dynamic sunset. When the sun is near the horizon the light has to travel its longest wavelengths. The light travels though dust particles and water vapour from the clouds, and so helps create that dramatic sky, giving those deep rich warm tones of red, orange and yellow. If you happen to be close to a town, city or desert on a humid evening, sand dust particles is perfect for scattering light – you’ll be in luck to get that ‘stunning’ sunset.Set the Scene for that Creative SunsetNow you’re ready to start shooting you’ll need to frame your sunset. There is a rule of thirds, and to use it, make sure to keep the horizon level low (bottom third of your framed scene) filling the above two-thirds of your frame with the sky. Be creative by keeping some darker foreground in your shot as this highlights the sky, adding more appeal. You may wish to add other objects, for example trees, figures, overhanging ferns (if on a beach), birds etc, which should give you an attractive silhouette, against your glowing sky. If there happens to be low clouds around, then this will add even more dynamism to your shot – you can imagine the scene right now!Be patient, be creative, I hope you find these digital photography tips useful, but most of all… have fun!

Bangkok: A Young Traveller’s Guide

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Bangkok is an exotic, friendly, and beautiful city in southern Thailand. It is the capital of Thailand, it has over eight million people and it is the cultural center of the country. It’s a place of outrageous nightlife and beautiful temples, of delicious food and sweltering heat, of crowded streets and massive markets. There is no lack of things to see and do in the city, but there are also many travel tips to keep in mind while travelling through Bangkok as well.

Some Basics

Thai is the main language spoken in Bangkok, but due to the booming tourist industry, many people speak English (learn a few Thai phrases, though- the effort will be appreciated).

The unit of currency is the Baht (THB), often misspelled “Bath” on the street. One US dollar is about 31 Baht. Prices are very inexpensive in Thailand making Thailand a major hotspot for Western tourists. You don’t have to tip for services or at restaurants like in many other countries, but it is certainly appreciated.

There are a few cultural taboos and laws that you should take seriously while travelling anywhere in Thailand:

When visiting a Buddhist temple, dress conservatively and remove your shoes upon entering. Do not take photographs if anyone is meditating or during ritual, without prior permission.

Touching another person’s head (even a child’s head) is a religious affront and should not be done. Touching another person’s foot is consider an impure act and should not be avoided. Pointing to something with your foot is also not done.

Females should never touch a Theravada monk, but monks often touch lay men, and even females if the lay female is very ill.

Never engage in public displays of affection.

The King of Thailand is held in reverence by the Thais. The King is legally “inviolable” and it is a legal offense to say or do anything that could in any way be interpreted as “disrespectful.” This is a serious matter. A violation may get you arrested and placed in prison. This is no joke.
Food and Water

Food and water safety is another major issue here. Don’t drink the tap water in your hotel or in restaurants, and never use ice cubes. Drink only bottled water. Don’t eat street food that might spoil in the heat. Although Thai cuisine is delicious and there are street vendors nearly everywhere, you don’t want to spend your time in Bangkok sick from this food.

The Streets

The traffic in Bangkok is overwhelming- it’s extremely congested, and even crossing the street is dangerous! Due to the large population, there are many options for transportation: the Metro, the SkyTrain, the boat network, the buses, taxis, and tuk-tuks.

Although the three-wheeled, motorized tuk-tuks aren’t the most cost-effective way of getting around the city (agree on a price before getting in-sometimes you can go for very cheap!), they are such a huge part of Bangkok that it’s worth just riding in one at least once!

Sex for Sale

Bangkok has a flourishing and over-active sex trade industry, both straight and gay. Many female and male prostitutes are HIV positive. A certain percentage of visitors come to Thailand to satisfy their sexual desires and fantasies. So, be aware that especially male visitors to Thailand will be propositioned rather aggressively as you land at the airport, and in the red districts in Bangkok. Just be firm in saying “no”, and guys, try not to look interested or the sales pitches will become more aggressive and demanding.

Temples and Palaces

Bangkok is known for its abundance of temples and palaces. These include:

The Grand Palace is perhaps the most spectacular. This massive residence of the King is made up of many buildings-each more beautiful than the next. It can take hours to explore, and it’s definitely worth the 400 Baht (about $13 US) admission fee.

The Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Phra Kaew, is a national monument and a must-see here-it was one of the most memorable sights from my time in Bangkok. You must dress very conservatively in order to enter, so plan ahead.

The Temple of the Reclining Buddha, Wat Pho, located near to the Grand Palace, is another temple that’s extremely memorable. It’s home to beautiful gardens, sculptures, and a golden statue of Buddha that’s over 150 feet long. Entrance is cheap (20 Baht, about 60 US cents), and located here is a famous Thai massage school that can get you an hour-long massage for just 200 Baht (about $6.50)!

The Temple of Dawn, Wat Arun, is another incredible temple to see. It is located on the Chao Phraya River and it is known for its high colorful spires and Ordinance Hall. For just 50 Baht ($1.60 US), this attraction provides beautiful views of the river and gives great insight into Buddhism.

Markets

Bangkok has an impressive number of markets, and they are the perfect places to buy Thai clothing, food, and crafts. You can find some pretty amazing prices, but be prepared to haggle- you can almost always bargain for a cheaper price! But don’t be afraid to walk away if you think you’re getting ripped off.

Be careful of personal belongings in the markets. There are lurking pickpockets.

If you’re in the city on a weekend, go to the Chatuchak Weekend Market, which has thousands of stalls that offer everything you could possibly imagine. Although it’s crowded (try going in the morning before it gets too hot), it’s worth a trip to just experience something so large in size and so rich in Thai culture.

Another really interesting market is the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Vendors are all in small boats and they primarily sell fruits and vegetables. You have the option of standing on land or renting a small boat as well. Although this is rather touristy, there aren’t many other places in the world that have floating markets!

Museums

If you prefer somewhere less crowded, Bangkok has many museums that are interesting and attractive. There are two that I particularly recommend:

The National Museum is a stunning building with a huge collection of Thai art and architecture.

The Jim Thompson House is a rather large compound that houses art, antiques, and an interesting blend of both Thai and European interior design.

Nightlife

If you’re looking for some really unique nightlife, there are two spots in Bangkok that will leave a very lasting impression.

Soi Cowboy is the city’s very tourist-heavy sex district- it’s a street full of fluorescent lights and go-go bars.

Khao San Road, meanwhile, was the coolest place I went to in Bangkok. While there are plenty of clubs and cheap bars (mobile bars are really popular here too), there are also Thai restaurants, Western fast-food chains, cafes, street vendors and performers, and people from all over the world having fun and enjoying the city. It’s a place where Thailand meets the West, and this blend of so many cultures makes Khao San Road an interesting place.