Thursday, 31 March 2011

Abnormal Psychology

What Is Abnormal Psychology?

By Kendra Cherry, About.com Guide

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Abnormal psychology is focused on the identification, treatment and understanding of abnormal behavior and psychopathology.

Image courtesy Marcin Balcerzak/iStockPhoto

Understanding Abnormal Psychology

In order to understand abnormal psychology, it is essential to first understand what we mean by the term "abnormal"? On the surface, the meaning seems obvious: something that is outside of the norm. But are we talking about the norms of a particular group, gender or age? Many human behaviors can follow what is known as the normal curve. Looking at this bell-shaped curve, the majority of individuals are clustered around the highest point of the curve, which is known as the average. People who fall very far at either end of the normal curve might be considered "abnormal."
It is important to note that the distinctions of normal and abnormal are not synonymous with good or bad. Consider a characteristic such as intelligence. A person who falls at the very upper end of the curve would fit under our definition of abnormal; this person would also be considered a genius. Obviously, this is an instance where falling outside of the norms is actually a good thing.
When you think about abnormal psychology, rather than focus on the distinction between what is normal and what is abnormal, focus instead on the level of distress or disruption that a troubling behavior might cause. If a behavior is causing problems in a person's life or is disruptive to other people, then this would be an "abnormal" behavior that may require some type of mental health intervention.

Perspectives in Abnormal Psychology

There are a number of different perspectives used in abnormal psychology. While some psychologists or psychiatrists may focus on a single perspectives, many mental health professionals us elements from multiple areas in order to better understand and treat psychological disorders.

Behavioral: The behavioral approach to abnormal psychology focuses on observable behaviors. In behavioral therapy, the focus is on reinforcing positive behaviors and not reinforcing maladaptive behaviors. This approach targets only the behavior itself, not the underlying causes.
Medical: The medical approach to abnormal psychology focuses on the biological causes on mental illness. The perspective emphasizes understanding the underlying cause of disorders, which might include genetic inheritance, related physical disorders, infections and chemical imbalances. Medical treatments are often pharmacological in nature, although medication is often used in conjunction with some other type of psychotherapy.
Cognitive: The cognitive approach to abnormal psychology focuses on how internal thoughts, perceptions and reasoning contribute to psychological disorders. Cognitive treatments typically focus on helping the individual change his or her thoughts or reactions, or cognitive therapy might be used in conjunction with behavioral methods in a technique known as cognitive behavioral therapy.

Types of Psychological Disorders

Psychological disorders are defined as patterns of behavioral or psychological symptoms that impact multiple areas of life. These mental disorders create distress for the person experiencing these symptoms. How are these disorders categorized and defined? The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is published by the American Psychiatric Association and is used by mental health professionals for a variety of purposes. The manual contains a listing of psychiatric disorders, diagnostic codes, information on the prevalence of each disorder and diagnostic criteria.
Categories of psychological disorders include:

Adjustment Disorders
Mood Disorders
Anxiety Disorders
Developmental Disorders
Cognitive Disorders

Learn more about the different psychological disorders that are studied and treated within the field of abnormal psychology in this list of psychological disorders.

The Psychic Powers

Every person displays or experiences some psychic power every now and then, though most often these experiences are dismissed as pure coincidence. You certainly have had some premonitions about something that was going to happen, dreams that came true, or you felt and knew what someone was thinking of you. These experiences often came spontaneously, suddenly, and without any prior preparations.

Some people are more naturally psychic from others, and psychic experiences are a more common occurrence with them. Sometimes they just accept the fact that they are a bit different from others in their perceptions, having as if a sixth sense, while others pursue the subject more deeply, reading, learning and searching for guidance. They try to develop these powers and bring them under their control.
Psychic powers can be developed through special training, even by people who are not naturally psychic. These are fascinating powers, which allow a trained person to peek beyond the material plane, and know things that remain hidden to other people.
There are several risks in using and developing psychic powers, which one has to take into account when developing them:
1. The knowledge gained can be used for selfish purposes.
2. The psychic could be wrong in interpretation of the experience, and might unintentionally mislead, misguide or cause harm to other people.
3. Some of the psychic powers requires one to be mentally passive, so as to be able to tune in to other minds, thus letting in some external powers, which might have a negative influence.
4. One who is not well-balanced and lacks self control and discipline, might find it difficult to stop the psychic impressions and lead a practical normal life.
5. Pursuing psychic training might deter one from the path of self improvement and spiritual growth, leading him or her to constant seeking of these perceptions and leading away from inner calmness and peace of mind.
If one desires to develop psychic powers, it would be wiser first to develop some concentration ability, control over the mind, willpower, self discipline and mental and emotional detachment. This would ensure that one be able to open and close at will the mental doors, and so avoid being influenced by what he/she perceives. This will also reduce the danger that one might misuse the powers or get his/her ego inflated by them.

The Psychic Powers

There are different kinds of psychic powers or gifts, as they are often called. Another term used is ESP - extra-sensory perception.
Here is a list of some of the psychic powers:
Clairvoyance (clear vision) - Seeing far away scenes and places or hidden things, without using the physical eyes. Clairvoyance enables one to perceive scenes and mental images with the mind's eye.
Clairaudience (clear hearing) - Perceiving sounds or words from a distant or from other realms. Clairaudience enables one to hear words and sounds not perceived by the physical ears. Clairempathy (clear emotion) - Sensing the attitude or emotions of another person.
Psychometry - Perceiving information about a person, place or an object, by holding in one's hands an object belonging to the person or place. In Psychometry one usually holds some small personal object such as a watch, ring, key or other personal object.
Psychokinesis - The ability to move objects through the powers of the mind.
Intuition - Perceiving an idea, knowledge or information directly. This is what is commonly called "a gut feeling". Intuition is some kind of inner knowledge and certainty about something.
Telepathy - Reading other people thoughts and sending them your thoughts.
Mental influence - An advanced kind of telepathy that allows one to influence the minds of other people.
Psychic healing - The ability to cure pains or illnesses by transferring some kind of healing energy.
Auric sight - The ability to see or sense the colors of the aura, and thereby understand certain things about the moods, emotions, thoughts or health of other people.

The Power of Imagination

Imagination is the ability to form a mental image of something that is not perceived through the senses. It is the ability of the mind to build mental scenes, objects or events that do not exist, are not present or have happened in the past. Memory is actually a manifestation of imagination. Everyone possesses some imagination ability. In some it may be highly developed and in others it may manifest in a weaker form. It manifests in various degrees in various people.

Imagination makes it possible to experience a whole world inside the mind. It gives the ability to look at any situation from a different point of view, and enables one to mentally explore the past and the future.
It manifests in various forms, one of which is daydreaming. Though too much idle daydreaming may make one impractical, some daydreaming, when not being engaged in something that requires attention provides some temporary happiness, calmness and relief from stress.
In your imagination you can travel anywhere in the speed of light without any obstacles. It can make you feel free, though temporarily, and only in the mind, from tasks, difficulties and unpleasant circumstances.
Imagination is not limited only to seeing pictures in the mind. It includes all the five senses and the feelings. One can imagine a sound, taste, smell, a physical sensation or a feeling or emotion. For some people it is easier to see mental pictures, others find it easier to imagine a feeling, and some are more comfortable imagining the sensation of one of the five senses. Training of the imagination gives the ability to combine all the senses.
A developed and strong imagination does not make you a daydreamer and impractical. On the contrary, it strengthens your creative abilities, and is a great tool for recreating and remodeling your world and life.
This is a great power that can change your whole life. It is used extensively in magick, creative visualization and affirmations. It is the creator of circumstances and events. When you know how to work with it, you can make your hearts' desires come true.
Imagination has a great role and value in each one's life. It is much more than just idle daydreaming. We all use it, whether consciously or unconsciously, in most of our daily affairs. We use our imagination whenever we plan a party, a trip, our work or a meeting. We use it when we describe an event, explain how to arrive to a certain street, write, tell a story or cook a cake.
Imagination is a creative power that is necessary for inventing an instrument, designing a dress or a building, painting a picture or writing a book. The creative power of imagination has an important role in the achievement of success in any field. What we imagine with faith and feelings comes into being. It is the power beyond creative visualization, positive thinking and affirmations.
Visualizing an object or a situation, and repeating often this mental image, attracts the object or situation into our lives. This opens for us new, vast and fascinating opportunities.
This means that we should think only in a positive manner about our desires, otherwise we may create and attract into our lives events, situations and people that we don't really want. This is actually what most of us do, because we don't use the power of imagination correctly.
If you do not recognize the importance of the power of the imagination, and let it run riot, your life may not be as happy and successful as you would have wanted it to be.
Lack of understanding of the power of the imagination is responsible for the suffering, incompetence, difficulties, failures and unhappiness people experience. For some reason, most people are inclined to think in a negative way. They do not expect success. They expect the worst, and when they fail, they believe that fate is against them. This attitude can be changed, and then life will improve accordingly.
Understanding how to use your imagination correctly, and putting this knowledge into practice, for your own and others' benefit, will put you on the golden path to success, satisfaction and happiness.

Mental health

A pair of clasped hands. Photo by Getty Images.

If you are experiencing difficulties with mental health issues abroad, your nearest British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate may be able to offer assistance.

We can:

listen to you and help you look at your options
help you contact friends and family members if you want to
visit you in hospital or prison in line with our usual procedures
raise any concerns about your treatment or welfare with the responsible authority (such as a prison or hospital)
help overseas medical staff contact medical staff in the UK who may be able to provide advice on your medical history
give information about local medication suppliers
be available, as appropriate, to offer you assistance if you choose to remain overseas
liaise with your travel rep or travel insurance company, if you want us to

Health for Travellers.

Travelling to different climates and environments abroad can expose you to disease and health risks. You should be aware of the dangers and how to stay healthy. Diseases which aren’t present in the UK such as yellow fever, malaria, rabies and dengue fever are common in some areas of the world.

Vaccinations and immunisations

Visit your GP as soon as possible to check if you need any vaccinations or other preventive measures (such as malaria tablets).
Remember, these treatments aren’t usually available as NHS prescriptions.

General travel health tips

You should also make extra preparations if you have an existing medical condition.

take out adequate travel insurance or you could face a huge medical bill if you fall ill and need treatment
get a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to entitle you to free or discounted healthcare in European countries
check the health section of our country travel advice before you travel
drink plenty of water in hot climates to avoid dehydration
be safe in the sun - use a high-factor sunscreen and avoid excessive sunbathing between 11am - 3pm
find out the local emergency services numbers and the number of the local hospital
practice safe sex - take condoms with you as quality varies in different countries. HIV and Aids, and other sexually transmitted diseases can be caught worldwide.

Long-distance journeys

don’t wear tight clothing on long-distance journeys
do regular stretching exercises such as flexing and extending your ankles to avoid circulation problems
walk round at regular intervals on long flights
drink plenty of water on flights and avoid drinking too much alcohol.

Consult your doctor before long-distance travel if you:

are pregnant or have given birth in the last 6 months
have a history of blood disorders, deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism
are taking hormonal medication (including the contraceptive pill)
have cancer, heart problems or have recently had surgery.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition

tell your travel insurer about your condition
ask your doctor how the trip might affect you
check local conditions such as climate and pollution levels and consider how you might be affected
carry a doctor’s letter and a copy of any prescriptions
ensure your medication is legal in the country you are visiting – the British Embassy can advise you
learn key words and phrases in the local language for your condition, medication and emergency help
take the same precautions you normally would in the UK if you weren’t going to be at home for a while
if you suffer from a mental illness you should be aware that facilities and local attitudes to mental health problems may differ from those in the UK. Do some research before you go.

HIV and AIDs

Advice on how to protect yourself against HIV and AIDs when travelling abroad, and links to further information.

Malaria

Advice on what precautions to take against malaria when visiting tropical and sub-tropical parts of the world.

Avian & Pandemic Influenza

Advice and information on avian / bird flu including what to do in the event of a pandemic.

Swine flu

Advice on Swine flu (H1N1) including advice for before, during and after your travel, as well as signposting to more information on the virus

Mental health

This page has information about how we can assist you if you are experiencing difficulties abroad with mental health issues.

Mind Power and Success

The mind plays an important role in achieving every kind of success and goal, minor, everyday goals or major goals. With minor or day-to-day goals, one usually knows what he or she wants to do or get, but when it comes to major goals, most people don't know what they really desire. They desire to do something big, but they don't know what. They might have a vague idea, but this is not enough.
To accomplish anything, and to use your mind power, you have to know exactly what it is you want to do. To focus your mind power on a goal, you need to have a clear and well defined goal. How do you go about that?
You have first to think or meditate, to find out what is it that you want to accomplish or gain. This might not be a simple step, and requires deep thinking, investigation and time.
After discovering what you really want to accomplish, you need to come up with a plan for action. You need to know what you have to do first and how to proceed. All of this requires planning, which means using the power of the mind.
After deciding on a goal and coming up with a plan, you need to hold in your mind a clear mental image of your goal. You need to see it accomplished. This step requires that you use your imagination, which is another power of the mind. Not everyone can visualize clear mental images, but regular training of the imagination can do wonders. You may, for example, look at photos of what you want to achieve, and then close your eyes, and try to see it in your imagination. This will enhance your ability to visualize.
At this point you have to display patience, self-discipline and the power to persist in your efforts. This requires a one pointed mind.
Affirmations are another useful mental tool for achieving success. What you affirm sinks into the subconscious mind, becomes part of the subconscious mind, and consequently affects your behavior and actions. If your affirmations are positive, they lead you to success.
Another important power of the mind is thought transference. You need to be able to transmit your thoughts to other people, who would aid you with your plans. Often, you have to persuade others to invest in your plans or to help you in other ways. It is not enough just to talk with them, you need to believe in what you are saying; you need to be enthusiastic and persuasive, otherwise they won't listen and won't care. You need to be able to reject your and their doubts. To be able to do so, you need concentration, control over your thoughts, willpower, self-discipline and patience. All these are mental tools and skills.
Motivation is another mental and emotional power that you require for achieving success. How can you achieve anything if you are not motivated enough? To increase your motivation and enthusiasm, think often of your goal, about its advantages and benefits, and how it will change your life. Doing so, will strengthen your motivation.
Your thoughts, which are part of your mind, possess power. The thoughts that you most often think tend to come true. If you pour your mental energy into the same thoughts or mental images day after day, they will become stronger and stronger, and would consequently affect your attitude, expectations, behavior and actions. These thoughts and mental images can even be subconsciously perceived by other people, who would then offer you help or opportunities. Your thoughts can also create what is usually termed as coincidence. They can attract into your life corresponding events, situations and opportunities.
Not every thought turns into reality. A thought has to be repeated often, and be tinged with desire, in order to come true. Doubts fears and worries tend to destroy what you build with the power of your mind. This means that you need to clear your mind of negative thoughts and doubts. You might say that this is not possible, but it is, through proper training, which you can find at this website, in the articles, ebooks and books.

Power of Positive Thinking

Positive thinking is a mental attitude that admits into the mind thoughts, words and images that are conductive to growth, expansion and success. It is a mental attitude that expects good and favorable results. A positive mind anticipates happiness, joy, health and a successful outcome of every situation and action. Whatever the mind expects, it finds.

Not everyone accepts or believes in positive thinking. Some consider the subject as just nonsense, and others scoff at people who believe and accept it. Among the people who accept it, not many know how to use it effectively to get results. Yet, it seems that many are becoming attracted to this subject, as evidenced by the many books, lectures and courses about it. This is a subject that is gaining popularity.
It is quite common to hear people say: "Think positive!", to someone who feels down and worried. Most people do not take these words seriously, as they do not know what they really mean, or do not consider them as useful and effective. How many people do you know, who stop to think what the power of positive thinking means?

The following story illustrates how this power works:
Allan applied for a new job, but as his self-esteem was low, and he considered himself as a failure and unworthy of success, he was sure that he was not going to get the job. He had a negative attitude towards himself, and believed that the other applicants were better and more qualified than him. Allan manifested this attitude, due to his negative past experiences with job interviews.
His mind was filled with negative thoughts and fears concerning the job for the whole week before the job interview. He was sure he would be rejected. On the day of the interview he got up late, and to his horror he discovered that the shirt he had planned to wear was dirty, and the other one needed ironing. As it was already too late, he went out wearing a shirt full of wrinkles.
During the interview he was tense, displayed a negative attitude, worried about his shirt, and felt hungry because he did not have enough time to eat breakfast. All this distracted his mind and made it difficult for him to focus on the interview. His overall behavior made a bad impression, and consequently he materialized his fear and did not get the job.
Jim applied for the same job too, but approached the matter in a different way. He was sure that he was going to get the job. During the week preceding the interview he often visualized himself making a good impression and getting the job.
In the evening before the interview he prepared the clothes he was going to wear, and went to sleep a little earlier. On day of the interview he woke up earlier than usual, and had ample time to eat breakfast, and then to arrive to the interview before the scheduled time.
He got the job because he made a good impression. He had also of course, the proper qualifications for the job, but so had Allan.
What do we learn from these two stories? Is there any magic employed here? No, it is all natural. When the attitude is positive we entertain pleasant feelings and constructive images, and see in our mind's eye what we really want to happen. This brings brightness to the eyes, more energy and happiness. The whole being broadcasts good will, happiness and success. Even the health is affected in a beneficial way. We walk tall and the voice is more powerful. Our body language shows the way you feel inside.
Positive and negative thinking are both contagious.
All of us affect, in one way or another, the people we meet. This happens instinctively and on a subconscious level, through thoughts and feelings transference, and through body language. People sense our aura and are affected by our thoughts, and vice versa. Is it any wonder that we want to be around positive people and avoid negative ones? People are more disposed to help us if we are positive, and they dislike and avoid anyone broadcasting negativity.
Negative thoughts, words and attitude bring up negative and unhappy moods and actions. When the mind is negative, poisons are released into the blood, which cause more unhappiness and negativity. This is the way to failure, frustration and disappointment.

Practical Instructions

In order to turn the mind toward the positive, inner work and training are required. Attitude and thoughts do not change overnight.
Read about this subject, think about its benefits and persuade yourself to try it. The power of thoughts is a mighty power that is always shaping our life. This shaping is usually done subconsciously, but it is possible to make the process a conscious one. Even if the idea seems strange give it a try, as you have nothing to lose, but only to gain. Ignore what others might say or think about you, if they discover that you are changing the way you think.
Always visualize only favorable and beneficial situations. Use positive words in your inner dialogues or when talking with others. Smile a little more, as this helps to think positively. Disregard any feelings of laziness or a desire to quit. If you persevere, you will transform the way your mind thinks.
Once a negative thought enters your mind, you have to be aware of it and endeavor to replace it with a constructive one. The negative thought will try again to enter your mind, and then you have to replace it again with a positive one. It is as if there are two pictures in front of you, and you choose to look at one of them and disregard the other. Persistence will eventually teach your mind to think positively and ignore negative thoughts.
In case you feel any inner resistance when replacing negative thoughts with positive ones, do not give up, but keep looking only at the beneficial, good and happy thoughts in your mind.
It does not matter what your circumstances are at the present moment. Think positively, expect only favorable results and situations, and circumstances will change accordingly. It may take some time for the changes to take place, but eventually they do.
Another method to employ is the repetition of affirmations. It is a method which resembles creative visualization, and which can be used in conjunction with it. It is the subject of another article on this website.
The other articles at this website, about the power of concentration, will power, self-discipline and peace of mind also contribute to the development of a positive mind, and are recommended for reading and practicing.

How to Be Healthy and Fit

With so many concerns about keeping healthy and fit being discussed daily, you may have lost sight of the simple things you can do to protect yourself.

Planning health and fitness strategies for the entire family may be easier than trying to focus on you individually, and other family members separately. When you focus on the health of the group, you can incorporate activities that will help everyone.

Difficulty:: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Fresh Air
Drinking Water
Backyard or park
Ball or Frisbee
A jump rope

- 1
  Stay fit and active with family activities.
  Be physically active: Have fun while incorporating activities into your family life. Do something everyone enjoys in your own backyard or at a neighborhood park. Softball, basketball, jumping rope, or playing Frisbee with the family dog all require movement, and usually brings some laughs.
- 2
  
  Be sure everyone is drinking enough water: Some think it is only important to hydrate when the weather is warm, and activities are increased. However, everyone needs water to live. Generally it is recommended that half an ounce to one ounce of fluid per pound of body weight is needed daily depending on your activity level. Keep in mind that fruit and other foods that have high water content are a better choice than calorie laden snack foods that offers nothing to keep you or your children healthy.
- 3
  Stay healthy with walks on the beach.
  Take a walk with the family: Walk several times a week, even if you just walk to an area park to shoot a few hoops. A walk is great for everyone, and often a time kids will have a conversation with you they otherwise may not have had.
- 4
  
  Add vitamin and mineral supplements: Many doctors say a quality daily supplement may be taken to help us stay healthy. Choose one that looks like it was made from food, not one that looks like it is coated with melted Skittles.
- 5
  
  Discuss the importance of healthy choices with children: If you have not already done so, think about explaining some basics to kids in your family about correct eating and physical activity. You may not want to tell kids you are playing outdoors with them because you know it will make them and you healthier. Just enjoy knowing your kids will be healthy and fit, and probably will continue to enjoy such activities all of their lives.
- 6
  
  Teach hygiene to your kids: A big part of remaining healthy and fit is keeping clean, and eating clean foods. Also, if children are taught to wash their hands when they move from one activity to the next, they may get into this good habit for life. Kids can learn the importance of washing their hands each time they enter the house. If they are old enough to share in washing fruits and vegetables, let them share in the activity while you explain why this should be done. Teaching kids to brush their teeth properly is an important part of daily hygiene that is sometimes overlooked.
- 7
  
  Buy wholesome foods: Include fresh fruits and vegetables as often as you can. Children who are raised with healthy food ideas tend to be fit as adults. Imagine that!
- 8
  Stay on the healthy and fit course.
  Stay on the healthy and fit course: Keeping healthy and fit involves emotional wellness as much as physical. A family that eats together, and stays active is more likely to enjoy emotional wellness while being physically fit.

Positive Role model

Surrounding yourself with positive role models can have a dramatic effect on your attempt to lose weight and get fit.
My 85-year-old grandmother recently lamented having to give up water aerobics due to back pain; she broke it five years ago. Rather than retreat gracefully into retirement, she told me she now jogs daily laps of the pool instead and walks everywhere she can. I am very fortunate to have such a positive role model in my life.
I haven't always followed her lead. Following the birth of my second child, I was hospitalised with health complications. During recovery I was overweight, unfit and very down on myself. I associated with other new mums who felt the same as me. Unhappy with our lives, we ate together and whinged together, but never exercised together.
My life changed after my husband arranged a trial gym membership for me. I provided every excuse not to go. My baby would miss me, I was too fat, I didn't fit into my gym gear. But my husband was insistent. He wrote me a note that said, "Use this to rediscover just how beautiful you are."
I couldn't refuse such sentiments. My family was extremely supportive and encouraging. I think they knew I needed this, even more than I realised myself. I'm glad they gave me a gentle push to send me on my way.
That first visit to the gym was like an epiphany. Five minutes into my first Body Attack class, with the endorphins starting to kick in, I felt better than I had in a very long time. After that class, I was hooked. I'd forgotten how the music made me happy and how the exercise made me feel alive.
When I joined the gym permanently, I made sure I signed up for personal training for that extra motivation and a positive role model to guide me. There's nothing like the friendly wrath of a Personal Trainer (and the threat of extra push-ups) to get you to the gym regularly.
I am back at work now and, with the local women's gym just around the corner, I have decided to encourage other beautiful ladies in my workplace to join up. We now have enough members for a corporate membership. We try and motivate each other to attend the gym - it's hard to come up with an excuse not to go when your gym buddy sits next to you! Our office has recently put on a weekly meditation class, so now we have the opportunity to look after our minds as well as our bodies.
Whilst I am not yet the svelte size twelve I aspire to be, I am the healthiest I have been since I was in my early twenties. Had it not been for the encouragement of positive role models among my family and friends, I would probably still be an unhealthy, unhappy person.
As for the new mums who enjoyed the food binges with me during the unhappy times: they now attend the gym with me whenever they can.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5969851

Eating Healthy

Let us provide you with quick and convenient ways to enjoy the World's Healthiest Foods so they provide you with better health, well-being and appearance.

The World's
Healthiest Foods
Eat Healthy

Find out which foods are the highest in essential nutrients and why they are health promoting foods. Important Q&As About the World's Healthiest Foods
Get the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the World's Healthiest Foods, so you can quickly enjoy the benefits.
Essential Nutrients in the World's Healthiest Foods
Eat Healthy

Here is complete information about the essential nutrients provided by the World's Healthiest Foods and how they contribute to your well being.

Know Which Foods Are Right For You in 5 Minutes
The Food Advisor will help you find which foods are the best for you based on your age, gender, personal lifestyle and individual health needs. It takes just minutes. What You Should Know About Organic Foods Eat Healthy

Here's the easy-to-understand way to find out everything you need to know about organic foods.
George Answers Your Questions

Here are George Mateljan's personal views about which healthy foods and cooking methods are best for you.
This Week's Q&A:
Budget-Conscious Ways to Purchase Organic Foods

The World's Healthiest Foods

130 foods that can serve as the basis of your Healthiest Way of Eating. Links to the articles about these foods can be found below.
Of course, there are many other nutritious foods other than those that we have included on our list that we feel are wonderful, health-promoting foods; if there are other whole foods - such as fruits, vegetables, nuts/seeds, whole grains, etc - that you like, by all means enjoy them. Just because a food is not on our list doesn't mean that we don't think that it can be included in a diet geared towards the Healthiest Way of Eating as long as it is a whole, natural, nutrient-rich food.
To find out why some of your favorite nutritious foods are not included in our list, read The Criteria Used to Select the World's Healthiest Foods.

Vegetables Seafood

Fruits

Eggs & Low-Fat Dairy

Beans & Legumes

Poultry & Lean Meats

Nuts & Seeds

Grains

Spices & Herbs

Natural Sweeteners

Other

The World's Healthiest Foods

Criteria for The World's Healthiest Foods
Among the thousands of different foods our world provides, the majority contain at least several of the nutrients our bodies need but to be included as one of the World's Healthiest Foods they had to meet the criteria listed below.
The criteria we used will also help you understand why some of your favorite (and also nutritious) foods may not be included on our list. For example, Readers have asked why pomegranate, a very nutritious food, is not included on our website. While pomegranates taste great and are rich in vitamins and flavonoid phytonutrients, they are still rather expensive which makes them not as widely available to many people.
1. The World's Healthiest Foods are the Most Nutrient Dense
The World's Healthiest Foods have been selected because they are among the richest sources of many of the essential nutrients needed for optimal health. We used a concept called nutrient density to determine which foods have the highest nutritional value.
Nutrient density is a measure of the amount of nutrients a food contains in comparison to the number of calories. A food is more nutrient dense when the level of nutrients is high in relationship to the number of calories the food contains. By eating the World's Healthiest Foods, you'll get all the essential nutrients that you need for excellent health, including vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, essential fatty acids, fiber and more for the least number of calories. Read more about our health and recipe rating system.
2. The World's Healthiest Foods are Whole Foods
The World's Healthiest Foods are also whole foods complete with all their rich natural endowment of nutrients. They have not been highly processed nor do they contain synthetic, artificial or irradiated ingredients. And whenever possible, The Healthier Way of Eating recommends purchasing "Organically Grown" foods, since they not only promote your health, but also the health of our planet.
3. The World's Healthiest Foods are Familiar Foods
The World's Healthiest Foods are common "everyday" foods. These include the fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, lean meats, fish, olive oil, herbs and spices that are familiar to most people.
4. The World's Healthiest Foods are Readily Available
Although there are many foods that are exceptionally nutritious, many of them are not readily available in different areas of the country. The World's Healthiest Foods are foods that the majority people can easily find at their local market.
5. The World's Healthiest Foods are Affordable
We have selected foods that are not only familiar and available, but also affordable, especially if you purchase them locally and in season. This is also the time when they are the freshest and of the best quality.
6. The World's Healthiest Foods Taste Good
The World's Healthiest Foods are also some of the world's best tasting foods. We have created recipes using the World's Healthiest Foods that do not overpower, but enhance, the unique flavor of each food. Each recipe provides a flavor adventure so you can discover new ways to experience and enjoy the great natural tastes of these foods.

How to Keep Fit and Healthy .

how you keep yourself fit and healthy, the answer is......If you want to keep fit and healthy at all times, then you have to make some active effort. Keeping fit doesn't only mean looking good from the outside. It means being physically active, mentally sound, and feeling energetic and ready to face the tasks of everyday life.
In order to keep fit and healthy, you don't have to run for hours, or spend several hours at a gym, or playing football or tennis, or riding a bike. You can start by doing simple exercises. People have all sorts of excuses for not exercising. Most everyone has family, children, and busy work schedules to take care of. However, if you want to stay healthy and live longer, then you have to make some little changes towards a healthy lifestyle.
To keep fit and healthy, follow a healthy and balanced diet everyday. Make sure that your everyday diet includes lots of fruits, vegetables, and protein. You should cut down on red meat, junk foods, caffeine, and sugar intake. Avoid soft drinks or canned fruit juices. Instead, opt for a variety of fresh fruits, vegetable salads, freshly made fruit juices, milk, nutritious energy drinks, etc.
You need to be more active in order to keep fit and healthy. Modern life has become very sedentary, with fewer scopes for physical activities. You need to exercise in order to burn those calories. Minimum physical activity slows down your metabolism rate. So, you can put on weight even when you eat less. On the other hand, exercise and a more active life will burn up the calories, even when you eat a little more. You can simply go for a brisk walk, or jog, or you can join a gym. The important thing is that you must include some physical exercise in your everyday life, because fitness and health cannot be achieved without some physical exercise.
For a healthy life sufficient sleep is important. Lack of sleep can make you feel tired the next day. So work hard, but make sure that you have enough sleep; so that your body gets the time to replenish itself.
Do not skip your breakfast, no matter how busy you are. Breakfast is the first and most important meal of the day. It works as a fuel for your body and keeps you going for the rest of day. If you skip breakfast, you will feel hungrier in the latter part of the day, and you may end up eating more! So, you may run a risk of gaining weight, if you skip your breakfast frequently.
If you are not a healthy eater and find it difficult to improve your food habits due to busy, erratic, work schedules, then you may be depriving your body of the essential nutrients that are important for good health. In the long run, unhealthy food habits can lead you to serious health hazards. An easy solution to this problem is to include multi-vitamin supplements in your daily food intake. Multi-vitamins can be taken to replenish the nutritional deficiencies in your daily diet.

Wednesday, 23 March 2011

Teen Pregnancy problem and advice

Teen pregnancy remains a significant problem and American society but there are steps that can help teens take responsibility for their sexual activity and avoid unintended pregnancy. According to Planned Parenthood, 80% of all Americans have sexual intercourse before the age of 20. 1 out of 20 females between the ages of 16 and 20 ends up carrying an unintended pregnancy. Unintended pregnancies fuel an abortion rate that some argue is murder and all agree emotionally traumatizes all of the parties involved.Society benefits from educated and economically productive teens. Teens struggling to handle an unintended pregnancy are less economically productive, their education suffers and their potential is inhibited. The parents of unintended pregnancies often end up on welfare. Society pays costs of welfare and healthcare for parents and children involved with unintended pregnancies. Parents that have unintended pregnancies often have multiple kids and the parents and kids are caught in a welfare cycle.Limited resources stop their progress causing their social status to remain static, resulting in limited education that produces more unintended pregnancy.

My sister Diana was 16 years old when she had her first baby and recently had her second at the age of 19. Diana is like many young girls that experience teen pregnancy. She was unaware that the likely result of unprotected sex would be unintended pregnancy. Diana and her boyfriend are working to pay costs and have learned from their mistakes, but that has interfered with their education and limited their future options. Diana’s situation, and many like hers, was avoidable.

Social barriers have slowed efforts to solve the problem of teen pregnancy. Sex education traditionally focused on both the biological aspects of sex to teach how a baby is created and encouraged abstinence to prevent unintended pregnancy. Sex education, although widely available, is often too little and too late too have much of an impact. The focus is on reproductive biology rather than on teaching adolescents the skills needed to handle a relationships and family. Teens need to learn to resist peer pressure and negotiate different situations. Although teens are using contraception much more frequently than in the past, and their preferred method condoms is widely available in stores they do not typically use them consistently, especially when they are young. Sex education should emphasize the consequences of a girl getting pregnant or how to handled relationships, peer pressure, or how to have safe sex.

Politically powerful religious denominations prohibit the use of contraceptives and oppose teaching how to use them. Social conservatives seeking abstinence oppose diluting that message or confusing teens by also teaching safe sex practices. In an instant gratification society people often choose what feels good and have sex regardless of whether they were taught to abstain. Teens that decide to have sex, without being taught how to have safe sex, are left unequipped to prevent pregnancies. The societal barriers to teaching safe sex can be partly overcome by exposing the problems these barriers cause and discussing them openly so real solutions to teen pregnancy can be implemented.

Solving the teen pregnancy problem requires a broad campaign to strengthen social norms against early sex, unsafe sex, and out of wedlock pregnancy. The educational message must be to encourage abstinence but teach how to have sex in the event teens decide to have sex. Teens should be educated about the possible consequences of early sex and contraceptives should be available so it can be done safely. The message about consequences should be delivered clearly by compelling spokespersons. Teens will often listen to peers more than instructors. Teens who have experienced unintended pregnancies can be recruited to become advocates for safe sexual behavior with their peers, families and community. Teens can also become advocates for abstaining from early sex. Advocacy would allow young people to see they can make difference in the world and recognize their voice has the potential to change sexual norms and behavior in their school and their community. Student who advocate help other teens and clarify their values in the process. After school mentoring programs can also provide educated guidance to teens and provide a friendly authority figure to hold them accountable when they make poor choices.

Teen pregnancy remains a significant problem in society and there are powerful barriers to making the changes needed to start solving the problem. More effective education that emphasizes abstinence but teach safe sex and provides the means to have it can make a difference. Teens can be taught to avoid teen pregnancy if society accepts the responsibility to equip them with the skills to succeed.

what is HIV ?

I thought it was interesting to know more information about HIV. The more research that we do on HIV, the more we know and hopefully it may lead to a cure and also to control the infection level. The seminar would make people be more aware of HIV and to be careful when sexual contacts are made. It existed early 80’s and killed about 18 million people. Now, one out of three people are affected in Africa like Central West Africa, Belgium Congo and other regions. It origin might come from Chimpanzees to human. People were in contact with chimp by hunting or having it as a pet. The first documented case in Africa in 1959 in Congo. Poliovirus vaccine made in primate cells could have been found in chimp cells. Chimp kidneys were removed and shipped to the USA, but there were evidences against poliovirus vaccine because vaccine implicated and used in trials was not make in chimp cells, instead of money kidney cell, and chimp kidneys never shipped to the USA. Genetic studies showed that virus jumped to humans about 1930-1940. Test of vaccine samples showed no evidence of HIV, no evidence of chimp DNA and no evidence of chimp immodificiency virus. Other theories of spreading this virus are: increased population pressures, growth of cities, increased in sexual contacts and increased use of needles and lack of sterilization. The seminar would make people be more aware of HIV and to be careful when sexual contacts are made. It existed early 80’s and killed about 18 million people. Now, one out of three people are affected in Africa like Central West Africa, Belgium Congo and other regions. It origin might come from Chimpanzees to human. People were in contact with chimp by hunting or having it as a pet. The first documented case in Africa in 1959 in Congo. Poliovirus vaccine made in primate cells could have been found in chimp cells. Chimp kidneys were removed and shipped to the USA, but there were evidences against poliovirus vaccine because vaccine implicated and used in trials was not make in chimp cells, instead of money kidney cell, and chimp kidneys never shipped to the USA. Genetic studies showed that virus jumped to humans about 1930-1940. Test of vaccine samples showed no evidence of HIV, no evidence of chimp DNA and no evidence of chimp immodificiency virus. Other theories of spreading this virus are: increased population pressures, growth of cities, increased in sexual contacts and increased use of needles and lack of sterilization.

The seminar would make people be more aware of HIV and to be careful when sexual contacts are made. It existed early 80’s and killed about 18 million people. Now, one out of three people are affected in Africa like Central West Africa, Belgium Congo and other regions. It origin might come from Chimpanzees to human. People were in contact with chimp by hunting or having it as a pet. The first documented case in Africa in 1959 in Congo. Poliovirus vaccine made in primate cells could have been found in chimp cells. Chimp kidneys were removed and shipped to the USA, but there were evidences against poliovirus vaccine because vaccine implicated and used in trials was not make in chimp cells, instead of money kidney cell, and chimp kidneys never shipped to the USA. Genetic studies showed that virus jumped to humans about 1930-1940. Test of vaccine samples showed no evidence of HIV, no evidence of chimp DNA and no evidence of chimp immodificiency virus. Other theories of spreading this virus are: increased population pressures, growth of cities, increased in sexual contacts and increased use of needles and lack of sterilization. The seminar would make people be more aware of HIV and to be careful when sexual contacts are made. It existed early 80’s and killed about 18 million people. Now, one out of three people are affected in Africa like Central West Africa, Belgium Congo and other regions. It origin might come from Chimpanzees to human. People were in contact with chimp by hunting or having it as a pet. The first documented case in Africa in 1959 in Congo. Poliovirus vaccine made in primate cells could have been found in chimp cells. Chimp kidneys were removed and shipped to the USA, but there were evidences against poliovirus vaccine because vaccine implicated and used in trials was not make in chimp cells, instead of money kidney cell, and chimp kidneys never shipped to the USA. Genetic studies showed that virus jumped to humans about 1930-1940. Test of vaccine samples showed no evidence of HIV, no evidence of chimp DNA and no evidence of chimp immodificiency virus. Other theories of spreading this virus are: increased population pressures, growth of cities, increased in sexual contacts and increased use of needles and lack of sterilization. The seminar would make people be more aware of HIV and to be careful when sexual contacts are made. It existed early 80’s and killed about 18 million people. Now, one out of three people are affected in Africa like Central West Africa, Belgium Congo and other regions. It origin might come from Chimpanzees to human. People were in contact with chimp by hunting or having it as a pet. The first documented case in Africa in 1959 in Congo. Poliovirus vaccine made in primate cells could have been found in chimp cells. Chimp kidneys were removed and shipped to the USA, but there were evidences against poliovirus vaccine because vaccine implicated and used in trials was not make in chimp cells, instead of money kidney cell, and chimp kidneys never shipped to the USA. Genetic studies showed that virus jumped to humans about 1930-1940. Test of vaccine samples showed no evidence of HIV, no evidence of chimp DNA and no evidence of chimp immodificiency virus. Other theories of spreading this virus are: increased population pressures, growth of cities, increased in sexual contacts and increased use of needles and lack of sterilization.

What is Ashtma ?

I attended the allergies and asthma workshop on Sunday. I picked that one because at the beginning of this year I had a really long cold-like sickness, with a terrible deep cough for over a month that left me completely breathless when I played soccer. I went to the doctor many times, always leaving with new medicine and a new inhaler, but the doctor always putting off the asthma test. I was hoping this workshop would be helpful in my research on whether or not I have asthma. I’ve researched it before, so I didn’t learn too much new information, but this is what I did learn.

Asthma is the bronchial constriction of the air passages. It can be a nuisance, and in its worst cases it can be lethal. There is an asthma gene, but since there’s not just one, they haven’t yet found the specific one. The development of asthma can be parallel one’s living environment. For example, urban areas have higher asthma rates. The reason rural has less is because of the hygiene hypothesis. This hypothesis is during development, exposure to farm animals and milk (“good bacteria”) may create better immunity, lessening the chance of asthma development in later years.

Histamines cause asthmatic reactions. Someone will inhale an allergen, which sets off their immune system. Then antibodies are generated, which react with mass cells.

I learned all that, but my favorite part of the festival was spinning the Crest wheel and winning a free toothbrush and toothpaste. Well, either that or the free “healthy whole grain with whole wheat flour and a hint of honey” bread.

AIDS Education

In opposition of many academic scholars’ opinions, we should not feel that the increase in knowledge and awareness of AIDS in today’s youth will put this generation at a lower risk of contracting the disease. Many of the academic elite on the study of AIDS agree with Uzi Brook’s statement that the “importance of adequate knowledge about AIDS in relation to infection control is evident” (272). However, I disagree with this statement. The younger generation maybe more learned on the subject of AIDS, but they also carry with them a perceived vulnerability about contracting the disease. With seventy to eighty percent of school children having a sufficient amount of knowledge on the subject, many narrow minded adults are lead to believe that these young people apply this knowledge to their everyday lives (Brook 275). The reality, however, is that today’s youth is “experiencing a growth rate of HIV infection” (Crosby 186).

Though the amount of knowledge about AIDS is generally increasing, academic knowledge on the disease is not enough to motivate today’s youth to remain aware of high-risk factors. According to Crosby, ”knowledge alone is not enough to produce a change in outcome; however it is the first step in labeling high-risk behavior” (187). Many of today’s youth view the textbook facts about AIDS as a fantasy or an issue in which they will never have to face. Teens often participate in high-risk activities like drinking and driving or drug abuse because they feel that “bad stuff” only happens to others; similarly, the new generation believes that AIDS remains an issue for social deviants and not young people rebelling against the norm or expressing themselves during their adolescent years. Frequently, adolescents fail to change knowledge into action, “once [this] dissonance appears, it must be accelerated to a threshold that will move the client from thinking to feeling” (Crosby 187). Meaning that young people are more affected and more likely to be aware of risks when they actually witness an AIDS patient dying or suffering, rather than just reading statistics. The visual impact on the mind of a youth is more deeply embedded in the memory than that of numerous statistics and readings on the issue.

Our Service Can Write a Custom Essay on AIDS for You!

DiClemente and his colleagues conducted a study providing a prime example of such an unrealistic attitude in young people toward the contraction of AIDS or HIV. They tested the attitude toward HIV in sexually active tenth graders in rural and urban areas. Although the rural students had more knowledge of the virus, were increasingly sexually active, and had little to no contact with actual AIDS patients, one hundred percent of them thought of themselves as incapable of contracting the disease. In comparison, inner city students who were sexually active and had less knowledge, but were in contact with the reality of AIDS were more aware of the risks and realism of the virus (“AIDS” 1137). Therefore, interaction with victims of AIDS proves to be more effective than merely academic knowledge, disproving the common belief that “accurate knowledge about AIDS will reduce risk behavior” (Brook 272). In fact of the students formally educated, in a school environment, on the risks of AIDS and how to avoid them - only fifteen percent of them were provoked to change their high-risk activities and further protect themselves.

According to statistics, the United States is doing an excellent job providing students with the facts of the AIDS virus, however these studies fail to report that result of these teachings on students. As Crosby states, “transmitting basic intellectual information is the mode in schools and in health education,” in other words, the schools teach their students just the basics and required information (186). This lackadaisical method of conveying the seriousness of the virus greatly affects the students’ comprehension on the subject. The monotony of continuous lecture and textbook reading creates disinterest and negligence in the students. The ineffectiveness of the education of AIDS is, in part, related to the parents of school-aged children. Parents often want to shelter their children and distort reality to ease the growing-up process. Sheltering, however, allows “adolescents to enjoy living in their personal fairy tales as long as their fairy tales are not challenged by reality” (Crosby 189). When such over-protected adolescents are exposed to temptations such as sexual relations or the offering of drugs, they do not think to apply their academic education to such pleasurable and rebellious circumstances. It is this naivety that allows young people, well educated on the AIDS virus, to unconsciously come into contact with the disease believed to be distant.

For almost twenty years AIDS has plagued the world, the virus has manipulated the population physically and mentally. The panic of the virus’ initial outbreak created a rush for the population to learn as much as possible about the virus. As this knowledge was passed on and taught to the following generation, the reality of the virus was taken for granted and not considered a reality.

Many scholars, however, believe that because the students are excelling at the academic and factual knowledge of AIDS they are learning and living a low risk lifestyle. Unfortunately, the students with the most factual knowledge are not applying this to their everyday lives and are continuing to participate in high risk activities, unlike those that are exposed to the reality of the disease and its victims. Conclusively, proving that the risk of AIDS is just as great, if not greater, today as it was nearly two decades ago, regardless of the increase in general public knowledge of the disease.

AIDS

The issue of HIV/AIDS has been a developing concern since the early 1980’s. It is an issue that has sparked fear in everyone, but “society” has narrowed it down to certain people who can contract the AIDS virus. The typical “AIDS” victim is not an IV drug user or a practicing homosexual; they are African Americans, and minority women. AIDS is spread in many ways, such as having unprotected sex, sharing needles, from mothers to infants during pregnancy, and getting tattoos with dirty needles. Some of the most common questions is “How is HIV/AIDS passed from one person to another? How effective are latex condoms in preventing HIV/AIDS?” Although these are questions of concern, the real and most controversial question is “Is the United States doing an effective job in educating people, especially African Americans and minority women, about HIV/AIDS?” This is a question with many opposing viewpoints. While some people, believe that the United States is doing an effective job in educating people on HIV/AIDS; there are others who believe that they are not doing an effective job. I believe that the United States is doing a good job, but at the same time they are not doing a well enough job. Whether people are being educated

Nuclear fears: The impact on Japan's food industry

Radiation fears could cause a drop in consumer demand domestically

Japan quake

The food industry in Japan is under pressure, as the government adds to the list of produce that has excessive levels of nuclear radiation.

Shipments of leaf vegetables, spinach and milk from the area around the stricken Fukushima plant have been halted.
The government says the situation is not at a stage where people should be worried.
But what effects will this have on the demand for Japanese food products, both within Japan and abroad?
Export growth Japan is not a major food producer. Its substantial exports include seafood, dairy products, fruit and vegetables.
The main markets for these Japanese food products are Hong Kong, the US and China.
The government has said milk and some vegetables have been affected by radiation and are now facing bans on domestic sales.

“Start Quote

It is not possible to estimate to what extent marine life will be affected until contamination data are collected from the affected areas”

End Quote World Health Organisation

While radiation has affected some food products in the wake of the damage caused by the earthquake and tsunami, the World Health Organization (WHO) says there is no cause for alarm in countries that import produce from Japan.

"For food in international trade, we believe the risk is extremely low," WHO spokesman Gregory Hartel said.
Mr Hartel said that the problem of radiation had surfaced only in the past few days.
"The food which has been exported was sent before the event took place," he added.
Mr Hartel also expressed satisfaction with the response of the government in dealing with the problem.
"Based on the measurements taken by local authorities, they have instituted some measures that are proper and good," he said.
However, other food products such as seafood are still under investigation.
"It is not possible to estimate to what extent marine life will be affected until contamination data are collected from the affected areas and from seafood harvested from the affected areas," said the WHO on its website.
'Small industry'

Spinach field in Moriya, Ibaraki prefecture, north of Tokyo

The government has halted spinach shipments from areas near Fukushima

Food products accounted for only 344bn yen ($4.2bn; £2.6bn) of foreign sales in 2010.
That is only about 0.5% of total exports, according to Moody's Analytics.
"On the trade front, large importers of Japanese food such as China and Taiwan are conducting stringent tests to assess the contamination problem," said Matthew Circosta of Moody's Analytics.
"Concerns that the fallout could see countries shift food consumption away from Japan are unlikely to significantly damage export growth," he added.
Japan is actually a net importer of food. It imports about 700,000 tonnes of rice annually, mostly from the US and Thailand.
Gross agricultural production is only around 4% of total production.
"It really is a small industry in Japan on the production side and as an export market," said Mr Circosta.
Domestic demand Most of Japan's agriculture produce is consumed domestically.
Analysts say radiation fears are more likely to cause a dip in consumer confidence and affect domestic demand.
"Weaker food demand would hit retail sales and intensify consumers' caution," said Mr Circosta.
"More worrisome is if consumers' deflation expectations grow, prompting more households to postpone purchases in anticipation of lower prices," he added.
That would make life difficult for the 1.93m people employed in agriculture, forestry and fishing.