Obstacles

Battling your demons


They say knowledge is power ... it's true. As time passes, we learn more & more. Through the years we become smarter. These days, it's in our best interest to read labels, research nutrition & aim for a healthier lifestyle. We owe it to ourselves, the people we care for and the people who care for us. Life is a wonderful journey ... we all deserve to enjoy health & happiness.

All of us have our battles. We live in a world full of temptations ... many of them can be detrimental to our health and well being. The good news is that you have the power to conquer your challenges and make better decisions. It all starts with being well informed. There are many resources around to help anyone that is truly ready and wants to change for the better.


Nicotine

Nicotine addiction is one of the most addictive substances on earth - similar to a heroin or cocaine addiction. Cigarette smoking harms almost every organ in the body. It has been conclusively linked to cataracts, pneumonia and it accounts for about one-third of all cancer deaths.


When I was finally successful in quitting smoking, it was one of the greatest accomplishments of my life. I remember thinking that if I could conquer that, I could conquer anything.


If you are a smoker and are ready to quit, there is help available. Seek out your options, talk to your doctor and find a way to make it happen. It may be one of the hardest things you've ever done, but it is also one of the most important things you'll ever do.


Sodium


Sodium is an essential nutrient and our bodies need it to function. Unfortunately, our diets often have too much.
Many cooks seem to think that salt equals flavour. This is all too evident in grocery stores & restaurants. When shopping, it can often be challenging to find nutrition labels that don't have unhealthy amounts of sodium. Most restaurants (especially fast food) serve much of their food with unhealthy amounts of sodium.

Excessive sodium may lead to high blood pressure and is a major risk factor for stroke, heart disease and kidney disease. Heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death and disability in Canada.



Soft Drinks

It always amazes me how many people cannot make it through the day without their coke or pepsi.
Frequent consumption of soft drinks are a fast track to health problems like obesity, tooth decay, caffeine dependence and weakened bones. Drinking two or more soft drinks a week may nearly double a person’s risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

Soft drinks may be marketed as refreshing and tasty, but they are truly unhealthy, empty calories.




Caffeine

It's the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance on earth. Ninety percent of North Americans report using caffeine daily.
Too much caffeine can lead to cardiovascular problems. When you consume caffeine your blood pressure and heart rate will rise. Over time, an overuse of caffeine can lead to heart disease.
Excessive caffeine can lead to the increased risk of gastrointestinal problems such as ulcers. Additionally, problems with the esophagus can come about due to extended, regular consumption of caffeine. Since caffeine stimulates stress hormones, this can lead to increased anxiety, insomnia and tension.
Caffeine and coffee/tea addiction is easily remedied for most people. Reducing daily intake below recommended levels can be as easy as drinking decaffeinated coffee and switching to a non-caffeinated cola.



Monosodium Glutamate


MSG can be found in many foods. It is used as a flavour enhancer, but many believe it to be dangerous.

It is often disguised by names like "hydrolyzed vegetable protein" or "HVP", "yeast extract" or "autolyzed proteins" and like aspartame, is a member of the group of chemicals known as "excitotoxins". These toxic compounds are known to interfere with brain chemistry and have been implicated in many neurological diseases, such as brain cancers, MS, fibromyalgia, depression and hyperactivity (ADHD). In fact, they overexcite brain cells to the point of cell damage and even cell death.



Stress

Stress adversely affects us in many ways ... in fact 50 - 80% of diseases could likely be avoided if our worlds were stress free. There are numerous emotional and physical disorders that have been linked to stress. These include: insomnia, depression, anxiety, heart attacks, stroke, hypertension and immune system disturbances that increase susceptibility to infections. Stress has also been linked to a host of viral associated disorders ranging from the common cold and herpes to AIDS and certain cancers, as well as autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.


In addition stress can have direct effects on the skin (rashes, hives, atopic dermatitis), the gastrointestinal system (GERD, peptic ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis) and can contribute to insomnia and degenerative neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease. In fact, it's hard to think of any disease in which stress cannot play an aggravating role. Almost every part of the body can be affected by stress.

Not surprisingly, research has proven that people age faster when they experience more stress.

Effective stress management is crucial to maintain good health. You owe it to yourself to find ways to reduce and eliminate stress where possible.



Sugar


There is a growing pile of evidence convincing nutritionists and doctors that sugar addiction is real. Recent studies prove that humans are programmed from a young age to crave sugar. 
Unfortunately, once the body has experienced sugar’s sweet rewards, it does not take much time for it to be hooked. 

Along with obesity and tooth decay, sugar has also been linked to more serious health conditions, including increased mood swings, a depressed immune system and diabetes. 





Compulsive Shopping



Some of us joke about it and call it "shopping therapy". It's more common among women than men. Compulsive shopping often accompanies other mental-health issues, including depression, alcoholism and eating disorders. 

Sufferers tend to target certain items ... for women, it's often clothes or shoes; for men, it's usually electronics or books. Compulsive shoppers also tend not to use the things they buy.





Gambling


Addiction to gambling is linked to several serious personal and social harms including depression and suicide, bankruptcy, family breakup, domestic abuse, assault, fraud, theft and even homelessness. Gambling addictions can be devastating to the individual, as well as their friends, family, workplace or community.




Seasonal Affective Disorder


Not getting enough sunlight? Feeling blue & unmotivated? It might be SAD.
Light therapy, counselling, regular exercise, a healthy diet, good sleep habits, staying connected to others, balanced thinking techniques, and managing stress have all been shown to reduce symptoms.





Internet

The Internet is the new crack cocaine, leading to addiction.Compulsively spending hours on the Internet gaming, tweeting, facebooking or surfing can adversely affect real-life relationships, career, and emotional health.


If you are spending too much time at the keyboard, and it is having any adverse effects in your life, you may want to substitue healthier activities & seek help.



Addicted to Food 

Do you eat to live, or live to eat?

When does a craving become an obsession?

Compulsive overeaters engage in frequent episodes of uncontrolled eating, or binge eating, during which they may feel frenzied or out of control, often consuming food past the point of being comfortably full. Binging in this way is generally followed by feelings of guilt and depression.


One theory: Sufferers may be missing adequate brain receptors for dopamine, a chemical that is part of the brain's motivation and reward system.



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