Stood in front of a mirror and fixated on a flaw. A wrinkle here. A dimple there. And suddenly we’re hating ourselves. All because of a stupid wrinkle.

Make-up artists tell clients not to stand too close to the mirror. Why? Because no one else views you as decisively as you view yourself. No one else stares at the stain on your cheek, or the line on your forehead. Why should you fixate on it? Instead, they recommend that you step back a bit and admire the big picture, the total person. Mind, body and spirit.

People don’t usually see themselves this way — they generally look at some small part and stake everything on that. I got a letter once from a woman who felt her whole life was falling apart because her thighs were too fat.

I think that no matter who you are, you have to work with everything God has given you. Some of us are natural athletes; others are naturally gifted in very different areas. As we get more comfortable with ourselves, more sure of our priorities, it’s okay to say: “You know what? Not everything has to be perfect.” It’s okay to be just who I am. I’m not in competition with anyone. I’m going to focus on reaching my own highest level of vitality.

When you do that, you’ll feel great about yourself, you’ll feel great in your body — and you’ll be in good enough shape to experience the very best your life has to offer.

The next time you find yourself hating some part of your body, give one of these tricks a try:

Accentuate the Positive

You probably know what your least favorite features are — but which features are you really happy with? Maybe you have clear, supple skin. Or tapered fingers. Or shiny, healthy hair. When you’re down, lavish some attention on one of your favorite features. Apply your favorite vitamin-enriched face cream, get a manicure, give your hair a deep conditioning treatment. Or draw attention to your prettiest parts by adorning yourself with your favorite accessories.

Soft Focus

Whenever you stare in the mirror and fixate on a flaw, take a few steps back. Smile. Squint your eyes and peer through your eyelashes if you have to. See yourself in soft focus — the way the rest of the world does. Then, instead of focusing on your less-than-perfect parts, focus on the good things you do with the help of your body. Maybe it’s hugging your children or loving your spouse or planting your garden or making a great presentation at work. Remind yourself to put on this “soft-focus lens” whenever you start getting critical.

The Feel-Good Box

Find a pretty box or basket and every time you get a compliment, write it down on a piece of paper and drop it in. Every time you get a gift from a friend or family member — save the card in your Feel-Good Box. When you read a quote that touches you, add it to the collection. When you get flowers, dry a few and throw them in as well. This should be like a keepsake box, but only items that conjure up good feelings are allowed! When you’re blue, the Feel-Good Box should be the first place you turn.

There are various methods and techniques used for removing the tattoos from the body. You can select any one of these techniques for yourself in order to remove any. You are also free to attempt to camouflage an old tattoo with a latest and different one. Some of the techniques are given below.

• Laser Treatment

The laser treatment can be used to lighten the tattoos more easily and effectively. This technique requires several visits during a period of seven days or even months. This method of treatment might cause some individuals experience hypopigmentation, which represents lightening of the natural skin coloring, in the affected area. The laser treatments can also cause some tattoo pigments to change to a less desirable shade. It is also reported to cause allergic reactions to the individuals who have taken laser treatments to remove the tattoos. It is because the laser caused allergenic substances in the tattoo ink to be released into the body. This treatment is expensive also.

• Dermabrasion

This technique of tattoo removal involves abrading layers of skin with a wire brush or diamond fraise, which is a type of sanding disc. The main drawback of this method is that it may leave a scar on the skin.

• Salabrasion

This is the method in which a salt solution is used to remove the pigment of tattoos. This technique is sometimes used in conjunction with dermabrasion. However this method of tattoo removal is not very popular.

• Scarification

This is the technique in which the tattoo is removed with an acid solution. The acidic solution used in this method creates a scar on the place of tattoo after removing it.

• Surgical Removal

This method of removing tattoos sometimes involves the techniques of tissue expanders such as balloons inserted under the skin. This is because when the tattoo is cut away, there is less scarring on the skin. The tattoos that are large in size may require repeated surgery for complete removal.

• Camouflaging

The technique of camouflaging a tattoo entails the injection of new pigments into the skin. This helps either to form a new pattern or to cover a tattoo with skin-toned pigments. However, it is observed that the injected pigments tend not to look natural as they lack the skin’s natural translucence.

Cracked heels are perhaps one of those problems which majority of the people have to face yet it mostly ignored. They not only look bad but also are extremely painful and become a perpetual problem due to lack of care.

Cause of cracked heels:-

• These are generally caused because of dry skin around the rim of heels.
• It is called heel fissures.
• The skin of the heels is thick and due to constant pressure and friction the crackes begin to appear which due to negligence and dust become deep.
• They start to bleed and become painful.
• Wrong ways of walking, diabetes, exposure to dust, over weight, fungal infection make a person prone to cracked heels.

Treatment and care

• The best way to prevent them is to keep soles clean.
• Where shoes which cover the whole feet while going out especially in sandy and dusty or dirty places.
• Wear sleepers at home because there are dust particles on the floor also.
• Keep feet in warm water for 10 minutes and then scrub them with pumic stone. It will remove dead cells and keep the foot skin soft and healthy.
• Dry the heels properly. Moisture left in cracks is injurious.
• Apply some good moisturiser or foot creams and wear soft socks. The best time to do the cleaning is before sleeping as feet will take rest and will not be in touch with dust. They will get time to heels.
• Wear socks in winters because the skin gets dry and is more prone to get cracks.
• Dont wear shoes, which do not fit, well and tend to bite.
• If it is due to some disease like diabetes then consult the doctor.
• If you are over weight then wear heel cups or heel pads which will prevent heels to expand sideways.

As the summer weather starts to get more intense, some people will find it especially difficult to deal with the heat. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind!

• Eat an ice-block
• Drink plenty of fluids preferably water. Start drinking early in the day by he time you feel thirsty, your body has already lost fluids. Thirst is an unreliable (usually lagging) indicator of when your body needs water.
• Place a frozen Cold Pack on your wrists
• A free-standing fan is often more effective than a ceiling fan, as you can sit directly in front of it and get the full benefit (for safety reasons, don’t sit with your hair too close to the fan)
• If you wish to play outside or do outdoor chores, do them it the early morning or late afternoon.
• Avoid dangerous jobs in the heat, as you are at greater risk of having an accident.
• Dehydration can lead to heat exhaustion. The early symptoms to watch out for include headache, dizziness, weakness and irritability. At more advanced stages, symptoms may also include pale skin, upset stomach, vomiting, confusion and fainting.

Meditation releases the unlimited power of the subconscious. It enhances inner as well as outer beauty. Ageless body and timeless mind can be achieved by daily practice of meditation, listed below are practical tips for effective result-oriented meditation.

What does meditation do?

Builds concentration: Effective meditation helps develop concentration. A difficult task, thereby is completed in lesser time and more effectively than ever. The power of the mind is enhanced and thereby stress levels are cut down drastically. Lower stress, automatically means better control over situation and a relaxed frame of mind even in difficult times, which invariably means a happy and radiating face and an active body to match.

Matured and thoughtful attitude: By regular meditation along with chanting of meaningful affirmations, one develops and strengthens the power of the mind. This leads to a thoughtful attitude towards every task in life. Such an attitude reduces stress levels and enables an individual to see the ‘best’ in every situation. This optimism reduces the ageing process and enables a woman to be in best shape in body and mind.

Enhancement in positive emotions: Meditation enhances positive emotions like love, respect, happiness etc. Positive emotions are very useful for balanced secretion of vital hormones within the body. Functioning of glands becomes balanced and proper. Negative emotions like anger, hatred, jealously etc. are harmful to the body. Process of ageing accelerates by excessive negative emotions. Positive emotions make us young and energetic, happy and joyful. It is through meditation that positive emotions can be increased and we can remain in the zone of positive emotions throughout the day.

Unleashing the power of the subconscious mind: We all know that the power of our subconscious mind is many times more than that of our conscious mind. We can call subconscious mind as divine mind or in other words it is the divinity within us. During meditation we pacify our conscious mind and activate the subconscious mind. We can use the unlimited power of our subconscious mind through meditation. We can achieve beauty, health, vigor, vitality, happiness etc. by taking the help of the divine mind within us.

How to meditate effectively?

Sit in a relaxed position: Fix a place in the house for daily practice and a fixed time for doing meditation. Do not change this time and place of meditation, you can sit on the chair or on the ground in crossed legged position. Clothing should be loose and comfortable. Keep thin pillow under your buttocks if you are sitting crossed legs on the ground. This will ensure proper circulation of bloods to your legs.

Take deep breath followed by a longer exhalation. Repeat it twice or thrice. During exhalation consciously relax all parts of your body.

• Close your eyes gently and start observing your breathing. Your breathing will become slow and rhythmic.
• Start observing your thoughts. This will make your mind thoughtless and relaxed.
• Start uttering in slow self-audible voice. Utterances should be short and well worded before meditation. For example … I am beautiful … I am powerful… I am healthy etc.
• Your utterances should be supported by strong emotions and visualization

By this way you can make yourself happy and beautiful. This is the simplest and most practical, result oriented method of meditation. We have everything within us we should not totally depend on outside things. Therefore make resolution and daily meditate for a beautiful body and mind forever.