How Long Should You Stretch?

There are no hard-and-fast rules for exactly how much stretching you should do, and it really depends on the type and intensity of the particular workout you're doing. For a basic running, walking, or aerobic workout, 5 to 15 minutes should be enough. For a more vigorous workout, such as the various martial arts, 20 to 30 minutes or more may be necessary.

Walking vs. Running: What Burns More Calories?

Assuming that you run faster than you walk, you will burn more calories by running the 2 miles.

Let's do the math: If you weigh 150 pounds (68 kilograms) and walk the 2 miles in 30 minutes (4 mph or 6.4 kph), then you will burn approximately 170 calories (or 5.7 calories per minute). If you were to jog the 2 miles in 20 minutes (6 mph or 9.7 kph,) then you would burn approximately 230 calories (11.4 calories per minute). So, in addition to completing the 2 miles faster, the net result is that jogging burns more calories.

Now, let’s complicate things. It's not really about walking vs. jogging, it's about the speed maintained. Some people can walk faster than other people can jog. In this instance, the walker is burning more calories per minute that the jogger. More importantly, most people do not jog that much faster than they fast-walk and they are able to walk much longer than they can jog. For these people, fast walking is often a preferable exercise to jogging.

Five Steps to Stronger Bones

The right diet can help in building your bones. 

1. Eat properly
Getting 1,000mg of calcium a day is the first step — and you're much better off doing this through diet if you can.
The best food sources are low-fat dairy such as semi-skimmed milk and yoghurt, as well as bony fish, such as tinned salmon and sardines.
Leafy green veg such as broccoli and spinach are also rich in calcium.
Dried fruits such as figs and currants and breakfast cereals 
fortified with calcium are also good sources. 

2. Get more vitamin D
Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium. Although some is found in oily fish, our main source comes from the effect of sunlight on your skin.
It's estimated that half of us have a deficiency because we don't get outside enough or because we always use sunblock. As part of its Sunlight Campaign, the National Osteoporosis Society is advising people to catch some rays between May and September to keep their vitamin D levels topped up.
Just 10 minutes of sunlight a day on bare arms and your face can cut your risk of bone fractures by a third. 

3. The right moves
Another vital way to boost your bones is weight-bearing exercise —basically anything that has you upright and stretching your muscles.
Good choices include aerobics, dancing or brisk walking.
"Research shows that if you don't exercise you end up weeing out all the calcium you take in instead of storing it in your bones," warns Prof Skelton. "Ideally we should aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity per week.
"Put simply, the more hours we spend on our feet, the fewer bone breakages we should have in later life." 

4. Quit the cigs and booze
People who smoke have significantly lower bone density, while drinking more than seven alcoholic drinks a week can prevent your bones from absorbing the maximum nutrients from your food. 

5. Watch your stress levels
"High levels of stress make the body produce the hormone cortisol, which causes bone loss," says Prof Skelton.
"Over a long period this can increase your risk of osteoporosis. Yoga, walking the dog or listening to music can all help bust stress." 

Why Must You Drink Water

Regular intake of water is essential for maintaining good health

Most of us know that up to seventy per cent of the total body weight is due to water. Although it is present in all parts of the body, it is more present in organs such as lungs and brain and fluids such as blood, lymph, saliva and secretions by the organs of the digestive system. The common belief is that we feel thirsty only when our body needs water. While this is true, recent research studies have indicated that there are several other indicators of inadequate water in some or all parts of the body. Ignoring these indicators can lead to several major diseases. Most of us spend a lot of our working hours in air-conditioned environment so naturally we don't feel thirsty but that does not mean that our body does not need water. Lack of water can lead to fatigue too. So, for your glowing health, drink enough water.

Importance of water for maintaining normal health:

The flow of water inside and outside the cells generates energy. This energy is stored in body along with other chemical sources of energy in the body. The energy generated by the water in the cells helps transmit impulses in the nerves. Water content in the body influences the functions of the various proteins and enzymes that are dissolved in it.

Water helps maintain the moisture of the lining of the internal organs of the body. It maintains normal volume and consistency of fluids such as blood and lymph. It regulates body temperature.

It removes 'toxins' from the body:
Water is essential for regulating the normal structure and functions of the skin. The body loses about four litres of water every day. It is, therefore, necessary to replenish this volume by drinking at least the equivalent amount of water every day. Inadequate intake of water can lead to dehydration.

The Joy of Chocolate

The flavonoids and antioxidants in dark chocolate will not only boost your mood but can help reduce high blood pressure and decrease the risk for heart disease. Choose a chocolate with at least 60 percent cacao to reap these benefits. Still, it's important to indulge in moderation — chocolate also contains fat and sugar.

Go for Green Cleaning

If you hire professionals to clean your home, consider using an eco-friendly company. Look for a service that uses high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuums, which trap small particles such as airborne chemicals and smoke. These companies also use nontoxic household cleaners that are better for your family's health.