How To Get the Health Benefits of Sex Without Having A Sexual Partner

The health benefits of having sex; stress reduction, decreased blood pressure, happiness, and a youthful glow do not occur just because you’re having sex, they are the result of the chemical reactions that occur in the body and the brain during sex.  

Many people are missing out on these very beneficial chemical reactions and the good feelings they bring about because they do not have partners or they have partners who do not or cannot satisfy them. 

No matter what the reason, whether it be divorce, separation, death, military deployment, illness, or just not having a suitable or healthy partner many people will have periods in their lives when they do not have a satisfying lover. And those who are married are not immune from this state of being. In fact it has been reported that up to 40% of American marriages are sexless. So how can those who do not have partners or who have a partner that is not getting the job done enjoy the mental physical and emotional benefits of sex.

Sex for One: The first thing that comes to mine when discussing sex without a partner is self-loving, also known, as masturbation. Masturbation is natural in the human experience, even while in the womb humans engage in this activity.             It's "safe sex" it has no risk of disease and is readily available. In her book Sex for One Betty Dodson helps to release the taboo of self-love and takes you on a journey toward becoming your very own lover for life. In it you'll learn satisfying techniques that you can later teach to a partner should you choose to find one.

Self loving is a liberating activity that decreases the stress, anxiety and desperation  that can evolve during long periods of abstinence. Having a healthy supply of sex toys, setting aside special time for you to do you to get to know each other better     and setting the mood will enhance your experience and make the activity 

really worth wild and a high point in your self loving life. There are several other things you can do outside of self-loving that can render the same physical and emotional benefits as having sex for example there is;

Massage Therapy: During sex and massage the love hormone oxytocin that brings feelings of warmth, comfort, and love of life is emitted, as is serotonin, the major chemical involved in the relief of depression. According to studies conducted by the National Institute of Health massage therapy can ease feelings of isolation, depression, anxiety and pain.

If you’ve ever had a massage you know how satisfying and soothing they can be. After having massage the feelings of floating on air and wanting a good nap can 

easily alleviate intense sexual desire and leave you feeling good all over.

Having a massage on a regular basis can be a part of a very satisfying sex for one    lifestyle. You can find out more about massage and how to choose a massage  therapist by visiting the American Massage Therapy Association website. And you can find inexpensive massage at massage therapy schools by visiting their student training clinics 

Yoga: Many studies have shown that yoga can decrease blood pressure, ease pain, decrease feelings of depression and anxiety, improve muscle tone and increase circulation, all benefits of having sex that the National Institute of Health attribute to yoga. 

Personally I believe yoga is heaven sent. It has helped
me to keep my youthful glow and my sanity. As a person who suffers from recurrent bouts
of depression I swear by the healing and satisfying effects of a yoga practice.

Aromatherapy: According the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, aromatherapy produces both emotional and physical effects that include stress relief, sleep improvement, mood boosting, hormone regulation that will ease PMS, muscle relaxation, immune system stimulation, and enhance blood circulation. Two of the most commonly used aromatherapy oils Lavender and Frankensince oils can produce the same chemical responses that one has when deeply in love and help you to feel relaxed and satisfied.                                         

These natural therapies and others like regular exercise, having a spiritual practice, and a love life with friends and family where you actively hug, smile and laugh are all ways bring about mental, physical and emotional satisfaction and will help you to have a very loving life.

The Doctor Just Said, I Should Have More Sex

In this excellent post from MamaHealth.com the author

gives a very good synopsis of the benefits of having

sex. In fact most experts now say that people who have

sex twice per week enjoy all the benefits in this posting

and many, many more.

Sex Relieves Stress

Studies show that one of the biggest health
benefit of sex is lower blood pressure and
overall stress reduction. When you decrease
stress levels you also decrease cravings for
fatty and sweet foods which aids in weight
reduction and improving diabetes by decreasing the amount of those types of foods you eat

Sex Can Decrease Feelings of Depression
Having sex increases the bodies level of serotonin the chemical that modulates
feelings of depression. Currently depression is the number one cause of disability
in the western world.

Boosts Immunity
Having sex once or twice a week has been linked
with higher levels of an antibody called immunoglobulin
A or IgA. This antibody helps protect you from getting
colds and other infections.

Sex Burns Calories
Thirty minutes of sex burns 85 calories or more.
It may not sound like much, but it adds up. A
vigorous bout burns some 200 calories. This is about the same as running 15
minutes on a treadmill or playing a spirited game of squash. Muscular contractions
during intercourse work the pelvis, thighs, buttocks, arms, neck and thorax.
Sex also boosts production of testosterone, which leads to stronger bones and
muscles.

Sex Increases Blood Flow
When we are aroused our blood starts pumps at a quicker rate and,
thus, blood flow to our brainincreases. The fresh supply of blood pumping
through your body provides the organs with a healthy dose of oxygen and
rids the body of old and wasteful products.

Sex Keeps you Young
Sex keeps you looking and feeling younger. Research alco indicates that
sex may lead to shinyhair, a glowing complexion and bright eyes. This is
because sex increases the youth-promoting hormone DHEA.

Sex Improves Intimacy
Having sex and orgasms increases levels of the hormone oxytocin, the
so-called love hormone, which helps us bond and build trust. Higher oxytocin
has also been linked with a feeling of generosity. So if you're feeling suddenly
more generous toward your partner than usual, credit the love hormone.

Sex Reduces Pain
As levels of the hormone oxytocin increases, endorphins increase, and
pain declines. In women, sex also prompts production of estrogen, which
can reduce the pain of PMS.

All of that sounds good but what about the folks who don’t have a partner to have sex with, are they to live in pain, depressed, suffering with PMS, high blood pressure and rapidly aging. In tomorrows post I will discuss how to get the benefits of having sex without actually having sex.

What Questions You Should Ask Before Taking Medications

According to a July 2006 Institute of Medicine report, medication and prescription errors
harm a low estimate of 1.5 million people and take the lives of at least 7,000 patients each
year. It is also estimated that every third medication given in a hospital is given in some sort of error.
The mistakes cost the healthcare system approximately $3.7 billion dollars annually.
These costs do not include the monies paid to patients who become disabled after a medication
error.
Up to 80 percent of all medical errors could be prevented by improving the communication
between doctors and patients, and one of the best ways to start the conversation between providers and patients is to teach patients to answer questions. In What Did the Doctor Just Say I teach not only what questions you should ask, I also help you understand why you are asking the questions and what the answers mean in language you can understand.
Taken directly from What Did the Doctor Just Say? here are the questions you should ask your doctor, your pharmacist and yourself before taking any medications, the reasons why you should ask the questions are featured in What Did the Doctor Just Say?

What is the name of the medicine and how do you spell it?
Why am I taking the drug? (high blood pressure, diabetes, blood thinning)

What dose are you prescribing? If at all possible can you write the prescription without using decimal points.

How many times per day should I take the medicine and how many hours apart should I take the doses? Does twice a day mean every twelve hours or at 10.a.m. and 6 p.m.?

What are the side effects of the drug?

Ask the pharmacist to evaluate your medications for interactions with your other medications.

What side effects will tell me I should stop taking the medication and call you to let you know about them?

How long do I need to take the medicine?

When will the medication start working?

Can I stop taking my medicine if I feel better?

Should I avoid any food, drinks, or activities while on the medication?
Should the medicine be taken with food or on an empty stomach?

Is there anything I need to monitor at home: blood pressure, blood sugar, urine output, mood, heart rate, or anything else? If so what are the normal levels of each measurement and at what levels should I call you?

When should I have lab work done and how often should it be repeated?

Can I take a generic version of this medication? A generic is a non-brand name, less expensive version of the drug.

Choosing A Doctor to Prescribe Medical Marijuana

The use of marijuana for medical purposes with soon be legal in New Jersey making it the 14th state to allow marijuanafor medical purposes. While many patients with diseases like cancer, chronic pain and debilitating nueromusclar disorders are already using marijuana most have had to do so illegally putting them and their families at risk.

      Once the laws in the state of NJ and other states are finally changed and I do believe they will be. Not just because changingthese laws are good patient care, taxation of marijuana could curemany of California's and other states economic woes. I'm sure thismakes legislators at least interested in changing the laws. Once the law in your state is changed how will you select a doctor to prescribe medical marijuana.

      In What Did the Doctor Just Say I write extensively about ways to talk to your doctor about your healthcare preferences and how to choose a doctor who is willing to work with you, be competent at his or her job and be respectful of you and yourchoices.
The following excerpts from the What Did the Doctor Just Say? will help you to choose just such a doctor. I have added some information specific to selecting a doctor for the purpose of marijuana prescription

Chapter Four

How to Choose the Right Doctor and Get Better Care

“The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease.”

William Osler M.D.

Looking For Dr. Right

Choosing a doctor is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Quite literally, your life could depend upon your choice(s). If your doctor treats your condition improperly, you could be injured by the care you receive.

      Before you begin the selection process, there is a concept I want you to clearly understand, and that concept is this: You are the owner of YOUR Healthcare Team and your doctors are your employees, they work for you and they make their living by collecting your insurance dollars. There is no doubt that your doctors are very important employees; nonetheless they are employees. You must be clear that your doctors work for you, otherwise you will believe they are in charge of your healthcare, and you will not be empowered to speak openly about your desire to use medical marijuana as you might feel judged and over powered by the doctors opposition to its use. You may be inclined to accept whatever the doctors choice is and that may not be the best thing for you, if you want this treatment you need to find a 
who is willing to work with you.

      When choosing a doctor, you will need to evaluate the candidates for the position in three essential categories: accessibility, skill level, and personality (bedside manner). To start the selection process, you will first need to review your insurance carrier’s list of providers and the narrow down that list to providers to those who meet your specific needs.

      With a list of candidates in hand, ask your other doctors, your family members, and friends if they either recommend or discourage the use of any doctors on your list. If you know any nurses who work at your area hospitals, ask them who they would recommend. Nurses know the best and worst doctors because they have worked with many of them over time and in a variety of situations. Nurses know which doctors are competent, kind, and trustworthy, all qualities you want in a doctor, and they know the doctors who do not possess those qualities as well.

      Your next step is to evaluate each candidate’s credentials and their safety records. Several reputable Internet sites can help you to verify a provider’s training, specialty certifications, and any disciplinary actions that may have been leveled against the doctor. Currently, HealthGrades.com is the most comprehensive resource for examining a doctor’s background in all of these areas. The American Medical Association also collects safety information on its members, and a handful of states gather and report malpractice information.

       You want to get a list from your state board of health of providers who are able and

do prescribe medical marijuana in your state. And of course you can always search out

this information on the internet. Below are a few sites to help you begin checking the doctors

background and safety record.

• www.RateMD.com (includes patient feedback on doctors)
• www.physicianreports.com
• To find out if your state makes malpractice information available to the public, call your local Board of Health.
• Additionally many of the questions on the first worksheet can be answered by the office staff before making any appointments

Is the Doctor Caring and Empathetic Toward You

After meeting with the doctor, you will want to evaluate the doctors’ bedside manner. This set of questions will help you to evaluate the doctor’s communication skills; his ablility listen and to teach and his levels of respect, kindness and empathy toward you. The combination of these qualities equal the doctors bedside manner.

· Did you feel comfortable talking with the doctor?

If the answer to this question is “no” there may be no need to go any further. Teamwork and communication are essential to delivering safe patient care. You want to choose a provider you feel comfortable talking to.

· Is the practitioner safe and knowledgeable?

In addition to being properly trained, safe practitioners are well organized and in control of the information you need to know about your condition. Usually the advice a knowledgeable provider gives will match the information you found while researching your condition on the Internet. If the doctor is disorganized and unable to give you clear answers to your questions, you have met an unsafe provider. This is not the doctor for you.

· Did the doctor respect your thoughts and opinions and encourage you to express them?

No one knows better than you do what you are experiencing. If you feel something is wrong, your thoughts, perceptions, and experiences should be respected. If the doctor discounts what you say and indicates that your perceptions are wrong, she limits your ability to add to your healthcare safety. If a doctor dismisses your experiences she is not the doctor for you.

· Did the provider answer your questions in terms you could understand?

If a doctor does not answer questions in language you can understand, you should ask her to explain her answers in plain English. If after asking her to speak in plain English you still don’t understand what the doctor said, this is probably not the doctor for you.

· Did the doctor ask questions to ensure you understood his explanation?

A good doctor knows you may not understand everything she says and will try to assess what you did and did not understand, by asking, “Do you understand and do you have any questions?

            ·Is the provider a good teacher?

Did the provider teach you what you need to know about your condition? Did she teach you about diet, exercise, rest, and different types of therapy, or did she only discuss medications? You are a whole person and your health depends on your overall well- being. A good doctor will give you a wholistic education.

Questions to Ask When Choosing a Doctor

· Is the provider part of your insurance plan?

Generally speaking, if the answer to this question is “no” your plan will not pay for the care rendered unless your plan allows you to use out-of-network providers. If you do not have out-of-network benefits, but need to see an out-of-network provider because he or she has specialty training, contact your insurance plans’ case manager and explain your circumstances. The case manager may be able to get you the care you need by negotiating a contract with the doctor whose expertise you need. You may incur extra costs; however, if you need the care only this doctor can provide, it may be well worth it.

· Does the clinician have the background and training you need?

In general, everyone needs a general practitioner or internist to manage their colds and flu and their minor aches and pains. For more serious problems, you many need to see a specialist. Specialists have more training and knowledge in their area of study than do general practitioners, who specialize in treating everything. If you have an uncontrolled disorder or a newly-diagnosed condition, you may want to ask your internist for a referral to a specialist.

· Is the doctor board certified?

Board certified it means the doctor has completed extra hours of clinical training and has passed a national certification examination that has earned him or her the title “board certified.” Lack of board certification does not mean the provider is not qualified to care for you. It simply means the doctor has not completed the board certification process. When searching for a specialist, probably want to eliminate providers who are not board certified and has not completed specialty training.

· Is there a long wait to get an appointment?

If you have a condition for which you need immediate attention such as a new diagnosis of cancer, out-of-control pain, or really high blood pressure, you need to be seen as soon as possible. In such cases, long waits to get an appointment are not acceptable or safe. Consider removing a provider who has really long waits from your list of candidates.

Hopefully after asking these questions you will be able to choose the best doctor for your care and the safe prescribing of medical marijuana. I hope this helps, please let me know what you think.

My Doctor Does Not Listen to Me - What Can I do?

  As you know medical errors take over 200,000 lives per year
(536 lives per day). Medications errors alone hurt 1.5 million Americans per year. Statically each one of us has a one in four or 25% chance of falling victim to a medical error every time we enter the healthcare system.

In fact many of you or someone you know has

experienced an error that has somehow changed your life.

It is estimated that up to 80% of medical errors could be prevented by improving communication between doctors

and patients.

       But what happens if your doctor will not listen to you?

That's a question I am asked all the time. Patients tell me that their doctors are rushed, eager to write a prescription and annoyed by questions. Many patients have asked me how to overcome this barrier.

      In What Did the Doctor Just Say? I give readers 3 steps that encourage

doctors to listen and to take the time needed to answer questions in a

manner that provides you them fully informed consent before making any

healthcare decision

      Step One: DeBunk the Myth that the Doctor Is a god and You are

Lesser Than Him. You MUST Adjust Your Attitude. If you believe the

doctor is a higher being you will be meek and mild

you will submit to being dismissed because you feel you are wrong

or annoying for even asking a question about your life and your health.

      "The Dr is a god" is a very harmful myth and is responsible for a great

many medical errors. Because patients don't feel free to speak and offer

information or to get information. If that type of information were

freely exchanged it is estimated that up to 80% of medical errors

could be prevented.

     The best way to begin the conversation with a doctor is with the

knowledge that the Dr. is your employee. That's right the Dr. works for

you and is paid by your insurance dollars. Healthcare providers are

facilitators for you to get the best care possible, not gods.

     Step Two: Prepare for the Visit In WDTDJS I supply worksheets

that you can complete with the information you need to prepare for

your visit. 
      Some of the most important information you can share is

a detailed description of your complaints including; Onset, Location

Duration, Characteristics, Aggravating Factors,Reliving Factors and 
Severity.

      These are the 9 questions doctors ask (or should ask) about all

of your complaints. When did it start, where does it hurt, how long did

it last, what did it feel like, what makes it worse, what makes it

better, and how bad was it on a scale of 1-10. The following example

answers each of the above as they relate to a stomachache

      Ex: “The pain started two nights ago. I ate food that had been left on

the stove for about 36 hours and began having stomach cramps that

were pretty constant and very painful six hours later. Then, I had eight

very loose and watery stools over a 24-hour period. I did not have a

fever or vomiting. I was not able to work because of the pain in my

stomach was an 8-10 on the pain scale.”

      When you come prepared to speak in the OLDCARTS format doctors

are more likely to engage with you, to be interested in what you are

saying and they are able to get information quickly which will cut

down on their impatience and give them more time to answer your

questions all because you are now speaking their language.

       Coming prepared with your symptoms also helps the provider to

diagnosis you properly, this is very important as 40% of medical

diagnosis are wrong!!! Many of those errors occur because of poor

communication between the doctor and the patient.

      Also when patients speak in this manner it gets the doctors respect

and they know you know something and they had better pay attention

to you.

      Step Three: Again in WDTDJS I supply you with a list of questions

you will want to ask any provider you see to get fully informed consent

about tests, medications and procedures. Come prepared with your 
questions, this will help the doctor to use his or her time better and 
cut down on their impatience with questions.

     Once your questions are written down there may be a nurse,

nurse practitioner or nursing educator who would be more than

qualified to answer your questions and able to give you more

time and refer you to any resources you may need to learn more.

      Finally, let the physician know you are making their answers part of

your personal healthcare record and that you will be showing their

answers to consultants, second opinions, family members and friends.

      When the doctor knows you are recording and documenting their

responses they will be encouraged to answer your questions fully

and honestly because we all know any document can be shown to

a lawyer for later review.

     If these measures do not work and you cannot get your questions

answered you should FIRE your doctor and hire one who will

respect his boss, that's YOU the paying customer. A doctor who

doesn't listen increases your chances of being hurt by a medical

error by up to 80%. A provider like that has no place on

YOUR Healthcare Team

Being Kind Is Good For Your Health

Kindness can bring a sense of richness and fulfilment to our lives, and as a bonus, promote good health and longevity. Paul Pearsall, a Ph.D.in  psychology living in Hawaii, writes in his book The Pleasure  Prescription (Hunter House, 1996) "Modern research shows one of the most pleasurable of all human acts is also one  of the healthiest things you can do for yourself and  for others. Gentle, caring selflessness results in significant  health benefits." In the book Meaning & Medicine, (Bantam Books, 1991)  author Dr Larry Dossey tells us, "Altruism behaves like a  miracle drug, and a strange one at that. It has beneficial effects  on the person doing the helping - the helper’s high; it benefits  the person to whom the help is directed; and it can stimulate  healthy responses in persons at a distance who may view it  only obliquely." There have been a number of studies undertaken which  demonstrate the positive effects of kindness on health  (both psychological and physiological). Further studies are  under way, and several books have been published on the beneficial effects of kindness. Studies undertaken since  1988 are described in detail in The Healing Power of  Doing Good (Fawcett Columbine, 1991) written by  Allan Luks and Peggy Payne. Luks often noticed feelings  of pleasure and well being while involved in helping others.  Initially thinking it was something he alone experienced,  he began to hear from others about the pleasurable  feelings associated with helping. This prompted him to  investigate further into "this intriguing phenomenon that  seemed to have almost magical effects". The benefits mentioned in his book are as follows: A more optimistic and happier outlook on life A heightened sense of well being A sense of exhilaration and euphoria An increase in energy A feeling of being healthy Decreased feelings of loneliness, depression and helplessness A sense of connectedness with others A greater sense of calmness and relaxation Increased longevity Better weight control An improvement in insomnia A stronger immune system A reduction in pain Increased body warmth A healthier cardiovascular system (reduction of high blood pressure, improved circulation, reduced coronary disease) A reduction of excessive stomach acid A decrease of oxygen requirement Relief from arthritis and asthma Speedier recovery from surgery Reduced cancer activity The above list would put a snake oil salesman to shame, yet the  effects have been proven many times over. Pearsall was not  exaggerating when he referred to the effects of kindness as having  "immense immune and healing benefits". One of the participants in Luks’ survey stated the following:  "Some months ago I was so stressed out that I could barely  get four hours sleep at night, and I had all sorts of aches and pains.  I had even tried antidepressant and antianxiety drugs, but to no avail.  I then found out first hand that it is love that truly heals. When I  do nice things for others, I definitely feel a physical response. For me  it is mostly a relaxation of muscles that I hadn’t even realized  had been tensed. I can now sleep well at night, and most of my  aches and pains have disappeared." People who are aware of the beneficial effects of kindness use  it to keep their health conditions under control. Kindness is  being utilised to keep high blood pressure in check, to banish  headaches, relieve back pain, and subdue the pain of lupus  and arthritis, while others use it to cure a case of the blues.  Why would helping others have such beneficial effects? Partly  because helping takes our mind off our problems (i.e. reduces stress)  and gets us thinking about someone else. Dr Herbert Benson, a Harvard cardiologist who has been  involved in scientific research for over 30 years (he is also an  author, his most well known book being The Relaxation Response),  tells us that when we help others it allows us to ‘forget one’s self’  Another reason is that when we carry out an act of kindness, our  body rewards us by creating a ‘feel good’ sensation, which boosts  self esteem and well being. This experience has been termed the  helper’s high. The response is triggered when the body manufactures chemicals called endorphins.These endorphins are naturally occurring morphine-like substances that create a feeling of bliss within us.  In addition to creating a feel good experience, they also help to reduce the intensity of any pain messages being sent to the brain. We must assume that one of our basic purposes on planet Earth  is to be kind. Why else would our body reward us every time we help someone? As Pearsall tells us, "In concrete terms, there seems to be a biological reward for doing the right thing". It is not necessary to carry out major acts of kindness to gain the health  benefit. In fact it has been found that brief, small, regular acts of kindness  lead to the highest levels of well being. It has also been found that  such small, pleasurable experiences can more than offset any  negative health effects brought about by life’s stressful events,  regardless of their magnitude. This will be good news to those  of us who worry about the ramifications of the day to day  negative conflicts in our lives. If we happily punctuate our  day with small acts of kindness, our health will be in good shape! Paul Pearsall’s warning about the lack of joy in our lives  was mentioned earlier. What is the cause of this lack of joy?  According to Pearsall it is the inability to control our destiny  and the feeling of vulnerability that this brings, as well as an  inability to realise that our physical ills and social ills are related.  What is the answer? To reconnect with ourselves, the earth,  and those around us. When you choose to become a kinder person, you are not only  improving the well being and health of yourself and those you  come into contact with. Your kindness has a ripple effect. It has the magical ability of causing even those who have witnessed the act to  spontaneously feel good. When you make the decision to  be a kinder person, you are effectively bringing about positive  social change. As previously indicated, the act of giving, or being of service,  showing kindness, altruism, or any of the other names by  which it is known, has the ability to achieve powerful health  benefits. The beneficial effects from kind acts come from the  bonding to a fellow human being, no matter how fleeting that contact  may be. However, care needs to be taken not to expect some form  of outcome from the kind act, otherwise the benefits to the given  will be diminished or lost completely. If an outcome is not expected,  there will be no disappointment. For instance, if I were to let a car  in from a side street, expecting the driver to acknowledge my kind act,  and it didn’t happen, it could conceivably provoke rage if I were  that way inclined. If I am not expecting a positive reaction, and  I get one, then that’s a bonus. When I expect others to play by  my rules, I’m setting myself up for disappointment. Kindness is not only something that has positive benefits for  ourselves, it is something that has a positive effect on the community.  Allan Luks states, "The new knowledge about [the beneficial effects of] helping others holds the power to affect not only the  health of the individual, but the health of our entire, tension-ridden  society". Reprinted from http://www.kindness.com.au/kindness_and_health.htm ©June 1999. Join the Kindness Revolution!