Friday, October 16, 2009

Anti-stress Cucumber Steam Treatment


We all know that Feel5ive will relieve stress and help us stay on an even keel. But what if you want an activity you can do that will help you focus on unwinding and letting go while it soothes you?

Try a cucumber steam treatment.

Cut up a whole cucumber and put it in a pot of boiling water. Tests have shown this to be effective in reducing anxiety levels in new mothers, and in college students during exam time. And it carries a bonus: The vitamins and minerals from the cucumber steam will give your face a skin-smoothing, beautifying treatment at the same time.

It turns out that cucumber has quite a few more uses than just adding taste to a salad or sandwich, and this is one of them. It's also useful as a soothing treatment for tired eyes, a breath mint, and as a way to avoid a hangover after a night of over indulgence.

For your eyes, cut a couple of slices and place over your eyes while you relax and breathe deeply for a few minutes. As a breath mint, cut a slice and use your tongue to hold it on the roof of your mouth for about 30 seconds, and for hangover avoidance, eat several slices before going to bed.

We all know that cucumbers are low in calories, so are a good snack food for those trying to avoid weight gain. But did you know that they contain most of the vitamins you need every day? A cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

Because cucumbers contain B vitamins and carbohydrates, they can be a quick pick-me-up that lasts for hours and will help you avoid the temptation of calorie-laden sodas or candy bars.

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