12 helpful hacks that can have a surprising effect on your body

1. Treat a headache by massaging your big toe.

Why it works: There are head reflex areas on the top, on the sides, and on the base of your big toes. If you massage these areas, you might relieve tension in your head and neck.

2. Calm your nerves by blowing on your thumb.

Why it works: When you try to exhale through a nearly blocked airway, your intrapleural pressure gets increased. This stimulates your vagus nerve that controls your heart rate. There's one more reason why this trick might work on you - your thumbs have their own pulse, so when you blow on them, it affects your overall pulse as well.

3. Boost your mood by holding a pencil between your teeth.

Why it works: Keeping a pencil in your mouth will help you activate your smile muscles, which can deceive your brain and raise your spirits.

4. Soothe a tickling throat by scratching your ear.

Why it works: When the nerves in your ear are stimulated, it creates a reflex in your throat that can cause a muscle spasm. This muscle spasm can relieve the tickle in your throat.

5. Turn off your gag reflex by squeezing your left thumb.

Why it works: Applying pressure to a specific point on your palm can significantly reduce your gag reflex. And one of the easiest ways to do this is to clench your left hand into a fist with your thumb inside it.

6. Stop a nosebleed by pressing on your upper gums.

Why it works: It’s believed that putting pressure on your gums can block the artery that supplies blood to your nose.

7. Swallow stubborn pills by tilting your head forward.

Why it works: If you take a drink of water and then tilt your head forward instead of backward, this will help you deal with hard-to-swallow capsules easily. In this case, the capsules should float and will be at the back of your throat immediately.

8. "Wake up" your arm by moving your head around.

Why it works: A tingly arm is often the result of the compression of the nerves in your neck. So if you loosen your neck muscles, this will help you release the extra pressure in your arm.

9. Relieve a headache by putting your hands under cold water.

Why it works: Cold temperature can tighten your blood vessels and reduce the pressure they put on your nerves. It works best on your hands because they have a lot of nerves that are connected right to your brain.

10. Deal with fear of needles by coughing.

Why it works: Coughing can work as a simple distraction for your brain. It also momentarily increases your blood pressure, which helps reduce your perception of pain.

11. Make your toothache disappear by putting an ice cube on the back of your hand between your index finger and your thumb.

Why it works: This part of your hand is filled with nerve pathways that carry pain signals to your brain, and the cold temperature is able to block these signals.

12. Get rid of hiccups by raising your arms above your head and stretching.

Why it works: Stretching can effectively reset your diaphragm and stop it from contracting involuntarily.

Do you know any other useful body hacks? Let's continue the list together in the comments!

15 Qualities of Mentally Tough People

The hallmarks of mentally tough people are actually strategies that you can begin using today.

1. They’re emotionally intelligent.

Emotional intelligence is the cornerstone of mental toughness. You cannot be mentally tough without the ability to fully understand and tolerate strong negative emotions and do something productive with them. Moments that test your mental toughness are ultimately testing your emotional intelligence (EQ).

Unlike your IQ, which is fixed, your EQ is a flexible skill that you can improve with understanding and effort. It’s no wonder that 90 percent of top performers have high EQs and people with high EQs earn $28,000 more annually (on average) than their low-EQ counterparts.

Unfortunately, EQ skills are in short supply. TalentSmart has tested more than a million people, and we’ve found that just 36 percent of these are able to accurately identify their emotions as they happen.

2. They’re confident.

“Whether you think you can, or think you can’t—you’re right.” – Henry Ford

Mentally tough people subscribe to Ford’s notion that your mentality has a powerful effect on your ability to succeed. This notion isn’t just a motivational tool—it’s a fact. A recent study at the University of Melbourne showed that confident people went on to earn higher wages and get promoted more quickly than others did.

True confidence—as opposed to the false confidence people project to mask their insecurities—has a look all its own. Mentally tough people have an upper hand over the doubtful and the skittish because their confidence inspires others and helps them to make things happen.

3. They neutralize toxic people.

Dealing with difficult people is frustrating and exhausting for most. Mentally tough people control their interactions with toxic people by keeping their feelings in check. When they need to confront a toxic person, they approach the situation rationally. They identify their emotions and don’t allow anger or frustration to fuel the chaos. They also consider the difficult person’s standpoint and are able to find common ground and solutions to problems. Even when things completely derail, mentally tough people are able to take the toxic person with a grain of salt to avoid letting him or her bring them down.

4. They embrace change.

Mentally tough people are flexible and are constantly adapting. They know that fear of change is paralyzing and a major threat to their success and happiness. They look for change that is lurking just around the corner, and they form a plan of action should these changes occur.

Only when you embrace change can you find the good in it. You need to have an open mind and open arms if you’re going to recognize, and capitalize on, the opportunities that change creates.

You’re bound to fail when you keep doing the same things you always have in the hope that ignoring change will make it go away. After all, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.

5. They say no.

Research conducted at the University of California in San Francisco showed that the more difficulty you have saying no, the more likely you are to experience stress, burnout and even depression. Mentally tough people know that saying no is healthy, and they have the self-esteem and foresight to make their no’s clear.

When it’s time to say no, mentally tough people avoid phrases such as “I don’t think I can” or “I’m not certain.” They say no with confidence because they know that saying no to a new commitment honors their existing commitments and gives them the opportunity to successfully fulfill them.

The mentally tough also know how to exert self-control by saying no to themselves. They delay gratification and avoid impulsive action that causes harm.

6. They know that fear is the No. 1 source of regret.

Mentally tough people know that, when all is said and done, they will lament the chances they didn’t take far more than they will their failures. Don’t be afraid to take risks.

I often hear people say, “What’s the worst thing that can happen to you? Will it kill you?” Yet death isn’t the worst thing that can happen to you. The worst thing that can happen to you is allowing yourself to die inside while you’re still alive.

It takes refined self-awareness to walk this tightrope between dwelling and remembering. Dwelling too long on your mistakes makes you anxious and gun shy, while forgetting about them completely makes you bound to repeat them. The key to balance lies in your ability to transform failures into nuggets of improvement. This creates the tendency to get right back up every time you fall down.

7. They embrace failure…

Mentally tough people embrace failure because they know that the road to success is paved with it. No one ever experienced true success without first embracing failure.

By revealing when you’re on the wrong path, your mistakes pave the way for you to succeed. The biggest breakthroughs typically come when you’re feeling the most frustrated and the most stuck. It’s this frustration that forces you to think differently, to look outside the box and to see the solution that you’ve been missing.

8. …yet they don’t dwell on mistakes.

Mentally tough people know that where you focus your attention determines your emotional state. When you fixate on the problems that you’re facing, you create and prolong negative emotions and stress, which hinders performance. When you focus on actions to better yourself and your circumstances, you create a sense of personal efficacy, which produces positive emotions and improves performance.

Mentally tough people distance themselves from their mistakes, but they do so without forgetting them. By keeping their mistakes at a safe distance, yet still handy enough to refer to, they are able to adapt and adjust for future success.

9. They won’t let anyone limit their joy…

When your sense of pleasure and satisfaction are derived from comparing yourself to others, you are no longer the master of your own happiness. When mentally tough people feel good about something they do, they won’t let anyone’s opinions or accomplishments take that away from them.

While it’s impossible to turn off your reactions to what others think of you, you don’t have to compare yourself to others, and you can always take people’s opinions with a grain of salt. Mentally tough people know that regardless of what people think of them at any particular moment, one thing is certain—they’re never as good or bad as people say they are.

10. …and they don’t limit the joy of others.

Mentally tough people don’t pass judgment on others because they know that everyone has something to offer, and they don’t need to take other people down a notch in order to feel good about themselves.

Comparing yourself to other people is limiting. Jealousy and resentment suck the life right out of you; they’re massive energy-stealers. Mentally tough people don’t waste time or energy sizing people up and worrying about whether or not they measure up.

Instead of wasting your energy on jealousy, funnel that energy into appreciation. When you celebrate the success of other people, you both benefit.

11. They exercise.

A study conducted at the Eastern Ontario Research Institute found that people who exercised twice a week for 10 weeks felt more socially, intellectually and athletically competent. They also rated their body image and self-esteem higher. Best of all, rather than the physical changes in their bodies being responsible for the uptick in confidence, which is key to mental toughness, it was the immediate, endorphin-fueled positivity from exercise that made all the difference.

12. They get enough sleep.

It’s difficult to overstate the importance of sleep to increasing your mental toughness. When you sleep, your brain removes toxic proteins, which are by-products of neural activity when you’re awake. Unfortunately, your brain can remove them adequately only while you’re asleep, so when you don’t get enough sleep, the toxic proteins remain in your brain cells, wreaking havoc by impairing your ability to think—something no amount of caffeine can fix.

Mentally tough people know that their self-control, focus and memory are all reduced when they don’t get enough—or the right kind—of sleep, so they make quality sleep a top priority.

13. They limit their caffeine intake.

Drinking excessive amounts of caffeine triggers the release of adrenaline, the source of the fight-or-flight response. The fight-or-flight mechanism sidesteps rational thinking in favor of a faster response to ensure survival. This is great when a bear is chasing you but not so great when life throws you a curve.

When caffeine puts your brain and body into this hyper-aroused state of stress, your emotions overrun your behavior. Caffeine’s long half-life ensures you stay this way as it takes its sweet time working its way out of your body. Mentally tough people know that too much caffeine is trouble, and they don’t let it get the better of them.

14. They don’t wait for an apology to forgive.

Mentally tough people know that life goes a lot smoother once you let go of grudges and forgive even those who never said they were sorry. Grudges let negative events from your past ruin today’s happiness. Hate and anger are emotional parasites that destroy your joy in life.

The negative emotions that come with holding on to a grudge create a stress response in your body, and holding on to stress can have devastating consequences (both physically and mentally). When you forgive someone, it doesn’t condone their actions; it simply frees you from being their eternal victim.

15. They’re relentlessly positive.

Keep your eyes on the news for any length of time, and you’ll see that it’s just one endless cycle of war, violent attacks, fragile economies, failing companies and environmental disasters. It’s easy to think the world is headed downhill fast.

And who knows? Maybe it is. But mentally tough people don’t worry about that because they don’t get caught up in things they can’t control. Instead of trying to start a revolution overnight, they focus their energy on directing the two things that are completely within their power—their attention and their effort.

Mental toughness is not an innate quality bestowed upon a select few. It can be achieved and enjoyed.

What else makes people mentally tough? How many of these 15 qualities describe you? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below as I learn just as much from you as you do from me.

Do You Have the qualities of All Tough-Minded People?

What qualities do tough-minded people have?

1. They’re people whose word is their bond.

Tough-minded people are reliable.

2. They are people who are comfortable saying NO

…because they are also people who don’t necessarily go with the crowd, or are even LIKED by the crowd.

Tough-minded people adhere to their own core principles.

Lots of famous people are both gritty and soft. Mark Ruffalo. Oprah! I bet she’s made a few unpopular decisions throughout the span of HER career! Former President Obama. Madonna is a very tough-minded business person. Doesn’t mean she’s not also open-hearted. Not at all.

You don’t have to be a doormat to still be soft.

3. Tough-minded people push themselves outside their comfort zone. They DARE.

They have the ability to assess measured-risk, and they kick fear to the curb! I think it’s because they’re comfortable with failing. They seem to intuitively understand that what they learn by getting something wrong, has value.

They don’t expect perfection.

4. Mentally tough-minded and determined people are those who stay positive when things get hard.

They find opportunities when others see defeat. I know SO many strong people! They are gritty, resolute, and they always keep their eye on their goals.

They break the mold with courage, boldness and decisiveness.

That doesn’t mean they don’t get scared. They absolutely DO! But their emotional intelligence seems to provide them with the bravery they need to work through difficult situations. They stay in the game.

5. Tough-minded people expect MORE from themselves.

And they usually don’t self-disappoint. They are closers! I think that’s where they get their confidence.

6. They are learners.

They know that things in life change constantly. And they welcome it. In fact, they’re often even ready for it! Tom Hanks, Michelle Obama, Benedict Cumberbatch, Martha Stewart, Meryl Streep. All mentally tough-minded, yet loving and giving at the same time. I’d want all of them in my foxhole!

7. Mentally tough-minded people are able to adapt.

Sure, they have a plan, and even a back-up plan. But they are resilient when their plans get tossed out the window. They are very good at winging it! One of my favorite qualities about them is that they apologize when they get it wrong. This is a great quality to have in a relationship.

8. They are independent.

Their softness and trust surfaces at the end of the day with their families. Actually, their autonomy and power is often motivated by those they love, who also supports and understands them, if they’re lucky!

9. They know when it’s time to pull the plug.

Because they accept the concept and possibility of failure, as easily as they do success, they’re not likely to spend their time bailing out a sinking ship. They adapt, accept reality, and change their plan.

If you’d like to become more mentally strong and self-determined in your life and your relationships, here are just a few things you can do:

1. Stay calm.

If you lose control, you let others know which buttons to push in the future. Keep your cards close.

2. Be MORE concerned with whether you’ve lived up to your OWN expectations of yourself, and not those of others.

Tough-minded people usually have a pretty high bar. If you meet your own bar, you’ve probably met everyone else’s expectations of you.

3. Don’t let other people hurt your feelings.

They’re entitled to their opinion of you. But just don’t take it as fact. Use your own compass. Listen to valuable feedback, use it to improve yourself, and toss the rest.

Easier said than done. I know.

4. Don’t nag or complain.

Instead, be constructive. Everyone needs to let it out – unload, but choose the right person to gripe to about the people who are most frustrating you.

5. Be strategic.

Have a plan. I know one great woman who “reverse engineers” everything! A long-range plan is the best kind of plan. And know that you’ll be tweaking that plan for years! Because things change! You change! So always adapt your plan to fit your goals.

6. Manage your fear.

Ask yourself if the problem in front of you will still matter in five years. It usually doesn’t.

I hope this adds value to your day. 

7 Ways to Make a Year Your Best Year as a Couple

Has it been a great year for you? Make next year your best yet for you and your honey.

Reflect and identify relationship trends before looking ahead

When you reflect on your year, you will notice some common trends. Some trends were good for your relationship, and some were bad. Before you start making resolutions, setting goals, and determining your direction for the New Year, figure this out. Once you know the trends, you will know what worked and what didn't work. You can then move forward from that point. 

Forget resolutions - choose something profound to focus on

Several years ago, I decided to do away with New Year's resolutions. Instead, I decided to create one theme or focus for the year. This is one guide to direct my year, help me make decisions, and to use as a focal point when I got off track. It has worked wonders! Instead of making resolutions, create a theme for your relationship. You can base what you do in your relationship on this theme. Our theme for this year is to make us a priority. So when we have conflicting choices, we choose the one that aligns best with our focus, or theme. 

Read (or write) a relationship book together

The act of reading together is a great way to unwind. And when you read books that help your relationship, it is a double win. My wife and I can definitely do better at this, as we have not made it a priority. In addition, with my wife's help I'll be publishing a marriage book in the New Year. Whether you are a writer or not, the practice of reading together will benefit your relationship. 

Get sweaty together and physically challenge yourselves

This past year, we got sweaty together. My wife, who doesn't really enjoy running, agreed to run a 5k with me. We trained together for about 4 weeks and then completed a 5km together. We ended up exceeding our expectations! Then we started working out in the early mornings by starting the training video Insanity. Both challenged us in different ways, and an appreciation, respect, and support for one another has followed. We are planning more of the same in the new year, including completing Insanity and running more 5kms and/or longer races. 

Be aware of where your relationship is today

We have been through ups and downs in our marriage. We have experienced several different stages in marriage. One night, we sat down and reflected on this and I decided to write about each stage of marriage we experienced. As we talked and I wrote, we realized where our marriage is today, and how important this stage is to us, our kids, and other marriages. Knowing where your marriage stands today will help you continue to grow together, and eventually experience all there is in marriage. 

Be open and prepare for change

My wife and I were born and raised in the same town, and we have lived in our current city since college. Our state is what we know. But this year, we opened the door to something different. We actually considered moving to a new state. A state nowhere near where we live now. And we were prepared to just about drop everything to do it. It came very close to happening, but the opportunity that was going to help us do so was put on hold. But that process, and excitement, of getting completely out of our comfort zones and starting something new, engaged us and brought us together. 

Get away from everything together

We went on a weekend retreat together in late spring. This was a few months after our income began to grow again, and we solidified our housing situation. Things were better, but still tough. At first, it seemed the timing of the retreat was bad, as a lot was going on, but the minute we arrived we began to think differently. That weekend retreat was a huge breakthrough for our marriage. What we shared and experienced impacted the rest of the year and beyond in our relationship. 

Foods to eat if you are Diabetic

If you’re a diabetic, chances are, you already know a lot about the lifestyle you’re supposed to follow- exercise, addiction control and food. To help you out, we've put down a list of some good foods you could choose for yourself if you have diabetes.

Apples

Recent studies have revealed that just a single apple a day could cut down the levels of harmful cholesterol in blood by a whopping 40 percent, and give the body a good dose of antioxidants, which could help protect and deal with diabetes. Consumption of 5 or more apples a week is linked to 23 percent reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.

Asparagus

With just 20 calories and a good amount of dietary fiber per serving, asparagus makes for a wonderful food choice for those with diabetes. Asparagus also contains many antioxidants, and its consumption is thought to reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease and cancer, and also slow down the effects of ageing.

Avocadoes

Avocadoes have earned their reputation of being heart healthy, but not many people know that they are also wonderful for diabetics. It has been found that regular consumption of avocadoes could reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by 25 per cent. 

Beans

when it comes to diabetes, beans are nothing less than super-foods. They are high in fiber, and just a cup serving a day is known to help control blood sugar levels. What’s more, consuming them every day can reduce the risk of stroke by 7 percent.

Blueberries

Blueberries, among other berries, are best known for their flavonoid content. Their high fiber content makes them one of the best when it comes to following a diet for diabetes. Consuming berries is thought to keep blood sugar levels from spiking up.

Broccoli

Broccoli is another great super-food to add to your diet if you’re a diabetic. It is rich in an antioxidant beta carotene, and is known to promote healthy vision, keep the teeth and bones strong, and also promote skin health. It is also believed that broccoli can reduce cell damage occurring due to high blood sugar. 

Carrots

Carrots are rich in fiber and important vitamins that boost immunity. Consumption of carrots is also thought to prevent the development of certain cancers, and when it comes to diabetes, raw carrots may also lower the risk of development of type 2 diabetes even in those who have a genetic predisposition to the disease.

Diabetes is among the most debilitating of lifestyle diseases, often the precursor to many other types of health disorders such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases and chronic illnesses of the eye. Most diabetics tend to depend upon taking medications, many of which include hormone supplementation injections and drugs for controlling the sugar levels. Though these aids are often critical for managing cases where diabetes seems to have turned into an incurable condition, it is always better to seek natural cures. These natural remedies don’t put forth the kind of side-effects associated with stronger medications and can be resourced from our everyday supplies.

Pears

Rich in potassium and loaded with fibre, a pear is also low in carbohydrates! Add them in your fruit bowl or mix it up with spinach to get an instant fix for your hunger pangs. Despite the fact that fruits and vegetables are good for you, there’s no denying the fact that some of them contain sugar and carbohydrates, albeit in small amounts. So keep your portions small and do check with your nutritionist before any major diet changes.

Cabbage

Cabbage has a low glycaemic index of 10 which is very diabetes friendly. It is also a rich source of vitamin C and K. However, keep an eye on the fat content if you are including cabbage in your diet.

Berries

Tempting red strawberries or indigo coloured blueberries or just any berries for that matter. Experts advice that these little colourful fruits are rich in antioxidants, vitamins and fibre and are low-carb! So top off your breakfast with some strawberries or just toss them in your mouth. It adds a pop of colour and a dollop of health!

Oranges

Despite the fact that an orange contains sugar, it also contains other compounds that help control blood glucose, which makes it good for a diabetes patient. The soluble fibre present in an orange thickens as it’s being digested. This in turn slows down the sugar absorption, offering better control of your blood sugar.

Spinach

Is there nothing this super food can’t do? Research shows that green, leafy and fresh spinach is extremely low in calories and carbohydrates, which is especially good news if you are a diabetic. In fact, spinach is one of the rare things that a diabetic can eat almost freely! 

Okra (Lady’s finger)

This vegetable is a sure shot hit with kids and diabetics! Like brinjals and oranges, the presence of soluble fibre in okra makes this humble vegetable one of the best things to eat if you are diabetic

Brinjal

Non-starchy, low carbohydrate and soluble fibre, could a vegetable be more perfect for diabetes? Load up on this easily available vegetable and enjoy the goodness that it offers!

Cherries

If you have a sweet tooth, don’t worry! Sweet cherries are good for you! The sugar in them is natural. To add to that, they have a low calorie count and a minimal carbohydrate level! But make sure you check the labels before you pick up a can of cherries as many of them are loaded with artificial sweeteners!

Drink water

Water tends to mobilize the high sugar content in blood and thereby helps in preventing aggravation. Drinking 2.5 litres of water, on a daily basis, will not only regulate physical functions but will also lower chances of cardiovascular and diabetic ailments.

Green Tea

Green tea is nothing less than a miracle cure for ailments. Consuming a cup of unsweetened green tea regularly will rid the body of free radicals and let the antioxidants, contained within, normalize the blood sugar levels. This will aid in reducing diabetes and help keep the chances at bay.

Vinegar

Vinegar is an excellent dietary compound responsible for diluting concentrated sugar-levels in the blood. Studies have shown that two spoonful’s of vinegar before a meal can reduce the glucose influx.

Fresh Fruits

Natural fruit sugars are the best options, as dietary supplements, since they provide all the necessary vitamins and minerals required. Studies have shown that an adequate intake of Vitamin A and C maintains blood and bone health. Include fresh citrus fruits like oranges, apples, pineapples, grapes and lemons in your diet. Consume bananas in moderation, since their sugar structure is more complex than that of citrus fruits. 

Exercise

Proper exercise is the key element in maintaining optimum health. Studies have shown that exercise improves the blood flow and clears sugar levels in the blood. This results in higher metabolism and lower risks of diabetes.

Soy

Soy proteins are one of the miracle cures for reducing diabetes among crucial patients. The is flavones contained in them reduce the sugar content in blood and keep the body nourished, while accumulating much fewer calories, when compared to other foods.

Sunlight

Studies have shown that moderate exposure to sunlight boosts the physical synthesis of vitamin D, which is essential for doing away with insulin resistance in the body. Lack of Vitamin D results in low insulin production. While soaking up the sun might sound like an excellent yet easy remedy, to reduce diabetes levels, one must pay attention not to overexpose themselves to avoid risks of skin cancer.

Fresh Vegetables

Fresh vegetables are rich sources of iron, zinc, potassium, calcium and other essential nutrients. These nutrients restore the balance and aid in overall cardiovascular and nervous health. This prompts the body to assimilate proteins and produce insulin in an optimum level. 

Lean Meat

Lean meats are great substitutes for non-vegetarians under diabetes risk. The high protein content is essential to sustain physical well-being, since fats and high-carbohydrate diets are out of the question. 

Cinnamon Powder

Powdered cinnamon, apart from spicing up your foods, has the ability to lower blood sugar levels, as well. Take a pinch of cinnamon with warm water every day and kiss diabetes goodbye.

Sleep Well

A good night’s sleep is as essential for proper health, as food or exercise. Studies have shown that adults sleeping for 7-8 hours every night have experienced lesser chances of contracting diabetes in the long run, than those who sleep for fewer hours. The science behind it claims that sleep calms the brain and facilitates the normal hormone secretion. Lack of sleep upsets the normal hormonal balance.

Small, Frequent Meals

High metabolic rates are highly conducive in maintaining blood-sugar levels and nothing keeps metabolism more fired up than consuming small portions, frequently. Studies have shown that frequent meals result in greater absorption of nutrients and lesser deposition of fat. Without fat deposition, the insulin secretion is normalized.

Using Methi Seeds

Fenugreek or Methi seeds are considered the most effective of natural cures that can help alleviate typical symptoms of diabetes. Methi seeds should be soaked in water overnight. The water concentrated with the seeds’ juices should be consumed early in the morning on an empty stomach. For making this natural concoction stronger, you can crush the seeds and sieve them through a cloth or filter paper.

Using Natural Juices

Some juices have been found to be effective in controlling high sugar levels that can prove fatal for diabetics. These are juices of fruits and vegetables that are further enriched with antioxidants and many rare micronutrients. The most recommended variety here is the Bitter Gourd or Karela juice. Other options include grape juice or the juice-like extract made from boiling mango leaves in water.

Aloe Gel Remedy

An effective, natural concoction for diabetes can be prepared by adding a few teaspoons of ground Bay Leaf (Tejpatra) with one teaspoon of turmeric. This mixture should be mixed with an equal amount of aloe vera gel and consumed daily, before lunch and dinner.

Using Chapattis to Your Advantage

Another useful way of managing diabetes is increasing the daily intake of fiber in the natural form. This includes increasing the fiber content in chappatis that tend to be eaten with regularity in Indian homes. The refined flour should be mixed with a combination of flours procured from different cereals, particularly those high in soluble fiber. This includes flours of barley and lentils like Chana Dal and soya bean.

Using Jarul or Banaba

Diabetics can use Banaba or Jarul plant extract. Banaba is among the lesser known of herbal plants in India. Along with India, it is grown in only a handful of other nations. The herbal powder of Banaba extract can be used to make herbal tea. This plant contains high concentrations of contains Corosolic acid—the most potent of biochemical compounds that stimulate faster glucose metabolism and help to regulate blood sugar and insulin levels that is very useful for combating diabetes.

Jamun

Jamun is one of the rarest plants where nearly each part, the leaves, berry and seeds are known to help in controlling blood sugar levels. Neem leaves are useful in a similar manner. Amla or the Indian goose Berry is similarly effective in managing sugar levels. Instead of using only Neem leaves, you can also add leaves of Tulsi and Bel Patra. All these leaves can be boiled together for increasing the potency of the filtered extract.