Category Archives: Health

Oct31

Get The Body You’ve Always Wanted in 2017

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Get The Body You’ve Always Wanted in 2017

With 2017 just around the corner, it’s almost time for the annual outpouring of “new year, new me” Facebook posts. Most of these resolutions will be ancient history for most within a week but if you are serious about making some real changes in your health, keep on reading!

Get The Body You’ve Always Wanted in 2017:

As the year comes to an end, it’s a great chance to start reflecting and evaluating how things are going in our lives. Are you on track to achieving your goals? Are you happy? While any day is a good day to make a positive change, the promise of a new year can really give you the motivation you need.

So if things have gone a little off track, you’ve fallen into a rut, or things aren’t progressing the way you want- plan to start fresh in January. Weight and fitness are common resolutions and for good reason; there are few things more important than health. After an indulgent festive season, there’s no better time than to buckle down and do what you need to do. Here are some tips to scoring the body you’ve always wanted in 2017.

Start by Detoxing: After too much alcohol, sugar, saturated fat, and all round unhealthy indulgence over Christmas, starting off your healthy lifestyle with a detox is an excellent way to go. A few days of just fruits and vegetables can help to cleanse and replenish your system. It can ‘reset’ your appetite if you’ve been eating too much and generally provide your body with a massive boost of nutrients. Stock up on fresh produce (organic if possible) and consume it as juices, smoothies, or just as it is. After a few days, gradually introduce different foods back into your diet such as healthy whole grains, lean meat, and low-fat dairy.

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YUM!

Adopt a Healthy, Well Balanced Eating Plan: Once you have finished your detox, start eating a regular healthy diet. We all know what we should and shouldn’t be eating- avoid fried, fatty, and processed foods and incorporate plenty of fresh and natural produce. Include a broad range of fruits and vegetables in your diet and drink plenty of water. Try kicking your caffeine habit or at least reduce it, using healthy foods to boost your energy levels instead.

Take Some Supplements: Supplements shouldn’t be used as a substitute for a healthy diet but they’re a great way to boost it. Even with a healthy diet it can be difficult to get every vitamin and mineral you need every day so good multivitamin can make sure you’re all covered. A probiotic yogurt drink can improve gut health by increasing the levels of ‘good bacteria.’

Used properly, a supplement such as Garcinia Cambogia can help to boost your weight loss if you are overweight. This is completely safe and natural and made from a tropical fruit. It can help to reduce appetite, block your body’s ability to make fat, and even keep in check your cholesterol and blood sugar levels, too. There are lots of herbal supplements available in health food shops these days which help to target and improve different areas of the body. So it could be worth going in and having a look. For example, milk thistle is good for the liver, which is useful if you have been drinking a lot of alcohol over Christmas.

Get Serious About Exercise: The key to really improving your fitness is to find an exercise that you enjoy doing. If you know that you really hate sweating it out at the gym, your motivation is only going to last for so long. Before long you’ll be looking for reasons to skip it and might eventually stop going altogether. If you find something you enjoy and look forward to, you’re so much more likely to keep it up.

It could be a sport, an exercise class, or even working out from home. You could go swimming, to yoga, or to something more unusual like a circus skills exercise group. Try some new things and go on the search for something you love doing. Finding a reliable training partner is also beneficial. If you’re a bit self-conscious joining groups alone, you will have someone there for support. You can also motivate each other when things start getting a little harder later down the line.

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Oct31

Not Another Headache! Simple Changes You Can Make To Your Life To Keep The Pain Away

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Not Another Headache! Simple Changes You Can Make To Your Life To Keep The Pain Away

It is probably no surprise that millions of people get headaches every day. Whether it’s been a stressful day at work or an unhealthy dinner was eaten, it can lead to a sore head in the evening. A lot of people are fed up of relying on painkillers to help soothe their aching head. Therefore, it’s time to look at your life and see where you can make changes. After all, it’s often down to your lifestyle when you start suffering from headaches. Here are some simple changes you can make to your life to keep the painful headaches at bay.

Try and Stay Happy in Your Life: A lot of us get annoyed during the day. But when it becomes a regular occurrence, you might start experiencing tension headaches. After all, when you are angry, the muscles in your scalp and neck tense up causing a painful sensation! Avoid getting angry by making minor changes in your day to avoid annoyances. If it’s a particular person who makes you cross, limit the time spent with them during the day. Also, you need to find ways to deal with your stress if your kids or partner are causing you some grief. You might want to try breathing deeply which can relax your head and neck muscles so that you relieve some of the tension. And make sure you smile every day, which can help you gain some headache relief.

Avoid Excessive Worrying: There are many situations which cause us to worry in our everyday life. Whether it’s worrying about the kids or getting to a particular place on time, it can cause tension in our body which will lead to a headache. To relieve some tension, find a new favorite way to destress. It might be that you start exercising every day, such as going for a great run in the morning. Or you might want to go for some form of holistic therapy which can help release stress and provide some headache relief. Also, going for a head massage will help you to prevent headaches. You can read more about the benefits of massages in my previous blog!

Move Around During The Day: It’s hard to make sure that we are moving around enough daily. Especially when a lot of us are sat down at desks for work during the day! But if you are sitting in the same place for ages, it can lead to headaches. Poor posture causes tension in your neck and shoulders which lead to a headache. Try to make time to move around during the day. Even if it’s a quick walk around the block at lunch, it will help you to loosen up and avoid a headache! As this article says, try and take a break every 30 minutes to stay healthy.

You need to also make sure you clean up your diet. A lot of us are making unhealthy food choices which could be causing us to get headaches every day. Therefore, cut out some of the common food triggers from your diet which include sugar, caffeine, and processed food to improve your life!

Do Your Research: There are plenty of amazing neurologists that you can contact if your headaches do not subside. Do be sure to put some time and thought into who you end up going to see. Having a good bond with your doctor or specialist is important and it will make your journey to a headache free life a much more pleasant one.

In the meantime, before your appointment, you can check these videos out to help brainstorm some questions and concerns to express to your doctor. These videos cover common questions like what causes headaches, what type of headache do I have, and can migraines cause damage to the brain. Each video is short and sweet, but provides straight forward answers that can put your mind at ease and help you state your concerns pre-appointment.

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Oct26

Stop Your Phobias Taking Over Your Life With These Must-Know Tips

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Stop Your Phobias Taking Over Your Life With These Must-Know Tips:

Nearly every single one of us has some type of phobia. The severity of these can vary, as can their impact on your life. For example, a fear of spiders (arachnophobia) is much more likely to affect your daily life than a fear of clowns (coulrophobia) – simply because we see more spiders than we see clowns. It is difficult to pinpoint the origin of most people’s phobias seeing as a phobia itself is an irrational fear. This means that there is no specific root cause behind such a fear.

However, some studies have been performed which appear to show a link between traumatic events (mainly childhood ones) and irrational phobias. Plus, some experts have also claimed that phobias could be due to our genes. Wherever they come from, they can be debilitating and can cause the individual a lot of anxiety. This is especially true if you have a phobia of something that could potentially save your life. Read on to identify some of the most common medical phobias and what you can do to beat yours.

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Needles: A fear of needles is a very common phobia in young people and adults alike. It is known as trypanophobia and is said to affect up to 10% of the population. Of course, no one really enjoys having an injection or getting their blood tested. But it is when this fear puts the patient’s life at risk that there is a cause for concern. You may need to receive an injection of medicine or maybe you need to give blood to help someone else. Whatever the situation, we all face needles at some point in our lives, so overcoming your phobia is essential. Cognitive behavioral therapy is commonly used for overcoming this kind of fear, and there are other things you can do yourself too. Explain to your nurse that you are nervous and make sure to reward yourself after your injection.

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The Dentist: Dental phobias are also very common. This can be the fear of undergoing a painful examination or the sounds and smells may bring back bad childhood memories. Whatever it is, you will be relieved to know that most dentists understand their patient’s fears and will do everything in their power to make your visit as easy as possible for you. Getting over your fear of the dentist is important as there may come a time in your life when you need emergency dental care. In order to relax more during your appointment, talk to your dentist prior about having a signal you make with your hand that shows them you need a break. Taking a friend with you or listening to relaxing music during the procedure can also help to ease your fear.

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Flying: Despite it being statistically the safest way to travel, around 20 million people in America suffer from a severe fear of flying. Many of us naturally get nervous if flying through bad weather or if there is turbulence on our flight but a true phobia of aviation can be crippling. If your fear of flying has started to have a negative impact on your life, there are things that you can do to ease your anxiety. Fear breeds on ignorance, so familiarize yourself with just how safe planes are and how they work. Speaking to your pilot before taking off, if possible, can also help you relax. Always try to travel with someone you know and trust and let them know what your triggers are so they know how to calm you down.

What are some of your phobias? What are some of your tips to overcoming a phobia? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct19

Keeping Your Heart Healthy: 11 Unmissable Tips To Ensure The Beat Stays On Track!

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Keeping Your Heart Healthy: 11 Unmissable Tips To Ensure The Beat Stays On Track!

Everything we do in our life can affect our heart. Whether it’s eating a pizza at dinner time or going to bed late, it could damage our heart health! Therefore, it’s so important to consider how your life choices are affecting your ticker. After all, our heart is our lifeline and we need to be careful with our decisions in life so that we don’t end up with heart disease or an irregular heartbeat. Here are 11 unmissable tips on keeping your heart healthy to ensure the beat stays ticking away for a long time!

Avoid Smoking Regularly: A lot of people know the impact on their lungs when they smoke on a regular basis. After all, smoking is often linked to lung cancer. But they don’t realize the impact it can have on your heart. Tobacco and nicotine contain chemicals which harm your blood vessels and heart. It can cause your arteries to narrow, causing a decrease in blood flow. And as this feature says, cigarette smoke interferes with oxygen, so your heart has to supply additional oxygen to compensate. The stress to your heart can lead to a heart attack. Therefore, to help maintain a healthy heart, you need to avoid smoking on a regular basis. You can talk to your doctor about nicotine patches or gum which will help you to quit. Or you may want to switch to e-cigarettes instead to cut out the tobacco from your habit.

Maintain a Healthy Weight: Being overweight causes many problems for your heart. For one thing, it puts more pressure on the heart which can result in serious cardiac issues. As your heart is working harder to push blood through your body, it can cause angina or even a heart attack. As well as this, being overweight can lead to coronary heart disease as plaque builds up inside the arteries that serve the heart. And if you are not a healthy weight, you are more likely to have high blood pressure.

Therefore, to keep a healthy heart, you need to make sure you maintain a healthy weight. Cut back on your food portions and make sure you are exercising every day. You should also talk to your doctor who can advise you on the best ways to cut back on your weight. They might send you to a nutritionist who can help you learn what foods are best for you to consume. Remember you should not go on a fad diet; it’s about making healthy changes to your diet that you can commit to in the long run.

Cut Back on Your Drinking: We all love a couple of drinks on a night out – it’s one of the best ways to let our hair down and relax with friends. But if you start consuming more than one or two drinks a day, it will affect your health. For one thing, it can damage your liver over time and lead to you needing a replacement. It can also fuel mental health disorders such as depression. And you may not realize that it can damage your heart. It contributes to high blood pressure, which can lead to heart attacks.

Having more than three alcoholic drinks a day can increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (Afib). It is the most common abnormal heart rhythm. If you think you are suffering from an irregular heartbeat, you should see your doctor who may refer you to afib treatment locations. But to prevent all of these issues from occurring, you need to make sure you cut back on your drinking. Stick to the recommended daily intake of one drink a day to ensure your heart stays healthy. After all, you can still have a great night out without becoming intoxicated.

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Laugh at Least Once Every Day: Have you laughed at least once today? A surprising number of people don’t manage to have a giggle during the daytime. But laughing is good for your heart health. Research has suggested that it can lower your stress hormones and raise your good cholesterol. Try and make an effort to laugh today! Spend some time with your friends and family. Or you can watch some funny videos or movies to help you giggle. Having a laugh will help your heart to function correctly.

Exercise Every Day: So many people are not moving around enough in the day. They go to work where they sit at their desk and then they head home to sit in front of the television. But if you are doing this, it will affect your heart. It is important to do some form of cardio for half an hour every day to improve your heart health. Head for a run around the block or attend a dance class to get your heart thumping. You could even get a treadmill for home so you can always work out no matter the weather. As an added bonus, you can still watch TV while you do so if that is your favorite way to unwind after work!

Remember to add some strength training into your daily workout to help boost the organ. If you struggle at first, build up the amount of exercise you do every day slowly. You will be surprised how much healthier you will feel if you exercise every day!

Get Enough Sleep at Night: You might be surprised to know that your sleeping pattern could affect your heart. If you are not getting a good night’s sleep, you are at higher risk of heart disease. Sleep deprivation can affect your blood pressure and cause inflammation to your arteries. Every night, try to ensure that you have more than seven hours of sleep. Head to bed earlier at night and get into a strict routine. Also, avoid having caffeine and heavy foods before you head to bed. Getting enough sleep will help keep your ticker working.

Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables: A bad diet could cause your heart to not function properly. For one thing, a bad diet can lead to you becoming overweight, which puts an incredible strain on your heart. And not only that, but a diet full of high-fat and sugary foods can raise blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Both of these contribute to heart disease. A change in your diet that includes plenty of fruits and veggies is incredibly beneficial. Blueberries and strawberries are both great at keeping your heart healthy. And consuming tomatoes can reduce high blood pressure. Here is a full list of foods which can reduce your risk of a heart attack.

Avoid Stress in Your Life: It’s so easy to feel stressed in your daily life. After all, your work and personal life can both lead to you suffering from feelings of anxiety. But we do need to keep our stress levels down because too much worry can lead to angina. And feeling stressed can increase your blood pressure levels. Try to find ways to reduce the stress in your life. It might be that you take up a hobby such as yoga or even reading which both can make you calmer. Also, you should find ways to cut out the stress in your life. Whether it’s removing a person from your life or changing jobs, it could help your heart health in the long run.

Check Your Blood Sugar and Blood Pressure Regularly: A lot of people avoid going to the doctors for as long as possible. But if you want to keep your ticker healthy, you need to go for blood pressure and blood sugar checks. These two conditions are silent so you may not experience problems with your heart until it’s too late.

Make sure you go and get tested regularly so you can make changes in your life if necessary. If further care is needed, your doctor will be able to recommend you to a cardiologist or the Cardiovascular Group for more specialized care. Listen to your body and if something feels off, make an appointment right away. Should further care be necessary, rest assured that you will be in the most capable hands. Something like an ECG might have you feeling scared and that is normal. However, with advancements in technology happening every day like The Neural Cloud’s MaxYield Product, you can be sure that the analysis will be accurate to best determine next steps.

Get Intimate With Your Partner: You might be surprised about this one! Getting intimate with your partner is not only good for your relationship, but it’s excellent for your heart! It can lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease. As this research found, people who had less sexual activity had higher rates of heart disease! So it’s time to get under the sheets for some fun with your partner!

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                                                                                                    CUTE!

Keep Your Teeth in Good Order: Forgetting to brush your teeth is surprisingly easy to do. Whether it be rushing to get ready for work or being in a hurry to catch some Z’s, we often forget to clean our pearly whites. But having good oral hygiene can help to keep your heart in good working order. It’s been found that gum disease can increase your risk of getting heart disease. To avoid this, make sure you are brushing your teeth at least twice a day and use mouthwash to remove any bacteria from your gums. That way, you can ensure you have great teeth while keeping your heart happy!

Even if you are young, it’s so important to ensure your heart is working efficiently now. It will stop you having issues when you are older!

Oct19

The Golden Rules Of Keeping Your Family In Great Shape

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The Golden Rules Of Keeping Your Family In Great Shape

It seems health crises are popping up all over the place these days. It might be obesity one day; a rise in diabetes the next – it’s clear there is an ongoing concern for the state of the nation’s health. It made me think of what we should all be doing to protect our families and loved ones.

We are all responsible, of course – particularly if you have children. With this in mind, I have been scouring the web and have developed my golden rules for excellent family health. Read on to find out more about my choices:

Immunize: Are you immunizing your children – or yourselves – against nasty diseases and conditions? So many parents are failing to take their responsibilities seriously by avoiding them and it’s such a shame. We could have left plenty of serious illnesses like polio and diphtheria in the past. But instead, some people’s failure to take baby immunizations seriously means that there could be a lot of problems in the future.

Diet: Head to your local park and you will see people of all shapes and sizes. Each to their own, I say – but I do take exception when I see so many overweight kids. It’s nothing short of scary – it just wasn’t like this even a decade ago. Now, kids run around – a lot. So when you see so many larger children, it’s clear there is a problem in society with diet. Too much sugary or fatty foods and an inability to teach basic nutrition are going to cost us all in the future. Great nutrition should be the building block of a healthy family. Parents – it’s time to step up the plate.

Exercise: Are you setting your kids a good example when it comes to fitness? Getting plenty of exercise will help you keep a healthy body and mind, but it also benefits your children. They will learn to enjoy exercise at an early age and will love doing things with you. Get your family more active and you will reap the rewards. I know not all children are sporty, but you don’t have to be to keep fit. Even going out for regular adventures in the woods can have a positive impact on the health of your kids.

Relationships: Keeping your relationships strong is another way to keep your family in great condition. Communication is key and it’s always a good idea to help your kids learn to speak well and let their thoughts out. Also, be careful about how you feel about your partners and children. Cultivating positive thoughts about everyone is a great way to strengthen relationships between everyone.

Challenges: Creating weekly challenges for your family is a great way to help children gain confidence in trying new things that are outside of their comfort zone. Doing challenges together as a family is also an awesome way to teach children the value of exploration. Even going to a different play park or swimming pool once in awhile can help. And, it also gives you that sense of adventure that can make your family bonds even stronger.

Are there any other golden rules of keeping your family in great shape? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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Oct13

Look After Yourself Now, You’ll Still Be Healthy When You’re Old!

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Look After Yourself Now, You’ll Still Be Healthy When You’re Old!

Look After Yourself Now, You’ll Still Be Healthy When You’re Old!

I’m one of those people that hates thinking about the future. I guess it kind of scares me and I hate looking ahead to a time where I’m old and wrinkled. You have to enjoy life while you’re in your prime right? But lately, I’ve begun to realize something. If I don’t look after myself now, I’m going to have a terrible life when I’m older. It’s all very well saying that it’s years away. But old age will be on us sooner than we think. Just look at the celebs who haven’t aged quite so wonderfully. Matt Le Blanc used to be a heartthrob. Now he’s…well, still a heartthrob. But a heartthrob with gray hair and a few wrinkles around the eyes. Now that I’ve thoroughly depressed you let’s look at ways to make sure your later years aren’t plagued with poor health.

Be Mindful Of Your Body: We all do crazy things when we’re younger. It’s fun to take chances and try things like bungee jumping or skydiving. Who knows, maybe you’ve gone white water rafting? These aren’t the types of things that I’m talking about. It’s the constant routine ways we hurt our body that I’m starting to get worried about. You know, things like running. I’m sure plenty of my readers love a good run in the evening after work. But did you know running could cause you to develop arthritis as early as 35? It could, particularly if you’re not running in the right shoes. Putting immense pressure on your joints could cause them to age a lot faster than you would like. You might have already noticed the signs with pain in your knees. There is platelet rich plasma for arthritis relief. but ideally, you don’t want to find yourself in this position at all.

Let Bad Habits Die: They say bad habits die hard and I certainly agree. But we still need to try, don’t we. We should be listening to the scientists about the things we do that are slowly killing us. Smoking, drinking, drugs, bingeing. All of these bad habits are having an adverse effect on our health. It’s time to get rid of them for good and stop leaving them for failed New Year’s resolutions. New Year’s resolutions are gimmicks. If you want to quit something, do it. Don’t wait for everyone else to start trying to get the monkeys off their backs. You need to start planning to quit right now!

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Stay Mentally Active: Lastly one of the things that terrifies me the most about getting older is the risk of Dementia. That’s why I’m determined to do everything I can to avoid it. Research shows the best thing that you can do is keep your mind active. Don’t just binge TV every night. Pick up a book and complete crosswords, jumbles (my favorite!), or sudoku. If you do this, you’ll ward off the dangers of dementia that have destroyed so many lives.

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Exercise your mind!

There are plenty of preventative measures to take to keep yourself young no matter what your age. What are some of the ones that you utilize daily?

Featured Image Photo By: Pixabay

Oct11

The Power Of Massage: When You Knead A Helping Hand

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The Power Of Massage: When You Knead A Helping Hand

The one and only time that I got a massage, I literally laughed the entire time. I am the most ticklish person on the planet, which probably isn’t the best thing to admit to the entire world on the internet! So, needless to say, my massage turned into a half hour of tickle torture rather than a relaxing experience. It’s too bad, though, considering there are so many benefits of treating yourself to a massage. Read up:

The Power Of Massage: When You Knead A Helping Hand:

There are so many immense benefits of massage that it’s pretty vital to your health to indulge from time to time. Massages don’t just soothe away the aches and pains of the day but are also great for boosting immunity, solving sports injuries, relieving built up tension and curing headaches. When you search for a “Professional Massage near me“, chances are you will encounter these different styles of massages. We will go into more detail for each of them and this will be a great starting point when deciding which massage is right for you:

Swedish Massage: A Swedish massage is one of the most popular and well-known treatments. It is a therapeutic massage with foundations in Western anatomy. This makes it very different from Asian massages which focus on energy and flow work. Swedish massage can be either gentle or more vigorous depending on what you wish for. This type of massage is great for general tension and to break up muscle knots. It uses gliding strokes, squeezing, rolling, and kneading to increase blood flow and promote relaxation.

Hot Stone Massage: A hot stone massage is a specialty treatment that uses the heat of stones placed on the body in conjunction with the own therapist’s hands. This type of massage originates from the Native Americans who used to heat stones on fire to help treat aching muscles. The heat of the stones is believed to relax your muscles which then enables the therapist to work deeper into your body. The stones used are soft and round and are made of basalt, as this material retains heat well. A hot stone massage is beneficial for those that prefer a lighter massage and for those suffering from anxiety and insomnia.

At Home Shiatsu Massage: If time or money prevent you from getting regular massages, you may want to invest in your own at-home massage chair. You can find out about the best ones to invest in here at Shiatsu Chairs. Both massage chairs and massage cushions provide the convenience of being able to relieve aching muscles and joints at any given time. They often offer heat pads and also have different styles and depths of massage.

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Photo from: Pixaby

Thai Massage: A Thai massage offers a slightly different experience as it is performed through your clothes. This type of massage has Indian Ayurvedic and yoga influences and focuses on your energy channels. For a Thai massage, you will lay on a mat on the floor and remained fully clothed. Your therapist will use their palms, thumbs, elbows, feet and knees to press into your body and stretch your muscles. It’s not for the faint hearted and can leave you aching afterward! Thai massage works by releasing the blockages in your body that are causing you pain. Thai massage involves a lot of long stretches that are believed to increase the flow of Sen energies. Thai massage doesn’t necessarily feel soothing while being carried out but you will come away feeling energized. And a few days later you will notice a difference both emotionally and physically. If this sounds like just what you need, explore the pages for Divine Thai Spa Bangkok or a similar business in your local area to see if it is offered. Massages are often booked through time increments so it is recommended to start with the bare minimum and work your way up as this massage is more intense.

Indian Head Massage: Indian head massage is extremely beneficial for those who suffer from headaches and neck pain. Indian head massage is based on Ayurvedic practices. Your therapist will apply pressure to points in your upper back, arms, neck, shoulders, and head. It reduces blockages and promotes better circulation of the cerebral fluids. This type of massage is also a great detoxifier as it stimulates lymphatic drainage.

For even more health tips, follow the click!

Do I have any massage therapist friends on here? Does anyone have a funny story that happened from giving or receiving a massage? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image Photo Provided By: Pixaby

Oct10

“Why Can’t I Quit You?” – Mistakes You’re Making When You Try To Break Bad Habits

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“Why Can’t I Quit You?” – Mistakes You’re Making When You Try To Break Bad Habits

I feel like everyone has at least one or more bad habits. If you say you don’t you are probably a liar! From binging on three gallons of ice cream in bed to smoking a pack a day, we all do things that we are not necessarily proud of. But, if you are at a point in your life that you would like to quit some of these behaviors, here are some tips for you:

“Why Can’t I Quit You?” – Mistakes You’re Making When You Try To Break Bad Habits:

It’s somewhat comforting to know that we all have bad habits. None of us are perfect people, floating through life unencumbered by the things that might sway us from our perfect course. They are those little things we do that our friends might have once brought up, polite as can be, before telling us to knock it off! We know about them, yet we do them anyway.

It’s unlikely that you don’t know that some of these habits can be an issue. Most of us are acutely aware of our failings, even if we try to ignore them. We even go as far as to seek to justify them and explain that it’s okay that we do X because we don’t do Y. If we try to stop them, we come up against a roadblock.

With the time for New Year’s Resolutions creeping up on us at a frightening pace, try and do something differently this time. Rather than just stopping something because you know you need to, find out the obstacles in your way. That way, you can be prepared when the Facebook New Year’s posts clog up your newsfeed!

You’re Not Just Giving Up A Habit – You’re Gaining A New One: This sounds a little bit worrying, but it’s actually helpful so long as the substitute is a healthier one. Take the biggest, baddest habit of them all: smoking. When you stop smoking, you lose the time and energy you would have previously spent smoking. You now have a vacuum of time, and succeeding at quitting is going to be about finding a new habit to fill the gap. It’s the same for a simple thing like biting your nails. You do that when you’re stressed, right? So what are you going to do when you’re stressed now?

You have to find a habit to replace the one that you’re losing. For example, smokers may turn to vaping and nail biters buy stress balls. Places like Shoreditch Vape will give you a fresh start away from tobacco and can make it easier to ease into quitting. If you are buying a vape to help transition into quitting smoking, it is important to stick with that goal so you don’t end up going back to smoking again. Making sure that you use vape products that are actually enjoyable rather than a plain substitute for cigarettes can make a big difference. It is for this reason that choosing a brand that sets the standard for excellence in the world of vaping isn’t just a matter of taste and it can actually help to fight your addiction by helping you to forget the positive association you had with smoking and replace this instead with high quality vaping products.

One of the best ways to help cease your smoking habit is with nicotine free vapes. It will still provide you with the physical act of smoking sans the harmful additives. HealthVape’s Caffeine Vape could be an excellent alternative that comes in a variety of flavors with a formula blend of caffeine, Vitamin B12, and L-Theanine. If you are considering a nicotine free vape, read the customer reviews so you can choose the one that gave people the most success.

You Don’t Understand Physical Addiction: Few of us do something because we don’t like it; we have our habits as they meet our emotional needs. They make us feel better and when they do that, we get a rush of a chemical called dopamine into our brains. This chemical is linked with feelings of joy and happiness. So when we break our habits, the dopamine goes away. We don’t like that.

You may associate physical addiction with the likes of heroin and nicotine, but it applies to pretty much anything. Deny your brain its daily rush of dopamine and its not going to be happy about it. So when you’re struggling in the early phases, give yourself a break. You’ve got to retrain your brain chemistry.

You Don’t Give It Time: Most of us want to shed our bad habits and be done with them ASAP, but it doesn’t work like that. Research at University College London concluded it takes us 66 days to adopt a new habit – which is what you’re doing – as routine. So give yourself time and don’t try and rush it. Anything else and there’s a risk of expecting too much and suffering the subsequent disappointment when you fail.

Creating healthy habits and new routines can be very difficult if you are staying in the place where your addiction festers. If you are binge drinking a lot in your own home, for example, that can be a particularly tough habit to break. Should this be the case for you, you might want to consider a Drug & alcohol addiction treatment in Texas (Or anywhere you fancy!) to get a fresh start away from your usual stresses and triggers. A change in location is a simple idea but it really can be effective in creating good habits and coping skills.

I am the first to admit that I have bad habits. But the right knowledge, tools, and willingness to change can make breaking your bad habit a little more easy. What is one of your worst habits? Have you ever broken a bad habit before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image Photo Provided By: Flickr

Oct6

Common Winter Skin Issues and How to Deal With Them

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Common Winter Skin Issues and How to Deal With Them

With cold weather just around the corner, this post is jam packed with tips and tricks on how to deal with the effect that it can have on our skin. Take a look:

Common Winter Skin Issues and How to Deal With Them:

It’s a fact of life that as the weather gets worse, our poor skin can suffer. But what can we do about the most common cold weather skin complaints? For issues like dryness or joint aches from the cold, you can’t go wrong with private label CBD skin care to help soothe chapped, irritated skin or minor aches. Bath bombs, body butter, and salves all can go a long way in providing some much needed relief. For other common skin issues, you can try the following:

Cold Sores: Many people have problems with cold sores when the weather turns. Cold sores are caused by the Herpes Simplex virus and usually occurs when the person’s immune system is compromised. That means they are more likely to pop up when you get a cold or the flu during the winter time.

The good news is that you can only get them if you already have the virus. The bad news is that it can be transmitted quite easily and that is why you shouldn’t share lipsticks or lip balms if at all possible, as you just open yourself up to the risk of contracting the virus. To treat cold sores, ignore the old wives tales and use antiviral creams. It’s best to deal with them as soon as you feel the familiar tingle. If you leave them to develop, they can become painful and ugly.

Chapped Lips: Even if you are not susceptible to cold sores, the harsh weather of the winter may cause you to get nasty chapped lips. This is when the skin on the lips dries out so much that it begins to crack. It can be very painful, and your lips are at a high risk because they move a lot and go from being wet to dry frequently.The best way of dealing with chapped lips is to use a lip balm regularly. You should also exfoliate your lips once a week so the dead skin does not build up on them.eos.jpg

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Eczema: Winter time is often when people suffering from eczema experience a worsening of their condition. This is because the temperature varies so often throughout the day from the cold outside to the warm indoors which can further dry out and irritate damaged skin. It is worth remembering that eczema is more than just a bit of dry skin that can be dealt with by using face lotion. In fact, it is a recognized medical condition. If you believe that you could be suffering from this, you can get some more information online from West Dermatology.

If you can’t get into your dermatologist’s right away and are looking for relief for your eczema, you could try HarlanMD’s eczema cream for face. It is a prebiotic lotion that can help to both relieve and prevent flare ups to keep your skin looking and feeling its best all winter long.

Redness: A lot of people can suffer from redness in the face during the winter. This is often because they struggle to regulate their body temperature sufficiently. Or, the tiny capillaries in the cheeks become constricted trapping blood flow in that area. For many of us this red face issue, known as Rosacea is embarrassing and difficult to deal with. Some rely on creams to take the redness down, while others swear by green cream which is meant to neutralize the red color.

A more lasting way of dealing with Rosacea is to use a dermatologist developed camouflage cream. These creams are makeup that contains a high percentage of pigment. That means that they are effective at covering up redness and other issues like birthmarks. They are often waterproof once sealed with translucent powder, so the wearer doesn’t have to worry that it will come off in the rain or snow.

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Sun Damage: Surprisingly, another cause of red skin in the winter can be sunburn. We all associate sunburn with hot weather, but the sun can be shining brightly on even the coldest, snowiest day. That is why skiers often wear crazy neon colored sunblock. Make sure that your family is protected against the UVA and UVB rays of the sun all year round by providing them access to sun cream. The ones that you put on once in the morning and last all day are best because it’s likely that they will forget to apply regularly if the temperature is below 0!

Chaffing: Another rather embarrassing problem that winter can bring us is chaffing. This can happen anywhere on the body where your skin meets your clothes but is often an issue on the inner thigh area. It can be very painful and cause red bumps and welts to appear on your otherwise healthy skin. In particularly bad cases the skin can become so dry and damaged that it becomes flaky.

If you are suffering from this problem, there are a few things that you can do. First of all, you can apply an intensive moisture cream to aid healing in the damaged area. Secondly, check the fit of your clothes. Rough trouser seams or friction creating tights can have a lot to do with this issue. Lastly, you can coat the affected area with Vaseline which will add movement and prevent such a friction build up.

Moles: While we have to be careful of exposing any mole that we have to sunlight in the summer, they can still be problematic in the winter. This is because it’s easy to forget to check them regularly because we are much more covered up in the cold weather. However, it is essential to check skin marks like moles for the symmetry and edges. This can tell you and your doctors a lot about your risk of skin cancer. Although it may sound silly, schedule a time each month to make sure you check of this sort of thing. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Blisters: While many people jump for joy, because winter is the season for wearing big heavy boots, it makes others groan. This is because heavy footwear, made of stiff materials is likely to cause nasty blisters on your feet. At least until your boots have broken in with wear.

You can minimize blisters by stretching your boots out before you wear them properly. Wear two pairs of thick socks and your boots around the house so they begin to mold to your feet. You can also use specialized blister plasters or balm which will protect the most vulnerable parts of your feet like your heels and toes. This should make your boots a lot more comfortable and enjoyable to wear come wintertime.

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How do you beat winter skin problems? What is one of your skin care secrets to combat the cold? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep12

Flawless Fall Skin

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Flawless Fall Skin

Hey everyone and happy Monday! Welcome to the final post in my fall guest bloggers series brought to you by Laura at Skincare Scope. Laura’s article will give you an abundance of tips on how to achieve youthful, gorgeous skin for the fall season. It is an excellent read and is so informative so take a look:

Flawless Fall Skin:

Did you know that 80% of your skin’s appearance is up to you? Only 20% is genetics! Read what experts say you can do to make a difference:

  1. Avoid the sun. It’s the No. 1 cause of wrinkles, with dozens of studies documenting the impact. In one study that looked at identical twins, New York plastic surgeon Darrick Antell, MD, found sun exposure was even more important than heredity. Siblings who limited sun time had fewer wrinkles and looked younger overall than their sun-worshiping twins.
  2. Wear sunscreen. If you must go out in the sun, the American Academy of Dermatology says, wear sunscreen! It will protect you from skin cancer and help prevent wrinkles at the same time. Buyer beware, not all sunscreens are effective. Look for this seal:

The Skin Cancer Foundation grants its Seal of Recommendation to products that meet the Foundation’s specific criteria for effective UV sun protection.

  1. Don’t smoke. More studies are confirming that cigarette smoke ages skin – mostly by releasing an enzyme that breaks down collagen and elastin, important components of the skin. Sibling studies done at the Twin Research Unit at St. Thomas Hospital in London found the brother or sister who smoked tended to have skin that was more wrinkled and up to 40% thinner than the non-smoker.
  2. Get adequate sleep. Yale dermatologist Nicholas Perricone, MD, says that when you don’t get enough sleep, the body produces excess cortisol, a hormone that breaks down skin cells. Get enough rest, Perricone says, and you’ll produce more HGH (human growth hormone), which helps skin remain thick, more “elastic,” and less likely to wrinkle.
  3. Sleep on your back. Dr. Katie Rodan, (the Proactiv doctor) says, “sleeping on your back could be better than botox”. It is a simple, no cost way to avoid creating wrinkles. The AAD (American Academy of Dermatologists) says any repetitive facial movement overworks facial muscles, forming a groove beneath the skin’s surface. This groove eventually becomes a wrinkle.
  4. Don’t squint – get sunglasses! Sunglasses will protect skin around the eyes from sun damage and further keep you from squinting.
  5. Eat a healthy diet, more fish, fruits, and veggies. Cold water fish, like salmon are a great source of protein – one of the building blocks of great skin. It’s also an awesome source of an essential fatty acid known as omega-3. Fatty acids help nourish skin and keep it plump and youthful. Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidant compounds. These compounds fight damage caused by free radicals (unstable molecules that can damage cells), which in turn helps skin look younger and more radiant.
  6. Use moisturizer. Women and men often overlook the power of a simple moisturizer. Many skin issues are due to a lack of moisture. Skin that is moist simply looks better, so lines and creases are far less noticeable.
  7. Don’t over-wash your face. According to dermatologists at the University of Maryland Medical Center, tap water can strip skin of its natural barrier oils and moisture that protect against wrinkles. Wash them off too often, and you wash away protection. Unless your soap contains moisturizers, you should use a cleanser instead. Use your fingertips to wash your face.
  8. Exfoliate! Out with the old, in with the new. Removing dead skin cells with gentle exfoliation will accomplish three important factors. But be careful and only use gentle exfoliation ingredients like sugar and salt. Even washcloths may be too harsh for your face!
  • It accelerates turnover of dead skin cells.
  • It clears the way for penetration of active treatment ingredients.
  • It refines the skin’s surface to look more luminous.
  • Apply ingredients to repair and replenish skin. Many ingredients have shown anti-ageing benefits. Does your product provide clinical proof that it works? It is not just the ingredient, but the application and formulation that makes the difference.
  • Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs). These natural fruit acids lift away the top layer of dead skin cells, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, particularly around the eyes.
  • Retinoids (including Retin A). The only FDA-approved topical treatment for wrinkles is tretinoin, known commercially as Retin A. Retinol is a natural form of vitamin A found in many over-the-counter products. Studies show that in a stabilized formula, in high concentrations, it may be as effective as Retin A, without the side effects, such as skin burning and sensitivity.
  • Topical vitamin C. Studies at Tulane University, among others, have found it can increase collagen production, protect against damage from UVA and UVB rays, correct pigmentation problems, and improve inflammatory skin conditions. The key, however, may be the type of vitamin C used. To date, most of the research points to the L-ascorbic acid form as the most potent for wrinkle relief.
  • Peptides can increase collagen production in sun-damaged skin and diminished lines and wrinkles.

Take these steps to incorporate good habits for healthy, youthful looking skin. Your skin is your advertisement to the world.  Feel confident that you can put your best face forward.  Comment below to tell us what is your best wrinkle fighting tip.

^^^ Thank you so much again to Laura for such a great read! Once again, please check out her blog and give her some love. What are some of your must have skin care products? What is your daily skin care routine? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah