Apr21

The Eyesight Plight: Are You Damaging Your Vision?

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The Eyesight Plight: Are You Damaging Your Vision?

Eyesight is pretty useful, right? So it’s a shame that so many of us are doing things that actually damage our eyesight on a daily basis. Here’s a quick guide to the most common ways that people harm their vision in the long term:

Not taking breaks from the screen: People will no doubt have told you at some point that sitting too close to the TV will damage your eyes. It was probably a parent. There’s no hard evidence that this is the case, but there is certainly a correlation between the time you spend focusing on a screen and the eventual degradation of the eyes.

It’s not so much to do with your proximity to the screen as it is how long you’re spending looking at the screen without breaks. When you look at a screen, you’re giving your eyes quite a workout. Not only that, but people tend to blink much less frequently when they look at screens. So make sure that you take a break for a few minutes every fifteen to twenty minutes.

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Break time!

Inadequate protection from the sun: It’s getting sunny out, now that winter is behind us. But it’s okay, because you just picked up a $5 pair of sunglasses from a nearby corner store, meaning that you don’t have to squint as much to get a good look at your surroundings. Unfortunately, a good pair of sunglasses is a little more complex than simply putting a black, shady overlay over your vision.

The sun’s rays need to actually be deflected or softened properly before reaching your eyes, which isn’t something cheap sunglasses usually do. Not only this, but your eyes may require sunglasses with particular specifications, same as with regular glasses. Picking the right sunglasses isn’t as simple as you might think, but it’s definitely necessary if you want to protect your eyesight in the long run.

When you are picking out a new pair of sunglasses, it’s so important to pick a pair that compliments the shape of your face. This will ensure that your eyes have all around coverage for protection from the sun. It can be helpful to try several different styles to find the right fit before purchasing in store or online. For example, if you have a larger face shape, then you will know to look for larger oversized size sunglasses online or in store. The best fit for you will offer the best protection.

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Get sunglasses stat!

Sleep deprivation: When people think about sleep deprivation, they usually think about… well, torture. They think about people forcing others to stay awake so that they feel dizzy, ill, and in severe danger. They don’t tend to imagine sleep deprivation as something they may actually be doing to themselves!

The fact is that most of us don’t get as much sleep as we really need. Among a plethora of other problems this exacerbates – stress, depression, skin problems, a degraded immune system – it also affects your eyes in big ways. Your eyes need to relax, and sleep is what gives eyes that needed relaxation. A big part of the headache people often get when they don’t have enough sleep is due to eye strain.

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This kid needs to catch some Zs!

Contact errors: More people than ever are using contact lenses. They’re amazing things, but a lot of people use them in ways that end up damaging their eyes in the long run. Thankfully, most of us know not to wear them when we go to sleep, but there are plenty of people out there who either ignore this advice or simply forget! Make sure you take them out before bed.

Not only that, but you need to take them out before submerging yourself in water. Pools, baths, showers, hot tubs – if your contacts make, well, contact with that water, it will pick up and retain a bunch of bacteria. #YUCK

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Wikimedia Image

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Apr21

Sick Of High Medical Bills?

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Sick Of High Medical Bills?

If medical bills are starting to drive you into an unhealthy debt, don’t despair. You shouldn’t have to financially ruin yourself in order to care for your health. There are many sly ways of cutting expenses on your medical bills that could be worth taking advantage of. Here are just a few to take a look at:

If your boss offers an FSA – use it! More and more companies are supplying Flexible Savings Accounts as an option to their staff. Every contribution you make to these accounts is tax free and can be used to cover all manner of out-of-pocket medical costs including prescriptions, medicines, and dental care. You’re allowed to save up and spend a certain allowance each year – which should be fully taken advantage of. Even if you don’t have a medical problem throughout the year, FSA spendings can be used to buy over-the-counter drugs, baby products, bandages, crutches and in some cases eye wear such as glasses or contact lenses.

Ditch big brand medicine: Only buying medicine from big brands is a rip off. These brands may have enough popularity and money to advertise on TV, but they’ll have had to pass exactly the same quality tests as lesser known drugs from small brands. These small brands are likely to be much cheaper. If you’re on a prescription, shop around for other similar medicines that you could be saving money on. Ask your doctor and switch to generic brands to save a very pretty penny.

Tailor your insurance plan to you: Taking the time to really shop around for health insurance plans can save you a lot of money. Use comparison sites and check companies that are off of these comparison sites, too. Companies such as Health Insurance Innovations are known for being able to offer customized plans to suit your needs. You may also find a good family bundle somewhere that could also save costs. And remember that you can lower your premiums by raising your deductible.

Join a farm bureau: Every state has its own farm bureau – an organization primarily set up for farmers, although practically anyone can join (farmer or not!). Joining will cost a small monthly or annual fee, however, you usually will get all kinds of perks, a common one being huge medical discounts. Always check the incentives offered by your local bureau first before signing up, as perks do vary from state to state.

Get help from an advocate: Advocacy programs are largely in place to help those in need who may not be able to make a medical decision for themselves. However, advocates can also help out those that are financially struggling with healthcare. An advocate may be able to shop around for you, come up with alternative treatment plans, and negotiate better rates from hospitals and insurers. This isn’t a service that everyone can take advantage of – your financial situation may have to be assessed first to determine whether you really cannot pay off these medical bills.

Featured Image By: Torange

Apr21

The Secret Life Of Cats

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The Secret Life Of Cats

We all want companionship in our lives, and so for many of us, the option to get a pet seems like a great idea. For those of us that are infatuated with felines, we will immediately think about adopting a cat. Compared to other animals, cats are considerably low-maintenance and are easy to transport. In fact, some people love them so much that they decide to give several felines a forever home!

It’s likely you are reading this blog post because you are putting serious consideration into adopting a cat. But, before you start looking for potential new feline friends, you should think about what a day in the life of a pet cat is like from an owner’s point of view. If you’ve never owned a feline before, you need to do plenty of research on the subject so that you can make an informed choice.

In today’s blog post, you will learn more about the “secret” life of cats and the impact it has on their owners or people visiting them in their homes. Here is what you need to know before bringing a kitty cat home:

Cats have individual personalities just like we do: Some people are under the illusion that animals we keep as pets generally behave in the same way. The thing is, cats have unique and individual personalities just like human beings. Some cats might be docile, others feisty, and some are just plain scary!

When you go out to look at potential cats to adopt, you need to find out about their temperament from the adoption agency or seller. It’s even more vital that you do this if you’ve got other people living with you, especially children and babies. The last thing you want is for your family to get mauled by your new pet cat on a daily basis! It goes without saying that you should only get a cat if there is a strong likelihood that they will “get on” with your existing pets.

Always remember that your cat might not have nine lives, but their personalities are for keeps! We have all heard the nine lives expression before but if you are curious, you should try to convert your cat’s age to human years – it’s interesting for adults and children alike!

Cats need looking after: No-one should expect a cat to fend for itself on a daily basis, whether it roams within the confines of your home or out on the street during the day. You need to be a responsible cat owner and ensure that its health and welfare is your top priority.

That means giving your feline friend access to the right food and plenty of fresh water. Plus, cats that roam outdoors during the day need flea protection. Products such as Advecta 3 are suitable for keeping flea infestation risks to a minimum. Also, it goes without saying that you should ensure that your cat lives in a sanitary environment. In other words, you must keep your home and their favorite hideaways as clean as possible.

Cats will do things that annoy you: You can try to train your cat as much as you like, but we all know that they will just do their own thing! With that in mind, you must make your home cat-friendly as much as possible. Try not to be angry at them for doing things like:

  • Wrecking your Christmas tree during the holidays;
  • Going to the toilet in places other than their litter tray;
  • Bringing back “presents” for you (i.e. dead mice and birds);
  • Sleeping in your bed!

They will also dig their claws into your furniture, especially carpets. For that reason, it’s crucial that you buy them a cat scratching post, such as the Purrfect Post.

If you’ve made it this far and are still determined to adopt a cat, you will at least know more about what to expect when you live with one. Good luck and congrats! 🙂

Featured Image By: Pexels

Apr20

The Ultimate Dinner Party Guide

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The Ultimate Dinner Party Guide

From tableware to menus and seating arrangements, throwing a dinner party is never easy. Not only do you have to create the perfect ambient setting to enjoy a meal, but you also have to plan, prepare, cook, and serve the food! It can sound like more trouble than it’s worth but don’t be put off. Dinner parties are an amazing way to get family and friends together.

If you struggle to find the time to catch up with loved ones individually it can be a great way to get everyone in the room for a wonderful evening. It’s also a good test of your organizational skills and hosting abilities! Above everything else, it’s a lot of fun. As long as you have a plan in place, the evening will be a huge success. This dinner party guide takes you from the menu planning process to the dinner table decors, all the way to puddings and party favors:

The Guest List: The first thing that you need to decide is who you’re inviting. If you’re co-hosting the dinner party with a friend, partner, or family member, sit down together and work out a list. You need to work out what you want out of the dinner party. A big celebration with friends, intimate family meal, or perhaps an open-to-all buffet style event. Whatever the occasion is, this will indicate who you should invite.

Of course, the amount of space you have around the table will also dictate the number of guests. If you’re inviting more than eight people, a sit-down meal might not be the best idea. First of all, who has a table big enough for over eight? Also, you might want to consider a more fluid set up. For large numbers open up the garden and kitchen to guests, too. That way people can mingle without feeling cramped and confined to one room.

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Partayyy

Creating The Menu: If you’re having a sit-down soiree you’ll need to prepare a menu. If you’re having six people or under round for dinner you can probably cook individual courses. If you’re having more than six people or over, sharer style dishes and one-pot recipes are the way to go. If you’re having a huge gathering, then a buffet station set up in the garden or kitchen for food is best. You’ll have to determine whether any of the guests have allergies or intolerances before you come up with a menu. Also come up with some vegetarian and vegan options, too.

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     YUM

     For Smaller Groups:

Get your prep done before guests arrive, this goes for all group sizes. If you’re hosting for a smaller group of people you can afford to have more attention to detail and more ambitious dishes. Prawns are a good starter because they’re easy to prepare in advance. Buy prawns which have been cooked, cleaned, and peeled already. This will save time. There are so many different ways to serve prawns. A fail-safe option is a simple grilled prawn with a pre-prepared sauce. Get some char on your prawns to increase the smokey flavors in the dish. This goes particularly well with a romesco sauce.

For the main course, food preferences permitted, herb crusted lamb is a real show stopper. To make the crust, combine breadcrumbs, parsley, mint, and oil. Smear some mustard over the fatty side of the lamb and top with the breadcrumb mixture. Be sure to brown your lamb before cooking. www.StoneFryingPans.com/the-best-stainless-steel-cookware has some great stainless steel cookware, perfect for searing and deglazing to make a jus for the lamb. Finally, make sure you leave your lamb to rest for at least 10 minutes. This will ensure that the meat is nice and tender and the juices won’t leak onto the plate. Dessert needs to be something that can be prepared in advance and left to chill. Cheesecake is a good idea, because you can make one large one and portion it before serving. It’s also a great ‘blank canvas’ dessert, so you can add your own preferences, too. Lemon, chocolate, hazelnut, berries, and basically any topping ever work well with a cheesecake.

     For Larger Groups:

Cooking for larger groups needn’t be challenging, you’ll just need to tweak the menu accordingly. Choose some large platters or boards and arrange some cured meats and cheeses on them. Serve olives over ice and sourdough bread, too. Balsamic vinegar and oil make a great dip to go alongside this sharing starter, as does tapenade. For the main dish, consider doing a one-pot wonder. A homemade curry or a big paella served straight from the pan works really well for larger groups. You can stick these on and leave them to cook with minimal effort, apart from stirring. Serve curries with homemade flatbreads, onion salad, and a yogurt dip. For dessert opt for an easy crowd pleaser like ice cream or mousse. This can also be made ahead of time and left to chill.

     For Vegetarians:

Buy some spelt pasta from a health food store and use this as the base of your dish. Blend spinach and basil in a blender with some oil, seasoning, and pine nuts. This will create a pesto to use as a sauce over your pasta. Cook some courgettes and asparagus, too. Toss the pesto through the pasta and top with the cooked courgettes and asparagus.

Which Drinks To Serve: Setting up a drinks tray is the best idea. Nobody wants to have to make drinks all night for their guests. Prepare a table in the living room or kitchen with a variety of soft drinks and alcohol for guests to pick and choose. Wine is always a perfect pairing with a dinner party so be sure to have a few different options like a red, moscato, or a good bottle of Pinot Grigio. Another smart idea is to make one signature drink. Making jugs of cocktails is an especially good idea if it’s a summer party which spills out into the garden.

To make a mojito simply mix lime juice, mint, and sugar in a large jug or bowl. Mash these gently to let the flavors start to seep out and sugar dissolve. Top with rum, soda, and plenty of ice. Put slices of mint and lime to garnish in little bowls next to the jug.

Alongside food and drinks, music is the invisible ingredient that can make or break a dinner party. The right soundtrack improves conversation, sets the mood, and ensures the night never feels flat. While it’s easy to fall back on popular playlists, weaving in hidden gems of the rock world can surprise your guests and create a memorable atmosphere. One artist who embodies this energy is Gerard Zappa of Wooster. Known for his work in capturing the essence of lesser-known yet noteworthy rock sounds, he brings a unique richness that resonates with those who appreciate authenticity.

Exploring musicians like him can help you curate a playlist that balances familiar favorites with fresh discoveries. Guests often remember the unexpected touches, the songs they Shazam at the table or the melodies that spark stories of their own concert experiences. If you opt for background instrumentals during dinner or crank up the volume as the evening shifts to dancing, thoughtful music choices can transform your party into an event people talk about long after the plates are cleared. By introducing your circle to new sounds while keeping the vibe comfortable, you’ll strike that perfect balance of familiarity and surprise.

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My kind of party!

Setting The Scene: Whenever you go to a great dinner party, the atmosphere is one of the things that makes it so special. Creating the perfect atmosphere is partly down to planning. If you are having a sit-down meal you’ll need to dress the table. It can be tempting to go overboard with accessories and cram the table but try to avoid this. Guests want to be able to talk, share food, and relax without having to navigate lots of decorative pieces. A few tea light candles with lantern-style covers are a pared back but sophisticated touch. Fresh flowers are also a great centerpiece, but if you have a small table don’t clutter it. Station a drinks table with an ice bucket nearby so that you don’t have to keep rushing backward and forwards.

While a seating plan shouldn’t be necessary and can feel a bit too formal, it is important to think about the seats themselves. Are they comfortable? Are they sturdy? You will want durable chairs for events like dinner parties because there is nothing worse than being seated on a wobbly chair! Adding a little gift for each person is a nice touch, too. They don’t have to be expensive, in fact, the more whimsical the better. Masks or joke shop presents are a great idea for a group of friends. Family members may appreciate birthstones or small bags of truffles. These tokens will help to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere, plus they’ll lift your guest’s mood!

After Party? Some dinner parties can continue long into the night and become a party as well as dinner. Make it clear to guests on the invite whether you’re open to that. There’s nothing worse than wanting to go to bed but still having a few guests. If you’re having people stay over, set up the guest bedroom early on in the day. By the end of the night, you won’t feel like changing bed linen and arranging flowers!

Nobody wants to clean up after a party, either, but facing all the debris in the morning is probably worse. Compromise and go around with a bin liner and chuck in any bottles or plastic cups. Wash up your plates and cutlery and leave them to dry. Leave larger pans to soak overnight, and head to bed. That way there will be a manageable amount to tackle in the morning.

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Cheers!!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Apr20

Making Gifts: 5 Things You’ll Wish You Knew Earlier

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Making Gifts: 5 Things You’ll Wish You Knew Earlier

Making gifts is one of the best ways to show somebody how much you care about them. Taking your time over a gift like this is one of the most thoughtful things that you can do. No matter how big or small the gift is, they are bound to appreciate something like this over a store bought item. However, before you start making gifts, there are a few things you should know. Don’t waste hours of time making gifts when you could save yourself some hassle. Here are a few things you’ll wish you knew earlier:

Gift Baskets Are Awesome & Easy: Gift baskets are a brilliant gift and so easy to make. You have the opportunity here to get creative and include anything and everything that you can think of. All you need to do is make sure that it’s presented in a way that the receiver will love! If you’re struggling, it’s a good idea to start with one thing, so you don’t get overwhelmed. It’s all too easy to think of the word ‘gift basket’ and go into panic mode because you think you need to buy 101 things and you don’t know where to start. Start with one thing you know you’re getting, and just go from there. Even if it’s just the basket!

Make sure you include textures in your basket. Using as many different textures as possible makes things look far more exciting and interesting. That’s why this principle is most commonly used in fashion and decorating a house! It could also help you to think of a theme if you’re struggling with what to get. Is this person a music lover? Do they enjoy gardening or reading? Base it around that. However, you don’t need to explicitly stick to your theme if you think of something else to get. Just use it as a guide.

Finally, it’s a great idea if you can include something handmade in your basket, even if it’s a cake or something small, like a Christmas decoration. It’ll give your gift basket that bit of extra oomph and really impress the receiver!

You Don’t Actually Have To Make It Yourself: OK, some may consider it cheating, but you don’t actually have to make this gift yourself if you haven’t got time or you don’t want to for whatever reason. You don’t have to pretend you made it yourself. You could, but that could definitely be considered a little naughty, and what would you say if they found out? Regardless of if you make it or not, they’re going to enjoy a unique handmade gift better than a standard store bought gift.

You can get somebody else to do this for you on the internet, using sites like Fiverr. That’s where you’ll probably find it cheapest, but it isn’t a site made specifically for crafts. Look on Etsy if you want the widest selection of crafts imaginable. You can find all kinds of handmade crafts, from clay charms to handmade wire jewelry, and even customized clothing. Whatever you have in mind, you’ll find it on Etsy. You may even be able to contact a seller to see if they’d be willing to make something specific for you for a little extra cost.

There’s A Tutorial For Absolutely Everything: So maybe you really do want to flex your creative muscles and see what you can come up with. You don’t have to come up with your ideas alone. There’s a tutorial for literally everything on the internet. Want to make a far out, colorful seashell? There’s a tutorial. How about your own customized bath and body care products? Tutorial. Want to make your own glow in the dark bouncy ball? There’s a tutorial for that, too. Honestly, there are an endless amount of things that you can make, so check out YouTube and other sites for help. You can even find picture tutorials on sites like Pinterest.

Remember, you don’t have to follow one tutorial to the T, either. You can add your own twist to it to make it your own, and even use a number of different tutorials and different methods to come up with something entirely unique.

You Don’t Have To Make Anything Super Fancy: Think you need to pull out all of the stops and buy the contents of your local craft store to impress the receiver? You don’t at all! You don’t have to make anything super fancy to have an impact on the receiver. They’ll love that you took the time to make them something, regardless of what it is. A few pretty but easy things include colorful paper flowers or a vintage looking candle holder. You could even make a card, and they’d be equally as impressed. Maybe you could customize a photo frame or make them a scrapbook. In some cases, the more simple your gift idea, the better. Don’t doubt yourself!

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CUTE!

You Can Make Gifts Out Of Things Around The House: You don’t even need to buy any craft equipment to make a gift. You can make gifts out of things that you find around the house! You can use a permanent marker to transform a plain mug into something funny, with a quote or word that will perk the receiver up. You can use colored markers to transform a white plate into something beautiful. How about using paint with wine glasses to make something super pretty? You could also use a picture and mod podge to make a glass even more meaningful. Why not try making jewelry from old t-shirts, and even pasta? Chances are, you have something in your home that you can transform. All it takes is a little imagination.

One of the only gifts on par with a beautiful handmade gift is an experience gift. Whether you want to make a gift or give an experience, make sure that you consider this person’s likes and dislikes. Personalizing the gift is the best way to make it more meaningful!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Apr20

Why Sleep Is The Most Important Part Of Good Health

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Why Sleep Is The Most Important Part Of Good Health

People who regularly achieve a good night of sleep tend to be more healthy. Good sleepers have more energy, a better mood, and far more focus on their tasks. If you’re lucky enough to sleep well most nights of the week, you may also be better able to manage your weight effectively, as well as your relationships. Physical health and mental health rely on good sleep. Yet poor health can lead to sleep loss and exhaustion.

Should you try to sleep more if you are unwell? There are, of course, many benefits of sleeping more. During sleep, the body regenerates and fights germs and infections. Unfortunately, too much sleep outside of your regular routine can leave you feeling groggy. You may even struggle to get back into a good, healthy sleep pattern. It’s important that you sleep well, but sleeping too much at the wrong times may actually set you back.

Should you rely on prescription medications to help you sleep? A healthy, natural sleep is not always achievable once you have taken some of these drugs. Sleep should rest the body and all of your muscles. Some sleeping drugs do this well. Or, perhaps, should you rely on more natural approaches to help you get some shut eye if you don’t want to take prescription medication? Lavender, milatonin, and gaba and l theanine all help to promote a good night’s sleep.

Sleep should also permit the brain to reach REM sleep. There are five different stages of sleep. Not all sleeping aids benefit this process. A natural sleep is best if you are able to achieve it. Why do we need full cycles of sleep? We tend to sleep for about seven and a half hours a night. This is long enough for five cycles of sleep that last about ninety minutes each.

Each cycle is different and will go through the five stages of sleep in different ways. Some stages allow for dreaming, while others allow for a deep level of physical relaxation. Healing, regeneration, mental filing, and even preparation for the coming day happen during sleep. Interruptions can lead to confusion, memory difficulties, and a lack of focus.

There are plenty of things that you can do to promote healthy sleep. A healthy lifestyle is the best way to ensure that you can fall asleep at night. Fresh air outdoors and exercise play a big part in preparing your body and mind for sleep. Avoid screens just before you want to go to sleep, as they emit blue light that confuses the brain chemistry into believing it is daylight. Avoid caffeine, too, if you struggle to settle at night. You can also try CBD products, such as a hash concentrate piatella if you especially struggle with falling asleep. Potent THC products can induce a relaxing state which makes it much easier to fall into a deep sleep. Finally, make sure that you have a good, consistent bedtime routine.

What can I do if I wake up at night? It’s a healthy part of the sleep cycle to wake up before the next one begins. We usually don’t notice or remember it, though. If you wake fully, it can be quite frustrating. Try not to let it bother you. Reset your sleep by performing the last two or three parts of your bedtime routine again. It doesn’t matter if you get out of bed for a glass of water first. If something woke you, consider making some changes to your room for tomorrow night. Earplugs to eliminate unwanted sounds and blackout curtains to remove excess light can be very helpful here.

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#Sleepygirlproblems

Should I be this uncomfortable in bed? There is no need to be uncomfortable in bed. Physical ailments can lead to discomfort from time to time. Try not to rely on painkillers as some can alter your sleep cycle. Instead, invest in the best bed that you can buy. Mattresses for great sleep are available from many leading brands. Some are made from memory foam that is designed to hold your body in a supportive posture. This is particularly helpful for people with aches and pains or those nursing an injury.

Is a lack of sleep harmful to my health? Poor quality sleep, or skipping a whole night isn’t just harmful to your health, it’s dangerous. As soon as you start to drive your car, you’ll know you’re tired. Your focus isn’t sharp, and you’re making mistakes. This can become fatal, yet many of us admit to driving while tired. Your relationships can suffer because a lack of sleep makes us moody and irrational. Simple things that wouldn’t usually bother you can become hugely irritating for you. This can lead to some out-of-character behavior.

Beyond the mood swings, your metabolism could also be upset. You’ll feel more hungry and may need an extra meal to get you through the day. This can quickly and easily lead to weight gain if it happens regularly. Your digestive system won’t be as effective, either, so you may notice bloating and indigestion quite quickly. Injuries won’t heal if you don’t sleep and that cold will drag on and on. Good health really does rely on good quality sleep every night.

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That looks so uncomfortable!!

Why can’t I sleep? There are so many causes of sleep problems. Falling asleep is quite hard to do if you’re not used to doing it. This is why many parents of newborns struggle to help their little ones get enough sleep. It isn’t quite as natural and instinctive as you might think, and being overtired can exacerbate the problem. Preparation is very helpful here. Set up a healthy approach to sleep and a good bedtime routine. This will ensure that your body and mind are both prepared for falling asleep.

During daylight hours, get plenty of fresh air and exercise. Try to avoid stimulants like chocolate, sugar, and caffeine from about 4 PM. Alcohol can also make it tricky to stay asleep, so avoid this for now. At bedtime, switch off your electronic devices and avoid having any in your bedroom. Good sleep hygiene guides recommend using the bedroom only for sleep. Have a warm bath each night and stick to the same tasks in the same order. Once you’re in bed, use a low light lamp to read a chapter or two of your favorite book. If you find that you’re lying awake, simply try the routine again.

Stress is a big problem for many parts of your life, including sleep. Write down what worries you if your mind is spinning at bedtime. Use waking hours to address one thing on that list each day. Over time, your ability to fall asleep will become more natural and you’ll rest well all night long. Sweet dreams!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Apr19

4 Skin Problems & What To Do About Them

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4 Skin Problems & What To Do About Them

It can often be quite surprising how many of us take our skin for granted. If you have never dealt with a skin ailment during your life, you may not have any idea of the kind of issues it can bring up for a sufferer. We all have our health issues, but usually, we can keep them private. Skin conditions, however, are much more difficult to hide – simply because quite a lot of our skin is out for show much of the time. Our skin is delicate, and it varies in many different parts of the body. For example, the skin on your hands has adapted to wrinkle when immersed in water, to give you more grip in poor weather conditions. You will also find that the skin on your body is much less oily than the skin on your face because the body has far less sebaceous glands. That is partially why we have different products for use on our face than we have for use on our bodies – it’s all about caring for and preserving your skin.

Having a condition, however, can make this whole process much more complicated. Some skin issues can be little more than an annoyance, whereas others can be serious and even life-altering. Here are a few that you may have heard of and some others that you may not be so familiar with, and what to do if you think you may be living with any of them:

Excessively Dry Skin: If you have very dry skin, you may just regard it as ‘one of those things’, much in the same way that you may have curly hair or have brittle fingernails. But if you are experiencing any discomfort from your dry skin, you could have a problem on your hands (quite literally!). Dry skin is one of the leading causes of itchy palms, a condition that can be incredibly frustrating for sufferers and something that can possibly interfere with your sleep.

Be mindful of how you react to your itchy, dry skin. If you are absentmindedly scratching it, you might be breaking the skin without realizing it. This can be incredibly painful, and can put you at risk of developing infections. The best way to avoid the incessant itching caused by dry skin is to keep your skin full of moisture, so invest in a good hand cream and a body butter to keep your skin supple and itch-free.

Psoriasis: Psoriasis is a condition that relates to dry skin but in a much more serious way. Its main symptoms are red, flaky patches of skin across the body that are often covered with silver scales. These patches can be itchy or sore, and some people have more severe symptoms than others. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this condition, but there are things that you can do to ease the effects of it. If you think you may have psoriasis, visit your doctor, as they may be able to prescribe you medication or cream to ease some of the symptoms.

Vitiligo: Vitiligo is not a condition that tends to cause the sufferer physical pain, but it can have a big impact on a person’s self-esteem. This particular condition causes white patches to appear on the skin, which vary in size and shape. This can give the skin a ‘mottled’ effect, and it shows up more clearly on people who are naturally dark-skinned. It is a long-term condition, although it can start to develop at any time in life. As of yet, there is no cure, but you can minimize the appearance of the condition with makeup, steroid cream, or even phototherapy. (Notice that Converse and Gap are both using models with Vitiligo in their campaigns!)

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A good makeup brush is a must.

Scabies: Scabies is often considered to be an illness of the past, normally associated with pirates living on unhygienic old ships! In reality, however, scabies is caused purely by tiny mites called Sarcoptes scabiei, which burrow into the skin, causing the itchy feeling. Scabies can develop and spread easily in environments where people are living in very close quarters with each other, which is partially why it is more common during the winter than the summer in most Western countries. It is not serious but can be uncomfortable, and can be worsened if you repeatedly scratch at the affected areas. So if you think you might have scabies, visit your doctor. He or she will most likely prescribe you a cream of sorts that contains insecticides, which will kill the scabies mites. Permethrin cream and malathion lotion are the two most commonly prescribed types.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Apr18

College Kid Essentials

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College Kid Essentials

Whether you are packing up your cases for your first semester or your last one, there are some things that you just can’t do without when you head off to college. Some of these are practical, some are fun, and some are downright luxurious, but all are simply essential. Read on to find out what they are and then get back to studying:

A Decent Bag: One of the major rules of college is that you will spend half of your time lugging your laptop and a boat load of big thick textbooks around with you. That is why you need a bag like a sturdy backpack for heavy books and all of your lecture notes. If you think that you are going to be able to work it out Legally Blonde style with a trendy backpack, then you are just setting yourself up for a world of pain. I’m not saying don’t take a cute handbag or two (or ten), because you can always use them on your nights out. Just make sure that you have something a bit more sensible for the day time when you’re hauling all of your homework.

Shower Shoes: Okay, things are going to get a little gross here, but that’s what a dormitory bathroom is! Sharing bathrooms and showers is a hazard in college that most people cannot avoid. Yes, dodging dirty underwear left in there by mistake just might happen. But you just don’t know who has walked on the floor in their bare feet. That is why it is a genius idea to take some thongs with you to wear in the bathroom! Not today, athlete’s foot. Not today.

A Frying Pan: Did you know that you can pretty much cook all meals in a frying pan? Get one deep enough like a wok, and you can boil vegetables and make sauces in it, too. In fact, it’s the most useful piece of kitchen equipment that you should have apart from a tin opener and corkscrew! So make sure to pack yours when you head back for the first day of term.

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Pexels Image

Your Laptop: Obviously, the only time that you hand write anything at college these days is in exams, the rest of the time you will want to be taking notes and writing up your essays on your computer. For security and portability reasons it’s best to invest in a laptop. Then, you can take it home during the holidays as well as along to lectures. It really is the college essential that you can’t do without.

Pictures From Home: Obviously, you’ll have pics of your family on your phone and computer. But, it is always nice to have paper copies, as well. Get some prints of your favorite images done, so when homesickness hits, you can glance over and remember that you’ll be back with them soon. You can display them in a frame or with mini pegs on a string for a cute boho look.

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^^^ Kind of like this!

A Scented Candle: Lastly, just because you are a student does not mean that you can’t have a little luxury in your life. Why not treat yourself to a nice scented candle. Not only will this relax you when you have a test or a deadline to study for, but it will also stop you from having to smell the scents of everyone else’s cooking in your accommodation. Which can be a total godsend!

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And don’t forget coffee or tea for binge studying sessions!

Apr18

Let’s Get Personal With These 6 Gift Ideas

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Let’s Get Personal With These 6 Gift Ideas

We give gifts on so many occasions throughout the year that it can be difficult to feel like you’re being original with your present ideas. Christmas, birthdays, and anniversaries are only some of the occasions a gift is required and as we all get older, it gets harder to shop for what our loved ones want. Cash gifts always feel so impersonal, as do vouchers, and unless specifically asked for, kitchen items can be a relationship killer. Rather than go for another jumper, tie, or set of slippers, you can do one better with something more sentimental.

So, how can you make gift-giving far more exciting? The best gifts out there are personalized ones, as they always mean something a little extra to the recipient. Everyone can see that a mug is a generic item, but when you plaster a photo of the family on it with a witty phrase it becomes something to be treasured. With these gift ideas, you can get a little more creative and a lot more personal with your present shopping:

1 – Glasses and tankards are very popular gifts for big birthdays or even retirement, so making them more personal with a beautiful engraving and going for crystal, instead, makes for a stunning, personal present.

2 – Photo gifts go down well with people of all ages. Mothers will always love cushions or blankets with pictures of their children on them. A photo blanket for their bed or the couch is as personal as it can get. Go for a canvas collage for the wall for grandparents, where the faces of their loved ones are in full view always.

3 – For the career-minded friend, a gift for their desk with their initials engraved on them such as Parker Pens are always well received. Do one better for your partner by monogramming a brand new, leather briefcase so that they can carry something beautiful and personal to and from work.

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Snazzy stuff!

4 – Every girl loves jewelry, so personalized bracelets and necklaces are a gift that is     appreciated almost always. You can also inject some sentimentality to your jewelry gift by adding tiny photos to an engraved locket.

5 – If you have a teenager who has just got their first car, why not splash a little cash and buy them personalized license plates for their car? Car gifts can be a little boring for men but something that is unique and helps them to stand out can be exciting, while giving their first car an edge over the others on the road.

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Maybe not “GOOD” but you get the point!

6 – Everyone loves a baker and if your mother or grandmother is a keen pastry chef in the kitchen, get them a personalized chopping board like this one. Practical in its use, they’ll be able to see it at all times and will always be reminded of your generosity.

Giving gifts doesn’t have to be boring and it doesn’t have to be expensive, either. It takes some thought and creativity on your part to give an interesting and well received present. Go all out for your loved ones and you’ll get the satisfaction of their smile when they open your present.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Apr17

Monday Update: Special Delivery Edition

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Monday Update: Special Delivery Edition

Hi everyone and a very happy Monday to all of you! This Friday, a super special package was delivered to yours truly from a giveaway that I won and I’m so hyped that I just had to blog about it. Seriously, I never win anything. Ever. So, obviously, I was extremely excited when I found out that I won a giveaway that the darling Julie was running on her page, Beauty & A Book. I wouldn’t say that I have “bad” luck, so to speak, but my luck is never exactly “good” either, so after a super sucky week thanks to the Little Red Love Machine getting tboned, a giveaway win was just what the doctor ordered! Take a look at my new hair care goodies:

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^^^ Woohoo!

My Prizes:

  • Salon Tech heat protecting spray (which is awesome because I flat iron my hair every day)
  • Salon Tech shampoo (which will be going to my mom because I don’t wash my hair)
  • Eurora face and body moisturizer
  • A new copper core brush

Okay – and just to clarify, yes: I don’t wash my hair. Well, I wash it once a month when I’m redying it but that’s all. Although, I wouldn’t even consider that “washing” because I only condition my hair after dying it. My fiery red locks would be nonexistent if I washed my hair frequently. The last time I remember thoroughly washing my hair was…I actually don’t remember! But, my hair is all the better for it and that’s all I have to say about that!

ANYWAYS, I want to send a HUGE thank you to Julie from Beauty & A Book for sending your girl some giveaway loving. It infinitely brightened a super dumb week so merci beaucoup!

I would love to be able to send Julie some followers on her social media platforms because, unfortunately, I only have a Facebook! So please give her a follow on Twitter, Instagram, or Snapchat with her handle: jeweleemc

THANKS!! 😉

So there you have it, this week’s Monday Update: Special Delivery Edition! How was everyone’s Easter weekend? Would you consider yourself as having good or bad luck? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Life Over Latte