Tag Archives: health

Oct5

Adults Can Rock Braces Too   

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Adults Can Rock Braces Too   

If there is one thing that we’re noticing more and more of, it is adults getting braces. After all, is there anything more attractive and confidence boosting than a beautiful smile? If you are self-conscious because you have crooked teeth, it is never too late to put it right. A lot of people assume braces are only for children, but this could not be further from the truth. Read on to discover how orthodontists can help you to achieve the perfect smile with adult braces:

Why have adult braces become so popular?

With every generation that passes, our teeth are staying stronger. However, just like the rest of your body, the challenges of aging can take over. We tend to assume that our teeth only really move when we are kids and we are still growing, but that’s not the case. Our teeth can shift naturally or because of the medication that we have taken. Therefore, more and more adults are turning towards braces to help them with this. We are also noticing more adults wearing braces for purely cosmetic reasons. It seems that we are now more concerned with our smiles than we have been. We want to feel amazing and look amazing too.

There are, of course, adults who are getting braces today simply because they didn’t get them when they were a child. Such issues that can be corrected include the likes of a jaw joint disorder, incorrect jaw position, cross-bites, under-bites, overbites, crowded teeth, and crooked teeth. If these problems are not treated, they can cause issues with chewing and speaking, earaches, headaches, TMJ, gum disease, and tooth decay. Even if you are an adult, it is still better to get braces now rather than never getting them at all!

How long will you need to wear braces for?

Everyone is different so the best thing to do is book an appointment with an experienced orthodontist who offers a range of dental services and will be able to advise on this. Nevertheless, most people do tend to wear braces for around eighteen months. Generally, the time spent wearing braces is a lot shorter than it used to be. The installation process is quicker too, usually taking between an hour or two. It is advisable to visit your dentist on a regular basis so that the braces can be adjusted as needed, ensuring that your teeth are being gently pushed in the right direction.

So there you have it: an insight into adult braces and how they can be beneficial today for a straighter smile and healthier teeth.

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Oct2

Kicking Off A Keto Lifestyle   

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Kicking Off A Keto Lifestyle   

If you’re looking to start a keto diet, then you had better be prepared to commit to it. It can take some time for the effects to start showing but, once they do, you will be surprised at how much you might lose. However, before you jump into it head first, it’s best to plan your approach and make sure that you’re not inadvertently setting yourself up for a harder journey than you should. Here are some tips on how to start:

What is a keto diet?

Keto diets are all about keeping your food intake low in carbs, high in fat, and with good protein content to better control your blood sugar levels. This is to encourage the body to switch from burning glucose to burning fat as fuel. When your body starts to rely on burning fat for fuel primarily, you can reach weight loss goals more easily.

Get tracking:

One of the better things about keto diets is that you don’t need to necessarily track calories. You can if you want, but what you want, instead, is to focus on your macros. These are the nutrients themselves that are in the food you eat, with carbs, protein, sugar, and fat being those that are tracked primarily. There are keto macro trackers that can help you track those macros and see what foods might push you over the balance you’re aiming to maintain.

Find keto recipes:

As mentioned, a keto diet will involve you eating fewer carbs, eating more fats, and maintaining a moderate amount of proteins. It’s not like a carnivore diet, in that vegetables and certain grain based foods are still allowed. However, you want to find low carb varieties of foods, like this recipe for keto pancakes available here. There are plenty of keto recipe sites on the net. You should do some scouring, find enough to get you through a week’s worth of meals, and experiment to see what you like.

Learn to love keto snacks:

When it comes to snacks, we tend to reach for the high sugar or high carb things first and foremost. Clearly, this isn’t possible on a keto diet. But that doesn’t mean you have to cut out snacking entirely. While it’s always smart to keep it to a managed level, being unable to indulge cravings at all makes it a lot easier to quit out on a diet early, so you can look at these low-carb snacks featured here for some ideas of what you can have instead.

Keep up with water:

When you’re in a state of ketosis, burning through fat for fuel, you will find that you excrete fluids a lot more. You will sweat more during exercise and are also more likely to go to the bathroom more often. As such, you can easily find yourself dehydrated and feeling awful if you aren’t also increasing your water intake.

With the tips above, starting a keto diet can be a lot easier. It’s not “easy”, but it can definitely be more manageable.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Sep29

Getting Back To Work With An Injured Finger   

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Getting Back To Work With An Injured Finger   

No matter what kind of injury, you need to make sure that you don’t exacerbate it when you return to work. For a lot of people, a finger injury might not seem like a big deal. However, if you spend a lot of your time working, it can really get in the way. As such, here are a few tips to help you get back to tapping away without worrying about exacerbating the injury any further:

Take on a little less work:

It might not sound like the solution that you want, but you may simply have to get used to the fact that you’re not going to be able to type as much as you could. Most finger jams and sprains don’t take more than a few days to heal but, in the meantime, you shouldn’t think that you can keep up with your pace just by relying on your other fingers. This is going to strain other parts of the hand much more than they’re used to, which can then lead to repetitive strain injury in the hand or wrist, which can see you taking even longer to get better.

Make sure that it’s resting:

If you’re typing at the keyboard, you need to make sure that you’re not using the injured finger to do so. You need to keep that finger in a state of rest as much as possible. One of the best ways to do this is to make sure that it’s dressed to avoid using the fingers any further down your hand (so, don’t use your pinky if you have injured your ring finger, for instance.) Learn how to wrap a jammed finger so that you can keep it compressed and prevent it from wiggling too much while you’re typing, as well. It might take a while to get used to typing without all your digits on your side, but it is worth it.

Managing the pain:

Even if you’re able to avoid using the affected finger while you’re working, you’re still going to be moving the digits around it, which can affect the tendons controlling that finger. Micro-movements can still cause the pain to get a little worse. For that reason, you might want to look at some of the natural ways of easing pain that you can rely on during the day to make sure that you’re alleviating some of the stress that you might be causing. If the feeling starts to tick a little higher on the pain chart, it’s important to stop and rest for a while. Don’t work through the pain, that can only make it take longer to recover fully.

You might be going a little slower than usual for a while, but it’s important to make sure that you give your finger the time it needs to heal. If you have to talk with your employers or clients about maintaining expectations until you’re back at full strength, then you simply have to do it.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Sep24

How To Cope With An Exercise Injury   

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How To Cope With An Exercise Injury   

The recovery process for sports injuries usually concentrates on physical rehab. But for athletes, it’s also important to incorporate sports psychology techniques to help them recover mentally. When you’re otherwise healthy and physically active, an injury can be frustrating. Resilience is needed both physically and psychologically to cope with injury stress.

Despite these feelings, it’s important to move forward and find more positive ways to overcome this setback. Athletes who can handle injuries gracefully will become more focused, flexible, and resilient. The following strategies can help:

Educate Yourself:

Ask your doctor, trainer, coach, or therapist the following questions to learn what you need to do to heal quickly and fully:

  • Do I have an injury (what type is it)?
  • How can I get treated?
  • Why am I receiving these treatments?
  • Can this be recovered in a reasonable amount of time?
  • During rehabilitation, what should I expect?
  • Are there any safe alternatives to traditional exercise?
  • If I get worse, what are the warning signs?

A second opinion may be necessary if you feel uncomfortable with the response from your care team.

Recovery Is Your Responsibility:

Your recovery can be impacted if you take responsibility for it. A greater sense of confidence can be found when you take control of your recovery process. The process also helps you recover faster than trying to return to the level of performance that you had before your injury. Making sure you have a first aid kit with medical ice packs is a start to taking responsibility and good care of yourself.

Stay Committed To Your Recovery Process:

Others may lose motivation and slack off on their therapy, while others may become discouraged and quit. To heal quickly, be committed to your treatment and listen to your doctor and/or athletic trainer. You can stay balanced as you achieve your healing goal by setting small daily or weekly goals that build momentum. You should also speak to yourself positively.

Stay focused on what you need to do and not what you will miss during your daily rehab. Work hard and maintain a positive attitude throughout it.

Get Support From Others:

Following an injury, it is common to isolate from teammates, coaches, and friends. You should keep in touch with others as you recover. They can offer advice or encouragement when you need to vent. Make sure that you are surrounded by strong, positive people who can encourage you during your recovery and boost your spirits when you are feeling discouraged. It can be very comforting to know that you are not alone when you suffer an injury.

These four tips should help you to look after yourself during recovery from an injury. Be good to you and get well soon!

Featured Image By: Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

Sep23

Safety Tips For Exercising Outdoors   

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Safety Tips For Exercising Outdoors   

Whether it’s a gentle breeze caressing your face while you run or the sun kissing your skin while you cycle, taking your workouts outdoors is always a refreshing experience. However, it is necessary to exercise without putting your health and safety at risk. Are you thinking about taking your fitness regimen outside? Here are a few tips that can help you stay safe while you exercise:

Map your route ahead of time:

It would be pretty frustrating losing your way when going for a run, walk, or cycle outside, especially if you’re new to the area. Thankfully, almost all smartphones come with a Map application and GPS functions, so you can plan your route before setting off. It is also advisable to share your route with someone you trust before you leave. If you take your phone along, be sure to keep your location on to make locating you easier if you should get lost or injured. If you already know your area, ensure that you avoid inconvenient places like construction sites, busy streets, etc. You might also want to avoid areas with stray animals to prevent incidents such as dog bites.

Dress for safety:

From workout clothes to the shoes you wear, you should aim for comfort and safety. Regarding footwear, having on the right shoes for the right activity will help to avoid blisters, twisted ankles, or any other injury. Also, your clothes should not inhibit blood flow or airflow in any way. If you plan on doing your outdoor workout at night or under poor visibility, you should wear workout clothes with features that make you more visible, especially when working out near busy roads. For example, you can wear bright colored clothes or opt for ones with reflectors to make you more visible to motorists.

Take your cell phone along:

Carrying a phone along when going for a run can be an inconvenience as you want to run or cycle ‘freely,’ but you also need to be safe. And if you get lost in an area without any internet connection, you will need something to use to call for help. Many workout garments come with spaces to store cell phones and keep them out of the way until you need them.

Protect yourself from the sun:

Sunscreen is an absolute must if you plan to work out in the sun, especially for your face. It is best to look for sunscreen products designed specifically for athletes, as they wouldn’t come off when you sweat. Moreover, the heat can wear you out pretty fast, so don’t forget to carry a bottle of water along. If possible, try to exercise during or after sunset because the sun can be scorching in the afternoon.

Protect yourself from the cold:

Cold temperatures can also drain your energy. It is possible to burn about 6,000 calories in one day when exercising in the cold. So, make sure you wear protective clothing. You might also want to take a bottle of water along to sip, as cold temperatures can suppress thirst, and you don’t want to be dehydrated.

Working out outdoors is great but doing it safely is the best with the tips above!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Sep12

Pikin’ & Grinnin’

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Pikin’ & Grinnin’

Hello! First of all, major props to whomever got the Hee Haw reference of this post title! Second of all, I have been absolutely loving the waterpik that I purchased after my visit to the periodontist last week. During my appointment, I was so pleased to learn that my dental problems had remained stable during my long stint of no check ups thanks to the pandemic. To continue improving the issues, I bought a waterpik as soon as I got home as per the recommendations of the professionals:

I am still getting used to using my new waterpik and literally every review I have read on them was right – it is very messy at first! I have had to resort to laying a bath towel around the sink because the water just gets everywhere. I know that these mini flash floods in my bathroom will come to a halt once I get better at using the waterpik, though, so that is not a deterrent in the slightest.

I also read on the reviews for the waterpik that I bought that it was incredibly noisy but I haven’t found that to be true at all. It has the noise you would expect from a product like this – nothing more, nothing less. Even if it were obnoxiously loud, you can’t beat the price of this waterpik (about seventy dollars) for how well it works and all of the different accessories that comes with it.

This waterpik included five different tips which will help in different ways:

  • Plaque seeker tip: This one needs no further explanation
  • Toothbrush tip: Neither does this one
  • Tongue cleaner tip: Or this one
  • Orthodontic tip: This one is good for people with braces
  • Pik pocket tip: This is the one that I use as it gets deep into the periodontal pockets for an intense clean

I have been using my waterpik with the pik pocket tip every morning and night and my gums have already started to feel better. They are not as tender and I feel them getting healthier with every use. Dare I say it, I am almost looking forward to my next appointments with my dentist and periodontist because this is going to improve my oral hygiene tenfold and I think that they are going to be proud! 😀

Do you use a waterpik? How do you feel about going to the dentist? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep8

Pearly Whites

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Pearly Whites

Hi! Ever since I had an oral surgery gone wrong close to three years ago, I have had a HUGE fear of the dentist. But, let’s be real, I’ve always been kind of afraid of it and instead of facing my fears, I just wouldn’t go. In the beginning of February 2020, I finally worked up the courage to see a periodontist and had a handful of appointments with him. Then, the worst of the pandemic hit and I hadn’t been back since.

Although I hadn’t been to see the periodontist, I worked hard to keep up my oral hygiene with an electric toothbrush and tried my best to at least keep my problems stable. However, going so long without having any type of check up brought me back to my ambivalence of ever returning. Which is why I am proud to say that I actually had my first appointment with my periodontist since the pandemic this past week! 😀

You guys have no idea how nervous I was for this appointment because of my phobia in general and I was extremely worried that my issues had worsened. Which is why I am even prouder to say that thanks to my improved oral hygiene, the problems that I went in for had remained stable!! My worst nightmare would have been hearing the professionals say “What happened?!” so to hear that I had been doing as good as I could have been was such a big relief.

While the issues with my gums are by no means great, I am so motivated to continue making it better after this appointment. I have cleanings scheduled with my regular dentist and my periodontist. I also purchased a waterpik as per their recommendation as soon as I returned home. I like to think that even if the appointment didn’t go well, I still would have done all of that but it would definitely have made it much scarier.

I was all but traumatized after my surgery gone wrong and I think anyone would have been if they couldn’t eat for a month. I still can’t look at a bottle of Ensure without having flashbacks! But I am so happy that I am on the right track to keep improving and I plan to stay on it, no matter what my fears are.

I think I will always be somewhat afraid to go to a dentist or periodontist but this is a great first step in, at least, lessening my phobia a little bit. In fact, I might even be a little excited to keep going back and I feel hopeful that I will continue to make improvements. GOOD FOR ME! 🙂

What are you afraid of? How do you face your fears? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep6

Bath & Body Works September Freebie

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Bath & Body Works September Freebie

Hi! Treating myself to my favorite bath and body care is one of my favorite things to do, which is why I love shopping with Bath & Body Works. When you shop their sales or their amazing semi annual sale, you can score the best deals and I always look forward to replenishing my beauty care hoard with them. What’s more, they are constantly sending coupons in the mail for freebies and percentages off your purchase. This past week, I picked up this super handy September freebie:

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no better freebie than a pocket sized hand sanitizer! When it came to picking out which scent I wanted for my hand sani, it was important to me to find one with a fairly neutral scent. The last hand sanitizer by B&BW that I picked out years ago was a fall fragrance but it was so overly pungent that I never wanted to use it. While there were more exciting scents to choose from, I ended up with Be A Good Human, which is a simple citrus fragrance.

This pocket sized hand sanitizer is ideal for being on the go since it fits so comfortably on your person or in your purse. Although it was an inexpensive freebie, I was so happy with it and thought that it was a great idea on B&BW’s part. I will definitely be using my Be A Good Human sanitizer often and plan on purchasing it again once I run out!

What is your favorite Bath & Body Works scent? Which store offers the best freebies and promotions? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep3

Top Tips For Getting Started With Exercise

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Top Tips For Getting Started With Exercise

Physical activity will not only help you to lose weight, but it can also improve your mental health, sleep, and energy levels while decreasing the risk of developing chronic health conditions. Getting started with exercise is the hardest part. Once you are in the game, however, it is a life-changer. Here are five top tips to help you get over the hardest hurdle and get started with your new exercise routine today:

1 – Set a goal:

Setting goals can be a useful tool when you are getting started with your fitness journey. Goals enable you to stay on track and keep focused and motivated. Start by identifying what your overall aim is. This should be unique to you and not relevant to anyone else. Do you want to run 5k? Do you want to lose weight? Build muscle? Achieve a chin-up? There are countless goals to choose from. Take some time to find out what you want to do and write it down. Next, you need to identify what it will take to get there. While mapping this out, make sure that you are realistic, define a time frame and attach smaller steps to get there. This will make it much more manageable.

2 – Find a program:

Once you have identified your goals, then the next best way to get started and reach them is to find a program that will help you get there. If you are new to fitness, going in blind will only leave you feeling lost and stuck. There are many programs to choose from, and this article explains a popular push/pull/legs (PPL) routine used by many bodybuilders.

3 – Equipment:

You shouldn’t just buy any equipment. Your equipment should match your goals and your program. Some of the most commonly used exercise equipment are adjustable dumbbells, barbells, kettlebells, resistance bands, TRX cables, punching bags, jump rope, and a mirror. There are many body weight exercises, but to achieve bigger goals, you may need to invest in equipment to help get you there. When investing in new equipment, make sure you learn how to use it properly and safely.

4 – Schedule:

Consistency is key when it comes to working out. Creating a realistic workout schedule will help you to stick to your exercises and reach your goals much quicker. Use a calendar, diary, or even an app on your phone and take your workout schedule as seriously as you would a doctor’s appointment. The more you stick to your schedule, the easier it is to stick to your new routine.

5 – Monitor your progress:

Monitoring your progress (on a weekly, not daily basis) allows you to stay motivated as you see yourself improve in certain areas. By checking in regularly, you can see what is working and what is not, and adjust your schedule accordingly.

6 – Rest appropriately:

It’s essential to make sure that outside of exercise, you rest and restore yourself between each session. Otherwise, your next workout effort will be incredibly tiresome. Getting at least eight hours of sleep a night, using healthy supplements such as a vitamins, fish oil, or even a limitless pill, and eating slightly higher levels of protein and plenty of healthy vegetables is key. This way, you will return to your plan rested and ready for action.

Getting started with exercise is the hardest part. Incorporate these tips to help you get over the biggest hurdle and create a sustainable new routine!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jul30

The Skinny On Sugar

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The Skinny On Sugar

While we all agree that sugar is not the best thing in the world, it’s important to remember that sugar is not the evil that we’ve been told about. Most of us talk to our children and say that sugar is an absolute no-no, but there are many misconceptions about sugar. Let’s make sure you have a healthy attitude towards sugar and why, in the right dose, it isn’t anything to fear:

Should You Cut Out Sugar from Your Life Completely?

Many health organizations will recommend a certain limit of sugar per day. Any dental care specialist tells you to avoid sugar for the sake of your teeth but, of course, it’s hard to completely remove sugar from your life, especially when you consider there is a tiny amount in drinks like milk, that you cannot remove. Your body does not need sugar, so having less is going to be better, but the benefit lies in moderation. There is room for some sugar in a healthy diet that won’t negatively impact your overall health, but it’s about knowing the limits. The US dietary guidelines state that, out of 2,000 calories a day, 50g of added sugar is okay.

Will Sugar Contribute to Long-Term Health Problems?

Naturally, we are aware of the impact of diabetes, and the fact that 75% of Americans eat more sugar than they really should. But if you have heard that eating sugar will contribute to cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and heart disease, added sugar consumption according to an American Journal of Clinical Nutrition study found that it was not linked to increased risk for death. A moderate amount of sugar doesn’t appear to be harmful but having too much will put you at risk for putting on weight.

Are Natural Sugars Better for You?

There are minimally processed sweeteners, such as agave nectar and honey that people use in beverages, thinking it’s a healthier version of sugar, but your body views all sugar sources as the same. This means that whatever the sugar source is, it will have the same impact on your body. While there are nutrients in honey and maple syrup, the nutrients are so small that they won’t have an impact on your health. You may think that you are doing yourself a favor by having a healthier version, but it is not the case.

Sugar is not a healthy food by any stretch, as we have seen, but for those people who are determined to remove sugar from every aspect of their life, it can be impossible. We find sugar in fruit, but this is why fruit contains fiber to balance it out. However, if you want a healthy life you can indulge in a sweet treat, but the solution is simple: everything in moderation.

Featured Image By: Pixabay