Tag Archives: health

Dec20

Looking After Ageing Parents: Day Care VS Companionship

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Looking After Ageing Parents: Day Care VS Companionship

If you’re in the position where you are having to face the daunting reality of looking after your ageing parents, it’s understandable that you might feel like you have the weight of the whole world on your shoulders; not only do you have to manage your own work/life balance, in addition to taking care of your family, you now face increasing pressure to take care of your parent or parents.

Indeed, taking care of elderly parents can be a real struggle; Not only must you find a solution that tends to their medical, physiological, and practical needs but also their social and emotional needs, as well. One would imagine, at this juncture, that all you want to do is take care of your loved ones in their old age, but there’s a limit to how you can protect them from the inevitable pitfalls of ageing. You’ve weighed up the pros and cons of trying to care for them yourself. You’ve been through a thousand Care.com reviews to check if they’d be a good fit for some in-home care. You’re trying to explore every single option you can find to make sure your parents have the support they need. But it can be a losing game. No matter how hard you try, you’re unlikely to be able to take care of the full gamut of your parents needs – but there is an area, that is often overlooked that you can play a vital role in.

This area is that of tending to their emotional and social needs. One of the core problems elderly people face is loneliness – this sense of loneliness can be much more debilitating than any of their physical ailments and it’s totally avoidable. Again, you’re unlikely to be in the position to be a full-time companion, and it’s important that you don’t give yourself a hard time for this… as there are ways of caring for their social needs without you needing to be at their beckon call. This article explores three options that you have available to lighten the load:

Paid Companionship:

It might feel like a strange notion to have to pay someone to offer companionship, but given the level of patience and the complexity of your own emotional experience in looking after an elderly patient; an external companion can provide great relief for both you and your parent. You should check out services like the senior companion program that use senior companions to provide genuine companionship from a place of authentic like-mindedness, people who are truly able to relate with their companion as a peer; rather than a disinterested person intending to make ‘easy’ income.

The important thing when searching for a companion, therefore, is a genuine connection that leads to natural rapport. There are plenty of elderly people that wouldn’t fancy the idea of having a companion, in this way, out of pride or perhaps fear that they don’t want the awkwardness of having to interact with someone they don’t really know or trust; therefore it’s of critical importance you find someone that can relate on their level – and the natural choice would be a similarly aged peer.

Daycare:

There are many daycare options available, where people get to interact with their peers, however something to be mindful of is that just because someone is elderly doesn’t mean that they want to be put on a coach and force fed bingo sessions. It’s important you find a daycare center that is aligned with your parent(s) interests and natural character.

Assisted Living:

Should your loved one need more care than regular pop ins from you or a daycare, you might want to consider assisted living. These spaces are often specific for people who need memory care or have difficulty completing daily household tasks safely. To ensure your parent is receiving the best quality senior care, schedule tours at several different locations. Pay close attention to how the staff behaves and if the residents seem happy and as healthy as they can be. Do be sure to try and visit as frequently as you can to verify that your parents’ needs are being tended to in a loving and timely manner.

In summary, you really want to find something suitable for your parents that naturally aligns with their character. Most people value developing a deep and meaningful friendship with a person rather than several superficial acquaintances; but both options lend themselves to this. The most important thing to remember is that it’s your parent who should be deciding how they spend their time and one of the greatest gifts you can offer is your patience, understanding, and flexibility in meeting their needs rather than your own.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Dec15

It’s Time You Learned To Relax!

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It’s Time You Learned To Relax!

Life can be stressful. That’s probably not going to be the most controversial statement that you read all day, but it’s certainly true. Most people end up feeling incredibly stressed out and tense, simply because that seems to be the standard mode of operation for people in the modern world. Between work, family, chores, hobbies, and trying to maintain some kind of social life, most of us have so much that we’re trying to do that it can be overwhelming. With that in mind, it’s that you learned how to relax! Here are just a few ideas for how you can finally start to kick back and let the troubles of the world roll off your back:

Take Time For Yourself:

Most people have a lot of responsibilities that they have to honor throughout the day, and many of those can consist of doing things for other people. Helping others and being there for the people in your life is incredibly important and is something everyone should try to do as much as possible. However, if you’re helping other people so much that you lack time to focus on yourself, then you’re going to end up exhausted. Every once in awhile, get the kids and your partner out of the house, put your phone on silent, check out some of the best dry herb vapes at DopeBoo, and just spend some time focusing on yourself.

The reality is, that if you can’t take care of yourself, then you’re never going to be able to take care of anyone else, either! Pencil in time for relaxation and self care. It could be as little as a five minute meditation or perhaps something like booking an afternoon at a spa. To find the best places to pamper, simply enter a search for “swedish massage in North Wales, PA” (or your local area) and you will be ready to unwind!

Learn To Say No:

When there are people in your life, whether it’s at work or at home, asking you to do things, it can be tough to tell them no. In fact, most of us are trained from a pretty early age to never turn someone down if they ask us to do something. You end up feeling as though your friends will be angry with you if you don’t help them or that you’re going to pay for it at work if you don’t take on every single task that your boss asks you to. But the truth is that you’re well within your rights to say no to things if you don’t feel like you can handle them. As long as you’re polite and you explain yourself properly, no one can get angry at you for not taking on more than you can properly deal with.

Stay On Top Of Tasks:

One of the most stressful things in the world is knowing that there’s something hanging over your head all of the time that you haven’t yet dealt with. It can make it so that even the time you spend trying to relax is nearly impossible because you’re just thinking about all of the things that you’ve yet to do. That’s why staying on top of all of the tasks that you need to do is so important. Rather than putting things off, make sure that everything, from bills that need paying to DIY jobs that need finishing, or work tasks that need to be completed, is dealt with right away without putting it off. Otherwise, you’re just going to end up swimming is unfinished tasks and you’ll never be able to relax.

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Organizers are a great help!

Reach Out For Support:

It’s okay to need help from time to time. This is something that a lot of people seem to have completely forgotten. Sure, there’s something nice about being able to say that you pulled yourself up by your bootstraps and never needed anyone’s help, but the truth is that you’re going to be much happier if you let the people around you lend a helping hand. Reaching out to friends, family, your partner, and even your employer for some support can take huge amounts of pressure off of you and make your life much more pleasant and simpler to deal with. Sure, you don’t want to be dumping everything on other people, but if you try and handle it all on your own, then you’re almost certainly going to end up feeling incredibly stressed out and you could even be at risk of burning out.

Take a deep breath, take some time for you, and walk back into your life feeling totally recharged and able to take on the day!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Dec13

Sick As A Dog :(

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Sick As A Dog :(

Helloooooo. No offense to all of the beautiful dogs in the world, but I sure was sick as one this past week. From Friday until Monday I was suffering from a nasty sore throat, aches, fatigue, and nausea – it was seriously enough to make a grown man cry. And, because I turn into an overemotional mess while sick, cry I did. You seriously take your health for granted until you start feeling like a big bag of butts.

But, I am feeling much better, and now things are back to normal here on lifewithlilred! You just didn’t get to hear me complain about my disease ridden self because of a little thing called pre-writing. But, I promise that you weren’t missing out on much! How do you cure the winter flu? What are some of your tried and true home remedies? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov20

Tips For Your Healthiest New Year Yet

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Tips For Your Healthiest New Year Yet

It’s usually around this time of the year that we realize that the months have flown by. Christmas is right around the corner and the end of the year is fast approaching. And with that, we tend to think ahead to what the new year will bring. Some of us will do this in good faith, hoping for a vast improvement on the current year, while others will be a little more pessimistic, thinking that most years are the same. Regardless of which camp you fall into, you may be thinking about making a commitment to be healthier next year. If that’s the case, then good for you – but be sure to read the do’s and don’ts of how to do it first:

Don’t Go Cold Turkey:

For most people, when they think about making healthy changes to their diet and lifestyle, they tend to think that going cold turkey is the answer. From cutting out sugar, coffee, and fatty foods to trying to take up an intense exercise regime, they tend to go from a somewhat unhealthy lifestyle to one that’s super strict. And guess what? It doesn’t last! Mainly because it’s too much of a change and it’s not realistic. When you make unrealistic changes like this, you’re going to find them too hard to stick to. When you want to commit to a healthy change, you need to know that it’s going to last. So, in this case, gradual changes are often best.

Do Read Reviews:

Whatever it is that you’re thinking of doing, be sure that you read up on it first. When you find detailed information like the AlgaeCal reviews, you’re going to find that you get all of the background information that you need. Then, you can make a call on whether that change or product, in particular, is good for you.

Do Talk To Your Doctor:

It’s also always a smart idea to talk to your doctor about any changes that you’re thinking of making. Firstly, this is so that they can be aware of what you’re doing. But it’s also so that they can be sure that you’re not making any rapid changes that could damage your health. At the same time, they will advise you on what’s best to do, as well as carry out key health checks to make sure that you start off on the right track.

Don’t Do Anything Drastic:

Even though it can be tempting, you really do have to make sure that you don’t do anything drastic. Anything dangerous or unhealthy, like over-exercising or restricting yourself with food, can seriously damage your health, and this will counteract what your initial commitment is trying to achieve. So be sure to relax, enjoy it, and be patient for your health to improve.

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Smoothies are a great in between meals snack!

Do Focus On The Change:

Above all else, be sure to focus on the change that you’ve committed to make. It’s easy to convince yourself that you need to cut back, but remember that this is a lifestyle change and not a diet. You need to focus on the change of being healthier, and nothing else!

Start out your new year with a bang, and be sure to follow these tips for your healthiest year yet!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Nov9

The End Of Insomnia: Putting A Stop To Sleepless Nights

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The End Of Insomnia: Putting A Stop To Sleepless Nights

It is estimated that up to 60 million Americans experience insomnia each year. If you’re familiar with lying awake watching the clock tick by painfully slowly in the early hours, you’re not alone. Although insomnia is a common problem, this doesn’t make it any less serious. The reality is, that we need sleep. Without it, there’s a risk of physical and mental health complications. If you can’t sleep and you long to wake up in the morning feeling refreshed and invigorated, hopefully this guide will prove helpful:

Setting Your Body Clock:

Many of us make the mistake of trying to catch up on sleep by napping during the day or getting up later the morning after. While this may provide temporary relief, in the long-term, it can actually exacerbate the symptoms of insomnia. Your body has an internal clock, and if you’re sleeping at all hours of the day, that clock is going to be off kilter. Try and establish a routine, which means that you go to bed and get up at the same time every day, even on the weekends. Your body will get used to this new pattern, and hopefully, you’ll find that it is easier to doze off and get up in the morning. If you lose track of time very easily and you tend to fall asleep on the sofa, set an alarm or use an app to remind you to go to bed.

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 Sleepy time!

Seeing Your Doctor:

If you can’t sleep on a regular basis and you can’t even remember when you last had a good night’s sleep, consider making an appointment with your doctor. If you miss out on sleep, it can have a negative impact on your health and your mental well being. People who sleep well are proven to have a lower risk of stress, anxiety, and depression and they tend to have better immunity and higher energy levels. When you see your doctor, they may recommend making some changes to your lifestyle and also your sleeping environment.

In more severe cases, they may advise you to take medication. When you pick up your prescription, read the instructions carefully. If you develop side-effects, this may be a result of taking the wrong dosage, or it may be your body’s reaction to a new medication. If you’re worried about the dosage, speak to your doctor. If you have been advised incorrectly, you may wish to consider taking legal action and seek an expert for your malpractice claim. In many cases, side-effects occur as a natural response to medication, and it is sometimes possible to switch to other drugs that may not have the same impact.

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 #earlytobed #earlytorise

Exercising:

Exercising has multiple benefits for people who struggle to sleep. Exercise tires the body out, but it also has powerful stress and anxiety relieving properties. When you’re worried about something or you feel like you’re under pressure, this can make it really difficult to switch off at night. If you can clear your mind and relax before you get into bed, this is going to improve your sleep quality enormously. Activities that are particularly beneficial for relaxation include yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, swimming, walking, team sports, and kickboxing. insom2.png

 Get your yoga on before bed!

Leaving Work At The Office:

Do you check emails in bed or spend hours thinking about what you’ve got to do tomorrow? It’s easier said than done, but leaving work at the office is so important. Nobody is capable of working twenty-four hours a day, and it’s vital to have a healthy work/life balance. You need downtime to recover, rest, and relax. When you get home, don’t start looking at your inbox and focus on enjoying the evening. If you get a good night’s sleep, you’ll work much more efficiently the next day. Read a book, chat with your friends, watch TV, and just chill out.

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No more checking your phone before bed!

Are sleepless nights taking their toll on you? If you’re not getting enough sleep, the sooner you make changes, the better. Try and adapt your routine to ensure that you go to bed and wake up at the same time each day and aim to incorporate exercise sessions and time to wind down and relax into your daily regime. If you’ve made changes, but you still can’t sleep, don’t hesitate to see your doctor. There are treatments out there that can help you tackle insomnia and get the rest you need.

Nov5

Feeling Blah

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Feeling Blah

Hi everyone and happy Sunday! Is it just me or are any of you guys feeling totally blah lately? I recently started going to therapy at the beginning of October and it has had me in quite a tizzy. That, on top of the changing weather, the darkness that falls in the early evening, and the stressers of daily life has left me feeling completely lackluster.

Now, I get it, life isn’t always sunshine, puppies, and rainbows (I wish!) – but that doesn’t mean that having the blues doesn’t freaking suck! Everything in Lil Red’s world at the moment has just been that step below average. So the not good but closer to bad doldrums have hit me like a ton of bricks. And once those feelings make camp in your head, it’s so hard to shake them.

I try not to be a complainer and god knows I try to just grin and bear it, but boy is it exhausting. I have found solace in Netflix and chilling with myself in between my work schedule but I think that I have become wayyy too comfortable just sinking into the couch and trying to forget my worries in a binge watching session.

So how does one peel themselves off of their futon and start taking life by the horns again? Shit, I don’t know! That’s why I’m asking you guys! Lol, but seriously I need to take a deep breath, get up, and just go. Yes, it’s easier to lose myself in a Saw movie marathon but it would be better to do things that are good for me to clear some of the fog in my head. But, man is it hard sometimes!

What do you do to ease some of the blahs in your brain? How do you get yourself going again after a stint with depression? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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Nov3

Maintaining Good Auditory Health? Sounds Good To Us!

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Maintaining Good Auditory Health? Sounds Good To Us!

There are certain things in life that we can easily begin to take for granted. Our auditory health can be one of them. Think about how much you actually use your sense of sound on a day to day basis. It’s in action 24/7. From the moment you wake up, it’s present, alerting you to your morning alarm, helping you to do simple tasks like crossing the street, and helping to warn you of approaching danger.

We use it to converse, listen to our favorite songs, and even bask in tranquility when we get a break from the clatters and bangs of all sorts of happenings. Your hearing is even in action while you sleep, picking up on the most minute, unexpected noises and helping your body to jump back into action if need be. So, it’s important to take care of your hearing at all costs. Here are a few ways to help maintain the best levels of auditory health possible throughout your lifetime:

Ear Checks:

We are all used to going for regular eye checks. But when’s the last time that you went for a hearing check? Most people neglect these kinds of appointments. It’s recommended that as soon as you experience any change in your hearing capabilities, you find an audiologist. These professionals will be able to conduct tests and exams to identify the source of any problems that you are experiencing. Having diagnosed the cause of changes in hearing ability, they will then be able to recommend the best course of treatment. This may include fitting a hearing aid, if necessary.

Eating Well:

It may sound odd to say that your diet can affect your hearing. But what makes your ears different than any other part of our body? We know the food groups that are good for maintaining strong bones, a healthy heart, and good eyesight. So we should be equally familiar with the proper diet for good auditory health. The first thing that you should aim to incorporate into your diet is magnesium. This can help to protect you if you are exposed to high levels of noise by acting as a protective barrier to the hair cells in your ears. Second on the list: potassium. Potassium serves to regulate the fluid that naturally resides in your inner ear. If these levels drop, you can experience hearing loss. So keep potassium levels sufficient. A third thing to incorporate into your diet should be folic acid. This helps to generate new cell growth throughout your body in general, which further serves to help with the renewal of cells in your inner ear. Crazy, right?!

Say Goodbye To Q-Tips:

We know how tempting it can be to use Q-Tips for the purpose of cleaning your ears. But the warnings on the box have good reason. You should never insert a Q-tip into your ear, as you may press too far and damage your eardrum. A certain amount of earwax is healthy, anyways. A normal amount of earwax helps to keep bacteria and small bugs out of the ear canal. Excess amounts should generally dispose of itself, naturally leaving your ear canal, spurred on by the chewing motion of your jaw as you consume food. If you find that you do have excess wax, simply enter a search for “ear cleaning aberdeen” (or your local area). The practitioner you choose will be able to syringe the excess out professionally. You will be amazed at the difference it makes once this buildup has been removed.

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Bye bye!

Avoid Excessively Loud Noise:

Nowadays, we are exposed to louder noises than ever before on a regular basis. Earphones mean that we can listen to music on the go. However, many of us turn up the volume so high that it can have permanent effects on our listening capabilities. We attend concerts, shows, and festivals, where volumes may be louder than recommended. Then there are things like trains passing us by as we stand on platforms, sound systems in clubs and bars, and chanting in crowds at sports games.

When possible, avoid excessively loud noise. However, if you know that you are going to find yourself in a situation where your hearing could be damaged, take a pair of noise-canceling headphones or earplugs. These will help to minimize the detrimental effects of all of the noise that surrounds you. This is especially important if you work in an industry or environment where you are exposed to large decibels on a regular basis.

By following these simple steps, you will ensure that you have the best auditory health possible. They are simple to stick to, so there’s no excuse not to!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Oct17

Planning On Moving Abroad? Make Things Easier On Yourself!

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Planning On Moving Abroad? Make Things Easier On Yourself!

There are a lot of things to consider when moving overseas. Currencies change, cultures vary, and there are always moving arrangements to consider. Somewhere between all of the planning, packing, and stress, there are a few key factors that tend to get overlooked. Blending into the local environment isn’t always as simple as it might sound. This article is here to help take some of the stress off of your shoulders and help make your transition an easy one:

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Planning For The Unexpected:

No one can see the future, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t plan ahead for some minor issues. In the same way you’ll take extra care to pack your personal belongings, take a moment to consider what health coverage you will have in the event that you become sick. As you look for properties with a search like “housing in rotterdam” (or the location you are moving to), it can be helpful to see what is in the surrounding area. Is a hospital nearby? Reputable doctors? A convenient pharmacy? This is all important to know.

Depending on your new destination, it can be difficult to know where to go for advice when you feel sick. Unfortunately, Medicare coverage plans do not travel with an individual when they move overseas, unless you’re planning on moving to a U.S. territory like Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands. It might seem overwhelming when you consider having to find new health insurance, but don’t panic just yet.

The vast majority of countries offer an all-inclusive, government-sponsored health care plan. That means doctor visits, hospitalization, prescriptions, and more are all covered under one plan that usually costs a small percentage of your income. Even if you opt for a private plan instead of a public one, the cost is often one-fifth less than it is here in the U.S.

Should you get sick and need to see a doctor, you will require the same medical care that you would here. Thankfully, that coverage is easily obtained and you won’t have to worry when the unexpected happens. If you do require some time off of work from illness, services like an online medical certificate can be provided by registered doctors so you do not need to brave a clinic for hours on end. This is an especially useful tool if you are fairly new to the area and do not have a primary care doctor yet.

Adapting To The Culture:

There is no single sure-fire way to adapt to every culture on the planet, but there are a few things that you can practice that the majority of cultures do take part in. One of those things is to focus on living a little greener or eco-friendly. While we might not think about it, the amount of waste that we throw away here in the U.S. is astronomical compared to several other first world nations.

A simple rule of thumb is to take something like metal, plastic, or even cardboard and reuse it wisely. In most cases, that just means recycling it properly. Countries like Austria and Germany have the world’s leading recycling programs, which means that it is a large part of their culture.

While you might never get used to some customs, choosing to take part in a country’s recycling habits can help you blend in with them in a heartbeat. It shows that you care about the same things they do. Plus, it’s great for the environment!

Eliminating Some Stress:

It’s easy to pack a couple of bags when heading on vacation, but moving all of your belongings to a Studio apartment for rent Singapore (or your new destination) can seem like a nightmare. Just like you would turn to UPS or FedEx when you need an important package delivered, why not turn to international shipping experts when moving abroad?

What used to be a complicated and expensive process has been made much simpler by a few companies who specialize in shipping luggage overseas. This will help you to avoid extra costs on airline baggage fees (Which can add up fast.), while taking some the burden of moving off of your shoulders. One less thing to worry about is always a good thing.

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Choosing to move overseas is a big decision that requires a lot of planning and work. Thankfully, there are a few things that you can prepare for ahead of time to make the process go over as smooth as possible. Happy travels!

Oct10

Building Up Your Health From The Inside Out

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Building Up Your Health From The Inside Out

We all know that being the right weight, eating well, and exercising is good for our bodies. But did you know that your body might still be suffering on the inside, even though you’ve managed to get the outside of your body looking at it’s best? Unfortunately, a part of life includes suffering with ailments. This all depends on your family history, what you’ve done in the past (like smoking), and also what you’re exposed to during current life that could affect your health. Here’s how you can build up your inner health to get yourself back at peak condition from the inside out:

Stomach:

Our stomach puts up with a lot of unfortunate issues, regardless of what you have put in it. We’ve all had stomach bugs where it has caused us to have major yuck sessions, so over time there is bound to be some damage done to our tummy that might even make us suffer as we get older. It’s also likely that you’ve enjoyed some alcohol in the past, alongside rich and spicy foods – all of which will damage your insides.

Making sure that you’re eating food that’s not going to do your stomach any harm a majority of the time will help you out in the long run. Many people experience ailments like heartburn or acid reflux. If this is you, consider changing your diet to something less acidic and also head to your pharmacy for some OTC medication to relieve your symptoms. You can also achieve heartburn relief through methods like chewing gum, eating bananas, and introducing probiotics into your healthcare routine.

Bones:

Your bones are literally what holds you together. However, many of us forget to look after them and end up with conditions like osteoporosis, which is weakened bones that are more likely to fracture and crumble. There are supplements available like AlgaeCal which relieves the symptoms of osteoporosis because of the AlgaeCal plant calcium, which is what our bones need to stay strong and healthy.

If you are worried about the wellness of your bones, be sure to visit your doctor who can arrange necessary tests and scans to check if you have any underlying conditions and to discuss the treatment of your discomfort.

Lungs:

Our lungs are vital in how we breathe, and they send oxygen to the heart so that it can pump blood around our bodies and keep us alive. Make sure that you’re not exposed to things that could be damaging to your lungs like asbestos or anything where you’re frequently exposed to small particles in the air. If you’re worried about asbestos in your home, you should call a professional in Asbestos Removal immediately to get their opinion. Having a specialist remove this, with the right equipment is important as doing this yourself could cause a significant amount of harm. Of course, you should also avoid smoking as this will also help you to protect your lungs and their health.

Give your inner self a fighting chance to get stronger quickly and try these bits of advice today. Remember to speak to your GP before self medicating, even if it’s a supplement. Stay healthy and happy!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Oct5

Top 3 Dog Grooming Essentials For A Beautiful And Healthy Coat

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Top 3 Dog Grooming Essentials For A Beautiful And Healthy Coat

Hi everyone and welcome to a very special guest post written by the amazing founder of NolongerWild, Cindy. Cindy is here to give the 411 on all of the top tips to keeping your four legged friend’s coat healthy and sleek. And remember, these pieces of advice aren’t suitable for human hair! 😉

Top 3 Dog Grooming Essentials For A Beautiful And Healthy Coat

There are 3 dog grooming essentials to ensure that your pet’s coat is healthy and beautiful. Bear in mind that some breeds are more high maintenance than others. If you are thinking of adopting a pet, definitely look into the dog grooming requirements that are needed first.

  1. Bubbles At Bath Time:
  • Nobody likes a smelly dog and that is when you know your friend-legged friend needs a bath. Additionally, bathing will be necessary if your pooch has been rollicking in the mud, too.
  • If your dog is neither stinky nor dirty, take a rain check. Bathing should be kept to a minimum as too much makes their skin dry out because the natural oils are stripped away.
  • Be sure to use shampoos specifically formulated for canines. There are great products available for those that have extra sensitive skin or allergies, too.
  • Using products designed for humans on your pet may cause inflammation and other skin problems because the pH levels of our skin are not the same.
  • My favorite is a homemade oatmeal bath. Not only does it relieve my dog’s dry and itchy skin, but it also conditions her coat making it silky and soft!

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  1. Brushing Basics:
  • Regular brushing keeps the coat healthy by spreading out the natural oils.
  • How often your dog will need to be brushed depends on the length of his/her coat:
  • Dogs with very short hair and smooth coats will only require brushing every few weeks. I use a dog grooming glove to remove excess hair.
  • Short haired dogs with denser fur can be brushed every one to two weeks.
  • If your pooch has a long thick coat that tangles easily, brush at least weekly and before bath time, especially if their coats are matted. Bathing will only make the knotting of the mats more taut and difficult to remove.
  • To remove mats, detangling sprays and specialized tools such as mat breakers are available. This dog grooming tool should not be used like a regular brush. The razor blades are specifically designed to cut mats away as close to the skin as possible and can nick your dog if done incorrectly.

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  1. Trimming & Shaving Tips:
  • Certain breeds may need their fur to be trimmed occasionally. This could be to prevent tangling or be required seasonally.
  • Dog clippers can easily be used on the canine’s body.
  • To prevent hair pulling, keep the blades of the clipper sharp.
  • Except for the tummy area, the clippers should be slowly worked in the direction that the fur is growing. This will eliminate lines and give a smoother appearance.
  • Other areas on a dog’s body that commonly require trimming are around the lower jaw and tushie. Hair around the eyes that could obscure vision should also be cut.

Dog grooming can be a wonderful opportunity to bond with your pet. It is best to start as early as possible when your dog is still a puppy so that he/she can become accustomed to the 3 dog grooming essentials for a healthy and beautiful coat.

Thanks so much again to Cindy for sharing her grooming tips with us! For more facts on all of your favorite pets, be sure to visit NolongerWild. Much love. -Sarah