Tag Archives: health

Jan12

Natural Ways To Help Make Sure 2017 Is Your Healthiest Year Yet

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Natural Ways To Help Make Sure 2017 Is Your Healthiest Year Yet

We are two weeks into the new year; how are your goals of keeping fit and being healthier going? It can be hard to make a complete change overnight but after a few weeks, things should hopefully start to become a habit. For many people, as soon as they hear the word diet, all they can think about is food. But is is important to have a healthy relationship with food and not see it as a punishment or a reward. The best way to stick to your goals of being healthy is to make some small changes. When you do this, it is much easier to maintain and make it last. Here are some natural ways that you can maintain your health and make sure that 2017 is your healthiest yet:

Control Portion Sizes: Portion control is a huge deal and something that many of us fail at. Eating out can cause a lot of damage, too, as the portions that a lot of restaurants serve are huge. So to start with, it might be just something as simple as eating off a smaller plate. When a large plate is in front of us, we feel like we have to fill it. Second of all, you need to think about going for seconds. The food might have tasted amazing but are you actually hungry? Think about how your body feels and learn to say no.

Don’t Eat in the Car: When you find yourself snacking in the car, it becomes a learned behavior. Then every time you get in the car, you’ll feel the need to eat something. So it might make you more likely to stop off at a drive-thru or pick up unhealthy snacks. It can be a habit that is hard to break, so try to avoid it in the first place. Keep your meals at a table as your food choices will be much healthier.

Drink Lots of Water: Water is amazing for our bodies in many ways. One of which is that it helps to keep you hydrated as you should be. Meaning your body will work as it should and you’ll have the energy that you need. Water is also great as it helps you to feel full. Quite often when you think that you are hungry, you’re actually just dehydrated. So drink lots of water. You could also think about getting something like a water alkalizer. It is a pretty well-known fact that when you maintain an alkaline state in your body, it is much better for you than acidic. A body in an alkaline state has been known to help combat diseases like cancer and diabetes. It can also help you to lose weight, too.

Avoid Temptation: If there are sweet and sugar filled treats in the house, then it is almost torture to have them there. So one of the best ways to not eat them is to simply not buy them. If they aren’t in the house, then you can’t be tempted by them. The ‘out of sight out of mind’ philosophy can work wonders!

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Jan11

Women’s Health: Four Appointments Every Woman Needs To Make

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Women’s Health: Four Appointments Every Woman Needs To Make

We only get this one life, so it is important that we live it to its fullest. Which is why it is important that we make sure that we are living as well as we can and that we are as healthy as possible. Even if you are eating right, exercising, and doing all of those good things, you can still get sick. So it is important for us as women to make some appointments regularly. Then we can check for sure that all is well. So if you haven’t had any check ups for a while, what are you waiting for? Here are the places you should be making appointments for:

A Wellness Check: You should make an appointment for an overall wellness check at least annually. This is usually done with your general practitioner. Things like your height and weight can be recorded, as well as blood pressure and any other concerns that you have. It is important to remember that your wellness isn’t all physical. So it is a good time to talk to your doctor about how you are feeling overall and to check on the state of your mental health, too. This kind of check up is just general but can indicate if there are any areas of concern.

Dental Appointments: You should see a dentist at least once a year. Ideally, every six months would be best. It will keep you up to date on the state of your teeth and gums and raise any concerns if there are any. You might get referred to see a hygienist or perhaps an orthodontist if there is a specific problem. But it is all to help your overall health and well being, so it is worth taking your dentist’s advice. And if you happen to have a fear of the dentist (like me!), just remember that the appointment will be worth it to keep your pearly whites healthy!

Eye Test: Having your vision tested is really important, especially as we get older. Every two years is a good recommendation for an eye exam. But if you are having specific problems with your eyes then you should obviously make an appointment sooner. When did you last have an eye exam? When we hit our forties, our vision tends to decrease in quality. So it is a good idea to check your eyes more regularly at that point.

Cervical Smear Test: Women from the age of twenty-one on are recommended to have this exam every couple of years. Some doctors will send you out a letter when you are due for one next; others will expect you to make the appointment. So have a think about when your last one was. If it was a while ago, then it is a good idea to book one soon. Cervical cancer is one of the biggest killers among young women, so it is important to have yourself checked. Then you can deal with things if the worst does happen. If you never have it checked, how will you ever know?

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Jan11

Ensure Your Child Stays Warm And Toasty This Winter With These Unmissable Hacks

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As the weather gets worse outside, our mind is focusing on ensuring that our children stay healthy during the winter months. After all, it’s so easy for them to pick up a flu bug or a skin issue at this time of the year. And they are easily preventable if you make sure that your child stays a good temperature during winter. Here are some unmissable hacks to ensure that your child stays warm and toasty when it is freezing cold outside:

Get Them a Good Hat, Scarf, and Gloves Set: One way that you can make sure your little one stays warm is by investing in a good winter set for them. A hat, scarf, and pair of gloves are essential to keep your child toasty during the cold months. You need to make sure the hat fits comfortably so they aren’t tempted to take it off while they are out. And you can even get some gloves which have been designed to use with mobile phones. That way, they can still surf the net without taking their hands out of the gloves!

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Aw! :’)

Get Them a Good Winter Coat: Another essential which will keep your child at a good temperature during the winter is a coat. If they go out without this most important item, they are bound to end up feeling the chill while they are out and about. And it will put them at a higher risk of getting the flu during the winter months. So head out to the stores and find a good coat for your little one. Some brands like moncler kid do a range of coats which will be perfect for keeping your child warm in the winter. And remember to pick something which will last your little one the whole season. That way, you won’t have to head out to buy them a new coat any time soon.

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Keep the House Warm: While you can’t control the temperatures your child may face outside, you can warm thing up inside your home. If your house is nice and toasty, it will put your child at a lower risk of picking up bugs during the cold months. You might want to set the thermostat so that it comes on just before they get home from school. And if your home needs some extra heat, you might want to consider putting a fireplace, if you have one, to good use so your home can have some additional warmth and a nice atmosphere. It’s a win win!

And, of course, it’s always a good idea to have your heating system looked into in the fall as schedules for these services will book up quickly. A company like Yorkshire Heating & Renewables (or a similar one in your local area) can assist with boiler repairs as well as underfloor heating installation for a toasty home from floor to ceiling. Do not wait until the last minute to enlist the help of a local professional as you don’t want your heating unit to fall into disrepair as soon as the cold weather strikes.

Update Their Bedding: You should also make sure that your child has adequate bedding that will keep them from any drafty chills during the night. Shivering in the early hours can lower the immune system and your child could wake up with a bug in the morning. Break out the flannel sheets and a good quality duvet which will keep them extra snug at night. You should also get a throw or blanket which they can pull around themselves if they get extra chilly as they prepare for bed.

Jan9

Monday Update: 24 Hour Fasting Edition

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Monday Update: 24 Hour Fasting Edition

Hiii everyone and happy Monday! I hope you all had a fab weekend. So, I’m not gonna lie, this past holiday season (as amazing as it was) left me feeling far less than confident about my body. With big events like my graduation party, Christmas, and New Year’s, I was left feeling bloated and just not okay. And the fact that Ohio winters are freaking frigid leaves outdoor activities out of the option when it’s a whole fifteen degrees out!

Normally, I have few body blues now, which I am so thankful for, but the utter lack of confidence that I felt about the newly found tightness in my clothing made me kind of freak out. My weight typically fluctuates give or take five pounds but what I had was a weight gain that I could notice in the way my clothes fit and the way I felt and I hated it.

I had heard about 24 Hour Fasting before just from the random online articles and crazy celebrity diets that you might hear about on E! and I figured that I might as well give it a go. I liked that it was something that I could start right away without having to prepare for a shopping trip to the grocery store to stock up on all things healthy. It was also something that I knew that I would be successful at because my eating schedule is so haphazard as is that sometimes I only end up eating a meal at dinner which is what the 24 hour fast would leave me with.

So, two week ago, the plan was to have a meal that was something that I would normally eat at five o’clock in the afternoon and I was to eat enough to feel satisfied. Then, my next meal would commence twenty-four hours later. Initially and admittedly, it sounds crazy. But, my god, was it effective. After one week of following this plan strictly, my clothes were left fitting back to normal if not, looser than before. My stomach looked nice and flat and I was SO pleased.

Don’t ask me the amount of weight that I lost because I refuse to weigh myself but I knew that it was enough to get me back to feeling totally normal. The following week, I was less strict with the plan because of the progress that was made and only did the fast for three days. By the end of the week I was happy to see that I was still looking and feeling as good as I did at the end of the first week.

Now, for this week I plan on fasting for two days and then working my way back into a normal eating routine afterwards. I will say that the 24 hour fast is not for everyone – especially for those with diabetes or other medical conditions which require eating throughout the day. However, for those that are trying to lose a little weight and are able to not eat for a significant amount of time and not feel lightheaded, then I think the 24 hour fast is a great way to go.

If this is something that you would be interested in, then I recommend doing a lot of research before you start. I looked into it by reading articles and blog posts about the fast and made sure that I felt comfortable with it before I started. In the future, I plan on perhaps doing two or three days of 24 hour fasting once a month (or none at all) and leave it at that because I am really happy with my results! I am also especially happy that I can say bye bye to the tummy that I gained compliments of going too hard this holiday season. 🙂

So there you have it, this week’s Monday Update: 24 Hour Fasting Edition! What is one of the craziest diets that you have tried? How do you personalize intermittent fasting for yourself? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan9

Four Tips That Will Help You Get The Body You’ve Always Dreamed Of

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It’s been said that the best way to get your summer body is to start working on it during the winter. Arguably, all you need for the perfect ‘beach body’ is to have a body, and to be on the beach – but there’s nothing wrong with making sure that you feel beautiful. Here are some tips to help…

Eat Well: It’s important that you eat healthily all year. Of course, there are times when you might want to pig out – Thanksgiving and Christmas particularly, and let’s not forget about Halloween candy! But as a rule, you should try not to use the winter as an excuse to wear oversized sweaters and gain weight. Make sure that you meal plan, don’t snack too much, and that once the holidays are over you go back to your normal eating habits.

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Yummm

Get Active: One of the best ways to feel better about your body is to impress yourself by what it’s capable of. We spend so much time worrying about our stomachs and thighs that we don’t focus enough on what they can do. If you’re able bodied, then your legs are great no matter what they look like – they’re strong and they carry you around and they do their job! Think about the positives rather than the negatives. Try out Couch To 5K – it’ll build you up into being able to run a 5k, and you’ll be delighted at what your body can do when given a little pushing. You could also try out yoga. If there are no classes near you or if you aren’t feeling very confident yet, try out the YouTube channel Yoga With Adriene. You’ll be amazed at how quickly muscle builds up and how much your balance will improve.

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Go, go go!

Try Cosmetic Options: If you are really unhappy with your body, then there’s absolutely nothing stopping you from getting cosmetic surgery and treatments to improve your self-esteem. If you hate having to shave your legs and bikini line, then try out laser hair removal so you don’t have to get expensive, painful waxes or sort out your stubbly shins every day when you’re on vacation. If you’re self-conscious about your figure, try out body contouring, a sort of liposuction that will eliminate unwanted fat. If you want to find out more, read it at www.Clderm.com/non-surgical-lipo.

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Pixabay Image

Get Smoother Skin: During the winter, when you’re covering up in black opaque tights,  jeans, and sometimes even thermal underwear (!!!), the condition of your skin is the furthest thing from your mind. But make sure that you stay smooth and glowing by exfoliating your body at least twice a week. If you shave your legs, chances are they’re a little rough and not in the best condition, so make sure that you use a good shaving foam. Hair conditioner also helps to keep your legs soft and smooth when you’re shaving them. Put on moisturizing body cream, especially before you go to bed, so you can let it sink in overnight. During the day, use a cream that complements the scent of your perfume so you can feel perfectly put together.

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Body butter is a must!

Jan9

Are Your Teeth Ageing You? Here’s What You Can Do About It!

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With a world that is obsessed with youth, it can be argued that some of this pressure to stay looking young comes from the media and from celebrities who seem to reach the age of forty and then stop ageing completely. But for the average person on an average income, it’s not always so easy to stay youthful. We can’t all attend aerobics classes and have healthy meals prepared for us by a personal chef daily! The most important thing is that you recognize what about you is a dead giveaway when it comes to how old you are. Skin is obviously one of them, but have you ever considered your teeth? When it comes to our teeth, they only look as good as we treat them. So, here are some ways in which your teeth can prematurely age you, and what you can do to keep yours looking young.

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Ahhhhh

Missing Teeth: If there was ever a way to make you look older than you really are, it is through a missing tooth. In society, we tend to picture people with missing teeth as elderly. This is simply because in the olden days, before dental hygiene was considered important, old people would lose their teeth as said teeth started to decay. But the truth is, if you don’t take care of your dental health, you could be at risk of losing your teeth at any age. Gum disease is one of the most common causes behind a missing tooth and it’s something you need to tackle immediately to avoid losing any more of them. If you have already lost one, you might want to consider getting dental implants to fill the space and give you back your smile.

Discolored Teeth: Another dead giveaway for teeth that have aged before you have is discoloration. Of course, a perfectly white Hollywood smile is a pipe dream for most of us. But if your teeth are quite clearly yellow, or even brown, you will know that you definitely have discoloration. You can get them whitened professionally, but of course, prevention is better than the cure. Consider making a few lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking, avoiding too much red wine and coffee, and brushing your teeth at least twice a day.

Teeth whitening services paired with lifestyle changes can really make a difference in transforming your smile. Not only that, but it will provide a huge self confidence boost too. To begin this journey, simply enter a search for “Philadelphia smile makeover specialists” (or your local area) to find dentist offices that offer teeth whitening solutions. Your dentist will be able to create a plan to give you your brightest smile ever.

Crooked Teeth: We can’t help the teeth that we are born with. It’s a bit of a lottery of luck, really; some people are born with perfectly straight teeth while others are dealt a pretty crooked card. Many people who feel their crooked teeth age them resign themselves to the fact that they can’t do anything about it. But, in reality, crooked teeth can actually be changed whatever your age. Braces aren’t just for children and teenagers these days! If you do feel self-conscious, simply go for some invisible braces, and no one will know the difference.

Investing in your smile is always going to be a good thing. You are doing something to care for yourself and you are going to have a major self confidence boost. Whether you go with traditional or Invisible braces is your prerogative, but it is absolutely worth discussing with your dentist if you would like to make a change.

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Aw :’)

Jan3

New Year; New You! Update Your Life With These Inspiring Tips

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New Year; New You! Update Your Life With These Inspiring Tips

Are you feeling ready for a new lease on life in 2017? I’m sure that most of us were ready for 2016 to be done and dusted. After all, it wasn’t the best year ever, was it? So there is no surprise that a lot of people are now looking to make 2017 their best year yet And the best way to get your life on track is to make some updates to various parts of it. Ready to make things great for the year ahead? Here are some awesome ideas which can help you update your whole life!

Improve Your Fitness Plan: Do you feel that you need to lose some of the excess weight that you gained during the festive period? There is nothing to be ashamed of after piling on the pounds – after all, Christmas is the only time of the year that many of us feel like we can indulge without too much guilt! But now that January is here, it is important to get things back on track with your fitness. Didn’t work out much in 2016? Well, now is the perfect time to get started. One of the best ways to improve your fitness is by taking part in a Couch to 5k Challenge. You’ll be amazed how much this can help you increase your fitness!

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Go, go, go!

Decorate: One great way to freshen up your life is to freshen up your home. Have you been thinking of redecorating for a while now? Why not put all of your ideas into practice and paint your living room or treat yourself to some bathroom remodeling. You will find that decorating and renovating your home is a great way to blow off some of the cobwebs that seem to be creating a fog over your life. It also helps your home look great for the rest of the year!

Reassess Relationships: Do you feel like some of your friends are always completely negative about everything and are bringing you down? If so, it might be time to break up with these friends. You shouldn’t feel bad about cutting ties with certain friends. Especially if they regularly take you for granted or always ask too much from you. You don’t need to deal with their drama in 2017! If things have been rocky in your romantic relationship, you may also want to reassess that, as well. If you don’t think you can fix things, then why bother sticking around with a partner who you aren’t completely committed to? Weeding out the good, the bad, and the ugly in your social life is like breathing fresh air into your free time which can now be filled with positivity and fun.

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Change Up Your Diet: Sick of feeling tired and lethargic every day? If you do feel this way regularly, you might find that small changes in your diet make a huge difference. Try not to eat so many starchy carbs and instead eat fresh green vegetables, grains, and lentils. They are bursting with nutrients and energy, and will keep you going until the evening!

There are plenty of reasons to be excited about 2017. Make these updates and reap all the benefits! What are your new year’s resolutions? What are you looking forward to in 2017? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Jan3

Living Life To The Max? Your Lifestyle Could Be Compromising Your Health

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Trying to stay healthy can seem like a minefield littered with poor decisions. Some days it seems like you’re doing just fine and other days it seems like you’re ticking every box on the route to being unhealthy and miserable. In a world full of temptation, it can be easy to make bad choices and fail diets and exercise regimes. Don’t beat yourself up; it isn’t easy to stay on the right path all the time, but it’s not too late to make a difference either. The most important thing to remember is never to give up – if you slip up, chalk it up to experience and keep on trying. Other than poor diet and exercise, unfortunately, there are lots of little things that contribute to poor health, some of which we don’t even consider. Here are just a few aspects of our lifestyles which could be making us unhealthy:

Drinking Too Much: The odd glass of wine or G&T now and then isn’t going to hurt, but when it gets to be more than that, we can be putting our bodies under severe strain. Not only are we taking in excess calories, but it can also lead to liver damage, heart problems, and depression. Quitting or severely cutting down will aid digestion, improve sleep, and make your heart healthier so you’ll see massive improvements quickly.

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Cheers! In moderation! 😉

Smoking: As far as bad habits go, smoking is pretty high up the list of unhealthy choices. Risks of cancers and heart disease rise astronomically when you start smoking but it doesn’t have to be that way. Quitting smoking, although tricky for a couple of days, will make your health improve rapidly and cigarettes soon stop being appealing. If you smoke, you’ll be amazed by how much your sense of smell and taste improve when you quit, as well as your own smell (and bank balance).

CBD products are a good replacement for another kind of smoking and can aid in improving sleep and pain relief. If you have trouble sleeping, read up online for reviews or “best of” posts like a list of the best CBD oils for sleep to help you select the right product.

Partying Too Hard: When we’re young, we live for the weekend. Going to the club and parties are great for socializing, having a good time, and creating memories, but could also be doing untold damage to your health. Aside from the problems with drinking, smoking, and lack of sleep, we expose ourselves to the dangers of drugs and unsafe sex, as well. If you’re concerned about the impact of your party lifestyle on your health, make sure that you visit one of the STD testing clinics near you for a check up and peace of mind.

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Partayyy! Also in moderation. 😉

Eating Out: It’s nice to treat ourselves now and then, but eating at restaurants or ordering in too often could be a really unhealthy option. Even if you try to order healthier sounding meals from the menu, it’s usually the case that a lot of salt and sugars are used to make the food taste good. Even salads are usually covered in calorie-rich dressing. Try to cook most of your meals yourself so that you know you’re getting all of the vitamins and minerals you need, but also so you can keep a closer eye on what goes into your food. Your body and wallet will thank you.

Snacking: If it’s not in a meal, then the calories don’t count, right? Well, not exactly. When you allow yourself to snack regularly, you lose touch with your body’s own way of telling you that it’s hungry, which can lead to chronic overeating, which can lead to diabetes and heart disease. On top of all of this, snacking on junk food is obviously flooding your body with unhealthy stuff such as fats and salts, that you just really don’t need. Break the habit by only eating at meal times and allowing yourself to feel hunger – it can take some getting used to, but it’s worth it. If snacking is a habit for you, your body might also not be getting the vitamins and minerals it needs. It is important to talk to your doctor who might recommend Magnesium Supplements, multivitamins, and tips on changing your diet.

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Get behind me, Satan.

Staying Inside: We need fresh air and the sunshine to make us happy, to ensure we’re balanced, and to get the vitamin D that we will go on really poorly without. If your lifestyle is conducive to staying inside basically all the time, it’s super important to find opportunities to go outside, exercise, and enjoy the sun.

Sun Worshiping: A bit of sunshine is really important, but exposing yourself to the sun’s rays too much can lead to much greater issues down the line. Frequent sunburn or tanning can lead to skin cancer, which can be fatal. Too much sun will also affect the elasticity of the skin, meaning we seem to age faster with wrinkles, sun blotches, and general discoloration. If you’re concerned about your exposure to the sun, it’s important that you visit a dermatologist to discuss it.

Reliance on Caffeine: If you’re always tired enough to need caffeine, it’s time to get to the root of the problem, instead of relying on coffee to keep you going. Caffeine is fine in small doses, but when you flood your system with it, you could be risking high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and even worsening anxiety disorders. If you think you drink too much caffeine, try to replace it with water – hydration is great for making us feel more awake. It could also be worth reconsidering your sleeping regime if you’re experiencing excessive tiredness.

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Working Woes: Considering most of us are at our desks (or the equivalent) for at least eight hours a day, it’s not surprising that a lot of our physical complaints can be the result of poor posture, carpal tunnel, or generally just sitting down for too long. If your work consists of sitting at a desk for long periods of time, ensure that your furniture is as ergonomically sound as possible. Not only will you see an improvement in your general well being, but your efficiency at work will also improve with better comfort.

Skipping Sleep: We’re all guilty of staying up too late or getting up too early, but not having enough shut-eye can cause heart problems and mental health issues which is just not worth the risk. We should all be aiming for around eight hours of sleep a night, although some need more and some less. If getting up in the morning is a huge struggle and you’re finding yourself too tired to function during the day, it could be worth considering stepping up your sleep. Make sure you take the time to wind down before bed and avoid electronics for a few hours too. More sleep makes everything feel better.

Jan3

Healthy Home Changes for Long-Term Differences

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If you want to live a healthier life, you need to think about making long-term changes. You can choose to make adjustments that will help you be healthier in the long-run, without the need to keep up the willpower and motivation. With the right changes, you will hardly have to think about being healthier. Doing things around your home can help you to achieve this. You can create the right environment for a healthy lifestyle so that you can reduce illness and feel fitter. A healthier home is better for you and anyone else who lives with you, including children. Try these permanent changes to kick-start your healthy living.

Check for Air Leaks: Mold and mildew in your home can pose a health risk, as well as affect the structure of your property. It’s especially bad for anyone who might already have breathing issues or a skin condition. Air leaks can contribute to the problem, allowing moisture and cold air to get into your home. Eliminating them will help to make your home warmer and safer. You can look for them yourself or get a professional to do it. Try using a candle to see where spots around doors and windows cause the flame to move. Just be careful as you walk around with a naked flame.

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Soften Your Water: Drinking water instead of other drinks is one of the healthiest moves that you can make. Even fruit juices can contain a lot of sugar. However, many people shy away from drinking tap water because of the taste. The water in your area may be particularly hard, causing it to taste unpleasant or even have undesirable minerals in it. You can use a water filter jug, but it’s also a good idea to consider other solutions. For example, if you use plumbing services from a company like Davis Plumbing & Drain, you can install a water softening system. This is a more permanent and convenient solution.

Let Natural Light In: Many people like to use blackout curtains or blinds to help them get a better night’s sleep. But you could be doing your body a disservice by blocking out the light. If you let natural light into your home, you might find that you get into a healthier sleeping pattern. Natural light is good for you during the day, too, as it helps you get your vitamin D and improves your mood.

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Use Gentler Cleaning Products: Harsh cleaning products aren’t always the best choice for your home. They can do a good job, but you might not like their effect on your health or the environment. If you want an alternative, you can find gentler products that you might prefer. You can even take it a step further by making your own cleaning products. If you do this, you’ll know exactly what goes into everything that you use. Many everyday household items can be used for cleaning, including vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda.

It doesn’t take much to make some big changes to your home. A healthier lifestyle could be only moments away.

Dec29

Explore A Brand New You In 2017: How To Get And Stay Healthy

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It’s almost the start of a brand new year, which means – of course! – it’s time to start making those New Year’s resolutions. Here are some tips on how to get healthy in 2017…

Change Your Eating Habits: If you’re planning on losing weight by going on a diet, the first thing to remember is that if you suddenly change everything you eat, you probably won’t be able to maintain that diet for very long. First of all, cut down on snacking between meals – start meal planning and making sure that you eat a good breakfast, lunch, and dinner to make sure that you don’t get hungry during the day. Go for lean proteins and plenty of leafy green vegetables, but don’t cut out sugar and carbs entirely as it’ll be too restrictive. Remember that moderation is the key to success.

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Veg out in 2017

Start Gently Exercising: If you aren’t used to doing all that much exercise, now is the time to start! You don’t have to go the gym for hours to get fit. Start off by taking more walks – instead of going in the elevator, try to take the stairs. Or, if you get public transport to and from work, get off the train a stop early and walk for a little more time every day. Not only will you drop some pounds but you’ll also find that you might feel stronger and develop more stamina. If you’re finding it hard to motivate yourself, why not turn exercise into something fun and sociable? Enlist a friend to go to a Zumba or yoga class with you, and go for healthy smoothies afterwards so you can catch up and have a good chat. If you’ve been thinking about getting a pet and you have the resources and time to support that, go for it – this will also help you walk more and get you out of the house.

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Give Up Your Vices: Another year older probably means that you’ve noticed changes in your health. If you’ve smoked for years, then your cough is probably getting worse and you’re more affected by winter colds than you used to be. And if you drink to excess, you might have noticed that your kidneys have started to ache as your body processes the alcohol. If you think you might be drinking too much, or if you use recreational drugs in a way that you’re finding hard to kick, don’t be ashamed – instead tackle your problem head on by investing in some quality addiction treatment.

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Treat Your Chronic Illnesses: If you suffer from a chronic illness, now is the time to get on top of it and to really start feeling healthy. Start taking care of yourself and valuing your body. If you have asthma, make sure that you take your preventative inhaler as often as you’re supposed to, and if you suffer from mental health problems, take your medication as prescribed. You should make sure that you get plenty of fresh air and exercise, while remembering that mental illness does mean that you have your limits and that you shouldn’t push yourself too hard and ultimately feel worse.

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 Here’s to a healthy 2017!