Tag Archives: health

Oct21

Period Problems: Talking To Your Teen

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Period Problems: Talking To Your Teen

When it comes to talking to your teen about anything, especially something as personal and private as periods, you might feel like you’re hitting a brick wall. They’ll clam up, tune out, and give you that look that says they know something you don’t. But don’t worry. There are ways to ease into the subject with them so it doesn’t seem like such a foreign topic. Keep reading for some tips on how to talk to your teen about periods without making it uncomfortable for them:

They Can Still Do Everything They Love:

Your main goal should be to let them know that they can continue to do everything they love. Like playing sports or hanging out with their friends, while they’re getting ready to get their period. Things like period swimwear for teens exist now. So daily life doesn’t have to grind to a halt. They’ll appreciate the fact that you don’t make it seem like periods are an interruption of life, rather a small annoyance.

Find The Right Time And Place:

Before you bring it up, you’ll have to try to find the right time and place. Think about how much your teen might be willing to open up to you. If they’re open to talking about it, you can try to bring it up when they seem ready, like when they seem less distracted by other things. Or by asking them outright if they want to chat. For example, they’ll be open to talking more when they’re done with Netflix or their homework.

Make It Clear You Care:

If you want your teen to feel like they can talk to you about periods, you’ll want to make it clear that you care. You might say things like, “I’m so sorry you have to deal with this, but I’m glad we can talk about it.” Or, “It’s important for you to talk to someone if you’re feeling sad or if you have questions about your body.” You can tell your teen that you want them to feel like they can talk to you about periods by saying things like these.

Be Patient:

As you try to talk to your teen about periods, you’ll want to be patient and give them space to share their thoughts. You don’t want to push them into talking about something they’re not ready to. It can seem pushy or overly inductive if you try to “push” your teen into talking about periods right away. Instead, try to wait until you see that your teen is ready to open up about it.

Ask Open-Ended Questions:

Try to use open-ended questions to get your teen talking about periods. What do they think about periods? What are their questions? Open-ended questions help you get your teen thinking without giving them a direct answer and help them open up to talking about something they might not otherwise talk about. They can help you get your teen talking about periods in a non-pushy way and give them space to share their thoughts.

Don’t Let Embarrassment Stop You:

It’s important to remember that they might feel embarrassed, weird, or even gross about period problems. Especially if they haven’t talked to anyone about it yet. It’s normal for teens to feel that way, but you have to try to avoid making them feel like that. If your teen is embarrassed about talking about periods, try to avoid making them feel like they have to talk about it. Make it clear that it’s okay if they don’t want to talk about it and that you’re not going to make them do it if they don’t want to.

First periods can be scary and it’s important to keep your teen’s mind at ease. Use the tips above for a good place to start!

Featured Image By: Sora Shimazaki via Pexels

Oct21

Health Habits To Start Today

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Health Habits To Start Today

At times, the problems and responsibilities of being an adult can seem so big that taking on more can seem like a crazy idea. Still, you can’t say enough about how important it is to take care of your own health. If you keep up with some healthy habits for a while, you might find it easier to handle what the day throws at you. Read on to find out what you can do to get to this point:

Eat Well:

Most of the time, we only care about how something tastes and don’t care about our health. But unfortunately, the fast and unhealthy food we eat every day to save time and effort in our busy lives poses a threat to our bodies that we can’t even imagine. This is why we want to talk about how important it is to eat a healthy diet.

If you’ve been eating unhealthy food for a long time, it might be hard for you to switch to a healthy diet all at once. But with time and effort, you’ll get used to it and eventually live a healthy life. Eating healthy doesn’t mean only eating boiled food, eating less, or not eating fat. Switching to a healthy, well-balanced diet means eating everything in the right amount, at the right time, and with the right combination. There is nothing wrong with enjoying a treat or a “cheat meal” but it’s always best to do so in moderation.

Be Proactive With Your Health Checkups:

Establishing and upholding healthy habits begins with being proactive about health checkups. Being proactive not only aids in the early detection and prevention of diseases but also assists with managing existing conditions more effectively. This approach is evident when dealing with hearing health – devices like the Lyric hearing aid can significantly enhance the auditory experience. At the same time, checkups enable healthcare providers to monitor an individual’s overall well being as they provide necessary treatment and advice to promote better health.

Exercise Regularly:

If you want to make sure you have healthy habits, you should also think about adding exercise to your daily routine. Fitness starts with a good workout and what seems difficult now will be so easy in due time. Also, don’t worry about how much it will cost. Working out doesn’t have to be expensive; you just need to search around for something that will suit your budget and interest you. Muay Thai for beginners is a perfect example.

Making a regular time to exercise is the first step if you want to start working out more. Creating a schedule for your workouts can make it far more likely that you will keep up a healthy fitness program. Although routines are great for staying on track, it’s also important to mix things up every once in a while. Introducing some element of surprise into a long-term task can help keep it interesting. So, if you want to make working out more enjoyable, try throwing in some unexpected challenges.

Sleep Well:

Last but not least, sleep is one of the most important things for your health. It can also make or break your fitness routines because it affects your ability to stick with them. So, every night, make sure you get enough sleep. All bodily functions rely on enough sleep. How well our bodies and brains function the following day is impacted, as are our immune systems, metabolism, and susceptibility to developing chronic diseases. The importance of sleep cannot be overstated; it has far-reaching effects on your overall health.

With simple changes in diet and lifestyle, you will be your best and healthiest self. All it takes is a little time and effort!

Featured Image By: Jane Doan

Oct14

3 Common Habits That Could Affect Your Oral Health

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3 Common Habits That Could Affect Your Oral Health

Your oral health is not only impacted by poor hygiene. Other things you do can introduce bacteria into the oral cavity, chip a tooth, or harm your gums. For example, frequent snacking and sugars harms the tooth enamel. With 3.5 billion people living with one oral disease, it helps to know more about how to avoid becoming a part of the statistics. With adequate knowledge on this subject, you can take better care of your teeth. Here are some common habits to avoid for better oral health:

Chewing ice cubes:

Pagophagia is the term used to describe the compulsive craving for ice cubes, frost, or snow. Medical researchers say it is a subtype of pica and is often triggered by iron deficiency. For some people, however, chewing ice cubes is a learned habit and, after a while, becomes difficult to stop. Indeed, a few ice cubes in a glass of water is a welcome drink on a hot day. The danger, however, is getting your teeth to chew through them.

Ice’s solid and cold nature makes it unfriendly to the teeth when chewed. It can cause cracks and chips or displace previous tooth fillings. Additionally, chewing ice can harm any other dental restoration you’ve done. A crack resulting from ice can go down to the base. It is painful and can be costly to repair. The recommended way to help stop this habit is to drink through a straw. That way, the temptation to slip a cube into your mouth is greatly reduced.

teeth2

^^^ Pixabay Image

Thumb sucking:

Thumb sucking puts a lot of pressure on your kids’ permanent teeth, especially those in the upper front of the mouth. The sucking causes forward pressure on the upper front teeth, resulting in an altered appearance of the dentition. Apart from the impact on the teeth, the jaw structure can be affected too.

According to research, when permanent teeth cut through the gum, they naturally need more space. This is because permanent teeth are usually larger. Therefore, the thumb-sucking motion applies more pressure on the new set of teeth to overlap the lower ones. Sometimes, it can cause an overbite in a child’s dentition and they will need a local dentist to align the teeth and keep them in place. In the future, however, the solution is to help them stop thumb-sucking to prevent what can be costly repairs.

Brushing too hard:

In your attempt to whiten your teeth or remove stains, aggressive brushing can cause problems. It can result in enamel erosion and sore and receding gums. A soft bristle toothbrush is best for cleaning your teeth. This can be done before or after flossing. A report by the Wall Street Journal indicated that 20% of the population indulges in overbrushing. Consequently, many people have had to spend lots of money on gum grafting.

Vigorous brushing does not remove stains. You will need a dentist to do that job. Being overly diligent in your brushing can do more harm to your oral health. If you find yourself engaging in this habit, hopefully, this is your cue to be gentle with your dentition.

Taking good care of your teeth is just as important as taking care of the rest of your body. Quitting harmful habits will result in better oral health, which is a great reason to smile!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Oct13

Repairs That Can’t Wait

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Repairs That Can’t Wait

If you look around your home, there are sure to be some issues that could use a little attention. Squeaky doors, threadbare carpets, or an unsteady shelf are annoyances but not necessarily things that need an immediate solution. On the other hand, there are some problems that you shouldn’t wait to fix. We’re talking appliances and fixtures in the home that can prevent you from living your normal life. Let’s discuss further:

Appliances:

Broken appliances are the first thing that comes to mind when you think of things that could alter your normal routine. A washer or dryer on the fritz means a trip to the laundromat. Broken refrigerator? Say goodbye to all of your perishable food. And, of course, a nonfunctional oven means spending additional money on takeout. These are all issues that need to be repaired ASAP as the longer you hold off could lead to even more costly repairs or become a safety hazard.

In the instance of a broken appliance, it is so important to call in the professionals. You also want someone who specializes specifically in your problem, say for common stove issues and solutions. If you have a newer appliance that is malfunctioning, the repairs might be covered under a warranty if you purchased one so do check on that to help save money.

Weather Related Issues:

It is never a good thing when the weather outside is coming into your home. This means drafty doors, cracks in the walls, or leaks and breakages in the roof. Not only can this invite pests into your home but it can also be a major health and safety hazard for you and your family. An out of shape roof or leaks can cause mold and damp, which can exacerbate issues like asthma. Drafts and cracks can also make for bitter temperatures inside your home come winter. These are all problems that should be prioritized for everyone’s well being.

Heating/Air Conditioning:

A too hot or too cold home is just downright unpleasant and could mean that something is wrong with your HVAC system. The solution might be as simple as a tune up or a few replacement parts or it could be a complete overhaul of your system entirely. Remember, it is best to have a professional check on this annually for the comfort and safety it provides. You can find an expert by entering a search for “HVAC contractor in Tampa, FL” or your local area. Stifling temps indoors in the summer can lead to someone overheating while too cold in the winter can cause flooding and frozen pipes. A freshly repaired HVAC system will keep your home just right all year round.

When you are considering repairs, priority number one should always be if the problem is effecting your family’s comfort and safety. If it is, then it is time to call a professional!

Oct4

3 Easy Ways To Look After Your Body

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3 Easy Ways To Look After Your Body

You’ll need to look after your body to make sure you can lead a long and healthy life. As obvious as that is, it’s not something everyone puts enough time into. That could be because many people don’t know how to do this properly. If you’re in this position, you could be searching for ways to take better care of yourself. It doesn’t need to be as complicated as you could think, however. By using a few simple strategies, it will be a breeze:

Eat Less Processed Foods:

A balanced diet is one of the more obvious ways to look after your body. What does that actually look like in practice? One of the more notable parts is to eat fewer processed foods. These are usually high in fat and low in vitamins. That’s the opposite of the type of food you should have. Minimizing, if not avoiding, eating these is recommended for a balanced diet.

Highly processed foods include:

  • Packaged snacks
  • Processed drinks
  • Sugary meals

Try Gummies For Pain:

If you have any unexplained aches and pains, it’s always best to get them checked out. In some circumstances, there mightn’t be an actual cause for this. If that happens, you’ll need to find ways to manage your pain. One of the more notable ways to do this are with CBD gummies. These can reduce the pain while helping you relax more, with Delta 8 gummies being a great way of doing this. Remember to check the cause of the pain first to make sure you’re not suffering from a condition.

Wash Your Hands Often:

One of the most important ways to look after your body is to prevent yourself from getting sick. You’ll need to keep the germs at bay to make sure you stay as healthy as possible. Washing your hands often is one of the best ways of doing this. Germs can be picked up from almost anywhere, making it vital to wash your hands before eating or touching your face. To do this properly, you should:

  • Apply soap to wet hands
  • Scrub hands for 20 seconds
  • Rinse with water
  • Dry

If you’re looking for ways to look after your body, you’ll be presented with a wealth of options. Many of these could be difficult and time-consuming. Where do you even start? With a busy and active lifestyle, it could be tricky to implement these into your lifestyle. The tips above are simple and easy things to work into your your day and will end up having a much larger impact on your health.

Featured Image By: Estelheitz from Pixabay

Sep28

4 Considerations When Looking After Elderly Parents

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4 Considerations When Looking After Elderly Parents

It can be a difficult task to take care of your retired parents, but with careful planning and execution, it doesn’t have to be. There are four essential things that you need to consider when looking after them: their health, finances, living situation, and their social life. In this blog post, we will go over each of these considerations in detail and provide you with advice on how to manage them best:

Their health:

As your parents age, their health will inevitably decline. It’s important to be proactive about their health and get regular checkups with their doctor. You should also create a list of their medications as well as hospitals and doctors that their insurance covers and keep it in a safe place. In case of an emergency, you or another family member can quickly reference this list and ensure that your parents are getting the care they need. Of course, their needs may change over time, and there may come a time when they are seriously or terminally ill. Should this happen, resources online like Your guide to in-home palliative care can help you be proactive when it comes to managing your parents’ health and needs, whilst still making sure you are caring for yourself.

Their finances:

One of the most challenging conversations with elderly parents is about their financial situation. It can be hard to broach the topic, especially if they are reluctant to discuss it. However, it is vital to be aware of their financial situation for two reasons: 1) you need to know if they can support themselves and 2) you need to be on the lookout for signs of financial elder abuse.

If your parents are struggling financially, they have several options. For example, they may be eligible for government benefits or charity assistance. If they own their home, they may also be able to downsize or take out a reverse mortgage. Unfortunately, as far as financial elder abuse goes, this sadly is an all too real problem and can take form in many ways, so be sure to keep an eye on professionals dealing with your parent’s finances.

Their living situation:

Another important consideration is your parents’ living situation. If they can live independently, that’s great! But if they need some assistance, you’ll need to consider that. If they live in a retirement community, staff who can help with transportation or meals may be there. If they live in their own home, you’ll need to decide if it’s feasible for them to continue doing so. If not, you may need to help them find a new place to live.

Whatever their living situation, you’ll also need to consider how accessible it is. Can they get around safely? Do they have everything they need? Is it safe for them to be there? Speaking of safety, do you recognize the signs and know how to prove nursing home negligence? These are all critical things to consider when looking after your retired parents.

Their social life:

Finally, you’ll need to think about your parents’ social life. As people age, they often become more isolated and lose touch with their friends. Having a good support network and staying connected to the outside world will be especially beneficial to their mental health. There are a few ways you can do this:

  • Encourage them to join social clubs or groups
  • Make sure they see their friends regularly
  • Take them out for outings and activities

These are four essential considerations when looking after your retired parents or loved ones. If you can address these areas, you’ll be doing a great job of taking care of them!

Featured Image By: Andrea Piacquadio

Sep25

Boosted Up!

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Boosted Up!

Hello! This past Tuesday, I got my updated Moderna booster and flu shot in tandem. While I am SO happy to have received both to continue to do my part in keeping others safe, I will say that it was about a bitch lol. I reacted pretty poorly to both the second vaccine and the first booster so I’m not sure why I expected this one to be any different. I’m also not sure why I scheduled it smack dab in the middle of the work week SMH!

For about three days, I experienced a lot of fatigue, aching joints, and soreness at the injection site. It honestly felt like someone took a hammer to all of my joints, especially around my pelvic area. Not only did I deal with the aches and pains but, come evening time, I had the chills. Then, it would transform into a fever and I would sweat all night in my sleep. I have hair dye all over my pillows and sheets to prove it. Double SMH!!!!

When Johnny and I got our second vaccine, he had to keep reminding me that this was better than having Covid and I had to keep reminding myself of that this time around. While that’s easier said than done, it would do everyone well to think of it this way. After having a rough go of it post vaccine, I could not even comprehend having unvaccinated Covid. In fact, when Johnny and I did finally get it this past Christmas, we experienced no symptoms whatsoever because of our vaccines and boosters.

I have read several articles where the side effects from the boosters and vaccines are a huge deterrent from getting them. And coming from someone who has had such bad reactions, I truly get it. However, I’ll continue on with every additional installment because it’s important to do so. Johnny and I have so many high risk people that we love and we are terrified of getting them or complete strangers sick. This alone makes every two or three days of feeling downright awful worth it every time.

As the weather gets colder and gatherings move indoors, it is so important to get yourself vaccinated and boosted as well as following Covid protocols. If you are worried about it, you can take some comfort in the fact that you more than likely won’t experience as horrible side effects as yours truly. Let’s all continue to do our part to keep ourselves and others safe!

How did you react to your Covid vaccines and boosters? Are you team Moderna or Pfizer? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep5

Getting Motivated To Move House

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Getting Motivated To Move House

Don’t like your home? Keep talking about moving, but never do it? Many of us put off moving for years. Now could be the time to finally take the plunge and consider moving to a home where you feel happier. Below are a few tips to help motivate you to move:

Prioritize your mental/physical health:

If a home is bad for your mental or physical health, this is a sure sign that you need to move. For example, if you feel unsafe, if you are being kept awake by noise, or if you are struggling to get up and down stairs to your home, these could all be good reasons to move.

Sometimes problems can be solved without moving. For example, you may be able to secure your property to make you feel safer, reduce neighbor noise levels by stopping by and having a conversation, or install a stair lift to a staircase. However, these may not always be viable options, in which case you need to move to prevent further damage to your mental or physical health.

Realize there may never be a right time:

Some people put off moving because there never seems to be a right time to make the move. However, sometimes you have to accept that there may never be a right time. While it’s true that you need to be able to dedicate a lot of time and energy to the moving process, you need to realize that there may always be other events to work around. While it can be stressful preparing for a move and also preparing for a new child, starting a new job, or handling a family loss, many people manage it – and you’ll feel much better once it’s done.

Get the right professional help:

Because moving can be such a monumental task, it can often be worth hiring professional help. If you’re planning on selling your home, you could enlist the help of agents or selling directly to a home buying company. If you need help with decluttering, there are skip hire companies and professional declutterers you can use. There are companies that can help tidy and stage your home. And, of course, professional movers too. To save some extra money with a team of movers, you might want to consider moving as much as you can on your own and leaving heavy items like furniture to the team. To begin finding quotes, simply enter a search for “movers in Odessa” (or your local area) and see how they can save time and reduce the hassle. These services mean spending extra money, but it could take away the stress, which can be a big turn off when it comes to moving.

Know when to accept financial loss:

Many homeowners will put off moving because they haven’t built up enough equity and are worried that the money made from selling their home won’t cover the expense of moving costs. Others even find that their home has lost value over time and stay put. Meanwhile, many renters will stay to the end of a contract to avoid having to pay penalties.

While in many cases it’s worth avoiding these financial losses, there may be times when it’s better to accept them. A good example is when your health or safety is at stake – it’s not worth sticking it out in a home that is potentially dangerous to live in. Similarly, if you’re spending huge amounts of money on repairs or on bills, you could find that you actually save money in the long run by moving.

It’s hard to find motivation for such a huge task like moving but, once you do, there will be no stopping you from moving into your dream home!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Sep5

It Works If You Work Out

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It Works If You Work Out

Hello! I wouldn’t call myself the most physically active person on the entire planet. However, I feel like I’ve been getting in much better shape this summer and, I’ve gotta say, I feel GREAT! It also makes sitting on the couch after a long day that much more rewarding lol. We all need that sedentary time to recharge!

To start my day every morning but Sunday, I do one hundred and thirty push ups. This is something that I am very proud of because I could barely do twenty-five last April. I began incorporating this into my routine to help ease some of the pain in my upper body that I acquired when Johnny and I were in a car accident. I can’t say it helped in that regard but it did make me feel good to try something new.

What started with twenty-five would increase whenever I felt ready. It was a slow process and by August of last year, I could only do fifty. It was exciting to add even a few extra when I could, though. Within a year and a half, I added one hundred and five push ups to my morning routine. I do eighty in a row and rest, then I do fifty more. Although it’s tiring, my day just doesn’t feel right without it.

This summer, I also began working with a young man who loves to play outside. For two and a half hours per week we hike and play soccer and pickleball. When we first started working together, I literally thought I was going to keel over after our sessions. Fast forward to a few months later and I wish we had more time to enjoy the outdoors together!

One final thing that I’ve incorporated into my increasingly active lifestyle is several walks per day with the family dog, Archie. My parents currently have a lot going on and I wanted to make sure they didn’t have to worry about one extra thing. Almost every day of the week, I take Archie on two long walks/runs.

This all began last month and we start out at a run and then slow down to a walk when I need. Every day, I notice that I can keep running a little bit longer than I could before and it feels like a big achievement. I know that Archie loves it and I do too! It has brought our bond closer together and it keeps us both in tip top shape!

None of these improvements in my lifestyle happened over night. Some took over a year and others took several months and weeks. But, as I sat back and thought as I wrote this, it feels like a huge accomplishment. I can do so much more than I ever thought possible and it’s nice to look and feel my best!

What is your favorite form of exercise? Do you have a pet that helps keep you active? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug31

How To Deal With A Loss Of Appetite

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How To Deal With A Loss Of Appetite

If you’ve been experiencing a loss of appetite recently and you want to get back to normal sooner rather than later, you’re in the right place. There are many reasons why we might not feel like eating as much as usual, and it’s a good idea to get to the bottom of the problem and try out some potential solutions. We’re going to talk about what that might look like and how you can make a positive change:

Talk to Your Doctor:

First of all, you should talk to your doctor about the situation that you’re facing. You want to make sure that there aren’t other health issues that are making you feel less interested in food. They’ll be able to check you over and carry out tests to see if everything is in order. If it is, they can offer more advice on what you can do to improve your appetite going forward.

Improve Your Sleeping Habits:

Your sleeping habits are linked to your diet and just about every other aspect of your health. If you’re not getting the amount of sleep you need at night, you’re eventually going to pay the price for that. So think about what you can do to improve your sleeping habits and try to get to bed a little earlier each night.

Change Your Diet to Make it More Nutritious:

If you’re not eating as much, it’s important to make sure that the food you are eating is full of the nutrients that your body really needs in order to stay healthy and functioning. If that’s not the case, you might start to experience more problems that arise as a result of your lack of appetite.

Fix Dental Issues:

Fixing your dental issues at the root is one of the best things you can do if you want to make sure that you enjoy the process of eating. Lots of people who have aches and pains in their teeth and jaw find that it stops them from wanting to eat as much. That’s why options such as full-mouth dentures or implants are popular and provide a solution to that problem.

If it is, indeed, dental problems that are causing a lack of appetite, it is so important to find a reputable and skilled dentist. Your smile is one of the first things people recognize about you, after all! If you’re struggling with dentures while you eat, it is definitely time to get that looked at. Enter a search for “Denture Dentist Stoke on Trent” (or your local area) to find a practitioner near you.

Increase Your Physical Activity:

It’s often the case that you’ll feel like eating more when you’re being more active. If you’re not currently doing much exercise and you lead quite a sedentary life, that could be one of the reasons why you don’t feel like eating as much as you once did. Try fitting some kind of physical activity into your day and see if that makes a difference for you.

A loss of appetite might signal something else going on in your body that you need to address or it could be a mental health issue. It’s important to speak to someone if you’re not sure!

Featured Image By: Pixabay