Tag Archives: life

Jun10

Preparing Your Child For Getting A Pet

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Preparing Your Child For Getting A Pet

Getting a pet is a rite of passage for many children. If you grew up with pets, you might feel like it’s an essential part of childhood. And if you didn’t, perhaps you want to give your children an experience you didn’t get. But it’s important to consider what pet ownership entails before you get one. Making sure your child is ready for the responsibility of a pet is crucial, especially if you don’t want to end up being the only one to care for it. You can prepare your child for getting a pet using a few different techniques:

Start with Toys:

Before taking on the responsibility of caring for a living thing, it’s a good idea for your child to get some practice. One of the ways children often develop key skills such as empathy is through play. Getting your child some toys to care for is a good way to practice some of the things they’ll need to care for a pet. You can get them some Schleich animal figurines or some stuffed toys to role play caring for. Baby dolls can also be an option for taking care of something without the responsibility of actually having to keep something alive.

Give Them Some Other Responsibilities:

Caring for a pet is a big responsibility, so you need to know that your child is ready to take it on. They will need to show that they can manage some responsibilities of their own and keep it up long term too. When you get a pet, your child might help with things like feeding, cleaning, or exercising your pet. But before you go out and get one, they could have a few other chores to show that they’re capable. You can get them to do daily tasks such as making their bed to demonstrate that they can build consistent habits.

Borrow a Pet:

Borrowing a pet from a friend or family member can be a great way to have a practice run. You can have their pet for a day or a few days so you and your child understand the responsibility of caring for a pet. Obviously, some pets are easier to “borrow” than others. A dog will often be happier to spend time with another family than a cat will. You could offer to pet-sit while someone you know is away if you’re looking for a way to trial pet ownership.

Teach How to Behave Around a Pet:

Children need to be able to behave well around a pet to keep both them and the animal safe. Even when they have been taught how to handle an animal, they should still be supervised. It’s crucial to teach your child important things like how to recognize when a pet wants to be left alone, how to pet them gently, and how to avoid upsetting an animal with their behavior. You can do this by talking to them, demonstrating, reading books, or watching videos.

Getting a pet isn’t something you should do lightly. If your child is asking for a pet, make sure you don’t rush into it and get a lot of practice beforehand.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jun2

Finding Real Contentment In Your Life

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Finding Real Contentment In Your Life

We all want to be content. But so many of us spend our lives in ways that prevent us from experiencing these types of feelings. Instead, we choose pathways that stress us out, cause worry, and ultimately lead to dissatisfaction. This is a strange way to live when you think about it. Certainly, there will be moments and events in life over which we have no control. But there are many things we do have control over, and it is critical that we do take control so that we can become happier. Here are a few steps to get you started:

Feel Fulfilled In Your Everyday Life:

Whatever you choose to accomplish with your daily life, it is critical that you enjoy it. If you’re serious about your job, choose a position and a route that you like. Strive for advancement. Finish all tasks to a high quality. If you want to concentrate on your family, do all you can to offer your children the greatest possible upbringing. It’s also okay if you want to concentrate on both. What matters is that you feel satisfied and content with your work.

Break Bad Habits:

To some extent, we all have poor habits. Some of them are controllable. Some people are completely out of control. Whatever your bad habit is, it’s critical that you recognize the negative effects it may be having on your life and take measures to change it. It is sometimes easier said than done to break harmful habits. Some are physically addictive, such as smoking, binge drinking, or drug abuse. Some have a psychological addiction. Idly scrolling through social media, interacting with harmful influences, and procrastinating are all bad habits too.

Whatever your issue is, you can overcome it. You could consult a doctor. You could find help by joining a support group. You could reach out to helplines. You could go to a drug recovery center after researching nursing and rehab near me. Whatever the problem, just know that it’s possible to change it.

For example, instead of smoking, you can try Delta 8 online, which is committed to supporting members as they work through life challenges. In addition to offering support groups and educational workshops, they recently launched a new smoking cessation program called HHC Delta 8 — an initiative designed to help members with addictions or other challenging habits transition from one stage of life to the next.

Concentrate On Your Relationships:

Some relationships can offer us nothing but joy. They provide us with happiness. They make us feel more supported. They let us realize we are loved. Others can deplete us. These unfavorable interactions will undermine our self esteem, distress us, and wear us out. It is critical that you realize which relationships are unhealthy for you and separate yourself from them, concentrating your efforts on those that bring you joy.

Have Some Interests:

We often get engrossed in work, housework, fitness, and keeping up with friends and family. However, having some hobbies is also a good idea. These can keep you engaged, help you develop amazing skill sets, and offer you something to work on. Whatever your interests are, make sure you set aside time to focus on them. As important as it is to have hobbies, it’s also just as important to make time to relax too. Make sure you are penciling in time as often as you can for some R&R. Whether this be curling up with a great book, taking a long bath, or taking a hit on some dab pens and just vegging out, it will do you a world of good!

These are just a handful of the many things that you can do to achieve true satisfaction in your life. It will help you in waking up in a cheerful mood and lots to look forward to. Hopefully, these suggestions will put you on the right path.

Featured Image By: Andrea Piacquadio

Jun1

Key Areas To Focus On For Good Self Care

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Key Areas To Focus On For Good Self Care

The term itself may define self care – caring for oneself. Anything you do to maintain your health physically, mentally, and spiritually is considered self care. Although emphasizing self care may seem obvious, especially when considering longevity, it is frequently the first thing to go when we find ourselves in difficult situations, whether due to poor health, a financial crisis, job loss, divorce, or self isolation. This is why, especially during difficult circumstances, it is critical to keep maintaining it at the forefront of our minds rather than as an afterthought.

Building A Self Care Plan:

Life is dynamic, and so are our wellness aspects. During challenging times, we may rely on our strong points to help carry us through. When too many aspects are damaged, we may struggle and find it difficult to handle things that we could easily do in the past.

Here are some ideas to consider when working on your self care. Feel free to change, replace, or add your own as you go. Keep in mind that this is all about you!

Emotional:

Talk to someone, ponder, journal, read, do something artistic, listen to music, work out, go for a walk, watch something that suits the mood (or the opposite and changes it), cry it out, hug someone, cuddle, laugh, and nap.

Environmental:

Take a pleasant walk, take in some fresh air, soak up the sun, enjoy the night sky, visit an art gallery to see Freddi Wald, avoid polluting, pick up litter, decrease waste, use reusable items, recycle, clean your house, redecorate a room.

Financial:

Create a practical financial plan, open a savings account, begin saving (even if it is only one dollar per day), attempt saving even more if you are already saving, invest, reduce wasteful expenditures, examine where you can save money, and ask for a raise.

Intellectual:

Read, listen to audio books, watch documentaries, solve puzzles, be aware of your surroundings, get curious, try something new, explore your creative/artistic side, enroll in a class, complete a program, and graduate.

Occupational:

Learn a trade, acquire a degree, prepare for a promotion, accept the promotion, compile a resume, polish your resume, apply for your dream career, take on a task you enjoy, and start your own business.

Physical:

Work out every day, go for a walk, eat healthily, get your annual exam, visit the dentist, take your medication as given, avoid drugs and alcohol, get 7-9 hours of sleep, and see your doctor if you are not feeling well.

Social:

Meet up with friends and family, stay in touch with old pals, volunteer, go out, have fun, engage in positive social media use, radiate optimism, use technology when distance is an issue, and laugh a lot.

Spiritual:

Meditate, pray, contemplate, do yoga, visit a meaningful site, do the right thing for others, be attentive, examine your higher purpose and significance, seek support from your higher power, love one another, and aid those in need.

Self-care is an essential daily practice. This will result in a better balance of your wellness dimensions and enhanced overall health and well being. Life is valuable and should be savored!

Featured Image By: Jackson David on Unsplash

May26

Top Tips To Start Your Day Off Right

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Top Tips To Start Your Day Off Right

Are you a morning person or do you find it impossible to feel energized and motivated until at least 10 AM? Getting the morning off to a good start sets the tone for the rest of the day. If you struggle to get up or you feel like you rarely start the day with energy and enthusiasm, here are some simple tips to help you make positive changes:

Establish a sleep routine:

Most people don’t want to jump out of bed as soon as their alarm goes off because they are tired, and staying under the covers is a much more appealing option. If you experience tiredness in the mornings, it’s a good idea to review your sleep routine. You might not be getting enough sleep or your body clock may be out of kilter. Try to establish a routine, which involves setting a time to go to sleep and get up in the morning. Stick to those times as much as possible to enable your body clock to adjust and ensure that you get the rest you need.

Stretch:

Stretching is a brilliant way to make your body feel more alive and get your mind ready for the day ahead. Take five or ten minutes to stretch your body, do a yoga session, or enjoy benefits from Surya Namaskar sun salutations. Stretching is beneficial for your joints and muscles, it increases flexibility and suppleness,  reduces stress, and makes you feel calmer and more focused. The beauty of daily stretching is that you can do it whenever and wherever you like. You can follow workouts or guided sessions or simply do your favorite stretches when you wake up, you have a break at work, or there are a few minutes to spare after dropping the kids off at school.

Eat a healthy, balanced breakfast:

Most of us are familiar with the old adage, ‘breakfast is the most important meal of the day’. Eating breakfast fires up your digestive system and it can help to raise energy levels and prevent you from experiencing hunger and a lack of energy and motivation later in the day. Try to opt for nutritious foods and meals such as wholemeal toast with poached eggs or avocado, oatmeal, whole grain cereals, omelets, and fruit and natural yogurt. Foods that release energy slowly will help you stay fuller for longer. If you need some caffeine along with your breakfast to get the day going, you could try a VALR Nitrogen-Infused Energy Drink. You will always feel like you woke up on the right side of the bed!

Get organized the night before:

Stress and anxiety can make it difficult to sleep. If you know you’ve got an important meeting the next day, you won’t have time to go out and buy lunch, or you need to look sharp, get organized the night before. Make a wrap, salad, or sandwich to take with you, decide what you’re going to wear, pack your bag, and take half an hour before you go to bed to de-stress and relax. Run a bath, read a book, watch TV, listen to music, or meditate. Avoid checking emails, scrolling through social media, or doing anything that will stress you out or stimulate your mind late at night.

Some people jump out of bed in the morning ready to attack the day, but for many, it’s a struggle to get motivated. If you find it hard to approach the day with energy and vigor, use these simple tips to get every day off to the best possible start!

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May13

What Have We Been Up To?

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What Have We Been Up To?

Hello! Johnny and I have been diligently unpacking away after our big move at the end of April. While that has taken up a majority of our free time, we have still been enjoying ourselves and making time for fun things too. And, yes, part of the fun has shockingly come from the unpacking process itself – which I never thought I would say!

Unpacking:

Actually… Let me rephrase that… It’s not so much the unpacking that’s fun rather than all of the opportunities that come with it. Johnny moved into my apartment so there wasn’t much for us to decide on when it came to furniture placement and decorating together. Now, however, with much more room, it has been nice to come up with our apartment layout as a team.

For example, we have a little nook under our staircase that we decided would be perfect for bookshelves to house our massive collection. When I got home from work, it was a huge surprise because Johnny assembled and filled the new shelves while I was gone. This opened up considerable space having the shelves neatly tucked away and we were able to have a lot more options when it comes to placement of other furniture. It looks so nice!

Another fun part about the unpacking process is that we have a goal in mind: A housewarming/birthaversary party. We can’t wait to welcome friends and family into our new place at the end of the month to celebrate all kinds of big events: Our move, Johnny’s birthday, my birthday, and our one year wedding anniversary. I’m so excited! 😀

Entertainment:

Because of having a functional AC unit in our new apartment, it has become the place to chill both literally and metaphorically. We have been having a blast relaxing in a comfortable climate and watching all kinds of good movies and TV. We are currently binging The Man In The High Castle, which is absolutely EXCELLENT. We have also been enjoying lots of movies including The Imitation Game (One of my faves!), Schindler’s List, Indiana Jones, and Role Models (Both of our faves!).

Of course, this was something that we would have done at our old place regardless of the extreme heat. Actually feeling cold and snuggling up with blankets is a brand new sensation to us, though, and we still can’t get over the novelty of it!

Out & About:

Actual spring weather is finally here with some summer like temps peppered in for good measure. We have been making the most of it with outings in downtown Cuyahoga Falls, at hiking trails with my family, game nights with friends, and meeting our new neighbors. It was easy to stay cuddled up at home with the snowy and rainy days last month. But, there is no excuse now that the weather is nice out and we have been trying to have outings together at least once a week.

It has been an exciting and jam packed few weeks for us and I have been enjoying every minute of it… I’ll enjoy it even more, though, when we are fully unpacked and celebrating at our party!

What have you been up to? What are you currently binge watching? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr27

Working From Home With Kids? Follow These Tips!

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Working From Home With Kids? Follow These Tips!

One of the biggest challenges any parent has is trying to work at home with kids in tow. You may struggle to keep them occupied over the summer vacation, but when you are working at home with kids around, there is no one size fits all approach. But here are a few ideas that you may want to get inspiration from:

Don’t Work From Your Couch:

The most important takeaway from Work From Home 101 is that if you really have to sit down on the couch while your kids are running around, you are not going to get anything done! You need to have a space that is purely for work and work alone. When you go there, you need to almost instantly click into work mode.

If you have a spare room, that’s great, but if you need to set up a space in the kitchen or carve out a corner in your bedroom, it has to feel like a working environment. If there’s room for an adjustable desk, set it up with work related paraphernalia so, at the very least, you’ve got the opportunity to focus. When you’ve got a working space you need to communicate this to your children, and when you really have to get things done, they need to know not to bother you. This is not always easy, but this is where the next rule might be worthwhile.

Relaxing Screen Time Rules:

You may be very strict when it comes to screen time but if you have a chunk of time where you know you’ve got to be focused, giving your kids the tablet will help you out here. The great thing is that now there are plenty of apps out there that will help you to keep track of what your kids can and cannot watch, as well as the time limits.

Get Up a Little Earlier:

This is something that many parents swear by, but in order to do this effectively, you’ve got to understand what you need to achieve by the end of the working day. Rather than defining your day based on how many hours you work, look at the tasks you need to complete and which can be broken down into tasks where you need supreme focus or lesser focus. For example, emails may require you to focus in bursts of five minutes or so, but more time intensive tasks may require you to get up before the kids and get this done.

Keep Your Stress Levels Down:

It’s so easy to get frustrated when your children are vying for your attention. But as many people have had to figure out how to do this during the pandemic, they couldn’t wait for kids to go back to school. But the reality is that there are so many more people working from home now, so you need to get the balance right when the kids are home during summer vacation or spring break. You need to remember that it will pass. Because there’s no point in getting hugely frustrated by it as it’s only going to intensify the situation and make it worse.

Working from home with kids can be a huge challenge but it is doable. Follow the tips above to help you get started!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Mar31

How To Advance Your Healthcare Career

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How To Advance Your Healthcare Career

It’s no secret that working in the healthcare industry is one of the best career choices that a young professional can make. After all, this is an industry that will always be in demand. If you take a look at the jobs that are expected to grow in the coming years, many of them are simply different ways of saying ‘nurse’ or ‘doctor.’ So there’s a lot of potential in this career.

However, while there’s plenty of potential, that doesn’t mean that success will automatically come your way. You’ll need to work hard to ensure that your healthcare career can progress in a way that you like. So how do you do that? In this blog, we’ll take a look at some useful tips that will keep you moving on the right path:

Always Learning:

You’ll have learned a lot when you were at college. But that shouldn’t be the end of your education. In many ways, it’s just the beginning. The healthcare field is always moving forward so it’s important that you commit to learning as much as you can, as often as you can. Equipment like Catheter Devices, monitors, and treatment devices and apparatuses are subject to change as technology advances. AI is also becoming extremely popular across all aspects of life but particularly in the medical field. Implementing tools like generative ai use cases in healthcare can improve patient outcomes as well as boost efficiency. There will be no shortage of courses you can take and qualifications you can obtain. If you don’t know which ones will be best for your career, ask your supervisor.

Making Connections:

Who you know can be just as important when it comes to advancing in your healthcare career. As such, it’s essential that you take some time to learn the art of networking. Just by making connections with others, you could open many doors for yourself in the future. You can connect with people in the healthcare facility in which you work and also in the wider healthcare community. Attending talks and courses is a great way to do this. You should also consider doing in-depth research for each healthcare facility you apply to in the first place – you’d have to do this with any career. For example, checking out the Care.com reviews before you start working to care for a doctor’s family will ensure that you gain the right role – one that works for you and your time.

Jump At Opportunities:

There will be a lot of opportunities available to you. But unless you look at what they are and then jump at the chance to make them yours, then you’ll struggle to progress. There are plenty of places to look at what’s out there. For example, you could get in touch with Cornerstone Medical Recruitment and see what positions they’re looking to fill.

…And Make Your Own:

It’s also important that you create your own opportunities, too. If you’ve been networking correctly, then there will be times when opportunities land at your feet. But you shouldn’t just wait around for them to come. You should make your own opportunities by showing initiative at work and taking courses without being prompted to do so. You can also forward your opportunities when you look the part at your job. For example, purchasing smart no slip shoes or finding the Best Quality Teal Scrubs For Nurses On Shift will show that you are invested in your career and take all aspects of it seriously.

Set Goals:

Finally, be sure to set goals and targets for yourself. This will help ensure that you never get too passive about your career or too comfortable in your position. You’ll always be working towards something bigger and better than what you currently have.

The healthcare field is one that is never going to go away and with constant room for growth, it will always be a viable career option!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Mar18

Unsatisfied With Your Smile? Braces Could Be Right For You!

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Unsatisfied With Your Smile? Braces Could Be Right For You!

We are not sure about you, but one thing we have noticed a lot more lately is that adults seem to be wearing braces more and more than they used to. And that is awesome! We often have the tendency to assume that braces are purely for children, i.e. to correct your teeth so that they are not crooked later in life. However, this is simply not the case and finding a local orthodontist for your braces and additional care can transform your smile even as an adult.

Braces can help people of all ages, as they can correct a wide range of issues like:

  • Jaw joint disorder
  • Crooked teeth
  • Incorrect jaw position
  • Cross-bites
  • Under-bites
  • Overbites
  • Crowded teeth

There are many different styles of braces to choose from:

If you need braces, you will have plenty of different options to choose from. There is something for everyone. When we think about braces, our minds tend to think about thick, metal bands. However, you can actually get invisible braces these days, which are known as Invisalign. These braces are to be removed whenever you eat, so they work slightly differently. The best thing to do is simply book an appointment with a dentist who will be able to talk you through all of the different options available and give you their professional opinion on the best solution for you.

It is about investing in your future smile:

Braces are all about investing in your future smile. Making changes today can help to make sure that you have a beautiful and healthy smile in the future. Plus, it is important to remember that braces are not only cosmetic. They can also help to prevent headaches, pain, and other dental issues that can occur when you do not rectify the issues you are experiencing at the moment. This is why it is always important to book a dental appointment sooner rather than later.

Finding the best dentist for braces:

Needless to say, you need to choose a dentist with care when it comes to treatments like this. You need someone with years of experience who has provided braces for people time and time before. You can read reviews that have been left by others to make sure the dentist you are considering has a good reputation for the services they provide. Some dentists also have images on their websites so that you can see before and after photos to make sure that the treatment has worked effectively.

If you are unhappy with the condition of your teeth and you think that you would benefit from braces, there is no harm in scheduling an appointment. We know that wearing braces can be intimidating but there really is nothing to worry about. You will look great!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Mar17

6 Simple Steps To Promote Mental Wellness In Daily Life

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6 Simple Steps To Promote Mental Wellness In Daily Life

Nothing in this life is more important than your health, and your mental wellness should be included. Whether you’ve experienced symptoms of poor mental health or not, it is wise to implement habits to protect your frame of mind. A combination of good daily habits and actions to combat symptoms will serve you well. Focus on the six below to get started:

Invest in your looks:

Looking good makes you feel good, even if you don’t consciously realize it. We can’t all look like supermodels, but we can benefit from face masks and products that restore a natural glow. A new hairstyle or outfit can have a positive impact too. Aside from seeing a better reflection in the mirror, you will receive positive reactions from your friends, family, and colleagues.

Stay hydrated:

Nutrition plays a central role in all of our lives, and staying hydrated is the most important factor. Hydration will keep your mind engaged and alert in all daily tasks. Moreover, it is a move that will keep your muscles and organs performing at their peak level. While mastering your eating habits can take a little time, drinking more water should be easy.

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^^^ Pixabay Image

Treat physical discomfort:

Physical pains won’t only cause direct pain and discomfort. They can eat away at your mental health as they restrict you in several aspects of your daily life. Finding the right style of headache & migraine relief, for example, can help you get back to your day far sooner. It removes a great deal of frustration from your life, which will make you a healthier and happier person.

Make time for rest:

While we all want to stay productive, it’s important to let your mind and body relax too. For starters, getting a good night’s sleep will provide the perfect platform to build upon. You can also use yoga & meditation to break up the day and freshen your frame of mind. Losing a few minutes may seem counterproductive, but it will often allow you to achieve more at work and in recreational matters.

Avoid negative people:

Positivity is contagious, but so is negativity. Therefore, surrounding yourself with the right people in life should be considered vital. Taking a step back from people who negatively effect your well being will allow you to focus more of your time on the people who matter most. Their positivity should inspire you to achieve more in daily life too.

Spend more time outside:

We live in a tech-fueled world, and it can take a toll on our mental wellness. While you cannot simply avoid using computers for work and daily tasks, you can at least take a break. From gardening to going for a bike ride, those moments of exploring the great outdoors are great for your mindset. The fresh air is sure to bring a sense of inner peace and tranquillity to your world. Embrace it.

Your mental wellness can be improved upon by taking small, simple steps every day and maintaining them so that you can feel like your best self in all that you do.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Mar10

Health Checks To Add To Your Schedule

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Health Checks To Add To Your Schedule

We all want to take good care of our health and well being. Our bodies and our mind are what we experience the world through and we want to keep them in the best condition possible. But this is often easier said than done. Scheduling conflicts, work, and the like can all make scheduling regular health appointments an inconvenience.

What’s more inconvenient, however, are health issues going unchecked so do be sure to pencil in the following:

Dental Checks:

Booking a dentist appointment is essential once every six months. Use a reliable dental practice with plenty of qualified and professional dentists working for them. During your check up, your Dentist will be able to take a look around your mouth and notice any issues such as cavities, decay, or other dental problems. They can then book you in to resolve these problems if they do exist. If not, they can just pass you on to your hygienist, who will be able to clean your teeth thoroughly for you.

Eye Checks:

You should visit an optometrist once every two years. An eye check can help your optometrist to ensure that your vision is up to scratch and to identify any changes in your vision. They’ll be able to recommend prescriptions to you if you do require help with your vision and educate you in best practices and tell tale signs like cataract symptoms to watch out for. You might realize that you are exhibiting symptoms as soon as you hear your optometrist say it out loud. They can also take some time to look out for common eye health complaints such as glaucoma, cataracts, or even issues like diabetes. Take the time to ask your optometrist any questions concerning you, such as what does laser eye surgery do or how glaucoma may affect your vision. Keep in mind, the earlier problems arise, the easier it is to treat them.

Hearing Checks:

Hearing checks are one of those medical things that often go forgotten about and if you’ve not had it checked recently, then it’s important to do so now. A hearing check might be able to give you clarity on any ear pain or lack of hearing you’ve noticed in recent years. There are plenty of new technologies and engineering within the world of hearing aids now too, including a range of hearing aid styles. Don’t skip on your hearing appointments!

Cervical Screening:

If you have a cervix and are over the age of 25, you will need to attend cervical screening appointments. This process can also be called a “smear test” or a “pap smear”. If you are aged between 25 and 44, you will be asked to attend screening once every three years. If you are aged between 45 and 60, you will be asked to attend once every five years. The process is simple and, while some would describe it as uncomfortable, generally pain free. It helps to identify any abnormal cells in your cervix and could help to identify signs of cervical cancer in their early stages. This could be a life saving check so it really is important to schedule it in.

These are just three appointments to book but, hopefully, they’ll get the ball rolling when it comes to encouraging you to maintain good health practices!

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