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Healthier Lifestyle Tips

How to Best Pamper Yourself

One of the hardest things to do as a busy working mother is to pamper yourself. Taking time out of your day away from the kids and away from your job to look after you? It seems out of the question. In fact, it can seem downright impossible some days! You have to find ways to make time for yourself when you are a working mother. 

Heck, even stay-at-home mothers who don’t have a full-time job around the children still have to find time for themselves! The demands of business and motherhood honestly take over, but at the end of the day taking care of yourself is so much more important sometimes. It’s not selfish to go to that dermatologist appointment you can put him off. It’s definitely not selfish to get a facial! In fact, the most selfish thing that you could give yourself is to dedicate yourself to your work or other people and neglect yourself. Let’s take a look at how best to pamper yourself. 

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Pause to drink

If you love a hot cup of coffee or a cold glass of water, pause and down everything that you are doing to sit straight. Take five or 10 minutes from your day slowly and carefully sit, taste, and enjoy the drink that you have in your hands. Even if all you take is five minutes, you need to make sure that you are doing that for yourself. It sounds super simple, but you would be so surprised at how many people just ignore themselves.

Embrace your skincare routine

A wonderful way to pamper yourself is to make sure that you are moisturized and buffed as much as possible. Book yourself a massage and ask somebody out there to look after your skin for you with an amazing formula. Even if all you’re doing is putting on an at-home peel-off facemask, it’s still something.

Paint your nails

The best thing about painting your nails is that you have no choice but to stop and do it. You can’t paint your nails and type at the same time, which means you have no choice but to put yourself first. You can choose bright or you can choose dull colors, but either way, you get to look after your hands.

Eat something that you didn’t cook

When was the last time you had a full meal just for yourself? Take yourself – yes just you – out to a restaurant and enjoy a hot meal of your favorite food. Bring a book if you can’t sit there by yourself, but make sure that you’re eating something that you didn’t cook for everybody else. There was a good reason that the mummy bear had the cold food in Goldilocks and the Three Bears, you know. 
Go for a walk. Most people wouldn’t consider movement as pampering, but a walk by yourself with a good podcast or some music in your ears can feel invigorating if you’ve been stuck behind a desk all day. Turning it on your own gives you a little bit of freedom, too.

How to Adjust Your Home as You Age

When you choose a place to live, you place a lot of the weight of your decision on the way that the home looks. When you are young and buying one of your first houses – or just your only house – you’re going to consider how much is going to reflect you and your personality. Of course, your home will change as you age because your personality changes. 

The problem is that all of the fancy fittings and fixtures that you might have chosen in your 20s or 30s may not be suitable for when you are in your 60s and 70s. Making home adjustments is as important as choosing the right service if you choose to have home care. For example, the ComForCare home care service is one of the best things that you can choose for yourself if you are needing extra help in the home, and having extra adjustments will help the expert carers to care for you properly. Whether you have cameras or not, you need to know how to adjust your home as you age and we’ve got some tips below.

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Create a budget

Architectural changes such as widening the doorways for wheelchairs or changing walls between rooms to create larger spaces can cost thousands. You have to be able to adjust your budget to see if this is what you need. You can have an occupational therapist or a home care worker can come to your home and make some suggestions about what changes should be made, but go based on what your doctor in your healthcare team safe.

Make sure that you’re making entry easy

All the adults lose the decks 30 on their hands which can make it very difficult to turn a door knob. You can install lever door handles that require only a push that works, and these are not very expensive fixes. You should add wraps for easier entry if you have a wheelchair or a walker, and you can add rails along the hallways and walls so you can get around and know that you have something to grab if you feel unsteady on your feet.

Change up the kitchen

If you’ve always had kitchen cabinets above your head, then it’s time to change things around so that you can reach what you need to reach. You should also ensure that you don’t have to climb on ladders or stools to get to anything in your kitchen because the chances of falling are even higher when you are a senior. Rearrange the pantry so that food and cooking utensils are also low shells and make sure that you buy lightweight pots and pans to accommodate any strength loss in your arms. Contractors can lower the countertops for you, which makes it more accessible if you are in a wheelchair.

Adjust your bathroom

We don’t need to tell you that a slippery bathroom is a hazard, so remove the top and make the bathroom a walk-in wet room with plenty of space for a wheelchair. You can have your shower assessed for disability and unsteadiness and you can have a seat put with easy grip handles.

Effective Ways To Manage Your Mental Health During Separation

Separating from someone dear to you can be a very emotionally challenging experience. Whether it’s a divorce from a life partner, a breakup with a long-term romantic partner, or a best friend wanting to move on, such separation can significantly affect your mental health. Depending on the emotional connection you share with the person, you may struggle to move on with your life. Are you going through any emotionally intense separation or divorce? Here are some ways to manage your mental health through it. 

1. Talk to someone you trust

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Letting out your feelings to someone you trust is crucial to finding the healing your mind needs to move on. Speak with your family members, close friends, or support groups to find emotional support. Of course, they might not be able to offer solutions, but their presence and support can help immensely through this stage. You can also speak with professionals to guide you, especially if you’re dealing with a divorce. You can speak with counselors for mental support or even sign up for divorce seminars to learn how to navigate your way into a healthier, happy life after the separation. 

2. Allow yourself to feel

It’s okay to feel hurt, upset, or angry about what’s happening. The last thing you want to do is ignore your emotions or deny them, expecting them to disappear. Also, do not allow others to dictate how you should feel about the separation or how fast or slowly you’re supposed to get over it. Accept your emotions and manage them or deal with them at your own pace. 

3. Record the process

You can keep a journal about the process, especially if you don’t feel like talking about it with others or you don’t trust anyone enough to confide in them. Some studies have shown that simply writing down your thoughts and feelings can give you better emotional clarity through reflecting on your feelings and help manage your mental health. Journaling can help give you better control over your feelings and the actions or decisions that result from those feelings. It also prevents you from bottling up your emotions or living with pent-up feelings even years after the separation, making it difficult to move on. 

4. Maintain good physical health

A sound mind, they say, rests in a sound body, as physical health is closely connected to mental health. So, although it may be challenging, do your best to eat healthily and exercise regularly through this period. Mental stress has effects on your appearance and general health. Constant or chronic stress experienced over a long period can contribute to long-term heart problems and high blood pressure. You can also find fun hobbies or partake in various stress-reduction activities that’ll help improve your mood. 

4. Maintain good physical health…Constant or chronic stress experienced over a long period can contribute to long-term heart problems and high blood pressure, which may lead to a visit to Cameron Cardiology.

5. Set healthy boundaries

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It might help to set new boundaries that will define your new ‘relationship’ and avoid toxicity. Be sure to communicate those boundaries as clearly and respectfully as possible to your ex. These boundaries may include things like childcare. Also, find healthy ways to avoid remaining in contact with them to make it easier for you to move on. 

Winding Down Before Bed

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Getting to sleep should be a simple and straightforward activity. But for many of us, it can actually prove quite the challenge. This isn’t all too surprising given the lifestyles that many of us lead nowadays. This isn’t like olden times when the sun would set and you might as well sleep because the only thing you could do otherwise was sit in darkness. Instead, we have access to the vast majority of things we would in the day during the night hours and it can be really hard to switch off. The problem with this is that many of us are beginning to experience chronic sleep deprivation. Failing to get your eight hours a night can leave you feeling drained and make the next day a struggle. But what can you do to unwind and prepare yourself to drift into the land of nod? Here are some suggestions that might be able to help.

Put Away the Devices

We’re used to having our smartphones, tablets, and laptops at hand 24/7. They’re packed with entertainment. We can read the news. We can chat with friends and family. We can scroll through social media. We can shop. We can play games. The list goes on and on. But this isn’t conducive to sleep. Instead, it can distract you and keep you awake for much longer than you intended. So, put the devices away when you’re trying to sleep. You may also have heard that the blue light that comes from these screens can keep you awake too, confusing your body’s circadian rhythms. If you do need to check your phone or other devices close to bedtime, try using blue light-blocking reading glasses to help.

Have a Bath

What’s more soothing and comforting than a warm bath? Run a bath, add your favorite bubble bath or bath salts, then slide in and relax for half an hour or so before getting ready for bed. This will help you to disconnect from the stresses and worries of day-to-day life, relaxes your muscles, and relieves tension. It’s a great way to feel more loose and comfortable before climbing into bed.

Read or Listen to an Audiobook

Many people enjoy reading before bed. It helps you to step aside from your daily worries and focus on something a little more enjoyable. If you’re not much of a reader, don’t fret. You may want to try an audiobook. This way you can listen with the lights off, helping you to fall asleep more naturally.

Try Calming Sleep Apps

There is now a range of sleep apps that will play calming sounds and voices that can help soothe you into sleep. These are ideal for those who tend to worry and overthink issues when lying in bed, as they distract you and get you to think about something that’s more likely to help you nod off, rather than keeping you up with stress and concern.

These are just a few suggestions, but each could really make all the difference when it comes to getting to sleep at night. Give them a try and see how you get on!

Tips For Achieving The Physical Appearance You Seek

Looking your best is important. It can give you the confidence you need to succeed in life, and it can make you feel good about yourself. If you’re not happy with your appearance, don’t worry – there are steps that you can take to change it. The following blog will discuss some tips for achieving the physical appearance that you seek.

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1) Start With Your Diet

Eating healthy foods is the foundation of looking and feeling your best. Make sure that you’re getting enough protein, healthy fats, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Avoid processed foods, sugary drinks, and excessive amounts of alcohol.

Eating healthy will not only improve your physical appearance, but it will also make you feel better mentally and emotionally. When you look good, you’ll feel good – it’s as simple as that.

If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to eating healthy, there are plenty of resources available online and in books. Find a plan that works for you and stick to it. Remember: consistency is key!

2) Get Plenty of Exercise

One of the best ways to improve your physical appearance is to get plenty of exercises. Exercise not only helps you lose weight and tone your body, but it also helps improve your skin and hair. Furthermore, regular exercise can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and other signs of aging.

In order to get the most out of your exercise routine, be sure to focus on exercises that target the areas you are most concerned about. For example, if you want to tone your arms, do plenty of arm exercises such as push-ups and triceps extensions. If you want to slim down your thighs, do lots of squats and lunges. And if you want to improve the appearance of your skin, make sure to include some cardio in your routine to improve blood circulation.

3) Coolsculpting

Coolsculpting is a non-surgical procedure that freezes and eliminates fat cells with the help of a cooling applicator. The Coolsculpting treatment is completely non-invasive, which means there are no needles or anesthesia required. This treatment is FDA-cleared and has been proven to be safe and effective.

During your consultation, your aesthetician will develop a customized Coolsculpting treatment plan for you based on your goals. The number of treatments you need will depend on the number of areas being treated and your coolsculpting cost. Most patients see noticeable results after just one Coolsculpting treatment. However, multiple treatments may be necessary to achieve your desired results.

4) Try a New Hairstyle

One of the easiest and quickest ways to change your appearance is to try a new hairstyle. If you’re not happy with your current hair, experiment with different cuts, colors, and styles. A new hairstyle can make you look and feel like a new person.

If you’re not sure what kind of hairstyle you want, consult with a professional stylist. They will be able to help you find a style that suits your face shape, hair texture, and personal style.

In conclusion, these are just a few tips that can help you achieve the physical appearance that you seek. Remember, diet and exercise are key – so make sure to focus on these areas if you want to see results. And don’t forget to have fun with your new look! Try different hairstyles and colors until you find something that makes you feel confident and beautiful.

The Ultimate Guide to Managing Period Pain: Tips and Tricks from Experienced Women

For most women, getting their period is something they must deal with every month. While it may be a breeze for some, it can be a real pain (literally) for others. If you’re one of the latter, you’re probably constantly looking for tips and tricks to help make your monthly cycle a little more manageable. Well, you’re in luck! This blog post will discuss everything from lifestyle changes to over-the-counter medications that can help ease your period pain. So please keep reading for our top tips!

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Understand What Causes The Pain

First, it’s essential to understand that the contraction of the uterus causes that period of pain during menstruation. Some women experience more pain than others because of individual differences in the anatomy and physiology of the uterus and surrounding structures. In addition, some lifestyle factors can contribute to increased period pain, such as stress, lack of exercise, and an unhealthy diet.

Try Following A Healthy Diet

It’s no secret that eating can affect your health, including your menstrual cycle. However, eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help ease period pain. Some specific foods that may help include:

-Ginger: Ginger has long been used as a natural remedy for nausea and stomach pain. Studies have shown that it can also be effective for menstrual pain relief.

Papaya: Papaya contains an enzyme called papain, which has anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it a good choice for those suffering from cramps.

Fish: Fish is an excellent source of omega-three fatty acids with anti-inflammatory properties. This makes them beneficial for relieving cramps.

Chamomile tea: Chamomile tea has traditionally been used as a relaxant and can help with menstrual pain relief.

Of course, everyone is different, and what works for one person may not work for another. Therefore, it’s essential to experiment and find what works best for you.

Do Regular Exercise

Regular exercise can help to ease period pain in several ways. For one, it helps release endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers. It also helps to improve circulation, which can reduce inflammation and cramping. And finally, it can help distract from the pain by giving you something else to focus on.

If you’re not used to exercising regularly, start slowly and build up gradually. Even moderate exercise like walking or swimming can make a big difference. And if you’re already active, try to maintain your usual routine during your period.

Applying Heat

There are a few ways to apply heat to your abdomen to help ease period pain. One way is to use a heating pad or hot water bottle. You can also take a warm bath, shower, or stand in front of a heater for a few minutes. The heat helps to relax the muscles in your uterus and can provide some relief.

Acupuncture and Massaging

It is one of the oldest and most popular methods for managing pain, and it can be very effective for period pain. This may be a good option if you have access to an acupuncturist.

Another popular method for managing period pain is massage. Massaging the lower back and abdomen can help to relieve cramping and pain. You can do this yourself or get a professional massage.

Medication

Several over-the-counter and prescription medications can also help with period pain. Ibuprofen is a popular choice, but there are also other options available. If unsure what to take, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

Hormonal birth control

If you’re on hormonal birth control, it can help to regulate your periods and make them less painful. There are several different types of hormonal birth control, so if one doesn’t work for you, there are others to try.

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Going For Regular Check-Ups

If you’re experiencing period pain that’s severe or unusual, it’s always best to check in with your doctor. They can rule out any underlying health conditions and give you personalized advice. Even if everything comes back standard, it can be helpful to have a professional opinion.

This is also important as the doctor can pick up other conditions like UTIs that can cause pain during your period. There are also some great health resources available that you can research, like: can a UTI delay your period?

Additionally, going for regular check-ups can help you keep on top of your general health and well-being. This means you’re more likely to catch any potential health issues early, making them easier to treat. Plus, it’s always good to have a professional opinion if something doesn’t feel right.

Drinking Enough Water

Water is essential for our bodies to function correctly. It helps to regulate our body temperature, transport nutrients and oxygen to our cells, and remove waste products from our bodies. When we don’t drink enough water, our bodies can’t function properly, and we may start to experience a variety of symptoms, such as headaches, fatigue, and muscle cramps.

During your period, drinking plenty of water is essential to help your body cope with the loss of blood and fluid. Water will also help to reduce bloating and pain. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water a day or more if you’re sweating a lot or have diarrhea.

If you find it difficult to drink that much water, try adding some fruit or herbs to your water to make it more palatable. Lemon, mint, and cucumber are all great options. You can also try drinking herbal tea or sparkling water. Just ensure you’re avoiding sugary drinks like soda, as they can make your period symptoms worse.

If you’re looking for ways to manage your period pain, there are a few things you can try. Talk to your doctor about what options are available to you, and be sure to keep an open mind. There may not be one perfect solution for everyone, but with a little trial and error, you’re sure to find something that works for you.

So there you have a few tips and tricks for managing period pain. We hope you found this helpful and wish you all the best in your quest for relief.

How to Live a Happy and Purposed Life with Chronic Pain

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. All opinions are mine alone. #StopPainNow #CollectiveBias

 

 

I was 27 years old the first morning I couldn’t get out of bed. There was a shooting pain that occurred in my lower back. A pain that immediately flared up when I turned to either side, would shoot down my legs, also manifested in my neck, and rendered me unable to move without assistance. A pain that would persist for several days at a time and would then vanish just as mysteriously as it came. Pain that left me unable to truly plan and prepare for any and all days ahead. Worse still, this vicious cycle persisted for the next several years and was one of the most humbling and humiliating experiences of my adult life. 

My pain specialist believed the pain to be caused by Sciatica, a nervous system pain, which causes tingling, numbness, or weakness that originates in the lower back and travels down the body by way of the large sciatic nerve in the back of each leg. He also made the connection between this pain and a dancing accident I had suffered in my teens which chose to manifest itself years later as sciatic nerve pain.

It was also during this visit that I learned that I would have to change my diet, balance my health, and find better ways to conquer my sciatic nerve pain. Due to being pregnant, and later during periods when I was TTC again, in lieu of being able to take prescription medication for this pain, I would need to adjust my lifestyle to diet, exercise, self-care, balance, and more natural means of conquering my sciatic nerve pain. 

From there it took me more than 5 years after learning my initial diagnosis to get to where I am now. I have been to countless doctors, chiropractors, and physical therapists. I have read books, surfed the Internet, and conversed with other chronic pain sufferers. And with each resource, I began compiling this information which became my daily playbook of how to live a happy and productive life with chronic pain. I am happy to share these tips with you now. 

 

 

Weight

When I eat less-than-healthy processed food, I feel like less than my personal best. I am also a recovering sugar addict. So much so that this behavior leads me to be a pre-diabetic, insulin-resistant PCOS patient, and be 120 pounds overweight. While it goes without saying that extra weight is no good for you, imagine the havoc it plays on your chronic lower body pain. So to alleviate some of my pain moving forward I’ve implemented a new rule. No processed sugars, minimal carbs, whole grains, and lots of veggies, quality proteins, and water. Because when you heal your body you heal your pain!

Exercise

Depending on the severity of your chronic pain, exercise can be an excellent remedy. For my lower back pain, I need a strong core and flexible legs. To remedy this, I perform yoga once a day, concentrating on stretching and core-building exercises. This combined with 2 miles a day of walking and I am losing weight while healing my back.

Meditation

This is something I recently started and it’s worked wonders for me! I maintain a gratitude journal. I perform nightly breathing exercises. I’ve replaced nightly tv watching with reading. And I get up one hour earlier each morning to enjoy tea and the quiet and stillness of the early morning hours in my home.  Meditation helps me to heal my mind, body, and soul!

Massage

If you can afford a professional, I recommend it. It has done wonders for my lower back pain. When I cannot get to a professional session I use tennis balls placed on the floor as an alternative. By just using these balls to gently ease the tension away from my lower back, it helps alleviate pain and pressure point tension as well.

Discussion

I find that honesty and open dialogue is the best medicine! I make a point of never going to bed angry and discussing all my issues with my family and friends when the issues are fresh on my mind. This has helped me not hold onto pain-inducing tension and anxiety, which as I’ve found, has helped my back pain too!

Pain Relief

I’m not going to lie. There are days when everything I do does not help with my pain. When that happens, I take Curamin® Stop Pain Now Extra Strength 60-count tablets. It’s one of my most trusted ways to live a happy, fulfilled, and purposed life with chronic pain.

 

 

It seems like a lifetime ago since my dancing accident and recovery to when my initial sciatic symptoms emerged. While I have learned how to live a happy and fulfilled life with chronic pain that doesn’t mean I don’t have help. 

Over the years, I have taken numerous types of NSAIDs. Over time each product has given me some sort of adverse effects on my body. I had to find something safer to take. Something more natural. Something that can help me take on my day. Curamin® is safe, effective, and non-addictive. That gives me peace of mind and helps me thrive in my day. It came as no surprise that it’s the #1 selling brand and has been voted #1 for Pain Relief.

 

 

Now when my back hurts I have learned to stop and take account of the balance in my life and correct my current habits to help ease my pain. To see what I’ve eaten, how I’ve overextended my body, to gauge how much correctly aligned sleep I’ve gotten. And then for days when pain seems to just need extra help, I rely on Curamin®. I like that Curamin® isn’t an ordinary pain reliever but a dietary supplement designed to help my body stop chronic pain. 

 

 

I take two Curamin® Stop Pain Extra Strength tablets and within an hour, I’m able to conquer my day because Curamin® doesn’t just mask occasional pain, it gets to the source and stops it. Because for me, when pain is the problem, Curamin is the answer. 

Just as it has worked so well for me, the award-winning Curamin® has provided life-changing benefits for hundreds of thousands of people around the world. I also appreciate that it is a safe, effective, non-addictive herbal formula. It is different from over-the-counter pain medications and prescription drugs which can sometimes have negative side effects. If you want to stop your pain now, say Hello Curamin®. Goodbye Pain!

 

 

I purchase my Curamin® from my local health food store. I wasn’t sure where to locate it at first in-store, but when I asked the cashier, she knew exactly where it was. She said it was quite the popular product so they always made sure to keep Curamin® in stock!

 

 

It is so popular in fact, that while in-store to pick up Curamin®, another shopper was also there to grab a bottle for his wife! You can also find Curamin® online and at fine health food stores nationwide. You can also check out this store locator to find a retailer near you. 

 

Alternatives

Of course, the same pain relief methods are not going to work for everyone, so you need to give a few things a go before you will know what’s right for you. At the end of the day, it’s all about what makes you feel better so that you can be happy in your life. If over-the-counter medications aren’t working, then you may want to consider something like delta 8 vape carts, or certain types of tea if you like a good cup of tea.

When I want to plan for pain-free days, I remember to do the following: 

  • I prep healthy snacks for myself the night before. 
  • I clean and prep my yoga mat for use the next day.
  • I lay out my favorite mug, tea, gratitude journal, and reading material for my morning meditations.
  • I lay out workout gear for my morning walk.
  • I keep a stock of Curamin® on hand at home.

 

So, that’s it, folks, that’s how I ensure pain-free days ahead! Also, be sure to click on the above photo to snag yourself a copy of my best tips for fighting pain at home, in case you need it later! I also encourage you to check out Curamin® for yourself and see if it can help you live your best pain-free days as well, too! 

So, everyone, I have to ask, do you suffer from chronic or occasional pain? I would love to hear how you live a happy and purposed life with your pain below!

Here’s to pain-free days,