Healthier Lifestyle Tips

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Trying to lead an active, healthy lifestyle can sometimes feel tricky when you want to watch what you spend and stick to a dedicated budget. However, it does not need to be stressful if you are organized and can plan in advance. So here are some ideas to get you feeling inspired if you need help sticking to a healthy lifestyle routine without spending a fortune. 

Plan Your Meals 

Pre-planning what you are going to cook for the week is a good way to cut back on excessive spending on your grocery shop. This will allow you to only buy the necessary fresh produce that you need so you can put together some lovely home-cooked meals, without any excess food being wasted. If you compile a list of all the things that you need before when you visit the grocery store you are more likely to just buy what you need. So if for example, you need some high-fiber breakfast ideas for a healthy gut, you can just buy the necessary items in advance and know that you have them at home. 

Eat Before You Shop

It is a good idea not to visit the grocery store when you are hungry as you are more likely to make impulse purchases, which will increase your food bill. If you have a tendency to throw random items into your grocery basket, then making sure you are not distracted by a rumbling stomach will help you to stay focused and on budget. 

Buy Seasonal Produce 

There is a vast variety of foods that are available in the grocery stores all year round. However, if you do not want to spend excessively on groceries then it is best to buy seasonal produce. You will not need to overspend on fruit and vegetables that have been flown in from another part of the world just so there is an endless supply. If you opt for seasonal produce you will still be reaping the health benefits but at a fraction of the price.  

Look For Promotions

It can be useful to bulk buy certain non-perishable goods so that you have essential items when you need them. It can also save you some money in the long run if you are able to buy large quantities of an item that you use regularly. So definitely lookout for special promotions on your next grocery visit. 

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Make The Most of Your Nearby Park

Instead of signing up for an expensive gym membership that you are not guaranteed to use, why not go for a brisk walk, run or cycle to your nearest park. You can easily exercise for free here and also spend time outdoors in the fresh air, which is great for lifting your mood. 

Join an Online Fitness Class

With a huge number of professional trainers and fitness gurus active on social media, it is a lot easier to find the necessary exercises that you need. Many tend to provide live-streamed videos where you can join in with the fitness class or it is uploaded onto their social media page at a later time. Having a professional that knows what they are doing and can guide you through the exercises is a great way to be active without having to spend any money either. So it’s a win, win situation. 

Exercise With Company 

You might be more inclined to keep fit if you exercise with a friend or family member. If you arrange a time and place to meet in a local park to go running or cycling together, this might give you the necessary boost that you need to keep fit. Whereas if you were to exercise on your own you might be more inclined to not go out because you don’t feel like going anymore. 

Reduce the Number of Takeaways You Consume

Of course, it is good to treat yourself by ordering food from your favorite takeaway restaurant when you don’t feel like cooking. But relying on them regularly will certainly start to eat away at your budget. Takeaway meals cost a lot more than buying the ingredients yourself and cooking them from scratch. They are also likely to contain a lot more salt and sugar in the meals. So if you really want to be healthy, try and cut back on the number of takeaway orders you have each week.

When you think of a spa, the first thing that generally comes to mind is complete relaxation. This is generally achieved through tailored treatments that take place in calming and quiet surroundings. This seems far removed from the bustle and noise of a gym or swimming pool, so why would you choose a spa that incorporates leisure facilities?  

The picture most often created of such leisure facilities is of busy rooms with endless rows of machines, crowded swimming pools, and tepid hot tubs. However, if you choose the right spa, then your experience is very different. High-quality spas that incorporate such facilities pay as much attention to ensuring the peace, tranquillity, and quality of their leisure facilities as they do their spa treatments and relaxation rooms. This means that you can enjoy a workout without the crowds, have a leisurely swim, or soak in a hot tub at the right temperature. Such facilities enable you to make the most of your spa days, providing activities between treatments for those who find it easier to relax when physically active. It also means that you can enjoy your inclusive lunch or glass of bubbly without feeling guilty for the additional calorie consumption. 

Additional facilities such as a sauna and steam rooms also add to the sense of luxury that visiting a spa can bring. A session in the steam room can help to expel toxins that build up in your body, relax your muscles, and improve the benefits of any treatments that you then undertake.

If you want to gain the full benefits of a relaxing and rejuvenating spa day, however, then look for a spa complex that offers much more than just the basics. Ensure that it has top-of-the-range equipment in its gym, a wide choice of workout equipment, space for floor workouts, and inviting surroundings. The pool should be light and airy and feel as if it is an integral part of the experience rather than an afterthought. The same should be true of the sauna, steam room, and hot tub. Changing rooms should be high-quality and most importantly kept clean and tidy throughout the day. 

The spa should offer different packages that you can tailor to your individual needs, whether you are looking for a full day spa experience or specific treatments to solve a specific issue. The top spas also offer hair and make-up experiences, tanning, anti-aging skincare treatments, and nails. These need to be carried out by individuals with the right training and experience, so check this with any spas that incorporate beauty salons. Elements such as the restaurant or bar are also just as important. If a meal, snack, or afternoon tea is part of your package, you need to know that you are getting value for money, quality ingredients, and food and drink that you will actually enjoy.  

To ensure that you choose the right spa for you, take your time to check out the facilities that are available. Consider what it is you are looking for and match this to what is available at the spa that you are considering. Speak to the team, ask questions about various packages and memberships to ensure that it is right for you and to give you peace of mind that the spa team is knowledgeable and committed to every one of their clients. 

Finally, if you are looking for a special occasion, then book well in advance as the top spas limit the number of individuals, particularly in their leisure facilities, to ensure you get only the best possible experience.

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Social anxiety is something that a lot of people struggle with. It has been around for as long as humans have existed, but only recently have we seen the light shone on it. People ignored this for years, but it’s a genuine problem that impacts a lot of lives. 

Two burning questions present themselves:

1. How do you identify social anxiety in yourself?
2. How do you deal with it?

The first half of this post will deal with the first question, displaying the biggest cues and signs that you have social anxiety. Then, we can move on to looking at solutions to help you deal with it so it doesn’t have a negative impact on your life. 

How to identify social anxiety

People suffer from this problem to different extents in that it can affect one person really badly, then another not so much. So, a range of symptoms and signs can be used to identify social anxiety:

Fear of being judged

Do you constantly worry about how others will perceive you? Even something simple like walking to the shops can fill you with fear as you’re always wondering what the people on the street or in the shop think about you. You hate the idea of being embarrassed, which often means you avoid a lot of social situations and interactions. 

One highly common and frequent example of this is asking someone for help. You are so worried about asking a shop worker where an item is, that you will avoid doing it and leave the shop if you can’t find it yourself. There’s just a constant worry inside you that other people might think certain things about you. 

Fear of social interactions

Similarly, you are very worried and scared about interacting with others. You hate making small talk and will avoid speaking to people that you don’t know. If you’re at an event, you stay with the people you are comfortable talking to and almost latch onto them as a safety net. 

People with social anxiety will really struggle to interact and talk to people they don’t know or haven’t met. The previous example is relevant here again, but there are also instances where you might go to a family party and be terrified of anyone talking to you as you don’t know what to say or how to react. 

Intense flushing and increased sweating

This is more of a physical sign that you could have social anxiety, and it occurs whenever you’re in social situations. Or, it happens when you are getting ready to interact with someone – like ordering your coffee at Starbucks. Your face starts going red, you start sweating more, and your pulse quickens. 

Realistically, these physical changes stem from your fear of the situation. Still, if you notice this keeps happening to you whenever you go out and talk to people, it’s a big sign you have social anxiety. 

Constantly avoiding social situations

Lastly, you may feel the need to avoid social situations wherever possible. People might ask you out, but you’re too anxious and worried to join them. Instead, you make excuses and stay inside on your own. The mere thought of going out with people can terrify you, or you convince yourself that it will be a bad experience. 

Similarly, you may also be more inclined to make online friends when you have social anxiety. You do this as you are constantly avoiding social situations, but still want to have friends. So, you turn to online communities to find people who are similar to you, meaning most of your interactions are virtual. 

The key thing is that your fears and worries revolve around social interactions and being around other people. This is what differentiates social anxiety from general anxiety. People with general anxiety feel worried and panicked all the time, even when they’re at home. 

How can you deal with social anxiety?

If dealing with social anxiety were easy, people wouldn’t be suffering from it. Before you read through the tips, keep in mind that there are no overnight fixes. It’s a gradual process where small steps add up and can help you get over your fears. Here’s what you should try:

Find the cause of your anxiety

Try to figure out what might be the cause or trigger for your social anxiety. This can be different in different people, so it’s all about looking internally and considering why you feel the way that you do. 

Why are you self-conscious about the way people think about you? In many instances, it can be down to something like hearing loss. There are many studies on the social impact of hearing loss, and you can feel conscious as you’re always asking people to repeat themselves. Or, you worry that you can’t hear anyone, so avoid the situation altogether. In this instance, you’ve identified the cause of your anxiety, so you can fix the cause and hopefully see improvements. 

Set yourself daily targets

Another great idea is to set yourself little daily goals or targets to achieve. They don’t have to be outrageous – try simple things like going to the shop. Getting yourself out in public is a big step for people with anxiety. Gradually, you increase the targets to make them more challenging and to encourage yourself out of your comfort zone. 

For example, you can make it a goal to say hello to someone on the street or just smile and say good morning to someone. Or, you can ask the barista in Starbucks how their day has been. Add simple social interactions into your life to get yourself more used to them. 

Ultimately, dealing with social anxiety starts with identifying it, then finding the cause. Try to tackle what might trigger your anxiety, then gradually implement your targets to ease yourself into social situations. The more you do something, the less of a big deal it feels. On that first day, going to the shop alone seems like a huge deal. By the end of the month, you do it without thinking twice. Slowly but surely, you can feel less anxious and live a more fulfilling life. 

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Your ears are more than just the things that help you to hear the various sounds around you – they can tell you a whole lot about the state of your general health, which is why you should pay far more attention to them.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the things your ears can tell you about the state of your health right now:

You may have heart disease

You may not think that your ears can tell you anything about your heart health, but you would be wrong. Creased earlobes can be a sign of heart disease, which is why, if your audiologist notices that your earlobes are creased when they did not use to be, they may suggest you see a doctor. Of course, sometimes earlobes just get creed because of the way you’ve slept on them or whatever, so it’s important not to panic.

You could have diabetes, dementia, or kidney disease

If you are experiencing hearing loss, sometimes it can be nothing more sinister than your aural health having been compromised over time, and you will have nothing more to worry about than how to choose a hearing aid that works well for you. However, hearing loss has been linked to various illnesses, including diabetes, dementia, and kidney disease, so if you are experiencing hearing loss, and you have other worrying symptoms, it may be worth getting them checked out just in case.

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You have an infection

If you suddenly experience hearing loss in just one ear, it could be a sign that you have an infection in and around that area. Sometimes ear infections can cause fluid to build up, which leads to a degradation of hearing. When this happens, it’s important you treat the infection swiftly because, if it worsens, your hearing loss could become permanent.

You have a tumor

Hearing loss in one ear, especially when accompanied by pressure, could indicate that you have a tumor growing in the area, which is pressing against your inner ear workings and causing you to lose sound. As you can imagine, this could be pretty serious, which is why you will need to make a medical appointment asap.

You have high blood pressure

If you are experiencing tinnitus – a whistling or whooshing sounds in your ear that no one else can hear – it could be a sign that you have high blood pressure, so you will need to get that checked out.

Tinnitus can also be a symptom of high blood pressure, heart disease, stress, and tumors too, so it is really important that you do not ignore tinnitus, especially if it just comes out of nowhere.

You have toothache or jaw issues

Sometimes, if you develop an earache, it is not actually your ear that is the problem, but a tooth or jaw issue such as TMJ, which is radiating to the ear. If that is the case, then seeing a dentist and physiotherapist will probably be of more help to you than an audiologist.

Your ears really can tell you a lot about your health!

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Aging is a natural process, and there’s minimal anyone can do to prevent it from happening. However, everyone has the chance to make the aging process as healthy and slow as possible while ensuring that they limit all the health issues that come with getting older considerably. Getting older shouldn’t stop you from living your best life. You can be as productive and healthy as you want, and it all begins from now with the health decisions you make today. So, do you want to age slowly, with grace? Do you want to avoid the constant health problems that come with aging? Here are some healthy lifestyle tips you can use to slow the adverse effects of aging.

Visit your healthcare provider regularly

One of the most effective ways to be proactive with your health is by visiting your doctor regularly for check-ups. Doing this will help your doctor detect potential health issues even before they become a problem. As you get older, it is essential to focus your health examination on the most common age-related problems like poor ear health, heart health, and eyesight. Hearing conditions like tinnitus are pretty common among the elderly, and regular ear and hearing examinations can help. Plus, you will also benefit from early and quick tinnitus relief. 

Treat your skin with care

The skin is always the first part of your body that showcases to the world that you’re getting older. But, if you take the time to treat it with care, it can offer your body better protection from the elements while regulating your body temperature. Ensure that you wear your sunscreen before you step out during very sunny days, as this will protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Also, ensure that you keep your skin hydrated and invest in anti-aging products that are gentle on your skin.

Phase-out all those destructive habits

You probably know that excessive drinking and smoking aren’t good for your health. You have promised yourself you will quit for a long time now but haven’t managed to take the first step. Now is the time to phase out all those destructive habits. If you’re finding it too difficult to quit drug and alcohol abuse on your own, find professional help or rely on family and friends for support. Additionally, do your best to get enough sleep at night. Experts advise that the adult body should get at least seven hours of uninterrupted sleep every night. If that seems too complicated, find ways to grab some zzzs during the day. And do your best to avoid stressing yourself.

Consume your antioxidants

Antioxidants are your friends as you age. Vitamins like B12 will help your body produce the DNA and red blood cells it needs. Aside from that, antioxidants play a huge role in encouraging the healthy functioning of your nerves while giving your immune system the necessary boost to protect your growing body. Also, ensure that your meals contain the proper doses of other essential nutrients, focusing more on veggies and fruits instead of salty and oily foods.

Given that we have to live in our bodies (and can’t just swap them for new ones), you’d think that people would do everything they could to look after them. 

But that’s not the case. It turns out that we do occasionally damage them, either deliberately, or just because we don’t know any better. 

And here’s the kicker: while our bodies can repair themselves, they don’t do a good job of it. So damage tends to accumulate over time. We tell ourselves that our bad habits are okay. But, eventually, they accumulate and lead to big problems in the future. 

So what are some of the shocking ways that we sabotage our health? Let’s take a look. 

Spending Time Around Negative People

Spending time around negative people can create all manner of adverse health conditions. If we are around people who make us feel stressed, tense, or fearful, it actually changes the chemistry of the body. And this can set us up for disease.

Sometimes we can feel like we have no choice but to associate with certain people. However, ultimately, we all decide who we spend time with. Thus, it’s critical for matters of self-preservation to break away from unhealthy relationships if you can’t work through difficulties. 

Avoiding Commitment

Another way we sabotage our health is to avoid commitment. Over time, we learn that being sick and unhealthy is a great way to get attention or avoid doing things that we don’t want to do. So we continue to do things that sabotage our health, just so that the present situation continues.

This approach, however, is never ideal because it damages your body. Furthermore, it denies you opportunities to become the best version of yourself that you can be, which is a loss both personally and to people around you. 

Listening To Loud Music

Listening to loud music is another weird way we sabotage our health, often without realising it. Unhealthy habits and hearing loss tend to go hand in hand. That’s because the ears are highly delicate pieces of equipment, able to detect the slightest change in the sound environment. However, when you listen to loud music, the incoming energy from the sound waves damages small hair-like fibres in the ear, making them less receptive to sounds.

Pigging Out

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We all love to feast sometimes. But if you get into a habit of pigging out multiple times per week, it could damage your health.

In the past, humans would alternate between eating a lot and eating very little. Most of the time, they didn’t have enough calories to sustain themselves. But, occasionally, they’d get a bumper harvest or collect a large prey.

Unfortunately, in the modern world, we are never short on calories. We always have enough to eat. And that means that our bodies can’t activate their repair pathways. 

Eating regular amounts and leaving a long period of fasting between dinner and breakfast is the best way to stay healthy. Try to avoid consuming thousands of calories in a single meal or late at night.

Hobbies can be a surprisingly effective way to reduce stress–at least if you know how to use them properly. In this post, we’re going to take a look at some of the strategies you can use to turn your hobbies into a stress-beating activity.

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Check out new hobbies that you haven’t tried before

If you think that your hobbies are making you stressed out or they’re causing you to get annoyed, then you should consider trying something else. It might be frustrating to let go of a hobby and throw away all the time that you’ve spent on it, but if a hobby is becoming stressful then it’s an indication that it’s no longer good for you.

You can check out this guide from tailoredtackle.com to learn about fishing, you could ask friends and family members what kind of hobbies they like, or you could see if there are hobbies that are somewhat related to what you currently like. With so many different kinds of hobbies to engage in, you’re sure to find something that is a lot less stressful and much more interesting and enjoyable.

Engage in hobbies with people that you like hanging around with

Unfortunately, no matter how much you enjoy your hobbies, there are going to be situations where you just can’t have fun with them because of the people around you. Perhaps you’ve recently joined a community of people that share similar interests and some of those people cause you a lot of stress. Maybe they’re judgemental about how you enjoy your hobbies, or perhaps they get upset or frustrated and bring the mood down.

Since you want to enjoy your hobbies as a way to reduce stress, you’ll want to avoid these kinds of situations as much as possible. Stay away from people that contribute to your stress and instead, focus on hanging out with people that you can enjoy your interests with.

Aim for achievable goals and take it easy

Hobbies can be taken very seriously if you want to push for big goals. A drawing hobby could suddenly turn into a part-time job if you’re not careful, and there are some hobbies that can become competitive if you want to aim for new horizons. When you get into a hobby this deep, it can be enjoyable to compete against others or set hard-to-achieve goals for yourself, but you need to learn to take it easy now and then and ask yourself if you really want to push for those goals.

The problem with setting goals is that many people aim way above what they’re capable of and end up failing to reach what they set out to achieve. In a situation like this, you might feel stressed, upset, or even annoyed that you weren’t able to reach those goals. As such, if you want a stress-free way to enjoy your hobbies, try not to aim above what you’re capable of and relax a little by taking it at your own pace.