Healthier Lifestyle Tips

The ability to hear is something that many people take for granted. This means that the quality of your hearing is something that you may not appreciate until it starts to decline. 

Many people associate hearing loss with the older generation, but it is not just seniors that experience hearing loss. While your hearing may decline as you age, age-related hearing loss is not the only reason that people experience issues with their hearing. While some people are born without the ability to hear, others experience hearing loss due to external factors damaging their hearing. As hearing loss can occur at any age, it is essential to protect your hearing by taking the best care possible to preserve it. Here are some of the ways that you can protect your hearing:

Get Your Hearing Tested

Many people wait until there is an issue with their hearing before scheduling a hearing test. However, it is beneficial to get your hearing regularly tested so that any issues can be detected sooner rather than later. As well as being an essential tool to help you get any hearing issues spotted quickly, having regular hearing tests also enables the audiologist to gain a base level for your hearing, which will help any decline in your hearing to be monitored effectively.

Hearing tests are essential for people of all ages, so there is no need to wait until you are older. Getting a hearing test is vital to protecting your hearing at all ages. Find a quality audiologist in your area and book an appointment with them. It’s best to build a relationship with your audiologist so they can track your hearing over time, so spend some time researching one before committing.  

Take Care While Wearing Headphones

If you love music, the chances are that you spend a lot of time wearing your headphones and listening to your favorite songs. Wearing headphones is not too much of a problem itself, but if you have the volume turned up high, you could potentially find that your hearing suffers as a result. 

To keep your hearing protected, it is useful to keep the volume at a lower level. If you want to be extra careful, you may want to use noise-limiting headphones as these will prevent your volume from getting to a potentially harmful level. Noise-limiting headphones are especially useful for kids, too, as they may not be aware of a safe volume level when wearing headphones.

Protect Your Hearing at Work

A significant number of people have their hearing damaged in the workplace each year. Workplace hearing loss is usually caused by employers not providing their employees with the correct equipment to protect their hearing in a noisy workplace. Noisy equipment and machinery can cause damage to your ears if they are above the recommended noise level. Research shows that 24 percent of American workers experience hearing loss, and hearing loss results from exposure in the workplace. This kind of hearing loss is known as occupational hearing loss (OHL) and is usually caused by exposure to loud noise or ototoxic chemicals. If you are potentially exposed to these, your employer should provide you with the necessary equipment to ensure that your hearing is protected.

As we grow older, there are a lot of medical issues we can suffer from. Whether it’s losing your sense of smell, struggling with your sight, or gaining achy and painful joints – it can be difficult to get older.

Hearing is a sense which often does dull over time, and it happens so gradually at times that you may not even know you are losing it. So what are the signs? 

How do you know when you are losing your hearing? Today we want to take you through some sure signs that you should visit and audiologist. 

Speech sounds muffled 

One of the first signs that you are losing your sense of hearing is that speech doesn’t sound completely clear. Often; people who struggle hearing cannot properly distinguish consonants such as T, F, or P. It is a good indicator that it is worth heading to your local ear doctor to browse hearing aid styles for your ears. 

You turn up the volume 

If you constantly find yourself not being able to hear the TV, the radio, or your music through earphones – it could be a big indicator that you are losing your hearing. It is important not to turn up the volume of these devices too high because the vibrations can cause damage to your eardrums and even burst them. It will also be annoying for everyone else in the house who has to sit and endure loud sounds! 

You ask people to repeat themselves 

Do you ever find yourself talking to someone and having to constantly ask them to repeat what they just said? Your instant thought might be that they are mumbling or simply not articulating their worlds properly – however, the likelihood is that you simply cannot hear properly. It is important that you get your hearing tested often to ensure that you don’t have to ask people to repeat themselves all the time. 

You struggle hearing multiple things at once 

If you are in a room with several people and there is a tv on or music playing – do you have trouble hearing both of these things at once? If so, you might be losing your hearing. When you struggle to hear more than one thing at a time this is a sign that your hearing ability is weaker than it once was and it is time for a hearing aid. 

You withdraw from conversation 

Do you ever find yourself in a conversation, but you suddenly start to withdraw into your own head and don’t listen to what people are saying? This is not necessarily a sign that you are being ignorant – in fact – it could be because you are struggling to hear and take in what people are saying to you. If this sounds like you, it’s time to book an appointment with your doctor. 

There are lots of signs to tell you if you are losing your hearing, and if you match any or all of the points above it is likely that you are hard of hearing and need some help.

Health expenses are an absolute necessity. Both as short term needs and long term preventatives, spending on health is something you cannot avoid. But often these bills will add up, especially if you have children to take care of too. Or, as you get older, dependent parents. Finding the most cost-effective way of dealing with health expenses can be a difficult and long job. Luckily, these tips should help. 

1. Find quality providers.

When you have to pay for healthcare, it is important you are getting the best quality. Paying for a poor service is a waste of money. 

Consider the dentist: you might find yourself paying the same amount for an appointment with a dentist who doesn’t work in preventative health as much as another. In the long term, you will obtain better oral health with one than another, despite both costing the same. 

Though you may cut costs in the short term by going with a less expensive but poorer quality dentist, you will save money by spending that bit extra, but not running into higher fixing costs later. 

2. Consider Prescriptions Carefully.

One of the most frequent health expenses comes from prescriptions. Yet many prescriptions are necessary for life, so cannot be cut out. But the way you receive your prescription can be changed to help reduce costs. 

If you are receiving a branded prescription, do some research to find out whether the generic version is just as good. Generic prescription drugs are much cheaper than branded versions and often work just as well. 

Similarly, the amount you receive can affect costs. Often, a long term prescription batch (such as a ninety-day prescription) can cost less than a shorter-term prescription (30-day prescription). There is an opportunity to save money this way. 

3. Choose Insurance Providers Wisely.

Taking out health insurance is definitely smart, especially for families with large health costs. But health insurance is a costly investment and needs to be treated with care. 

Make sure to research the insurance providers you are considering. What do they cover? How does this align with your needs? 

It’s important to choose with a buffer in mind. Yes, you may be aware of the kind of health costs you expect to have, but there is always the chance of the unexpected. Accidents happen – and cost a lot. You need to choose your insurance provider with this in mind; otherwise, you may end up with even more costs than you were paying previous to having an insurance provider. 

Health expenses can seem overwhelmingly large sometimes, but they are key to managing a succinct budget. Being cost-effective in your choices is key, but being smart is arguably better. Health isn’t something you want to take lightly – spending a little more in this area is often a good thing to consider. You don’t want to play with health when it can literally be the boundary between life and death. However, if you don’t need to overspend, why do it?

It is often said that the opposite of addiction is connection. Luckily for us humans, we are never alone. A mantra that has preserved more hearts than humanity will ever truly understand. Yet, if we are never truly alone, why is it that my significant other and I seem to be so disconnected? Why am I talking to my cat so much? And no, he’s not answering me back, as of yet.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

While I​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ have not attended 12-step meetings, I know many that have. But what I have known is the devastating effects of depression, suicidal thoughts, and the crippling fear of isolation for the past two-plus decades of my life. The need to connect with others despite crippling fear that occupies my every waking thought more days than I care to count.

Despite my social limitations, I’ve led an interesting life; having spoken before Congress, earned multiple degrees, traveled throughout the world, and missioned on three continents. I’ve worked on bettering my mental health issues. Finding personal ways to reach out to loved ones, instead of self-isolating, participate in online video conference meetings, and attend phone meetings, etc. All these options are terrific substitutes to what we know and a reminder that this pandemic is not a forever situation; this too shall pass.

However, I’m not at all likely to go to see my friends or participate in the ways I would normally self-soothe; going out to dinner, attending a farmer’s market, traveling to see family and friends in other parts of the country. All measures made near-to-impossible currently due to the Covid-19 pandemic. As it doesn’t feel safe to me, and it doesn’t feel like it respects the CDC requests to self-quarantine. We might not get COVID-19, but we could carry it and pass it on to others. I have people that I love, and I would be devastated if I carried the virus to any of those people.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Since the start of the pandemic, I’ve spent time coming to terms with my greatest fear- my fear of abandonment. The overwhelming worry that people close to you will leave. And I’m sure I am not alone. As anyone can develop a fear of abandonment. Often, a traumatic experience deeply rooted in childhood experiences that manifest as distressing relationships in adulthood.

If you fear abandonment, it can feel almost impossible to maintain healthy relationships. This paralyzing fear can lead you to wall yourself off to avoid getting hurt. Or you might be inadvertently sabotaging relationships. Time spent at home during the pandemic has allowed me ample opportunity to self-examine not just my fear of abandonment but specifically emotional abandonment.

We all have emotional needs and when those needs aren’t met, you may feel unappreciated, unloved, and disconnected. You can feel very much alone, even when you’re in a relationship with someone who’s physically present. Or social distance.

If you’ve experienced emotional abandonment in the past, especially as a child, you may live in perpetual fear that it will happen again. While it’s normal for babies and toddlers to go through a separation anxiety stage, what happens when your symptoms manifest as a 30-something adult woman? While you desire to cry, scream, or refuse to let go of others. Attachments that often take on a socially- inappropriate undertone. Often leaving me feeling rejected and disappointed. Yet, afraid to share these feelings with others. Especially when socially distancing at home.

A fear that prevents me from becoming vulnerable in relationships, trusting others and their motives, worrying excessively about relationships, and suspicious of my partners. Anxieties that cause the other person to pull back, perpetuating the cycle. Worse, symptoms of this fear for me are very predictable, including:

• Sensitivity to perceived criticism
• Difficulty making friends
• Taking extreme measures to avoid rejection or separation
• Sabotaging relationships
• Difficulty committing to a relationship
• Obsessively working too hard to please partners
• Self-blaming for failed relationships
• Staying in long-term narcissistic, or codependent relationships

Now, what do I believe causes many of my fears of abandonment? For me, this stems from being abandoned by my biological mother, an emotionally distant maternal figure, my maternal grandmother, including being her long-term caretaker during her eventual demise from early-onset dementia, the murder of my main caretaker, my maternal great uncle Danny at the age of sixteen, rape, and a series of failed long-term adult romantic relationships.

I’m also an avoidant personality type. Which is a personality disorder that can involve fear of abandonment resulting in the person feeling socially inhibited or inadequate. Many of my own personal symptoms for this disorder include:

• Nervousness
• Poor self-esteem
• Fear of being judged
• Self-imposed social isolation
• Panic attacks
• Distress at the thought of being separated from loved ones
• Nightmares
• Mood swings
• Fear of intimacy
• Depression

And, of course, you may be asking what are my perceived fear of abandonment? A few examples include:

• Thoughts of, “No attachment, no abandonment.”
• Obsessively freighting over perceived faults of what others may think of me.
• Feeling crushed when someone gets upset with you.
• Feel inadequate and unappealing.
• Feeling critical of my partner.

While fear of abandonment isn’t a diagnosable mental health disorder, for myself and others, it can be addressed with therapy, life-coaching, journaling, speaking with houses of faith, and confiding with partners. All of which I’ve been able to do via online methods during the Covid-19 pandemic at home.

Other at-home tips include giving yourself grace from harsh self-judgment. Reminding yourself of all the positive qualities that make you a good friend and partner. And if need be, seeking online therapy or rehab services. Get help TODAY if you are inactive addiction. If you need treatment, start your road to recovery today contact rehab Hawaii.

Also, if you’re in a relationship with someone with abandonment issues, friendship and otherwise, a few tips to help those loved ones including talking to the other person about your fear of abandonment and how it came to be, allowing your partner to be mindful of what you expect of others. Explaining where you’re coming from, but don’t make your fear of abandonment something for them to fix. Don’t expect more of them than is reasonable.

Overall, remember that we all live in unsettling times, you might feel like you’re abandonment issues are on hyper-alert. As it’s a natural feeling as we are isolated from the world, not working, seeing friends, etc. Even in times when we may feel the need to used drinking or drugs as our go-to solution for many years. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Though COVID-19 and social distancing might come and go, we can FEEL normal. We can feel loved. Abandonment is fixable. Starting with loving yourself. Then, share your troubles with these. After all, a problem shared is a problem cut in half.

Do we all live in unsettled times? To say the least. Proverbially or otherwise. during a pandemic feels like we have no control. We were powerless over drugs and alcohol and now, we are powerless to get to a face-to-face meeting. However, please don’t let this necessary isolation take you to a destructive place. No need to pull the shades and hide. Open the windows and let the light of day shine in. The universe has amazing and positive vibes to send you if you just keep your mind, your heart, and your soul open to it.

Just do something today. Call a friend. Write a blog post. Sanitize your house. Celebrate yourself. You’re worth fighting for. You’re worth the whole damn world. Friends, do you struggle with abandonment issuers? If you have tips for working past these fears, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Whether you host weekly parties at your home or plan an event in the coming weeks, getting to socialize with friends and family members is always a pleasure. For such a joyous event, it’s normal to get a little carried away with the high-calorie snacks and alcohol. While you should be taking better care of your health and watching your consumption, it’s perfectly fine to let loose once in a while to cope with the stress and frustrations of your daily life.

Besides if you’re hosting a party, it’s not just you and your safety to look out for. Still, usually, you might need to keep an eye on friends, such as letting them stay over so there’s no risk of them getting into a wreck, being pulled over, or even having to get a  DWI/DUI lawyer. But overall, there’s usually a lot to think about and juggle when it comes to throwing a party, but taking care of yourself (and having a good time) is the most important.

However, one of the things nobody likes after a party is a hangover. Feeling awful for the entire day because you drank a bit too much will always make you regret the party. So here are a couple of effective ways to help you cure or prevent those hangovers.

Preventing a hangover in the first place

One of the best ways to avoid a hangover in the first place is to drink a lot of water. You’ll want to drink a bit of water every time you finish a drink. Alternating between alcohol and water will help flush your system and also keep you hydrated throughout the night. This will drastically reduce the chances of you getting headaches in the morning.

You could also serve a greasy meal before you start drinking. This can help slow down the absorption of alcohol into your blood. Eating greasy food after you finish drinking doesn’t have much effect.

Need a powerful hangover cure?

If you need a quick and effective method to combat the symptoms, then IV therapy for hangovers could be the best option. This is the best option if you need to set your head straight because you have to study for a test or get some work done the following day. Trying to get any kind of work done when you’re struggling to focus can be extremely difficult, so a quick remedy such as IV therapy might help.

While it’s preferable to prevent the hangover in the first place, we all make mistakes now and then. Having a hangover package is like having an emergency option when you don’t want to deal with your headache.

Good nutrition and plenty of sleep

Alcohol has properties that disturb our sleep. While some people sleep soundly after a bit of alcohol, others might find that their thoughts race and they have difficulty getting to bed. Unfortunately, this lack of sleep is one of the reasons why people might feel incredibly groggy after a party. As such, you’ll want to try and get a good night’s sleep and stay in bed longer.

When you finally wake up, make sure you start off the day with a nutritious breakfast. A hearty breakfast will help balance your body and get you off to a great start to the day. Maintaining adequate blood sugar levels can also help with mitigating some of the effects of a hangover. Some of the best hangover breakfast ideas include avocado toast, a large omelet with plenty of vegetables, a full English breakfast, or even fruits like bananas.

Friends, how do you prep for your morning after-home parties? Please leave your tips in the comments below.

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Everyone knows that exercising regularly is supposed to be good for your health. But, sometimes, your fitness regime can cause problems. While everyone knows about the importance of warming up and cooling down correctly before their workout to avoid injury, you may not be aware of these other exercise-related issues. Here are some of the problems that can occur in the pursuit of achieving a healthy body, and how you can enjoy the benefits of physical activity without the unwanted side effects:

Common Workout Woes

Going to the gym is good for your health, but you may be more vulnerable to picking up colds and bugs if you are using shared gym equipment. To avoid picking up any germs during your visit, it is a wise idea to wipe over the equipment before using it for your workout. After you have finished your training, you may want to wash your hands or use a sanitizer gel before touching your face to prevent the spread of germs.

Another issue that can arise from your workout is pimples. The sweat generated by your workout can lead to breakouts occurring. There are a few ways to combat unwanted spots popping up after your gym session. Keep your hair off your face by tying it up and wearing a headband, especially if you have bangs to avoid sweat building up under the hair. Wearing makeup while exercising could also lead to more spots by clogging your pores. To prevent pimples from forming, it is also a good idea to cleanse your face as soon as you can after your workout.

Pool-Related Problems

Swimming and other pool-based activities, such as aqua aerobics, are an excellent form of exercise. Swimming is a perfect activity for building your stamina and endurance and an ideal way to improve your cardiovascular health without putting a strain on your joints. While swimming and aqua aerobics can help you reduce the impact of exercise, they can cause other issues.

A clogged ear or ears is a common problem for swimmers and is usually caused by water entering the ear. If you are a swimmer and have a blocked feeling in your ears, this may be caused by water entering your ears and causing a build-up of bacteria. If you experience blocked ears after swimming, it is vital to see a doctor to get it dealt with quickly in case it is caused by an infection.

Swimming regularly can improve your appearance by toning up and building muscle. However, the chlorinated water of the pool can cause issues for your hair and skin. If you swim regularly, you may find that your hair and skin feel and look dry and dehydrated. Ensuring that you find an effective moisturizer to help prevent your skin from becoming overly dry and irritated is vital if you spend a lot of time in the water. Choosing a shampoo that is specially designed for swimming and conditioning your hair regularly should help combat damage to your hair.

Every woman should love themselves, no matter what beauty or physical issues they’re dealing with at the moment. However, there are few issues that can erode self-confidence quite as effectively as dental issues, especially visual ones. However, if you do experience any of the issues below, don’t let it be a source of constant stress for you. There are solutions to even the most seemingly permanent problems, and some of them can be more accessible than you might think.

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Discoloration

It’s by far the most common issue and one that can be caused by all manner of things, from medication to certain foods to poor standards of oral health care over time. However, there’s nothing to stop you from getting a brighter and more beautiful smile. Teeth whitening kits can help treat almost all cases of discoloration, helping to brighten your teeth by several shades over time. You can use at-home kits or see even better results by having in-practice treatments with your dentist to go with them. Teeth whitening kits aren’t the only solution to discoloration, either.

Chips and cracks

Another popular treatment for tooth discoloration is a highly versatile tool that’s also able to address all manner of aesthetic issues. If you have a tooth that’s chipped, cracked, or even slightly misaligned, then you might feel like there’s nothing to do but cover it up. However, you don’t have to cover it up by keeping your mouth shut. Instead, you can smile much more brightly with the help of porcelain veneers that effectively act as an artificial tooth case that’s worn over the existing tooth. They’re also used to treat cases of discoloration, especially when they only affect one tooth in particular.

Alignment issues

Crowns may be able to help address minor misalignment issues by covering them up with a “straighter” tooth, but it doesn’t actually solve the problem. Nor do you necessarily need to wear highly visible braces for years to take care of them, either. When it comes to teeth straightening, invisible aligners have been becoming a lot more popular. As the name implies, they’re a lot more discreet than traditional braces, but they can be just as effective at treating a wide variety of misalignment issues. Talk to your dentist to see which might be the better solution in your case.

Missing Teeth

There is no turning back the clock on a tooth that is missing or so damaged that it has to be removed. However, that doesn’t mean that there’s no replacement. If the root of the tooth remains, then it’s the easiest to treat, as a crown can be fitted over the remaining root. However, even if there isn’t and the tooth is wholly missing, a dental implant can help restore and complete your smile with a totally natural-looking replacement.

Smile bright and smile from the heart by taking the steps above to address your dental woes, whatever they may be. The longer you let it linger, the more it can do to damage your confidence over time.