Healthier Lifestyle Tips – Page 27

Effective Ways To Ruin Your Own Mental Health

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When it comes to physical health, we know what habits are bad. We understand that overeating can contribute to obesity, and smoking can cause cancer. Sadly, many people don’t have the same understanding about mental health. They don’t tend to understand the nuance that comes with getting the right help or the need for the right support. They don’t get the benefits of telehealth platforms for mental health that can and do have a huge, positive impact on people who are likely too anxious to attend an appointment in person. Mental health is hard to manage but it’s much harder to manage when you are doing it alone.

Along with physical health, we all have a state of mind that can be affected by the outside world, along with internal factors. This means that your actions can cause poor mental health. With that in mind, here are six bad habits you must avoid.

Ditching Any Workout Plans

Exercise might help to maintain physical fitness, but it has mental health benefits too. When you exercise, it triggers the release of chemicals in the brain, which not only combat stress but improve mood overall. Because of this, you should exercise for at least thirty minutes every day. Although exercise isn’t always enjoyable, choosing the right workout will make it much more fun.

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Staying Awake Too Late

Although exercise is crucial, rest is necessary too. After a difficult night’s sleep, most people find themselves emotional and cranky the next day. While this won’t cause too much trouble, if you continue to lose sleep, it will affect you mentally. That is why you should adopt healthy sleep habits. Make sure you stick to a bedtime, sleep for eight hours, and avoid caffeine before bed.

Ignoring Other Health Issues

Many physical health problems, like hearing loss, are known to trigger mental health issues. Rather than allow this nasty domino effect, you should combat any physical problems too. You can prevent hearing loss, for example, by wearing hearing protection in loud spaces. If you notice symptoms of health issues, like hearing loss, book an appointment with a doctor right away.

Keeping A Messy House

Cleaning is a chore everyone must endure. While you might argue that cleaning harms your mental health, leaving your house to become messy is much worse. In fact, clutter is a huge source of psychological stress, which, if left unmanaged, can develop into more serious issues. Thankfully, purging your house of clutter and keeping it organized can avoid such problems.

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Choosing To Self-Medicate

Natural remedies can be effective in treating mental health problems. However, that doesn’t mean that all at-home methods are recommended. Trying to cure anxiety or depression with drugs or alcohol won’t ever work. Instead, it could leave you with an addiction, which would only add to your worries. Never rely on any substance unless it’s prescribed to you by an expert.

Refusing Mental Health Help

A common reason why many people self-medicate is that they’re embarrassed or ashamed to ask for help. Despite what some people might say, speaking to a doctor isn’t a sign of weakness. In fact, it’s one of the bravest things you can do. There are many effective treatments a doctor could offer you, but they can’t do that unless you book an appointment with them.

Mental health matters, so make sure you treat yours right. With the advice above, you can avoid ruining your own mental health.

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How To Become A Little More Cultured

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The word ‘cultured’ can often leave us a little confused. How is it defined, and is this something you should focus on at all costs? Of course, we would hesitate a guess and suggest that while this isn’t the most important thing you could ever do for yourself, it will grant you a real sense of intrigue and enjoyment, and allow you to connect through a shared experience with those you love the most. Also, sometimes being aware of the greatest form of art can help you feel appreciated in this creative zone, and it may lead you down a rabbit hole of appreciation. That can’t be a bad thing.

But how can you become a little more cultured without having to attend pompous socialite parties, or to try and appear cultured without experiencing what that means in the first place? Of course, it’s less difficult than you think. In fact, this can help you build your understanding of a range of different tropes and understandings, potentially giving you the keys to move forward to your best ends.

Please, consider:

Classical Music

It’s often tempting to listen to classical music in the background as if it were simply filler or elevator noise. But that’s not the case. It could be that listening to modern takes on classical compositions, keeping a classical radio station playing whenever you drive, or listening to a few pieces on vinyl can help you see just why this is considered the most incredible ‘genre’ of all, although it quite clearly transcends that definition. If you’re unsure of where to start, consider listening to those celebrated by an author you respect.

Classic Novels

From Dostoyevsky to Tolstoy, Joyce to Twain, Dickens to Austin and Woolfe, becoming a little more cultured is always helped by reading classic novels, perhaps the most celebrated of their craft. There’s something special about reading this kind of content, a language that is rarely used, plots that are complex and well-considered, books that, while old, can bear striking similarities to the lives we live today, at least in their ethical, moral or societal commentaries. You needn’t be the most voracious reader to gain something from this practice, and so we would heartily recommend it.

Broadway Shows

The longest-running Broadway shows can be the longest-running for a reason. That doesn’t happen accidentally in a highly competitive theatrical space. This is why heading to see a great broadway show, especially during the festive season, can be so enjoyable. It can also persuade you to see even more theatre shows, perhaps humble shows ran by local theatre companies in your local environment, or maybe even to start reading about the history of dramatic action itself, such as the greats Chekhov, Stanislavski, and Brecht. With that, you’ll be sure to have an even more cultured understanding regarding the power of theatre.

With this advice, you’re sure to become a little more cultured, in a way that is less than pretentious, but more than enjoyable.

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20 Things You Should Do For Yourself In 2020

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2020 is almost upon us and what better excuse to do some things for yourself. Try a list of 20 things and see what difference it makes to your life. Here are some ideas to get your mind buzzing:

Do a 30-Day Challenge

30-day challenges are an excellent idea because they don’t require too much sacrifice. You get the opportunity to try a new habit just for a month, and then you can decide whether you want to continue doing it.

Keep A Journal

It doesn’t have to be full of your thoughts and feelings necessarily, but a record of what you’ve done and how you felt.

Do a Social Media Friend Purge

Go through your social media accounts and remove friends, groups, and pages if they no longer serve you a positive purpose.

Try something You’ve Never Done

What have you never done before? Have you ever been horse riding? Have you ever been on a boat? Whatever it is, do it!

Go To A Restaurant You’ve Never Been to Before

Do you always go to the same places over and over again? Switch it up a bit; you may find a new favorite.

Improve Your Health

Focus on your health this year and make sure it’s a priority.

Drink More Water

As part of improving your health, make it a point to drink more water. Buy yourself one of those trendy reusable bottles and set yourself a challenge to drink as much as you can each day.

Go over to the Leafy Side

Also, add more vegetables to every meal you have.

Go to the Dentist

Go to the dentist, stop putting it off.

Get Your Eyes and Ears Checked

It’s also good to know where you’re at with your eyes and ears; hearing loss can happen very slowly, so make sure you go and get checked.

Do More Exercise

Make an effort to do some more exercise, this doesn’t mean you have to join the gym, but you could make one of the 30-day challenges or try doing something like the Couch 2 5K.

Walk More

Try using the car less, if you can walk it, then why not? It’s good exercise, and the fresh air will make you feel good.

Pamper Yourself

Make it a point to treat yourself, whether it’s to a massage, a manicure, or getting your hair done. Whatever it is, make sure you give yourself a bit of pampering now and again.

Start Volunteering

There’s plenty of things you can do to volunteer and that will not only make you feel good about yourself but will help people too.

Go Away On Your Own

Have you ever been for a weekend away on your own or a holiday? If not then give it a try.

Save Spare Change

If you can’t commit to saving a big chunk of your salary each month then start small and save your spare change, you could end up with a nice little spot at the end of the year.

Start A Side Hustle

Everyone’s got a side hustle these days, so why don’t you give it a try? It could be babysitting, starting a blog or online business or selling things on eBay.

Travel

Make a list of where you’d like to go and make an effort to do it.

Practice Gratitude

At the end of the beginning of each day, write down three things that you are grateful for. Even if it has been a horrible day, but you had a nice bath at the end of it or a glass of wine, write that down.

Be Positive

Be more aware of your thoughts and feelings, and if you notice yourself being negative, or excessively complaining, spin it around and see the positive. You’ll notice your life becoming much happier if you do this.

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How To Look After Yourself After Being In Hospital

We’re all human, and we often forget that our bodies can really only take so much. They’re not invincible, and because we’re naive of this, we’re brought crashing down to earth when we get injured. Here are a few tips to look after yourself after being in the hospital.

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Take It Easy

You’ve just come out of the hospital, and even though that stage of the recovery process is over, you’re not completely out of the woods yet. You may have simply been discharged from the hospital due to being able to function from home and them wanting to free up a bed. The demand for a lot of hospitals tends to be constant, and there’s always a need for patients to be discharged as soon as they are able to. So when you get home, don’t just try and bounce back up. Getting back into your daily routine is not going to happen straight away, and so you, therefore, want to be easy on yourself. Communicate with your workplace so that you can give them an update on how you’re doing and don’t try and rush back into work and to normal life. The reason is that you don’t want to aggravate anything that’s currently healing by doing things that your body is not yet ready to do. Also, when it comes to going back to work, no job is ever that important that it should risk your own health.

Get Plenty Of Fluids

Fluids are everything from soup to water, to plenty of delicious hot chocolates. When your body has been through the wars, it’s a good idea to replenish it with all those nutrients and essential minerals that your body needs in order to function. Solid foods may not always be an option, so always rely on soups and stock-based meals to ensure you’re getting all the food you need. Try to keep a big bottle of water on you at all times and aim to get through it all in a day. That way, you’re getting a good amount in, and you can see that in how many bottles you manage to get through.

Follow The Doctor’s Orders

Whether it’s a car accident handled by The Derrick Law Firm or a broken arm that needs a cast, doing damage to your body can be terrifying. However, it’s nice to know that you are in the hands of experts and who are all qualified to help as best they can. With that being said, their advice is most likely going to be better and more accurate than your own. So if your doctor is saying you can’t exercise for six weeks, there’s a reason why they’ve said that. Don’t ignore doctor’s orders, but instead follow them to the letter. We’re often stubborn, thinking we will be just fine by cutting corners and maybe stopping medication a week or so earlier than what the doctor suggested. If you have doubts, drop them a line to see if things can change, but don’t just do whatever you feel like doing. You could only be doing yourself further harm.

Alternate Where You Rest

Rest is one thing that’s pretty much common amongst all injuries. It’s what helps you get better, and more importantly, it helps your body recover from the exhaustion of each day as your body fights what it’s been through. So rest when and as much as you can but alternate where you rest. The bed, all day every day, can be pretty soul-destroying, so use the sofa too. That way, you can put your feet up and watch all your favorite television shows and movies. At least that’ll keep you from going stir crazy. And if you can’t get out of bed, then bring the television into where you are. Anything will be better than having to stare at the ceiling all day.

Maintain Some Of Your Daily Routine

Even though you may not be able to get fully back into your old lifestyle yet. Some semblance of a daily routine should be done. Whether that’s getting up to brush your teeth or eat some breakfast to getting changed or checking your emails. Be careful what you do, but try to maintain some of your daily routines so that you can slowly build yourself up to normality.

A hospital stint is not something anyone wants, but once it’s over, it will take a little time to readjust and to recover from the process. Take your time and take it easy on yourself.

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5 Tips on How to Stay Healthy During Fall Allergy, Cold & Flu Season

Please note, this post is sponsored by MomsMeet.com. All opinions expressed are my own. Thank you.

When it comes to fall allergy season as well as cold and flu season, the old adage is true, that an ounce of prevention is always worth a pound of cure. So are we are currently in the midst of one of the worst flu season’s on record, it’s more important than ever to find ways to prevent flu and cold symptoms in our lives, especially in our homes this season. With this in mind, here are seven tips to help you prevent at all season long:

Wash your hands often

Let’s face it, the effort is key when it comes to protecting your family this germ season. You have to do better than a quick rinse under the faucet. Do this by rubbing your hands together with soap and warm water vigorously for at least 20 seconds. Paying attention not to forget the areas between your fingers and under your nails, and then pat your hands dry. And remember, keep your hands away from your nose, mouth, and face to help to prevent illness.

For times when you cannot use soap and water to wash your hands, then I recommend Desert Essence Probiotic Hand Sanitizer. It is a pure, potent hand sanitizer that kills 99.99% of germs while delivering good bacteria courtesy of probiotic-packed Kefir, which nourishes and conditions the skin. It uses a combination of botanical extracts including Tea Tree Oil, Thyme, Elderberry, and Echinacea to help reduce bacteria.

Using patented “membrane” technology that creates a “membrane,” or protective screen, a Desert Essence Probiotic Hand Sanitizer formula’s probiotic-rich formula, providing users with sanitization and the added benefits of gut-building flora. This one-of-a-kind sanitizer neither kills the probiotic, nor neutralizes flora, but rather helps facilitate the removal of harmful bacteria from hands while ensuring that gut-friendly flora thrives.

You can find Desert Essence Probiotic Hand Sanitizer available here for purchase and you can use promo code DEprobioticpower to get 30% off Desert Essence Probiotic Hand Sanitizers. You can also check this store list to see if a retailer carries Desert Essence Probiotic Hand Sanitizers near you. Or use promo code DEprobioticpower for 30% off Desert Essence Probiotic Hand Sanitizers when visiting desertessence.com.

Sanitize surfaces

Stopping the spread of germs doesn’t stop with our hands. Making sure you clean and disinfect hard surfaces such as countertops, tables, refrigerator handles, doorknobs, and faucets in your home is a must this season, too. Including the surfaces of our most-used items, including TV remotes, computers, laptops, tablets, toys, and phones, too. Some germs can live in these spots, in small creases for up to 24 hours, so make sure you clean with a disinfectant or disinfecting wipes, or 1/4 cup of vinegar mixed with 1 gallon of water and 10 drops of lavender essential oil.

Steer clear of the sick

It can be tough to completely avoid a sick person in your house, especially if you’re a caretaker. But sometimes the best thing you can do to stay well is to keep your distance. If you can, give the sick person their own room for sleeping and relaxing. Stock it with the items they’ll need, like tissues, a trash can, medicine, and bottles of water. And limit their guests, so that the only person who should go in and out of the sick-room is the person taking care of them.

Pamper your immune system

Your body does a remarkable job protecting you from illnesses most of the time, eating lots of fruits and veggies, and making sure you get plenty of rest, can help you out as well. Also making sure to add daily exercise, keeping stress in check, and limiting alcohol as well.

Close your toilet lid before flushing

You really should put the toilet seat down. No really! While it may put some household arguments to rest, the real reason to close the toilet lid is a phenomenon known as a toilet plume. When you flush a toilet, the swirling water that removes your waste from the bowl also mixes with small particles of that waste, shooting aerosolized feces and urine into the air. Low-flow toilets have decreased this risk but have not eliminated this and as aerosol plumes can reach as high as 15 feet, closing the lid is a must!

Get a flu shot

While this may be controversial to some, it’s also worth noting that getting a flu shot is still one of the surest ways to stay well each cold and flu season. Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination, antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are in the vaccine. The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common illness this season. As the vaccine is different every year, so it’s vital to make sure yours is up-to-date each season.

Don’t overshare

One of the best ways to prevent cold and flu at home is by not sharing food or drinks, cups, utensils, or towels with people who are sick in your home. Also, don’t forget to throw out toothbrushes after everyone gets well and to keep a sick person’s toothbrush separate from the rest of your family’s. They can be a breeding ground for germs. A great tip? Trade out plastic toothbrushes for naturally antimicrobial, compostable toothbrushes. As well, don’t let anyone share pillows and blankets with anyone who is sick, and they should have their own bedding, in their own space in the house. Then, once he’s better, wash everything he used. The same goes for toys and playtimes, too!

Friends, those are 7 tips to help prevent germs at home this fall allergy, flu, and cold season. While you may not be able to prevent every illness under the sun from coming into your home this season, these tips may be able to help you and your family stay healthier at home just the same! Also, make sure to follow Desert Essence on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more product information, sales, and giveaways. So, now I want to ask, do you have any tips for preventing germs at home this fall? I’d love to hear about them below.

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5 Tips for a Healthier Summer with Lindsay Snack and Go! Olives

This post is sponsored by MomsMeet.com. All opinions expressed are my own. Thank you.

Leading a healthy lifestyle is something we all want to do, right? But for WAHWs, who are being pulled in a million directions, it can feel nearly impossible. While not an expert on health, nor a billboard for the ideal body type, I do know a few things about health and wellness at home. In fact, over the past year and a half, I’ve lost 117 pounds. With a large part of my success being attributed to maintaining a healthy business and familiar boundaries, a consistent self-care routine, planned workouts at home, and a constant meal prep schedule.

Because to me, a healthy lifestyle doesn’t mean deprivation and is not measured by the way of the scale. Instead, it means a happy, active life that I can spend nurturing relationships with my family all while maintaining healthy food options at home. Options you can easily make for yourself too! Which is why I’m sharing with you today my 5 favorite tips for leading a healthier lifestyle this season at home:

1. Eat your frogs early.

One way I maintain a healthier lifestyle at home is by consistently waking up early each morning. I wake up daily at 5 am. I then set out to eat my frogs early, and by this I mean, start performing the tasks I don’t necessarily enjoy doing but must get done. Including getting into a treadmill routine each morning before 6 am. This allows me to get my last favorite activity done quickly and allows me to get on with my day. Then, by having this task done, I feel more accomplished, am in a better mood, and have a better framework to start off my day. All because I eat my frogs early.

2. Meal plan weekly.

At the start of each month, I sit down and work out a monthly meal plan and working shopping list. This helps me to eat better meals, have consistency in our portions, and to only stock our home with an easy-to-prepare plant-based meal at home. This also allows us to save quite a bit of money at the store. As instead of picking up meals on-the-go, we can have planned, prepped meals ready to make. Meals my family looks forward to eating each week.

Because by consistently meal planning, I am able to eat better meals at home but also meals featuring fresh and locally sourced products that are often more zero-waste too! Especially in the fall with the affordable abundance of butternut squash, cranberry, zucchini, and pumpkin dishes that can be made on a dime!

Did I mention that we meal plan and shop for a month’s worth of meals for under $200.00 monthly? There’s that too. Which is meal planning is my favorite way to save money and lead a healthier lifestyle at home! Now, if you’d like to see this past month’s meal plan, click here!

3. Prep healthier snacks at home.

One of my biggest food triggers is savory foods. And when I don’t have these foods prepped at home I tend to fill the void with lower quality, processed foods. To prevent this, I keep our fridge stocked with quick, easy-to-grab finger foods. Foods that help satisfy m foodie cravings while helping me stay on target, health-wise, at home. Especially important with the barrage of fall holidays throughout the season!

Lately, I’ve been addicted to all things salty and savory. So I make sure to keep Lindsay Snack and Go! Olives on hand. They come in a convenient little snack cups, for when you just need a little something to get you by between planned meals at home. I also love that they come in four varieties: Pitted Black Ripe, Sliced Black Ripe, Kalamata Pitted, and Pimiento Stuffed Spanish
Manzanilla Olives. They’re also gluten-free, keto-friendly, vegan, and obviously, plant-based. Perfect for nearly every dietary style at home. Which checks off all my snack-worthy requirements!

I can pack them in my yoga bag, my family’s lunch bags, and keep some ready in our food pantry for guests that drop by too! And if you want to try them this fall as well, from the comfort of your own home during the crazy, hectic back-to-school season, be sure to visit Lindsay Olives, and use promo code LINDSAYVIP19 to receive 20% off your order of Lindsay Snack and Go! Olives.

These awesome on-the-go snack cups are also available in your local grocery store nationally at Raleys, Safeway, Albertsons, Vons, Winn-Dixie, and Bi-Lo, located in the condiment aisle. To find a store near you, click here.

4. Give yourself grace.

Even with the best of meal planning and meal prep standards in place, slip-ups happen. Because life gets busy. Which is why I also sometimes grab just a cup of Lindsay Snack and Go! Olives and just a little cut up fruit and veggies instead of a whole meal. Sometimes I might even grab a quick vegan wrap out. A veggie sub. A burrito bowl. Or a big bowl of vegan nacho-cheese flavored popcorn! It happens to us all, and when it happens to you this season, give yourself plenty of grace!

5. Bust a move.

I’ve never loved the gym. We’ve never been the best of friends. Which is why I exercise at home and find seasonal ways to incorporate more exercise into my healthy lifestyle at home by finding ways around this. Especially in the fall when my family and I walk by our local lake, take in the sights, and enjoy all the blazing color this season has to share. Then, in the time it takes to get a few conversations in about our week while enjoying nature, I’ve been able to walk 3-4 miles. There’s something to be said about getting your heart pumping while enjoying the fall foliage!

Friends, those are my super simple tips for leading a healthier lifestyle at home this season. Tips that are neither too demanding or simplistic, but rather are small, obtainable goals that can help you be in better shape and spirits before the start of the new year! Also, be sure to check out this coupon and give Lindsay Snack and Go! Olives a try. Then be sure to leave me a comment below and let me know your favorite tips for healthier falls at home!

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5 Ways to Better Prepare You For Your Next Dental Appointment

Please note, this post is sponsored by Diamond Bloggers. All opinions are my own. Thank you.

While it’s widely known that regular visits to the dentist’s clinic are an important part of both a proactive self-care and preventative health routine, there are steps you can take to make the most of each dentistry visit. So if you are looking for ways to make the most of your next dental visit, here are five simple things a person can do in preparation for a dental exam:

Have payment information prepared

Dentists want you to focus on your dental health during your visit, not stressing about insurance policies, co-payments, or what payment methods they accept prior to their appointment.

Arrive early

One of the best ways to prepare for your next dental visit is to arrive early for your appointment. This will allow you to arrive on time and be less frustrated, frazzled and anxious. Arriving a few minutes early will also help you relax and give you plenty of time to carefully complete important paperwork, if necessary. This also helps practices maintain a calm and anxiety-free office environment for yourself and everyone else to enjoy too.

Thoroughly brush your teeth and floss

While all dentistries employ trained dental hygienists who utilize professional tools to remove stubborn plaque and tartar from clients teeth, starting an appointment with a fresh start helps speed up and simplify matters greatly. As this will help to streamline your appointment by reducing the hygiene portion of the visit. For when there’s less food debris for hygienists to remove, the more quickly they can quickly address issues you cannot take care of at home, like plaque, tartar buildup, or administering fluoride treatments.

Explain dental problems

One of the best ways to prepare for dental visits is to be as open and honest as you can be about existing dental problems or a history of such problems when filling out your initial paperwork pre-visit. This will allow dentists and technicians to be better able to help you better determine treatment options. Including new developments in your teeth, gums, or jaw health since your last visit. Then, once alerted to a problem, your dentist will be able to resolve it before it becomes more problematic and requires more costly treatments.

Be honest about your visit anxieties

Dental practices, including Thomas Ocheltree, seek to make the office visits as anxiety-free as possible for clients. Dr. Ocheltree’s training, including attendance at the schools of Augustana College and Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine, helped to enable his practice to specialize in surgical training, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Training, from the United States Navy, with a specialty in Advanced Education in General Dentistry, as well as having completed the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency: Christiana Care Health Systems. Educational credentials which can help patients feel rest assured in having a less anxious visit.

As Dr. Ocheltree, and others, desire for you to feel comfortable in the dentist’s chair. By combining dental technologies and personalized treatments into their daily practices, patients can feel le. If you feel anxious about treatment, let our dentists and hygienists know. We will consider your fears when determining the best course of treatment. Including multiple sedation options for the comfort of our patients.

Friends, those are five ways you can better prepare for your next dental visit this season and beyond. If you have tips for better preparing for your next dental visit, be sure to leave your thoughts and comments below.

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