Becoming A Better You: Essential Tips To Not Forget

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Do you want to become a better version of yourself? Becoming a better you is not an uncommon wish, as this is in a form or another what most new year resolutions are about. Whether it is about feeling better in your body and your mind, looking better, and eating better, everyone wants to improve who they are and what they eat. Consequently, most diets and fitness programs are designed to tackle this issue and make you better. But here are some of the forgotten secrets to becoming a better person.

 

Essentials For A Healthy Diet

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While the modern society has now fully embraced lactose intolerance to the point where you can go to your favorite coffee shop and find milk alternatives for your drink, everyone seems to have forgotten how essential calcium is to your health. Calcium is not only key to keep your bones and teeth healthy, as they are mostly made of calcium, but it also has many health benefits: A calcium-rich diet can actively help to prevent colon cancer, protect your heart muscles and help your body control its insulin levels. In short, calcium is an indispensable part of your everyday health at all ages.

It may not be easy to consume dairy products in high quantity, especially as more people suffer from various forms of lactose intolerance, but this shouldn’t stop you from getting enough calcium in your diet. Indeed, you can find plenty of natural supplements. Check the AlgaeCal customer reviews, which is one of the preferred supplements, to discover more about the different ways to absorb these. Do remember, though, that if you have been diagnosed with a calcium deficiency, while the consumption of supplements will help it, it is also essential that you see a doctor.

 

The Simple Rules For A Happier Me

At a time when people can be depressed and suffer from a gloomy mood, it is important to equip yourself against negativity and depression. The key word is positivity. While this doesn’t mean blind positivity and refusing to take the reality into account, a positive mood starts with simple gestures, such as trying to smile more often. This may sound childish, but people who smile tend to attract positive feelings around them, and consequently will be less likely to experience sad moods. Being good to others, and being able to give to others - whether it is time, attention or even a kind word - is part of what creates a safe and happy environment around you. In short, the more joy you communicate, the more joy will be around you!

 

Beauty Tips For The Skin

How many facial creams and skin treatments do you have in your bathroom? Keeping a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water will help you keep your skin elastic, smooth and firm a lot longer than creams can. Additionally, you should make sure to wash your face every morning and every evening to keep your pores clear. Finally, try to go as makeup-free as you can: The no-makeup selfie is not only a fashion statement; this is a healthy relief for your skin. Makeup can indeed block pores and stop the sun from reaching your skin. While too much sun is harmful, vitamin D is produced directly when the skin is exposed to the sun and helps your body process its calcium and phosphate intakes.

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These Issues Can Play Havoc With Your Natural Beauty

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Forget about makeup, hairstyle, body shape and body weight. Have you ever thought about what makes you naturally beautiful? Or, rather, have you ever thought about the factors and things in life that impact your natural beauty. There are certain things in life that can take your beauty away, no matter how much makeup you wear or how stylish you are. If you don’t watch out for these issues, you won’t like what you see in the mirror.


Stress

Stress is perhaps one of the biggest enemies of beauty and youth. If you are stressed, you are going to look more worn and weary. This, in turn, will make you look less beautiful. However, stress can have other physical impacts as well. It can cause your hair to fall out, make you look bloated, and it can even give you greasy skin. If you want to avoid some of these problems you need to do your best to stay calm through the day. One of the best ways to do this is by practicing breathing exercises. With breathing exercises you can regulate your body, reducing both stress and tension. Hopefully, this will make you feel a lot better and far more relaxed. If you have any problems with stress, it’s going to affect other areas of your life.

Sleep

That’s right people who are stressed often get less sleep than others. Usually, this can mean that they age faster. When we sleep, our body is given time to rejuvenate and heal from the pressures of the day. So, the more sleep you get, the better within reason. You should be aiming for roughly eight hours each night. Anything less than that and you will start to see an impact on the way you look and the way you feel. Obviously one of the main causes of a lack of sleep is stress, but there are other issues as well. You might experience chronic back or neck pain. People with these problems always struggle to get a good night of sleep. You can buy the best pillow for neck pain, and this should help you get a good rest.

Diet: You Are What You Eat

This is absolutely true, and I can give you quite a simple example. You might eat a diet filled with grease, sugar, and salt. You might also drink very little water, and if that’s the case, you will see an impact on your skin. Your skin will look greasy, and it could even start to lose its natural color. If that happens, you might struggle to see your own beauty. The best fix for this is to make sure that you are balancing your diet with all the important food groups. Most importantly of all you need to make sure you get your five a day and drink lots of water.


I hope you find these facts helpful in improving your own natural beauty. While each of these issues can have a severe effect on how you look they can all be fixed. You just need to work on improving your lifestyle.

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Why Everything We Hate About Dentists Is Wrong

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If dentists are your pet peeve, or if you are panicking at the idea of needing to make an appointment to get your teeth checked, think again. Most people nourish a form of dentist hate, and it is often unjustified. It is time to debunk the myth of horror based on the unreasonable fear and misconceptions that surround the dentist profession.

 

The Dentist Has A Big Needle

The fear of needle, which is sometimes referred to as Trypanophobia, is the phobia of medical procedures that involves injections. The needle phobia is officially recognized by the medical and psychiatric body and can lead to intense reactions from the sufferer, such as fainting, hyperventilation, and much more. It is likely that you probably dislike needles more than you suffer from phobic reactions in their presence. This is not specifically a dentist-focused terror, but you need to understand the purpose of the dentist needle: Anesthetic. There is a lot of non-invasive dentistry processes that do not require local anesthesia. But more significant processes, such as the treatment of a cavity, are not possible without proper pain management. You need to remember that dentistry treatment with an anesthetic will be a painful experience that the needle saves you from. While some prefer to master the art of pain management with the mind it is a lot easier and safer to rely on the dentist needle.

 

It Is Impossible To Get An Appointment

Many patients love the excuse that it is impossible to get a proper appointment with a dentist when you need one. Generally, this is the excuse that is most commonly used to never book any maintenance appointment that would avoid the emergency call at the earliest hours of the morning for an acute toothache. Regular maintenance meetings with your dentist will avoid the imposed painful emergency by taking good care of your teeth and sorting out problems before they have the time to develop. Additionally, don’t believe the myth that you can only see your dentist during office hours. There are plenty of flexible dentists who offer weekend appointments, such as SaturdayDentist.org for example.

It Is Always Painful

Your teeth are vulnerable and sensitive. But, often experiencing tooth pain at the dentist is rarely the dentist’s fault. This occurs because you have waited too long to get an appointment, or because you have skipped maintenance appointments. Besides, the needle that is part of the dentist myth is essential to proper pain management. Modern dentistry is comfortable and easy and has nothing to do with the torture lab that many patients imagine.

 

I Am Too Anxious

Dentists are aware that many patients only come with an intense sense of dread to the waiting room. This is the reason why the reception area is carefully prepared to reassure, and the receptionist will have a tendency to provide friendly pieces of advice over the phone or in person if you ask them. Dentists much prefer patients to get in touch a little too often if this helps them to feel better prepared for their appointment and to overcome their anxiety. Don’t be afraid to mention your fear to your dentist in advance, so that they can help you to feel more comfortable.

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Benefits of Weightlifting And Why You Should Try It

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Weight lifting might seem like a masculine sport to some, but many ladies are starting to realize the enormous benefits it can have on their lives. Yes, it’s true that weight lifting builds strength and muscle, but it won’t make you look like ‘men’ ladies, no matter what you have heard in the past! Just take a look at some of the famous Instagram models out there. They post their workouts regularly and give tips, and you can bet that they use weights in their workouts. Some even consider themselves ‘bodybuilders’, yet they have the most feminine shape! Here’s why everybody should try weightlifting:

Build Strength And Muscle

Weight lifting is going to build strength and muscle. Not only is this great for your health, you’ll also develop a more shapely body. Your body will become more efficient at burning fat and calories, even if you eat a ‘bad’ meal. The great thing about women who want to build muscle is that they don’t build it in the same way as men. Men have more testosterone than women, which is why they grow big. Women can grow ‘big’, but only with years of deliberate training and eating. In some cases, even drugs. It’s very, very difficult to get to that level for women. When women use weights, they can build muscle and look ‘toned’.

 

Create The Body You’ve Always Wanted

Weightlifting allows you to build the body you’ve always wanted. You can’t spot train fat loss, but you bet you can spot train areas on your body weight train and build. That being said, training your whole body is crucial to avoid imbalances. The amount you train each part, is your choice. Some women choose to train their gluts up to 3 times a week in order to get them looking firm and peachy. Some prefer to dedicate one day a week to a body part. This is entirely your choice, but at the beginning, you’ll want to make sure you’ve given each muscle group a chance to recover before training it again. This is why most people start with a plan that focuses on one body part per day per week, to ensure that they have fully recovered. You can then change up your plan as you like. Building your shoulders will give you a more shapely upper body, and can even make your waist look smaller, for example. Building your gluts makes your waist look smaller too. Many women focus on these proportions to create an hourglass figure!

Treat Yourself To Cute Gym Clothes

Going to the gym means you get to treat yourself to cute gym clothes. Having nice gym clothes makes you feel good about yourself. It also allows you to show off your personality in the gym. There are all kinds of weird and wonderful leggings out there, from rainbow leggings to leggings covered in unicorns. The weight lifting shoes for men and women tend to look bang on trend too.  

 

Stay Mobile Later On In Life

You shouldn’t just exercise for how you look now. You should exercise to stay mobile later on in life. Do you want to be someone who needs people to look after them and assist them, or would prefer to stay independent? Weight lifting can help you with this. Plus, you’ll look younger as you age too! Those who exercise early on always look younger later on in life. Just looking at some of the fittest celebrities out there proves this.

 

Build Self Esteem And Confidence

Lifting weights helps people to build self esteem and confidence. When you see what you are capable of, you’ll love it! You’ll feel strong. Every time you master an exercise you’ll feel accomplished. You’ll have more confidence inside and outside of the gym. You really can’t beat the feeling.

Have More Goals To Work Towards

You can develop so many goals to work towards with weight lifting. For instance, you can aim to squat a few more pounds each week. You can aim to add a rep or two onto your set each week. Setting these short term goals, alongside your long term goals, is going to help you get fit and healthy for life.

 

Be Able To Perform Better In Day To Day Life

Not only will you experience everything else listed here, you’ll even be able to perform better in day to day life. Want to carry all of your groceries from the car in one trip? No problem! Somebody needs help carrying a box? You can do it! You’ll also have far more energy than you’ve ever had before. You’ll feel happier. What could be better than that?

 

Develop A Healthy Hobby

Do you have hobbies? What about hobbies that are truly good for you? Weight lifting is a healthy hobby that you can enjoy for life. We all need hobbies and things to do outside of work and home, and this is a great one to try out.

 

Everybody should try weightlifting, even if you don’t commit to anything straight away. Just try it for a few weeks, and pay attention to how you look and feel. Chances are, you’ll notice improvements really quickly and feel great about yourself. This is why so many people find it addictive. One thing to make sure of, though, is that you give yourself enough rest.

To begin with, you should have at least 2 days rest a week. When you’re more experienced, 1 day of rest can be OK. Your body needs rest to improve too. Overworking it will only cause problems in the long run. Also, bear in mind that as changes are made outside of the gym, you also need to make sure you’re eating to support your goals. This means making smart choices, and getting plenty of protein to help your body recover. A good mix of healthy protein, carbs, and fats is crucial. A small treat or two a week shouldn’t hurt too much either. Your routine should all be about balance and moderation.

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For New Year, I Become A Better Me

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We all approach the New Year with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. Excitement,  because this marks the chance for us to take a new start in life and make it all better, or at least try to correct some of the mistakes of the past. Apprehension, because this is the time when we review how the resolutions of the previous year have gone, and chances are that they have been ditched quite early in the year! But for this New Year, here’s a little guideline to help each one of us quit bad habits and stick to the healthy resolutions for 2017.

 

Don’t Quit Bad Habits Cold Turkey

Many wait until the first day of a brand new year to ditch their bad habits into oblivion: They over-indulge before they start, thinking that they need to enjoy it now while they still can. Unfortunately, this behavior only creates extreme cravings, whether for sweet chocolate, video games, or even tobacco. Why does this happen? Simply because our habits are just as addictive as a drug and affects the brain at different levels. While this is less dangerous than life-threatening and illegal drugs, they do create over time a dependency that the body and the brain get used to.

For gamers, it’s the fact that they can’t relax and don’t know what to do with themselves if they don’t play, for others it could be that over-eating is the only thing that they think makes them happy, etc. There is no way around it: Up to 90% of people who entertain a bad habit are addicted without knowing it. Consequently, when you decide to ditch a bad habit, you will experience what is called a period of withdrawal. Withdrawal is a difficult experience to make, with symptoms that can be similar to the flu and can last for a few weeks, sometimes even long periods of depression. But stick with it, you’ll soon feel a lot better.

 

Don’t Do It On Your Own

Quitting smoking, quitting alcohol, eating healthy food, etc., is for many quitting the habit of a lifetime. This is a big step and you need all the help you can get on the way! Thankfully you will find some useful support: Champix tablets help to stop smoking for example, as they work directly on the nicotine receptors in the brain and makes cravings for cigarettes more manageable. Others prefer to rely on friends and groups to limit some addictions, such as going shopping with a reasonable friend who will stop you from over-spending. Some even swear by hypnotism and claim that they found it a great support when they decided to quit for real. Whatever you choose, do make sure that your plan includes something to help your brain fight the addiction.

 

Quit Gradually Over A Period Of Time

Your habit will generate cravings, whether those are irresistible needs for something sweet, or for letting your credit card smoke with over-use if you are addicted to shopping, etc. We all have bad habits and it is natural to miss them when we decide to stop. Whether you are looking forward to saying goodbye to cakes for example, or quit video games, you will need to gradually reduce your daily intake to make sure that you will be successful in quitting. There are more than just power of will when you walk away from bad habits: Often the brain and the body will still be intoxicated with substances generated by our habits, this could be the adrenaline from gaming for example. Therefore the brain, or the body, will be requiring the usual ratio it generally receives.

This is a physical reaction and fighting it, even though it is for your own mental and physical health, can actually makes you feel sick. As a result, you will be better off if you gradually get your body used to smaller amounts of your bad habit. This is something that you will need to plan carefully, to make sure that while you continue to diminish the frequency, you are not creating too significant cravings. Give yourself a week to reduce your daily intake if you are addicted to soda drinks, for example. Similarly, if you love shopping too much, you can allow yourself only a certain budget, take it in cash for extra safety, for a fortnight.

Replace Bad Habits With A New Habit

A bad habit is not only an addiction, but as we know it is also a habit. The best way to forget about a habit is to swap it for a new one. It could be anything as long as you are careful to stay away from other types of dangerous addictions. Whether you decide to pick up jogging, to start a painting course, to learn a new language, or even to lose yourself into books, it is up to you. As long as you find something that you can be passionate about, you are sure to never go back to your bad habit again. After all, passions can be just as addictive too, but they are healthy!

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The Essential Expose On Exercise - Here's What You'll Really Get Out Of It

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Most of us have pretty busy lives, and most of us wish we could fit more into those hours we’re awake. We’ve got careers, families, hobbies, interests, and households to take care of. Usually, something has to give. We prioritize, and that can often mean that the things that benefit us the most get pushed to the back of the line. When it’s that exercise class or that half hour in the gym that gets given away, it can turn into a lot of guilt and disappointment.

Exercise has quite a big impact on our emotions. Many of us think turning to exercise will improve our emotional health. Being slim may help you feel more body confident, but it is never a guarantee of happiness or self-fulfillment. Exercise alone may not be the best approach if you want to lose weight either. When you rely on exercise to achieve something like this, and it doesn’t work, it can lead to further unhappiness and disappointment.

If you’re keen to appear more toned, there are other approaches. There are non-surgical procedures like CoolSculpting. Diets and detoxes may also help achieve a few changes in your physique. It’s important to remember that we are all born with a particular body shape. Pregnancy may change this somewhat, but our physical bone structure can’t be altered. Shifting fat stores and toning muscles is something that requires time and more than just exercise to achieve.

Of course, exercising does release all those happy hormones. You may even feel quite elated while you’re working out, and yes, that can become addictive, leading you to over-exercise. Exercising to excess can lead to injury. This can be painful and debilitating, and you won’t be able to continue exercising while the body heals. Was it all worth it in the first place?

There are many reasons to exercise that go beyond the hormone release and slimming benefits. You might use it as a social activity. Joining a class can help you meet new people and make friends. Some people combine their exercise with their commute. Cycling or jogging to work can be far more pleasurable than being stuck in traffic. It might be considerably quicker too when you factor in parking.

Exercise is essential to good health. The kind of exercise you do is up to you. An active lifestyle may be all the exercise you need to stay in good health. It helps boost your immune system, increase your stamina, and builds your physical strength. Do you need an exercise class or gym membership? No. You can be healthy and active in life. Adding a few exercises to target strength, balance and stamina may be beneficial, though. There are plenty of home workouts you can try. If you don’t enjoy one, try another, and if you don’t have time, pick one that doesn’t take as long.

The term exercise can be very off-putting, and for some, exercising itself isn’t always enjoyable. It’s important to find a balance in life that offers what you need. Does exercise benefit you the way you expected it to?

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Amazing Trades To Make For A Healthier Lifestyle

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A lot of people struggle with the concept of moving towards a healthy lifestyle. In many of these cases, it’s easy to see why. The end goal seems impossible, and there are far too many things you need to change before getting anywhere near it. However, this is the wrong way to view your journey to a healthier lifestyle.

You need to do things step by step, slowly, over time. Start to make changes to your current lifestyle and swap unhealthy activities with healthier options. It’s these little swaps and trades that will put you on the right path - and all of a sudden, achieving your goals will not seem hard at all.

In today’s guide, I wanted to talk about some of those little changes you can make. Giving things up can be tough - but swapping them for healthier alternatives can help. Read on to find out more - and feel free to leave some of your suggestions in the comments!

 

Trade ready meals for home cooking

One of the best things you can do for your health is to start cooking meals yourself. Ready meals that you buy from stores are always full of salt, sugars preservatives and are unhealthy as a result. Cooking food yourself means you know exactly how much sugar and salt you are using - or butter and fat, for that matter. It will give you a far greater insight into what you are eating, which is critical to leading a healthier lifestyle.

 

Switch your large dining plates to smaller ones

If you want to lose weight, you need to consume fewer calories - it’s as simple as that. Portion size is often to blame, and even an enormous plate of healthy food can lead to weight increases. So, lose the big dinner plates. Buy smaller ones instead, and only plate enough food to keep your hunger at bay. A standard portion size of pasta, for example, should be about the size of your clenched fist.

 

Swap forks for chopsticks

When you are hungry, do you find yourself eating quickly? If so, try slowing things down a little. Chewing food for longer tricks your body into thinking it isn’t hungry anymore. And, swapping your knife and fork for a set of chopsticks is a great way to slow things down even more. The slower you eat, the more chance you will feel full by the time you finish your meal. And that means you won’t feel like having a second helping or could try and skip your pudding.

 

Swap white bread for rye bread

White bread has a few nutrients, but it is also full of sugar and calories, So much so, in fact, that you are better off not eating it at all. However, if you are a bread lover, replacing your standard white loaf with rye bread is a much better option. There is a lot more fiber in rye bread, meaning you will feel full after eating less. There are fewer calories in rye, too, meaning you could lose a little weight just by making this simple trade.

 

Trade sodas for juices

Be honest - how many cans of soda are you drinking every day? You shouldn’t need me to tell you that colas, lemonades and soft drinks are packed full of sugar and empty calories. Find yourself a good juicer to start making your own drinks. Which is best? There are plenty of options out there, so take a look around and see what you can find. healthybutsmart.com recently published a review of the Breville 800JEXL, for example. There are hundreds of other options out there, too. One thing to bear in mind with juicing is that you should always include veggies, rather than just using fruits. There is a lot of sugar in fruit juice, so balancing it out with healthier vegetables is going to help you get healthier.

 

Stop throwing out juice pulp and use it in cooking instead

One more point about juicing: when you juice you remove all the fiber in the pulp. This is an imperative part of your nutrition, and drinking juices alone might not be as healthy as you think. To balance things out, start using the pulp that remains after juicing in your cooking. This way, you will get the full health benefit of all the fruit and vegetables you are using.

 

Lattes for black coffee

Who loves picking up a latte on your way to work each morning? If that sounds familiar, making a little change is going to help you consume fewer calories. Lattes are packed full of milk, which, as everyone knows, is full to the brim with fat. Even skinny lattes are calorie-rich, so don’t think you can swap your regular latte with one of these. There can be up to 300 calories in a latte. If you are drinking 2-3 a day, you can see how easy it can be to shift some weight by eliminating them from your diet. However, making the switch to a simple Americano or black coffee each day will reduce your calorie intake by a considerable amount.

Swap cereal for eggs

Do you enjoy chowing down on cereal in the morning? Most people do, as it fills them up. However, swapping your cereal for eggs is a lot more beneficial. First of all, it gives you a massive protein boost, which will help you burn off fat during the day. It also fills you up for longer than any carbohydrate will. Other trade-in ideas include cooked ham, smoked salmon or Greek yogurt. Speaking of which…

 

Go Greek

A lot of people out there eat low-fat yogurt because they feel they will lose weight. However, what low-fat yogurts lack in fat, they make up for in sugar. You are far better off eating Greek yogurt instead. It is full of protein, and mixed with fresh fruit in the morning makes a delicious start to the day. You can use Greek yogurt as a replacement for many other things, too. For example, the sour cream you use in your burritos is packed with fat, so going Greek will save you a lot of calories.

 

Popcorn for chips

Chips are full of grease and are incredibly unhealthy. And, let’s not beat around the bush - they can be expensive, too. Swap your chips for popcorn, however, and it’s a different story. Pop your own corn and you can stuff your face with three huge bags at the cost of only 100 calories. As long as you avoid the sugar or salted popcorn, it is a much healthier snack than a bag of potato chips.

 

Trade store bought salad dressings for DIY alternatives

We’ve all been through the process of creating a beautiful, healthy salad, only to wreck the health benefits in a single second. How? Just by slavering salad dressing all over it. Store bought dressings are packed full of sugar. The creamy dressings like ranch or Caesar are also full of fat - 250 calories in each portion. But it is so easy to create your own alternatives. Olive oil, balsamic vinegar, a hint of mustard - it’s all you need to make a tasty - and healthy - salad dressing.

Stuffed crust to thin crust

We all love a treat every now and again, and, once in a while, there is no harm in calling up your local pizza delivery company and placing an order. But, the next time you call, think about going for a thin crust pizza instead. The more bread in your pizza, the more calories there are, and if you enjoy a stuffed crust, it can get even worse. A stuffed crust pizza can contain as much as 3,000 calories - way more than the average daily calorie limit.

 

Trade cookies for dark chocolate

Cookies and chocolate bars are full of sugar and fat. Everyone knows it, yet we all love them and eat them whenever we get the opportunity! However, swapping them for a couple of squares of high-quality dark chocolate can save you a whole bunch of calories. Look for a brand made from a minimum of 70% cocoa to enjoy the full benefits. It’s a much healthier alternative to cookies or chocolate bars, and it will give you a little perk up in the late afternoons.

 

Trade your energy drink for a power nap

Are you a fan of energy drinks? While they can give you an enormous boost from the caffeine and sugar, they aren’t healthy at all. So, the next time you are going through your mid-afternoon dip, don’t go to the vending machine. Instead, find a quiet place and take a 10-minute power nap. You will wake up refreshed and full of energy, and will have no calorie penalty to pay at all!

 

Trade grocery shopping before meals for grocery shopping after meals

Finally, you should never go shopping on an empty stomach. Statistics suggest that you will come home with a more unhealthy - and expensive - shopping bag. So, eat a meal before you go shopping at your local grocery store. Not only will you save on calories, but you will also be better off regarding money.

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Are You Listening? You're Digestive System has A LOT to Tell You

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When it comes to health and wellness, the focus is usually on the same few things. You think about weight, feeling good, having energy and waking up with a smile on your face. It's all yoga poses in front of a sunset and paleo dieting, but there is one area that's overlooked.

Part of that reasoning might be because it's not the most pleasant of topics. You might obsess about the things you eat, but the actual process of digestion? It's a bit gross. No one wants to think about stomach acid and bowel movements; they don't fit with the clean, sparse image we have of wellness.

This is a massive problem, because of how vital your digestive system is. Your stomach is your engine, but it's also the entire source of nutrients in your body. If it's not working, then nothing is going to work right. It doesn't matter how many vitamins you take if you can't absorb them. It's irrelevant if you eat "clean" if you don't get the benefit from the nutrients.

When it comes to managing health and wellness, you have to start from the inside out. That means managing your stomach and gut health is essential, because without those, nothing much else matters. Digestive complaints are all too common, and there are various reasons behind them. Some have their roots in lifestyle choices and some are genetic, while others are spontaneous illnesses from the just-bad-luck pile.

There are symptoms you have to be aware of, because identifying them is the only way to know your stomach is working as it should. Most of the time, digestion should be something that you can forget about. You should be managing it so well that you can afford to overlook it. But if you are suffering from one of the symptoms below, then it's something you need to rectify.

Bloating

It may seem normal to bloat after eating, and to an extent that's true. But there is a difference between your stomach expanding as you eat, and bloating that's being caused by excess gas.

You'll produce more gas if your stomach is having a tough time digesting something. So if this is a regular complaint, your diet is the first place to look. Complex carbohydrates are more difficult to digest; if you only have the problem after eating these foods, it's likely the source.

But if you're bloating after every meal, even those rich in protein, then it might be worth further examination.

 

Poop Problems

Yes, sorry, we're going to have to go there! It's pretty difficult to talk about GI complaints without going into the less attractive side of things. As icky as it sounds, it pays to be aware of your bowel movements.

As a rule, your poop should be solid and a light brown color. If it's dark to the point of being black, that could be a medical emergency due to bleeding in the GI tract. Look for medical advice immediately. A lighter color or floating issues, as The Alternative Daily details can mean you are eating too much fat. This can also be a sign of Celiac Disease.

Regularity is something that is very individual. Some people have to go two or three times a day, and for them, that's normal. Others once every two days. The only way to know what's right is to judge what's right for you. If your movements change in frequency, then it's worth keeping a food diary to see if there is any obvious cause.

Finally, blood in a bowel movement is not necessarily a cause of alarm. In most cases - and particularly if you're younger - it will be hemorrhoids, which are unpleasant but treatable. Nevertheless, seek medical advice if you see blood anywhere it shouldn't be.

 

Acid Reflux

This is a burning feeling in the chest and windpipe, which can occur at any time but primarily after eating. It's often grouped into a disorder known as GERD. There is no specific test for GERD; it's more an easy way of associating several symptoms.

Anxiety can worsen GERD, so look at lifestyle changes that can help calm stress if that is an issue (or consider seeking help from a therapist). Eating spicy food is also responsible, and carbohydrates don't help either.

Spices are fine in moderation, however, acid reflux can be a sign of a more serious problem like a stomach ulcer. In these cases, it will be accompanied by a pinching pain in the stomach. Ulcers are not life-threatening, but they can make you feel horrific and should be dealt with by a medical professional.

 

Stomach Cramps

Nine times out of ten, this is going to be down to something that you have eaten. Again, the more complex a food the more likely it is to hurt as it takes time to digest it.

However, it's worth considering if you have an allergy or a sensitivity. There are a few ways to try and identify this. You can go for allergy testing, but this can sometimes give false negatives. It also doesn't identify a sensitivity.

You can try taking an over-the-counter antihistamine and seeing if that eliminates the problem. This will likely only be effective, however, if your digestion is good enough to digest the pill effectively. And, again, it won't show a sensitivity.

Your best bet is to keep a food diary. If it's being caused by a particular food, then you will be able to track it. The FODMAP elimination diet is effective in helping find issues, and if it's a chronic issue, well worth doing. It will allow you to make the changes you need. If you don't find an effective culprit, then visit a doctor.

Diarrhea

There are many causes for this, though the top suspect will be Celiac Disease. This is relatively easy to test for, with a blood test being the first step. This can be followed by an endoscopy, but is not always necessary.

So the weapons in your arsenal are food diaries, elimination and knowing what works for you. If you see a change, seek medical advice. You can consider supplements and probiotics - and perhaps should - but these are just treating the symptom. Find the cause, treat it, and you will soon get the most of your wellness efforts.

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4 Tips To Keep Your Smile In Tip Top Shape

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Keeping your teeth in a good condition is so important if you want to look fantastic. It can make your smile look bad if your teeth are not looking great. Here are some unmissable ways to get your teeth looking ideal.

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Brush Them At Least Twice A Day

One simple way to get your teeth looking great is to ensure you are brushing them at least twice a day. So many people forget to do it first thing in the morning and the last thing at night. But it’s so important that you do brush them if you want to keep them looking good. By brushing them, it’s ensuring all food particles are washed away, and your teeth stay in a good condition. Make sure you are doing it for a good amount of time as well. So many people rush brushing their teeth, but it will mean you'll miss cleaning everyone. You can get many electric toothbrushes which have a timer which will go off when two minutes has passed. Also, don’t just go for the cheapest toothpaste; make sure you pick one which will keep them in a good condition!

 

Use Teeth Whitening Treatment

Another simple way to get your teeth looking great is by using a teeth whitening treatment. If you have been smoking or drinking alcohol, your teeth often can become discolored. It can also happen if you haven’t brushed your teeth correctly and bacteria is now growing. We talked previously about how to avoid getting yellow teeth. You can get many different toothpastes which will help to whiten your teeth. You can also get whitening strips that you can use at home. You can also go to the dentist and get a professional whitening treatment which will last for longer. It’s important to make sure your teeth are looking great if you want a beautiful smile.

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Consider Getting Braces

You should also consider getting braces if you want to straighten your teeth so they look perfect. It can help you to build confidence and you will feel happier with a better smile. They do have to stay in a while, so you need to be sure about getting braces. Talk to your dentist about the pro’s and con’s of braces, so you can decide whether they are right for you.

 

Use Mouthwash And Floss Regularly

Another simple way to get your teeth looking great is by ensuring you are using mouthwash and floss. A lot of people think that brushing their teeth is enough, but you might end up leaving food in your mouth which could turn into bacteria. Mouthwash is also essential to help you to get fresh breath, while floss can ensure that your smile stays great during the day. Here is a guide to choosing the right floss and mouthwash for you to use every day.


Hopefully, you can keep your teeth looking great so you can have an award-winning smile!

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Stop Feeling Dehydrated w/ this Essential Guide

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Did you know that most people are dehydrated? That’s what the doctors in America say, anyway. But it’s not exactly a difficult thing to believe, when you think about it. After all, how many people do you know drink as much water as they should? Or drink an abundance of sugary drinks? Or swear off water altogether, claiming that it’s “boring”?

People see “dehydration” as something anyone would instantly recognize. That your mouth would feel like an arid desert, that your throat would be sore, and that maybe you’d even start seeing things. But low-level dehydration is commonplace. It results in headaches, irritability, tiredness, and cravings for sugary and salty foods, and I’m sure you know several people who fit those descriptions. You may even be familiar with it personally.

It’s strange. Dehydration is one of the easiest conditions on the planet to resolve. You just need to hydrate yourself! Here are some tips for those who are having difficulty.  

Drink more water

You need to start making a habit out of drinking water. Several people simply don’t even think about drinking water. So you should consider coming up with a plan or a schedule. Have a liter of water with you at work and aim to finish it by the end of the shift. Consider having a glass every thirty minutes.

Remember that coffee and tea also provide you with a good amount of water. That the dehydrating properties of caffeine cancels out the water is a myth! I can hear the coffee addicts rejoicing now!

Drink cleaner water

One of the reasons most find it weird that people don’t drink more water is that you get it for free from a tap. But the fact is that a lot of tap water out there isn’t particularly safe. There’s also a metallic taste to a lot of it that puts people off.

Consider getting a water purifier. You can install a purifying system in your home or simply use a device to filter water as and when you need it.

Look at nutrient-rich alternatives

If you really can’t face drinking that much water, then consider tastier alternatives. Of course, this is what a lot of people do, with negative effects. (More about that in a bit!)

But the hydration you need can also be found in healthy, natural juices. You can also look at other products that are rich in nutrients. Even the foods you eat and the vitamins you take will affect how your body absorbs the water you take in. Stores like Mr Vitamins have plenty of these sorts of items.

 

Avoid sugary drinks

Sugary, caffeinated drinks will just make you thirstier. All the additives and sugars you find in those kinds of drinks disrupt your body’s ability to absorb water. A lot of people turn to drinks like Coca-Cola when they’re feeling thirsty. It may provide temporary relief, but the long-term effects can be devastating. After all, these drinks are loaded with calories!


What’s worse is that the sugar rush you get from these drinks fades quickly. Soon afterwards, your blood sugar levels crash dramatically. This causes you to crave more sugar not too long after you finished the drink, and of course, this makes you want to reach for another one!

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