Health

Changes You Can Make To Improve Your Smile

January 22, 2020 By lyndsinreallife Leave a Comment

Our smile can be the biggest giveaway about our personality. Picture someone with a big and vibrant smile. Someone who is showing their teeth. They look happy, they look full of life. Then picture someone who isn’t smiling so fully. Not showing any teeth at all. They may look unhappy, like they are forcing a smile. While it’s silly to make such pre-judged assumptions studies show that we make a decision on someone within two minutes. Imagine if you were giving off the wrong impression because of how you smiled? With that in mind, it might be time to start focusing on your teeth in more detail. Here are a few tips on how you can achieve your perfect smile.

Image source – Pixabay – CC0 License

Clean your teeth

Teeth need regular maintenance just like any other part of your body. They get used a lot and your mouth is subject to all sorts of things. Regularly cleaning your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste allows you to protect your teeth. Things like gum disease and tooth decay. The food we eat has many things in them like sugar or acid that can erode our teeth away if we don’t keep them clean. Let’s not mention the bad breath that will become apparent. While this may be obvious to you, it’s definitely worth remembering to keep it up.

Flossing

Sometimes cleaning our teeth just isn’t enough. Our toothbrushes can do their best but food can get into nooks and gaps in your teeth. If they are not removed they can rot away your teeth. Flossing is a great way to make sure every bit of food is removed from your teeth. It can give a real clean feeling in your mouth. Flossing once a day should be enough.

Cosmetic enhancements

You may not smile as often as you should because you are conscious about how your teeth look. You won’t be alone in this opinion, many men and women feel the same about their teeth. Thankfully, in today’s modern world you can visit your dentist who will discuss advanced cosmetic dentistry with you and can advise on the options that you can consider for sorting out your teeth. This might be straightening and realigning or consider something like veneers. You will be able to discuss what you don’t like and they will be best placed to tell you what they can do.

Teeth Whitening

If it isn’t the shape or alignment of your teeth that is getting you down but more the color then why not consider some teeth whitening. This can give you a real sense of confidence once any treatments have been completed. Cosmetic dentists can get rid of any stains on your teeth that may have been caused from drinking tea and coffee or other drinks. Teeth whitening is something that can be easily done. You can even consider buying special toothpastes if you don’t fancy heading to a dentist.

Regular trips to the dentist

Finally, keeping a regular appointment schedule with your dentist will be essential for good dental health. Hey can advise of any issues and work with you to resolve them.

Let’s hope these tips help you achieve the perfect smile!

This post was a collaboration.

Health

Tips To Help Stick To Your New Year’s Resolutions

January 14, 2020 By lyndsinreallife Leave a Comment

New Year’s resolutions are something many of us will make each year, and although making those resolutions can be effective, not all of us will stick to them. Perhaps you’re fed up with not living by the promises you made to yourself while a little tipsy the night before? Here are a few tips to help stick to your New Year’s resolutions.

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Be Realistic

When you’re setting goals for anything in life, it’s important to dream big but also to be realistic. Not every goal or resolution you make is going to be something you can ideally achieve within a small amount of time. Like learning a new language in six weeks isn’t something that you’re going to be able to do within that short space of time. If you’re trying to quit smoking, cut down slowly or try vaping from The Vape Mall. Take more realistic goals as your resolution, with the big goal being something you’re working towards achieving eventually. If your goals aren’t realistic, then it’s unlikely you’re going to stick to them.

Make A Plan

A plan is a great way to get down your objectives and the things you need in order to make this resolution happen. For example, if you’re aiming to lose weight during the year, then perhaps thinking about your first steps will help. A change in diet is going to be needed, and maybe you cut certain things out. You might want to note down that you need to join a gym or do X amount of sports classes that you find in your local area. Once you’ve laid out a plan, it’s going to be easier to follow than just making it up as you go.

Track Your Progress

Tracking your process is certainly helpful for seeing how far you’ve come, especially if you have moments of self-doubt. It’s good to give yourself some inspiration in times where you need it, and just to give yourself the opportunity to see the progress made is really good to have. Find a way of tracking it that makes it easy for you and that you can encourage yourself to do regularly. Don’t overcomplicate it, otherwise, you’ll find less motivation to do it on a daily basis.

Don’t Beat Yourself Up

The most important thing to think about when you’re trying to stick to something is that everyone can have days where they fall off. It’s to be expected and something that will likely happen, but it’s essential not to beat yourself up about it. Everyone will have times where they want to give up permanently or give up for just a while, but it’s what you do to get back to where you need to be, that matters the most. So give yourself a break if you need it and then reward yourself when you get back on track.

Sticking with a resolution for the New Year can be difficult, but with the right tips, you can certainly help yourself win!

This post was a collaboration.

Health

4 Ways You Should Already Be Looking After Your Body

January 13, 2020 By lyndsinreallife 1 Comment

Most of us will be trying to live the healthiest life that we can by eating well and exercising, however, there are some important areas of your health that you should already be looking after. These include your eyes, your hearing, your teeth and of course your general health. It may seem like a lot of work just to live a healthy lifestyle, but if you keep on top of it all it will become second nature and you won’t even notice it.

Photo by Negative Space from Pexels

Let’s have a look at some of the ways you should already be looking after your body:

Your Eyes

It’s essential that you get your eyesight checked out at least every two years. For those of us who already wear glasses or need to see a professional more often for other reasons, it might be every twelve months instead. When thinking about this area of your body, it’s very easy to forget and not worry about it because it can be very easy to skip a check-up. However, if you think that all it takes to look after your eyes is to see a professional every two years, it’s surprising that so many don’t keep on top of it. It can be detrimental to your eye health if you don’t.

Your Teeth

Just like with your eyes you should be having your teeth checked by a dentist such as Forefront Dentistry (if you’re in OK) every year or two years. If you are currently having treatment such as corrective braces it may be a shorter time frame. If you don’t keep on top of your oral hygiene you can risk losing your teeth, suffer from gum diseases, have problems with plaque and suffer from tooth decay. Which most will know can be extremely painful. It’s best to keep up with the health of your mouth rather than leaving it until your in pain.

Your Hearing

Your hearing is probably an area that you don’t even think about getting tested. You often have a hearing test when you’re a child and if it comes back as good you don’t think about it again until you notice that there are problems. If you’re really turning the volume when others aren’t, experience ringing or buzzing or are finding it more difficult to follow conversations than you used to it may be time to book yourself in for a hearing test. The longer you leave it the worst it can become so it’s essential you keep a lookout for the telltale signs.

You General Health

You should make sure you are focused on your general health in order to look after your body correctly. This means eating right exercising and visiting your doctor for check-ups when you need it. You can’t live a healthy lifestyle of you don’t look after these areas. Make sure you eat a balanced diet, exercise on a daily basis and see your doctor for any concerns you might have.

These are just four of the ways you should be looking after your body in order to keep it healthy, do you have any others that you can share in the comments?

This post was a collaboration.

Health

Motivational Health Swaps To Make In 2020

January 12, 2020 By lyndsinreallife Leave a Comment

For most people, their resolution for the New Year is to be healthy and yet by this point, the decision has probably been long forgotten, and they are back to their old habits. The motivation just is not there to make the changes that will keep them living their best healthy life.

It’s not about the summer holiday ahead and inevitable bikini photos. What it IS about, however, is your health and your body and the way that you feel. The good thing is that you can swap out a lot of the bad habits you’ve adopted and start living in a way that keeps you feeling well on the inside. Shall we take a look?

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Swap Cocktails For Spirits & Mixers

Cocktails are usually packed with sugary syrups, added colors and plenty of juice. While this makes them delicious, you should consider enjoying a night out with friends by swapping to a spirit and a slimline tonic or diet soda. You can enjoy a night on the town with friends without racking up the calories and adding weight that you don’t want!

Swap Cigarettes For Vapes

While it’s an achievement to give up smoking, some aren’t able to give it up entirely. Buying from GeekVape will allow you to swap out the 20-a-day habit and slowly start cutting back on cigarettes. You know the risks of smoking cigarettes, and swapping that habit this year is going to improve your health massively.

Swap The Elevator For The Stairs

There’s nothing like a brisk walk to start out your day. If you’re on the fifth floor at work, let go of the elevator and use the stairs instead. I always take the stairs instead of the elevator! Just getting your steps up can help your heart and make you fitter. The simple act of taking the stairs instead of the elevator can make a huge difference in your health this year!

Swap Fried For Air-Fried

There’s nothing quite like a plate of hot, salty fries with dip. The problem is the amount of oil that’s used in a fryer. However, if you buy yourself an air-fryer for the kitchen, you can still enjoy hot fries without as much oil to get them crispy and delicious. Something as simple as this can let you have the food you love without the calories to add weight where you don’t want to. The best bit is that you can cook pretty much anything in an air fryer and enjoy it the same way you would have before – just with less oil!

Swap The Car For Your Feet

Healthy swaps are all about getting your health to the best it can be. Leaving the car at home and walking to work or the store is going to make a massive difference to your fitness levels. It’s also going to make you richer because you’re going to spend a lot less money on the gas and use of your car!

Healthy living is all about making you feel good and giving you a chance for health success. Embrace them this year! Happy 2020! 🙂

•What are your New Years goals? How do you want to get healthier this summer? Comment below!

This post was a collaboration.

Thank you for reading!

Health

Embarrassing Body Issues And How To Handle Them

January 11, 2020 By lyndsinreallife Leave a Comment

There are some health and beauty issues that we don’t like to talk about. Instead, we often pretend that these problems aren’t impacting us at all. We might try and cover them up and will often not be comfortable discussing them with family or even friends. That’s a problem for a number of reasons. First, a lot of these health issues are treatable once you understand the cause. Second, they can be the first sign of something serious that you need to get checked out. So, let’s explore some of these embarrassing body issues and understand the right ways to take care of them.

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Acne

Acne shouldn’t be embarrassing, but it is. The reason for this is that we often assume acne is something only teenagers experience. However, that’s not the case and a lot of adults can suffer from acne too (ugh including me). Some get periods where acne flares up, while for others it’s more permanent. So, what can you do about this? Well, first you need to identify the cause of the issue and there are a lot of different factors to consider here.

For instance, you might find that your diet is at least partially to blame. There’s also the possibility that it’s caused by makeup. Makeup can clog up the pores on your skin which means that grease and dirt will start to build up (also, wash your brushes!). You can avoid this if you wear the right type of makeup or even drink plenty of water. Drinking water is a great way to clear out your skin and deal with an acne flare up.

For more severe issues, it can be worth speaking to a dermatologist. This is particularly important if your acne is constantly scarring.

Smells Down Below

It is possible that you have noticed your nether regions have an unpleasant odor. There are numerous reasons for this but for women, the problem is likely to be a bacterial infection. It can cause a fishy type of smell. The good news is that you can easily handle an issue like this BV treatment over the counter. You’ll find that once you start using the treatment, the problem will quickly disappear.

Men have a similar issue to this but for them, it’s usually caused by a sweat rash. This can be quite uncomfortable and in some cases, it may smell. In extreme cases, men can develop boils and bumps which can be mistaken for an STD, even by a doctor.

Hemorrhoids

Finally, there is something positive to say about hemorrhoids. It’s not an embarrassing issue that people will automatically know that you have. In many cases, hemorrhoids can remain completely hidden, even to you. However, they are still embarrassing and they can actually be quite frightening. It’s an issue which can cause a lot of blood which you might not be expecting. There are various ways to handle this medical issue. For instance, a long soak in a bath is often enough to provide relief if they are causing you quite a lot of pain.

Everyone experiences embarrassing body issues at some point in their lives, so it’s important to remember that you’re not alone!

This post was a collaboration.

Thank you for reading!

Health

Protecting Your Health When Spending More Time Out Of Doors

January 11, 2020 By lyndsinreallife Leave a Comment

The results are in! They state that spending time outside and away from our stuffy office desks is good for both our bodies and our minds. However, it’s not all good news as there are also risks that we must account for as well. Happily, you can find out what these are, and so minimize them by reading the post below.

Sunburn

One of the most significant issues concerning spending time out of doors is the risk of sunburn from UVA and UVA rays. In fact, due to the link to cancer, many people are reticent to spend more time out of doors at all. Especially if it’s in locations where the sun beats down relentlessly.

However, what it is important to remember here is that getting enough sun safely can actually be good for. After all, it is exposure to sunlight that helps to stimulate the production of Vitamin D. Something essential for health and well being.

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To that end, investing in the right types of sunscreen for your skin is essential, as this can allow you to spend time out of doors while minimizing the risk of burning.

Of course, there are two things to beware of here. First is the factor number. With 50 being the highest and most suitable for those will pale, sensitive skin, that will be out in the sun for long periods.

Additionally, something that can make a big difference with sunscreen is how it is applied. For example, sunscreen wipes are convenient for those people that are on the go. Whole those planning on spending the entire day outside may be best off choosing a single application sunscreen. Although they will have to wait for the recommended time, around 40 minutes before they can go outside to swim or do water sports.

Insect bites

Another hazard that you can be exposed to when spending more time out of doors are insect bites. Unfortunately, while you can use repellent, to reduce the risk of being bitten, there are often so many insects around that it has little effect.

The good news, however, is that even if you do get bitten, you don’t have to live with the annoying, unquenchable itch that they leave behind. In fact, if you can get your hands on products like this insect bite cream, it’s possible to continue enjoying your outdoor time as normal. Instead of having to stop on your hike or canoeing trip every five minutes to scratch.

Pollution

Most of us think about getting more time out of doors as a healthy option. One where we will have access to fresh air. Of course, this isn’t necessarily the case as not everyone lives in rural areas where the air is clean.

In fact, those of us that want to spend more time out of doors that live in the city are quite likely to be exposed to increased pollutants in the air. These being things that can not only be bad for our lungs but also our skin as well.

With that in mind, taking precautions against any pollution damage can be wise. Whether that is using special makeup, or even wearing a face mask when running or walking out of doors.

This post was a collaboration.

Health

Is It Time To Get Your Hearing Tested?

January 11, 2020 By lyndsinreallife 1 Comment

Image Credit Pixabay.com License CC0

Your hearing is important. The ability to hear sounds will not only provide your brain with a wealth of information about the world around you, but it will also mean that you can hear lots of sounds that you love. Your favorite song, the voices of your partner, children, family, and your friends. Having good hearing means that you can take part fully in conversations. This, in turn, is good for you from a social perspective, and it can help your mental health. All in all, the ability to hear is a sense that should be valued.

To lose your ability to hear can be tough. When you are experiencing hearing loss, you may feel cut off or disengaged from those around you because you cannot fully take part in conversations. You may feel stupid or ashamed asking people to repeat themselves because you have not heard them. And mishearing things that people have said to you can become problematic.

But if you are experiencing hearing loss, it need not be the end of your ability to hear. A visit to an audiologist could result in an assessment of your hearing being made, and a hearing aid fitting which will allow you to hear better than you may have done for a very long time.

What Are The Signs Of Hearing Loss?

There are several different ways that hearing loss may affect you. You may struggle to hear what people are saying when they are talking to you. Sometimes it may be the odd word here and there that you miss and at other times, whole sentences may feel muffled. You may put it down to the person who is speaking at first. That they may be covering their mouth or talking quietly. But if you start to notice this in more and more situations, then this a sign that you may need a hearing test.

Having to have your TV turned up louder than is comfortable for anyone else is a sure sign that you are experiencing hearing loss. If your volume has slid up a few notches because you struggle to hear the TV or radio, then make an appointment with an audiologist.

A ringing, humming, or buzzing in the ears may indicate that you have Tinnitus. This is an uncomfortable experience for anyone who may be suffering from it. An audiologist may be able to help to manage the symptoms of this.

What To Expect When Visiting An Audiologist

If you are experiencing any of the signs and symptoms associated with hearing loss, then you should make an appointment with an audiologist as soon as possible. Hearing loss can affect anyone, at any point in their lives. There can be lots of different causes which may include infection, a build-up of ear wax, physical damage to your ear, or damage through exposure to loud noises. An audiologist will assess the cause of your hearing loss, and then examine your ears to measure the extent of it.

You’ll be asked a series of questions about your hearing loss, when it started, and what symptoms you are noticing. You’ll be asked about any illness and injury that you may have suffered, and the audiologist will also ask you about your life including any hobbies and work. All of this is to help get a picture of the cause of your hearing loss.

Once the audiologist has got to know a bit about you, they will start the hearing test. This may involve a few different tests, but is likely to include a visual inspection of your ear, and a test which will measure what types of sounds you are able to hear. This will involve wearing headphones and listening to a series of sounds, indicating which ones you can hear.

Following on from your hearing test, you may be given a few different options for treatment. For hearing loss relating to infections of blockages in your ears, antibiotics or having your ears drained may be a solution.

For other forms of hearing loss, the audiologist may suggest that you get a hearing aid.

Getting A Hearing Aid Fitted

Your audiologist will be able to recommend a suitable hearing aid that meets your specific needs. They will also help to fit it for you so that it is comfortable and is set to the right volume. Generally, hearing aids are designed with comfort in mind, and they are not bulky so they don’t stand out. They will improve the amount that you can hear quite dramatically though.

This post was a collaboration.

Health

We Need To Talk! (About Embarrassing Health Conditions)

January 11, 2020 By lyndsinreallife Leave a Comment

The problem with some health conditions is that we don’t talk about them. Something that can mean we end up suffering for far longer than is necessary. The good news is that knowing what is going on with your health, even if it is a little embarrassing means you can return to your old self in no time. Keep reading to find out more.

Urinary Tract Infections

UTIs like cystitis aren’t always easy to talk about. In fact, many people can get embarrassed when the subject comes up. Of course, they can be pretty uncomfortable too, especially if you have to stop what you are doing every 5 minutes to head to the loo.

Fortunately, they are straightforward to treat indeed. In fact, you can get over the counter UTI tablets that contain active ingredients such as cranberry extract. Something that has long been held to alleviate cystitis symptoms.

Alternatively, if you have a different UTI heading to your doctors for a course of antibiotics such as MacroBID is a fast and straightforward solution. One that will have you feeling much better in the shortest possible time.

Hearing Loss

Many people struggle with talking about and seeking treatment for hearing loss. Especially if they think it is to do with their age. However, loss of hearing can occur for a whole range of reasons, and at any age.

It’s also important to be aware that just because you are suffering from hearing loss, it doesn’t mean you have to accept your situation. In fact, there is a range of treatments available from surgery, using a tiny invisible hearing aid that can help improve your symptoms. Thus ensuring you get your life back to normal as fast as possible.

Bad Breath

Let’s face it, no one wants to be told that they have bad breath. In fact, such a situation can be embarrassing indeed. Happily, if you are worried about this condition, there are plenty of things that you can do to combat it.

First of all, it may well be worth a trip to the dentist, as a cavity or build up in between the teeth due to improper flossing may be causing the odor.

Although, for some people, a change in their dietary habits can make all the difference here. For example, cutting out coffee or sugar, or moving from a low carb diet such as Keto to one that includes carbohydrates can help improve the quality of your breath.

Skin Cysts

Skin Cysts occur when a pore gets blocked, then the bacteria underneath cannot be cleared. Unfortunately, skin cysts can be embarrassing as well as painful, especially when they are in a private place!

Of course, it is worth noting that they aren’t usually too dangerous if caught early. In fact, a quick visit to the doctors for the cyst to be drained is often just what is required. Yes, and although this can feel a little embarrassing, remember that it’s nothing they haven’t seen before and getting your health problem sorted is what really matters here.

This post was a collaboration.

Health

How to Stick to Your Health Goals

January 10, 2020 By lyndsinreallife Leave a Comment

Image Credit: Pexels CC0 License

Happy New Year 2020!

We all want to be healthier and feel great but sometimes, it’s a lot easier to revert to our old bad habits – even when we know they’re bad! One of the reasons for this is that once we reach our goal, we relax the rules and wind up right back where we started. This is why so many people do yo-yo dieting and end up far heavier than when they started.

Instead of making a heap of big changes all at once, it’s far better to start with one small change and build up. Once you have achieved a small success, you get the confidence you need to make the next change. But how do you achieve that first step?

Be Accountable

If you are trying to lose weight but you’re the only one who cares, it’s quite easy to slip back into old habits, because you only have to justify it to yourself. But when you have someone else hold you accountable for your actions, it means that you aren’t just working for yourself but for that person, too. This isn’t about being told off, though; it’s about knowing you have the support you need to make considered changes.

Signing up for a program like Working Against Gravity is a great option for this. By working with a nutritionist, you get all the advice you need and someone looking out for you. With the right kind of support, you can go at your own pace, set your own goals and still know that you are going to make progress.

Notice the Changes

Part of the reason that some people give up on their health goals is that they stop noticing a difference. Because they can’t see a change in the mirror, they assume nothing is happening. But, if you take the time to write down how you are feeling and monitor your stats, you will see a steady improvement over time.

Keeping a bullet journal to track your health is a great way to focus in on the key things you want to learn about yourself. For example, you could track your blood pressure or make a note of the weights you lifted or how many reps you did at the gym. You could also track your hunger and what you’re eating to see if you are snacking more or less and what you’re eating. The more you track, the more differences you will see and the more you’ll want to carry on.

Reward Yourself

Learning new ways to reward yourself is always going to be fun. If you tend to reward yourself with bad food, now is a time to change things up and find new things to enjoy. A warm bubble bath, a night out dancing with your friends, or any number of things could be perfect for you.

Remember that if you want to make a positive change, you have to think in a positive way. Aim for something good instead of running from something bad. Make your new lifestyle the one you want to keep!

This post was a collaboration.

Health

Physio After An Operation On Your Hand

January 10, 2020 By lyndsinreallife Leave a Comment

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If you have recently undergone a surgical procedure for a hand fracture, or you have an operation coming up in the near future, you may be wondering what the recovery process afterwards entails. It is vital to follow a post-fracture rehabilitation program if your recovery is to be a success, otherwise, you will run the risk of complications arising or your condition deteriorating.

Reduce pain and ensure proper movement and function comes back

A lot of people mistakenly believe that the recovery period is over once they have had their surgery, they think just need a little bit of rest, but this is definitely not the case, as it takes specialist techniques to reduce pain and ensure proper movement and function comes back.

Stabilize the hand and ensure it heals effectively

The whole point of surgery for a hand fracture is to ensure the bones are put back in the correct position, and, therefore, when you seek physiotherapy, the purpose will be to stabilise the hand and ensure it heals effectively, after which, the physiotherapist will begin a course of treatment that will help to strengthen your hand while also improving flexibility and range of movement. The importance of this cannot be undervalued, and you can cause yourself some serious harm if you choose to neglect the need to follow a post-fracture rehab program.

Finding the right physiotherapist for your requirements

Look for someone who will have an abundance of experience when it comes to post-fracture rehab, so you can be confident that you will be in safe hands when using their service. Resources like https://www.daocloud.com/ can be very useful when it comes to finding the right specialist for your requirements.

What should you expect from your physiotherapist appointment?

A specialist will always begin their first appointment by carrying out a thorough examination of your condition; of course, they know that you have had surgery for a fracture, but there are lots of variables that must be taken into account when putting a treatment plan together, such as medication consumed and any symptoms you are experiencing.

The treatment process and the length of time the recovery

After this, they will then tell you about the treatment process and the length of time the recovery is likely to take. Most post-fracture rehab programs begin with bracing or taping to ensure that the hand is stabilised and can heal. After this, they can then start to work on a whole host of exercises that will get your hand back to its best, ensuring normal functionality and movement returns. They will also give you all of the information you need to manage the condition effectively at home so you can ensure nothing goes wrong.

So there you have it: everything you need to know about having physio on your hand once you have had any sort of operation. It is important to make sure you follow the plan that your physiotherapist gives you, as this is essential for your recovery.

This post was a collaboration.

Thank you for reading!