During these times, a lot folks are complaining about eating more and being less active. (Don’t forget to count your blessings if that’s your major complaint.) Some people are lucky enough to have workout equipment at home while others live in an open area where they are able to take long walks. Some don’t have many options for maintaining their optimal body shape.
The power of compression
Shapers like Shapellx are great to enhance those perfect curves in that perfect dress or outfit, but did you know that compression can be like a non invasive workout for your body?
Wearing spandex on the right areas can help with blood flow while increasing warmth like what happens while working out.
Tightens muscles
via shapellx
Wearing Shapewear can tighten muscles in a good way. Whether you need a small or plus size shapewear for women, there’s a fit for any size. Wearing compression clothing has been shown to drain muscles of toxins and build-up that can lead to ailments in the body.
Better posture
There are different shapes and forms to body shapers. Some shapers are targeted to the abdomen, breasts or buttox and thighs, or multiple areas like waist trainer with thigh trimmer. Each one has benefits to certain areas of the back as well. The super taunt-stretch martial has the ability to tuck in and pull up, resulting in a better position for better posture.
Wearing compression while lounging isn’t going to give you the fullest of it’s benefits, but if you’re going to be lounging, why not throw in a bodysuit under your lounge wear and give a beneficial mini workout to your target areas until your able to get really active again.
Tia, and TipsfromTia.com is trying to keep you looking good and feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.
We all dream of a period property. Living somewhere with a sense of history, gorgeous original features, and high, airy ceilings is many people’s ideal home situation. But period properties can be difficult to upgrade. You want to make the most out of your home – as with any other big investment – while at the same time ensuring that you maintain and look after the features that made you fall in love with it in the first place. If you’re looking for some ways to make your period property more efficient and practical for you and your family’s lifestyle then read on.
1. Windows
You lose 20% of your home’s heating through poor-quality glass which is badly insulated. But the windows of a period property are one of its most enticing features, so how do you keep the glorious aesthetic of your home and at the same time improve your energy efficiency? Try looking forReplacement Windows that are in keeping with the look of your home and, at the same time, can provide you with eco-friendly and durable windows that are exactly designed to meet your specifications. Work with experts in window-fitting and you won’t regret upgrading your windows for both the look and feel of your home.
2. Electricity
There are some clear signs that it might be time toreplace your home’s electrical wiring. In all likelihood, it was built in a time before electricity was commonplace, which means that the wiring will have been installed over time and so might not be of the best quality. Not only is bad or faulty wiring frustrating, but it can also be dangerous and cause fires or shocks. Contact an electrician is you think you have an old-fashioned fuse box – you can tell if it has a wooden back. Cast iron switches are also a clear indicator that it’s time for an upgrade. Not only will this enhance the safety of your electrics, but a modern fuse box will also up the value of your home.
3. Decide on your aesthetic
There arelots of optionswhen adding on to a period home. You might find that there just isn’t as much space as you’d like, or the shape of the rooms doesn’t quite fit with your lifestyle. If that’s the case, then it’s worth considering an extension. But how? An obvious option is to go up, take advantage of high roofing and expand into the loft. You can gain two or three additional rooms by simply building upwards, and you’re less likely to run into planning regulation difficulties.
Another possibility is to extend onto the back of the property. When you’re buying, find out how much surrounding land you own and so you’re aware of how far you can build out, adding onto the back or side of your property. If you’re meeting with an architect, decide how you want your property to look. Although it can be tempting to try and make extensions fit in with the property, remember they’ll never look exactly the same so you might decide instead to make a feature of the new.
Tia, and TipsfromTia.com is trying to keep you looking good and feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.
Diet And Exercise Are Great… But Are You Neglecting These 5 Other Aspects Of Your Health?
Your health matters now more than ever! WIth doctors and medical centers doing all they can to help those affected by the coronavirus, we’re all learning to be more autonomous when it comes to managing our health. The good news is that we’re all finding inventive ways to work out without gyms and getting creative in the kitchen, cooking from scratch more and enjoying more fresh wholefoods.
Still, while diet and exercise are important, there’s more to your health than these twin pillars. If you’re not also taking care of the following, your overall health and wellbeing may suffer…
Mental wellbeing and stress management
The nationwide lockdown is likely to start to take a toll on our mental health, causing us to feel stressed and irritable. This condition is called cabin fever and while it’s perfectly natural, it can be ruinous to your relationships with others in your home.
Dental health
You won’t have a visit to your dentist on the cards for the next few months. But this is all the more reason to double down on your dental health. And, sorry, but brushing twice a day just isn’t enough for most of us. You should be flossing and using mouthwash after brushing to keep your mouth free of the food residue and bacteria that can damage teeth and gums.
Digestive health
Good digestive health is about more than just staving off indigestion, bloating and cramps. Your digestive health can have a surprising impact on your overall health. The tiny ecosystem of flora and microorganisms within your gut are often referred to as the second brain which can influence our mood and overall wellbeing.
Eating more wholefoods, taking smaller bites, chewing thoroughly and getting enough sleep (more on that later) are crucial to gut health.
Genital health and hygiene
Why are we so loath to talk about our downstairs buts with anyone other than our doctors? For all kinds of reasons, we need to make sure that we pay attention to our genitals. We need to make sure they’re clean and dry to stave off yeast infections and UTIs. If you experience pain or discomfort during sex and / or incontinece or constipation, you may be among the 1 in 3 women with a pelvic floor disorder. The good folks at Pelvic Floor Pro can give you the support you need. Even while under lockdown.
Sleep
Of course, it’s unlikely that anyone reading this will be deliberately missing out on sleep. Still, it’s safe to say that many of us won’t be getting enough. At a time when we may know that loved ones are suffering and it seems like our bank accounts are leaking money, a good night’s sleep can be hard to come by.
Still, that doesn’t mean you can’t help yourself. Try to limit your exposure to artificial light (including blue light from screens). Try and get some exercise every day, even if it’s just a brisk walk. Be aware of your caffeine intake, especially in the afternoons / evenings. Take a hot bath around an hour before bedtime to lower your core temperature, and try keeping a diffuser with ylang ylang, jasmine or lavender essential oils by your bed.
Keep all of the above in mind, and you’ll ensure a holistic approach to your health while under lockdown.
Tia, and TipsfromTia.com is trying to keep you looking good and feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.
But it’s not just about fight the appearance of aging. It’s also about fighting the plights of old age that physically hold you back from living. And one thing that can hold you back during your twilight years is bad eye health. Aging can have a detrimental impact on eyesight, and you shouldn’t allow for your eyesight to be changed in this way. A way to do this is to make changes to your diet.
By opting for cereals that are ravished in whole grain. By choosing foods that are a good source of protein. And by cooking in a way that makes any fats you consume as healthy as can be. By implementing these three aspects into your diet, you will be doing all you can to fight the plight of old age that is bad eye health.
Another key to staving off the feeling of aging is to stay social. You don’t have to retreat into your own home, avoiding contact with others. (Well, at least after the pandenic is over.) Instead of introverting, try to stay as social as possible. Laughing with your friends brings youth. Community and group spirit can work wonders for the soul! This is evident right into the depths of old age – groups such as Seniors Helping Seniors go to show just how positive bonding with others and helping others where you can is for your health, happiness and wellbeing.
Tia, and TipsfromTia.com is trying to keep you looking good and feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.
Whether it’s a used Vauxhall Adam or a brand new Land Rover, you should always try to store your car under shelter. That goes for when you’re at home, i.e. a garage or parking in a public space. Public parking may be a little more difficult, but if there are any free spots that have shelter above it, then it’s worth choosing that as a place to park, rather than somewhere that’s out in the open. From a security viewpoint, it’s also beneficial to park within eyesight of a CCTV camera.
As mentioned above, being wary of drivers is key. Not everyone is going to be as careful as a driver as you are, and accidents do happen. It is important, therefore, to be aware of everything going on around you. Keep an eye on your wing mirror and rear-view mirror at all times to make sure that you are doing everything you can to maintain a safe distance from other drivers. Look out for pedestrians who often have a bad habit of running across without the go-ahead of the traffic lights.
If you do experience an accident, make sure to stop straight away. This is an absolute essential. You need to make sure anyone who is hurt receives immediate medical attention. If there are no injuries, you will need to swap insurance details to ensure damage can be repaired. If you can’t come to an agreement on whose fault the incident is, you may need to get legal professionals, such as a Board of Appeal Lawyer involved in order to determine what should happen here on out. Using a lawyer is much more likely to swing the case in your direction than representing yourself.
Tia, and TipsfromTia.com is trying to keep you looking good and feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.
This is a time of great anxiety for many of us. The Coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent lockdown are beginning to take their toll on our health, our wellbeing and our budgets. Many of us are struggling financially. Some freelancers and business owners have lost clients, some employees have lost their jobs or been placed on furlough without pay. Even the luckiest of us will likely have had to take a pay cut of at least 20%.
Still, it’s easy to think of our financial wellbeing as something beyond our control. However, this mentality does us no favors in the long term. All it does is cause us additional stress, and as we all know, stress can compromise our immune function. Which is the absolute last thing we all need right now. As such, let’s look at how we can take control of our financial health by plugging up some of the spending leaks that can occur while we’re on lockdown.
Electricity
We’re all relying heavily on our energy supply right now. Most of us are cooking more at home, but we’re also spending more on heating and / or AC since the whole household is indoors all day. Not to mention powering the myriad TVs, computers and electronic devices that the whole family relies on to work and stay entertained all day and night.
That all adds up to a lot of energy usage. While much of this may be unavoidable, spending over the odds is not. Here are some ways you can take control of your energy spend;
Carry out a price comparison and see if another provider can give you cheaper energy in line with your usage.
Limit use of TVs and games consoles to specific hours in the home.
Encourage kids to read books, play board games or spend time in the garden
Stop leaving TVs, consoles etc. on standby overnight. This uses almost as much energy as if they were switched on. Turn them off at the plug.
Auto insurance
Many of us will be overspending on our car insurance during lockdown, but this is entirely avoidable. First, see if your current insurance company is prepared to offer you a smaller premium in line with your reduced vehicle use. Failing this, there may be options to pause or cancel your policy or remove members of your family to save money. If all this fails, maybe you should consider switching to a new auto insurance provider. It’s a common fallacy that insurance companies will reward your loyalty. The truth is that they’re counting on you to let your policy roll over so they can hike up your costs.
Food
Finally, food is an essential expense. But paying a fortune for it isn’t. As important as fresh fruits and veggies are, resist the urge to overspend on them. If you don’t use fresh produce quickly, it will start to wilt and it may end up wasted. Get plenty of canned and frozen goods in and master the art of batch cooking. You’ll be amazed how far you can stretch your grocery budget. Not to mention emerging from quarantine leaner and healthier than ever.
Tia, and TipsfromTia.com is trying to keep you looking good and feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.
Nobody wants to think about their parents getting old and potentially suffering from poor health. We must, however, be prepared for the event that they develop a chronic health problem or increased fragility, because if or when the time comes you may need some extra help. Such decisions need to be shared with the whole family so that everyone knows what to do if the worst happens. Here are some helpful ideas on how to plan for the future of an elderly parent.
It will never be a simple or enjoyable conversation to have, but nevertheless, it is an important one. This concerns your parents, and this is only fair that you speak to your parent(s) about the plans when they are fully in a position to have the conversation. If you have brothers or sisters, do try to include them in the conversation, because everyone needs to be on the same page to prevent any conflict from arising in the future. Things to take into consideration include:
Their needs when it comes to future care
Their wishes as they grow older
Where they would like to live
Their financial situation
Any support that they may need now
How this discussion will pan out depends on your family dynamic, so try to pre-empt any triggers for potential fall out and tension during the conversation. This way, you can have an appropriate response ready beforehand to try to keep the discussion as calm and as productive as possible.
Assess their needs
You may have concerns regarding your parent’s health and wellbeing now. Maybe they have recently lost weight or had a few falls, or began to forget the occasional thing. Maybe their vision and hearing are not quite what it used to be. If this is the case, you need to think about and assess whether they have any urgent needs, such as mobility aids or more specialist care.
Most people will have strong feelings when it comes to their living arrangements when they are older, so it is important to talk to your parents about the options available to them and be sensitive when it comes to it.
Talk about their housing options
While your parents might be lively and able to live an independent life at the moment, they might one day need a little more support. To ensure they enjoy a good quality of life, it is worthwhile talking about their different senior housing options, such as:
For example, a nursing home might be the best option if your mom or dad requires a high level of medical and one-to-one care. Assisted living allows them to retain independence as much as possible. However, in-home care can provide your elderly parents with extra support within the home, such as help with laundry and meal preparation so that they can maintain a reasonable level of independence.
Tia, and TipsfromTia.com is trying to keep you looking good and feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.
While under the self-quarantine and social distancing affects of COVID-19, we all find ourselves highly acute of certain bodily habits. I can hear a person sneeze from a mile away. And there’s a very distinct difference in the sound of someone covering their mouth when they cough and when they don’t!
It’s not paranoid; it’s awareness
Paranoia is defined as being panicked over something that is unlikely to happen. Awareness is when you realize there is a potential for something to happen and you take action on prevention.
So, why is my nose itching?
Particles in the air touch our noses multiple times a day, every day. From dust to a stray hair, we have never thought twice about brushing it away. However, since we have been told repeatedly not to touch our face, we are now fully aware of when we actually want to.
Is it safe to touch my nose?
Yes. But with the pandemic in full rise, it’s best to wash your hands before you touch your nose and, here’s the important part, AFTER. This has always been the case. Yet, it’s so obvious now with the coronavirus and it’s ability to be so contiguous. For example: COVID-19 could be on your hands. You touch your nose and within hours or days, it could enter your system. Another example: The virus is in your nose. You touch your nose then, touch a surface. The surface now has COVID-19 on it which has the ability to survive for days just waiting for someone to touch it.
So, Washing hands before and after can help reduce this problem.
Reduce chances of catching a virus through your nose
Yep, you read that correctly. The most likely reason for a virus getting in your bloodstream is that the nostrils are dry. This allows the virus to rest within the canal, to eventually, seep through the dermis and enter the bloodstream. An easy prevention is to keep your nostrils moisturized. Saline solution kits and refills for the nose are a good routine to help keep your nose clean and moisturized. If a virus enters a clean moisturized nose, mucus has a change to potentially cover the virus, which you will eventually expel through blowing your nose or coughing out.
The ears, nose and throat are all connected so well to help prevent catching bacterial, fungal and viral infections. But remember, we need to help the system out by washing those hands before and after, as well as cleaning the kit after use.
Tia, and TipsfromTia.com is trying to keep you looking good and feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.
4 Ways To Cover The Cost Of Unexpected Car Repairs
Unexpected repairs are just part of being a car owner, and your car isn’t going to wait until it is convenient before it breaks down. This can be a big problem because repairs are incredibly expensive and if you don’t have the money to pay for them, you could find yourself in some financial trouble. You rely on your car, so you can’t just leave it, which means that you need to find the money from somewhere. The good news is, there are ways that you can cover the cost without completely ruining your finances. If you are hit with unexpected car repairs that you can’t really afford, here’s what you can do.
Before you start thinking about how you are going to find the money, it’s important that you shop around for the best price. The cost of repairs varies a lot depending on the mechanic, and some mechanics will try to rip you off if they suspect that you don’t really know what is wrong with the car. If you want to make the cost more manageable, you need to shop around and compare prices. You should also check out reviews of local mechanics so you can find somebody that you know is going to be reliable.
Get a Repayment Plan
A lot of people don’t realize that you can get a repayment plan to help you pay for your car repairs. Companies like Optimal Warranty offer auto repair payment plans, so you can get the repairs done and then pay it off in installments over the coming months. This makes it so much more manageable and you can fit it into your budget, rather than rushing around trying to find a big lump sum from somewhere.
Do Repairs Yourself
In some cases, you may be able to do the repairs yourself. When you first buy a new car, you should spend some time looking through the manual and learning the basics of how the engine works. You are not a mechanic so there will be a lot of things that you cannot do, but if you spend some time learning, you may be able to do simple repairs on your own. This saves you a lot of money and even if you do have to go to a mechanic, knowing a bit about your car will make it harder for them to rip you off.
Get a Loan
If none of the other options on this list are possible, you may need to get a loan. You should always exhaust all of the other possibilities before you do this, and if you need to get a loan, make sure that you avoid payday loans with crazy interest rates. It’s much better to put the money on a credit card or take out a loan from the bank so you are only paying a reasonable amount of interest.
Unexpected car repairs can throw you a financial curveball, but these are all great ways to cover the cost without ruining your budget.
Tia, and TipsfromTia.com is trying to keep you looking good and feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.
As the world braces after hearing The WHO declare a global pandemic, most search for ways to maintain health. How is it that some people that are infected with COVID-19 are barely showing symptoms while others are aren’t so lucky?
Lord only knows…
The infected number is climbing at alarming rates as the death toll continues to rise. Clean hands, closures and social distancing is helping slow the cases. But human nature tells us, ‘We need to do more’. The major organizations request that people stop buying masks. However, people are looking for ways to feel proactive. To keep fears and anxiety at bay, there are some helpful suggestions, finally, being sent our way.
We Know… Wash your hands
Yes, it’s surprising this is number one on every preventative list. It’s amazing how many folks can forget this on a regular basis. Many, many years ago, it was discovered that rinsing hands, alone, doesn’t have the same impact as adding soap into the mix. Nowadays, timing is everything. For as long as I can remember, I have sung my ABC’s while washing my hands. As a child, it was considered adorable. Yet, as a teen, my friends would tease. And as an adult, well… lets just say, I sing it in my head, along with a head bob every now and again.
Recently, people have created new versions of 20 second washing by using show openings and classic hits. However, according to a poll, what is the song that people are singing in their heads while scrubbing down their paws? The census appears to be ‘Happy birthday’. Good choice. Just remember to sing it twice!
Supplements
Supplements are always a tough suggestion when dealing with any illness. Their mere presence can cause backlash, especially since most aren’t FDA approved. Plus, as a nutritionist, I can honestly say, ‘I don’t know your personal history’ to safely recommend a one size fits all cure-all. (Btw, there is no, one size cure-all, as far as I know.) When the SARs outbreak happened, many took to natural viral fighters like, turmeric. Really? Yes, but listen… Supplements like turmeric are amazing as long as they are right for you, personally. Curcuminoids that are found in turmeric supplements are bad-asses that can kill many things in vitro (in a test tube). Yet, the way it works on your specific body could be different. Always talk to your doctor before starting a supplement or vitamin. They will know you best and what interactions to look out for.
Exercise
We all know exercise is good for us. But, seriously… there seems to be a connection to COVID-19 patients who exercise daily with things like, stretching or yoga and their lack of symptoms. So, why not add a bit of exercise into your daily. It’s good for your heart and your immune system.
Healthy diet
This is a given for any immune system. Eat fresh. Eat a variety. Green and leafy veggies have plenty of chlorophyll to toughen up your immunity. Veggies with lots of color tend to have lots of nutrients. Buying caned or frozen will still give you a good deal of nutrition. Look for foods that are packed with vitamins. Vitamins in the B family are always important to keep the cognitive aspects in check. New studies have shown intakes of Vitamin D have had effects on blocking and/or shortening viruses. And who could forget, Vitamin C. Look for some vitamins that might have the combo you need like Vitamin C + D chews. Eat several small meals a day, so you can get more variety. Also, it might be more beneficial to ration your meals if you find yourself in quarantine.
Rest
Getting a good amount of sleep is important for any immune system. However, getting extra sleep is important to fight off germs and viruses. Don’t neglect your body. If you feel tired, take a nap. Taking several periods of rest through out the day can cause a surge of healthy cells to do their job and fight off the bad guys trying to take up residence in your system.
Reduce Anxiety
Shortness of breath can also be a symptom of stress. This pandemic is unnerving for most individuals. Follow the guidelines of your country, city, town. The rules laid out to stay home or keep away from crowds are there to protect you and others. Don’t lie, we have all been self-serving at one point or another, but this is about the bigger picture.
Feeling overwhelmed? Try deep breathing exercises: Inhale deeply through your nose and exhale very slowly from your mouth. Repeat several times. Try a pressure point for relief. Pressing your tongue to the roof of your mouth and holding it there for several seconds can ward off a panic attack.
Stay calm; stay kind. Make plans with neighbors if any one of you should get sick. Remember, pets can catch this! Keep your pets away from your tissues and bodily fluids and wash your hands thoroughly after dealing with theirs. Check on the family and the elderly with a phone call. Cover your mouth when you cough, yawn or sneeze, by using the crook of your elbow. Wash hands for at least twenty seconds. Don’t like to count? Try singing a song. Don’t fight with your fellow man over toilet paper or any other store item.
And God bless us, every one!
Tia, and TipsfromTia.com is trying to keep you looking good and feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.
