Category Archives: ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME

Tips from fixing the room to finding health remedies in the kitchen.

ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME

Trouble Drifting Off? Take Note Of These Five Tips! 

Trouble Drifting Off? Take Note Of These Five Tips!

There is nothing worse than laying in bed at night, not being able to drift off. You lay there, tossing and turning, trying everything that you can think of to doze off, but for some reason, nothing seems to work. The more you try to fall asleep, the more awake you feel. This can be a real problem because it can become a habit. This is because when you go to bed the next night, after not sleeping well, the fact that you struggled to sleep may play on your mind. This can then make it hard to fall asleep, as you’re obsessing over it.

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While some people suffer from insomnia for unknown reasons, for the majority of us who struggle to sleep, there’s a reason behind it. It’s important to determine what that reason is because a lack of sleep can have a big impact on your daily life. You see, how well you sleep at night can impact your waking hours by leaving you feeling constantly exhausted. Before signing up to attend a sleep clinic, give the five tips below a try and see if they make it easier for you to drift off.

  1. Implement a sleep schedule

The chances are that the reason you’re struggling to doze off is because you don’t have a sleep schedule in place. Any sleep specialist will tell you that one of the best things you can do to get a better night’s sleep is implement a sleep schedule. The reason for this is because having a set schedule in place will ensure that when you go to bed, you are tired and ready to sleep. Making it easier to drift off. Most adults need eight hours of sleep a night, so choose a bedtime and wake-up time that will allow you to get that amount of sleep. To make the process a little easier, there are sleep apps available that you can download to schedule a sleep pattern. The most important thing is to stick to your sleep schedule every single day – even on the weekends.

  1. Keep technology locked away after nine pm

A common reason that we struggle to sleep is because when it comes to dozing off, our minds are too active. The main reason for this is because we are constantly using technology. Computers, smartphones, tablets, and TVs encourage our brains to be active. That’s why it’s a good idea to ban all technology after nine each night, to allow your mind to relax. Instead of watching TV or playing on your smartphone, try reading a book or listening to calming music.

  1. Be smart about how and when you exercise

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Studies show that people who exercise regularly tend to be less prone to insomnia. So it’s important to ensure that you’re getting enough exercise each day – even 10 minutes of light walking can make a difference. To see a difference in your sleep habits, it takes a couple of months of regular exercise. So it’s important that you stick at it. While it’s important to exercise, exercising in the evening is a bad idea. This is because exercise ups body temperature and increases the body’s production of cortisol. Cortisol is a stimulant that encourages the mind to be active. Thus making it harder for your mind to relax, and you to fall asleep.  So it’s best to exercise in the morning or early afternoon, instead of in the evening.

  1. Create a comfortable sleep space

If the environment that you’re sleeping in isn’t comfortable and tranquil, this can have a serious impact on how well you sleep. This means having a sleep space that’s cool and well ventilated – most people sleep best in cool spaces. It’s also important to ensure that your bed is as comfortable as possible, this means having a quality mattress and cotton bedding. If your mattress isn’t comfortable, it could make it hard to fall asleep. So it may worth considering replacing it with a new memory foam mattress, or if you can’t afford a new mattress, with a mattress topper. To find out more about memory foam, search for an online guide to Tempur memory foam mattresses. As for your pillows, if you don’t have a comfortable pillow, this can also have an impact. Head to your local home store and test out some pillows to find the perfect one.

  1. Put a relaxing bedtime routine into place

As a child, your parents may have had a relaxing bedtime routine in place to help you sleep. This probably consisted of having a warm bath, putting on your pajamas, and having a story read to you in bed. Just because you’re all grown up, that doesn’t mean that having a relaxing bedtime schedule won’t be beneficial. Think about what relaxes you, such as having a lavender bubble bath, followed by a cup of tea and reading a book in bed. Put a relaxing bedtime schedule in place and see if it makes it easier to drift off each night.

There you have it, five tips for making it easier to drift off and get a good night’s sleep.

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.

ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME

Get That Winter Cozy Time Feeling At Home

Get That Winter Cozy Time Feeling At Home

As the weather is getting colder, we often start to think of ways that we can make our indoor space more comfortable and pleasing. We want to stay indoors more and drink hot cocoa and snuggle up in front of our favorite movies. But what are some easy ways of getting that warm snuggly feeling at home? Read on to find out.

In the den

If you have a room or man cave where you hang out, you’ll want to make some small adjustments to make it snug and warm for the colder weather.

Lined curtains can help keep the heat in a room, without using up extra fuel. Choose a thick fabric like tweed available for stores such as http://www.homedepot.com. It is not only energy efficient but will also look stylish too.

If you are going for tweed fabric, then why not decorate the rest of the room in keeping with that?  A man cave feel can be achieved by adding leather chairs and fun oversized beans bags in dark colors. Try one like this crazy 8 footers, available at http://www.sackdaddy.com/products/8-ft-sack-daddy-bean-bag.

Accessorize with old books and taxidermy for a gentlemen’s club look. If a real taxidermy is a bit much for you, then there fake options available like the ones here. They can be made from anything from plastic and paper to fabric, that you can display in the room instead of the real thing.

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In the bedroom

The bedroom is one of the most important places to get ready for the colder seasons. If you are not comfortable getting to sleep, or when you are asleep then, you are not going to feel you at your best.

Brushed cotton sheets are perfect for keeping you toasty warm in the cold weather. The long fibers of the bedding help to hold in an extra layer of warmth that can make your hot water bottle all but redundant.

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Extra blankets never go a miss during the colder snaps either. Of course, you don’t have to stop at that, you can even get some gorgeous electric heated blankets now in fabrics like fake fur. Which are much more stylish than they use to be in the old days.

Remember to provide a soft rug too. So your feet are warm as soon as you step out of bed in the morning.

In the lounge

We spend a fair bit of time in our lounges and front rooms, especially when it gets colder. They are the place we relax in the evenings and on weekends. They also tend to be where we entertain guests when they come over.

There are plenty of alterations you can make in the front room to make it the perfect of the winter. Provide blankets and cushions in soft, warm fabrics, and scented candles relevant to the season.

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It is also worth looking at the heat source you have. Many people find an open fire, a warm and relaxing addition to a room come winter time. However, they do take a lot to put in if you haven’t already got a working chimney. Then you have to feed them with logs and get the chimney regularly cleaned, which can be a bit of a pain.

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A good alternative to a real fire is a fake gas fire. It looks like the real thing but doesn’t need all the maintenance. Of course, they are safer too as there is no chance of any sparks catching on the carpet or furniture. Some even offer a stay cool screen, which is perfect if you have kids or pets that you want to protect.

Another option is an electric fire, which doesn’t have a real flame, but a flame effect. This works particularly well in a fake log burner style, which is very fashionable right now. They look just like the real thing, they even have a fake flue pipe so you can’t tell the difference. You can also get a faux fire surround for them. So you will have a mantle piece to hang stockings and wreaths on come Christmas time.

In the hall

The other area of the home that needs to be got ready for the cold weather is the hallway.

When the weather is bad, the hall is the place that you put on your outdoor clothes. Also, it’s the place that you need to take it all off again, before going into the rest of the house.

TipsfromTia.com bootsThis stops you tracking mud, debris, and dirt into the rest of your home. So that means the hall need to be organized to store all these items in a practical and attractive way.

Make sure you have high pegs on the wheel that will be long enough to hang your winter coats so they can dry overnight. Provide mats for shoes and boots, so they don’t dirty the floor.

You can also keep a box for every member of the household where they can store their scarves, gloves, and hat. Then they will always know where they are. Which should make that morning rush easier, if nothing else.

A stand for umbrella is a good idea too. Pick one that catches the water as it drips off, else it can soak into your floor or carpet and produce mold.

In the kitchen

Making your kitchen winter ready, depends on the space you have available. If you live in an older building with wooden doors and windows, it can be a good idea to get some draft excluders to keep as much heat in as possible.

Winter is also the perfect time to get a range cooker, as the heat they produce goes a long way to heating to the whole house. It will certainly make the room above the kitchen warm and toasty, that’s for sure.

Of course, there are little touches that you can do in the kitchen to make it perfect for autumn and winter too. A swag of dried flowers hanging from the ceiling always looks very festive. Or you can match your tablecloths and tea towels in with the theme of the season.

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.

ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME, SEX & LIFE

Four Areas of Your Life That You Could Change, to Give Yourself a Real Confidence Boost

Four Areas of Your Life That You Could Change, to Give Yourself a Real Confidence Boost

In life, we can all need a little confidence boost here and there. Not all of us are naturally confident and really have to work on it. There are several things that can affect how confident we are. We might have had a negative experience in the past. It can be hard to let go of, and as a result, makes us feel unable to be proud of ourselves. We might not be happy with how we look and feel changes would help that. Whatever the reason for lacking in confidence, there are things that you can do to change that. So I’m going to talk you through some things that you could change, to give yourself a confidence boost.

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Change Aspects of Your Appearance

I have briefly mentioned it above, but your appearance can be a major factor that hinders your confidence. While you shouldn’t rely on how you look to make you feel happy, small changes could help. Think for instance about your teeth. If you hate your teeth, does it stop you from smiling? It might make you feel awkward in front of a crowd, and out you off speaking in public. A simple procedure or treatment at somewhere like Broadway Dental Clinic could sort your smile right out. Something like that can be a massive confidence booster. You’ll be the selfie queen before we know it!

Change Your Thinking

One easy way to give yourself a confidence boost is to change how you think. You need to start thinking positively. In order to think positively, you need to highlight your strengths and weaknesses. It then means to take steps to overcome those weaknesses. Don’t see them as failures, but things that you can improve on. So learn from your mistakes or weaknesses. Don’t dwell on things that have happened in the past. They are exactly that; in the past. You can make your future exactly as you would want it to be.

Change Your Approach

You might have heard the little phrase ‘fake in until you make it.’ This is a good phrase that to start with, you might need to implement. If other things haven’t worked for you in the past, then why not try this? Basically, if you act like you are confident, then you will become confident. A great way to do this is by talking to other people and following their examples. Confident people are attractive to be around. So be around them and learn from them. Confidence is said to be contagious, so soak it all in!

Change How You Control Situations

One reason people lack confidence is that they don’t feel in control. Take a job interview, for example. Are you someone that plans well in advance for an interview and prepares lots of answers? Or do you just turn up and feel a little disorganized? When you take control, you will feel more confident. So take the time to plan and prepare for things more. It will give you a complete boost.

 

ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME

Are You Feeling Out Of Sorts? When To See A Doctor

Are You Feeling Out Of Sorts? When To See A Doctor

Everyone has days when they don’t feel 100 percent. Most of the time, there’s nothing to worry about, and you’ll bounce back before you know it. However, in other cases, you may need a little help to get back to full strength. Here are some instances when it’s best to see a doctor.

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Acute symptoms

Have you suddenly developed breathing difficulties, skin rashes or severe pain? Have you got a fever that has come from nowhere or a racing heart rate? If you experience acute (sudden) symptoms, it’s best to contact your doctor. If you have severe symptoms such as chest pain or you’re struggling for breath, call an ambulance. In many cases, these signs will be linked to minor, treatable conditions. However, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Persistent problems

Have you been struggling with back pain for as long as you can remember? Do you have trouble sleeping? Have you had a cough for weeks? Have you been getting a lot of headaches of late? When we feel under the weather, there’s a temptation to ignore symptoms and carry on. Often, problems resolve themselves. However, if you’ve got continual or frequent issues, it’s time to seek advice. Sometimes, symptoms can be a sign of an underlying health problem that needs attention. Call and make an appointment with your family doctor. If you can’t get one that day, there may be other options. You could visit a walk-in clinic or talk to a doctor online.

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Mental health issues

Many of us are a lot more inclined to seek help for physical issues than mental health problems. You can often see signs of physiological illnesses, but with mental health, the symptoms are often harder to detect. You may think it’s normal to feel down all the time. But the reality is that it’s not. We all have days when we don’t feel great. However, if you feel sad, anxious, or worried every day, this is a sign that you may have depression. Depression is a difficult subject for many of us to talk about. However, there is help out there. If you see your doctor, they can offer advice and talk you through some treatment options. There may not be a miracle cure, but seeking help could make a massive difference.

head-in-his-handsImage credit http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/hledej.php?hleda=depression

Red flag signs

There are certain symptoms that shouldn’t be ignored. These signs are often nothing to worry about, but there is a risk of serious illness. If you experience unexplained weight loss or you spot blood in your feces or urine, see your doctor. You should also arrange an appointment if you feel abnormal lumps or swelling or if you have chest pain or breathing difficulties.

Many of us tend to try and plod on when we’re feeling out of sorts. In many cases, your body will recover and heal without any need for treatment. But it’s important to make use of services available to you. If you experience symptoms suddenly or you have recurrent problems, see your doctor. It’s always better to err on the side of caution and get professional advice.

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.

ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME, SEX & LIFE

Turn Your Home Into An Earner: How To Create A Successful B&B

Turn Your Home Into An Earner: How To Create A Successful B&B

Have you been wondering how you could make a bit of extra cash? One of the best ways is to turn your home into an earner and set up a B&B business. Then all you have to do is rent out your spare rooms to holidaymakers or other people visiting your local area. Not too sure what goes into setting up a B&B business? No problem; here are my top tips to help you make a successful B&B.

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Do You Need To Extend?

If your home is quite small, you may need to extend the property slightly. Many homeowners do this if they currently only have one spare room. By adding an extra, they will be significantly increasing the income they could get from renting out two bedrooms. You will need to make sure that you get all the required permission from your local authority before you do start to build. You may also need to carry out some minor building work if your home isn’t up to current health and safety standards. For instance, you may need to add an extra exit to the building so guests can safely evacuate in the event of a fire.

Read: SMART BUSINESS TECHNIQUES THAT WILL HELP YOU SAVE TIME AND MONEY

Smarten Up The Bedrooms

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As people will be paying to stay with you, you need to make sure that the bedrooms are very smart and comfortable. It is a good idea to decorate them before you start inviting guests into your home. You may have different people staying with you each night. So you need to prepare yourself for regular room changes! To do this, it is a good idea to get in touch with bedding suppliers so that you have plenty of bed linen to change the beds each day if needed. Remember to add some thoughtful touches to each room as well. Things like tea and coffee-making facilities and free toiletries will always go down well with guests.

Don’t Forget About Breakfast

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Your guests will expect a filling breakfast each morning. So you will also need to prepare a breakfast room. Make sure that you invest in top-quality dining tables and chairs. These may be expensive, but you won’t have to replace them as often as cheaper ones as they can handle all the wear and tear. It is important to offer your guests a wide choice at breakfast. Place fresh fruit and cereals in the breakfast room so that they can help themselves. It is also important to offer a cooked breakfast. This could be a full English or an American-style breakfast with waffles and pancakes. The more choice you offer, then your guests will certainly enjoy their breakfast and feel like they are getting good value for money!

Read: WHAT YOU SHOULD CARE ABOUT AS A NEW BUSINESS OWNER

Marketing

Don’t forget that you need to market your B&B. Otherwise, no one will hear about it! Set up social media accounts for your home. It is also a good idea to get in touch with a local tourist board. They will be able to advertise your B&B for you for a small fee.

​Tia and TipsfromTia.com are 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, TikTok, or Instagram.