Category Archives: ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME

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ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME

5 Ways to Find the Help You Need to Stay Healthy This Winter

5 Ways to Find the Help You Need to Stay Healthy This Winter

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This year has shown us how important it is to take care of ourselves and the ones around us. At the same time, the months spent indoors, the travel restrictions, and social distancing measures have made it incredibly challenging to remain happy, healthy, and motivated. And, now that winter is here, there are even fewer occasions to spend a sunny afternoon in the garden. However, all this makes it crucial to understand how you can support yourself throughout these challenging months. Below are some steps you can take to work towards perfect health.

It All Starts Within Yourself

You – and your mind – are much more in control of yourself or what you think. Even if you have found the past months difficult to deal with, it might be the right time to discover what your mind can do when stimulated. For this, there is no need to sign up for a course or retreat. Instead, you might decide to learn something new or start meditation sessions to gain a better understanding of yourself and your mind. 

Reach Out to the Ones Around You

Over the past months, we have all been dealing with sky-high levels of stress, anxiety, and uncertainty. The travel restrictions and social distancing measures have made it even harder to cultivate those relationships that are the closest to our hearts. However, technology, this time can help! Make sure you schedule regular catch up calls and coffee chats with your friends and family. 

Rethink Your Habits

Your lifestyle has a greater impact on your well-being than you would think. For example, the way you start your days can impact the hours ahead or even your entire time. Nutrition is also crucial in looking after your body. Through the right foods, you can start detoxing, feeling more energized, and love yourself a little more!

If you are not sure how to change your habits under this aspect, you might consider speaking to a professional nutritionist who can guide you along the journey. You might also consider trying a different way of eating such as plant-based diets or organic nutritional regimes.  

Find Support in Nature

We all tend to spend most of our time indoors, something that has been made even worse by the various lockdowns we have gone through. However, sometimes, there is nothing more therapeutic than getting out of your four walls and reconnecting with nature. Just a short walk in a park, forest, or beachfront can help you breathe in the fresh air and benefit from sunlight. Studies have even confirmed that being in contact with nature can have healing properties and help you feel better emotionally. 

Find Professional Help

Sometimes, you might need the guidance and help of an expert in the field. The past months have been challenging for everybody, and it is only natural to need additional help. Getting in touch with professionals such as those at Meridian Psychiatric Partners can help you identify the right path to work on your emotional health and go back to living your life to the fullest. 

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

How to Survive Lockdown With Your Partner

How to Survive Lockdown With Your Partner

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It’s a difficult time for everyone at the moment. There are lockdowns going on over the world, and people are unable to do many of the activities that once brought them joy. There are restrictions on going out for dinner or drinking at bars, and don’t even think about going to a concert or sports event in the foreseeable future. As winter continues to settle in, more and more people will find themselves stuck at home for long periods of time. You may be working from home or unemployed due to the pandemic. Perhaps you’ve had to self-isolate or shield to reduce your risk.

Whatever your reasons for being stuck at home, it can be an incredibly frustrating and isolating experience. Having a loved one to share the experience with can help, but it can also present challenges of its own. You may think spending more time with your partner at home would help strengthen your relationship, but if you’re not careful it could do just the opposite. When you are together 24/7, with little room to get away, you may find yourself getting increasingly annoyed with one another. Your partner’s habits will go from cute to unbearable in the blink of an eye, and you may find yourself engaging in constant shouting matches and passive-aggressive silences.

But if you are prepared for the challenges of being stuck indoors together, you will be better equipped to avoid putting a strain on your relationship. To help your love make it through the winter, here are a few helpful tips for surviving lockdown with your partner.

Face issues together

You and your partner are both completely different people with different minds, experiences, and habits. One of you may be coping perfectly well with the situation, while the other is silently suffering. It’s important that you are open and honest with each other about how you are feeling, and face your anxieties and worries together. If you bottle up your emotions inside, they will eventually overwhelm you and lead to cracks in your relationship. Keep an open line of communication and constantly check in with one another. Speak up about any irritations you have as well. Perhaps your partner puts the heating on too high or leaves their clothes all over the floor. You probably have some habits that annoy them too, so talk about them together and be prepared to make compromises.

Give each other space

No matter how in love you are, everyone needs some alone time now and then. But if you’re stuck at home together day and night, this space is harder to achieve than you would like. Make sure you schedule some alone time every day, to give your thoughts a chance to breathe and check in with yourself. You could go for a long winter walk, or spend an hour in the bath with a scented candle and a cup of tea. Once you return to your partner you will be in a much better frame of mind.

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

Why Breathing Right is So Important

Why Breathing Right is So Important

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If you’ve ever felt short of breath or experienced tightness in your chest, you’ll know just how uncomfortable it can be when your breathing is impaired. Of course, most people take breathing for granted but few of us are doing it ‘right’. How you breathe has a major impact on your physical health and your emotional well-being, even if you don’t realize it.

How Does Breathing Affect the Body?

Your breathing has a direct impact on your blood pressure and your heart rate. If you’ve ever noticed how your heart races when you feel anxious, this reaction is often triggered because of a subconscious change in your breathing pattern. When you get nervous or anxious, you take more shallow breaths and, as a result, your heart rate and blood pressure increase.

In addition to this, your breathing impacts how well your muscles are able to function. If you take shallow breaths, rather than deep breaths, you use the muscles surrounding your collarbone and neck, instead of your diaphragm. However, tightness in the muscles or poor posture impairs their ability to function adequately, which can make you feel like you’re not taking in enough air.

Can Breathing Affect the Mind?

Yes. Your emotions can have an impact on your breathing, but the reverse is true too, which is why breathing right is great for mental health. If you’re not breathing properly, it can fuel anxiety, rather than diminish it. This can lead to a vicious cycle where your anxiety affects your breathing and, in turn, your breathing exacerbates your anxiety, often leading to a panic attack.

In addition to this, consistent, short, shallow breaths can make you feel more stressed and overwhelmed. When your blood isn’t filled with oxygen-rich air, it can also cause confusion, which can make you feel even more out of your depth. Furthermore, breathing too rapidly can cause your carbon dioxide levels to drop, which can lead to a feeling of panic, dizziness, faintness, and/or nausea.

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How to Optimize Your Breathing

Now you know why it’s so important to breathe‘ right’, you’ll want to do everything you can to optimize your breathing patterns. Firstly, it’s important to ensure that the air you’re breathing in is as fresh and clean as possible. By having air ducts in your home professionally cleaned by DUCTZ, for example, you can ensure the air quality in your property isn’t having a negative impact on your well-being. Similarly, keeping your home well-ventilated will help to ensure you have constant access to fresh air.

Once you’ve taken steps to enhance the air quality, take a look at these top tips for improving your breathing patterns:

1. Keep Your Chest Still

If your chest rises and falls with each breath, it probably means you’re taking shallow breaths. Many people are surprised to learn that your chest doesn’t really need to move in order for you to breathe properly. When you’re learning how to take deep, diaphragmatic breaths, aim to keep your chest as still as you can.

2. Inhale Through Your Nose

Instead of gulping air in through your mouth, aim to inhale slowly through your nose. As you do so, place your hand on your belly and notice how it expands slightly as you draw breath into your body.

3. Exhale Through Your Mouth

When you’re ready to exhale, try to engage your stomach muscles. You can do this by attempting to pull your muscles towards your spine. As you exhale, purse your lips and allow the air to be expelled via your mouth.

Use Your Posture to Enhance Your Breathing

If you have poor posture, you may experience back or neck discomfort, but you may not realize that the way you stand, sit, and move could be affecting your breathing too. If you’re sitting in a hunched-over position, for example, your stomach muscles won’t be able to fully engage as you exhale.

By practicing good posture, you can breathe far more effectively, particularly when you’re learning how to take deep breaths from the diaphragm. When you first start experimenting with new breathing techniques, try to practice will you’re standing up or lying down, rather than sitting. This will help you to activate the appropriate muscles and allow you to feel the difference between taking shallow and deep breaths.

Breathe Mindfully

When you’re used to taking short or shallow breaths, it’s easy to overlook the impact it has on your well-being. However, once you begin to feel the difference that deep breathing makes, you’ll be acutely aware of how good it feels. By taking the time to practice deep breathing techniques every day and by being mindful about your breathing, you can enjoy the physical, mental and emotional benefits it brings.

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

Moving In With Your Partner: Tips To Make It Easier On Both Of You

Moving In With Your Partner: Tips To Make It Easier On Both Of You

For many couples, a significant step in their relationship is when they decide to move in together. A lot of people who have been there and done it before are going to warn you that this is one of the most challenging but exciting times in your relationship. The chances are, if you have got to that point, you are going to do it anyway.   After all, what is the worst that could happen? 

We can tell you now that no matter how much you love someone and how well you think you will fit together, moving in with each other and learning to share a space, compromise on things, and live with each other’s bad habits can cause some tension. To try to keep things as easy and positive as possible, we share some tips on moving in with your partner.  

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Learn to let some things go

By this, we mean physically – and emotionally. 

For most couples, moving in together means losing some space, and that means that your shoe collection to rival Carrie Bradshaws might just need cutting down, or his Star Wars Lego collection might just need shelving – permanently. It is a good opportunity to declutter and get rid of anything that you no longer need or use. It also makes it easier, and cheaper, for your moving services. 

In terms of emotionally letting things go – there are going to be things that your partner does that annoy you. Perhaps they leave the lid off the toothpaste or plump the cushions up on the couch when they get up. You need to challenge any big issues but some things, you just have to learn to let go of. As the saying goes, pick your battles. Some are just not worth fighting.

Consider buying versus renting

There are some significant advantages and disadvantages to each of these and it is wise to weigh them up before diving in. While buying a home together gives you much more stability and ownership than renting, it is also a huge financial commitment. Renting is much easier to deal with if you were to separate, although you are not getting the advantage of owning your own property.

Make sure you both have space

When you live together, it can be very easy to fall into the trap of living in each other’s pockets, spending every waking – and sleeping – moment together. That worlds for some couples, but most will benefit from having a little time and space on their own. Do not ditch your friends and hobbies – this gives you valuable time to be your own person.

Divide chores and responsibilities up before you move in

Before you take the step of moving in together, make sure you sort out and talk through who is responsible for what, so that chores and responsibilities are shared evenly. One person being responsible for everything can cause tension and arguments, so it is better to sort it out well before it hits that point. 

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

Home Maintenance You Should Never Put Off

Home Maintenance You Should Never Put Off

Home maintenance and repairs can be time-consuming, expensive, and boring, so it’s easy to decide some problems can be safely ignored until you feel like getting round to sorting them out. Unfortunately, by putting off these repairs, the problems can get worse, making them more difficult and expensive to put right. Here are the home maintenance tasks that you should never put off. 

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Pest Control

Pests can be a burden even when roaming outside of the home, but things can get much worse when they find a way into the home. Not only can little critters be harmful to walls, electric and the foundation of your home, but they also can carry diseases that they can pass on to you and your family. Another thing, …remembering the food-chain or the circle of life, one species in the environment can cause other pests to enter, which can inevitably lead to an infestation. Taking care of the problem ASAP is important for your overall health as well as the infrastructure of your home. First, call in the professionals. Getting a good pest control service like https://www.pestcontrolexperts.com/local/nebraska/ can help manage and eliminate pests, all while figuring out the possible entrances of your critters. Next, be sure to patch any holes where pest can enter. Packing big holes with steel wool or insulation will make it harder for anything to push through in the future.

Concrete Cracks

A small crack in any kind of concrete can very quickly turn into a large crack, which can lead to a potentially dangerous problem, especially in the Winter. If water gets into a crack like this, it can freeze and expand, widening the crack and compromising the structural integrity of the whole section of concrete. You can repair cracks with a quick-setting filler or a mortar mix in order to prolong the life of the steps, walkways, and patios, and to stop a small gap landing you with a big repair bill. 

Clogged Gutters

Never neglect your guttering. If it isn’t properly maintained, this vital drainage can cause a lot of trouble during the winter, leading to damage from water or ice. If you notice your gutters or downspouts are full of leaves or aren’t draining as they should, give them a good clean. While you’re cleaning, check for any gutter repair that you need. Is the guttering firmly fixed to the house? Do the downspouts drain away from the foundation? These steps might take up your afternoon, a few hours of work is worth it if it prevents you from having to make expensive repairs later on. 

Loose Railings

Loose or wobbly railings along your decking, porch, or steps are a sign that there is a weak connection somewhere between one or more of the posts and the frame. This is easy to fix. All you need to do is tighten up the screws or lag bolts in any place that doesn’t feel sturdy. Don’t ignore a wobbly railing. Eventually, the loose rail will give way, leaving you with a broken section of railing, which can be dangerous. It will also be a lot more expensive and time-consuming to repair than just tightening the connections. 

Water Warnings

If you notice a water spot on your ceiling, don’t ignore it. While it’s clear that you might have a leak somewhere, the cause is not always easy to spot. You might be dealing with a much bigger problem than a loose roof tile or a build-up of condensation. It’s a good idea to bring in a roofing contractor as soon as you spot a potential problem so you can get a clear idea of what is going on, instead of ignoring it or trying to find the root of the issues yourself. 

Driveway Damage

Asphalt is porous, so it’s very important to seal your driveway as soon as you see signs of wear. This prevents damage from rain, snow, ice, sunlight, or drips of oil. If waters get into the asphalt and freezes, it will cause more and wider cracks in the surface. This seepage can also saturate the soil underneath, causing it to shift over time and damage the driveway. 

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.