Category Archives: SEX & LIFE

Tips on sexual health, mental health, relationships, and everyday healthy life.

SEX & LIFE

Winter Darkness: How To Survive The Chilly Months

Winter Darkness: How To Survive The Chilly Months

Some people effortlessly transition into the cold winter months, but for others, it’s a time of year they wish would come and go as soon as possible. Alas, regardless of how you feel about the winter season, the fact is that it’s going to be here for many months whether you like or not. However, just because you may be pining for the return of spring, that doesn’t mean you have to collapse under the weight of the chill. Below, we take a look at five ways you not only survive but thrive during winter.

 

Source: Pexels.com

Dress Well, Get Outside

 

You may want to just curl up in bed and hibernate for the winter, but if you do that for too long, you’re not going to feel too good. Even when the weather is cold, it’s important that you leave the comfort of your home and spend some time in the outdoors. It’ll do wonders for your mental health. And indeed, wrap up warm, and you won’t even feel the cold – and you might just discover that maybe the winter months aren’t so bad after all!

Make Your Home a Sanctuary

 

Of course, while it’s important to get outside, the real comforts will be in your home. As such, it’s important that it’s ready to provide a cozy respite from the outside chill. Load up on those winter warmers, such as pillows, blankets, candles and the like, and also hire a local plumber to make sure all your heating appliances are in full working order. There’s nothing worse than spending the winter in a cold house! Having a home that you love to spend time in will make it all the more easy not to dream of those summer BBQs and beach trips.

Get Away

 

Although, talking of beach trips, how about…a trip to the beach? Many people tend to take their travel breaks during the summer,  but it makes a lot more sense to go during the winter: prices are lower, there are fewer crowds, and you’ll be able to get a full dose of sunshine. Plan your trip for halfway through winter, and you’ll be on the home straight to spring when you get back. And also, you’ll have a tan that’ll look especially pronounced against the backdrop of snow

Indulge a Little

 

It’s winter; you’re allowed to indulge a little bit. After all, where else will the good times exist other than in freshly baked cookies, steaming cups of hot chocolate, or a glass of red wine as you’re curled up in front a roaring fire? Don’t overdo it, but do it a little. You can always resume your exercise regime come spring.

Embrace the Season

 

Finally, it’s important that don’t try too hard to fight the cold. Embrace it! Use it as a time to read, catch up with family, and build up your energy for the busy and social warm months. If you have an attitude that accepts the chill, you’ll be able to enjoy its simple joys.

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

The First-Night Guide For A Solo Home Move

The First-Night Guide For A Solo Home Move

Pixabay Image

 

Moving house is a big moment in anyone’s life. Sometimes, it spells the end of a chapter. Most times, it means the start of something new. Moving with a family or loved one can be a fantastic way to strengthen your relationships and progress together. But, moving on your own can be an exciting time, too. Perhaps you’re branching into a new career, or going it alone for the first time. Unlike when you have others to consider, this will be a move into complete freedom. And, some of us can’t imagine anything better.

That said, this isn’t a one person job. The majority of us get help along the way to make moving easier. Some of us invite family along to help us get everything in. Others turn to friends who are willing to go the extra mile. And, of course, you’ll probably have a moving company around you on the day, too. All this together is sure to lead to a pretty bustling first day in your new home.

But, no matter how many people you have around for the moving process, there will come a time when everyone heads home. The moving company will be all packed up and finished, and you’ll be left in an empty space, with a hell of a lot to do. It can be a daunting experience, and if you allow yourself to, you may come down hard from all that excitement. To ensure that doesn’t happen, here are a few things to turn your attention to the moment your guests leave.

Start unpacking

The good thing is, you have plenty to keep you distracted. And, there’s no time like the present to get started. As soon as the house is empty, turn your attention to unpacking the crucial rooms. You’ve had a hard day, so don’t pressure yourself to get everything finished. But, having at least a few places the way you want them will make a massive difference to your mentality. Not only will the job keep you distracted, but having your belongings around will help to ease potential loneliness. Plus, getting rooms how you want them will help to reignite your excitement about what you’re doing. If you spend a night or more with just boxes around you’re sure to feel worse and more isolated than you would otherwise.

Look around your new home

Another fantastic idea would be to look around your new home. You may well have visited more than once already, but it’s difficult to get a real feel for a property when it isn’t yours. You likely held back because of the estate agent. Plus, there may have been someone else’s belongings around. Now, you’re free to explore every inch of your new space. This can be a lot of fun, and again, can help keep your excitement alive. Early explorations can also take the area from alien to familiar. Every house has its quirks, and once you’ve discovered those, the two of you could become old friends in no time.

Explore your new surroundings

If you’ve moved into a familiar area, this isn’t as important. But, if you’ve moved somewhere wholly new, it’s worth heading out on that first day to acclimatize. You never know you might meet the neighbors on your trip. Either way, something as simple as walking to the local shop will help you get your bearings. As you walk, pay close attention to your surroundings. Take note of places you would like to come to or explore them as you go if you fancy. You don’t have to stay out for hours. You’ll likely be too exhausted anyway. But, venturing out as soon as possible is essential.

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.

SEX & LIFE

Waking Up Tired? Here’s Why

Waking Up Tired? Here’s Why

Image source

 

There’s nothing worse than waking up in the morning, after being good and getting to bed at a reasonable hour, only to find that you’re still exhausted – totally wiped out. Unfortunately, it’s an issue that millions of us face on a regular basis. If you’re one of them, check out these common causes of morning exhaustion and how to overcome them…

 

Hitting the Snooze Button

 

If you regularly hit the snooze button, it’s not surprising that you still feel tired when you do drag yourself out of bed because, once you’ve fallen back to sleep, even if it’s only for a few minutes, you will enter a new sleep cycle, and get woken up in the wrong part of it, thus throwing your body clock out of whack for the rest of the day.

 

Don’t hit snooze and your problem is solved.

 

Sleep Apnea

 

Sleep apnea is a condition in which you stop breathing for several moments at a time, all through the night, as you sleep. If you suffer from it, then no matter how good you are about getting to bed early and sleeping no longer than 8 hours, you’re going to feel less than refreshed in the morning.

 

If you think you may have sleep apnea, see your doctor for a diagnosis. Treating sleep apnea can be done in a number of ways, but usually, you will not need surgery. It’s nothing to worry about as long as you act to get it fixed now.

 

Streaming Netflix Before Sleep

Image source

 

Unfortunately for those of you who love to watch just one more episode of The Crown before you retire to bed, electronics are a stimulant, and they will keep you awake. It’s not just TV either if you regularly use your phone or laptop just before bed, you’ll find it hard to get to sleep due to the kind of light they emit.

 

Luckily, fixing this is as simple as turning off all your electronic devices around 1 hour before you go to bed. Use the time to read a good book, enjoy a hot bath or spend some quality time with your spouse and you’re much more likely to wake up refreshed it the morning.

 

You Keep the Curtains Closed

 

If you’re one of those people, who for whatever reason – privacy, it hurts your eyes – you don’t throw open the curtains when you wake, then you might find yourself feeling groggy and fatigued for most of the morning. Why? Because light plays a big part in regulating your body’s circadian rhythms and the sooner you see the light, the sooner you’ll wake up and feel ready to take on the world.

 

You Have No Sleep Schedule

 

If you go to bed at 9 pm one night, 11 the next and 1 am the day after that, your body will never get into a consistent rhythm, and you’ll have more trouble sleeping deeply and soundly, which of course means you’ll feel more tired upon waking.

 

Set a sleep schedule and stick to it as best you can every day of the week to solve the problem.

 

Sleep tight!

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.

 

SEX & LIFE

Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal Affective Disorder

The change in seasons can bring about more than just cold weather. For some, this change comes with depressive episodes. Approximately 5% of the U.S. population suffers from Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, during the year. About 10-20% of recurring depression cases have a seasonal pattern.

What exactly is SAD? SAD is a type of depression that comes and goes with the changing seasons. Symptoms include fatigue, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, and weight fluctuation. There are two types of SAD. Winter-onset is the most common with symptoms occurring in late fall to early winter and improving in the summer. Spring onset is the lesser known type of SAD that happens during late spring or early summer.

We know that SAD occurs with the changes of the seasons, but a diagnostic test for SAD still does not exist. Even without a formal diagnostic test, your healthcare provider can still perform a diagnostic procedure to determine if you suffer from SAD. Your doctor will ask a series of questions and perform a physical exam. Often, a complete blood count or thyroid test will be conducted to rule out any other health issues.

What are the treatment options if you’ve been diagnosed with SAD? There are multiple options for treatment that include traditional and alternative methods. Here’s a breakdown of SAD treatment options.

Traditional SAD Treatments
â— Light Therapy- With light therapy, the person is exposed to a full-spectrum light anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour and a half per day. The light simulates natural light and is thought to change the brain chemicals linked to mood.

â— Psychotherapy- In psychotherapy patients are taught to recognize and change their negative thoughts, manage their stress, and utilize healthy coping strategies.

â— Medication- In some instances, medication can be prescribed as a traditional method of treating SAD.

Alternative SAD Treatments
â— Dawn Simulators- This treatment involves gradually increasing light a half hour before an alarm clock notification. This mimics the sun rising during warmer seasons.

â— Supplements- Vitamin D supplements can be used to alleviate depression symptoms. Omega-3 oils are found in supplements or fatty fish and can relieve significant depression symptoms.

â— Yoga and Exercise – Yoga therapy and regular exercise can effectively treat depression symptoms. Exercise releases the body’s feel-good chemicals called endorphins, but the real value lies in low-intensity exercise sustained over time. That kind of activity spurs the release of proteins called neurotrophic or growth factors, which cause nerve cells to grow and make new connections. This improvement in brain function is known to make people feel better.

â— Meditation – Meditation techniques have been found to reduce stress in people with SAD.

â— Acupuncture – This treatment can reduce the severity of depression. The benefits can last for up to one year.

To learn more, checkout the infographic below created by Regis College’s Online Master of Science in Nursing degree program.

 

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder
Regis College

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

Finding Ways To Turn Your Sleep Around

Finding Ways To Turn Your Sleep Around

(Image Credit)

 

No one likes the horrible feeling of waking up late. When you have work, school, or other morning commitments, oversleeping can be the worst possible start to the day. But, of course, sleep never comes when you can’t get yourself off in the first place. Loads of people suffer from ailments which make it hard to sleep, so this post is here to help you out with them.

 

Before you start to think about how you’re going to fix your sleep, though, it’s a good idea to understand why you need to do it. Most people will find it very difficult to get through day after day of work without the right amount of sleep. The quality of the work you produce will drop dramatically, and you may even find yourself making mistakes. Along with this, you could even present a danger to yourself, with accidents being much more likely when you’re tired. Below, you can find some figures to give you a little more inspiration.

 

  • 1 in 3 US adults don’t get enough sleep each night.
  • 50 to 70 million Americans suffer from a sleeping disorder of some kind.
  • 100,000 deaths occur each year in the US as the result of sleep deprivation.

 

  • The Bed You Sleep On

 

It’s important to have a comfortable bed. For some people, this will make making a house nice and instead, the official website of a mattress company can help you to find a mattress topper which will make any bed a pleasure to sleep on. Along with this, you could also consider the pillows, duvet, and sheets you use to cover your bed. A little bit of extra thread count and a comfier bed can make sleeping a lot easier.

 

  • Your Time Before Sleep

 

Of course, your bed only plays a small part in your ability to get to sleep. Along with this, you also have to consider the way that you treat your body during the short time before you head to bed. Eating before going to bed will make it harder to sleep, and so will the blue light from monitors and TV screens. Avoiding elements like this before you sleep will have a huge impact on your ability to drift off. During the day, you should also aim to burn the energy you consume. Being more active and doing some exercise can improve the quality of the sleep you get at night by a huge degree.

 

  • The Techniques You Use

 

Whatever you do, you should always avoid engaging in anything too active, even if it is only mental activity, before you go to bed. Along with this, if you want to use a device with a screen, you could also consider investing in some light filtering glasses to wear in bed. This will block the blue light, enabling your body to produce the melatonin it needs to make you feel drowsy. There are loads of methods people like to use to help them sleep. Websites like Reddit can help you to find what you need, while also giving you access to other users with similar issues. This is perfect when you’re looking for new advice.

 

Hopefully, this post will inspire you to start working harder on the sleep you get at night and will enable you to start making some big improvements to it. As with any part of life, the sleep you get is dependent on the work you put in. Without this effort though, it will be very challenging to get what you need during the night, and this will impact your entire life.

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.